Chapter Text
Lucina ran. Everything had gone so wrong. Even as she was on the precipice of a happy life, she had it all taken from her. Almost all of it at least. The thoughts ran through her head as she ran through the thick, cold forest refusing to let her exhaustion slow her down.
The beginning of the end was heralded with her father's murder like she had predicted. Her beloved used as a puppet, he was forced to strike down her father in cold blood. In that moment, her terror and her hatred ran equal. The malice in those normally kind eyes though began to fill her with despair.
Lucina fought fiercely, but she could not turn the tide. She could not even get close to the Fire Emblem. As allies dropped one by one, she realized that they had lost. Ordering a retreat, some of them escaped. Most did not.
As the then acting commander, she ordered the rest to retreat to Ylisstol thinking it would be safe for the time being. However, she would not be accompanying them which was how she found herself running in the forest alone.
"Robin," Lucina entered his tent cautiously, "Your message said it was urgent."
"Yes," Robin responded gravely, "Recent developments have me especially concerned."
"We agreed you'd be able to fight it off," Lucina took a seat across from her husband.
"No, Chrom said that I could, and he convinced you. I'm…it's more of a risk than I would care for. To that end, I want you to do something for me."
"Anything."
"I want you to send word back to Ylisstol. To Morgan's nanny. I want you to tell her to take Morgan somewhere safe. Don't tell me where it is, just make sure it's somewhere I wouldn't know to look."
"Robin," Lucina was getting worried, "Why?"
"If they can control me, it's possible that they can read my thoughts. If they choose to go after Morgan…I want her to be safe. It's just a precaution, but I'd feel better if she was somewhere hidden away."
"Alright. I know a place she'll be safe for a time. I'll send the missive."
"Good," Robin nodded as he put a hand over hers, "I just hope I'm being paranoid."
It seemed that Robin was not just being paranoid. It seemed that his plan was very much within reason. Fortunately, Morgan had been stashed away like he wanted, and she had never told him where.
Finally, Lucina could see the signs of a village coming into view. It was a small hamlet, mostly self-sufficient and, importantly for her purposes, extremely out of the way. She had spent some time here before the Valmese war when she had failed to find any of her allies. Though she had never thought it important to say much about it. Something she was glad about now.
She had granted Morgan's nanny the use of as many funds as needed. She was a trusted and longtime servant of House Ylisse. Robin vetted her personally before she was allowed to be left alone with their daughter. After the business with the Hierarch, he just wanted to be certain.
Finding the house on the outskirts of the town after a bit of questioning, Lucina opened the door.
"Mommy!" Lucina smiled as her little girl hugged her legs, "I was a brave girl. I was quiet and good, and I only cried once."
"I'm glad you were so brave," Lucina ruffled her hair before looking up to the servant, "Lady Rachel, I'm thankful for what you've done in keeping Morgan safe."
"It is my honor and duty as a servant of House Ylisse," She curtsied.
Lucina nodded in response before kneeling in front of her daughter, "I'm afraid I have to go again soon though."
"Aw, why?" The little girl pouted.
"I need to return to the capital. I left in a hurry to make sure you were safe, but it may fall to me to lead them."
"Can't I come with you?"
"No. Your father wanted you out of harm's way. I want to make sure you are safe. I promise I will return."
"I guess. Daddy is really smart."
"Yes," Lucina's smile faltered, "He is."
As she prepared to leave, Lucina gave Morgan one last hug before turning to the nanny, "The Shepherds should be finishing their preparations. I told them what to prepare for. Once it is secure, I plan to come back. I just…wanted to make sure."
"Understandable, Lady Lucina. A mother's love and drive to protect is strong."
"Yes," Lucina looked down for a bit before opening the door, "Stay safe, Morgan, and listen to Rachel. I'll be back soon."
Closing the door behind her, Lucina let out a deep breath. She wanted to stay. She desperately wanted to stay, but she had confirmed that Morgan was safe. Now, her duty was to help prepare for the coming tide of destruction. This village was out of the way, but Lucina was uneasy about leaving her here. Still, Robin had been clear he wanted her out of Ylisstol. Out of Grima's grasp, so she would stay here for the time being.
It would be a few days before she arrived, but she would make better time alone anyway. And good time she would , as she neared the capital, her blood chilled at a horrendous sound. Diving for cover amongst the trees, Lucina watched in horror as the Fell Dragon itself flew overhead.
"No! No, no, no…" Lucina ran. She ran as quickly as she could, but once she arrived at the treeline, she knew it was useless.
Grima had brought its full fell might against the city, personally razing it to the ground. It had taken the dragon years to personally move against the city in her world. Retreating back into the forest, Lucina laid low for some time. There was nothing she could do. Grima was not here to taunt, but to destroy. There was nothing left but flaming ruins by the time the dragon had finished its work.
Lucina forced herself to control her breathing. Dead. They were all dead. Surely they had to be. She had told them to go straight there. She thought it would be safe. It had been safe for years in her world! Why was it not safe?!
Swallowing, Lucina stumbled back the way she had come. Fortunately, the Fell Dragon seemed to be headed West. Away from Morgan. Had Robin foreseen this? Surely not to this level or he would have said for no one to go back, or to at least evacuate. If even Robin had not foreseen things being this bad, what hope did she have?
All she knew was that she wanted to make it back to Morgan. She could sort the rest out later. So that was what she did. She felt about ready to collapse after the long, and ultimately fruitless round trip, but she made it all within a week.
"Lady Lucina!" The servant gasped upon seeing the haggard royal stumble into the door.
"Where's Morgan?" Lucina huffed out.
"Upstairs."
Lucina nodded, "Thank you. The situation is dire. Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice."
"Yes, milady."
Climbing the stairs, Lucina smiled as Morgan gave her another hug, but it was a sad one. Pulling her daughter aside, Lucina began the unenviable task of telling her young daughter that her father was not coming home.
"Morgan, sweety, things…did not go well on mommy and daddy's mission. Daddy…isn't coming home."
"What? W-why not?" The little girl's lips quivered and it broke Lucina's heart.
"We lost, dear. The…the others also…it'll just be us for a while."
"B-but how could Daddy…" Morgan started openly crying causing Lucina to pull her close.
"I know," Lucina teared up herself, "He seemed like he was always three steps ahead, but he wanted you safe." Lucina felt Morgan sobbing into her, "I know it hurts. Cry as much as you need to. I'll cry with you. Together we'll be strong. For those we lost."
Lucina was not sure how much Morgan understood, or even how much she heard, but it was as much for herself as it was her daughter. Tonight, she would cry. Cry for Robin. Cry for her father and mother. For all those she had lost. Then, however, she would have to be strong. Strong for Morgan. To make sure she could defend herself. To keep her safe.