The family of three finally made it to the forest just as the sun was starting to set in the distance. Only a few beams of light managed to cross through the thick trees as they stopped for the night. Robin and Lucina set up the campsite while Morgan went to gather some firewood. Robin noticed that the forest was in much better shape than he was expecting. The trees were bright green and life was everywhere. "It's hard to believe that this is the place where it all started with a hailstorm of fire."
"I know, it seems like an eternity ago." Lucina said lowly and stared into the distance .
"Indeed, and they will be three years I'll never forget." Robin reflected as he grabbed the tent poles from his pack.
"Neither will I."
Robin saw her tense up and decided to change the subject. "Do you think Morgan will like what I have planned for tomorrow?"
Lucina relaxed thinking about his idea as she cleared away some leaves so she could start a fire when Morgan came back with the wood. "It will take her some time to adjust, but I am sure she will be glad to spend the time with you."
Robin smirked at his notorious plan. "Are you sure you don't want to join us?"
Lucina shook her head. "No, Morgan has been concerned about you and perhaps some time bonding will ease her worries. Besides, it will be nice to sleep in for a change."
Robin chuckled and raised the tent's canvas over the tents poles. "Okay, but I'll have to spend some time with you too when we get back to Ylisstol. Just the two of us eating at a fancy restaurant or perhaps we could hold hands and just stroll through the city."
"I would like that." Lucina's faced glowed as she smiled brightly and Robin returned the glow as they looked at each other.
Just then a rustling noise came from the bushes and a blur sped through the foliage. "I got the wood!" Morgan said happily and dropped the pile that was in her hands. Robin and Lucina instantly broke their gaze and blushed a little seeing Morgan.
"Thanks Morgan, now we can eat once we get the fire going." Robin said while looking at the ground.
…
Time passed as they ate their meal and shared a few laughs over the campfire. It was dark and the crescent moon emerged behind the night sky. However the night was still young and Morgan was fully awake like usual.
"So what are we going to do now?" Morgan asked while the fire's warmth covered her face.
"We are going to go to sleep early today." Robin said calmly and Morgan's eyes widened in horror.
"What? Why?!" Morgan cried in shock.
"Because we have a busy today tomorrow."
"And?"
"Aaand I want to be awake to enjoy it." Robin smiled and faked a yawn.
"Dad, It can't be past nine!... I don't want go to sleep so early. " Morgan complained and feared the very thought of going to sleep.
"Then stay up if you want." Robin said calmly which stunned his daughter. "We don't have to worry about you waking Chrom or anyone else out in the woods, and the two of us can sleep through your escapades." Robin snickered and Morgan squinted back in disdain.
"What am I supposed to do in the middle of the night with no one to talk to?
"I don't know, but please don't leave the campsite dear. It is too dark." Lucina warned.
"As for us; we are going to get some sleep." Robin stretched out his arms. "...And I wont be telling you a part of the story tonight."
Morgan's horror turned to dread. "What WHY?!" Morgan cried.
"I don't remember the next part very well." Robin tried to lie, but he was no poker player at it.
"So I get no story and no time to have fun tonight?" Morgan grumbled and crossed her hands around her stomach "Some vacation this is."
...
"However! Robin raised his hand and saw Morgan's eyes light up in a sliver of hope. "Lucina is willing to share the first part of tonight's story."
"Really?! Thanks mom!" She ran over to hug Lucina in joy. "But what do you mean by 'the first part?'"
Lucina returned the hug and said in a gentle and sweet voice. "I'll pick up where Robin left off earlier, but my experience in this part is very small. So Robin will continue the rest once I finish. Does that sound okay?"
Morgan let go of her and shook her head up and down to agree. Lucina smiled as Morgan sat down next to her by the fire.
I heard that my parents were going to be married soon. I immediately rushed back to Ylisstol to make sure that my interference in this world did not change the events of their wedding. Through the innkeeper in the town, I learned that the wedding would take place in two weeks. The same date that my parents anniversary fell on and I relaxed knowing that portion of the future stayed the same.
He also told me that Robin was the best man and that made me suspicious. Robin was still a mystery to me and he was one of the few shepherds I never heard my mother mention about in my world. He was also very close to Chrom and thus very dangerous. He was my top suspect for Chrom's traitor, but something in the back of my mind told me that he wasn't.
Through the few and brief conversations we had showed a different man. A man that pledged his life to Chrom as devoted as Frederick. Someone who claimed he would die for Chrom without hesitation and the sincerity in his eyes when he said it appeared genuine. There was also the very likely case that in my world Robin died back in the desert because of his wounds, and that is why I never heard of him before. His injuries were grave back in Plegia and he was clearly suffering when he stumbled over to my hiding spot that night. However, if he did die back then than that would mean his mere presence at the wedding could change the future.
My thoughts continually ran back and forth and I eventually decided that I needed to know more about this man first. I could keep my eye on him while I made sure the wedding stayed true to my time line. It was about half past five in the morning when I climbed over the cleft in the castle wall and lurked in the shadows. Although it was still dark and most people in the castle were asleep; I noticed that two shepherds were awake. Robin was with Frederick, but Robin seemed to be in agonizing pain.
As time passed I realized that they were exercising, but Robin was struggling to keep up. Eventually, the two stopped and Frederick had to help Robin back to his feet. He was breathing heavily and he looked dazed and confused. When Frederick walked away from him. He stumbled and wobbled back to the castle like he was drunk. I followed him and saw him fall to the ground in between an alleyway. He groaned in pain and desperately tried to inch forward with no luck.
From the building I was hiding behind I saw his face and he was in total agony. He needed help and no one would notice him for hours. If I helped him then perhaps I could learn more about him, but I also risked affecting the wedding. I struggled to decide what to do when I saw his eyes.
Even they were in severe pain.
...
"...Marth?" Robin said dazed and looked at me very strangely as I wrapped my arm around his back and helped him move forward.
"I see you need help."
"Erg, if my body didn't hurt than I would think I am dreaming." He winced and his legs shook.
"Where do you live in the barracks? I'll take you there."
"I ...erg...don't live in the barracks. I live in the castle." He barely muttered and my eyes widened in fear.
"You live in the castle?!" I said trying to hide my surprise and concern for Chrom's safety.
"Yes, it was Lissa's idea." He slouched forward exhausted as we moved forward. "I would have been more than happy in the barracks though."
We moved forward out of the alley way and I carefully looked around to make sure no guards were around.
"Normally when you show up something is about to happen. Is Chrom in danger?"
"No." I murmured and he looked like he wanted to say something else, but closed his mouth and shook his head.
Thankfully, Robin did not speak or ask any more questions the rest of the way. Eventually we reached his room and I helped him to his bed which was not far from the door.
"Erg." He groaned as his back touched his mattress and he willed his feet to slide over. "Oh thank the gods. I thought I was going to be stuck back there." His body went limp and he closed his eyes for a brief moment knowing he was safe. "Thank you Marth, I owe you for your kindness."
"You owe me nothing, I just happened to be nearby."
"Hmph, funny how we keep running into each other." He reopened his eyes and I looked away from him. I pretended to be inspecting the room even though I knew it well enough.
He lived in the smallest place in the castle, and it only had two rooms. The main room and the lavatory. Robin put a bed at the far corner of the room with a stack of books and a small reading table next to it. There was also a dresser and the usual things you would expect a bedroom to have. It was strange seeing furniture here because in my time; this room was always abandoned and few ever entered.
"Lissa tried to get me to stay in a quarters with ten rooms, but I could never live there." Robin said tiredly. "It was just too big for one person, but Lissa kept insisting that I live in the castle. Fortunately, with a little help from Chrom, I managed to talk her down to this."
"...Lissa and Chrom seem to be fond of you."
Robin smiled as he struggled to keep his eyes open. "I am very lucky to be gifted with such great friends."
I turned around to let him sleep when I saw something at the other side of the room by the door was. I didn't notice it earlier because the open door had blocked my sight of it. I slowly walked over to it and gazed at it in wonder.
Robin must have noticed me staring at it and said, "Oh um, I hope you don't mind that I picked that up... You can have it back if you want."
He was referring to a small little display case he had hanged on the wall. It showed a mask that had split in two. A blue mask with the two ends next to each other resembling a butterfly. My mask.
"Why did you pick it up?" I questioned and turned back to him.
"Well, it was just laying there and after what happened with the assassins so..." I trailed off embarrassed. "At the time I guessed I would never see you again so I didn't want to forget the woman to whom I owed such a great debt to."
"A great debt?" I asked confused.
Robin sighed and gazed at the mask on the wall. "Marth ... Chrom and his family took me in and treated me like their own when I had nowhere to go. It was a kindness that I will never forget." Robin turned his attention back to me and looked at me strangely. Almost like he was trying to figure out if that was my face or not. "...And then this 'man' in all blue came and saved all three of their lives. This person named Marth protected the people to whom I owe my life to. Chrom and Lissa can live on with their lives because of you. It is a debt that I will never be able to repay, but you have my eternal thanks Marth.
I looked at him stunned and unable to move. No murderer or traitor would say those words and his eyes seemed true to his words. I had to snap myself out of it, and I tried to play it off.
"C-chrom would have survived his wounds and Lissa never should have been involved on that day in the forest... and Emmeryn...I was unable to..."
"You gave Chrom and Lissa a few more days to spend with their sister. A few more days of happiness... They also got to say goodbye to each other. A few parting words to hold them off until the after life. That is something they never would have received if she had been assassinated."
"It still was not enough."
"...I suppose it never will be. But things could have been far worse."
I had to look away from him because Grima's destruction haunted my thoughts. I needed to leave and calm myself down or else he would notice. I opened the door and I was about to head out when he said.
"Marth... I don't know what you are up to, and I won't ask. After everything you have done for us, you have earned my complete trust...So, thank you. Thank you for everything.
…
Lucina stopped talking and her mind trailed off. It had been awhile since she thought about that day and it filled her with a variety of emotions. Next thing she knew a warm hand wrapped around her waist and broke her trance.
"Are you okay?" Robin asked concerned.
Lucina nodded and smiled. "I am fine, just some bad memories, but they passed."
"I'll take it from here then." Robin returned the smile and turned his attention back to Morgan. She was dead silent watching the her parents hug and Robin decided it was best to continue the story before she got grossed out.
A week passed by and the wedding got closer with each second. Frederick was still killing me with his training, but each day I was able to move a little bit further and a little longer. Although I was still insanely sore afterwards, I could perform my daily tasks and things we going back to normal...Well our version of normal.
I was in my office studying a new tactical position that I had learned from one of my books. I was applying it on my board and I was too busy to notice that someone opened the door.
"So if the cavaliers spread out in a fan... And the Pegasus knights sweep in from the flank..."
"Goodness, I can practically see smoke rising from your head. Whatever could have you working at such a fevered tilt?"
"Huh?! Oh hey Virion, just studying another position. What brings you to my office?"
"I have come to give my farewells." He said filled with poise and inspected the board I was studying.
"Farewells? You are leaving?"
"Indeed, it is a terrible shame that I will not be able to attend the royal ceremony, but alas, my attention is need elsewhere." He unconsciously moved a piece on my board and it showed a new position I did not foresee.
"Hmm? What is so important to miss such a special occasion?" I said while moving my archer to fix the new hole in my defense.
"I have business to attend to with the continent to our west. It requires my immediate attention or else I fear that things may go sour." He sat down in the chair opposite of me and moved a sword master to another area I did not predict.
"Hmm what's going on in Valm?" I asked curiously and looked intently for a solution to fix the board. The only apparent solution was to bring in my Lord to save the position.
"Some nobles in the area are questioning my methods in my absence." He moved his mercenary and was prepared to sacrifice him without hesitation.
"Really? I thought the women would be doing that." I chuckled and moved one of my low level soldiers on the right of the board to open a new flank.
"I dare say! How could you tarnish my reputation when I simply try to aid one of Ylisse's beauties?" He scoffed and sent in his knight to add pressure in the the middle.
"When you call one woman beautiful, then I would have no thought of questioning your reputation. When you profess you undying desire to get to know every women in the entire country. Then yes, I do believe your silver reputation has been tarnished."
"But I cannot help it. Wherever I gaze, I see a fair maiden that has no idea of her true beauty. It is up to me to instill courage into her and reveal her charms."
"You know there is a word for that."
"Oh? And what word might elegantly describe my noble pursuits?" Virion asked as the pieces continued to move on the board.
"Philanderer."
"Philanderer?!" He immediately tensed back wounded by my statement. "Now see here Robin! I will not stand for such barbaric words. My quests are pure and without fault. I make a lady feel special and there is no foul play in my motives."
"...Forgive me noble sir. It twas an error for me to misjudge your endeavors."
"Gya! I can forgive ignorance, but sarcasm is another matter! You've made a mockery of the delicate art of hollow flattery!
"What is the matter Virion? Am I getting inside your head?" I smiled and moved my wyvern rider. Within the conversation I managed to take five of his pieces and only lost one in the process. Victory was near.
"Quite the contrary Robin. For what you fail to recognize is this." He moved his Pegasus into the battle field and positioned it near my commander. "Check and mate."
My eyes opened in shock and I immediately looked at my commander. I searched for any solution to save him, but there was nothing I could do. It was the worst feeling in the world, and I knew I lost. "But ...How did you? "
"The game was over six moves ago Robin. By sacrificing my pieces I gained a valuable opening."
"You mean you purposely left your troops to die so you could win?"
Virion paused and studied me for a moment. "Yes, it assured a quick and easy victory."
I was dumbfounded by his tactics and his mindset. "I don't think I could ever do that. To let someone die to secure a victory...It isn't worth it."
Virion smiled and got up from his seat. "And that is why I followed your command in battle my friend. You kept your focus on your friends and not the thrill of winning. You'll find yourself happier and going home with full numbers."
I got up from my seat and extended my arm. We shook hands as I glanced back at the board one more time. "Thanks Virion. Maybe we can play again someday."
"Indeed, if I ever find myself back in Ylisse then I shall seek out a game."
"You know where to find me." I smiled and we walked to the door. "Goodbye Virion and take care."
"Goodbye is too permanent of a word Robin."
"Okay, how about...I look forward to seeing you again."
"Whatever pleases your plain spoken tongue."
…
A few more days went by and the castle buzzed with workers. Everyone was busy setting up for the castle and the town was flying banners and selling memorabilia. Chrom and Sumia were becoming celebrities and every day that the wedding came closer, the more excited the city got. With such high expectations, we had a lot to live up to.
I found myself especially busy on this day and night fell before I knew it. I was in the castle grounds walking to Chrom's house when Tharja stepped in front of me. I groaned seeing her and feared that our meeting was not by chance. From the second the dark mage joined the group I found her stalking me. She would even spy on me while I was sleeping and it was unnerving. Thankfully, Chrom had told her to stop stalking me or she would have to leave the shepherds. She stopped, and I got a lot more rest after that.
"Hello there handsome." She smiled wickedly and I immediately took a step back.
"Oh um er...Tharja...um...what brings you here..." I scratched the back of my head and looked for someone where to run to.
"I saw you alone and I figured you could use some company."
"Look...I thought we ...agreed that you would stop stalking me."
"Hmm? I don't know what you are talking about. I just came to say hi to you...my love." Her smirk scared me and I started panicking.
"W-would you stop calling me that."
"Sure, anything to please you."
"Um...right... I should get going now." I hurriedly walked away but she followed behind me.
"Perhaps I could join you. My sweet."
"Er...I don't think women are welcome at the bachelors party."
"What does that have to do with today? Our ceremony is two days away not one."
I ignored the fact that she said 'our' and replied. "Well Chrom didn't want to be hungover on his wedding day and what is a bachelor part without liquor? So we moved it up...I was just on my way to meet him now actually."
Tharja's evil smile turned to a frown and she said disappointed. "I see."
"So I will be busy today...and tomorrow…In fact I am really really busy lately. I wont have a moment to rest for at least a year, perhaps longer... So um,goodbye."
I sprinted off hoping she wouldn't follow me and reached Chrom a few minutes later. I knocked on the door glad that I was able to get away from her.
…
"Ah Robin." He paused and noticed I was breathing heavily. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."
"...I had a run in with Tharja."
"Is she bothering you again?"
"I hope not...but never mind my problems. It it time to celebrate." I patted him on the back and we went on our way to the gaming room of the castle. The second Chrom opened the door he was greeted by Vaike.
"Hey! He is here! Make way everyone. Dead man walking! He only has two days left to live" He laughed and Chrom shrugged it off.
Chrom then waved hello to everyone else. Frederick, Stahl, Kellam, Lon'qu, Gaius, Gregor, and Libra were there sitting on a giant circular table with a green fabric on the top. Next to that was a mini bar filled to the brim with drinks.
"So I take it we are playing poker?" Chrom asked.
I laughed and said, "Yes but with a few special rules. We are playing Texas hold'em with a 150 gold buy in and a standard 2 gold ante. There is no limit on betting and you get in for free since you are the groom, but if you don't play the hand than you have to take a drink."
"Sounds simple enough." Chrom walked over to a free seat and looked at his chips.
"However, the main purpose of tonight is to get drunk. So the last person sober and the end of the night loses. Heh, but we want this party to last for more than two minutes so the first person drunk also loses."
"Oh and what do the winners get?"
"Haha, a night to remember."
…
Gaius dealt the first hand while I got a drink for Chrom. He asked for some light ale while I chose a random bottle since I did not know very much about beer. It was a very dark brown color and it smelled pretty strong, but I just assumed that is what all beer were like.
I sat down next to Chrom and Gregor while I poured some of the liquid in my glass and glanced at my cards. The cards were garbage and I threw away my hand which meant I had to take a drink. I raised my glass and causally drank it like it was water.
*gag* *cough* "Dears gods." *Cough* "Augh it burns!"
Everyone laughed as a fire exploded in my mouth. Vaike noticed what I was drinking and let out a hearty laugh. "I didn't know you liked to drink Robin. That is some strong stuff you got there."
"I" *cough* "I don't. This is only my third time... *cough* as far as I can remember." The alcohol kicked me in my mouth and its aftertaste felt like a fire was roasting on my tongue. "Oh Gods I need some water!"
"Ha don't worry. It gets better the more you drink." He raised his glass which was even darker than mine.
The first hand led to eight of the ten of us folding and taking a swig. The two remaining players were Gregor and Gaius.
"Mmmm. Gregor bets ten gold."
Gaius smirked looking at his cards and was unable to contain himself. "I will call your ten and raise you five."
"Oy! You raise on Gregor? Then Gregor raises 20 more on candy loving thief."
"Guys! It is only the first hand!" Chrom warned.
Gaius ignored Chrom and said. "I'll raise you another 20."
"Oy! Red headed rogue raised again. Gregor will not stand for this. Gregor bets everything Gregor has!"
"I call!" Gaius pushed all of his chips in the pot and flipped over his cards. "Ha, three of a kind with jacks. What do you have Gregor?" he said confidently.
"Gregor has two pair." Gaius smiled in victory and went to grab the chips when Gregor showed his cards. "A pair of black threes and a pair of red threes." Gaius' heart sunk and he was speechless as he looked at them.
Frederick confirmed Gaius' fears. "Gregor that is a four of a kind."
"Oh? Ha Ha Gegor did not notice."
Gaius slammed his head on the table and mumbled something. It was only the first hand and he was already out of chips.
You can buy in for another 150 gold." Frederick said as the cards were shuffled.
"Ung...there goes my sugar money... ..."
…
After a few hands and a few more drinks that nearly knocked out my teeth. My vision slowly started to lose its sharpness as I grabbed the cards in front of me.
They were terrible but I didn't feel like drinking again so I went in. "I bet five"
Frederick, Chrom, Vaike, and Kellam called while the rest drank.
*Hiccup* Vaike stared at me intently trying to see if I was bluffing or not. "Sooo Rabin. How is dat drink treaten ya?"
"It's getting a little easier to drink, but it still has a kick to it."
*hiccup* "Dats the best part."
"Heh, I think we know who is going to be drunk first Chrom."
He chuckled. "I don't know. Gregor is right there with him."
…
The game continued and Chrom wound up winning most of the hands. It didn't matter if he had the best cards or not. No one wanted to beat the groom on his special day and they would fold if necessary. Nonetheless, as the time went by everyone slowly and steadily got more intoxicated. Vaike was drunk three times over by now and was laughing away as he struggled to grab his cards. Gregor wasn't looking so good himself as he hummed a tune.
Stahl instantly recognized it and start singing with his glass of ale in hand.
"Oooo me mutter once told me to always be a good lad. She warned me to never be like my dear old dad. Me father was a strong knight that protected a young lord. O' me mutter was fraid I would join him and take up the sword."
Kellam chimed in, "But despite her protests I trained to be the best soldier I could be. To be the best damned knight in this century. I swore an oath on that very day. That I would follow this path and never be led astray.
Frederick continued, "O' I braved the bitter cold and fierce heat to become a great knight. So I could protect my fellow countrymen in a fight. There was nothing that would stop me from this noble quest. To serve as a knight with the proud Ylissean crest.
Everyone joined in and sang simultaneously while Chrom watched. "Ylisse, O' Ylisse. Me mutter once told me to always be a good lad, but how can I refuse to serve for you like my dad. You are the best country in the land. So I will always aid you with my sword hand."
"Ylisse, O' Ylisse. I would give my life for thee. Because you are the country where I can be free. So Naga bless the exalt and his name! … ... His royal blood and mercy puts all others tooooo shame."
Everyone raised there glasses and toasted to Chrom. He smiled filled with pride and watched his friends merrily drink and laugh. I joined them in the cheers and chugged my glass. Within seconds, I passed out drunk from the liquor.
...
*Yawn*
"And I think I am going to pass out now too..."
"I can't believe you got drunk dad!" Morgan said surprised
"Hmm why is that?"
"Because I rarely even see you take a drink."
Robin smirked hearing that. "Good night Morgan."
Morgan wanted to protest but sighed knowing it wouldn't accomplish anything. "Goodnight."