Here is chapter 3... I might even have the energy and patience to post chapter 4 as well. 🤷‍♀️ Anyways, hope y'all like it! Blessings, A. R. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Smalls stared at the stack of papers suspiciously. He almost expected them to grow before his eyes into hopelessly long to-do lists. He wanted to groan, but knew that it had to be done. As king, it would be his duty to care for everyone, even the most difficult tasks that came his way. Shaking his head, Smalls picked up the nearest report and read its contents. Mostly the inventory of timber, brick, and stone… ideas of new homes, et cetera… he looked at one of the designated pick up locations for wood and paused.      Snoden and Airen Cove- farmhouse, outside First Warren.      Smalls eyes widened. Picket had mentioned the farm just outside the city, and that he found and proposed to Weezie there just the other night. But, timber? There? An idea slowly took root in his mind and the stack of paperwork was all but forgotten. He’d go and help with organizing the wood, and have a talk with the Packslayer.      “Hello, your Highness.” A voice greeted. Smalls smiled and clasped the one-armed buck by his shoulder, greeting him in brotherly fashion. “Hello, Pick. How are you feeling?” The golden-brown buck shrugged and looked back at the dilapidated farmhouse. “Honestly, I have mixed feelings. But I’ll make it.” He seemed more at ease; not carefree, but not tense either. He seemed… calm.      The living legend looked over at the pile of timber that a doe began to sort through quietly. He smiled. “I didn’t expect it to be this much fun.” Smalls raised an eyebrow. “What, the Mending?” Pick smiled. “That, and being engaged. We’ve had fun organizing material. Who would have thought?” But he sobered, looking down at the ground distastefully. “What’s wrong?” Smalls asked. Pick turned slowly and they began to approach the damaged building. Only the deck remained in tact. Everything else looked precarious. Picket reached out his one hand and grasped a hand rail.      “I didn’t think Helmer wouldn’t make it.” He said quietly. Smalls looked into the buck's face and saw tears, and it hurt. “I’m sorry, Pick.” He expressed quietly. He blinked a few times and regained control of his emotions. “Airen seems quieter, and Weezie hasn’t said a thing about it. But I feel like it’s eating me alive! I wanted, hoped… that he would be here too.” Picket turned and looked across the yard towards the fields. They remained mostly undisturbed and the tall grass swayed lazily in the warm sunshine and breeze.      “Pick, if it makes you feel any better, I didn’t really think I’d make it this far.” Smalls began. The warrior turned to the heir of Natalia, giving him a questioning look. “You didn’t think you’d succeed?” Smalls shook his head. “Not that.” He paused. “Well, I never thought that far. I knew that there would be wars, plenty of them. But I never expected, never would have dreamed the way it turned out.”      Picket noticed the look in the prince’s eyes and smiled, a little teasingly. “You mean Heather?” Smalls smiled and nodded, looking across the fields as he leaned on the railing. “Picket, can I ask you something?” The prince asked. Picket looked at him and nodded. “Anything, Smalls.” He smiled, and took a deep breath. “We’ve been through a lot, my brother. We fought together, fought alone, and ultimately, fought till the rising of the Green Ember. During that time, I met a grouchy-" he paused, giving Picket a teasing nudge with his shoulder. Pick smirked. “I mean, gracious buck who seemed determined to learn to fight, along with his lovely sister.” He stopped teasing, looking down at the ground.      “Pick, I… When I left that night, after the council, I didn’t really expect things to go the way they did. I thought everything would go quick, and that I’d be back in time to fight beside you, and to protect Heather. But when… when things fell apart, I…” he stopped, swallowing a few times before continuing. “When things fell apart, I didn’t think I’d see you or Heather again.” Picket looked at the prince, his gaze steady and listening.      “Pick, I know everything seems messy and unsettled, and it will be a while before anything can be done, but… may I have your blessing, to marry your sister?” Smalls asked. Picket slowly began to smile, and it took a minute before he could speak. “Smalls, if you’d asked me at Seven Mounds all that time ago, I probably wouldn’t have known what to say. But you’ve become a brother, and a king to me. And Heather,” Pick smiled, shaking his head.      “I’m honored that you asked me, even when you didn’t have to. Yes; you have my blessing.” Smalls smiled, his heart more at peace. Picket laughed a bit, not as cheerful or lighthearted as before, but a laugh nonetheless. The two brothers in arms embraced, and Pick called out, “Weezie! Come here!” The doe left her work and ran to the porch, eyes wide as she recognized the short, white rabbit. “Your Majesty,” she greeted with a curtsy. Smalls smiled. “Just Smalls.” She smiled back as Picket put his arm around her shoulders.      “You’ll never guess what just happened,” Pick began, looking at her with love and joy. Smalls was glad to see him so happy. “Smalls and Heather are going to get married.” He announced. Weezie's jaw dropped and she covered her mouth, staring first at Smalls, and then at Picket. “You mean your sister is going to become queen?” She asked. Both bucks laughed. “She will!” Pick confirmed, hugging his fiance as she laughed into his shoulder. Smalls looked down, wondering if Heather would react in the same way when he would propose.      Picket and Weezie pulled back and smiled, a little embarrassed, and Weezie looked over at the pile of timber. “Well, I better get back to work.” Smalls smiled. “I’d be glad to help.” Pick raised an eyebrow. “The future king, helping move timber?” Smalls chuckled and clapped him on the back. “How about it, lad?” Picket rolled his eyes. “Oh no, let’s not start that again!” They laughed as they set to work.