Guess who finally had time for this AU again! Life has been insane recently, but I have this almost entirely ready to go! this should be a total of 7 chapters(possibly 8, we'll see). This is going to be set the summer after 'The King's Daughters-Christmas Edition'

Oh, and guess what? I finally made an official timeline for this entire AU, so I'm not losing my mind as much! its possible I'll post part of the timeline on my profile, but it's mainly for me. If you guys really want to see it, though, I can reconsider.

I introduce a new country in this story: Buidheann. It is based off the reboot of Hawaii 5-0, and Buidheann is the words 'task force' translated into Scots Gaelic then I took the first part of the translation.

For AO3: I will be adding tags as we go

Please let me know what you think of this! I'm planning on posting on Wednesdays for this story.

-owl

Ziva was in the middle of a sparring session with Nick Torres when a clattering of horses' hooves on cobblestone broke into their concentration. Or, at least, Nick's concentration. In the second that he was distracted, Ziva was able to lunge forward and strike him on his leg. Nick went down with an audible thump.

Leaving Nick to get up on his own, Ziva turned to see that the horses that had entered the courtyard were attached to the carriage that Abby and Tim used when traveling. Abby was already out of it and halfway to Ziva as Tim was taking care of the horses.

With the force of a stampeding horse, Abby flung herself at Ziva, pulling her into a tight hug. "Ziva!" she exclaimed happily.

Ziva smiled. "Abby, we just saw each other last month when you guys hosted that party!"

"I know, but I still missed you."

Then Tim joined them and offered his arm to Abby as they began to walk towards the castle.

Ziva turned back to Nick. "I need to go," she called to him.

He nodded and sheathed his sword, walking over to the waterskin he had laying at the side of the training grounds.

"Are you going to be entering in the tournament?" Ziva asked Tim, returning her attention to her sister and her husband.

Tim nodded. "Yes, I plan too. Will you or Tony be participating?"

"I will be, Tony thinks he is just going to watch."

"Who else will be coming to the tournament?" Tim asked

"Meadth, Operacje, and Buidheann are all sending people. The tournament should start on the summer solstice, and everyone should be arriving a day or so before that. I think Torres is planning on staying through the tournament this year," Ziva said, listing off the groups on her fingers.

"Will Nell be here?" Abby asked.

Ziva nodded. "Yes, she and Eric are leading their delegation, Empress Hetty is staying home this time, she did not say why."

"Who is Buidheann sending?" Tim asked.

Ziva shrugged. "They did not give many names but it sounds like it will be King Steve and Prince Daniel, his daughter Princess Grace, along with an Earl and his wife, a knight and his wife, the leader of their military, and another knight."

"That's quite a lot."

Ziva nodded. "Yes, but I think that they also wish to speak with Tony and myself about a treaty or trade agreement. This is, after all, really the first time that we are interacting with them, even though they are a close neighbor."

They were distracted by the arrival of Tony just as they entered the castle. He looked happy to see Tim and Abby. "How was your journey?" he asked, beginning to lead Tim away from the girls.

Abby and Ziva watched them leave.

"What just happened?" Abby asked, confusion heavy in her voice.

Ziva shook her head. "I have no idea, Abby. Do you want help settling into your room? I assume Tony and Tim will be busy for a while now."

"Yes, thank you!" Abby said, nodding.

Together the sisters made their way to Abby and Tim's room. A servent had already brought up the trunks that they had brought with them. It took a few hours, but eventually everything was put away as Abby normally kept it.

"Do you ever get tired of packing your life up and moving between the castle and the manor twice a year?" Ziva asked when they had made their way out to the gardens and were strolling in the shade of the large trees.

Abby shook her head. "Not really. I mean, sometimes I try to avoid it, but for the most part I know that I have something to look forward to. I either get to take a break from the royal decorum or I get to come see you!"

Ziva smiled hesitantly. "That makes me feel better, at least. Knowing that it doesn't annoy you too much."

That night the six of them— Ziva, Tony, Abby, Tim, Ellie, and Nick— all ate dinner together in the dining room. They were served roasted pheasant and assorted vegetables, alongside bread rolls.

"What did you and Tim get up to this afternoon?" Ziva asked, gently setting down her chalice of wine.

All three men looked at each other before Tony responded. "Oh, this and that. Nothing too interesting."

And, though Ziva did not believe her husband one bit, she didn't question it.

"Will you be participating in the tournament, Timothy?" Nick asked at one point, a while after the inquiry of Tony and Tim's whereabouts.

Tim nodded. "Yes, I plan to. I assume you are as well?"

Nick nodded, and the rest of the meal passed by in a comfortable silence.

Ziva could not sleep that night. Tony had fallen asleep quite soon after Ziva had blown out the candle, but it had to have been an hour since then and she was still awake. With a sigh, she admitted defeat and rolled out of bed. On her way to get her robe, she grabbed one of the candles from the desk.

Lighting the candle from one of the torches in the hallway, Ziva navigated the castle to the siege tunnels. While yes, it was the beginning of summer, and therefore brutally hot, it was cool down in the tunnels. Sometimes in the summer she would go into the hot springs, but not too often.

She brought with her a book, bound with leather and the title embossed with gold. It was a book of fairy tales that her father would read to her and her sisters when they were younger. Ziva had been sitting in the tunnels for nearly an hour, finally getting sleepy when the sound of footsteps approached her.

Looking up, she saw one of the guards coming towards her. In his hand was a torch.

"Is there something going on?" Ziva asked.

The guard shook his head. "No. I just noticed the light coming from the tunnels and needed to make sure that it was nothing to worry about."

"Good." Ziva responded before standing up and stretching. Then, with a nod to the guard, she brought her candle and her book with her as she began the climb back to her and Tony's bedchambers.

This time, once the candle had been blown out and Ziva settled into bed, she fell asleep quickly. Upon her return to the bed, Tony had rolled over and pulled her to his chest, nuzzling his face into her hair.

With a soft sigh, Ziva let herself relax, leaning into Tony, as she finally fell asleep.