AN: Thanks for every reviews and PMs I've gotten from this story it means quite a lot to me and well I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Clary's point of view

After selling my hunt and getting enough food and money for everything I walked back towards my house.

As walked I heard my name being shouted which I glanced around at and saw the last person on earth that I wanted to see at that moment.

Sebastian Verlac.

I sighed slightly and carried on walking but somehow he still managed to catch up with me and start talking to me.

"So Clary, I haven't seen you in weeks, how have you been?"

I answered stiffly "Fine."

Verlac didn't seem to notice anything as he started talking "Good, so have you thought about my last offer yet?"

I glared at the floor and said "For the last time, I can't go out on a date with you ever."

He didn't listen to me as he said "Well maybe I can change your mind."

He moved closer to me but I told him quickly "I have to get home I'm afraid so I'll be off now."

I quickened my pace and moved around the people quickly escaping Verlac's side and as soon as I could I ran all the way back home.

As soon as it was in sight a small smile crept onto my face and I ran along the pier and yelled down to the house "Hey guys, guys guess what?!"

I heard the light giggles of my sister's Emma and Ruby come through a window and then both of their voices cry "Clary! You're home."

I called back "Yeah! I'm here! And guess what I've got!"

I heard Ruby's proper laugh and then her footsteps come racing around the house and onto the pier.

She soon appeared at the end of the pier and her smile was a lot bigger than I have ever seen it before, then again I probably said something stupid last night by accident.

I smiled back and opened my arms and she ran straight at me and jumped into my arms and threw hers around my neck as I spun her around and then dropped her back on the floor and said "Guess what I shot today."

Ruby asked "Rabbits?"

I rolled my eyes and said "Yes but also something else."

Emma came down the pier and gave me a hug too and she asked "What was it?"

I answered with "Guess."

I led them inside where I was ambushed with even more hugs by everyone except my mother who probably would have if I hadn't given her a glare.

I rocked back and said "I managed to find a deer, I sold it at four silver coins at the butchers and I've also sold four of the six rabbits which all four came to the price of another silver coin so that's five silver coins and two rabbits for you guys."

My mother laughed and said "Oh that is amazing."

I looked at her and said "It's not being trusted in your hands if that's what you're thinking."

My mother's eyes darkened and she asked "Do you not trust me enough Clarissa."

I answered harshly "Well my trust in you doesn't really exist considering what you do with the money. Last time you gambled and got completely drunk and well let's not go down that road again in front of young ears."

My mother stared at me and I asked the kids "Is any of the boys here?"

I then heard a deep voice say from behind me "Well I'm male and here so does this count?"

I spun around and saw my older brother Henry standing behind me which I smiled at and ran straight at him and gave him a massive hug and said "I guess you heard about what I got."

He nodded and said "Yeah, did you want me to take it?"

I nodded and then fished them out of my pockets and said "Keep them safe."

He nodded and I said "I'm going to attempt for some sleep, I'm tired as hell."

Henry nodded and I walked off to my small bed and lay there trying to get comfortable enough to sleep.

-Page Break-

A few hours later the pounding at the door woke me up from the sleep I was getting and I heard my brother arguing with someone.

I went out into our lounge and asked still half asleep "What's going on?"

My sister Sophia ran at me and said "The king, he requests to see you for important business which is top secret."

I frowned and said "Fantastic, let me guess I'm being executed."

The guard laughed and said "No Miss Morgenstern, you're going to be doing something a lot more dangerous than that."

I sighed and said "Then let's get this over and done with."

After reassuring everyone that I'd be fine I followed the guards out of the house and they surrounded me and walked towards the palace.

I wondered what the king could want with me but I didn't ask it out loud because I knew that I wouldn't get an answer from them at least.

Soon enough I was entering the palace gates and the palace itself which coming from the poorest section of town is a massive change.

The walls were a glittery pearly white colour and there were large windows where you could see near enough the whole village out of and I thought that you could probably fit five lots of the village in the entrance hall alone.

Soon we came to what presumably was the throne room and the guards who surrounded me then gripped my arms tightly and marched into the room.

I obviously guessed right as there were three thrones for each of the royal family members; one for the King, one for the Queen and four for the each of the Princes.

There was also a few other people there which one I recognised instantly as Jace.

Everyone else stared at me but Jace and the man Luke who helped me when I was five smiled slightly at me as if they expected me to be here.

I was sat luckily in between Luke and Jace which I didn't really mind.

I didn't look at either of them for a while until Jace bumped his shoulder against mine and said "Couldn't even wait a year to see me again could you?"

I smirked and said "To be fair you followed me, so I think I should be asking you that question."

I almost smiled at Jace's surprised face and Luke actually sat there chuckling out loud.

Luke said "You two are going to be a handful aren't you?"

I asked Luke "Are you saying that I have to go somewhere with all of these people?"

Luke smiled and said "Maybe not all of them but certainly me and Jace."

I sighed and said "Well there goes my plans for a good year."

My guard gave me an evil look which I smiled innocently at him back.

The royal family then came in and everyone had to stand up and bow to them as they walked past and settled in their thrones.

The king then spoke "Hello people of Idris, I and my family have summoned you villagers to do something for not just the family but the whole kingdom we live in."

Most people in the room had some look of surprise on their faces but I didn't let any creep onto mine at all, this would the last place I'd want to show emotions at.

The king carried on "We have lost fourteen gems, each a different one and each of them have a meaning too."

No one really moved as we all sat there waiting to hear we were going to have to do.

The king said "The fourteen gems are: a Topaz, a Diamond, a Lapis Lazuli, an Emerald, an Opal, an Amethyst, a Ruby, a Moonstone, a Tsavourite, a Sapphire, a Turquoise, a Zircon, a Fluorite, and lastly a Carnelian. The gems were stolen for us and if they are all activated then well the whole kingdom of Alicante will be destroyed."

He looked at the majority of the group and said "You five will set off a week after the first group and it's your job to connect each gem to the chain which they were connected to. You will be accompanied by my youngest son who will help your protection."

They all looked relieved but I felt slightly nervous because most people would push me to a female job like cooking or something because I'm a girl.

The king turned to me, Jace and Luke and said "You three however will have the dangerous job of actually retrieving the gems, I can only warn you that guarding each gem is said to be a terrifying monster or beast which none who have gone against it have survived."

For some reason the last piece of information made me even more determined to get the gems and bring them back here.

The king carried on "You three will also be accompanied with my second oldest son who will help protect you."

I almost wanted to answer with 'We can all protect ourselves sir.' But I held my tongue like my father taught me to and stayed silent.

The son who was coming with us came over to us and he said sharply "We leave as soon as possible."

Jace and Luke nodded and murmured something like okay before wondering off to look at a few weapons and stuff.

I sat there for a minute after nodding; my mind drifting to my family and I soon realised that I can't hunt for them if I'm all the way around the country or dead.

I felt slightly guilty about almost wanting to leave this place and my family behind but I also wanted to explore and well after being treated like shit for a lot of my life I wanted to prove that I could survive.

I could feel the Prince's eyes watch me carefully as I sat there waiting for Jace and Luke to come back not really wanting to mingle with these people.

As soon as the other two boys had returned the Prince told us harshly "You have tonight to say goodbye to your friends and family and collect your stuff and then we'll meet at Clarissa's house as soon as we're done."

As he walked away I muttered "Well he seems cheerful."

Jace had to bite back a smile and I said "We might as well wait for each other if we're meeting at my house because unless either of you have been stalking me you two have no idea where I live."

Both Jace and Luke nodded and I asked "Whose house is nearer?"

Jace and Luke both said "We're opposite each other so same distance."

I nodded and then we all left together out of the palace and back into town.

Luckily it only took Jace and Luke a few minutes to pack their stuff and say goodbye to their friends and family so soon enough we were heading back to my house.

I walked slightly ahead of both of them trying to find the words to tell all the kids where I was going and that I might not return.

We were now approaching the house and I still hadn't thought of anything on how to tell my family about the quest.

As we walked up the pier I told Jace and Luke "You might want to stay here."

They both nodded and I called back jokingly "Watch out for the piranhas."

I laughed slightly at Jace's shocked face and then I entered my house.

Jace's point of view

After Clary had entered her house, I heard a small scream "Clary! You're back!"

Then suddenly tons of squeals and shouts came out "Clary? You're here. Just in time for dinner."

The house shook slightly and loads of footsteps came ponding around the house.

I was partly curious to see her family now and I could tell that Luke was too so I nodded my head towards a near window in question which Luke nodded at to agree and both of us crept towards the window and peered through the glass.

What I saw was definitely not what I was expecting.

In the middle of a small cramped room with a few sofas and chairs was Clary who was half smiling as her younger family crowded around her clutching her hands and all of them asking questions at her.

I saw a woman who was sitting in her armchair looking happy but also sad as she watched Clary crouch and have a group hug with all of her younger family.

Her sister from two years ago Ruby was standing at the edge of the group and one of her brothers shoved her back and she went flying into the wall next to us and then as she got up again rubbing her head she glanced at me and Luke in the window and screamed slightly.

Clary looked up protectively and saw me and Luke in the window and relaxed slightly as she sighed before saying to her sister "Hey Rubs you might as well let them in."

Her sister soon ran through the small house and appeared at the top end of the pier and beckoned us to her and then led us into the house.

As soon as I entered the lounge area everyone other than Clary stared at me and Luke as if we were aliens.

Ruby then seemed to recognise me and she said "Clary is that the boy you were talking to the other year."

Clary nodded and said "Yeah, I need to tell you guys something."

Her whole family now came in even her older family and they all sat down on the floor and sofas and chairs and stared at Clary expectantly.

Clary bit her lip slightly and said "The reason the king wanted me at the palace was because he wants me and these two to go on a dangerous quest around the kingdom."

One of her sisters asked "And when will you come back?"

Clary bit her lip even harder as she answered "I – I don't know."

One of her brother's then came over and asked "So what is this dangerous quest all about?"

Clary met his eyes and said "Some things have been stolen and he wants us three and one of his sons to go around and collect them again."

Her brother asked again "Where's the dangerous- by the angel Clary you don't mean …?"

Clary seemed to get what he was on about and she nodded slightly and her older family's eyes all teared up slightly and the younger ones asked "What's wrong?"

Clary closed her eyes and said "Put it this way, I'll be fighting very big and horrible monsters and well I might not return, ever."

Ruby put her hand over her mouth and she ran straight at Clary and tackled her into a hug.

This time Clary didn't even resist her sister's request as she hugged her just as tight back.

I thought about what Clary had said and realised that it was true, maybe not all of us or none of us even will live until the end.

Ruby said "Well you can hunt and use weapons so you'll be fine right?"

Clary tried a small smile and she said "Yeah maybe."

Now all of her family came up and hugged her and soon enough the door burst open and her ratty friend stood in the doorway holding a load of weapons and as soon as Clary saw him she ran at him and he pulled her into a massive hug and she was shaking slightly now as if she was willing herself to be strong for her family.

She then took a step back and he handed her, her weapons which she accepted with a small murmur of thanks before she went into another room and presumably started packing her bag.

We all stood in an awkward silence until Clary came back her eyes not meeting anyone else's except her mothers who when she did she made her way over to her mother's chair and she said "All I want from you is not to zone out on them again okay?"

Her mother nodded and stood up and gave Clary a hug which she seemed surprised at but she gave her mother a returning awkward hug.

Her mother then went to a draw and handed her daughter a sword and she said "It was the last one your father ever made, so take care of it."

Clary nodded and said quietly "Thank you."

Soon Clary turned around and said "We better get going, otherwise moody will get pissed off."

Luke chuckled and said "You have a fair point Miss Morgenstern."

Clary smiled slightly and then her mother soon called after us "You two boys better look after my daughter."

I called back "Don't worry we will."

Her mother smiled and then Ruby called "Clary here take this."

Clary stopped on her way to the door and accepted the necklace before seeing what it was and saying "Rubs you guys might need it whilst I'm away."

Ruby shook her head and replied "Not as much as you do."

Clary smiled and hung it around her neck and said "Thanks Rubs."

All of us now headed out of the house and just before Clary let the door shut she said softly "And if I don't come back then I want to say to all of you that I love you all so much and you're the best family I could of ever asked for, even if I didn't show it as much as I would have liked."

Clary then shut the door quickly and looked at the floor and walked past me and Luke quickly and walked down the pier her eyes trained to the floor as if she was afraid she'd cry in front of us.

The Prince was already waiting for us with four horses at the ready and he asked Clary harshly "Do you know how to ride a horse Clarissa?"

She stiffly nodded her head and he nodded in half surprise and half approval and handed her the midnight black one.

Clary nodded her head slightly and then stroked the horse as if it would make her feel better.

Luke got the dark brown horse, the Prince had a chestnut horse and my horse was a golden caramel sort of colour called Honey.

The Prince walked towards Clary as if to help her on it but she apparently didn't want or need help as she swung herself up easily.

The Prince looked at her and said "Quite an independent woman are we?"

He received no reply or even a movement from Clary and he said "A moody one to."

This time Clary answered her voice harsh and cold "Wasn't you saying about how we needed to hurry at the palace?"

The Prince stared at her and said "Sarcastic and stubborn too."

Clary now turned her head, glaring at him as she snapped "Are we going to sit here all night whilst you describe me or are we going to get a move on?"

The Prince told her "So now we're demanding, perfect woman companion."

Clary's eyes looked almost murderous as she snapped "Do you really want to go down that road and piss me off before we're even started because one thing I'll tell you about me your highness, I don't look like much but I can cause you twice as much pain than both Jace and Luke put together so I would not go down the road to piss me off right after saying goodbye to my family and the only friend I have ever had possibly for the last time ever all because your family can't keep some gems under protection, and I've even surprised myself that I agreed to this because you royal people haven't even glanced at me for as long as I can remember so you have the lucky chance of being able to piss me off a lot more easily than a lot of other people so I advise you to shut your mouth whilst you can."

Clary then kicked her horse's sides and walked off on it heading back up and away from us again.

The Prince looked at me and I told him carefully "Yeah she's always like that, you get used to it after a while."

Clary then yelled back "I heard that Jace!"

I laughed and thought "Well this is going to be very interesting."

AN: Thanks for reading this guys and I know it started off a bit like the hunger games but I've tried to change it away from that as much as possible. Anyway please review and I'll try to update soon but I can't promise anything because my GCSE's are taking up a lot of my time. So until I next update I'm out.