Lucina stopped and took a second to look at the frame of Morgan's bow. While it was still crude, you could see that it was slowly making its way to the final stages. As it stood, the bow was still rough and had two 155 degree bends in the wood instead of a smooth arch, but it looked more like a bow than it did ten minutes ago.
"It is looking good." Lucina smiled and grazed the frame with her hand.
"It is?" Morgan asked surprised. "It looks more like a three sides of a trapezoid than a bow to me."
"Once we sand it down then it will have the curve you are looking for." Lucina said optimistically and rummaged around in her bag until she found a small brown piece of paper and handed it to Morgan. "This sandpaper should do the trick, but just remember not too use too much force."
"Okay" Morgan nodded and delicately felt the rough surface of the paper on her hand. Just the touch of it made her fingers feel all tingling, but after toying with it for a moment, she set back to work on her project. "So... what happened after you revealed yourself?"
Lucina sighed and leaned back as the memories whirled through her head. However, they only lasted for a second before Lucina's smile returned and said, "What didn't happen after that?"
...
After revealing myself to be the eighteen year old daughter of my twenty year old father ... There was obviously a lot of explaining to do. So I spent the night in front of mystified and wide eyed shepherds who listened in shock as I explained to them who I was, and why I was here. I mentioned in broad terms about the fate of Grima's return, and how Naga sent me through time. My efforts to save Emmeryn, Chrom, and stop the world from coming to be.
Of course, there were people who were skeptical, but Chrom and Sumia were there to back me up. However, they were insistent that I spend the night at their tent and catch up.
...
"Can I get you anything? Perhaps some tea or maybe some chocolate. Just name anything and I will get it for you."
"I am fine mother. You don't need to go through any trouble for me."
"Nonsense!" Sumia cried in protest. "You are my daughter and I will do anything and everything to make you happy. "
The same goes for me." Chrom insisted
I shook my head and said, "Really you don't need to-"
"We don't need to, we want to." Chrom smiled in the same warm and loving way I remembered so long ago.
"I, suppose if it is not too much trouble, then may I have a glass of water?"
"Of course!" Sumia said enthusiastically and quickly got up. "Would you like anything else with it?"
"Just water please."
"Okay, I will be back in a second with it." Sumia hurriedly ran out of the tent as fast as she could.
...
There was an awkward silence as both Chrom and I sat there unsure of what to say to the other. We both had so many questions, but neither of us knew where to start. "...So, you have followed us for a while?"
"Yes, I wanted to make sure you were safe."
Chrom lowered his head and said, "I see, so that is twice you have saved my life now."
"No, it's not." I replied somberly. "You survived your wounds when that assassin tried to kill you in the palace, and today was my fault. I brought the Risen back to this time with me, and it almost made everything worse. I have put you and Lissa both in danger because of it." I dropped my head and sighed. "I am sorry father."
"Lucina...You are wrong." He said firmly
"Huh?" I raised my head in surprise.
Chrom paused and rested his hand on my shoulder. "The Risen that attacked us tonight, they were from this time line. Not yours. "
"... Father, you don't have to-"
"I am not lying." Chrom said calmly. "Remember when Gangrel summoned a hoard of them? The same thing happened tonight."
"What?" I muttered stunned. "That doesn't make sense though. Gangrel is dead."
"...Yes, but Aversa is still alive, and she is the advisor to the new king. Neither Robin or I find that to be a coincidence. Also, a lot of strange things happened at the meeting today.
"Oh like what?"
Well-"
"I'm back!" Sumia called out joyfully and re-entered the tent. "Here is your water." She called out and handed me a small silver chalice.
"...Thank you mother."
"You're welcome." Sumia beamed "So, what did I miss?"
Chrom stuttered for a second but murmured, "Er, we were just talking about the past.
I nodded and took a sip of my water.
"Oh, that sounds interesting." Sumia remarked "If you don't mind me asking though, what were we like in the future?"
I choked on my water when I heard that. Those are memories I have had to repress for so long, and I wasn't expecting her to ask that so soon. It took me a minute to gather myself as it all came rushing back into my head. "... You were very loving and caring. Even in the darkest of times you and father would always be there to try and cheer me up." I sniffled and turned away. "T-there was a time when I was seven years old and Risen tried to break down the gates. You could hear the sounds of them beating on the door and I was very scared. B-but you were both there holding my hand and promising me everything would be okay." I breathed heavily and felt my mouth go dry.
"...Lucina."
"Every time I got scared, you would always stop to comfort me and recite one of the books that you loved so much...I still remember you describing the stories filled with knights in shining metal armor who would rescue anyone in need of help. Heh, and then the dashing king with his beautiful and smart wife would come charging through to save the day." I laughed hysterically to hold back my other emotions.
"Hehe, well that does sound like."
"...You weren't that different from who you are today actually. You both looked older, but in the good way. And not a day passed where you ever lost hope. Even when father was stabbed in the stomach you didn't fall into sorrow. Instead you were right by his side and helped him recover.
"Awww Chrom, isn't that so romantic?"
"Er, wait a second." Chrom said in alarm "I was stabbed?! How is that romantic?"
Sumia smiled and let a tear fall from her eye, "Because no matter how bad it got we were right there by each others side with our beautiful daughter!"
"Well...I suppose when you mention it like that, then it does have a rather tender sentiment to it." Chrom muttered and scratched the back of his head.
Maybe we can do our second honeymoon like that! Of course, I would be careful not to hurt you too much."
"... Wait Sumia, you are not seriously suggesting what I think you are thinking, are you?!
"Oh come on now." Sumia rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I am sure it wouldn't hurt that much, and I would be there to take care of you!"
"B-but Sumia!
"Hehehe, oh relax silly. I am just teasing."
Chrom took a deep breath and sighed "Oh."
Sumia giggled again and hit him in the shoulder. But my vision was getting blurry. My mother always had a way of taking bad news and turning it around, and it was little moments like these that kept us going so many years ago.
However, Sumia's smile instantly changed when she saw me tear up and asked, "Oh, did I say something wrong?"
"No" I wiped the tears from my eyes and struggled to find my voice. "It's just." My hands trembled as I searched for the words. "It's s-so nice to see you two again." *sniff* "It's been so long since I shared these moments with you." I broke down and covered my eyes with my hands.
Chrom immediately moved over and leaned over to hug me in a big embrace. "I am so sorry we weren't there for you these past few years Lucina. But we will do our best to make up for lost time. You are our pride and joy and we love you."
"T-thank you father, and you too mother." I said trying not to cry and held on to Chrom tight, afraid that he would vanish if let go.
...
...
The next few days went by very quickly as we waited for the Plegian ships to be ready for combat. But once they were finished mobilizing, we were sent back to Regna Ferox with 1200 ships under our command and a handful of Plegian sailors. The minute we got there I was officially introduced to the two khans, and needless to say, they were very surprised. But other than that, nothing major happened for a week as we waited to hear about the Valmese's fleets movements. It wasn't until a cold Tuesday swept by and woke me up when things changed. As I stretched my arms to wake up, I noticed that there was a small letter on the ground and a plate of food at my feet.
Good morning sweetie.
I didn't want to wake you so I am leaving this note. I just want to let you know that I am going to be in town today to get some supplies with Cordelia. So if you need me then you know where to look. Also, we just received word from our scouts today. So the camp might be more lively than usual.
Oh and I hope you like the breakfast I prepared, but if you don't then let me know and I will make whatever you like when I get back.
Love, Sumia.
I lowered the letter and looked at the breakfast in front of me. The plate was practically overflowing with eggs, bacon, and sausage along with a glass of milk.
"Oh, mother. You really didn't need to go through all of this trouble." I sighed and looked at the solid silver utensils laid next to the plate. But I didn't want to let the food go to waste so I picked up the fork and dipped it into one of the eggs.
...
*Ahem* "Milady, have you awoken from your slumber yet?" Frederick called from outside of the tent
"Yes I have." I called back.
"Good, then I need to inform you that we will be holding a war meeting in an hour from now, and Chrom has requested your presence."
"He has?"
"Yes, he believes you could provide some insight in the problem we have."
"...But Sir Frederick, I have already told Chrom all I know the Valmese war. I know it wasn't much, but all I had were old tales, and I doubt I could help in the meeting."
"Chrom and Robin seem to think otherwise."
"...I see." I wasn't sure what use I could offer, but if my father thought it was a good idea then I suppose it couldn't hurt.
So when the time came, I stepped into the war room that was occupied by Chrom, Basilio, Flavia, Cherche, Robin and Frederick. In the center of the room was a large war map showing the location of the Valmese fleet while everyone discussed the situation; except for Robin who quietly watched in the background and studied the map
"I have called all of my warriors from across the country, but it will take time for them to get here. Time we do not have." Flavia said pessimistically
Chrom sighed, "I'm afraid it will take even longer for Ylisse. We are conscripting men as fast as we can, but it will take two weeks before we can even think of having them march, let alone face combat. Our people have just recovered after the last war, and we haven't had time to build an army.
"So what does that put us at?" I asked while I studied the map in front of me.
"60,000 pin cushions." Basilio grunted. "Land or sea, we cannot face 170,000 veterans even if we do match them ship for ship."
"Well then what do you propose we do oaf?" Flavia criticized
"Don't look at me women. My job is to swing my axe around and taunt the enemy."
"There must be something we can do." Chrom cried
"We do have an option, but it is risky." A voice called out behind us and everyone immediately turned their attention to him.
"Oh? What can be riskier than sending 60,000 men on a suicide mission? Basilio scoffed.
"...Sending 60,000 men on a suicide mission while their ships are on fire."
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise and horror, except for Basilio who laughed heartily at the remark. "Okay boy, you have my attention."
...
According to Robin, we were going to bring the fight to them and catch them by surprise. Which meant we had to sail for five hours on the open seas to intercept them.
It was a long and silent journey and everyone remained very serious. We knew what was at stake if we failed, and many of the shepherds remained lifeless for most of the journey. But when we saw the sails of our enemies, people scrambled to positions and I unsheathed my parallel falchion hoping it would not be needed. It bothered me, but according the the plan, there was nothing else I could do but watch and wait as we sailed into naval warfare.
"Stahl, are the harpoons ready?" Robin asked as he untied some of the rigging from the sail
"Yes sir. They are coated in oil just like you requested.
"Good, and what about the jars?"
"Filled to the brim."
"Excellent, now lets hopes this plan works." Robin said nervously to Chrom and looked up to the fleet of ships that were less than 1600 feet away and closing. "Mirel! First target will be a war brig coming from our right. We will need fives jars.
"Robin, according to my calculations it would be more efficient if we used four jars. These pots can store up to three gallons and if you apply that to the mass of the ship then-"
"Just use five. I'd rather be safe than sorry."
"...Alright, if that is what you conclude to be the best resolution." Mirel responded and grabbed her spell book from her cloak. She turned to the page she had bookmarked and raised her hands at the jars. "Ready."
Robin paused and watched as the ships got closer. They approached at frightening speed since we were sailing at full mast. Soon they were 1000 feet away, then 600, 500, 300, 200, and when they were right on top of us Robin yelled. "FIRE!"
In that instant Miriel casted her wind magic and sent five jars hurling at the approaching war brig. They impacted on the hull of the ships and sent a large ocean of oil flooding onto the deck and side of the ship. Next Virion took careful aim and shot a flaming arrow at the side of the ship. Before it even hit the wooden hull, the oil caught fire and quickly consumed the ship in an uncontrollable fire. Anyone who was unlucky enough to be splattered in the black substance was immediately burned alive as the ship was set ablaze.
"Miriel! Next ship is a War Frigate to our left, Seven Jars." Robin yelled over the noise of the raging fire from the ship that was now behind us.
...
"FIRE!" Robin called out and once again the enemy ship was sent into an inferno. I could feel the searing heat rush at my face as the enemy ship roared with flames that rose over fifteen feet high.
This process was repeated for the next three ships and things seemed to be going perfectly until we came across a Longship. Before I even had a chance to see what was happening Robin yelled, "TAKE COVER!"
Immediately everyone ducked underneath the railing and watched as hundreds of arrows came flying down. Many were targeted at Virion and Miriel but instead they bounced off of Frederick's and Kellam's armor who served as their bodyguards.
"Robin, I can't get a bloody shot in with this barrage of death preventing me from seeing my target." Virion yelled.
"Henry!" Robin yelled and came running over with a shield covering his head. "Light that harpoon on fire and send that Long ship to the bottom of the ocean!"
"Nya ha Okie dokie captain!" He smiled evilly and casted a purplish flame on the harpoon. Then I heard the click of him shooting it and the sound of another fire spread. A few seconds later the arrows stopped raining down as well and we slowly looked up to see the longship be consumed by a purple fire. "Oooo it's so colorful!"Herny marveled
However, when we dodged for cover we did not see the that a ship had changed its course and it was now directly in front of us. It was trying to force us to make a hard turn and slow us down so they could board us, but Robin had another idea.
"EVERYONE, BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
...
*BAM*
We collided straight into the hull of the enemy ship and it sent all of our jars and cargo up in the air. Many of them came crashing down unto the front of our ship that was now smashed to pieces. Both of the ships were now taking on water and slowly sinking while oil splattered everywhere,
"Everyone get to the lifeboats!" Robin called out and we all scrambled for the small boats at the sides of the ship. We just managed to get everybody off the ship before a Valmese soldier shot a flaming arrow at our ship and sent the two crashed vessels to the same fate as the predecessors.
I sighed in relief knowing it was over, but I was horrified as I looked around. My eyes were surrounded by a giant wall of flames. Even the water was on fire as hundreds of ships were set ablaze with ruthless success. In less than two minutes, our ship along with another 600 allied boats that replicated the process were able to destroy the entire Valmese fleet.
...
Not long after that we were picked up by Sumia, Cordelia, and Cherche who flew us over to an undamaged ship. It was at this time that yells and chants for Ylisse and Regna Ferox bombarded the air. Everyone was celebrating in a massive crowd...Well, almost everyone.
Eventually, we plotted our course back for home and began the five-hour journey back. However, night soon fell and everyone was starting to get hungry so a large feast was held below deck in honor of our victory. All of the shepherds and crewmen went down to celebrate; except for me.
Instead, I remained on deck and gazed out at the open sea. So much had happened these last two weeks, and it seemed like this was the first time I had to collect my thought. Over and over again, I wondered if I made the right decision to join the shepherds. Was this truly the right decision, or was I being selfish because I wanted to see my parents again?
However, my concentration was interrupted when the sounds of boots stomping over wooden steps came from behind me. I glanced back to see Robin come up from below deck, but something was very wrong with him. His face was a sickly greenish color and he seemed out of it. He looked absolutely devastated and his whole body was shaking. While my first thought was that he was sick, something told me that he wasn't.
Meanwhile, he gazed at the stars as if he was lost in a trance and slowly walked forward until he was stopped by the ship's wooden railing. Once his trance was broken by the wooden obstacle, he gripped the rail with both of his hands and hunched over to look at the sea below. His expression quickly changed and he grimaced in extreme pain as if he had been hit in the chest with a sword.
I almost thought I was looking at another man. The once confident and quick-witted tactician was now on the verge of collapse. His high spirits and friendly attitude was gone. He was distraught, but I wasn't sure if I should help him or not. He probably wanted to be alone just like I did, but I felt a strange need to help him. I rationalized that I needed to check on him to make sure our tactician would be fit for action when we needed him, but something in my stomach said I wasn't telling the whole truth.
So I struggled with my decision for a minute until I sighed and decided to approach him. I slowly made my way over to him, but I immediately stopped once his head moved forward. Instead of looking down at the ship's hull, his eyes were now fixed at a small piece of driftwood that must have come from one of the ships we fought. It was charred and a very small flame was still kindling at the middle of the board. At that moment, Robin broke down, and vomited over the side of the ship. In between throwing up, he cursed at the sea and even himself.
I realized that the last thing he would want was for anyone to seem him in that state, but I shook my head and pressed onwards anyways. I quietly walked over until I was right behind him and called out in a low tone. "Robin..."
He didn't turn around but just kept his gaze on the floating drift wood.
"Robin?"
Once again no reply, and I realized he probably couldn't hear me. So I went next to him and leaned on the railing to look at him face to face. However, I wish I didn't. He looked completely dead inside. "Robin is something wrong?" I gently nudged him on the shoulder to see if I could break his spell. Immediately, he reeled backwards in surprise and nearly fell before he managed to steady himself.
"Oh! ... Lu- Lucina, when did you get out here?" He said startled and turned away from me so I couldn't see his face.
"I never went down."
"...Oh, really? ...I-I must not have seen you then. I-was-just..." He stopped and took a deep breath to try to calm himself down, but it was not working very well. "I was just, enthralled by the beautiful night. ...You know, with the crescent moon and the stars."
"...I see."
"A-and isn't it amazing how the fish live in water like this? It is so rough and windy, its amazing that they can even steer themselves." He said hysterically.
"Robin, is something troubling you?"
"T-troubling me?" He repeated in a high pitched tone. "Nothing is troubling me." He tried to say confidently but struggled to sound convincing as he gasped for air. "I am great. In fact, I've never been better!
"...Is that why you can't even look at me?"
Robin paused and clenched his hands on the deck. "Er, there is a highly logical and important reason for that... I just need time to think of an explanation.
"Robin...you are holding something in. Something that is burdening you heavily. I should know, I have done it for the last eight years."
Robin sighed heavily and stayed silent. He took a moment to wipe his face with his robe and tried to muster the courage to speak. "Really, I am fine. I have no reason not to be. ... We managed to stop the invasion and prevent our continent from being taken over. Chrom and Flavia continue to thank me for the idea and most of our army survived without casualties. So I have no reason to be troubled. None at all!" He cut through the air with his hand and stood tall, but instantly hunched back over with a large weight on his shoulders, and whispered defeated. "Not even the thousands of men that lay underneath my feet should trouble me."
"Thousands of men?" I asked confused and wondered what he was talking. We did lose men in the battle, but not on that scale. "...Wait, do you mean the Valmese?"
Robin slowly nodded and struggled to find his voice. "900 warships, 650 transports. 150,000 soldiers. All gone. Never again will they see the light of day."
I lowered my head in sorrow and now understood what was bothering him. "You feel guilty."
Robin took another deep breath and said, "Of course I do. It was my idea. It was my actions that caused so many people to die. I am responsible for destroying so many lives and families." He covered his head with both of his hands and said in anguish, "Gods, I can still hear them yelling for help."
"..." I didn't know how to respond to him. The hurt in his voice was so strong, and it surprised me that he felt that way. I had always assumed that since he was a tactician that he was use to seeing people die, but he was the most traumatized by what had happened today. "Robin, you can't blame yourself for what happened. You did it to save-"
"Please don't try to justify it." Robin said desperately. "I know that what I did was to protect our country. I know that in the process I saved thousands of Ylissean and Feroxi lives. I had no choice and it was the only way to save us. I know I shouldn't feel guilty for it, and that there was no other way. ... I know that, and tomorrow I will use that as a reason to wake up in the morning. Tomorrow I will vow that Valm's leader will pay. Tomorrow I will reconcile with the gods and hope that one day I can be forgiven. That one day I can save more lives than take away.
But please. Just for tonight, let me hate myself. Let me suffer and mourn for those who died... That is the least I owe to their families." Robin lowered his head and hit the railing with his fist.
...
...
Lucina paused and looked over to her daughter who was wide eyed and utterly speechless.
"It was on that day that my entire opinion of Robin changed. I now understood why he was such good friends with Chrom and Sumia, and despite my earlier doubts, I was now sure that he was not my father's traitor. No monster would feel such guilt for the enemy. Instead, He was a man that held Chrom's ideals. They both had a vision of a peaceful world. While they knew it was nothing more than fantasy, they both tried to make it a reality... It must have devastated both of them to see their hopes fall apart.
The only thing that troubled me is why I had never heard of him before in my world.
"I never knew dad took the war so hard."
Lucina frowned and said, "His greatest fear is that you will have to face the same problem one day."
"...Then why does he teach me tactics?"
"He teaches hoping that you will never need them, but it is best to be ready incase the worse happens."
"I see, but how come he has never told me about this before?"
"Robin doesn't like to let people worry about him. Especially those who are close to him. Your father once had a gash on his leg the size of my hand and he wouldn't tell me. Instead he just tried to hop over to the infirmary."
Morgan chuckled and said, "That sounds like dad alright... Oh and mom."
"Yes dear?"
"You made the right choice. Because you joined the shepherds the world is a better place!"
Lucina wrapped her arm around her daughter and smiled. "I know sweetie. You are proof of that."