I do not own the WWE or any of the characters associated with it. I only own Rose and her family.

Chapter 16

The next few weeks flew by. Marcus was always angry and Rose tried to stay clear of him. She had just found that she was pregnant again, no doubt from the night of bonding that Marcus had affectionately called "My wife coming home."

Rose sat in the garden and wondered when Richard would come for her. It had been almost six weeks and no word from her children. Maybe they had given up; maybe she wouldn't see them again until Marcus had the throne. She resigned herself to wondering what it would be like under Marcus's cruel rule, for cruel he was.

Earlier during breakfast, he had sucked out the soul of a servant for serving him something colder than he would have liked. She shuddered to think if one of Kane's children displeased him, what he would do with them.

With tears welling up in her eyes, she thought of Richard, Theresa, Maria, Vivian, and Edward. Her beloved children and they didn't seem to care that she was still missing. Richard would have found her by now; that she was sure of.

She didn't know if she could hold on much longer. Every time Marcus was angry, she could feel it. It was a complete turn-around from what Richard was. Thirteen years had given her son hope and light. If Marcus hadn't have left them, maybe things would be different. Maybe Marcus wouldn't have been bent on the vengeance seeking he had now, maybe they wouldn't be in this predicament. Not to mention Maria, Vivian, and Edward would be completely non-existent or completely different with different names.

Marcus looked at her sitting in the garden and wondered if things were going to be different between them now that they had bonded. She didn't want it and he knew why. Richard was her connection to the children and without it: the result was right in front of him.

He crossed to her and knelt before her, taking her hand. "I'm sorry I took you from Richard."

Rose didn't know what to do, so she slapped him. It didn't make her feel any better, but she had done it because she thought it would bring Richard back to her. "You took me from my children." She answered with no emotion. "You deserve whatever Richard does to you."

Marcus looked at her, her eyes devoid of any emotion. They were just empty and lifeless. "You want your children to be here with us, don't you?"

"I would rather go back to them. At least then, I could protect them from you."

"What about us?" Marcus asked.

"You left me ten years ago, Marcus. I waited for you and you kidnapped me from my home. I am the High Queen. My loyalty is to the throne and the High King, whoever may hold the crown. When it is Richard's turn, he will hold the crown and I will be loyal to my son."

"And what about our child inside you now?"

"I will raise it alongside my children as I raised Kane's children beside ours." Rose looked at him. "You should reconcile with Kane. I could speak on your behalf and we could transfer the throne to you. No one needlessly die and the kingdom doesn't need to see bloodshed."

"I can't. I've come too far to stop now." Marcus got up and stalked to the wall.

"Then you bring war upon yourself and this kingdom. Richard is ready for war, Marcus. He is still the future king and he will do his duty; whether it be against a foreign invader or his own treasonous father!" Rose raised her voice only slightly.

Marcus clapped his hands and a guard came forward. "Pack the High Queen's gowns and blindfold her, then put her in a carriage and go back to Anglia."

"My lord?" Rose asked.

"You will get out of my sight, Rose. You might be bond to me and I leave you with this warning: if Richard tries to bond with you while you are with child, it will not work. He must wait until the child is born. I will attack after the child is born. You have your information, now go." Marcus seethed.

She turned to go, but he grabbed her arm.

"I do love you, Rose. I'm not some monster as you would think of me." He kissed her soundly, leaving her speechless as he exited the garden. The guard escorted her to the chamber and helped her pack her gowns.

"Thank you." Rose said quietly. "I suppose you will accompany me home?" The guard nodded. "I see and what is your name so I might vouch for you when we see the High King?"

"Gwaine, my lady." He answered.

"Well, thank you Gwaine."

-:-:-:-

The next day, the carriage was sighted and Richard ran out to it immediately. Rose had since had the blindfold removed from her face and she could tell she was home.

"Come out with your hands up!" Richard yelled.

Rose gingerly stepped out of the carriage and put her hands up. "Is that any way to greet your tired mother as she comes home?"

"Mother!" Richard embraced her. "Is Father with you?"

"Alas, no. But he gave me a gift I shall never forget." She rubbed her stomach through her gowns.

"Another child?" Richard asked.

"I believe your father is angry that the king gave me three children while he had only given me you and Theresa. I promised him I would keep it and love it like my other children. And you cannot bond to me while I'm pregnant, Richard. Marcus couldn't do it while I was pregnant with you." Rose looked at the castle. "I'm sure the High King is expecting me."

"As are we all, Mother." Richard answered, grabbing her hand gently. "We shall talk later, just you and me."

"Of course, my love." Rose said as he led her through the castle gates. The guards all bowed and Gwaine stuck behind Rose, much to Rose's surprise.

In the throne room, Kane was talking to Lord Adam and a number of others when she arrived. "Your Majesty, your queen has returned to us." Richard introduced her.

"Rose!" Kane got up from his throne and embraced her. "Did he hurt you?"

"Of course not." Rose answered. "Where is Morgana?"

"With your children, I shall summon her immediately. The children have missed you desperately. They have been doing as you requested." Kane informed her.

"You received my letter, then?"

"Of course." Richard interjected. "Is something wrong, Mother?"

"No, Richard. Nothing's wrong." Rose was just surprised.

"If there is nothing else, my lady. I should be getting back." Gwaine said quietly.

"Yes, of course. You should go and tell him we got here safely. But I would like to write him a letter before you leave."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"Mother!" The children and Lady Morgana had entered the room. They ran to her and hugged her, marveling that she was again with child.

"Yes, you are all going to have another sibling." Rose told them. "I request that everyone leave the royal family here in this room with the exception of Lord Adam and Lady Morgana. Gwaine, you stay too."

At the mention of his name, Morgana looked at him. It couldn't be and it wasn't, but it looked like a grandson perhaps. The resemblance was still there, though it was so long ago.

Once everyone had cleared out, Rose spoke. "Marcus will attack when his child is born. This means that Lord Adam and Lady Morgana along with the Theresa, Maria, Vivian, and Edward will be with me inside the chamber." She turned to Richard. "Richard, you and Kane must protect the people from Marcus. I believe he will raise this city to the ground if we let him."

"We'll be careful. You must take of yourself." Kane soothed. "Write your letter to Marcus. Come children, let us go and leave Gwaine and your mother to write her letter."

"Lord Adam, please stay and write the letter for me." Rose pleaded.

"As you wish, my queen." He answered, going to a desk in the room and procuring parchment.

"My lord Marcus—"

-:-:-:-

"I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. The children seem to be excited to have another sibling. I myself am still adjusting to being home and I thank you for allowing me to come home. I understand that you do still love me as I still love you, but Marcus as I told you before, I am High Queen. As such, I must obey the rule of the High King and of the throne. I cannot condone your kidnapping of me, despite my feelings for you. I will not help nor hinder you. This is your war with your brother and I would thank you to leave my children out of this, including the soon to be newest addition to the family. I wish you would not let your anger rule you, but I know that you will probably tear this letter up and tell me that I am a foolish woman for such notions. Maybe so, but I beg you to leave the children out of your war. They don't need to be dragged into this. They are still so young. Theresa is ten, Maria is almost nine, Vivian is seven and a half, and Edward is five and a half. Leave them alone. I miss you so and I wish you would not have this war. But if you feel you must, I cannot stop you. I suppose I am indebted to you, if for no other reason than for raising me up and making me your wife. I was a foolish girl then and I might be a foolish woman now, but I still do care for you. All my love for always, Rose."

"She requested I deliver this to you personally, my lord." Gwaine answered the next day in front of Marcus's court. "She wanted you to know how much you mean to her, despite her duties."

"That may be, but she will still bow at my feet. I will be the new High King and no one will stop me." He answered.

"She said you would say that."

"And what did she say she would respond with?" Marcus said dangerously.

"Good luck and don't kill my son."