Robin had been struck to his core by the revelations unveiled at Carrion Isle. Though King Validar had agreed to completely fund the Valmese campaign and provide a vast fleet for the purpose, he had also unveiled the identity of the Grimleal Hierophant – a figure bearing his name and likeness – and the fact that the tactician himself was the king's son. Even as Robin was reeling from the shock of the news, the Shepherds had fallen under attack by suspiciously organized Risen intending to assassinate Chrom.
Not all the news was bad, though; a young woman had come to their aid, wielding a Falchion of her own and bearing the Brand of the Exalt in her left eye. Relating her tale of traveling from a future where Grima had been resurrected and laid waste to the world, she introduced herself as Chrom's daughter, Princess Lucina. Between her and the slightly unhinged Plegian dark mage Henry, they'd gained a pair of deadly allies.
Overall, their mission had been a success despite knowing they'd have to deal with the Grimleal in the future. The Valmese threat was more immediate and therefore needed to be dealt with first, and Robin was already beginning to formulate potential strategies. It helped take his mind off the more troublesome knowledge Validar had revealed.
"You look troubled." Chrom stated as he approached, seeing his best friend's pensive expression. "Still thinking about what Validar said?"
Robin sighed and nodded. "Yes. I know it serves no purpose to dwell on it, but unfortunately it's not that easy to put from my mind. And if it's true that my father is the Grimleal King of Plegia, then the stain that would put on Cordelia's reputation…" He shook his head as if trying to throw the thought from his mind.
"You don't need to worry about that. If anyone starts spreading ill rumors about either of you, I'll put a stop to it personally. You're like the brother I never had and Cordelia is close to your heart; I'll defend you both as if you were my own blood." The prince's manner of speaking wasn't unlike that he'd used when rallying the Shepherds against Gangrel. It was obvious how emphatically he meant his words.
His words managed to bring a tired smile back to Robin's face and restore the lightness to his voice as he mused, "You know, there's something I read in an old book when I was studying famous battles of the past and that I couldn't help but research. Apparently in Chon'sin on the Valmese continent, they have something called 'sworn brothers.' It's an oath where those who swear it promise to die on the same day; that part's more symbolic than anything, but the way we fight together brought it to mind."
Chrom's face split into a grin as he clapped Robin on the shoulder. "I like the sound of that. We should become sworn brothers ourselves! You wouldn't happen to remember the oath, by chance?"
"I think so, but it's not something that can be done while traveling. It requires a place of serenity, one important to those swearing the oath… and a lot of wine. I hope Cordelia and Sumia will forgive us getting utterly smashed the first day back in Ylisstol."
Laughter from both of them rang throughout the camp as they looked forward to their return, their reunion with their loved ones, and their impending oath of brotherhood.
It had been nearly two and a half months since Chrom's party had left to negotiate with Plegia, so the report of their return was welcome news to everyone in the capital. Robin's first action was, of course, to visit Cordelia; the pegasus knight was as radiant as ever when they reunited, though her movement seemed slightly off-balance compared to what he was used to from her. "I'm sorry to have been gone so long." The tactician murmured into her ear as he held her, fingers running through her silky red tresses. "How has the new knights' training gone?"
Cordelia's smile was the same as ever, but he didn't expect the words that fell from her lips. "I was unable to continue it for long, honestly. Sumia ended up doing most of the work; the healers were insistent that I avoid strenuous activity for now. Normally I'd be eager to fight when we meet the Valmese, but…" She met his eyes with delight dancing in her own. "I would rather not risk the child."
An expression of wonder spread across Robin's features as one hand slipped down to rest gingerly on her belly. Sure enough, she had begun to distend. "I'll have to consult Libra on how to best praise Naga, because even without my memories I know I've never been happier in my life. Our child… The war be damned, we're going to be parents!" His voice was giddy and the kiss he placed on her lips was one of absolute marital bliss.
"It's a little hard to believe." Cordelia blushed a little, overjoyed at seeing the happiness filling her husband. "But yes. We'll have to do all we can for the sake of the future, so our child can live and grow up in a world more peaceful than the one we know."
Robin's face practically glowed as he embraced his wife once more. "Cory, my love, I'll do anything for you and for our child. This life is truly the greatest blessing any man could ever receive."
Chrom and Robin stood in the castle gardens, at the same place where both their wedding ceremonies had been held. It was already a place steeped in oaths, they reasoned, so it would be perfect.
Each held a glass of the finest wine the royal sommelier could procure, and with a shared nod they raised their glasses high.
"Though we may not have been born on the same day of the same month of the same year, let us die on the same day of the same month of the same year. Let us live our lives as brothers, our bond stronger than any steel that man or god can bring to bear." Both men intoned simultaneously before downing their glasses and grinning at one another.
Chrom was the first to speak, after a boisterous laugh. "Now we're sworn brothers. I'm glad I met you, Robin."
"The same goes for me. Let's make this world a peaceful place for the sake of our children, Brother!" Robin couldn't help but chuckle at the surprise on his newly-sworn brother's face.
"Wait, Cordelia's pregnant? Sumia mentioned that she'd requested relief from her duties for physical reasons, but she never said why! Guess she thought I should hear it from the father-to-be himself. Well, we're already drinking, so we might as well let loose. To the future, Brother!"
A/N: So I couldn't figure out how to fit more of the canon plot into this chapter while still leaving it where I wanted, so this one's quite a bit shorter than the last. It's also where the lack of a timeframe in Awakening proved to be a problem - there's two years between Gangrel's defeat and the Valmese threat, but I couldn't find even an approximation of how long traveling takes, so I just decided to wing it and say two months getting to and back from Carrion Isle. I wanted enough time that Cordelia could know she was pregnant and tell Robin, but at the same time stretching the trip past two months seemed a little too long. Maybe magic lets the healers detect that kind of thing early, I dunno, I don't know much about pregnancy.
Also I've been playing Dynasty Warriors lately and got the urge to make Chrom and Robin sworn brothers. That first line of the oath is actually taken directly from an online translation I found of the Peach Garden Oath. And yes, I know Chon'sin is more Sengoku Japan than Three Kingdoms China, but poetic license and all that.