"... Are you sure you wouldn't rather do something else?"
"Of course not gramps!" Morgan cried energetically.
Chrom twitched hearing that dreaded word and said, "How many times have I told you not to call me that."
"Hmm, I dunno. I lost count."
Chrom shook his head and looked at Morgan in contempt. "Ugh, remind me why I am even helping you again?"
"Because Sumia asked you to and if you don't then I will bother you for the rest of the day." Morgan said innocently
Chrom pinched his nose with two fingers and felt a migraine coming along. It was bad enough when he had to deal with Robin, but ever since Morgan came along he rarely got any peace during the day.
"Hehe, I'll tell you what. If you tell me the story then I will stop calling you gramps!"
"Sure, and next you will tell me that Plegia will freeze over." Chrom scoffed in disbelief
"Whuh? You don't believe me?"
"Of course not, you have a sneaky plan. You are just like Robin."
"Aww, thanks for the compliment!"
"... That wasn't a compliment."
"It is to me!' Morgan smiled in joy. "But I swear on my life and my honor that I will never call you gramps for the rest of eternity!" She rose her hand up and made the oath.
Chrom shrugged and felt a bad feeling in his stomach. He didn't like this in the slightest and he knew she had something up her sleeve, but he also didn't want to be harassed for the rest of his life either. "... ...Fine, but if you break your word than I will ... I will ... threaten your father."
"Tehehe, don't worry, I wont! Now come on, can we start the story already? "
...
"Er... fine... I erm, I had never been to the Valmese continent before the day we reached their beaches, and it was a shock seeing how different everything was from our homeland. Even the air seemed different. But of course, I didn't have a lot of time to see what was around me since we were immediately met by the Valmese Guard." Chrom said and grimaced at the memory of a small war wound he received near his knee from one of enemy soldiers.
... Though we managed to repel them thanks in part to Robin's plan, and fight our way to the out skirts of the beach. Soon we were fighting through the city streets and with the shepherds spearheading the charge... Oh! And that is also where we met Say'ri. At first we thought she was in need of help, but she hacked through the enemy with little trouble. It wasn't after the battle though that we learned that she was going to be our guide and leader of the resistance."
Morgan squinted her eyes at Chrom and said in confusion, "What are you doing?"
"Huh?" Chrom responded a little surprised he was interrupted. "I'm telling the story you wanted to hear."
"No, you are not. You are summarizing what happened." Morgan said disappointed. "I want the details. How many men did you fight? What was my father's strategy? What did he say to you before the moment you reached the dock!"
"What?" Chrom said bewildered and took a moment to think it over. "Er, I think he said something about asking if it was okay that he fight with Lucina, and I agreed not knowing why he was afraid to do so... In retrospect, maybe that wasn't such a good idea."
Morgan shook her head and said, "You are still doing it wrong. There was no dialogue in that sentence.
"Dialogue?" Chrom muttered confused.
"Mhm, I want you to quote what Robin said word for word. And not only that, but also tell me how they said it! Did my father hesitate before asking you or was he just generally nervous?
"... You don't honestly expect me to remember what happened in that much detail do you?" Chrom said in shock. "I don't think anyone in the world could tell you that much by memory."
"Robin remembers." Morgan said without delay
"Well I'm not Robin." Chrom shook his head. "I'm not a tactician with an inhuman memory or anything like that."
"Sumia remembers."
"...Well she has always loved books, and she can remember anything that is even slightly romantic."
Lucina remembers too." Morgan said and looked up to Chrom with curious eyes. "What's your excuse for her?"
"...I er um..." Chrom hesitated and sighed "... Look Morgan, I have trouble remembering what I ate for lunch yesterday. How do you expect me to recall the exact details of something that happened over a year ago?"
"I dunno." Morgan said without caring for his problem. "But you better find out soon because I can be very impatient!"
*Sigh* "So I have heard." Chrom shrugged. "But to be honest I don't even know where to begin."
"Well since you have already spoiled what happens. Just tell me the first thing you actually remember!" Morgan said slightly frustrated "I suppose I can ask father later about what strategy he used."
Chrom thought long and hard about the past and it was only making his migraine worse, but eventually his brain clicked and he said, "I think I got something. I remember it because it was very-"
"No spoilers!" Morgan nearly shouted to cut him off.
"Er right, sorry, Like I said earlier, I am not really qualified for this... "
"You know, if you went to Sumia's book club every once in a while you wouldn't have had this problem."
Chrom groaned in pain. His friends have bugged him for three years to join that club, and he did not have the time or the patience to sit through it. "Then I suggest you get one of them to tell you the story!"
"They are all busy and you promised you do it!"
Chrom shrugged and said, "Fine, let's just get this over with." he paused and thought over what he was going to say. "... After we met Say'ri, we soon learned that Valm had-
"Stop!" Morgan cried."
"Ugh, what the ... heck is wrong now." Chrom restrained himself while his migraine turned into a severe headache.
"You have to say the beginning with a dramatic voice!"
Chrom looked at her in disbelief and barely managed to say, "I am going to regret asking this, but why?"
"Because it set the mood and tone for the story!"
Chrom remained silent for several moments as he dealt with his head ache. At this point he wasn't going to argue anymore and he cleared his voice to meet the little tyrant's demands.
After we met Say'ri, we soon learned that Valm had over a million soldiers under their command. It shocked and horrified us all to think that they possessed such numbers. However, my daughter probably took the news the worst. She tried to hide it, but if she clenched her teeth any tighter than they would have shattered.
So after the meeting I followed my daughter outside and watched as she gazed at the rough mountains in the distance. Seeing as no one was around I thought it best to approach her next to a nearby rock.
...
"Lucina?"
She instantly turned around in a panic with a hand on her sword and said, "Oh! Father! What can I do for you?"
"...Well, I was just wondering if we could talk for a bit. There is still so much I don't know about you and seeing as we wont have much time for talking soon, I thought now would be a good time if you are not busy."
Lucina stayed silent for a moment and hesitated before smiling and saying, "I would be glad to spend time with you father. What would you like to know?"
I froze and searched for a question to ask. I had not thought about anything specific and I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "What is your favorite food?"
"My favorite food?" She repeated mystified. "I suppose anything thing that is warm. In my time, we rarely could cook anything because the smoke would give away our position.
"...Oh, right." I replied in horror and shame. "So I take it you are enjoying the food at camp."
"Yes, it is a rare treat for me... Especially mother's pies." She said very somberly and looked down at the ground.
I silently cursed at myself seeing her like that. "...You know Sumia used to say that sometimes she would try over ten times just to get the recipe right so she could give it to me. When I found out about it I felt terrible, but she told me she would have tried a hundred more times if it meant she could spend time with me.
"Yeah, she has always been so sweet and caring."
"And that is one of the many reasons I love both of you." I said sincerely.
Lucina looked back up to me and whispered. "Father..."
I smiled in return, "But enough about that... I guess what I am trying to say is I am concerned about is how you are holding up. I imagine like me you are a little afraid about the war."
She looked at me in wonder and said, "You're afraid?"
"Of course, every time we fight I fear that it may be the last time I will ever see the people I love."
"I never knew." She whispered. "Even in the darkest times you and mother were so strong and commanding. I never thought that you could-
"Get scared?" I added. "To be honest I am terrified. Though I suppose it is only natural in times like these."
Lucina looked at me in shock and said, "So how do you deal with it?"
I paused for a moment a smiled. "I have faith. I am only as strong as the people I lead, and if I believe in their talents and abilities than I can take comfort in knowing everything will be okay."
"But don't you ever have doubts?"
"Of course I do... But then I remember that I have you, Sumia, and Robin right besides me. With you three at my side, I know nothing could stop us.
Lucina shook her head and sighed, "Even when you are afraid you are still so confident."
"Well, there is no sense in wasting a lifetime in fear of death. For being afraid of failure is what destroys our soul and leads us to desperation. And once you are down that road, the greatest thing you fear, is living."
"Where did you hear that?" Lucina said surprised.
"What? You don't think I am capable of saying something like that?" I said embarrassed.
"...No, I never meant it like that...It's just that."
I shook my head and said, "I heard it from Libra."
"Well it sounds very nice when you say it."
"Heh, thanks Lucina."
"No, thank you father."
"Hmm? What for?"
"It's just that." She sighed and looked me in the eyes, "It's comforting to know that I am not the only one that is afraid."
"Well we all are. But we each have a different way of coping. Like I would be nothing without Sumia by my side."
"And I would be nothing without you father. Both you and mother give me strength."
I smiled and with pride that only a parent can and said, "That means a lot Lucina. and if you ever need anything or if you feel bothered by something than you can always come to us you know. We can get through these tough times together.
"I will keep that in mind father... I guess I am just overwhelmed with what is going on. Especially since we are going to the Mila tree."
"Hmm? What's at the Mila tree? "
"I guess you could say an old friend, though I have never officially met her before."
" ...You mean the Voice?"
"Yes, both her and Naga were there to guide me through the process of time travel. Well not physically there, but their spirit was."
"...So...you have seen Naga's form?"
"...Well one of them. Naga is a Divine Dragon after all."
"Right..." I said amazed at the thought of seeing what a god looked like. "So they told you how to activate the portal?"
"No, Naga activated the portal herself. Instead, they were there to guide me and my friends through the mental process"
"Mental process?"
Lucina looked down and sighed. "Traveling through time takes a great strain on both your physical and mental body. If you are not ready, or if your mind is not prepared, then it can consume you."
"You mean as in-?"
Her shoulder dropped down and her voice was crackly. "Death is very possible, and on some nights I fear for my friends."
"...I-I am sure they are okay somewhere."
"That is what I choose to believe." Lucina said lowly. "Though I fear that they may be continents away."
"Continents?"
"Another side effect of not being mentally ready to endure time travel. The less prepared, the further away you are thrown away from where you started. For all I know, my friends could be in the distant continent of Magvel.
"...I see, and you landed almost directly at the castle. It must have taken a lot of courage and strength to get that close." I sighed "I am sorry for putting you through that Lucina."
"Please don't be father. You did all you could, I just fear I am being selfish spending my time around you and mother.
"Then be as selfish as you want Lucina. After all you have been through, you have earned it."
Lucina paused for a moment and was very hesitant but eventually she shook it off and she embraced me in a hug. I held onto her for what seemed like an eternity. But eventually I loosened my grip and she lowered her head onto my chest.
...
"Father!" She said alarmed
"What?!"
"Your bleeding!" she backed away from me and pointed to my left knee. There was small cut in my pants with blood trickling down from it.
"Oh right, a dark knight nicked me in the knee earlier. I should probably have Lissa look at it"
Lucina looked at me in horror and said, "You havn't had it looked at yet?! What if it is infected or if the guy who hit you had poison on his blade!"
"If that happened I am sure it would be searing with pain, but it's just a small flesh wound."
"But what if it is not!" She yelled in fear. "For all I know you could be in danger right now!
"I'm am sure I will be fine. But I'll go and see Lissa right away if you are that worried."
"Please hurry!" She cried.
...
"And that is all I can remember."
...
"Huh, I never knew you could be so sentimental or observant!" Morgan said surprised.
"I have my moments."
"Hehe, they must be rare then."
Chrom ignored her and his throbbing headache to say, "Well at least we got through that part you wanted to hear. I am exhausted."
"Hehe true and you did ...okaaaay. I suppose it will suffice until Robin and Lucina get back.
"...What was wrong with it?"
"Oh nothing, just a few things here and there. You were severely lacking in descriptions, you didn't seem comfortable which is very important, and you never really gave any thoughts on the position, but thanks for trying grandpa!"
Chrom frozen into a stupor and said, "I thought you weren't going to call me that anymore."
"I said I would never call you gramps anymore! I said nothing about calling you grandpa, or old timer, or one stricken in years, or-
Chom walked away from Morgan with his hand on his forehead and made his way to Lissa's office. Hopefully she still had some left over medicine to give him for his headaches.