Morana's cries would have woken them, but Yeosang was up first and retrieved her from the cocoon of Mingi wrapping around Seonghwa to take care of her. As the others roused one by one at the pace they needed, they all got a turn at distracting her so the rest could sleep. She had lots to see, wings to feel and voices to get to know. Though there were many people at once, she was pleased with the attention.

Though she needed to be patient to see her father again and listen to the song of his voice. Mingi awoke sooner than him, but he cradled Seonghwa close to watch over his sleep. He didn't move while the others left the cave to find food, conversed with the giants of the mountains if they noticed anything suspicious during the night, and melted some snow to wash their wounds. They even took care of Seonghwa's arm without him waking up. The elf slept a long and deep sleep.

By the time he stirred, everyone else was out and about, though mindful of their noise. He was surprised to find them at ease. San had Morana on his arm, letting her stare at his wings with gigantic eyes while he studied a map together with Yunho. Wooyoung missed Mulberry but conceded that the headstrong gryphon would only bring chaos if he were part of their rescue squad.

Mingi broke out into a grin when he felt Seonghwa stretch in his arms. His body echoed the rough ground and the pain of childbirth, but he could tell he was recovering. Partly thanks to Hongjoong's magic that soothed his pain now that he gathered some strength.

"Good morning," Mingi greeted Seonghwa as the elf marvelled at their cosy atmosphere, at Jongho and Yeosang, trying to make breakfast together even when they knew little about food.

Seonghwa snuggled into Mingi's warmth. Usually, it quickly became unbearable, but today, it was just perfect.

"I can't wait until we are home and I see everyone relax. We should all bathe together and sleep in the conversation pit," he sighed. He desperately needed their glow back.

"The same goes for you, Your Majesty," Hongjoong purred as he crouched next to Seonghwa. He handed him a potion and jerked his head towards the entrance.

"Noon is nigh. Our saviours aren't far. As soon as we are back at the castle, you better sleep plenty."

"Did they already contact us?" Seonghwa asked as he sat up to drink. Hongjoong uncorked the vial for him when Seonghwa was feeble from sleep. He nodded.

"They readied right away and are on their way. We have been getting ruffled birds all morning that conveyed everyone's worry."

Feeling loved, Seonghwa downed the mixture. His hair was a mess, but he had no brush with him, so tying it back had to do. Nevertheless, his husbands stared at him as if he were the most beautiful creature on earth. Seonghwa wanted to mirror those looks, wanted to gift them presents and food and love until they drowned in enjoyment.

Soon, he promised himself. They could allow themselves a brief break to recover.

"We will assure them soon. How is Morana?"

"Hungry. We couldn't convince her to have anything but your milk. San adores her to bits, that hypocrite. Though I feel Jongho might become her favourite. She flails as if she wants to fight when people are hasty around her."

"So much spirit," Seonghwa chuckled. He missed his dear Aodhán, couldn't wait to hold him in his arms again. He prayed the two would get along. Already, they were like sun and moon, down to the smallest details of their personalities.

"Eat first, then she can suck you dry. She sure is lucky Aodhán doesn't need your milk anymore. It would become a war."

"She will have the world at her feet," Seonghwa promised as he accepted the bowl and the water Hongjoong handed to him. Mingi finally got up, ditching his duties as a pillow.

They relished their cosiness for a while. Morana got her meal and drank as if starved, making a mess all around Seonghwa's chest. Everyone chuckled at her in good spirits, and Yeosang handed Seonghwa a wipe to clean up.

"Can't believe her nerve. Bursts in while everyone is in panic and then commands us around," the dryad chuckled as he helped Seonghwa straighten his clothing.

Wooyoung, who was on holding duty, snickered.

"I like her."

"Of course you do," Yeosang huffed. He pressed a hand to Seonghwa's forehead, making sure he developed no fever. Relishing his touch, Seonghwa leaned into him. Yeosang didn't bloom many flowers, too stressed to tend to his appearance, but a few tiny pines sprinkled down his arms. Their scent reminded Seonghwa of home.

Once Yeosang was satisfied that everything was fine, he went back to gathering up their belongings. They waited in the safety of the cave, tending to their injuries and the mounts to be ready. Seonghwa thanked the four of them that were left, grateful for their endurance. Each of them deserved a bath and a lush meal as badly as his husbands.

The sun bathed the fields outside in a glittering ocean of snowy diamonds by the time their saviours emerged from the trees. Seungyoun led them, dressed in warm furs. When he spotted Yeosang at the entrance of their cave, he lifted a relieved arm in greeting.

He brought a troupe of healers and soldiers, enough to ensure that everyone was accounted for and safe. Two carriages rolled along, enough space to fit them all, and then an additional cart for any injured mounts. Seonghwa mentioned their troupe got wiped out, and it was just them, but Seungyoun ensured cosiness. Still, his face fell when he came closer and realised their circumstances. Everyone limped and had to clutch to Jongho as they filtered out of the cave. When Seungyoun spotted the child in Seonghwa's arms, he almost fell out of his saddle.

They gathered on the field and the assembled elves looked glad to have their battered emperor back. And, most importantly, Buddy was with them. He came rushing through the legs of their horses, gleeful to see his people.

"Buddy!" Yunho greeted him, kneeling to hug his enthusiastic dog close. He got licks and kisses all over his face, giggling as he was buried by them. Not done yet, Buddy ran to each of the others as well, similarly excited even when they could only give him tired pats.

With a smile, Seonghwa watched him rush about until the others arrived.

"Your Majesty!" Seungyoun choked out as he hurried to dismount. "I can't fathom what you went through." Agony was written across his face, but Seonghwa soothed him with a smile.

"We made it out and we will heal. Please help the others get comfortable."

Instantly, the head servant complied. They sorted their weapons and bodies into the carriages and carts, got cosy under the blankets Seungyoun brought. The healers provided momentary pain relief until they could look into proper treatment at the castle.

Seonghwa entrusted Hongjoong with Morana as he turned toward the mountains.

"I can't measure my gratitude in words. Without you, we wouldn't have made it. Thank you for sheltering us. If there is any favour, you ask of me in return, I will see to its realisation," he addressed the golems.

A deep hum came from one of them.

"This is our part of the alliance. Rest well, elf of the stars. Visit us some time so we may hear the stories of the far orc lands."

With a grateful smile, Seonghwa bowed his head.

"I will."

He turned to Seungyoun, taking his hand to climb into the carriage with Hongjoong, Mingi and Yeosang. Though the servant's eyes were full of questions and worries, he trusted Seonghwa. He closed the door behind him and let him rest with his husbands who looked after him. Grateful, Seonghwa sank into the cushions, let them cradle his maltreated body.

The ride back to the Moon Castle passed in a rush. Without panic and fear, time treated them kindly. Seonghwa and Yeosang slumbered on each other's shoulders for a while and Morana had another meal shortly before they arrived. Though the servants bustled about in frenzy, Seungyoun kept their arrival modest. He sent the group ahead to recover and took care of the rest.

Seonghwa had never been so elated to see the grand halls of singing quartz. They welcomed him back full of joy, encased him in safety.

Seeing everything for the first time, Morana didn't know where to look. She was struck mute in Mingi's arm, rushed along as they made their way upstairs. Buddy raced ahead, so curious about another new person with them and so happy to prance by their sides. His zeal brought some spirit back to the exhausted drag of their feet.

The healers readied everything in their rooms. Especially now, it was important to have a habitat that soothed them. The group split up in the foyer and Seonghwa smiled at them as each took off with a healer.

"Good work, everyone. Thank you for making it out together," Seonghwa told them. Hongjoong came along with him, Morana in his arms. Though the others looked not ready to part yet, Seonghwa insisted they relaxed their minds in the space created for them. Even Jongho and Yeosang.

Wooyoung wiped stubborn tears from his eyes.

"We'll see you in the morning. Rest lots," Yunho smiled. The others were reassured as they finally allowed themselves to collapse and tend to their injuries. Wooyoung hopped away, supported by the healer who listened to his babbles about everything that happened.

Seonghwa, too, would need to illustrate the incident to the scribes, but there was no hurry. All of that could wait.

Near his room, Seonghwa took Morana from Hongjoong.

"I can come along and watch over her," Hongjoong suggested. Prideful as he was, he disliked having others tend to him when he insisted his magic was enough to take care of everything.

But Seonghwa shook his head.

"Get some rest. I will have the maids help me if it becomes too much."

Compliant with Seonghwa's wishes, Hongjoong took off into his own room. He allowed a royal mage to aid him in recovering his strength and mix the potions he needed.

Seonghwa retreated to his chambers with his own team. The head healer was with him, and she fretted about the unexpectedly premature end of his pregnancy, even if Morana was half demon. Though he didn't let his baby out of his arm, he allowed them to make sure she was healthy and any elven underdevelopment posed no risk. But, as expected, Morana was robust. She inherited that demonic obstinacy.

"Should we inform your father, Your Majesty? He will want to know," the healers asked him while they tended to his arm and fixed his torn insides with their cooling touches.

Seonghwa hummed. He had closed his eyes to the peace.

"Inform him, but ask him to have some patience until we recovered. I will take care of everything, but I need him to wait for me," he pleaded. His father would understand. There was a lot to do.

Once Seonghwa got permission to move around, he washed up with the help of his maids and disentangled the mess of his hair. Dressed in his favourite robe, he sat on his bed with Morana. Familiar scents wafted around him, soothed him in the peace of the castle. Though everyone was eager for answers, they respected his need for privacy. His husbands, too, heeded his wishes.

The only one with a right to see him was Aodhán. He came accompanied by a maid who led him on her hand. He toddled along, wobbly in his step but fine so long as he could hold on to someone. When he saw Seonghwa, he wanted to storm ahead.

"Atha!" He squealed, losing the rest of his message in babbles.

Seonghwa's face bloomed into a smile.

"My dear Aodhán, come here! I missed you so much! Can you say that again?" He grinned as he picked him up, nestled him in his arms to hug him close and kiss his cheeks.

Aodhán gabbled, pushing his hands to Seonghwa's face, but the smile never left. Soon, he turned, so his son could look at the sleeping newborn swaddled in his blankets.

"Look who's here. You have a sister now. She looks different, but she belongs with you," he hummed. Confused, Aodhán stared at her, then he hugged Seonghwa's neck.

Chuckling, Seonghwa laid down to tend to the two, never leaving either out of his sight. Aodhán crawled around and snuggled up to him, healing Seonghwa's soul as he direly needed.