The people of the Land of Sweets were quite welcoming! Especially if it meant they had a little more help. As Ahiru expected, there were a few familiar faces among the crowd. While most at this camp they didn't know, she had picked out Autor, Hermia and Ms. Ebine. The nutcracker fit right in with the few troops they still had. Ahiru however, wasn't feeling particularly social. Maybe it was the visions she had seen before, maybe it had been a lack of sleep from last night, but whatever the reason she wasn't holding up very well. She sat before the fire with a tired look on her face. Her eyes like empty husks stared at the burning wood, as that horrible vision of the nutcracker danced about in her mind. One of the ladies took notice of her haunted state. The Hermia look-a-like came to her with a warm cup.

"You look dreadfully tired, my friend. Why don't you take some of this?" She offered the cup.

"Thank you." Ahiru said. She took the mug and gave it a little sip. "Hot chocolate?"

"Of course! I find it really helps after a long day."

"It certainly does."

The Hermia look-a-like sat down next to her. "May I ask what's been troubling you?"

Ahiru sighed. "I've had terrible nightmares, or visions. I'm not sure. They're just… hard to shake off." Her eyes lingered back to the fire.

"They must have been. I thought I overheard them mention you sailed through the Sea of Storms. That is an incredible feat, especially from someone so young! We could use that kind of bravery here."

Ahiru still kept her eyes on the flames. "You think so? Honestly, I don't like the idea of anyone having to go through something like that."

Hermia shook her head. "I know how you feel. Unfortunately, we don't have a choice in the matter. Even so, you've done really well. Don't take those accomplishments so lightly." Ahiru stole a glance at the Hermia look-a-like. 'Still as kind as ever.' She thought. Ahiru managed a small smile at her company. The girls' eyes lingered over to the troops.

"Your friend seems to fit right in with the other soldiers." Hermia noted.

"He was a knight before he was cursed by the Raven King." Ahiru added.

"Hmm, I wonder if he served alongside Sir Fakir."

"Sir Fakir?"

Hermia nodded. "He was the highest ranking of all the knights. He was well known for his loyalty. And he had a very close friendship with the prince. He fought very bravely with the other knights against the Raven King before he vanished."

Ahiru was quiet for a moment. Did that mean…? Ahiru got lost in her thoughts watching the nutcracker. He seemed to have that effect on her. She could lose all sense of time just watching him.

"You've been staring at him for a while. Do you like him?"

After the Hermia look-a-like had said that, the nutcracker had caught Ahiru's gaze. She quickly looked away as her cheeks warmed to a soft shade of red. Hermia started to giggle. "I guess that's a 'yes' then?"

"I…" Ahiru tried to think of what to say, but couldn't find the words. It never clicked until it was said out loud. She did like him! He was so brave and courageous, like when he protected her from the ravens. Yet at the same time he could be friendly and gentle, like when he comforted her after crossing the Sea of Storms. She took another sip before speaking again.

"I think I do." She admitted quietly.

Hermia squeezed Ahiru's shoulder. "I know where you've been. That's how I feel about the captain."

Herima took a second look at Lysander and sighed. "Once this is all over. I will tell him how I feel." She looked over at Ahiru, "I think you should do the same with the nutcracker."

Ahiru took another sip. "I think so too…"

It was much later in the night, and the nutcracker sat alone in front of the fire. He was getting closer to having to face the Raven King again. He thought of his journey so far and all the trials he had faced. He tried to recall his life before the Raven King, but nothing came. No matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't recall his history. All that remained was his present situation. His mind stopped when his thoughts came to his red-headed companion. She was a fascinating one. She seemed so innocent and kind. But underneath all that she could be very brave. His thoughts came back to their excursion on the Sea of Storms. He sighed deeply. That almost broke her. He could easily see how deathly quiet she became ever since they landed. It made him feel so angry and helpless that he couldn't do anything to protect her from it, and even more helpless that she didn't seem to be getting any better.

He didn't want to think what would happen if he brought her with him to face the Raven. Not to mention, the Raven King was after her for her possible magical potential. He couldn't let that happen! He considered the idea of her staying here with the people of the Land of Sweets while he would go fight the Raven. Perhaps in that way, he could protect her...

While he was lost in his thoughts, his companion approached him. Ahiru had her cup of hot chocolate in her hands and was wrapped up in her blanket sized handkerchief. "I'm surprised you found time to be alone." She sat down next to him.

"Oh, were you hoping to find me alone?" He asked.

"What? No! I-I-I mean yes! No wait... ugh!" She stammered before focusing very heavily on drinking more hot chocolate.

The nutcracker chuckled. He didn't know what was bothing her, but her babbling was a nice change of pace than her recent behavior. "Are you still drinking that?"

"Huh? Oh, sort of. Every time I get close to finishing, the girl who gave it to me refills it."

"Well, I guess it's helping. You seem to be in better spirits."

Ahiru paused for a moment. "Speaking of that girl, I was talking with her earlier and…" she bit her lip before continuing, "I think I know what your name is."

His smile dropped. "You think so?"

"I think your name is Fakir."

Fakir…

It was like a dam broke in his head. Memories of who he was and what he did came flooding back to him. That block he kept facing, had easily tumbled down once she had said his name.

"Was… was I right?" Ahiru asked timidly.

He dropped out of his trance. "What… oh, Yes!"

Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you." He said.

The embrace was a little awkward, but Ahiru was too happy to care. They had found his name, and in time who knows, maybe Fakir would find more of himself. She was just glad for this moment, she could make him happy.

When he let go of her, she placed her hand over his. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Fakir."

There was a rush of joy upon hearing her say his name. At that point, no other voice could have said his name any sweeter. He did what he could to hold her hand. "The pleasure is mine, Ahiru."

The two looked at each other for a long moment. She never ceased to surprise him. What was it about this girl that made him feel this way? He wouldn't have the time then to think on that question.

"Ahiru?" The Hermia look-a-like called, until she stumbled upon the scene by the campfire. "Oh, I'm sorry." She said backing away.

Ahiru looked away from Fakir to hide the flush of her cheeks. "No, it's fine." She got up and started to walk towards Hermia. She stopped and looked back at the nutcracker. "Good night."

"Good night." He said.

It didn't take too long for everyone to find out the nutcracker's true name. Needless to say, the people were excited to learn that Sir Fakir had survived his encounter with the Raven King. Ahiru however, was slipping back into the background. She was okay with that though. There were bigger things to worry about. They had to find the flower fairies!

The good news was there was only one settlement left where they could possibly be. The bad news was this was the closest one to the castle where the Raven King resided. They would have to be very careful, as it would most likely be crawling with the Raven King's minions. Ahiru was finally given some context on the wilted flowers or plants the people carried around. It was a way to attract the flower fairies if they were in hiding. Ahiru was given a rather wilted pink poinsettia.

(Dancing Scene, Arrival of Drosselmeyer)

As part of the plan to search, because Ahiru like a few others were not fighters, she had to stay behind momentarily while the soldiers would go out first. Hiding in the outskirts of the settlement, Ahiru stood behind Fakir and Autor. Fakir looked down at her, "Remember if anything happens, run and find one of us."

"I know." She said.

"Come on." The Autor look-a-like said, "Let's get going."

"Go, I'll be right behind you." She reassured him. Fakir nodded and moved on with Autor. As they did, Autor spoke to Fakir. "You seem rather protective of that girl."

"And if I am?" He said flatly.

"Just be careful of trifles-"

"She's not a trifle!" He snapped.

"If you think so."

Fakir wanted to tell off Autor, but didn't see the point. They continued on, waiting for a surprise attack. As they got far enough out, the others began appearing from their hiding spots to begin searching the little town more thoroughly. It wasn't until the group got closer to the center of the town did any excitement happen. In the center of the town was a large well surrounded by many large houses, now in ruin. It was the perfect hiding spot for an ambush!

As the group made it further to the center, Ahiru heard a cawing sound. "What was that?" She asked out loud. The others around her began to panic and started searching frantically for the source of the noise. That was when the ravens descended on the crowd. Luckily the soldiers were ready! They moved to protect the defenseless seekers. This gave the seekers an opportunity to run for cover.

Ahiru however, wasn't so lucky. A raven soldier landed in front of her path of escape. She took a few steps back, watching the raven's next move. It cawed loudly at her before brandishing its sword. Frightened, Ahiru began to back away faster. The raven must have been relishing in her fear, Ahiru thought she could hear it laugh slightly. The raven leaped forward causing Ahiru to trip and fall backwards. When she expected to hit the ground, instead she kept falling.

Down, down, down she fell until her vision went black!

Meanwhile up above, the soldiers were fighting off the ravens. Although the ravens outnumbered the soldiers, the soldiers were much more skilled! It didn't take long for the men to wean down the ravens. Fakir finished off the last one that seemed to be hanging over the well. When the excitement died down, the captain called out for a head count.

Fakir glanced over the crowd, only to realize very quickly that Ahiru was missing. He felt a stone drop in the pit of his stomach. The terrible thought of one of the raven soldiers capturing her and taking her to the Raven King filled his mind. He looked around frantically, hoping his thoughts were wrong. His fears were not dissuaded though. Ahiru was missing and no one knew where she went…