Hello All I'm back again! WOOT WOOT!

I promise to be quiet about spoilers in the future books. Since this fic takes place after the war against Nadil I spoiled myself on whatever I could on the entire series and what happens damn near broke my poor heart. cries Okahmi is a genius but she is pulling what my friends and I call a Yu Watase (she created Fushgi Yuugi and Ceres Celestial Legend), which simply means that she kills off the best characters. IT JUST KILLS ME!

Just as a warning this chapter contains a……rather risqué YAOI scene! So don't be mortified when you come across it, I take no blame in the spoiling of young people's minds.

Alright, I'm going to be quiet now and let you guys read. Don't forget to review it! Remember, reviews new chapters faster!

Somewhere in an Underground Castle in Arinas

Theisinger snickered as he severed the mind connection he had with his faithful servant and sat back in his high backed chair, lacing his long fingers together and observing the crystalline orb that was set beside him. He had always like the chair that he sat in, being made of sharpened, twisting black iron that strongly resembled the flames of Hell, with the bloodstains on it and all. It seemed to scare the living daylights out of any imbecile that was put in his presence. The stand that his globe sat on was a perfect match of it, minus the fact that it was smeared with no red. This was placed between two columns similar to the ones that decorated the room, draped with ripped and fading black silk in a fashion that would have been elegant should the material be in better conditions.

The fortress that he ruled certainly had a fitting name: Hell's Gate. Very, very fitting indeed, especially the throne room where he now sat in, patiently waiting for the next round of entertainment that was sure to come his way. The entire structure was set beneath the surface of Arinas, with only a single entrance in or out of the entire complex, being the highest window of the tallest tower. Above the earth, the structure resembled the ruins of some ancient building but if one were bold enough to jump down into the pitch-blackness of the hollow room, he would gently drop down before the doors of the great throne room of the castle. That is of course, if his blood was that of a demon's and/or his mind was loyal to Theisinger's cause. Members of the Dragon or Spirit Tribes or a demon intending betrayal would have to find their way through his castle, which was a complicated maze of clever, deadly traps.

The entryway to the greeting chambers was made of a pair of old, worn wood that had faded to gray through the years, scratched with marks and splattered with dried blood, which were standing firmly shut by the black iron latches that were bolted to them. When one walked through these, he found himself standing at the head of the Grand Hall, under his boots a thin, worn and shredded red carpet, the center isle. Lining this at a generous width were columns that led all the way up to the opposite end of the hall, made of old, crumbling black marble that reached up to the high ceiling. The isle looked as if it was the last thing that one would ever see that was remotely pleasant for the rest of eternity, and this led up to the ostensibly unapproachable throne that stood on the high rising platform with a dozen or so steps leading up to the top.

Theisinger began to crack all thirty-one joints of his long, sharp nailed fingers, filling the hall with a loud bone cracking noise. Ha, he had always enjoyed the sound of someone, anyone's bones cracking under his hand. Hell he liked any sound or notion of pain if he was the one inflicting it. Glancing off to his left, the wizard gazed at a portrait of the late Demon wizard Nadil, although the canvas certainly wasn't as it had been when it had first been painted. It was practically in shreds, with the marks and rips of knives and axes thrown at it by mere frustration or boredom, depending on which one the middle aged demon was in.

Theisinger sneered…he had always loathed Nadil, he was far too shrewd, messy, and all in general not very clever or informed when it came to the Dragon Tribe. Although the late wizard had come so very close of reaching his accomplishment, his fatal mistake of manipulating Rath Illuser to do his bidding was his greatest downfall. No, to infiltrate the Dragon Tribe one needed a young, beautiful, clever, but able woman to gather your information if you wanted to live to succeed, which was why Enyaren was such a fortunate find. The girl was easily convinced when she had seen her dead weakling parents. She wasn't like Cesia or Rath either because she didn't have the magical or physical power to beat him under any aspect.

Ah yes…she was indeed his most valuable little pawn in his whole scheme.

Oh perhaps he was a bit of a copycat, but overthrowing Dusis to pass the time of immortality could be a fun way to do so. It had taken him less then a week to conquer all of Arinas and to be sure that all of the youkai living there knew and acknowledged him as their leader, but the demon lord knew it would take much longer to conquer Dusis and the Dragon Tribe. Lykouleon's head on a platter would simply have to wait. Enyaren needed to gain information on him, the whore called the Dragon Queen, and anyone close to the blonde haired King before he tried anything. Hn, Lykouleon's kindness would be his greatest downfall, especially when he'd rip out his heart from its strings in his chest.

Theisinger had always known he was destined to be something great, ever since he was a young child. The Gods had blessed him with the body of one of their own. He stood a proud seven feet tall and his hair was a long, dark, dark crimson red color that fell down to his waist that he generally kept tied back at the nape of his neck and wrapped in a crisscrossing line of black silk string. His face was still young and handsome, despite the scar that ran from the corner of his left eye down to a millimeter before the corner of his mouth.

It was an old wound from a battle against a particularly strong demonic cat that had guarded the caves of Mount Emphaza in Dusis, when he had first began to investigate the kingdom of the Dragon Lord. Rumor was that it was created by Kharl the Alchemist and been sold to Nadil for a hefty sum to use as a henchman to do his dirty work. The creature had swiped a claw across his face, which had been his signal to leave, and that had been what he had done, without further disturbing the lion like youkai. He doubted that the demon was still alive, however magnificent it had been.

He had long since perfected his bronze-skinned body with a lean but muscled form and had always dressed himself to bring out his image, choosing colors and cuts he figured appropriate. Since this day was the official start of his plans, Theisinger had chosen attire a little more formal then casual...after all, a leader must look ever intimidating as his plans of conquering were carried out.

He had chosen a waist long jacket made of ebony black silk with a high rising collar that clasped up the front and was richly embroidered in a complex pattern of gold threads. Epaulets of matching color and fringe hung down from his shoulders while his long cut trousers matched his shirt and were finished off with a pair of highly polished black leather boots. Around his shoulders was a cloak made of black and dark crimson red silk that was quite lengthy, giving him a demonic and majestic image to anyone that dared come across him. Theisinger had always found favor with ladies of Dragon and Demon alike, being a Halfling from each race from the heritage of his parents (something only one other person in this world knew).

"Lucivar!" He called listening to his voice echoing off the blackening stonewalls of the chamber, mixing with the long, elegant strides of his right hand man coming from a side entrance of the throne room of his underground castle. The crimson haired Youkai lord grinned as a side door somewhere opened and one of the few men he openly trusted appeared beside him. A long, slender hand framed the side of his face as the two rings that the youkai wore on his fingers gleamed from the dim torches that illuminated the room.

Theisinger wrapped a hand around the one against his cheek and nuzzled the palm, inhaling the spicy cologne that his companion wore, sliding his tongue along the wrist once. Lucivar purred quietly and leaned against a smoother section of the jagged iron arm of the throne, his other hand coming to his lover's shoulder and squeezing in an affectionate hug. The crimson haired demon reached up and twirled a long lock of ghostly white hair around his long fingers, feeling the individual strands and tugging lightly, which brought Lucivar's head down to level his own.

Lucivar had caught his attentions almost immediately the day that he had met him, some…hundred or so years ago now. He remembered seeing the horrifying scene in the woods somewhere nearby. Lucivar had been hunted by a pack of kumoyoukai and was pinned to the ground by one of their massive legs, kicking and letting out anguished cries as the sharp pricks on its feet sunk into his chest and stomach. The pressure had caused a few of his ribs to crack, and his hands were gripping his predator's ankle in a futile attempt to get him off. Theisinger hadn't really considered what he was doing until the electric blue sparks of his magic flickered and faded around his wrists and the large, rather unsightly spider youkai bodies fell over blissfully dead in pieces.

Lucivar had passed out by then, and lay lifeless in sprawled out position that looked a little unnatural. Blood had seeped into his ripped clothes, which had been a long-sleeved, slightly oversized white cotton shirt and a pair of simple pale blue denims. His long hair, white like snow and streaked with black fanned out around his head and was staining red from the roots in some places had looked very appealing. So had the delicate, feminine like face, the slender leanness of his frame, and his almost scrawny build. It had been obvious that he hadn't eaten in a couple of days and must have trespassed into the kumoyoukai's territory. Theisinger had camped out for a few nights nearby, caring for the unconscious youkai for reasons he had no explanation. When he had woken up, the slender little thing had been scared out of his wits and frantically confused. The red-haired youkai had even been surprised at just how strong the seemingly feeble demon was when he had tried to pin the thrashing young man down. But once he had calmed down and learned that Theisinger had cared for him during his unconsciousness, Lucivar had promptly fell asleep again out of sheer exhaustion from struggling against his savior.

From then on in Lucivar had stayed. They eventually began to talk openly as they made their way across Arinas, which led to their casual friendship. As they began to take over the demonic continent, their relationship deepened to brotherly companionship and then to months spent secretly admiring and lusting after each other. Finally, one cold rainy night, Theisinger's control had given upon seeing Lucivar bathing in one of the natural hot-springs by the castle fortress. The youkai-lord felt as though he was playing a part in a dime-store romance novel, spying on slender, delicate, and oh-so-feminine Lucivar as he washed. The look on Lucivar's face had been priceless when Theisinger had stripped off his robes and joined him in the hot spring. Even more gratifying was the expression he wore when his master had taken him in his arms and kissed him, which lead to an unleashing of pent-up emotions and passions that had left them both breathless.

Although it wasn't very well known throughout the land save for three other living souls, Theisinger could not lie to himself by denying that he did not love the slender youkai. Lucivar had many things in common with him and seemed to have a true understanding of him, something that no one he had ever met seemed to do. Although he always used a respectable suffix whenever he addressed him, Lucivar never feared him and treated him in a loving, affectionate manner.

It had turned out that the bicolor haired man was a Spirit Demon, a rare species of youkai with the powers to regenerate themselves once or twice after death, allowing them to live a double, even triple lifetime if they chose. They could pick their age and would be able to live as they had the first time, enjoying the long forgotten youth if one had died of old age. Lucivar had already used his regeneration some years ago before he had met Theisinger, but neither of them was worried. Once Theisinger had control of Dusis and they resigned in the Dragon Palace, eternal youth was in store for them, although the crimson haired youkai lord was already an immortal.

Lucivar had clothed himself in a pair of constricting black leather pants and a very gossamer long sleeved black mesh shirt, loose around his lean, toned figure. The flimsy thing was two pieces, lacing on his arms, shoulders, and up his sides by thin black silk ribbons. His attire contrasted sharply with his fair complexion and the sheer brightness of his hair, which was currently tied back in a high rising ponytail, and his long, inky black bangs was a veil around that young, handsome face. Theisinger tugged on the lock of hair in his hand again, signaling Lucivar of what he wanted. After a brief, chaste kiss the Spirit youkai asked what the matter was.

However, the Master was silent for a moment and startled the younger demon when he was suddenly pulled into his lap and silenced by a dominating mouth against his. Letting out a contented purr, Lucivar obediently opened his mouth and received the invasion of his lover's tongue, liking the way that it simply robbed him of breath and nearly choked him due to the small size of his mouth. Theisinger tugged at one of the ribbons that held the flimsy material of his partner's shirt and let it fall open, revealing a pale shoulder and some of that delicate chest that he liked so much.

As the crimson haired lord continued to kiss and fondle his partner, Lucivar squirmed and twisted around so he could straddle his savior's hips. He smiled, feeling the dominant youkai tugging at his flimsy clothing and the growing lump beneath him and began to tease at it, pushing his own growing arousal against it. The smaller youkai tugged at the clasps of his partner's black shirt, resisting the urge not to simply rip them, since his Master probably wouldn't have appreciated that.

Theisinger laughed and gave his hips a light buck, which caused his younger partner to turn red with both embarrassment and frustration. Why did he always have trouble getting Theisinger out of his clothes when he wanted!

"Easy, Lucivar," He murmured, "Not in here, I'm expecting a report from Basilca any minute now." Lucivar pouted a little upon hearing this, resembling a child that just had his favorite toy taken away in punishment for a naughty act.

"Don't tease me…You always tease me, its torture." He whimpered, pushing his hips a little harder against the Master's, hoping to convince him to take him back to their bedchambers if he didn't want to do it on his throne.

"Hush, Lucivar. Once Basilca gives me his report I'll be up. Humans are frail and they can't travel quickly so we'll have some time while Enyaren makes her way to Draqueen."

The Spirit Youkai scowled, "Why did you send her and not me? I could be there by now and your plans would be realized faster, and-" Theisinger's index finger against his lips cut him off and quieted him.

"I didn't send you because," He said, lowering his voice to a near-silent whisper, "I love you. Enyaren will be in Draqueen for several months and once they find out she's under my order, she'll probably be executed for treason. I chose her because we can afford to loose a pathetic Halfling and she'll be less susceptible at the Dragon Palace. She is replaceable but you are not. Understand? Do you truly expect me to be capable of carrying on without you at my side?"

"Hai, Master," He whispered and kissed him apologetically, knowing that such words weren't to be taken lightly coming from Lord Theisinger and just how difficult it was for him to admit a weakness. It both flattered him and deeply honored him that the crimson haired youkai cared for him on such a profound level. "Gomen ne, I should not question your motives."

Theisinger waved it off and opened his mouth to say something but his attention was momentarily arrested as a cloud of violet smoke was beginning to collect at the foot of the platform. Cursing the manservant's timing, Lucivar quickly got off of the Master's lap and fixed his shirt, glad that the curtains surrounding them would shield Basilca's ability to see his flushed face and disarrayed clothes.

As the violet mist began to fade, Basilca's dark outline began to appear. The demon was kneeling his greeting and respect when the fog completely vanished, and Theisinger folded his hands together, wanting to end this encounter as quickly as possible. He was grateful that the Great Hall was not very well illuminated and that some of his cloak was sitting in his lap, hiding the tell-tale arousal that was making his pants uncomfortably tight.

Basilca was a youkai of fire, much like his late demon twin Fedelta who had served Nadil. He resembled his older brother like a mirror, with the circling wrap of flames twisting around his lanky but muscled figure under the pitch black of his clothes. The only difference between the two was the long scar that marred his forehead. It must have been a battle scar from somewhere but Theisinger never cared to ask.

The Demon Lord had no trust of the man but he was a useful tool and it would have been too utterly foolish to dismiss someone like him. Fedelta might have been powerful, but he was often messy with his work whereas his twin was much more strategic, discreet, and all around more able and clever to carry out his work. His alacrity with his assignments could easily surpass his those of his late brother.

"Greetings, my Master. I have news from Draqueen for you."

Theisinger tilted his head to the side, noticing that the fire youkai's dark red eyes were fixed directly on his lover and couldn't possibly miss the hint of lust that was there. The bastard…Lucivar had inched a little closer to the throne in discomfort. He had never liked the way Basilca looked at him.

"Tell me." He said, firmly resisting the urge to simply kill Basilca on the spot for staring so lustfully at his mate.

"It appears that Enyaren is a day away from Draqueen. She's a current prisoner of the Baron D'Manlars and will be brought before Lykouleon sometime tomorrow or the day after. I'm assuming you know why she's in her current position. The Dragon Palace is somewhat unstable from what I've been able to gather. They are still searching for a new White Dragon Officer and their new Blue Dragon Officer is accompanying the Elf King Rune, Queen Tintlette and their brats on the journey to Draqueen. And it appears that the Dragon Queen is with child and is expecting seven months from now."

Theisinger's eyebrow lifted upon hearing this, This should be an impassable opportunity. Lykouleon will be vulnerable now that he is going to become a father, much like the former Dragon Knight of Fire and the Knight of Water. And they still haven't found someone to take the place as White Dragon Officer...their defenses are still crippled.

"Very well, Basilca." He said calmly, "Go follow D'Manlars and make sure that he doesn't kill Enyaren. She may be weak but she's a very valuable piece in my plans. Be sure they don't hurt her too miserably either. Kill them if you have to, they are no consequence to me."

"Aye, Lord Theisinger." Basilca replied and tipped his head downwards before the curling flames on his shoulders grew into a small tornado and enveloped his figure in a wind-like fire. When the fire youkai had finally vanished, the crimson haired youkai rose up to his feet and pulled Lucivar to his side, his fingertips massaging his side in a subtle way of comfort. The Spirit Youkai relaxed almost instantly feeling his lover's gentle touch and tucked his hand into his elbow as they walked down the platform together like a King and Queen at a grand ball.

"I don't like Basilca, Thei-sama."

"Aa, neither do I," He replied, pushing one of the hidden stone doors open which led into a narrow, dimly lit corridor. It was just wide enough for them to walk comfortably side by side, with Lucivar's head resting against his master's arm. "Can't you send him away?"

"Iie, Lucivar, I cannot. Basilca may be a bastard but he is a great youkai and is entirely too useful to simply let go. Don't be nervous...he'll never touch you. And besides, we're going to have some messy encounters with the Dragon Tribe and he's bound to meet his match when he battles the Dragon Knight of Water."

Lucivar looked up, the question plainly written on his face, "How do you know that he'll be in such a battle, Thei-sama?"

The Youkai Lord laughed, "Hush now, Lucivar. I'll explain everything later."

"Hai, Thei-sama." The spirit youkai replied quietly as they began to climb a flight of spiraling stone stairs, which would lead them into their bedchambers through a trap door close to the bed. Lucivar knew that he shouldn't have questioned his mate's intentions, and made a mental note to make sure that he apologized for it later. As the pair came to the door, Theisinger reached down and gripped his lover's rear, earning a startled squeak from the pale haired youkai.

"Now, how should we pass the time that we have?" He said suggestively, pulling the small youkai closer.

Outside

Basilca scowled as he swung down from the broken stone ruin of a tower that was the castle's entrance, feeling overly annoyed with his position. He didn't appreciate being blown off, nor did he like being denied the petite little delicacy that the youkai lord enjoyed as a sex toy. He couldn't deny that he had wanted Lucivar in his own bed, since the slender little Spirit Youkai was like a young human woman trapped in a male's body. He was easily intimidated, easily broken, and easily dominated, which was exactly the way he liked his partners.

Chewing his bottom lip until it bled, the ebony-red tip haired youkai caused a withering nearby tree to explode into flames to get his frustration vented before he went off after Enyaren. He might have done something brash if he went on a mission feeling irritated.

Who did Theisinger think he was fooling? It was incredibly obvious that he was in love with Lucivar, however much he tried to appear hard, cold, and cruel to everyone else. This little weakness would one day prove to be Theisinger's downfall. He would make sure of that as an idea popped into his head. Oh it was just wicked and was sure to cause a deep gash in the crimson-haired demon's spirit and get Lucivar where Basilca wanted him. Deciding to bide his time, the fire-youkai spy snickered as he began the trek to the docks, where a ship would be waiting to take him to Dusis.

Theisinger you are as much of a fool as Nadil…even if you are immortal you still have a weakness. You should be cautious, my Lord…Dusis will come with a cost that you never expected if you get it at all.

On a Forest Path twenty miles from Draqueen, one day later

"Tintlette, do you need a rest, my love?"

The Elf Lord Rune asked quietly, pulling the magnificent white stallion that he was riding beside the identical mare that his pregnant wife and youngest daughter were mounted on. The small but very grand procession had been traveling for a good portion of the day and consisted of the Elf royals and several bodyguards and servants, intent on arriving safely to the palace of Draqueen later that day. Rune was tempted to simply call their traveling to a stop and not give Tintlette the option of a short rest.

"No, Rune. I'm feeling just fine, we stopped a few hours ago and I don't want to delay our arrival at Draqueen anymore. Besides we are only three hours away, I can last until then."

Tintlette had always been delicate but now she was six months along with their fifth child, her stomach swelling beautifully and her pale, silk like skin glowing with experienced motherhood. She had become his lover, his wife, the mother of his children and he had every intention on honoring all duties that a husband was bestowed with.

The cerulean eyed King felt his heart swell with the sheer male pride as he gazed athis lovely wife who was dressed in a gown of pastel pink satin embroidered with a beautiful gold pattern along the hems. She wore no cincher or corset due to her current state, having no wish to endanger the vulnerable life that was growing inside of her. The skirts were made of layer upon layer of silk and lace, creating a thick curtain around the mare's flank and were so long they nearly dragged the forest road.

The neckline was an appropriate rectangle that displayed an appropriate amount of cleavage embroidered in gold thread and surrounded with starch white lace. The sleeves of the gown were in a very formal cling on her long slender arms while on her elbow were white shawls of lace.

Her beautiful blonde hair was so thick and soft that it hung down to her very ankles in natural wave that made it look like shimmering liquid gold. Most of it had been folded and pinned to the back of her head behind a simple golden jeweled tiara that symbolized her position among her People and laced with several white flowers and vines. Every now and then a strand of that beautiful yellow would brush over her fair face, set with the periwinkle blue eyes that the Dragon Knight of Water (now the King of Elves) had fallen in love with instantly. On her pointed ears were golden earrings that dangled a jewel of rose sapphire, and around her neck was its matching necklace. Both had been a gift from him shortly after he learned of her pregnancy with their first child.

And settled in her lap clutching a pretty bouquet of various flowers was part of the source of the proud fatherly ego Rune had felt since he and his mate had started their family. It was his youngest born daughter, Fae.

Fae was a literal younger, mirroring image of her mother with her eyes, hair, face, and skin. She was comfortably sitting sidesaddle like Tintlette, while the soft blues of her dress contrasted with the pale pinks of the Elf Queen. Her chemise was a fine white silk with a shoulder set neckline and sleeves sewn in a simple poet's style while a gold-laced cincher was wrapped around her tiny waist. The skirts were layered by various shades of the paler blues and whites and resembled flower petals, hiding her tiny white shoed feet.

The young Princess smiled brightly as her father reached over and affectionately brushed his long, white-gloved hand over her cheek and selected a small bright blue blossom from the bouquet that she held and passed it to him. Rune took the little gift and placed it in the outer chest pocket of his jacket, which stood out from the golden embroidery that decorated his chest.

Tintlette smiled and gripped her husband's hand as he placed it on her rounded stomach, as if saying hello to their unborn child. She smiled at her handsome mate, feeling truly blessed that she had been destined to be his. Rune had gone through so much trouble for her...rescuing her from Varadoo's seal, from Nadil's wicked grasp, and from being cursed to be lifeless as a doll. At first, she had been a nuisance to him…after all any young girl with her dolls was a bother to a seven-year old boy who was itching to learn the use of a sword. But as time passed things had changed...

Rune had grown handsome as he transformed from boy to man over the span of his life. His body had grown tall, finely toned and muscled and his alacrity was as impressive as always. His waving blonde hair was trimmed and tied in it's traditional cut, falling down to the center of his spine, held back by a thin wrap of silk ribbon and his cerulean blue eyes reflected love for his family and his country. His stance was regal on his mount, his long ice blue cloak falling from his shoulders and over the horse's flanks and their first daughter sat in front of him in the saddle.

He had on several pieces of decorative armor, which was a set of thin silver shoulder plates that were a part of his Knight's ensemble, spiking sharply and tarnished with a watery blue along the ends. His cloak was secured under these and held closed by a golden brooch that clasped just below his left shoulder. His waist long jacket was made of a darker blue silk and was thickly embroidered down the chest in a tangle of golden Celtic like knots while several pieces of matching rope draped from outer chest pocket and the golden fringe of epaulets that he wore on his shoulders. His slacks were a matching blue and framed his lean legs perfectly, completing his majestic appearance very elegantly.

"Daddy, when will we get to Draqueen?"

Tintlette and Rune smiled simultaneously as her observations (and subtle ogle) were interrupted by Fae. It had to be the seventh time that she asked that question today, but she was young only five years old. But she was excited, since it was her 'first' visit to Draqueen. She had been sick the last visit three years ago and not old enough to remember her first one. However, before the blonde haired king could reply, another voice had spoken up and he wasn't as understanding as his parents.

"For the love of GOD Fae! You've asked that seven times today, we'll arrive there this afternoon!"

It was Daston, the oldest son of Rune and Tintlette who had been riding close by to his parents on a chestnut brown mare with his twin brother sitting behind him looking just as irritated. Unlike Fae, Daston and Arian were more like their father in both, appearance and personality. Both had his face, his ears, his alacrity and cleverness, but they had their mother's eyes and their sun-blonde hair was tied back in a high set ponytail.

They were growing up quickly and were well on their way of mastering techniques with a sword under the teaching of their father. He hadn't allowed anyone else to instruct his sons in the art of battle and combat. Both were dressed identically, in a white silk poet's blouse under a vest of black leather, while circlets adorned with emeralds were around their foreheads. Their pants were of matching black leather and around their shoulders was an elbow long emerald green cloak. They were quite the pair of elfish princes this was a fact. Both always looking for an excuse to unsheathe their swords, both always bending the rules, both always striving to become like the legendary Dragon Knights they had heard everyone talk about so often.

Tintlette had been happy to give Rune such a pair as their first-born children, although their being twins had come as a delightful surprise. It was a wonder that she had grown so heavy, especially during the last few months of her pregnancy with them. And now here they were with four children and one on the way…at this rate they were reproducing like rabbits although Rune certainly didn't seem to care. Now that she thought about it…he had once promised her six children, perhaps he was simply trying to fulfill his words.

She would give him as many children as she could.

"Oh Rune! Look, twins! Twin lads!"

Tintlette, you want another child, ne?"

"Hai, my love...another."

"Only two? Horse-folly, Tintlette, you'll have six children!"

"Rune, I think I'm pregnant again."

"Let's call her Karren."

Ah, those memories always made her want another baby, as she touched her hand to her rounded middle. And they had the rest of their lives to make more precious babies to add to their steadily growing family.

Rune gave his sons a stern look. "Daston, you know better then to speak to your sister like that."

"But Dad she's asked that seven times since lunchtime!"

"Daston!" the elf king said with more firmness to his tone, giving his oldest son a narrowed gaze in order to make his point clear. He rarely ever raised his voice too harshly with any of his children, preferring to be firm with them instead. In front of him, his first daughter was slowly stirring back awake from the sleep that she had fallen into some two hours back down the road.

Karren let out a quiet yawn and snuggled against her father's comfortable build, deciding that she didn't feel like waking up just yet but sleep wouldn't come back to her as she hoped. The eight-year-old lifted her pretty golden head up and peered up at her powerful father, feeling very secure in the saddle in front of him.

The eight-year-old princess was the definite mix between her parents, with Rune's eyes and nose while her hair belonged to her mother and so did her mouth and face. She was dressed in a floor long chemise of a pale mint green silk, the sleeves bunching at her upper arms and decorated with white lace. The skirts were layered with white and matching white-green fabrics with a rosebud pink pattern embroidered at the hems. Pretty as a picture, as Rune had told her when he lifted her into the saddle back at the Elf Palace deeper in the Forest.

"Daddy?" She asked, her voice tiny and like a bell's jingle.

"Hmm, Karren?" Rune said giving his daughter an affectionate smile, seeing that she had finally woken up. Some while ago she had nodded off in the saddle of her pinto pony that was now trailing behind one of the handmaid's mounts behind them, so the young father had put her on his saddle so she wouldn't fall out of her seat.

"Are we almost there?"

"Aye, we are. Only a few more hours, we'll be there by evening."

The girl nodded and looked ahead of them, just as an Officer riding a magnificent stony gray horse came cantering back down the path, his company welcome and non-threatening at all.

Since the defeat of Nadil and the deaths of Alfeegi and Kai-Stern, the Dragon Palace's defenses were crippled from missing the Dragon Officers of White and Blue. Some...47 years ago they had located the successor to take Kai-Stern's place as Blue Dragon Officer and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Unfortunately they were still having a great deal of trouble locating the Blue Dragon Officer. Not even Cesia or Delete could detect them in their crystal balls, which probably meant that the man hadn't even been born yet! And to think that he, Thatz, Rath, Lykouleon, and the rest of the Dragon Officers had learned after combing the entire continent that Nohiro was destined to take Kai-Stern's place!

The young man hadn't changed since receiving the Blue Dragon Crystal and still appeared to be the Nohiro that Rune and Tintlette had first met during the war against the demons. His chestnut brown hair was short and neatly cut at the nape of his neck while a blue sash was wrapped around his forehead. His cinnamon brown eyes sparkled out of a boyish face and still contained that love of the Spirit Tribe that he always had. Dressed in a blue and gold embroidered tunic, a black mesh turtleneck, and a pair of taut black leather pants, the Blue Dragon Officer had been sent by Lykouleon as an extra escort through Faerie Forest.

"Lord Rune! I've just sent the doves forward. If all goes well we should be arriving there by mid-afternoon." He announced, giving a quick bow of the head to Tintlette and Fae before wheeling the animal around and racing back up ahead, where he would keep a lookout on any possible enemy ahead on the road. Not that there would be any ambushes but it was a simple precaution. Fae blinked her large, periwinkle blue eyes as question marks seemed to float around her head like a halo.

"Daddy, why did Mr. Nohiro have to send the doves?"

"The birds are a signal, Fae. Cardinals mean we just left, Jays mean we're halfway there, and Doves mean that we're very close. They just let everyone at the Dragon Palace know that we're almost there so they can be ready for us."

"Oh." She said with an approving nod.

Rune grinned again to himself, loving the feeling of fatherly pride in his brood and wondered if Rath had produced any more children yet and if Thatz had worked up the nerve to tie the knot with Kitchel yet.

I wonder if he's even asked her yet.

Author's Notes: OK THIS CHAPTER IS GETTING WAY TOO LONG! Lol, sorry people, I wanted to carry on to another two scenes but it was just getting WAY WAY WAY too long. Lol. Again I'm so sorry for the misplaced quotes.I didn't anticipate the legnths of the chapters.

Well what dija think! I'm not sure if Nohiro's ANOTHER one of the beloved boys of this series that dies and since I didn't want him to die and haven't heard any hints of him dying so I just stuck him in this fic. And if you thought that the Blue Dragon Officer is shocking wait till you find out who I have planned to be the White Dragon Officer! cackles evilly

See ya next time, and don't forget to review! I promise that the next chapter will contain the meeting of everyone else at the Dragon Palace and if it doesn't then I'll have the fourth chapter up within a couple days. I hope I didn't keep anyone waiting too long for this chapter!

Ciao!