Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews! I'm so glad people seem to like the story! And I can't believe that people from more than 20 countries have read it! Unfortunately, the work week is upon us, so I probably won't be able to update as fast. (This past weekend was 15 chapters only because two to three chapters came pouring out per hour. I usually don't write quite that fast!)

I couldn't sleep much last night, so I wrote chapters 16 and 17. I've hit writer's block but will work on figuring out the next chapter before the weekend.

Her abilities as a leader had never been tested more than they were that night.

The fairies were all congregated near the border with torches burning brightly on the warm side to keep away the bats and owls. The snow owls guarded the winter side to keep away the mountain lions. She was trying to calm the chaos as word of the fairy deaths spread because it was becoming more and more apparent that the fire had been intentional.

Clarion saw Gliss waving at her from the border. She slipped away, and the crowd quieted when they realized word had arrived about the Lord of Winter. She steeled her heart for the worst, terrified more than she had ever been as she approached Gliss. "Give me good news," she whispered.

Gliss nodded. "He is awake and seems alright, although he is weak."

Clarion closed her eyes, so relieved that her legs nearly buckled. Then she looked at the fairy. "Is he coherent?"

"Yes. His first words were asking if you were alright."

She waved over the Minister of Autumn, who could always be counted on for taking notes. She took a sheet of paper and quill from him to scrawl a quick note.

Milori,

I wish I was with you. I'm so relieved I want to weep.

I'm sorry to tax you with this right now. You were right-there are signs of foul play. Two warm fairies were found dead in the fire. Chaos has erupted, and everyone is gathered here at the border, scared and wanting answers. I'm scared myself and don't have answers or a plan at this point. That being said, I feel I must ask for your permission to speak to the winter fairies. I won't have the wisdom or calmness that you would deliver to them, but I do not feel it is my place to say if they should or should not be included in the meeting tonight. And I do not know it the meeting will be for better or for worse. Forgive me for placing this burden upon you.

You trust Gliss, so I trust her to be the messenger between us for this.

I will come to you as soon as I can.

Take care. I love you.

She folded the missive and handed it to Gliss. "Bring me an answer immediately. And speak to no one."

"Yes, Queen Clarion." She took off into the woods on an owl.

Clarion spoke to her ministers and waited but minutes for a reply.

Gliss flew over quickly, turned her head and held up the piece of ice for Clarion to read in private.

You know you have my trust. Do what you think is best and I will stand behind you. Believe in yourself-you are a leader respected by all.

She looked to her ministers, who all looked as afraid as she felt. How she wished Milori was here. Even if he didn't know what to tell the fairies, he would appear calm and strong, unconsciously lending her strength to face the crowd.

She turned to Gliss and held out her hands to take the message. She held it in spring until the message melted enough to erase and then dropped it into the grass. "Thank you, Gliss. If he wants you with him, please return. I am going to address all the fairies."

"He said to stay here in case you needed more messages delivered." She stood steady and proud, ready to assist.

"Gliss," Clarion asked in a low voice so as not to be overheard. "I have one question for you: how long did it take for Lord Milori to choose you as a confidant?"

She met Clarion's eyes. "Two years, my queen. He chose all of his keepers early but none became his confidants for ten."

Clarion nodded. He was wise in testing his council far before he trusted them. She was worried because she had not had the wisdom to do the same.

She flew up to a branch where she could be seen and heard by all, ignoring the aching of her sore wings. She refused to have her guards help her lest she be perceived as weak in this time of crisis. Her knees trembled as she saw hundreds of eyes turn to her for guidance. For protection. Pulling her shoulders back, she stood tall. She was a queen. She was a leader. And right now, more fairies relied on her than ever before. Her heart raced within her breast. What if she took the wrong course of action? What if her words caused a riot? Panic swelled within her. Closing her eyes, she fought to push down her fear. Swallowing hard, she opened her eyes.

"Fairies," she said loud and clear. "It is with great relief that I say Lord Milori is expected to make a full recovery."

The fairies roared with cheer, and then all eyes turned to her expectantly.

She took a deep breath, hoping she would speak the right words.

It was late into the night, and many of the fairies had gone home.

She was exhausted and finalizing plans for the night with the ministers when she noticed Gliss signal to her. Clarion slipped away a moment later.

"Queen Clarion, one of the fairies brought word that Lord Milori was transferred to a holding here in the South Forest so he could speak with you as soon as you can." Her voice lowered. "Lord Milori created a code tonight because he instructed me to trust no one, so I sent a coded message to him to verify the information. I received a correct reply. It also said for you to not divulge to anyone where you or he are."

Clarion looked at Gliss thoughtfully for a moment. This seemed like the perfect guise for a trick. She forced herself to trust Gliss but wasn't so certain they weren't being led into a trap. Not sure what to do, she did what Milori said and trusted herself. "Gliss, fetch me winter writing materials, please."

Gliss conjured up a crude quill and broke off a piece of ice to hand to Clarion.

Clarion set it in winter and leaned over to write a message.

Milori,

Forgive me for I trust no one but you at this moment. Gliss says I am to come to where you are in hiding but to tell no one that I have left or where I'm going. Whom in winter did I tell you gave me permission to cross when we met?

She awaited but five minutes for a reply.

I told you that no one on this side gave you permission. Be careful.

She looked at Gliss. "Let's go."