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 off of it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 11: The Return

Torc stepped into the shallows and dragged the boat ashore. He secured the boat to a tree and made sure that it was well hidden. He felt foolish for doing so, but he didn't want to become stranded on this small island.

It had taken him a lot longer to reach this small island than he had anticipated. The current had pushed him back toward the island that was home to Kells and Temra. He had used all of his strength and had ignored the ache in his old bones. He wished he had brought along a couple of his soldiers to paddle the boat, but he knew that he couldn't trust anyone.

He sighed asking himself once again whether the choice he had made was the right one. He kept his hand on the hilt of his sword as he scanned his surroundings. There was a cluster of trees in the center of the island. Torc knew that on the other side of the island were some ruins that would provide a simple shelter to anyone who came ashore.

He knew that to find what he was looking for that he had to go to those ruins. He climbed the slightly steep incline, being careful to avoid the jagged rocks. He quickly made it into the woods and to the other side of the island.

He reached the ruins that were shadowed in darkness and cobwebs. He was about to call out when he heard clothes rustling. He withdrew his sword and held it before him.

"Why are you here?" A voice hissed out from the shadows.

Torc let his sword drop enough for the owner of the voice to know that he had come in peace, but he wasn't going to let down his guard. "Temra and Kells both need you."

"Why should I care? I've been banished." From out the shadows stepped Maeve, the former Queen of Temra. Her long, violet dress was torn and raggedy. Her hair had grown long and looked as though it needed a good wash.

Torc looked straight into his former queen's eyes, knowing that she may be the only hope that Temra has left. "You have a chance here Maeve to prove that you are clever. Your knowledge of dark magic may aid Kells and therefore you will be in Conchobar's debt."

He watched silently as the hint of a smug smile appeared on Maeve's lips. Her smugness faded as she crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Torc. "I refuse. I do not care for Kells and I do not care about Temra anymore."

"I am bringing you to Kells, if I have to tie you up and toss you in the boat. You are the only one who can stop Nemain."

"Nemain? That traitorous witch! I would rather enjoy getting revenge on her." Maeve cocked her head slightly as she studied Torc. "I find it amusing that you, being a traitor by accepting Nemain's ruling of Temra, have come here to bring me back."

"Maeve, do not force me to drag you back," Torc warned. He had grown tired of her childishness not long after he had joined Temra. But, she did have a devious and crafty mind, when she didn't allow jealousy and pride to muddy it.

"Very well, Torc. I better receive something for what I am doing," Maeve said as she stepped toward him, being careful not to drip on the raggedy strips hanging off of her dress.

"I'm certain you will, Maeve. I am certain you will."

Maeve walked past Torc, her head raised into the air. Torc followed Maeve, knowing that she could follow his tracks quite easily back to where he had landed. He still couldn't believe that he had done this but he was going to see it though, even if it was the worst thing he had ever done.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deirdre, Ivar, Garrett and Conchobar were sitting at the table discussing various defenses if Temra should attack with either their soldiers or the creatures. They didn't notice when a little winged being entered the room and fluttered behind their heads.

"I'm back. Where is Rohan?" Aideen said as she positioned herself in front of them.

"Aideen, Rohan, Angus, Macha and Aderyn have gone to the Hedge crafted by the Goddess Brigid herself," Ivar answered working on his drawing of his defensive move.

"Where have you been?" Deirdre asked surprised that she hadn't noticed that the bothersome fairy hadn't been around. She realized that she had been distracted by having to choose between Rohan and Garrett.

"I've been running errands for King Fin Varra," Aideen snapped sharply. The annoyed look on her face turned to curiosity. "Who is Aderyn?"

Deirdre sighed and quickly told Aideen what had been happening since the fairy had been away.

Aideen was about to ask Deirdre a question when Angus and Aderyn entered the room, with Connor on their heels.

"Angus, Aderyn, what happened?" Deirdre asked since Aderyn was supporting Angus and that they were both covered with bruises and scratches. She winced when she saw the large gash on Aderyn's forehead.

Garrett stared at Aderyn, noting every bruise and scratch. When he looked into her green eyes, he saw her strength beneath her tired eyes. He admired that strength and the light in her eyes. He shook his head, silently berating himself for being distracted by a mere girl and focused on what Angus was saying.

"Macha and Rohan were taken by some creatures," Angus said. He winced when Deirdre grabbed onto his arm where he had a deep cut.

"Conner, retrieve Cathbad at once," Conchobar ordered, knowing that Angus and Aderyn would refuse to be sent to bed until they told everyone what had happened.

Conner quickly bowed and went to find the Druid. It was only a matter of minutes as Cathbad entered the room, his face lined with concern. As Cathbad worked on applying salves and wrapping up wounds, Aderyn and Angus told them what had happened since they had left.

"Those creatures had once been men. I could tell," Aderyn said once they had finished telling them about Macha and Rohan being taken away.

Shock and horror showed on everyone's faces, wondering how Nemain could do such a terrible thing.

"They must be in Temra. We have to rescue them," Deirdre said, trying not to picture Nemain turning Rohan into a monster.

Aderyn shook her head. "They are not in Temra."

"How do you know?" Garrett snapped.

"I used the Crystal of Sight. All I saw was darkness. It was not Temra," Aderyn said firmly, looking right at Garrett. He squirmed underneath her gaze, but she was the only one who noticed.

"Cathbad, you can find out where Nemain is holding Rohan and Macha can't you?" Deirdre asked as she grabbed onto Cathbad's arm, tears in her eyes.

Cathbad bowed his head. "I am sorry, Princess, but my sight has been blocked for quite some time."

"I can find them!" Aideen announced.

"No little one, I don't believe you can. Wherever Rohan and Macha are, it is a dangerous and secret place." Aderyn looked at the fairy with sadness in her eyes, knowing that Aideen cared for Rohan.

"My King. You have visitors at the gate who wish to enter the castle and have an audience with you."

"Who are they?" King Conchobar asked.

"It is Torc from Temra and…"

"Nemain?" Angus asked angrily, wondering if it may have something to do with Macha and Rohan.

"No, it is Maeve," Connor said the tone of his voice revealing that he shared the same shock that everyone in the room did.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Is this really necessary?" Maeve asked as she eyed the mystical weapons pointed at her. She wished that she didn't have to appear in such a raggedy dress when she was still a Queen and it was still her birthright to rule the entire island. Her gaze lingered on Deirdre and she gave the Princess of Kells her darkest look.

Deirdre's lip turned up as she stared down Maeve. She still couldn't believe that Maeve was Rohan's mother.

"You know very well that it is quite necessary. Why are you here?" Ivar asked, knowing that to trust Maeve would be like trusting a scorpion not to sting you.

"Why, Kells and Temra are in danger. That is why I am here." Maeve answered smiling as she swept her arms outward as though she was embracing Kells and them.

They all looked at Maeve skeptically. Aideen frowned and crossed her arms. She hoped that Rohan would be brought back safely but she didn't believe for one second that Maeve would be any help.

"Torc?" Conchobar said as he looked at his former soldier. Conchobar couldn't help but wonder whether Torc still cared about Kells. Even a drop of caring might bring Torc out of the reach of evil that had grasped onto him.

Torc looked at Conchobar, keeping a sneer off of his face. "Nemain has gotten out of control. Or should I say, Anian."

"Anian? Anian is dead," Garrett said as he shook his head.

"He's possessing Nemain," Torc said trying to prevent the fear in his voice from being heard.

"No, he is not," Maeve said in a superior tone and with a smirk on her face. All eyes locked on Maeve, wondering how much she knew and how she knew what had been happening.

"Who else could it be?" Torc asked, wondering how Maeve could know, wondering if she may be involved somehow.

"Nemain is being controlled by Tynan." Maeve sighed and rolled her eyes at the blank stares from the room, except for Cathbad whose spine had suddenly become rigid. His knuckles turned white as he squeezed his staff.

"Who is Tynan?" Ivar asked. He had noticed Cathbad's reaction and knew that whoever Tynan was, Kells was in trouble.

"Tynan is a powerful sorcerer. Many years ago, he tried to take over the world. Before he could do so, he was locked away in another world by several powerful magic wielders," Maeve answered.

"He is very dangerous," Cathbad said solemnly, recalling the tales that he had heard about him.

"Yes, he certainly is dangerous. He is trying to return to this world, so he can finish what he had begun. He has had an opportunity before, with the Sacred Stone," Maeve looked at Cathbad. "Oh yes, I know all about the Sacred Stone, unfortunately, I never had the chance to search for it."

"How will he do that? If it is with the Sacred Stone, we don't have to worry, because it has been destroyed," Deirdre said.

"That was just one way for him to return to this world."

"What is the other way?" Garrett asked.

"He will use his children to return."

"Who are his children?" Deirdre asked as fear clutched at her heart. She knew the answer before Maeve even spoke.

"Rohan is his son," Maeve replied enjoying the surprised look on all of their faces.

"What?" Aideen exclaimed, wondering how Rohan, being Draganta, could have come from such evil parents.

"Who did you think fathered him?" Maeve answered tartly.

"If Rohan is this Tynan's son, than he is in great danger. We must not allow Tynan to enter our world. We must find Rohan and Macha," King Conchobar said wondering if they would find Rohan in time to stop Tynan from entering their world. Time had been slipping away as they listened to Maeve. He hoped that Tynan could be stopped, because he knew that if Tynan wasn't stopped, that Kells would cease to exist.

Angus frowned and looked at Aderyn. "Then why take Macha?" Angus asked, turning to face Maeve, who seemed to have all of the answers.

"Macha possess the Amulet of Life. He may need it to return to this world." Cathbad suggested when Maeve shrugged her shoulders.

"Macha doesn't have the Amulet of Life," Aderyn said as she pulled it out of her pouch. "I do."

Maeve eyed the Amulet of Life hungrily, knowing that possessing such an item would bring her back into power.

Cathbad saw the look in Maeve's devious eyes. He threw powder over her, sawing a few words that no one in the room understood, causing her to become motionless.

"Why did you do that?" Torc bellowed, reaching to withdraw his weapon. Of course, it wasn't there because he had handed it to a soldier of Kells.

Cathbad raised an eyebrow. "Maeve is only here because she wants something. She is not to be trusted, even though she may seem helpful. I believe that you are not to be trusted either, at least to an extent."

Torc growled but dropped his hands down to his sides. He glared at the Druid, wondering if the old man knew what Torc had gone through to bring Maeve to Kells.

"Let us return to the subject. How are we going to find Rohan and Macha?" Angus asked.

No one could answer that question. They wondered whether they would be able to find their friends in time.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

guardianM3: I can't believe that I forgot about Aideen! I guess I just have too many characters to juggle. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. And must I really ask again for reviews? Thank you to all of my reviewers who have taken the time to write a review. I truly appreciate it.