Steffan let out a small laugh as he got up from the bed, putting on some hunting leathers instead of his formal attire, he oicjed up his sword and folllowed his wife outside of their room.

"Your own style of fighting? Perhaps I might be impressed, yet I don't think you will be able to best my my beloved." He mused

Isaiah gave a small smile as he studied the babe. "Aye a strong name. He'll grow up to be just strong as his father I'd say." Isaiah reached to inspect the baby further and was surprised he took a hold of his finger before cooing softly even battle-hardened Isaiah couldn't deny the moment try as he might. H epulled his figer free of the baby's grip quickly before he did anything embarrassing and gave a sheepish laugh. "He is a grand child isn't he?"

Isaiah was moved watching Lorelei with the baby, finally seeming to find something that brought her joy. Isaiah had never thought about having children of his own, and with his occupation it would never happen anyway. He was a knight sworn to protect the royal family and he would keep his vigil till his dying day, but because of that there would be no time for him to find love in this life, his unreciprocated feelings for his queen had proved that. The family he protected would have to be enough.

Lorelai smiled as the baby held Isiah's finger. It was funny to see such a big, strong man hunched over a child like that. She returned the child to it's basket and put him beside his mother. The princess stood, wiping her skirts. She seemed a bit reluctant to leave the child but they had other things to do that day. She stretched as she took in the picturesque family. A strong father, a kind mother and a son with infinite potential all tucked on a simple plot of land.

That's what Lorelai wanted. That peaceful bliss and a family she could call her own. However, that was as good as a fairy tale.

Isaiah nodded to the woman politely and waved softly at the child before walking away from the hut. Instinctively he made sure to stay close to the princess to deter any would be attackers, even though he was off duty. "You were very good with the child milady. I look forward to the day when I see you with a family of your own."

Lorelai felt both sad and happy at his words. She was happy because he believed her worth of finding a man and having a child but sad because she doubted she would. However she still turned to him and smiled. "Thank you, my friend. But I doubt that that day is mine to have." Her lips pressed in a thin line and she wanted to smile more than the grim line allowed but couldn't. Instead she walked a few steps ahead so he may not see the melancholy expression she wore.

Isaiah was a surprised by her response and walked a little faster to try and keep up with her. He hoped he hadn't said something to upset her. "Apologies milady but how would I be wrong? You're beautiful, strong, and come from a great bloodline. With your birthday approaching I imagine many suitors will be present hoping for your hand." He said as if he was stating well known facts. He had already been preparing the guards assigned to the event to be ready in case one of said suitors got too anxious.

As Isiah approached she pressed a happier, nonchalant look onto her face. "I sincerely doubt that. I have nothing they can gain. I'm not a real princess, only because my father wanted me to feel equal did he give me the name of a princess but all in the castle know that I am not. I'm not even sure I have a dowry." She had begun to ramble a bit but slowed her speech and her pace. "Besides, no right minded man wants a false princess. A bastard." Her smile was meek and she realized she had been clutching her dress in tight fists.

All of her life this is what she'd been told. That she was lucky to live in the palace. That she was a guest more than anything. That if not for the late king's kindness she's be a simple brothel whore. Despite what she'd been told, she believed it true, if not exaggerated. A nobleman wanted a small, delicate woman to call a wife. A woman from power. Any man to marry Lorelai would get no power and simply a small home and a few servants. If they were lucky they would live in the castle but all of that depended on the king. She was not eligible for the crown, not unless something happened to Irena and Steffan and so long as they both lived with the potential of children on the horizon, Lorelai was a guest. Not as though she wanted to rule by any means anyway.

"That's just how things are." She said, letting her hands dangle at her sides. She smiled but it seemed listless.

"Is that all people marry for then? Power and wealth?" Isaiah muttered in disgust as if he heard something incredibly distasteful and looked at the princess with concern. "You are a real princess to me milady regardless of the circumstance of your birth."

GODDAMN double

Lorelai gave him a genuine smile then. "Thank you." Isiah always knew the right things to say. "And you a real knight, despite how many pieces of armor you break or swords you lose." She laughed a bit, seeming to be her usual self.

(Lol)

Isaiah gave a mock frown but laughed after a few seconds. "Technically the sword wasn't my fault, this mage flung it into the moat when those rather intelligent fellows from the thieves guild decided it would be fun to attack the castle." He raised his ribbon covered wrist. "Besides even if I have no armor or sword. This is proof enough of my knighthood."

For some reason, when Isiah raised his wrist to show her ribbon tied there, she felt happy. Extremely happy. "Then that's good enough for me." she said sincerely. Lorelai looked up at him for a moment, studying him before looking away. He'd changed so much, they both had. "So what's next?"

Isaiah shrugged. "To be honest I thought we'd still be at the Blacksmith. He wasn't as furious as I had imagined." Isaiah was happy that the princess was in better spirits seeing her down always had made him feel awful. "Well you are the princess, and I the loyal, knight, sworn to follow your every whim. So what is it that you would like to do milady?"

The queen raised her head high "Wish to test that theory sir?" She bent down a pulled out her two trusty daggers, at the hilt of each was the kingdoms prize jewel, a sapphire. She had the blades at her side and posed in a cross between a fierce pose and an almost inviting stance "Have at thee!" She belted"and came at him, her dagger clashing with his

Lorelai furrowed her brow and considered where else to go. It wasn't often she got to choose. "Can we go to the market street?" she wanted some sweet, home made, pastries. "You know, Isiah, you don't have to call me a princess if it's just the two of us. We're far past titles."

Isaiah was surprised that the princess had said that to him. Ever since he was first brought into the castle he was immediately taught to address royalty by their titles it had always been expected of him to. "Thank you Prin- Lorelai." He gave a small laugh. "It feels strange to say your name without the 'Princess' in front of it milady." The princess had managed to surprise him yet again. "Shall we head to the market street milady?"

Lorelai smiled and giggled. "No need for 'milady' either." She said, walking toward the village. "I am Lorelai, and you are Isiah. That's it." There was a short dirt road before they reached the bustling main street of the kingdom. People hurried back and forth and children chased each other. The sounds of animals were distant, indicating a farm somewhere.

Isaiah continued down the road with a small smile. "So just Lorelai then?" Saying her name like that had made him feel happy with a small twinge of guilt as if he had broken some big law, but his smile grew bigger. "I apologize in advance for any slip-ups I'm bound to make." While it may have seemed simple to her, what she had said had resonated with him a great deal. Sometimes he liked to feel like a human being rather than another walking suit of armor, and even something as small as addressing her without a title felt liberating.. "Thank you Lorelai."

Lorelai looked at Isiah over her shoulder and smiled, stopping as a horse drawn carriage stopped in front of her. "You're not just a knight. Not just my knight." She faced forward as the carried ambled past. She held her hands behind her back and rocked on her heals. "I plan to buy some fresh tarts. The palaces ones are good but the ones in the village are just...different." She laughed a bit. "Does that sound odd?"

(All the batman refs were in my head when I said knight...you're not just a knight...you're the dark knight...you are BATMAN)

Steffan drew his sword in an instant, blocking the incoming attack of Irenas knives. Using his superior strength, he only needed a single push to have her move away from him, the light jab on her shoulder indicating the 'strike' he achieved.

"You shouldn't rush to battle like this My Queen....there is always the possibility that the enemy will ne stronger than you. Think before you act and device a plan to take him down." he advised.