Sorry I took so long. It has been so crazy at work. One of the down sides of making a living is not having a a lot of time to do things you like. I promise to try and make more time for writing. I also promise to try and get another chapter posted in time for Christmas. Please enjoy and know I have not forgotten my stories.

Sophie awoke feeling relaxed and refreshed.

She no longer felt any pain as she swam towards the stairs of her new bath.

As much as she was enjoying the warm water, she knew that she had to check on Luna and her boys.

Besides, Howl had some answers to a few questions she wanted to ask.

After searching on her hands and knees for some clothes. Sophie manage to find the walk in closet that Howl had hidden in one of the walls. She accidentally pressed her hand on the hidden button that opened the hidden door.

The closet was filled with so many different, and lovely dresses. Finding one she liked along with a pair of comfortable flats. She got dressed and went out to see where everyone had got to.

The castle certainly looked nicer than it did before, even after she gave the place a good cleaning.

It was more new, bigger and more open.

It made the two boys sitting at the large oak table, and the two cats lounging on the new sofa in front of the fireplace look a lot smaller than they actually were.

"Well good morning Princess." Said a cheery Howl as he looked up from his cup of tea and spell book.

"SOPHIE!" shouted Michael as he leaped from his chair and raced straight to Sophie. Wrapping his arms around her and holding onto her tightly as if he was afraid she was going to vanish right in front of him.

Sensing how he felt, Sophie wrapped her arms around him and whispered words of comfort before addressing Howl.

"And a Good Morning to you too, Howl. I certainly hope you have not been causing any mischief while I was asleep." Sophie said with a slight smirk upon her lips.

Howl surprised her with a sincerely, joyful laugh. A smile upon his face as his whole body shook with mirth.

"You hear that Calcifer? Merely a couple of hours since she left death's door after hanging out there for almost a week and already she's making jokes."

"Hey, it's better than complaining which is what you would have done, you big baby." Said the smug fire demon from his place in the now larger fireplace.

"Howl, don't start something you can't finish." Sophie warned as Howl opened his mouth, but quickly shut it at the sound of Sophie's voice.

"Meow"

Sophie turned her attention to Luna as the happy kitty jumped onto her shoulder purring and licking her cheek affectionately causing Sophie to smile brightly.

It wasn't long before Howl opened his mouth again.

"Should I start the story telling then Sophie, or would you like to?"

Sophie's bright smile dimmed a bit.

"Alright Howl. Long ago there was a little boy who went into the jungle to escape…"

"Stop, Sophie. You know that is not what I meant."

Sophie's smile fell from her face a deep sigh of resignation, she said.

"I know. I had hoped that you would not find out this way."

"Oh, and exactly how did you hope I would find out?"

Sophie's lips curled the tiniest bit back into a smile as she took Howl's bait.

"Well, I was thinking that you would have figured that I wasn't human after you saw the basket of myrtles that morning. But apparently you had rocks in your head, instead of a brain, and didn't get it. Oh, well. What's done is done. And now you know."

Calcifer was trying to smother some chuckles that threatened to spill from his mouth.

And surprisingly enough, so was Howl? But a couple of managed to escape.

"Good to see your sharp tongue has not lost it's edge. But seriously Sophie, I think it is time that we know the truth. And what does a basket of silly flowers have to do with you being a mermaid anyway?"

Sophie started laughing.

"What's so funny Sophie?"

"Oh, nothing. Just my little secret I guess." Sophie said with a smile.

Howl sighed in frustration.

Mermaids and their secrets.

He was reaching his limits though. Several days with little to no sleep was really starting to get to him. In fact last night was the only good night's sleep that he had all week.

"Sophie.." Howl groaned as Sophie sat down with Michael in her lap

"All right Howl. You want to hear the truth.

"Yes, please. Tell us Sophie." Michael answered this time and with him pleas Sophie began her tale.

She told them about her life as a mermaid. And even though it was an abridged version with alot of the more private details cut out, she talked for hours while everyone listened intently.

When she finally finished. Everyone, with the exception of Luna, was staring at her with wide eyes and slack jaws.

Sophie smile for a moment before letting a small giggle escape from her rose pink lips.

"You should probably close your mouth now boys. You're starting to look like cod fish." She said as she softly lifted Michael's chin to close his mouth and then gently tapped the boy's nose with her finger.

Howl quickly closed his mouth with an audible snap. Before he came to his senses and started asking questions that had been buzzing around in his head for several hours.

"So, what you're saying is that you have been a powerful mermaid in a family of ordinary humans for your entire life."

"Yes. That is exactly what I have been saying."

"And no one has ever noticed that your were even the slightest bit different?"

"Nope."

For some reason Howl had a hard time wrapping his head around such an idea. That such an amazing creature, no. That such an extraordinary woman could exist and not have every human for miles around begging for her attention.

She could've used all that power to do whatever she wanted. Without even trying, she could have hooked the richest and most powerful of men into being her slaves.

But she didn't.

Instead she lead a simple, mundane life among the humans and no one was the wiser.

He couldn't understand it.

But then again, Sophie was utterly unique.

"Now, I believe it is my turn to ask questions. Starting with what happened with the Prince? The last I saw him he was walking back to the palace after our, um, disagreement."

"My guess. Madame Sullivan probably cursed him, and because he was last seen with you, gave us the blame for her act of treason."

"Why would she do that? I mean he is… And she was.. And we…" Sophie kept trailing as Howl kept staring at her with a stern look that said 'Sullivan is evil, so why are you asking why?'

Eventually Sophie gave up most of her questions and settled with asking her most important one.

"So what happens now?"

Howl was silent for a moment or two. Sophie waited patiently for her answer. Though deep down, she already knew what it was.

Unless Justin was found, their names cleared, and Sullivan exposed and defeated. They were all going to be hunted.

And not just by a one crazy witch this time. No. They were going to be hunted by a insane, power mad royal sorceress, an angry father/King, and every loyal subject in the entire country.

Options were limited. If they tried to run, to leave the country they could start a war. Any kingdom that they would try to hide in would suffer do to Sullivan's greed.

They were stuck. They were trapped in a huge tar pit of a sticky situation. What hope was there?

At that Sophie shook her head trying to rid herself of such thoughts.

'If you lose hope, you have nothing. I gotta stay strong. I am certain Justin is still out there. Besides, between me, Howl, and Calcifer. Sullivan is definitely going to have her hands full trying to get rid of this family.'

"There is not much we can do. But wait and prepare for whatever happens." Said Howl bringing Sophie out of her thoughts.

"If Prince Justin shows up, we'll rescue him. If Sullivan comes will give her one hell of a fight. In any cause, we'll do it together." Howl stood with a smile on his face.

True courage pulsed through him for what felt like the first time in forever. For the first time, he felt like he had something really worth fighting for.

As he looked around at his friends. He could almost feel his heart swell with pride.

Sullivan was not going to take them away from him!

"I am glad that you're not going to run away Howl. That is very grown up of you. Now if everything is settled, I just have one more question, for now."

"What's that?"

"What exactly happened to my clothes?"