"I'm leaving with the knights," Beaucaire announced over breakfast.
Gorogon nearly choked on his toast. Luvenia had to thump his back before he was able to catch his breath again.
"You mean–" He coughed. Luvenia nudged his water glass into his grasp; he gulped it down in seconds and coughed again. "You mean OUR knights? The ones going to the border of Alatir and Peresse?"
"Exactly. Why is that so surprising?"
"Because," offered Luvenia, passing a napkin to Gorogon, "you're a lover, not a fighter."
It was Beaucaire's turn to choke, though he recovered much more quickly and without Luvenia's help.
"Who said anything about fighting?" He primly dabbed his lips with a napkin. "Your knights are only going as a token of support. I won't be any hindrance to that."
"Isn't our father expecting you to return today?"
"I'll tell him that I wanted to assess the situation at the border for myself."
"He won't like that. He might think you were–"
"Plotting treason?"
"Please, don't even joke about that."
Beaucaire reached across the table toward Luvenia. She met his hand with hers, twining their fingers together.
"I just... want to be free... a little longer." He squeezed her hand. "And, now that I know you're not in danger..."
Gorogon cleared his throat. "I can send a message, from one king to another, saying that I requested for you to accompany our knights—'to ensure that they fully understand and comply with the terms of our agreement'. That ought to satisfy him."
Before Luvenia could voice her thanks, Beaucaire had already laid a hand on Gorogon's arm. "I'm grateful to have such a good friend in Middewold."
Gorogon's ears turned pink. Luvenia smiled as she pulled gently free of Beaucaire's grasp.
"Since the knights aren't leaving until tomorrow, that gives us a little free time today. Why don't we all go horseback riding? It's a mild day, perfect for a ramble."
"Why, Lu, I didn't know you were an equestrienne!"
"Whereas I happen to know you're excellent at it. Some of us pay attention to our spouses."
Gorogon looked moderately aggrieved. "I'm sure you've never mentioned it."
"I certainly haven't." She giggled. "I'm teasing. It was actually Beau who remembered; he used to tell me what a great rider you were."
This time it was Beaucaire's ears that turned pink. "I always enjoyed watching you ride," he muttered. "You were... striking."
"I'd very much enjoy giving you the opportunity to watch me again."
Luvenia beamed at them both. "Excellent! I want to get in as much time on horseback as I can for the time being. If all goes as planned, I won't be able to ride for quite a while."
Beaucaire tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"When I'm..." Luvenia caught Gorogon's look of panic and turned to glare at him. "You mean you haven't told him?!"
Gorogon winced. "Hey, it's a little hard to work... that topic... into casual conversation. You haven't told him, either!"
Beaucaire looked from one to the other in growing confusion. Luvenia tried to maintain her stern look, but she couldn't help smiling.
"I think I'd best give you two some manly man time together so you can discuss this properly. I can go riding another day."
Gorogon gave Luvenia a slightly pleading look. "Are you sure you can't just... tell him yourself?"
"I can barely talk about it with YOU, let alone my older brother. Trust me, it'll be better for everyone this way."
"You're just saying that because you don't want to do it."
Luvenia patted his hand. "You're right. But it has to be done, so you have to do it."
"Does he?" Beaucaire gnawed his lower lip anxiously. "Is the thing we need to talk about really that important?"
"Yes," said Luvenia and Gorogon at the same time.
Beaucaire burst out laughing. "Fine, fine! You'll just have to find some other way to entertain yourself while I steal away your husband."
"I'll manage. Go, be safe, have fun!"
***
A knock at the study door brought Luvenia out of her state of concentration with disorientating speed.
"Enter!"
The visitor entered and executed a crisp bow. "You summoned me, your majesty?"
"Indeed, Sir Weszin." Luvenia set down the ledger she had been annotating. "I've been reviewing the commander's notes on the knights chosen for tomorrow's expedition. Your record is exemplary."
"You're too kind, madam."
"I'm exactly as kind as is appropriate."
"...Yes, madam."
"That was a joke, Sir Weszin."
The young knight blushed. Luvenia liked how easy it was to fluster him. He and Mellie were obviously made for each other.
"I also noticed that you have family in Alatir."
"Yes, madam. My father's sister married a merchant and settled in the capital city."
"Are you in contact with them?"
"We've exchanged letters, madam."
"Good. I'd like to grant special permission for you to visit them."
"...Madam...?"
She suppressed a laugh at his look of surprise.
"And, since you'll be going there anyway, you surely wouldn't mind delivering a letter to someone who lives in the capital, would you?"
Understanding dawned in Weszin's eyes.
"I would be happy to do so, your majesty."
"Perhaps you are aware that one of my maids had served me in Alatir when I was yet a princess."
"Indeed, madam."
"Good." She pulled an envelope from the drawer and slid it across the desk. "This letter is from one of my maids to her beloved."
Weszin picked up the envelope and squinted at the writing upon it.
"Do you read Tirian?"
"Only passably, madam."
"The name on it is 'Theriar', a knight of Alatir. If you consent to deliver this letter, you must place it directly in his hands—whether he is stationed at the border or posted in the capital."
She saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"Would you like to confirm these orders with the king?"
"N-no, your majesty. You have full authority to command me."
"Nevertheless, you must be concerned that a purportedly innocuous letter must be conveyed by such secretive means."
"...I trust that you have your reasons, madam."
"Only the purest of reasons, Sir Weszin." The corner of her mouth quirked up. "Speaking of the purest... did Mellie work up the nerve to ask you to dance last night?"
The knight's ears glowed pink. "She... Yes, she did, your majesty."
"I'm glad. She speaks so highly of you."
"She– Does she really? –madam?"
"Oh, yes. She admires your extraordinary effort and achievement." Luvenia paused and waited until Weszin leaned slightly forward in anticipation. "She also greatly admires your face—especially your eyes."
Fortunately for Weszin's dignity, it was at this moment that the conversation was interrupted by a hubbub in the hallway.
"Where's my wife?" Gorogon burst through the doors and strode over to the desk. "My dear, have you been working alone all this time? Forgive me for deserting you."
"Not at all, darling. I'm indebted to you for being such a welcoming host to my brother."
Luvenia kissed Gorogon on the cheek before drawing his attention to Weszin (who had politely averted his gaze).
"I had just charged Sir Weszin with the letter." She gently emphasized the last two words.
Gorogon's brows rose. "Ah, I see." He turned to the knight with an expression that would have seemed serious to anyone unfamiliar with him. "And were you suspicious of my queen's intentions in this matter?"
"No, sire–!"
"My wife and I are as one in word and deed. To doubt her is to doubt me."
"I understand, sire. I–"
"Her authority is unquestionable. Her word is law. Do you intend to go against her command?"
"Your majesty, I– I would never–"
Luvenia waved Weszin to silence and waggled a finger at Gorogon. "Stop teasing him, darling."
"But it's so much fun!"
"I can't deny that. –Forgive us, Sir Weszin. You're a credit to the royal knightage."
Weszin stared blankly at the royal couple. "Your majesties...?"
He looked taken aback when they both started laughing.
"Never mind, Sir Weszin. Keep that letter safely in your possession until you meet its recipient. You're dismissed."
"Thank you, sire. –Madam."
Luvenia waited until Weszin left, then turned to Gorogon expectantly.
"So? How'd he take the news?"
"...He didn't get angry." Gorogon's expression had gone from gleeful to glum. "But he said he wants to be alone for a while."
She hugged Gorogon's arm. "He's grown accustomed to being alone in his tower. If I know him—and you know I do—he'll come looking for you by teatime."
"Wouldn't he go to you first?"
"If this were about anything else, he might, but... it's about... you... impregnating me." Her voice tapered off into an embarrassed whisper. "He might not be able to look at me for a while."
"I'm sure he..." Gorogon pressed his lips together and glanced away.
Luvenia squeezed his arm gently before disentangling herself.
"Was all that about having 'abandoned' your wife just for show, or do you really want to make it up to me for leaving me with the palsgrave's ledger?"
Gorogon groaned, but the sparkle had come back into his eyes. "I was sincerely hoping you'd have finished those by the time I came back."
"I've been making notes in the margins just to keep track of my own thoughts. Have you seen the latest figures on brocade purchases?"
"If I say no, would you believe me?" He winced as she elbowed him. "Yes, the figures are absurd. Let's go over them together before trying to wring the truth out of the palsgrave."
"Not until after lunch. I refuse to do any more calculations on an empty stomach."
"Thank the gods, a reprieve!"
***
The morning dawned bright as the hand-picked knights and soldiers assembled outside the palace. They wore light leather armor, more ceremonial than effective, and certainly more practical for marching in the summer heat.
"Drink plenty of water, all right? And rest when you need to."
"I will." Beaucaire moved his hand to tousle Luvenia's hair, then changed tack and tickled the back of her neck instead. "You act like I've never been outside before."
Luvenia swatted his hand away with a smirk. "From the way you behave when a bug flies near you, I don't think anybody would believe you'd ever been outside in your life."
"You're just jealous of my quick reflexes."
"Oh, yes, definitely—and of your high-pitched screaming."
Gorogon intervened before the conversation became any sillier. "All set, Beau?"
"Yes, sire. Thank you for your gracious hospitality."
Beaucaire started to kneel, but Gorogon caught him by the wrists and pulled him upright again.
"No need for obeisance between family." Instead, he pulled Beaucaire into a tight hug, then kissed him on the cheek. "Take care of yourself."
Beaucaire's face flushed. "Bye, Goldie," he mumbled.
Luvenia gave him a hug as well. He squeezed her arms as they parted.
"Stay safe, Lu."
"You, too." She blinked away the tears that rose unbidden to her eyes. "Keep your promise."
"Always."
He stepped back and bowed with a grin.
"Farewell, Middewold!"
"Godspeed, Alatir," replied Gorogon with only a hint of a smile.
He issued a few final orders to the captain leading the party, while Luvenia scanned the ranks until she spotted Weszin. The young knight was sidling toward Beaucaire, who had just mounted his horse; she waited until the two of them met and exchanged a few words, then responded to Beaucaire's glance toward her with a nod of confirmation.
There was a bit of the usual pomp associated with military men doing military things, but eventually the knights on their horses and the soldiers on their feet paraded away. Beaucaire, riding among the knights, looked back and waved. Luvenia and Gorogon waved back, then looked at each other and laughed quietly.
"Looks like he got over the awkwardness."
"Yeah, he just needed time." She glanced sidelong at her husband. " 'Goldie', huh?"
"...I have no idea what you're talking about."
"It's such a cute nickname. Beau and Goldie~"
Gorogon suddenly developed a keen interest in his own shoes.