"So, you trained to be a tactician like…Robin?"
"Yes…ma'am."
Lucina resisted the urge to cringe. She had faced down seemingly impossible odds and many foes, the Fell Dragon among them, but this teenager…this teenager had her on edge. Lucina had survived a lot, and little fazed her anymore in terms of combat, but there had been at least one thing she had not been prepared for. Especially not so suddenly.
Motherhood.
They had found this girl, Morgan, about a week prior. It had been a relatively normal day. Risen had infested an ancient temple, and the Shepherds naturally went to clear them out as well as search for an ancient relic they hoped might aid them in the coming struggles. A somewhat unique goal, but they were used to dispatching Risen even if the backdrop was a bit different.
It soon turned into a rescue mission, however, when they caught sight of a young woman fleeing from the Risen. Lucina, being one of the best soldiers in the Shepherds, had been part of the group tasked with saving her. Riding along with her sister on her pegasus, Lucina noted something familiar about the girl's form when she used her blade, but it was not enough to tip her off as it was blended seamlessly with magic and another style. The combination of Lucina's modified version of her father's style along with the use of magic utilizing style – which she excelled in – allowed her to almost completely make up for her slight build. It was impressive to say the least.
Still, the Risen were relentless. They kept coming faster than the girl could slay them while maintaining her retreat. Fortunately, Cynthia's steed got them there in time to allow Lucina to leap off and come to the girl's rescue.
Morgan watched in awe as the older woman cut down foe after foe without seeming to get remotely tired. Joined by her sister, lady Cherche, and Gerome, the Risen stood little chance as they were cut down.
"Can you move?" Morgan was brought out of her exhausted awe by the woman from before.
"Um, yes," Morgan ignored how much her legs felt like jelly from all that running.
"Good, we'll protect you. See that man in the dark armor?"
"Yes," Morgan eyed the mysterious rider with some trepidation.
"He'll take you back to the entrance." The woman gave her a momentary glance which, despite her hard gaze, seemed somehow reassuring, "We'll keep you safe. You have my word."
It was not until the battle was over that Lucina learned that the girl claimed to be Robin's child. Of course, Lucina and her comrades were extremely skeptical about this claim considering they had never seen her before that day. Of course, her father also refused to act swiftly regarding Lucina's warning. He instead charged her with finding some proof that the girl's claims were false or that she was engaged in some sort of insidious activity.
So, Lucina set about to do just that. Over the next week, Lucina made it her mission to prove that Morgan was some sort of spy. Most of the girl's actions were subject to Lucina's scrutinous eye. However, despite her suspicions, Morgan never did anything truly insidious. At least, not as far as Chrom was concerned. Apparently, setting up pitfall traps around camp was a "mostly harmless prank." She had also been spending inordinate amounts of time with their chief tactician discussing strategy but Robin had promised that he had not disclosed any sensitive information.
Her suspicions ended up turned on their head though about a week after Morgan joined them. How she had not noticed it, Lucina did not know. Perhaps it was because it blended in so well with her brown eyes, but it finally made more sense why Morgan had been so shifty eyed. As Lucina was told after confronting Robin, he had told Morgan to avoid making eye contact with the Shepherds.
But she saw it despite Robin's efforts to keep it hidden. There, in Morgan's left eye was the same brand Lucina also bore in her very own eye. That brand now seemed to bore a hole into Lucina. It was incredibly unlikely for a brand to appear in the same place within several generations. The exception being that it sometimes happened with parents...and their children. Meaning that Morgan, in all likelihood, was Lucina's daughter. Well a Lucina's daughter at least.
This complicated matters for the princess. So far, they had kept it secret from the rest of camp, but it was only a matter of time before it got out, and Lucina dreaded once it did. The rumors would follow shortly thereafter. Generally about herself and Robin most likely, and they may get increasingly scandalous if left unchecked.
That was a conversation she was also not looking forward to having with Robin. Their relationship was not exactly what Lucina would classify as romantic. She thought fondly of the man, but she admittedly had not considered, or - more accurately - she had not allowed herself to consider anything more serious. Though, the proof seemed to sit before her that there could be more between them.
She would deal with the Robin situation later though. At the moment, she had more pressing concerns. Such as her teenage daughter sitting awkwardly across from her as Lucina struggled to do something even remotely motherly. She had briefly considered running from such a responsibility - she had not birthed any such child after all - but she quickly realized how crushed she would have been had her parents similarly taken that road out with her.
This left Lucina struggling to find a way to be something she did not have much of growing up. Her mother outlived her father, but she still had precious few years with her, and none of them were as a teenager. To say she was out of her element would have been an understatement.
"So, um, I see that you carry a sword. Your skills seemed quite impressive for one so young."
"I...guess," Truth be told, Morgan would have gushed at receiving praise from her mother if everything were not so awkward. Morgan completely understood Lucina's skepticism after she explained it, but that still did little to make her demeanor a bit more cheery. Truth be told, Lucina was an imposing figure. As much as Morgan would have loved her approval, she was also a bit frightened of the woman.
This left the two awkwardly sitting mostly in silence. This was clearly going nowhere.
"Morgan," Lucina sighed and Morgan sat up ramrod straight making Lucina flinch slightly, "I apologize if I hurt your perception of me, but I would like to get a...fresh start."
"I just...you're an imposing figure. I mean, you're a princess! I...guess that makes me a princess too, but you're also so cool! The way you fight, and you're so regal in how you carry yourself and stuff! I guess I felt a bit intimidated."
"I...I don't think I'm all that. Besides, you don't seem to have an issue dealing with...Robin's repetare."
"I guess, it's just, having two amazing parents. I don't know how I can live up to it."
Lucina could actually understand that burden, "You should not use me as a metric for your own success. I can already tell that you're a bright young lady. I do not want you to feel burdened by my rank. In fact, I would like to see more of your swordsmanship. You seem to effortlessly blend mine and Robin's styles. I'm rather impressed."
"Really?" Morgan's face lit up.
"Yes," Lucina smiled genuinely for the first time since they had sat down.
"What are we waiting for then?" Morgan shot to her feet and grabbed Lucina's arm, "Let's go!"
"What? Now?"
"Yeah! It's still daylight out! I'll impress you, just you watch!"
Lucina let out a slight giggle as she followed/was pulled along by her daughter. She certainly had energy to spare. This may have been unfamiliar territory, but maybe it would not be so bad.
