A ball flew across the arena and Niall darted after it. He flew past her and she forced her eyes open. The dolphin disappeared and she pushed herself up. People were chattering quietly and she looked around. The festival in honor of Alexander's engagement was still taking place and she took a deep breath.

"Here you are."

She looked over her shoulder and found Liam approaching. He took a seat next to her and she rolled her neck to loosen the tension.

"I figured I'd find you around here."

"How long have I been gone?"

He smirked and said "Only three hours."

She looked up at him and he caught her chin. She had truly gone into an image radiant as their mother. Her light blue eyes and long blonde hair captured any sun rays penetrating the water.

"You know there are quite a few men asking for your presence."

She sighed and looked away. Liam chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"I sent them on a wild goose chase."

She laughed and said "Thank you."

He kissed the top of her head and she heard Niall calling her. Rising from the bench, she listened to his words and Liam stood up.

"What is it?"

She shook her head and said "I don't know."

Before he could catch her hand she took off after her friend. Quickly she crossed the distance and found Niall staring up at the surface. She slowly lifted her head above the water and found a ship passing by. Niall gave a call and she watched the ship draw away. She studied the craftsmanship and her eyes widened.

"Follow them, Niall."

He gave a cry of glee and she watched him pursue the ship. Liam surfaced beside her and caught her wrist.

"Where are you going?"

"That ship."

He shook his head and said "It's too dangerous."

She looked back at him and said "That ship has the same markings as the ship ten years ago."

He closed his eyes and said "You won't find who you're looking for, Eábha."

"I have to be certain."

He released her wrist and sighed "That boy was found, I made sure of it."

"Really?"

Slowly Liam nodded and said "You can't go anywhere near him if you do happen to find him. He's a grown man and it could get you killed."

She shook her head and said "I have see for myself. I promise I'll be careful."

He opened his mouth to stop her but she took off after Niall. Frowning, he swam after her and she drew closer to Niall. The dolphin was lingering around some pier supports and she came up beside him. He looked at the docked ship and she slowly drew closer. An elder man walked onto the pier and met two young people.

"Welcome back. I take it your trip was safe."

"Yes."

"How is our cousin?"

"He is fine. Are you planning on joining us on the trip up to the castle?"

The two nodded and the elder man sighed. He looked back at the ship and watched his lord slowly come into view. Eábha found the man tall and dark complected. He was barely recognizable. His brown eyes were new but she saw the light brown mixed in with his dark mane and knew it was him.

"Eábha, let's go."

The hushed voice startled her and she looked over her shoulder. Liam was studying the people on the pier with a stern expression and she glanced back. A woman wrapped her arm around the young man's arm and he looked down at her.

"Welcome home."

He didn't react and walked down the pier, leaving the young people watching him. Leon followed him and they disappeared from sight.

"I swear he is just becoming more stonish each time we see him."

"Christopher, he went to their graves. What do you expect?"

"I'd expect our own cousin to be glad to see us. His demeanor has affected everyone in this town. They use to be cheerful and easy going. Now it's rotting into a dank somber place."

"You're right but unless some miracle comes along, nothing is going to change unless we take matters into our own hands."

The two slowly disappeared from sight and she leaned her head against the support. She had always heard stories about the valley towns but never something so cold and horrible.

"This is not something you can fix, Eábha. Let's go home."

She took a deep breath and followed her brother below the water. Niall swam silently beside her and she let the conversation run through her head again. A town losing its happiness means it will crumble and something had to be done. She glanced at Liam and they slowly entered their home. Voices carried from the throne room and she sent Niall home.

Quietly she made her way to the throne room and found her father speaking with Alexander.

"I am sure your sister is in approval of this marriage, Alexander."

The man sighed and said "She disappeared not too long after the festival started."

Felic closed his eyes and said "Give her time. You know what today is."

Alexander nodded and glanced at the door. He met her blue eyes and smiled. Quietly she approached them and he took her into his arms.

"I'm glad you're safe."

She looked up at him and asked "Why wouldn't I be?"

He looked over her and said "You vanished with no trace of where you went."

"She was with me."

They looked back at the door and Liam entered the room. He met his father's gaze and quietly joined his siblings.

"Everything is okay?"

He nodded and said "We just went for a swim."

Felic looked at his daughter and she looked back at her oldest brother. He kissed her brow and looked at Liam.

"Good. Now, I want to talk to you two about possible arrangements."

"You aren't even married and you want to bring her in here?"

Eábha laughed and the sound lightened the atmosphere. Felic watched the siblings leave the room and listened to their quiet voices disappearing. He let out a sigh and took a seat. Ten years ago they had been together and had a ceremony, but it was a ceremony of death for their mother. Looking at how his daughter has grown up, he found himself looking at Sile every single day and was very protective of her.

Both Alexander and Liam had taken it upon themselves to help convince her that their mother's death wasn't her fault. He didn't know if she eventually accepted it or just learned to hide the guilt well enough to fool anyone. When she first started spending time on her own, he worried but understood the need for privacy. When one is constantly being surrounded by their family some quiet time is the only remedy to clear one's head. A knock came from the door and brought the king from his thoughts.

He watched a young man by the name of Seathurn enter the room. He was followed by a known champion named Alabhaois. The two men quietly approached him and he relaxed in his chair.

"Coming to see if we found my daughter?"

They both nodded and he said "She was with Liam the whole time."

Seathurn sighed and said "That is good to hear."

Alabhaois frowned and asked "What could they have possibly done for almost four hours?"

Felic shook his head and said "They apparently went for a swim."

The young men didn't like it and exchanged looks. Seathurn quietly left the room and Felic met the young man's fierce gaze.

"Do you want something else?"

"Yes."

He watched the young man get his words together and waited. It had been a while coming but he was a bit surprised Seathurn was giving up this easily.

"Your Majesty, I wish to ask for your daughter's hand."

He rubbed his chin and asked "Have you presented this to her yourself?"

The man looked away and said "I tried but she wouldn't take me serious."

"Oh?"

He nodded and said "She just laughed and told me to stop teasing her."

That did sound like his daughter but he still wondered why she would turn down this one. Seathurn was more likely to fail when compared to Alabhaois.

"I will speak with her tomorrow about your request."

The young man smiled and said "Thank you very much."

He gave a bow and silently left the room. Felic sighed and shook his head. The past two years suitors from all over pledged for Eábha's hand but each one either gave up or were personally refused. Shaking his head, he rose from his chair and left the throne room. He made his way to the family wing and heard the soft laughter coming from his daughter's room. He stopped outside the door and heard Liam's deep voice speaking to her.

"I swear those two were going to kill each other for you."

Eábha continued laughing and held her pillow to her. She enjoyed hearing the tales her brother told of the young men wanting her hand. Each request was futile but she couldn't bare to tell her father the truth.

"Did they start a scene?"

Liam nodded with a smirk and said "I had to personally break them up."

"I'm sure you got a few hits on both of them."

He chuckled and asked "Do you take me for a monster?"

She laughed again and heard a knock come from her door. Looking over her shoulder, she watched her father enter the room and her laughter slowly fell silent.

"I think lying to your sister is getting a bit ridiculous, Liam."

The man smirked and said "Hey, it get's her laughing."

Felic shook his head with a smirk and said "As wonderful as that sound is, telling her the truth would be better."

Eábha watched her brother shake his head and cross his arms. She truly didn't want the truth and he knew it. He was always good at creating scenes and making them seem real.

"It's fine, Father. I enjoy it."

"I know. Eábha, I've been approached by Alabhaois."

She sighed and asked "What did he ask?"

"The same as the last five suitors."

She closed her eyes and collected her thoughts. Speaking the truth would crush him but she didn't know how to worm out of this discussion.

"Do you like him Father?"

Felic studied her guarded expression and slowly nodded. She didn't show any reaction and he waited. He knew she wasn't speaking what was on her mind but he needed to know why she refused every last good offer.

"Liam, would you please allow me to speak with your sister privately."

The man shot her a worried look and she nodded. She knew this conversation would come eventually and watched her brother leave. The door closed behind him and Felic took a seat beside her on the bed.

"What happened today, Eábha?"

"I needed some time to think from the festival."

Felic watched her slowly and asked "Four hours?"

She silently wished he would let it pass but knew he wouldn't. He was very intuitive and that is what made the man a great leader.

"Niall was chasing a ball and found something, so I went to check it out."

"Was Liam with you at this time?"

She slowly nodded and prayed he would drop it.

"What did Niall show you?"

"I don't want to get you into anymore trouble, Liam. I'm so sorry."

"A ship."

She watched the ease in the king's green eyes disappear and closed her eyes. He had been very strict about surfacing and she knew this lecture would not be avoided.

"You went to the surface?"

"Yes."

His frown deepened and he asked "What did you see?"

Slowly she looked at him and said "A ship very similar."

"To what?"

She looked away. The answer he wanted was going to only make him more angry.

"To the ship ten years ago."

Felic let out a low sigh and retained his temper. He knew he couldn't keep her from venturing to the surface but now this. He had personally seen that his late wife's wish for that boy's safety was fulfilled.

"What did you see?"

"Him."

The king closed his eyes. He didn't want to believe that boy had grown up and still existed.

"Father, their town is suffering."

"No Eábha."

"Father, you know we have to do something."

"I said no."

He rose from the bed and walked to her door.

"You can't let another town crumble to nothingness."

"It isn't our problem."

"Mother would disagree with you."

His hand stilled on the handle and he took a deep breath. She knew he was hurt and she hated using the truth like this.

"If you go up there again, I will ground you myself."

She closed her eyes and said "I won't stay here and let another town die."

He turned to her and met her fiery gaze. It was as if Sile was looking at him instead of his little girl.

"My word is final."

She looked away from him and he left the room. Drawing her knees closer to her chest, she screamed into her pillow and closed her eyes. Another town was going to die when she could help them. It was their purpose of living to keep the land civilizations alive and yet here the king was going to let another one just fade into nothing. Slowly she lowered her pillow and climbed off her bed.

She moved to her window and glanced back at her door. Taking a deep breath, she slid out her window and headed for the courtyard.

"Eábha?"

Stilling at the voice, she looked behind her and found Alabhaois watching her. He smiled and she forced a pleasant on in return.

"Going somewhere?"

"Just getting some fresh air."

He studied her well developed mask and said "As long as you don't go disappearing again I think it's okay."

She barely held back the sigh and nodded.

"Did your father approach you about my offer?"

"He mentioned it."

"And?"

She placed a hand on his arm and said "Give me a little time to think it through."

He nodded and said "Take all the time you need."

"Thank you."

Quietly she pulled her hand back and took off. Waiting until she was out of sight, she diverted her course to an old sea forest. The sunlight disappeared as she entered and she held her breath. She moved between the plants and prayed she was doing the right thing.