I had MORE writers block on this chapter! Buuuut I got a really cool something in the following posts!! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed! You'll get the good-luck dragon pass by your window at night ;)

Thanks to Fire Opal for Betaing #4, ur the best! :D

Chapter 4: In Which There is a Solution

 Gavin found his situation a little strange. Sitting at the small wooden table without servants was fine with him, only, the royal family of the Enchanted Forest didn't seem to mind. Obviously this was a very unusual kingdom.

What does this stone actually do? Prince Daystar asked.

Umm... I'm not sure, Gavin replied with a thoughtful frown. My fairy godmother gave it to me. She said it was a great gift, and Suz seems to think that it's got some value. He got rather excited when I showed it to him. The prince drew out the foggy, palm-sized stone. It seemed to purr softly in his hand. It had never done that before. Do you hear that? He asked everyone at the table.

Hear what? Mendanbar asked.

The Stone's vibrating. It's purring like- like a kitten.

May I see it? Cimorene asked, holding out her hand. Gavin handed her the stone. Gazing intently, the queen of the Enchanted Forest brought it closer to examine. It's not really a stone, she commented finally. It's some kind of crystal and its very powerful. About as powerful as Mendanbar's sword, I'd say. Your fairy godmother gave this to you? Gavin nodded. They're not usually that powerful, Cimorene murmured. And they tend to be by-the-book. I think you'd better go see Kazul. I think this goes by a different name.... if only I could remember!

Who is Kazul? Gavin asked. Suz mentioned something about him as well.

Firstly, it's 'she.' Kazul lives up in the Mountains of Morning and she's the King of Dragons. Gavin choked on the piece of pancake he had just placed in his mouth.

He coughed. Kazul's the King of the Dragons?

Cimorene gave him an assessing look and nodded.

Oh no, Gavin groaned. Now what am I going to do? How am I supposed to ask her for help if I need to fight her?

Wait a minute, backtrack a little here, Mendanbar said. Why do you have to fight Kazul?

Gavin blushed. Well I- I have to save a Princess. That's what got me into this big mess in the first place. She was captured by dragons in the Mountains of Morning and I've got to rescue her. I don't want to but, well, I guess it's expected of me.

If I know Kazul, and I think I do, she won't appreciate any more hotheaded princes knocking on the door, demanding a tourney. Besides, Cimorene said smiling, she's got a very impulsive princess right now who might lose her temper if she's interrupted in the middle of her work.

I don't want to fight the King of Dragons, but I don't have a choice right now. Do you have any ideas?

Of course, Cimorene said with a smug grin. You'll proceed into the Mountains of Morning with your stone. I'll write a letter to Kazul explaining everything. There's a few items that I promised I'd give Shiara as well. To make sure that none of the dragons mistake you for a wandering meal, Daystar will go with you.

This was all going a little too fast for Gavin's liking. Once he reached the Mountains of Morning he had to rescue Princess Aerida, fight or no fight. He was OK with Daystar travelling with him, he needed a friend. But the whole Stone business was too confusing. He was stuck with it now, he supposed. And what if the dragon did want to fight him? Gavin had never met a dragon, but they were always fierce and unreasonable... or at least that's what Berald had said. Why do I have to be the one to carry this stone? Can- can I give it to Kazul as an um... an exchange for Aerida?

Cimorene shook her head immediately. No, I think she's got enough problems as it is.

Even if she did accept it, Mendanbar put in, it most likely wouldn't work. Things like this have to be done a certain way and there's usually no getting around it.

Prince Gavin sighed, Yes, I was afraid of that. He turned to Daystar. Do you want to come with me? You don't have to, you know.

You seem pretty reasonable, and I want to know what that stone is. I could swear I've heard about it before. Besides, I want to see Shiara again.

And so it was that two Princes set out to the Mountains of Morning. Gavin was a little nervous about going through the forest again, but Daystar assured him that no werewolves roamed during the day. It wasn't very far, only a day's walk and Gavin discovered that the Enchanted Forest tended to switch places from time to time, making it hard to find any place at all.

So that's why I couldn't make anything out! our prince cried. This forest has more to it then I ever thought. Do you think it kept switching on purpose? To make Suz and me meet, I mean.

Most likely, Daystar answered. The Forest has a mind of it's own in a way. It takes awhile to get used to, but once you do you may never want to leave.