As dawn breaks over the honeymoon cabin, Kate and Merig lie entwined in their bed, the warmth of their naked bodies cocooned beneath the soft blanket. Merig sprawled on his back, has his arm protectively draped around Kate, who nestles against him, her arm resting gently on his chest, her head nestled close. Moments pass in serene silence until Merig begins to wake up, his eyes fluttering open. As he gazes down at Kate, a smile spreads across his face, his fingers tenderly caressing her back and arm. The gentle touch wakes Kate, who responds with a soft giggle, her eyes slowly opening to meet Merig's gaze. Their smiles intertwine, a silent conversation of love. Merig shifts, rolling over onto his side, enveloping Kate in his embrace, their eyes locked in a tender moment. He holds her tight and pulls her closer, their lips meeting in a sweet kiss that lingers in the air. Merig gently rolls Kate over onto her back, positioning himself above her, their lips still locked in a loving embrace. Their kisses deepen as they lose themselves in each other. Eventually, Merig pulls back slightly, their eyes searching one another's. In a soft, affectionate tone, he begins to speak.

(M)[smiles] Good morning, my beautiful wife.

(K)[smiles] Good morning, my wonderful husband.

(M)We made love most of the night again.

(K)[giggles] Pretty much, but that's okay. That's what this honeymoon allows us to do, is it not?

(M)It sure does and we're only on day three, so we have four more days to do whatever we want.

(K)That's right, we can make love every night until we leave.

(M)But hey, we have the rest of our lives to make love, so this isn't the end.

(K)Of course not, my love. I want us to make love every night if we can.

(M)As long as you want to, I'll be happy to do that.

(K)I'll be happy, too. For now, why don't we get out of this bed to start our day?

(M)Sounds good to me, sweetheart. I have something planned for today, a big surprise.

(K)[smiles] Sounds like it'll be fun. I can't wait to spend the whole day with you again, my love.

(M)I can't wait, either, so let's get dressed and we can eat some breakfast before we go.

(K)That sounds like the perfect plan.

They exchange warm smiles and share another tender kiss before rising from the bed, ready to embrace day three of their serene honeymoon. After dressing, they make their way downstairs, where the aroma of breakfast fills the air as they indulge in cooking and savoring a delicious meal together. Once their appetites are satisfied, they step out of the cabin, strolling side by side along the shimmering lake. With one arm wrapped around each other, they engage in lighthearted conversation, enjoying the beauty of the moment.

(K)This lake is so beautiful and the grass is so green. You know how much I love green.

(M)Of course, sweetheart, that's why I chose this land to build the cabin on. I knew you would love the nature and the scenery, as well as the clean water. But, there's a part of this land that you haven't seen yet and I want to show you. It's a bit deeper into the forest and it's protected as well, I put a barrier around it myself.

(K)[smiles] That sounds so exciting. Take me there, my love.

(M)Okay, we just have to walk a little further. Care to join me for a stroll?

(K)As long as it's with you, my earth, I'll go anywhere you lead me to.

(M)Alright, my moon, take my hand and I'll lead you to paradise.

Merig lets go of Kate, stands before her, and extends his hand, his eyes sparkling with invitation with a soft smile. Kate's face illuminates with a radiant smile as she accepts his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. With a gentle tug, Merig guides Kate along a winding path that leads through the trees. As they stroll, Kate's eyes sparkle with delight, her gaze dances across the vibrant tapestry of spring in the forest. Mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of colors and the sweet, melodic trills of birdsong. The air is alive with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, and Kate's heart swells with delight. After a leisurely walk, the two emerge into a breathtaking clearing, where a majestic waterfall cascades into a crystalline pond, its gentle brook meandering through the landscape like a shimmering ribbon. Meters away beside the pond, two tall and thick trees stand, their branches cradling a soft, comfy hammock. Kate's eyes widen in wonder, her face aglow with enchantment, as she looks around at the breathtaking scenery and speaks with excitement in her voice.

(K)Oh Merig, this place is absolutely gorgeous. And there's a hammock we can lie in together!

(M)That’s right, do you really like it?

(K)Oh, my love, it's absolutely beautiful and perfect in every way.

(M)Good, I'm glad. I know you said something about skinny dipping, so I figured this was the perfect spot to do just that and anything else we want to.

(K)Oh honey, I'd love to, and then we can lie in the hammock together and you can hold me in your arms.

(M)That’s exactly what I was thinking. We can even make love in nature if you want.

(K)[smiles] Merig, my love, it would be a dream come true to have the goblin I love, my husband, make love to me in nature itself, my second favorite thing in this world. The earth making love to the moon in nature, it's the perfect opportunity and one I'm more than willing to take. I offer myself to you, Merig Flynn, as we worship each other and the surrounding beauty.

(M)The most beautiful thing here would be you, Kate Flynn.

(K)Then take me, my earth, undress me and we shall partake in this mating ritual of our bodies and souls becoming one, as well as the love between us strengthening along with our bond as husband and wife.

(M)Then come with me, my moon, and I shall take what has been offered to me, and make passionate love to you. Our bodies and souls belong to each other and the love between us will never tire and the light within us will never dim. Shall we?

(K)We shall.

As Merig holds Kate's hand, the two make their way to a secluded waterfall in the midst of the forest, gazing at each other with adoration and a shared smile. Merig gently releases her hand and cradles her face in both of his, caressing her cheeks as he leans down to kiss her tenderly. Slowly, he begins to undress Kate, pulling up her dress and removing it with care before undressing himself. Now standing fully naked in the middle of the forest, the couple admires each other with pure admiration and love. Kate lays down on the soft grass, inviting Merig to join her. He gazes down at her before slowly lowering himself to his knees, positioning himself between her legs. Merig tenderly trails his hands along her naked body and gently grasps and caresses her breasts as Kate lets out a heavy sigh of pleasure. Placing his hands just above her shoulders, Merig hovers over Kate before joining their bodies together. As they share a loving gaze and whispers of endearment, Kate reaches up to touch Merig's cheek with one hand while tears of joy escape from the corners of her eyes. Merig tenderly wipes them away before leaning in for another kiss and speaking softly to his beloved

(M)What is it, sweetheart? Is it something I did?

(K)[giggles] No, my love, I'm just so overwhelmingly happy to be here with you on our honeymoon, making love in this forest. The energy that I feel from this earth and the love between us is so strong, but I love the feeling. And when you're inside of me, it will become stronger and my love for you will, too.

(M)My love for you is stronger than any force in this world. And when I'm inside of you, you'll feel it, too.

(K)I always feel it, that's why you're my strong earth. You'll feel my love become stronger and it'll be overwhelming for the both of us. But I'm ready for my earth to make love to me so that we can feel each other's love and the energy of this earth becomes one with our bodies and souls.

(M)And that's why you're my moon, you shine bright so that our love can and so can I. I want our souls to intertwine as well as our bodies and I can feel your love for me and you can feel my love for you.

(K)Do it, my earth, make love to me so that we can become one.

(M)As you wish, my moon.

As Merig and Kate gaze into each other's eyes, they become lost in the depths of their souls. With foreheads touching, they share not just a physical connection, but a spiritual one as they also share intimate kisses that ignite a fire within them. The natural world around them seems to fade away as they make passionate love, allowing themselves to become one with nature. Kate's moans of pleasure echo through the clearing as Merig's laugh rings out, a familiar sound from their many mating rituals. After reaching the height of their pleasure, the two lovers bathe in the small pond, splashing and playing like children. Their smiles and laughter fill the air as they bask in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Moving to a shallower part of the pond, Merig pulls Kate close to him, holding her tightly against his chest as he leans down to kiss her once more. Merig sits down and pulls Kate down with him into the water, content in each other's arms as Kate straddles Merig's lap. Their eyes lock and they share a knowing smile before coming together in another round of passionate lovemaking. The cool water envelops them, adding to the intensity of their connection. Afterward, they rest in the nearby hammock, naked and still entwined with each other. Merig holds Kate close, kissing her softly as they bask in the peacefulness of the moment. Gazing into Merig's eyes, Kate speaks to him in a sweet voice, expressing her love for him.

(K)We did it, Merig. We became one and my love for you is stronger than ever.

(M)Yeah, we did. I felt how strong your love is, and I was wrong about it. Your love for me is just as strong as my love for you.

(K)That's something I've been trying to tell you all along, my love. But that's okay because our love for each other is stronger now that we are intertwined and so are our souls.

(M)I understand that now and I feel more connected to you than before.

(K)And I feel more connected to you, my love. I am the moon to my earth.

(M)And I am the earth to my moon.

Kate and Merig's eyes remain locked, their gazes burning with a deep, passionate intensity, as they share another tender kiss. Merig's arms envelop Kate, pulling her closer, his embrace warm and protective. Kate's head nestled against Merig's chest, her ear pressed against his skin, listening to the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat. Her eyes drift closed, a serene smile on her lips, as she basks in the tranquility of the moment. The two lie entwined, naked and unselfconscious in the hammock, their bodies relaxed, their spirits at peace. Merig's eyes, too, slowly close, his face a mask of contentment, as they savor the warmth of their love. Meanwhile in Tara, at Larry's home, he begins to wake, his eyes fluttering open with a mix of reluctance and despair. He sits up, his movements slow and heavy, his face etched with a deep sadness. Throwing off the blanket, he plants his feet firmly on the ground, standing up with a sense of resignation. He shuffles to the bathroom to relieve himself, his footsteps echoing through the silence, before making his way downstairs. In the living area, Barth and Gordo sit on the sofa, engaged in a hushed conversation, their faces turning towards Larry as he approaches. They greet him with warm, friendly smiles, their eyes crinkling at the corners, but Larry's expression remains somber, his heart still heavy with the events of the previous day.

(B)Morning, buddy, how did you sleep?

(L)Terrible, I’m a little hungover, but I’ll just take some painkillers that Merig left for me in case something happens.

(B)Or, we can go to the healer and see Cormac. Sarah should have some painkillers there, maybe something stronger for your hangover.

(G)Yeah, I wouldn’t mind going to see Cormac. It’ll take your mind off of everything, Larry.

(L)[sigh] Yeah, we’ll go see him. Let me get dressed.

(B)Sure thing, buddy, we’ll be here.

Larry ascends the stairs to change his outfit before he and the other two goblins set off to visit Cormac at the healer's. There, Cormac is awake, and Nessa along with Sarah are diligently tending to his injuries. They're replacing his bandage, cleansing the wound, and administering disinfectant while offering him a pain-reducing potion. Moments later, the door swings open, and the trio of goblins steps inside. They close the door behind them as they make their way to the foot of Cormac’s bed to offer their greetings.

(B)Good morning, sunshine! I brought some other visitors with me.

(C)Hey Larry, hey Gordo.

(G)Hey, Cormac.

(L)Hey pal, how are you feeling? I was worried when Barth told me you were staying here for a day or so.

(C)I’m feeling better than I was since I got some more rest. These two have been taking good care of me and changing my bandage. I swear Nessa slipped me something strong yesterday, not long after I got here. I was out like a light.[smirk]

(N)[giggles] Oh stop it, Cormac, you asked for something stronger so you could sleep, don’t fib.

(L)[chuckles] It’s okay, Nessa, if he gets too rowdy you should give him the good stuff.

(N)He’s been doing just fine here, and he’s been very cooperative. The infection is starting to subside, so I’d say another day here and he can go home. But he’ll need to follow the at-home regimen so it doesn’t get infected again.

(C)Don't worry, I won’t let you down this time, Nessa.

(B)Good, cause if you do, all three of us will kick your ass. Then when Merig gets back, he’ll kick your ass, too.

(C)Yeah, yeah, I’ll be a good boy. By the way, Ash said she was going to come visit, too. Where is she?

(L)Oh, uh...she’s not coming…something happened yesterday and well, let’s just say we’re not…together anymore. Ash left me.

(N)[gasp] What, why?!

(S)Oh no, that’s not good.

(C)Everything was fine when I left. What the hell happened?

(L)Some woman at the pub came up to me and was flirting with me while Ash was grabbing us some lunch at the bar. This woman was very persistent and her advances only got worse. First, she sat on the table in front of me and I told her to leave, but she didn’t listen. Then Ash came back with the food and she told her to leave and she finally left. Well, when Barth and Gordo came in and sat down, Ash left to go to the bathroom and not long after she left the table, this woman came back and proceeded to sit herself on my lap and didn’t move despite my best efforts and she even threatened me if I touched her. Ash came back and saw her sitting on me and, well…I’m sure you can imagine what happened next.

(S)Oh my goodness, what a horrible woman. Did you know her?

(B)Oh, we know her, I’m sure you remember Rachel.

(S)[gasp] Yes, I remember her, oh that woman is just terrible, and she almost ruined Kate and Merig’s relationship.

(N)Wow, this woman sounds like a harlot.

(L)Yeah, well, she succeeded in ruining my relationship. Home-wrecker is more like it. I tried explaining everything to Ash, but she didn’t let me. I do take some of the blame since I wasn’t as stern enough with Rachel as I should’ve been. She practically threw herself on me. I didn’t know what to do. She said that if I touched her, she’d make me out to be the bad guy. I realized she was bluffing when I finally picked her up from my lap and practically threw her off of me and ran after Ash. I caught up to her, and she was crying and didn’t want anything to do with me and wouldn’t let me explain my side of the story. She gave me a good slap to the face, and that was the last I saw of her.

(C)I’m so sorry, Larry, maybe she’ll come back and talk to you when she’s calmed down.

(L)That’s what Barth and Gordo said, but with the way she looked at me and seeing the tears in her eyes, I’m not sure she would. Ash hates me, I'm sure of it.

(S)I’m sure it'll be okay. Ash doesn't hate you, not even a little. She always talks about you to Kate and me about how wonderful you are and how much she loves you. Not once has she said anything negative about you, I can promise you that.

(B)I can attest to that.

(G)Same here and, like I said, give it a day.

(N)He's right, Larry, one thing you should know about us women is that we don't stay upset for long unless you did something truly terrible, but in your situation, it seems to be just a misunderstanding. After a while, the person realizes how much they love you and miss your presence and they just need some time for them to calm their emotions. I can guarantee you that you'll see her again pretty soon.

(S)We women can be very jealous people and our emotions can go crazy for the ones we love, especially a significant other. Since Ash has experienced infidelity before, I'm sure seeing Rachel throw herself at you caused her emotions to go all over the place. I'm sure she didn't know how to feel at that moment or even what to think. I get that it was a misunderstanding, but from everything she went through, that's not what her emotions were telling her. Her emotions most likely convinced her that you were being unfaithful to her and that you didn't love her anymore. I honestly don't think you're to blame. You're innocent here despite what you think. Rachel wanted to play with Ash's emotions so that she could get the result she was hoping for. She clearly got the reaction she wanted, but I have a feeling that Ash will calm down and realize her fears took over and she acted irrationally.

(N)Sarah is absolutely right, Larry. We women are peculiar creatures and you just have to understand us a little better and how our emotions work.

(C)And from what you all told me, if I asked Deirdre out, she would most likely be happy to go on a date with me, even though I rejected her. Looking back on it, I feel terrible since I upset her when I turned her down. I can't be afraid to take chances, remember?

(L)That's right, that's how Ash and I ended up together and we've taken big leaps in our relationship. She's been so afraid of getting heartbroken again, that she was afraid to take those leaps with me. I proved to her that I wouldn't hurt her and she put all of her trust in me because I just did what I was supposed to and showed her the love she deserved because I love her so much. I never once thought of another woman the way I think of Ash. I love that woman. She's the meaning of my life and the reason that I continue existing. I'm lost without her.

(N)I remember when you'd come to visit each other when I'd keep either of you here overnight. I thought it was the sweetest thing, and I was completely fine with it. I wanted that love between you two to flourish and blossom. I was so happy to see you two finally together after all that time. You both were perfect for each other and you still are.

(L)Ash is the perfect woman for me and she always will be. In my eyes, no other woman can even hold a candle to her. She’s my flame and I’ll always love her.

(B)I’m sure she still loves you and that flame still burns brighter than the sun.

(G)Without a doubt, she’s crazy about you and you’re the only goblin for her.

(S)I’m still looking forward to seeing you propose to her.

(L)Well, she was also going to move in with me.

(S)[gasp] Really? Oh, that’s so exciting.

(N)Finally, it’s been, what, eight months?

(L)Yeah, but that was thrown out the window, too. Ash was the one who told me she wanted to live together after all this time of me asking. She was ready, and she was really excited. She was going to spend a day or so packing, and I’d help her with a horse and cart to move her stuff.

(N)Stay positive, Larry, it’ll still happen I’m sure of it. I can promise you that things will work out between you both and you’ll live happily ever after.

(L)Ash said the same thing. She said she was really happy with me and that moving in would make all of her pain go away and that we couldn’t get rid of each other. I told her that no other woman could take me away from her or stop me from being with her. We said we would never stop loving each other, and she wanted to be with me forever. She hates that her past haunts her and doesn’t want it to stop her from being happy with me. She wants to work on her self-esteem and doesn’t want to take anything out on me.

(N)I’m sure Ash feels terrible right now for doing just that. She probably realizes that she has a lot to work through and this is just a bit of a setback for her. If what she said is true, then she doesn’t hate you at all. She’s trying to not let her past affect her future, but it can be tough since women’s hearts are very fragile and you just have to understand that. If they’ve been hurt, they’ll keep their guard until someone comes along and shows them that they can trust them, which you’ve shown her that she can trust you.

(L)I do that every day when I flirt with her and show her affection and tell her that I love her. I promised to do all of that and I promise to help her heal and fix what she thinks is broken. But she’s perfect to me in every way and nothing about her is broken and I’ve told her that. I remind her every day that she’s worth everything to me and that I’ll never be the one to cause her pain.

(S)That’s so sweet, Larry, especially because you've kept your promises to her. Nessa is right. Our hearts are so sensitive, and it’s not really our fault. We’re women and we are emotional and are more prone to emotional pain. We can either learn from our pain or put a barrier around ourselves to prevent further pain. I’m sure Ash wishes she was stronger, and it’s frustrating for her that she still hurts and she’s trying to relieve that pain. You’re the one that takes all of that pain away and she’s so happy.

(L)She told me that when she said she wanted to come live with me. She said that living with me would make her pain fade away for good since she’d be with me every day. She even said that she hates that she still feels that pain, and living together is the perfect remedy for her.

(N)Then she definitely still feels that way and she absolutely still loves you. Give her time to think things over. You haven’t lost your flame just yet, I promise. Like Barth said, it most definitely burns brighter than the sun itself. Wait at the pub today and see if she comes to see you. If I know that woman like I do, then she will.

(S)And as you all know, I know Ash better than anyone here and she was the same way when we were teenagers. After an argument, she’d come back and apologize and remind us that she loved us. She may seem like the abrasive type of person, but once you get to truly know her, she’s the most caring person, just like Kate. Most people didn’t give her a chance because of it, but Kate and I stuck with her and we love her to death. She’s tough as nails, but she also has a good heart and will protect her friends. Ash would fight the people who bullied me and they were afraid of her, but she was really nice to me and hated seeing me get abused by other teenagers. She protected me and I became friends with her and Kate. I love them both to pieces and they encouraged me to continue my studies in medicine, so you can say they are the reason I’m here now. But of course, I’m the one who took the initiative and followed my dream of becoming a healer, but I couldn’t have done that if it weren’t for Ash and Kate motivating me.

(B)It all paid off and you’re an amazing healer, Sarah, and we don’t know what we’d do without you. You saved my life and Cormac’s life, so you’re already doing great things and you’ll continue to because you’re just that great of a healer.

(S)[blush] Oh stop it, Barth, you’re embarrassing me.

(G)Nessa is lucky to have you here, and so is everyone in Tara.

(L)Before you came along, Nessa would beg me to bring her something to ease her stress. You could say she was my drinking buddy for a while.

(C)But Barth isn’t wrong. Even after I turned down your offers to help me, you and Nessa were still willing to treat me and take care of me.

(N)Like we said, it’s our job and you’re a citizen of this city, are you not?

(S)And you’re a friend, too, remember?

(C)As long as you say I am. You’re a good friend, Sarah, and a wonderful healer.

(S)Thank you all for the kind words, you all mean a lot to me.

(N)Well, I'm all done. Your wound is clean and you have a fresh bandage.

(C)Thank you, Nessa. The pain isn’t so bad anymore.

(S)That’s good. That means you're starting to heal again. Also, Cormac, there’s someone very special who will be here any minute to visit you.

(C)What, who?

(S)[smiles] You’ll see.

Just then, the door swings open, revealing a familiar woman with shimmering platinum blonde hair, clad in a flowing blue sun-dress adorned with vibrant floral patterns. She closes the door softly behind her, and as the group shifts their focus to her, their mouths fall agape in astonishment. Cormac stands frozen, his expression one of sheer disbelief, before he finally gathers himself to speak.

(C)...Deirdre.

Deirdre moves swiftly towards Cormac's bed, her face etched with concern. Cormac rises slowly from his bed, his movements cautious as he approaches the foot of it, and he and Deirdre stand before each other. Deirdre's gaze falls on the bandage covering the wound on Cormac's chest, and she looks up at him, her eyes filled with worry. Cormac meets her gaze, a sense of apology in his eyes. He hesitates, his mind racing. Deirdre's voice cuts through the silence.

(DD)Hey, Cormac. Sarah told me you were here, and I got worried. So I came here to see you. Are you okay?

(C)...I’m starting to do better. My wound got infected, but thanks to Nessa and Sarah, it’s starting to heal again. They want me to stay another night to make sure it doesn’t get worse.

(DD)[sigh] I told you that you should take it easy, but I’m glad you’re okay.

(C)[chuckles] Yeah, I know I should’ve listened. I guess I learned my lesson, huh?

(DD)Just take care of yourself and rest as much as you can so you can recover. Promise me.

(C)I promise, cross my heart. As long as I’m resting, I should recover in just a few short weeks.

(DD)That’s great, I’m happy to hear that…Well I should probably go, it was good seeing you again, Cormac, I'm glad you're going to be okay.

(C)Deirdre, wait, don’t go yet…[sigh] I owe you a huge apology from the other day and it’s been eating at me. I’m not even sure where to start, but there are some things about my past that I’m ashamed of, even though it’s in the past. Things that I don’t think someone as kind as you could ever comprehend. I struggle a lot with forgiving myself, and my self-worth because of it, and I didn’t think you’d want anything to do with me if you knew who I was.

(DD)...But I already know who you are, Cormac. I've seen you around the city, and we even met briefly. But I've been too shy to approach you myself. I had heard what happened from Sarah and Kate, and other people in the city. I remember the chaos that happened last year and what you did. But I also heard that you aren’t that person anymore and that you changed for the better and that’s a good thing. I’m willing to look past that. When I first met you briefly, I noticed how sweet and kind you were. Then I attended the wedding and danced with you and talked to you more and got to know you better, and I wasn't scared to talk to you anymore. You were such a gentleman, and I had a great time with you even though you had a hard time because of your injury. But we still had a lot of fun. I didn’t mind at all, and I really wanted to see you again and get to know you even more. Sarah told me how you got that wound, and I think what you did was very admirable and brave.

(C)Oh, right, it was nothing at all. I just did what I thought was right.

(DD)Nonsense, Cormac, you’re a hero and I’m sure you’ll do more great things.

(C)So, you’re not upset with me?

(DD)No, of course not. Why would I be?

(C)Because I turned you down when you asked me out for dinner.

(DD)[sigh] I’ll admit, it did hurt, but I wasn’t upset with you. When Sarah told me that you were here, I panicked and told her I’d be here to see you when I could. But it’s a relief that you’re not seriously hurt. I accept your apology, and you’re wrong if you think I don’t want anything to do with you. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have shown up at the pub looking for you, so I could see you. And I wouldn’t be here visiting you right now, either. I honestly thought you turned me down because of something I did.

(C)No, of course not, Deirdre, you did nothing wrong.

(DD)That’s a relief.

(B)[ahem] Isn’t there something else you’d like to say to Deirdre?

(C)Right, of course…[sigh] Deirdre, I feel like shit for turning you down and upsetting you like I did. I’d like to make up for it if that’s okay.

(DD)You don’t have to, Cormac, I just want you to rest and get better. That’s how you can make it up to me.

(C)I can definitely do that, but there’s something else I’d like to do. When I get out of here, would you like to do something with me? I’ll take you out. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do it.

(DD)[smiles] Really? Do you mean it?

(C)Absolutely, I’d be more than happy to make it up to you that way. So what do you say?

(DD)[smiles] Yes, Cormac, I’d love to…But I’d feel bad if we didn’t wait until you fully recovered, and your wound has healed.

(C)[smiles] What do you think, Nessa? Do you think it will be safe after I leave here tomorrow?

(N)You should be just fine, as long as you don’t do anything to hurt yourself further. Other than that, take that woman on a date, damnit, doctor’s orders.[smirk]

(C)[smiles] Well, you heard her. I have to follow her regimen or I won’t heal properly.

(DD)[giggles] You’re absolutely right. Nessa is very strict when it comes to following her home remedies. She’ll be very upset if you don’t.

(C)[chuckles] Well then, I should probably get some more rest, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

(DD)Actually, if you want, I can keep you company for a while and then I can come visit you tomorrow, too.

(C)[smiles] I think I’d like that a lot. Once Nessa says it’s okay, you and I can leave tomorrow and we can spend the entire day together if you’d like.

(DD)[smiles] Absolutely, that sounds like the perfect plan.

(S)Oh, how exciting. I’m sure you two are going to have a lot of fun.

(C)Oh, we will, I promise.

(B)Well then, you get some rest, buddy, and we’ll leave you and Deirdre here to talk.

(L)Yeah, it was good seeing you, Cormac, I’m glad you’re starting to feel better.

(G)Same here. You scared the shit out of me when Barth told me you were staying here.

(C)I’m sorry that I worried you all, and I’m sorry I worried you as well, Deirdre.

(DD)Don’t be sorry, I’m just glad you’re not seriously hurt. It was nice meeting you all.

(L)It was nice to meet you too, Deirdre. Welcome to the friend circle, and you’re more than welcome to have a seat at our table back at the pub. If Cormac here gives you any trouble, you let us know and we’ll take care of him accordingly.[wink]

(DD)[giggles] I definitely will and thank you so much. I look forward to hanging out with you all at the pub.

(L)Well, I have to try to win the love of my life back.

(DD)Oh no, did something happen?

(L)It’s a long story, but my woman left me.

(DD)Oh goodness, I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m sure you’ll get her back. If she loves you enough, she’ll come back to you.

(L)That’s what I’m hoping for.

(S)I’ll fill you in, Deirdre, but first, Cormac needs to lie back down and rest.

(DD)She’s absolutely right, I’ll be here to keep you company.

(C)Thank you, Deirdre, that means a lot. You go get Ash back, Larry, good luck.

(L)Thanks, pal, my heart is torn but I have hope.

(C)That’s all you can do.

(N)Good luck, Larry, I can promise everything will be okay.

(S)Remember, love can be a crazy thing.

(L)You’re right about that, Sarah. Take it easy, Cormac. We’ll see you when you come back to the pub. Enjoy your day with Deirdre tomorrow.

(C)I will, I’ll see you all later.

(L)Later, pal.

(B)See ya, buddy.

(G)Get better, Cormac, we’ll see you later.

The goblins bid their farewells and exit the healer's, leaving Deirdre and Cormac alone. Deirdre's gaze returns to the bandage on Cormac's chest, her expression filled with compassion. With a gentle touch, she places her hand on the bandage, her eyes conveying a mixture of pity and worry. Cormac meets her gaze, their shared understanding creating a moment of silent connection. He reciprocates the gesture, placing his hand over hers.

(DD)You should lie down and relax. Are you hungry? I’ll be happy to go get something for you, anything you need.

(C)You don’t have to, you’re doing enough just by being here, but only if you want to.

(DD)I don’t mind at all, whatever helps you feel better.

(C)I think I’m alright for now, but you’re more than welcome to keep me company. That’ll help me a lot.

(DD)[smiles] Okay, I’ll sit right next to your bed and we can talk and get to know each other better.

(C)[smiles] Sounds good to me.

Cormac and Deirdre exchange warm smiles, their connection evident, before Cormac gently releases her hand. He turns and strides back to his bed, settling down with a soft thud. He lies down and arranges the blanket around himself, sinking into the comfort of the pillow. Deirdre, not wanting to break the moment, pulls a chair close to his bedside and takes a seat, their conversation flowing as they delve deeper into each other's lives. Meanwhile, at the pub, the trio of goblins occupies their familiar table, with Larry enjoying a frosty beer while chatting with Barth and Gordo.

(G)Wow, Larry, that's your fourth drink and you're still not drunk.

(L)I'm not a lightweight, Gordo.

(G)Still, you should probably slow down. If Ash shows up, I'm sure she doesn't want to see you like this.

(L)What makes you think she’ll show up?

(B)Because Ash loves you and you know it. She’s crazy about you and she’d be just as lost without you as you are without her right now.

(G)And you heard what Nessa and Sarah said and they know her just as well as you do.

(L)I highly doubt she’ll be here.

(B)Then why are you still sitting here?

(L)Cause I’m drowning my sorrows in beer.

(B)No, it’s because you’re taking Nessa’s advice, because you have hope that Ash will show up and you know there’s a chance that she will.

(L)What’s the point? Ash hates me and doesn’t want to see me again.

(G)I’m sure she said that because she was upset.

(L)When I caught up with her yesterday, she said she never wanted to talk to me again.

(B)And you know deep down that’s a lie, that woman can’t get rid of you any more than you can get rid of her.

(L)That’s another thing she told me.

(G)So there’s your answer. Ash isn't leaving you, Larry. She's dedicated to you from the sounds of it.

(L)...Why do I have so much hope?

(B)Larry, I know I joke around when you flirt with Ash, but I see how much you love her. And no, it's not because I'm jealous. I'm working to win Sarah's heart and I'm pretty happy with my efforts so far. But this isn't about me. You love Ash so much that you'd wait for her, the exact same thing you did before she agreed to give you a chance, remember? You waited and something good happened. That’s why you’re here.

(G)And what happened with Cormac and Deirdre is another example. Deirdre cares so much for Cormac, even though he turned her down, she still went to see him at the healer because she was worried about him. And look what happened with them, Cormac apologized and then he asked Deirdre out and she was more than happy to accept. If Ash knows you as well as she does, then she probably knows you’re here and depressed. She also probably knows that you’re drinking and there’s a chance that she’s worried about you and she’ll come here to see if you’re okay.

(B)He’s right, Larry. The story that Nessa mentioned about you and Ash visiting each other at the healer when you’d stay there, is another good example. You care for each other that much, and I’m positive that Ash knows you’re in pain as well. I mean, who wouldn’t be after that?

(L)Maybe you’re right, maybe it’s not the end of our relationship, so why does it feel like it is?

(B)Maybe it’s because of what Ash said to you during the incident and when she ran home. Words can hurt depending on the situation and especially when it comes from the person you love and care about the most. You said it was like a knife to your heart when she rejected you all those times and now that you’ve been together for so long. It hurts even worse because you’ve both created a bond and invested so much time and love into each other. You don’t want to lose each other and Ash thought she’d lost you when she saw Rachel sitting on your lap. Her heart was broken, even though it was just a misunderstanding. As Sarah said, her emotions went crazy, and she didn’t know what to think or how to feel, so she felt every emotion all at once.

(G)And all the pain she said she still has from being hurt in past relationships probably resurfaced as well, and those wounds reopened. Ash’s heart is fragile and you have to be careful with it or you could damage it unintentionally.

(L)I understand and that’s why I’ve shown her as much love as I have and did what I was supposed to. I made promises to her and kept them because I love her so much and didn’t want to lose her and I was confident that I wouldn’t. I honestly didn’t think that anyone would try to come between us, but I guess I was wrong and I should’ve understood that when her ex approached her that day. I told him to get lost and proved to him that he couldn’t take her from me and I proved that to Ash as well. I guess I didn’t think another woman would try the same thing with me. Only Rachel tried harder and literally forced herself onto me.

(B)That’s the thing that some people don’t understand. You’re confident that something won’t happen to you, but you’re no different from everyone else, and it can most certainly happen to you whether you believe it or not. I’m sure Kate didn’t think that someone would try to take Merig away from her, but Rachel proved that to her and you know how much Kate loves Merig.

(L)Oh trust me, I know all too well how much that woman loves him and I also know how much Merig loves Kate as well. Everyone knows how much those two are in love. I’m sure it devastated Kate when Rachel did that.

(B)Exactly, Kate saw it happen and realized that some other woman could try to come between her and Merig and the look on Kate’s face was heartbreaking. She looked like she had already lost him and her heart dropped from what she told me. But when Merig grabbed her hand, and she looked him in the eyes, he spoke to her in the sweetest and most loving voice possible and told her that no other woman could take him away from her and that he only loved her. Kate's face lit up, and she was smiling again, and they both went home and didn’t come back for at least two days. They came back, and it was as if nothing happened, but when Rachel tried that shit again, Merig was not having it and put his foot down. He didn’t get physical with her, but she tried sitting on his lap, too, and he pushed her away as gently as possible and stood up from his seat. The look Merig gave Rachel could kill, and he got pretty stern with her, but he didn’t yell at her. He told her that she needed to leave him alone and that Rachel wasn’t the woman he was marrying and she needed to screw off because he wanted nothing to do with her. Merig even threatened to have her removed from the pub and he used his Royal Guard voice and you know how intimidating that can be. He didn’t even care that Rachel was a woman. He had no respect for her because of what she did, and he wasn’t happy in the least.

(L)I know all too well how intimidating Merig can be. Maybe I should’ve used my Royal Guard voice. If Ash does come here and we talk things out, I’ll take her home for a few days and show her as much love as I possibly can. But again, I have so much hope that she’ll be here, but why do I feel like she won’t?

(G)Because you know there’s a possibility, you just don’t know that it’s guaranteed. But you still sit here, hoping that she’ll just walk through that door. But the hope you have obviously outweighs the fear of it not happening.

(L)You’re right, it does, and I’ll stay here for the rest of the day and night if I have to.

(G)And we’ll be right here, Larry, just don’t drink yourself to death, okay?

(L)[sigh] Right, I’m going to keep the promise I made and wait for her.

(B)That’s the spirit! You've got a woman to win back, so don’t give up. How about another drink?

(L)[smiles] Sure, but a small one this time. Gordo is right. I don’t want to be shitfaced when Ash gets here. I don’t want her to see me like that.

(B)Optimism, that’s what I’m talking about, buddy! I’ll be right back.

Barth rises from his chair and makes his way to the bar to fetch another drink for Larry, while the trio of goblins linger in the pub, eagerly anticipating Ashley's arrival. Meanwhile, in the healer's quarters, Cormac reclines in his bed, engaged in a lively discussion with Deirdre, who remains seated beside him. In a nearby room, Nessa and Sarah take a moment to themselves, allowing the other two some privacy as they relish their own quiet time.

(C)So are you really willing to look past what I did? I myself can’t even look past it.

(DD)[sigh] Yes, I am.

(C)But why? I did terrible things.

(DD)You’re right, you did and I don’t agree with the things that you did. But you said you realized that what you did was wrong, right?

(C)Yes, and I deeply regret it and I came here to Tara to better myself. I’m no longer a bandit or the leader of the camp. I want nothing to do with that life any longer, and I hurt the ones I care about. I regret it every day and I’m riddled with guilt that I can’t seem to get rid of.

(DD)That’s because you’re really a good person and not the person that did those terrible things. Of course, it was you, but you’ve taken responsibility for what you did and you've atoned for it. You weren’t that kind of person before, from what I heard.

(C)That’s true, and I’m sure you heard my story.

(DD)Yeah, Kate told me and I’m really sorry that happened. What that man did to you was horrible, and he's a terrible person. I’ll be honest, when I first saw you, what drew me to you was your scar. Then, when I built up the courage to approach you at the wedding, I was able to get a closer look at you. You see, I have a scar too, but it’s not exactly visible right now. Here, let me show you.

With a graceful movement, Deirdre rises from her chair and turns away from Cormac, her back now facing him. With a delicate motion, she unfastens the buttons of her dress, one by one, sliding her arms free from the sleeves and pushing the fabric down to rest just above her lower back. One of her arms instinctively covers her breasts as she reveals the stark reality of her past to Cormac. He sees a long scar running diagonally across her back, from her left shoulder, all the way to her right hip. Cormac leans forward, his expression frozen in astonishment as his eyes widen and his mouth falls open in disbelief. For a moment, he is stunned into silence as he takes in the sight of her scar. After a brief pause, Deirdre carefully pulls the top of her dress back up and puts her arms in the sleeves. She covers herself once more, fastening the buttons as she turns facing Cormac again to sit back down in her seat.

(C)That’s a very big scar, Deirdre. How did you get that?

(DD)[sigh] About five years ago, I was out in the forest gathering flowers. As you know, my grandmother runs the flower shop in the city, and she asked me to go out and find specific flowers for her. While I was out there, I ran into a few bandits. They were goblins. They threatened me with their weapons and demanded I give them whatever I had on me. I told them I didn’t have anything of value, but they didn’t believe me. One of them grabbed me and had me face the tree and pinned me against it. He then proceeded to strip me of my clothing, all but my underwear. I had to cover up my breasts with my arms. They took what was in my pockets, but it wasn’t much, so they got angry. I was still facing the tree, and the bandit that stripped me demanded the other two hold both of my arms so I couldn’t escape and my back was facing out. The bandit wielded a sword, and while the other two held me against the tree. The bandit took his sword and slashed my back. It hurt so badly and I bled so much and screamed so loud that it echoed through the trees. Thankfully, someone had heard my screams, and Commander Flynn along with Commander Dugan came to my rescue and chased the bandits away. I was on my knees, still naked and covering my breasts. Then Larry rushed over to me and saw me bleeding and crying, and he took a cloak and covered me with it. When Merig was finished chasing the other bandits off, they put me on one of their horses and brought me here. I was in this very bed, the one you’re lying in now, and I lost so much blood from what Nessa told me. It was so long ago, and I don’t think Larry even recognized me, but that’s okay. I’m still very grateful for what they did for me. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for them. Recovery was hard, and I was so scared to go out into the forest after that, and even to this day, I don’t wander out there anymore. I was so humiliated and scared and I feared for my life. I was sure those bandits were going to kill me. Also, when the bandit stripped me, he grabbed my hair while he grabbed my breasts and groped me before he searched my dress for valuables. I felt so violated, and I was afraid that he was going to rape me, but he didn’t. Ever since then, I’ve been so scared. The wound on my back may have healed, but I’ve struggled with my own mind, and coping with what happened to me.

Cormac’s expression shifts gradually from disbelief to fury, while tears begin to spill from Deirdre’s eyes, tracing glistening paths down her cheeks. As Cormac wrestles with his emotions, he takes a deep breath, striving to regain his composure. He turns his attention back to look at Deirdre, his gaze filled with regret. He then tenderly places his hand on her shoulder, speaking to her in a gentle, remorseful voice.

(C)Deirdre, I’m so sorry that happened to you. I can’t imagine how you felt. Had I known that was happening while I was the leader of my camp, even with the terrible things that I did, I would’ve never let that happen, nor would I have done such an abhorrent thing myself, no matter how much I resented humans back then.

(DD)It’s okay, honestly, when Kate invited me to the wedding, I was hesitant since I isolate myself most days, and I’m afraid to go outside of the city. But I’m glad I attended because I had such a wonderful time when you and I danced. For the first time in years, I was really happy, and I found myself smiling again. That’s why I came to see you at the pub because I had a really fun time with you. You were very kind to me and you made me laugh and smile again. I’ll admit, when I realized who you were, I got scared. But I realized you were nothing like the person that people talked about. And when I heard you had changed, I was relieved and wanted to see you again. I wanted to thank you for making me smile again and helping me find the joy and laughter that I once had because all I’ve ever done is shed tears and be afraid. When we danced, I wasn’t afraid, and I was happy again and that’s why I took the initiative to invite you to dinner with me. Like I said, when you turned me down, it hurt and I cried that night, but it’s not your fault.

(C)No, it is my fault, you can put all the blame on me. I had no idea what you were going through and I only thought of myself because I thought you would hate me if you knew who I was, not knowing that you already knew. I’m really sorry, Deirdre, and I will do anything to make it up to you. I’m glad that you were happy dancing with me at the wedding and to be honest, I was really happy, too, despite my injury and all the guilt I still have. You made me forget about everything as well, and I was happy for the first time in a while since I got hurt. You never have to be afraid of me, because I would never do anything to hurt you. I’ll find the bandits who did that to you and I’ll take care of them.

(DD)No, Cormac, you don’t have to do that.

(C)I will, Deirdre. What they did to you is despicable, and they deserve death.

(DD)You need to heal, remember? Don’t worry about me, okay? You promised me you would rest and take care of yourself.

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(C)[sigh] You’re right I did, I’m sorry. I’m just so angry about what they did to you.

(DD)I understand, but your recovery is more important right now, and I’ll do whatever you need me to so you can feel better.

(C)[smiles] You’re helping me more than you think just by being here. And I look forward to spending tomorrow with you.

(DD)[smiles] I’m looking forward to it, too. And if you want, I can come and change your bandages for you each day while you're resting at home.

(C)You'd do that?

(DD)Of course, it shouldn't be too hard. I remember when I was here after the incident with me, and Nessa would change my bandages each day. I remembered how she did it, and I can do the same for you.

(N)That would be a good idea, Cormac. I'm sure you don't want to be home alone, do you?

(C)[chuckles] She's right, but only if you want to, Deirdre. I would be more than grateful if you decide to do that.

(DD)[smiles] Absolutely, I'd be more than happy to.

(C)[smiles] Thank you, Deirdre. You've done so much for me already.

(DD)That’s okay, I don't mind.

Deirdre's face lights up with a radiant smile as Cormac mirrors her joy, their eyes locking in a warm exchange. Deirdre reaches out and gently envelops Cormac’s hand in hers, their fingers intertwining. In the adjacent room, Nessa and Sarah bask in the warmth of their own connection, their faces aglow with soft smiles as they eavesdrop on the tender moment unfolding next door. The tranquility is briefly interrupted as the door swings open, and Ashley steps inside, her presence announced by the soft click of the door closing behind her. Her gaze sweeps the room, landing on Cormac and Deirdre, before she strides over to the bed. As she approaches, Deirdre and Cormac’s conversation falters, their attention drawn to Ashley.

(A)Hey Cormac, how are you feeling?

(C)Ash, hey, you came to visit. I’m feeling alright, better than I was.

(A)That’s good to hear. I’m sorry I didn’t come earlier. I was at home sleeping all morning and most of the afternoon. I’m sure you heard about what happened.

(C)Yeah, I did. Larry and the other two came to visit earlier, and they told me everything.

(A)Yeah well, I may have acted on emotion and I feel terrible. When did they leave?

(C)About an hour and a half ago, they went to the pub.

(A)I’m sure Larry went there to drink himself into a stupor.

(C)I’m sure it’s not too late to go see him.

(A)I kind of feel ashamed about everything and I don’t think I can face him. I keep letting my past take over my life and dictate my future. I love Larry so much and I don’t want to lose him and I was afraid that I did.

(C)He’s afraid that he lost you too, Ash. He was really depressed when he came in here. But he had hope that you would come back to him.

(S)He’s right, Ash.

(A)...Sarah.

(S)That woman at the pub, Rachel, I can confirm that Larry wasn’t her only target. Just a couple of weeks before Kate and Merig’s wedding, they had a run-in with her. She tried the same thing with Merig and it really upset Kate and she thought she was losing Merig as well, and that was Rachel’s motive. But Merig assured Kate that wasn’t happening and she and Merig spent some time together before they came back and Rachel tried that shit again. Merig was very aggressive with her and gave her a piece of his mind, so she finally left them alone after that. I can guarantee you that Larry wants nothing to do with that woman, Ash.

(A)[sigh] I know, I understand that now. I panicked. I didn’t know what to do. All I thought about was losing him and I’m scared every day that I will. Larry is my flame, just like I am to him, and he’s everything to me. He takes my pain away and makes me feel loved. I never intended to leave him. I was just so…I don’t even know anymore.

(S)We understand, Ash, it’s okay you don’t have to explain it, at least not to us.

(A)He probably hates me.

(S)No, Ash, he doesn’t. In fact, he said the same about you hating him.

(A)Of course, I don’t hate him, he’s so stupid. I told him I’d work on myself and not let my pain control me and my happiness. I guess I still have more to work on than I thought. I’m sure Larry is at least upset with me.

(S)Not in the least, Ash, he’s actually waiting for you at the pub, as Cormac said.

(A)I feel like a shit person and I hurt him again. How can he still love me?

(S)Because you’re still his flame, too, his reason for existing. His words, not mine.

(A)I wish I had more control over my emotions. It’s so frustrating. I even slapped him in the face and I didn’t mean to. I was just so angry at that woman and I took it out on him.

(S)It’s okay, Ash, I completely understand. Sometimes our emotions get the better of us. Losing control is just a sign that there's more you have to work through. But you don't have to go through it alone. Larry has been there this whole time, holding your hand and making sure you don't lose yourself. If you've lost your way, all you have to do is tell him and he'll help you find your way back.

(A)You’re absolutely right. Larry has been the only one that has kept me from losing myself. But when I thought I was losing him, that's when I lost control. I should’ve kept a level head, but I never thought someone would try to sabotage my relationship.

(S)Anything can happen, Ash, even when we aren't expecting it.

(A)[sigh] I thought I understood everything, but there's a lot more I have to learn. About myself and the world around me, but I'm so in love with Larry, that I only saw him.

(S)Don't put your guard up too high, just be aware of things that can happen. If you put your guard up too high, then you'll turn into a very jealous person and that's not someone you want to be.

(A)I understand what you're saying. Well, it looks like I have a mess to clean up. Also, hi Deirdre I'm sorry I didn't say hi.

(DD)It's alright, Ash, I understand you're going through all of this.

(A)Wait…Deirdre, you're here with Cormac…so did you two talk?

(DD)[giggles] We certainly did. Sarah told me what happened, and I came over here as fast as I could. Cormac and I have been talking, and I decided to keep him company for the day, and tomorrow, he and I are going to spend the day together.

(A)[gasp] Oh my god that's wonderful, I'm so glad you two worked things out.

(C)Yeah, she's been helping me a lot by keeping me company and we're getting to know each other more.

(A)Good, you be nice to Deirdre or I'll kick your ass.[wink]

(C)[chuckles] Of course, she's a really sweet person and I'm taking her on a date tomorrow.

(DD)[giggles] Cormac is a sweet person, too, and I look forward to our date.

(A)Good, you two have lots of fun and you take it easy and actually rest like you’re supposed to, Cormac.

(C)Trust me, I don’t want to feel the pain anymore, so I'm just going to relax here and enjoy my time with Deirdre.

(A)Alright, I'm going to go see Larry and apologize. We're going to move in together, so I've got packing to do.

(S)Everything will be okay.

(A)Thanks, Sarah, I'll see you all later.

(S)See you later, Ash.

(C)See ya, Ash.

(DD)Bye, Ash.

(N)Good luck, Ash.

(A)Thanks, Nessa. Bye, everyone.

Ashley wraps up her farewells, a bright smile illuminating her face, radiating happiness and optimism. With a lightness in her step, she pivots and strides toward the door, leaving the healer behind as she heads to the pub. Inside the pub, Larry, Barth, and Gordo remain at their table, deep in conversation. Larry sips his drink more cautiously now, a flicker of anxiety creeping in, yet he clings to the hope that Ashley will arrive.

(L)Why do I feel so nervous? It kind of feels like when I took Ash on our first date. But part of me still feels like she's not coming.

(B)Because just like her, your emotions are going crazy because you love her that much.

(G)Just breathe, it's good that you've slowed down on the drinking. The bad news is that Rachel is here.

(B)Oh how lovely, if anything happens, I’ll step in.

(G)Yeah, we’ll guard you from her. We are Royal Guards after all and you are the acting commander, so whatever orders you give us, we’ll gladly follow them.

(L)Thanks, you two, but I’m just focused on getting my flame back.

(B)Well, it’s not snuffed out just yet, buddy, it was never going to be, to begin with.

(L)Then why do I feel so cold? My flame was the one thing that kept me warm and lit my way in the darkness. Now I’m just cold and blind without her.

(G)It’s okay, your flame will come back to you. She needs you just as much as you need her to stay warm. One flame can’t thrive without the other and with two of them together, they get stronger and become one big flame, and it gets even brighter. Maybe she lost her way, too, and she’ll find her way back to you so that she can be warm again and have you light her path.

(L)[chuckles] Wise words coming from you both, but you’re right, she’s my beautiful red-hot flame. Seeing the interaction between Cormac and Deirdre gave me more hope. It wasn’t just Nessa’s prediction. Even after Cormac rejected Deirdre, she still went to visit him and now they’re hitting it off and they’ll be spending the entire day together tomorrow. Then the story you told me about when Rachel flirted with Merig and when he took Kate home and spent a day or so with her. Now everything is better for all of them since Kate and Merig are now married and Cormac and Deirdre are practically going to be together. Bad things happened, and they worked through it and everything is better because they worked to make it that way, so that’s what gives me hope.

(B)Good, you understand now that when two people have problems, they work together to fix them.

(G)The moral of it all is that if you love and care about each other enough, you’ll be willing to do whatever it takes to fix it and make things better and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

(L)Right and I’ll do whatever it takes to make everything right with Ash again. If Rachel wants to try that shit again, I’ll take a page out of Merig’s book and be the one to get more aggressive with her and tell her to shove off.

(B)That’s what we want to see, buddy, and I’m sure that’s what Ash would want to see so that she knows you’re serious about her.

(L)That’s another thing. She didn’t think I was serious about her until I made love to her and showed her just how serious I was. But it seems I have to show her in more ways than one, just as she has shown me. Which means I need to learn from her, too. She’s my inspiration in life and I can learn more from her than anyone else.

(G)People think they have everything figured out when they’ve only just begun learning. You learn things every day and you never truly understand, even if you think you do.

(B)I thought I understood Merig since he’s my brother, but once I saw him after ten years, it was like he was a completely different person. He wasn’t the sheepish person I knew before he came to Tara.

(L)Oh, trust me, I know. I was surprised by how strong he got and how much he learned from training and being a Royal Guard. He got stronger and more aggressive, but he still protected the people of the city and the ones he cares about the most. You didn’t see how angry he was when Kate was kidnapped and taken to Cormac’s camp. Merig could’ve set the world ablaze if he wanted to, and he wasn’t showing any mercy until he found Kate.

(G)Oh, he’s terrifying nowadays, I always knew him to be the shy and calm type and he is, for the most part. But like you said, he’ll protect the people closest to him, and especially Kate.

(L)Barth, you said you were here the night we went to the banquet last year and Jeff put his hands on Kate.

(B)I sure was and let me tell you, when I saw Merig leap out of his chair and go after that piece of shit, I could hardly believe what he did to him. It was incredible, and I was really proud of my little brother and how well he controlled himself and the way he tore into that bastard for what he did to Kate.

(L)Oh, he was showing no mercy, and I had to step in and calm him and Kate did a wonderful job calming him as well. Granted, it terrified her, but she handled it really well.

(G)She loves Merig so much that she would still love him even after seeing him like that. Just like Merig knows how to calm her, she knows how to calm him better than anyone.

(B)And that’s why they’re perfect for each other. They bring each other peace and tranquility. You and Ash bring light and warmth into your lives.

(G)You and Ash are perfect for each other, too. You all bring happiness to each other and that’s what love is about. I may not have anyone at the moment, but I do know what love is about.

(L)We know Gordo and one day you’ll be able to experience the beauty of it.

(G)Honestly, as I told you the other day, I’m in no rush, but after seeing Deirdre accept Cormac despite his past, I’m looking forward to finding a woman who will love me and who I can love back. I’m not holding my breath, though.

(B)It’s okay, Gordo, you can’t go looking for love, you have to wait until it finds you.

(G)That’s okay, I’m sure my time will come. But hey, this isn’t about me, remember?

(L)It doesn’t bother me, it honestly takes my mind off of everything and I don’t feel like drinking as much anymore.

(B)Good, just keep talking to us and everything will be okay.

(G)We told you we were here for you, buddy, and we meant it.

(L)Thanks, you two, it means a lot.

The goblins' lively chatter fills the air as Rachel observes them from afar, a sly smirk spreading across her face. Her gaze lingers on the group before she rises from her seat, her movements deliberate and unhurried. She saunters over to the table, her eyes fixed on Larry, who remains oblivious to her approach. As she reaches the table, the goblins fall silent, sensing her presence. Larry looks up, his expression darkening into a scowl as he takes in Rachel's smug demeanor. She leans against the table, her smile never wavering, as Larry stands up to face her. His voice is low and menacing, his words dripping with agitation, as he addresses Rachel with a palpable sense of hostility. The air seems to vibrate with tension as the two lock eyes, the goblins watching with bated breath.

(L)What the hell do you want, Rachel?

(R)Don’t be like that, I just came over to ask where your girlfriend was. I haven’t seen her.

(L)Yeah, no thanks to you. Now leave. I’ll only tell you once before these two remove you from this pub.

(R)But you could get to know me and maybe I can help you forget about her.

(L)What the hell did you just say?

(R)She’s obviously not going to show up, so maybe she doesn’t love you anymore. You should just forget about her and find someone better.

(L)Shut the hell up and you listen well. There’s no way in hell I would ever forget about that woman, not even if my life depended on it. You are nothing to me and I don’t want a goddamn thing to do with a slut like you, and I hope that you get what you deserve for doing what you do to people. You did the same thing to my pal and his now wife and I won’t have it, not on my watch. Why don’t you go and actually find someone of your own instead of trying to steal from other women? You can’t take what isn’t yours to begin with and you’re a piece of shit human if you think something or someone belongs to you that doesn’t. You made me lose my flame, the only woman that I and my heart belong to, not you. I couldn’t give a shit less about some tramp who I have not formed a loving bond with and lied down with and given myself to. Now go away. I’m going to wait here until my flame comes back to me, even if I have to wait an eternity. Barth, Gordo, please remove this woman from the pub.

(B)...

(G)...

(L)...That’s an order.

(B)Okay, okay, but first, look behind you.

Larry's expression is one of confusion as Barth and Gordo's eyes widen in unison, their faces frozen in shock. They gaze past Larry, their attention fixed on something behind him. In a swift motion, Larry turns around, and his eyes land on Ashley, who gazes up at him as he looks down at her. Their eyes lock, and Larry is taken aback by her presence, his mind reeling in stunned silence, as he struggles to process the unexpected sight. Ashley gazes at him with an apologetic look, her eyes filled with deep regret, prompting Larry to release a stuttered gasp. He takes a deep breath, as he composes himself, finally finding the words to speak, his voice laced with a mix of emotions.

(L)A-A-Ash…h-h-how long have you been standing there?

(A)Long enough to hear everything you said to Rachel. And don’t worry about Barth and Gordo removing her. I’ll be taking that liberty and I will very much enjoy throwing this slut out of this pub.

Ashley circles around Larry, her expression darkening as she strides up to Rachel. With a swift motion, she seizes Rachel by the hair, pulling her along. Rachel struggles fiercely, but Ashley's grip is unyielding as she drags her toward the bar where Sherry is busy serving patrons. Once they reach the bar, Ashley halts, a grin spreading across her face as she greets Sherry, her voice dripping with mock cheerfulness.

(A)Sherry, I respect you and your establishment, which is why I'm asking you what I should do with this harlot. She decided she was going to drive a wedge between Larry and me and she's done it to Kate and Merig as well. She's caused some trouble and I don't doubt that she’ll try it again to another innocent couple that comes in here.

(SH)[sigh] I hate to do this Rachel, but you’re banned from my pub. You’ve done this to many other couples and I can’t have you causing drama in my establishment like that. Ash here is a very dear friend of mine and I want to see her happy and I won’t stand for people like you who upset the people I care about. Ash is going to take you outside and she can do whatever she sees fit. It serves you right, you home-wrecker.

(A)You heard the woman, you’re never to enter this establishment again and if you do, I’ll be here and I’ll have my fun with you again, got it?

(R)Let me go!

(A)Oh, I’ll let you go, in a pool of your own tears, while I give you what you deserve. But first, I’ve got something to say to you, and I want Larry to hear it coming from me.

Ashley's fingers dig into Rachel's scalp, a painful reminder of her dominance. With a rough tug, she turns and propels Rachel forward, her captive stumbling blindly until they reach the group table once again. Larry, still in a state of disbelief, is the centerpiece of their impromptu audience. His eyes dart between the two women, wide with shock and confusion. Ashley halts in front of Larry, her captive still in tow. The air crackles with tension as she prepares to speak. With a sneer, she turns her attention fully to Rachel, her voice sharp as a whip, promising a storm.

(A)Now you listen here, Miss Rachel. First off, I do love this goblin standing right in front of us, and I love him with every ounce of my being. And you know what? I overreacted about what happened here yesterday and I admit I shouldn’t have acted on emotion, but sadly, my past crept up on me and made me feel that way. I know Larry loves me and I love him. We are the two flames that burn together and stoke the fire within our souls. And no slut is ever going to snuff that fire between us, not even you. If you ever come near me or Larry again, I promise you I will grab you by your hair again and break your nose, then you won’t have that pretty little face of yours to try to seduce anyone else. Did you ever stop to think that maybe one day you’ll mess with the wrong woman and her beloved? Well, sadly for you, that day has come, and it’s today and you messed with the wrong woman and her beloved goblin. I’m a royal alchemist for crying out loud, but I guess you didn’t use that tiny brain of yours. I’m sure that’s normal for you, though. Anything you want to say to this harlot, my love?

(L)[smiles] Nope, she’s all yours, my red-hot flame. I already said what I had to say to her, as you heard. Take her out of here. That’s an order.[wink]

(A)[smiles] Aye, Commander. You heard him. It’s time for you to leave. Sorry, you didn’t succeed in destroying my relationship…on second thought, I’m not sorry and you’ll never get the chance to do it again. I hope you've learned from this because one day you’ll do this to a woman who will be less merciful than me. Let’s go. You’re getting the hell out of this pub and never coming back.

Ashley's piercing gaze locks onto Larry's, their eyes burning with a fierce intensity, a shared smile illuminating the moment. Rachel's futile struggles against Ashley's iron grip finally subside, her body language screaming defeat. With a swift, decisive motion, Ashley yanks Rachel away from the table making their way to the exit. The two women leave the pub, the door swinging shut behind them. Outside, Ashley's hand shoots out, shoving Rachel with a force that sends her stumbling forward. Rachel's eyes flash with anger as she regains her footing, her chest heaving with ragged breaths as she turns back to meet Ashley's gaze. Ashley approaches her, their faces inches apart, before the back of Ashley’s hand cracks against Rachel's face with a resounding slap. The sound echoes through the air as Rachel's eyes widen in horror, a bloody gash blossoming on her lip. With a strangled cry, Rachel turns and sprints away from the pub, her footsteps fading into the distance. Ashley turns back to the door, her expression unyielding, her eyes flashing with a fierce inner turmoil. She re-enters the pub, the door thudding shut behind her, and returns to the table where Larry awaits, his eyes fixed on hers with a deep concern. She stands before him, the air is heavy with unspoken words, the silence between them thick. Ashley's gaze lowers, her eyes welling up with tears like a stormy sea. Larry closes the distance, his hand reaching out to gently cradle Ashley's chin, lifting her face to meet his gaze. As their eyes connect, Larry's soft smile offers a lifeline of comfort, and Ashley's tears begin to flow.

(A)I’m sorry.

(L)Don’t be. I understand why you reacted the way you did yesterday.

(A)But I hit you, and I didn’t mean it. I was just so angry and hurt. I realize it wasn’t you that hurt me. It was Rachel, and she made me think you didn’t love me anymore.

(L)I told you in the beginning, that no other woman deserves my love, and I will only give it to you. I kept my promise, and I never intended to break it.

(A)I know, I trusted you and I still do. I just can’t trust women like her. I also have to work on not being such a jealous person, because I don’t want to be toxic to people around me.

(L)Hey, I told you, I’m all yours, and no other woman can keep me from being with you.

(A)And no one can keep me from being with you. I’m all yours, too.

(L)So you don’t hate me?

(A)No, and I’m not leaving you either. Remember? You can’t get rid of me.

(L)[smiles] And you can’t get rid of me.

(A)You don’t hate me?

(L)Of course not, I could never do that. I should’ve been more assertive with Rachel like Merig was. And one thing I know I want is to take you home and spend the next few days with you, probably until Kate and Merig get back. I’ll have you all to myself and you’ll have me.

(A)[smiles] I’d love that very much. But first, let’s sit and talk some more. We have a lot to talk about since we’ll be living together. I’ll still need you to help me pack, and the few days you want to spend with me will be perfect for it.

(L)That’s true, we can take a day or so to move your stuff, then a day or so to relax and spend time with each other.

(A)It’s the perfect plan. I’d love that a lot.

(L)[smiles] And I love you, Ashley Nix.

(A)[smiles] I love you, too, Larry Dugan.

Larry's eyes lock onto Ashley's as he tenderly takes her hands, his fingers intertwining with hers. He lifts them to his face, his lips brushing against the soft skin on the back of her hands. Ashley's radiant smile blossoms overcome with emotion, as tears of joy stream down her face. Larry cradles her face, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears, his touch sending shivers down her spine. Larry leans in, his lips meeting Ashley's in a soft, sweet kiss. Ashley closes in on Larry, wrapping her arm around his torso, as Larry reciprocates. They stand there for a moment, holding each other tight as if they'll never let go. As they pull back, they walk to their seats, joining Barth and Gordo as they sit side by side at the table. Surrounded by the lively atmosphere of the pub and the supportive company of Barth and Gordo, Ashley and Larry excitedly envision their future together. Laughter and conversation flow effortlessly as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden light on their happiness. The group continues to reminisce and chuckle about the amusing encounter between Ashley and Rachel.

(B)By the way Ash, bravo on how you handled Rachel, it was very satisfying to see.

(A)I know, right? It felt so good to take her by her hair and show her that I wasn’t messing around. She realized that when I tossed her ass outside and gave her a good backhand to the face.

(G)That was a sight to see, and I enjoyed it, too. I'm sad I missed you hitting her.

(A)Eh, I didn’t want to do too much damage to her, but it did make her bleed.

(B)I wouldn’t feel too bad about it. You rescued Larry from further harassment. You were just protecting the acting commander, that’s all.

(A)[giggles] Yeah, I guess so. I was protecting my flame, so it didn’t get snuffed out.

(L)[smiles] It was never in danger of it in the first place, but I do appreciate it.

(A)[smiles] You’re right, but I still did it.

(G)Ash, I’ve been meaning to ask. How did you know we were here?

(A)I went to visit Cormac, and he told me you came here after you went to see him today. I also knew Larry would come here to drink himself blind, especially after what happened. I’m surprised he didn’t, though.

(B)That's because we limited his intake after four drinks and we looked after him to make sure he was okay.

(A)[sigh] I’m so sorry, Larry, I feel so bad about what happened. As soon as I got home, I cried for an hour or so and went to sleep. This morning, I woke up alone in my bed, realizing you weren’t there and that made me rethink what I said to you.

(L)It’s okay, Ash.

(A)It’s not okay, though, Larry. I acted on emotion and I didn’t stop and think that maybe I should’ve handled it better. I took my past pain and frustration out on you, something I said I didn’t want to do and I’m a shit person for it.

(L)You’re not a shit person, you have nothing to be sorry for because I understand and I’m not upset about it.

(A)But I hurt you, thinking that you hurt me and I was wrong.

(L)And we can learn from it, move past it, and put it behind us.

(A)But…I feel so bad about doing it.

(L)Hey, listen to me, life throws challenges at us, whether they’re easy or difficult. This particular challenge just happened to be our relationship. Of course, it hurt when you told me you didn't want to see or talk to me anymore, but I also knew that there was a possibility that you didn’t mean it, but I still thought I had lost you.

(A)I realized that, and I thought I lost you, too.

(L)No, we just lost our way, and we needed each other to find it again. You are my flame and you burn so brightly that all the darkness in the world can’t hide from it.

(A)And you’re my flame and you keep me warm every day and you chase away my fears. You free my mind from the pain I still harbor and you are my light at the end of the dark tunnel.

(L)Then I have a very important question to ask you.

(A)What’s that?

Larry rises from his seat, his smile growing wider as he gazes down at Ashley, her eyes narrowing in confusion. He takes a deep breath, his hand slipping into his pocket to retrieve a small, wooden box. Time seems to slow as he drops to one knee, the soft creak of the wooden floor beneath him the only sound. Ashley's eyes widen, her hand flying to cover her mouth as if to stifle a gasp. Her eyes sparkle with tears as she realizes what's unfolding before her. Barth and Gordo watch, beaming with joy, as Larry opens the ring box, revealing the stunning ring that seems to shimmer in the fading light. Larry and Ashley lock eyes, the air thick with emotion, as they savor this moment. Ashley's hand slowly drops, her lips parting as if to speak, but Larry's gaze holds her captive, his words hanging in the balance, waiting to be spoken.

(L)I wasn’t going to do this until Kate and Merig got back from their honeymoon. But after everything that happened and what you said about me being your flame, I figured that was the perfect opportunity. This ring has two rubies set in this silver band to symbolize two flames burning for eternity and the two flames represent you and me and it's shaped like two hearts together to form one big heart. I had this made just before Kate and Merig’s wedding and I got it the day before and I’ve been holding onto it ever since. I told Merig that I would do this and he told me to wait till after the honeymoon, but I want to do this now…Ash?

(A)Yes, Larry?

(L)I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember. When I’d come in here after my guard duties and grab lunch, I would always see you here and you always talked to me no matter how busy you were and luckily Sherry didn’t yell at you.

(A)[giggles] Shh, I just told her I was doing my job and making our most valuable customers happy.

(L)[smiles] Well, the more you talked to me, the more my feelings for you grew and I started flirting with you. When you told me you wanted to start your training as a royal alchemist, I put in a good word for you to the queen, and she was happy to accept you. The next day I came here and told you the good news and you were so happy that you hugged me.

(A)[giggle] I almost cried in front of everyone, but I didn’t care, it was my dream come true.

(L)And I was happy to help you achieve it, especially since I was able to spend a lot of time with you and helped you train. When you’d get hurt, I’d carry you to the healer on my horse and stay with you at the healer to make sure you were okay. I remember the first time I asked you out on a date. It was after a training session and we were sitting at the resting area. I was hurt when you turned me down, but I kept a positive attitude and just continued flirting with you and you didn’t seem to mind that I did. From then on, we did a lot together, either you and I or you, myself and Merig. We would have fun at the pub and training, and even at the banquet. I enjoyed every second with you there. And after all that time, after Kate moved here, and we met her, things started looking up and she and Merig fell in love. And a year after she got here, they both confessed their love for each other. On the night of their date, you confessed your love for me, and I can't tell you how happy I was. I thought I was dreaming, but I realized it was real when you told me everything that was keeping you from telling me your feelings and what really happened between you and Ryan. I understood, and I was more than willing to wait until you were ready even before you told me because you had told me about the incident when it happened. But enough about that. Eight months later and here we are, we’ve been through leaps and bounds in our relationship and I’m ready to take more if it means I’m still with you forever. I'll keep my promise to never break your heart and seal it with this ring. Ashley Nix?

(A)Yes, Larry Dugan?

(L)Will you be my beautiful red-hot flame forever, and my wife?

(A)[smiles] Yes, my flame, I will marry you and we can be the two flames that burn for eternity.

Larry's face radiates pure delight as he and Ashley bask in the joy of the moment, their smiles mirroring each other's happiness. With tender care, Larry takes the ring from the box and sets it on the table, his eyes never leaving Ashley's. He gently takes her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers, and slides the ring onto her finger. The fit is perfect, the ring sparkling like a promise of forever. Ashley's arms wrap around Larry's shoulders, pulling him close as they share a tender, sweet kiss. The world around them melts away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the magic of their love. The two pull away, hands clasped, as they stand up, their eyes remain locked in a loving gaze. They share another tight hug, the warmth of their embrace drawing applause from the surrounding patrons. As they pull away, they notice the attention they've drawn, and their faces flush with happiness. Barth and Gordo beam with pride, joining in the applause. Ashley and Larry take in the moment, hands still entwined, and look into each other's eyes, their love shining brighter than any spotlight. As the patrons' applause swells, Ashley's cheeks glow with delight, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. With a loving gaze, Larry's sultry eyes convey his devotion, his face shining with adoration as he speaks with his flirting voice.

(L)Well, my red-hot flame. Now that you’ve come back to me and lit my way, how about I steal you away and we can go to your place and start packing your things?

(A)[giggles] Yes, my big strong flame, take me away and I’m all yours.

(L)[smiles] As you wish. Sorry fellas, I feel bad leaving you two here, but as the acting commander, I’m taking my fiancée with me and we’re going to be spending the next few days together. You’ll probably see us again when Kate and Merig return from their honeymoon.

(B)Alright, buddy, you two lovebirds have fun.

(G)We’ll take care of everything for you while you’re gone. Glad everything worked out and congrats on your engagement.

(L)Thanks, guys. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a hot date with my red-hot flame.

(A)[smiles] That’s right, let’s get out of here.

Larry guides Ashley away from the table, their hands intertwined as they make their way toward the door, leaving the pub behind. The cool spring night air embraces them as they make their way towards Ashley's home, eager to celebrate their engagement and spend some quality time together. Upon arriving, they step inside, shutting the door softly behind them. Ashley, still clutching Larry’s hand, leads him up the staircase and into her bedroom. Their hearts race with anticipation as they enter the room, and Larry can no longer contain himself. He halts Ashley’s movement, gently pulling her back to face him. Larry releases her hand and tenderly cradles her face, leaning down as their lips meet in a passionate kiss. He turns and gently leans her against the wall near the bedroom door. His hands explore as she reciprocates, shedding their clothes, their movements fueled by desire and love. Soon, they stand naked before each other, still kissing fervently. Larry guides Ashley away from the wall and lifts her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist, their kisses deepening. He carries her to the bed, laying her down on the soft pillows, and positioning himself on top of her. Their intense gazes meet as they kiss and caress each other's bodies, lost in the overwhelming joy of their love. As Larry pulls back slightly, their eyes lock, and he breaks the silence and speaks to Ashley with a gaze full of affection.

(L)I thought I had lost you. I thought I was never going to make love to you again.

(A)No, my flame, I lost myself and I just needed to find my way back to you. Tonight, as we make love, I relinquish all of my fears and lay them at your feet so you can slay them with the love that you have for me. Take all of my fears and pain away as you make love to me all night.

(L)My red-hot flame, I will fight all of your negative thoughts and emotions and you will never have to worry about them again and I’ll protect you from future fears and pain. My love for you is still endless, and I’ll remind you of that every minute of every day that you’re with me. I will never lead you astray and I will never lead you into darkness. I’ll be your flame and you’ll be mine, and together we will set the world on fire and the darkness will no longer exist and can never hide again.

(A)My love for you is endless, too, and I’ll remind you of that as well. I’ll never be the reason you lose your way or step into the darkness, and I’ll always be your light. I will show you by giving you my body to do with me as you wish and to have your way with me.

(L)I’ll happily oblige as long as it’s willingly.

(A)Since we’ve been making love for the past eight months, not once have I given you my naked body unwillingly. So take me, touch me, kiss me, and make love to me.

(L)As you wish, my red-hot flame.

Larry and Ashley's eyes lock in an unbreakable gaze, both of their souls pouring out through the windows of their eyes. In a moment of pure intimacy, they press their lips together in another tender kiss, each one feeling the rush of emotions from the other. As Larry pulls away, his hands gently roam over Ashley's body, savoring every curve and dip as he worships her with his touch. She lets out a contented sigh, melting into his caresses. Moments later, Larry sits back on his knees between Ashley’s legs, looking down at her with adoration in his eyes. His smile is soft and genuine as he reaches for her hips, ready to take her to new heights of pleasure. With a gentle touch, he guides her body closer to his, their connection reigniting the fire that burns between them. As they make love, it is as if time stands still for the two of them, lost in the intense passion they share. After they finish, they lie tangled in the sheets, both still naked and panting from their lovemaking. Larry holds Ashley close to him, their bodies fitting perfectly together like puzzle pieces. As she looks up at him with a dreamy smile on her lips, he gazes back into her eyes, knowing that this is where he belongs. She speaks softly to him, and he listens intently, grateful for this moment and the love that still burns brightly between them.

(A)Amazing as always, my love, I felt the warmth of the fire within us and it was much more intense, but I loved the feeling and I didn’t get burned.

(L)I felt it too, my red-hot flame. Even if it did burn, it would be worth the pain for me. But I’d never let you get burned.

(A)I feel the same way. The pain would be worth it as long as it’s with you. I’d endure it. We’re going to get married and I’ll belong to you forever and I’ll always stay warm.

(L)I’ll belong to you, too, and I’ll keep you warm and I’ll never let you get cold. I’ll stay warm since you are my red-hot flame and you’ll be my wife.

(A)You’ll be my flame and my husband. We’ll make love every day and night and I’ll never tire of your love.

(L)Oh I’ll make love to you every day if you want me to, just say the word and I’ll never tire, either.

(A)I really look forward to spending the next few days with you.

(L)I’m looking forward to it, too, and you’ll be with me in our home together. I’ll wake up to your beautiful face and kiss you good morning and kiss you goodnight while I fall asleep looking at your beautiful face.

(A)[smiles] I can’t wait, I’ll fall asleep while you hold me and wake up to you still holding me. And we can even sleep naked if we want.

(L)That’s right, I'd love that very much and I can’t wait either.

(A)We have a lot to plan and get ready for our future together. I should send my parents a letter telling them we’re getting married. Mom and Dad have been wanting to meet you ever since I told them about you.

(L)Oh joy, that should be fun. I hope I make a good impression.

(A)You’ll be just fine. If Kate’s parents love Merig, then my parents will love you, I promise.

(L)I'll try not to freak out too badly, but I will definitely ask for their blessing.

(A)Go right ahead, my flame, I'm sure they'll approve of you. I wouldn't worry too much.

(L)[sigh] And you wouldn't mind marrying a goblin, would you?

(A)No, I feel the same way that Kate feels about Merig. I love you just the way you are, my goblin. I'll be more than happy to be your wife and for you to be my husband, and I don't care that you're not human. And if anyone has a problem with me being your wife, then they can screw off. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I won't ever let you go. I don't care what anyone says or thinks.

(L)You know what? You're absolutely right. I'm going to make you my wife, no matter what anyone says or thinks.

(A)That’s right, and we'll be together forever. But for now, I'm not done making love with you.

(L)Oh, I'm not done, either, I've only just begun. I love you, my red-hot flame.

(A)I love you too, my future husband.

Larry and Ashley gaze into each other's eyes with love and adoration before Larry pulls her closer, his touch electric against her skin. He brushes a tender kiss upon her lips before rolling back on top of her, the two bodies moving together in perfect harmony as they make love under the moonlight. As the night wears on, they continue to make love and bask in each other's company. Afterward, the two laugh and talk until exhaustion overtakes them and they drift off to sleep, naked in each other's arms. The next day is filled with excitement as they begin packing Ashley's belongings, preparing to move them into Larry's home. At the healer, Cormac has awoken and sits up in his bed while Deirdre carefully cleans his wound and replaces the bandage. Nessa and Sarah allow Cormac to leave, they trust him in Deirdre's capable hands for his care and recovery at home. Meanwhile, Cormac and Deirdre spend the entire day together as promised, exploring the city and creating new memories. They stroll side by side, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling streets, stopping to enjoy a meal together and share stories of their pasts. After a full day of joy and laughter, Deirdre brings Cormac back to his home to rest while she tends to his needs. Barth and Gordo diligently oversee all work with the Royal Guards, ensuring everything is in order. Larry spends the next few days working alongside Ashley, carefully packing her cherished belongings onto a horse-drawn cart before transporting them to Larry's home together. Kate and Merig are still basking in the joy of their honeymoon, but as the days slip by, it’s time to pack their bags and prepare for the journey home. Outside their charming lakeside retreat, they bid farewell to the serene surroundings, eagerly anticipating their next visit. Just then, Barth and Gordo arrive, driving a cart pulled by a sturdy horse. With warm embraces and cheerful smiles, they greet the newlyweds and assist in loading their luggage into the cart. Gordo takes the reins from the coach seat, while Barth settles in the back with Kate and Merig. With a gentle nudge of the reins, Gordo urges the horse forward, and they set off on their adventure back to Tara. Upon reaching the city, they unload the bags at Kate and Merig’s home before heading to the local pub, where friends have gathered to celebrate the couple’s return. As they step inside, the familiar sight of their friends at the usual table brings smiles to their faces. Ashley, Sarah, and Larry are all eager to welcome their best friends back, and Kate rushes to embrace Ashley and Sarah. The three women share a heartfelt hug, while Merig and the goblins follow closely behind. Merig makes his way to Larry, and the two best friends share a warm hug, with Larry ready to share his excitement.

(L)Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Flynn.

(M)Thanks, buddy, it’s good to be back.

(K)Indeed, my love. I missed you all. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried.

(A)Don’t even worry, everything was just fine here. So, did you two have fun on your honeymoon?

(S)I bet you two were in a fairytale.

(K)[smiles] Oh absolutely, I had the best time of my life with my husband. It was magical and overwhelming but in a good way.

(M)[smiles] And I had the most amazing time with my wife. Nothing like I’ve ever experienced. It’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget, and we plan on going out there more often.

(A)In other words, lots of lovemaking and nature walks.

(K)[giggles] How did you know?

(A)Cause I know you all too well. Merig and nature are your two favorite things.

(K)[smiles] I mean, you’re not wrong. So? Did anything fun happen while we were gone?

(A)...You could say that.

(K)Well first, I just noticed Miss Deirdre and Cormac are sitting over here. It’s good to see you, Deirdre. How are you?

(DD)[smiles] I’m wonderful. It’s so good to see you, too, Kate. Welcome back from your honeymoon. I’m glad you had a wonderful time.

(K)Thank you, it was phenomenal. And Cormac, how are you feeling? Did you finally get some rest like we’ve been telling you to?

(C)Actually yeah, I’ve sort of been neglecting myself. But everyone talked some sense into me, and I went to see Nessa and Sarah. My wound was getting infected, but luckily I got to the healer in time and they treated me.

(S)It’s true, he was very cooperative.

(K)Cormac, we told you that would happen if you didn’t take proper care of yourself. But I’m glad you got treated.

(C)Yeah, I’m sorry, I’ve had a lot going on. But it’s getting much better since I went and got help and Deirdre has been a saint. She’s taking good care of me at home and we've spent some time together.

(K)[gasp] Wait, you spent time together? Okay, you all have to tell me what happened while we were gone.

(A)Well first, here’s what happened to me, look…

(K)...[gasp] That’s a ring on your finger!

(A)It sure is, Larry proposed to me a few days ago.

(K)Holy shit, I’m upset that I didn’t see it happen.

(M)I thought you were going to wait until after we got back so we could witness it.

(L)Well, there’s a reason for that. Something did happen, and well…

(S)Rachel happened.

(K)[gasp] What? That bitch, where is she? Did she flirt with you, Larry?

(L)Yeah, she did, and it caused problems for Ash and me.

(K)Oh that Rachel, she did the same thing to Merig. She’s a despicable woman and a harlot. Where is she? I want to give her a piece of my mind.

(L)Don't worry, Ash already did. You should’ve seen it.

(A)Yeah, I dragged that bitch by her hair and threw her out of the pub. Sherry also banned her from here, so she won’t be causing any more trouble.

(K)This is why you’re my best friend. I love you to bits. I wish I would’ve seen it.

(A)I wasn’t going to let some hussy try to come between me and my goblin.

(K)Oh trust me, I wish I had the courage to grab her by the hair and throw her out. But you know me, I’m passive like that. But everyone needs an Ashley in their life to kick ass.

(A)[smiles] Someone needed to show her the consequences of her actions.

(L)Well, because that happened, I decided to pop the question before it got worse.

(K)I completely understand, Larry, you don’t have to justify it.

(M)Yeah, I remember my encounter with that woman and I was having none of it. I saw how upset Kate got when she tried that shit with me and you know how much I hate seeing Kate upset. I gave Rachel a piece of my mind after Kate and I spent a couple of days together, smoothing out that bump in the road that Rachel created. I said some not-so-nice things to her, but I didn’t care. She meant nothing to me and Kate and I got married two weeks later.

(K)That’s right, my love, and I had the pleasure of witnessing the exchange with him and Rachel and it was so satisfying to hear him go off on her.

(A)Oh, I bet. It was definitely satisfying to drag her out of here by her hair. Oh, and I may have had the opportunity to give her a good backhand to the face.

(K)[gasp] Good! She deserved it.

(A)I thought of you when I did it.

(K)[smiles] Aww, you’re the best. I live vicariously through you, Ash. You’re a badass and I love you.

(A)[smiles] Thanks, hun, I love you, too.

(K)I’m glad you didn’t let her ruin your relationship.

(A)Of course, she didn’t. It was me who overreacted when she sat on Larry’s lap and I took it out on him.

(K)She sat on his lap?! Oh, that’s a bold move on her part.

(A)Yeah, but I was wrong to blame Larry. I should’ve gone off on Rachel, but my emotions didn’t know what to do.

(L)I told her it’s no big deal and we should put it behind us. She’s no longer allowed in here, so she won’t be a problem anymore.

(K)Exactly, just learn from it and move on, Ash, that’s all you can do.

(A)Trust me, I am and I can’t wait to get married.

(L)I can’t wait either, my red-hot flame.

(K)I’m happy for you both. But I'm curious, Deirdre, Cormac, tell me what happened with you two.

(DD)[blush] It's a long story. We don't have to talk about it right now.

(K)Nonsense, tell me everything.

(C)Well, the truth is, I messed up. The day after we dropped you off at the honeymoon, Deirdre came to see me here and asked me to dinner and I…turned her down.

(K)[gasp] Cormac, what the hell?!

(C)Listen, I can explain. I was in a lot of pain and I’m still struggling to come to terms with certain things. Besides, I was worried about what Deirdre would think of me if she knew my past.

(K)Cormac, we’ve talked about this, you’ve got to put it behind you. Deirdre has been wanting to get to know you for a while now. I think I remember telling you about it. She was always asking about you when I’d see her at Sylvia’s shop or around the city. It was so cute.

(DD)[blush] Shh, don’t say that out loud, you’re embarrassing me.

(K)Oh honey, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I was more than happy to invite you to the wedding and introduce you and Cormac to each other. I was so happy to see you both dancing at the reception. I really thought you both hit it off.

(A)Sounds like someone was trying to play Cupid.

(K)Hey, Deirdre is a sweetheart, and I just recommended she invite Cormac to dinner or something since she wanted to get to know him more, that’s all.

(C)Yeah, but I screwed that up, and I felt really bad about it.

(DD)[smiles] But he made it up to me and took me out a day later and we spent the entire day together. It was so much fun.

(C)[smiles] I had a lot of fun, too. Deirdre has even been taking care of me at home and changing my bandages. She’s a blessing and I’m very grateful to her.

(DD)[blush] You’re both embarrassing me and you’re giving me way too much credit.

(C)I honestly don’t think I’m giving you enough credit.

(K)Oh my goodness, that's so sweet of you, Deirdre, and I'm so glad you both had a wonderful time together. I’m glad you’re doing better, Cormac, now take care of yourself, damnit.

(C)Don’t worry, I am, and Deirdre has been making sure I do as well.

(K)Good, I love to hear it.

(B)So, how does it feel to be married, Mrs. Flynn? Welcome, you’re a part of the family now, sis.

(K)[smiles] I’m loving it already, Barth, and now I get to see my best friend get married, future Mrs. Dugan.

(A)[smiles] I know, right? You’ll be my maid of honor this time and we’ll have so much fun planning the wedding. You’ll be my bridesmaid, right Sarah?

(S)Of course, I’d be happy to.

(L)And you’ll be my best man, Merig. Barth, you can be a groomsman again if you’d like.

(M)[chuckles] I’d be happy to, buddy.

(B)Of course, buddy. That means we’ll be paired up again, Sarah.

(S)[giggles] I guess so. It’ll be so much fun to dance again.

(B)Hell yeah, it will.

(A)Oh! Deirdre, do you want to be a bridesmaid?

(DD)Really? You want me to be in the wedding?

(A)Of course, sweetheart, I’d be happy to have you as a bridesmaid.

(DD)[smiles] Sure, I’d be happy to.

(L)And Cormac, you can be a groomsman and it’ll be an even wedding party. You can pair up with Deirdre.

(C)Are you sure?

(L)Of course, I’m sure, you’re my pal, too, right?

(C)[smiles] Of course, I’d be more than happy to be a part of it.

(K)It’s good to see you smiling, Cormac, you look much happier since I last saw you.

(C)[chuckles] Yeah, things have been getting better and everyone has been really supportive of me, especially getting the medical attention I needed. Nessa said if I keep resting like I am, I’ll fully recover in just a few weeks.

(K)Good, I’m glad you’re doing better, I look forward to seeing you recover.

(C)Trust me, I do too. I’m tired of feeling the physical pain from this. The mental pain, though, that’s a different story.

(K)It’ll be okay, we’re here for you, and Deirdre especially.

(DD)She’s right, like I told you, I’ll be here if you need me for anything, Cormac.

(C)Thank you, Deirdre, I appreciate it.

(G)I’ll be the ring bearer for your wedding if you want me to.

(L)Absolutely, pal, we can't forget about you

(A)Of course, we'd love it if you were a part of it, too, Gordo.

(K)Well, then let’s all sit down and have some fun. We can celebrate Ash and Larry’s engagement.

(M)Sounds like fun, let’s do it.

(A)Hell yeah, what do you think, sweetheart?

(L)Of course, being engaged to you is worth celebrating.

(B)I’m up for some fun and now we don’t have to deal with Rachel ruining it.

(G)Yeah, I didn’t like her at all. Barth and I even had fun telling her to get lost.

(L)I gave her a piece of my mind, too, and I wasn’t nice about it. I took a page out of your book, Merig.

(M)[chuckles] Good and I’m glad that the wench is banned from this place, now it will be peaceful again.

(K)That’s right and it will be peaceful for every other couple that comes in here. But enough of that, let’s have some fun. I very much enjoyed the honeymoon, but it’s good to be home again, isn’t it, my love?

(M)It sure is, sweetheart. Let’s sit and enjoy our first day back and you all can tell us more about the events here while we were gone.

The group gathers around the table, taking their designated seats. Merig and Kate are positioned beside one another, with Barth seated on the same side. Cormac and Deirdre occupy seats next to each other on the opposite side of the table, while Larry and Ashley sit next to them. Gordo is situated at one end of the table, and Sarah occupies the other end. As they settle in, the conversation flows, reminiscing about the enjoyable experiences they shared during their honeymoon week.

(M)So did anything happen with the guards while I was gone?

(L)Nah, everything was under control, but I kind of gave myself a few days off to help Ash pack and move her stuff. Ash moved in with me and we’re now living together.

(K)[gasp] Oh my god finally! Now we’ll live right next to each other, this is so exciting!

(A)I know I’m so happy. I figured it was time for us to take another leap in our relationship. We talked about it before Larry proposed, so we took two big leaps, didn’t we, my flame?

(L)We sure did, beautiful, and I couldn’t be happier myself.

(K)You can come over every day and have breakfast with us.

(A)Oh absolutely, I’ll be looking forward to the daily breakfast by Kate.

(L)Hey, me too, there will be no excuse to miss out on Kate’s cooking.

(M)Well, congrats to you both on moving in together. I’m happy for you. It’s great that we’ll be living next to each other.

(S)I’ll have to consider relocating to your area so I can indulge in Kate’s cooking as well.

(C)Same here. I’m pretty sure I live just a few houses from you, Sarah. One of these days I’ll relocate, too.

(B)I don’t live too far from Kate and Merig, maybe a street or two over.

(DD)I actually live on the next street from them, right behind their house.

(C)That’s a long walk from my place and you’re still okay with walking all that way just to help me change my bandages?

(DD)Of course I am, Cormac, I don’t mind at all. You need someone to help you, so I’m happy to lend a hand.

(K)Deirdre is such a sweetheart, isn’t she?

(C)Indeed she is, she’s wonderful.

(DD)[blush] You think too highly of me, I just like helping where I can, especially people I care about.

(K)That’s right, Cormac, that’s what we’re here for. You said you’re going through some physical and mental pain, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

(M)She’s right, that’s why I told you not to start your training yet. You need to heal both mentally and physically, and we’re here to help you, Cormac.

(C)I understand that now, everyone pretty much told me the same thing. I appreciate your support and I promised to accept any help that anyone offers me and that started with getting medical attention at the healer. I’ve got a more positive outlook on my life and it’s all thanks to everyone here, as well as Nessa.

(M)I’m glad to hear it, just rest easy, and don’t be in too much of a rush to heal.

(K)Exactly, healing takes time and you should take all the time you need. I know how it feels to go through something mentally, so I’m especially here for you in that aspect. You’re also a friend and I don’t like seeing my friends suffer and you won’t be alone.

(M)You’re my friend as well, Cormac, we’re both here for you.

(C)Thank you, that means a lot coming from you both.

(M)By the way, Deirdre, you look oddly familiar. Have we met before?

(DD)I thought you might ask that, and we have met before. The last time we met, I was in the forest, naked and bloody, with a slash down my back.

(L)Wait, I remember, you were attacked by those bandits. I don’t know why I didn’t recognize you at the healer.

(DD)It’s okay, it was five years ago, and we didn’t really stay in touch after that.

(M)I hope you recovered well.

(DD)Well, just like Cormac, I’ve recovered physically and I have a big scar on my back, but sadly, I didn’t recover mentally.

(L)I can’t imagine what you went through, Deirdre.

(B)I’m so sorry that happened to you.

(G)That couldn’t have been easy to go through.

(DD)Thank you all for your concerns and thank you for rescuing me from those bandits, Commander Flynn and Larry.

(M)It was no problem at all, Deirdre. We were just doing our job and protecting you from further harm.

(L)That’s right, those bandits ran like cowards after we chased them off. But I’m glad we got you to the healer in time. You lost a lot of blood, from what Nessa said.

(M)Yeah, the wound on your back was pretty bad. I remember it very vividly.

(K)See, Deirdre? I keep telling them that they’re heroes of the city, but they seem to think they’re just pest control.

(DD)Well, they were definitely my heroes that day, that’s for sure.

(S)Oh, they definitely are heroes, it’s amazing seeing them in action when fighting bandits.

(DD)It really is. I saw them fight off the bandits that attacked me and it was amazing.

(K)The queen wants to make Merig a knight in the Royal Guards. He'll be a royal knight, but he still wants to command the guards.

(M)It's where I belong. I'm happy to wield the title of “knight”, but I thrive in the guards and I enjoy protecting the city. But this isn't about me. It's good to see you're doing better, Deirdre.

(L)Yeah, I'm glad to see you smiling and happy.

(DD)Thank you, Merig. I'm just happy that I was able to attend your wedding. When Kate brought my grandma Silvia an invitation at the flower shop, she gave me one too and I couldn't say no. I consider Kate a good friend and I didn’t want to miss it.

(K)At first, she didn't want to go, but the moment that I mentioned that Cormac would be there, she very quickly changed her mind.[wink]

(DD)[blush] I uh well…I just had a really fun time dancing, that’s all.

(A)[giggles] Deirdre honey calm down, your face is as red as my hair.

(K)I'm sorry I embarrassed you, love.

(DD)It's okay, my social skills aren't the best since all of that happened to me. After I saw Cormac from our first brief encounter, I was happy that I found the opportunity to get to know someone I could relate to with a scar and a story to go with it. I guess I got lucky and took the opportunity, and it made me feel less alone in the world, and I'm glad I broke out of my shell to officially meet you, Cormac.

(C)[smiles] I'm glad you did, too. You made me feel less alone as well, Deirdre. I look forward to having more fun with you here.

(DD)[smiles] Me too, but enough about me. Let's celebrate Kate and Merig’s return from their honeymoon and the engagement of Ash and Larry.

(L)Hell yeah, let's have some fun.

(G)I'm definitely up for it. After all that chaos, I think we all need to have a good time and have some laughs.

(B)Agreed, Gordo, I'll get the drinks.

(A)I'll get us all something to eat.

(M)Sounds like fun, and hey maybe we can get some music playing and have some fun dancing.

(K)A wonderful idea, my love.

(C)I wouldn't mind dancing.

(DD)Alright, but you have to take it easy, remember? We'll take it slow like we did at the wedding reception.

(C)Okay, we can do that. You're my caretaker, after all, so you're the boss.

(K)Alright, time to celebrate!

The group is basking in the joy of Kate and Merig's triumphant return and Ashley and Larry's thrilling engagement news. They spend the day indulging in delicious eats, toasting with drinks, and filling the air with laughter and music as they dance the day away. As the sun sets, they create unforgettable memories, savoring every moment of their time together before reluctantly heading home to unwind, bringing the fantastic day to a close.