AN:I should say that these stories are not related to each other so if a character appears in more than one story playing a different role no one gets confused.

I do not own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro. Emerald belongs to me

Emerald had agreed to stay! Hound's friends were hoping she might break the spell on the prince. However the Prince himself had no such hope in his spark. He tried to block out his friends chatting excitedly about the guest. "Why get our hopes up when she'll probably just leave as soon as she is well?" He thought sadly to himself. He sat down in his chair in his chambers depressed. The rain pelted down against the windows. Lightening flashed occasionally. The fire in his room had gone out so it was nearly pitch black in the large room, except for a couple candles. That did not help his gloomy mood but he did not do anything about it as he was too depressed. He was too depressed nowadays too much besides refuel, recharge if he could or go outside in the gardens or greenhouse. Of course he spent time with his friends but that was mostly just sitting with them while they talked, only answering if spoken to first. This was not his normal behavior but depression and despair did that to a bot. The spell's hold on him only added to it. "Why? Why does it have to be this way?" He murmured to himself. "Primus, why?" A tear slid out of Hound's optic glinting a bit in the candlelight. His spark ached with misery.

His door opened and a soaking wet, blue and white mech entered, his friend Mirage. A noblemech who was actually very nice and a loyal friend. "What a storm, the walk was just awful." Mirage said coming in. "Hey why is it so dark in here? I can hardly see."

"Sorry the fire went out Raj." said Hound softly.

Mirage followed the light of his friend's optics over to him. "Did you lock yourself in the dark again? You know that's not good for your mood Hound." he scolded gently. He set to work lighting a fire to brighten the room. He could not stand it when Hound did this to himself, it only made his ever grey mood worsen. One of many reasons he hated leaving Hound here. "And what is this news I hear about a guest?"

Hound looked crestfallen but answered. "A femme a found outside the gate. She caught cold in the storm."

Mirage wondered if she could break the spell but said nothing on the subject out of respect for Hound. "That was very kind of you to help her." He said smiling. Hound had to smile a bit. Mirage was very polite but always sincere. He was grateful to have him as an old friend. "I'm sure she'll recover quickly. You should spend time with her. It might help. Please Hound."

Hound sighed sadly but consented to his friends urging. "Alright..."

~3~

Emerald was a strong femme, in both body and mind. She burned through the fever fast and was soon up and about again. However the mechs in the castle insisted she stay longer just to be sure. Emerald agreed to it, partly because she found these bots to be kind and decent, not like the bots in her village. However it was mostly because she was now possessed of a strong curiosity. She knew something was different about this place and it was not the beast that lived there. She also wanted to know who the beast really was and why he was so unhappy if he was surrounded by such wonderful friends. There had to be more to the story than what could be seen at first glance. A lot more...

Now meals were eaten all together. Emerald was surprised by the lively conversations. The mechs seemed so open and at ease with each other, not at all like bots in her village. Emerald enjoyed it. She felt like she was able to let loose and be herself. The mechs seemed to like that as well. But when they asked about where she lived she clamed up a bit. "Well, it's ok I guess..." she said before trailing off. The bots were confused. Was she not happy with where he lived? Did bots hurt her?

Hound finally spoke up. "What's wrong there Emerald?" The other mechs were surprised since he hadn't spoken at all, all dinner.

Emerald sighed, "Bots are prejudiced and set in certain ways there. If you act or think differently you're pushed aside as an outcast. They are very unforgiving. It makes me sick." She muttered.

Hound agreed with her. "You're right. That isn't fair Emerald."

"Yeah but I'd rather not talk about it please." Emerald said and everyone dropped the subject and went on to talk about happier things. However Hound was now curious as to what bothered Emerald so much about where she lived. He decided to talk to her later.

~3~

One day Emerald explored the gardens. They were very well kept despite the fact that some of the castle had fallen into disrepair. Trees provided shade and flowers bloomed all over, making the air smell sweet and fragrant. Birds sang in the trees. The sound of a fountain in the center made the atmosphere seem tranquil and serene. Emerald sighed happily. "Feels like paradise." she though aloud. Her worries faded and she walked through the shrubs and watched birds in the trees. She didn't know she was being watched as well. Hound was hidden in the shadows watching shyly. He was a bit nervous about trying to talk to her alone like this but his friends would not let him rest until he did so. They could be VERY persistent when they wanted to be.

Emerald didn't see Hound as she was too wrapped up in the beauty of the gardens. A little bird flew down and landed on her finger. "Hello little bird. Nice sunny day huh?"
The bird chirped as if in agreement. Hound spark fluttered in it's casing. Emerald seemed like such a kind and friendly femme. So why was she unhappy when asked about her life. He stepped forward and accidently stepped on a twig. The bird flew away spooked and Emerald looked in his direction startled. When she saw it was Hound she relaxed. "Oh Hound it's you." She said sounding relieved. "Sorry I was just startled."

Hound stammered embarrassed. "S-S-Sorry, I-I-I didn't mean to disturb you... I-I'll g-go now..."

"Oh no it's ok. You don't have to go. It's your garden. You have a right to be in it." Emerald replied, inwardly upset that mech was so nervous in his own home. Why would he be upset? But the green and brown femme dropped the thought and tried to be friendly by starting up a conversation about the plants in the garden. It seemed to work and the beastly mech slowly came out of his shell and opened up to her. His friends watched giddily from the windows in the castle.

"And birds come here all the time. They seem to like to take baths in the fountain and nest in the trees. They feel safe here." Hound said to Emerald.

"Well there's no way for predators to get in here so it's the perfect spot to raise their young." Emerald said smiling. "It's amazing how the animals always seem to know how to survive and who to trust. Ever notice how they are nice to bots with good intentions and more on the defensive around those with bad?"

Hound nodded brightening at the fact that she seemed to appreciate a lot of the same things he did. "Yes. Bots could learn a lot from them."

"That's what I've always thought! But bots where I live think I'm odd for thinking that..." Emerald trailed of thinking of their mocking and scolding.

"So that's why she was upset." hound thought and he held her hand gently, surprised when she didn't shudder at his paw. "Well you can't let what other bots say dictate your own feelings or thoughts. Don't listen to them."

Emerald smiled, unknowingly making the prince blush. "I know that... but it's nice to be told I'm not odd. Thank you Hound." Emerald said softly. Her spark skipped a beat. "What are these feelings?" she wondered in her mind. "I've never felt this way before..."

Hound replied, "You're welcome Emerald." Inwardly, he was wondering the same thing she was. "What are these feelings? I wish I knew." Those feelings would be the start of something wonderful and magical. However there would be hardship before a happy result could take place.

To be continued...