The entire kingdom rejoiced the birth of their new princess. All joined to bring their gifts for Mira within a weeks time after birth. The queen sat in her throne next to the king with the little beauty safely secured within her arms. Princess Cassandra had made room in her throne for Navene who kept shaking his head vigorously at her. Cassandra crossed her arms and huffed making her parents smile amused at her antics. The final two seats being held by the prince and his queen. Artemis was given a throne much to her surprise. The king had ordered the seat to match that of his son's. So now she sat here amongst the rest of the royals feeling as if she truly belonged.

All the villagers were lined up with the guards still standing at their posts with watchful eyes. Caspian making sure to remind them of the possible threat against them. They are not the only ones with narrowed eyes. Perched by the royal family is the entire pack of wolves. Vatalanie sitting between her friend and the prince. Between the king and queen, next to his new charge sat a vigilant Goliath. His eyes reading through everyone in the room. Tesara took her place next to the princess's throne next to Navene's legs. Cassandra rubbing the fur upon her head.

"Your majesty, for Princess Mira I have stitched a quilt."

The queen smiles down at the young woman whose head was bowed respectively while holding out the gift. It appeared well stitched and even had 'Mira' stitched in it. A guard stepped forward to take the blanket bringing it to the king. Casden held the fabric looking at the effort the young woman put into before nod at her. The woman bowed once more before walking away.

"We wanted to gift Princess Mira with a hand carved bassinet"

The king looks down to the dark wood that has been carved to rock a small infant. The workmanship was undeniable. This man and his wife had put much time into making it. His heart swells looking at his people who all have seemed to truly care for their newborn. The line easily out of the door. The whole kingdom wanting to help celebrate this joyous occasion. He glances to his wife who can't seem to take her eyes off little Mira.

This went on for some time with no dismay. That is until a familiar man came to the front of the line. His eyes not on the baby nor the king & queen. The man's eyes pointedly on the silver beauty at the end. Artemis instantly freezes upon seeing the man's watchful eyes. He looks like a tree amongst all the people that surround him. His frame large and exuding power. Caspian instantly tenses seeing him staring at his love so intently. All the others notice as well making the guards cautiously step closer while Vatalanie lowers her body to the ground with her ears pulled back as a small growl emits from her throat.

The man continues only looking to her as the king clears his throat at the unknown man. The man tense with his fist at his side and no gift to bare. It does nothing to gain his attention. The queen pulls her baby closer to her chest and glances at Cassandra who also seems to be tense. Analee's eyes then land on Navene who looks like he has seen a ghost. His body visibly shaking with a flushed face.

"Sir, please present your gift"

One guard speaks up near him stepping forward. The man snorts finally glancing to the king as he takes a mocking bow. Casden gripping the edge of his throne to stop from throttling the man. He waits patiently for the unknown man to state his reason for being here. It is clear that he is not here for the birth of Mira.

"King Casden & Queen Analee... Congratulations on your new child."

He glances down at the other end for a second before disgust crosses his face. Artemis instantly stands up from her throne making all look to her. She doesn't move but redirects the man's attention onto her and away from the blonde hair boy. Artemis finally realizing who the man is. Caspian stands up placing his arm in front of her. His mind trying to figure out the correlation.

"You owe me something Artemis, and I'm here to collect that debt."

"What business do you have with my wife?!"

Caspian states loudly as the hall goes quiet. All eyes going between the royals and the tall man. He chuckles lowly looking directly into Artemis' silver eyes. She narrows her eyes at him while Vatalanie gets closer to her protectively.

"A long time ago, she stole away my only son. Now, I am here to reclaim a child."

At this all eyes look down to Navene other than Artemis and the man who continue in their staring contest. Cassandra looking to her friend to see him shaking and practically shrinking back. She stands up abruptly marching forward. Only to be stopped by Tesara standing in front of her from continuing. The king now stands glaring down the man.

"You will never have our child."

At this the man scoffs at the ignorant king. Casden fist his hands in pure outrage for this man's disregard of his words about to cut in when the man clicks his tongue shaking his head.

"I would not want YOUR child..." He then points to Artemis who instinctively places her hand on her stomach. "I want HER child."

"GUARDS!"

Caspian yells and instantly men walk forward pointing their swords to the man. He glances at the sword with absolutely no fear on his face. Artemis is now protectively behind Caspian's shoulder. Only barely seeing the man, she looks down to find Navene on the verge of tears.

Navene he can not hurt you, do not fear

Hearing her voice he straightens up but continues looking to the man he once new. The man doesn't even appear to want him which he is grateful for and also hurt. Artemis steps around Caspian and takes the steps down to the man. Caspian quickly follows behind his very pregnant wife as she continues striding with no fear. All the villagers looking to her as she appears to have fire in her eyes. Her eyes locked with the dark hollow eyes of the man she never knew. She can't see any resemblances between him and her sweet boy.

"You have no rights to the son you were gifted." The man almost steps forward but to swords push to his throat stop him from him continuing while Artemis continues. "And you will NEVER have my son."

The man rips off his cape showing multiple swords hanging from him. He is quick to pull two out, one in each hand as he begins swinging them expertly at the guards. The 6 men attempt to battle him but to no avail. Caspian steps forward ready to protect but the man throws one swift slash before he can. His shoulder and arm coursing with utter pain as he drops his sword to the ground.

Artemis does not have any sort of sword but was ready to battle the man. That is until her dress is pulled back by Vatalanie who refuses her from stepping forward. Turning back, she sees the man has pulled back the sword ready for a blow at her but stops mid swing. Artemis goes wide eyed trying to figure out what just happened. The man begins having blood fall from his mouth as he falls to his knees. It is then revealed a small blonde boy with a trembling sword coated red standing behind him.

Artemis sees Navene's eyes that hold utter disgust and hatred. The feeling rolling off of him. She quickly steps forward to gather him in her arms. The entire crowd has since moved back in the great hall. The king was standing in front of the queen and Mira. While Tesara still was guarding Cassandra. Caspian is holding his bleeding shoulder with stunned eyes at Navene. He was quick and swift and dealt one swift thrust into the man's back upwards penetrating his organs.

Navene's eyes still trained on the fallen man he once called family. He steps away from Artemis walking to stand over the man. His head laying to the side with a pool of blood coating the stones near his stomach. He leans down close to the face to see the man's eyes are still opened.

"You shall never harm again."

He stands up stepping away just as Cassandra lunges herself into Navene who holds her equally tightly. The princess shaking in fear for her friend. She knew who that man was and remembers the story of how he came to Artemis. She could never forget the fear he had in his eyes moment ago or how he overcame that fear to protect his guardian.

Artemis watched for a second before walking over to Caspian. The king told the guards to clear the guest out. Everyone ushered out leaving their gifts at the entrance on the way. No one voicing outrage rather they were understanding of the situation.

Artemis closes her eyes and feels her energy coming to the surface. Caspian closes his eyes listening to her hypnotic singing. Her voice easing all pain until he no longer feels nothing but warmth. Feeling her hands have been withdrawn, he opens his eyes to look down to see his shirt sliced but no longer any damage to his skin. His eyes then train to her who is taking deep breaths as her arm returns back to it's dark inkling. She leans forward gently pressing her lips to him. He grasp her neck urging them to continue. That is until a clearing of a throat interrupts their moment.

King Casden feels his body still tense however the queen stands up beside him with her arms surrounding Mira while they look down to the young couples with unanswered questions. Artemis steps back as Caspian gets to his feet before placing his arm around her waist.

"Who was that man?!"

His voice louder than attended. The queen instantly placing one hand to his chest calming him while the other's flinch back. He exhales deeply before putting his arm around Analee's waist tugging her to his chest.

"My apologies my king, it was-"

"My father"

Navene interrupts Artemis mid sentence. Casden instantly deflates looking to the corpse of the man before to the little lad that has earned a special place in his heart. He motions to the guards to take away his body. The other guards who were struck down regaining consciousness. All clearing the room as the king steps forward before kneeling in front of the young man.

Navene hangs his head low as he feels the tears drop to the stone floor. Not once daring to raise his head. Cassandra steps to his side holding his hand when he feels a strong hand on his shoulder. He squeezes his eyes shut attempting to not crumble.

"That man was not your father Navene"

The kings words soft but hit him hard making him jerk his head up to look at the king. The king squeezes his shoulder before continuing.

"Your only true guardian lies within this room and she-" The king nods over Navene's shoulder making the young man turn around with red rim eyes. "is right there."

Artemis opens her arms as the tears run down her own eyes. The young man rushing forward into the safety her embrace gives. He crumbles holding her tightly as Artemis attempts to not sob. Through teary eyes she nods a thank you to the king. Casden smiles and nods back finally realizing just how much of a savior she is.

You are my protected Navene... I love you dearly

As I love you Artemis... and I always will

They continue hugging each other while Caspian replays the conversation when a revelation occurs. His eyes going wide looking to Artemis.

"Wait did you say son?!?"