by Jana LaPelle
He closes his eyes and I lead him out onto the terrace. I point him to the eastern sky and say, “Open your eyes, Pipperton.”
He does so, and is still for just a moment, his eyes wide with wonder. He looks back at me and then back to the overly large full moon. The sky behind us is multicolored as night continues to creep toward the western skyline. He turns and begins pointing, and asks, “What are those tiny lights? Wow. This is amazing! The Underworld’s sky is just red, this is beautiful and amazing and wonderful. Thank you, Mister. Thank you for sharing your world with me.” His look turns serious before announcing, “I’m staying. You know… to fight, Mister? I can fight by your side or by Luc’s, but I’m fighting for this beautiful and amazing realm you call home. It’s your choice.”
“Pip… I lost you once and it about killed me. I was broken after I thought you had died on my watch. I know that you are not the same child that I left behind, and that is still a little hard for me to process, but you are still mine to protect. I love you as if you are my own. I don’t trust Luc and his motives.” I hold up a hand when I see Pip about to protest, “Let me finish. Luc has his own agenda and I have no idea as to what that will be. What I’m trying to say, Pipperton, is that I will be honored to have you fight by our side. I see that your mind is made up, and knowing you and how stubborn you are, I know that you will find a way to follow your heart. I just ask one thing of you. I need for you to go talk to your mother before marching off to battle.”
Pip nods, agreeing and says, “Yes, yous right. I will go back tomorrow, but how will I meet up with you and your army?”
“We’ll work that out before morning. Tonight… let’s enjoy family and friends. That includes you. I’m so very thankful that you lived that day. I was a mess, Pip.”
Pip throws his arms and wings around me, and says, “I love you, Mister! I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed you too. Come on, one of Ashlinn’s favorite things to eat is chocolate, chocolate cake. I think you will love it. We’ll worry about tomorrow and what is to come then. Tonight, we rejoice, and we put all our worries behind us.
Chapter 32
(Ashlinn)
Today we march to… I’m reluctant to complete my thought. My sigh is heavy as I take stock of our troops, all those that will fight with us against the evil that threatens to take over the land. Not just here, but The Mortal Realm as well. If Morríganna succeeds, she will not stop. She will want more, so much more. So today we march toward a battle that will define the future for us all. I stand here pondering her words that echo in my mind and seem to be on repeat this morning, and I can’t make sense of what she meant by, “You don’t even remember me. Yet you seek to challenge me.” Were we acquainted before? In the Overworld? Is that one of the reasons I chose to not receive my memories? Scrubbing my hands over my face, I’m lost to my musings.
The sun is about to rise as I stand looking out over the valley that Glenndale Lock is nestled within. It is our safe haven; I chose this turret of the Keep looking out over all those that have gathered in the meadow beyond the loch to indulge my restless mind. Their tents are a sight to behold and most fly colorful medieval style banners or flags of their people denoting their colors and symbols. It reminds me of a scene from the movie Narnia. I know that I don’t know these people, not like I should, and I feel guilt for not having taken the time that I should have to mingle with them. I feel as though I’m ill prepared for what we will face, that we should have had more time to prepare for what awaits us. and all those who gather here that will follow our lead to a battle that will define The Realms.
I watch as Alaric issues commands to the leaders of our army. Just watching him in action has the ability to lift my heavy heart. A gentle smile tugs at my lips as my heart swells with love for my Elf-Man. He turns and smiles back at me and winks before getting back to business. The eastern sky is ablaze of color now as the sun begins its upward trek to chase away the last remnants of night.
Behind me I hear two pairs of footsteps. Turning, I see Lexie and Jasmine approaching. Lexie is decked out in battle gear, her ash grey druid cloak billows on the wind, her fiery red hair is captured in what started out as a French braid on either side of her scalp that is ridiculously interwoven to create a masterful style that captures her hair but also allows it to hang heavy down her back. Jasmine, well, Jaz as always can carry off any style. Both are wearing similar battle attire, their silver chain mail gleams under the attention of the rising sun. Likewise, they both have metal plated armor pieces as well as wrist gauntlets, thigh high black clad boots and charcoal grey sleek fitting under garments. Lexie’s cloak is a silver grey and upon second inspection, it has all matter of Celtic runes stitched into the hem of the garment in a dark metallic sapphire blue. Jasmine’s cloak is a midnight blue with beautiful silver stitching, again with all matter of Celtic runes stitched into the hem. They look remarkably similar to each other.
Lexie holds out a package for me as she approaches, and says, “Here. This arrived not long ago. It’s a gift from Morgwais. It looks like we all got one. It’s your turn to open yours.”
“So, this just shows up right before we head out, but she is still nowhere to be found? I don’t understand, why is she not here. Doesn’t she understand that she is needed for what is to come?” I huff.
“I don’t get it either. Her coven has been trying to locate her, but nothing they or I have done thus far has given us her location. It’s like she has just vanished and doesn’t want to be found.”
“But we need her. I know we do. I can’t seem to shake the feeling,” I say begrudgingly as I open the fabric package in my hands. I pull on the ribbon and it releases its hold, and like majic the package unravels to reveal a reversible cloak. I’m in awe of the rich fabric and drop the golden ribbon without thinking. A gust of wind plucks it up in mid fall and carries the shimmering ribbon away on the breeze. I look up to see it dancing on the wind before my attention turns once more to the cloak in my hands. One side is a rich dark coffee brown with shimmering strands of gold interwoven into the material. Just like the girl’s cloaks, there are similar golden Celtic markings that line the entire hem of the garment, the coloring matches my battle attire as well. Even if I reverse it to the deep forest green that lines the inside. I hold it up and shake it out and as I do so a tiny scroll floats to the center of the triangle we form as the three of us come together. I hold my breath waiting to see what happens next.
The scroll just hovers between us and Lexie says, “Try putting your cloak on. All our note said was, “All me love, Morgwais.”
Gingerly, I pull the cloak around me, fastening the delicate looking trinity knot that catches at my throat and then shake the fabric free so that it hangs perfectly about me. As I do so the scroll begins to unroll as it hovers between us, and we hear Morgwais’ voice speak, “Me lovely dears, Morgwais misses ye so very much, each and every one of ye. I love ye so, and I be so very sorry to be away from ye all for so long now. It be a necessary evil for now. That wretched Morrígan must not know of me, not just yet. Morgwais asks that ye believe and trust in me. Just know that when the time be right. Morgwais will be there for ye all. Ye be not alone in this endeavor, her evil reign must come to an end. Ye be on me mind and me worry for ye, so to protect ye, me young lasses I stitched these cloaks with protection symbols and cast a protection enchantment on these garments. Wear yer cloaks into battle, me beautiful lasses. Lexie, Mother Druid, ye be skilled in casting enchantments, ye can replicate what Morgwais has done with the cloaks to protect those that fight for the light. It will help but will not protect against a death blow. Be safe. It won’t be long before we meet again. All me love, girls... All me love.” The scroll rolls back up and drops to the ground with a dull thud. The three of us just stare down at it and mull over her message.
Lexie is the first to recover, and announces, “You’re right Ash. We are definitely missing something
here where she is concerned. I don’t think that we will see Morgwais again until we meet The Morrígna and their army in battle, not if her message is anything to go by. I have work to do. I believe that I can replicate the protection enchantment, but it will take some finesse. I should have it ready before we converge on Lár Domhain.”
For a moment I assess Lexie, and ask, “Sammy is safely tucked away?”
“Yes. I’m so sorry for all the times you had to leave the twins behind. It goes against my very nature, but we do this for the future of our children. I’ll meet you below and then we can head out.” Squeezing my hand, she takes off. Her dark cloak billowing in the wind behind her. Sunrise was a sight to behold but since then dark clouds have rolled in and are now blocking the rays of the sun. The temperatures have turned much colder than I thought this time of year would have.
I shiver and pull my cloak closer about me before taking Jasmine’s hand in my own, and ask, “What’s up with the weather? It feels as though it’s dropped twenty degrees in twenty-four hours.”
Jasmine is quiet before she responds, “It’s being rumored that The Morrígna is calling on the energy of the land to empower them. By the drop-in temperatures over the last few days, I’m inclined to believe the rumors. Ash, she has to be stopped, if not, she will suck all the majical energy from our realm and if that happens, I fear for what comes next.” She shivers beside me as we enter the turret staircase and rush down the steps to the ground floor, our footfalls echoing in the massive hall below us. It’s time for us to head out. I take one last look around before exiting the main doors to the courtyard. Alaric has Storm ready for me and I nimbly leap up to mount my horse. She side steps and prances in anticipation, and I lean over to pat the side of her neck and quickly kiss her there.
Alaric mounts Tempest and together we take off as everyone in the courtyard follows our lead out of the gates of the Keep. Once everyone clears the gates, they swing shut behind us. I hear over the clattering of hooves the locks of the gates sliding into place. We’ve left a small group behind to defend the Keep with instructions to surrender if they are attacked, not wanting them to suffer any casualties. Sighing, I think, I’m not ready for this. How can anyone be ready for this? My heart is about to beat out of my chest when Alaric reaches over to take my hand in his own, through our link, he says, “Easy, now mo grá. You are the high princess of this realm and a Queen in your own right. We’ve got this, together.” He smiles, his dimples popping, and I can’t help but relax at his comforting thoughts.
“Thank you, you always know just what to say to talk me out of my internal panic.”
“Once we hit the meadows, everyone will fall in behind us. We will lead the way through the forest. Once we reach the end of the tree line, we will allow everyone to fall into formation behind us before meeting up with Tarron and The Horde. Our scouts have told us that the southern army marches to meet with The Morrígna and their army as they march from the west. My father’s army marches from the north and we should all converge about the same time in Lár Domhain.”
I nod and squeeze his hand before removing mine to spur Storm forward. We both pick up our pace as we reach the end of the bridge that spans the loch to the Keep. The meadow before us has completely transformed in no time. The tents have come down and now all those that support us in our vie to deliver Faerie from the clutches of The Morrígan stand ready to follow us. Alaric looks to me encouragingly and nods. Together we urge our mounts forward to canter toward the forest. I raise my hand and wave as we pass the troops and I’m rewarded with their call to arms. Trumpets sound as we pass, and their call resonates around the meadow as we make our way toward the forest boundary.
Brohmm…
Brohmm…
Brohmm…
Brohmm...
The legion that has sworn its fealty to our cause is quick to fall in behind us as we set out. We ride through the meadow toward the forest that provides the perfect barrier around Glendale Loch Keep. It is nestled away from the rest of the realm. Unfortunately, I have time on the ride to reflect and ponder how we have gotten here, and for a moment I miss Garrik. It doesn’t matter how he came into my life. He chose to be a better Fomorian. He chose to follow the light on the first day that I was able to view Faerie upon my waking. We’ve not had near enough time to mourn his loss, and now we are marching toward a battle whose outcome could spell certain disaster for us all. Cú Chulainn has the Spear of Lugh, which means we’re in trouble. Morgwais is not here, we have no idea as to where she is, but she promises to be there when we need her. There is so much we stand to lose, and I’m not sure how to deal with it all. My mother has been sidelined by my father due to her pregnancy. She was none too pleased about it but relented, because it was the right thing to do. She promised me to look after the twins and Sammy and that does give me some solace. Her fire balls pack a serious punch. They will all be tucked away in our Twilight Realm, so they should all be safe.
During my internal ponderings, we have traversed the forest that I have come to love. Deep within the forest are the most wonderfully enormous trees that I have ever seen. Before I know it, we are standing on a knoll as we watch the rest of our company exit the narrow path from the ginormous woodland. The trees reaching upward to the sky like skyscrapers. The troops behind us fall into formation, and for the first time on this crazy journey, I take note of just how many warriors are to accompany us to our first stop, Tarron’s territory. I’m speechless at the sheer number of those that are following us to war, and my throat clogs with emotion. I have no words. I nod to acknowledge them all, knowing that my acknowledgement is not enough.
With a resigned sigh, I turn Storm to face Alaric and Tempest, he nods before spurring Tempest forward and they take off toward Tarron’s Keep. Tempest’s hind haunches bunch as he launches the two of them westward. We are quick to follow his lead, Storm bounds after them as we set the pace. The further we travel from Glendale Loch the more I steel my resolve. We are doing this. The Morrígna must be brought down, especially The Morrígan. I will have to trust that Morgwais will be there when we need her. Looking up I see Dray’s dragon detail, which gives me comfort. It took some time to gain their numbers as most of them were coming out of hibernation, but now their numbers are strong, and I can’t help but wonder at what their purpose will be going forward. I’m just glad that they are on our side. Hopefully, it will help turn the tide.
As we approach Tarron’s strong hold, I’m amazed to see that the dark fae that have joined him outnumber our own light fae. They are ready for us as we march toward Lár Domhain. Tarron joins us and his ranks fall in behind us. Next, we will meet up with Alaric’s father’s northern territory army. We should meet them in a couple of hours. This is getting real, and I fear for The Realms if we do not succeed. No one has ever won against anyone who has wielded the Spear of Lugh, and I’m left to wonder how we can possibly win this war now? Can faith and sheer will be enough?
Chapter 33
(Alaric)
Looking over to Ashlinn, I see her fear, her resolve, her determination, and her indecision. We have been traveling for hours now. We will soon meet up with my father’s forces and we will call it a night. Tempest ambles toward Ashlinn’s mount, as I move closer, I reach for her hand. Pulling her fingers to my lips, I gently kiss her knuckles and ask, “What has you so vexed, Ashlinn? You have been upset for days.”
She looks at me with wide eyes before inhaling deeply, “Do you remember when Morríganna swooped in just before she executed Garrik? Shortly there-after she said, and I quote, “You don’t even remember me. Yet you seek to challenge me.” What do you make of that? Her words have been playing on a re-loop over and over in my mind for some time now.
Sadly, I look into her whiskey colored eyes and say, “I believe you two were close, before you chose your different destinies. I believe that you were once so close that you chose to forgo your memories so that you could complete the task
at hand. I’m so sorry Ashlinn.”
She looks back at me and says, “Don’t be. It’s not your fault. This is something that I need to figure out, but I think that you’re right. That’s why this has been so personal to her all this time. It makes sense. Once she realized who I used to be before this life, it was like it was game on. Her bitter resentment is so suffocating. If anyone should know, it would be my mother, supposedly we were very close in The Overworld. I wonder why she has not offered up any information.”
“Ash, not all gods and goddesses appeared at the same time in this world. It could have been that once Danu made her choice, you were left behind and found solace in another. You know how wacky time is between The Realms. You could have had more than enough time to forge a friendship in The Overworld before she made her choice to leave her angelic status behind to become a goddess here in Faerie. I don’t know, I’m just making assumptions here.” I squeeze her fingers lightly as we are about to crest a hill. We’ve ridden the whole day through, and I can see that she’s tired. We’ve taken breaks throughout the day so that Ashlinn and Lexie can trace back to the children to see to them for their feedings and reassure them. They are safely tucked away in Taisclainne Anam, no one can get to them, and yet as parents we are on pins and needles.
The sun is on the horizon as we reach the top of the rock-strewn grassy knoll. I’m not surprised to see the troops that are waiting for us in the valley below. We will camp here for the next few days and blend our troops. The dragon shifters have formed at outlook around the valley. They stand as our silent sentinels to keep watch for us as we descend into the valley below. There is a clear crystal stream that feeds a small lake below. It’s the perfect place to camp and wait for intelligence on the progress of our enemies.
Ashlinn gains my attention, “How long has your father been here. It looks like they have been here for days. Everything looks so cozy and welcoming. The tents are so colorful, it looks like a scene out of a medieval movie. Why don’t they make tents like this in The Mortal Realm? I would go camping in that.” She laughs, her eyes twinkling when she looks up at me. “Look, they are even singing and dancing. It sounds like an Irish jig.”