Now that Ember was at the castle with her, Bulma was feeling much better. His voice in her mind was a comfort no matter how sarcastic, or dry witted he tried to be. His telepathy could reach her from his spot in the stables so she felt like he was beside her- though he wasn't actually because she was cold unless she was in the pink room, or standing right by a fire.

His presence was such a comfort, that she didn't even mind Unus giving her the silent treatment. A night of tense sleep had done little to sooth either of the woman's anger at the other.

This morning they had blessedly begun providing her with clothes more closely resembling the Queens, and Princesses, so she wasn't nearly as cold as she had been her first day in the North.

Throughout the morning she tried not to think about what Raditz had tried. She had enough on her plate without worrying about being raped, and she didn't want Ember to see that she was worried about it.

i'You know it was foolish to be alone with just northern guards to protect you. Raditz has power over all of them, they can't defend you from him like she can. You should apologize. I'm getting tired of listening to her inner monologue of anger and self pity. Also, you should say something about how strong she looked when she defeated Nappa.'/i Ember's voice echoed in her mind, deep and soothing even when he was scolding her.

i'It was pretty sexy to see her drop Nappa like that.'/i Bulma thought. Ember laughed. i'What's so funny?'/i she asked, but he wouldn't answer.

During breakfast, or the parade of dead things as Bulma thought of it- she tried to politely ask the King for an audience. "It's more urgent now than ever that we speak, your Majesty. The longer we wait to take action the more my people will suffer."

"We will meet as soon as my brother, the General arrives. He's been summoned but it could take a few days to get him to get here." The King leaned back in his chair and sighed contently. How he could look so relaxed at a time like this, BUlma didn't know.
i 'no.' /iEmber said

i 'please?' /i
i 'I just got here and you want me to go get some army guy, who's never seen me before- /i
i 'Maybe Goku would go? He'd know the Captain, it's his uncle after all. And you're more than strong enough to carry two fully armored men.'
'You think he'd want to ride me?' /i

While Bulma was thinking with Ember, The queen smiled fondly at her husband and put her hand on top of his.
"Is your back still okay, my love?"
"Yes. I'm feeling incredible. This last day has been a gift." He sighed and leaned his head back against the throne, eyes shut.
"Did you have back problems before?" Bulma asked as she picked a raisin out of the meat pie they were served for breakfast.
"Yes, it caused me constant pain. It was an epic battle, where in-"
"He tried to pick up Vegeta after he'd broken a leg, and threw out his back." Gina said, with a smug smile. The king flushed and shot his wife a glare.
"Well, anyway. Than, you arrived and it stopped. Just like that. I slept well that night, for the first time in a very long time."
"Good, I feel so lucky that god has given you all this blessing for taking me in. I plan to work hard to see to it that her will is done." That made the King and Queen look fondly at her. "After all you're doing for my people, it's the least I can do."
"Do you worship our god now?" Gine asked.
"Hard not too, with all that's happened since I arrived. It's like she's trying to put me on the right path. I'm sort of- having a crisis of faith in my own god. Maybe they're the same god and we've just given them different titles? I don't know. I just know I must listen."
The king raised a skeptical brow at her, but Gine nodded proudly.
"So, your Majesty where is this Captain of yours?"
"He's at the southern border camp." That was good, Bulma thought. If the king himself had put his brother at the what they called the Southern border camp, and what she called the Northern border camp it meant he was taking their alliance seriously.

The Northern border camp was a huge military base where northern warriors trained, and lived. This meant they could be south to help The Isle fight in a hurry, it also meant they lived in more comfort than most in the north. They got better food from the South since most of the shipments would spoil before getting all the way to the Kings city. It was a display of the north and south's alliance.
"How far is that from here?"
"Few hundred miles. I sent for him and the other Generals as soon as you arrived. They should be here in just a few short days."
"Thank you, but perhaps- If your Majesty would be willing, we could send Ember to fetch him, with Goku? Maybe? Ember likes Goku." Bulma turned to face Goku on her left, who looked up from his bite of meat pie.
"He does? Yeah, I'd like that. I've never flown before. Seems fun, and if it get's the Captain here sooner, than I'm for it if he is-"
i fine I'll do it. /i Ember thought, so they could all hear it.
"That's so weird." Goku said, and shook his head before continuing to eat.
It would take them some time to get used to Ember's abilities.

The king looked between them and stroked his beard again. "You two are already working well together. That's good. Very well. How long would Goku be gone?"

i a few hours. /i Ember answered.

"Is that all? Marvelous. Seems like Ember might just be the most important member of the royal party." The king said, and Bulma was sure Ember was pleased to hear such praise.

For the next hour or so Bulma helped Goku get ready to Fly on Ember. She and Unus were the only two here who knew what it was like to fly on Ember, and while it could be done bareback, and nearly naked it wouldn't be wise. So, They put together a makeshift saddle for Goku, and Bulma instructed him to wear goggles, and warm clothes.

"Why the goggles?" Goku asked.

"When you go that fast the wind in your eyes makes it hard to see, not that you need too. Ember will know the way if you're thinking about how to get there."

"Woah really!? He goes that fast!?" Goku asked excitedly. Bulma smiled, and nodded patiently. Goku was sometimes like a child.

Before Bulma knew it, she was watching Ember fly away with Goku, and wishing for their safety as she healed them on the way out- just in case.

"Princess, would you care to join me?" Vegeta asked, startling her from her thoughts as she watched Ember fly away from her, into potential danger. She'd barely noticed Vegeta approaching.

"Prince Vegeta! Yes, of course. What am I joining you for?" She took his extended arm, and he began leading her inside.

"I was hoping you would be willing to answer some questions for me. If we're going to save the Isle of Life I'll need to know as much as possible about what happened, and all the resources we have at our disposal."

i'Finally, someone is actually taking this seriously.'/i Bulma thought.

Vegeta escorted her to a meeting room with a large table in the center of the room. Thankfully, the room was blessedly warm due to it's small size. She stood near the fire while Vegeta hung his cloak by the door and took a seat. Unus waited outside, to guard the door. That was unusual for her, but this was a meeting between two high ranking royals.

"What can you tell me of your army? How many men do you think will make it to fight alongside you? What of your commanders, and generals?" Vegeta pulled a stack of parchment to him and dipped his quill in ink in anticipation of her answer.

"The Isle's army is about 30 thousand strong, and our armada has 200 active and armed ships." She answered. "Many of the highest ranking commanders were at the castle at the time of the attack. They were discussing battle strategies with the Nameks. They might not have made it, but they all had seconds in commands across the country that stayed with their troops."

Vegeta stared at her in surprise. "We've been allies for centuries, yet I never knew the Isle of Life had so many ships."

"We don't advertise it, and many are disguised as pirate ships." She shrugged.

"I see. 200 ships?" He asked, and touched his chin thoughtfully.

"Yes. More than enough to quickly move the northern army down the coast. First though, we need to arrange some sort of mission to gather information. Most of our highest ranking officials knew to come here if the Isle should fall, but if they can make it, it will be weeks and if they can't… well I'd like to send a reconnaissance team right away."

"Yes, I think that would be best to." Vegeta made note of the information.

"How many men do you have in the Northern Army?" Bulma turned her back to the fire and pulled her cloak out of the way to warm her back. She'd lift her skirt and warm her butt directly if she'd been alone.

"Nineteen thousand, which should be more the enough, since one of our fighters is worth ten of yours." Bulma bristled at the insult.

"Don't over estimate what the heat can do to someone who's never dealt with it before. Your warriors won't be at their best, especially not after a long journey, and you can't leave the north totally defenceless. No,I'd say, that more than anything we need a place to regroup, more than we need your fighters. Maybe some of your best could train up my troops- but I think it's wiser to leave as many here as possible. It could be a plot to trick us into leaving the north empty, and defenceless. If the North fell, we'd be totally surrounded."

"Hm, interesting. We'll have to decide that after we see how many men of yours actually come to the call. Some will be lost to the initial confusion, and power gap."

"Yes, we'll have to see." She agreed, and turned around to warm her front more.

"Aside from your father, did you have other family at the castle they could try and hold hostage as leverage against you?"

"No."

"How many civilians in the capitol?"

"Hundreds of thousands." She said.

"And how long have you been able to heal people?"

It was lucky she was facing away from him, looking into the fire, because she was sure she looked as startled as she felt at his question. She crafted a perfect confused expression and turned to face him.

"People around me have been being healed for a few days- since I arrived in the north, you know that."

His skeptical gaze lingered just a little too long before he shrugged and looked down at his parchment. "I wonder if there's anyway we can use this in battle, without risking your life."

"I don't know. I'd have to get awfully close to the battlefield for it too work, don't you think?"

"Perhaps, but if this really is the work of god than it could well be our soldiers will be healed even if you're not near by."

A little surge of panic flooded Bulma. She didn't want anyone going into battle thinking they would be magically healed and taking unnecessary risks when there was almost no way for her to be there and actually heal them.

"We should assume not." She said, voice a little less calm than she'd like it to be.

"Why?"

"We don't know if that'll happen, and we could get good fighters killed by making them think they're unkillable." She shook her head.

"Perhaps you could fly over them on Ember?"

"Maybe, but what if the enemy is healed too? What if it's just anyone who's close to me?"

"Well, clearly people who intend to harm you aren't being healed, look at Raditz. He still isn't walking normally."

"Good." she mumbled bitterly, and looked away. She was beginning to feel like a child again. Something about the prince made her hot headed. Vegeta snickered at the memory of Raditz limping through the courtyard last night.

"He deserved it." Vegeta shuffled the papers around. "We need more information before we can formulate a proper plan."

"Ofcourse." That was so much easier said than done. Waiting, without knowing anything was impossibly hard- and Bulma almost didn't know how to do it. Days, or even weeks this far north without any information… And she couldn't expect Ember to do any more errands after this. Not for a long time. Even as she stood here she couldn't keep away the horrible thought that he'd die, and it would be her fault for sending him away.

Vegeta put the papers away, and had the servants bring them tea. The two sat by the fire. Bulma much closer than Vegeta.

"So, you think you and Goku will work out well?" Vegeta asked.

"Yeah, I do. I like him a lot. He's kind, and brave, and he really loves his son. I wouldn't mind being married to anyone that devoted to his family." She turned to look at Vegeta, who was glaring into his tea.

"Yes, most women like Goku."

"Seems kind of like most people like him. In general. That'll happen when you're nice to everyone. Not too smart though, is he?"

That made Vegeta snort with laughter.
"And you don't mind being married to an idiot?"

"Just so long as he's not a power hungry idiot who wants to overthrow me and take over my country."

"Well, you're safe from that with Goku." Vegeta said.

"I know. What about you, Prince Vegeta? Shouldn't you be well on your way to being married? Don't you have someone your parents would like to arrange you with?" She turned around properly to face him without twisting her neck, and also to warm her back.

"No, not yet. I haven't found anyone suitable and none of our countries Ally's have daughters available." He shrugged. "Except for Banna, kind of. But their princess is only ten, and I think a twenty year gap is a bit much even for us." He shrugged.

"Ew. I hate it when they shove old men at young women. They do it all the time, too."

"Goku is older than you."

"Sure, but only by- what? How old is Goku?" She paused and tried to think.

"28."

"Right, so that's not so bad he's only four years older than me." She shrugged. "I've seen 13 year olds married off to people your father's age, so I can't complain."

"We don't do that here." Vegeta said smugly. "We northerns don't want little girls, we want women. Real women."

"Oh? And what defines a 'real woman'?" Bulma crossed her arms and raised her brows while she waited for the answer.

"Well, being able to drop a man three feet taller than them sure factors in."

"Unus is pretty amazing." Bulma agreed and nodded. "I didn't think Nappa was ithat/i much taller than her though."

Vegeta sighed, and rolled his eyes a little.

The rest of the day trickled past slowly. Bulma was too worried about Ember and Goku to be able to focus on any book, so she ended up sitting in the window of the pink room, and watching people in the town square, looking them over as they came into her line of sight to heal them.

Every so often she'd see someone crumpled up, and limping, but once they were healed they'd stand up straight, leap with joy and run off. It was far enough away that she couldn't see faces, or even really gender. One person came running into the square, franticly running around the statue in the middle holding a child up, towards the sky- Bulma frowned and healed the person and the child. Word must have been spreading, because more people were arriving and lingering in the square.

So she sat there, all day. When they came to collect her for lunch, she told Prince Vegeta that she wasn't feeling well, and wanted to just rest a bit, unless something important was planned for the meal.

"No, nothing right now. Not until the general get's here. I'll have them bring lunch to your room. How exactly are you unwell? Is god not healing you?" Vegeta asked, his tone thick with worry.

"No, she is." Bulma said quickly, realizing the fault in her lie, but coming up with a good not-lie instead. "I just- need some time alone. I can't stop thinking about my father." She didn't turned to look at Vegeta, so he'd assume she was hiding her tears.

"Oh. I see. Very well, I'll have the handmaid's bring you lunch than. Is there anything else I can do?"

"No, thank you though." She put a little crack into her voice, for effect- only it ended up being real. Now that she'd said it she really was thinking about her father, and she couldn't swallow the lump in her throat this time.

The door clicked shut behind her, and as soon as it did she let herself cry. She kept looking out the window at the town square, and healing people through her tears, but it got so crowded she could hardly tell where one body began and the other ended. People would sometimes hold up a child so they could be seen above the crowd, or maybe it was to put them closer to god? Bulma didn't know, but she healed all the children she could see, and eventually had to gradually stop healing people, else more would get hurt in that chaos than she would be helping.

i'Never fear, for I am here!' /i Ember's voice echoed in her mind suddenly, making her jump.

"Ember!" Bulma yelled, and ran out of the room, through the castle and into the courtyard. Unus was on her tail, the moment she jumped up.

Vegeta was leaning on the wall near the door to the castle, arms crossed while he watched everyone clamber off of Ember's back. Bulma ran right past him, wanting to throw her arms around Ember and heal him- but she was in such a hurry that when Goku slid off his back, right between she and Ember there was no time to stop. Goku smiled brightly at Bulma as she crashed into him. He seemed to think she was excitedly hugging him though, because he threw his long arms around her waist and picked her up to spin them both around.

"BULMA! IT WAS AMAZING! EMBER CAN FLY SO FAST I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA-" Just than, from behind Goku and on the other side of Ember, the General threw up. "YEAH! THAT!" Goku beamed at her, and hugged her again. He gave very tight hugs. It almost hurt.

i'I don't have the heart to tell him he's never riding me again. Later, I will though.' /i Ember thought.

i Did he hurt you?/i

i He's used to riding a horse. He kept jerking the harness around to try and steer me rather than just telling me which way to go.'/i He shook his head to knock his mane out of his eyes and made an annoyed neighing sound.

"You should be careful, next time. He's not a horse, you know. You just ride, you don't have to steer or guide him-"

"Oh! RIght! He said that- Sorry, Ember I didn't mean too- are you okay?" Goku patted Ember's neck, and Bulma looked them both over.

"Yes." Ember said, voice relieved. "But I would like a meal, and a brushing. Maybe even a hot bath."

"I don't think we have a tub big enough for you!" Goku said in amazement.

"Well have them build one, and then I'll have a hot bath."

Bulma moved around Goku to hug Ember around the neck.
i Thank you, my friend. /i She thought. i I love you. I'm never sending you off on an errand without me like that again. What if you'd been hurt? I was a fool to ask it of you. /i

"Do I get a hug too?" Asked a deep, gruff voice from behind her. Surprised, Bulma spun around to find-

"Piccolo?!" She gasphed. "Is it- how!?" She rushed forward and practically jumped into his arms. He was so tall, that he had to bend a little to properly hug her. As soon as his arms closed around in her a tight, comforting hug she broke down again.

She was crying a lot lately, but Piccolo's hug made her feel like suddenly everything had happened again, all at once. Somehow it wasn't as bad as before. She started to sink to the ground. He crouched with her.

i Not the reaction i was hoping for but hey, good enough. /i

She didn't notice that at some point, they'd ushered her inside, to the royal family's main lounge. Piccolo held her the whole time. When she did come back to herself, she looked around and found the Family's lounge was very warm, and comfortable with plush chairs and fur rugs. Piccolo had settled them in by the fire, to wait for her to calm down apparently. He must have been as cold as she always was.

"How did this happen? How are you-"

"I stopped off at the Northern Border Camp on my way up here, to see if there was news of you. I knew if you'd rode Ember you'd be safe in the north already, but i wasn't sure if you'd made it out. When I got there, I found Goku with Ember, collecting General Bardock."

Said General coughed a bit and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. He apparently didn't love flying.

"I'm so relieved you're okay- Tell me everything."

Piccolo sighed and seemed to be bracing himself to relive what had happened at the castle."It was the Berserkers, and their rag tag country of outcasts." He said. "The gas they used was the same stuff they tried when they attacked Namek, but it didn't work on us. It still doesn't, apparently. They seemed to make a B line for you, and your father. There were losses, but not as many as there could have been. Krillin is okay, so is Unun Sept." He said, eyes flickering up to Unus, who visibly relaxed at the news her brother was okay.

"They are? Thank god. How can you be sure it was the Berserkers? I didn't see any sigil?"

"No sigil iis/i their sigil. The land without a king, they call themselves."

"I thought they had the Cold Family." She frowned, and shifted to sit on her knees, rather than half laying in Piccolo's arms. The position felt more attentive.

"They do. That's why they're idiots. They say they have no king yet they blindly follow King Cold and his sons." Piccolo shuttered at the memory of the people who attacked his homeland.

"So- so wait you're not part of the Namekian army, Piccolo?" Goku asked, clearly confused by how close he was with Bulma.

"No, I'm an ambassador. I've lived in the Isle of Life's castle since before Bulma was born."

Bulma nodded, and touched her lips while she thought. Of course they wanted the Isle. It was one of the most temperate and comfortable places to live on the planet. It was wealthy in food and land, which meant more than gold and gemstones in the grand scheme of things. But why send an elite team to attack the castle directly? Why not invade with an army? If they had killed Bulma, and her father there would be no royal family left. Were they hoping to avoid a war by taking out the royal family and presenting themselves as the new royal family? Did they really think the people of the Isle of life would just accept that? Just betray their king and let the berserkers in?

"What did the guards do after I left?" Bulma sked.

"They rallied to protect the remaining dignitaries and get them out of the castle. Most of them are traveling with a caravan now towards the coast to get on a ship."

"What of my people?"

"They're confused. They have no leadership, but the army is standing strong. The first Platoon surrounded the castle. When I left, they were waiting for the gas to subside, than they were going to clear it out. They're being lead by Admiral Krillin."

"I shouldn't have left- they need me." She got to her feet and started to the door with such speed and determination that everyone was stunned for a moment. It was Unus who acted first, and blocked the door.

"Princess…."

"Unus, step aside."

"You need to wait until we have a proper plan- you alone charging in won't help anything if you're killed too!" Piccolo said with such an air of command, that for a moment Bulma felt like a child again.

"I wasn't going to the castle. I was going to go to the northern border camp to send word to the people that I'm alive, and that help is coming. Those Berserkers, they're in my home. They've taken my castle and-"

"And your army is holding. I'm sure of it."

"Not if they've got that gas!"

"Princess, I can have word sent to this Admiral Krillin to tell the people you're alive and well, and that help is coming." Vegeta assured her. "They'll rally knowing you're alright."

"Yes, they will. Let Krillin do his job." Piccolo put his hands on his hips in a way that gave Bulma flashbacks to being 10 and trying to sneak into the kitchen to get a treat.

"I will, I just- I need to be there to protect them." She twisted the hem of her beautiful white fur cloak in her hands, worriedly.

"That's right! Vegeta, my son when you send word tell them of the gods blessing! That she's gifted those around the princess with health! They don't know yet- that's sure to help!" The queen stood up, and looked around the room, smiling widely.

"What?" Bardock and Piccolo asked at once. They exchanged tense looks of dislike.

"Ever since the princess has arrived in the north, we've all been being healed! I was very near death myself, but the same night she arrived, I was suddenly cured." Gina beamed at Piccolo. "It's our god, protecting us for helping her and the Isle of Life. It's a sign that we're carrying out her will."

Piccolo fixed Bulma with a glare.
"Really? How fortuitous." He said cooly.

Bulma looked away from him to her hands, trying not to look too guilty. But Vegeta noticed.
"First things first, now that I know who's in command down there, we send word to Krillin, and the other generals at the seaside outposts and request a status report. When we know more we formulate a proper plan."

"What if we just… sent a team of assassins to kill the king cold and his kids?" Goku asked, and rubbed the back of his neck. Everyone looked at him in silence.
"Erm- I mean, they're a land of criminals, and bandits and stuff right? King Cold is the first one to get them to actually follow him in over a hundred years, right? It's not like us, or the Isle with a long line of Kings and Queens." He gestured to Bulma when he said the word 'queens'. " We just need to kill the Cold family, and they'll have no leader, and no structure, and scatter."

Silence while everyone thought this over.

If the Cold Family had a backup plan though- or they were just puppets, it would be falling for their trap. But at what cost? If the small team was killed it would be horrible, but would it be worth the risk? A few warriors lives, for maybe preventing a war and saving thousands?

"If they have more gas, no one is going into that castle at all." Piccolo said. "Unless they're Namekian."

"Piccolo, could you put together a skilled team of Namekians to try?" Bulma asked. "The Isle has always been a powerful ally to the Nameks. We sent half our navy to defend Namek when the Berserkers attacked."

"I remember, Princess. You were only five at the time, so I dare say I remember better than you." That Made Bulma flush with a bit of shame. Seeing her reaction, his face softened. "I'll send word to the Grand Elder of Namek, and ask him for aid. I'm sure they'll be able to send a skilled team."
"Thank you."

"So, it looks like for now we're all sending a bunch of letters." Goku clapped his hand. "We should celebrate!" That made the King laugh, and Bardock chuckle, but no one else. Bardock's chuckle made Bulma look over the General, and for a moment she was startled by how much he looked like Goku. She'd been so distracted that she didn't think to pay him any mind.

"No parties, not anymore. A meal, yes." The king conceded. "Oh, Piccolo. Namekians are vegetarian, right?"

"Yes, we are."

"Very well. Have the kitchen making him something without meat." The king ordered the room in general.

Prince Vegeta rolled his eyes and left, presumably to tell the right people to make it happen.

"Now, if you don't mind, your majesty I'd like a word with the princess alone." Piccolo said, and Bulma felt a stab of dread, and panic.

"Oh, Piccolo, no need for that we'll have time later-" She said eagerly.

"Of course, We don't mind at all. Guards, escort the guests to one of the lounges." The King ordered, and two guards came to collect them.

The walk down the hall towards a lounge was slow, and dreadful. Bulma knew that the moment she was alone with Piccolo the lecture would start. She knew he was going to be angry.
Each step felt shakier than the last. What business did she have being so afraid of Piccolo? He had no real say in what she did. Not anymore. He could only advise her. He could only tell her what he thought she should do. She wasn't a child anymore, and yet here she was, feeling like a ten year old about to be scolded.

The guards arrived at a suitable Lounge, and stood aside. Unus, who usually came into every room with her lingered outside. Even Unus was afraid of Piccolo. That knowledge made the last step over the threshold feel like stepping off a cliff and plummeting into nothingness.

Bulma took a deep breath while she stepped inside, and closed the door behind her. Notes: :) GREEN DAD IS BEST DAD 2k17! I'm so happy Piccolo is here. I love him so much. Thanks so much for reading! Please let me know what you think of the fic so far in the comments! Also, I made some art for the fic! I hope you like it!