The Broken Tactician

With the Return of a Memory

It was decided that I would be moved from the small room that I knew into another, slightly larger one. I wasn't sure what to make of it but the man seemed to have a plan up his sleeve as he gave me a wink. I wondered what that was about but as he placed me in a hammock I began to tense up and then it moved slowly back and forth in such a way that actually felt nice. I was pretty sure that I fell asleep thanks to the movement. When I woke it was to a rather sharp tone from the cleric to the man. He said, "Robin needed some time outta tha' room Lilian, 'sides he seems t' like th' hammock jest so."

Lilian if that was the cleric's actual name came over to make sure I was fine. Fact of the matter was that I was perfectly happy where I was and even though I couldn't really speak she seemed to figure out that to be the case, "Well then jest make sure he's warm, there was a nip in the air tha' won't do him good. I don' wanna have him catch a cold Roy."

"Of course Love. I kept him in his blankets so he won' git cold."

Lilian sighed and carried over a fresh and wondrously warm blanket and tucked it into the hammock. I smiled as best I could and she seemed happy, "Ya only gave him two o' 'em Roy..." She said then turned and smiled at me. She continued, "Mind ya keep at least three or so love."

I peered over the edge of the hammock and spotted Princess come into the room and couldn't help but smile at her from where I was. I had to remember who she was. I mean I knew who she was for gods' sakes. I saw her sort of smile back and then settled right into the hammock. She had a pretty smile. I wish there was more ways for me to help her smile more.

~

The second week of Lucina's stay with Lilian and Roy marked a few more changes. Firstly that the first snows started falling and the Annas arrived with their goods for the last time of the year; allowing Lucina to get a direct as possible message to Ylisstol that their search for Robin was finally complete and that he was in the process of recovering from his fight with Grima. Secondly that Robin was (finally) able to sit up unaided. Lucina noticed that he seemed to be gaining quite a bit of strength since she'd bought a Mend staff for Lilian for Naga Day. Even more remarkable was the fact that Robin liked the scarf that she'd given him to match his coat which she also returned to him.

Lilian had suggested the scarf when Lucina showed her Robin's coat and explained that it was important to the tactician. Roy had gone with Lucina to help her both deliver her message to Anna and to get the actual scarf which thankfully Anna had on hand. Robin for his part didn't seem to really notice the day being any different but it was for Lucina a wonderful day filled with joy as he actually seemed to be enjoying himself; even if he wasn't able to communicate if he was or not. He ate the food before him without fuss and seemed to be relaxed. If anything he seemed glad to have more time out of the room he was first in and Roy more often then not would bring Robin out and put the white haired tactician into the hammock that he was so fond of. Robin would be quite comfortable for some time while Lilian got caught up doing tasks that were required of her (like making tonics for the people of the village) that one almost would feel a little sorry for the tactician. Part way through the week Lucina decided to see if there were any books in the village at all. To her lack of surprise there wasn't much, a couple of books on Naga's worship and a rather old dusty book that contained a historical biography of Marth...at least she thought. Still she had an idea in the back of her mind and she hoped that it would help Robin's recovery. She was given the book on Marth (Raulf as it turned out was Roy's son and had asked the old shop keep if it would do as repayment for a favour Lilian had done for him. The man had agreed with a smile.). Needless to say Lucina wasn't sure how much it would help, but she had to try.

She took up a seat near Robin where he doubtless could see her and started to read...

~

I was half asleep in the hammock when I heard a chair being moved. I was a little surprised when Princess of all people sat down with a book in hand. It wasn't until she started to read aloud that I came with a realisation. She had a very soothing voice and for a moment I let it wash over me,