Hey, guys. Another chapter. I know, I update fast, but I can't help it. You guys rock!

Disclaimer: Me do not own Epic. Or it's characters.

"Nod! To your right!" He heard someone yell out a warning.

He snapped his head around and caught the strike with his blade and slashed. The Boggan burst into dust.

"One down. About a billion more to go." He muttered and dove back down into the chaos.

He stabbed one Boggan in the gut and knocked another off it's bird.

A leafman fell from his bird. Nod's blood began to boil and he fought with renewed strength.

After what seemed like days, the Boggans retreated. Nod narrowed his eyes against the setting sun. It was getting dark.

They treated the wounded and buried the dead. Four leafmen would not be returning to their families, including the one that fell.

Nod hoped M.K. was alright as he began the long fly back.

"You look absolutely beautiful!" Queen Tara squealed. M.K. personally thought she looked ridiculous.

The dress had a leafy top and shimmering purple, pink, and white petals. It reached her knees and had small strips of leaves on both shoulders to hold it up. It even covered the bandages on her shoulder.

M.K. crossed her arms and sighed. She couldn't blame the Queen for dressing her up like a doll. She never had a daughter or anything to do this with and this must be joy for her.

"Come on. Let's show Mub and Grub." Queen Tara said. She groaned and reluctantly let the Queen drag her out of the room.

They still stood there, tending to the pod and looked up when they entered.

Mub's eyes seemed to bug out of their sockets. Or whatever those things are.

They both didn't say anything for a long time.

The Queen smiled at her, "See? They think you look nice too."

Or they froze or something.

Thank goodness, Nod and Ronin walked in that very second.

M.K. hid behind Nod. His expression was priceless, "What are you wearing?"

M.K. merely pointed at the Queen and hid behind him again.

He began to laugh and she glared at him, "Not funny! This is absolute torture."

"No, it isn't!" The Queen protested, "You look amazing."

"Well, I can't disagree with that." Nod rubbed his chin in a thoughtful way. M.K. kicked his shin, "Ow! What was that for?"

Ronin watched them with a small smile on his face, "Calm down, lovebirds. My Queen, there was some Boggan activity near the border. We drove them off. However, I have a feeling they won't stay away for long."

Her smile faded, "Did any of the leafmen-"

He replied, knowing her question, "Four died in the attack."

The Queen looked down at the floor. Her expression was pained when she looked up again, "Any other news?"

Ronin shook his head, "No, your Highness."

She nodded and Mub and Grub had to unfreeze right there.

"Wowza! Baby girl- Oh, hey Nod." Mub narrowed his eyes suspiciously at him.

"Mub and Grub's here?" He asked M.K.

She gave him a knowing look, "Two-"

"Acquaintances. Aw, man!" He complained.

She laughed and punched his arm.

Queen Tara walked over and picked up the pod, "We need to head over to Nim Galuu's." She looked up at the sky.

"The scroll-keeper? Why?"

"I'll explain on the way." She promised. Ronin sighed, nodded, and led the way out.

"What about us?" Mub asked, slowly following after them, Grub at his tail.

Ronin helped the Queen on his bird, "Nod, why don't you take them?"

He complained again, "This is the most luckiest day of my life." He said sarcastically and plopped the slug on his bird.

"Can you fly a bird by yourself?" Queen Tara asked. M.K. nodded and they took off.

"Hey, Noddy-boy." Nod hoped the flight would be nice and quiet. Luck just wasn't with him this time though.

"What, Mub?"

"You know about Baby Girl?"

"About M.K.? 'Course I do." He sat more alert at the mention of her.

"Well, here's a heads up. She's mine."

"What?" Nod glanced behind him at the infuriating slug.

"You heard me. M.K.'s mine."

Nod had half a mind to toss this thing off his bird," Excuse me? Did you just call M.K. yours?"

He glared at the thing and it didn't seem unfazed, "Yeah. Cause she's mine."

Nod stopped his bird in midair and whipped out his knife, "You call M.K. 'your's' again and let's see what happens." He pressed the tip of his knife against the thing. Mub gulped nervously. Grub sat silently behind him.

"I-I was just joking, Noddy-boy." Mub stuttered.

Nod snarled at him, "You're lucky that you're the Queen's guest or I would of cut both your eyes off by now."

Ronin and M.K. raced ahead of them. Ronin frowned at him as they passed.

He sheathed his knife and soared toward Nim Galuu's.

The rest of the flight was peaceful.

I always thought of Nod to be the jealous type. And M.

So the next scene is going to be the blooming of the pod. I don't know if I can input the bats because that wouldn't work.

Maybe I'll add a different twist to the scene:)

-RoselaDiamond