Thank you Fyrebyrd, 2brown-eyes, Gabby1017, and Ceceprincess1217 for prereading, and to jayhawkbb for editing. Please remember, I like to fiddle, so all mistakes are mine.

There was a question by a reader on the last chapter about how far along Isabella is. At the end of chapter 24, she's just about six months along. Just keep in mind, in "ye olden days," the practice of counting weeks wasn't how pregnancies were counted. Think more of counting seasons and watching for symptoms. ;) Time has moved along a little more in this chapter.

Chapter 25

The waning days of winter do not keep Edward, his men, and the men from the outlying villages inside the castle walls. No, they use the time to train. Hours and hours are spent in the fields, swords and bows in hand, preparing themselves for the fast-approaching battle. From sunup to sundown, they use the light of day to sharpen their skills. Many of my nights are spent waiting for my husband to return to our chambers; his meetings with his father and his council stealing the evening hours from us as well.

But on the days when it is not too cold and there is no snow falling, a fire is built at the edge of their training grounds, and I am allowed to observe them. While it may be a bit unorthodox for a lady to watch the men fight, it is not as if I have never seen the men in action. I have first-hand knowledge of their skills with their swords. And I truly believe Edward enjoys my presence. Knowing where I am seems to put his mind at ease, and he is able to completely focus on his men. These are my favorite days. Taking in the sight of my husband, dressed in the heavy furs and leathers worn in battle as he commands his men, warms me in ways I never thought possible outside of our bedchamber.

"Again!" he shouts at the men wielding their swords. "You expect to fight off a Rheman soldier like that?" He lifts his booted foot and kicks his man to the muddied ground. "They'll slice you open like a sow sent to slaughter." He takes several steps back front the melee and shouts, "Again!"

The man gets to his feet and he charges his opponent, letting loose a guttural cry as he does.

"How can you stand to watch this, My Lady?" Angela asks from her place next to me. "It is simply ... barbaric," she whispers. "Was it not enough to witness it on our journey here? I am surprised it does not give you nightmares."

I shrug, bringing the edges of my cloak tighter around me. "Honestly, I find it fascinating. To know how much work goes into preparing to fight an enemy makes me appreciate my husband's position." I turn to look at her. "The lives of his men are in his hands, the lives of everyone in the city, and watching him instruct them, I know it is a task he takes seriously."

"It is still barbaric," she mumbles.

I grasp her hand and move to stand. Given my present state, it is no easy feat. "Then I should not be asking you to subject yourself to watching them train."

She hurries to her feet to assist me, but she also places her hand on my arm and shakes her head. "No, My Lady, we can—"

"Nonsense." I loop her arm through mine. "Since this is so ... barbaric, let us go watch Sir Benjamin and the others practice with their bows."

"Truly?" Her excitement shines through at my mention of Benjamin, and I laugh, gaining the attention of my husband. Our eyes meet, and his focused expression, the one he has had for his men, changes into one of amusement.

"Does My Lady find something funny about my men?" he yells across the field. "Or perhaps you have grown bored of our display?" His men stop to watch our exchange.

"No, My Lord. I see no men, only boys playing in the mud," I reply, my smile and raised eyebrow a playful challenge. My voice carries over the chuckles of our audience. "If you must know, we are going to watch the more civilized of the lot of you. The archers seem to know how to remain upright and out of the mud."

As the rest of them laugh, Edward says something to Emmett before taking off in a sprint in my direction.

When he reaches me, he takes my hand, pulling me away from Angela. "Do not stay away from the fire for too long. It will grow colder as the sun sets." He looks up at the darkening clouds before returning his gaze to me. "And I believe we have one last heavy snow coming tonight." His imposing, intimidating figure is in juxtaposition to the concern in his eyes. Angling his body so no one can see, he places his hand on my rather large midsection as a reminder. "Promise me if you get cold, you will return to the fire or even return home? And stay far behind them as they aim. Not all of them are as skilled as they should be."

I nod, smiling at his worry. "I promise." I raise up on the tips of my toes and place a kiss on his dirtied cheek. "I will be careful."

His eyes flash to Angela, and hers smile back at him with mirth. She's one of the few who has seen him this way, as the caring, attentive husband. But it is especially rare for him to show his tender side outside our chambers. Still smiling, she turns away, allowing us our private moment.

"Good." He places a kiss to my hand and steps back. "And, Angela?"

My friend turns back, surprised at being directly addressed. "Yes, My Lord?"

"Please tell Benjamin he is responsible for my wife while you are observing."

A blush, not from the cold, fills her cheeks as she looks down in embarrassment at the mention of the man who is now openly courting her. "Yes, My Lord."

I smile and shake my head, pushing him toward the field. "Go. Return to your men. They need some direction."

He chuckles. "Indeed they do. They are just boys, after all," he says with a wink, taking a few steps backward before turning to saunter toward them.

I let out a sigh as I watch his retreating form. As soon as he reaches the men, he begins barking orders. His commanding presence demands respect, and the men are quick to give it. His broad shoulders, his tall, imposing form, his—

"My Lady, shall we go watch the archers?" Angela asks with a knowing smile on her face.

I clear my throat and nod once, pushing away all thoughts of what my husband looks like under his battle armor. "Of course, Angela. Lead the way."

The archer's field is no less crowded, even if it is less chaotic. The men are standing in a row, one next to the other, with their bows aimed at targets across the field. At the signal, they all let loose their arrows. Watching as they fly in an arc over the vast field is a mesmerizing sight.

"Your Highness." Benjamin bows with his greeting, looking over to Angela. "Hello, My Lady."

My friend's cheeks pinken, and a giggle threatens to bubble out of me.

"Hello, Benjamin." My greeting brings his attention back to me, and he smiles, his own cheeks growing pink.

"How may I be of service to you today?" He sneaks another covert glance at my friend.

I smile broadly. "Honestly, we were looking for a distraction." I side-eye Angela and then look back to Benjamin. "Watching my husband wrestle his men in the mud can only hold my attention for so long. We thought it might be a nice change of pace to watch the archers before we return to the keep."

His own smile is wide. "Thank you, My Lady, for gracing us with your presence." With an outstretched hand, he guides us to a nearby bale of hay. "I will warn you it is not all that riveting to watch, but we will do our utmost to make it at least somewhat entertaining for you."

"Thank you. I am sure it will be fascinating in its own way," I say with a smile.

Angela and I sit side by side and watch the men as they take aim, release their arrows, and pull another from their quivers. Over and over the men ready, aim, and release, and it is clear Benjamin was correct; it is not at all riveting.

Angela leans in close, whispering, "I did not think this would be so boring."

I raise a brow but do not take my eyes off the men in the field. "Would you prefer we go back to the muddy field?" I turn my head and meet her eyes. "I thought you would prefer to be in the company of Sir Benjamin."

She huffs an irritated breath.

I finally release the giggle I've been holding and wrap an arm around her shoulders. "I am sorry, Angela. I should not tease you." I lower my voice so I am sure no one but Angela can hear me. "Has he said anything about marriage? He's been courting you for months."

She shakes her head. "No. He thinks it best to wait until after the war with Rhema is over." She looks up at me with sad eyes. "He does not think it would be fair to either of us to say our vows with the battle looming ahead of us."

I turn my head and look over my shoulder toward the field where my husband trains with his men, thinking of how much we went through just days after we were wed. It may have been a harrowing experience for us both, but I would not trade a moment of the time we shared for anything. Even if Edward had never returned to me, I would have cherished those days.

I turn back to my friend and offer a small smile. "I would not let that stop you, Angela. We should grab hold of the gifts each sunrise brings us with both hands. Do not allow a day to pass that you could have some happiness."

A sudden shift in the men on the field before us gains our attention. The men wielding longbows step aside, and men dressed in peasants' clothes and carrying new weapons take their place. Their bows are smaller, level with the horizon and mounted to long stocks of wood, and their arrows are much shorter. But when they arm their weapons, holding them toward the ground and pulling back on the string before loading and firing, the power in their shot far surpasses the archers. The targets on the far side of the field visibly vibrate as the arrows pierce through the linen-covered straw.

"Sir Benjamin?" I call out.

He speaks to one of his men before walking over to us. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"What kind of weapon is that?" I ask, pointing to the strange bows.

"'Tis a crossbow, My Lady." He furrows his brow. "Did you never see one in Adwen?"

I shake my head. "No, I am afraid I led a quite sheltered life before I left Adwen." I watch in amazement as the men load, aim, and fire. "I am surprised more men are not practicing with these than the longbows." I watch as yet another arrow pushes into a target with force before looking up at Benjamin. "And they seem to be much more powerful."

"Yes, they are definitely more powerful." He looks out across the field. "They also take a bit longer to reload and are in shorter supply." He turns back to me. "Not only are the weapons themselves in short supply, the arrows are as well, which is a shame. It takes much less time to train a man to become skilled with a crossbow than build his strength to fire a longbow, which is why the villagers who have volunteered to fight have been training with them for the last several weeks."

The ease at which some of the men use the crossbow fascinates me, and I am unable to stop the foolish request before it leaves my lips. "I would like to learn." My eyes are still trained on the men on the field.

Several moments of silence from Benjamin pass before he stutters his reply. "You wish to learn to use a crossbow, My Lady?"

I turn to him, my eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Yes. Do you not think it wise to learn to defend myself?"

"I am sure it would be wise, My Lady." He lowers his voice. "I am only unsure how your husband might feel about it."

I raise a brow. "Then perhaps we should find out."

He nods and bows. "Yes, Your Highness."

I laugh as I watch him scurry off to ask my husband's permission to place a deadly weapon in my hands. As my chuckles die down, I place a hand on the hay bale and move to stand.

"My Lady!" Angela grasps my forearm, halting my meager progress in standing.

"What?"

"What are you doing?" Her wide eyes light her aghast face. "You are not serious about learning to use one of those … contraptions, are you?"

"I am absolutely serious. I think it is more than prudent to learn to defend myself and my child. My husband and every other able-bodied soldier will be outside the keep, defending everyone within it, and I want to do everything in my power to be able to defend myself and my child should Rhema's army breach the castle walls." I place a hand over the top of my protruding stomach. "It is my duty as his mother to protect him."

From the corner of my eye, I can see Angela's obvious displeasure with my request, but I ignore her. Instead, I watch as Benjamin returns to our side with a smirk on his face. "His Highness will allow it."

"Wonderful! Where do we begin?"

Mindful of my step, I'm led to the line where many of the men have gathered to watch their princess fire a weapon. It does not escape my notice how many of them look at me as though I am the most amusing sight they've ever seen. Their bright eyes, smirks contained by bitten cheeks, and muffled coughs are all signs they're holding their snide comments and mirth until they can freely mock me in private.

I listen intently as Benjamin explains all the moving parts of the crossbow and watch as he fires several of the short, featherless arrows called bolts. With only a small amount of hesitation, he hands it over to me.

"Oh," I say, the heft of the weapon surprising me. "It is much heavier than I thought it would be."

"Yes, it is deceptively small. Most men are surprised the first time they handle one." He pauses, his mouth opening and closing as if to say something.

"What is it, Benjamin?"

"Are you certain you wish to do this, My Lady? You don't really need to learn to fire a weapon. You'll have Galon's entire army guarding you and the castle when the time comes."

"Yes, I will, and I am beyond grateful so many men are willing to stand with my husband to protect Galon. But you cannot guarantee the castle walls won't be breached. You must understand, I want to be able to protect my child if the need arises."

He nods. "Of course, My Lady."

Benjamin goes on to instruct me, assisting me in how to place the stirrup of the bow at my feet and draw back on the string. Firing the weapon is a somewhat difficult task given the size of my belly, but I manage. He makes me take several practice shots to grow comfortable with holding, arming, and firing the bow.

"Do you feel ready to load it?" he asks me, a bolt in hand.

I nod once, feeling confident. "I do."

With some hesitation, he instructs me to again place the stirrup at my feet and pull back on the string. He hands me a bolt but keeps hold of it as I reach for it.

"This will kill a man if aimed well. You must remember this."

"Is that not the point, Benjamin?"

"It is, but you will do well to remember. Do not aim it at anyone or anything you do not intend to kill." The earnestness in his eyes is clear.

"I understand."

He finally releases it, and with a trembling hand, I place the bolt in the slot, just within the drawn string.

"Aim it at the target, My Lady."

The gathered crowd behind me murmurs, but I put all of my focus on the target across the field. I close one eye and look through the sight. Taking one deep breath, I steady myself. And blowing that breath out, I squeeze the lever at the bottom of the stock and release the bolt.

In the blink of an eye, the featherless arrow flies across the field and lands in the target with a an audible thunk. When the men gathered behind me gasp and murmur, I realize I've struck the very center of the target.

"Well done, My Lady!" Benjamin's compliment is full of excitement, and he encourages me to try again.

Over and over, I ready, load, and fire the crossbow, and each time, I strike the center of the target. I am so focused on my task I do not realize I have a new onlooker. That is, not until he begins to clap as I land yet another bolt in the center of the target.

"I must agree with Sir Benjamin. Well done, Your Highness."

At the sound of my husband's voice, I drop the crossbow to my side and spin on my heel. "Edward, I ..."

"Do not stop on my account. It's quite fascinating to watch you, My Lady. I cannot remember the last time I saw someone take so quickly to a weapon." He steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine as he approaches. "I always knew there was a formidable warrior somewhere inside of you." His eyes shine with sincerity, even though his grin might suggest he is otherwise amused.

"Benjamin said you approved. I did not—"

"Shh," he says, placing a finger to my lips. "I did, and I do approve." He looks around at the small, assembled crowd. "Your princess has decided to train to defend Galon and its next prince or princess," he shouts over their murmuring. "She should be an inspiration to all of us." He turns back to me and looks into my eyes. "We would all do well to be as brave."

The chaste kiss he gives me in front of his men incites cheers and whistles, and I smile against his lips. When his mouth leaves mine, he pulls me close, wrapping his arms around me and placing another kiss to my temple. As I rest my head against his chest, I catch sight of a few men on horseback at the crest of a nearby hill.

It is King Carlisle and a few of his advisors. Across the distance, we lock eyes, and I do not look away. A moment passes between us, and the tension I've felt in the man's presence splinters and cracks with a single nod from him.

I seem to have finally won the king's approval.

"Oh, Isabella, this is simply beautiful." Alice is holding up a bundle of fabric, the deep green linen shining in the sunlight that streams through the window. "You must use it for a dress for the babe. If he or she is born with Edward's coloring, this shade would look absolutely beautiful."

"It would." I run my hands over it, feeling its softness and thinking of how many things I still need to make for our impending arrival.

"You simply must take it."

"It is beautiful."

Alice turns to the merchant. "She will take this. We will need it delivered to the castle."

While she handles the transaction, I take a look around. The market outside Masenthorne Castle is bustling with life on this sunny, early spring day. Men and women are loud as they bargain over their goods, and children play amongst the crowd. Hounds roam freely, many at the heel of their masters, but some beg for scraps from anyone who makes eye contact with them. The wagons overflow with their offerings—baked goods, fabrics, jewels and stones, anything you can think of. It is a far cry from what I remember of the paltry markets of Adwen.

We're escorted by two of Edward's men, but we have been able to go where we please. Even with the underlying unease of everyone in Galon, it has been a pleasant morning. Everyone is friendly, even if they are a bit weary from the many weeks of battle preparations.

Just as Alice finishes up, I catch sight of several wagons being loaded. Barrel after barrel is being handed up and secured before it is sent in the direction of the castle.

I grasp Alice's arm as she walks past me. "What is that? Why is so much being delivered?" I ask, pointing toward the scene.

"Oh, I do not know." She turns to the soldier escorting us. "Do you know why so much is being delivered to the castle?"

"It is grain, My Lady. They are preparing."

"For?" I ask, fearful of the answer.

"A siege, My lady."

My heart skips. "A siege?"

"We're only preparing for any possibility, My Lady."

"That is good. That is very good," I say as the last of the barrels is loaded and the remaining wagon is sent on its way.

"Ladies, we should probably return to the castle. Your husbands asked that we not linger too long in the market."

"Of course." With a forced smile on my face, I slip my arm through Alice's and allow the men to lead us back to Masenthorne.

"How long do you think it will last?" I sit beside Edward on the settee, his arm around my shoulders and his other hand resting on top of my swollen belly. It's grown so large in the last weeks, his hand is nearly dwarfed by the size of it. The midwife predicts another moon cycle or two and the child will be here.

"We could face them on the battlefield, or they could show up in the night and camp outside our gates much like we did in Adwen. It could be over in a matter of hours, or we could be kept inside the castle walls for months. There is no way of knowing until it gets closer. But we want to be prepared for anything. It would do us no good to be able to defend the castle, only to die of starvation by mid-summer."

"Will we know what we are to face before they arrive?" I rest my head on his shoulder.

He hesitates.

"What is it?"

"My best guess is Aro will begin his march for Galon any day now, if he has not already. The weather has broken, and the road over the mountain will be passable. And now that winter seems to finally be over, my father has decided to send out scouts. Groups of two or three riders will leave, one in each direction, in hopes of finding out from which way Rhema will approach."

"Two or three?" I ask in a whisper. I look up to him. "What if they are captured? Two or three men against an army is a death sentence."

"It is the way of it, Isabella. These men are trained for this. It is what they know."

"But your men could not protect you when—"

"That was not the same thing. It was an ambush. There was very little that could have prevented that attack. This is much different. We will have the upper hand this time. We know they are coming, and we have not only time to prepare, but we also have the advantage of this happening on our land." His deep green gaze penetrates mine. "We will defend our home. Do not doubt the abilities of my men."

"I won't," I whisper.

The fire cracks and pops as we sit wrapped in each other's arms.

"My father has asked me to lead the charge if we are to meet Aro on the battlefield."

"And if he chooses to try and seize the castle and we are all locked inside?"

He looks down at me, a sad smile on his lips. "Then I will protect you with my sword, My Lady."

"You've always protected me."

"But not from my own father."

"Edward, please do not—"

"But he was horrible to you."

I place a hand on his cheek. "Whatever differences we had are over. I am carrying your child, and he has no more reason to find fault in me. Please, for the sake of your kingdom, the sake of your family, put it behind us."

Several moments pass before he speaks again. "I do not wish to be the kind of king he has been," he whispers.

"How so? Your father may be a lot of things, but he is a good leader. He always puts his people first. They are cared for and safe ... protected. What more is there to ask for from a king?" My voice is equally quiet.

"He may be a good leader, but he lacks one thing I wish to lead my people with when it is my time on the throne."

"What is that?" I cradle his scruffy cheek in my hand.

"Heart."

A/N: Le sigh. Noble intentions, no? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Some recs for you this week.

The completed story rec this time is an older one, but I love it. Yes by GeekChic12. Summary: "He talks to me sometimes. I mean, it's usually sort of one-sided, but… every once in a while, he'll make eye contact with me, and I feel like I've won the lottery or something." A boy most people overlook. A girl who sees just how amazing he is.

A current WIP I'm excited to dive into soon is The Hermit and The Hunk by Pandora's Box Is Heavy. Summary: Bella's life hasn't always been easy. The circumstances of her past have resulted in her living a half-life hidden away behind locked doors. When her new, green-eyed neighbor moves in, will she be able to open her door, and her heart, wide enough to give them a chance at something wonderful?

And I should be ready to dive in soon. I just finished writing the epilogue to this tale, so with updates twice a week, this one will wrap up with the epilogue on Christmas Eve. :)

And remember, for exclusive weekly teasers and pics, be sure to check out my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics! You can also follow me on Twitter at CSunshine1220. 'See' you all soon!

Lots of love

~Sunshine