Gwendolyn shook her head, a small grin on her face. "Always my valiant protector. How sad is it that I've lost my childhood in the time you've been away..." Her expression turned wistful as she briefly remembered her younger days with him, running through the hallways and giggling as she fought to sprint away from her ever present shadow. Such days of lightheartedness were over now.<br/><br/>"I shan't force you to visit them if your heart is not ready for it. My own hardly is." She loped her arm through his as she turned to walk-- an old, persistent gesture. "I would rather you rest. Eat. Adjust to being home." They walked together out from the sitting room, her ladies wise enough to make themselves scant.<br/><br/>"Does the palace look as you remember it? Or has it grown grim under my rule?"