Forever

-Graceona's Point of View-

Nicolae looked at me, the look on his face told more than his words ever would, he thought I was crazy with my logic in the eternal calm, his look was the same that Leonard would give when he thought I was unwell. I laughed to myself, the Shepherd brother's so different, however so much alike. "What's so funny, Grace?"

I looked at Nicolae and shook my head. "Nothing, Nicolae. This whole eternal Calm is a laughing issue with me. More like the Eternal Con Job."

I heard as someone cleared their throat behind me, I saw Leonard leaning against the door frame, "Have a nice nap, brother?"

-Leonard's Point of View-

I glared at Nicolae, then looked at Graceona, "I see you dealt with the pain in my side, however, that was unnecessary. Now I must plan an alternate victory since you beheaded the scapegoat."

"Leonard we have an issue with the previous plans." Nicolae cleared his throat, his once joking tone, now serious once more, "The Afflicted Warriors are questioning your mental status as a leader, for your actions earlier, I would say that you sent some fear upon the legendary warriors."

" Oh, good. Warms my heart to hear of this, let me guess: they are chickening out of the training like scared little girls clinging to their mother's skirt. We can't have this, this simply will not do."

" They have asked me to train them instead, I refused of course. This is your problem, not my problem. I want my daughter back and I plan to get what I want, no detours. The Affliction Warriors aren't on my agenda to take care of."

I laughed, "They asked you, to train them? You of all the creatures in Pompetor, they run to you." I noticed Nicolae glare at me as I stopped laughing. "No offense, Nicolae, but how many wars, battles, etc. Have you won, or actually fought? I am the Prince of War for a reason, I am the warrior between the two of us, you are the peace bringer. If you trained them they would fight alright, fight their legendary butts right to the ground." I broke out into laughter again.

Nicolae sighed, "Are you finished?"

I stopped laughing, "Sorry, brother, it's just funny that they would run to you for war-related issues, you of all creatures. Sorry, Nicolae, your number one father of the year. Your parenting skills are superior to mine, but you're not warrior material."

Nicolae sighed, "I'm done here, Christian needs you, Leonard, Kourtney is in my room." I watched as my brother walked past me and I looked at Graceona who said nothing.

I sighed, "You had to kill August, I don't miss him. I have to say that I'm proud of you, but my love, I can fight my enemies."

She looked at me with a sigh, "Not even a thank you Grace, or I love you Graceona."

I looked at her shaking my head, "Thank you, my love, you know I love you, or did you want to hear it from me again?"

She smiled shrugging her shoulders, " I've not heard it from you in a year, you finish the puzzle."

I smiled, walking over to her, "Oh, nice, I get the sass. I missed that spark, my love, that extra fire of encouragement."

She looked at me, wrapping her arms around me, laying her head on my chest. "I know that you love me, you're my rock. You're the reason I fight to protect our family, are you going to make me spill my heart out to you now?"

I placed my hand on her head, " I'm not making you, but it would be nice to hear it from you after a year of not being with you. The Eternal Con Job, seriously my love?"

She looked at me, "Vipir's will make the Calm into a constant war zone, I don't see how the grudge between two nations is going to end just because of some stupid children's storybook fantasy."

I shook my head, "it will make All things new, as they were when your father ruled the lands. Peaceful, no turmoil, no need for rebellion or sorrow. That's what I like to think these harsh times will bring out, plus meeting your parents in person would be interesting." I bit my lower lip, "You are a killjoy just like your father, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

She looked at me, "When did you meet, my parents?"

"Bane and Lupir magic do a lot to the drunken mind. Your mother, hyper little woman. How your father kept it together, but I suppose he loved her for her perky, hyper self. As I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't the vengeful, killjoy, silent woman that makes up Graceona. I would probably feel like I got the short end of the stick, don't change."

Graceona laughed, "My mother told me stories that my father would beg her to stay the same, hyper self he loved about her. And she kept that promise, even to the day she disappeared. My mother and father were inseparable, even in death I don't think it separated them. I believe they found one another again, I hope I get to see them one day."

I kissed her lips, "You will, during the Eternal Con Job," I laughed as she sighed," Your parents are living the Eternal Calm, both alive and well. just trapped in time, waiting for this deluded dream to end. I'm fighting for that. Your parents will be free of their shackles. I choose to win this battle, so I choose to fight harder than I ever fought before, your parent's robbed of their time together. But I will be the one to give it to them when all is said and done. They're going to marry and they will have an eternity to spend time with you and one another."