Third Month of Spring

Third Era, Year 352

One night, after they had begun their march to Ryal once more, Ardan went to speak to Caolan and stopped when he heard raised voices from Caolan's tent. He couldn't make out what was being said, but he recognized both Caolan's and Kian's voices. He realized he couldn't hear clearly, even from beside the tent, because Caolan's tent still held part of the spell Ardan had placed on it back at the beginning of their long journey, the spell to hide the sounds of whatever went on inside – whether a meeting of advisers or an intimate night between lovers. The fact that he could hear anything at all meant that the spell needed to be reinforced. He should do that relatively soon.

As he was considering this, Kian gruffly pushed his way out of the tent and almost collided with Ardan in his rush to leave.

"Were you listening?" Kian demanded.

"I assumed it was a private matter," Ardan replied. He was only mildly offended by the younger man's tone.

Kian ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "He wants to marry me."

Ardan wasn't exactly surprised to hear that. "And I take it you declined him."

"I may love him more than I could love anyone else in this world," Kian declared, "but I'm also not a fool. I know that he needs a legitimate heir to secure the throne, but he wants to change tradition while we change the possession of the country. If he doesn't have a wife to give him a son, there will never be a true line of succession. Why are we bothering to win this war if he just wants to set the country up for conflict after his rule ends?"

Ardan nodded. "Your point is valid, but so is his."

Kian shook his head and sighed, his shoulders sagging. "I just don't see how his plan could work for the future."

"It can't, but I may have an idea." He grasped Kian's arm and turned him back toward the tent, dragging him inside, where they found Caolan aggressively sharpening his sword. When Caolan glanced up with a curious expression, not a hostile one, Ardan spoke, feeling as if he'd had this conversation before.

"I know that the two of you love each other. Everyone with eyes can see that you love each other. And it's a true, deep love. You both deserve happiness. Caolan, you need a wife to give you a son. No other heir will be enough to secure the throne, and to throw away everything we have done, to ignore the sacrifices of your army, is just foolish. But," he added sternly over Caolan's objections, "I also want you to have what I never did. Marry Kian, but also marry a woman. Someone who you already know and who understands. Better yet, marry two women. Four is a better number to work with than three."

Kian and Caolan were staring at each other and Ardan could tell that there was renewed hope in both of them. He smiled.

"I'll let you discuss it. Just let me know who you choose. I'll be curious."

He left them to talk about it, but he already had a feeling he knew who they would choose to be their wives and queens. Now just to make sure they all made it to the throne.

It wasn't that much later when Caolan appeared at Ardan's tent. Ardan put aside the book he'd been reading and motioned Caolan to sit, which he did with a sigh.

"It's settled. We spoke to Dyna and Nydia."

His suspicions confirmed, Ardan smiled. "They agreed?"

Caolan nodded. "They weren't certain they wanted to at first. It seems they have a relationship with each other as Kian and I do. Kian pointed out to them that this would allow them to remain together, as well. They agreed then."

"You don't look very relieved."

Caolan sighed. "I'm honestly concerned. What if I... I mean, I've never wanted to be with a woman, what if I can't..."

Memories came back to him again, of Caol referring to him as his personal aphrodisiac and the way he would bring up the subject when he felt he had been neglecting Aisa, even after she was pregnant. "I need an aphrodisiac tonight. Could you help with that?"

With a sad smile he turned his attention back to Caolan and said, "It would be unwise for Kian to father a child, because it would cloud the line of succession, but there's no reason why he couldn't help if you need him. Unless he's unwilling, of course. Talk to him and find out."

Caolan nodded. "I will, but it seems a strange thing to suggest."

"If you need to, you can send him to me. I can give him some advice about it."

Caolan gave him a wide-eyed look, then shook his head. "I don't need to know."

Just then Kian appeared at the tent flap with a plate of food and a mug. "There you are," he said as he slipped inside.

"Whatever is in that mug had better be for me," Caolan replied.

"I expected it to be ale, but it's apparently water with a bit of ale for flavor." Kian sat down on the ground beside Caolan's chair. "I need it anyway. It's been a wild night."

Caolan snorted. "I didn't force you to find a wife."

"But I did, didn't I?"

"You don't need to have children with them!"

"Which I'm thankful for. I never had much interest in being a father. A doting uncle to my brother's children seemed more appealing, until he was killed. Doting on your children holds even more appeal." Kian took a long drink from his mug, then held it up to Caolan. "I know what you're worried about. We'll sort everything out when we get there," he said calmly as Caolan took the mug and drained it. "I swore to always stand beside you, and I still do. Everything will work out."

Caolan handed the mug back, then dropped his hand to Kian's shoulder. "Thank you."

Ardan watched them with a smile, marveling at how Kian seemed to balance Caolan so completely. He knew Caolan tended to worry, despite the front he put on for the rest of the army, but Kian seemed genuinely positive about everything. He was exactly what Caolan needed.