A month passed by like nothing at how carefully Blently was watched by Timothy. The youth seemed to fail at everything he did until the tenth try to get it right. Timothy was not impressed. Jarlin simply kept his mouth shut at the berating McGreggor gave him.

"What did I tell you to do?" McGreggor asked.

"Heat the iron first until it's hot. Once the iron is red, I would then beat the iron into shape. After the form is made you put it into the water to cool it," Blently sighed.

"And you put it right into the water after taking it out?" the master smith asked.

"Sorry…" the youth sighed and moved to reheat the iron again. Jarlin looked over at Timothy. They both moved into a back room.

"He's an idiot!" Timothy said. "He knows what's said, but he doesn't apply the orders?"

"Master McGreggor told me there are some out there like him. They're like rough ores, too. Just need a few more strikes with the hammer to get them going," Jarlin grinned.

"More like a sledgehammer," Timothy muttered. Jarlin laughed at that. They always kept their talk low key. When Clifton walked over to them, they both bit back their laughs at the look on his face.

"Why did we accept him again?" the man asked. Both young men chuckled.

"Entertainment?" Jarlin asked. At the sound of another harsh scolding for a botched job, Timothy cringed. "Now I just feel pity."

"There has to be something going on in that boy's head. I'll distract McGreggor. You both talk to him," Clifton muttered. Jarlin and Timothy seemed to scowl at that. They didn't want to do anything with Blently. When the burly man was led off to the butcher shop to look for a good meal for them all with Clifton, the two youths went up to Blently.

"Why is that you know what to do, but you don't do it?" Jarlin asked.

"It's a condition I have. That's all…" Blently seemed to mope. He was filling out neatly from the work he was doing, but it was clear that something wasn't quite right with his mind.

"That's a bit redundant to me," Timothy said. "All you have to do is follow the orders."

"Well…I think I can do them better…" he replied.

"What?" Jarlin seemed to stare with disbelief. "Okay. McGreggor has been doing his work for years before our time! You don't question his orders! You want to be a great smith? You work from the ground up. This is something that you always do. You don't become something simply overnight! It takes time to learn and process things. Even I botched a few things here and there. What you're doing is the very basic of smithy work. If you keep botching this, you'll be sent back home."

"I know it. I just want to be up to your level!" he finally admitted.

"And you will with practice. We'll soon be gone from here. You'll be the main one here, so you won't have us to lean on," Timothy said calmly. "If anything goes wrong, all of the blame will fall on you. Just remember that. Also, Master McGreggor doesn't plan to stay here forever. You'll be working with Clifton. He's very close to becoming a Master, too. He also learned from the ground up."

"Oh," Blently frowned.

"So, if you know what to do, start applying what you know to what you have to do," Jarlin said. "This may be the only time we get to talk to you. Weigh your options carefully."

"Okay," Blently nodded at this. Now that the spark of desire was there to do what he knew he had to do, it seemed that his future on staying at the smithy was saved. "Oh, I did want to ask something. If you think you can answer it?"

"We can try," Jarlin said.

"Jack said he would find someone for me. Do you know when?" Blently asked.

"That's up to him. You have to prove your worth to him. If he's going to dedicate his time to help you, then you need to show that you are worth his time," Jarlin said seriously. "You don't want to cross Uncle Jack. He will never trust you again."

"Yeah," Blently readily agreed to that. He heard the stories of what his father told him that Jack did to his camp. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of Jack's chilling temper. As he now went over his options, Jack was hovering over Jenna. She had gotten intensely ill just a moment ago.

"Jack…" she cringed.

"Do you think…?" he asked gently.

"If it happens tomorrow, then I'll know," she whispered. "But…I felt cold when I got sick just now. As if I had a slight chill. Then it went away. I never had that happen before. Even with Kaitlin. I'm starting to think…to believe that…"

"You were with Clifton before me?" he asked.

"Yes. Within that same day," she nodded. "Actually, I think…I was with you first. Then I was with him. So…I was with him later in the day."

"We were together first, weren't we? Ah. You were with him later in the evening within that small block of time. You had warmed back up for a while after being with me. Good. Even I don't know what can happen. If he has suspicions, I'll shrug. I am completely clueless when it comes to what my powers do. He can't hold me accountable."

"Unless it looks like you."

"We won't know that," he muttered. "Not until we know for sure that this is real."

"I think it is," she said and leaned into him. "And…hmm. You're warm to me again."

"What?!" Jack gaped.

"I'm not feeling cold around you," she said.

"I…don't know…what to say…" he said in a rather rare state of shock. Her eyes were still the same, but she was showing no odd effects around him anymore. She placed her hand on his cheek and drew him close to kiss him.

"You don't have to say anything," she smiled warmly.

"I love you," he said and pressed his face into her hair.

"I love you, too," she said and hugged him tight.

"I honestly don't know how you'll explain to him that the cold doesn't affect you."

"He'll know that this pregnancy is special. Yes, Kaitlin will be the one to carry out your duty, but our child could be a failsafe. If something happens to her. And…if the pregnancy fails…"

"We'll see what happens. I actually sort of…hope that it thrives…" he smiled. "But…now I'm worried for your health."

"I should be fine," she soothed. "If anything happens, I'll tell you."

"I know you will. And you know I'll be watching over you intensely," he chuckled.

"You do that, anyways," she chuckled back. He actually felt a sense of giddy elation. It would be nice to have a son or a daughter of my own. And, if it was with Jenna in full, it would make it even better. The two wolves were already showing their reactions with wary glares around the room. Even they sensed the new change. Jack was now fully convinced that she was pregnant with his child.

"I'll need to see what I can get you to eat," he mused. "You'll still need to act as though the cold affects you, though. It could give something away."

"Or I simply say that I think I'm pregnant again, and that it feels like the same I did with Kaitlin. That you and I are both unsure if a failsafe was created. I haven't had children since after Kaitlin. It can be a possibility," she shrugged. "Even you don't know what your powers do."

"True," he nodded. He didn't realize that he was pressing a hand over her belly now. It was as though he was determined to make sure this one was fully protected. Then he had an idea. "I need to make a stop into town. Wait here."

"Okay," she nodded. He kissed her lovingly and moved out quickly to let his wind transport him to Clifton's side. At the sight of him, a nod was given.

"Clifton, Jenna might be pregnant again," Jack said with an amused look. At Clifton's look of surprise, he continued, "And she seems to be immune to me. As in, it may be another special child. I'm not sure. Even I don't know what to expect when it comes to what my powers did to her."

"Are you serious?!" Clifton gaped.

"She got intensely ill. Then she looked at me and said that she didn't feel cold," Jack sighed.

"But, I thought you said only one child was to be done," McGreggor said. The master smith was still in Clifton's company. At how Jack seemed to shrug and look as clueless at Clifton, the older man sighed. "I'll be sticking around for this one, too."

"Really? You would stay longer?" Clifton asked. "But...Jenna might be pregnant again?!"

"This one has me curious. But, I figure that any children with his abilities would require strict attention on," McGreggor muttered. Jack seemed to chuckle at that. "Clifton, go check on her. Jack, I want to talk to you a bit more about what to expect with your powers."

"Of course," Jack said. Clifton was already gone after hearing of her possible new condition. When they knew he was out of earshot, McGreggor glared at the icy being.

"The kid doesn't belong to Clifton, does it?" he asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jack snorted.

"I see how the two of you are together. I'm not blind," he pointed out. "What really happened?"

"Hmm…" Jack pondered.

"I won't tell him," McGreggor said with a roll of his eyes.

"Fine. Yes. I was with her in the same time frame that he was. It was her idea. And, if she wasn't having problems with my touch to begin with, she would have been mine in full," Jack said. "So, it's a strong possibility that this child is mine."

"I will be the personal guardian of this child," McGreggor said. "If anything happens, I will care for it. It's the same with Kaitlin. You know my thoughts on it."

"I do," Jack nodded. "We have a feeling it's mine, because she is immune to me. Completely. But, it may only be while she is bearing a child."

"That would confirm it," the master smith sighed. "Do you tell the other kids?"

"Only if they get suspicious. Otherwise, no. The less that know of this situation is for the better. I don't want any others to intervene and mess up something in motion."

"I can agree with that logic."

"Good. I'm already…unsure of what to expect. This is a complete first for me," Jack admitted. Now McGreggor realized exactly how bad it was. Jack was scared.

"You're worried about her, aren't you?" he asked.

"I am. She's the only one that has ever touched my heart. I was against what she wanted for fear of her health. But…even I wanted it, too. What more can be said? We talked about it at length for a very long time. Neither of us knows what to expect."

"I see. Well, I will help with whatever I can. The kids are raised right. That's something I'm pleased with. And, I know you're concerned about her well-being. You have my support."

"And, if Clifton ever found out…" Jack sighed.

"He won't," McGreggor vowed. The frigid man nodded and was deep in thought.

"I don't know if she'll have the same needs as Kaitlin did, either. So, I need to keep a constant check on her. I feel incredibly protective over her right now. I have to ensure that this pregnancy thrives. If something happens to Kaitlin, my direct heir may help. But…I honestly don't know how it would work. Kaitlin would be the one to make me a true bride in the end with her descendants. My children will just…well…a new progeny, I suppose. I don't know what to expect."

"Did you even think any of this through?"

"I tried."

"Hmm. I'll do what I can. No guarantees."

"I wasn't expecting any," Jack chuckled.

"Well, for what it's worth, congratulations. Hopefully your child is a bit more behaved than you are," McGreggor mused. At the look Jack gave him next, he started laughing.

"Thanks," Jack said dryly to get more laughter. "If it wasn't for her, I'd have nothing to do with you mortal folk. You all drop like flies to me. But, despite all of that…I don't know what I'd do if I lost her. At least…with a child from her…"

"A part of her would still be alive. Even from Kaitlin," McGreggor said with understanding.

"Yes," Jack nodded. The master smith was a bit surprised at this change in Jack. It was a side of him that was clearly a bit human. It had him wondering. Even with that dangerous staff of ice and wood on his back, Jack was showing human emotions for a normal girl that was touched with his magic. And it was a simple prank at that. Now he had to wonder if it was something with the stars or alignment. But, he was no astronomer.

"Tell me. Do you plan to bury her if she's gone?" he asked.

"Not…right away…" Jack muttered. That thought actually hurt him. Any talk of Jenna passing on sparked a raw, unbridled fury of emotion in him. In a slow, dangerous tone he said, "I don't want to think of that right now."

"Right," McGreggor agreed fully. Jack took in a deep breath for control and slowly let it out. His breath actually misted over in full from the violent emotion he controlled. He couldn't stay around the town anymore. His mind was in turmoil and he had to vent the raw emotion out. He vanished into the wind that embraced him and he scouted the area. When he came upon a raiding party that was not part of his allied raiders, he let his fury unleash on them. They were getting too close to my protected village, anyways. Such a thing was not allowed.

"Jenna will not die!" he growled out, as his icy wind wreaked havoc on the brutes below him. The men screamed, as the ice demon they heard rumors about was showing off an anger of unbridled proportions. Within ten minutes, the air was quiet of screams. But, Jack wasn't done.

He landed and silently moved through the chaotic grounds he caused. He went up to the leader of the small group. The man was half-frozen. There was only one word that was uttered. "Demon!"

"To you," Jack smirked. "What are you doing so far from home?"

"Rumors of you…a treasure…"

"There is no treasure," Jack said slowly. "Your gift for meeting me is death. So, in a sense, you do get a treasure. To meet whatever fate reaches you when you're done here."

"My family…" the man grimaced. At this, Jack paused in his attack.

"A family? How many children?"

"Four."

"And your wife?"

"Alone. We raid to survive. We thought…finding you…would help us…"

"Okay. You have peaked my interest. You could have sent a neutral trader to my village in question, you know. It would have made things different. These men. Did they have families?"

"No. Hired men. Just me…" the man seemed to whimper. There was truth in his words.

"Where do you live?" Jack asked now.

"East and then north by four days," he replied. Jack mused to himself, grabbed the man by his half-frozen waist, and transported him to where he said. When he saw the village, he saw why they raided. The village was on its last legs of survival.

"I'll let you live, but only if you vow to turn your life around. I can assist you with this village to an extent. I can make it part of a trade route. But, you have to stop raiding. Agreed?" Jack asked.

"Ah! Yes! I do!" the man cringed from the pain of freezing he was going through. Jack nodded, had the man try to tell him where he lived, and he made a personal visit to the somber home to deliver the man off to his wife. Jack took one look at the woman that answered the poorly made door and thought.

"Your husband tried to make a raid on a village that I was protecting. Instead of coming over peacefully, he tried to use force. He vowed not to do so again. In exchange, I will assist your village in becoming prosperous again. Or, if a town meeting is held, you abandon this place and can merge with the village I protect. I'll give you enough food and drink for two nights. I'll return to hear the answer from this village. He needs to thaw, but he'll live. The other men that were with him are dead," Jack said.

"Thank you…for letting him live…" the woman whispered.

"If he reforms, I'll ensure he lives longer. Warm him up and feed him. In fact, hold on," Jack said and left the man in the home with his family. He did a quick scouting with his wind and was able to gather up where a surplus of food and survival equipment was that wouldn't be missed. This was now delivered to the family. "There. I'll be back in two days to see if this town wants to prosper or relocate."

"Thank you! You are no ice demon!" the woman said, as she broke down into tears of gratitude.

"I am only a demon to those that cross me. Don't do that to me, and everything is fine," Jack nodded. The man would recover. Now that most of his temper was gone, he was able to return to Jenna's side. But, he did snatch up a roasted ham for her. He knew she would want that.

When he got back to her side, she beamed at what he brought her. Clifton was now out checking traps to ensure that lean meats would be available for her. He felt the need to do it. He didn't know that Jack had instilled an instinctive drive to keep any special pregnancy safe. Even Jack didn't know that he did it. Jack would have been quite amused, if he knew what happened.

He glanced over at Marigold to find her sleeping. No one else was there. Jenna made her way to his side after the ham began to bake in honey, and she hugged him tightly to her. "He left a moment ago. He wanted to see about what the traps held. Jarlin usually checks them for us, but he wanted to."

"That's fine. Jenna…I just have to ask. Is this really what you want?" he asked.

"Jack…you know it is. It's what you want, too," she said with a soft smile. He could only smile back and nod slightly. "And is everything all right with you?"

"Hmm?"

"You were gone for a while."

"Oh. I sensed a disturbance. We may be getting some new townsfolk," he said. Now he relayed the whole story of what happened. She was shocked. "So, in two days, I will go and see what that town wants. No more raids. I refuse to see that happen."

"Especially now, right?" she asked.

"Yes. Especially now," he nodded sternly. "However…McGreggor sort of…oh…guessed on what was going on between us. He vowed his secrecy. And, he wants to become the sole protector of our child. He insisted on it."

"He knows…that this child is…?" she paled.

"Yes. He does," Jack nodded again. "But, he will say nothing."

"Okay," she nodded back and seemed to tremble. He hugged her tight.

"He's not blind. He saw how we are together. He made the connection and said something after Clifton left. Not much else to say," he muttered. "But, he wants to protect our child."

"I'm fine with that," she said and let him rock her. "I should have been yours since the beginning. Even you know this."

"I know. And, if you being pregnant with my child is the only way to keep you immune to me in full…" he thought with a form of amusement. "There may have been no need of…"

"I love all of my children, but even he was needed to make Kaitlin for you," she sighed.

"I know that. I was just thinking of other ways. I just…we could have avoided this, if I tried to be with you directly. But…"

"We didn't know," she mumbled in his chest.

"And this effect may be temporary," he sighed.

"I'm fine with this," she chuckled. He found himself smiling, and a kiss was pressed to her mouth. He noticed that the white wolf had moved to place himself neatly in Marigold's view to distract her. That meant that Marigold was awake. Now Jack had to wonder if they were overheard.

"Stay here," he whispered. She frowned, but she nodded. When he walked over to Marigold, he made it seem like he was checking on her. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good," the girl smiled. He noticed that she seemed nervous.

"Okay. How much did you over hear?" he asked now.

"Oh…" she frowned and shivered.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to know," he said gently.

"Most of it," she admitted. "And, I'm glad that you went ahead to let her be with Clifton. So that I would have Jarlin. If you didn't…"

"That thought right there makes me just as glad that it turned out this way. Keep our secret safe, and I'll ensure that you keep having the best life with Jarlin as possible," Jack vowed.

"I can promise that," she agreed. He chuckled and got up to head back to Jenna. He whispered softly to her, and Jenna gave a heavy sigh.

"I was so happy at first, but now I'm worried," Jenna whispered.

"No reason to be," Jack soothed and kissed her intensely. "I won't let anything happen to you. If anyone tries to hurt you, they have to go through me. And them."

"Them?" she asked. He gestured to the wolves. That had her smile. "I see."

"So don't worry. I'm stuck with you. Whether I like or not. And I'm saying it that way, since you want me stuck to you," he grinned. She found herself blushing, and he kissed her again. "Go back to cooking. Everything is fine."

She nodded and got squeezed again before being let go. When he glanced over at Marigold, he actually found her smiling at the whole thing. He chuckled and found a place to sit down and watch the room calmly in his own sentry-like way.