THREE WEEKS LATER. On a radiant spring morning in May, Cormac's home is filled with warmth as Deirdre is there, as she always is to care for him. They find themselves in Cormac's bedroom, where he sits comfortably on the bed, and Deirdre perches beside him. With a gentle motion, Cormac removes his shirt, allowing Deirdre to peel away the bandage from his chest. A smile spreads across her face as her fingers graze the healing skin. The wound has transformed into a two-inch scar on his shoulder, a testament to his resilience. Deirdre gazes at Cormac, who returns her look with a beaming smile, both of them sharing a moment of joy.
(DD)It's healed, it's just a scar now. How does it feel?
(C)Much better thanks to you, the pain is practically gone.
(DD)That’s wonderful, I'm so glad to hear that. But the bad news is, this will be my last visit as your home aid.
(C)That's okay, now you can just come and visit me for the hell of it if you want to.
(DD)[giggles] That’s true. This may be my last visit to care for you, but this won't be the last time we see each other.
(C)Well I hope so, cause I've really enjoyed your company and I really appreciate you caring for me in these last three weeks.
(DD)Think nothing of it, Cormac, I did it because I wanted to and you needed someone to help you.
(C)Well, because of your help, I'm feeling so much better and I can start my training as a Royal Guard.
(DD)That’s right, I'm sure you're excited about that.
(C)I'm very much excited about it. Maybe you can come to watch me train sometime.
(DD)I'd be more than happy to watch you train. I'm sure you'll do great things as a Royal Guard. I haven't seen you fight, but I'm sure you're a powerful fighter and you'll be an amazing addition to the guards.
(C)I don't know about that, but I appreciate the optimism. I'll most likely spar with Merig and the others and you can watch from the resting area at the training grounds.
(DD)I've never been to the training grounds. It sounds like a lot of fun.
(C)It is, you'll like it, and the other women sometimes go there and hang out.
(DD)I'd be happy to be there and cheer you on while you train.
(C)I'd like that a lot, and I'd be a lot more focused if you were there.
(DD)[smiles] Then I'll do what I can to make your training more enjoyable. But sadly, I won't always be able to be there since I help Grandma Silvia at the flower shop a few days out of the week, as you know.
(C)That’s okay, I'll come visit you on the days you can't watch me train. After my training, I'll come and see you. How does that sound?
(DD)[smiles] I would love that very much, Cormac, as long as it doesn't hinder your day. I don't want to be a bother to you.
(C)Trust me, Deirdre, as long as you've been taking care of me, you're anything but a bother. I very much enjoy your presence, and you've been amazing.
(DD)[blush] You’re too kind, Cormac.
(C)[smiles] I honestly don’t think I’m kind enough. I owe you a lot and I’ll repay you somehow for the care and kindness you’ve shown me.
(DD)You don’t owe me anything. You already made it up to me by spending an entire day with me, even when you were still in pain, so I definitely owe you. I still think you should’ve waited until you fully healed.
(C)I did that because I wanted to and because you were going out of your way to care for me…and because I upset you when you asked me to dinner, which I still feel terrible about.
(DD)Please don’t feel terrible about it, Cormac, I was never upset at you for it. I didn’t even expect you to make it up to me. I even told you we could’ve waited. I didn’t want you to hurt yourself even more.
(C)I didn’t mind at all. Even Nessa said it was perfectly fine. Besides, we’ve spent a lot of time together and got to know each other a lot more since then. Having you care for me and keeping me company, so I didn’t feel so alone. It was well worth it for me.
(DD)[smiles] You’re so sweet. I’ve really enjoyed being around you and the time we’ve spent together in the past three weeks. It was worth it for me, too. Well, your wound has healed and you’re practically recovered, so you probably want to start your guard training as soon as possible. Let’s get you dressed and we can head out to the training grounds. I can’t wait to see you train.
(C)Actually, I’m in no rush to start, I was actually thinking about spending the day with you and doing whatever you want.
(DD)I’m sure you have better things to do, Cormac. We’ve spent all this time together already, so I’m sure you’re tired of seeing me.
(C)Absolutely not, Deirdre, not even a little. I look forward to seeing you every day and I never get tired of having you here. I don’t think I ever will.
(DD)[smiles] Alright, but only if you want to, we can spend the day together. This time, we can do whatever you want.
(C)I want us to have fun together, so we can do whatever we both want.
(DD)Sounds good to me. I’ll leave you alone so you can get dressed and I’ll be downstairs waiting.
Cormac quickly slips on his shirt just as Deirdre rises from the bed, preparing to leave. But before she can take another step, he reaches out, gently grasping her arm to halt her movement. She turns to face him, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. Rising from the bed, Cormac towers over her, and their eyes meet, his filled with warmth, hers with a hint of confusion. A smile breaks across Cormac's face, and she mirrors his expression, the tension easing. In a tender moment, he envelops her in a tight embrace, which she reciprocates wholeheartedly. After a brief pause, Cormac releases her, still beaming down at her, and begins to speak.
(C)Thank you, Deirdre, for everything you’ve done for me.
(DD)It was my pleasure, Cormac, you needed help, and I was more than willing to be of service. I’m just glad you’re feeling better and you’ve recovered.
(C)And I couldn’t have done it without you, Deirdre. No amount of thanks could ever repay you for what you’ve done for me. I’ll always be here to do whatever you need me to. Just say the word and I’m here.
(DD)You’ve got more to worry about than me, so I’ll only ask you to help me if it’s a dire need.
(C)I don’t care if it’s a minor task, I’ll do it.
(DD)[sigh] Alright, Cormac, but you’ve helped me more than you think. You weren't the only one benefiting from me being here and helping you. Like I said before, you’ve helped me break out of my shell and made me smile again, among other things. The least I could do was care for you and help you heal in return. We’ve helped each other, so we’re even.
(C)[smiles] Maybe I just want to spend time with you because I like being around you. It makes me really happy when I see you every day.
(DD)[smiles] I like being around you, too, Cormac. I can’t help but smile when I see you.
(C)I like seeing you smile. You’re very pretty when you do.
(DD)[blush] Why thank you, I don’t think I’m very pretty at all.
(C)Well, you are, you’re beautiful and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not. So, what do you say? Would you want to spend the day with me?
(DD)I’d love to spend the day with you, Cormac. We can celebrate your recovery and do whatever you want.
(C)We’ll celebrate you as well because I wouldn’t have recovered like I have without you.
(DD)[smiles] Alright, I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.
(C)[smiles] I shouldn’t be long.
The two exchange warm smiles, their eyes sparkling with unspoken affection, until Deirdre finally turns away, stepping out of Cormac's bedroom. She makes her way downstairs, eager to wait for him to finish getting dressed so they can embark on their day together. Meanwhile, in the cozy home of Kate and Merig, Kate busies herself in the kitchen, whipping up a delightful breakfast for the two of them. Merig is upstairs, dressing in his gear and preparing for the day ahead. Once ready, he descends the stairs and enters the kitchen, wrapping his arms around Kate's waist from behind. He pulls her close, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek. Kate turns to meet his gaze, their smiles intertwining before she returns the gesture with a kiss on his cheek. With a cheerful greeting, she resumes her culinary task, focused on the delicious meal she is preparing.
(K)Good morning, my wonderful husband.
(M)Good morning, my beautiful wife.
(K)Your knighting ceremony is tomorrow. Are you excited?
(M)Very excited, you’re going to be there, right?
(K)Oh, of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world, my love. It’s an exciting time for both of us. I got married to my goblin and you're getting the title you’ve always wanted.
(M)And I got married to my human, and it was the best thing to happen to me. I don’t care if I never get knighted, as long as I’m married to you. But yes, both are very exciting events.
(K)Exactly, I'm very excited to see you get knighted and we will celebrate at the pub if you want.
(M)I'd love that very much.
(K)We can also celebrate here at home, just you and me. I'll make love with my knight, my goblin, my husband, my earth.
(M)I would definitely love that. I'll make love with my human, my wife, my moon.
(K)[smiles] Breakfast will be done soon, my love. And I kind of invited Ash and Larry to join us if that's okay.
(M)Fine by me, we're neighbors now, so I don't see why not.
(K)I'm so happy for them getting engaged. Ash is just over the moon as we speak.
(M)Larry is pretty ecstatic as well. It's a dream come true for him since he's been in love with her for so long. I'm happy to see them get married, they're both good friends to us.
(K)That they are. Ash has been with me through thick and thin and we've been best friends since we were toddlers.
(M)Larry and I have been friends for about fifteen years.
(K)And you’re both thick as thieves. Larry loves you to death. You're like brothers. Even though you already have Barth.
(M)Yeah, Barth is my brother and I love him too. He protected me when we were younger. Especially when we were separated from our parents. He would put himself in harm's way just to make sure I didn’t get hurt. He’s a good brother to me.
(K)Barth is a good person in general and a wonderful brother-in-law. He’s really excited about being a captain of the Royal Guards. His skills have improved since he and I have been training together. I’m sure he’ll do great things.
(M)Oh definitely, he’s tough and a powerful mage. You’ve helped him a lot with his magic and he’s grateful to you.
(K)He’s helped me a lot, too. I'm still thinking about becoming a royal mage. You mentioned that when we first met, do you remember?
(M)Actually, I do. For some reason, that’s a memory that sticks with me. I can always talk to Eirawen tomorrow after my knighting ceremony.
(K)You don’t have to, sweetheart. I’ll be happy to talk to her.
(M)Part of me doesn’t want you to join the Royal Guards, though. You know me, I’ll always worry about your safety.
(K)Merig, honey, I’ll be fine. As long as I’m training hard and becoming a stronger mage, I’m sure I’ll be able to join the guards. You and I can fight those mean old bandits together, side by side, as husband and wife.
(M)That does sound exciting. I just worry about you getting hurt, that’s all.
(K)And do you not get hurt as a Royal Guard? I’m sure you, Larry, and Ash have gotten hurt and paid Nessa a visit. I won’t be any different.
(M)[sigh] I know, but as your husband, I can’t help but worry.
(K)And you don’t think as your wife, that I worry about you every day going out there and fighting bandits? You’re a very skilled archer, but you can get hurt just as easily as I can and I worry about you getting hurt just as much as you’d worry about me.
(M)You’re right, it’s just the part of me that wants to protect you from harm, that’s all.
(K)And you do that every day, and I appreciate you so much. I’m sure it will take a while before I’m able to join you outside of the city since I’m still training my magic. You saw me fight those bandits who threatened my parents.
(M)I did, and you were amazing, sweetheart. I’m not saying you can’t fight bandits with me. It’s just my fear of losing you because bandits are ruthless and anything can happen. I agree once you’ve trained enough, then you’ll be a master mage and you’ll kick ass.
(K)[smiles] That’s right and just think, you’ll be there and so will Larry, Barth, Gordo, and Cormac. All of you strong goblins will be there in case I get hurt, so there’s no need to worry.
(M)You’re right, I guess I just need to work on worrying less.
(K)Speaking of Cormac, he should have recovered by now. Deirdre told me today was the last day she was going to change his bandage and check to see how his wound has healed.
(M)I’ll talk to him about it if I see him. I’m sure he’ll stop by since he’s been so eager to start training. I feel we shouldn’t be too hasty since it’s only been three weeks since he was back at the healer getting treated and Deirdre being his home aide.
(K)Those two hit it off really well. I’m so happy they’ve gotten to know each other. It was a rocky start when he turned her down, but I’m glad they worked it out.
(M)Yeah, Deirdre seems really happy spending time with him. And Cormac deserves to be happy after everything.
(K)I agree, but he’ll also be a great addition to the Royal Guards. He’ll be right there with you as an archer. You wield a bow and Cormac wields a crossbow, the best of both weapons.
(M)To be honest, Cormac and I aren’t so different when it comes to fighting. But he hasn’t harnessed his skills like I have, so I’ll definitely have to teach him what I’ve learned. He’s a sharpshooter like me, but there are a few things he still lacks, and I’ll be happy to teach him if he’s willing to learn.
(K)Come to think of it, your personalities aren’t so different either. You protect the people you care about. Cormac put himself in harm's way to protect my parents, and he’ll be protecting the city and the citizens.
(M)You’re not wrong. Despite everything, Cormac is a good person and he will protect the people he cares about. That’s how we know him to be. He protected Barth and me from other bandits in the camp who caused problems with us. Larry and Gordo did, too. We were just a small group of friends, but we stuck together and Cormac was the one to explain Barth and I’s situation to the leader at the time before Cormac. The boss was sympathetic and he let us stay until we could find a place to live and we were looking forward to coming to the city.
(K)I’m glad you had people to support you and protect you and I’m glad you came here. I still think what happened to you and Barth is heartbreaking, and those humans should be ashamed. Did you and Barth ever try looking for your parents?
(M)Yeah, actually, we did. That’s what we were doing when we left to go on our own after that human couple took us in and raised us. We traveled to each city, but sadly we never found them and some humans weren’t so nice to us, so we had a hard time staying in one place. Barth and I never settled in one town or city, and we stopped looking for our parents after we joined the bandit camp.
(K)Given the chance, would you try looking for your parents again?
(M)Honestly, it’s been so long and we’ve established ourselves here in Tara. I’m married to you and we live in our lovely home together. I’m the commander of the Royal Guards and I’m about to be knighted. I may sound heartless by saying this, but I don’t know if I want to just drop everything to go searching for my parents if we don’t even know if they’re still alive. For all we know, the people who came to our village to cause trouble could’ve killed them. I don’t want to have hope that they’re alive just for our search efforts to be in vain.
(K)I completely understand, honey, I just didn’t know if you and Barth still had hope that they were still out there.
(M)Hope? No, but anything is possible. But for now, I’m here with my wife who is cooking a wonderful breakfast for us.
(K)[smiles] That’s true, Larry and Ash should be here any minute.
Moments later, a gentle knock at the door breaks the calm, and Merig's droopy ears twitch with curiosity as he makes his way to answer it. He opens the door to reveal Larry and Ashley, their faces aglow with warm smiles. With a welcoming gesture, Merig invites the couple in, inviting them to join Kate and him for a delightful breakfast before they embark on their day's adventures. As they step inside, the aroma of freshly cooked food envelops them, and Kate's bright smile greets them from the kitchen, where she continues conjuring up her culinary magic.
(K)Hey, neighbors, I hope you’re hungry.
(A)Hell yeah, I didn’t eat anything before we left. I’m saving every nook and cranny in my belly for your cooking.
(L)Same here. It’s been great since we’ve been neighbors for the past three weeks.
(K)I know, right? I enjoy going over and bugging Ash while you’re away, or vice versa.
(A)Yeah, after my duties I’ll just come back here and hang out with my bestie.
(K)[smiles] It’s been fun, but I know she gets tired of me harassing her at your place, so I let her come here if she wants to.
(A)Hey, you hush, you’re my best friend. I’ll never get tired of you. I love you too much.
(K)I love you, too. Merig and I were just talking about how happy you’ve been since you moved in with Larry. I bet you two are loving the fact that you’re living in the same house rather than walking all the way across this side of the city to visit each other.
(L)I mean, I didn’t mind it before, but yeah it’s great to have her with me and us sharing a home. She’s been amazing as usual and I never realized how much I’ve neglected some parts of the house.
(A)I’m not saying you’re an unorganized person, but you keep the training grounds cleaner than you do your own home. I expected you to at least keep your house just as clean.
(L)Yeah, and since you’re living with me, I have to change where my priorities lie and take care of the house, just as I do at the training grounds.
(K)It’s okay Larry, it’s much different living with yourself than it is with another person. You learn a lot about the other person and sometimes you have to adjust to change. I remember when Merig first discovered menstrual cycles.
(A)Oh, that must've been fun. How did it feel discovering something like that? It must've been a challenge for you to deal with, Merig.
(M)There was honestly nothing to it, actually. I just did what I could to help her with whatever she needed me to do like I usually do. I just kept doing it and I still do it to this day. I know it’s something that's hard for women to go through, so I have no problem helping her deal with it each month.
(K)You deal with a lot too, Merig. You work really hard at what you do as commander of the guards and you’ll be working even harder as a knight.
(M)Yeah, but I love what I do, so helping you is nothing for me and there's no reason why I can't.
(L)He's right, there's a difference between doing something you love and having something happen to you naturally that you hate and I know you women hate going through that each month...you know...bleeding down there and all. I've had to educate myself on it since I've been with Ash, so I sympathize.
(K)Yeah, but you still risk your lives doing what you love. Merig doesn't need me to make him stress more.
(M)Sweetheart, I don't stress that much when I'm fighting bandits or training new recruits. And I stress a lot less when I'm doing what I can to help you. You take away the stress that I do have just by being with you, so it's no big deal. I love helping you more than anything because I love you.
(K)[smiles] I love you too, honey, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me and I'm so lucky to have you.
(M)[smiles] And you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, too, and I'm the luckiest goblin in the world.
(A)So tell me what happened. How did Merig find out?
(K)Well, it wasn't too long after I came to live with him last year after all that crazy stuff happened. I was in the bathroom one day and I didn't realize I had started my cycle.
Kate pauses her cooking, turning away from the stove to face the group. With a spark of enthusiasm in her eyes, she begins to recount the tale of how Merig discovered the monthly struggles that women endure.[Flashback] Kate steps into the bathroom, ready to take a moment for herself. As she settles onto the toilet, her gaze drifts down to her underwear, where a splash of blood catches her eye. A frown crosses her face, and she lets out a frustrated sigh, muttering to herself in annoyance.
(K)[sigh] Damnit, I didn't think I was going to start today. Merig, my love, I'm so sorry to bother you, could you please come here?!
(M)On my way, sweetheart!
Merig's footsteps echo up the stairs, growing louder with each step before he reaches the top and turns into the bedroom. He strides purposefully across the room, his footsteps softening on the wooden floor, and pushes open the cracked bathroom door. Inside, he finds Kate seated on the commode, her eyes meeting his with a sheepish, apologetic gaze. The sudden interruption hangs in the air, leaving Merig wondering what's wrong.
(K)I'm so sorry, my love. Can you please do me a big favor and grab me another pair of my underwear? This pair has blood on it.
Kate delicately slides off her underwear, and Merig's eyes widen in alarm as he catches sight of the crimson stain. His face contorts in distress, a mix of shock and concern etched on his features. He hastily closes the distance between them, his voice laced with urgency and worry. Merig's tone trembles with a hint of panic as he takes in the blood-soaked undergarment clutched in her hand, his expression screaming concern for Kate's well-being.
(M)Kate, you're bleeding! Are you okay?! We have to get you to the healer. I'll carry you there. How are you feeling? Are you feeling faint? How did you get injured?
(K)Merig honey, please calm down, I'm not injured.
(M)But you're bleeding. How are you not injured? Where's the wound? Why aren't you screaming in pain? Aren't you worried?
(K)Sweetheart, please take a deep breath and I'll explain.
(M)[sigh] Okay, but we should really go see Nessa.
(K)[giggles] She's just going to tell you the same thing that I'm about to because she's a woman just like me.
(M)What does that have to do with the fact that you’re bleeding?
(K)Because this is something only human women go through. It's called a menstrual cycle, and it's perfectly normal for me to bleed like this. It happens once a month for just a few days and then it stops.
(M)...Oh, so you're not dying?
(K)[giggles] No Merig, I'm not dying, but I am in a bit of pain from it. It does cause me to feel cramping in my abdomen during this time, so it's not exactly comfortable.
(M)Well, what causes it? I guess I'm still learning about women since no one really ever told me and this is the first time I'm seeing this.
(K)I mean, I just moved in with you not too long ago and it's just now happening for the month, so you get to bear witness to it. It happens because, as you know, human women bear children and women have ovaries, which have little tiny eggs inside of them that it produces and will potentially become a baby.
(M)So you have eggs?
(K)That’s right, but they're really small and they need to be fertilized by a male and that can potentially happen when we make love...when you...you know.
(M)So you have eggs inside of you and I have to fertilize them when I...oh okay, I think I get it now. But what about the bleeding?
(K)Well, unfortunately, the egg being fertilized isn't always guaranteed and the egg only has a month to be fertilized. Like I said, I'm a woman and I have what we call "ovaries" that produce the egg and it sends it to what's called the "uterus" and that's where it stays to get fertilized. If it doesn't get fertilized, then my uterus disposes of the egg and it does so by shedding itself along with the egg. That's what causes the blood to come out, so my ovaries can produce another egg for the next time to be fertilized.
(M)Oh, I see. What happens if the egg is fertilized?
(K)[smiles] Then it grows into a baby and I'll become pregnant.
(M)Oh okay, so it's like a chicken egg. If it's not fertilized then the egg won't develop and hatch.
(K)Sort of, only the egg is on the inside and it's very small. The egg itself is what develops into a baby, so it won't hatch, but it'll turn into a baby and grow in size until I give birth to it.
(M)I get it now, that's fascinating. I'm glad I'm learning all of this. I guess I never thought to educate myself on it, even though I've lived with humans before.
(K)It's okay, my love, I'm perfectly healthy and I don't need to go to the healer, so you can breathe easily. Although I am going to be experiencing cramps in my abdomen like I said. I just need fresh underwear and I've already got something I can use to trap the blood and prevent it from staining my clean underwear. This will only last for a few days, so don't worry.
(M)Okay, I'll get you a clean pair of underwear and we can wash the stained ones. Do you need anything else?
(K)Maybe some painkillers for the cramping and a hot bath. Oh and some chocolate, that's my favorite thing around this time. Also, I should warn you, that my mood will fluctuate a bit and I might get a little emotional. That's what happens to my hormones during my menstrual cycle, so I won't be feeling my best.
(M)[smiles] I know exactly what to do. We’ll get you cleaned up and I'll start a hot bath for you. I'll cook you something for lunch and I can even go to the market and get you some chocolate if you’d like. Then you and I can lay in the bed and I'll hold you for however long you need me to.
(K)[smiles] Oh Merig, that would be wonderful. Are you sure you want to do all that?
(M)Of course, why wouldn't I? I'm sure it's not fun or easy going through something like that with your own body. I'll do whatever I can to make these next few days comfortable for you, and I wouldn't want you to feel worse than you already do. Besides, I love you and I'll do anything you need me to and I want to help you feel better.
(K)Thank you so much, my love, I'm so grateful to you and you already help me so much as it is. I just don't want to put that burden on you.
(M)Hey, it's no burden, remember? You help me, too, so there's no reason why we can't help each other. That's what love is about, right?
(K)[smiles] Of course, you're just so good to me, Merig.
(M)You’re good to me too, Kate. Now let's get you taken care of and I'll give you some painkillers for your cramps.
(K)Okay, my love, you're so wonderful and I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you so much.
(M)It's no trouble at all, sweetheart, I love you too.
Merig tenderly assists Kate, fetching a fresh pair of underwear and drawing a soothing hot bath to ease her discomfort. As she relaxes in the warm water, Merig slips out to the market, returning with rich chocolates and fresh ingredients to prepare a nourishing meal. Later, snuggled together in bed, Merig cradles Kate, offering comfort and reassurance as they exchange gentle smiles. Their lips meet in a soft, tender kiss, a loving moment that transcends words, as Merig prioritizes Kate's well-being and showers her with care.[Flashback Ends] Kate wraps up her tale, her voice echoing through the kitchen and dining room where she and the other three remain gathered, their attention fully captured.
(A)[smiles] That’s so sweet how you handled it, Merig, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from you since you love this woman so much.
(M)It’s really not hard to handle at all, I just make it easier for her so she knows that I love and care for her.
(K)Oh honey, you already do so much to show me that every day. This is just one thing I deal with since it’s natural.
(M)Regardless, it’s worth it to me so you can feel better since you said you don’t feel your best when it happens and you know that I don’t like seeing you upset. So if I can help you smile and do whatever else I can during that time, just like I do any other day, then I’ll do it.
(K)[smiles] Ash, how did we get so lucky to have these wonderful goblins in our lives?
(A)That’s something even I don’t know, hun, best not to question it and accept our fate.
(K)[giggles] You’re absolutely right. I dare anyone to destroy my happiness. I have the perfect husband and the perfect life at this very moment.
(A)I know exactly what you mean.[wink]
(K)Well, I’m sure you’re hungry and you didn’t come here to listen to any boring stories of mine.
(L)Hey, I’m always open to hearing the tales of Kate and Merig.
(A)Same, you’re both so cute together. Hearing stories like that really warms my heart.
(K)Well, while we’re eating breakfast, you can tell me some tales of Ash and Larry.
(L)Sounds good to me, I got some good stories about Ash. Especially the ones where she farts in her sleep.
(A)[gasp] I don’t know what you’re talking about.
(M)It’s okay, Larry, Kate does the same thing.
(K)[gasp] That is not true, you should hear Merig’s farts. They sound like a bear roaring.
(A)Trust me, Larry’s farts smell like hellfire.
(L)That’s an over-exaggeration. Yours smells like the Royal Guard's lavatory.
(A)Oh please, that would be an over-exaggeration, my love.
(M)Oh god, that smell is forever burned into my nasal cavities. Kate’s farts smell pretty bad, too.
(K)[gasp] Ash, do you hear the lies coming from these goblins?
(A)I do, and they know damn well it’s all lies.
(K)You’re both lucky we love you as much as we do, or you wouldn’t be eating after those lies you both just told.[smirk]
(M)I would agree with you if they were lies, sweetheart.
(A)Hey, don’t stand here and act like your shit doesn’t stink, no pun intended.
(L)Hey, we are dignified goblins. We don’t smell like those ruffians out there in the forest.
(M)Exactly, we may have been one of them, but after spending time in the city, we realized how much better we smelled after showering.
(K)They aren’t wrong, Ash, city goblins tend to be much cleaner than bandits.
(A)Yeah, you got us there. Alright, you two win this one. Let’s eat and get out of here.
(M)Good idea.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
(L)Hell yeah, I’m starving.
(K)Alright, make yourselves comfortable, breakfast is almost done.
Larry and Ashley settle into the dining table, surrounded by the savory aromas wafting from the kitchen. Merig approaches Kate, cupping her cheeks as his lips brush against hers in a gentle kiss before she returns to cooking up a storm. The group gathers around the table, sharing laughter and conversation as they savor a delightful breakfast together. With duties calling, Merig, Larry, and Ashley bid Kate farewell, heading out to their daily guard responsibilities. Kate spends the morning lounging at the pub, her usual spot until Barth's arrival breaks the boredom. He spots her sitting solo at their usual table, a warm smile spreading across his face as he approaches and takes a seat across from her, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a friendly greeting.
(B)Good afternoon, sis.
(K)Hey, Barth.
(B)Have you been sitting here alone all morning?
(K)Yeah, it’s no big deal. Before you all came along, I’d sit here alone most mornings waiting for Ash, Merig, and Larry to finish their guard duties.
(B)Well, you have the rest of us now and you know your brother-in-law will keep you company.
(K)[smiles] I appreciate it, Barth. So, I heard you did a very sweet thing and brought Sarah her favorite flowers while we were gone.
(B)[blush] Oh, yeah, I did. I don’t know. After that fight with the bandits before your wedding, I’ve just been thinking about her a lot. I’m not sure, but I think I have feelings for her and I don’t know if I’m just wasting my time. I don’t feel like I am, because she really appreciated the flowers I bought her. She even keeps them in water at her workstation. Maybe she has feelings too, but I could just be crazy. Maybe she just wants to preserve her favorite flowers. What do you think, sis?
(K)Oh, you most definitely have feelings for her if you're thinking about her. Does she smile every time you see her?
(B)Yeah, she does. She always looks really happy if I go visit her or I meet her here at the pub on her days off.
(K)That was me when I first started developing feelings for Merig. I'd catch myself smiling all the time and I couldn't help but be happy to see him. Ash said it was blatantly obvious that he and I were in love and seeing you and Sarah interact, you both act the same way Merig and I did. Learn from Merig. If you have feelings for her, tell her.
(B)Yeah, Larry told me the same thing and to not wait like Merig did.
(K)I mean, waiting isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you still want to let the person know how you feel if you want to pursue any kind of relationship.
(B)I mean, I don't know if she feels the same and I'm afraid she won't.
(K)[sigh] You're definitely Merig’s brother. He had the same fear before he confessed to me. You don't want to keep it a secret forever and if Sarah feels the same, she'll be disappointed if you don't tell her. Or she might muster up the courage to tell you.
(B)I want to be the one to tell her first. You're right, I can't be afraid. I don't want to keep it to myself and then she finds someone else to be with. Sarah can do whatever she wants. I won't force her to be with me. I'll just be devastated if someone else does end up charming her.
(K)Hey, if Merig can charm me like he did, then you can charm Sarah, no problem.
(B)That's practically what I said. Only I won't chicken out when I tell her.
(K)I wouldn't be so sure. Larry said that Merig would say the same thing and then get too scared to tell me how he felt.
(B)Yeah, but I'm the braver brother, I can promise you I'll tell her…when the time is right.
(K)And when will that be?
(B)...I'll think of something.
(K)Barth, you've got to tell her.
(B)[sigh] Alright, alright, I just need the perfect opportunity.
(K)If you do that, then you'll never tell her. Create your own opportunity and do something nice for her. Buy her a gift, something other than flowers. Merig got me this necklace and I still wear it to this day.
(B)So, jewelry?
(K)Yeah, something that she’d like.
(B)She loves rabbits, I know that much.
(K)Hey, you’re learning more about her.
(B)So I should find something with a rabbit on it. A necklace maybe?
(K)It doesn’t even have to be jewelry, it can be anything.
(B)Okay, so I guess I’ve got shopping to do later.
(K)You got this, Barth, I believe in you. By the way, I noticed you aren't out with Merig and them doing guard duties.
(B)Oh yeah, Merig still thinks I'm not ready. I'm still training, so I understand. I hate it, but he's the boss, remember?
(K)Yeah, one of these days you'll be captain and you'll go kick bandit ass.
(B)Thanks for cheering me on, sis.
(K)So does that mean you and I can keep training our magic?
(B)If you want, we can always go to the training grounds like usual and do some training.
(K)That'll be fun.
Kate's conversation abruptly halts, her face contorting in discomfort as she clutches her belly with both hands. A look of unease washes over her, and she seems to be wracked with abdominal pain. Barth's expression transforms into one of concern, his brow furrowed in worry, as he gazes at Kate from across the table. His voice is laced with alarm and empathy, his words tumbling out in a gentle yet urgent tone.
(B)Hey, sis, are you okay?
(K)Yeah, I just had this weird pain in my stomach and I feel kind of nauseous.
(B)Was it something you ate?
(K)I haven't eaten since breakfast and I just cooked what I usually do, but it never upsets my stomach like this.
(B)Do you need something to drink? I can go ask Sherry for some ginger ale.
(K)No, I’m fine, it passed, thank you though.
(B)Alright, if it happens again, I’ll go get you something.
(K)I appreciate it. Have you heard anything from Cormac? Deirdre told me today was the last day she’d be visiting him to change his bandages.
(B)Yeah, that’s what Cormac told me. He said he wanted to spend the day with Deirdre to thank her for caring for him.
(K)Well, I’m glad he finally listened and recovered like he should’ve.
(B)Me too, Deirdre really helped Cormac a lot, and he seems a lot happier because of it.
(K)He really does. They both seem happy, and I'm glad he and Deirdre hit it off. They seem to really like each other.
(B)They definitely enjoy being around each other. I'm also glad that Deirdre was willing to look past everything he did last year.
(K)Oh yeah, I told her that he's not that person anymore. She said she was absolutely smitten by him when she first saw him at Silvia’s shop. She came to me asking about him and I could tell she fell in love with him. It was so cute to listen to her talk about him, even though she only met him once.
(B)[chuckles] I think he's smitten as well.
(K)Oh, it's definitely obvious that he is.
(B)Maybe I should learn from Cormac. He seems to be really straightforward with Deirdre about his appreciation for her since she's been caring for him.
(K)Yeah, he's not afraid to express his gratitude toward that woman. They both seem to make each other happy, so that's all I want to see.
(B)Me too, this is the happiest I've seen Cormac in a long time.
(K)All I wanted was to see him happy, and he seemed happy at my wedding, especially when he and Deirdre were dancing together.
(B)Oh yeah, I had a lot of fun with Sarah as well. I had to practically teach her how to dance. She was so frustrated since she said she hadn’t danced much before.
(K)That’s true, she’s always been a wallflower but we love her. Ash and I danced with her even though she didn’t know how, poor thing, I love her to death. But on another note, I’m sure Cormac is ready to start his guard training.
(B)Yeah, he’s been really eager and I’m sure he’ll be happy when he finally starts since he’s recovered.
(K)Well, we can take him to Nessa and we’ll see if he’s physically ready.
(B)Yep, hopefully, he’ll get the good news.
The pub door swings open, and Cormac and Deirdre stroll in, radiating warmth and joy, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they walk. Deirdre's hands clutch Cormac's arm, her grip a testament to their closeness. As they scan the room, their eyes land on Kate and Barth at the usual group table, as they make a beeline for them. Sliding into the seats beside each other, Cormac extends a hearty greeting, while Deirdre's eyes sparkle with warmth. Kate and Barth turn to face them, their faces mirroring Cormac's friendly smile.
(C)Good afternoon.
(K)Good afternoon, you two.
(B)How are you two on this lovely day?
(K)Yeah, how are you doing, Cormac? We were wondering about you.
(DD)Cormac’s wound has officially healed into a scar and he says he’s feeling much better.
(C)That’s right, I’m right as rain and it’s all thanks to Deirdre.
(DD)[blush] You give me way too much credit
(K)I’m so happy to hear that, Cormac, you look like you feel better. And Deirdre, you’re a lifesaver. Thank you for helping him.
(DD)No need to thank me. I was just helping someone I care about, that’s all.
(K)You’re so sweet. So what are your plans for the day?
(C)Deirdre and I are spending the day together. I want to properly thank her by taking her out and doing whatever she wants.
(DD)That’s right and we’re having a lot of fun so far. We got breakfast, and then Cormac took me to see jousting, something I really enjoy watching.
(C)There was a big tournament today, it was fun to watch.
(DD)It sure was, then we went shopping and Cormac got me this necklace. It’s a sunflower pendant. I absolutely love sunflowers.
(C)She said she really liked it, so I got it for her as a gift to thank her for everything she’s done for me.
(K)Oh, that’s so sweet of you, Cormac, I’m glad you’re both having fun. We were actually just talking about you. Barth said you were going to start your training soon, now that you’re healed.
(C)Yeah, I want to, but I want to spend the rest of the day with Deirdre. I'll talk to Merig about it and see if we can start tomorrow.
(K)You should probably go see Nessa and get the “okay” from her before you do anything rigorous.
(DD)That’s probably a good idea, Cormac, you don’t want to be too hasty. Nessa and Sarah haven’t examined you since before you went home for me to care for you.
(B)She’s right, you may have recovered, but you should still probably take it easy and not start with anything too strenuous for your training.
(C)Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll definitely pay Nessa and Sarah a visit and have them check me out before I jump right into it.
(K)Well, we can head over there now if you’d like. I’m sure Nessa and Sarah would be delighted to see you after these three weeks.
(C)We can, but I wanted to treat Deirdre to lunch before we go. Is that okay?
(K)That’s perfectly fine, I’m kind of hungry myself. But I’ll only eat something light, I feel kind of nauseous today.
(DD)Are you okay?
(K)I am now. A little while before you two came in, I started feeling this pain in my stomach and some nausea along with it. It went away, but it wasn’t a comfortable feeling.
(C)I can get you something for it. Maybe Sherry has some ginger ale or grapefruit juice.
(K)Barth offered the same thing. I appreciate it, Cormac, but honestly don’t worry yourselves, I’m fine.
(DD)If it happens again, let us know and we’ll get something for you.
(K)Thank you, Deirdre, I’ll definitely let you know.
(B)Alright, well let’s have some food and then we’ll head over to see Nessa and Sarah.
(C)Sure thing, lunch is on me.
Cormac treats his friends to a delightful lunch, ordering their favorite dishes from Sherry as they bask in each other's company. Once their appetites are satisfied, they leave the pub and head to the healer's, where Nessa and Sarah are eager to check on Cormac's recovery. Inside the healer's space, Nessa busily prepares medicine at her workstation, while Sarah diligently organizes the finished potions, restocking the medicine cupboard on the opposite side of the room. Just as Sarah is arranging the shelves, the door swings open, and in walks Kate, Barth, Cormac, and Deirdre, all wearing warm smiles as they close the door behind them. Nessa and Sarah glance up, their faces lighting up in response, and Kate greets the women with a cheerful voice.
(K)Good afternoon, beautiful ladies.
(S)Good afternoon, Kate.
(N)Good afternoon, Mrs. Flynn, how’s married life so far?
(K)[smiles] I couldn’t be happier, Nessa. I’m loving it so much.
(N)Oh, I bet you are.
(S)[smiles] Hey, Barth.
(B)[smiles] Hey, Sarah.
(K)We brought Cormac and Miss Deirdre with us.
(C)Good afternoon.
(DD)Good afternoon, it’s good to see you both.
(N)Good afternoon, it’s so good to see you again.
(C)It’s good to see you, too.
(S)How are you feeling, Cormac? If I’m not mistaken, you should be fully recovered.
(C)That’s right, Deirdre paid her last visit to me at my home this morning and we both looked at my wound and it’s now a scar. I’m also pain-free and I’m feeling much better.
(S)Oh, that’s wonderful, Cormac, I’m sure you’re very happy about that.
(C)Absolutely, I’m happier than I’ve been in a while.
(N)That’s so good to hear, love. How was he, Deirdre? Did he give you any trouble?
(DD)Of course not, he was very cooperative and rested like he promised he would. We’ve been spending the day together to celebrate his recovery. He treated me to breakfast, a jousting tournament, shopping and we just had lunch at the pub and Cormac was nice enough to treat all of us. Oh, and he got me this sunflower necklace as a gift.
(C)We celebrated Deirdre as well. She has been amazing, and she deserves it, so I didn’t mind at all. I even want to treat her to dinner later tonight.
(S)That’s so sweet of you, Cormac, I’m so glad you’re feeling better.
(C)Me too, and it’s all thanks to you, Nessa and Deirdre.
(N)Think nothing of it, you finally rested and now you have a girlfriend.
(DD)[gasp] Nessa![blush]
(N)[giggles] I’m only joking, Deirdre…or am I? By the way, I’d actually like to examine you, if you don’t mind, Cormac.
(C)Not at all, that’s actually why I’m here. I wanted to start my guard training soon, and I was going to ask if you could examine me to determine if I’m ready.
(N)Sure thing, take a seat on one of the beds and I’ll be right over to take a look at you.
Cormac strolls over to a nearby bed, his movements relaxed, and sits down, his eyes fixed on the group as they trail behind him. With a gentle tug, he removes his shirt, revealing the scar on his chest, now a testament to his healing journey. The group gathers at the foot of the bed, their faces filled with anticipation. Nessa settles beside Cormac, her hands moving with a healer's gentle touch as she examines the scar, her fingers tracing the familiar contours. A warm smile spreads across her face as she looks up, her eyes locking onto Cormac's before sweeping across the group, her expression radiating joy and relief as she prepares to share the good news.
(N)You were right, Deirdre, it’s completely healed into a scar. Now, as for your training, I think it would be safe for you to start. Just start slow since you haven’t really moved around much because you’ve been resting. A little bit of physical exercise is good, but don’t do anything too strenuous to start with or you’ll strain the muscles. Other than that, you’re good to start your training. Just let Merig know what I’ve advised, so he’s not having you do anything that might hurt you.
(C)[smiles] Yes ma’am, that’s what I was hoping for. I’ll definitely take things slow.
(K)We can talk to Merig after his guard duties. I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear the good news.
(B)It’ll be a lot of fun having you train with us. We’ll have an extra person to spar with.
(C)Oh yeah, that will be a lot of fun. I’m ready.
(S)This is so exciting, but I’m not sure we’ll be looking forward to regular visits from you if you do get hurt, so just be careful, okay?
(C)I guess it’s what I’ll be signing up for, so it’s to be expected. But at least it won’t be anything too serious this time.
(N)Let’s hope not for your sake.
Cormac slips his shirt back on, the fabric rustling as he stands up from the bed, his movements infused with renewed energy. He walks towards the group, their faces beaming with joy and relief, and makes his way to Deirdre. The two share a warm, tender smile, their eyes locking in a moment of connection. They open their arms, embracing each other in a heartfelt hug, their bodies swaying slightly as they savor the moment. As they pull away, Cormac's face lights up with excitement, his voice trembling with eagerness, ready to share his thoughts and feelings with the group.
(C)Did you hear that, Deirdre?
(DD)I did and I bet you’re really excited, Cormac.
(C)I sure am. Thank you, Deirdre, and thank you, Nessa and Sarah. And to you as well, Barth, you’re the one that talked sense into me and dragged me here so I could get treated. Thanks, buddy.
(B)Hey, that’s what friends are for. I wasn’t going to let you get worse. I’ll talk to Merig and I can train with you for a while until you feel comfortable doing more rigorous training.
(C)Sounds good to me, but for now, I’d like to finish spending the day with Deirdre.
(DD)Well, we did mention stopping at the training grounds. Do you still want to?
(C)I don’t even know if Merig will be there, will he?
(K)Not at this time. He and the others should actually be heading to the pub if they aren’t there already, so it’s best if we go back there.
(C)Alright, we’ll head there, then.
(K)I wanted to talk to you about something first, Nessa. In private, if that’s okay.
(N)Sure thing, hon, come with me.
(K)I won’t be long, you guys.
(B)No worries, sis, we’ll wait for you.
Nessa gracefully stands from the bed and leads Kate into the next room, seeking a private space for their conversation. As they enter the private room, the other members of the group continue to chat amongst themselves, patiently waiting for Kate's return. Finally, all four of them make their way back to the pub and push through the heavy wooden door. Inside, they spot Merig, Larry, Ashley, and Gordo sitting at a large table in the center of the bustling room. The group makes their way over and exchanges warm greetings with each other before taking their seats. Merig sits on one side of the table, while Larry and Ashley sit across from him. Gordo occupies the end of the table on the right side. Deirdre slides into a seat next to Ashley, while Cormac settles into the chair at the opposite end of the table across from Gordo. Kate approaches Merig from behind and leans down to place a gentle kiss on his cheek before settling into the chair beside him. Barth joins them shortly after, taking a seat next to Kate on her other side. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, filled with laughter and chatter as everyone catches up with one another's day.
(K)Good afternoon, my love.
(M)Hey, sweetheart, where are you all coming from?
(K)We took Cormac to the healer.
(M)Oh? What did they say about your shoulder?
(C)Nessa took a look at my now scar and she said I should be okay to start my guard training.
(K)But she said he needs to do smaller tasks to start out with so the muscles in his shoulder and chest can get used to it, then he can do the more rigorous activities.
(B)I told Cormac I could be the one to spar with him and help him with his training since I'm still training myself, as well as Kate.
(M)That’s fine by me, we can start his training after my knighting ceremony, so the day after tomorrow. Cormac, I want you to take it easy as well until you’re ready to do more things.
(C)I will, I can't wait to get started. I’m still spending the day with Deirdre and we’ve had a lot of fun so far.
(M)Good, I'm glad you're both enjoying yourselves.
(DD)Absolutely, Cormac got me this sunflower pendant as a gift
(A)Oh that’s so sweet of you, Cormac, she deserves it, though. She’s such a wonderful person to have helped you.
(C)I couldn’t agree more, Ash, she’s amazing.
(K)She’s an angel, and we're lucky to have her around.
(C)Oh, I'm very lucky to have her in my life, she's an absolute blessing.
(B)She’s such a wonderful person to have cared for Cormac all this time.
(M)Absolutely, she deserves all the thanks and praise for going out of her way. Thank you, Deirdre. It means a lot that you helped someone we care about.
(L)Agreed, thanks to you, Cormac is happy and healthy.
(G)We’re glad to see him like that. We can't thank you enough, Deirdre.
(DD)[blush] You’re all too much. It was nothing at all, really. I care about Cormac as well, so I was happy to help him however I could. Now he can focus on his training and getting stronger since he's rested all this time.
(C)That’s right, but enough about me. Merig has a big day tomorrow.
(B)Yeah, I bet you’re excited about your knighting ceremony, little brother. I’m proud of you.
(M)Thanks, Barth, I'm very excited. You’re all going to be there, right?
(L)Of course, pal, we wouldn’t miss it for anything.
(B)That’s right, it’s a colossal achievement for you, and one that deserves to be celebrated.
(K)[smiles] He’s right, my love, you’ll be my husband and my knight.
(A)I'll definitely be there. This is a big deal for you and something you’ve dreamed of.
(C)I’ll be there for sure.
(DD)I’ll come too if that’s okay.
(M)Of course, you’re all welcome to attend.
(G)I’ll definitely be there.
(B)I’ll see if Sarah and Nessa are able to attend.
(M)It’s no big deal if they can’t. They're healers, so I’m sure they'll both be busy.
(K)Donna and the kids want to attend. Jack really wants to be there to see you get knighted. Charlotte said she'll be there as well.
(M)That's great, honey. I look forward to seeing them there.
(K)I think everyone is looking forward to being there. This is a big deal for you and it's very important.
(B)She's absolutely right, little brother. The entire city should be there to see it.
(L)Most of the other guards will be attending as well, so there will be quite a lot of people there.
(K)My parents wanted to be here to attend, but they went to visit my mom’s side of the family back in Tir. But they sent their love and my dad sent me something to give to you as a gift to congratulate you. It was delivered at the trading post just outside of the city and I have to go pick it up.
(M)Okay, sweetheart, we’ll go get it.
(B)I wonder what Tom and Jo sent you, knowing them it’s something badass.
(L)Yeah, maybe it’s a new weapon or something.
(G)That would be awesome, maybe something handcrafted by Kate’s ancestors.
(A)Wouldn’t doubt it, Kate’s family is full of badass people.
(K)[giggles] Well, it was apparently too big to be delivered by the regular mail, so I was told that it was left at the trading post for me to retrieve. The imp over there doesn’t like humans all that much, so I’m sure he’ll have some words to say when we go over there. He’s said some not-so-pleasant things to me before, but the goblin there is much more polite, so I won’t have any problems with him.
(M)If that imp says anything to you, I’ll throw him as far as I can across the forest.
(K)Merig stop, it’s just words, they mean nothing to me.
(M)It’s not just the words that bother me, sweetheart, it’s the attitude toward you. He has no reason to be that way when you’re being polite and sweet to him. He doesn’t deserve your kindness, but that’s just my opinion. It’s not my kindness to give and I don’t talk to him with kindness because of how he is toward you.
(K)[sigh] I understand, honey, I’m not asking you to be polite, I’m asking you not to resort to violence, that’s all.
(M)[sigh] I’ll do my best, honey.
In an instant, Kate gasps, a wave of pain washing over her once again, as she presses her hands against her abdomen, gripping it tightly. She quickly raises one hand to her mouth, feeling a wave of nausea crash over her. Merig and the others exchange worried glances, and Merig gently places his hand on her back, soothingly rubbing it as he speaks to her with deep concern in his voice.
(M)Sweetheart, are you okay?
(K)I’m fine, my love.
(M)You don’t look fine.
(K)[sigh] This happened earlier when it was just Barth and me here. I just started feeling nauseous and a slight pain in my stomach.
(M)Do you need something for it? I can go get you something from Sherry.
(K)No, honey, I promise I’m okay.
(A)You might be getting sick, hon, it could be a stomach bug.
(L)Yeah, you’ll need something for it, maybe some ginger ale or something like that.
(B)That’s what I offered to get her, but she insisted I don’t.
(C)I even offered the same thing when Deirdre and I came and she told us about it.
(G)You should at least drink some water.
(K)I appreciate the concern, but I’m sure it will pass.
(M)Are you sure you’re okay?
(K)I’m sure, my love, you rubbing my back is helping just fine.
(M)Okay, but if it happens again, I’ll go get you some ginger ale.
(K)Okay, honey, let’s finish up here and go see Lougo at the trading post, then we can come back here.
(M)Alright, sweetheart, I love you.
(K)I love you, too, honey.
Kate and Merig's gazes meet, their soft eyes locking in a loving embrace, as they exchange tender smiles. Merig leans in, his lips brushing against Kate's in a gentle, sweet kiss. His gentle hand continues to rub her back, offering comfort and reassurance, as Kate nestles her head on his shoulder, feeling safe and loved. They linger as they continue to converse with their friends before finally standing up to leave. With a shared purpose, they make their way to the trading post, situated outside the city's bustle, to collect the parcel sent by Kate's father, Thomas. As they approach the post, they're greeted by the familiar faces of Lougo, the trade helper goblin, and Eru, the imp merchant, who watches over the post with keen eyes. Kate and Merig approach, their faces aglow with friendly smiles, ready to exchange pleasantries and conduct their business.
(K)Good afternoon Lougo, Eru.
(ER)[scowl] Hmph.
(LO)Good afternoon Kate, Commander Flynn.
(M)Good afternoon, are you both doing alright out here? Have any bandits come to harass you?
(LO)Luckily no, a few of the guards came over to watch over us while we worked. Ash also came out here and laid her ice mines for us, so we should be all alright for the day. How are you both doing? How’s married life so far?
(M)[smiles] We’re doing great. I’m absolutely loving it. I’m a lucky goblin.
(K)[smiles] I’m very proud to be Merig’s wife. I’m very much enjoying being married to him.
(ER)[blech] Disgrace.
(M)[glare] What was that, Eru?
(ER)Nothing.
(M)That’s what I thought, you know better than to say anything like that in front of me.
(K)Merig honey, please, we didn’t come here to start an argument.
(M)As long as Eru keeps his mouth shut and is nice to you, then there won’t be an argument.
(K)[sigh] Both of you, be nice.
(LO)Don’t worry about Eru, you know how he is. Congratulations, I’m happy for you two and you both seem very happy together. I also heard you’re about to get knighted by the queen, Merig.
(M)Yep, that’s tomorrow and I’m very excited.
(LO)I bet you are. So what brings you here today?
(K)I was told that there was a parcel that was left here for me to pick up.
(LO)Oh yes, forgive me. I have it in the tent. Give me one moment and I’ll grab it for you.
(K)Thank you so much, Lougo.
Lougo disappears into the tent, leaving Kate and Merig to exchange curious glances. Moments later, he emerges, his sturdy arms straining under the weight of a large, wooden, rectangular box. The box's imposing size, about six feet in length and about a foot in height leaves Kate and Merig stunned, their eyes widening in unison as they take in the size of the parcel. They share a fleeting, incredulous glance, their faces mirroring each other's shock. Merig, recovering quickly, steps forward to accept the box from Lougo, his hands grasping the wooden edges as he takes possession of the package.
(K)Wow, that’s a large parcel, is it heavy?
(M)A little, but it’s nothing I can’t carry.
(K)Thank you again for holding onto it here for us, Lougo.
(LO)No problem at all. I’m happy to help where I can.
(K)Well, let’s head back to the pub and show everyone what’s inside this box.
(M)Alright, sweetheart. We’ll see you later, Lougo. You and Eru stay safe out here.
(K)Bye Lougo, enjoy the rest of your day. Goodbye Eru.
(ER)[scowl] Hmph.
(LO)We’ll see you both later.
Kate and Merig exit the trading post, their curiosity and excitement building as they make their way back to the pub, eager to share the contents of the parcel with the group. As they enter the pub, Kate holds the door open for Merig, who carefully maneuvers the large box inside, his arms straining under its weight. Kate closes the door behind them, and they approach the table, where their friends still linger, engaged in conversation. Merig sets the parcel down, its wooden edges thudding against the table, drawing the attention of the group. All eyes turn to the box, their faces reflecting a mix of curiosity and wonder, as they take in its impressive size and mysterious contents.
(B)Well damn, that’s a big box, is that what Tom sent you?
(M)It looks like it. I wasn’t expecting it to be this huge.
(L)Heh, that’s what she said.
(M)Funny, but seriously I’m really curious as to what’s in here.
(G)You’re not the only one, I’d like to know too.
(C)Yeah, open it and see what’s inside.
(K)I’m sure all of us are curious.
(A)If the box is that big, whatever is inside has to be big as well.
(M)Well, let’s crack it open then.
Merig captivates everyone at the table, his excitement is palpable as he begins to open the box from every angle, finally lifting off the top. Inside lies a stunning longbow, crafted from aged wood and stained a deep black, its tips, and center elegantly adorned with intricately shaped silver metal, ensuring a firm grip for the archer. As Merig's eyes light up, a grin spreads across his face as he carefully lifts the bow from its resting place. Holding it up, he showcases the exquisite weapon to the astonished onlookers, who gaze in admiration. Meanwhile, Kate peers into the box and spots a letter addressed to Merig. Curiosity piqued, she reaches in, retrieves the letter, and hands it to him. Setting the bow down on the table, Merig accepts the letter from Kate, opens the envelope, and begins to read the note aloud, drawing the group's undivided attention.
(M)”To our son-in-law, Merig. Joanna and I heard that you were going to be knighted by the queen and we are so happy and proud of you. As a gift, I had this Highlander bow handcrafted for you. We hope you like it. Your initials are engraved into the middle piece of metal so that you and everyone will know that this bow belongs to you and was specially made just for you. We’re sorry we can’t be present for your knighting ceremony, so please accept this gift and forgive our absence. Joanna and I love you and Kate both, and we hope to see you soon. Love, Tom and Joanna.”
(L)Wow I was right, it is a weapon.
(DD)Aww, how sweet of them. They must really like you, Merig.
(A)Oh, they do, they love Merig to pieces.
(K)Look, honey, it does have your initials on it, right in the middle.
(C)Now that’s a beautiful bow, that’s something to be proud of, especially from Kate’s parents.
(B)It’s a work of art. I’m sure you love it, little brother.
(M)[smiles] I do, it’s amazing, it’s the perfect bow for me. Your parents are spoiling me, sweetheart.
(K)[smiles] Well, they're your family, too, my love. You’re a part of my family and they love you. Of course, they would spoil you like this.
(L)It really is a beauty, pal. You’ll kick ass with that bow.
(A)Oh yeah, those bandits will cower in fear when they see that bow in your hands.
(G)I bet it’s powerful. You should test it out sometime.
(M)Oh, I definitely will after tomorrow, but for now I’ll keep it safe in the box. It really is beautiful. You’ll have to send them a thank-you letter, sweetheart.
(K)I’ll do that for you, my love. When you’re done admiring it, we can put it back in the box and hang out here for a little while longer, and then I’d like to head home. I’m not feeling the best and this nausea isn’t getting any better.
(M)Okay, honey, I’ll get you something from Sherry. Some ginger ale should help you.
(K)[sigh] Okay, you win, my love. Maybe something light to eat if Sherry has anything.
(M)Anything for you so you can feel better, sweetheart. It’s almost dinnertime, anyway.
(C)Oh shit! Deirdre and I are supposed to go spend the rest of the day out and then go have dinner together. I had all of this planned and then I got distracted. I’m so sorry, Deirdre.
(DD)It’s okay, Cormac, we can always have dinner here.
(C)We had lunch here, so I don’t mind taking you somewhere else. I had a surprise for you today, but it’s getting close to dinner, so we’ll have to do it another day.
(DD)That’s perfectly fine. We have all the time in the world. But if you want, we can leave now and finish our day together.
(C)Alright, we’ll go. We’ll see you at your ceremony tomorrow, Merig.
(M)Okay, buddy, you might want to be there early, around eight o'clock.
(C)We’ll be there.
(K)You two get out of here and go enjoy the rest of your day together.
(DD)[smiles] Oh we will.
(A)I don’t mind having dinner here.
(L)Me either, then we can head home. I’m looking forward to the ceremony tomorrow.
(A)So am I, it’ll be a fun time.
(G)Hell yeah, this is a big deal for Merig.
(B)Oh definitely, I just might shed a tear for my little brother. It’ll be a proud moment for your big brother, Merig.
(M)Yeah yeah, it’ll be a proud moment for me as well. But let’s finish here and you and I can go home, honey. I’ll go get you some ginger ale for your stomach and something small for you to eat.
(K)Okay, my love, thank you so much for taking care of me.
(M)Anything for you, sweetheart. I love you, my moon.
(K)[smiles] I love you, too, my earth.
A few members of the group settle back into their seats, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the pub, while Cormac and Deirdre step out to savor the rest of their day together. Cormac treats Deirdre to a delightful dinner, expressing his heartfelt thanks for her kindness during his recovery. The pair relishes every moment, and as the day winds down, Cormac graciously offers to escort Deirdre back to her home, bringing their joyful adventure to a close.
(C)Well, I hope you had fun today.
(DD)Oh, Cormac, I had so much fun with you today. I hope we can have more days like this.
(C)Would you want to do this more often?
(DD)Absolutely, I really enjoy spending time with you. It makes me really happy. I just hope you’re having fun, too, and not just me.
(C)Of course, I’m having fun, Deirdre. Every day is a great day as long as I get to see you.
(DD)[smiles] Really?
(C)[smiles] Yeah, really, I definitely want to have more days like this, too.
(DD)Okay, then I’d be more than happy to spend time with you when we can. You’ll be starting your guard training soon, so we can pick what days we can spend together. Like I said, I can even come and visit you while you’re training when I’m not helping Gram at the flower shop, and you can come visit me when you’re not training.
(C)Sounds good to me, and like I said, you can visit me at my home just for the hell of it. And if you want, I can come and visit you here.
(DD)Okay, then it’s settled. You and I can attend the knighting ceremony together if you’d like.
(C)Sure thing, I’ll come here in the morning and we can walk there together.
(DD)Sounds like a plan. Thank you for spending the day with me, Cormac. It meant a lot to me.
(C)It meant a lot to me, too. I had a great time with you. Tomorrow, I have a surprise for you after the knighting ceremony.
(DD)[smiles] Alright, I can’t wait.
(C)Thank you, Deirdre, for everything you’ve done. I don’t feel I’m saying that enough. I can’t thank you enough. I’m pain-free and healed because of you, and I’m much happier and not so depressed anymore. I think it’s because you were willing to overlook my past and that was a big relief for me.
(DD)As Nessa said, be happy with the person you are now, the person you’re known to be. That person you were before wasn’t the real you. This is the real you and I had the pleasure of meeting you, and not the you that did those horrible things. I’m not saying it was right, but I won’t hate you for being a better person. Don’t hate yourself either, Cormac, or you’ll never learn to forgive yourself. Promise me you’ll forgive yourself and keep being the amazing person that you are.
(C)[smiles] I promise, Deirdre, from this moment forward, I’ll work hard to forgive myself. I don’t want to continue to be miserable and for the past three weeks we’ve spent together, I don’t feel so miserable anymore. You make me happy and you make me less miserable.
(DD)[smiles] You make me happy, too, Cormac. I’ve been more happy in the last three weeks than I have in the last five years. And for the first time in those five years, I’ve smiled, and I found my joy again, all thanks to you. Thank you, Cormac. Honestly, I appreciate what you’ve done for me today. But I honestly feel like I owe you for making me happy again after so long of being miserable. Waking up every night from the nightmares, reliving what happened to me in those nightmares, and crying and being scared all the time, as well as not wanting to go outside of the city and pick flowers for Gram, that's something I really enjoyed doing. Because of you, I don’t have any more nightmares, I don’t cry anymore, and I’m not as afraid as I used to be. I’m more social, and Kate has been a wonderful friend to me, as well as Ash and Sarah. They’re honestly my only friends here and I’m grateful for them and I’m forever grateful for you, Cormac. Taking care of you was the least I could’ve done for what you did for me.
(C)I’m forever grateful for you, too, Deirdre, and taking you out and spending the day with you was the least I could’ve done for what you did for me. You deserve all the praise.
(DD)You deserve all the praise, too, Cormac, and I don’t want to stop showing you my gratitude.
(C)Honestly, neither do I, and as I said, I want to have more days like this with you, and I want to see you as much as possible and I’ll be very happy when I do.
(DD)[smiles] I want more days like this, too, as long as it’s with you, and I’ll be smiling every time I see you. I’ll never be miserable again as long as I’m with you.
(C)[smiles] I’ll never be miserable, either, as long as I get to see your beautiful face and your beautiful smile.
(DD)[giggles] Thank you, Cormac.
(C)No, thank you, Deirdre.
(DD)It’s late, I should go inside and you should go home and we both should get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day.
(C)It is, I’ll be here to come get you in the morning.
(DD)I look forward to it.
(C)Me, too.
Deirdre and Cormac linger outside, their gazes locked in a warm exchange, smiles dancing on their lips. A comfortable silence envelops them until Deirdre steps closer, tilting her head to meet his eyes. With a tender touch, she places her hand on the right side of his face, her fingers gently tracing his skin. Then, rising slightly on her toes, she plants a delicate kiss on his cheek, right over the scar that tells a story of its own. Cormac's eyes widen in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the sweetness of the gesture. As Deirdre pulls away, her smile remains bright, and she withdraws her hand, leaving a lingering warmth in the air. Gradually, Cormac's astonishment fades, replaced by a softening gaze as he returns her smile. He reaches out, his fingers brushing against her cheek in a gentle caress. Leaning down, he reciprocates with a soft kiss on her cheek, then pulls back to meet her gaze once more. They stand there, lost in each other's eyes, sharing tender smiles before whispering their goodnights.
(DD)Goodnight, Cormac.
(C)Goodnight, Deirdre.
Deirdre's smile lingers as she turns to enter her home, the door closing softly behind her. She pauses, her blush deepening, as she savors the memory of the tender moment with Cormac. With a gentle smile, she makes her way upstairs, her heart still aglow. Meanwhile, Cormac stands outside, his shock slowly giving way to a warm smile, as he begins his stroll home, lost in thought.