A/N: Okay, the only reason I am posting this so early is because today, when I came home from school and checked my email, I had forty-eight reviews from Tamaran Girl. I'm posting this chapter (which is actually quite enthralling) because she reviewed so much, on the promise that she'll never review that much again. Okay? I thank you for your support, but going through all those emails (I wanted to check to make sure I didn't miss any reviews!) was quite the task. Tamaran girl, your spider man idea is actually kind of similar to what actually happens in the story (which is in chapter eighteen, so you all know). I've in the process of writing chapter twenty three. By the way, the five names (Merrill, Jay, Donnie, Jimmy, and Wayne) are all members of the Osmond family! You know, Donnie and Marie? "I'm a little bit country, I'm a little bit rock and roll…". No? Geesh. Tough crowd. REVIEW!

Chapter Seventeen

            That night, Jerrold and I stayed up late, trying to come up with ideas for the revolution.

            "What if we enlisted the help of Baheire?" Jerrold asked; referencing the country next to Kyrria.

            I frowned. "What's the difference between the Baheirese army and the Ayorthaian army?" I retorted.

            "You're right…" Jerrold replied.

            "I know," I responded pleasantly. I paused for a moment, thinking, and then my eyes grew wide. "Jerrold," I said gleefully, "I have a wonderful idea."

            "What?" he asked.

             "Have you ever heard the saying 'my enemy's enemy is my friend'?" I said.

            "Yes," Jerrold said. "What of?"

            "Well," I explained, "what if we gathered a council of different people, including non-humans, to help us fight?"

            Jerrold smiled. "Yes! We could all come together and fight the Kyrrian army, and secure alliances with other kingdoms while promising non-humans a safe place to live!" he cried. "You're brilliant Daria!"

            The next day at breakfast, Jerrold explained the idea. "Last night, Dar-… Lady Daria and I devised a plan. It's very large and will take a while to implement. But I don't think we'll fail," he said.

            "Well, what is it?" called a boy named Aaron.

            Jerrold laughed. "We're going to call a council, invite every race. Fairies, gnomes, elves, giants, humans. Not ogres, though, for obvious reasons. We'll have Kyrrian men, Ayorthaian men, and Baheirese men," Jerrold said. "This is where all of you come in. I need groups of you to travel to each place and convince them to join our cause. Each of you will bring them a gift and a letter from Lady Daria and I."

            There was silence for a few seconds, and then the hall erupted in cheers. People flooded around us, shaking our hands and patting our shoulders.

            "I'll go to Fairyland," said an eager boy called Johan. Two other boys agreed to go with him.

            Groups formed, deciding to go to the Elf's Forest, Gnome Caverns, and the Giant Farms. Men agreed to go to Baheire and Ayorthia, as long as Jerrold and I allowed their families to stay in the fortress.

            "Of course!" I cried. "Everyone should move their families here. It's much safer."

            That night, Jerrold and I collected our gifts for each journey. For the giants, Jerrold had a tamed centaur colt named Zeus. He'd "borrowed" it from Jenn's menagerie. The gnomes were to receive a charmed apple sapling that gave fruit year round. We decided on a set of hand painted, unbreakable bowls for the elves. The fairy gift was harder. Jerrold came up with the idea of a ring found in one of the room-caves. He made a copy of the ring, which read in ancient Kyrrian "Fu effa inyod eb"- forever in your debt. We hoped these gifts would persuade them, along with this letter.

            To Those Concerning an Alliance:

                        The oppression in Kyrria needs to stop, and the people who are trying to end the tyranny need your help. We're calling together a council of peoples and request the attendance of a few respectable delegates of your race, as well as many of your kind to help us battle the Kyrrian army. We hope you'll consider our offer.

            Forever yours,

                        Prince Jerrold of Kyrria, Duke of Jenn and Earl of the Islands,

                                    and

                        Lady Daria of Jenn, Duchess of Bast

            After we dolled out the gifts, Jerrold and I lay side by side on the fortress balcony, staring up at the sky.

            "Jerrold?" I asked, sitting up. "Where do we stand?"

            He sat up too. "What do you mean?" he asked.

            I turned to face him. "Well, we've been avoiding the topic of you-um-kissing me last night," I replied.

            Even in the dim light, I saw Jerrold blush. "Honestly Daria?" he said. "I've been attracted to you since that day I ran into you. You're a beautiful girl, you're intelligent and thoughtful, independent and original."

            For the first time, I found myself at a loss for words. "Jerrold, I…" I stuttered.

            "No, wait," Jerrold said. "I was beside myself when you were angry at me in Ayorthia. And if you're going to deny me, don't say anything. I'd rather not know."

            I laughed. "Jerrold, I couldn't deny you!"

            He stood up and offered me his hand. I took it graciously and allowed Jerrold to help me stand up. He didn't drop my hand when we'd both straightened up.

            "So where are we right now?" he asked me.

            I squeezed his hand. "Right here," I replied.

A/N: Okay, I know. Kind of short and cheesy. But hey, a little fluff never hurt anyone, right? Please humor me and review! Please! PLEASE!!