Ani was writing a letter to her brother, Caleb, now the crown prince of Kildenree. They had become closer since he and her sister Napralina had come to the wedding of her and Geric. He had made a new list of questions about her past adventure and she was eager to answer him quickly appreciating the growing relationship between the two. She was sitting at her desk in front of a sunny window looking down on East Bayern.

Earlier that day she had gone riding with Enna, Finn, and Conrad to exercise their horses and to catch up with one another. Conrad had grown more mature ( or at least acted it) since he had received his javelin and started growing very fond of Ani. She noticed Finn and Enna stealing playful glances at one another and made a note to talk to Enna about it later. Finn and his mother were in town for the week selling blankets and ponchos for the upcoming rainy season, and Enna now lived in the castle being Ani's new lady in waiting. It was hard getting her in that position but the king was enchanted with Ani and also slightly afraid of her. He still had no idea of what Ani was able to do with her speaking to nature and to the geese. She, of course, still met up with Jok twice a week and heard all the problems of the heard and endured farewell nips telling her to bring some snacks next time.

She was just ending up her letter when the bedroom chamber door flew open.

"My Isi!"

She stood and turned to see Geric standing in the door with his arms open. She jumped and flew to him. He caught her in his arms and swung her around. When he placed her down, she threw her arms around his thick neck and squeezed tightly. He had been gone for four months at battle with a foolish, small neighboring community full of thick headed, rebelling peasants with only pitchforks and sheep to their name.

"I have missed you!" He said to her while pulling her away and stealing a quick kiss.

"You don't know how it's been here without you for four months." She pulled him to the bed and they sat down.

"Tell me what happened. Are you hurt? What did they do? They surely surrendered!"

"I am fine! Just some bruises here and there. Of course, they surrendered! They were smart enough to flee with their tails between their legs when they saw our army with swords next to their small get together with pitchforks!"

"That's why you are home sooner than expected!"

"I couldn't wait any longer! I had to be back home with you. I missed our soft, non-string thatched bed and of course you in our soft, warm, cozy bed with me." He said while caressing her arm. She responded with a deep, long, meaningful kiss.

"Ah! And that is what I have missed the most." He said while laying her down and kissing her more. She noticed new muscles on his arms and wondered what would happen next time he left to war.

"We should throw a party tomorrow, welcoming you and our army back!" Ani said, embarrassed of her short breath.

"I always hated those parties, with the snobby lords and the women with their necklines cut too low trying to impress my father. I would have to sit by his side all evening with nothing to entertain me but the unexpected drunken fool trying to say he was to be the greatest jester in the land. Don't throw a party, Isi, it would bore me to death ."

"Well, we won't have a party for this occasion but I promise when we do we won't make our child endure the evening like you did." She said with a hint of possibility. He gave her a questioning look and she nodded her head, yes.

"Isi! Really? Are you?"

"Yes!"

"When did you find out?"

"I'm not sure. I am getting sick and noticed some movement"

"OH Isi!" He said putting his arms around her waist, pulling her toward him and giving her another kiss. "When will he be due?"

" Being it four months since you left," she said with another hinting tone, " He or she will probably arrive in five months."