This chapter dedicated to Scoutcraft Piratess who went through all 12 chapters at once and reviewed every one. Thank you so much!

Okay, quick review of the story for Moonlight Enchantments and I am sure for everyone else.

Redynvre was taken to heal the queen after learning she was a sorceress. She arrived at the castle and did her best to heal the queen. The queen died anyway and she was accused of murder. She ran back home and Epona the horse goddess tells her what really happened. She then returns to the castle and the king asks her to marry him. They are married. Lasarina, Redynvre's maid is threatened by Maeve and leaves,a dn the king is called on a mysterious duty. The king is killed while away, leaving Redynvre the queen of the land. We meet Maeve and her magic mirror. Redynvre shows Lasarina the mirror, then drugs her so she won't remember. During Eirwen's 18th birthday party, Redynvre is over come with jeolousy and sends Eirwen into the forest with an enchanted apple charm. We meet Keir, Maeve's boss and learn his connection with Eirwen. Redynvre has a bad dream and goes for a ride on a black stallion. Meanwhile Eirwen is lost in the woods and maeve watched all the while. The Eirwen is discovered by strange creatures and Redynvre is almost killed by the posessed horse. Maeve learns of Epona's interferences and grows very angry.

Hope that is a good summary!

Maeve galloped away as the simple stable hands stood dumbfounded. She barely gave them a thought as she galloped through the forest, the sunlight casting small shadows through the branches. The horse rocked beneath her as she continued through the forest. Maeve sat forward on the horse, her cold blue eyes focused in front of her. Branches reached out and caught on her robe, but she was oblivious, thinking of nothing but a meeting with her sister.

Her sister, Maeve thought bitterly. Perfect, golden little Epona. From the start Epona had been the favorite. The one who would turn silk scarves into doves, and call fairies down from the forest. The youngest, the one everyone would greet as they came in the door, leaving Maeve to watch bitterly from the shadows. On Maeve's 15th birthday she had been given a mirror by her Aunt Mora, the very same mirror that hung in her chamber to this day. Maeve had been delighted, and had basked in the attention she had been given that night. Maeve felt it was a special gift, something for her only, and would never be anyone else's. You can imagine her disappointment two years later when Epona received a similar mirror for her 15th birthday. The only difference was Maeve was a black ebony and Epona a shining gold. The day Epona received the gift meant for Maeve only was the black arrow piercing Maeve's heart, from which the blood still drips, now poisoned with hate and envy.

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Eirwen looked over at the table longingly. She wondered if she dared to eat, or if her "hosts" would try and poison her. She was, after all a princess. Her stomach rumbled and reminded her the last time she had eaten a real meal. Though she had lost track of the days, Eirwen supposed she had run away about three or four weeks ago. The days in the forest felt endless, a continuum of hunger, helplessness and despair. That was until the creatures had found her. She wondered exactly how long she had been in the hut of the creatures, and hoped it was not long.

Eirwen pulled herself out of bed and approached the table. Next to the bowl of soup was a glass of cool water. Apprehensively, Eirwen lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip. The water was pure and sweet, and Eirwen felt better instantly. She eyed the soup and her stomach gave a warning growl. She lifted the spoon to her mouth. The smell of parsley and chives wafted into her nose. Opening her mouth she let the soup slide down her throat, relishing the sweet taste of broth and venison. Hungrily, she finished the rest of the bowl.

Once finished, Eirwen turned her attention back to the tapestry which hung behind the bedroom. With a start she realized the scene had changed. It was still an image of the castle, but the king and queen were no longer in a carriage riding over the drawbridge. Instead a lonely figure on a black and white horse was galloping by, black cape streaming behind. Eirwen looked closely at the figure, and noticed red streaks fusing with the black hair of the figure. It took a moment for it to click, then Eirwen realized it was showing her an image of Maeve!

Eirwen lifted a finger to trace the outline of Maeve when the door suddenly burst open. She yanked her finger away and looked up at the figure, the same female creature that had brought her the food. It smiled gently at her, though one can hardly expect sharp, yellow teeth to be reassuring. Perhaps it was the simple fact that such a creature could smile that caused some of the nerves in Eirwen's stomach to settle.

"I see you have discovered the tapestry." The creature said quietly. Eirwen looked into the yellow eyes of the creature and saw a hint of laughter twinkling in its eye. The creature crossed the room and retrieved the bowl and glass. "It was given to us by a great sorceress, whose power had never been matched." The creature turned and looked Eirwen in the eye. "Until recently."

Clearing her throat, Eirwen summoned up courage and asked "Who was this sorceress?"

The creature just shook its head. Eirwen pondered asking again, thinking the creature didn't hear her correctly. Upon seeing the sharp teeth protruding from the smile, Eirwen decided she'd rather not.

The creature walked towards the tapestry and stared at it for a few moments before turning back to Eirwen. "My name is Bendura." The creature announced. Eirwen was surprised and started to reply, but Bendura held up a hand. "No, don't speak. I already know more about you than you can imagine Eirwen." Eirwen's eyebrows lifted, surprised.

"Let me introduce you to the others" Bendura placed a hand on Eirwen's shoulder and led her into the other room. Around a long wooden table six other creatures sat, drinking and arguing over something.

"No, we can't! Keir made us promise." One announced, trying to make peace. Another flew at this ones throat, screeching. "Who gives a hell about what Keir thinks? We need to take control of our own lives!" Bendura cleared her throat loudly, and the fighting stopped abruptly. Bendura glared at the one whose hands were still enclosed around the throat of the other. "You know the rules, and you know what we have been told." She said sharply, and the creature loosened its grip from around the others neck.

Bendura turned towards Eirwen, who had stepped back slightly at the picture of such vicious fighting. "Eirwen, this is …well everyone." She looked towards them, her yellow eyes narrow. "Paratoi yn rhes coegwres!" she barked in a raspy language. They looked at her fearfully for a moment, and scrambled into a type of line. The smile returned to Bendura's face.

"Let me introduce you to everyone a bit more personally." She said smiling. Eirwen just nodded, unsure of how to reply. As Bendura spoke, she pointed to each creature in turn, "Cythai, Creadain, Hepgor, Adlaw, Pethwrg, and Celmab." Bendura finished speaking and glared at the line. "Mynd heibio!" she shouted in the same raspy language, and before Eirwen eyes, each creature shimmer and vanished from sight.

Eirwen turned towards her, eyes wide with trepidation. "What…what are you creatures!" she stuttered, pulling away from Bendura's hand. Bendura simply smiled. "We are but your humble guardians," she said "Sent to protect you from the Lord of Hell himself!" With a smile Bendura vanished the same as the others, leaving Eirwen to contemplate her words.

Knights of Ne: here you go. I will have that sundae now. :-P

Moonlight Enchantments: hope you understand some things better now. I stil can't tell you everything and hope you understand by the end of the story.

Scoutcraft Piratess: cute new name. glad u like the story.