A/N: Alright! I finally managed to finish this chapter. It has been strangely difficult, with NaNoWriMo and bunch of other ideas plaguing my mind o.O Thank you for all the reviews, they mean a lot. For spatterson, who asked about the Fairy Godmother, the answer could be read at the end of the last chapter. The Fairy Godmother has been moved to Castle since then.

This little fic is finally nearing its end (I'm finding that hard to believe, but yes), I think there's about one chapter left. At least in my head :P

So, some action in this chapter! I hope you enjoy it :)

12.

Nearly two weeks had passed and no sign of Lady Tremaine had been sighted. The continuing silence and waiting made the Castle's inhabitants nervous. At least the ones who knew about the matter at hand and in the end that really wasn't many. The guards for example were a little confused at why they were required to be more vigilant than in a long time and for no obvious reason, though many of them were quite sure that the reason had something to do with their comrades turned into stone.

The King was brooding, he couldn't believe that a woman like her could have fooled him for so long. For six years! And he had let her into his family, to walk in the home of his ancestors. For all the visitors and people who just passed by the Castle, it was still the King's sanctuary from the crazy world and as such, very important to him. And now that blasted woman had intruded in there, like wolf in sheep's clothes. All this made him very irritable and caused his temper to flare even at the little things causing most of the palace staff to draw straws to determine who got to go and serve His Majesty.

The Prince and the Grand Duke had been searching for Lady Tremaine relentlessly for the past two weeks. They had restricted the traffic from and to the city for the first two days, but of course it didn't do much good since she had the wand at her disposal. So they let the traffic return to normal but made sure everything was inspected upon departure or arrival. Everything else they had tried had been as useless as stopping the traffic. It appeared as though Lady Tremaine had disappeared into thin air. They had even searched the Tremaine Manor few more times in case she might have returned there later, but nothing indicated anything of the sort.

Because she was acting as the bait, even though nobody wanted to say it aloud, Rella had had two guards following her around for the past week. As discreetly as possible of course so that Lady Tremaine wouldn't get too suspicious, but they were there as the Prince wouldn't allow for a visiting dignitary to wander alone unprotected when they were in danger. The guards were following Anastasia also and when Rella and Anastasia took some time and spent it together, they were quite protected. At least it felt like it, especially if the children were present. The King had ordered them their own guards.

The amount of guards made Rella roll her eyes every now and then. Even though she knew the Prince and the King only meant good, she couldn't help but feel that the guards wouldn't be very helpful in the end. Her stepmother was a wicked and intelligent woman. She would find a way past the guards sooner than later.

Despite the situation, Rella had tried to continue working on the treaty with the Prince, but due to the extra duties the Prince had because of this whole thing, they hadn't had many opportunities to finish it. So when she hadn't been working, she had spent more time with Anastasia and got to know her even more. The longer Rella spent time with her stepsister, the more she found that Anastasia had truly changed and felt that they had finally reached the point that they should have reached years ago when they were children. She had many times during the last few weeks noticed fondly thinking of Anastasia as truly her sister instead of the evil stepsister like before.

Rella adjusted her dress and the pistol hidden in the folds of the fabric that she had taken to carrying with her at all times. Just in case, since she was sure her stepmother would find a way to her eventually. She was walking down a corridor to the library with Anastasia with the children running around them not heeding their mother's admonishments to slow down. They tried to not let the situation affect too much of their lives, but of course they had to concede to some restriction for their safety. Rella hadn't been outside the palace since she moved here two weeks ago though she stubbornly refused to follow the restrictions as much as Anastasia had. Anastasia avoided going to outside altogether even forgoing their walks in the outer garden. Rella understood though, Anastasia had children and wanted to stay by their side as much as possible and keep them safe. She wondered if she'd be like Anastasia after her own child was born.

There was a twinge in her heart as she thought about her unborn child. It made her think about Falad who was standing as a stone statue in her quarters. Rella hoped they'd get her stepmother quickly. She didn't want to watch the stony features of her husband's face any longer than necessary when she could have his arms around her instead. She didn't dare to think about what it would be like if they never got Lady Tremaine, if she would win. Or rather, she didn't want to dare but she still did, the thoughts plaguing her whenever she was alone. Her stepmother no doubt had something in store for her, perhaps she would even kill her. And her child at the same time. And that was something she would not allow if there was anything she could do about it.

Rella styaed at the library door while Anastasia was watching her children study under their tutor. They had agreed to take a walk before lunch to get a bit of time away from everything. The guards following her trailed behind her as she walked through the door to the room filled with books. Anastasia smiled at her and walked towards her smiling. Anastasia said a few words to her children and she and Rella started down the corridor.

"How's the agreement coming?" Anastasia asked as they walked slowly. Rella smiled. She knew Anastasia was a bit confused that she worked on agreements and such, or that she even could or would. Anastasia didn't let that bother herself too much though and seemed accepting whenever they brushed against the subject.

"Good. It's almost done", Rella answered. "I just need to make some final touches on the illumination and then there's only the signing left."

"More reason to find my mother quick", Anastasia said quietly and then looked at Rell curious. "Can't you sign it?"

"They sent Falad to make the agreement", Rella said. "So it needs to be him who signs it as well. If he… if he doesn't wake, then the Ambassador is the next who has the power to sign it, I think."

They turned to go through a small sitting room, the guards trailing ahead and behind them. The shortcut would lead them to the inner garden faster than going through the corridors. The inner garden was smaller than the main garden where they usually went, but now that Lady Tremaine was out there, the Prince and the guards didn't want them in the labyrinth that was the main garden. It was there they heard the loud noise coming to them from the direction of the library where they had just come from. Anastasia turned to look back, her elegant brows slightly frowned in confusion. Anastasia probably hadn't heard an explosion before, Rella thought, but she knew when she heard one.

"The children", Rella gasped, worried and fear gripping at her heart. Anastasia realized from Rella's reaction that whatever the noise was, it wasn't good and it was coming from where her children were. Not even thinking about it, Anastasia was already heading back to the door leading to the corridor. The guards tried to intervene, but Anastasia would have none of it. Her children were in danger and she was going to them, period. However, just as Anastasia was reaching the door, it slammed shut with a bang.

Everyone in the room froze and stared at the door. A second later the guards were scanning around the room for the cause, but found no one else in the room. They were even more unnerved when the other door leading out of the room slammed shut as well. Anastasia backed away from the door and stopped next to Rella. Rella tried to find a sheltered place for her and Anastasia, for she was sure that any moment now it would be better to get down. Just as Rella drew Anastasia with her towards a table near the bookshelves, green shots of light and bullets started flying through the air. The ladies took shelter under the table, wincing at the pained cries and crashes and thumps they heard. Anastasia gripped Rella's hand tightly when they heard Lady Tremaine's voice taunting the guards.

It didn't take too long for Lady Tremaine to knock out – change into animals and what else she came up with – the guards. Rella took her pistol out from the fold of her skirt and checked it. She felt a small bump on her shoulder and looked at Jaq who had appeared out of nowhere.

"Jaq?! What are you doing here?" Rella whispered.

"Heard lots and lots of noise. Came to see what it is", Jaq said. "Evil stepmother not in a good mood, Cinderelly."

Rella shook her head. "No she isn't. Jaq, please go and find the Prince. Tell him that stepmother is here and that he needs more guards."

Jaq nodded quickly and scurried off. Anastasia looked at Rella mouth hanging open and Rella shrugged her shoulder looking a bit sheepish.

"How do you think I managed to do all of the chores you came up with? I had a little help."

Anastasia looked about to answer when they heard Lady Tremaine's cold voice slicing through the air. "There is no point in hiding, Cinderella. Do come out."

Anastasia tried to grab Rella to hold her down, but Rella shook her off gently but determinedly. She would try to buy them more time until the Prince with hopefully enough reinforcements made it to them. Rella stood up keeping her pistol hidden behind her skirt and faced Lady Tremaine. The older woman faced Rella properly once she saw her standing up. The wand was dangling from her fingers, not pointed at Rella for the time being.

"Stepmother", Rella said in a way of greeting.

Lady Tremaine did not answer, instead she looked at Rella with cold eyes filled with hatred.

"Why are you doing this?" Rella asked. She hoped to get stepmother to talk.

Lady Tremaine's eyes narrowed. "It is very simple, you foolish girl. I will not let you ruin everything I have worked for. You have never been anything but trouble. I thought I had gotten rid of you when I banished you, but no. You just had to come back! Mark my words, I will not let you get your way for the second time."

For a moment Rella was confused at her stepmother's last words, but then she realized that the older woman was referring to the first time, when she had apparently managed to marry the Prince and not Anastasia. Rella moved slowly away from the table, under which Anastasia was still hiding, keeping the couch between her and her stepmother.

"But… I have never tried to do anything", Rella said. She really didn't have to try to get any sincerity into her voice, since she really was somewhat confused at Lady Tremaine's accusations. It had taken her time and meeting Falad, but she had gotten over her past and left it safely behind her. It had been one of the reasons she had come here with Falad, to prove to herself that she really had done it.

"Oh, yes you have", Lady Tremaine said following Rella with her eyes and keeping the wand pointed at her. "You do not have to try to do anything, Cinderella. You just do it. Right now your mere presence has somehow managed to, not to mention messing Anastasia's head completely – the girl has never had any of these silly notions as long as you haven't been here – get the King believe in me plotting against him and trying to capture me!"

Rella frowned. "You haven't been plotting?" she sounded slightly doubtful.

"Of course I have", her stepmother's voice sounded smooth and condescending. "But because of you that imbecile has realized it!"

Rella stiffened as Lady Tremaine's wand rose to point directly at her. "I would have liked to wait longer and get rid of you then, when all this hustle had died down a bit", the Lady said. "But I no longer have the time. More and more people are being made aware of my wand every day, and I do not have the patience to change all of their memories. So, I'll just have to get rid of you now before fixing this mess you landed me into!"

A sharp, green light shot out of the wand aimed at Rella. Rella squeaked slightly as she ducked it and took cover behind the couch's armrest. Tremaine was about to shoot again when the door to the room slammed open and revealed Prince Charles charging in a sword in his hand. He ducked immediately, the magic missing him by a hair. The soldiers behind the Prince tried to follow him, but were foiled by Lady Tremaine who shut the door again and this time changed it into a heavy oaken door with several heavy locks, bolts and latches.

The Prince danced around with Lady Tremaine for a few moments, managing quite well staying out of the wand way. Unfortunately, the wand proved to be stronger than the blade and eventually one the lights hit, this one an angry yellow, and the Prince was thrown hard against the wall. Lady Tremaine nearly growled out of annoyance, it seemed to be nearly impossible to kill her wretched stepdaughter. Something always got in her way!

Lady Tremaine turned back to Rella and started as she found her troublesome stepdaughter standing unafraid in front of her with a deadly looking pistol aimed straight at her. Afraid of hitting the Prince, Rella had not dared to fire the weapon, but now there was no one there to get hurt other than Lady Tremaine. Rella aimed at the hand holding the wand and fired. She missed, her stepmother evading the shot with surprising speed. As quickly as she had dodged the bullet, Lady Tremaine aimed her wand at Rella again and blasted the girl to the side.

Rella cried out as she was struck to her stomach and as she crashed into a small table next to the windows. Lady Tremaine approached Rella with calm steps staring at her stepdaughter with a cold and malicious smile. Finally she could get rid of her permanently. She certainly wasn't going to let her live again, since she obviously couldn't stay away. Lady Tremaine shuddered as she remembered the year after Cinderella and the Prince had gotten married. How her house, her daughters, her reputation had fallen to ruin. That would not happen again. Ever.

Lady Tremaine watched Rella struggling to get up and raised the wand. She aimed directly at Rella, she couldn't miss, and smiled slowly. She was going to enjoy this.

"Goodbye, Cinderella", Lady Tremaine said.

"No!"

Just as the light that would have reduced Rella to dust was about to leave the wand, her arm was grabbed and pushed aside causing the curse to hit the wall instead. Tremaine screeched from rage and spun to see who had ruined her aim. Anastasia stood in front of her, gazing at her angrily. Lady Tremaine's eyes widened from a mixture of surprise and anger.

"I will not let you hurt her, Mother", Anastasia said standing tall and proud.

Lady Tremaine pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes. "How dare you! You ungrateful… idiot! Everything you are is because of me! I will not let you ruin this for me!" She then waved her wand and threw Anastasia to the side non too gently. The older woman raged on as she shot curses from her wand in her wrath. It appeared that she had gone truly mad and decided to get rid of Anastasia as well since she no longer was any help to her goals.

Anastasia was terrified and cried and begged her mother to stop as she dodged the curses. It was getting increasingly harder and she had been grazed by them twice already and her mother showed no sign of hearing or listening to her daughter. Rella coughed quietly and moved stiffly crawling to a guard who was lying near her. When she reached him, she liberated the man from his musket. She checked it, to find it was loaded and ready to fire, for which she thanked the Heavens. Rella scrambled to get up, her face twisting from the sharp pain in her stomach. When she finally got into a standing position, she straightened herself and lifted the musket, aiming at Lady Tremaine.

The shot rang through the room and beyond causing everyone who heard it to stiffen. For a short second it was quiet, then Lady Tremaine cried out from pain. Rella had hit her arm, near the shoulder. The arm which hand had been holding the wand.

Anastasia snapped out of her fright when she saw the wand falling from the mother's hand. Quicker than an attacking viper she snatched the wand and backed away from her mother as far as she could. Her mother was turning towards Rella, holding her injured arm and glaring at the younger woman breathing heavily, as she tried to load the weapon again. Realizing that she no longer had the wand, Lady Tremaine searched for another weapon and found a dagger on one of the guards. She was apparently too far gone to stop now, and was ready to go to any lengths if only Rella died.

Anastasia looked with terrified eyes as her mother approached Rella too quickly for the younger woman to have her weapon loaded in time. Anastasia glanced at the wand in her hands and back at the two women. She bit her lip and with a trembling hand raised the wand. She didn't want to do this, but her mother was in the wrong. She was doing wrong. Anastasia couldn't let her do that, even if she was her mother. Anastasia squeezed her eyes shut, few tears escaping her eyes, and hoped her mother gone. Away, not here. Never here!

Anastasia opened her eyes and aimed. "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo", she breathed and a light, bright and sparkly shot out of the wand and hit her mother square on the back just as she was raising her dagger. The older woman froze for a second and then, vanished. Rella's shaken face looked at Anastasia for a moment, before she smiled a tired little smile and thanked her nearly un-audibly. Then she went white as a sheet and collapsed over the musket.

"Rella!" Anastasia exclaimed and hurried towards her sister. For that was what Rella really was to her. A sister. Now, even more than Drizella had ever been. As she lowered herself to her knees next to Rella, she remembered the locked door that still hadn't been managed to get open and the sleeping and unconscious (or worse) guards and Prince. Anastasia quickly reversed and fixed what she could before laying the wand next to her and focusing on Rella.

From somewhere in the room she heard Charles' groan as he woke up and the noises of the guards as they woke up and their colleagues rushed into the room. Charles appeared next to her gazing worriedly at his wife and her friend.

"Are you all right?" Charles asked.

"Yes, I'm fine", Anastasia said in a faint voice. Then she swallowed thickly. "But I think we're going to need a doctor."

Charles followed Anastasias gaze and his eyes widened as he saw what Anastasia meant.

"She's bleeding", Anastasia said.

A/N: A bit longer than usual too :)