So this is a thing that I did. As mentioned in the summary, this is a rewrite of an older story of mine, "Do You Remember?", which featured Robin and Lyn reuniting quite some time after the events of Blazing Blade.

Looking back on it, I realized that I'm really not too proud of that one. The concept wasn't bad in my eyes, but the execution just fell flat to me. A lot of this likely had to do with just how short and rushed the whole thing was, even for a one-shot. That being said, I'm pleased to announce that this story will not be a one-shot.

I'd just like to preface this by apologizing for the more... dour tone, shall we say. I promise the whole story isn't going to be one big slog of sadness. That being said, feel free to drop any and all feedback you might have! Enjoy!

It was finally over. With the mighty Durandal in hand and his steed below him, Eliwood had slain the monstrous Fire Dragon. The beast in question was summoned to the Dragon's Gate by the now-dead Nergal, the vile sorcerer responsible for numerous atrocities across Elibe. Eliwood had grown tremendously over the course of his long journey, but he was not alone. The Lycian prince was supported by his three closest friends and allies: the strong but reckless Hector of Ostia, the kind but fierce Lyndis of the Lorca, and the army's quiet but skilled tactician…

Robin.

The sun was finally beginning to rise as the exhausted heroes exited the Dragon's Gate, practically leaning on each other for support all the while.

"Haah… We… We did it, you guys," Hector panted, hands on his knees. "We did it."

"Yes," Eliwood agreed with a tired but relieved smile. "We certainly did. Elibe, and perhaps the world at large, is now free of Nergal's evil. The gods smile upon us all today..."

"L-Lord Eliwood!" a familiar soft voice cried out from behind the young leader. He didn't even have to turn around to recognize it as Ninian's, but he did so anyway out of shock and was met with the half-manakete dancer practically throwing herself into his arms.

"Ninian!" he exclaimed with a look of surprise as he held her close. "... So you've decided to stay here after all? Are you sure about this?"

Smiling, she nodded before staring deeply into his eyes. "I am, yes… I'll always miss Nils, but I know that he'll be safe in our world now... Thank you, Eliwood. You have saved me numerous times, in more ways than one, and… and you have my heart as well."

"Ninian," Eliwood uttered with a wholesome smile. "That's…"

"Blehhh!"

The couple turned to their larger companion, Hector, who was leaning over and retching as if he had ingested the foulest of poisons. Robin, meanwhile, patted him on the back consolingly.

"Hector!" Lyn yelled.

Hector gagged and wiped his mouth with his wrist as his two closest friends shot him a dirty look. Ninian, meanwhile, merely blinked in confusion. "Look at these two. It's all... sappy and gross! You'll never find me falling head over heels for anyone like that. Not now, not ever!"

"It's a good thing Farina isn't here to hear you say such things, you know," Lyn retorted with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps you'll have to pay her a visit in Ilia once we get back to the mainland."

"I already paid her twenty-thousand gold pieces, now you want me to pay her more?!"

"Oh, Hector, you're simply hopeless!"

Eliwood and Ninian continued to hold each other close as the two bickered, and Robin merely stepped back to enjoy the view of the sun rising on the Dread Isle. It had been only about two years since Lyndis had found him alone and unconscious on the plains of Sacae, and he only had become really acquainted with Eliwood and Hector over the past year. Robin would never forget the look on Lyndis's face when the three of them arrived to help her during the invasion of Caelin. How brilliantly her eyes shone amidst all the chaos...

And yet, in spite of all of this… in spite of all the time they had spent together and all of their achievements, the young tactician couldn't help but feel out of place next to his three companions. They were all skilled warriors in their own right, and yet the tactician could barely hold a sword. He'd read stories about tacticians who were also mighty spellswords in their own right, and it planted a seed of inadequacy in his heart.

"What about you, Robin?" Lyn inquired, snapping him out of his thoughts. "What do you plan to do now?"

"Ah… um," the tactician stammered, wringing his hands nervously. He had never really been much of a talker to begin with and now she was springing this onto him?! "I… haven't really decided yet, truth be told…"

"Is that so? Well, you're more than welcome to come back to Caelin with me. You can even be our official tactician!"

Hector snorted boorishly. "Sounds more like a marriage proposal to me."

"Hector!"

Hearing his words made both Lyn and Robin's faces redden considerably. Eliwood and Ninian silently turned their attention towards their trio of friends with bemused expressions.

Lyn, her mouth agape, was at a loss for words. She knew that Hector could be a brazen oaf from time to time (more often than not, really), but not once had he ever brought something like this to the table. The nerve of him! It was true that she and Robin had grown incredibly close in such a relatively short amount of time, and it was also true that she had stolen glances at him when she thought no one was looking, but...

Oh, dear Elimine.

Robin, predictably, didn't quite know how to respond either. He had always looked up to Lyndis as someone who was strong-willed yet kindhearted, and he'd be lying to himself if he said that he didn't find her beautiful. Even so, he had never quite considered their relationship to be that intense.

"I… um… th-that is to say," Robin stumbled over his words, his ears blazing with embarrassment. "Well, I - "

Lyn held out a hand in his direction as she scowled at a smug Hector. "You don't have to waste your breath on the likes of him, Robin. It's fine."

Eliwood sighed, face in his hand. "We defeated Nergal not thirty minutes ago and you two are already at each other's throats again… You might as well save the bickering for the voyage back home. I have no doubt Fargus will be more than willing to hear about this…"

Upon reaching the mainland, everything quickly began to fall apart. Hector's older brother, Uther, had recently died of the same illness responsible for taking their parents away. As a result, Hector and his subordinates were forced to return to Ostia as quickly as possible. Eliwood and the others offered their sincerest condolences and offered to go with him, but Marcus was quick to point out that Pherae still needed its future marquess to return home as well.

And so, with a heavy heart, Eliwood and Ninian said goodbye to both Lyndis and Robin for the time being as the army splintered off. Many recruits went their separate ways until only Lyndis's Legion remained. Wil and Florina bade farewell and returned home to their families as Kent and Sain escorted Lyn and Robin home to Caelin. The odd pair, still loyal to Lyn and Caelin, resumed their post outside the castle.

"Poor Hector," Lyn mused softly, poking her half-eaten dinner with a fork. "I didn't really know Uther, but this can't be easy on him…"

Robin, who was sitting across the table from her, wore a similarly saddened expression. "I know… the guy's not even past his nineteenth year and he's already lost all of his family members. It seems like death's stalked all of us at some point or another. First you, then Eliwood… and now him."

Lyn eyed the tactician somberly, taking in the empathetic look in his deep brown eyes. "... What about your family, Robin?"

"Huh?" he blurted, looking back at her. "What do you mean?"

The Sacaean swallowed the lump in her throat before pressing on. "Are they… you know…"

"Dead? I can't say," Robin admitted with a heavy sigh. "My earliest memory in this world is waking up to the sight of you in your home… I don't know if I even have a family, truthfully."

Lyn gasped, a hand over her mouth. Robin never spoke much and spoke even less about himself, but this revelation still came as a shock to her regardless. "Goodness… I'm so sorry, Robin."

"From where I'm sitting, you three have it much worse. I can't remember having any loved ones, but if I were to lose someone like you, I…"

"Robin!" Lyn uttered with wide eyes.

The tactician blushed fiercely, trying to hide his face in his luscious green robe. "A-ah, no! What I meant to say was…"

Lyn giggled quietly and shook her head with a smile. "It's fine. Still… I'm sorry about your memory."

"Lyndis, I - "

Robin was interrupted by the sound of one of Castle Caelin's maids bursting through the door and into the dining hall. "L-Lady Lyndis! Lord Hausen is most ill!"

"Oh, no," Lyn moaned in horror, rising from her seat. "Where is he?!"

"He's in his chamber as we speak," she explained, motioning for both of them to come with her. "He had a violent coughing fit not too long ago and collapsed. He has requested your presence at once!"

Without another word, the pair rushed out of the dining hall after the maid as the three of them made their way to the highest floor of the castle. The lord's chamber was a fair sprint away, and Lyn nearly knocked over several servants in her plight to reach her grandfather.

"Grandfather!" Lyn cried, kicking open the door to his room and nearly hitting the nearby doctor in the process. Rushing over to his bedside, she asked, "Are you alright?!"

The old man coughed and turned his head so that his face no longer rested on the pillow. Robin entered the room quietly and could see that Lord Hausen was pale and gaunt, now more than ever. His once daily garden walks with Lyn had seemed to improve his health before the invasion of Caelin, but now his breathing was ragged and his chest heaved with every breath he took. Robin could only turn his head away somberly as his friend pleaded with Hausen to keep living. The apothecary, meanwhile, exited the room to give them some privacy.

"Grandfather… please… it feels like we've only just met," Lyn mumbled tearfully. "... Who did this to you? I'll find them! I'll find them and… and…"

"Lyndis… you are a strong girl, just as your mother was," Hausen told her with a gentle smile before coughing. "Urk… you… you are Madelyn's girl. Madelyn and Hassar… they smile upon you, as do I…"

Lyn kneeled by her grandfather's side, grabbing his withered hand and pressing it to her face. "No… not now… please… not when we're finally free…!"

Hausen lifted his hand from Lyn and stroked her cheek gently before turning his attention to Robin. "... You there, boy. You were the one who… koff... reunited us to begin with, yes?"

"A-ah… well, I wasn't alone, sir," Robin admitted sheepishly, looking him in the eye. "The knights of Caelin did far more for her than I ever could…"

"Heh… how humble of you... Thank you, son. You and Lyndis have endured much strife… I know that you'll take care of each other long after I am gone," Hausen asserted with conviction, even through his illness. "Yes, I… I can die... knowing that you're both in good hands…"

Closing his eyes, Lord Hausen drew his final breath and smiled gracefully as he finally let his spirit rest.

"No… Grandfather," Lyn pleaded uselessly, clutching his cold hand with both of hers. "This can't be happening..."

The apothecary reentered the room with a grim expression. "I'm sorry, Lady Lyndis. By the time I had arrived to administer the medicine, his organs had already suffered irreversible damage. Lord Hausen's pain was so severe that he refused my treatment altogether. His final wish was to see you one last time…"

"Lundgren," Robin snarled under his breath, fists clenched as he looked away from the dead marquess and his grieving granddaughter. The tactician instantly pieced together that all of the poison Hausen's brother forced him to drink, coupled with his old age, ultimately doomed him. "Damn him…!"

"Robin," Lyn sniffed, wiping her eyes with her arm.

"Lyn… I'm so sorry," the tactician voiced mournfully, kneeling down and embracing the girl. "I… I don't know what to say…"

The Sacaean woman sighed with a bowed head and closed eyes. "Don't. Just… stay with me. Please..."

"... Always."

The pair sat by Hausen's bed for what felt like ages. Lyn, fatigued as she was, couldn't will herself to move. Too much had happened in such a short period of time. Too many people had died during the war against Nergal as is, but now this? She had gotten wind of her grandfather's worsening condition via messenger, but she never expected him to pass away this early. With the death of her grandfather, Lyn had lost the one family member she had left in this world.

Even with Robin's arms wrapped around her tightly, she still felt utterly and completely alone.

The funeral service was held just a few days later and, per the deceased Lord Hausen's request, was a small and private affair. Though citizens all over Caelin received word of his death and mourned appropriately, only a few select individuals outside of the castle's staff were permitted to attend the service in the courtyard.

"This is all our fault," Sain mumbled as he and the others stood by the grave, the skies darkening. "Had we arrived back in Caelin earlier, Lord Hausen wouldn't have taken in so much poison…!"

"... I'm sorry, my liege," Kent apologized, bowing at Hausen's tombstone. "I have failed you. You trusted me with your life… and I failed you."

Lyn shook her head fiercely. "Stop that, you two. If not for your efforts, I would have never gotten the chance to meet him before he died. That has to count for something, right?"

"I suppose…"

"Sniff… y-yeah…"

Robin stood under a nearby tree, observing his friends give their final words to Hausen from afar. One by one, each of the attendees walked up to the grave and spoke to it, occasionally adorning it with the flowers Hausen had adored so much in life. The young strategist wanted to say something, anything, to express his deepest condolences, but he just couldn't bring himself to open his mouth. Feeling utterly disgusted with himself, Robin glumly watched his friends say goodbye to the former marquess until only Eliwood, Hector, and Lyn remained by the grave.

"Damn it all," the rising Marquess of Ostia swore, glaring down at his feet. "If only we ran into you sooner… I'm sorry, Lyn."

"It's not your fault," she reassured him, patting his shoulder. "Thank you for coming, Hector. I know that this was probably the last place you wanted to be right now, so this really means a lot to me…"

"Hey, if Uther had wanted a funeral, I know you would have done the same for me," Hector replied back with a sad yet comforting smile.

Eliwood said nothing, but stood between his friends with a gentle hand on each of their shoulders. Robin couldn't help but grin slightly; the three of them had such chemistry both on and off the battlefield. Being comparatively mute by comparison, he couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous of their relationship…

"No," he scolded himself quietly as he shook the thought out of his mind. "Now's not the time to be selfish, Robin… She needs you right now."

Despite his words, he couldn't help but feel like he was lying to himself. When had Lyndis ever really needed him? If anything, it felt like the other way around for Robin. She nursed him back to health, he practically hid behind her every battle like a coward, and it always seemed like she could handle any and every scenario without his "help".

Forcing those thoughts deeper inside of him as a light drizzle rained down, Robin approached the other three with a sad smile. "Hello, everyone."

Everyone smiled at him in return and began to talk about the circumstances regarding the fate of Caelin. In a normal scenario, the firstborn son of the marquess would take the throne. As Lyn was literally the only living blood-relative of Lord Hausen, however, the task of leadership would naturally fall to her.

Of course, Lyn was hardly one for politics, let alone full-blown leadership of what basically amounted to a small country. To say nothing of the absolute heresy of a half-Sacaean woman becoming the marquess (or rather, marchioness) of Caelin. Lyn had always been proud of her heritage, but she knew that more than a few people would disapprove of her having any role in Caelin politics.

"... Fine by me. I could never live such a stuffy life anyway," she claimed, folding her arms defiantly. "Even so, Caelin still needs a leader…"

Hector raised an eyebrow. "So… what, then? You're just gonna pack up and leave?"

"What choice do I have? I'm not a leader. I never have been," Lyn protested, shaking her head wistfully. "I couldn't even lead my own tribe; how can I be expected to lead a people who I have little in common with as is? My own people wouldn't even listen to me, Hector!"

"... Well, when you put it that way - "

"Hector!" Eliwood admonished.

"You know that's not what I meant!" he protested in return. "I'm just saying that Lyn's probably right about not exactly being fit to rule a nation. Hell, I'm not fit to rule a nation. The difference between us and her is that we were raised for this kinda thing. It only makes sense that Lyn wouldn't be comfortable with leading the place permanently."

Lyn and Robin both looked at the warrior in surprise.

"... What? What'd I say?"

"That was surprisingly insightful of you, Hector," Lyn stated with a slight chuckle. "I'd feel bad about leaving everyone behind, but… I just don't belong here. Not as a leader, nor as a citizen. The plains are my home."

Eliwood and Hector silently exchanged glances before nodding. The latter claimed, "Well, if you're sure about this, I'll see what I can do about bringing Caelin under Ostian protection. I can't imagine the council would be too disappointed about the extra opportunities, but I'll crush anyone who tries to harm Caelin or its people."

"Hector," Lyn cooed with a bright smile. "... Thank you."

"Ha. Don't mention it…"

By nightfall, Eliwood and Hector had departed back to Pherae and Ostia respectively as Lyn began packing up her belongings in her chamber. Hector said that he personally would make sure troops would arrive no later than tomorrow night, and hopefully Lyn could leave the castle swiftly after saying goodbye to everyone.

"Look at all these fancy garments," Robin said from her door frame, admiring a fancy red silk robe sitting on a dresser. "You sure you don't want to take that with you, Lyn?"

"It's not really my style. You're free to keep it, though," she teased as she continued packing. Turning to the tactician, she inquired, "Have you started packing yet?"

"Hmm?"

"You know, for the trip," Lyn clarified. "It's a long walk back to Sacae, you know. We're lucky that Castle Caelin had a few horses to spare!"

"Ah… uh… truthfully, I hadn't really considered going with you," Robin answered bluntly. Seeing her shocked face, he backpedaled. "A-argh, no! That's not… it's not that I don't want to be with you, it's just…"

"So… you do want to be with me?"

"Yes! I mean, no! I mean…"

"Ahaha! It's okay, Robin," Lyn relented, giggling a bit. "I just assumed that you would be coming back with me, but it's really no problem if you prefer the comfort of Caelin."

Robin recomposed himself before turning to face her again. "Now you know that's not true. It's a nice life, to be sure, but there's a certain beauty to Sacae all the same…"

"At least we can agree on that," Lyn said with a blissful grin. "... So you're coming with me, then?"

"I'd love to, but… is it really appropriate?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Isn't it frowned upon for an unmarried man and woman to live together in Sacae? I'll admit, I don't know nearly as much about Lorcan customs specifically, but…"

Lyn closed her eyes for a moment and reflected on his words before responding. "... Yes, I suppose it would be rather frowned upon by the other tribes. Even so, I am the last of the Lorca. Their traditions shall always live on in me, but I must be free to live my own life as well. And right now, Robin… there's no one I'd rather have by my side."

Robin froze up, looking at the girl before him in surprise. Did she really mean that…?

"Lyndis, I…"

"No need for the formalities, Robin. Lyn will do," she told him as she finished packing her belongings in a sack. "We've known each other for quite some time now; you've more than earned that right."

"Uh, okay… Lyn, I just want you to know that - "

The tentative tactician was interrupted by the harsh crack of thunder just outside Lyn's bedroom window. The scare caused both of them to jump before the gentle pitter-patter of rain descended onto the roof, making them relax.

Lyn let out a chuckle of relief before sitting on her bed, patting the spot next to her for Robin. "You know, Robin, we used to have storms like this in Sacae all the time."

Robin hesitated for a moment before obliging her nonverbal request. "You're japing! But… how did you manage? I can't imagine your tents nor your clothes would offer much protection against the rain."

"And what's wrong with my clothes, exactly?"

"That's not what I - "

"Kidding," she reassured with a cheeky grin.

The strategist sighed, head dropping in exasperation. "I hate it when you do that, you know."

"Oh, I'm well aware," Lyn said, laughing as she ruffled Robin's hair a bit. "But seriously, go pack up your belongings! It's getting late, and I was hoping to take one last stroll around Caelin tomorrow before we finally head out."

Robin stood up from the bed and began walking towards the door. Throwing up his hands, he joked, "As you wish, Lady Lyndis."

"Oh, get out!" Lyn shot back, laughing.

The love struck strategist left the room and waltzed down the castle halls, humming a tune to himself. It was as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Living out on the plains with Lyn would be a new and indubitably nerve wracking experience, but it excited him all the same.

Robin nearly passed a large mirror on one of the walls before stopping to look at himself. Same messy brown hair, same green cloak, same baggy eyes… On any other night, he might have concluded that he looked unappealing at best.

Now, though… now he was feeling emboldened. Emboldened enough to confess his feelings, even.

"Well, aren't you a handsome devil?" he cooed at his reflection before laughing. "Heh…"

"So I've been told," came the response.

Robin blinked twice in dull surprise. "... Huh? That's odd… for a moment, it almost sounded like my reflection replied to me… I must be more tired than I thought."

It came as quite a shock to the strategist when his reflection shifted altogether. A black and purple cloak replaced the green robe and brown hair turned to white. Perhaps most unnerving were the red eyes glaring at him from the mirror.

"What in the name of the gods…?!" Robin exclaimed as he hastily jumped back. As he did so, he felt a cold hand grip his wrist tightly, another arm wrapping around his form. Robin turned his head to see that his supposed reflection was the culprit. "Gah!"

"Be still, you fool," the evil-looking Robin demanded. "If you behave, the process shouldn't take much longer than - "

"N-n-no!" Robin refused, struggling to free himself from his grip. "Lyn, Kent, Sain, anybody! H-help!"

"Enough!"

The evil Robin relinquished his grasp on the frightened strategist only to backhand him, sending him to the floor. While he was down, Robin then felt two frigid hands surround his throat as those red eyes pierced into his soul. It felt like his very mind was being taken from him, and that was all he had.

"Ngh… I'm sorry, Lyn," he barely managed to wheeze out, a tear rolling down his face. "I should have… told you sooner…"

"Do not grieve," his assailant muttered, glaring down at Robin. "With this, you and I shall be whole again, and we shall fulfill our destiny."

"Hey!"

The doppelgänger was broken out of his spell by a shrill yet powerful voice. He cursed silently as the mental link between him and Robin was broken, a painful shockwave ringing through his brain. Robin meanwhile laid unconscious, his hair having turned white as snow from the mental assault.

Lyn couldn't believe her eyes. He looked just like Robin, and yet… he was not.

"Do you mind? I'm kind of in the middle of something here."

"Who on Mother Earth are you?" she demanded, brandishing her Mani Katti in her hand. "A leftover remnant of Nergal's?"

The clone shook his head. "You misunderstand, girl. This boy here, Robin… He has something of mine. Namely, his very existence. I'm simply taking back what's rightfully mine."

"What kind of nonsense is that?! Robin's not some object for you to possess! He's a human being, and he's my friend!" Lyn shouted.

The Sacaean rushed forward and slashed multiple times at the clone, but her sword merely bounced off of him each time. "What the…?"

"Dragonskin, baby," he taunted smugly. "Never fails."

Lyn had no time to react as a dark blast of magic shoved her to the floor. The doppelgänger sighed and snapped his fingers, and a swirling portal was opened within seconds. Lifting Robin, he said, "I'm disappointed, but not surprised. I should have known that such a weak heart would need more time to cook. At least now I can send him back to his proper home and wait it out."

Lyn could only watch in shock and horror as her unconscious friend was flung into the portal, disappearing. The evil clone dusted himself off before stepping into it himself, and the Sacaean fighter leapt to her feet and sprinted towards the vortex out of desperation.

'I cannot… I will not let Robin down!' she thought as she leapt forward. 'Even if this means putting myself in more danger than ever before… I'll persevere, no matter the odds!'

The portal closed just after Lyn passed through it, and the castle guards finally arrived to a strange sight. Though a commotion was heard, nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary save for a cracked mirror…

"... Lady Lyndis?" Kent called down the hall.

"Robin?" Sain asked, looking around cautiously. "... Are either of you there?"