A/n: Thanks for all the reviews everyone! Keep 'em coming!

Chapter Three

I looked at Uther, angry. "What are you talking about?" I spat. "Do I have some sort of double-"

A knock at the door interrupted me.

Moira ran her hands through her hair and took off her floury apron, and left the room. I heard her unbolt the door and the floor creak as she curtsied. I heard a few murmurs and whispers, inaudible from the kitchen.

"Yes, of course, right this way," she said.

Suddenly she appeared at the kitchen doorway. "Our presence is requested at the palace," she said, her voice wary. "Now."

Uther stood up. "All right," he replied. "Let's go."

She shook her head. "Fiona. They want her too," she explained.

I looked up from the table, shocked. "Why me?" I asked. "What business does King Cadogan have with me?"

"I know not," replied Uther. "But you must come when summoned."

The palace was cold and drafty at night, it's normally luminous hall uncomfortable and frozen, drained of life. King Cadogan sat at the head of the hall, his face weary. Next to him was a tall man, no older than Uther, with long, black-blue hair and a trimmed beard. His black eyes were vigilant and emotional, watching us cautiously as we entered. Near them stood Tristan and his parents. Tristan looked shame-faced. Serves him right.

"Ah, Lord Uther, Lady Moira, Lady Fiona," said Cadogan, standing up. "May I introduce Aodhagan, the wizard of Effluahbn."

We all bowed and curtsied. He smiled at me. "Enchanted," Aodhagan replied, bowing.

"Fiona," said the king, "we have a situation on our hands."

I frowned. "What of, Sire?" I replied.

"It has come to my attention that you and Lord Tristan were involved in a bit of a scuffle on your way home today," he said sternly.

I nodded, unabashed. I had nothing to be ashamed of. "Yes, Sire," I replied.

"And Lord Tristan tells me that he disclosed some information to you?" the king asked.

I shook my head. "No, sire," I replied. "All he said was that all of mankind knew who, and what, I was, and I had no idea."

The king nodded. "Yes, yes, this is what I meant," he said. "Do you know what he meant by that?"

"No," I said. "I figured it had something to do with my parents-my real parents- but I knew not of what he spoke of."

"I see," King Cadogan. "Fiona, what do you know of your real parents?"

I paused, thinking. "I know that they lived in Effluahbn, in a small farming town called Sabhaile. I lived there with them, and Ronan too. They had me ride here that night Sabhaile was being attacked by Deileoirion riders. I know they were killed, either that night or soon after," I said. "But that's it."

The king sighed, glancing at Uther, Moira, and Aodhagan. "Fiona, there is something we need to tell you," Cadogan said seriously. "We should have told you long ago, and I don't remember why we didn't."

"There is a reason every man knows who you are," explained Uther.

"What?" I said. "Why?"

"Fiona, your parents names were Yannick and Shayla," explained the king. "They lived on a farm in Sabhaile, a small town close to Effluahbn's capitol. You know Effluahbn has been an unsettled country for sometime, yes?"

I nodded. "Of course," I replied. "I've always wondered why, but what does this have to do with me?"

"Effluahbn is in shambles because of man. It used to be the land of the fae, until one day the faery queen Siobhan married a mortal man named Kiernan. She loved him very much, and he her, until Kiernan realized the power he possessed. He was the king of the faeries, the most powerful race on earth. Kiernan enslaved the fae, making them work for his own personal bidding. They tried to rebel against him, but instead he banished them from the kingdom. Even his own wife, and their daughter, Fiona."

"So what does this have to do with me?" I asked, frustrated.

"You are the last remaining descendant of Siobhan and Kiernan," Cadogan said. "You're the one who is supposed to save Effluahbn and restore it to it's former glory."

"Me?" I cried. "Why me? Siobhan and Kiernan have had lots of descendants. Why am I supposed to save the kingdom?"

"When Effluahbn fell to men, a prophecy was made, saying the descendant of Siobhan and Kiernan, who's name was the same as their daughter, would save Effluahbn and become it's queen," Uther cut in.

I frowned. "So you believe this prophecy?" I asked. "How do you know if it comes from a credible source?"

"I can assure you it does," replied Aodhagan. "I prophesied it."

"You did?" I cried. "Did you know that my parents were going to die, or that I'd be raised in Ceannaire?"

"No, milady, I did not," he replied. "And if I did, I would have tried as hard as I could to save them. I knew your parents, and was distressing by their death."

"So if you're the wizard of Effluahbn, how come you can't defend it yourself? Why do you need me?" I asked.

"I am only a wizard, Fiona," replied Aodhagan. "To fix a country of all it's evils is much to large of a feat. I do small deeds, good things, little magic. But I cannot cure centuries of hate leading up to this very moment in time."

"But I can?" I said.

"Aye," he replied. "Fiona, you possess more magic than you think. Remember, you're the descendent of the faery queen Siobhan. You've faery blood in you."

My mind clouded over, and my knees went weak. "Could-could I have a chair, your majesty?" I asked the king. "I'm feeling somewhat overwhelmed."

"Of course," he said, signaling to a servant.

I sat down gratefully, my head reeling. "So what does all of this mean?" I asked to no one in particular.

"It means that now is the time for Effluahbn's redemption," replied Cadogan. "It is time for you to fulfill your destiny; to carry out the prophecy."

"Am I to do it alone?" I asked.

"Of course not!" laughed Cadogan. "No, no. Aodhagan will be with you, as well as Tristan."

"Tristan!" I cried. "Why?"

Tristan stepped forward, guilty. "Because I was the reason you learned of your fate, King Cadogan insists I accompany you through your travels."

"Gee, thanks," I muttered.

The king obviously overheard me and clicked his tongue. "Fiona, this is no time to pick fights," he scolded. "Your life is at stake."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The Deileoirions know of the prophecy as well. They'll be on the lookout for you," replied Cadogan. "They know that you've found out of the prophecy, and will be sending riders out to find you and kill you."

"Wonderful," I cried. "Just wonderful."

"I know this is hard to grasp," said Aodhagan. "But you really must try to understand. We'll be leaving tomorrow."

My jaw dropped; my mind clouded in thought. "Why must I go fulfill this prophecy?" I cried. "Why me?"

"Because you're the descendent of Siobhan," repeated Cadogan.

"I know," I replied. "I understand that, but-"

"Fiona," boomed Aodhagan, "for centuries your ancestors have struggled under this prophecy, forever waiting, hoping, praying, for you to be born and deliver their kingdom. Don't you think it's time you satisfied their desires?"

I was suddenly filled with a sense of foreboding. Something inside me set fire, and I stood up shakily. Voices exploded inside my head. I nodded to Aodhagan and King Cadogan.

"All right," I said boldly. "I'll go."

Tristan laughed bitterly. "It's not as though you had a choice!" he berated. "You've got to go!"

"Tristan!" cried Cadogan. "How dare you speak to anyone with such disrespect. You must learn to keep your peace, or you'll regret it one day."

"Yes, Sire," Tristan mumbled, bowing. "My apologies, Lady Fiona."

I smirked at him. For the stakes set against me, I was in high spirits. For some reason, a feeling had ignited in me. I felt as though I was suddenly thrust onto a dangerous path, and yet I was unafraid. It was a strange emotion, one I couldn't explain to anyone, not even to Uther, Moira, Mickey, Donal, Trefor, Bryn, Colleen, and Ronan that night. I was full of apprehension and doubt, and but I knew I could accomplish what was asked of me.

A/n: Oh boy. Here we go. Please review!! I want lots!!