A/N- Randomness…it that good? I've started to change some of the earlier chapters so it makes more sense with the later chapters- Kel is to be found soon enough, and romance? Well you'll just have to wait and see… I'm really ecstatic that you all find it funny, as some of you may noticed the properties has changed from Tragedy/Action/Adventure to /Action/Adventure/Humour- because well, I'm better at humour.

In this chapter you'll get to see the intelligent side of Jonathan, the one that no one else seems to see, bless him, I hope you all feel bad after reading this for calling him stupid. He was just misunderstood… (I took ages writing his little emotions speech, so if you could comment on it, that'd be great.)

I'm thinking about giving a name to our Jolly band of fighters, how about the Fellowship of the Neal? Any suggestions would be appreciated, and one will be used in the chapter just before they set off, with a mention at the A/N for you.

Disclaimer- is as always; if you don't know what it is, read the other chapters please…Song words are the lyrics from 'Bad Day' by Daniel Powter.

Chapter 24 : Directions, Emotions and Bad Days

Recap In the castle: "How's that for a lady who can't do anything, huh? Just don't mess with Daine and her trusty –frying pan? - Again. Humph."

Recap in the woods: She turned around and realised she was being watched curiously by everyone. "There's a slight problem back at the Palace…"

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"I can't believe you just did that- it was uncalled for, unprovoked, malicious and just plain nasty. You know what this means, don't you?"

"What?" Daine asked; the smug look from breaking Kai's nose still on her face.

"War." With that she turned around and stormed out the door, tripping over her own feet out in the bustling corridor and bringing three new pages down with her. She'd tried to make a grand exit, one to strike fear into the hearts of those around her, one that would suddenly start a storm on a sunny day, or make a rustle of whispers turn deadly quiet; but instead she ended up looking like a clown with big feet, a broken nose, and a black-and-blue bruise forming on her forehead. 'At least it was an improvement from last time,' she thought, grimacing to herself.

Daine faced Jonathan, who was now swaying on the spot to non existent music. He then stared to sing out of tune-

"You had a bad day

You're taking one down

You sing a sad song just to turn it around

You say you don't know

You tell me don't lie

You work at a smile and you go for a ride

You had a bad day"

"Are you kidding me?" Daine had to admit, though he was annoying, irritating, and brainless, he was quite a good singer.

"Excuse me? I don't quite comprehend…"

"You had a bad day!"

"Well it's not been great, I have to admit."

"Bad day? Think about it Jonathan- you've made an enemy for life, you've been tricked into sending your best fighters out of your sight, and you've waged war on someone who has a God on their side! Mithros be; it's the Immortals wars all over again. Wait- this is worse than that, we had fighters then."

"What am I then?"

"Just don't tempt me to start on that list Jonathan."

"I can fight! I've been to known to kill men just with my-"

"-stupidity, maybe? Yes, I've heard that rumour as well."

Jonathan's eyes welled up with tears, "So you don't think I can fight?"

Daine started to feel guilty now, she'd made him cry. "No no, it's not that, it's just, well you're not the smartest-"

"Is that what you think of me Daine? That I'm stupid, moronic and that I can't even defend my country? You don't understand what I have to go through every single day as King! It's harder than it looks, and it takes a man or woman of a certain standard to be a good ruler, so don't even think about calling me that again- and that goes to you as well!" he shouted towards the door, where a crowd of knights, pages, squires and noblemen had formed. "I'm not an idiot like everyone thinks! I have feelings, if you prick me I'll bleed, I'm the same as everyone else here- emotions and all. If you all can't see that, then I guess I have to prove to you that I can. I'm disappointed in you all, how can you say things like that behind my back and think I won't hear about them? I'm not oblivious to these things, I choose to ignore them. If you had a problem with the way I act, you should have said it to me, not gossiped while I wasn't looking. Now get out of my sight, all of you, I have nothing more to say." Jonathan had thought they were his friends, while in fact; the whole castle had seemed to talk about his idiocy while his back was turned. He had a country of traitors, of people that had let him down, and he in turn had let them down. He'd prove to them that he could be a good King, even if it was the last thing he ever did, he'd die showing the Kingdom that he was more than just a waste of space…

(In the woods)

Alanna had recapped the letter to the group, along with her reply. She'd left out the bit about the greedy bird called Bob though; otherwise it would ruin the urgency of the atmosphere.

"What do you all think? Did I do the right thing?"

Numair was the only one to speak up, the rest were still in shock. "Yes, you made the right choice. Although I think we should just pick up the pace and stay with them a while longer, just in case the forest throws something dangerous at us again. At the moment I believe we shouldn't stand here for much longer, it's been half a day and we still haven't found the cave. If we don't soon, we'll have to stay the night here- and personally, I would prefer not to be killed in my sleep if it's avoidable."

"Ok," Alanna had decided to take charge, "George, can you get the map out for us? We need to check if we're still going in the right direction."

"I don't have the map lass; I gave it to Dom to look after."

Everyone turned to look at Dom. "I haven't got it! I passed it to Numair while I tied up the horses."

Numair was now under inspection. "Don't look at me that way, I let Neal hold it while I sorted out the bags."

The dawning realisation that Neal had the only map washed over the group, "Neal," Alanna asked gently, "Do you have the map Numair gave you?"

"Not on me." Gasps emerged from the rest of rescue team but Alanna was quick to recover. "So it's in your pack?"

"I doubt it."

"Neal, where is it?" Alanna's temper was surfacing; it wouldn't be long before she wouldn't be able to hold it any longer.

"I had it last when those acid cats attacked, but I remember dropping it and erm…fighting."

"You mean hiding?"

"You could put it that way, yes."

"So you've lost our map."

"No! It'll just be a bit torn and mud soaked is all." Neal ran to a nearby pile of mud, went down on all fours, and dug out a sheet of parchment. "Here! I told you I hadn't lost it."

"The ink's all run, the scroll is stained, the mud is dry and well it's unreadable- but well done, you proved that we can't let you look after anything from now on."

"Fair play, I suppose. I do have a picture memory though, if you want to know which way to go."

"Now is not the time for jokes Neal." Dom stated, leaning up against a tree and rubbing his temples with his fingers.

"No, seriously; I remember last time we checked, just before the things struck, we were five miles north of the castle, there is a three hundred paces stream to the right of us, and we're only a mile or so away from the cave- which is in…"He spun around. "That direction- which I believe is North West. So let's get moving."

"We're meant to trust you?"

"Life is all about taking risks Dom."