Chapter 39

They had been hiking most of the day, but Regina finally found the cave system that she was looking for in the Eastern Fire Mountains. She was surprised that Rachel didn't complain the entire trip. Quinn kept her eyes peeled and her bow at the ready. Regina didn't believe that they would be attacked, but she wanted to be ready. No one had really been in the regions since the plague had wiped out most of the populace.

"Just ahead," Regina said as they neared some caves.

She could hear the cries of a beast, but she didn't know if it was what she was looking for. It didn't sound like a legendary bird to her, but then again, Regina had only seen them in flight. She knew that the Fire Mountains were there home and even the Vulcannonians gave them a wide berth. She wondered if they were like other birds in speech, but as they neared she stopped. She bent down and picked up a feather. It was extremely long. She'd never seen a feather that long.

"What is that?" Quinn asked as she looked at the feather that Regina was holding.

"It looks like a feather from a Roc," Regina replied.

"How big are they?" Quinn questioned, the worry in her voice very evident.

"Big enough," Regina said as she walked a little further into the cave.

Quinn and Rachel followed her inside. She reached down and picked up a stick. Mumbling an incantation the end of the stick caught fire and became their torch. Regina led the way, Quinn at her back, arrow notched and ready to fly. Rachel wasn't far behind them, but she started to feel odd. She didn't know if it was just being there, the land of her ancestors or if she was worried about their mission.

They came around a corner in the cave and it opened up into a huge chamber. In the middle of the chamber was a huge nest, centered under a ray of sunlight. They all looked up and saw an oculus hole in the ceiling of the cave. Rachel and Quinn studied the cave and the way the light hit the walls.

"It's a time keeping device," Rachel whispered.

"By the looks of it, it tracks hours, days and months," Quinn replied.

"Rocs are considered to be very smart, and some, I've heard can speak," Regina added.

Rachel and Quinn looked at each other. Their shock was evident, but they were good enough not to say anything. They followed Regina as she lead the way into the chamber more. There were feathers everywhere. It was obvious that if a living Roc lived there, it was huge. Rachel moved closer to Quinn. She wasn't sure if it was because she need the silent strength that Quinn gave her or because she was actually scared of meeting some giant bird.

"Have you seen any on your adventures here before?" Quinn asked.

"No," Regina answered.

Quinn just nodded her head as they continued to move around the cave. Just as they came to a section that looked hollowed out, they heard a high pitched squawk. As they turned towards the sound, Regina put her arms out to keep them behind her.

"Whoooo arrrreee youuuu?" the large bird in front of them asked as it came closer to them and under the light provided by the oculus.

"I am Queen Regina of the Winterlands and the Enchanted Forest, my liege," Regina answered with deep bow that Quinn and Rachel mimicked.

"Annndddd, thheeeemmmm?"

"This is Quinn Fabray of the Forest Elves near Rivendale, my liege," Regina said as Quinn deepened her bow.

"Annndddd, hhhheeerrrrrr?"

"She is the granddaughter of Nicola, the Princess Royal and Pyroxes, younger sister. She goes by Rachel Berry, and is new to this land, my liege. She is a Guardian."

"There are no Guardians, save the missing daughter."

"Wilhelmina?" Rachel breathed.

"Yes," the large bird replied as took a more neutral state.

"She is my cousin," Rachel stated.

"She is here?" the bird questioned cocking it's head back and forth, watching them.

"She is."

"Why are you here?" the bird inquired looking back at Regina more fully.

"My liege, we seek your help. The Enchanted Forest in under attack by an outsider who wishes to destroy magic. Your Guardian, her mate and the Princess Royal have gone to try to negotiate with their leader. We are asking for your help and support in this process," Regina stated.

"Wilhelmina has called upon us?"

"She has, if you are willing to come," Regina answered.

"Can she speak for herself?"

"She could if she were here, my liege," Rachel replied. "That is why I have come in her stead. I am a Princess of Vulcannon and I have come to ask for your support."

"So, Vulcannon will rise from the ashes again?"

"If you will help us with your greatness, my liege," Rachel added.

"She was right to send you, Little One," the great bird told them.

"My liege, is there a better name to call you?"

"I am a Roc, is that not enough?" it countered.

"It is, my liege, if you wish us to call you Roc. But, if you wish, we can call you by your name. Or, we can come up with something we can pronounce in our tongue if it too difficult for us to pronounce in yours," Rachel offered.

"I have no name."

"You have no name?" Quinn asked taking a step towards Rachel.

"She is your mate," the bird asked Rachel as it gestured towards Quinn.

"She is."

"She is your knight?"

"No," Rachel answered.

"She protects you like a guardian."

"She is my lover and as such wishes to protect me. I have no knight where I live. I have friends and we all protect each other. I guess you could call them my entourage, but they are not my knights, my liege," Rachel explained.

"Tell me more," the bird commanded.

Rachel bowed to the large hawk like bird as she moved to a small patch of rocks to sit. She made sure to keep her eyes on the bird, never break its gaze as she moved. As she did she mumbled something about Harry Potter was right about a few things and this was so not Hogworts.

"What would you like to know, my liege?"

"The one you call Guardian, Pyroxes' daughter. You say she protects you. Why?"

Rachel swallowed. She wasn't sure that it was something that she wanted to remember, but she knew that the Rocs could help. If a story is what they wanted, they would get one.

"Her mate saved my life in the realm that I grew up it."

"Another realm?"

"The realm with no magic," Rachel answered.

"Ah, that is where she was hiding."

"My liege?"

"The missing daughter of the Guardians fled magic, but only came back for her mate. How fitting for her being second born," the giant hawk told them. "However that is no matter. Since you are a Guardian of the Roc, you may name me."

"What?" Rachel asked.

"When Guardians find Roc as hatchlings, they name us. Since, the Guardian is not here and you are. You assume that role. You are by blood a Guardian."

"She is, my liege," Regina stated.

"Then youuuu name meeee," the Roc replied.

Rachel sighed. She wasn't ready for this much responsibility. She wasn't sure what to call the large bird. Hawk seemed too obvious and not very original.

"Do you not have a name that you use with the other Rocs?" Rachel asked.

"Squawwwwwwwww!"

"Well, that won't do either," Rachel said.

"What about Phoenix?" Quinn asked.

"Phoenix was a great leader of ours that left our land many years ago for the land with no magic to help the people there. He took some Rocs with him. No one has heard from them again. Do you still have Roc's in that world?" the Roc asked.

"No, my liege, we do not. But, your great leader and others like him are remembered by different people in our world. They haven't been forgotten. Their legend lives on."

"That is good. To be remembered is an honor that every Roc strives for. So many have gone before without names, that is why we stay in our caves. With the Guardians, we are nothing," the giant hawk explains.

"Well, that ends, now. I, Rachel Berry, of the house of...Nicola, Princess Royal and General of the Phoenix Legions, hereby by the powers on my royal standing as a Guarding of Vulcannon, name you Thoran the wise, leader of the Rocs. Let the Rocs rise again and help the Guardians in their quests to protect this realm and all its magic," she told it.

"I, Thoran, swear do as asked," he replied.

"And, the rest?" Regina questioned.

"We shall come to your aid, my Queen. The Rocs will stand with the Enchanted Forest, if my Guardian wishes it," Thoran told them all.

"I do," Rachel replied.

"Then, go home. The Rocs will be there soon. And, my Guardian?"

"Yes, Thoran?"

"You might want to get Nicola and Wilhelmina to come back soon," he suggested.

"Why is that?" Quinn questioned.

"There are a lot of Rocs that will need names," he told them.

Rachel looked shocked at his statement as he took off towards the oculus. Quinn grinned as Regina laughed. They had the Rocs now for their army. Rachel wasn't sure what that meant for them, but she was glad that they had more help. Hopefully the sight of a large animal and a lot of them would make the Silver Army rethink their mission.

"Any word from your mother?" Will asked Danni.

"Not yet," Danni said as she woke the next morning.

"How long are we going to wait?" Nicola asked.

"As long as we need to. Has there been any new developments since last night? Did anything happen?"

"No, he has been cautious. He is pulling his troops in closer. I think that Midas has told him that he won't help the way he wants him to. The Golden King has not forgotten the alliances of old," Nicola replied.

"Can we get word to Midas?"

"Not without getting caught," Nicola stated. "I've already probed that idea. Unless you know a back door into his castle, we aren't getting through."

"Do you have a mirror?" Danni asked.

Nicola looked at her like she was crazy, but Will was smiling. She knew exactly what Danni was going to do. Why hadn't they thought of it sooner? Mirror magic was better that walkie-talkies and hardly detectable. It was a helluva lot better than ravens that Dedric could shoot down and capture.

"No?!" Nicola replied.

"Anything like it?" Will probed.

"Just a blade," Nick stated.

"What about a pool?" Will asked.

"A what?"

"A water mirror! Of course, its perfect. I'll need somewhere to cast one. And, I will need protection to do it. It will shine like a beacon for Dedric to see if he is looking for magic. We'll have to find somewhere to do it in the dark or in shadows."

"There was a set of caves a league East," Nicola stated.

"Then we go there," Will replied.

"Sire?"

"What!?" he yelled as he rubbed his temples.

Why could he not just get what he wanted? Why was it so hard? Why was everyone against? Could they not see that he wasn't just doing it for himself?

"The Golden King has closed the kingdom and is preparing for you to invade."

"I know that."

"Well, it seems that he has gotten help, milord," the squire relayed.

"Help? From where? And, why wasn't I told?" he demanded.

"We aren't sure, milord. The Imp is looking into it, but he doesn't have any answers. His only response is that there is more than one way to enter a kingdom. Mayhaps, his help used a way we didn't know about."

"Bring me that IMP!" he exclaimed.

The Imp was his prisoner, but he was helping him for his own agenda. Dedric wasn't sure what that agenda was and he wasn't sure that he wanted to know either. As long as he got his revenge against the man that killed his beloved, he would be happy. Destroying magic was just an added bonus. The Imp wanted more destruction and he was willing to give it if it meant he got his vengeance at the same time. He saw their partnership as win-win.

"Yes, milord," the squired yelped as he ran from the tent to get the Imp.

Emma paced just outside Regina's suite. She didn't want to bust up in there, but then again she did. She was worried. She hadn't received word from Regina since the day before. She was to be coming home today and tell her what she found.

"She'll be here soon," Brittany told her.

"What do you mean?"

"She is on her way back now. She has succeeded in her mission. They will join us. But, you need to calm down. You body is giving you away, Emma. The people can see that you are worried about something. You need to relax and be the Queen's Consort, the Queen and the General that they know," Brittany told her.

"How is Red this morning?" Emma asked changing the subject.

"She is well. She should deliver soon. Are you ready for that? To have two pups in the castle?" Brittany asked her.

"I wonder about that."

"Why?"

"Will they be pups or babies? I know that they are Wolves, but what form will they take as kids. I've never been around Wolves to know. And, Red was already an adult when we met. She was also born and not bitten. Granny was bitten...I guess it doesn't really matter. I will love them because they will be my niece and nephew. Just like Danielle Coraline is my niece," Emma stated.

"Ah, yes, Belle's daughter...has she returned from the Ulflands, yet?" Brittany inquired.

"Not that I know of. She isn't considered Brannonulf because she is Belle's daughter. It doesn't matter that she is Red's too. The Ulf won't accept her because she wasn't born of Red. Red's marked her, too. It is a shame. That girl is amazing."

"How so?"

"She has Wolf abilities without the need to faze into one. She is super strong and fast. She has a very keen sense of smell and hearing. And, she understands the Wolves when they are in form. She's our translator. But, it is astonishing to see her run with Red during the full moons. For whatever reason, the magic did turn her when she was conceived."

"That must be an interesting story," Brittany hinted.

"Let's just say that as much as Belle and Red love each other, Danielle wasn't exactly planned in the most conventional way. She was born of magic and love, but it was kinda forced on them. I am not sure if it was their insecurities that caused it, but it happened. Danielle was born two and half months later with her bright blue eyes and shock of dark hair with beautiful reddish highlights. She is a beauty, but how could she not be with her parents? But, as she grew, Granny noticed that she wasn't like other Wolf pups. She had that ability, but she wasn't controlled by the moon. When she didn't faze at age five, Red began to seek council with the Ulf leaders."

"So no one knows why she hasn't turned?" Brittany asked.

"They don't. They also don't know if she will ever turn. If she does, she might actually become Red's legitimate heir and a Brannonulf. Right now, she is just a Half-Blood, and as such can have no claim to the throne without proving that she is a Brannonulf. And, to do that, she has to faze into full Wolf form in front of the Council of Ulf."

"And you have no doubt that the twins are pups?" she questioned.

"Not since you got here," Emma stated.

"Should be worried about Danielle?" Brittany inquired.

"No, she wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone in this family or kingdom."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I have sworn my allegiance to my Aunts Regina and Emma," Danielle said as she came up on them so quietly that neither heard her.

Brittany jumped and this amused Emma. It was the first time that she has seen the Empath surprised. It figured that it would be Belle's daughter to do it.

"Hey, Danielle," Emma said in greeting.

"Morning, Aunt Emma, Mum still with Momma?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then I will tell you that the the Ulf resistance has moved into the Golden Kingdom and is working their way towards the Silver Army. I know it wasn't what was planned, but they refused to wait for Wolves to move," Danielle stated.

"The Half-Blood Army?"

"Yup," Danielle quipped with a smile.

"You are so Red's child," Emma replied with a laugh.

"I never denied that, Em. Where's Coraline? I wanted to see her when I got back," Danielle said.

"She's off playing hero again, but she should be home soon," Emma told her.

"And, Aunt Regina?"

"She took a trip to Vulcannon," Emma replied.

"Damn, I wanted to go with her next time she did. Oh well. I'm sure that she'll be home before dinner. Where's Remy?"

"She should be in her rooms. Her lessons start in an hour, so if you go now, you could play with her until then. Then I want to hear what you have to say about Midas and the Ulf, got it?" Emma asked more as command than a question.

"Yeah."

"And, Danielle..."

"Yes, Auntie Em?"

"Go see your mothers, too," Emma told her as she and Brittany watched the dark haired girl run down the corridor.

The faint sounds of "yeah, yeah" following back towards them as she ran away. Emma couldn't help but laugh at her niece's antics. She was more trouble than she appeared and Emma wondered if that was her own fault. She'd allowed Danielle more freedoms than Neal or Remy could ever have. She taught her to fight much younger. She gave her responsiblities much younger. Hell, Remy and Danielle were the same age, but no one would believe that. Danielle had always been bigger, stronger, and faster than anyone else in age group.

"Her being a Half-Blood has come in handy for politics, I gather," Brittany stated.

"It has. She grew up quickly like most Wolves do and reach the age of maturity at age five. She barely nine and looks like a teenager. She can get into places we can't, because she isn't really seen. No one in the castle thinks about her as a child, but as a page or something. She uses that to her advantage and gets access to people that, sometimes I wonder if she really should, but we can't. She walked right into Midas' castle and delivered a message from Regina, I'm sure and the spies that Dedric has around the castle were none the wiser. I gave up trying to ask questions about her a few years ago. She has Belle's brains, Red's brawn, and Regina's smarts. She's frankly frightening when she wants to be and I'm glad that she is very loyal to her family," Emma explained.

"That is always very good. Loyalty means a lot to this family. Do you think that Danielle thinks she has to do these missions because of loyalty or because she wants to?"

"But, we don't use her that often. I love Red too much to do that to her. As much as Danielle has done for this family since her birth, I would never willingly send her into battle. It is the same with Danni. I would keep her here if I could, but I know that she would just sneak out and go on her own," Emma replied.

"She intrigues me," Brittany admitted.

"Why?"

"I can't read her. Her feelings and thoughts are guarded. I can't feel her coming up on me. She was the first person since we got here that could do that," Brittany stated.

"That could be a good thing," Emma said.

"Yes, because I know who the spies are in the castle."

"And, you haven't told us?" Emma questioned.

"No, I told the captain of the guard. They have been quietly removed as to not raise suspicion amongst the rest. It was quiet ingenious of me, but I didn't want word getting out that they had been found. I've also alerted the captain to those who are from other kingdoms spying, but not doing anything against the kingdom. I think that they are here mostly for court gossip and to stay abreast of current events for their kingdoms knowledge," Brittany told her.

"You are loyal to us, but you aren't a member of our family. Why? Can you tell me?"

"Danni is my family. San is my family. Quinn and Rachel are my family. As long as Danni stays here, you are my family, too. You've taken us in with no question. You've helped us learn more about ourselves. You've made us stronger. You did that out of loyalty for your daughter, just same as I do," Brittany answered.

Emma nodded. She'd seen it with her own eyes. The girls closed in around Danni and protected her just as Danni had stood up for each of them. They were loyal to each other. Emma was proud of that fact. She might not know what happened to her daughter in "Real World" but she knew that she had a support group that would protect her, fight for her, fight with her, and be there for her no matter what came knocking on their doors.

Just then, Regina, Quinn and Rachel came out of Regina's rooms. Their clothes were dirty and they all has swords, causing Emma to cock an eyebrow at her wife. They smiled as Regina glided over to Emma, gave her a big kiss, and then smiled.

"We have much to discuss," Regina told them.

"But, did you succeed?" Emma asked.

"We did," Quinn said. "Well, I guess I should say that Princess Rachel did. Since she is Guarding of the Roc."

"What?" Emma asked as she took Regina's hand.

Regina just waved off the question as she turned them to the throne room. She started walking and she knew that Emma would come along. They could talk about it later. Right now, she wanted to focus on the kingdom.

"All we need to worry about right now is what Danni finds out. We need to meet with our allies to see where we stand. Can we still send Ravens?"

"Thanks to some undercover work, yes. It shouldn't be a problem. By the way, Danielle is back from the Ulflands. I've sent her to Belle and Red."

"Well, that is an unexpected surprise. I am sure that she'll want to do something. She has to know that she doesn't need Red's approval, she already has it."

"She does Regina. She does. She is just trying to prove her worth since she hasn't become a Wolf. She doesn't know what to do as a Half-Blood. She has the power without fazing. It isn't easy for her. She doesn't know what world to belong to, ours or the Wolves. She's still trying to find herself. But, she did say that there was a small unit of Half-Bloods working their way through the Golden Kingdom on her orders."

"What does that mean?" Regina asked.

"I have no idea. You'll have to ask her. I didn't debrief her completely. I was too worried about you," Emma admitted.

"Then, I'll do it," Regina stated.