Upon waking up, the sky was still dark, full of stars and an everlasting full moon. The air in my room felt brisk as it blew the crack of my window, as I had opened it slightly before I went to bed. I groaned as I slowly stretched beneath the covers.

Good morning love, if you are up for it, I would like you to meet me downstairs so we can get some magic training in today. Théoden seemed wide awake and oddly cheery...no not cherry perhaps control this morning.

I rolled my eyes, do I have to? I held my eyes shut and pulled the comforter over my body. In any attempt to avoid the breeze coming through my window.

No, considering yesterday’s events but I would highly recommend it. We need all the practice we can get. There was a hint of urgency in his voice.

Why the sudden urgency in training? I thought we were slowly working our way into this.

At this point I slowly got up, closed the window, and yawned. If he wanted me to train I was going to have to slip on a pair of sweats.

I had a realization last night that I messed up once already. And I am not about to mess up again. I remained silent. As I listened to him. I messed up when I failed to alert anyone about the other dragon. I messed up when I didn’t act further on my instinct. I messed up Maria. And I am going to fix this.

Théoden, it is not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself for the mess that we are in. I hoped he realized that. It was not his fault. No one could predict...well it wasn't his fault and I needed him to realize that.

IT IS Maria! He shouted through the bond. It is my fault! At this point he tried to calm himself as he didn't want to yell at me this early in the morning. I am the protector of this kingdom and I have failed it so far. Well, I am not failing it any more. His voice had shifted from guilt to confidence. I have an idea that will make sure the kingdom is protected. Remember last night.

Yeah, I trust you. Though, I am curious to learn what you are planning. Curious, it pulsed through my veins like the rivers flowing through the kingdom.

At this point I had opened my wardrobe and pulled out a pair of sweats and began to slip them on. Curiosity flooded me as I was curious to see how he was going to protect the kingdom more than he already has.

That will have to wait until our dream tonight. I know we have protection against divination magics, however I am uncomfortable sharing this information right now.

I rolled my eyes, alrighty tonight then. I am ready and will meet you downstairs for breakfast.

Curiosity ran high through my body at this point as I couldn’t help but wonder why he was being so secretive about it. Ugh…I sighed, heavily, can you at least give me a hint?

As I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen the bond remained silent. “No Maria, I won’t tell you.” Théoden responded as he wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly.

I rolled my eyes and groaned in annoyance. “What did you got for us today?” I asked Roland who was plating a mix of food.

“Eggs, bacon, cinnamon toast, muffins, granola. You name it.” He handed us our plate and plates in Theo’s case. Theo sighed. “What, do you not want two or three plates of food…” he leaned in between us, “Mr. Dragon.” he said with a smile.

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“You’re not wrong…” Theo spoke as he chowed down on all of the food Roland laid in front of him.

“And for Maria,” Roland said as he sat a heaping pile of various sweet treats in front of me. My eyes widened a bit as I just ignored what I was about to eat and went for one of the sweets instead. Don’t get me wrong I still ate the eggs and bacon but I ate a few sweets first.

Both men just stared at me, “What?”

“Are you-” Théoden began to tease but as his lips went to part into a grin as he tried to speak the words without a chuckle, I interrupted him..

“Don’t even say it.” I groaned in annoyance. I mean what was so wrong with having a sweet tooth.

“Sorry love, I couldn’t help it.” Théoden said as he tried to hide his smile. “I’ll drop it but you got to admit the amount of sweets that you have consumed has increased in the last month.”

“And?” I tried to hide how much I was truly annoyed but I knew I did not hide that well.

“Nothing, just pointing that out.”

“You ever think it could be just how my powers are? I mean you fuel yourself with all that.” I gestured towards the three plates. “Maybe my power utilizes the sweets for more energy.” I mean it was an excuse but we did not know much about my powers so it felt right.

His eyes narrowed a bit, “That could be.”

“How is everything?” Roland asked as he too sat down to share some food with us.

“Delicious as usual.”

“Agreed.” Théoden spoke.

Roland smiled at our compliments and ate a small portion of food himself and began to clean the mess he had left from cooking breakfast.

“Roland, I don’t think I have ever asked, but how do you cook so damn well?”

He stopped a bit in what he was doing and leaned against the counter. “Well that’s a bit of a story in itself. How much time do you have?”

“We got time.” I said, Théoden kind of looked at me but eventually nodded.

“Well, where to begin.” He thought for a moment, “First off I come from a long line of chef’s that have served royalty over the years. My recipes are from them but adapted to our more advanced culinary equipment and seasonings. Trust me, bland eggs are never more satisfying than lightly seasoned eggs. I was fed food from my past relatives and was given the tasks to improve, enhance, and make them more edible. It was a bit daunting at first, as my parents started me rather young, I think…I was only in double digits then. When I reached one hundred, I was given an option that would enhance my skills further. Something my family has done for centuries.” He came over to us and rolled up his sleeve and showed a mark where a visible vein was. “Blood infusions.” He said, “it’s a common practice amongst families that have generations of well rounded talent. It’s a way to preserve the bloodline so to speak.”

“Did it hurt?” I asked him as he pulled his sleeve back down and went back to propping himself up against the counter.

“A little at first. But that was only because my blood was reacting with blood that had been preserved for years.” He told us. “The older the blood the more enhanced skills you get. But also a chance at something going wrong as the blood fuses to yours. I seized that day, but that was only due to the transfusion taking place. Thankfully that was about all of the aftershock I had. Some have it worse than that.”

“I have heard stories of that.” Théoden said, “A few of my guards are generational guards and have done the same process. Their skills are impressive too.”

Roland nodded, “It’s something that is done but not commonly known among some of the citizens. We don’t want to take a chance of our blood getting into the wrong hands.”

“This is interesting,” I said, “So your skills and talent are literally in your blood?”

Roland smiled with a laugh, “You can say that yes. I guess that pretty much sums up where I got my talent from.”

“How many infusions did you do?”

“Well, the first one was at one hundred years of age. I am now over four hundred. Yes I know I am old.” He said as he saw my expression of his age, “So four. Four infusions. One every hundred years.”

“When is your next infusion?”

“In another fifty years or so, that is if I make it that far.” He said, “now I got to get back to work and I saw his face, you two have plans today don’t you?”

“Training.” Théoden said, “Which we should be getting to soon. I have a set of rounds to do in less than an hour.” He said, nudging my foot lightly.

“Yes, yes, let me eat one more cookie then we can get to training.”

Theo and I left the kitchen shortly after and headed to the training room. The conversation with Roland really helped ease my curiosity. Well, for the time being anyways.