Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I will finish this story, Harry Potter came out and the few weeks before I didn't write much because I was spending that time re-reading the books and re-watching the movies, then I was gone for vacation and my sister's wedding, so…I do apologize, this summer has been a bit crazy.

A Selfless Act

Z woke up earlier than normal; her mind was so full of thoughts that she wasn't able to stay asleep. Sitting up she looked towards the window not at all surprised when she realized that it was still dark with just a hint of the sun coming. Most people would have been able to sleep comfortably all night; she on the other hand couldn't get her thoughts to quiet down so she could drift off to sleep.

Her mind had gone all over the place, from her sister to Sky. Sky, she couldn't help how she felt about him, but what else was she going to do? She was a Princess and it wasn't like she could just drop everything and take off…though she had done that. Still it had been a disaster.

Syd on the other hand…

Z loved her sister, she was older than her and wanted to make sure that she was protected and cared for. She knew that Sky would take care of her when they married, he was a good guy. But she knew that Syd didn't want to marry him at all, Bridge and Syd were in love.

It would be nice to find someone that you loved who loved you back. Bridge and Syd got along very nicely, somehow she couldn't see them getting into tons of fights. They were both very much at ease and shared a certain type of childish fun…if that was the best way to describe it…she wasn't too sure.

Though she had fallen in love with Sky she knew that it wouldn't do any good since he didn't feel the same way. How would it be if he was in love with her? Shaking herself of her thoughts before they went any further she got up and decided to get ready. Though the sun was not yet up, she needed a break. A ride in the clean cool air should help clear her thoughts and put things in perspective.

It didn't take her long to get a horse and start riding. First she let all thoughts leave so she could just ride. It was nice, riding without any worry, any fear. Then as she slowed the horse down and began to move back to the stables she let all the thoughts that had been plaguing her come back full force. The one thing she really wanted to make sure would work out was Syd and Bridge. Syd would be much happier with Bridge, and did Sky really need to marry her?

A huge 'no' tore through her thoughts though she wasn't sure if it was from her own feelings or because she truly didn't believe Sky needed to marry Syd. Upon deciding what she was going to do she realized that she had already handed the horse off to the stable boy who was now taking care of the horse. Z looked towards the castle and began slowly moving towards it, knowing what she was about to do.

There wasn't much activity going on in the castle, people were still waking up, moving slowly. Those who did have work to do were already busy with it, not that she would have seen them since they usually kept out of the way.

She figured that her father would be in his library. He woke up earlier enough but enjoyed some time for himself. She quietly headed to his library and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Once she got in she quickly scanned to find him; he was in a chair reading a book. She moved over and sat down next to him, "Morning Father."

"Elizabeth, what brings you here? I thought you'd be out riding longer."

"I would but…there's something I wanted to speak with you about. I figured now would be the best time."

He nodded and signaled her to continue.

"It's about the betrothals."

A soft sigh escaped his lips as he closed his eyes, "Elizabeth…"

"Can you just hear me out?"

"Fine. Continue."

"I was just wondering…it has to do with Syd. She's in love Father, you know that. She's in love with Bridge. And I've seen him with her; he's in love with Syd too. He cares about her. I mean why else would he take off and search for her without any hope of a reward? Without any knowledge of real weaponry and fighting? It's just…if you want Syd to be with someone who will take care of her, which would be Bridge. Sky is a better fighter, but neither of them have feelings like that with each other."

"I am aware of your sister's feelings for Bridge, and I assumed they were returned by him as you pointed out. However I cannot just decide to change my mind and break contract."

"But what about if you were to call the Sky's father here and explain the situation. After all do they need this marriage? I will still marry Jack if you would do this. It would mean the world to Syd."

"And I'm sure to you."

Z didn't speak but let her father digest all that had been spoken. He was quiet for five minutes before he responded, "I will think over this. Please do not speak of this to anyone."

The brunette princess nodded, "Thank you. I'll see you later."

He smiled and nodded, "Thank you Elizabeth. Be well my daughter."

A few hours later

King Westerly was still in the same chair that Elizabeth had found him in earlier that morning. Her request was quite interesting. He didn't think it to odd for her to think about Sydney before herself, she was always looking out for her younger sister. So for her to consider how her sister was feeling and then try and allow her sister to be happy wasn't an odd idea. He still loved the fact that she would do such a thing. Every time something like that would happen when they were growing up he would reveal in the love the two shared. He was glad they turned out the way they had. He was sure their mother would be quite proud of them.

And upon hearing the stories since they had returned and seeing the interaction between the four of them it wasn't hard to see that Sydney did not love Sky. She did trust him, and she liked him. It just was very obvious that the feelings between Bridge and Syd were more than just mere acquaintences or even just friends; it was quite obvious in their looks to each other. Considering he had gone looking for her even though he had to know nothing would ever come from it. To have someone like that with his daughter, she would be very happy. He would take care of her in the best way that he could.

Sydney was engaged to Sky, they had been since she was born. And it wasn't as though he didn't care about whether or not his daughters were happy. He did care. He wanted them to have everything he did. They were both engaged, and the men they were engaged to were good men.

Surely they could still be happy with the future husbands…

There was a soft knock at the door and one of his servants entered, "Princess Sydney, Your Highness." She curtsied and quickly left the room shutting the door once Sydney had entered.

"Good morning my daughter. What brings you here to me on this fine day?" He glanced out the window, it wasn't as early as Elizabeth's visit, but it was much earlier than he was used to seeing Sydney, "And so earlier in the morning."

"It is not that early. I've already had breakfast. Besides Z is already back from her morning ride."

Smiling he realized that she was put off that he would think she was still in bed sleeping. He knew that she didn't spend all of her morning in bed, she just liked to take her time in getting ready, "Of course. But please, tell me what is on your mind, or is it just your company that I will be blessed with?"

His daughter contemplated that for a minute before replying, "I think…yes right now just the company." He smiled and waited until she was sitting down. They sat together for a few minutes before she spoke again, "I must speak with you about Z, it is…most crucial."

"Most crucial? Is your sister in danger?"

She paused then replied slowly, "She could be…I suppose it depends on what danger you are speaking about."

"What danger are you speaking about?"

"Father she cannot marry Jack. She does not love him. It's not fair."

"Sydney, listen to me. Things happen sometimes and—"

"Please, can you not do something? Z would not ask you but I am going to. Please allow her to marry who she wants to. I'll marry Jack."

He tilted his head, "Jack? You are betrothed to Sky."

He watched as Sydney looked down at the floor, "I know."

"Then what is going on?"

He held out his hand to his daughter who took it after a minute, "Z and Sky are in love with each other. It is not fair if they cannot be together."

"Sydney, I can not just simply change things like that.

"Please Father, will you at least think about it. It would mean everything to me and Z."

Sighing Westerly nodded, "I will think about it. Now why don't you go spend sometime with your sister."

Nodded Sydney stood up and left the room. Westerly watched as his youngest daughter left. That now put two different requests from both of his daughters. Each of them was for the other asking something for the other girls' benefit. He felt a swell of pride and love as he once more saw the amazing love and friendship his daughters had for each other.

He wanted nothing more than to just give his daughters everything, but he couldn't just break a contract. Sighing he looked down at the book he had been reading, trying to read. He could not concentrate on a single word.

Once more he sat the book down and was lost in his thoughts for only a few moments when he realized that he could try. He would need to speak to King Antony and King Dane to see if there was anything they could do. And if there was any way that they would make do then perhaps he could once more allow his daughters have what they wanted but were too selfless to ask for themselves.

Westerly stood up and called in one of his maids; it was time to get his advisors together. He knew that together they could work this out.