Mew29240, you have good taste in supports! I wholeheartedly approve, and I will try to work it in where I can. It won't be focussed on, but it will be there.

Link seemed to be getting along well with the assorted warriors. Despite his lack of voice, Robin saw him laughing along with the other Shepherds and generally enjoying himself. They had really taken to the otherworldly traveller, what with Sully congratulating him on his tough fighting, Vaike requesting Link to be his apprentice, Lon'qu actually smiling at the boy and Miriel poking and prodding at his clothes. Robin, however, was more interested in his weapons. Now that he could get a closer look, Robin could see the details of the curious implements. On it appeared to be some sort of stylized red bird, with the same three triangles that he had come through highlighted in gold. But there was one thing that stood out above all that: the shield didn't have a scratch on it. Robin was sure that Link had blocked several slashes from the Risen with it, and he knew that he hadn't repaired it. Robin would have to ask him later.

"Well, he seems to be fitting in!" A familiar voice startled Robin out of his musings.

"Lissa! Gods, you surprised me!" Robin turned and looked at the smiling Sage.

"Good! All that thinking will make your head explode, you know." She playfully winked at him.

"I can't help it. I still have that strange feeling, and I'm also extremely curious about our newest member. A mute, incredibly skilled swordsman who came through yet another portal right next to us. Why are we portal magnets?"

"Maybe we're just lucky!" Lissa smiled, and Robin couldn't help but smile as well.

When the sun began to set, Chrom ordered the party to stop. With everything that had gone on that day, everyone was absolutely exhausted; everyone but Link. He still looked like he could walk for another couple of hours before he really got tired. Chrom decided to make a comment about this to Robin as they began to set up their tents.

"How can he not be as tired as us? He walked the whole way, and he survived being smothered by the Shepherds."

"I don't know." Robin tilted his head slightly to look at Link. He was wandering aimlessly around camp, attempting to help where needed. "Maybe he does this kind of thing all the time. He might even have to."

"Gods, I can't imagine a world where you'd have to be on the move all the time."

"Chrom, we practically do that now!"

"Yeah, but we have people with us. We can get rides on caravans. He may not even have a horse."

"Fair enough." Robin noticed the boy walking into the woods. "Link!" He shouted over to him. The man in green turned to face the tactician. "Don't go too far, or you'll miss the call for dinner." Link nodded, and disappeared amongst the trees. "Wonder where he's going."

That evening found Robin and Frederick heading towards a fenced-off area. Frederick had asked Robin to help with the grooming of his horse and any others that were there. Well, it was more ordered than asked, but he managed to phrase it nicely. When the horses were in sight, they heard the unmistakable cries of fighting.

"That sounds like Cherche," Robin commented.

"Indeed. I had best investigate and make sure she is unharmed. We wouldn't want our only Wyvern rider harmed."

"Uh-huh." Robin grinned slyly at Frederick, who kept his stoic expression, darting his eyes between where her battle cries could be heard and the man making a stupidly big grin at him.

"I assure you, it is nothing of that nature, Robin."

"Sure. Don't worry, Freddy, I'll take care of the horses while you go ogle Cherche. I'm sure she wouldn't mind the company." Robin's grin turned to a smile as Frederick began to walk away, and Robin could swear he saw a spring in the knight's step. Robin walked over to the horses, feeling a spring in his own. When he reached Frederick's horse, he noticed something strange. The animal barely seemed to notice him. Its ears were standing on end, it was as close to one end of the fence as it was willing to get and its head was pointed towards the forest. "What's up, boy? You hear something?" Just then, Robin thought he heard it too. He stopped talking, and listened intently. From out of the woods, he could hear some sort of music. Curious, Robin began to walk towards the sound. When he reached its source, he was surprised at what he found. He saw Link sitting on a log by the nearby river, holding a horseshoe-shaped necklace in front of him. The sound seemed to be emanating from the necklace, though Robin was unsure how an instrument of that design could possibly work. Not wanting to interrupt, he turned around to leave, but stepped on a branch. The music instantly stopped, and Robin knew he was found.

He turned to see Link looking over at him, his entire face completely downcast. The joy Robin just had evaporated, turning into sadness. Link's eyes gleamed of longing, and his face had become weathered.

"Mind if I join you?" Link turned away, but patted the space on the log next to him. Robin cautiously sat down next to the boy, knowing that this was a delicate situation. An awkward silence reigned for what seemed like ages, then Robin remembered that Link was mute. "That's an interesting instrument you have there." Link turned to face him. "Did you make it yourself?" Link shook his head. "May I see it?" Link slowly handed over the horseshoe necklace, and Robin examined it. It was definitely hand-made, even if Link wasn't the one that made it. He found a carving on the back of it, which seemed to be a name: 'Ilia'. "Who's Ilia?" Link's head shot up at the mention of the name. "A relative?" Link shook his head. "A friend?" He then did a funny motion that was somewhere between a nod and a shake of his head. "Ah, it's a person you have feelings for." He gave a single nod. "You must have been loathe to leave her behind. I know I would be if I had to leave Lissa behind. Don't worry, though, you'll see her again. If it was meant to be, then a way will be found. I guarantee it." Link smiled weakly. "Enough of this depressing stuff. I would really like to take a look at that sword of yours." Robin said as he handed back the necklace. Link's face brightened considerably, and he drew his blade. "Left-handed. You really are something special, kid." Link rolled his eyes. He laid the blade out before him, displaying it in all its glory. Robin moved to pick it up, but Link's hand shot out and stopped Robin. "Ah, it's one of those blades. Only one bloodline is allowed to touch it, right? Just like Falchion." Robin drew his hand away, and Link relaxed. Robin looked over the sword, and saw something that immediately caught his attention. "It's that symbol again!" Link looked at him curiously. "The three triangles! It seems to be everywhere around you. It must be important if even your sword has it." Realization dawned on the boy's face, and he began to take off his glove. On the back of his left hand was the same three triangles, embedded into his skin. Robin's feeling of dread came back to the forefront of his mind, and he instantly understood that this symbol was of the highest importance back where Link came from. A question popped into his mind, and before he even knew what it was, it came out of his lips. "Why are you really here?" Link's face turned grave, and Robin's heart sank. Fear welled up in the pit of Robin's stomach. He now knew that Link had not come here by accident. He was here to stop something. He was here to warn the world of dangers to come. He was here to save them all. Then, they both heard the call for dinner.

A/N: This one was tough. It's hard writing in exposition when the character you need to have explain everything is mute. I hope I did alright, and that you enjoyed. If you have any criticisms, questions or concerns, please don't be afraid to PM or review. Thank you for your time!