Robin shrugged thinking about his old dream when he felt a tug on his fishing line. "I got something!" He yelled and pulled on his line with all of his strength. Robin's rod bent into an arch as it struggled to hold up against the tension while the fish tried to escape Robin's grasp.
Morgan watched as Robin yanked on the line, but his prey stood its ground next to two rocks close to the shore. Robin fought bitterly to reel him in, but with no luck; the fish did not budge from the rocks no matter how hard he tried. "Wow he must be huge!" Morgan said excitedly.
"Ergh!" Robin groaned while his strength slowly diminished the longer he pulled. He could hear the fishing pole crack as the wooden stick risked breaking under the strain. "Nnng, come on you stupid fish!"
The fishing rod bent even further and a large crack could be heard near the middle of the rod. "This isn't working." Robin said worried. "If this keeps up our lunch will escape."
Morgan's sense of urgency increased and the blood rushed to her head. The thought of missing a meal terrified her and she instantly snapped into action. Without thinking, she jumped straight into the lake and splashed into the deep water. Determined to catch the fish before the pole broke, she swam straight to the rocks where the fish was.
"Morgan!" Robin cried in shock "What are you doing?"
"Fishing!" She yelled back. Once she reached the spot where the line dipped into the water, she dropped her hands underwater and moved them around aimlessly until she felt something rubbery and rough touch her skin. She cupped both of her hands together and held on tight expecting the fish to try to wiggle free. "I got him!" Morgan yelled back to her bewildered father.
With a grin of triumphant, she swam back to shore using her strong legs while she kept her hands firmly grasped on her target in the water.
...
When she returned to land, Morgan's eyes widen in horror as she looked at the brown object in her hands. It was a very old and soggy boot.
Robin couldn't help but chuckle as he saw his fishing lure caught on the boot's laces, but then he looked up at his daughter and broke into hysterical laughter. Her face had frozen completely astonished, and her jaw dropped leaving her mouth wide open as she gazed at the boot.
"Looks like we caught the extremely rare Shoefish." Robin snickered.
Morgan groaned and dropped the boot on the ground in frustration. She was soaking wet and water dripped off her robes creating a small puddle around the ground below her. Her clothes were five pounds heavier from all the water they absorbed and every time she moved she felt the cold water drip down her body. "I hate fishing."
...
Unfortunately for Morgan, their fishing expedition was not over yet. Robin was determined to catch a fish and would not let one set back stop them. However, before they could continue, Morgan had to exchange her soaking wet clothes for her father's cloak so she wouldn't catch a cold. This meant Robin had to go shirtless until her clothes dried off on a nearby branch.
"Meh, your cloak is too big on me." Morgan grumbled as she struggled to get her hands out of the sleeves.
"Well you will have to make do with it for now."
Morgan lowered her head and groaned. She was feeling unusually sleepy and she had only experienced this feeling a handful of times. "What time is it anyways?"
"Hmm." Robin stroked his chin and looked up to the sky. "Judging by the sun. It's probably around seven.
"Nnng. It's only been two hours? It seems like days!"
"Really? Because the time just seems to fly by for me." Robin chuckled and glanced over to the depressed tactician. "But then again, time always seems to speed up for me. After all, its seems like just yesterday I realized I had a daughter, and then a second later she turned sixteen." Robin turned away from Morgan and fixed his eyes back at the crystal blue water with a huge smile perched on his face. Morgan watched him as he seemed to be in a very blissful state; something she had not seen from him since he's been sick.
"What has you in such a good mood all of a sudden?" Morgan asked curiously.
"Heh, just thinking about some very pleasant memories."
"Like?"
"I would tell you, but that would be spoiling the story."
Morgan shrugged and said, "Well, you better hurry and catch me up with the story then!"
"Heh, alright."
Where did I leave off? Oh right, well a few more months went by until one Saturday afternoon I was summoned to the library for a very important meeting. It was a short walk from my room so I hummed a song without a care in the world. Upon opening the door to the library, I was greeted by one smiling young queen sitting on a chair at the end of the small table.
...
"Good morning Robin!" Sumia called out in her usual cheerful mood.
"Hey Sumia." I waved my hand and moved over to the table to sit in one of the seven empty chairs. "I see you are here first."
"Hehe, I always like to be early rather than late. That way I don't have to rush and worry about missing anything."
"Ah, I see. But we would never start without you. After all, you are the one who started this book club."
She smiled and put her book on the table, "I know, but I still don't want to keep anyone waiting on me."
"There you go thinking about others again." I rolled my eyes and snickered. "What is the fun of being queen if you don't abuse your power?"
She put her hands on her hips and raised her chin to look more dignified. "I can be very bossy around some people."
"Chrom doesn't count."
"Oh..." Sumia dropped back in her chair disheartened. She shook her head and said. "I don't know. It just doesn't feel right. Even ordering the servants around feels wrong."
"Heh, it is their job to serve you. That is what they get paid for so you shouldn't feel guilty about it."
"I know, I know, but I've always been the person to help others. It is just so nice to know that I can help improve someone's life, and it feels weird when someone does it for me." She trailed off and looked down at the table.
I couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Well, I guess we will have to start calling you Queen Sumia the Benevolent then."
Sumia's face lit up with a large smile and eyes that could pierce your soul. "Hehe, Sumia will do just fine."
"As you command your benevolence."
Sumia looked at me with an evil eye but only for a second since she could not stop herself from laughing. I joined her in the act and we teased each other for the next ten minutes while struggling to breath since we spent too much time laughing.
...
"So any idea when the rest of the gang is showing up?" I changed the subject since no one from our book club had arrived yet.
"Hmm, Mireil mentioned that she might not be able to make it today because of her research, and I know Cordelia isn't coming. She had to go to town today."
"Weird, Frederick said the same thing, and he is not the type to cancel." I said absent minded. "And I don't think Stahl is coming either. He said something about a banquet yesterday ... So I guess that just leaves Kellam."
Sumia squinted her eyes and looked around. "Kellam? Are you here? If you are then make a noise or move something."
...
"Weird, he is not here either."
"So it's just us?" I asked with a mix of surprise and confusion.
"Looks like it." Sumia said a little disappointed.
"Hmm, that's a shame, you think we could at least get half of the club to show up."
"Well there is only seven of us. I guess days like this are to be expected."
"True, but did it have to be on our first meeting?" I sighed and stared blankly at my book in front of me.
Sumia saw my somber attitude and raised her sweet and cheerful voice , "Don't worry Robin! Everything starts small, but one day we will have to start turning away people because our club will get so big!"
I chuckled at Sumia's boundless optimism and her way of making any situation feel like you won the lottery. "I have no doubt about that Sumia, but for the time being we need to find a way to at least have three people show up...Do you have any ideas on what we can do?"
Sumia thought it over for a moment and said, "I am still trying to convince Chrom to come, but he can be so stubborn sometimes, and Lucina is obviously too young."
"Ha Ha, maybe we should fast forward time a few years so the little one can learn how to read."
Sumia shook her head and said, "No, I am not ready for her to grow up that fast just yet." Sumia leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "But I do hope she likes to read when she grows up."
"I'm sure she will love books, just like her mom. Speaking of which, where is the little one?"
"Chrom is watching her today. He insisted on giving me a day to rest since I have been with her non-stop for the past two months."
"You mean eleven." I pointed out jokingly." I don't think Chrom carried the baby in his stomach for nine months."
"Hehe, he wouldn't have been able to handle it. I bet he would have gone crazy after the first day.
"Probably the first hour." I added.
We both laughed for a moment thinking about how much Chrom would complain.
"Yeah, he never would have lasted through the labor. But seeing my beautiful girl was worth every bit of it." Sumia smiled with warm and tender eyes of pride. The glow she gave off could make anyone's heart grow three sizes. "Now if only I could lose the weight I gained from it."
Huh? What do you mean?"
"Well, even after all of my exercise and dieting I am still five pounds heavier since then, and I just can't seem to lose it." She looked down and patted her stomach.
I didn't know what she was talking about since she looked the same as before her pregnancy, which was remarkable considering it had only been two months. "I think your scale is off then Sumia, because you look the same as before."
Sumia waved her hand in disbelief and said, "Oh, you're just saying that to make me feel better.
"No, I mean it." I protested and said determined to defend my point, "You look absolutely stunning and Chrom is extremely blessed to be with you."
"Hehe, I am the one blessed to be with Chrom, but thank you for the compliment.
"I'm just stating the obvious" I muttered nonchalantly and glanced back at the book. "Heh, but it looks like we are getting sidetracked. We are supposed to be discussing the book we read right?"
"Oh, right." Sumia giggled "I get distracted so easily it drive Chrom mad sometimes. Hehe, but you're right, I have so many questions to ask about the book!
"Heh, me too. Speaking of which, what did you think about the ending?"
"I loved it! It serves him right for trying to take over the world!"
A couple of hours went by as we talked about the book and other random things in our lives. There was one point where we laughed so hard that we had to stop just to catch our breath. The only low point was when the meeting actually ended because we were having so much fun.
...
"Thanks for coming Robin!" Sumia got up from her chair with her book in hand
"I should be thanking you Sumia. This was a great idea." I rose from my chair as well and stretched my arms. "Now if only we could get everyone else to come."
"Oh don't worry about that. Next time we meet fifty people will be here!" She said excitedly.
"Ah Sumia, if only I had your optimism."
"It's a gift." She smiled one last time before heading to the door.
"Let me get that for you." I rushed in front of her to the door and grabbed the handle to open it.
"Thank you kind sir."
"You're quite welcome milady."
...
Later, back in my room I got ready for my next event on my agenda. I walked over to my dresser and rummaged through my drawer until I found a small pouch underneath a pile of white socks. It was one of seven bags and it had the number 200 on the outside. I picked it up and heard the small metallic click of coins jingling together as I put it in the pocket of my cloak.
That is when I heard someone knocking on my door. "Hmm? I wonder who that is." I asked to myself while I headed for my door.
Upon opening it I was shocked by the woman in all blue standing on the other side. It took me a second to realize who was standing in front of me because she looked slightly different since I last saw her. "Marth?" I called out unsure.
She was taller than the last time I remembered. About a year ago she was two or three inches shorter than me, but now she was almost at eye level. Her hair now cascaded down below her shoulders and she looked more 'mature' from the neck down. Even her face showed more age even though it was still flawless. But what mesmerized me the most was her two beautiful blue eyes. I was lost in those two beautiful pools of blue. Though oddly enough, I could have sworn I saw a small black mark in her left eye, but before I could get a good look she turned away from me.
...
There was an awkward silence as we both just stood there. I was embarrassed from staring at her, and her quietness did not help ease the tension. To make matters worse, I felt like wanted to throw up because my stomach felt extremely weird out of nowhere.
*Ahem* "Um, er, Marth, its has been awhile since I last saw you." I scratched the back of my head while she gazed at me. "How are you?"
She didn't say anything but just looked at me like she never saw me before. She also seemed slightly agitated and her fists were wrapped up into a ball.
"Where have you been? Um, if you don't mind me asking." I said nervously
"Plegia...and Valm." she said blankly
Hearing the name Plegia made me cringe, but the other peaked my curiosity. "...Valm? Our western neighbors?
She nodded.
"That must have been a fun trip. I heard that they have nice weather over there which makes the area look amazing, and they are famous for their food."
Once again she did not respond and made it even more awkward for me.
"Er, and um how is Plegia faring with their new king?"
"Fine." She said without any emotion
"... Good, good. Glad to know Plegia is doing better since ...since they reformed the monarchy."
"To be honest, I am a little skeptical about their king. His messages to the castle seem odd at times, but I can't really judge since I haven't met him face to face. ... I think his name is Valider if I am not mistaken. He seems like a good man, but I disagree with some of his edicts such as his water rationing policy.
She shuddered uncomfortably hearing his name spoken.
"...Forgive me, politics is dull subject. I've always hated the topic myself." I felt the beads of sweat run down my face as her gaze became more hostile "But enough about me...How are you?
"Fine."
"Great. That's great."
"I know that some people get sick traveling overseas but you still look fantastic despite the journey." I said with a smile, but I immediately cursed at myself when I realized I complimented her. "Erm, I meant healthy. Yes, you look very healthy despite the long and perilous jour-.
"Robin." She raised her hand up in the air and glared at me with an evil eye. "We need to talk."
...
"Then what happened?" Morgan asked impatiently
"We talked." Robin chuckled.
Morgan punched her dad for his response. "About?
"Oh just some things. I'll explain it later."
"Why not now?!"
"Because we need to get back to camp before lunch. The fish aren't biting and you obviously don't want to be here.
"No! No! I like fishing really! Just tell me what happens next!
"Heh, maybe later." Robin covered his mouth to hide his grin. "But first we need to get back to camp."
"But DDDDAAAADDDD!"