Hi! Everyone this is the continuation of the joined stories by Kool Person and Rose By Another name! These are just the previous chapters of Gavin's Story – titled Befriending Dragons. Our story has now been changed to Guardians of the Lost Stone. I've re-edited this chapter, and will work on my other chapters too. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: All characters from the Enchanted Forest Chronicles belong to Miss (Mrs?) Wrede, and Gavin, Remanan, Aerida (and any others that I think of) belong to me.
Guardians of the Lost Stone – Gavins' Story
In Which Gavin Embarks on a Quest
Prince Gavin was bored. Not another day of fighting dragons and rescuing Princesses who didn't have enough sense to stay away from trouble. Not another day filled with completing quests. Not another day with his instructor Berald droning on about how a prince should fulfill his duty. Bored. Prince Gavin was very, very bored. He stared out of the window, remembering the fun-filled events of yesterday. He had met a young magician and they had gone around the nearby village placing enchantments on all the boring, stuffy nobles. Of course these enchantments didn't last very long, and sadly, all the frogs and donkeys around the village had turned back to their human selves at sunset.
"You must be polite and follow whatever the young maiden bids you. For Princesses are fair and unused to the terrors of the world," Berald declaimed dramatically. Gavin rolled his eyes. They were far smarter then they let on. Although, they didn't have much sense, they knew how to get a man to do exactly what they wished. But they always asked for silly things... like fetching a rose from a monster's garden, or conquer a giant to get his golden harp. Pah! Who needed Princesses?
Berald was a knight who had grown too old to go off on adventures and rescue damsels in distress, so King Hugo had hired him to teach his sons how to be princely... even though he was a knight. Somehow the logic seemed to escape Gavin, but he had never been a satisfactory prince in his father's books.
There were seven sons under Berald's tutelage, Gavin being somewhere in the middle at age 16. He looked much different than his brothers, who were all very handsome with black or brown hair and blue eyes that made maidens swoon and sigh. Gavin, for one, had red hair, although he wasn't sure he could even call it red. His long hair ranged from a burnished copper to deep crimson, with black streaks here and there as well – but he was no fire-witch. True his eyes were blue, but they were neither the deep sapphire blue of enchanted lakes, nor the vast pale blue of summer skies. No, they were a rather boring every-day sort of blue. And girls did not swoon over them. Of course, that could be because he grew red and stammered whenever a breathtakingly beautiful princess batted her eyes at him and giggled. Neither was he very good at the sword, whose very metal seemed foreign and uncomfortable in his hands.
It was with a melancholy resignation that Gavin admitted to his out-of-placeness. The thought niggled at him, like the maddening itch inside ones brain; a sense of separation from his family and the people around him. Like he watched them from very far away. Some of his brothers had already gone out to seek their fortune or to find some evil monster, and it was his turn soon. Another chance for Gavin Lleldor to make a complete idiot of himself, the prince thought glumly. I can't wait.
"... YOUR MAJESTY!" Berald's voice rang out, jerking the young prince from his thoughts. "Your majesty, you must pay attention! Did you hear a word I was saying?"
"Yes, Berald, I can hear you very well," Gavin sighed.
"Then you must know that you will start your journey to save Princess Aerida tomorrow?"
Gavin choked. "WHAT!!?"
Berald harrumphed at his pupil's obvious lack of attention. Of all the princes he had ever taught, Gavin was simply the most impossible. Hopeless, even. "Since she has been captured by dragons near the Enchanted Forest you must go and save her, then receive half her kingdom to add to Arsta's lands where the two of you can live happily ever after." The young prince groaned inwardly, he most certainly did NOT want to rule a Kingdom. He would make a terrible King. Especially not with Aerida, Gavin thought with an inward grimace. "You will bring the normal equipment of course," Berald stated, "Seven league boots, magic rope, an enchanted sword, full armour.."
"I will not wear armor," Gavin refused blatantly, "I can barely move and it rusts easily. Besides, it's awfully hot in the Mountains of Morning," then he added as an afterthought, "What do I need armour for? I'm a prince, not a knight. Aren't they the ones supposed to wear it?"
The old knight puffed up, "Your majesty! Dragon's can breathe fire! Armour is for your protection and safety."
"Protection? I'm more likely to turn into a roasted turkey! Metal happens to heat under fire, and I do not wish to become a baked prince, thank you very much."
"You will go Prince Gavin! Your father commands it, and it's expected of you. Why, any other prince would jump at the mere thought of rescuing Princess Aerida!"
So it was that Gavin set out into the world, saying goodbye to his magician friend Remanan (who gave him a helpful book of spells), his father, his brothers and his mother. Carried with him was the pack that Berald had prepared for him, and the sad thought that the only reward on this pointless quest would be a dim-witted Princess. Oh how very wrong he was.
In Which a Fairy Godmother Pays a Visit
Trudging through the dust-filed roads, Prince Gavin gloomily munched on some travelers bread he had bought from the village baker a few miles back. The thought of using his magical boots had occurred, but he'd changed his mind, as food and traveling seven leagues per second didn't usually agree with his stomach. However he paused for a moment as a sudden wind picked up. Dust twisted up from the ground, making him cough and sputter. Gavin felt the swirling of magic gather into a distinct spot. With a pop, his fairy godmother stood in front of him, her hands on her hips complete with a tight-lipped glare.
"Just where do you think you're going?" she demanded.
"To the Enchanted Forest ma'am. It's the quickest way to the Mountains of Morning," he sighed, "I've got to rescue Princess Aerida from a dragon."
"Well it's about time young man. But really, this has been such short notice! I barely had time to prepare!" his Fairy Godmother exclaimed indignantly.
"Prepare what?" Gavin asked cautiously.
"Why every Fairy Godmother is obliged to give advice and things of use to aide their charges throughout their perilous quests," she stated, giving him a look that seemed to ask if he was a lackwit.
"Oh I see," came Gavin's polite reply. He gave his Fairy Godmother a too-bright smile. If she insisted in treating him like an invalid... "Um, what advice did you wish to give me?"
"Not advice my dear boy, but a magical object of great value. Such a thing of magnitude has not been seen on the face of this earth since the dawn of time!" Gavin sighed inwardly. His Fairy Godmother tended to exaggerate.
"And this thing of magnitude would be?...."
Waving her hands with flourish and making an attempt to be dramatic she said: "Appear before me, O great chasm of power! I summon thee here to fulfill thy destiny!" There was a flash of blinding light. Probably put on for effects, Gavin thought. When it dimmed and he could see again, his Fairy Godmother cried out, "Behold!" and opened her hand.
"A pebble?" Gavin asked unenthusiastically.
"Hardly a mere pebble my boy," she replied, a little put out. "It is the detritus of power and magic!"
Gavin blinked. "The what?"
"The Stone, young man! The Stone! Why, it has been lost for centuries and I have summoned it here thus, bestowing upon you a great gift."
She gave him the stone, which appeared as clear as glass, yet foggy the next moment. It didn't seem like such a "great gift", but it was his Fairy Godmother, and as a general rule it's always best to accept gifts from Fairy Godmothers. If a person didn't, they'd usually end up sleeping for thousands of years until someone came around to kiss them. The fairy tapped her foot impatiently.
What? Oh yes! Gavin remembered, "Thank you ma'am. Your gift is highly appreciated."
The fairy nodded in approval, and with a swish, flick of her wand, she was gone. The prince placed the stone in his pocket with a shrug, with some vague thought that he might find use for it later. Stuffing the rest of the bread in his mouth, he decided he'd travel the rest of the way with his boots. Carefully, he took down his pack and drew out the shiny, soft leather boots. They had been his father's and his fathers father's before him. And they were too big.
With a noise of irritation, Gavin slid his feet into the boots. After a deep breath, Gavin took a big step and felt the land around him lurch; he was seven-leagues further and the surrounding land was filled pastures and farms. Another step. It was still farmland and fields of wheat. He saw 10 cows meander across a field of grass. Another step. Gavin almost hit a tree that suddenly stood directly in front of him. Below him he heard startled gasps as a young couple lay under the tree in terrified embrace, staring at their young monarch as if he were a ghost. Blushing as red as the fruit on the tree, Gavin murmured an apology and took another step again. Then with one final strut he was there! Gavin Lleldor stood at the edge of the Enchanted Forest.
Trees loomed high above Gavin's head and moss filled the ground, lush and vibrant. Careful not to take another step forward, Gavin sat down and removed his boots, replacing them with his normal ones. As soon as he entered he felt a change. Everything around him seemed more.... well, more alive. He couldn't remember exactly what Berald had told him about enchanted forests, though - something about danger around every corner? Gavin took a few cautious steps and waited for something terrible to happen. Nothing. He repeated this experiment a few more times, and when he was recieved with the same results, he proceeded on with more confidence to explore the Enchanted Forest. He knew the path to the Mountains of Morning, but nothing seemed to be in the right place. He tried and tried to find his direction, but it seemed simply impossible. He was traveling in circles. Finally, with a cry of exasperation, Gavin sat down on an outcropping rock. He sulked there for sometime, and we must forgive our little hero for this mistake, for he is a prince after all, and they are known to be rather erratic and illogical.
When the afternoon had gone, and the evening rapidly approached, Prince Gavin finally came to terms with his annoyance. He decided (rather unwisely) to explore the forest during the night.
Once he had gathered his pack and checked to make sure that his sword was in place, he went forward to probe the forest. Blundering through thorns and hitting himself of trees, Gavin grew increasingly frustrated with his situation. He muttered darkly, massaging his head. A low, piercing howl filled the darkness. The Prince froze. It was a werewolf! Stumbling on some tree roots, he spun around and planned to head in the opposite direction.
However he was interrupted by, "Ow! Ouch! Mind your feet! Do you watch where you're going? No, I suppose you don't. You princes never seem to know anything. You should look where you're stepping." Squinting in the darkness, Gavin tried to find the person who was talking to him. "Down here," the voice said. Staring at his feet, he could barely make out the shape of what was.... a lizard?
"Yes," it said, "I'm a lizard, Suz by name. You should be more careful you know."
"I-I'm sorry," Gavin stuttered.
"You are?" The lizard stood on it's tail and squinted at the prince suspiciously. "You really are! How perfectly delightful! Who are you, and what are you doing in the Enchanted Forest? Not up to mischief are you? Only princes and wizards are up to mischief at this time of night."
"No, no, I'm not up to anything," the prince spoke hastily, "You're right, I am a Prince, and my name is Gavin, but I'm rather new to the forest. I'm trying to find the Mountains of Morning."
"Mountains of Morning? What do you want in the Mountains of Morning?" A howl broke out once more and Gavin shivered involuntarily. He felt a warm presence in his shirt pocket. Putting his hand inside it, he drew out the glowing stone that his Fairy Godmother had given him. "What!" the lizard exclaimed, "Oh my goodness gracious! Dear, dear, dearie me! The Stone! The one and only Stone!" Skittering up onto his shoulder, Suz squeaked in his ear, "follow me!"
It is rather hard to follow a lizard, but it is even harder to follow a lizard in the dark. Thankfully he had only to follow the trail of Suz's incessant chatter. After what seemed like hours of unending dread, Gavin saw a large castle. It was in the middle of a square moat with numerous towers and four balconies. "Where are we Suz?" he asked.
"What? Where? Oh. We are in front of the castle of the King and Queen of the Enchanted Forest."
In Which Gavin Meets the Rulers of the Enchanted Forest
As they approached the castle, Suz climbed onto Gavin's shoulder and told him to knock on the door. They were greeted by a short, elderly elf.
"What can I do to help you?" he asked politely, though with barely contained wariness. Gavin realized how he must look, with his rumpled, travel-stained clothes, dark-rimmed eyes and it being well past midnight He didn't suppose many visitors would come at this time.
"We must see Cimorene and Mendanbar quick, quick, quickity, quick!" exclaimed Suz.
"I'm afraid their majesties are sleeping right now," the elf said with a haughty sniff, "please come back tomorrow." With a sinking heart, Gavin watched as the elf closed the door. When only an inch of space was left, the door stopped suddenly and was jerked open once more. Peering nearsightedly at Gavin, the elf scrutinized his face and after moments contemplation he changed his mind. "May I inquire as to your name?" he asked.
"Yes, my name is Gavin Lleldor, the son of Hugo."
"A prince," the elf said, more of a statement than a question. But Gavin nodded anyway.
"Why, yes… how did you know?"
"Your highness, this is the Enchanted Forest and I am King Mendanbar's steward!" he said it a bit stiffly, as if he had been offended.
"Sorry," Gavin apologized. Saying the wrong things at the wrong moments seemed to be the prince's stock and trade. If only Remanan were here, he thought forlornly. His magician friend was much better with people than he was.
After adjusting his collar and straightening his doublet, the elf seemed to have regained his composure. "Perhaps your majesty would be interested in a place to stay for the night?"
"Yes!" Gavin said immediately. He was smart enough to know that sleeping in an enchanted forest at night would definitely not be the best way to go. "I would greatly appreciate that if it's not too much trouble." He pointed at the lizard on his shoulder, "This is Suz, he helped me find this castle."
Suz, ignoring this exchange, jumped from his shoulder and started to scurry back towards the forest. Gavin called after him. "Wait! Where are you going?"
"To the Mountains of Morning, silly," the lizard said standing on his tail. "Kazul will want to know about this. The Stone! Goodness, dearie me," Suz could be heard muttering as he crawled back into the dense Forest.
"This way," Willin said, unperturbed by a talking lizard. The elf motioned for Gavin to follow him. He was led into a large spare room. In it were a four-poster bed, a foggy, oval mirror, desk, chair and a wooden closet. "I will inform their majesties of your presence in the morning," the elf said as he closed the door. Sighing in relief, the prince sat on the bed and gazed at his surroundings. With nothing else to do, Gavin pulled out the Book of Spells that Remanan had given him. As he leafed through the old, crinkled pages, the Prince discovered that it was for sorcerers.
"How to make yourself invisible," Gavin read off the page, "Become endlessly rich, A thief's light, Summon a demon, Call forth The..." squinting closer, he tried to see what the spell would call forth, but try as he might, it was smeared in.... in something he really didn't want to know. Shrugging, he put the book by his bedside and went to sleep.
The next morning Gavin was woken by a soft knock on the door. "Prince Gavin?" he heard Willin's voice say from the other side. "Their majesties are awake now and when you are ready, shall be escorted to meet them."
"Alright Willin," Gavin said. Sitting up with a large yawn, the prince rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. After dressing and checking to see that the Stone was safely in his pocket, the young man left his room. To his surprise, Willin was waiting just beside his door. Motioning him to follow, the elf walked briskly ahead. Since the elf chose to say nothing, Gavin was left alone to his thoughts. Obviously the Stone was much more than it appeared to be. He was rather miffed that his fairy godmother hadn't told him more about her gift. Who was Kazul? Was he some King or Duke of a nearby land? He must be very important since Suz left just to inform him of Gavin's presence.
The prince broke out of his thoughts at the smell of baking bread. Was that eggs and bacon too? His mouth watering, Gavin realized that he hadn't eaten since last morning. Willin had led him into the kitchen.
"Your majesties," Willin said with a bow. "May I present to you Gavin Lleldor, the son of King Hugo from the distant lands. He-"
"Thank you Willin," a man interrupted.
For the first time, the young prince got a look at the rulers of the Enchanted Forest. The one who spoke was a man in need of a haircut, but he wore a golden circlet, which meant he must be the King. He looked it too, Gavin thought, despite the man's careless appearance. Sitting by him was a boy about his age- perhaps a year older. He had black hair, and looked quite like his father. At the stove, placing eggs on plates and pouring batter onto a pan was a beautiful woman. She wore her raven-black hair in two braids and sitting on top of them was another circlet.
The Queen, Gavin realized in amazement, is flipping pancakes!
Remembering his manners just in time, Gavin bowed.
"A good morning to you Prince Gavin. I hope that you slept well." Our hero could only nod mutely. "I am Mendanbar, that is my wife Cimorene and this is my son Daystar." Gavin bowed again. "Really, you don't need to bow so much. Willin tells me that Suz brought you here."
"Yes , your majesty."
"And you seem to have a stone which is of importance?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Save the 'your majestying' for a formal occasion, please. I think that you will be here for a few days at least and all this bowing business can be quite tedious. Mendanbar will do."
"Yes, your maj- Mendanbar." Gavin said with a little smile. A strange thought flickered through his brain. Perhaps he could like these unnerving Royals. They didn't seem to do anything that a proper royal would do.
"The Stone thing, seems familiar somehow," Daystar murmured. "I think I've read about it somewhere.... I just can't remember."
"Have you had breakfast Gavin?" Mendanbar's wife, Cimorene asked. Before he was able to answer a sharp ping rang through the air. "Well the bread's done." Opening the oven, the queen brought out a large loaf of bread. It smelled delightful and to Gavin's embarrassment, his stomach roared rather loudly.
Grinning, Mendanbar stated, "Take a seat Gavin, you must be starving." Smiling gratefully he took the seat next to Daystar.
"Now," Cimorene asked, "how many eggs do you want for breakfast?"
In Which There is a Solution
Gavin found his situation a little strange. Sitting at the small wooden table without servants was fine with him, only the royal family of the Enchanted Forest didn't seem to mind either. Although Gavin was a virtual stranger, none of the people present seemed to have the distant politeness of the other nobles he had met. Gavin quelled the censorious remarks Berald would have to say on the issue. There had to be a way to get his dratted instructor out of his head!
"What does this stone actually do?" Prince Daystar asked.
"Umm... I'm not sure," Gavin replied with a thoughtful frown. "My fairy godmother gave it to me. She said it was a great gift, and Suz seems to think that it's got some value. He got rather excited when I showed it to him." The prince drew out the foggy, palm-sized stone. It seemed to purr softly in his hand. It had never done that before. "Do you hear that?" He asked everyone at the table.
"Hear what?" Mendanbar asked.
"The Stone's vibrating. It's purring like- like a kitten."
"May I see it?" Cimorene asked, holding out her hand. Gavin handed her the stone. Gazing intently, the queen of the Enchanted Forest brought it closer to examine. "It's not really a stone," she commented finally. "It's some kind of gemstone and its very powerful. About as powerful as Mendanbar's sword, I'd say. Your fairy godmother gave this to you?" Gavin nodded. "They're not usually powerful enough to make something like this," Cimorene thought aloud. "And they tend to be by-the-book." She came to a decision. "I think you'd better go see Kazul, Gavin. I think this goes by a different name.... if only I could remember!"
"Who is Kazul?" Gavin asked. "Suz mentioned something about him as well."
"Firstly, it's 'she.' Kazul lives up in the Mountains of Morning and she's the King of Dragons." Gavin choked on the piece of pancake he had just placed in his mouth.
"D-dragon?" he coughed. "Kazul's the King of the Dragons?"
Cimorene gave him an assessing look and nodded.
"Oh no," Gavin groaned. "Now what am I going to do? How am I supposed to ask her for help if I need to fight her?"
Mendanbar blinked. "Fight? I think I missed something; why do you have to fight Kazul?"
Gavin blushed. "Well I- I have to save a Princess. That's what got me into this big mess in the first place. Dragons in the Mountains of Morning captured her and I've got to rescue her. I don't want to but, well, I guess it's expected of me."
"If I know Kazul, and I think I do, she won't appreciate any more hotheaded princes knocking on the door demanding a tourney. Besides," Cimorene said smiling, "she's got a very impulsive princess right now who might lose her temper if she's interrupted in the middle of her work."
"I don't want to fight the King of Dragons, but I don't have a choice right now. Do you have any ideas?"
"Of course," Cimorene said with a smug grin. "You'll proceed into the Mountains of Morning with your stone. I'll write a letter to Kazul explaining everything. There are a few items that I promised I'd give Shiara as well. To make sure that none of the dragons mistake you for a wandering meal, Daystar will go with you."
This was all going a little too fast for Gavin's liking. Once he reached the Mountains of Morning he had to rescue Princess Aerida, fight or no fight. He was OK with Daystar traveling with him, he needed a friend. But the whole Stone business was too confusing. What was it? What did Queen Cimorene know that he didn't? For that matter, what did Kazul know? He was stuck with this mess now, he supposed. And what if the dragon did want to fight him? Gavin had never met a dragon, but they were always fierce and unreasonable... or at least that's what Berald had said. "Why do I have to be the one to carry this stone? Can- can I give it to Kazul as an um... an exchange for Aerida?"
Cimorene shook her head immediately. "No, I think she's got enough problems as it is."
"Even if she did accept it," Mendanbar put in, "it most likely wouldn't work. Things like this have to be done a certain way and there's usually no getting around it."
Prince Gavin sighed, "I was afraid of that." He turned to Daystar. "Do you want to come with me? You don't have to, you know."
"You seem pretty reasonable, and I want to know what that stone is. I could swear I've heard about it before. Besides, I want to see Shiara again."
And so it was that two Princes set out to the Mountains of Morning, leaving Gavin to wonder at how casually the royals of the Enchanted Forest took this entire business. If only all kingdoms could run like this! Gavin was a little nervous about going through the forest again, but Daystar assured him that no werewolves roamed during the day. It wasn't very far, only a day's walk and Gavin discovered that the Enchanted Forest tended to switch places from time to time, making it hard to find any place at all.
"So that's why I couldn't make anything out!" our prince cried. "This forest has more to it then I ever thought. Do you think it kept switching on purpose? To make Suz and me meet, I mean."
"Maybe," Daystar answered. "The Forest has a mind of it's own in a way. It takes awhile to get used to, but once you do you may never want to leave.
In Which There Is a Stopover
The two princes trudged along the forest paths, chatting amiably about anything and everything. Each asked the other about their adventures and previous experiences.
"Have you ever met a wizard?" Daystar asked.
Gavin shook his head, "Can't say that I have. Why?"
"They're very annoying. Father had a large problem with them about a year back. They're not the easiest people to deal with. Not to mention the staffs they have suck up all the magic in the Enchanted Forest."
"Really?" Gavin asked with interest, "You mean that whenever a wizard comes, the Enchanted Forest loses all of it's magic?"
"Not all of it," Daystar replied, "Just the magic in the vicinity. And it doesn't all happen in a flash either. You see they have this sort of 'suck-up' spell, which absorbs all sorts of magic. They always used to leave dry patches in the Forest. Father had an awful time patching them up, but his sword helped."
"Sword?"
"Yes. It's called the Sword of the Sleeping King... or at least it was called that, when father was sleeping."
Prince Gavin shook his head in confusion, "This is going all a little fast for me, you'd better start at the beginning."
They walked on, Daystar narrating the story about the adventures of his father in the Enchanted Forest. From the time when Cimorene ran away, to his own adventure with Shiara.
"A fire-witch, huh?"
Daystar nodded, "Yep. You'll never come across another fire witch who can be as fire-witchy as Shiara. You'll know what I mean when you meet her. She's Kazul's princess."
"Even though she's not a real princess?"
"Well if Kazul says she is, she is. No one will argue with the King of Dragons about whether to have a princess or not, that is, not if they want to keep their skins. Most Kings of Dragons don't keep princesses though."
Gavin sighed. "Your friends are so unorthodox. I've been brought up most of my life thinking I was the only one who was different. Now I meet all of you who are much worse than I am, in that sense, and it's starting to scare me."
Laughing the other prince retorted, "It takes awhile but you'll get used to it. Trust me."
"I'll take your word for it," Gavin said with a grin.
"Oh shoot!" Daystar exclaimed suddenly after an hour of walking. "I was supposed to tell Telemain something. We'd better make a quick stopover at Morwen's house. I think that's where they're staying this week."
"Who's Telemain?"
"He's a magician and his wife, Morwen, is a witch. They live in two places since neither was willing to give up their own homes," Daystar shrugged, "They switch houses every week or so."
Walking in silence, Gavin followed Daystar's lead. Telemain was a magician, which reminded him of his friend Remanan who was a magician also. The trees still loomed tall, hardly any sunlight was able to break through causing a visual lack of flowers and underbrush. As they continued on however, the shafts of sunlight grew more abundant and the soil soon became covered with moss.
"Ah, here we are," Daystar pointed. "Welcome to Morwen's cottage."
In front was a little gate that held a sign: SALESMEN REFRAIN FROM ENTERING. Pushing it open, Daystar walked up to the wooden door of Morwen's house. Gavin followed hesitantly. Witches weren't exactly fond of Princes, were they? He shrugged. It was Berald talking again. One of the first things Gavin noticed when he walked past the gate was the cats. They seemed to be everywhere. They were on the benches in front, perched on the trees, zooming across the lawn, and some just lazing in the sun. The door creaked open and Gavin saw a short brown haired woman in a practical black robe, a cooking apron and rimmed glasses.
She smiled warmly, "Hello Daystar. Has Mendanbar finished all of that cider I gave him already?"
Daystar laughed. "Actually he has. But I came here to tell Telemain something... something about the you-know-what that was supposed to happen but never did."
Morwen raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? Odd that you should mention it, I seemed to have found the you-know-who of the you-know-what."
Daystar frowned, "What? Really? That has to be more then coincidence. We must be missing something."
"Yes indeed," was the witch's thoughtful reply.
Our hero understood not a single sentence of what the two were talking about.
"Oh!" Daystar exclaimed, "I'm sorry Morwen, this is Prince Gavin Lleldor, Gavin this is Morwen." Gavin bowed his best princely bow with which Morwen returned with a speculative nod.
"Come in, I've got another guest but I think there's room."
Past the door was a large kitchen. The first thing Gavin noticed about the interior was the cats. Just how many did this Morwen have? Our prince hoped beyond hope that his body didn't have the sudden urge to become allergic to felines.
There was a large stove and a wooden table in the center of the kitchen. Sitting at the table was a girl, a princess by the looks of it as she was stunningly beautiful. She however, wasn't clad in a rich brocade or elaborate gown, no she was in a well-worn, faded wool skirt and an equally faded blouse and jerkin – peasant's clothes. Nor was she wearing a crown or tiara of any sort. Gavin realized in shock that she wasn't lamenting and spouting poetry over her desolate state. Actually she was eating ravenously (if not slightly un-princessly) at a rather inviting strudel. The princess looked up as they entered and gave Morwen a questioning look. Morwen didn't answer immediately, but instead she closed the door and told one of her cats to get off a chair. She motioned for Daystar and Gavin to take a seat.
Morwen introduced Daystar to the princess who choked on the piece of dessert she had just put in her mouth. "Daystar!?" she exclaimed, "You mean the Prince Daystar of the Enchanted Forest?"
Morwen nodded, "And this," she continued, "Is Gavin."
"Oh, hi. I'm Shera." Shaking her hand, Gavin turned red and mumbled something in return.
"Telemain should be home shortly if you want to wait Daystar." The prince in question nodded.
Immediately Daystar and Shera started an animated conversation. She asked him about his adventures in the Enchanted Forest and he of hers. Gavin could tell she was smart and he would bet his Book of Spells that she had a sharp tongue to match it. Apparently she had decided to go on an adventure as a traveling saleswoman and had met Morwen barely a few days after. Soon Morwen joined them.
Daystar turned to Gavin, "Show her the Stone. It's OK, you can trust her," he added when he sensed Gavin's hesitation.
With a frown, he drew it out of his pocket. As soon as it was in the light it started to glow. First a light white, sort of surprising, it then expanded into a brilliant gold. It seemed to sing, like the sound of a sword ringing out of its scabbard. Then as sudden as it had started, it faded into it's usual foggy-grey.
"Well," Morwen commented after a moment of astonished silence, "there does seem to be something rather amazing about that stone." She gave Gavin a fierce, piercing look. "I think I had better explain something."
In Which Much is Revealed
It seemed that everyone present was holding their breaths, complete silence filled the room. The trees outside seemed to have stopped swaying, everyone sitting at the table appeared to have frozen. Even the cats were stiff, their tails only twitching slightly.
"A long time ago," Morwen said, "a-" There was a loud bang. The door swung open and a heavily panting man stepped in. He was carrying a large jar filled with tiny, luminescent forms. Gavin thought they looked awfully like those phosphoric bugs outside the castle walls at night. The man carrying the jar wore robes of a deep blue, his brown hair was uncombed and looked singed and plucked in certain places.
"Help," he squeaked, not having enough breath to say it any louder. The man cleared his throat. "Help," he said once more in a much lower voice. Morwen frowned at him.
"Pixies, Telemain? Pixies?!" she seemed to be rather cross. "When you said you were going to search for an exceptionally cabalistic quintessence of magical configuration I assumed it would be something worthwhile." She looked at him disapprovingly as he stood there panting. "The reason not much is known of pixie magic is because they are summed up in one word: 'nuisance'. This house will be a mess within two hours of experimentation! You know you can't control pixies."
The man called Telemain puffed up, "I would think," he panted, "that you would appreciate the significance of magical investigation despite the hindrance of a few inconsequential impediments." He sighed when no one moved to help him he walked to the nearest counter-top and placed the heavy glass jar on it. He looked quizzingly at Gavin.
Morwen introduced him to Telemain and after they had finished the introductions she told the magician about the stone and Gavin drew it out, handing it to him. The prince explained how it had come into his possession and once more suggested the idea of presenting it to Kazul. "That would be highly unwise," Morwen replied instantly. "I seriously think this is something only you can handle right now. It's your responsibility." She paused, "Would you excuse us for a minute?" she asked everyone seated at the table. When they gave her their assent she motioned for Telemain to go into an adjacent room.
"I think we should tell them," Morwen said simply.
"What!?" Telemain exclaimed, "That is incontrovertibly not an alternative!"
"Listen Telemain," she continued, "this cannot simply be just coincidence! There has to be more to it than that. Now I agree that we shouldn't tell them all the facts, but we can't let them go about to do the- well what they're supposed to do totally devoid of any trace of information!"
"But, but, the conclusion of my measurement towards the possible contingency of Shera being a candidate has not been concluded!"
"Candidate? Shera was the only choice! Telemain, she is the one! I know it! This Stone has to be part of it! Therefore so does Gavin."
The magician let out an exasperated sigh, "Very well, Morwen. But your disclosure must not be in totality."
When they returned to the room, both acted as if nothing had happened. However both magician and witch could tell that the three sitting at the table had heard raised voices but were too polite to say anything.
Morwen continued with her story once they were all seated. "A prophet used to be a highly respected position," she started, "As the ages passed however, many people wanted to receive this recognition and so posed as one. This fakery became so obvious that the word prophet became often scoffed at. How to winnow true from false is the key to knowing an accurate soothsayer. When we were younger Telemain and I did a study on ancient prophesies and we came across one that had to do with the Enchanted Forest," Morwen glanced at Telemain, "now I know it, but I'm not sure exactly how much I should reveal," she paused once more. "Well let's just say that it is crucial to the forest's survival and that if it isn't properly carried out it would mean the destruction... or possibly a change of rulership in the forest, one that would be much worse then any before. Now Telemain and I strongly believe that Gavin and Shera have something to do with this. Shera I think, is supposed to find out what problems the Enchanted Forest will face. She will have to go in a search for clues, a quest if you like, and find out, who, what, and why this event will take place. I did not say 'when' due to the fact that this prophesy was supposed to take place approximately fifty years ago."
Gavin waited for her to continue but when she remained silent he said, "Shera plays an important part, but... you said that I had something to do with this as well..." he left the sentence unfinished.
"Now you I'm not so sure about. I must've only known a part of the prophecy, for all that I know about it said nothing about a stone. However, your coming here is much more than a coincidence. You said that you were headed to the Mountains of Morning?" Gavin nodded an affirmative. "Then when you get there, ask Kazul to tell you the rest of the prophecy. She must know more then I do."