PART 5
                       Notes:
   While everyone in Whispering Pines prepares for a feast, Ulrica sends Regina on an important mission.
Warnings: none just some good natured jokes at Arthur's expense

   A few days passed since the Dagur incident and things had settled down somewhat in Whispering Pines. Since then, the packs had grown closer after noticing that they worked well together.
   Not long after, it was decided that a party would be thrown to celebrate the alliances with all the packs. Every pack that had agreed to join their packs in the upcoming war would be coming to the celebration. Even those in Wolf Haven and the surrounding area would be coming soon enough. Every pack would send their leaders, their vixens, and a few others to serve as diplomats for the party.
   One morning, Merlin woke up early as he usually did. On this particular morning, he found himself interacting with the many dragons that had found a home (however temporary) in Whispering Pines.
   As he was doing so, a tiny dragon no bigger than the palm of his hand appeared. At first glance, she appeared black in color but, as she landed on his hand, her tail winding around his wrist, he noticed that her scales were multiple shades of black, red, blue, and purple, all shining like bright jewels.
    "Well, hello, beautiful." He said.
    "Hello, Merlin Emrys. I need your help." The voice that came from the dragon was more mature than he expected from such a tiny dragon.
    "You know who I am?"
    "Of course. You're the last Dragonlord. So...can you help me?"
    "I would do anything to help the dragons." Merlin answered. "What do you need?"
   "It's a long story." She explained.
   "Why don't you start from the beginning?"
  "Have you heard the story of the dragon riders?"
   "I learned bits and pieces from a boy named Eragon."
   "He would know the story. He was the one who defeated the king. That terrible tyrant who used our kind as a vessel of power."
   "But if he's dead, why would you need me?"
   "Because he still has dragons imprisoned, their hearts hidden somewhere, and my father believes there are dragon eggs still out there."
   "Ah." Merlin nodded. "I understand now. My ability would help lead you and your father to the dragons that were imprisoned and I can hatch the eggs."
   "Exactly."
   "What's your name?"
   "They call me Celestine."
   "Well, Celestine, I will help you."
   As Celestine crowed in happiness, a figure appeared from behind Merlin. "Good morning, Alpha."
   Merlin turned to see Myror standing there. "Ah, Myror, I didn't expect you to be up so early."
   Myror had been staying on the farm for about a month and Merlin had thought him very hard-working and kind-hearted. He was usually quiet when it came to the other farmhands and most of the weres but he showed interest in Merlin, Arthur, and the Winchester brothers.  He also seemed very interested in learning more about weres and how they worked.
   "I couldn't sleep very well. You?"
   "I often wake up early." Merlin answered. "It drives my mate nuts but I can't help it. I've always been an early riser."
   Myror chuckled. "Your mate is quite beautiful as well."
   Merlin chuckled with him. If Myror had been a were, especially an Alpha, he might've been suspicious but, seeing as he was human, he found it more endearing.
   "She is beautiful but her beauty is only one of the many reasons I love her."
   "I've never heard a were talk so fondly of a mate before." Myror confessed.
   Merlin chuckled again. "Well our pack is a lot different than most. We mostly mate for love. And it helps that the old myths have been proven true in recent years. True mates are real."
   "True mates?"
   "It's like true love and love at first sight in your old fairytales. And it has become a more common thing as many packs now are starting to find their true mates."
   "Ah. I suppose that's true. So, tell me, how do the famous Winchesters get mixed up in all this?"
   As Merlin was about to answer, a loud voice boomed, "Alpha Emrys, you must prepare yourself!"
   Merlin turned to find Adrian standing off to the side, a sour expression on his face. "For what exactly, Alpha Dalimar?"
   It was no secret that Adrian was one of Charles' many siblings, something he'd spoken about at length. He'd also bragged to be a descendant of the original Snow White and the original Merlin, Snow White's grandfather.
   "The party of course! What else?" Adrian shouted in exasperation. "The rest of our allies are arriving today. I've already sent for Regina, Isadora, and the others."
   Merlin sighed. "Alright. I'll go and get ready. Thank you."
   "And be quick about it! We can't be late! We have so many guests to welcome and have to host everything! Have your woman, Audrey, get the food ready and don't let her dally!"
   With that, he swept off, talking more about what was expected but this seemed more towards himself than Merlin. "I'll never understand why you let him treat you like that." Myror said. "He's so rude!"
   "Pompous, arrogant, supercillious." Merlin rattled off, letting out a sigh of annoyance. "But we need him to keep the farm up and running."
  "Seems exhausting."
  "It can be." Merlin confessed. "But I don't think he means to act like a prat all the time. He has good in him. I've seen it. He cares for everyone on this farm. I just think...he believes he needs to live up to such high expectations due to his family. Pressure like that can cause all sorts of issues. Sometimes, I, too, feel like my destiny is overwhelming."
   Myror looked surprised. "You are truly remarkable, Merlin. To see such good in someone and to show humility for the sake of your own pack. It is truly astonishing."
   Merlin smiled. "Well, I've always said that we cannot fight hate with hate. Sometimes, the best thing for one to do is to swallow their own pride for the good of others. I would do anything for my pack. They are my family, after all. And, more than anything, I would risk my life for my mate and pups."
   That said, Merlin turned on his heel and left.
                         * * * * *
   Regina stood, biting her nails, as she awaited an audience with Ulrica. The supposed Queen of All Weres was holding some sort of knighting ceremony and had asked her to await her word. Internally, Regina was panicking. Had she accidentally outed herself as a spy?
   Finally, as she was about to lose her temper, the door opened, revealing a group of weres in armor, a few witches tagging along. "Now remember, Warlord, Azula, I'm counting on the two of you to lead the troops together. Do not fail me."
   A pair of weres of Asian descent, dressed in fine armor bowed. One was a male in armor and a long cape, revealing that he must be high in the hierarchy of his own pack. The other was female, her hair pulled into a bun offset by some sort of adornment that showed she too was someone of wealth and power, the emblem suggesting she had power of the fire element.
   "Regina, dear, come in!" Ulrica called. Regina was quiet as she entered, passing the Warlord, Azula, a bunch of guards, and a couple witches, one with long white hair, another with heterochromia. "Come, come now. I don't bite....well...not often anyway." She chuckled at her own joke.
    "What's this about?" Regina asked as she stepped fully in the room.
    Ulrica smiled. "I think you've had enough time to party and have fun with the other weres. Now it's time to prove your loyalty."
    "I thought I already did that." Regina said, crossing her arms in annoyance. "Wasn't that the point of bringing Maleficent?"
    Ulrica laughed. "No, sweet child. Bringing Maleficent was to prove yourself worthy of joining us. But to really get on the inside loop, to be part of something greater, I need you to do a very important job for me."
   "You sure like to make people jump through hoops for you."
   "Oh my, yes!" Ulrica said with a giggle. "I've learned far too many times that traitors can come in all manner of disguises. They can be clever. But no traitor will willingly cause their own people's destruction. That's why...what I need you to do is...rather delicate. I need you to go to the Badlands and retrieve Cora from her imprisonment."
    "But why? I was told she was dangerous and needed to be locked away to prove my loyalty the last time."
    "Yes but now she has something we need, something that will bring down those pitiful princesses and their annoying friends. So, how about it, Regina? Will you help me bring about the destruction of all those who did you and our friends wrong?"
   Regina took a deep breath and forced a smile on her face. "I'd be delighted."
                       * * * * *
   As the pack leaders of their allies started appearing at Whispering Pines, Merlin's pack prepared for the party that was to take place in mere hours.
   Most of them had gotten ready by the time that the allies arrived but Arthur in particular had waited until the last minute. He fiddled with his pants in annoyance, finding that they didn't want to fit him correctly. He growled in annoyance as he sent a message to Merlin.
   Merlin, Rose, Arthur, Gwen, Lancelot, Cenred, Morgana, Aglain, Agravaine, Owain, and all their pups were living in the giant mansion of a house that used to belong to Charles together as they were all family. So it took mere minutes before Merlin came bursting into Arthur's room.
  "What happened? Is everyone ok?"
  "My pants aren't fitting!" Arthur growled out in annoyance.
  Merlin glared at his brother. "You called me in here for that?"
  "Well, we're supposed to look presentable for all our allies tonight and I'm hardly going to look so in my undergarments!"
  Merlin sighed. "Need I remind you that I don't work for you?"
  "Merlin...." Arthur began to whine.
  "Ok. Ok." Merlin said. "Let's see."
  Arthur attempted to fasten his belt over his pants, only to get the same result and not fit. Merlin clicked his tongue as he shook his head.
  "Well, I hate the say it, Arthur, but you look like a total git." Arthur glared at him in surprise. "It's ok. It happens with the job. Especially now that we're trying to make nice with the other packs with all the feasts and banquets and ceremonies."
   "Wait a minute. Are you calling me fat?"
   "And the bonfires and the parties and--"
   "I am not fat!" Arthur yelled.
   "I never said you were." Merlin shrugged him off, grabbing the belt and using a knife to create another hole in the belt. "I can fix this though, y'know...enhance it for more comfort and ease of use."
   He smirked.
   "I'M NOT FAT!" Arthur shouted.
   "It's alright. I fixed it."
  Merlin handed Arthur back the belt and he put it on with a huff of irritation. "Do not breathe a word of this to anyone."
  Merlin smirked again. "Sure thing, brother. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's keeping secrets."
                         * * * * *
   Regina returned to Wolf Haven in a bad mood. The first thing she did was rush to her castle, run into the banquet hall, and overturn the banquet table in a blind fury. Food, silverware, dishes, and goblets of wine fell to the floor.
   From behind her, she heard, "So I'm guessing you're in a bad mood." She turned to see Robin Hood standing there, looking worried. "Should I just come back later or...?"
   "What do you want?" Regina asked, irritated.
   "Well I was gonna ask you something but now I'm worried. What happened?"
   Before Regina could answer, there was a sound from outside. The pair rushed out to find that Maleficent and the princesses had returned, followed by a few new weres.
   Maleficent was followed by Aurora, three other females that had to be her sisters, and one male. One of the females had straight dark brown hair and large blue eyes, dressed in a blue dress with armor and feathers. She almost looked like she was going for an evil queen look, at least in Regina's opinion. The second was a tall golden haired beauty with purple eyes, a rare trait, even in the magical world, in a light blue dress decorated with a flower pattern. The third looked little more than a teenager with blond hair and blue-green eyes in a simple gold dress.
   This third girl held one of Maleficent's hands, her other entwined with the male who was probably her mate. Maleficent, meanwhile, had a fresh mating mark on her neck/shoulder area.
   Regina smirked at the sight.
   Just then, Isadora appeared. "You've found them?" She said, seeming genuinely excited.
   "Many things have happened." Maleficent said.
   The group sat and explained all that had happened. All the sleeping beauties had been found and were reunited. Maleficent had mated Diaval, just as Sapphira had mated both of her guards, two weeks apart as the tradition allowed.
  By the time they had finished their story, the sun was beginning to set over the mountaintops. "We need to be heading to the feast soon." Isadora said.
   "There's one problem." Regina said with an annoyed sigh. "I have a mission I have to complete. It has to be done by morning so I can't go."
   "What mission?" Isadora asked.
   "She's been working as a spy to get information on our enemies." Snow explained.
   Regina glared at her. "Do you ever keep a secret?! How'd you even know?"
   Snow smiled sheepishly as she explained, "I overheard you talking to Maleficent the other day."
    "Working as a spy?" Sapphira asked. "That's brilliant!"
   "I won't be able to go to the feast." Regina explained. "But perhaps..." She turned to Snow. "Snow could take my place."
   "Me? Why me?"
   "Because you're the closest thing to family I have."
   A chorus of awws came from the group.
   "I hate to be the bearer of bad news." Blue said, breaking the reverie. "But how is everyone getting there? Not everyone can transport themselves there."
   "I can send you off in one big group." Regina explained. "Anyone who can transport yourselves, go ahead. I'll send the rest after you. But then I need to leave myself."
   Everyone agreed to this plan. "I'm coming with you, godmother." Briar Rose said to Maleficent.
   "Well if you're going, I'm going with you." Aurora said.
  "Me too." Rosabelle added.
  Talia was silent for a beat. "Same."
  "Ok."
  Maleficent grabbed the girls and their mates, disappearing in a flare of green flames. The sound of wings followed soon afterwards, marking that the angels and fallen angels had left. Rias created a portal and pushed her subordinates through it.
   A few others disappeared after them. Regina looked to those left and waved her hand, making them disappear in a puff of smoke.
   When she was alone, Robin finally spoke up, "So what sort of mission are we going on?"
   "We aren't doing anything." Regina said, turning away. "I'm doing this on my own."
   "No disrespect, milady, but you shouldn't go alone." Robin said. "No matter what you're doing."
   "It's too dangerous a mission for you!" Regina snapped. She exhaled deeply. "I need to find my mother."
   "Is she lost?"
   "No. I know exactly where she is."
   "Then what's the problem?"
   "I imprisoned her...with my sister's help. She won't be too happy to see me."
   "Oh." Robin said. "Even more reason for me to go with you. If your mother is angry, you'll need backup."
   "No." Regina growled in annoyance.
   Robin Hood stepped closer to her, close enough to be barely an inch apart. "You won't disway me. I'm coming with you."
   Regina groaned in annoyance. "Fine! But, if you come with me, there will be rules. Number 1: Stay out of my way. 2: When we meet up with my mother, you keep your mouth shut. 3: If I tell you to do anything, especially to run, don't question it. Just do as I say."
   "I understand. When do we leave?"
   Regina flicked her long ponytail over her shoulder and raised her hand. "Right now." With that, they disappeared on the spot.
                            * * * * *
   Merlin stood behind the farmhouse, on the side closest to the woods. Rose stood on his right side and Adrian on his left. His subordinates and Adrian's were helping the farmhands set up for the party.
   The group set up a large amount of folding tables with plenty of chairs, covering the table with plenty of goblets, plates, bowls, other cups, silverware, and napkins. Every few tables held punch bowls and a champagne fountain, with a set of glasses holding wine sitting in a pyramid on either side of the long table.
   Every one of their allies had slowly shown up. Merlin, Adrian, Merida, Hiccup, and Shepard weren't the only ones who had brought their entire packs though it was hard to tell as size was relative in certain packs. Every other ally consisted of the Alpha, their mates, and sometimes other family members or their seconds.
   A few interactions stood out.
   As the representatives from the Ever Realm showed up, Merlin noticed there were many of them. The Ever Realm seemed to have multiple kingdoms, each ruled by a different Alpha.
   The King and Alpha of Enchancia was surprised to learn his stepdaughter was now mated. (Sofia had just gotten out of her heat a day ago.)
   It was silent for a beat.
  Cedric grimaced, worried about what the king would say.
  "Well I'm happy to welcome you into the family, Cedric." Roland said in a happy tone of voice, surprising Cedric.
  Miranda stepped in. "Nonsense, Roland. Cedric has always been a part of the family." She stepped forward and gave him a hug.
  "As usual, you are right, my love."
  The group headed off to discuss things, making Merlin turn his attention to another group. Ingrid, Elsa, Anna, and Rapunzel looked delighted as they rushed to a group of three women, one with long blond hair, one with a youthful face and long dark brown hair, and one with long dark red hair.
   "Mother!" Elsa and Anna referred to the redhead.
   "Mom!" Rapunzel referred to the brunette.
   "Sisters!" Ingrid referred to all three, calling them by name. The blond was Helga, the brunette was Ariana, and the red head was Gerda. "How are you all alive? The last thing I remember..."
   "Each of us had died." Helga added.
   "And we were four little girls up in heaven, running through a meadow." Ariana added.
   "Then we were suddenly back." Gerda added.
   As they told their stories of what happened, others showed up and Merlin turned his attention back to welcoming their allies until his attention was drawn back to that same group.
   Belle, Rumple, and Mordred had shown up and introduced them to Gideon and Jane. When Jane was introduced and introduced her Alpha mate, Gerda and Kai (her mate and husband) raced to hug him. "Son!" They cried as they hugged the wild Alpha.
    Everyone else in the group looked equally shocked. Gerda, sensing this, turned her attention to them and explained, "Remember when your father and I went away on our diplomatic mission?"
   Her attention was on Elsa and Anna. "Do not lie to your daughters, Gerda. It was no diplomatic mission." Ingrid spoke up.
   Gerda hung her head. "It is true. I messed up. I tried to rid you of what makes you special, Elsa, just as I messed up when I trapped Ingrid in that urn years ago. I can never expect for your forgiveness, only hope that you're both better than I was."
    Ingrid softened. "Oh Gerda, I forgave you when I got your letter. We are family."
    Elsa hugged her mom. "And I was never angry with you."
    "So," Gerda said, trying to hold back her tears of relief, "your father and I shipwrecked on an island. I had learned while on our journey that I was pregnant again. When we shipwrecked, I was worried what would happen. We found shelter in the jungle and I had my son."
   "Tarzan." Tarzan enunciated.
   "Yes." Gerda giggled. "Tarzan. We died protecting him."
   "Y'know...I might not know much about your family." Belle spoke up. "But you did what you thought was best for all your children. That's what's important."
   She glanced back at Rumple with a small smile. Gold looked away, thinking. If only he could find his lost son again.
   The small moment of peace was broken as Adrian moved between everyone there. "Enough! There will plenty of time for this nonsense at the feast!" He grinned. "Time for a party!"
   With that, everyone followed him for the celebration. Merlin growled under his breath as he followed. Adrian was really starting to grate on his nerves....