Two Hearts for One IC: (BG & Jevan) Rated M.

[MidKnight]

This RP will be rated M for violence and other possible adult situations.

I was granted to start the IC. So, don't ban me!

"My King, the rebellion soldiers are on the move, but our walls will keep them at bay." an Officer kneels down and bows to the king.

"They started this war, and I will see to it that this is finished." The King stated, "Order the archers to fire at will." He ordered, the officer bows his head, "Yes My Lord!"

Cassandra walked in the throne room, she looked around before making her appearance in front of everyone. Examining it carefully, she slowly starts walking towards the King.

"My Lord." She bows her head.

"Ah, there is my bodyguard, and where is the second?" He looks around.

"Do not worry my Lord, I am sure she will appear in a short while." She looks around, she too did not see her claimed sister. She growls to herself, "Luna where are you?" She asked herself.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna staggered through the hallways of the castle, limping as she hurried towards the throne room. After what felt like an eternity, she reached her destination and limped in, stopping next to Cassandra and bowing her head at the King.

"Forgive me, My Lord, I tripped and twisted my ankle and I had to limp all the way here," she explained nervously.

"You are forgiven. I hope that you did not suffer anything worse than a twisted ankle. It would be a shame to lose one of my bodyguards," the King responded.

"Thank you, My Lord. It was just a twist, nothing more," Luna said gently.

"I hope that it is nothing more."

"Thank you, My Lord. May I be so bold as to ask why you called Cassandra and I?" she asked, still feeling nervous.

[MidKnight]

The Kings' face did not express his feelings when he saw Luna's ankle twisted. He clears his throat and moves his body on his chair.

"I called upon the both of you to accompany me to the walls where will observe the battle from outside." He stands up, his servants bows, including Cassandra. "We will put the Rebellions back in their place in my Kingdom, or they will face a be-heading."

Cassandra smiles at Luna, then at the King, "Your majesty, if you permit it, I would like to examine's Luna ankle in the medical area." she bows her head.

"Granted, I would not like to see both my bodyguards limping like a wounded pup." The King gives a small smile, "I will meet you both on the castle walls." The King and several Royal Guards followed, left the throne room.

"Come Luna." She grabs Luna's arm, "Lets go." She smiles and then helps escort her to the medical room.

[Vampirequeen]

When the King stood up, Luna bowed, then rose as she saw Cassandra smile in her direction. She returned the smile as Cassandra spoke. She had just opened her mouth to speak when the King gave Cassandra permission to take her to the medical area.

"I'm fine, honestly," she said as Cassandra grabbed her arm to take her to the medical room. Even though she hadn't been walking on her ankle for only a few minutes, Luna was surprised to by the absence of pain as she walked to the medical room.

"See, I told you my ankle was fine," she said with a smile.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra sighs for a moment, "Yeah I know, but you got to be real careful with this Luna, otherwise your leg might have sprained or worse, and how would you defend his majesty if you don't allow me to use this wrap around your ankle now?"

She begins to wrap a long cloth around her ankle, "Now the Physician is at the walls along with a few others, so any of the archers are wounded, they can treat them behind the wall."

She finishes wrapping and takes a long strap and ties it down on the cloth. "And why are you wearing this kind of armor?" She sighs even more, "Luna, thought I gave you that armor for your birthday? What happened to that?" She wondered.

[Vampirequeen]

"If it was sprained 'or worse,' I would have been too busy writhing in pain in one of the hallways to even go to the throne room," Luna muttered under her breath as Cassandra bandaged her ankle.

"It's still in my room," she said as she stood up and took a few steps forward to show that her ankle was fine. A tiny smile crossed her face as she remembered the reason why she hadn't put on her armor, which was also the reason why she had tripped and twisted her ankle. She quickly forced herself to stop smiling when she realized that it probably wasn't the best time to be thinking about one of the archers.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra watches her and gives a small sigh, "Okay, maybe I overreacted a little bit, but still I'm only protecting you." She walks up to the entrance, "Now come on, lets go to your room so we can find that armor I got for you, because if the archers are over-whelmed by the Rebellion forces, it is our job to make sure the King gets to safety." She walks over to Luna and holds her hand, "Please little sister, do this for me and I'll do anything you want." She gives a small smile.

[Vampirequeen]

"I understand," Luna responded as she shook her head to clear the returning thoughts about the archer. She was just about to walk towards the entrance when Cassandra spoke again and came over to her to hold her hand.

"Ok," she sighed as she slipped her hand out of Cassandra's grip and began walking back to her room.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra follows her to her room, she stopped outside, "I'll wait out here." She places her back again'st the wall and looks down while folding her arms. Keeping quiet for a while, she looks around then looks at the door. "So tell me, what do you think about the King?" She asked, wondering what her thoughts were be.

[Vampirequeen]

"I'll be out in a few minutes," Luna said as she gently closed the door almost all the way. As soon as the door was closed, she walked over to the bed where she had placed her armor before she had realized that she needed to go see the King. She sat down on the bed and had just started putting on her leg armor when Cassandra spoke from outside the room.

"I think he's nice," she said as she finished putting the armor on her right leg and grabbed the armor for the left one. As she put it on, she found herself thinking more about the King and Cassandra's question.

He certainly isn't bad looking, she thought as she finished putting the armor on her leg and stood up to pull on her chest protector.

He also hasn't tried going after my mother like his father did, she added mentally as she pulled her chest protector over her head and tied the leather belt that held her sword and its scabbard around her waist. Once she was sure that her belt was tied tightly, Luna pulled on one of her leather gauntlets and grabbed the other one, which she pulled on as she walked towards the door.

"I probably shouldn't be saying this, but I think he's a much better King than his father was," she said to Cassandra as she opened the door and stepped out of the room.

[MidKnight]

Looking up the ceiling, she closes her eyes. "I think he's nice." She heard from the room.

"I think he's nice too." She says to herself mumbling under her breath. She gives a heavy sigh. He looks so determined to win this battle. She though to herself. Looking at her sword, she thought of old times.

She gives a small laugh, then looks to her side and sees Luna coming out of her room with the armor on. Giving a smile and nods her head, "You look....'Tough'." She begins to walk to the Castle walls.

Giving another small laugh, "I remember the old man putting up a fight with another King from a different country, you remember we had to protect his father?" She laughs once more. "We called him so many names, I think my favorite was when you called him 'old butt bear' and when he growled at you for calling him that." She laughed again.

She wipes her eye from a tear of joy. "Such good times, but now we're protecting his son and well I just wanted to get your opinion on him, we haven't had much time to get to know him, I think he is a couple years younger than us." She looks to Luna. "If he needs our help, then we'll both do our best to make sure our King succeeds." She places her hand on her shoulder, "Let's promise we'll always watch each others' back." She holds a hand out.

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you," Luna said in response to Cassnadra's 'tough' comment as she followed her friend towards the walls. She was silent as she listened to her friend talk about the King's father and she laughed when Cassandra reminded her of all of the names that they had called him.

Luna nodded as Cassandra spoke again and when her friend put her hand on her shoulder, she flinched, then reached out and took her extended hand.

"Promise," she said.

[MidKnight]

Upon the wall, the King observed the open field. Sitting from above his archers, who are ready for battle. He looks around expecting his bodyguards.

He looks once more and sees the two arriving, "Ah, you have arrived, the battle is about to start, please both of you, sit beside me." He shows to both chairs next to him. Cassandra sits down on the right side of the King. She looks to the field and watches.

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you, My Lord," Luna whispered as she sat down on the King's left and immediately glanced up at the archers, who looked more than ready for the coming battle.

Where is he? She thought as she turned in her seat to look for one of the archers. After looking for him with no success, she gave up and turned her attention back to the field.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra examines the archers, some looked scared, others were expecting this. "Luna." She heard and looks at the King, "You are wearing a...beautiful armor." the King commented, "How unexpected of you." The King gives a smile. Cassandra smiles as well, knowing she had good taste in armor.

One of the officers, "My King!" He calls out and points beyond the field. The King looks and watches, he could hear rumbling, as hundreds of rebellion soldiers made their way to the walls. "Archers prepare yourselves." Another officer called out.

The King breathes in, "Ladies, I'll be honest." He closes his eyes, "This is my first time defending the city." Cassandra looks at the King, "Do not worry my Lord, I am sure the archers are ready to do whatever it takes to make sure the enemy does not take over the walls." she places out a hand over his to reassure him.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna blushed at the King's compliment.

"Thank you, My Lord. Cassandra gave it to me for my birthday," she said with a smile.

If it wasn't for your father, this rebellion probably wouldn't be happening, Luna thought darkly as the King spoke. As she finished the thought, she slowly raised her hand to place it on his shoulder, but she lowered it nervously, unsure if she would get in trouble for touching him. It wasn't until she saw Cassandra put her hand on the King's that she raised her arm again and reassuringly placed it on his shoulder.

"I wouldn't worry about it, My Lord. The archers are very well-trained and hopefully they'll put that training to good use," she said with a smile.

[MidKnight]

"Thank you both, and I do have faith in the archers." He smiles to both of his bodyguards.

The Rebellion soldiers started yelling, cheering, and war cries. Then begins their attack. The King watches as the horde charges for their walls.

The Commanding officer watches as they got closer to the walls, "Archers, ready!" He raised his hand high up in the air. Each archer prepared for a volley. When the enemy got closer, the Commanding officer throws down his arm, signaling the archers to release. The sound of archers releasing their arrows did not frighten the rebellion forces, though it did frighten them when so many had been hit by an arrow.

The archers continue to rain arrows upon the rebellion.

The King kept his eyes closed, "My father, a stupid man. I want to put everything right." He opens his eyes and watched the slaughter continue. He stands up and moves to the archers to get a closer look. Cassandra stands up and follows.

[Vampirequeen]

Please don't let your King down, Luna thought as the archers began to fire at the approaching rebels.

When the King stood up and walked over to the archers, Luna stood up and followed him and Cassandra, who had also stood up to follow him.

I'm sure that things will go back to normal once your subjects realize that you're nothing like your father, Luna thought, not daring to say the words out loud, just in case.

[MidKnight]

The King watched as the rebellion forces who tried to climb up the walls with ladders had failed, and tried to retreat but could not. The King watched as each rebellion was shot. He raised his hand and ordered the archers to cease fire.

Every stopped firing arrows, most of the rebel soldiers were able to retreat, others were wounded badly by the arrows. "Commander!, order our physicians to heal the wounded men." The commander looks at his troops. "My Lord, our men are not wounded." He chuckles.

The King growls, "I mean the men laying outside our walls." He points down outside the wall. The commander nodded his head, and bowed, "Yes my Lord, forgive my actions." The King raises his hand towards him, "Just help them." He says slowly. He turns to his bodyguards, "I thank you both for being here, hopefully the leader of the rebel forces sees this, and I wish to greet him in hopes of peace." He looks over his shoulder and sees the castle gates opening. Several men with swords and physicians examined each rebel.

"I am sure he will get the message my Lord." Cassandra bows her head.

[Vampirequeen]

As soon as the archers stopped firing, Luna looked over at them again and was disappointed when she was unable to find the cute one that had spoken to her earlier. She was brought out of her disappointment by the sound of the King talking to the commander. The tiniest smile crossed her face as the commander responded. As she looked over at the field, she found herself feeling worried when she remembered that her uncle was a member of the rebellion.

She forgot her concern when she heard the King address her and Cassandra.

"You're welcome, My Lord. I'm sure he will," she replied once Cassandra had finished speaking.

[MidKnight]

The Commanding officer looks at Cassandra before he took his leave from the King. Cassandra looking back then to the king. "My Lord, I must take my leave from you for only a short while, I am sure Luna her is more capable of protecting you." The king was a little confused, "Alright, if you wish, but do not stray too long, please." He looks to Luna, "So, how long have you been training?" He asked once he began to walk back to the Throne room.

Cassandra followed the Commanding officer, "Father wait!" Her father stopped in his tracks, "I would like to congratulate you on your victory." She bowed her head, the Commander turns around and glares at Cassandra, "As a nobleman of the family I must do what I can to service his majesty." He shakes his head, "Fighting useless rebels is not quite I had in mind." Then places his hand on Cassandra's shoulder, "I do hope you know what you are doing with his Highness."

Cassandra shrugs off the hand gesture, "Father please, you have shown me better than this, I only do what his Highness thinks for the greater good." She lowers her head a little, "And...he is a good man with a kind heart." She blushes a little. The Commander shakes his head, "My daughter, a noble from the Raulten family and the King can not mix." Cassandra feeling disappointed simply walks away, "Father, be careful with the years you got left, because only you I got left."

The Commander nods his head, "Same goes for you and your friend."

[Vampirequeen]

When the King spoke to her, Luna blushed, surprised that he was asking her such a personal question.

"Um, ten years or so. It took me a few years to convince my parents to let me learn how to use a sword," she replied shyly as she walked back to the throne room with the King.

"I miss them," she sighed as she glanced down at the floor before he glanced up at the King, making sure that she paid attention to her surroundings. Her distaction had caused her to trip and twist her ankle earlier, and it would be quite embarassing for her to possibly trip in front of the King.

[MidKnight]

"I too miss my family, my mother, and my father." He looks down on the ground a for a while, "Oh and how is your ankle?" He asked, as stopped in his track, "May I take a look?" He asked, and kneels down on the ground and gently touches her ankle, "It doesn't hurt now does it?" He wondered as he gently rubs her ankle.

"10 years is quite a long time for someone to train with such skills." He smiles, "How long has your family been serving mine?"

[Vampirequeen]

"It's fine," Luna replied as the King stopped. She nodded her head as the King knelt down and touched her bandaged ankle.

"N-not at all," she stuttered as he began to rub her ankle.

"Yes it is. I believe that my family has been serving yours since your grandfather was King. If I remember correctly, my father was your father's bodyguard early in his reign," Luna responded, not mentioning the fact that her father had resigned when her mother was pregnant with her. She wasn't going to mention it to the King, but her mother's pregnancy had given her father the perfect excuse to resign due to his disgust at the previous King's failed attempts to seduce her mother.

[MidKnight]

"I think I remember him when I was a young lad." He thought carefully, "Yes I think I have, but I do not remember you or Cassandra much." He stands up and smiles, "It seems your ankle is indeed fine, who ever wrapped your ankle, must have done a very good job."

"Thank you your majesty." Cassandra appears from around the corner and bows. "Ah and there you are as well. Now, let us return back to the castle before the others begin to worry." The kings starts to walk again, Cassandra gives a small pat on the back to Luna.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna had been so busy listening to the King that she flinched at the sound of Cassandra's voice. Once Cassandra finished speaking, Luna nodded and flinched again when her friend patted her on the back. She smiled at her friend and followed the King back to the castle, where she hoped she would see tthe cute archer again.

[MidKnight]

The King reached to the Castle throne room. He sits on his throne and looks upon his servants. Before making a long speech, Cassandra hears a door sudden burst.

Looking to the left side, several rebellion soldiers had somehow infiltrated inside the castle walls.

Taking up her shield and revealing her sword, Cassandra positioned herself, "Luna, help me defend the king!" She called out. Reinforcements arrived, armed with swords and bows. The Royal guards surrounded the king as one large shield.

[Vampirequeen]

"Damn it," Luna muttered under her breath when she saw several of the rebels standing in the throne room. Before Cassandra had finished her sentence, Luna drew her sword and stared at the rebels. A small sigh of relief escaped her lips when she saw that there were reinforcements to help her and Cassandra.

As she turned her gaze back to the rebels, she gasped when she caught sight of her uncle.

How can he oppose the King? He's nothing like his father, she thought, hoping that she wouldn't have to fight her uncle.

[MidKnight]

The king pushed his way through his soldiers, ordering his men and his bodyguards to stand down. He finally got between both parties, Cassandra still held her sword in her hand, watching the rebellion soldiers. Suddenly she realized, Luna's uncle was with the rebels. "Luna." She looks at her and nods her head towards her uncle.

The king standing between both parties. "Listen, please stand down! I do not wish to spill more blood! Not today! Not tomorrow! No more!" Raising his hands to both group.

He looks to the rebellion, "We had so many differences, and my father had cast you outside and branded you exiled." He gives them a serious look on his face, "But today I am here to change that." He sees his father old friend, "If you believe me, please, I only wish to talk about this and end this conflict once and for all." He stood there, waiting for an answer.

[MidKnight]

The king pushed his way through his soldiers, ordering his men and his bodyguards to stand down. He finally got between both parties, Cassandra still held her sword in her hand, watching the rebellion soldiers. Suddenly she realized, Luna's uncle was with the rebels. "Luna." She looks at her and nods her head towards her uncle.

The king standing between both parties. "Listen, please stand down! I do not wish to spill more blood! Not today! Not tomorrow! No more!" Raising his hands to both group.

He looks to the rebellion, "We had so many differences, and my father had cast you outside and branded you exiled." He gives them a serious look on his face, "But today I am here to change that." He sees his father old friend, "If you believe me, please, I only wish to talk about this and end this conflict once and for all." He stood there, waiting for an answer.

[Vampirequeen]

"What the-" Luna whispered in surprise when the King stood up and moved between the rebels and his soldiers. When the King spoke, she was filled with awe at his bravery.

The man is nothing like his father, she thought as she stepped forward to stand next to the King.

"The King speaks the truth. He cares about his people and he truely wants to see this rebellion end peacefully. He's not like his father, so it's not fair to mak him suffer for the deeds of his father," she said boldly as she looked at the rebels, hoping that they would listen to her.

[MidKnight]

"I can agree with Luna." Cassandra steps forward beside the king as well, "We've seen what his father had done." She closed her eyes for a moment, "He is nothing compared to his father." She says so boldly. "This time we can make a difference."

The King looks to both Luna and Cassandra, "Luna...Cassandra." He smiles, "So what say you?" He looks at Luna's uncle, "Shall we join as one again?"

[Vampirequeen]

As the King spoke, Luna looked at her uncle, then spoke to him.

"Please, Uncle, listen to the King. I know that you have reason to doubt him, but he speaks the truth. Please, do it for me and the rest of the family," she said as she fought back the tears that has started to fill her eyes.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra steps forward and kneels down, looking at Luna's looking. "Sir, I...We beg you to end this conflict once and for all." Looking at Luna, "And for the sake of Luna and your people." A tear expressed her feeling and she wipes away the small tear. "Please, we beg you."

[Vampirequeen]

"Please Uncle, what's past is past. If you make peace with the King, you'll make peace with my father," Luna said once Cassandra had finished speaking. Her uncle bowed his head and closed his eyes in thought. A few minutes later, he opened his eyes and raised his head. Without a word, he looked at the King and returned his sword to its holder.

"Luna is right. We have no reason to hurt our families even more by trying to punish the King for what his father did. I'm tired of this rebellion. I want peace," he said firmly as Luna started crying.

"Thank you, Uncle," Luna said quietly as she put her sword away, keeping her hand on the hilt, just in case.

[MidKnight]

The king walks forward to Luna's uncle, "Then we have our peace and our war to an end." He bows to Luna's uncle. "Now we can treat each other as one and whole, and together we can build a new future of our people, living in harmony, No more war!" He reaches out for a handshake. "I will try and tend to your people's needs, also I took the liberty of tending to your men's wounds, my physicians are doing their best to help your men."

Cassandra gives a smile and a small relief to hear, and looks at Luna. Seeing her eyes filled with tears, she walks over to her and gives her a hug. "The war finally ends." She says with a smile.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna smiled through her tears as her uncle took the King's hand and shook it.

"Thank you, My Lord. I am truely sorry for the problems that my men and I have caused," he said as he bowed to the King.

"My mother will be so happy," Luna said as she hugged Cassandra for a few seconds before slipping out of her friend's embrace and walking over to her uncle.

"Thank you, Uncle," she said as he hugged him.

"No, thank you, Luna," he replied as he hugged his niece.

[MidKnight]

The king smiles, "Now as once a friend of my father, and now today I consider as a friend as well, but it'll be different." The king walks to his men, "Stand down, and relieve yourselves back to the barracks." The reinforcements took their leave.

"Now, let us celebrate of our new bond." The king claps his hand, several of his servants appeared, "My lord?" The king looks to them, "Please, prepare a feast for our new friends, for tonight! We celebrate!"

[Vampirequeen]

"Um, Uncle, can you please let me go so I can go get changed?" Luna asked as she tried to escape her uncle's hugs like she used to be able to do when she was still a child.

"Of course," he uncle said as he let her go.

"Thank you. I will see you when I get back," she said as she walked towards the King.

"Congratulations, My Lord," she said to him as she bowed her head.

"No, thank you," the King responded as Luna raised her head.

"Do you need me to stay here, or may I go up to my room to get ready for the feast?"

"I don't think you'll be needed here right now, so you're more than welcome to go make yourself look absolutely lovely for the feast later," came the response.

"Thank you, My Lord," Luna answered as she hurried up to her room, where she closed the door and untied her sword belt and placed her sword on the bed.

[MidKnight]

"My lord?" Cassandra steps forward, "am I needed as well?" She asked.

"No Cassandra, you too must prepare for the up-coming feast that is to be held tonight." The king smiles. "And please do make yourself look lovely as well."

Bowing her head Cassandra takes her leave, feeling a little nervous about the feast, she had never tend to a feast before in her life. She finds Luna's room, she stops and simply knocks two times. "Luna?" She called out.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna had pulled off her gauntlets and was undoing the straps that connected the parts of her chest protector when she heard Cassandra knock.

"One moment," she called as she loosened the shoulder straps and retied them so she could slip the chest protector over her head. She had learned when she got it that it was easier to loosen the shoulder straps and tie them loosely so it could be slipped over her head than it was to untie them completely and then have to have someone hold the two pieces together while she retied them. She slipped it over her head and placed it on the chair next to her bed.

"Yes?" she asked as she opened the door.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra looks at Luna, "Luna?" She gives a confused face, "I don't know much about feasts." She places both her arms behind her back. "I always know about battle, sword fight, and protecting of those I cherish." Giving a small relief sigh, "I never know about much of these things because my father, the Commander? Is too busy training me and among other things." She looks at Luna, "Can you teach me about these things?" She wondered as she asked.

[Vampirequeen]

"Of course," Luna replied as she opened the door all the way and walked back over to her bed and sat down.

"Feasts are fancy celebrations that involve a lot of food," Luna explained as she pulled off her leg protectors and her shoes and looked at Cassandra.

"What should I wear?" she asked out loud as she stood up and stared at her closet.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra smiles, "I know you that white gown you had for a while, but you haven't had the chance to wear it yet." She walks over to the closest with her. "Or do you want the one with the gold trimming?" She asked as she pulled a few dresses to examine for herself. She gives a small laugh as she pulled a few more.

[Vampirequeen]

"Hm..." Luna said as she looked at the dresses.

"I wore the one with the gold trim when my cousin got married a few years ago, and I wore the blue one for the King's coronation, so he's already seen that one," she said as she pulled out a pink and purple gown.

"I think I'll wear either this one or the white one. Which one do you think I should wear?" she asked Cassandra.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra smiles, and touches the pink and purple gown. "This looks soothing on you Luna." she smiles, "Now I must go and pick out a dress as well." She walks out of Luna's room, "Hey Luna, thanks." She gives a small wave and disappears from her room.

Walking to her own room, Cassandra was filled with smiles, knowing Luna was over joy and relief to see the war has ended. Finding her room, she opens and closes the door, she begin to undress from her armor.

After removing her chest plates, wrist protectors, shoulder armor, leg and knee armors including the chain mail. Cassandra stood naked in her room, only for a short while until she wrapped herself in a white towel.

Preparing a bath to wash off the sweet she had build up from the armor she wore. Placing a few rocks from the fire pit into the water, creating from cold water to hot. slipping into the water. Cassandra relaxes for a bit and rest her head on the side.

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you," Luna said as she gently placed the dress on her bed.

"You're welcome," she replied as she gently closed the door after Cassandra and began to undress.

Once she was undressed, Luna pulled on a robe and walked over to the tub, which was filled with water and already had several rocks sitting on the bottom. She stuck a hand into the water and found that it was still warm.

One of the servants must have done that, she thought happily as she grabbed two more rocks from the fire and dropped them into the tub. She grabbed a towel, placed it on the floor by the tub, and grabbed two more towels, which she hung on the towel rack that her father had made for her. She pulled the curtain around the tub closed, then she removed her robe and stepped into the water and sat down.

If only my parents were here for the feast, she thought as she closed her eyes.

[MidKnight]

Sitting in the tub for a while, she could feel her body rejuvenated from a long day. Getting out before her finger tips begin to prune, she wraps herself with a robe. Walking around waiting for her skin to dry under the robe.

She finds herself standing in front of her closest, when she opens it, she found only several dresses, others were white gowns she used when she goes to bed. She finds the one her mother gave her before she passed away.

A black dress with gold trimmings.

Drying her skin, she removes the robe and takes the dress. Dressing herself up, she ties two laces together in the back of her neck to hold the dress up. She gives a small sigh and takes a brush and begins to brush her hair.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna sat in the tub for a few minutes, then grabbed the tin cup on the shelf next to her and dipped it into the water, letting it fill up before pouring it over her head to dampen her hair. She repeated the action several times before she put the cup back and wrung her wet hair out. She slowly stood up and stepped out of the tub, making sure that she stepped on the towel that she had placed on the floor. She grabbed a towel from the rack and wrapped it around herself, then she grabbed the other one and wrapped it around her hair. She bent over and dried her feet and ankles, then she pulled her robe on and opened the curtain.

As she walked over to her bed, Luna started to wonder what jewelry she should wear. She slipped off her robe and began to dry her shoulders.

Several minutes later, Luna finished drying herself off and she removed the towels and pulled on one of her nightgowns, then she grabbed a brush and ran it through her damp hair as she sat down on the bed.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra finished putting the dress on. She looks down at her old family jewelry. She had couple of Emeralds and Rubies because her father sends them as birthday gift. She grabs a necklace that was attached with a heart shaped made of gold. Looking at it, she remembered the story behind it.

Her father gave her that necklace when she was a little girl, it was her mothers necklace. Feeling a little remorse. She touches the heart shape gold with the tip of her finger. "Mother." She says quietly to herself. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she gets up and heads to Luna's room. "Luna?" She knocked on the door.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna was in the middle of brushing her hair when Cassandra knocked on the door.

"One moment," she called out as she put her brush down and walked over to the door.

"You look beautiful," she said when she opened the door and saw Cassandra standing there in a dress that she had only seen in her friend's closet.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra smiles and nods her head, "Thank you Luna, you lovely yourself." she commented back to Luna's dress. "I may be in need of help with make up though I don't know much about that myself." She giggles. "Can you help me?" She asked as she tilted her head and smiles gently.

[Vampirequeen]

"Of course I'll help you. But I should probably get dressed first," Luna replied as she looked over at her dress and suddenly found herself thinking about shoes.

Should I wear the pink ones or the purple ones? she thought to herself.

"Do you want to come in?" I may need some help with either my dress or my jewelry," she asked.

[MidKnight]

"Of course." smiling as she walks in and noticed the dress was still on the bed. "I can't believe it has been this long since..." She thinks for a moment. "When was the last time we had a feast?" She wondered to herself. "Well, what would like me to help you with?" She asked Luna waiting by the door.

[Vampirequeen]

As Luna closed the door, she found herself trying to remember when the last feast had been. The last time that she had been to a feast without Cassandra was when her cousin had gotten married.

"I may have some trouble with my necklace, but that depends on which one I end up wearing," she said as she walked over to the bed and grabbed her dress.

"I'll be right back," she said as she carried the dress over to the area where the tub was located. She closed the curtain, draped the dress over it, then removed her robe. She grabbed her dress and slipped it over her head, then opened the curtains.

"Could you please help me with the laces?" she asked as she walked over to Cassandra and turned around so her friend could reach the laces on the back of the dress.

[MidKnight]

"Gladly." Cassandra smiled and walked behind her friend, grabbing the laces with both tip fingers and thumbs, she gently tightens the laces and begin to tie them together. After tying them, she gives a small pat on the back, "There we go, I think that should hold for a good time." She smiles and sits on her bed. She forgotten how soft her bed was. "I am still jealous how you got this bed." she looks at Luna. "Oh and as for jewelry, I'm only going to wear my mothers amulet." She holds it out to show Luna the amulet.

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you," Luna said as she turned to face her friend. She smiled as Cassandra mentioned her bed.

"It's beautiful," she said as she looked at the amulet and walked over to her jewelry box. She opened it up and pulled out a dangly pair of gold and pink diamond earrings.

"What do you think?" she asked as she held them up to Cassandra.

[MidKnight]

"They look wonderful." She saw the gold and pink diamond earrings. "So...are you planning to bring a date to this feast?" she asked and wondered about her plans. "Because I think I might end up going alone by myself." She pouted as she lay on the bed on her belly, putting her feet up like a child.

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you," Luna said as she put on the earrings.

"I wish I could bring a date, but I have no idea where the person who I want to ask is," she said as she looked through her jewelry box and pulled out the necklace that her uncle had given her for her birthday. It was gold and several amythysts and pink diamonds were set in it. She held it up to her neck and leaned forward so she could close the clasp without getting her hair caught in it.

"Do you think I should wear a bracelet?" she asked as she lifted her head and pulled out a gold and amythyst ring, which she put on her left ring finger.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra touched both her wrists, and she giggles. "I'm planning to go to a feast and I look like plain dull while you look like a shiny star." She laughs even more. "No date? Well guess we can both walk in together but nothing like that." She sits on her knees and waves her hands trying not to embarrass herself. "What I mean is we can both go as friends, since we known each other from our childhood." She tilted her head and gives a embarrassed chuckle.

[Vampirequeen]

"Don't say that, you look lovely," Luna said as she pulled out a bracelet that matched her necklace.

"I know," she said as she slipped the bracelet onto her right wrist and giggled at Cassandra's response as she walked over to her closet to find some shoes. After a few seconds of looking, she pulled out a delicate pair of pink silk shoes that matched the pink of her dress perfectly.

"If my mother was helping me get ready, I'd probably end bearing some resemblance to a doll. All I'm missing is a fancy hairdo and some makeup," she said with a laugh as she sat on the bed and put her shoes on.

[MidKnight]

"At least your mother is still around." She says to Luna before sitting on her bed normally. She gives a heavy sigh and then flop herself on Luna's bed.

"I wonder if the feast has already started?" She wondered and looked at Luna. Before she left, she quickly moved towards Luna's make up kit and started putting on make up. "Sorry! I would've done it in my room, but my father never allow such things." She giggles, "But now I'm a grown woman and I like to hear what he has to say this."

After putting the make up, she straightens her dress, and looks at Luna. "You ready?"

[Vampirequeen]

Luna laughed at her friend's comment about make-up and moved over to the kit. She quickly put some pink eyeshadow on her eyelids, then put some pale purple between her eyebrows and her eyelids.

"I'll be ready in a moment," she said as she put on some pink lipstick and grabbed a delicate gold headband with pink diamonds out of her jewelry box.

"I've had this since I was a little girl," she explained as she put it on her head.

"Let's go," she said as she ran her brush through the back of her hair and then placed it on the bed before closing her jewelry box.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra walked with Luna to the Throne room where the feast was to be held. It was dark but there was many large candles lighten up the way. Approaching the door, she could hear music coming from inside.

Taking a deep breath and let out a slow sigh, and looks at Luna and smiles. "Ready?" She asked. Cassandra pushes one of the doors and walks in, as she walked in, the soldiers of both the Kingdoms and Rebellion were cheering and slamming drinks, and sang together. A song which Cassandra haven't heard in ages.

The voice of wisdom is calling to me
On snowy peaks ravaged by the wind
Where Woden's wolves roam free
Spruce forests wave under moonlight's sway
The mighty wolf pack reigns supreme

Lamenting the dawn
Wolverine moonlight, sunshine is now gone
Come predatory guile!

A darkened sky
Ancient specters cry
Waving spells of pandemonium high
A withered orchard of bones
Pagan rites midst circling stones
Dusk-time, an immortal dies
Nocturnal hunt has begun
To sate Lycanthropic bloodlust!

Lamenting the dawn
Wolverine moonlight, sunshine is now gone
Come predatory guile!

Cassandra claps her hands when the singing was done. She had a smile on her face.

[Vampirequeen]

As Luna entered the throne room, she was greeted by the sound of singing. She knew the song well, as her parents had taught it to her when she was a young girl.

"Luna! You look lovely," her uncle said when the song ended.

"Thank you, Uncle. You look very nice," she said as she looked at her uncle, who had changed into a fancier set of clothing.

"You're welcome. Your parents should be here soon," he said as he hugged her again.

"What?" Luna asked in surprise.

"Your parents are spending the week with your aunt and I, so I told them about the feast when they arrived at my place," he explained as Luna smiled happily.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra smiles as Luna had met her uncle, she walks over to Luna's side and introduced herself. When she heard about Luna's parents arriving, even she was a little surprised. "I guess it is time for your family reunion." Smiling and looking around, "I am going to see what food they have." Looking at Luna one last time before she departed her presence.

"Hey Cassandra!" One of the soldiers spotted her, "SING!" He yelled, and then others joined him, and chanted.

"SING! SING! SING! SING!"

One of the soldiers helped her up the table as everyone was looking at her. She giggles and asked them, "What do you want me to sing?" She watches everyone. Another soldier raised his cup in the air, "Sing us." He thinks for a moment, "Something soothing, I have heard almost every victory and hard cheering, but now I want to hear something, only a mother could love." He smiles, almost half drunk.

Cassandra takes a deep breath, and closes her eyes. Slowly opening them and moving her body to a slow position.

Backward, turn backward, O Time in thy flight
Make me a child again, just for tonight
Mother, come back from the echo less shore
Take me again to your heart as of yore.


Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care
Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair
Over my slumber your loving watch keep, ---
Rock me to sleep, mother, rock me to sleep

Over my heart in days that are flown
No love like mother love ever was shown
No other worship abides and endures
Faithful unselfish and patient like yours

None like a mother can charm away pain
From the sick soul and the world weary brain
Slumber soft love ore my heavy lids creep
Rock me to sleep mother rock me to sleep

Mother dear mother the years have been long
Since I last hushed to your lullaby song
Sing them and unto my sole it shall seep
Womanhood’s years have been only a dream

Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace
With your light lashes just sweeping my face
Never here after to wake or to weep
Rock me to sleep mother rock me to sleep

She moved her body as she sang her song. She sang the last verse a little slower and longer. When she stopped, she opened her eyes and find the soldiers and the King himself stunned. The soldiers and people clapped their hands and cheered. Cassandra smiles and bows to the crowd.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna smiled at Cassandra's comment and nodded in reply when her friend said that she was going to take a look at the food. Her smile broadened as she heard the chants for Cassandra to sing.

As her friend sang, Luna found her eyes filling with tears as the song brought her back to her childhood. Her childhood was a happy one, but sometimes she found herself missing it, especially the freedom and the travelling. When she was younger, her parents would often take her to visit different relatives in different towns, but as one of the King's bodyguards, she often had to miss the family trips.

As Cassandra finished singing, Luna clapped and hoped that the soldiers wouldn't try to get her to sing. Her singing voice was terrible and she knew it.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra smiles and bows once more before jumping off the table. When she did, she noticed the King was clapping from afar. She was surprised and felt a little embarrassed for the King had not heard Cassandra sing before.

Feeling a little blushed, she walks over to Luna and hides her face on her shoulder, "I can't believe he saw!" As though a large secret has been opened and was never revealed until now. "I can't believe he saw!" She repeated herself, feeling yet traumatized. Then she lifts her head up, "I think I'm going to go and use the girls' room. Then she walks away.

[Vampirequeen]

As her friend spoke, the tiniest smile crossed Luna's face. Before Luna could think of something to say, Cassandra had left again. As she tried to make sense of Cassandra's reaction, Luna felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and found herself staring into her father's eyes. A smile crossed her face and she wrapped her arms around her father's waist.

"I'm so proud of you," her father said as he hugged his daughter tight.

"Thank you, father," she said as she caught sight of her mother, who looked stunning in a red and gold gown. Her father let go of her as she removed her arms from around her waist and started walking over to her mother, who smiled at the sight of her daughter.

"Luna, you look so beautiful," her mother said as she hugged her daughter.

"So do you," Luna responded as she returned the hug, feeling happier than she had felt earlier in the day.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra walked out of the ladies room, after rinsing her face with water. Feeling little bit still embarrassed. She straightens herself out before returning to the feast. She begins walking and then hears another pair of steps coming towards her. It was the King.

"Cassandra, that was a wonder song you sang." He smiles as he approaches, "Such beautiful voice." She smiles and bows her head. "Thank you my lord."

Touching her chin with his finger and lifting up her head, "You don't need to bow." He says gently. Cassandra starts to blush again.

[Vampirequeen]

As Luna and her mother separated, Luna caught sight of several musicians who were walking into the throne room.

"Excuse me, Luna," a male voice said, causing Luna to turn around and blush in surprise when she realized that the voice belonged to Ian, the archer that she had spoken to earlier.

"Yes?" she asked, her heart skipping a beat.

"Would you like to dance with me later?" Ian asked nervously.

"Of course I would," she said as a smile crossed her face.

"Thank you, Miss Luna," he said with a smile.

[MidKnight]

Standing up straighten while being in front of the King, "Is there something you need, my lord?" She asked once more after clearing her throat.

The King smiles and lowers his head, "I would like to know where did you learn that lullaby?" Then he raises his head.

Cassandra smiles and nods, "Well, I have learned it from my mother a long time, before she uh..passed away." Her smiles fades.

The King blinks in surprise, "I am sorry Cassandra, about your mother. I had no idea." He shakes his head and looks back up with a smile, "But if she were here, she be proud of you."

Cassandra smiles again, "Thank you my lord."

The King clears his throat, "I wondered if you would sing another, for me?" He asked with a little embarrassment.

"Um, I think I have the perfect one for you my lord." She smiles, then starts walking back to the feast along with the King.

[Vampirequeen]

"Who was that?" Luna's mother asked as Ian walked away.

"His name is Ian. He's an archer," Luna explained.

"He's quite cute," her mother replied.

"Mother," Luna whined.

"What? I just want to know if there's a chance that you've found someone to settle down with," came her mother's response as Luna blushed.

"Me, settle down? Keep waiting," Luna replied with a laugh as she caught sight of Cassandra walking with the King.

[MidKnight]

As the King and Cassandra walked back to the feast, they both stopped and stood by each, then began talking again. "Which song would you like me to sing?" Cassandra asked. The King pondered for a moment, "I think we will have to debate that song for another time." He says, and continues walking.

Cassandra followed, normally she is use to it as being a bodyguard. "Come with me, I have something to show you." He says as he walked to another hallway. Cassandra followed wondered what was the surprise.

[Vampirequeen]

"Where's Cassandra going?" Luna wondered as everyone began to move to make room for dancing as the musicians tuned their instruments.

"Luna?" Ian asked, causing Luna to flinch at the sound of his voice.

"Yes?"

"Dance with me?" he said as he extended his hand to her as the musicians played the opening notes of a waltz.

"Of course," she said nervously as she took his hand, which hie kissed, causing her to blush as they walked out onto the floor. Ian put his free hand on her waist and Luna put her hand on his shoulder and they began to twirl around the floor as everyone in the room watched, eager to see if Luna was as good of a dancer as people said she was.

[MidKnight]

The King and Cassandra, walked in the Kings' room. Feeling a bit odd, Cassandra has never been in the Kings' room for quite some time. She is always either in the Throne room, or guarding the outside door.

Looking around the room, never did she know how much stuff the King had. "My lord?" She looked around and found the King standing out on a balcony, she stands next to him. Looking at the Kings' face, he was looking up towards the sky. Looking up as well. Never did she see many stars shine.

"It's beautiful My lord." Cassandra smiles, the King smiles back, "It is." He looks towards her, and Cassandra blushes again, "My lord?"

The King moved towards her, holding her waists, Cassandra felt his lips touched hers. Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around him as well.

[Vampirequeen]

"You're an amazing dancer," Ian said to Luna as they continued to dance.

"Thank you," Luna responded as she blushed and looked around the room, realizing that she was always involved in the first dance of any ball or feast that the King decided to have.

Where is the King? She thought to herself as she and Ian spun around the dance floor.

[MidKnight]

After realizing Cassandra was kissing the King, she pushed herself away, asking. "Why my lord?" touching her lips with the tip of her fingers.

"I always wanted to kiss such a beautiful singer." The King responded, "And I could not help myself, forgive me." The King lowers his head.

With a big smile, Cassandra gives another quick kiss before leaving. "I think we both need to return to the feast." The King smiles. "I agree."

Walking out of the room, Cassandra kept her distance from the King, trying to not make it look bad in front of the crowd.

The King looked around noticed Luna was dancing with one of the archers. One of his servants came up from behind, "I thought it was always custom for the King to take the first dance?" The King laughs, "It would be but even our times are changing." The King walks down towards Luna, taps the archers shoulder, "May I?" He asked.

[Vampirequeen]

"Um, of course you may, My Lord," Ian said as he bowed to the King and stepped away from Luna.

"Once again, the first dance belongs to you," the King said as he took Luna's hand and rested his free hand on her waist as she placed her free hand on his shoulder.

"So it seems," Luna said with a smile as she and the King began to dance.

"Since you didn't wait for me to start the dance, I think you owe me another dance," the King said jokingly in a voice of mock authority.

"Yes, My Lord," Luna said in a voice of mock shame as the musicians finished the waltz and started playing another one.

"When this waltz is over, you are free to dance with your archer again," the King said with a smile.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra watched as her friend danced with the King. Thinking about the kiss gave chills to Cassandras' spine. She found a chair and sat down. She felt something was about to sneak up on her, she looked over her shoulder. Her father tried to be sneaky.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Her father asked as he sat down next to Cassandra.

"Father..." She lowers her head and then raises her head back up.

"I just wished...it was you." Very confused of what her father said, she looks to him with a wondering look, "Father?" The Commander just smiles and watches the King and Luna dance as well the others began. The Commander stands up and looks at Cassandra and holds out a hand. "My birthday wish is I like to dance with my daughter."

Cassandra smiled and took his hand. The Commander and Cassandra walked to the floor and began dancing along with the others.

[Vampirequeen]

"My parents are wonderful dancers," Luna said as she watched her parents twirl around on the dance floor.

"I guess that's where your talent comes from," the King said as he looked over at Luna's parents as the musicians finished playing.

"I can dance with Ian now, right?" Luna asked jokingly.

"Yes, but there is something that I want to say to you in private first," the King said, causing Luna's heart to skip in fear as she followed the King off of the dance floor and out of the throne room.

"Please don't fire me, My Lord," she said when she and the King reached the hallway.

"I'm not going to fire you," the King said.

"Then what do you have to tell me?"

"Well, this is kind of hard to say, but I feel like it needs to be said. I'm deeply sorry for any problems that my father caused by trying to seduce your mother. Is there anything that I can do to make it up to your mother?" the King said.

"Thank you, My Lord. It really means a lot to me. I can't think of anything right now, but if I have an idea, I'll let you know," Luna said with a smile.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra smiled and laugh as her father spun her around a couple of times, it reminded her of when she was a child. Mother would do the same, and she guess her father must have thought of the same thing. After the music stopped, everyone clapped their hands. Looking around she noticed, the King and Luna was missing. Thinking to herself for a while, Cassandra decided to sing another song.

Standing up on the table again, the soldiers cheered once more. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.

(Cassandra)
We fly without fear
Through the valley of shadows
Waging our war against evil
In your world
We rule the heavens and earth
From kingdoms of light
We are the holy

(Soldiers)
Holy angels of war
Angels of war
We are the holy angels of war
Angels of war

(Cassandra)
Gleaming white angels of war
Descending in glory
With the sound of an army of wings
We enter your world
We rule the earth and the sky
From kingdoms of light
We are the holy

(Soldiers)
Holy angels of war
Angels of war
We are the holy angels of war
Angels of war

(Cassandra)
Thick red mouthful of evil
Will you swallow?
Angels of darkness will tempt you
Will you follow?

Spit in the face of evil
Never fear
Fly on the wings of glory
Join us here

(Soldiers and Cassandra)
We are the holy angels of war
Angels of war
We are the holy angels of war
Angels of war
We are the holy angels of war
Angels of war
We are the holy angels of war
Angels of war

The soldiers cheered and Cassandra smiled, looking at her father, who watched also was clapping. "You do sing like your mother." He says as he helps her off the table.

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you, Miss Luna. Do you think that writing your parents a letter of apology for my father's actions would make it up to them?" the King asked.

"I believe so. Forgive me if I'm asking too much, but I think you should send a letter to my uncle too. The only reason why he joined the rebellion was because he was tired of your father going after his twin sister. My mother and uncle are best friends and it really bothered my uncle to see how your father treated my mother," Luna said.

"I'll send a letter to your uncle too. Shall we go back to the throne room?" the King replied.

"Yes, we shall," Luna said with a teasing smile as she began to walk back to the throne room.

"Will you dance with me again later?" the King asked.

"Of course."

"Thank you, Miss Luna," the King repiled.

"I love this song," Luna said as she and the King reached the entrance of the throne room and heard Cassandra and the soldiers singing.

"She's an amazing singer," the King said.

"Indeed she is," Luna answered as she watched Cassandra's father help his daughter off of the table.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra hugs her father and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you father for being there for me." Smiling as she let go. Some of the soldiers walked up to Cassandra and surrounded her, several of them offered her a mug of ale. Smiling as any other, she takes the mug and just became as one of the soldiers whom she fought alongside with before becoming a bodyguard for the king.

"Thanks everyone!" She says and bows her head. She looks around and spotted Luna and the King standing there. She smiles at them and bows her head towards Luna and the king.

[Vampirequeen]

"Will you sing, Miss Luna?" the King asked.

"No, My Lord. I am a terrible singer," Luna said as she nodded her head towards Cassandra.

"Really? That's impossible."

"No, it's not. I inherited my mother's less than perfect singing voice," Luna explained as she watched her parents finishing a dance on the dance floor.

"If that is truly the case, then you've certainly made up for it by being such a wonderful dancer," the King said as the musicians began to play another waltz.

"Thank you," Luna replied.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra walks over to one of the tables and found a plate already made for her. She looks around and her father also sits next to her, setting his plate on the same table. "Father?" she wondered, "You have never sat next to me and ate alongside me either." Her father smiles, "Well I had just realized that I had never fully come to known my own daughter." Smiling as he cuts up a piece of meat and starts eating.

Filling with great happiness and joy, Cassandra, started eating her plate as well.

[Vampirequeen]

"You're quite welcome," the King responded. Luna's stomach growled.

"My I be excused, My Lord? I'm a little hungry," Luna said.

"Of course you may. You owe me another dance or two," the King said.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," the King said as Luna walked towards the table wher Cassandra and her father were sitting. As she approached the table, she saw her parents and uncle sitting down at the same table.

"Is there room for one more?" she asked jokingly as she reached the table and saw her mother setting down an extra full plate on the table, which Luna assumed was for her.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra looking at Luna with a smile, "Of course dear sister." Her father moved a little to make enough room. "Miss Luna, it must be a special day for you to dance with the King." Her father commented and nodded his head, "And I do say, that today is such a glorious day, we finally have peace, and harmony." Cassandra gives a small laugh and raises her cup in the middle of the table. "To Peace."

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you. Even though I've danced with him several times before today, it's still as special as it was the first time. He's a wonderful dancer," Luna said as she sat down.

"To peace," she repeated as she raised her glass, then took a quick sip of the wine that it held. She put the cup down and picked up the chicken leg that her mother had put on her plate. She took a bite and chewed it, savoring the taste before swallowing it and taking another bite.

[MidKnight]

Eating some of the steak pieces, she was surprised the servants were able to cook in all good time. Gently wiping her lips with a small cloth, she looks to her father and her friends, "Please excuse me." She gets up and walks away from the table, heading towards the rest area.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna watched her friend walk away from the table, noticing that she had been acting a little strange since she had sang the first song.

"You looked so beautiful when you were dancing with the King earlier," Luna's mother said, making her daughter flinch in surprise.

"Thank you, mother. You and father looked very nice when you were dancing before," Luna replied as she took another bite of chicken.

"Thank you," her father said as her mother nodded in agreement.

"I wonder where Ian went," Luna said as she took a drink of wine and looked around the crowded throne room.

[MidKnight]

The Commander smiled as both her parents commented about Luna dancing with the King.

"Yes indeed." The Commander continued taking small bites of his food, knowing his health, he only eats a little.

As Cassandra wondered around before making it to the ladies room, she heard a small noise from behind her. Turning quickly she questioned the dark, "Is anyone there?" She wondered.

[Vampirequeen]

What's up with Cassandra? Luna muttered as she watched her friend leave again.

"Would you like to dance with me again, Miss Luna?" Ian asked, coming up behind her. Luna flinched.

"Of course I would," she said as she stood up and walked to the the dance floor with Ian.

"Thank you," he said as they began to dance.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra felt she was grabbed by someone who came up behind her, looking her shoulder, she saw the Kings' kind eyes.

"My lord, please, do not scare me like that." She almost felt a little frighten when the King had sneaked up on her.

"I am sorry Cassandra, I just wanted to talk to you again." Looking away for a second and giving his attention back on Cassandra, "About the kiss..."

Cassandra smiles and gives the King another kiss on the cheek. "Do not worry my Lord, if you're asking for forgiveness, I had already forgiven you."

The King smiled, "Why thank you Cassandra." then he wonders again, and gives a small laugh, "I have asked for a song, but the one you sang was most ambitious." Cassandra bows her head, "Thank you."

[Vampirequeen]

"You look beautiful," Ian said as he and Luna twirled around the dance floor.

"Thank you. You look very nice," Luna nervously answered.

"Thank you. Would you like to dance with me again after this one ends?" Ian asked.

"Of course," Luna replied as the music ended and the musicians turned the pages of their music. A few seconds later, the music started again and Luna and Ian began to twirl around the dance floor once again.

[MidKnight]

Walking back to the ball room with the King again. It feels as though she never spends enough time with the King. After such a good time with the ball and the King, she felt like it was time for her to get some sleep.

She found her father and gives a kiss on his cheek. "Good night father." He smiles, "Good night child."

Looking for her friend Luna, and found her dancing with the archer, she gives a small wave and smiles. Leaving the ball and headed towards her room.

[Vampirequeen]

"That was a short one," Ian said as the song ended.

"Indeed it was," Luna said as she saw Cassandra waving at her before leaving the throne room.

"Will you excuse me for a moment?" she asked.

"Of course," Ian replied.

"Thank you," Luna responded as she hurried after Cassandra.

"You aren't leaving, are you?" she asked as she caught up with her friend.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra smiles and gives a small laugh, "Yes...indeed I am." Continuing with the smile and closing her eyes. "I am very tired not only from today, maybe singing as well." Sitting down on the bench, "Though I think my heart might be pointing me into a different direction.

[Vampirequeen]

"Oh," Luna said as she yawned and sat down on the bench next to her friend.

"What do you mean?" she asked in surprise.

[MidKnight]

Blushing for only a little while, she kept looking in a different direction. "I may have fallen for someone, but I will not say names." Looking back at Luna, "You are my closest friend and my dearest sister." She gives a heavy sigh. "Although I want to say so much, but for now." Getting back up her feet, "I thank you for always being here with me." Walking slowly and humming to herself. "I'll see you tomorrow Luna." Continuing humming, she slowly moved as she was dancing on water.

[Vampirequeen]

"Ok. Goodnight," Luna said as she watched her friend walk away.

"I should go back to the throne room before someone starts looking for me," she said as she stood up and started walking towards the throne room.

"You aren't leaving before the last dance, are you, Miss Luna?" the King asked as he walked towards her.

"Of course not, My Lord. I was simply saying good night to Cassandra," Luna explained.

"Oh. It would be quite a shame if you left before I could ask you to join me in the last dance of the night," the King said as he and Luna walked back towards the throne room.

"Is the feast going to be ending soon?" Luna asked as they entered the throne room.

"Not yet, but soon. Would you like to join me in the last dance?" the King asked.

"Of course," Luna replied.

[MidKnight]

As she reached her room, she found her bed and everything she left behind remaining where it was.

Closing her door behind her, she begins to undress herself, looking around and placed the dress on her bed. She wraps herself in a heavily large blanket. Finding her armor still set up and ready to be worn for tomorrow. Although she still wondered if she needed to wear it or not since the war was over. But only time could tell once she is asleep. Jumping on her bed, she smiled while her eyes are still closed. Thinking over and over about the kiss she had with the King.

[Vampirequeen]

"Excuse me, Miss Luna," Ian said as Luna walked back to her table.

"Yes?" she said, hoping that he was going to ask her to dance again.

"I just wanted to wish you a good night before I left," he said.

"Ok. Goodnight," Luna said.

"Same to you. Thank you for dancing with me," Ian said as he turned to leave.

"You're welcome," Luna replied as Ian began to walk away. She continued to walk back to the table where her parents and uncle were standing up.

"There you are," her father said when he caught sight of his daughter.

"We're going to leave now," her mother said.

"Ok mom," Luna said as she hugged her mother, then went to hug her father.

"We're very proud of you," her father said as he hugged her.

"Thank you," came Luna's response as her father released her.

"Bye," her mother said as she hugged her brother, then let go of him and turned towards the door.

"Bye. Goodnight," Luna said.

"Sweet dreams," her father said as he turned and followed his wife towards the door. Luna was about to ask her uncle when her was leaving when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and was surprised to see the King standing behind her.

"I think it's time for the last dance," he said as he held out his hand to her. Instead of responding, Luna took his hand and followed him out to the dance floor, which was mostly empty, save for two or three couples who left the floor when they saw Luna and the King approaching.

"You're an amazing dancer," the King said as he and Luna began to twirl around the dance floor.

"Thank you, My Lord," she replied as she closed her eyes and continued to dance with the King.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra snuggling with her blankets thought of some things while she tried to sleep. Remembering the first song she sung back in the throne room. She remembers by her own mother singing it to her as a child and the words she still know.

If Cassandra had a child of her own, she too will sing the song.

[Vampirequeen]

As the waltz began to slow down, Luna opened her eyes and was surprised to see that everyone in the throne room was gathered around the dance floor watching her and the King.

"Everyone is staring at us," she whispered to the King.

"I know. It's not that often that they see a dancer as amazing as you," he said as the music ended and everyone clapped.

"Thank you," she said as the King let go of her and she hurried over to her uncle.

"Good night everyone! I look forward to waking up to peace tomorrow," the King said as the crowd of people, Luna and her uncle included, clapped with joy.

"I'm going to go to bed, Uncle," Luna said to her uncle.

"Ok. Thank you so much for helping me see the truth about the King," her uncle said as he hugged her.

"Don't thank me, I was kind of doing my job," Luna replied as she returned the hug.

"I know, but you deserve the thanks," her uncle said as they separated themselves.

"Thank you, Uncle. Goodnight," Luna said as she turned towards the door to the hallway.

"Goodnight, Luna," her uncle said as he began to walk towards a different hallway.

As Luna walked back to her room, she found herself humming the last waltz that the musicians had played. When she reached her room, she walked in, closed the door, and walked over to her jewelry box. She removed her various jewels and put them away, making sure to lock her jewelry box. She pulled off her shoes and placed them on the bed before she unlaced her dress.

She had just pulled off her gown when she heard a knock on the door.

"One moment," she called as she quickly pulled her nightgown over her head She walked to the door and opened it

"My Lord, what are you doing here?" she asked in surprise when she saw the King standing in the doorway.

"I realized that I forgot to say goodnight to one of my bodyguards," the King explained.

"Oh," Luna said in surprise.

"I would have said it after the dance ended, but I had to make a closing remark. It's kind of a tradition," the King said.

"It's perfectly fine."

"No, it's not. It would be rude for me to not say goodnight to one of the ladies who protects me," came the response.

"Thank you, My Lord," Luna said.

"You're welcome, Miss Luna. Goodnight," the King said as he stepped away from the door.

"Goodnight, My Lord," Luna said as the King walked away and she closed the door. Once the door was closed, she went over to one of the small tables in her room and dipped her hands into the basin of water that sat on top of it. She splashed the water on her face and dried it off with a washcloth. She wrung the washcloth out and hung it up on a towel rack before walking over to her bed.

Luna yawned as she hung her gown back up in the closet and placed her shoes back where they belonged. Stifling another yawn, she walked over to her bed and pulled the covers down before she sat down on it. She swung her legs onto the bed, laid down, pulled the covers over her, and fell asleep, dreaming of the feast and the dancing.

[MidKnight]

After laying in the perfect position on her bed. Cassandra was already sleeping and dreaming.

She finds herself wondering around in a forest, looking around as though she just lost something. Feeling confused of what is going on, she hears a small girl crying. Following the sound, though the crying was echoing in every direction.

What seemed like days for tracking the source, she finds a little girl near a fallen tree. All alone and crying, Cassandra walks up to the girl and kneels beside her. "Hey, hey, what is wrong?" Cassandra asked, holding the girl by her shoulder.

"My tree, it's destroyed. I've lost my mommy." The little girl replied. Looking up to Cassandra, "You just look like her."

Cassandra surprised how the young girl looked, almost similar to her when she was a child.

"Please! You have to help me! Can you bring my mommy back?" The young girl pleaded, and cried.

Cassandra woke up, feeling a little uneasy about the dream, breathing fast and made a little shudder. Looking out to the window, she did not realized it was already morning. She hears a knock on the door, "Lady Cassandra?! Please prepare yourself! The King has requested both of you and Lady Luna to the King's dining hall."

"Yeah I'll be right there, just..." Placing her palm on her forehead, "give me a minute..."

[Vampirequeen]

Luna was sleeping peacefully when she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Miss Luna? The King would like you to come to the dining hall," a voice called from outside the door.

"Already?" she groaned as she opened her eyes.

"I'll be there in a few minutes," she called as she forced herself to sit up and climb out of bed.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra gets out of her bed, stretching and yawns at the same time. After she was done, she looks towards her armor.

Staring at it for a while, then touches the smooth chest plate of the armor, sighs with a small relief. "Thank god the war is over." She says to herself. Grabbing the chain mail first, placing it on first, then goes for the heavy armor. Tightening straps and laces around her boots and forearm armor.

It took nearly 20 minutes to put the armor on, she was getting faster each time. She finds her weapon locked and secured in her closest. Placing the sword in the sheath as she walks out of her quarters.

Walking by some troops, they both give a small cheer to Cassandra for her singing, smiles and blushes as she walked by, she couldn't help but realize how good her voice was.

Reaching to the King's diner hall, she stood where she stands. She sees the King sitting across the table, She lowers her body and bows to the King. "Good morning your Highness, I hope everything has been treating you well."

[Vampirequeen]

Luna rubbed her eyes as she walked over to the small table that held the bowl of water. She quickly splashed some on her face and let it dry. Once she had woken up a little more, she went to her closet and pulled out a simple red dress. She quickly pulled off her nightgown and pulled the dress over her head. She smoothed the dress with her hands before she grabbed a pair of shoes, which she quickly put on.

I wonder what Ian is up to, she thought as she grabbed her chest protector and pulled it over her head, making sure to tighten the straps on the shoulders. Once the shoulder straps were nice and tight, Luna put on the rest of her armor, then she grabbed her sword and placed it by her hip before she tied the leather belt around her waist. She ran a brush through her hair before she walked over to her door and opened it.

Before she stepped into the hallway, Luna did one last minute check to make sure that she had put on her armor and her sword. Once she was sure that she had everything that she needed, she left the room, closed the door behind her, and walked towards the dining hall.

[MidKnight]

The King looks to Cassandra, "Please, sit." Cassandra sits on a chair a little far away. "No, please...next to me." Cassandra stands up and walks over to the chair next to the King. Giving smiles, the King smiles back, then fades away.

"I want you to keep a secret."

Cassandra nods, "Okay."

"We just learned a scouting party was attacked by wild men." He sighs and looks at Cassandra, "We identify the bodies and one of them was Luna's newest friend." Cassandra lowers his head, "I fear you would say something like that."

[Vampirequeen]

As Luna entered the dining hall, she was surprised to see that Cassandra had already arrived and was sitting next to the King. She sat down in the chair next to her friend and ran a hand through her hair.

"Good morning, Cassandra, My Lord," she said, nodding at Cassandra, then nodding at the King.

"I hope you both slept well," she added as her stomach growled.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra smiles as she helps Luna with the food and places a few on her plate. "Please, you have to eat plenty."

The King smiles and nods his head, "I slept very good. How have you been?" He asked.

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you," Luna said as she took her plate and began to eat.

"I'm well, thank you. I had the most amazing dream," she responded as she took a drink of water from her goblet. She was just about to start talking about the dream when she caught sight of the commander and several of the archers, who were clad in the black shirts, black pants, black boots, and black vests that they wore when they were in mourning.

"Did someone die?" she asked, even though she knew that the answer was yes. Even if it wasn't an archer who had died, the commander always wore black when one of the King's soldiers died. She took a bite of toast as she waited for an answer.

[MidKnight]

The King gives a small heavy sigh as the Commander enters the dining room. "I wanted to wait to tell you." He stands up and looks at Luna. "Luna, a scouting party was found dead earlier, a account of 8 men, Five swordsman and three archers." Looking at the Commander who placed his head down. The Commander steps forward, and holds a small list of names and begins announcing them.

"Alex, John, Simon, Timothy, Larry, Ian, Matthew, and Shawn."

Cassandra places her hand on the back of Luna and her arm. "I'm so sorry Luna."

[Vampirequeen]

"No," Luna whispered as she heard the Commander's voice say the name "Ian". Just as she found herself hoping that it wasn't the Ian that she had been dancing with the night before, she felt Cassandra's hand on her back and heard her voice.

"I'm so sorry Luna."

"No," she said again, this time in an audible voice as a tear fell down her face. She buried her head in her hands and began to cry, not just for Ian, but for Alex, who one one of her oldest friends, and for the rest of the fallen men.

[MidKnight]

Rubbing her back and giving comfort, she looks to the King.

The King looks to the Commander, "Please, prepare the ceremony." The Commander bows his head, and leaves the dining hall with his men. The King looks to Cassandra. "I am sending you and several of our best troops to find these wild men in the woods, they must not kill any more innocents." Cassandra nods her head, "Yes my lord."

"Luna." The King say softly. "Please, help with the Ceremony."

[Vampirequeen]

"Yes, My Lord," Luna responded as she stood up as dried her eyes, forcing herself to stop crying.

"Do I have your permission to change my dress? Red doesn't seem like an appropriate color to wear during the ceremony," she said as she looked at the King, who stood up and walked over to her.

"Of course you can. I understand that this is hard for you," he said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Thank you, My Lord," Luna responded as she hugged the King for a few seconds before the two of them separated.

"You're welcome," the King said.

"Cassandra, please be careful. I don't want to lose my best friend," Luna said as she turned to Cassandra and walked out of the dining hall.

When she reached her room, Luna closed the door and walked over to her closet. She pulled out her black dress and a pair of shoes and carried them over to her bed. She took off her armor and her sword, then she quickly pulled off her red dress and set it on her bed. She then grabbed her black dress, pulled it on, then sat down on the bed to take her shoes off. As she put her black shoes on, Luna felt a tear falling down her cheek and by the time both shoes were on and her feet were back on the floor, she was sobbing.

Stop crying and put your armor back on. It's disrespectful to be late for the ceremony, she thought to herself as she stood up and wiped her eyes before she carried her red dress and her shoes back to the closet. She placed the shoes on the closet floor and hung her dress in the closet. With a heavy heart, she walked back to her bed and slowly put her armor back on.

Be strong, she thought to herself as she put her sword back on and walked towards the door of her room. She sighed sadly and opened her door, then left her room, pausing to close the door behind her before beginning the agonizing walk to the throne room where the ceremony would take place.

[MidKnight]

"Cassandra, please be careful. I don't want to lose my best friend,"

"I would never let my sister be alone." Cassandra smiled, and leaves after Luna left. Walking towards the armory, she was greeted by one of the best soldiers.

"Lady Cassandra?" He asked. Nodding her head and takes a look inside. "Are the men ready?" She asked.

"Shortly, I want to discuss some things before we go." He walks towards a table with a map. "The Scout Party was found here, about 10 miles south of the castle." Cassandra takes a look at the map. "I will talk to the King about placing a memorial tablet for our lost soldiers."

"Thank you my lady." He nods his head, "We will investigate here, since these are wild men we are chasing, my guess is to clear the forest."

Cassandra looks at the map with a lost distant, "My lady?" Cassandra snaps out of it, "Oh yes, be careful with the surroundings, never know they'll be hiding up in the trees." Looking at men and see a few walking out of the armory with swords, shields, bows, spears. All wearing the same identical armor with the color black. "We are Vengeance." Cassandra mumbles under her breath.

[Vampirequeen]

Even though it usually took Luna a few minutes to get to the throne room from her room, she found herself wondering if the walk would ever end. As she walked to the throne room, she started thinking about Alex, who had always been like a brother to her. A small smile crossed her lips as she remembered how Alex would always tease her about whatever knight had somehow caught her eye. He smile widened for a moment as she remembered how mercilessly Alex had teased her when he found out that she had a crush on Ian. He smile quickly faded as that thought lingered in her mind. She bowed her head as she walked, hoping that this was a bad dream that she would wake up from at any time.

She was so busy looking at the floor that she didn't notice the king until she bumped into him. She looked up in surprise.

"Forgive me, My Lord. I wasn't watching where I was going," she said apologetically.

"It's ok. I know you're distracted," the king responded as he wrapped his arms around Luna.

"Thank you. I just can't believe this," she said as she started to cry and wrapped her arms around the king's neck.

"I know. I can't believe it either, especially after all of the celebrating last night," the king answered as he gently stroked Luna's hair. Luna nodded as her tears began to fall more freely.

"The ceremony will be in an hour so the families can say their goodbyes in private. I think you should go visit Alex's mother before the ceremony. She thinks very highly of you and you're the closest thing that she has to a child right now," the king said to her.

"I can't. Ales was like a brother to me and I don't think I'll be able to look at his body," Luna sobbed.

"You'll be ok," the king replied over Luna's sobs.

"I'm here for you," he whispered as he continued to stroke her hair.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra prepared herself, wearing the best armor the Royal Blacksmith can make. Sheathing her sword, and saddles herself up on a horse with the elite soldiers. The Captain looks at her, waiting for a command. "Move out!" She ordered as she whipped the horse's rear.

Riding out on her horse followed by 20 of the best men in the Royal Army. The gate bridge lowers down as the approaching soldiers were ready to depart from the inner castle walls.

Leaving the castle grounds, Cassandra and 20 elite soldiers, were on the hunt for the death of 10 good men.

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you, My Lord," Luna whispered as she rested her head on the king's shoulder.

"You're welcome, Miss Luna. It's hard losing people that you care for, especially when you're really close to them." Instead of responding, Luna continued to sob onto the king's shoulder. She raised her head and rubbed her nose with her hand before she put her head back on the king's shoulder.

"It's ok. You're allowed to cry," the king said as he stroked Luna's hair again. Luna looked up at him.

"Last night, at the ball, my mother saw me dancing with Ian and she...she wondered if I had... found someone to settle down with," Luna choked through her sobs.

"Really? I always thought that you'd marry Alex. But your father always said that you'd never let that happen because Alex was like a brother to you and even the thought of marrying him made you feel weird," the king said as a tiny smile crossed Luna's face.

"I appreciate the hug, but I think I should go visit Alex's mother and say goodbye to Alex. I haven't seen him since early yesterday and I want to tell him how much I'll miss him. Sorry for getting your shirt wet," Luna said as she glanced over at the damp spot on the shoulder of the king's shirt. The king chuckled.

"It's ok. I was actually going to change my shirt anyway. The seam on one of the sleeves is coming apart," the king replied as he let go of Luna.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Luna. If you need to talk to someone while Cassandra is away, I'll be somewhere in the castle," the king answered as he began to walk away.

"Thank you very much," Luna said as she began to walk down the hallway. As she walked, she heard the clock ringing and she made a mental note of the time.

"Forty-five minutes until the ceremony," the king called to her.

"Thank you, My Lord," she called as she continued to walk away.

After what felt like several hours, Luna found her way to the room that Alex's body was being kept in while his family said goodbye to him. His aunt and young cousins stood up to greet her as she approached and his aunt stuck her head into the room to tell her sister that Luna was coming. When she reached the door to the room, Alex's twin cousins ran up to her and wrapped themselves around her legs. Luna reached down to put a hand on each of their shoulders as Alex's aunt walked over to her.

"I'm so sorry," Luna said as she took her hands off of the shoulders of Alex's cousins and hugged his aunt.

"Thank you, Luna. Charlotte, David, let go of Luna's legs so she can walk," Alex's aunt said as David and Charlotte giggled and let go of Luna.

"Thank you," Luna said as Alex's aunt returned the hug. The two separated and Luna's aunt gestured into the room.

"You're welcome." Luna smiled at Alex's aunt and cousins before she took a deep breath and entered the room.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra and her fellow riders wondered through the woods, finding the location of the 10 dead men. When they found the location, Cassandra relieves herself off her horse and begins examining the area as though she was looking for clues of where the murderers have gone after they butchered the men.

"My lady." One of the men picks up a sword off the ground he found, a little away from where she was kneeling. "This sword is not ours." He adds to the finding.

"Then I guess we have rebels on foot?" She questions as she looked at the sword carefully, "This sword....was knocked out of hand." She points to a small crack of the blade, "See? and if that happened, I am guessing that this sword is no longer usable, or a really bad smith."

"There were rumors going on about bad smith work in market." The Captain adds.

"But....which one will it be I wonder?" She questions the captains' words. "Well, if one of our murderers is indeed a black smith, I suggest we return back to the market and bring in every blacksmith and begin our interrogation. The King will want to hear about this."

She stops before getting back on the horse, "Another question is this..." She looks at the captain, "Find the ones who found and brought in the dead men." The Captain gives a look, "Ma'am?"

"If one of the founders, and our men did bring back the bodies." She gives a small sigh, "Why did they not bring back the broken sword?" She smiles and turns her horse and begins riding back. "Men, I believe there is a conspiracy going on."

[Vampirequeen]

"Luna! I'm so glad to see you!" Alex's mother said as she saw Luna enter the room. Luna hurried towards the grieving woman, who hurried towards her and hugged her. She returned the hug as Alex's mother began to sob.

"I...I'm so sorry for your loss," Luna said as she tried and failed to hold back her tears.

"Thank you. I'm sorry that you had to lose both a good friend and someone that would have been, in Alex's words, "a good future husband" for you," Alex's mother said with a small smile.

"Thank you, ma'am," Luna said as she and Alex's mother ended their hug. Alex's mother pointed to an open coffin with a sheet over the top of it.

"You're welcome. You should...say goodbye to.....Alex," his mother said as she cried. Luna nodded, walked over to the coffin, and slowly pulled the sheet back.

As she caught sight of Alex's peaceful face, Luna began to cry even more.

"Alex, my friend. You didn't deserve this," she whispered as she ran a hand through his messy black hair. Her hand slowly moved down to his ear, which she instinctively grabbed as she had done since she and Alex were little. She stared at him for a moment as she waited and expected him to respond by swatting at her arm. When the swat didn't come, the reality hit her like a large rock. From the moment that she had heard Alex's name on the list of men killed, Luna didn't fully believe that it was real. She wanted to believe that it was some horrible prank that the men had been playing, but now that Alex hadn't responded in his usual way to his friend grabbing his ear, Luna knew that there was no way that this was not a prank.

"No one deserves to die in such a way," Alex's mother said as she put a hand on Luna's shoulder. Luna looked up and nodded.

"I know," she sighed as she turned and hugged Alex's mother.

"Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me. You should go say goodbye to Ian," Alex's mother said as she returned the hug.

"You're welcome. I will," Luna said as she and Alex's mother separated.

"Will I be seeing you at the ceremony?" Alex's mother asked as Luna began to turn towards the door.

"Yes, you will."

"Ok. See you then," Alex's mother called as Luna left the room and went to find the room that Ian's family was in.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra and her men rode back towards the Castle. Still traveling through the woods, and with a thick fog coming through. Cassandra had an uneasy feeling in her gut, she and her men were being watched. She stopped her horse and looked around, searching through the air. With the fog blocking their vision, Cassandra drew her sword, her fellow warriors did the same.

After a short time, Cassandra heard a loud thud, she turns her head. A arrow flew past her head, "We're under attack!" One soldier shouted. Soon a dozen barbaric men came running out of the fog and began attacking the saddled riders. Cassandra swung her sword up and down on her enemies. Some of the them fell from sudden hits to the head.

"Well, guess I was wrong about the Blacksmith's." She said to herself, "There are wild men in the woods." Swinging her sword again for a defense block, and counter attack a enemy, Cassandra and her men were able to drive back the barbaric men.

Cassandra stopped her horse, but kept her blade unsheathed, "Let's head back to the Castle, we now know who our culprits are." Kicking the side of her horse, she begins riding back.

Upon her return, she still wore the black heavy armor, and entered through the gates, one of the soldiers came to Cassandra, "Milady, you left this." He held out a Black Fur dress coat that wraps around her armor, keeping her even more warm. She nods her head, takes it and puts it on.

Getting off her horse, she gives a small sigh, "Luna, my friend." She looks around before leaving her horse. She stands there, patting the horse on the side of his neck, "Good boy." She says before leaving her horse. She begins walking towards the Castle. Some people she know where outside. They welcomed her back.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna struggled to hold back her tears as she knocked on the door to the room that Ian's family was in. His mother looked up and gestured to her to enter. Luna barely managed to enter the room before Ian's mother pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry," Luna said as she hugged Ian's mother.

"Thank you for coming," the woman replied as she sobbed.

"You're welcome. I wanted to come and see you and your family," Luna said.

"I appreciate it. My husband and my other son are getting some of Ian's clothes, but they should be back soon."

"Ok," Luna replied as she rubbed Ian's mother's back.

"Ian wanted you to have something, but it's not here with me right now. My husband and son will hopefully bring it back with them," his mother said as she let go of Luna, who let go of the woman almost immediately.

"Really?" Luna asked in surprise.

"Yes. You meant the world to him and he was trying to work up the courage to tell you that. You can go say goodbye to him if you want," Ian's mother said as she walked over to the coffin and pulled the sheet back. As she caught sight of Ian's peaceful face, Luna began to sob as she walked over to the coffin.

"Ian," she whispered as she knelt down and gently touched his hands, which rested gently on his chest.

"I....I love you," she choked through her tears as she bowed her head and rested her other hand on the top edge of the coffin.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra walked back inside the castle, her heavy armor made her known presence to others, "Lady Cassandra." One of the mourners approached her, "Have you found the murderer of my brother?" He asked, She recognized him right away. John's youngest brother, Neil. He looked at her with hope. "We found the murderers, half of them escaped though. But we will find the rest of them." She grabs his hands and holds them together, "Don't give up, but never forget your brother." He nods with tears running down his face.

Cassandra wanted to visit the other families, but with what had happened today, Cassandra had to find the king and give her report to him. Walking down the hallway, she walks past Ian's, She stops and looks. She sees Luna next to Ian's. She gives a sigh, takes a deep breath and walks in.

Ian's mother greeted Cassandra, "My lady?" She looked at Cassandra, she had the same question John's youngest brother had, "Mother of Ian." She takes her hand and holds it gently, "Have you found?" She couldn't finish the rest of the sentence, "I believe we did, but not all of them." She gives a small comfort to the woman, in hopes that Cassandra will find the rest.

[Vampirequeen]

At the sound of her friend's voice, Luna looked up and saw Cassandra standing in the room. In one quick motion, she stood up, turned around and walked over to her friend.

"You're ok," she said in relief as she wrapped an arm around Cassandra's shoulders.

"Did you get them?" she whispered into her friend's ear.

[MidKnight]

"Half of them." She whispers back, "We learned there was more than just a few." She hugs her friend back, "But we will find them all."

She looks at Luna's face, "I'm so sorry about Ian, Luna."

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you," Luna said as she let go of her friend and slipped out of her grip.

"We're back," a man's voice said suddenly. Luna looked over at the door and saw Ian's father and brother, who were carrying some clothes and a small box.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," Luna said as she looked at them.

"Thank you, Miss Luna. Good day, Miss Cassandra," Ian's father said as his surviving son nodded in acknowledgement.

"Did you bring the box and the letter?" Ian's mother asked.

"We did. Miss Luna, these are for you. The letter is inside the box," Ian's brother said as he held out the Luna, who took it with a shaking hand. Feeling nervous, she sat down in a chair and placed the box on her lap. She opened it and pulled out the folded piece of paper, which rested on top of a cloth-covered gift from Ian. She unfolded the letter and read it slowly as her eyes filled with tears. A small smile crossed her lips as she struggled with her emotions.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra bows her head to both Ian's mother and father, "Excuse me, but I must tend back to my duties." She says, "You have my condolences." She added. She looks at Luna, smiles and gives her another hug. "I will find them, and kill them all." She whispers her ear.

Letting go of her friend to grieve, Cassandra leaves the room and headed back to the armory. One of the captains saw Cassandra and walked towards her. "My Lady." He bows his head, "How many?" He asked, how many were left for the murderers. "I think at least 10 or 15 were left, I need more than a dozen men to go after them."

The Captain nods his head. "I'll have Fifty men ready." He turns around and begins to gather the men.

[Vampirequeen]

"Be safe," Luna whispered as her friend left the room. She glanced back to the letter and finished reading it as her eyes filled up with tears.

"He loved me," she whispered as she folded the letter and set it in the top of the box. She lifted the cloth and found a pink velvet pouch underneath it. She opened the pouch, reached inside, and and pulled out a red and silver necklace with a black ribbon.

http://www.pearsonsrenaissanceshoppe.com/passion-pendant.html

"It's beautiful," she said as she held it in her hands and glanced over at Ian's body. She placed the box on the ground and walked over to Ian's coffin.

"Thank you for bringing this to me," she said to Ian's father and brother as she knelt down next to the coffin.

"Thank you. I'll...I'll miss you," she sobbed as she kissed her hand and gently placed it on Ian's cold cheek.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra and her men begun riding their horses outside of the castle gate and walls. On the search for the rebellion soldiers that killed the patrol soldiers, Cassandra was determined to bring the murderers to justice. Riding their horses through the forest, passing tall trees, and loud thud from the horses hooves. She stopped, as well her fellow soldiers. Looking around through the woods, she could see a small trail on the ground. It lead to a small rebellion camp, which were the ones who killed the patrol.

She raises her sword and gives a brave shout, "For the Fallen!" Her men, drew their swords and joined the shout, and began charging. The Rebellion soldiers frightened and begun to flee from the camp. Cassandra and her brave soldiers charged their horses through the camp, running the rebellion to the ground. Swinging her sword down on her opponents, blood spilled on the ground, and splashed like water. Cassandra's face was covered with blood, but not her own.

Her men massacred the rebellion as they did to theirs. Cassandra stopped in the camp, swinging her sword for the blood to come off. "Men, let us bring back the good news that we have avenged the lost souls." She turns her horse back to the castle. She had a moment to herself, "I hope this brings peace....Luna." She gives a small sigh, and looked towards to the castle walls.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna was just about to start a silent prayer when she heard a knock on the door. She looked up and found the king standing in the doorway. She quickly rose to her feet and curtsied ad Ian's mother did the same and his father and brother bowed respectfully.

"You may rise," the king said to them. The four of them rose as he entered the room.

"Good day, Your Majesty," Ian's mother said.

"Good day to you," the king responded as he nodded to everyone in the room.

"There you are, Miss Luna. It's almost time for the ceremony to start," the king said as he looked at Luna.

"May I go back to my room for a few minutes so I can put something away?" Luna asked as she walked back to the chair and picked up the box and the letter.

"Yes you may."

"Thank you," Luna responded as she placed the necklace back in the box and hugged Ian's mother.

"You're welcome," the king answered.

"Thank you," Luna said as she hugged Ian's father and brother. The two men nodded in response as Luna left the room and hurried back to her room to put the box and the letter away.

[MidKnight]

Cassandra moved through the halls, with the heavy armor clinking and a heavy step was taken. She could be heard from not too far, but very noticeable. She kept thinking of when her men had run over the rebellion forces. She shakes her head and brushes her hair with her hand.

She looks up only to see Luna returning to her quarters.

"Luna." She calls out to her, hurrying to greet and hug her.

[Vampirequeen]

At the sound of her friend's voice, Luna looked up and quickly placed the box and the letter on her desk. She hurried over to Cassandra and hugged her.

"Did you get them?" she asked as she started to cry again.

[MidKnight]

"Indeed we have but some unfortunate events happened." She takes in a deep breathe and looked to the ground with her head lowered. "We slaughtered almost every rebellion soldier that took away the lives of our friends." She shook her head slightly and turned the other way. "It was more of a massacre than a battle to be honest. The rebels didn't have any weapons or armor in better conditions." She looked up to the ceiling thinking about it. "It was as though they were only preparing with just large amounts of weapons stashed in hidden caches."

She reached inside of her chest armor where a pocket was stitched and pulled out something shiny. It was a gold coin and turns around slowly to show Luna. "This was found among the dead rebels." Her eyes glued on the coin as she displayed it. "And we found several chests filled to the brim with it." She pocketed the coin and placed her helmet on the desk nearby. "I want to investigate this since the coin is from our nation. Most likely stolen but nobody had ever reported stolen or missing coin shipments."

She groaned slightly and rubbed her shoulder. "But while doing that I will try my best to keep you company for the ceremony of our fallen brothers." She turned to Luna with a smile on her face. "You won't be alone in this." She walked closer to the woman and braced her in a hug. Her head snuggled on top as her arms wrapped around her tightly.

[Vampirequeen]

Luna listened silently as Cassandra spoke and showed her the coin. When her friend hugged her, her eyes filled with tears and she began to sob.

"Thank you. Cassandra, why is it that every time I fall in love with someone, they either find someone else, become a priest, or die? I can't take it anymore," she asked through her tears.

- - - Updated - - -

Luna listened silently as Cassandra spoke and showed her the coin. When her friend hugged her, her eyes filled with tears and she began to sob.

"Thank you. Cassandra, why is it that every time I fall in love with someone, they either find someone else, become a priest, or die? I can't take it anymore," she asked through her tears.

[MidKnight]

She hugged her tightly and groomed her hair as she cried. She listened to her about everyone she loved always dies. She sighs softly and leans forward a little to her ear. "Not everyone." She admitted feeling a slight blush on her cheeks. "The next person to hurt you...I'll kill them myself." Her voice was soft but harsh when she made that promise. "No one hurts my Luna."

[Vampirequeen]

"Thank you," Luna said through her sobs. Even though she had been visiting Alex and Ian's families, she still felt alone. Now that Cassandra had returned, she finally felt like she didn't have to suffer in silence.

"I'm tired of all the death, Cassandra."

[MidKnight]

"As am I." She admitted. "Come." She held out her hand. "Let us go to the burial site to pick out the location for our fallen."

[Vampirequeen]

Luna took Cassandra's hand and stood up.

"Ok. Can I also show you were Alex wanted his ashes scattered?" she asked.

[MidKnight]

She gives a nod and straightens her back to follow her friend. If anything she would stay near to protect her like a bodyguard would do.

[Vampirequeen]

She let go of Cassandra's hand and hugged her.

"Thank you," she said before she let go of her friend and went to grab her cloak.

[MidKnight]

She stood by the door waiting for her friend to come along. She leaned again'st the door way and looked both ways of the hall corridor. She wondered where the other guards were and yet none were in sight. Pondering a moment to herself about it which was also out of curiosity. Wondering if they had ordered to prepare for the funeral service. Though every time there was such a event not even the royal high guards would leave their post due to advantage situations like assassination attempts. "I don't like this." She said quietly.

[Vampirequeen]

When Luna grabbed her cloak, she put it on and hurried to join her friend.

"What did you say?" she asked as she closed the bedroom door behind her.

[MidKnight]

She quickly reached out in front of her friend with a tight grip around what looked like an arrow. "Damn." She muttered. "Get back inside!" She shouted as she stood in front of the girl and quickly moved back inside her room. "Assassins."

[Vampirequeen]

As soon as Luna heard her friend curse, she opened the door and backed inside. Once she was sure Cassandra was inside, she closed and locked the door.
"Are you ok?" she asked as she hurried over to her armor stand.

[MidKnight]

She tossed the arrow to the ground and stood next to the door. "I'm fine." She said calmly and reached for her sword. "I don't think they are here for me however." She waited as more arrows pierced into the door.

[Vampirequeen]

"Damn it, that door was made by my grandfather," Luna muttered angrily as she pulled on her chest protector and grabbed her bracers. She pulled them on, then tied her sword and dagger belts around her waist.

"What do you think we should do now? she asked.

[MidKnight]

"Only way in is through this door." She said as she looked around. "I don't see another way out..." Her eyes diverted to the open window. "Unless.." She walked over to the window quickly and looked outside to see an edge along the wall. It lead to another window nearby. "Come on." She said showing her the way. "Stay close to the wall and get to the other side." She pointed outside to the window. "If they come in, I'll hold them off." She reached for her sword and pull it out quick and waited for the assassins to enter.

[Vampirequeen]

"Are you sure? What if there are too many of them? I lost a friend and a possible suitor today, I can't afford to lose you, too," Luna protested.

As she reached for her sword, she hesitated. In the back of her mind, a small voice yelled at her to run. Cassandra was her best friend and the closest thing that he had to a sister, but if they both died, the king would be left without his bodyguards. She was pulled out of her conflict by the sight of the doorknob wiggling. She had run out of time to open the window and escape, so she drew her sword.

[MidKnight]

She kept her eyes on the door and waited for the foes to enter. It was too late for her friend to escape. She quickly ran towards the door and stabbed through it. She heard a groan and once she pulled her sword back it was covered in blood. The sound of a body thud on the ground and then the sounds of swords. The swords stabbed through the door like hers but she stepped back quickly. "Have it your way." She said with a growl.