Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Note: I know, another update. Anyways, hope everyone had a good Christmas. Enjoy.

Deep Trouble

Tori got out of the woods. She looked up and down where the border was obviously at. Where was he? Looking a bit further north she saw someone, at least it looked like someone. Hurrying she took off. As she got closer she saw that it was nothing. She looked back at the woods, nothing was there. Maybe he hadn't gone in. Squinting she looked into the dark and saw some footprints that were fading away slowly. Blake had gone in. Her heart stopped beating, she finally found someone and she had sent him to his death.

She could fix it. Taking a deep breathe she stepped across into the next kingdom. Looking around she realized just how dark everything was. The grass looked like it had been dead for years. She couldn't see any trees, there were some bushes, but they were all bare. She could hear the distant sound of thunder causing her to shiver. There were no animal sounds whatsoever; no birds chirping or even crickets in the distance. She turned around and saw the woods in the distance, it wasn't too late she could go back. Instead of turning back she squared her shoulders and walked forward.

It seemed to get darker with every step she took. There was a mist that lay about the land as if to cover it while sleeping. Looking up at the sky she saw lightning flash against the black sky. Inhaling slowly she continued but stopped a moment later. There in the distance was a small grove of trees. A smile briefly flew across her face. As she got closer she could see them better; the bark was black as if it had been burned and the leaves that lay on it were black with white thin lines across them. It was one of the strangest things she had ever seen.

Tori headed into the center of the grove of trees and found a pool of black liquid in the center. That didn't look good at all. All at once she heard thuds coming closer to her. Looking around quickly she got behind a couple of trees and hoped that her blue dress, blond hair and white skin gave her away. Something that resembled an elephant came to the water. It wasn't as big as one, but it walked on all fours, it had a trunk, but it was black. The thing looked around before sniffing the water. After looking around once more it bent down for a drink but instead of drinking something pulled it under the water.

Blake couldn't be here. He would have been looking for the castle. She looked around she something sticking up in the distance. Shaking her head she slowly headed for the castle hoping that no one or nothing would see her.

Tori had been walking for a good hour before she saw could actually really look at the castle. It was tall, black and it looked as though there were spikes on the wall. Keeping who out, she had no clue. Biting her lip she looked around hoping to see Blake, but he was no where around. She knew that standing in the open wasn't a smart idea but since that grove of trees there was nothing to hide behind. She had been lucky in getting where she was unharmed.

Walking slowly up to the front of the wall that was around the castle she peered in. There indeed was a tree, alone in the center of the courtyard. It, however, was not with fruit and instead was barren and alone. She looked up and tried to see if she could see anyone looking to see if someone was coming. There was no one. Maybe no one lived here. Maybe all those people had met with other creatures.

She wasn't sure what she was going to do. If she went back and got help for Blake, it might be too late. But with her, well who knew what she could do. She didn't have any weapons at all with her. Closing her eyes for a second she leaned against the brick and immediately pulled away from it tearing some more of her dress in the process. The wall was sucking the extra cloth into it. As she stepped back her eyes went wide when she walked into something. It had been a clear field before and now there was something there. The last thing she remembered as she slowly moved away was sharp pain on her head.

"I do not have much time to listen to this." King Kanoi said.

Elizabeth's Father now looked fierce, "I know. But I think you should check on your daughter. They have been here for a bit and I think you know what that means."

"I'm sure my daughter is fine. Perhaps you need rest."

"NO! Get your daughter and see her right now. Please."

King Kanoi looked at him with concern, "You are not well. Have you slept?"

"I wouldn't concern you with my health at the moment. Do you love your daughter?"
"Of course."

"Then let's see her. If she is here, I will leave and speak no more of it. If she is not…"

"Fine." After speaking to one of the pages, he hurried off. Within a few minutes later Kelly was standing in front of him. "Where is Tori?" The young woman's eyes darted around. "Kelly, I asked for Tori."

"Your highness, she's not here right now."

"Where is she?"

Kelly opened her mouth and then closed it. Looking around she bent her head down, "She's gone."

"HA!" Both Kelly and Kanoi looked at the other King who had a wicked smile of triumphant on his face. "Where is she?"

"I think…"

"Does it have to do with Blake?"

Kelly looked at Elizabeth's Father but remained quiet. King Kanoi looked at her, "Please answer him."

"Yes."

"I told you."

As King Kanoi slowly sat on his throne the other King hurried to the guards, "Do not let Blake leave. Send him and his brother to the dungeons."

"Wait." Kelly said.

The guards looked at King Kanoi who looked up, "Not the dungeons. Keep them in their rooms with guards there. They are still guests." The guards quickly left the room.

"What? That girl just told you that your daughter is missing because of him."

"That's just it, she's missing. That means there's a chance she is alive."

Kelly opened her mouth but was stopped by the other King, "I suppose now you see that I was right. He was right."

"Who?"

"It doesn't matter, you'll see soon enough."

King Kanoi looked at all the people in the room, "Please leave me for now."

Reluctantly Kelly felt one of the guards push her from the room and before she knew it the door was being shut behind her.