Original prompt: Heart Song

Down in the Shepherd's garrison, a place considered by many to be the heart of Castle Ylisse, a lonely violin tune came to rest.

Maribelle sighed and lifted her bow from the strings, letting golden ringlets fall over her shoulders for the first time in an hour. She was seated in what she considered to be her armchair in the main living area of the Shepherd's garrison, only able to do so in peace because everyone else had gone out to the local tavern. She had a taste for fine wines, but an outing with the Shepherds almost always resulted in drinking to excess, and she was not overly fond of the vulgar behaviour that could follow. Lissa found it all thoroughly amusing and would have forced her to go along anyway, but she was currently absent from the castle.

Which was, of course, quite entirely the problem. Maribelle felt lost without her. At times like this, she only had the heart for the company of one other thing. Her violin had been her best friend until she'd met Lissa, and it stepped up to fill in the role well when it was needed.

Still, it wasn't quite the same. She missed her friend dreadfully. She was not accustomed to having to share Lissa so frequently, and her relationship with Lon'qu was getting harder and harder to bear. Maribelle was pleased that her friend was happy, of course, but a shiver of revulsion still ran down her spine at every mention of the wedding. She could feel it slowly creeping up on her, an expiry date for their friendship. Nothing would be the same again afterwards.

Even now, it was already starting to change. Lissa was currently away on a trip to Regna Ferox with her beloved, reducing the time that she and Maribelle would get together before the big day. She frowned and let out a large sigh.

"Are you all right, Maribelle?"

Maribelle looked up from her prized instrument with a start and saw Robin standing in the doorway. She, too, was drawing closer to her wedding with Lissa's brother, which was most likely why she had not gone out with the others – she'd barely entered the garrison all afternoon because of her own wedding preparations. But now it appeared that she was finished for the day, and unless she was planning to spend the night in Chrom's room (honestly, did she think no one realised?) Maribelle was suddenly going to have to deal with company much sooner than she'd expected.

This fouled her mood even further. "Of course. Is it so wrong to grasp the opportunity for some peace and quiet around here?"

"I was referring to what must be your twentieth sigh since I saw you this morning, but we could address your preference to spend all your time alone since Lissa left if you would like." The grand tactician crossed the threshold and threw the door shut behind her. "You're as icy as when I first met you when she's gone."

"If you abhor my company so much, you could leave."

"No, I think I'll stay." Robin walked across the room with a gait much resembling Chrom's impatient stride, and Maribelle had to hold her tongue to stop herself from correcting her posture.

It worked for a few seconds, until Robin sat down and curled in on herself to rub her eyes.

"Oh, for goodness' sake, do sit up straight!"

Robin did as she was told with a glare. Then she closed her eyes and took a calming breath. "Look, Maribelle, I didn't mean to snap at you. My apologies. I was actually hoping that I could ask a favour."

Maribelle set her violin aside with some reluctance. "I, too, apologise. I should not speak in such a way to Prince Chrom's fiancée, even if you will always be a lowborn at heart. How may I be of service?"

"A low...? Maribelle, I don't want you to think of me in that way – either way. This is a request from one friend to another. I'm told that you are a fine troubadour, and I heard your excellent playing on my way down here. Do you still compose music for others?"

"I haven't indulged in such a task since I joined the Shepherds, no. When I get a spare moment, which is rarely, I occasionally compose something for myself."

"Do you think you could make the time to compose something for me?"

Maribelle raised one shapely eyebrow at her comrade, but Robin's face was closed and serious.

She sighed and rose to her feet. It seemed as if a lengthy discussion was about to take place, and it would no doubt be a tiresome one with such a clueless commoner. "Would you care for some tea before we talk about it?"

"No, thank you. You'll tell me I'm not drinking it right."

"I have no doubt that would be true. Your posture while sitting alone is –"

"That's not what I came to talk about, is it?" Robin interrupted wearily. "I came here to talk about music, a topic you no doubt love almost as much as the ways of a lady. I want you to write me a song to Chrom."

Maribelle turned away to start her preparations. "I rather think if anyone is going to be doing that, His Grace should be doing it for you."

"Well, I'm doing it. I just thought...during our wedding preparations today, I was reflecting upon the fact that Chrom and I hardly do anything romantic. Cordelia and Stahl go for regular picnics. Frederick and Sumia always make sure to go out somewhere when given time away from their duties. Lissa and Lon'qu are spending a few days travelling around Regna Ferox and sight-seeing as we speak. She's going to incorporate whatever Feroxi traditions she can into their wedding. Isn't that romantic?"

"Quite." With the tea brewing, Maribelle glanced over her shoulder at Robin. This time, she found that she was getting the raised eyebrows.

"I thought you'd be gushing about it."

"Why would I? He's hardly my husband."

"That's usually the way you look at things. Lissa's always all yours."

"Well!" Maribelle turned on her heel to glare at Robin properly. "There's no need to say it like that. I simply do my best to look out for my darling Lissa. Someone must protect her."

"Chrom does. So does Lon'qu. And on top of that, she can actually look after herself."

"It doesn't matter." Maribelle picked up her teacup and walked back to her chair. "I would give my life to ensure that Lissa could have a happy one."

"She is happy, and yet, I can tell that you don't like it. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm overjoyed for her. Of course, a higher-born man would have been preferable, but I suppose I'm hardly surprised. She has always been rather different to the average noblewoman."

Robin rolled her eyes. "You've hardly set foot outside for the last few days. You retreat down here the first moment training is over. You barely talk to anyone, and you won't go out with them. What is it that ails you so much that you crave complete isolation?"

"I do not wish to be alone."

"Yet you are. You've been like this ever since Lissa left. Are you jealous that she's been taken away from you on a trip?"

"No one will ever take Lissa away from me," Maribelle said, but her voice wobbled. She set down her teacup.

Robin's face softened. "She will still talk to you when she's married, you know."

"She's infatuated with that Feroxi man. The past few days should prove as much."

"She won't want to spend every waking minute of her life with him, though. Gods, I couldn't cope if I never got to speak with Sumia and Cordelia."

"You and Prince Chrom are inseparable."

"We wouldn't be able to deal with each other if we could never see anyone else. It doesn't matter how much you love someone: you still need to spend time with others. Lissa knows that. She's much too energetic to even try confining herself to one person, anyway. She won't abandon you, Maribelle. You'll see."

"Do you honestly think so?"

"I know so. You're her best friend, and she's not going to forget that. Besides, do you really think she can discuss tea, dresses, and whatever else with Lon'qu?"

Maribelle allowed herself a wry smile. "No. Goodness, imagine the look on his face!"

Robin grinned. "See? She needs you, and for much more than that. You should stop worrying."

"I can never stop worrying about Lissa."

"This is about you, not Lissa. Next time, don't keep these worries to yourself. Lissa may be your best friend, but she doesn't have to be the only one you share your feelings with. You can always talk to me."

"Thank you, Robin." Maribelle's throat closed up. "That means a lot. You have to understand that I don't have much in the way of friends. Lissa is so precious to me."

"I know." Robin smiled and pushed Maribelle's shoulder playfully. "Now, cheer up. My song?"

Maribelle glared at the tactician, pulling away. Then she hesitated. "I'm uncertain if this is a good idea."

"What? You won't do it for me?"

"Perhaps not. You've just made me think...what Lissa and Lon'qu have is special. He makes her very happy. Imagine if she were to come to me asking for a love song. I could do it. I can make you a beautiful song, Robin, one that clients of all classes would be pleased with. Yet I can't ever fully compose your feelings. I can only compose a projection of my own."

"Are you saying I should write a song? I wouldn't even know where to begin!"

"I'm saying that you should find a different way to let Prince Chrom know he's appreciated. Lissa and Lon'qu aren't the most romantic couple, you know. They rarely dine out or go on any other type of date. They enjoy each other's company in different ways. Do not think about what most people define as romantic. What do you and His Grace do together that you find romantic?"

Robin thought for a moment, twisting her engagement locket between her fingers. "Everything, I suppose. Planning out battle strategies, discussing arrangements about the army, training together. Fighting side by side on the battlefield. That's what I like best of all."

"That's not a typical response for a lady."

"I'm not a typical lady."

"Which is precisely why you don't need me to write you a song for Prince Chrom. I'm sure he would prefer doing any of those activities you listed, for he is much the same as you. Think of something that you would both enjoy if you truly wish to be romantic."

Robin frowned, seemingly deep in thought. Then her face cleared, and she stood up. "Thank you. I think we've both taught each other something this evening. I have an idea already, and I'd like to act on it right away. Goodnight!"

She was out of the door before Maribelle could even tell her off for running in such an unladylike manner.