Round 2 of Generation 2 of my RKC begins with a stop in the Shahan household.

1. The Kingdom of Avonlea
Chapter 8: Shahan Family
Generation 2 Round 2

2. “Who’s my precious little Fae? You will be good for mamma
while I am away won’t you Emma?” Gardiner sighed
happily. He loved being a father. He only wished he could
spend more time at home with his girls.

3. Alas his duties to the realm must come first. He’d been long
enough away from service because of his precious angels. “Ah
Lady Whendlan! Welcome to Avonlea. How can I be of
service?”
“Good morning Maester. No assistance is required. Your tower
was simply recommended.”

4. “Indeed? They speak of my humble library all the way
in Whinmore? I am truly flattered. Do enjoy your stay.”

5. “Your Grace. Good evening!”
“Good evening Maester Shahan. I must say I am quite
impressed with the improvements you have made to the Library
since my last visit. Your service to your kingdom is not going un-
noticed.”
“Thank-you Your Grace. I am honored to serve Avonlea.”

6. While her husband receives high praise for his work and
attends to the kingdom’s library Diana is hard at work
scrubbing the bath. She just never could seem to keep it
clean!

7. Her mother Anne had stopped by this morning and was
currently entertaining Maria and the twins. Thank goodness
for help! She found lately she was absolutely exhausted!

8. Although, thankfully, Maria was much like her father
and was quite able to entertain herself for hours at a
time.

9. Goodness even her brother Charlie was willing to help
with the dishes now and again. How completely
embarrassing!

10. Not as embarrassing as constantly burning her lord
husband’s fish though! Gardiner though bless him. He
never said a word.

11. Despite her protests he went to the tower later than
usual the next morning so that she might sleep in.
Secretly, she was glad for the extra bit of rest.

12. Truly having three children was exhausting! And to
think soon she’d have 4!
~~~~~~

13. “How is family life treating you Fran?”
“Quite well. Erec has seen to my every need. And Father Cai is such
a delight! ”
“I am glad to hear you are well, Fran. I worry about you far more than
I probably ought.”
“

14. “Nonsense Maester. You and the Lady were raised in the same
house. It is only natural of you to be so protective. I know my lady
wife is quite grateful for this.”
“That is kind of you to say Lord Hamilton.”
“Kindness has nothing to with it. I

15. “A summons from King Thorin?”
“Yes. The king requests you come to the palace at ten on the
morrow. What shall I tell him?”
“Tell him, I shall be there. Of course.”
Whatever could this be for?

16. “I’m sorry I ruined your meal again. I fear I am not at all talented in the
kitchen.”
“Never mind that love. I do not mind.”
“Nonesense. Are you…are you worried about tomorrow?
“Some yes. But I am certain we have done nothing to offend. It will be
well, my love. Try not to worry.”

17. Though he told Diana not to worry, Gardiner found
himself sleepless. He even took a session in Lord
Roth’s steam house at dawn to try to calm his nerves.

18. “You..you are asking me to join the king’s council Your
Grace?”
“But of course. From your willingness and ability to restore the
library, to your recent talent in helping Lord Roth in Takemizue
and Arkadia, you have more than proven your worthiness.”

19. “So will you accept?”
“I would be honored Your Grace.”
“Excellent! From this day forward you shall be known as Thane
Gardiner Shahan.”

20. “Now please, have a seat and let us begin my
friend.”
A/N: Squee! I’ve been waiting for this moment.

21. “Your Grace is it true that a newly founded kingdom was
found during Thane Gardiner and Lord Roth’s travels?”
“Indeed. The land of Arkadia. I have been in talks with the
crown Prince. It would seem he fortuitously needs a wife.”

22. “I have made arrangements for my lady sister Eowyn to travel to
Arkadia.”
“Do you hope to secure a marriage alliance then? Forgive me,
but is that wise? ”

23. “The people of Arkadia were quite charitable in our time of need
my lord. I do not see why peaceful relations could not be
established between our kingdoms. And I am certain the king
would of course defer to his sister’s good judgement on this
matter.”

24. “But of course. I trust my sister completely with this matter.”
Lord Ogden tilted his head. “I wish you all the best Princess.”
“Thank-you My Lord.”

25. Thane Gardiener returned home late only to find Diana had already
retired early. Thane Shahan. He shook his head as he concentrated
his energy…that was going to take some getting used to.
~~~~~

26. All too quickly young Maria had shot up like a weed. “Can we go
fishing this weekend Papa? Please????”
“Of course my love. Now run along and help your mother. I must
get to the palace. ”

27. After her good-bye kiss, Maria dutifully skipped off to find her
mamma.“I’ll take care of the trash mamma. And I’ll clean the tub
too! You can rest! Do you think I’ll have a brother this time?”
“Plumbob willing Maria.”

28. Maria loved having little sisters especially her sisters. They
were adorable. She could never quite decide what she liked
better…Catherine’s straight brown hair or Emma’s wild black
curls.

29. Oh who was she kidding it had to be the wild black hair!
After all, the black hair came from her Grandmother
Isabella! Actually she was bit jealous of that…

30. Though she guessed it was pretty niffty
having Grandfather Gilbert’s pink eyes.

31. “Papa your home early!”
“I suppose I am yes. But I cannot possibly miss the
birth of your brother or sister now can I?”

32. “Grandmother Izzie is here too!”
“But of course she is love. She’s brought all three of her
grand babies into Avonlea. She wouldn’t miss the fourth.”

33. It turned out to be a very good thing Gardiner came
home early. Poor Diana just was not made for the
kitchen.

34. Seeing as how Isabella was around the family did get
a nice hearty cooked meal anyway. She even promised
to coach Diana in the kitchen. And Maria too of course.

35. Though Maria would never say it, because Papa had
taught her to be polite, she was glad Grandmother was
going to teach mamma to cook proper. Eating burned food
and running from fire really was no fun.

36. After all that work and excitement the little girl
practically passed out the moment she climbed into
her straw bed.

37. In fact, Maria woke up the next morning and found she’d not only missed
out on giving her Papa a good-bye kiss, but had slept straight through the
birth of her little brother Fitzwilliam. Now that was disappointing. How
horrible! Well at least she’d get to learn to bake cake.

38. Well at least she got to learn how to bake
cake.
~~~~~

39. With her renewed energy Diana found she could
spend proper time with her girls again! “Alright Cat,
let’s get you walking and surprise Papa?”

40. “What do you say WE surprise that son of mine first by getting you
talking.”
You gonna teach her to break the fourth wall?
Perhaps…

41. “Lady Wendlan? What a surprise.”
“Good day Diana. This salad is wonderful. I hope you do
not mind, but I simply had to escape distasteful company.”

42. “Distasteful company! Why I never.”
Oh dear what was she supposed to do about this?
Two noblewoman fighting in her kitchen!

43. Fortunately, once again her mother-in-law
somehow saved the day. Honestly, Isabella
was a miracle worker!

44. Not that her husband was too shabby at
getting the family out of tight spots either.

45. She was certainly the luckiest
woman in the entire kingdom!

46. We’ll end the round with the Shahan’s with a nice pic of
Gardiner being awesome. He’s now a merchant. So happy
about that. But seeing as how the Library is a Level 10
business it was high time he got promoted.

47. Oh what the hey..one more of Isabella being the best Grandma
ever. Cause honestly we can’t have enough Isabella and Shahan
kid pic spam.
Thanks for reading!