Beneath the Threads
XXIV.
The fight carried on as the weeks passed. The war quickly became that of the Grimleal versus those who followed Naga. The Shepherds had retreated from Plegia's deserts to awaken the voice of Naga, Tiki. The war against Walhart had settled, and the people were rebuilding. They thanked Chrom personally for sending aid every time they passed through a new town, and he had to reassure them to keep their commodities for their rebuilding efforts instead of trying to give them to him as tokens of gratitude. Tiki was awoken. She said she would join the cause, but she need to rest for a few weeks. The Shepherds took the opportunity to rest themselves, and build up their supplies again.
Robin rested with them, but she couldn't help but spend a few hours each day on strategy. She leaned over the table, her hand at the back of her hip. She was sore, despite the fighting slowing down. She figured she had finally slowed down enough to feel her aching muscles, where before she was too busy to notice it.
Chrom opened the flap to the tent. "We're having lunch," he said. "Let's eat with Morgan and Lucina."
Robin nodded and set down her book. "Of course."
Chrom stared at her. Robin furrowed her brows.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
He walked up to her. He pushed her coat back and exposed her white shirt. He unbuckled her belt and set it on the table. She flustered.
"What are you doing?" she whispered harshly.
"This has been bothering me all week," he mumbled. "I can't stand it anymore. I need to take a look."
"Take a look at what?" Robin bit her lip, a blush on her cheeks. "Chrom, someone could come in here!"
He lifted her shirt. He took off his glove and ran his thumb along the area below her navel. He swallowed. Robin watched him, her heart pounding in her ears. She stayed silent.
"Gods…" He exhaled. "You're pregnant with our son. I'm sure of it."
Robin's face paled. Sweat formed at the back of her neck. "How could you be so sure?! Wouldn't I notice before you?!"
"You've been too stretched thin to notice it. You come to bed every night talking about your hip and back aches. I can actually get you to take a break in order to eat with me, which you usually never do when we're traveling. And your skin is tender, just like it was when you were carrying our first. I'm sure you've written it all off to stress and travel, haven't you?"
Robin bit her lip. "I...I suppose so. This conflict has demanded a lot more work as tactician. I never consider pregnancy as the first possibility when my body changes."
"Damn it!" Chrom exclaimed. "I don't want a repeat of last time. Why can't we have our family in peace?"
"Oh, Gods…" Robin's eyes filled with tears. "I can't do this again, Chrom!"
"We knew to expect this, but still…" Chrom sighed. "You're going back to the castle in Ylisstol."
"If Validar knows I'm there, it'll become a target."
"Isn't it already?" Chrom paused. "We'll get Lucina and take you both to the secondary castle. You'll stay there throughout your pregnancy. It's far out of the way. I'll make sure it's well guarded."
"You'll be with me, won't you?" Robin said. She wiped her eyes.
"Robin….I can't stay dormant for nine months. The army needs its captain."
"You promised me!" she shouted through a new wave of tears. "You promised to support me when I got pregnant again. I can't do this alone. You know that. Gods...do you really want it to kill me this time? I need you. What's with you fathering children and running off?"
"You know that's a bit dramatic." Chrom clenched his jaw. "Let's just make sure we're right in our assumptions first and foremost. Go speak with Maribelle, then we'll start making some decisions."