The men weren't the only ones exchanging confused glances.
Marguerite, Veronica, and Finn were a little taken aback at their greeting.
They were all aware of Veronica's status as the Protector's Daughter. Her
welcome was to be expected. But, what was this business about The Chosen
One and the Child of Hope? Marguerite had been called that before, but she
had no idea what it meant. Finn was even more clueless about her title.
However, it seemed that all of their questions would soon be answered-at
least they hoped so. The Avatar warriors rose, and their leader addressed
Veronica. "Your mother has long awaited your arrival. She will be pleased
that you are here. I am Shonto, leader of the Avatars. Come, I will lead
you to the Protector."
Shonto turned and began to lead the way. The explorers paired off, and the rest of the warriors surrounded them protectively as they walked. The entire party seemed speechless. Ned and Veronica were the first in line behind Shonto. Ned knew that the confusion about Marguerite and Finn was not the first thing on Veronica's mind. He knew her heart was about to burst with the excitement and nervousness about seeing her mother again. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and was rewarded with a smile. Behind them, Roxton and Marguerite exchanged glances. She shot a vexed look in response to his quizzically amused one. She knew that the thought behind his look was some quip about how she must love having people bow to her as if she were queen-either that, or he was thinking that being the Chosen One made it more likely that she was the crone in hers and Ned's theory of Avalon. At any rate, she knew that he deserved the reprimanding look he was getting from her.
Challenger and Finn contented themselves with taking in their surroundings, both lost in thought. The group was walking through a large thicket of tall, leafy trees. The leaves glistened, and seemed almost silver to Finn. Avalon seemed to grow more and more beautiful the longer she was there.
The group soon came to the end of the thicket, and, through the fog, on the other side of the trees was the most breathtaking site yet. . . . .the palace of Avalon. It stood isolated on a hill top. The structure itself was designed like a typical medieval castle. But there was something about this castle that made it more than just an average building. It wasn't made of the drab, grey stone that castles were normally made of. This one was white marble with crystal windows outlined in gold. It was like something out of a dream. As they grew closer to it, thoughts were running rampant through everyone's mind. Veronica couldn't believe that her mother lived in this. . . . . this paradise, and that someday it might be hers. Ned couldn't wait to write a description of the palace in his journal. Only Roxton seemed dissatisfied. "I thought the Avatars were a fighting race," he commented to Shonto, motioning to the Palace.
"Don't let the Palace fool you," Shonto replied. "Avatar warriors are a fierce race. But we are that way because we have to be. We have to protect the Plateau. But this Palace has been here for centuries. It was built during more peaceful times when Avalon was truly a paradise. Our villages reflect the change of the times. You cannot see any of them from here. They are built in protective places, designed to surround and defend the Palace. We live very simple lives. The Protector herself doesn't spend much time in the Palace. She usually stays in the villages with her people. She says she would rather be among us, doing everything she can to protect the Plateau, than to be sitting high and mighty on a hill while we do her bidding." He looked at Veronica. "Your mother is very honorable. You have much to be proud of."
Veronica smiled. She was indeed very proud of her mother. The others smiled too, knowing that Veronica had inherited her mother's selflessness.
As the group reached the castle, the doors opened suddenly, and there stood a woman clad in a shimmering white dress, a modest jeweled tiara resting in the upswept golden hair, and a gold cape draped over one shoulder. "Mom!" Veronica cried out, as she raced into the waiting arms of Abigail Layton. "Veronica! How I've missed you!" Both women were crying tears of joy. After a few minutes, Veronica broke away and began to introduce her mother to her friends. "Mom, I'd like you to meet my friends. . . .my family really. This is Professor George Challenger, leader of the expedition from London to the Plateau."
"It is an honor and a privilege to meet you, my Lady," Challenger said, kissing Abby's hand. Marguerite couldn't help but roll her eyes at Challenger's ceremoniousness. "Please," Veronica's mother replied, "call me Abby, all of you."
Veronica continued through the introductions, blushing a little when she described Ned as a very talented American journalist.
"I'm so pleased to meet you all," Abby said when Veronica had finished. "It means so much to me that you have been a family to Veronica. It is one thing I have always regretted that I could not give her."
"Veronica means a lot to us," Roxton replied. "We wouldn't be alive if it weren't for her. That is why we want to help her on this quest in any way that we can."
"I am very grateful for that. And we will talk about the quest tomorrow. But you have had a long journey. Tonight, you must rest. Tomorrow is a big day. In the meantime, I will show you to your quarters. Thank you for bringing them, Shonto. Let the people know that there will be a great celebration tomorrow night in honor of our guests."
"Of course, Abby." Veronica couldn't help but notice the look that passed between her mother and the leader of the Avatars. She was certain that a blush briefly passed over her mother's face.
Abby put her arm around Veronica and led the group into the castle. The inside was even more magnificent than the outside. Everything around them seemed to be made of crystal, precious metals, and gems. Upon seeing Marguerite's expression, Roxton, amused, made a mental note to search her for any stolen items before they left the Palace.
"We have so much to talk about, Veronica," Abby said to her daughter. "And I don't mean the quest. I want to know all about you. You've become such a lovely young woman, and I am so proud of you. I only regret that we won't have much time together-at least not before the quest. But, I was hoping you would meet me tomorrow morning in the courtyard, and we could have breakfast-just the two of us. That will be mother-daughter time. Then, over lunch, I can explain everything about the quest to you and your friends."
Veronica smiled. "That sounds wonderful, Mom. I can't believe I'm finally with you again! There were times when I thought this day might never come. I missed you so much!"
"I know, sweetie. I missed you, too. Every day." Abby stopped in the hall of the upstairs east wing. "Well, here we are." Abby assigned bedrooms to the group, told them to let her know if they needed anything, and said good night, once again embracing Veronica.
The six bedrooms were virtually identical. They were very elaborate, with king size beds, lavish chaise lounges, and large ornate wardrobes. There were satin sheets on each bed, and there were fresh night clothes sitting on each person's chaise lounge. The explorers had said their good nights, and retired to their own rooms. Ned didn't linger long in his room, though. He changed into the night clothes that were laid out for him, went across the hall, and knocked on Veronica's door. When she called for him to enter, he opened the door to find her sitting on the lounge in a beautiful blue silk nightgown. She looked absolutely beautiful.
"Hi," Ned greeted her.
"Hi," Veronica said shyly. She felt a little foolish being shy in front of him. After all, she was wearing more now than she did on a day to day basis. So why did she feel so exposed sitting here in this nightgown?
Ned walked over to join her on the lounge. "So this was a big night for you, seeing your mother again."
"Yes, it was. Oh Ned! I'm so happy to see her again. It's like a dream come true. All these years, I've been searching for my parents. And then I recovered my memories, and I realized I would never see my father again. But, I kept hoping that somehow, someday, I would see my mother. And here we are, together again, in this amazing Palace in Avalon."
"It is pretty amazing."
Veronica smiled. "I'm surprised you're not writing about it in your journal right now."
"Well, I was tempted," Ned replied. "But I'd rather be here, sharing this moment with you." He took her hand.
"Thank you for being here, Ned."
"There's no place in the world I'd rather be," he replied, leaning in to kiss her.
Meanwhile, a few doors down, Lord John Roxton was trying to be discrete while sneaking from his room to Marguerite's. He eased the door open, crept into the room, slowly closed the door, turned. . . . .and ran right into the heiress. "AHHH! Oh Marguerite, you scared me half to death!"
"A little jumpy, are we Lord Roxton?" she asked, amused.
"Nothing a good night's sleep won't cure," he said, leading her to the bed.
Shonto turned and began to lead the way. The explorers paired off, and the rest of the warriors surrounded them protectively as they walked. The entire party seemed speechless. Ned and Veronica were the first in line behind Shonto. Ned knew that the confusion about Marguerite and Finn was not the first thing on Veronica's mind. He knew her heart was about to burst with the excitement and nervousness about seeing her mother again. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and was rewarded with a smile. Behind them, Roxton and Marguerite exchanged glances. She shot a vexed look in response to his quizzically amused one. She knew that the thought behind his look was some quip about how she must love having people bow to her as if she were queen-either that, or he was thinking that being the Chosen One made it more likely that she was the crone in hers and Ned's theory of Avalon. At any rate, she knew that he deserved the reprimanding look he was getting from her.
Challenger and Finn contented themselves with taking in their surroundings, both lost in thought. The group was walking through a large thicket of tall, leafy trees. The leaves glistened, and seemed almost silver to Finn. Avalon seemed to grow more and more beautiful the longer she was there.
The group soon came to the end of the thicket, and, through the fog, on the other side of the trees was the most breathtaking site yet. . . . .the palace of Avalon. It stood isolated on a hill top. The structure itself was designed like a typical medieval castle. But there was something about this castle that made it more than just an average building. It wasn't made of the drab, grey stone that castles were normally made of. This one was white marble with crystal windows outlined in gold. It was like something out of a dream. As they grew closer to it, thoughts were running rampant through everyone's mind. Veronica couldn't believe that her mother lived in this. . . . . this paradise, and that someday it might be hers. Ned couldn't wait to write a description of the palace in his journal. Only Roxton seemed dissatisfied. "I thought the Avatars were a fighting race," he commented to Shonto, motioning to the Palace.
"Don't let the Palace fool you," Shonto replied. "Avatar warriors are a fierce race. But we are that way because we have to be. We have to protect the Plateau. But this Palace has been here for centuries. It was built during more peaceful times when Avalon was truly a paradise. Our villages reflect the change of the times. You cannot see any of them from here. They are built in protective places, designed to surround and defend the Palace. We live very simple lives. The Protector herself doesn't spend much time in the Palace. She usually stays in the villages with her people. She says she would rather be among us, doing everything she can to protect the Plateau, than to be sitting high and mighty on a hill while we do her bidding." He looked at Veronica. "Your mother is very honorable. You have much to be proud of."
Veronica smiled. She was indeed very proud of her mother. The others smiled too, knowing that Veronica had inherited her mother's selflessness.
As the group reached the castle, the doors opened suddenly, and there stood a woman clad in a shimmering white dress, a modest jeweled tiara resting in the upswept golden hair, and a gold cape draped over one shoulder. "Mom!" Veronica cried out, as she raced into the waiting arms of Abigail Layton. "Veronica! How I've missed you!" Both women were crying tears of joy. After a few minutes, Veronica broke away and began to introduce her mother to her friends. "Mom, I'd like you to meet my friends. . . .my family really. This is Professor George Challenger, leader of the expedition from London to the Plateau."
"It is an honor and a privilege to meet you, my Lady," Challenger said, kissing Abby's hand. Marguerite couldn't help but roll her eyes at Challenger's ceremoniousness. "Please," Veronica's mother replied, "call me Abby, all of you."
Veronica continued through the introductions, blushing a little when she described Ned as a very talented American journalist.
"I'm so pleased to meet you all," Abby said when Veronica had finished. "It means so much to me that you have been a family to Veronica. It is one thing I have always regretted that I could not give her."
"Veronica means a lot to us," Roxton replied. "We wouldn't be alive if it weren't for her. That is why we want to help her on this quest in any way that we can."
"I am very grateful for that. And we will talk about the quest tomorrow. But you have had a long journey. Tonight, you must rest. Tomorrow is a big day. In the meantime, I will show you to your quarters. Thank you for bringing them, Shonto. Let the people know that there will be a great celebration tomorrow night in honor of our guests."
"Of course, Abby." Veronica couldn't help but notice the look that passed between her mother and the leader of the Avatars. She was certain that a blush briefly passed over her mother's face.
Abby put her arm around Veronica and led the group into the castle. The inside was even more magnificent than the outside. Everything around them seemed to be made of crystal, precious metals, and gems. Upon seeing Marguerite's expression, Roxton, amused, made a mental note to search her for any stolen items before they left the Palace.
"We have so much to talk about, Veronica," Abby said to her daughter. "And I don't mean the quest. I want to know all about you. You've become such a lovely young woman, and I am so proud of you. I only regret that we won't have much time together-at least not before the quest. But, I was hoping you would meet me tomorrow morning in the courtyard, and we could have breakfast-just the two of us. That will be mother-daughter time. Then, over lunch, I can explain everything about the quest to you and your friends."
Veronica smiled. "That sounds wonderful, Mom. I can't believe I'm finally with you again! There were times when I thought this day might never come. I missed you so much!"
"I know, sweetie. I missed you, too. Every day." Abby stopped in the hall of the upstairs east wing. "Well, here we are." Abby assigned bedrooms to the group, told them to let her know if they needed anything, and said good night, once again embracing Veronica.
The six bedrooms were virtually identical. They were very elaborate, with king size beds, lavish chaise lounges, and large ornate wardrobes. There were satin sheets on each bed, and there were fresh night clothes sitting on each person's chaise lounge. The explorers had said their good nights, and retired to their own rooms. Ned didn't linger long in his room, though. He changed into the night clothes that were laid out for him, went across the hall, and knocked on Veronica's door. When she called for him to enter, he opened the door to find her sitting on the lounge in a beautiful blue silk nightgown. She looked absolutely beautiful.
"Hi," Ned greeted her.
"Hi," Veronica said shyly. She felt a little foolish being shy in front of him. After all, she was wearing more now than she did on a day to day basis. So why did she feel so exposed sitting here in this nightgown?
Ned walked over to join her on the lounge. "So this was a big night for you, seeing your mother again."
"Yes, it was. Oh Ned! I'm so happy to see her again. It's like a dream come true. All these years, I've been searching for my parents. And then I recovered my memories, and I realized I would never see my father again. But, I kept hoping that somehow, someday, I would see my mother. And here we are, together again, in this amazing Palace in Avalon."
"It is pretty amazing."
Veronica smiled. "I'm surprised you're not writing about it in your journal right now."
"Well, I was tempted," Ned replied. "But I'd rather be here, sharing this moment with you." He took her hand.
"Thank you for being here, Ned."
"There's no place in the world I'd rather be," he replied, leaning in to kiss her.
Meanwhile, a few doors down, Lord John Roxton was trying to be discrete while sneaking from his room to Marguerite's. He eased the door open, crept into the room, slowly closed the door, turned. . . . .and ran right into the heiress. "AHHH! Oh Marguerite, you scared me half to death!"
"A little jumpy, are we Lord Roxton?" she asked, amused.
"Nothing a good night's sleep won't cure," he said, leading her to the bed.