It had been five years since Emmeryn had taken the throne, and the people were finally beginning to accept her, much to Chrom's delight. It had been painful to watch Emmeryn struggle to heal the hearts and minds of the Halidom only to receive nothing but pain in return, yet at the same time, he was very proud of his sister because not once had she given up. Emmeryn's will was ironclad and something that Chrom desired to emulate.
A rustling of the leaves in the tree Chrom was sitting in broke his concentration, and Robin pulled himself up onto the branch beside him.
"Finally found you," Robin said by way of greeting. "I got kicked out of book club today. They were talking about girl stuff, you know?"
He stretched out and reclined on his branch, and turned back to Chrom. "So, what are you doing out here? Did Vaike challenge you to a fight you didn't want to indulge in, or are you just avoiding Frederick and his overprotective habits?"
Chrom laughed. "Just thinking, if you can believe it. About the past few years and everything that's happened."
Robin smiled at him. "Yeah. I understand. Emmeryn is doing great, though. She's pretty awesome."
Chrom agreed, and mirrored Robin's position, reclining on his own branch. "She really is. I seriously doubt I would've been able to pull off the restoration of the Halidom the way she did."
"Well yeah, of course you'd struggle. We're nine years old, Chrom. Em is only fifteen. It's kind of a miracle she pulled all this off considering how young she is. Given how difficult it was for her, imagine how tough it would've been for you being six years younger."
"Yes. We're lucky to have her. If I become half the person Em is, then I'll consider myself blessed."
"I'm sure you'll make it Chrom. And even if you can't do it alone, you'll have me, Reflet, and everyone else to pick up the slack."
Chrom laughed. "Thank you Robin. Not sure I appreciate the jab, but I am glad that you're my friend. I think the greatest thing your mom ever did for the Halidom was bringing you and your sister with her."
Robin looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "Pretty sure that's an opinion that only you have. Everyone else will say that the greatest thing mom brought was her tactics and knowledge."
"You and Reflet will surpass Morgana by the time we're Em's age. I've seen your tactics homework, and the stuff the two of you come up with is crazy. She'd be proud, I'm sure of that."
Robin blushed at the praise, but frowned. "Mom wasn't all that great. Sure, she was smart, but she still went along with everything in your fathers war. We both know the war was wrong."
Chrom sobered. "I suppose you're right. But nobody is perfect. I think we should remember people by the good they did, don't you? Besides, she's still your mother. She certainly cared for you more than my father did for me."
"Yeah," Robin agreed. "I do miss her. She definitely did a lot for Reflet and me, so I guess you're right. Thanks, Chrom."
"Any Time, friend."