I admit that I feel like this chapter is a little frazzled, but I'll blame that on how my evening played out. Anyways, hope y'all like it and appreciate any feedback! (And I'm off to bed- 👋) Blessings, A. R. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Smalls returned to those reports with renewed vigor that surprised even him. He worked at them for a good two hours before glancing out the window to see the time, his eyes only seeing black. He sighed, leaning back into his seat, feeling like he’d accomplished something today. He closed his eyes and imagined a beautiful meadow in the dawning glory of autumn; golds, browns, reds and yellows coloring the canvas… and Heather.      “Hey,” a soft voice greeted. Smalls opened his eyes and smiled, seeing who it was. She appeared quietly and looked radiant, like an angel. And she was; to him, anyways. Heather carried a bowl of soup and a mug of tea, smiling wearily at him. “Mind if I have dinner here with you?” Smalls smiled and stood up, pulling back a chair next to him. “I don’t mind at all. Here,” he said, motioning her to sit down. She entered the room and set her food down before sitting. When she did, she slouched in her chair and sighed, looking tired but content.      “How was your day?” Smalls asked as he returned to his own seat, cleaning up some of the scraps of paper he had been looking through. Heather smiled. “It was good. A little tiring, but I’ll manage. How was your day?” He smiled. “It was good as well.” He was going to elaborate on his day, visiting with Picket and Wilfred, but he didn’t want to give anything away. Not yet anyway.      Heather began to eat her soup, talking between bites, about the amazing results in the hospitals. “TrueBlue is the talk of the town, it seems. All the bucks are teasing each other about who will have the first dose,” Heather explained, chuckling softly as she remembered the predicament the soldiers found themselves in. Smalls smiled, nodding in agreement. “I can only imagine… It will help in so many ways.” Heather nodded. “Yes, it will.”      Smalls looked into her silver eyes, his heart beginning to race. She would indeed become an amazing queen. A skilled writer, healer, and friend. She would outshine many queens from before, he thought proudly. But he sobered. He still had to actually propose to her, and she’d have to say yes. Not to mention he still wanted to speak with Jacks. He looked down at the empty place on the table in front of him, trying to think of something to say and fill the slowly dragging silence.      “Have you been able to do any writing or storytelling?” He asked. He didn’t know why he asked that question specifically but at least it was something. Heather smiled. “A little bit, but not much. Once most of the bucks have been released from the hospitals and things begin to reshape, maybe I’ll spend more time on those things.” Smalls grasped her hand gently, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “Heather, what would you want to do now, for a  break?” She gave him a confused look.      “I mean, if you were to have a day off, what would you want to do?” Heather scrunched her eyebrows, thinking. “To be honest, I haven’t really even thought of that. But I’d love to take a walk somewhere, see the beautiful scenery in the forest, like a meadow or something. And just relax.” She explained, her eyes dancing as she thought of the imaginary haven. Smalls smiled. “Then we'll do that. Once things have settled down, let’s go somewhere for the day, and get away from the chaos for a bit.”      Heather smiled. “I’d like that! I’ll look forward to it!” Smalls smiled, mentally cheering at the score. At least I have an idea of where I can propose, he thought to himself. “Will you be turning in for the night right away?” He asked. Heather smiled. “I was thinking of going for a quick walk,” she admitted. Her dinner had long been devoured and the mug of tea empty and cold. Smalls stood up and pulled her chair back, offering her his arm. She slipped her arm through his and they made their way out of the room.      First Warren was very quiet, and hardly any lights were about to illuminate the road they walked along. A few torches hung about at different posts, but other then that, the stars and moon shone brightly above them. The air was slightly chilly, but their cloaks around their shoulders kept them warm. Heather smiled and inhaled deeply. “Its beautiful tonight,” she exclaimed in a soft whisper. Smalls smiled and nodded, looking up at the sky above that was littered with glowing dots.      “It truly is.” They walked along in silence for a few minutes before Heather spoke. “Do you suppose their up there?” Smalls stopped, looking at her confusedly. “What?” Even in the dim moonlight, he could see her blush. “Do you think they’re up there? Like Helmer, Lord Rake… even your father?” Smalls thought about it, looking up again at the star-filled sky. Finally, he answered. “Maybe. I never really thought about it, that’s for certain; but who knows?” Heather nodded and they continued on, turning around at the city gate to return to the palace for the night.      “Smalls, is… is it odd that I think they are up there, to watch over us and celebrate the victory we've had as well?” She asked. Smalls stopped again, but he smiled at her. “Odd? No, I don’t think so. But why not? If one day a curious younglings asks what the stars are, what would you tell them? ‘Just glowing lights that appear when the sun goes down?’” He stopped, looking contemplative as he stepped closer and gently cupped her face, looking tenderly at her. “Or would the creative Scribe of the Cause, who has a heart for them, say, ‘its those who died for rabbit-kinds survival, and now they look down on us and watch over us at night’?” He smiled. “It makes a good story, I think. I even find it comforting,” he added softly.      Heather smiled and hugged him, feeling safe in his embrace. “Me too,” she answered. Smalls held her close for a second before pulling away. They returned to the palace without another word. Only when Smalls escorted her to her room did he speak again.      “Tomorrow I have plans,  assignments and reports to go over, but how about we meet up for lunch or dinner?” He suggested. Heather smiled. “I’ll look forward to it,” she answered. Smalls smiled and stepped closer, grasping her hand gently. “Good night, then.” He whispered, kissing her cheek. Heather smiled, a slight blush appearing again. “Good night, Smalls.”