So sorry for the long wait, everyone. You will not believe how tiring Masters research has been. Hope this makes up for it. And just so you know a lullaby that appears later on it in it does not belong to me. It belongs to Dragon Prince. I take no credit for it. Just wanted to add it to the book.

Breathtaking Part One:

"You're my…Spirit Guide?" Carol repeated those two words with such shock.

"I am indeed. I'm not dead before you freak out," Murtagh said quickly. "This is my Astral form appearing to you from leagues away. I have been sent by the Great Star Archdragon, Aeesias herself, to protect you in the conflicts to come,".

"Who's this?" Carol pointed to the red dragon on his shoulder.

"This is Thorn. But just to clarify, he's not actually a small dragon. If he was his real size, he'd be a lot bigger. And he doesn't like small spaces. You have a cute dragon yourself,".

"This is Ghost. And this is Felix the fox," Carol introduced. Her companions purred, and Thorn roared gently.

"Such lovely animals you have,". The red dragon complimented.

"Your dragon can talk?".

"He can indeed," Murtagh scratched his chin.

"Well, Murtagh, would you and Thorn like to sit down?".

"It would be unusual for me to, but if you're going to sit down, perhaps I should," Murtagh escorted her to her sofa. Thorn left his shoulder, and he started socialising with Ghost and Felix.

"If you're thirsty, I can get you a drink or something,".

"I'm in my Astral form, remember. I am touched, however, by your kindness and generosity,".

"So Murtagh, um…where do you come from? Are you from another land?".

"I take it there have been other sightings of people not from this world,".

"That's right. For the past two years, my family and I have seen strangers like you. And we just don't know why,".

"I'll tell you why. Because a great evil is coming,".

Carol froze. So did her creatures. "A great evil,".

"Yes. A great evil that threatens your world, my world and all life in the other worlds, too. But it is a great evil you will not live to see,".

"I don't understand,".

"Once every hero in their world completes their quest, they will be summoned to this world to aid your future descendants in destroying a great evil which is unlike anything either world has faced before,".

"My descendants …" Carol's bounced back to Raylan. Did this mean fate had sealed her and Raylan's fates? Were they still meant to be together despite his abandonment?

"There are some questions I cannot ask, so it would be much easier for me and you if you stopped asking them. For now, I must focus on protecting you from the great evil that is returning to your world,".

"My world?".

"Yes. The great Star Archdragon has foreseen that an evil elven mage imprisoned centuries ago will be released from his prison and continue what he started centuries ago,". Carol felt a dark pit form at the bottom of her stomach. The image of the imprisoned elf in the looking glass flashed in her eyes. She turned pale as a ghost. "What is wrong, Carol?" Murtagh asked.

"That looking glass…" she pointed to the covered mirror. "I was investigating it, and earlier this night, I saw a purple elf who knew my name …,".

"Aaravos," her guardian breathed. "I'm keeping that looking glass away from you,". He stood up and raised his hand, but his protégé swerved in front of him, holding her arms out.

"Wait, Murtagh, please. It has to be returned to the Dragon Queen, Zubeia. An evil human mage I defeated years ago with my family stole it from her, and now I'm trying to use it to find out what happened to an elf I promised to find,".

"I don't doubt what you're trying to use it for. But I cannot allow you to tamper with it any further,".

"The Dragon Queen is coming tomorrow for a celebration. I'll return it to her. It's her property. You should introduce yourself to her. If there really is danger returning like you said, you need to present yourself to you,".

"I cannot. It is against the laws of the universal order for beings from other worlds to communicate with anyone other than their proteges,".

"Please, Murtagh. If you were sent by the Star Archdragon to protect me, then it means you have to tell the queen her kingdom is in danger. And my words may not be enough to convince my home and Xadia of this imposing threat,".

Murtagh turned his back and scratched his chin. "She is right you know," Thorn said in a deep voice. "These laws shouldn't stop us from revealing the truth,".

"Something tells me someone else may reveal this imposing threat. Nevertheless, we must trust Carol," he turned back to her. "Very well, I will let you return the looking glass to the Queen and talk to her. But I must talk to her alone and not be seen by anyone else,".

"You have a deal, Murtagh,"

"And now you must go and rest for tomorrow. I will escort you to your chambers,".

All night Raylan couldn't sleep as he leaned against his moon dragon whilst his star monkey nestled in his arms. He gazed up at the moon thinking about only one person. "I miss you, Caroline,".

Stella squeaked and Rayland cuddled her, humming a lullaby passed down through his people for generations. And then he began to sing.

Though the sky is dark tonight.

I still shine for you, my dear.

The moon is more than just her light.

I am near, my love is here.

Thaisan purred to his singing voice and he stroked his head. "My mother used to sing that to me when I was a toddler,".

"That was indeed beautiful,". Before Raylan could make out the speaker, an iridescent glow flashed behind him and his dragon. Quickly Thaisan covered his eyes and the light's presence dimmed revealing his Spirit Guide whom he had first met two years ago.

"My lady," he bowed.

"You have a gift of song," Galadriel complimented. "It is indeed a beautiful voice you have,".

"What brings you here?".

"Listen well, Raylan. Great danger is coming to Katolis. And your beloved needs you,".

Raylan froze as fear consumed his entire body. "Tell me,".

(Twenty Years Ago)

Ten-year-old Harrow, Sarai and Amaya were playing in the courtyards. "You're it!" the optimistic older sister sighed to her young one. Amaya poked Harrow and signed back to them.

"Your sister is so fast," Harrow said. Sarai translated for him and Amaya simply shrugged her shoulders.

Before they could play another round, a tall man with short bushy hair and bright eyes appeared before them. He wore the crow and rich red. "Lovely to see you're having so much fun Harrow,".

"We're having the best time," his enthusiastic hair-braided boy answered.

His father chuckled. "Well, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to steal you away for a bit. Your grandmother would like to speak to you. If that's alright with you two,".

"Of course. Harrow, you should go see her," Sarai encouraged.

"I'll catch up with you both later," Harrow waved her and Amaya off before walking back into the castle and up the stairs.

In her chambers, the former queen Willow was writing in her journal. Then all of a sudden, the door went bang! Bang! Bang!. She jumped.

"Grandmother? I'm here,".

His presence shook the elderly woman out of her state. "Oh, Harrow, my dear boy. I'm so glad you could come,".

The happy grandson opened the doors and sat on a chair beside her. "Are you alright, grandmother?".

"I'm alright, boy. I know I've been acting strange. I don't mean to freak you out,".

"You could never freak me out," Harrow said, holding her hands. "Please tell me why you have summoned me,".

"I know it is too early to tell you, but I fear if I don't tell you, I may never be able to again,".

"Uh, okay,". Harrow felt scared by the anxiety in her eyes, but he knew he had to be brave for her. "What is it?".

"I see things. Things that seem so real. Like, like they're about to happen,".

"Grandma, you're scaring me,".

"Please don't be scared," Her grip tightened. "Listen to me carefully. The first queen of our bloodline was given this gift and the ability to understand animals. Your future children will inherit these gifts, and when they do, they will face great evil,".

" 'Great evil'? I don't want to hear this anymore," Harrow tried to leave but Grandmother Willow wouldn't let go.

"This great evil is a danger to not just Katolis but to the whole Continent. Your children must be prepared for what's to come and when they do, they must know about our great ancestor. Please promise you will heed this story,".

Fighting the fear coursing through his blood, Harrow leaned in close and allowed his grandmother to speak out more.

(Two Years Ago)

In the dark of the night, Harrow was writing another letter. "Oh, grandmother. I wish Willow never carried your gift, but she cannot be kept ignorant of it. I have done as you asked me to do,". He rolled it up knelt under his bed and lifted a wooden lid to a secret compartment. "When the time is right, they will read it and they will know,".

(Present Day)

"Dad!" Willow sat up, breathing heavily. All was normal around her. She cried again.

"Don't be afraid, young one," spooked a voice that sounded like 'hooting'.

Willow jumped and pulled up her blanket, her blood freezing like ice. "Who … where are you?".

"Look above you,"

Her head tilted up and hoot! She screamed and fell out of bed, her back slamming into the wood. "Ow,".

"Calm yourself, my dear. Do remember you're approaching puberty," the owl's feathers were ashy white with red torn stripes.

"You can talk?" Willow stood up slowly and watched the yellow-eyed hooter land on her pillow.

"Of course, I can talk. Don't they have talking animals in this world?".

"Uh, talking dragons yes. But not ordinary animals,".

"How very strange,".

"Who are you?".

"I am Grimble, your Spirit Guide,". The owl genuflected with his wing. "What you dreamed just now is a warning,".

"You mean what I saw was real?".

The owl frowned. "Of course. Who else do you think your father was talking to? The gifts you and Ezran possessed have been passed down unknowingly through your family for centuries. The first queen of this realm had them bestowed upon her for putting an end to the great evils, the Startouch elf committed to all of Xadia and the human kingdoms. And now that elf is returning to your world and you and your family must band together,".

"What elf?" Willow asked.

"All will become clear with time. When the message comes, read the letter your father left you,". With a flap of his wings, Grimble flew through the window. Willow rushed out and watched as he faded into the air. Willow stayed where she was. Unable to move. Unable to react to neither Pyrrah greeting her at the window nor her soft licks.

Ezran yawned as he stretched out his arms. Selena was squawking on her perch. "Good morning, Selena. You go and have a quick flight,".

Thank you. She flew out through the open window.

"Good morning Bait,". Bait wasn't sleeping on his pillow. The King chuckled. "I'm going to find you, Bait," he stepped out of bed and circled sinisterly around the piece of furniture. He knelt and looked underneath and "Found you!". Bait glowed bright blue and yellow. Ezran laughed. "This isn't like when father was playing hide and seek with us,".

Curse! The glowtoad slammed his front paw in anger. Creek. He realised he had pushed down a lid on the floor.

"What you got your foot stuck for?" Ezran crawled underneath and saw a small compartment underneath the wooden lid. He lifted off the lid revealing a small envelope with the king's seal. He pulled the sealed paper out of its hiding spot and stood up, holding Bait with one arm. "What is this?". He placed Bait down and was about to open it when …

"Ezran!" the doors burst open revealing a frantic Willow who fell to her knees.

"Willow?" Ezran fell before her. "Are you okay?".

"Dream … dad … owl … ". She couldn't catch her breath.

"Easy, sis. You're out of breath," Ezran pulled her up and helped her sit down. "What is it? Was it another dream?".

Willow breathed slowly and took in a deep breath. "I had a dream of mum, dad and Aunt Amaya when they were kids. And I saw dad talking to our great-grandmother,".

Ezran hugged her in tears. "I miss them too, sis,".

"Dad's grandmother told him that we would inherit these gifts passed through our bloodline from the first queen of Katolis. I think great-grandmother could see visions like me,".

"Are you sure it was real?".

"Yes! It was real! The owl told me,".

"The owl? Willow are you sure you were sleeping properly? You sure it wasn't just a normal owl".

"I know what I saw," she ranted. "The owl was perching above me as I woke up. It could talk. And he said he was my Spirit Guide,".

"Hold on. You're certain it was a 'he' and it could talk?".

"Yes. It spoke human words. His name was Grimble and he said to look for a letter dad hid in here,".

"You mean this?" Ezran held up the letter.

Willow swiped it, looking at it desperately. "Dad wrote this before he died. Great-grandmother warned him of something, some kind of evil that the first ruler of our bloodline helped defeat a year ago,". She was about to open it but Ezran stopped her.

"Don't open it now,". He said. "Let's do it till after the festival.

"Ezran, this isn't a joke. If Dad was trying to warn us about something, we can't ignore it,".

"I agree we can't. But we've prepared so hard for this day,". Willow huffed and turned away from him, hurting him deeply. "What?".

"Ezran don't take this wrong way. But sometimes you can be in way over your head. You need to think things over carefully. But just for now, I won't read that letter. Promise me that once the celebration is over, you'll take this seriously,".

"I promise. And we will give Carol her gift," her brother said. "Let's go check on her,". They left the bedroom and walked down the hallway towards her room when to their surprise, they saw she was awake and already outside her dorm with Felix and Ghost. "Good morning,".

"Did you sleep well?". Willow asked.

"Not quite," she rubbed eyes.

Ezran observed Felix and Ghost looking held back. "Did something happen, sis?".

"I don't wanna talk about it now. We need to get ready, and at the moment we look messy,".

"That's right. And we've got less than three hours till our guests arrive,". Ezran whistled and servants appeared. "Let's get ready,".

"Just wait till you guys see what I'm going to wear," Willow said enthusiastically.

Caelus on his dragon peered through his spyglass and saw Katolis in the distance. "We're coming in close my queen,".

"Good," Zubeia smiled.

"I'm so excited!" Zym zapped for joy, the Adoraburrs jumping for joy too.

Ezran was in a richer tunic with a golden belt. Carol was wearing a royal magenta dress and the jewellery she got for her birthday. Her hair was in a high bun with side bangs. Felix's fur was combed. Selena's feathers were combed. And Bait and Ghost had been bathed. As for Willow …

"Why are you wearing that leather suit?" Carol complained.

"You guys have to wait and find out," she said, showing over her thick red and brown leather suit with loop straps snaking down her leg sides. "I've got a special show planned for the queen and Zym. Trust me, you'll love it,".

"Can you at least wear your dress for when they arrive?" Ezran asked.

Carol thought for a second. "Ez, let Willow wear it," she insisted. "Let us surprise us. Now can we make sure my gift for Zubeia is ready?".

"Of course," Ezran nodded, respecting his sisters' decision. they walked into the hallway where servants were beginning to leave.

Soren and Corvus were carrying a large, wrapped up gift shaped like a square. "Morning boys," the mage greeted. "Is the gift …?".

"Perfect safe and wrapped up," Soren promised. "You sleep okay?".

"I did. But today is gonna be about fun and joy,"

The siblings watched their half-sister peered under the blanket. "Sis, you're killing us. Tell us what the gift is,". Willow begged.

"It's a surprise for everyone," Carol said. "Now come on. We're gonna be late,".

"Zubeia will arrive shortly and so will the other kings and queens," Willow informed. They escorted Caldor, Opeli, Soren and everyone else out of the castle and through the town.

On his bed, Benji was hugging his dragon Pliph. Music rattled their ears and they peered outside and saw the royal family parading down the streets. "The festival!".

"Mr. Benji!". The door burst open and Pliph hid under the bed. A large woman with black bunned hair and dark stern eyes towered over the petrified boy. "I'm gonna make this clear to you. You are not going to the festival,".

"What? Why?" the kid complained.

"I know you snuck off that night and caused trouble,".

"I didn't cause any trouble. I just wanted to see .. ".

"I don't know why you look up to that step-princess …,".

"She's not a step-princess! She's a hero!".

The woman boiled red. "Did you just talk back to me?".

"You're a bad person!"

She raised her hand. "Why you …,".

Pliph shot out and bit her foot. She screamed. Quickly Benji grabbed his dragon and dashed through the open door. The woman chased after him. "Why you … I'll hit you for this!".

"The Valley of Graves?" Willow asked. They were standing in a large field full of tall trees and flowers and loads of tents and stands for performers. People were already gathering.

"The perfect place," Ezran smiled. "There's so much room here and there'll be plenty of space for the dragons and the Sky Patrol when they arrive,".

"Um Ez…" Carol asked nervously. "Don't you think holding the festival here might be a bit insensitive?".

"I'm afraid Opeli and I are gonna have to agree with her on this one," Caldor said.

"The people might worry that honouring a dragon queen in a place that is a memorial to so many great humans, some of whom died at their hands is offensive,". Opeli pointed out.

"But that's the point. We're trying to look past that,".

"Some people are angry, King Ezran,".

"Trust me, just trust me. This is going to be a happy day, it is going to be the start of a great era of peace. Opeli, will you go and check on our elven friends?' Ezran requested.

Opeli bowed and walked off. But Ezran's sisters weren't very happy. "Could you have at least talked it over with us first?" Willow asked.

Her brother sighed. "I'm sorry. I should have talked about it with you both first. The only reason I didn't you guys is because I didn't want you to think it was a bad idea,".

"Just because you're the king doesn't mean your decisions are always right," Caldor did his best to sound gentle. "I know your father would be proud of all this, but sometimes you need to take into consideration that creating peace is not always easy for others,".

"Help! Help!" the sound of a child rattled their ears. Carol saw it was coming from the forest and sprinted in with her dragon and fox. To their shock, they saw a large woman about to beat up a child with a stick. IT was Benji holding Pliph.

"Stop!" she ordered.

"I'll hit this child all I like!" the woman turned her head and saw she was talking to the High Mage. Her dragon and fox snarled. She became scared all of a sudden. "Your Highness," she fell to her knees. "This boy …,".

"You will leave Benji alone," Carol towered over her. "Guards," two armoured men appeared. "Take this child beater away at once,".

"You can't do this to me, step-princess,". The woman punched one guard in the face but quickly Carol cast 'Aspiro Frigis' and her feet were frozen. "What have you done to me?".

"Frozen your feet. Take me Miss Umba away,". Carol ordered. The guards dragged the cruel woman away. "Come here, Benji,". Benji flew into her arms and Pliph nuzzled Ghost and Felix.

"It's okay now," she promised, stroking his hair.

Benji burst out crying, relieved that he could let out his emotions without being hit or reprimanded. "She's so cruel,".

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna let that woman harm you,".

"She's mad that I snuck out of the orphanage to see you on your birthday,".

"You're an orphan?" Carol wanted to cry for him. Felix purred at his hand.

"My parents died two years ago when they went off to war,".

"Everything alright, Carol?" Ezran came over and saw the shrieking woman being dragged away by the guards. Miss Umba,".

"The orphanage needs a kind caretaker. Not an abusive woman," Carol informed.

"I'll get to it right away," her brother promised. "Do you want to join us, Benji?".

The kid jumped for joy. "Yes please!".

Suddenly Carol jumped as if she had been pricked by a bee. "It's Zym! He's here! Zym is here!". And right after she said that the trees were blowing in the gusts of wind as shadows loomed over them.

And that's the first third of Breathtaking done. I hope you all enjoyed it. Once again Raylan's lullaby belongs to DRagon Prince, not to me. Just wanted to add it in to show his affection for his dragon and cuddlemonkey. I hope you all enjoyed it. I very much like everyone's ideas and I will try to use the spell ideas as well and make you gain credit for them. The king and queen of characters will appear in the next one. And I promise to make sure the next chapter comes up sooner. Thank you all very much for your support of this story. See you all soon. :)