A/N: Thanks for the reviews, here is the chappie I promised! Its five pages, not a record, but still. By the way, I have been rereading the Crystal, and I am sooooooooooooo sorry about all the weird POV changes! I tried to put in little heading thingies like I do now, but they must have been deleted! I'll try and edit it as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Ella Enchanted. I do own everything else.

Have fun!

Ch. 8: Catching Up:

...Rory...

Nelly said I looked half dead, half asleep when I finally got home that night.

I didn't even bother peeling off my blood-caked tunic before falling into bed. In seconds, I was completely asleep.

Then next morning, I woke up early as usual and refreshed. Pale amber sunlight streamed through the window, washing everything in gold.

I stretched, finding my back a little sore. For a second, the sun blinded me with gold, and as my vision cleared, another image covered the backs of my eyes.

A golden ring, the same shade as the bright morning sunlight, lay in a field of plum colored wheat. It gleamed with its own radiated light.

I blinked and the picture disappeared.

Quickly, I bolted down the stairs to the kitchen.

"My, my, what a fluster." Nelly said gently and pressed a bowl of steaming corn mush into my hands. "Sleep well?"

"Yes thanks." Instantly, I had forgotten about the ring, as my body kicked in. It felt like ages since I had last eaten!

"So…. care to fill me in?"

After my blank look, she reminded me softly, "Last night. What happened? You came home a wreck and fell asleep like a baby."

"Oh!" I exclaimed. "Nell, thanks so much for everything, but I have to go! I'll have to fill you in later!"

"Rushing off again? If that ring of yours keeps you running away with out getting properly fed, clean and dressed again, I'll crush it. 'Course, never could tie you and your mother down for long." She complained.

I silenced her nagging with a kiss on the cheek, then rushed out of the door.

...Taylor...

"My lords and lady! A Royal Messenger has come from Frell with terrible news!"

"Bring him in, Tybolt! My father called down to our butler.

I heard the doors screeching open in the hall from the dining room, where Mother, Father and I were eating breakfast.

In ran a short, chubby man in a green velvet tunic and white cotton breaches, the colors of Frell. His garments were ripped and splattered with blood and he had a long gash along his right arm.

He stumbled and swayed a little. Just then, Rosie rushed through the servant entrance with her medical bag clenched under one arm. She got right to work cleansing and stitching.

"Please, man, tell us your news! Then you may rest!" Father said.

"There has been an ambush." The man said breathlessly. "Huge men in black and maroon colors attacked shortly after noon three days ago." He paused, gritting his teeth as Rosie applied a putrid smelling herb cleanser to his wounds.

"I myself saw his highness, the Prince, ride in with his men. A lucky few, including myself His Majesty and Her Majesty and the princesses Lydia and Clementa, locked ourselves in a high palace room. They last of the barbarians left late last night.

"The death toll is few: two foot soldiers, a maid and– all of the Prince's escort."

My mother gasped and covered her eyes.

"Continue." My father spoke softly. His hands gripped the plush chair's arms with white knuckles.

"13 died, sir, and one was kidnapped– "

"Eric. They took Eric." My mother moaned.

"Yes. Prince Eric was captured." The man bowed his head.

"Where– where did these men come from?" I asked shakily.

"They were huge, burly soldiers with war horses even more monstrous. No one in the palace could place their crest."

"What is the design? Tell me, man!" my father stood up abruptly from the table and utensils, tea, and the rest of our breakfast flew all over. It didn't matter, however, I had lost my appetite.

Mother stood, finally collected, and placed a hand on Father's arm. "There is no need for anger at a friend, dear. Please control yourself."

He put a hand on top Mother's and caressed it gentle. "That was uncalled for. I am sincerely sorry. Please continue." He said strongly.

"Here is the emblem." He replied, and reached into this tunic. He pulled out a sheet of parchment, with a neatly drawn design in the center.

"Scribes made copies, to be shown all around the kingdom. We will be prepared for another attack."

An eye with an arrow and sword forming a cross in the fuchsia background. A golden snake curved along the border, its eyes pocked out and bleeding.

All I could think of was,

Eric.

A/N: Well, here it is. A little more PG than I'd like, but whatever.

I am writing a new story! It's going to be very interesting, it'll be published sometime in March, hopefully. I'll be working on that one for a while, I think.

Now, everyone, AFTER YOU REVIEW, check out our other story, One Last Chance! REN's writing it this time. Its super good.

Happy Oscar Night! I have just come from watching. The aviator shoulda own best everything, if you ask me. I cant wait to see Million Baby.

Tah tah for now!