As you may have read from my page, I am returning to continue, finish, and coincidentally begin this story again. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read, review, or even think about glancing at this story. And for anything I have up on this site.

Mm, the content may be a little different, as I decide to keep some parts of the dialogue but change others. The storyline is still the same though, don't worry.

Disclaimer: Yes, I've decided to rewrite this story again. No, I'm not crazy, and yes, this is the revised version right here. Hm? Oh, no, I don't claim to have any rights or ownership of the Enchanted Forest or its respective characters. Yes, I will take claim to original characters, being Medea, Jerald, and Herald.

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Chapter One: In which the wizards are quiet, Cimorene receives a letter, and traveling arrangements are made.

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It's amazing how strong silence and stealth can overpower even the boldest of actions. In fact, sneakiness can be a tactic that one can refer to as curious. Cimorene was annoyed.

"Things have been quiet lately, don't you agree?" Cimorene remarked casually to her husband. She was lying upon the bed with her hands folded loosely behind her head for support. Although her appearance seemed carefree, her thoughts were racing. No problems. No commotion. Even the nightshades had no reportable disturbance. In the Enchanted Forest? How was it even remotely possible?

"Wholeheartedly." Mendanbar replied as he brought a hand up to his chin in thought. "It's not even a question of failure! The wizards haven't made so much as an effort as to even breathe the air in the Enchanted Forest." He stood from his spot in a chair, and crossed the room to sit upon a corner of the bed instead.

"And we know for a fact that the last fiasco the wizards were involved in didn't harm their organization." Cimorene added thoughtfully as she sat up from her relaxed position. "Imagine it Mendanbar. Drama can only ensue from their idleness. When those crazy old men aren't up to anything, truly, they're up to something."

Mendanbar almost laughed, and turned to look at her. It was amazing how she could lighten up a serious diplomatic situation. A knock at the door interrupted his response. Mendanbar silently groaned and fell back onto the bed, knowing who was at the door. Cimorene smirked and shook her head as she looked down at him.

"Dear, you know better than to ignore Willin." She said playfully and kissed his forehead before getting off the bed. Mendanbar hesitantly got up and followed her to the door. Cimorene opened it and sure enough, Willin was looking up at them. He extended his arm up to her, an envelope held loosely in his fingertips.

"For her royal highness, Queen Cimor-" Willin began to announce before the royal couple cut him off.

"That really isn't necessary Willin-" Mendanbar began, but knowing how blunt her husband tended to be at times, Cimorene finished his sentence.

"-But thank you just the same." She reached out and Willin handed her the letter. He bowed and scuttled off to attend to other duties around the castle. Cimorene shut the door and turned to look at Mendanbar. He snuck away a few moments before and had taken her comfortable spot upon the bed.

"Cimorene, love, if the wizards were going to do anything, they would have done it by now." Mendanbar spoke up as he closed his eyes in thought. "I say we just take advantage of the serenity."

"I agree. Maybe we worry too much." She smiled at him before she looked down to open what she had received. Turning the envelope over to break the seal, she stopped. Her parent's royal seal? She walked over and sat upon the edge of the bed. Cimorene thought a moment; she hadn't forgotten anything, had she? Birthdays, anniversaries…no, she had not forgotten. Then what was it? She peered a little closer at the markings in the seal, and she held back a gasp.

"So, who is it from?" Mendanbar asked as he opened his eyes to look at her.

"My mother…" She shook her head. "We had a bit of… code, back at the castle. Certain seals mean different things…" As she spoke she broke the wax emblem and opened the envelope.

"Really?" Mendanbar asked, interested as he began to sit up. "What does that one mean?"

"This one represents the utmost emergency. Extreme concern." Cimorene whispered as she continued to read.

"Oh." Mendanbar said as he watched her read. He didn't want to break her concentration, but after she grew silent for several minutes he became concerned. "Cimorene?" He asked gently, and reached for her hand.

Cimorene shook her head slightly, and turned to face her husband. "I'm fine." She gave his hand a small squeeze if only to confirm what she said.

"Love, you're …pale. What's wrong?"

Cimorene let out a shaky sigh. "My mother says that something is wrong with my father."

"Does she mention anything specific?" Mendanbar asked, and watched as she shook her head.

"No. But she says that my father wants me to go to Linderwall to see him." Cimorene could only think of the worst. She had no contact with her parents since the wedding, and even then, everyone was well. As she zoned out to think of the possibilities, Mendanbar had slipped off the bed to stand in front of her.

This was a new expression that Mendanbar had thought of as foreign. It was rare to witness any form of emotional or physical weakness from his wife.

"Cimorene…" Mendanbar said again, to try to get her attention. It worked; she blinked and looked up at Mendanbar. She stood to meet his gaze, to offer an explanation. Anything to distract and ease her thoughts.

"I'm sorry Mendanbar. I don't know why-" She stopped short as Mendanbar gently pulled her into a hug. His arms encircled her waist and held her close. She closed her eyes and smiled as she brought her arms up to wrap around his neck.

"You're about to tell me that you let your emotions guide your reactions," He whispered. "And I'm here to tell you that there's nothing wrong with that." He felt her gently kiss his cheek, and he smiled sadly. "Now, you're telling me that you'll be leaving in the morning. An impulse that I won't be able to convince you from if I tried. Am I right?"

"You know me well." Cimorene answered, and pulled back so that she could look him in the eye. "I won't be gone long."

Mendanbar shook his head, "Don't restrict yourself. Take as long as you need."

Cimorene smiled, "I love you." She closed the distance between them and captured his lips before he had the chance to say anything.

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The next morning, Cimorene was ready to go. A leather satchel hung from her shoulder with ease; she packed light. She wore a dark blue tunic with matching leggings, browns boots that resided to her knees, and a dark midnight black cloak. A plain scabbard protected a magic sword that hung loosely to her side. Her hair was pulled back in braids and hung away from her face.

Everyone gathered outside of the castle to see their friend off and to wish her a safe journey. Kazul muttered under her breath about the traveling arrangements, even though Cimorene explained numerous times that horseback was the easiest way. They had no magic carpet, and the King of the Dragons couldn't just leave on such short notice, so flying was completely out of the question. Mendanbar had to stay, and as for Telemain's risky transportation spells…well, she preferred the horse.

She said a short farewell to everyone, and then walked over to where Mendanbar and her horse were waiting. As expected, the horse was a little skittish around Kazul, and had to be distanced. Cimorene smiled at her friends one more time before she turned and took Mendanbar's arm. To make things easier, he was going to see her to the edge of the forest.

"Hold on," Mendanbar teased as he flicked one of the invisible threads of magic that weaved throughout the Enchanted Forest. Morwen, Telemain, and Kazul watched as the couple disappeared. Upon mutual agreement, all gathered inside to wait for Mendanbar's return.

The scenery changed when Cimorene opened her eyes again. The thick moss thinned, the great trees were few and scattered; they were at the edge of the Enchanted Forest. The horse was a little discombobulated, and stomped its feet in confusion.

"Here we are." Mendanbar said quietly when his vision focused again. Of course, he didn't want Cimorene to go, she needed to. Everything would be fine, he reminded himself.

"Are you sure you're going to be all right?" Cimorene asked again as she stepped closer, and rested her hand gently upon his cheek. "Honey, you don't look so well."

"No, no. I'm fine, really." He claimed quickly. And Cimorene smiled as she took the reigns from his hand and let it fall. The horse wouldn't go anywhere.

"You're such a bad liar." Cimorene teased as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Just give me one week." She leaned in and kissed his lips. "And I'll be back. Don't worry." Before he could object, she leaned in again and kissed him more passionately. She reluctantly pulled back after a few moments, and quickly mounted on her horse before anything else would be said.

"Watch the border for me?" Cimorene asked playfully, her eyes bright.

Mendanbar finally forgot about his hesitation and smiled, "Even if I have to stand here all week."

"I love you."

"I love you too." And at Mendanbar's words the horse acknowledged his rider's actions, and sped off in the direction she guided it to. In a few minutes time she was out of sight, and Mendanbar sighed heavily as he teleported back to the castle.

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Hysterical laughter echoed loudly throughout a small castle tower. Shadows danced from a cauldron in the middle of the room, as it was the only source of light.

"Ha! I can't believe this, Jerald look! She took the bait!" The voice of a young woman filled the air, and she stepped back and pointed at the enchanted cauldron. A small frog on a wooden table looked up to acknowledge her, and then went back to his previous activity of sleeping.

"Yeah…Jerald. Try to contain your excitement." The woman rolled her eyes in the darkness. "But just look at that fool Cimorene! Rushing off to a false emergency in a far away kingdom. And what's this?" She questioned with false surprise, "She left her husband all alone? For shame!" The sound of footsteps echoed in the room as the woman circled the cauldron again.

"I suppose that I should give those wizards some credit. They are the ones who helped me set my plan in motion." She waved her hand over the glowing cauldron to emphasize her point. Shadows flickered upon her face as the image in the pot faded away. "I've waited too long for this Jerald. Too long. Mendanbar will be mine."