Part 4

Garrett slept in that morning and stayed in his room until after noon. All morning he was thinking like crazy about Maeve and her reasons for staying at Kells.
He wanted to talk to her but he was afraid he would say something stupid like he did last night. HANG OUT? What was he thinking? It could've been tiredness, or did he really want to hang out? Ah, of course he did; to find out her secret.
He suddenly jumped as he heard Maeve's voice . . .
"How can I try to take Kells now? Garrett is spying on me and Rohan is getting all nice. I think I'm getting all nice, too. I should have known coming back wouldn't be a good idea."
He gasped and jumped up from his bed. "So THAT'S what she came here to do! How could I have been such an idiot not to see it?" He stood still and listened to more.
". . . And how am I going to ever explain the prophecy to Rohan? He's obviously on Kells' side. But I can't stop. Not now! I've already gone this far. . . ."
Garrett laughed. "At last, something more to torture Maeve with. I wonder what more she's hiding."
~Torture Maeve with?~ he suddenly thought. ~I want to figure this out by myself. If Maeve knows I'm getting all her information, then she won't allow me to have any more. She can't know. I'll just pretend I don't know a thing. But I still have to hang out with her. Why, oh, WHY did I say that?~
He sighed and walked out the door heading for the throne room. Deirdre was in there talking to King Conchobar. "Where's Maeve," he asked.
Deirdre looked puzzled. "Why the rush?"
"I just want to talk to her."
Conchobar said, "First Rohan wants to see Maeve, now you, Garrett. What's gone wrong with this kingdom?"
Garrett was about to answer when Angus and Ivar came trampling into the room.
"There he goes again!" Angus proclaimed, pointing to the hallway. "Off with Maeve."
"We tracked him down," Ivar said. "And there he was---"
"With Maeve again." Angus took a seat on the bench. "What's wrong with the kingdom of Kells these days?"
"That's what Conchobar just said," Garrett sighed.
"Deirdre, long time, no see." Angus winked at her.
"Ew!" Deirdre gave him a disgusted look and hid behind Conchobar. "Father, tell Angus to stop being so disgusting."
"I was only joking," protested Angus.
"Angus," Conchobar scolded, "I shall not have you saying such things around my daughter. Understood?"
Angus mumbled something and before Conchobar could reply, Cathbad came scuffling into the room with a worried expression on his aged face.
"My king," he said, coming closer, "I have just received a vision."
Everyone stood silent to listen. "I saw Maeve with Rohan in this very throne room. They were talking, but I could not understand what they were saying. Then Rohan started walking out of the room, and Maeve followed. She started to explain something to him and he turned, gasping . . . and that's when the vision ends."
Conchobar sat quietly for a moment. "I wonder what they could have been saying. Are you sure you couldn't make out anything?"
"I am certain, my king."
Garrett couldn't take it any longer. "That's it, I'm going."
"Going where?" Deirdre asked.
"To find Maeve," and he ran out of the room.
"I told you there was something wrong with these people," said Angus.

Garrett searched the woods and found them in no time. He ducked behind the trees, following them. He listened to their conversation and thought, ~Maybe Maeve HAS changed. Look at her. I never thought she could be like this.~
Suddenly he tripped on a stick. When he stood back up Rohan and Maeve had seen him. He smiled at them and said, "Just out for a little walk."
Maeve rolled her eyes. "Don't you think you could have thought up a better excuse than that?" She walked away in disgust.
"But---Maeve, wait!" He ran after her and stopped her. "Maeve . . . I . . ."
"What?" she snapped. "Are you here to spy on me again?"
"I want to talk to you," he said.
"Why, to ask me more ridiculous questions?"
"No," he started, "I just want to talk."
She gave him a look that said, "Are you sure?"
He nodded and then they both looked at Rohan.
"What?" Rohan asked, a bit confused.
"I haven't told him yet," Garrett heard in his head. "Why did Garrett have to come? Why didn't I tell Rohan right away about the prophecy? He would've understood, right? He knows that we're family and I know that he would never betray me. I'll tell him as soon as I can."
"Garrett, please . . ." Maeve said.
Garrett shook his head. "I'm here to ask if you know any more about the prophecy. Everyone else doesn't know anything new about it, and I was thinking that maybe you know something you haven't told us."
"All I know is what Fin Varra told me," she said, glancing at Rohan.
Garrett started to hear another Sending: ". . . Except for that part where I defeat the Mystic Knights . . ."
He looked up at her to see her staring at the ground as if deep in thought. He walked off without her noticing and went back to the castle. He didn't see her any more that day. ~She's avoiding me,~ he thought, and that was exactly what she was doing.

This time it was Maeve's turn to stay in her chamber all morning. But when Garrett was visiting Cathbad early in the afternoon, she, surprisingly, came to join them.
"Oh," she said when she saw Garrett. "YOU."
"Good day, Maeve," Cathbad said. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, nothing, just paying a visit." She looked around the room as if searching for something.
Garrett was going to bother Maeve about the prophecy again when Angus came marching into the room like he owned the place. "Hey, Cathbad---"
"OUT!" Cathbad shouted, and shoved Angus out of his chamber, shutting the door behind him.
"You still don't trust me after that incident the other day?" Angus said through the door.
"Eeeexactly," Cathbad said.
"You shouldn't be so harsh with him," Maeve said. "Maybe all he wants to do is help. I should know what it feels like to be rejected." She gave Garrett and Cathbad a glance that seemed to blame them for banishing her.
Garrett looked down with guilt like it was his fault, even if it wasn't. Rohan was the only one who could have defeated Maeve because they were family. After everything was as it should have been there seemed to be a large gap in everybody's lives. For a lifetime, everyone's thoughts were hooked on defeating Temra, and since that was accomplished . . . well, there just seemed to be nothing to do.
At that moment, Conchobar walked into the room. "Ah, Maeve," he said. "Just the person I want to see. Garrett has been talking of you very much lately."
Garrett blushed.
"But, never mind that. Come. Everyone to the throne room. The others have been waiting."
As they were exiting, Maeve pulled Garrett aside. "Do you know about this meeting?"
"Not a thing," he replied. "I'm as surprised as you."
When they reached the great room, Deirdre, Ivar, Angus, and Rohan were there. Conchobar took his seat at his throne and Deirdre and Cathbad at their seats beside him. Rohan looked relaxed standing in front of the fireplace with his arms resting on the mantle, and Angus and Ivar took a seat at the bench. Garrett stood by Rohan, and Maeve kept her distance from him and sat down next to Ivar.
Conchobar began his speech, "As you all know, I have called you for a very important meeting."
"Oh, get to the point," snapped the impatient Angus.
"Very well," Conchobar said. "Maeve, I know you want to get to your Dragon Master, but since you arrived here I have seen that you are worthy enough to stay."
Everyone's eyes were on Maeve now.
"Father," Deirdre spoke up, "Surely, you aren't really thinking of letting Maeve stay here for as long as she likes, are you?"
"My daughter, as you can see, Maeve has shown herself trustworthy. But, the decision is hers. It is up to her."
Maeve paused in thought. "I don't know," she said. "I didn't have time to think about it. I don't know if I should . . ." She looked over at Garrett. "I'm not sure. Would it be alright if I thought about it?"
"Of course," Conchobar said. "You have two days to make your decision."
Maeve nodded and walked off into the halls. As Garrett watched her, he heard her voice loud and clear: "Two days. Two days to disappear. I can do everything in two days, can't I?"
~Not if I can help it,~ Garrett thought. ~I'm going to watch you for good. You're not going to get away that easily.~

All through the rest of the afternoon Garrett's head was filled with Sendings. In each one he learned more and more about the prophecy and what Maeve was planning to do. . . . "Why did I come here instead of going to the Dragon Master? I could have learned to control my Sendings better. I could have passed Kells and come back after. I shouldn't have given up the chance when it was right in front of me."
With every step he took, he learned more of the prophecy and its meaning. . . . "What if the Mystic Knights defeat me again? I have a feeling they won't understand the ancient scroll. Only Cathbad probably will understand it, but that old coot won't do anything it says. He's so confused he doesn't know anything. And the idea of Kells and Temra combined . . . it's despicable! I would never work beside the Mystic Knights."
Garrett also found out that to regain the throne of Temra and Kells she had to steal some magic stones. ~The stones!~ Garrett thought. ~When I came to visit her one night she was looking at stones!~
He didn't see Maeve for the whole afternoon but the Sendings were still strong. He wanted the day to never end, for he was rather enjoying ruining Maeve's little plan. He didn't see any of his friends the whole afternoon either, except when he bumped into Maeve as he was entering the throne room. All the other Mystic Knights were there and Garrett pulled her aside and said, "Maeve, I know your secret. Tell them. Tell them what you came here for."
"Are you hiding something from me, mother?" Rohan said.
Maeve's thought transferred to Garrett's mind: "He called me mother. What am I supposed to . . ." Panic took over her face and she started to stammer. "W---why should I be hiding anything from you, son?"
Garrett glared at her. "Go on, Maeve. Tell them everything."
"Why should I? There's nothing to tell anyway."
"Oh, yes there is." He started to pull out his sword. Everyone was looking now, waiting to hear what secret Maeve had to tell. "Either tell them, or death," he hissed.
"No one's killing anyone here," Rohan said. He turned to Maeve. "Tell me, Maeve. Please."
Garrett pressed his sword against her back and she choked, "The reason why I came here was . . ." She looked Rohan in the eyes and blurted out, "For you. I came to see you."
Rohan just stared at her blankly. "For . . . ?"
Maeve rushed out of the room, unable to take the pressure any longer.
Rohan looked at Garrett. "You knew this and you didn't tell me?"
"Well, I didn't know THAT," Garrett said. He started to run after Maeve when Rohan took him by the shirt collar and forced him down on a bench.
"We have a little catching up to do," he said. The other Mystic Knights came over and crowded around him, waiting to hear what secrets Garrett kept, too.

The blonde-haired prince barged into Maeve's chamber just as evening was arriving. "You see this?" he yelled, pointing to his left eye, which was starting to turn black and blue. "You're stinking son did this to me."
"Then I've taught him well."
Garrett let that insult pass. "The other Mystic Knights wish to speak with you. Probably about the prophecy."
"What did you tell them?"
"You'll find that out soon enough. Come on."
They went to Cathbad's chamber to find the Mystic Knights and Cathbad there. Conchobar was off on some important business, so Cathbad and Deirdre were in charge.
"Why are we in here instead of the throne room?" Maeve asked.
"You'll find that out later," Deirdre said slyly. "Why don't you have a seat, Maeve?"
"No, thanks," she replied uncertainly. "I'm fine here."
Angus sat on the table in the middle of the room that held Cathbad's magic powders. "Alright, Maeve, we're giving you one chance to tell us everything. Garrett has already told us that you came to take over Kells and get back Temra, and also that you know much more about the prophecy than you told us you did. So spit it out, Maeve. This is your last chance for life."
"Angus," Deirdre scolded, "don't be so harsh."
"Hey, I was just givin' her a good scare."
"I knew she was here for something," Garrett sneered. "Treacherous snake, I knew there wasn't something right."
"So go ahead, Maeve. Tell us EVERYTHING." Angus gave her a warning look that told her if she didn't tell the whole truth there wouldn't be a good ending for her.
"What makes you think I'm going to tell you anything?"
"Cathbad," Deirdre said. Cathbad held up a glass that held a potion in it and raised his eyebrows to show her what he would do if she didn't explain.
"I came here for more than just Rohan," she said hurriedly. "I had to regain Temra and Kells because I read in an old script I found that I would. It said I would have a great power---obviously that means Sendings---but there would be a follower . . ." She looked at Garrett as if to name him the follower.
"I wasn't exactly following you," he said. "More like . . ."
"Spying," Maeve hissed.
"I wasn't spying," Garrett said.
Maeve gave him a Look.
"Okay, so maybe I was spying. It was for a good cause."
Rohan sighed. "I can't believe you would do this, Maeve."
"I can," Angus said.
"What did the prophecy say about us?" Deirdre asked.
"It said something about me taking over again, but then I would have no choice but to compromise with you between the two kingdoms. We would have to . . . share them."
"Share them?" Deirdre started.
"It would be nice to compromise," Ivar said.
"Then why don't we compromise right now?" Rohan asked. "So then we won't have to do it later."
"It might mess up the prophecy," Maeve said. "And I don't want to . . . right now."
"You're up to something again, aren't you, Maeve?" Garrett said. "You're hiding something else."
"Fine, we'll compromise right now."
"I am reminded of what Conchobar talked about just earlier today." Rohan turned to his mother. "Maeve, do you really want to stay here?"
"Wait a second," Garrett said. "You're letting MAEVE do all the thinking?"
"Aww, dang," Angus exclaimed. "I was hoping WE would." He glared at Maeve and she glared back.
"It's her we're compromising with," the responsible Deirdre said. "And it would be wise to see what her opinions are before we jump to conclusions."
"Conclusions, conshmusions," Angus complained. "Can't we get right down to the banishing?"
"No!" Deirdre, Maeve, and Rohan yelled at the exact same time.
"There will be no banishing unless my father's here," Deirdre ordered. Angus made a nasty face at her when she wasn't looking.
"Of course I want to stay here." She nodded her head toward Garrett. "Obviously not because of HIM but, nevertheless, I still want to stay."
Rohan questioned, "Is it true that you came here for me, mother? I thought you didn't want to see me again."
"No, no, that's not true. Of course I wanted to see my son, but there was also many other reasons why I came, too."
"Like to steal the throne of Kells," Garrett said. "Do you deny it?"
Maeve stared around the room as everyone stared back at her. "Of course," she said slowly and carefully, "there are some very important reasons I came here for. I'm not going to name all of them---"
"Oh, yes you are," Garrett snarled.
"Down, Garrett," Ivar ordered. "Maeve, we mean you no harm. If you just tell us everything, nothing bad will happen to you."
Garrett heard the exact words of her mind. "Let's see . . . first I wanted to fulfill the prophecy, then it was for the throne of Kells, and then it was for Rohan . . ."
"A number of reasons?" Garrett blurted out. "How long is it going to take to solve this shenanigan?" Everyone turned their heads his way. "Uhhh . . ."
"How did you know?" Maeve asked. "I was only thinking of all the reasons why I . . . was I Sending?"
"Uhh, no, not that I know of."
"Then how did you . . . ?"
Cathbad suddenly gasped. The room's attention was focused on him now. "Were was it?" he mumbled to himself, and started rummaging around the room.
"What's Cathbad doing?" Ivar whispered.
"Oh, the geezer's just talking to himself again," Angus said.
"Ah-ha!" the old druid shouted. "Here it is! The potion I gave Garrett when he was under Maeve's evil spell."
"EVIL?!" Maeve yelled. "Oh. Right. Evil."
Cathbad ignored her and carried the clear glass over to the table. "Garrett, when Maeve hypnotized you to make you switch sides, this potion was given to you to have you switch back, and it worked. But I believe that it was only temporary."
"Are you saying I'm supposed to be on Maeve's side now?"
"Not exactly." He explained, "The reason why you must still be receiving Maeve's thoughts is because her spell is not broken."
"But I thought I broke the spell," Deirdre said.
"Ahh, but you only broke half the spell. Maeve added her own special touch to it. And that means, Garrett, you are able to hear Maeve's thoughts no matter what."
"If I can hear Maeve's thoughts," Garrett said, "can she hear my thoughts?"
Cathbad shook his head. "No; only she has the power to Send."
"No wonder," Maeve thought out loud. "No wonder why you knew everything. But the Dragon Master never told me anything like this could happen."
"Some Dragon Master," muttered Garrett. Maeve looked up at him and he backed off, holding up his hands to say he didn't mean it, and waited for some kind of nasty remark.
Instead, she said, "You're right." A gasp went through the room. MAEVE said to GARRETT that he was RIGHT?! "You are right," she continued. "He wasn't a very good Dragon Master at all. He seemed clueless most of the time. I don't think I ever really trusted him. Then why did I believe him when he said I was to go to the other Dragon Master?"
Everyone had been listening intently as she talked to herself. Rohan said, "Maybe he knew you were to come here."
"But that can't be," she said. "I never told him about the prophecy. . . . No," she said suddenly. "Unless he was the one who stole the last part of it."
"What last part of it?" Deirdre asked.
"There was another missing piece of it," she said. "I used to have it for a short time, but then it either got lost or someone stole it. Now I know which."
"How did he steal the prophecy?" Rohan asked.
"It was when I met him. So that's why he taught me Sending. He must have known what I was to do."
"Known to do what?" Angus asked.
She looked up at him. "That's for me to know and for you to find out."
"No," Garrett said. "That's for you to tell us, now."
"I'm not going to tell you anything."
Cathbad started creeping toward her with the poisonous potion. "I don't want to use this," he said quietly, "but if I have to, I will. Maeve, don't make this hard on yourself. This isn't what we all want to do, but this is the only thing we can think of."
"You can't tell me what to do."
"Please, mother," Rohan said. "Do it for me."
Maeve said, "How come you always have to bring yourself up in every conversation?"
He shrugged. "But we might be able to get that other part of the prophecy if you'd cooperate."
"Oh, fine." She collected all her thoughts for a moment and finished telling them everything. "I did come back to take the throne of Kells, and also to regain my strength as well---and my powers. I didn't know it was going to go this far."
"You thought you would just 'get the stuff and go,' " Garrett said. "I heard you think so myself."
"That STUFF happens to contain magic powers, and it belongs to me."
"Not if you can't get to it," Garrett said, laughing evilly.
"People," Ivar said, "let's remember that we're the good guys." Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, including Maeve.
"Good, shmood," Angus said. "I wanna get this over with."
"Whiner," muttered Rohan.
Angus threatened to punch him.
"Well, Maeve," Deirdre said. "I think we've had enough explanations for one day, don't you agree, boys?"
"No," Rohan, Angus, and Garrett said in unison.
"Boys, stop it," Deirdre scolded, then turned to Maeve. "That shall be all for today. Tomorrow I don't know what will happen, but I can assure you there will be no torturing." She shot a warning look at Angus.
Maeve looked at the floor and left without saying anything.
Ivar sighed and shook his head. "Will it never end?"