Scene 4: To Drive The Cold Winter Away.

"For revels, dances, masks, and merry hours,

Forerun fair Love, strewing her way with flowers."

-Loves Labours Lost, act 4, scene 3

It had been a very long time since Zelgadis had ridden a horse, and he was sorely out of practice. Horses did not take kindly to having stone chimeras on their backs. Still, he mused with some amusement, he couldn't have asked for a gentler mare. She was coal black, with only a white star on her forehead to break the color. He saddle and bridle were fine leather embroidered with gold trim and tassel. And the cloak they had provided him with the dark clothing of the costume was enough to keep him well warm as she hurried toward the castle.

The mare giggled "Like a sack of flour you are, my friend. Tis not so hard to ride, is it? I would think a great warrior like yourself would be a fine horseman...."

He glanced down at the spot between her ears "I was changed when I was very young...I hadn't had much time to learn. And I'm out of practice."

"Aye, I fancy not many a steed will carry you...." She said "Ah well, my please it tis to do it now..."

Surprisingly he felt a moment of warmth for the fae "Thank you, Revyn. For everything...you and Mabala. I....know I wasn't very.....Its just I've waited so long and...I...um..."

The horse gave a small whinnying laugh "So sir, you've found your manners? Good lad! " She shook her mane and then added in a kind tone "It's all right, Zelgadis. You earned a little kindness....."

"So....how does this work? How exactly do I make this spell last past midnight?"

"If she should kiss you, a kiss of true love, before the clock strikes, you will remain human."

"And you and Mabala can't just make it permanent?"

The horse sighed "Our power is great, Zelgadis. But not so great as to stand against Rezo the red and Shabrinigdo's combined. But combine our ability with the power of that girl's true heart and evil cannot stand."

They were silent for a long time, and then Revyn said "Might I give you a bit of advice, Sir?"

"Why not....I have no idea what the hell I'm doing...."

Another little whinny laugh "Don't do anything. Just be. Do what your heart tells you, and let all the rest come. Do this, and I promise you all will be well. "

"Great, I'm taking love advice from a horse....." Then he realized what he just said /Love? Did I actually say that? /

Ervin shook her mane again "You'll do fine, my friend. Ties a night for the most unexpected of things...."

Then a thought occurred to him. "Wait...if you can shape shift into animals, what was that Toad......."

"I make a rather foul and cold toad, eh?" Revyn chuckled "But hard to catch!"

"That was you! I was still tasting that this morning....ugh....did you have to jump on my FACE!"

"This is stupid I can't do this...." Zel muttered out of the corner of his mouth as the mare trotted up the small road to the stairs of the palace.

"You can and will. You're no coward." The horse muttered back.

"Dark lords are one thing this is...is....."

"My Lord?" Said a page coming up to him "I will take your animal to the stables, my lord, if you'll just dismount...."

Zel did, making sure his mask was in place. The horse rolled her eyes at him and then nudged him with her nose.

Zel glared and then gave the page a small smile "Spirited." he said and pushed her nose aside, but gently.

"Indeed sir......" He lead the horse up the path. She glanced back, and winked at Zel.

He handed the invitation to the doorman, and then realized his name was on it /oh no!/ his fingers gripped the paper.

"I will have to open it sir...." Said the doorman, and Zel smiled nervously "Well, there's the seal. Its from the palace...."

"Sir....I have to see the name to announce you...."

Zel let go, swallowing.

The Dorman studied the paper, turned and nodded "Please announce his lordship, Duke Gray Sadelz."

Zel blinked, and took the paper back. There was written:

To Duke Gray Sadelz,

You have been invited to attend King Stag's masked ball at the palace of Saillune, this winter. The ball will be held in one week, and your showing would be much appreciated.

By request of Amelia Wil Telsa Saillune and the royal family.

Not In her handwriting, but another's. A Maid maybe......as if had always been that way.

"Sir....right this way." Said another page. Zel followed him through the entranceway, and up the main hall toward the ballroom. The doors were clicked open smartly by two footmen, and Zel entered on of the biggest rooms he had ever seen, full of people.

The entire back wall was all glass panels and French doors leading to a huge patio and stairs going down the hill. The floor was polished wood so shiny he could see his face in it. On one side of the room, a long table had been lain with food. On the opposite side, to his left. a small platform had been raised with Two thrones on it.....for Amelia and her father he decided. Behind the thrones, a staircase descended from the second floor to the ballroom.

There were people everywhere. Colors and materials flashed before him as they milled around...feathers, silks, furs, Jewels sparkling with light, leather, and satin. He could smell a thousand perfumes and the smell of the food, and was thankful he didn't have his chimeric senses...he would have been overwhelmed if he had them. Laughter, voices, and the sounds of a small group playing softly to one side mixed. People brushed by him, he was touched a thousand times, casually, as people moved.

His heart was pounding, his eyes darted everywhere. He could feel sweat behind the mask, and he tried to calm his breathing. Somewhere deep inside he thought /It doesn't matter that I'm human now, this isn't going to work, and come midnight when they see.....they'll all........./

He could almost hear it....a woman's scream, a man's gasp. Someone would cry "What is that THING" and someone else would say "How did that monster get here!"

He turned. He couldn't see faces he could only see the bright colors he bizarre masks. Sharp beak like noses, cats whiskers, bugging fogs eyes demon horns.... a thousand faces, some beautiful and some terrible, and all strange. They seemed to leer at him now, mocking him with there eyes and there hidden smiles /We can take off our masks, Zelgadis./ they seemed to say /But come midnight, you will be trapped behind yours again......./

He turned. He couldn't even find Lina and Gourry in all this, at least they would be friendly faces even if he couldn't tell them who he was...his breathing was rapid, and he didn't understand how the whole room couldn't hear his heart.

Terror gripped him. He began to make his way back out to the door. He couldn't do this; he had been a fool to think he could.

Dimly he half heard them announce Prince Phil. He was walking down the stairs wearing a jesters costume and waving. People were laughing and clapping as he came down.

"Excuse me" Zel murmured, and then the crier called out "Her majesty, the Princess Amelia Wil Telsa Saillune."

/Don't look/ he thought to himself /don't look, juts keep going. Don't do this, go before you ruin everything for her, go..../

He looked up, and then the whole world vanished.

She stood in a long white and silver dress, that brushed the floor. It glittered with diamonds. It left her shoulders bare, and her hair, which was partially up and partially down, brushed her shoulders softly. Her hair was pinned with diamonds that sparkled like ice. On her face was a delicate mask of white feathers and diamonds. Even from where he stood he could see her sapphire eyes were very clear against the white feathers, and her mouth was the color of ripe strawberries. She smiled, and her eyes lit with excitement and amusement, giving her a slightly quizzical look.

She looked like a goddess, like a creature stepped from a myth. His heart was still pounding but it was for a very different reason. /My gods....she grew up./

She came down the stairs with a grace that amazed him. Only when she reached the bottom did she trip just a little. She caught herself on the rail, and laughed good naturedly, and then he saw the girl he had traveled with in that laugh.

He stood staring at her, mesmerized. He couldn't function, couldn't move, couldn't think. There was only her.

Someone touched his arm "My lord, will you dance?"

He turned and a golden haired woman was standing there dressed in gold and tan with the mask of a cat. She winked, and he realized the small ensemble was playing a waltz "Lord Sadelz, will you dance with me?"

"Mabala?" He whispered and she nodded.

He took her arm and they walked out on the floor. From the corner of his eye he saw Gourry and Amelia coming out on the floor. Gourry was dressed as a night, in gold theatre armor. They began to dance, and it was comical to see the big swordsman and the little princess waltz.

He watched them. Amelia spoke to Gourry who smiled a little and said something back and made her laugh. He opened his mouth very wide, as if to swallow a chicken whole, and she laughed again.

He suddenly realized they were dancing closer to them. Mabala grinned "You are not getting anywhere standing about like a sod! If you wish to make this true, go over to her and dance! You can't woo her if she can't see you!"

Zel swallowed.

"Besides, she doesn't know who you are...." Mabala made a graceful half turn and nodded at Gourry "Might I cut in, Sir?"

"Um...well, I was dancing with my friend here....." Gouryr said.

"That's all right Mr. Goury! Go ahead!" Said Amelia cheerfully.

"My brother will dance with her." Said Mabala "Go on, Gray."

The pairs switched and Mabala and Gourry vanished into the crowd.

Amelia smiled a little "Gray? That's your name?"

He nodded "Yes, your majesty." it felt so weird to call her that.

"Might I ask you something?" Said said and he nodded.

"Will you call me Amelia, please? I'd rather not go by titles...."

He smiled faintly "All right, Amelia."

"Your mask is beautiful. You're a green man, a fall king." She smiled "Like in the old stories."

He smiled a little more "Very good, Amelia. And you are......The snow queen."

She giggled "I am. You know the tales too?"

"I like stories" he said and then "You are a fitting queen. Beautiful...."

She blinked "Thank you." She whispered

/Gods did I just say that?/ he though t. There was a moment of awkward silence and then she said "You dance very well."

"No, I'm out of practice. I haven't done anything like this since...well...." Honestly, never. He thought but couldn't say. "I've never attended a king stags ball..."

"Well, they'll be a little dancing here at first until the King comes, And then there will be performances for him for around an hour. And then back to dancing until midnight, when everyone unmasks." said Amelia.

"The king?" He asked

"King Stag. The King of all the winter faeries."

"They're seasonal?"

Amelia laughed "Well, according to the old stories, they had a king and a queen that would hold court from Midwinter night until Midsummer eve. They were the winter fae. And then, on Midsummer's Night until Midwinter, the summer court held sway. Tonight is Midwinter's, and the Stag King takes the throne..the king of winter."

He smiled a little faintly "So the court dresses up...."

She nodded "Its an old tradition....I've loved this night since I was a child."

"And you are Queen Winter tonight......" HE said "But no king?"

She flushed a little "No king" She said and then smiled a bit " A just Queen can rule on her own, if she has the strength to."

He nodded "That's true."

She smiled, and then trumpets blared and the a crier called "Make Way! He comes! Make Way for the King Stag!"

The musicians fell silent, the ballroom seemed to spit to either side, and the patio doors swung open letting in the chill. First came young children, dressed in white with fur trim. They scattered fall leaves as they went. Behind them, Fine courtiers walked, dressed in rich colors and flowing cloth.

When he entered there was no doubt who the King Stag was. He was taller than Gourry, and broad shouldered, dressed in furs and leathers, and crowned with an evergreen and holly crown. His brown eyes took in everything, and his long dark hair and bear were grizzled and wild. Two magnificent antlers grew from his head.

Amelia had come to rest standing by Gray "oh" She breathed "Oh he's wonderful. The horns almost look real!"

They progressed through the ballroom, and everywhere the guests curtsied and bowed as he passed. When they reached the thrones, Phil rose, bowed to the king, and stepped aside. The king bowed his head to Phil, and then sat in his throne.

The King looked over the crowd and then said in a deep voice "I am well pleased. I have been made welcome....and I bring welcome to those here. Let us make merry in the dark of the year! Where are my Bards! Come, and tell my tales to these good people, so they might know me better!"

Mabala stepped forward in her gown and cats mask. Beside her, Revyn was dressed in black with a Raven's mask to hide her face, and a pair of black feathered wings on her back.

They curtsied to him, and then to the crowd.

Mabala began "Tonight is the night dedicated to our lord, the king stag. He is lord of all the winter fae."

Revyn smiled "He is the wild wood, and the justice of the earth."

Mabala nodded "He is the great balance of all things, and the truth hidden beneath every lie."

"We will tell you a tale of the deeds of our wild king." Said Revyn and looked to her friend to begin.

Mabala paused and then took on the rhythmic tones of a storyteller. "Many years ago, a young prince lived in a neighboring kingdom. Prince Erin fell madly in love with the princess of your land, Yuna. And she in turn loved him, for he was gentle and passionate, and good, and just. All the things she had hoped for. Yuna in turn was wise, and thoughtful, and kind. All that he desired. And he loved her unfailingly. They loved without shame, and were devoted top each other. The queen was pleased. Erin showed every bit of courtesy and care for her daughter." Said Mabala "When ever Yuna was sad, Erin would bring her a single red rose from the garden, her favorite flower."

"But all was not well. For another wished to wed the princess. The duke of a far off land wished for her hand as well. And he was a cold and unfeeling man, who wished only for gold."

Mabala lowered her voice and spoke as the duke. "The fool of the boy will ask her hand. Tis I that shall rule o're all her land." she laughed cruelly

Revyn shook her head sadly "The duke was a powerful mage, versed in magic's long forgotten. And so he went in secret one night to the chambers of the young prince. Before the boy could defend himself, he found himself in the deep woods, alone, with the mage. Before he could speak, the Duke began to chant in a terrible dark voice, a language he did not understand. And a terrible curse was lain on the prince. He was changed into a wolf, a wild beast of the forest. Only if the Princess could see past the wolf's shape, and see that he was indeed her love, would he ever be human again. In despair, Erin, knowing she would never see past this shape, fled into the forest. But the wicked Duke was not yet done. He cast another spell. And changed his appearance into that of the young prince. And when Yuna rose the next day and met him in the gardens, she did not know she walked with a man she truly hated."

Amelia scowled "I hope he gets his just punishment in the end." She muttered "What a terrible thing to do....."

Gray looked at her and smiled just the smallest bit "Lets see what happens" He said, and looked back up.

"Erin ran blindly for a long time, in his despair he wished to truly be an animal and loose his human mind and heart that tormented him. And then he come upon a clearing, and a great golden stag touched with light was waiting for him. Erin was a wolf, and by all means the stag should have fled. But it stared at him with gave eyes, full of power like a great king. And Erin was afraid, and knelt on his haunches before the great king stag."

The stag king spoke from his throne, and the two girls turned to look at him as he did. "What has been done, shall be undone. Do not despair, he had not won." The stag king spoke.

Revyn added " Erin was confused and found he could speak to this stag ." She addressed the king as Erin "Who are you, lord. Where have a come? I cannot tell her, his game is won."

King Stag smiled a little. "King Stag am I, and of the fae. Listen lad, he's not won the day. You must have faith in her true love. And faith in fate, and the gods above. She loves the truth, and she will believe no lies. The girl sees with her heart and not her eyes. Now go to her, before the night. Show her what you are, and all will be right."

With that, the king returned to his throne, and continued to watch.

Revyn nodded "The duke however was nervous that the wolf prince would find a way to return and have revenge. So he persuaded Yuna's Mother, Queen Leia, to allow him to hunt in the forest. Yuna was surprised, her gentle Erin had never shown an interest in the hunt before. Queen Leia insisted on accompanying him."

Mabala spoke. "It was not long before they found Erin the wolf in the wood. The duke drew back his bow to fire, but Erin went to the queen, jumped up and licked her hand, and then bowed before her."

Revyn spoke as the Queen. "Stay your hand, Oh love of my child. This beast you've found is far from wild."

Mabala spoke as the duke "My lady queen, I protest, nay. Its a fierce wild thing that I should slay."

Revyn shook her head. "You will not touch him, by my name. He's asked for mercy all the same, and by my own law, mercy will be shown. I'll take him with me, back to home."

Mabala continued: "And they returned. At first Yuna was frightened of the wolf, but her mother assured her that he was not harmful. Erin was heartbroken that she feared him, and anytime she was there he was like a lamb. And over the days, she found he followed her, slept at her feet, looked for her favor. Over only a handful of days, she thought of him as her friend. And he always looked at her with sad, gentle, hopeful eyes.

Yuna spoke to him as if he was a person "My dear friend, why do you sorrow? Be happy for me, on the morrow, I will wed my truest love, this is a blessing of the gods above." But he could only look with his sad eyes, and lean his head against her, and let her hug him."

Revyn looked around and shook her head. " But she didn't speak her truth. For she had grown wary of Erin. He was not as he had been. Nervous, and strange. He had snapped at her many a time, and she was heartsick over what was happening.

And then, that night, the princess dreamed. She dreamt of Erin, in the forest. And then the wolf was there. And they had the same gentle eyes. And she saw the great golden stag that looked at her and spoke."

The king spoke from his throne. "Embrace the truth, and reject all lies. See with your heart, and not your eyes."

Revyn watched and then looked at the crowd "She was troubled the next day and went to see her Erin."

"My lord, I ask we wait awhile, for though wedding you will make me smile, I am of ill ease these last few days, and I wish for it to be flawless in all ways."

"Then, the unthinkable happened. Erin exploded, shouting at her, and then struck her open handed in his furry."

"There was a great growling roar, and the wolf attacked Erin, knocking him away from the princess."

"The duke drew his sword, and the wolf stood over her defending her, with rage in his eyes. Poor Erin would have been cut down, but the queen heard the commotion and entered crying..."

'STOP!'

Yuna fled the room crying, and the true Erin went after her, leaving the queen and the duke to argue. For the queen said the animal had only come to his mistresses defense. Erin bit a rose free in the garden, and then went to her room, dropping the flower at her feet as she wept. She took the flower, and looked at him. The thought she then had was insane, she knew, but her heart told her she knew those eyes. those gentle eyes. And she spoke the words in her heart, as she looked into his eyes.

Mabala whispered . "I see the truth, I reject all lies, I see you with my heart, and not my eyes."

"And in that moment, the spell was broken and the prince set free. The lovers emraced, and there were tears of joy wept and then kissed away." Revyn continued. "At that moment, the duke was also transformed into a hart. And he ran from the castle in terror. The trumpet of great horns filled the wood, and the fae hunt thundered on their steeds after him, until he fell to their arrows. King stag, now in his real shape, rode at the head. For his is justice, and Justice will be served."

Revyn and Mabala spoke together smiling. "And they were wed, and Love ruled the kingdom."

There was applause from the crowd, several people nodding to each other and smiling. Amelia was laughing a little, enchanted by the story.

Revyn looked around "It is said that the fae are children of lies, that our tricks and games, our spells and illusions, are the very fabric of lies."

Mabala nodded "But in truth, every trick we play, every spell we cast, has the truth at its core. For we serve truth above all other things. For truth is what love grows from....and the fae value love as much as we value truth. Tonight is a night of truth inside the lies."

Revyn smiled a little " You mortals wear masks, and dance a little dream on this evening. But come midnight all truth is shown, all masks cast aside, the truth is shown. The dream becomes the truth, and we see that the truth is more precious than the dream."

All the fae court cried together "We embrace the truth, We reject all lies, we see with our hearts, and not our eyes!"

Mabala Giggled "But do not forget the dream!"

Revyn smiled back "Do not forget us. We are here with you always, even when you cannot see past our masks. For we are family. And we love you dearly, our mortal kin."

They bowed and step back.

Again applause echoed from the crowd. Next. several of the assembled fairy court danced for the king, a strange wild dance that almost seemed to be all flowing cloth and hair. Suddenly the dancers had swords, and the clashed the blades as they danced. By the end, the blades clashed on last time, and then they flipped it up to show the swords had formed a magic star, the same star pattern the city itself was lain in.

Next they had clowns, children dressed in ragged clothes of all colors, and plain masks. Their antics made the crowd chuckle, and Amelia clapped her hands with delight.

Then Revyn stepped forward again to the king "We have given you much merriment, My lord. Your fairy kin have done much this evening to amuse. But me thinks it time the mortals we love so dear made a gift of performance this night."

Mabala nodded "Let them give to us what we have given to them."

King stag nodded "Choose......"

The two girls nodded, and smiled...their eyes glittering with amusement and excitement..

They immediately went to the princess and curtsied "Majesty, excuse us."

Revyn seized Gray by the hand.

"What!" he hissed "No, I can't!"

"You must. Tis the way of the ball....." Revyn winked.

Still protesting, he was brought before the king.

The stag king studied him. With a swallow, he bowed. He knew who Revyn and Mabala really were, he had no doubt that their king was real too.

"Well chosen." Said the Stag King. "Bring him what he needs...."

One of the clown children appeared with a guitar.

With a small sigh he took it, and bowed. "As you wish, majesty."

The stag king smiled "I do wish it, Gray. Words fail how much I do wish it."

Gray strummed the instrument and found it was tuned perfectly "What shall I play, Majesty?"

"Play what is in your heart, Lad." He returned.

He looked out over the crowd and then back at Amelia. She smiled a little at him, her eyes warming. His fingers began to create the melody without him even thinking about it. He knew suddenly, exactly what he would sing. He would tell her the truth in the only way he knew how for now....

His voice was a rich tenor that held each note careful. Looking out over the crowd he sang.

"love

I get so lost, sometimes

days pass

and this emptiness fills my heart

when I want to run away

I go off very far (See A/N)

but whichever way I go

I come back to the place you are

all my instincts, they return

and the grand facade,

so soon will burn

without a noise,

without my pride

I reach out from the inside."

He looked down as he changed the key and then looked up into Amelia's eyes and sang just to her...

"in your eyes

the light the heat

in your eyes

I am complete

in your eyes

I see the doorway

to a thousand churches

in your eyes the resolution

of all my fruitless searches

in your eyes

I see the light and the heat

in your eyes

oh, I want to be that complete

I want to touch the light the heat

I see in your eyes."

He paused picking the song out and looked down again before singing the next verse. Amelia felt her breath in her throat. He sounded so much like Zelgadis that she found unbidden tears in her eyes. And when he had looked at her it seemed like he was singing just for her and no one else. The gentleness in his eyes, the emotion there. he had looked at her so intensely..... /It isn't him. He would tell me if it was, if he had found his cure. But gods, I could swear..../

"love, I don't like to see so much pain

so much wasted

and this moment keeps slipping away

I get so tired of working so hard for our survival

I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive

and all my instincts,

they return

and the grand facade,

so soon will burn

without a noise,

without my pride

I reach out from the inside."

He hummed a little and then looked back up at her again for a moment.

" in your eyes the light the heat

in your eyes

I am complete

in your eyes

I see the doorway to a thousand churches

in your eyes

the resolution

of all my fruitless searches

in your eyes

I see the light and the heat

in your eyes

oh, I want to be that complete

I want to touch the light, the heat

I see in your eyes."

He looked back over the crowd, and then over at the two fairy girls who had almost identical expressions of blissful happiness on there faces. He could almost hear their thoughts. /Oh how lovely romantic!/

"in your eyes

in your eyes

in your eyes

In your eyes." (Peter Gabriel, "In your eyes")

He let the note die, looking at his hands.

There was silence in the ballroom for a long moment, and then the applause started and swelled to a thunder. Several whistles split the air, and he saw several women go for handkerchiefs and dap their eyes around masks.

The stag king smiled "Well done." he said and one of the children took the guitar.

He made his way back over to Amelia, who was staring at him in a way that made him oddly uncomfortable. He smiled sheepishly "Not too bad I hope?"

"No not at all....." aid Amelia softly "Would..you like to dance some more?"

He smiled "My pleasure, Amelia."

*******

A/N For you Peter Gabriel fans (like me! LOL) I know the line is "I drive off in my car" but since there are no cars in slayers, I adjusted accordingly. Sorry mr. Gabriel!