a/n: I've had a lot of time to write...but I spent it mostly on tumblr oops. I live right in the middle of that polar vortex that's hitting the U.S. right now, so I haven't had school all week and I've been snowed in my house. Also it is freezing. I'm wearing gloves in my room:(

Vykktor: oh no I have shamed one of my only constant reviewers :o but...meh. Honestly it's not one of my favorites either. It wouldn't be the first time I've done that to Lon'qu, as he and Lissa were like my first ship in the game. I'm so chill with you not liking it that you can still have this Phila chapter I wrote for you. She is a hard character to write, so forgive me if she's badly OOC. Also it may seem rushed...gah I'll just be quiet.

So much dialogue. My apologies.

what a life we would have lived

Robin x Phila

a romance blooms, then plot canon gets in the way.

Robin was intrigued by Emmeryn's advisor from the very first moment he saw her. It hadn't been long since his awakening, but her sharp eyes, being such an unusual color, had grabbed his attention immediately, and the way she carried herself had left him speechless. He wouldn't call it love at first sight, but something close to that.

So, in the time Chrom had left him to prepare for their trip, he tracked Phila down for a conversation.

"L-Lady Phila!"

The pegasus captain turned sharply to face him, looking confused. "Why do you call me 'lady', Sir Robin?"

He grinned. "It's what you are, is it not? And why do you call me 'sir', lady Phila?"

"What is the meaning of this?" she scowled.

"Oh...um.." In his haste, he had forgotten to come up with a believable excuse.

"I have work to do."

"No, wait! I..." Robin blushed, but still met her gaze. He didn't think she'd appreciate a crazed fanboy. "I just wanted to get to know everyone. I thought you could...teach me. After all, you never know what could trigger my memories."

Phila raised an eyebrow. "No, I suppose I don't...but I am busy with assisting the exalt at the moment...perhaps another time?"

"Of course. But I am to be leaving soon..."

The captain pursed her lips, and looked around the hallway before sighing in defeat. "You are persistent. Alright, I guess I have a little time. What did you want to ask about?"

"So...you're Emmeryn's adviser? In addition to being the captain of the pegasus knights? How long have you known her?"

"Our parents passed away around the same time, leaving us both with a mighty inheritance. Granted, my lady's is much weightier...You could say we grew up together."

"Hm. And you've been doing Emmeryn's will all your life? Have you never wished for a life, a family of your own?"

"I do not like your line of questioning. The exalt has been my family. She is my world, and I would never consider going against her will."

"I...meant nothing by it, I assure you, it was just a question."

Phila looked him up and down with her sharp eyes, as if evaluating him all over again. "Tis not my place to question my superiors, Sir Robin, but looking at you, I wonder why the Prince trusts you so easily."

"Perhaps he doesn't judge by appearances alone?"

To his great surprise, Phila smiled, just a tiny bit, then quickly turned her back to him. "You are cocky, tactician. See to it that you don't get my prince killed."

"I would never, my lady."

"Call me captain," she asserted.

"Only if you call me Robin."

Phila made a noncommittal noise, and waved her hand over her shoulder. "Be safe on your journey, Robin."

As events unfolded, through everything, Robin spoke to Phila every chance he got. It wasn't much, but he noticed her gradually warming up to him. She told him stories of her training,and what little of her childhood with her parents she could remember. In return, he told her of the places the shepherds visited, all the odd people and sights he had seen.

It wasn't long after they kissed that he asked her to marry him. "I'm sorry," he began, holding the box out to her. "I know it seems rushed, I know we've known each other for only a few months...but I love you, Phila. I want to give you a life. I want to give you a family."

She shook her head, covering her mouth to suppress her emotion. "I don't understand your insistence that I have those things," she choked out. "But...if my lady has no objections, then...I accept."

"Of course I don't, Phila," a soft voice interrupted. The exalt stood in the doorway, watching them with loving eyes. "He is right. You deserve so much. And Robin, I'm glad you found your courage."

"My lady...you encouraged this?"

Emmeryn smiled, and nodded. "Do not blame him. I noticed him pining about your door day after day and took pity."

Robin took Phila's hands in his, smiling the brightest he thought he had ever smiled. "I promise, I'll be accommodating. I know you wish to stay here to serve Emmeryn."

Hesitantly, she embraced him, and did not cry until he whispered 'I love you, captain." in her ear. No one had ever stayed long enough to break through Phila's walls except Emmeryn. Now that Robin had, she felt so...free.

As promised, Robin made their relationship work. The two were married shortly after, in a small wedding attended by only Emmeryn and the shepherds. Robin soon forgot their troubles, until they snuck back up on him.

"The exalt has been captured?!"

While the siblings worried over their sister, Robin's thoughts were for his wife. Wherever Emmeryn was, she would most likely be. If those plegians had her...they had to save both Phila and Emmeryn. They had to march on Plegia.

The tactician fought like a madman. He stopped at nothing, and cut down every foe that tried to stop him, until he had Phila by the hand, helping her out of the jail cell.

After he pulled her up, she flew into his embrace, then pulled back. "Quickly, we must save her grace!"

She yanked him atop the pegasus behind her, and kicked her heels into its flank. Once they were at the scene, Robin slid from the animal's back and ran over to Chrom's side.

"My lady, take my hand!" Phila reached for Emmeryn. A low, evil cackle broke the tension. Flashes of purple light appeared, and all at once, several arrows impacted Phila's body. Her hand broke from Emmeryn's, and she felt herself falling, and heard her Pegasus' screams of agony. One by one, her sisters fell, and their screams split the air as well.

"Phila! Phila!"

Everything was surreal. Phila knew her body was broken, she saw it, but felt nothing. She knew she was dying.

"I'm so sorry. I promised to give you a life, didn't I? And here... I let you die."

She titled her head up, and saw Robin's face. Robin, the man who had cared for her. His face was streaked with tears. She would have loved to have a life with him. But it couldn't be. Someone like her wasn't meant for love.

Somehow, Robin managed to function as the shepherd's tactician even after witnessing the woman he loved die. He and Chrom took down Gangrel together, with a fury that can hardly be described. Then, they returned to Ylissetol and buried their loved ones.

He tried unsuccessfully to forget Phila, to move on. It hurt, but nothing was as painful as the day Marth was revealed as Chrom's daughter.

Lucina came to him, looking nervous. She wouldn't meet his eyes.

"I have...something to tell you."

When he didn't respond, she took a deep breath and continued. "In my timeline, the exalt was killed that night in the castle. Phila...she survived. She met you, and you two...you had a child."

Robin's heart, so long dead, began to soar. "Tell me about her!"

"Her name is Morgan. She came through the portal with me, perhaps...no, I know she's in this world somewhere."

His eyes blazed. "Then I will find her."