A/N: Hello readers! Sorry for the long wait! I've been sooooooo busy with school work and then I got sick... It's been crazy. I was kind of disappointed by the lack of reviews so I want at least 20 reviews before I post the next chapter. You might say that it's a bit much but honestly, it's really not that hard to achieve. I know since I've gotten more than that before. So this chapter is a bit on the short side but I hope you enjoy it anyway!


Nod's POV

I stood in the middle of the cafe, two, black luggages on either side of me and a frown on my face. Apparently, I'm going to Europe to play football. Wrong.

I'm going to Moonhaven so I don't tell humans (the normal people) about little people who ride on hummingbirds (the abnormal people.)

Tara walked up to me with a croissant in her hand and a frown on her face.

"Nod, when we get to Moonhaven, I expect that you won't be causing any trouble," she said sternly, handing me the baked good.

I nodded, taking the still-warm croissant. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"And you will get along with everyone."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And you will train with the Leafmen wholeheartedly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And you won't try anything on my daughter," she said finally.

I froze. Aw come on...

"Y-ye... No I'm sorry, I c- I can't do that..."I said, shaking my head. "There is nothing in this world that could ever make me give up on MK so I'd give up on trying to convince me to do so if I were you."

Queen Tara cast a downward look at me and her lips formed an ultra thin line. "Hm."

I could practically hear her jotting down "disobedient and disrespectful to adults" with her mental pen in her mental notebook of reasons why I was a bad person. Figures.

"Um where's MK?" I asked nervously.

"My daughter's whereabouts are none of your concern. What you should be concerned about is whether you will exceed my expectations for you or if you will fall short of my expectations for you," Tara said harshly. "From now on, I don't want to see you as much as look at MK? Do you understand me?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes," I grumbled quietly.

"Excuse me?!" She barked.

"Yes!" I said louder. "I said yes, I understand you!"

Suddenly, the cafe door swung open and MK happily walked over to where I stood, completely oblivious to all that was just said.

She stopped by Tara and gave her mom a hug. When she saw the tense expression on the queen's face, a puzzled look replaced her happy one.

"What's going on?" MK asked, releasing Tara.

I put on a smile. "Oh nothing!"

Then, Tara glared at me and I knew she didn't want me talking to her daughter in her presence.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

The tall woman straightened her white and green skirt and smiled at MK. "Where did you come from? Did you have breakfast yet?"

MK cocked her head to the side. "I was at Moonhaven and yes, I had one of those tiny poppy seed muffins from the kitchen at the palace."

She looked at me and flashed a smile. "How are you, Nod? Are you ready?"

I just nodded slightly and tried to look away from her. The last thing I needed was Tara to be breathing down my neck for the entire time I'm in Moonhaven.

MK frowned. "I'm sorry you were forced to tag along. I know you had a bad experience the last time you came."

At that, I met her eyes and shook my head. "No! No, no, no, no. I'm glad to be coming and I think I remember telling you that I had a great time the last time I came."

MK's frown vanished and her happy-go-lucky look was back on her face while Tara looked like she was ready to kill something. Or someone.


MK's POV

I really don't see why Nod was so stiff around Tara. It's not like he did anything to her! Well... He is a stomper. And he did tell a friend of his that he became one of Moonhaven's civilians for a day... OK so I see why Tara has her doubts about him but still!

I looked from Nod to my adoptive mother and pursed my lips when I saw that Tara's eyes were practically boring into my friend's soul.

"Well!" I said, clapping my hands. "Why don't we head on out to the parking lot, hm? The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get Nod settled in and used to our ways."

Tara let out a heavy breath and closed her eyes before opening them and smiling broadly at me. "Yes. Lets do that."

She didn't so much as give Nod another glance and walked out through the side door that led out to the vacant lot.

"I'm sorry, Nod," I said nervously. "Tara's been making you feel uncomfortable, huh?"

He forced a small smile and shook his head. "It's OK. She loves you very much. That's all."

"She's just overly protective," I mumbled. "And she's not even my real mom." I turned away so my back was facing him.

"Hey," he said quietly, touching my shoulder. "Listen, I'm guessing that you probably haven't totally warmed up to her yet but you should be grateful to even have someone who's like a mom."

I sighed and spun around to look Nod in the eye.

He looks pained and had a sad look on his face. That's when I remembered that he didn't have a mom.

"I don't think I ever told you about my parents," Nod whispered, looking down at his shoes.

I let out a breathy laugh, trying to make the atmosphere not so serious. "Well, we barely spent any time together, Nod. It's explainable."

We were quiet for a moment, standing face to face, Nod looking down at me and me looking up at him.

"My parents weren't married when my mom got pregnant with me," nod said, breaking the silence. He looked away from me and continued. "They were both juniors in high school and they met for the first time at a house party. You know how those can get out of hand."

I nodded silently, although I had no idea at all how parties could get out if hand.

"They both had one drink too many and two weeks from there, my mom contacted my dad saying that she was...pregnant," Nod choked out. "After she gave birth, she went to my dad's house to drop me off before... Before disappearing."

My lips parted and I frantically searched for something to say but I was never put in such a position. "Nod... I'm so sorry," I said quietly, giving him a hug, my cheek pressed against his chest.

"No," he said, returning my embrace. "I'm not sorry."

A confused look appeared on my face as I furrowed my brows. "Why?"

"Because."

"Because of what?"

Nod pulled away causing my arms to drop to my sides and he cast me a tiny smile. "When we're able to become closer and Tara doesn't act like she hates me so much, I'll tell you. OK?"

I blinked and smiled sadly at him. "OK."


I led Nod to his room in the palace which was across the hall from mine. Tara would flip if she found out but at this moment, I don't think she knows yet. Notice the word 'yet.'

Shrinking down still made Nod sick to his stomach but hopefully, after doing it a couple more times, it'll get easier for him.

I pushed open the double doors that led to Nod's room and moved aside so he could pull his two luggages through the open doors. "I hope you'll find this suite comfortable."

"Comfortable?!" He exclaimed, gaping at the large room. "Are you kidding me?! This place is HUGE!"

I laughed. "My room is even bigger than this."

"You're kidding," he said, beginning to walk around.

The walls, like almost every room in the palace, was green and white. There was a light blue flower bed that sat in the corner and a matching bedside table next to it. A flatscreen TV was mounted on the leftmost wall, above the fireplace and a leaf table was placed a good three feet away from that.

Now if I were to continue describing every single detail of this room, I'd be here until tomorrow so I'll let Nod do the rest of the explaining when it's his turn to speak. ;)

"So I take it that you like the room?" I asked him.

He ran a finger across the grooves of the designs in the walls and nodded, turning to smile at me. "I love it. And I'll try to do my best here and get along with everyone, including your mom."

I smiled. "Fabulous."


A/N: So this is obviously a filler chapter but I think it's quite important since it explains some of Nod's background in this story and his relationship with Tara. Review please!