Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem Awakening, all rights to the owners.
Two posts in one day, enjoy!
Risen they were called. Atrocities from beyond the grave, animating the peaceful dead into horrific mockeries of who they once were.
Chrom had the displeasure of fighting them on his way back to Ylisstol, and when he reported them to Emmeryn he discovered that they were suddenly running rampant all over Ylisse. They emerged in the dead of night, rising from graves and old battlefields, or shambling out of forests covered in plants and dirt. The coastal cities have even reported the monsters climbing out from the sea with rusted axes in hand.
Chrom's Shepherds are running themselves ragged trying to take down the more dangerous packs. They run from border to border hunting down dangerous great knights or alleviating tired village defenders until proper defences can be built.
During those sporadic times when Chrom returns to Ylisstol he consults with Emmeryn, Phila, and Ylisse's remaining generals. They point him to new areas in need of help, or particularly tough bands of Risen.
In those meetings Chrom also learns of the so-called 'dead zone' in Risen activity. It's a small safe area consisting of a single forest and its surroundings where there have been no Risen attacks. That's not to say there haven't been Risen sightings, but rather than attacking the Risen ignore those nearby entirely and instead all make their way to the forest.
The Risen are gathering, and the council doesn't know why. Chrom and his Shepherds are sent to investigate this unusual behaviour and discover what is drawing the Risen in.
###
There's something watching them. Frederick spotted it, a Risen cavalier watching them from a distance. Unlike all other Risen they've met so far the cavalier doesn't immediately attack. It calmly monitors them, unmoving. When they approach, it backs off. When the Shepherds keep moving, it shadows them.
They move deeper and deeper into the forest, and more and more Risen start to appear. First it's a pegasus knight flying overhead, then a myrmidon following them from behind, and then a mage walking alongside the cavalier.
"Chrom, we're surrounded." Lissa mumbles.
"I know Lissa, but if we attack they might too." I murmur back.
Frederick isn't happy about this either. "Nonetheless, I think we should attack before there are too many of them Milord."
Something else steps out of the bushes, a cloaked figure with a thunder tome in hand. "There you are! I almost forgot where I sent these guys. It woulda helped if you stopped moving you know."
Chrom blinks. "You sent the Risen?"
"Yeah. I've been looking for a way out of this stupid forest for a week." He huffs. "They found hills and plains but no roads or towns… it was such a hassle."
The blue-haired prince isn't sure how to react to that. This man, in his greamleal cloak, is clearly a necromancer, but he's not hostile. "Well uh… we're not a town or road, but we know how to get to a few."
"Milord." Frederick murmurs. "Perhaps we should not show the grimleal the way to our cities?"
"That's a fair point." Chrom thinks, frowning. "But I should judge based on actions, not expectations. That said some prudence is in order." He takes a deep breath. "Why do you have Risen under your control?"
"I dunno to be honest. I just woke up in the forest with an army of undead." He shrugs. "Then I figured out I could order them around. Weird huh?"
"Weird indeed." Frederick mutters, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What do you mean you 'just woke up'?"
"I can't remember anything really." The man admits. "Just that my name's Robin and that I'm a tactician."
"I've heard of this, it's called amnesia!" Lissa gasps.
"It's called a load of pegasus dung." Frederick grumbles.
"And what if it's not?" Chrom says back. "It's our job to help the lost, and if Robin can truly control Risen he might be able to help us."
"It's your call Milord…"
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave your troops behind though, people don't react well to Risen walking the roads." The prince says firmly to the boy.
"That's fair." Robin shrugs. "But I don't know how big my range is for control. I don't want them to run rampant when I move too far away."
"Oh, that's a problem." Chrom mutters. "How large is your control range?"
"I dunno." Robin shrugs. "I've never sent my troops far enough away to find out, but my journal tells me I have a definite range." He taps his coat, knocking against a book hidden within. "It doesn't tell me what that range is though."
"Okay then." The prince says. "How many troops do you have on you? Could we just kill them…?"
"I have two hundred, including thirty elites." The man says bluntly. "And I'd prefer they don't go to waste."
"Two hundred?" Frederick murmurs, grimacing. "Gods above."
Chrom's brow furrows as he ponders the situation. "Well you're going to have to stay out of the city then. Do you have a tent, food, water?"
"All of the above." He nods, and beckons forwards one of the risen behind him. A massive armored general stomps forwards, and then turns to the side revealing a backpack, bedroll, and bundled tent. "I have enough supplies for a few weeks."
"Okay then." The prince nods. "You'll follow us to the outskirts of Ylisstol, and then hide your army in the nearby forest. We'll come back to you in a few days with more supplies, and to talk about your situation."
###
"Milady this is a terrible idea." Phila says bluntly.
"I must concur your Highness." Frederick agrees. "There is no need for you to see the man yourself."
"I disagree. This man, Robin, holds tremendous power and has been kind enough to wait on us despite being refused entry to the city. It would be disrespectful for me to not see him myself." Emmeryn asserts. "Besides, I am hardly unprotected. I have the Shepherds and some of the pegasus corps here with me."
Chrom says nothing. He just hopes this meeting goes well.
They walk down a small hunting trail. The birds chirp and a squirrel leaps from a branch to reach some nuts. There's absolutely no indication that an entire army of Risen are hiding just a mile or two deep in the forest.
The pegasus knights fly just above the treetops, making wide circles around the group on the ground. Sully and Stahl flank Emmeryn, Chrom, Lissa, Phila, and Frederick as they march forwards, the rest of the Shepherds trail just behind the main group, and Kellam brings up the rear with his massive shield.
Eventually Robin must have noticed their approach because the Risen just off the path stop hiding and emerge from the trees and undergrowth. The watch silently as the squad passes, red eyes trained on the small group of people in the lead.
Eventually they reach the clearing where Robin is staying. His tent is set up to the side with a fire burning in the middle, surrounded by rocks. A sizable stack of firewood is set up to the side, and even as they enter a Risen grabs a new piece to lay on the fire.
"Oh, hi." Robin greets, looking up from his seat on a nearby log. He has his journal in hand and seemed to be in the process of writing something. His eyes quickly fix on Emmeryn. "You look important, who are you?"
Phila bristles, but Emmeryn smiles and bows. "My name is Emmeryn, I'm Chrom's older sister."
"And the Exalt of Ylisse." Phila adds curtly, glaring at Robin.
"Well hey Emm." The grey-haired tactician greets amicably, totally ignoring the usual formality that would be expected of someone greeting royalty. "What brings you here? I was expecting just your brother and his goons."
"Screw you!" Sully snaps, glaring.
"See? They scowl and frown all the time. Goons." Robin says, grinning cheekily. "So what's up?"
"I came to visit the man Chrom told me about." Emmeryn replies, moving over next to him. "May I sit?"
"Sure." The tactician scoots over to make room. The Exalt of Ylisse delicately takes a seat next to him.
"It would seem my brother put you in a curious situation." She murmurs. "I apologize that we cannot allow you into the city."
"Well that's partially my fault. If I didn't care so much about about keeping my troops I could just let them be killed peacefully and walk in without conflict." Robin shrugs. "But I have an army and I don't know why, so I think it might be a good idea to keep it around. Besides, if what I heard from Chrom is true it would seem Ylisse is having some troubles lately, and my army might be able to help."
"And you're willing to offer it despite our behaviour so far?"
"I hardly think you all being suspicious is a good reason to refuse to help." Robin scoffs. "Besides, they coulda attacked me on sight but didn't. That's a pretty good reception for a guy leading around an army of corpses."
Emmeryn smiles. "Well thank you then. We are very grateful for your offer of assistance."
"Just point me in the right direction." Robin grins. "My Risen will take care of the rest."
###
"There's nowhere to run!" Robin cackles, eyes reflecting the flash of his lighting bolt. "My army is upon you, give up!"
As much as Chrom knows the tactician in on their side, it's eerie to see him slaughter a group of bandits and immediately reanimate them as his servants. Over the last two months his army has grown from two hundred to four.
The current band scatters, screaming as the undead horsemen bear down on them. A Risen dark knight brings down a levin sword, silencing one brigand, and a group of cavaliers impale several more.
Robin himself strikes down the leader at long range with a well-placed arcthunder. The mages acting under him follow suit, barraging the area with a hail of fire and extinguishing the few bandits that stick by their leader.
The Shepherds are only there to provide a barrier, preventing the brigands from trying to run towards the village. Robin's Risen take care of the actual fighting so as to not put human lives in danger.
It unnerves Chrom how his personality flips when commanding his army. He goes from laid back and casual to manic and ruthless.
The prince is glad he isn't on the wrong side of Robin's attack.
###
"You're either the least busy leader I've ever seen, or you're going out of your way to visit me." Robin says cheekily, relaxing against a log like usual.
"It would be rude not to make free time for someone so important." The Exalt hums, sipping from her cup.
"Emm, we're having tea and chatting." The tactician snorts. "I hardly consider that important."
"I must disagree, spending time with those I'm close to is very important." Emmeryn murmurs. "My work loses its meaning if I forget who I do it for. That includes the people yes, but also my siblings… and you as well Robin."
"I think I'm included in 'your people' by this point Emm." Robin chuckles.
"Again I disagree. At worst you are a friend, and my friends are more than the faceless, numerous people of the country." The exalt responds. "I care for them, and hear their stories and plights, but someone who I know better than most can't be considered just another face in the crowd."
"Good to know I'm remembered." The tactician snorts.
"Well of course." She smiles. "You're hardly forgettable."
"I hope that's a compliment." Robin chuckles.
"Well of course, I wouldn't insult a friend."
###
"Wh-What is this?! An army of corpses?!" Gangrel shouts, recoiling from the sight. "Since when did Ylisse dabble in dark magic!?"
"Tch." Aversa sniffs. "It seems we have a traitor. Only grimleal know how to command Risen."
"Die die die!" Robin shouts over the battlefield, using the same hysteria Gangrel usually uses. A mad grin is on Robin's face as he stomps across the sand with four elite Risen guarding him. "Flee now, or all of you will join my army!"
The squad of purple and grey corpses is a sharp contrast to the usual blue and white of the ylissian army. The Plegian army's muted brown and off-gold provides a difference in tone once again to the other groups, blending in with the desert sand and rocks and making their exact numbers harder to discern.
That being said, having an army of corpses bear down on them shatters the resolve of some segments of Gangrel's army, and he watches as entire regiments break rank and flee the monsters.
"Blast, I was planning on staying to see the slaughter, but I think I'll sit this one out." Gangrel snarls. "Come Aversa, we have planning to do."
###
"I have a plan."
Chrom broods over those words as the Shepherds scramble to assemble. The prince has come to trust Robin, but this is his sister's life on the line. Emmeryn has shown trust in Robin, more than Chrom thinks he deserves, but he dearly hopes to be proven wrong here and that Robin will pull out all the stops to keep his sister safe.
Robin is nowhere to be seen, though his army is nearby. He has to be relatively nearby to keep control of his troops though (about a dozen miles, which was confirmed by some controlled tests with weak Risen under his control) so Chrom doesn't know why the tactician hasn't checked in with them yet.
"Chrom!" Robin's familiar voice hollers, as if on cue. The man rides on the back of his dark knight guard's horse and leaps off to land in front of the prince. "Okay! I finalized the plan, and I need the Shepherds to do exactly what I say."
"And what would that be?"
"Be really distracting!"
Chrom gives him a flat look. "That's it?"
"My troops will do the dangerous work. Oh, and I need to borrow Lissa or Maribelle."
The prince sighs, rubbing his brow. "Take Maribelle. She should be ready by now."
"Great, thanks!" Robin chirps, giving him a thumbs up. "Just intercept those wyvern riders and look intimidating, okay?"
Chrom reluctantly nods and watches as the man runs off. He dearly hopes Emmeryn's trust isn't misplaced. Grimacing to himself, he turns to his team. "Shepherds! Be prepared for moving combat! All melee units on foot, stay with a mounted partner for safety! Ranged units and healers avoid the center of the fight, stay on the outside so the others can circle around to protect you and so you have space to retreat!"
###
Emmeryn looks down at the masses below, smiling sadly at the sight of the Shepherds circling the fort and the mob of Risen breaking into the courtyard. She can't let anyone make the choice of her life or the safety of Ylisse. With reluctance she steps towards-
"My lady!" Maribelle's voice breaks through her somber thoughts. She turns her head to see the girl on the back of a Risen pegasus just beyond the fort's boarders (the Risen rider still controlling its mount of course) with a rescue staff in her hand. A second pegasus knight flies just by her side. "My apologies in advance for the landing!"
The Exalt doesn't understand what she means until the magic coils around her body and she's transported to the back of the other pegasus knight. The landing is indeed a bit hard on her body from impacting the hard leather saddle, and she quickly holds on as the Risen rider jerks the mount around to fly off the battlefield.
"You're lucky Robin came up with such a plan Milady!" Maribelle scolds. "Phila told you not to take walks at night, especially without your guards! Honestly, you're as bad as your brother!"
The Exalt coughs, feeling a bit sheepish. "M-My apologies. I did not expect a kidnapper."
"Well of course not, I'd hope you aren't that foolish." The other woman sighs. "Oh, erm, pardon my saying so Milady."
Emmeryn smiles, still embarrassed. Down below she can see the Shepherds pulling back as Robin and his Risen finish their assault on the fort and retreat, still peppering the plegian forces with arrows and fireballs as they back up into the desert.
The Exalt has a feeling she will have a lot of explaining to do when she lands.
###
"Emm!" Lissa cries, tackling her sister in a hug. "Don't do that!"
"And I thought Chrom was reckless…" Robin sighs with a smile. "We're in a warzone Emm, think before you act!"
"Sorry everyone…" She murmurs, smiling slightly.
"Gods, don't startle us Emm." Chrom huffs, putting a hand on the blonde girl's shoulder. "You're lucky Robin came up with a plan."
"Hey, I'd like to think it's skill on my part." The tactician huffs. "It wasn't even a hard plan! Give me some credit!"
"Thank you for your assistance Sir Robin." Emmeryn says, bowing low to him. Lissa giggles and Chrom rolls his eyes. It may not be obvious at first, but their sister tends to be overdramatic (especially with others around because she has an image to maintain, and a few Shepherds are indeed listening in).
Robin scoffs, smirking. It seems he's familiar with this too. "Sir? What happened to me being a friend at worst? Is your brother Sir Chrom too?"
"W-Well-" Emmeryn coughs. "Sorry."
"Come on." The tactician teases. "Is it that hard to say my name on its own? You always avoid it. Never 'hello Robin', always just 'hello'. Now it's Sir Robin? Have I become a knight?"
Chrom swears he sees a light blush on his sister's face as she says "no of course not. Please accept my uttermost apologies R-Robin."
"Your uttermost apologies?" Robin chuckles. "How dramatic… and grammatically incorrect."
That's definitely a blush. "I am a bit flustered at the moment."
"I can tell." Robin says with a grin, poking her in the cheek. "Mighty Emmeryn, Exalt of Ylisse, schooled by a mere plegian boy."
Phila is fuming, and clearly resisting the urge to slap the boy's hand away. Chrom heavily suspects she has prior orders to allow Robin's teasing, because the Phila Chrom knows would never have hesitated to stop Robin.
The prince is dense, but he can clearly see where Robin and Emmeryn's relationship is headed… and he isn't sure how he feels about it.
"Aren't they so cute?" Lissa whispers in his ear, suppressing her giggles. "I've never seen Emm so flustered!"
Chrom sighs and nods. He'll wait to see how this plays out.
###
"I swear Emm, you come out here anymore and people are going to start thinking I have you under a curse or something." Robin chuckles, handing the Exalt a plate of roasted pheasant. "And for dinner too? You could have a better meal back at the castle you know. I'm not a master chef."
"But then I couldn't eat with you." Emmeryn murmurs, accepting the food.
"Ditching your siblings for me? That's cold." Robin jests.
"Chrom wanted a day to eat with Sumia anyways, and I think Lissa wanted to spend a night with someone by the name of Lon'qu…" The lady hums. "It was fine timing, I have little to do after dinner anyways."
"Really? I thought you'd have a lot to do! The war only ended a month ago." The tactician's eyes narrow and he smirks. "Did you offload it onto Phila? Poor girl."
Emmeryn smiles serenely. Phila may not have approved of tonight, but she insisted on taking the burden off her if the Exalt was determined to do this. "Oh no, she volunteered. I'm glad to have a clear schedule tonight thanks to her."
"You'd almost think tonight was important from hearing that!" Robin laughs.
"That's because it is." The Exalt murmurs. "I have an offer for you."
Robin raises an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
"I want for you to live in the castle-"
"Wasn't that already the plan?" They has already made arrangements for Robin's soldiers to be dismissed (meaning turned back to normal corpses, not turned loose) in a special part of the dungeons so the bodies could be preserved for future use.
"I want you to live in the castle..." Emmeryn repeats frimley, setting aside her plate to have a proper conversation. "...with me."
"With you?" Robin chuckles. "Chrom and Lissa don't count?"
"You misunderstand, I chose my words properly." The lady says, taking something out of her robes. She reaches out a closed hand as if meaning to drop something in his palm, and Robin extends his own hand in amusement. "I wish to marry you."
The tactician blinks in shock at the simple golden ring suddenly slipped over his finger. "I-I…"
Emmeryn smiles. It's refreshing to Robin flustered for once. "If you need time to think-"
"N-No, no! I accept!" He stammers. His hands snap forward to grab hers. "I-I just never expected this to happen! I thought me being some random plegian-"
"Will be irrelevant." The Exalt hums. "The council will have to accept my choice, for they have no power over the decision."
"Gods…" Robin mutters, feeling giddy. "I-I'm honored, and excited, and nervous, and… wow."
"You'll find I'm much the same." Emmeryn smiles, and leans in to rest her forehead against his. "I look forward to spending more time with you Robin."
Actual male Robin romance, and with Emmeryn of all people. I dunno, it just seemed to fit. Half of each chapter I write is made up on the fly, so twists like this tend to sneak in without even me expecting it.
Zero kami no mu: I'll keep both of those in mind. Vampire Robin is the more immediately usable of the two, but I might be able to slip Spellshooter Robin in somewhere (it may have to be combined with something else, or slightly modified).
ScorinVoidseeker: Chrom is just a great pairing for F!Robin in general (IMO of course, but it's not hard to write romance for the two of them). Hope you enjoyed the first proper M!Robin romance.
I corrected the typo, good catch.
Emmet was introduced in the Exalted chapter and mentioned even before that in Timesnap. He's not new.
Italics are difficult, always being case by case. I don't see the incidents you're talking about in this chapter though, would you mind giving me an exact quote so I can locate what you're talking about? Thanks for the help.
Oh, and sometimes this website tends to erase formatting, so there's always a chance the website is at fault.
DetectiveChickenWing: Good to see I wasn't too far off. I was working with Wikepedia and a couple YouTube videos for reference, so I wasn't sure how accurate it would be.