Lucas stared at the water. How could he have been such a fool? To think that she, of all people could love him? She had played with his heart, and for that he could not forgive her.

He picked up a flawless stone. Lila was like this rock, flawless on the outside. Winning at anything she put her heart too. Including stealing his heart. The heart he wanted back. He stroked the smooth stone, and tossed it into the river.

A human like shadow shifted near by, he didn't look up. "Anellia what do you understand, about not disturbing me?" He said aloud.

The shadow came back out. "I'm not Anellia. But of course you don't know me. No one around here, except Lila and Blink truly know me." Said a voice. The voice was like the sound of ringing metal.

Lucas stood up and turned. He found himself staring at a unknown woman. Her silver blond hair seemed to gleam in the sunlight a little. She was stunning, like many of Lila's friends. But the part that made him want to retreat, was her eyes. They were as blue as the chipped ice on glaciers. A block of frozen water glaring at him.

His eyes darkened more. "Don't mention her name. I'm not in the mood for a talk." He said his teeth clenched.

The woman's wild face only scoffed at him, her icy eyes glittering slightly. "What kind of monster are you?" She said directly, her icy eyes still glaring at him.

Lucas's eyes narrowed in anger. "What do you mean? You don't know what your talking about, woman!" He said darkly.

Lydia's eyes narrowed. "I know a darn more then you, young man! I know, what you said to her. I know, what it was that broke her hopes to pieces. I also know that you love her." She said daringly, taking a step closer to him.

At her last sentence he turned away. Staring back into the waves. "What is love when its not returne? What is love when she laughs at my approach? What do you know about Lila, that makes you approach me?" He said bitterly, refusing to look back at Lydia.

Lydia's eyes danced. "Don't you turn your back on I, Pearl Lydian of Imoratilla... Lucas Prince of Twindel... son of Ariteos!" She said in an bellish unearthly voice.

The earth trembled slightly and the wind became faster, the waves splashed towards him, whirling wildly. Terrified he looked back at the woman. Her eyes were glowing, and she scowled at him, her form sparkling slightly.

The wind calmed down and the woman stood there again. "Don't make me mad again, Lucas. You will regret it, if you do. What matters, is that Lila's hurt." She said in that ringing metal voice.

Lucas stared at Lydia. "What do you mean?" He said confused, his eyes brightening slightly, from that dark look.

Lydia held her hand out to him. "Take my hand and all shall be known." Her voice was gentle, more earthly then before.

Lucas stared at the hand uncertainly. Then hesitantly he put his hand into her open hand and the world blurred by. A gentle voice spoke in his head.

Lila...is dieing... what you said pulled her from the clouds, bringing her down to the ground, shattering her already stretched amount of will power.

Lucas found himself staring at Lila. Her face held no life, the lips were dry, excessive sweat covered her body. Her body shook in agony, but the look on her face was happy, contented, almost peaceful.

Her mind is trapped in a world she has created from her imagination. The world is swallowing her up and if she forgets us, she is lost to you forever. You must help her... true love is the only thing that can save her. Please, save Lila...

Then the voice was gone, and so was the woman. Lucas stared at his hands in horror. He had caused Lila this pain. How was he supposed to know that she had loved him? He still wasn't sure she loved him.

But if he did try to help, he would know the answer. The woman had said that her true love, was the only person that could save her. If she did come back its because he had helped her.

He turned towards Blidia and started running. Time was running out for Lila, and the woman had said that he was the only one that could help her. He wasn't taking the risk. Lila may not have known it, but she still had his heart. He couldn't take the risk of loosing that...

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Lydia smiled slightly, settling down beside Lila's pale body. She had made it clear that all his confusion about Lila's feelings would be answered. He would come, she was sure of that. She heard the men whispering among themselves..

"I wonder what is wrong with the girl. Is it something common to happen? Does that girl know how to heal the other?" Someone said doubtfully.

Lydia frowned. That shows what they know... She thought to herself.

"Don't worry about Lydia, she's one of the best healers around." Mike said quietly. "A little independent, but she knows what she is doing." He finished his voice with a tone of softness.

The others murmured a little bit among themselves quietly.

"That brings us to another question. How do you know this... Lydia? I've never seen her about this place." Another voice said.

His response was hesitant. "I met her on one of my travels. She is a strange girl, with her witty comments and her way of understanding things almost immediately. But don't worry about Lydia, if I'm correct she really does know what is wrong with the girl." He said in a low tone, and his words sounded sincere.

Lydia smiled, so Mike thought that she was strange. Well, he had no idea of knowing the truth...or did he? She bit her lip and satisfied herself with humming a lullaby. She had found Lucas far away from Blidia. It would take him longer to reach here.

Lydia looked down at Lila. Her clothes had been changed from the warrior outfit to one that made Lila look like she was in a deep sleep. The sky blue material flowed to a stop at her mid-ankle. The braid in her hair was loose with wild strands that had escaped from the ribbon that had held it in a bun, her oval face framed by the delicate silky hair. Lila truly did look dead. The glow had all but disappeared and Lila's skin looked like lifeless white stone. There was no life in her body. Only that contented smile remained frozen on the girls face.

The surges of agony had vanished. Because of this, Lila was in more danger of dieing. Her mind had masked the pain, into a more pleasing form. One that lured Lila's soul to a maze of the world. Pain was disguised as happiness, and if she did forget her friends... Lila would be lost to them forever, and Lydia could not bear to loose this girl who she had grown so fond of.

Lydia stood up and started pacing. She had tried many times to go into the girls deepest memories. The ones that had been barricaded away. But Lila's guardian was strong, and Lydia could not persuade the guardian to relax. These memories were ones that the girl would never miss, and probably was too young to have known the importance of these memories. Memories of the mother she never knew probably lay within the girls mind.

However, a walk in memories, tended to last more then several minutes, and she wanted to be present when Lucas finally arrived. She liked to tease spirited young men very much. Which Lucas seemed like a good prey for teasing. She tapped her feet and stared down at Lila.

"I suppose just one more try wouldn't do any harm. It's not like the guardian will actually let me in..." She said musing to herself. Then she leaned towards Lila, placing her gentle ivory fingers on the girls forehead. She closed her eyes and concentrated hard feeling the strange sensation of breaking through a invisible barrier.

The area she found herself in now, did not look inviting, with thorns and sharp cutting objects, jutting out at every possible place. Lydia smiled contentedly. That is just what a good strong mind ought to have. It needs to have strong barriers to protect itself from unwanted invaders. Lydia looked around and found the door she wanted. The door it self was silver and seemed to glow brightly, inviting her to come inside.

Lydia took a deep breath and proceeded towards the door until a voice rang out.

"You are not welcome here, stranger. Leave now." Demanded the clear voice.

Lydia stopped dead in her path, and turned around, to face the guardian.

"I seek a memory of the prophecy told at this child's birth. May I please enter. It is very important that I have this, for it will help Lila fulfill her destiny." She said respectfully, curtsying to the guardian.

The guardian regarded her for a moment. Then it sighed in surrender.

"Very well, seek the void of lost memories. You look to be peaceful enough." The guardian said, lifting the jeweled staff into the air and twirling it. The briars and thorns faded away, leaving a peaceful white light.

The silver door opened, and Lydia hastily walked in. She had to be quick, the mortal world could not wait long. Nor could Lila's body. She looked around and began her search.

Images flew by her, Lila growing up as a child with the Treels.

"Did you get him with the tomato?" Said a young girl, identical to Iris.

A young Lila, nodded her head wildly. "Square on the face." She said triumphantly.

Young Iris grinned. "That will teach him to steal Mr. Bumpkins, and demand for a kiss!" Young Iris said delighted.

Young Lila grinned. "We sure showed him, didn't we Iris?" She said giggling

Iris smiled kindly at her. "You really are such a dear, May." Iris said in conclusion. Patting the child Lila's shoulders...

A sly smile played on Lydia's lips, but then she turned back to the road, determined to find that memory. She paid no more attention to the other memories and continued walking. She was about to give up in despair, when she heard the rush of the sea, and an all too familiar beautiful voice...

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Ok, so I lied! You didn't have to wait longer. That's a good thing I hope! But gee, when I'm this in to a story, I can't stop playing around with it, tweaking a little bit of this and that. I do so love typing this story. Its the hardest story I've written, but yet its the best. (In my opinion...)

Plus I have improved alot. Bingo7's advice really rubbed off on me. It really does help. Thanks Bingo7!

The next chapter is a real treat. But I have a huge lack of reviews. Is it because I'm so good, or is it because your not confused? But I want you to be sort of confused. Somebody help me! Why isn't anyone reviewing? I feel like there's no appreciation in this world. What am I doing wrong! I ask again, what do I lack. I need advice or opinions, or anything! Pllleeeaaassseee!!! (Thats a triple plead!) ('o')

Let me see... a summary of the next chapter. A baby memory, a Mike and Lydia moment, a Rose moment, oh! A retelling of the prophecy. Look for it carefully, you might pass it! I think that pretty much covers it. Enjoy! You rock socks everyone!!!

-Lightzing ('o')