Like I promised, by Christmas! Well, the day after, but I did finish, and that's what counts, right? ^_^ Enjoy! *snickers*

Well, looks like Picard won't be making an entrance this chapter either. But next chapter! Yes. Await the next update, my friends!

I would also like to ask for constructive criticism. A lot of people have said positive things about my writing, but I want to know the negative stuff now – I need to know what I'm doing wrong to make reading a better experience for you and writing a better experience for me! It's a win-win situation, guys, so if you have time to spare, I'd like some constructive criticism! If you have flames to deliver, feel free to email me!

Just a bit more, and you can get on with the story! [shameless plug] I wrote a stand-alone one-shot based on this dream I had, and some musings following it, called "Reweaving the Threads of Time." It was extremely fun to write, so if you have the chance, please go and review! ^^ [/shameless plug] I also apologize if you find this too short... ^^ hopefully the ending will make up for it!! Hehe...

12 – Waking Dream

Mia parted from Garet without any specific destination in mind, only the urge to wander about aimlessly until she came across... something. She walked about without direction, looking at the winter plants in the garden without really looking at them. There wasn't much snow today... that was a blessing of sorts. However, many of the plants still had boughs of green and white, mixed with shiny icicles hanging from the tiny leaves.

It was amazing how well this garden had been planted. Granted, it WAS the garden of the monarchs of Angara, but it was exceptionally nice nevertheless. Winter plants were placed so carefully among those that lived seasonally that one could still see green everywhere one looked, even during the winter. Doubtless, during the summer, this would be the garden to wander through – Mia saw the dormant patches of leaves that were the dead blossoms of spring and summer flowers. Even in some of the winter trees, little green sprigs that had not yet opened – sprigs that would bloom magnificently with the coming of sun and warmth.

I wonder if I'll still be here come spring? Mia wondered to herself, thoughts floating about as aimlessly as her own feet. She didn't enjoy the palace much, since she wasn't the kind of girl to be chasing after men. The only reason she was staying for Midwinter and until at least Spring Equinox was that she had Garet for company. He was stranger than any she had ever met in her life – and most different from everyone at the convent. It was amusing to spend time with the Mars Adept, to say in the least. His lack of manners at times was refreshing, especially when compared to the constant 'my lady's and 'Lady Mia's that the servants and other nobles used.

Mia sighed.

Somewhere along her slow amble through the gardens – she didn't know exactly where, or how much time had passed since her departure from the main garden – Mia came across a bench, covered with a thin layer of ice and a sprig of mistletoe in the center. She smiled and picked up the small bit of green, lonely on the gray stone, and sat down where it had been. She stared at it for a while, fingering the smooth surface and red berries. Thinking of nothing at all, Mia leaned her head against the tree at her back, and sighed.

She closed her eyes.

"There you are!" Laughter...

She opened her eyes, and her own mouth widened into a big smile. "Brother!" She giggled, ducking under his arms and running behind him to hug his legs. He laughed again, merrily, easily picking up the smaller girl and giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Come now, you didn't think you could hide in our water garden and hope not to be found, did you?"

"Of course I did!" She chirped cheerfully, curling herself in his arms so she could bury her face in his chest. "I wanted to go to the Waterfall, but Papa wouldn't let me. He said it's too dangerous and I'm too little," she pouted, pulling at a clutch of his blue hair.

He chuckled, remembering the same statement being said to him not too many years ago. "Don't worry. One day, I'll take you there myself. I remember when Father told me the same thing. I wouldn't stop pestering him until Corinth took me there." In response to his sister's shifting, he stood still until she was done moving around, and began walking again as soon as she stopped.

"But it will be forever until Papa lets me go!" She whined pathetically.

"And it will be well worth the wait, little one. I have the feeling that the Waterfalls will become a second home for you, as it is for me. Maybe it's in the hair," he mused, smoothing her long blue tresses. She giggled, content to hug herself closer to his broad chest. There was nowhere she would rather be; safe from anything and everything that could potentially harm her. Being with him was unlike any other feeling she'd experienced in her short life.

"Why didn't you come tuck me in last night?" She finally asked, pretty mouth pouting again. "I waited for you forever and ever, but then Corinth said that you were really really busy talking to Papa."

"Well, Corinth was right. I didn't get to sleep until almost morning."

"Why didn't you come then? I waited-"

"Forever and ever," he sighed, sitting down on the side of a fountain. "Well, I'm here now, aren't I? You know that nothing makes me happier than saying goodnight to you, Mia," he said.

"So then why didn't you come?" She asked again, aquamarine eyes staring mournfully at him.

He hugged her. "I'm sorry, dearest. Would it make you feel better if I stayed longer tonight and told you a story?" He asked solemnly.

Her eyes lit up, and she threw her arms around his neck. "A story!" She squealed, setting off a chain of laughter from both of them. Any servants who were watching could only smile at the touching scene.

Later that night, both siblings could be seen in the young girl's room, he telling an old legend passed down through their family and she snuggling close at his side, listening sleepily.

"It's been said that there is a hidden grove in Lemuria, where all the potential heirs to the throne are tested for their loyalty to the country and their people's loyalty to them. It isn't a dangerous cave, but it does take quite a bit of effort to get through and rescue the prince or princess who is inside."

"Is it pretty inside?" She inquired in a whisper.

"Very. The one time I went inside, everything was frozen in a layer of ice... it was really cold inside, and when everyone breathed icicles were formed in the very air. We all had to wear scarves, and icicles even froze in our hair." A chuckle. "That was definitely something to see. All of us with long blue hair, and ice freezing it all together. Quite a sight, it was.

"Even the pools of water were frozen. On the ground was a path, different from the surrounding stone, and we followed it until we finally reached the inner chambers. There was some inner light shining, so even though we were underground, the walls sparkled and glimmered. A stretch of water spread out before us, dark but at the same time brimming with life. There were silver fish darting to and fro in the lake, making whatever light was in the room bouncing off the walls. Everything was always moving... There were even piles of snow in some places! It doesn't seem possible, but... there it is. M-"

An explosion rocked the room, sending both Lemurians to the ground.

"MIA!" He roared, getting up and trying to run to her. Another explosion sent him sliding across the ground again, and that was when the screams began.

The screams began.

Mia jolted out of her dream, eyes snapping open. Distant sounds of explosions and human voices reached her ears, and as she watched, smoke began to billow into the sky, stark even against the night darkness.

"Oh no..." She breathed, panic rising in her chest. Mia ran as fast as she could in her cumbersome skirts towards the Hall, trying not to fall on the icy path. As soon as she reached the hall, now ablaze with fire and with falling debris, she gasped. Smoke was billowing out of the room, but a lot of it was also still inside, hiding who knew what inside. As Mia moved towards the hall again, a great wind blew up. Shielding her eyes, Mia could barely make out a small figure behind the great cloud of smoke, using Psynergy to send the gray mass into the sky. As quickly as the wind had blown up, it died, leaving the air settled and Mia a clear view of the room.

Everything was in chaos. There were people running everywhere, thinking only of their own safety or a close other. People were on the floor, moaning in agony from wounds inflicted by the initial blast and the falling debris. But Mia only glanced at this before her eyes fell on the king.

He was unconscious in a corner, the queen in shock over his injuries.

Mia's eyes snapped back to the scene unfolding across the room from her.

"What does it look like, Princeling? We've invaded your country – and we intend to conquer it," a woman sneered, cackling gleefully at the assembled knights and Adepts. At her signal, everyone behind her began pouring into the room, swinging weapons and releasing bolts of Psynergy as they dashed confidently into the Hall. More screams of pain-

-Like in my dream-

And the metallic clanging of swords and polearms began, blending with the sounds of roaring fire and other elements. The earth shook, rocks cracked upon impact with people and the failing pillars; wind swept through everything wildly, sweeping magic and people alike into the darkness of the night. Mia couldn't force herself to move, for all the noise that was ringing in her ears. Her eyes could not blink, forced to watch this appalling event take place. Even her mind could not snap free of her stupor.

"MIA, BEHIND YOU!!"

Mia whirled around at Isaac's shout, time whirling back into tempo. Her eyes widened when she saw the huge ax descending on her – her hand automatically reached for the whistle hanging at her neck, recalling Alex's promise of aid. But in the back of her mind Mia knew that even if she managed to touch the whistle, he would not be able to get to her in time. She flung up her other arm, a frail defense against what was coming, and screamed.