.

SONIC CHAOS 3: UNDERGROUND ARC - ALEENA

Return of the Princess

Aleena and Dingo watched in disbelief as day by day the wolf got better. His appetite came back and he began to eat. His strength returned and he busied himself helping Aleena around the house while Dingo did whatever task was given him. Sleet barely trusted the pup to complete them, but Aleena refused to let the wolf go out himself and kept insisting Dingo was perfectly capable. Dingo had proven her right, consistently bringing back reports of the situation as it stood. She had never been as relieved as she was to hear that her family and friends in Mobotropolis and Knothole were alive and well. She had laughed in delight upon hearing the good news, hugging Sleet tightly and stunning the canine. Though neither of them acknowledged it, something between them had been fundamentally changed.

Aleena began finding amusement in shocking her unsuspecting tutor with spontaneous bursts of affection from out of nowhere, unearned and meaningless. Kisses from behind, planted on his cheek. Pecks to the forehead or nose, unexpected hugs, periodic massages, anything she could think of to fluster him. At first he had been nervous about them and on edge. Like he expected any moment that the bursts of affection would become bursts of aggression and she would suddenly turn and slit his throat or stab him. She persisted nonetheless, and soon Sleet grew accustomed to the game and began to get into the spirit of it.

He began to repay her blow for blow, so to speak, surprising her with unexpected responses to her little sneak attacks. More than once, when she was occupied with something, he would come up from behind and pick her up, spinning her around. She would scream or laugh when this happened and order him to stop through giggles. He would obey, placing her down, then she would, depending on her mood, suddenly turn and steal a kiss or twist his goatee around her finger with a look in her eyes that made him feel like he was about to melt. One of his most effective tactics in their little game was turning at the last second as she went to peck his muzzle or nose, so that it was their lips that made contact instead. Whenever he managed to pull it off, it was an automatic win for him, and Aleena would walk away flustered and blushing. He would smirk victoriously after her and go back to his own business, knowing he would be left alone to focus on it for a good long while.

It wasn't flirting, they told themselves. They were only competing to see who could elicit the strongest reaction. Besides, they still had their nightly battles of wit and still exchanged spiteful remarks on a regular basis. More often than not, they couldn't be trusted in the same room together. At least, that's what they told themselves. And Dingo, and Vector, and Vanilla. The two children, you see, had taken to visiting randomly, thoroughly spooking Sleet. Aleena secretly laughed at the man's paranoia. In response to Sleet and Aleena's claims, Vanilla had pointed out they were hardly away from each other for a minute before they began asking after one another and demanding to know what sort of trouble their counterpart was causing. After that little remark, the two in question had scoffed and avoided each other for the rest of the day to make a point. Two of a kind, Vector had claimed, but in truth they were completely different and nothing alike. Maybe that was what Vector had meant though.

For a time they were perfectly content, almost domestic. Sleet hadn't considered her a prisoner for weeks, and she hadn't left. Why, she kept asking herself? She didn't want to be here. She missed home. Yet she couldn't bring herself to leave. At least not yet. One night, though, all of that changed…

SU

In the wake of the epidemic, the royal family had redoubled their efforts to find Aleena. They didn't know if she had been killed, gotten sick and died, or if she was suffering some nightmarish fate held captive by a monster. Sleet's sources had been busy little bees, and in time they learned that the King and Queen had ordered the guards to be tripled and the patrols to be even more thorough. King Acorn as well had sent men to help find Aleena. A curfew was in place also, and anyone found out passed that time would be instantly apprehended without question. Aleena had been horrified at that report, but she supposed she saw where her parents were coming from in enforcing it. Besides, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. After all, Commander Jules and Captain Argus had more level heads about the matter than her parents did. Surely, then, they were willing to show some level of leniency. The increased activity, though, had Sleet on edge, and each day that passed he became less and less playful or receptive to their little teases.

Aleena watched him now from a doorway. He was scouring reports and scanning databases for information on what was happening with the patrols. The reason he had not brought her home, she assumed, was because of a general aversion to hanging. For that she could hardly blame him. "Aleena, Aleena, come quickly!" a familiar voice called out. Aleena gasped, looking back. She heard Sleet slam his head on something and yelp. She winced, looking worriedly at him, then slipped away to respond to the call. Vanilla, she knew. Aleena entered the living room where Vanilla now stood with Vector. "Aleena!" Vanilla exclaimed, racing to her.

"Vanilla, what's wrong? What's happened? You should be at home in bed this late at night," she said in concern.

Sleet burst into the room just then, scowling and looking ready to blow up. A sharp and dangerous look from Aleena caused him to bite his tongue before he said something he'd regret. "What do you little brats want?" Sleet demanded of the children, struggling to keep an even tone.

"Aleena, you have to read the latest papers," Vanilla said.

"It's your mommy. She's sick. Really sick," Vector said, voice shaking a little with fear. Aleena caught her breath, going pale. Sleet's jaw dropped, his body going rigid.

Vanilla held the paper out towards Aleena. Quickly she snatched it and began to read. "Th-the doctors say it isn't the disease that was happening, just that she was already sick and now she's getting worse. They say the stress of losing you is making it even harder. People are starting to believe you're dead, princess. Your mother is withering in grief, your father is at a loss for what to do, and just…" She trailed off, drawing a breath and stopping herself from speaking further. Aleena could see the rest for herself.

Aleena read. As she did so, she shook her head in denial. "Oh gods," she whispered, sinking into a chair.

"Aleena?" Vector asked in concern.

Sleet winced a bit and came up behind the princess, placing his hands on her shoulders. He looked at the children. "You two should leave. She needs time to come to terms with this. Go home before the curfew is in effect." The two children nodded worriedly and left, albeit reluctantly. Unfortunately, the pending curfew didn't leave them much choice.

Aleena sobbed suddenly, dropping the paper and burying her face in her hands as she hunched over. Sleet held her shaking shoulders tightly. Dingo knew he should probably go. Quietly he slipped out, leaving Sleet to deal with the girl. "I want to go home. Oh please let me go home. I want to go home," she said with a gasp.

Sleet was quiet. Why should he let her go? She was his captive, after all. There was a lot of money riding on her father or a rival ruler paying for her. She had to stay, she had to!

Why did she have to…?

He shifted uncomfortably at the unbidden question. Aleena had already offered him more money to be returned home than anyone else had offered to get her into their possession, so it wasn't a matter of money that caused him to want to keep her here. It wasn't even a fear of being caught! She hadn't asked to leave, he hadn't offered to bring her home. But why? A terrifying thought flittered across his mind.

He didn't want her to go…

He let out a sharp breath, immediately banishing it. He looked at her again, steeling his expression and willing himself to snap out of feelings of sympathy. As she wept, though, he felt the icy walls he had erected around his heart melting away. He shifted uncomfortably, swallowing. At last he let out a breath and came around in front of her, kneeling down. Reaching out, he gently took her chin and tilted it up so she would meet his eyes. "Ever gracious, ever beautiful, ever powerful queen, do you really want to return?" he questioned.

"Yes," she whispered.

"You can take the princess out of her palace, but you can't take the palace out of the princess," he murmured.

"That's not true," she replied, shaking her head.

"Yes it is. Even for one who craves freedom and adventure as much as you do " Sleet replied, tone slightly sharp.

"Sleet…" she began.

"We leave tonight," he cut off, standing abruptly.

"What?" she asked.

"I'm going to bring you home," he declared. It was beyond the one-month time limit he had been given, he knew. The guards would be hunting him. The King was hunting him. That didn't bode well for him. Even if he brought her there himself, there was no guarantee he would walk out alive.

"Sleet, the guards are searching everywhere for me. The streets are littered with them! A curfew is in place. If they catch us, if they catch you…" she began, suddenly fearful.

"We'll be fine," he brushed off.

"Sleet!" she began. He stood quickly and turned, walking away from her with a flip of his cape. She got swiftly to her feet, gaping after him and suddenly feeling for all the world like a traitor. Nervously she looked out the window.

SU

As night drew near, Aleena gazed out the window forlornly. The cape she had taken from Sleet the day she fled to the Drainage Caverns was safely tucked away in a small bag with her other clothing. He never had asked for it back, after it had been washed. He had others, after all. She heard someone enter and turned. Dingo. "Aleena, can you read me a story? I can't read. I try real hard and Sleet tries ta teach me, but I don't get it," he said. "Sleet's too busy makin' plans ta read t' me."

Aleena forced a smile. "Of course, Dingo," she replied, approaching the pup and taking the book he was holding out to her. She sat on the couch, curling up her legs, and he climbed up next to her and watched as she opened the book.

"Do you gotta go?" Dingo asked, glancing at her again.

"Yes, Dingo. Perhaps you and Sleet will still be able to stay at the palace, though. This doesn't necessarily have to be goodbye," she said, smiling at him. Dingo perked up at this and nodded before looking at the story again.

SU

Sleet spied on the palace through a spotting scope, frowning. At this point, with no news of their child coming from anywhere, the King and Queen were desperate. It must be torture for them not knowing whether their little girl was dead or alive. The grounds were swarming with guards, and he grimaced. It wasn't a promising sight. If he was fortunate, he would make contact with Jules or Argus before anyone else. If he was smart, he would drop the princess off, flee, and never come back. All that he had in his corner was an order from the King not to come back without Aleena in hand. There was a chance that returning with Aleena would cause the king to overlook the missed deadline for the task, and if he were fortunate that was how it would play out. He closed up the scope, frowning. He didn't put much stock in fortune these days.

He entered the base and paused when he saw Aleena and Dingo reading together on the couch. He frowned in mild annoyance and cleared his throat. The two of them quickly looked up. "We leave in an hour," Sleet said.

"An hour?" Aleena replied, a little surprised. "But that's so soon."

"The less time we waste, the better," he replied.

"Why?" she warily questioned.

"It's always 'why' with you, isn't it?" he replied. "Anyways, your parents are becoming desperate. The guards have been tripled. A curfew is in place. The king is cracking down on the laws of the land… Need I say more? The longer we wait, the worse it will get and the more difficult returning you will be."

Aleena, concerned, stood up. "Perhaps this is too dangerous. If the streets are littered with guards searching for me, who knows what could happen if they catch us? More specifically if they catch you," she said.

"My order was not to return until I had found you. I was given a month. It's been over a month. At this point, my only saving grace will be you on my arm," he said.

"Or you could flee," she said.

He smirked. "Who would tutor you then? Do you really think your father would accept me back after such a spectacular failure? The captive princess returning all by herself. The bounty hunter turned mock knight failing one of the simplest and most straight-forward contracts ever given so that she ended up having to save herself? How impressed would your parents be then, I wonder? In you very, perhaps, but it's not your reputation I care about now, is it?"

She glared at him, eyes narrowed in annoyance. "An hour it is," she coldly replied. He nodded and turned, flipping his cape as he marched towards his room to prepare. She wrapped her arms around herself and looked worriedly back at Dingo, who looked equally concerned.

SU

An hour on the mark, she heard him enter the living room again. She stood by the window, wearing his cape as a cloak. Dingo had drifted off to sleep. She turned around and subtly caught her breath. She cursed her heart for speeding up. He was dressed in the guise of a Duke, she noted, and she had never seen him so finely arrayed. She put up the hood of the cloak and they faced each other silently. After a long moment, he stretched out his hand for hers. Wordlessly she took it and he drew her near, linking his arm with hers. "Shall we?" he asked.

She nodded and looked over to Dingo. "Dingo," she called. Dingo stirred and opened his eyes tiredly, blinking. "We're going now," she said.

Yawning, Dingo stood up rubbing his eyes. "Can I come?" the boy asked.

"It will be dicey enough with two of us," Sleet said.

"Then turn me inta somethin' Sleet!" Dingo insisted.

"A cufflink would do the trick," Aleena said, looking to Sleet. Though still unnerved by the trick, she wasn't keen on leaving the pup alone here.

"Humph. Very well," Sleet replied. He pulled out the remote he used to transform Dingo, aimed it at the pup, and fired. Dingo let out a little gasp as he began to morph, but he didn't protest. Soon he dropped to the ground as a cufflink with a face. Sleet went to him, picked him up, and pinned him in place. He looked to Aleena. "Let's go," he said. She nodded and they left the base quietly.

SU

As they walked through the streets, making their way towards the palace and avoiding whatever patrols they saw along the way, Aleena looked up at her tutor turned captor. He had said very little since last she'd spoken to him. She was somewhat concerned by his silence. "Are you alright?" she finally asked.

"What do you mean?" he questioned.

"I mean… I mean Drago," she finally said. He was silent. "You are rare, Sleet," she remarked, looking away. "I had never seen a primal wolf until you and Drago. Only heard stories and saw pictures in books. To see two in one place… I could hardly believe my eyes." She looked at him. "For how long were you alone, before you met him?" she asked gently. His jaw twitched ever so slightly. "Does being alone sadden you? Frighten you? Anger you?"

"I was always alone," he darkly replied. "Better a lone wolf than being the only one left on this godsforsaken planet with Drago. He was never worthy of being called a wolf in the first place. The wolves were an honorable and loyal race, formidable but not power hungry. They lived in packs and took only what they needed when they needed to. They lived off the land, ran wild and free, and answered to no one." He trailed off and for a long moment was silent. "I'm nothing like them… I haven't been for a very long time."

"Aren't you?" she asked. "Because there was honor in you when you defended me from Drago, and honor when you wouldn't watch me bathe. There is no question in my mind that you are formidable, clearly you run wild and free, and you answer to no one unless you choose to."

For a moment, he was quiet. "It angers me," he finally said. "Knowing there are so few left. It saddens me too. I'm not one to get upset, but realizing how truly alone I am… Yes, it scares me…" She hung her head sadly. "With time I've learned to deal with it, and I don't take kindly to being reminded of my dead people, Aleena, so please. Leave it."

"As you wish," she answered. Silence. "Please? That's a rare word from you. I don't believe I've ever heard it uttered from your lips before," she said. Maybe on a rare occasion, and most of the time insincere, but not often enough that she could actively remember a single instance of it.

"Don't expect to hear it often either," he bitterly replied. She smiled, nodding, and let the subject go.

SU

They turned a corner and stopped with soft gasps. A guard was coming towards them! Quickly they ducked into a nearby alley and waited quietly until he passed them by. "Curfew!" the man called out, ringing a bell. "Curfew everyone!" They waited until his voice became distant before slipping out and hurrying towards their goal. They wove in and out of alleys whenever they could and kept their arms linked. If they were caught, things would look less suspicious that way. They moved like ninjas through the streets, avoiding the eyes of the wandering patrols, and soon enough they reached a quiet part of the city that afforded them time to slow down and enjoy the walk a little easier.

The moon shone brightly overhead. Aleena looked up at it, glanced at Sleet, then smirked and decided to take the opportunity to surprise him with a spontaneous burst of affection. Gently she rested her head against his arm. He looked quickly at her, a flash of something crossing his expression, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. Aleena closed her eyes with a soft sigh, letting the wolf guide her. He watched her silently then suddenly bowed his head, pressing a kiss to the top of her head boldly. His own spontaneous burst of affection. She started and looked up at him, eyes wide. He turned away quickly, and she bowed her head. Perhaps playing this game was too inappropriate right now…

She looked back up at him. "Why do this clandestine if you could just as easily march me up to the palace and present me to my family like a hero?" she asked.

"What makes you think I'm not going to do that?" he replied. "Being confronted on the streets by every guard we pass and possibly arrested because they don't believe me, though, doesn't quiet lend to a heroic image now, does it?"

"No," she admitted.

"If we end up being caught out here, it's the guards' duty to imprison me until the matter can be brought before your parents, even despite your testimony. If we're caught outside the palace, however, it becomes your parents' judgement to make," he said. "That will be a much quicker resolution than waiting for some trial date in a dingy cell, don't you think?" She nodded in understanding.

They turned into an alleyway but had only gone a few steps before a voice shouted, "Halt!"

The two gasped, looking quickly in its direction. Aleena's eyes widened and she straightened up when she saw who the guard was. "Oh no. Argus," she whispered.

"You're aware it's passed curfew, right?" Argus demanded, approaching the two of them.

"Oh yes sir, but you see my wife's brother suddenly fell ill. He was at death's door and begged his sister to come be with him. Naturally, we went. He began to respond to treatment and started to get better, so the doctor told us he would be alright and suggested we stay there for the night, since it was already passed curfew. My dear sweet baby, however, wouldn't hear of it. Her brother doesn't have much room you see. She insisted we leave instead, so we did," Sleet said, doing his best to mask his distinct voice. He was surprisingly good at changing it, in fact. Aleena was impressed.

"H-he told me it was a mistake," she quickly added as she turned to the Captain of the Guard, desperate to alleviate Argus's suspicions as she tried to mask her own voice.

"He called it. Under order of the king, I'm supposed to place you under arrest," Argus stated as he pulled out a set of handcuffs.

"Oh please sir, don't! We didn't mean to disobey the King's orders. Can't you make an exception just this once? My lord, I beg you! This was my fault," she quickly insisted. As expected, Argus hesitated. Gods she loved this man. Part of her wished it had worked between them, but such was life.

Sleet picked up on his reluctance and pulled Aleena near, holding her close and entering hardcore acting mode. "Sir, I can't apologize enough but please! If you have to arrest anyone, arrest me. Let my wife go. You see, she's expecting." Aleena started at this, but fell back into the mood of the act, placing a hand over her stomach and looking fearful and worried.

Argus summed the two up, clearly unsettled. He knew his duty, but then again the woman was pregnant. If he took her husband, she would be alone on the streets late at night. Maybe she could protect herself just fine, but maybe she couldn't. Not even all the guards were trustworthy, let alone the criminal scum. Besides, the two looked like aristocracy. He could get in big trouble if he took them in. He sighed and relented. "Fine. Just this once I'll let you off. Some of the guards have a tendency to get, well, let's just say rough. I don't know what they'd do to you, ma'am, if your husband wasn't there," he answered.

Sleet smirked. Any guard who tried would have quite the time of it indeed. They probably wouldn't even be able to touch her. Quickly he corrected himself. Acting, acting, acting. As if horrified at the thought, he pulled Aleena closer. "Oh, thank you so much sir. Thank you," he said gratefully in the way that had buttered up so many past employers. Quickly the two hurried passed him. "Sucker," Sleet quietly said. "Really, are all your guards so gullible?"

"He isn't, but he has a good heart. Flighty perhaps, but good nonetheless. He's one of the best men I have ever known," Aleena murmured before Sleet got too sure of himself. Sleet huffed but made no further comment.

SU

Soon the castle came into view and they slipped out of sight of the guards patrolling the front. "I've never seen the palace so protected," Sleet said.

"What's the plan?" she asked.

"Ideally to run into Jules before any other guardsman," Sleet said. He may not have liked the man, but the hedgehog Commander was their ally. Of that there was no doubt. He would take their side.

"He wouldn't be so close to the gates," she said.

"Then we go over the walls and try to find him," Sleet replied, smirking.

"Lead the way," she said, nodding. He hesitated a moment and she frowned curiously. "Sleet?" she asked.

He was quiet. Soon, though, he looked at her. "It isn't in your best interests, princess, to betray me," he darkly warned.

She was quiet, looking up at him, and couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the young man at her side to make him so very distrustful. "I won't betray you," she said in an effort to assure him. "I will never betray anyone I have given a vow to."

"You've given me no vow," he dryly said.

"My word is my vow," she said.

"We'll see," he replied.

She shook her head. "What happened to you, young man?" she asked. He huffed and looked towards the castle walls once more, choosing not to acknowledge the question. She sighed and let it go. Words, it seemed, meant little to him. Actions were what proved your words were not a lie, so that was how she would prove herself. It was apparent that talking Sleet into trusting you wasn't possible. The guards marched steadily by the palace walls. The duo observed the pattern carefully. "We have a ten second opening," Aleena deduced. She looked at Sleet. "We'll never make it unless we're incredibly lucky."

"Or incredibly fast," he replied, smirking at her. She smirked back, eyes sparkling, and crouched next to him.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Set," he replied.

"Go!" Aleena said, racing out of hiding and racing to the garden walls. Sleet ran next to her and the two exchanged grins. The two of them leapt onto the ivy growing up the sides and clambered quickly up. She had had more than a little practice climbing up and down ivy vines, so he was slower in the ascent than she. She reached the top, heard a cough, and looked sharply over. The guards! She turned to him and reached down. "Give me your hand," she ordered.

He didn't ask questions, just lunged and grabbed it. With both hands she pulled him up, sending them toppling over the other side! Sleet swiftly turned in the air, placing himself between her and the ground so he would hit first. He crashed down on it and nearly cried out in pain, but Aleena swiftly covered his mouth. Grimacing, he staggered up with her help. "Ow," he groaned.

"Have you lost your mind? You could have broken something," she hissed. He merely grimaced then gave a half chuckle. He heard guards, started, gasped, and quickly pulled her down behind a bush. The two of them peeked through and saw the guards just disappearing.

"Now what?" Sleet asked.

"Now it's a matter of finding out where Jules is," Aleena said. She looked seriously at him. "We're playing a dangerous game," she warned.

"No. Really? And I thought it was just a walk in the park," he sarcastically bit, frowning at her.

"A very dangerous game, Sleet," she said in annoyance.

"Princess, no one knows how dangerous this is better than me. It's not your life on the line," he said. "Now what's the plan? You know the schedules around the palace better than I do."

"Jules patrols and gives orders near the garden. If we can get into it before he assembles the men for the next shift, we can slip out the archway behind them. Jules will see us first," she said. "Follow me. I know a safe way to enter the garden, but we must be quick." Sleet nodded and followed her lead.

SU

"Spread out into the city and start knocking at doors," Commander Jules ordered the guardsmen and his battalion as he assembled them for the next patrol. Charles stood on his right looking grim. Bernadette was on his left sick with worry. "I know we've done this before, but there are still plenty of houses left to go that haven't yet been searched. If Princess Aleena is out there, we'll find her. One way or another," Jules continued. "Move quickly, all of you. Every day that passes is another one the princess doesn't have."

"Yes sir!" the guards and soldiers answered, saluting. They began preparing to go out and Jules sighed tiredly, shaking his head. He'd barely gotten any sleep at all since Aleena had gone missing. Chuck and Bernie, he knew, had gotten even less. Worried, he looked over at Bernadette. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself and she was rubbing them. The poor woman had been a nervous wreck since the day her cousin disappeared. As for Chuck, the longest he'd slept in all this time was an hour and a half, so he was a neurotic mess about now. He could put on a show, pretend he was keeping a level head for the sake of the rest of them, but the reality was he was just as desperate to find Aleena as they were. There wasn't a search that had gone out that he hadn't been part of. Of course, Jules couldn't claim to be any different than his brother in that. "We'll find her, Bernie," the Commander promised, taking Bernadette's arms gently and rubbing them.

"What if she's hurt? What if she was killed?" Bernie fearfully asked.

"She wasn't," Jules firmly said. He wouldn't believe it. He refused to!

"Little Ally's no kind of easy mark Bernie. She's a tough nut to crack. An even tougher one to keep down. If we don't rescue her, she's guaranteed to rescue herself," Chuck said.

"Commander, look!" a soldier suddenly exclaimed, pointing.

Jules looked over, curious, and gasped, eyes slowly widening and lips parting in shock. Frowning, Bernie looked over as well, as did Charles, and soon they were joining Jules in his shock. There, exiting the garden arm in arm, were Sleet and Aleena! Bernie screamed, covering her mouth in glee.

"My gods," Charles said in disbelief. "He did it. That son of a gun actually did it! Aleena!"

"Aleena!" Bernie screamed, racing towards her cousin with Jules and Charles hot on her heels. "Get out of the way!" she ordered the stunned guardsmen who also were gaping in shock. Snapping back to attention, they hurried to obey the command.

Upon seeing her family, Aleena perked instantly up. "Bernie, Chuck, Jules!" she exclaimed, pulling her arm from Sleet's and racing to her brother, cousin, and Jules. Sleet winced a bit then frowned in annoyance, putting his hands on his hips as he shook his head.

"Ally, oh Ally, you're alright!" Bernie exclaimed, tackle hugging her cousin and bursting into tears. She looked towards Sleet. "You did it. You actually did it!" she exclaimed. "You found her! Thank you. Thank you so, so much."

"Aleena!" Jules exclaimed, grabbing them both in his arms and hugging them tight, since Bernie wasn't about to let go of her cousin for the world.

"Ally!" Chuck cried out, enveloping all three.

"Jules, Chuck!" Aleena exclaimed.

"You're okay! Sissy, you're okay," Chuck exclaimed with a sob.

"Aleena, thank the gods. Your parents will be over the moon!" Jules said. The four of them broke apart and Jules looked at Aleena seriously. "You have to go to them right away. Your mom and dad are sick with worry."

"Your mama physically as well as mentally," Chuck solemnly said.

"I will," Aleena replied, nodding rapidly. She turned her head, looking back at Sleet. Sleet tensed up, eyes narrowing warily with hand hovering over the sword at his hip. Aleena let go of her cousin and went back to the wolf. He eyed her up suspiciously. "You shall be the one to bring me to them, Sir Sleet," she said, taking his hands in hers. His eyes widened as he looked down at their linked hands in confusion. She slid her arm through his. "You, after all, were my rescuer," she said.

"Where did he find you?" Jules asked with a grin.

"Captive in an unassuming house in the city," Aleena replied.

"Who were they? Who took you from us?!" Bernadette furiously demanded, eyes flaming. "Tell me their names so we can send men immediately out to apprehend them and drag them back in chains!"

"I only recognized one," she lied. "Drago. The white wolf in association with Sleet." Sleet tensed up a bit. Jules started and looked quickly and warily at the grey wolf. "Sleet was not one of my kidnappers," Aleena said. "But he suspected who was. It seems Drago was quite loose lipped around him, and many things the man said gave rise to alarm."

"As soon as the king sent me away to find his daughter, I began searching for him," Sleet said. "It took some time, but when I finally found that cretin, I drove him from this city with extreme prejudice and took back his captive."

"You will be more handsomely rewarded for you valour than you can know, Sir Sleet," Bernadette sincerely said.

"I'm not so convinced," he dryly replied. The king was clearly not a fan of his. He half expected to be told he'd done his duty, which warranted no further reward. It was Aleena who would be paying out of pocket, though, if her father didn't.

"There is nothing more important to the King than his children. I guarantee you'll be rewarded," Chuck said, backing up Bernadette. He looked at Aleena. "Let's go to them right away," he said. She nodded, and Charles led the way with Jules and Bernie at his side. Sleet followed with Aleena on his arm, scanning the area and formulating potential plans for escape should this ultimately backfire on him.

SU

As they neared the throne room, they paused curiously. Argus was there, standing outside and looking nervous. He must have gotten back only moments before they had appeared. "Argus?" Aleena asked.

Aleena gasped, turning around with eyes wide. "Aleena, you're alive! Thank goodness," he said, running over and hugging her tightly.

"Why are you outside the throne room?" she questioned, returning the embrace.

"Your father is losing his mind searching for you," Argus replied, pushing her gently back. "Everyone who could possibly qualify as a criminal is being dragged in and interrogated. He's losing his patience fast, and if he doesn't start getting answers… I'd rather not know what he'll do. I don't think even your mother could hold him back," Argus replied.

Aleena started. "Is someone in there now?" she immediately asked. He nodded and beckoned her forward. She approached with Sleet and peered inside.

"What is your name?!" she heard her father demand of his latest prisoner.

"Ferrell, your worship," the man replied fearfully.

Turning to the guards, the King said, "Take him away for questioning!"

Aleena saw the terror on the man's face and couldn't stay quiet. Quickly she shoved open the door. "If you seek the one who took me, father, he isn't the man you're looking for," she declared.

Her father and mother gasped, looking quickly over with eyes wide in hope. Aleena crossed to the prisoner, Ferrell, and wasted no time in unlocking his cuffs after Argus dutifully handed her the key. "You're free now. Your presence is no longer needed here. Go," the princess said to the thief.

The relieved man immediately fell to his knees in front of Aleena. "Oh thank you, your ladyship! Thank you so much! If there's ever anything I can do to repay you…"

"Return to your home and enjoy your freedom," Aleena said with a smile.

"Thank you!" he said once more, scrambling out.

Argus looked to the princess. "That was admirable, Aleena," he said.

She smiled gently at him. "See him home safely, Captain," she said.

"As you wish, your majesty," Argus replied, smiling and bowing.

SU

As soon as Argus and Ferrell were gone, Aleena turned back to her parents apologetically. The King and Queen stared at her in shock, tears in their eyes. Sleet approached her, linked his arm through hers, and led her towards them. Jules, Chuck and Bernie stayed back, beaming at the wolf and the princess. The Queen covered her mouth with both hands, her tears spilling over. The King gritted and ground his teeth, trying to contain his emotions. "Your Majesties," Sleet said, kneeling before them with Aleena curtseying low at his side. "I present your daughter to you alive and well, if a bit late." And shaken, he inwardly added, but they didn't need to know that.

"Try weeks late," the King whispered. His tone lacked any sort of real punch in it, though, and his eyes were locked on his daughter.

"Aleena!" Sonya exclaimed, racing to her child, pulling her to her feet, and dragging into a tight hug. The King raced forward as well, holding his girl tightly as a sob escaped his lips. Quickly Bernie, Jules, and Chuck joined in the embrace. Sleet rose and stepped away from the royal family, at this point feeling extremely uncomfortable. Pointedly he avoided looking at them. Aleena, it seemed, was starting to feel a little guilty herself. That was dangerous for him, he knew, but he held his ground, letting himself tentatively trust.

The King looked over at Sleet. "You, young man, will be richly rewarded for what you have done for us this day," he said.

"Then give him his freedom, father. That is the greatest reward you can bestow upon him. Freedom from my service and yours. He has more than made up for the dishonor he showed me at the ball," Aleena said. Sleet started, eyes widening in disbelief. He could barely comprehend what he'd just heard.

"Then freedom he shall have and more besides," the King said, looking meaningfully at the wolf. Curious, Sleet frowned and tilted his head. "I would offer you a position in the palace, a paid one, to continue teaching my daughter and aiding Commander Jules, my son Sir Charles, and Captain Argus in training the drafted men for the coming war. I cannot promise you, you won't see battle, but if you accept this offer, I can guarantee that you will not be given frontline duty."

Sleet was silent. He supposed that when all was said and done, this would be the best he got. After the war was said and done, he could take his leave of this castle and go his own way once more. Until then, though, he was content to be 'permanently' employed. "Oh thank you, your most wonderfulness. I will never forget it," Sleet schmoozed, bowing low to him.

"Don't insult my intelligence," the king flatly replied.

"Of course not sire," Sleet replied with a grimace, straightening up. Clearly he was going to have to be far more subtle in his schmoozing when it came to the king.

"You're dismissed, Sir Sleet. Go and fetch the child, Dingo, and return. When you do, you will receive a room of your own inside the palace itself," the King said. "A suitable upgrade from barracks, I should say."

"Oh, more than suitable, sire," Sleet answered, grinning and bowing again. "A thousand thanks your benevolence." Aleena hopelessly rolled her eyes. Her father looked both disgusted and impressed by the man's creativity and tenacity when it came to sucking up to a superior.

Sleet looked at Aleena and smirked. "Farewell, your majesty. Parting is such sweet, sweet sorrow," he quipped as an afterthought.

"Shakespeare," she said. He smirked, nodding, then bowed once more and left the presence of the royal family.

As soon as he was away from the reunion, Sleet reviewed his current situation. He could, he supposed, cut his losses and just not come back after 'leaving' to fetch Dingo. He would be smart to, given Aleena could turn on him at any moment. Besides, the odds they actually found him and managed to draft him after he ran were low. Still, if he were to be completely honest with himself, he quite enjoyed testing his metal against the young princess and training her up to be a worthwhile challenge. There was something satisfying about it, and so perhaps he would stay. She alone would be reason enough for him to, even without the promise of reward. Besides, living in a palace suited him he decided. Darkly smirking, he walked away.

SU

Aleena, still locked in the embrace of her family, relished the feeling of being home. They held her back, squeezing her like they'd never let her go again. "Thank Light Gaia you're safe," her mother whispered as she and the King rocked their daughter.

"Now that the princess is back, Argus, Charles, and I can redouble our training efforts for the men," Jules said. "We'll focus mostly on those who will be conscripted into the army. Sleet will be a welcome extra hand. He's proven himself more than capable of holding his own and training up others."

"Do as you say. I wish you all the luck in the world," the King said to them. Jules bowed to the king and left to spread the word that Aleena had been returned safely. Chuck went to his sister, hugging her gently once more from behind, then followed Jules along with Bernadette. Aleena smiled in contentment. At last everything was alright again…