Hi! So this is the first chapter of a story I will be posting for every day this month! While it is technically possible to read this without having read the other stories in my 'The King's Daughters' series(The Kings Daughters; Abby's Wedding; and DiNozzo vs Investigatii), I highly recommend that you read those first. I hope this turns out well, and I want to say thank you to everyone who gave an opinion for what fandom I write for! As of now, I am finishing chapter five, and should have chapter six done today as well! Let me know if there is anything in particular you want to see added in this story!
-owl
Ziva watched the snow falling outside of the carriage, reflecting the light of the full moon. She and Tony had been in Investigatii to sign a treaty officially ending the war between the two countries. While it had been nearly six months since the siege that ended the war, they had only recently gotten to an agreement about what they wanted in the treaty.
King Fornell had been pushing for DiNozzo to pay back money that Investigatii had been owed for nearly twenty years. Tony, meanwhile, was not too keen on that, especially because it was the fault of his father. And, why, honestly, would Tony be keen on paying for a debt that his father had racked up and told no one about.
In a counter argument, Tony offered that the debt be forgiven, on the grounds that DiNozzo would not ask for reparations. Afterall, most of the fighting had occurred in DiNozzo, leaving the forests empty of game and and fields empty of grain.
After nearly a week of discussion, the two countries had drafted a treaty that neither had objections towards. Other than the clause of forgiving the debt in exchange for no reparations, things such as clear trade agreements and a single border being changed were included.
Then the treaty had to be signed. Both Tony and Ziva signed for DiNozzo, as there was a clause written into the document that each country had to have two signatures. Fornell had been the first signee for Investigatii, and his daughter, Princess Emily, was the second.
Now they were twelve days and nights into the journey home, expecting to arrive at their castle by morning. There had not been any complications while on the road, and they were nearly two days ahead of schedule.
"Are you looking forward to returning home?" Tony asked, taking Ziva's hand in his. "We've been gone for nearly a month and a half."
Ziva nodded. "Yes. I do hope that Abby and Timothy have been able to deal with any large issues that might have come up while we were away."
Tony shrugged. "I'm sure they've been fine, there's a reason that we chose them to be regent when we're away. Abby was getting lessons on how to be queen until she was fifteen and Timothy is pretty good with keeping a cool head when things get heated."
"I know," Ziva said. "But I worry. Abby never really wanted to be queen, and I do not want to overburden her."
"Again, they'll be fine. Besides, Abby has probably spent the entire time we've been gone decorating the castle for Christmas."
Ziva laughed. "I will bet you a week of no archery practice if she has not managed to refrain from decorating the castle."
Tony thought about it for a few seconds. "I'll take that bet. I see a week of no archery in your future."
"Have we gotten any response from Operacje? I am beginning to think that they might not have gotten their invitation."
"I'm sure their response is on its way, Zi, calm down."
"I am looking forward to seeing Duchess Kensi again," Ziva commented. "Maybe we will have time to spar again, we need to break that tie, afterall."
Tony shook his head in amusement. "If that'll make you happy, Zi."
"It will," Ziva declared happily, leaning against Tony's shoulder and letting herself fall asleep to the rocking of the carriage.
When she woke up, it was to a shaft of sunlight piercing through the curtains. As she became more aware of her surroundings, she noticed that Tony was asleep too, his head on top of hers, snoring.
Peering out between the curtains, she saw the castle and capital city ahead of them. The sun was rising behind the east tower, waking the early risers. Ziva could imagine that the bakers were starting bread, and the guards at the castle were switching with the morning shift.
"Tony," she said, gently shaking him awake. "Tony, we are home, wake up."
His snoring broke off with a snort, and Tony stretched as he opened his eyes. "Morning, Ziva, did I hear that we're home?"
Ziva nodded. "I can see the castle from here."
There was a sudden clatter of loud hoof steps on the rocky road. Ziva pulled the curtain aside to see Timothy on horseback, two additional horses with him. Tony's bay mare and Ziva's black stallion were saddled up and ready to be ridden.
The carriage stopped and Ziva led Tony out of it. "What is going on, Timothy?" she asked, accepting the reins from him and mounting her horse.
"There was an incident in the lower town this morning, big enough that Abby and I agreed that we needed to wait for you guys to pass judgment," he answered as he handed Tony the reins for his own horse. "Sooner would be better than later, hence why I decided to ride out to meet up with you guys when the sentry alerted us that you were close."
Ziva nodded and once Tony was on his horse, they took off at a gallop, calling behind instructions for the carriage driver to continue along the way to the castle, it would only take him an hour anyway.
Half an hour later Tony, Ziva, and Timothy entered the castle courtyard, their horses panting as they slowed to a stop. After dismounting, they all handed their horses to stable boys and quickly entered the palace.
Abby was waiting for them in the throne room, where Tony and Ziva normally saw petitioners and was pacing in front of the thrones, wringing her hands together. She looked up when she heard the big doors close.
"What's going on here?" Tony asked, everyone in the room snapping to attention at the sound of his voice.
Timothy looked confused. "Abby? Where'd the bandit go?"
Abby looked at the group. "Only a few minutes after you had left, he made a run for it. He had gotten too far away from the guards by the time that anyone could react."
"It is ok, Abby. We will catch him again," Ziva comforted her distraught sister.
