I've wondered about this ever since I read Ember's End, beginning of April, and was worried about writing a fanfic. I've finally got the courage to write up something, and am sharing it with you guys. TBH, I might just delete the file once I've a) completed it, or b) come up with a different scene of imagination. 😂🤪 Whatever the case, feedback is welcome!! Bear the Flame, A. R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Smalls looked up at the sunset nervously, his heart pounding in his chest. They should be here soon, he told himself. But that didn’t stop him from worrying.        He had asked Mr. And Mrs. Longtreader to meet him here on top of the palace for a meeting. Well, a meeting of sorts. Smalls hoped that it would go well, and more; that it would be successful.      Did they know his intent? The reason behind this meeting? He hoped not; but if they did, wouldn’t that give him more peace? Would they let him marry Heather?      He stopped and smiled, thinking back to the early morning. He had escorted Heather to the hospitals and enjoyed every minute of it. The way the golden sunrise made her fur glow, her sweet smile, her laughter, and more; the feeling of safety in her embrace.      He came back to reality when he heard quiet voices. He smoothed his ears and inhaled quickly before going to meet them. Rounding the corner, he saw Whittle and Sween. He tried to smile, appear at ease, something! But he couldn’t bury the feeling of anxiety that twisted in his gut.      Sween saw him first and jumped a little. “Oh, hello sire!” She greeted, curtsying rather gracefully. Smalls smiled. “Hello, Whittle and Sween. I didn’t mean to startle you,” he apologized, scratching the back of his head nervously. Whittle offered the prince a smile. “Think nothing of it, we all are adjusting to this new peace in the world.” Smalls nodded, remembering that the Longtreader's had been reunited at last.      “How is Picket doing?” He asked, motioning to the benches at the corner of the roof. They followed the prince and sat down. “He’s doing well. He hasn’t said much, but it’s an adjustment to wake up and find that you have one arm.” Sween offered, smiling a little. Whittle nodded. “He’s already been off on different missions. He’s hardly been at rest at all!” Smalls smiled, knowing full well the mission he had gone on. He had told the prince last night that Weezie said yes to his proposal.      “Well, we understand you wanted to speak with us about something?” Sween began, looking up at the prince with a motherly gaze and smile. Smalls heart beat like a drum, and he was sure they could hear it. He swallowed.      “Well, I wanted to… to ask you both something,” he began. He risked a glance at them both and tried to relax. “Over these war-stricken months, I’ve gotten to know your children- Heather and Picket, that is, very well. Picket has become one of my best friends, and an incredible warrior. And Heather,” he paused, trying to keep his voice even. “And Heather has become very dear to me. She saved my life a couple times, and part of our victory is thanks to her. I…” He stopped, tears pricking his eyes.      “I’ve grown to love her dearly, and would like… to ask your permission to marry her.” Smalls looked back at the Longtreaders and waited. Whittle's expression gradually melted into a smile, and Sween’s eyes were full of tears. Smalls heart continued its race-like beat. Sween looked over at Whittle and leaned forward, grasping Smalls' hands in hers. She drew a shaky breath before speaking.      “Sire, we… we would be honored. When Heather came to Akolan, we… we knew that there was something special. When she…” Sween choked, lowering her head a minute. Whittle continued for his wife. “When she told us about you, about how you had risked your life to find us, we couldn’t believe that the prince would offer his life to save ours, the family of your father’s betrayer. We… we just couldn’t, comprehend…” Whittle shook his head.      “There was something special.” He echoed, his voice husky. Smalls swallowed, trying to keep his emotions at bay. “I… I did it for the Longtreaders. Picket and Heather, they had become a sort of family to me, and I felt I owed it to them. Picket and Heather helped save me from certain death at the beginning of it all, and Heather… Heather saved me from dying in the Forbidden Tomb.” Sween smiled and squeezed his hand.      “Smalls, we can see how much you love her, and that she loves you too. We give you our blessing.” Smalls blinked, wondering if he heard right. Their smiles and tears confirmed it. He felt like shouting, whooping for joy, anything! He stood up, smiling, tears rolling down his face.      “Thank you!” he said quietly, excitement breaking through his almost reserved tone. Sween laughed and stood up, wrapping him in a hug. Smalls hugged her back, his heart racing, this time for joy. Whittle laughed and placed a hand on the princes shoulder, his eyes moist. Smalls pulled back and shook his hand before hugging him as well.      When Smalls pulled back, Whittle put an arm around his wife, smiling wide. “When do you think you will ask her?” He asked quietly. Smalls looked down, thinking. “I’m not sure yet, probably soon.” Sween smiled. “Take your time.” Smalls smiled and nodded, looking up again to his future in-laws. They smiled warmly at him. “You will take great care of her,” Whittle spoke, his voice low and thick with emotion. Smalls felt tears in the back of his throat. Thank you, was all he could think.