The guardians trailed behind the canoodling couple, staying back a few feet to give them some semblance of privacy for this, their last hour or so together, before Locke had to go aboard the ferry to be transported out on the lake to the "Mariner."  Samson punched Adrian in the arm. "You lucky dog! I've never managed to have to attend a party, especially a big deal like this one."

"I'll be on duty, y'know."

"Sure, but the scenery is likely to be ver-ry, uh...interesting?"

"Yeah, and they'll all likely be flirting with Locke (...and added sotto voce as an afterthought...), like that would do them any good..."

Samson waggled his head back and forth in exaggerated sarcasm. "Oh, poor Locke!"

The two guardians gave each other a quick-take glance and laughed out loud. They quickly sobered up, so as not to disturb their royal charges.

John peeped up through his lashes at Sherlock. "I love you," he whispered so only Locke could hear.

Locke squeezed his prince's fingers. "Love you, too...I'm going to miss you tonight."

"Mm hmm...Going to be a lonely night." Locke dropped John's hand and slipped his arm around the prince's waist and pulled him against his side. They both had come to the realization that this would be the first time that they had been apart for a whole night since...since ever...John wound his arm around Locke's waist. They tugged at each other, causing walking to be a difficult exercise. They slowed to a bare crawl, trying to make themselves believe that slowing down would put off the inevitable.

They wandered in no particular hurry down to the castle's airy well-kept stables. Grooms and stable boys bowed, discreetly scattered, and melted into the shadows when the Prince and his Consort entered their domain. They tried, mostly unsuccessfully, not to stare at Sherlock's outfit. Noticing the stable crew's antics, Locke's lips lifted into a smile as his brows rose. He pulled John closer, his arm still draped around his prince's waist.

In just moments, their favorite mounts pranced into view, saddled and eager to get out of their stalls. Three more horses bounced around behind the royals' horses, just as eager to be ridden as their more pampered cousins. The guardians and a royal-liveried groom stepped around John and Locke and gathered up the reins of their respective mounts. Locke cupped his hands for his prince and threw John into the saddle. He swung onto his own big horse's saddle.

Sherlock, riding his white stallion Yeti, and Prince John, riding his mother's mare Persephone, trotted their mounts slowly to the docks, with their guardians and the royal groom following at a discreet distance. Sherlock reached across and grasped John's hand and held on tight for the short distance from the castle to the lake. Yeti and Persephone, sensitive to their riders' moods, skittered around a little, but were easily contained by these two expert riders. At the foot of the dock, with the grace of someone much-used to the saddle, Locke swung a long leg over his mount's back, slid off Yeti and nuzzled the big horse's neck, murmuring soft assurances to his much-loved steed.

The Prince slid off Persephone's back and gave her neck an affectionate pat, planning a special rubdown and an apple for both horses when he got back to the castle's stables. Turning to face Locke, the prince just stood with his arms at his sides, basking in the sight of his love in all his costumed finery. Locke stood facing the still-surfaced lake. Intuiting the prince's eyes on him, he turned back toward the castle and John.

They remained like statues a moment until Sherlock lifted his arms to John, who ran into Sherlock's embrace. They froze at the foot of the dock and just stood holding each other and gazing deeply into their love's eyes, each with tears shimmering on trembling lashes. Throwing his arms around Sherlock's neck, John pressed himself against Locke's chest. Sherlock enfolded his prince tenderly in his arms, and bending John over backward, kissed him slowly, deeply, fervently and long. The two became breathless and dizzy after a few too-short moments, as Locke lifted his lips. Glancing around them to others on the short pier, Locke realized that they were providing an unexpected show. They both blushed and slightly loosening the hold they had on each other, put a tiny distance between them.

He mumbled softly, "Johnny, I don't want to go."

John whispered, "It's only for tonight. I'm being strong, so you have to, too."

Locke chuckled, "My brave darling." He lifted John's chin, kissed his lips quickly, and turned to stride down the pier to the ferry. Waving at John, he stepped onto the gangplank and disappeared into the bowels of the little boat.

Following Locke onto the small transport, Adrian was trying to overcome his own misgivings. He wasn't all that enthusiastic about cruises, and since he must accompany Locke, he was required to wear a costume. The Lady-in-waiting to whom he was paying court, gave him a wonderful idea. Donning his full dress uniform, including his sword, knee-high boots, and white gloves, he allowed her to paint rounded bright red spots on his cheeks. He mused to himself that it was the most fun he'd ever had playing at toy soldier.

Prince John stayed on the dock, watching first the ferry, and then, since Locke was the last guest to go on board for the voyage, the great ship herself, until the only thing visible were the brightly-hued pennants flying from the very tall masts.

Prince John walked slowly back to the castle leading Persephone and Adrian's horse, with barely enough tug on the reins to keep the horses moving. Samson and the groom, Josiah, rode behind the prince, leading a snorting and prancing Yeti, who was tossing his head and yanking on his reins. Going home without a good run or a long ride just wasn't what he had thought he was getting.

John, having promised the kids a game, tried forcing himself into a better mindset, so he could enjoy his time with them. He had spent many an afternoon alone with them, but for some reason this didn't seem right. The thought of Sherlock's absence kept insinuating itself his consciousness, drawing his attention away from the here and now.

Entering the stables, the three guys were immediately surrounded by capable grooms and eager stable hands who took charge of the animals. Josiah asked John for permission to exercise Yeti and was granted grateful permission. Yeti was elated and jumped into a gallop as soon as they cleared the paddock. John grinned at the horse's antics. He allowed one of the hands to take out Persephone after giving her an affectionate nuzzling.

The animals' happiness had rubbed off onto the prince, and grinning to himself, he ran up the stairs to the nursery to see his babies. He was greeted with a squealing, squirming bundle of joyous toddlers. He sat on the floor and allowed them to climb all over him, rolling around a little to better be able to grab an armful of giggling child.

"What did you decide you want to do?"

With their Papa already on the floor, whatever game previously upon which had been decided was abandoned for an enthusiastic rough and tumble round of "horsey." Samson was recruited to be a horse, and got down on his hands and knees to allow Johonna to climb onto his back. He choked and tossed his head as she acquired a death grip, pulling on his collar. Honny admonished him, "Bad horsey!" Able to breathe finally, he wiggled his torso around, and turning his head, nickered at her.

Locksley hollered, "Let's race!" He dug his heels into his Papa's ribs and urged, "Giddyup!"

Honny already had the lead, since Samson, hearing Locksley's challenge, had taken off at a shambling run on hands and toes toward the open glass doors. Reaching an arm around to prevent Locksley from tumbling off his back, John reared up a little, snorting loudly, and took off after Samson.

Honny was giggling excitedly and urging Samson on, "Good horsey! Good horsey!.." Samson was grinning foolishly at the turnabout in her opinion of his "horseyness." Having easily beaten Prince John out the balcony doors, he was prancing around in a circle while Honny bounced up and down on his back and stroked his hair.

John mumbled, "No fair..."

His "rider" told him, "Papa, horseys don't talk." John snorted and flopped onto his belly, while Samson grinned. Disgusted with his Papa's performance, Locksley generously suggested, "Do you want Papa to be your horsey for a while, Honny?"

Honny, sweet thing that she was, replied, "Sure. I like to ride my Papa." Samson, chortling still, lowered down onto his belly and let her climb off. Locksley strutted over to Samson and sat down onto the middle of his back. He turned a mean smirk on Honny. Samson whinnied and raised himself up as high as he could without toppling Locksley.

Honny dropped herself onto John's back and leaning over his head, whispered, "You're still the best horsey, even if you're a slow runner." Samson snickered again and trotted around the balcony one more time, bouncing Locksley carefully as he moved.

Prince John imitated Samson and bounced Honny gently as he circled around the balcony following Samson. A nanny showed up in the doorway carrying a tray loaded with tea, milk, and sweets. "I believe your horses would like some water and oats. They must be tired after that thrilling race." Both horses nickered and nodded their heads. The children patted their mounts on the ribs and slid carefully off their backs.

"Thank you, Miss Havens," Honny replied. "I know my horsey needs some 'freshment." He runned hard, but losed anyway. Come on, Papa, have some water and oats." She took her father's hand and led him to a big person's chair in the play room.

"You too, Guardian Samson." Locksley took his hand and directed him to a chair next to his Papa. He patted Samson's hand before turning to face the nanny. "Miss Havens, please feed our horseys." His face fell a bit. "I bet Honny and I have to take a nap."

"Not yet, my dears. You may share the sweets with your horses before you must take your naps." The children both applauded joyfully and sat at a tiny table near the gentlemen while Miss Havens poured the children tiny teacups of milk and served them small plates of cakes and candied fruit. The toddlers mimicked their elders, lifting a pinkie and eating daintily for a couple minutes, but finally, enjoying this special treaty, fell to their snack with relish. In ten minutes or so, small eyes were drooping and a yawn or two escaped little lips.

Prince John and Samson leaned back in their chairs and sipped their tea while watching the kids enjoy their sweets. Prince John was so proud of his two darlings. He raised his cup in salute to Samson, smiling softly. Samson poked John's arm and pointed at the babes, who were barely able to hold up their heads.

John jumped up and walked quietly to stand beside his babes's table. Glancing back imploringly at Samson, he nodded his head down to Honny. With a big smile on his face, Samson came over to take Honny into his arms, as the prince picked up his son and held him gently to his chest. Murmuring soft nothings to the two drowsy babies, the two gentlemen carried the little ones to their nap pads, lay them carefully in the center of the tiny beds, and tucked soft blankets up to their chins.

Prince John stood a few minutes gazing at his heirs and reluctantly decided to return to his own apartments. Samson followed, quietly closing the nursery door, and stepped up to stride beside his charge. When they had entered John's rooms, Samson noticed the kind of lost look on John's face.

"Sire, would you like to play cards, or could I read to you?"

The prince gave him a lopsided smile, "Thank you, Samson. I'd like to hear some poetry, if you don't mind." Samson smiled sweetly at his prince, and after a deep bow, went to the bookcase to select a book of poetry that would entertain his prince.