The Exalt
They reached Ylisse just as the dawn came, standing at the stone gates, the guards bowed deeply as Frederick asked them questions about the capital, they smile as they feel relief and the guards stamp Frederick papers as they make way through and she is brought in the spotlight, the guards stared their grips tightening on their weapons but Chrom moved as he smiled easily and ordered,
"She is permitted to enter the city on my authority," He glances at her smiling, "She is an important guest of the royal family."
They nod, as they let them through. They were kind, to call her the guest instead of a prisoner. It was fools' kindness and yet they were clearly capable of such kindness. That was not something to be envied, her teachings reminding her, royalty doesn't conduct themselves in this way and she was above that foolishness. That man's voice rang in her as the words echoed and it makes anger her blood boil. She pushed it down and rationally reminded herself that their mannerisms are not something she must be focusing on. Instead, she must try to formulate the words she is going to tell Emmeryn, they will take her there first. She needs to think, get an idea of how she is going to tell Emmeryn about her plan. But her mind flatters as she sees the men obvious respect towards the trio radiating out, even for Rufure, a pelgian, bowing deeply as they move. They are glaring at her, in suspicion but one look from Rufure and they look away, there face passive again and it throws her off, a bit envious. She was not this respected; no, she was hated by everyone in Pelgia. No one cared when she was being chased, and she knew that would be the case but still, it is a bit envious how they all, him too has such respect. As they walk through the streets everyone bows, everyone smiles. Everyone seems so happy to see them safe.
It hurts her heart as she silently thinks, 'As expected of Rufure he gained peoples respect and trust even in a foreign land where they hate them normally'. Her brother is truly perfect, even if he doesn't remember his qualities or achievements anymore. She falls in step with Frederick and tries to hide in his shadows, her hood pulled up as she avoids the obvious stares of distrust and distaste.
They are staring at her, not with warm eyes and he hates the natural distaste there people have for Pelgians but he can't get too emotional as he has to remain the calm one while his siblings get emotional on his behalf, but he can't help feel slightly frustrated. She was his sister but sadly he can't feel that kind of connection to her, that protectiveness he felt for Lissa and Emm, for her, he just feels guilty, very strongly. He has forgotten about her; he has forgotten the love he had for her and the memories they had together. He had forgotten about her and made a new family. He won't be surprised if she hates him for it, he feels so guilty but that's all he feels. He wishes something would come back to him, something that could make her more familiar to him but just like the last ten years his memory is blank, and she is a stranger. He only has himself to hate for it.
They walk down the roads of the capital and they all calm down, there seems to be no damage or chaos. The capital was safe, and it makes them all relieved,
"It appears the capital was spared the chaos we encountered, thank the gods. I see no evidence of the great quake. It must've been limited to the forest." Fredrick states.
"That's a relief." Lissa agreed.
She looks around as all of them smile at the people around them, greeting languidly. She takes in everything, she has never been to Ylistool, she has never been much outside but just like the books had described, Ylistool was beautiful. Sun rays glittered off the white stone walls of the quaint houses, with wooden roofs and floor adorned everywhere. People smiling, with happiness radiating as they all work. It was peaceful, very peaceful and even she can't help but feel her heart calm down at seeing such pure peace around her.
But even beautiful things have ugliness. Everyone is staring at her, glaring openly as they whisper loudly, questioning and judging and Robin turns away. She has never enjoyed being out in open, people have always judged her, even in Pelgia whenever she would go out in guise. She would like to say she was used to the stares, but she was not, they still make her nervous and still instil a sense of anxiety in her as she imagines what they are thinking. She pulls her coat tighter around her as she looks down and walks. She feels Rufure near her as he smiles wider to the people stopping and they hurriedly disperse and she pushes down the relief that floods her, 'Stop, this is not Rufure. You can't rely on him.' She can't, he was not her brother anymore, he was not going to protect her from everything anymore. She needs to do it on her own, she can't be getting weak now. She is strong, she has been strong for these past 10 years even without him.
She can't be reverting to her foolish self, She won't.
They hear a commotion up the street, and they all turn their attention a crowd had gathered there. They move around a bit to peer in, they see a woman walking in between the crowd, with green robes and the mark on Naga on her forehand. Her breathing stopped as she realised who it was, Exalt Emmeryn. She can't believe the exalt was walking in between the crowd, smiling at them, gently, healing as she spoke to them in the such a soft voice and heavily voice that for a second she wondered if the poets were right and Emmeryn was indeed an avatar of Naga because she was too gentle to be a mere human. Even though she was a few feet away she could still feel her calm and healing aura fall on her and she felt her deep hidden respect for the woman increase, this was the woman who had single handily ended the war that had shed so much blood in their history. This was the woman who had healed the scarred hearts of her people with kindness and gentleness that no normal human could ever have. This was the woman she wished to never meet, she never wanted to know, to see how ugly she truly is when she sees this true kindness right in front of her. But now she must, and she will do it with the dignity she has always held herself to.
The others smiled as she walked down the street, proud of their sister and exalt. Rufure looked at Robin and saw her looking down as she hid her emotions and Rufure had this sudden urge to comfort her, but he stills his moving hand and tightens his knuckles, so he won't move again. He can't act like this, even if what she showed was true, he still must remain neutral, to be doubtful. 'Anyways,' He reassures his pain, 'everything will become soon clear when they talk to Emm.' He turns away, as he looks at Emm again who is smiling, and feels his heart lighten. Ya, Emm should make things clear.
"The news about the South Town must have spread already," Frederick states the obvious as Rufure grimaces as he notices all these people's worried frowns as they crowd around Emm.
Chrom nods, "Emm must be trying to calm them down, lest someone starts calling for war."
Rufure still clicks his tongue, "Still she shouldn't be walking around with hardly any guards, it's not safe." Chrom can already see him scolding her once they are back and smiles warily. Rufure always must be the watchful one because his siblings are far too reckless to pay caution any mind.
Frederick sighs, obviously on the same page as him but he can't voice out his objection, "The exalt is the symbol of peace, milord. Ylisse's most prized quality. Long ago, at the dawn of our age, the fell dragon tried to destroy the world. But the first exalt joined forces with the divine dragon and laid the beast low. Exalt Emmeryn reminds us all of the peace we fought for then." He repeated the same lecture.
She flinches even though there was no accusation. She must flinch because they are the evil ones, that's what every citizen of Ylisse will tell you because they prayed to the god who shouldn't even be a god.
The fell dragon that was killed by the first exalt was the same god she apparently 'prayed' to, after all, she didn't care though she never believed in god. It either be Grima or Naga, she never let herself depend on them, after all, gods were beings that gave hope to people who were too weak to believe in themselves, she had long lost accepted that if hope existed for her it would be in dead. But now as she stood in the middle of the street with everything gone wrong, she wondered if the so-called gods had punished her, after all, to be so arrogant for not believing in them. She could care less either ways though, it was not like she was expecting them to be kind to her especially not Grima.
Lissa sighed but smiled not showing her uneasiness she felt at this whole situation, she was not so unknowing as her siblings thought she was and tried to lift the moods,
"And she is the best sister anyone could ask for." She said proud and finally, the girl broke her blankness, her lips curving slightly. As they all agree to the sentiment, their Exalt starts waving as she smiles and turns away and they all straighten up again.
Chrom smiles, albeit a bit forced, "It seems like Emm is returning to the palace. We need to go report to her everything."
She is dreading, the meeting that was never supposed to happen, and yet she is calm because a tactician must always remain calm. She walked alongside them as they walk to the castle. The castle was more imposing upfront, a bit bigger and brighter than her castle but she guessed that was expected. The guards saluted as they walked past, and as they entered she looked around in silent awe, the halls were bright, sunlight filling in them, as they walk past cyan banners showcased everywhere and she could feel warmth radiate in every single corner. The warmth that silently told her she didn't belong here, a chill slipping in, her hands going cold. She tried hard to stop herself from rubbing her arms to let some warmth in, every step feeling heavy. She wondered if she was being foolish after all-that the apple didn't fall far from the tree-but she walks because she is Pelgia's princess, so she must fulfil that wish.
(Even if she is slowly killing herself.)
They came near the throne room and felt their minds churning, a sense of tension looming between them as they all knew it was time. They need to know the truth behind Robin's existence, they all will need to face it. Rufure's heart thunders as he feels it, her stance since yesterday had made it clear, things are going to be ugly and his siblings will have to pay for their father's mistakes again and he hates it. But he knows truth never comes with a warning and they must go through it like they always have, like they always will.
They glance at each other and enter. The doors closed behind them with a loud thud as Emm and Philia turn from there discussions and smile as there gaze falls on them, but before she can move Rufure walks up and takes his usual advisor position and Emm realises, they all are far too tense and they have a guest with them. Her eyebrows furrow as they all take their places, the royals standing in front with Robin a feat back, Frederick on the side. Chrom takes a deep breath and gestures to Robin, he needs to break the news to Emm.
"Emm, this is Robin. We found her on our patrol and took her in our custody. She says she is the princess of Pelgia, but there is nothing to prove it." He explains as he gestures her to move forward, "She has surrendered to us peacefully and has assisted us when we were attacked by those creatures. There are many things we need to discuss on this matter, so I decided to let you make the judgment first." Emm only nods very slightly as she takes the girls appearance in, her hands only slightly shaking. The resemblance was too obvious for anyone to ignore, she was sure they all noticed it too. She feels a million thoughts run in her, but a cold dread fills in her as she knows. In the depths of her heart she knows, it was her father again.
She wants to breach the topic first but other things take priority too like why a pelgian princess has decided to surrender to them, her people take precedence so she asks instead, her voice calm and steady and she is truly glad she learned from her father how to be a calm ruler at all times,
"Are you truly the pelgian princess Lady Robin?"
The girl slightly nods and Emm feels a heavyweight falling on her shoulders, when will this bloodshed end? "I have heard rumours about you, but I didn't know the validity of such rumours nor the role you played in Pelgia." Rufure turns to her, shocked and betrayed and Emm silently apologises to him, she didn't want things to turn out this way. If only she had known, if only.
The girl remains steady fast too as she agrees, "I am not surprised, Gangrel and others have tried very hard to keep my existence under wraps. They have also been slowly ebbing away from my political power." She explains, her voice far too flat that it sends a shiver down her back. How can this woman remain so calm?
"I believe it is because you threaten his place on the throne?"
"No," they stare surprised, but she continues, ignoring them, "I threatened there plans for war, I am their taction and as such hold the whole of power over the military and how they will move. I was always against war and something they knew, so even if they got the war. I could easily use my power and decrease casualties on both sides and make Pelgia lose the war or secretly meet you and make a back-hand deal. Either way, I could have easily ended his plans to massacre all Ylissean."
Chrom stares shock as his knuckles go white, "Why the hell would he purposefully try to massacre our people!?" his voice is loud and accusing,
She coldly replies, "It is revenge for the Pelgians who lost their lives in cold blood in the first war."
Emm feels her heart go cold as she takes a shaky breath, Chrom though doesn't understand the deeper anguish just yet, "But we have paid repercussions for that as soon as the war ended." He states that as it was enough to forget that senseless war and its horrible crimes, Robin feels her hands go cold as she wants to scream at him, how dare he thinks some measly food will bring back her mother and brother but shouting will do no good. Not on them, like her brother used to say, a king must always look at the bigger picture and put aside their personal emotions.
"Food and materials did help us rebuild but people still lost all of their loved ones in that war. They still grieve and hate Ylissean, the materials will not make them forget the hatred, not so fast." Her voice has an edge that Emm can feel, and she finally decides to give up, she can't do this diplomacy anymore. She wants to know; she needs to know how much their father did have truly destroyed.
"Are you someone who also lost someone dear?" She asks, and they all freeze. The girl is frozen as she looks down and seems like she wants to make herself as small as possible. Emm knows she will hate her father after today. The girl only nods and Emm closes her eyes only a few seconds to gain strength from Naga, she opens again and asks the girl the cold truth,
"Lady Robin, what relationship do you have with Rufure?" The girl looks up her eyes glaring now and Emm stares back steady fast. She is not going to let herself play ignorant or foolish, she won't let herself look away from the reality that has happened around her. Her lips tighten as she glances back at him and digs her nails in her palm.
"I had an elder twin brother by the name of Rufure," she says and they all feel there heart hurt, "I was informed he had died alongside my mother by the hands of King Cornelius," Her voice is trembling as she hides her face.
Emm puts a hand on her crown as she takes in her siblings, all three of them look aghast as they stare at the woman, unable to utter a word and Rufure seems dreadful as his face goes pale and he starts trembling as he silently takes a step back, she wants to go and hug him, be his big sister that she has always been but she can't, not right now.
"Please tell us how it had come to be? How our father killed your family?"
The girl clams up and Emm thinks she won't open up, she decides to tell Philia to arrange rest for her but the girl looks up as she looks her in the eyes and Emm knows the silent warning, but she ignores it as she nods. Some regrets are meant to be carried your whole life and some truths are meant to be heard no matter what. The girl stares at her pitifully as she opens,
"As you guessed we were the royal family of Pelgia just like yours. Our grandfather was the previous king and had died during the war, this was obviously not made public because our next king was someone who just couldn't come to the public, yet." She hasn't looked away, she doesn't even check on Rufure, and Emm wonders if that is hatred or fear for her. "My brother and our grandfather's sole heir were the crown prince and later declared king on the day he died. Rufure wished for peace and to end this war. He sought out the King and asked him for a peace treaty, a parley where they can discuss their differences and maybe reach a middle ground. My brother believed that King loved his country and was also growing weary of sending his countrymen of to death." Lissa looks away and Emm doesn't blame her, Robin's eyes glare hard at the throne behind her and Emm knows that hatred, she has seen it in so many eyes. She is not shocked or scared, she just starts thinking about how she can make this right to.
"But that man knew neither peace nor love, he just knew bloodshed, like a beast that only hungers for blood and would destroy anyone in its path. My brother was naïve, he believed and uphold all the conditions they placed on him. He foolishly agreed on them and walked to his death on his own two legs. He agreed to bring only one advisor and a handful of soldiers. Our mother was the one he picked; he didn't trust anyone more than he trusted her. They went and neither of them came back." The girls face falls as her voice trembles but Emm doesn't look away as she glances at Rufure and almost moves. The boy looked so conflicted as he tried to comfort her and stay away at the same time.
She was a stranger and family at the same time, and he didn't know how to treat her as either one of them.
Robin doesn't cry, she won't forgive herself if she cried. Her voice may have trembled, and she may be shaking but she won't cry, no matter what. Crying is a sign of weakness, that man used to always say, and weakness is something she will never show in front of anyone. She shows her hatred because she wishes to kill someone. She wishes Cornelius was standing in front of her so that she could stab him just like he had killed her only family in cold blood. She instead looks away, locks the hatred away again and calms herself down again.
"What did he do to Rufure?" She asks accusations openly.
Emm frowns as she turns to her bother and explains, "Our father told us that the pelgian king had openly attacked him during the treaty and he retaliated," she scoffs, "he also brought a heavily inured Rufure back him, claiming he was just an orphan he found on the street and took pity on him. We healed him but Rufure had lost all his memories when he got up and for some mysterious reason after a few weeks of no word of his family our father decided to adopt him into our family."
She is glaring hard as she suddenly looks like she wats to murder someone, "Bullshit! Rufure would have never attacked!" She screams and Emm stays quiet because she too believes that is true, "And he should have known! He definitely knew I was his sister; he knew I existed and yet – "she cuts off as she goes silent and stops. She looks completely dead and Emm hates this, she hates this so much.
"I only have words to offer Lady Robin, I truly apologise, I am so sorry for the anguish my father's ancestors have caused you."
She looks up, her eyes cold "I don't need your apologies Emmeryn." She feels her heart hurt, it is true, her apologies will do nothing. They were never able to do anything, only her actions to work towards them had ever actually healed something. Actions speak louder than words, their actions prove that they have not inherited their father's madness.
"I understand words can't change the things he has done. I shall do to my best ability that these tragedies won't repeat and in that can I ask your support too Lady Robin?" She asks as she bows, others shocked but Emmeryn doesn't lift her head and Robin feels pity for this woman. Once upon time Rufure had also inherited a bloody crown and had tried to make peace, he had wished for a peaceful world with no more bloodshed. She needs to fulfil that wish, for that only she has still been walking on this dead path.
"She nods, "I wish for the same thing, I will help you in any way I can."
Emmeryn looks up smiling tightly, "I thank you, Lady Robin, for having the bigger heart."
She shakes her head, "It is alright, and you can call me Robin."
She smiles as she straightens up and gives a gaze around the room and announces, "From this day we shall be in an alliance with Robin and will be working together to put a stop on King Gangrel's plan and bring peace to both of our realms." She nods and they all bow as they agree to her order.
Philia straightens up as she asks, "Your highness how shall she be treated?"
Emm looks troubles as she apologises again, "For now a guest of ours but –" she turns to her, "The later delegation shall be decided with the council." She sighs, "I apologise Robin, but I can't give you the permissions and authority until I have consulted with the council."
She doesn't worry, she has read up on the Ylissean laws "I am fine with it Emmeryn. I will follow your instructions while I stay here, I do not wish to create any unnecessary aggression among us while we take care of the war."
She nods as she smiles, "Thank you, for now, I believe it is best we all retire, we all have had a quiet long day." She turns to her siblings who haven't even moved once, "We shall talk about the others matter tomorrow."
Robin nods as Emm walks down and puts a hand on Rufure as she turns to her sister and asks, "Lissa, could you show Robin to the bathhouse. She seems quite dirty and tired I am sure it will do her good to take a bath."
Lissa pulls her smile and nods and Emm silently thanks for her strength, she turns to Robin and nods as the girl stares among them uneasily but sighs as she turns to the young princess and follows her as both take there to leave. Emm turns to her knights and orders them to prepare for their new guests and get back to there work. The two bows and take there leave with no word and with that only the three siblings are left, and one feels like crying, the other wants to scream and Emm feels the same old regret. A wish that things were different.
Rufure pushes his turbulent feelings away and becomes calm, he must be calm even if his whole reality is falling apart around him.
A tactician always remains calm.
A/N - Hey guys, I know it has been a long time and I am sorry after I promised a monthly update, I had the chapters typed out, but I couldn't post it. I have many reasons but mainly I am currently in my last year of uni and my degree is really important to me so I want to put most of my focus there rather, I don't want to stop writing but I have no choice there is only so much I can do at a given time. I am sorry I might have to take a bit longer to update my stories properly but don't worry I haven't given up on any of them and am working through all of them.
Also, this is a request, as you guys know I do both the writing and editing on my own and I am not good at editing and it slows me down quite a lot. That's why I am hoping there will be someone willing to proofread and edit for me for this fic only, Severed Timeline. I can't give you any reward except the wonderful comments and favourites we might get but it would be really helpful if someone can support me for this fic, it will be a tremendous help and it will help post chapters faster than right now. I want someone good at proofreading and editing if you feel up to it feels free to dm me.
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