*Down the Rabbit Hole*

A/N: Hey yall, This is a story I wrote and decided to change for my Samcedes obsession. It may be a little wordy but I'm hoping to improve. Sorry for any grammatical errors. I'm a terrible writer and proofreader, seriously! But I do hope some of yall stick with me. This story is Mertina, Samcedes, and Tike heavy. The other cast members may make an appearance but a lot of them are probably going to be AU/OOC. Sorry for the short chapter. I've written out the story and it's hard to break them down in chapters once I type them! They look so long on MicroWord but so short on FF :(

As always I don't own Glee, just this story.

1. Dilemma

Mercedes Jones felt the slow scratch of a branch across her leg as she came to a full stop. She winced and shot an angry look at her best friend Tina Cohen-Chang. Tina raised her arms in surrender as the Asian girl caught Mercedes' side eye. Mercedes just couldn't figure out why Tina wanted to come trekking through Finger Lake Trails. Both girls did not even live in Mt. Morris, NY which was where the trails were located at.

"It's not that bad" Tina said while she flipped her pin straight raven and blue locks into a bun. Mercedes rolled her eyes bright mocha eyes for the 100th time since they entered the forest. Again she wondered what made her agree to coming all the way out here on their spring break.

"Are we lost?" the chocolate skinned girl asked Tina, her best friend of ten years. They had known each other as far Mercedes could remember. They had grown up together in Lima, Ohio and they both made the decision to attend college in New York City. Tina wanted to sing on Broadway, while Mercedes just wanted to sing anywhere she could be heard.

"Well-"Tina started as they both step around a fallen tree. Her voice hitches as the best friends plummet into the darkness of a hole.

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Mercedes could feel her back spasm as she sat up fighting herself to become aware of her surroundings. Tina had landed on top of her. It wasn't like Tina was heavy but Mercedes knew that that had fell some distance before hitting the ground. Mercedes glanced around looking for the hole which they had just fallen from. They both sat up in a green lush field with a blue sky and a blazing sun above them. Mercedes felt Tina grip her arm suddenly. It was painfully obvious the girls were no longer in New York.

"Are we dead?" Tina asked after finally finding her voice. Mercedes pinched her friend hard and watched her reaction.

"Okay, we are not dead…but where are we?" Tina asked, her voice suddenly trialed off. The duo watched as dust kicked up somewhere off in the distance. Mercedes helped up Tina as they the dust storms stalls in front of them. The thick sandy air makes the girls cough as they wait for it to settle down. Mercedes found herself in Tina's death grip for the second time today.

"I must apologize; we did not mean to frighten you" the slightly accented voice stated. Mercedes glances up at the figure on the horse. Piercing green eyes hooded under sandy brown lashes locks with her eyes. His long dark blond hair fell along his jaw curling some with its length. Their eye dances with each other before a blush falls across his handsome face.

"Please excuse my manners, I must apologize again, I am Prince Samuel," he said stated "And this is my good friend and Knight, Sir Michael Chang."

Both of the girls eyes flew towards the prince's companion, Michael Chang, who had jet black ear length hair and deep brown eyes. He looked Asian or Latino but Mercedes wasn't too sure. All she knew he was just was handsome as Samuel but in a different way. Mercedes glanced over to Tina; she seemed to be taken with Michael's rugged good looks.

"Prince…?" Mercedes said looking up at him doubtfully. His overly full lips pulled into a gentle smile.

"Please do not be alarmed my lady" he said as he offered the voluptuous dark skinned girl his hand. Mercedes watched as "Sir" Michael Chang offered his hand to her blushing bestie as well.

Mercedes felt her stomach knot as Samuel gazed down at her. She took his hand and he pulled her up onto his horse effortlessly as if she had weighed nothing. Prince Samuel's calloused hands took Mercedes' arms and placed them around his waist before they set off. She could feel the heat off of his sunned brown thin armor warm against her skin. She also took the time to inhale his scent. He smelled like clean sweat and something that was distinctively all him.

Mercedes and Tina started to feel uncomfortable once the reached something that looked like a medieval castle. Everyone was dressed in medieval grab. Mercedes and Tina's tank and shorts seemed like not enough clothing surrounded around people in long sleeves and dresses in the summer's heat. After they were helped off the horse, Mercedes took in the court yard. People of all races loitered around the earthy yet clean looking courtyard. Most of them were selling random goods or tending to livestock. The court's people didn't seem to be bothered by the castle's newest arrivals.

"Where is this place?" Tina asked as soon they made their way into the castle. The castle's colors seemed to be red and yellow. It was splayed around the floors and the high stony walls.

"Aerallis, we call this world Aerallis and this is my father's castle Laeniel" the Prince answered.

Mercedes watched as "Sir Mike" stole glances at Tina as the climbed the longest set of stairs Mercedes had ever seen. She had always thought Tina was impossibly gorgeous. The Asian beauty had a voice and a body that was almost worth dying for…..at least that's what Mercedes thought anyways. Tina wasn't tiny but she had curves in all the right places. But when it came to curves, Mercedes had that arena covered.

The Prince Samuel excused himself before disappearing behind floor to ceiling wide double doors. As they waited for the prince's return, the handsome knight paced nervously. He stopped several times to speak to them but quickly lost his nerve and clamped his mouth shut. Tina nudged Mercedes with her shoulder. She had noticed Mercedes seemed lost in thought.

"What do we do?" Tina whispered. The only thing she got in return was a sullen shrug of Mercedes' shoulders. Mercedes didn't know how to answer that. Things like this didn't happen in real life. This wasn't a movie or a stupid fairytale book. Other worlds don't exist, they just don't. Her almost full on break down was interrupted by Samuel's return.

"My father shall be returning to Laeniel within the hour, till then shall we have a look the castle and courts?" he asked.

The girls nod as the group head arm-in-arm down another hall.

"Wait. Could we get a change of clothes?"

Prince Samuel's light green eyes brushed over Mercedes' body like a warm breeze. Making her soft and pretty face immediately warm with a blush at the act. "It has not been the first time we have seen people in your clothing; but I do understand your fears. If you like, shall we fetch you ladies a change of clothing?" he says as a light smile plays across his lips. Tina and Mercedes eye each other before nodding in unison.

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There was so much going on in the room, the girls couldn't even think. "Is this for real?" Mercedes asked while Tina spun around before slipping on another dress. "I don't even know anymore" the Asian responded before stripping off the dress she had just put on.

Mercedes stared at her reflection in the mirror. She wasn't being picky like Tina so she quickly settled on the second dress she tried on. The lilac floor length dress seemed to be made her. It was cut dangerously low in the front but it held the twins in. Across the front of the dress a different floral pattern was sewn in. The sleeves of the dress were also lilac but sheer. All the dresses the maids had pulled out were all summer gowns.

"My lady, this really does suit you well!" the brunette maid, who introduced herself as Rachel Berry, quipped. Rachel quickly picked up the gowns on the floor as she waited for Tina's response. Tina just smiled and decided to keep on the gold dress with sheer shimmery sleeves. Tina's staple color hac always been black on top of black, with a side of black. Mercedes grinned at her friend. She liked Tina sudden new color choice.

The next couple of minutes are a blur of arms and legs; Hair being curled and medieval make-up being applied. Mercedes felt her stomach drop once she found out who made the clothes and where everything came from. They had come from the late queen's chambers. The maids were mindlessly gossiping as they went to work on the New Yorkers and accidentally spilt that tidbit of information.

After the trio of maids cleared out of the room, Tina turned to Mercedes. "I'm scared Mercedes" she suddenly admitted. Mercedes tried to steady herself. Truth be told, she was scared shitless herself. How was she going to comfort her friend when she all felt like breaking down?

"Me too" Mercedes started as she grabed Tina's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I don't know how we are going to figure this out, but I promise you we will. And I'm glad we have each other, I'm glad I'm here with you."

Prince Samuel heard the chamber's door opening so he turned to greet his guests. "I fear I have no manners today. Seems we have not properly introdu-"His words halted at the sight of the beautiful young lady he had ridden with earlier. His eyes rudely raked over her and he blushed once his eyes met her wide toffee colored eyes. "I am Mercedes Jones and this is my best friend Tina Cohen-Chang" she stated. The little curtsey and spin Tina does makes the group burst out in laughter. The Prince's finds his face warming again while bowing some to Mercedes and then to her companion. He listens to the girls giggles halt. He liked the way Mercedes' voice sounds, her voice is melodic as if she was singing. He also liked the way her name rolled of her tongue; he had only hope it would sound just as nice rolling off of his. He offered Mercedes his arm and she took it without hesitation.

"We have the same last name" Sir Michael said while smiling down at Tina. They had already linked arms following closely behind Prince Samuel and Mercedes. She giggles before saying. "It seems to be a common name." Michael nods "I do believe my family origins are in China." She nodded while wondering if China was still China here. This place would be New York, technically but this place had a whole different name. Seemed all the states had different names.

The group stopped in front of a wooden door. Like all of the castle doors, these doors went front the ceiling to the floor. The ladies traced the craved stars and planet with their fingers on the wooden door's surface. "There is someone you must meet" the prince said as he swept open the door.

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The small crowed room was full of books and gizmos. One long table seemed to be teaming with flashing lights and noises. Mercedes eyes halted on two small glowing lamps. "Lamps!" Mercedes thought as her mind began to race as she stared at the lamps.

"Professor Schuester?"

A man who looked to be in his late 30's turned around. He pushed his thin wire frame glasses up before bowing. "Ah your majesty, to what do I owe this pleasure?" The man exclaimed, his loose brown curls bounced as his he turnt his head back and forth to survey his guests. Mercedes and Tina looked at each other before returning their gazes to the thin guy. His clothes looked old and he looked like he had always lived here but they duo knew his accent very well.

"You're from New York?" Mercedes asked before the Prince could respond to the Professor's question. The Professors brown eye widens as he looks the girls over again.

"You fell through the hole, didn't ya?" He asked.

Mercedes hears Tina gasp. "Yes, we fell" Tina finally answers after a long silent beat. The Professor starts digging through stacks of books while nodding his head. Once he found what he was looking for he returned his attention back to the group.

"I fell through it too, but that was about 20 years ago."

Mercedes felt her knees buckle and her stomach knot up. She knew right away that there was probably no way home. Without being asked the Prince held her up against him. Her body sagged as she gripped his arms to steady herself.

"How many people?" Mercedes asked once she found her voice again.

"There are thousands of people in this world who are not originally from this world. This hole or whatever it is just doesn't exist in New York." The professor said as he offered them seats. Both of the girls silently took seats, waiting for him to continue.

"King Theron's kingdom and family has been here for thousands of years. His is family line the oldest on this side of the world. King Theron also controls most of counties in Rhybanril. "He said as he handed Mercedes a copy of the world map.

"Rhy..ban..ril?" Tina stuttered.

"Mhmm. I understand it's a lot to take it but I've found the book I've written up about Rhybanril's history so far. It might help you feel a little more at ease with you guys current situation" He says as he hands Mercedes a large dusty worn book.

"Are you feeling unwell" the Prince asks staring down at Mercedes. He gives Tina a once over before he returned his attention back to Mercedes. "Yeah, I think I'm okay" she said, giving him a small smile.

He gives her a nod and then squeezed her shoulder before excusing himself and Sir Mike. Mercedes cracks open the book, just knowing it's going to be a long night. She and Tina wanted to know everything about where they were and how they could possibly get home.

Mercedes and Tina bowed deeply before rising again to meet King Theron's gaze. The handsome King smiled at the friends. It was obvious where the Prince got his dazzling good looks from. King Theron had the same light green eyes and overly plump lips. His hair looked to be graying some but otherwise they shared the same blond colored locks.

"I know you may be afraid but know we are here to help and protect you. I hope you do choose to settle in our Kingdom or in the regions around us. But you are free to settle anywhere in the lands of Rhybanril. You ladies are more then welcome to stay in Laeniel as long as you please. I do have however have one request and that is that you share any knowledge you may know of the other world with us. It will help our Kingdom grow and become stronger. In the meantime, welcome to Aerallis Lady Mercedes and Lady Tina." The King said offering the girls another smile.

"Thank you, your Majesty" the girls said in unison.

tbc...