A bit of married innuendo.

Karigan frowned as she regarded the sitting room that was filled with gifts of all sizes. With a sigh she turned to Laren, "Tell me why again I have to do this?"

The captain replied briskly, "Because it is expected of you to be the one who replies back to each sender."

The rider grumbled and sat down heavily at a small desk that had been set up for her use. "What am I supposed to say exactly in these replies?"

Laren picked up a small box wrapped in blue paper and placed it on top of the desk, "Well, start with this one, see what is inside, and thank the individual in the blandest terms possible if it doesn't strike your fancy."

Karigan unwrapped the box and hesitantly peered inside, her eyebrows raising as she pulled back thin tissue paper and raised a sheer bundle of silk, "Is this sort of gift appropriate?"

The captain lifted her head from where she was inspecting a tag, "What is it? A scarf?"

Karigan shook her head and raised up the silk higher, letting the folds fall out to reveal a black sheer gown.

Both women stared at it silently for a few moments before Laren ventured, "Did it say who it was from?"

The queen shook her head and stared at the very finely embroidered bodice that left nothing to the imagination. Such was her fascination that she did not register the door opening to reveal her newly acquired husband who stopped in his tracks as his eyes landed on the same article of clothing.

Arching a brow, Zachary fought a smile as he watched a blush creep across his wife's cheeks, "I thought you might want assistance with this particular task."

Karigan gulped and hastily folded up the gown, "We had just started."

"And you seemed to have found one of my mislaid gifts, I had been searching for it long before the ceremony,' he quipped.

Laren's face turned a shade of crimson, "Could you have waited until I left the room to say that out loud?"

Zachary shrugged a shoulder at his big sister's discomfort and casually picked up another gift to inspect, "I am sure I do not know what you are talking about," he said innocently.

Laren scoffed, 'Are you going to rub this sort of thing in my face for the rest of our days?"

The king pretended to think about it seriously, "Uh . . . . yes."

The captain rolled her eyes and gave them a casual two fingered salute as she took her leave of the royal couple.

After the door had closed, with their Weapons outside of the already crowded room, Karigan look back up from her desk to smile at him shyly, "Did you really get that gown for me?"

Zachary shook his head mischievously, "No, but I certainly wished I had."

Karigan snorted and picked up the discarded box to inspect it for a tag. After a short search, she located a small note that quickly made her grimace and quietly groan. She shook her head, "I do not think I can wear this now."

Zachary furrowed his brow, "And why not?"

She thrust out the slip of paper and gingerly moved the box away from her. The king peered at the unfamiliar handwriting,

Dearest Niece,

Please accept this little gift from your loving aunts. We had been saving the Rhovan silk for a special occasion and we hope that you will always think of us when you don this gown that was stitched with our own hands. Very soon, we hope to be blessed with a grand-niece or grand-nephew! Remember what we told you, and know that we are always with you in spirit.

Your aunt,

Stace G'ladheon

Zachary had a rather pathetic and helpless look on his face as he finished the note. He glanced at the box, then at Karigan with a sad expression. His countenance was enough to prompt a chuckle from Karigan as she took the note back and gently placed it back in the box.

Reaching up to where he stood, she took his hands, "I was told by a very reliable source that we need only send a simple note of thanks and we'll be done with it."

He sighed, "A real shame."

Karigan shrugged, "I would not have worn it long anyways."

Zachary nodded solemnly in agreement and they moved to open the next round of gifts.