Disclaimer: I do not own the Unicorns of Balinor or the characters, I only own the plot, the new characters I have added and the place I had added… slightly… lmao!

Chapter 2: The Forest of Dreams

The group had begun on their long journey. Who knew what was in store for them. The group consisted of Ari, Chase, Finn, Lori (who didn't really want to go), Rednal, Tobiano, and Lincoln Ari's collie that was a link between gaps. The group was nervous for it had been awhile since they all had been on a journey. Together though they knew they could withstand the odds, but what they DIDN'T know was that something out there didn't want them to succeed, he had a plan… there task would be harder then they really had known.

"So do you know how to get to this… forest?" Lori asked sitting on Tobiano who was already annoyed by the girl.

"Well there is only one way to get there, and that is to go through the Celestial Valley," Arianna said releasing the reigns on Sunchaser a bit.

"Well last that I knew, no mortal was allowed into the Celestial Valley, we will never make it in there," Lori said riding beside Finn.

"Well thanks for your support Lori, but I have something that will open the stair case and that arch for us," Arianna said as she pulled the reigns to the left.

"Well… I don't think the Celestials will just… but what do you have?" Lori said making Tobiano speed up so she could see the necklace hanging from the bronze haired girl.

"I have a necklace Lori, the Necklace of the Many Lands, it has a piece of the celestial arches stone in here… as well the amethyst of the watching pool. Each stone here represents the place we are going through to the place we are getting too. So if you want to turn back around, I advice you do it now because we are coming upon the arc right now. There is no turning back once inside," Arianna said seriously. Lori looked at the necklace hanging down the thin princess's long neck. Lori thought a moment and then looked back at the red head boy who had become quite attractive since Lori had first met him.

"I'll go," she said before slowing Tobiano down to match Rednal's pace. Arianna sighed, she felt a little weird admitting it to herself but she was glad Lori was going.

The question Ari is are you ready for this? This will be more dangerous then any before it… Chase said to her mentally. Arianna patted the bronze unicorn's neck and sighed.

If I didn't go I'd be making a mistake. I worry I really do, but I miss my family Chase, slowly day by day I get a little piece of my memory back… and it just makes me miss my family a little… a little often… a little to much, a little more everyday, Ari said to him mentally back. Sunchaser just nodded his head as he waited before the staircase only he and the other unicorns could see. Arianna let Chase lead them up the staircase cautiously. Lincoln slowly trotted behind Tobiano.

When they reached the arch Arianna held up her necklace and looked up at the arch. What was she suppose to do? She heard a faint whisper in the winds and a breeze caught their attention. Slowly but surely the arch opened for them. They walked through cautiously watching the many herds of celestial unicorns grazing, while the little filly's and foals galloped around wildly. The place was beautiful with blue green fresh grass that swayed in the soft chiming breeze. They all looked around in amazement. Celestials from the lightest colors of yellows, to the darkest colors of deep dark blues rested their. All shades reds, blues, purples, greens, and between… different shades of the regular rainbow. A golden head popped up from the sweet grass the stallion was mightier then all of the peaceful unicorns of the Celestial Valleys. He trotted to them in a threatening way.

"Numinor I…" Sunchaser began before the golden lead stallion of all the Celestial unicorns interrupted.

"Sunchaser you know better then to bring mortals into our lands, how dare you," the golden stallion said with rage as he stood on two feet. Arianna touched Chase's neck as she climbed off of her beloved stallions back.

"We wish to travel through here to the many lands of the Celestial Valley," The Sunchaser said carefully wanting to challenge the golden stallion.

"You know as well as the rest of us we do not travel further then the Celestial Valley because of what happened so long ago. We do not go onto their lands they do not go onto ours," Numinor said thrusting his horn towards Chase. The bronze unicorn did not like the threat the golden stallion was protruding.

"Sunchaser no!" yelled Arianna hurriedly. Chase stopped his attack to the lead stallion. Atalanta trotted up, the others looked at the lavender purple lead mare also known as the Dream Speaker.

"Numinor enough," Atalanta said seriously as she trotted beside her mate.

"You know the rules about humans Atalanta," Numinor said furiously flaying his golden main around in rage.

"Yes but you know that I was expecting visitors, and that if they entered they had a reason. Do you not recognize the princess of Balinor?" Atalanta said her soft purple eyes looking at her mate.

"I did not think about it, what business do you have here?" Numinor asked standing close to the purple lead mare.

"I have had evidence that my parents have been placed in the former Starlight Planes we must go through the other many lands to get to the Starlight Planes now known as the Forgotten Field. I have here the Necklace of the Many Lands," Arianna said pulling the beautiful necklace off from around her neck and holding it so that both celestial unicorns could see.

"Well… I had forgotten… I think we should let them pass through Numinor, we need to royal family more then ever, I have seen a new breed of evil erupt from the ash of the Shifter…" the dream speaker began.

"I see Atalanta, they may pass but the evil they bring upon this land will be of your own doing Atalanta," Numinor said turning around and walking back into the knee lengthed grass.

"Did you forget Numinor, are job is to protect Balinor and it's people… will she is Balinor and she is her people, they are doing what they must as are we by letting them pass into the unknown wilderness, actually I think I might go," Atalanta said looking behind her to see Numinor stop in frusteration.

"Fine, leave on this wild chase Atalanta… see if I care," the golden horse said trying to hide how much he did care.

"Milady you do not really need to go with us…" The Sunchaser said trying to persuade her. She nickered a soft laugh before interrupting Chase.

"I do not plan on going the whole journey Sunchaser lord of the animals; I will take you to the Forest of Dreams. I have been having dreams of this… I know where you go, why do you think I was ready to come to your defense. Come let us begin the journey, it will be a long and tiring one.

The group followed her through the Celestial Valley; they looked around at the grazing herds that stopped grazing to look at them. They nodded their heads in respect to Atalanta, and the Sunchaser. They slowly walked for an hour until the herds were far out of view. After a certain point the celestial unicorns dared not travel. Arianna stared down at the stream as they came upon a forest that was dark and eerie looking.

"Well this is the Forest of Dreams, good luck and I will be watching you, with that amethyst there from my watching pool, I can see you at all times… even when someone tries to block my watching pool. Now good luck to you all," Atalanta bowed her head down before walking through the tall grass back to her herd. Arianna smiled at her friends as they walked through the forest entrance.

The group's footsteps were muted by the thick lush grass as they made their way through the woody paradise. There were tall oak, elm, and birch wood trees that stood tall cascading their long branches and leaves making cool shade from the hot suns burning rays. The morning dew was still shining on the emerald green grass and leaves; it was a paradise unimagined. The trees shot up high, and the place was so beautiful… then again it was all apart of the Celestial Valley.

"This place is beautiful," Arianna breathed as she looked around, "no wonder this place is called The Forest of Dreams."

"I couldn't imagine living here," Lori said looking around at the beautiful flowers that grew everywhere.

"That's because very few do live here," Rednal said carrying Finn upon his red back.

"Well the few that do are very lucky," Ari said holding her hand out to touch the cool crisp leaves that let dew moist her fingers. They traveled through the forest happily, this place somewhere had a door that would take them to a different realm, but where was it? Nothing evil lived here, but things that did not know what or who they were obviously lived here… Ari could tell this by the tenseness Sunchaser had at any sound or movement from the forest.

Are you ok Chase? Arianna asked mentally. Sunchaser nodded his large bronze head up and down.

I am well, just a little nervous he said to her mentally back. Ari shifted on top of Sunchaser.

Obviously she said in his mind but giggled out loud.

I am fine, just that something has been following us, Chase said to her mentally. She went to look back but Sunchaser spoke up again, DON'T! We do not want to let them know we know they are here. We are in someone's territory we could get out of here without a fight.

If you say so Chase, Ari said mentally as she let the reigns slide through her fingers a little. She touched her necklace her fingers gliding down the jewels. She could then sense the presence of someone. She could feel their eyes, glaring at them. There were two of them. Out of no where someone jumped from the trees takeling Finn thinking he was the one to be aware of. Finn willingly fell knowing to fight them in the air could lead to injury when he landed. Ari pulled back on the reigns and jumped off. Many blonde men came out of the trees holding arrows at them. Ari held her sword up along with her staff. She would not go down without a fight.

Who are they? She thought to Sunchaser. Chase tensed as he swung his sharp bronze horn in warning.

Elves, he said to her mentally answering her question. She swallowed as she held her weapons up.

"Wait!" they heard a loud voice yell and walk out from behind a tree.

"That was the one following us," Chase said out loud but softly. Ari swallowed looking at him he looked familiar. She looked at his hair and then knew he was the one who had given her the necklace.

"Why?" said an older blonde man holding up his bow seriously ready to shoot if commanded.

"Because they mean us no harm," he said walking to the nearest elf and with his hand pushing the bow back. They all put their bows up and looked to the young blonde man.

"How do you know this?" one of the elves asked nervously.

"Because I do," he said giving him a look. They all sighed; they obviously trusted this man, "take them to the city."

"Very well," they all said, obviously this guy was some kind of commander. Ari had no idea what was going on.

"Milady I am very pleased to see you," the young elf who looked about her age said kissing her hand. He obviously knew who she was, for he talked to her like the royalty she was.

"I know you… you gave me this," she said taking her hand from his and lifting the necklace up from under her shirt. He smiled slightly before looking down.

"Where do you get that from?" he said before bowing and following his comrades. She looked at him as he walked away, there was something about him… he wasn't as elegant and graceful as elves were told to be.

I do not trust him milady, Sunchaser said seriously.

"I do not either Chase," Ari said seriously patting him before the elves herded them towards their city. Once there they looked around at the beautiful city with white delicate houses every where. In the trees on the ground, even some in a beautiful crystal like lake. Ari swallowed feeling more a prisoner then a guest. They were led a large house that was obviously a castle. But they were led bellow and separated from the horses. They were surprised when they were lead to a dungeon. They were separated and put into individual cells.

Are you ok Chase? Ari asked Sunchaser as she lay on the cold ground.

I am my lady, and how are you? Where did they place you? Sunchaser asked Arianna mentally.

A little scared but I am ok. I think someone is coming down, some one is! Hastily she sat up and looked at two gaurds who opened the cage and grabbed her. "Where are you taking me? Where are you taking me!"

"To see the king and queen," the guard said dragging her. She went quietly, knowing that she'd only make things worst for her. The king was striking, and the queen was beautiful, with long flowing white hair, silver crowns, and white dresses and robes. Everyone bowed to the king and queen as they entered.

"Why have you entered are Forbidden City? Strangers usually meet death, we are a dieing race…" the king began as he looked down at the girl standing before him.

Authors note:

Sorry if this is a little fast pace, I was just trying to get to the good stuff quick. So I am slowing it down. Thanks to those who have been reading, and especially those who have been reading… so thanks Lightfoot! Please if you have ANY ideas I could use I'd be more then happy! Thanks a lot!