Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek, but I want to invest in the Spock Market, so does that count?

A/N: I am so sorry that I took so long to write this chapter, all my ideas for this story just seemed to dry up on me, but I think I am back on track now. Yay, hard working muses!

Chapter 4: Boy troubles

As her brother Paul predicted, Princess Rebecca did quite well at the Vega summit, and her debating skills were well appreciated. But clearly, all was not well with the young ambassador. At times, many of her diplomatic colleagues noticed a sad, faraway look in her eyes, and Vorta, the Andorian ambassador, was sure he saw a tear slide down her cheek when she thought no one was looking.

The truth was, Becky was still pretty broken up about Captain Kirk. But she promised her father that she would do her best at the summit, and she stuck to that promise, and doggedly finished the summit. Soon another starship was hurrying her home to Naturalis. It could not go fast enough for Rebecca, who was eager to be home.

When they arrived, Becky was eager to see her family right away, so she requested to be beamed right into her home, Rose Castle. Her request was granted, and she stepped into the transporter with a sigh of relief that her stressful trip was finally over. But the minute she materialized, Becky could tell something was wrong. The cheerfully bustling castle staff members were nowhere to be seen, and their usual buzz of conversation was replaced by a creepy silence. "Where is everybody?" thought Becky with mounting apprehension.

Becky jumped as a dull thud reverberated the castle. Several barbaric voices roared fiercely, and she suddenly realized what was going on. "The castle is under attack!"

Heart thumping, almost in rhythm with the thuds, which were coming faster now, Becky climbed the stairs that led to the highest tower of the castle at a frenzied pace. It was where everyone in Rose Castle met in case of attack, and if her family was safe, they would have to be there.

Rebecca threw open the door, and ran into her mother's embrace. As her father gave her a hug as well, she was relieved to see her older sister, Marta, shouting orders to a panicked castle staff. She spotted her younger sisters, Felicity and Bianca, and her brother Timothy as well, so she assumed the family was alright.

"Becky, we were so worried you wouldn't get in here!" her mom cried.

"Mom, what's going on here?" Becky demanded, glancing around the room for Paul. He would know what was going on. Unfortunately, she did not see him anywhere. "And where's Paul?"

The queen's sweet face pinched at the mention of her son's name, and she began to sob. "Where's Paul?" Rebecca asked cautiously, and her mom shook her head in distress.

"Oh, it's so terrible!" she moaned.

"Mom, tell me where Paul is, please!" Becky pleaded, a lump rising in her throat.

Becky's mother sniffed miserably. "Your brother's second-in-command was a traitor. While they were on the troll campaign, he convinced the larger half of the army to side with him and the trolls. He led Paul and the rest of them into a trap, and now those horrible mutineers and the trolls are attacking the castle and…" she trailed off into a despairing stream of tears.

The princess's eyes had been growing larger throughout her mother's revelation, and now they were open as wide as they would go with dumb horror. She thought of her older brother's pain at being captured, and helpless to stop the troll's onslaught on Rose Castle. That is, if he was even all right. "Oh, poor Paul!" she said softly as she clamped her hand on a chair for support.

Rebecca realized the queen was still in tears, and her father was trying to comfort her. "Claudette, we raised Paul to know how to take care of himself. He's a tough kid, he'll be okay." the king said soothingly.

Queen Claudette only wailed more. "Oh, but all those beastly dirty trolls, manhandling my son!" she lamented.

Her husband began his reassurances anew, and Felicity came with a cup of hot tea for her mother, and gently led her to a chair. King Phillip heaved a sigh and wearily rubbed his temples, which seemed more gray at the roots than usual. Becky walked over to him and asked quietly, "How's Natalia taking this?"

The king groaned. "I don't know, she's in the chapel right now, praying. She's been in there since we heard, and that was about two hours ago."

"Maybe I should try to talk to her."

"I certainly think she'd appreciate it." He gestured over towards the stained-glass door of the little tower chapel, and Becky nodded and walked towards it.

Rebecca pushed open the door with a soft squeak, and called in delicately, "Natalia? Are you in there? It's Becky."

"Oh, hi Becky, I'm so glad you're back. Come in," Natalia's voice returned unsteadily.

Becky walked in and took a seat next to her sister-in-law in the front pew, and looked carefully at her. The young woman's face was pale and drawn, and her brown eyes, normally bright and twinkly, had a hollow, despondent look in them. "Are you okay?" Rebecca asked sympathetically.

"Oh, I'm alright…" Natalia started bravely, but Becky's eyebrows raised doubtfully and she admitted, "Well, no, not really. I want him back, Becky. I just want to know he's okay."

Her companion nodded understandingly, and she continued, "I know he's a knight and a soldier, and he's trained to handle situations like this, but I hate to think of him, betrayed and alone."

"I know what you mean." Becky looked Natalia earnestly in the eyes and said with determination, "He'll be okay, Natalia. Just trust him."

Natalia sighed and nodded slowly. "Alright, Becky. But there seems to be something bothering you as well. What's the matter?"

"I don't know." But Becky did know what was bothering her, all too well. Natalia's probing made her remember James Kirk quite forcibly, and she was disappointed to find her recollections of him were painfully fresh. She had almost forgotten him because of the stress following her return home, but there was no overlooking him now. However, she hated to burden the already distraught Natalia, so she gulped and replied stoutly, "Oh, it's nothing. I'm fine."

"Nothing my foot! You just started crying!"

"Oh, did I?" Becky quavered, and she dabbed frantically at her eyes with her handkerchief.

Natalia inclined her head slowly. "You're busted. Now what's wrong?

"Natalia, don't worry about me. You've got enough to worry about without my problems too."

Shrugging, Natalia replied, "Becky, give me a little credit! I can multitask."

Rebecca laughed. "Alright, I'll talk. You know the ship I went on to the Vega summit, the Enterprise?" Natalia nodded eagerly, and Becky continued to relate her story. Natalia expressed interest and sympathy at all the right parts, and Becky felt considerably better once she was done telling her about it. Then she sighed and finished, "I just wish it would have worked out. It seemed like we were perfect for each other, except for that misunderstanding, which I was okay with. I wish Jim was mature enough to really like me for myself."

"You know what I think? I think your friend the captain was a little intimidated by you. It sounds like he's used to girls folding for him, and when you wouldn't, it scared him, even if he likes you. And I think he does."

"Really?" Becky sniffed.

Natalia went on, "You're a great girl, Becky, and if Jim Kirk has any brains, he'll realize what he's missing out on. I wouldn't give up on him just yet." Another boom reverberated through the tower, and the pew shook violently. "But meanwhile, we'd better figure out something to get rid of those trolls!"

So, thanks for reading, please be forgiving and review this belated chapter. I have a feeling the next one will be up fairly soon, and there will be a lot more action in the next chapter, so tune in!