Disclaimer: I don't own it I swear!!

Now that's out the way, the first thing I have to do is grovel profusely for not updating. If it makes any difference to you all, my Grandfather turned 70, and I moved house, it's been a hectic time for me. Still that's really no excuse... Anyway to make up for it I give you two chapters of this fic, enjoy and please pretty please R&R

Six Years:

Toby sat in the large sitting room outside the Fairy Queen's study and waited impatiently, he had been sent by Alyana to deliver his message to the Fairy Queen and her consort over five hours ago and still he was waiting. Had it been Sarah and Jareth, Toby could have just appeared in the study, with other kingdoms the niceties had to be observed.

Now, however, he was bored and hungry. In the time he had been waiting he had been given no explanation and offered no refreshments. He had simply waited. A servant fluttered through, her pale wings flitting faster than the eye could see.

"Excuse me," he said quietly from the divan on which he was sat.

"Yes, My Lord?" She seemed genuinely puzzled to se him sat there.

"I was told that your Queen and the Royal Consort were aware that I was waiting to see them, but so far I have seen no evidence of their presence."

"Oh, My Lord, I do apologise. The Queen retired about two hours ago and the Prince Consort is in meetings with her advisors all today and for the next week. Were you not informed?"

"No," his tone was sullen. "Thank you." The fairy curtsied and fluttered into the study as a younger fairy maid emerged, Alon just behind her.

"Young Master Toby! My apologies my lord, I had quite forgotten that you were waiting to see me. You have a message I understand?"

"Yes, The First Lady wishes me to inform you that she will be calling a meeting of the council in the next eight months. She feels that we need to discuss the Garden Fairies in greater depth, they are becoming more than a common pest, she believes."

"Yes, yes, of course, if my Queen is well enough she will certainly attend. My thanks for waiting." He sketched a bow and shut the door. Toby looked at the girl, puzzled by Alon's odd behaviour. Her hair was deep purple, as were her eyes and her ruby lips were turned up in a half smile. He had seen her before.

"Do not worry about my brother, he has been this way since our Queen fell ill. Her sickness worries him more than he wishes to admit." He nodded. "I am Calen."

"Toby," he took her offered hand, raised it to his lips and kissed the back gently, just as Dal'in had taught him.

"Yes," she curtsied low, "you are the son of the First Lady of the Dragons." He wanted to correct her as he had corrected so many others, but could not find the will to.

They stood for some time in polite conversation, then Toby remembered that he had been due at the Goblin Castle for dinner nearly an hour ago and left in a hurry, stumbling over his words. She watched the place he had been in for several moments before leaving the room.

Next bit coming right up

Artemis