Sorry for the delay. I had college finals, and I was sick for a bit. I guess Robin's sickness is contagious after all. But its okay, I had Wolverine (Lucina was busy with Robin) travel back in time to prevent me from getting sick so I can continue the story.
Sumia whistled to herself as she made her way through the royal garden. It was a lovely day outside and spending some time looking at the flowers always brightened her morning. From the vivid red and pink roses, to the wonderful smell of the jasmine flowers, she loved it all and always made a point to spend at least a few minutes a day in her colorful patch of life.
But as she was saying good morning to the petunias, she noticed a small figure hunched over in one of the benches a little ways away. Sumia instantly beamed in cheer when she recognized it was Morgan and walked over to say hi.
"Good Morning Morgan! Isn't it a beautiful day." Sumia said cheerfully.
"I suppose." Morgan muttered in between a sigh.
Sumia saw Morgan's somber mood and wondered what could be bothering her granddaughter on such an amazing day. It must have been terrible or even life threatening so she sat down next to Morgan and asked. "Is something troubling you dear?"
"No. I am fine." Morgan said depressed.
"You don't seem like it. Usually when I see you, you have a giant smile on your face." Sumia replied while mimicking the smile she was use to seeing on her face.
"Did I?" Morgan asked longingly. "It seems like so long ago that I almost forgot what it meant to be happy."
"Oh? Why would you say that?"
Morgan lowered her head and said in agony. "Because I have been bored for ages. It seems like years have flown by without the fleeting hope of a cure to my weary and deprived state."
Sumia reached out to Morgan and asked in her nurturing and compassionate way, "Would this weary and deprived state have to do with your parents leaving?"
She nodded and said despondent. "They have been gone for three long days, and each second that passes by feels like a century."
"But they will be back tomorrow." Sumia replied optimistically.
"And by that time I will have fallen victim to boredom's cruel demise. Not even I can overcome the cruel fate of death cruel clutches.
"Have you tried playing with your friends?"
"Yes, but they are all busy."
"Well I am not busy." Sumia beamed. "How about you and I make a pie together?"
"No thanks." Morgan replied dejected. "I will just ruin it will my inability to cook."
"Oh, well how about we go for a trip on my Pegasus?
"...Maybe some other time, but thank you for the offer."
Sumia tried to think of a way to cheer up her grand-daughter. Normally she was so happy and jubilant that she could spend hours with Morgan and never lose her smile. It was a grandmother's greatest joy to see her children and grandchildren happy so she thought long and hard about a way to return that smile to Morgan's face. "I know! I will tell you a story."
Morgan's eyes instantly widened and she looked up at Sumia to ask, "What kind of story?"
"The same one Robin and Lucina have told you. After all, I was there too." Sumia smiled
"... That does sound nice." Morgan tried to say calmly but her heart was racing inside her chest. "Are you sure you wont mind telling it?'
"Not at all. According to Lucina I use to tell her stories all the time when she was little, and I want to keep up that tradition with my grand-daughter too!"
"...Welllll, if you don't mind ." Morgan changed her mood and said with a giant smile. "Can you start back up where my dad left off. The last thing he mentioned was the first night of the journey to Valm."
"Hmm." Sumia thought over what day she was talking about and then looked back and said. " I didn't really see much of your father back then on the boat. He was usually very busy working."
"It's okay, just tell me what you can."
"Okay!" Sumia beamed and said with a dramatic voice.
Twas over a week before I crossed paths with the brave and chivalrous tactician. Robin would spend days and nights locked up in his office working, and he would only emerge from his quarters for his daily provision of nutrients. Or unless the handsome but sometimes clueless king ordered him to take some time off.
But I could see the ever growing fatigue that accumulated on Robin as a week passed on the boat. He was always slouched over in his chair and I caught him sleeping one time at dinner. Even worse, I could sense the deep agony within him. He tried to hide it, but he was exhausted and secretly crying out for help.
Just one look at his tired eyes and I could tell that he was pleading, "Sumia! Please help me! Please give me a moment to rest. I am so tired and overworked. I need a savior to rescue me away from my job and talk out my issues over a nice cup of tea. My sanity depends on it!
"...Are you sure my father said that?" Morgan asked skeptically.
"Welllll... no ... but I know in my heart that he was thinking it!" Sumia said confidently and looked at Morgan with a sense of urgency. "So in order to help console my withered and exhausted friend, I marched right to his office, determined to break down the door if need be and swung the door open with all of my strength to say with a strong and fearsome voice,
...
"Good Evening Robin!"
"Huh? Oh, Sumia." He looked over to me in his sleepy and weakened state. "You know it is usually customary to knock before entering someone's private quarters."
"I know, but I am a queen so I think we can make an exception this one time." I grinned innocently while twirling my hair.
Robin shook his head and laughed. "You have a point, but what is so urgent that brings you to my office? Is Henry trying to summon another undead vampire zombie of doom?"
"Hehe, no not this time."
"...Then what can I help you with?" He replied half heartedly.
"Well I was um, just wondering if you would be interested in a fresh cup of tea!"
"Tea?" He replied back in wonder. "...Er sure, that does refeshing." He glanced at me oddly before returning back to his work on the desk. "Would you mind asking one of your servants to drop off a cup for me? ... I'm sure Chrom has a spare moment."
"Huh?" I said surprised since I did not expect that response. "You want to drink your tea in this stuffy old cabin?"
"Yep."
"B-but wouldn't you rather enjoy a moment to relax and take a breath of fresh air out on the deck instead?
"Nope." Robin answered without any hesitation. The stubborn and conniving man was very clever in his act, but he was not clever enough to fool me. He needed to be taken away from his work, and I would not fail him.
"...You know, I hear that there is going to be a lovely sunset tonight. The sun is going to have a bright orange glow with a yellow sky in the background. Oh and the beautiful blue water reflecting off the sun as it slowly sets.
"Sounds nice." Robin muttered while turning the page in one of his combat manuals.
"Mhm, and it could happen at any second. It would be a shame if you missed it." I hinted very covertly and subtly.
Robin chuckled for a second before replying. "I suppose, but then again, I could always watch it tomorrow... Or the day after that."
"...Truuue...But, you would miss it today!" I exclaimed.
"Heh, we all have to make sacrifices." Robin laughed and ignored my helpful suggestion.
"Hmmph, what could be so important that would prevent you from enjoying the sunset?"
Robin waved his hand in the air and said, "Just some boring strategy stuff. I'll spare you the details."
"You mean like deciding how to fend off a charge of rampaging dark knights while its pouring down rain in the middle of a climatic battle that will decide the fate of good and evil!"
Robin shook his head and said, "No, I don't think I need to worry about that quite yet. We have to reach the shore first before we can think about the final assault."
I paused and thought it over before saying, "How about fighting an unwavering horde of Risen commanded by the emperor himself!"
"Sumia, that doesn't even make sense. Why would an emperor with an army of battle hardened veterans decide to fight next to a bunch of mindless zombies?"
"Hmm, true...Oh I know! You are planning the daring and risky underwater assault on the Valmese port filled with shark infested waters."
He laughed under his breath and replied hysterically, "Yes, that is exactly what I am doing."
"Ah ha, I knew it!" I replied excitedly. "So what's the problem with the operation?"
"I'm trying to figure out who to have fend off the 'sharks.'" Robin rolled his eyes and said, "Obviously, you and Chrom will be able to handle yourselves, and I am sure Frederick will want to be next to his fiancé. But the rest isn't so simple. I have had four people ask to stand side by side next to Gregor, and I have no idea who to have fight next to your daughter."
"Oh? How come?"
"Well I thought about having Chrom and Lucina fight next together for a moment, but the two would be constantly trying to protect each other in battle. So that wouldn't work... And of course there was always the option of pairing her with you, but then who would protect Chrom? Plus I don't think she trusts anyone enough to protect her parents other than each other."
"...So how about having all three of us fight together?" I said cheerfully.
Robin grunted and said, "Unfortunately that doesn't work for different reasons. Its harder to coordinate and adapt to new situations with three people. Two is usually the best to react in difficult and unexpected events, and besides. What if both you and Chrom were in serious danger at the same time and only Lucina could only help one of you. Lucina would have to make the choice on which of you she could save, while the other erm... passed away.
"Oh my." I replied horrified. "That's to terrible to even think of!."
Robin raised his hand in the air and said firmly, "Don't worry Sumia, I will not risk it happening, but until I find a proper solution I am at an impasse. So for the safety of your daughter and the royal blood, I am afraid I will have to postpone viewing the sunset until another time while there is work to do.
"...Okay, I understand. No sunsets or disturbances." I said defeated. "...But out of curiosity, who do you plan fighting with?"
"Hmm?" Robin said surprised at the question. "I uh, haven't really though about that yet... ... But I suppose Lon'qu would probably be the best candidate since he has helped me train with the sword for over a year.
"...Oh... I see. I guess that makes sense." I replied somewhat depressed and Robin picked up on it.
He shrugged and said, "I know what you are thinking Sumia. But I er... have very good reason to not pair with her.
"Like?" I said very curiously
"...It's um, not worth mentioning." He rubbed the back of his head a little embarrassed and looked away from me. "But don't worry, I will find someone to fight with her." he replied back with his voice cracking half way through the sentence.
Robin's sudden change in demeanor only further peaked my interests and I was not going to leave until I knew what troubled him about the idea. "It must be something big if it causes you to blush."
"It's nothing. Forget I mentioned it."
"...Are you worried that she may not trust fighting with you on the battlefield? Because I am sure that once she gets to know you then she will see what a wonderful person you are!" I said encouragingly
"No it's not that. The reason is more ... personal rather than tactical" He replied back with an even redder blush.
"Oh? And that would be?"
"...Do we really need to discuss this? He said defensively
I put my left hand on my hip and said. "Welllll nooo, I would never force you to do anything you don't want to." I batted my eye lashes and said innocently, "I will just spend my nights tossing and turning in bed wondering about it... for the rest of my life.
Robin chuckled hysterically and said, "Yeah... it's not like that is forceful or manipulative when you say it like that.
"Tehehe I don't know what you are talking about"
Robin shook his head and paused for a second before sighing and looked at me apologetically. "It's just that. Well I er." He shook his head and tried to collect his thoughts. "You know how for a long time we thought she was just a woman who went by the name of Marth?"
"Mhm."
"Well, when we I first saw her true face. I kind of became - Well she was just so beautiful and her hair was cascading down and ... ...Yeah." He muttered under his breath and looked at me in fear. "B-but that was before I knew she was your daughter! I have since suppressed those thoughts! he cried emphatically
"So wait, are you saying that you are attracted to Lucina?" I said stunned.
"...Yes, and I'm sorry! Please forgive me. I had no way of knowing and-"
"And that is why you don't want to fight next to her?" I replied back in confusion
"...Er, yes..." He muttered under his breath. "I don't have a problem just talking to her, but in the middle of combat, we are responsible of protecting each other... And I don't want you or Chrom to feel uncomfortable with me by her side. I mean she is your daughter after all and I don't want to-"
"Hehe, is that all?" I laughed at the frantic tactician "For a second I was worried it was something important."
"Whuh?" He looked at me with wide eyes and extreme bewilderment.
"Oh come now Robin! You know both Chrom and I trust you whole heartedly. And how could I blame you for looking at Lucina, she is so beautiful, and like you said, you had no way of knowing."
"...Yeah but still."
"Robin, don't be silly. There is not a single person that I would trust to protect my daughter than you! The fact that you like her just means you two are going great friends!"
"...That's what I am afraid of."
Pfff, you worry too much! And like you said, there is no tactical flaw with fighting next to her right?
"... ...No"
"Then don't give it a second thought! Just ask Chrom. I am sure he will be glad to know that his best friend is going to protect our greatest treasure. In fact, that may even ease he worries knowing she will be safe!"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course! And don't second guess it. I have seen you train with Lon'qu and I know you can hold your own in a fight.
"...Okay, I guess I'll think about it some more." He replied disheartened
"Great! I'll go tell Chrom." I made my way to the door and hurried before he could try to stop me.
"Huh? ..Wait! SUMIA!"
...
"...Wow, so you helped bring them together?" Morgan asked amazed.
Hehe, well I don't know about that. But I guess I may have helped a tiny bit."
"And you're not bothered by it at all?"
Of course not!" Sumia smiled "I will admit it was a little weird at first. But my little Lucina is a grown woman, and it's not like there is a real age difference. It's just wonderful knowing that she found someone who will make her happy for the rest of her life. And that is all a mother could ask for!" Sumia looked at Morgan filled with happiness and added, "And to top it all off. My master plan to distract Robin from his work was successful!"
"It was?" Morgan questioned. "But the whole conversation was how you two talked about tactics."
"Exactly! It all went according to plan!"
"Wait a second, your telling me that your master plan to distract my dad from his work was by ... talking about his work?"
"Yep!" Sumia gleamed. "And it worked perfectly! Never once did he suspect that I was secretly keeping him away from his burdens while he explained them to me.
"But that doesn't make sense." Morgan look at Sumia in confusion.
"That's why it fooled Robin. I knew I could never trick a mastermind with a logical plan." Sumia smiled fondly in content. "So I changed tactics, and outwitted him!"
"...Hmm, maybe I should try that some time."
"Hehe, its worth a shot!"
Yeah!" Morgan smiled, "But I'll think about that later. If its not too much trouble, would you mind telling me what happen next?"
"Of course! I love the next part because-"
...
"Hello? Sumia, are you out here?" Chrom called out from across the way.
"Over here honey!" She yelled back and soon saw the navy blue hair of her husband peer out from behind a pillar.
"Ah, there you are." Chrom said relieved. "I'm sorry to bother you, but apparently one of the horses is throwing a tantrum and is trying to hurt anyone that gets close."
"Oh! That must be Sain. He's been depressed ever since he got fixed."
Chrom flinched for a second before responding. "Er, yeah. That would explain things. Apparently the horse nearly severed one of the stable worker's fingers off when she was trying to feed him. "
"Oh my, he knows better than that!" she said concerned and rose up from her seat. "I need to calm him down before he gets worse. Chrom, can you continue the story for Morgan while I'm gone?"
"...Continue what?" he muttered back confused
"Oh just the story of our lives. You know, the part with the ocean, the beautiful sunsets, and the man-eating sharks"
"... The what?"
"You don't mind continuing the story for Morgan do you honey?"
"No, but would you-"
"Great!" Sumia smiled and started running in the direction to the stable. "Thanks dear!"
...
Chrom froze in bewilderment trying to understand what just happened. His wife was out of sight in a matter of seconds and something was tugging on his cape. Eventually, he broke out of his stupor to see that Morgan was the one pulling on his cape and she was looking at him with big and innocent eyes.
"Sooo, what happened next gramps?"