The sun was still a good hour from being fully risen when Sarek rode from ShiKahr with the two Princes following closely. They had said their farewells to their companions the night before and so only Pavel and Spock were awake to see them off as both were habitually early risers.

Unlike the ride to ShiKahr, the ride to the Vegan entrance was silent except for the soft noises from their horses and from the forest around them. At their first sight of the three waiting representatives, James was glad that Sarek had warned them of the Vegans' appearance. The solemn men did not seem as if they would be tolerant of staring.

Sarek pulled his horse to a halt and raised his hand.

"Well met, Lord Malevolum, Lord Veternum, and Lord Medicus. My thanks to you and your good King for agreeing to meet with us."

Lord Veternum didn't look as if he was fully awake and found himself being poked by Malevolum as Medicus stepped forward.

"It is our honour to be sent to greet you, but we are curious as to why you come with strangers?"

"These two are friends of Seleya. Will you grant them leave to speak for themselves?"

"Granted. Please tell us who you are and why you have come."

As usual in introductions, James took the lead.

"I am Prince James and this is Prince Leonard. The reason why we have come to you is part of a long story, but we two are under a curse put upon us by a vile enchantress. We have recently freed another of her victims from one of her spells, but once he was freed, he told us that from the words the witch spoke that he feared that she has ill will toward your princess."

The glance that Medicus cast toward his companions seemed to indicate that they were right. Even Veternum seemed fully awake after James spoke, but they remained silent as Medicus continued his questioning.

"Why would she bear ill will toward any of our people, let alone our princess?"

Leonard spoke up.

"Because she is vain and cruel. She cannot bear the thought that another might be regarded as fairer or of more importance than herself. The spell that we broke that caused the witch to curse us of was one of eternal sleep that the witch had placed on an innocent maiden because the witch felt slighted for not having been invited to the maid's naming ceremony."

Malevolum stepped forward, his voice rough and demanding.

"And you broke that spell?"

"We did. It took the two of us working together, but we solved the puzzle and woke her. We know not if she was successful in her attempt to curse your princess, but we have bested the witch twice now and know her ways. We offer our services to you and your good people if they are needed."

It was obvious that Malevolum was not convinced.

"At what cost?"

James drew a deep breath,

"My Lord, do you value hearth and home?"

Seeming taken aback by the seeming change of subject, Malevolum frowned.

"Those are what my people value most after family."

"The curse that the witch laid upon Leonard and myself will never allow us to make a home until we have broken it. The only way for us to break it is to break nine more of her enchantments before ten years have passed. If we cannot accomplish that task before time is up, we will be doomed to sleep until everyone and everything we have ever loved has died."

Medicus and Veternum both gasped and even Malevolum seemed disturbed by the curse as James continued.

"If we are able to aid your people by breaking whatever enchantment she has cast, it will bring us one task closer to our own freedom. That is the greatest pay we could ever receive."

For the first time, Veternum spoke up.

"My kinsmen, the Princes tell the truth. Let us welcome them to Vega so that we may help one another."

Malevolum and Medicus exchanged a glance, then both nodded firmly as Medicus took the lead again.

"Leave your animals with Lord Sarek then and follow us."

Both men dismounted without hesitation, then offered their reins to Sarek. James gave the Son of Vulcan a slight bow.

"Our thanks for your assistance, Lord Sarek."

"May your quest a successful one. I will return for you when the Vegans send word."

With that, Sarek turned his horse and headed back toward ShiKahr as James and Leonard followed the three Vegan lords and prepared to deal with whatever mischief the enchantress T'Pring had caused.