The Grove was covered in deciduous pine trees, which were so massive compared to the mallorn trees, which outgrew them by a margin. The High Unicorns planted the mallorn trees with help from the High Elves of Middle-earth, since before the time when the iridescent bubble barrier was cast upon the Land of Unicorns, shielding the Unicorns from outsiders. The High Unicorns were the protectors, the leaders of all the Unicorns. They governed their Unicorns well and wisely, knowing full well that not every Unicorn would agree to their wishes, even if their actions were in their best interests.

So far, Syrena was lucky to be in her human form. Her and Whipstaff anyway. She didn't know how she would be able to get out of the Land of Unicorns without the High Unicorns to help her. Maybe today, she would find out what Silvestra would do to her and Whipstaff. If she was lucky, she would be allowed free passage about the Land of Unicorns and other realms. That is, if she got out of this realm in one piece.

Syrena turned around, watching Aslan enter the Grove, as well as Silvestra. Just looking at Silvestra, in all her elegance and grace, made Syrena wonder what if she became a High Unicorn? She had the ability to shapeshift. Could she blend in with the other High Unicorns, be apart of their breed? No. That'd be asking too much of her. Besides, the High Unicorns had enough on their plate already, then to suggest that she become one of them. Or so she hoped for anyway.

"Yes, welcome to my home," Silvestra said with a warm-hearted smile.

"Thank you. What am I supposed to do here?" Syrena asked, curtly.

Silvestra laughed. "My dear, I am going to give you my pardon. You're free to wander about these lands as you please. Once I've given you your pardon, and it seems I already have, I will send word out to the other realms in this world. They need to know about you and will gladly find out soon enough what you mean to them." She smiled. "I can already tell you belong with Lockslear, Alindor's descendant. He'll make a good husband for you and a friend."

"Husband? Lockslear? Oh no, I couldn't," Syrena blushed.

"Oh, don't be bashful. It was written in the stars that your bloodline and Lockslear's bloodline would unite. A Unicorn and a Talking Cat bonded together through matrimony sounds about right," Silvestra said, walking away. She looked back, informing Whipstaff, Syrena, and Aslan, "Oh, we're having a festival today. You're welcome to join us. The festival's almost set up. I'll see you there." Silvestra nodded, walking away with her head held high.

Syrena blushed, surprised when a few silver-coated High Unicorns and one dark-coated Dark Unicorn transformed into three women, two with pale skin and one with dark olive skin. They were dressed in shimmering gowns and looking quite exquisite. Syrena looked back in worriment as she was taken by the three women towards a tree house.

"Whipstaff! Aslan, what am I supposed to do?" Syrena cried, unsure about this.

"Don't worry! You'll be fine!" Whipstaff called out, calmly. He looked at Aslan, as Syrena disappeared into the tree house. He asked the Great Lion, "She will be fine, won't she?"

"Oh yes, I believe she will," Aslan said, calmly.

.

Whipstaff followed the other Unicorns and Aslan to a pavilion, where a grand festival took place. Games were set up, and many Unicorns, from different breeds, were transforming into their human forms, or staying in their Unicorn forms. They danced away, loving the morning and their festival. In time, Whipstaff spotted Syrena come out onto the field, decked out in an elegant blue dress.

Syrena looked at him, happy to see him. Whipstaff clicked his fingers, allowing his clothes to transform into a red robed suit. He smiled at her, joining in on the dancing. He took her waist, waltzing to the music the Unicorns played, while they were at the festival.

"I must say, Syrena, the Unicorns did a good job. That's a nice dress you have on," Whipstaff said with a playful smirk.

Syrena chuckled. "And I must say that, Whipstaff, that do make for a fine gentleman." She laughed, as he dipped her, locking eyes with him. She looked at Aslan, realizing she was getting hot. She looked at Whipstaff, realizing he was very close to her. She wanted to believe there was more to them than friendship. There had to be, right? What else was there?

"Do you think we could be more than friends?" Syrena said, noticing Whipstaff turning his gaze from her. Surely, he could feel it, too! "I mean, just think about it! What if we became more than friends? Would it matter? What difference does it make? Fate or prophecy couldn't keep us apart, could it?" The cool air resurfaced, drawing them away from each other. Even though she said it, the look in their eyes told them enough about their situation.

Whipstaff released her, staring at her now with concerned eyes. "Syrena, it's just a dance. We could be miles away, for all I care. That's all we are is friends. I know what you feel for me is real, or supposed to be real, but we could never be more than friends. Do you understand?"

Syrena nodded. It was for the best anyway.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you then," she said, walking away from him towards the food booth. Hopefully, some snacks would ease her mind. She looked up at Whipstaff as he approached her. What more did he have to say?

"Syrena," he said, softly but firmly, "I know what you're thinking."

"I doubt it," she said, hesitant. She looked into his eyes, asking him, "What did you think that something would happen between us? Huh? I nearly thought we were meant to be together."

"Fate has other plans. If it ever worked out, we'd probably make each other miserable. I only want us to be friends. It's what Aslan wants. I'm sure he does! It's practically written in the stars, for crying out loud!" Whipstaff called, clearly. "I'm sorry, but if you can't accept us as friends, then at least accept me as your companion. It's all you've got left. It's all we can afford right now. That's the honest truth, Syrena. Whatever you decide next is up to you and to me."

Syrena didn't like this, but she understood him. She nodded, deciding that what they had was an illusion, nothing more.

"Go. Enjoy yourself. You don't need me to make you happy," Syrena said with a soft smile, choking on her words.

"I'll keep watch over you, as any companion should," Whipstaff said, smiling back.

"I know. Just go," Syrena said, kindly.

"Good luck," Whipstaff said, walking away from her and back to Aslan. He told Aslan with a warm-hearted smile, "She'll be all right. I know she will."

"Keep watching her, and you'll see," Aslan said, directing Whipstaff's gaze to Syrena, at first, before turning to the large bonfire set out in the middle of the field.

Whipstaff did, unaware of what else was going on in the pavilion, where Syrena ate her snacks with candor. Nothing was going to disturb this night, right?

.

Whipstaff was sorely mistaken, as a group of Unicorns, transformed into men and women wearing pirate's clothes, approached Syrena at the food booth.

"Enjoying yourself, lass?" a man with pale, tanned skin and short cropped brown hair, smiled at Syrena.

Syrena gulped down her yellow bell pepper slice, nodding to the man with great superstition. "Very much. Thank you. Why?"

"You're coming with us," the man said, putting a sack over her head, as another man grabbed Syrena, carrying her towards a portal that formed all around the pirates and her.

By the time Whipstaff realized what was happening, the pirates vanished through the portal. Whipstaff turned to Aslan, who roared in fury.

"Go! Open a portal," Aslan said, pointing out a grey device sitting on a table. There were many grey devices piled up on the table, leading Whipstaff to wonder which one to use. At last, he picked one of the grey devices, pressed a button, causing an orange-rimmed portal to appear on the lawn. Whipstaff faced Aslan, not sure if this was right. Aslan told him, "Go! Now! I will follow!"

Whipstaff nodded to him. "Thank you, Aslan." He turned to the portal, walking through it and disappearing from sight.