Grim

  Miki steps up next. "Warrior Nairn." She announces and the procedure is repeated until the entire Elite Guard, King and Queen’s is done, all save one.

  “Captain Alger.” Miki announces and Grim’s Captain walks forward to accept the new symbol of the King of Luda.

  "Captain Alger, you are the Captain of the King’s Elite Guard, you have shown bravery, honor, and loyalty to your King that is unrivaled, and I am honored to call you my friend.” Grim nods to him, showing all, his respect for this man. "As such you have the honor of wearing the new symbol of the King of Luda." Reaching out Grim removes Alger’s old medallion replacing it with the new one. “Thank you my friend.”

  “Yes Alger, thank you for protecting the male I love.” Lisa says quietly, for his ears alone. With a nod to the Queen, he looks to Miki and leans down.

  “I still think you’re pretty.” Miki tells him, loud enough for all to hear before kissing his cheek. This time the chuckles don’t embarrass him, he considers it a great gift and takes the liberty of replying.

  “Thank you Princess Miki.” Winking at her he stands to place his arm across his chest and giving a deep bow pledges.

  "My life for any of yours.”

  The hall erupts as the King pulls his Queen into his arms and kisses her for all to see.

  It is an entirely different feeling the next morning in the hall, as Captain Veron and his contingency approach King Grim and the female standing behind him, her head bowed.

  “King Grim, I am here to escort you, the Earth female, and her two offspring to Tornian, for the Joining Ceremony.” The rumble of displeasure that fills the hall has Veron’s hand moving to his sword.

  “I have received the Emperor’s orders Captain Veron, as we speak the things my females requires are enroute to the Raptor.” Grim knows Lisa didn't want to be separated from the girls but they couldn’t trust that they wouldn’t give them away. The entire Queen’s Guard is with them. “We will join them on the Raptor and proceed to Tornian.” Grim turns to Lisa, only to be stopped, when a yellow male steps in front of Veron.

  “That is not what the Assembly ordered King Grim.” The male informs him in a smug voice. “The female and her offspring are to travel on the Searcher. You may either accompany them or follow on the Raptor.”

  “That is not…” Grim starts, only to be cut off by a high pitched, plaintive wail.

  “Nnnnooooo….” Lisa screeches, causing ever male in the room to flinch. “I won’t go on that ship! I won’t!” She starts to sob, great gulping sobs, her eyes filling.

  “You will be safe…” Veron glares at the other male, who is trying to be heard over the sobs, but they only grow.

  “Nnnnooooo….” Lisa drops to her knees. “It’s not safe there…I was attacked there…attacked in a secured room…I’ll be attacked again…I will die if I get back on that ship…” Wailing even louder she turns away, but not before she sees Alger gripping his sword, extremely pale. Giving him a wink, she covers her face with her hands and sobs.

  Shocked, Alger has to call on all his warrior control not to laugh at the performance his Queen is giving. For that’s exactly what it is, a performance. She is perfectly imitating a Tornian female. Looking to the other warriors of the King’s Elite Guard he sees they are just as concerned as he was moments before, catching first one eye then another he subtly orders them to remain where they stand.

  “I…” Veron looks at Lisa, totally lost as to what to do. This is not the same female he encountered before.

  “See what you have done!” Grim glares at the yellow male. “You have upset her! Do you know how long it took to convince her to go and now…she will not stop until she gets her way…she will become ill and the Joining Ceremony will be delayed even longer.”

  “She will calm if she is on the Raptor?” Veron looks at her questioningly.

  “It is what I prepared her for, what she expects, you know how females are. You can’t surprise them and expect them to cope.”

  “The Assembly has demanded assurances that she is enroute.” Grim growls at the yellow male, obviously not happy, but finally nods.

  “You may travel with us on the Raptor." He points to Veron. "Only you, you will verify for the Emperor and the Assembly that not only has she boarded the Raptor but so have her female offspring and that we are enroute to Tornian.”

  “I will need to notify the Emperor of this change.” Veron says nodding his agreement.

  “Then do it! Last time she was this agitated she secluded herself for a week!”

  “A week!” Veron can’t hide his shock.

  “You have no idea what it is like to have an Earth female.” Grim tells him in his gruffest voice. “They can be most…irritating.”

  Lisa barley stops herself from standing up and slugging Grim. Irritating…she’d show him irritating…

  “I will notify him once we are on the Raptor. I’m sure he will understand after joining with one himself.”

  “Captain Alger…” Peaking over her shoulder, Lisa sees the yellow male at Veron's side speaking again. “This is not what the Assembly ordered.”

  “I don’t take my orders from the Assembly, Kiril. The Emperor ordered me to get this female to Tornian, unharmed, in any way I see fit.”

  “We have a healer. She can be relaxed so that she doesn’t even know where she is.” Kiril offers. Lisa’s wails almost shatter the windows.

  “No!” Veron finally has to cover his ears. “King Grim, let us get the female on the Raptor so she can calm.” With a vicious nod, Grim turns and scoops her up into his arms. Her wailing doesn’t reduce until he presses her face into his shoulder, much to the relief of all.

  Lisa is no longer sure she’s faking that she'll make herself sick. The incessant wailing, coupled with the bumpy shuttle ride, has upset her stomach, giving her a pounding headache. Who would have thought being such a wimpy female could be so tiring.

  “Grim.” She whispers in his ear. “How much longer?”

  Grim glances down sharply at her, she’s been magnificent, acting the part of the weak, frail female but now he sees her skin is truly pale and her eyes are beginning to bruise.

  “Alger!” Turning his head, he shouts.

  “Yes my King.” Alger immediately leaves his seat at the King’s summons.

  “Have Hadar sent to our Chamber.” Alger looks from him, to the Queen in his arms, nodding.

  “It will be done.”

  “Who is Hadar?” Kiril demands.

  “He is my Healer." Grim informs him impatiently. "She demanded he be brought along to tend to her.”

  “There is one on the Searcher.” Lisa’s wails build again.

  “Silence!” Grim orders the male, pulling her closer. “She will have what she wants or you will explain to the Assembly why she is unable to attend the Ceremony.” When the male pales, Grim knows he will back off.

  “Just a little longer my love.” Grim promises in her hair.

  Once on board the Raptor, Grim immediately carries Lisa to their rooms, laying her down carefully on their bed. Seeing her look behind him, he turns to find Veron and Kiril have followed.

  "Get out!" He roars at them. His Lisa is ill and he won't tolerate them looking at her. The males immediately retreat to the corridor.

  "Hadar is on his way my Lisa." He whispers, his eyes full of worry.

  "I'll be fine." She gives him a weak smile. "Go, the sooner it's done the sooner you can come back to me." Nodding he goes to deal with Veron and Kiril.

  "The young females are next door" He gestures to the door with two Guards posted. "You may check them then you will leave.” Grim orders looking to Kiril.

  “I must stay also!” Kiril demands.

  “You will not remain on my ship!" Grim growls, taking a threatening step towards the yellow male. "You have upset my female.”

  "Do as he says Kiril." Veron orders realizing Grim is truly upset. "Verify that the young ones are next door. I will stay here, making sure the female doesn
't leave. Return to the Unical and personally seal the hatch. Remain there until we depart, verifying that no one was removed. Once you are on the Searcher contact me and I will verify that the females are still on board."

  “This is not what the Assembly ordered.” Kiril argues, upset that he will not be traveling with the females, he'd been ordered to separate them from Grim.

  “It is what they are getting.” Veron tells him. “You report to the Assembly not me. The Emperor will be satisfied as long as the female arrives unharmed.”

  Veron watches Kiril scurry off, like the little rodent he is. Turning to speak to Grim finds he's alone in the corridor. Frowning, Veron looks to the closed doors, this female…she is not as she was…is Grim sure, he wants to keep her?

  “Out of my way!” Veron is shocked when a wirily green male shoves him aside, buzzing the King’s Chambers. After a few seconds, the door opens to a very pale Grim.

  “She’s in the resting chamber Harder. Help her.” Nodding the male hurries past.

  “Grim.” Veron tries to stop him but finds he’s alone again.

  “I will be fine.” Lisa tries to reassure both males at her side. “That thing about your females crying until they make themselves sick…apparently it’s true. I've never done it before but then I put on one hell of a show.”

  “That you did my Lisa. My ears are still ringing.” Grim tells her.

  “You're lucky that’s all that’s ringing, especially after that ‘they can be irritating’ comment. I’ll show your ‘irritating’." She smiles at him.

  “My Goddess Lisa, you are a blessing.” He leans down kissing her forehead.

  “Would you check on the girls for me?” Lisa asks, her eyes pleading. “I know their safe but they’re going to wonder, especially with the engines warming up like they are.”

  “I will see to them. Hadar…” Grim looks to the Healer making sure he understands.

  “I will stay with the Queen until you return sire.” After one more quick kiss, Grim nods to Hadar and leaves.

  Grim is no more out the door before Lisa is up and running to the cleansing room, barely making the stool before everything in her stomach coming up.

  “My Queen!” Immediately Hadar is at her side, pulling her hair back. “What can I do?”

  “Wash cloth. Wet.” She mutters, when she can finally speak.” Quickly doing as she asks, he hands her the cloth, watching closely as she first wipes her face then mouth. When she tries to stand, he is there to support her.

  “Bed.” Once she comfortable he pulls out his scanner.

  “Is it...” Hadar asks holding up the scanner and Lisa nods her permission for him to scan her. It’s only when she opens her eyes, several minutes later, that she realizes he is still scanning her stomach.

  “What are you doing?”

  “The scan…” His eyes stay glued to the screen.

  “What about it? Is there something wrong with my baby?” When he doesn’t answer, she grabs his shirt. “Hadar!” She demands.

  “It is female.” His eyes fill with tears as he looks at her. "You are carrying the King’s female.”

  “You’re sure?” Lisa grabs the scanner from his hand, trying to understand what she’s seeing.

  “Very. There is no little…” He wiggles his smallest finger.

  “A girl.” She whispers.

  “Female.” Hadar corrects. “Is this why you became sick? Does carrying a female make you ill?”

  “No. It can happen with either. I think I got sick because...one, the recent stress...two, sobbing and wailing can really upset the stomach...and three the bumpy shuttle ride. All those things combined made me sick.”

  “The King will not be happy…that you were sick.” Hadar informs her.

  “Don’t tell him.” She says closing her eyes.

  “I cannot…”

  “Hadar, I know your only concern is for me and Grim but there is more at stake here than just us." She looks at him with serious eyes. "Is the baby at risk?”

  “I wouldn’t…”

  “Do any of your readings indicate she is stressed?” Lisa demands.

  “No my Queen.”

  “Then I need you to trust me Hadar, what happens in the next four days could change the universe. Change the world this baby is born into, but for her, right now, waiting will do her no harm.”

  “I will scan you daily.” He demands.

  “Agreed.”

  “And you will rest.” He orders.

  “I will do my best Hadar.” He opens his mouth to speak but she stops him. “Just think of the power you will have once Grim finds out…You’ll only have to suggest something and he’ll probably listen…revenge can be very sweet Hadar.”

  “Yes...” His smile has her worried.

  Veron stands in Grim’s ready room waiting for him to speak. In the last few hours he’s contacted the Emperor, informing him of the change in plans, through the 'official' channels so that all listening would believe it was a last minute decision, his. He'd also been able to speak with Alger about the time proceeding King Rask's death and while the Captain told him what he knew, he'd been curt, seeming upset by female's reaction in the Great Hall, which greatly surprised him since Alger would not interact with her.

  Grim looks at Wray's Captain, a trusted friend of both males, but right now he isn't happy with him. His Lisa has suffered because of him, because of the plot he'd come up with.

  "There was no reason for it to go on so long Captain." The use of his title tells Veron Grim's seriously upset with him, again he is surprised. He knew Grim had always wanted offspring but to have to deal with a female like that...

  "Kiril needed to be convinced this was a last minute decision Majesty. Mine. So he can convince those in the Assembly."

  "She became ill." Grim growls at him.

  "I am sorry sire." Veron picks his next words carefully. "She is more...fragile...then I expected after our previous meeting."

  "Fragile?" Grim's lips quirk at the word.

  "Yes sire, had I realized, I would have suggested different measures taken." Grim stares at Veron for a moment than stands.

  "Follow me." He orders then walks out of the room, knowing Veron will. In the corridors, warriors nod to Grim and glare at Veron. Realizing they are heading to the exercise room Veron wonders why then frowns when he hears laughter, female laughter. Grim enters the room but Veron freezes in the doorway, stunned at what he’s seeing.

  The female Lisa and her two offspring are twisted together on the exercise mats, apparently playing some type of game that has them laughing uncontrollably. Six males stand around the room watching in amusement.

  "What are you doing now?" Grim asks, walking over to them.

  "Well it's supposed to be a game called Twister." Lisa says falling on her butt laughing. Flinging her hair out of her face, she tries to untangle her legs from the girls. "But it's a little hard to play with no dots and no spinner so it just kind of became a free for all." Smiling at Grim she holds out her hands, taking them, he pulls her into his arms, kissing her smiling lips.

  Veron can't keep the shock off his face, this is not the same wailing, sobbing female Grim carried onto the Raptor. This one is radiant...she is...what is it she and Grim are doing?

  "It's called kissing." Veron turns his head sharply to find a male, obviously a guard, speaking to him.

  "Kissing..." His eyes involuntarily return to the couple that has now separated.

  "Yes, they do it quite often, seeming to derive great pleasure from it."

  Grim looks down at Lisa, glad to see that not only has her color returned but so has her happiness. Looking to the door, he sees Veron standing next to Agee, a stunned look on his face.

  "Veron." He summons and Veron slowly walks towards them.

  "Lisa this is Veron, you've met before but not been introduced. He serves Wray as a Captain and is a trusted friend."

  "Hello Captain." Lisa responds coolly, causing Grim to look at her sharply. He sud
denly realizes his Lisa has not forgiven Veron for refusing to return to Earth, for telling her she’d forget her offspring. It will take time for her to trust him as Grim does but he is confident that in time she will.

  “And these are our daughters.” Grim uses the Earth word he’s found he likes. “Carly and Miki.” He puts a hand on each of their shoulder indicating which is which for Veron.

  “Hi!” They chorus before looking up at Grim adoringly.

  “Can we go play on that bouncy thing? Mommy said we had to ask you. So can we?” Miki’s eyes plead with him.

  Grim looks to the piece of equipment they are talking about, it is a stretched piece of material that is very elastic. Warriors train on it to learn how to control their balance. It can be difficult to master.

  “You may try, one at a time, if Kirk tells you to stop you will.” Grim stares down firmly at his daughters.

  “Yes Grim!” They are off and Veron watches in amazement as all six guards frantically run to keep up with them.

  “They will be alright?” Lisa’s concerned eyes follow them.

  “Yes, they don’t weigh enough for the trampo to become dangerous.” Nodding Lisa turns her attention back to Veron.

  Veron, following the entire conversation, is completely at a loss. The females are interacting with Grim. They are…he isn’t sure what they are…baffling…unique…wanted…he is amazed to discover he wants one…he who has never wanted offspring finds that he does, if they are like these.

  Grim watches Veron’s eyes follow his daughters and understands what the other male is thinking and feeling. Tornian males don’t have this kind of contact with their offspring, especially female offspring.

  “Veron…” Grim draws his attention from the girls.

  “They are so different…” He trails off.

  “Yes. So is their mother, my Queen.” Veron looks to Lisa, finding her regard even cooler than before. “Lisa.” Grim prompts.

  “Don’t Grim.” She gives him an angry look. “He would have left them unprotected. He thought I would forget them!” Lisa’s voice rises before she forces herself to lower it so the girls won’t hear. “Nothing could ever make me forget my children Captain Veron.” The softness of her voice in no way has Veron doubting her rage. This is the female that stood up to him, Luuken and Grim. “And when Grim and I have offspring a male child will be just as loved, just as important as a female.”