Rain thundered down as the car rolled along the wet streets. Maggie Smith glanced out the window anxiously. The car was quiet. Maggie's brother Luke was fast asleep, and her parents had their eyes on the road. Soft classical music was coming from the speakers, but nobody was really listening.

Maggie was heading to visit her grandparents for spring break. They had two weeks off every year, and every year they did something fun. She was excited to see what her aunt had in store for her this time.

"We're here!" Maggie's mother announced, and she grabbed her umbrella and quickly jumped out of the car.

"Inside, everyone!" Maggie's grandma instructed, and they all made a dash for the door. "We'll go and bring your bags in."

"Mom, you don't have to do that," Maggie's mom said.

"Ava, it's the least we could do," said the girl's grandma.

She headed out into the rain with her husband and helped Maggie's father bring their bags inside. Maggie and Luke headed into the living room, where their grandparents gave them towels to dry off.

"I'm sure you're all exhausted from your trip," Maggie's grandma said, "But first let us give you your gifts."

"Alexandra, really, you didn't have to get us anything," Maggie's father said.

"It was no trouble, really, Jackson," Alexandra said. "Come on, sit down."

The family sat down on the couches in Alexandra and Mark's living room. "Here, Maggie," Alexandra said. "This is for you."

Alexandra passed Maggie a square box. The material was velvet, which was a burgundy color. She opened the lid, and found a ring sitting in the box.

The ring didn't look very unusual. "That diamond was mined from the mine in Arkansas." A strange look crossed over Alexandra's face. "Let's just say that you will find some use from owning this."

Maggie was confused. What did Alexandra mean by the ring having a use? She made a note to ask her grandmother about it later, and watched the rest of her family receive their gifts.

The family eased into small talk, and then Luke suggested they watch a movie. Maggie was exhausted from the car ride, so she headed upstairs.

Maggie's bedroom was in the attic of her grandparents' house. It had a single, small square window looking out over the garden. She could see the river that ran behind it. It was deep enough that when it was nice out, Maggie and her brother could go swimming.

There was a double bed in the attic. It had a comforter that was beige, blue, and brown striped, which had matching pillows. The walls were a light blue color, and the roof and floor were made of wood. There was a bedside table beside the bed, and a small desk facing the window.

Maggie sat down at the desk and stared out the window. It looked like the rain was going to stop soon. She pulled out a book of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales and began to read. It seemed like only seconds later when she heard Luke calling her name.

"Come on, Maggie! We're going to the beach!"

The house wasn't very far away from a small, sandy beach where they usually went during vacation. Maggie grabbed her backpack from downstairs and began to pack it. She threw in a few granola bars, a bottle of water, her swimsuit, beach shoes, and a change of clothes. Then she grabbed her ring and examined it for a moment, before sliding it onto her figure.

Her grandpa suddenly appeared in her door. "Pack your bow," he suggested. "We can do some archery practice on the beach." Maggie grinned. Every time she came to her grandparents' house, Maggie was taught archery by her grandfather. On an impulse, as well as her bow, she grabbed her tin whistle.

"Hurry up Maggie! Let's go!" Luke called.

Maggie was preparing to leave, when out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of a picture of her and her best friend. Maggie and Rachel had known each other since first grade, but unfortunately Rachel had to move away last year. Now Maggie mostly sat alone at lunch, listening to other people's conversations but never joining in.

Maggie sighed as she looked at the picture. She slipped it into her backpack after a second thought. Then, there was a blinding flash of light, and Maggie saw no more.

I realize that this is the second time I've written a Land Before Time story, but after I re-read the story "Land Before Time Retold" by Avatar Emerald, I was inspired. This story, while similar in some aspects, is not going to be identical to that story. I'd love to tell you all about it, but I don't want to spoil anything.

Please review!

Sunshines and smiles,

Fanfic