Chapter Text
Walt rest his elbows on the desk and pressed his forehead into his palms. The coronation was only two days away and he was in no way ready for it. Someone tugged on his pant leg.
“Da! Da!”
He peeked around the corner of his desk to see his two year old daughter leaning on his knee.
“Hey, Xenie. Aren’t you supposed to be with your brothers?”
“Atlas got busy. He bringed us here!”
“Is he?” Walt sat back and pulled her into his lap, “Well, I guess we’ve all been pretty busy of late, huh?”
“Yeah,” She popped her thumb in her mouth and nuzzled against his chest.
“The guests have started to arrive,” Barbara entered, Wally balanced on her hip, “We’ve got the knights showing them to their rooms.”
“Ah. And that’s why Young Atlas brought the twins to us.”
She nodded and sat their son on her desk. She pulled some of her own papers over.
“How is everything with our guests? No complications?”
“Nothing we can’t handle.” Barbara shrugged, “None of the EIGHT caterers have backed out, Lenora and Angor are almost finished decorating the dining hall and ballroom. Oh! But Teju Jagua can’t make it and is sending wizard emissaries in his stead. We’re going to swap their room with Zhu Rong so he can take Belrok if he wants. Elizabeth and Mary are in there taking down the tapestries right now.”
“That’s good. Mum would be livid if anything happened to those tapestries. Her grandmother embroidered them,” He turned back to his paperwork, “Speaking of Mum, how’s she doing? She’s almost due. I can’t believe you told her she could still do the ceremony.”
“She’s fine, Walt. Her due date is still a month and a half away.”
“I know. But magic babies tend to come early. If anyone knows that, it’s you…It still feels like we just got her back.”
“I just wish she’d tell us what they’re going to name her.”
Walt shook his head,” It’s an old tradition she’s not ready to let go of yet. If we’re lucky Angor will be able to convince her to tell us once the child’s born and not wait until they’re three months.”
“Baby! Gran’s baby?”
Walt smiled and looked over at his son, “Yes, Wally. Gran’s baby.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Mum? Da? Everything ok here?” Jim leaned into the office, “Did Wally and Xena make it alright?”
“We’re alright, Young Atlas. Thank you.”
“Is something wrong, Jim?” Barbara marked another page of her paperwork.
“No. I just wanted to be sure. Oh. And Aunt Vanessa’s here.”
“Really!?”
Barbara dropped her pen and ran, quite un-queenlike, out the door. Jim laughed and took Wally from their mother’s desk.
“Are you coming, Da?” He called over his shoulder.
Walt looked down at Xena asleep against his chest, “I guess a short break wouldn’t hurt. I haven’t seen Vanessa since you were just a little older than these two.”
“I was ten, Da.”
He shrugged and put down his pen. He stacked his papers as best he could with one hand. Then he shifted Xena against his shoulder and followed his sons out the door.
LLB
Walt tugged on the hem of his deep green tunic and rubbed the back of his neck. This shade of green clashed horribly with his natural serpentine stone.
“Stop messing with it,” Barbara took his hands, “You look fine and everything is going to go ok.”
“We still haven’t ironed out exactly what Avalon IS yet,” He reminded her, “What if we missed someone when doing the invitations? What if the food gets cross contaminated? Not everyone is going to be happy with this arrangement.”
“That’s right.” Barbara took a shaking breath of her own, “But it is way too late to back out of this now. There are more people out there waiting than there are at most weddings.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“VValt? Barbara?” Otto leaned into the room, looking even more nervous than his brother, “Mama is vvaiting. It’s time.”
Walt took another shaking breath and nodded to his brother. Otto nodded back and slipped out the door. Walt offered Barbara his arm and they wait for Otto and Douxie to open the door again. When it did open, they were both momentarily blinded by the light from the eastern window behind the thrones. Walt stepped forward in a daze, his grip on Barbara’s hand tightening. As they walked down the long aisle, familiar faces smiled at them from every direction. Zur Rong smiled and waved Belrok’s hand at them, the fiery baby perched on his lap. Vanessa sat with the delegates from the Warehouse, arm in arm with the short man next to her. Skrel stood by Mary’s shoulder, cowl cleaned and repaired for the first time in centuries. Atlas kept a tight hold on Wally and Xena in the front most row. At the end of the long green carpet, on top of the dias, stood Morgana and Angor. Morgana’s hands were folded neatly over her rounded belly. Angor held the heavy gold crowns behind her. Walt swallowed thickly. Once at the dias, they both knelt in front of Morgana.
“Hi, Mummy! Hi, Dada!”
Walt bit his tongue to keep from laughing at Wally’s shout. But other people around the chamber laughed and chuckled. Morgana smiled and turned to Angor. She took the first crown and turned to stand in front of Barbara. She held up the crown.
“Beings of the magical realm, I present Queen Barbara the Brave, Queen of New Avalon.”
She gently set the heavy gold crown on Barbara’s head to the polite applause of the assembled beings. Once the applause died down she turned back to Angor again. Walt could feel his legs shaking as he wait. Morgana took the second crown and stood before him, crown held aloft.
“Beings of the magical realm, I present King Waltolomew the Wise, King of New Avalon.”
Again applause filled the chamber as the crown was laid on his head. He and Barbara stood and turned to face the crowd. She squeezed his hand. They waved at all who were assembled. Wally and Xena waved back, Atlas smiling and holding them both down. Walt took a deep breath and wait until Morgana’s wave to go and sit on the matching thrones behind them. The easy part was done.
LLB
Mary slowly milled around the room while she wait for Skrel to return. Though only a few hundred people had been able to fit in the throne room for the coronation itself, thousands of other delegates had come for the banquet that followed. Wizards, witches, dragons, trolls, fairies, merfolk, werewolves and more had been pouring into Arcadia Oaks for nearly a week and now they had filled the grand ballroom of Avalon.
“If you had told me thirteen years ago that this is where we would end up,” a voice whispered in her ear, “I don’t know if I’d have let you stay in Arcadia Oaks.”
“Oji Genki! Nami!” She whipped around and hugged her cousin, looking around skeptically. “Don’t sneak up on me like that! The mermaid Queen of the Great Lakes keeps trying to corner me. I don’t think she’s happy that The Lady of the Lake is back.”(1)
Nami chuckled, “I can imagine not.”
She stepped aside and let her father step forward to hug Mary.
“You look like a goddess, Mary.” He hugged her tight around the shoulders.
“Thank you, Oji Genki.” She grinned at him, “Mama and I ordered the silk straight from Japan so we could sew my Kimono ourselves. The Lady of the Lake has to look her best, after all.”
“Ung Kona.” Skrel landed by her side with a gentle breeze and handed her a glass of water, “Who are these people?”
“It’s ok, Skrel.” Mary put a hand on his shoulder, “This is the rest of my family. The ones who live on the coast. Nami, Oji Genki, this is Skrel. They’re the water spirit that serves The Lady of the Lake.”
“They’re adorable!” Nami cooed.
The wind kicked up and frost spread over the flagstone floor. Mary squeezed Skrel’s shoulder.
“Skrel. No. Bring it in. My family are merfolk too. They can’t handle such cold like that. No accidents tonight.”
He growled and took a deep, slow breath. The ice on the floor began to melt.
“My apologies, Ung Kona.” Skrel’s wind whisper voice sent a chill down Nami and Genki’s spines as he turned to face them, “If you would please refrain from such descriptions in the future.”
Nami nodded stiffly but Mary smiled and hugged her spirit.
“That’s better,” She affirmed, “Skrel hasn’t had much interaction in the mortal realm in the last century. So we're still learning.”
“Skrel!” Nari scampered up in a new flowery dress that she had not been wearing when the party started, “One of Teju Jagua’s Madrigal ambassadors can control plants, too! She made me this dress! I had never considered making CLOTHING before!”
Mary chuckled and waved Skrel off with the other spirit, casting a look around for where Belrok was with Elizabeth.
“How has being The Lady of the Lake been treating you, Mary?” Genki stepped up to her side.
“It’s not as bad as I had initially expected,” She admitted, “I mean, it’s a lot of work but I get to meet all sorts of new water spirits. And Skrel’s been helping with the magic side of things.”
“Lady Mary! There you are!”
“Ah, Shit…” She cringed slightly and turned, smiling brightly. “Hello, Queen Maina. Have you been enjoying the banquet?”
LLB
Walt and Barbara did their best to stick together as they talked to each of the delegates in the grand ballroom. At least a greeting for everyone. But, after three hours of greetings, handshakes, and requests to dance later, they were both exhausted. Walt tried to gently lead Barbara over to the wall and away from the majority of the crowd.
“Wally World!” Chuck slammed into his back and grabbed him in a bone crushing hug.
“Oof! Hello, Chuck.” The royal couple turned to face the changeling, “I take it the journey here was not too difficult.”
“Nope!” She bounced on her toes and gestured broadly over her shoulder, “And, of course, I gave your request to Big Brother.”
“Hello, Walter.” A red changeling stepped up to her side, four arms clasped behind his back and dressed Elizabethian clothes, compleat with a thick ruff around his neck.
“William!” Walt lit up. “I can’t believe she actually convinced you to wear that!”
“A small price to pay to see you in that horrendous get up.” William grinned, nodding at the clashing greens and golds of the Avalon king.
Walt rolled his eyes and turned to his queen, “Barbara, this is one of my oldest friends, William Shakespear.”
Now it was Barbara’s turn to grin, “It’s wonderful to meet you, William. I’ll admit that it’s a little strange to meet someone that they made us learn about in school.”
William smiled and looked over at Walt, “That’s what we’re going with, Walt?”
Walt frowned, “Yes, Will. That’s what we’re going with.”
“VVill!” Otto trotted over, his outfit even worse than William’s, “It’s been so long!”
“Otto!” William took his hand and looked him up and down, “You’re right! Look how much you’ve grown.”
Otto frowned, “It hasn’t been ZAT long.”
“How long have you known William, Otto?” Barbara tilted her head as best she could without her crown falling off.
“I knew Will and Chuck even before Otto was born,” Walt explained, “They even came to visit us shortly after I moved to Germany to take care of him.”(2)
“That’s right,” William put one hand on Otto’s head, “This little guy didn’t speak much English back then.”
“I vvas only five at ze time und after everyzing zat had happened,” Otto crossed his arms, “You’re lucky I vvas talking at all, VVill.”
William shrugged and turned back to Walt and Barbara, “So, Chuck tells me that you have a son now?”
Walt stiffened.
“We do.” Barbara smiled up at Walt, “Two, actually. And a daughter. Atlas is the one Chuck met and Wally and Xena are the younger two.”
“They’re with Mum right now,” Walt gestured over to Morgana.
“They’re so little!” Chuck squealed, “Not as little as Antonia was, of course. She was the littlest baby I’ve ever seen.” She perked and looked around, “Where is she, anyway? Did you get a sitter or something?”
“No,” Otto looked over his shoulder, “Anyone zat vve vvould trust to babysit her are all here. Lenora has her right now.”
“I want to meet the tiny baby.” William leaned over to follow Otto’s gaze.
“She’s nearly a year old now, VVill.” Otto crossed his arms, “Chuck got to meet her vvhen she vvas less zan an hour old.”
“I still don’t have any idea about why you were so far from home with such a tiny baby.” Chuck shook her head.
“It definitely was not planned that way,” Barbara crossed her arms.
“He’s been delt with, Love. It’s all taken care of,” Walt said, squeezing her shoulders.
“Who has?” William furrowed his eyebrows and glared around the ballroom, “Who do I have to fight?”
“Will. Tone it down,” Walt held up a hand, “It’s been taken care of and it’s over.”
William slowly turned to look at Walt, “Someone tried to hurt your baby brother and you’re not trying to murder them?”
“No. Because it’s been taken care of and it’s outside my jurisdiction now,” Walt steepled his fingers at his friend, “Lenora and Otto took care of it and Liza is doing much better now. It’s ok.”
“Chuck, Billy,” Lenora glided over, “Long time no see.”
“Lenora? VVhere’s Antonia?” Otto looked around frantically.
William squinted up at her.
“It’s ok. Eli has her.” Lenora put a hand on Otto’s shoulder.
“Loraine?” William leaned forward, “Loraine Pepperjack?”
She cringed, “Lenora Scaarbach actually.”
His eyes grew wide, “You married Little Otto!?”
Lenora chuckled, “‘Little Otto’?”
“VVill has known me since I vvas five,” Otto threw his hands up, “I vvas a very small child.”
“Mum, Da,” Atlas trotted over, “Gran was–Oh. I’m sorry.” He bowed slightly, hand over his heart. “I didn’t realize you were already talking to someone.”
“It’s alright, Atlas,” Walt smiled and turned, “This is my old friend, you may have heard of him. William Shakespear.”
“Not the only place you’d have heard of me,” William muttered and reached out to shake Atlas’s hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My sister tells me your name is James?”(3)
Walt groaned and covered his eyes with one hand.
Atlas nodded, “It is, Sir. But in a capacity such as this I am Atlas, Leader of Heartstone Trollmarket.”
“Right, right,” William smirked and shot Walt a look, “My apologies, Atlas.”
“It’s alright,” Atlas looked around, “If you’ll give me a moment to find Claire, she’d love to meet you. She’s a huge fan.”
“So your mother was telling me,” William followed his gaze, “Which of my works was her favorite?”
“It’s 12th Night.” Atlas turned back to him, “Personally? I prefer Much Ado About Nothing.”
Walt groaned and hid his face in his hands. Otto grinned.
“Really?” William perked up, “Did your father ever tell you that he played Hero in my troupe’s performances of Much Ado?”
“I hate you, Will…”
“DA played HERO?” Atlas gasped, “I mean, I know that all the women were played by men but…Da? As Hero?”
“I was thin and had delicate features,” Walt held his head high, “Let’s just say beggars can’t be choosers and leave it at that.”(4)
LLB
Seamus did his best to keep his tail still as he wandered around the ballroom. Mary had promised him a dance when she was done dancing with her uncle and, so far, there hadn’t been any mishaps at the banquet. He kept clear of Krel’s DJ booth and any other speakers that filled the ballroom. Behind him, someone cleared their throat.
Seamus turned around and smiled, “Alpha Kausler! Alpha Phillips! I’m glad you were able to make it. I hope the journey wasn’t too difficult for you. I know this is a ways out of your territories.”
Alpha Kausler shrugged and signed, “It was certainly more than I’ve traveled in a long time but I’ve certainly delt with worse.”(5)
“The journey wasn’t as troublesome for me.” Alpha Phillips looked around the room. “And how have you been settling in?”
“It’s…It’s been an adjustment.” Seamus looked down and shuffled his feet, “I’ve never really been the leadership type and now I have to talk to a lot of people. But I’m making it work. My dads have been helping me a bit.”
“That’s good to hear.” Alpha Kausler nodded. She looked him up and down, “Have they been feeding you enough? You look thin.”
Seamus chuckled, “I promise I’ve been eating well. Da’s a pretty good cook. Even food for flesh beings.”
She scrutinized him for a moment before nodding and huffing. Seamus chuckled and watched her shuffled off back into the party.
“Maybe I should find Da and Pa and warn them that she may grill them about my eating habits.”
Alpha Phillips laughed and walked alongside Seamus, “I’m glad to hear everything went well with your pack.”
Seamus smiled up at him, “Me too. And thank you again for agreeing to let me join the California Pack. Even if I didn’t end up needing it.”
“Of course, Alpha Giladrigal. You were a pup in need. We never would have turned you away.” They walked in silence for a time before Alpha Phillips looked back down at Seamus. “Have you started thinking about careers yet? You’re a senior this year, correct?”
“I am,” Seamus confirmed, “But I’m still debating. I know that I want to work with kids; helping kids in situations like mine. Darcy recommended Social Worker but that doesn’t quite feel right. You know what I mean?”
Alpha Phillips nodded slowly and rest his thumb against his lips, “I think I do. Have you considered psychiatry?”
“Like a therapist?” Seamus furrowed his eyebrows, “Not really. But, now that you say it…maybe? Maybe a child psychologist.”
“Well, whichever you decide, just let me or one of the other alphas know,” Alpha Phillips smiled, “I can help you get set up for some of the werewolf scholarships.”
“There are werewolf scholarships?”
“Yes. Usually set up by a pack.”
LLB
Walt took a deep breath of the cool night air as he looked over the Arcadia Valley.
“What are you doing out here?” Nomura stepped onto the balcony, glass of champagne in hand, “The party’s inside.”
“I know,” He replied, “I just…I needed a breather.”
“VVe figured you might,” Otto appeared at his other side and handed him another glass of champagne.
“Thanks.” He took the glass, “Did I miss anything?”
“Not really.” Nomura leaned back against the railing, “Mom took the babies to the nursery and Douxie is trying to teach Liza and Zhu Rong how to dance, “She grinned, “So, is it good to be the king?”
Walt groaned, “It’s stressful is what it is. I mean, I know that Avalon is more of a concept now than an actual country but it’s still a lot of pressure. If I mess something up I literally could cause a war instead of preventing it.”
“Zat’s vvhy you’re not doing zis alone,” Otto put his hand on Walt’s shoulder, “You have all of us. Different people helping you vviz different parts und different species. YOU may not be able to handle zis alone but VVE can handle zis togezer.”
“Yeah,” Nomura slapped his arm, splashing her drink over his shoulder, “Besides, how is this any more difficult than what we’ve done before? We have taken down minor GODS at this point! The kids have TIME TRAVELED. We’ve delt with centuries of the war between trolls and Gumm-Gumms. How hard could it be to keep the peace between thousands of magical civilizations?”
“That’s not really the comfort you think it is, Nono.”
“Sure it is. Come on.” She lifted her glass and grinned, “To the tenacity of changelings.”
Otto smiled and lift his glass, “To our ever growing families.”
Walt sighed and shook his head. He looked back into the ballroom at Barbara talking to Vanessa, Atlas trying to drag Claire away from William, and Toby introducing his grandparents to Mary’s uncle and cousin. He smiled, looked at his siblings, and lifted his glass.
“To our changeling families.”
LLB