(FYI: I do not encourage speaking back to your parents. I simply had to write it that way, as I thought it fit in with Winter's character. Please know that I do not enforce talking back. Thank you. Enjoy!:)

"Daddy, we need to get those 3 Rings." It was a bright and early morning one week from the princesses return home. The Blossom family was seated at their breakfast table. Silver platters of eggs and bacon were being passed around. Clear glasses were filled with coffee and orange juice. The mood was an overall content one. Until Arianna decided to break it.

King Kiel chocked on his eggs, accidentally spitting a few out. Asha, recovering her composure, helped clean him up. Sighing, the king leaned back in his chair. "What was that, my dear?" In a firmer voice, Arianna repeated what she just said. "Daddy, we need to get the 3 Rings before Green Eyes does. Nothing is more obvious in the world than the fact that he is a bad guy. We must go and find them first." Kiel frowned deeply as he sensed what was coming next.

"And Winter and I would like the honors of doing it." Asha gave a muffled cry. "You wish to hunting across the globe for 3 rings? You would be gone forever! The dangers involved...no, my dears. I don't believe I could let you go." King Kiel nodded his agreement. Winter decided to step into this debate. "Mother, father, you both know us. Adventurous as we may be, excluding the kidnapping, the most excitement we've had is falling off a swing. We've never traveled beyond the kingdom borders. But suddenly, our lives are changed when we're kidnapped."

She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, ready to put it all in. "Arianna was questioned by a lunatic who apparently has vibrant green eyes. A man claiming to be a prince then comes to our rescue. Traveling, we happen to run into the hiding place of one of these rings which up until then we still thought were some sort of legend. After that, we come home, and are expected to forget all. Green Eyes wants those rings to become immortal! Imagine and evil immortal! He could destroy the world, as nothing would be able to stop him."

Winter took a breath. "Please, mother, father, someone needs to get those rings. And seeing what we just went through, and the important fact that you couldn't trust anyone else, should be enough. Please guys. Either we find it or he does. And if he finds it, then the whole world is doomed." The Blossoms stared at Winter. She stared back. But in her eyes was fierce determination. She was not backing down.

Seeing her parent not move, Winter started to repeat what she had just said. But then her father's hand stopped her. Winter let her mouth shut and her eyes drop. She noticed immediately that her entire hand was covered by her father's warm one. She then lifted her eyes up, and looked into her fathers. She could see saddens there, but also wisdom. He wouldn't be king without a bit of that, she thought. One last thing grabbed her eye and made her catch her breath. A tear. A single tear meandered its way down her fathers face.

Then, something even more amazing happened. Still staring deeply into Winters eyes, he murmured one word.

"Yes."

Arianna and Winter gasped. Had they heard him correctly? But the king had more to say. He lifted his hand from Winters and leaned back in his chair, draping an arm lovingly over his pale wife. "Yes," he continued, slightly louder. "But on one condition." Winter was so excited she was literally bouncing in her seat. "Yes daddy, yes, anything!" "You take an emphrate (20) of soldiers with you." Winter stopped bouncing. Arianna was shocked. "What? 20 men-at-arms? Daddy, are you kidding me? No disrespect, father, but you realize that 22 people are a rather noticeable group. I'm sorry father, but no, we can't take them with us." The two started going back and forth, with Winter occasionally joining in also.

Until, "Stop children." Asha's firm voice cut through their debate and the 3 of them stopped. She continued. "You are fighting over a large issue, 20 men-at-arms, correct?" They nodded their heads yes. "Well, I do believe I've come up with a compromise." This caught their attention. Winter looked eagerly at her mother. "Well, what is it? We haven't got all day!" Asha frowned slightly, but leaned over to Kiel. He thought it over for a moment, then with a weary sigh, he gave in, nodding his head. But before Asha could tell the girls, he stood up, and left the table. The girls silently watched him walk across the room to the double doors, which opened and closed without a sound.

But Winter didn't let this distract her. As soon as her father was gone, she turned back to Asha. "Well now, out with it mom, before I explode with curiosity." Asha frowned again, but this time mentioned why. "Winter, if you don't start using your manners, I'm afraid you will explode." So, Winter said. "Please, and thank you, but please, please, with a crown on top, please hurry up!"

Now Arianna had to hide her moth behind her hand so Asha didn't see the giggles forming there.

Asha rolled her eyes, a thing she only did in front of her girls. "Fine, dears, here is what I propose, a proposition that your father agrees to. You leave in two days, without the 20 men, but with Jasper."