Hello all!

Welcome to the seventh episode of my season six for Lost Girl. This story is an origins story and stands semi-alone from the rest of the season while still firmly rooted in the folklore and mythology of Lost Girl. The main characters are Bo and Lauren, and they are tied to the Bo and Lauren in season six, but only loosely so. This description is so vague I'm making myself frown here, but you, my intelligent reader, will no doubt start understanding what I mean as soon as you begin to read the story.

This story is long, and I know how it ends, but I still have some ways to go/write before the finish, so although the updates will be quick for the first couple of chapters, they'll be slower as we progress. I also have a sequel in mind, but I'm not sure if that will ever come to fruition. I suppose that will all depend on your responses to this tale! :-)

Important to read!

Some thirty years before this adventure begins the Fae nation is plunged into upheaval when the Fae King of Alba, Montgomery Fitzroy dies childless. Upon his death the royal house of McKenna and that of Guildford both claim the throne. Unable to solve their differences, Alba is split in the middle, the Northern provinces backing the Gifford candidate, those of the Southern provinces proclaiming Killian McKenna as their rightful king. Not long after, civil war erupts with devastating consequences.

The Heir of Arundel starts when Bo and Lauren are in their late twenties, Lauren is engaged to be married to Dyson, Bo's brother and Bo is very jaded. Bo, Lauren and Dyson are childhood friends, but Bo and Lauren have not seen each other for years. After our beloved couple meets again, the story jumps back in time with flashbacks, some longer than others, to explain how those two people ended up where they did. Once the flashbacks are over, we get back to working on Bo and Lauren getting together.

The heir of Arundel is a mix of Game of Thrones, Lost Girl, War of the Roses and some very old values, but at the core of it all it is a love story. It is a story about relationships between people and that one relationship in your life that shapes and defines much of who you are or want to be. :-)

Thanks!

This story was in part inspired by Arcanadh's version of a very old Scottish folk song called Anachie Gordon that I first became familiar with when I lived and studied/worked in Ireland for a year, so thank you Michael for introducing me to this wonderful music! :)

Thanks as always to you my readers for reading my dribble! :-)

Enjoy!

The Heir of Arundel

Prelude

Anachie Gordon

Harking is bonnie
And there lives my love
My heart lies on him
And will not remove
It will not remove
Oh for all that I have done
Oh I never will forget my love Anachie

For Anachie Gordon
He's bonnie and he's rough
He'd entice any woman that ever he saw
He'd entice any woman and so he has done me
Oh I never will forget my love Anachie

Down came her father and he's standing by the door
Saying Jeannie you're trying the tricks of a whore
You care nothing for a man who cares so very much for thee
You must marry Lord Sulton and leave Anachie
For Anachie Gorden, he's barely but a man
Although he may be pretty but where are his lands?
Oh the Sulton's lands are broad and his towers they run high
You must marry Lord Sultan and leave Anachie

With Anachie Gordon I'd beg for my bread
And before I'll marry Sulton it's gold to my head
With gold to my head and gowns fringed to the knee
And I'll die if I don't get me love Anachie
And you that are my parents to Church you may me bring
But unto Lord Sulton I'll never bear a song
To a son or a daughter, I'll never bow my knee
And I'll die if I don't get me love Anachie

Jeannie was married and from church she was brought home
And when she and her maidens so merry should have been
When she and her maidens so merry should have been
She went into her chambers she cried all alone

Come to bed now Jeannie me honey and my sweet
For to style you my mistress it would be so sweet
Be it mistress or Jeannie it's all the same to me
But in your bed Lord Sulton I never will lie
And down came her father and he's spoken with reknown
Saying you that are her maidens go loosen off her gowns
But she fell down to the floor so close down by his knee
Saying father look I'm dying for me love Anachie

The day that Jeannie married was the day that Jeannie died
And the day that young Anachie came home on the tide
And down came her maidens all wringing of their hands
Saying oh it's been so long you've spent so long on the sands
Oh so long on the sands, so long on the flood
They have married your Jeannie and now she lies dead

You that are her maidens go take me by the hand
And take me to the chamber that me love she lies in
And he's kissed her cold lips till his heart has turned to stone
And he's died in the chamber that his love she lies in

The Heir of Arundel

Chapter 1

County Arundel, Arundel Forest
A week before the wedding

"So when is your 'betrothed' scheduled to arrive?" Bo asked as she skillfully guided her horse to ride up next to her brother's.

"She isn't my betrothed yet" the handsome blonde man said with a grin.

"What are you talking about?" "You and her have been betrothed since forever." Bo countered.

"We haven't exchanged rings yet." "So, technically.."

Bo rolled her eyes at his grin. "God, Dys" she said "It's Lauren."

"Isabeau." Bo blinked. Her brother didn't often use her full name. If she recalled correctly, the last time he had was when they were ages eleven and seven, and Dyson had very seriously impressed upon her that she shouldn't play with their father's sword. He had made her take a solemn vow not to touch it. She'd made it, and had broken it about fifteen minutes later."She is my intended." "My future wife" he said formally.

Bo rolled her eyes at her brother's seriousness. "It's Lauren, Dyson" "She's like our sister." "You know the girl that beat you at chess and every other game you and her played." Bo said amused.

"The only thing she ever lost at was sword fighting with you." Dyson relaxed and laughed remembering.

Bo laughed along with her brother disentangling the memory from how she currently felt about the Elf, and smiling. "Do you remember how mad she was?" "Huffing and puffing, her face was all red, smoke about to come out of her ears!" "Don't think I"ve ever seen an Elf that angry!"

"They're not really used to losing I think." Dyson reflected amused.

"Yeah, well" "They might be Elves, doesn't mean they have to be the best at everything." Bo tried, but it was hard to keep the scoff out of her words.

"You weren't here when she last came over, Bo." "She's grown up, she's changed." Dyson offered "She's the most political astute woman,…person I have ever met."

Bo raised a brow semi-annoyed. Of course Lauren was politically savvy. She was always the smartest person in the room. She didn't need to be reminded of that. "Someone had to lead the troops, Casanova." "I am sure you two will have perfect blonde babies with perfect political acumen together."

"Acumen?" "Bo, have you bought yourself a second book or have the whorehouses in town upgraded their vocabulary?" Dyson said teasingly.

Bo chuckled and was about to swat her brother over the head, when all of a sudden the hair on the back of her neck stood up, all of her senses on high alert, warning her for imminent danger. She reached for her sword and looked over to her brother. His eyes were flashing as white as hers were.

"Duck!" she yelled as an arrow whizzed straight at her brother's head. With an agility few of his kind possessed Dyson of Arundel kicked off from his stirrups, propelling his body backwards, the arrow narrowly missing him. He landed on his feet behind his horse, his sword was drawn and ready. His sister had done a similar move landing in front of her horse.

"Ambush!" The blonde knight yelled as two men rushed at him from the bushes. He deflected the first blow with his sword, then yanked the man by the arm and landed a hard kick to his sternum. The man fell to his knees. Dyson ducked the other man's wild charge, and mounted his own. Dyson's stroke of swords came at a furious pace. In six swings left and right Dyson had driven his opponent on the defensive, the last flash of his sword sending the other man's weapon and head whirling through the air. Behind him the sound a body sagging to the ground made him whirl around.

Isabeau of Arundel glared down at the body at her feet, her sword sticking out of the head.

"Damn it!" Bo half yelled as she walked up to the body and retrieved her sword. She put her foot under the man's body and tipped it over. A green overcoat adorned with a silver thread family crest told her all she needed to know. "O"Breen" she spat. "How dare they?" "This is Arundel land!" "We"re not even half a day's ride from home!" Bo said hotly frustrated and sick to the stomach with the on and off again war that had plagued the country for 30 years.

"Let's go" Dyson said as he was already mounting his horse again. "We need to tell father about this as quickly as possible."

Arundel Castle 3 hours later

"Close the gates!" The gatekeeper yelled out as both Bo and Dyson sped through the gate past the heavy iron portcullis and into the massive courtyard of Arundel Castle. Reigning in their horses they came to a hurried stop. When Bo dismounted, a young boy with red hair came running up to her.

"Milady Isabeau." he said swallowing "Welcome back."

"Gavin" the brunette said with a big smile as she saw the scrawny kid's grin. "Moving up, I see?" Last time the brunette had seen Gavin, he had been a kitchen help. Now he was working under their head horse caretaker John Green. 'take Astor and before you feed her, make sure you dry her off, she's been running for three hours straight" Gavin nodded at her and led the horse towards the stables.

Brother and sister crossed the courtyard in hurried strides and entered the main part of the castle. The Great Hall with its vaulted ceilings and large windows was an impressive space with lots of natural light that illuminated the hardwood floors and carved out woodwork. Here sat the Lord of the Castle as he presided over affairs of the dukedom. Bo grinned as she saw her father scribble on one of the scrolls that lay stacked around him. When he looked up from his work behind the massive oak table, Thomas of Arundel's fair features lit up in a smile.

"Isabeau!" he exclaimed contently as he moved towards his daughter with arms wide open. Bo ran into his embrace and wrapped her arms tightly around him as he smothered her in kisses.

"Welcome home, sweet girl" Dyson watched the reunion with a big smile on his face. Thomas of Arundel opened up the embrace to his son, and for a few minutes the three of them stood hugging, breaths held and hearts overjoyed.

"There is no greater happiness for a man than to have his two children safely in his arms" an emotional Duke of Arundel said.

"Father" Bo said after pulling back from their hug, her face changing from giddy to serious "We were ambushed."

Thomas of Arundel's hands were clenched when Bo finished her story of the attack, his jaw locked. The Duke exhaled. His voice was even when he spoke.

"There is only one reason the O'Breens would have been this daring" 'dyson, your upcoming marriage to Lauren is what triggered this" "We must at all costs, protect the alliance" 'they will strike again"

"I will make sure we prepare the castle for a possible attack" Dyson replied immediately.

"Send a courier, father." "Some of my best men are only a day away" "Bo offered. 'tomorrow my men and I will escort Lauren to the castle"

Thomas of Arundel nodded at his children. "Very well."

Dyson turned towards his sister. "Come on, Bo." "Help me with the preparations."

Several hours later, Bo's bedroom

Bo stood out on the balcony of her room and stared out into the darkness surrounding her. She reached out with her senses and could not detect any immediate danger, though deep in the pit of her stomach, a feeling of unease churned. With a small sigh of relief that they would have some time left, Bo looked down into the courtyard of the castle. It was quite calm compared to midday when it would be bustling with activity, but the castle was on full alert, which meant round the clock sentry duties for the guards. Bo had spent the better part of the day preparing the castle for war. Next to having the smithy produce new weapons, and armor, checking it and equipping the men, it had also entailed checking the food inventory, and the integrity of the water supply in case of a long siege. It wasn't uncommon for lords to hire masons at the last moment to patch holes in their walls, but Bo had checked the wall herself, and there had been none. The walls were as solid as they day they had been built. Apart from a few patches here and there she had the carpenters fix, the wooden structures also, along with the defenses for the Inner Keep were well kept up. In times of war, it was also the lord's duty to provide protection and shelter to his subjects. There were preparations for that to be made as well. Accommodations in the form of beds, and cots were made, rooms were reallocated, extra wool had been stockpiled, the castle duties needed to be rotated and amended,.. All in all, it had been a very full day. When her brother had rode up to meet her earlier this morning to escort her, the brunette hadn't envisioned this type of homecoming, she hadn't envisioned running from one battle into the next.

Still, there were things to be thankful for. Spending time with her brother and father had long been on her mind. She hadn't been home in six months as she led the Arundel forces across the land aiding the true king, and a break from command and war was a nice change of pace. Bo being home also meant her men had time to visit their wives, family or the local pub and/whore house if they preferred. For them also, this time, was a much needed respite.

Bo took in a deep breath. She loved the cool night air, the million stars above and the smell of approaching spring that hung in the air. The young Arundel's thoughts drifted to her brother's future wife. The lithe girl in silver garments and golden hair was supposed to be all grown-up now. She supposed her brother was right about that. Bo's memories of the Elf mostly stemmed from childhood, early adulthood. Bo didn't allow herself to think of Lauren often. In fact, over the years, she had trained herself not to, but there was something about tonight. Perhaps it was being here again, being in Arundel when the weather was changing, when a softer climate made for softer temperaments, that made Bo think about the first time she saw Lauren of Eolas.

Bo was six, and the day was bright, hot and sweltering, she had been out in the forest all day climbing trees, swinging over creeks, running, jumping, practicing her archery and rescuing imagined damsels in distress. Her father had told her not to leave the castle. They were expecting important guests and Bo needed to be present and presentable upon their arrival, but the lure of adventure had been too strong for Bo to resist. By the time she emerged from the forest, daylight had almost faded away. Afraid her father would be upset with her, Bo ran as fast as she could towards the castle. She never even really noticed the white beautifully ornate carriages that made up the royal party. Nor did she give pause to the magnificent beasts that pulled these carriages, but Bo stopped dead in her tracks, with eyes and mouth wide when she was greeted by a sight that to her was more beautiful and bright than that of the setting sun. There from the second carriage, the head of the most breathtaking creature Bo had ever seen stuck out. She had glowed, even more so than her elven kin around her and the sun above her. That day little Bo had wished with all her heart that Lauren could have been one of those damsels to rescue.

Bo scoffed. She hadn't thought about that day in years, and the fact that the memory alone still made Bo's heart skip a beat, annoyed the Obscura to no end. Involuntarily, Bo's thoughts jumped to their last encounter. It never paid to think about Lauren of Eolas.

Silverwood Forest, near Eolas Castle

Lauren of Eolas ran through her childhood woods at an incredible pace loving the scent of the forest in her nose and the pulse of the creatures around her. Her run was a fluid motion of perfect timing. In one single leap, the blonde jumped from tree to tree penetrating ever deeper into Silverwood forest. After hours of running at full speed, Lauren halted at her favorite tree and sagged down on one of the great, strong branches, leaning back against the trunk of the mighty tree. She laid her head back and concentrated on steadying her breathing and heartrate while fingering a beautiful, delicately carved ring that hung around the necklace she was wearing. Elves prided themselves on their inexhaustible energy, but Lauren knew better. True, elves had a natural stamina that far exceeded that of any other species, but when pushed far enough, elves too could be breathless and feel like their heart was pounding out of their chest. Most elves didn't see the point in testing their abilities to the point of exertion. In fact, the practice was mildly frowned upon, or seen as something only an Elven child would do, as it seemed to shatter the unfazed image elves had and so dearly loved to protect. Lauren, on the other hand, loved it. She loved science, politics and other intellectual pursuits, and was considered a great mind to her own people, but physical exercise made her feel alive, cleared her mind, and relaxed her. Tonight, however, her running didn't seem to have the desired effect as the weddings bands she had brought with her were still burning a hole in her pocket.

"Dyson of Arundel" she silently whispered the name of her husband to be. It had been almost a year since she had last seen the blonde, handsome knight, and she smiled faintly at the memory. Dyson was a knight in the truest sense of the word: kind, well-spoken, intelligent, loyal, diligent. Lauren had no doubt that he would make a fine mate, and she had no doubt that their life could be a pleasant one, that by binding herself to Dyson, she would help her people greatly.

Elven children didn't age as human or Fae children did, instead Elves aged until the age of nineteen and then decided for themselves if they wanted to experience growing up again or if they wanted to move into adulthood, and age beyond nineteen. For Lauren it meant that she had had several childhoods and that she was Dyson's elder by more than fifty years. But when she thought about it, she didn't think the age difference would be a problem. Dyson had grown up so much, had become so mature, and wise. In fact, she couldn't find one logical reason to think her marriage to Dyson wouldn't be a successful one, which left only one illogical reason.

Perhaps it wasn't entirely illogical.

After all, factoring in feelings, emotions into an equation like marriage wasn't illogical, was it?

The fact of the matter was that however much she liked Dyson, loved Dyson, she just simply wasn't 'in love' with him.

And then there was his sister, Isabeau. Isabeau, dark-haired dark-eyed, wild, untamed, unbridled, temperamental and gorgeous Isabeau, the complete opposite of her wise, even-tempered, fair-haired brother. Lauren sighed from sounding out the name in her head. How conflicting could a name be? As Lauren's thoughts drifted to Isabeau of Arundel, her eyes narrowed and an unnatural tenseness settled in her muscles. She half scowled as words she knew by heart pushed their unwelcomed way to the forefront.

Bardon city was sacked in an attack led by Isabeau of Arundel" "Sometime during the night of November 5th, Arundel Fae forces gained entrance to the city of Bardon" "Witness accounts state flames were first seen by the west tower. The city's Cathedral, the northern suburbs, and eastern barracks followed" "The Fae forces headed by Isabeau of Arundel were seen exciting the city at 2am while the city burned to the ground" "It is estimated that…"

Lauren swallowed the bile that was threatening to come up. The Elf focused, and with great effort willed herself away from the memory of a report that had broken her heart.

She didn't want to think about Isabeau and Bardon, she didn't want to deal with the duality inside her that Isabeau always conjured up. She had enough to deal with with her upcoming marriage. The wedding band around her neck felt heavier than usual as she fingered it again and breathed through the turmoil inside of her.

The evening light was fading. It was time to return to the city.

Eolas Castle

"Mother?" Lauren asked as she joined her mother on her bedroom balcony.

"Lauren" Eleanor of Eolas said with a kind smile. The Queen Regnant of Eolas wore a beautiful long, elegant blue dress that perfectly matched the blue color of her eyes. With high cheekbones, and perfectly golden, slightly curled hair, Lauren's mother was the epitome of beauty, grace and elegance. Lauren always felt like a tomboy dressed mostly in typical Elven hunting clothes with tight fitting fabrics and patches of leather laced with mithrill for protection.

"Mother" Eleanor looked at her child and saw the hesitation on her face before she spoke "I don't love Dyson" "I mean" Lauren rolled her eyes at herself for being vague "I am not IN love with him."

Eleanor nodded understandingly. "And you are worried that you never will be?"

The Elf nodded.

"I see you have been running again." Her mother remarked kindly.

"It didn't help." The blonde replied.

"Lauren, when my family picked your father to be my eternal, I was worried too."

Lauren looked up, finding her mother's eyes. "Oh?"

"I had never seen your father before" the older Elf continued. "I was leaving everything and anything I knew behind" "It was frightening."

Lauren blinked at her mother's use of the word "frightening". Emotions were a topic not often discussed or even felt as elves, especially not one as potentially dangerous as that of fear.

"I was still very young." her mother explained. "So, I ran away"

Although the young Elf's expression remained neutral, she was baffled at her mother's admission.

"What happened?" Lauren asked

"Your father did." "He came looking for me" Eleanor said with a broad smile.

"Because he loved you?"

"Because it was his duty, our duty to take care of one another." Eleanor said. "Our union is what we owed our people, Lauren."

Lauren nodded. "Elves marry for love…." "I…"

"You are royalty, and you are meant to be bound to Dyson of Arundel." Eleanor's voice was soft, but firm when she interrupted her daughter "Is he not a fine young man?"

Lauren nodded. "He is."

"Then you will grow to love him, like I grew to love your father."

Lauren bit her lip, conscious of the fact that she would never love Dyson the way her mother loved her father, the way a wife should love a husband. She couldn't. But love, feelings, her feelings were inconsequential. Her mother was right.

Lauren was an Eolas. Duty meant everything.

The outskirts of Arundel
The next day

"It's alright, Astor." Bo said soothingly to the magnificent beast under her as she stroked the horse's neck. "I sense it too." "It's just the Elves." Bo stood up in her stirrups and craned her head. She could make out the reflection of sunlight on the silver chest plates and tunics of the Royal Guard. "Always need to look pretty" "Even with a damn war going on they can't be bothered to wear camouflage." Bo grumbled under her breath, not loud enough for anyone to hear. The youngest Arundel turned towards her men raising her voice.

"Jacob.." "Ride up to the Captain and tell him we will be escorting the party to Arundel" "I will be taking the rear."

"Yes, Commander."

Bo turned Astor again and waited until the party of elves dressed in white gold armor and hooded cloaks common for a royal escort, had passed her. She didn't bother to look up when the ornately decorated carriage passed her, but steered Astor straight to the rear and took her place next to the Elven soldier there. She nodded to him in greeting, and cleared her mind, reaching out with her senses to alert her of any potential danger. There was nothing there, and Bo inwardly sighed with relief.

"No need to worry, I am sure no one would dare attack the "Butcher of the West." the soldier commented sarcastically.

Bo raised a brow at the insult, and mumbled under her breath "Great, just what I need, another know-it-all Elf." ignoring the comment. She kept her eyes on the road. The last thing she needed was a brawl with Lauren's guard. No need to let her temper flare. Just yet.

"Your father must be so proud, Isabeau."

"What the hell?" Bo's head whipped around, looking over at the hooded figure in a second of befuddlement. Arrogance was second nature to Elves, but even they would not address her by her first name, even if it was her formal one.

Bo's stomach lurched when she took in the soldier's frame, the way he held his body, and the delicate balance of perfectly proportioned shoulders.

"Lauren." Bo breathed out.