The drive to Aurora's kingdom was quiet and boring. No one really wanted to say anything. The only thing that was said was an update from each group.

"So, did you guys find anything important or useful?" Jane asked Carlos as he entered the limo. They had stopped to pick up Jay, Lonnie, Carlos, and Aziz on their way to the Sleeping Kingdom.

(I have decided that I will just use the names from 'The Land of Stories' in this story. I'll use the canon names or the more realistic names in another story.)

"No. We didn't," Carlos replied regretfully as he took a seat next to Jane.

"What about you guys?" Jay questioned as he and Lonnie took their seats. "Did you guys find anything?"

The five teens looked around at each other.

"Well, we found some remedies to help with the iron in Mal's system, but that's all," Evie explained as Jay nodded grimly.

"We're going to my home to see if we can find anything else," Audrey added as the car started moving.

"Are we going to be eating as well?" Aziz quizzed. "Because I'm starving." The group of friends shared a laugh, but it didn't last long. The car was soon consumed with silence. Only the breathing of the 9 teens could be heard, and occasionally, the growl of Aziz's stomach.

As they pulled up to the castle, everyone filed out. Leah and Phillip were waiting at the top of the steps, like Belle, Adam, and Aurora had been doing. Audrey quickly bolted up the stairs and hugged her father and grandmother. The others were a bit slower.

"Where's Grampa?" Audrey asked as she hugged her grandmother. "I thought he was coming back today."

"He is dear. He just won't arrive until a little later," Leah answered as she hugged Audrey tightly. Phillip placed an arm around Aurora's shoulders as she reached the top. The royal family waited for their friends to join them before they said anymore.

"Dinner is ready," Phillip announced as they all headed inside. "Let's all eat. Then, you can head to the library."

"Finally! I'm…" Aziz began, but he was cut off by his friends.

"We know!" They all called out in unison. "You're starving!"

He had a big smile on his face. "You guys know me so well." He let a few imaginary tears fall down his cheeks as the group laughed. If he was trying to bring up the mood, it definitely worked. If only a little bit.

Walking through the halls, it was evident that Castle Beauty wasn't as big as Castle Beast. Well, Castle Beast does house Auradon's King and Queen, so it only makes sense that it's the biggest in the land. After only a few minutes of walking, the group arrived at the dining hall. There were silver plates in front of every seat. Everyone sat down. They ate and they talked. Mostly about school, tourney, and how the VKs were liking Auradon now. It has been a couple of years, but it never hurt to ask.

After about an hour, Ben was ready to start looking again. He didn't want to wait any longer than he had to. The image of Mal in that hospital bed made him want to work harder. He couldn't even imagine what she must be feeling. All he knew was that he didn't want her to go through any of that for much longer.

"Are we all finished?" Ben asked impatiently. He didn't care if it came off as being rude. He wanted to head to the library already. He would have gone by himself, but it's been a while since he's been in Castle Beauty, so he doesn't really know his way around anymore. He received a variation of yeses and head nods and confirming noises. "Then can we go?"

"Of course, King Ben," Phillip said politely, his tone was understanding, as he stood. Ben was about to say that titles weren't necessary, but Phillip didn't give him the chance. "Please follow me."

Everyone at the table then stood and followed the two kings out of the dining room and further down the hall. As the group neared the library, Audrey's phone started to buzz. She looked down to read Chad's name.

"Hey guys," She called out, gaining everyone's attention. "I have to take this, but I'll meet you all in the library later." Everyone nodded as she turned and headed for the nearest door to the gardens.

"Hello?" Audrey answered as she pushed open the French style doors.

"Hey, babe. Feeling any better?" Chad asked as Audrey wandered around her mother's gardens.

"Yeah. Just a little bit," She responded as she sat down on one of the stone benches. The soft wind felt good as it brushed across her face. "I wish you were here with me."

"I know," Chad sighed as he paced. Audrey could hear the pitter patter of his feet as he walked around. "I wish I was there with you too. Not being able to do anything is killing me!"

"Chad, sweetie, are you pacing again?" Audrey asked, suppressing a small giggle. She heard as the steps immediately came to a stop.

"Maybe," Chad admitted sheepishly. It had become a habit of Chad's that whenever he got worked up, he started pacing.

Audrey was about to say something more when she heard something rustling behind her. She turned around to see a shadow sneaking out of her father's study. It was carrying some kind of bag and she could have sworn that there was something red on its arm.

"That's odd," Audrey mumbled. Her father was supposed to be in the library with everyone else. So, why was the light in his study on? And why was some mysterious person sneaking out of it?

"Audrey? What is it, babe?" Chad asked, concern lace in his voice. His pacing resumed.

"Probably nothing," Audrey lied. She didn't want to worry her boyfriend any more than he already was. "Can I call you later?"

"Of course. Please stay safe," Chad said as he hung up. Audrey inhaled sharply. She held onto her phone tightly as she snuck closer to the side of the castle. To where the door to her father's study was. Her heart was beating loudly. She just hoped that no one else could hear it. She placed her hand on the door knob and slowly twisted. She crept inside and covered her mouth as she gasped.

"Grampa!" Audrey yelped as she saw the man sitting behind her father's desk. "Wha-what are you doing here? Grammy said you wouldn't be back for a little while."

"Audrey, dear!" Her grandfather, Stephen, called out in surprise. "I wanted to surprise everyone."

"Then what are you doing in Dad's private study?" Audrey inquired. "Everyone's in the royal library."

"Oh, yes, well… you see," He thought of something to say. "I just came by to grab some old paperwork. I was just about to head to the library right now. Why don't you join me?" He extended a hand towards his granddaughter.

"Right," Audrey said, not fully believing her grandfather. "So, who was that guy?"

"What guy?" Stephen asked as Audrey took his hand. She discretely rolled her eyes.

"The guy that was sneaking around in the gardens," Audrey narrowed her eyes at her grandfather as they began walking to the library.

"Have you been spending too much time in the sun, Audrey? I think you're starting to imagine things."

Audrey huffed quietly to herself. "I'm not imagining anything."

"Audrey, haven't we discussed the mumbling," Stephen chastised as they neared the library.

"Of course, Grampa," Audrey projected more clearly as she lifted her head up higher and straightened her back.

"Good," He said simply as he opened the doors to the royal library.

"Hey, Audrey, do you think that you could help with me the remedies?" Evie called out, hearing the door open, but not looking up.

"Of course, E. I'll be right over." Before Audrey could make her way over to her blue haired friend, her grandfather placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She glance over at him, confused.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to all of your friends?" He asked as everyone in the room looked up to see who the new voice belonged to. Audrey may have been friends with most of these people since she was in diapers, but they had never met her grandfather before. In fact, the only one who had ever met him was Ben. Mainly because Ben used to be her boyfriend and he is the king of Auradon. So, the two ran into each other every now and again.

"Father?" Aurora spoke, a slight frown was present on her face. After the whole 'kill Maleficent' thing, Aurora never really forgave her father. To make matters worse, he was the one who had sent Maleficent to the Isle. She considered Maleficent to be her Fairy Godmother, her second mother, her protector. Aurora had been furious. Especially after hearing that Maleficent was with child. "You're early."

"Yes, I wanted to surprise my family," Stephen explained. "But, it appears that I am the one who is being surprised." He gestured towards all of the teens that were now rummaging through the books in his castle. Or rather, his daughter's castle.

"Oh no, believe me, we are surprised," Aurora retorted as Phillip placed a calming hand around her shoulders.

"Well," Leah began, trying to cut through the now present tension, "Stephen, it's nice to have you back. As always." Leah strolled over to her husband and gave him a small hug.

"It's nice to be back, Leah." He turned to Audrey once again. "So, how about those introductions."

"Right," Audrey drawled. "Lonnie, daughter of Mulan and Captain Li Shang. Jane, daughter of the Fairy Godmother. Aziz, son of King Aladdin and Queen Jasmine." She paused as she glance warily back at her grandfather. She didn't know how he would react to the VKs. "Carlos de Vil, son of Cruella de Vil. Evie Queen, daughter of Grimhilde, the Evil Queen. Jay Jafarson, son of Jafar. You already know King Ben." Audrey pointed to her friends as she introduced them. She decided to end with Ben, to leave off on a high note. She knew how he felt about villains and their kids.

"I see," Stephen said, his voice void of any emotion. His eyes lingered on Evie, Jay, and Carlos. They narrowed slightly. Something sparkled in his eyes, but Audrey couldn't quite make it out. "Weren't there four of you? What happened to the purple one?" Audrey could have sworn that his voice held some mischief in it, but she quickly pushed that thought aside.

Evie's face fell, the tears threatening to fall again. Jay's lips pressed together in a firm line, his arms crossed against his chest. Carlos remained impartial. At least, it looked like he was impartial. His eyes told everyone just what he was feeling.

"She's ill," Belle seethed. Clearly not liking his tone on the subject.

"Sorry, didn't mean to hit a nerve," Stephen apologized airily. Though everyone could tell he wasn't really sorry. He never did like Mal. If only because she was the daughter of the person, or fairy, that he hated with a burning passion. He would never forgive Maleficent, even if she was the one to wake his sleeping daughter. Therefore, he would never accept Mal as anyone but the daughter of an 'evil' fairy that ruined his life.

Audrey frowned as she made her way over to Evie. She had never seen this side of her grandfather before. She definitely didn't like it.


Hello guys and gals! I hope you all enjoyed that chapter. Sorry it took so long. I've been busy with school. I hope to upload a few more chapters over the next couple of days. School has been dismissed unexpectedly for the next two days. Hurricane Irma is going to hit Florida, so we're all preparing. It's going to be the worst hurricane we've had in years (and the biggest. It's bigger than the state of Florida!). Everything is sold out and people are 'panicking'. Anyway, I may lose power, hopefully not, but I may. So I'm sorry if I don't upload too much this weekend.

Thanks to everyone for reviewing, following, and/or favoriting. Thanks for just reading. Special thanks to my dad (not that he'll ever see this) for being my second pair of eyes.

Let me know what you guys and gals are thinking.