The Lion Guard: King of Outremer Chapter 9, a lion guard fanfic

Chapter 9: A Joyful Christmas

Kion savored the feeling of Rani's naked body against his own. Her smooth skin, warm sensation, and long hair gave him greater pleasure than any bath. However, as of late, something else gave him much greater joy, the Queen's now swollen stomach, which he wrapped his arms tightly around and fondled.

Rani's expression mirrored Kion's as he held her from behind and kissed her cheek. The Queen exhaled deeply with a great sense of relaxation while stroking her stomach with him. Moments later, they both felt a kick.

"Ahhh, kicking already! They're a Lion just like their father!" Rani almost giggled.

"And their mother." Kion added before kissing her cheek again. Rani gave a mischievous smirk back at her husband.

"Kion, I've been wondering, what happens if it's a girl?" Kion returned her grin.

"Then God will have blessed us with a daughter."

"Really, you wouldn't be disappointed with a girl?"

"Mary was a woman and is greater than any saint." Rani turned herself around to face Kion and wrapped her arms around his shoulder.

"Good answer. But what about the Kingdom's succession?"

"Well, I hoped he'd have more than one child."

"Yes, but what if we only have girls?" Kion narrowed his eyes but remained playful.

"Well, your father only had a daughter. So we'll do what he did, find a suitable husband for our oldest."

Rani laughed.

"We could, I'm thinking we'd go local. Maybe one of Prince Rune's or Count Vegter's sons."

"You don't want another Frenchman?"

Rani shrugged.

"I don't know. Sometimes they're more trouble than their worth." Kion was about to speak when Rani caught him off-guard and pinned him down. The Queen's face turned incredibly vigorous, and she brought it down within inches of Kion's.

"But you're right about one thing. We are having more than one child!" Kion now looked slightly nervous as Rani's grin widened.

"We're going to have as many kids as my heart desires, so brace yourself, Lion of France. Your lioness won't settle for anything less than an enormous pride!" Kion's speech became muffled by Rani's passionate kiss.

Later that day, Kion walked through the halls of the royal palace in Deiurbem while carrying Rani in his arms, bridal style. The Lion Guard, Cadoc, and a few ladies in waiting walked beside them and chuckled while looking at the mixture of irritation and excitement in Rani's face as he did so.

"I'm perfectly capable of walking, Kion." The Queen muttered, not sounding entirely sure of herself as she did so. Kion merely kissed her cheek with an almost smug grin.

"You were one complaining about your feet earlier. I'm just doing what I can to make life easier for my Queen and the mother of my child." Despite her newfound weight from the pregnancy, Kion easily carried her, and she felt his ever-present muscles. If anything, they felt even more prominent than usual, and Rani became less and less upset about being carried.

"Hmm, will you carry me when we have our first child?" Fuli asked Azaad while leaning her head against his shoulder. The Turcopole knight smirked back.

"Of course, anything for my beautiful French wife." He said before kissing her cheek.

"Ha! As if I'm going to be carried around!" Fuli laughed.

"I don't know. I think I'd like it." Binga said while wrapping her arms around Bunga.

"Anything for my wife." Bunga said before sweeping her up and into his arms as she giggled.

"Oh boy, can you believe them?" Fuli said to Anga and Bellezza, shaking her head. Fuli wasn't the only one to get married since the battle at Sepphoris. Bellezza was a Norman noblewoman from Principatum and one of Princess Mary's ladies in waiting.

With Princess Mary's permission, Beshte courted Bellezza and married her in late November. She was a Norman, to be sure, standing taller than Fuli or Anga, nearly reaching Kion's height and Bunga's size. A physically imposing woman to match her Norman husband. However, she was no less beautiful, with long honey-blonde hair and green eyes which gleamed like emeralds.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with it. I also wouldn't want the Queen to feel alone." Bellezza stroked Beshte's arm, and without hesitation, he lifted her up with ease, demonstrating his immense strength.

"Aww, come on! I guess us French women have to represent." Fuli almost growled before noticing a concerning look on Anga's face.

"...Ehhh." Anga shrugged before turning to a chuckling Ono.

"One ride, coming up, my lady." The Chaplain picked Anga up, leaving Fuli standing in front of the party, mouth drooping open.

"And then there was one." Azaad said with a massive smirk.

"No way, not happening! Never in a thousand years will you-" Fuli almost yelped when Azaad came in low and swept her off her feet.

"Gaah! Azaad put me down right now!" Fuli squirmed in an attempt to free herself, but to no avail.

"Azaad I swear to God, I'll-" Fuli's resistance wavered, and within moments, she gave up. Though the noblewoman still glared at her husband.

"You're going to pay for this later, mark my words."

Nearby guards and servants chuckled, watching the episode play out, and bowed their heads while the monarchs passed. Many of the palace servants decorated the halls in vibrant decorations, including rich green wreaths with red balls of holly and tapestries.

They replaced the usual hangings with those depicting the three wise men, the Angel Gabriel informing Mary of her immaculate conception, Joseph leading Mary to Bethlehem, and finally, the nativity.

Eventually, they entered the council chamber where the Kingdom's leading noblemen sat alongside, Kopa, Talib, Patriarch George, the Patriarch of Principatum, and Perdidit. They all wore rose-colored robes, matching the third lit candle of the advent wreath which lay in the table's center.

"Your majesty." George said while bowing his head. However, soon he and the others saw her and the other noblewomen all getting carried in. Most of them looked amused, except for Baliyo, who almost glared at Kion.

"That looks fun." His wife, Princess Afia, whispered into Baliyo's ear. The princess's face turned from annoyed to exhausted. Eventually, Kion sat Rani down, and she smiled at her brother, warming him a bit.

"Good morning everyone, I hope everyone is feeling extra joyous this week!" Rani beamed as she spoke.

"It is the third week of advent, your grace." The Patriarch of Perdidit said with a sincere expression.

"Exactly, Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye, and this will be our last council meeting before the new year. We will settle lingering matters now."

Kion nodded.

"Sonn raids?" He asked cautiously.

"None since our great victory at Sepphoris!" Count Vegter proclaimed.

"Indeed, such a decisive and glorious victory." Prince Rune gave Baliyo a smug expression as the Prince of Perdidit grit his teeth. Despite this, Kopa gave the Prince of Principatum a stern look.

"We won but must remain vigilant."

"I agree, but if our spies in Persia are correct, more rebellions are breaking out since the battle. Rumors are even spreading that Shah Bahram II's son Hasira lives." Balian de Ibelin said with cautious optimism.

"He does! Praise God that would be a Christmas miracle!" Rani almost cried enthusiastically. Balian nodded.

"The Hospitallers have many agents in Persia, and we'll try and confirm this." Talib said.

"Perfect."

The council meeting was pleasantly short, much to Bunga and Fuli's relief. It ended with Rani and Kion revealing just how much money they intended to spend on the poor that Christmas and reminded the other nobles what Christ expected of them whom he'd blessed with land, money, and nobility.

The King and Queen would spare no expense, and upon hearing the amount, Ono realized it would use up all of the loot and ransom money they received from the battle at Sepphoris, or rather the King's share, as the rest was divided out among the other nobles and soldiers. However, Ono was quite pleased that they didn't need to ransom every single Sonn taken prisoner. No less than three hundred, including a few nobles, agreed to convert to Christianity, Catholic or Eastern Orthodox, and settle in the Kingdom after baptism. Nor were they the only ones, as hundreds of desperate Persian levies returned, pleading for water.

Kion held no grudge against the Persians and had the Hospitallers organize oversee their medical care. A few dozen levies became so moved by Talib and his Hospitallers that they converted there, though they turned none away even if they didn't convert.

When that portion of the meeting ended, most of the nobles bowed their heads. However, most decided to remain in the holy city for Christmas and went off to their chambers in the palace or elsewhere in Deiurbem. As they passed, the Lion Guard heard their whispers about Kion.

"I still can't believe we ever doubted him."

"With our victory, we might actually be able to take the offensive for the first time in years!"

"One step at a time." Balian reminded the others. Kopa also passed Kion and gave him a proud smile that lifted the King's spirits higher than a bird.

"Hmp, looks like they finally see Kion for who he is." Bunga said.

"That they do." Kopa added.

"All thanks to you." Kion said before Kopa shook his head.

"All thanks to you." Baliyo and Afia passed by Kion and Rani contrasting expressions.

"I'm glad you two are here for Christmas." Rani said, earning a somber smile from her brother, who kissed the Queen's cheek.

"Me too." Baliyo spoke in a somewhat timid voice, refusing to look Kion in the eye. However, Kion held no ill-will towards his brother-in-law.

"Baliyo, none of that. I'm not mad about what happened." Baliyo still didn't speak and turned away.

"Come on, Afia."

"Carry me." She giggled. Baliyo sighed louder but did as his wife asked. Rani watched the nobles leave with a slightly longing gaze. Since returning to Deiurbem, her physician insisted on Rani remaining in the city until the baby's birth and gave her a list of things she wasn't to do anymore, including horse-riding.

Because of this, the Queen found herself trapped in the Capital and almost felt like a prisoner. However, with the Sonn raids drying up and the year winding to a close, Kion too spent much more time in Deiurbem, spending most of his time sparring and tilting to keep his skills sharp or dealing with matters of state and the Army.

However, even so, the King and Queen found they'd had more personal time together than ever before and savored every minute of it. Additionally, with Christmas soo close, Rani at least got to oversee plans regarding the sacred celebration of Christ's birth.

"Shall we continue, your majesty?" Old George asked.

"Oui!" Rani cheered before sitting back down with Kion, Kopa, Talib, and the three Patriarchs.

"You guys go ahead, enjoy your day." Kion said to his Guard.

"What about sparring?" Fuli asked.

"We sparred for two hours this morning!" Bunga almost shouted.

"Two-hours is a bit short-"

"There's plenty of time for that tomorrow. We've all worked practically non-stop this year, and Christmas will be here soon, enjoy yourselves." Kion insisted.

"Sounds good to me." Beshte said before lifting a blushing Bellezza up again in his arms.

"And what does your heart desire, my dear."

"I feel like going to the theater. I hear they're performing Saint George and the Dragon." Binga said.

"That sounds great, Allons-y!" Binga similarly leaped back into her husband's arms before they departed.

"Hmm, where are you off to Ono?" Anga asked. The Chaplain looked giddish.

"I'm going to lead some hymns in the streets! Saint Francis was canonized recently, and I have his hymn!"

"Hmm, that sounds kind of fun." Anga leaned back and allowed herself to get carried off by Ono. Fuli almost scowled at her friend, but Anga shrugged.

"What, I'm tired?" Anga muttered shamelessly.

"Azaad, don't even think about-" Fuli couldn't finish the sentence before she found herself lifted up into his arms.

"Grrrr, just you wait." She growled as he carried her off. Kion and Rani couldn't help but smile.

Later that day, Beshte and Bellezza walked together through Deiurbem's menagerie alongside locals and visitors of all ages. Over a dozen pens dug deep into the ground as enclosers contained just as many exotic animals.

Tigers, lions, giraffes, peacocks, and even elephants all rested before the enticed visitors. Beshte always loved menageries growing up, his favorite being the one in London. Yet Deiurbem's put it to shame, for the merchant running it kept the zoo and animals exceedingly well maintained.

"These just arrived from Perdidit. They're beautiful!" Bellezza almost cried as she leaned over the railing overlooking a pair of hippos resting in an artificial pool beneath them.

"They are quite incredible. I remember reading about them back in France but never thought I'd see one, let alone two. Did you know they can't actually swim but live in the water to protect their sensitive skin.

"Really, tell me more. I was never able to find any good readings on Hippos." Beshte explained everything he knew, leaving his wife quite entranced.

"Hmm, big, strong, and incredibly protective. They remind me of you." The Norman woman giggled before kissing his cheek.

"And you." Beshte added.

"Yeah." Bellezza admitted. Eventually, they moved on to other pens, and each took turns educating the other on the animal there. However, they looked shocked when they came to one peculiar enclosure with six different animals inside.

"What are they doing!?" Bellezza almost yelped, terrified that the animals might attack each other at any moment. Beshte saw a zoo attendant nearby and frantically grabbed him.

"What the Hell do you think you're doing, putting six different animals in the same pen!?" Beshte almost huffed.

"Easy, sir. We didn't intend to, but as we were putting the animals in, these six escaped their cages, and all came together. Since then, they've been inseparable, like their own little family.

Beshte and Bellezza cautiously looked back down at the six animals. A hippo, cheetah, egret, honey, badger, eagle, and lion all resting beside each other.

"Incredible. I've never heard of something like this before." Beshte said in wonder. Bellezza smiled again and rested her head against Besthe's shoulder.

"They remind me of you and your friends. How did the Lion Guard form?" Beshte's face turned warmer as he thought back to all of the fond memories.

"I still remember that day. I was only a Squire back in Normandy, just thirteen years old when we heard the King was visiting one day. I was very excited and saw more knights that day than I ever had at that point in my life. King Simba was unbelievable and looked just like a mighty Lion, but he didn't come alone either."

Bellezza grew more interested and pulled herself closer.

"Kion!" Beshte smiled and nodded.

"Oui, he was Prince Kion then, my age and more like a cub than a Lion. Bunga was an Angevine nobleman's son and a squire training to become one of Kion's household knights one day. We spent a few days training together, and I could tell he had the makings of a lion."

"What about Bunga?" Beshte sighed.

"He had more spirit than skill back then. He must've fallen off his horse no less than thirty times in those few days we trained in Normandy. It's by God's divine grace he's become the skilled knight he is now." Beshte chuckled.

"Anyway, word spread that a small Viking raiding party raided a monastery near the coast of Brittany and took many prisoners. King Simba wasted no time and pursued the Vikings, taking us with him to observe/squire for the knights. Eventually, we caught up with the Vikings and scattered them. However, one of the rescued monks told the King that a boy who served them was still missing."

Bellezza looked slightly afraid.

"What happened to him?" Beshte, however, kept smiling.

"I was afraid too, but Kion held up his crucifix and swore to God he'd find the boy and rescue him. Bunga had no hesitation when Kion asked him to follow, but I couldn't believe it when he asked me. Together, we searched the surrounding countryside, eventually entering the county of Maine where we came across two young noblewomen our age."

"Fuli and Anga!"

"Oui, they loved to ride in the woods near their home but told us they spotted a big Viking hiding in the woods with boy as his prisoner. Kion declared who he was and asked them to help us, and from there, we tracked down the viking."

"Five children against a viking." Bellezza chuckled.

"Hey, we were early teens! Anyway, we tried to ambush the viking on horseback, but he knocked us off. I did my best, but he was too strong, at least until Kion roared and attacked the man like a lion. I still remember how scared the Viking looked. It filled us with so much courage and faith in Kion that we found a similar strength. Under his leadership, we knocked the viking out and rescued the boy."

Bellezza's eyes widened as she put the pieces together.

"Ono! It was him, wasn't it!"

"Oui." Beshte exhaled deeply, his smile turning warmer than the sun.

"Ever since that day, we've been the Lion Guard."

Elsewhere, Binga and Bunga sat in a grand theater with descending stands. Because of the Christmas season, the theater troupe's owner allowed people to see the shows for free. As such, the two nobles saw people of all classes among them, not that they minded.

On the stage, a dozen men and women dressed like farming villagers all cowering in terror before a dragon that towered over them and roared. The dragon was, in fact, four actors moving a large prop, but its pitch-black snakelike appearance still terrified much of the audience, particularly as they used horns to make a roaring sound.

Binga tried to hide her own fright, but Bunga smiled as he felt his wife's grip around his arm tighten.

"Please, have mercy on us, oh foul beast!" The village leader pleaded while two farmers brought forth a cow and offered it to sacrifice. The dragon took the cow but wasn't satisfied.

"Twas our last cow! Please, take this trinket instead!" The village leader offered the dragon a golden necklace, which it snatched like a snake, but still wasn't satisfied.

"Twas the last of our gold!" The village leader begged, but to no avail. The dragon reached in and snatched a villager.

"No! Please, not our people!" The dragon ignored him and seized another villager, then another. Many in the crowd muttered and yelped in fright. However, even Bunga felt his heart race when he watched the dragon turn its eyes upon a young woman. Unlike the villagers, she was dazzlingly beautiful with a splendid dress, glittering jewels, and a silver crown.

"No! Not the Princess!" The village leader begged with more enthusiasm and desperation than any of the others, but to no avail. The princess showed a similar skill in acting, for she trembled and began to weep in dread when the dragon loomed over her.

She reached to a necklace around her neck and revealed a golden crucifix which she kissed.

"Lord God! Protect me from the dragon! Send down your saints to save me!"

"Someone do something!" A spectator cried.

(xxx) Play protectors of the earth.

Just as the dragon reached in, the dark clouds above them parted as a heavenly light shined down, and the troupe's band switched their theme from dread to a more uplifting tune.

"What's going on!?" A villager shouted before the clopping of a horse reached them. Moments later, a tall and handsome man with flowing black hair in Aurevitas cataphract armor adorned with a silver cross and a golden lance in hand rode forward.

"It is he! Saint George!" The princess cried, tears streaming down her face. Saint George rode between the princess and lowered his lance.

"Back beast of the Devil! I come on behalf of my Lord, Christ!" The crowd cheered when they saw the dragon lunge towards Saint George, falling back as he thrust his lance towards it.

"Back! Back to the fiery pits from which you came!" Saint George battled the dragon in a tense standoff that kept Binga and the audience on the edge of their seats. Bunga usually wouldn't be impressed, having found in numerous real battles. However, he pictured the Real Saint George battling the wickedness of Sin alongside Saint Michael and found himself similarly entranced.

Finally, Saint George charged and impaled the dragon with his golden lance, killing it. At this, the villagers and audience alike let out a thunderous cheer. The princess rushed to Saint George and tried to bow before him, but he shook his head.

"Thank me not, my fair lady, for I am but a servant of your true savior. Tis he should though give the glory and honor, now and forever!" Saint George spurred his horse and rode off back into the heavenly light. The audience, including Bunga and Binga, broke out in applause, many standing up as the actors returned to the stage and bowed.

"Is that what battles are really like?" Binga asked, earning an amused chuckle from Bunga.

"No, mon amour, not quite. He wasn't using his lance properly. Still, the play was magnificent."

"Do you think dragons are real?"

"Absolutely! I know they're out there, and one day I'm going to find one!" Bunga eagerly proclaimed. Binga, however, looked horrified at this prospect.

"Bunga isn't that dangerous!"

"Probably, but I'm not going to kill the dragon if I find one. I'm going to tame him or her, make them a creature of God instead of the Devil, then I'll take you flying with me." Binga finally smiled again and rested her head against his shoulder.

"Wouldn't that be something, meeting a dragon." However, Binga noticed her husband's usual chipper demeanor falter.

"Bunga, is everything alright?" She asked, slightly concerned.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

"No, something's wrong." She insisted. Bunga took a deep breath.

"In a way, I have met a real dragon."

Binga's eyes widened.

"What!?"

Binga sat them back down.

"It happened about a year or so before we came out here. We were visiting the southern part of France near the Mediterranean coast, where a pirate lord was raiding ships near Toulouse."

Binga blinked in confusion.

"Wait, I thought Toulouse wasn't part of the Angevine Empire at the time?"

"It wasn't. The Count of Toulouse was still a vassal of King Philip, but don't forget, King Philip was still Kion's Grandfather on his mother's side. We helped him when we could, so long as it wasn't against the Angevine Empire and was doing good for innocent people." Binga nodded.

"Go on."

"The Pirate was called Ora and was nicknamed the Dragon because he was ruthless and guilty of every sin associated with dragons, greed, wrath, gluttony."

"Did you find him?" Bunga nodded.

"We tracked him to an island he used as a hideout but nearly got ambushed. I suppose Saint George was watching out for us that day."

"What do you mean?" Binga asked. Her interest peaked as Bunga smiled wider.

"A girl Ora had taken as a slave escaped his camp and warned us. Her name was Lumba. She then led us to his hideout in a cave where we fought his pirates. Kion faced off against Ora himself."

"And!?"

Bunga chuckled before pointing to the state at the Saint George actor.

"What about you!?"

"Oh, I got my share of pirates too!"

Outside of Deiurbem, Fuli and Azaad raced each other on their horses, the wind flowing through their hair.

"Essayez de m'attraper!" Fuli laughed as she kept just out of Azaad's reach.

"Come on, Brutus, I know you we can beat them!" Azaad eased his horse on, and nearly came up beside Fuli. The Turcopole gave her a triumphant look only to see a sinister grin on his wife's face.

"Payback time!" Fuli snarled before she leaped out of her saddle and tackled Azaad to the ground. Despite how fast the horses moved, they landed in soft sand and rolled down the hill before Fuli pinned Azaad down.

"Hmp, carry me around, will you! I-" Fuli's face turned red, and her speech became muffled when Azaad pulled her closer and into a deep kiss. After a few minutes, she lay cuddled up beside him.

"You still haven't told me what you want for Christmas." Azaad said while stroking her hair.

"I don't need anything."

"Gaah, you say that now, but you'll be upset when Christmas comes."

"I'm serious. I don't need anything." Azaad heard the sincerity in her voice and dropped the subject. Fuli already told Azaad about her upbringing, her father dying while fighting for King Simba, and her mother dying when she gave birth to her. Since then, she'd grown up under the care of house stewards.

The Lion Guard was Fuli's first taste of a real family, yet now she also had Azaad.

"It won't be long before the Queen gives birth." Azaad said, earning an uneasy nod from Fuli.

"I'm happy for them." Azaad's face grew a sly grin.

"You know, I think I do know a gift you want."

"Really?" Fuli asked with a curious smile.

"Yes, I think you want the same gift she'll have soon enough."

"Hah! In your dreams." Fuli laughed.

"I have dreamed about it, mon amour. I think you have too." Fuli's face turned slightly red.

"I'm not ready for that yet."

"Why not?"

"I, I-" Fuli almost trembled as she felt Azaad slowly shift himself over her.

"Are you sure?" Fuli's skin tingled, and after another few moments, she gave Azaad his answer.

The King and Queen walked the streets of Deiurbem together, or rather Kion walked while Rani still rode in his arms. All around them, the people of all social classes adorned Deiurbem with the same decorations as the royal palace, while just as many collected Yule logs, sang hymns, and gathered food for the upcoming feasting.

Dozens of clergymen and women similarly distributed food and other gifts to the poor, Alms provided by the King, Queen, Hospitallers, and the church.

"Look, it's the King and Queen!"

"Merry Christmas, your highness!"

"Praise the Lion of France!" Rani didn't see arrogance in her husband's eyes as he took in the praise, but a certain warmth that quickly spread to her. Kion's victory at Sepphoris had not only destroyed any lingering doubts about his abilities as King but earned him near-universal admiration from the nobility and commoners alike. The fact that he'd gotten Rani pregnant also helped, as it gave many hope for future stability with a clear line of succession.

Rani's heart soared to see her people finally taking to Kion as she had. Kion himself saw a few boys nearby with wooden swords and maces bow as they passed then resumed their play-fighting.

"I'm the Lion of France!" One shouted while raising his toy-sword up. For a moment, Kion felt his spirit flourish at their joy, but it quickly turned to dread as he realized that most if not all of them would end up becoming soldiers one day.

Kion slowly looked down at Rani's swollen belly and sighed in understanding that if their child was a boy, he'd end up leading them in an endless war against the Sonn, fighting tooth and nail to protect his surrounded and outnumbered Kingdom.

"Kion?" Rani asked with concern when she saw the look on his face.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, I was just thinking."

"About?"

"The future..."

"What about the future?" Rani asked nervously while stroking her stomach.

"...Wars happen back in Europe. That's why knights exist and why Kings are expected to lead them. But Outremer is different. One mistake out here, and the entire Kingdom is destroyed. Over a hundred years of dedication and sacrifices undone, God's Kingdom, and our child's crown."

Rani placed her hand on Kion's cheek with a reassuring look.

"That's why we have great Kings from the west like your grandfather to come and set things right. Besides, I don't think we'll have to worry. Outremer has never had a bad king." Kion smiled again and nodded. Technically, Rani was right.

Godfrey of Bouillon founded the Kingdom after the First Crusade and then passed it on to his brother Baldwin who became the first King. At the time, the Kingdom was only a fraction of its size and didn't contain Perdidit. Even so, Baldwin I and his son, Baldwin II, and his son Baldwin III not only held off much larger Sonn armies but expanded their domains.

Baldwin III's second son Amalric eventually succeeded him. He famously liberated Perdidit during the second Crusade alongside French and German Crusaders, driving out the Sonn and placing the native Perdidits back in charge, though as vassals of the King.

Amalric's first son Baldwin IV succeeded him and proved an incredibly effective General, often destroying Sonn armies vastly larger than his own. Yet for 'reasons' he never had a son and died in his early twenties, and the Kingdom passed to his younger half-brother Sahashi, Rani's father. Though Sahashi had only been a boy and the Kingdom, fell to a regent, who'd let Outremer to the disastrous defeat that necessitated the Third Crusade.

"I guess you're right, so you think I'm a good King?" He asked with a smirk.

"Hmm, well, I'd say you'd done a fair enough job for the first few months. The battle at Sepphoris and Genoese deal were impressive enough, but I'd say you only really became a great king after a much more significant accomplishment." Rani giggled while stroking her stomach. Kion narrowed his eyes but kept smirking.

"My mother seems to think so too." He almost sighed, earning harder laughter from the Queen. She also saw the last letter from Queen Nala, who used six pieces of parchment to describe how excited she was for them properly.

"I wish we could bring them out here for Christmas. But there's too much to do. Ruling England and France is quite the job." Kion muttered.

"Oui, but it's alright. You have family here too." Rani said as she emphasized a procession moving down the street towards them. Kion smiled again as he saw Ono and Anga leading a group of commoners and nobles alike in song.

Ono began.

"All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing

alleluia, alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam,

thou silver moon with softer gleam!"

The crowd then joined in.