Beneath the Threads

XXVI.

The months passed in the seclusion of the secondary castle. The campaign against the Grimleal dragged on, Chrom advising movements from afar. Robin put in her strategic sense as well, but he kept her from attending duties too taxing. Validar was still provoking, but he hadn't been able to communicate with Robin as he had that night. Robin's pregnancy had been painful, and she was confined to bed most of the day. She moved around to eat meals and play with her daughter, but she couldn't do much without becoming weak. She was amazed at how much Lucina had grown. She was able to walk around and talk in small sentences on her own, just in the time they had arrived at the castle.

Maribelle pushed Robin's dressed down after examining her. She brushed hair back from Robin's eyes and brought the blankets back over her.

"It won't be long now, darling." She smiled. "I'm sure you're ready."

Robin placed her hand at her midsection and squeezed her eyes shut. "I'm terrified, Maribelle."

"You'll be fine. Chrom and I will be with you, just like last time. I've sent for the midwife that delivered Lucina. Everything will be familiar to you to help relieve some of the stress."

"Thank you. What should I do in the meantime?"

"Plenty of rest. I'd also recommend a walk or two around the halls every day to stretch your back and legs. You'll start feeling some minor contractions soon. Don't hesitate to let me know so I can get something to help with it."

"Gods...how much longer do I have?"

"I'd say a week or two. Don't worry, the midwife will get here in time."

After dinner, Chrom accompanied Robin on a walk down the halls. He wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her steady as they gazed out the large windows overlooking the mountains and the setting sun. Robin felt the pain Maribelle had warned her about, and walked over to the window ledge and sat down. Chrom stood in front of her, his eyes wide.

"Are you….?" he whispered.

"No, I'm alright." Robin licked her lip. "He'll be born within a week or two, Maribelle says. But...I'm thinking more by the end of the week. We took a bet, whoever's right gets to pick the tea at our next teatime."

"Gods…"

"What's wrong, Chrom?" Robin chuckled. "Does becoming a dad again make you nervous?"

"I'm nervous about you going through another birth."

"So am I. But, as long as you're with me, I think I'll be okay."

"I've spoken with Maribelle on how I can support you during labor…" His face flushed, his hand behind his head. "I hope I can provide comfort for you."

"How sweet…" Robin smiled. "You'll do fine."

Robin stood again and they continued walking. She thought about Validar and what it meant to have the blood of the Fell Dragon. The campaign had dragged on. But, once she and Chrom returned to the front, he would go after her with full force. He had to be defeated, there was no way around it. She feared how far his manipulation would be able to go. She clenched her fists at the thought of him trying to contact her children.

"What's wrong?" Chrom asked, noticing her stiffness. "Are you having a contraction?"

"No…" Robin shook her head. "I was just thinking…"

"That always gets you in trouble."

"I'm so sorry, Chrom…" She bit back tears. "I had no idea I was the daughter of Validar. I must've been some unsavory person before I met you. Now your children are in danger. I'm sorry...of all the things for you to worry about, it's the fact the exalt's bloodline shares that of Grima's. Perhaps you should've picked another woman to bear your children, but it's too late now."

"Robin, enough with this sort of talk!" Chrom furrowed his brows, his voice reflecting his upset. "You're not an unsavory person. I don't know what it means to share the blood of Grima. But, you're a beautiful and pure person, and it has not soured you. Look, our grown children are fine as well. It doesn't automatically make you evil, just as having exalted blood doesn't automatically make you righteous. You know the stories of my father as proof of that. Gods...you have to do your best to relax your mind, my love. Your stresses are what make your pregnancies so difficult, and these sorts of thoughts are not helping. Especially not since you're practically in labor!"

"I don't feel well…" Robin sighed. "I'm sorry, Chrom. Do you see why I need you around? I can't rid myself of these thoughts alone."

"It's alright. Let's go back to the chambers and rest."