Well, I'd just like to take the time to thank everyone for reading and especially for their reviews, I read and take all of them to heart… even if I don't always reply. I apologize in advance for any typos or other syntax errors, the uploading system is always messing with my formatting. Danny Phantom belongs to Butch Hartman . Enjoy!

Treacherous Borders

Chapter Six: The Royal Connection

Danny Fenton was bouncing around in front of Sam Manson's quaint new abode. He licked his lips before swallowing thickly, nerves gripping at the pit of his stomach as he wound his way to her front door. His nerves had been strained since his mother had insisted on taking the nicest carriages they had at the castle for the long trip across the country. He knocked once before turning around to glance back at his mother who stood at the small white picket fence that surrounded the Manson's garden.

He was bounced up and down on his toes when the door creaked open and he swirled around quickly.

"Sammy…" Danny smiled softly and somewhat hesitantly as she appeared from out of the modest home.

"Hey Danny." Sam shook her head ruefully when he beamed back at her. He'd been all smiley ever since she had agreed to be his guest to come to the ball. He hopped up to her and grabbed the single bag of luggage she had been carrying.

"Allow me." He carried it off towards the second of the very elegant carriages. Sam made a face as she walked up to the queen.

"He's stranger than usual." Sam pouted and Maddie smiled softly.

"He's nervous. After we get all settled in and everything's said and done, he'll be as shy as usual."

"Shy?" Sam echoed, a black eyebrow arched suspiciously as she and the Queen made their way towards the simple streamlined wooden carriages of matching two tones of a pale wood with an almost bluish glow to its coloring.

"Mm-hm. He gets more charismatic when he's nervous, he's really just shy and the charisma wears off after a while."

"That doesn't make any sense." Sam looked down at Maddie from up on the steps to the carriage.

"Nope." Danny grinned at her from the open doorway in the second carriage, suddenly appearing in front of her.

"Aap." Sam jumped slightly and Danny caught her around the waist. "Dan…" she blushed lightly as he pulled her into the carriage before he hopped down to bid his mother goodbye for the duration of their trip.

Sam's lavender eyes widened at the practically gorgeous interior. The cushy pale bale blue silk cushions were embroidered with fine gold thread, with golden borders surrounding the edges. Slightly darker blue drapes hung on the windowed doors

Danny sat down on the forward facing seat, his legs and arms crossed.

"This is amazing." Sam sat down next to him and bounced up and down next to him, testing out the cushions. He smiled bashfully at her and she smiled back.

"Are you sure your parents don't mind me taking you away?" Danny reiterated his concern from earlier and Sam smiled, a curious look on her face.

"I'm actually quite surprised… and somewhat proud of them. They actually encouraged me to go." Sam smiled somewhat worriedly at him and Danny blinked back at her, the sinking feeling in his stomach was reflected on his face.

"Did they mention why?" Danny was frowning slightly.

"Not really, they just said they wanted me to get out and have fun."

"Ah…" Danny trailed off glumly. Yeah right… Danny rested his chin in his hand. Of course they'd want you to spend time with the prince…

"Is something the matter?" Sam looked at him worriedly and he visibly jumped.

"Ah-no. You'll see, I guess." He smiled at her softly and Sam's eyebrows twitched.

"Oh will I know?"

"Mmm…" Danny nodded as he settled back into the cushions; it was going to quite the day.

Danny blinked as his baby blue eyes flickered open. His head felt heavy as he tried his best to wake up. He wanted to know where they were so he could decide whether or not to fall back asleep. He leaned forward slightly but stopped when he realized that there was an unusual weight on his right shoulder. His heart leapt when he glanced down to find Sam's head resting gently against the side of his arm. He blushed before turning to look out of the window on his other side. He reached out to pull the drapes back to look out of the window. He smiled softy at the green mountain peaks and clear bright blue sky that was all he could see out of the top of the window from his current position. He heard the noise of the horses' hooves changing and he pulled his arm out from underneath Sam's head and set it securely around her back and held her shoulder firmly and braced himself for the stop.

They gave a lurch as the carriage pulled off of the road and into a rest point. Danny smiled as Sam stirred. She yawned softly and blinked at the prince.

"Why'd we stop?"

"Lunch." Danny stood hunched over as he backed his way to the door opposite the one they had entered and Sam followed him somewhat blearily. "Wait." He held up his right index finger, to signal for her to wait in case she didn't get the message in her sleep-ridden state. He hopped down onto the packed dirt area for the carts before making his way over to his mother. He pulled gently on her navy blue sleeve and she looked down at him curiously. He leaned forward to whisper something in her ear.

She shook her head before she held out her palm and a blue light gathered in her palm before a small glimmering shard appeared. She dropped it into the palm of his hand. Danny grinned before hopping onto the step up to the carriage.

"Heya Sammy." Danny grinned as he hung in font of the open door and Sam looked up; sleep still gripping her conscious.

"Mmm… ahhh!" She squeaked as Danny set the ice crystal against the back of her neck. Danny chuckled at her as she backed up against the wall of the carriage opposite him. "What was that for!?" She glowered at him and he smiled at her.

"I just wanted you to be awake."
"For what? Lunch?" Sam crossed her arms as she marched over to him and Danny's smile widened. He hopped down and held his hand up to her. Sam blushed lightly, the semi-annoyed look never leaving her face as he helped her down.

"Something like that." His soft voice echoed in her ears as she landed on the ground, falling softly into Danny's arms.

"Oh…" She stared in front of her. They had been traveling along a mountain ridge as they moved north. They were along a mountain road; a large valley could be seen in front of them before mountain ridges popped up on the other side. "Danny…" She trailed off as she peered over the trees and rocks that lined the way to grassy valley, a small lake could be seen through the trees.

Danny smiled softly at her and she gripped his arm tightly. The lush landscape was beautiful but to her it was majestic. After years in the desert surrounded by nothing except for white sand and yellow rocks she was beginning to get used to the geography of where Danny lived, but then they showed her this magnificent mountain area. Sam looked away from the scenery to look at the young man who was watching her reaction. He blushed and Sam glanced away quickly before she smiled at him and he suddenly grabbed her around the waist and almost easily set her atop the carriage. Sam blinked at him and he grinned before hopping off to the group of drivers and assistants that had come with them. Sam blinked and twitched to look several degrees to her right to find Tucker. She flinched and knitted her eyebrows.

"He'll warm up to you, he just needs to realize that Danny was going to make more friends eventually." Maddie smiled at her as the she made her way to the carriage Sam was perched atop nodding slowly in reply. "He's just stubborn."

"Ah…" Sam blinked as Danny reappeared with a lunch basket in his right hand, Tucker at his side, Maddie lent Sam an encouraging smile before leaving the teens to their lunch.

"I'm pretty sure that we can all sit up there." Danny blinked as he clambered up and sat down next to her, Tucker at his other side.

"And if not?"

"Then it's going to get real cozy in the other carriage." Danny quirked an eyebrow as he pulled out his sandwich and a flask of water and passed the basket along.

"Nice planning." Sam smirked in his direction and he stuck his tongue out at her.

"We'll be fine."

"Don't jinx it." Tucker chastised him and Sam's eyebrows shifted, bemused. Danny shook his head, a smile on his face and a warmth gathering in his chest. He was happy. Eating a good picnic lunch with his two best friends looks overlooking a gorgeous view.

They continued along the well-traveled mountain road for another hour until they crossed the northern ridge of mountains that was the border between the two large valleys on either side. They kept going across the second valley until they about three-quarters of the way along the valley where they finally rolled to a stop.

"All right, everybody out!" A young woman's commanding voice boomed at them and Sam jumped, instantly reminded of the salvers that would bark orders at them. Danny shook his head as he hopped out of the carriage and Sam heard the same woman's voice was apologetic before her voice was lowered to an incoherent whisper. Danny's hand appeared and Sam took it and he helped her down onto the packed dirt ground, small sprouts of grass still remained on the well-traveled section of road.

"You're going to scare out guests away." Danny smiled at the redheaded owner of the strong voice. "Layla." She blushed, her freckles disappearing slightly.

"All right, all right. Everyone in their positions." She commanded and Sam was gently led over to a line of people in their caravan all sitting on a long bench with a railing in front of them and she took her seat next to Danny on the end. She jumped when the ground beneath their feet shifted, it was only then at she noticed the ridges in the ground that surrounded them on all sides.

She looked up curiously at Danny and he smiled at her as they slide down slowly. A person in a white uniform with blue borders stood at each corner their hands glowing a faint yellow with their palms facing outward as their magic caused the platform to descend at a comfortable speed.

"This is a lot more efficient than all of the switchbacks we'd need otherwise." Layla walked up to them, her periwinkle tunic rustling slightly, a small golden seal decorated the upper right-hand corner, matching the golden detailing all through her outfit.

"Yeah…" Sam looked around curiously, her lips curving upwards with excitement as she bounced her foot on the ground. She pulled her hands away from the bar as they began to a slow. They landed with a large, but controlled sounding rumbling noise as the earthy platform set down and dust began to settle around them. Sam followed everyone's example and stood in place, she then turned to Danny to wait for further instruction.

"All right then," Layla waved her hand and all of those who worked under her moved to form a line behind her as she held her right hand up in the air in a salute. Sam followed Danny and the rest of their caravan as they loaded themselves back into the carriages, the carriages were hard to enough to secure without the extra weight of their passengers.

Danny made to help her into the carriage, but she batted his hand away. He was sweet but this was bordering on ridiculous. She hopped gracefully up onto the carriage's boarding platform before holding her hand out to him. He blinked at it, baby blue eyes surprised, but they soon held a humorous glimmer in their depths. Layla walked over to bid the prince goodbye, but stopped a few feet away when she spotted he exchange going on between Danny and Sam. She smirked.

"You're not a princess, are you?"

"How'd you guess?" Sam quirked an eyebrow in response the smirk that crossed her face matching the redhead's mischievous grin. Danny's hand brushed hers and she looked down to find him grinning up at her, he was willing to play her game. She pulled him up before she settled herself down in the carriage, the prince following suit as the carriage began to roll across the packed earthen road.

Sam turned to the window on her side and pulled back the deep blue and gold drape gently to peer out the window and look back where they had come from. There was a large square hole in the mountain; metal archways helping support the structure in case the magic failed. Danny smiled when she drew away from the window with an intrigued smile on her face he always enjoyed her curiosity.

"That's impressive."

"Yeah, this whole area was first developed by those who could access the valley, earth and wind magic users."

"Ah… so they built that…?"

"When what is now the capital city became a center of trade for the valley its wealthier dwellers wanted to expand their trade routes and decided that mass transit to and from the valley was going to be needed. They built two elevators, they're really the only way in so that makes this area safer than most." Danny smiled when he finished talking crossing his legs as she shifted positions, almost unconscious nervousness invading his body.

"Oh." Sam blinked when there was a knock on the window near her face.

"Ah- I have to get changed!" Danny grinned and Sam blinked at him, a strange twisting feeling forming in her stomach.

"Heh?"

Danny blinked at her before he dove down under the seat across from them and reappeared with three pieces of medium brown leather armor with gold trimming.

"Oh…" Sam trailed off as Danny slipped on the leather vest with his back facing her.

"You don't suppose you could zip that up for me?" Danny asked from over his shoulder and Sam flushed a nice melon shade of pink before scooting over to him and pushing the pieces of leather together before hooking and zipping it up all the way to his shoulder blades. Danny turned slightly as he straightened out his cobalt blue shirt. He tied the bracers onto his arms without much difficulty before finally turning to settle himself down next to her again. "Hoy…" He breathed out a heavy sigh before leaning back into the silken cushions as they slowly rolled to a stop. Sam flashed him a small smile before turning to face forward again. There was another knock on the window and Danny swallowed thickly, his mouth dry as he hopped down from the carriage steps.

A rustle of fabric could be heard from outside the carriage before it stopped suddenly and Danny turned back toward the carriage and Sam.

"You ready?" Danny asked as he held his left hand up to her, his face obscured by the drapes.

"For what?" She murmured as he lifted her slightly before setting her down gently on the white stone driveway. Her fingerers went numb in the same instance that her heeled boots touched the ground.

Directly in front of her was a short wide walkway up to a castle that dwarfed Danny's three times over, at the proximity she was at she could hardly see more than the giant wooden doors in front of them. The castle was built directly into the jagged limestone mountainside; large turrets could be spotted in either direction from where she stood. The detail that was etched into the stone building was so carefully planned that from a distance it had simple lines but up close she could see the care that went into the borders around each windowsill and doorway. She leaned back to see if she could see the ends, but to no avail. All she could make out in either direction was beautiful stone wall and an epic garden winding its way around the structure. In the stead of straining her neck any further she turned back to Danny.

"I don't know if I can take much more of this." She rubbed her eyes a wide smile on her face and Danny grinned, the gentle warmth of her smile warming his

heart.

"Where's Dad?" Danny turned to one of the guards that stood on either side of the doorway, a look of duty on their faces a long pike in each of their opposite hands.

"His Highness was on his way to greet you, but I do believe he was accosted by your mother along the way."
"Ah." Danny grinned as he set off at a quick pace leaving Sam standing in the driveway next to a redhead who had been there when she had exited the carriage. Tucker a few feet behind them to the side of the carriage.

Sam's eyebrows slanted downward in a suspicious motion as the guard's words echoed in her mind. Tucker noticed the shift in mood and opened his mouth in an attempt to say something that would distract her, but he couldn't think of anything in the short time before the tall redhead spoke up.

"You a friend of Danny's?"

"Ah-yes." Sam tore her violet eyes way from where Danny had been standing. "Sam Manson… Samantha really, but only my parents call me that." Sam stuck out her hand and the princess across from her eyebrow's twitched before a grin slipped onto her pretty features.

"Jasmine Fenton, but it's Jazz… my friends call me Jazz. Danny's sister." She shrugged adding the last bit as an afterthought before taking Sam's smaller hand her hers and giving it a firm shake. "You're not a princess, are you?" Jazz quirked an eyebrow and Sam smirked sensing an opportunity to test her newly formed hypothesis, absently wondering if her lack of status was so obvious that she'd be asked the same question twice in such a short time.

"Well, you would know." Sam countered and Jazz replied with a gentle consenting nod of her head as she turned to lead them into the castle, the small chain tiara on her forehead glinting in the sunlight.

Sam walked along the elegant hallway her arms crossed across her chest as she surveyed the architecture. A small frown decorated her rose colored lips, the rest of her face remained blank as she was led through the gorgeous hallways of the castle. She almost felt guilty for not giving the attention that her surroundings called out for.

She let a smile slip through her guarded mask as she followed Jazz into a private tearoom, Danny and his parents sitting around a dark stained cherry wood table.

"Ah! And who is this?" Danny's father eyed her and the familiar rosy hue adorned her cheeks, the room's attention shifting to her.

"Ah yeah, Dad this is Sam." Danny hopped up and over to her and the older man smiled, Sam dipped her head in an awkward sort of curtsy with Danny's arm draped unceremoniously around her shoulders. She turned to look at the young prince before poking him roughly in the shoulder and he batted his innocent light blue eyes in her direction.

"We need to talk." Her words were quiet and calm, but they held a sort firmness that made Danny blink in surprise, his stomach squirming slightly.

"Talk?" He echoed softly, hurt surprise lacing the word and Sam nodded, her expression softening only slightly as she leaned toward him.

"Your Highness…" Her voice was barely more than a breath on his ear as he visibly jumped, twitching at both the physical and mental reaction to her words.

"Right, so." Danny clapped his hands together as he turned to the rest of room, the nervous look about him only clearly visible in his smile. "Sam and I have to talk now…" he paused before eyeing her. "She's even smarter than I thought…" His voice had sunk a couple octaves as he turned to her, an eyebrow lowering to match the crooked smile on his face as he led Sam out of the small room.

Danny turned around a corner down another hallway in the same wing of the castle, leading them toward another meeting room. He clearly had one in mind as they had passed what appeared to be many other parlor, tea and study rooms in this wing of the castle. The gentle clacking of his boots slowed when they rounded a final corner and he fiddled with the lock on the door before leading her inside a cushy meeting room.

She glanced around the room; it was about the size of her bedroom at home and was decorated in matching shades of green with golden accents. She set herself down on the emerald green and mahogany wood loveseat next to Danny. It was the center feature of the furnishings directly across from the fireplace.

Sam pressed her hands against her knees, gripping the fabric of her dress lightly. Her stomach turned as they sat next to each other, her hands sweating slightly as nerves took hold of her body. The weirdest bit was that she had already had her suspicions confirmed by Jazz and even Danny himself. In such a short time Danny had aroused and confirmed her suspicions, but there was so much to be said and she had no idea how to approach the subject.

"Sorry." Danny apologized and Sam tore her eyes from the jade painted walls to look at his profile as he stared out in front of himself clearly still seeped in thought. "I guess I shouldn't have lied to you."

"I….well, it's not exactly that I'm really mad, I just… I don't know. Annoyed and confused?" She quirked a playful eyebrow at him and he smiled nervously turning to face her slightly.

"I just wanted to be friends with someone else… Tucker gets a little dry after so many years." He trailed off in a teasing tone that he couldn't help but inject into his demeanor and Sam smiled softly at him, the buzz of thoughts in her mind mellowing at his smile.

"The woes of royalty." She teased him lightly before she stopped moving almost entirely, her slowing breath catching in her throat, Danny's heart danced nervously at her sudden reaction. "So you're the prince."

"Since I last checked…" He trailed off airily, hadn't they already skirted their way around this subject? He was worried as Sam became more and more nervous.

"So, you're hosting this country-wide celebration here?"

"My parents are… where're you going with this, Sammy?"

"I'm going to the Autumnal Ball with the prince." She pushed him over so that his head collided lightly with the armrest; blush marring her cheeks to an extent that was rarely achieved.

"Ah- Is that no good?" Danny asked, his face was still pressed into armrest where it had fallen.

"That's… you have to be the center of attention."

"Mm… the currently available dashing young prince… I can see where you'd gather as much." He rolled up sideways into a sitting position so that they were close, his hands almost bushing her thighs as they rested on the couch. She turned away slightly, a coral pink color still touching her cheeks.

"I don't know what to think about all of this." Sam told him thoughtfully and Danny smiled, nerves working their way back into his behavior.

"That I'm even more awesome than before?" He suggested smugly, but his charismatic shield dented when his voice cracked nervously, she resorted to poking him in the shoulder again.

"We'll see about that."

"I guess you should be reintroduced to everyone." Danny scratched the back of his head. "Starting with me." He pressed his hands into his thighs as he stood and turned to face her.

"Are you going to kiss my hand again, Your Highness?" She was smirking; surprised at her own boldness and Danny winced slightly. He had a feeling that somehow she wasn't going to forget the 'Your Highness' thing anytime soon. He pursed his lips in thought; at least he could get back at her.

"Of course, m'lady." His grin gave away nothing as he pulled her to her feet. "As you may already know I'm Daniel Fenton, Crown Prince of Miredae." He pulled her hand toward him and watched somewhat surprised when she blushed a dark rose color. He swallowed uneasily before he gave her arm a firm yank and she stumbled into him. He spun her around and hugged her around the waist, pulling her back into him. "Thank you for not freaking out." He let her go and she smiled softly, her feelings numbed by the warmth that swelled in her chest before she lowered her eyebrows giving her smile a serious tone.

"I'm not done getting used to this…" She sighed as they made their way back to the first room to reunite themselves with Danny's family and Tucker. Sam followed him from a few feet behind, her left hand twirling her ebony hair in thought.

Danny smiled warmly when he glanced over his shoulder at the young woman who was glancing around the hallway somewhat absently, her sharp violet eyes betraying her relaxed appearance. The door opened for them and Danny led her back inside.

"Glad you finally got that cleared up?" Maddie smiled softly at her son and Danny nodded slowly, a warm blush touching his cheeks. Sam blinked surprised when she spotted an elegant and loopy silver crown atop the woman's head that she had never seen before… so he'd had her in on the conspiracy too?

"Defiantly. Well, everyone's titles are fairly self-explanatory except for Jazz." Danny smirked as he spoke to Sam while still facing his family. Jazz scowled lightly at her younger brother before standing gracefully to explain further on the subject.

"Mom," she gestured behind her. "Was the crown princess of the country east of here, Winterfall, and because her younger sister never had any children they all decided to make me crown princess there so the two countries still remained separate." Jazz finished slowly, as if to make sure Sam understood.

"That makes sense." Sam nodded slowly to herself, both politically and socially it seemed to be the best solution to the situation.

"Really?" Maddie asked curiously and Sam shrugged.

"Sure. People might not like it if one country become too powerful and this improves relations between the two countries." She smiled when she finished and Maddie broke into a grin her dark purple eyes dancing. Sam then glanced over her shoulder towards Danny to find that he and Jazz were making faces at each other. "In theory."

"Sammy…" Danny smiled happily at her and she blushed.

"What?"

"Nothing…" He smiled mischievously and she folded her arms across her chest indignantly, the ever persistent blush on her cheeks.

"Umph." She glanced around before poking Danny in the shoulder again after noticing Maddie and Jack fussing over their daughter. "Shouldn't you be having family time?" She accused him softly and a light pink color rose up onto his cheeks at the caring tone in her voice.

"Uhm, I suppose." He mumbled to himself as a flash of lilac filled his vision, and the swishing of fabric was on his ears.

"Uag!" Tucker shouted as Sam grabbed him arm. "All right, all right quit being so pushy." Tucker fussed and Sam dropped his arm and they walked out of the room to leave the Fentons to themselves.

"They probably don't get much family time." Sam told him and Tucker blinked at her as they stood in the otherwise abandoned hallway.

"I guess… not, huh?" Tucker glanced down at the younger girl. "I spend so much time with them they treat me like family, but there's always a difference."

"Yeah..." Sam trailed off and Tucker jammed his hands in his pockets in frustration.

"I'll give you an abbreviated tour, if you'd like?" He offered awkwardly and Sam twirled around to face him.

"Oh, will you now?" She quirked an eyebrow at him and he shrugged.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah… come on you." Tucker teased and she followed, an eyebrow still perched precariously on her brow. He led her off down a hallway that led back to the grand entryway before leading her around the common areas of the castle.

An elegant dining room with seating for thirty was their first stop. There were three long tables, one was longwise along the far end, and the other two were perpendicular to it and sat side by side. Two elegant and exaggerated chairs were at the center of the accented table so the king and queen could sit side by side. The room was mostly wood, the floor was a pinky natural cherry wood color with matching paneling that went up a quarter of the way up the wall. A deep burnt red color was painted the rest of the way up the wall to the crown molding where it met the ceiling that was painted a shimmering off-white to contrast the colored walls. Sam blinked a few times before taking a few steps into room, her kitten healed boots clacking lightly before she stopped to stare again. Everything was a beautifully matching set of colors, golden-pink wood accented by the terra-cotta walls and two shades of yellowish orange as accent colors. The cushions on the backs and seats of the intricately carved chairs were striped with the same reddish colors as on the walls and the two shades of pale golden peach.

Tuck smiled lightly before she scurried back over to him.

"This one is nice, but I like the green one." He shrugged toward a small control panel on the wall. "You had a custom room at Lakeforest, right?"

"Huh? Yeah, I suppose." Sam had glanced up at him before looking down at her reflection in the polished white marble floor of the hallway that they had continued down again.

"The dining room has different 'sets' of colors that Mr. and Mrs. Fenton and Danny can change. Tucker smiled as he led her around a few corners and more stairways before they were in a hallway that was at least twice as wide as all the other ones she'd seen on their trek through the magnificent feat of architecture. He paused in front of another set of large double doors; a lady wearing a four-foot wide dress could fit through only one of the doors easily.

"This is the dance hall, but we won't be allowed in seeing as the staff is setting up the decorations." He smiled slightly at her over his shoulder and she nodded before following him as he wound his way through the castle, taking a different path back past the main entrance and to the long hallway of private meeting rooms where the Fentons were.

"This whole area is full of small offices and tea rooms as I'm sure you've surmised by now. It's mostly for guests or if people wanted to meet in private." Tucker smiled as he showed her around the rest of the study area. Tucker opened the door to one of the rooms and he and Sam entered. "Well I'm sure His Highness would prefer to show you around the rest of the way." Tucker smirked mostly to himself and Sam blinked her lavender eyes before narrowing them in his direction.

"How so?"

"He's a spaz, and besides," he glanced to look at her out of the corner of his eyes. "Wouldn't you like that better?" He waggled an eyebrow at her and she blushed a bright rosy color that matched her lips.

"Hah… I… mph." She crossed her arms stubbornly and Tucker broke into a fit of uproarious laughter.

"Well, I officially trust you." He clapped her on the shoulder in a friendly manner.

"Really?!" She turned clapping her hands together in an exaggerated excited movement. "I think you just made my day. How could I ask for anything more?" She continued dryly before a grin slipped its way back onto her face at his pout.

"So harsh!" He mocked a distressed flail of his arms and she smirked back at him. "Well, seeing as we prolly have some time before the Fenton family reunion ends, we can take the time to get acquainted."

"My history was fairly well known about the Lakeforest estate, was it not?" She quirked an eyebrow and he nodded; taking that as a signal that he should take the initiative.

"Basics first, I suppose. I'm Tucker Foley and I was born… not too far from here, actually. There are several small cities about the castle. My family has a farm just outside of here." He admitted roughly and Sam blinked.

"A farm?" she echoed bemused.

"Yeah, it's a family heirloom sort of thing. Even though my dad and I are more interested in tinkering." He laughed to himself and Sam smiled, an eyebrow still perched atop her brow.

"Somehow… I'm not surprised." She admitted and he shrugged jovially.

"Most people say that. That's probably one of the reasons why my parents had me study aboard at the Lakeforest Academy when I was ten."

"So that's where you met Danny?" She leaned closer to him, intrigued by his story and he nodded.

"You'd have had no idea he was a prince, very few of us did. Actually…" he mused. "I didn't find out until the queen came to visit. Sort of similar to your encounter with him."

"Ah…" Sam soon forgot what she was going to say when the door behind them was flung open dramatically. How can you even open a door dramatically…? A bright blue, brown and white blur again assaulted her as the prince sat down on the couch next to her, bouncing slightly and she felt a rueful smile slip its way onto her face.

He let out a deep sigh, a light blush touching his cheeks.

"I was worried I'd scared you away." He smiled softly, all kidding aside and she smiled before looking away embarrassed her face bright red.

"Yeah, well, don't get too comfortable with the idea." She teased him and he pouted at her before glancing over at Tucker.

"What were you two doing anyway?" Danny asked an innocently curious look on his face.

"I showed her the dining room, the dance hall doors," Tucker's eyebrows twitched in the irony and Danny smiled ruefully, they always insisted on keeping the décor a secret until the actual ball. "And the rest of this wing. We were bonding." He added in an afterthought and Danny quirked an eyebrow, a frown flickering across his handsome features.

"Relax, guy." Tucker blinked a few times. "Just telling her that I don't think she's evil and a little about myself." He was genuinely surprised that Danny was so jumpy and protective. It was something he hadn't seen before and he didn't really know what to think about it.

"Well then," Danny swallowed nervously. "Shall I finish your tour?" He stood a bit shakily as Sam's violet eyes followed him.

"All right." Sam stood and he smiled.

The pair left and Danny showed her around a grand library where he introduced his sister as part of the furnishings, much to her protests and irritated grumbling. He then led her off to a very wide stairway that could easily hold five people across shoulder-to-shoulder that went up to the eastern wing where the royal family and their honored guests slept.

"You get the room next to mine again." He smiled back at her over his shoulder as they walked down the lavish hallway. Statuettes rested on built in stands on either side of them in between the stained cherry wood doors. A deep burgundy rug that ran down the extent of the hallway complemented the forest green painted walls.

"Really, how'd you manage that?"

"It was free," he shrugged as he glanced away from her. "I never really wanted anyone there before." Sam's head shot up as she felt the familiar heat tinge her cheeks. She watched the side of Danny's head before he shrugged in the direction of the wooden door that he had stopped in front of. "Here's your room. Same as before, completely customizable." Sam grinned as she touched the door, pausing in thought before turning back to him and he dropped a small brass key in her hands. "My mom and I have the only other copies. Just in case you lose yours or if you need assistance you can just contact one of us." She nodded slightly before she slipped it into a pocket between the folds of her dress.

She looked up to find Danny glancing down somewhat expectantly at her, his hands tucked into the pockets of his gold-trimmed white pants. His eyes smiled warmly down at her before he continued down the hallway to the dead end.

"I know walls are beautiful but…" She glanced away from the painting of an old regal looking couple to Danny at her right. His light blue eyes danced down at her before he turned and pulled out his room key. It was much like hers but the flourish at the handle end was much more exaggerated and there was a small red ruby glinting in the center of the golden swirls.

Danny chuckled as a door appeared to their right, in the very corner at the end of the hallway. He slipped his key into the knob and as he turned it the door folded into nonexistence, revealing a hole in the wall a fine mist of purple-tinged white arcane energy remained in the doorway. He turned back to note the slight look of surprise on her face before taking her hand in his and gently dragging her inside the dark shaft that had opened up before them, a small gasp escaped her lips. She couldn't see her own hand in front of her face, she stepped backwards into Danny's arms as he'd positioned her in front of him and he laughed lightly.

"It's dark," he gently rested his head atop of hers, it's not meant for two people, he reasoned as heat streaked across his cheeks. His eyes slid shut as warmth gripped his heart and coursed through his body. "But you'll get used to it." He touched the spot on the wall that he knew well and the ground sunk slowly down below them. Sam squeaked and backed up into him further and he wrapped his arms around her front gently. "Just another elevator."

"Oh?" Her cheeks were so red that she thought maybe her face was glowing in the dark passage. They hit the ground and Danny reached around her to open the door again and Sam blinked as blinding sunlight streamed in the open door.

Danny let go of her and slipped about her deftly before taking her hand from the outside and giving it a gentle tug, squeezing her fingers gently. Her purple dress shimmered as she stumbled out of the secret passage that led to the acres and acres of garden that surrounded the country's capital.

In their immediate vicinity there was a small stone pathway that lead up to and formed the border around a large white marble fountain with clear-blue water streaming out of the top. Sam stared at her surroundings, her mouth went slack as she turned to her right to find green hills that stretched out for a distance before dissipating into a lush natural pine forest. This was like the garden at Danny's Lakeforest castle but to the nth degree, she promptly rounded on the prince her eyes flickering and he backed up into the stone wall of the castle behind them.

"You keep doing this because… you like my surprised face, or what?" She demanded somewhat harshly before sharply turning away from him to walk out towards the fountain surveying her blossoming surroundings, half-hiding the small smile on her face.

"Mmm, I'm secretly trying to woo you with my gardens…" He teased and she responded by poking him in the side when he had reappeared next to her and he squirmed away slightly. She quirked an eyebrow before forcing herself not to grin in triumph, she'd have a secret weapon up her fluttery sleeves.

"So what is with the gardens, anyway?" She hopped from stone to stone before stopping and bending over a rose bush with soft yellow-pink petals. She shivered slightly as a gust of chilly eastern wind blew across the grassy knoll. "And how are they still blooming?" She looked at the other plants, concerned.

"Other people have nature magic, you know." A new voice spoke up from a hedge wall behind them. Sam turned and immediately jumped a little in surprise before skirting her way behind Danny.

Before them there was a humanoid shape with twigs and leaves sticking out everywhere. Danny's eyebrows were slanted upward slightly as he held in his laughter.

"Mikey… you have a little bit… of… ah…" He trailed off into a grin as he spoke between chuckles.

"Oh," the figure moved its limbs outstretched to either side of its form and small green bits of magical light formed at the ends as the plant life dissolved into energy. The magic dissipated back to the forest and plants around them revealing a petit young man standing in front of them. He was wearing earthy brown pants and a leafy green tunic. Atop his head there was a shock of bright strawberry-blonde hair that made Sam wonder how it had remained hidden under all the nature that had covered him not seconds earlier. He smiled at them, his light turquoise eyes glistening under oval glasses.

"Sam, this is Mikey – our garden gnome." Danny grinned down at him and he grinned sheepishly at her. "Mikey this is Sam, my guest." Sam smiled slightly at him and he nodded happily, giving her hand a gentle shake.

"I promised I'd meet Layla for tea." He grinned at them before taking off down the stone path behind them. "Hope to see you later, Sam!"

"Layla… earlier…" Sam trailed off glancing at Danny and he nodded.

"She's his older sister."

"Ah…" Sam trailed off as they continued down the garden path weaving their way through flowerbeds, hedges, bushes and scattered fountains in a comfortable silence.

"Daniel! You haven't introduced us." An excessively suave voice greeted them as they rounded a corner of the castle. Danny practically jumped next to her and Sam glanced up to find a couple standing in front of them.

A tall older man stood looking down at them over his jagged nose, deep blue eyes squinting slightly in the late afternoon sun. His stuffy black, white and red suit complimented his long gray haired ponytail pulling together his regal appearance. On his right arm there was a young woman that Danny had never seen before. She wore a very dark gray almost black dress with a lighter gray corset, gloves and heeled shoes. A wide curving slit went almost all the way up the front and Danny's eyebrows twitched slightly. Her other arm was on her hip, bright forest green glinted down at him, her blonde wavy hair was tied in a thick ponytail atop her head.

"Well, Your Highness, won't you handle the introductions." His face gave away nothing but his voice was laced with venom.

"Right." Danny grunted and Sam watched him curiously, she'd never seen him hold animosity toward anything before. "Sam, this is Count Vladimir Masters and his… date." Danny lowered an eyebrow but managed to mostly hide his smirk.

"Ah, Samantha is it? Charmed, I'm sure." He held out his hand and Sam rested hers in his and he kissed it gently, Sam blinked her attention flicking alive as she brought her hand back to her person.

Danny had to keep from leaping to whisk her away, but managed to content himself to allow his hand to clench and unclench repeatedly. Vlad smirked, taking the silence as opportunity.

"This is my guest, Aspan," he smiled confidently at her and she pulled her arms to her chest. "Forgive her, for she is shy." She smiled, a strange mix of meekness and malice. "We should be off just giving her a tour, hope to see you again Samantha." Vlad smiled charmingly at the woman on his arm before taking off down the walkway.

Shy? Danny mulled over the events. In that dress? He should've come up with a better excuse. Danny would have smiled in triumph, had it not been for the fact that without physical contact he wouldn't be able to tell what form of arcane powers she had and that put him at the disadvantage.

As soon as they were out of sight and earshot Sam sprung to life, she moved quickly into a fast-paced walk toward a fountain pushing her skirts out of the way before bending over slightly to wash her hands off in the fountain.

"I don't know if that's going to get all of the slime off." Danny mused as he sat down on the fountain's rim next to where she was standing, and she gave him a pointed look.

"Who was that, really?"

"He's a creep, but you figured that out. He was an acquaintance of my parents from when they were young. My parents were each a prince and princess of moderate wealth and Vlad was viscount of similar economical status… until recently. A couple years before Jazz was born… he has so much money now that I can't even figure out where he lives." Danny sighed. "Oh, he also tried to court my mother." Danny made a face and Sam blinked at him before hopping around to sit down next to him.

"Well, that didn't turn out."

"No, but that doesn't mean he stopped trying."

"Ugh… ew."

"Seriously…" Danny trailed off before following her gaze out to the forest as they sat in silence. The occasional gust of wind blew past, accompanied by the final chirps of birds before they dissipated for the winter. Danny smiled broadly to himself, his legs swinging happily. Being with her overlooking a peaceful scene was nice, something simple that made him relax into his signature grin.

"Your Highness…?" A man's voice broke their silence and they both turned to their left.

"Aup." Sam made an interesting noise as she brought her hands up to her mouth, disguising a surprised balk of laughter. A bald, middle-aged man with vibrant teal poofy knee-length pants and a matching vest stood a few feet away. Underneath he wore a white poofy shirt and white leggings that went down into a pair of deep, blue booties.

"Oh hey Mr. Lancer…"' Danny trailed off, waiting for him to state his business.

"Ah, this must be your friend Samantha." Lancer nodded to her and she smiled back through her surprised expression. "Her Highness introduced us vicariously. I'm one of the king's advisers, I head the staff here and am quite busy with the party preparations at this time of year, so don't expect to see much of me until later." He spoke with an air of self-importance that made her smile slightly before he turned to address Danny. "Your mother wants your opinion on a few things in a bit. I just so happened to be passing by so I offered to help but it's about time I go back to party planning." He nodded to them before turning on his heal and continuing back to the castle. Danny glanced causally at Sam, a smirk flickering across his features.

"Wow… I, wow…" Sam blinked a few times, stunned. "That outfit… where did he even get that outfit?" Sam glanced at Danny and he moved to grab her hands and pull her up and off the fountain. He grinned as they continued their semi-lap around the enormous castle.

"Some say the Clown College, others say Jester School..." He bounced happily as Sam held in a burst of laughter, instead erupting into a chocked giggle. He ginned, "Sammy," he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Somehow… you make things more fun." He smiled out in front of himself, and she blushed as she leaned into his arm, smiling.

Lancer's outfit is defiantly inspired by the one he wore in "Beauty Marked" because it worked and it's ridiculous. I hope you guys are having as much fun reading this as I do working on it instead of paying attention in meteorology. See you next chapter!