“I do not know.” Palm replied, stifling a yawn. Without another word, the youngest prince walked over to his brother’s bed and crawled in. For him, all the knowledge that he yielded on the matter had been disclosed. His presence was no longer required.

Artemis sighed and shook his head. Avalon smiled and gently patted her husband’s chest.

“Darling,” Avalon began, “the evening grows late. Our son is still just a boy and it has been a dreadfully long day. He is certainly overly exerted and needs to rest. I am certain that is the reason why Alder chose his room to house the children.”

Artemis made a puzzled face. “Oh, why is that?”

“Because, look…” she said, gesturing to the little ones that were all throughout the room. “The children are comfortable in here, a room that has been lived in and carries the scent of a person, instead of the cold, uninhabited, sterile and pristine rooms that are designed to accommodate dignitaries and leaders. This room, Alder’s room, is warm and safe and the children, all of the children,” she said, looking over at her youngest son who had already fallen asleep, “feel at ease. Do not be surprised when, come morning, we find all of our kittens sleeping in a pile together, just as they did when they were younger. Whenever something frightened or upset them, they would scuttle to their big brother’s room and sleep beside him where they knew they would be safe, because he was beside them.”

Artemis looked over at his sleeping child and could see how correct his empress was. Having all of the children in one place made it easier for all of them to be together in this distressing time of sorrow and grief and draw strength from one another. He kissed her brow and hugged her, tightly. She was correct, as she often was and he knew that he needed to defer to her wisdom. This was a situation where he needed to take a step back, and let the children take care of each other…even his own children.

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