You guys! Here is the newest chapter. All will be revealed, in this chapter and you guys will finally understand what is going on! Read on and see! Oh, sadly I don't own Slayers, and because of that, I am going to go cry on my steps now! Enjoy! Now on with the Fic!

Mariah Sunshine

Maids rushed quickly to and fro in the kitchen, their long dresses sweeping the floor as they walked about. The eldest of the maids, Esther, loaded her arms up with trays and swayed her wait into the Grand Hallway. A storm was brewing outside and every so often a torched blew out, leaving the Hallway a dreary and frightening mess. Esther kept her head high and her legs swift as she worked her way slowly to the Conference room. Strong winds followed by debris and rain littered the windowsills and she reminded herself to clear its way before she returned to the kitchen. She scurried along like a mouse returning to its chambers, and stood at the door of the Conference room. Angry yells and soft whispers went on behind these doors. She often joined in the conversation and offered her help and advice to the Princess and Prince and whatever she knew was kept in her head and never mentioned outside the doors. That is, if she valued her neck. Turning around, she allowed her large bottom to clear passage for her as she entered the room, with tons of food, piled high on the silver serving trays.

Lina instantly looked up the door. Her face was a ghostly pale, and her features were slimmer since the banquet 3 days ago. Esther had watched her sudden decline in health, and hated to see the ambassador in such a worry. Gourry ate as often as Lina but it looked almost as if he too were losing weight. Thinking to herself that she would eventually have to hand feed these two, she quickly laid the trays on the table, and began to distribute the food.

She saw the look on Lina's face. It as a look of both nauseous and weariness.
Surely she would have to convince Lina and Gourry to eat before they blew away in the terrible storm. Once the plates were distributed and the food on each plate she proceeded to stand by the side of her dear Princess Amelia and whisper into her ear. Amelia responded and nodded enthusiastically to the maid sending her off in a hurry.

Like I was saying Amelia, Lina called back the attention of everyone without even glancing at her plate. Gourry began to pick and slowly eat his food, but more was wasted than ever got into his mouth. I believe the answer to our problems, lie in this locket.

Lina held the locket up for the table to see. Zegaldis simply nodded his head as he sipped his coffee, and Amelia's eyes glittered from the beauty of the jewelry. Gourry turned him head to his plate, still very angry at the fact that Lina had almost lost her life for that damned necklace.

While we were in the town… I found it…underwater connected to a skeleton. It is similar to the one Rhina wore around her neck.

She slid it gently across the table and Amelia held it up for inspection. Esther reentered the room with a large bottle of wine in her hand. Surely that would get Lina and Gourry relaxed enough to eat. And sure enough, Lina and Gourry's mouth was watering for the relaxing and intoxicating drink. She made her rounds around the table, including to the coffee drinking Zegaldis and finally made her way to Amelia. Amelia paid no mind to the movements of the maid until she dropped the wine bottle and shattered it across the floor. Amelia felt shards of glass and cups of wine soak her dress and ankles. Crying out in pain, she drew back from her seat and stood a good ways away from Esther and the mess.

Your highness! Forgive me please! Esther begged as she began to pick up glass shards and moped up the mess with her dress.

What is the meaning of this Esther? Such a trained maid with the wisdom of your years would surely not to have made a mistake as dropping the bottle of the most expensive wine in the country! That bottle was the last in stock from Zephilia! What is of this!

Everyone was taken aback by Amelia's outburst. Lina brought the wine to her lips and sipped, you just like home. Zegaldis ran to her side and patted her hand calming her down, and Gourry began to wonder if Zegaldis' and Lina's temper was rubbing off on poor Amelia. Suddenly, Amelia's eyes went wide and she fell to the floor and began helping Esther all the while apologizing for her rude temper.

OH! Esther! Please forgive me. It has been a rough time these past few days. The town's economy was dropping, and Mariah is still missing. Everything is just in disarray and this terrible storm is doing nothing to help my nerves!

Your Highness! Please get off your dress! If Amadala were to see you treat your gowns in such a way she would have both of our heads! Please, I beg of your forgiveness. I did not mean to drop the bottle. It is just that…the necklace, I have seen it! I know of that necklace.

Lina whose ears had perked up suddenly stood and slammed her fists sharply on the table. When all eyes were drawn on her she spoke.

Esther! You know of the necklace, please, leave the mess on the floor. Call Maria to come clean it up. I demand to know what you know of the necklace right this minute!

Esther who slightly trembled under Lina's tone of voice looked at the Princess. Amelia stood with the helped of Zegaldis and gave her a nod. Esther then stood herself. She then walked to the doors and called out for Maria before settling besides Lina and beginning her story.

Your Highnesses, Ambassadors, please, do not persecute me for the info I am about to provide you with. Sighing deeply Esther continued. This necklace was said to have been created more than a thousand years ago, by Priestess of high power. The Priestess was not well known, and had decided that she would have something created in her honor for the world to see. You see…It is said that the Priestess was a fair maiden who was shunned by the men for her sexual status, and her power and skills.

Lina leaned forward and taking another swig of her wine glue her eyes on Esther. Gourry leaned back in his chair as his eyes began to wander across the room, and finally resting on a fly that conveniently seated itself upon his plate of food. Zegaldis and Amelia sat hand in hand, breathe held, and eyes wide, watching intently as Esther continued.

Many days and many nights she sat in her temple and created a necklace with her grace and skill that would far surpass anything even the finest blacksmith could make. The women in the town heard of what the Priestess was doing and decided that they too wanted something precious of their own created by the Priestess. Sadly, the blacksmiths heard as well. One more importantly. He despised the Priestess because she would never accept him as her love. He riled the men against her and came and paid her a visit in the wee hours of the morning. She could not see anything you see, because it was indeed the wee hours of the morning, so taking her necklace, she went to the temple windows and looked outside. She saw nothing but darkness, and fear began to grow inside of her. It was then that she decided to instill light upon the necklace for her legacy to the world. It would guide the person who wore it and shine through the most evilness of darkness.

The blacksmith heard her and decided it best to hide, and return another day, after they were well prepared. By the next night, the eclipse had arrived and darkness enveloped the forest. A young lady who often spent her time by the Priestess was in her presence along with her child. The Priestess blessed the child, and on the night of such darkness gave the child a light to help guide her through the night, the necklace. The black smith… they….they returned that night, and burned the temple with the Priestess inside. The young mother and her child managed to escape, but not for long. The blacksmiths were on a rampage and demanded the sight of blood, that one in particular led the group. They chased the mother and child to the lake where… they had her and the child backed against the waters. The mother held tight to her child, as she walked slowly into the waters away from the group. Much to their amazement, she was walking on water. The rest of the black smith turned tail and ran, but that evil one.. Oh no, he stayed and pursued her on the water. It turned out he too could walk on water. He chased the mother and daughter out to the middle of the lake, where they fought viciously. He managed to grab the child from the woman's hands, and suddenly, all three fell into the waters. The mother, who couldn't swim, paddled as hard as she could. When she reached the shore she ran screaming until she reached the next town. The blacksmith… well it is not know if he lived, or died, but it is believe that he managed to leave the water. The poor babe…she…she… she drowned at the bottom of the lake. It was confirmed the next day by sunlight, from two swimmers in the town the mother arrived in. She cried, and mourned her poor child, and told the wicked tale of the blacksmith and the necklace. Since that day, she was well protected by the town, and held on most high by the people in the community. Her children were considered holy, and her grandchildren on down. The town watched over their family, and every year they go down to the lake and tell the tale of the tiny baby, and the death of the Priestess.

The woman had spoken so quickly, that it took a moment for it to all register. Lina had attended the ceremony… but she didn't realize that that was what it was for. She had heard the tale, but only vaguely. That it was for the forgotten Priestess and the child, but never had she thought it would have been such a tragedy. All eyes turned to Lina. Even Gourry who had originally stopped listening was now attentive and looking for answers from his wife.

So… that is what the dreams are for? Lina asked herself. The darkness, the shattering of glass. Being held back by the darkness? Is this what she was fighting? The brown and purple…the baby, Rhina's heritage. The forest and her running. Was that what this was all about? When the cherry blossoms enveloped her when she learned of Mariah… was that the place where the temple was? It was so obvious now! The glass, the shattering, like it would in the fire. Lina looked up and stared at the faces of her dearest friends. Amelia, so sweet so loving. Zegaldis so sarcastic and helpful… Esther so wise and kind… and finally Gourry. She turned to her Gourry and walked to his side. It was there standing beside him that she revealed the meaning of each dream to their friends. The meaning of each revelation that happened to her. How she almost drowned for the necklace, like the mother of the child. How the Priestess embraced their presence in the woods. Why the glass had shattered her and the child's bond, and most importantly, why she and the child had the red glow of blood on their foreheads.

After all had been revealed. Esther excused herself to the maid's quarters and Lina asked her friends outside on the veranda.

My dearest friends. You've been by my side for many years now, and we've each grown, and fell in love. With that Gourry pulled Lina close, and Zegaldis pulled Amelia close. And we've all witnessed the bliss that the tiny Mariah has bestowed upon Gourry and myself. I ask of you, as dearest friends, and as loving companions, to keep your distance, while Gourry and I, return to the sight of the lake tomorrow at the beginning of the eclipse, to retrieve our daughter.

The shock that fell upon Amelia and Zegaldis was unbearable. How can they not allow them to go? They were their dearest friends, and they wanted Mariah back as much as they did. Lina and Gourry turned and began to exit, and Amelia ran after them in protest. Lina turned to her friends, and rushed to embrace Amelia. Once Amelia was in a tight hug, Lina spoke.

Amelia, you know, that you are one of my dearest friends, which is why I cannot bare the idea of you getting hurt, especially with the lost of another dear friend. Please, I beg of you, respect my wishes, and allow me the ability to save my baby.

Amelia pulled back from Lina with tears in her eyes. Her mouth turned to protest but by then Lina had already turned and exited. Zegaldis pulled her tight into his arms, and Amelia cried bitterly. Gourry had stayed behind to get a look at his friends, and then turned and followed his heart broken wife into their room. Zegaldis leaned down and whispered into his wife's ears.

If they can be hardheaded so can we.

Amelia looked up at her husband who was now looking down at her with a smile. She nodded and brushed at the tears on her face. Arm in arm, they turned as well, and exited the veranda.

You guys what do you think so far? In my opinion this chapter was the most exciting so far. I had a writer's block about what to really write next and suddenly it hit me! So what do you think? Review and let me know! I must do many other things as well, so until next time! Goodbye!