Waking up from a dream like that was always tough. As we both wanted more. A dream like that caused our muscles to ache. Our bodies crave and desire. And our bodies feel a bit empty. As even though the dreams are very much real. As if they feel real, and very much have the desired effects, it still makes our bodies crave for each other.

Do I have to get up to train? I grumbled to Théoden through the bond.

As much as I would love for the both of us to stay in bed…. Yes. Yes you do have to get up and train. He spoke. However, I could tell he was wanting other things but he knew the importance of training over maturation. Despite him doing it a few times in the past. He refused to do it this morning.

As much as I would love to finish this morning… We still have a bunch of training to do. His tone was playful yet almost tortured. As pulling himself away from the enjoyment of a release was hard for him.

Fine… I grumbled. Since we had agreed to return to combat training, meaning fists and kicks, I had previously laid out a comfy pair of pants with one of his shirts that I had piled in the bottom of my magical wardrobe.

I pulled one out and gave it a sniff as it had been a bit since I took a shirt. Often, I don’t wash some of these and then I forget which ones I haven’t washed. Thankfully, for me the one I had pulled was a fresh one. One I hadn’t worn or worn briefly. His shirts always fit really big on me. As he was bigger, muscled and height wise. So what I did was I typically half tucked the shirt into the pair of pants. It may have not always been an attractive look, however, it was doable for training.

I quickly pulled my hair up in a high ponytail using a clip that was crafted by Caroline. Slipped on my belt, bag of holding, made sure all magic items were in place, slipped on my wedged boots and went about my way. Locking my bedroom door behind me.

Kitchen first? I’m starving. I asked Théoden as our adventures in our dreams last night had made me a bit starving this morning. Like I said, the dreams may be in our minds, but our dreams felt very real.

I’d say we could wait, but I can sense your hunger through the bond. I think it would be best for the both of us if you ate a few treats. Théoden spoke with a bit of a tease.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. He knew it would be a bit dangerous if he didn’t let me eat. More dangerous for him than for me.

We both arrived in the kitchen at roughly the same time. He came through the back, and I entered through the front. Roland, our chef, was there, already preparing the meals for today. “Good morning!” Roland chimed as he was always happy to see us. Considering I hadn’t been going to the kitchen for a bit after my parents, as we often shared family meals. Then again when Marcel attacked me a few months back.

Now, I was feeling more and more myself. Especially now since my powers were developed and I felt stronger and braver because of it. More confident as Théoden put it.

“What do ya got for us today?” Théoden asked as he began to sniff the air. “Bacon?”

“It wouldn’t be breakfast without it now would it?”

“Heck no!” Théoden said as he moved over to the stove and pulled out the tray with a towel that he grabbed from the countertop along the way.

“You’re lucky that you have been cooking for fifteen minutes already.” Roland scolded Théoden.

“Bacon is my weakness.” Théoden spoke proudly.

“I know…” Roland said as he gave a gentle eye roll to Théoden.

“What did you got for me to taste this morning?” I asked as I sat down in my usual chair.

“Well, considering I utilize bacon on the regular. Bacon apple crisps. Essentially an apple fritter stuffed with baked apples and bacon bits.” Roland said as he pulled a plate of three off the counter and walked them over to me. Sitting them down gently in front of me. “I gave you three, because I know anything with bacon, this one would want to taste.” He said pointing at Théoden.

Stolen story; please report.

“You got that right.” Théoden said, taking the third fritter off my plate.

We both bit into them at the same time. The center was warm and gooey as the apples and filling provided a pie like filling. The cinnamon was a nice flavor to start off the morning. Not too overwhelming, it was just right.

“Delicious!” I told Théoden as I cleaned off my mouth with a cloth.

“I surprisingly agree. Considering treats like this isn’t my typical go to.” Théoden spoke.

“Glad you both like them. I was thinking they could be on the desert table for the wedding.”

I felt a sudden shift in Théoden's mood. As the sheer thought of the wedding sent a thousand emotions through his draconic body. He understood the reasoning. He understood why. However, he still had feelings that stirred up even if he didn’t want them too.

“Of course.” I said breaking the silence.

“Training soon, yes?” Roland asked as he began to clean up the kitchen a bit.

“Yup. Back to combat training.” I said with a smile.

Eventually our conversation faded as Théoden and I ate the rest of breakfast. Are you alright? I asked Théoden through the bond.

Not really. But I’ll get over it. Théoden responded.

I sighed a bit. I hated hurting him as I loved him deeply. However, I was stuck and didn’t have much of a choice. And he knew that.

I’m sorry. He told me through the bond. I know it isn’t your fault.

It’s alright, we are allowed to feel right?

Yeah… I could feel that he felt terrible for letting his emotions resurface. Emotions that he had worked so hard to keep them buried.

About ready to go train? I asked Théoden in an attempt to shift the mood and change the subject.

Of course. Théoden responded as he got up and took both empty plates to the sink. He washed them off and we both headed out of the kitchen and to the training arena that we had been utilizing for the past month or so.

“Magic?” I asked as we walked at a decent pace.

“Minor magic. Remember Marcel knows we have been utilizing magic. As he was able to feel it.” We had discovered a few weeks ago that somehow Marcel could sense my magic. So we had to turn to dreams for magic training. Something we did following combat or weapon training. And usually it was me utilizing my magic to keep the ring down so my emotions wouldn’t flood the bond and hurt Théoden.

“Good.” I responded. I had grown to miss magic training in reality.

The rest of the walk was rather quiet. Which wasn’t a bad thing as we were both enjoying the bit of sun that was peaking over the horizon. As it was providing a gentle warmth to both of our skins. Not to mention the joyous smells of baking that filled the streets as a majority of our citizens were making breakfast at this time. Which meant there wasn’t much out for foot traffic, except a few early birds.

“It’s going to be a beautiful day.” I said as the warmth brushed against my skin.

“Indeed it is.” Théoden responded as he looked down at me with a gentle smile, “And to imagine at this time you are complaining about how hot it is. The lair is keeping it at a decent temperature.”

“An enjoyable temperature.” I said correcting him.

“Good.” Théoden said as we now had reached the colosseum.

“Ready to get your ass kicked?” I said with a grin as I elbowed him hard as he held the door open for me.

He grunted, “You kick my ass? I think it will be me kicking yours.”

“Remember no holding back!” I said as I darted into the training arena with Théoden promptly running after me.

“You’ll regret saying that!” Théoden shouted after me as he lunged towards me. Causing me to swiftly dodge his advancement.

We went on like this for a few rounds. Each round lasting ten minutes long or until one of us tapped out. The first round, I managed to become victorious as I managed to through a good punch to his gut that caught him off guard. At that point he was already worn, so he tapped.

The second round he was victorious as his hits had grown more and more harder. After the fourth hit I had to tap out as I was feeling a bit winded by his hits.

Third and final round was a draw as we both ended up on the ground. Pinning our arms against each others throats. Punching our chests. Or kicking his groin.

“I hate it when you do that…” Théoden groaned as he rolled to his side. Breathing steadily to ease the pain.

I shrugged, “It works, doesn't it?”

“It does… but its almost a cheap shot.”

“So is kneeing me in the stomach then.” I responded as he had just kneed me hard in the stomach prior to me kicking him in the groin.

“Fair…” Theoden finally got up and helped me up. “I say it’s time we get back to our duties.”

“Of course.” I responded as we both headed out of the arena.

He gave me a quick squeeze before heading to his office and I headed back to the castle to prepare for a Council meeting at noon.