The next morning, Kate busies herself in the kitchen preparing breakfast while Merig readies himself for his guard duties. Once ready, Merig descends the stairs to find Kate cooking, and he approaches her from behind. Leaning in, he wraps his arms around her waist, planting a kiss on her cheek as she turns to meet his gaze while smiling. She then turns fully towards him, taking his hands in hers.

(K)Breakfast is almost ready, my love.

(M)It looks and smells amazing, as always.

(K)Thank you. Ash and Sarah should be here. I'm cooking breakfast for them, too. Then we'll head over to see Charlotte.

(M)Okay, sweetheart, say "hi" to Charlotte for me.

(K)I will, I've got an idea of what kind of cake design I want, any suggestions? I don’t want to leave you out of the decision-making with the cake since I won't be the only one eating it.

(M)The design is all up to you and you already know what flavors I like. But one thing I might suggest for the design is maybe to have something representing you and me, as the earth and moon.

(K)[smiles] I was thinking the same thing, that's perfect, my love.

(M)Great minds think alike.

(K)I'm still trying to find the perfect wedding ring for you. I'm sorry I haven't found anything yet.

(M)Hey, don't stress over it, okay? We have plenty of time, remember?

(K)[smiles] You’re right, we only have a few more things left to do before the wedding. We’ve got the majority of it done, so we can both relax. I’ll keep looking, though. I’m determined to find something for you.

(M)Just go and see Charlotte and have fun with Ash and Sarah. If you find something while you're out, great. If not, there's always time before the wedding. And if you want to, we can always have something made and it should be done in time.

(K)Okay, my love.

(M)Now, let’s enjoy some breakfast before I have to go.

(K)Of course, I’ll finish cooking right now.

(M)Don’t rush yourself, sweetheart. I want to enjoy my time with you, so don’t worry.

(K)I want to enjoy my time with you, too. I’m so lucky to be getting married to such a wonderful person, my goblin.

(M)I’m just as lucky to be marrying such a wonderful woman, my human. I love you.

(K)I love you, too.

The couple shares a tender kiss before indulging in a leisurely breakfast. As Merig prepares to embark on Barth's training, Kate steps out of their home, her gaze following him with a mix of love and pride. They exchange a lingering farewell kiss, their bodies drawn together briefly before parting. As Merig turns to leave, Larry emerges from his home, ready to accompany him to the training grounds.

(K)You and Barth have fun training. The girls and I will meet you all at the pub this afternoon.

(M)Okay, sweetheart, you have fun and I’ll see you later. Stay warm, I love you.

(K)I will, I love you, too, honey.

(L)Good Morning, Kate, have fun with Ash and Sarah. We’ll see you later.

(K)Good Morning, Larry, you have fun, too, and we’ll see you all later at the pub.

Merig and Larry bid farewell to Kate with a grin as she reciprocates the gesture, watching the two goblins depart. Kate then returns indoors and starts making breakfast for Ashley and Sarah in anticipation of their arrival. Just as she's finishing up in the kitchen, Kate hears a knock at the door and calls out to the visitor.

(K)It’s unlocked, come on in!

The door swings open, as Ashley and Sarah enter, bringing a warm and lively presence to the morning. Kate turns to greet them, a smile spreading across her face as they close the door behind them. The two friends make their way to the dining room, taking seats at the table as they eagerly await the delicious breakfast Kate is preparing. They begin to chat, filling the room with a joyful atmosphere, as Kate continues cooking.

(K)Hey, you two, I’m almost done.

(A)Hey, girlie, the food smells amazing.

(S)[sniff] You’re right, it does, oh that brings back memories. Your cooking always smelled so good. I loved it.

(K)[smiles] Thanks, you two. I already ate with Merig before he left, so it’ll just be you two eating while I get dressed to go out.

(A)No problem, hon, we don’t mind waiting.

(S)Yeah, I’m sure it tastes as good as it smells. I’d want to take my time eating it.

(A)Oh absolutely, I do just that when I eat Kate’s cooking. You can never eat it too quickly, you have to taste the deliciousness of the food and all of its flavors.

(K)That’s the goal when I cook my food since flavor is key. I don’t like to toot my own horn, but I take pride in it.

(A)Honey, play that horn as loud as you want. You should be proud.

(S)She’s right, as tasty as your food is, you have all the bragging rights in the world.

(K)You’re too kind, but thank you both, I’m glad I can satisfy your tastebuds. I’ll finish up and you two enjoy it while I go get ready.

(A)Sure thing, hon. Take your time.

Kate completes breakfast preparations, then heads upstairs to freshen up, changing into new clothes and styling her hair for the day out. Meanwhile, Ashley and Sarah wait downstairs, eager to start their adventure together. Once Kate joins them, the trio sets out towards the Sunrise Bakery, looking forward to visiting Miss Charlotte. Upon entering the cozy bakery, they're greeted by the enticing aroma of freshly baked goods and the warm smile of Miss Charlotte herself, who's busy arranging her exquisite pastries on the shelves. She looks up, her eyes sparkling with delight, as she welcomes the three friends with a hearty greeting.

(CH)Kate, Ash! It’s been a while, how are you doing, loves?

(K)Hey Charlotte, we’re doing fantastic.

(A)Yeah, it’s been a long while. How about you?

(CH)I just finished making these apple pie turnovers and now I’m putting them on display.

(S)Oh, that sounds amazing, and they smell divine.

(K)Oh, they are the best things you will ever taste. Charlotte is the best baker in Tara.

(A)Her cheesecake danishes are to die for.

(CH)Thank you, girls, you’re too kind. Who’s your new friend?

(K)Oh, this is Sarah. She’s actually an old friend of ours from back in Tailltean. She just moved here a few weeks ago.

(CH)It’s very lovely to meet you, Sarah. Welcome to this wonderful city we call home.

(S)Thank you, Miss Charlotte. I love it here already, especially now that I know Kate and Ash live here. We just bumped into each other yesterday, so I had no idea they were living in Tara. I’ve been studying medicine elsewhere for quite some time, so I haven’t been back home for a while.

(CH)That sounds like a lot of fun. Are you a healer?

(S)Not yet. I’m just an apothecary right now, but I plan on becoming a healer here in the city.

(CH)Oh, Nessa is gonna love that. The poor thing is the only healer here. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to have you assist her.

(S)I’m very much looking forward to it.

(CH)I bet you are. So what brings you all here?

(K)I came here to talk to you about possibly reserving a special cake for my wedding.

(CH)Oh, that’s right, you and Merig are tying the knot! Congratulations to you both, I’m so happy for you. He told me he was going to propose to you and he was so nervous. He showed me the ring he had made for you and I knew you would say yes, you’re both so in love. I’d be more than happy to make a wedding cake for you.

(K)Thank you, Charlotte, I’m so excited about marrying him. We’ve practically got everything taken care of. We just need the wedding cake and I need to find Merig a wedding ring. Also, Merig told me to say “hi” to you for him.

(CH)Well, you tell him I said “hi” as well. I would be absolutely elated to make your wedding cake. Just give me all the details and I will see what I can do. When is the wedding?

(K)April thirteenth, and it will be an evening wedding under the moon. We will be having the reception at the banquet hall. I will definitely be sending you an invitation.

(CH)Oh, I would love to be there, Kate, I’m going to cry at your wedding, just warning you now.

(K)[giggles] That’s okay, it will be a happy time, so cry all the joyful tears you want.

(CH)Alright well, I’ll definitely reserve your cake for that day. I’ll make it the night before and put it somewhere cold till your wedding day.

(K)That’s perfect, thank you, Charlotte, and I’ll pay whatever it costs, no questions asked. People have been helping me so much that I’d feel bad if I didn’t contribute some kind of patronage.

(CH)Of course, love, just tell me every detail about the cake and I’ll write it down.

(K)Alright, let’s do this.

At the Sunrise Bakery, Kate enthusiastically shares her vision with Charlotte, detailing every aspect of her dream wedding cake, from the flavors and decorations to the size. Charlotte listens attentively, jotting down notes as she reserves the cake for the special day. Meanwhile, at the Royal Guard training grounds, a thrilling sparring session unfolds. The Flynn brothers, Merig and Barth, face off in a battle of skills. Barth's casting speed is put to the test as Merig prepares to fire training bolts from a crossbow. Larry and Gordo observe from a distance, eager to see the brothers in action. The air is electric with anticipation as the two siblings engage in a friendly yet intense competition, pushing each other to new heights.

(M)Alright, are you ready? I’m going to be shooting these training bolts at you, and I want you to attack them as quickly as you can. Your magic is going to be useful when faced with bandits, especially archers with your fire spells. You wanted moving targets, so this will be good for you.

(B)Alright, little brother, I’m ready when you are.

(L)This should be fun to watch.

(G)Oh yeah, I’m going to enjoy this.

(M)Prepare to charge your magic.

Barth assumes his stance, hands poised and ready to conjure his spells. Merig raises his crossbow, taking aim, as Barth begins to charge a fire spell. With swift precision, Merig releases the bolt, which soars through the air above them. Barth reacts swiftly, unleashing his fire spell to strike the bolt mid-flight. The bolt erupts into flames, and its trajectory halted, before falling to the ground in a fiery blaze. Barth gazes down at the smoldering remains with a triumphant smile, as Merig approaches him, offering praise and admiration for his impressive display of magical prowess.

(M)Well done, brother, let’s do that again, only I’ll be shooting at you.

(B)Sounds like fun, I’m ready.

Merig quickly reloads his crossbow while Barth readies his fire spell, getting into position to cast it. Merig releases the bolt, aiming it straight at Barth who simultaneously unleashes his fire spell. The spell veers off course, heading towards Merig, while the training bolt flies in the path of Barth. In a synchronized move, both brothers duck to evade the incoming attacks. The fire spell hits a brick wall behind Merig, while the bolt sails harmlessly over Barth's head. After a tense moment, they both rise to their feet, exchanging stunned expressions.

(M)Looks like you were too slow.

(B)I don’t know how I even missed that.

(M)You don’t seem to have a keen eye and the bolt you took down the other day was just luck.

(B)No way, I’m just as quick as you, Merig.

(M)Seems like you need more target practice.

(B)[sigh] That was just my fire spells, I can hit it with an ice spell quicker.

(M)Alright, let’s see it.

Merig swiftly reloads his crossbow with a training bolt, taking aim just as Barth gathers energy for his ice spell, ready to unleash it. With a decisive pull of the trigger, Merig sends the bolt soaring toward Barth. In a split second, Barth releases his ice spell, expertly deflecting the bolt mid-flight, sending it crashing to the ground. Barth looks over at Merig, a confident smile spreading across his face, radiating assurance.

(B)See? Ice spells are much quicker.

(M)Well then, let’s see you do it a second time.

Merig reloads his crossbow and takes aim, while Barth readies his ice spell once more. Merig releases the trigger, sending the training bolt flying, and Barth quickly casts his ice spell, causing it to collide with the bolt in midair and bring it down. A triumphant grin spreads across Barth's face as he celebrates his victory.

(B)Ha! Brought another one down!

(M)I’ll admit, your ice spells are faster. But what about your lightning spells?

(B)Oh my lightning spells are much faster than all of them.

(M)Alright, charge it up and get ready.

Merig prepares his crossbow once more, loading it with a training bolt and taking careful aim. At the same time, Barth gathers his energy to unleash a lightning spell. As Merig releases the bolt, Barth casts his spell, and in a flash, the training bolt is struck by lightning, shattering it into pieces that tumble to the ground. Merig's face lights up with admiration, a smile spreading across his lips, while Barth beams with pride at his triumph.

(M)Wow, you were right, your lightning magic is much faster and more accurate.

(B)Yeah, I guess I favor my lightning magic over the other elements. I could probably do more accuracy training with the other spells. I’m a master mage, but it seems I need to master my spells further.

(M)That’s what you’re here for, big brother. And now you have me to help you.

(B)Then train me outside the walls, where there are trees and bushes and bandits. I’ll get a lot of practice out there.

(M)[sigh] Maybe so, I figured training you here first would help you. You could get seriously hurt if you go out there unprepared.

(B)Look Merig, I have fought groups of bandits at once and I came out unscathed. Granted, I mainly used my lightning spells, but still.

(M)You’ll need your other spells to fight better, though, Barth. So for now, let’s keep training your fire and ice spells so you can use them more accurately. I need you to use all of your skills to their full potential if you want to become a better Royal Guard and Captain.

(B)[sigh] Fine, I can train with the dummies, and we can keep training with your bolts if that’s what you want.

(M)Works for me. I hate to disappoint you, Barth, but even Larry had to fully master his sword skills by sharpening his speed and accuracy.

(L)He’s right, Barth, I wasn’t always second in command, not until I fully mastered my blades.

(G)And I still need to work on fully mastering my martial arts skills. My punches are fast, but my kicks need more work.

(M)Believe it or not, I had to work hard to obtain the commander title. Larry can tell you, I tried using every weapon known to this world, and I got pretty beat up when I was sparring with the other guards while trying to use each weapon. Even after discovering that the bow and arrow was my best weapon, I still needed to sharpen my skills. I even had to train my eyes and ears when out in the forest and listening to bandits drawing their arrows or loading their bolts was a whole other skill I had to master as well as being able to see them when they’re being shot at me.

(L)It’s true, Merig would train for hours with the other guards, either training his eyes and watching the guards shoot arrows past his face, or out in the forest where the guards would draw their bows and other weapons for Merig to listen to and train his ears. He trained his skills and his senses. Merig is now beyond a master archer. He’s far more skilled than you think.

(B)I understand, I have to unlock the full potential of each of my skills, not just one.

(M)Exactly. We can take a break for now and pick it back up soon.

Merig and Barth pause their training, seeking respite in the designated resting area while the other goblins trail behind. The group settles in their seats, their bodies relaxing into the welcome relief. A smile appears on Merig's face as he turns to the others, his excitement palpable. Without hesitation, he launches into a detailed recounting of his conversation with Kate the previous night.

(M)Good news, I had a talk with Kate last night. I took all of your advice and it turned out better than I expected.

(L)Really? That’s great news, Merig.

(B)Yeah, I’m glad you two worked it out.

(G)Communication is important in a relationship, so I’ve heard.

(M)Yeah, we had a long talk and promised each other that we would open up more about our problems and we promised we wouldn’t worry about burdening each other anymore. Now she understands that all I want to do is help her not feel stressed out, and I understand the same from her.

(L)See what happens when you take our advice? We may not be the smartest goblins in the world, but we don’t ever want there to be problems between you and Kate. We want to see you two be happy and not miserable. You’re about to get married and we don’t want you two to end up leaving each other before the ceremony.

(M)Trust me, we assured each other we had no intentions of leaving this relationship. I don’t ever want to leave her over something like this, and she feels the same way. We were both willing to open up and tell each other everything. We even ended the night on a pretty pleasant note, if you know what I mean.

(L)Sounds romantic. I bet it took a lot of stress off of you both.

(M)It really did, and we both felt that weight lifting from our shoulders and felt so much better.

(G)I’m glad you both feel better, now you two can breathe easy.

(B)You know they say love can be complicated, but I don’t think it’s as complicated as people make it out to be. I just think some people aren’t willing to understand it better.

(M)I think you’re right, if you love the person enough, you should be willing to make things better and open your mind about situations. You all know how much I love Kate and I would be lost without her and I’d feel empty. She makes me happy, and she makes me feel like I’m worth something, even though I don’t, sometimes. She’s the joy in my life and I can’t wait to marry her.

(L)We know, pal, you two are going to make a wonderful husband and wife in your marriage. You’re both good to each other and I can tell you’re going to be happy together and you already are.

(B)We’ll help however we can, even though Larry is the only other one who would understand being in a relationship. I doubt I’ll ever find love, even if I wanted to.

(G)Yeah, and I don’t really understand enough about humans to know what I'd do if I ever found love. Not really sure if I’m deserving of it.

(M)That’s what I thought about myself at first, but seeing how Kate treated me when we met as if I was another human, and the fact that she fell in love with me, made me rethink that. She says I deserve her and whatever she says is gospel, right, Larry?

(L)That’s right, as Ash said, her word is made of gold. You deserve that woman, and she deserves you.

(B)Don’t sell yourself short, because you could be worth a lot to someone.

(G)Maybe, but I don’t expect it. I haven’t exactly treated humans with respect, so I’m prepared to be alone for the rest of my cursed life. But I’m glad I’m with my friends again.

(B)It’s okay Gordo, you have us. But I’m sure you’ll find love, eventually.

(L)It took me a few years to win Ash’s heart, not saying it would take that long for you to win a woman’s heart. I know it didn’t take but a year for Merig to win Kate’s heart, but I guess it differs depending on who you are and who you fall in love with. I’m very happy with Ash and I love her a lot and I hope to marry her one day.

(M)It’ll happen, you’re going to propose to her after Kate and I go on our honeymoon, right?

(L)Of course, I’ve got it all planned out.

(M)Good, 'cause I expect to see you get down on one knee and put a ring on her finger.

(L)I still need to get one made, I’ll have to talk to a jeweler.

(M)I’ll set you up with the queen’s jeweler, don’t worry.

(L)Thanks pal, you’re a lifesaver.

(M)Now that Kate is taking care of the wedding cake, all that’s left is my wedding ring and the invitations and we’ll have so much time to spare after that. I want to get everything set up on the day of the wedding. Would you guys be okay with helping? We’ll need to set up the banquet hall, as well as the guest seating, the ceremony spot, and the decorations.

(B)We'll be more than happy to help, little brother.

(L)Yeah, your best man Larry’s gonna help, too.

(G)And since I'm a part of the wedding now, there's no reason why I can't help.

(M)Thanks you guys, it means a lot to me and Kate. I'm a lucky goblin, marrying the woman I love, and I have a good feeling about everything. I have a more positive outlook and all that weight lifted off of my shoulders. The only thing that still kind of scares me is meeting Kate’s parents, and they’ll be here in a few days. I’m trying not to panic, but I just can’t help it.

(L)Everything is going to be okay, pal. You’ve got to have just as much courage as you did when you confessed to Kate, or when you asked her to marry you. And what happened each time you weren’t sure things were going to work out with her?

(M)Victory each time. Everything worked out and now I’m going to marry her.

(L)Exactly, so trust Kate and trust that it will work out and her parents will like you. Kate would’ve told you if they didn’t approve of their daughter marrying a Fomor. But I honestly don’t think she would care and she’d marry you anyway because she loves you.

(M)Maybe you’re right, I’ve got to work on my self-esteem and stop worrying about whether I’m worthy of Kate when she clearly says that I am. I also have to trust her that her parents will like me.

(L)That’s the spirit, pal. Have that same attitude as well as the same confidence and courage you had with Kate and everything will be okay.

(M)Right, I’m ready to meet her parents this weekend.

(B)Good, now let's finish today's training, then we can meet the women at the pub for some lunch.

(M)Alright, since you’re so eager, we gotta train those ice and fire spells.

(B)I'm ready. I can't train Kate's magic if I'm lacking on my own. I want to be a better mentor for her, so let's do this.

(M)I completely understand you can do this. I believe in you.

(B)Thanks, little brother, let’s go have some fun.

Merig and Barth return to the training area, ready to continue their sparring session and hone Barth's mastery of ice and fire spells. Meanwhile, in the city, Kate finalizes the details of her dream wedding cake with Charlotte, who ensures that the exquisite design will be reserved for the special day. With their bakery visit complete, Kate, Ashley, and Sarah spend the rest of the morning strolling through the city, enjoying each other's company as they explore the local shops. As the morning wears on, they decide to take a break and settle into a cozy cafe, where they can relax, chat, and indulge in some delightful treats.

(K)I'm so glad that's out of the way, now I just need to find Merig a wedding ring. I want to find one while we're out, but Merig said that if I didn't find anything, I could always have something made like he did for me and it should be done before the wedding.

(A)I think that's a good idea. You can have something made for him and you can come up with the design from your heart.

(K)I thought about that. He had such a beautiful ring made for me. I'm not sure if I can think of anything more beautiful.

(S)Oh, I don't think I've seen your ring yet. Can I take a look?

(K)Oh of course, here.

Kate extends her hand, inviting Sarah's attention to the ring on her finger. Sarah reaches out, her fingers gently enclosing Kate's, and her gaze drops to the ring. Her eyes widen in admiration as she takes in the intricate details of the band and the center stone. A warm smile spreads across her face as she expresses her genuine delight, her voice filled with heartfelt praise for the beautiful piece of jewelry.

(S)Oh my goodness, Kate, it’s so beautiful. What is it made of?

(K)It's made from mahogany and it has an emerald set in it.

(S)Oh, so it’s made of wood? It’s so pretty with the emerald in it.

(K)Yep, but it's coated in resin to preserve it. I absolutely love it. Merig definitely had me in mind when he had it made for me.

(S)It’s definitely a ring made just for you, Kate. You've always loved nature. It's a beautiful thing and so is your ring.

(K)Yes, it is, and not only is this my engagement ring, but it will also be my wedding ring. Now that I think about it, I do want to have a ring made for Merig. I have to either find a jeweler or talk to Eirawen.

(A)You can always send her a letter and you can have one of your tea dates with her like you used to.

(K)[smiles] Yeah, I'll definitely do that. I miss my tea dates with her.

(A)So I’m curious, did you and Merig talk? About what you and I talked about the other day?

(K)Actually, we did and I feel a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders.

(A)I can tell, you seem much happier. I told you everything would be okay.

(K)Yeah, we made a promise that we're both there for each other no matter what and to take stress from each other if needed. He doesn't resent me and I don't resent him, and that made me feel so much better about myself.

(A)See? You had nothing to worry about. That goblin can never hate you, Kate. You are the light of his life.

(S)Yeah, from what I've seen so far, it seems like he really loves you.

(A)Oh, he does, you don't even know the half of it. I remember when they first met, Merig looked at Kate as if she was a goddess sent from the heavens. Larry and I used to hear him talk about how much he was in love with her, and Kate used to talk about Merig all the time to me about how sweet he was to her, and how much fun they'd have together at the banquet or foraging in the forest. You could tell they loved each other just by watching them interact. They were both completely smitten and didn't even know it. Until they confessed to each other on her birthday one year later, just this last September.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

(S)Aww, that's so romantic. That’s such a beautiful love story.

(K)Yeah, it's not very common for a human and a Fomor to fall in love and he was afraid that I didn't love him because of our differences. I showed him just how wrong he was and I told him that I felt the same. I also agreed to go on our first date and it was wonderful. He took me out to dinner and then we danced in the sky. It was such a romantic night for me, and getting to spend it with him meant so much to me. He’s always done things to make me happy and when we made love for the first time, it was amazing. I could go on about him all day if I wanted to.

(S)That's so sweet. You don't have a hateful bone in your body, Kate. You're such a kind person and everyone loves you. You and Merig deserve each other no matter if you're a human or a Fomor.

(K)Thank you, Sarah. I love Merig very much and there’s just something about him that made me fall in love with him. He's kind and caring and gentle and sweet and he just makes me smile. He's strong, and he protects me. He's saved my life. He danced with me. The way he smiles at me and talks to me, he's just so charming and he just stole my heart right from my chest and he's taken such good care of it and hasn't hurt me and he's just been wonderful. I'm so sorry, I‘m getting a little carried away.

(S)Don’t be sorry, I’ve enjoyed listening to you talk about him. He sounds amazing, and he definitely loves and cares for you. You can tell the whole world if you want to.

(K)Yeah, I've told him that, but he still seems to think he isn't worthy of my love just because he's a goblin. I've told him that he is and that he's human in my eyes and that I couldn't love anyone else, not even a human man.

(S)That really warms my heart to hear you say that. Humans and Fomors living together, it's not impossible for them to fall in love.

(K)Exactly, and that's pretty much what I told Merig on our first date. He started to understand my feelings for him a little better, but he still questions himself sometimes. But he also gloats about how lucky he is to have me, so at least he’s a little positive about it.

(S)Oh, he’s very lucky to have you, you're such a wonderful person in general and I'm sure you take good care of him.

(K)I try my best and he takes care of me as well, so I want to do the same for him.

(A)Well, I'm glad you both talked and I'm glad you worked it out and that you're happy.

(K)Me too, after we talked, and I cried like a baby, we hugged and kissed, and uh…well…let's just say, he and I relieved our stress together in a…relaxing shower.[wink]

(S)[blush] Oh my, that sounds romantic. I bet that did relieve stress for both of you.[giggle]

(A)Oh, but of course, I'd expect that to happen between you two after a heart-to-heart conversation like that.

(K)Yeah, and this time we didn't even bother dressing ourselves afterward. We just laid there in the bed naked and holding each other and we eventually fell asleep. It was absolutely wonderful. He was so warm, and I slept like a baby.

(A)Oh I bet, especially after a shower. That’s pretty much what Larry and I do after we make love in general. It just feels as if it strengthens our bond, love, and trust.

(K)It really does. Granted, that’s not the first time we slept naked. But after that long talk and the fact that we both had a better understanding of our problems. It just felt so much more passionate and, as if our souls were intertwined, it was an amazing feeling.

(A)I know exactly what you mean and it’s a beautiful thing, especially after a revelation like that. Once you communicate and get to the root of a problem and fix it, you understand each other better and you become more connected. It’s as if making love establishes that connection and you feel linked together with the person.

(S)That just means your love for each other is growing more and you both are able to work together to make your relationship flourish. Love is a beautiful thing as long as two people understand each other and talk about things rather than ignore the problems. No relationship is perfect, but it can be if you play your part in it and it seems like you're both doing a wonderful job of preventing it from falling apart. You’re both going to be an amazing spouse to one another, I can already tell.

(K)Exactly, you’re both absolutely right. Thank you, I know I’m not perfect as a person, but I love and care for the people around me, especially Merig, since I love him so much and we’ll be married soon.

(A)That’s right, your spouse always comes first, but we know you care about everyone, Kate. Your heart will always be the best thing about you, among other things, and we love you.

(S)Yeah, we’ll always love you. You're our friend and we’re here for you, just as you‘ve been for us.

(K)Thank you both, that means so much to me.

(A)You mean a lot to us, hon, and you mean a lot to other people in Tara, and especially to Merig.

(K)I know and I’m so lucky to have you all in my life. I love you all so much.

(A)We love you, too, and we’re just as lucky to have someone like you in our lives.

(K)[smiles] I guess we’re all lucky. Well, let’s finish up and we can meet up with the goblins over at the pub.

(A)Sounds good to me. I’ve had so much fun hanging out now that Sarah is here and it’s the three of us again.

(S)Oh absolutely, we should definitely do this again just for fun. I’m glad to have found the both of you here in Tara.

(K)[smiles] I am, too, and we will for sure do this again just for the hell of it.

The three women continue to chat and giggle, savoring their time together in the city before making their way to the pub. Meanwhile, the goblins have completed their morning training session and arrive at the pub, looking forward to a relaxing afternoon. As the women enter, they spot the goblins already seated at their usual table and make their way over. The group reunites, exchanging warm greetings and settling in for a cozy afternoon together. As they sit down, they share stories of their morning adventures.

(M)So how was the trip to the bakery, sweetheart?

(K)Fantastic. Charlotte says “hi”, and she’s more than delighted to make our wedding cake.

(M)Perfect, I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.

(K)Me, either, I gave her all the specifications, and she wrote them down. She’ll have the cake ready the night before the wedding and she’ll store it somewhere cold until then.

(M)Sounds like a plan. Charlotte is the best. I honestly wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to make it.

(K)Me, either, I love her to pieces. I even told her that she’d get a wedding invitation.

(M)Oh! That reminds me, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about getting those made and sent out to the people we’re inviting.

(K)Oh my god, I completely forgot about getting invitations made. How many people are we even inviting?

(M)I guess that’s the next thing on our list for the wedding. But remember, we still have time.

(K)[sigh] You’re right, we can make a guest list together and then see where we can get invitations made.

(A)There’s actually a place here in the city where you can get those made. I can take you there once you get the list made up.

(K)That would be wonderful, Ash, thank you. Now I just need to clear my mind and relax.

(M)That’s right, sweetheart, just take a deep breath and talk to us.

(K)[sigh] Thank you, my love, you always know how to calm me down. So how has your training been going, Barth?

(B)[sigh] Kate, I have to confess something. I have failed you as a mentor.

(K)What? How? You’ve been a great mentor.

(B)You give me too much credit, sis. Thanks to Merig, I’ve realized I have a flaw as a teacher.

(K)[sarcastic] Oh no, not a flaw, what a tragedy.[smirk]

(B)Listen, we have to take this seriously, sis. I’ve been lacking in my fire and ice skills and I need to hone them a little more before I can call myself a proper mentor.

(K)I call you a great mentor, Barth, and what’s so lacking about your fire and ice skills? You just taught me a new fire spell the other day.

(B)True, but the basic ones are what I need to master further. I’ve only ever used my lightning spells, because of how fast they are and I favored them over the other elements. My bolts and stronger spells need more attention.

(K)Don’t tell me you’re going to stop training me.

(B)Of course not, but it seems I need to train myself as well.

(K)Well, you know, as a teenager, my father taught me how to master all three basic spells and I’m quite good at them, as you know.

(B)Yeah, I remember you telling me.

(K)Well, since I’ve pretty much mastered them, I can always help you master the bolts, while you help me master the stronger spells.

(B)I think I see where this is going. So you want us to mentor each other?

(K)Why not, you wouldn’t like being mentored by your future sister-in-law? Am I not special enough?

(B)You’re pulling at my heartstrings over here, of course, you’re special, sis. I guess that just means I’ll be bossed around by my little brother and mentored by my sister-in-law-to-be. I just hope you’re nicer than Merig. He’s been an ass.[smirk]

(M)Hey, that’s not true! I’m the one who told you your bolt spells needed more training, and you agreed with me! If it wasn’t for me, Kate wouldn’t even be offering to help you, asshole.

(B)You’re still an asshole.

(M)Why? Because I’m your commander and I get to tell you what to do?

(B)Ha! Please, I’ll be the captain, so we can boss each other around.

(M)Nah, I’ll still be able to boss you around and I won’t have to listen to you.

(B)We’ll see about that, little brother.

(K)Hey hey, come on, you two. Are you both children? Because you’re acting like it.

(L)Typical brothers. They’ve been like this since I first met them when they joined the bandit camp.

(G)It’s true, they always argued, and Barth was the instigator most of the time.

(L)Yep, big brother Barth always wanted to be the boss of Merig.

(B)I feel attacked.

(L)But hey, he took care of his little brother, too. When Merig would get bullied by other bandits, Barth was the first to step in and protect him. So did the rest of us, especially since Merig couldn’t fight. But we always defended him when they tried kicking him out of the camp. They saw Merig as weak and unfit to be a bandit. As time went on, we decided we wanted to leave and come here over ten years ago and, well…you know, the rest.

(M)Yeah, but I can fight for myself now and it was a good feeling when I finally got stronger. It made me feel like I was worth something since I was using my skills for a good cause and not banditry.

(L)Same here. I’ve always been good with my swords. Being able to use them to protect people is very fulfilling.

(B)Yeah, leaving the bandits was the best decision I ever made. I wished I could’ve left sooner, but you all know why I couldn’t.

(G)I can agree, ten years of dealing with…him…made me realize I could do better things in life, and that’s why I decided to come here. Sorry, Kate.

(K)It’s okay, Gordo, you don’t need to apologize, I’m starting to accept everything that happened. The only reason that it bothered me to think about, was because I blamed myself and after the talk Merig and I had last night, I’m realizing that he doesn’t blame me, at least I hope he didn’t.

(M)Absolutely not, sweetheart. I don’t blame you one bit because it’s not your fault. You’re not to blame for the sins of others, and I speak for everyone when I say that.

(L)He’s right, Kate, you were just as much a victim in what happened and you didn’t know the full extent of what Cormac was capable of, and honestly, neither did Merig nor myself. Barth and Gordo are really the only ones who knew what he was up to.

(B)He’s not wrong and you’re not to blame, sis. I tried stopping him more than once, but his bastard cronies outnumbered me. He’d been preparing for that battle for a decade and I never took him seriously. If anything, it’s my fault, since I should’ve stopped him a long time ago.

(G)And he had me under his thumb, so I couldn’t even breathe one word against him. I feared for my life. You can say I’m the one to blame.

(K)No, if I’m not to blame, neither are any of you. Even without you both, he would’ve gone through with his plan, I’m sure. And I doubt anyone could have stopped him if given the chance and Merig, Larry, it's neither of your fault, either. You wanted to better yourselves, and if Cormac had a problem with that, then that was his problem, not yours. Had you stayed because he wanted you to, you both would've been miserable and fate wouldn't have brought us together and I wouldn’t be getting married to you, my love. And Barth, Gordo, I’m so sorry you both were so miserable, but you're here, now, and I hope you're both happier.

(B)No need to apologize, sis. I can’t even begin to tell you how much happier we are here.

(G)He's right, Kate, and it's thanks to you that we're happier. You're not to blame for the bad that happened, but it's because of you that we're here.

(A)The goblins are right yet again. No one is to blame but Cormac.

(S)And I may not have been here to witness everything, but you played a big role in stopping the villain. And you made him rethink his actions from what you told me.

(M)She's right, sweetheart, you showed him just how much you cared about me and he realized what he had done to me. He let the bandits go or stay as they pleased, and he vowed not to bother us again. You also saved my life, and that’s why I'm here getting ready to marry you, the woman I love.

(B)That’s right and the rest of us love you, too, sis.

(K)Oh, you know I love you all. You all helped rescue me, so I should be thanking you as well. I’m not the only hero in our story.

(M)That may be true, but you’re my hero and I love you.

(K)[smiles] You’re my hero, too, and I love you so much.

Merig and Kate exchange a warm smile, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared understanding. Kate's eyes glisten with tears of gratitude, touched by the kind words from Merig and the rest of the group. Merig reaches out to hold her hand gently, wiping away her tears with care. He then lifts her chin with his hand, leaning in to plant a tender kiss on her lips. Gordo offers Kate a handkerchief to dry her tears, his kind gesture met with a grateful smile as she accepts it.

(G)I know I’m no hero, but I was the villain along with Cormac and I’m sorry. When Barth fought me in that underground cell, I did it because I didn’t want you to get hurt during the battle, and I was holding him off until Merig defeated him. When Barth froze me, I accepted defeat, and I was glad you got out. When we talked before Barth showed up, I felt terrible and contemplated letting you go.

(K)Hey, it’s water under the bridge, remember? Don’t worry, you can be the hero if anything else happens.

(G)I will most definitely have the pleasure of being the hero next time.

Gordo and Kate exchange a grin while the group rallies around her, consoling and showering her with affection as they chat away. Suddenly, the pub door swings open, revealing a mysterious figure draped in a black cloak with the hood pulled over their head. Scanning the room, their eyes land on the group gathered at their usual table. Slowly, they make their way toward them, eventually positioning themselves behind Barth and Gordo, who are seated side by side at the corner of the table. Larry catches sight of the figure and shoots them a glare, rising to his feet as he confronts them.

(L)Hey, who the hell are you?

Barth and Gordo suddenly become alert, swiftly turning around to see who's behind them. The rest of the group follows suit, spotting the mysterious figure standing silently. As the figure raises their hand and removes their hood, revealing themselves, everyone is shocked to see the pale goblin with a vertical scar on the left side of his face. It's Cormac. Larry, Merig, and Kate's eyes widen in surprise, while Barth, Ashley, and Gordo look furious. Sarah, on the other hand, appears frightened. Barth stands up, confronts Cormac, and moves in close, coming face to face with him.

(B)Well, speak of the devil himself. What the hell are you doing here? You've got some nerve to show your face, Cormac.

(G)What do you want?

(C)Listen, I just came here to talk, and I was hoping to talk with Kate.

Merig immediately stands up from his seat and turns to walk toward Cormac. Merig approaches Cormac from the left and stands next to him in a protective stance while scowling. Cormac looks Merig in the eyes with a neutral expression, remaining calm and nonaggressive. Merig continues to stare at Cormac before his eyes turn crimson and he speaks in his low, growling, maniacal voice.

(M)And what the hell makes you think she wants to talk to you?

(C)Well, I guess you should ask her, then.

All of a sudden, Kate turns away from Cormac and clutches her chest with both hands as she starts to hyperventilate. Ashley notices Kate and rushes to the other side of the table to help her best friend. The rest of the group looks back at Kate with a panicked expression while Ashley speaks to Kate frantically, concern etched on her face. Ashley tries to calm Kate as she continues to gasp for air and struggles to speak.

(A)Kate sweetie, are you okay? What's wrong?

(K)[gasp]…hard…to…breathe[gasp]…need…fresh air.[gasp]

(A)Okay, come on, let’s get you outside.

(S)I'll come, too, everything will be okay, Kate.

Kate swiftly turns in her chair, grasping Ashley's hand with a desperate grip, while Sarah takes hold of her other hand, providing additional support. Together, the two women help Kate rise from her seat, swiftly escorting her towards the exit. They hurry out of the pub, their pace urgent, as if fleeing a looming threat. Once the trio has departed, the goblins refocus their attention on Cormac, their expressions darkening. Merig's crimson eyes blaze with intensified fury, his gaze piercing Cormac like a dagger.

(M)I think you have your answer, Cormac. Now I have to go check on my wife-to-be and most likely calm her down from her panic attack.

(C)I didn’t mean to…

(B)Doesn't matter, she's still healing from what happened and I hope you realize how much pain you caused her. She may have seemed okay after she brought Merig back, but ever since then, she struggled to come to terms with everything. She's getting better, thanks to us, and Merig most of all. But she wasn't the same, and we had to help her pick up the pieces all that time, until a few weeks ago, when Merig asked Kate to marry him. Thankfully, since then, she’s been acting like herself again and you probably just destroyed months' worth of progress in her time of healing.

(G)And funny enough, she was just talking about how she accepted what happened right before you showed up.

(L)I'm not exactly sure what made you think coming here was a good idea, or what it was going to achieve.

(C)Kate told me if I ever wanted to better myself, I should come here. She said she might forgive me one day.

(B)And you thought that day was today? Judging by her reaction to seeing you, it doesn't seem like it.

(M)He's right, and now I have to go tend to my fiancée, seeing how I'm the only one who can calm her down. I hope you're happy, you wasted your trip coming here.

The fiery intensity in Merig's eyes fades as he spins and rushes toward the exit, bursting from the pub to find Kate. Scanning the area, he spots Kate surrounded by two other women who comfort her near the entrance. Without hesitation, Merig dashes over. Ashley and Sarah step back, giving him space to support Kate, who still struggles to catch her breath. He positions himself in front of her, gently cradling her face in his hands and lifting her chin so their eyes connect. With a tender gaze, Merig speaks softly, aiming to soothe her racing heart.

(M)Hey, sweetheart, I need you to listen to me and take deep breaths with me, okay?

Kate nods, and she and Merig synchronize their breathing, inhaling and exhaling in unison to calm her racing heart. The technique gradually takes effect, and Kate's breathing slows, returning to a normal pace. She removes her glasses and hands them to Ashley, who holds them securely. Then, Kate wraps her arms around Merig's torso, embracing him tightly as she buries her face in his chest. Merig reciprocates, enveloping her in a warm, comforting hug. As they hold each other, Merig gently kisses Kate's forehead, his soothing words whispering reassurance. Kate's grip on him tightens, her breathing slowing further as she finds solace in Merig's embrace, her body relaxing into his supportive hold.

(M)Everything is going to be okay, honey, I'm here.

The two remain locked in a tight embrace as Kate shuts her eyes, continuing to breathe deeply. Meanwhile, inside the pub, Larry swiftly moves around the table to take his place on Cormac’s left, where Merig had been. The other three goblins encircle Cormac, their faces twisted in scorn, while Gordo stands with his arms crossed, clearly unimpressed. With determination, Cormac surveys the group and begins to articulate the reasons for his presence at the pub.

(C)Listen, I didn’t come here to cause trouble, honest. I’ve been contemplating whether I should come here and apologize properly. I didn’t expect Kate to react that way, since I haven’t seen any of you since that night. So I had no idea what she went through. I’m sorry.

(B)I understand your intentions, but it might be too soon to try to ask for forgiveness.

(G)Especially since Kate is still healing from everything, like Barth said. And we’ve all been helping her however we can, but sadly, she still hasn’t fully recovered yet. If I’m being honest, I don’t blame her. I’m the same way. I can’t exactly speak for Barth, though.

(B)Oh, I’m fine, much better than Kate, sadly. I’m much happier here with my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law and everyone else.

(L)She and Merig are getting married in April and they don’t need any stress at the moment.

(C)If I had known I would cause any, I wouldn’t have come here. I guess I should probably leave, then. Give Kate my regards, please, and give them both my best wishes on their marriage.

The other goblins continue to glare at Cormac, their faces etched with hostility. A look of shame appears on his face as he turns and heads for the pub's exit. Once outside, he scans the bustling street, his gaze locking on Merig, who is still offering comforting words to a distressed Kate. Merig's attention is briefly diverted, a sharp glance darting towards Cormac. His protective stance is evident as he shields her from the world, his scowl deepening. Cormac's eyes narrow into slits, thinking to himself for a moment. With determined strides, he then approaches the pair, his voice steady as he speaks.

(C)I only came here to ask for forgiveness. I didn’t mean any harm. Congratulations on your engagement and I wish nothing but the best for you both. I’m sorry, Kate, may you be at peace. Goodbye, for now.

Cormac walks away from them in the opposite direction of the pub, his head hung in shame as he disappears into the crowd of people in the city. Merig brings his attention back to Kate, who is slowly pulling away from him. They gaze at each other with soft, gentle eyes, the tension between them dissipating. Merig smiles warmly at Kate, his soothing voice continuing to calm her as he speaks in a gentle tone. Kate's eyes remain locked on Merig's, her expression serene as she listens to his words.

(M)Hey, sweetheart, how are you feeling?

(K)[sigh] I think I’m alright now, thank you, my love. I’m so sorry about all of that. I don’t know what came over me.

(M)Hey, don’t apologize, you have nothing to be sorry about, honey.

(K)I guess I wasn’t doing as well as I thought I was. Healing from the event is one thing, but I still haven’t faced the source of the pain, which is Cormac himself. Maybe I should have talked to him, but something in me was too afraid.

(A)You shouldn’t force yourself to face him, Kate, especially not after that reaction you had.

(K)It’s been so long since that night when I last saw him, so it makes sense as to why I felt the way that I did in there.

(S)They say facing your fears is hard, but beneficial. But Ashley is right. Don’t push yourself if you aren’t ready.

(M)I agree with them both. Don't make yourself feel you have to face him, especially not from the way you reacted. But for now, let’s get you back inside. I'm sure you're cold.

(K)Yeah, I realized I wasn't wearing my cloak and now I’m starting to get cold. Let's go, my love.

(M)I’ll warm you up.

As the four of them step back into the warm glow of the pub, they make their way through and toward the table where the other three goblins are still standing. Their eyes fixate on Kate with a mix of curiosity and concern as she approaches. Barth's face contorts with worry and he opens his arms wide, inviting her into a comforting embrace. Kate's face softens with a gentle smile as she wraps her arms around him, and they share a heartfelt hug. As they pull away, Barth's voice trembles with concern as he speaks.

(B)Are you feeling better, sis? We were really worried about you.

(K)I’m fine, don’t you worry yourselves.

(L)You know damn well we worry regardless, Kate. How can we not after seeing you like that?

(G)He’s right, you gave us quite the scare.

(K)I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I promise I'm okay. Merig made it all better, as usual.

(B)Good, that's all that matters. Merig, did you see Cormac outside when he left?

(M)Yeah, he came up to us and apologized, and congratulated us on our wedding coming up.

(B)I see, he’s got balls showing up here, and he's really hellbent on talking to Kate. But her reaction said it all.

(K)[sigh] I’m sure he meant no harm, Barth. I wish I didn’t react the way that I did, but it wasn’t exactly voluntary. Probably because his presence caught me off guard and it made me panic. It wasn’t his fault, though.

(L)That may be so, but he could’ve at least announced himself, instead of coming in here wearing a hood to hide his face.

(K)I understand what you’re saying, Larry, but something in me really wanted to hear him out and talk to him. I did tell him that it was possible for me to forgive him if he ever decided to better himself and live here in the city, and I meant that. I guess I’m still trying to cope with everything, even though I’ve accepted it.

(G)It sounds like you just need more time, or you simply might be too scared to talk to Cormac.

(K)You’re probably right, Gordo, there are things that have happened to me in the past and even though I’m not in that situation anymore, I still fear the source if I am ever faced with it. But I want so badly to face it, regardless.

(M)You’re a strong person for that, sweetheart, but it’s okay to be afraid. It’s a normal thing.

(B)He’s right, and we don’t blame you for being afraid.

(S)Yeah, it’s not your fault and you have every right to be afraid, and we were afraid for you. At least I was, but you know me, I’m always afraid.

(A)You’re not wrong though, but it’s not my first time seeing Kate have a panic attack like that. Regardless, I was still worried, since it came out of nowhere. That’s why I got out of my seat so fast like I did to see if you were okay, Kate. You scared the shit out of me.

(K)I’m sorry, Ash, it really wasn’t my intention. Larry is right, Cormac just showed up out of nowhere wearing black and he didn’t even show us his face until Larry said something to him. So yeah, I’m sure you can imagine how I feel seeing him after all this time of going through hell. Especially after we all just got done talking about him and about accepting what happened. I’m confident that I will overcome the anguish since I’ve been surrounded by people who care for me. And like you said, Ash, the first step to healing is to talk about it and face the source and I want so badly to do that. The next time I see Cormac, I’m going to talk to him and take the next step in my healing and face my fears, even if I have to push myself. I’m ready to lift even more weight off of my shoulders so I’m not struggling to fight this battle in my own mind and I can finally conquer it and be at peace.

(B)Merig was right, you’re a strong person, sis, and I admire that. We’ll all be right here with you when you take that step and we’ll fight that battle alongside you.

(M)Absolutely, you’re never alone, sweetheart. We’re always here for you.

(A)That’s right, we love you and we won’t let you fight alone.

(S)Exactly, being alone isn’t fun at all. I’ve learned that in just the few weeks I was here before finding you and Ash.

(G)And if you’ve learned anything in these past few months, you know that you’ll never be alone if we can help it.

(L)Right, we care about you that much, Kate, especially when you’re at home with Merig.

(M)Without question, I’ll always be there when you need me and when we’re at home. I’ll be there to hold you and do whatever you need me to so you don’t feel alone.

(K)And that’s why I’m so lucky to have you all in my life, especially you, my love. I shouldn’t be afraid when I have such wonderful people around me. And like Merig said, it’s okay to be afraid, considering all that I’ve been through. But I’ll get through it as long as I have you all here with me.

(A)That’s right, hon, and we’ll always be here if you need us.

(L)Hell, I’m afraid of Ash sometimes. You don’t want to see her angry, and neither do I.

(K)[giggles] I grew up with her, remember? I’ve seen her angry and I agree it’s not pretty.

(L)Nope, but she’s beautiful and I love her. Isn’t that right, my enchanting red-haired, blue-eyed goddess?

Larry immediately shifts his focus to Ashley, noticing her arms crossed and a mischievous grin on her face. He shyly makes his way towards her, flashing a playful smile with his captivating eyes and charming tone. Ashley playfully shoots him a look, rolling her eyes, as Larry tenderly takes her hands and plants a kiss on them before she utters a word.

(A)You’re lucky I love you as much as I do, otherwise you couldn’t have smooth-talked your way out of that one. Besides, we’re in public and I’m not the abusive type.

(L)I know, but when it comes to you, I’m a glutton for punishment, remember?

(A)[giggle] You’re something else, you know that?

(L)What, did you expect me to be normal? My dear, have you met me? I'm a goblin. I'm not exactly normal according to human standards.

(A)You have a point there I guess. It's okay, you don't have to be normal for me to love you.

(L)Good, 'cause when it comes to you, I’m not normal. I’m completely bewitched and crazy for you. I love you, my beautiful red-hot flame.

(A)I love you, too, my crazy goblin.

The group erupts in laughter as Larry wraps his arm around Ashley and plants a playful kiss on her cheek. Ashley blushes and shakes her head at him, but her smile betrays her amusement. As the night deepens, the pub buzzes with energy as the group continues to spend time together. Later, in the cozy embrace of their bedroom, Merig and Kate share a tender moment, kissing. He holds her close, their gazes locked in a silent conversation. Kate's soft words drift through the quiet air, a sweet melody that only Merig can hear.

(K)Nothing better than ending the day being in your arms and under the blanket and getting warm, especially since it’s still cold outside. It's perfect under here.

(M)I’ll always keep you warm. Holding you at night makes my entire day worth living through, even the bad days.

(K)I completely agree, even after what happened today.

(M)Are you sure you’re okay from that, sweetheart? I know we talked about opening up to each other more often, and I just want to make sure.

(K)I promise, honey, I’m fine. I told you I was a little scared and I’m grateful that you were there to help me through my panic attack and tell me everything was okay. I wouldn’t lie to you, my love.

(M)I know you wouldn't, honey. I just worry about you, that's all.

(K)I appreciate that you worry. Although it did make me realize that I've improved so much, but Cormac showing up was just very unexpected and it also showed me that I'm still hurting. Not as much as I was in the beginning, thankfully, but nonetheless, it made me realize that I need to face him, eventually. I am scared, but you said it was normal.

(M)You’re right, I did, and I'm here to hold you when you're scared.

(K)I know my love, and I’m so grateful to you. As long as you’re holding me, I’m not afraid anymore. The love that you give me makes my days worth living through, too, even the bad ones.

(M)Good, cause I’ll do anything to make your day better.

(K)And I’ll do the same for you, and tonight, this is all I need.

Their eyes meet, a shared smile lighting up their faces. Kate leans in, her lips brushing against Merig's in a tender kiss. Her hand finds his cheek, a gentle caress that sends shivers down his spine. Merig holds her closer, his grip tightening slightly. A thoughtful expression crosses his face, replaced quickly by a nervous tension. His eyes dart around, revealing a growing worry. He clears his throat, about to speak.

(M)Although, the scariest thing for me is meeting your parents. I’m starting to sweat just thinking about it. What if I say something stupid in front of them?

(K)[giggles] It’s okay to be scared, remember? Just be yourself, Merig. I told you they are going to love meeting you. I’ll be there the whole time, so don’t worry.

(M)I’m convinced they’ll run as soon as they see me, they’ll be terrified of me.

(K)No, they won’t. I told you we lived in a town that also coexisted with Fomors and still does.

(M)I know and it's a good thing you told them that I'm a goblin, or I'm sure they'd be very surprised.

(K)I can't say for sure, but it’s possible. But the fact is that they know and are completely accepting of it.

(M)I'm glad, but I'm still nervous.

(K)And that's okay, it's okay to be nervous. Besides, no one can keep me away from my goblin, not even my parents, trust me.

(M)I wouldn’t want you to have to choose like that, Kate. It wouldn't be fair to your family.

(K)Hey, this is my life and I'll be with whoever makes me happy and that's you, Merig.

(M)I guess I'd feel the same if I was in that situation. But let's just be grateful that they're accepting of me. Now whether they approve of me being your husband is a different story.

(K)What, are you going to ask for their blessing?

(M)Well, isn't that the appropriate thing to do? Especially asking the parents if they approve of a goblin marrying their human daughter.

(K)I mean, if that's what you feel you should do, but I don’t think it would be necessary.

(M)I want your parents to know that I'm serious about marrying you and asking for their blessing might make them see that. Besides, I'd want to be on the safe side knowing that it's a human custom and I'm marrying a human.

(K)Oh, Merig, I'm sure they already know that you're serious about marrying me. But if asking them for their blessing makes you feel better, then I won't stop you. But I'm telling you, it'll be okay, I promise. Like I said, just be yourself, okay?

(M)I promise I'll be myself and try not to sweat buckets. I think I'm already sweating just talking about it.

(K)Or that might be because it's so warm under here. I know I'm pretty toasty cuddling up to you. I love it. And besides, I'm here if you're scared too, remember? I'm going to be right there with you when you meet my parents, so just relax, my love.

(M)Of course, how could I forget? You're right, I don't have anything to worry about, especially if you told them I'm not human and they've already accepted me.

(K)Exactly, they wouldn't want to meet you if they didn't accept you. My parents are wonderful people and they have good hearts and they are very excited to meet you.

(M)I'm excited to meet them, too, I'm just nervous at the same time

(K) Like I said, it's okay to be nervous. For now, let’s just enjoy being in each other's arms and get some sleep, okay?

(M)Alright, sweetheart, after today I'm sure you'd want me to hold you all night.

(K)[smiles] Yes, my love, I would love that very much. I have nothing but wonderful dreams when I'm sleeping in your arms.

(M)Alright then, I'll hold you in my arms all night and I won't let go, so you can have pleasant dreams.

(K)Thank you so much, my love. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me and I'm so grateful for what you do for me.

(M)You know I'll do anything to make you happy and protect you from nightmares. Besides, being here with you makes me have pleasant dreams, too, so it helps us both.

(K)Good, I'm so glad I'm able to help you have wonderful dreams, too.

(M)Of course, they're mostly dreams about you and being married to you.

(K)[smiles] Well, that dream will become a reality pretty soon, and I can't wait.

(M)[smiles] I can't wait, either, but for now, let's get some sleep. Goodnight, my beautiful shining moon. I love you.

(K)Goodnight, I love you, too, my wonderful earth.

The two share a warm smile, locking eyes in a moment of connection before leaning in for a sweet goodnight kiss. Wrapped in each other's embrace, they peacefully drift into slumber.