Once everything calmed and our lives seemed to resume to normalcy, at least what we called normal now, it was soon nightfall.

Dream tonight? Théoden asked me through our shared bond. I could sense that he needed to talk. That he felt a bit off, kind of somber in a way. And that was completely understandable after everything he went through today.

Of course, dear. I responded to him as I finished combing my hair for the night. I slipped out of my dress and slipped on one of his many t-shirts that resided in the bottom of my wardrobe and hopped into my oversized king bed.

Théoden started to hum the tune I have grown used to hearing over the last week or so. As the days dwindle and more things seemed to ramp up in the kingdom, the more I struggled to sleep. The more my mind wanted to wander. The more my mind wanted to stay awake.

You spoil me, you know. I spoke to him softly in the bond.

Your supposed to be falling asleep. Théoden reminded me, I could tell he was trying to hide a smile as he knew I didn’t like accepting gifts from him, so this was one of the things he loved that he got to do for me.

I… I stretched mid yawn as I was talking to him, I can’t help it.

I know love, you just need rest. Théoden told me as he got targeted time and time again there was a point in time where Marcel targeted us both.

Are you going to get some rest? I asked as I gave into another yawn as my body was slowly starting to cave into the gentleness of his hums.

As soon as I can sense that you are asleep. Théoden told me as he continued to hum my melody.

I rolled my eyes at the answer, it was a typical answer he usually told me as my mind fought sleep. I let my eyes finally close after a few more moments of staring out my window and looking at the everlasting full moon.

I took a few calming breaths and felt my body give into sleep.

It wasn’t soon after I fell asleep our dream escape formed before me. It was of the castle courtyard with an open sky full of stars and the moon ever so bright. The surroundings were calm, filled with peace as the surrounding buildings of the castle and kingdom were dark. The only light, the only light we ever needed came from the full moon.

Théoden stood in the middle of the courtyard looking up at the moon. His posture was a bit relaxed as I watched him take a few deep breaths before he turned to face me. As he turned his face wore that of grief. As I could sense that his mind raced with the day's events and everything that could possibly happen.

“And yet, I thought I was a heavy thinker.” I said with a smile as I approached him and wrapped my arms around him and squeezed him tightly.

I felt him let out a heavy sigh before he responded, “Maria, today was just the beginning of the next phase of their attack I fear.”

I looked up at him but he dared not to look at me, “What do you mean?”

“Crimson is free, Empusa is in prison. Dealing with her failure. Marcel is gaining companions we weren’t even aware of.”

I raised my hand and brushed his cheek with my finger tips, “I understand love.”

“Do you?” Théoden questioned me, finally looking down at me with an overall sense of loss of hope in his eyes, “We lost today.”

“We can’t win every battle. Isn’t that what you taught me the first week of training?” I reminded him.

I saw a small smile creep upon his face as I gave him a lesson from his own book. “Yes but…” He tried to protest.

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“No protest. It’s life right? We win some and lose some.” I told him.

“Maria, I know what you are saying but I feel like I let down the kingdom today.” Théoden closed his eyes and rested his head on top of mine. He released a heavy sigh as the weight of the kingdom rested upon his shoulders.

I dared to move as I didn’t mind him resting against me. I didn’t mind seeing this side of Théoden as it kept a good reminder that he had a pure soul. It was a side of him that reminded me and everyone else that even though he may have power, mistakes still can happen.

“Théo dear, please don’t let this get to you. It isn’t healthy.” I told him as I rested my head against his chest. Listening to his restless heartbeat.

“How can I not?” Théoden spoke, raising his voice slightly. He stepped back and stared down at me with a confused and concerned face.

“Let me take some from you the way you do with me.” I told him I began to utilize the bond the way and pulled a bit of stress from him.

“Maria, no.” Théoden protested as he fought the pull of emotion.

“Théoden please…” I begged, “You can’t have this weight on you alone. You take my emotions all the time, let me do this for you.”

“Can you handle it?” Théoden questioned me as he still fought the pull of emotion.

“Yes.” I said firmly, “Because of you, I am strong enough to take your pain.”

I felt his mind ease as he walked slowly back to me. He picked me up, allowing me to wrap my legs and arms around him. I held onto him as he held onto me as I siphoned bits of his strongest emotions. There was an overwhelming sense of grief, anger, and despair that ran through his body. And I took half of it. At least I tried.

“Better?” I questioned as I looked up into his crystal blue eyes as he tightened his grip around my waist.

“Yes.” Théoden responded to me as he bent his head down and kissed my lips softly. “And you only took what you can handle. You have been learning..” Théoden mumbled between kisses.

After his lips left mine I spoke, “What would you like to do?”

“Talk. Let’s just talk tonight.” Théoden told me. He carried me to a wooden bench and sat me down. He sat next to me and allowed me to rest against his body.

“What do you want to talk about dear?” I asked him as I held onto his hand and rested my head on his shoulder.

“Life. Our life after we deal with Marcel.” Théoden spoke. As this was something we talked about briefly but never fully discussed anything.

“Where to start?” I asked him.

“Well, I knew you would have said yes to marrying me if I had asked you before the chaos took hold…” Théoden paused as he looked down at me in attempts to read my expression. “I still plan to ask you properly after all this is done but…”

“If you are asking me to marry you after we deal with Marcel, the answer to that is yes. It will always be yes.” I told him. He bent down and raised my chin so my lips would meet his and kissed me softly.

“You know me so well.” Théoden spoke as he pulled back from my lips and looked back out over the castle courtyard. “Would I still be able to be Captain?”

“You can be whatever you want to be. Though, marrying a Queen will make you King.” I told him.

He smiled softly at the thought, “Queen Maria Silvermist… now that is a title I won’t ever get tired of saying.”

“You mean Lodsmok? I plan to take your last name sir.” I told him as I elbowed his side.

“Mph…” He sounded as if the elbow to the side hurt him. “Now, I do like the sound of that.”

“You better.” I told him making my voice sound as threatening as I could in the moment. However, that just caused him to chuckle.

“You know, you may be Queen of two kingdoms. If we time our attack correctly, And wait until after the I dos, then Summer Crest will technically go to you.”

“You want me to kiss the devil?” I asked surprised at his thought.

He shrugged, “A single kiss, for two kingdoms. A kingdom in desperate need of repair and a thriving kingdom of peace and serenity brought together to form one.”

I glared up at him and then looked out into the courtyard. What he said made sense, we could bring peace and serenity to Summer Crest. They did need it. But was I capable of running not one but two kingdoms? Could I handle it?

“I believe you can.” Théoden spoke to me as he read my mind. “Besides, you won’t be alone. I will always be by your side. Remember, I will be your King.”

I felt a smile fall upon my face, and turned and looked at him, “My King.” I repeated as I reached and touched his cheek. Resting my hand upon it.

“My Queen.” Théoden spoke as he turned towards me and bent down, kissing me softly.

“If you are comfortable with the plan, I can do it..” I said as he pulled away from me.

“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I wasn’t comfortable with it. It will allow Summer Crest to heal properly. And I can expand my lair to them.”

I nodded, “Then it’s settled. We won’t attack until the I do’s are said and I kiss the devil.”

“I will make sure the guards are aware.” Théoden spoke.

It fell silent as we leaned against each other. Both of our minds were racing on the possibilities of us ruling not one but two kingdoms. However, we both knew that meant we had to defeat Marcel. Otherwise he would be the one ruling two kingdoms.

With that weight, the dream grew silent and eventually faded as the four hours I needed for rest slowly began to fade away.