Hello everybody and welcome back to "To Eternity, My Witch". I hope y'all are doing well. Sorry for the late update. Life has been quite busy.

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 23 Meeting Bloodlines

~Back in Trondheim's inn…~

In the library, Stefan sat in the chair near the fire place, relaxing back into its plush back. Clint and Laura sat on the couch across from him, Pietro on the ground in front of Laura. Wanda sat on the chair's left arm, comforting him.

"So, are you alright, Stefan? With Amelia being gone?" Wanda cautiously asked as she sniffed, dazed.

He closed his eyes, sighing, "Yes, eventually. Though my heart is breaking at the loss. However, I will pull through… Don't mind me, young Wanda." He waved his hand dismissing her and the others' concern as they tried to interrupt and argue about it. They all went silent at he simply waved his hand in dismissal again.

"Now, could you tell me about Ragnar and his sister?" Wanda inquired, saddened he waved off her concern, yet let him this time. She looked at him, with curious sorrow. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the chair's back. He was truly overwhelmed.

Stefan sighed again, opening his eyes to lock with hers, "It will be painful to hear. Are you sure you want to hear it?"

Wanda shook her head, "I need to hear to relieve some fears. Besides… how could I blame Amelia or James? It all that cursed HYDRA's fault."

"Very well. Obviously, HYDRA had forced James to rape Amelia, the day before she escaped. And within hours after that event, she escaped from HYDRA's control in 1965 and then was captured by the KGB a day later. As we all know, she and Natasha were paired up, and Amelia and I adopted her in a way. She discovered her pregnancy three months into her captivity with the KGB." Stefan paused taking a drink of water.

"Three months? Isn't that quite late?" Clint asked though he flinched when Laura, Wanda, and Stefan glared at him. He lowered his head, chagrined and blushing at his blunder for not remembering this with his own children with Laura. He wouldn't live this one down any time soon.

"Yes, in terms of dragons and humans. Especially with dragons. Female dragons can usually tell as early as one week after conception. So, for Amelia to take three months is near impossible. However, I wasn't surprised it had taken her that long to do so. She was in ill health and had been deprived of the life-giving sunlight we dragons need for 27 years. It was her body's way of healing before she had the chance to recognize the pregnancy. When she did, Amelia was able to slow her pregnancy down to…" Stefan was interrupted by Laura this time.

"What do you mean 'slow her pregnancy down'? Do you mean to decrease them mentally and physically?"

He looked to Laura, shaking his head, "No, Laura. Amelia and other female dragons and female dragon Laguz have the ability to slow their developing child or children in the womb up to three years without adversely affecting anything pertaining to their future mental, emotional, physical, and psychological states. And for being as old as she is, Amelia probably could push that limit to five years if it was necessary. Though she's never had to do so before.

"Since she escaped almost two years after she was captured by the KGB, she didn't have to wait that long. In that time, she figured out how long she'd be in captivity. Amelia had a family she knew before she was captured by HYDRA that was in Norway. The daughter, Freyja, who had turned 35 at the time, was married and had settled down there with her husband Erik. That's where Amelia headed. And had the twins. A girl and boy she named Reila and Josiah." Stefan turned to stare into the fire.

"So… Ragnar's original name is Josiah and, his sister's name is Reila? Where is she?" Laura asked, smiling knowing there was good that had come from situation between Amelia and James.

Stefan looked to Laura, smiled sadly at her, knowing she was happy with the outcome, "Reila was adopted by the very couple Amelia fled to and hid with. Freyja and Erik found out a year earlier that Freyja was barren and was unable to carry. Leaving them both heartbroken because they always wanted children. When Freyja and Erik helped Amelia, and learned of her ordeal, they offered to adopt both Josiah and Reila on the spot. Amelia agreed only on the adoption of Reila, as Josiah she figured would look too much like James in the future. Freyja and Erik were saddened, but immensely grateful still to have a daughter of their own."

Laura inquired, "Who performed the documentation? And how did it all fit in with the townspeople?"

"The midwife they had called did all the paperwork and agreed to process the adoption paperwork as well. The town was fine with it and rejoiced with them at the gain. A month later, Amelia left with Josiah to Asgard here in disguise as her alter-ego Sheikan as last time she was in Asgard she had a fall out with Odin. Her alter-ego Sheikan was still in good terms with Odin and allowed into Asgard. She, as Sheikan, explained Josiah's origins and suggested a Twilight couple, who were also barren, to adopt Josiah. Odin, as bullheaded as he was towards Amelia at the time, was compassionate enough to her son and allowed Sheikan to the Twilight realm, with his wife's, Frigga, counsel. That way, he was safe from HYDRA and James who was still under their control at the time."

Wanda cried, whispered, "Amelia literally turned her personal tragedy into a good ending. Despite her situation, she provided two hurting couples with children." She was heartbroken, angry at both James and HYDRA, but her anger towards James dissipated, replaced by love, knowing it wasn't his fault.

Clint asked, heart clenching at the story of Amelia having to give her children away in adoption because of fear for their safety. He tapped the table, getting Stefan's attention with a raised eyebrow, asking, "Wasn't she sad to part from them? Did she even consider aborting them? What about you? Have you discussed their existence with her? Do they know of you and their origins?" Stefan frowned at the barrage of questions, yet he answered them all in turn.

"Yes, she was greatly distressed, but it was for all their safety and even if she wanted to take care of them, she couldn't have. Society back then, even in the 1970's, an unmarried woman with children whose father was unknown was frowned upon greatly. She would have brought them over to Reslutia; however, being that they were born here with a different father and being only a quarter dragon, their legitimacy and eligibility to go wouldn't be considered. They're too much of this world. She wanted to spare them the shame of being looked down upon as a whore's children; thus, she wanted to bless two couples who were hurting. As for aborting them, you know Amelia, Clint…" He paused a moment letting the news sink in. All there knew the answer, but Stefan answered Clint's question anyways.

"Her heart would have shattered to even think about such a thing, even though it could have been justified. She would have rather died than kill them in the womb. As for me, I would have called them my own, but like I said before because they couldn't come to Reslutia, I couldn't. And because they didn't have a personal choice yet. They were too young to choose whether they wanted to come. Amelia and I have gone around the subject for years. And it's something that is a gray area for us. A hot topic… Even our children have discussed them in great depth with us. As for Reila and Josiah…"

Pietro interrupted Stefan's explanation, asking again Clint's question, "Stefan, do they know of their origins?"

Stefan frowned at Pietro, growling at him and making him shrink back, but he answered, "Yes, Pietro, they both know of their origins. We wouldn't have wanted to keep them in the dark their entire lives. Amelia, having thought things through while in captivity, wrote two detailed letters with embedded memories of what had happened and who she was, who James was, and who I was. She gave them the choice to accept what had happened and who they were and who their parents were. One last thing that Amelia each gave Freyja and Erik, and Josiah's adoptive parents was a gossip stone. In the case they wanted to contact us. To get to know Amelia and I if they wanted to.

"However, she asked… no… requested… Freyja and Erik, and the twilight couple only to give Reila and Josiah the letters and stones if they truly asked where they came from and who their birth parents were. She warned each couple to talk with Reila and Josiah long and hard about the subject before the letters and stones were given. Reila got hers much earlier than Josiah, at the age of 14, whereas Josiah got his at 19." Stefan paused clearly troubled about dredging up bad memories again.

"How did each of them react Stefan? How did my… stepchildren react to their origins?" Wanda asked, troubled and saddened.

Stefan looked to the impish woman on his lap, a sad expression on his face, "Reila clearly has much to say and many emotions in her. In short, for about a week, she gave her adoptive parents hell, but soon within a month of learning her origins she had accepted everything with a grain of salt. She became determined to join Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. to rid the world of HYDRA. She, in essence sense, became her mother, and showed the strength and loyalty of her father.

"She and I have spoken about whether she wanted to become my daughter, but she wanted to try to find James and potential resolve their relationship. Right now, she is currently with S.H.I.E.L.D and with Avengers. Have you heard of Rebecca Hansdotter?" Stefan asked, a hint of a smile breaking through. Pietro raced out of the room and grabbed some food, soon coming back into the room with a bag of chips. Laura patted the area in front of her and she pulled out a brush from her backpack.

Clint's eyes widened, "Yes. She and Bruce Banner are dating right now. They've taken quite a shine to each other. She's Reila?"

Stefan nodded, "Yes, Rebecca is Reila. Her full name that Erik and Freyja gave her was Rebecca Sigurd Reila Odinson. And I am proud of her. She and Bruce will be good for each other. Her first husband, Raymond, sadly passed away due to a rare type of cancer. Bruce will be good for her and her two sons. As for Josiah…" Stefan's smiled disappeared, replaced with a troubled frown.

"How did he react?" Pietro asked, he sat on the floor between Laura's legs as she brushed his hair, and he ate some potato chips.

"Not well. Unlike Reila, he refused to even talk to Amelia and me for years. Even his adoptive parents had a hard time staying in a healthy relationship with him during that time. It wasn't until seven years after he learned everything, when he was 26, that he started to loosen up and talk. By that time, Reila had her own successful business, had worked her way up in the Shield system to a high-level position, and she was able to speak eight languages with proficiency and four more on the way. He had on the other hand was becoming a good leader in the Twilight realm.

"He even got to know his sister Reila and meet her and get to know her well, that twin bond forming. After some long discussions, though, they did decide to leave each other to their lives since they lived in two very different realms. He's remained evasive about his opinions of what happened and his origins. Whenever we tried to brooch the subject, he would quick brush it off and change the topic. That aside it was Midna, who was queen of the twilight then, had confidence in him and knew everything. She helped him to heal and grow to become an advisor." He paused, thinking over the memories of the past.

Laura probed again after a few minutes, "Being that these current circumstances the way they are, when did you last hear from him before he… you know?"

Stefan looked over to her, a troubled expression on his face, "Three years ago. That's when Amelia and I stopped hearing from him altogether. We never got an explanation, a call, or a letter of sorts. Nothing. No indication from the Twilight came through that there were any indications of evil or change in Josiah's characters. All Amelia and I knew was that something was up. Midna even went through into the twilight and came back with nothing. No one seemed to know where he went or what happened. She had since retired and given rule of the Twilight to her son Lars about the same time Josiah disappeared. It was as if he had dropped off the face of the earth…"

"That means I'll have to kill my own son when I get to the Twilight realm…" James' voice sounded, causing all eyes in the room to go to him. It was more of a statement than a question. He looked exhausted, and his face was unreadable. Seems the sedatives weren't strong enough to keep him down for long.

Stefan frowned, sadness filling his features, "I am afraid so, James. It's something that will be unavoidable, a thing that no parent should have to deal with."

James came into the room, Steve following behind him. James came over to sit near the fire, Wanda jumping down from Stefan's knees and over to him. He in turn smiled hauntedly as he pulled her to himself. Steve, who had followed James, came over and sat on the other side of the mantle, near the couch Laura and Clint were on.

James looked up to the old dragon with the green hair, "What now, old man?" He absentmindedly stroked Wanda's arm.

"Do as the sages command. Go to Vanaheim and Svartelfheim to get the mirror fragments. It shouldn't take you as nearly as long as the quest to get the fused shadows, but the two monstrous guardians who await you will be harder than ever. And they won't be corrupted residents of the realms they inhabit. They are more memory and beings currently forced to guard the pieces of the mirrors." Stefan warned, concern on his face as he crossed his arm. His body was tense, eyes narrowed with concern, face hardened with determination.

James sighed, "After Volga, I doubt it. He was a tough one. Same with Stallord. When do we leave?" Wanda snuggled into his embrace.

"That can wait… how are you feeling emotionally about all this, James?" Laura asked.

James looked to Laura and then to Wanda, who he felt waves of comfort and support coming from her through their mind link, "To be honest, I feel like a fool. A blasted, damned fool. And a horrible monster." He ran his hand through his hair, rather ashamed of himself.

Steve clasped his shoulder, his metal one… he looked to his friend, "Don't worry, James. I am sure Amelia has forgiven you to the moon and back. To infinity."

Stefan clasped his other shoulder, "Indeed, Steve is right James. She forgave you as soon as it was done."

James felt hope rise again, "Thank you."

Stefan stood and offered a hand to James who took it. After helping James, Stefan helped Steve and Pietro.

"Clint and I are off to bed; tomorrow is a new day, and we need to prepare for the war." Laura mentioned as she and Clint left hand in hand, Pietro following up to the room Stefan and him shared. Leaving Steve, Stefan, James, and Wanda.

"I suggest you take the next two days to rest James. Arbiter's Grounds contains old curses and several ancient evil auras within. Plus, that skeleton, Stallord, Ragnar brought back to life, as you noticed could breathe a poison which lingered in the air after. I have sure you're still rather sore despite being healed with the chuchii jelly, eh?" Stefan probed, a hint of jabbing and laughter behind his voice.

James narrowed his eyes at the older man, suspicious, "How did you know that?

Stefan roared and slapped James on the back, "Even old men like us have secrets youngling. Can't blame me for that!"

Steve and James laughed with him, both understanding, being considered old men themselves compared to everyone else. Wanda giggled with them, shaking her head at their antics. Took the three men a few minutes to stop at the old man jokes before Stefan continued through chuckles.

"Tomorrow, I will have Clint teach you more archery skills, and I will be teaching you more techniques on how to use those spears and the spinner as well. Link and I will bring Thor, Clint, T'Challa, and Pietro to bring Natasha, Peter, MJ, and the children back here in this week. Considering now that the mirror is broken, there are going to be even more monsters and creatures of the night roaming about. I don't want our people spread out like we are over several realms. And with the Twilight finally undone, I am sure Ragnar will be bringing in dark elves and fire demons to fight in the fight. That is why I want to make sure they're in a safer place than Vanaheim." Stefan mentioned as they all climbed the stairs.

Steve elated, eagerly volunteered, "I volunteer to come on the mission."

Stefan placed a hand on Steve's shoulder, "I rather have you here, Steve. I want you to be able to guard Trondheim with everyone here while I'm gone to go get them back from exile. And besides, I can't have my next in command distracted while on thus mission, so that means I need your commanding presence here, alongside Thor, for Scott, Loki, Tony, and the others here. I trust that role for you."

Steve's shoulders slumped as he accepted the order, "Very well."

"Don't worry, we'll bring them back safely. It may take a few days, but we'll bring them back from exile. Charles and Meg are Asgardians posing as Vanaheim residents. They have awaited there for almost 2000 years for my return. They'll speed up the process most likely. Now off to bed with you two. Both of you will need the energy for tomorrow." Stefan ordered before walking over to his door and disappearing inside.

James sighed, "Wow… It's going to take time to process all the information." He ran his fingers through his hair.

Steve crossed his arms, nodding, "Indeed. Stefan told me it all two and a half weeks ago when we were dealing with the leviathan and it's still shocking… Don't look at me with disgust, Buck." He glared right back at Buck when the latter sneered at him in annoyance.

James narrowed his eyes at Steve as he crossed his arms, "Well, it doesn't help I never knew I had children with Amelia. It will change our relationship and Wanda's and my relationship. It's… weird to think about."

"How so?" Wanda asked with narrowed eyes.

James blushed as he scratched the back of his head, "I don't know. It just will."

"No, it won't. Just because that all happened, it will change or not," Steve stated, leaving no room for argument. "Well, I'm off to bed. Go, get some sleep." Steve ordered before disappearing into his room.

James and Wanda stared after Steve, annoyed he had ordered them. James shook his head and thought, Isn't it Thor or Stefan's job to order us with this situation? They went to their room and got in bed for the night.

Clint's POV the next day…

"Once more, James. This time make sure you have a slightly wider stance." I said. James and I had been working on his archery skills for about three and a half hours, discussing and debating the bow he had obtained. He practically mastered almost every stance and techniques I described and shown him so far and his aim was always on point. No pun intended.

When James' arrow hit the small target 250 feet away dead center, I let out a surprised laughed, "Amazing. Good show, man. You practically mastered what took me years to learn and perfected them in days."

James smiled, saying, "Thanks. I had good teachers from Natalia and yourself."

"Since you're done with him, Clint… James! Meet me here in one hour. I need to test your skills with those spears and the spinner." Stefan ordered as he appeared to my left.

James nodded, "How about the rod? Or the boomerang?"

Stefan shook his head, "That is the dominion rod and no. It isn't vital to your quest any longer. Once this war is over, it will be placed into the treasury and historical vaults in the palace for later when Thor and I can present it back to the Valkyries. When we're done training, I'll take it and place it in my room for safe keeping until later. The boomerang from the temple in Vanaheim may be used later though I cannot be sure. If I had to take a gander, it will be a use to you so keep it on hand."

I smiled at James, "Go take a break James you deserve it." James nodded and left, Wanda following close behind him and into the inn. She rejoined the ladies on the porch soon thereafter. Stefan came over observed the target.

"So, how are you doing, Clint?" Stefan questioned me as he turned.

I sighed, looking around the town and then back to Stefan, who had a slightly questioning look on his face. I mumbled out, "Not well. Laura and I are still rather heartbroken over the children's kidnapping. Are you really going this evening with me?"

Stefan nodded, fingering his sword's pommel as he and I waited, "Yes. I need to make sure that everyone is together here in Trondheim before we make our assault on Asgard."

I furrowed my brow in instant concern, "Why? What assault?"

"Do you remember seeing that pyramidal shaped shield appearing where Asgard's palace is after James left for Vanaheim to get the sword? It happened about a week and a half ago… When Amelia gave her life for Wanda…" Stefan probed.

Brows still furrowed, I nodded, "Yes…" I felt sympathy and sorrow at the mention of Amelia's name. I could tell just by Stefan's tone and body language in that moment that he was still suffering from the loss of his mate. Though only for a brief moment. Every other time though he was tough as nails and hard to impossible to read to see it most of the time. Natasha and I had discussed his unreadable personality and character in depth before this disaster. It confounded and unnerved her and I to not end, leaving us uneasy and in awe at his mastery at his emotions.

Stefan fingered his sword, "Now what I am going to purpose is just a theory. I believe the real enemy behind Ragnar's invasion is a monster of a man even more evil than Ragnar. And I believe I know who it may be as he hides behind that shield, watching the events take place. Even as his forces lose and his minion who's making them play out is on the road to losing his life."

"Care to give out any intel." I pressed.

"No. To be honest, Clint, it's just a theory and a vague one at best. How this individual came to survive his execution is beyond me. I can't have my theory spread like wild fire. As much as I would like to share the intel, I cannot." Stefan refused, shaking his head.

"Very well."

"Back to our original topic, how's Laura holding up?"

"Brokenhearted. Depressed. She has been withdrawn and quiet too long. I worry greatly for her. And me and our relationship. Though we eavesdropped on you as we prepared for sleep and heard you mention last night to Steve and Bucky that you'd be having me and the others go on a mission to bring them back, she came back to life somewhat."

Stefan looked away, troubled, "I am sorry to have caused you and Laura much soul sadness and marital trouble. The next few days will make it almost all better. Though, it may take much longer, as James and Wanda still have to get the mirror fragment from the hidden temple in Vanaheim." He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder for a moment before looking over to the inn and moving his hand back to his hip.

"Indeed." I looked over to the main road. I thought of all that had happened since the day Ragnar had invaded on the wedding. It was rather horrifying and felt like Thanos all over again. Although far worse. Laura and I were both shattered to have lost so much in such a short time. Having gained Pietro and Wanda as their children, James as a son-in-law, a larger family with Amelia, and freedom from the accords. I retreated from the training field as James appeared again with his spears and the spinner. Wanda came floating over to me as I reached the inn's front porch.

"Hey papa. How are you doing?" She asked as she sat on the railing that I leaned against.

I put my arm around her and kissed her brow, "Surviving, daughter. How are you, beautiful?"

Wanda blushed, turning away to watch James and Stefan spar, "Alright, still rather annoyed that I am in this impish form that Ragnar cursed me to be in."

I squeezed her shoulders, "It will all be over soon, Wanda. Don't be worried." Though as we watched James and Stefan, Wanda and I knew it would be some time before peace would be finally reign again.

Pietro's POV.

I stood on the edge of the spring with Shuri, watching my brother-in-law and Stefan spar down below in the training area. Shuri was next to me, watching as well. We were enjoying the scenery and doing some scouting work from here in case of any more enemies that may come close to the town. Father and Wanda were on the inn's porch below observing the session as well. Though Clint went to join in the training soon and Wanda went to join Laura and Pepper on the porch. When will all this horribleness be over? When will we have peace? I… I was pulled from my thoughts when Shuri asked me.

"Pietro, what do you think will happen when this is all over? Do you think Amelia will ever have a good funeral? Will Wanda's twins still be growing normally after she's changed back?"

I turned to look at her, a smile break through my thoughts. I took her hands, as I tried to reassure her, "I believe once everything is over with this disaster, things will go back to normal, it will take time though. In regard to Amelia, I do believe she will get a good funeral. As for Stefan's explanation, yes. Wanda will have her twins still, and they will grow normally."

Shuri nodded awkwardly, turning to watch James and Stefan again. I couldn't help but stare at her. She was so beautiful. I put my arm around her and held her close. I fingered the ring in my pocket as I did. I had found it at a jewelry shop not far from Asgard's palace. I didn't know if we'd survive this time to wait to ask her. Building up my courage, I turned to Shuri.

"Hey, Shuri. I know this comes at the worst time ever, but I have to ask you something." I whispered, taking her hand.

She turned to me, smiling, "Of course, Pietro, my fast feet."

I bit my lips nervously before going on, "Since I was resurrected all those months ago, you have been there with me, helping me heal, physically, emotionally, and mentally. You have become one of the most precious things, aside from Wanda, that has happened to me. You're beautiful, intelligent, funny, and a great fighter to boot, all things that made me come to you like a moth to flames."

I knelt on one knee, causing Shuri to gasp in surprise, her hands flying to her face. "It took me some time to corner your brother, alone, but when I did, I asked for his blessing and he basically said yes after a long and complicated discussion. I don't know how much time we have left if we are destined to pass or not in this war, but Shuri… princess of Wakanda and smartest woman in the world, will you marry me?" I pulled the silver ring with a large sapphire out from my pocket and presented it to her as I took her hand in question.

She stared at me, too shocked to say anything for a few moments before she began to nod vigorously.

"Is that a yes?" I asked rising to hug her.

She all but screamed, "YES! I WILL MARRY YOU PIETRO MAXIMOFF!" She jumped on me, legs around my hips, and kissed me, causing me to loss my balance and fall. Unable to stay standing, I caught her with both arms and twisted to make sure she didn't hit the ground as we kissed.

I kissed her back with an equal intensity, glad to know she was mine. I hugged her close and we laid there on the ground, content. Shuri and I watched the clouds go by as we simply enjoyed our moment alone.

T'Challa's POV.

I heard my sister's joyous scream as Pietro purposed. I sighed in sadness to know she was going to be married and most likely moving out. On the contrary, I was glad to know she was going to married to a man of merit and upright standing. Sam and Scott were with me on our rounds, slapping my on the back.

"Congrats are in order, T'Challa. You're going to have a brother-in-law!" Sam said, again slapping my back.

"Who knows, they may even have a little boy or girl on the way in 9 months." Scott poked fun at me. I simply rolled my eyes at his innuendo and shrugged, even though I should have been deeply insulted and sacked him for it.

"Go screw yourself, Scott. Shuri is still untouched and Pietro swore an oath to me to not touch her that way until their marriage night." I rolled my eyes again, contradicting Scott, who simply shrugged his shoulders. "Let's get back to our scouting mission, men. We need to make sure the perimeter is secure." I ordered as Sam doubled over laughing at a disgruntled Scott.

Steve's POV.

James, Stefan, Clint, and I paused and looked up from the training area to where Pietro and Shuri were located at the hot springs above the inn. Shuri's scream of joy made us all smile as she responded to Pietro's proposal, all of us knowing they were eventually going to get together. Though due to present circumstances, their celebration and marriage would be on hold until everything was resolved. Unless they decided on doing a simple Asgardian courthouse wedding, and they had seven witnesses according to the Wakandan and Asgardian traditions.

Clint and I finished our training session and he and I turned to the inn, though I glanced over to Stefan and James as they went back to sparing with the spears. Laura, Wanda, and Pepper were on the inn's porch, talking away about the eventually battle in a few days and Pepper's and Wanda's pregnancies.

Laura, since Stefan's orders last night, had come back to life, awaiting the orders from Stefan to have Clint, Thor, T'Challa, Pietro, and Link to go and bring Natasha, Peter, MJ, and the children back from their temporary forced exile. She had become much more animated and had joined Rin, Zelda, and Kagome in helping with preparing meals and doing chores when they weren't in the triage hospital that they had set up in the inn's backyard. I was happy to know Clint and Laura were as happy as I was at hearing our loved ones were alive and well.

"Clint, promise me you'll protect Tasha for me, will you? She's too precious to lose." I asked, a bit of desperation sounding from my voice.

Clint placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, "Do not worry, Steve. She will not be harmed, nor your unborn child. Besides, I know how much she means to you. To me." Clint leaned on the railing again. That tone. It was a loving tone that rang of a sibling love.

I looked over to Clint, knowing what he meant by his words. Natasha was more or less a sister to him because of what they went through when he found her with the KGB years back. Like in Budapest… They had a bond like siblings would have and if it were torn, someone would have hell to pay. I knew how long they had known each other. Laura had accepted her into the family like a sister and even offered her the rights to be aunt to all her children. "When all this is over, what will you do, Clint? Will you retire or continue as an Avenger?"

Becoming thoughtful, Clint didn't take his eyes off of the training session in front of them, "As much as I want to retire, I would get too bored and lazy from the lack of entertainment. I will continue on with the Avengers part time until I either die or I am forced to retire from old age or injury. Or at least until I am blessed with many grandchildren. I am getting a little old for this though. Besides… now that James and Wanda are married, I must keep an eye on them at the tower. And now Pietro and Shuri are engaged…" He smirked teasingly.

I laughed, "Indeed." I watched as Stefan again beat James with the spear. They had been going at it for nearly two hours now.

"Care to train with me more, Clint? I could use some more exercise and training." I gestured to the unused area of the field.

Clint stretched, agreeing, "Fine. However, an hour limit. Knowing you, with your super soldier statue, I don't think I could take more than that. Plus, seeing James, I think they may be done soon." He pointed out. I looked over to James.

Clint was right, James looked worn out from the session. Stefan, however, seemed unaffected from the long two-hour training session as he held out a hand for Buck. "Hmmm… he should be worn out like Buck. Why isn't he?" I wondered.

Stefan's POV.

I looked down at Buck who was breathing hard as I offered my hand to him. He took it and I helped him up. I heard Steve's question, and I looked over to said person and answered it, "The reason why is that I am a lot older and have much more energy than you." Clint roared with laughter, Laura, Wanda, and Pepper giggling, and Steve scoffed and rolled his eyes as James laughed tiredly.

"Aside from that, the main reason why I've barely broken a sweat is because I am also a dragon like Amelia. My body contain photoreceptors and photoreactors which help me to recover a lot faster than normal human beings, since they're working to making the light around me into energy that is ready to use and always heal, And the process always happens if there's light around. The more light there is the more energy they create and they're able to repair and make my body stay at peck condition. It would take a hard eight- to ten- hour flight in a strong head wind to make me tired as James is right now."

At the surprise of the group, I turned to James, nodding in approval, "Go rest, James, you deserve it. You did well."

"Thanks Stefan." James grunted and nodded to me even as he still panted in exertion, and he walked off slowly, stiffly, disappearing inside the inn to clean up after kissing Wanda. Said person briefly disappeared, I assumed, to talk with him, only to reappear soon after to join Pepper and Laura again out on the patio. Steve and Clint joined me on the training field and soon we were training together.

Wanda's POV. Prior Stefan and James' conclusion…

"Wanda, how are you holding up?" Laura asked me.

I answered, "Alright. I haven't told James yet, but I am rather worried. What if we lose this war to Ragnar? Why would he just suddenly go off the deep end with Amelia and Stefan? I am…"

Suddenly, our gaze flew to that where Shuri screamed in delight, "YES! I WILL MARRY YOU PIETRO MAXIMOFF!"

My mouth flew open, shocked for a moment, before I smiled broadly. Pietro finally asked Shuri to marry him. I remembered right before the wedding he had purchased with Amelia's gift to him and I the ring from the jewelry shop outside the palace. "Well, cheers to the newly engaged couple! And to that, I will have a new sister-in-law." I lifted my cup that the potter had made specifically for me. Laura and Pepper followed suit and we sipped our tea.

"Anyway, you were saying Wanda?" Pepper asked, bring Laura and I back to our original topic.

My shoulders dropped as I sighed, "I am just worried that without Amelia, things will go badly everywhere. How will Stefan do now, being a widower? How about their children and grandchildren? Or their realm? Or even here? How will I live with myself for being the main reason for Amelia's death? What would – is James thinking right now about me?" I didn't notice Laura and Pepper snicker quietly as James approached me from behind me, silently.

James came over and kissed my check distracting me, "Wha…?" I said as he did so before he disappeared inside to clean up. Laura and Pepper snickered. I rolled my eyes. I disappeared inside to tell James good work before joining Laura and Pepper again.

Laura smiled knowingly, "I think I already know, Wanda. He loves you through and through regardless. Just like Clint does me, and Tony with Pepper."

I blushed at Laura's comment, though my attention was pulled when Stefan called, "Steve! Clint! Help here as I go prepare a room!" Stefan shouted orders as he ran inside.

Laura, Pepper, and I looked out to the training field to see Steve and Clint running over and helping a thirty-something year old woman who had collapsed and had fallen unconscious near the field's edge. She looked pale and worn. Gaunt even. Her hair was dark brown on top and white on the sides. She looked like Amelia… and James.

It was Reila, James' and Amelia's daughter.

Clint took the woman's two heavy looking bags while Steve gently lifted her into his arms as they rushed to follow Stefan's path into the inn and then up the stair well. They all saw Steve's look of surprise and his hummed of concern when he touched Reila's left arm, but no one questioned him, letting it go with their overriding concern for her health. Laura, Pepper, and I shared a concerned glance between us, and we crowded inside.

Stefan took the bags from Clint and instructed Steve to place the woman on the bed, before he would take care of her himself. Clint and Steve came downstairs when Stefan closed himself into the room with Reila.

I frowned, "She looks just like Amelia with hints of James." I crossed my arms as the other sat down in the lounge's chairs. James came down the stairs, hair slicked back, and shirtless. Though he soon put his shirt on once he joined Laura, Clint, Steve, and me. My frown disappeared when I saw him, replaced by a confused look.

"What just happened? When I came in to clean up, everyone was outside training or talking. And now I find everyone in and concerned about something. Where's Stefan?"

I felt nervous and nauseated, not sure what James would say when no one would speak. I hesitantly spoke up, "Reila… is here. Stefan is upstairs taking care of her."

Hope you all are enjoying the story. This chapter and the next are a little slow so bear with me. Please drop a review and I will see you next time.

WS. Z.