The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
A/n Sorry, sewing masks and other projects. hope everyone is well and healthy.
Bringing Darcy's Father back to Pemberley
Argo called Raven, his brother, and William on the side. Analee came as well. He had an idea he wanted to explore; he knew that Raven wanted to be with his children.
"I think we have this all wrong. Let me ask, where either of you, Raven or Leo, occupying a human body, or did you transform into looking like Darcy or Bennet?"
"I assumed George Darcy's looks," Raven answered, "but I also took over someone's body. Alesa assumed Mrs. Reynolds' looks, but in her case, it wasn't an exchange; some use an actual body of a person whose life would end otherwise as I did. I did it so I wouldn't have to be coming back all the time. It doesn't apply to dragons, they can stay indefinitely; we are all different, just look at our Sally and Vicky."
"Are you alive now?" He asked Raven, "What happened?"
"Smith felt my life ebbing away. We have a blood link, somewhat like William and Zal's. Smith left the body, it was dead, and he brought me here, it took me a long time to get well. I believe I was poisoned, but the potion I was given, cured me. Our healer is the best."
"So you are alive. I think what it means is that you can never transform into George Darcy. In your wife's case, she was a human and nearly dead when you brought her. You transformed her, but she would have died if she came back. You said you had tried it with nearly disastrous results. But she wasn't like us, her real body was injured, and only healed here with changes. As for you, someone else's body died."
Analee agreed, "I think he is right, we can try to see if he can step across. Come with me, I can open a portal, and you can step out for a few seconds, we can see. Though I am nearly certain nothing will happen, I agree with Prince Argo."
"Please call me Argo," Argo said.
"Analee, call me Analee," she smiled, and Darcy didn't like it. He wanted his parents together. He went to stand by his mother,
Smith added, "Raven, George Darcy was not quite dead, the body died after I brought you. I think you would be dead as well if it were going to happen." We have talked about it several times.
Argo looked at Darcy, he thought of the story about Thomas Bennet killed by George in the future he came from. They had assumed he couldn't come back because he had been dead or about to die.
Leon, Argo's brother, who was Mr. Bennet, was brought over by their father's people. Argo's father had felt Leon's life ebbing away after George had shot him, and had sent for Leon before the body died. The bodies were never discussed, many assumed, including Argo, Leo had only taken over Bennet's looks.
"Just look at William, and notice that he crossed as a human, but he isn't a human, he is one of us. One of us or not, he was a human when he crossed, something we thought impossible. Raven should try to go back, face it, we don't know everything. Crossings into the humans' realm have always been secretive, so not much is known." Argo argued; after all, he had lived in an alternative future, one that George had made a mess out it. A future where Raven's son, William, had made a lot of not so smart moves. Time to try something else.
They left the reunion for a short while and went into what seemed another room. The room had no apparent walls, but they could no longer see Elizabeth and the others.
Darcy saw Smith in profile and recognized him, "I knew you from before, you came around to buy fruit and other estate crops, right?"
Smith grinned, showing his sharp teeth, "I kept an eye on you, I was the buyer and others, you are my nephew, I wanted to check on you. i wanted to tell you, but your father was afraid to make you visible. He wasn't sure who the murderer was. We are at war and have many enemies, we thought that you, my daughter and grandchildren were safer there."
Darcy realized he hadn't been so alone; his father found out about him from time to time, but he didn't want to be without his father once again. He was afraid that trying to go back was a bad idea, what if he died?"
Raven said, "Let's go in the conservatory at Pemberley; not many are there."
Argo answered, "I have not released the compulsion of staying indoors or looking outside, to include the conservatory, too many windows. It should be safe."
"Hold my hands," Analee said, "it will be safe, we will pull back."
Argo wanted to say that he could back time a few minutes if something went wrong. But Darcy was already in an alternate time, it would require Darcy asking him to do so. Argo could never move time on his own, and it could be dangerous. His father said a new reality was created, maybe the other one existed as well, and it was always risky. Hopefully, he was right that Raven could cross.
Damn, his father was there with his aunts and uncles plus others, those were the voices his daughters heard, his relatives; they spied on the girls. Occasionally, they opened 'windows' to look at them; their excuse, they had the right to see them growing up. He let them, after all, Lydia's tragedy in the alternate future, could have been prevented because he had forbidden them from spying, just around this time.
His father was talking inside his mind. Son, stop this nonsense, if you kill the Dark King, the consequences will be disastrous. And remember, we want a ball soon. Bring my grandchildren around, I have the right to see my grandchildren, bring Elizabeth this very day, or else! He ignored his father, as usual.
They saw a shimmer in the air, Analee stepped in with Raven, Argo, and Smith. They went thru the shimmer and disappeared. One minute there, the next, they were gone. Darcy was not able to breathe. He couldn't lose his father again; he remembered the bleak years, the heart-wrenching pain; at once, his body got cold. Several minutes passed; the waiting was killing him. Zal came behind him, "Are you well?" Zal had felt extreme anxiety, it was William's.
Darcy nodded; Zal put his hand on Darcys's shoulder and stood close. Dragons were affectionate, another reason why children liked them, it was lovely,; he felt better right away. Just to have company was good enough, Darcy didn't like being alone, too many years alone in the future he had left, losing Lizzie, Georgiana, it all kept coming in waves, but right then, it didn't hurt. Zal said, "I am here, remember, whatever you need." Darcy nodded.
More time went by until they saw the room shimmer again. And just like they left, they were back, arms loaded with flowers and fruits. Raven had brought roses, peonies, and lemons, he missed them.
"So, I am back," Raven smiled, "nothing happened, I was sick for a minute. I think it was misapprehension, but it went away."
Zal didn't ask any questions, he would find out later, so he left. Darcy went to his father and hugged him, "I am glad all went well. That means you can come for a while. I know what you said, you cannot stay long. But it doesn't matter, as long as you're there most of the time I will be happy."
"William, we only have to be back for a few hours, not for days," Raven explained.
"You and my mother will come as cousins from the continent. You can be a married couple and make it a lot easier." He spoke very loud, so Argo would hear and stop it with Analee. In a way, he was behaving like Georgiana with Zal.
Raven like that idea, he grinned, "Sounds like a good idea."
Argo explained, "My brother is going back home, and I am taking his place. My father won't allow both of his sons to be away. I am coming as Thomas Bennet to stay with you and my daughters.
Darcy was happy, Sally would be in Pemberley.
Argo sighed, "it is probably the only way, Sally said she likes me, but she has a daddy. She told me she was glad to visit, but that is all. She wasn't happy when I told her she would stay with me; she was surly. Now, she keeps her distance, and I miss her."
Darcy had the biggest grin ever, he was keeping all his dogs.
Raven said, "I will be bringing Sally's mother, I will share. We will have plenty of gossipy girls."
Darcy was worried about the idea, it wasn't so good. Sally was already getting him in trouble, now with her mother there, oh dear, "I am not sure that is a good thing. I had others, you know, lovers. Lizzie won't understand, and Sally has almost told her about my mistresses many times."
Raven had the answer, "Bribe her, she loves cheese. We bribe her mother, ask Smith. It works most of the time."
"She likes cheese and cake, that is right. Is it true that they can only have one litter?"
"Not sure, some have two." Raven looked at his son and knew.
"Good, Zal asked for a puppy, but I explained all are taken. Vicky's are too." Darcy smiled. Now he had Sally, his puppy, and Lizzie's. And Mr. Green was staying in Pemberley with the third puppy. He sighed in content.
Raven knew his son. He was generous with a lot but not with Sally, nor with his horses, or with those he loved. William had an old rooster, he'd raised. The rooster, a fierce creature, the terror of the barnyard, followed him everywhere and allowed William to pick him up until he died. William was in school and when he came home, to find out the rooster had died, he cried for days. But Yellow, the rooster, wasn't really dead, Raven had brought it across; Yellow had been granted a much longer life, but it couldn't go back. William's animals were his friends. He never called them pets or animals; they were his family. His father understood. Most of his people loved all the life around them, it was part of their nature.
Raven realized he had something to make William happy. He told Smith to send for it.
"This is a good day," Darcy declared.
Argo talked to Raven alone. "I know Analee is my one, and I suspect she is yours. More than likely she was, but Zoe's had blocked your feelings. If she is amiable, we can have a three way union. Imagine, with such a union the peace would be assured. You could leave Smith in charge, and come whenever, same for me. We could find an excuse to be away for those times we must be back. It will be easy."
"Yes, she is my one, you guessed right, but it might be hopeless," Raven knew it.
"No, you are wrong, we can ask her, I will be Bennet, you will be George Darcy's cousin with your lady wife, Analee. We will live under one roof." Argo had figured it out.
Raven looked sad, "I don't think Analee will want me back. I kept her with other females just because I could. You ask her."
Argo nodded, "I will, but talk to your son, he will help."
When they went back into the gathering room, Darcy's stomach soured. Elizabeth ran to him and kissed his cheek; "Darling, since Prince Zal saved your life, I am giving him my girl. He is in love with the puppies, just look at him."
Darcy was tongue-tied, "But she is your present, you cannot give her away."
Zal sat on the ground, looking at Sally feeding her babies, touching the puppies, and giving Sally pieces of cheese biscuits. Sally liked Zal, that was obvious. Green was there as well. Zoe sat with Georgiana petting Dee and Vicky, while Georgiana kept an eye on Zal. She had seen how he stared at Lizzie.
Vicky was unfriendly towards Zal, agreeing with Georgie. Georgie had shared his woes with Vicky and Dee; unfortunately, they'd listened. Of course, Georgiana was soon to learn not to talk around Dee or Vicky.
"If she is mine, I can. Don't you remember that Zal saved your life just hours ago? Prince Zal doesn't know yet, but I am doing it. Unless she is not really mine. Have you changed your mind?" Lizzie sounded cross, tapping her foot, and her arms crossed, not a good sign. He remembered Kent when Lizzie was angry.
Darcy's happiness had a wrinkle, the dogs. But she was right. Zal had saved his life, choosing to link his lifeline. If Darcy got killed, he would die as well. Nobody did such an unselfish act, yet Zal had done it.
He went to see his father, "Dad when you said it was good for the males in a union with two males, what did you mean?"
Raven smiled, mischief on his eyes, "It hasn't happened to me, but my father said what one feels, the other feels as well, double pleasure, how can you go wrong? You cannot be jealous, because if she kisses him, she is also kissing you. Son, imagine the possibilities for pleasure if your spouse is playing with both of you. Or, for example, if you two are playing with her."
Darcy coughed, he could imagine it too well, very tempting, he was grateful for the loose-fitting clothing.
He didn't notice Zal looking at him, wondering what was going on. The link was strong when nearby, interesting, Zal thought, feeling as Darcy did. Zal had images of both of them loving Lizzie; they were tantalizing. Those images had to come from Darcy because Zal had never done what he was imaging.
"So if a male has two wives, what happens?" Darcy asked.
"No, if a male has several spouses, it doesn't work that way. Not sure why otherwise the females in the harems wouldn't be so unhappy. I do have a question, is this question over the puppies? i know you too well," Raven could not stop smiling
Darcy wouldn't look at his father. "It is, er, partly, okay, it is, Lizzie wants to gift hers to Zal." Darcy's shoulders slumped.
"Think it well, Zal is in no rush. You might find it difficult." Raven was about to laugh, but he knew his son was troubled.
Darcy couldn't tell his father he had changed the timeline. He couldn't tell him about the bleak future before. The one where Georgiana married the monster, no wonder the babies were deformed and died. He also realized that Lydia's babies weren't George's. Telling anyone was forbidden, a word, and he could undo it all. But he had lived that future, and the puppies had been his for seven years; they had been his good friends, with Sally they had been his companions during the bleak years.
About Georgiana
Zoe had heard about the plans, she came to Darcy and asked, "Maybe I could also go to your home; I could be an aunt. I want to be with my daughter, or she can come with me."
Georgiana heard and approached hem, "Maybe you come, and we can visit here. Though perhaps we should live here, it would be better. I did terrible things." With those words, Georgiana ran to look for Angus, she was clearly upset.
Darcy asked Zoe to come with him, he would explain Georgiana's words, but he needed to tell his father as well.
Darcy told his father and Zoe about Wickham. He started with the first time when Richard found Wickham and Georgiana. Then, about the second time, the one that just happened when Georgiana was half-naked, and how Green had stopped them at the last possible instance.
High winds ran along the large room. Zoe's anger made small lighting bolts explode in the air. Zal knew Zoe's anger and wanted to find out what was upsetting her. It was awfully cold and a little scary.
Georgiana kept asking what was going on, knowing that her parents had found out, making her afraid of their reaction. Meanwhile, her puppy wanted to get the lighting, the dogs liked it, keeping Georgiana distracted.
Raven said, "I will look for him, put him together, and tear him apart, limb by limb."
"No, no, I will kill him. No decent male touches a young lady. Here, in our world, Georgie is a baby. My parents will demand a public execution, I cannot hide it from them. They will be right, as it should be. George might be vermin, but not all of them are this bad."
"She will need to marry, if someone finds out she will be ruined," Darcy added.
"Nonsense, ruined? Who cares, we are not human. Besides, nobody will know." Raven was pacing.
Darcy went to Argo, "Lydia's babies couldn't have been George's, his babies were deformed. He is only passing for a human."
"I already thought of that, I think he was prostituting my child, the idea makes me ill. Let it go, it brings us nothing. You have to be careful, we cannot allow that future come to past."
Darcy agreed, he didn't want a future without Lizzie, Georgiana dead, Lydia dead, being married to Anne; it had been a time filled with pain and unhappiness. Much was his fault, particularly that time in Kent, telling Lizzie she was not good enough. He had to make sure it never happened. First, they needed to get George.
Charles, or Charles is more than meets the eye.
Charles always had a sense when something was wrong. He was uneasy and missed William. He wasn't sure if having lovers and meaningless affairs, were worth losing his best friend.
His father had told him that he was on a bad road to unhappiness, misusing his gifts to get women and treating them poorly. It was true; besides the momentary pleasure, the affairs left him empty. He knew he had been wrong; moreover, Hurst had told him it had been poor of him to ask Jane to be his lover.
He looked out the window and saw a blond woman, she was pretty, but there was something wrong with her. What was she doing there? He kept looking at her, wishing the Hurst were back since he felt scared. Charles blinked, looking against the sun, he saw that she had the face of a monster. Now, he remembered the story of the Hurst and the monster; and a time in Cambridge when he thought he had seen George Wickham's monstrous face, the face of a giant rat. When he told William about it, they laughed and dismissed it as an illusion. Quickly, he went to find a footman.
"Stay by the door, make sure no one is allowed to come in, nobody. Tell everyone the same; there is something wicked outside." The footman believed him and alerted the household.
His grandmother Bingley, who believed in bad things, had said that nothing could come in a home if uninvited. His grandmother told him stories of witch burnings and why the Bingley needed to hide. She said they had the gift, but it was best not to use it.
She said it was easy to abuse their gift, getting things, or people you didn't need; or to hurt others. She said, "Charlie, it is best to use to do good." Maybe he had the gift and had abused it, it was time to change. He always carried his grandma's notebook. His grandmother had told him said to carry it at all times, perhaps, he would need it one day. Charles went to read it, he might have to protect himself or even fight.
a/n Some have asked about Charles, so there you go...hmm, maybe that is why Miss Bingley is such a witch :)