- Disclaimer: Fire Emblem characters do not belong to me.
- Notice: May contain spoilers. Original characters may be added. Storyline may deviate from original video game. Contains fantasy violence, mild language, alcohol reference, and suggested themes.
Robin crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on the expansive map set in the council room. With a single finger, he traced an invisible line from Ylisse, coursing out through several small towns.
The room was eerily quiet as rays of dawn began to seep through the window panes, illuminating half of the tactical board with a faint glow. Placed atop the other countries were several pawns to jot down any possible locations Lucina would most likely be found, much thanks to some of the future children's input.
He rested his hands on the polished oak-wood, hovering over the board. From his current viewpoint, the world seemed a lot smaller, as though it would be easy to find the Ylissean Exalt's future daughter. However, Robin knew all to well that it wasn't so. He'd learned this first hand back when he led the Shepherds in their war effort against Grima. It seemed like only yesterday when he first bared his silver sword to fight alongside his comrades. Nostalgia brought him back to happier thoughts until a knock echoed on the door and Morgan entered drowsily.
"Father?" She rubbed away the sleep from her eyes, her feet shuffling towards Robin.
"Morgan, why are you up so early? It's barely light out." The master tactician moved to greet his daughter who still had some trouble keeping her eyes open.
"You left me, I thought something happened." Morgan dropped her head, slightly relieved that her father was still in Ylisse. Since Robin's return, Morgan insisted that she sleep by his side if only for a few nights. It was a way for her to confirm that he was real and that he would be here to stay for good.
"My apologies Morgan, I just thought it would be best to revise the route for our journey." Robin offered an apologetic smile, his hand resting on Morgan's shoulder for assurance.
"Oh, ok." Morgan managed a grin, her eyes fighting the battle to stay awake. Her return to Ylisse proved to be too much as her and the other future children explored the castle walls every night in search of new possible secrets and tunnels. Of course, this was all done behind the backs of their respective parents and Morgan didn't intend to share her adventures with Robin any time soon.
"You seem to have a difficult time staying awake. What have you been up to?" Curiosity piqued Robin's interest as he focused on Morgan's face, who began to look about the room wildly.
"It's nothing, really. My friends and I have been...exchanging stories." Morgan stepped back, her lips curving into a witty grin. "I mean, we did split up a couple of times before coming here." Her reasoning sounded plausible, but even she couldn't mask her white lie in front of her father.
"I see..." Robin examined Morgan for a good minute before brushing off the matter. It didn't hurt to keep secrets every now and then. If she wasn't willing to open up, then so be it.
"Wait, aren't we leaving tomorrow?" The younger tactician scratched the back of her bed head, slightly confused for the moment.
"Yes, but I wanted to recalculate our plans. There are still some towns we might have to reconsider visiting." Robin ran his hand over Morgan's hair, earning a playful laugh as his daughter pushed him away. It was nice to have her back, he felt complete. Perhaps he had been too selfless in his actions, leaving Morgan behind with no parent to care for her.
"Okay, okay!" Morgan stepped away close to the door, fixing the stray strands of her blonde hair in place. She was still smiling brightly at Robin who couldn't hide the happiness on his face. "Hey, father?"
"Yes?"
"We'll be traveling with the others too right?" She looked up expectantly at the master tactician.
"Well, I had only planned this for the two of us." It was best to keep their party short in number. Besides, Robin assumed everyone would be busy with their own peaceful lives in Ylisse. If anything, they could use this mission to catch up on what he had missed during his absence.
The hint of disappointment was apparent in Morgan's eyes and Robin couldn't help but wonder why. "Oh, ok. I was just asking. You should get back to planning out our schedule then." Morgan waved goodbye, leaving Robin to sink back into the eerie silence.
"Rise and shine Gerome!" Inigo jumped out of his top bunk, landing squarely on his two feet. Rays of light were suddenly strewn across the room as he drew back the curtains with a gleeful smile.
Gerome retreated back into the depths of his blanket, dreading every moment of Inigo's enthusiasm. "Must you be this way every morning?" He mumbled in his bed.
"What?"
"Forget it." Gerome turned away, hoping hard that Inigo might leave him in peace. Now that the war was over, they didn't have to wake up early just to march out and battle Risen.
"Sounds like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today." Inigo began stretching his arms upwards, wandering around their room to slip into his new, fresh clothes.
Gerome remained quiet for another minute before rising up to throw the sheets to his side. It felt like he always woke up on the wrong side of the bed as long as he was around Inigo. The grey haired mercenary was always in high spirits no matter what the occasion. Gerome couldn't fathom how he could be that way all the time.
"In any case, we should make haste. It's a market day and you know what that means." Inigo collected his leather gloves, fastening the belts around his wrists quickly.
"No, I don't." Gerome squinted his eyes, finding the sunlight to be uncomfortably radiant. Knowing Inigo it would be something related to-
"Girls!" Inigo finished happily. "I'm in dire need of a wing man and you would be perfect."
Inigo's play on words did not amuse Gerome the slightest bit. It was bad enough that he was thrown in to share bed bunks with him in the first place. Prior to his unfortunate circumstance, the future boys flipped coins deciding who would be Inigo's roommate. Gerome's luck just didn't seem to fare well that day.
"All you need to do is stay by my side. You can shower me with compliments, you know, to boost my chance with the ladies." Inigo began combing his hair, styling it in its usual manner. "Ah, you can tell them about that time I took out those brand of brigands back in Valm!"
Gerome straightened himself out, massaging the bridge of his nose. It was so like Inigo to make himself the hero in all his stories. In all honesty, he did not take out the ruffians, or at least he couldn't have without Minerva's intimidating presence.
Inigo clapped his hands in front of Gerome. "Come now, a man should never leave a girl waiting."
"I'm not going. Find yourself another partner." Gerome replied curtly, walked past the mercenary and headed for the door.
"Oh, don't be that way!" A hand closed the door shut. "Please, you're the only one I can turn to." Gerome's frown only deepened. There was no way he was giving up sleep to patrol the streets with some skirt chaser.
"Morgan will be there." Inigo added quickly. "I know you two have been spending some time together." He was cautious about resorting to this, but it was enough to bait the wyvern rider. "It can be a double date!"
With the absence of Gerome's mask, it was obvious that Morgan was a very touchy subject. Sure they had talked every now and then, but it was because the young tactician was genuinely intrigued with wyverns. "I'm not going anywhere."
"You'll break her heart if you don't show up. I already promised her yesterday."
Gerome opened his mouth only to find no words come out. He certainly didn't want to upset the girl. As difficult as it was for him to admit, he did fancy Morgan.
"I'll be outside by the palace gates." Inigo gave Gerome a light pat on his shoulder, his lips curled in a pleasant smile as he ran down the hall.
Back on the other side of the barracks, Severa stretched her arms outwards, welcoming the radiant glow from the window panes. She took a long, loud yawn before stepping out of bed. It wasn't until she paced forward and slipped on her rump.
"Aughh! Kjelle!"
Kjelle woke from her slumber, a hand wiping away the sleep from her eyes. "What? What did I do now Severa?"
"Don't just drop your old clothes on the floor when you undress!" She recollected herself from the ground, skipping over spaces littered with dirty linens. Her slip had left a mildly painful bruise on her spine. It was sure to hurt for the remainder of the day. Way to start the morning, she thought to herself silently.
"What, did you trip?" It was blissfully obvious that Kjelle failed to hear the loud thump from earlier.
"Yes, I just did! And that is so not the point of this conversation! We've spoken about this before, remember? Your utter lack of femininity and decorum?" Severa bent over, picking up after several shirts on her way to the hamper. "You're acting like a crusty old roustabout!"
It was about time for Kjelle to ready herself for the day so she jumped out of bed and began helping Severa with her mess. "Being a roustabout is honest work. Without them, ships couldn't sail or-" One of Kjelle's trousers was sent flying at her face, but she caught it just in time thanks to her reflexes.
"That is so totally not the point of what I'm saying!" Severa gestured her hands outwards. "It was a metaphor. I meant that you act and sound like a ruffian! A male ruffian!" She sighed and stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. Severa took a moment to calm and recollect herself. Yelling at Kjelle would do her no good. "All right. I can see I'm going to have to step in here since you're apparently hopelessly ignorant of even basic beauty tips. I'll teach you."
Severa's attitude changed dramatically. Kjelle was sure she would be scolded for the duration of breakfast, but she figured this was better than what she had expected.
"We'll begin with makeup. I trust you're at least familiar with the concept?" Severa jumped over to her vanity, took out her comb and began combing her thin, scarlet colored hair.
"...I've heard of it, yes." Kjelle kept a safe distance, enough to spot a few of Severa's belongings. She had seen her tampering with some of the powdered pallets, drawing in lines over her eyelashes on a few occasions.
"Well then, today is your first lesson." She beckoned Kjelle to come closer. "Now then! The first step is to build a nice foundation that can-"
"I'm not letting you put on any of this pasty goop on my face, if that's what you're thinking." She distastefully took one of Severa's accessories and held it out.
"Of course not! YOU'RE going to put it on your face! You'll never learn otherwise, right?" Once Severa finished tying up her pigtails, she stood up and motioned Kjelle into her seat. "Now come on! Chop-chop!"
All of the objects that lay in front of Kjelle were foreign, she didn't even know where to begin. To help out her fellow comrade, Severa pushed one of the containers forward, implying the first step she needed to take.
Morgan skipped around the hall, happily skirting around with a cheery smile. She had never felt better, waking up to a palace filled with the company of her friends and father. It was all that she had ever dreamed for. Everything was finally turning out in her favor.
It wasn't until a minute after when Morgan ceased skipping altogether and gave the ground a long, hard look. Did she really have everything? There was the return of her father, the famed tactician who sacrificed his life to save the entire world. She was proud of him and Morgan was more than happy to know that he came back in one piece. Back in her world, she grew up knowing only fragments of her father. However, even after the war and the span of three years, her memories had not returned. All she had were the ones she made upon her arrival. She thought back to how she visualized her ideal family, warm and welcoming. Morgan had Robin, a father, but prior to his death she never knew who her mother was. She had asked multiple times, usually after their battles with Risen, but he always gave her the same answer.
He didn't know.
Her father was always busy with tactics and the war effort. As Chrom's former adviser, he often spent his time in the council room, prioritizing the safety of the Shepherds and the entire world. Morgan understood the weight he carried around, the responsibility he alone undertook. It allowed very little room for relationships and intimacy between him and his comrades.
Morgan looked out to the horizon and leaned onto one of the cobble stoned columns. If she were in his shoes, she would've done the same thing.
She had read somewhere in one of her books that love was the death of duty. Morgan could see why that was so; love clouded judgement.
It must've been difficult for her father to put aside any feelings he may have harbored towards his comrades. If she were to undergo such similar circumstances, it may have ruined her. She was always very expressive when it came to her emotions, especially towards her friends. After Robin's noble sacrifice, she wept for days without end. Morgan stood quietly, contemplating on her father's relationships. His duty had already been fulfilled, Grima was gone for good. If he ever put off any plans for his future, now would be the time to pursue them.
Robin walked through the great hall, his boots echoing across the walls as he made his way to the barracks. He had just finished packing a week worth of food for his journey tomorrow and was now on his way to ensure their weapons.
He opened the wooden door and dusted his boots, then briskly made way for where the swords were. It wasn't surprising when he encountered no one in the room, but it was unsettling to find the absence of his friends. During the war everyone was always at the barracks, sharpening tools, trading spells, mending wounds. Now it was barren, empty, their weapons building up with piles of dust and rust on the mettle of the blades. It was odd to think that so much had changed since Robin's disappearance.
The tactician sighed and took one of the silver swords in his hand, his fingers feeling through the familiar handle. Its edge had grown dull with time, prompting him to sharpen it with care. The sword was one of his favorite weapons when he fought alongside the Shepherds. Using one required skill, strength, and a lot of hard work. He often sparred with Chrom, hoping to best him one day until he did, with the showdown at Arena Ferox.
Robin crossed the room and took one of the whetstones from the shelves. It wasn't like he had anything else planned for the day so he sat down and began his work. The door creaked open a minute later and Robin turned to find Cordelia walk in.
"Oh, hello Robin." She greeted him happily with a small smile.
"Good morning Cordelia." Robin stopped moving and steadied the blade in his hand. He observed her closely, taking in the way her crimson hair swayed from side to side as she crossed the room. She wasn't wearing the armor that came with her pegasus knight uniform, but she donned the thin, scarlet fabric underneath. It was the first time Robin faced her without the heavy accessories.
"I wasn't expecting anyone to be in here." Cordelia snapped him back to reality, forcing the tactician to look up from his seat. "It's rare to find company in the barracks nowadays. Everyone is busy with their own hobbies and activities now that Ylisse is safe." She studied the variety of daggers and bows that were hung on the wall. They all seemed to look like trophies, not the deadly weapons they were.
"It's a bit lonesome isn't it?" Robin softened his eyes then set the silver blade aside.
"Yes." Cordelia agreed as Robin stood up, their eyes meeting in mutual understanding. Unlike their first encounter, the tactician's hair was considerably neater, combed to look more or less presentable. She smiled inwards, recalling when they initially met and fought their first battle together.
"So what brings you here?" Robin asked.
"I was just practicing with my lance." Cordelia held up her most trusted weapon. "The others might be lax when it comes to these matters now that the entire world is at peace, but I digress. This world holds so many uncertainties. I can't allow myself to let get my guard down. Naga knows when another war might come. We have to be prepared for anything." Cordelia tightened the grip on her lance. So many had died in the war, so many she couldn't save, - especially her most beloved sister flight.
"I couldn't agree with you more." Robin concurred. He could tell what she was thinking without so much as a single word. "As to be expected by someone as perceptive as you, Cordelia. You were always on top of everything." She took it with a grin, though her cheeks blossomed pink.
"W-Well yes. Someone has to step up for the others." Her words wrung a bitter taste in her mouth, but she continued. "You were gone a long time Robin."
Silence enveloped the room as the birds perched by the tree outside chirped happily. Meanwhile, the mood had changed dramatically indoors. Robin felt like he was on the hot seat. It was only natural for Cordelia to feel betrayed. He hid his existence from the Shepherds who were his closest friends. Cordelia was one of them.
"Why didn't you come to us? Why did you hide? We searched the entire world for you!" Cordelia raised her voice and stepped forward. Robin looked away and it frustrated her. She was going to have an answer, a reasonable one. "Robin, please answer me."
There was far more to it than just the guilt he confessed to Sumia. "I wasn't sure. I needed to be certain."
"Certain about?"
"Certain that Grima and I were no longer connected." Robin raised his right hand. "When I first awoke, I noticed my mark was gone, the one I had when I was still his vessel. That should've been enough proof, but..." He released a breath. "But there was more than that. I got my memories back." Robin closed his eyes as visions flooded his mind, terrible, painful memories. "Like how I became the vessel and my life prior to becoming an amnesiac."
Cordelia remained quiet, but she raised an eyebrow. Robin regained his memories? More importantly, the ones related to his life prior to the war? Memories of Validar? She turned away, fighting back the endless amount of questions in her mind.
"I did horrible things I wasn't proud of and because of them I didn't trust myself." Robin felt a wave of uneasiness in his stomach. There were details he couldn't fully explain to his friends and Cordelia. "These memories I once had, they came back so suddenly."
Cordelia opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She wanted to know what exactly he remembered, what he did, but it wasn't her place to ask.
"Back then, I wished I'd find the memories I once had, but when I finally had them I wished I didn't." Robin exhaled and looked out the window. Cordelia could only imagine what Robin was referring to. "I was lost, confused. For some time, I didn't know who I was." It was a selfish reason, but whenever Robin recalled his troublesome memories, he believed he did the right thing.
Cordelia held her hands together. She didn't fully understand Robin's angle, but he always had a good reason. So Cordelia thought it best to trust his word, just as she did many times before.
"I apologize for keeping this from you and the others." Robin held one of the arrows in his hand, feeling through its soft, white feathered end. He turned around to Cordelia who seemed to be thinking hard. "I truly am. And I know no amount of apologies could ever makeup for the time I lost." Robin wrapped his arms around Cordelia, holding her in a warm, comforting embrace. "I don't expect you to understand everything, but I hope you can try to see where I'm coming from."
Cordelia slowly returned the embrace, her heart racing just as fast as it did before. It had been so long since she felt this strange sensation in her chest. "After I finish sharpening my blade, I'd like to spar with you. If that's okay." Robin asked sheepishly as he pulled away.
Cordelia smiled gently. "Of course."
Morgan walked briskly to the expansive field, the area just outside of the barracks. She was hoping to find her father so that they could both talk. There have been a lot of things on her mind since this morning. She ran across the green, luscious grass, stopping short when she heard the familiar sound of blades clashing.
From afar, she spotted Robin and Cordelia dueling with a sword and lance. They seemed to be going at it for some time now, judging by the beads of sweat decorated on their faces. Morgan stood her ground and observed the two who exchanged powerful blows. Cordelia was a natural genius, one of the top knights in her class and on the field she performed to her expectations. For someone who wasn't usually good at melee, she was faring well against someone like her father. Morgan watched her every move, the way she maneuvered her lance with such skill and strength. It only took minutes for her to fully disarm Robin.
Robin's silver sword flew across the field, to far for him to reach. The match was over as Cordelia positioned her lance straight at his chest. They locked eyes, Cordelia's softening as she slowly withdrew her weapon. "And to think you of all people managed to defeat Chrom back at Arena Ferox."
Robin smiled as he crossed the field to retrieve his blade. "I practiced a lot and he was out of shape."
Cordelia's eyes hardened. "Please tell me you weren't going easy on me."
Robin sheathed his sword and shrugged, irritating Cordelia even more.
"I demand a rematch." She ordered sternly.
"Okay, okay." Robin held out his hands as if to surrender. "But first we have an audience." Cordelia turned around to find his daughter Morgan standing a few feet away.
"Oh don't let me stop you!" Morgan whined.
"It fine Morgan, did you need something?" Robin walked over to her.
"Uh, well..." Morgan looked up at Cordelia. It was incredible how beautiful she looked in the daylight. She never really mentioned who was her husband and Severa rarely talked about her family, especially her mother. Maybe this would work. "You see there's a harvest festival today in town. I was wondering if you wanted to go father."
Robin contemplated on the thought. He already finished packing for their trip tomorrow, so he had plenty of free time on his hands. "Okay."
"Great!" Morgan said with a cheery smile. Good, just as she expected. He took the bait. "Uh well, you have to bring someone with you because I'll be with my friends." She added quickly. "Cordelia do you have any plans for today?" She looked up expectantly.
"Well, not that I know of-"
"Great! You can go with my father." Morgan and Robin met eyes briefly before she immediately broke the contact. "I'll see you two there, it'll be a date."
Robin and Cordelia looked at each other quizzically. A date?!
"So yeah, I gotta go." Morgan turned away, not wanting to be caught in the sticky situation she just created. "See you two there!" She turned away, running back as fast as she could.
Cordelia stood quietly, somewhat nervous with the whole sudden setup. It had been a while since she'd spent time with Robin alone, and it didn't make her feel comfortable when Morgan implied it would be a date. She turned to Robin who watched his daughter happily skipping away. What would he think of it all? Was he okay with it?
Robin closed his eyes. It was so like Morgan to play him so easily. It certainly put him under the bus for sure. No matter, there wasn't anything he could do about it now. He had no choice but to go along with it. Robin scratched the back of his head nervously before giving Cordelia a smile.
"Shall we?" He extended out his hand for her to take. Cordelia replied with a nod and took his hand as they walked off to the palace gates.