In the following days, the Blackbirds had quite a few guests over. The nobles had caught wind of their move, and would frequently drop in to be privy to the latest gossip check on the family.

Gabriel was still too faint to be able to entertain for long, so it was mostly Marcus and Annika doing the socialising. With Tabitha there to relieve them of childcare duties, they had free reign to mingle and entertain for however long they wished. Neither of the siblings minded - it felt good to have people over after such a long period of isolation.

The new city house turned out to be a magnet for neighbours. Their old neighbour Dominick was a frequent flyer, as was Tom Wagamese, who lived only a street away from them now. Having been so isolated before, the Blackbirds took full advantage of the fact that they now had ample room to host guests.

On one such evening, Godric grew up into a toddler, continuing his mother's tradition of unceremonious birthdays. His ginger hair had settled into the same deep auburn as his dad's, and if not for the grey eyes, he could as well have been Phillip's identical twin!

P.S. - Dominick got struck by lightning as he was about to leave. This lot had been crashing like mad tho so I'm not sure if it stuck.

The Blackbirds stood before their new house, marvelling the elegant two-story structure. After years spent drifting around the Bay, they finally had a home they could call their own.

Inside, the house felt almost surreally cosy: warm wood against cool stone, sheer curtains, cushioned chairs, pretty paintings hung off walls. They even had separate bedrooms now!

Not long after their arrival, a young woman in an apron dress showed up at their doorstep. Producing a letter written in Phillip's neat handwriting, she introduced herself as Tabitha, governess of House Gladwyn, sent by the young lord to assist with the baby.

As time went on, the Blackbirds' lives were starting to settle back into normalcy.

With Tabitha's help, Annika could focus on the fun things in life once again, and that familiar, confident grin was back on her face.

Marcus, too, could feel the positive change. Now that they had a nice house, Annika had proper help with the baby, and their father wasn't in danger of dying, Marcus could shift his focus on his own, long-neglected wellbeing. After what felt like decades, he began painting again.

The throne room was as opulent as the palace itself. Arwan had to remind himself to close his mouth as he looked around - it was unseemly for a prince to be seen slack-jawed!

People were milling about, but when the queen showed up everyone took a seat. Arwan settled primly into a gilded chair, looking up to the throne podium where his aunt - Queen Aruena, he corrected himself - stood in all her regal splendor. Elegant yet commanding, she looked every bit the monarch.

Once the queen's speech concluded, Arwan moved through the hall to meet his subjects. He'd never seen so many different people in one place: some were clever and charming, others a bit peculiar. Nearly all bowed deeply once they realized who he was. One man even had a cool metal arm!

It's Arwan's turn now!

He squeezed his eyes shut, wishing for a mountain of sweets, for music to fill the world, and for Tabitha to let him stay up past bedtime forever. With great ceremony, he puffed out every last candle, growing into a happy and heathy child.

Today was a special day in the Gladwyn home.

Rosalind could barely keep her hands off of Prince Feanor - he looked so devilishly handsome all dressed up! She led him into the salon where Arwan waited, himself dressed in his finest and looking very princely. The easel stood ready, the painter awaiting instructions.

It was Feanor who had insisted on a family portrait, no doubt encouraged by his sister, Queen Aruena. Her Majesty might have painted the portrait herself, had her duties not kept her away from such indulgences. Thus, a professional was commissioned: Chris O'Loughlin, a portrait artist of the finest reputation, was given the honor of immortalizing the prince, his royal mistress, and their firstborn son.

Time to blow out the birthday candles! As the elder of the two siblings, Phillip got to go first.

He closed his eyes, manifesting his desires. He wished to walk in his father's footsteps and become a renowned knight; he wished for adventure and glory, and love and friendship. Finally, because he was only human, he also wished for a nice, sizeable barrel of pale ale.

Cheered on by the crowd, he blew out the candles, growing into a dashing young man.