Chapter Twenty-One

Fate Lends a Hand

Bael exhaled silently from where he stood with Irian and Gannon in front of the dais, feeling strangely calm. Lord Aiden, on the other hand, was anything but calm and the look of disappointment and grief on his face was enough to make Bael bow his head to escape it. But as Bael's eyes trailed downward, he caught the sight of Aiden's bed robes sticking out the bottom of his official garb and found himself somewhat amused by it. Being a condemned man had its momentary advantages, Bael decided. After all, it didn't matter any longer if a passing thought was inappropriate or not.

"Never in my life would I have imagined myself to be standing here," Aiden began, attempting to make eye contact with each of them. Irian and Gannon refused to look at him but seemed quite sorrowful, but Bael seemed anything but repentant. "My two closest advisors have been brought forward for being traitors to the province, and one of my loyalist servants aided them. Well, perhaps Bael's actions I can understand; his loyalties have been eschewed ever since I made the mistake of assigning him to the stranger. But you, Gannon, who has done nothing but support me and you, Irian, who has at the very least been straight forward with me… you have relased the same prisoner who kidnapped my daughter, and have stolen an item out from my very room… the same one which you helped me acquire!"

"They were only returning an item which was already stolen, Lord Aiden. It was taken from Lord Severus in hopes of controlling him," Bael said.

"It was confiscated to protect us all from its purpose…"

"It was confiscated to protect your daughter's feelings, Lord Aiden, when my Lord Severus made it perfectly clear from the beginning that he would leave Tir Danaan the moment it was returned to him," Bael said evenly.

"How dare you…"

"He speaks the truth," Gannon interrupted. "Lord Aiden was convinced that it was a teleport device."

"Is that so?" Bael said, gazing at Lord Aiden with a critical eye. "If that is true, then it would seem that you, Aiden, are accusing us of nothing less than crimes you have committed yourself. You were holding someone against their will as well."

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing! He could have left at any time…"

"And yet you know from his own admission that he wouldn't as long as you had control of the sphere," Bael said.

"Which I kept at Priestess Irian's recommendation…"

"Yes, because Lord Severus wasn't listening to me," Irian explained calmly. "However, considering the fact that you have not listened to a word he has said to you since the moment he awoke, who are you to judge?"

"I quite agree. Who is Aiden to judge when he is just as guilty if not even more guilty of these crimes as we are?" Bael asked.

"I am the lord of Tir Danaan!" Aiden said angrily. "And you were some of my loyalest subjects." Tavros seemed to suddenly wake up from where he was standing a few strides behind them.

"Were? Does that mean I can kill them now?" Tavros asked, and watched eagerly as Lord Aiden reluctantly raised a hand as if planning on giving a signal.

"Hold! Stay your sword!" said a familiar voice in a very unfamiliar tone of authority.

"Now what?" Tavros said in complete frustration as he turned around to see the trader Tanwyll standing there. But his eyes widened in surprise when Tavros saw that the trader was not alone, for Jennifer and Severus walked in right behind him.

"Lord Severus!" Bael exclaimed, as surprised as Tavros was.

"He is no lord, but a liar and a thief," Aiden said coldly.

"You seem to be as quick retracting nobility as you are with giving it away. I rather think that King Dathaan would be concerned with that, Lord Aiden," Tanwyll said. "If anything, I have found Lord Severus and Lady Jennifer to be honest, although perhaps not so forthcoming… but that I think can easily be explained by how they've been treated since they arrived."

"My lord, may I have your permission to arrest this merchant as well? Obviously, he doesn't know when to hold his tongue," Tavros threatened.

"Tavros, now would be a good time for you to practice a bit of restraint," Severus said with a bored sigh. "I don't think King Dathaan would appreciate his son being harassed by the son of a lord in one of the outmost provinces of the Faelands."

"Who?" Tavros squinted.

"I am Prince Tambryn, second-born son of King Dathaan," Tanwyll declared. Aiden stood in surprise.

"Impossible!" Tavros snapped, but then glanced over at Jennifer and Severus. "They talked you into this, didn't they? Do you know what the penalty is for posing as a noble?"

"The same penalty as for anything else, Tavros, but if so you have been granted some sort of grace, considering you have been posing as a noble for years," Tambryn ventured.

"My lord, he speaks the truth. He is the Prince Tambryn," Priestess Irian said solemnly.

"We have no reason to believe your word on anything, Irian," Tavros snapped.

"I was consulting Priestess Irian on a personal matter," Tambryn admitted, pulling off his hand wrappings. "But if you refuse to believe her, here is the proof that you are looking for," he said calmly, holding up his hand to reveal a large bluish mark on the back of it. "Behold, the tattoo I was given just after my birth to distinguish my identity from my brother; my father's personal crest."

"A star!" Aiden stammered. "But that would mean it is you that…" he glanced at Irian who nodded solemnly at him.

"I pray that you do not tell your daughter of my mark or my true identity, Lord Aiden," Tambryn asked sincerely. "I came to your province to win her over on my own merits, but I have been running into obstacles," he explained, glancing at Severus.

"Obstacles which will soon be out of the way," Severus assured him with a nod.

"You are letting them go?" Tavros said, openly disappointed.

"Tavros, I can appreciate your zest for justice, but there is more to justice than just carrying it out," Tambryn said. "Most especially it is important to be open minded enough to listen to all points of view. In fact, I would go so far to say that this entire conflict from beginning to end has been nothing if not an example of everyone here not doing that. Lord Aiden and my lady saw their point and none other; they listened to neither their advisors nor Lord Severus when they expressed their viewpoints. On the other hand, Lord Severus would probably have been better off had he been more willing to listen to the Priestess Irian, whom I've found to be a very competent advisor. In fact, I would say that the only one of us in this room who has been truly listening with an open mind to everyone is Bael; therefore, it is his defense that I am most interested in," Tambryn concluded with a cordial nod in Bael's direction.

"Your majesty, I have no true defense for my actions. I have done only what I felt is right," Bael said solemnly.

"Besides yourself, whose fate lies in my hands alone, what justice would you feel is right for the others?" Tambryn asked.

"I have heard a tale of a land far away, your majesty, that had a sort of justice that I think would be appropriate," Bael said, glancing at Severus and back at the prince again. "I believe it was called, 'a second chance.'"

"Oh?" Tambryn said curiously with a smile filled with amusement.

"As you have already pointed out, my prince, this comedy of errors was nothing more than a misunderstanding between different individuals who were looking after their own interests instead of those around them. We have all made mistakes, and we're all guilty of something, and I think it would be best if we simply pardoned our transgressors and moved forward, your majesty," Bael said solemnly.

"So be it, Bael," Tambryn said. "Then I shall pardon you and Lord Aiden's advisors for your actions, just as I pardon Lord Aiden for his attempts to force the Lord Severus to abandon his duties and family. As for the Lord Severus and Lady Jennifer, I have already pardoned them, although I do still have some reservations in doing so when it comes to leading my lady astray the other night," he admitted.

"We never would have harmed her, Tambryn," Jennifer said, shaking her head. "And it was no worse than what Aiden was doing to us."

"I understand your position, Lady Jennifer, which is why I did pardon you," Tambryn said solemnly. "But that doesn't mean it was any less alarming at the time. Had it been one of your own daughters missing, I doubt you would have been any less alarmed regardless of whether their captor claimed they wouldn't harm her or not, nor do I believe that either of you would have cooperated with any demands, regardless of what they were."

"Well, no, probably not," Jennifer admitted abashedly.

"It is perhaps unfair that I expect more out of the two of you after all the stories I have heard, although I know I shall always do so," Tambryn said, glancing up at Severus. "Our world owes you a great debt for saving us from the time collapse, Lord Severus, and I am not likely to forget that."

"My intentions were focused on saving my own world, Prince Tambryn, but I am happy to have assisted yours as well," Severus said. "As I will be happy to assist saving it again if I ever get out of here, considering that the reason that I came has very much to do with the safety of both of our worlds."

"How else can I help?" Tambryn asked sincerely.

"Thank you, but speaking up for Bael, Irian and Gannon was more than enough, Prince Tambryn," Severus said. "All we need is a good night's sleep to put us back on the road."

"To where?" Tambryn asked curiously.

"The southern lands," Severus said vaguely.

"In that case, why don't you see me again in the morning?" Tambryn suggested, glancing over at Aiden. "My lord, I don't suppose you would mind one last night of playing host to our friends from abroad?"

"He may have his old room," Aiden said stiffly. "Shall I prepare for one for you as well, your majesty?"

"I shall be staying back at the hovel," Tambryn said, pulling out the straps as a reminder and wrapping his hands again. "And I hope you won't forget yourself and tell my lady who I am. The last thing I wanted was to have to deal with being a prince on this journey. If it were up to me, I think I'd rather have been born a merchant," he admitted. "Lord Aiden, my advice to you would be to retain your two advisors and ask yourself the question as to why it was they felt the need to operate behind your back in the first place. Perhaps the situation is still salvageable; we Fae are much too ready to throw away that which will be missed later on. Good evening, Lady Jennifer, Lord Severus, Lord Aiden. Bael, perhaps you would walk me back."

"An honor, majesty," Bael said formally, looking slightly dazed as he followed the prince out.

"Come, Jennifer, I will show you to our room," Severus said before anyone else had time to say a word. "I am quite positive these four have a lot to talk about, and we're both outsiders, after all. Lord Aiden, I hope you aren't too hard on them, for they have had a long night as well. Besides, it isn't as bad as it might seem at the moment. Don't think of it as losing a son-in-law; think of it as gaining a princess."

"A princess?" Aiden said in confusion as Severus offered Jennifer his arm.

"Your daughter," Severus explained. "She is, after all, fated to marry a prince."

"A prince?" Aiden repeated, his anger fading as he reasoned that out. Suddenly a wide smile crept onto his face. "Irian! Why didn't you tell me that my daughter was fated to marry a prince?"

"You weren't listening, my lord," Irian said with a sigh. Aiden laughed at her in response, apparently not angry at all any more. In fact, the babble that came from him afterwards seemed almost apologetic as Severus led Jennifer out of the room.

"Stay close, Jennifer, these halls are quite dark at night," Severus said, but evidently Jennifer didn't mind hanging on his arm.

"That was brilliant timing, Severus, reminding Aiden of that. You certainly saved poor Irian and Gannon a bit of strife there," Jennifer said with admiration.

"I'm not much of a fan of loose ends, Jennifer. I'm sure you know that by now," Severus said.

"And what about Tavros?" Jennifer asked.

"I rather think that when Tavros realizes that Tambryn will more than likely want to take his bride home with him to the southernlands and leave Tavros the only clear heir to both the Lugh and Danaan provinces, he will settle down as well," Severus decided.

"Oh dear, I'm not so certain I'm a fan of that," Jennifer admitted with a chuckle.

"I don't think Tavros is a bad person, really, just a young and excitable one," Severus decided. "And considering how many thousands of years he'll probably have on him before he actually inherits either of those kingdoms, I rather think he'll have plenty of time to grow older and settle down some… preferably with a wife who knows how to put a chain around that temper of his."

"Are you sure you're not expecting too much out of her?" Jennifer asked with a shake of the head and a smile.

"No, I don't think so. In my experience, I find that works rather well," Severus confided in her, leading her up the stairs. "After all, you've done your fair share of temper taming over the years…"

"I've also had my tempers, too…" Jennifer pointed out.

"What better way to stifle mine?" Severus said evenly. "And to show you my appreciation, I will allow us to sleep with the windows open tonight," he said, escorting her into the room.

The next morning Severus awoke to find himself alone in the bed, and from the cool touch of the blankets around him, he had been for some time. He sat up to see that the sun was quite high in the sky to the point that it was barely morning at all. It was one of the few times that he actually was rather grateful not to have sausages eggs and kippers on his plate, for he was quite certain it would have been cold and slimy by the time he had gotten to it, and he was so hungry he found that he didn't mind the bread and fruit so much.

He was still eating when Bael came in with his outfit for the day… his own clothes, Severus realized, pressed and clean but smelling uncommonly like lilacs and rose petals.

"Good morning, my lord. I see you've rested well," Bael said cordially.

"Better than I have since I first arrived here, thank you. Where's Jennifer?" Severus asked.

"The Lady Jennifer rose an hour ago to consult Priestess Irian on a matter of shopping," Bael said with amusement. "I believe they went to the courtyard market together for supplies and food for your trip."

"Well, we really should be leaving," Severus said with a nod, eager now to finish his breakfast.

"Yes, yes I know," Bael said with a hint of regret in his voice. "I only wish I could have accompanied you on your journey." Severus looked up in surprise.

"You're not going?" Severus asked.

"Your wife is more than capable of looking after you and herself, sir. I would only get in the way," Bael said.

"Not that much in the way, and there is the point that you probably know what to expect from that forest more than we do," Severus said.

"Fair enough, but unfortunately I have other obligations," Bael said apologetically. "You see, Prince Tambryn has asked me to come and serve him at Caerbrenin, but I have agreed to stay on here until he's ready to return home. My fate has come clear to me, Severus, and as much as I hope for your safety and success, it is my duty and destiny to serve the prince."

"Don't tell me it's your duty or destiny, Bael. Tell me it's what you want," Severus said irritably.

"To me it is all the same thing," Bael explained calmly. "It is what I want."

"Very well, suit yourself then," Severus said briskly, pushing his plate away. "I suppose I ought to be getting ready."

"I'll pack your things, sir," Bael offered, and Severus simply nodded, unable to think of anything to say.

It was still nagging him when he finally made it down to the market; unaware of the odd looks he was getting from the Danaan because of what he was wearing. But as distracted as he was, it still didn't take long for him to spot Irian's and Jennifer's hair out of the blonde masses, standing next to a fruits and vegetable vendor. Jennifer was holding a fruit to her nose, nodding at something Irian was saying. She noticed him and waved him over, grinning to see him in his normal clothes again. But as he came close, it was soon his sleeve she seemed interested in, smelling it thoughtfully.

"Don't even say it," Severus protested with a scowl.

"Quite nice," Jennifer said with amusement, ignoring his irritated look. "Irian has been giving me a crash course in what vegetables and fruits in this world that I should be eating or avoiding as an expecting mother."

"Not the sort of advice I normally give, but it has at least been entertaining," Irian said with a crooked smile. "Your wife listens a bit better than you do, Lord Severus."

"Perhaps I did misinterpret your original intentions," Severus admitted reluctantly. "I have had good reasons to be skeptical of your kind over the years."

"My kind?" Irian repeated, and then realization crept in. "Please don't tell me you have judged me based on any experiences you have had with the priestess of the Otherworld."

"Yes, well… Viviane is my aunt by marriage, actually…"

"I know her well, perhaps even a bit better than you in some ways," Irian said, shaking her head at him. "She was the first Fae to be born in your world and received many blessings for that, and she was once a revered Priestess of Danu. But she has changed greatly in the last ten thousand years, Lord Severus, as has her intentions. Her mission in your world has gone from spreading the values of our goddess to converting your kind to Fae beliefs, which is not the same thing. She has even gained power within the arcane arts to help her do so, rather than to rely on the strength of Danu's blessings. I am one of many priestesses that serve Danu, my lord. Viviane tends only to serve herself," Irian said bluntly.

"So she does," Severus agreed as a way of apologizing. Irian nodded and then smiled thinly at him.

"Trader Tanwyll appears to be looking this way. Perhaps we should see what he wants," Irian suggested.

Severus and Jennifer looked over to see Tanwyll sitting next to a table filled with trinkets for sale, glancing expectantly at them while keeping his hands busy weaving circlets of flowers. Jennifer smiled and walked straight over to the small pile of flower circlets on the table, while Tanwyll stood briefly to give them respectful bows before taking a seat again.

"These are lovely, Tanwyll!" Jennifer said appreciatively as she looked through them, chosing one with fragrant white blossoms to try on. "And you have Glassilk! I don't suppose you would sell only a small bit of it?"

"As much as you like, Lady Jennifer," Tanwyll said cordially.

"And what do you plan to do with that?" Severus inquired.

"A baby blanket and a gown, what else?" Jennifer said defensively.

"In that case, you may have what you need as a gift, my lady, for I doubt I will get another chance to give you one," Tanwyll said. Jennifer beamed.

"Thank you so much, Tanwyll!" she said sincerely.

"Actually, I'm the one who should be thanking him, since I was the one paying this morning," Irian said with amusement, giving Tanwyll some coins for the circlet.

"I have something for you as well, Lord Severus," Tanwyll said, motioning him closer. Severus stepped over to him, and Tanwyll took out a heavy metal ring, stamped with a symbol that reminded Severus very much of an elaborate celtic knot. "This is a ring that represents the unity of the Seelie Court. You may find it useful while traveling through the Sidhe Forest, for it is a symbol of our standing alliance and therefore might protect you both from being waylaid by our wilder elven cousins if you are wearing it."

"Thank you," Severus said sincerely, taking it from him. "Any other advice about traveling through the forest?"

"Simply stay on the road, but expect the unexpected," Tanwyll said.

"Everything in this world is rather unexpected," Severus said, and Tanwyll nodded in understanding.

But before he could say any more, Tanwyll was distracted by the sight of flowing blonde hair, tiny waist, and a walk that seemed more like a dance than means to get from here to there. Severus glanced up curiously to see what the prince was looking at, hearing his name called out across the courtyard and Niamh and Bael walked over to meet them.

"Severus! I am so glad you're all right!" Niamh said happily. "And Jennifer as well," she added in a much shier tone.

"Good morning, Niamh," Severus said with a nod.

"My father told me everything that happened last night," Niamh explained.

"Everything?" Tanwyll frowned.

"Yes, not that it isn't obvious already," Niamh said knowingly. Tanwyll gazed at her steadily. "My father had a change of heart. He thought it over and said he was being much too harsh and decided to give everyone a second chance!" Tanwyll relaxed somewhat.

"Yes, so it would seem," Tanwyll agreed.

"How uncharacteristically merciful of him," Irian said with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"I am so glad he took my advice and let you go, Jennifer, and I am so sorry about what happened," Niamh said sincerely.

"It was just a case of mistaken identity," Jennifer said warmly. "It's all right, Niamh… it has caused some delay, but otherwise no real harm done. And besides, if Severus isn't your intended, that doesn't change your fate. There is probably still someone out there destined to meet you."

"Perhaps you've already met," Severus suggested.

"Care for some flowers, my lady?" Tanwyll interrupted quickly, offering Niamh one of the circlets. "It'd look quite lovely in your hair."

"That's very pretty. Rather like the ones Lord Severus had to w…" Bael suddenly got an elbow in his side, but fortunately for Severus, Jennifer was more intent on studying Niamh's reactions towards Tanwyll to have noticed.

"You are very kind, Tanwyll. I hope you take my advice and stay on here in Tir Danaan," Niamh said.

"I have obligations in the south, my lady, but I shall stay as long as you are still here," Tanwyll promised.

"Where else would I go?" Niamh asked with a laugh, and although he simply answered with an enigmatic smile and a shrug, Niamh seemed placated by that.

"We should be off soon," Severus ventured.

"Yes, Severus, I know. I'm ready now," Jennifer said. "Thank you for all your help and advice, Irian. You really are a good advisor in my opinion!"

"I do my best, Lady Jennifer," Irian said with a smile. "May Danu guide your steps."

"Farewell, my friends. Give Albus my best wishes," Tanwyll offered.

"I will miss having you around, Lord Severus," Niamh said. "I hope that we will one day meet again to exchange stories."

"I rather think I'd like that as well," Jennifer said with a smile, apparently amused by the way that Tanwyll was looking at her.

"Here is your satchel, sir," Bael said solemnly, and Severus turned his attention back to his friend, who was holding it out for him.

"Thank you, Bael," Severus said, taking the pack. "Are you sure you don't want to come along for the trip?"

"Quite sure," Bael said with a nod. "I shall not forget our time together. I have learned a great deal from our friendship."

"As have I," Severus said, offering his hand. Bael glanced at it for a moment before taking it. "Farewell, Bael."

"Farewell, Severus," Bael said quietly.

Severus glanced over at Jennifer, who supportively took his arm and smiled at him.

"Goodbye, everyone, it was nice meeting all of you. Perhaps next time you can come visit us," she added mischievously.

"Good lord, Jennifer, what are you thinking? They'd never survive it," Severus said. Jennifer laughed, giving them all one more wave as the two of them walked out of the castle for the last time.

"Farewell, Tir Danaan… and good riddance," Jennifer added in a softer voice, but then caught the fact that Severus had sighed. "It's Bael, isn't it?"

"I had assumed he would go along with us. He had always planned on going had I tried to go on alone," Severus explained.

"Would he have gone because he truly wanted to go, or simply because he thought you wouldn't have made it on your own?" Jennifer asked.

"There was more to it than that, Jennifer. It's all rather curious, really," Severus murmured. "It has been years since I've considered myself friendless… if anything, I have more friends and obligations to them than I feel comfortable with at times, considering that more often than not I'd prefer keeping my own company or your company and keep my friends at a distance unless it's a holiday or something comes up that one or the other of us needs help on. I have had many friends, but I've never had a friend like Bael before, although I'm not sure how to explain it…"

"I understand, Severus. You've never had a Watson before," Jennifer said with a smile. Severus thought about it for a moment before finally nodding.

"No, no I haven't," Severus said in agreement. "You're right, that does about sum it up, doesn't it?"

"Let's go get that sphere and get this done, Severus," Jennifer said, tugging on his arm to try and break his sour mood. "We still have a long journey ahead of us before we can return home again."

"Yes, so we have," Severus agreed with a sigh, and then led Jennifer through the woods towards the long road that awaited them.