Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem: Awakening

An array of emotions swept through the Sheperds, after they arrived in Regna Ferox.

The news of Frederick and Sumia's engagement created great fanfare among the group. The pair planned to marry as soon as the war ended. It lifted the spirits of Shepherds, even the melancholy Chrom.

Chrom had been devastated by his sister's death. He had become distant, depressed. It had taken words of support, loyalty, and encouragement from all of them to bring him out of it. To help him see what he needed to do. It was Robin's words, however, that struck Cordelia the most.

"I don't think either of us alone is half the person your sister was...But together, perhaps, we can be something more..."

Did Robin have feelings for Chrom? Was she in denial, like everyone said? Where did she stand in all of this? Now that Cordelia thought about it, why didn't the tactician talk to Chrom about the whole situation? Why go to the lengths she did?

Those questions were why Cordelia now stood in front of the door to the room Robin had been given for the duration of their stay in Regna Ferox. She hesitated, and knocked.

"Who is it?" Came Robin's voice.

"It's Cordelia," the pegasus knight said, "Can I come in? We need to talk."

"The door's open, come on in."

Cordelia opened the door and entered. The tactician, as usual, pored over various maps, books, and notes. Her challenge this time was to come up with a plan to take down Gangrel, the Mad King of Plegia. The one responsible for all the recent tragedy...

Well, not all of it.

"What did you need, Cordelia?" Robin asked, focused on her work.

Cordelia bit her lip, "It's...about Chrom. I believe that there is something that you need to know. And more importantly, I believe that I am owed a few answers."

Robin looked up now, her eyebrows pinched, "What? What happened?"

Cordelia braced herself, and told the other woman what had happened. About Chrom's conversation, where he admitted to feeling confused. And then, about his admittance of feelings towards his tactician.

Robin paled as Cordelia told the story. The tactician shrunk as the pegasus knight finished,

"No, no, after all that..." she muttered, "This can't be happening!"

"Yet it is," Cordelia said, schooling her face into a calm expression.

"All of this, this was so he wouldn't fall in love with me in the first place!" Robin waved her hand, "The reason I never told him of the rumors, the reason I pushed you two together, it was all to avoid this very thing! Ah," she looked down, grabbing her head with one hand, "What do I do? How can I fix this?"

"You can simply talk to him," Cordelia said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"It's not that simple!" Robin strained, "I cannot tell him of my feelings on this matter! I can only hope to influence his own indirectly. I cannot preemptively reject him, or anything else of the sort!"

"And why not?" Cordelia demanded, angry. Why was Robin so stubborn about this? This was far more than simple problems with gossip, Cordelia sensed. The tactician had deeper motivations for playing matchmaker, and the redhead was determined to find out what.

"I just can't!" Robin snapped. The two women stared each other down, the tension platable. Robin relented first, her muscles relaxing. Cordelia calmed in turn. Getting angry at each other would not solve either of their problems.

Cordelia broke the silence, "Robin, I think I am overdue in asking this," she started, "But why are you so desperate that Chrom does not fall in love with you? Are you afraid of rejecting him? Of breaking his heart?"

Robin turned away, "It's…"

Cordelia studied the tactician, "Robin, he clearly has feelings for you, despite our efforts. At some point, you are going to have to talk to him about all of this. It is inevitable that you will have to tell him that you do not share his affections no matter how," she swallowed, trying not to let her own pain show, "No matter how much it might hurt for him."

Robin turned back, tears forming in her eyes. Cordelia jerked in her seat. Why was Robin crying? Was the thought of hurting her friend so unbearable for her? Then, she said,

"The thing is Cordelia, if he were to confess that he loves me…if he were to say that he wishes to marry me, to keep me by his side all of his life…I wouldn't be able to reject him."

Cordelia stared, "Are you trying to say that you do love him after all?"

Robin shook her head, her voice taking on an odd note, "No, I don't. Not anymore then as a close friend. I truly don't…"

"Then…?"

Robin fixated on the redhead, "Cordelia, listen to me. When I woke up that day in the field, I knew nothing. Not family, not friends, nothing. I barely recalled my own name. Chrom didn't just help me. He gave me everything. His friendship, and companionship. A family and home in the Shepherds. A place of power and trust where I can use my talents for good."

Her voice quavered, "I owe him more than I can ever hope to repay. If...if he were to fall in love with me...To ask for my hand in marriage...What right would I have to deny him?"

Cordelia's hand flew to her mouth, "Robin..."

The tactician wiped her face with her sleeve, "He would have every right to ask such a thing of me. And no matter my own feelings, I would not be able to say anything against it. I..." she gulped, "I want to marry for love, if I ever fall in love. But Chrom is the single exception. I would do my best to make him happy, to never let on that I do not return his feelings, and never will. But it will be a sad situation, even more so when he does inevitably realize that his affections are unreciprocated. If he truly comes to love me, then he will spend the rest of his life pining for someone that he can never truly have..."

Robin gave Cordelia a sad smile, "Does that sound like someone you know?" The pegasus knight nodded, unable to respond, "I can't put him through that. But I lack the strength of will, if given the choice, to choose otherwise in the face of everything."

A silence fell over the room. Cordelia looked at Robin, seeing her in a new light. How long had this been eating at her? When the rumors started? No, perhaps even before that. And with the fact Chrom had, indeed, fallen for her...

"Oh, Robin..." Cordelia said, coming over and bringing the other woman into her arms. The tactician shuddered with suppressed emotion. A part of Cordelia wanted to scold Robin for saying she would only love Chrom out of obligation, but what an obligation it was! It was deep, and personal, rooted in a powerful bond. If Cordelia was in Robin's situation, she would be the same way.

"I'm sorry Cordelia," Robin said, her breath hitching, "Now you know the truth. I'm selfish, and horrifically so. I did this for my own sake, and have ended up setting you up for heartbreak. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

"Don't be," Cordelia soothed, "Don't be, we'll figure this out. You've helped me, and now, I will help you. Together, we'll ensure our own happiness."

Now she had the full story. Now she knew what she needed to do. For both of their sakes.

/

Cordelia found Chrom in on one of the balconies of the khans' palace. She observed him, his back to her, contrasted against the white landscape beyond. She breathed, calming her nerves.

"Chrom?" She asked.

The prince started, shuffling something away in a pouch. He relaxed when he saw her,

"Cordelia, you startled me," he said, "Did you need something?"

"I," she gulped, "I need to talk to you about Robin." She joined him on the balcony, leaning against the railing. Chrom's expression turned thoughtful,

"Yes, her...I have thought long and hard about her, and," he smiled, "I think I'm truly in love with her. And have been for a long time. I admit, I was...confused for a while, but, after hearing her words today, my mind's made up."

His words stabbed Cordelia's chest like a dagger. Despite the agony, she said, "What do you plan to do?"

"After this war is over, after Gangrel is dead..." his hand rested on a pouch near his belt, "I intend to tell her my feelings. And...ask if she shall marry me."

Her heart shattered, accompanied by intense sympathy for Robin's situation. She had to speak up now.

"Chrom..." she started, "There is something I feel you need to know..."

"What is it?" He asked.

"If-If you were to ask Robin to marry you..." she began, "She will accept..."

Chrom brightened, "Truly?"

"But!" Cordelia held up a hand, "Chrom...it will be a farce, all of it. Your marriage, you love...Robin will only accept it not because she returns your feelings, but because she feels obligated to."

"What...what are you saying?" Chrom asked, his voice shaky.

She fisted her hands, "I say this because she will never be able too! She believes that she owes you far too much to repay. She believes that if you were to ask her to marry her, she would have no right to turn you down. She fears what will become of you both, should you chose to go down that path, as she knows she will never be able to return your feelings, but will not be able to reject you. And she lacks the inner will to tell you any of this..." Cordelia trailed off.

"Cordelia...?" Chrom asked, sounding concerned.

All of this, was of because of Chrom. It was because, as Robin said, he was horrible with love, and thus, oblivious to all of the going-ons. It was because Robin couldn't tell her friend her true feelings on these important matters, bound by fear and a strong sense of duty.

"And I am no better..." Cordelia whispered.

"What do you mean?" He asked, confusion and fear mingling on his face.

She looked him straight in the eye. Her heart might break in two, but she needed to do this. If he rejected her words, refused to accept them...She would move on, no matter how much it would hurt.

"Chrom..." she whispered, "I love you..."

He stared, uncomprehending, "What did you say?"

"I love you," she said, moisture gathering, "I have loved you so much for so long...It has hurt, knowing that you will never return my feelings. Robin tried to change that, trying to push us together. She wished to help me, while avoiding her own fate."

She let out a quiet, pained laugh, "But I suppose it has all been for nothing..."

She didn't hear his answer. She fled the balcony, unwilling to see her love's reaction. She needed time to herself, before the pain overwhelmed her.

/

How had this all gone so wrong?

Chrom walked through the hallways of Castle Ferox, his thoughts whirling with Cordelia's revelations. How he had misread the situation in such a way? How had he come so close to making a terrible mistake? Both the redheaded pegasus knight and the blonde tactician had haunted his thoughts. He had been unsure of his true feelings towards either of them. He thought he had figured it out, that he was making the right choice. And then...

There was so much to sort out, but he knew a good place to start. He reached the door of Robin's room. He paused in front of it, unsure. He gathered his courage, then knocked.

"Who's there?" Came Robin's voice from inside.

"It's Chrom," he replied, "Can you come outside?"

He waited. The door creaked open. The white-haired woman stood there, her head bowed, and her shoulders slouched. He recalled what Cordelia had told him, with a bolt of guilt.

"Can you come with me?" He asked, "There's something I want to talk to you about."

Chrom considered the tactician next to him on the balcony. Robin sagged across the railing, her head in her arms, staring into the distance. What was she thinking about? Cordelia's words rang through his mind.

"I think we are overdue for a discussion about something important," he began.

"Are we?" Robin asked, her voice strained, "Is it about Gangrel?"

"No," Chrom replied, "That is something we are going to have to discuss eventually, but it's not what I brought you out here for."

"Then what is it?"

How could he go about this delicately? He saw Robin, saw in her form his painful new knowledge. Delicacy be damned, he had to do this the best way he knew how, "Cordelia told me everything."

Her hands fisted, "Define 'everything.'"

"She told me that she loved me..." Those words had rocked him to his core, undermining his beliefs about the two women.

"So," she said, her voice distant, "She finally said it. How did you reply?"

"I didn't get the chance," he admitted, "That is something I will need to remedy later, but at this moment, something else is more important. She told me about you, Robin. About your plans...and about your fears..."

Her shoulders stiffened. He continued, "If I were to tell you right now, that I loved you and had every intention of marrying you, what would you say?"

Silence fell. Her breathing rattled, "I would say that I would be honored...deeply so..."

"That's a lie," Chrom touched her shoulder. She flinched away. "Robin, how long has this been going on? Why didn't you simply talk to me? Were you really so afraid?"

She shot up, whirling around, "Yes, I was afraid. Chrom, I knew I would never be able to reject you. That day you found me in the field...you took me in, gave me everything...I have no right to-"

"You have every right!" Chrom snapped, "Just how little do you think of me, to think I would force you into marriage because of that?"

"You wouldn't force me, I know that. I think very highly of you Chrom, and that's the problem," She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, "I would be selfish if I-"

"Then allow yourself to be selfish!" He yelled. She crossed her arms, shrinking back. He made himself calm, "Robin, listen to me. These past few weeks...they have been taxing on all of us, emotionally and physically. I myself, have not been spared."

"If anything, you've suffered the worst of us," She said, avoiding his eyes, "After Emm...after finding out about all of this..." She clutched herself tighter, "I never meant for it to be this way! I truly didn't! I tried so hard, with Emm, with Cordelia, and people wouldn't stop talking-!"

"Wait," He caught the last sentence, "What do you mean people wouldn't stop talking?"

She rubbed her arms, "What caused me to offer my assistance to Cordelia in the first place were mere rumors. Talk of you and me...being together. At first, I ignored it, but it grew more and more...It was only a matter of time before people started doing 'matchmaking' of their own. And worse, if it were to work, if you were to really fall in love with me..."

She swallowed, "I do love you Chrom, and I don't mean that in a romantic sense. You are my closest and dearest friend, practically my brother..." Tears crawled down her cheeks, "But I always knew it could never be anything more. I was trying desperately to avoid what may or may not have been inevitable and it was all because I knew I would be too weak to say no! Because my duty to you has always come first! Because, deep down, I was scared of losing-!"

She was like glass, cracks forming, waiting to shatter. On impulse, he grabbed her, yanking her close against him. Her body trembled in his arms, her tears soaking his shirt.

"You aren't weak," he soothed, "And you won't lose all that you have gained. Not because of something like this. What this shows is that you are an even greater friend than I knew."

"H-how can you say that...?" She asked between her sobs, her fingers twisting into his cloth, "I'm a selfish-!"

"If you were so selfish you wouldn't have been so concerned for the happiness of us both," he replied, "For that alone, you have earned even more respect and admiration from me. But," he tightened his grasp, "Never again. Never feel that you owe me some great debt that you can never truly repay. As far as I'm concerned, you have repaid that debt several times over. If anything, I am the one who owes you greatly."

"D-don't say that..." she hiccupped, her sobs subsiding.

"But it's true. I am certain that at least a few of the Shepherds wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you."

She managed a weak laugh, "Perhaps..."

He released her once she stopped shaking. She stepped back, composing herself.

"Gods," Robin brushed a remaining tear from her face, "How embarrassing. If Cordelia had walked in on us then, it would have broken her more than this whole thing already has." She shook her head, "I'm a fool, getting her involved in all of this..."

"Don't say that," Chrom chided, "You did what you felt was best. That is all I can ever ask of you."

She clasped her hands behind her, tilting her face down, "So, what happens now? Are we still...?"

"We're still friends," he assured her, causing her to lift her head, "If anything, this will only make us closer, make us stronger..." He reached for his pouch, placing a hand on it, "And I think, finally, I'm clear on my feelings."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I believed that I loved you, and I still think I do. But I don't think it's romantic. I think..." he furrowed his brow, "I love you as a sister, and a dear friend. That affection was so intense that I mistook it for romantic love..."

She laughed, clear and bright, "That sounds like exactly the kind of thing you would do, getting your feelings mixed up like that. No offense Chrom, but you are not the most...competent when it comes to these things."

He chuckled, glad for the lighter air, "I'm not going to argue that, after all that's happened."

Something had changed here, and for the better. He felt closer to the tactician. He understood her, on a level that he foolish for thinking didn't exist. And he knew, now, what he needed to do.

Robin stretched, "Well, I'm going to the study. I have plans to make. There's still a war to be won, and a mad king to kill. It won't wait for us."

"I understand," he nodded, "Good luck."

She pushed away from the railing, heading inside. She stopped, glancing over her shoulder, "What are you going to do?"

He gave the land beyond the palace one last look, "I think I need to make a few plans of my own."

Cordelia regarded the battlefield with a bittersweet expression.

Gangrel, the Mad King of Plegia, had been slain. The war was over. The Shepherds were winding down, breaking for camp. Many of those leaving did so in pairs.

Stahl talked with Sully, rubbing the back of his head with a light blush as they trotted off on their horses. Cordelia had at least once caught Stahl mulling over a ring over the past week. She had also been there when Vaike, who walked with Miriel, had returned to camp from town, fumbling as he shoved something small out of sight. It wouldn't surprise her if the Shepherds got news of another new engagement or two by the end of the day.

Cordelia forced herself to stop watching. It wouldn't do for her to dwell on it now. She needed to move on. It would be hard, painful, but necessary.

"Cordelia, there you are!"

Robin appeared, smirking. She had been a lot...lighter since that night. Like a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. A stab went through Cordelia's heart as she guessed why. So, it had been denial all this time...

"Chrom wants to see you," Robin said.

The blood drained from Cordelia's face. Her confession at Castle Ferox. He was going to confront her about it. Couldn't this happen later? And somewhere more private?

"Can you tell him to wait for me back in camp?" The redhead asked, "I have things to do, and-"

"Sorry," Robin cut her off, "But I was given strict orders to prevent you from leaving and bring you to Chrom, by any means necessary," she reached a hand into her cloak, "I currently have a very weak lighting tome on my right now, and it's just enough to stun you if it comes to that."

She shouldn't have let Sumia take her pegasus earlier. Without it, she couldn't escape. She couldn't even run, she was horrible at it.

"If...If my lord insists," She said, straightening. If this was happening, she wanted to face it with dignity.

Robin pivoted, "Right this way." Cordelia trailed her towards the other end of the battlefield, where Gangrel had been felled by Chrom's sword. Basilo and Flavia, the khans of Regna Ferox, were there. As was the prince. Cordelia, her mind and body screaming to stop and turn around, dragged herself forward.

Flavia noticed them, "Ah! I see! Alright, we'll leave you two alone then. Coming, Robin?"

The tactician nodded, "Yes, of course. I have a few things I need to discuss with you both actually..."

Robin departed with the khans, leaving Cordelia, alone, with Chrom. The prince fidgeted, gripping the hilt of Falchion in it's sheath, his eyes tracing the ground. Why did he act that way? An awkward silence lingered in the air. She broke it,

"Are you alright, milord?"

"I'm fine," he responded, releasing his sword, "I...I wanted to apologize to you, Cordelia. All of this has been so hard on you..."

She tensed, "No, it's alright," she said, "This has been even harder for you. You've gone through so much..."

"But in the process, I was so caught up in everything, that I was ignorant to what was occurring around me," he shook his head, "I became so lost in my own negativity, I was negligent of those around me. I couldn't be there for Lissa as she grieved, I nearly made a horrible mistake with my best friend, and," he took one of her hands. She blushed, despite herself. What was going on? "I've hurt you, badly, with my self-centeredness."

The last sentence got to her. "You haven't been self-centered!" She insisted, squeezing his hands with her own, a connection he seemed to take comfort in. The implications hadn't crashed on her yet. "You've always done what you've felt what right! For all of us! You've done your best, and that's all anyone can ask. Look at what you've done. Gangrel is dead, and the war is finally over."

"And yet, there was so much lost in the process..." He sighed, "In the face of this, it's hard for me not to already feel like a disappointment to my sister's legacy..."

"Don't say that..." she whispered.

"But the thing is, Cordelia," he made eye contact with her, and she tried not to lose herself in the brilliant blue, "When I'm with you, it's hard for me to feel that way," he raised their clasped hands, and was he blushing? "When I look at you, I see someone also trying as hard as they can in the face of crushing circumstances. Seeing that...You are a source of strength and confidence for me and..." He inhaled, "And...I suppose what I'm trying to say is that...you are in my heart, Cordelia, and deeply so. I hope that you will be able to forgive me for everything, but I will understand if you don't. Just know that I care for you dearly."

Her awareness blinked out. Had he just said...? Tendrils of bliss formed inside her. Aware it hadn't sunk in yet, she tightened her grip on his hands,

"I can always forgive you," she whispered, "You...simply did not know, and are not to blame for what happened. But you remain in my heart, and always will. I could never let go of this feeling..."

Chrom leaned in closer, "And I never could either. Thank you..." A deeper blush blossomed across his face. His hand in hers tensed, "I know this hasn't been the smoothest road for us. I am not perfect...And I have learned the hard way that I am in fact very poor with many things...but...if you'll have me despite that...What I'm trying to say is...

"Cordelia, will you marry me?"

She couldn't speak. Couldn't think.

Her vision blurred. She looked at their entwined hands. The teardrops rolled down her face, splashing onto them.

"Cordelia?" A hesitant touch wiped away a tear. The prince looked panicked, "Oh gods, I didn't mean to upset you. I know I may have come on a bit too strong, and you don't have to accept if you don't really want to. I will completely understand after everything."

Robin was right. He was awful with women. But he tried. And that was what mattered. She shut her eyes.

"I just can't believe that you would want to have...someone like me..." She whispered.

"You're the only one I want to have," he told her.

The whole thing crashed down on her. She sobbed, the tears pouring faster.

"Um, Cordelia...? Are you alright?"

She nodded, fruitlessly rubbing her tears, "I'm just so...happy...I never thought..."

"Huh?"

She gazed at him, love shining through her tears, "Yes...yes, with all my heart Chrom...I'll marry you..."

A bright smile crossed his face, a sight she would always treasure, "Hah," he exhaled, "I cannot tell you how...Ahem, but, this is for you."

He pulled up one of her hands. In her palm, he deposited something. She brought up her hand to examine it, and gasped.

"A-a ring..." she whispered. A beautiful ring, "But, this has the House Ylisse crest!" She looked back at him, aghast, "Chrom, I can't possibly take this!"

"Yes, you can," he said, "My parents had it made to celebrate my birth. They wanted me to give it to the woman I would spent my life with." He folded her fingers over the ring, "Take it. Please. And I know I will love you until the day I die."

Without another thought, she crushed herself against him. His arms wound around her, tender and loving. He was warm, strong, and beyond anything she had ever imagined. If this was dream, she prayed she never woke up. The last of her tears vanished, but the absolute blissful joy did not.

After what seemed like an eternity, he pulled back, his arms remaining around her waist. She marveled at how his blue eyes sparkled, filled with love and affection. For her. He loved her. The knowledge left her floating on air.

"Now," he said, "I am going to have to ask for a bit of patience. My first duty must be to heal the scars of war and assume my role for the people. Then, we can begin our lives together."

"That's alright," She said, placing a hand over her heart, "I can wait. I'll wait as long as you need me to..."

He brushed her hair out of her face, "Thank you."

She blinked back another prickling of tears, "This is all so...so amazing...I can't believe that this is...this is...really truly happening...Even those there's been so much sadness...This is the happiest day of my life..."

He rested his forehead against hers, cupping her cheek, "I feel the same way," he whispered, "I know, together, we can bring joy back to the royal palace. I'll do everything I can to make the castle a happy home for us...my love."

Her heart seized. It wasn't possible for her to be any happier, "My love..." she whispered back, the words sweet on her tongue.