MARTYR ;

Ah, once again those words… Robin wasn’t sure who was put upon more every time they were spoken: Emmeryn, for apologizing for something that was well beyond her ability to control, or her siblings for the reminder.

“Indeed, so you’ve made sure we understand…” He spoke in turn, the corner of his smile faltering some as he once more had to wonder if Emmeryn’s continued assertion of her lost memory wasn’t also a means to try and communicate that, perhaps, she’d rather not be here… But still– “Rest assured, the gesture is something I take to heart.”

Putting his right hand over his heart, Robin gave a slight bow in gesture. The woman before him now had done more than enough to have his unconditional respect even putting aside the Emmeryn that once had been, and the bond they shared as she was had no dependence on that.

After all, came troubled thoughts, whispered in the back of his mind, you’re not exactly one to talk when it comes to recovering lost memories, are you, “Grima”?

“–Ah, I see…!” Robin’s face took a turn for the brighter, as an amusing thought struck him. If it was a book of old legends from Chrom’s collection… “I’m gonna take a wild guess, and assume more than a fair few have concerned a certain progenitor of the royal family?”

Goodness, in hindsight, Robin was hardly surprised Lucina had become such a fangirl devotee of the Hero-King of legend, considering how much Chrom patterned his rule around the old stories.

“I... certainly hope so...”

Did she ask this of him in the past, she wondered as she looked at the younger man, in his sincere eyes, as if they held answers to her numerous questions. Instead, she saw a subtle hint of sadness, it came and went, barely noticeable. She recognized this gaze — Chrom and Lissa looked at her the same way, sometimes unable to hide their sorrow, remembering the person she once was, the person she was trying to become once again. And despite her oblivion, it pained Emmeryn to see those people so distraught as they braced themselves, trying to stay strong for her sake rather than their own.

“Now... what’s... with that look?” Emmeryn muttered softly, her broken voice was gentle — a token of her past. “Had I really... changed... that much? Had I never treated you... in such a manner before?”

As she spoke, her pale fingers were carefully tracing letters and ornaments on once white pages — a simple, instinctive gesture that she paid little to no mind to. Lately, she’d been learning more about herself, discovering skills she didn’t know she possessed. She could read with surprising ease, as it was a rarity among villagers who found her and took care of her until she reunited with her family several weeks ago, and she could sew, even though her hands were still a little stiff at times. Many songs sounded strangely familiar to the woman, just like those tales she was reading until Robin came to visit her. She couldn’t remember learning of those things, yet this knowledge came to her naturally, much to her surprise.

That she was able to rightfully retain his name in memory at this stage was comfort enough that she wasn’t beyond reconstructing her identity… Be it anew or be it from parts forgotten was something of a moot point at this stage.

He, Chrom and Lissa, they were all in agreement: so long as she was healthy and contented in her direction, they’d support whatever she ultimately chose for herself…even if it was a path that led away from Ylisse.

“Well, that would suggest I see you as anything other than someone deserving of reverence… Buuut, if it helps, I’ll drop the title.” In spite of his words, he wore a cheeky smile. “Still gonna be thinking it, though.”

His tone was warm and welcoming, but also a touch slowed with an air of patience. Robin wanted to make himself a trusted presence, but at the same time he didn’t want to become intrusive. It was too soon to call what might become overwhelming for her.

Stepping fully into the room and quietly shutting the door behind him, Robin was able to rightfully take note of the book lain upon her lap. A good sign, as well. All evidence made a clear case that Emmeryn’s personal faculties were otherwise intact and perfectly functional, at least as far as receiving and retaining information was concerned… Chrom would be relieved for such a good report, assuming the man could actually put aside his doubts for once long enough to trust his right-hand’s judgement on the matter. 

“Ah, so this is what’s kept you busy! That certainly tracks.” With a ponderous stroking of the chin, he he came around adjacent of her, curious. “If I may… what’s caught your eye to keep you so preoccupied today?”

“I... don’t remember any of it... I keep hearing that... I used to rule a kingdom... but I have such a hard time imagining it...”

Smiling sadly, Emmeryn spoke almost apologetically, as if she felt guilty for being unable to remember what seemed like common knowledge to her saviors whose names she had finally managed to memorize, not without some initial struggle. There were times when she felt like she hardly made any progress, but those people’s encouraging words and smiles gave her courage. They loved her. They didn’t have to tell her, she could see it in their eyes, in their gestures, in those small, subtle details that mattered more than words ever could. And they waited for her, for the person she once was, even though they would keep loving her ever so selflessly regardless of her condition.

“Still... I think of you as a friend... please... consider it.”

Her voice was still quiet and broken as she spoke, but her eyes gleamed with serenity and compassion, just like in the past when she was still the Exalt of Ylisse and her former self. Upon hearing his question, she smiled, more lightheartedly this time — he was a curious individual, she figured (had she always known that?), and very observant, too, having noticed her book immediately before she had a chance to say a word about it.

@peaceruled liked for a starter

To this day, in spite of everything that come to light of his origins, there was one thing Robin held as truth in his heart above all else: that who he was was “born” the day he was found by Chrom and Lissa out in that field. It was by no means any exaggeration to say that the Exalt family was more dear to him than anything in the world, and all that he was, he attributed to them.

It didn’t hurt that, to him, they were some of the kindest, most good-hearted souls around, at that. 

So, for Robin to keep attendance to their eldest sister when Chrom was otherwise indisposed as King? They hardly even needed ask.

“Pardon?” A light knocking on the outside of Emmeryn’s room accompanied the sudden voice. “I can see the lamplight… I’ll be opening the door!”

Cracking open the door, Robin slipped partways within, turning his focus to the preceding ruler of Ylisse.

“Forgive my intrusion, Lady Emmeryn… I’d not heard anything of you today, so I figured I’d check in.”

“Oh, Robin... come on in...”

Some time had passed — weeks? months? poor woman still had trouble keeping track of time, and the memories of her past were still a blur — since this kind young man and his friends, to two of whom he had referred to as her siblings (it caught Emmeryn by surprise when they showed her the brands they possessed that looked identical to her own), took her in. Their faces seemed so dear and familiar to the former exalt, yet whenever she tried to make an attempt to remember anything from her past life, at least a glimpse, her head and heart were starting to ache. But she wished to remember. She wished to try again and again, for the sake of those people, for everything they’d done to her.

When the white-haired tactician opened the door, Emmeryn was in her armchair, an open book resting on her lap — a small hobby of hers that, as everyone had hoped, could ease her recovery. But, perhaps, it could wait for the time being.

With a faint, barely noticeable smile the exalt slowly lifted her hand up in the air, demanding — no, asking, if not begging for — silence, her melancholic gaze turned to the young man upon hearing his plea. He must have known, she was sure, that she had not come to this decision easily, and it pained her so much to have to voice it, keeping it secret from all but one confidant. Even Phila was not aware yet. So many times had she tried to reach out to Gangrel and his people, yet with every new attempt the young woman was slowly starting to lose hope she kept holding onto no matter what. She knew (perhaps, she always had) that the Mad King wanted to see her life end, probably by his very own hand. Reasoning was no longer optional. But if she could exchange her life for peace, if her sacrifice could ensure Chrom’s success, this was a price she was willing to pay if need be.

Ever since her husband was a little boy, he’d been taught to carry himself with pride and dignity fitting for a prince and, therefore, a king-to-be. He was a stern, wise man, calm and collected and almost overwhelmingly charismatic, a man who put the interests of his nation before his own. Many would consider him a typical warrior, stern, if not reserved, but now, at this exact moment, Emmeryn could clearly see tenderness and love in his eyes — the two of them rarely spoke of their feelings out loud, not because they had nothing to say but because it was simply a matter of their nature, to communicate their emotions not verbally but through gestures and eye contact only they could understand.

She met his proposition with a warm smile, and there was a spark of playfulness in her eyes as she looked at him, remembering the days of their teenage days when they were… quite frankly, a little rebellious, willing to get in trouble with their parents (or, in her case, guardians) and teachers later for the sake of a few hours of freedom they would spend walking side by side and talking about many different things. Now, with children who required their attention and many duties to attend to, the married couple did not have much time only for themselves, which was one of the reasons why the woman cherished such rare moments so much.

HEADCANON (for the upcoming pre-established ship; feat. @chariotofhoshido who’s coming back). Emmeryn and Ryoma were promised to each other at a very young age, way before two children could possibly comprehend the idea of marriage, let alone an arranged one. It was done to strengthen the political alliance of Hoshido and Ylisse. Therefore, it makes Chrom the first in line to inherit the rights for the Ylissean throne while Emmeryn becomes a member of the Royal Family of Hoshido. It is important to mention Emmeryn, Chrom and Lissa’s father died too early, and therefore Emmeryn, being the eldest child, had no choice but to rule Ylisse temporary until her wedding.

It would be wrong to say that Ryoma and Emmeryn never met and only saw each other for the first time on the day of their wedding (the date was set years before the ceremony, for they were meant to get married as soon as they both came of age). In fact, they got to spend a decent amount of time together thanks to occasional visits their families paid each other. Emmeryn and Ryoma got along very well early on. It wasn’t love at first sight, but two well-educated kids had a lot to talk about and therefore came to respect each other as friends, if not as future husband and wife. That was when they began to send letters to each other on a regular basis as a way to stay in touch. Thus, the two shared a strong platonic bond, which was going to be the strong basis of their upcoming marriage.

However, eventually the friendship they shared ended up turning (slowly but surely) into deep, warm feeling: love. For Emmeryn, it started when she was 14 years old: she and Ryoma were teenagers at the time, and the boy she knew began to grow into a strong, reliable and, quite frankly, handsome young man. Hoshido is considered a peaceful nation, yet its people, royalty in particular, value honor and duty. As a result, Ryoma has become a stern and strong warrior with a heart of gold, a man who dedicated himself to his family and his people, a true leader. Emmeryn, on the other hand, has grown into a peace-loving, calm, almost serene woman, all due to her father’s unbearable cruelty. Therefore, Ryoma and Emmeryn complemented each other well: a natural born leader and a kind-hearted woman, they are surprisingly equal in their relationship.

💚 - friendship❤ - romantic relationship

Emmeryn’s romance options are so ridiculously limited (to one person, Robin) that I gotta be honest, I am curious (very curious, in fact), although, and I gotta be honest once again, only time can show whether it might work or not, especially if we take Emmeryn’s status (after all, the is the ruler of another kingdom) and trauma into account. But hey, I am intrigued, so if you’ve got ideas, feel free to share them, I’m all ears!