Isaiah looked down the floor in embaressment. "It was just my job my queen, there is now need to go through such trouble for my sake." He winced slightly as the shoulder wound started to sting again, an followed the queen surprised to see her room remodeled so fast."Milady, if i may ask, why the sudden interest in learning to fight?"

Isaiah looked down the floor in embaressment. "It was just my job my queen, there is now need to go through such trouble for my sake." He winced slightly as the shoulder wound started to sting again, an followed the queen surprised to see her room remodeled so fast."Milady, if i may ask, why the sudden interest in learning to fight?"

Irena was very.tired so she just laid on the bed soaking up all the warmth of her blankets. "because i want to be like you, strong and independent" she said childishly the queen never really used that tone of voice with isiah but she felt like her whole perspective on life was different now that she absorbed the orb and went all dragon faced. "I want to be able to defend myself, i cant always relie on,you for protection. Your a busy man" she said trying to take a serious tone but finding herself sounding like a child who wants to learn how to sleep without a night light

"I apologize if my performance of late as been unsatisfactory towards you my queen." Isaiah was confused by how down he felt at the queen thinking she couldn't rely on him. "I assure you that your protection and that of the princess is my top priority." He shook of his doubt again not wanting to appear weak in front of his queen. "What would you like to learn? Other than the sword I'm proficient in the spear and the bow. Another option is another teacher, Sir Lawrence has worked wonders with the princess in her fencing lessons and is a much more experienced teacher than I." He bowed apologetically. "I hope I'm not offending you milady. I would be happy to teach its just...I don't want to disappoint. you."

"Oh no isiah i didnt mean it like that, i ment you cant always protect us" she said trying to reasure him she put her hand back on his shoulder and smiled up at him even though she had changed her feelings always stayed the same about him, better than any king or prince she had met "Sword, im good with blades i weild two daggers but iv never fought with a sword" she said with a slight blush So cute, like a puppy

Isaiah smiled in relieve despite himself and his old reservations seemed to vanish. "A sword yet you wield dual daggers?" He thought for a moment on his idea and whether it would be suitable for her. "I could perhaps teach you to dual wield swords as I do, when shall we start milady?" He instantly remembered his sword that was currently at the bottom of the castle's very deep moat. "I'll have to get to replace my other blade."

"Oh no isiah i didnt mean it like that, i ment you cant always protect us" she said trying to reasure him she put her hand back on his shoulder and smiled up at him even though she had changed her feelings always stayed the same about him, He was sweet but she knew she would never be unloyal to the king "Sword, im good with blades i weild two daggers but iv never fought with a sword" she said with a slight blush and twinkling smile

[Bleh. Sorries]

She smiled and yawned "Not tonight im quite tierd, Maybe tomarrow afternoon?" She said in a hopeful voice, She twirled around and sighed "You know iv got word the king will be returning soon, i want to show him my- err Your skills" she said exitedly it had been a while scense she had seen the king, the thought of him made her blush a deep red "This may sound like a unusual request but will you find Lori, i have news for her she dosent even know!" she squeeled and with that she hugged him and strongly pushes him in the direction of the door "Bye sir knight" she said and gave him a soft swat out of the room.

Isiah was taken back by the news, The king was returning? This was excellent news! There wasn't a day that had gone by without him regretting not going with him on his journey into the Badlands, but someone had to stay and protect the Queen and Princess and he couldn't trust anyone else to do the job right. He was happy that he would soon see the man he saw as a brother once more, but he couldn't help but feel a slight pang of...something, at seeing the queen's reaction to the news. It wasn't jealousy, it couldn't be! Jealousy was too unbefitting of a knight of his caliber. Before he could really think about the Queen was ushering him out of the room sending him to find the princess. "Of course milady, I um, shall do that." He said breaking free of his thoughts and walking off the find the princess.

Lorelai was on her way to her quarters. She had stopped by the guards hall and picked up a sheath for her new weapon that now hung on a belt at her hip. The princess had been contemplating a nice bath when she saw Isiah. "Oh hello." She said, surprised by his presence. "Is everything alright?"

The crown upon his head shone resplendently alonhside his majestic armor, even in the high moon of the night. His white destrier trotted gently through the brick streets as King Steffan rode towards the Castle with his retainer of Knights and the Royal Guard. And the small folk showed a heated and respectful support for the new king, cheeringand blessing his Majesty's name while filling the torch litted streets as he rode by, waving the royal hand all the same.

Steffan traveled to the badlands to extinguish tge darkness and evil, achieve something that no other King ever dared and place his name amongst legends. But when he heard of flying creatures devouring people and cuttle while witches set villages on fire, he coukd only turn back as a hurricane before the forces of evil devour his own Kingdom from its heart. Yet the need to see Ilena-his sweet and beautiful Queen- reigned over any of his troubles...

And thus the villagers cheered on, their cheers even echoing across the walls of the castle.

"All Hail King Steffan!!!"

Isiah was surprised to have found the princess so quickly and marveled at the new blade at her side. He put on the most sincere grin he could muster. "Other than the gaping hole in my shoulder, I couldn't be better." He pointed down at the weapon. "I see that Sir Lawrence gave you the sabre," He remembered why he had been sent to find her in the first place. "The queen has asked me to find you, She has news for you."

"Oh alright. And Isiah, do get yourself to the infirmary. No more running around until you're patched up." Lorelai said pointedly. "I'll see to the queen soon as I am decent." She was obviously referring to her fencing clothes and went to her room. Maids were waiting to scrub her down with a bath the second she passed the threshold. The princess sat in the tub as they scrubbed her clean and brushed her hair before giving her a simple gown to wear.

Now decent looking, she went to the queen's chambers. "Queen Irena? You've summoned me?"

The queen was deep in thought as Lori had walked in "Oh, i have wonderful news" She said riseing from her bed and standing in front of her she grbbed her hands "The King is returning!" she blurted with a big smile "It feels like years, Oh and lori what i said in the drawing room stays between me and you ok?" she said in a hopefull voice. She loved the princess very much and it kinda began to sink in I was merly missing him, thats why i liked the gaurd She was worried now what if the maids talk out of turn about her "And if anyone else knows tell them to be silent, or they be taken into the dungen.." The queen never spoke those words befor but this was serious Great another secret to keep from her king

A stern maid named Helga came up to the king. "My King. The castle sends praises that you have returned to us safe. A bath is drawn and stable hands are prepared to take your steed. I am sure you are tired from your journey so we have planned a breakfast feast on the morrow in celebration." Though Helga used such formalities she had been nursemaid to the king, and handmaid to the late queen. "For now, I suggest you rest in your private chambers." She said suggest, however it didn't seem like much of a suggestion. The plump maid lead the way back into the castle.

Lorelai was excited and relieved to hear her brother was safe, however she kept herself calm with the knowledge that they wouldn't meet often. Helga, the head maid, would see to that. "That is wonderful news, my Queen. And please, do not worry, you have my word." Lorelai gave a calm nod. "Now if you'll excuse me, I believe it's time I retire." The princess seemed off as she walked out of the room, though she always seemed a bit tense whenever it came to her brother. Once in her room she changed into her night gown and went to sleep.

Steffan hopped of his horse for the stable boy to take the reins , his own hand resting on the pommel of his polished sword. A few days ago this blade bathed in the blood of trolls, ogres and a multitude of dark creatures.

"Thank you for your concern Helga..." he said to the maid with a tired smile, yet managing to stand regal in his armor "But I will not be visiting my private chambers tonight. I wish to see the Queen." And everyone in the Kingdom knew that the Kings word was an order on its own.

Irena smiled as Lori left her, she was exited and ready to see her king so she awaited him in her nightgown fresh and not covered in blood like she was earlier the anticapation was killing her. I have to tell him about the dragon thing.. laater though hes probably tired and...Just not tonight She remembered how he had left her for the badlands, he had told her he'd return and that once he was home they could disscus having children, Many things have changed in the past year and she wasn't sure what to tell him.

Helga nodded and bowed. "Then I shall tell the servants. We are all grateful for your return." She said then went off about her business.

After his business with Helga was swiftly concluded, Steffan turned on his heels and headed for the opposite direction, hobbling up the stairs to reach his chambers.

He didn't even needed to knock, since tgese were his own rooms. And as he entered, he took in the sight of Irena, the Queen of his Kingdom...his Queen.

"By the Gods..." Steffan said in awe "It seems that a forest nymph made her way into my chamber. Tell me, are you here to bless me with your beauty?"

Irena gasped as she took in the sight of the kiong Delvishly handsome he hadnt changed a bit "if i do, will you make my one wish come true?" she asked springing to her feet and running into his arms feeling his warm body on hers, His scent filling her it smelled of sweet wine and peaches. "My wish is to have your lips on mine" she said in awhisper keeping her face hid in his chest.