Of Flame and Light: Bind

By: M14Mouse

Summary: The knights visit the entrance to the trials. They discuss Nick and Chip and what happens next.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

It was easy to miss the entrance to the trials. Most people expect it to be grand in appearance. When in reality, it was a hole in the ground. Due to time and age, it was a hole in the ground covered in moss.

It was more impressive once you get inside but it did leave an undesirable impression on one self. Although, it did have serve its purpose at being hard to find and such but that didn't stop the Master.

Nothing could really.

Catalina dug into her pocket and pulled out her pocket watch. She opened the pocket watch and hummed to herself.

"Rasa, they are late again," She said as she patted the giant snail.

She felt the familiar pull of a portal then the sound of hooves on the ground. She tilted her head slightly to her brothers come out of the portal.

"You're late," She said.

Leanbow snorted slightly as he pulled his brute of a horse to a stop.

"I'm still not quite how you beat us since we started before you," Leanbow said.

"Rasa is just faster."

Daggeron laughed and Leanbow grumbled.

"You two always argue about this."

"It is a rather fun debate," She said cheerfully.

"It is a debate that we can have later. First off, do you sense anything? I don't sense anything evil presence," Snow Prince said.

She tilted her head slightly.

"I couldn't sense anything but we haven't checked inside. Of course, we can't…not until we start the trials," She said.

"Neither do I," Leanbow said.

"Me either," Daggeron added.

"I can sense something…but barely. It is like a distant memory. I am unsure but it was better than it once was," Snow Prince said.

She could understand the knights of old did this. It was protect against outside influences. But to quote Ms. Vida…it was pain in the ass that they couldn't check the trials for themselves. Once they "unlock" the trials, they could get a better sense of it. They couldn't "unlock" it when they wanted too. The Trials had it own sense of magic to see what is false and what is real. If is under false pretenses, it would reject the knight in question. The knight is banned from taking another student to the Trials. While it might not effect the knights of old, now they don't have that choice anymore.

The reason that the others were allow in was because they weren't knights. They only thing that they could see was rocks, moss and maybe a few bats. The magic didn't start until a knight and the student came in.

"Are they ready?" Snow Prince said.

"I believe that Nick is ready. His fight against the Master is proof enough. My vote is yes." Leanbow said.

"I believed that was a group effort," She pointed out.

She understood that Leanbow was proud of his son. He should be but there is a fine line beside pride and ego. She wasn't about to take away what the others have done.

"I realize that," Leanbow said.

She didn't want to fight her brother. She could take apart Nick and his training. It was enough so that she could change her vote but she wanted to see how her brothers voted for Chip.

"I was impressed on how well that he handled his parents. Both sets. My vote is yes."

Leanbow grumbled to himself. She just tilted her head and smiled. It was a rather interesting affair to watch. Best of all, no one died.

"Agreed. He also did well in training and challenges that he faced as a ranger. My vote is yes," Daggeron said.

"All of you bring up excellent points. My vote is yes as well," Snow Prince said.

"Now, we move onto Chip," Leanbow mumbled.

"He took out your knee caps." She said with a smile.

"We were training. How did you know about that?!"

"He still took out your knee caps. He also was the only one willing to take you on while Ms. Vida was a vampire. Rather impressive if you ask me."

"He lost."

"He still was willing. More so than the others," She pointed out.

Leanbow grumbled softly.

"He handled the Huntsmen quite well. They might even think of him as a brother in arms. For that…my vote is yes," He added.

She smiled brightly. One vote down two votes to go.

"While Chip had his faults, he is loyal, determined, and willing. He threw himself into his training and for that…I'm glad. So, he has my vote. My vote is yes," Daggeron said.

She turned her attention to Snow Prince.

"My vote is no. Don't say anything yet, Catalina. I know you and you will probably withdraw your vote for Nick if I say no. Your boy has too many faults. He is flighty and childish. I can't stand for a boy such of him to join our ranks."

She eyed the Snow Prince carefully. She had to choose her words wisely or this will be for nothing.

"I will withdraw my vote for Nick and bring my case up to Mother," She said.

Snow Prince's eyes widen.

"You wouldn't."

"I will."

His eyes narrowed at her.

"Tell me then why should I change my vote," He said.

"I'm not telling you anything. I am telling you why my vote is yes. Yes, Chip is all of those things that you speak of. That is what I like about him. He has heart. The room is alive when he entered. We are a cold group. We lost a lot of heart to past wars and death and we are tired. We need that heart again. Flighty? Chip is no such thing. He is much an arrow. He has a goal. He is draw to it and will stop at nothing to complete it. You vote for the Light. I vote for the Cutter." She said with a shrug.

"What did you call him?" Daggeron said in surprise.

"That is what the Huntsmen are calling him. The Shadow called him lachesis. I did some research. She is one of the Greek goddess of fate. It is a fitting name. He blushed when they talk about him so. It is rather cute. I can image that if you don't vote him through and Mother says no, the Huntsmen will take him. Sooner or later, he will lead them. We will be lost. Nick is only one. He will be surrounded by grumpy bunch of knights. He may burn bright but he can only guide for so long. Sometimes, a spark is needed in those moments. A brother in arms, perhaps."

"You know something," Snow Prince said angrily.

"I always know something. Weather it happens, it is all govern by the choices made."

Snow Prince stared at her and sighed.

"You play a dangerous game, sister."

"I have no time for games, brother."

"The boy did well against the Queen. I supposed that it does cause for me to change my mind. Very well…My vote is yes," Snow Prince said.

End of Bind

A/N: This wraps the second story in the trilogy. Originally, I was going to write Chip and Nick's Trials here. The longer the story become, the more I thought it would be good idea to break it up. I know from my timeline chart…they are going to be long. I thank everyone for reading this story. Read and Review if you wish.