Seventy-five years after enlisting in the Anivir Infantry, Terrin Duvall found himself facing the one day in which he’d been dreading from the: start of his military career, retirement. Serving had been something the elf felt was a calling for him since childhood, the majority of his relatives were ex-military, and soon, he’d join the retired leaders in his family. This fact alone filled his heart with pride, there were many who he’d seen go through the process, and he’d attended the celebrations of his own friends, previously; therefore, he was familiar with what would occur, when it would happen, and how he was expected to behave. If he were asked to give an opinion about the most difficult part of preparing for the day’s events, he’d have to say that it was writing the speech which was not required, but customarily delivered by those who were retiring; it had been an emotionally taxing event remembering those he intended to include in thanking for their involvement in his advancements, and he was ecstatic when it had come to a point where he could write its conclusion.  

Wearing his ceremonial dress uniform, each medal freshly polished by his own hands, and his shoes having the highest shine, Corporal Terrin Anthony Duvall had completed what he considered the easiest part of the preparation, getting dressed. Checking his reflection in the floor-length mirror, the elf approved of his appearance, and he put his hat on; one more glance to be sure everything was in proper order, and he left his manually secured high-rise condominium.  

Outside on the street, his dragon was awaiting his departure, and the creature leaned to his side to assist the elf with climbing into the saddle. Generally, Wharton, his muscularly built stallion would be his first choice for transportation, but when it came to getting to an event that had an air nobility and prestige like his retirement banquet, Osyrus would always be his best. The elf connected with his creature, told him where they needed to be, and he held onto the reins as the dragon flew gracefully through the sky; he’d been pleased with the trip when he realized the hat stayed where it had been placed, on his head. He removed some fruit pieces from the breast pocket of his jacket, gave them to the animal, and after a brief “Thank you for the smooth flight”, he went into the banquet hall.  

****************************  

When dragonflight seventeen sixty-four landed at the Afertin International Airport, Corporal Duvall stepped onto the tarmac. He had not been expecting anyone to be there when he’d finally made it home, but when he looked around at the others who were welcomed by their loved ones, he saw that Ryven was standing on the sidewalk awaiting his arrival. He stepped towards his wife, threw open his arms, and he held her for the first time since the day he left all those years before.  

A short time later:  

Their dragon landed in the backyard of the cottage, Terrin assisted his wife with dismounting, and they made their way inside as it began to rain. Stepping into the living room, the corporal had been relieved to know they were alone, and he kissed Ryven, hard. They’d consummated their marriage the night of their wedding, but he’d been waiting seventy-five years to indulge upon her body, again; he could not justify having to wait any longer, as he began to unbutton her blouse.   

*****************************  

Quickly after ravishing his wife, the corporal found his way upstairs to their room, and changed into his pajamas. It may have been two o’clock in the afternoon, but to his sleep deprived mind, it was as late as two in the morning.  

As much as she wanted to join her husband, Ryven knew there were still chores to be done, and the royal one re-dressed herself. When she’d gotten the buckle of her left shoe clasped, there was a knock on the front door.  

“Just a minute!” She shouted, which halted the one who was knocking. Grabbing a brush from a drawer in the kitchen, her hair was straightened up before she reached the door. When she opened it, Kassara and Vyxx were on the other side with smiles across their faces.  

“We would’ve come in quietly, but it was locked,” the sorceress said.  

“Yeah, well, that’s because we never made it to the room, but the coast is clear, y’all can come in now. And, I promise, things won’t always be this way”, she said.  

“Neither of us has a problem with the door being locked, but we should have keys made,” Vyxx commented.  

“Y’all can do that, today while he sleeps, if you want, but I’ve got to get these chores done. It’s my day to clean the kitchen,” Ryven said.  

“We’ll do that, and when we get back, we’ll finish the chores we started earlier,” Kassara said.  

“That sounds great. Just remember, I’ve only got one key, so don’t lose it” the royal one replied.  

Ryven searched around inside of her handbag, retrieved the key, and handed it to Kassara; the two friends left the cottage, and went to the local locksmith. While her roommates were gone, the royal one got to work cleaning the kitchen, and other chores which were her responsibility that day.  

An hour later, Kassara and Vyxx returned with five keys, instead of four, and the sorceress said, “I understand that you wanted four keys, but I got to thinking about it, and decided two spare keys would be a better idea. We can give one to Terrin’s parents, and the other can be left somewhere we all know. That way, if there’s ever a time when we’re all coming in, and no one can find their personal keys, we’ve got backup.”  

“At least there will be enough keys for us, but I was thinking that both of the extras could be given to each of his parents. That way, if his mother isn’t home, his father could let us in,” she said.  

“That sounds like a brilliant idea,” Vyxx said.  

“Not only that, but I’m sure they’d both appreciate having more than one key. Especially when we move to Anivir, but I really hope that the four of us are capable of keeping up with our keys. I’d hate to have to tell Erendriel that her daughter-in-law is not able to hold onto a key,” their royal friend said.  

************************************  

When he awoke, the corporal could smell food having been cooked, lingering in the air, and his stomach began to growl. After changing from the pajamas, he currently wore, the ex-military leader found his way downstairs to the first floor. He could tell the aromas were coming from the kitchen, and allowed his nose to lead the way; passing the female elves sitting in the living room, he did not offer any greetings, but continued on his quest as though no one else was home. At the entryway to the kitchen, Corporal Duvall stopped to inhale the air within, and he began to salivate from the sides of his mouth; he was not aware of the small audience that formed behind his back, and he stepped inside.   

Ryven, Vyxx and Kassara were the ones who’d gathered without being seen by their male roommate, and they were watching the corporal closely. His wife knew from the few times they kept one another’s company overnight, that the corporal would sleep-walk whenever he was making a major transition, but she did not want to wake him. She was also aware of the fact that her husband would never walk by a room full of females without speaking, his mother would’ve put him over her knee if he disrespected anyone, especially the females who currently lived in his home. The royal one waited, with their friends, just outside of the kitchen for the corporal to awaken; she would know he was aware of his surroundings when she heard, “Oh, hell, not again” coming from Terrin’s mouth once the elf was fully awake.  

In order to keep his stress levels down, Ryven said, “Don’t worry, darlin’, there’s only me and the girls here, and they both know about the sleep-walking you do. Neither of them was offended in any way, and you were not disrespectful to anyone. We promise”.  

“Yeah, you’re all right in my book, Corporal Duvall,” the sorceress said.  

“No complaints from me, I promise,” the personal demon said.  

“Okay, alright, thanks to the three of y’all for reassuring me, it helps. I cannot say how long this will go on, but I can’t wait until it stops. I appreciate y’all being supportive” the corporal replied.  

“Anything to make your life easier, my dear. Now, I’ve got a question for you,” his wife said.  

“Ask, and I’ll answer,” Terrin said.  

“Are you hungry?” Ryven inquired.  

“Come to think of it, yes, I am, but how did you know?” The corporal asked.  
“Because you came directly into the kitchen, and you look like you’ve missed a few meals. I can count your ribs,” she teased.  
“No, you cannot. Can you?” He inquired.  
“No, honey, I can’t, I was pulling your leg,” she replied.  
“I don’t know why you insist upon messin’ with me”, he said.  
“To remind you that you are home with your playful wife, to watch you drive yourself nuts wondering if I was only joking, and because I have missed you so much”, the royal one said.  
“I know that you missed me, however, I’m home now, and you don’t have to worry your pretty little head, I’m going to be here for the foreseeable future. Now, how about something to eat? I’m starving,” Terrin said.  
“Yes, I know, now we just have to figure out what we’re going to do with ourselves,” his wife said.  
“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to start that family we talked about before I left,” he said.  
“This sounds like a conversation that would be best discussed without an audience,” Kassara said.  
“Yes, I think you’re right, we can get to work on that project, if you want,” Vyxx offered.  
“Wait, what project are you talking about?” Corporal Duvall inquired.  
“If we tell you that, it’ll ruin the surprise, but don’t worry, everything will be finished, soon,” the sorceress said.  
“Ryven, have you got any idea what they’re talking about?” He asked.  
“Yes, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy”, she replied.  
“I’m not home five minutes, and you’re already keeping secrets?” He said.  
“Okay, wait, that’s not fair. You don’t understand - -”, her words were cut short.  
“I’m just pulling your leg, my dear. You don’t have to tell me anything, I trust you, implicitly” he said.  
“I should certainly hope so,” she replied.  
“I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t think I could trust you. Need I remind you whom was infatuated with the other one, first? Because we both know it was me, baby, and I’m not ashamed to say it. My loving wife, you caught my heart the first day of level one at the Magix Academy, and you’ll always have it,” Corporal Duvall proclaimed.  
“If the truth be told, I’ve loved you from that point of our lives, as well. I have always known that we were meant to be”, Ryven confessed.  
“So, you mean to tell me that all the chasing after you wasn’t necessary?” He asked.  
“Oh, no, it was necessary, but you did not have to worry during that time or any other. At least not when it came to us”, the royal one said.  
“Oh, well, I’m glad you made that clear. It’s not like I worried too much. Can you see? I knew I had you long before you ever knew," he said.  
“Alright, we’ll leave it at that, but just so you know, you are wrong,” Ryven said.  
“Why are we going to leave it there? Why don’t you prove me wrong?” Her husband challenged.  
“Because, you just got home, and I’d rather not get into a pissing match, at this point,” she said.  
“Is there any kind of match you would like to get into? I am retired, I’m a male, and I’m horny, my love,” he informed her.  
“We have the rest of your retirement to work on that family we both want. Don’t you want to experience some of the intellectual things we’ve discussed?” She asked.  
“This late at night, seriously?” He further inquired.  
“No, I’m just pulling your leg, again. We can get into a leg-wrestling match, if you want”, she replied.  
“Let me finish this wonderful rabbit stew, and we can get into any kind of match you want. I’m sorry, I’d take you right now, but I need nourishment in order to endure”, he said with a smirk.  
************************************************
Thirteen months later:  
“All you gotta do is push one more time, mamma, and you can meet your son”, Nevaeh encouraged.  
“Okay, okay, one more time,” Ryven said as she bared down to push the last time, and to bring her first son, Julian, to life. The royal-citizen elf looked just like his mother, except that his eyes were the same color as his father’s, cobalt; his hair was as dark as a new moon in the thirty-day calendar, which was the color of his mother's, and his cheeks were as round as hers. His expressions were mirrored ones he'd inherited from his mother, as well, and he learned to use those to manipulate from the start.  
Erendriel and Nevaeh both went home with the new parents in order to help them establish a routine, they assisted with meal preparations, and allowed the new mother to rest whenever necessary. The royal elf appreciated their help and wanted to do something for them in order to say thank you, and she decided to take everyone to dinner. 
"Ladies, it has been a pleasure to have all of you at the cottage helping out with Julian whenever you saw that your assistance was needed, and over the past few weeks, I have been trying to think of something I could do for the four of you in order to say, 'thank you'. Last night, while talking to Terrin, the ultimate idea ran through my head, and I'd like to treat y'all to a day at the spa, a shopping trip, and a wonderful dinner at "Che Nierre's" restaurant in East Zeerk," she told the group. 
Everyone stopped what they were doing, their jaws were agape, and no one responded to her offer, at first. They were all aware of the type of restaurant she was inviting them to, it was the kind of place that royalty attended, and none of them knew what to say. Then, because she felt uncomfortable, the royal one added, “This is all my treat, I wouldn’t ask you ladies to spend your own money. I mean, asking y’all to pay for this day out would not be my way of showing my appreciation, and it’s my plan to treat each one of you to whatever you want that day.” 
“Well, tell us what day and what time,” Vyxx said. 
“How does this Saturday afternoon sound for everyone?” She asked. 
************************************************
When the day came for Ryven to take them out, they were all dressed in their best, and she smiled to see that her loved ones had come together. She’d prepared Grakko for the trip earlier that morning, the dragon needed to be bathed and fed in order to be their transportation, and she did these things without assistance; since having the baby, there were few things the royal one could do on her own due to all the help she received from her family and friends, and lately, she’d begun to feel dependent upon the four elves who’d lovingly been there for her. She had also decided to let everyone know they could resume their regular daily activities, it would be one of the most difficult things she would have to do, but if they did not leave, she knew their relationships would change in a negative way. She loved each one of them, they were always helpful whenever she needed a hand, but it had gotten to the point where everyone had to part ways. At least the ones who did not live with her, she would always be dependent upon the sorceress and the demon, and there was no reason for two more elves to sacrifice their lives for her. The biggest problem she had with the idea was having enough courage to tell them, she didn’t want hard feelings to develop from the news, and that was the reason she had decided to take them out for the day, to let them know.  
When they had loaded and seated themselves on the dragon’s back, Ryven connected with the creature so that he knew where they would be traveling to, and she held the reins until he’d gained enough altitude that she could let the beast have control. When the exchange between elf and creature had been made, the royal elf was able to join the day’s guests, and they co-mingled with one another. 
After a while of participating in small-talk, she felt it necessary to get everything out on the table before they began their day, and started by saying, “I want y’all to know that I love you each from the bottom of my heart, and I’d do anything for either one of you, no matter what. With that said, all of you have been wonderful help to Terrin and I as we’ve adjusted to a life that includes Julian, however, it has come to that point where we’ve got a schedule down, and with Kassara and Vyxx being there, I believe it’s safe for you girls to go home.” 
“The last thing we want to do is wear out our welcome, and if you think that’s what’s best, we’ll go home, this evening,” Erendriel said. 
“I hope you’re not upset; you know that the both of you are welcome to come by to visit any time you want, but for the most part, we’ve got it,” Ryven said. 
“Oh, Heavens no, child, we are not mad. We’ve known from the beginning that this time would come, and we’ve been prepared for it for a couple of weeks now. Besides, if we stay, you’ll become dependent upon us, and as much as I love you, I cannot stay forever. Desmond would surely end our union if I even made him think such a thing,” her mother-in-law said. 
“Good, I’m so glad to hear that, I was worried for no reason,” the royal one said. 
“Yes, you truly were,” Nevaeh said.
© P. L. Watson-Atwell