Disclaimer: Because it doesn't make the chapter title centered
Chapter X
Wintersday
A/N: Hey ho everyone!
I know it's not Christmas anymore, but I feel like I still owe people to do a winter scene!
So heres more Lucina x Robin fluff for ya!
Enjoy!
Sheets of white snow covered the city of Ylistol as winter had come and the merchants from every corner of the world finely started arriving to the city. It was cold, as the citizens wrapped themselves in their scarfs, coats, and cloaks. They went about busily on the crowded market streets, visiting stall after stall with exotic products or warm meat that sell faster than a Pegasus. People greeted everyone they knew happily, and strangers merrily for it was a time of peace. Lively chatter could be heard almost anywhere, and the inn's were packed full of people going to and fro, taverns were full despite it only being midday with bards singing songs, rhymes, riddles, and stories to the people looking for warmth in their hearts or their bellies. And among the sea of white snow, shades on indigo blue popped out and was greeted merrily by citizens and hailed for attention by the merchants.
The four princesses of Ylisse were out shopping.
"Mother! You have to taste this bread wrapped meat! The merchant called it a shawarma! " Morgan said as she held her snack in one arm and pointed to the merchants stall in the other. She wore her tactician robes, closed tightly around her, with a pink wool hat, a gift from Inigo. She moved about the crowded streets with energy, taking in all the sights to see in the capital.
"Morgan! How did you get that?! The line looks like it reaches all the way back to the palace!" Lucina exclaimed.
"Oh! Oh! I want some!" Little Lucia said, as she flung herself towards Morgan.
"Here Lucia, have a bite." Morgan said as she handed her shawarma to Lucia, who made an audible *chomp* as she bit down on the snack. "The people in the line were nice enough to let me go ahead and buy it!" Morgan explained with a big smile.
"Oh! Then I want one too!" Cynthia said, going for the stall. She wore a white jacket, buttoned up by the side with a matching skirt that reached down to her shins. She had a pair of fur covered mouton boots and a pair of gloves. She had a scarf around her neck, but she lets it flt with the wind more than using it to warm her up.
"Cynthia! You can't do that!" Lucina scolded.
"Excuse me! Three please!"
"CYNTHIA!" Lucia yelled, then turned towards the people at the line. "I'm truly sorry about this!" Lucina said, the bowed. "My sisters are showing such lack of self control and-"
"Oh, please princess! It's fine!" Said one in the line.
"Yea, milady! We don't mind at all!" Said another.
Other people in line chimed in and said likewise, reassuring Lucina.
"B-but we-" Lucina started, still looking distraught.
"Oh, its fine sis! Here! Take a bite!" Cynthia said as she handed Lucina a shawarma who haphazardly took hold of it.
"..." Lucina said nothing, but her brows creased none the less. Still, she took a bite as she followed the others going about on their shenanigans among the shoppers. It was deliciously warm. And tasted like bear meat.
It didn't take long for the four princesses to want different things and since three of them were relatively the same age, they split up around the town square and agreed to meet up later.
Morgan obviously went for shops and stalls that either increased her learning on things such as history and tactics, or perhaps items that would aid her in her ploys to gain attention.
Cynthia went about without any sense of direction whatsoever, randomly popping out here and there and looking for things that she deemed 'cool' and 'heroic'. Most of the times, she went looking for mask or snacks that she and Gerome could enjoy. The market square was filled with items for couples after all.
Lucina sighed contently as she was left alone with her younger self.
Morgan and Cynthia had just left them at the town square, next to a frozen fountain. Lucina wore a blue coat, buttoned up, her favorite wintertime boots and her red scarf. A matching scarf she and Anon bought just before their marriage. Lucia on the other hand wore wore a white winter shawl over a white dress paired with brown gloves and boots. A suggestion from Sumia to not have Lucia be drowned in royal blue much like how Lucina is. It was working, but her current attire made her look like she was wearing a marshmallow.
Lucina took hold of Lucia's hand and smiled. "Shall we go to the toy store then?" She asked.
"Yeah!" Lucia yelled, raising her free hand into the air and making a fist. "Oh." She said, covering her mouth. "I mean, yes please. Big sis Lucina."
Lucina shook her head, smiling. Lucia was easily excited, but Lucina and their parents tried to make her be more calm. It was difficult with Cynthia, Morgan, and Owain living in the castle, but they were managing.
They headed inside the toy store and struggled inside as other children assaulted the aisle of toys and dolls. The shop owner, who was quite familiar with dealing with the royal blood, was not even able to show them around as he was having a hard time manning the counter as parent and children raided his shop. The duo struggled aisle to aisle in the crowded shop, Lucina often lost sight of Lucia among the children and often found her struggling with another child in a tug of war for toys or dolls. Lucina forced her to surrender the toy, saying things along the line of how a princess should act with grace and kindness. After all, it wouldn't exactly be a fair fight for the others to fight not only a prodigy swordfighter, but thanks to Morgan, also knows a spell or two to raze havoc on the shop. Soon enough, Lucina decided to carry her younger self on her shoulders to see the upper shelves, where other children were less likely to make war with her. After some time, the duo managed to get a stuffed pegasus and a stuff hero doll for Cynthie, Cynthia's baby self. They waited in line, with Lucina insistence on the parents to not let them skip ahead, and paid for their gifts and got them wrapped.
"Now we have to buy your present big sis!" Lucia said happily as they exited the shop, holding on tightly to the wrapped hero doll.
"Hm? Oh, thank you Lucia, but you don't have too..." Lucina said, worrying what she would buy. If not for Anon taming her extravagant taste in clothes, Lucina herself would have bought things that would make Sumia do somersaults.
"Nope! I'm buying you a gift and that's final!" Lucia said happily. "And I know just where to get it!"
"Ah! Be careful Lucia! Don't run so suddenly!" Lucina said as Lucia let go of her hand and dashed off through the slippery stone streets and into a shop. Lucina promptly followed at a paced jog and entered the clothing store. She wouldn't have gone in if she knew what was inside. She'd rather fight risen.
The store was filled with couples buying each other matching clothes.
Lucina stopped at the entrance. Piles of clothes were placed on tables with couples clinging to each other browsed through the selection. Giggling to themselves and passing secret jokes between themselves. Even the counter was manned by an old married couple. Aisles of clothes were placed on shelves and racks. At the back of the shop was Lucia, climbing one of the shelves to get an item from the upper parts of it. But Lucina couldn't see her. She was remembering her husband, Anon.
Lucina moved herself by the wall and touched the ring on her finger. Her marriage ring with Anon. The Ring of Remembrance. She twisted it lightly around her finger then traced the design around the small diamond gem. She chewed her lower lip and shifted her weight left to right, wondering if she should. Even though she knew she'd regret it. She did anyway.
Lucina pressed the diamond gem in her ring, activating its magic. A flash of memory was shown before her. Only for her. The magic was a private thing. It was a memory of Anon and her just being together on a winter night during the war.
xxx
It was cold, and the sun was nearly setting behind the snow white hills beyond the trees. The Shepards had decided to camp in the area.
"Geez... It was impossible to reach the town after all huh..." Severa complained.
"B-b-but its s-s-sooo cold here! M-Minerva! Make a fire! Make a fire!" Cynthia said, wrapping her arms around herself and begging Minerva.
"C-C-Cynthia! M-M-Mine-errrr-vaaa isn't your p-p-personal he-heater!" Gerome yelled through chattering teeth. "B-But Mi-Minerva, p-p-please do make a f-f-fire."
"Hey guys! There's a good looking cave over there!" Kellam shouted.
"Excuse me, everyone! I've scouted the area and there's a large cavern just west of here. We might even fit most of the army." Frederick announced.
Cheers and hoots came, praising Frederick for scouting a place to rest.
"H-Hey! I scouted with you too Frederick! " complained Kellam.
"There, there, Kellam. I heard thee." Say'ri said, taking the big mans arm.
"Is it your turn for night watch duty?" Lucina asked Anon as the army started moving west.
"I'm afraid so." Anon said, sighing. "I'll have to make watch around the woods. There won't be any cave for me and Stahl until we're relieved."
"I see. Then I'll make sure to prepare something nice for you two." She said smiling.
"I look forward to it." Anon said, expectant.
Anon was huddled around a small fire that breathed life into his body. The sun had set completely, and it was about dinner time and Stahl went to get their meal. Anon remarked that he'd probably bring food enough for 5 people.
There was no wind that night, and he was thankful there wasn't, as the night was already chilling. He buried his head further into the matching blue scarf of his wife and pulled his robes tighter around him. "Thank naga this thing can double as a blanket."
"Do you have room for another then?" Said a female voice.
Anon turned to see Lucina, wrapped in a blanket and approaching with a pot of dinner and a loaf of bread.
"For you? Always. And where's Stahl? He said he'd get the food." Anon said, as loosened his robes, taking Lucina seriously.
"Hehe, I'm kidding Anon. I wouldn't want you to get sick. Besides, I brought a blanket for the two of us to share. As for Stahl... we'll, he sneezed once and Maribelle was all over him." She said, placing the pot over the fire and stirred the contents.
Anon laughed lightly. "She worries too much. Still. I'm glad you're here to take his place." He redid his robes and prepared a special seat for her right next to him as she brought two steaming bowls of what smelled like beef stew. "Here. I made you a special seat. This way, your bottom won't get cold."
Lucina paused right before him. Seemingly in thought.
Hm? She doesn't like it...? Anon thought
Anon stood slowly and took hold of her arms. "Here. Forgive me for being so meddlesome. Just sit for now."
Lucina shook her head. "That's not it... it just... um..." she tried saying, blushing all the while. "Can I... sit between your legs...?"
Anon smiled. There was no one around after all. "Of course."
The couple sat down together, with Lucina sitting between Anon's legs and the merrily eating their stew and share of bread, sharing what they saw today while the other wasn't there, or making up stories, stories of farmers catching big fishes, or of children running around happily without care or fear, or of sailors coming back home in the embrace of their wives. Ordinary simple stories to give them hope of a life without the war, a decided past time by most of the Shepards. Once their meal was finished, they sat together in happy silence, listening to each others breathing and crackle of their small flame. They wrapped themselves together in their blanket and snuggled each other for warmth.
We are able to do this huh..? Anon thought.
Lucian's hand came up slowly and touched his lips. "Your lips are freezing."
Anon moved his hand as well.
"Mmph?!"
"Haha, your really cold too!" He said laughing, taking hold of her nose.
The coupled pulled each other into an embrace, laughing merrily. "When we get to town, let's properly warm ourselves at an inn." He said, without embarrassment.
"What?! Are you in a hurry!?" Lucina said, embarrassed at what she thought he meant.
"Haha... in any case. I hope it doesn't start snowing until morning."
"It already has." She said, pointing up.
He looked up. "Ah... it really has..."
Snow fell to earth within the light of the fire, beyond the veil of darkness which occasionally revealed the moon, or the stars, dancing in the sky along with the visible snowflakes.
"I don't mind. I think snow is really beautiful." She said, watching the snow fall slowly to the earth, extending her arm and catching one in her palm
"Perhaps. But I'm sure your much more beautiful than them." He said, resting his gaze on his wife's face, and taking her extended hand in his.
In turn, she flattened her gaze and looked at him with his wide smile. "You idiot." She said flatly.
"And that's the finest thing a man has ever been called." He declared, then leaned down to kiss her.
Their lips met and they stayed like that for a long time, like a perfect picture. Frozen in eternity.
xxx
The memory was over. A mere instant in real life and warmth flooded Lucina's heart for an instant. Then she felt the great pangs of loneliness once more, gnawing at her and tears forming behind her eyes.
She was back in the couple filled clothes shop, waiting for Lucia to buy a gift for her. Lucia emerged carrying 'something' red and dashed towards the counter, paid for the item and presented it to her his sister.
"Here you go big sis!" Lucia said with a great smile.
It was a pair of red earmuffs. A matching design for the scarf around her neck. She couldn't stop a single from tear escaping. She keeled down to her knees and took the gift. "Oh, Lucia... thank you." She said, hugging her younger self.
Lucia returned the embrace fiercely. "... did I make it hurt again big sis? I'm sorry..."
"No, no, Lucia. It's not your fault." Lucina said, pulling away from her and wiping the tear and clearing her nose. "I'm alright. See?"
Lucia didn't seemed convinced.
"W-well... Lets go look for Morgan then. She might have gotten you something!" Lucina said, taking hold of Lucia's hand and the two left quickly.
Lucina wore the earmuffs as the wind blew. No point in not using it. she thought. They walked down the street and entered the nearest book store, where they found Morgan browsing the selection. Lucina left Lucia to Morgan and excused herself, saying that she'll return to the castle as she was suddenly tired. She didn't wait for a reply as she quickly turn around and left. Once she was outside, she walked briskly towards the castle, then jogged, then broke into a run as she could no longer hold back the longing I her heart. The city blurred past her and no one stopped her. She kept running even inside the castle and let her feet carry her towards a direction she was not even sure of.
Soon enough, she stopped to the only place that hurt her even more. She was back at the courtyard where she and Anon had first fought together.
The courtyard was empty at the time and covered in snow. She walked with faltering steps towards the same tree she and Anon had fought off his father and assassins. Tears slowly came out of her, but as she came to the tree and her knees giving way to her heavy heart, the tears flowed freely and she sobbed for her husbands absence. It was almost a cycle of the season since he did the most damnable thing. Even though they had talked about it. Even though she knew what he'd do... It didn't do anything to ease the pain.
"You... you idiot." Lucina cried. Perhaps to either Anon or herself. Maybe both. "You lackwit. You ninny. You big oaf!"
... Why didn't I try to stop him? Why didn't I try harder...?
She cried for a long while. Soon, she heard slow footsteps walking towards her and embraced her tightly.
"I'm here mother. Please don't cry so much. I'm here." Morgan said. Lucina turned to face her daughter and rested her head on Morgan's head.
"He's such an idiot, Morgan! A big, stupid, idiot!"
"I-I know mother..." Morgan was starting to cry now too. "Father should have AAAUGH!" Morgan screamed suddenly and held her head in pain.
"Morgan?! Morgan! What's wrong!?"
"AAAHHH MY... MY HEAD!" Morgan yelled and gritted her teeth. Then as quickly as it came, it was gone. "AH! Mother! I remember! I remembered something!"
"Morgan, calm down." Lucina said, taking her daughters arms, the pain in her heart forgotten. "Are you alright? Does it still hurt?"
"No, but that's not important! Mother I-"
"Not important!? Morgan! You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Alright, buuuut!" Morgan complained, flailing her arms at her side. "I remembered something! I was crying just like this, but as a kid, and you were there! Not crying, but comforting me. The I saw father come out behind THAT tree, laughing and then-"
"Morgan, that's all well and good, but I don't think saying that would make us any less miserable from your father's action." Lucina said flatly, not liking to even think of her husband and her in the same place, smiling. It would just hurt more.
"No! I mean, maybe, but that's not the weird part of the memory! I saw Lucia too! A grown up Lucia- well, an even younger you, but she was there with us!"
"Alright... but I fail to see how that's weird..."
"Yes, I'm not exactly sure myself but, and I'm just guessing, but basing on my age in the memory, then yours, then Lucia's, I think, and I mean I'm assuming, seeing as you looked more or less the same then, with a really bigger bust-"
"Morgan!" Lucina yelled, automatically covering her breast.
"Right! Sorry!" Morgan said, hitting her forehead with an open palm, remembering her mother was quite particular about her rack, or the lack thereof, despite Sumia and Cynthia having a rather robust bust. "Look, what that memory could mean for us, is that father SHOULD be arriving soon and- Mother!"
"Oh, what is it now!?" Lucina complained.
"Your ring! It's glowing! Does it do that!?" Morgan said, pointing to the ring, which was indeed glowing.
"What- oh!" Lucina looked down to her wedding ring and saw it activated. "But... that only happens when your father activates his ring..."
"YES! YES! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS MOTHER?!" Morgan yelled, ecstatic.
"Morgan! Calm down! It just means your father is looking at a memory of him and me!"
"Yes! But that is undeniable proof that he's alive, mother! He's gonna come back! We're sure of it now!"
Then it was dawning on Lucina. She just always BELIEVED him to be alive, but you could also say she was deluding herself that he was, but this... this proved it. He's alive. And he's thinking of her.
"He's gonna come back..." Lucina almost a whisper. Then tears came to her again, but her heart was warm and full of hope for the first time in a long time. "He's coming back...!"
In a very dark, very lonely place.
In the bowels of a great beast.
DOEA THOU YEARN FOR THY BELOVED, DESCENDANT?
Anon played with his ring, then stared at the set of six red eyes of a black dragon who was NOT Grima. In the darkness, they were the only light and they reflected on no floor or wall nor any ceiling. He wasn't even sure if he was standing on any ground at all. Maybe even the concept of 'ground' didn't even exist in the abyss he found himself.
"Of course." Anon said simply." And all those who I fought for."
THEN GAZE UPON THE WORLD'S UTMOST DEPTHS! SEEK OUT THY ANCESTOR! STILL HIS HEART AND LAY OPEN THE PATH BEYOND!
"You speak ever more in riddles!" Anon yelled, he always loved putting his brain to a puzzle, but that's all he's been doing ever since awakening in the abyss. The dragon spoke nothing if not riddles to him. "I care not for the world's depths nor of this path you speak of! Though I will gladly pursue my predecessor, Grima, and be done with this!"
THY HEART'S DESIRE IS AT THE END OF THE TRUTH. IGNORE IT IF THOU WISH, BUT THY WILL BE FORCED TO GAZE UPON IT, AS IT GAZES BACK AT THEE. REMEMBER, THY BLOOD REVOLVES AROUND THE FOUNDATION OF ALL CREATION.
"Enough! These things will only distract me. I will finish my businesses with Grima here and now. For all those that come after me and those that came before Grima."
SO BE IT, DESCENDANT. PROVE THYSELF WORTHY OF THE BLOODLINE. THIS BATTLE IS YOUR OWN, WAGED BY YOUR OWN FREE WILL... PREPARE THYSELF! GRIMA NEARS!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I had a hard time writing the earlier parts of this story. It just wouldn't fly. But when I reached the flash back, that's when I started having fun. In any case, I'll be back soon again. Stupid college requires a lot more paperwork for graduating. Seriously! I'm leaving you for good and they want me to do this one last paper work and mooching of money for graduation fees!
Who could Anon be talking to if it wasn't Grima?
What's this about the truth of all creation?
IS HE COMING BACK ALREADY?!
Who knows! Hahahaha! See you guys soon! Prepare for Henry and Panne on the next chapter though!
EDIT: Finally noticed I wrote PREDECESSOR instead of ANCESTOR. Major goof up right there.