*Caw, Caw, Caw!*

The sudden noise startled the three as they were fully absorbed into the story. The sound came from a large black bird circling around them with its massive wings brushing the wind against their face.

"Hey, look it's a crow!" Morgan observed as the bird hovered above them.

"Hmm? What's he doing here?" Lucina asked surprised since crows normally kept their distance from humans unless there was food scattered on the ground.

The black bird descended slowly before it found its perch on Morgan's head. The bird seeming to find a soft spot on her hair. "Hehe, I think he likes my head. Probably because it's all fuzzy"

"Just be careful he doesn't drop an egg on you." Robin warned as he inspected the large bird for a moment. The crow returned its gaze with its soulless black eyes before lowering its head and pecking at an object attached to its leg. The item in question was a small rolled up slip of paper held in place by a spool of string. Robin gently removed the paper from its owner while careful not to press too hard on the bird's legs. In contrast, the crow looked tempted to peck at the hand, but refrained from it.

"It's a messenger bird?" Morgan asked puzzled seeing the paper in her father's hand.

"Henry's idea. He originally tried to train them to drop fire bombs, thankfully, we talked him into delivering letters instead. They work better in the desert than carrier pigeons so Henry offers their services for a small fee. Either gold coins, or rotting flesh" Robin explained as he unrolled the paper and noticed the Ylissean mark on the back of the note.

"My guess is he prefers the rotting flesh." She replied slightly disturbed.

Meanwhile, Robin's curiosity increased as he squinted his eyes to get a better look at the small font. He then carefully read its contents before saying, "It's from the castle."

"Oh! Is it from father?" Lucina asked interested.

His eyebrows furrowed confused as he reread the contents. He stared at it for a full minute, ignoring his wife's question as his attention seemed fixed on the bottom of the page.

"What's it say?" Morgan asked impatiently.

Robin snapped himself out of it and cleared his throat to say, "It's from Sumia. She wishes us a good tidings and Lucina luck in the tournament. She also apologizes for not being there to cheer her daughter on. Chrom also says hi in the note."

The princess smiled and said, "That was nice of them."

"And …" Robin paused, unsure what Sumia meant. "Shortly after we left a friendly face showed up inquiring about me. This person was hoping to speak with me, but instead had a lengthy discussion with your parents. According to Sumia the conversation went on for hours and that it was 'illuminating.' She also says it was very enjoyable, and that divulging anymore would cause the world to blow up."

"Hmm, that's strange." Lucina whispered puzzled knowing it wasn't like her mother to leave such cryptic messages, "Mother doesn't mention who it is at all?"

"No, she says it's a friendly face, and there is something else written at the bottom of the note." Robin said, still trying to figure out what it meant. "I don't recognize the handwriting, and the letters are much more curvy then I am use to. I'm not a hundred percent sure, but I think it says-

Fireball.

…

"Fireball?" Morgan repeated unsure. "You mean like a spell that shoots fire, or literally, a ball on fire?

"I don't know." He shook his head. "Really, none of this makes sense. The only thing I can tell is Sumia seemed very excited about it considering how rushed her handwriting is."

"How strange indeed." Lucina added. "She normally takes great pride in her penmanship."

"Fireball … fireball. Ball of fire." Morgan murmured a couple of times trying to find out why that seemed so familiar. It was at the tip of her tongue and she couldn't place it.

"Maybe she was afraid she would let something slip. Although, for the life of me, I don't know who wrote the last word. It's nothing like Sumia's handwriting" Robin said in dismay.

The princess paused and tried to figure out her mother's madness to no avail. Her mother was always full of surprises, but this was new for her. "I don't know dear. If it is a friendly face then I do not understand why it would remain a secret. Especially if it is a Shepherd."

"Right…" Robin nodded back thinking the same.

"Friendly … secret … fireball … I got it!" Morgan shouted excitedly as she rose her hand in triumph.

"Huh?" Robin said surprised.

"I know who it is! I remember now! It's-" She suddenly covered her mouth with both of her hands to stop herself. The sheer excitement in her discovery almost giving it away.

"Morgan?" Robin asked trying to see what his daughter figured out.

"Nevermind!" She yelled in a rushed tone.

"Morgan, what are you hiding from us?" Lucina glared back.

"N-nothing! And even if it was something, I couldn't tell you because the world would blow up."

"...Why would the world blow up by us knowing?" Robin questioned, his interest rising even further.

"B-because it would! That's why. You heard Sumia, she was very clear not to say anything too revealing!"

"Yes, we noticed. Why is that?"

"Because it's a secret! And … and … My Story!" Morgan shouted to halt the conversation before she gave anything away. "The crow interrupted our story just now. Please mother, can you continue?"

The two stunned adults hesitated for a moment before Robin said, "Alright, fine. If you tell us who it is, we will continue the story for you.

"I … I can't." Morgan whispered disappointed.

They suddenly became even more fascinated at the situation. Whatever it was, Morgan managed to restrain herself from saying anything about it. Even at the bribe of her favorite tale. "Morgan, sweetie. This isn't dangerous, is it?" Lucina asked worried. If her daughter or husband was at risk then she could not allow her to hide anything.

"What? No. It's not like that." Morgan said adamantly. "Like Sumia said. It's a friendly face, and friendly faces aren't dangerous."

"And you are sworn to secrecy?" Robin muttered back.

Morgan nodded and said, "I'm sorry father. I'm afraid I can't say anything about it."

…

The two parents froze for a long time. Each trying to decipher the message that their daughter picked apart. It was strange, because it seemed like the message was intentionally trying to be confusing. So how did their daughter figure it out so easily?

"Alright Morgan." Lucina looked up to her daughter and said sincerely. "We'll trust you if you say it is not dangerous."

"Really?" She replied relieved.

"Mhm." Lucina smiled back. "And you are right, this message did interrupt our story. I don't know what all this is about, but as long as it is not threatening then I suppose there is no harm in waiting to see."

"Phew." Morgan relaxed while closing her eyes in relief.

"Now, if only I had that type of patience earlier." She sighed with some regret.

"Hmm? What do you mean mom?" Morgan asked, this time it was her turn to be puzzled.

Seeing as her husband probably wanted to think over the letter a little more, Lucina continued where she left off and said,

When Robin faded away I wasn't willing to accept it. I simply would not let my eyes trick me. Robin promised he would be there for me. So I convinced myself that what I saw was merely a cruel illusion. Nothing more than an evil hoax. It was just like Grima to try to deceive my mind into thinking he was gone for good. It was Grima trying to fool me, but I would not let him. I refused to let him get to me anymore. He was dead now, and Robin was still very much alive. That was the way things were supposed to be.

All I had to do was wait for him to return. For my husband to come home to me and smile back with his tender gaze. He wouldn't keep me waiting long, I knew he wouldn't. Even as he faded away he still held on to the promise he made me. So I wouldn't let Grima's lies get to me! No matter what, I would never give up hope of seeing Robin again.

...

"Lucina, is there anything you'd like to say?"

"Huh?" I asked confused and in a daze. I was so fixated on Robin coming back that I hardly noticed when my father approached.

He frowned in sorrow and said, "The shepherd's finished taking turns recalling memories of the antics they used to get Robin in. Since he means the most to you, I was wondering if there is anything you would like to add?"

I bit my lip and said, "No father, I have nothing to say."

"Are you sure?" He asked uneasily.

"Yes. I am sure." I nodded holding my arms around my knees as I waited in silence. I was sitting less than a foot away from where Robin's had vanished. I had not left that spot ever since waiting for the moment he would rematerialize.

Hesitantly, my father decided to sit next to me as the wind blew against us and said, "It's okay to say something you know. Maybe Robin is listening in on us."

I held my breath and said, "There is nothing to say, father. Robin said he would come back, so he will. I … I just wish he would hurry."

"We all do." He nodded back.

I sighed and said, "I hope he forgives me though. It's almost time for dinner and I haven't prepared anything for him yet. Before the battle, I promised I would give him a great feast, but I fear I might not have the time to do it before he returns. It doesn't help that I am not an experienced cook either. Mother has been kind enough to teach me, but preparing a grand dinner for him will be rather difficult for someone like me. I don't want to disappoint him with an underwhelming meal either, but I'm not sure what to do."

"Lucina …"

"I-if I was better in the kitchen I'm sure I could think of an incredible course that would leave him in awe, but I only know how to cook the basics. I'm not good at combining a variety of food, much less preparing it so it looks nice for him. If I had more time, I am sure I could think of something truly special, but I'm not sure we have the equipment here to create a meal that Robin deserves. He's worked so hard and so long that he needs to pampered and cared for. Saving the world must be incredibly taxing, wouldn't you agree?" I spoke with my words escaping my lips before they even entered my head.

"Er yes, but-"

"So that is why I must think of something special to prepare him. I have to properly thank him for everything he has done for us." A lump formed in my throat making it increasingly more difficult to speak. "He ... he is probably going to be back any second now. A-any second he will come back with his cheerful smile, and his warm hands … and … and his-" I tightened the grip in my hands and guarded my heart too afraid to say anything else.

"Lucina." My father whispered with his hand resting on my shoulder. "It's okay to let it out if you want. There is no sense in holding in it."

"No. I trust in him father. I truly do." I closed my eyes and said. "All I need to do now is wait for him to return. So I have no reason to worry since he will be here soon." I stressed trying to convince him, and myself. What I wouldn't give for my husband's unbreakable optimism right now.

He grimaced and said, "Naga explained that it could take some time for him to return. Something about his body returning to his roots."

"... Roots you say." I whispered with my mind changing gears.

"I'm sorry." He shrugged "I know this is hard, but we can't rule out the possibility that it could take days or even weeks for him to return. This is a difficult process that he has to go through, and there is no telling how long it could take. In the meantime, I'm here for you if you need anything."

"No. That's just it." I shook my head with a sudden realization, "He's not here. He is not with us anymore."

"Lucina, you can't look at it like that!" He said alarmed at my reaction. "Like I said, I'm sure it will take time, but that doesn't mean-"

"No father, don't you see?!" I cried wildly while rising from the ground. "He isn't here anymore! He's probably back in Plegia!"

"Plegia?" He whispered confused.

"You said that his body would return to its roots! That must mean he will return to where he was born! Now we just have to figure out where he came from and we can find him!" I shouted ready to search the entire country if I had to.

He wrapped his hand around his chin in deep thought and said, "... No. That's not it."

"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked wondering how he could not see the same thing I did.

"There is only one place I know of that Robin would call his home." He remarked back with a revelation crossing his eyes. "And I think I might know where to find him."

"Really? Where?!" I asked holding my breath.

He nodded and said, "Where it all began, three years ago. That is the moment Robin's life truly started."

"I … Do you really think that is where he might be?" I asked afraid to get my hopes up.

"I'm almost sure of it." My father said confidently, his eyes gazing to the horizon. "That day changed all our lives forever. Not only did he met us there, but that night is the first time he saw you. Where else on this planet would he be? He may have been born in Plegia, but in his heart he will always be one of us!"

...

The trip to the town where Robin might be normally took two weeks from where we were, but to save time we flew by Pegasus instead of walking by foot. My mother, sister, and Cordelia all offered their services to get us to Robin as fast as humanly possible. I rode with my sister while my parents went together. Frederick and Lissa also rode with Cordelia as the seven of us crossed the skies. Normally the load would have been too heavy for Cordelia's Pegasus, but Frederick left his armor behind so he could come along to protect the royal family. Lissa also insisted on going to give Robin a piece of her mind. As for the rest of the Shepherds, they stayed behind in case Robin came back over there. Alert's were also sent to Valm, Regna Ferox, and Plegia to be safe.

Along the way six agonizing days passed, though to me, it felt more like six years since he vanished. My sister tried to encourage me, as did everyone else, but I spent most of the time in silence. I didn't want to lose focus or stop believing in him, so I guarded my heart and my mind to be like a rock. As the end of the day neared, we crossed the Ylissean border, and there was still another ten hours journey left before we reached the spot Robin was supposed to be at. The closer we drew to him, the more I feared he wouldn't be there.

Still, once we touched down for the night, the thought of Robin being in trouble etched itself in my mind. We didn't know for sure where he was, and heaven forbid if someone found him first who would try to hurt him. So once we finished making camp I set out to look for him. It was possible he could be stumbling his way through Ylisse running away from his attacker. So I had to find him at all costs and I could not rest until I knew he was safe.

"Going somewhere sweetie? A voice asked gently as someone noticed me duck away from camp.

"Oh, mother. I was ... just-"

"Heading out to search for Robin?"

I nodded weakly and glanced away not wanting to see her look of concern. She held that expression where you don't know what to say, but didn't want to remain quiet either. I could tell she wanted to say something comforting or at the very least, something to take their mind off of things. I had seen Robin give me that same look many times before.

"I'm not sure we will make much progress searching for him when it's too dark to see ." My mother replied tenderly.

"But what if he is here?" I asked quickly. "I mean, what if we are wrong about this? What if it turns out he is hiding in the forest behind us and we accidentally fly away unaware of his presence?"

She reached out to my shoulder and said, "Frederick will be patrolling the perimeter. If he is out there, Frederick and his eagle eyes will find him. He would sooner miss a rock or a pebble before he missed our tactician's grasp."

"I'm sure I could lend him a hand though!" I insisted not wanting to sit and do nothing. "We might find him faster with the two of us looking! At the very least, I might be able to ease some of the strain on Frederick's eyes by being there."

My mother shook off the thought and said, "Lucina, for the past few days I've seen you run yourself into the ground looking up and down when we camp for the night. Your father and I are very worried, and I know Robin would be as well to see you over extending yourself so much. I'm sure if he was here he would be asking you to get some rest.

"... I know, but I can't stop." I looked away ashamed. "I can't fall asleep until I know he is safe. Not until I wrap my arms around him. I can't let the nightmares be true. I just can't accept them."

"Nightmares?"

I cringed thinking about it. "... Every time I try to fall asleep I picture Robin being all alone out there in the field. He's hungry, cold, tired, and hurt. He's hurt mother. His arm is broken, there is a gash on his leg, and he's wondering where I am. And, I have this fear that there are bandits waiting to ambush him. They want to steal his life away after he worked so hard to come back to us. E-even worse, I can't be there to protect him. I can't heal his wounds, or promise things will be fine. I can't even comfort him. What kind of wife am I if I can't be by his side when he needs me the most?"

"Aww Lucina." She whispered drawing me in for a hug. "It's going to be okay. Robin is a strong fighter, and he's not going to let anything stop him from coming home to you.

I wavered with my shoulders tensing up, "Mother, I … He's helped me through so much. There are so many times where he's been there. In return I want to help him too. I desperately want to hold him and show him how much he means to me. I don't want him to think I ever lost faith or that I abandoned him. If I could have one more second with him I would hold him so tight that he could never leave me. Anyone who would dare try to separate us would face a fury worse than Grima himself."

"Trust me Lucina." She said strongly. "Robin would never think for a second that you would abandon him. If anything, he feels the same way you do. He would fight Grima a hundred times over if it meant he could come back. So please don't worry."

"But I want to help him! He's suffered enough!" I cried out with the wait killing me inside.

"You can help him." My mother smiled and said, "Lucina dear, if I know one thing about Robin it's that he never wants to disappoint. We will see him soon, whether we find him or he finds us. I also guarantee you are the first person he will want to see. Which is why you should get some sleep and be refreshed so you can look your best for him."

I hesitantly nodded and said, "But mother, the wait is agonizing. I want him here with me now. I want to be selfish for once and hold him in my arms. When I fall asleep I can't do that, but when I am awake there is that chance I could see him again at any moment. All I have to do is keep looking!"

My mother closed her eyes for a moment and said. "Okay." She nodded reopening her eyes with a fierce determination. "My old girl needs at least an hour of rest, but I think I can coax her back into the sky given the circumstances."

"Mother?"

"We'll fly through the night so we can reach him in the morning. It shouldn't be any trouble convincing our Pegasi since this is so important." She smiled cheerfully and said, "Don't worry Lucina, you won't have to wait much longer. Even if he is not there, I am sure he is already making his trek back to the castle. However, you have to do me a favor on the way."

"What's that?"

"Please, get some sleep on the ride. You have to look your best for when Robin comes back.

I sighed and said, "I don't know if the nightmares will let me get any rest though."

"Instead, think about all the things you would like to do with him once he gets back. I'm sure that will keep the nightmares away."

"... Okay mother. I will try." I whispered hesitantly.

...

When my mother left to check on her Pegasus, I paused wondering why it had to be this way. I would wait until the end of time for him to come back, but even then, was I asking too much? I couldn't handle the thought about losing anyone else in my life. So was I merely trying to deny the truth if it meant I could hope for his return? I feared it was impossible if i tried to think about it rationally, but then again, so was the thought about seeing my parents again or slaying Grima.

And yet here we were. My mission was complete and I was free of my curse. But even now I felt hollow inside. A rock sunk deep in my stomach without anyway to remove it. It was torturous to sit and wait. There was so much I wanted to tell him, and so much more left to do. The voice in the back of my mind kept reminding me of the worst case scenario, but I couldn't listen to it. Instead, all I could do was hold on to Robin's words and hope.

I will find a way to come back. It's the job of a crack tactician to work miracles, isn't it? To do the impossible!"

"Robin …" I held my hands close to my heart and looked up at the night sky. "Forgive me. I don't say it nearly enough, but I hope you understand how precious you are to me. I love you with all my heart, and wherever you are right now, I hope you can hear that. I would consider myself the luckiest woman alive were I able to grow old with you. You're the dearest thing to me in this world, and my greatest reason to save it. Although ... it's not the same with you gone."

...

"My one and only love." I whispered clutching my heart. "Please, come back soon."