High Elf Archer was beginning to regret her decision to go on this adventure. Oh sure, she was happy to bring along Orcbolg to something non-goblin related. Even if he still felt irritated about it. Tough. He was her husband now so he had to deal with stuff like this. Although, knowing her luck, goblins would just shoot up somewhere down the line anyways.
Still, she should be happy. An adventure with her husband? Those were always the best. That went especially for times they went alone. While not many, it let her have her way with him when they were safe and secure. Oh how it felt so good to shout in the wild while he was going at it with her. This time they weren't alone.
Arc Mage poked her cheek, "Are you still being miffy about me and Earth Mother tagging along? You did invite us after all?"
"I invited Earth Mother," High Elf Archer shook her fist as they trekked through the woods. "I didn't invite the slutty witch to ruin our adventure."
Arc Mage chuckled, "Is that what you call your wife? To think, I would have thought you loved me given how much we cuddled." Her giggling only grew louder when High Elf Archer blushed deep red.
"Can't you keep your mind out of the gutter?" High Elf Archer griped.
Arc Mage put on a contemplative look as she tapped her cheek, "Hmmm, I don't think so. That would be rather boring, like you~" She patted the elf's head who swatted it away.
Earth Mother tittered at the display and looked to Goblin Slayer, "You certainly know how to pick such lively suitors, Goblin Slayer."
"I didn't pick them," he answered honestly, looking over his blade for a moment to make sure it was sharp enough. He always made sure that his equipment worked and would check several times before battle. He put the blade away, "They sort of… found me and refused to leave."
"Damn right I refused," High Elf Archer shook her fist, "I worked hard to get your attention. I wasn't going to just step aside and let you fall into this witch's hands."
"I wonder how Witch must feel to have her title being used such," Arc Mage grinned, "I do so hope, Earth Mother, that you respect us as we respect you. You are still an unknown member of this little harem of his."
"Can we not call it that," High Elf Archer huffed. "We're just a big family is all."
Arc Mage rolled her eyes, "So this is more of a chance to test your mettle."
Earth Mother nodded and clasped her hands together, "I really hope I can live up to your standards and appease them. I want to become a part of this family as well after all."
Arc Mage looked her up and down and licked her lips, "You appease my standards alright~"
High Elf Archer elbowed her, "Don't perv on the goddess!"
"If she's going to be his wife alongside us, then I have every right to perv on my future partner."
"It's alright," Earth Mother looked over the elf. "I honestly don't mind. I actually appreciate the attention actually. I would have to say that you both are really lovely yourselves."
"Why thank you," Arc Mage smiled.
High Elf Archer huffed and crossed her arms. At the very least, Arc Mage knew when to be serious in a fight and Earth Mother would provide quite a bit of advantages in the coming adventure. It would seem that this adventure would be a long and harrowing tale that people would sing about-
*ten minutes later*
"THAT'S IT?!" High Elf Archer threw up her hands in anger at the scene before her.
In the middle of the camp was a dead ogre, it's head having been split apart. Around the camp were several kobolds. Those were small lizard folk that were about as dangerous as common goblins except without the sheer rapey malice. They weren't exactly creatures with spines as they were easy to push around, although High Elf Archer had met some nice ones and even an adventurer kobold once.
"-And another thing," Earth Mother was scolding them as the kobolds had their heads hung low. She was wagging her finger, "I know he was big and scary but that doesn't excuse you of serving evil people."
"We're sorry," the kobolds said, sniffing.
Earth Mother smiled in such a motherly way that the kobolds couldn't help but look up to her in awe, "Awww, don't be so down. Thankfully you haven't done anything really evil so we can start on your path to the good side."
Arc Mage sighed and put a hand on her hip, "This is cute and all but I was really hoping to blow something up today. What a disappointment."
"Using a simple rock to destroy a… whatever that thing was head," Goblin Slayer rubbed his chin, "Perhaps that would work on a Goblin Champion."
"That was an ogre!" High Elf Archer shouted up at him, "And you aren't strong enough to just throw a hand sized rock hard enough to split one of those beast's head open."
"You're right," Goblin Slayer put his hand on her head which caused her to blush, "You always are."
High Elf Archer looked down at the ground. She was frustrated. Why was he this good at making her feel this way? It agitated her to no end! Yet… feeling his hand on her head and hearing those words made her heart flutter. She shouldn't be acting like a maiden. She was already a freaking mother for the gods sake. "It's… good you know that."
Earth Mother turned to the adventurers, "Well that ended nicely. I'm sure these lovely kobolds will live a nice life of doing great things in the name of righteousness."
"I'm still honestly impressed you were able to kill that ogre so easily," Arc Mage said, "But then again, I shouldn't underestimate a goddess's strength."
"No you shouldn't," Earth Mother then winked at Goblin Slayer, "Don't worry. I'll make sure to dial it back on our wedding night."
High Elf Archer huffed, "Yes, well… this adventurer wasn't the type I was looking forward to."
Earth Mother frowned and bowed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your little adventure. I just got carried away and honestly, I have a soft spot for kobolds. They are not an evil race just… really not the brightest a lot of the time."
"You can say that again," Arc Mage huffed. She turned to the kobolds and her grin turned wicked, "Although I love seeing them burn, explode and oh… oh so many things happen to them. It's always so fun~"
The kobolds shivered and huddled together under her stare.
Earth Mother bopped Arc Mage's head, who rubbed the sore spot. "Stop messing with them."
"I got it," Arc Mage pouted.
High Elf Archer was fuming when she slammed open the door. She couldn't believe that this was how her first mission with a goddess would go. This was supposed to be an epic adventure. One with thrills and chases. Near deaths that would lead everyone to get closer and understand each other better yet….
Cowgirl moved her head to look at her elvish wife and gave her a smile, "Archer, it's nice to-"
High Elf Archer growled and stomped her way upstairs.
Cowgirl blinked in confusion as she watched the rest of her family come into the room, "Umm…"
"Don't ask," Arc Mage groaned and moved to the kitchen, "I'm getting myself some booze."
"I'll go talk to her," Earth Mother said and walked upstairs to confront the elf.
Waiting for things to happen was never the way to go. She had seen this far too many times in her immortal life. Mortals, if left to stew in negativity, would lead to many bad things down the line. The gods were lucky in that each of their kind was there to keep the others in check so the game was fair and balanced. Mortals weren't so lucky.
Mortals could be left alone. They could stew in every terrible feeling imaginable. Elves and the other long lived races had it the worst. That's why Earth Mother was determined to speak with her. If they were going to be a family, leaving one another to feel terrible about the circumstances wouldn't lead to a happy household.
As she neared the door, she could hear some sounds of a baby crying.
"I know, I know." High Elf Archer muttered, "Just give me a moment. Mommy's had a long day."
Earth Mother gently opened the door to see High Elf Archer with her daughter in her arms. She was lightly bobbing her up and down to calm the crying girl. Earth Mother was a bit surprised by how quickly she had gotten her child to her own room but elves were known for their speed. She moved in closer. "Can I help?"
High Elf Archer eyed her with a narrowed gaze, "No. I can do it. I just need to take my shirt off is all."
Earth Mother looked over the child and her instincts told her another story, "Perhaps I can fix this-"
"I have breasts," the elf scowled. "I can feed my child, thank you very much."
"She's not hungry," Earth Mother moved closer and before the elf could say anything, she touched the baby's stomach. The baby stopped crying and blinked in confusion before she started to babble happily and wave her little arms around. "There, all better."
High Elf Archer looked at her child for a moment and Earth Mother knew something was wrong. She glared up at the goddess, "Oh sure. You can just fix everything can you."
"What?"
"You can just beat an ogre like its nothing and now you can help my child better then I can," High Elf Archer did her best to keep her angry voice down for the sake of the child. "You just wanted to show off, didn't you?"
"I-"
"I'm a member of this family," High Elf Archer growled, "I can pull my own weight. I can take care of my child. I don't need you to fix everything just like that, especially with our adventure. Do you know how long it takes me to get him to agree to anything non-goblin related? A freaking long time. I was looking forward to that adventure and you ruined it."
Earth Mother blinked a few times before frowning, "This isn't just because of that, is it?"
"I…" High Elf Archer felt her child patting her chest. She looked down at her child smiling and sighed, "I'm… sorry, it's just… This whole situation is still something I'm not used to. I'm an elf. We take things slowly. Ending up in a harem with a human I love wasn't something I signed up for."
"And me entering the situation like I did didn't help," Earth Mother looked away, "I'm sorry."
"You should be," High Elf Archer said, "But… but it's not your fault. That helmet brain attracts all sorts of girls without even trying."
Earth Mother giggled, "He certainly does. I do apologize for coming into this affair without properly giving you time to get used to your situation. I really hope we can get along."
The elf stared at her for a moment before nodding, "I know we probably will. You're not as annoying as Arc Mage, but… I just want to feel a bit more useful is all. Well that and everyone is bigger than me. Not exactly something I enjoy."
"Being short has its own advantages," she winked at the elf. "I'm certain you've put them to use."
High Elf Archer sputtered and blushed. Her daughter chose that moment to start laughing and clapping, probably thinking her mommy was making silly faces. "Not in front of the kid."
"I'm sorry," the goddess tittered behind a hand. "High Elf Archer, you have nothing to worry about. You are a superb adventurer. The bane of the forces of evil. The kingdoms are in your debt in one way or form. You are praiseworthy in every respect and I am honored to be in your presence. I am sorry once more for not making that clear."
High Elf Archer felt a surge of pride go through her, "O-Of course. I am one of the best marksmen in the land. You should be honored, revered goddess or not."
The goddess smiled at the elf, "I am and I promise to make you and the rest of the family happy."
High Elf Archer huffed, "So you promise to not push anything too far?"
Earth Mother nodded, "Yes and if we go on another adventure, I won't throw as hard next time."
"That's not…" High Elf Archer sighed deeply, "Fine. That'll work."
Earth Mother moved closer and put a hand on her shoulder, "And Archer, don't put yourself down on. You are a great wife and mother. The others obviously appreciate you and Goblin Slayer does love you. That will never change. I hope I can earn my way into their hearts as you have done."
The elf smiled, "I think you can."
"Is everything alright?" Goblin Slayer came into the room. His helmet was off and while he was still stoic, there was a concerned glint in his eyes.
"Yes," Earth Mother said, "We still have a lot of things to work out between us but I think we can make something work."
"Earth Mother," High Elf Archer moved closer, "Could you handle her for a moment? I need to talk with my husband."
Earth Mother nodded and took the child, "Of course. Take care now." She moved away and closed the door behind her.
"Is there-"
"Do you love me," High Elf Archer asked.
"Yes," was his reply without any hesitation. He tilted his head in question, "Did I do something wrong?"
High Elf Archer stopped for a moment before chuckling which turned into full on laughter, "Oh… Oh I'm stupid. I'm so stupid."
"You are actually rather intelligent and clever," Goblin Slayer stated as a fact. "The exact opposite of stupidity."
"That wasn't… oh who am i kidding." High Elf Archer pointed downwards. He complied and she kissed him. She savored the feeling of his rought lips on her own before pulling back, "Say you love me again."
"I love you."
High Elf Archer smiled, "Thank you." She pulled him into another kiss.
The door swung open, "I love you too!" Arch Mage shouted with glee.
High Elf Archer pulled away and shook her fist, "Shut up and get out. I'm having a moment."
Hero barged into the room, "Hey! We promised I would get a turn when he got home."
"I'm upset and horny," High Elf Archer growled, "Let me have this."
Hero narrowed her eyes, "So you wish to battle me for his di-"
"Don't call it that!"
"But that's what it is!"
"Shut up you crass heroine!"
"I can be as crass as I want, you anvil."
Cow Girl came into the room, "Are you girls fighting again?"
Arc Mage clapped once and smiled, "Oh yes and it's wonderful~"
Cow Girl narrowed her eyes and brought out a pan from behind her, "Do I need to use this?"
Hero and High Elf Archer quickly hugged each other and shook in fear, "N-No, ma'am."
"Good," Cow Girl lowered her kitchen weapon of mass destruction, "Now play nice and share. This is my house after all and I don't want you scaring the children."
The two battle hardened adventurers nodded, keen not to upset the simple farmer lest they court death.
Goblin Slayer couldn't help but crack a smile at this. His family was certainly strange but he'd never trade them for anything.
Took me longer then I liked to get this chapter done so I hope you all enjoyed it. I'm trying to write more in my stories and since I've got about ten working at the same time, I'm a bit split. Hopefully I can still do them all justice. So comment what you thought about this chapter as I really appreciate the feedback and really helps me with my writing. Can't wait to reply to you all in the next chapter and take care of yourselves until then.
Also, you may have noticed I've changed the title. Well, originally this story was just going to skip forward several years and focus on the children. However, that sort of morphed into something else so perhaps I'll just make a sequel to this story when I feel like I've done enough. Don't worry, I don't plan on stopping writing Goblin Slayer. I just felt to change this story to focus more on the early years of his fatherhood and the family expanding is all.
ATP -
High Elf Archer is a superb waifu~ Hopefully I can do the interactions with her and Earth Mother well.
Droopy Reader -
Thank you. Hopefully you enjoy this one as well.
DAve and Bob -
It's honestly rather funny and sad that this isn't more common. I love harem/adventure stories but we don't usually get to see what happens after, especially with harems. So I thought to sit down and play with that idea because it lets me have a lot of great character interactions. Which is something I love to write.