Hello everybody and welcome back to "To Eternity, My Witch." I have been quite busy. I got a new job and that has had me on my toes these past few weeks. Onwards! To the story.

I DO NOT Own any of these as they are and were created by their respective creators. Marvel is owned by the late Stan Lee via Disney. Phantom of the Opera (PotO) is owned by Andrew Llyod Weber. LofZ : TP and OofT by Shigeru Miyamoto. Fire Emblem by Shouzou Kaga. Black Butler by Yana Toboso. And finally, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 41 Peace and Healing

~James' POV… Almost two weeks later…~

Wanda and I were in Stefan and Amelia's room, Wanda was now five months pregnant, and she went to lie on the bed trying to get comfortable. I sighed, sitting near Amelia's left side. She still was in her regenerancy dome and hovering above the bed. Though something had changed since yesterday, I could not put my finger on it.

"Hey Wanda, do you notice anything different about Amelia today?" I asked, looking Amelia over as I stood. She looked healthier as the last week and a half went by, but something else was different. I could not put my finger on it.

Wanda sat up and overlooked Amelia beyond the glittering gems and coins in greater detail. She squinted and her eyes went wide, gasping in delight. I frowned, "What?"

"Look at her hand, James! She is holding something." Wanda sang out excitedly, pointing to Amelia's hands.

I looked at Amelia's left hand and indeed, she held something. It looked to be blue. "It looks blue. Though I am not sure we're allowed to reach in to grab it."

"It's the star gem." Stefan laughed out as he arrived in the room. He sported a rather large and goofy smile on his face. It was carefree.

Wanda looked to him, hopeful, "So, she's healing?"

Stefan smiled, nodding to Wanda, "Yes, and faster than expected. Though having been married to her over 115,000 years, she never really surprises me much anymore."

At that moment, Amelia's regenerancy dome slowed to a stop as she lowered to the bed. The gems and coins scattered on the bed and the light from her dome faded as Amelia breathed in deep as she rolled to her side towards Wanda and cuddling up to her, still in a deep sleep. Her wrists and ankles still had chains attached to them.

Stefan raced forward and gathered her up, holding her close. Wanda and I simply stared at Amelia in surprise.

Stefan closed his eyes, rocking Amelia back and forth, happy beyond the moon. "Praise God. Amelia, hear me… come back soon, love." He whispered. Amelia sighed and snuggled close to Stefan before going quiet.

I lowered my head, "Hmmm…" Stefan's love and dedication for Amelia was beyond anything I had seen to date. It was astounding and it was a pure love that was something I hoped to reach with Wanda.

Wanda took my hand, clearly seeing the same thing. We left to join our family in the lounge to watch the Star Wars movies, leaving Stefan to care for and bond with Amelia.

Stefan's POV… Several weeks later…

I smiled as I overlooked all six gems Amelia formed. The brilliant blue diamond acted as her life source, though the others merely were acting as presents to people. I sat in a chair there on the balcony, holding her as the gems were clutched tight in her hands. She had been asleep for just over six weeks now, a time such as that would be short for her if she had woken up without delay.

I watched the sunset beyond the Asgardian horizon. I sighed as I held Amelia close. I had the Eternity Gemstone appear several days ago in my left hand, being that the War of Twilight was now over with. I decided to mold it again into the tiara Amelia wore and gave the diadem over to Natasha to wear. Steve loved seeing her wear it and Natasha barely noticed it was there, even in sleep.

Its glow would dim to a bare minimum while Natasha and Steve slept and would come back to full brightness in the daytime. The gem understood mortals' need to sleep in the dark. It would remain there if I wanted it, or as long as Natasha didn't get tired of wearing it. The other extra star gems Amelia created I would have to place them within the treasury's deepest depths, as they were too precious to lose. At least until she awoke.

The Avengers had taken time to recoup in Asgard. Again, S.H.I.E.L.D. would take over the duties pertaining to the Avengers on Earth as they were members of the war effort. And since Pepper, Wanda, and Natasha were all expecting, Steve, James, and Tony were all adamant on being in Asgard with them, leaving very few to go home.

Sam, Scott, Pietro, Shuri, Peter, and MJ opted to stay in Asgard as well, all feeling that leaving Asgard would mean leaving the Avengers too far from each other, plus they felt needed in Asgard to help with reconstruction efforts. T'Challa had returned to Earth to resume ruling Wakanda until the Avengers decided to return as well. Even as he now had a prosthetic hand.

Thor brought Scott's family and MJ's family back as well, giving them all time together two weeks ago to adjust to Asgardian life from the countryside. Laura and the children were in the city of Asgard though. Laura had taken on the task of teaching the children again, with Scott's wife and MJ's mother's help, as well as Peter, MJ, Pietro, Shuri, and Wanda as well. Tony, Bruce, Steve, and James were all adamant to helping in this endeavor. Soon the men were calling the area where they occupied Asgard's palace baby central.

Those on earth who knew of the war, mostly the EU; North America; several Middle Eastern, Asian, African, and South American countries; and The Soviet Union; met in Wakanda about the interstellar war that started and ended without their involvement, as the government officials discussed the events forward on how to meet with the other realms about it and whether Earth, or Midgard, would be eligible for being recognized as a formidable realm.

Odin was in Odin-sleep again, though Thor, Loki, and Frigga were almost certain he would not come out of it this time, as he seemed too far injured from his battle with Hela. Many Asgardians were overly glad and relieved, almost giddy, that Odin was asleep permanently, many regarded his views old and out of date, even archaic. However, there was a chance he could come out of Odin-sleep before he died, albeit a slim chance.

There were only a few Asgardians opposed to Midgard's recognition, but once they heard the arguments towards accepting Midgard as a formidable realm, opposition became nonexistent. Anyone left to oppose Midgard's entry into the council remained silent. Only one person still opposed Midgard's entry after everything was said and done and he was eventually sent through the Mirror to the Twilight in Arbiter's Grounds where he was face with execution from the Royals there as he tried and failed to start a rebellion.

Though most Asgardians kept to Asgard and married within the community, they were much more open to starting diplomatic relations with Midgard under Thor's reign than they had been under Odin's rule, having freed of their former ruler's wrath and temper. Some were even adventurous to traveling to Midgard to learn more about the culture. Soon more were intrigued to hear that Norway's history was still influencing the current culture in Norway and other places around Earth.

Even Vanaheim and Alfheim were in favor of it, having been in fear of Odin's wrath when he was in power. Jotumhein could not care less, but they did make a peace treaty with all realms to detest any armed battles if it meant peace for all the realms. Though with Thor and Sif as the new monarchs, and Frigga alive without Odin's racist, bigoted backside in the way, Midgard had a great chance at becoming a formidable realm if the other friendly realms so chose to include them, which they were very inclined to do so.

I smiled further when Amelia moved in her sleep. She wrapped her arm around my waist as she moved. She was much healthier as well, though still skinny enough warranting her to be in Libran Sleep a little while longer. I spoke words of love to her and about the on goings in Asgard and the other realms.

I spoke of each of the Avengers as well. Of James, Steve, Natasha, and Wanda especially. Since Natasha and Wanda were both pregnant, they would be giving birth close to each other in about three months and within days of each other. Amelia stirred at each word, her way while in Libran Sleep happy at the news. Our children regularly spent time here with her, talking with her and taking care of her. It made her recover much quicker.

Even Paul and Titania had come to Asgard to spend time here, leaving Tatianna and Andromeda, who were more than capable, to take care of the ranch while they were gone. Besides… they needed a vacation… an exceedingly long, in the making, and needed vacation. When Paul came to hold her, Amelia stirred to the point of opening her eyes for a moment before falling asleep again and cuddling up to him. Their bond was always going to be there.

He cried as he held her close and gently, rocking her back and forth and speaking to her in their native language from before their race's destruction that even Stefan struggled to translate. Paul was all too happy to know she was well, though when seeing her in chains, it set him off on a very long and painful road of horrible memories. After about three hours, he had to leave and Titania found him in the training area an hour after he left, having destroyed several irreplaceable training dummies which he repaired and having driven all others who were training out. He was that upset to see Amelia in chains. Most had not dared approach him even when Titania appeared.

Though she was able to calm him after an hour of raging on his part to her. He never resorted to his powers he gained when he was possessed by Satision and became Sebastian Michaelis, but he did by chance destroy a fourth and final training dummy with his dark demonic powers he retained from when he was possessed upon raging about Amelia being in chains to Titania. He was so upset by it, Titania had to calm him down again and speak words of love to him for another two hours after that. The bond that Amelia and Paul had was now starting to form between the two. Which was formed between Amelia, and I had now.

I was the only one who made her stir in such a way since then. I held her there, happy. I looked up as there was a knock on the door. I shouted, "Come in!" I stood, carrying Amelia to the bed. Her chains rattled as I moved through the room to the bed so I could lay down against the headboard with Amelia in my arms. The chains remained in the way as I held her, but I was able to move them enough to be comfortable.

Wanda and James appeared in the doorway, with the former having a scowl on her face. "James, I'm pregnant, not an invalid," She grumbled to him, a sneer growing on her face.

"Yes, but I rather not you over do it again." James countered as he helped her down the steps from the entrance's level.

Steve and Natasha soon followed, though Steve had a disgruntled Natasha in his arms. The crown still sat there on her head; rarely did it move since it resisted movement.

With a growl and glare, Natasha spoke low, "Steve, put me down. I simply fainted earlier from our son, now put… me… down…" She tried to get down, but Steve kept firm arms around her. She glared at him; it seemed as though he had grown immune to her death glares.

"No. You fainted while trying to easily train this morning, Tasha. I am carrying you from here on out once we are done visiting Amelia." Steve growled, a stern glare on his face. Yes, he had definitely grown immune to Natasha's glares and death threats.

I smiled, chuckling at both Steve's and James' overprotectiveness. Especially James. Ever since the day they defeated Ganon, James had gone overboard and become the overprotective husband, especially since he nearly lost Wanda to Ganon. The second time. The first time to Thanos. He had nearly gone out of his mind the day that Wanda had tried to contact Amelia while she was in Libran Sleep and had lost consciousness.

He had her cut his hair again just a week ago and now he looked so much younger without the shoulder length hair and beard. I remember Wanda complaining to him that she liked his hair long and beard there, but I agreed with him, having long hair and a beard did get annoying after a while. I had grown out my hair and beard multiple times when it was beneficial, but it was always annoying. Steve had Wanda cut his hair as well, and he had shaved his beard. He looked much younger as well. All four looked my way in question.

I continued to chuckle, "Ah, young love. I remember the days when Amelia and I were young and mated. I was just like you both, Steve and James, over-protective and whatnot. I can tell you, Nat, and Wanda, it does not get much better from here. At least until you give birth to your children." The two men hmphed at my words as I continued to chuckle. Wanda growled and pulled her arm from James and made her way over to the bed to sit on it next to me. James, looking like a lost puppy, came over slowly to stand behind her. Steve set Nat on the other side of me.

I smiled as Wanda took Amelia's hand as she asked, "Does she still sleep? Could I try to talk with her again?"

My smiled faded, turning into a concerned frown as I warned her, "You could, but remember what happened last time you tried…" Referring to three days prior to when she fainted from the twins and overusing her powers which were acting up and disappearing. The only thing that remained now since then was the mental connection between her mind and James' mind. Her powers had all but disappeared. Now fully dormant due to her pregnancy. Something I knew all too well with Amelia when she had been pregnant with all our children.

"NO! You are not trying again. I do not want your health, or the health of the twins compromised," James refused immediately, shaking his head, and crossing his arms as he came forward. He sat on the edge of the bed and took her in his arms. She hmphed but leaned into his chest anyway.

"Fine. I'll leave it until later." Wanda resigned herself, realizing the logic.

Natasha leaned into my left shoulder, "Stefan, has she done anything lately?"

"No, unfortunately not, Nat. She hasn't," I sighed, holding Amelia closer. "However, the last of the star gems are formed. Look…" I paused and gestured to the gems inside Amelia's closed fists. The four adults glanced at them, awed as they gazed at them. They looked at me as I continued, "I was able to see glimpses into where she was as well."

James smiled, "Where?" He sat on the edge of the bed.

I looked at him, "She's in the Whirlpool Galaxy about 31 million lightyears from here. She had found a star system of seven stars, which explains the number of gems she is holding. A high number if you ask me."

"Why does she use stars and how?" Steve asked.

"It's rather hard to explain, but our anatomy, as we grow older, especially Amelia, myself, and a few others, we gain the ability to handle extremely high pressure and heat; however, that means we require more energy to live as we have many of those abilities. Thus, Amelia produced the idea of star gems, and as Bruce said five weeks ago, we use a process like nuclear fusion to create them. We also gain the ability to convert base elements such as helium and hydrogen into higher order elements such as carbon, oxygen, aluminum, beryllium, and sulfur. Sometime into gold, silver, and iron. However, it's necessary to create compounds with them once they are formed."

I paused, pondering how star gems were made. The four looked at me as I talked, confused. Steve pressed, "Isn't carbon usually used to make diamonds and emeralds? Do you use the stars to make them fancy?"

I looked at him and smiled, nodding, "Yes, they usually are. We convert stars into mixtures of carbon which under pressure, makes diamonds. Other times, we make aluminum oxides which under pressure make rubies and sapphires. We can also make cyclosilicates, or emeralds, as well. We can then infuse the molecules with energy as the compounds are extremely stable, being that the gems were formed under extreme pressure under the abilities from a dragon. Usually, if these life gems were placed under circumstances like normal gems which would break or be crushed, the life gems would survive. Nor would they explode or shatter."

Natasha interrupted this time, curious and intrigued with my knowledge, "Have you or the others who know how to create the star gems lost them? And have you ever found them again? Are any of them still lost?"

I looked at Natasha, impressed she asked a rare question. I nodded, "Yes. In the past, some of those life gems that have been lost and then found by mortals have been the catalysts for many fantasy stories and cause history to happen. Which we would then steal back after a few weeks, months, or years, disappearing into thin air. The mortals who owned them would usually go mad with desire for it and die in a matter of a few weeks, months, or years afterwards.

"Unfortunately, their minds become twisted from the remnants of the life gem's creator's mind. This is because the star gem takes on characteristics of its creator be it bad or good, which would then turn against any other creature other than its creator. Which is what also inspired their gifts or stories, but when the gem went absent, they go mad. Like a hatter going mad after years of using too much mercury.

"And being that the gems are made from stars, they can take a lot of abuse and not react to anything. Which makes them great catalysts for life gems as well. See the cobalt diamond in her left hand? It is the life gem, which contains the necessary nutrients, fats, proteins, amino acids so on and so forth for her to become healthy again," I took a breath. All of them were confused, but then they came to understand it. Albeit slowly.

Wanda moved out of James' hold and took the chain attached to Amelia's left wrist in her hand, frowning in response. It was heavy. She looked up to me, "How will these chains come off? There are no key holes in any of them and remembering our conversation with Ragnar and then with Ganon, we never learned a way to get them off. Plus, how can she manage having them on? Or you for that matter? They are so heavy."

I frowned with her, "That is a mystery to me, Wanda. Until Amelia wakes, I am afraid we will have to leave the chains on her." I deliberately lied, knowing it had to do with James. We dragons were masters at hiding lies and making them sound like the truth. He would have to conclude on his own that he wanted the chains off Amelia himself for the chains to be truly removed from her wrists and ankles.

Wanda hmphed, saddened, "Very well." She put the chain down and snuggled to my right side. I placed my head on hers, smiling. Natasha snuggled to my other side, both James and Steve frowned, clearly jealous. I felt like I was a father of young girls again.

"You know, boys, I haven't had this happen for a while. Zelda, Kagome, and Rin are usually busy with their husbands and children. Not only that, the three children I had with Amelia, Stephanie, Jonathan, and Scarlet, have since passed away in second life. It's a blessing I consider very personal when I see two daughters wanting to spend time with their father." I spoke, wisdom leaking from my lips.

James and Steve looked at me, listening with curious eyes, blanching in agreement. Both stayed silent as I continued, "Keep that in mind when your children are born. Once you hold them in your arms, it will be difficult to give them up. Even when people just want to hold them You will know once you have them in your arms, nothing is more important in the entire world. Aside from Christ. Amelia and I both understand that." James looked down as Steve sat.

"Truer words were never spoken, Stefan." Paul said as he and Titania came into the room holding Annika and Lily walking with Alban the wolf right behind Paul. James and Steve both raised a brow at him, waiting for him to explain. Paul smiled, "When Titania and I had Andie and Anna, everything else in the world became dull. They became the most important thing. Any parent would understand that. Just like Annika and Lilly here. Girls come, let's see gram-gram and papa."

Paul led them over with Alban the wolf laying on the floor at the end of the bed. Paul and Titania placed Annika and Lilly on the bed, and they crawled over to Amelia and me, careful to avoid the chains. Natasha and Amelia smiled, both leaning back from the two girls, allowing them space to reach me. All the adults smiled as Annika pouted. "Papa? When will gram-gram awake soon? She promised to make cookies with Lilly and I when she came back last time." Annika pouted, crossing her arms. Lilly nodded in agreement.

I smiled, happy to see my granddaughters, ruffling Annika's hair, and patting Lilly's, as I gestured to the couple to my right, "Soon my dragonairs. Though I have an idea, how about you take Wanda and James to your room and show them your toys. Perhaps you can have them play with you both. They are expecting twin girls and they need some experience with two energetic girls such as yourselves. Can you do that?" James looked scared whereas Wanda looked delighted.

Both girls squealed and moved to hug Wanda, who in turn, blushed. I could tell she realized she had a chance to get experience with children before her own came. She slid off the bed and soon Annika and Lilly were tugging on James' arms, wanting his attention. He looked to be relaxing as they simply ignored his arm being metal. I smiled as Annika asked, "James, would you hold me please?" He knelt to their level.

Lilly pouted, "No, me! Annika had Paul hold her here."

That's when the wolf, Alban, came over and nudged Annika, whining and wagging his tail. She sighed, pouting, although she hugged Alban, who huffed in happiness and wagged his tail, "Fine, Alban. I have Alban then." Lilly squealed in happiness when James stood and caught her up. She smiled a pure elven smile, a smile full of trust and happiness, as she placed her hands gently on his checks, "Thank you, Uncle James." She squealed in happiness, hugging his neck.

James relaxed completely at this point, amazed the two girls completely ignored that he had a vibranium arm, accepting him as if he were their uncle, Lilly clinging to him as if he were her beloved uncle. He was shocked that they so easily approached him without fear and having vied for his attention. Annika squealed with delight as Wanda took her hand and Wanda, having enough control of her powers, let off a small flower for her to hold. Even as Alban leaned into her and she into him.

Before he and Wanda disappeared out the door after Paul and Titania, I quietly spoke to his mind and Wanda's, See James? Children are much more forgiving than we adults tend to be. Though you also must realize Lilly and Annika have grown up in an environment very much unlike children here in Asgard and in Midgard. They are used to the dragons, Gorons, elves, dwarfs, the Laguz, mermaids, and the like. Meeting a person that Amelia has told them about is exciting for them. They knew of you both far long before you knew of them. And they been wanting to meet you. They felt like they had an uncle and aunt from afar they could play with and dote on them. Their third cousin five times removed Solomon has a metal arm as well, which is why they're not phased at all by yours James.

"You mean that Amelia told them about us?" Wanda asked, surprised yet excited. James slowly understood.

"I see… they do seem much more accepting than others." He said to me as he looked down to Lilly rested her head against his left shoulder and snuggled into his hold. She smiled up at James as she did so, causing him to smile in return.

I smiled, Yes, Wanda, she did. Have fun with them, you two. They need attention. Yes, their parents love them so much, but with the reconstruction efforts here, they haven't had the chance to speak or spend time with them as much as they would like. Annika is Rin and Sesshomaru's daughter, my granddaughter. Lilly is my ward with Amelia helping me with her. I bonded with her while Amelia was unfortunately away at the time. Solomon, Todd, and Lillian had me become her guardian until her parents appeared in the Regenerancy Chambers. When Amelia returned, she and Lilly bonded.

Amelia and I wanted her to have as normal a childhood as possible, so we had Rin and Sess adopt her in a sense in our world because Annika is her age. We have her call Amelia and I papa and gram-gram and she does call them mom and dad. Though her wellbeing is our decision ultimately since we're her legal guardians and she's my ward, despite Sesshomaru and Rin's displeasure.

James and Wanda nodded, though their attention was diverted when Lilly asked, a large smile on her face, "Uncle James? Aunt Wanda? Do you want to have hot chocolate with Annika and me? I love hot chocolate. I…" Soon Lilly's voice faded as Paul and Titania lead them all away to Rin and Sesshomaru's room.

Hope y'all are doing well. Please like and leave a review. Tell me what y'all think

Until next time.

WS. Z.