Chapter 2

Deep in the mountains surrounding the Tiernsee, Herr Arnolfi was the sanest he'd been for a long time. The madman had been living in the caves beneath the mountains for more years than he could remember, but recently his peace had been shattered.

Bernhardt Arnolfi had been a herdsman until the tragic day he had tried to rescue a young kid who had become entangled in a bush. Unwisely, he chose to attempt the rescue from behind the bush, due to a lowering of the alm making it possible for Bernhardt to remain standing. All was going well until the young animal panicked and kicked out, knocking Bernhardt off the edge of the alm. He fell only a short way and landed in a small pool, undoubtedly saving his life. However, for the few minutes which it took for help to arrive, his brain was starved of oxygen, and Bernhardt Arnolfi was never the same man again.

He had been returned to his parents house to recover, locked in for his own safety if he had to be left on his own. One day, however, his younger brother neglected to do this and the family returned to discover him gone.

Confused, he had wondered around aimlessly, and been drawn to the caves in which he had played as a boy, his family left the area soon after and people forgot about the tragic accident. Bernhardt Arnolfi became known as a madman.

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He had woken one morning to discover that he was no longer the sole occupant of the cave system. It seemed that his companions had managed to completely overrun his dwelling within the space of a single night. He had been wary of people ever since his accident, and to find his reclusive habits destroyed had alarmed him. However, there was something about the sole woman in the group who fascinated him, stopping him retreating deeper into the caves. Something about her presence which commanded all of his attention.

"But I want her, Spike. She was just like my little sister. I used to dress her up. She was my dolly!"

"I know, love!" The tall, blonde haired man sounded weary, as if this were something he had been through with the woman on more than one occasion. "But we can't just walk in and get her one night. They'd be out looking for her within half an hour."

"You're always so unkind to me!"

"Don't say that, Dru, love! You know I'd get her if I could. But we've got a nice set up here." He moved round the back of her. "You always said you liked caves, made you feel close to nature."

Without warning, Spike's face transformed, and as he bit into his loves neck, Bernhardt was awoken from his entrancement, rushing forward to help. Spike knocked him to one side with a lazy flick of his arm, whilst Drusilla freed herself from his embrace and tilted her head as she looked at the madman curiously.

"His blood's singing to me! It says that he likes me. He'd get the dolly for me!"

Bernhardt was confused, having never learned English, he did not know what the couple were talking about, although from the way that she was looking at him, he suspected that he was the topic of conversation. Her attention made him feel bold, and he spoke from his prone position on the floor of the cave.

"Entschuldigung sie, bitte. Bist du die Königin aus Feen?"

Spike looked at Bernhardt, lost for words for a moment, then muttered under his breath, "Oh, Bugger! He doesn't speak English!" Then, raising his voice. he called across the cave. "Oi, Franz. Get yourself over here and tell us what Sonny-jim here just said."

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The man who had been turned in Innsbruck, for the sole purpose of interpreting, walked across the cave. He and Bernhardt spoke for a while after the latter had been helped to his feet, involved in the lengthy process of introductions. After Bernhardt had repeated his query, he burst out laughing, stopping abruptly when Spike pushed him against the wall.

"Okay, stop with the hysterics. Just tell us what Hans here said!"

Franz grovelled. "I am sorry, Mein Herr. This gentleman, his name is Bernhardt and he is a local man. He has never learned English, and he has no family. I apologise once again for laughing, but he asked whether your lady was the Queen of the Fairies! He is a simple man, I am sure he meant no harm to her."

Spike had burst out laughing himself. "Queen of the Fairies? Well, I suppose he's not too far off. You're not exactly natural, are you, love?"

"Ooooooh. I could be Queen of the Fairies, Spike." Drusilla replied, a gleam in her eye. "and he could be my faithful attendant, who's going to collect my Princess."

"The girl?" Spike asked.

"I do want her, Spike. I'll take care of her."

"Okay, love. We'll see what we can do."