Disclaimer: "Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog" and its' characters are owned by Saban and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of this show. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fanfiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made from it.
Chapter 3: A Search and a Feast
Garrett stood next to the window, while Griffin was sitting at the table with Conchobar, Deirdre and Aderyn. Macha and Cathad had returned to the Druid's chambers. His brother was regaling them with an amusing tale from his elusive travels.
The telling stopped as the Mystic Knights of Fire, Water and Earth rushed into the room. Each of them was red in the face and out of breath. Ivar went to the tray that held a pitcher of water and several goblets. Angus leaned over and placed his hands on his thighs, coughing. Ivar stood up and handed the cup of water to Angus, who grabbed it with a nod of his head in thanks and drank.
Rohan bowed to the king before he spoke. "Nemain has returned." He waved away an offer of water from Ivar.
"What?" Garrett exclaimed.
"Yes, we saw her at the ruins of Temra castle," Ivar explained.
"She took a sack that we had used to collect magical items that we were going to bring to Cathbad for safe keeping," Angus added, swinging the goblet around and spilling the water that he hadn't drank.
"This all sounds horrible. Perhaps one of you could fill me in?" Griffin asked looking pointedly at his brother.
"We should start an immediate search," Garrett suggested, ignoring his brother.
"I don't believe that would do much good because we've been looking for her for awhile now and we haven't found where she's been hiding," Angus pointed out. "She's as slippery as a wet fish." The Mystic Knight of Earth remarked with a frown. "Ugly as one, too," he added with a grin.
"I'll alert Macha and Cathad," Aderyn offered as she stood up and took off.
Garrett watched her as she bounded away. He felt something he had never felt before but he pushed it aside to focus on the current problem.
"We should search and see if we are able to find her." Rohan suggested as he looked at the king. Conchobar nodded his head in agreement. With that, the Mystic Knight of Fire turned around and headed out the door.
Angus and Ivar each bowed to the king before following Rohan's path out the door.
Garrett frowned and wondered what good it would do when they had already done a thorough search of Kells and Temra. "I'll go retrieve Aderyn and we'll catch up to the others." Garrett bowed to Conchobar and glanced at Deirdre, wondering why she hadn't said a word.
"I'll come with you, Garrett," Deirdre said as she rose from her seat.
"I'll join in your search." Griffin stood up and bowed to the king. He motioned for Deirdre to go ahead of him.
As he followed the Princess of Kells and his brother out of the door, he reflected on the look that Rohan had on his face when he had entered the room and seen Deirdre sitting next to Griffin and laughing at what the new arrival had said. He had seen her ears redden and Rohan look away, as though he was ashamed and possibly angry.
He had thought that after the end of the betrothal that Deirdre would have rushed to Rohan and told him her feelings or Rohan would have told Deirdre his feelings for her. He didn't know what was holding either of them back but he decided that he was going to have a chat with the princess. He couldn't bear to see her so unhappy.
The long search for Nemain had been unsuccessful. Macha had tried using the Crystal of Sight to try to find the location of the sorceress, but it had showed only darkness. The Mystic Knights and Griffin had returned to the castle just after the sun set, disheartened and exhausted.
While they had been away, King Conchobar had set up a surprise. He had the kitchen staff prepare a welcoming feast for Griffin. It seemed that he had known that they would need something to help lift his or her spirits.
It was almost an hour into the massive feast and the new arrival had all of them laughing and asking for more stories, except for Garrett who was unusually quiet.
"I remember the wild boar that we wanted to have as part of the Mid-Winter feast," Griffin began as he looked pointedly at Garrett.
Garrett felt his pulse quicken and could feel his face beginning to warm. "No, Griffin, I don't believe that they wish to hear about the boar."
"You didn't use your skills with beasts to hunt the creature?" Angus asked with one raised eyebrow.
Garrett frowned and raised his head high as he turned his head to look at the Mystic Knight of Earth. "No. Of course not, Angus. Griffin and I are noble hunters."
"Yes, yes of course," Griffin agreed as he grabbed a piece of meat of his plate. "Except, when a baby boar with tiny tusks hit you in the rump," he smirked as he put the food in his mouth.
Laughter filled the room, except from Garrett who shot his brother an incensed look. He felt the heat of embarrassment on his cheeks and he picked up his goblet to hide the redness.
Angus asked for a thorough telling of the story, which Griffin was happy to oblige while Garrett tried to focus on something else, anything else, which is when his eyes lingered on Aderyn and remained there.
Macha had noticed that Rohan had been brooding during the feast. She knew what, or more accurately, who was the cause of his mood. When Rohan rose and excused himself, she waited for him to leave the room before she got out of her seat. Angus stood up from his chair but she shook her head, and waved her hand, asking him to remain. He nodded his head and sat back down, turning his attention to Ivar who had begun a story about a mystical tree.
She rushed down the hallway and when she called out to him he stopped but he didn't turn around.
"I'm about to head home, Macha. It's been a long day." He responded as he took a couple of steps away from her.
She frowned and she realized that she should have taken the time to speak to him sooner. "Dear brother, you are an idiot."
He stopped and turned around. "That's what Angus said this morning. Have you two been talking?" He joked but he couldn't keep the grin on his face.
She shook her head. "This is about you and Deirdre."
"There is nothing between me and Deirdre." He sighed when she gave him a skeptical look. "It doesn't matter."
"Of course it matters. Why do you believe it doesn't?"
He looked away from her. "I cannot be with Deirdre because of my…history."
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Your mother is Maeve, formally the Queen of Temra. Angus told me," she filled in when he gave her a questioning look.
"Now you see why Deirdre and I...we can't….we just can't," he stammered his face revealing the pain and misery that he had been feeling.
"No. I do not," she stated firmly as she gently squeezed his shoulder. "We share the same father, Rohan. Tynan was evil, but just because we share his blood doesn't make us evil or unworthy to be loved by someone. No matter if that someone is a reformed thief turned into a knight or a princess."
Macha went to stand in front of Rohan, making certain that his somber brown eyes were looking into her green eyes. "You are nothing like your mother, or our father, Rohan. You cannot continue to believe that you will become like either of them. You are a good, decent, brave knight who cares and fights for others."
"Ivar said the same thing."
She smiled at him. "He is very wise."
"I don't know if I can take that chance."
"The chance that you might hurt her," she filled in, understanding perfectly. "People tend to hurt the ones they love for a number of reasons, but that risk is worth it."
"I do not believe the risk is worth it."
She smiled knowingly. "It is worth it. Trust me, brother."
"Even if I tell Deirdre…" he paused.
"If you speak from your heart, the words will always be right."
"Thank you, Macha. I will ponder your words."
"It is your choice to make, Rohan. I caution you though, not to take too long." She hugged him, knowing that he needed one.
He thanked her before he rushed off.
As she watched him go, she hoped that he would follow his heart.