by Jana LaPelle
Looking around I see Lexie smiling up at me encouragingly, my Guard are here, my Fab Five Sentries are here, and Jasmine comes flying in at top speed to land on my shoulder her male companion is not far behind her. I really need to ask for all the deets on her handsome little friend. Everyone is looking at me expectantly as if I’m going to fix Alaric and Tarron’s problems so that all the big kids can play together and get along. I take a deep breath and exhale heavily before speaking, “Alaric, Tarron, I want each of you to think of one thing that you remember liking about your friendship from before. Hold on to that memory because we’re going to come back to that. Now I want you to voice what is holding you back from reforging your friendship. This should not be something superficial. We need to get to the crux of the problem between you both. It’s just us, so just like in Vegas, what is said in this room, stays in this room. Nemus is there something that can be done to ensure that what happens here tonight stays with just us?”
“Yes my Lady, but it is not necessary. Everyone here wants to move forward.” He explains.
“Alaric, I know you’re still angry and want to beat the snot out of Tarron, but that will get us nowhere. Now, on the count of three, I want each of you to voice the one thing holding you back from reforging your friendship,” and I count to three.
”Jealousy,” Tarron says regretfully.
“Betrayal!” Alaric bites out angrily.
I sit and take Alaric’s hand in my own attempting to soothe his ire as I say, “Tarron, explain.”
Tarron stands and paces looking extremely uncomfortable before he begins, “I’ve been jealous of you Alaric since the day we met. Do you remember the day we first met? I assure you that I remember it like it was yesterday. You stumbled upon my mother and me in the woods in our little makeshift shack, and you insisted that we come with you. In your determination, you failed to realize that you had gained an admirer. You took us to Glenndale Loch Keep, and I was mesmerized. I soon learned that you had it all. You had the attention of The Dagda, your uncle and High King of The Realm, not to mention his god status. You were a recognized prince of the Northern Territories, you had Glenndale Loch, and I soon realized that you had every advantage that I should have had… but did not. You were the golden child, and you could do no wrong. For the first time, the rejection of my father began to sting. My mother’s shame at her tryst with Bres resulted in me, an Incubus. I was a dirty little secret. After years of friendship, I eventually turned my back on you because you reminded me of all that I would never have,” He pauses thinking about his next words carefully before continuing, “I was wrong. I was young and immature. I made a mistake. Once I had come to that realization, my path was set, and I wasn’t sure how to rectify that error in judgment or even if I wanted to. Then Danu approached me with her proposal, and I realized that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone like me. The first born son of a king and ruler that had been disowned for being an Incubus, a lower that low dark fae, a demon child, and I promised myself that no matter what, I would hold my chosen close and make her mine. Then I found out that you were my chosen’s kindred. My jealousy was beyond anything that I have ever experienced which angered me. My jealousy did not ease until I got to know Ashlinn. Through her, I was able to see what I had lost. What I had done in the name of jealousy. I’m not the male that I aspire to be, but I think with your help and your friendship I can become whom I want and need to be to lead my people. Alaric the dark fae are in need of a leader, a king, and I intend to be that king, not for the status that it will afford me but because I want to lead the dark fae to greatness. I want them to have a voice in Faerie and Ashlinn has made me see that I can do this for my people.”
Silence hangs heavy in the room as everyone absorbs Tarron’s confession. I turn to Alaric, squeezing his hand in mine and his head is down as he takes a deep breath, “My anger toward you is really not about me. If it were, I could more easily forgive you for your transgressions. Until that night at Raven’s Claw Keep, I held out hope that we could repair our friendship. Then you took her. If you were to take your blood contract, dark majic, and multiply that by one hundred, you will still never understand the depth of the blow you dealt to me when you took her from me. Ashlinn is my life; she is the very air I breathe. I was miles away when I felt the darkness as it took hold of her through our bond. Her fear, her suffering was mine for a time. The connection you felt to her through the dark majic of your contract didn’t reveal how she suffered. Did it? Did you feel her guilt and despair for her actions as she fought to maintain control? No. When you meet your kindred, you will understand. Your betrayal of our past friendship brought me to my knees. I don’t know how to forgive your transgressions because right now all I want to do is throttle you for what you put Ashlinn through.”
I smile at my Elf-Man and then look between the two and ask, “’I’m not saying that the issues addressed tonight will solve your problems, but I think that you both now have a better understanding of the other. That you may actually be able to work through the issues at hand. Now, what was the one thing that you remember liking about your friendship?”
Tarron was the first to respond as he says quietly, “Your acceptance was unconditional. I was a just a child, nobody, but you took my mother and me in without question.”
Alaric speaks up, “You were never a nobody, Tarron. From the start, you felt like my brother. That is why your betrayal cut so deeply.”
Silence hangs heavily in the room before I intervene, “The two of you have much to discuss, and the chasm between you will not be crossed in one night. Might I suggest that the two of you speak privately at some point, soon? Now that you both have something to think about, do you believe that we can move forward tonight? Alaric we are going to need Tarron and The Horde in the war to come, and we have to find three of the lost treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann. So, for now, let’s put this behind us because I have no doubt that the two of you will be able to move forward and mend your broken relationship, although I know it will take time.” I pause before continuing to allow that to sink in, “Now, I think that we need to start with what we know of the prophecy. Nemus do you mind sharing the prophecy with those in attendance here tonight?”
Nemus stands as our dinner arrives and he recites the prophecy that most of us have committed to memory.
The Prophecy
There will come a time when the Tree of Life will fail to thrive,
Others will seek to harness its majic to gain power to all the Realms.
This will be a dark time for The Realms of the living, and all will be lost if the Tree succumbs to dark majic.
A savior will be brought to light, one hidden in the Mortal Realm,
Young and estranged of this world and ignorant of our ways.
She will be the key, strong and full of light, pure of heart, of goddess and noble birth.
Only she with her true mate will be able to overthrow the evil that threatens The Realms
And restore the balance to the cycle of life but only through great sacrifice.
Together they must find the Four Jewels of the Tuatha Dé Danann
With the help of a lost treasure to the Druids, to fight the evil that plagues The Realms.
The savior must not fall to the hands of a mate forged of unnatural and dark majic.
Lest darkness will descend on all The Realms.
“I don’t know about any of you, but this feels and sounds disjointed as if pieces are missing. As if it has been rearranged. The more I think about it, and the more I hear it, it really doesn’t sound as if we have the whole prophecy. That being said, I believe that we need to start our search in earnest to find the lost relics. Since I have been here, I’ve been researching mortal myths and legends, and I think that the Stone of Fál can be found somewhere here in Ireland. What do any of you know of the Stone of Destiny?” I ask as I begin on my soup.
The Dagda’s booming voice rings out, “
The Stone of Fál was brought to Ireland by the Tuatha Dé Danann and was permanently placed on the Hill of Tara. It was there that it served as a coronation stone for the High Kings of Ireland until Cú Chulainn, in a fit of anger, split the stone with his sword when the stone did not sing for his protégé. You see up until that time the Stone of Fál would sing in recognition of the true and rightful king. Its majic rang true until that day.”
“I don’t understand. It sounds like the Stone of Fál still resides on the Hill of Tara. If that’s the case, then it really is not missing and will be of no help to us in our quest to right things in the Otherworld.” I say, thinking aloud.
Nemus clears his throat and steeples his hands before adding to the story, “What most people don’t know, is that once the stone was split it revealed a vein of angel aura quartz. Cú Chulainn was so angry that he and his companions quickly left leaving only Druids behind to make the discovery. They went about removing the quartz from the coronation stone. Then secreted the stones away, it is said that they took the pieces of the quartz and polished the stones turning them into jewels and placed them into a coronation crown that was only used once from that point forward. It is said that King Arthur’s coronation took place in private and when the crown was placed upon his head, it sang. It was never used again. King Arthur’s final resting place is said to be in Avalon, and the crown was supposedly placed on his head before the tomb was sealed.”
Alaric squeezes my hand before saying, “So you think that we need to find the final resting place of the legendary King Arthur, which is said to be in Avalon, the same Avalon that has been lost to The Realms since the time of Camelot. If I remember the stories correctly, The Lady of the Lake is the only one that can grant favor and usher travelers to the majical island. So how do you suppose we find The Lady of the Lake?” The question is directed to everyone at the table as we quietly consider the question at hand and continue our meal.
The first to speak up is from an unlikely source. The old witch, Morgwais, addresses everyone here in a craggy and raspy voice, “The Lady of the Lake be a water deity or nymph if you will. Yes? Her unmatched beauty captured the eye of Myrddin; he also be known as Merlin. It be said that he was bewitched by her and she quickly seduced the cambion, and they became lovers. Under his tutelage, she became very powerful and a recognized priestess. Her rightful name be Nimue, and she rules her sisters and the realm of Avalon. As her final act in her role as lover to the powerful Myrddin, Nimue imprisoned him when he chose to serve King Arthur Pendragon over her own wishes. The stories be unclear as to the why of things and what actually took place between the lovers. Shortly thereafter King Arthur fell in battle, and Nimue and her sisters ushered the fallen king to his final resting place in her realm and then Avalon disappeared into the mist. The veil between The Realms concealed Avalon from The Mortal Realm. That be the stories of old as I have learned them.”
I take another bite of my meal before asking the first thing that I want answers to. “What is a Cambion? I thought Merlin was a Druid.” I inquire to no one in particular.
Tarron is the first to respond. He smiles at me as he says, “Mo solas, a cambion has one human parent and an incubus or succubus as the other parent. As for who or what Merlin really was, I have to defer to our elders in the room.”
Danu grabs our attention as she adds to the information that is being discussed, “I think that the common misconception comes from the fact that Myrddin was an accomplished sorcerer, but he was indeed a cambion. To this day no one knows what actually happened to him. The assumption is that his imprisonment was on the isle of Avalon. Nimue was said to truly love Myrddin and was brokenhearted when he chose to follow King Arthur. Like any minor deity, she gave into her anger and punished her lover. If I were her, I would have made it so that I was the only one that could gain access to my lover’s prison. I don’t think that she would have discarded him so quickly.”
Everyone is talking quietly amongst themselves as we try to absorb all that has been discussed over our evening meal. I’m still working on my plate as I lean over to my little sprite friend and say, “You have a lot of explaining to do my tiny little friend. I was worried about you. You disappeared for days. Do you plan on introducing me to your handsome male friend? Is he your kindred? You're not planning on moving to his colony, are you? I’m not sure that I will let you move away. Not just yet. I know that I’m being selfish but Jaz you need to be a part of this. I just know that you’re meant to be here. You can bring your arm candy if you want. He really is quite yummy, so the two of you have hit it off?”
“Shhh… He can hear you, you know. He may not know it yet, but I’m not letting you go on this adventure without me. By the way, love the baby bump, and the girls seem to want some major attention. What did you do? Shrink your clothes several sizes. What happened since this morning?”
“Jaz, shhh…, everyone can hear you. I really don’t understand the changes that are happening, but I can tell you this. I’m carrying twins.” I say in a hushed voice.
A shrill squeal issues forth from Jasmine as she bounces up and down and announces to everyone in attendance, “Twins?!! You’re having twins?!! That is so amazing. No wonder the girls are begging for attention.”
“Jaz! Seriously? You had to squeal it so loudly that everyone in attendance could hear?” I groan as I lean into Alaric.
His only response is to chuckle and pull me close to him while whispering in my ear, “I guess the jig is up. You look amazing by the way, I like the changes in you that are become more evident. I intend to show you just how much later when we’re alone.”
“Stop it! Both of you. Seriously?” I sigh heavily as everyone around me laughs at the turn of events. “You both are incorrigible. Jaz, you are not off the hook. I want details as soon as tomorrow.” Directing my attention to everyone else I say, ““Okay, I think we’re getting off topic. How do we find The Lady of the Lake? We will need her to find Avalon.” A huge yawn erupts from my core, and I realize that the night has become late, and I’m exhausted.
My kindred takes over, and plans are made to see if we can narrow down the last known location of Avalon in this Realm. Over the next several days we are to look into the archives and continue research. I’m supposed to work with Dagda and my mother to develop my control over the air or rather the wind element. Alaric and Tarron agree to meet in the morning in private with only The Dagda in attendance. I hope that the meeting will go well. I continue to graze on the food around me realizing that my hunger is still not satisfied and I look to Alaric. He only nods and pulls one of the staff aside to make arrangements.
I look to my little friend and say, “Tomorrow Jaz, you come clean. Lexie and I both need to know what is going on with you.”
Lexie hears her name and smiles at us both; it’s obvious that she is engrossed in Declan right now and I have no room to talk. The three of us will get together in the morning for breakfast before training begins. I’m so utterly happy that we are all back together again. It just feels right, and I realize that once more home is where the heart is and my heart is with my kindred and my friends and family.
“I wake to disturbing images from my dreams. It’s only been a number of hours since we drifted off to sleep, but I find that I need to process the images from my subconscious. I miss our terrace from Glenndale Loch and wish that I could stand under the over large moon of the Otherworld. I climb out of bed and go to stand under the dim light of the full moon before the window in our room, a rarity here in Ireland at this time of year. Since Alaric and I have mated the need to wear night clothes to bed has dissipated. They hinder our ability to explore each other’s bodies and once again, I stand exposed and vulnerable under the light of the moon. I look at the shadow that I cast and unlike before evidence of my pregnancy is now visible, all be it, a small change. My belly is now somewhat more distended and clearly more rounded, and my breasts are heavy. The changes that my bod
y is undergoing are no longer something that can remain hidden for much longer. I worry that The Morrígan will take advantage of my precarious situation if she were to get her hands on me. Hence the worry from my dreams, I have no idea what The Morrígan looks like, but images of crows, jet black feathers, and dark crimson blood plague me. A female high pitched cackling laughter is prominent as are the caws from crows that seem to be after me, their beaks and claws are dripping in blood. Closing my eyes and breathing heavily, I try to put the images behind me.
For the time being, we are safe, and I cradle my abdomen in my hands and send all my love and comforting thoughts to the two little ones that are growing within me. I’m so engrossed in my thoughts that I do not hear Alaric slip out of bed to come up behind me as he pulls me in. I melt into him as his hands trace down my arms and move to caress my stomach which feels a little heavy, a sensation that is new to me. The changes are small, but they are there none the less. My babes are eager to make their presence known to the world. The evidence will soon be seen by all.
“You should be resting. What’s plaguing you, mo grá?” His words are accompanied by gentle kisses tracing my shoulder and neck as he runs his fingers through my hair pulling it away for his access.
“My dreams were unsettling. But now they are nothing more than a distant memory, and I cannot grasp their meaning. I know that you’re right, but now that I’m awake, I want nothing more than to have you near me and to get something to eat. For some reason, my stomach feels empty, and I’m craving meat.”
“Come, Ashlinn, I thought you might need something additional to get you through the night. Here put this robe on and come with me.” As we make our way out to the outer chambers of our room, Alaric growls at Nym and Khatar who are playing a game of chess and the two discretely back out to the hallway. I find that the table has been set with slices of rare pink meat. I quickly devour several helpings of beef and lamb. The ravenous feeling in my belly has been abated as I sigh in contentment.
