====================

Throughout the rest of their journey Anna insisted on staying away from the other villages, stating arguments such as losing their guide or making unecessesary detours. Obviously she had robbed more then one person, or committed crimes other then theft. Another thing Anna had insisted on was calling Timmothy, Tim. Timmothy objected at first but strange enough, he was beginning to like it. They still continued to insult and argue, but it began to develop into just playful teasing. One night while gathering firewood, she kissed him on the cheek.

Finally they arrived at the castle, it was a wonderful sight, sitting atop a magnificent hill in all it's glory. Anna looked at Timmothy, then Celest and Galen.

"This is as far as I'll take you, I'll wait in the forest for you to return, but I won't go to the castle."

Timmothy glowered. "No you don't. Abandoning us at the gates. So convenient if we get caught isn't it?"

Anne glared at Timmothy. "That wasn't what I meant!"

"Your going to run off and leave us, take our horses."

"Havn't you known me longer then that? Go to the castle or not! Just leave me here."

"Alright!" They all turned to Galen. "Enough of you two. Celest, You stay here with Anne, me and Timmothy will be fine on our own."

They all nodded and proceeded to the castle gates, Two guards stood at each side.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"It is I Galen, and Timmothy."

The guard looked at them and then whispered over to the other. The second guard ran off into the castle. "Well thats wonderful than, go right ahead. Such a pleasure to have two distinguished guests with us."

Galen blinked. "Uh..Thanks?"

Timmothy looked at his friend. "Galen, It's safe to say the man is being sarcastic."

The guard grinned. "Smart boy. What business do you have with the king?"

Galen never wavered, still fixing his gaze on the guard. Impressive Timmothy thought, his friend always seemed to have a talent for foolish bravery. "It's about his unicorn."

"Oh is it than? What do you know of Maximus? Of course..perhaps you should tell the king personally."

On cue the two boys were surrounded by three other guards, weapons drawn.

Timmothy frowned. "Just great Galen, what now?"

"We see the king?"

The guard glowered. "Get moving."

They followed their captor down the corridors and into a large chamber which looked like a throne room. A tall medium built man with short brown hair and a golden crown with a satin red cushion in the middle sat atop his head, he was the king. The guard bowed low.

"My lord, these are the ones Alexandir has told you about."

The king nodded.

"Thank you Lane, dismissed."

Lane hurried off.

"So, what is it you seek?"

Galen stepped forward.

"We understand you hold a stallion within your royal stable."

"I have many stallions."

"We seek the unicorn stallion you call Maximus."

"Why do you seek him?"

"We wish to take him home."

"This is his home now!"

"This is your home not his!"

"I don't believe this! A mere child telling me what is best for my unicorn!? This meeting is over! Guards!!!"

Alexander and Lane appeared Ready to serve thier King. King Landros narrowed his eyes. "Take these..Fools to the dungeon!"

Lane nodded as the two lead the boys away.

Timmothy frowned. "Be a little more careful will ya? We're goin. Any other bright ideas Galen?"

"I didn't think he'd be that stubborn about it."

Lane frowned "He's usually not this way."

Timmothy glanced back at the guard before being pushed along. "What? He's worse? Ow!"

Alexandir continued. "King Landros hasn't been himself lately, He's obsessed with that unicorn, and now his daughter's gone missing. Hasn't been very pleasent since."

**********************************88

Celest frowned, watching the castle as the sun passed unter the hills. "They're late getting back."

Anne nodded, folding her arms. "Yea."

"Do you think something might have happened to them?"

"I have no doubt. King Landros probably lost his temper again."

Celest looked at the thief. "So they're dead?"

"No, not yet, probably just being held for awile."

"What are we going to do?"

"Looks like we get to do this my way."

Celest looked at Anna, confused.

"What exactly is your way?"

Anna smiled innocently.

"Oh you'll find out."

*******************

Celest looked at Anne. "What exactly did you want me to do?"

Anne frowned. "You can do it can't you? Your a wizard right?"

Celest nodded. "Yes, most wizards can perform illusion spells. But I'm only an apprentice. It might not turn out as well as we're hoping."

Anne shrugged. "Whatever, just as long as you can do it."

Celest nodded. "Muto Militaris!"

Anne glanced at her new armor, then Celest. They both looked like two court soldiers. "Pretty good for an apprentice."

"It's only an illusion."

Anne grinned. "Could have fooled me. Come on, I'll show you the way."

******************

Timmothy folded his arms, sliding down against the wall. "Just great. Well, I always wondered what it would be like to be excecuted for treason. My question will be answered."

"We're not going to die Timmothy."

Timmothy looked up at Galen. "Well, unless you have some new plan I don't know about, it's starting to look very likely that we are."

"Well if your so eager to die, why not leave you here?"

The two whipped their heads around, Timmothy immediatly stood up, looking at the two guards on the other end of the bars. One of them took off his helmet, revealing the face of a very familiar thief. Timmothy gasped. "You!"

Anne grinned. "Nice to see you too."

Galen looked at the second guard in curiousity. "Celest?"

The guard nodded, removing her helmet to release her long golden hair. Anne grinned producing a key. "You didn't think we would just leave you did you?"

Timmothy stepped out first. "The thought had crossed my mind."

Galen frowned. "We can't leave without Jupitar."

Timmothy looked at his friend. "What are you crazy? That Unicorn is what got us into this mess in the first place."

"Which is why we can't leave him. Look, we came this far, we should finish it."

Anne nodded. "I agree."

Timmothy looked at the thief. "Not you too?"

"I have a personal stake in this."

*******************

Under the cover of darkness, the four crept up to the castle. With the help of Celest, they had disguised themselves as guards and crept up to the royal stables. Four guards stood by a large stall.

"That's Maximus' stall. Now remember, Tim says the password. The rest keep quiet."

Timmothy rolled his eyes.

"I still can't believe we are actually stealing a unicorn."

"You have a better idea?"

"Nope."

"Well then stick with the plan."

They all silenced and walked up to the guards, Timmothy leading. The four guards looked up at them.

"Yes?"

"Goldenmoon," said Timmothy.

The four guards nodded and walked off. Galen turned to the stall and fumbled with the latch.

"Hey, help me with this thing."

They nodded and began to tug at the lock, Anna drew her sword.

"Stand clear."

When they moved Anna brought her sword down on the latch, forcing the door open. Suddenly, a gruff voice was heard.

"Fools! You think we don't change our passwords?"

All four wheeled around to see the head guard and eight of his men. Before any of them could run, the guards grabbed them and marched them toward the castle and held them before the King.

"My Lord, we found these intruders trying to steal your unicorn."

"Well don't stand their Cronos, lets see who these imposters are!"

The head Guard nodded, summoning his guards as they removed helmets off Celest, Timmothy and Galen.

"An outrage! How did you two escape, and who are you?" He nodded to Celest.

"My name is Celest."

"You and the other helped them escape didn't you? Cronos, reveal the fourth."

He nodded as two guards removed Anna's helmet. Timmothy tensed, and he was not the only one as cries of shock rang out in the throne room. The King was first to speak.

"Annabelle! How can this be?"

"Surrprised to see your daughter father? Or did you even notice me gone?"

Timmothy blinked in surprise. "Uh, what is going on here?"

Anne looked at Timmothy. "King Landros is so obsessed with the Unicorn, he fails to keep track of his own daughter."

"You will address me as father!"

Anne narrowed her eyes. "Why should I? You hardly know me as your daughter anymore! All You care about is that Unicorn! You ignore your kingdom, ignore me, and you nearly executed your own subjects! If I hadn't been there.."

Landros was infuriated. "You have NO RIGHT TO QUESTION ME!"

"Oh yes, I forgot. Your the King, my father. but you havn't been so in a long time, maybe thats why I forgot."

"I am still King! You WILL recognize that!"

Anne folded her arms. "Than prove it."

"What?"

"Prove to me your king, do something right. No one can ride maximus without a golden bridle. You've never been able to do it. I challenge you father! If one of these three is able to ride him with NO bridle! You must let him go. No strings attached. And then, and only then will I return to the castle!"

King Landros frowned, then examined the four youths. "Your challenge is accepted Annabelle."

Anne smiled. "Then I choose my first champion. Galen."