The Living Dead

by Fallen Ark Angel

As a new war brews in the Underland, Gregor once again prepares for battle. When the leader of the gnawers turns out to be someone long thought dead however, things get a lot more complicated. - Sequel to the Banished.

16. Chapter 16

The Living Dead

Chapter 16

There was probably nothing Zander liked better than when Gregor's mother came to visit. She always brought him toys, candies, and even once, some juice. Then, of course, there was the way she babied him. That was always a plus.

By the same token though, Luxa hated it. She truly hated it.

"What happened to his teeth, Gregor?"

That was the first thing his mother said when he led her into the sitting room, where Zander was busy playing with Hero. Luxa was there as well and frowned at the question. Zander had jumped up at the entrance of Grace, rushing over with his mouth open in a wide grin, showing off his missing teeth.

"They didn't fall out already, did they?" she asked, making a face at him.

"No, Mom. Another kid, well, hit him and knocked them out."

As he and Luxa were fighting that morning when Gregor woke up, he went ahead with Nike to the grate in the laundry room, to see if his mother and sisters wanted to come early, instead of that night. Boots and Lizzie jumped at the chance and he hadn't even been able to get them to the royal chamber before they disappeared once they made it to the palace. His mother though was most worried about Zander and seeing him with two missing teeth wasn't helping the situation.

"What? Gregor-"

"It's okay. They were just baby teeth."

Grace gave him a look before glancing back down at Zander. He was holding up his arms to her, staring at the bag in her hands. He knew whatever was in there was for him. Grace finally smiled at him before going over to the empty couch in the sitting room and taking a seat.

Luxa hadn't rose from her position on the other couch, only continuing to stare heavily at Grace while staying silent. Hero had risen to her feet and began to put away Zander's toys.

"Come here, Zander." Grace sat him up on the couch with him before moving to start taking things out of the bag. "You wanna see what I brought for you?"

"Yes." He nodded his head before taking a big sniff. He must have smelled something. Then, patting his stomach, he said, "Tunny."

"Very good. Very, very good, Zander."

He was over the praise though and was just staring at the bag, waiting. When she opened the bag, the first thing she brought out was a book, with a big picture of Santa Clause on it. Gregor had forgot that it was Christmas time and only frowned slightly. Zander would have no idea what that is.

Still, he took the big print children's book and stared at the front cover, as transfixed with it as he was everything.

The next thing she got out was a box of store bought cookies, but they were clearly gotten for a purpose. Gregor frowned at the shape while his mother only opened the box.

"Look, Zander. See? They're-"

"Rawr!" He dropped the book then, causing it to clatter to the floor. Luxa frowned at that while Hero only jumped. She was clearly most on edge, as she was never around Gregor's family or Overland things. "Rawr!"

"Mom, where did you find those?" Gregor asked, making a face at Zander who immediately held out his hands, waiting for her to give him the box. She didn't. Only opened the box and took a cookie out before placing it in the boy's hand.

"I had to special order them from a bakery," she said as she gave Zander a tiger-shaped cookie. Then she looked to Hero. She had no idea who she was, but had seen her taking care of Zander and nodded at her. "Here. Would you like one?"

"What…is it?"

"It's just food, Hero," Gregor told her with a sigh. "Try one."

"Thank you," she said, nodding her head slightly at Gregor's mom as she came to grab one. Zander was still playing with his though, making growling noises as he paraded it around.

"Do not play with your food, buddy." Gregor patted his head before looking at his mother. "Is that all you bought him?"

"Of course not. Here. Take these."

When he took the cookies from his mother, she immediately went back into the bag, pulling out a new stuffed teddy bear for Zander as well as some more of Gregor's old action figures. Zander quickly stuck the cookie in his mouth before taking the toys and teddy from her.

"Lucka," he called over to Luxa with his mouth full. "Yes."

"I see, Alexander."

He jumped down, marching over to Luxa and began to set some of his toys in her lap. She only frowned at him.

"Lucka. Yes?"

"No. Play with Hero."

"No!" He gave her the teddy bear then before wiggling. "Lucka."

"I do not wish to play with you, Zander."

Grace sighed then as watching as Gregor looked anywhere, but at Luxa. He knew that she could feel the tension in the room between him and Luxa.

"Here, Zander. Come over here. Let me see your new…toys." Hero took his hand and led him back to the center of the room, making him sit down to play. He giggled, grinning at Hero when she rubbed one of the action figures against his face.

"Where are you sisters, Gregor?" Luxa asked him finally as she stood. She just went to lay the rest of the toddler's toys in front of him. Hero glanced up at her, but she was only staring at her fiancé.

"Lizzie went off with Nike and Boots is with Kent and Hazard."

"Oh, because that sounds like a wonderful idea."

He made a face at her. "Knock it off. Seriously."

Luxa only bent down then, to kiss Zander's head. When he looked up at her, she said, "You are going to stay here with Hero, okay? I have to go now."

"Lucka." He patted her face when she was close enough before going back to his toys. He was fine.

"I am going to the war room, Gregor," Luxa told him when she stood straight again. Then she glanced at Grace before saying, "You can come there when you are ready."

"Go now, Gregor," his mother told him then. When he frowned, she only said, "I will just stay in here with Zander and…Hero, was it?"

She nodded slightly while Gregor only sighed.

"You sure, Mom?" he asked slowly. "I can stay."

"Go. I'm sure you're very busy, considering."

Considering.

Gregor could tell that Luxa was unhappy as they walked side by side down the hall, her arms folded slightly, her demeanor keeping anyone from speaking to them as they went along. Part of Gregor felt kind of bad for her, as the last thing she probably wanted was Zander to smell any more of the Overland, as she thought of it as unsafe, but he also was kind of tired of her trying to keep his family out of their lives, when he had to deal with hers on a daily basis. Really.

When they got to the war room, Gregor was reminded that Barrett still was comatose, which was looking worse and worse for him. Even if he did wake up, the longer he stayed under, the less likely it was that he would be his former self. And while Gregor never really liked him and wished that he would just disappear, no part of his wanted any real harm to come to him. At least not fully.

"Good. You are both here."

"We are," Luxa said slowly, staring at Perdita. She was standing next to the table, Kent with her, as well as Mareth. York wasn't around though, so Gregor went ahead and marked that down as a good thing. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Perdita told her with a shake of her head. "I just thought that the two of you would be busy all day."

"The wedding is already planned and the Overlander does not have to stay with his family, so I do not-"

"She meant with Barrett," Mareth explained. "Since he just woke up."

"He what?"

Perdita glanced at Gregor then to Luxa. "Did you not know? He is awake."

Luxa's face set in a peculiar way then before she slowly let out a breath. "I did not know. I must, at the very least, go and check on him. Gregor can stay and handle anything here. If that is all…?"

"Go," Perdita told her with a shrug before going back to speaking to Kent. He had been writing things for her when they walked in.

"Gregor-"

"Go, Luxa," he said, heading over to the table. All of his fight and drive was gone. If she wanted to spend her last day before being married to him with another man, that was something that had to go on her conscious, not his. "I'll handle business here."

"You do not have to," Mareth told him after Luxa was gone. "Perdita is merely working on your trip. You need not be present. I thought that you would wish to spend the day with your friends or something."

"A premarital party or something," Perdita said. "With women and alcohol. You know, so you can completely get drunk and forget all about your wedding in the morning. The usual way men misbehave."

Mareth made a face at Perdita before looking back at Gregor. "I think what she's saying is that you do not have to spend your last day of…freedom here with us."

"As horrible as it sounds, guys, other than Matthias, you guys are my only friends."

Perdita only shrugged. "Stay then. If you'd like."

Approaching the table, he asked, "Has York been in here today?"

"I have not seen him since yesterday," Perdita told him as he leaned against the table, staring down at the map. Then she frowned. "Where are your bandages?"

"Howard removed them before I went to get my mother and sisters this morning. Says I'm all healed up."

"Wish I could say the same for my arm."

Mareth shook his head then. "The two of you. Whining over fixable injuries."

Perdita made a face, glancing at him. "I forget at times, about your leg. I never see you anymore, with it off."

"That is because you do not care for me anymore."

"You never invite me to take care of you."

"I must make invitations now? For a friend to care for another?"

"Be quiet, Mareth."

He grinned though, because he had successfully gotten to her. Gregor could tell by the way they were around one another that they had completely made up by that point. Kent only frowned at the sound of the two of them speaking to one another though.

"Should we not finish this scroll?" he asked Perdita, trying to sound as innocent as possible. She nodded then, going right back into work mode. Mareth only sighed, shaking his head slightly.

"Has Luxa gone over the wedding with you? Your crowning?" Mareth asked Gregor softly as he walked over to him, as not to disturb Perdita.

"Sort of. She says I have to have some sort of vows back to her at the wedding and that's pretty much it. And for the crowning, she didn't really say a lot."

"You will just be swearing to protect the realm at all costs, even your own life. You will promise to uphold the balance and power of Regalia and the Fount above all. That sort of thing." Mareth glanced at Perdita. "Other than Luxa's coronation, have you been to another?"

"Of course. Did you not go to Queen Judith's?"

"No. You did?"

"My father was lucky and got us in."

"Lennox was crowned at the same time," Mareth told Gregor then. "After his father was killed in battle."

"Luxa does not talk much of them," Gregor said then to which Mareth only shrugged.

"Why focus on the past or the future when the present is so problematic?" He patted Gregor on the shoulder then. "You are going to go through with it then?"

"What do you mean?"

"You and Luxa do not seem to be getting along well, recently."

"Ever, really, but of course I am," Gregor told him with a slight frown. "How could I not? There is no other option for us. I got her pregnant, now I have to marry her. Either that or I have to go back home, to the Overland, and that is not an option. Not a real one anyways."

Mareth grunted. "It is a poor situation."

"Would you not then, Mareth, do the same?" Perdita looked up from the map then. "If you got a woman pregnant?"

"Would you want me to?"

"What do I have to do with-"

"I do not know, Perdita. You keep me from every other avenue of happiness."

"Because I am living such a glorious life with you breathing down my neck."

"And you would do it then?"

"Do what?"

"If you got pregnant, you would wish to marry the man?"

The map suddenly seemed interesting to Perdita again. "That would never happen to me."

"No?"

"No."

"Then you live a very boring life."

"I'd rather be boring, Mareth, than live to be a lonely old cripple."

"You live a rather lonely life now, while I spend my time with many, many companions. Who is really-"

"Knock it off, guys. Seriously." Gregor made a face at them. "Every time you start off like this, you end up pissed at each other. Let's just all have a day when no one storms out of this room."

"I don't think you're lonely," Kent said then to Perdita who only shook her head, not saying anything more on the subject.

Eventually Gregor left the three of them in the war room, a few hours later, to go find his mother and sisters. It was nearly luncheon and he figured he had better go find who had Zander and make sure he got fed.

He heard York before he came into the room and was slightly shocked find him in the royal wing. He was in the sitting room with Grace, talking about some sort of war story, which Gregor's mother only seemed to be half-listening to. Hero was there as well, going around and picking up Zander's toys while the little boy sat in his step-grandmother's lap, completely relaxed as she rubbed his stomach.

"-Hamnet, but you know, I never rightly liked him. Still, he was Susannah's brother and, yes, some might say that he was better than me in his prime, but I am not too certain on that. I feel that is complete bias due to his Hamnet's mother was. Solovet. I- Oy. Overlander."

"Hey," Gregor greeted as he came into the room slowly. His mother looked up at the sound of his voice, but Zander just stayed flaked out in her lap, not moving in the slightest. "I didn't know you were in here, York."

"None of my other kids want me around, but Hero. And Luxa didn't want me in the war room, I was pretty sure." York shook his head. "Guess I should be glad about Stellovet. I think she's with Lycos. That's a good thing. I suppose."

"Hero, you don't have to clean up after Zander," Gregor said then, frowning at the teen. "Or at least not alone. You're supposed to make him help."

"He's just a baby."

That was the problem with Zander's lack of development. Everyone always wanted to treat him like he couldn't do anything. And he could. When Zander told him to clean up, he was able to clean up. When Luxa gave him an order about practically anything, he was able to follow through. He just couldn't respond back to them in most cases. He wasn't an invalid or anything.

"No, he's not."

"Oh, Gregor, leave him alone," Grace said as Zander cuddled against her. "He's tired."

"From what?"

"He has a very busy life, alright?" She patted Zander' stomach then who only kicked his feet in response. "Where are your sisters?"

"I don't know. Lizzie's probably still with Nike and Hazard and Boots are probably still doing something."

York frowned at that before shaking his head. "Hazard? You left your sister with Hazard?"

Grace looked over at the man then, listening to him probably for the first time. "Why would it matter if he did?"

"Hazard-"

"Nothing, Mom. Hazard's just weird. You know that." Gregor went over to her then and snatched Zander up, who immediately took to whining. "Come on. Let's go find something for lunch."

York and Hero joined them for lunch, which was good, as it gave Gregor someone to pawn his mother off on after when a guard came to get him. He said that it was urgent and Queen Luxa had requested him in the hospital wing. The first thing Gregor thought about was the baby, which he feared wholly. Then he realized that Luxa was with Barrett and she whatever she wanted must have to do with him. Ugh.

"You wanted me?" Gregor called out softly as he came into Barrett's hospital room. The other cot in the room was empty and Luxa was sitting on it, staring at Barrett. She looked up at the sound of his voice before just nodding.

"Overlander," Barrett groaned as he tried to sit up. Luxa only sat there, her eyes falling back to him as he spoke. "Good. Good."

"Do not strain yourself," Luxa told him before looking back at Gregor. "Barrett wished to speak with you. Would not calm down until I asked for you to be brought here."

"What do you need me for?" he asked, making a face slightly. "How long have you even been up?"

"Apparently he awoke late last night," Luxa said with a slight frown. "He is still not feel well though."

"Fine. I'm fine." Barrett's voice was rough though and it was clear that he was weak. Gregor figured they should just be glad that he hadn't had more brain damage than the little he apparently had. "Need to talk to you 'bout what happened."

"Barrett, trust me, there will be time for that," Gregor told him with a sigh as Luxa got to her feet. She just walked over to her fiancé then, standing next to him as she watched Barrett. "And what would you want to tell me anyways? You didn't, like, lose your memory, did you? We kinda hate each other."

Luxa made a face at Gregor for that one, but he just kept focusing on the other guy, who only shook his head at him.

"Luxa said…you're gonna go. With Perdita."

"It's not any of your business, but-"

"You can't."

"The hell I can't. I-"

"Those rats, Overlander. 'fore we killed them, they were talking. Saying stuff. 'bout the prophecy."

"And? Gnawers always brag, Barrett. You know that. And if they heard about the wedding, then they heard about the Reclaimer. They-"

"Not Reclaimer, Overlander." Barrett took a gulping breath then before slowly letting out one word. "Henry."

"Wh-What?"

Barrett nodded then as Luxa only frowned. "It's Henry. And he's coming for you."

---

"Where have the two of you been?"

Boots only smiled at Luxa, who was eyeing her cousin suspiciously. "Hazard taught me how to juggle."

That made Gregor let out a slow breath before shaking his head and going back to picking at his dinner. "That's great. Sit down though. You're late."

"Juggle, you say?" Grace asked from the other end of the table. Zander was in her lap, happily helping eat off her plate as well as his own. "Where did you learn to do that, Hazard?"

"When I thought I was going to sell fruit, I learned." He went to take a seat in between Hero and Lizzie. "Where is Kent?"

"Working. All my kids are constantly busy." York, who was at the other head of the table than Luxa, only shook his head, frowning at his mug of ale. "Now even Hero has a job. All I have left is Chim. Then I'm alone…other than Susannah, but she does not count."

"Susannah is your wife?" Grace glanced at him before smiling. "And your son is Howard. Yes, I do remember."

York only grunted. "Doctor. Doctors. Susannah ruined my children. Now I have the other boy, lusting after a woman old enough to be his mother. Not even concerned with the military. It is sickening."

"You are a mean drunk today, Uncle," Luxa told him with a frown as Grace only stared at him.

Another grunt. "Miss my wife."

"That's cute," Lizzie laughed slightly while Hero only blushed, as if embarrassed by her father.

Hazard only groaned as a servant placed a plate in front of him. "Luxa, am I allowed to bring a guest to the wedding?"

"You are not allowed to the wedding."

"What?"

She shrugged, still just staring down at her plate. "You have no reason to be. No one does, really, but you especially. I honestly do not even wish for you to be at Gregor's coronation, but I do not think I can stop that. You may come to the reception, I suppose. Most people are."

"My guest-"

"If you bring one of your…whores to my wedding reception, Hazard, I very well might banish you to the jungle to live like your father."

No one said anything for a moment after Luxa's outburst, though Grace's gaze on her son told him all she wanted to say. She had never liked Luxa, so there was no way she was going to find pregnant Luxa any better.

It was finally York though that broke the silence by beginning to laugh loudly, as if Luxa had just said the funniest thing ever. Then he just grabbed his mug and slung some more ale back before getting to his feet.

"It's times like this that I wish Judith was around to see you, Luxa," was all he said before heading to the door. He was almost to it when someone else walked in. It only took York a second, even in his drunken state, to recognize his wife.

"Susannah." He quickly enveloped her in his arms. Pressing a sloppy kiss to her cheek, he slurred out, "What are you doin' here? Thought you weren't coming till tomorrow?"

"I wasn't, York, but then I thought I should come tonight. It will be rather hectic in the morning anyhow." Susannah pushed him back slightly, but he was still all smiles. Most everyone was looking at them then and there was nothing that mortified Susannah more than her husband's love of, well, showing his love of her around others.

"Where is Stellovet?" Chim asked as she came into the room also, looking around. "I wanted to see the old man she got stuck with."

York only reached over to pat her on the head, not even glancing at his youngest child as he stared at his wife. "Are you still unwell? You look pale. Come sit."

"It is good to see you, Susannah," Gregor greeted then while she only nodded at him. Then, as if in shock, she stopped walking over to the table for a moment when she noticed that he wasn't the only Overlander in the room.

"I did not know that your family would be here. Silly me. Of course they would be, but I only…" Susannah sighed then before nodding at Grace. "You are looking well. Of course, I remember you most from when you had the plague, so I suppose… I am sorry, my mind is elsewhere, should it seem like I am rambling."

"Sit." York had her sit in his chair from before, quickly pushing his mug of ale out of the way before moving his discarded plate of food in front of her. "Do you hunger?"

"York, enough." She pushed his hands away then. "Honestly."

Making a face, he took to standing behind her chair, resting his hands on her shoulders. He was clearly thrown off by her showing up.

"Where is Stellovet?" Susannah asked then, looking more to Luxa than anyone else. "Did things go well with her and Lycos?"

"Apparently," Hero remarked as Gregor made a face. "No one has seen her since."

"Perhaps it is her wedding present to us," Gregor mumbled softly to Luxa who only took a sip from her water glass. She could not think of a better one.

Hazard though was still glaring at Luxa. "Are you going to apologize now? Or is Susannah going to have to make you?"

"No one can make me do anything, Hazard."

Susannah sighed at the sound of them. "Tell me you two are not fighting. Hazard, your cousin is getting married tomorrow. Perhaps you can just…stop whatever it is that is bothering her? Please? Children, I have a headache, alright? No fighting."

York only glared over at Hazard then. "You heard Susannah. No more whores."

"Y-York!" Susannah looked up at him in shock. "Do not speak in such a way around the children. Are you-"

"Drunk," Luxa sighed then. If Susannah wanted to think they were all perfect and pure, let her. She had gone that long with the façade, why ruin it? "York is drunk as always."

He only kissed Susannah's head. "Sorry, dear."

"Go to bed, York, if you are going to be inappropriate. I will join you later."

"If it's what you want." He kissed her head again, squeezing her shoulders before taking a step back. Then he nodded at Gregor. "Come see me, boy, before you go to bed tonight. I wish to speak with you. I shall be in my usual room, alright?"

"Okay," Gregor said slowly while Luxa only rolled her eyes. There was only one thing York could possibly want, after all.

"'ork!" Zander bounced slightly in Grace's lap as the man passed. Then he held out his hand. "'ork!"

Luxa finally smiled then as Hero laughed slightly. Gregor only frowned.

"Seriously? He can say York now?" Gregor was slightly annoyed. Tummy. Luxa. York. The heck did Zander get off not learning his own father's name then?

"'ork!" Zander sounded annoyed then still holding out his hand. He clearly wanted something. It only took York a second to realize.

"I do not have anymore treats, child." He patted the boy on the head. "Perhaps I shall find some on the morrow, ah?"

"Zander." Luxa was quick to get to her feet and take the boy from Grace, who did not seem to wish to give him up. Still, Zander knew who his mother was and took to Luxa right away. Luxa immediately took to kissing the toddler, who was overjoyed by that. "When did you get such a big vocabulary, Zander?"

"'ork! 'ork!" He snuggled into her neck. He knew that new words meant a lot of love. "'ork."

"Why are we assuming he is saying York?" Boots frowned. "It sounds like pork."

Hazard only glared at Luxa, who was still snuggling Zander. It had never occurred to Gregor before that Hazard might be jealous of the way that Luxa was with Zander. It was how she had treated him forever, but eventually, when he began to disappoint her with his inability to always do what she wanted, she had begun to treat Hazard much how she always did everyone else. It was actually sad, really, to think about it like that. And sadder even to realize that one day, Zander would be the same way. No one could please Luxa and when she realized that you couldn't, she resented you for it.

"It does not matter what he is saying," Luxa told her as she took Zander with her back over to her seat. "It just matters that he is saying something."

Susannah smiled slightly at the sight, but still seemed distracted. Gregor figured it was bothering her, what the next day would bring. She was, for all intents and purposes, in charge of Luxa. Vikus, Solovet, Judith, and Lennox were all gone, after all. It was only her. She probably was nervous and worried and slightly excited all at once. He felt bad for her in the way he felt bad for everyone in the entire situation.

"Where is Kent?" Susannah finally asked. "Hero? I thought that the two of you would be all over each other. You missed him so much."

"Mother," she complained. "Besides, he is with Perdita. He is her assistant, remember? For as long as she needs him…or welcomes his feelings, anyhow."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." Gregor sent Hero a look. "She meant nothing."

"Where has Nerissa been then?" Grace asked suddenly. It was a very random question, as she rarely had any contact with the woman. It must have just occurred to her that she was noticeably absent. "Gregor? Is she unwell?"

That made Susanna look up as well, almost in a guilty manner, as if it were her fault that she had not noticed.

"She is fine," Luxa said slowly. "Other than filling the Overlander's mind with fanciful thoughts, she goes on much as usual. Oblivious to all and only concerned with the prophecies."

"Lucky girl," Susannah remarked with a shake of her head.

"Tunny?" Zander had turned his attention to Luxa's mostly untouched food and was clearly asking permission to have some of it. Luxa just kissed him though, not really listening as he spoke. "Tunny? 'ork?"

Hazard was still frowning and suddenly stood from the table. "Come, Boots. Let's go find something to do."

"I'll come too." Lizzie was quick to get to her feet as well. "Unless…you don't need me for anything, do you, Gregor?"

He shook his head slightly. What would he ever need her for anyways?

"No, nothing I can think of."

Hero was staring at Luxa then, clearly wanting out of her duties as their nanny already. And so soon.

"Go, Hero," Luxa sighed causing Susannah to frown.

"Why would you wait for Luxa to tell you-"

"I'll bathe Zander tonight." Gregor got to his feet then, reaching to take the toddler from his soon to be wife. She wouldn't hand him over though.

"Do not try to placate now. Go away." She held Zander to her. "I've tired of you."

Grace raised her eyebrows at Gregor, but he only shook his head as he headed out of the room, the sounds of Hazard, Boots, Lizzie, and Hero carrying down the hall as they went off in search of Kent. At least they were having fun because Gregor was having a horrible time.

"For someone that is about to be married, you look about how I would expect."

"Thanks, Matthias."

He only grinned at his friend as he sat at the table, staring at his ale. He had been in the mess hall, trying to pick up a woman, but once again, he was passed over. Soldiers were far more interesting to the younger women than guards. "I am scheduled to be on guard, during your coronation."

"It's weird, ain't it? You're about to be, you know, one of my employees."

"I don't see it as too weird," Matthias said as Gregor sat down across from him. "Long as you're not evil towards me."

"If you want…maybe I can see about you, you know, becoming the head of the royal guard."

"You think you can do that?" He lifted his head then. "Really?"

"Matthias, I'm going to be King. I think I can do whatever the hell I want."

"I would be…I would be…"

"Everyone will hate you for it, if you go by my experience." Gregor shook his head. "You on guard during the reception too?"

"No."

"Then you should come."

"I do not think I am-"

"I'm inviting you, okay?" Gregor reached over to pat him on the shoulder. "Besides, what's a party without the head of the royal guard?"

"You are far too kind to me, Gregor."

"King Gregor."

He stammered then. "S-Sorry. I only-"

"It's a joke. Calm down." Gregor shook his head. "I do not think I will even like being called it by people that don't know me. Being called it by you would only be, you know, weird."

"Do you think Luxa will be fine with me at the reception though? I-"

"At the moment, Luxa doesn't even want me there. She'll probably be so annoyed at me that you won't even be on her radar." Gregor gave him a wry grin. "Believe me."

---

"York? Are you still-"

"Come in, Overlander."

The room that York and Susannah took was always the same. Gregor figured it had probably been hers or something, when she still lived in Regalia. It was nice enough, even had a small couch and table in it. The only times he saw it really was when he had to help York back to his room after a night of heavy drinking.

Susannah was in there with York when Gregor walked into the room, only a few torches lighting the chamber. They were seated on the couch, Susannah trying to get out of York's lap upon Gregor's entrance, obviously embarrassed. They didn't seem as if they had been doing anything really, though, else York wouldn't have called out for Gregor to come in.

"Did not think you'd call so late," York told Gregor as Susannah shifted on the couch. Her husband only wrapped an arm back around her, keeping her still. "Thought you grew fearful of the thought of speaking with me and weren't going to show."

"Was in the mess hall."

"Ah. Like you're married already."

"York-" Susannah began, but he only squeezed her shoulder, silencing her. As loving as York was towards Susannah, he was also in control of her in most instances. The only time he wasn't was when he let her take the reigns and even then, he'd take them back at any time. That was one thing Gregor knew would never happen in his own relationship.

"Susannah is still ill," York sighed as he stood. "She must rest. Come. We shall take a walk, yes, instead of speak in here?"

"If that is what you'd like."

"It is." York looked down at his wife then. "I will be back soon. I promise not to go to the mess hall. Lay down if you'd like. Is there anything you need for me to get you?"

"No."

"Good." He patted her on the head then, almost in a demeaning way. Susannah took well to it though. "I will not be gone long, but in case you fall asleep before I return, just know I am glad you came early. I am most horrible to deal with when you are not around. Or so I am told."

"I would not know. I only see you when I am with you."

"Ha ha. You are witty, my love. So very witty." He looked at Gregor then. "The sooner we go, the sooner we can get back to our women, yes?"

Gregor nodded then before turning to walk away. Not before saying goodnight to Susannah, who wished him a happy wedding day the next morning.

"What did you want to talk about, York?" Gregor asked once they were out in the hall. The older man just headed off one way, not saying anything for a few minutes. Gregor just followed along, slightly glad that York had nothing to say. It was a rare occurrence, after all.

"When Judith became pregnant with Luxa, it was a very big deal for all. Lennox thought that he would never have a true heir and had long given up hope. Judith though tried many measures to…to get pregnant. Many outlawed measures."

"Like what?"

"Many old spells and curses. Drank this potion, drank that potion. All silliness, really." York glanced at him, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword as he glanced around. Then, in a lower voice, he said, "Susannah once told me that Judith let it slip that she experimented in…blood magic."

"Like sacrifices?"

York shrugged. "I doubt it. More than likely self-mutilation."

That would explain a lot about Luxa, if she was conceived through…blood play.

"You must understand that Judith was quite like her mother," York went on then, quickly getting off the subject. "Solovet was obsessed with what she could not have; killing the gnawers. Judith was the same. She wanted a child.

"And if you think that Luxa is bad, pregnant, then you should have seen Judith. I was in the Fount for most of the pregnancy, but I heard the tales. Hamnet got the brunt of the abuse. He and his twin were always rivals."

"Makes sense. Hamnet was the favorite."

Nodding, York said, "What you do not get about Judith is that she wanted a male child more than anything. She thought that she would have nothing but. And of course she wanted her son to rival Howard."

"Of course."

"He was already about four or five then. Stellovet was still rather young as well." He paused. "I don't do well with ages, you know."

"I know."

"Forget my own if Susannah didn't remind me of it." Then he sighed. "Anyhow, when Judith gave birth, she was of course disappointed."

"Of course."

"Many wish for a certain child, but Judith really thought…and then with how quickly Susannah could get pregnant or her sister-in-law… She knew she would never have another and it devastated her that she did not get what she wanted."

They were silent for a minute then as they walked the halls, York seeming rather conflicted then.

"She did not…care for Luxa in the way a mother should. She could not. It was expected for her to have nannies, of course, being of royalty, but she did not even seem to…"

"Postpartum depression."

"Wh-What?"

"It is what she probably had," Gregor told him then, almost softly. "It is when a mother…after birth feels…badly, I guess. I mean, I'm not an expert, but that's probably what was wrong with her."

"Perhaps," York said slowly. "My only reason for bringing this up is that, after Luxa was born, someone needed to care for her. And Solovet could not. Lennox tried to, but he is a man, of course. And men are not meant to care for children."

"Of course not."

"And he was the King. He had many things he had to attend to. His brother's wife though, she also tried to care for Luxa, but she had her own children. That boy and Nerissa."

"Henry."

"Aye. And Nerissa was so…needy. She never was well, really. She…saw things as a child."

"I figured."

"So Susannah went. I did not want her to. We are rarely separated, less I am away at battle, so it bothered me for her to be gone. She had to take the girl too, Stellovet. She was so little. And I kept Howard. I did not…like it."

"I imagine not."

"So I visited frequently. And Susannah and I would take care of Luxa. Vikus was around too." York sighed. "We took care of her as our own though, with Howard and Stellovet. I think Susannah spent more time in the capital than in the Fount.

"Then, things with the gnawers went south once more and Judith was stressed even more. She and Susannah were never close, but one day, when they were fighting, Susannah told her that for someone that wished to have children, she had to be the worst mother in the world."

York laughed then, but it was without humor.

"And we were banished for the capital the next day. Judith wanted to take the Fount from us, send us into real banishment, but of course Lennox and Solovet kept that from happening. And Susannah cried and cried. She always cries, my fragile wife. I did not see Luxa again until…until Hamnet broke the dyke and went crazy."

"York-"

"She loved Hamnet, my wife did. And when Hamnet went crazy, she went to his side immediately. His bond was gone, he killed most everyone there, and he felt as if we all scorned him. Even Judith tried to make peace with him, tried to tell him it was not his fault. Nothing worked."

"York, what are you trying to tell me?"

"At the beginning? That I loved my niece and would kill you if you hurt her. Now? Now I am lost in my thoughts."

Gregor sighed. "Have you ever thought, York, that maybe if you retold these tales that more would listen than when you just ramble on about war and death?"

He only patted Gregor on the shoulder. "When you get to be my age, whatever that is, you learn that change is not advisable. You are young. You can change. I am an old man now. Long outstayed my welcome. A change now would only led me down a bad path."

Gregor swallowed then. "York? You say that you fought in battles? Even as the governor?"

"Oh, yes. You know this."

"So you left Susannah then? When she was pregnant? To go and fight?"

He paused at that. "Perhaps. I do not remember. I know I was there the entire time with the twins. That was a hard pregnancy."

"I'd bet."

"I remember that time very well. It was very scary. I almost lost my twins and my wife."

"…But you would have left her? If there was a war going on?"

"Now it is my turn to ask what you are trying to get me to say, Gregor." York glanced at him. "I cannot tell you to leave Luxa. I cannot tell you to stay with Luxa. I can tell you that I would rather you go, but that is the selfishness in me that wishes for you to kill Henry or the Reclaimer or whatever other threat there is."

"Then you think I should-"

"I think you are about to face a lot of things, all at once. A child, a wife, and a kingdom. I think it is easy to throw yourself into battle and forget your troubles, but it does not make you right or wrong."

"Luxa's pretty angry that I might go."

"Luxa will always be angry."

"She's scared."

"Luxa will always be scared." York shook his head slightly. "Susannah cries, Gregor, when I am angry at her. If I even show that I am slightly annoyed with her. So I tried for a long time not to get annoyed with her, as to keep her from doing so. But it was no good. She would still cry. Because Howard was crying or because I did not come to bed on time. Because Stellovet skinned a knee or the twins were fussy. She is just a crier. And Luxa is a worrier. If you stay, she will worry that you are bored with her or resent her. If you go, she will fear your death or you deciding just not to come back."

"…I am confused. Now you are telling me that no matter what I do, she shall be upset, so just do it anyways. Right?"

"I am telling you, Overlander, that I am a drunk that does not even truly know how to please his own wife. I only do what I want and then figure from there how to make it up to her. And even then, it is only when I realize that I have wronged her. Many times I do not until she is crying in our bed and refusing to even look at me."

"I'm lost again."

"I do not know how to keep Luxa happy, Gregor. I do not think it is possible, if her mother and grandmother are any indicator," York told him then. "Solovet thrived off the idea of killing the gnawers. All Judith wished for was a child. What does Luxa want that she cannot have? Once you know that, get it for her, if possible. Maybe that will work. Maybe it won't."

Then York sighed and looked off.

"I think I have failed, Gregor, in scaring you," he admitted.

"Was that the point of this?"

"Most certainly. I thought that I would strike fear in your heart so that you never wronged Luxa. But now I am only more confused myself and wish to go have my wife look after me." Then he paused. "Err, look after my wife. She is sick, after all."

"After all."

"She needs me." That made York happy again and made him laugh slightly, his normal, deep bellied one. "I love her, you know."

"I know."

When Gregor got to the royal wing that night, it was rather late. He wasn't completely sober, but then he figured it was the night before his wedding. He wasn't supposed to be sober.

Luxa was in bed, but Zander wasn't there with her. She was waiting for him that time though, Gregor could tell. Waiting to tell him to go away.

"It is our last night that we can spend apart. Leave me."

"I don't wanna spend any nights apart," was his response as he walked into the room. "Ever."

"Yet you plan to leave me."

He ignored that as he went to her bedside. It was only when she sat up that he smiled before going to get into his side.

"You reek of ale. Who were you with this time?"

"Myself," he admitted with a sigh. "Sorry."

"It is not the worst thing a man does before his wedding." Luxa crossed her legs then, turning to face him. Gregor quickly mimicked her position, staring into her eyes in the darkness.

Holding up her hand, Luxa waited for Gregor to follow that movement too, him quickly placing his open palm against hers. It only took her a second to speak.

"Separate our journeys end,

But together they carry on.

Our blood and bodies slowly blend,

Till the others light is gone.

Forever our lives are entwined,

Together we face life and death.

No matter words be evil or kind,

To you belongs my final breath.

The days continue now for me through you,

And for you the same.

Though happiness and love must not be true,

Only through you shall my light have flame.

And so our fires begin to align,

Gregor the Overlander, I am yours and you are mine."

He started at her for a moment before slowly beginning to repeat the first line…then he completely forgot the rest.

"Gregor-"

"It is a lot to remember, okay? In the Overland, they just tell you the vows and then you agree to them. Sickness, death, matrimony, all that good stuff, yeah?"

She only narrowed her eyes. "If you cared about me at all, you would memorize it."

"Luxa-"

"I suppose you have something to go back to your room and learn now, do you not?"

He only made a face. "Are you still mad about before? When Barrett said that he heard the gnawers mention Henry? Because that was totally not my fault."

She removed her hand from his then with frown. "It is your fault, Gregor."

"How? I didn't know he was going to say any of that. I-"

"You are the one that put the idea into his head, before, in the war room. Then he went and got a concussion and now believes it to be fact. He-"

"If you cared about me at all, you wouldn't be talking about him the day before our wedding."

She only gave him a look. "You brought it up. Not me."

"Yeah, but-"

"You tell me that you do not have to change? Fine then, Gregor. Why should I have to? You have know for a long time that I…that Barrett and I…that I care for him. If you get to go run off and get yourself killed, then I at least get to spend time with him."

He did not like that comparison. At all.

"You really want to start our marriage off like this?"

She only held her head up higher. "All I need is for it to last a day, to insure my child is not considered a bastard. Other than that, you are useless."

He stared so hard at her then that eventually she had to turn her gaze back to his. And then, when he did and their eyes locked, he smiled at her.

"You know I'd kill myself for you."

"Gregor-"

"And yet you always want more. You want me to do more. You want me to stay, then you want me to go. You don't know what you want, do you, Luxa?"

"I want you to leave right now, if that is-"

"Right. You want me to leave right now. In an hour, you will wish I was here to rub your stomach and tell you that tomorrow will be perfect."

"You-"

"I love you, alright? And…I want to go. But if you are going to bar me from going, then just come out and say it."

"Why? So that you can hate me? Blame me?"

Groaning, he fell over then, his head landing against a pillow "You kill me, you know that?"

"Is this how it is going to be, Gregor? Are you always going to want to leave?"

"Yeah, Lux. I am."

She slowly fell to her side next to him, a hand immediately moving to lay over her stomach. They just watched one another for a moment.

"I am not in love with Barrett."

He smiled at that. "I know. If I thought you really were, then I wouldn't be here right now."

"Then what do you think-"

"I think that you like playing with fire. I think that you like to make me jealous. And I think that you think that it's a game, but I know you too well, Luxa. You can take games too far. And if you ever took something too far with him, I'd-"

"And you like to leave me and ignore me and then throw my decisions back in my face."

He didn't smile that time. "When you are wrong, you are wrong. I cannot help it."

"Gregor-"

"Do you really want to marry me, Luxa?"

She stared at him for a moment before nodding her head. "Yes. I do not know why, but I do."

"You told me once that you did not want a king. That you hated the idea of sharing your power."

"I do. Very much so. But I hate the idea of my child being overlooked even more." She bit her lip then before slowly saying, "I love our child, Gregor."

"I know." Reaching over, he laid a hand on her stomach as well. "It's okay to say that, you know. I love the baby too. I just don't want to ruin this, you know?"

"Our relationship?" When he nodded, she snorted. "How could it get any worse?"

"Well," he began slowly. "We could hate each other for real eventually. When we say it, we could mean it."

"That would never happen."

"No?"

She scooted closer then, resting her head against his chest. "No."

Resting his head over hers, he let out a slow breath. No. It couldn't.

Could it?