Chapter 10: The March

Four months after the meeting in Moonhaven

Everyone is busy getting ready for the coming fight in the castle, and I am starting to show a little. We have to push the war up a little because the healers say that all the stress is not suitable for my health or the coming child. This is causing much pressure on everyone at the castle, especially Danny. He's worried something will happen to the future child and me because he couldn't convince me to stay out of this fight, but I can't just sit back and watch as my comrades are fighting for our sake for our futures. Since I was born, I have been in this war, so I will not just sit idly by as they all get hurt or, worse, killed. Danny just got into this fight a few years ago when he crashed into my kingdom. It makes me smile to think about how we met if someone told me that is was how my future would turn out, I would have laughed.

As I walk through the castle, I run into Danny. He hasn't noticed yet that I am walking towards him, but his face turns from tired and exhausted to happy and energized when he does. He holds out his open arms for me to walk into for a warm, embracing hug. When I enter his hug, I notice Jack and a small handful of his soldiers there. They bow in greeting to me, and Jack says, How have you been milady? I hope you and the future child are doing well. I smile, stating, Yes, the child has just been a little restless these past few days.

I hope you all have been able to make enough plans for the raid without me. He then states, Yes, milady. But we are all concerned about you joining us since you now carry the future of this kingdom. I look at him and smile gently, speaking with care. I understand all of your concerns. We have too much to lose for not all of our fighters to join this fight. It will be the last stand and the last hope. For if we lose, there will not be another chance. He nods in agreement and states, then we shall ask of one thing. I nod. He continues. Please only give support magic and stay out of the primary fight. I say I'll tell you what I will do this up until the point you need me in the main battle. Jack nods his head and states, then I shall train the men so we shall not need your back up. He then walks off. Danny and I are left alone. My stomach grumbles, and Danny takes my hand with a smile, and we head toward the kitchens for some food.

When we reach the kitchen and Silvia is bustling around the kitchens, getting things ready to travel for the battle to come. She then notices us walking in, then gets to work on something else. When she is close to being done, I realize that she is making a healthy snack for the unborn child and me. I take the first item I can get my hands on to eat. Silvia just laughs, saying, are you that hungry, Milady. I just smile and say, the child has spoken. She then hands Danny the plate and says, please see to it that milady gets plenty of rest before we begin the trip in the morning. We are all worried about her very deeply. Danny takes the plate and says, I will don't worry, I will care for her. We then leave together to the castle gardens.

When we get to the gardens, we sit down on the grass and enjoy the last peaceful day. The sun is shining out and slowly starting to set. We eat and enjoy what's left of this day. When there is no more food to eat, we enjoy each other's company because this may be our last time alone we will get together for the battle in the coming days may be our last. War is unpredictable.

The next morning we are all getting our armor on. Right now, I am so happy that my armor is put on with magic and conforms to my body better that way. Danny comes over in his armor, having difficulties with one of the straps. I smile as I walk over to him. I give him a hand with his armor. Once I finish, he looks at me and says, the soldiers will understand if you want to stay behind. I look at him and say, I wouldn't miss this for the world. I want to see the look on his face when he meets his end. Especially after all the pain and torment he has cause creating those stones. The other hasn't been bringing them up, but they have been in the back of my mind this whole time. I know two of the stones are safe, but the other I don't know where they are, and that is why I have to go. They can't beat him if he has multiple stones. I don't know if I can even beat him myself, but I'm going to try. We leave to the front of the castle to meet with the army and face the future and make it brighter.

We get to the front of the palace. My retainers are there waiting for us with the horses. The armies of the different kingdoms, already their leaders, have chosen me to lead them into the fight. I walk to the front with Danny at my side and Midnight's reigns in my hand. I look at the soldier's mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandmothers, and grandfathers. Their lives are in my hands. Whether they return or not depends on if we are strong enough and if I can keep them safe. I then speak to them with confidence. Today, we march. Tomorrow we fight. And in the end, if we win or lose, we will never have to deal with the Dark Warlock. But if we fail, then those who are staying behind will be vulnerable to his rule. That is why we must succeed in protecting those we love, and that is why we fight. AND THAT IS WHY WE WILL WIN! they all yell, ready to go into battle and prepared to fight. My retainers and I mount our horses, and Danny climbs midnight behind me, and we march. We march into the unknown. We have no idea what we will face in the end, but we are ready for what is to come.

As we ride as the army marches behind us as we move to the Dark Warlocks castle. I can feel the intensity in the air. Everyone is on edge because we are basically marching to mays death. I know people will be injured and maybe even killed sadly, but it won't be in vain Ill make sure of it. We ride until dark, and we find a place to camp for the night, but we don't make a fire because it would reveal that we are coming. We all talk to each other in the dark until some get rest, and the others keep watch. Then we switch so that everyone can get some rest.

When dawn comes, we all eat what may be our last meal for what is about to happen. When we finish, we take only our weapons and what we need for the fight to come. We are all getting ready mentally and physically for the final battle of this war. Whether we win or lose, it will finally be over, and we are all going to face it together. We all then begin our march to the last battle of this war.

As we march, the men start to chant

To save our home to save our family were marching to the war. This will be the end if we win or lose. To change our fates to change our futures were marching to the war.'

The chant continues, and Danny says, what are they doing? I smile and say, reminding themselves why they are here and why they fight. I then join the men

'to change our fates to write our wrongs, we're marching to the war. We shall end this war, win, or lose. To save our future and save our pasts, we're marching to the war.'

The chanting stops when we reach the castle. I look at Danny and give him a quick kiss on the cheek and jump down off Midnight. I summon my staff. This would be the point where I say some inspirational, but I don't think that it's the right time for a speech because everyone might lose their nerves to fight. But mostly, I don't know what to say, so I just raise my staff above my head. The crescent moon on the top of my staff starts to glow brightly. A fireball begins to grow in the center. It grows and grows, and so does the tense silence. As we wait for the battle to start with my first attack, which will be the mark of the battle.