Morning arrives, and Merig is already in motion, swiftly dressing in his training attire. Kate lies in a peaceful slumber, oblivious to the world. A tender smile graces Merig’s lips as he gazes down at her. Moving quietly, he settles beside her on the bed, his eyes locked on her serene face. With delicate care, he leans in and presses a soft kiss to her forehead. A soft groan escapes her lips as consciousness slowly reclaims her, and her eyes flutter open, meeting his gaze with a sleepy smile.

(M)[smiles] Good morning, beautiful.

(K)Good morning, my love.

(M)Sorry, I just wanted to kiss you before I left. I didn’t mean to wake you.

(K)It’s okay, I wanted to kiss you before you leave, too. I can make you some breakfast before you leave.

(M)Don’t worry about it, sweetheart, I’ll grab something at the pub. You go out and have fun with Ash, okay? I’ll see you later at the training grounds after you’re done.

(K)Okay, my love, you have fun training with Barth and the others. I love you so much, my earth.

(M)I love you, too, my beautiful moon.

A shared smile blooms between them as Merig leans in for a tender goodbye kiss. He sits up, swings his legs over the bed, and stands, heading towards the door. Before disappearing, he glances back at Kate, who is now cocooned in the warmth of her blanket. One last lingering smile passes between them as Merig exits the bedroom and steps out into the morning. Time passes, and Kate awakens, the scent of brewing tea soon filling the air. As she's immersed in culinary creation, a sharp knock echoes through the house. Pausing her task, she moves towards the door, her curiosity piques. She approaches the door and opens it, revealing a smiling Ashley who greets her warmly.

(A)Good morning, you.

(K)Good morning, Ash. Come on in. I’m making breakfast if you’re hungry.

(A)Oh, hell yeah, don’t mind if I do.

Kate's face lights up with a welcoming smile as she gestures for Ashley to enter. With eager steps, Ashley crosses the threshold, and Kate gently closes the door behind her. Ashley finds a comfortable seat at the dining table, while Kate returns to the kitchen to continue her culinary endeavors. As the enticing aroma of breakfast fills the air, Ashley begins to speak.

(A)So are you okay from yesterday?

(K)Yeah, I’m a little calmer than I was. After dinner, Merig helped me feel better when he held me and talked calmly and sweetly to me while we laid in bed. And as always, my troubles just melted away. Merig is such a charmer I swear he puts some kind of spell on me every time.

(A)Larry is the same way with me. Once he starts kissing me and touching me, I just lose myself. I think it’s a goblin thing, I’m not sure.

(K)[smiles] Maybe, they are peculiar creatures, after all.

(A)You’re not wrong, my friend. So are you ready for today?

(K)Yep, I want to see what flowers are perfect for my bouquet and the decorations. I know one flower I want is white roses. They symbolize eternal love and new beginnings, which is what we need after all the hell we’ve been through. A fresh start as husband and wife and the wonderful life we have here.

(A)I know for a fact that your and Merig’s love will last an eternity, no doubt about that. You two deserve a fresh start and I can’t tell you how happy I am for you both getting married.

(K)Thanks, Ash, I’m just waiting for my parents to come visit and meet Merig.

(A)Oh, that should be fun, but your parents are the sweetest, just like you. I’m sure they will love Merig.

(K)I’m sure of it too. We’ve been writing letters to each other ever since Merig proposed, and I told them all about him. They wrote me saying they were going to be here this weekend, and I was going to tell Merig today.

(A)[gasp] Oh that’s exciting, I can’t wait for them to get here. I haven't seen them in years!

(K)I can’t wait either, they said they can’t wait to meet Merig.

(A)It’s going to be so much fun with your mom around. I’m going to give her a big hug when I see her.

(K)Me too, but I’m not sure how Merig will react to me telling him that they’ll be here.

(A)He might get scared out of his mind. Did you tell them Merig is a goblin?

(K)Of course, why would I leave that detail out? You know they don’t hate Fomors.

(A)I know, but I don’t think they expected you to get married to one.

(K)I’m also sure that they know that it was a possibility since I view Fomors as equal to humans. That’s how they raised me, after all.

(A)Right, how silly of me. I’m sure your parents will love him since they’re wonderful people. I’m just worried Merig will freak out because he doesn’t know your parents like we do and he still thinks he’s not good enough for you since he isn’t human.

(K)And I’ll explain to Merig that he has nothing to worry about and that my parents are really excited to meet him.

(A)That’s good, I just can’t wait to see Merig’s reaction. It'll be priceless.[giggles]

(K)I’m sure he’ll be fine. I’m still wondering where we’re going to find a bridesmaid.

(A)Me too, but don’t stress, I'm sure we’ll find someone. There have been uneven wedding parties before.

(K)Yeah, but Barth wouldn’t have anyone to pair with walking down the aisle.

(A)Your mom could always pair with him and walk down the aisle.

(K)But that would mean I’d have to make her a bridesmaid and I’m going to ask her and my dad if they’ll walk me down the aisle since that’s what I decided that I wanted.

(A)Fair enough, we can always ask someone here in the city that we know.

(K)Yeah, we could. Let’s go to the florist, first. I don’t want to overwhelm myself, remember?

(A)Alright, hon, let’s eat first since we’ve got time.

Kate completes their breakfast preparations, and the two women savor their meal together before venturing out. Their journey leads them through the bustling city until they reach their destination. A charming little florist shop named "Love Me Always." Inside, a vibrant tapestry of flowers unfolds, a kaleidoscope of colors and fragrances. As they wander through this floral wonderland, an elderly woman with long, flowing white hair emerges from a back room. Her name is Silvia. She approaches the other two women with a warm smile, ready to assist them.

(SL)Well hello ladies, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you come in. I was tending to my garden out back. It’s been so cold and I’ve been trying to grow what I can for the winter.

(K)Oh, no need to apologize, Miss Silvia. We’re just browsing to see what flowers would be best for my wedding bouquet. It’s me, Kate.

(SL)Oh, Kate, it’s you! Forgive me, I don’t have my glasses on. It’s so good to see you, dear. And you’re getting married? How lovely, congratulations!

(K)Indeed, I am. Thank you.

(SL)Who’s the lucky fellow?

(K)It’s Merig, remember?

(SL)Oh, of course! The commander of the guards.

(K)Yes, ma’am, he proposed to me a few weeks ago, and we’re getting everything ready.

(SL)Oh, yes, how could I forget? I was told you two were to be wedded soon. The entire city knows and is so delighted. I should’ve remembered, but alas, my old age is catching up to me. I’m so sorry, darling.

(K)Think nothing of it, Miss Silvia, I’m very excited. Merig is so good to me and I love him.

(SL)I can imagine you do. I’m so happy for you both. I’m sure you two love each other. I’ve seen you around the city from time to time and you both look so happy and in love.

(K)Yes, ma’am, we are very happy, but of course, he doesn’t think he deserves me because he’s a goblin and not human like me. I told him I love him just the way he is.

(SL)That’s what love is all about, dear. You love each other despite your differences and as long as you’re both a good person, the love between you is unconditional.

(K)That’s what I keep telling him, but he’s not quite convinced.

(SL)Oh, he will come around and understand your love for him.

(K)I hope so because I wouldn’t be marrying him if I didn’t love him.

(SL)Goblins are silly creatures, aren’t they?

(K)You’re absolutely right about that, Miss Silvia.

(SL)I know, you and Merig are wonderful people in this city. He protects the city from evil and you help people who need it and we all appreciate you here.

(K)I remember back when I first started foraging for herbs outside of the city. You asked me to gather some flowers for you that grew in the forest. You had run out of them and your supply of seeds had run out too.

(SL)That’s right! I remember the daisies, the marigolds, and the angel’s trumpets. Oh, how could I forget? You saved me all that trouble of ordering fresh seeds since I couldn’t find anyone to deliver them in time. It was so generous of you to do that for me and no matter how old I get, I will always remember those times when you went out of your way to help me. I never got to properly thank you for your help.

(K)It was no trouble at all. I was more than happy to help you and your beautiful shop.

(SL)If there’s anything I can do to help you with your wedding flowers, you let me know and I won’t charge you a thing.

(K)Oh, Miss Silvia, that won’t be necessary, I’d be more than happy to pay for your gorgeous flowers.

(SL)Not another word about it, dear. Consider it as thanks for helping me all those times. Whatever flowers you want, they’re yours.

(K)[smiles] Thank you so much, Miss Silvia. You have no idea how much this means to me.

(SL)You mean a lot to the people of this city. And I bet you and Merig are just thrilled to be getting married.

(K)Yes, ma’am, we most certainly are. You’ll definitely be getting an invitation, along with everyone that has been so good to me.

(SL)Oh, thank you, Kate, I would be delighted to attend your wedding. And with my flowers, it will be breathtaking.

(K)It absolutely will be. Your flowers are the best, Miss Silvia.

(SL)[smiles] Thank you dear, Now what kind of flowers do you want in your bouquet?

(K)I was thinking about some white roses, along with some Hyacinths, or even lavender. Same for the decorations.

(SL)Wonderful choices, love, those will be perfect. Oh, when is your wedding?

(K)It’s not until April thirteenth, but I wanted to reserve what I can so that it’s all taken care of sooner.

(SL)Understandable, that's good thinking, Kate, luckily I have exactly what you’re looking for and would be happy to put your name down and the date of your wedding and I’ll make sure I get those flowers for you when the time comes.

(K)That would be so helpful, Miss Silvia, thank you so much.

(SL)Think nothing of it, sweetheart. You are a valued customer and a wonderful friend to so many people here. And if there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate. Now I have to get back to my garden. I’ll see you ladies before the wedding.

(K)Do you need any help back there? I’d be happy to assist you.

(SL)No, no, I’ll be just fine. You have your wedding to plan. Don’t bother yourself with this old woman. I wish nothing but the best for you and Merig and thank you again for inviting me to the wedding.

(K)Of course, Miss Silvia, and thank you as well for your generosity. I’ll see you later.

(A)Goodbye, Miss Silvia.

(SL)Goodbye, ladies, have a wonderful day.

(K)You as well.

Silvia bids farewell to Ashley and Kate before turning to head towards the back of her shop. She takes her time, strolling leisurely as she makes her way back to her beloved garden to finish caring for her plants. As Silvia walks away, Ashley and Kate exchange happy expressions, pleased with their trip to the flower shop.

(A)Well, that was nice of her to do for us. We’ve got another thing crossed off on our list.

(K)Yeah, I feel less overwhelmed after that. What do you want to do now?

(A)We can always just relax and walk around the city. It’s been a while since we had some girl time, just you and I.

(K)[smiles] You’re right, I’d be happy to spend time with my bestie.

(A)Me too, we can go anywhere you want.

(K)I wouldn’t mind walking around the shops for a bit, then sitting down at the square to relax. I need to find a wedding ring for Merig since I already have mine. He had it made as an engagement ring and a wedding ring, so I need to find one for him as well.

(A)Okay, well, we can go to the shops and see what they’ve got. I’m sure we’ll find something.

(K)Alright, let’s head out.

The two women exit the flower shop and embark on a journey through the city to help find the perfect wedding ring for Merig, spending the entire day together. Meanwhile, over at the training grounds, Merig and the other goblins engage in another round of sparring, putting Barth's agility to the test. Barth dashes around the snow-covered area while Merig, Larry, and Gordo try to take him down. Merig, armed with his crossbow and training bolts, rapidly loads and fires shots at Barth. Gordo charges at Barth with full force, aiming to land some punches. Larry, wielding his training swords, tries to catch up to Barth from behind. As Larry closes in, Barth hears his footsteps and swiftly casts an ice spell, creating a slippery sheet of ice on the ground. Larry's feet touch the ice as he loses his balance, slipping and falling onto the snowy terrain. Barth continues to run and dodge attacks from Gordo and Merig. Merig continues shooting bolts, but Barth skillfully dodges them until Merig runs out of ammunition. Gordo charges at Barth from the side, but Barth stops running and faces him head-on. Gordo lunges towards Barth, prompting Barth to conjure a powerful fire spell. Just as Gordo reaches him, a blinding light appears before Barth unleashes the fiery blast. The explosion sends Gordo flying through the air, crashing onto the ground. Barth basks in his triumph as the other goblins are defeated. Merig, with a smile on his face, lowers his crossbow and approaches Barth to commend him.

(M)Well done, big brother, this is only the second day and you’re already getting better.

(B)When it comes to agility, I certainly don’t lack in that field.

(M)I can see that.

(L)[groans] You can see it, but I can feel it.

(G)[groans] You can feel it, but I can hardly hear it from the ringing in my ears.

(B)Sorry about that, I’ll go help them up.

(M)Good idea, I’ll help you, I’ll get Larry and you get Gordo.

(B)On it.

Merig and Barth glance at the other two goblins, still sprawled on the ground and moaning in discomfort, as Barth casts them a sympathetic glance. He makes his way to Gordo, who remains flat on his back, and kneels beside him. Reaching out, Barth offers his hand, which Gordo takes, allowing Barth to pull him upright. As Gordo rises, he grimaces and sways unsteadily, leaning against Barth for balance. Barth steadies him, ensuring he doesn’t topple over.

(B)Sorry about that, Gordo. Are you okay? You hit the ground pretty hard.

(G)I’m fine, it just caught me by surprise, but I had fun sparring. Although I have a feeling that I’ll feel the pain in the morning. You’ve always had some wicked speed, Barth.

(B)Thanks, I had fun, too. Now let’s get you over to the rest area.

Merig approaches Larry, sprawled on the icy ground, a victim of the treacherous sheet of ice concealing itself beneath the snow. Extending a helping hand, Merig offers a lifeline as Larry grasps it eagerly, pulling himself up with a grunt. Pain etched on his face, Larry doubles over, clutching his aching back. Merig steadies him with a firm grip, providing support as Larry struggles to regain his balance.

(M)Are you okay, buddy? How are you feeling?

(L)Oh, my back hurts, I wasn't expecting any of that. Damn, Barth! That was some good thinking, casting that ice on the ground, but holy shit that hurt my back. Good work, though.

(B)Sorry, buddy, I can make an ice pack for you, if you’d like.

(L)Nah, I’ll give Ashley the old puppy eyes and sweet-talk her into giving me a massage. She’s got magic hands, I swear. How are you feeling, Gordo?

(G)I’m beat up and a little burned, but I’ll be okay. Nothing some painkillers can’t fix. Think you can spare some, Merig?

(M)Yeah, no problem, luckily I’ve got them with me. You and Larry are more than welcome to take some.

(L)You’re a lifesaver pal, let’s head over and take a breather.

Merig and Barth each seize hold of Larry and Gordo, respectively, and guide them toward the designated resting area. As they approach, the quartet settles down to rest. Merig retrieves his medicine pouch from his pocket and offers it to Larry. Larry reaches in, selects a painkiller, and swallows it before passing the pouch to Gordo, who repeats the process.

(B)Wait, what time is it?

(M)Almost noon, we’ve been at this all morning.

(B)Damn, time flies when you’re having fun.

(L)Yup, the women should be done with their errands and we’ll see them here soon.

(B)Yeah, Kate is counting on me to keep helping her train her magic. I just feel she should hold off, at least until she’s done planning the wedding since a lot of the heavy work is already done, right?

(M)Yeah, but she really wants to master her skills, and she said she’s only doing minor tasks for the wedding, so she doesn’t mind. Trust me, I've even told her she shouldn’t overwhelm herself, but I’m not going to try to tell her what to do. She’s free to do whatever she wants.

(L)Yeah, but if it gets too stressful for her, I think she should take it easy.

(M)You’re right, if it gets to be too much for her, I’ll definitely step in and prevent her from doing anything else to make it worse. I want as little stress on her as possible.

(G)So after the flowers and decorations, what’s left to do?

(M)The cake and to look for a bridesmaid.

(L)Wait, what about your wedding ring? You had one made for Kate. Have you thought about one for yourself?

(M)Yeah, that’s right, Kate said she was going to find one for me. She said she wanted it to be from her, just as her ring was from me. Her engagement ring is also her wedding ring and there’s usually a separate ring, but she insisted the engagement ring be her wedding ring because she loves it so much. She said she didn’t want to spend the money if it wasn’t necessary.

(B)So the cake, a bridesmaid, and your wedding ring. The cake wouldn’t need to be made until the day of the wedding, and you still have time to find a bridesmaid. The wedding ring is the only thing that may be difficult to find since it might take a while to make depending on specifications. But even then, it’ll get made before the wedding.

(M)Yeah, we’ll have downtime between now and then.

(L)Also, how many people are going to be there at the wedding?

(M)Oh, shit, the guests! We need to start sending out invitations, I completely forgot about that! I don’t even know how many people we want to invite, yet.

(B)Damn, that’s right, we’ll just ask Kate when she gets here. I’m sure she has an idea of who she wants to invite and a lot of the guests will be here in Tara.

(M)She wants her parents here, too, and some of her family. We’re going to have to make a list of people she wants to invite.

(L)Let’s just hope we have the seating if there’s going to be a lot of people there. Knowing Kate, she’ll want to invite a lot of people around the city.

(M)Which is fine, considering she’s helped a lot of people and they’ve grown to love her.

(B)So just relax, we don’t need both of you stressing out. The guest list is the biggest thing you have to do and once it’s done, you don’t have to worry. And again, you’ll have time between now and then to make the guest list and invitations.

(M)You’re right, I just don’t want to stress Kate out with it. If she’s stressed, then I’m stressed, but I hide it better than she does.

(B)I don’t know about that. She was good at hiding quite a bit after that battle. All the things she told Ashley, and I proved that. Luckily, she didn’t get swallowed up by it all. She’s a warrior for not letting the trauma consume her.

(M)Yeah, and I’m a piece of shit for not talking to Kate about it more. I should’ve taken time off and been there with her, so she had someone to talk to. I put all that burden on you and everyone else who talked her through it.

(B)Hey, you’re not a piece of shit, Merig. She had us to talk to, and she had you to hold her at night and talk to her. You did both at the same time and it’s not like you didn’t talk to her at all.

(M)I know but Kate needed me, Barth.

(B)And she had you and she still does. No one can calm her anxiety like you can, Merig and no one can put a smile on her face better than you. We all saw that just yesterday when she was worried about not having a bridesmaid.

(L)Yeah, and I’m sure she opened up to you just as much as she did with the rest of us.

(G)Kate always seems happy when you’re around, Merig. All you have to do is hold her hand or smile at her and it seems to make her whole day.

(B)Exactly, you’re going to be her husband and that’s the only thing that matters to her. It’s all she talks about ever since you proposed, and like I said the other day, she talked to us about you and literally told us you were her “knight in shining armor”. That’s the complete opposite of a piece of shit.

(M)I know, but I wanted to be there for her every day. It’s my job to be there for Kate when she needs me.

(B)She didn’t mind that it wasn’t every day, Merig. She said you did more for her than you think and she didn’t want you to overwhelm yourself, just like you don’t want her to do.

(M)[sigh] You’re absolutely right, Barth. I understand now and I’m sorry. I feel I should be carrying all the weight, but she feels the same way and we’re both telling each other not to. We’re both doing our part and it’s more than enough for the both of us.

(L)Exactly, in a committed relationship, the burden should be split, otherwise, it won’t balance and the weight will get too heavy on one side. You and Kate need to learn how to share that weight and not worry about it overwhelming the other. You’ll both be happier that way.

(B)He’s right, Merig, don’t try taking on more weight than you can handle. You’ll both just be exhausted and it’ll be chaos.

(G)You should try taking the weight off of each other like a team. Just as we spar, we take on unique challenges in different ways. Work together and find a way to beat those challenges and better your odds for the next one.

(B)That analogy pretty much sums that up. Share the weight and don’t be afraid to, Merig.

(M)All of you are right, I love Kate and she loves me and that’s a shared thing. Her doing what she does and me doing what I do are also a shared thing. And being there when the day is over and talking to one another and helping each other not stress, that’s a shared thing, too.

(L)That’s right pal, just keep doing that without hogging all the weight. Kate is more than happy to help you wash all of your troubles away, just as you are with her. So let her do that and you keep doing the same for her.

(M)Right, thanks, you guys, I’m seeing things from a different perspective and I understand.

(B)Good, that’s our job. Now let’s wait for the women to get here, so I can train Kate.

(M)Sure thing, I'll put away the equipment.

(L)That’s my job, pal, you sit and rest up.

(M)You’re hurt, Larry, you can’t even sit upright. Let me take care of it for you, buddy.

(L)If you insist, I’ll be here waiting for the painkillers to kick in.

(B)I’ll help you, little brother, let’s go clean up.

Larry and Gordo remain relaxed at the rest area as Merig and Barth rise from their seats and head back to the training area. Together, they stow the equipment and tidy up the training bolts scattered on the ground. Meanwhile, in the city, Ashley and Kate pause their girls' day out for a brief respite in the square. As they sit, shared smiles pass between them as conversation begins to flow.

(K)I miss this, even though it’s still freezing out. I’m usually at home, trying to stay warm.

(A)I know I’m glad we came out here. I miss hanging out, too.

(K)Between healing from everything, training my magic, and now planning a wedding, I haven’t really stopped to just have some fun. I’m sorry, Ash.

(A)Don’t be, hon. Despite all of that, I've always had fun just being around you, Kate, even if it’s indoors. Besides, there’s always plenty of time to go out and have fun, like today. We have our busy lives. I’m still a Royal Guard and have duties, and I’m spending time with Larry, along with everything else. Myself and everyone else helped you heal from that battle, which I was more than happy to do, so don't worry. And now I’m your maid of honor and I’m helping you get ready for this wedding. We both have responsibilities of our own and we’re helping each other at the same time.

(K)I never thought about it that way. That’s kind of the same thing going on with Merig and me. I don’t want to put a lot of stress on him, but at the same time, I have my own stress to deal with and I feel selfish for thinking that way.

(A)Kate, taking a burden off of yourself isn’t selfish, and it hurts you more than it hurts others, and it’s self-destructive. You’re the least selfish person I’ve ever known and Merig desperately wants to help you worry less about things, so you should let him.

(K)And I want to do the same for him. Every day when he comes home from guard duties, I do everything I can to make him happy. Then when we are holding each other in bed, that’s when I’m the happiest. He’ll talk to me and make all of my worries melt away and I feel so much better. I just worry that he stresses out doing his part and I worry that I stress him out.

(A)Don’t, you two have been doing a great job working together, and it shows. You both are still so happy together no matter what and as long as you're together, nothing can ever change that. It’s clear that nothing can come between you two and get in the way of your happiness together, and you’ve already proven that.

(K)I agree, not a damn thing can stop me from being happy with Merig. He and I work together on whatever we do and we take stress off of each other just by being together, so that when we are apart, we’re still happy.

(A)Exactly and that's how it should be, work together and be there to lessen the weight from each other.

(K)That’s what we do already, so I guess we should just keep doing it.

(A)[smiles] That’s right, that's why you two are perfect for each other.

(K)And just think, this is the very spot where Merig and I confessed our love for each other and it’s the very same spot where we will become husband and wife. Just thinking about it makes my heart flutter.

(A)I bet, it's going to be a beautiful wedding, Kate.

(K)You're right, it will be perfect.

The women exchange smiles and laughter as they relax and chat. From a distance, Ashley and Kate catch the eye of someone amidst the laughter. A woman with fair skin and long, black curly hair notices the two women seated on a bench and conversing, prompting her to approach them. As she draws closer, a smile lights up her face as she stands before them and begins to speak.

(S)Ash? Kate? Is that really you two?

Ashley and Kate suddenly notice the woman's presence and quickly shift their focus towards her. Initially puzzled, they study the woman intently. Their eyes widen in surprise, and soon, joyful smiles spread across their faces. Rising from the bench, Ashley and Kate eagerly embrace the woman, enveloping her in a warm group hug. Laughter and smiles fill the air as the trio shares a moment of pure excitement. Finally, Kate breaks the silence and begins to speak to her.

(K)Sarah?!

(A)Oh my god, it’s been forever!

(S)Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you two in so long.

(K)I know, it's so good to see you.

(A)And what on earth are you doing in Tara?

(S)I actually live here. I moved here just a few weeks ago.

(K)And this is the first time we're seeing you? I guess it really has been a while since we've been out, Ash.

(A)I guess so, either that or we live on completely opposite sides of the city.

(S)Probably, I live in the west part of the city.

(K)That’s why. We live in the southeastern part of Tara.

(A)Plus we've been so busy we just haven't had time to go out like this. This is the first time in weeks that we’ve had a girl's day out, just Kate and I.

(K)Yeah, and the reason we're out today is that we had to visit the florist.

(S)Oh how fun, did you buy any flowers?

(K)Not yet, but I reserved some for my wedding.

(S)[gasp] Oh my goodness, you're getting married?! When is the wedding?

(K)You bet I am and I’m really excited. The wedding is in April on the thirteenth.

(S)That's wonderful, Kate, I'm so happy for you, I'd love to meet your fiancé sometime.

(K)Actually, we were just about to head over to see him. He's at the Royal Guard training grounds with the rest of our friends. You're more than welcome to join us, Sarah.

(S)Your fiancé is a Royal Guard?

(K)Yep, he's the commander and Ash’s partner is second in command. And my fiancé is going to be a knight soon and his brother is training to be a guard, too.

(S)That's so cool, I can't wait to catch up with you both.

(A)Well, let's head over to the training grounds and we can talk on the way there.

(K)Good idea let's go, I’m so excited.

The three women leave the benches of the square and make their way towards the Royal Guard training grounds. As they walk together, they continue to chat and catch up, sharing stories and laughing. Sarah glances at her companions, Ashley and Kate, with a soft smile before speaking again.

(S)Wow, you both haven't changed one bit. Kate, you're still so kind and so pretty, wearing that thick cloak and the long dresses you used to wear. I also see you still hair up like you used to do. I always loved your thick wavy hair.

(K)Why thank you, Sarah, you’re still as beautiful as I remember. Your hair is still as thick as mine with those beautiful curls. I always loved how tight your curls were, and I remember when we even used to measure the thickness of each other’s hair to see who had the thickest.[giggles]

(S)Oh yeah, I remember that. You always asked me to curl your hair so you could have tighter curls, so I did. You were so happy that we matched, except for the hair color, of course. But your waves did get tighter since I last saw you. It's been at least ten years, maybe longer, hasn’t it?

(K)Wow, has it really been that long? Time flies by so quickly, doesn't it?

(A)It sure does. I remember all the fun the three of us had back home.

(S)Me too, you haven't changed, either, Ash. Are you still practicing alchemy?

(A)Actually I'm a Royal Guard, too. Technically, I'm a royal alchemist.

(S)[gasp] Oh my goodness Ash, you did it! Your dream came true. Oh, I'm very happy for you. That must have been so exciting for you and I bet you do amazing work.

(K)She absolutely does, and she's a hero, too. She protects the city from bandits.

(S)Oh, that must be tough work.

(K)Oh, it is. One time, she and the other guards fought an entire camp of bandits and won. But that's a story for another time.

(S)Well, I have time and I like stories.

(A)I guess we can give you a shorter summary. We're still kind of healing from it, at least Kate is, so it's kind of a sore subject for her.

(K)I don’t mind, Ash. One step to healing is to talk about what happened so that I don't bottle up emotions.

(A)You’re absolutely right, Kate.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

(S)Wait, did something bad happen to you, Kate?

(A)Kind of, we’ll explain everything.

As they continue their walk, Ashley and Kate share a detailed account of the events leading up to and during the battle with Cormac and his bandit horde. Their voices, filled with adrenaline and a touch of disbelief, paint a vivid picture of the chaos and courage that had unfolded. When they finally finish their tale, Sarah stands in stunned silence, her mind racing to comprehend the magnitude of their ordeal.

(S)Wow, I'm so sorry that happened to you, Kate. But I'm also glad that there was a happy ending to it.

(K)Oh, I am as well, don't get me wrong. But the whole thing took a toll on me mentally, as well as my fiancé. But we both have been helping each other through it.

(S)Oh, I can only imagine what you went through and I'm so sorry, Kate. I’m glad you were both there for each other.

(K)Don’t be sorry, I'm doing much better and so is my fiancé. Ash and the rest of the group have been helping us through it and we’re forever grateful. Ever since Merig proposed to me, the wedding is all I've thought about. I love him so much and I can’t wait to marry him.

(S)I bet you are. Marriage is an exciting and beautiful thing. I'm glad you're both doing better, but you didn't deserve any of what happened to you, because you're too wonderful of a person. And if you ever need to talk, I'm here, too. I’d also love to attend your wedding if you’ll have me.

(K)Thank you, Sarah, I really appreciate it and I’d love to have you at our wedding. You're absolutely right, this wedding will be beautiful.

(A)Hold on a second! This is perfect!

(K)What's perfect, Ash?

(A)We need a bridesmaid!

(K)[gasp] You're right, Ash!

(S)A bridesmaid?

(A)Yep, you heard that right.

(K)Sarah, could I ask you a big question? More like a big favor.

(S)Sure Kate, Anything I can do to help?

(K)Well, we have my fiancé's brother as the groomsman and his best friend as the best man. Well, Ash is the maid of honor, but she’s the only one on my side of the wedding party and we don’t have a bridesmaid. Would you like to fill that role and be my bridesmaid?

(S)You want me to be your bridesmaid, really?

(K)Absolutely, you'd be perfect and I'll buy your dress and everything.

(S)Are you sure? I'm not sure if I'm worthy of that role.

(K)Oh, Sarah, of course you are. You’re a friend of ours and I'm more than happy to make you a part of the wedding.

(S)Oh, I'd love that so much, Kate, it would be an honor to be a bridesmaid in your wedding.

(K)Oh thank you so much, Sarah, you have no idea how much this means to me.

(S)Of course, you're my friends and I always loved seeing you happy. You're still a lovely and caring free spirit. Whoever your fiancé is, he’s a very lucky person.

(K)Oh, he is the sweetest person I’ve ever met, and he’s so good to me. I’m so happy to be with someone like him and even more happy that I’ll be his wife. I'll be proud to call him my husband.

(S)It sounds like you two are perfect for each other. You sound like you really love him.

(A)Oh they definitely are perfect, they’re so in love with each other. Kate over here was absolutely charmed by Merig and would always talk about him before they got together. When they finally confessed their love for each other, Kate was on cloud nine and over the moon. It was so cute to see her gush over him. And Merig is so in love with her. He was so scared to tell her how he felt, but I was glad that he finally did after a year. They’ve been happy together since her birthday when they both confessed. He’d climb mountains for this woman. That’s how much he loves her.

(K)[smiles] He’s very sweet and gentle and just all-around wonderful. He's also very protective of me. He was on a warpath when I got captured before the battle, according to Ash.

(A)It’s true, I was there when he saw that you were missing from the house and let out his war cry. It was earsplitting and his eyes were frightening. That’s how enraged he was. He was not going to sleep until you were found and he was going to fight to the death to get you back. That’s all he thought about and he hoped that she was still alive or he was going to go on a killing spree. He won’t let anyone hurt Kate and get away with it. But Merig would never hurt this woman. He’d rather throw himself off of the same mountain he climbed for her.

(S)He sounds like a really amazing person and you deserve it since you’re an amazing person too, Kate.

(K)Why, thank you, Sarah, you’re still as sweet as I remember. And yes, Merig is amazing and I’m lucky to have him in my life. I love him so much.

(A)You’re all amazing and I love you.

(K)We love you too, Ash. We’re almost at the training grounds. I can’t wait for you to meet everyone.

(S)I hope I don’t clam up around them. I’ve been trying to meet new people, but I’m just scared to talk to anyone.

(K)[giggles] You’re still as shy as I remember, Sarah. It’ll be okay. We’ll be right there with you, so you won’t be scared.

(A)That’s right, and now you have us to hang out with again, so it’ll be fun. You have nothing to worry about.

(S)Okay, that helps me feel a little better. I trust both of your judgments. I just hope I don’t get scared and run away. That would be embarrassing. I want to get better at meeting people and not be so scared.

(K)You can do this. I believe in you, Sarah.

(A)These guys are fun to be around and they watch out for us. You’ll be a part of the friend group. Just put on a friendly smile and you’ll be just fine.

(S)Thank you both for the encouragement. I’m ready to start facing my fears as an adult.

(K)I’m proud of you hon, let’s go then, we're almost there.

The women navigated the bustling city streets for some time before finally arriving at the training grounds. As they stepped through the entrance, their conversation continued unabated. The sound of their approach drew the attention of the goblins within, who turned to regard the incoming trio. A moment of surprise passed over their faces as they noted the presence of a third woman. Barth, quick to react, broke the silence.

(B)Oh hey the ladies have arrived, but now there's three.

(G)I noticed that, too, I wonder who it is.

(M)Whoever it is, Ash and Kate obviously know her.

(L)Well, let's not be rude and go introduce ourselves.

The women navigate the city streets until they emerge into the open expanse of the training grounds. Their lively conversation continues as they step into the training area. The goblins, lounging in a relaxed circle, rise to their feet, their attention drawn to Ashley, Kate, and the newcomer. Sarah, her keen senses alert, notices the goblins walking toward them. A wave of apprehension washes over her, and her voice, barely a whisper, trembles with fear as she reacts.

(S)Uh Kate, Ash? Those goblins are walking toward us. Do you know them?

(K)Of course, they’re the ones we told you about.

(S)Oh, I had no idea they were goblins.

(K)Yep, Fomors live in this city just like they do back home, remember? A lot of them came to live here after that battle as well. Merig and Larry have been here for years and the other two left the bandit camp, but they’re peaceful, I promise.

(S)Of course, I remember and they can be wonderful, but I was always afraid of them when I was younger for some reason. Although I was afraid of everyone, you know that. I’m still that way to this day and I can’t help it, especially with new people. I haven’t really made any new friends here because of it and I’m so glad that you both live here and I won’t be so alone.

(K)Oh honey, it’s okay, these guys are some of the sweetest goblins you’ll meet.

(A)Yeah, don’t worry, they're harmless, come say "hi".

(S)[sigh] Okay, I just hope my shy side doesn’t get the better of me. I can do this. Let’s go.

Sarah's demeanor shifts between apprehension and determination as she takes a deep, steadying breath. With a hesitant step, she falls into place behind the other two women. As they close the distance between themselves and the goblins, friendly smiles blossom on their faces. The reunion is marked by genuine joy as cheerful greetings are exchanged among the group.

(L)Hey ladies, how'd the flower shopping go?

(A)Better than we expected, actually.

(K)Yeah, we were able to reserve some flowers for my bouquet and the decorations. Miss Silvia was nice enough to help me out.

(M)That was generous of her. I'm glad it all worked out, sweetheart.

(K)Yeah, so am I, but right now I’m really cold. Will you please warm me up, my love?

(M)[chuckles] Of course sweetheart, come here, you know I’m more than happy to keep you warm.

Merig joyfully embraces Kate as she eagerly moves towards him, wearing a smile on her face as she wraps her arms around him for a hug. The two then exchange smiles and a kiss as Kate snuggles up to Merig to ward off the cold. Meanwhile, Larry glances at Ashley and greets her with a smile as he walks over to her, giving her a kiss and enveloping her in his arms.

(L)[sniff] Welcome back gorgeous. You smell divine as if you were just lying in a field of flowers.

(A)[giggles] Yeah, there were all kinds of beautiful flowers in that shop. It smelled amazing just being in there and I almost didn't want to leave.

(L)Oh honey, I wouldn’t have wanted to leave either, knowing you were there. You would've been the most beautiful and sweetest-smelling flower in the entire shop. If I walked in and saw you, I would have picked you and I'd pay millions just to have you as good as you smell.

(A)[smiles] Smooth talking, keep that up and I just might let you have me so you can pollinate me later tonight.

(L)Oh honey, you'd make me the happiest bee in the world.

The rest of the group looks at the scene, laughing and giggling at Larry and Ashley’s exchange. Sarah softly giggles to herself but is still shy and nervous. She stops to look around at the rest of the group before shrinking up and narrowing her eyes to the ground. Barth looks over at Sarah, notices her shyness, and speaks up with a friendly smile and a soft voice.

(B)I see you two have acquired a friend. Are you going to introduce us to her?

(K)Oh yes, of course, how rude of me. Everyone, this is Sarah. She's an old friend of ours from back home. She actually just moved here a few weeks ago, and she came up to us while we took a rest at the square and she recognized us right away. Let’s make her feel welcome and you all can introduce yourselves to her.

Barth is the first to greet Sarah. With a slow, deliberate pace, he approaches her, his intention clear. Yet, Sarah's eyes widen in alarm as she locks onto his figure. Her body tenses, and she begins to retreat, her steps small but filled with urgency. Sensing her distress, Barth halts, his outstretched hand pausing mid-air. A reassuring smile spreads across his face as he offers a gentle, open palm.

(B)Hi Sarah, it’s nice to meet you, I'm Barth. It’s alright, you don’t have to be scared, you’re among friends.

Sarah's gaze darts between Barth's outstretched hand and his friendly face. As he maintains his warm smile, she lowers her eyes, lost in thought for a brief moment. Then, a hesitant smile creeps across her lips as she takes a tentative step closer. Her hand trembles slightly as it reaches out to grasp Barth's, a gentle squeeze accompanying their brief connection. Her voice, soft and timid, finally breaks the silence.

(S)H-Hi Barth, it’s nice to meet you too. I’m Sarah Cromley.

(L)Hi Sarah, welcome to the friend circle. I'm Larry, Ash’s other half, and she's my better half. I'm also the comedian of the group, as you can tell.

(B)More like the group clown.

(L)Hey! I'm funnier than clowns.

(B)If you say so, but you did slip and fall on your ass earlier and that was pretty funny to see. I'll give you that.

(L)I see how it is, just laugh at my pain.

Sarah giggles softly as she watches the two goblins exchange playful glances. Gordo, with a slow, deliberate stride, approaches Sarah and extends his hand in greeting. Her eyes widen in surprise as she looks up at the towering goblin. With a shy smile, Sarah accepts his outstretched hand, their fingers meeting in a firm clasp. Gordo returns her smile, his large features softening.

(G)Hi Sarah, I'm Gordo. It's very nice to meet another friend of Kate's. Don't mind these two idiots, they're both clowns.

(S)[giggles] Hi Gordo, it’s nice to meet you, too. It's okay, I think they're funny.

(B)Oh yeah, Larry is pretty funny…funny looking.

(L)Is that the pot calling the kettle black, Barth? I guess that's how I got lucky enough to win Ash’s heart, right?

(A)[giggles] He's got a point there, Barth.

The remaining members of the group join in, laughing at the humorous exchange between Barth and Larry. Kate then walks over to Merig with a smile, standing cheerfully beside him as the two casually put their arms around each other. Kate proceeds to introduce Merig to Sarah.

(K)And this is my fiancé, Merig.

(M)It’s nice to meet you, Sarah. Welcome to the city of Tara. We hope you’ve enjoyed yourself here so far in the few weeks you’ve been here. I'm the commander of the Royal Guards, Larry is my second in command, Gordo is a scout, and Barth is here training to be captain.

(S)It's very nice to meet you, Merig. Kate and Ash told me all about your bravery and how you all fought an enormous battle with bandits. And I'm terribly sorry about what happened to you, though. But I'm glad there was a happy ending to it.

(M)I think we all are. Kate is precious to us all, and we'd do anything to keep her safe, especially myself, even if it means sacrificing myself. I love Kate very much and love makes you do crazy things like that.

(K)He may not be a knight just yet, but he'll always be my knight in shining armor in my eyes.

(S)That's so sweet, you two. I'm really happy for you and Kate getting married. She even asked me to be a bridesmaid.

(M)Really? That’s great. I knew you'd find someone, sweetheart!

(K)Yeah, funny how the universe works, I guess I just got lucky. And thank you so much again for being a part of the wedding, Sarah. I’m so grateful to you.

(S)Of course, you're my friend, Kate, and I'm more than happy to be a part of your wedding.

(B)That means you'll be paired up with me during the ceremony. I'm their groomsman.

(S)[smiles] That would be wonderful. I’m looking forward to it. And that means the wedding party will be even.

(K)That’s right, we only needed one bridesmaid and now it’ll be perfect because of you. And the best part is, now that we know you live here, we'll also get to catch up and hang out every day like old times. But only if you want to, of course.

(S)Are you kidding me? Of course, I do. I'd love to spend time with you and Ash whenever we can. I missed you both so much. I also wouldn’t mind joining you when you hang out with your fiancé and the others as well, if that’s okay.

(K)Absolutely, we have our hang-out spot at the pub on our side of the city, but it's a bit of a walk from the west part. We usually go there in the afternoons, since Merig and the others have guard duties in the mornings.

(S)That's okay, I don't mind the walk, it will be worth it. I’ve been a bit lonely since I got here and I don't really know anyone in the city. I'm so glad you and Ash are here and I missed you both. It's as if fate brought friends back together.

(K)Oh, sweetheart, we missed you, too. I’m so sorry you've been lonely, but you're here with us now and you're going to be a part of our lives again, and a part of the wedding.

(S)Thank you so much, Kate, you really haven’t changed at all, you’re still such a wonderful person.

(M)That’s Kate for you. The entire city loves her.

(A)It’s true, ever since she got here, she’s helped so many people. She’s even friends with the queen.

(S)Are you serious?! I don’t know why I’m surprised. I’d expect her to be admired by everyone, even by royalty.

(L)Kate practically is royalty here.

(M)When she came here to the city, I instantly fell in love with her when I first met her. I really didn’t expect her to love me, too, but here we are about to get married in two months.

(K)It’s funny how fate works, isn’t it?

(S)Indeed it is, you can find love in the most unexpected places, as well as friends.

(B)Also, we didn’t mean to alarm you when you first saw us. We’re sorry if we scared you. You probably expected to see humans and not some filthy goblins. If the other goblins give you any trouble, you let me know and I’ll rough them up.[wink]

(L)[smirk] Hey, the only filthy one here is you, Barth.

(B)[smirk] You wanna slip and fall on your ass again, Larry? I can make that happen, or I can just kick your ass right here.

(L)We’ll see about that, hot shot. Maybe at tomorrow’s training session.

(S)[giggles] I’ll admit I was a bit taken aback, but after officially meeting you, you all seem lovely and I think you’re funny, too. I don’t hate Fomors, I promise. I’m just naturally a shy person. I can’t help it since I’m scared of most people. Just like Kate, I grew up coexisting with Fomors.

(B)It’s okay, you seem lovely as well, Sarah, and we’re glad we could make you laugh. Any friend of Kate’s is a friend of ours, and if you want to hang out with us, Kate and I are about to have a training session. I’m helping her train her magic.

(S)[gasp] Kate, you’re still a mage? That’s amazing! I remember when you practiced your magic with your dad, I loved watching you both.

(K)Well, kind of, I wouldn’t call myself a mage quite yet. When my mom got sick, my dad had to stop training me and when I moved here, I was a bit rusty. But Barth was nice enough to train me when he came here after that battle.

(S)Oh, I heard about your mom. Is she okay now?

(K)She’s doing much better. In fact, she and my dad will be visiting this weekend.

Merig whips his head toward Kate, his eyes widening in alarm as the color rapidly drains from his face. A look of sheer horror spreads across his features as he stumbles over his words, sputtering incoherently. Gathering his thoughts, he takes a deep breath, but his voice trembles and stutters with panic as he finally manages to speak.

(M)Y-Y-Your p-p-parents are c-c-coming this w-w-weekend?

(K)Yeah, they replied to my letter saying they’ll be here and they’re so excited to meet you, Merig.

Merig's face contorts with worry and anxiety as panic begins to grip him. His words tumble out in a rapid, incoherent stream. Kate's gaze softens as she registers his distress. Moving swiftly, she positions herself in front of him, her hands finding his shoulder and then his cheek. Gentle strokes and a reassuring smile accompany her touch as she works to soothe him. Merig's breath comes in ragged gasps, but gradually, his frantic demeanor begins to subside, replaced by a lingering look of apprehension as he maintains eye contact with Kate.

(K)Merig honey, relax, it’s going to be okay. My parents are going to love you, I promise.

(M)Kate, I don’t think you understand. When it comes to you, you’re an amazing and wonderful person and I know you don’t care that I’m not a human. But these are your parents we’re talking about. Do they even know that I’m a goblin?

(K)Yes Merig, of course they know and they couldn’t care less. They told me they can’t wait to meet you since I told them everything.

(M)E-E-Everything?

(K)Of course, I did. I told them nothing but good things about you, my love, so don’t worry. I told you I was raised to coexist with everyone, whether human or Fomor, and I learned all of that from my parents. They’re just as kindhearted and accepting as me. Where do you think I get it from?

(M)[sigh] Of course, that makes sense, that makes me feel a little better.

(A)It’s okay Merig, I can confirm what Kate is saying. Her parents are amazing people, just like her, and they did an amazing job of raising her. They’re just as wonderful as she is.

(B)That wouldn’t surprise me. I’d like to meet them, too, and shake their hands and praise them for raising such a lovely human.

(K)[smiles] Barth, you’re too kind, you’ll all get the chance to meet my parents. But afterward, they want to have dinner with Merig and me to talk about the wedding and what we’ve achieved so far.

(A)I’m sure they’ll be happy to know what we’ve achieved just in the past few days.

(L)Yeah, I’m sure it’ll be okay, Merig, just relax. I’m sure Kate told them that you’re taking care of her and treating her with love and kindness, which she wouldn’t be lying about.

(K)He’s absolutely right, I did, so you have nothing to worry about, my love.

(M)[sigh] I’d expect nothing less from my wife-to-be. I love you so much.

(K)I love you, too.

Kate's gaze meets Merig's as he exhales sharply, relief washing over him. He takes one last deep breath, then returns her smile as he dips his head. Their lips meet in a tender kiss, and they embrace, Kate's head finding a comfortable rest on his chest. Her eyes flutter closed. Merig squeezes her tightly, a kiss to her forehead, his earlier tension now a distant memory. With a contented sigh, Kate pulls away and turns to Barth, a warm smile playing on her lips.

(K)Well Barth, are you ready?

(B)Ready when you are, sis.

(K)Alright, let’s head over and get started. Sarah, you’re more than welcome to stay and watch.

(S)Oh, of course, I’d love to.

Barth and Kate stride purposefully toward the training dummies, their footsteps synchronized as they lead the way. The rest of the group trails behind, their eyes fixed on the duo as they make their way to the resting area to observe the action. Meanwhile, Barth and Kate face off against the wooden training dummies, assuming their stances with focused intensity. With a deep breath, they prepare to launch into the day's training session.

(B)Now I know you told me that you wanted to learn that one fire spell. I do want to teach it to you, but first, let’s see how well you’ve mastered your basic spells.

(K)[smiles] Oh, I can’t wait, I’m ready to start.

(B)Alright, show me a basic ice bolt.

(K)Sure thing, boss.

Kate pivots to face the training dummies, her eyes scanning the line. Selecting a target, she begins to channel her ice magic, a sphere of frost forming in her hands. With a powerful thrust, she unleashes the icy orb, encasing the dummy in a frozen prison. Turning to Barth, she shares a triumphant grin as he offers words of encouragement.

(B)Good, now let me see your fire bolt, and melt that ice.

(K)You got it.

Kate gathers energy for a fire spell, summoning tiny flames that dance around her hands. With a swift motion, she hurls the flames toward the training dummy. Upon impact, the fire engulfs the dummy, igniting it in a blaze that not only scorches the target but also melts the ice and surrounding snow. Turning to Barth, she notices a satisfied smile on his face, clearly impressed by her magical display.

(B)Well done, and lastly, your lightning bolt.

(K)[smiles] My favorite, I’m going to enjoy this.

Kate faces the training dummy, a determined grin spreading across her face. Her hands glow with electric energy as she channels multiple lightning bolts around her, taking a deep breath to focus. With a powerful thrust of her arms, she unleashes the bolts, striking multiple dummies with explosive force. A thunderous crack echoes through the training grounds as the lightning dances and fades. Kate's eyes sparkle with satisfaction as she turns to meet Barth's approving smile.

(B)Wonderful as always. Now let’s try that fire spell you wanted to learn.

(K)[smiles] I’d love to. I’m all warmed up. Just tell me what I need to do.

(B)Alright, now face one of the dummies and stand in front of it.

Kate gives a nod to Barth and follows his guidance, turning her attention back to the training dummies. Scanning her surroundings, she selects a new dummy to work with and positions herself right in front of it. With her gaze fixed on the dummy, Kate concentrates, ready for the next set of instructions from Barth.

(B)Good, now put both of your hands closer to each other but don’t let them touch, as if you’re going to charge a spell, but don’t charge the spell. Then move your arms to your side at torso height. Then conjure up some fire, but don’t fire it. Let it build until you see a flash of light and I’ll let you know when to fire it.

Kate follows the instructions, bringing her hands together before slowly moving them to her sides. She starts conjuring her fire, intensifying the charge with each passing moment. The flash of light is not yet visible as she concentrates on building up her fire spell, one step at a time. With unwavering focus, a massive fireball takes shape in her hands, growing larger by the second. At last, Kate catches sight of the anticipated flash of light, but she refrains from releasing the fire, patiently waiting for the next set of directions.

(B)There’s the light. Are you ready?

(K)Yep, I’m more ready than I’ve ever been…learning a new spell, that is.

(B)When I say so, I want you to throw that spell at the dummy as hard as you can. The only bad thing about this spell is that you might get a little kickback. So do your best to keep your feet grounded.

(K)You got it, boss.

Kate's concentration intensifies as she assumes a steady stance, feet planted firmly to absorb the impending shockwave. Her body language exudes confidence, a quiet determination in her eyes. She holds this position, ready to release her powerful spell, awaiting the green light from Barth. The silence stretches between them, charged with anticipation, until finally, his command breaks the stillness.

(B)Fire!

Kate launches the spell with all her might, throwing her hands forward as she unleashes a powerful blast at the training dummy. The impact is immense, producing a deafening boom that echoes through the training grounds, followed by a fiery explosion. Despite her best efforts to maintain her balance, Kate stumbles backward. Barth swiftly reacts, rushing to her side and catching her before she falls. Thankfully, Kate emerges unscathed, and with Barth's support, she regains her footing. As they turn to survey the aftermath, their eyes widen in unison at the sight of the dummy, now broken in half and engulfed in flames. Barth and Kate exchange excited smiles, basking in the applause from the onlookers in the resting area.

(K)Holy shit, Barth, that was amazing!

(B)You did great, sis. You were ready for that kickback, but I guess you’re just not used to it yet. It was your first time trying the spell, so I’ll give you credit. A few more times and you’ll get the hang of it. How are you feeling? Are you okay?

(K)[smiles] I’m perfectly fine, although I do have this ringing in my ears, but I really enjoyed that spell. It was so powerful.

(B)The ringing in your ears should go away soon. Now, sadly, you can only use this spell at close range, but it’s a very intense attack. Next time, try leaning a little more forward so you don’t stumble backward again.

(K)[giggles] I’ll definitely remember that.

(B)Now we can keep training that spell if you want.

(K)I’m actually kind of hungry. I'd like to go and relax at the pub after going to the flower shop and walking around the city all morning.

(B)Alright, we’ll keep practicing another day, then.

(K)Sounds like a plan to me.

Kate and Barth make their way back to the rest of the group, their steps filled with a sense of accomplishment. As they approach, Merig rises to his feet, his eyes lighting up with pride. With open arms, he welcomes Kate into a warm embrace, their bodies melding together for a brief, comforting moment. Pulling away, his hands gently frame her face as he dips his head for a tender kiss.

(M)You did amazing, sweetheart. Are you okay from that kickback?

(K)I’m fine, my love. Luckily, I didn’t injure myself. However, my ears are still ringing a little from the sound it made, but I’ll be okay.

(M)Good, let’s go get something to eat at the pub.

(K)Of course, my love.

(B)Hey Sarah, do you want to come to the pub with us and hang out?

(S)That sounds fun, I’d love to.

(A)The food there is amazing.

(L)I can attest to that.

(G)I think we all can.

(K)You’re going to love it.

(M)You won’t regret it at all.

(B)Then let’s head over and I’ll treat you to something.

(S)Oh no, you don’t have to do that at all. Don’t trouble yourself.

(B)It’s no trouble at all. Think of it as a welcome treat from me, since you just joined the friend group.

(S)[smiles] Thank you so much, Barth, that’s very kind of you.

(B)It’s my pleasure.

Barth extends a friendly hand to Sarah, a warm smile gracing his lips. Sarah's gaze meets his, a soft smile mirroring his own as she accepts his outstretched hand. With his gentle assistance, she rises to her feet. The group collectively stands, and their training session concludes. Together, they make their way out of the training grounds and towards the inviting warmth of the pub. Laughter, shared stories, and the pleasure of getting to know Sarah fill the air as they enjoy a well-deserved lunch. Sarah, surrounded by both old and new friends, radiates happiness.

(B)So Sarah, what do you like to do?

(S)Oh, I'm an apothecary, I make potions and my dream is to become a healer.

(A)I remember you telling us that when we were teenagers. Did you ever finish school to master it like you wanted to?

(S)Yeah, I actually did. In fact, I moved here because I heard that there's only one healer in this city. I figured I'd come here to possibly become the city's second healer.

(K)Well, I'm sure Nessa would love to have you working with her. She's a good friend of ours and we love her to pieces.

(M)I think she'd love to train you in her clinic. She’s always talked about being lonely since she's the only healer in Tara. She's been wanting a second healer to work with her for a while.

(K)We can always take you to go visit so you can meet her.

(S)Really, you'd do that? Thank you so much, Kate. That would mean a lot to me since I’m too scared to go by myself.

(K)Of course, hon, I know how much this means to you. I remember you used to show me how to make potions and you even showed me how to forage for herbs and other things. Now it's been my favorite thing to do ever since.

(M)That’s right, she's been foraging ever since she got here to Tara.

(S)Oh, I'm so glad to hear that, maybe we can forage together sometime.

(K)Absolutely, we can be foraging partners. You can even try my cooking.

(S)[gasp] You still cook?! Your food was always so good, I bet it's still the best.

(A)Oh it definitely is. We all love her cooking.

(L)I can't deny that, Kate is one of the best cooks we know.

(B)That's right and we can't get enough of it. I was injured once and Kate brought me food that she cooked. I could feel my whole body healing. It was so good.

(G)I tried her cooking once and I swear I died for a second and came back. It was as if I had an out-of-body experience.

(M)I fell in love with her and her cooking. I don't know what she does to it, but it leaves you wanting more.

(S)[smiles] Once again, I’m not surprised at all. Kate used to bring me food that she cooked when I was studying potion-making back in Taill. If it wasn't for her, I would've gone hungry from my long nights of studying.

(K)I'll definitely cook for you again sometime. Ashley sometimes comes over when I cook breakfast in the morning, so you're always welcome to join us, Sarah.

(S)I would love that so much, I'll definitely have to make plans with you. So what do you all do in the Royal Guards? What are your skills? I know Barth here is a mage, and Ash is the alchemist. What about the others?

(L)I'm the sword guy. I love swinging my blades around. It brings me joy when I slash through hoards of bandits, especially on my horse.

(S)That sounds like a lot of fun, Larry. What about you, Gordo?

(G)Oh, I'm a close combat fighter. I'm one of just a handful of martial arts users in the guards. I'm quick on my feet and my punches are pretty powerful. Just ask Barth over there.[smirk]

(B)Keep talking shit, Gordo, you and Larry are just riling me up for tomorrow's training.

(S)[giggles] You’re all silly and you sure can make someone laugh.

(B)I’m glad we could put a smile on your face, Sarah.

(S)What about you, Merig? What weapon do you use?

(M)I'm a master archer. I tried using several weapons when I first started training to be a Royal Guard. A bow and arrows, or a crossbow and bolts, were the only weapons I could manage to master.

(K)No one can shoot an arrow faster and more accurately than Merig.

(L)Damn straight! My pal has the fastest arrows in Tara and he’s the sharpest shooter of the Royal Guards, Commander Merig Flynn.

(S)You all sound like brave knights. Sadly, I was never good at combat, and believe me, I tried. I'm just not strong enough for it. Potion making was and will always be my favorite thing along with healing people.

(B)That’s okay, Sarah, you’re still good at something. It doesn't have to be combat. And if you ever need us for something, you can always come find us.

(S)Oh no, I don't ever want to bother either of you. You all have busy lives as it is. You don’t need me taking up your time.

(B)It won’t be a bother at all, we all help each other and our lives aren’t that busy, trust me.

(G)Yeah, it’s pretty much our job to help the citizens.

(L)They’re both right, you’re now both a citizen and a friend.

(M)If you need anything, you can either find us at the training grounds or here at the pub

(A)And when it’s just us women hanging out, you got Kate and me with our skills. We'll make sure you're okay.

(K)That’s right, Ash and I will either be here, at my house, or out in the city doing stuff to prepare for the wedding. If I’m not doing that, I’ll be at the training grounds, training my magic with Barth.

(S)I'll remember that. Thank you all for being so kind to me. It hasn't been easy living in a new city and you've all made me feel so welcome and I'm very grateful.

(B)[smiles] Of course, you're now a part of the group and we'll do anything we can to make you feel comfortable here.

(S)[smiles] I really appreciate it, Barth. So Kate, what’s next for the wedding?

(K)We're going to the bakery tomorrow and I'm going to see about getting a beautiful wedding cake made. I pretty much have an idea of what I want.

(S)Okay, do you mind if I come with you and Ash?

(K)We don’t mind at all, we'd love to have you come with us.

(A)We can even spend some of the day together, just us women.

(S)That would be wonderful, I can’t wait. I also can't wait to see your parents again. I'm so glad your mom recovered from her illness.

(A)Me too, Kate decided to stay back in Taill to help her mom, while I came here to train as a royal alchemist. I was there to help Kate take care of her for a while, but I really wanted to come here to follow my dream. Kate insisted I go while she and her dad took care of her mom and I feel really bad for leaving. It took a while for her mother to get better and when she did, that's when Kate moved here and I helped her.

(K)I told you that you didn’t have to feel bad about it, Ash. I didn’t want to stop you from doing great things and doing what you always dreamt of. I couldn’t leave Dad alone to take care of Mom.

(S)I was in another city practicing medicine or I would've helped treat her. I'm so sorry, Kate.

(K)Don't be, we were lucky to find someone who could treat her. We had a few scares, but within a couple of years, she was back in good health.

(S)That's such a relief and I'm glad you made it here to start a new life.

(K)I am, too, and with Ash here with me and the others and Merig being the wonderful person that I fell in love with, my life here is perfect. And I'm absolutely thrilled that you're here now, so we definitely have some catching up to do.

(S)Absolutely, you have to tell me everything about your life here. I bet it's been one big adventure.

(K)Oh trust me, it has, and I'd be happy to tell you all about it. You can come to my house tomorrow morning. I'll give you the address and a time to be there.

(S)That sounds wonderful. I’ll definitely be there.

The group lingers at the pub, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they deepen their bond with Sarah. As the day wanes, they bid farewell and head home to rest. In the cozy haven of Merig and Kate's home, the couple unwinds after Kate prepares a delicious dinner. A comfortable silence settles between them as they prepare for bed. Kate's gaze drifts towards Merig, her mind replaying Ashley's advice from their shopping trip. Simultaneously, Merig's thoughts wander to the conversations he shared with Barth and the other goblins at the training grounds. Merig and Kate's eyes meet, a shared smile bridging their silent understanding. Merig, taking the initiative, breaks the quiet.

(M)Hey Kate, can I ask you something?

(K)Of course, my love, ask me anything.

(M)Are you happy?

(K)Of course, I'm happy, Merig. Why do you ask? Are you happy?

(M)Absolutely, I'm with you so I'm never unhappy with you. I was just asking because I noticed you've been stressed about the wedding planning. I just want you to know that you can always talk to me about whatever is bothering you. I'm always here to help you when you're stressed.

(K)I know, honey, I just don’t want to overwhelm you since you're training Barth and still doing your guard duties, all the while helping plan our wedding. I guess I just get worried that you'll be unhappy if I bombard you with all of my problems. So I take it upon myself to want to carry all the weight, so you don't have to. And the last thing I want is for you to be unhappy with me or because of me.

Kate's gaze drops, her eyes welling up with tears. Her voice cracks as she struggles to speak, the words caught in a sob. Merig's heart aches as he witnesses her distress. Reaching out, he gently takes her hands, offering silent comfort. She meets his gaze, a watery smile trembling on her lips as she takes a deep, shaky breath. With tender care, he cups her face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. His voice, soft and reassuring, washes over her.

(M)Hey, you listen here, I love you so much and there has never been a time where I was unhappy with you. You make me the happiest goblin in the entire world and that’s not to say I don’t stress out because, of course, I do. I may be a Fomor, but I still have emotions. But I don’t want to burden you with my troubles, either.

(K)And I will always be here if you need to relieve stress, too. You’ve already done a lot for me, especially after that battle with Cormac. Because of you, I hardly have any more nightmares or wake up from them in the middle of the night, crying. I don’t cling to you anymore or have panic attacks as often as I did, and I’m feeling more at peace, and it’s because of you. You didn’t leave my side, even after everything, and I’m so grateful. I half expected you to get tired of me.

Tears stream down Kate's face as she hangs her head, her body wracked with sobs. Merig gently lifts her chin, his hand a steady anchor. She tries to compose herself, taking deep, ragged breaths, but the tears continue to flow, accompanied by a feeble attempt at a smile. A somber expression clouds Merig's features as he softens his gaze, his voice a gentle balm in the storm.

(M)I will always be here with you, Kate. I will never leave your side unless you want me to. Stress is the least of my worries and I can handle it. You relieve all of my stress just by being here and I was more than happy to help you be at peace again and I still am. I was, and I'm still more than willing to hold you and make all of your nightmares disappear. You’re wrong if you think I will ever get tired of you, the love of my life, my wife-to-be…my beautiful shining moon.

(K)[smiles] I never want you to leave me, Merig, and I never want to leave you, either. You relieve every bit of my stress and make all of my worries melt away. When I'm with you, I’m always at peace and I want to be the one to help you be at peace as well, my love, my soon-to-be husband, my brave and strong earth.

(M)I’m always at peace when I’m with you, Kate, and I always will be.

Merig gazes affectionately at Kate as he gently takes off her glasses, draping them over his nightshirt. With a tender touch, he wipes away her tears, caressing her cheeks as he always does. Leaning in, he plants a soft kiss on her lips. Despite her tears, Kate wraps her arms around Merig's waist, burying her face in his chest. In response, Merig envelops her in a warm embrace, holding her tightly and kissing her forehead. They linger in this comforting hold for a few moments until Kate pulls back, dabbing at her tears. As she looks at Merig, she notices the traces of her tears on him and his shirt, prompting a gentle giggle to escape her lips, despite her shaky voice.

(K)I’m such a mess. Look at me and I got you all wet with my tears. I’m sorry.

(M)[chuckles] Don’t be sorry, it’s not a big deal. I’ll always be here to dry your tears, sweetheart.

(K)[sniff] And I’m so grateful to you, my love. I guess we both worried about putting more weight on each other, only to find out that we lifted that weight.

(M)That’s right and we should’ve had this conversation a long time ago.

(K)I just didn’t want you to resent me and then end up hating me.

(M)Kate, you should know by now that I’m not even capable of hating you. Just like there’s nothing that can make you not love me or not marry me, there’s nothing in this world that you can do to make me hate you, not even a little. The love that I have for you is eternal.

(K)[smiles] That’s why I chose white roses for our wedding. Eternal love and new beginnings. Our marriage will be our new beginning.

(M)Our new beginning happened when you brought me back to life. But it seems it took a toll on you and I’m sorry.

(K)Don’t be sorry, Merig, you’re absolutely right. When I brought you back, I was happy again, and it was a miracle.[sigh] But the fear of losing you again started to take over. Then you took my hand, held it the entire time, and didn’t let go and I was able to pull myself out of that fear and out of that darkness, all because of you. You held onto me so that I didn’t fall back in.

(M)And I’ll do it again, Kate. What happened took a toll on me, too. I'm the one that died in your arms, but I was okay with that and you brought me back and I felt good as new. If I hadn’t taken action that night, it would’ve been you who died in my arms. So I completely sympathize with you one hundred percent.

(K)I feel so bad now, I should’ve thought about that and taken it into consideration. I feel so selfish and I’m sorry.

(M)You’re not selfish for taking care of your mental health, Kate, and trust me, you helped me more than you think. I was more worried about you, but I guess that’s our flaw. We care more about each other than we care about ourselves. No matter what you were going through, you still did your best to make myself and others happy. All you needed was the same from us, and we were happy to help you in return. So thank you for everything that you’ve done for me, Kate. I appreciate you so much and I love you.

(K)[smiles] I love you, too, and thank you for everything that you’ve done for me as well. And you’re right, we can take care of ourselves and each other at the same time just by being together.

(M)That’s right and quit thinking you’re a burden, Kate, and I’ll do the same, Deal?

(K)Deal, I’m realizing that neither of us is a burden to one another, but the complete opposite.

(M)You’re absolutely right, you can never be a burden to me. Every time I see you or kiss you, all my burdens are lifted.

(K)[smiles] And you can never be a burden to me either, Merig. All you have to do is smile at me and hold my hand, and it fills me with happiness and love.

(M)I’m glad we had this talk. It lifted so much weight off of my shoulders.

(K)[nods] Me, too, my shoulders don’t feel so heavy anymore. Now we just have to finish planning our wedding.

(M)That’s right.

(K)I’m also excited about my parents visiting.

(M)I’m kind of excited, too. From what you told me, I don’t feel so nervous anymore.

(K)Good, there’s no need to be scared about meeting them. They’re going to love you. Now, I’m ready to relax and spend time with my husband-to-be.

(M)[smiles] And I’m ready to unwind and spend time with my wife-to-be.

(K)Then I will be right back, my love.

(M)Take your time, sweetheart.

Kate gives Merig a tender kiss before walking away up and heading to the bathroom. Merig prepares for bed, opening the blankets as he waits for Kate to return. A few moments later, she emerges from the bathroom. Merig turns to face her, and his eyes widen in surprise. Kate stands before him, naked and smiling, having removed her nightdress. Merig's face flushes with a deep red hue as he stares at her, a soft smile on his face. He lets out a familiar, overexcited laugh, but quickly covers his mouth to stifle it. Composing himself, he removes his hand and tries to speak, but his words come out in a nervous, stuttering tone.

(M)H-H-Hi, honey. Y-Y-You’re n-n-naked, w-w-what are you doing?

(K)[giggles] I figured I’d go relieve some stress in a relaxing shower. You're more than welcome to join me if you’d like.

(M)Th-The sh-sh-shower?

(K)Yeah, why not? It’ll help both of us relax before we lay down and you can hold me while we sleep naked.

(M)Y-Y-Yeah, that will be v-v-very relaxing, sweetheart.

(K)Then what are you waiting for?

Kate flashes a grin at Merig before sauntering back into the bathroom. Pausing in the doorway, she looks back and shoots him a sultry look, silently urging him to join her. Merig stumbles, hastily shedding his clothes before following Kate inside. The pair indulge in a steamy shower together, savoring an intimate moment and expressing their love. Afterward, they lounge in bed, skin-to-skin, with Merig enveloping Kate in his embrace as they gaze into each other's eyes while smiling. Merig tugs the blanket closer around them, ensuring Kate's warmth before they share a tender kiss. Eventually, they drift off to sleep, ending the night peacefully.