Mel led them to a grant hall near the thrown room. A huge table that nearly filled the hall was covered end to end with huge platters of food. Tum tum froze in his tracks and stared, refusing to blink on the off chance this might be an illusion.

Jaz giggled at his response and Mel and k stared at Jaz completely in shock. Both wondering if they had ever heard Jaz giggle before.

Jaz nodded and headed for a chair as she said, "Same old Tum tum."

Mel addressed the ninjas, "I was just about to sit and have lunch with a few of my generals. Please join us."

Rocky's jaw dropped, he scanned the room looking at the few hundred chairs and wondered how 'few' generals she expected.

"If you don't mind Samuel and I will eat alone in another room."

Mel played the role of a queen magnanimously, "Of course I don't mind if you and my dear Rocky eat alone." She smiled, "In fact, it is a beautiful day and the southern gardens are alive with color. Please allow me to arrange for you to dine out of doors in a quite romantic spot."

Rebecca shocked everyone by gently smiling, "I would appreciate that. Samuel and I need to talk."

Rebecca studied the beautiful queen with her jet-black hair and emerald green eyes. She was clad in black with a small sword strapped to he side and dark bags under her eyes from the lack of sleep and volume of tears.

"I am sorry for the loss of your husband, and I hope your son and the rest of the royal family are returned safely home."

Mel reached out and grasped Rebecca's hands she hated the idea that with time she might grow to like this girl but she would honor anyone who wished her son well, "Thank you Rebecca." Mel summoned a servant, "show these two to the first gazebo in the southern gardens and then have them served whatever they wish."

"Yes my lady," the servant bowed, "Right this way my Lord and Lady. Thank god you're here," he said under his breath.

K was instantly at Colt's side, "I'm so glad you've come."

Colt nodded without a word.

"Do not be frightened," K smiled.

"Nah," he reached out and took her in his strong arms, he couldn't resist, "Oh god K, I've missed you."

K thought she would cry, "I missed you, probably more."

Colt shook his head, "No way."

K laughed. Colt's mood changed, "So," he scratched the back of his head, "where's your husband?"

"Husband?" K's eyes got wide, "I've got no husband."

"But," Colt's words trailed off as he pointed over to Jaz, then growled in realization, "I'll get you Jaz."

Jaz just gave a silent smirk.

"Your highness?" Several generals stood in the doorway of the banquet hall.

"Oh gentlemen," Mel turned with a wide smile, "Please come in there is much to discuss."

Jaz took her seat next to Tum tum and K by Colt. Mel sat at the head of the table and the generals all around the long table.

Mel looked over to K, "I can't believe this. I think we might just win...after I kill Rebecca."

K laughed and Jaz shot them a silencing glare to behave.

Colt and Tum tum did not pay attention to the politics while Mel, K, Jaz, and the generals pointed to different spots on many of the unrolled maps. It did impress them how easily this came to the three girls they once knew, and to the beautiful women they had all become. They were all strong and brave. Mel with her new found hope, K with all the unbound spirit in the world and Jaz with the level head.

"Samuel. I don't know or understand what is going on. Could you and your brothers really save her child?"

"Yes Rebecca, we very much can."

"Then I will not stand in your way. But I don't want to be left out of the loop. I want to know exactly what you are doing and when. And we really only have a week to kill. You have your first big assignment next Monday and we have a meeting with the wedding coordinator Monday night."

"I know Rebecca. We cannot take you with us when we go. But I will explain to you where we go and what we will do and we will travel in haste."

"Thank you Samuel. I love you."

Rocky slid closer to her on the bench and reached an arm across her shoulders.

They ate in the warm summer afternoon and watched the birds and butterflies drift on the breeze from one beautiful flower to another.


Mel had sent the generals off and gotten Colt and Tum tum's rooms so they might relax and get comfortable. Mel stood at the window and looked out across her land. She nodded with a smile, "they will save my son while we stabilize the armies here."

K nodded, "Mel, Jaz will personally lead the army that attacks from the northeast while I lead the army to the northwest."

Mel shook her head, "No K, that can't be. You both can't leave me here."

Jaz nodded, "Yes Mel, we must. The generals are good, but we..." she looked to K and K finished, "we're better."

"I know you are but gosh if something ever happened to you."

"Listen Mel," K said, "our armies will startle them and five the knights a chance to break through the border completely unnoticed and steal back our people."

Mel closed her eyes and shook her head, "I don't like this."

"Me either," Jaz said looking up form her maps and parchments. "I have to move four thousand men across this tiny bridge, go up the side of this mountain range and through this band of unloyals before I even make it to the border."

K laughed, "Jaz you have a way."

"Yes, I know."

Mel sighed and addressed them in all seriousness, "Remember, the plan is to move the army only as north as the current border. We will secure what is rightfully ours and take no more. I want the death count kept low, whenever possible capture and escort to the border for release. The Spirit Knights will ride with you to the front and once the border is secured and the troops know very explicitly their mission; one of you will stay with the army sending letter seeking a meeting. If he agrees to one I will ride up and it will be on the border. The other of you will guide the Knights through the wilderness to recapture my son and the other nobles. I will not see us go to war like our parents had to."

K and Jaz nodded, "Got it Mel."

"We leave the day after tomorrow, it will probably take five days for us to move an army that large to the border," K said.

"Listen, go make sure Colt and Tum tum understand the mission completely. I'll tell Rocky."


"So, you will rescue her son?" Rebecca asked again.

Rocky nodded, "Yep."

"Hello," Mel met them in the garden where they had been talking all afternoon.

"May we have a minute?" Mel asked Rebecca.

Rebecca thought for a moment, "Sure."

Once she had gone Mel turned to Rocky and buried her head in his chest, she sobbed, "You don't know what this means to me."

"Mel," he lifted her chin, "In all honesty, I would do anything in the world for you."

Mel smiled then shook her head, "I can't believe you're getting married."

"I can't believe you're already widowed and a mom."

"It grows on you," Mel laughed.

"I guess."

"Wanna come inside and see a portrait of my boy?"

Rocky nodded, "Sure."


"Glad you came now?" K and Jaz heard Tum tum ask Colt.

"I guess. I hadn't realized what that woman meant to me." He stretched out on the bed.

"Oh yeah?" K said standing in the doorway, "what did that woman mean to you?"

"She meant that the stars were reachable. That I could find happiness, that I might have a reason to wake each morning."

K nearly blushed, "Oh, I see."

Tum tum tossed a grape into the air and caught it in his mouth, "It's strange, a world with no skittles or M&M's. But what's even stranger is that I don't think I even care."

They all laughed. K and Jaz proceeded to explain the game plan.


After Mel explained the plan to Rocky he questioned, "You said the army was split?"

"Yes, into several factions."

"What if you waited two more days, rallied the army here and then sent them north as one force. It would put you behind a day but it would appear more fearsome and you would need only one leader. We could leave tonight with Jaz or K and be there in a couple of days, just in time for their kingdom to be in chaos and fear of the massive army headed their way. They won't yet know you do not intend to attack and they won't have time to move your family."

Mel smiled at him her heart clearly visible through her eyes, "It will be as you suggested." She calmly sipped at a glass of wine and watched a monarch butterfly find bliss in a lilac bush. She said, "It is a shame you are engaged, you could one day have the power to command armies and move mountains."

"It is not the power I would want," Rocky reached out and cupped her face in his hand.

Mel leaned her head into his hand. He was warm and soft and gentle, just as she remembered him. She stepped a little closer and he guided her head to his shoulder. Rocky ran his fingers through her beautiful, long, black hair.

"If it were possible," Mel began, "would you stay?"

Rebecca broke though the bushes she had been watching from, "Of course not. I think Sam and you have had enough time alone."

Mel leapt back from Rocky and he swung his hands behind his back.

"I demand to know what is going on?" Rebecca demanded harshly.

"Nothing Rebecca," Mel smiled and turned away.

"It didn't look like nothing to me!"

Rocky reached out and took Rebecca's shoulder, "Hun...shh..."

"Don't you hun...shhh...me! What was that whole I'll do anything in the world for you? Huh? Or that last little bit, it not the power I'd want?" What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Rebecca please, calm down," Rocky pleaded as the gazebo quickly became surrounded by guards.

"No Sam. I will not calm down. Do you love her?"


Colt and Tum tum stood in the war room, their eyes wide and their mouths hanging open.

K commented, "These are all weapons that earned their glory on the battle field. Some of them date back hundreds of years."

Jas suggested, "If we are moving first thing in the morning we should get your equipped."

K smiled in anticipation to their reaction to the next place they visited, "To the forge."

"I hate this place," Jaz said wiping her forehead with the back of her arm, "it's far too hot."

"Wow," Tum tum said as the man banged the dents out of a piece of metal.

"They will fit you and start yours," K smiled.

"Whoa," Colt said, "we can't wear that."

K looked over to him, "But you have to."

"You think we can sneak in that heavy stuff?" Colt asked.

K smiled, "You only have to wear it while you ride up there. Once you hit enemy lines you can take it off."

Tum tum nodded, "Cool."

The smiths took measurements and began to work.

"What now?" Tum tum asked once they'd made it back to the throne room.

"We wait," Jaz said.

"Is this Mel's son?" Colt asked pointing to the picture of Rocky that hung on the wall.

K nodded, "Yes, that's him. Handsome little guy, huh?"

"Wow, he's old," Tum tum said.

"Old?" Jas asked nudging him.

"Yeah, you know, I thought he was like two or something," Tum tum said putting his arm around Jaz.

K and Colt were standing very close to one another.

"Hey K, was there a time that you loved me?" He asked in a whisper looking down to her

She looked up to him honestly, "Who said I ever stopped?"

Then the screams from the garden broke their moment. They heard Rebecca's frantic voice demand, "I asked if you love her?"

Mel looked up to him with wide eyes. Rocky looked to Mel and then back to Rebecca. His mouth was slightly ajar in shock.

"ANSWER ME!"

Rocky hung his head, "Yes Rebecca, I will always love Mel."

Rebecca lunged for Mel but three guards caught her mid flight and wrestled her to the ground.

Jaz, K and Tum tum ran to the window to see what was happening.

Colt stared at the boy and the looked across the room at the king's portrait. He had been a handsome man with dirty blond hair and crystal like eyes.

Colt looked back at the boy, the painter had captured a look in the child's brown eyes that mad him seem very smart and very kind.

"What's he like?" Colt asked.

Jaz looked over, "Who?"

"Mel's son?"

"Smart adventurous, brave, good, passionate, bold, what else do you want to know? He is quite possibly the best child ever born."

Colt nodded with a smile, "Would he try to break free in his bravery?" Colt asked.

K looked over, "I hope not, but it is very possible, why?"

Colt shrugged, "Just wondering."

"That was no fun," Tum tum said, "the guards got her before Mel could rip her hair out."


Rocky stepped into the dungeon as the guard said, "I'm sorry sir Knight. There are no breaking the rules, you attack someone in the royal house you get seven days in the dungeon and five in the stocks. And that is going off light. But she's over there."

Rebecca was chained to the wall in a small cell where she stood on a box attempting to avoid the rats, she was failing. She looked terrified. Her hair was a mess and her face lacked all color.

"Rebecca," Rocky said.

"Samuel, get me out of here," She moaned.

"I can't Rebecca, I've tried."

"Then you don't love me," Rebecca said. Rocky turned away, "You don't love me Sam?"

Rocky shook his head, "I never loved you Rebecca, but you would have made a good wife."

Rebecca burst into tears, "But Sam...you have to love me."

Rocky shook his head, "Rebecca you are almost everything I need. You're smart, goal-oriented, focused but you aren't my soul mate."

"Get me out of here Sam. And take me home! I never want to see you again." She pushed a wild hair from her face.

"Done," Jaz's voice answered her plea before Rocky could say a word. He spun to she Jaz just behind him, "I came to offer the girl one more chance to go home." Jaz said, "But I need not offer it, she wishes it. But only if you agree to it Rocky."

Rocky nodded, "If she wishes never to see me again, then so be it."

Jaz explained to Rebecca that she would send her back to Grandpa's and that if she tried to explain to anyone what happened she would not care but the psychiatrist on her world likely would.

"Goodbye Rebecca," Rocky said.

"Goodbye Samuel," Rebecca echoed to him.

Rocky paused before she disappeared with Jaz. He sighed, "It's Rocky. My name is Rocky."