Chapter 7:

In the Evergreen forest...

The dwarves walked deeper and deeper into the forest, hoping to get as far as possible from the evil Ice Prince. Everything was quiet until they heard footsteps coming their way. The dwarves looked around in panic until they found what they were looking for. Fionna looked at them in question as they pulled open a curtain of vines and leaves to revile a hidden passage way. The dwarves led the way as the princess followed. Marshal Lee hesitated a bit, looking over his shoulder to see how far the Ice prince's men were before following Fionna.

A moment later, they found themselves in an even more beautiful forest. Streaks of light shown through the canopy of trees and little forest creatures hopped around joyfully.

"What is this place?" Fionna asked, looking around in wonder.

"They call it the 'Sanctuary', me lady. It's the home of the fairies." Beith explained as a few fairies flew in front of the princess. All throughout the forest, Fionna could hear the fairies' wonderful music, although not all of them had the same opinion about it...

"Blasted fairy music!" Nion exclaimed in frustration.

"Here. Good thing there's plenty of moss about..."Gord said picking up some moss from the ground and giving it to Nion to put in his ears. Fionna chuckled slightly as they continued walking.

They walked further down the path, watching as the trees became slightly thicker. The sun was slowly setting over the horizon and Marshal Lee was glad he could finally take off his hood. They soon came upon a small clearing as the dwarves then decided it was best to camp for the night. The seven dwarves picked up some fire wood and put a few logs around to sit on. The little men were either just sitting around joking or singing whilst others were slowly falling asleep.

Fionna sat on a log, watching Duir dance around as Quert played the flute. She laughed and their silly dance moves while Marshal Lee was floating near Beith, strumming his axe-bass. He was looking at the laughing princess and chuckled when Duir invited Fionna to dance with them, which she happily agreed. It was quite funny since Fionna was a lot taller than the dwarf, but she didn't seem to mind as they danced to the music, laughing. Meanwhile, the other dwarves, Nion, Gord and Coll were watching Snow White dance with Duir.

"I don't trust her and I don't believe her, no matter what Muir says." Nion said to the other dwarves.

"Well, I feel peculiar, queer almost." Gord replied.

"What? Since when?" Nion asked curious.

"I'm tingling all over, but I feel lovely. How's your gout?" Gord said.

"Gout? Well...it's a bit better..."Nion admitted.

"And my cough." Coll added.

"This is her doing." Gord said after awhile, referring to the princess.

"How much have you had to drink?" Nion questioned disbelievingly, making the other dwarves chuckle as they continue to watch the princess dance.

Not far away was Beith, the leader of the dwarves with Marshal floating nearby. After a while, Beith looked towards Marshal and caught him staring at Fionna with a goofy smile on his face. The leader of the dwarves smirked as he walked over to the vampire, elbowing him in the side, to grab his attention.

"Huh, what?" The Vampire King asked, snapping out of his daze and looking down at the dwarf.

"You like the princess, don't ya?"He asked or rather stated.

"W-what? No, I don't!" Marshal Lee exclaimed quietly, trying to hide his embarrassment. Beith chuckled at the young king's denial before going to sit by the fire.

'Who am I kidding?' Marshal thought as he looked back at Fionna. She was so full of life and always brought a smile to the Vampire King's face.

Fionna finished her dance with Coll, as the other dwarves joined in, and sat on a nearby log. It wasn't long before Marshal Lee came and floated beside her.

"You're a good dancer." Marshal commented.

"Nah, I'm terrible." Fionna replied chuckling making him chuckle as well. They continued talking until the princess yawned, indicating that she was tired.

"You should go to sleep Fi." Marshal stated.

"Yeah..."Fionna agreed tiredly, lying down on the grass. It didn't take long for Fionna to fall asleep, as Marshal Lee watched her until he too was starting to feel sort of tired.

'All this is really messing up my nocturnal sleeping hours...' The vampire thought, lying down beside the princess.

Morning came and Fionna woke up to the sun shining down through the canopy of trees above her. Sitting up, she turned to her left to find some fairies flying over her. Looking around she noticed that all of the others were still asleep. Fionna looked back at the fairies to see that they were gesturing for her to follow them. The princess hesitated a bit, gazing back at the sleeping vampire, before following the group of fairies. One of the dwarves though, woke up just before Fionna left and quickly woke up the others while Nion kicked Marshal Lee, who shot up in surprise.

"Why did you do that for?" Marshal complained as Nion pointed to where Fionna was walking off.

"Fionna?" Marshal asked himself in question.

The fairies lead Fionna through the forest, with the dwarves and the Vampire King following behind her. The princess passed many forest animals and other fairies that seemed to notice the wondering girl, following her as well. Slowly catching up to her, Marshal wondered where Fionna was going as he quickened his pace.

Blocking the rising sun from her eyes and pushing away the various branches and leaves that stood in her way, Fionna soon found a beautiful, ancient tree standing tall, surrounded by luscious green grass and a crystal clear pond. The young girl gasped and what stood just in front of the tree, at the end of the pond. Standing there was a magical, white stag with great long antlers. Nearby, the fairies and the forest animals, along with the dwarves gathered around the princess as she walked into the clearing. Fionna walked closer to the big stag and the seven dwarves watched as she slowly made her way across the pond towards it, hopping from one rock to another. Marshal's protective instincts kicked in as he stepped forward; gripping his axe-bass ready to attack the animal if it hurt Fionna.

"No, no, no, vampire! No one's ever seen this before."Beith said stopping him as they watch Fionna who was now standing straight in front of the forest creature. Fionna slowly lifted her hand and gently stroke the stag's white fur. The stag then bowed its head to her, before standing back up.

"The White Heart bows before the princess, father."Quert said addressing his father, Muir.

"He's blessing her." The elder dwarf replied.

"What are you talking about?" The Vampire King questioned confused, never taking his eyes off Fionna.

"You have eyes, Vampire King, but you do not see. You, who have been with her the longest..., She is life itself, she will heal the land. She is the one!" Muir answered.

Suddenly, an arrow was shot out of nowhere and hit the stag, barely missing Fionna. The stag then magically turned into thousands of blue butterflies, flying away as the other forest creatures scattered. As soon as Marshal saw this, he immediately reacted and in a blink of an eye he was right beside Fionna. Picking her up quickly, he rushed pasted the dwarves, trying to get Fionna as far away from danger as possible.

What's going on?" Fionna questioned, still shocked as Marshal put her down.

"It must be Ice Prince. They found us..."Marshal replied, pulling Fionna along while dodging trees in his path.

"What about the dwarves?" The princess asked sadly.

"It's you they're after. Besides, they're right behind us..." The vampire said gesturing behind him. Fionna looked back to see the seven dwarves slowly catching up to them. Fionna sighed in relief, knowing the dwarves were okay and focused on the path ahead.

The Ice Prince's men where slowly catching up to them as well, on their fast steeds. Thankfully, the dwarves noticed them and quickly used their small size to take them down. The little men hid behind large trees or rabbit holes and waited for the horsemen to ride through. As soon as the Ice Prince's men passed the hiding dwarfs, the little men would come out of hiding and, using their axes and maces, trip the men's horses making them fall to the ground. The dwarves did their best to take them down and to protect the princess, but the Ice Prince managed to avoid them.

Marshal Lee continued going as fast as he could while protecting Fionna, knocking out archers and swordsmen in his way. All of a sudden, the mysterious young man appeared in a curtain of flames, making the Vampire King stop in the middle of the path as he tried to shield the princess from the flames. As the flames quickly died down, Fionna could get a good look at the cloaked figure standing in front of them. He was a boy, around her age and seemed to be from the Flame Kingdom.

"Hand over the princess vampire!" He demanded pointing to Marshal Lee, although something about his voice felt familiar to Fionna, she couldn't quite place it.

"Not a chance, flame boy!" The vampire replied slightly floating upwards, as Fionna held on to him tightly. The boy seemed to be angered by Marshal's actions as he began to form fireballs in his hands. Immediately, Marshal but Fionna behind him protectively, just in case the boy blew.

"How dare you speak to me in that way? I am a prince!" The flaming boy yelled, angered.

"So?" Marshal shrugged, chuckling making him even angrier. "I'm a King, I outrank you." He continued smirking.

"You're the Vampire King?" He asked surprised and Marshal could just make out a hint of fear in his voice. "Why are you involved in this matter? It does not concern you!" The fire elemental said frustrated.

"And it concerns you?" The vampire asked mockingly raising an eyebrow. While the two were glaring at each other, they didn't notice the Ice Prince come up behind them, until Fionna shrieked. The two looked towards the princess to see that the Ice Prince had captured her.

"Let her go!" Marshal yelled enraged, showing his sharp fangs.

"Well, well, the Vampire King. Haven't been expecting you here..." The Ice prince said surprised.

"Yeah, I thought I might drop by..."Marshal replied sarcastically.

"Well, if you excuse us, we have to get going." The cold hearted prince said as Fionna struggled in his grip.

"Not so fast!" The flaming prince said from behind. With her captor distracted, Fionna quickly kicked the prince, making him let her go in the process. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the princess made a run for it, dashing into the forest. Marshal Lee quickly pounced on the icy prince, making sure he wouldn't follow her but at the same time; the flaming prince took the opportunity as well and ran after Fionna. As soon as Marshal Lee noticed he quickly knocked out the Ice Prince and went after Fionna too.

The princess ran quickly through the forest, avoiding trees and bushes as best as she could. In her hurry, she accidentally tripped on a large tree root she hadn't noticed and fell to the ground.

"Princess? Fionna? Where are you?" She heard the flaming prince yell out to her as he was now closer because of her clumsiness. Fionna quickly got back up and started running again, but in her rush, the necklace Marshal gave her got caught on a branch making it fall from her neck. The princess then looked down, noticing her appearance had changed back to normal.

'Uh oh!' Fionna thought, as she now stood out with her bright golden hair.

It wasn't long before the fiery prince had caught up to her and in an effort to make her slow down he grabbed her upper arm, completely forgetting that he was practically made of fire. The princess immediately felt the extreme heat on her skin and yelled out in pain. The prince, realising his mistake, quickly let go of her arm as she backed away from him.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" He apologised.

"W-who are you?" Fionna asked slightly frightened.

"Don't you remember me princess?" He asked hurtfully. "Snow it's me...it's-"The prince began, using one of the girl's nicknames, but got interrupted by Marshal Lee catching up to them.

"Stay away from her matchstick!" The vampire said in anger as he approached the prince.

"It's you who needs to stay away bloodsucker!" The fire elemental replied as they soon started to fight. Fireballs flew around as the Vampire King expertly dodged each one, delivering many blows of his own.

While the boys were busy fighting each other, Fionna was trying to remember who the prince was. Did she know him and couldn't remember? The princess racked her brain, remembering how his voice seamed familiar until she finally remembered and it all became clearer.

'Of course!' Fionna exclaimed mentally. 'How could I not remember?' She asked herself as she looked back to the fighting boys. Marshal had the slightly younger boy on the ground and was getting ready to punch him again until Fionna called out to them.

"Stop!" The princess ordered as they both looked up to her surprised.

"I know him Marshal! I remember! He's the Flame Prince!" Fionna exclaimed, happy that she remembered.

"So? He burnt you!" Marshal replied, angry.

"It's okay, he didn't mean it!" Fionna argued trying to persuade the vampire. Marshal looked back at the prince before roughly letting him go.

"Flame Prince, I'm so sorry I didn't remember you." Fionna apologised, quickly hugging him and letting him go before she got burnt.

"No, need to apologise Fionna, I should be the one apologising to you..."The prince of the Flame Kingdom replied.

"For what FP?" The young girl asked, using his old nickname.

"For leaving you..."He answered sadly.

"You didn't." Fionna argued.

"If I'd thought you were alive, I would have come for you." The young prince continued, feeling guilty.

"We were children Flame, your here now." The princess said in an attempt to cheer him up. The prince smiled at her, while the Vampire King stood back listening to their conversation wondering what all this was about.

"Don't want to interrupt your little reunion, but we have to keep moving..."Marshal said, frustrated. Fionna was about to reply when the Flame Prince beat her to it.

"What do you mean 'we'?" He asked angrily. "Last I checked you, vampire, were the one who capture the princess!" He then exclaimed.

"What!?"Marshal asked in disbelief.

"Flame Prince, Marshal didn't capture me! If anything he's been helping me this whole time!" Fionna exclaimed, a bit mad that he would think Marshal would hurt her.

"But, he's a vampire, he's evil!" He said shocked.

"So? You're a Fire Elemental, technically you're evil too!" The princess argued once more. "Sorry Flame Prince, but whether you like it or not, Marshal Lee is coming with me." She continued.

"If he wants..."She muttered more to herself, but it was just enough for the vampire to hear.

"So, looks like you're stuck with me sparky." Marshal joked, making the princess smile as the prince glared daggers at the vampire.

"Where exactly are we going anyway?" He asked floating above the flaming haired boy.

"Well, I was I thinking of taking you to the Flame Kingdom." He said ignoring the vampire and addressing Fionna. "We have an army there, and with your help, the Ice Queen won't stand a chance!" Flame said confidently. Fionna looked at Marshal Lee who shrugged in response before answering.

"Alright FP, let's go." The princess agreed.

"Wait for us!" Some voices were heard as the sound of little feet approached them.

"Oops, sorry guys. I forgot..."Fionna said looking at the seven dwarves, smiling. The Flame Prince stared at the dwarves in surprise, before Nion kicked him on his leg making him yelp in shock. The mischievous young king chuckled as they all started their journey towards the Flame Kingdom...


In the Ice Kingdom...

The Ice Princess sat in her room, thinking of ways she could make sure Fionna would not return and if she did how to get rid of her...

"What's an evil princess to do?" She wined to no one in particular. The cold hearted princess then looked towards the mirror as an idea struck her. Walking towards it, the princess smiled evilly before addressing the magic mirror.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall,

How can I rid of Snow White

Once and for all?" The Ice princess asked as a golden mask appeared on the mirror.

"My princess, there is only one way,

You see, love can often betray...

From an apple, just one bite,

Will bring an end to Snow White." The mirror replied as the princess laughed in victory, knowing just how to defeat Fionna once and for all...

"The only problem is..." The princess asked herself passing around the room. "Who does she love?" She continued, looking at her crystal ball.

"Of course!" She exclaimed, looking at her crystal ball, where she saw Fionna hugging the Flame Prince earlier. Thinking he was who Fionna loved, the icy princess put her plan together...


During the long trip to the Flame Kingdom, the seven dwarves were busy talking amongst themselves, while the two young royals glared at each from time to time, making the princess grow tired of their childish antics...

"Why don't you walk like the rest of us?" The prince of flames said angered, watching the vampire who was floating above him.

"What? I can't even float anymore? Next thing you tell me is that I can't even look at your royal highness without permission." Marshal replied sarcastically. "You're just jealous that you have to walk everywhere..." The Vampire King continued smirking.

"Me, jealous of you?" The prince exclaimed, growing angrier by the minute.

"Guys, would you please get along?" The princess asked in her sweet voice. The two boys looked at her, then glared at each other before crossing their arms and turning away from each other.

For the rest of the trip, Marshal Lee floated near Fionna while FP walked by the dwarves, often muttering about how much he despised the Vampire King. The group walked across the Grasslands, through many large fields, caves and hills until night came once again. They decided to camp for the night as they were all extremely tired from their journey, luckily the Flame Kingdom wasn't far away so they would get there the next day.

The seven dwarves lit a small campfire and soon fell asleep. The princess sat against a tree, thinking of her father... How would he inspire an army to fight alongside him? She was deep in thought when Marshal came up to her.

"Hey, Fi." He greeted sitting next to her.

"Oh, hey Marshal. Didn't see you there..."She replied.

"I have something for you. You must have dropped it a while back." Marshal said as he got out the bat shaped necklace that he gave Fionna when their adventure began.

"The necklace!" Fionna exclaimed in joy as she hugged the vampire. "Thanks Marshal." The princess said smiling.

"No problem bunny." He replied. "But I still think you look better as a blonde..."He continued as the princess put the necklace on once again, changing her appearance.

"Yeah..."Fionna replied tiredly.

"You should get some sleep; we have a long day tomorrow." The vampire suggested.

"You're right Marshal..."Fionna said yawning.

"When am I not?" He joked as she chuckled.

"Good night Marsh..."Fionna whispered, before falling asleep.

"Goodnight bunny." He whispered, kissing her forehead before he sitting on a nearby rock. It wasn't long before the Flame Prince approached him and sat down beside him. It was quiet between the two of them until the prince spoke up, surprising the vampire.

"She hasn't changed..."He began looking at the sleeping princess. "She has the same light inside of her..." The Flame prince continued. "Don't you see it?" He asked the vampire as they watched Fionna sleep from where they were sitting.

"I'd be blind if I didn't..."Marshal Lee replied. "Even an un-dead King can see that she is destined for something great..."He continued, gazing up to the moon.

That night everyone slept peacefully, except for Marshal Lee...The Vampire King had a bad feeling for the day to come, he couldn't shake the feeling that something evil was going to happen, but the big question on his mind was...what?


A's note: Soooooo sorry it too so long! School is really time consuming with all these projects and tests everyday! :(

I made this chapter slightly longer to make up for it!

Please tell me what you thought about the latest chapter and give me your ideas on the story! :)