Disclaimer: "Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog" and its characters are owned by Saban, as well as whomever else is 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 off of it.

Chapter 11: A Hag, a Druid, and a Goddess

The Hag slammed the bucket of water down, mumbling to herself about foul tricksters. Her Rod of Enchantment had been stolen from her. The power of that Rod belonged to her. She had to retrieve the Rod, but she knew that once she left the Bog, her own powers would diminish. The longer that she was outside of her domain, her powers would vanish until she could revitalize her powers.

Dark, clever eyes traveled over to the cage that held the two mice that had once been two young men. A plan formed within her mind as the Hag debated with herself, but decided that if she wanted the Rod of Enchantment back within her hands, she was going to need some help.

She walked over to a wall that was filled with shelves. The shelves housed a mixture of scrolls, pouches, bottles of potions as well as a variety of ingredients that if anyone looked closely at would have turned his or her stomach.

The Hag grabbed one of bottles on the upper right of the shelving and walked over to the cage. She opened the cage just enough to grab one of the mice, set it on the ground as she quickly uncorked the bottle and poured its contents over the mouse.

The mouse shimmered as it began to stretch and grow until it had turned back into a man with blonde hair.

"I have changed you back into a man so that you can retrieve the Rod of Enchantment for me as well as get revenge on your brother who did this to you and your little friend."

Garrett shook his head, trying to adjust back to being a man. Anger flared within him and that anger was directed at his brother for not only betraying him, but for hurting his friends and for hurting Aderyn. "Turn Angus back into a man," he ordered as he threatened the Hag with his Twin Timber Axe. "This weapon may not dispense its magic attack, but it's still an axe and it is sharp enough to cut through stone."

The Hag's eyes lingered on the brandished weapon but she showed no sign of fear, knowing that the Mystic Knight wouldn't dare harm her since she still had his squeaky friend. "Ah, that is something I cannot do. I only had enough of this magic potion to return one of you into human form. Besides," she said with a crooked grin, "I will hold on to him until you place the Rod of Enchantment within my hands. Only then shall I return him to you."

He lowered his weapon, knowing that he didn't have a choice. He reluctantly agreed, promising the Hag that he would return the Rod of Enchantment to her but he did add that if Angus were harmed, she would deal with him.

The Hag nodded her head in agreement before he turned away from her. She watched as the young Prince walked out the door and into the predawn light.

The Hag turned around and walked over to the cage that held the black mouse. She tilted her head as she looked at the transformed Mystic Knight of Earth. She went to the kitchen area, opened a cabinet and pulled out something wrapped in cloth. Opening it revealed a hunk of cheese. The Hag used a small knife that was sitting on the table to slice off a good size piece of cheese and brought it over to the cage.

"Don't worry, Knight of Earth, I shall not let you starve." She pushed the piece of cheese into the cage through the bars. The knight turned mouse sniffed the cheese warily.

The Hag cackled in amusement at the hesitancy of the mouse. "I haven't poisoned it. I promised your friend that no harm shall come to you while you are here." She turned around and walked to the wall of shelves that held a variety of bottles. She pulled a narrow blue one off of the shelf, uncorked it and sniffed it. She turned around and looked at the mouse. "I have something that I need to do, little mouse. I shall return soon."

She sprinkled the red powder around her while spinning in a circle, whispering words of magic. When she had spun around three times, she vanished in a vibrant flash of red light leaving the knight turned mouse chewing on the piece of cheese with relish.

Cathbad held aloft a glowing ball of light as he walked, knowing that the best time to harvest this particular plant was a few hours before the sun rose. He recognized a gnarled tree that the plant grew beneath and when he arrived at the tree, he left the ball floating above him as he kneeled down and using the knife in his hand, dug underneath the plant to get to its roots. As the dirt was cleared away, he was pleased to see that the roots were ready to harvest.

With practiced ease, he cut some roots from the plant, gave the plant a blessing to continue its growth before he replaced the dirt, placing the pieces he took into the large basket that was sitting on the ground next to him.

He slowly rose to his feet, feeling the strain in his knees, wishing he had sent his apprentice to retrieve the roots and herbs that he needed. He sighed as he placed the knife in his pocket.

As he bent over to pick up the basket, a vision entered his mind's eye, showing the Mystic Knights and the two sisters turned into stone, except the Mystic Knight of Forest and Earth. Angus had a black mouse on top of his head while Garrett had a sword in his hand but the Druid could see a sword point pressed in the center of the knight's back.

Shaking his head to clear the disturbing images from his mind, he realized that he recognized the location and knew that he had to help them.

He turned around, knowing that he had to move quickly if he wanted to save them. He stopped abruptly so he wouldn't run into the being standing before him. The being was surrounded with a pure light that held back the shadows of the night.

He bowed deeply before the Goddess, Brigid. "Goddess, I am in awe of your luminous presence."

"Druid, you have a honeyed tongue." She signaled for him to rise. Once he had risen, her smile was bright until it faded away, her divine face turning serious. "I ask that you do not interfere."

He was taken aback by the Goddess' words. "They need my help, Goddess."

The Goddess smiled again with comforting and understanding warmth, but the Druid could detect a little sadness in her eyes. "That is honorable of you, Cathbad, but this battle is not yours to fight."

"How can that be? I sense that if something doesn't happen soon, they shall fade away into death."

"You have a grand heart, Cathbad, which I admire greatly, but you cannot interfere," Brigid ordered firmly.

Cathbad nodded his head and then bowed to the Goddess. When he rose, the light and the Goddess had vanished. He sighed, knowing that he could not interfere and aid the Mystic Knights and the two sisters.