Episode 27: Part 1

A bitterly cold wind began to blow as the five knights were taken to Arctis Tor, the capital city of the Winter Realm. After reaching the gates, the knights were herded into a small transport wagon and escorted through the streets toward the royal palace. As they rode along the frozen boulevards, Stephen Gentum- Smith observed his surroundings and couldn't help but make comparisons to the Summer City of Solas. Just like the heart of Summer, Arctis Tor was a surprisingly bustling city with merchant shops lining the streets and Winter fey residents busy at work or strolling down the roads. Despite the cold temperature, many of the pale complexioned Elves native to that land didn't wear heavier clothes, nor did they appear to be affected by the environment either.

In the absence of trees and the greenery of lush gardens and flowers, the capital of Winter displayed stunning architecture in its buildings as well as the monuments and obelisks lining the city streets. Where structures in Summer were made of wood and white marble stone, here things were chiseled out of smooth black stone and pure ice. In a strangely beautiful way, the light of the sun reflected off the ice and sometimes created colorful prismatic glows around the buildings. As they neared the large royal palace, Stephen could see blue and purple pennons fluttering atop snow covered towers and ramparts.

More Winter soldiers gathered around the cart and followed it inside as Stephen cast a glance to his companions. Quinton and Noelle shivered from the cold and huddled together with Connor who had put reassuring arms over both his friends. Nearby, Laura sat quietly with a stony expression. She was obviously watching and waiting, but her body language suggested she was just as restless and uneasy as her companions.

Before he moved to go talk to her, the wagon stopped and the door opened. The captain of the riders gave a derisive snort and impatiently led them out into the chilly snowy courtyard, "Come on then. We haven't got all day. Get moving!"

The five were led inside with a platoon of soldiers and they followed the captain through the halls of the Winter Palace. Again, the place was a complete contrast to the home of the Summer Court. While servants and soldiers busily went about their duties, there was a frigid serious atmosphere about the palace. The ice was cold, hard, and sterile and the laughter and chatter of the Summer Court was replaced by somber quiet and hushed conversations. Residents of the palace eyed the newcomers with a mixture of curiosity and hostile suspicion before moving on.

"Seems like these guys don't mess around here," Noelle commented quietly while Quinton gave an uncertain shrug.

"In that case, I think it's probably best that you and Laura do the talking here. If Connor and I are going to keep our heads attached to our shoulders, we should probably shut up."

"I won't let that happen Quinton," Laura said brusquely while walking at the head of the party, "I'm not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully I can try speaking to Mab... noble to noble."

After a bit of a walk, the knights were led through two great doors made of ornate sculpted ice and ushered into a grand throne room. The large reflective room was lit by magically glowing crystals which hung from icy chandeliers above resembling naturally forming icicles. From the sides of the room, they could see that the sky outside was growing overcast and dark while the wind picked up... likely a precursor to some snow storm.

At the head of the room were two large thrones made of ice. At the foot of the dais were several heavily armored Elven soldiers with menacing halberds, no doubt the elite royal guardsmen of the Winter Court. Sitting upon the throne was an Elven man and woman wearing exquisite blue and purple raiments befitting royalty. Both monarchs had pale alabaster skin with black hair and looked to be the polar opposites of King Oberon and Queen Titania. Like the Summer rulers, the Winter monarchs were both beautiful and proud looking, but instead of having a warm and gentle bearing, there was a cold and calculating air about them... one of danger and feral savagery lying just underneath the skin.

The captain and the soldiers bowed, "King Fenris and Queen Mab, rulers of this icy realm... I present to you five human warriors who claim to hold the power of the old Tuathan Knights."

As he stepped back and the soldiers fell into line, Queen Mab rose slowly from her seat and extended her hands with a strangely predatory grin on her lips, "Ah yes... the mortal knights of Somerset Valley. Welcome to the Winter Court children. I've heard many stories about your exploits and I've been waiting for a chance to meet you."

"The honor is ours Your Majesty," Laura answered as she stepped forward and gave a polite bow, "I am Lady Laura Gremory, the one who wears a ring containing the power of your land."

Mab studied her for a long moment before giving a satisfied nod, "A strong looking female warrior... and one who gives off such a noble bearing. I'm pleased. Is the Knight of Autumn in your band as well?"

Noelle hesitantly stepped forward and gave a bow, "Yes Highness. I'm uh, Lady Noelle Moraeu."

Mab gave another nod before glancing over to Connor and Quinton. She regarded the Knights of Summer and Spring with chilly silence and a threatening glare, "And I assume you are the representatives of our ancient enemies?"

"We are Queen Mab... but we're here only to support Lady Laura on a mission of peace," Connor said timidly.

Mab turned her gaze toward Stephen and smiled, "And you... you must be the Silver Knight, chosen by the Court of Stars... such a handsome young man, and a familiar looking one too. Tell me... what is your name?"

Stephen gulped nervously, "My name? It's Stephen... Stephen Gentum-Smith, Your Majesty."

Mab tilted her head and gave a delighted chuckle before turning to her shocked looking cavalry captain, "Oh my... did you hear that Sir Tamlin? You had an honored guest in your midst and you didn't even know it. It would seem that the realm is even smaller than we thought."

Stephen frowned and gave a slightly puzzled look, "I'm sorry Queen Mab... I'm not sure I quite understand what's going on."

The Winter Queen laughed even more in amusement, her voice sounding like the tinkling of ice, "This is all too amusing and I had to see it for myself in order to believe it. To think, the Silver Knight of the Star Court unable to recognize his own father... and visa versa!"

The other knights balked while Stephen stood frozen in shock with a gobsmacked look, "I... what? Are you telling me that fey knight over there is really my father? It can't be!"

Sir Tamlin looked over and regarded the Silver Knight carefully, "I find it hard to believe myself."

Tamlin turned to the Winter Queen with a hint of outrage, "Can this really be true? You had told me he was dead and gone!"

"You wanted me dead?" Stephen gasped but the fey knight shook his head.

"No! Of course not... but the situation, it was complicated to say the least."

Mab smiled to the young human, "My dear, remember that we fey take care of our own and watch over the children... especially the Changelings. Do you think I would let harm befall one of my subjects?"

"Then did you really lie to me?" Tamlin asked his queen but he was rebuked by the Winter King Fenris.

"Silence! You will hold your tongue and know your place Sir Tamlin!"

The knight scowled and bowed his head in silence while Stephen continued to shake his head in confusion, "How..."

Mab sighed, "I've ruled over the Winter Court with my husband Fenris for hundreds of years child. It's my business to know everything that relates to my subjects... especially my own knights."

Stephen slowly looked to Tamlin, a mixture of anger, confusion, and indignation bubbling in his chest, "Is this really true? Are you really my dad? Where have you been?"

Tamlin looked away with a hint of shame, "It was a long time ago and I didn't know you were still alive. I never thought fate would work out this way... that a human like you would return as a fey knight."

Laura turned to Stephen and put a firm hand on his arm to restrain him from any more outbursts. The situation had already taken a shocking turn and she hoped to put it back under some sort of control. Once things had settled, Queen Mab turned back to Laura warmly, "Perhaps the two knights can sort out their familial issues later. Now my dear... it would seem that you and your erstwhile companions have stumbled into our realm. I understand that Lord Balor and his Fomorian warriors have been waging a vicious campaign to gain a foothold in your world. If you aren't there right now, the question is what are you doing here?"

Laura met the eyes of the Winter Queen and did her best to remain calm and composed, "In all honesty Queen Mab, we were pursuing a fey assassin who had attacked people within the Summer Court. We can only guess that it was an agent of Lord Balor, but we were hoping to catch the killer and find out for certain."

"Interesting," Mab mused as she slowly sat back down on hr throne and gave a thoughtful look, "Chaos and attempted murder in Solas. Assuming you had just chased the killer here, it begs the question… what were you doing conspiring with the Summer fey?"

Noelle stepped forward and spoke up to support Laura, "We were invited to speak with the court and we hoped they would consider helping us in the fight against Balor. Oberon and Titania said that the Fomorians are gathering their strength and threatening a major action."

"You're suggesting that we join Summer and Spring in another Grand Alliance?" King Fenris asked suspiciously, "The last one was hundreds of years ago. Do you really think that the Summer fey are truly sincere in their desire for this?"

"I can't speak for Summer," Laura said evenly, "But they do realize that Balor and his armies are a legitimate threat to the Faerie realm, just as I'm sure you know too. If we're all going to have a better chance of surviving such an attack, we'll be stronger by working together."

Fenris wrinkled his features before glancing to his wife, "The girl makes a fair argument."

Mab nodded quietly, "Yes. I appreciate the pragmatism… but there is one thing I still question."

The knights watched in queen in silent confusion before she reclined languidly on her icy chair and gave a catlike smile, "You speak with confidence and I've heard tell of your martial prowess in battle Lady Laura, but I wonder just how certain and committed you are to this fight… to have us unite together and vanquish Balor?"

Laura tilted her head in puzzlement, "Majesty?"

"I'm asking if you're ready to do whatever it takes to win this war… even if that means doing questionable things in order to achieve victory. When the Winter Court commits to a fight, we do it seriously and we accept nothing less than death or victory."

"I'm afraid I don't understand Queen Mab," Laura said carefully while feeling her stomach drop, "Are you asking me to do something… to prove my worth to you?"

Mab gave a wicked smile, "A smart girl too. The ring of Winter chose well. You've come to our court to plead your case and while your words have merit, you've failed to offer us a proper tribute or show of your worth."

"Are you kidding me?" Quinton growled in outrage under his breath.

Laura stood firm while facing the monarchs, "How would you have me prove my worth to you?"

The Winter Queen smiled, "I would like you to entertain us and fight a duel to the death with one of our champions. If you can best that warrior, I will know you are serious and able to replace that lesser fighter."

Noelle cast a fearful look to her friend, "Laura… are you sure about this?"

Laura ignored her and stared down Mab, "All right. If that's what it takes, then I accept. Who would you have me fight?"

Mab smirked and gestured toward Stephen's father, standing nearby, "You will duel Sir Tamlin. He is one of our court's most accomplished warriors. Tamlin?"

"As you wish Queen Mab," Tamlin replied coldly while casting a hard glare toward Laura.

"Wait… no! You can't!" Stephen said in alarm but his two male companions quickly restrained him, "There has to be another way!"

Laura turned with a reproving glare and sharply rebuked her comrade, "Stay out of this Stephen. We don't have a choice in the matter… and this is not your fight."

As Connor clamped down firmly on the Silver Knight, Laura turned to the monarchs with a nod, "If this is what it takes to convince you to join the alliance, then I accept."

Mab gave a delighted smile, "Excellent! The duel shall be fought tomorrow at midday here in this room. Until then, the Winter Court will extend its protection and hospitality to you and your companions."

With that, she gestured to the guards and gave a wave, "Now… see these knights away to their quarters."

Sir Tamlin grimaced silently and kept his eyes on the struggling form of Stephen while the other guards escorted the humans out. Right now, there was nothing he could do. The Queen had given a command and all he could do was but to obey.

Later that evening, the knights sat together in an ornate common room which adjoined their rooms. Because they were not natives of Winter and acclimated to the cold, they were shown to guest quarters afforded to visiting diplomats and ambassadors from other warmer areas of the Faerie Realm. A warm fire crackled in the fire place while the five friends huddled in warm blankets and sat around throw rugs which were placed about the lodgings.

After all the fighting, slogging through snow, and fey politics, the knights were weary and needed rest and warmth. After finishing a meal which was brought to them, they sat near the fire basking in the light and warmth while a dark howling snowstorm raged outside. Connor, Quinton, and Noelle sat huddled together for warmth and idly dozed while Laura sat vigilantly looking into the fire, as if lost in a trance.

As she took a long breath, she glanced over and saw Stephen sitting nearby, watching her with a small scowl on his face. "You should rest. You have an important battle tomorrow."

The Winter Knight grimaced again, "I know I should, but I've got a lot to think about right now."

"I believe it," Stephen said with a hint of anger in his voice, "I mean… what is wrong with you? What the hell were you thinking when you accepted that invitation to a duel?"

Laura scowled, "Do you not understand there is no other choice? This is all a test Stephen! This is what Mab wants, and this is the mindset Winter works under. Kill or be killed. It's either us, or them."

"There's always another way!" Stephen insisted heatedly.

"Stephen… I know I have to fight your father and I'm sorry about that but…"

The Silver Knight shook his head, "To hell with that right now. I'm worried more about you getting killed tomorrow."

Laura stopped in surprise and fell silent at his outburst before he continued, "For you to just make that decision yourself… it's very selfish Laura, and it's cruel to the rest of us because we care about you… and so do I."

The Winter Knight turned back to the fireplace before nodding quietly, "I know… I still might not know how to really show it, but I feel the same way about the rest of you too. If I can be totally honest with you, part of me couldn't help but wonder if maybe Mab was right to question my resolve. There may have been a time before where I'd look at a situation like this and not feel any qualms… but having to kill another foe when I could possibly avoid it… I'm not so sure anymore. Sir Tamlin is still your father after all."

"A father who left me and never tried to be a part of my life," Stephen said bitterly, "Don't misunderstand me… it's not like I want him to die either, but I trust that you'll do the right thing tomorrow and that you'll do what you need to do."

To the Winter Knight's surprise, he reached out and put a warm hand over hers giving a small encouraging squeeze while they continued to keep their quiet vigilant guard over the protective light of the crackling fire. Unknown to them, a figure in blue robes walked down the palace corridor and stopped at the foot of the door. He raised a knuckle to tap at the door but paused. The chosen champion of the Winter Court Sir Tamlin stood in silent hesitation debating whether or not to try and speak to his long lost son. Several long moments passed before he loosened his fist and lowered his hand. Without a sound, he turned away and left the hall unable to find the words or the will follow through. He wasn't sure if being put in this terrible situation was another cruel test of Queen Mab, but Tamlin knew that if he was already faltering now, it would not bode well for the duel tomorrow.

A/N:
Tam Lin was inspired from an old Celtic legend of a faerie knight who challenged the authority of the Queen of Faeries in order to be with the mortal woman that he loved. While this is not a direct connection, the circumstances of Sir Tamlin here shares several parallels.