King Treize watched as his eldest daughter danced happily with Prince Milliardo. It made him even happier that Noin had found happiness. But he was still distressed over the departure of his youngest daughter a day ago.

"Don't worry so much about her," came a soothing voice. Treize turned and saw his wife, Queen Une. Treize smiled and patter her hand.

"Yes, I know I shouldn't, but I do anyway," he said.

Une smiled at him. "She'll be fine. Lord Quatre's with her. And she's strong herself," Une replied.

"Where is our son?" Treize wondered as he searched the ballroom for Prince Heero.

Une laughed. "If I'm correct, he's probably off with Princess Relena. Haven't you noticed he's fond of her?"

Treize laughed. "Yes, I did." He stood up as the ceiling erupted into small fluttering lights. "Everyone pay your respects to the fairy maidens."

Everyone moved off of the floor as the fairies landed. They appeared small at first then they turned into their true form Tall with large wings and a very childish face. A few giggled as the group bowed.

"My, King Treize and Queen Une. You are to kind to us," the fairy maiden Queen said. She had a bluish glow about her and a crown of stars on her head. She was, in Treize's opinion, the most beautiful creature ever.

"What brings you here to our kingdom, your majesty?" King Treize asked.

She shrugged. "Your daughters wedding announcement. We heard about it and decided we would come. Princess Noin has been ever so gracious to us when she visits," The fairy Queen replied.

"Your majesty..." King Treize started.

"Malene, please. I am nothing here in your court, Your highness," Malene said with a small bow. King Treize smiled.

"Malene, we are honored. Princess Noin!" he called out. "Prince Milliardo! Come up here!"

Malene smiled as she saw the couple appear out of the crowd, holding hands and blushing slightly.
"Here they are. Aren't you two just cute. I have a gift for you," she said pulling out her wand. "If it pleases you, I give you the gift of a happy marriage. May it last forever."

Prince Milliardo and Princess Noin bowed. "We are too honored, Queen Malene," Prince Milliardo said.

"We thank you," Princess Noin added.

Queen Malene came over and kissed both of them on the cheek. "Now, I'm off. Thank you for allowing us here for this short time. This kindness will not be forgotten," she called as she changed back into the fluttering light. The rest of the fairy maidens followed suit. Then they flew out of the ballroom.

King Treize sighed. "They are always nice to have visit," he said.

"You just say that because Malene is very beautiful," Queen Une pointed out.

"I guess you caught me," Kind Treize said. "What am I going to do? I miss little Nina. I miss her terribly."

Queen Une laid a hand over his. "She's fine. Don't worry about her. Believe in her."

"I don't trust that unicorn though."

Queen Une laughed. "Then why did you let him go with her?"

King Treize sighed. "I really don't know."





Far from the castle, Sastry changed back into herself. The other sirens she had gathered regained their familiar form.

"So mistress Sastry, did you do get what you came for?" a siren called Siki asked.

Sastry grinned. "Yes, Siki. King Treize is now under my control. He will have no choice but to follow me." 'It seems my suspicians about that babbling fairy maiden queen were correct. King Treize has a sweet spot for her.'

"Let's go," Sastry ordered. She changed into a bat and flew off towards the cave.




Dermail meandered through the cave chambers. He was restless and he didn't know why. Something wasn't right and he couldn't place his finger on just what it was. Maybe it was something to do with Sastry. Or maybe it had to do with how secretive Hagatha and Tueroff had been. He didn't know. Just wished he could figure it out.

His meandering led him to Hagatha's chambers. He knocked on the door. He was surprised when the door opened and Hagatha let him in.

"Hello, Dermail. I saw you were coming," she said in her raspy voice. "What is it you wanted?"

Dermail shook his head. "I don't know. My feet were just leading me here, I suppose," he said, feeling like a complete and total idiot. Hagatha nodded.

"I see. You're feeling restless?" Hagatha questioned going over and searching the many jars on her shelves.

Dermail nodded. "Very. And I don't know why."

"You're sure that you aren't scared you're going to lose Sastry?" the hag questioned.

Dermail's head snapped up. "That may be part of it."

Hagatha turned to face him. "That's bad you know. You become to concerned with Sastry you may not be able to do what you need to do. The time for us to act is coming soon and you need to be ready. Not concerned with Sastry. She's a big girl. She can take care of herself," Hagatha stated. Dermail nodded.

"But if Tuberoff tries to kill her..."

"Tuberoff isn't going to. I won't let him. We need Sastry. She has a few advantages over all of us. One of them being she can rejuvenate and it takes a certain things to kill her," Hagatha said. Dermail nodded. "Don't worry about it. Go and find something to do Dermail. I need to work now. Goodbye." And with that Dermail found himself outside her door.



Princess Nina stared at her reflection. Her normally neat hair was messed, some of it stuck to her forehead. She sighed. Dipping her hand into the water she splashed it up onto her face trying to make herself look more presentable. 'What for? Nobody's around.'

"Princess," Sally called. Nina stood up as Sally came to the brook. "We didn't know where you went. We decided to make camp for the night and leave earlier in the morning. You okay?"

Nina looked down and shrugged. "Am I supposed to be?"

Sally studied her. "I know it's hard. I really don't know what to say except that we are all in this together," Sally told her.

Nina took a deep breath. "None of you have the big job that I have, though. I'm the one that has to speak with these dragons."

"And you don't see much point in it," Sally stated.

Nina looked at her and nodded. "Yes. I mean, a unicorn shows up and tells me this is what I have to do. And you know, I think I should know why," Nina said beginning to head back towards the meadow.

"Princess, you already have your answer. It's your destiny," Sally called.

Nina turned. "I would have thought a physician like you would understand. Why do we need the dragons?"

"Because, Hagatha and Dermail have reappeared and are planning to make an alliance with them," Sally explained.

"You aren't saying anything new to me. Both of them are so old they must be walking corpses. There is another reason this unicorn wants me to do this. And I want to know what it is," Nina said, huffing off.

Nina hurried into the meadow. Lord Quatre and the Knight Trowa were tying the horses. They both gave a small bow when they saw Nina. Nina never gave them a second look. "Where is Estelle?" she asked gazing around the meadow.

"He walked on ahead. Why?" Lord Quatre questioned.

Nina didn't answer but ran after him. In five minutes she saw him ahead with another unicorn. "Estelle!" she called. They both looked at her and neighed in greeting.

~Hello Princess. This is my sister Esselina.~ Estelle greeted. Nina nodded at the unicorn. She didn't look too much different from Estelle. Her horn was slightly smaller and a darker shade of silver.

"Estelle, why I am really traveling to the dragons domain?" Nina questioned.

~Esselina has been following us all day and says we are not alone.~ Estelle continued, ignoring the question.

Esselina neighed. ~There is a spy following you. She has a dark streak in her.~

Nina stopped dead. "What?!"

~Someone or something has been following us since our departure yesterday,~ Esselina repeated.

Nina put her hands in her hair and pulled. "This is not happening to me. This is just not happening," Nina said. "Before I start to worry about that, why am I really going to the dragons?"

Estelle and Esselina were both silent. ~Nina...~

"That's Princess to you," Nina interjected.

~Princess Nina, you are the only one who can truly communicate with the dragons,~ Estelle said.

Nina narrowed her eyes. "What about you?"

The unicorns appeared to be very uncomfortable with that question. ~The unicorns and dragons haven't had a good relationship since a little misunderstanding that happened before you were born.~

"Oh, so you go and push the job on me since I am able to communicate with them and you are too lazy to go and make the relationship good. That's real nice. Any other reasons?" Nina snapped. She scratched behind her ear. It was the thing she did when she got upset at something.

~Besides that this is also to help us unicorns and dragons get along once again and to make a good relationship between your two kingdoms and them?~ Esselina questioned.

Nina nodded. ~Yes,~ Estelle replied. ~But that is what we cannot tell you. Not yet anyway. It would make your mission too hard, princess.~

Nina felt like smacking both unicorns. She glared at Esselina. "I don't know you and I don't want you to ever come around us while we are here."

~I can't do that princess.~ Esselina replied.

"Yes you can and you will. I am a Princess of Kolyma," Nina said.

~You may be a princess but out here you cannot control what goes on in this forest,~ Esselina replied heatedly.

Nina couldn't take anymore. "Stupid unicorns," she spat at them before running back to the meadow. Tears were streaming down her face. 'I hate being the youngest. I hate being the second princess born. And now I hate this stupid gift I have. I wish I had Relena's.'

Lord Quatre and Trowa bowed again slightly as she rushed past them. "Pack up," she ordered. "We're going home. We've been led on a farce the whole time."

"What?" Trowa questioned. Nina didn't answer but began to bridle her horse once again. Her back was to them.

Lord Quatre came over. "Nina," he said softly. Nina didn't answer, she was shaking too hard. "Nina," Quatre repeated again before laying his hands on her shoulders. "Calm down Nina," he soothed. Slowly her shaking stopped. "Now, what's wrong?"

"The unicorns are using me to help them rebuild their relationship with the dragons," Nina whispered in a hoarse voice.

"What else?" Quatre questioned closing his eyes.

"They say that someone has been following us. They say she has a dark streak in her. I can't handle this anymore. I want to go back home," Nina murmured.

Quatre embraced the princess as she began to cry. "My lord, can you do that?" Trowa asked. Quatre nodded.

"When she needs it," he replied. Trowa nodded. Nina looked over at the knight, tears falling down her cheeks.

"You should mind your own business knight. Lord Quatre has all but raised me," Nina bit out. "Besides, you are only here because that unicorn said you should be my protector, so you should..."

"Nina that's enough," Quatre scolded. Nina closed her eyes and began to cry. Life just wasn't fair. 'Now I've just pushed away the only guy who's ever actually talked to me away. I am so worthless. What does everyone see in me?'



Sir Duo Maxwell entered Prince Heero's quarters. He saw that Sir Triton and Prince Heero were already in conversation so he sat down silently.

"Sir Duo," Prince Heero greeted. "I have a dilemma and I need your help. Is there any way you could spare one of your best men to join me and my father on our quest to go see the Great Fairy Queen?"

Sir Duo stared at the prince. "But didn't he just see her tonight?"

Prince Heero nodded. "My father wants to see her again. He is going to ask for her guidance on what to do with the issue with Hagatha and Tuberoff, the news of the dragons and some other issues," Heero explained.

Sir Duo yawned. "When did he make this decision may I ask?"

"Of course. He came and woke me up about two hours ago excited about it. I'm going, Knight Zechs Merquis is going but my father wants another knight, particularly from Daventry. Can you spare a knight?"

Sir Duo scratched his head. "I'm sure I could but this sounds to fishy," Sir Duo said.

Sir Triton nodded in agreement. "I said the same thing but Zechs is going anyways. Just for the King's safety."

Sir Duo nodded. "Well, I think it'd be best if I go then. Just for your fathers safety," Sir Duo said.

"But..." Prince Heero protested.

"No buts, your highness. Sir Triton is will be fine without me. My forces have already been gathered and are awaiting orders. They will be notified Sir Triton is in control once I leave," Sir Duo said.

Prince Heero looked down. "I'm still unsure of this, myself. But to put your life in danger Sir Duo..."

"Your life is more important Prince," Sir Triton interrupted. Heero sighed.

"Alright. We are leaving in the morning. You might as well go home and tell your family goodbye. We don't know when we'll be back. Hopefully before Nina returns home," Prince Heero muttered.

Sir Duo and Sir Triton stood up, bowed then left. Sir Duo sighed and yawned once again. "Man, I need a drink. Want to join me? I'm sure the bar is still open. It's only midnight," Duo said.

Sir Triton nodded. "I have nothing better to do."



Sastry and Hagatha studied the mirror before them. "It's working. Good work Sastry," Hagatha complimented. Sastry grinned at the Prince's face on the mirror. "Now, don't get any ideas Sastry."

"Oh, but it's fun just to imagine isn't it?" Sastry said in a playful tone.

Hagatha looked at her. "Sastry don't get any ideas. He's mine and Tuberoff's."

Sastry looked at the hag. "But you said you would take care of the king and told me I could have any of the others."

Hagatha turned away. "I changed my mind Sastry. Besides you still have that knight that is with the Princess."

"Well, I know but the prince, he's much more handsome and looks like he's much more fun. Plus, he has a girlfriend, that makes it even better," Sastry explained. "Oh, please Hagatha. You don't need the prince."

Hagatha was quiet for a moment, pondering. "We'll see Sastry. You need to make sure your and Dermail's drone get to the Dragon's domain before the princess and that Mystic Knight," Hagatha pointed. "That's where your mind should be."

Sastry nodded. "I'm leaving. Dermail and I have some planning to do. And make sure you tell Tuberoff to stay away from me. He could seriously ruin everything we've been working for." Sastry disappeared in a whiff of smoke.

Hagatha grinned. "Just wait Sastry. You're time will come."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes:
Well there ya go. I finally got it out. Nina's personality is starting to show through. Yay! And the plot thickens. ^.^ This chapter was wrote while I listened to Ayumi Hamasaki's new song, UNITE! Great song. And if you all let me, I'd probably rant on about it. *giggle* ~Luv Nat