A/N: Okay, here I am with Chapter 6.  Thank you Black-as-Knight14, Silver Spell, and Lindsay (hey that's my name!) for reviewing.  I'm having a writer's block of sorts about this chapter, so if it doesn't really make sense or have any point, I'm sorry.  I've been really concentrating on my LOTR fic lately.  You should check it out after you read and review this fic!  *hint hint*

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Disclaimer: I don't own the original Unicorns of Balinor, but I own the plot, Thianc, and everything else!!

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         Numinor kept his thoughts about Thianc to himself, as it was still too early to involve others.  The Golden One fulfilled his duty as the foal's father, playing and spending time with him, but Atalanta sensed that something was wrong.  The stallion took the tiniest mishap as an emergency that must be attended to immediately, galloping away before the mare could persuade him to stay.

         Though his days were limited in exposure to Thianc, Numinor's nights were plagued with him.  Every night the green stallion visited him in his dreams, always staring, never speaking.  And the Golden One could never run away, could never escape the gaze that was so full of hatred toward him and his herd. 

         Thianc was growing rapidly.  In two months he was twice as tall and more filled out.  The foal thrived on the his mother's milk, and Atalanta was looking forward to the day when he was weaned and could graze by her side.  She would often find her mind wandering, envisioning the foal and Numinor running the fields together, side by side.  She never thought of the Sunchaser much anymore; now that she knew that the foal was Numinor's, there was no reason to hunt him down.  She regretted what they had shared that one night and knew that it was now over.

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The Sunchaser stood by the stream lost in thought.  He knew that something was not right with the heir to the Celestial Valley, everyone did.  But he knew what it was; he knew why the green stallion haunted Numinor's dreams.  For he haunts my dreams as well, he thought to himself.

         He heard a rustling in the grass behind him but did not turn to see who it was.  The bronze stallion remained facing the west, knowing who the visitor was.  "Sunchaser?"

         The unicorn still did not turn, but he could envision the speaker in his mind as if he was standing before him.  He was a member of the red herd, his coat a fiery crimson that glowed like a smoldering fire, even at night.  His hooves and horn were of a reddened gold and his jewel was a clear diamond, for he had some of Numinor's line in him.  He was in fact Numinor's cousin, a relatedness that was tactfully overlooked.  While they shared the same mother, Numinor's father had been Luminosa, descendent of Solaris, while his cousin was the son of a stallion of lesser stature.

         All of this flashed through the Sunchaser's mind as he kept the stallion waiting.  Finally, he spoke.  "What news of Thianc, Ignitre?"

         Ignitre snorted.  "He is growing quickly, and appears to have much strength.  Atalanta cares for him well, but Numinor is hardly there.  They both suffer, I can sense it."

         The Sunchaser nodded slowly, taking the information in.  "Do you think the Golden One suspects anything?  Has he put two and two together?"

         "I would not put it past him," the red stallion responded.  "His line is noble enough to be easily recognized; even he could not think that all is right with young Thianc.  I am not sure how much of the truth he knows or even suspects."

         The bronze stallion took a moment to consider the situation.  Ignitre was the only Celestial beside himself and Atalanta that knew the truth about Thianc, and the Dreamspeaker denied what she knew was true.  The two stallions were best herd mates, mainly because they both disagreed with Numinor and his way of power.  But they respected the Golden One and his position enough to prevent them from doing anything rash.

         The Sunchaser turned and looked at the red stallion for the first time.  "I don't think that it would hurt Numinor to be in the dark for a few months more.  He will find out sooner or later; it's our job to protect my son when that time comes."

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         Entia waited in his chamber once more, watching the Celestial Valley.  "You are wrong, Sunchaser," he muttered to himself.  "The Golden One knows more than you think.  The time is approaching quickly, the time when action must be taken."  The Shifter then raised his voice to be heard by the other in his chamber.  "Will we be prepared to take the action necessary when that time comes?"

         Ru Krion grinned evilly from the shadows.  "All is ready, Entia.  The Link has been secured; my legions captured him earlier this morning.  Do you request his presence?"

         A nod was all the signal Ru Krion was looking for.  One quick hand gesture caused the heavy doors to be opened and a small creature to be marched in, its arms held by two shadows of men.  The Shadow grinned once more and announced, "Entia!  I present to you, Gully, the Link!"(A/N: I told you that the story takes place before the events in the book, so Gully is still the Link)

         The captive creature shuddered visibly.  He resembled something like a toad, very wide and squat, sitting low to the ground.  Gully tried to be brave and croaked, "You'll never get anything out of me, Shifter!  I am loyal to the Royal Family and none other!"

         Entia let out a small chuckle that made Gully's blood run cold.  "Loyalties mean nothing to me, little toad.  But even if they did, yours will change soon enough, when you learn of the true power of Entia the Shifter."  He let his words sink in for a moment before turning to the guards.  "Take him back to the dungeons.  Our little Link needs to reconsider where his allegiances lie."  He watched the terrified brown eyes of Gully as he was dragged out of the chamber and toward the dungeons.

         There was silence in the room following Gully's departure.  Ru Krion lingered in the shadows; it seemed to be waiting for something.  When it noticed that Entia had gone back to watching the Celestial Valley, the Shadow cleared its throat.  "Shifter?"

         Entia didn't look up.  "You are excused, Ru Krion."

         "What about my payment, Entia?" the Shadow asked.  "I brought the Link to you, as you asked.  I do have other clients waiting."

         This made the Shifter turn to look into the shadows.  When he spoke, his voice was cold as ice.  "They have waited this long, let them wait a little longer.  I am still not finished with you, Ru Krion, and you will not be reimbursed until I am.  You are excused," he repeated as he turned back to the unicorns once more. 

Shocked, the Shadow angrily left the chamber and made his way to the room that Entia had provided for him.  He stormed past the guard on the evening watch, brushing his arm and knocking his staff to the ground.  "Watch it!" the guard called out after him.

Ru Krion stopped in his tracks.  He could feel the guard's fear as he slowly and deliberately turned to face him.  He could see the fear in his eyes as he approached him, and could feel his resistance as shadow-like hands closed around his neck.  Listening to the screams, he thought, Maybe tonight wasn't so bad after all.

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Sorry this chapter is so short, I just wanted to post something.  I know it didn't make much sense, but I hope it added a little suspense or something to the plot.  Maybe background info?  I dunno, you can tell me what it is when you review it.  Do you promise?