I'me so sorry for the late up date! i was busy with life and everything. and now since it's winter break i guess you could be expecting a few more chapters!

This is more - or - less a rough copy. I thought i might send one in since it is Christmas eve.

Flora: Instead of talking today we should head onto the story...

Stella: I agree! these are delicious Flora what are they?

Flora:...

Stella: sorry...

All of Flora

The Fourth Chapter: Linphea

Previously:

A figure stood covered in darkness's layers looking out into the window. Lightning stroked and thunder hit like no end. It was raining hard with powerful blows from wind. Sitting across was another figure looking into his book. It was silent until the sitting figure glanced up from his book and said, "I heard Flora's back."

"You heard correctly, but give her sometime, what happened back then was very traumatizing for her. She my act tough, but she still a little girl at heart." The standing stature continued to stare outside.

"I know." he smiled, remembering all there memories he shared with Flora.

"I'll let you know when it's a good time to approach my little sister, but please for the meantime, don't do anything rash."

"Of course Julius." He smirked into his book.

"Good to hear Garnia."

"Wah~!"

The eleven teens and one ten year old looked towards the door, where the sound had come from. There came in Flora stretching her arms over her head walking to the end of the table in her pajamas. A maid had scurried out of the way after pouring a cup of tea and placing the breakfast plate down. As she sat down, she tried rubbing the sleep in her eyes away but failed to, resulting in a yawn, "so sleepy. Thank you." Flora lifted the cup of tea with her hand barricading the object and slowly tilting it to her lips and took a small sip and smiled, "peppermint, my favorite, and perfectly made."

There was an awkward silence, the glances that were once on the nature fairy soon retreated from her and down to the plate which there food was situated on. Stella having enough of this quiet atmosphere break it by shouted, "Good morning Flora!"

Flora nodded and murmured, "morning." The rest of them replied. It was silent again. Stella's failed attempt was covered by Flora when she asked, "Did you all get a good sleep?"

Nods. This is one of the first times it was awkward for them especially for Rose. Everyone was so tired and caught up in their own deep thought that they barley spoke. "Good morning Flora. Am I allowed to accompany you on your tour with your friends?"

Rose got glances from the older teens, with the thought how a little girl could talk so formal to her own sister, they then looked at Flora who shook her head slowly, and sleep's spell was wearing off very slowly. "I am sorry Rose, but I can't allow it, we aren't riding a vehicle and you have not yet mastered and tamed your horse."

She looked down sadly, "Ok, but promise me you'll play with me today." A nod.

Stella who just calculated all the words into her head stopped at 'horse' and looked up, "We're riding a horse! No leve-bikes or limos?"

Flora giggled, "Yes a horse, and please tell me you know how to ride one."

She shook her head furiously, no way was she going to sit on an animal, let alone a horse, that cannot due, a princess has to ride in style.

"Well, I can teach you, these horses are already trained to it'll be easy."

"Yes! I've heard that Linphea does a really good job on training animals and they don't cause any harm against them." Layla was now excited getting to try a Linphean horse. It was quiet again; it was probably just because it was the morning. Everyone glanced for one another hoping for the conversation to continue.

"Well, I'm going to get dressed seeing as you guys are already are, when you finished I'll have someone show you to the fitting rooms so you can choose your attire." And with that, Flora stood up from her seat and headed out to the main hall thanking the service members that worked there. Her form had yawned once again.

Stella POV

"Look at all these clothes! And this is just for riding a horse!" I exclaimed as she walked into the huge walk-in closet. There were shoes to boots on shelve in rows reaching the top to the bottom. Two, hanged coats rows were formed at the far wall with the shirts to the right, and pants to the left. And a center table with riding accessories. "Maybe I should consider this horse thing." The girls excluding flora laughed at my comment.

"Stella stop gawking and find something you like." Layla said, not looking up from the various rows of outer riding jackets. I hmph-ed and looked over every single clothes article there was…well, most of them. They were all so different but so similar. The room is like a mall stuffed into one room very elegantly. I went into the changing room and slipped on tan riding skirt with pants underneath, with black tall flat riding boots an cream color show shirt with a light creamy yellow show coat that had lace beaded through it. When walking out, I saw everyone had the same but with different coats except Layla who had riding breeches on.

"Should I wear ridding gloves?" I looked through all the gloved that were neatly placed on a table, there was a whole selection, from leathers to silk to lace to cotton. Once the girls and I were finished we headed out to the stables, I was worried at first but the horses were so beautifully bread that they didn't look dangerous at all. We walked over to Flora who was standing there with her horse next to her.

Brandon POV

The breakfast was delicious, we all walked into a huge walk-in closet for the men's riding attire, and let me say, I've had a fair share in wearing formal wear but there is so much to choose from, it would take at least an hour to fin the right pants. But some how we managed and we all got into white breeches, a white shows shirt with knee length boots and a shad-belly show coat. I think we looked handsome, we made out way to the stables with horses in the compartments ready for us to ride.

Flora was in a red cranberry shad-belly show coat, you could see her cream colored button up blouse with her white skinny riding pants and her boots had a slight heel that went just below the knees.

"No fair!" Stella shouted gaining attention from everyone, "Why does Flora look fabulous and we don't? No offence."

Layla hopped onto the horse, "Stop complaining, you look fine, all horse riding attire look the same."

They all hoped onto the horse, and to their surprise the animals were very obedient. They listened to anybody commands and followed. Flora was in the lead slowly walking the horse into a small trot into the smooth dirt surface of the forest.

"First we are going to the old south castle. It is just a landmark of royalty which is now used for meetings, balls, wedding, anything that is categorized as a special event. I used to go here with my friends, when we were little to play in the lake near it."

The horses stopped at the opening, the sight was magnificent. The clear lake glitter in the early sun's light, the castle was a distance with layers of fog formed around the area. You could hear the early birds chirping.

"This place is so peaceful," Helia commented as he continued to walk the horse to the direction of the stone structure. Flora smiled, followed in suite along with the others. "Do you know what they are preparing for?" he asked pointing to the main entrance with people running in and out.

"Ah… The Late Winter Ball, Their, majesties weren't able to host the Winter Ball at the earlier date, because of a family event, so they postponed it to end of January." Flora paused, "You are all welcomed to come."

"YES! I thought you would have never asked." Stella exaggerated. Her horse was standing idly but proud as if it held a knight ready for battle. It followed the pack of horses leading to the castle. It then started to gallop following swiftly behind, past the castle, "Where are we going now?" the sun fairy asked in scared tone.

"Past here and to the country side with the grape valleys," Flora put her brown haired horse into a gallop, as the others copied. "You haven't tried homemade wine and biscuits like you do there."

Passing the busy castle you could see cooks bringing in their cakes of all different sizes, and other dessert assortments on polished silver trays. Heading into another entrance of the forest, the light cascaded through the leaves of the tress with light breeze sweeping through. For a season to be winter, it was warm enough to ride out without think layers clothes. For miles all you could see was the dirt path and the frosted trees, until the area soon lessen in forest to more of a grander area. It was quiet throughout the ride, it is hard to communicate when you're trying to control your horse and not run into a tree or flatten your friends around you. The forest soon came to and after miles of what seemed to be endless trees.

"Wow." Riven whispered, "I thought we were riding to nowhere but it's …"

"Finish your sentence Riven." Musa teased she knew he rarely gave a compliment and to nature no less. The seen before them were the hilly country side with rows of vineyards, and scattered chateaux(s).

"Hn."

Everyone laughed, knowing Riven; you can't get him to finish a compliment. They followed Flora to a small château, there they jumped off the horses and let them roam through the fenced area. It had been an hours ride to the place and was probably around noon time.

"Ah Flora!" an old woman exclaimed and embraced her and continue in her accented English. "Itz been too long. I rememba when you were diz short." She put her hand to a height that was about three feet. "And now look at ya, all tall a'n grown up!"

"Sadly, we all grow up someday, Edith,"

Edith unhooked herself from the nature fairy and turned to see the stranger figures of both teenaged girls and guys behind them. With a warm smile, she asked, "Well, who are these beautiful woman and handsome men?" A slight blush rain across all their faces.

"These are my friends, Bloom, Stella, Musa, Layla, Tecna, and the guys, Sky, Brandon, Riven, Nabu, Timmy, and Helia."

"Ah!" Edith ran up to both Sky and Helia, and hugged them in a tight embrace, "I rememba when you guyz were only little boyz! Bot(h) of you were so cute, but now look! Az Handsome az can be!"

Sky and Helia looked at each other then to the older woman, Edith, who had huge grin on her face. The rest all looked so confused. She then continued, "I neva thought I would see you again. Such little trouble make'as. You probably don rememba me. I was your mothers' tutor in teaching magic when they were young themselves. Any ways, I think I know why you are here."

She waved her hand gesturing them into the chateau, through the main hall into the kitchen. As they walked in, a wave of aroma's hit their noses as stomach grumbles were followed.

"Sorry, I never thought I could be this hungry" As Stella look down to her stomach and then back to where the great smells were the strongest. Fairies laughed as the guys smirked, though, their stomach had rumbled, only Stella pointed out hers.

"I had diz premonition dat many people were coming zo I thought I vould make extra. Now come along dearies, to de eating'all."

Both the girls and the guys enjoyed homemade Linphean national dish, filled with scrumptious deserts, mouth watering main plates and sweet appetizers. The host, Edith, had left them to each others company. The time had gone by faster than each had thought. It was only noon, since they set out early morning. Through the window, trees danced with leaves as the wind played music. Horses were nae-ing to their delight with hey and fresh water placed in front of them. The group then journeyed to the city of Linphea. It wasn't big and it wasn't small. The hustle and bustle was heard through out, with feet tapping to their destination and cars beeping their horn. Time had just told them the day was over as the seen started to set, sending out hues of orange, white, pink, red and slight purples. Dinner had appeared once again, delicious like all the plates that were served. Rose had some friends over, both from non and influential families. Now sitting in the living room with the tv playing in the back ground the 6 fairies had gotten into more suitable clothes and talked.

"…and that what happen!" Stella proclaimed, as every one had burst into laughing fits. Once the jolly noise toned down she asked a question, "So when is the hunk coming over?" Everyone froze, the red fountain students had their eyebrows twitching in annoyance. Flora spoke up, "I don't know. But I'll be gone tomorrow so please, don't do anything rash."

"Oh yeah! I remember where are you going?" Tecna had asked but her eyes glued to the PDA in front of her.

"Just to do some duties, you don't live in this place without getting out of work, sadly." Flora then stood up , "It's late, and I'm departing early, I won't be able to come back for dinner, so please eat with out my. Good night." And left the room.

"I'll be heading in tonight as well." Helia told them softly. Once he got away from the room he broke into a run. He searched every hall way he could find, where could she have gone and so fast? Helia walked through the hallway and stopped to look out into the night sky. He walked through the door of the balcony all the while seeing a small silhouette near the edge of the lighted fountain. He rushed down the stone steps.

Flora instead went outside into the garden, it was quiet filled with tranquil. A perfect spot to think, she sat at the edge of the marble round, watering fountain and lay across it listening to the splash of water. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Helia."

"Flora."

Said girl quickly opened her eyes, sat up and tuned her head causing whiplash. Flora instinctively put her hand to her neck and rubbed the area to lighten the pain. "Helia… what-"

"I've…been looking… for… you." He panted out. He stood from his hunched position and stared towards the nature fairy.

"why?"

"Why? Because I love you." Helia walked over to Flora and set he hands on he shoulders and placed his chin on her head. "I'm trying. Really I am, to stop the engagement my father has placed me with." A pause, she then heard a small chuckle that filled the night. "At least you helped me a little bit easier."

"How?"

"Well… seeing you have all this…wealth. It makes it easier to persuade my bone-headed greedy father."

"Ah… helia-"

"Don't miss understand. I love you not for your wealth and status or anything! I love you for being you. You're sweet and caring to those around you but you also are a mystery I want to know more about, to figure the puzzle. You're eyes hold this gleam, I can stare at all day. Your-"

Laughter from the girl filled his ears and he looked down to her. "What?"

"Are you trying to apologize?"

"Yes. And telling you that I would do anything for you… even if it risks losing my life."

… Nothing was heard, it was silent. Then a muffled sniffle was heard. Helia looked down to Flora and whipped the tear away. "Flora-" said then hugged Helia into a tight embrace with her head against his chest.

"You're the second person who said that to me." It was quiet but Helia heard. Her arms squeezed Helia even tighter, "Helia -sniffle- I love you too. Just don't leave me."

"Flora..." He returned the hug and held the crying nature fairy in his arms. What are you hiding that causes you this much pain?

Merry Christmas! Happy... belated Hanukkah! Happy Holidays!

I love when i get reviews but i hate it when i can't get a chapter done. I'm so sorry!

but please review! it gives me more motivation!

Have a wonderful holiday. - Be safe. Gather your family. -

- ENJOY YOUR PRESENTS! - (i know... it's about giving...)

~ Mallomars