Aftermath: What Trials We Have Faced

[hammerofhell]

Hans had been warned, of course, of the dangers of being enchanted. But his participation in the trial had been deemed necessary (once the children were safely put to bed), and he would not shy away from danger when his wife was involved. What was important to her was important to him

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The Next Morning

[hammerofhell]

The next morning (and with considerable help from the Goslings), Hans had prepared a breakfast of all of Ali's favorite foods. And this was even done with minimum damage to the kitchen. Having occasionally taken longer hunting trips, Hans was quite capable of doing at least a little bit of cooking for himself.

He rapped gently on Ali's door. "My love?"

[vicioussweetie]

There is a bit of noise from the other side of the door after the knock that sounds a bit like something falling on the floor. Then a light comes on.

"What is it?"

When he comes in, Hans will find Ali in a tangle of sheets, several pillows scattered around the bed, and with her hair hiding most of her face.

[hammerofhell]

Hans opens the door slowly and carefully, and what he sees takes his breath away.

"I... I had thought you might want breakfast."

Concern colors his voice, worry over his wife, his love. It looked to have been a restless night. Had she slept at all? How much of that could be laid at his feet?--far too much, he was certain. And what could he do to make it better?

[vicioussweetie]

Ali smiles weakly, pushing the last pillow remaining on the bed behind her as she scoots up to lean against the headboard.

"That sounds lovely. Thank you."

[hammerofhell]

Hans brings the tray over to her, carefully folding down the legs with his index fingers. "The children helped, of course," he says. "I am not sure I could have managed without their aid."

He sets it before her. "How are you, this morning?"

[vicioussweetie]

"They are indispensable in these important sorts of tasks," she remarks with a smile, surveying the feast before her. She hopes there's pickles.

And if he might just happen to like to sit down, she might just be shifting to make room for him.

"I'm feeling better, thank you. I think I just needed a good night's sleep."

Now she just needs to get one...

[hammerofhell]

Hans would very much like to sit down next her! And yes, yes indeed, there are pickles. Thank-goodness Morty had remembered, or else Hans might be in considerable trouble.

"I am glad," he says, gently, as he sits next to her. "I was very worried about you, last night."

[vicioussweetie]

Hurray for pickles! Ali starts with those.

"I'm sorry to say I have too many things to worry about to worry about myself very much. Let's not speak of it."

Really, Hans. Don't go there. She's almost in a good mood this morning.

[hammerofhell]

Hans nods slightly, deciding not to push the issue this time. He's developing at least some sense of where not to go.

"As you wish," he says. "Let us eat, then, before this gets cold."

[vicioussweetie]

She nods, nudging the tray toward him. There's toast that can be spared. Maybe.

"You probably still have questions?"

[hammerofhell]

Hans will rather hastily take a piece of toast. It is not like he cannot get further breakfast later, if he so desires.

He nods. "Many. I think... I have already seen the conflict some home to roost on you. Is this war going to spill into the streets here? How dangerous are things becoming?"

[vicioussweetie]

"You don't pull any punches, do you? And I haven't even had a cup of tea yet..."

She remedies that quickly. A bit of tea, another pickle, and a chance to think before she answers.

"I am trying to avoid that. It has been made well-known that I will not tolerate armies forming here, or trying to enter my lands. I am trying, desperately, to maintain the peace, to make this place safe for all people who desire it.

"But there are only so many places I can be at once. If Adama is determined, or Morwen, or any of the claimants for the throne...I don't know how long I could stop them."

[hammerofhell]

"I am sorry," he says. "I am... too direct, sometimes."

He nods thoughtfully at her respond. "Then you are doing all that is possible, and little more could be asked for. To seek to end conflict is an entirely noble goal."

Something, however, catches his attention. "Claimants to the throne...?"

[vicioussweetie]

She nods, tucking into her eggs a bit before explaining.

"As you may remember, David recently married. He made his wife his queen; some say she should rule. Long before he met his wife, he appointed an heir--Lenore. She's recently become just barely old enough to hold the throne; some say she should rule. His sister has always been his closest adviser, working behind the scenes for him; some say she should rule as regent until Lenore is older. Mab, the queen to whom I am sworn, has been petitioned from certain sides to take up the regency, as she is our most experienced ruler within the kingdom.

"There are also some rumors that there might be a groundswell of support for an Unseelie to take the throne." This idea is most distasteful.

"And then there are the commoners, like Adama and his army, who wish to abolish the monarchy entirely."

[hammerofhell]

Hans nods as he mulls this over. Much to process, even if he knows some of the little bits.

"And you, my love? What do you think should happen?"

[vicioussweetie]

"David will return."

The sky is blue, snow is cold, things are facts. This is one of them.

"Until then, we must muddle through."