The Return of the Queens

Talia was now working on Laurel with her archery skills. Laurel didn't really see the need for it, but she knew that if she went to the League with Oliver, she would need to know the skill, so she was giving it her all. She was getting better at it, but it still didn't feel natural to her. After weeks of working on it she was starting to get frustrated because she thought it would feel better to her by now.

"Don't get discouraged Laurel. You are picking up archery well. You just need to keep on practicing, and it will become more natural." Talia said.

"I don't know why I am not picking this up as quick as everything else. With the sword and the staff, I pretty much picked up that skill right away." Laurel said.

"It all depends on your specialty. You are a better fighter when you are up close, therefore you are good with the sword and the staff. Oliver is good up close, but his specialty is taking out people from a distance with his arrows. Different people are better at different things." Talia said.

"That makes since. So, do you have anything that might help me a bit more with this?" Laurel asked.

"Just keep practicing. You probably have another month or so to get ready for my father or one of his horsemen to come and recruit Oliver. That will be plenty of time for this to feel more natural to you." Talia said.

"Thanks. Do you think we will have to go into the League, or do you think Ollie will be ready to fight your father and we will not have to?" Laurel asked.

"If it happened today, I would say that you would need to go into the League because Oliver is not ready yet and learning directly from my father will really help him. Being that we have a couple more months though, I think he could be ready. I will know more once that time comes. You know you don't have to go though. Your sister-in-law is willing to go with Oliver." Talia said.

"I know and I also know that I shouldn't leave the kids but there is just something about it that makes me feel like I am the one that needs to go. I know I am the one who gives Ollie his light. If I don't go, I think he might lose that." Laurel said.

"Well, if you do go, you will both need each other. League training is made to wipe all of your former life away. You will have to show them that you are no longer your former self to begin the final initiation. So, you will have to be a good actor and also make sure that the torture that they use doesn't take hold. Are you sure you can do that?" Talia asked.

"I think I can. I know Oliver can and as long as we are together, we will be fine." Laurel said.

"I believe your connection will be your key then. You will need that to get through everything." Talia said and Laurel nodded as Talia turned to leave.

"So, what was that about?" Oliver asked.

"She was telling me what to expect if we had to go into the League." Laurel said.

"Don't you worry about that. I will be ready to fight him once that time comes. We won't have to go into the League." Oliver said.

"I am just getting myself ready just in case we do." Laurel said.

"Laurel, why don't you just let Thea go. I would feel better that way. Also, I think the kids will need one of us around and I don't think it is right to dump them on Thea and Sara." Oliver said.

"I would consider that if I didn't think that I was the only one to bring you back to the light once you went into the League. We will need each other." Laurel said.

"Just knowing that you are fine out in the world is enough for me and you know that I will always come back to you." Oliver said.

"I know. I just don't think I can live without you for that long." Laurel said.

"We can't be selfish about this. The kids need us. One of us need to stay. We will have a plan by that time, and we will know what is going to happen and we will be ready for everything, with Talia's help." Oliver said.

"Ok, if you think it is best that I stay, I will. I am not happy about it, but you are right. The kids need at least one of us. I still want to continue to train though. Especially in archery. I want to know how to use all of the weapons that the League uses, incase I do have to join in the future." Laurel said.

"Why would you have to join in the future?" Oliver asked.

"I know you are planning on giving the ring to Talia, but she thinks that you would be a good leader there. If you do keep the power, I will join as well. Maybe we can find a way to make it better." Laurel said.

"I have no doubt about that. I have been thinking about this Oliver and I have an offer for you." Talia said as she walked back up to them.

"What would that be?" Oliver asked.

"You beat father and take control of the League and mold it into your image. I know you cannot stay in Nanda Parbat, so I will run things there and I will run things by you that will need your blessing. This way I kind of get what I always wanted, and you still have all of the control and can call us whenever you need us." Talia said.

"Or I could give the control to you and you will owe me for giving you the power and you will come whenever I need you." Oliver said.

"Why would you turn down being in charge of such a force though?" Talia asked.

"I just never saw the need in have that kind of power." Oliver said.

"Just think about it. I am fine whichever way you decide to go with this." Talia said.

"Ok, I will think about it. Oh, and Laurel still wants to train but she is letting Thea go with me now." Oliver said.

"I think that is for the best. The kids will need one of you here." Talia said.

"Yeah, everyone seems to be saying that. So, I will be staying." Laurel said as she stuck her tongue out at them.