[EDIT JUNE 10 2020–chapter has been revised]

AN: SO.

Unlike the other two chapters, this one only had a thousand words written out beforehand, hence the really late posting and hence, hence why I'm splitting this chapter in half.

Also, I'm editing the bare minimum because I have other plans unfortunately.

So this is part 3 part 4 will be on Friday. I'm sorry, but it's either that or a shitty rushed climax and you guys deserve the best!

Reviews will also be answered next chapter!

Okay, without further ado...

Chapter XV: The Prince in Distress

Pt III

"Edelgard," Dimitri said, placing a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder. "You needn't reveal anything to me."

"I know," Edelgard said, and maybe it was because she was still reeling from letting loose her power but..."I want to. Perhaps if I tell someone else about this...it won't haunt me as much."

"If...and only if you're sure," Dimitri said with a worried frown. "Are you certain—"

"For the love of—yes, Dimitri!" Edelgard grumbled and Dimitri shrunk back with a mumbled, "Sorry."

Edelgard sighed and turned back to the flames, hugging her knees to her chest and laying her chin on it. "I didn't know what was going on at first," Edelgard said quietly. "One moment I was drinking tea with my uncle like I always did and the next..."

Edelgard closed her eyes, remembering the cold iron bed and artificial lights, the eldritch liquid and—

Dimitri slid his hand from her shoulder and placed atop her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

Swallowing, she continued. "I was in a room, trapped to a bed of iron, being stabbed with needles and filled with painful liquid that—that numbed my muscles and dulled my mind."

Dimitri let out a soft gasp of sympathy as Edelgard let out a shuddering breath. "It felt like an eternity before me and my siblings were given any explanation. 'It's for the good of Adrestia!' Uncle said. 'You'll be powerful enough to lead the empire into greatness, isn't that wonderful?'" Edelgard's voice morphed into a mocking venomous sneer near the end.

She scoffed and removed her hands from her knees, glaring at the sky. "But it wasn't wonderful; not one bit of it was. We were trapped underground and I never saw the sky for goodness knows how long, I was filled with painful chemicals of all kind, cut in nearly every place imaginable, I and my siblings were dragged to that horrible room every night, but we were supposed to be happy because it would supposedly make us powerful."

Still looking up, Edelgard pried off one of her gloves and showed the bare hand to Dimitri, breath hitching as she felt the cold metal of his gauntlets cup the horrible scarred appendage.

"You see, only three of us had inherited The Crest of Seiros and they were minor versions on top of that. Tha—he wanted to give us a second Crest, a powerful Crest so that we'd be 'better rulers.' This is the product of that."

"Oh Edelgard," Dimitri murmured, voice cracking.

"They're all over my body—everywhere. I can't change or take a bath, can't look myself in the mirror without being reminded..."

Edelgard paused, looking down from the winking stars and to the side were Dimitri watched her. His face was a picture of sheer horror, bottom lip trembling, eyes larger than she'd ever seen on him, and fists clenched her hand tightly. "Y-your uncle did this?" He whispered. "You mean—?"

Edelgard nodded stiffly. "Arundel," she said darkly.

"What? But—I don't—he's your uncle!" Dimitri cried, shaking his head in utter disbelief. "He's your own flesh and blood! How could he do that to his own niece?!"

Edelgard decided to leave out the fact that "Arundel" was actually a plant of the Agarthans and said, "Power corrupts even family, Dimitri. I'm sure you could use your own uncle as proof?"

"Uncle Rufus never tortured me and insisted I was doing good for Faerghus by suffering!" Dimitri barked, his eyes burning with an indignant ferocity before they dimmed and he bowed his head. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"It's alright," Edelgard said, smiling a tiny bit. "It's rather nice hearing you care so."

"Of course, Edelgard," Dimitri said earnestly, placing her bare hand over his heart and looking at her with blue eyes glittering with honesty. "I will always care for you. Always."

Edelgard turned away, his sheer honesty making her feel guilty with all the things she couldn't tell him. Slowly, she pulled her hand out of his grasp.

"May I ask..." Dimitri said. "Is that why—your hair..."

Edelgard ran her fingers threw her snowy locks and turned back to him with a nod. "Yes. When they managed to succeed in placing the Crest of Flames within me, my hair turned white. My siblings never got this far. Some died on the operating table, others went mad, and some still became horrible Demonic Beasts."

She turned back around to hide the tears that were beginning to form. "And I watched it happen. Every last one of them. I watched them beg for mercy as they were cut and stabbed, I watched them become monsters, I watched the life fade from their eyes or become murky with insanity—and I did nothing."

All of their deaths played through her mind in rapid fire and all the helplessness and fear she felt as a little girl came barreling back in the form of rage. With an enraged yell, she slammed the dirt with her fist and screamed, "The Goddess did nothing!"

Her body trembled, sobs threatening to crawl from her throat but she forced it down. She wouldn't cry, not here, not now, not ever. "But I survived anyway!" Edelgard yelled at the sky, at the blasted Goddess. "She abandoned me and left me to die and here I stand defying her very wishes; Edelgard von Hresvelg!"

After the echoes of her tirade faded, all was silent but for the crackling fire, Edelgard's angry heavy breathing and the nighttime breeze—and then a gasp of surprise that left her lips as Dimitri draped his body over her back and hugged her from behind.

"Edelgard..." he murmured in her ear. He squeezed her tighter as he hissed, "I'll kill him for what he's done to you. I swear it on my blood."

Edelgard looked over her shoulder at him, the firm and determined fire in his eyes, and the serious press of his lips. His solid chest pressed flush against her and his arms holding her tight and secure.

"Dim—," her voice broke and she swallowed the burning in her throat, surprised by the tears staining her cheeks. She hadn't noticed them until Dimitri's fierce gaze softened and he wiped them gently away with his gauntleted thumb.

"It's alright," Dimitri said, resting his cheek atop her head. "It's alright."

Edelgard didn't trust herself to speak, fearing a single syllable would shatter the already fractured barrier holding back her sobs. Her resolve cracked further when she turned away from Dimitri and looked down at her shaking scarred hand.

She moved to put her glove back on until Dimitri touched her bare wrist, halting her movements.

"You needn't cover them," He told her gently. "Your scars, I mean."

"I do," Edelgard corrected, rapidly blinking away another tear trying to escape. "It—" she swallowed once more and shook her head. He wouldn't understand, could never understand how sick and vulnerable she felt just by looking at them.

"I won't force you but...perhaps I can show you them in another light." Letting go and sitting back on his ankles, he held out his hands. "Here, can you help me with these?" Edelgard frowned confusedly before turning and accepting Dimitri's request. She easily found the buckles and latches that held his gauntlets in place before removing one then the other.

As soon as his hands were free from the metal encasing, he moved to her second gloved hand. "May I?"

Edelgard nodded and allowed him to gently slide it off and cup her hands tightly in his lager calloused ones. "I have scars too, but I don't see them as a reminder of what I lost—I see them as a reminder of what I must fight for. What I live for. And now..." Dimitri chuckled lightly to himself. "And now you've shown me they are also marks of rebellion."

Edelgard blinked slowly in thought, staring at their entwined, scarred, hands. "Marks of rebellion," she repeated, tiny smile on her face as she looked up at Dimitri's once more. "I think I appreciate that interpretation."

"As do I," Dimitri agreed, squeezing their entwined fingers and clasped hands tighter. "Our enemies, our tormentors—perhaps even The Goddess herself sought to kill us and yet—"

"—we survived anyway," Edelgard finished, returning the tight squeeze, finding odd solace as her thin scars rubbed against Dimitri's thick burns.

With one last squeeze, Dimitri gently let go and replaced his gauntlets, and after some hesitation, Edelgard put her gloves back onto her own hands.

"I...I thank you," Edelgard said, smiling at him. "Thank you for listening."

"Of course, Edelgard," Dimitri replied, returning the smile and letting silence reign once more.

The princess sighed deeply, wiping away her tears and feeling that omnipresent weight on her shoulders ease just a bit. Maybe...maybe Dimitri would want to voluntarily join her after—

She shook her head and rid herself of those foolish thoughts before she turned back to the crackling fire.

And in those flames Edelgard, was reminded of their fresh encounter with the bandits—reminded that Miklan had blocked her attack with The Lance of Ruin, that Miklan was more than likely out there and thirsty for vengeance.

"We need to keep moving. The closer we get to Garreg Mach the less distance I'll need to warp us once my magic returns." Edelgard said suddenly, standing up sharply. A mistake, for the blood rushed to her head and caused her to sway.

"Be careful," Dimitri said gently, standing too and gripping her shoulders to help right her. "You're still regaining your strength. Here, I'll carry you—"

"No," Edelgard said. "Your Crest hasn't resurfaced yet—carrying me gives you cargo and slows us down; Miklan could catch us."

Dimitri furrowed his brow. "Miklan? You hit him with your flame, did you not?"

"He blocked," Edelgard said darkly. "The material the Hero's Relics are made from are incredibly powerful—I have no doubt he survived."

Dimitri clenched his fists at his sides and growled. "Let him come. I'll shatter every bone in his body for even thinking of harming you."

"He has a Hero's Relic, Dimitri. You have no weapons and I only have a dagger. Our best chance is to get out of his reach."

Dimitri unclenched his fists and sighed heavily, nodding reluctantly as he kicked dirt over the fire and turned back to her with a frown. "All right. But, please don't strain yourself. I nearly lost you tonight and I—"

"I am not going to die," Edelgard said confidently. "Not until I've succeeded in my goals."

Dimitri tilted his head curiously to the side. "Goals?"

Edelgard patted Dimitri's cheek. "You've heard enough about my personal life for now, Your Highness."

Dimitri flinched, guilt flashing in his eyes. "Oh Goddess I—"

"I'm teasing, Dimitri," Edelgard said with a smile as she began walking. "You'll have to pay close attention to the inflections of my voice and the particular words I use if we want this friendship to work."

"Oh! Of course I—wait pardon?" Dimitri spluttered, speed walking to where Edelgard already was. "Did—what did you say?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you say...friendship?"

"I'm not sure, did I?"

"Edelgard, please don't jest!" Dimitri cried. "I-I really need to—"

"Yes, Dimitri," Edelgard said in a false exasperated tone. "I said friendship. Now, be a good friend and pay attention to when I'm teasing, yes?"

Dimitri gasped, completely silent for about five seconds before his face lit up with unspeakable joy. "Edelgard..."

Friends.

Maybe Dimitri would find out that she was letting The Agarthans use him, maybe he'd figure her goals for Fódlan were too destructive, maybe they'd be enemies one day soon.

But for now, oddly, that title felt...right.

That night, when she fell asleep under Dimitri's watchful guard, she had no nightmares for the first time in years.

-o0o-

The empty seat at the front of the Black Eagles classroom was giving Dorothea the very definition of anxiety.

She'd known Edelgard had managed to leave undetected when dinner came and went with no angry Seteth or yelling knights, but Dorothea had hoped she'd have been back by morning.

It was super naive, sure but...

"Dorothea," Ferdinand said as he leaned towards her from his desk with a frown. "Have you seen Edelgard? It isn't like her to be late."

"I haven't seen her since dinner last night," Dorothea stated shortly as she kept her gaze stubbornly forwards.

"Oh. Well...did she tell if she was going somewhere—"

"It's none of your business, Ferdinand!" Dorothea snapped, giving the nobleman a glare and causing him to flinch. "What do you want from her anyway?"

"Nothing!" Ferdinand cried defensively. "I'm just..." he glanced at Edelgard's empty desk and looked down at his own desk glumly. "I have an incredibly bad feeling."

Dorothea checked his expression and found it startlingly honest. She considered offering an apology when Manuela finally arrived.

"Alright my lovelies!" She chirped as she plopped into her seat. "Today I'm going to show you something real spicy; support spells! These fantastic—!"

Manuela paused abruptly when she glanced at Edelgard's empty desk and frowned. "Odd. Edelgard is absent."

Dorothea clenched her fists atop her lap and bit her bottom lip as a fresh wave of anxiety washed over her. A prominent thought in her mind telling her Edie could be permanently absent.

"Say, Hubert. Do you know where Edelgard went?" Manuela asked curiously and the brooding mage frowned and shook his head.

"She isn't in any of her usually spots and her bedroom is empty—"

"Hubert!" Ferdinand cried. "What are you doing entering a girl's room?"

Hubert shot Ferdinand and irritated glare before turning back to Manuela. "In a nutshell, I am not sure, Professor."

"Hmm," Manuela said with a frown before locking eyes with Dorothea. She quickly averted her gaze.

"Dorothea," Manuela said slowly and the brunette silently cursed. "Do you know where Edelgard went?"

"No," was on the tip of Dorothea's tongue but Goddess she was worried! Maybe Manuela could help? Maybe she could go after her and save her if she was in danger? She'd told Edie she wouldn't tell Seteth or Rhea but Manuela was neither—Manuela would understand, right?

"She..." Dorothea began slowly, acutely aware of every Black Eagles staring curiously at her. Oh, she hoped Edelgard would forgive her... "She went after Dimitri and Miklan."

Manuela choked on the booze she'd been drinking and gasps filled the classroom.

"What?! But that's—! Why would—!?" Hubert looked absolutely baffled.

"Damn, never knew Edelgard was the hero type," Caspar said with a furrowed brow while Ferdinand cried, "That's pure insanity! Miklan has a Hero's Relic!"

"Not to mention he took down somebody with a Crest of Blaiddyd," Lindhart added with a frown. "A minor version, sure, but it's still one of the most powerful Crests recorded."

"And she has taking no backup," Petra said worriedly. "How will she be fighting him and winning?"

"She won't win!" Bernadetta wailed. "The big bad bandit's going to kill her!"

Manuela rubbed her temples as panicked exclamations filled the classroom before she held up a hand. "Alright! Alright! Enough."

"Please tell me we're not going to wait around, Manuela," Dorothea begged.

Manuela sighed and swirled her flask, closing her eyes. "I need...I need to think—"

"Or, you can join our field trip." A deep voice stated and all eyes turned to the open doorway where the incredibly unnerving (but admittedly handsome) Professor Jeritza stood cross-armed before the doorway.

"Field trip?" Hubert questioned with a narrowed eye.

"Or...rescue mission. Whatever you want to call it," Jeritza shrugged. "The Blue Lions were restless and I decided I was going to surprise them with an under wraps mission."

"You...planned a mission for them despite the outdoors ban?" Manuela asked.

"It was either that or wait for them to inevitably try leaving themselves—and fail miserably in the process," Jeritza continued, eyes scanning the faces of the Black Eagles in a way that made Dorothea uneasy. "And I feel it will be the same for your class."

Dorothea turned hopefully to Manuela who's arms were crossed. "You do know that if Lady Rhea or Seteth here about this—"

"I don't quite care," Jeritza said in a bored tone. "Are you coming, or not? Standing here is getting dull."

Manuela took a drink from her flask and sighed heavily. "I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" She muttered, before turning to the class. "Alright, kids. Who wants to save a pair of royalty while simultaneously defying direct orders?"

-o0o-

Dimitri's feet ached and he hadn't slept at all that night, still he refused to complain; Edelgard needed her rest for both of their sakes. And so, during the night he stood on unblinking guard and when the sun finally rose he went searching for breakfast for her.

"You need to rest as well," Edelgard told him during their long trek through a ravine after he had tripped for the fifth time over his own feet.

"If I rest, you won't be able to," Dimitri said through a yawn. "I'm fine."

"You are not. What did I tell you about proper sleep?"

"And what did you tell me about how we needed to warp back to Garreg Mach as soon as possible?" Dimitri shot back.

Edelgard frowned and looked away.

"I'm sorry," Dimitri sighed. "I don't want to argue, Edelgard. But I just want this nightmare to be over—I want you to be safe."

"I want the same for you," she said quietly. "But I can't protect you because that irritable Crest of Flames zapped my magic completely, and you can't protect yourself because you're sleep deprived. You need rest, Dimitri."

Dimitri sighed again under Edelgard's firm glare and he glumly stated, "Fine. I'll take a nap on our next break."

Edelgard gave a pleased nod before falling silent. Dimitri truly didn't want to sleep but if it put his friend at ease...

His friend.

Dimitri smiled softly to himself. He felt delightful sparks of joy every time he thought of their relationship milestone.

Now that they were friends and he even knew a horrible secret of hers...did that mean he could have normal friendly conversations without the formalities?

"Say...Edelgard." The princess glanced at him to show she had her attention before Dimitri continued with, "Do you have a favourite season?"

Edelgard blinked twice in surprise as if that was the last thing she had expected to asked. She quickly regained her composure however, and answered with, "Autumn."

"I see. Any particular reason?" Dimitri asked, absolutely delighted at the stark contrast between this conversation and the one they had during the first weekend at Garreg Mach Monastery.

"The colours," Edelgard said wistfully, looking up at the leaves and running her hands against the ones hanging low enough. "In the and spring summer, it's only green. But in the fall there's orange, red, yellow—and the carpet they leave behind on the forest paths are always stunning."

She turned back to Dimitri and added, "I also like the temperature; not too cold, not too warm, just right. What about you?"

"Well I love all the seasons," Dimitri mused. "But if I had to choose—"

"So!"

Both nobles froze as a familiar voice echoed throughout the ravine.

'No, no, no, no, no...'

"You kill my men, take away my prize, and send me flying to soaks-vile and think you can get away with it, Edelgard von Hresvelg!" The duo turned to find Miklan high above them at the top of the ravine, sitting upon a horse with his lance pointing upwards towards the morning sun.

"Miklan," Dimitri snarled coldly, pushing Edelgard behind him and glancing at his backhand as he attempted to call for his Crest. The symbol of Blaiddyd flickered then died.

He was still powerless.

"I don't think anything," Edelgard responded stepping around Dimitri to glare up at Miklan. "I did kill your men, I did save Dimitri, I did hit you with my magic and I did get away with it."

Miklan laughed hysterically, throwing his head back and heaving for breath. The sound was absolutely maniacal and it sent chills erupting through Dimitri's entire system.

"Okay, okay!" Miklan said after he regained his breath. His crazed eyes and maniacal grin locked on Edelgard. Dimitri winced and tried to step in front of her again but she simply moved in step with him. "I'll give you the first three, but the last one?" Miklan twirled his lance and pointed it at Edelgard, face all of a sudden morphing from insanity to fury. "I'm afraid not."

He kicked his horse into a gallop down the ridge at the same moment Dimitri and Edelgard broke into a run. Unsurprisingly, Edelgard was ahead of him, being refreshed in the energy department unlike Dimitri. Still, having her in front meant that she was father out of Miklan's range and Dimitri could focus on his Crest.

He didn't know if it was his imagination, but the more he called on it, the more prominent the glow.

"Come on," Dimitri muttered, trying for a sixth time. Blaiddyd flashed for five seconds before dimming. "Come on!" He said through gritted teeth as he tried once more. "Please, please, please..."

The hooves of Miklan's horse was sounding closer and closer, the forest path vibrating with the weight of them striking the ground.

"I changed my mind about you too, Dima!" Miklan snarled as Dimitri tried calling for his Crest an eighth time. "I'm not holding you for ransom, I'm going to lop your head off and send it to Sylvain in the mail! Then I'll take that little girlfriend of yours and—!"

Edelgard grabbed Dimitri's shirt and yanked him to the left. Dimitri cried out in surprise and he crashed into her as they fell through the trees and off the path.

The land they fell atop was inclined, and the two tumbled down with mirrored grunts of discomfort as rocks and stabbed and clawed at them.

Dimitri heard Edelgard let out a surprised shriek that was swiftly cut off, and he didn't know why until he too crashed into the river with a cry at its sudden chill.

For a moment, Dimitri was submerged beneath the murky liquid. But quickly, he regained his bearings and swam swiftly to the surface, shaking his head to move his soaking bangs from his face.

Spitting out water and treading it while his eyes darted around, he called out a desperate, "Edelgard!"

His heartbeat thundered rapidly in his chest as he looked around frantically while fighting the river's current.

Where was she? Why hadn't she—there!

A few feet away from him, Edelgard's head popped out of the water, hair clinging to her face and having the appearance of a thick white spider web, her eyes wide and panicked as she slapped the water in a desperate attempt to say afloat.

"Edelgard!" Dimitri cried again, front crawling towards her frantically bobbing form. "I'm coming!"

When Dimitri was near enough, Edelgard desperately threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and spluttering water.

"D-Dimitri—"

"I've got you," Dimitri grunted, swimming with one arm towards shore. He attempt for the ninth time to power his Crest and found it once again unsuccessful. Cursing, he struggled against the water as it greedily grabbed at his clothes and reached for a low hanging branch.

He puffed out heavy exerted breaths, straining and kicking with all his might, but with Edelgard's weight, his lack of sleep, and the stubborn non-functionality of The Crest of Blaiddyd—

A firm hand gripped Dimitri's wrist so tightly he felt his bones would have snapped had it not been for the gauntlets.

"Need help, Dima?" Miklan grinned wickedly as Dimitri's eyes widened in horror and the crazed red head rose his twitching lance. "Don't worry! It'll all be over—!"

With a cry, Edelgard plunged her dagger into Miklan's backhand and he yelled in pain, releasing Dimitri instinctively and letting the current sweep them both away.

Dimitri heard the distant roar of, "BITCH!" Before the waves forced him and Edelgard under.

There, as the river sped them along, she was ripped from him, shoved away by the cruel chilly water. Dimitri's heart leapt into his throat and he twisted through the water hand extended as far as possible to try and reach her. Even as she reached back, their fingertips could only brush one another before another wave pushed they further apart.

Silent panic reappeared on Edelgard's face as she struggled to doggy-paddle forward. Dimitri gritted his teeth and gave one mighty kick, successfully propelling him forwards and allowing him to grab Edelgard's wrist again.

With her now secure, Dimitri dragged her with him as he kicked to the surface and tried once more to reach the river bank.

"Help me, Edelgard," Dimitri panted. "Help me kick."

Edelgard nodded breathlessly and the two clawed their way to the muddy bank, Dimitri sighing in relief as he managed to sink his fingers into the squelching mud and anchor himself. Edelgard took the initiative and did the same, pulling herself off Dimitri's back and crawling onto solid ground.

Dimitri crawled on too soon after but was quickly dragged to his feet by Edelgard. "Hurry. Hurry, he'll catch us," she said while choking and coughing on water. Their boots slipped and sank into the troublesome mud, their leg muscles wobbled and ached, but they kept going, Dimitri glancing worriedly over his shoulder every few seconds.

It was moments later when they heard the distinct sound of pounding boots on mud, spurring the two even faster.

Goddess, why couldn't he leave them alone?!

Dimitri's eyes darted around the riverbank for another path, an escape route. Something, anything...

"There!" Edelgard pointed to a cave at the side of the ridge, partially concealed with the dangling leaves of a willow tree.

"Right," Dimitri agreed with a nod, and the two turned sharply to the left, crashing through the leaf curtain and slipping and staggering on the slippery stones as they fled.

As they become encased in darkness and their footsteps echoed, another voice did as well.

"Run all you want!" Miklan barked. "I'll get you! And when I do, I'll gut you like a rabbit!"

This only incited the two to run faster, breaths coming out in quick panicked puffs and hearts cracking their rib cages.

Dimitri closed his eyes as he tried and failed to push away the burning in his lungs and legs. He was so tired...he didn't know how much longer he could keep this up.

"Don't give up," Edelgard said firmly. Even in the semi-darkness, her pastel eyes burned visibly. "We won't die here. We won't."

Dimitri met her gaze, forcing a smile onto his face. She was right, they'd make it. They would—

Edelgard gasped and skidded to a stop. Dimitri followed suit and his heart sank to his toes when he realized why.

"No..." Dimitri whispered as he stared in disbelief at the rock filled dead end before him.

An orange glow penetrated through the dim cavern and there was Miklan, charging forwards like a madman, lance raised and war cry ripping through is throat.

Dimitri spun around to face Miklan with narrowed eyes. He didn't care what happened now; all he wanted was for Edelgard to be safe—and for Miklan to die.

Miklan swung downwards and Dimitri rose his forearm to block him and Edelgard both, screaming in agony as the eldritch blade sliced deep into his flesh and dented the metal on his arm.

Miklan laughed in his face while Edelgard exclaimed his name in horror. "Damn, you nobles are absolutely ridiculous! She worth an arm, Dima?"

Dimitri leapt back and panted, arm dripping with blood and thrumming with intense pain as he growled, "Yes. Edelgard is worth every limb on my body!" The prince charged forward, clenching the fist belonging to his unwounded arm, calling upon his Crest for the tenth time and punching Miklan straight in the face.

The bandit flew backwards, hitting the cave wall with a pained grunt and falling hard to his knees. He blinked dazedly and spat out three teeth before his shock slowly faded into a simmering rage.

Miklan chuckled, slowly getting to his feet with the aid of his lance and snarling at the now woozy prince and the fiercely glaring princess.

"Okay. That's it. No more mister nice guy."

-o0o-

AN: That's it! I'll see you guys Friday for the finale!

Fantasy Fan OUT!