Okay, let me start by thanking all of my reader and reviewers. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update…but here's an update. :-) I hope you enjoy this installment…I do, it might be my favorite part of this story. But I'm not really sure…hehe. Okay, to clear up any confusion, now that Mel's son Rocky is in the story, I have designated the two Rocky's by prefacing all the Prince Rocky's name with young … I will keep this up throughout the rest of the story. Whenever Mel's son is present he will be called young Rocky while our Douglas Rocky will just be Rocky. Did that make sense? Hehe, I hope so it's late and I'm exhausted. Anyhow…enjoy…and let me know what you think. Ciao ~ J
"Auntie Jaz!" Young Rocky yelled as he ran as fast as he could toward her.
Tum tum loved the way Jaz's eyes lit up at seeing the young boy running at full throttle in her direction.
"Hey kid," Jaz scanned the trees around her and saw five knights slowly headed her way. "They let you guys out for walks?"
"No," Young Rocky threw his arms around her and continued to speak in his normal excited tone, "They let us free. Those idiots think Duke Byron traded his life for our freedom. I don't know what really happened but this morning they opened the cages, cages we so could have broken out of any time, and let us go."
He let go of her and taking a step back he looked up to her with a great deal of sadness in his eyes, "They killed Dad."
"I know," Jaz said petting his hair gently.
"I won't be a stupid king Jaz, I promise."
"I know that as well," she smiled taking the boy in her arms again.
Sir Thurston bowed to Jaz, "My Lady, it's a pleasure to see you again."
"It's good to be seen," Jas said embracing him.
Young Rocky pulled Jaz's robe, "But Jaz, something's out of the ordinary here."
"What's that?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I can assure you something is not right."
Jaz cocked an eyebrow at the boy, "Kiddo, you're beginning to frighten me."
Just then young Rocky's eye caught a glimpse of the 3 strangers. He stepped back and examined them for several moments. He knew the knight would ask any moment, so he refrained from speaking. Then Tristan spoke, "Who are they?"
Jaz turned and opened her mouth to explain however young Rocky spoke for her, "I know. I know who they are." He stepped a little closer, his face showing obvious awe, "They are the Spirit Knights. They have to be. You," he addressed Tum tum, "have to be Tum tum also known as Michael."
Tum tum smiled, "How'd you know?"
"The youngest always grows up to be the largest, and your eyes show the kindness everyone used to describe you. And you," he turned to Colt, "are Jeffrey or Colt, you have to be." Young Rocky reached out and placed a quivering hand on Colt's arm, "Solid, with the presence of the reckless; you are a spirited wild creature…untamable. And lastly," he turned to his own father, unknown to anyone but Mel, K, and Jaz, "the brave, dashing, leader…full of charisma and thoughtfulness. You are as everyone said, distinguished and wise. I see how my parents chose my name."
Rocky took a knee, "My Prince."
"No," Young Rocky took his father's shoulders and bowed before the adult, "Allow me to bow before the bravest man in all our history. It is truly an honor to stand before you. It is a true honor," young Rocky rose to look Rocky in the eye (who remained on one knee), "to have your name sir knight."
"It is an equal pleasure to meet the son of a dear friend of mine. I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your father," Rocky commented, still not grasping the concept that his boy shared his name, "I am afraid I only know you as Prince. Might I know your name?"
Young Rocky looked up to Rocky a disappointed expression on his face, "Rocky."
"Yes?"
"No…it's Rocky."
Rocky stared at the boy, confused, until Colt pushed past him and extended a hand saying, "Rocky, it's a pleasure to meet you, your mother is anxious to see you."
Jaz stepped in, "Yes she is. The five of us will ride on Copperclaw, you five can ride on Silver. We will rest after we have returned to our kingdom."
Copperclaw bent his neck down and gave the boy a nudge with his long snout.
Young Rocky turned around and wrapped his arms across the bridge of the dragon's nose, "Copperclaw!"
Sir Thurston caught Jaz up around the arm and spinning her squeezed a little harder than was necessary, "What are they doing here?" he growled.
Jaz snatched her arm back, "Ouch, they should have kept you."
"Damn it Jaz, get to the point. Why are they here?"
Jaz didn't answer she simply turned on her heels and stalked away from him, meeting the group at Copperclaw's head.
Tum tum leaned over to Jaz, "He really is smart."
Jaz nodded, "I know. We've all taught him everything we know. He's like the son each of us had."
Colt then leaned in, "You have some serious explaining to do. Unlike my brothers, being a street cop, I learned a thing or two, it's never as deep, it's never a mystery, it's what you see is what you get…and I'm seeing some deceptive lies here."
"Huh?" Tum tum looked over to his brother.
Jaz gave Colt a cool glare, "Listen, you can take it up with Mel if you wish. I'm not going to be in the middle of whatever fantasies you've made up Colt. I like you Colt, and I don't want to be in the center of something ugly." Then raising her voice she said, "Everyone mount, let's go home."
Tum tum spent the two day journey home talking to young Rocky and keeping an eye on the knight they called Thurston out of the corner of his eye. He didn't trust Sir Thurston, nor did her want Jaz near him…he had seen the knight rough 'his' girlfriend.
Jaz remained silent, save but to give commands.
Rocky became acquainted with the knights and Colt stayed sullen.
Tum tum had found a kindred spirit in young Rocky. He admired the man developing within the child's body and young Rocky adored Tum tum for the child he was at heart.
Word had been sent and the armies were returning as well.
Young Rocky leapt from the dragon upon landing and did not stop running until he was safely wrapped in his mother's loving embrace.
When the others made it to the throne room young Rocky was still being held by a sobbing Mel. She opened her eyes to see the party standing and watching, though she didn't care. Finally, the crying Queen and Prince withdrew from one another and Mel went to Rocky, where she threw her arms around his neck, "I knew you'd bring my son home safely."
"I want some answers," Colt demanded.
"Glad you're back too Colt," Mel smiled, knowing his easily heated temper, she embraced him.
Tum tum was grinning from ear to ear at seeing the happy reunion. Without realizing it he had moved to Jaz's side and draped an arm around her shoulders.
Mel came up to hug them both as well.
"Mel, we did not have to free them and from what I have been told it seems Duke Byron might have been killed. I also believe it might be a wise idea to speak with Colt before you have a larger problem then you ever intended to deal with." Jaz explained.
Mel looked over to an impatient Colt, "Ah, we will speak together; all of us. I mean not to deceive."
As the group began to decapitate Sir Thurston casually spoke harshly to Tum tum, "Dear caste of non existent knight, it would probably be in your best interest to keep away from the Lady Jasell."
Tum tum felt his cheeks get warm with anger, like he'd not felt before, "What's it to ya?"
"Just stay away," the knight warned.
Tum tum shook his head, "Not a chance in hell. She's mine. End of story. If you think otherwise we'll take it up later."
"Later it is."
Tum tum shrugged in agreement and headed off with his friends.
Young Rocky had pronounced he would go to his room while his mother and Jaz spoke with the Spirit Knights. The five met in Mel's quarters.
"Well…" Mel said.
"Well?" Cold asked. "Listen I'm looking for some kind of an explanation. I've seen this a hundred times. 'No officer I don't have any drugs', and there they are. 'Or no sir I wasn't speeding', and I know damn well they were. It's point blank. What the hell is going on Mel? I want to hear it from your mouth."
"Colt, you miss nothing," Jaz smiled mockingly.
"I knew damn well that kid didn't belong to the king the moment I laid eyes on the portrait of him in the hall. How old is he Mel?"
"Colt," Mel eased, "Calm down. I will say it plain, if you'll let me. Rocky doesn't belong to Alex, no one knows thought. No one but K and Jaz. What kind of a ruler would I have been?" She asked rhetorically. She shook her head and went on more pained this time, "Yes. It's true my Rocky belongs to you, Rocky."