Achren and Eilonwy made their way to another part of the castle, a room with no decorations, save for a few shelves with potions and brought on them, At the far end was a small table with two chairs, at Achren's gesture, Eilonwy took her seat and Achren took hers.

"So…" Achren began slowly. "You didn't reveal… anything to him?"

"Taran?" Asked Eilonwy.

"The Horned King." Said Achren.

"No… Nothing." Said Eilonwy. "He thought my bauble could tell him about… something."

"What something?" Achren asked.

"Uh, Nothing important." Said Eilonwy.

Achren narrowed her eyes. "You're not being truthful."

"What?" Eilonwy asked, but before she could do anything, Achren grabbed her wrist and pulled her upright.

"Do not speak falsehoods to me girl!" Achren snarled. "I know you've shared something with that Pig Keeper, that Taran of Caer Dallben!"

Eilonwy was stunned. "H-How do you know where…"

"The Ward of Dallben traveling with my niece, a creature and a singer is not so much a coincidence." Said Achren, letting go of Eilonwy. "You're looking for something, and the Horned King knows it, elsewise, he would not have sent one of his creatures after you, If not to get you back, So what is it?"

"I… I can't tell you." Eilonwy said.

"Can't? Or won't?" Achren asked. "It does not matter, I'll have the truth out one way or another, and as for you."

Eilonwy gulped.

"It's back to your lessons." Achren said. "Recount to me the necessary words for a valor enchantment."

Eilonwy groaned, she now hoped the others were okay.

Meanwhile,

Taran, Fflewdurr and Gurgi gobbled down as much of their dinner as they could, the soldiers stood nearby as they ate, A serving boy scrubbed up any food that got on the floor, until the three companions were stuffed full.

"Ah… That was… wonderful." Fflewdurr sighed in contentment.

"So many munchies and crunchies…" Gurgi groaned, his stomach bloated.

"Not even Dallben could prepare something this good." Agreed Taran, he noticed Eilonwy and Achren weren't there? "Say, Where are Eilonwy and uh… Lady Achren?" He asked a guard, though he was unsure of what title to address Achren as.

"Her Majesty and the Princess are in private congregation." Said the guard. "No one is to disturb them?"

"Her Majesty?" Asked Fflewddur. "She's a queen?"

"Uh… Former Queen." Said the other guard.

The companions looked at each other in surprise.

"So, when can we see them?" Asked Taran.

"When her Majesty decides." Said the guard.

"When does she decide?" Asked Taran.

"When. she. Decide's." Said the Guard slowly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Taran asked, already getting fed up.

"You ask too many questions." Said the Second Guard.

And with that, he took Taran by the arm and led him to his chambers, Fflewdurr and Gurgi followed in similar fashion.

Soon they were all sent to a room with a large bed inside, just big enough for three people. Somehow, There was also a window draped in purple curtains.

"Anyone get the feeling something is off?" Fflewdurr asked.

"Yes." Said Taran, he was starting to worry about Eilonwy.

Meanwhile,

Eilonwy stumbled back as Achren stood over her.

"Try again." Achren said, as Eilonwy regained her composure, she focused her energy as she whispered an enchantment and cast a light spell that Achren repealed with a flick of her hand. "Feeble."

Eilonwy cast another spell, again and again, which Achren deflected every time, until she got close enough and picked Eilonwy in the head, sending her to the floor. "Weakness breads defeat."

Eilonwy clenched her fists as she glared up at her "aunt", a trickle of blood dripping from her nose.

"You've clearly lost your edge in your time aw-!" Achren stopped She noticed Eilonwy's eyes start to glow as gold her bauble, And she launched herself at Achren, punching in the chest and sending her flying back, Achren skidded back before she hit the table, and gazed at Eilonwy and stared at Eilonwy as she radiated gold.

"You've… unlocked your ultrastinct." Achren let out, Eilonwy charged at her, Achren quickly levitated the table to shield herself, as Eilonwy punched the table, reducing it to mangled splinters, Achren dropped the remains and caught Eilonwy's fist, send a tremor throughout the room, Eilonwy's glow faded as Achren released her grip.

"Such power…" She said, in delight. "Your power has finally been unlocked."

"Power?" Asked Eilonwy. "You never told me that…"

"That you're "Bauble" could supercharge you into a super powered time bomb?" Achren asked. "That was for you to discover, I'm surprised you've unleashed it now."

"What kind of… enchantment is this?" Eilonwy asked.

"A powerful one." Achren explained. "Do you remember when you first received your bauble?"

Eilonwy thought back.

Flashback.

The four year old, Eilonwy stared in awe at the golden orb as it sat on its podium.

Eilonwy: Mother, what is it?

Mother: It is a special trinket, one that has been in possession of our family for centuries.

Eilonwy: It's pretty.

Eilonwy reached up and touched the small thing, one press of her finger and it came to life, glowing bright yellow, it danced around her head and brought delight to the little girl.

Eilonwy: It can fly!

Mother: Yes, It can, and it's all yours now.

Eilonwy: Really? Oh thank you Mother, I've always wanted a Bauble!

Eilonwy hugged her mother as she affectionately stroked her head.

Mother: Yes, you can call it that.

Flashback ends.

"She never told me it was that powerful." Said Eilonwy as she gazed up at her Bauble.

"Yes, and that's why she gave you over to me." Said Achren. "To unlock your full potential."

"So, how do I learn to control it?" Asked Eilonwy.

"You can only activate it in an emotional state so far, from what I can tell." Said Achren. "But in time, You may learn to bring it out of your own free will, for now, I suggest you not "exerte" yourself too much in its use."

Eilonwy sighed. "Of course, when can I see my Friends?"

Achren's face darkened. "Hopefully not for much longer…"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"The Sword they had is too valuable to leave in the hands of a pig keeper, not to mention that warp gem too." Achren explained. "And they also clearly have the Horned King's attention so that's a minus, and besides, they'll be rid of soon enough."

Eilonwy's eyes widened in horror, she knew full well what Achren meant when she wanted someone "rid of" she quickly ran out of the room as fast as she could.

"And of course you're going to try and rescue them." Achren said to herself, her hands on her hips. "How droll."

Meanwhile,

Taran paced the room while Gurgi sat on a chair by the fire and Fflewdurr fiddled with his harp.

"What the blazes is taking Eilonwy so long?" Taran asked aloud.

Just then, the door opened and a guard came in, with another person behind him they couldn't see.

"Off your bums you lot." He said. "Ready to deal with you, the Queen is."

"Quick question!" Said Fflewdurr. "Why refer to Achren as Queen?"

"Because she was the former queen of Prydain." Explained the Guard, this caught them by surprise.

"Former queen?" Asked Taran. "What happened?"

"Freedom Watch deposed her." Saif the guard. "She's hated them ever since, and will kill anyone associated with them, especially if they're last names Testaburger."

The three travelers went pale.

"Hey, Don't reveal the Queen's history to them!" Said the figure in the hall, "We're killing them!"

"WHAT?!" The trio Exclaimed.

"Ugh, now they know." The figure stepped into the room and was revealed to be an executioner, armed with an Axe!

The three screamed in terror.

Meanwhile,

Eilonwy raced down the halls as fast as She could, desperately looking around, trying to find her friends, Until at last, they saw them being dragged down a hallway by Achrens guards.

"Taran!" She called out.

"Eilonwy!" Shouted Taran. "Help!"

Eilonwy gave chase to the guards, only for two more got in her way, their Swords drawn, Eilonwy backed up and her Bauble swooped in, flashing in the faces of the guards, distracting them long enough for Eilonwy to pass through as she followed after her friends.

She took a left turn in the hallway, but her bauble seemed to go right, she stopped and called after it. "What are you doing?!" She exclaimed. "They're going to die!"

The Bauble swooped back, danced around Eilonwy's head and made her follow, the Princess followed until they reached a room that Eilonwy recognized as Achren's treasure room.

Inside, there were various trinkets claimed by Achren, among them, Was Taran's Sword and the Warp Gem.

"Oh of course!" Eilowny said as she quickly collected them. "Better be quick now."

She held up the Warp Gem, closed her eyes and vanished.

Meanwhile,

Taran, Fflewdurr and Gurgi were led outside to the Castle's courtyard, where a chopping block was waiting.

"W-Wait!" Begged Fflewddur. "Can't we negotiate strenuously about this? I happen to be a harper!"

The Guards ignored the singer's pleas as they shoved them along, shoving Taran's head onto the block first, the Axeman raised it up and prepared to bring it down, when suddenly…

Eilonwy appeared in a flash of light and charged forward with Taran's Sword, blocking the Executioner's axe, shattering with a brilliant blue light.

"Eilonwy!" Cried Taran, as he got up.

"Quickly!" Said Eilonwy, as she cut each of her friends' restraints. "We have to go!"

Several guards rushed to stop them, But Eilonwy's Bauble began to charge her up and she shot forward, barreling through them and clearing a path for the group to escape, But before they could reach the gate, It was quickly shut, they turned around and saw more Guards coming for them, with Achren at their head.

"Deja vu." Quivered Fflewddur.

"You're going nowhere Eilonwy!" Achren declared. "Leave here and I will find you, I promise you that!"

"You can bloody well try, "Auntie!" Eilonwy spat, before kicking a hole into the portcullis, and the four Companions climbed through it, Archers on the walls fired upon them, but missed their marks as they quickly fled along the road, once again.

Later.

Soon as they were clear of Spiral Castle's sight. "They all caught their breaths."

"Well… you were right." Said Taran. "That bitch really IS a wicked woman."

"And I fear we've not seen the last of her." Said Eilonwy gazing up at the sky, Taran walked up and stood right next to her.

"We'll be ready for her." He said. "Besides, We have your whole "Deus Ex machina… Super Saiyan" stuff now, That's a plus for us."

Eilonwy perked up. "It's called an Ultrastinct, and yeah, I suppose we do… feels like there's parts of my history my Mother, or Achren never told me about though…"

"We can find out together." Said Fflewdurr. "For now, let's be on our way."

So with Gurgi in front, the Companions set out on their way to find Hen Wen, once again.

Meanwhile,

Achren glided down the steps to the dungeon, as she spoke to the guard right next to her. "And I want a report to our allies in Kotir, The Bakshi Bunch and Maleficent have joined with the Horned King."

"I shall send out a message, My queen." Said the Guard.
"And keep tabs on Grimhilde and Jargafar too." Achren added. "I wish to account for their next moves too."

And she entered into a cell, Where the Hunter lay, bound to the wall by chains.

"Now, What to do with you?" Achren wondered, her eyes gleaming with Malice.

To Be Continued.

And there you have it folks, the latest story of Quest for the Black Cauldron and still more to come in the new year! So be sure to look out for that.

And here, We get a bit more into Eilonwy's backstory, Or at least my version of it, And learn that Eilonwy's new power is called, the Ultrastinct, a power exclusive only to the House of Lyr, you can expect it to come in handy in other adventures.

If you're worried about the Hunter? Please do, because I'm not sure of his fate yet, Achren however, will definitely return in the future, and she won't be alone.

In the meantime, I hope to get back to work on Power Ranger and the Phantom Menace, If you're going to see the Sonic 3 movie, don't give spoilers please.

Stay Tuned for now :)