"Take these, take these-"

Minerva had a pair of stuffed rolls pressed into her hands at the same time as Michalis was unable to fend off mugs of something warm and sweet-smelling.

It had been years since she'd been to a harvest festival, even more since this particular one and with Michalis at her side. But they'd been greeted excitedly, and offered constant gifts and food.

King and Queen, they'd been called, which wasn't entirely incorrect. They'd been those, yes, but not quite how it seemed to be intended. They'd been offered a room at the inn with one bed.

There were things the villagers of a small village a quarter-day's flight away should not have fathomed, not even as Minerva and Michalis quickly traded roll for mug yet let their hands linger for a moment too long.

Reconciliation had not been pretty. It had not been painless. But it had brought old feelings back to light and things had happened- Kept happening- Would keep happening-

"Take these, King and Queen!"

Sweets, beads, charms, and a dozen more things were pressed into their hands and pockets, to the point where Minerva was sure her brother would snap. But he didn't, instead thanking each person for the generosity.

They had brought more than enough with them to pay for everything they'd been given. Minerva knew they'd leave their purses behind in the morning as thanks. They would not just take.

The season had been good to the village. They'd be set for the uneven Macedon winter and then some. Michalis had gathered that much while Minerva had been assuring parents that their children were well in the capital.

The bonfire had burned down by the time they got a moment to themselves as the festive crowd began to thin. The sky was black above them, and their cozy room at the only inn was calling.

"Take these."

The young woman had pressed the charms into Minerva's hands and then ran off before Minerva could even see what she'd been given. Michalis cleared his throat beside her and only then did Minerva realize-

Simple charms for the coming year, for the home and fields. Meant to be burned together along with other members of a family, or-

They'd seen plenty tossed into the bonfire as the night had worn on.

Minerva grabbed one of Michalis's hands and squeezed it before gracefully pitching the charms into the fire with her other.

Macedon was their fields, their home.

"It's late."

She didn't let go of his hand.

"We should go back to the inn," Michalis continued and yes, Minerva understood. The bonfire flames had consumed the charms almost immediately; there was no need to watch them burn.

Nobody offered them anything else, not as Michalis pulled Minerva close to fight the chill that had crept into the night once away from the bonfire.

It was a short walk, quiet.

And the room was all they needed, forgetting everything but each other.

King and Queen.