Author's Note...s- :-) Hello all! How have ya been? I have been totally sick the last few days... crappy for me, but I suppose good for you since I've been laying around writing all day... :-P Anyway. You'll have to forgive this phase. These are the wrapping up the loose ends so that the real story can take off chapters... did that make sense? So yeah... a little slow... a lot fluffy... things should start picking up again. Or not... this is kind of a fly by the seat of my pants kinda thing... I've got the basic story arc in my head, but that's about it... everything just kind of evolves from there.... so anyway. Sorry... I'm really chatty tonight, eh?

Jetti- Thanks for the reviews... glad you like my story... but since you're my Mom... it doesn't count... lol... but thanks all the same. Marak would have liked to kill them, but since grace is sort of the underlying theme of my story... I couldn't let him kill them... I'm glad my fluff quota was met... hehe... have to keep ya happy, right? Thanks again for the reviews... it's really kind of weird writing this when you are sitting not five feet away talking on the phone... weird... anyway. Love ya. Hope you continue to enjoy my writing... you really need to get to work on yours, though, woman!

Nobody- I feel so bad calling you nobody... you are somebody! Somebody that reviewed and made me very happy! Thank you! Sorry about not writing very fast... I have a procrastination problem... it's really bad... *sheepish smiley* Anyway... here's your chapter... I think I'm going to name it "Somebody's Chapter"... in honor of you! It will be the only named chapter so far! Do you feel special yet? Thanks again for reviewing! I hope you stop by again soon!

XXX

Chapter 10

Jadyn trotted out to the mailbox, a letter to Kira and Matt in hand. Marak still allowed her to take early morning runs as long as she was accompanied by one of the guard, and although he did not share her love of excursions through a dimly lit forest when one could be warm in bed, he occasionally joined her. Today, however, Jadyn ran without him, enjoying the opportunity to spend time in the sun.

Reaching the mailbox, she switched out the previous day's mail with her letter and closed the box, sorting through the junk mail as she walked slowly back up the long gravel driveway. Her breath caught at the sight of an envelope addressed to her from Dr. Coris in Chicago. Her test results.

XXX

As he walked quickly down the hallway to their quarters Marak decided that he loved married life. Jadyn should be just getting back from running and he was anxious to discuss today's plans with her. He reached out for her presence as he neared their doorway, to see if she were already there. His eyes snapped open as he encountered worry and uncertainty emanating from their bedroom. He pushed the doors open and quickly looked around for his wife.

He found Jadyn sitting on the bathroom sink, staring at her slowly swinging feet. She looked up, startled as she heard him enter the elaborate room. "Jade?" She looked back down at her feet. Marak quickly crossed the bathroom, taking her hand. "Jade, what's wrong? Did something happen outside?" He checked her surreptitiously for any injuries, noticing for the first time the papers in her hand.

"I tried to tell you, before we got married, but you wouldn't listen to me. I don't know, Marak, what are we going to do?" Jadyn whispered, pulling her hand away and lifting her eyes to meet his.

Marak reached out to stroke her cheek. "What are you talking about, beautiful? What were you trying to tell me? What's going on?" Bewilderment shone in his deep brown eyes.

Wordlessly, she handed him the papers she held in her trembling hands.

Marak's shoulders tensed as he read the cover page, then relaxed as he quickly skimmed the rest of the pages. He gave a small sigh of relief and turned his attention to Jadyn's troubled face. "It's okay, Jade, I already knew all this and it's nothing to be worried about." He shook his head ruefully. "Poor little humans, you get so worked up over such small matters." He teased, trying to coax a smile out of her.

Jadyn's frown deepened. "Marak, I don't think you understand. My ovaries don't function properly, I may not be able to have children. There won't be an heir, Marak. You have to find someone el--"

Marak kissed her, cutting off her increasingly frantic rant. "Jade, darling, I knew when I married you that it would take a while for you to conceive. It's okay, Goblins are used to waiting for the heir, sometimes as long as ten or fifteen years." He gently wiped the tears pooling under her eyes with his thumb.

"If they're used to waiting, why the pressure from Faran to get married? Why didn't you tell me you knew? Do you realize how much I've agonized over this!? How the heck did you find out, anyway?"

He laughed, amused at her habit of barraging him with questions when she was confused and was rewarded with an indignant frown. "Sorry." He responded, borrowing her line.

Jadyn grinned weakly. "No you're not."

"Well, maybe I'm not sorry for teasing you, but I am sorry this issue has caused you pain." Marak sat down on the counter next to her and began rubbing her back. "I didn't tell you I knew because I thought you were unaware of it and I didn't want you refusing to marry me out of some misguided sense of responsibility. Don't give me that look, I know you." He kissed her forehead before continuing. "As for when I found out, it was the night you were attacked. I worked a spell to assess your injuries and it informed me of a hormonal imbalance. I did some research and came to my own conclusions, I also came to the conclusion that while it's not something I can heal magically, it is something that can be straightened out naturally, it just might take awhile."

"Okay, but why did Faran want us to get married so fast?" Jadyn frowned, still confused.

"Jade, just because Goblins don't mind waiting a few years doesn't mean they want to wait forever. The sooner we got married and, um, got 'started' the sooner an heir would be born." He pointed out, grinning at her embarrassed blush.

"Yeah, I get it." Jadyn grinned back at him and hopped down off the counter. "Out. I need a shower."

Marak raised his eyebrows. "Hmmm. I think you'll need some help with that."

Jadyn laughed, pushing him out the door. "We don't have time for that, now get!

XXX

"Jade?"

"Yeah?"

"You are not wearing that tonight." Marak stated firmly, amused.

Jadyn glanced down at her ragged jeans, faded t-shirt and flip-flops. "Why not?" She frowned.

"Well maybe because it is a formal dinner and while you look gorgeous, I don't think our subjects would fully appreciate your sense of style." He winked at her as she blushed. "You forgot."

She shot him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry?"

"No you're not." Marak sighed. "C'mon, let's get you dressed."

"I needed ten more minutes." Jadyn grumbled, trying to finish her hair as they were walking toward the dining hall.

Amused at her unsuccessful attempts, Marak retorted. "I shudder to think what you would have done with ten extra minutes. As it is, I doubt I'll be able to keep my wits about me. I should have them seat you at a different table, out of my eye sight." He teased, taking the bobby pin from her and securing the strands of errant hair. She was attired simply in a strapless sage-green floor length gown. Her jewelry was understated, tiny diamond studs sparkled in her nose, eyebrow, and ears. Thin silver bands wrapped around her left wrist and upper ear, giving her a wild, exotic look. A silver clasp twisted her chocolate curls back from her face. The end result was stunning and Marak found himself quite unable to keep his eyes off her.

Thunderous applause greeted them as they entered the expansive dining hall. Jadyn blushed. Even after two months she was still unused to the constant attention and admiration. She nodded, waved regally, then turned to glare at the smirk on her husband's face.

Jadyn found herself seated between Marak and Beorn, the Captain of the Guard, a powerful goblin with armored skin like an armadillo. She enjoyed talking with Beorn, despite his somewhat ferocious appearance, he was a quiet, reserved being and a tactical genius.

"Milord," Beorn addressed Marak with his clear low voice. "Your young wife here has been sharing with me some of her ideas. One in particular strikes me as quite brilliant."

Jadyn blushed. "Flattery aside, I was thinking over the problems between the Elven and Goblin kingdoms and it seems to me, that much of the hostility stems from ignorance. I have no fears about the current climate, you and Aeron have been diligent in fostering a healthy respect between the two races, but I do fear for future generations."

She paused to gauge the reactions of the men around her. They looked deadly serious, Faran gestured for her to continue. "We need to start introducing our young people to the Elven culture and encourage them to do the same. Maybe start a sort of foreign exchange program." Marak had to hide a grin at the excitement in her voice and animated gestures. He nodded his support and she continued.

"We could allow some of our older children and teens to serve as pages in the Elvish camps and in turn we would train some of their children here. Maybe if they understood our culture, they would not be so afraid. At the least it would help foster the friendships that will be needed in the future."

"The budding diplomat." Faran grinned. "A very unorthodox idea, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. What do you think, Marak?"

"Beautiful- er, I mean brilliant." He grinned mischievously at Jadyn, then sobered, his voice turning serious. "I really do think it is a brilliant idea. Let's discuss some of the logistics so we can have all the details in order before we bring it to Aeron."

XXX

"Would you sit down? You're making me nervous." Marak tugged at his wife's hand as she nervously paced the living room of the Lodge.

"Goblins aren't supposed to exist, Marak. What if they freak out? What if they think I'm crazy, we're crazy? What if they have a heart attack?" Jadyn sighed heavily and plopped onto the couch beside Marak who promptly wrapped his arms around his frazzled wife.

"Stop worrying." He murmured into her silky hair. "Kira loves you. Everything will be fine." He brushed a quick kiss on her lips then stood up, leading her to the kitchen. "Fix me food, woman, I'm hungry."

Jadyn eyed her husband suspiciously. "Are you trying to distract me?"

Marak rolled his eyes. "Does it matter?" His stomach growled.

"I guess not." Jadyn grumbled, rummaging in the refrigerator. She emerged with a Pyrex container of chicken salad. "Here. There's bread in the bread box. You can make a sandwich." She shoved the container at him without meeting his gaze and opened the cabinet to look for chips.

Marak sat the salad on the counter frowning at the curtness in her voice and the maelstrom of emotions that seemed to manifest visibly. He slowly put his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him, closed her eyes with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Jade. I should have been more sensitive." He snorted ruefully. "You'd think someone who could sense thoughts and emotions would be better at this."

Jadyn shook her head, twisting in his arms to look up at his face. "No, Marak, I'm sorry. I just - I don't know what's wrong with me."

"You're afraid of losing her." It was a statement, not a question. Marak pulled her tight against his chest, gently rubbing her back. He felt her relax, the dark fear and worry seemed to dissipate a little as she responded to his ministrations.

"You're too good to me. I don't deserve you." Jadyn sighed, tightening her arms around her husband.

Marak laughed. "Silly little human." He muttered. "When are you going to realize that it is I who is undeserving? Don't argue with me, beautiful, you'll lose." He grinned at her mutinous glare.

Jadyn made a valiant attempt at hanging on to her annoyance but felt her glare dissolving into a grin against her will. She just couldn't resist that grin of his. That who-me-I'm-innocent-here grin. She managed to turn her amused smile into a condescending smile. "It really wouldn't be fair to argue with you, what with my superior intellect and all. And I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings so I'll just let you think--" Her speech came to a halt as Marak lowered his head and began brushing satin kisses against her collarbone. Jadyn tried to remember what she was saying, but "Um" was all she could come up with. Marak smiled at her eloquence, working his way up her neck and along her jaw line. Jadyn bit back a moan. "You- that's not- You're not fighting fair." She accused breathlessly.

Marak laughed softly. "Do you really mind?" He inquired, huskily. He didn't wait for a reply before hungrily claiming her mouth. Jadyn's last coherent thought was to marvel at how every kiss still felt like the first. How he could still take her breath away with simply a look. She closed her eyes, becoming unaware of everything save the movements of his mouth on hers, his fingers entwining in her hair, and the desire burning in her veins.

It took several moments afterward for her to regain her senses. "Um." She took a deep breath. "How much - uh - can you stop doing that for just a minute? I can't think."

Marak smirked, he didn't need his abilities to read her intent. "We have time." He murmured, moving them toward the bedroom.

"Mmm. Okay then, carry on."

XXX

The drive to the airport took no time at all. Apparently Marak was unable to drive anywhere near the speed limit. "We are going to die." Jadyn declared, only half joking.

Marak shot an amused look at his white faced wife. "Relax, beautiful, my reflexes are about ten times even the fastest human's. We aren't going to die."

Jadyn looked unconvinced. "Okay well I'm driving on the way back." His only response was a quiet laugh as he navigated his way to the short term parking lot. They stepped from the into the warm night air. It was a clear night. The stars shining brightly in the inky expanse. Marak caught her hand, interlacing their fingers as they walked toward the terminal.

"Kira!" Jadyn squealed, catching sight of her sister's brilliant red-gold hair.

Marak laughed, releasing her hand. "Go."

Jadyn and Kira met in the middle, embracing enthusiastically. Matt grinned at the sisters as he made his way toward them, toting Katy in a baby carrier. "Katy! Oh my word, Kira, look how big she's gotten. I can't believe it." Jadyn cooed over her niece as they made their way back to where Marak was standing. She stiffened at Kira's sharp intake of breath at the sight of her husband. Marak did look imposing. Standing at about 7 foot, with the build of a professional athlete, his silver skin shining under the fluorescent lights and his wild black and auburn hair reaching just past his shoulders. He wore dark sunglasses, the lighting here being too much for his sensitive eyes, stonewashed jeans and a black t-shirt. He looked more like a movie star than the minor royalty he was supposed to be.

"Kira, Matt, I'd like you to meet my hus- fiance, Marak. Jadyn watched nervously for their reaction.

Matt was the first to recover from his shock. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Marak." He smiled warmly up at the large apparition and, accepting the proffered hand, pulled Marak into a man hug.

"The pleasure is mine, Jade speaks so highly of the both of you, I am honored to finally meet you." He reached to shake Kira's hand, snapping her out of her reverie.

"Nice to meet you, Marak. You're not at all what I was expecting."

Marak fought back a grin at the annoyed look Jadyn shot her sister. "Is this little Katy?" He asked, crouching down for a closer look at the sleeping infant. She is very beautiful." There was no mistaking the wistfulness in his voice. They would never have a daughter, he never thought that would bother him, but looking at this little copy of Kira, he found himself wishing for a mini Jadyn. Kira's face softened at the incongruity of such vulnerable emotions playing out on the face of such an imposing figure. "Well, I'm sure you are both exhausted, shall we collect your luggage and be going?" Marak asked, straightening.

It was well past midnight by the time they made their way out to the parking lot. "Uh uh." Jadyn stopped Marak on his way to the driver's side. "I'm driving, remember?" She smirked, holding out her hand for the keys.

Marak rolled his eyes. "I let you drive and it'll take three hours to make it back." He grumbled, slapping the keys into her waiting palm with feigned annoyance.

"Wow, I thought Jada had a lead foot, you must be crazy." Kira commented sleepily.

"He's insane." Jadyn agreed, slipping behind the wheel and adjusting the seat and mirrors. "You're too tall." She grouched.

"You're too short." He teased, settling in for an unbearably slow journey home.

XXX

Jadyn couldn't sleep. To keep up appearances, she'd stayed at the Lodge while Marak went back home. The bed felt too empty without his comforting presence, the night too still without his steady breathing. Her worried thoughts were a deafening cacophony in the stillness. Giving up on sleep she showered and dressed. The sun would be up soon. She wouldn't see Marak again until that night. Jadyn fixed her mint tea and headed out to the back porch. "Koal?" She called softly.

"Yes, my lady?" The large goblin seemed to materialize out of thin air beside her.

Jadyn jumped, then laughed lightly, nearly spilling her tea. "Could you not sneak up on me like that?" She feigned annoyance.

"You would think your ladyship would have learned to hear us by now." Koal teased.

"Maybe if you would make some noise I could hear you."

"Or perhaps change the guard cloaks from black to neon orange?"

"Yes, that would be great, thanks."

"I'll mention it to Beorn next time I see him." Koal's obsidian eyes glinted with amusement.

They sat in companionable silence for a moment. Of all the guardsmen, Koal was her favorite. All goblins loved to tease and joke, but Koal was probably the biggest tease, he reminded her of Matt. Jadyn sighed, thinking about her brother-in-law. She and Marak would tell them tonight, but she needed to figure out how to prepare them for the impossible.

"They love you, Jadyn, just remember that." Koal spoke, uncharacteristically gentle.

Jadyn shot him a surprised glance. He'd never said her name, it was always ma'am or ladyship or King's Wife. She hugged him. "Thank you."

It was Koal's turn to look surprised. He blushed, his charcoal gray skin darkening to black. "You're welcome." He grinned, amused. "The sun's coming up." He observed, squinting a little. "Are you ready for today?"

"I think I am now."

Koal squeezed her shoulder and stood. "Sage and Rivent will watch you today." He pointed to the osprey and tawny owl in a nearby tree.

The osprey raised a wing in greeting, Jadyn waved back then turned to Koal. "Thanks again. Would you mind telling Marak I love him and miss him?"

"Not at all, just don't ask me to kiss him for you."

XXX

"Jada, if you don't tell me what's wrong I'm going to strangle you." Kira threatened her anxious sister.

Jadyn shrugged. "I'm fine, Kira." She gave her sister an annoyed look and went back to washing the dinner dishes.

"You are wound tighter than a spool of thread."

"What? What kind of saying is that?"

"Don't change the subject." Kira ordered, handing Katy to Matt and joining Jadyn at the sink. "Tell me, Jada, is it about the wedding?" She asked, gently massaging Jadyn's tense shoulders.

"Kind of. Don't get mad at me, promise?"

"I promise." Kira said, warily.

Jadyn took a deep breath. "We already got married."

"But- the invitations-? So there isn't going to be a wedding?" Kira looked hurt, confused, but not angry.

"Oh, no, we're still having a ceremony and all, we just had the actual marriage performed a few months ago. Neither of us wanted to wait until a proper wedding could be planned and I wanted you guys to be here for that so we just had a ceremony for his people. They have some, unique, traditions." She hurried to explain, smiling in relief when Kira's face relaxed into a smile. "You're not mad?"

"No, Jada, I'm not mad. Why would I be mad, silly? I was afraid something bad had happened, not that you had gone and gotten married! I'm just relieved to see you so happy, I haven't seen you this happy since before--" Her voice trailed off.

"Since before Dad died." Jadyn finished quietly. "I've been a pain, haven't I?" She threw Kira an apologetic grin.

"Yeah, but we love you anyway." Matt said lightly, coming up to stand next to his wife.

"Yeah, well there's more, so just remember that tonight."

"What are you talking about?" Kira asked, confused.

"Marak will be here any minute and we have some crazy stuff to tell you." Jadyn groaned, sitting at the table and burying her face in her hands. "You're going to think we're insane."

"You are freaking me out again." Kira warned, sitting next to Jadyn anxiously, her stormy eyes worried.

Jadyn lifted her head. "Do you remember the diary I found the first night we were here?" She asked.

Matt narrowed his eyes suspiciously but Kira just looked confused. "What about the diary?" He asked, flatly.

"It's true."

"What's true?"

"Everything. Elves, Goblins, magic, it's all true. I've seen it, I've lived it." She gestured to the snake around her neck. "This isn't really a tattoo, it's a protection charm." She anxiously studied their faces, waiting for a reaction. They looked shell shocked, wary. "Look, I know it's a lot to take in, I had a hard time with it at first as well." She winced, thinking of her hysterical reaction. "Marak will be here soon, he can explain better."

"So what is Marak?" Kira asked, coldly skeptical.

"I'm a goblin." The quiet voice made everyone jump out of their seats. Marak stood in the doorway, his silver skin and black dog eyes gleaming. Jadyn heard Kira's small gasp as she noticed Marak's right foot. He wasn't wearing shoes, he rarely did except during formal occasions and court. He gracefully stepped to Jadyn's side, giving Matt and Kira a wide berth. "I missed you too." He murmured, planting a chaste kiss on his wife's lips.

Jadyn gave him a small smile, then turned back toward the stunned couple, not quite sure what to say. "Do you think we're crazy?"

They hesitated, Kira finally answered quietly. "I don't know, Jadyn, I just-- I don't know." She shook her head slowly, looking to Matt for support. "I think we should probably go home."

The look on Jadyn's face made Marak ache for her. She looked so -- lost. He'd never seen that look before, not even during her ordeal in December when she nearly died, and it angered him. "What's it going to take for you to believe your sister is telling the truth?" He asked, a dangerous edge in his voice. He ignored Jadyn's startled look and growled. "What is it going to take?" He enunciated clearly through clenched teeth. They just stared back at him, eyes wide. Marak took a deep breath, squeezing Jadyn's hand, and muttering a calming spell. Then, reaching out with his mind, he felt for their thoughts. Their emotions he could read without trying, but even surface thoughts were more difficult. It wasn't so much an issue of unbelief, he realized, but fear. He smiled tightly, fear he could deal with. "Forgive me, I overreacted. As you can see, I am very protective of my wife." Kira and Matt nodded, eyes still wary. "Please sit, I'd like to share with you some of the histories of Hallow Hill."

XXX

They talked late into the night, Marak setting them at ease with his gentle voice and manner. When he felt they were ready he asked Sage and Rivent to join them. Kira and Matt took the guards' strange appearances in stride, and soon Matt was engrossed in conversation with Rivent about martial arts forms. Sage was regaling Kira with stories of Jadyn's time in England. Jadyn shrugged helplessly, rocking a sleeping Katy in the large recliner. Marak felt his breath hitch in his chest, she was so beautiful. Her sitting there with the sleeping child looked so right, so natural. Jadyn lifted her eyes and caught his smoldering gaze. She blushed, she may not be able to read minds, but there was no doubt in her mind as to what he was thinking. Later. She mouthed, returning his look.

Kira yawned, glancing at the clock. "Oh man, it's almost three in the morning. It was nice talking with you, Sage, but I'm about to fall asleep right here." She stood and collected Katy from Jadyn, taking care not to wake her.

Jadyn hugged her sister. "I'm going back with Marak tonight, if you think you three will be alright here alone?"

"Rivent and I will be sticking around to keep an eye on things, my lady, you need not worry for their safety." Sage interjected quietly.

"We're fine, Jada." Kira yawned again. "Go back home and get some rest, we'll see you tomorrow."

"You mean today." Jadyn grinned, glancing meaningfully at the clock.

"Whatever." Kira mumbled, heading for the stairs.

"I guess I'd better make sure she gets Katy in bed properly, she doesn't always think so well when she's tired." Matt grinned, clasping Rivent's hand.

"We'll set up camp here in the den, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." Rivent assured him.

"'Night Matt, see you guys later." Jadyn hugged her brother-in-law.

"'Night Jada. Marak, Sage." He returned Jadyn's hug, nodding at the goblins.

"Would you like me to send Brand and Koal to spell you at dawn?" Marak asked his guardsmen.

"Let them have the day off, sire, I know Koal will appreciate spending some extra time with Aida." He said with a conspiratorial wink. "Now you'd better get that wife of yours home before she passes out."

"I'm not going to pass out." Jadyn grumped, staggering slightly as she got to her feet. Marak put his arm around her to support her.

"C'mon sleepyhead." He kissed her nose affectionately. "Goodnight gentlemen." Jadyn stumbled down the stairs. Marak steadied her, chuckling. Then, ignoring her protests, he scooped her up.

"I have legs, you know."

"Yes but they aren't working so well tonight." He retorted, amused. He set her down in the barn. "I'll be just a minute, so don't fall over, okay?" He teased, reaching for the horse's tack. He saddled the big horse with practiced ease, then mounted, reaching a hand down to lift Jadyn up, seating her in front of him. "I don't trust you to hold on in your current state."

"Eh, whatever, you just want to cuddle." Jadyn grinned.

Marak laughed, urging "Horse" into a gallop. Jadyn, now used to the wild ride underground, leaned back into the strong arms of her husband, allowing her mind to drift. The journey took no time at all and soon they were back in the kingdom. Marak handed the reins to a groom and gathered Jadyn back into his arms. She didn't protest this time as she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled into him, closing her eyes. She was asleep by the time they reached their floor. Marak set her gently on the bed, Jadyn stirred as he eased her shoes and jeans off.

"Can't wait to get my clothes off, huh?" She smiled sleepily.

"Go back to sleep."

"I wasn't asleep."

Marak shook his head, exasperated. "You were snoring."

"Well, I'm awake now." She reached up, snaking her hand around his neck and pulled his face to hers. "Are you sleepy?" She breathed, her mouth less than an inch from his.

"Are you sleepy?" He asked, his pulse quickening.

"You tell me."