Work Text:
As I rise to the morning sun, I feel the warmth of my beloved husband’s skin as he sleeps. “Where do you think you’re going,” he asks, drowsily.
"I know you would want me here with you at this time, but I must go,” I tell him. He sighs and lays his hand on mine. His fingers caress mine, begging me to stay. "I must go, and so must you." He sighs once more and rolls out of the bed. He doesn't even look at me as he pulls on his armor and headpiece. He stands in front of me for one last moment, before walking towards the door, which I open. The corridor is lit up from behind him. Before he leaves, he looks back toward me, gentleness and sincerity in his eyes, and walks away.
As I enter the throne room I see my husband's father and advisor, Chancellor Wayne, and his guard, Commander Kon-El. "My queen," the chancellor says with a bow, then turns to Kon-El, who salutes her. "Commander Kon-El. It has been too long since we have seen you."
"Your majesty," Kon-El replies. "It is wonderful to see you."
"How does the training of the other guards go?"
"It is going slowly, but they are learning."
"Excellent. We need to prepare them to protect the king when I am no longer able."
I am silent for a while. My life is full of purpose now that my husband and child are safe. I can only hope their training will be done soon, for there is much to be done, but many tasks await me as well. "Chancellor," I begin, looking over the courtiers. "There are some matters I must attend to."
The chancellor nods, as does Kon-El. "We will leave you to it."
"Have fun," the chancellor jokes. Kon-El laughs along with him.
As they walk off, I see the four royal guards are all sitting together in a row, laughing about something. I'm glad to see them having a good time. They're strong men, I thought. There's no doubt that they could hold their own if they were called upon to fight alongside Damian. But, in this instance, I suppose they won't need to. I take my seat next to the window, allowing the sun's rays to warm my face. "Rachel?" A voice asks. "Are you alright? You haven't said a word since you entered."
I shake my head, staring into the distance. "Yes, Damian, I am perfectly fine. Are you alright?"
"You look... tired," he tells me, concern apparent in his voice. "Come with me. Let me show you how beautiful your kingdom really is." I nod, smiling slightly, and follow him outside. There are flowers everywhere! I roam around the bountiful fields of flowers surrounding me with the way they smell. As we make our way across the grounds, I hear voices in the distance. I recognize those voices; they belong to our guards, coming to wish us a happy anniversary. How ironic, I think. My husband was once a man to be feared, but now, today, he is a man to be celebrated. As I step through the flowers, I see three familiar faces standing around a stone pillar. Two of them, Richard and Artemis, bow their heads in greeting, while Kory bows respectfully, despite the smile on his face. Damian smiles at me, then gestures to the stones behind him. "Why don't you join us?"
I turn to Damian and he points to the group. "There are two new members of the Royal Guard joining us today." He looks at the third guard standing beside me and smiles proudly.
"And who might these newcomers be?" I ask, turning to Damian.
He puts his arm around my shoulder. "These two young women are my friends from here. They will also be guarding you from now on. They are sisters." I raise my eyebrows, surprised, as Damian continues. "They grew up here, until they went missing, not knowing what had happened to them. They've just recently returned home."
I look at the sisters, and they stare back. "Nice to meet you, your majesty. My name is Kate. This is my younger sister, Cassandra." Cassandra looks at the queen and bows, not saying anything. "I am honored to meet you both," I responded, extending my hand. "Welcome to the Royal Guard. I trust you will serve with dedication and loyalty." Their eyes shine with determination and I can't help but feel a sense of security. "I have faith in you both," I tell them, looking into their eyes. "We all do."
Behind me, Damian nods in agreement. He lays his hand on Kate's shoulder, offering her a comforting smile. "We are glad to have you here. Welcome to our family."
Kate smiles at his words, while Cassandra simply nods, acknowledging the weight of their new responsibility. The ceremony concludes, and we all return to the castle, ready to face whatever comes next.
In the quiet of my chambers that night, Damian and I discuss the events of the day. "They'll be good for the kingdom. They're strong and loyal, and they care about this place as much as we do," Damian tells me, sounding hopeful.
“Although I do have a question. The young one, Cassandra, how come she doesn’t speak?”
“From what Kate told me, she was never taught to speak by their father. But she makes up for in skill what she lacks.”
"I trust your judgment," I reply, my tone filled with love and respect for him. "I believe in them, in us. We'll face whatever comes our way, together." As we settle into the night, I can only hope that our new additions will bring strength and unity to our kingdom. Their presence is a reminder of the resilience we embody and the challenges we will overcome together. Tomorrow is another day, and with it, another chance to protect and serve the kingdom we love so dearly.
The dawn of the next day brings anticipation, echoing the rhythm of our kingdom's heartbeat. As the morning sun peeks over the horizon, Damian and I stand at the castle's highest tower, watching the kingdom awake. The marketplaces start to bustle, children running around, their laughter echoing through the streets. This is the kingdom we're sworn to protect, and its vibrancy fills me with renewed energy.
"Today is a new day," Damian whispers, his arm around my waist. "Another day to make a difference."
I smile at his words, knowing they hold nothing but truth. The new guards, Kate and Cassandra, join us at the tower, their presence a testament to the ever-changing and evolving nature of our kingdom. We brief them about their duties, their determined eyes mirroring our resolve.
"Protect the kingdom with all your might," Damian tells them, his voice filled with authority and determination. "You are not just guards; you are the shields of Nanda Parbat."
As the day progresses, I find myself involved in various meetings, planning and strategizing for the kingdom's future. The council members expressed their faith in our leadership, their words strengthening my resolve. With Damian by my side and our trusted guards protecting the kingdom, we continue to stride forward. After all, we are the heart of Nanda Parbat, and we will stop at nothing to preserve its glory and honor. As the day progresses, I find myself involved in various meetings, planning and strategizing for the kingdom's future. The council members expressed their faith in our leadership, their words strengthening my resolve. With Damian by my side and our trusted guards protecting the kingdom, we continue to stride forward. After all, we are the heart of Nanda Parbat, and we will stop at nothing to preserve its glory and honor. During my breaks, I watch the guards train. "Cassandra," I called out. She bows her head, awaiting instructions. "My husband says you excel in combat. Could you demonstrate?" Cassandra nods before proceeding to demonstrate a series of intricate combat moves. Watching her, I am impressed by her agility and precision. "Impressive, Cassandra," I praise, "Your skills will prove invaluable in protecting Nanda Parbat."
As the day gives way to dusk, I see the kingdom bathed in hues of red and orange, the setting sun casting long shadows. It's a sight that never fails to take my breath away. It serves as a reminder of the beauty of our kingdom, and the duty we have to protect it.
In the evening, Damian and I dine with the guards, sharing stories and laughter. It's a tradition we've always maintained, a way of fostering camaraderie and unity. I see Kate and Cassandra settling in as we dine, their initial hesitation giving way to ease. Their laughter rings out, blending with the others, a sound that warms my heart.
After the meal, Damian and I retreat to our chambers, the day's events having taken their toll. Before we retire for the night, we stand by the window, overlooking the kingdom we've promised to protect. In the quiet, Damian takes my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "We've done well," he murmurs, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. "We've done well, my queen."
The next days are filled with more training and planning. Cassandra and Kate prove themselves to be worthy additions to the Royal Guard, their dedication and skill evident in their every move. They train under the watchful eyes of Damian and Commander Kon-El, their progress remarkable. It fills me with pride and hope, knowing our kingdom is in good hands.
But as the night comes, the council calls for a short meeting.
As I step into the council chamber, I can sense the seriousness of the discussion. “What do you mean?”
“My King, please, have patience,” Chancellor Wayne begs.
“What is going on here,” I roar, causing everyone, including Damian, to become silent.
“My Queen,” Kate begins, “The council is demanding that you produce an heir soon.”
“What?”
"An heir?" I echo, stunned. "But why now? We have plenty of time." The council members exchange glances, their expressions grave.
"This is not a decision we've taken lightly, Your Majesty," one of them begins. "But we believe it's in the best interest of Nanda Parbat."
"We understand your concerns, Your Majesty," Chancellor Wayne says, his voice steady. "But the continuity of the royal line is of utmost importance. It ensures stability and confidence among our people."
I feel Damian's hand tighten around mine, his silence telling me he shares my surprise and confusion.
"I see," I say quietly, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. "We will consider this."
The room descends into silence, the weight of the council's words hanging heavy in the air. As the meeting ends, Damian and I return to our chambers, the echoes of the council's demand following us.
"An heir," Damian murmurs, his voice barely a whisper. "They want us to have an heir."
"I know," I responded, my voice equally quiet. "It's a lot to take in."
"Rachel," Damian says, turning to look at me. "Are you... are we ready for this?"
I pause, looking into his eyes. They're filled with the same uncertainty that I feel. "I don't know," I admit. "But whatever we decide, we'll face it together. Like we always do."
"Yes," he agrees, pulling me into his arms. "Together. Always."
In the days that follow, Damian and I find ourselves in deep thought, contemplating the council's demand. We consider our duties and responsibilities, our love for our kingdom, and our love for each other. It's a heavy decision, one that could change our lives forever.
After careful consideration and many long nights of discussion, we decided to heed the council's advice. We announce to the kingdom that we will begin the process of producing an heir, a decision met with joy and celebration by our people. As we prepare for this new chapter in our lives, we know that whatever challenges we face, we will face them together.
The news of our decision spread throughout Nanda Parbat like wildfire. There were celebrations in the streets, homes were decked with decorations, and the air was filled with an infectious energy. The kingdom felt alive, vibrant, and full of hope, echoing our feelings.
As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, our preparations were well underway. Damian, ever the doting husband, was always by my side, providing comfort and support. We attended meetings together, discussed plans, and spent precious moments cherishing the love we shared.
Amid all the preparations and anticipation, we continued to fulfill our duties as rulers. We ensured the kingdom prospered, and our people were happy. Our guards, Kate and Cassandra, were diligent, performing their duties with utmost dedication. Their loyalty and commitment to Nanda Parbat were truly commendable.
During this time, we also received news of the successful training of our other guards. This brought a sense of relief, knowing that our kingdom was secured and in good hands.
However, life in the palace wasn't just about royal duties and preparations. We also found time for quiet moments, just Damian and I, away from the hustle and bustle of royal life. We spent time in the royal gardens, walked through the corridors of the castle, and watched the sunrise from the highest tower, treasuring our moments together. We spoke of our dreams, our hopes for the future, and the impending arrival of our heir.
“Rachel?”
“Yes, My dear.”
“What are we to name our child?”
“Well, that depends. What do you think will suit a child with my powers and your smarts and skills.”
“Speaking of that, is your father going to come to see the birth of our child?”
"Yes, my father will be coming to see his grandchild," I confirm, a small smile playing on my lips. "The birth of our child is a momentous occasion, and he wouldn't miss it for the world."
Finally, the day arrived. Our child, a healthy, beautiful baby boy was born. As Damian held our son Ryderin his arms for the first time, I saw a joy in his eyes that I had never seen before. Our child was not just the heir to the throne, but a symbol of our love and commitment to each other and Nanda Parbat.
As the day of the birth drew closer, the excitement within the palace walls was palpable. The kingdom eagerly awaited the arrival of the heir to the throne of Nanda Parbat. The anticipation, the joy, and the hope were shared by everyone - from the highest-ranking officials to the humblest of servants.
The entire kingdom celebrated the arrival of the heir. The streets of Nanda Parbat were filled with music, laughter, and cheer. The joyous occasion marked a new chapter in our lives and the history of Nanda Parbat.
Nanda Parbat thrived under our rule and the rule of Ryder. The kingdom continued to prosper, its people were happy, and peace prevailed. And as the story of Nanda Parbat continues, so does our legacy, living on in the hearts of our people, in the tales they tell, and in the love they hold for their kingdom.