THRONE WARDEN: *gasp* I. Need. To. Know. What. Happens. NEXT!

RainyDayReading342: *evil laugh* Cliffhangers are the most affective mode of torture!!! XD

ElvenQueenLibrary: What's the point of us giving you the plot? You will just have to wait and read and see: that's the whole point of a story. ;)

KGWingfeatherFan: *gasps* Woah, it hatched!? But what happened to Itzel and Arthie? Why were they shaking like that? Great job, I'm excited to read more!

RainyDayReading342: Thanks so much! And I DID forget to mention in the chapter, but just to clear it up, they were shaking because they were feeling what the dragonet feels. And the dragonet was hatching, so I decided, why wouldn't they feel the same?

ElvenQueenLibrary: Thanks! We really appreciate you reading!

MAJOR FLUFF GOING ON IN THIS CHAPTER! Just Thorn and Leeli.

Leeli was waiting in a balcony outside her living quarters. Her waving hair was woven into a beautiful braid that wrapped around her head and was tied up with a silver butterfly clip.

Her dress flowed around her and were held together by a Wingfeather Royalty Pin. Her tearful gaze watched as her fingers fumbled over the whistleharp, trying to squeak out a few notes.

She thought about what the horrible Stone Keepers could be doing to her beloved niece and nephew. And how Liam was all by himself on a continent he knew little of, desperately trying to reach his cousins.

And her brother and sister-in-law, searching for both of them.

It was a hopeless situation. And here at the castle, not many things were better. Nia was worryingly quiet and fearful.Oskar and Sheila were busy all the time, mapping out places it was possible the children could have gone. And Kalmar spent the days talking with guards, sending eagles, talking to Etheralle, and keeping in touch with Janner and Maraly.

Sara had it the worst. She only showed up for meals and sometimes when Leeli would pass her room, she heard her mumbling to herself and naming locations and books. She had peeked in and saw Sara pour over maps.

Leeli couldn't find herself to bring a song forth. She tried putting her lips to the whistle, but soft sobs stole the air from being blown in. Tears of defeat slipped from her eyes and dripped onto her silver instrument. She put a hand on her swollen belly, sighing.

Suddenly, she felt arms wrap around her from behind, and a warm breath on her cheek.

Leeli closed her eyes and sunk into the hug as tears fell from her face.

"Its alright, Leeli," Thorn said. "It'll be just fine, you'll see. They'll all come home safer than a baby bird nestled in its mammals feathers."

"I know, but...we can't really decide that. I just hope that the Maker is keeping them in his sight. I can't have them all fall to darkness," Leeli sniffled.

Thorn hugged her tightly. "Don't think about that. I hope you've been healthy lately, the baby might be coming soon."

Leeli nodded in his embrace. She suddenly felt better, being comforted by Thorn. She had to be strong. She had to be strong for Janner, Maraly, Liam, Arthie, and Itzel. And for everyone in the castle.

Thorn finally let go, and Leeli wiped her eyes and faced him with a smile. She set her whistleharp down on a dresser, and allowed Thorn to lead her out of the room.

But just as they were leaving. A flap of wings at the balcony made Thorn spin around. An eagle sat on the balcony rails, holding a letter in one talon and cleaning its feathers with its beak. Thorn walked forward and retrieved the letter from the eagle.

"Good bird," he said awkwardly. The eagle side-eyed him, then flapped its powerful wings and flew off of the balcony and down to the Eagle Keep.

Thorn went back to Leeli and opened the letter with her.

My Dear Queen Nia of the Shining Isle,

Firstly, I must inform you that I have all of the best warriors searching the Green Hollows and the Blackwood and many places beyond to aid you in your search for the lost heirs. We deeply share your concern, and all in the Hollows send their compassionate regards to all those at Castle Rysen. Though, it is my greatest sorrow to report we have not found anything. I myself am writing this as I am sitting at a campfire, waiting on the latest news of the Durgan Warriors Patrol to return. Do not lose hope, my dear queen. They may still be out there, and we will find them, if The Maker allows. Though I do not have news of the children, I also write to you for another reason. This morning, three dragons came to our bay, demanding an audience with me. I hurried to meet them, and they are messengers from the Dragon Queen Hulwen. They tell me that they recently found a shipwrecked boat at the bottom pd the sea, caught under massive rocks and boulders. They say there was a cloud of dust, likely from Fangs. As you know, Fangs do not leave behind bones when they die. But there were shackles and chains floating about. I must remind you not to lose hope, and my hand shakes as I write this. The dragons did not only find dust...but there were two sets of human bones. Of human children. We do not yet know enough, so I beg you not to assume the worst. They are investigating, and it is all of our prayers it is not what our minds think it to be.

Your loyal supporter, friend, and leader,

Keeper of the Hollows.

Leeli was breathing hard, her eyes wide.

Thorn's hands were shaking as he held the paper. Bones?

Also of the adults sat in the huge living room. Couches of the most comfortable furs, glass tables with jewels encrusted in them shined in the massive party room.

But no one was happy.

Nia was arguing with Artham, Oskar was trying to calm them down by reciting quotes, but all his words were cut off.

"We can't go, Artham!"

"And why not?!"

"Oh, but, in the words of-"

"Because those dragons could be lying, or they could be bones from two other unfortunate children long ago."

"But if they ARE them?! We have to go see to help. We can't just stay at Castle Rysen all the time, Nia!"

"Excuse me, but, In the words of-"

"The dragons are already investigating!"

"In the words-"

"So?! They could have missed something!"

"We. Are. Not. Going!!"

"In the-"

"Well, we should be!"

"IN THE WORDS OF NO ONE IN PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW, BOTH OF YOU CALM YOURSELVES DOWN BECAUSE ARGUING ISN'T GOING TO HELP THE CHILDREN!!!!"

Silence followed Oskar's outburst.

Artham wearily side eyed everyone, then slinked off to the corner to think.

Sara sat on the couch, her gaze blank.

Leeli was quietly crying against Thorn's shoulder.

Thorn glared at all of them.

"I agree with the book man. This is no time to argue. As the Keeper said, we shouldn't assume the worst. Plus, turn to logic! If the children had...indeed...um...crashed in a boat and sank to the bottom of the sea, they wouldn't turn to bones in sick a quick time! It's only been two weeks."

Nia sighed. "You are right. We cannot assume the worst."

They all stared out the window, not knowing what to say or do at all anymore.