Winterfall

With his soothing aura seeping through the bond, my trance finally came as nighttime started to fall. His aura helped ease my mind as I had countless theories involving my parents and Marcel. The theories that I hoped for were not true at all.

He created a familiar dream escape, one where the full moon's light captivates us under a sea of stars, with the ocean crashing against the rocky shoreline in the distance. This beach has held significance to us for all these years. As this spot to which he brings me is the first time we ever said I love you, the first time we ever made love to each other was on this beach. The beach was called South Haven Beach and located just south of the castle, to which the castle had direct access.

There was a plaid blanket lying on the white beach sand, with a picnic basket and another blanket next to it. He was already sitting down, listening to the ocean crash against the shoreline. "Théoden!" I shouted happily as I ran towards him and tackled him.

He brushed the hair out of my face and smiled up at me as I was now on top of him, "Maria." He spoke, kissing my lips firmly. He sat back up pulling me back up with him. I wrapped my legs around his waist and stared into his crystal blue eyes. "What made you upset earlier today?"

I looked away from his eyes and sighed, "a little girl."

He gently used his own hand to make me look up at him, "A little girl made you cry?" He was a bit amused and concerned. I reiterated the conversation I had with Wren and her mother. "So it was your parents' topic that upset you."

"Yes."

"It's okay to be upset about your parents. Their deaths are still a bit of a mystery to all of us. And I know you were close to both of them."

"I know; I just felt a bit embarrassed for crying in front of them."

"There is no shame or embarrassment for having feelings, Maria."

"But I need to be strong for them."

"But you are also just elven; you are allowed to break down every now and then." He spoke as he brushed the side of my cheek and kissed my forehead gently. "Even a Princess is allowed to have moments of weakness."

I rested my head against his hand, "you're right." I said, "you want to know something else?"

"What is that?"

"Wren's mother said I'd be a good mother one day." I told him as I reiterated to him how I handled Wren or at least attempted to handle Wren.

"I agree with her. You would be a good mother."

I looked at him, a bit surprised, "You think so?"

"Yes."

"Do you think we will have children?" I asked him curiously as I thought back to what I told Wren's mother. I had thought about it a little bit but I didn't know if he had.

"Yes, I'd always think we have three little ones."

"Three?" I exclaimed.

He grinned at my expression, "maybe four."

"Four?" I was more shocked than I was on three.

"Yes, four." He repeated, "How many do you see us having?"

"Three." I confirmed, "But if we had more, I definitely wouldn't mind."

He kissed me firmly with his lips, "No matter how many children we have, one thing for sure that I know is that they will be beautiful because you will be their mother." He kissed me again, deepening the kiss with each passing second.

I pulled back briefly. "And they will be strong and brave because you will be their father," I spoke, causing him to pull me back and kissed me.

He eventually pulled away. "I just hope we get there. I just hope we can get to our happily ever after."

"We will,"

"But what if we don't?" he asked. He very seldom spoke of doubt as he tried to keep that side of him away from me, but it sometimes happens during our vulnerable moments like this.

"We will." I repeated and kissed him firmly, "We will get to say I do and have our children. They will run through the castle halls and cause chaos through the staff. They will be leaders one day when that time comes."

"I hope you are right, Mi Amor," he whispered as he tightened his hold around my waist.

"I am," I assured him. At least, I hoped I was right. With Marcel being as strong as he is, I knew the task at hand would be difficult, but I had confidence in myself and Théoden's abilities. We had the resources. We had allies; we just had to use them.

The remainder of the dream was spent in silence as we held each other under the moonlight. We occasionally kissed, but we just sat there, listening to each other's concerns, heartbeats, and the sound of the ocean crashing against the rocks. It was truly peaceful—something we both needed right now, something that was most welcomed.

Before the dream faded, he kissed me again, "Maria," He spoke softly against my ear, "I love you."

"I love you too," I replied, kissing him back in turn.

As the dream came to a close and I woke up after four hours had passed, I stared out the window. The moon was full, as it was around midnight now, and my mind was at ease—at least for the time being. I just hoped that today would be better than yesterday.