And they are on their way home! Can you guys believe that it is almost 2024?!I hope you enjoy this one!

-owl

Ziva woke up, on the day she and Tony were going to return to the castle, sans the dog on the bed. Tony was snoring next to her, and she stretched, taking up as much space as possible, pushing him off the bed.

There was a loud thump then when Ziva opened her eyes, she saw him sitting up on the floor, yawning.

"Was that really necessary?" he asked.

Ziva shrugged. "It is only fair, yesterday you woke me up with Abby's dog, today I woke you up by pushing you out of the bed."

Tony shook his head, but said nothing as he got up and began to dress for the journey home. He wore plain, unembellished trousers, and a simple shirt under one of his thicker coats. He tied his boots on and grabbed his gloves. Then he turned to Ziva, who wasn't getting ready herself, but watching him.

"Good view?" he teased.

She blushed before getting dressed herself. She also wore her trousers and a shirt. Her cloak was tied around her neck, and she was glad when she put her cold feet in her furred boots. Then she tossed the last of her personal items into the trunk.

"Did Abby want us to join her and Timothy for breakfast? Or are we eating on the road?" Tony asked as he closed the lid of the trunk.

"Abby begged me to let us stay for breakfast, so we are supposed to meet up with her and Timothy in the dining hall before we leave."

Tony nodded and offered his arm to Ziva. "I believe we are ready to go, aren't we?"

She nodded and looped his arm with hers as they left the room. They walked the entire way down to the dining hall that way, arm in arm. Servants in the halls bowed and curtsied as they passed, one of them asking if their trunk could be brought down to their carriage.

When the pair entered the dining room, they found Abby and Timothy sitting next to one another, whispering in their ears. On the table in front of them was a nice spread of toast, eggs, hash browns, and sausage.

"Good morning, Abby," Ziva said, gaining the attention of her sister and her husband.

Abby grinned and gestured for Tony and Ziva to take the other two seats at the table. "Morning, Ziva!"

Breakfast lasted longer than Ziva had been hoping for, and once they managed to get out of the meal, they pretty much had to get in the carriage and leave. The servant who had asked them earlier, had indeed brought their trunk down to the carriage, and it was loaded properly.

Ziva and Tony got into the carriage, pulling the furs that someone had warmed for them over their laps. As the coachman snapped the reins and the horses began to trot, Ziva heard Abby calling after them.

"Safe travels!"

As they passed through the town, Ziva looked over to Tony. "Do you think that Sir Torres is doing alright as regent? He would have had to see petitioners yesterday."

Tony shrugged. "I'm sure he did fine. He isn't incompetent."

"Right, but he seemed a little stressed when I told him about that aspect of him being regent. Afterall, it is the first time he has done it, normally we have Timothy and Abby."

"But he isn't alone in it, he has Lady Elenore to discuss with. He also should know that if he isn't sure about the judgment he would give them that he can put them off until we return."

"I suppose you are right," Ziva sighed, settling into the seat she was sitting in and pulling out her book.

As the shadows lengthened Ziva had to smile with relief, they were in a town, and would be able to stay at an inn for the night. The coachman let them out in front of the inn, driving the carriage behind to the stable to unharness the horses.

"I will stay in the carriage with the horses, your Majesties," the coachman said when they were out and the door was shut.

They walked into the tavern beneath the inn, and it was so busy that it was loud enough that no one noticed them come in. Tony led the way to the bar where a man was standing, wiping down a glass.

"Can we get a room, please?" Tony asked.

The barkeep nodded. "Three silver pieces and one copper."

Tony nodded back and handed over the required money. As he did so a young boy appeared from the back room, holding a key.

"I can show you to your room, Lord and Lady," he said, not knowing what titles to use, though clearly knowing he should be using some sort.

Ziva and Tony followed the boy up the stairs and were shown to a room with a double bed and a small dresser. A single window looked out onto the stables where they could see the coachman finishing unharnessing the horses and getting them into the stables, before getting into the carriage and pulling the curtains. Presumably, he was going to sleep on the bench seats.

They said thank you as the boy handed them the key before returning downstairs. Then they closed and locked the door, ready to settle in for the night.

"We made good time today," Tony said, combing through his hair with his fingers. "If tomorrow is as good as today was, we should be home by noon, if not a little sooner."

Ziva smiled, getting under the blankets on the bed. "That will be good. I do not much like traveling in the carriage."

Tony chuckled as he also got into bed. "Only you, Ziva, only you. Most people prefer traveling in a carriage rather than by horseback."

She shrugged. "I like the feeling of wind in my face, rather than the stuffiness of a carriage."

"Goodnight, Ziva," Tony said, blowing out the candle, plunging the room into darkness.

All he got in response was a snore.