Chapter 33

Captain Ak-Var and Lieutenant Cam-Zel were assembling the Red Shard when Kal-El flew down and landed before them. He lowered Kara and Lois before falling down to one knee blood seeping onto the ground from his stab wound. "Fetch the physician!" Ak-Var shouted and two knights ran off. "Kal-El."

Lois had woken up in the middle of the flight. She began applying pressure down onto the wound. The physician came. "Carry him carefully. I cannot tend for him here." Kara, Ak-Var, and two other knights carefully lifted Kal-El and took him into the palace.

"Lois." Kal-El said and held out his hand to her but he could only reach her fingertips. They took Kal-El into an empty bedchamber and carefully laid him down on the bed. Lois helped him take off his gambeson and the physician cut off his shirt with a dagger.

"Remarkable." The physician said as he examined the wound. "It did not pierce any necessary organs. Your Majesty is very fortunate. You will be back on your feet as early as tomorrow." The physician said.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief. "What about his arm?" Bruce asked. The physician examined his right arm. On his upper right arm, the cut was healed but it was still surrounded by little green veins.

Kara walked up to Bruce. "What does this mean?" Kara whispered. Bruce pulled her off to the side out of earshot.

"It appears that the crystal moved all the poison back to his arm. Perhaps it will leave his body in time or perhaps not. All I can guess now is that without the crystal, he will most certainly die." Bruce whispered and Kara nodded.

Kal-El turned off his super hearing and rested his head against the pillow. Everyone began clearing out of the bedchamber so the physician could patch him up. What Bruce said echoed throughout his mind.

Lois entered his bedchamber later. The sounds of music and cheering echoed throughout the palace walls. Kal-El stared out the window to watch the sun set. "Why are you out of bed? You should be resting." Lois protested. Kal-El was shirtless. He turned around to show that the stab wound was gone. The only proof it was there were the bloody bandages he held in his hand.

Lois smiled and ran into his arms. They laughed as he spun her around. He set her down and then he kissed her passionately. "I told you I would live." He said as he caressed her face.

"I never doubted it, not for a moment." Lois said and kissed him again.

The Next Morning

Bruce had the round table from the command tent moved to the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Palace. The high notes of trumpets filled the Hall as the kings, queens, princesses, knights, and resistance leaders sat down at this round table laying their swords on the table in front of them. Only Peter remained standing.

"Today is a day that shall go down in all our histories. I wish to thank you all for fighting alongside King Kal-El and I in a war built on deception and far too much bloodshed." Peter said and everyone nodded to him. Peter sat down.

"What is to be done about Luthor?" Kara asked.

"He has run to Thanagar. Those walls were built to last and withstand any siege. It will be hard to get to him once he barricades himself in my city." Carter said. Shiera took his hand. "Our city." He said and caressed her hand. "But not impossible."

"A talk of a siege against Thanagar will have to wait until General Lane can replenish the army. We are in short supply of troops thanks to Luthor's invasion of Themyscira." Peter said.

"We sought only to defend our home." Diana said.

"I have no ill will towards Themyscira but replenishing our army will take some time. And I wish to establish peace and stability in this realm before anymore talk of war. Luthor stole a substantial amount from the treasury and that will also take time to replenish as well." Peter said.

"My soldiers and I will remain here until then." Carter said and Shiera seconded the decision. Peter nodded.

"My fleet and I must return to Atlantis but I will return for Peter's coronation." Orin said.

"So shall I." Diana said.

"We will return as well." Oliver and Dinah said.

"And I." Bruce said.

"I will leave two battalions here as well and return to Krypton with my troops but I will return for the coronation as well." Kal-El said.

"Peter is on the throne now and Alexander is in exile. What now?" Lois asked. Kal-El stroked her hand.

Kal-El stood. "We can return to our realms. Govern and protect our peoples but there are times when we do need our friends… If we ally ourselves together then we can all work together to spread peace and justice for all throughout the world and be a symbol for others to follow…the justice league we once jokingly called ourselves."

Everyone nodded. "With all of us behind it, it just may work." Bart Allen said and then he stood signaling his approval.

Carter and Shiera stood. Oliver looked at Dinah and she shrugged her shoulders. They stood. Chloe and the rest of her lieutenants stood. General Lane and Lois stood. Peter and Kara stood. Bruce shrugged his shoulders and then stood.

"Let it be known that on this day that we are henceforth no longer the League of Armies but that of the League of Nations to distribute peace and justice throughout the known world." Kal-El said. The soldiers and resistance fighters cheered in the background.

"We shall meet again for my coronation and soon a peace treaty between Krypton and Genesis shall be signed thus ending the war." Peter said. The soldiers of Krypton and the resistance fighters cheered.

One Week Later

Clark and Lois embraced in front of the Metropolitan Palace. He had to return to Kandor today. He stroked her hair. "Come with me." Kal-El said.

"I cannot, not yet. I am needed her for the time being. And you must return to your precious Council to discuss the peace treaty and bring up the subject of a marriage between you and I." Lois said and caressed his cheek.

Kal-El grinned. "I love you with all my heart and I will marry you a second time to prove it to the world." He said and she smiled. They kissed passionately one more time. "I will write to you often."

"I will cherish every letter." Lois said and she put her wedding ring in his hand. He shook his hand and tried to give it back. "So you will remember what is waiting for you." They kissed tenderly one more time.

"Sire, we must leave." Captain Ak-Var said. Kal-El and Lois let their foreheads touch before he walked away. He mounted his stallion and took a good long look at her before riding off.

Two Weeks Later

The gates to Kandor opened and cheered erupted from inside. The soldiers, who had remained to protect Kandor, lined up along the wide streets and the people cheered behind them. Kal-El and the Red Shard trotted into the city with their heads held high. Kal-El waved to the people on the streets and those throwing flowers from their windows.

He had imagined this day for years but now that was happening, it felt empty without Lois besides him. Her ring once again hung from a chain around his neck and it was a poor substitute to that of Lois. Kal-El kept grinning even though he was not truly in a festive mood. However, the joy on his people's face brought him some comfort.

The gates of the Crystal Palace came into view and the guards opened them for their king. The Kandorian soldiers halted and turned about face away from the palace. The knights of the Red Shard entered the courtyard with Kal-El. The Council, War Council, Lana, Martha, Henry, Christopher, and other nobles were outside waiting to greet him.

Kal-El dismounted from his horse and everyone bowed. Kal-El approached Martha, who kissed his hands and then caressed his face. "I am overjoyed to see you well and returned safety." Martha said.

"And victorious." Kal-El said and Martha nodded. He kissed Martha's hand and then ruffled Henry's hair. Christopher ran into his arms and he spun his around. "My lords, there are important affairs of states we need to discuss before I address the people." Kal-El entered the palace and everyone follow him in.

Kal-El went straight to the throne room, not bothering to change out of his armor. He passed Christopher to Martha and they walked away. He entered the room, walked down the red carpet, and stood before his throne until everyone else had entered the room and stood before their chair. Kal-El sat down and they followed suit.

"I will just get down to business. Prince Peter and I spent the better part of a week discussing terms for peace." Kal-El said and everyone clapped. "There will be no border disputes because we both agree that the border shall once again be the Morley River which divides the two realms but these are the dull details I shall move on the most important one. I shall marry Countess Lois Lane after the next winter solstice." Kal-El said.

"Forgive me, Sire, but did you just say you are marrying Lois Lane. Commander Lois Lane of the Genesis Army?" Durkin asked.

"Countess Lane. She plans to end her commission in the king's army after Peter's coronation. And you did not hear me wrong… This marriage will be the living sign of peace and friendship between our two great kingdoms. I even took the liberty of asking the countess for her hand in marriage and she accepted… I thought this what you wanted for me. To marry and produce an heir." Kal-El said.

"Yes but with a woman of better reputation and of Kryptonian birth." Durkin said.

Kal-El sucked his teeth. "The marriage has been approved by all sides. Lois Lane will be my wife and your queen whether you approve or not, my lords. And you know that this marriage is politically sound." Kal-El said coolly.

"We just worry what the people will say. She fought against Krypton for years." Durkin said.

"And then she turned spy for us." Kal-El said and murmuring occurred. "Silence!" He ordered and slammed his fist down on the arm of his throne. "For the past year, Lois Lane has been a soldier of the Resistance. I believe that will please the people. If not then I am sure the countess will apology for past sins in public." Kal-El said.

The Council members exchanged glances. "His Majesty is right." Council member Wren-Za said and everyone turned to look at him. "We are only upset that she is not a bride of our choosing. We need to establish peace between both realms and this is the best way to do it after the treaty is signed." He said.

The other four Council members nodded their heads in agreement. "Are there any other terms of this treaty we are to be aware of, Sire?" Durkin asked.

"Another important term of the treaty is the creation of a league of nations to equally distribute peace and justice throughout the realms that have suffered from this war. The other kings and queens have agreed to the creation of this league. We shall meet after Prince Peter's coronation, where we discuss what measures shall be taken and what is to be done of Alexander Luthor now that he has run to Thanagar. His Highness, Prince Peter, will be sending an ambassador to finish negotiating any other terms." Kal-El said.

"When is the coronation?" Durkin asked.

"They have yet to choose a date for they are currently seeking out whatever followers of Luthor that have yet to flee. They are also having an oath of allegiance being sworn up and down the realm. Once that is complete, Prince Peter will send his new ambassador. Now, I must address my subjects." Kal-El said.

Kal-El stood and everyone followed suit. As soon as he stepped down, everyone kneeled. Kal-El left the throne room and made his way to the balcony.

A large crowd had already gathered outside the palace. The people cheered when their king appeared on the balcony. Kal-El grinned and held up his right hand. "KAL-EL! KAL-EL! KAL-EL!" The people chanted raising their fists in the air. Kal-El put raised both his hands in the air and the people became silent.

"My beloved people, I left some weeks ago with an invasion force like the world has never seen to finally bring an end to the 17 years of fighting that has cost us our loved ones and fellow Kryptonians. It gives me such joy to address you all victorious for Luthor has fled and that a Ross sits on the throne once again!" Kal-El said and a loud cheered erupted.

"Your joy gives me such happiness. And know that the sacrifice of our sons and daughters will not be in vain for I shall build a memorial to remember them besides the memorial of the Great Civil War built by my ancestor, King Seyg-El. This victory is not only mine but that of all the realms and their faithful soldiers. Let us no longer fight but rebuild this world with peace as our single goal." Kal-El said and the people cheered.

"We expect Prince Peter to send an ambassador soon to negotiate the terms of peace and better yet, His Highness had offered me a bride to be a living symbol of peace and friendship between our realms. Krypton shall gain a new ally and a new queen!" The people cheered. "Tonight go to your homes and your taverns and celebrate the end of this war on my expense!" Kal-El said and the people cheered louder. "And at sunset, we shall fire the cannons simply out of joy!"

"KAL-EL! KAL-EL! KAL-EL!" They cheered. Kal-El smiled and waved.

Later that night, Kal-El sat at the head table in the Great Hall. He ruffled Christopher's hair when the little boy was making his fork and spoon swordfight. In the middle of the hall, people were dancing the Black Nag joyfully. Kal-El rested two fingers on his right temple and observed the joy around the room.

Kal-El sighed deeply. This was nice but it was not perfect. He caressed Lois's wedding ring with left thumb and index finger. Martha was sitting beside Christopher. She noticed how distracted he was and what he was caressing. Kal-El saw that she was watching him out of the corner of his eye so he put the ring back under his tunic and flashed a grin.

Kal-El watched Milton and Kara dancing with a small grin. Seeing them so happy together made him miss Lois even more but he tried to look happy for the rest of the banquet. J'onn then approached him. "A letter from the countess." He whispered in his ear and he nodded. J'onn gave him the letter.

Kal-El stood and the festivities halted. "Continue. This is a celebration after all." He said and the music started again. Kal-El exited the Great Hall from a side door with his bodyguards. Martha watched him intently.

My dearest Clark, I was pleased to get your letter from when you reached Smallville. The captured troops have returned to Metropolis safely and have sworn the oath of allegiance to Peter. We are making fast progress of swearing the oath. It appears Luthor was not as loved by the people as we once thought but enough of politics. I miss you and greatly desire your presence. I find it difficult to sleep with you not beside me as well. These past weeks have been torture. And I am disappointed of your request for celibacy until after our wedding but I think I can wait since you are an irreplaceable lover. Just know that I expect an amazing wedding night in return. I shall think of you every day that we are apart but here is a token of my affection that I hope will give you some solace until we are reunited. I love you. Lois

Clark smiled as he refolded the letter and put it down on the table next to a blue pouch. He opened the pouch and in it was a silver locket with LL on the front. He opened the locket to see a beautiful portrait of Lois. It was a perfect likeness of her. He grinned at her portrait and closed the locket. He kissed it. "Who is she?" A voice said behind him.

Clark quickly turned around to see Martha standing in his chamber. She took a few steps forward and took the locket out of his hand. She opened it and her eyes widen to see who it was. She closed the locket and looked at him. "I love her, mother, and she loves me. We are to be married after the winter solstice."

Martha sighed and put the locket back in his hand. "Are you sure that she is the one? I do not want you to make a mistake you will one day regret."

Clark rubbed his eyes. "There is no changing my mind. I have made my decision." He said.

"Marrying Lana was also your decision and then you let her marry Peter instead. Is this woman the reason why you did not marry Lana? What do you know about this woman? Does she love you or your crown?" Martha grilled him.

"Enough! I love you, mother, but do not speak against my wife." He snapped.

"You wife?" Clark closed his eyes when he realized his mistake. "Clark, what have you done?" Martha asked.

Clark ran his hand down his face and took a deep breath. "We married in Central City last month." Clark crossed his arms. Martha eyes widen and she rubbed her temples.

"This cannot be happening." She said. "Are you mad? Were you even thinking? Marriage is sacred, Clark, and you do not just marry a girl you barely know."

"She is not a girl. She is the woman I love and I do know her. I know that she grew up in Metropolis. Her mother died when she was child and she had to be both a mother and sister to her little sister, Lucy. She likes music, hunting, riding, and she even likes Christopher and he likes her. She despises war and politics as much as I do but she knows when they are necessary. And she knows me better than any person I know. I am happy, mother. And I believe you will like her when you meet her. Come with me to Metropolis to meet her for yourself." Clark said and he held out his hand.

"What, now? The journey alone would be at least two weeks by horse." Martha said.

"There is one matter I may have forgotten to mention." Clark said.

Clark and Martha flew through the night sky. She was nervous at first but she marveled at the starry skies. She did not know how long they had been flying but only that they soon landed in the palace gardens. But he did not put her down when they landed. Instead, there was rush of wind and then they were in a corridor.

They linked arms and walked down the corridors, which were empty except for a few servants and guards. They walked until they came upon a door. He knocked on the door and they could hear movement inside. "No more politics for today so go away!" Lois yelled from inside.

"A gift from the King of Krypton, milady." Clark said and put a finger to his lips. Martha shook her head at him. They heard footsteps and the door opened.

Lois's jaw dropped and she threw her arms around him. They kissed tenderly. "How did you get here?" She asked and he tilted his head to the side. "Nevermind." She said and kissed him again.

Martha gave a small cough and they stopped kissing remembering they were not alone. Clark grimaced. "Lois, this is Martha Kent, Dowager Duchess of Kent and my mother." He introduced her. Lois's eyes widen and she took a step away from Clark.

"Oh, come in. Come in." Lois said and stepped out of the way and they entered her chambers. There were a number of papers on the table with a quill and an open bottle of ink. "I was reading over these reports from my father before I give them to Peter in the morning." She said.

Lois took the quill out of the ink bottle and set it aside. She closed the ink bottle and moved the papers to a smaller table by the window. Then she went over to the fireplace and threw another log into the dying fire. The fire grew bigger and she lit another candle. She then grabbed a pitcher of wine and then three goblets. She carefully filled each goblet half way and put one in front of each of them. Then, Lois finally sat down next to Clark.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Duchess. Clark has spoken of you often." Lois said. Clark smiled and took her hand.

"I wish I could say the same but I only learned of you earlier this evening." Martha said and Clark grimaced. "Last I heard your name, you were laying siege to my home but was driven back to Smallville."

Lois took a big sip of wine. "Yes. Smallville was under my command when my father was recalled to Metropolis." Lois said.

"Hmmm…I see." Martha slowly tapped her fingers on the table.

"Um Mother, Lois had no choice but to follow orders to hide her true allegiance." Clark said. Lois sighed and rolled her shoulders. Clark noticed. "I know. I know. There is no need for me to defend your honor for you are more than capable." He said and Lois grinned at him.

"Hmmm…" Martha rested two fingers on her temple and pursed her lips. "Let me say that I disapprove of your elopement. Marriage is sacred, Clark. Did Jonathan and I teach you nothing?" Martha lectured and Clark opened his mouth to speak. "Be silent. I am not finished." She said and he closed his mouth. Lois grimaced and squeezed his hand. "However…" Lois cut her off.

"I have something to say as well. I love Clark. My father did not approve of our elopement as well but I hope he will learn to tolerate Clark as I hope you will learn to tolerate me. I may be far from the woman you imagined marrying him but we exchanged vows and I intend to keep mine. I have my father's reluctant blessing now all I ask is for yours, Your Grace." Lois said.

Clark had his right hand over his mouth hiding his dropped jaw. Not even Lana talked to his mother in this fashion. He constantly cut his eyes back and forth between Lois and Martha. Martha stopped tapping her fingers and tilted her head to the side.

"However…you two remind me so much of Jonathan and I when we were of your age." Martha smiled. "Clark has told me all that has happened the past year and the month he was away. I know there are things I still do not know but I believe I do not want to know. I just want to say that I am in your debt for what you have done for my son. And I just do not mean caring for him when he was poisoned by that horrid John Corben but for awakening something inside my son that I have never seen and I have never seen him happier than he is now."

Clark and Lois smiled at each other and Martha stood. Clark and Lois stood as well. Martha and Lois hugged smiling. "It gives me great pleasure hearing you say all this, Duchess." Lois said.

"Martha. Call me Martha. And welcome to the family." Martha said and they hugged again. "Now when are you coming to Kandor? We need to get to know each other better before the second wedding."

"When my father returns from Argos City, we can finally send Sir Perry White to Krypton to discuss the peace summit but until then you can write like Clark does." Lois said and took his hand.

"Ah, Sir Perry." Clark said.

"Yes, Peter asked my father first but he told him that he would only challenge your Council to a duel and that would not solve any of our problems. He asked Sir Perry and he happily accepted the offer." Lois said. "Now leave before Krypton believes we have captured you and plan to hold you for ransom."

"Why would you do that? You know you cannot hold me." Clark said. They smiled and tenderly kissed. "I will write when I can." Lois nodded and he pecked her lips. He pecked her lips again and again.

Martha then pulled them apart. "Clark, control yourself. There will be time for that but not right now." She said. Clark pecked her lips once more and Lois giggled. Clark and Martha left her chambers and disappeared in a blur. Lois sadly closed the door.