Since Enya had been taken the kingdom of Fierdom had fallen into a state of panic and confusion. The royal duties couldn't be performed without her, and soon the King and Queen had riots on their hands. Queen Gothel nearly took Aura back to Mistelle, but at the King and Queen of Fierdom's request she was permitted to stay. Two days after the ball had taken place, Laec was in such a state he nearly had a nervous breakdown. He was in the library, however his book that he had picked up had by chance told tales of royal deaths and kidnappings.

Ash and Aura saw the pitiful state of him and decided to go and talk to him. They could see quite plainly that he was a man very much in love, and quite clearly heartbroken at his loss. They entered the drawing room where Laec was sat with his head in his hands uncomfortably perched at the end of a chaise lounge.

"Laec," Ash started, slightly awkwardly. Laec's green eyes rose to meet Ash's icy blue ones.

"Yes?" he choked. He could barely talk and he looked on the verge of insanity. "Make it quick or I'll go insane."

"Aura and I," he continued, "we just want you to know that we're really sorry to see you like this. And we, we think we could help you get Enya back."

Laec's eyes lit up with new found fire as he finally smiled for the first time since Enya had gone.

"You really think so?"

"Yes. We'll need to do some research, but even if Nori has powers like that we can defeat him. Because if he can access powers like that there's no reason to think that we can't."

"But," Laec stuttered, "that's witchcraft surely? That's a sentence punishable by death in this kingdom!"

"But if it means we can get Enya back," Ash said, the most serious he had ever been in his life, "something tells me that the king and queen won't be killing her saviour and one true love, will they?"

Laec dropped his head. "She doesn't love me. She never will. I'm not good enough for her."

Aura smiled and spoke for the first time. "Didn't you hear her father? She loves you Laec, in fact, I'd be willing to bet she's in Nori's dungeon thinking about you this very minute. I saw the way she looked at you. I've never seen someone look that way before."

"You're serious?"

"Serious as I'll ever be." Aura smiled at Laec. "Look, the longer we stay here debating whether she loves you or not the longer she's in there suffering. And anyway, it shouldn't be whether she loves you, do you love her?"

"Yes."

"How much? You've only known her a day."

"I love her so much I don't think it can be placed appropriately into words," Laec spoke almost as if he was in a trance. "I saw her when I first arrived and she was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. When I danced with her I wanted to kiss her so badly it hurt, my heart was aching with anticipation but I didn't want to make it awkward between us and I knew she was scared about love. I'd do anything for her."

"You believe in love at first sight then?" Ash grinned.

"Yes I do," Laec said in all seriousness. "And I think you two must do too," he smirked at Ash and Aura who blushed profusely.

"Let's get to the library. Research witchcraft and dark magic. We'll practise in secret and when we get good enough we'll be in a position to get Enya back," Aura concluded, having recovered from the embarrassment.

"We start today," Laec stated firmly. The trio walked out of the drawing room, and as they walked the corridors of the unfamiliar castle they came across the hall of portraits. There was the king and queen of Fierdom, looking proud and imposing as usual. There was a picture of the three young princes, all triplets and rumoured to be great trouble makers. Then at the end was Enya.

Laec caught his breath as he gazed at her likeness upon canvas. She was wearing the same red dress as the medallion ceremony; red seemed to be the recurring theme through this kingdom. Clever one Laec, he thought slightly stupidly, this is the kingdom of fire. Of course the colour's going to be red! Just like our kingdom is blue because it's water.

As he gazed at her he whispered under his breath, "I'll get you back Enya. I don't care what it takes anymore. If I die, I don't care, I just want you to be safe forever."

A/N Nearly 500 reads already and over 60 votes! How in hell did this happen?! You guys are fab and your messages have really inspired me to keep writing this one. Thanks for all your support and I will update as soon as I possibly can but it's going to be hard because school has started again :( but I will try!

Stay amazing bookworms and till next time!