Explanations

I didn't expect to see Lin running toward me in the middle of the night. I wasn't expecting Huan to be on the edge to murder her for disturbing his sleep. I exceptionally didn't expect to see Suo and Ren alive. But it all happened. I stared at them in disbelief.

"You're alive!" was all that I could said.

They smiled at me.

"Of course," Ren scowled softly.

I hugged them both dearly. "I'm so happy."

"Suo," Huan interrupted the moment.

Ren tensed, seeing Huan for the first time.

"Huan," Suo acknowledged. "It has been a long time. I see you remember Qian."

"How can one forget?" he smirked.

I blushed.

Ren bustled slightly, and said to me, "We need to return to the capital considering the fact that the alliance was a failure." His eyes never left Huan, and his hand clutched tightly on his sword, ready to attack.

"Ren," I smoothed, "don't."

Ren looked shocked at my request, and was about to refuse when Suo nudged him.

"Huan won't harm us," he said to Ren.

Lin also inputted, "I agree with Brother Suo. Brother Huan won't harm you…or Sister Qian."

Ren glared, loosen his grip. "We need to leave now, Princess."

I looked distressed. My reasonable self knew I am needed in the capital; my kingdom and people need me. Yet, a part of myself does not wish to leave Huan.

"Surely we can compromise?" I asked hopefully.

Suo and Ren exchanged looks, while Lin look doubtful, and Huan…well, I didn't know what was Huan thinking…his face was impassive.

Finally, Lin, unable to withstand the silence, she spoke up, "We can try."

Huan snorted, "The Imperial want us dead."

Ren retorted, "Well, the Dragons want us dead!"

I tugged Huan by the sleeves, "There is nothing we can do to avoid this war?"

Huan shook his head. "The Imperial had hunted us, and resulting our desire for revenge. Now that we are so close to our goal, my men won't back down."

Suo nodded, "Not to mention that the word is, Prince Jing is gathering men."

My heart hurts. Over the short amount of time I had spent in the Red Dragon village, I had come to care for the people who live here dearly. I have come to love these mix-bloods as my own people. Yet now, my kingdom is on the verge of war with my new-founded friends. I can do nothing. Both sides are filled with hate.

Useless…utterly useless; I can do nothing.

Huan hugged me and sighed. "Go to the capital. Talk to your people, I will talk to mine."

"Yes, and I will stay as a hostage," Suo alleged. "As a promise that the Imperial meant no harm."

"And I'll leave with Sister Qian," Lin smiled.

I stared. "Huan…Suo…Lin," I whispered.

Ren sighed. "Just like you Qian…always changing people." He wiped my joyful tears away. "Well, then, come on. We need to stop the advancement of your brother's."

I nodded. Maybe I am not that useless after all.

Rising Dawn

We rode our horse as fast as the wind. We rode our horse as hard as they are willing to run. I need to stop Jing. I need to stop this meaningless war. No…not meaningless. I need to stop this blood bounds.

I see the warriors. Warriors with our imperial symbol, the phoenix.

"Jing!" I shouted toward the mass of warriors. "Jing!"

He didn't hear me.

I rode harder.

"JING!" I cried again. "Jing, please stop this! Stop!"

This time the wind had carried my voice to him. He turns toward me, surprised. "Qian! You live!" Joyfully, he rode up to me.

"Stop," I breathe when he came near. "Stop the war!"

He stared at me, "Qian," he tried to explain. "The are enemies."

"They aren't!" I shouted. "Blood is!"

Warriors gathered. "Please!" I said to the crowd. "Blood bind is the cause for this war! We thought to be superior; we hunted them. It is the blood that causes this war. How many more men shall fall for this? How many more family that will be torn apart?"

"Please. They are not the enemy! If we can just compromise…if we can just try to understand!" I was crying now. "They had take care of me when I was lost." I left out the part of the attack in fear that it would only cause more desire for the war. "They are like us. They are us!"

I didn't know if I got through to them…my strength had left me…I was falling to darkness. "Please," I whispered as I lost my consciousness.

I woke up to a bright light. I looked around. I was in my room.

Was it all a dream? Was I asleep all this time?

Someone entered.

My eyes widen in recognization. "Huan?"

He smiled at me warmly. "You did it, Qian."

"Did it?" I asked.

"Yes, you stopped the war,"

My lips curved into a small grin. I wasn't as useless as I thought.

A knock on the door leads me back to realization.

"Princess?"

It was Suo.

"Come in," I said.

He entered, but not alone. Behind him, he dragged a very reluctant Anna, followed by Ren and Lin. He smirked mischievously at me. "Anna here wants to say something to you," he explained.

Anna glared.

Sighing in defeat, Anna began, "Qian…Princess, I…apologize for my…behavior."

Ren snorted.

Lin bounced excitedly. "Sister Qian! You are alright!"

I replied, "Yes, everything is alright!"

From that moment, I knew…everything is going to be alright. A new beginning for all of us. And I vow, I will break the binds which hatred feeds on.

I looked up at Huan and pulled him down. "We'll make it, won't we?"

"Yes," he answered me lovingly, "everyone will make it."

Outside, the sun rose in a beautiful gold, and my brother Jing took the throne…

The End

Author:

I know it's crappy…I really wanted to be more descriptive…but it'll only be longer, and I doubted you would like to read with all of my horrible grammar. So to spear you the pain, I shorten it. Anyway…I know it's kind of fluffy, fluffy, but like I had said: first time happy ending. Seriously, I really wanted to end it sad, but then I'll have to write about the betrayal, the fighting, the crying, the pain, and etc. etc…so no, I decided to end it happy. But don't worry, next time I'll make sure it ends sad. (Hey! You! Don't run away!) Thanx you for reading …even though I am forcing you to read it… --;