Queen Santana can barely believe how much changed in just four weeks time. Four weeks ago, she was miserable - she missed her family, the soldiers' moral was low, they were losing more lives every day without any hope of gaining the upper hand. Now, she's visited her family and it invigorated her. The news of a new army joining them, marching on them at that very moment, gave the soldiers hope of returning home to their loved ones, alive and victorious.

Queen Santana sat down with Guhr Turar and together with her most trusted advisors, they worked out a strategy. Queen Santana has to admit she's very impressed by the Sautori army - they think so differently from them that Queen Santana knows this means they also think very differently from the king and the king-lord's army. Their weapons are amazing as well and for a second, Santana actually feels pity for the soldiers they're fighting. The Sautori are definitely not like any of the Fylingi they've met so far. The Sautori are as war-orientated as the Fylingi are peaceful folk - as Queen Santana understands, Sautori children are raised with the idea they will die on a battlefield - both girls and boys. Those children who are deemed too weak or unfit for battle are trained for other tasks necessary - gathering and making food, nursing soldiers back to health, etc. - both boys and girls.

Now, a few weeks after their arrival, they've already advanced more than they had in the recent year. King Temyr of the Sautori has definitely trained his soldiers well. Which brings Queen Santana some ideas about the new country she will rule once all of this is over.

One night, having moved forward after winning another battle once again, she sits down with Guhr Turar, who has taken it upon him to represent both his King Temyr and his fellow Guhrs when talking to Queen Santana.

"King Temyr understands I will rule Limahio?" Queen Santana asks, once again. She's asked this countless times before. "I want to make sure that when this war is over, we are prepared to bring peace back. I wish to avoid any claims for the crown. I understand King Temyr is a good king and his people have a lot of respect and admiration for him."

Guhr Turar nods once, not showing any signs of impatience or annoyance. "King Temyr is a good king, but as all of the Sautori's kings, he is a war king. We know nothing about ruling a country in peace. You are better suited for it."

"I'm afraid this war has taken a lot from my soldiers," Santana admits, shaking her head at the guilt she feels. "They are weary, even the staff. But your soldiers are energetic, fierce, eager. This fresh blood, combined with your knowledge and skill will definitely be a defining factor. You actually enjoy this, don't you?" Santana asks, not judging him at all.

Guhr Turar can see in her eyes that Queen Santana is genuine. "It's all we know. For all this time, we have been training for this moment, building our lives around this. The Sautori left the Fylingi because the way the Fylingi were living their lives, we knew we would never get our forests back. But because of your declaration of war, the moment is finally there. We want nothing more than to fight."

Queen Santana nods thoughtfully. "Won't it be so strange when it's over, though? For you? An entire people preparing for this for so long… have you ever thought about when it's over? When you have your forests back? What is your plan after that? What kind of lives will you lead when there is no imminent war to be prepared for?"

Guhr Turar seems bewildered by this question. "I… we… we always envisioned winning our forests back, but having to defend our rights. We imagined we'd have to fight the army of Carmeltonia and once we had reclaimed what was ours, we'd have to go on fighting to keep it. We never expected the Lopez dynasty to attempt to restore Kinleysia and Carmeltonia to Limahio and give us our forests back peacefully."

A small smile plays on the lips of Queen Santana. "As I said, both our staff and soldiers are weary. I think they've had enough of the army and of war for a long time to come. Of course, even when Limahio is united once again, we will not be the only country in this world. Limahio will be too vast a kingdom to leave undefended. Would you kindly talk to your King about considering to form Limahio's Army? I imagine King Temyr would lead the army and you could keep the structures you have and that work so well."

Guhr Turars eyes light up with glee. He swallows and nods. "I will make the suggestion."

Queen Santana can see that Guhr Turar is feeling many more emotions than he's letting on. She can almost sense the future he envisions, and it makes her happy. It had been plaguing her for a while - how would she defend the large Limahio? Those of her soldiers left would be tired, unlikely keen to join a new army. And of course she could command Carmeltonia's warriors to join the combined army, but how could she ever trust them fully when she would after all be the queen who defeated them? She has to be able to completely trust her army. She's had this same conversation with Quinn, when she was visiting the family. As much as she trusts her advisers, sometimes it's a good idea to discuss these things with someone who isn't part of the military world. She knew she could trust Quinn to find a solution with her that would make people feel good and happy. And she knows now that she will definitely be able to trust a Sautori army.

All of this thanks to her Quinn. Her heart almost spills over with love just thinking of her lover, and her smile, her eyes, the way she feels pressed against her, the way she plays with the kids - she could go on and on.

Queen Santana and King Temyr decide to give their soldiers some rest before advancing on the capital for the final battle, allowing them to regain their strength. Of course, there is a rotating system for the soldiers to stand guard. Queen Santana decided to take this time to spend with her family again and travelled back to the palace Quinn and the children are.

Quinn was beyond happy to see her Queen and the night of her arrival, they spent hours making love, over and over again, going on long after they felt sore and tired. Eduardo proudly showed Santana his many drawings of the battles, giving his mother heroic poses and attributing many victories to her prowess. Quinn tells Santana how often Henry will sit with Beth, Beth reading every book she can get her hands on while Eduardo draws. Beth impressed Santana with her extensive knowledge of just about everything. Henry has taken a shine to joining Mercedes in the kitchen and is apparently become quite the talented cook. Little Amalia, intent on not being referred to as little, is adored by all. She runs around faster than she can be followed and is overly curious. She wants to know everything about everyone and has a knack for remembering things to get things done. But she's so adorable nobody holds any kind of grudge. She's a very brave little girl, courageous even when she's fearful, and always manages to take care of herself. Queen Santana thinks she strongly resembles Quinn in this regard. Santana keeps cuddling Amalia, holding her, playing with her, cuddling again - she feels so guilty that she's missing out on so much with the war going on.

Later, Queen Santana discusses the conversation she had with Guhr Turar with Quinn, who raises a new question. "The Sautori are this way because they are raised this way. They know nothing else. Do you plan to have the soldiers raise their kids this way so they will go into the army? Will that not be difficult to maintain, when they can see how many different other ways of life there are? Or are you planning to keep them sheltered from the rest of the country, when you fought so hard for their freedom?"

Santana raises her eyebrows. "I… well, I don't think any of the Sautori will have to join the army. We could give them the choice, just as we could offer any citizen the choice to join the army when we've just formed the country. As time goes on, we can give everyone the choice whether they join the army or not. It will take a long time for the Sautori to change the way they think, if they ever do. They will be part of Limahio, but live in their own forests, as they choose. I don't want to force them into anything."

Quinn smiles. "I guess that's for the future. But I love how you really are trying to find a way to give everyone a fair choice. We can work out the details of how to run the country later, can't we?"

Santana nods. They share a loving kiss and soon lose themselves in it, Quinn finding herself in Santana's lap, grinding into Santana's growing erection.

They are interrupted by the door opening loudly, and Santana is about to blow up at whoever has the audacity to disturb this intimate moment, but then she sees Blaine's face and she knows something important happened. Her heart stops for a second - what if it's bad news?

"Someone… someone's here for you, Queen Santana. A big man, says his name is Guhr something. The guards won't let him pass the outer confines, but he's very adamant he be brought to you."

Santana jumps up, proud of her guards for stopping anyone they aren't absolutely certain of. She smiles at Quinn. "Come with me."

Quinn's eyes shine with pride as she joins her lover, feeling honored that Queen Santana is taking her with her to receive military news. When they've finally reached the outer confines, Guhr Turar looks as if he's about to explode with anxiety, but he stops dead in his tracks when he sees the queen and her lover.

"Your wife is very beautiful, Queen Santana," he says solemnly.

Santana chuckles and wraps an arm around Quinn's hips. "She's indeed superbly beautiful and insanely smart, but sadly, not my wife yet."

Guhr Turar grunts. "Very soon, she will be. The King of Carmeltonia surrendered. They wish the capital to be unharmed. They know they stand no chance when we have conquered all of their kingdom."

Queen Santana blinks. "Do you mean…"

Guhr Turar nods. "You are now Queen Santana of Limahio."

Santana grabs Quinn and spins her around, then kisses her passionately. "My queen-lady," she grins. "The war is over!"