Only a couple minutes passed when Davison sucked in a deep gasping breath on his own. John sat back on his heels and watched the wounded guardian breathe. He signaled his Captain of the Guards, who hurried over to hear additional instructions. After listening carefully, he ran to a stand of troops, barked a couple orders, and everybody swung into action.

Moments later a large flat-bedded wagon lined with green grasses was pulled to the clearing where the witch and her helpers lay. As before several soldiers gathered around them and lifted the four as one as lay them carefully in the wagon, and promptly took the shortest route to return to the castle.

It was evident that Geoffrey was completely exhausted. Locke whispered to him from his position behind him, "Geoff, as soon as we get Darwinia into her element, I want you to release her and go take care of yourself. I'll stay until we know that she is okay. Do you hear me?" 

Geoffrey murmured, "Thank you, Sherlock. I do feel wiped out " He lay his head against the witch's shoulder and breathed shallowly for a moment.  "Darwinia wants me to get patched up and then get some rest." He twisted his head around so he could speak to Locke. "I don't see how she can go on, either...She's amazing." Locke thought he detected more than just admiration in Geoffrey's awed tone.

Once the young witch was returned to her rooms and wrapped in her favorite silks and emeralds, Davison improved dramatically. Darwinia was exhausted, so exhausted that when they were able to remove Davison to his own quarters, she collapsed and in soft sobs, asked for Locke to stay and hold her a while. "Sherlock...I need you...please..." Locke never considered leaving her, even before she asked. He lay down on her bed with her, holding her close, running his hand over her swollen belly in soft circles, and kissing her lips gently and sweetly. "Sherlock, I want to talk to you about Geoffrey."

"Of course, Love. How can I help?" He noticed her softened expression when she spoke of Geoffrey, and had his suspicions confirmed. (...More there than grattitude...)

The prince had already taken himself off to speak to his father for a special dispensation for a certain child's father and the two Guardians who had nearly given their lives for the Green Witch. Finding his father in the Counting Room, he knocked politely before entering. "My Father, I have a request, actually three. Do you have a moment to spare for your son, the Regent?"

"Of course, John. I hear you were successful on your quest. How is she..and the bairns?"

"Better than I had feared. Sherlock and I were so scared that we didn't have time to be as terrified as we felt. That, sire, is one of the reasons I seek an interview with you." King Eric nodded and motioned for John to sit across from him. The prince perched on the edge of the chair facing the king and scanned the coins and papers scattered in front of him. He was somewhat interested in the finances of the kingdom, but had too much on his mind to try to get into an in depth learning experience with his father. He waited until his father looked up and acknowledged him.

"Go ahead, son."

"I wanted to keep this on a kingdom's business footing, but I cannot. Papa..."He paused and with glistening eyes, looked his father directly in the eyes. "I haven't been so upset, since the Captain betrayed Locke."

"I know." A quick smile flicked across King Eric's lips.

"We could not have prevailed were it not for four very special people. I want to award and honor these people, sir." King Eric nodded slightly and listened intently.  (...His son had earned a reputation for fairness, mercy, and generosity. He had to admit he was very proud of him. "Someday, I'll tell him."...) 

"The brave and very intelligent child, Petie, guided us in the right direction. His father and mother deserve the boon he pretended to ask for...And our Guardians, Geoffrey and Davison, nearly gave their lives to protect the Princess Darwinia. I will give details in whatever proclamation I am allowed to deliver. "

"Allowed?"

"Yes,sir."

"Son, you are Regent. You may do as you please." The king stood and was moving around the table until he stood next to John's chair. John jumped up and bowed slightly. The king mumbled, "Stop that." Reaching out and drawing his son into his arms, he hugged him to his chest and kissed the top of his head. (..."Looks like now's the time....") "Johnny, I am so proud to call you 'son.'" 

Queen Alicia had stepped into the room and stopped dead at that most-unexpected scene. Watching her husband and her son in such a sweet moment, squeezed her heart, bursting with love for them both. Her overfull heart spilled out as tears. She clasped her hands together over her mouth and stood watching, trying not to be noticed.

Wrapping his arms around his father, John acknowledged, "Thank you, Papa. I...love you." The king's eyes moistened, too. They stood that way a moment, and then broke apart and resumed their roles as King and Regent, the sweet moment to become a cherished memory. After a minute or so, the queen knocked as if she had just arrived.

"May I join you?"

"Certainly, my dear." The King reached out his hand toward her, beckoning her to his side. "Prince Regent John is going to award some boons, I believe." The queen cocked her head at John, waiting for the pronouncements.

"For the child, Petie, I want to bring him into the castle as my page, give him an education, etc, if he so desires. I think he will." With a knowing moue on his lips, the king nodded approval. For his parents, I discovered that Mr. Haroldsson is an accomplished woodworker and his Mrs. is a highly-regarded sempstress. But the lack of customers has impoverished them. I want them to provide them with positions in the castle.

"That is wise, my son. It will not be charity, if they must work."

"Yes, sir."

"For Davison, my Personal Guardian, I want to knight him. That is why I came to you, sire. I could do it, but it would mean so much more to him to have you do it. It would also come with a small estate of his own. I believe he is courting one of Darwinia's Lady's, and this would allow him to offer for her and support her in comfort." (...Both the king and queen were amazed at their son's obvious mature understanding in such matters...He has surely grown up in the last couple years...)

"Sherlock's Guardian, Geoffrey, although wounded severely himself, fought to protect Darwinia, and  Davison, once Davison was down, and then nearly gave up his own life keeping Davison alive, helping Darwinia in her magicks. I watched his interplay with the witch, but Sherlock deduced the truth of it. They are in love with each other."

Eric and Alicia glanced at each other quickly. They knew a little about the Green Witches, and were aware that they rarely chose a mate, but when they did, he was something beyond the normal run of males. The Guardian, Geoffrey, must be very worthy to have earned Darwinia's romantic love. They were aware of her love for the boys, St. John and Sherlock, but this is something entirely new.

John continued, "I want to knight Geoffrey, and provide him with an estate worthy of the name. After the babes have arrived, Geoffrey and Darwinia can move to the estate and be their own persons, without being enslaved to Sherlock and myself for the rest of their lives." He paused a moment, thinking about telling the rest of the witch's tale. He decided that his parents needed to know why it was so difficult for Locke and himself to allow her to be their surrogate.

"I know that you know some of the lore surrounding the Green Witches, but Sherlock discovered a disturbing truth when we were considering having our babies. Darwinia, once having given birth, cannot conceive again. She sacrificed her own children to do this for us. I will not deprive her of her choice of a life mate." He stopped, and taking a deep breath, watched for his parents' reaction to all he had said.

Queen Alicia grabbed her son into a warm hug. "My wise and beautiful son. How I love you, darling."

"I love you, too, Maman." She looked over his head at Eric who shrugged and cocked his head.

"Baby...I did not know that you and Sherlock have been living under this shadow, or I would have said something sooner. Darwinia came to us before she agreed to be your surrogate. Being one of the youngest witches, she was expected to have children to carry on their race. Once I discovered what you were doing, I petitioned the Witches Council. With their approval and assistance, they altered her body. She can have children of her own, but any future children will be Green Witches." St John's mouth dropped open. "Sweetheart, she doesn't even know this herself. She still thinks that your babies are her only offspring."

Prince John realized that her sacrifice was all the more amazing because it was "real." His princess witch was a truly wonderful person. His mother was still talking and he forced his attention back to her comments.

"It is rare that a witch births a boy child, but if she does, he will be the true child of her husband and herself.  If the child wishes, there is an arrangement with the White Warlocks to have him trained and raised as one of their own. I believe, the only fly in the ointment here is if Geoffrey objects to his children becoming witches."

John was in shock for a couple moments. "I think I need to talk to Darwinia and Sherlock, and perhaps Geoffrey. I don't believe that it will effect what I do to honor everyone, but it will definitely effect the future for my Princess and Geoffrey. Will you excuse me, Father? Mother?"

"Certainly, sweetheart," his mother replied. He bowed his way out of the room, and as he hit the hallway, took off at as close to a run as he could without actually doing so. He expected to find at least the witch and Locke in Darwinia's apartment, so that is where he headed.

He slammed into the room and found Locke still comforting Darwinia on her bed. Locke lay a finger across his lips and indicated that the sweet witch was sleeping. He slid as carefully as he could off the opposite side of the bed to keep from waking her. As soon as he was clear of the bed, he hurried to John's side and kissed him breathless. "You are wonderful, Johnny. I've never been so proud as I was of you this day." He held him close and lay his head on Johnny's soft curls.

John slipped his arms around Locke and murmured a sincere "Thank you." He leaned back and grabbing Locke's hand, led him out onto Darwinia's terrace. "C'mon. Have something important to tell you...We'll have to talk to Winnie and Geoff later, too." Locke nodded knowingly, figuring that John had determined that there was a loving connection between his Personal Guardian and the pretty witch.

John explained what his mother had told him. Locke listened attentively and began to formulate how to present this information to the new couple. They decided to wait until the morning of the next day at least. Darwinia and Geoffrey would need a minimum of that one night to recover their physical strength.

They toddled off to their own room and lay down to squeeze in a few hours sleep for themselves.  Morning came so slowly. John was having near palpitations wanting to talk to his witch.  Locke wanted to catch up with Geoffrey. Waiting was so difficult. Among other things, the next open court day was coming too soon, and John needed to be sure of what he could really do for all the people for whom he had plans. They awoke a little late and groggily started a very busy day.