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Chapter 5: Explaining Past

Mulan and her family were reunited that night, Tears of sorrow and pain were present on the cold night. They buried Fa Zhou under the blossom tree honoring him and saying their prayers. Gundal watched feeling pity for the small, innocent family. He later explained what was going on but in terms that would not frighten them. He also had to introduce himself and Mushu so they would not be frightened. "I'm sorry but the only real place for you to stay safe is at the other side of China, the Kingdom, Choa Nu. Mushu will accompany you and make sure you get there safely."

"What about my daughter, Mulan? What will happen to her?" Asked Fa Li who was still holding onto Granny and Mulan for comfort. She could not believe that this was happening, even just having Gundal a wizard here frightened her. She always heard about them and other creatures but this, this was beginning to get hard to believe. Gundal looked at her with sorrow. Just by looking at him she could tell that Mulan would have to leave.

"She can not stay here; she must be escorted to the Palace where she will be kept safe until we know what path is next for her." Explained Gundal, hanging onto his wooden staff.

Her mother and Grandmother looked at Mulan; Mulan held her head up high. For she knew that she would have to be strong through this time. Her mother silently turned to her daughter facing her, staring at her daughter, she had been through so much, she was proud of her. She knew that Fa Zhou's death was now scarred into her heart and pain and guilt would fill it. A single tear rolled down her cheek, separation was now the best thing to keep her and grandmother safe. "Be careful my daughter." She hugged her tight not letting go Mulan's own eyes were begging to fill and spill with tears.

Mulan walked up to the wagon where her black horse, Khan stayed tied to. Khan was going with her mother and grandmother since there was no other horses to take them there through their long journey. Mulan patted Khan on the neck, Khan neighed and snorted, not liking being tied up he normally wasn't. "Take care of them Khan, run as fast as you can......promise me that Khan....." She cried to her horse, who was her friend and trusty ale. Khan looked at Mulan in sadness. They were going to be separated. Mulan had always taken good care of him ever since he was little, they knew each other and trained together like one they had become. Khan snorted then wrapped his head around her body almost like hugging her, saying goodbye. She hugged Khan then looked up and smiled at him, She hoped and prayed that they would see each other once more, for one more last ride at least together.

As Mulan left to go find her family, Gundal walked up to the horse and looked at him straight in the eyes. He could see the bravery and strength the horse had in him. Gundal placed his old hand on the horse's head and slowly closed his eyes and began to chant in some kind of Elvish, a spell of some sort. Once he finished he smiled at Khan and patted the him. "If it is in the dark tunnels of the snowy mountains, or the dark long forest. And she calls for help. You....." He started at him once again. "You will hear her and will go to her......." Khan snorted and stood tall. Gundal bowed down at him and turned to watch Mulan escort her family to the wagon.

Mulan's mother and granny got in the wagon saying their prayers and goodbyes, which brought tears. For it would be the last time they saw each other. Mulan watched alone side Gundal as they watched her family leave, hoping that it would not be the last time that they would see each other. Gundal sighed, placing his hands on his staff. "I remember like it was yesterday, that I was given the duty of watching over your father, to make sure everything would be well,"

Mulan turned confused, he was watching over them all this time she thought? "You watched over him?" She asked, remarking that she had never seen him or even heard of him before, why now? She thought.

"Oh.... Yes, I heard from the Emperor that he had given your father the diamond. One of the four. I had known about the diamonds, you might have heard the stories before, about the four diamonds and the demon? I had been around long enough to learn that the tales were true and that the demon still lives in spirit. I could feel the tension that your father was experiencing, after you had come home for some odd reason, the diamond was calling to him......" Gundal said, turning and walking away from the road and now to his tall, brown horse. He road him without a saddle only had a bridle on. Mulan followed interested in what he was saying, and what was going on. She needed to know.

"So....that was why he was acting weird? Meaner?" She asked, wondering if possibly the reason for his behavior was because of the diamond.

"Only because it was poisoning his mind, I had left to study this, wondering if it truly was the cause of the diamond. When I found out what it was, I hurried back here as quick as I could, but when I got here it was too late."

"But then why do I have it? I mean yeah I know that my father gave it to me but why don't you just take it and destroy it? Why me?"

Gundal stopped and turned to face her, his expression on his face showed of fear. "I can not; it would poison even my mind as it did your fathers. But you, you are the one, the one that can only destroy it. No one else can." He paused, she still did not understand. "You even heard the voice talking to you when you were coming home." Mulan turned up to face him her eyes were wide with expression, 'How did he know about that?' she wondered. "You can see the markings, the markings that I dare not say. It calls to all, but you, you have strength that I did not know a young lady like yourself had, especially against this evil. For anyone else they would be poisoned by it and would do it's will its task of being found. I don't know why, all I know is that you are the chosen one, the one that must take this burden and destroy it for all eternity." Mulan lowered her head; she suddenly felt the weight upon her shoulders, the task that she must taken care of. She watched Gundal as he closed his eyes and looked up, as if something was calling him. "Ah...haha...." He popped open his eyes and smiled at Mulan, "Follow me; there is someone that you will have you meet." Mulan followed Gundal into the forest, that lead to an open field, that was surrounded by weeds, and beautiful wild flowers. He began to whistle, making an echo throughout the whole open field. Mulan looked around but saw nothing.

"I don't see anything....." Gundal placed his hand on her shoulder and pointed over to a section of the forest, Mulan looked hard. Then out of no where a little pure white horse neighed, making his way up the hills and through the fields. Galloping, the wind taking his every step. It's long white main, and tale followed him as he ran down towards them. Mulan smiled, The horse was beautiful. As it got closer and closer it began to slow down to a halt, where then he came face to face with Gundal. Gundal patted his neck and main, "This is Wind, he has been my friend and companion through so many times. He's almost as old as I am." Gundal laughed, Mulan smiled.

"How old are you?" She asked, but asked very politely.

"Over 300 years old....." Mulan's eyes got wide, how she wondered?

Gundal noticed the strange and confused look on her face and laughed. "I am a wizard, and we tend to live a long time, as do elves, and many other people and creatures unlike yourself. I will explain all this in due time, It's hard right now, thinking that all of this is just one big fairytale nightmare but I a sure you most of the stories that you do heard in your young years aren't all normally false..." He smiled, and winked at Mulan. This was all a little strange and confusing but she believed it now, all that has happened in this one day. She walked up to Wind and began to carefully pat his neck and head. She smiled. "You will be riding him for the rest of your journey. He will help you and guide you throughout it. He is truly a loyal horse."

Mulan was helped onto Wind's back, as they then ventured back to her place to get her stuff for her long and dangerous journey. She packed her sword and some clothing. She climbed back onto his back as did Gundal on his brown horse's back then clicking their heels on their horse's and began to gallop with full force to the Emperor's Palace. Mulan and Gundal held on tight, side by side riding next to each other. The hooves of the horses made it sound as if a storm was coming as if the loud and dark, thunder was hitting the ground. Mulan looked up over the hill as they came to a halt. She looked down at the palace down below. It looked so small from up there but she remembered it clearly, the lights, the sights and the huge palace before her. It was truly beautiful. "The palace! It is where you will be staying until the time is right. It will be protecting you for now at least, we will gather up an army for the long road ahead as well...Yah!" he screamed out clicking his heals to make his horse go, galloping down below. Mulan took one last look at the site and prayed, hoping that maybe her friends would accompany her on her long and dangerous trip. She clicked her heals on the barrel of her horse and galloped down, catching up to Gundal.

As they waked through the palace hallways, a way that her father once took long ago. The one day that he was given a task to be done now was up to Mulan. She now was walking in the similar path, a path that would now change the face of mankind. Gundal looked over at Mulan seeing that she was a little bit nervous as to what was going to happen. "Once we get in there I will explain to the Emperor and tell him everything ok?" Mulan nodded. Both Gundal and Mulan looked forward as the huge doors of the palace opened revealing sunlight that came form the window's from up above the Emperor's chair. Mulan and Gundal walked in on the red carpet. With the solders standing right beside the doors, guarding.

The Emperor now distracted from his work, looked down seeing Fa Mulan and an elderly man that he knew of but could not think of. Gundal and Mulan stopped as they watched the Emperor staring at them in wonder and a bit of worry. "It is I Gundal an old friend and I come back to you.....The task that you long ago gave one honorable General, he has now fallen......." Said Gundal, speaking in a riddle. The Emperor's eyes widened, he slowly began to stand up. He looked down in fear, worry, and pain. He felt as if now the world was falling apart.

The council men watched as their majesty, got up in worry. "Oh....no......" He whispered.

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Yes....I leave you know....but only for now, until I hear from you guys. Gundal is like Gandalf....as you can see he has the characteristics that are what I kind of wanted in this story. The Emperor now knows who he is and what he is talking about. What will he do next? How will he react? And there will be Orchs and Uruk Hai, I think, but most importantly you know the "Great Stone Dragon, you will hear more from him! So.....Please leave a review!!!!!!!! I need your support! hehehe! Thanks!