AN: Cuteness, angst, humor, and more fluff. Unedited, forgive the mistakes. There was no good place to stop so this is an extra long chapter.

Karigan left the next morning before the sun rose. She had tucked her gift away into her trunk, her fingers brushing over the crest as she smiled to herself, her eyes alight. Locking the small trunk and pushing it under her bed, she stood to gather her small pack of spare clothes and provisions.

She passed Captain Mapstone's office, pausing by the doorframe to glance inside. A lone lamp burned dimly, revealing Laren's weary face as she poured over her large volume of topographical maps, searching for alternative routes in case of enemy road blockades. She glanced up to meet Karigan's steady gaze, her hand rubbing tiredly against her brow.

Neither said a word, but maintained eye contact, daring the other to look away. The previous night had been an upheaval in Laren's world, for when she had been summoned to the king's study; she had been thoroughly dressed down for her previous attitude. Zachary had succinctly informed her of the nature of his relationship with Karigan, stating that he would no longer tolerate any form of social pressure or coercion on either of their parts. She had been terrified that he had known of her intervention in destroying his letters, but he had not alluded to it, dismissing her after he had finished his piece.

Laren had walked back to her office, numbly swinging open the door, and sitting down at her cluttered desk to place her head on her folded arms. She did not anticipate the almost ferocious tone in her moonling's impassioned speech, and never would have imagined that he would risk so much with the beginning of war, taking on a common-born wife. She would spend that night at her desk, either staring blankly at the floor, or blearily trying to catch up on administrative duties, for she no longer had the energy or willpower to pick a fight.

Karigan now stood before her, tall and defiant, ready to defend her position if need be, but also did not wish for strife between her and her captain. Laren was the first to look away, her eyes dropping back down to the floor as she muttered, 'I don't know what to say to you right now, so you had better get going.'

Karigan inhaled deeply through her nose, eyes smarting as she turned on her heel abruptly, leaving Laren to snap her book shut and push a sheaf of papers to the ground in a fit of frustration.

Karigan reached the stables with her bags, going through the motions of saddling Condor while angrily rubbing away at the tears that kept forming in the corners of her eyes. She paused, leaning into Condor's side as she felt the pain of being the subject of disappointment. She respected her captain, trusted her good sense and judgment, and keenly felt the censure that Laren had displayed.

A hand reached out to stroke her back, a beloved voice interjecting her thoughts, 'Kari?'

With a slight gasp, she wiped her face on her sleeve and turned to look into her king's eyes. Her gaze fell to the bundle in his hands, presumably the letters, and shamefully looked back down to the ground to hide her red eyes.

Zachary frowned slightly, stepping next to her to slip the bundle into her saddlebag, 'You were not so distressed when you left last night.'

Karigan sniffed and shook her head sadly.

He drew her close, clasping his hands in the small of her back, and craning his head to meet her eyes, 'There are very few things in this world that can make you cry, will you not tell me what is bothering you?'

Karigan gave a slight cough and looked aside, eager to change the subject, 'I thought you were going to send a Weapon.'

His eyes remained troubled, suspecting the cause of her anguish, but he allowed her the reprieve, 'No, I decided I wished to speak to you once more, especially in regards to your father,' he finished with a soft smile, brushing a stray hair out of her eyes

Karigan arched an eyebrow in slight confusion.

Zachary chuckled, 'Should I not ask permission to marry his daughter?'

Her eyes widened in perception, 'Must you?'

He wrinkled his brow, 'It would be the honorable thing to do Kari, and I hardly wish to be on the bad side of my father-in-law.'

She snorted, 'I doubt the manner of your address will matter much. You are still of the nobility.'

Zachary opened his mouth to speak but snapped it shut, his expression turning concerned, 'Would he refuse?'

Karigan shrugged, slightly leaning forward in the embrace, 'Ultimately? No. But he won't be happy. I don't know what his initial reaction will be.'

He frowned in worry but she laughed and pressed a hand to his cheek, 'Get the council's approval first, yes?'

His expression darkened as he recalled his meeting the night prior, and of the heated words he had exchanged with a few select members. She caught the change in countenance and her eyes asked the question. Zachary smiled reassuringly when he looked into her azure gaze, 'For the most part, there was no arguing over my choice of bride, for many are convinced that you are favored by the gods to have lived through your experience in Blackveil. The real dispute started when someone mentioned the potential marriage contracts for our future children.'

Karigan sputtered, 'For our children?'

Zachary nodded wearily, 'Most of the Lord-Governors do not have any suitable female candidates for my hand, since many were married shortly after I was. They see the appeal of having a battle hardened Queen, so they do not challenge me. But they are planning for the next generation, wishing to position themselves for a potential alliance and marriage into the royal family.'

Her incredulous stare was a bit comical enough for him to chuckle, 'Never mind that, love. We still have a blessing of sorts. I can now apply to your father.'

Karigan still stared at him with a mixture of unease and caginess, 'What did you tell the council?'

He traced her nose with a forefinger, 'I told them I have yet to marry my Queen or sire any children. Leave it for another time when I do not have an enemy invasion. That silenced them rather quickly,' he finished with a satisfied grin.

She blushed, looking down and playing with the fastenings on his coat as she pictured the idea of having a child with him. Zachary grinned and slightly swayed from side to side, his mind similarly occupied. If he had his way, he'd have a little girl first, one that looked just like his beloved. And just as feisty.

Karigan glanced back up into his shining eyes, 'I'd be better for me to tell him. He won't be happy I kept this from him on the trip.'

Zachary considered that for a moment, 'Perhaps he can follow you after a few days? I can request that he come with his trade proposals.'

She raised both brows, 'Won't that be rather telling? Only having one clan chief traveling to meet the king?'

He made a sound of disquiet, scrunching his nose in thought, 'I do not imagine they all can come.'

Karigan conceded the point with an incline of her head, 'No but they can send a sort of deputy, if you will. I will ensure they know of your request. If they ask why I was entrusted with the message, I can simply cite I was chosen for my ties in trade.'

He flinched, 'Put that way, they'll later think that I arranged a marriage with Clan G'ladheon for the lucrative opportunities.'

She shook her head, smiling broadly, 'Do not all noble families make marriages of convenience and connections? As much as they turn up their noses, they'll think they are part of the club when our betrothal is made public.'

Zachary leaned in to kiss her forehead, 'Which will be as soon as your father says yes.'

Karigan grinned happily and wrapped her arms around his neck, 'We won't let him say no.'

Pressing his brow to hers, he closed his eyes, 'I suppose I don't need to remind you to be careful and to come back in one piece?'

Karigan whispered softly back, her nose brushing against his, 'I have motivation to get back, don't I?'

Zachary gave her a soft kiss, lingering only a moment before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a knit cap. He slowly pulled the soft wool over her head, his eyes tender as they both exchanged one last smile. With his next words, he almost hesitated, not wanting to bring up the cause of her earlier sorrow, 'Give Laren some time, she will come around eventually,' he said gently, releasing her from his embrace.

He then boosted her into the saddle, placing her foot in the stirrups lightly with care. Flitting his eyes back up, he simply said, 'Be safe, my love.'

Karigan nodded brusquely, her eyes conveying her goodbye as she urged Condor into a walk, leaving the stables and Zachary behind before her resolve faltered.

The frigid air that blew briskly about the plains hit her as she left the city, causing her to draw her greatcoat tighter and pull the cap snugly over her ears. With a measure of steely resolve, she set upon the road to journey to her childhood home.

Arriving three weeks later, her father, Stevic, greeted her enthusiastically when she arrived at the house, throwing open the door and bounding down the stairs as she swung out of the saddle. He enveloped her in a tight hug and pulled back to look at her affectionately, 'It has been some time since your last letter. And your last visit. At least three months. At least you put some weight back on,' he teased.

She winced slightly, but offered him a smile, 'I've been put through additional training with the arms-master, and been given another duty within the barracks, sword-training with the new recruits,' she explained tentatively.

Stevic nodded but tilted his head, giving her a searching look, 'The news of the raid reached Corsa before you did, a few days ago in fact. I gather you are not here just to see your dear father?'

Karigan stepped out of his arms and started to lead Condor to the stables with her father in tow, 'You'd be right, but I do need your help.'

Stevic arched a brow, 'And in what way would a king's messenger need my help?'

She reached into her satchel and pulled out the small stack of letters, 'Specifically, I need your influence.'

He took the bundle into his hands, eyes skimming over the recipients' names, and looked back up at her with a questioning, but undoubtedly intrigued gaze.

Karigan was away from Sacor City for the better part of two months, either on the road or negotiating in Corsa. It was not, as she surmised, difficult to gather support from within the clans or the lenders. Most knew that even with the added benefits of a steady contract with the crown, the military was one of their best options to protect their interests and trade routes. Her father supported her determinedly throughout the entire process, more than convinced with her summary of the dire situation. The arrangements were made for a delegation to travel to Sacor City, her father leading the party.

At night, her aunts would indulge their niece by arranging for her favorite foods to be served, or to sit her down with a pot of strong tea to just sit and talk for the simple pleasure of it. Mostly of the mundane sort of thing, regarding the new Riders or the newest style of sleeve for a day gown, or perhaps even whose handsome son had completed his apprenticeship. They wistfully spoke of her future, of settling down to raise a family, and hopefully putting her Rider service behind her. It was revealed that Stevic had been approached by several of the other clan chiefs, hopeful to gain his notice by putting forth their sons as candidates for his daughter, and her rich dowry.

Karigan had visibly squirmed in her seat and averted her eyes when they spoke of potential suitors, hardly new behavior in front of her aunts, but it was her Aunt Stace who detected the suppressed smile that Karigan tried to hide and grinned knowingly.

'Dear, is there something you'd like to share with us?' she asked kindly.

Karigan looked up from her cooling cup of tea with an expression of alarm, 'Pardon?'

Stace lifted the pot and refreshed Karigan's cup, repeating her query, 'Do you have something special that you'd like to share?'

Her niece hunched her shoulders and looked to the different faces of her aunts; her wide-eyed gaze confirming her guilt. 'N-n-no.'

Her aunt Brini narrowed her eyes, 'You are not a good liar, and neither is your father, dear. You come by it honestly.' she said with a wink.

'Best you tell us now what is bringing a rosy glow to those cheeks,' Aunt Gretta teased.

Karigan gulped and occupied herself with adding sugar to her tea, 'Nothing new, I'm afraid.'

Stace leaned back in her seat to regard Karigan, smiling as she joked almost carelessly, 'You've had an air about you since you arrived. I had chalked it up to you being at home, but that coy little smile confirmed something else entirely . . . not in love are we, Kari?'

Karigan stirred her spoon slowly, biting her lip to keep quiet, but she looked up hesitantly at Stace as she whispered, 'You can't tell my father yet.'

All four pairs of eyes flew open in rather surprised excitement and they twittered as they jumped out of their seats to crush her in a hug. After they had settled, her aunt Tory gave a girl-like giggle and clasped her hands to her chest, 'Do we know him?'

Karigan chose her words carefully, 'No, I don't believe you have ever met him before.'

The words were digested carefully, Brini offering another query, 'Another Rider?'

Karigan shook her head in response, a faint blush staining her cheeks. 'I'm still settling into accepting the feelings for what they are,' she admitted.

Frowning, Gretta suspiciously looked at her niece, 'Not one of those Black Shields, is it?'

Karigan gave a small laugh and shook her head again.

Stace tried a different tack, 'How long have you loved this young man?'

'Since I rode into Sacor City for the first time as a Rider, my very first hour of arrival,' Karigan said softly.

'And he returns your feelings?' Brini pressed.

Karigan gave a gentle smile that softened the expressions of the older women, effectively answering the question. She sighed, knowing it would come out sooner than later, 'He wishes to marry me.'

They shrieked in happiness again, looking at each other excitedly as thoughts of a wedding raced in their minds. Stace grasped Karigan's hand, 'Have you accepted him?'

'I did, right before I left,' Karigan confirmed shyly.

Tory cocked her head to the side, 'Why can we not tell Stevic?'

The other women looked at Karigan curiously, no doubt also wondering of her wish for secrecy. She gave a pained face as she spoke slowly, 'He wishes to ask my father in person for my hand.'

'How romantic,' Brini sighed.

'And appropriate,' Stace said with contentment. 'Then of course we shall keep your secret until he asks, but can we not know who he is?'

Karigan gave a small moan of frustration, 'Can it not be a surprise?'

Gretta raised both her brows, 'Are you ashamed of your betrothed?'

Karigan stared at her in disbelief, and then shook her head, 'No! No, of course not,' she said with a sigh, sagging her shoulders. 'It is just that he is not who you'll expect,' she murmured.

Stace carefully considered her, 'Is he in the city or the castle?'

'Castle,' was the brief reply.

'Would Stevic be able to meet with him, aside from his business with the king?'

Karigan coughed, 'I think the matter will be brought up quickly enough.'

Stace pursed her lips, 'High born or low?'

Karigan looked at her with round eyes, 'Err, high?'

Brini looked at her in gleeful animation, 'A Lord-Governor?'

'No,' she answered quietly.

Gretta tried again, 'One of their heirs?'

'Afraid not, getting colder actually,' Karigan replied uneasily.

Stace's eyes then flickered in understanding and she very gently asked her next question, 'Has this marriage been approved by other parties as well?'

Karigan raised her unsteady gaze to Stace's, nodding timidly as the others looked on in confusion. Stace reached again to grasp both Karigan's hands, leaning forward to kiss both her cheeks, 'Oh my dear, dear girl,' she said with tears in her eyes.

Gretta leaned over to whisper to Brini and Tory as they watched the two embrace, 'I think I fell behind at some point.'

Stace looked at her sisters after she had finished embracing her niece, then back at Karigan, her eyes shining with pride as she stated, 'Our little Kari, has made a very fine match indeed. With Zachary Hillander.'

The other sisters were silent for a moment, then a slow smile crept onto Gretta's face, 'We are all going to accompany Stevic to Sacor City, for I do not think we'd miss this for the world,' she finished with a laugh.

Karigan was once again thrown in the middle of a loving embrace between her aunts, torn between basking in the unconditional love and support that they showed her, and mulling over the fact that her beloved would be assaulted in some way shape or form by five members of the G'ladheon clan.

A flurry of snowflakes danced in the air on the final leg of her journey back to Sacor City. Her aunts had embraced her before she left and whispered their reassurances that all would be well with her father. They would be a week or so behind her, for they traveled with a baggage train, and a much larger party.

The early winter snow lightly blanketed the landscape, giving the scenery an almost serene look as she reached Sacor City just before the winds picked up, and the heavy inches began to fall in earnest. The army tents she had seen pitched outside the city walls were thick, double-stitched hides that she hoped would keep the chill off the new recruits that would winter and train on the plains. She gave the encampment a sorrowful look, reminded of the coming spring, when they would march as a fully trained force, in whatever direction their leaders pointed them. Perhaps they would even venture into another war torn province, to pick up the pieces of another destroyed city.

She shook her head to clear her mind of the dark thoughts, turning her attention to the street that would lead her back to where her heart resided. In the hands of her king.

Although they had declared themselves to each other, and had quote 'the blessing' of the council, both the king and Karigan felt the need to observe the proprieties, not wanting to draw any more attention than necessary from the court. There were actually very few who knew of the betrothal, and those that did either kept it to themselves out of respect for the couple's privacy until the bride's family was notified, or because the king had expressly forbade other individuals to speak of it until it was announced, namely the council members.

And so, they saw each other only in the company of others. At a training session with Drent, their eyes would meet briefly before the arms-master would gain the king's attention, once knocking his legs out from under him. Karigan had hidden her giggle, keeping her eyes on her sparring partner, Fastion. The Weapon also gave his impression of a smile, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement as he watched his besotted monarch fall face first in the snow with a groan.

Another occasion saw Karigan in the throne room, bearing a message from a Lord-Governor who was residing in his townhouse for the winter months. She approached the throne with her gaze drawn to the foot of the dais, giving her bow as she waited for acknowledgement. She heard his voice but did not process the words as she lifted her eyes to his dear face, shyly smiling as she handed the letter to Captain Mapstone who rolled her eyes at their antics, and passed the message to Zachary.

The captain was still uneasy with the situation but reconciled herself to being grudgingly happy for her moonling. She could not though, in good conscience, withhold the knowledge of her deceit from him for much longer. So she confessed her indiscretion to him as soon as Karigan left.

He had sat still in his study chair, his expression one of pain and sadness as he regarded his 'big sister'. It had taken several weeks, but in light of his current happiness and the need for cohesion, he had forgiven her, but would continue to treat her with a degree of discontent for entirety of Karigan's absence. And for that, she was rather relieved when Karigan rode into Sacor City.

Laren had released her from her other duties, citing that she would need to make arrangements for the upcoming wedding when she was not on a message run. It was a task that Karigan would honestly have rather left to her aunts. So, when she was not occupied in the Rider barracks, she would go to the library, diligently applying herself to Sacoridian law scrolls and books of court behavior. She had enough of the etiquette taught to her by her aunts and masters in Selium, but it had long lain dormant.

Karigan had anticipated her family's arrival with a mixture of dread and excitement. While she knew that her father would have a few words to say about her betrothal, she would at least no longer have to hide her relationship from her friends, peers, or anyone else for that matter.

Stevic G'ladheon and his entourage entered Sacor City on a blustery night, leaving their baggage train in the last town and riding ahead to the castle grounds. The king had left his study when their late arrival was announced, ordering the guest wing to be made up for the delegation. For Karigan's family, he made sure that their rooms were close together, and that all were easily accessible from the Rider barracks.

He invited the clan chief and his older sisters to his study, suspiciously looking at the broad grins of the women before leading them up to the cozily appointed room.

Zachary had previously dismissed his Weapons for this expected meeting, not wanting to intimidate the G'ladheon family with the sight of his guards, more often than not a rather startling sight for those not used to their presence.

Once they passed an intersection of corridors, Stevic stopped the party at the end of the dimly lit hallway, right as Zachary's hand closed on the handle. 'I think I know why you wished to speak to me, Majesty,' he said with some distaste, looking straight into his monarch's eyes.

Zachary's expression, to Stevic's sisters eerily mirrored Karigan's, as he opened his amber eyes wide in slight apprehension and croaked, 'Do you?'

Stevic had squared his feet, placing his hands on his hips as he drew himself to his full height of six feet. Although his sisters looked unimpressed with his masculine display, Zachary anxiously looked at the man who easily matched him in height, and gulped at the stormy appearance that the clan chief wore. A flicker of movement behind Stevic and his sisters caught Zachary's eye. Two black figures, Donal and Willis, strode into view, caught sight of the imposing chief and his sturdy looking sisters, and promptly displayed expressions of horrified fear as they staggered to a stop, spinning on their heels and running away soundlessly.

Fastion then skulked into view, his eyes going wide with foreboding as he drifted out of sight again, quickly moving sideways into shadow. He had positioned himself around the corner after Zachary gave a slight wave of his fingers from the arm that he held rigidly at his side.

Stevic cleared his throat as he glared at the younger man, 'I am given to understand, that you allowed a Rider in your service to become attached to a man. Under your watch, and without the express consent of her family, for we do not know the boy, this has occurred. What have you to say for yourself? A young woman could have been compromised!'

Stace rolled her eyes and reached up to thump Stevic's shoulder, 'We do not know that anything untoward occurred. We only told you to disregard the bids for her hand in Corsa; for there was an offer she had accepted here in the capital. Kari could have been courted as is proper, is this not true, Majesty?' She directed a keen look in his direction.

Zachary nodded automatically, 'Yes, my lady.'

Stace chuckled, 'My sisters and I are certainly not ladies, but you seem to be a nice lad. Such pleasant manners,' she said approvingly.

'And such a handsome boy as well,' Gretta giggled as Zachary colored with the compliments.

Stevic looked at his sisters with varying degrees of alarm, 'Do remember to whom you speak, ladies.'

Brini raised her eyebrows, 'We have been nothing but polite to our king, unlike some.'

Zachary gave a slow smile, 'I am sure you ladies would wish to discuss this in front of a warm fire and perhaps a tray from the kitchens?'

Stace began to peel off her gloves from her hands, unwinding her scarf, 'That sounds quite lovely. Doesn't it Stevic? Now let us all go and sit down like civilized beings, and listen to what the king wishes to tell us.'

Her brother looked at her in confusion, his anger melting away and being replaced with a slight wariness as he gazed upon the manipulative countenance of his eldest sister. They all filed into the study, the door closing firmly behind them, with Fastion coming out of the shadows to post himself nearby, relieved that his liege would likely come out of the room alive with the protection of Karigan's four aunts.

Lots of movement. Zachary gained some female relatives to watch his back. Stace strikes fear into the hearts of many.

Please read and review. They drive the story, and as others can attest, I take and use criticism.