Chapter 37

Kal-El, the coronation preparations are going well. Stop worrying and enjoy your time with Lois. The kingdom shall be in one piece when you return or you would have had the Council rule in your stead if you did not trust me. If something should happen, I know where you are. Kara

Kal-El finished reading Kara's letter and grinned. He felt the cool breeze on his bare skin and the sounds of seagulls and small waves crashing onto the shore. Then he felt a hand run down the back of his head, down his neck and shoulder, and down his bare back. He smiled and quickly turned around to grab Lois. She dodged laughing and he chased her.

Lois ran down to the shore and stopped. He stopped and positioned himself ready to charge. Lois then removed her thin white dress and dropped it in the sand. Clark raised an eyebrow. She smiled seductively and began walking into the water. She stopped when the water was passed her abdomen and motioned with her finger for him to come in after her. Clark was barefoot so he only had to remove his braie. He ran in after her and she laughed when he took hold of her. They kissed passionately.

They lay in bed later that evening breathing heavily after making love passionately; comfortable silk sheets wrapped around their naked bodies. It was a warm night so all the windows were open. A cool breeze caressed their skin. Clark applies kisses all down her backside, from her shoulders to her lower back. Lois moaned. "Must we leave?" She whined.

Clark chuckled. "Yes." He kissed both her shoulders and her neck. "I am king and you are my queen now. We have duties. And I remember you once saying that duty comes before love." He said softly in her ear. She chuckled when he kissed her behind her ear.

"Is it too late to take that back." Lois said. She rolled onto her side and rested her right cheek in the palm of her right hand. Clark lay on his back grinning up her. He then grabbed her and rolled them so he was on top. They chuckled and then kissed. Her hands moved up his back as they kissed. They only parted for lack of air. Their foreheads touched as their breathing calmed down.

He pecked her lips twice and then caressed her face. "I make you this promise…that as long as we are married, duty shall never come before love." Clark said.

"That is a difficult promise, my love. I will not let you choose me over your people. You love them as well." Lois said.

"But not as I love you." Clark said and Lois grinned. She then hitched her leg around his waist and rolled so she was now on top. They chuckled. She rested her chin on his chest and he kissed her forehead. She kissed both his Pecs and he stroked her hair.

"And I shall love what and whom you love." Lois said and kissed his Pecs again. Clark grinned and continued to stroke her hair.

"Lois, I wish you to be my queen in every way. I want us to rule together for you are my friend, my confidante, my advisor, and my true love." Clark said. Lois grinned and tenderly kissed him.

"But no more extravagant gifts." Lois said and Clark chuckled. She smacked his right Pec and he nodded still chuckling. He caressed her face and ran his hand through her hair. He raised his head up to her and they kissed tenderly again.

The Lois Lane docked into the Granville Harbor in the dead of night. The anchor was dropped and the ship was tethered to the dock. The ramp landed on the dock and 6 hooded figures descended the ramp. Black horses were waiting for them at the edge of the town. They mounted them and rode off.

The hooded figures halted in front of the Kent Farm and they all dismounted. Clark and Lois lowered their hoods and grinned at each other. He took her hand, motioned for their bodyguards to stay, and they walked to the front door. Clark knocked on the door. Candlelight was soon visible through a window and the door opened.

Martha Kent was in her nightgown and robe. Her hair was done in a braid and she was holding a candle. "Clark? Lois? What are you doing here? Come. Come in." Martha said and they entered the farmhouse. Martha lit some more candles and motioned for them to sit. "Now speak soft. I finally put Connor to bed."

"Connor?" Clark asked.

"Alexander just did not suit him. Connor is a more pleasing name." Martha said. When he returned to Kansas, he asked Martha to care for baby Alexander for a year and then he would come for him like he had done for Christopher.

"Connor is a pleasing name." Lois said and Clark nodded.

"Now why are you really here?" Martha asked. Clark and Lois looked at each other and held hands.

"To be honest…we wanted to see how Alexan…Connor was faring." Clark said.

Martha smiled. "Some things never change…He was same way when Christopher came to live with me at Granville for six months." She said and Lois smiled at him. Martha caressed his free hand. "I am so fiercely proud, Clark. I only wish your father was here to see how happy you are and the good father you have become."

"I believe a part of him is still here with us." Clark said and Martha grinned. The sound of a baby cooing could be heard. Martha stood but Clark shook his hand and went upstairs. Baby Connor Kent was whining in his cradle. He was on the verge of tears and he was squirming constantly. Clark stood over the cradle grinning down at the child. He then gently picked him up. One hand on the back of his neck and the other on his lower back.

He then began to rock his body slowly and hum softly. It was a Kryptonian lullaby his aunt used to sing to Kara and he would occasionally join in. He walked around the nursery in a circle swaying his body. Soon the whining and squirming stopped. Connor yawned and grabbed hold of his index finger. Clark grinned and continued to hum the sweet lullaby. Soon, Connor was snoring softly sound asleep.

Clark raised Connor closer to his mouth. "Forgive me I cannot stay but know that I will come back for you. Your mother wanted me to protect you and to guide you and I shall…my son." Clark said softly and then kissed Connor's forehead.

"Our son." Lois said and he turned his head to her grinning. She walked up to them and kissed Connor's forehead as well. "Our sons." She said.

"Our sons." Clark said sweetly.

The Lois Lane docked into the harbor in Kandor. A crowd had gathered to welcome back their king and queen. They cheered as they descended the ramp onto the harbor hand in hand. They waved and smiled at them.

Commander Ak-Var and Princess Kara along with a regiment of Red Shard knights were waiting for them. Lois mounted her white mare and Kal-El mounted his white stallion. He held his hand up to the people and there was silence.

"People of Kandor…it gives me great pleasure to return my beautiful city and to be welcomed back with such love and devotion. And allow me to introduce my wife, Queen Lois." Kal-El said and the people cheered. Lois smiled and bowed her head to the people. "And we wish you all well and a blessed new year." Kal-El nodded to them and they rode off back to the Crystal Palace with the people cheering louder.

They dismounted in the courtyard, where a group of people had gathered to welcome them back. Applause broke out making Kal-El and Lois smile. Christopher ran into his arms and he hoisted him up. Kal-El kissed his forehead and put him back down. He then cut his eyes to Lois and Christopher hugged her.

Lois smiled and hugged him back. She then took his hand and they all entered the palace. "How goes the preparations for the coronation?" Kal-El asked as they walked.

"All is prepared, Sire. The queen shall be crown next week in the Temple of Rao." Wren-Za said.

"Good." Kal-El said and then he kissed Lois's hand.

"Sire, I wish to speak to about…" Durkin said.

"There will be more than enough time for politics tomorrow, my lords." Kal-El said and they walked off.

Lois looked at the white ceremonial dress she was to wear for her coronation tomorrow. It was a simple silk white dress with the crest of the House of El in black on the front. The door opened and close behind her. She had a dagger underneath her dress and was tempting to draw it until she smelled a familiar scent.

Kal-El wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and kissed her neck. Her shoulders relaxed and she grinned. "And how are you?" He whispered in her ear.

"Conflicted." Lois said.

He removed his arms from around her waist and walked up in front of her. He put his hands on her shoulders. "What is it?" He asked concerned.

"For years I punished Kryptonians for a crime they did not commit and now…and tomorrow I shall be crowned their queen. And all I feel is guilt." Lois said. He took her in his arms and stroked her hair. She wrapped her hands around his waist.

"That was in the past. You are no longer the soldier you used to be. You have redeemed yourself for past mistakes and the people love you for it…Not a day goes by that I do not think about the Genesis soldiers I have killed trying to avenge my fathers and mother…You are not alone in this." Clark said.

She raised her head to him and caressed his face. "I do not deserve you." Lois said. He rested his forehead against hers.

"Shhhhh." He quietly shushed her and she took a deep breath. "All that matters is that we are together. Yes?" Lois didn't say anything. "Yes?" He asked more playfully this time and she grinned.

"Yes." Lois answered. He kissed her forehead and held her in his arms once more.

Early the next morning, Lois rolled onto her left side and her hand landed on his pillow. It was bare. She rubbed the pillow and his side of the bed. It was bare but still warm. She opened her eyes. She pulled the silk sheet up to her breasts and sat up. The sun was rising and it partially lit the room. Then she saw the note tuck under his pillow.

I had some matters to take care of before the coronation. I did not want to wake you for you looked so beautiful and peaceful. I shall see you later, my love. Forever yours, Clark.

Lois grinned and kissed the note. She arose from the bed and put on her robe. She went to the window and looked outside. Kal-El was inspecting several regiments of the Red Shard. He was already dressed in his ceremonial attire and he wore his crown. She grinned down at him. There was a knock on the door. "Come!" She called. Vala entered her bedchamber with a barber. Lois closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Vala asked.

"I am well…just nervous. I feel I shall not be calm until Cla…Kal-El is by my side." Lois said. Vala rubbed her shoulder and it brought her some comfort. "Thank you." Lois took a deep breath. "Let us be done with this."

The barber combed out and trimmed Lois's hair. Vala helped her put on her dress and slippers. Soon there was a knock on the door. Vala answered it and smiled to see Jon-Tel. "Her Majesty shall be ready shortly." She answered before he asked the question. Jon-Tel smiled and slowly walked away keeping his eyes on her.

Kal-El slowly paced outside the carriage waiting for Lois. The coronation was to take place at noon. Then he heard the clanking of armor. He looked up to see Lois descending the stairs with her bodyguards. He smiled at her. She looked beautiful. He approached her when she descended the last of the stairs. He took her hands and kissed them. He let her enter the carriage first and then he climbed in after her. It was the same carriage used for his coronation three years before.

Trumpets began to sound and the people began cheering when the carriage passed the palace gates. Kal-El and Lois waved and smiled at them. Despite her smile, Kal-El could tell she was nervous so he took her left hand and caressed her knuckles with his thumb.

Twenty-five Red Shard knights on horseback were in front of the procession and another twenty-five behind the carriage. Ensigns held the standard of the House of El and the Kryptonian flag at the front and back of the procession.

The procession appeared at the entrance to the temple. Kal-El exited the carriage first. He held out his hand and helped Lois descend the small steps of the carriage. He took both her hands. "I will be in there waiting for you. Just breathe and keep your eyes on me." He said softly. She nodded but she still looked nervous. "All will be well, my love. Just keep your eyes on me." He winked at her and she gave him a small grin.

Kal-El grinned at her and he caressed her knuckles once more with his thumbs. He released her hands and walked down the red carpet into the temple. Lois took a deep breath and put another smile on her face for the crowd. She could see people bowing to Kal-El inside the temple. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

Trumpets sounded inside and as soon as they stopped, a chorus began vocalizing. She closed her eyes and quickly took a breath. She began walking down the red carpet to the temple entrance. Before she knew it she was inside the temple. People bowed as she walked passed and kept a grin on her face.

Lois held her hands in front of her and she walked at a casual pace. She kept her breathing under control but she could hear her heart pounding in her ears. She wanted to turn around and run but then she caught sight of him. Kal-El too held his hands on front him. He grinned at her as she walked to him.

Suddenly, the pounding in her ears and chest began to dim. Her grin widened and her walk became more graceful. She focused all her attention on him and before she knew it, she was at the steps to the altar. She descended the three steps and kneeled.

The High Priest lowered his hood and stood beside Kal-El. He began to chant in Kryptonese. "Rao, our beloved lord and protector, bring honor and grace to Lois El, our new queen of the land you built and watch over. Help her and guide her to be a just queen to our beloved King Kal-El. May you grant them sons and long lives to rule our beloved realm."

A priest stepped forward with the queen's crown on a red pillow. The High Priest blessed the crown, "Bless this crown in the name of Rao. May it bring grace and wisdom to our new queen." The beautifully crafted crown was gold but it was hidden under pearls and crystals (pic in profile).

The High Priest nodded to Kal-El, who picked up the crown. He held it up to the sun and the rays reflected off the crystals. "With this sacred crown, I solemnly crown you Queen of Krypton!" His words echoed. He approached Lois and lowered the crown onto her head. She grinned at him and he grinned back.

Kal-El took a step back and drew his sword. He kneeled down onto one knee and presented to Lois. She carefully took the sword by the blade and kissed the star on the pommel of the sword. "Rise Lois El. And Krypton, kneel before Lois El, Queen of Krypton!" The High Priest exclaimed.

As she rose, all the Kryptonian nobles, generals, commanders, poets, musicians, scholars, and writers kneeled. Lois turned to face them. Kal-El then stood by her side and held up his right hand. She placed her left hand on top and made sure had a good hold on the sword. They descended the stairs and trumpets sounded. Cheering could be heard outside.

Soon, Kal-El and Lois exited the temple into the afternoon sun with every citizen of the city of Kandor outside to cheer them. They smiled at the people and Kal-El waved since Lois had no free hand.

Kal-El let Lois enter the carriage first and then he climbed in after her. They began their procession through the city. The people threw pink roses down onto the street either from alongside the street or from their windows. They waved and smiled to the crowd. Lois blew a kiss to some young boys and a few blushed.

Before they knew it, they were back at the palace. The Red Shard was assembled in the courtyard and they kneeled when they exited the carriage. Kal-El exited first and helped her descend the carriage. He took and sheathed his sword. He took her hand and kissed it.

The coronation festivities would certainly be grander than that of their wedding. Fantastic food, fantastic music, fantastic entertainment, and fantastic gifts from Kryptonian and foreign nobles for Lois. Whatever nervous feelings felt earlier were long forgotten, especially since Kal-El never left her side.

"So when would Your Majesties like to go on progress throughout the kingdom? We were unable to attend to this when His Majesty was crowned due to the war." Durkin said. Kal-El looked at Lois and she shrugged her shoulders.

"The queen and I shall have to discuss. Nothing would please me more than for the realm to adore her as I do." Kal-El said and kissed her hand. Lois grinned at him.

"We just have to assure the people that this marriage shall make the realm and your reign stronger. The birth of an heir shall speed along such assurances." Durkin said and Kal-El sighed.

"My lord Durkin, no more politics for today…An heir shall come in its own course. This is something you cannot just order to have brought before you at once. The queen and I have plenty of time." Kal-El said. He caressed the knuckles of her left hand with his thumb.

Thank you. Lois mouthed to him. He leaned closer to her ear. "We have plenty of time." Kal-El whispered in her ear. She turned her head and pecked his lips. Wren-Za shook his head at Durkin and turned back his attention to his wife.

"'The birth of an heir shall speed along such assurances.'" Lois quoted Durkin in a jokingly manner. Clark chuckled. He removed his shirt and boots. Lois finished removing all her jewelry. He began to massage her shoulders and he kissed the back of his neck.

"Do not mind Councilman Durkin. He is a politician and that is all he lives for it seems…politics." Clark said softly. He slid her dress down her left shoulder and kissed her skin.

"And that is the problem. He makes my skin crawl and now all he shall speak about is for me to produce an heir." Lois said. Clark continued to kiss her left shoulder.

"And I told you…We have plenty of time." Clark said. He began to massage her shoulders once more. He turned her arms and caressed her face with his hands. "Pay no heed to Durkin or to any other member of the Council. They have the interests of the realm at heart as do we but we have each other. And nothing matters as long…"

Lois could tell he was waiting for her to finish his sentence. "As long as we are together." Clark nodded once and grinned. He lifted her chin with his finger.

"Now…there was talk of producing an heir." He said and she chuckled. He leaned down and kissed her. He then scooped her up in his arms and laid her down onto the bed. They kissed passionately.

"I thought we had plenty of time." Lois said as he kissed her neck.

"Yes…It does not mean we cannot try." Clark said and Lois smiled. She caressed his face.

"I love you." Lois said and Clark smiled.

"As I love you." Clark said. They smiled and kissed again.

Lex sat in front of the fireplace in his bedchamber in Thanagar. In his right hand was a portrait of Helen. Her wedding ring hung from a chain around his neck. He rubbed the ring between his middle finger and thumb. Besides the fireplace was a medium-sized portrait of Kal-El.

His dagger was stabbed onto the end table beside him. He pulled it out of the wood and threw it at the portrait. The dagger hit Kal-El right in the heart. "This is not the end." Lex said.

Thank you for your patience and loyalty towards our fan fic. For those who would like to read the Author's Cut of War of Dissension, it will be out in August. Also, I have been asked about a sequel…There will be a sequel called Crusade of Reckoning; coming to a screen near you in September. (Co-written with scifigirl33 on Divine Intervention).