Locum Tenens

~~~ Chapter Notes ~~~

The wedding is about to begin. Read the preceding chapters (in order) before you start this one - to keep from missing out on any of the details that led up to this point. With luck (and maybe a bit of groveling), the admins might be convinced to release new chapters every day or so until this story ends.

~~~ Palace Courtyard ~~~

{"Have you eaten?"}Kira asked me.

{"Is it lunchtime?"}I asked, in reply.

{"Yes, silly. The orphans are heading to our dining room. Go eat with them. We won't see them for a few days and they had fun making daisy chains with you earlier and want to see you again."}

{"Okay. Love you."}

{"I love you too, my handsome husband. What did the great mother say?"}

{"I'll tell you later,"} I said. {"She gave me a little surprise for each of you."}

{"Aww..."}

{"She said it was partial-payment for babysitting,"}I clarified.

{"Babysit... oh... keeping watch over the hatchling? That's kind."}

{"We'll talk more later...,"}I told her.

At lunch, each of the younger orphans came to sit beside me to tell me about how excited they were - which really wasn't hard to tell. It was plainly written on their beaming little faces.

The older ones came and hugged me and congratulated me and gave me their best wishes. Kira had, obviously, already told them that we'd be separated from them for a while.

That meal was one of the sweetest that I remember enjoying. There were enough little faces that I occasionally had to think about a name or two but I knew bits and pieces about each one of them and considered all of them a part of my broader family.

When I thought back to my discussion with Dexter and the All-Father, my introduction to and time spent with the orphans was always a big part of what I considered to be the reason that I had come here. Don't get me wrong, the mind-blowing sex was great too - but kicking a bad guy's ass and protecting these little cuties - what's not to love?

Mila stopped in to help the staff clean up and I tried to pinch her butt but she evaded me with a giggle. I turned my attention back to the orphans and found Nala scowling at me. I grabbed her up and tickled her until she complained that she was going to wet herself.

I tucked her little body into the crook of my arm and held her to my chest. She reached up and brushed her fingers over my cheek.

"Will you be my daddy?" she asked.

I twisted my head away (so that she wouldn't see the small tear that had suddenly sprung up). I brushed my wrist at the corner of my eye and - when I thought I was good to go once more - turned back to look at her again.

"How about this?" I asked her. "I talked to your mother and told her that you and she are important to Kira and me. I can't take you on crazy adventures but I promise that we'll have slumber parties and stuff."

"What's a slumber party?"

"We all get pillows and blankets," I told her. "We'll sleep in front of the fire and... Shit! I need to invent hot cocoa!"

She gave me a strange look.

"We'll camp out around the fireplace and eat tasty snacks and stay up late talking and then all sleep together in a big pile. We'll probably have a pillow fight too."

"Pillow fight?"

"You guys seriously don't swing your pillows around like an ogre's club and beat the shit out of each other?! You haven't lived until you've had a pillow fight!"

"When you and cousin Kira get back, can we have a slumber..."

"Party."

"... a slumber party and a pillow fight?"

"Yes!"

She pulled my face down to hers and gave me a peck on the lips.

"Good," she said.

With that, she squirmed out of my arms and went to tell Alia and Lia that we were having a pillow fight - which, of course, required the five-year-old to regurgitate the description that I had given her. It was mostly accurate. I just shook my head and laughed quietly.

{"Go to Kiro's quarters and get dressed,"}Kira ordered.{"Under no circumstances whatsoever are you to come to our rooms."}

{"Got it, boss,"}I shot back.

{"Boss?"}

{"Nevermind,"}I said.{"It just means that I know you're in charge."}

{"Damned right,"}she replied.

I laughed to myself and headed for Kiro's rooms.

I met a train of servants relocating the orphan's bed-things.

"What's going on?" I asked Kiro.

"Dora and the girls are moving in here tonight so that you guys can have some privacy," he said.

"Take care of her, will you?" I told him.

He laughed and said, "More like the other way around."

"I empathize," I said under my breath.

He looked at me and started laughing. He patted me on the shoulder.

"You poor man..."

Valeri and Monika appeared. They were each wearing dresses that matched the orphans and the rest of my girls. They also had daisy chain crowns.

They handed us our clothes. Valeri handed an extra item - a folded piece of clothing - to Kiro and told him that I would explain what it was.

"That fast?!" I gasped.

She grinned and nodded.

"You're incredible, you know that?" I asked her.

She blushed.

"C'mon, dude," I told Kiro, slipping into his bedroom.

Once the door was closed, I had him set down his stack of clothes. I took the boxers and held them up and explained them - and then stripped to show him what they looked like.

"Amazing...," he said.

We each turned to our piles and started getting dressed.

"They feel even better than they look," he said.

"I told her to make some for you and your dad."

"Dad will love them."

Once we were both in our monkey suits, we checked each other and then stepped out for our formal review. The pair fussed over us a bit and Monika's naughty fingers got my ass twice and my groin once.

"The orphans will give you crowns when you get to the courtyard," Monika said. "Loki, I'll move your clothing from..."

"I already stored them," I told her.

"That also works," she said nodding.

"Mistress Valeri," Kiro said. "I'd like at least two more pairs of the... uh... boxers... when you have time."

"Yes, my prince," she said.

"Make at least three for dad as well," he went on.

"It will be done," she replied, giving him a little curtsy.

Kiro and I headed outside. Just for fun, I walked past our rooms to see if the guards would react. Kiro laughed at me and told me that I was ornery.

We arrived outside to be crowned by the orphans. A few servants had, apparently, been assigned to help the tutors manage the group. I gave the head tutor a wink and she smiled back.

Nala, Alia, and Lia came up and grabbed hands with Kiro and me - forming an impromptu dancing circle. We spun around while the girls giggled and bounced and carried on. Kiro and I were then dismissed after we got hugs from each of them.

We found a spot in the shade to stand and wait. There was a flower archway thingy in the courtyard that kind of seemed like where we'd probably stand to do the vows or whatever.

"You guys use a priest as the officiate or what?" I asked Kiro.

"There is usually a guest of honor who stands in for the All-Father - to oversee the ceremony," he said.

"Your dad?" I guessed.

"I believe he's been replaced by one of greater authority," Kiro replied, smiling.

I was lost. Who was higher than the king? The look on my face must have given it away.

"The great mother asked to serve as your witness," he said.

"That happen often?" I asked.

"Never in my memory," he replied. "You must have impressed her mightily. Her cub sleeps with your daughters and she will serve as witness to your wedding."

"Pretty sure it wasn't anything I did...," I said.

He laughed - and then laughed harder.

"What?" I asked.

"It's just," he said, drying his eyes, "even the few rumors that I've heard... You rescued her pup, offered her sanctuary here..."

"That was your sister..."

"... slept in the dragon's cave as a guest, lets you ride on her back, took you with her to deal with Sven... His son, by the way, has nothing but respect for you. I think he's happier here than he was with his father. Mila says he's sweet on one of the cook's assistants. Speaking of my cousin, how was your night?"

"No comment," I replied.

He laughed harder than ever, jostling me with his shoulder.

I must have been blushing because he looked at my face and laughed louder and longer.

He straightened right up when Dora came walking our way.

"Hen-pecked...," I whispered.

"Hen...?" he asked, before turning to greet the former house-mother.

"You both look handsome...," she said.

Her words were addressed to both of us but her eyes were laser-focused on the prince. She pretended to straighten his collar and snuck a quick kiss.

We both watched her leave and then I pulled my eyes back to his. He cleared his throat nervously.

"I'm happy for both of you," I told him. "I wish I could make her happy but it wasn't meant to be."

"She adores you," he said.

"I can live with that," I told him. "When the time comes, I think she'll make an amazing queen."

"I don't know if Father..."

"Your sister seemed to think you just needed to continue to move calmly, confidently, and carefully."

"She...? Thank you."

"You have MY thanks," I told him. "I honestly worry about where Nella and Monika will fall out in all of this."

"They're both older," he said. "You are a fabulous second-husband. Although I'm not sure Monika ever married..."

"So long as they get along with your sister and I can give them a little personal attention once in a while, I'm delighted with their company," I told him.

"The seamstress?" he asked.

"Married, but Monika - I think - told me that things are strained between them. Valeri seems sweet on me and I adore her for being the first kind face that greeted me when I arrived in your world. As you are aware, I'm a horrible tease and that causes some... consternation... but I'm doing my best not to make her relationship with her husband any more strained than it already is."

Kiro and I stood a little taller as we noticed the king and his guards approaching.

"What did Brant's messenger want?" Kiro asked his father.

"Brant wants you to marry his daughter - to ensure that we don't decide to sweep back through and wipe out his kingdom. He was nervous enough after your sister and her mate destroyed his commanders but he's, apparently, heard about Sven and wants to make sure we remain at peace."

"Are we at peace?" I asked the king, teasing.

He laughed and said, "For now, at least."

"Isn't his daughter like 12?" Kiro asked.

"Not looking to adopt?" his father inquired, winking at me.

"They're barely sufferable when they become of age," Kiro said. He glanced at me and said, "Rilla's different, I'll grant you."

"Kira sees a lot of herself in Rilla, I think," I told him nodding. "I just need them to get along."

Both the king and his son laughed softly at that.

"Dora is... sufferable?" the king asked his son, watching for his reaction.

Kiro watched his father's face in return.

Kiro glanced at me and asked, "What are Dora's strengths - in your opinion?"

I laughed and shook my head.

"I did NOT see that coming," I said.

Both men now watched me.

"As I believe you both know," I told them. "When I found the orphanage, Dora was on her deathbed. The All-Father - in his provision - saw fit to gift me the ability to heal. When I later transferred her illness to a man who had been in good health, he was unable to leave his sickbed and eventually died there... with... a little nudge from me. Dora is not all that old in years. My guess is that she's right behind Kira in age - a few years younger than me. As young as she is, when I found her, she had at least two dozen girls - aged five through fourteen - living together under one roof. She managed their health, their exercise, their diets, and somehow still found food to put on the table. Quite honestly, I don't know how - except by the grace of the All-Father. As you probably know, she has plant magic. She was growing most of their food on the roof of the orphanage."

I was yammering - droning on when they had wanted an executive summary.

I looked at both men.

"She has tremendous organizational skills, a servant's heart, the strength of an ox, the maturity to keep two dozen girls from constantly being at each other's throats..."

"... no small feat," the king agreed.

"As I've already told Kiro, I'm just disappointed that she needs more than I can give her. She and Kira get along well enough but Kira IS queen and - before I met our princess - that probably would have been Dora's place. Dora is quiet, reserved, organized, and steadfast. Kira is a fiery whirlwind. I love Dora dearly but the All-Father gave me a bizarre healing ability that puts me front and center on the enemy. In that regard, Kira gets me. Dora would be waiting at home with dinner ready. Kira will help me destroy a horde of wild beasts and then sit around the campfire with me as we roast the steaks over the flames."

Both nodded but said nothing.

"It's probably not my place," I said to the king, "but I've already told Kiro that I thought Dora would make a hell of a queen..."

Kiro watched his father's face intently. The king looked at him and then looked me in the eyes.

"I value your opinions and I've already told you how refreshing I find your honesty. I am not the All-Father and cannot see the future but I can see the wisdom of your arguments. We shall see where the All-Seeing Father guides us."

Kiro seemed to be happy with that pronouncement. It definitely wasn't the "no" that he'd feared. I was happy for him - and for Dora.

~~~

People started arriving for the ceremony - trying to figure out where they should stand. The seneschal appeared, as if by magic, and - with help from Mila and some others - began to get everybody sorted. I took a cleansing breath.

"Alright, Loki?" Kiro asked, grinning.

"I hate these things...," I told him.

"Marrying princesses?" he teased.

I slugged him in the arm and he laughed.

The crowd looked skyward and there were lots of fearful expressions on their faces as the majestic dragon came in for a landing. She stood behind the little arch thing and peered over the top of it.

{"Did I miss anything?"}she asked.

{"Just me fidgeting,"}I answered.{"Thank you for serving as witness."}

{"I rarely throw my weight around,"}she said.{"I thought I'd remind them how small they are."}

Smoke puffed from her nostrils as she gave a little laugh.

{"Move to the arch. Take Kiro and Daddy with you,"}Kira ordered.

"The princess who thinks she is queen has ordered us to the front...," I told the king and the prince.

Her dad chuckled and motioned for me to lead the way.

The guards hung back but they were still present. If the dragon decided to act, there would be no time for them to intervene - but that would've been futile anyway.

I stood in front of the arch - to the dragon's left. Kiro didn't correct me so I assumed I was in the right spot. Who was I kidding, he probably didn't know either... I looked around to find Mila's eyes. She nodded. I relaxed a little - but not much. There were a lot of people here - and still lots more streaming in through the gate.

Those from the palace stood in orderly rows. A few of those coming from the city spoke to the seneschal and were assigned places among the elite - or whatever they were. The royal servants were there too - even Sven's son. More and more people were pouring through the gate to the palace courtyard.

Trumpets sounded from the walls.

{"What the fuck is that shit?!"}Kira snarled.

I glanced at my soon-to-be father-in-law.

"Your daughter's not happy about the trumpets, apparently," I told him.

He shrugged and said, "Tell her not to stick my head on a pike - it wasn't me and I knew nothing about it."

{"Your father said it wasn't him...,"}I sent back.

{"Fucking Mila...,"}my fiancée fumed.

I looked around to find Mila. She was busy hustling more people into places. I couldn't tell for sure, but it kind of looked like she was grinning from ear to ear.

The sun wasn't too harsh but I was sweating.

I suddenly realize that the weather here was a lot nicer than back... back where I used to live. I couldn't even call it "home" anymore. I'd been here... like two months... and... fuck... I was about to marry a princess!

{"Stand still,"}the dragon teased.

I started to say something snarky but - despite how comfortable our relationship was - every other person in this world treated this massive lady with a LOT of respect. There was probably a reason. Hell. A week before, she'd smashed me into pulp and only this whacko magic that the All-Father had given me allowed me to turn that pool of bloody slime back into this body.

Time seemed to crawl. I watched as more and more people assembled. Most had at least taken a bath but a few looked like I probably had a few weeks ago. One or two of the new arrivals gave me a little wave. I waved back. A grubby little street urchin came over - bringing me a flower with a broken stem. It was a dandelion. They had them here and - like my old world - the things grew wherever they could take root.

The girl looked like she was about eight. I went to one knee as she got close. She held out the flower/weed. I took it. I would've given her a hug but I was worried about lice and I was sure Kira would kill me.

"Thank you for the windmills," the little girl said. "Momma doesn't have to work so hard to get the water now."

"You're welcome, sweetie," I replied.

"You look very handsome," she said.

"Thank you," I told her. "I hope my wife thinks so too."

"Rilla?" she asked.

"I guess I should have said 'my wives'," I answered. "Yes, I hope Rilla thinks I look handsome."

"She fell in love with you the moment she saw you," the girl said.

"I kind of did too," I told her.

The girl's mother yelled for her - the woman's eyes filled with worry that her daughter was standing in the middle of a huge crowd. I smiled and gave the girl's mother a little wave.

"I need to go," the girl said.

"Thank you for the flower," I told her.

"It's just a weed, but I didn't have anything else," she replied.

She raced off to rejoin the crowd of citizens that was continuing to grow larger and larger. The girl's mother grabbed her shoulder and was - no doubt - yelling at her. She looked over at me as I stood. I found a place on my collar for the dandelion and added it to my ensemble. The woman grinned and shook her head as the little girl pointed - obviously telling her mother that I'd said I liked the thing.

I returned to my place. Kiro nudged my arm.

"You make that look so easy," he said.

"I was her, just a few weeks ago," I told him. "No food and no waterskin."

"And yet, here you are now," he said.

"I'm still pinching myself," I replied. "I'm just sure I'll wake up one morning and find that it's all only a dream. You know what? I won't even mind. It's been a helluva ride!"

The trumpets blared again - this time sounding like they were urging people to get the move on if they weren't already in their places.

In my head, Kira grumbled again. I still hadn't heard a peep from Rilla.

The orphans began arriving - escorted by the tutors - who were dressed in matching finery. They passed up through the assembled crowd and spread out along the front. The head lady winked at me and I gave her a smile. As the little girls took their places, they smiled and waved. I waved back to them and returned their happy smiles.

Somewhere, a violin - or something similar - began to play. I looked down the grassy aisle to see Monika standing there. Like the rest of those that Kira had dressed, she had the gorgeous blue gown - and the crown of daisies. She carried a bouquet of wildflowers. I'm not sure I was supposed to but - when she got to me - I hugged her and gave her a quick peck on the lips. She smiled at me and took her place.