A/N: I am taking a small break in June but I expect my updates to remain fairly regular otherwise.
It has officially surpassed 200K in my drafts! It continues to be my longest fanfic ever... but Peverell's Progeny may surpass it eventually since it has more storyline left than this one.

The next two chapters are already written so you can expect these on time :) Happy Wednesday!


Ginny waited by the entrance excitedly for her brothers to arrive. Seamus stood beside her. Harry was in their office, helping the staff make the last finishing touches to their joint office.

"That's them, right?" she asked.

Seamus nodded. "Good eye."

She already stepped outside before the two carriages even came to a halt. Ron exited behind her.

Bill stepped out first, followed by Fleur and Charlie, who looked incredibly relieved to escape the carriage. In the other carriage Fred, George, and Percy stepped out.

She greeted all of them, forcing them into hugs. Fred bumped her fist, and she pushed back, like old times. She chuckled.

"Come on in!" Ginny said, leading them inside.

Bill looked at the castle. "Last time I arrived at this castle we didn't have Harpia yet."

Ginny squeezed his hand. When they walked inside Hermione, Harry, and Luna were waiting to greet them too. They all walked to a sitting room and relaxed on the couches.

Bill took a scroll out and handed it to Ginny. She eagerly opened it and wasn't too surprised to find the wedding invite for Bill and Fleur's wedding. Then her jaw dropped, to find Ron and Hermione's right below theirs, scheduled the week after Bill's.

"You hid this from me?" Ginny let out.

Ron took Hermione's hand in his. "You were busy planning a coronation. It feels right to marry in Harpia."

"Wow," Ginny muttered, looking back at the scroll. "That will be an exciting two weeks at the start of summer."

"We figured we shouldn't put it too late so you can still travel," Bill added.

Harry chuckled. "It's okay, she would give birth in a field if she had to."

"Neville said that would be too much paperwork, so let's not," Ginny added. She rolled up the scroll again. "Well, congrats to all of you. This is very exciting!"

Fleur looked over at Bill with a wide smile. "It is so exciting to finally be able to do this."

"I agree," Ginny said.

Neville walked in and greeted the group. "I hope the way here wasn't too bad?"

"Better than last time," Bill commented with a chuckle.

Neville turned to them. "King and Queen, I need you to go over the last things."

"Great, that gives us time to get settled in the meantime," Bill said. He squeezed Fleur's hand. "I'll show you around the castle."

Fred and George shared an amused look, and Ginny shook her head.

Bill frowned. "What?"

"We found the King showing the Queen around the castle sometime after their proposal," George said. "You can't fool us."

"George!" Ginny warned with a shake of her head. "That was a secret."

George grinned at her. "I'm so sorry."

She got up with Harry and followed Neville out. They stopped by the office first, and it was completely finished. Ginny watched as Harry came up behind her and tucked his hands against her belly.

"Good, huh?" Harry asked.

She nodded. "Love it."

He kissed her cheek. "The left desk is yours, go and try it out."

She walked forward and sat down behind the desk. She pulled open the drawers and adjusted the placement of the inkwell. "Good."

He sat down at his desk, and she beamed at him.

"Look at those two happy faces," Neville pointed out. "While you are seated, let me run you through the documents that need to be signed after the coronation—nothing too complicated."

Ginny held her hand up. She looked at Harry and spoke out loud for Neville's sake. "Should we tell him?"

Neville looked alarmed as he walked forward. "Tell me what?"

Harry nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

Ginny turned back to Neville. "We have discussed and we want to give you a considerable raise. You had to jump in last minute and you took on this job so quickly. You've had to deal with a wedding and now a coronation, our land has doubled… you do your job really well." She smiled softly. "And we're really fond of you not trying to kill us, so we think you deserve to be appropriately compensated."

Neville shrugged. "There won't be a coronation or wedding every year… I was happy to help, after all you've been through," he told Ginny. "I enjoy this job."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "And I really appreciate it, and you should take the raise."

He looked between the two of them. "Thank you, that means a lot."

"Great," Harry commented. "Then that's settled. Tell us where we need to sign. I only vaguely remember."

Neville nodded and walked up with the papers.


Harry followed Ginny upstairs shortly after dinner. Her brothers were tired from travelling and returned to their rooms too. Only Bill and Fleur would go out for a walk in the garden, which everyone wisely decided not to question.

Ginny slumped against Harry on the couch and sighed deeply.

"Maybe you should slow down a little, hm?" Harry gently suggested.

She shook her head. "I need to focus, this is about the future of our country." She looked up at him.

He massaged her forehead. "I think you can work on the future of our country lying down." He caressed her belly.

Her eyes bore into his. She shook her head and looked down. "He's sucking up so much energy. I think the fact that I'm tethered to you helps me to keep going." She glanced back up. "Do you feel it?"

He shrugged. "Somewhat. I get more tired too." He leaned down and kissed her temple. "And I can definitely tell how tired you are."

"This is all Gorphine's fault," Ginny mumbled.

Harry chuckled lightly and watched as Ginny sat up and turned to him. He moved so she could tuck against him. She rested her chin on his shoulder, her head leaning against his. She let out a sigh of relief as it soothed them through the bond.

"I'm so excited to have you as reigning Queen by my side," Harry told her.

She pressed a kiss against his neck. "I'm excited too, and I am glad I have someone with me to show me how it's done."

His hands shifted down her waist. "We'll make a good team, I'm sure."


Harry and Ginny stepped out of the carriage to loud cheers. This time her brothers went into the temple first. Bill first as King of Harpia, and then all her brothers behind in order.

Ginny took Harry's hand and together they walked down the aisle. Her brothers parted to let them through. Harry and Ginny bowed to Tassia and then her brothers bowed to her. They took their seats in the front row of the temple.

Harry softly squeezed her hand and then let go. Tassia smiled at them and then faced the crowd.

"We are gathered today to unite two countries and to crown the King and Queen as rulers of this united land. We thank the Gods for their generosity in gifting these lands." She touched the stag symbol of Xydite on the altar behind her. "Xydite gifted the Ignotian land to the ancestors of King Henry, who have all vowed to honour Xydite's gift and rule over the land."

" Don't forget to breathe ," Harry told Ginny.

She took in a deep breath. " You too. "

Tassia turned around and touched the water symbol of Gorphine before turning back around. "Gorphine has gifted new land to Queen Ginevra to rule and care for. Today we are uniting these two lands and it shall be known as Henrosia and will be co-ruled by their respective rightful rulers in honour of Xydite and Gorphine and reflect their marital bond.

"King Henry James Fleamont Evan of Ignotia and Queen Consort Ginevra Molly Cedrella Prewette of Ignotia, Princess of Harpia and Knight, do you accept your duty to honour the request of both Xydite and Gorphine, do you vow to rule the people fairly and take care of all the nature and all the creatures that reside here? To be a sanctuary, and to honour the power of the water and the rivers it runs through?"

"I do," Harry and Ginny said in unison.

Tassia nodded. "Do you vow to rule together in every capacity with equal power?"

"I do," they repeated.

"Do you accept the title of King and Queen of Henrosia?" Tassia asked.

"I do."

Tassia looked over to the side and Luna walked up, similarly dressed to Tassia. She was holding two crowns on a pillow. She placed them on the altar.

"We ask the blessings of all the gods, in particular of Gydus, Xydite, and Gorphine," Tassia continued.

Tassia and Luna took up a crown each. Harry and Ginny knelt down. Tassia stood in front of Harry and raised the crown, and Luna did the same in front of Ginny.

"In front of all the gods," Tassia said. "I crown you King Regnant Henry James Fleamont Evan and Queen Regnant Ginevra Molly Cedrella Prewette of Henrosia."

Simultaneously, Tassia and Luna put the crowns on top of their heads.

"You may rise," Tassia said.

When they stood back up, Tassia and Luna bowed to them. They turned to each other and bowed again and then turned to face all the people in the temple.

Every person stood up and applauded and chanted 'Long Live the King and Queen!' as they walked out of the temple hand in hand.

Seamus and Ernest stood between the door and the carriage and bowed to them. As soon as they sat down in the carriage, they took their spots at the front and end of the carriage, with other guards taking their places too.

Behind them, Bill and Fleur, and Ron and Hermione shared a carriage together, with the remainder of her brothers following behind on horseback.

She had to resist not looking back constantly to make sure all was well but they both had a sword on display, and she had two more daggers ready, so she felt quite prepared.

Ginny turned to Harry and he kissed her. The crowd cheered loudly and she smiled at him.


Upon arrival back at the castle, they had a moment of peace while the remainder of the guests arrived back from the temple and gathered in the ballroom.

Harry gazed at Ginny as she caressed her bump for a moment and he felt the kicks.

" Okay ?" he asked her.

She nodded softly. " I think he wants to participate ." Her eyes lit up as she locked her gaze with him.

Harry smiled at her. The door opened and Neville walked in, together with a servant who brought in a bowl of pudding and handed it to Ginny.

She looked at it in amusement and then took up the spoon. "Don't think I don't know you thought of this," she commented to Harry.

"I think it's a nice tradition, of new beginnings and all that," he told her gently.

Neville cleared his throat. "Just a few minutes more and then we'll be ready."

There was a knock on the door, immediately followed by the door swinging open and Seamus stepping inside.

"And?" Ginny asked.

Seamus drew in a breath. "We have captured three people. One was likely simply drunk, the other two I am not sure, but they did not get anywhere."

"That's great," Harry said.

The three people turned to him with a frown.

"What, no one died," he said matter-of-factually.

Ginny looked at him for a long moment and then chuckled. "Okay, yeah. I'll take it."

Neville shook his head at it. "I'll see if we're ready for you."

He exited the room and Seamus followed him out. The room vacant except for the two of them, she walked to Harry and offered him a spoonful of pudding. He held onto her and let her feed him.

"You look amazing as Queen Regnant," Harry told her softly.

She raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "I don't look any different."

"Are you sure?" he teased softly. He pulled her a little closer and kissed her. "I can see it."

She caressed his cheek. "My sweet handsome husband."


Harry and Ginny walked together to the front of the ballroom with many people gathered there. Most of them already had a drink in hand and were chatting with the other guests.

The Council was waiting for them at the front. Neville guided them to the table and bowed. He opened the scrolls of both lands gifted by the gods and put them up for the crowd to see. Then he walked to the papers and laid them out.

Harry took up the quill first and signed his name at the bottom of the oath and then moved on to the second copy. Ginny signed the first as Harry finished the second and then he moved aside to let her sign.

As they stepped aside, the council members walked up one by one to verify the oath and then bowed to them, recognising them as rulers.

Neville walked forward. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced. "It is my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time the King and Queen of Henrosia."

Everyone applauded and parted as they walked to the middle of the floor. They bowed to each other.

Harry pulled her into his arms when the music started and they started dancing. His face was filled with happiness as he looked at her.

"I never enjoyed my first coronation," he said. "I am truly enjoying this one. I'm so glad you wanted to rule with me."

She smiled at him. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

When the music stopped, they walked off the dance floor together, making space for other people.

Bill walked up to her first. "You just couldn't stand it that I had more power than you, right?"

"You know it," she joked. "It's not my fault the deities favour me." She winked at Harry.

"I want a deity to visit me," Sirius commented as he walked up to them with Regulus in tow.

Bill chuckled. "Don't we all?"

"Honestly, I could have done without it," Harry commented. "It's as if Xydite came to check in if I was doing a good job."

Ginny laughed and looked up at him. "I think he was glad to be here again after so long. It doesn't have to be bad."

She looked over at Regulus and smiled. He nodded off to the side. She turned to Harry and squeezed his hand before letting go and walking a little to the side with Regulus.

She hugged him tightly. He released her and looked her over.

"I don't know if I'll ever grow used to seeing you out of your armour," he noted softly. "And that bump doesn't help."

She chuckled. "I know." She caressed it. "I feel like it changes every day too."

"You're doing well here, I can see that," he observed. "I've rooted for you but both of us couldn't never dared to dream you'd rule your own country. Did you really see Gorphine?"

Ginny nodded quickly and relayed the events to him, and he listened intently.

"That is incredible," Regulus remarked. "And are you managing your men well?"

"I think so," Ginny said. "I have assigned a Deputy, because I know that my attention is divided, but they are splendid. Really hard workers. I recently hired a new one, Casper, I believe you may have heard from him, he was trained by Sir Kester."

"Oh! Yes, I have. That should be a good addition."

She nodded and then offered him a scrutinising look. "And how is royal life treating you at the moment?"

"Not as good as you," he joked.

She waited for him to give her a real answer.

"Sirius and I had a lot to catch up on, it was both worse and better than I remembered, but I'm glad I am back where I belong." He glanced at his brother. "He is a good King."

"Harry seemed to think so too," she muttered.

"I do have a little detour before I return to Orion," Regulus added.

Ginny could've sworn he was blushing a little.

"Going by the house, check in on Mary." He glanced away.

She decided not to ask. "That is very kind of you to check up on her."

"Yes, I thought so," Regulus muttered.

Harry walked up to her, holding Teddy in his arms. "I told him we're having a baby and he's very confused about it."

Ginny held her hands out for Teddy and she put his arms out for him. She put him on her hip. "The baby is in here. It's still growing."

Teddy pouted. "When is it coming?"

"End of the summer," Ginny told him. "Do you want to play with him?"

Teddy nodded with a smile. "Can I?"

"You'll have to wait until he's a little bigger, but then you can for sure." She pressed a kiss to his cheek and then handed him back over to Harry, who took the toddler for food.

She turned back to Regulus, who was smiling at her.

"Do you have names yet?" he asked her.

She shook her head. "We should add both our fathers' names but the rest is still up for discussion."

"The royals and their names and titles," Regulus tutted. "Yours has really become a mouthful too."

Ginny nodded. "Luckily we don't need them all that often." She looked around the room. "I have some more people I need to greet, but you're not leaving tonight yet, right?"

"Don't worry, go on. I will be leaving tomorrow." He waved her off.

She looked around the room for a moment and then at all the guards. All seemed to be in order. She walked up to Viktor.

He bowed at her. "Congratulations on the coronation."

"Thank you," she told him. "I wanted to ask if you'll be joining tomorrow—" She stopped when he immediately shook his head.

"I have heard you are gathering, but we have nothing against Secretera, and so we don't want anything to do with a conflict either." He raised an eyebrow.

She nodded slowly. "Of course, as is your right. I just thought it was polite to extend the invitation. You are welcome on our side."

"To what purpose?" he asked curtly.

She smiled at him. "You do understand how allies work, do you?"

"Exactly." He adjusted his drink in his hand. "I've also heard Lady Hermione is marrying. Please pass on my congratulations to her."

Ginny paused and looked at him for a moment. "She is right there, you can do it yourself."

"That's not necessary," Viktor said, and with a bow, he disappeared into the crowd.

Ginny shook her head at it. She saw Luna arrive at the ballroom and smiled at her. Luna quickly walked up to her.

"It was such an honour to crown you," Luna said. "I'm glad I got to do this."

Ginny hugged her for a moment. "And, will you be continuing that?"

"Yes, I think I might." Luna beamed at her. "Although I wondered if you are allowed to marry if you're a high-priestess."

"Can you?" Ginny asked. "Wait—who are you planning on marrying?"

Luna glanced down at the floor for a moment. "I found out Tassia has a husband, he is a blacksmith. I'm not marrying anyone just yet, but in case someone strikes my fancy."

Ginny would not let it slip. "Luna. Who is it?"

"Your advisor has been absolutely lovely since I've arrived and he helped me adjust. When I got homesick, he sat with me…"

"What, you didn't tell me you were homesick," Ginny let out, somewhat disappointed Luna didn't speak to her.

Luna shrugged. "You have a lot to do, and that's okay. I am still glad to be here, don't worry about that. It's just a bit of adjusting."

Ginny took Luna's hand in hers. "Please know you can talk to me about that."

"I know." Luna squeezed her hand and smiled. "And I would have if I needed to, but Neville noticed. We talked and it was really nice, actually." She glanced over at Neville. "And we both know you well, it helped us bond."

"I am glad to hear that." She pulled Luna along, in search of her advisor. "And you'll have to dance with him now."

"What? Why?" Luna mildly objected.

She looked back at her friend. "Because you can." She found Neville and locked eyes with him. "Neville, my friend…"

"Oh, gods. What did I do?" he asked at her greeting.

She shook her head. "Nothing. I was wondering if you would like to have a dance with Luna? And if not, I will command it because I am the Queen."

Neville looked over at Luna with an incredulous shake of his head. "I think she's a little drunk on her new power."

"I think so too," Luna agreed immediately with a smile towards Ginny.

"Lady Luna," Neville started. "Completely voluntarily I would like to dance with you."

"Then I will accept, completely voluntarily."

Ginny watched as the two walked to the middle of the floor. Harry walked up behind her.

"What are you doing?" he asked her. He kissed her cheek. "You really missed your calling as a matchmaker," he remarked on her thoughts.

"Wouldn't they be cute together?" Ginny whispered while she refused to take her eyes off the pair as they danced together.

"Maybe," he responded. "There is nothing wrong with letting them figure that out on their own time. And sometimes it doesn't work out. Do you want to be responsible for their heartbreak?"

Ginny huffed and put an arm around his waist. "I won't allow you to put a damper on my mood."

He hummed. "Like you'd let me."

By the end of the event, they both felt pretty tired and went up to their room. Harry helped Ginny take off her dress and she crawled into bed, settling down in the pillows.

While he undressed, he listened to her thoughts. They lulled into silence pretty soon. He walked up to the bed and eyed his sleeping Queen. One hand on her belly, the other by her dagger. Her face was relaxed and her expression peaceful.

He walked to the other side of the bed and got into bed too. He scooted closer to her and then wrapped an arm around her.

She stirred. "I was waiting for you."

"You were asleep, darling," he told her gently.

She shook her head softly but didn't open her eyes. "I was still awake."

He watched her for a moment, looking all cosy and relaxed against the pillows, and smiled. He kissed her cheek. "If you say so. Goodnight." He rested his head, not surprised he did not get a reply.


Harry walked into the room the following morning and saw that many of the royals had gathered to discuss the situation with Secretera. There was Remus and Dora, Sirius and Regulus, Bill and his brothers. Only the Durmstormers were absent as expected.

Ginny looked up from her conversation with Regulus and smiled at him. She made her way over to him.

"Thank you all for joining. I know the matter of Secretera is not one with an easy answer, so I'm happy to hear any of your thoughts."

"Why isn't it easy?" Ron asked. "They already tried to kill Ginny twice. Do we let them continue trying?"

"Why are they even going after her specifically?" Fred asked.

"Lucius is the King's new right-hand man, she and Alastor killed Draco. Both men think they're his father most likely, I can see how his death would upset them. Lucius would've been eager to point a finger," Regulus offered. "They have to start somewhere."

Bill shook his head. "I don't think Rodolphus was convinced of the fact."

"Well, you Harpians have a claim to Secretera, so it makes sense he'd go after you first," Remus uttered.

"Then why not the rest of us?" Percy asked. "She's the youngest."

Ginny let out a sigh. "Because I am currently the only one making more Harpians. If you want to go after any of us, I would make an obvious target."

"Do you think…" Bill looked alarmed. "Do we need to worry about that once Ron and I are married?"

"I think you'd rather be prepared for the possibility," Harry told him. "Than be taken by surprise."

Charlie frowned. "I am still in favour of taking them out before they take us out."

"Me too," Ron added.

"You're being rash," Sirius spoke up for the first time. "You have no proof."

"Yes, we do," Ron said. "There are letters—"

"Not enough." Sirius folded his hands together. "You reclaiming Harpia was easier because that was fifteen years ago. People remember. None of your family has been in charge of Secretera for over 30 years. Not many people there will remember, and for what it's worth Rodolphus has treated them alright. You don't want to be in charge of a country that doesn't want you. Make it count."

The whole room went silent as Sirius spoke.

"You know Durmstorm won't meddle, and you have your other neighbours as allies, but we have countries beyond like Rosmertia and Mimsy."

Regulus chuckled. "I always thought you were going to marry the Queen of Rosmertia and her great big—!"

"That's enough out of you," Sirius interjected with a pointed look, biting back his smile. "They may grow distrustful if we attack without a cause, and I do intend to honour our allyship, but then we need to be aligned."

"I would like to join the fight if there is one and I can't do that pregnant," Ginny added.

"I sympathise," Remus told her. "But we may not have the opportunity to wait for that if something were to happen."

"I know, but if it were up to me…" Ginny continued, she looked over at Harry.

He nodded at her. "You're the leader of our army, it would be better…"

"What do we wait for?" Bill asked. "For clarity's sake."

"Watch them closely, let them make the first move… something more offensive than an assassination attempt," Remus suggested. "I know it's tempting, but you can't strike too soon. I've been on the throne longer than all of you, please trust me on this one. Acting rashly is often not the best course of action."

"Will they ever?" Ginny asked. "They have multiple countries against them, and they know it."

Sirius' grey eyes focused on her for a long moment. "They may never. Harpia was their only ally in recent years. Ogyon is now Harpian too. On the other hand, they may not like being surrounded by enemies, and another country that doesn't care. They would always know we have the numbers if we remain together. I don't expect them to fight fair."

"Thank you, Sirius," Harry said. He looked around the room. "I think most of us agree that right now is not the time to attack them. I believe Harpia needs more time to recover."

Bill nodded in confirmation. "Food is the most important thing right now. You can't fight a war with starved men." He let out a breath. "What if we win it? I think adding it to Harpia may not be in our favour. Keeping it as an allied country may work more in our favour for generations to come."

Remus nodded. "I think you may be right about that."

"That means we need someone to sit on the throne," Ginny concluded. "And please let it not be Muriel."

"One of you," Harry started, looking at the Harpian brothers, "would have to take it. You still have claim to it, your grandfather was on the throne. If not Bill, the next in line would make most sense."

Sirius looked from Harry to Charlie. "Indeed."

Charlie sat up. "Who, me?"

"Unless this is in twenty years, and Bill wants to put his second-born on the throne," Remus suggested. "But I don't think they will wait that long."

"Would you do it?" Bill asked him seriously. "If we decide this now, this doesn't lead to issues when it comes to it."

Charlie took a deep breath in. He looked around the room. "I suppose I would, but I still intend not to have children."

Sirius nodded. "You have siblings to count on."

"Git," Regulus muttered.

Ginny bit back a smile.

"I won't do it," Percy suddenly spoke up after having been quiet for a while.

Almost everyone in the room turned to him.

"You won't have children?" Ron asked.

He shook his head. "I may, or I may not. I do not want to be in the line of succession, I don't want it."

Ron's eyebrows rose. "Can he do that?"

"He can," Remus said. "It's anyone's right to refuse the throne." He looked at Percy. "Neither for Harpia?"

"I don't want any throne," Percy told them. "It's not my calling."

Fred looked over at George. "Does that mean that we…?"

"…may sit on the throne one day?" George finished.

"One of you," Sirius pointed out.

George frowned at him. "If they can co-rule"—he nodded towards Harry and Ginny—"why can't we?"

Everyone turned to hear Sirius reply.

"I suppose you can," he answered. "But are you sure you want to do that?"

"Yes," they said in unison.

"So we all agree that when they move against one of us, we all fight?" Ginny particularly eyed Remus and Sirius, who did not provide their full army last time.

Sirius nodded. "Yes, we will."

"Us too," Remus said after sharing a look with his wife.

"Great." Harry clasped his hands together. "Then I think we are done here for today. Don't get assassinated, and I suppose we'll see each other soon for two weddings…?" He looked towards Bill with a smile.

"That would be greatly appreciated," Bill said with a twinkle in his eye.

The royals all stood up and filed out of the room, many of them would be heading home soon.

Ginny walked out of the room and told Harry to follow her. He was quick to catch up with her and fell into step with her. He was trying to discern her thoughts, but she seemed to deliberately be confusing.

She walked into their office and closed the door behind them. He turned to her and waited for her to speak.

"What if we both die during a conflict like that? When does it stop repeating history?" she asked bluntly.

He stepped to her. "And leave our kid, you mean?"

Her eyes were big as they landed on him, nearly pleading. "Yes."

"I pray it never comes to that…" He took her hands in his. "If they assassinate both of us, that is out of our hands and I won't tell you lies—not that you'd buy them. When it comes to war, we don't both have to fight."

She squeezed his hands. "I can't stand on the sidelines, it's my responsibility."

"We can make a pact that we are never in a battle at the same time." Harry let go of one of her hands to caress her cheek. "I am okay with you taking that on, you're a better fighter than me, you're more likely to survive it." His eyes locked with hers. "But let's agree that when you're pregnant, I take on the fights."

She nodded shortly.

"The situation may present itself differently when it comes, but then it's decided. We can still take turns in other cases. I do not want to risk our children."

She looked down at herself. "It's difficult."

"What is?" he asked her.

"I was taught to fight no matter what, but it's not always the best call, and I…" She shook her head.

"You have different priorities now?" he finished when she met his eyes again.

She nodded. "Yes."

"They're not going to start a war tomorrow. It's going to be okay," he told her. "When you're up for it and you want to fight, you can. The other times I'll step in. I'll be your back-up."

She smiled softly. "Thank you."

"You are my soulmate; we can figure things out together." He pulled her a little closer.

Her arms wrapped around him and she tucked her head against his chest. He held her close and she let out a big sigh.