Note: Faded red is my way of saying pink. I was half asleep when I wrote the last chapter and I kind of like the way it sounds so I won't change it. ;P

Also, I'm closing the poll for the babies but you won't see the result until I post the chapter regarding it (evil smile). I've switched the poll with another one already but I'll switch back later. I'm just evil that way. lol.

Finally, early Christmas present to everyone! Three chapters!

XXI

King Leo's Flag City

(Masen POV)

We were really tired in the morning but Sir Walther and Sir Valen weren't at the courtyard and neither were their horses.

"Maybe they're looking for us in the city," Tybalt said, rubbing his eyes.

"Maybe," I agreed.

"What do we do now?" yawned Brandon.

"Let's go to the library. See Belle and Rosie."

They nodded and we walked to the library. Belle and Rosie looked just as tired as we were.

"Morning," I greeted.

"Morning Masen," Rosie yawned, "Last night was fun."

We nodded and sat at the table.

"Where are the scholars?" I asked, seeing no one but us among the books.

"They meet with my father in the mornings," Tybalt said, "They probably won't be in here until the church bell rings."

Belle was playing with the bracelet she got for mother. It was a beaded bracelet with the blue like the water around the docks and had different beads on it that were black and gold. It was a pattern that went a long blue bead, a small gold bead, a little bigger black bead, another small gold bead, and then it started all over again with a long blue bead. It looked pretty. All the bracelets were like that only the long beads were different. Brandon's had the faded red and Rosie's was really dark red.

"When is Gillen leaving?" I asked.

"Midday, I think," Tybalt said, "Maybe we should go find him now though. Just to be safe."

We nodded and left the library. The castle was big though. There were so many places that it took us forever to find him. Finally, we spotted him in the main hallway.

"Gillen!" we called.

He turned and smiled, "Ah, the young ones. How is your day?"

"Great!" Belle said, "But we need a favour."

He bent a little, "Really?"

We showed him the bracelets.

"Where did you get these?"

I looked around, then explained how we crept out last night and spent a couple hours in the town. I got worried, afraid he would be mad.

He smiled, "You are sneaky, aren't you?"

We looked down.

He knelt down and whispered, "I take it you would like me to bring those to your mothers when I leave?"

I nodded, "It's almost our birthday and we wanted to give them something."

He chuckled, "All right." He took the bracelets and put them in a little pouch, "Although it's a little strange for you to be giving your parents presents on your birthday, I understand where the gesture is coming from. I'll do it." He stood, "It takes a week to get over to the city. You're birthday should be the next day by the time I get there."

We nodded.

"Thank you Gillen," I said, "I'm glad we can trust you."

He smiled, "You always can, young Cullen. Now run along and play. Be sure to stay out of the King's way for a while. He is in a foul mood."

Night...

So much for avoiding the King, I thought.

We were supposed to have a meal with the King again. I sat beside him with Tybalt across from me as was tradition. Belle was beside me, Brandon was next to Tybalt, and Rosie was beside Belle.

We ate in silence, kind of fearfully. I was waiting for the King to get angry. He was looking for us the night we left the castle. Why didn't he yell at us for it?

He took in a breath and we all stopped. He looked at us and then turned to me, "So-"

A soldier came in, "My King. I am sorry for the intrusion but the servants that escaped the castle are gone. There is no trace of them in the city."

We looked at each other. Servants? They weren't looking for us?

The King growled, "Very well. Search the kingdom as much as you can. They must be heading for the surrounding villages."

"Yes, my King." He left.

"You're searching for servants, father?" Tybalt asked.

"Five of them slipped out last night," he answered, looking at the soup in front of them, "They won't get far and then they will learn what it means to leave my order."

A chill went through me. It almost sounded like he was going to hurt them. Then again, he was a mean king and had hurt us a couple times. I continued eating the soup in silence, not really feeling like stirring up a fight. My back was starting to hurt anyway.

Everyone else followed my example and it turned out to be a really quiet meal.

On the Road from the Mountain City to the Port City

(Edward POV)

I stretched out on the ground and looked up at the stars. It was a clear night and the moon was still full. I heard a howl in the forest and looked to the fire. It was still going strong. If a wild dog came close, we could scare if away with that and our swords.

Emmett and Jasper had been strangely quiet since we left the mountain city. In fact, barely anyone had talked. I wondered what to do. We had a decent plan and Lord Luneth had helped me in making the start of a siege plan on the flag city but there were the issues behind that that I worried over. The factors I had no control over. Mainly, the whereabouts of my children at the time of the attack.

A blanket of cloud covered the moon, shrouding the world in darkness. It reflected my mind. I was searching for answers in an inpenatrable fog. I let out a small sigh and watched the cover grow thicker. There was a storm coming. By morning, we could find ourselves covered in snow.

"Huddle close to the fire," I commanded softly in the darkness, "This cloud looks like the bringer of snow."

I heard the shuffle of some people and the soft snorts of some of the horses. Another sigh left me and my mind drifted to my wife. God, I missed her. She was the only thing I had left and I couldn't afford to lose her. If I did, I would lose my sanity as well.

I knew my brothers were the same. At this point in time, Emmett was in the most danger. It seemed that Rosalie's mind was being suffocated in her wave of depression. I only hoped that Bella and Alice could keep her from doing something irreversible...

So many depressed souls throw themselves from all ties to life. A lesson I learned when I was a squire. Another squire I had befriended jumped from the battlements of the castle tower. He had left his mother and sister undefended to become a knight and they had been slaughtered by French raiders. Consumed by guilt, he couldn't go on. He ended his life and sent his soul to writhe without last rights.

I feared Rosalie may do the same. It wouldn't only destroy Emmett but Rosie as well. She would lose her mother and only find comfort in the arms of a broken father.

I looked at Emmett and saw the light of the fire reflected in his eyes. He was looking at the covered sky. I knew his thoughts were the same as mine.

Oh God...Everything is spinning out of control!