A/N: So I know I missed the update for April and it's pretty far into May. I'm very sorry for that, but a lot has happened since then. I had finals, finalized my summer employment, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. I've been extremely busy and stressed so I really am sorry about missing the update. I think that's all I have to say. So let me answer some reviews then we can get on with the story:

Guest: I'm glad you are so excited for my story. Thank you very much for waiting so patiently. I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.

Now onto the story...

Once Holly got out of the shower she got dressed in an elegant white dress. She wouldn't admit it but she had purposely dressed like her guards to show unity with them. "Could we go for walk through the gardens before we meet with the king and queen for dinner?" Gail and Hayden agreed. They would have agreed anyway, but they actually weren't allowed to say no to Holly, whatever she says goes. Within reason of course.

They walked back to where they had lunch and Holly picked a direction. When they got to the path Gail disappeared to be the "eyes in the sky." Holly and Hayden walked in silence the only sound being Holly's footsteps on the path. They were just enjoying nature. Holly hadn't done anything like this since she was little and her mother had been able to take her. That was all she could think about in that moment: her mother's smile, the brightness that just followed the woman everywhere, and especially the compassion she showed to everyone. Holly hoped to one day be half the queen, mother, and overall good person that her mother was. Holly was making sure to take her time and just enjoy every moment that she got to feel close to her mother again. She promised herself that when she got home she would do this more often. It was cathartic.

As they walked Hayden held out a hand to stop Holly as the wind carried Gail's voice saying "there's someone up ahead crouched in the rose bushes." Before the sentence was out of hearing range Gail was at Holly's side. The two warriors walked with Holly just a step behind them. As they approached the rose bushes Holly watched their entire bodies tense up. They were passing as a woman stepped out. She saw the three and jumped, "Oh my god! I'm very sorry, I didn't know anyone would be out here. I'm Lorelei, the head landscaper." She held out a hand which Gail stepped forward and shook. The woman had blond hair with strands of reddish-brown pulled back into a ponytail at the base of her neck. She was on the taller side maybe 5'8" or so and she had dark blue eyes. "I was just planting some new rose bushes, they're the king and queen's favorites. I am sorry to have gotten in your way. Please continue on." Holly smiled at the woman and smile to her as they continued to walk.

Gail dropped back behind the other two to keep an eye on this woman just in case. Something about her had Gail feeling something, but she couldn't place why or what she was feeling. They passed by a little alcove with a fountain and a bench. Holly sat on the bench and asked for a second so her guard walked to stand by the fountain. They were far enough that they wouldn't be able to hear her, but they would be close enough to act in case something happened.

From her spot on the bench Holly turned and picked a flower from the bush behind her. She brought it to her nose and smelled it. She let the smell calm her before she looked up slightly and began to talk quietly, "hey Mom. I know it's been a while since we talked and that's my fault. I've just been so busy with trying to take care of Dad and all of the people who look up to me. I know I should've made time for you, but I guess I was just scared and maybe a little angry. I know it wasn't your fault that you left, but I couldn't help but blame you for the longest time because you weren't here. That's gonna change though, I'm going to make sure that we get to talk at least once a week." Holly looked back to the flower in her hand and chuckled slightly. "I met someone and she's amazing. She's my bodyguard, but I can't help but fall for her. She can be pretty confrontational, but that's one of the best things about her. She's protected me for weeks now and she almost died for me. She has this wall around herself, but I've managed to get through it. She's snarky and sarcastic, but she makes me feel better when I'm scared and she's so sweet and she's the most loyal person I've ever met. She would do anything for the people she cares about. I think you would've liked her too Mom. I wish you two had gotten the chance to meet." She looked over and her eyes met Gail's. The blond gave her a small half smile that was so adorable. At that moment the sun peaked around a cloud and illuminated their little area. The warmth that spread through Holly let her know that her mother was listening and she did approve of Gail. Holly's smile got bigger at that. "I love you Mom. I have to go to dinner now, but we'll talk soon I promise." She stood up with the flower in her hand and walked over to Hayden and Gail. "I'm ready to go now." She told them and they nodded. Holly left the flower on the edge of the fountain so that the sun lit it up and increased its beauty.

They continued along the path until they arrived back at the palace. They walked in and made their way to the dining hall. It would only be the five of them in there plus a couple of King Arthur's guards, but Arthur had insisted that they eat there. As they arrived at the door to the hall it was just before six o'clock. Hayden and Gail quickly straightened out their uniforms making sure that everything was still precisely where it was supposed to be.

Holly walked in first followed by her guards who automatically took up post on either side of the door. Arthur and his wife were already seated at the end of the table. There was a single soldier standing off in the corner. Arthur stood when Holly walked in and he walked around the table to pull out her chair for her as she sat down. "Princess Holly, I would like to introduce you to my wife Loraine." Holly turned to the woman and was shocked to see the woman from the gardens earlier. "I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude, but were you not just out in the gardens?" Loraine chuckled lowly. "I see you met my twin sister Lorelei. Her passion has always been botany so when I met Arthur and we married I told her she had free reign over the gardens. She and I have always been close, and creating the beauty that is those gardens helped her a lot when the man she loved left her." Holly nodded to the woman in front of her.

Dinner was brought out and they began to eat talking about little things. Loraine told them that she wanted a nice dinner before they discussed any sort of politics. They were just finishing their main course when the doors were thrown open. In their shock Hayden and Gail let their instincts control them. They each grabbed an arm of the person coming in and pinned it to his back forcing him to his knees. Once everything had calmed down they realized it was the snooty guard from the gate that wanted them to leave all of their weapons. Arthur was laughing amused once again by the skills that these warriors possessed. "What is it that you need Jeremy?" Arthur asked. The two women let him go and he stood straightening his uniform. He threw a glare at the two before turning back to the king. "Sir, we have just received news that the citizen army that was protesting in the west has disappeared. We suspect they have moved and made camp in the north, but we have no reports to confirm that." Arthur nodded to him. "How long ago did this happen?" He asked. "About three days ago, but the message just reached us here." Arthur nodded again. "Thank you Jeremy, you are dismissed." The man bowed slightly before turning and leaving,

"You see Princess this is why we requested to see what your soldiers can do. Some of the people are not particularly happy with my leadership in this past year. They have created what we're calling a citizen army and they have been protesting in cities across the kingdom. They have been fairly peaceful for the most part, but there have been multiple occurrences of violence and one of them resulted in the death of one of my men. I need your warrior's help to track down and disband this group." Holly was shocked. She had no idea that they were dealing with this kind of mess here. "We of course also would like some of your medical expertise." Holly said. "You have more advanced medical technology. We rely mostly on natural remedies and they are not always enough. Some of your medics would have to travel and share that technology, medicine, and teach us how to use them." Loraine nodded. "Of course we are willing to share that with you. We also request a healthy trade between our nations. You're cities are situated in an area that allows you to mine and your craftsman create beautiful weapons. If you would be willing to allow us to commission weapons and other goods from them we would like to offer our crops in exchange. Our soil allows for the growth of more crops than we can use ourselves." Holly thought about it for a moment. "How about we agree to a trade agreement. We will do most of our trade with each other, but we will not exclusively trade with you. There is much that we can gain from other cultures." Loraine smiled. "That is an agreeable term. Thank you for this Princess Holly." Holly nodded. "There is one more thing. As of right now the South woods are 'neutral' however that neutrality has allowed many of your people to move in there. My people are afraid to use those woods now. We are losing a good hunting destination and we are running low on meat. I would like that land claimed back to the kingdom of Nimrais." She said to Loraine. It seemed Arthur's only concern was the army so he would be no help in other areas of compromise. "What if we make that area off limits to live in. It will be a neutral hunting ground, but nobody from either kingdom shall be allowed to live there permanently without special permission from both kingdoms?" Holly smiled and nodded. "Then I believe that we have a deal. Tomorrow morning we can put these terms into a mutually beneficial contract that you will both sign and my guards and I will take back to my father to review and sign."

Arthur smiled and held his arms out wide. "This calls for a toast!" He shouted merrily. "To bringing our kingdoms and cultures together peacefully!" They touched glasses and took a drink. They stayed there talking and drinking for more than an hour. When Gail checked the time she saw that it was ten o'clock. "Princess, I apologize for interrupting, but we should leave early tomorrow morning to get as much traveling done as possible. I believe you should retire for the night." Holly nodded. "She is correct, thank you for dinner. We will see you at first light tomorrow to sign this agreement."

As they were leaving they were stopped by the chef who handed a plate each to Gail and Hayden. They were confused by that expecting to just each some of the rations they had packed. "I remembered that you hadn't eaten lunch and you had to stand guard through dinner, so I asked the chef to make plates for you to eat." Holly told them. They smiled and thanked her.

As soon as they were back in the room Holly changed into her pajamas and sat on the edge of the bed. Gail walked into the room. She put her hands on Holly's cheeks cupping her face and brought their lips together lightly. "Thank you for thinking of us and getting us food." The blond smiled. "Get some sleep you had a lot to drink and have to be up early. Hayden and I will be in the other room, call out if you need anything. Goodnight." With that Gail stood up and walked to the door. She stood in the doorway looking at the beautiful brunette until Holly had laid down and closed her eyes. Then Gail turned off the light and left the room.

A/N 2: So what do you think? Please leave a review and let me know what you think. Hopefully the next update will be coming soon. I have the second half of it planned out, but I have to figure out how I want to get there. As always thank you for reading and if you have any ideas for the story do not hesitate to leave them in a review or a PM.

Until next timeHold the Line and Don't Look Back