Sorry for the delay. I was taking a break and updating my fanfics. :)

*.*.*

Anabeth sat alone at an empty table, decked in the colors' orange and white. Her fish sandwich was delectable, something she had sorely missed since her time at Paranor. The Druid's Keep. Ah, how she missed those days, before Brona's downfall. She really would have loved to see the Druid's Keep progress over time.

She sighed, hardly knowing what to say. If Maxin knew she had powers, powers he had yet to understand, how would he respond to them? How would he act knowing she had them in the first place? She had been trained by Brona, her best Druid teacher. Now, she regretted earning Brona's trust in the first place. If it wasn't for him, none of this would have happened! Wait! Without him, then her father Tobias would still be alive.

A tear trickled down her cheek. She missed her father. She wondered if she would see him again. As she drank her iced tea, she looked over her shoulder. There was her father! The blue-eyed, curly brown-haired hobbit who had a gentle soul. There was something in his eyes that said much about what he was up to. Whatever it was good or ill, she still wondered if he would tell her what was going on.

"Father!" Anabeth cried, softly, wrapping her arms around him. Tobias was able to give her a hug back, and he was a ghost now! She was surprised, but happy, as he wrapped his arms around her, protecting her from harm. "I've missed you!"

"I don't have a lot of time," Tobias said, releasing her. "You must stick with Maxin. He's needed for what's to come. Generations will rely on our family and Parker's family. Whether it's fate or destiny, it doesn't matter."

"What doesn't?" Anabeth asked, confused. "Father, you're not making much sense." She asked, getting his attention, "What aren't you telling me?"

Tobias sighed. "Look, Anabeth: Parker's not the only one who has visions. Your mother had them, too, months before you were born. It's your generation that must continue. We need to keep this family alive."

"Why? What do you know?" Anabeth asked, cautious.

"Let's just say I didn't know what it meant before, but now I do," Tobias said, puzzling his daughter more. He explained, as best he could, "There are heroes that must come from our family in the future. A whole slew of them will come and will face good and evil. Our family is a murderous one. Remember what I told you about me being a wolf. I killed Rakata. Parker's killed, too, when he became Maranguan. Maxin must accept this, but a heavy price must be paid when and if he does."

"I don't understand," Anabeth said, worriedly. "I fear there's more you're not telling me. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm afraid that information must go to Parker first before it comes to you both. It's important you go now and find Maxin or all hope will be lost," Tobias said, vanishing in a bright light.

Anabeth sighed. She was left with more questions than answers. What did Tobias want to tell Parker that he couldn't tell her about? It must be important, or else he wouldn't have said it aloud. Whatever it was, it would have to wait. For now, she was just lucky to be here, alive and well.

Maxin, too, but, where was he? Where was Aslan when they needed him? She looked on, recognizing the Great Lion standing next to Elluin. The looks on their faces were troubling. She hastened towards them, fearing the worst.

"Aslan, Elluin, where can I find Maxin?" Anabeth asked, cautiously.

"Fire! There's a fire at the Dooley house!" a civilian cried, causing a whole crowd to follow the purple-skinned, dark-haired man into the town square and beyond.

"It has begun again," Aslan said, gesturing for Anabeth and Elluin to climb on his back. They did so, leading Aslan to say as he ran past the crowd, "We'll travel much faster this way!"

"If you say so!" Anabeth said, shocked to see a two-story house in flames. The second Aslan stopped, she climbed off his back and darted into the house.

All around her, the flames licked and the smoke rose higher into the sky. She coughed several times while climbing through the debris and into the house itself. Banisters collapsed, making the crossing difficult. Even the rugs caught on fire! How could this have happened? Where was Maxin?

"Maxin! Maxin!" Anabeth called out, coughing as she went through the smoking house. "Maxin!" The smoke flared her nostrils, making it difficult to see anything. At last, she found Maxin carrying his mother outside the house. She tried reaching out to him but found they were at an impasse.

The floorboards, they were about to separate! "No!" She cried, hoping this wouldn't be the end for her—

"Anabeth!" Maxin cried, getting her attention. "Come on! Now!" He said, grabbing her arm. He nearly stumbled on his way out, taking Anabeth and his mother with him. They crashed on the dirt ground, Maxin doing everything he could to revive his mother. Still nothing. Tears started forming in his eyes.

He couldn't believe this! His mother, Eliza Bowler-Dooley, was on the verge of death. He looked at Anabeth in remorse, seeing her rest her head against his shoulders. He didn't want to lose her, too! They only just met! Something told him they should be together. He wrapped an arm around her, as Aslan advanced towards his mother. With a single breath, Eliza awoke, coughing and sputtering. She looked so weak, so helpless.

"Take her to the hospital wing!" Aslan cried to one of the healers. "Put her in the same area as Janet!" The healer nodded, proceeding to put Eliza on a stretcher, leading her away from the sight. Aslan nodded to her in return, before turning to Maxin and Anabeth. He sighed, admitting to them both, "Trauma always seems to find a way to unite people. It has for both your families. And now, Maxin knows it."

"That isn't anything to celebrate, Aslan!" Maxin said, sharply. "I almost lost my mother and Anabeth all at the same time!" He wrapped his arm tighter around Anabeth, not letting her go. He turned around, spotting a red dragonoid disappear into the crowd. He carried a torch, the same torch that had burnt his parents' home.

"No!" Aslan called out. "Let him go! Mordru will pay for his crimes!"

"Mordru!" Maxin was shocked. Someone had to go after him! He looked at Anabeth, realizing that he needed to take care of her first. He admitted to her, calmly, "I don't know you that well, but when you tried to save me back there, I thought – I was going to lose you. Isn't that odd? It's like fate wanted us to be together."

"How is she? Will she, Maxin's mother, live?" Anabeth asked Aslan, curious.

"She will survive. Eliza hasn't lost a battle yet," Aslan said, mournful, "but I'm afraid there are some battles that cannot be won forever. Both your mothers have been through grief, and you have both lost your fathers in different ways. I'll leave you two alone with your thoughts. If you need me, I'll be in the hospital wing, watching over your mothers." He walked away, leaving Maxin alone to speak with Anabeth.

.

Maxin gulped. What was he to say to the woman who nearly saved him in the fire? He looked on, jumping in shock at his parents' house collapsing, due to the flames. He watched as a score of people and creatures did their best to douse the fire. In the end, he knew his family home was lost.

He sighed, realizing he would have to find a new spot to live. One that consisted of the Renegade Alliance's base. He realized there was no going back. Even if his father did rebuild their home, it wouldn't be the same. Nothing else mattered to him anymore. All that mattered was protecting Anabeth.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Anabeth asked, curious but also tired.

"I think it's wise that we head to the hospital wing. Take care of these wounds," Maxin said, coughing in the process. He looked up as a few more healers came, bringing Anabeth and him over to two stretchers. Maxin was grateful for the oxygen masks, doing his best to clean out the smoke from his lungs. He looked over at Anabeth, who also wore the oxygen mask for a bit. They really went through a punch inside his parents' home. Maxin looked at her, admitting while taking off the mask, "You're a good friend, kind to me. The sort of person I need right now."

"We only just met," Anabeth said, curious. "How can you say that to a person you only just met?"

"Because… I can sense it in you," Maxin said, shyly. "It's a long story. Let's just say I'm part dragonoid. Dragonoids can sense pure hearts, such as yours." He smiled at her, wondering if she had any quirks, too.

"I'm part halfling and part human," Anabeth said, smiling back. "I guess we're both misfits."

"Imagine what would happen if we got married," Maxin said with a warm-hearted smile. "Our children would be part dragonoid, part shapeshifter, part human, and part hobbit."

"Yes, that is quite the conundrum," Anabeth said, happily. "So, you think we're meant to be together."

"Oh, I know we are," Maxin said with surety. He added, sheepishly, "I just hope you don't mind someone who is part dragonoid and part shapeshifter."

"I find it fascinating," Anabeth said, cheerful.

"Good," Maxin said, confirming that decision to a fault. "Then we'll get married as soon as we can! I think our mothers are already friends. So, we'll have no trouble there!"

"I heartedly agree with you," Anabeth said, nearly gasping in the process.

What was she getting herself into?

~o~

A few weeks passed. Anabeth learned so much about Maxin than she could have imagined. And he learned a lot about her, too. She hadn't expected to bond with someone so closely before and in such a short amount of time. The feeling rushed through her veins like wildfire.

On the morning before they told their parents about their marriage, Maxin led Anabeth inside a small cave, close to a waterfall. The scenery was beautiful, but it was also where Maxin thought they should initiate their first kiss… that is if she was willing.

"It's okay," Anabeth said, sitting on the cold, brownstone floor with him. "We'll try it."

"Just this once. I want to be sure it's us that are meant to be together," Maxin said, still having his doubts about himself, his father, everything! He nodded, leaned in, and kissed her on the lips.

Sparks flew as they kissed! It was almost as if they couldn't let go. So passionate, so sweet. He didn't want this to stop! But it had to stop! He needed air!

He released her, moving over to a wall to relax. What had he done?

"It's okay. It's okay," Anabeth said, trying to comfort him.

"No," Maxin said, facing her in trepidation and fright. "I don't know what led me to kiss you. I'm sorry. That was wrong of me."

Anabeth approached him, taking his hand in hers, and saying promptly, "Maxin, are you sure you want to do this? To get married? Our lives won't be the same, and I love you. I mean that. I love you." Although, she wasn't sure herself if those feelings were true. "Listen, if you're ready, let's tell our mothers about our marriage. Do you want me? Do you love me?"

"Of course." Maxin faced her, not knowing what else to say. "You're everything to me. Everything I could ever hope and dream of!"

"Then let's go tell our mothers and your father about us," Anabeth said, curtly.

"Wait Anabeth. No. My father and I got into an argument. I still regret the things he did in the past. I don't know how I can face him," Maxin said, unsure about all of this.

"Then we'll face him together," Anabeth said with a smile. "Come on!"

"Right!" Maxin said, allowing her to drag him out of the cave and back to Dragon's Hallow, where their mothers awaited them.

.

Janet gave her and Maxin her blessing, within that time, for she went through a similar path with Tobias when they were younger.

Eliza was a different sort. She believed, as she was sure Parker believed, that it was better to wait a year or two to get married. No rushing. She was silenced by Aslan and everyone at this dilemma.

"It is uncertain times. These things must come to pass," Aslan said, trying to explain the situation to her. "This happened for Janet and Jock, as well as Parker's parents, Holman and Cinthia. And so, it must proceed with Maxin and Anabeth."

"Oh, come on! You gave Parker and me time to get to know each other before we were married!" Eliza said, certain she had it right.

"On the contrary, you spent days together, were apart for a year, reunited and spent time together for a few weeks, before getting married. It was a quick decision, too." Aslan said, courteously. "So long as they are happy," he looked at Anabeth and Maxin with courage, "then you have nothing to fear."

"Parker's not going to be happy about this, but I give my blessing," Eliza said, shaking her head. "I thought they would wait, but I'll stand by their decision. I just hope they know what they are doing."

"We'll see what dad has to say, mother," Maxin said, feeling encouraged.

"I don't know," Eliza said with a shrug.

"I'll ask him myself!" Maxin said, pulling out his holocommunicator from his jacket pocket. In all honesty, he didn't really want to talk with his dad, but these were desperate times. Maybe he would get his father's blessing right away! Then all would be well.

"We're waiting," Aslan said, as Maxin's holocomm took a moment to turn on.

Maxin watched as a blue holographic image of a red dragonoid, wearing a white tunic and long brown breeches appeared, staring at his son in dismay and wonder. It was Maxin's father, Parker Dooley! He just knew it! "Dad? Dad, is that you?"

"I'm here, son," Parker said, looking around the hospital wing. "Is this right? Who is – what the—" He faced his wife in shock and awe. "Eliza?! You're here? I mean there?! Hi!" He said, softly, waving to her.

"I've missed you," Eliza answered, calmly. "I see you've given up being Maran—"

"Shh! Shh, shh!" Parker pressed an index finger to his lips. "No one must know what's become of me. I'll have half the galaxies looking for me if they ever knew—" He lowered his head in shame, not liking to admit the truth in public.

"You're safe now, Parker," Aslan said, blowing the air. When the process was complete, he returned his gaze to Parker and everyone in the hospital wing. "Now, no one outside this hospital wing or your war room can know what transpired here. They will forget, including the Emperor, Vitiate, everyone that isn't in our group. Even Vitiate is not that powerful enough to take on me. I've ensured this."

"That's really powerful, Aslan," Parker said, shocked.

"Dad," Maxin said, serious, "there's a reason I wanted to speak with you."

"So, you can forgive me?" Parker asked, curiously.

Maxin huffed. "You killed our relatives. How do you think I feel?"

"Oh. Right them," Eliza said, remembering the evil dragonoid clan that once roamed the Land of Dragons. She still remembered the day when Parker admitted this truth to her. "It's not his fault!"

"When he was Maranguan, he did it out of revenge!" Maxin said, annoyed. "I can't forgive him easily for what he did… why did he do that? Why did he leave us?"

"Because your step-father allowed his family to kill ours!" Parker said, serious. "I may not have been well when I turned evil, but vengeance came to me. I'm sorry about your grandparents, your uncles, and your aunts, but it was Turen – Mordru who attacked first. I didn't want to do it. Vitiate got inside my head, same as he always does to those around him. That's how this whole mess started!"

"A bloodbath," Maxin said, concerned.

"My father, when he was in wolf form, killed Rakata. He couldn't control himself either, but Brona found a way to heal him," Anabeth said, adding in her father's defense.

"I'm sorry. Whose Brona?" Maxin asked, confused.

"He's the Warlock Lord. It's a long story. Anabeth nearly acted out of revenge, too, after losing her former lover. A Druid, all thanks to the Warlock Lord," Janet said, sitting up.

Maxin didn't understand. His love interest and his father did this out of revenge? They… they didn't sound like they were evil. This made no sense! Was his family cursed?

"Maxin," Anabeth said, curtly, wrapping an arm around him, "we can get through this. Both our families can work together. We'll accomplish anything!"

"Maxin, who is this?" Parker asked his son, curious about the blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman standing next to Maxin.

"She's the girl I want to marry!" Maxin said, hesitantly.

There was a pause. That wasn't good. What if his father was against him marrying Anabeth? Did he know something or was he pulling his leg? At last, Parker grinned, laughing his head off.

"Parker, what is it? Don't you agree that they're a little young to be married?" Eliza asked, curtly.

"My darling, Maxin is of marrying age and I assume this young lass is, too. I'd love to meet her in person before anyone makes any wedding plans," Parker said. He told the group, "It's all right. You can move the Renegade Alliance here to my base. We'll unite and find a way to defeat Vitiate together! Is everyone in agreement? I don't want everyone zooming to the planet Zafna all at once! That'll draw attention! We must do this quietly. Bring the girl, the one holding Maxin's hand. The part wolf girl." He smiled at Anabeth, admitting to her, "She'll be the first to travel."

"But father, I—" It was too late. Before Maxin had the chance to say anything further, Parker's holographic image vanished. Maxin sighed. He was angry, but not for his father's past crimes. That was behind them. If anyone was to blame for starting this mess, it was his step-uncle Turen Dooley | Mordru and the Emperor, Vitiate. They were the real villains here! Maxin would ensure they wouldn't live long enough to see another day!

Anabeth's hand squeezed his, drawing him back to reality. "Maxin, don't act on revenge. Revenge is what got our family into trouble. If we survive, without acting on revenge, there may be hope for us!"

Maxin nodded.

"Well, if everyone's ready, we can discharge you both, Eliza and Janet, as you two look well enough today," Aslan said, calmly. He faced Anabeth, telling her, "You will go with a squad of soldiers, but your mother must stay here at base for the time being. She will travel with Eliza, and Maxin can pilot his ship alongside another squad. Everyone knows the plan?" He nodded, as soon as everyone else nodded in return. "Good. Then let's be on our way!" He blew again, causing everything and everyone else around them to resume their daily routines.

"We'll keep the base here partially," Janet said, informing Eliza and Aslan. "Got to have more than one base of operations. It'll confuse the enemy."

"Sounds fair," Aslan said, looking at Eliza now in understanding. "Parker will understand."

"I hope so," Eliza said, not liking this plan.

Maxin looked at Anabeth as she let go of his hand. He didn't want to leave her, not like this! Was it truly worth the risk? He hoped not, but then what would his father do once he discovered the truth about Anabeth's past? He hoped it wouldn't lead to anything disastrous.

If it did, then Maxin would ensure that nothing happened to her, even if his father was against the idea of them marrying. So far, he wasn't and that was for the best.