A/n: Wrote this chapter on a whim. Enjoy!

Chapter Four

As soon as Uther, Moira, and I got home, they awoke the rest of the family and took us to their room, where we were allowed to sit on their bed and talk. Uther and Moira tried to explain to everyone what had happened and how it was going to change our lives forever.

"Everyone," Moira said, "we have some news."

"What?" asked Donal. "Couldn't it have waited until morning?"

"No," replied Uther. "This is important. Fiona has to leave us for awhile."

"What?" cried Colleen and Mickey at the same time. "Why?"

Uther paused, glancing at Moira. "Well… she, she has- she's got to…" he stammered.

"Uther, Moira," I said, "let me tell them the truth. Please. They deserve to know."

Moira nodded. "If that's what you want, Fiona," she said. "It's up to you."

I turned to face all of them. "It-it's a complicated situation that I don't have any control over. Ronan, you and I are descendents of Siobhan, the faery queen of Effluahbn. She and her daughter, Fiona, were exiled from their kingdom by her evil human husband, Kiernan. So we've got faery blood in us. Anyway, when they left, the country fell to man, and since then has been overrun in turmoil. However, a Effluahbn's wizard, Aodhagan, prophesized that Effluahbn would be resurrected by a girl, a direct descendent of Siobhan, bearing the same name as her daughter," I explained.

"Fiona…" whispered Bryn. "That's you."

I nodded. "Yes," I replied. "And now that I know of this prophecy, I've got to fulfill it. This means I've got to travel to Effluahbn to help save it."

"Alone?" Trefor asked excitedly.

I laughed. "No! Of course not!" I replied. "Aodhagan, the Effluahbnian wizard, and Tristan-"

"Tristan!" exploded Mickey. "What? Why are you bringing that bastard?"

"Mickey!" Moira yelled. "Don't you dare say that! Good Tiarna!"

I nodded sullenly. "I know, Mickey," I said. "I don't want him to come either, but Cadogan-"

"-King Cadogan," corrected Uther.

"Yes, him, wants me protected," I explained. "And since Tristan sort of told me of the prophecy, he's to escort me as well."

Mickey didn't say anything, just stormed from the room. We heard him stomp down the stairs and slam the door.

"I'm sorry," I said to no one in particular.

Colleen climbed into my lap. "Don't apologize," she said, hugging me. "We love you."

I smiled. "I love you too," I replied. "And I'll make sure to keep out of trouble."

"Good luck with that one," laughed Donal.

Later on that night, I sat alone with Ronan. He'd seemed somewhat distant since I'd broken the news to everyone. I'd approached him in his bed silently; I was almost scared of him. Ronan wasn't a fragile boy, but he wasn't exactly robust either. He was thoughtful and sensitive.

"Ronan?" I said quietly.

He rolled over and propped himself up on his pillows. "Yes?" he said.

"Are-are you okay?" I replied. "You seemed kind of distraught."

He snorted. "Wouldn't you be?" he said. "You've no mother, no father, and now your only sister is going on some perilous mission to fulfill a prophecy? I think I've a right to be distraught."

"You do," I replied. "I'd be upset if you were leaving."

"Then don't! Please Fiona, I don't want anything to happen to you," he cried.

I sighed, and sat next to him. "Ronan, this isn't about me," I explained. "This is bigger than that. It's about our ancestors, and our children's children's children. I've got to save this kingdom. I've got to go to Effluahbn. I've no choice."

"But why?" he whimpered. "Can't you wait a few days? Or years?"

I laughed. "No, Ronan, I can't," I replied.

He sighed. "Okay. I understand," he said maturely. "Our ancestors have been waiting for this, and you've got to do it because it's your destiny, right?"

"Yes," I said. "That's the mature Ronan I know."

He pouted. "This doesn't feel right, though," he replied. "I don't know, maybe you should have more people coming or something…"

"Ronan," I said, grabbing his hands. "Do you remember that song Mam used to sing to us? Do you?"

He paused. "When all the world is looming dark, and things seem not so clear,
when shadows seem to hover 'round, Tiarna, may I persevere," he sang.

Tears welled up in my eyes. "Yes, that one," I said. "Whenever you're scared, or you miss me, think of that song. It'll remind you that I love you and that you're always on my mind."

He smiled. "Don't cry, Fiona!" he laughed. "You're such a girl."

"That's what I am, you twit!" I replied.

I jumped on top of him and began tickling him. He laughed madly, trying to push me off his bed. "Come on!" he cried. "Fiona, I'm not six!"

"He's not, you know," came a voice from the door.

I hopped off the bed and turned around to see Mickey standing in the doorway. His tan face was flushed pink and his shoulders were squared. He was pleased about something, I could tell. He always looked that that when he was smug about something. I almost feared asking him what was happening. Don't get me wrong, Mickey was my best friend in the entire world and I loved him dearly, but I could almost see his ego inflating.

"What are you so pleased about, Mickey?" I asked as pleasantly as possible.

"I'm to accompany you on your travels!" he cried.

"What?" I replied. "Why? No! You can't come. It's too dangerous."

He snorted. "That's the point," he explained. "I went to Cadogan. He thinks that I should come with you."

I sensed something else about him. "What's in it for you?" I asked.

He groaned. "Fi!" he whined, using his nickname for me. "Fi, Fi, Fi. Must you always be so distrusting?"

"I'm not being distrusting," I replied. "I just want to know why you want to come to Effluabhn with me."

"Well… the king did mention something about cobbeepig my naht tryin," he muttered.

"Pardon me?" I said. "I missed that last part."

He sighed satisfyingly. "If I go to Effluabhn with you, I'll complete my knight training," he said. "When we come back, I'm to be knighted!"

I ran at him and threw my arms around his neck. "That's wonderful," I said. "But do you think you can handle being around Tristan all the time?"

He shrugged. "We'll see, right?" he replied.

I laughed. "We should go to bed," I said. "We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

A/n: That was kind of short and almost all fluff, but now we're all ready to go! I totally wasn't planning on including Mickey on the mission, but then a review made me change my mind. If you want him in there, why not? Please review and tell me what you think!