Title: Winds of Change
Pairing: Jane/ Maura
Rating: M
Summary: Jane and Maura finally reach King's Place and their new home King's Manor. Read on to see how that goes. Again italics denotes mind speaking in the body of the story.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time read and review. Also a big thanks to those of you who have favorited and followed. It really makes my day to receive feedback from my readers. Now on to the story. Happy Reading!

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CHAPTER 29

The King and Queen and their party stayed at the Haymaker farm for three more days. Jane and Maura had both worked tirelessly to help those that they could. Luckily most families harmed by the Zunuluth had family and close friends nearby to support them through the tough times ahead. Unfortunately, the boy and girl that Jane saved at the first house they came to on the first day of the hunt did not have any family and their parents didn't have any close friends in the area. After much talking and after giving the children, Katie and Wally the opportunity to hang around with Cornelius and Jarvis it was decided that the couple would stay with Katie and Wally. The children got on well with both men and gravitated towards them as substitute parental figures as Jeremy and Emily had not. Cornelius and Jarvis were planning on helping repair the woodsman's home and property the children had now inherited and hire a caretaker for the property before taking the children to their own home to live until Katie and Wally were old enough to decide what they wanted to do.

Jane and Maura thought that was a sensible idea since Jeremy and Emily had become attached to Millie just as Millie had to them. Jeremy and Emily were also attached to the rest of the Miller family, as well as, Jane and Maura. The Miller's had approached Jane and Maura with the offer of staying with the Royal couple wherever they went as their loyal servants. The couple had discussed it and decided that it would be nice to have such loyal people in their service wherever they traveled or lived just as they would have loyal guards wherever they went. Jeremy was very excited because that meant he would get to stay as Jane's page and someday become her squire. Emily said she was Maura's page causing the Queen to laugh with delight and agree without hesitation.

There was much well-wishing and reverent fanfare as the Laird and Lady left the area around Haymaker farm. The King and Queen waved to all as they passed, both were glad things had settled enough for them to be on their way once more. The group traveled for three more days and on the morning of the third day the Royal Caravan came to the prosperous farms on the outskirts of King's Place.

Jane reached her hand out and squeezed her wife's. "Come Maura, it is time we led this parade. The King and Queen of the Lycans haven't been to King's Place for thousands of years. We need to be out front when they return home."

Maura smiled. "Lead the way King Raven." The guards around them parted as King Raven and Lady Snow moved out front and led them into the center of town. In the town square Jane led Maura to two shrines she had dreamed about the night before. In the dream a tall black haired warrior came to her informing her of the tradition of the King and Queen always stopping at the shrines and paying homage to Lord Fenrir and Lady Vivienne.

The couple each dropped a gold coin in the donation box and lit a candle at the foot of each shrine before thanking the God and Goddess for all of their help and guidance. When they stepped out of the chapel a large crowd had gathered and cheers went up at the return of the Royal Lycans.

The couple paused at the top of the steps. Jane knew they wanted her to say something, but she had no idea what to say. She hated public speaking.

Maura squeezed her hand. "You can do this Jane. I am right here with you." She sent love and reassurance through their link. It was one of those times when her love needed her support.

Jane held up her free hand and the crowd quieted. "Thank you all for the warm welcome. My wife and I look forward to getting to know the area and the beings who live here. We have heard great things about King's Place. We very much look forward to the tournament and festival to be held here in a few months. We hope to explore the town and surrounding areas soon. For now however, we are eager to get to our new home. It has been a long and eventful journey for us, so we are now off home to King's Manor." The crowd cheered again at the King's short speech while Jane escorted her lady to her horse and helped her mount.

Much of the area population joined the caravan as they made their way to King's Manor. Jane waved the Mayor, who was riding a beautiful tan gelding, over. "Why is everyone gathering at the top of the rise there? It seems they are all excited about something."

"They are excited, Your Majesty. They all want to know if the stories they have always heard about the protective maze around King's Manor is true."

"What story?" A dark eyebrow lifted in question.

"A wall surrounds the Manor, but inside the wall and directly around the house is a maze. Only those who are in service at the Manor can safely travel through it. It is said that when the King or Queen arrive that the maze parts and a lovely stone pathway appears welcoming them home. The maze answers only to the Royal Lycans."

"That is a new one for me. I haven't heard that tale. It will be interesting to see if it is true." Jane smiled at the wildcat Mayor. "Great, we can't just arrive home we have to make a maze move. Have you heard anything about this?" She glanced at Maura.

"No, not a thing. We are going to have to simply figure it out when we get there." Maura offered her mate a small smile.

The crowd gathered on the rise left a wide swath open in the center for the Royal couple and some of their party to move front and center to get their first look at King's Manor. The sight that greeted them was breathtaking. The home was large with two wings coming off of the main section forming a shape similar to an H when viewed from above. The whole looked like a cross between a grand European stone manor and a gothic castle complete with vinery growing up the walls. The stones were white and varying shades of grey from very light to very dark. The grounds of the estate spread out wide around it and were beautifully tended. A formidable, yet aesthetically pleasing wall encompassed the immediate twenty acres of the vast estate. The maze ran along the inside of the wall around the whole place. You had to get through the wall and the maze before you reached the beautiful lawns. The house itself was three stories with rounded turret like walls at both ends of each wing. The walls also arched out where the wings met the main section of the house, and also in the front and back at the middle of the central section of the home. There were narrow walkways along the peaks of the roofs to each turreted area. From those posts one would be able to easily watch over the whole valley. Well behind the house they could see barns and other buildings. All in all it was a beautiful, yet formidable estate. The double gates looked to be made of petrified wood and there was a gatehouse built into one side of the wall. The estate looked like it had been frozen in time. There was no movement to be seen except for cattle and horses grazing in a far pasture outside of the inner walls of the property.

Jane reached her hand out for Maura's. "You ready to go get a close up look at our new home, my dear?"

"I am ready when you are. It is quite lovely. I look forward to exploring it." Maura smiled over at her wife. The two were equally excited about finally reaching their new home.

Jane and Maura rode down the rise hands still clasped together. Most of the locals stayed atop the rise, only the community leaders rode down with the couple and their party. The size of the place became even more evident as they rode closer to the tall walls and massive ornate gate surrounding the estate.

The Royal couple stopped their horses twenty feet from the gate. Jane dismounted before helping Maura do the same. Most of their guards followed suit, but stayed near the horses as the Laird waved them back.

The couple approached the gate that had a beautiful carving of a black and white wolf side by side similar to that on their Royal standard, only on the carving each wolf had one paw raised showing the pad of their foot.

Jane lifted her hand shifting it into a wolf paw, indicating for Maura to do the same. They kept their other hands clasped together as they touched paws with each of the carvings that represented themselves.

A huge groan was heard as the gates started to open outwards. Jane and Maura slowly backed up as the gate opened and the crowd behind them on the top of the rise began to cheer, it had been a very long time since the main gates had been opened.

The beautiful maze was before them, however as soon as the gate fully opened the maze started to shift and sway and an elegant stone roadway opened up leading to the circle drive in front of the palatial estate. It was truly remarkable. Once the maze ceased its shifting the entire scene looked as if that was how it had always been. The whole thing was pretty cool.

Taking the reins of their mounts the couple walked in together holding hands as their horses trailed behind. As they came closer to the house the front doors opened and staff dressed in beautiful livery came out to stand on either side of the front steps. Some were large and some looked no bigger than two feet tall. As the couple reached the bottom of the steps a slim creature with skin like aged dark wood strode forward. They could not tell if the creature with pointy wing like ears and round bat like eyes was a male or a female.

"I think it is a Brownie, but I am not sure." Maura privately sent.

"Maybe when it introduces itself that will help us figure out if it is male or female."

The creature bowed low. "I am your head steward here at King's Manor. My name is Vineloch. It is a great pleasure to have the King and Queen return to us and a great honor for all of us here at the Manor to serve you as our families have for generations." The cultured voice or name gave nothing away, the being still could be either male or female. "Welcome home, Your Majesties."

"Thank you Vineloch. This place is beautiful, if the inside has been as well maintained as the outside I can easily praise the magnificent job all of you have done taking care of King's Manor for generations." Jane scanned the staff as she spoke seeing pleased expressions on their faces. "Vineloch, would you please give us a brief introduction to all these talented beings who work to take care of the Manor?" Jane pulled Maura's arm through her own as they walked, their horses had been taken from them by a stable lad as they had approached the steps.

It didn't take long for Vineloch to complete the introductions and the staff was dismissed back to their duties. Jane took the opportunity after everyone, but the steward and head housekeeper left to introduce the leaders of her guards. The head housekeeper was a plump woman with pale violet skin, pointy ears, dark grey eyes, and dark violet curly hair. She also had a ready smile and jovial demeanor. The Laird and Lady neither one had any idea what she was, but they did like her on first acquaintance, her name was Constance, but she said everyone called her Connie.

After Marcus, Zeon, General Poledio, and Nina were introduced Jane left them to introduce the rest of their warriors as needed. Vineloch assured the King that rooms in the warriors' wing of the Manor were already prepared and awaiting them.

Maura smiled at Connie. "We have staff who have been traveling with us as well. Some will be going back to their families and loved ones soon, but the Miller family will be staying as our personal staff and will always travel with us. Please make sure they have comfortable accommodations near each other and assist them with fitting in here. The Millers will be here as long as we will and will leave when we do."

Connie nodded with a smile. "I will help in any way I can and make sure the Millers have family housing in the staff quarters, Your Grace."

"Thank you and be aware that a boy who stays with them, Jeremy, is King Raven's page and his sister, Emily, is mine." The steward and the head housekeeper both nodded in understanding.

The Royal couple took the time to look around the grand foyer and into the doorways of rooms nearby. It was all incredible and cemented the feeling of walking back in time.

"These rooms are formal gathering rooms for when you have visitors or for when you have overnight houseguests. The Royal family private quarters encompasses the entire third floor of the center section of the Manor." Steward Vineloch informed. "The second floor houses the Royal offices, studies, the library, and a Throne Room of sorts for holding general court."

That threw both women a bit. "We have a freakin' Throne Room in our house!" Jane's mind voice held a bit of unease. The surprises of the positions they now held just kept coming.

"I can give you a general tour of the main section now if you like and let you get comfortable and give you a more in-depth tour of the entire Manor when you are ready and better rested. There is also much Madam Constance and I need to discuss with you in regards to the Manor, but there is no rush. We wish you to be comfortable in your home." The Steward showed them around the central area of the first floor before taking them to the second.

Jane fell in love with the King's office and study on the second floor with its dark woods and rich tones and massive leather furnishings. The rooms suited her well.

Maura also fell in love with the Queen's office and study. The two rooms had a more feminine feel to them, but also appealed to Maura's more scholarly and scientific side. Both women also loved the library and were eager to explore their new domains as soon as time allowed.

In the Throne Room they were encouraged by the steward as well as their friends Alexi and Evie to sit in the ornate yet tastefully carved large chairs. Jane's was larger and darker in color to Maura's, however the two seats complemented each other and fit their body frames and political positions well.

"This is so unreal Maura. We are sitting on actual Thrones! You look great on yours by the way. I would bow at your feet, although I would be very tempted to start nibbling my way up to some of my most favorite parts of your body to worship." Jane winked at her lovely mate.

"You are very sexy when you flirt and I rather like the idea of you bowing at my feet worshiping your way up my body. We will have to try that later. It is hard to believe we are sitting in our own Thrones. It will take a while for us to get used to all of this, but I think we are doing remarkably well so far. By the way, you my King look wonderful in your Throne. We may have to get this room closed off some time. I would love to see what you looked like naked in that ornate seat." Maura smiled as she saw her mate's neck flush, something it did when she was getting aroused. The Queen turned her attention to Alexi and Evie as they were discussing sleeping arrangements with Connie. She stepped down from her seat as the children ran into the room followed by Millie. Both children slid to halt in front of her, Jeremy gave her a quick bow and Emily a curtsy before they ran on to their Laird giving her the same.

Jane smiled at the children. "Pretty cool, huh? This is my first time to sit on a Throne. Jeremy hop up in Maura's and tell me what you think of it." Jane patted her knee. "Come on up Emily and tell me what you think." Both children's eyes became large, but she didn't have to tell them twice, they hurriedly did as they were told.

"This is so cool Laird. I feel very Royal sitting up here where I can see the whole room easily. Lady Snow's seat is very comfortable too. I bet that will be good for when you have to sit here for long times when you have to hold court." Jeremy observed with a thoughtful smile.

"I feel very big up here. No one would pick on anyone who sat in a chair like this. It is good to be King and Queen. It is also good to be the King and Queen's pages. Jeremy and me love it loads." Was Emily's thoughts.

"Well Lady Snow and I love having you and Jeremy as our pages. You have both become very special to us." She hugged the small girl.

Many eyes had been on the powerful King and the two orphaned children. The staff at the Manor were pleased to see how Jane interacted with the children and those around them and were glad to see the couple seemed very well liked and down to earth.

General Poledio had been watching as well. "Lady Snow I think it would be best if you assisted Cookie in getting the servants settled and getting those children off the Thrones and to their quarters. The other women can help you. I would like to speak with King Raven about setting up the schedule for the watch here at the Manor." He spoke as a man used to having men do as he commanded.

Jane went to stand as the room fell silent, but her wife waved her back. "I can handle him, Jane. I need to do this. I can't let him overstep with me or others will try it when you are not around."

"Alright, but when you are done I'm going to be putting this General in his place in my own way. He has overstepped with me also."

"Understood, dear."

Maura turned to the General as everyone else moved away from him. "Did you just order me around in my own home General? Did you just order me and the other women to go do women's work while the mighty warriors talked? You do realize some of the women you ordered away are in fact warriors as well and that your King is in fact a female."

The man cleared his throat. "I am aware of those facts, but as I am the highest ranking warrior here it is my duty to take control of seeing everything put to rights. Zeon and Marcus may not be military, but they are at least equal to me as far as being Alpha is concerned. None other here is except for the King herself and not one of us is her equal."

"How do you know that no one in this room is more Alpha than you besides the King?" Maura questioned.

"No one has ever backed me down in an Alpha challenge. Some have equaled me, one was even a woman, but none have beaten me."

"Fine, I challenge you to prove to you that I am much more Alpha than you are. I have tested my strength against Zeon, Marcus, Alexi, Evie, and even Nina, so when this is all over I can tell you exactly where you stand."

The man actually smirked. "If that is your wish."

The two stood back from each other ten paces. Maura waved him to begin.

The General slowly built up his power in an attempt to not push his Queen too far, but soon began to sweat as his power grew and the Lady did not act as if she felt anything at all.

Maura felt when he had reached his limit. "Is that all you have, really? I was expecting something greater with the way you were talking. Just so you know Alexi, Evie, and Nina are all your equal and maybe a bit more. Marcus and Zeon are definitely more Alpha than you are. As for me, let me give you a small taste." The lady smiled wickedly before blasting the arrogant General clean off of his feet slamming him into the wall behind him and pinning him there. "The only one that I have met thus far who is Alpha to me is the King herself and I have met members of the Undrehiel Council. Do not ever disrespect me again and certainly not in my own home, for the next time I will not be so nice." She released the man letting him fall in a heap on the floor.

Jane stepped up behind her after setting Emily down in her Throne. "That was hot my Queen. I like when you go all Alpha like that. You are going to have to show me in private very soon." Jane whispered in her ear.

Maura got delicious tingles running up and down her spine from what was to come. "I look forward to it." She stepped away from Jane and went to join the children and Millie. The children were still perched up on the large chairs.

"Zeon I want all the warriors who arrived with us today here front and center immediately." Jane ordered. She was no longer the playful mate, but The Alpha.

"Yes, Laird." Zeon was off like a shot.

"I want each group to form up behind their leaders." She told the remaining Alphas in the room.

Alexi, Marcus, and Nina spread out to give their warriors room to form up on them. Evie moved to the first rank before Marcus. Alexi would move to the same position in her squad once Zeon returned.

The General was still lying dazed on the floor by the wall as members of his squad filed in. Jane put Sargent Gilbrate Masdone in charge of the squad. He was the most Alpha among them except for the General. Once everyone had fallen in and their leaders had called them to attention Jane moved to stand before them.

"I would like to begin by thanking all of you here for helping to get my wife and myself here safe and sound. We had a few adventures along the way, but we are all here today none the worse for wear. I have made many very good friends since I became Laird Raven. I have seen many amazing things that I had never dreamed of seeing. I had hoped to be able to give you all a few days to relax after our journey before I addressed this issue, but certain circumstances have prevented that.

I know that all of you had some sort of commitment to duty before you came on this journey with us, be it a military one, a work related one, or simply abiding by your Alpha's orders. I know that some of you have family and loved ones you are anxious to return home to or positions and jobs you must return to. What I need to know now is how many of you would like to stay on now and become part of the King's or Queen's warriors. Joining the King's or Queen's warriors trumps any other obligation such as military or Alpha orders. I cannot guarantee you all a spot. You will train here with me and others and I will appoint you as I deem you ready. Some of you I have spent more time with than others and I think you are ready now, but I do not know your wishes as of yet. I know that most of the current leaders have other important commitments they must attend to and will be working with me in other aspects outside of becoming Royal warriors."

Jane moved to stand in front of Marcus' small squad. "Who here among you are interested in staying with me and Lady Snow as Royal Warriors?"

Warren, Tony, and Ashley all raised their hands. It seemed that Marcus and Evie would be leaving in a few months alone. "You are all accepted."

She moved down to Zeon and Alexi's squad and asked the same question. All of them raised their hands as well, except for the two top Alphas. "You are all accepted." Though she did give Ethan a look that clearly stated she would put him on probation or send him back to Zeon in a heartbeat if he screwed around.

Next she stepped in front of Nina's squad. "I know all of you are loyal to Captain Donovan and enjoy sailing so I will not hold anything against anyone who chooses to return to the Captain's service. Are any of you interested in becoming Royal Warriors?"

About half of them raised their hands and surprisingly so did Nina. "It is good to have so many of you choose to stay. You are all accepted."

Jane was glad that so far none of those that she was leery about had wanted to stay. The next group would be the harder group because she did not know them very well.

She stopped beside the Sargent. "I don't know most of you well although I have fought against some of you in tournament or practice and fought alongside you against the Zunuluths." She looked at the twenty warriors before her. "Are any of you interested in staying and training to become one of the Royal warriors?"

Twelve including the Sargent raised their hands. They were all warriors that she had spent time with and had fought with. It seemed none she deemed unsuitable had wanted to stay. "You twelve are also accepted. That gives me twelve from the Hecation Army squad, six from the Raven's Lady, eight from Zeon's squad, and three from Marcus' squad. That's a total of 29 loyal warriors. That is a fine start."

Before she could say more the General interrupted her. "30 Laird, I will be joining as well, you will need an experienced leader for these men. I will be that leader."

The Laird turned on the man. "That is the second time in an hour that you have disrespected me in my own home. You may be a General in the Hecation Army, but as of now you will never be a member of the Royal warriors. You are too caught up in the power leadership can give you. You feel you are better than anyone in this room because of your rank and the fact that you are male. I have had problems with you accepting my authority since we have met. Your gross insubordination towards my wife and me earlier cemented your fate. I assure you General there are several in this room who would make excellent leaders and they will get that opportunity. General Poledio you will be leaving within a week along with the others who have chosen to go back home."

The General stood stunned and disbelieving.

Jane moved to stand upon the dais before the Thrones. "Nina, Warren, Sargent Masdone, Maxine please fall in before me front and center."

The four quickly complied.

"Warren I appoint you Captain of the King's Warriors, Maxine you are appointed his second, and become Lieutenant of the King's Warriors. Nina I appoint you as Captain of the Queen's Warriors and Masdone will be your second and become Lieutenant of the Queen's Warriors. Congratulations to the four of you. There will be more appointments as needed and as I learn more of all of you. I want you all to settle down and relax for a few days we will use skeleton shifts for now as we learn our new domain and adjust accordingly. You are all now dismissed."

"General you will meet me on the training grounds tomorrow afternoon at 2. You will be my sparring partner." The man went a little green at that, but nodded.

The room quickly emptied of warriors and Cookie and Maddie showed up to retrieve Millie and the children and show them to their new quarters.

"Laird will you come checkout our new quarters before bedtime? I would like you to make sure it is safe." Emily looked imploringly up at her Laird.

Jane bent placing a kiss on the girl's forehead. "I will make sure to check out your quarters thoroughly before you go to bed."

The girl's smile was infectious and had everyone smiling with her. "Thank you Laird Jane." She grabbed her brother's hand and began pulling him from the room as the Miller family followed.

Maura stepped into her wife's arms wrapping hers securely around the taller woman's waist. "You are really sexy when in command mode. Are you ready to go up and check out our quarters? I would love to take a nice long bath before dinner and get the road grime off of me and also maybe relax with my sexy mate in a comfy bed for a while too."

"I can get behind that. Let's go see what our new private quarters are like." The warrior kissed her lovely wife before turning and waving the Steward and Connie to lead the way.

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"This place is incredible Jane. There is nothing in here that isn't one of a kind and handcrafted and much of it is antique. I mean it is all museum quality." Maura was running her hands along everything.

"I assure you Your Grace that everything is magically protected and you do not have to treat your quarters like a museum. This is to be the place you relax and put your feet up." The Steward seemed a little worried with the reverent way Maura was touching everything.

"Don't worry Vineloch. Lady Snow just really appreciates fine craftsmanship. I will send you with her to a high end shoe store sometime and you can really see what I mean." Jane chuckled as the Steward paled. Hmm, could be a guy with the way he reacted to shoe shopping, but maybe not she wasn't a fan of it either. The dark haired woman was equally impressed with their new private quarters, but liked that is didn't feel intimidating in such a way she would be afraid to sit on anything and relax. Their quarters were bigger than any place she had ever lived. The bed in the bedroom was huge and she couldn't wait to explore it with her wife. The bathroom in their suite was incredible as well. It was amazing what magic and ingenuity could do without the use of electricity.

The whole place was amazing. The kitchen was like something out of a magazine, a mix of old world and magically modern. There was a grand piano that she couldn't wait to play in one room and in another a really nice pool table as well as a snooker table and other games. Her mind swayed to the image of Maura naked on the pool table, but was cut off when said woman tapped her foot knocking it off of the table before the couch she was sitting on.

"Take your shoes off before you put your feet on the furniture. I have never allowed that in my home, why would you think I would start now." Maura gave her the look.

"I never had a problem with it at my apartment." Jane grumbled, but toed off her shoes pushing them under the table before putting her feet back up on the table. She knew the placement of the shoes would bug Maura, but she wouldn't say anything about it, yet.

Connie and Vineloch grinned at each other upon witnessing the way the couple got on together. They may be a King and Queen to the outside world, but at home it was nice to see they were just like everyone else. Both of the staff members had seen many beings who thought they were better than everyone no matter where they were. It was good to see Laird Raven and Lady Snow were not among those.

Jane looked up at the huge mirror over the fireplace. "Hey is that one of the magic mirrors that is like a television, internet, and phone all in one or just a plain old looking glass?"

Connie smiled at the dark haired woman reclining on the sofa. "It is a COM mirror, Laird." She picked up a little jewel encrusted rectangle of brass. Symbols were etched into the tops of the jewels. "This Laird is similar to what you refer to as a remote control in the human world." The housekeeper quickly showed Jane how the thing worked and what all the little jewels did.

"Thanks Connie. I look forward to checking it all out later."

Before Connie and Vineloch left they informed the couple that they could join everyone in the main dining hall at 6 for dinner or dinner could be brought to them to enjoy privately in their own dining room or if the duo wished they could cook if that was their preference. The kitchen was fully stocked and if there was ever anything they wanted to add to it just let them know and it would be taken care of. The couple said they would dine in the main dining hall their first night in residence.

Once alone Jane and Maura wasted little time running a nice hot bubble bath in their giant tub and taking a long soak washing one another that in no time at all turned into much more pleasurable things. After the satisfying bath the couple set an alarm before curling up together skin to skin and let exhaustion take them. It was good to be home, a home they found only in each other no matter where life took them.

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I hope you liked this update and as always, I would love to hear from you. Until Next Time…Holly