Christine stared at the nervous messenger. She could see him slightly shaking as he just stood there looking around hoping no harm would come to him. His eyes lowered to the floor and everyone around him had their own eyes on him. No one spoke, for everyone was too stunned by the message that had been sent. They were speechless, for once. She glanced at Erik and saw that he stood there calmly, unmoving. Yet she could tell he had been affected by the message, also.

"By God." Daniel breathed. "We're saved."

The statement was so simple and true. For moment again everyone froze. Then there was a shout that sprang forth from Jake and everyone was caught in a frenzy of joy as they all jumped, hollered, and danced for they all knew that the troops were indeed finally coming to their aid.

"When are they to arrive?" Christine could barely keep her excitement in.

"They were very close when I was last with them." The messenger replied. "Just a few miles from the city, they will surely be here for nightfall."

"It would be wiser if the troops came at night to set up." Erik cut in.

"Plante would be quite surprised." She let herself smile a little, and turned to the messenger again. "When you rested, will you please alert the troops to come at nighttime?"

"Yes, Majesty." The young man nodded.

"Do not let Plante hear of this." Erik spoke. "If they catch you, tell them that the troops from Borswan are not coming, understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." He nodded again and left.

"They're coming." Christine whispered as she stared at the place where the messenger had just left and then she looked at her husband. "Thank you."

"There is no need to thank me." His head shook. "I…"

"You are making hope possible." She smiled and looked around at her counsel, who looked eager to please and eager to sleep. "You all may go home till the troops come tonight!"

------

"Christine?" Erik opened one eye to look at his wife.

"Yes?" She smiled, also opening an eye.

"Sleep." He simply said.

"I can't." Her voice whined just a bit.

"Sleep." His eyes closed again. "Otherwise you will fall asleep at the meeting tonight."

"But I cannot sleep." She sighed. "The sun is at high noon and I can barely wait till sunset."

"If you sleep the setting sun will come quicker." He reminded her.

"I am not a child." Her eyes narrowed.

"I know."

"Then why are you treating me like one?"

"Because you are acting like one." He looked at her. "Sleep."

"I can't!" She whined, and then glared when he gave her a knowing look. "Fine."

They lay in silence for a few moments, until Christine sighed and sat up.

"I can't sleep!" She threw her hands up.

"I know what can help your aliment." He looked at her from his laying position, with a lifted brow.

"Really?" She returned the lifted brow as she turned to look at him. "What?"

"This." His hand pulled her down and she gave a laugh as he pulled her beneath him.

"That will most defiantly not make me tired." She giggled when his lips nipped at her neck. He pulled away to look at her and his hand slid up her chemise.

"When I am through with you." He smirked. "You will be."

-------------------

Erik stared at his wife, who was sleeping across from him. She seemed peaceful for the moment as the sun was setting on her features making them seemingly orange-red. He knew that she was exhausted from everything that was currently happening and what had currently happened, but she was not one to show it in front of others.

His fingers grazed the top of her cheek softly. This woman had changed everything he had seemed to figure out. It amazed him. She had shown him that women were indeed their own person, that standing up for something you believed in and would do anything, though foolish, was the right thing to stand by, and she had shown him what he had denied so many times over; love.

Her eyes fluttered opened, she smiled sleepily at him, and stretched against him, making him shiver slightly with the contact.

"Have you heard anything yet?" She questioned.

"No." His head shook. "But we should get ready the General will want us down there as soon as he arrives."

She just nodded and both rose and began to dress. They were quiet; no noise was uttered as they stumbled for their clothing that was left in varies places. Each was contemplating what was going to happen or what was actually happening.

A knock came to the door, and Christine hurried over to it and answered it.

"Majesty." A messenger quickly bowed. "They're here."

------------------------------

Christine surveyed the man in front of her. He was a gruff looking General with close knit eyes that were brown and almost had a passionate, fierce glare in them. His physic was well maintained, and his hair was brown with flecks of gray coming out.

"General Phillips." Christine nodded to him. "It is an honor to meet you, and may I also say that it is a God send that you are to run this campaign against Plante, thank you."

"You are welcome, Your Majesty." He said with a heavy accent, that she could not place, and bowed his head to her. Soon he turned to the King and began to speak in a language that Christine only heard twice perhaps just once, but then it shocked her to find Erik replying in the same sounding language with ease.

She stood there waiting and listening intently for any words that she may find familiar, but none came out of the foreign speech. She glanced at Erik and noticed how he rolled the R's in the words and let her mind wander as the men spoke of something. Quickly she snapped herself out of the daze and began to concentrate on what was going on.

"Excuse me." She interrupted, what seemed to be a semi-heated discussion, both men turned to her. "I would like you to speak in a tongue I would understand. I am terribly sorry but…"

"Yes, of course." Erik nodded and glared as the general murmured something under his breath. "We were discussing tactics."

"His Majesty does not think that attacking at night is a fair option." The burly man said in annoyance. "I say that the enemy is asleep, let us attack now!"

"And kill most of the men?" She questioned. "The troops are exhausted, let them rest and tomorrow they may ravage the land."

"I do not need a woman to interfere with Borswan's men." He glared at her. "You are dismissed."

"She may stay." Erik said in a deep demanding voice. "This is her country and she deserves to know what may happen to it. You will not give orders to the Queen, am I understood."

"Yes, Your Majesty." His eyes rested on the king instead. "But I am only doing it because she may become faint with this talk of blood and war."

"General Phillips." Christine lifted a brow. "I have seen my share of blood and war, a little more will not kill me. Proceed with your plan."

"If we do not attack tonight." The general spoke, but it seemed almost in regret. "Then tomorrow the men will face their foes and more will parish then."

"You cannot send exhausted men to fight and kill." She contradicted, which he did not seem to enjoy. "If we attack in the morning then they will be rested and will be able to think clearly."

"These men are trained to fight whenever the call is heard." Erik uttered as he sat down in a chair, expecting a long night ahead. "They do not require sleep."

"How long have they been marching, General?" Christine questioned.

"For four days straight." He answered.

"They must rest then." She stated in a final say. "Tired young men have never done any good to any country."

The General looked over at the King skeptically, but Erik only nodded his consent. "Order them to rest, General and tomorrow continue with the plan of attack."

"Yes Majesty. I will see you tomorrow at dawn then." He bowed his head to them and strode out.

"Are you finalizing the plans for tomorrow?" Christine looked at him.

"I am going to make sure that the men are well suited and prepared for the confrontation." His shoulders moved slightly.

"I am coming with you then."

"It is dangerous, Christine."

"I believe I have handled worse." She smiled and then noticed him look away. "You are doing something besides that, aren't you?"

"I am fighting along with them."

"Oh." Her breath seemed to stop for a moment. "In the back?"

"No, that is not where the…"

"No." She appeared to be in shock, "In back, you must be in the back."

"I am the King and I will be in front just as all the other battles I have fought in."

"What other battles?"

"Over twenty." He touched her cheek and she yanked out of his grasp. "I will be fine, do not worry."

"You knew this all along and you never told me." She was quiet.

"I knew you were going to react."

"So putting it off to the last minute is better?" Her voice began to rise. "This is not a game, Erik, you could die!"

"I know." He nodded. "But I will do my best to not die."

"You cannot do this!"

"I can." His manner was calm, almost alarmingly calm. "It has been done before."

"You cannot die!" She felt tears rising up, but did her best to hold them back. "You have no heir! You cannot…"

"You will rule, if I die." Erik stated. "But it is an 'if' and not for certain."

"Those men are out for blood!" She declared, tears threatening to spill over the thresh hold. "Erik, I cannot do this alone right now!"

"Christine..." His arms went to go around her, but she stepped back.

"No, I do not need you to tell me pleasant know nothings to calm me down!" Her finger forced into his face. "You cannot leave me alone!"

"This is something I must do!" His body started to shake with rage. "Whether you accept it or not is your choice, but come to terms that I must protect your country and mine."

She felt the tears that had been suppressed for so long begin to travel down her cheeks and she went to him. Her smaller arms went around his waist and she buried her head in his chest. Erik sighed as he enveloped her in his own arms and held her.

"Wars do not last a day." She murmured.

"Unfortunately, no." He agreed.

"Will you be out there every day?"

"Yes," His lips touched her forehead as a new onslaught of tears traveled down her face. "I will do my best to come back to you."


I am sooooo sorry for the long wait, but I have a good excuse! My family is crazy and decided to stay for a while so I was not able to use the computer for anything!!! Anyway here is a new chapter! Finally. Enjoy! Please review and thank you!

EV