I am on a roll right now! Homework has been easy and I've been finding myself using my spares and lunch periods to do it so I can write more at home. To my guest reviewer: I'm happy you're enjoying my writing and here is a quick upload! And at the suggestion of another thoughtful reviewer I am now looking for a beta reader. I'm new which means I got no idea what the process of working with one entails so I'm more than a bit anxious. But if anyone really patient wants to beta read even one or two chapters for their own practice hit me up. Finally: Concrit welcome, flame ignored, enjoy the story.
Lon'qu cracked his shoulders a couple more times, swiveling his neck in time with his rolling shoulders. Any minute now the gates would open, the high pitched clattering of chains accompanying the deep clicking of grinding gears. He hated that noise. What he loved was the clashing of steel, hearing the wind swish with each powerful swing of his single edged blade. Those were the noises he loved.
However, he was taking a big risk today. Having comrades take part in the final battle of the Succession Tournament was highly frowned up, yet here he was. Even if Lon'qu couldn't fight as Basilio's champion Lon'qu still wanted to fight for the man, Lon'qu owed him that much. Surrounding him in the dark were sellswords from every corner of the world, and Marth.
Marth bothered Lon'qu to no end. What were they? They looked like an incredibly effeminate man, yet they set off the same nerves he always gets whenever a woman approaches him. He couldn't focus on anything other than his confusion during their duel and as a result he lost. Lon'qu frowned, He knew that if he knew whether Marth was a man or woman the result of their duel would have been a lot different.
When the gate finally began to open Lon'qu slowly followed Marth into the grand arena. The familiar feeling of the rough cobblestone beneath his feet was comforting. The arena was massive, the yellowish-brown stone walls over thirty feet high connected by cubic columns topped with large braziers that lit the arena. In the center was a massive, articulate disk made entirely of carefully placed colored stones creating an artistic masterpiece in the center of the arena. The stands were packed to the brim with locals and foreigners alike, all of them screaming, cheering, and waving their arms. Scanning the stands it did not take long for Lon'qu to spot Basilio and Olivia. When he nodded a greeting to them he realized that this was going to be the first time since he came to Regna Ferox that he wasn't fighting as Basilio's champion. That meant for the first time he could die here.
Across the arena Lon'qu saw the Shepherds pile in, looking around with expressions of awe and amazement. There were six of them, three mounted, two swordsmen, and a heavily armored knight with a lance. Lon'qu was surprised to see them look so confident. From what he had heard the Ylissean Shepherds had two of the best mages on the continent, and had recently acquired an archer of the same calibre along with a prodigious young tactician. Lon'qu figured not being allowed to bring most of them to this fight would have hit their moral. Apparently he was wrong.
Lon'qu watched with interest when the traditional bout began between the two champions. Neither were allowed to kill, or engage with other fighters so it was mostly ceremonial. He did notice though how similar their clothing was, Marth's and the Ylissean prince's. Marth even had a carbon copy of the prince's Falchion. They're hair was the same color… And, again, their clothing was nearly identical… Was this Marth figure a freakishly dedicated fan?
It didn't matter, he and everyone else was now permitted to fight and he needed to work fast. It was clear to Lon'qu that despite Marth's very similar style, which further lent to Lon'qu's super-fan theory, the prince was undoubtedly the superior fighter. So he had to cut down all of the Shepherds before Marth fell if he wanted to walk away victorious. Easier said than done.
Lon'qu quickly found himself being charged by one of the riders, this man had a full set of pale blue plate armor as did his mount. Lon'qu was able to raise his sword in time, he could hear the silver tip of the knight's lance grind against his blade. He felt the sparks made from the contact nip at his face. Just his luck, Lon'qu had been singled out by none other than Sir Frederick, Prince Chrom's personal knight and second in command of the Shepherds.
The knight wasn't done with him though, and Lon'qu wouldn't have it any other way. But he did need to get him off that horse if he was going to stand a chance. When the knight turned and began charging towards him Lon'qu bent his knees. He had done this a dozen times before, but never against a knight of the Shepherds' calibre.
When the thrust came Lon'qu twisted his upper body, deftly dodging the strike and grabbed the shaft of the lance. Using the shaft to help propel his jump Lon'qu leapt up feet first aiming to collide with the knight's chest and take him down to the ground.
What Lon'qu wasn't prepared for though was for the knight to release his hold on the reigns and to grab one of his legs. Gritting his teeth Lon'qu knew he had to act fast. His back on the top of the horse now, one leg in the knight's crushing grip Lon'qu took a gamble. Nimbly switching his sword to a reverse grip he raised his arm and stabbed hard into the horse's back, right between the metal plates.
The results were immediate. The horse screeched in pain and collapsed sending both him and the knight rolling across the stone. Lon'qu was on his feet in an instant, and to his surprise so was the knight despite his heavy armor and he looked pissed. In his right hand was a shining silver sword and in his left was a steel axe. Lon'qu hadn't seen him grab those. The Shepherds truly were league's above the common warrior. But so was he.
Lon'qu went on the offensive, attacking with a barrage of swift strikes, impressively the knight was able to keep up. But not for long, Lon'qu had no equal in one-on-one fights.
Hooking his curved blade on the inside groove of the knight's axe Lon'qu disarmed the knight forcing him to stumble forward in the process. With a powerful kick Lon'qu put the knight on his back. At least, that's what Lon'qu expected to happen. Instead, his fist held him upside for a moment before he vaulted backwards onto his feet. An incredible acrobatic display for someone in full plate armor.
"Impressive" Lon'qu complimented
"Silence! You will fall to the desperation of Ylisse!"
So that's how it was going to be? "Very well, I fight in the name and interests of Khan Basilio. I will allow no man nor nation to end his rule"
Charging again Lon'qu assailed Frederick with a storm of rapid sword strikes but he felt like he was attacking a brick wall. His sword kept glancing off his armor only causing paint to chip. Petty aesthetic damage. Frederick was stronger, and had much better armor. What could Lon'qu do to turn this to his advantage? He would not fail Basilio!
Caught up in trying to think a way passed his problem Lon'qu was knocked for a loop when he felt an armored fist connect with his cheek sending him sprawling to the ground.
Only slightly dazed Lon'qu quickly regained his senses and spotted Frederick's discarded axe. seeing a possible solution Lon'qu grabbed the axe and jumped to his feet. He needed to play defensive now. learn Frederick's patterns, find weaknesses to exploit. He needed to slow down.
Vertical, vertical, horizontal, feign a diagonal into a mirrored diagonal cut followed by a strike with the gaurd. Is ambidextrous... There!
Seeing his opening Lon'qu finally struck with a powerful parry causing Frederick's arm to rise leaving him wide open. Swinging his left arm Lon'qu plunged Frederick's steel axe into his upper leg and with a solid kick against it was able to push it deeper passed the armor and scoring a real strike.
Hobbling now and gritting his teeth Frederick raised his blade once more.
Lon'qu heavily disaproved. "Your leg is seriously injured, you can still forfeit"
"I am in no position to forfeit, Ylisse needs its alliance. I shall die before I fail in my duty. So die"
Before Frederick could make a move though the clattering of rapidly approaching hooves caught Lon'qu's attention.
Flying to the ground, barely avoiding getting trampled by a horse, Lon'qu hit his head. Everything went blurry, and his ears began ringing.
"Frederick, Kellam needs you! Pair up with him and keep him alive, I'm counting on you! I'll take over here!" Lon'qu faintly heard.
"understood Robin, thank you for returning my mare"
The ringing stopped and his vision quickly returned. When everything was right the knight was no longer in front of him. In his place was a smaller, much younger man wearing a thick black cloak, tall brown leather boots and a tan colored shirt and slacks. In his hands was a pathetic looking rusted bronze blade that had evidently seen far too many battles. It looked ready to break. Lastly, the most eye catching thing about this young man was his odd ear deformity. They were elongated and tapered, like a knife.
Lon'qu figured this was the one who had given orders to the knight while he was dazed. Lon'qu had heard the Shepherds had acquired a mysterious new tactician, but he didn't expect to meet him here in the arena. Tactician weren't known to fight on the field themselves. If that was the case for this one though Lon'qu had to kill him. The loss of morale would be just as beneficial as the scattering of their ranks.
"You must be quite the fighter to take Frederick down like that. My name is Robin, royal tactician for Ylisse's exalted bloodline" he said.
This young man wore such a heavy title? "Lon'qu, a guy with a sword" sparing no more words, Lon'qu went on the offensive and was quickly surprised. While young this Robin was much faster with his blade than the knight was.
Kicking things up a notch Lon'qu quickened his strikes and the cacophonous symphony of their clashing swords quickened along with them. Lon'qu's efforts bore fruit when time seemed to slow and he watched his curved blade slowly cut clean through Robin's worn blade and leave a shallow cut along the right side of his chest.
The two backed away from each other, Lon'qu shooting a cocky smirk at Robin who stared in shock at his sliced sword then put a hand over the cut on his chest and gasped at the blood on his hand.
Then, any amusement that was on Robin's face disappeared. He flipped his busted blade into a reverse grip like it was a dagger and got ready to strike. "I'm getting complacent, that won't happen again"
"We'll see" Lon'qu answered
Robin struck first, but it didn't take long for Lon'qu to turn things back into his favor and be back on the offensive. He had to admit that for a tactician Robin's martial prowess was amazing. But it would take more than amazing to best Lon'qu. Lon'qu knew no equal in one-on-one combat.
Thanks to Lon'qu's reach advantage he was beginning to score more hits against the tactician. But Robin seemed to have an uncanny ability to read him so Lon'qu wasn't able to score a fight-deciding hit. They were all shallow flesh wounds. Numerous in number, and all bloody, but none life threatening.
The two of them had finished another bout when Lon'qu felt blood trickle down his cheek, and Robin smirked at him. "About time I got one on you."
Lon'qu didn't answer. In truth, this was the longest he had ever fought a single opponent. It felt to Lon'qu that this tactician knew every move he was going to make before Lon'qu himself knew, Lon'qu was just too fast to him to react in time to completely block the strike. Lon'qu was amazed that the tactician was still standing with the number of cuts he had across his body.
The ringing of a massive gong caught Lon'qu's attention. He looked to the middle of the arena and saw the Ylissean Prince standing victorious over Marth. He let out a deflated sigh and turned back to Robin.
"Congratulations, tactician. You win" Lon'qu said.
"Me? You were kicking my ass. Chrom won."
Lon'qu smiled at the young man. He would never admit it, but he was a little happy he ended up being unable to kill him, he seemed like a good kid.
"You are skilled with a blade, keep training and one day you will surpass me" Lon'qu didn't wait for a response, with his piece said he turned and went to exit the arena.
Robin however was still in a state of disbelief. That swordsman was faster than he thought possible. He out sped Risen myrmadons by a wide margin and they were already faster than he thought a human could be. If it weren't for his ability to read incoming attacks Robin would have been dead. He just could not keep up with that swordsman. Although, that same swordsman had also complimented him, so that helped ease the sting of getting so thoroughly beaten.
Seeing no more reason to stare after the departing swordsman Robin made to rejoin the celebrating Shepherds who had all gathered around Chrom. Chrom would panic as soon as he saw him, and any other celebrating would be put on hold until Lissa fixed him up but it wasn't like Robin could hide all the blood and tears in his clothing so he had no choice but to face the music.
At least they had won the day, and secured the alliance Ylisse so desperately needed. Robin could take solace in that when Lissa gave him an earful and Chrom being worried over him like the over protective older brother he was.
Later that night Robin was wrapped in so many bandages he didn't even need to wear a shirt. The festivities were already in full swing. The well lit hall was roaring with bardic tunes, rhythmic clapping and drunken men dancing atop tables with full mugs of ale in hand. Hearty laughter was constant as was the spilling and guzzling of strong drink. Robin was weaving his way through what felt like a field of overgrown, massively muscular drunken northerners trying to find Chrom, or any member of the Shepherds at this point. Surely Vaike was somewhere in this chaos, or maybe Sully?
"RoooooooBIN!" A high pitched voice slurred and he felt a weight latch onto his bandaged arm. He winced, but bit his tongue. "I foundsh YOU!"
"Lissa?" he sniffed "Lissa, have you been drinking?" Robin asked, stunned.
"Ssssssh!" she put a finger on his cheek, Robin was pretty sure that was supposed to over his lips. "Not… Not too loud! Chrom will Heeeeeeeear you"
Robin raised an eyebrow. "I haven't seen Chrom once tonight" Robin was beginning to think Chrom had turned in for the night. They were marching back to Ylisse in the morning after all. But he wouldn't let Lissa be at a party like this unsupervised, if he knew she was here in the first place.
Lissa tugged on his arm, making Robin hiss. She looked him dead in the eye and whispered with as serious a tone her intoxication would allow "Chrom ish everywhere"
"Right…" Robin couldn't ignore the heavy scent of alcohol on her breath. "Well, let's get you to bed"
"I… have a BETTER idea!" Lissa shouted with another painful tug. "lets sleep in YOUR bed!"
Robin lit up like a tomato. "lets not" he immediately shot down.
Robin expected her to protest but instead heard a faint sniffle. Oh no. He looked down at her and saw she was indeed beginning to cry. She looked up at him with misty eyes, "wh-why not?"
"Because you are a friend that is drunk. Not to mention you are the unwed princess of the royal family I serve" Robin immediately answered.
Her crying immediately ceased and now she was laughing so hard she was snorting. "You're a diiiiiiirty dirty boy RoooBIN!" she continued to pull on Robin's arm as she spoke and Robin had to bite his lip to keep from shouting in pain. "I-eeeeeee never said anything about THAT!"
Robin cleared his throat and mentally cursed, indeed she didn't. He had to get her to bed before the wrong person heard the wrong thing and his life as he knew it was over. Dragging a giggling and drunk Lissa along he left the main hall and walked down an empty hallway, his boots and Lissa's inebriated giggling echoing through the vast empty hall.
How much did Lissa drink? She finished with her staff maybe… An hour ago? After that a Feroxi nurse took over to bandage him up so Lissa could get enough sleep for the march back to Ylisse tomorrow. So was Lissa a lightweight or was Feroxi brew just that powerful? He didn't want to know. All Robin wanted right now was to find Lissa a bed.
"hee hee hee, RooooBIN! Heeeeey, RoooBIN!"
"Yes Lissa?" Robin asked, making a turn and sighed when it too was empty.
"Wheeeere are you taking me? Somewhere kooooo-why-IT and a-looooooone? Hee hee hee"
"Nope" he replied sharply. "We're almost at your brother's room"
That answer was met with a gasp and immediate resistance. He felt her pull hard on his arm and her own forearms rub roughly against his bandages making him grunt in pain. "nu uh, not Chrom. If Chrom *hic* finds out I've been drinking"
Robin was beginning to see blood soak the bandages and had had enough. He turned and scooped her up into a bridal carry making her giggle and forget whatever she was previously ranting about. She snuggled up against his chest, as content as her inebriation would allow her.
"Hee hee hee, I've dreamed of being carried like this by you, RoooooBIN" as if to punctuate the 'bin' she bopped him on the nose when she said it. "buuuuut, in those dreams I'm usually wearing a white dress… Not… This… b-b-b"
"I see" Robin replied, continuing down the hall. He wasn't sure what to think of that, it was something to think about at least. He had reached Chrom's door, and gave it a couple kicks with his foot.
She began sniffling again. "B-b-but when I saw y-you fighting that g-guy with th-the sword, and a-and h-how he w-was beating y-you and c-cutting you I got s-sc-scared!" She went on, tears streaming now.
"I-I was happy when Ch-Chrom won, b-but then healing… he-healing YOU. You… I-I always watched you fight beFORE… You n-never got touch-ouched an-and then all o-of Y-Y-YOUR b-blood a—and S-S-SCARS, I… I"
Robin felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up from Lissa who had devolved into a mess of sobs and hiccups. He had heavy bags under his eyes and disheveled hair, he had clearly been woken up. Robin didn't know if it was his sister's drunken fit or Robin's couple of kicks that did it, he hoped it was the latter.
Chrom seemed to understand what was going on and silently, tenderly, took the crying Lissa from Robin. With a grateful nod and sombre smile Chrom turned and carefully closed the door with his foot.
Robin took six sluggish steps down the hall only their echo to be heard, then slowly stopped and let out a long and heavy sigh.
The march back to Ylisse was short and sweet, riding high off the victory in Regna Ferox the Shepherds, along with their newest member Lon'qu, were able to make it back to Ylisstol in record time.
"Ah, its good to be back home isn't it Robin?" Chrom said joyously over the creaking of the large wooden doors that led to the palace throne room.
"More than anything Chrom I'm happy to be out of the cold" Robin joked
"Then don't get too comfy Robin, Ylisse gets snow for a couple months a year you know"
Robin blanched. "That's not funny Chrom" Robin said quietly, with absolute horror. "Don't joke about that"
This reaction had Chrom in stitches. His bellowing echoed in the massive room and his hands were on his knees keeping him upright. "I'm- I'm not—" he couldn't finish his sentence he was laughing so hard.
But Robin understood enough, and he did not like it. "I feel betrayed Chrom"
Lissa giggled at the interaction, getting Robin's attention. She immediately looked away rather shyly. The two of them hadn't spoken much since that last night in Regna Ferox. According to Chrom Lissa remembered 'almost everything' the next morning so she must have not been as drunk as she appeared but Robin failed to see what she had to gain by playing it up.
"Well, I take it you have good news if you're all in such high spirits" Emmeryn said, walk in up to the trio wearing her usual serene smile.
"Emm!" Lissa cheered, running and giving her older sister a big hug. "I missed you so much!"
"And I you, Lissa" she said softly, returning the hug. Emmeryn looked up to Chrom, "so does this mean we have our alliance with Regna Ferox, Chrom?"
"It absolutely does sister. As a show of good faith they even gave one of their finest warriors to the Shepherds, strong enough to best Robin even" Chrom's eyes popped when he heard what he had said and Robin saw Lissa visibly tense up in her sister's arms.
Robin desperately wanted to clarify things. Tell Emmeryn that he had fought half that fight with a busted blade and wasn't allowed to use his magic, but he held his tongue. Ultimately, it wouldn't help anything other than his pride.
"Truly? I recall you telling me Robin was able to fight off forty bandits on his own without injury, and this Feroxi warrior was given to your militia freely?" Emmeryn asked, her expression an indecipherable mask of neutrality as she comforted her littler sister who continued to hold herself around Emmeryn's waist.
"I-I was surprised too Emm" Chrom continued, uncomfortably.
Their conversation was violently cut off by the gargantuan wood doors bursting open, the massive creaking making Robin clench his teeth in discomfort.
Rushing into the throne room was the woman Robin recognised as Phila. "Your Grace! Milord Chrom! News, I bring dire news!"
Frederick was going to be so sorry he missed this meeting now, missing out on a missive because he was stuck with getting Lon'qu roomed up.
"Phila, is everything all right? Slow down and breathe, please, you look ready to faint" Emmeryn said, letting go of her younger sister.
Lissa didn't seem to mind it, she seemed far more concerned with whatever brought Phila storming into the throne room.
"Plegians Your Grace! Plegians were spotted crossing our southwest border! They burned a village in Themis County to the ground! What's worse, they kidnapped the Duke's daughter!" Phila shouted
"They kidnapped Maribelle!? Chrom, we have to do something" Lissa looked stricken, turning to her brother for support.
Before Chrom could get a single word of support in, Phila heaped on the bad news. Robin was already struggling to stay silent. The very mention of Plegia had filled him with rage and right now he was a steaming tea pot.
"It doesn't stop there. King Gangrel officially claims that it was the Duke's daughter who invaded his country. He's demanding we pay reparations!"
"And we're to believe the word of the Mad King!?" Chrom shouted in frustrated disbelief.
"Peace Chrom, settle down. We need to stay calm if we're to settle this without starting a war" Emmeryn chided
"The loon clearly wants a war, I say we give it to him. He won't last a fortnight" Robin chimed in with a deadly calm. "I'll see to it personally"
"I agree, I say we teach the scum they call a King why you should let sleeping bears lie" Chrom seconded Robin with a determined expression
"I agree with both the Prince and the tactician Your Grace. Gangrel must be taught a lesson"
Emmeryn took a deep breath. "Everyone, I truly understand your feelings, but war will solve nothing. You could end the war in a fortnight Robin but to do so you would need to conscript every able bodied civilian from the wealthiest merchant to the poorest farmer and too many of them would die a pointless death. Ylisse will lose either way"
Robin desperately wanted to argue that, his pride as a tactician demanded it, but he held his tongue for the second time. He knew better than to argue with Emmeryn on matters of peace. She wouldn't budge for anything. She was immovable.
"I shall parley with King Gangrel" Emmeryn decided.
"trying to parley with a Plegian? Your Grace, as your tactician I would advise literally any other course of action" Robin said with as much authority as he could muster. "This man's bold and sloppy actions show he is desperate for a war no matter how scandalous the cause. Parley will only put your life in danger and should anything happen to you the very people you want to keep out of war will be dragged into one anyway"
"Very well Robin, with keeping the peace as our goal what other course of action would you recommend?"
Emmeryn caught him off guard with that. He put his mind to work, but with keeping their current peace the options were brutally limited and none of them safe… When Robin said nothing Emmeryn gave him a cheeky little smirk for the slightest moment. "Parley it is then" she declared.
"Please, there must be some other way" Phila begged.
Robin could only shake his head. "As loath as I am to parley with a man with such a deplorable moniker, Her Grace has made up her mind. We must accept that and do all we can to ensure its success and our Exalt's safety no matter our personal thoughts on the matter… Which I have plenty of"
Phila cleared her throat, embarrassed. "Right, of course, forgive me. I spoke out of turn" after briefly composing herself she spoke again. "The Pegasus Knights will accompany you, Your Grace."
"As will I and the Shepherds, Emm. Someone has to save you from your good intentions" Chrom said with a slightly bitter tone.
"I'll be coming as well. I'll do my best to make this work in your favor Your Grace, but I cannot do the impossible. I fear war is upon us and your parley to be its declaration" Robin warned.
"Thank you everyone, and your best is all I can ask Robin. I pray it will be enough"
Robin didn't want to admit it, but a part of him was really hoping to get an opportunity to cross blades with the Plegians. "When will we be departing? Its nearly sundown" he asked.
"Tomorrow, crack of dawn. I'll have the caravans you took to Regna Ferox restocked and ready for the morning." Phila answered.
"Thank you Phila, that is most kind of you" Emmeryn said with a slight bow.
"Robin, go with Phila. She will answer any questions you have" Chrom ordered
"That was my plan, I'll have something ready by tomorrow even if it means having to sleep during the march. See you in the morning Chrom"
Chrom nodded back at Robin who was already speaking with Phila on their way out the door. "Lissa, going to have to ask you to break the news to the rest of the Shepherds. Emmeryn and I need to speak in private"
Chrom didn't miss Emmeryn's surprise.
"In private?" Lissa seemed confused for a moment before she blushed. "R-Right... I'll get going then" Chrom saw her huge ear-to-ear smile when she turned to hop down the steps towards the door "See you two in the morning!"
The pair of older siblings waited in silence until the doors clicked shut behind their sprightly little sister. As soon as it was quiet Chrom leveled an unimpressed stare at his older sister. "You looked surprised earlier. But knowing you sis, you've figured out what this is about"
"I do, and that is why you will swear on Falchion and our exalted bloodline that not a single word of this conversation will leave this room. Every word spoken here is taken to the grave." Chrom thought she was joking, but Emmeryn wasn't smiling. "I'm serious Chrom. Swear on Falchion, our bloodline and give your word as a Prince of Ylisse or we are not having this conversation"
Chrom didn't like this. He wanted to help Robin, he wanted Robin to stop looking so embarrassed every time he had to ask a question about something that should have been common knowledge. He wanted Robin to no longer have to fake a smile when the Shepherds were all telling stories of past exploits around the fire. But… Emmeryn must have her reasons, she must.
"Very well, I swear on Falchion, on my bloodline and I give my word as Prince of Ylisse that this conversation shall never be repeated so long as I draw breath. Should this oath be broken may Naga herself strike me down and curse my soul to eternal unrest."
That did it for Emmeryn, with a relieved sigh she relaxed. "Thank you, ask away Chrom"
"Oh trust me, we'll get to that. But first, there is something you need to know about Lissa. Robin has been keeping Lissa safe during every skirmish we've been getting into, and before Regna Ferox Robin hasn't even been getting scratched. I thought Lissa had taken a bit of a liking to him, sort of like a schoolgirl crush like the ones in Sumia's novels. Or maybe she idolized him like a hero. Something along those lines. I was very wrong."
"I see, go on" Emmeryn urged.
"Right, well we had to fight in a tournament to secure our alliance. It barred magic so Lissa had to sit out. She had a front row seat to Robin getting beat, and I mean beat Emm. When the fighting was over and I saw Robin I was amazed he was still standing. Turns out he was so high on adrenaline he didn't feel a thing, he didn't even think he was that bad. Robin didn't start feeling the pain until halfway to the med bay and when he did he totally collapsed. I had to carry him. Lissa met us there and… and well it wasn't good. Lissa did most of the healing but she was silent the whole time. I wasn't surprised, what I thought was going on was that Lissa just watched her unstoppable, unbeatable hero get stomped. Had I known what she was really feeling at the time I would have dragged her out of that room and had a Feroxi do the entire thing."
"Poor, poor Lissa" Emmeryn was looking away with tears in her eyes.
"That's saying nothing of what Robin was hiding under those robes of his" Chrom focused on his sister's expression now. Seeing Robin's body was the final piece of the puzzle for Chrom. "His entire upper body Emm, its almost entirely covered in scars." No flinching, no gasp, nothing. She knew, just like he thought. "slashes, stabs, tong burns, magical burns, you name it he has a scar of it either on his back, chest, or arms."
"That is tragic Chrom, but you're digressing" Emmeryn coolly pointed out.
"… Right. Well, after Lissa sealed his wounds I sent her to bed and retired myself, leaving him to be bandaged up by a Feroxi nurse. I would later learn that Lissa snuck out to join Khan Flavia's party. Robin would find her drunk and he brought her to my door balling her eyes out about how she was scared of Robin dying and how awful it was having to heal him after thinking he was invincible"
"That is saddening, and I will speak with Lissa about it. But that doesn't explain how you learned of her true feelings"
"she slept in my bed that night, cried herself to sleep and then woke me up by puking in it. After that was sorted out I asked her why she snuck out to get drunk and I told her in great detail what could have happened to her at that party full of intoxicated men if Robin hadn't shown up." Chrom's stern older brother expression immediately softened and grew somber. "She told me everything, and that she thinks she loves Robin. She asked me if I could convince him to marry her, I told her I'd talk with you about it."
"That was wise of you Chrom. Because that leads into the real reason we're having this conversation and why the answer is an absolute no."
Chrom was taken aback by the stern finality behind that and felt the need to defend Robin. "That's a little hasty, don't you think? Robin's ears may be a bit deformed but his senses are much sharper than most people's and while he does have trust issues he is smart enough to realize they are irrational and he is working hard to get over them. I think Robin and Lissa would be good for each other Emm. The only real issue I see is that Robin hasn't expressed any interest in her, at least not that I've seen."
Emmeryn shook her head. "Robin's distrust isn't so simple Chrom and you're wrong, Lissa would not be good for Robin"
Chrom completely dropped the first part as soon as the latter reached his ears. "How could you say thay about Lissa? she's your own flesh and blood, Lissa is an angel!" Chrom's outburst echoed.
"Lissa is human, Chrom"
"And Robin isn't!?" Chrom snapped.
"Robin is a manakete"
"… Sorry, what?"
"When I was in Robin's head I saw one memory of his, one memory of the time that was locked away from him and I learned a great deal Chrom. Robin spent hundreds of years as a slave subjected to every single torture a slave could go through" Emmeryn dropped it on him with no sugar.
"Every single kind?" Chrom asked
Emmeryn knew exactly what the question was asking, even if indirectly. "Every. Single. Kind"
Chrom filled with anger, and clenched his fists "gods"
"This is why Chrom, even if he doesn't remember why he distrusts humans, or why he hates Plegians the feelings are still there. And if Robin is right and war with Plegia breaks out Chrom, Robin will need you by his side every step of the way"
Chrom gave a grim nod, "I understand Emm"
The sunset pouring in from the massive stained glass window lit the throne room with a soft, deep orange light and their shadows were painted against the wooden door, stretching the entire length of the throne room's floor.
"No Chrom, I don't believe you do. Do you know why Manaketes exist? Why the proud dragons decided to seal their awesome power into unassuming rocks to spend the majority of their lives in soft, vulnerable human bodies?"
"I take it you do?" Chrom answered with a question of his own. Emmeryn always was the most devout in their family.
"They did it, Chrom, to lower their risk of degenerating into primal beasts. For most dragons it was a risk that came with old age, for other dragons it would begin after sustaining a life changing injury, others still might have it happen after being left alone and unsupported after the traumatic loss of a loved one. But the easiest way for a Dragon to degenerate into a mindless beast is for a dragon to lose itself to rage."
This made Chrom freeze. Robin was a formerly enslaved manakete. Crazy, but it explained a lot. Sensing emotions, keen senses, distrust of humans and a hatred for Plegians… if he hated Plegians so much what would… Oh gods.
"Do you understand now, Chrom?" Emmeryn asked. "Even if Robin doesn't know it, he needs you. If war breaks out his life may very well be in your hands."
"I understand that now, but what I don't understand is why this means Lissa would be bad for Robin" Chrom glared at his sister.
"Is it not obvious Chrom? Robin is a manakete, a young one at that, and Lissa is human. It's bad enough that he will be in service to our family until the day he dies, but he will serve a hundred generations of our family from infancy to death dealing with the grief of losing them each time. Should Lissa and Robin court and marry when she dies a pain that would already be great will be many times worse. And what if, at some point in the future, a member of the royal family bears a resemblance to Lissa? How is he supposed to perform his duties when one of the people he serves resembles his long dead wife? It could lead to wife husbandry! A scandal of that scale would ruin him and his life would be over"
"Are you even listening to yourself, Emmeryn? This is unlike you! You've always been devout but this is just strange."
"Manakete are sacred. The Halidom of Ylisse is Nagan, we follow Nagan teachings, Nagan scripture, and we worship the most Divine of the Divine Dragons, Naga herself. We cannot be courting her children, Chrom"
"Huh? You never said…" Chrom trailed off before realization hit him like a rampaging horse. "Emmeryn…"
"Yes," Emmeryn nodded "Robin is Naga's son. But I do not blame Lissa for falling for him. Before I learned who his mother was I did find myself thinking he was a handsome young man. But any thoughts like that now are inappropriate. Robin is a sacred religious figure, he is the son of Naga."
"But Emm… That can't be true. If it is that would make Robin Naga's Arm and we're all taught… that…" Chrom took a deep breath. He was silent for a long, tense moment.
"Emm you cannot expect me to keep this from him!" Chrom finally shouted
"I can and I do Chrom!"
Chrom froze. That was the first time in her life that she had yelled at him.
"You may tell Robin, but if you do your promises will be broken. You will have to turn over Falchion, you will be disowned from the family, your offspring will forfeit any right to the throne, your Mark will be carved from your shoulder and just because I can I will exile you to Valm. So if you do that, if you tell Robin this and war with Plegia breaks out… who will be there to pull Robin back from the brink when you encounter their cultists?"
Chrom was stiff, he had never seen his sister give such a threat. She must have her reasons, she must. She's had pretty Damn good reasons so far.
"You may tell Robin everything, and maybe to you it is worth your life. But is it also worth Robin's?"
"Emmeryn, if Robin ever finds out that I know this and didn't tell him… Kept it from him" It could shatter their bond. Destroy their friendship, their brotherhood, entirely beyond repair.
"Then make sure he never finds out Chrom, it's that simple"
"How am I supposed to face him after this?"
"You were the one who wanted to talk in private Chrom" Emmeryn coolly reminded her brother
"I still think you're wrong about Lissa, Emm. Robin may be a sacred Dragon but he is still a young man, we can never forget that no matter how much we revere him. If Robin reciprocates Lissa's feelings, no, even if Robin agrees to marry Lissa for political reasons I will cut down anything and do everything in my power to make it happen." Chrom's passion on full display. "You may hold the church above all else but I do not. I love Lissa and I will stop at nothing to see her happy"
"And if Robin doesn't want Lissa's hand? What then Chrom?" Emmeryn asked, beginning to walk towards the door.
Chrom didn't know what to say. He was so caught up in Lissa's feelings it hadn't occurred to him that Robin might not be interested in her even for the political benefits.
Emmeryn kept her back to Chrom, continuing down the steps towards the door. "Don't worry Chrom, I will break the news to Lissa gently before I-"
"No, let me speak with Robin." Emmeryn stopped walking, but didn't turn around. Chrom quickly continued. "If Robin has no romantic interest in Lissa I will drop this and I will speak to Lissa. But Emmeryn, if Robin does want Lissa... Who are you to deny the son of Naga?"
"... Very well, Chrom."
Not another word was spoken as Emmeryn left Chrom alone in the cavernous throne room. When the doors slowly clicked shut echoing throughout the room, Chrom heaved a heavy sigh and ran a frustrated hand over his face in disbelief of the entire situation and everything he had just learned. Over the course of the heated argument his whole life was flipped upside down, sideways, then upside down again. Walking over to a nearby wall he took a deep breath through his nostrils and rested his forehead against the cool marble. Then lightly hit his head against it a couple times. That was the very first argument he had ever had with Emmeryn. He didn't think it was possible for him to be so frustrated with her.
What a rotten ending to a great day.
Whew! Sibling arguments are the WORST. Anyway, as you might have noticed I have a soft spot for Lissa which sucks because she is going to get her heart broken in this story. But to help ease my pain I'm planning a RobinxLissa fic. It's still in the early planning stages right now but even when I'm ready to start writing and uploading it this story will always take priority. Not so sure what sort of spin I'll be throwing on Robin in that story yet, but I don't think I'll be doing two Manakete!Robins back to back. With that said, have a good day everyone and thank you for taking the time to read this!