The wildmage yawned and stretched, neatly boxing her new husband in the jaw. She blinked at him and smiled sheepishly as he rubbed his chin.

"That hurt." He mumbled.

She smiled at him, then leaned up and kissed him gently. "Does that make up for it?"

"Almost" He tilted her face to his and kissed her repeatedly, one hand on the small of her back. He tried to deepen the kisses, but Daine pushed against his chest and pulled away.

Numair pouted. "Why? I was enjoying that!"

"Because it's far too early for that sort of behaviour, because, nice as it was, I am still exhausted from yesterday, remember that I know have to be responsible for two people, and speaking of the baby, I have a healers appointment. So I am getting up." She stood up and walked over to the dresser.

Numair sat up against the pillows, arms folded over his chest. "Couldn't you go tomorrow?"

Daine sighed, pulling a shirt over her head. "Nope. Got to be today." She put her hands on her hips and looked at him seriously. "Why don't you make yourself useful and help our friends tidy up the mess from yesterday?"

"Fine. But I insist you leave the room whilst I get dressed."

She smirked at him and leaned down on the bed. "Now you're just being silly. I'll see you later, love." She kissed him and left.

"You're awake then?" Alanna looked up as Numair entered the room.

"Yeah. Daine thought I should help you to clean up. She had to go to the healers."

She frowned in concern."Baby ok?"

"Oh, yes, it's fine, it was just a checkup."

"Good."

"Mmm. So what do you need me to do?"

"Nothing. Whilst you two lovebirds were canoodling last night, we got some proper work done."

"Ah." He gestured to the papers on the desk. "What's all this?"

"Reports. From Jon. Scanran war troubles. 'fraid we'll have to go back. They need us. Particularly you, my black-robed friend."

Numair groaned and covered his face with his hands. "I should have been a juggler. I should've given this mage lark up and become a juggler…"

"Numair…"

He looked at the knight from between his fingers. "I could've supported us, if I was a juggler. We might not have been rich, but we'd have been happy…" He mumbled.

"Numair you're being a fool. A mage is what you are. I know this is hard for you…"

"Hard? HARD?" Numair thundered, red in the face, "Do you expect me to go back and fight happily? I've been married for ten, beautiful hours, to a woman I love, and you expect me go to war? What if I don't come back? What if Daine doesn't come back? What if she gets hurt, and loses the child? Do you expect me to be fine with that? Don't ask me to risk my family, Alanna, I beg of you."

She glared at him, and spoke in a cold voice. "I do have my own family, master Salmalín. A husband, three children. Do NOT act as though I have nothing to lose."

He returned her glare for a few seconds, then relaxed, a pained expression on his face. "Please. Do something. I can't watch her fight. Not now."

Alanna walked around the desk to rest a hand on his arm. "Jon isn't stupid. He won't send a pregnant woman into a war zone. But you're going to have to tell her."

"She's not going to like it."

"Oh, I know. Believe me, I know."

Daine strolled, whistling, into her and Numair's shared rooms. Her husband was sat at his desk, reading. She sauntered over and sat on the edge of desk. He looked up at her for a moment, then reached up and grabbed her firmly by the shoulders, kissing her furiously. Daine was surprised, but responded willingly, leaning further over the desk. His tongue found hers and his kisses became more desperate, more passionate. Her hands caught in his hair and he moaned softly. If they pulled apart for air, it was only to return to each others mouths with more passion. After several minutes of this, they paused, and Numair pulled Daine fully over the desk and into his lap. Holding her tightly curled against his chest, he buried his face in her now-messy curls.

"I love you. More than anything. More than myself."

"I love you too, stork man."

Numair smiled and hugged her tighter. Daine smirked and tilted her head to the side slightly, bemused.

"What's brought all this on?"

He sighed deeply, and spun her so she was balanced on his knee with an arm around her waist, facing the desk. "Jon wants all of his main fighters back in the war. Alanna, me…"

"And me." She whispered.

"That's the thing. Daine… this isn't easy. And I wouldn't usually stop you from doing what you think is right, but…" He sighed again. "You are with child. In just over seven months you will be a mother. It's too dangerous for you to be in a war zone." At this she wrestled free of his grasp and strode away from the desk towards the window. Numair pushed himself up and out of his chair and made towards his wife.

"Daine…"

"No." She put out a hand to keep him away. "Just… give me a moment." She swallowed and looked away.

"Please, sweet." Numair moved towards her slowly, taking her outstretched hand in his and kissing her palm softly.

"I won't… I can't…" She swallowed again. It pained him to hear the sadness in her voice. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. Keep it together Daine, keep it together… She turned and threw herself into his arms, sobbing. "I WON'T LET YOU DIE!"

Numair just held her, stroking her hair, saying nothing. He let her cry herself out, then when she quietened, he carried her into their bedroom. She stood, silently, just looking at him, as he removed her day clothes and dressed her in one of his shirts, then removed his own shirt and boots. Once this was done, he scooped her up and placed her onto the bed, and climbed in next to her.

"I won't let you die, Numair." Her voice was hoarse from her tears. He stroked her cheek, then leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"I know, sweet. Now sleep, my love."

She sighed, snuggled closer to him, and closed her eyes.

"I'll see you soon, magelet. Take care of our child." Numair placed his hands on Daine's now visibly swelling abdomen and smiled. She looked up at him seriously.

"I'll miss you."

The couple and their friends were gathered at the entrance to the palace. The horses were loaded with the fighter's packs, and Alanna was stood nearby saying a private goodbye to her husband, George. Numair glanced over at them, and shifted the smaller pack balanced on his shoulder.

"Believe me, the feeling's mutual."

She smiled and straightened his cloak. "Come home soon."

"Soon as I can"

Alanna had mounted darkmoon by now, and glanced over at the mages.

"C'mon, Numair, I want to get travelling before it gets too cold."

Daine and Numair laughed, looking over at the grouchy knight, then back at each other.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

She gripped the back of his cloak and kissed him. He reciprocated eagerly, almost forgetting where they were, until Alanna interrupted them.

"HURRY UP!"

Numair smiled sheepishly and kissed Daine's cheek.

"I'll be home sooner than you think." And he turned and walked back towards the horses. With a last wave, they were gone.