Disclaimer: I don't own Adventure Time, except on DVD. Which I just own the rights to privetly view them, or something like that.

Never Feigning, Never Fading
Chapter 1

She laid in bed in slight protest as another thunderous knock came from the large stone doors of her bed chamber, the resulting echo reminding her of how disheartening empty the large room was. The Young Flame queen yawned and stretched, already aware of the situation at hand but she answered anyway.

"Yes?" She rubbed her golden eyes with a petite hand.

"The council will be expecting you in half an hour my queen." The servant's muffled voice confirmed what the young queen already knew. A small frown formed as her mind eventually cleared.

"Good, thank you for the wakeup call."

"Of course, It's my honor my Queen."

Flame Princess remained still as she listened to the echoing footsteps of the servant excusing themself before throwing off the lavish, dragon skin cover of her bed. She sighed as a wave of heartache washed over her. Waking to the large regal room day after day had grown dampen her mood, a constant reminder of the new restrictions and responsibility her title carried with it. In her darker times she even found herself comparing the enclosure to that accursed lantern.

Dragging herself to the large mirror that adorned the wall golden eyes looked over the girl looking back at her. Four years as the Fire Kingdom's matriarch hadn't changed her physically so much, her body was still a landscape of soft, rolling curves. She kept her hair shorter as of late, abandoning the ducktail and bonfire styles she formally used. Wisps of hair dully swayed no lower than her eyes. Aside from making herself presentable she knew her physical appearance didn't matter much. Unlike her, many fire elementals didn't care for such a humanoid look. She always seemed to be the exception and always felt a natural peace in this form. As long as she was accomplishing her goals and helping the kingdom prosper no one could really complain.

And what daunting goals they had been so far. Teaching an entire nation that they weren't evil solely based on their affinity to fire was surprisingly difficult. She just had to attribute it to the long line of warmongering rulers before her and her inexperience in ruling over people. Her hard work had finally paid off however and the hearts and mind of the citizens had swayed. In return the people loved and celebrated her, and the emptiness that had been so determined to destroy her had begun to fade.

Well, it had mostly faded at this point.

The young woman shook the lamentations away, it would do her not good to keep such thoughts hanging around today. The true subject of today was what she could do to further enrich the Fire Kingdom, and that's what today's meeting was all about. She went over her thoughts as she made some last minute adjustments to her appearance. She walked to the door, casting one last look to her window and a tall, black stone bird perch beside it. It was empty now, but maybe when she returned...

She traveled the corridors of her castle, her mind swarmed with thought and her eyes to the ground. She would have made it all the way to her destination lost in this trance if not for the sound of someone clearing their throat.

A tall, male elemental, adorned in traditional black armor glanced down on her, his emotions unreadable as always.

"Is everything all right my queen?" His voice indicated a sense of sharp nobility.

"Oh, hi Sol," The young queen blushed. "I'm sorry, I was lost in thought there."

"It's not a problem my queen." The nobleman offered his arm. "May I escort you to the meeting hall?"

Flame Princess contemplated the offered appendage, he always seem to put her in conflict with herself for reasons she couldn't understand. She decided to forget for now before finally looping her arm in his. As they continue their walk she found herself scanning the man from the corner of her eyes.

Sol wasn't a bad guy or anything. When she finally took power and wanted to change things around the kingdom he was a glob send. Always there to bounce ideas off of, working long nights to help spread her vision among the castle and city. He was a strong and an accomplished swordsman and anyone in the kingdom could tell the strength of his flames by just looking at him. More than a few times she overheard others commented on how lucky the queen was to have such a suitor.

She could never quite see him in the same light as the others however. She could never get him to unwind, to express something other than cool contemplation. She couldn't hold it against him; they shared a common goal after all.

The meeting hall was already filled with the various heads of the kingdom she regularly met and consulted with. As she entered they all rose and bowed to their matriarch until her and her escort took their seats. A small rush of nervousness washed over her as she was reminded of just how much responsibility she had. Sol's hand covered hers in a sign of reassurance, almost as if he knew what was on her mind.

"You may all be seated." She scanned the room meeting the eyes of her trusted subjects. "I'd like to thank you all for meeting with me today so that I may discuss the next steps in our kingdom's progress with you all. First off have we received any replies form the other kingdoms we have contacted?"

"Only from the Candy Kingdom, and the letter only questioned our citizen's ability to control themselves. They don't any open relationship between our Kingdoms until we can prove ourselves." A young cloaked woman answered.

Flame Princess shook her head in contemplation. She hoped that the one ruler that knew her a little personally would give her people a chance. After all this time Princess Bubblegum couldn't put a little more faith in her people and their progress? What would it take to put some trust in that woman's pink gooey head?

Silence fell over the console for a moment as the young royal continued to seethe in her thoughts.

"Does it really bother you that much, my queen?" An elder male elemental questioned.

"Yes it does. Everyone out there on the surface seems determined to stick to their negative assumptions about our people. I'm guessing the blame for every forest fire and every rouge rock golem attack is still being placed squarely on our shoulders. Honestly, when will this all stop? I'm afraid one day some army will come stomping down here thinking they're doing Ooo a huge favor by wiping us off the map." Flame Princess' flames seem to flick about with her frustration.

"But your highness we have tomes upon tomes on battle strategies in our grasps. Surely we're not in that much danger of being annihilated." A newly appointed captain spoke.

"Don't remind me." Flame Princess couldn't help but to roll her eyes. "Nearly all the literature we have down here is about wars or battle. We're lucky we haven't reverted to our old ways due to a lack of culture." Flame Princess' tone became quiet, barely loud enough for everyone to hear her next thought." I just want to give our people more than war and destruction. I want to give them the chance to live freely like the other people of Ooo."

The young queen's plea washed over the room, sending everyone into a quiet contemplation.

"If that is truly you wish my queen perhaps we should pay these kingdoms a personal visit?" Sol suggested.

"What do you mean Sol?" The royal elemental raised an eyebrow.

"These other rulers won't be able to ignore us if we show up in person."

"Do you mean "show up" as in a few ambassadors on a good will mission or marching a small army up to their door?" The Fire Kingdom ruler attempted to stay on her toes in this situation.

"Which ever path serves your purpose better my queen."

Flame Princess gave him a scornful look. However, she had spent the last four years in the Flame Kingdom. A trip to the surface didn't seem like such a bad idea, a chance to get away from it all and do some more good. Her body flared and brightened slightly in excitement of the idea.

"Perhaps a visit to our neighbors is in order." She tapped her fingers to her chin a few times as the idea grew on her. "I could use a little time off." Her suggestion caused alarm in several faces across the room.

"We couldn't put you in such danger your highness!" The cloaked woman worried aloud.

"It shouldn't be too dangerous, I and a few guards will accompany her. Since everyone is intent on ignoring us we shouldn't meet much resistance or assassination attempts." Sol reasoned.

Murmurs buzzed among everyone as the talked over this change of plans.

"Still, the surface has water wizards, lake nymphs, water elementals. Maybe we should seek out some guardians who don't carry a common weakness to us."

"I can see what I can do about more varied security for this excursion. Meanwhile we can get a carriage prepared and provisions gathered in the meantime. If no one else has any objections to this plan, that is." Sol rose from his seat and confronted the rest of his peers.

Private conversations were exchanged as Flame Princess nervously awaited their opinion on the matter. She would have the final word on the matter but pushing the subjects around just to get her way would be counterproductive at this point.

"If Sir Sol agrees to work with us on fortifying the preparations I'm sure we can come to an agreement and make this plan possible." The elder man nodded to the matriarch.

"That would be wonderful and I'm sure it would lead to great things for our kingdom!" The royal couldn't help to become excited at the possibility of seeing the surface again.

The sound of the door opening caught everyone's attention as a messenger was let in.

"My queen, an ethical conflict has risen and we could use your opinion on the matter." The young woman stood at attention awaiting her answer.

Flame Princess always liked to deal with matters like this in person, getting as close to her people as possible. "If the rest of you are fine with it, may I leave to deal with this matter?"

Glances were passed and nods were given.

"Go my Queen, we'll continue with the planning in your stead." Sol patted her hand.

"Thanks everyone, be sure to keep me updated on these plans." Flame Princess rose and was escorted out of the room by the messenger.

"We're still quite concerned about yours and the princess' safety on this purposed trip Sol. We don't have many allies who we can call in to help and even fewer mercenaries who we can afford to pay." The elder elemental stared intently at the young noble.

"Perhaps the mountain elementals are a better choice then?" Sol suggested with a raised eyebrow, causing the room to murmur.

"While strong they are also slow, could they really act quickly in an emergency?"

" .. and their social skills are horrible…"

"… and they'll want something in return. Our relations with them are quite unstable as it is. I can't imagine a negotiation going smoothly with them."

Sol tapped his finger against the table. Ever the thinker, he took in all the complaints as they rung out and began forming possible answers. He meditated briefly before speaking again.

"Someone who won't charge us much, is adept enough to can swiftly in an emergency, one which we're also in good relations with. I'm afraid the only person we know like is Finn the Hero." Sol sighed; annoyed in the amount of people he currently had to please.

The table returned to whispers.

"If he's available he would be a perfect choice."One of his peers confirmed while the rest of the table nodded.

Sol fought the urge to grimace "I will send word out to him immediately and request his presence. If there are no further matters I'll be on my way." Sol stood, the others quietly watching him as he strode out the door.

In the hallway he shook his head, pitying that the situation was already getting out of his hands.

With a yawn Flame Princess returned to her room, the many days' events wearing on her. Miners had come across a valuable vane of Jack Ruby while digging but they were getting dangerously close to a neighboring Kingdom. The evening was spent discussing an ethical choice they could make in the situation. As she wanted nothing more than to return to bed at the moment a squawk caught her attention however and quickly turned her mood around. A large, flaming parrot stood on the perch by her window. It's attention fully placed on its master.

Anxiously the young royal quickly gathered a few items from her dresser. She unraveled a leather scroll on her room's floor, being careful not to damage the heat sensitive material in her excitement. Next she brought out a small bag and shook a little of its contents in her hand, which caught the attention of her pet. She stood and offered the pile of bits of charcoal and wood chips to her pet.

"There you go." She cooed at the bird. "I hope you got something good for me today." As the bird finished its treat she offered her arm to the bird. After it perched on her she brought it over to the scroll where the bird's instincts took over.

Taking to the air it flew back and forth over the unraveled scroll a few times, emitting many more embers than it had before. The royal's golden eyes followed the falling embers as they began to magically form characters on the sheet of leather. Its globetrotting done for another few days the fire parrot returned to its black stone perch for some much needed rest.

"Thank you, Ears." Flame Princess scratched the bird's neck before quickly returning to the scroll on the floor.

Determined, golden eyes quickly scanned the text for specific words. If there was any news about him that surfaced she wanted to be updated right away. Petite hands balled into fists as began losing hope and unread text to look over. She sighed, leaning against her hard rock bed in defeat; the parrot hadn't picked up any news about the adventurer she sought to hear about.

Her worried mind began to panic. The last she heard he set out in search for an enchanted weapon over a week ago. Had been hurt or worse? Could she really even do anything for him from this position? Would he even take her help if she tried?

Self-pity washed over the young ruler as her hands slid under the bed, retrieving a large, stout stone case. Surely no one would come bother her at this hour and she could be allowed to wallow in her secrets and worries for a little while before returning to bed.

Opening the case she looked over the many bound leather scrolls that were seemingly identical to the one her bird had just scribed all over. Her fire parrot, Ears, was aptly named as she was the Fire Monarch's ears to the surface world. The bird had to amazing ability to remember conversations it heard while flying around the surface. It would then return to it's owner to share any news it had found. And these scrolls, kept secret under lock and key, was the greatest gift the pet could give her owner. Aside from honest, no strings attached, love and affection that is.

The scrolls she coveted so dearly chronicled the continuing tales of the adventurer who had become a common name passed along the land of Ooo. A being who had grown from "The Human Boy" to "The Human" and finally to "The Hero." Each scroll filled her with more questions she desperately wished he would answer for her.

Questions like "where have you been for these last three years?"

Sadly the scrolls could only tell her about a being who had seemingly forgotten that she existed. Even when he had come to help the Fire Kingdom every now and again he would quickly disappear without a trace before she heard about it.

Her flames brightened and her anger fueled her resolve. She was the ruler of a Kingdom! She shouldn't be wasting time pining over someone like this! She angrily rolled up her new scroll, adding it to her collection before rejecting the box back to its hiding place. Lifting the dragon skin blanket she returned to bed, her flames dimming as sadness replaced her anger.

Even if she was surrounded by admirers and loyal citizens and servants the fact that he could ignore her so easily always caused something to tighten in her chest.

And Glob did it hurt.

-A Few Days Later-

Finn the Hero sighed, tapping the handle of the simple looking chef's knife that rested snug between his belt and shorts as he traversed the last few yards before reaching home. It was his only trophy from his most recent adventure and the trip had been too long and disappointing because of that fact. Reaching for the front door of the tree house he took a second to admire the tree's towering stature. It had been his glorious beacon for the last half an hour or so. His aching body chose to remind him that looking at the house was a stupid idea at the moment, especially when there were chairs to relax on and beds to sleep in inside.

He reached for the white bandana that covered his forehead and set his bag down by his kitchen table. He opened it and grabbed the only other thing he deemed worthy to take along on his trip, a pair of crimson red bell peppers. Finn wasn't one who cared for many vegetables; his roommate would love these however.

Stopping in front of her door he rapt on it a few times, receiving no response. Assuming she was asleep he entered anyways, making it only a few steps into the dark room before a figure fell from the ceiling and tackled him to the ground. The assailant brought her face close to the humans ear, whispering ominously.

"His strength failing him, Finn the Hero could only wet himself as the Jive Dragon prepared to make a meal out of him." She hissed and erupted into laughter at her roommate."You're gonna get done in one of these days if you're not quicker on your feet hero." The vampire queen taunted easily holding her roommate down with her weight,

"Hey Marcy," He grunted as cool as he could under her pressure," I got you some red."

"Sweeeet." She relinquished his of the two vegetables. Draining one of its bright hue on the spot she continued her taunting. "What's wrong? Hero's not strong enough to throw me off?"

" Well, maybe if you did something aside from feeding and sleeping all day your butt wouldn't be the capital of colossal town." Finn proceeded to slide from underneath his roommate, cracking his back as he stood. "Like I'd ever get caught by a Jive Dragon..."

"That would be a mathin' wicked fight to see. I could even write a rock ballad about you getting your butt handed to you."

"Sure Marcy, whatever. I'd love to chat but my bed's serenading me with some smooth sleep tunes as we speak." Finn countered, tossing her the second pepper.

Marceline only chuckled at the visually tired man in front of her. "Sure thing, by the way you got some letter yesterday. It's on the kitchen table." With that said the pale woman retreated into her own room.

Finn pondered the letter; he must have overlooked it in his urgency to get to bed. Returning to the kitchen he opened it up and looked it over. Its message was clear and simple, yet it caused his hands to sweat and his heart to quicken.

The Fire Kingdom had requested a meeting with him.

Hey all! Thanks for taking an interest in my new story. After the big event at the end of season 5 I had to write a Flinn fic of my own. If you like it and would like to see more please leave me any type of feedback you want. It shouldn't be too long until the next chapter but feedback always helps to motivate me. Thanks again and I hope you enjoyed!

IN THE NEXT CHAPTER:
What's happened to us? I can't just act like I didn't avoid her for the last three years. I can't just act like nothings changed though either. Not with him at her side whenever I see her. This is so un-math!

What's the right thing to do? How do I not mess this up?