The camp was abuzz with talk as Gerome stepped out of his tent, fixing his mask securely to his face. As usual, Minerva was there to greet him, nuzzling him a greeting as he patted her head. "What's all the commotion about?" he asked her, Minerva letting loose a low growl in response. "A newcomer?"
"It's so cute!" Lissa gasped as she clasped her hands in delight, looking down at the now nervous baby wyvern no larger than a small cat on the table in front of Roo. "She's so little and shiny!"
"He," Roo corrected nervously as the wyvern crawled away from the groups prying eyes and perched itself on Roo's shoulder, using her hair as a curtain to hide behind. "His name is Robin."
"Roo and Robin?" Lissa said, trying the name out. "That's pretty cute! Robin it is then!"
"How'd you come up with that name?" Cherche asked as she held out a hand that Robin promptly shied away from.
With this, Roo shrugged. "I'm not sure," she said honestly. "It just…sounded right for some reason."
Beside her, Chrom smiled. "Well, Robin, welcome to the Shepherds," he said boldly. "You are kind of a cute little fella…ow!"
"Robin!" Roo gasped as she pulled the wyvern away from Chrom's finger. "Bad wyvern! No biting!"
A broken and forced smile was spread over Chrom's face as he held his bleeding finger. A reminder that even at infancy, a wyvern was still deadly. "Such a…cute…little guy," Chrom forced out of his mouth as Roo looked apologetically at him.
However, now that he was out in the open, Robin could be seen more clearly and Sumia let out a small gasp. "Oh, Roo," she said sadly. "His wing…"
On Robin's right side, his wing was small, too small and was folded delicately against his body. "I saw that too," Roo frowned as Robin crawled back to his mother's shoulder. "Maybe it'll get bigger with time?"
At this, Cherche frowned as Roo met her gaze. "There's…there's hope," she said gently. "Maybe it just needs to catch up to the rest of him and he'll grow it out."
Even from his place in the back, Gerome could see that was a fool's promise. The wyvern was disabled, there was no getting around it and in his physical condition, he knew and everyone else knew deep in their hearts the wyvern would never fly.
"Well, it's ok," Roo said happily as Robin chirped and nuzzled her head. "You can do other things besides flying."
"Sure thing!" Nowi said happily as she leaned closer to Robin who shrunk back in response. "We can play tag or light things on fire or play house! Lon'qu likes to play house!"
Instantly, all eyes turned to Lon'qu. "I DO NOT!" came the booming reply before he quickly turned tail and did his best to flee while also trying to hold onto some of his dignity.
"He loves it," Nowi said confidently.
At last, the daily chores and training sessions were beginning and the crowd began to disperse, much to Roo and Robin's relief as they both let out a sigh. Only Chrom remained as he smiled down nervously at Robin. "He'll need training," Chrom said as casually as he could, the pain in his finger still throbbing. "He'll need a mother."
Roo's eyes suddenly shot into his and Chrom felt something inside him freeze in terror as her gaze pierced into his. "I'm his mother now," she said quietly, but with a firmness in her tone that told Chrom not to argue. "I'll train him."
"I don't doubt you'll be a great mother and trainer," Chrom said, carefully picking each of his words and saying them slowly. "But…I'm just worried, Roo. People are starting to talk about…the no killing thing. I can't imagine this will make it any better."
However, Roo stood, placing Robin in her homemade egg-carrying backpack, now fitted smaller for Robin to sit in. "Chrom, I promise I will do everything I can for you and this army," she said happily as Robin cooed. "But those people can shove it."
It was almost endearing to watch as Roo performed her daily tasks with a small wyvern trailing behind her or perched on her shoulder throughout the day. No one could ever put a time on when it happened, but before they knew it, Robin had become part of the family of Shepherds, helping Laurent and Miriel with their studies, cheering on Fusion techniques of Cynthia and Owain, chasing Sumia and Cordelia's Pegasus with high pitched screeches until Sumia begged Roo to make him stop, just barely keeping the tears from bursting out her eyes. Roo had laughed nervously and tried to tell Robin to stay away from the Pegasus stables, but he never could seem to understand that particular barrier and thus Sumia found herself time and time again storming over to Roo's tent that suddenly became empty or tightly shut.
Roo found a welcome relief in Nowi as a babysitter when tactician duties called for her to be away from Robin's side for a long time and Robin would always happily chirp and cry as the two played tag and other games. Admittedly, Robin would have a hard time keeping up with his balance hindered by his small wing, and often stumbled, but it never seemed to damper his spirits too much.
Even reading and basic arithmetic came into play as Roo placed wooden blocks or stones in front of him and carefully sounded out the words and numbers to him. At this, Gerome was a little perplexed as he couldn't see the need for a wyvern to read or count, but Roo had just shrugged nonchalantly. "Why shouldn't he?" she asked him.
"He's…not a man," Gerome stupidly stuttered back, causing Roo's eyes to narrow dangerously at him.
"So?" she snapped. "His individual being doesn't need to be held up against the norm. We let you do whatever you want, so if Robin wants to learn, he's going to learn."
Gerome found he had no answer. It was even more of a marvel that Robin seemed to be picking up the lessons his mother tried to impart on him as Gerome watched from a distance as Roo excitedly tried to explain a major battle in a war past using bread crumbs and stones as army pieces. Robin had taken a look at the board and pushed a nearby stone into place, signifying the very tactical movement that had won the previous victors the battle, shocking Roo to where she fell into her seat. "You're too smart for your own good," she mused as Robin chirped happily. "Good thing you don't have a brother. You'd two probably become kings of the planet."
However, it was at night when everything had calmed and the camp was at peace did Robin truly seem he was happy. Lying in the arms of his mother as they looked out at the night sky, Roo would tell him stories of heroes long since past, stories she made up or facts about the world around them. It was also here that Gerome would sometimes listen in, just far enough away to avoid being seen, but close enough to hear as he too gazed up in wonder at the stars above them.
He didn't realize it, but he should have known that even though Roo couldn't detect him with her human abilities, Robin could with his wyvern's heighten senses and Robin took a liking to Gerome from his constant presence. It was then a surprise to Robin, and Gerome himself, when in his daily play, Robin had accidentally run into Gerome's leg and was rewarded with a deadly glare and a seething hiss.
"What's your problem?" Roo snapped as Robin ran to her side and hid behind her leg for protection. "He's only a child. It's already bad enough you wear that stupid mask and scare him more."
"I wear this mask to concealing my moves in battle and enabling me to kill my enemies," Gerome shot back. "Or have you forgotten where you are? This isn't some playground for you and your…pet to dance about. Don't forget we're in a war! This is no place for weakness!"
"Oh, good for you, Mister Survival," Roo huffed angrily. "Well, when you're the only one left standing because we're all dead because we were fooling about, I hope you'll feel really great about yourself!" Then, as she turned to leave, scooping Robin in her arms, "Sourpuss."
She could have said it better, that was for certain, and the whole argument left a bitter taste in his mouth that he couldn't seem to get out no matter how much he tried. "You know, she probably didn't realize that screaming at her was your version of flirting," Inigo said as he and Gerome were out on patrol. "I mean, she probably also missed the scowling as blowing her a kiss, but I think-OOF!"
Gerome didn't give a second glance as he stepped over Inigo's groaning body, realigning his knuckles.
Things only seemed to go from bad to worse when one particularly slow morning, looking for something to do, Robin wandered into the wyvern stables where the Minerva's were kept. Squeaking nervously, Robin stepped inside, seeing the older Minerva asleep in her nest, smoke trailing from her mouth.
A sudden realization hit Robin as he looked up at the sleeping form in front of him. This thing, this large dangerous thing that he had been told he was not to go near looked just like him. In fact, he realized, they were more similar in appearance than the one he called mother. Quickly, he tried to think as he sat down, staring at the older wyvern, why he didn't look the same as his mother. Why she didn't have scales and breathe smoke and fire, or at least, he had never seen her do it. Could he really bond with someone so different from him?
Was she even his mother at all?
Suddenly, the older Minerva woke, bright yellow eyes meeting dark smoky ones as the older Minerva drew herself upwards, towering over the youngster. Although she had been told to stay away from the infant wyvern for he would only be trouble, Minerva growled at her little peeping Robin, irritation that he would dare lay eyes on her, and whatever the reason, her stomach was grumbling anyway.
A meal was a meal and she wouldn't miss him.
Minerva charged forward, Robin barely had enough time to dodge out of the way, his small wing actually slowing him down and causing the older Minerva to just miscalculate where he would be as her fangs breezed over his head. A frustrated roar echoed through the stables as Minerva reoriented herself and locked onto her target, the young Robin who was crying for all it was worth and limping away as quickly as he could.
It was over and Minerva knew it as she dove forward, ready to close her jaws around the tasty morsel, but a flash of wind sliced through the air and Minerva shrieked and stumbled back, a small gash in her side where Roo's Elwind spell had hit her leg.
Anger boiled over in Minerva as she snarled at the worthless human who was snatching Robin up in her arms defensively and making a run for it, her wyvern instincts overriding any other thoughts. Letting lose a shriek that would have frozen lesser men in their place, Minerva tore forward, snapping her jaws and tearing through the tactician's coat as she cried out and whistled hard for her horse.
Now the chase was getting somewhere as Minerva took to the sky, Roo jumping on her horse's back as they sped through the camp, knocking over stands of weapons, crates and whatever else happened to be in the way of their escape. "GEROME!" Roo cried out as she weaved her horse from side to side, catching her and Robin's reflection in Minerva's teeth.
Suddenly, he appeared, out of seemingly nowhere and Minerva came to a halt to the ground as Gerome reached for her head, gently pulling her down from the sky, bringing her back to her senses. "You're hurt!" he murmured, fury reverberating through his voice as Minerva growled bitterly and put her head on his. "Who…"
"Gerome!" Roo gasped as she drew her horse to a sudden stop. "What the hell is Minerva doing? She was trying to eat Robin!"
However, Gerome was not listening. "Did you do this?" he snarled poisonously, pointing to the small gash on Minerva's leg.
"Yes! But only to protect Robin," Roo cried out, her arms moving in animated anger. "It will heal. But right now, I don't care about that. Answer me! What the hell was Minerva doing with Robin?"
Gerome was not listening, instead, he knelt down to inspect the wound on his wyvern's leg. "Shallow. It'll stop bleeding soon," he said to Minerva, giving her a small reassuring pat.
"Gerome!" Roo spat, grabbing his shoulder. "Your wyvern-…"
"You hurt her!" Gerome thundered back, grabbing Roo's collar and bringing her close. "How dare you lay a hand on her? Your stupid whelp can only blame himself for what's happened!"
He was expecting her to shrink back in anger, to cower under his gaze that he knew intimidated many in the camp. Instead, she met his gaze with her own, pushing his hand down and away from her defiantly. "How dare you threaten my son?" she hissed with ferocity that he didn't think she had, her eyes seemingly turning red with anger.
"Son?" Gerome scoffed. "Don't make me laugh. He's just some little orphan you took pity on, not something your own flesh and blood. You think of him as toy. A plaything you can just discard whenever he finally bores you. Your sense of what truly makes a bond renders you helpless! What will happen when the wolves come for him? Your cowardice will not save him or you!"
"Enough!" Roo roared. "How dare you, of all people, lecture me on family!" Matching Gerome's gaze into hers, Roo stepped forward, to be sure he understood her words. "Robin is my son. If you have something to say about it, you can just shove it!"
"What's going on here!" Chrom's voice boomed out over the two as he pushed his way through the crowd. "Gods, look at this mess! Gerome, Roo! What happened?"
"She started it!" Gerome snapped suddenly, pointing an accusing finger at Roo and ignoring her look of incredulous shock.
"You filthy liar…!"
"Stop! I don't care who started what or why," Chrom sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "The point is that the whole camp is destroyed because of those two," he pointed at Robin and Minerva, "And we were supposed to leave in a few minutes!"
Here is where the guilt began to settle in over Roo as she sighed and looked out at the ruined camp. Men who had been caught in the stampede were picking themselves up in a haze, weapons broken, tents ripped apart and other personal items were ruined. "I'm…I'm sorry," Roo said to Chrom. "Let me just make sure Robin's ok. I'll help with the clean up."
No more words were exchanged between the two as Roo picked up Robin and lead her horse past the group, trying not to look anyone in the eye. As if on cue, the rest of the eyes and Chrom's turned to Gerome who glared back at them.
"What?" he snapped before pushing past them all towards his tent, leading a limping Minerva behind him. It was only the disappointed looks of Inigo and Laurent that caused Gerome to feel the seed of guilt in the pit of his stomach begin to grow.
It was late into the night before Gerome decided to come out of his tent, Minerva beside it, growling a soft greeting. "Everyone else is asleep," he said quietly at the stillness around him. "Good." He didn't care to see their faces anyway.
However, whispered voices reached his ear and Gerome frowned as he followed them to Chrom's tent where he could tell Chrom and Roo were having a heated, but quiet conversation inside, their bodies outlined by a small candle burning from the inside.
"You can't be serious," Roo hissed, her form towering over Chrom's who was seated in his 'royal' chair. A seat only reserved for when a point had to be made and made clearly. "Chrom, he'll die out there if he's alone! He's only a baby!"
"True, but I can't have a wyvern fight every day in the camps, Roo," Chrom said back, trying to keep his voice calm. "Look at the damage done today, and that was just a few short minutes. Imagine if Gerome hadn't been there. Imagine if he hadn't been able to control Minerva like that."
"I can't believe we're even having this discussion," Roo shot back. "What do you want me to do? Leave him on the side of the road?"
A silence settled over the two. It was all the response Chrom had to give as Roo gave an irritated sigh. "You know, if I recall, and please, be sure to correct me if I'm wrong, but you once told me Emmeryn raised you and Lissa," Roo snarled. "She's not your mother either."
One didn't have to see Chrom to feel the argument deflate out of him as Roo stormed out of his tent. Quickly, Gerome moved out of her line of sight and watched as she let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagging and her body almost shrinking underneath her heavy coat. "Robin," she called softly and from out of a nearby pile of reeds, the small wyvern came, looking like a beaten dog.
"It's alright, you didn't do anything wrong," Roo said gently as she reached down and picked up the small reptile. "Come on. I want to show you something."
He should have left what was a private moment between what they considered family members, but Gerome followed as Roo walked down and away from the camp into the woods and to a small clearing where she sat herself upon a rock. A moment of silence passed between Roo and Robin as Robin looked up at her nervously, wondering what was to become of him.
"Here," Roo said finally, cutting the silence with gentle words. "Give me your hand."
Doing as he was told, Robin placed his claw in Roo's palm. "A lot of things have been said today that might confuse you," Roo continued. "But I just want you to know, no matter what you think, no matter what people say, this is your home. You are always welcome here."
A soft coo came from Robin as he moved closer, leaning his head on Roo's shoulder into a hug, which she returned. "No matter what you are or where you come from, you are my son," she whispered. "Nothing is ever going to change that."
The guilt was growing stronger now as Gerome leaned his back against a tree. Of course, everything made sense to him now. Wasn't Minerva more than just a means to an end for him as well? Light chuckles and screeches could be heard from Roo and Robin as she tickled him, trying to lighten the mood and Gerome frowned at the disappointment he felt in himself.
Quickly, Gerome twisted himself so that he couldn't be seen as Roo and Robin laughed together on their way back to their tent. A family, caring for someone else unconditionally…he could only wonder to himself if he had forgotten what that was like a long time ago.
Roo had stopped bringing him plates of food, and frankly, he couldn't blame her. Going through his strength training exercises, Gerome frowned to himself as he looked up at all the mirth and laughter coming from the group at the dining area afar. Roo had warned him about Vaike eating everything before anyone else could have seconds, and from the sound of things, it seemed this had come to pass. He would have to eat from his rations again.
Alone.
Beside him, Minerva growled reassuringly, the cut on her leg completely healed. It had been a low power attack and probably thrown too hastily to be properly aimed, but Gerome had a small voice in his mind that doubted this theory. In all probability, Roo had purposely missed, as much as she could anyway, more to save Robin than hurt Minerva. She was a tactician, after all.
"Why don't you just apologize?" Inigo sighed as he watched Gerome, once again spying on Roo as she went over Robin's numbers with him. "It's not like she'd say anything bad. Roo's not like that."
Gerome gave no response.
"I also must express my…concern," Laurent coughed after a battle in which Gerome had quietly batted away an enemy from Roo's unknowing back. "Your current distress level is hindering your performance. Might I suggest a good florist?"
Gerome had just glared at him.
"I'm not wrong," Gerome snapped at his friends finally. "She was being reckless and that thing of hers needs to be controlled. I honestly don't see how someone of her ilk could become a tactician, much less a mother."
Laurent and Inigo could only exchange glances and shake their heads. Still, it was obvious how Roo would always glare at him if they passed each other and how Robin would get a terrified look over him and refused to go near the stables anymore. It made the guilt twist like a knife in Gerome until he wasn't sure he could stand it, and the tension caused him to snap at everyone and everything around him. Roo fared no better, as they bickered and fought every chance they got, giving everyone in the camp a headache when their voices roared over the air.
However, it was Owain's comment that seemed to break Gerome's stubborn back. "Man, everyone can see you care a little bit," he droned as Cynthia elbowed him. "Quit lying to yourself and just apologize. Even SHE knows you've been following her."
And that's how Gerome found himself putting on his best tunic and polished mask, brushing back his hair and coughing to clear his throat. "I'm sorry," he said to Minerva on his way out of his tent. "Just those two words and then I leave and put the matter behind me forever."
"Aw, that's nice," Inigo said as he leaned against a nearby barrel, waiting for Gerome. Whether out of friendship or a twisted sense of schadenfreude, Inigo had agreed to go with Gerome, but just until he had to walk by himself to Roo's tent and no further. "You look nice. Did you buy that just for this occasion?"
"Let's get this over with," Gerome snarled as Inigo snickered. "And afterwards, if you speak of this to me again, I'll break your legs."
"Ooh, so scary!" Inigo teased. "Doing your own dirty work now instead of Minerva, Mister Tuxedo Mask? I'll be good so my legs will remain unbroken, I promise!"
"Tuxedo Mask?"
However, Gerome's question was ignored as Inigo grabbed Gerome by the shoulders and began to haul him off, Gerome just having enough time to wave down Minerva who was getting ready to take a bite out of Inigo from behind. Maybe anger lessons were in Minerva's future after all. "Alright, we're out on a mission!" Inigo cheered triumphantly. "Operation Get the Girl commences!"
"She's not my girl," Gerome said flatly, stopping in his tracks, causing Inigo to lose his grip on him.
"Right, right of course," Inigo said, chuckling nervously. "Well, what I mean is…alright. Look, I won't lie, Roo can be a scary person, even if I've never seen her fight. I'm just thinking we need a little courage is all."
Immediately, Gerome's eyes narrowed into Inigo's who leaned back nervously, trying hard to keep a smile on his face. "You mean liquid courage," Gerome spat. "You're trying to get me to a tavern."
"What? How dare you make these accusations at ME!" Inigo gasped, throwing a hand up to clutch his collar. "I assure you that my 'intentions' are nothing but pure! Pure and honest!"
"You're trying to pick up women," Gerome continued.
"Slander! Slander and lies!" Inigo shot back, pointing an accusing finger in Gerome's face. "We are on our way to have a small drink to relax us, take in some sights and afterwards find Roo and profusely apologize! Nothing more shall happen, on my honor as Inigo the Azure Knight! But if we happen to run into a few lovely ladies on the way, who am I to argue?"
"I DECLINE," Gerome said as forcefully as he could.
It was with surprising strength that Inigo suddenly pinned both arms behind Gerome's back as he began to haul him off towards town. "Aw, come on, it's just for a little while!" Inigo smiled over Gerome's curses and threats. "You can say, 'Hey baby, ever ridden a wyvern before?' Man, that's kind of good. I'll have to remember to use that…can I borrow Minerva?"
There was nothing to be done as Gerome twisted one way and another. "Put me down, you idiot!" Gerome spat furiously. "I am not taking part in any of this! PUT ME DOOOOWN!"
"Hey!"
Looking up in surprise, both Inigo and Gerome looked up into Roo's face poking out from her tent, Robin meekly hiding behind her hair. "Yeah, you two!" she called again.
"Roo…!" Gerome gasped, aware of Inigo behind him, practically lifting him up by his arms into the air, his once nice tunic becoming wrinkled and torn. "This isn't…!"
"I don't care what it is, but you two wanna do me a favor?" Roo snapped.
Both men nodded.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!"
And with that, both Inigo and Gerome found themselves looking at a closed tent flap. Both egos deflated, Inigo and Gerome sighed as Inigo let Gerome slip down to the ground. "You were saying about that drink?" Gerome said.
Inside her tent, Roo hissed sharply, her annoyance prevalent. "What a bunch of idiots," she sighed, Robin cooing in her ear. "Don't worry, they won't bother us anymore."
Robin nodded enthusiastically, causing Roo to smile. However, on the inside, she felt torn. While it was true that Minerva had attacked Robin, and she was ignoring him, it wasn't Gerome's fault to be suddenly ostracized by the other Shepherds. Even she didn't notice it until it had become painfully obvious – once she had stopped paying attention to Gerome, the others had tapered off their visits and chats as well, put off by seeing him push away even the one person who bothered to talk with him on a daily basis despite his gruff manner. In a sense, maybe it was what he wanted, but even she could see behind his mask, the loneliness in his eyes.
"Roo?"
Looking up, Roo met Chrom's gaze as he stepped into her tent. "I heard you shouting earlier," he said. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she said quickly. "It was just…people were just making noise."
"I'll remind everyone that night hours are quiet times," Chrom smiled, stepping further into Roo's tent so he faced her. A heavy silence settled over the two as Chrom stared down at Roo, Roo trying to avoid his gaze. "Roo-…"
"Chrom…"
Both having spoken at once, both stared at each other, stopped in their tracks. "I'm sorry," Chrom said nervously. "I interrupted. Please, go on."
It was no use. Every time Roo stared up at Chrom, she could just see Sumia standing behind him, looking at her with pained eyes the way she always did, in the way he never saw. "I…I'm pretty tired," Roo said finally. "I'm sorry, but would you…?"
"Oh. Oh! Of course!" Chrom stammered as he practically tripped over himself to get out of the tent. "Forgive me, it's so late and I never should have come…"
Finally, Chrom managed to free himself before saying a quick good night and stiffly walking away as if a pole were down his spine. It was only when he had disappeared from sight did Roo's shoulders sag and she let out a heavy sigh. "I need to get out of this place," she said to no one, turning towards the horse stables. Ever since the attacks from Plegia had started up, Chrom had made her promise to forgo her free day, which he only did out of concern for her safety, but being cooped up in the camp was clearly driving her mad. It was late at night and she wouldn't go far. Robin chirped in her ear, but Roo just gave him a reassuring pat and a smile. "Don't worry," she said. "I'll leave you with Nowi so you'll be safe."
Nowi had happily accepted the new playmate for a few hours and Robin cooed sadly as he watched his mother head off towards the stables alone. "Don't worry about her," Nowi said brightly as she hugged Robin. "Your mom is strong and brave. She'll be fine by herself. She and Gerome are just going through some marital problems. I should know, I'm over a thousand years old!"
Her words fell on deaf ears as Robin cooed sadly. All of this had happened because of him. All because he hadn't been brave and stood his ground, his mother and her friend we fighting. A swell of pride rose in his chest and Robin narrowed his eyes as Nowi set him down, offering to play a game of hide and seek. He could be brave too. He could be just as brave as them all.
It was very late when Gerome stumbled back into camp, his new shirt torn, his mask falling off his face and his very bad temper clearly evident.
"Stay with us, Rider Gerome!"
"Oh, your mask is so dreamy, Gerome!"
"Ladies, let's sing a song so Master Gerome will hear our love in our words and be so enchanted he'll never want to leave! On three…"
A snarl came from Gerome's lips as he stomped through the camp back towards his tent, the women's words still ringing in his ears. "Gerome! Hey, Gerome!" Inigo's voice called him from behind and it took everything in Gerome's body not to spin around and strangle Inigo where he stood. "What the hell was that all back there?" Inigo snapped, grabbing Gerome's shoulder to make him turn. "You were supposed to be my wingman! Not my competition-…!"
"Are you completely daft?" Gerome roared, bearing into Inigo who shrunk back in surprise and fear. "I've no time for such lunacy! Do you not understand that I want no part in your little scheme to make Lucina jealous or to help you bed some kitchen wench and give Lucina reason to kill you, or whatever it is you're trying to pull! We are at war!"
The following silence was so thick and heavy, Gerome felt as if he could be crushed underneath its weight, but the look of hurt and pain on Inigo's face stabbed through him like a knife. "I…I get it. Sorry," Inigo said quietly, his face twisted into a false smile. "Hey, why don't you get some sleep? I'll…I'll remember what you said from now on."
Instantly, Gerome's heart dropped to his feet. "No, I should apologize, Inigo," he said. "I…this is very uncomfortable…you…you taught me…teamwork? Is that it? Yes, teamwork. I must utilize teamwork more in my doings."
While Inigo's mood instantly did a turn about and he began to prattle on about the next outing and how teamwork really was something he should put into more practice, Gerome allowed himself a small grin. Seeing the joy on his friend's face was…catching and Gerome thought to himself that maybe hiding like a craven wasn't the right thing to do. Maybe the right thing to do was to face his fears head on, but thankfully, his fears were asleep for the night so that he wouldn't have to face them today, or so he hoped.
"What are you two jokers doing out here?"
Both men looked up in surprise as Roo grinned down at them from her horse. "From the looks of it, you finally got a girl," Roo said to Inigo who blushed red. "How unfortunate for her."
"Not really," Inigo muttered as Roo turned her gaze to Gerome.
"And you…" she said as Gerome frowned, unable to meet her gaze, "Looks like you got the stuffing knocked out of you. Don't tell me you've been doing something stupid."
"Actually, that's not the case," Inigo said as he frantically waved his arms in their defense. "No, what I mean is, what I'm trying to say is, that I'm speaking of is…um…look! Here's Gerome! Hi Gerome!" Reaching out and grabbing Gerome with surprising speed and strength, Inigo pushed the poor man in front of him as a barrier. "Gotta go, bye!"
"I can't tell if that man's a fool or brilliant," Roo snickered as she jumped down from her horse, Inigo speeding away. "Maybe a bit of both."
"Y-yes…brilliant," Gerome said nervously. Feeling his mask slip, Gerome quickly pushed his mask back to his face. "It's broken," he said, becoming aware of Roo's curious look. "There was some…unpleasantness."
"And here I thought you could sense the world around you blindfolded," Roo lightly mocked, shrugging her shoulders.
"Not when I'm being so manhandled."
"Manhandled?"
"No! That's not what I mean!" Gerome burst out as a devious smile spread across Roo's face. "I wasn't…he and I aren't…blast!"
Further curses from Gerome were drowned out by Roo's laughter. "Don't worry about it, I get it," she said. "You like being manhandled. There's nothing wrong with that. After all, look at Inigo and Marth, although I didn't think Marth was the sharing type..."
"No, I enjoy being lady…woman-handled! Oh gods…"
Laughter once again peeled out of Roo as Gerome stood stiff in front of her, not sure if he should run or stay. "It's ok," Roo finally choked out as she pulled herself together. "I get it. Really, I do."
Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Gerome slowly let himself relax. The mood around them was lighter now and it certainly helped as Gerome steeled himself. "I'm sorry," he said, so suddenly, he wasn't even sure he had said it until the words were lingering in the air.
She was staring at him now. Looking intensely at his face and studying it in the way he had seen her do with anything that held her curiosity, but now that he was on the receiving end, it felt as if she were looking into his very soul, no barrier hiding his inner thoughts, as if he hadn't been wearing a mask at all. "It's ok," she said at last. "I'm sorry too. Here." Reaching up, Gerome tried not to jerk away as Roo tied the strings to his mask back together so they fit once more. "It was leaning to the side," she said, a smile on her face.
"Thank you." It was all he could say. It was all he could find in his mouth to say as Gerome watched Roo take her horse's reins in her hand and give him a small nod.
"Good night, Gerome," Roo said gently.
"Good night," Gerome replied, watching as Roo heading towards the stables, Nowi coming up from the forest and making a mad dash towards her.
"Roo!"
Although Nowi was speaking too quickly for Gerome to make any sense of what she was saying, it was obvious that whatever happened was an emergency for she wasn't even finished when Roo leapt back on her horse and sped off towards the woods, leaving Nowi behind, calling her name. "What happened?" Gerome asked as Nowi tried chasing after her friend, but stopped, already out of breath and panicked.
"It's Robin!" Nowi gasped, tears in her eyes. "Roo left him to play with me while she went out, but he ran away or got lost or…something! He's never done this before and I…!" Unable to finish, Nowi collapsed into a puddle of tears at Gerome's feet. "I tried looking for him, but I can't find him anywhere!"
However, Gerome didn't hear the end as he whistled for Minerva and ran for a nearby lance on a weapons rack. It was clear to him that this small wyvern was going to be much more trouble than he thought.
It was dark. So dark, he could barely see as Robin crawled through the roots of giant trees.
And it was cold. So cold, it caused him to shrink further into himself for warmth, but made everything seemed to loom over him, making him terrified of his own shadow.
Or at least what he thought was his shadow, which suddenly turned into a low growl and Robin froze, curled up into a trembling ball as gleaming eyes stared back at him from the darkness. More and more appeared and Robin squeaked helplessly as a giant paw of a wolf came forward.
In a flash, Robin was scrambling to get away, his little claws scraping at the ground desperately for traction. It was only his small size that once again saved him as jaws snapped around him, using his physical form to dodge and squirm out of the way, screeching for his mother as he scrambled up a tree, clinging to a branch, the snarls and howls just beneath him.
Regrets flew through his mind as he shut his eyes, wishing, hoping for someone to please come save him. He had only wanted to be brave and strong, but as he looked down at the teeth flashing in the night for his blood, Robin cried out, clutching the branches to himself further. All the strategies, all the things of mercy and forgiveness that Roo had taught him were useless now and if only he had some way to defend himself, things like this wouldn't happen. If only he had been able to fly and not helplessly clinging for his life, he might have the strength, the courage to fight.
His prayers were answered and Roo burst through the bushes and Robin cried out with delight as she slammed her horse into the nearest wolf, causing it to fly away and lie still on the ground. "Robin!" Roo called as she reached for him, but a howl stopped her, causing her horse to rear and fling her to the hard ground.
They were on top of her immediately, stopping her from grabbing her weapon or casting a spell, tearing at her coat, trying to bite through her boot as she tried to claw her way out from underneath them. Robin screamed in the trees above, hoping against hope that something, anything would save his mother all because he went too far out into the woods and didn't listen. Because he thought he could be brave when he didn't even know what bravery and strength were.
Darkness fell over them all and a roar tore through the air as a black wyvern landed right over Roo, separating her from the wolves, its rider holding a lance that shimmered in the moonlight as it speared through one of the wolves, landing in the ground below with a hard thunk.
It had taken but a second for all the wolves to gather their thoughts before they leapt for the attack, one simply falling into Minerva's jaws as she clamped down, another being impaled on Gerome's lance. A blur of jaws, snapping teeth and tearing skin echoed through the night and before Robin could blink, it was over. Quickly, Gerome leapt down to Roo, and although she had only minor cuts and bruises, Robin wasted no time leaping down and into his mother's arms as Roo hugged him to her tightly, fearing she would vanish before his eyes. "Don't ever…EVER run off like that again," Roo was scolding him. "What could have happened? What if you died?"
It was all too much and Robin suddenly welled up before burying his head into his mother's arms, crying sadly. Robin could feel the warmth returning as Roo held him once more, the anger and fear dissipating and leaving only relief. "You're my precious child," Roo whispered sadly, tears forming in her eyes. "I don't think I'd do so great if I lost you."
But Robin was barely hearing her words. It dawned on him that if he had only been bigger, if he had only been stronger, he could have prevented the wolves from ever bothering him. He could have prevented his mother getting attacked in the first place. Looking up, he could see Minerva and Gerome watching them from above, a strange expression on Gerome's face, as if watching Roo hold him like a child was something he was remembering something from long ago, but Minerva's eyes were clear. Power bled from Minerva's form as she stared back at him in the darkness, her mighty wings spread out as if to shield her friends. So different from him, who could do nothing but run and cower in a tree, she was everything that he suddenly desired to be. She had the power to fight. She had the power to defend.
But more importantly, she had the bravery and strength he was determined to gain for himself as well. The choice had been made. He would learn to fight.
There wasn't any point in getting any sleep after they had returned and Gerome sighed irritably to himself once he left Minerva in the stables. The dawn was approaching and it was his shift for kitchen duty anyway, so Gerome headed down to the mess hall area. It was a surprise to see Roo already sitting upright at one of the tables, her body stiff and focused in the distance at nothing. "You should be asleep," he said, cautiously approaching her, knowing if she were sitting in what was considered a normal position, her thoughts weighed heavily on her mind.
"Can't," came the reply, curt and to the point. "Robin…Robin's asleep though. It was hard to pry him off me."
There wasn't much to be said and the mood between them still felt awkward. Gerome would have happily gone about his day if a sharp inhale of air from Roo hadn't stopped him.
"Am I…am I a bad mother?" she whispered, almost to no one.
He moved quietly, almost too quietly and Roo had no idea he was next to her until he took her hand in his and squeezed it in a reassuring manner. "You are a great mother," he said, his voice low, as if it were a secret.
And then he was gone, just like a ghost as Roo blinked in surprise and watched him leave, his back already to her.
"Hey!"
He turned to look back, the same stoic face, but was surprised when he saw her warmly smile back at him. "Don't worry about Vaike tonight, ok?" she said. "I'll save you a plate."
A small grin and a nod was her only response, but Roo knew it was enough. She knew everything that wasn't said, not that it needed to be.
At the training grounds, Gerome twirled the lance in his hands, practicing his thrusts and parries. Although these were movements he already knew and knew well, something about his form was a little off today. Maybe it was the cooler weather, or the fact he had a rather large meal that Roo had delivered to him, but more than likely, it was the fact that whenever he turned around, it seemed he had unwelcome spies watching his every move.
As if on cue, some nearby bushes rustled and a small squeak was heard, Gerome catching a flash of a white tail disappearing into the taller reeds. It had been this way for practically a week – the smaller wyvern now following him and Minerva at every chance he got, despite his mother telling him to stay away from the larger reptile due to last time they had to repair the camp. Gerome could see how Robin would pathetically mimic him and his movements, as if he were trying to learn how to fight with a lance himself, or breathe fire that just ended up choking him and making little puffballs of smoke.
Sadly, Gerome didn't think it could be helped, for while Roo was attentive and caring, she just couldn't fill parts of a young wyvern's training that he needed in order to grow. He had to give her credit, for she tried to focus on what he could do – reading, math and tactical prowess, and he had to admit these skills were putting Robin above other wyverns in some regards, but it secretly pained Gerome to think Robin was turning into a wyvern version of Laurent.
Flying was also out of the question, as once Robin watched Gerome and Minerva practice taking off and landing, only to mimic their movements and land on Inigo's head. Having already been punished severely by Marth for his last flirtatious outing, the poor man was in pain already and having a wyvern that was quickly growing land on him was a surprise that wasn't needed.
Now Gerome could see as a stick was dragged into the reeds from some unseen force and the grass rustled and bent away, revealing Robin and the mentioned stick underneath his wing, standing in the same stance as Gerome, but a sheepish look on his face. "You might as well come out and watch," Gerome huffed as Robin meekly drew back. "There's no harm in looking…I suppose."
However, Robin made no movement and Gerome only rolled his eyes and continued his training, but still aware that he was being studied from behind. This wasn't the first time he had invited the small beast to come closer and the invitations were always met with a terrified look and a somewhat impressive disappearing act until he turned his back again. While he hadn't mentioned it to Roo and Gerome was pretty sure Robin made no indication to Roo he was watching, Gerome had silently and casually taken his training to grounds that were more in the open and able to be viewed from all sides. Laurent had been kind enough to spare some extra boxes and barrels and sometimes Gerome could see a white streak dash between the hiding places in order to get all angles of view. He had also, unconsciously or not, modified his training so that when he began a new stance, he moved slowly, then picking up speed, silently showing how things were done.
He had to admit, from simply viewing, the small wyvern was actually doing pretty well. But then again, his mother was a tactician.
"Do you realize what is happening?" Laurent asked Roo one day as she was going over inventory with her, Noire following Laurent closely behind. "I mean, with Gerome and your son?"
"Of course," Roo scoffed. "Who wouldn't? It's kind of obvious, don't you think?" She sighed and folded her arms across her chest. "Men think they're so clever when they're really just idiots." Then, looking at Laurent, "Sorry."
Looking over at the training fields where Gerome stabbed at the air and Robin mirrored him from behind a box, Laurent pursed his lips. "I see you have solid evidence to back up such a claim," he said. "But I mean, does it not concern you that Robin would be in such close proximity to Minerva, who last time…"
"Last time they were alone together," Roo corrected him. "This time, Gerome is with him. Besides, it'll be good for Robin to know a side of Gerome that's not so stubborn all the time. For some reason, he really admires the sourpuss."
Pushing his glasses up his nose, Laurent frowned, wanting to defend his friend, but unsure of how to do so without incurring Roo's wrath. "Then might I deduce that the only reason you are allowing Robin to accompany Gerome is for him to actually absorb some fighting techniques?" he mused. "How astute. I shall offer that Gerome is an excellent teacher and a fine choice for such endevors."
Roo nodded, knowing the meaning behind his words. "I also let Robin hang out with you because you're an egghead," she grinned as Laurent huffed irritably, Noire letting out a small giggle.
Later that night, Gerome sat silently to himself, watching the dining area bustle with life and chatter. Then, from the group, a lone figure separated herself, bringing two steaming bowls of whatever it was that Cherche had cooked up. The smell was familiar and made Gerome's heart ache.
"Another night alone, huh?" Roo said as she arrived, handing Gerome a steaming bowl of stew. "That's a shame. You missed a great fight between Inigo and that Marth guy."
"I don't have to be there to know who won," Gerome said, and Roo had to give him some credit. "Although there is something I must ask you."
The surprise was hard to hide on Roo's face as she sat down, letting her spoon sink into her food, untouched. "Of course," she said. While it was true that recently she had been lingering when she brought Gerome his food to have conversations about whatever came to mind, it was rare that Gerome put her to a question so quickly. Normally, he sat and listened, offering a point or two when he felt was necessary.
Now he was looking at her, studying her face as he said, "Is it really alright for Robin to be around me?"
There was a deeper meaning in his words and Roo let out a small sigh and put her food down on the ground to give him her full attention. "Yes. And more than that, I want him to," she said, conviction in her voice. "Gerome, I know I can't mother him forever, and with Plegia on the move and after those wolves, I can see he's taken an interest in learning how to fight. I guess that's to be expected, since he was born and raised in the middle of an army camp." She smiled, amused. "Don't get me wrong, Cherche is a great teacher too, but she also doesn't practice as much as you do and she has a style that is more of her and Minerva working together, as opposed to you, who also practices on the ground alone. In this world, he has to learn to defend himself…even if I wish he didn't have to."
"Do you understand that if he learns from me, he will learn to take a life?" Gerome said and watched as Roo's expression fell. "I do not mean-…"
"It's alright," Roo said suddenly. "I know what people are saying about me. I can't blame them." Taking in a deep breath, Roo slowly let it out. "I've already spoken to him on the matter. It may be hypocritical of me, but I know Robin will have to make that choice one day. I just want him to be prepared to have that choice to begin with." A low chuckle came from Roo as she looked up at Gerome. "You're wondering why I don't."
Gerome said nothing, but nothing needed to be said.
"Memories are taken for granted," Roo said quietly, tilting her head to look up at the sky. "In some ways, having mine gone is both a curse and a blessing. I'm old enough where I have control over the ones I can remember and avoid events that I'd rather not see. I've seen the way some of the men look after coming back from battle. I've seen the result of it too. Gerome, I want to be selfish. I don't want to see a man's life disappear in his eyes in front of my face. I don't want to see their blood on my hands and I don't want to hear their last gasp. If I have killed, I don't remember it and I'm glad for it." Looking back at Gerome, Roo frowned. "I don't want to have those memories. It would haunt me forever."
He watched silently as Roo shifted in her seat uncomfortably. He could understand now, why she didn't voice this matter to others than whom she considered her closest friends. He could see how that with this information, many in the camp would refuse to follow her advice or how Chrom would be scandalized for having such a tactician and the Shepherds would lose credibility. It was better for her to take the brunt of the whispers, leaving Chrom and his group, the infallible legend, in one piece.
"I understand," Gerome said. "I won't bring up the matter again."
Surprise slowly melted away into a small smile as Roo looked into his gaze.
"Thank you."
Neither of them noticed from the group above, Chrom looking down at time, his mouth pulled into a frown.
The next day, Gerome found himself at the training ground again, and once more, his white shadow nervously training behind him. However, this time, Robin was standing still, staring up at Gerome with an earnest look in his eyes. "Aren't you coming?" Gerome said to the small wyvern who squeaked and bolted as if he were going to run, but stayed in his place, out in the open and fully visible.
"Your mother gave you and I permission, didn't she?" Gerome snapped back, Robin cowering with his stick in his wings.
Slowly, Robin nodded.
"Then come here and take Stance A. We'll see how well you can follow my lead."
There was no movement and for a while, Gerome stared down at the wyvern, waiting. "Very well," he said, convinced that Robin would just be watching today. "Sit over there and observe as always."
However, there was a squeak of protest and Gerome looked down to see Robin by his side, his fighting stick ready and his eyes looking up at Gerome nervously. A heavy sigh escaped Gerome as he rolled his eyes before kneeling next to Robin, who avoided his gaze. "I am certain your mother has told you this," Gerome said calmly, to avoid terrifying the young wyvern further, "But this world is dangerous. There are some…bad…people in this world and if you want to defend yourself and your mother, then I will teach you all I know. It will be up to you if you wish to put my teachings to use."
This seemed to reach Robin as he looked down and nodded.
"Good," Gerome said, standing back up. "Stance A!"
And with a determined squeak that only held hints of a roar, Robin snapped his body and stick into place, Gerome following before they both moved forward in unison.
Even though he had gotten rid of one peeping Tom, Gerome could feel the same old feeling of being watched again. Virion was now beginning to follow him as before, keeping a much further distance than Robin ever did and seemed content with just watching as opposed to learning. It was a few days later before Gerome snarled with irritation, stopping his training and turning to face where Virion hid. "I know you can hear me," Gerome snapped.
"Oh! Greetings Gerome!" Virion said, snapping out of the bushes as if he had just been passing through. "A fine day, isn't it? Training again I see? How marvelous!"
"What. Do you. Want."
Normally, Virion would have turned tail and ran away, but for some reason the man had found some deeper courage as he slid up next to Gerome. "Nozing sinister, I assure you!" Virion said brightly. "I was just hoping to talk about our…relationship again, you know! Father and son, and all."
"No."
"Aw, come ON!" Virion gasped, letting his arms fall to his side. "Even Severa's excited to see her father and I just zought since you've become a bit nicer, what with Robin and Minerva, calling zem Minervykins and Robbie-…"
Immediately, Gerome's hand shot out and grabbed Virion by the collar. "Where did you hear that?" Gerome hissed dangerously as Virion held up his hands defensively.
"In passing! Just in passing, I won't tell anyone, I swear!" Virion gasped, Gerome giving him a long, hard look before letting him go. "But it's true zat you've been more common in ze communal areas and speaking with more people, yes? I just…want to get to know you is all."
Gerome could feel his eye twitch angrily and was about to open his mouth before a small squeak caught his attention and Gerome looked down to see Robin giving him a small grin and shrugging his shoulders. Roo's last words about his father rang in his ears and Gerome gave a heavy sigh. "Very…well…" Gerome forced out of his mouth, watching Virion light up happily. "You may train with us, if you wish."
As Virion immediately burst into cries of joy, scrambling for his training bow and promising a wonderful day of bonding ahead of them, Gerome gave a look down to Robin who grinned back at him, his amused smile reflective of Roo. "I'm getting too soft for this," Gerome muttered to himself.
"Alright, are you ready?" Virion called, having set up several feet away with his training bow, Gerome standing across from him, his lance in his hands. Due to the high skill level on this certain technique, Gerome had opted for Robin just to watch, and watch he did, eagerly from the sidelines, already mimicking Gerome's stance.
In his mind, Gerome prepared himself. Maybe it was a good thing for Virion to be working with him after all. In the future, he never could defeat his father and would always leave the training pit behind their house covered in bruises and scrapes while his father walked away without a scratch on him. But here and now, he was older, stronger, and Virion wasn't experienced in his ways and forms of fighting. They were completely equals.
The arrow came and Gerome let loose a growl before swinging his lance at the angle his father had taught him, ricocheting the arrow right back to the unsuspecting Virion who had time to get out, "Mother-…" before the arrow hit him square in the head.
"I hope you're a better challenge than that," Gerome sighed, watching Virion struggle to his feet, a red dot on his forehead where the blunt arrow had hit him. "We can stop here if you like. You can go home. For the rest of the month. The year. Forever."
"Oh no, no! Zat will never do!" Virion struggled as he regained his footing. "I am training with my son-…"
"I'm not your son."
"…and it shall be a battle for ze bards!" Virion finished. "I promise I can see clearly." Shaking his head of the stars, Virion straightened himself and brushed himself off. "What about ze little one?" he asked, pointing to Robin who looked back at him curiously. "He can learn too, no?"
"No," came the immediate reply. "He's too young and isn't ready."
"But-…"
"I said, no!"
Immediately, Virion let the matter drop and held up his hands in defeat. He had heard a rumor that ever since the time Minerva stormed through the camp, Gerome had always considered the small wyvern to be a nuisance, but now, as he watched Gerome take Robin aside and gently correct his stance, he could see the humor in learning fatherhood from his own child. Once again, Gerome returned to the field and resumed his stance, Virion smiled to himself as Robin took the same stance behind him. "Are you ready, my love?" he called to Gerome, ignoring how Gerome rolled his eyes. "Here comes another!"
And thus, Gerome became a witness to how Robin learned, watching and practicing with him, wrestling with Minerva (who just sat on him and easily won) and pushing and moving crates and barrels about the camp to become stronger and Gerome couldn't help but feel a bit of pride as he watched other men give compliments and pat Robin on the back for a job well done. He even commissioned the local blacksmith to fashion a small bronze lance, specifically for Robin to train with, and upon delivery, the small wyvern had squealed with delight and run off to show his mother.
However, Gerome knew in the back of his mind that things like flying and moving forward with the speed Minerva had would always be hampered by the small wing, which refused to grow more than half the size of his other, despite its surprising strength. He could see it in Robin's loping gait and his longing desire whenever the other wyverns and Pegasus took flight. It pained Gerome, who found himself wishing there was some way, no matter how small for Robin, to one day rise into the sky with them.
"Wow, it's beautiful!" Sumia had gasped as she and the rest of the group marveled at the white, untouched sand and the sparkling waters they had discovered during their march. "Oh, Captain, it would be the perfect place to rest, don't you think?"
"It is nice," Roo said as she stood beside Chrom, Robin standing beside her, now almost the size of a small dog and too heavy to carry on her shoulders for long periods of time. "And we could all use a little R and R."
There was no chance for Chrom to disagree and before anyone could say otherwise, the Shepherds were sprawled out across the sand, some even in the shallows of the water. Only Gerome found himself alone as he did pull ups using a tree that seemed out of the way and secluded, but still held a small window of view where Roo and Robin were playing together in the shallows. If he didn't know any better, he'd think she were trying to teach the wyvern how to swim, but that would be ridiculous.
"It's not ridiculous," Roo said plainly to Gerome, whose curiosity had gotten the better of him and he came over to investigate. "Moving his wings in the water will increase his strength. Besides, this makes sure the 'Crashing into Inigo' option is off the table."
"Thank you!" came the distant reply.
In the water, Robin splashed away, beating his wings furiously as two hollowed out coconut shells gave him buoyancy. Although he didn't want to kick the dead Pegasus by pointing out the obvious, Gerome found the words tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them. "He won't be able to fly."
The frown Roo gave him sent chills down Gerome's spine. "He can still learn to swim," she said. "He can count and he can spell. He's even learned to multiply. The point is, don't tell me what my son can and cannot do."
Quickly, Gerome stammered out something akin to an apology, which was deemed acceptable by Roo as she turned her attention towards Robin. "Use your wings to keep afloat," she offered as Robin valiantly choked and spluttered in the waves. "If you move them like you're flying, you'll build those muscles."
There was no point in arguing once Roo had her mind set and Gerome trudged out of the sand to where Chrom and a few of the others were on the shore, watching. "You learning to swim?" Chrom asked as Gerome passed by. It was unusual for the prince to start conversation with him, what with the last time in Wyvern Valley. Chrom had seemed content enough to generally ignore Gerome on a whole, but now that Gerome and Robin, and as a result, Roo, had gotten closer, Gerome found himself in short, awkward small talk conversations with the prince more often than he cared for.
"No," Gerome quickly said, hoping to get back to his training spot.
"I probably should learn," Chrom sighed and Gerome felt his heart drop, knowing it was too late. "I almost drowned in a bathtub when I was little. Ever since then, I haven't been too big on swimming."
Gerome said nothing, but shifted his weight from side to side, hoping Chrom would get the idea. He didn't.
"She's kind of like, Emm," Chrom continued. "I can see the same kindness in her. That sort of thing is rare, you know?"
"Yes."
At this, Chrom gave Gerome a small fake smile. "Sorry, I know you're pretty busy," he said. "Just wanted to say hi."
More like wanted to give me a warning, Gerome thought to himself as he forced his body to give a polite nod to Chrom before walking away. It was obvious to anyone that Chrom followed Roo around like a love-sick little puppy, but every time, she seemed to disappear from his gaze, especially if Sumia was around. Gerome almost felt bad for the poor guy, but was grateful the drama was not his.
Suddenly, there was a whistling sound and Gerome found a small coconut at his feet. "Nice shot!" Owain called above him, and Gerome turned his head upwards to see Cynthia and Owain together on a cliff face overlooking the water, coconuts in their hands.
"Nice shot?" Cynthia echoed. "I missed! Let me try again. Gerome! You just stand there, ok?"
A low growl came from Gerome as he rolled his eyes and moved back towards his training tree. However, a blur of movement caught his eye and before Gerome could blink, he could see Roo and Robin up on the cliff with Cynthia and Owain, leaning dangerously over the side.
"R-Roo! Be careful up there!" Sumia had called to her friend as Roo leaned over the side, waving happily. "Oh, and Robin!"
"Aw, come on!" Roo called as Robin screeched happily. "You should see it up here, Sumia! The view is amazing!"
Nervously, Sumia was waving and trying her best to laugh along, but the tension coming from her was coming off in waves. "Well, I guess she's just standing there," Sumia said. "That can't be so bad-…"
"WOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"OH GODS!" Chrom cried out as he and everyone else watched as Roo launched herself over the side of the cliff, even Cynthia and Owain staring in shock, coconuts falling from their hands. A few seconds lasted a lifetime as Roo fell from the sky, her hands outstretched, feeling the wind rush in her face before she twisted and splashed into the water feet first.
"ROO!" Chrom cried out, instantly taking off for the water's edge. "Get some rope! Sumia! Your Pegasus!"
However the sound of laughter stopped them all and Chrom turned to see Roo's head pop up out of the water again, waving happily to them. "Aw, try it!" she called. "You babies!"
Before anyone could respond, another cry was heard and this time, the group watched as Robin flung himself over the edge, flapping his wings, but still coming down like a stone into Roo's arms. Popping up from the water, all smiles and laughter once more gave Chrom's heart the jolt it needed to start again and he sighed heavily, his arms on his hips in annoyance.
It wasn't long before Cynthia and Owain followed and soon, everyone who was brave enough had taken a turn at the leap. Even Noire, after much coaxing from Laurent, closed her eyes and leapt off, shrieking all the way. Only Sumia, Chrom and Gerome remained on the ground, Sumia giving the excuse that Pegasus Knights were meant to travel up and not down, and Chrom saying he couldn't swim, which was a generally accepted excuse when asked about jumping into the ocean. "What about you, Gerome?" Roo laughed as she stumbled out of the water, just having taken another turn with Robin who was chirping happily, begging to go again. "Afraid you'll melt?"
Although he had gotten curious enough to come away from his hiding spot and inspect the cliff, Gerome shook his head. "I decline," he said as politely as he could. "Falling isn't…my thing."
"Suit yourself," Roo shrugged, turning her attention to Robin who was pulling her back to the water.
Looking back at Minerva, Gerome nodded his head towards the water. "You can go if you like," he said.
His response was a heavy snort and vigorous shaking head.
Suddenly, a scream ripped through the air and all eyes turned to see Noire on the far end of the beach where she and Laurent had gone to gather shells, staring in the face of a Risen warrior. Laurent was already in the process of calling upon fire from his tome, but Noire had left her bow behind at the camp, much like several of the other Shepherds who hadn't expected a surprise attack.
"Weapons! Shepherds, regroup!" Chrom cried out as he grabbed Falchion. However, the Risen were materializing across the entire beach, cutting off several from the main camp and leaving them defenseless.
"Gerome!" Roo called and instantly, Gerome faced her, watching as she gathered Robin in her arms for protection. "Get the weapons! Fly up and distribute as needed!"
"I'll help too!" Sumia called back and Roo waved, showing she understood before taking off to put distance between her and a Risen that had formed beside her.
It was one swift movement that swung Gerome on Minerva's back as he kicked off into the air, Sumia following close behind. "I can get the swords!" Sumia called to him as she swooped down. "Can you get the lances?"
"Go!" Gerome called back, already moving for a group of lances and an axe. Moving back into the air with the weapons allowed Gerome to see the group on the ground as well as the caliber of Risen they faced. Most of them were just low-level zombies with no weapons of their own, and the Shepherds were putting up a good fight or regrouping into teams that could. Roo was with Chrom now, and although she didn't have a weapon, she seemed to be doing enough to watch Chrom's back as he slashed away at the Risen before him, Robin also slashing away with his claws and stabbing with his traning lance. The panic in his heart faded and Gerome turned Minerva to fly higher into the sky. As he watched Vaike punch a Risen away from Lissa, Gerome thought for a moment they would be alright, until a screech of a Griffin cut through the sky and Gerome turned to see five more Risen Griffin Riders coming for them. "Sumia!" he called, pointing to their new foes and dropping the lances, grabbing an axe for himself.
Whether Sumia had heard him or not, it was too late, for the Griffin Riders were upon him, snarling as Gerome locked weapons together with the head Risen. The monster's red eyes burned back into his and Gerome quickly broke away, the Griffin Rider chasing after him, followed by two others as the rest flew down to take care of the Shepherds on the ground.
"Enough!" Gerome spat as he spurred Minerva on, making for a head on collision with the head Risen again, Minerva and the Griffin locking limbs and claws in the sky. However, Gerome could feel the panic rise again as Minerva tried to jerk away, but the Griffin held onto her fast and he could see the blue ocean rushing up to meet them.
Suddenly, an arrow whistled through the air and struck the Griffin, causing him to let go and Gerome and Minerva found themselves free. Beating her wings hard just saved her and her rider from falling in the water and Gerome looked up to see Virion with his bow, already stringing another arrow to take the next rider into his sights.
The next arrow missed, but only because the Risen had seen it coming and they snarled as the two headed for Virion's position. Upon seeing he had two very angry Griffin Riders coming for him, Virion blanched and quickly made a trail for Cherche and the others.
"Over here!" Gerome called out, taking flight again to save his father, but this time the Risen were ready and Gerome and Minerva clashed again with their claws, now having to contend with two instead of one.
It was an impossible problem and Gerome, Minerva and both Griffin Riders splashed into the water below. The water's surface hit him hard, knocking out most of his wind and Gerome fought to not let the world go black, but there was a turmoil of blue and bubbles as he sank into the waves. Minerva could be seen in bits and pieces of his vision as she escaped to the surface, slashing a Griffin open, blood pouring out of the wound, its Rider no where to be seen. The other Griffin was gone as well as the Rider, so whatever danger they had posed had passed, but Gerome could feel his armor dragging him down further into the darkness. Although Minerva tried to reach for him with her claws, it was useless. He had fallen too far and had been hit too hard and could see her blurred form gargle in frustration before returning to the surface for air, lest she drown with him. His vision was going black, although he tried to keep his eyes open, but everything was so heavy and cold and Gerome could do nothing except sink into the darkness.
"Gerome…"
"Mother…Father…"
"Gerome," a familiar voice said again as a familiar hand stroked his head. "Come back. Come back to us, son."
His mind was cloudy and dull, but Gerome could feel the warmth spreading throughout his whole body that tempted him to stay. "Be at peace," his mother's voice sang through his ears. "At last the pain and suffering will…"
"…ave to…ack!"
A voice. He knew that voice. Familiar, but distant, the words echoed in Gerome's ears as he snapped his eyes open.
"...Yo…ha…fighting!"
That's right, he wasn't done yet. The pain came now and Gerome clenched his teeth and forced himself to rise from his mother and father's warmth, the air around him turning wicked cold. "I have to…" he grimaced as the light faded away into darkness. "I can't leave them."
"Please…" The voice said. "Remember…!"
Snapping open his eyes, Gerome tried to take in a breath of air, but found his lungs blocked and coughed up water, sputtering and choking as he rolled to his side, trying not to die a second time. At last, his airway was clear and Gerome took in a gasp of sweet, life-giving air, feeling his body return to its normal state.
A blanket was dropped over his head and Gerome came back to his senses as he rolled back around and sat up, feeling a hand on his back supporting him and patting him lightly. "That was quite a scare," Roo said to him, a smile on her face. "Welcome back."
Realization swept through him and Gerome flew his hand to his face, relaxing as he felt the cold metal of his mask against his face. It had been damaged, but was still intact. He would have to get more from Brady's catalogue if the rest were as good as this sample. "What happened?" he asked.
The Shepherds were standing around him, looks of concern melting away into relief as he stared back at each of their faces. "Roo pulled you out of the water," Sumia said as Lissa bent down to cast a healing spell over him.
"I had some help from Minerva," Roo admitted, looking up to the mentioned wyvern who was already gently pushing the others aside so she could nuzzle Gerome in relief. Taking her head in his hands, Gerome smiled softly as she cooed and nipped at his air lovingly, reassuring her that he was fine.
"Gerome! Oh, my child!" Virion could be heard screaming from behind the crowd and Roo gave Gerome a sympathetic smile and a shrug before Virion barreled her over, flinging his arms around Gerome's neck. "Are you hurt? Can I get you anyzing? How many wyverns do you see?"
"I'm FINE," Gerome growled, shoving Virion away from him, Cherche just smiling normally as her husband whimpered and sulked at her feet.
At this, the rest of the Shepherds broke out into laughter or polite smiles and moved in, patting Gerome on the back, giving him hugs and smiling, expressing their joy and relief that they hadn't lost him as a team member and as a friend. Even Robin chirped happily and jumped up on him, nuzzling him like Minerva before being pulled down by Roo apologetically. Sully and Gregor slapped him on the back, Lon'qu gave him a quiet nod and even Chrom reached out to shake his hand.
The one person who didn't flood into his personal space was Roo. She seemed content to hang back from the rest of the crowd, watching with her old smile on her face and a small shrug once she saw that Gerome made no move to come to her. She just picked up Robin and after giving him a knowing nod, she turned, looking back to the water.
It was late into the night, really almost morning, when Roo heard her name being called softly from outside of her tent, the name and her familiar surroundings thankfully overriding most of her panic as she steadied her breathing. "Who is it?" she groaned groggily once she had found her mind, Robin in his own little bed on the ground, having grown out of sleeping with Roo in her small cot, growling in his sleep at the sounds.
"It's Gerome."
Irritably, Roo sighed and threw back her tent flap to see Gerome standing before her, not surprised at her scowling face, dressed in daylight clothing. "I understand it's late," Gerome said before Roo could open her mouth to unleash a string of insults, "But I wish to speak with you."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"…Can it wait?"
"No."
With a huff, Roo disappeared back into her tent and grabbed her coat before stepping out into the night. "Alright," she said, the tone in her voice cutting into him.
"Not here," Gerome said, hoping she wouldn't gut him as her eyes narrowed. "Can…can you come with me? Please?"
She stared at him. Hard and cold like he had seen her do many times before when she was trying to figure something out in him, but she was too tired and her brain not fully functional, forcing her to make a decision that wasn't based on logic or reasoning. Finally giving him a pathetic look and sagging her shoulders, Roo gave him a small nod, curiosity winning out over everything else.
"This way," Gerome said, feeling as if he had escaped death once more.
They found themselves on the cliff overlooking the ocean where the breeze was even colder and Roo shivered. "Ok, we're here," she said. "Or at least this is as far as I go. You wanted to talk to me?"
A silence passed over the two as Gerome looked down the cliff thoughtfully. An old feeling he hadn't felt before in years welled up in him again and Gerome had to shake his head to clear his mind.
And that's when Roo shoved him hard from behind.
His feet skidded to a stop, just before the final moment when he would have tipped over the edge and Gerome spun around once he regained his footing, snarling at Roo who had her hand out where she had shoved him, an irritated look on her face. "Speak, damnit!" she snapped. "I thought you had something to say or else I'm going back to bed."
"I DO have something to say!" Gerome hissed back. "You didn't have to shove me!"
"I'm not waiting forever!"
"I'm getting to it!"
"Then let's GO alreadyyyy!"
"Fine!" Gerome spat back. "I wanted…I wanted to thank you. For today."
An incredulous look came over Roo's face as she bored her eyes into him. "That's it?" she huffed. "You could have just said that outside my tent, never mind dragging me all the way out-…"
"There's more to it than that," Gerome sighed and Roo fell silent, her glare stabbing into him. "When I was smaller, I had vertigo. I couldn't stand high places or deep waters and even now, as I stand here and look down…" he took a peek over the side into the water below, "I feel it."
"You do well on Minerva," Roo frowned.
Gerome nodded. "Cynthia was kind enough to take me on her Pegasus until I conquered my fears of being in the sky," he said. "But today showed me, more than ever, that I am still…afraid…of falling. Of drowning. In that crushing black water, choking out the air from my lungs, the icy hand of Death closing in on me…I could feel that same fear rising in me again." Turning back to Roo, Gerome frowned sadly. "You pulled me out of Death's grip and back to the shore. I just wanted to say…Thank you."
"No problem," Roo said, her words were soft and kind, a smile on her face. "We're friends, Gerome. I'll pull your floating carcass out of the beach any day."
Her sarcasm was met with a grin and Roo gave him a small nod before turning back to the camp. "Wait!" Gerome called before she could get far, and she turned to face him. "Do you think…would it be possible…" he stammered, unsure of how to ask his question, "Tomorrow, maybe or sometime when you're not busy…can you teach me how to swim?"
Roo gave him a surprised look and Gerome let his head droop form shame. "I do not know how," he admitted. "Or at least, not well."
"Oh, I see," Roo said, animatedly leaning back and forth, coming back to his side. "You are teaching Robin to fight, so I guess it's a natural trade off. Ok, how about a quick lesson right now, then?"
"Now?"
Roo smiled. "Well, the first lesson is having courage. Do you have courage, sir?"
"I fear nothing except the cold hand of Death."
"Good enough."
Before he could say anything else, Roo shoved him again, harder this time and Gerome felt his footing fail him as he flew backwards. However, Roo had gotten a little too close in order to push and Gerome's hand instinctively shot out and grabbed her arm, pulling her with him as they both started to go over the edge. She protested, but it was too late and Gerome found himself falling, Roo's hand in his and for a split second, they hung in the air, palms pressed against each other's and Gerome could see the shock change to laughter in her eyes.
Coming up from the waves coughing and spluttering once more, Gerome quickly struggled towards the nearest rock where he clawed his way up it, coming to a slippery rest on the top. "ARE YOU MAD?" he roared as Roo popped up and laughed, swimming over to his side. "Now we are wet! Now we are cold! And I have never been so…so…!"
"You big baby!" Roo giggled as she paddled about. "It was fun!"
"It was NOT fun!" Gerome shot back. "This has been the WORST experience of my life-…!"
"Hey Gerome!"
"What?"
His response was her arm erupting out of the waves and grabbing his leg, pulling him from his perch and back into the water. Rising from the waves once more, Gerome coughed and struggled back to his rock, no longer having the strength to pull himself up in, but had to be satisfied with gripping onto it for dear life. "This is not funny!" he snapped as Roo cackled back at him. "You are clearly insane!"
Her laughter slowly died and Roo grinned back up at him. "There! Now we're even," she said happily. "That's for waking me up at this ungodly hour."
There was no getting around the truth, but there were better ways to go about it as Gerome turned his head and pouted childishly. "Aw, come on," Roo teased as she slid up beside Gerome, giving him a smile. "I bet you liked it. Who wiked jumpwing off a wittle cliff? You did! Yes, you did!"
It had been exhilarating, there was no denying that, but whether it had been from the joy of doing something new and daring or the fear of potentially crashing onto the rocks below, Gerome couldn't be sure, but it had been something along the lines of fun. "Do you really want to know what I think?" he asked as Roo looked at him curiously.
"Sure."
A wave of water hit her in the face and Gerome snickered to himself as he watched Roo cough and splutter from his surprise splash attack. "You!" she snarled playfully as Gerome scrambled for a farther rock and safety. "Don't think you can get away!"
It was dawn when Gerome and Roo finally pulled themselves out of the water, soaking wet and cold, but laughing merrily in a way that Gerome didn't think he could have done so before. It was the same warm feeling as he had felt when he had almost gone back to his parents and he found he had forgotten everything except Roo's smile and laugh, looking back into his eyes, searching for nothing and trusting everything.