A New Rider

"That's a mighty big goddamn tree!" Teddy scratched his dark chin stubble while he looked over the tall pine tree that brushed the roof of the foyer. "You're going to need to cut off a good foot or so though."

Rhett took a few steps back to Teddy and crossed his arms as he proudly took in the tree he picked out. "No way, that things perfect. I told Gretchen I'd get her a tree she wouldn't even believe. Look at it. It's like the king of all the Christmas trees. It took nearly every soldier to drag that thing in here and get it in place."

Teddy looked over to him and raised his brow. "It is a wonderous pretty tree, but just how do you expect to fit the star on the top, young man?"

Rhett pushed out his lips and clicked his tongue a few times as he pointed at the tree. "I...was...not...thinking about that. Maybe we..."

"Mmm-hmm," hummed Teddy. "Amateur mistake. See, what you do when you're dealing with a tree this big, is you cut it to size then put the star on and then lift it in place."

Rhett twisted his lips to the side and nodded as he thought about it. "Yeah. Ok. I see what you're saying, but let me tell you why you're wrong..."

"Would you look at those two? By the time they actually get that thing figured out, it will be Spring again." Gretchen and Hazel sat by the fire watching the men in their lives argue about Christmas tree placement, while the twins, Embrey and Leah, made decorations on the floor. "So how are you feeling, Gretchen?"

Gretchen's drowsy eyes bobbed up and down as she gave in to the warmth of the fireside and the cozy blanket she wrapped herself in. "Great, really, I'm pretty much healed. Just really tired. This little dude's kicking my ass. I can barely even get out of bed anymore."

Hazel flinched as the tree came crashing to the floor, then shook her head as Teddy laughed at Rhett while he cursed and kicked at the tree. "Your father seems to be taking this all very well."

"My dad and his sister moved around so much when they were kids that they're comfortable wherever they go." Gretchen said as she yawned and stretched her arms.

Hazel leaned over to look at the string of beads Leah was putting together, then said, "Yes, they certainly are charming. I heard Rhett say that Tessa and her whole family were coming here to celebrate with us. Jason's too."

Gretchen pushed herself up to her elbow. "All of them? Holy hell." Hazel chuckled and took a drink of wine from her glass. "This is all Damien's doing, you know. He wanted to give you and your father as much of home as he could."

As Gretchen thought back over the two week long sex filled reunion she and Damien have been indulging themselves in, she smiled to herself and took a deep breath through her nose. "Trust me, he's been thanked properly quite a few times."

"Scooch on over darlin'." Teddy slid onto the couch beside Gretchen as she sat up and shifted herself to snuggle against him. As she rested her head against his chest, Teddy kissed her forehead. "You feeling ok, Gretch?"

Gretchen curled her legs underneath her and hummed, "Mmm-hmm."

"What are you making down there children?" Teddy asked as he squnited to see the handmade ornaments the twins were making. Leah held up a long string of beads and pinecones. "Well, that surely is lovely, my dear. And, what about you Master Embrey?" As Embrey held up a star he made out of sticks and twine, Teddy nodded. "Right. Well, that's a good looking star. I believe that should go right up on the top. You should go give that to your Daddy before those fellas put that tree back up."

As the children ran to their father with their crate of decorations, Teddy squeezed Gretchen into his side and said, "Hazel, I hope your family knows how much Gretchen and I appreciate all this. I know your people don't really celebrate such things."

Hazel poured herself another glass of wine and smiled. "We're happy to do it. I don't know why we never have before, most of us have lived on Earth, at least for a little while. It's such a fun tradition."

"Well, Daniel certainly is going all out." Teddy winked at Hazel and she smiled. "It's going to be just beautiful. Any word on that special thing I was trying to get hold of?"

Hazel put her finger to her lips and nodded. Teddy relaxed back into his seat and watched the fire as Gretchen slept against his shoulder. He thought back to last Christmas around the dining room table with all his famiy about him and he sucked back a ragged breath as the pain rose in his throat. Most parents adjusted to the loneliness caused by their children growing up and going off on their own, but the abyss of sadness caused by being seperated from his life's mate was a special kind of torture made worse but not knowing if she was getting along alright without him.

It had been weeks since Haldir left and not even Daniel was able to see all the way to Earth at his leisure. Having Gretchen and Tessa's family near enough to visit everyday was the one thing holding Teddy together.

As the scent of lemon and sage filled her nose, Gretchen sighed and opened her eyes.

"I take it, he's back." Gretchen smiled and nodded as she stretched out her arms. "Well, I'll let you go see about that man of yours. I'm going to go take a walk before dinner." Teddy kissed Gretchen's cheek then pushed himself up and walked through the foyer to the castle doors.As he sauntered along the cobblestone path to the town below, he met Agamori at the Sentry's post.

Teddy nodded his chin then said, "Good evening, sir."

Agamori looked him over then glanced to town. "Where are you off to?"

Teddy crossed his arms and chuckled. "Well, as lovely as this place is, I find myself a bit, well, bored. You see, like my daughter, my wife was a bit of a thriller seeker and I guess I'm just not used to sitting around on my ass all day doing nothing."

Agamori gave a thinned lip smile as an idea came into his mind. "It just so happens, I find myself short a soldier with Eason's recent departure. If you think you could behave yourself and learn to ride a horse a little better, I may have an opportunity for you."

Teddy pulled down his lips as he nodded and considered it. "Huh. Me a soldier."

Agmamori twisted his lips to the side and rolled his eyes. "I take it your better at following orders than Gretchen."

Teddy leaned forward as he laughed aloud. "Oh yes, her mothers been telling me what to do for decades now. I'm quite used to it."

"How are you with a sword?" Teddy turned his head slightly as he sized up Agamori. "I think you'll find I'm adequate enough."

Agamori held out his hand and said, "Well then, Theodore, it seems we have a deal. Welcome to the King's Riders."

Teddy shook Agamori's hand and gave him his devlish smile. "Thank you, sir. Now, I think I'll go see what's shaking in that little town. See you at dinner."

Teddy shoved his hands in the pockets of his wool coat and looked up at the leaves falling from the trees. He closed his eyes and inhaled the brisk scent of autumn leaves. "You sure would love it here, Stella. I miss you, my love. I hope you're doing ok and those boys of mine are taking care of you. I'll see you later in my dreams, I love you."

At dinner, Teddy sat down next to Gretchen and she leaned over to kiss his cheek. Agamori whispered into Daniel's ear and he looked at Teddy then nodded. As Agamori took a seat across from Teddy, Daniel said, "I hear your going to be working for me now Teddy."

Gretchen smiled and looked to her dad. "Really?"

Teddy swallowed his wine and grinned quickly to Gretchen. "Yes, Amagmori here has invited me into the cavalry."

Gretchen put her hand on his arm and said, "Daddy that's fantastic. You'll be great at that."

Teddy curled his lips under under raised his brows quickly. "Yes, I hope that's true."

Daniel clasped his hands together and said, "Although I'm happy to have you in my service, I hope you don't feel like you have to do this. This is your home now, you're under no obligation."

Teddy twisted his lips to the side and shook his head as he waved his hand in front of him. "No, Daniel, you know I'd be proud to serve as a member of your army anyway for all you've done for me and my family, but I'm doing this for me, Gretchen and my grandchild. Tessa and I have a very strong connection and I know what she's seen. I want to do my part."

Daniel raised his glass to Teddy, and Teddy nodded. As Teddy blinked away in deep thought, a smile came to Daniel's lips as a new vision came to his mind. He had been working on a very special gift for Teddy and Gretchen and he just received notice that it had just arrived.