Hey again!
Guess I'm just finding this story more interesting to write than the other one... hehe. Whoops. I should be updating Lucina's Charge during the week or so, I swear I haven't forgotten about it!
More Severa and Robin moments here, as well as some details about her parents. This is probably one of my favourite chapters to write, when it deals with some sort of philosophical issue (I think)
Thanks for the reviews and I hope that you keep enjoying what's to come!
"Is Lucina still giving you headaches Chrom?"
Chrom moaned. "Don't remind me. She still hasn't forgiven me for sending Severa to you even though it's been over a week. I mean, it's not like you would do anything to her, right?"
"What gives you that idea?"
"Nothing. I trust you Robin."
The two of them were lounging against a railing on board of one of the ships as they sailed towards Valm. So far the trip had been easygoing, washing away Robin's fears of seasickness.
"Cordelia and I were surprised when Lucina told us that Severa had been sleeping, um, in your tent."
Robin groaned. "Was it you or Cordelia that made sure to check all the details before you stormed over to kill me?"
"It was me. Cordelia went into a little rage before I stopped her. You should be grateful, by the way."
"Hey, it's all your fault to begin with."
The two shared a laugh. Gazing out on the horizon, Robin was the first to notice the sign of two Pegasus Riders. Nudging Chrom, they made their way towards the open deck.
With what could only be described as graceful movements, the two pegasus' landed, their riders dismounting in hurry. "My lord, we have urgent news," Cordelia said, breathless."
"We found the Valmese fleet. They vastly outnumber us. They have more than double of ours, and each ship is packed to the brim with soldiers!" Sumia added, running her Pegasus' nose.
There were mumbles around them from those who had overheard her words. Chrom held a hand up. "How far away are they?"
"A day... we'll reach them just after sunrise," Cordelia replied.
He turned to Robin. "Can you figure out a plan in a few hours?"
Robin nodded. "Right now we should meet with Flavia and Basilo and discuss it with them."
"Right. Cordelia, can you meet with us as well? I'll find Lucina as well, she might have more information pertaining this matter. Sumia, you're dismissed."
"Sire!" She smiled and departed, leading her Pegasus while whispering sweet words to him.
"I need to rub down Snow and let him rest." Cordelia pecked Chrom's cheek before following her best friend.
Robin thought he saw a look of wistfulness in Chrom's eyes, but before he could comment it had vanished, and the Exalt strode away.
He had a plan now. Thanks to Flavia and Basilo he had what was needed to overcome impossible odds in their disadvantaged position.
And yet...
Robin laughed to himself, but it was devoid. "Lucina's accusations will be true." When they had first met Lucina had confided that there was a betrayer in the Shepherds, a cold-hearted killer who would become a monster for allowing Grima to rise. She even went as far as to admit that she suspected even him, what with the events of Grima's revival being muddled.
Only now, instead of being the monster that revived Grima, he would be the instrument of mass murder.
It was inevitable. Death. Everyone had to die at some point in their lives. He couldn't stop that. But he could prevent what was happening tomorrow. If there was any chance...
But no. Negotiating with the Valmese would never work. He would try it, of course, but deep down he knew that they would have to clash. And when that happened, he would have to choose between his humanity and his friends. And he knew what he would choose.
His hand inched towards the bottle he kept for special occasions, but he stopped. He needed his mind to be clear, his body fresh, for the grueling task tomorrow.
A knock at his cabin door caused him to jump. His arm knocked over an inkwell, the black mess spreading across his table and onto his clothes.
He cursed, thankful that he had left his robes hanging, and righted the well. "Be there in a second."
He mopped up what he could, grimacing as he looked down at the splots on his shirt. Taking it off, he started to rummage in his pile of fresh clothes. "Door's unlocked," he called, thinking that Chrom or Frederick was awaiting with fresh reports.
He heard the door open, and froze as a female voice started to talk. "Robin- what are you doing?"
He quickly picked out something and donned it, hoping she couldn't see his reddening face. "S-S-Severa! What are you doing?"
"Why did you let me in when you were naked?" The girl shrieked.
"I thought it was your father! And it was only my top. I spilt ink on it."
"Yeah, right." She entered and let the door shut behind her. When he turned and looked at her she hastily averted her gaze, her cheeks slightly red. "I had another argument with my parents and I thought I could get your help."
Robin sighed inwardly. "I thought you were going to try and get along with them."
"I have been! Even after Father wouldn't let me buy whatever I wanted I've been doing all the inspections and helping to refine the equipment... but Mother always seems to find faults in what I do..."
"She does?" He arched an eyebrow. That didn't sound like Cordelia.
"She doesn't," she admitted. "But I can just tell what she has on her mind. About how inferior I am to her perfect self!"
Robin shook his head. "So that was the problem?"
"Actually... no. It was because both of them tried to exclude me from tomorrow's battle."
In an uncharacteristic manner, both of Robin's eyes shot up. "That doesn't sound like them."
"They were harping on saying they didn't want me to get hurt and that they worried for me. It was somewhat nice, not that I need to be looked after! But Lucina stuck by me and in the end..."
"In the end?"
"Well, Father agreed that he would only allow me to go into battle if you agreed to partner with me." The girl looked down. "And... and I said that you would absolutely say yes. You will, won't you?" she added hopefully.
Robin thought for a moment. His role tomorrow was not focused on the fight against the general of the fleet. His task was to accompany Gaius below and scavenge as much information as he could, hopefully in the form of army intelligence and movements. An extra hand wouldn't hurt, and besides, from their spars he knew Severa was a deft hand with a blade.
"On one condition. Answer me this. Why do you want to fight?"
Severa harrumphed. "That's easy. Because I want to beat these people as fast as we can so we can go back home."
"Severa..."
"It's because you'll need someone who's as good as me to demolish the enemy."
"..."
The girl crossed her arms. "Fine... I just want to protect people that I love. Happy?"
Robin smirked. "Very. Now, if you had to kill people to protect those you love, would you do it?"
"Of course!"
"Even if you had to slaughter hundreds or thousands to do so?"
He watched as she trembled, her eyes wide. "Y-yes. If it was between the people I care about or them, I would choose the first option every time."
He sighed in relief. "Alright. You'll be coming with me and Gaius tomorrow on a special mission."
Her eyes lit up in joy. She hadn't spent much time with the thief but when they did he still felt like the surrogate father he had been. "What is it?"
He chuckled, and began to debrief her on the plan.
The world was on fire. The flames danced atop the water in celebration, licking and teasing at every piece of wood, parchment, and flesh that they could find.
The Valmese fleet was utterly destroyed. Decimated and incinerated. Those not slain by the battle were eaten alive by the blazing inferno were left to their fate in the watery depths, to die either sooner or later.
Aboard the ships of the Ylissean-Regna Ferox Alliance, the troops were in full celebration. They had faced the first hurdle in their campaign and had overcome it spectacularly.
On the main flagship the Shepherds had just started their party, Vaike and Gregor already proclaiming a drinking contest that everyone should participate in whilst silly bets and dares were being made.
"Huh. Where's Robin?" Severa asked, spying around the room for the dark haired tactician. Truth be told, she had only come because she wanted to press him for more details about her parents' past.
She had noticed something wrong with Robin since last night. The way he looked, his haggard and rough experience when she showed up for the mission. She had desperately wanted to ask him what was with him, but she had held her tongue.
The mission had been simpler than she thought. The Gaius from the future had taught her all she needed to know of his trade, and she had been surprised how easy it was to break into the General's War Room.
Now, she watched as Chrom held a giggling and red faced Cordelia close, and she gagged. "Gross. Is there any other way to make your daughter want to throw herself overboard."
"I would agree, kiddo, but I'm guilty of it myself."
She yelped and skidded away, turning to see Gaius lounging against the wall, trademark lollipop sticking out of his mouth. "Uncle Gaius! You scared me!"
"Sorry kiddo. I had no intention to." He chuckled, flashing her his trademark, sly grin. "I overheard that you're looking for Bubbles."
"It's... it's not because of anything important," she blurted out. "It's because he promised to tell me something."
"Oh? Our tactician, allowing a woman to use him for favours? I thought I wouldn't see that day."
Severa blushed. "Whatever. It's better than standing here watching my parents do... so whatever they're doing. Disgusting animals."
Gaius petted her head. "There. Well, truth is Bubbles won't come out. He looks like he's sick, but he pleaded with me and told me not to tell anyone. He said to give him the night to think."
A cold chill ran through Severa. "Where is he, uncle?"
"He begged to use my room today. Since I share with Tharja anyways. Candy?"
"No thanks. Thanks uncle!" She sped off, making sure no one else would stop her exit.
On the way she passed Henry, another face that brought memories to her. Her uncle and father to Owain, Severa always thought him of weird but strangely fun to be around. She also knew that despite his eccentric ways he was a gentle soul; before he had died he had helped every animal they had encountered. Even in his death throes he had thought of those he held dear, sacrificing himself to rid a whole village of Risen that had surrounded the Young Shepherds.
"Henry, come on, we're late!"
"Lissa, there was a dead body that I had to-"
"None of that talk now, mister. We're going to celebrate whether you like it or not."
Lissa spotted Severa and gave her a wave before dragging the white haired mage. Severa stifled a giggle. It was great to see a world that hadn't fallen into the clutches of Grima, to witness happiness and joy that had not curdled into bitterness and despair.
She reached Gaius old room, and was about to knock when she heard sobbing. She spun about, trying to find the source of the noise, but she could not mistake it.
It was coming from inside.
Her heart pitched. Steeling herself, she gently pushed open the door and stared at what was inside.
Robin sat in a middle of papers, all of them scattered across the floor, the bed, stacked into a corner. He had his knees to his chest and his arms wrapped around them, his hood covering his dark hair and his eyes.
"Robin," Severa whispered. She took a step forward, glancing at what was at her feet. She bent to pick it up.
"I'm... I'm..." the tactician said in a low monotone. Severa stared at the piece, the drawing that looked to be created by a young child, and the words written across it: For daddy.
She gasped and let the paper go. At that sound Robin lifted his head, his eyes boring into hers. She found herself staring into those amethyst wells, drawn into the depths of emotions that were revealed to her.
"I'm... I'm a monster."
Severa stared at him. Stared at the man she had admired and, while she wouldn't admit it aloud, loved.
She wondered what had done it. Had it been the countless sessions when Robin had agreed to look after her when her father was ruling, or her mother was busy doing work? Had it been his call voice and his warm embrace when she cried, complained, threw a tantrum or demanded too much?
Was it when he snuck her out of her princess lessons, instead filling her head with tales of wonder and magic and history and myth? When he showed her swordplay and magic?
Or when he always sought her out to say goodbye, and how he would always greet her when he returned, even if she was asleep.
Until the day he hadn't returned.
It had been a silly, childish crush then. Severa had thought it lost, lost with her dreams of her parents loving each other, but when she had laid eyes on him at that fort... she felt her feelings bloom once again.
Was it wrong? Possibly. Did she care? No. She was a princess, and she would get him no matter what.
Although now, seeing him broken down like this tore at her heart.
"I killed them... murdered them all. They never had a chance. I left them to die slowly, those who survived but were left in the sea."
Robin ran his hands through his hair. "Ylisse's Master Tactician, the Murderer on the High Seas. Has a nice ring to it." He laughed, hollow and empty.
Something snapped in her. She strode across and grabbed the front of his shirt, lifting him up. "You... you..." she seethed in anger. "What right do you have to mope about?"
"What right? It was my plan. My idea. If I never thought of it, those men could still be alive. Those men who had families, children that I have robbed of their fathers or mothers."
He swept a hand around them, at all the letters. Severa blanched, but regained her composure. "And tell me, Robin, if we had not stopped them here, what would have happened?"
"What... would have happened?"
"Geez, some master tactician you are. If we didn't stop them they would have landed in Regna Ferox. They would have pillaged and killed until they made their way to Ylisse, and done the same there. You prevented that from happening. If you want to lay blame, blame it on the commander of their fleet for not wanting to negotiate. Blame it on Walhart. But not on yourself. You can't bear any more burden or you'll break. You did what was necessary."
She let go of him slowly, making sure that he would stand unaided. When he was balanced she threw her arms around him and drawing close to him.
Her sudden action caught him unprepared and he landed on the ground, her on top. "S-S-Severa," Robin gasped.
She inched her head forward until her rested on his chest, so that she could hear his loud, fast heartbeats. "Tell me a story. Of my mother and father. You promised, remember."
"Alright. You win."
"Chrom met your mother when they were both twelve. It was at your father's birthday ceremony that they first exchanged words, two years later. Cordelia was ecstatic when it happened; she was very much in love with Chrom then as she is now. Whereas Chrom... he had his eyes on another, forbidden love."
"Of course he did," Severa spat venomously. "Following Sumia, I assume?"
"Yes. But don't judge him too much before you see what he is truly. I, for one, understand what it is like to fall in love with another that I cannot have."
Severa gazed at him, shocked, but he was already lost in his memories.
"This happened for many years, a sort of twisted loop: Cordelia, pining for Chrom; Chrom, longing for Sumia; whilst Sumia was unknown to Chrom's gaze and had hers fixed on her beloved Frederick.
"In fact, it was years later, when I was adopted into The Shepherds, that I was approached to give advice on the matter of love..."
"Robin," I heard someone call. I looked up from my table, stacked with papers, to see Cordelia peering from the corner of the open door. "Do you have a moment?"
I laughed. "I wish. Come in, find a seat... if there's one not used anyways."
I watched her enter, wondering what the captain of the Pegasus knights needed. But I waited patiently. Sometimes there were things that couldn't be rushed.
This seemed like one of them.
"Have you ever... felt in love, before?"
I shrugged. "Not that I recall. Then again, being an amnesiac does have its downsides."
"Oh."
"Doesn't mean I can't still help. What's troubling you. Or whom, should I say."
She sighed. I smirked, remembering the note that was attached to her profile. Most prone to sighing.
"It's to do with Chrom," she said. "I...I've loved him for many years but..."
"But he's in love with Sumia, I know," I interrupted. Her eyes widened in shock. "Does everyone assume I'm blind because I don't have memories of being in love?"
"Well... I thought you wouldn't know..."
"Besides, Chrom told me about it. I've been trying to help him get over it... but it's something that is too far out of my depth."
I watched her sigh once again. It was... sad to see. For someone like Cordelia, perfect in every way, to be so vulnerable. "It's just... I've always strove towards perfection for him. I've put everything I've had into becoming better for him. Is that so bad?"
"I... I don't think so. Hmm." I stroked my chin, an idea coming to mind. "How well do you converse with him?"
"H-h-how well? I-I stammer and ramble on whenever we talk."
"Do you try flirt with him?"
"No!"
"Great. There's something that you can do that'll benefit us all. As you know, Lissa and Chrom are still grieving in their rooms over Emmeryn's... death."
Cordelia laid a hand upon mind. "It's not your fault," she consoled. "Nobody could have planned for a Risen attack squad."
I smiled at her, thankful for the gesture. "Now... while I go cheer up Lissa, could you perhaps talk to Chrom. Let him cry upon your shoulder and be an ear for him."
She blushed. "I could never... he would never... he doesn't like me well enough to allow me entry!"
I shook my head. "When you came to warn us at the border... well, he definitely looked happy and relieved to see you alive. Besides, maybe this will help you get rid of his mixed feelings."
Cordelia sighed again, but this time it was of acceptance. "Fine. You win." She stood to leave but I held a hand out to stop her.
"One thing. Sumia is your best friend, right? Do you hate her, for what she does to Chrom?"
Cordelia smiled wistfully. "She is Sumia. Nobody could hate her. She's kind and gentle but also oblivious. I suspect Sumia herself doesn't know. That is why I don't hate her, because she wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone a person, if she knew of a way to stop it."
"Huh. I never figured you for a matchmaker," Severa laughed. "Say, was it my mother you were talking about before, what you said about unrequited love?"
He shrugged, or tried to from his position. "It's more like forbidden love, but she's a part of the problem. Not the problem itself."
Severa sighed. "That would have been something, you as my father. Do you think things would have been the same if that happened?"
Robin thought of it for a moment. "Perhaps," he finally answered. "But I prefer to not think about the maybes and whatnots."
"Urgh, fine. So what did my parents do? Wait, what did you do to Aunt Lissa?"
"Your parents talked and came to an understanding. One which I hope might have sparked the romantic interest between the two. With Lissa... I kinda tickled her until she laughed and cheered her up with some funny jokes."
"Tickled her? Gods, your pretty touchy. I'm surprised you haven't been sent to prison."
Robin scratched the back of his head. "It's happened once," he muttered. "But I'll past on that tale for today." He grinned and raised a hand. "Say, Severa, are you ticklish?"
She glared at him, panic rising through her body. "If you even dare think about it you're so dead."
He shrugged. Another day, he thought. He yawned. "Severa," he began.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for coming... I'm not sure what I would have done without you."
"Heh... it wasn't like I was worried or anything. H-hey! Wipe that smile off your face, will you! Robin? Robin?"
The tactician was asleep. Severa crawled up until she was level with his face, and her expression softened to one that could be called tenderness.
"Hehe... I'm just as pathetic as my parents... but I guess it runs in the family. We're all hopeless."
She kissed his forehead before snuggling up beside him, allowing his arms to wrap around her and pull Severa tight into his warm embrace as the shipped slowly rocked them to their deep slumber.
The door creaked open. An orange head popped from the opening. "Bubbles? Bubbles? Oh."
Gaius spotted the two of them asleep, holding each other peacefully, and chuckled. He wondered briefly what he could do with this information, but knew that in the end he would keep it to himself. Robin was his best friend, in any case, and he knew that he was lucky to have the tactician as a close comrade.
He took the blanket from the bed and lay it upon the two. Catching glances at the sheets of paper, he instinctively knew what had been bothering Robin all along.
But seeing the two of them assured him that the tactician was fine. Moving silently, the thief closed the door with barely a sound, leaving the Tactician and the Princess to rest.