A/N: Me: The next chapter! Wooo! Let me hear you yell! *chirp chirp*

Fang: ...

Me: Aw, come on! Fang, you have to cheer.

Fang: But why?

Me: Because I say so.

Fang: But why?

Me: …Because….

Fang: Why?

Me: You're like a stupid little kid! *whacks with Grullon the seagull* There you go Sgt. Sporky!

MooMoo: Wait….

Rawr: What?

Me: It's a cool people thing. You wouldn't understand. Fact: I'm eating Popeye's chicken :D

The party was in an uproar. Farren were shouting, running, searching, and wondering. No one knew what to do, where Valencia had gone, why she disappeared, or what would happen next. It was complete chaos.

In the midst of all of this, Max stood at her empty table, still in shock. She knew that this must be why Val had been acting strangely these past few months. She still didn't know where Val went, or how she disappeared; but she was terribly confused, shocked, and a bit sad that Aunt Val didn't confide in her.

Some 50 yards away, at the entrance to the party grounds, there was a small moonlit path with a wooden gate. Suddenly, the gate creaked open by itself, and slowly swung closed. A ghostly giggle was heard, before Val materialized out of nowhere.

She giggled again, before tossing a small, glittering object into the air. Catching it, she shoved it deep into a pocket and made her way back home. She passed by the town square, the entrance to the Hobbiton Woods, and the Green Dragon pub (which was renowned for its ale).

It was a very mild night, not a single cloud in the sky. A cool breeze complemented the warm summer air, and the full moon shone so brightly there were shadows.

QUESTION OF THE CHAPTER: What is your favorite candy? I LOVE Almond Joys, Paydays, basically anything with nuts in chocolate.

She unlocked the door once she got to her house, reviewing the night's events with plenty of laughs and chuckles. The looks on those Farren's faces…. She hurried to her bedroom and packed a small sack, filled with her most valuable possessions. She then grabbed another sack, and packed it with plenty of good food for her journey. She emerged from the hallway to from the kitchen when she literally ran into Angela.

"Oh!" Val gasped, putting a hand on her heart. "You gave me quite a scare!"

Angela looked sternly down on her. "I bet you thought that was all right clever and funny, didn't you?"

"Why it most certainly was!' Val exclaimed, a smile on her face. "What an exit! Did you see all of their faces?"

"Valencia- there are plenty of magical rings out there, and none of them are meant to be playthings." Angela scolded.

"But it was just a bit of fun!" Val said. After a pause, "Oh, I guess you're right. Like always."

Angela sternly glared for a few more seconds before looking out of the window. "You will take care of Max, correct? I left everything to her," Valencia murmured. She was distracted- Angela could tell. She turned around to see Valencia stroking the golden ring.

"And what of your ring?" Valencia started at this, hastily putting away the ring. She nodded towards the fireplace.

"Yes, it's right on the mantle, in a sealed envelope." she said. Angela did a double take, and then frowned at the sight of an empty mantle. "Oh… ha… how silly of me. It's… still right here… in my pocket…." she muttered. "Well… why not? It's mine, why shouldn't I keep it?"

"It isn't that hard to leave the ring behind, is it Val?" Angela questioned.

"No… but yes. Now that the time has come, I don't feel like parting with it at all. I found it, why can't I keep it?" Val's tone was rising as she said this.

Angela looked down at her friend with concern. "There's no need to be upset!"

"Well if I am it is most your fault. It's mine, my… precious." Val had the ring out again, and continued stroking it.

" Precious'?" She raised an eyebrow. "I've heard it been called that before. But not by you."

"It's none of your business what I do with and call my own possessions!" Val's manner had suddenly changed, and grown extremely cold and sharp.

"I think you've had that ring for quite long enough." Angela said condescendingly.

Val lashed back. "You just want to take it and have it for yourself!"

Angela drew herself up, and seemed to fill the room with a menacing cloud. "Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks, Valencia!" As quickly as the cloud had appeared, it vanished, leaving the wizardess looking small and almost fragile. Val shrank back from the powerful woman. "I'm not trying to rob you- I'm trying to help," Angela whispered.

Val sobbed, and tackles her in a hug. "Trust me like you always have- let the thing go!" Angela said, patting Val's shoulder.

"You're right. As usual." Val sniffled. "The ring should go to Max. She'll like it." She lifted her two knapsacks and a walking stick and headed down the hall to the front door. "It's getting late, and the road isn't getting any shorter. I think I shall go now."

"Valencia?" Angela called. "Yes?" The Farren turned around in the doorway. "The ring is still in your pocket."

"Oh… how funny… it is." Valencia said quietly. She slowly reached into her pocket, and brought out the ring. It shone in her hand. She seemed to be undergoing a great internal struggle. She began to sweat, and her hands were shaking. Eventually, seemingly with all of her effort, she let the ring slide off of her hand onto the floor. It fell with a very heavy thud.

Val staggered out the door into the night. She leaned on the doorjamb, pale and clammy. Angela came up behind her. "I've thought up an ending to the book I'm writing." Valencia said. "And she lived happily ever after, for the rest of her life."

"And I'm sure you will." Angela smiled, giving Val a big hug. "Goodbye, Valencia.

"Goodbye Angela." Val walked down the path, onto the road, into the darkness, whistling a cheery tune.

"Until next time." Angela whispered.

A/N: Me: All right, another chapter down. Only a whole lot left.

Fang: You chose to write this story.

Me: I know. It's just that with school, my AP class' reading, poms, track starting soon, babysitting my siblings while both my parents work at night, and two jobs, my life is hectic.

MooMoo: Are you always this busy?

Rawr: All year round?

Me: In the summer it gets a bit easier because of no school. But yes, I always have something to do.

Fang: That sucks. I like being lazy.

Me: You are a couch potato. The epitome of laziness. When I don't drag your butt to school, you're on PS2, the internet, the Wii, Game cube, Sega, watching TV, listening to music….

Fang: Okay, I get it.

Me: Yea- you're fat.

Fang: Wait… what?

Me: You heard me. Fact: My favorite fruit are peaches and strawberries.

Fang: You don't feed me enough for me to be fat!

Me: Denying it only makes it worse. Can I please get 10 reviews? Pretty pretty pretty please with a shirtless Fang and WAFFLES on top?

Fang: Wait… WHAT?