As Rosie followed her stepmother into the dining room, she saw Edward and Gordon sitting in their usual seats. They greeted Queen Frankie with a stiff politeness, but Rosie was given more sincere acknowledgement.

"Good morning, dearest sister," Edward greeted politely.

"Yes, good morning, Rosie."

"Good morning, Edward. Good morning, Gordon." Rosie greeted her beloved brothers. "It's a lovely day, isn't it?"

"Quite." Agreed Edward, smiling warmly at their only sister, as Sir Topham swept into the room and pulled out Rosie's chair for her.

"Thank you, Toppers," Rosie said affectionately to the butler, who bowed.

"Anything for your Highnesses," He replied politely and sincerely. "I shall bring you breakfast shortly, once your brother Thomas joins you." He bowed again and went to give Queen Frankie the same courtesy.

Rosie smiled at him fondly, before seating herself and turning to look her brothers- who were looking worried, but they did not want to talk with their stepmother so close. Rosie was puzzled, but she had a sinking feeling in her stomach that it concerned their youngest sibling.

"Do start without me, children." Queen Frankie suddenly said, who hadn't sat down in the chair Sir Topham had pulled out for her. "I really must have a word with that gardener!" And she flounced away before anyone could find out why.

"What was that all about?" Asked Rosie, with worry and confusion. She hoped that poor Henry wasn't

"Poor Henry." Sympathized Edward.

"Will you concentrate, Edward?" Hissed Gordon, who was clearly in a bad mood. "Thomas is missing!"

Rosie's eyes widened in alarm. "Missing?" She repeated.

"Yes!" Huffed Gordon. "His bed hadn't been slept in. The Queen suggested he might be in the grounds… but Percy came here while she went to our chambers to get you, and he asked us if we had seen Thomas!"

"And we hadn't." added Edward, worriedly. "Henry saw him last night- he apparently gave him medicine from the apothecary… as he was feeling ill last night." Edward frowned. "Besides, Thomas doesn't normally like going down to market by himself."

"Blasted apothecary!" Fumed Gordon. "We need someone more of an expert on this matter! We need to ask Henry about that potion when we see him!"

"Right now, I'm worried about Thomas." Rosie cut in. "So, he's missing. Henry gave him some potion." She said. Edward nodded in affirmation.

"Where did the potion come from?" Asked Gordon.

"A messenger brought it from market." Edward replied. "At least, that's the story I got from Henry. I'm sure he's innocent of any wrongdoing, of course," he added hastily, as his younger siblings blinked at him. "What I mean to say is, I think…"

"He was tricked." Gordon finished. "Well, that's certainly plausible, but we don't know what happened to Thomas…"

"Erm, I'm not sure if now if a good time to say something," Said Rosie, uncertainly, remembering the blue tinged swan in their quarters. "But…" and she explained everything.

…

"You cannot possibly be suggesting…"

"I'm not suggesting anything. But how many blue tinged swans have you heard of?"

"Alright!" Said Edward. "So, Rosie, you saw this swan in our room, then it flew out of our window, correct?"

The princess nodded. "And just after, our stepmother came in."

"I see." Nodded Edward, thoughtfully. "Come on, we should go to our room. Perhaps the swan left some feathers we can observe."

"You're right." Gordon agreed. "Lead on."

….

The three siblings opened the door to their room.

"It landed on my bed," Rosie reminded them as they all entered, one by one. "It seemed… sad."

"Look!" Exclaimed the crown prince, pointing to a blue hued swan feather glistened on the bed, standing out amongst Rosie's covers. They all gathered round, wondering if this meant something….

"So… could Thomas have been turned into a swan?" Asked Gordon, bemused.

"It's… possible." Mused Edward. "There is magic in the land, Gordon. I know there are the Six Magicians of the Blue Mountains, for example."

"Oh, yes, Skarloey." Gordon said, remembering.

Skarloey was an old friend of Edward's, who was found to have magical gifts. He, along with his younger brother, Rheneas, along with four other men, were all very powerful magicians, for they were the only magical beings in the land who possessed the ability to contact the dead, and consult their spirits, which they often used to right wrongs in concern to justice.

They adored and respected Queen Margaret and had been devastated by her death- in fact, failing to find something to bring her back had been their greatest regret. However, they were determined to ensure that they served their current queen, even if they didn't care for her as much as Queen Margret; as well as serve King Godred and his heirs.

"It's been a while since they were here." Said Gordon, nonchalantly. He remembered, however, that Skarloey and Rheneas had attended Queen Margaret's funeral. They also came for royal ceremonies, but they rarely left the mountains otherwise.

"Skarloey keeps in touch." Replied Edward. "Speaking of, actually, perhaps he could help us in this dilemma."

"Edward…" Warned Gordon. "We have Duck to free."

"Wait, Duck?!" Rosie asked in alarm.

"Right, right." Edward turned to Rosie. "Duck was accused of attempting to murder Sir Glynn, so I am to defend him in trial."

"And I am ensuring Spencer keeps Duck safe and tended to until then." Gordon added grimly. "We are sorry to inform you of this, precious sister."

Rosie's eyes widened in horror and shock as her mind processed this terrifying revelation. Her hand slowly went to her mouth.

"So… Duck…"

"We're doing everything we can to protect Duck," Continued Edward, solemnly. "But we also need to look into Thomas's disappearance, and if magic caused our brother to disappear, surely it can find him again."