“Good morning darling.” Marcel approached me with open arms and gave me a hug.

“Morning Marcel.” I tried not to sound displeased as he called me darling once more. I had argued with him time and time again to call me Maria but at this point, it seemed hopeless to bring up again. “Morning Crimson.” I gave a gentle smile to red as I didn’t want to seem rude but I hated her.

“Morning Princess Maria, pleasure seeing you up and about.”

I gave a nod and could instantly feel the ring pull what it could away. Followed by Théoden siphoning and negative emotions.

“What do you want?” I couldn’t help but groan as I was not wanting to mess with the devil and his pet right now.

“Well, a better attitude for one. It’s not even eight in the morning yet and you are already sour.” Marcel retorted back and as he did Crimson chuckled and I returned her chuckle with a death glare.

“Woke up on the wrong side of the bed princess?”

I shrugged in response and headed into the kitchen, diverting my original path as I did not want them to know I was heading to Théoden's room.

“Well, I would love you to accompany me.” Marcel said as he attempted to be as charming as possible. They both were quick to follow me into the kitchen.

“Company you where?” I didn’t even stop as I spoke as I grabbed a bagel off the counter and opened the fridge to grab some jelly to put on it.

“Out and about, we went through four rings. We still have the last three.”

I stopped spreading the jelly on my bagel and gently placed the knife on the counter and turned to face the both of them.

I’d advise against it. Théoden spoke quickly through the bond. His worried tone spoke volumes and was worried this was a way to get me into the inner rings alone. But if there is no way out, I will have my guards on you like flies on cow pies.

His remark almost made me laugh out loud. Thankfully I was able to hold it back but I could tell Marcel was curious with the grin that had fallen on my face.

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“Something amusing?” Marcel’s eyes narrowed as he studied me intently to the point where I felt like he was reading my mind.

“Nope.” I responded quickly and turned back towards my bagel and resumed putting apricot jelly on the remaining side.

“Humph.” I heard Marcel cross his arms, “Well, what do you think? Will you go with me to the inner rings?”

I knew how Théoden felt with me traversing the inner rings as they were more dangerous than the outer rings. Put him on bedrest for the day, this was just asking for trouble. However, I saw no way out of it as it felt almost impossible to get out of.

“Fine. But give me an hour of relaxation before we head out.”

“Meet me in the grand hall at nine in the morning then.”

Marcel’s heavy feet left the kitchen followed by the tapping of Crimson’s heels. What she was doing there, I have no clue, I just had to hope she wouldn’t join me and Marcel on our outing.

I waited until I was one hundred percent sure that they were nowhere near the kitchen before grabbing a plate of food out of the fridge, placing my bagel on top and heading to Théoden's room.

He opened the door as soon as I arrived as our bond gave it away that I was there. “I have a few minutes, but I shouldn’t stay long.” I told him as I checked the hall before stepping stealthy over the threshold of his doorway allowing the door to close behind me.

I gave him the plate of food even though I had given him a few already. I just wanted to make sure he was eating enough to regain his strength.

“I can assure you… This much food is more than enough.” Théoden said as he went to the edge of his bed and began to munch on the bacon.

I sat next to him and ate my bagel and jelly. “You’ll watch me right?” I was nervous with my outing with Marcel today, considering how the last one went.

“As always.” Théoden said between bits of food. “If I sense anything, the guards will act right away. And I will be there faster than you can say dragon-to-rider bond.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that, “I’ll hold you to that.”

“You’ll be safe. I’ll make sure of it.” He gave me a soft kiss on my cheek in comfort.

“I know you will. Marcel just makes me uneasy.” I stared down at the other half of my bagel and took in a deep breath and exhaled. “I’m just glad I have you to get me through it.” I looked up at him with hope and love in my eyes.

Instead of speaking. He gave me a gentle but firm kiss on the lips. “I love you Maria.”

His simple words made my heart flutter, even though I have heard them a thousand times over. “I love you Théoden.”

We finished up eating, I gave him a kiss on the lips before I left. As I went to leave he caught my arm causing me to look up and into his eyes. He placed his hand upon my left cheek and gave me one more gentle kiss upon my lips. As we parted he whispered, “Just in case.”

I knew he worried about me traveling the inner rings alone. Hell, I was even worried about it. Especially since the fiends seemed to be more present in the inner rings. However, we had no choice. I had no choice. However, I knew with Théoden's sharp and observant trained eye sight, I knew everything would be fine.

I gave him a smile before opening his door. I checked to see if anyone was in the hallway and once I saw that it was clear, I darted back to the kitchen running into Roland in the process.