Bright Flame
"She is stronger than any steel he has ever come across."
A collection of Priam/Robin drabbles, from their first meeting to post-game.
Part III - third
Rating: K+
Word count: 1,775
Summary: "You've changed, Priam. Is it because of Robin?"
A/N: Another fast paced one. This one introduces Morgan at the very end. Next set of drabbles will focus on Morgan and Priam's relationship ~.
I never knew a love like this
Finally opened up my eyes
Never knew just one kiss
Could ever wake me up inside.
And I hope it lasts forever
Cause I'd walk a thousand miles
Just to feel like this.
I never knew love like this.
- Love Like This, Amy Pearson
xi.
During their first few days of their engagement, they tried to keep it a secret. Robin often snuck into Priam's tent to sleep at his side. The shepherds had other things to worry about, other than the engagement of their tactician and soldier.
Of course, it wasn't long before rumors spread; some rumors innocent and some rumors that caused Chrom to seek Priam out for information, with a concerned look on his face. In the end, they finally announced their engagement, which led to a small celebration.
"We really don't need to celebrate, Chrom." Robin tells her lord. However, Chrom laughs and pats Robin on the back.
"We do need to celebrate, though. You're like a sister to me, Robin. Plus, it's a happy moment – for both of you." He looks up at Priam with a smile. "I know you two will have a happy life together. Welcome to the family, Priam."
It's a strange feeling, being welcomed into a family. But the hero gives his own chuckle. "Thank you, Chrom. It's an honor – to be welcomed and to marry someone like Robin." Robin blushes at his words, coughing a bit.
Before she could say anything, Lissa decides to speak.
"So, do you want a boy or a girl?!"
xii.
Their training sessions start up again as they prepare to leave for Plegia. Robin's gotten stronger over the past week or so. She's been trying extra hard to get on Priam's level.
"You don't want to overwork yourself," he tells her. "A warrior needs their rest as well. You're only human; you have your own limits."
He spoke to her as both a husband and a fellow soldier. When he was younger, he pushed himself too far sometimes. Now, he knows better. He's often taught that to the soldiers on the island and he now passes it down to Robin.
Robin nods and charges at him again. The wood clashes against each other and they continue their fencing lessons for another while. Both of them are worn out and Robin takes a minute to catch her breath. Priam was always one step ahead of her when it came to swordplay.
Suddenly, she feels herself being lifted up. She's greeted with the hero's smiling face and she simply laughs, wrapping her arms around him. He didn't do this all the time but she didn't mind it when he did, especially after a long training day like this. Snuggling up to her husband, listening to his soft breathing as she drifts off to bed…
This kind of life didn't sound bad at all.
xiii.
The trip to Plegia does not go as planned.
In the end, Validar had trapped them. He had a plan in mind and unfortunately, none of them see it. He feels helpless as he watches this madman – his father-in-law – control his own daughter as if she's a marionette. The Fire Emblem is lost. There was nothing they could do at the moment.
They manage to escape and head back to camp.
He feels helpless as he watches his wife struggle to speak. She's not even sure what to say. Robin glances at her husband, a sad look in her eye, before looking back towards Chrom. "What I did... It's...it's unforgivable."
Chrom tells her he'll have none of that. They have a short conversation, with Robin telling him that he has too much faith in her. She excuses herself from the room to get some fresh air.
"Are you going to follow her?" Chrom asks.
Priam shakes his head. "She has that look in her eye, the one where she wants to be alone. Robin is a smart girl; she'll come back when she is ready. Crowding her would be a bad thing to do. When she's ready to talk, she'll seek you or me out."
He catches Lucina slipping out of the room, following Robin. Chrom doesn't seem to notice, speaking with Olivia and Frederick about any plans. In the end, Priam excuses himself as well, saying he's going to head back to his tent to rest up. The battle was tiring. It's a lie but they don't question it, as he made himself sound convincing.
Instead, he follows Lucina.
He can't say he's surprised when Lucina draws her sword towards the tactician. There's a slight over protectiveness that the hero has, but he stops himself from pulling Ragnell out. His fingers twitch at the thought. He needs to let them talk this out.
He's not surprised when Lucina draws her sword towards the tactician, but Robin's answer to Lucina's judgment manages to surprise him, and not, at the same time.
"...Very well. I forfeit my life."
Right now, he doesn't understand why she would do this. He almost wants to yell – yell at how stupid her choice is, yell at Lucina for giving her the choice – but he holds himself back. He's about to head over there; however, Chrom beats him to the punch.
He manages to make Lucina lower her sword and they have a small talk. It's about their bonds – the invisible ties as Robin calls them. For now, Chrom's managed to convince Lucina that Robin will not kill him. For some reason, Priam believes Chrom fully. Both of them know Robin well.
His eyes meet with Robin's eyes and they stare at each other for a minute. She seems rather embarrassed and guilty for her choice. Yet, there's a familiar flare in her eyes. She's determined to set things right.
xiv.
He wakes up before her. It's not even dawn yet, but he has some morning training to do. He shifts his body a bit, looking at his sleeping wife. It was a tiring day yesterday, especially for her. Now, she looks peaceful as she continues to sleep. Priam reaches to kiss her forehead and quietly slips out of their bed. He manages to retrieve his armor and Ragnell without creating too much noise.
When he leaves, he notices Lucina. It looks as though she's been waiting for him. When their eyes meet, Lucina straightens her posture and takes a breath.
"Sir Priam, I—"
He holds up a hand to stop her. "I understand why you did what you did. Any desperate person would have done the same." She seems almost insulted that he called her desperate but in a way, she knew he was right. She was desperate and would do anything to protect her father and the future.
"However, your father is right. There is a better way than felling Robin. I trust Robin; I trust that she'll fight against Validar's control harder than before. I saw the hesitation when she grabbed the Fire Emblem. Robin is a strong woman, a woman who knows how to fight back." He pauses, to allow the information to sink in. "But, I will do my part as well. I will keep an eye on her, because I know that's what she would want me to do."
"As a husband?" Lucina asks.
"As a fellow warrior," Priam confirms, though he would gladly look after her as a husband as well.
"If Robin asks you to strike her down, would you?" The question is fast and Priam takes a moment to think. Would he strike Robin down? If she asks him to, would he be able to do it?
"I don't know," he whispers. "But, I suppose I should think about it - mainly because I can see her asking me that."
Lucina nods and she's silent for a minute. "You've changed, Priam. Is it because of Robin?"
He hesitates. He still doesn't feel comfortable with expressing how he feels, especially to the almost-murderer of his wife. "… I think so. Robin showed me a new path in life. Steel is stronger than most, but her gentleness is stronger than steel. She is something new to fight for, someone I want to keep by my side. She is precious to me." There's a pause. "It's hard to explain. When you find someone like that, you might feel the same as I do."
Lucina says nothing, only bowing her head and thanking Priam for his time before suddenly leaving. He doesn't watch her for long.
He turns and begins to head off.
xv.
If they plan on going up against Validar, they're going to need something that can help them. According to Tiki, Naga's Tear should do the trick. Of course, they find it easily, though many Risen are there. They must be there for the tear, but at the same time, they seem to be looking for something else.
The Shepherds find the tear quickly but they also find something else.
He is a young mercenary, wearing similar robes to Robin's own over his outfit. His hair colour is a dark blue, an identical shade to Priam's own. When Priam first meets him he is beside Robin's side. The tactician looks a bit distressed, but he also sees happiness in her eyes. She opens her mouth to speak.
"Priam, this is Morgan. He's… He's our son, from the future." She explains that Morgan is in the same condition as her. He doesn't remember much about the future he comes from.
It takes a moment to register. They have a child in the future? He never really thought himself as a father, and truth be told him and Robin never really talked about having kids due to the current issues going on. Yet, it feels right. It feels right that the boy in front of him is their child. Even now, Morgan has a burning flame of passion in his eyes. He has Robin's eyes, but he has their fighting spirit dwelling inside of the hues.
Priam can't help but glance down at the boy's side. On his belt is a familiar sword.
He has Ragnell.
Morgan shifts his body as Priam's gaze meets his. He could tell that the younger boy felt a bit nervous. "I don't remember much, but I know that you're my father. Father, I—"
He can't say anything else because the hero is laughing. Priam doesn't even bother hiding how overjoyed he is, to know that he and Robin have a child together. He suddenly picks his son up ( easily, because he has the same build as his mother ) and Morgan flails a bit, but soon he's laughing too, as well as Robin. They manage to calm down and he puts his son down, regaining his posture and presence.
"It's nice to meet you, Morgan."
He doesn't know much about Morgan now, but he knows his son has the potential to be great.