The next morning, Merig stirs in bed, his eyelids slowly peeling open. He props himself up on his elbows, the tantalizing aroma of breakfast wafting through the air. His well-honed sense of smell instantly recognizes the source. He throws off the blanket, swinging his legs over the side of the bed with purpose. Standing tall, he follows the irresistible aroma, a determined glint in his eye. The trail leads him straight down the stairs, each step bringing him closer to the deliciousness. He reaches the bottom and walks to the kitchen, greeted by the sight of Kate cooking. A wide grin spreads across his face as he enters, eager to greet her.

(M)Good morning.

Kate tenses slightly, her head snapping up at the sound of Merig's voice. She pauses mid-stir, turning to see him standing a few feet away. Her eyes widen as she takes him in, but then a sigh of relief escapes her lips as recognition dawns. Her expression morphs into excitement, and a wide smile spreads across her face as she greets him.

(K)Good morning, my love. I’m sorry, I’m cooking breakfast, I hope that’s okay.

(M)[chuckles] Don’t be sorry, it’s perfectly fine. This is your home, too, for the time being. You can do as you please.

(K)I just don’t want to be a nuisance.

(M)You’re not a nuisance, Kate, you’ve never been a nuisance.

(K)Are you sure about that? Like I said before, you haven’t lived with me and I can be a pain.

Merig closes the distance between them, his arms reaching out to enfold Kate in a warm embrace. They hug tightly, a shared smile lighting up their faces as they pull back. Merig leans down, his gaze softening, and places a tender kiss on Kate's lips. They break apart, his eyes still holding hers with a sweetness that reflects in his voice as he begins to speak.

(M)You’re anything but a nuisance, sweetheart. Especially since now that you’re here, I can hold you and kiss you whenever I want.

(K)[smiles] I can live with that. I’d love nothing more. I just figured I’d cook you something before you head out on your patrol.

(M)I do appreciate that. It smells amazing, as always. It’s going to be great with you here, cooking your amazing food.

(K)Well, I don’t want to toot my own horn.

(M)Have at it, your cooking is the best. I’d be a nuisance since I just might get addicted to it.

(K)[giggles] That’s okay, I’d cook for you every day.

(M)I can cook, too, just not as good as you.

(K)Hey, I’ve had your cooking before and it’s just as well, at least to me it is.

(M)Thanks, that makes me feel better about it.

(K)Well, I’m sure you have to get ready. I’ll finish cooking and you can eat before you go.

(M)Sounds good, I have to get into uniform, and I’ll be back down.

(K)Okay, my love, also if it’s not too much, I want to go and hang out with Ash at the pub while you’re gone, if the guard hasn’t shown up yet.

(M)That’s fine. Larry and I will walk you there before we go on patrol. He should be getting ready right about now.

Their conversation flows easily, punctuated by smiles and stolen kisses. Suddenly, a sharp knock at the door pierces the air. Merig's droopy ears instantly perk up slightly in surprise. He glances down at Kate, a knowing smile passing between them, before leaning in for another tender kiss. With a final lingering touch, he pulls away and strides towards the front door, flinging it open to reveal Larry standing outside.

(M)Well, speak of the devil.

(L)Good morning, Commander.

(M)Good morning, Larry.

(L)[sniff] Oh, what’s that smell? It smells fantastic.

(M)Kate’s cooking breakfast, come on in.

(L)You don’t have to tell me twice.

Merig steps back, opening the door wider. Larry, practically bouncing with excitement, accepts the invitation and walks right in. Kate stands in the kitchen, a bright smile on her face. Merig shuts the door behind Larry as he beams and greets Kate with a wide grin.

(L)Hey, Kate, good morning.

(K)Good morning, Larry.

(L)How are you doing here, so far?

(K)Good, I just thought I’d cook some breakfast before Merig heads out. You’re more than welcome to join us if that’s okay with Merig.

(M)That's perfectly fine with me. You're the chef here.

(L)I’d absolutely love to. I’ll take any chance to have your cooking, Kate.

(K)You’re too kind, Larry.

(L)Sometimes I don’t think I’m kind enough.

Merig slips past Larry, heading back into the kitchen. He reaches Kate's side and wraps his arm around her waist. Kate returns the gesture, her arms encircling Merig's torso in a side hug. Happiness radiates from both of them. Larry takes in the scene, a sentimental smile spreading across his face. He can't help but speak up.

(L)I bet you two lovebirds are loving this opportunity to spend some time together.

(K)[smiles] Definitely, but I think Merig’s number one priority is making sure I’m okay. Being able to hug and kiss him is a bonus. He even said he’s happy that he gets to hold me and kiss me whenever he wants, and I’m more than okay with that.

(M)It’s true, but yes, her being here gives me peace of mind.

(L)Me too, and hey if Merig isn’t here and I’m home, don’t hesitate to knock on my door if you need anything, okay?

(K)Thanks, I appreciate it, Larry.

(M)Well, we should eat and get going. Oh, Larry, Kate wants to go hang out with Ash at the pub after her duties while we’re out. I figured we’d walk her there before we went.

(L)Absolutely, it's no problem. It’ll save us from calling a guard over here.

(M)My thoughts exactly.

(L)Alright then let’s eat, I’m excited.

(K)[smiles] Alright, it’s almost done.

Kate bustles around the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on breakfast before everyone sits down. The delicious aroma fills the air. Finally, they gather around the table and tuck into the feast Kate prepared. Bellies full and smiles wide, they head out the door, their destination, the hangout spot to meet Ashley. Pushing open the door, they spot Ashley already at their table. As they approach, Ashley glances up, a cheerful grin lighting up her face.

(A)Hey, guys, fancy meeting you here.

(K)Hey, the guys escorted me here, and I figured I’d come hang out with you while they go patrolling.

(A)Aaww, you’d come to hang out with a boring old me?

(K)Stop it, you're not boring at all, and it’s better than being alone back at Merig’s place.

(A)True, I already went out and set the traps and mines. You two will be able to see them with these.

Ashley stands out of her seat, reaching into her pocket, and pulls out two small dolls, which she hands to Larry and Merig. They each take a doll, eyebrows furrowing in confusion as they examine them. A silent exchange of bewildered glances passes between them before they both turn back to Ashley, a question hanging in the air. Larry breaks the silence, his voice laced with curiosity.

(L)What are these things, anyway?

(A)Special dolls, keep them on your person and you can see the traps I laid. It’s better than the markers I’ve been using since the bandits will know that the traps are there if they see the markers. With these, you can see the traps and avoid them, and the traps will be more effective. I picked up the dolls the other day, and I wanted to test them out. I have one as well. Just keep them in your pocket.

(M)Hey, if it helps.

(L)Yeah, this is a big help, Ash.

(A)Good, just be careful out there, okay?

(M)We will, don’t worry.

(L)You two ladies have fun, and we’ll see you later.

(A)Alright, we will, I love you.

(L)I love you, too, beautiful.

(K)You be careful, too Merig, I love you.

(M)I will, sweetheart, I love you too.

Merig and Larry make their way to the pub door, stepping out into the cool morning air. With a final wave goodbye to the women, they head off to patrol the forest. Kate and Ashley watch them disappear before they both settle down at the table. Then a wide grin breaks across Kate's face as she slides into the seat across from Ashley. Excitement bubbles in the air as these two best friends lean in, eager to catch up. Ashley wastes no time, launching into the conversation with something that clearly has her buzzing.

(A)So, how are you enjoying your time with Merig so far?

(K)I love it. Ash, Merig hugged me and kissed me while I cooked him breakfast this morning. I was kind of worried he would be upset at me for cooking in his kitchen.

(A)Why would he be upset?

(K)I don’t know, just me thinking that he would. But he’s so good to me. He said he’s perfectly okay with me cooking.

(A)That goblin loves you, Kate. Do you think he’d be upset over something as small as you cooking in his kitchen?

(K)You know me, Ash, you know what I went through. I know Merig loves me, but in the back of my mind I still have fears and I have terrible anxiety because of it.

(A)I know, honey, I’m sorry, I should’ve considered that.

(K)It’s fine, I want to work through it and overcome it. It won’t completely go away, but at least I won’t be as scared once it gets better. I don’t want it to affect my happiness with Merig.

(A)That’s good, you don’t want to be scared all the time, I can understand that. But that makes me wonder, are you ever going to tell Merig about your past?

(K)I don’t know, yet, I don’t feel like it would be the right time just yet. I know it’s something I probably should tell him, but let’s be honest, Merig is very protective of me. If I told him about my past, he wouldn’t exactly be happy.

(A)You’re right, that’s true, maybe waiting for the right time is the best thing to do, then.

(K)Yeah, depending on the circumstances, I’ll tell him. I’m just afraid my anxiety will rear its ugly head. But at the same time, I don't sense anything bad about Merig, and I don't feel like anything bad is going to happen with him around, and I feel so safe when I'm around him. I’m very happy being with Merig, and he’s so sweet to me, so I have no reason to be scared.

(A)[smiles] Good, that’s the first step to overcoming something. I’m proud of you, Kate, and I can say with certainty that there's nothing bad about Merig. He doesn't have an evil bone in his body as long as I've known him. He's always been the biggest softie, especially when it comes to you. If someone threatens the people, he cares about and protects, he'll raise hell.

(K)I know, I've seen it firsthand. Merig is more human than some of the humans I've met and I’ve told him that, and that's not to say that humans are bad. I also told him I don't care if he's a Fomor, I care about who he is as a person. I honestly can’t wait to be in his arms again and have him kiss me. I love him so much. I can’t be afraid of small things when Merig has made such a huge impact on me.

(A)That goblin thinks you hung the moon and stars, Kate. Like I said before, he thinks you are the moon.

(K)[smiles] And he’s my earth, the goblin I fell in love with.

(A)And Larry is the goblin I fell in love with. There are things I’m overcoming as well so that I can be happy again. Larry is doing a wonderful job, making me happy so far.

(K)I’m so glad to hear that, Ash, you deserve happiness after the heartbreak you went through. And Larry absolutely adores you. I swear he gets this twinkle in his eye when he looks at you. You’ll see it if you ever catch him glancing over at you.[giggle]

(A)[giggles] Yeah, I've seen it before, so I know what you're talking about. Larry has been good to me and I’m very lucky to be with someone like him.

(K)I think we’re both lucky women, Ash.

(A)That, we are, Kate.

(K)Oh, I almost forgot to ask, how’d your date with him go? I’m sure Larry enjoyed it very much,

(A)[smiles] It went great. We both definitely enjoyed it and we had a great evening spending time together. He took me to my favorite restaurant, and then we went back to his house and cuddled up in front of his fireplace and kissed. It was perfect since it’s starting to get a little chilly outside. Then he walked me home and kissed me before I went inside.

(K)Oh, that sounds so romantic, Ash. I’m sure you were content and happy.

(A)Oh absolutely, he knew exactly how to show affection to me and I didn’t even have to tell him. It’s as if he knew just what to do.

(K)That’s so sweet, that’s pretty much how it is with Merig and me. He knows I love it when he kisses me, and I don’t even have to say anything. He just does it and my heart is over the moon.

(A)Oh, I was over the entire universe when Larry kissed me last night. He said the sweetest things to me when I talked about my past and wanting to heal from it. He said he’d do everything I needed him to for me to be happy again. I’m already starting to feel better about myself again, and I trust him not to break my heart.

(K)Hey, just like with Merig, Larry wouldn’t even dream of hurting you and breaking your heart. The entire year I’ve known Larry, the way he looks at you with those lovesick eyes and flirts with you, he’ll love you till the day he dies.

(A)I’m looking forward to finding out, and spending as much time with him as possible before he gets tired of me.

(K)Oh, stop it, Ash, he’s never going to get tired of you. If he’s been trying for years to win you over, then he would happily spend the rest of his life giving you all of the love that he’s been waiting to give you.

(A)You know what? You’re absolutely right. I’m so stupid to think that he would hurt me after trying so hard to be with me. I think I need to work on not being so scared. You’re a lot braver than me, it seems.

(K)You have more courage than you think, Ash. It just took time until you were ready to try being with Larry. And now you’re both happy. That’s all that matters. Better late than never, remember? That’s what you told me.

(A)[giggles] Using my logic against me, huh? You’re right, sometimes people need to take their own advice and I fully admit that. I’ll continue to be happy with him and work on not being so afraid.

(K)Good, everything is going to be just fine. Be happy. That’s what love is all about.

(A)I’m thinking about going on another date with him soon. Maybe this time I can spend the night at his place, so we don’t have to walk back to my place, especially since it’s getting colder.

(K)Oh, that would be fun. Maybe you two could cuddle up in front of the fireplace all night if you wanted to.

(A)Or we could cuddle up in his bed and his body heat would keep me all warm while we sleep.

(K)[giggles] Even better, you know Larry would love that.

(A)Oh, he definitely would and so would I.

Giggles erupt from the women as their conversation flows, the pub is abuzz with their lively chatter. Meanwhile, out in the forest, Larry and Merig are a different kind of lively. They ride their horses on patrol, their laughter echoing through the trees. They walk the perimeter near Ashley's traps, checking for any unfortunate bandits. Thankfully, they stay within earshot of each other. Larry, unable to contain himself any longer, launches into a story about his night with Ashley, his voice filled with excitement.

(L)So after all these years, I finally went on a date with Ashley last night.

(M)Holy shit, really? Congrats, buddy, how was it?

(L)It was amazing. We ate at her favorite restaurant, and then I took her back to my place and we cuddled up near the warm fireplace, and I got to spend some time kissing her, too.

(M)Sounds like you had fun. I know you’ve been waiting a long time for that.

(L)I feel like I’ve waited an eternity, but it was well worth the wait. When she opened up to me the night of your date, she explained why she was hesitant. I’m not mad at her for it, even if there was no reason at all. I’m just glad we’re together now, and that I can make her happy, since she makes me happy, too.

(M)That’s how I feel about it with Kate and I. Although it only took a year for me, and it took you and Ash at least three years.

(L)Yeah, at least, but it doesn't matter anymore. We have to focus on the present since that’s what matters the most.

(M)You’re right, buddy, life is good for all four of us right now. Now we just have to focus on what’s going on with these bandits. If I get my hands on one of them, it won’t be a pretty sight. If I’m right and they’re planning on kidnapping Kate, I’m showing no mercy to these pieces of shit.

(L)I’m right there with you, pal. I have zero patience for these bastards. We’ll find out just what exactly it is they’re up to. Let’s get this started and maybe we’ll catch one of these assholes.

(M)Agreed, do you think Ashley’s dolls will actually work?

(L)I’m not sure, I’ve never used them, but we can go test them out. Ash said if we have them on our person, we will be able to see the traps and mines.

(M)Alright, so, let’s go searching for them. It’ll be easier for us to ride around without the fear of being caught by the traps and mines.

(L)Right, let’s split up and go see if we can spot some. We can give each other a hand signal if we see one, so we don’t draw any attention and tip the bandits off if they’re hiding and watching.

(M)That’s a good idea, let’s go.

The two goblins stash the dolls Ashley gifted them in their pockets. Then, they settle into a slow patrol around the forest, their eyes peeled for any sign of Ashley's traps. After a while, Larry's keen eyes catch a glint of ice near a bush. He lets out a sharp whistle, discreet enough not to alert any lurking bandits. Merig, ever alert, swivels in his saddle at the sound as he sees Larry throw him a hand signal. With a nod, Merig spurs his horse forward, carefully navigating towards his partner. As they close the distance, Larry points towards the suspicious spot, his voice hushed to a whisper.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

(L)I found one, it’s right there. I can see it clear as day.

(M)I can see it, too, it looks like the dolls work.

(L)We just can’t let the bandits know we see them in case they‘re watching.

(M)Right, let’s split up and go on with the patrol.

(L)I’m on it. We can meet back at this spot where the trap is. If a bandit doesn’t get caught in it, that is.

(M)Sounds good, let’s split and continue our work.

(L)Aye, Commander Flynn.

The two goblins peel off from each other, their horses diverging into separate paths as they begin their daily patrol. Merig scans the forest floor, his keen eyes already spotting several of Ashley's cleverly hidden traps. Suddenly, a rustle from behind a tree catches his attention. A bandit goblin emerges, a wicked grin plastered on his face as his bowstring pulls taut, aiming a deadly arrow straight at Merig. Reacting with lightning speed, Merig hears the telltale sound and moves himself and his mount to the side just as the arrow whizzes past. The bandit scrambles to grab another arrow, but before he can unleash it, a blinding bolt of lightning tears through the air, striking him down with a resounding crackle. Merig swivels in his saddle, his gaze landing on the cloaked figure with the blue mask, the very one Kate described encountering at the north entrance when she answered the fake letter. But before Merig can utter a word, a commotion erupts behind him. He throws a glance over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of the cloaked figure vanishing into the trees. With a surge of urgency, Merig commands his horse to turn around and move forward, following the source of the shouts. He arrives at the prearranged meeting point and finds the scene he expected. A human bandit, caught in one of Ashley's ice traps, writhing and cursing in frustration. Just then, Larry gallops up, a wide grin splitting his face at the sight of their captured bandit, Larry clearly eager to celebrate their success.

(L)Ha, we got one! I guess it’s our lucky day.

(M)It sure is, what do you suppose we do with him, Larry?

(L)Good question, Merig, you’re the commander. What do you think?

(M)I think we should interrogate him.

(L)Great idea, pal, I’d be glad to join you in torturing this bastard.

(HB)Let me out of this damn thing!

(L)Like hell, we will. We’ve got some questions we want to ask, and you better answer them.

(HB)Screw you, assholes! If you don’t let me go, you’ll be sorry. But if you do let me go, I won't tell Cormac about this.

(L)Cormac? Are you serious? We haven’t seen him in ten years.

(M)[scowl] What the hell does Cormac want from us?

(HB)[chuckles] You’ll know soon enough.

The bandit's manic chuckle grates on Merig's nerves. Rage contorts his features as he dismounts with a heavy thud. Strides eat away the distance between him and the trapped bandit. As he looms closer, a low growl escapes Merig's throat. He grabs the bandit by the throat, moving closer until their faces are inches apart. Fear replaces the devious smirk, the bandit's eyes bulging as he struggles for breath. Merig loosens his grip a hair, allowing the bandit a desperate gasp to answer the question.

(M)Answer the damn question, or I’ll choke the life right out of your body.

(HB)H-H-He’s planning something.

(L)What is he planning?!

(HB)[chuckles] It’s a surprise, a big reunion.

(L)Reunion? What does that mean?

(HB)He misses you both, but he’ll see you soon enough.

(M)[glare] Well, I’ve got a message for you to pass on to Cormac. If he or any of you filthy bandits come into this city, I will end all of you. I already know you bastards tried to hurt Kate using that obviously fake letter you sent her.

(HB)Oh yeah, you’ve been keeping a close eye on that woman, haven’t you? Smart.

The bandit smiles, a maniacal chuckle erupting from his throat. Merig reacts instantly, tightening his grip one last time on the bandit's throat as he struggles for air. Fear widens the bandit's eyes as he stares into Merig's, which are turning a crimson shade of red. Merig speaks, his voice low and seething with mania, his wrath burning in his gaze.

(M)You listen to me, you piece of shit. You tell Cormac that if he, or any of you sacks of shit so much as touch one hair on Kate's head, my wrath will be greater than that of Cichol himself. Do I make myself clear?

The bandit, fear etched across his face, manages a frantic nod as Merig releases his choking grip with a violent shove. Merig then shatters the ice, sending the bandit sprawling to the ground. Scrambling to his feet, the bandit flees deeper into the forest. Meanwhile, the cloaked figure reaches the city's opposite entrance, where a group of bandits wait in ambush. He wastes no time, charging a lightning spell that rips through the air, striking down several bandits. The survivors react quickly, drawing their weapons and forming a battle line. The cloaked figure stands firm, a resolute barrier against their advance into the city. The cloaked figure raises his hands, gathering a powerful thunder spell. With a crackle of energy, he unleashes it, sending a wave of electricity that cuts down multiple attackers. The battle rages on. He switches tactics, launching fire spells that sear the air, then freezing blasts that encase bandits in ice. Finally, he conjures a colossal ice spear and hurls it, skewering and immobilizing several bandits at once. Despite being outnumbered, the cloaked figure stands his ground, his spells a whirlwind of destruction. He cuts down countless bandits, but one steps forward, raising a hand to his comrades. The attacks cease, but the cloaked figure remains wary, maintaining his guard, while the leader approaches, ready to speak.

(BA1)Get out of the way, Barth!

(B)I’m not going anywhere, so you might as well leave and go back to the camp because I’m not going to let any of you in here!

(BA1)Cormac knew you’d try to stop us. He’s done with your bullshit, and he told us to bring you back to the camp! You keep getting in the way of his objective!

(B)He can get over himself. I left the camp for good! If you come any closer, I’ll strike down every last one of you sons of bitches and you know it!

(BA1)It’s you against all of us, Barth. You don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell!

(B)I’m not the only one you need to worry about! That human has nothing to do with the quarrel Cormac has with Merig and Larry! If he wants to see those two so badly, he’ll have to come here himself!

(BA2)He won’t do that and you know it, Barth! He wants Merig and Larry to come back to the camp and never come back to Tara.

(B)They’re not going to leave their happy and peaceful lives here to go back to the miserable lifestyle of banditry. They’re Royal Guards and are under the protection and command of the queen. Cormac can always do what they did and come live here in peace.

(BA3)You don’t think we’ve tried convincing him to do that? He won’t listen. He’s gotten much worse over the years! Some of us wish he would just stop, but none of us can leave! Gordo even tried leaving, but Cormac nearly killed him and we don’t want that happening to us! We were surprised he didn’t do anything to you, Barth!

(B)Because Cormac knows I’ll take him down! He challenged me once and never did it again because he knows I’ll put his ass in the ground! And I’ll sure as hell do the same to you all!

(BA1)Either we get that human and take her back to the camp, or it’s our asses on the line! He may have to send Gordo out here to get her and you know he’ll do it with no problem at all! If we can’t get past you, we’ll just have to tell Cormac and he’ll come get you himself and maybe even that human!

(B)Not if I’m in the city, there are guards at every corner! And if any of you set foot in here, Merig and Larry will sniff you out! They’re stronger than what we remember ten years ago!

(BA1)A battle between bandits and guards, sounds like fun to me! I’m sure Cormac would love that!

(BA2)Cormac wants that human, Barth, and we’ll get in the city one way or another!

(B)If you do that, I’ll be the least of your worries! Merig will unleash hell if you do anything stupid like that! You’re not getting past me!

(BA2)Cormac knew you would be a problem. So he told us to bring some reinforcements.

Suddenly, more bandits burst from hiding, brandishing their weapons. A hulking bandit creeps up behind Barth and lunges to grab him. Barth throws his hand up, a lightning spell crackling at his fingertips, but the larger bandit levels a crossbow at him. With no other option, Barth lets the magic dissipate and surrenders, dropping his hands in defeat.

(B)You’re really going to go through with this, aren’t you? Why is Cormac so hellbent on doing this?

(BA3)You know his reasons, but we have orders to put you under confinement until his plan is executed.

(B)Like hell, I'm not going back there, Cormac can kiss my ass.

Barth conjures a huge fire spell as the bandits continue to aim their weapons and charge at him. The battle between them rages on. In the city, Larry and Merig finish their patrol for the day. Merig still doesn't look happy as he and Larry enter the pub. They see Kate is still there with Ashley. Merig walks over to the table while Larry trails behind him. Ashley tells Kate that the two have returned, and Kate turns to see them with a happy smile. She stands up to greet Merig.

(K)Welcome back, Commander Flynn. How did the patrolling go?

Merig approaches Kate in silence, his expression etched with worry. He doesn't respond to her greeting, instead opting to pull her into a tight embrace, his worry palpable. He pulls back slightly, his hand reaching out to touch her cheek. Leaning down, he kisses her softly, his lips lingering for a moment before retreating. Kate, confused and concerned by his sudden intensity, speaks to him in a soft voice.

(K)What’s wrong, Merig? Is everything okay?

(M)Not exactly, we ran into some trouble in the forest. Let’s sit down. We have a few things to talk about, okay, sweetheart?

(K)Of course, my love, you must be tired and you don't look too happy. Come sit so you can relax.

Kate reaches out gently, taking Merig's hand and leading him towards the table. They settle in, sitting side-by-side, their hands intertwined. Larry circles around to the opposite side, sliding into the seat next to Ashley. He takes her hand in his, leaning in to plant a kiss on her cheek. As they all get comfortable, Ashley breaks the silence, her voice laced with confusion.

(A)So how did those dolls work?

(L)They worked fine, we could see your traps.

(A)Good, I knew they would be useful.

(K)So did something bad happen?

(M)Sort of, a bandit got caught in an ice mine.

(A)Well, that’s a good thing, right?

(L)Yeah, we were able to get some more information out of him about what this group of bandits are up to.

(K)Well, that’s a good thing, too, isn’t it?

(M)Yeah, it is. The bandit was vague but confirmed that they were planning something. And he confirmed that it has something to do with you, Kate, which explains that fake letter you got.

(K)Me?

(A)Why Kate? What do they want with her?

(M)I don’t know, but he did mention the boss of this particular group. Someone Larry and I are familiar with, unfortunately.

(K)Wait, you both know those bandits? How? I know you know who Gordo is, but how do you know the others?

An awkward silence hangs heavy in the air. Merig and Larry exchange a quick glance, a flicker of guilt passing between them like a secret message. It's clear they're hiding something, and the charade seems to reach its breaking point. Both goblins take a deep breath, stealing themselves. Merig, ever the spokesperson, gathers his thoughts. He lets out a slow exhale, bracing himself for what he's about to say, and finally turns back to the women, ready to speak.

(M)There’s something you both need to know. I’m not sure if it’s obvious or not, but the truth is, Larry and I used to be bandits.

(L)But we decided it wasn’t for us, so we came here to live in the city to start over and live a better life with humans in peace and become Royal Guards.

(M)We wanted to live among humans, rather than harm them. So we left the group of bandits we were a part of. It seems from the information we got, the boss has been holding a grudge since then. His name is Cormac, and he’s ruthless. He used to have a good heart, but once he became the boss of the group a long time ago, he changed.

(L)At one point, he was thinking about coming with us to Tara to train and be a Royal Guard as well. But he hates humans and would rather continue banditry than live peacefully with humans. We told him he could even live comfortably here in the city, but once he became the boss, it all went to his head.

(M)I hope hearing all this information doesn’t make you hate me, Kate. I probably should have told you sooner, but I was afraid you wouldn’t want anything to do with me.

(K)Merig, why would you think I would hate you? Nothing about that makes me think any less of you, nor does it make me love you less. It’s in the past, right? You’re not a part of that life anymore, and you didn't hurt anybody.

Merig avoids Kate's gaze, his face etched with self-loathing. He lets out a frown, turning his head down as if the weight of his actions presses him towards the floor. Shame forces him to close his eyes briefly. Kate, sensing his distress, swivels in her chair to face him fully. Her touch is gentle, her hands reaching for his and enveloping them in hers. Merig can't help but reciprocate, slowly raising his head to meet her gaze. A soft smile graces Kate's lips as she speaks, her voice a soothing balm.

(K)You listen to me, my love. I could never find it in myself to hate you. I love you so much, and you’re not that person anymore, right? You decided to leave that kind of life behind and live in peace with humans. That’s a commendable thing.

(M)Truth is, Larry and I never wanted to hurt people and we were always the butt of everyone’s jokes because of it.

(L) The Thing is, we both never did hurt people. I always wanted to live in the city among humans, but Cormac convinced me that humans hated Fomors, so I believed it. Until Merig came along and told me otherwise, and we finally decided to just leave and come here.

(M)Cormac told us that if we left, we would regret it. I told the bandits at the camp that humans and Fomors were coexisting since I was raised by humans, but that’s a story for another time. Larry came with me when I left the camp and we’ve been in Tara for about ten years. Humans here and even the queen herself welcomed us with open arms, which further disproved to Larry the idea that humans hated us. Of course, there are still humans that do and they don’t exactly agree with other humans, but that can’t be helped, unfortunately. Which is fine, since we've made so many friends and we have our fellow guards who accept us, but they didn’t used to accept us.

(L)Besides, I already knew how to fight when we got here, but Merig and I still needed training to be guards, especially Merig here. He wasn’t always a good fighter.

(M)Believe it or not, he’s actually right. I didn’t even know what I was good at until I trained with all types of weapons. I found out that I was better skilled with a bow and arrow than anything else. It was all trial and error since I never learned how to fight. But I knew I had to fight bandits if I wanted to be a guard. I used all the knowledge and skills I gained to protect the city.

Larry narrows his eyes at the table, hangs his head for a moment, and then turns to look at Ashley with a frown. He gently reaches for her hand and holds it. Lifting it up to his face, he kisses the back of it as Ashley meets his gaze. They share a smile, but then Larry frowns again as he begins to speak.

(L)I hope you don’t hate me either, Ash, after hearing all this. We should’ve told you sooner and I’m sorry.

(A)Hey, I feel the same way Kate does. Unless you’ve actually hurt people, there’s nothing about your past that will make me hate you, you got that? And besides, if you and Merig hadn't come here to Tara, I would never have met you two when I got here. And you and I wouldn't be together, Larry.

(K)She’s right, I would’ve never met you two either and we wouldn’t be together, either, my love.

(M)You’re right, I'm very grateful that we came here to better ourselves, and I'm even more grateful that I met you, sweetheart.

Merig and Kate gaze into each other's eyes, a sentimental smile blossoming on both their faces. Kate leans her head on Merig's shoulder as he tenderly kisses her forehead. Larry glances away from Ashley, his attention drawn to Merig. The two goblins exchange a nod, a look of contentment on their faces as they sit beside their beloved women.

(L)The women are right, Merig, and we goblins are wrong. Besides, we have a bigger problem on our hands right now.

(M)You're right, now that we know these assholes are a bigger threat than we thought, we need to think of what to do. I say we have every guard possible stationed inside of the city at all hours of the day and night, with four at each entrance, two on the inside and two on the outside.

(L)That sounds like a plan. We can even try to use guards who are still in training since we’ll need all the help we can get.

(A)I’ll break out my big cylinder if I have to. I’ve been training to use bigger and better alchemy skills.

(K)I’d use my magic, but I don’t know how much use I would be, since I only mastered basic spells.

(M)It would help, but you’re the one they’re after, so it’s probably best if you stay here. I don’t want you getting hurt, sweetheart.

(L)He’s right, you’re their target, and putting you out there to fight would be a huge risk.

(A)It seems the goblins are right this time, Kate.

(K)[sigh] It seems so, I guess we women can be wrong, too.

(M)I’ll be putting two guards over at my place. We can never be too careful, especially if I have to leave Kate home alone.

(L)Good call. We can even put two outside of the pub as well, just in case Kate decides to come here and hang out.

(M)That works, too. I think we’ve got everything figured out, then.

(L)We hope this doesn’t overwhelm you, Kate. We want to take every precautionary measure we can.

(K)I understand, all I ask is that you all be careful. I would be devastated if either of you got hurt trying to protect me. I don’t think I could live with myself.

(A)I promise you, we’ll be fine. We’ve had a lot of training, hun, so try not to worry too much.

(K)I’ll try, but I can't promise anything.

(M)Well, now that we’ve got all of that figured out, we’ll be ready for these assholes if they decide to infiltrate the city, I hope.

(L)We’ll be fine. The guards know what they’re doing. For now, all we can do is execute the plan and prepare ourselves.

(A)I can put up barriers around the entrances and line them with ice mines. I'll even give the guards those dolls so that they don't walk too close and accidentally set them off.

(M)That’ll work. We’ve got everything we need, so we can relax for now.

(K)Are we still going to be able to attend the banquet this weekend?

(A)Yeah, that would be fun. After everything is in order, there’s no reason why we can’t.

(L)That would take our minds off of things, and there’s even going to be guards at the banquet, so there wouldn't be a need to worry.

(M)That’s true, I don’t see why we can’t, the heavy security will keep us from constantly looking over our shoulders.

(L)Exactly, I think it’s a good idea, let’s do it.

(M)Alright then, we’ll go to the banquet like old times.

(A)Hell yeah! I'm excited!

(K)[smiles] Me too, it'll be so much fun! It's been so long since we last went, I can’t wait!

(M)I'm actually really excited, too.

(L)Same, we'll all go on a double date.

(M)Then we’ll get everything set up early tomorrow, then we can relax and enjoy the banquet this weekend.

(L)Sounds good to me.

(A)This is going to be so much fun!

(K)Absolutely! We're going to dance the night away!

The pub buzzes with the group's conversation and laughter. Eventually, the night winds down and everyone heads home. The next day, Merig, Larry, and Ashley swing into action, enacting their plan to prepare for whatever might come. Guards are stationed at every corner of the city, vigilant eyes watching over the walls, entrances, and even the pub itself. Merig's home becomes a fortress, ensuring Kate's safety whenever she's alone. As night falls, Kate, clad in a long, purple nightdress, is getting ready for bed in her room when a knock sounds at her door.

(K)Come on in!

Merig opens the door and strides into the room, his eyes locking onto Kate as they share an intimate smile. He moves closer, his presence filling the space between them. With a tender touch, Merig takes her hands, cradling them in his own before lifting one to his lips and pressing a reverent kiss to its back. Kate's smile widens, her cheeks flushing with color as Merig speaks to her in a voice filled with sweet affection.

(M)Good evening, my beautiful human.

(K)[smiles] Good evening, my wonderful goblin. Are you doing okay from earlier?

(M)Yeah, just trying not to stress out too much about everything.

(K)You don’t need to worry yourself, my love. I’m fine here with you, remember? There are two guards outside and you’re just down the hall if anything happens. No one is getting in this house, like you said.

(M)I know, but my biggest worry is when I’m not here and you’re alone.

(K)Listen, I’m scared, too, but with all these guards, I don’t have to be. I’m sure everything will be okay.

Kate moves closer to Merig, her happiness evident as she wraps her arms around his torso. Merig responds by enveloping her in a tight embrace. She takes a moment to look up at him, and he gazes down at her, their eyes meeting in a soft, shared smile. For a moment, the world seems to pause as they stand together. Merig takes a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves, before he begins to speak.

(M)Maybe you’re right, but I still worry about you. You’re my biggest priority right now. You matter more to me than anything.

(K)I know, and you mean so much to me, too. If you wanted to, after you go out on patrol each morning, you could just come back here and you wouldn't worry so much.

(M)True, that would ease my mind a bit more. Besides, I could spend the rest of the day and night with you, holding you and kissing you.

(K)[smiles] I absolutely love that idea. I wouldn't mind at all.

(M)[smiles] I love that idea, too…and I love you, Kate.

(K)I love you, too, Merig. And hey, if anything…I can always come lay with you to keep your mind more at ease while we sleep.

(M)[blush] Are y-y-you s-s-sure about that?

(K)[giggles] Of course, why not? You can hold me all night and kiss me if you want to.

(M)[smiles] You're absolutely right, that’s true. I’d love that very much and it would actually help me sleep better.

(K)[smiles] I'd love that, too. I'll get to fall asleep in your arms.

(M)If that's what you want, sweetheart, I'd be more than happy to hold you all night.

(K)Alright, my love, shall we?

(M)We shall.

Kate moves into Merig’s bedroom for the night to give him peace of mind in case something happens while they sleep. They both get comfortable, lying next to each other in his bed, with Merig on the right side and Kate on the left. Merig, a bit nervous, looks over at Kate, who is lying on her side. She smiles at him, swaddled in the blankets, her presence calming and reassuring.

(K)Wow, it’s really warm under here, I can get used to this.

(M)[chuckles] I think I can, too.

(K)Are you calmer with me lying here with you?

(M)Actually, yeah, I’m kind of a light sleeper, so if anything happens, I’ll wake up almost instantly.

(K)Yeah, I’m the opposite. I sleep like a log. I can sleep through a hurricane.

(M)That’s okay, you can fall asleep in my arms if you want.

(K)[smiles] I think I’d like that.

Merig rolls over and opens his arms, inviting Kate to his side of the bed. Eagerly, she scoots closer, resting her head on his left bicep as he wraps his arm around her. His right arm encircles her other side, holding her tightly. Merig looks down at Kate, and she looks up at him, their eyes meeting as they share a tender smile.

(M)Are you comfy?

(K)Very much so, your body is really warm. I’m sure the blanket is trapping in the heat, but even my own body heat isn't this warm.

(M)I guess it’s just a goblin thing, our body temperatures are a bit higher than humans.

(K)That’s a good thing since I get cold pretty easily. I hate it, but it’s true.

(M)Yeah, I remember seeing you last winter. I felt really bad for you since you barely left the house.

(K)Yeah, If I had known you were this warm, I would've stayed close to you all winter. But let’s not talk about that. It makes me shiver just thinking about it, and I’m really warm and comfortable under this blanket.

(M)[chuckles] Fair enough, I'll keep you warm all night.

(K)[smiles] Thank you, my love, I can’t wait for the banquet, it’s gonna be so much fun.

(M)It definitely will be. I'll get to dance with you all night.

(K)Sounds like the perfect plan.

Merig smiles while holding Kate tight, their eyes locked in a tender gaze. He pulls her closer and places a soft kiss on her lips, which she happily accepts. They lie there, kissing for a few moments before Merig gently pulls away. They both look deeper into each other's eyes, sharing an intimate connection.

(M)Let's get some sleep. We have a lot to do before the banquet, so we'll need all the rest we can get.

(K)Okay, my love, I'll sleep much better here with you.

(M)And I'll sleep better here with you, too. I love you, Kate.

(K)I love you, too, Merig.

Kate moves closer into Merig's arms and lays her head on his chest, getting comfortable. Merig holds her tight, grabs the blanket, pulls it closer, and covers them both to keep Kate warm as she sleeps. Merig holds Kate tight while she softly closes her eyes. Merig closes his eyes shortly after, and they both drift off to sleep.