Chapter 47.

Anne looked at the words one more time before the King and his consort came to the war-room. She wanted to be sure she had everything prepared.

"When Earth, Wind, Fire and Water meet. When Fallen and Righteous join, when the fox marries the raven. Daughter of the Fallen will battle both Healer and Scribe In her alone can the Shattered Soul stay alive. We will know her when we see her, for she will be marked. She will come from the west, beyond the Vortex of the World, but be of our blood Daughter of the Night, she walks again. The ancient war, she yet fights. Her new lover she seeks, who shall serve her and die, yet serve still. Who shall stand against her coming? The Shining Walls shall kneel.

"The Reborn One, marked and bleeding, dances the sword in dreams and mist, lost and forsaken, truth long hidden in the ancient dream. Twice and twice shall he be marked, twice to live, and twice to die. Wakened to turmoil, strife, and ruin. The seas rage, and storm clouds gather unseen. Unstained tower breaks and bends knee to the forgotten sign. The seals that hold back night shall weaken, Winter's heart shall ride a black horse, and the name of it is Death. Thus are the final days known. Luck his soul, the lightning his eye, He snatches the moons from out of the sky He turns the Wheel of Time.

The hunt is now begun. The Shadow's hounds now course, and kill. One did live, and one did die, but both are. The Time of Change has come. The Dragon Reborn must kneel before the Crystal Throne before Nephilim spawn, or all is lost."

Solea placed a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "Still going at it?"

Anne nodded and red curls bounced. "I wanted to take one last look before we give the report to Sarah and …the King." She shook her head; "I hate reporting that we still can't make head or tail out of this thing…we've been working on it for weeks now."

Cairbre was in agreement with the Court Scribe. "Without the last portion to fill in the blanks we've got only conjecture. Fortunately for us, Sarah's mother is due back from her journey tomorrow."

"Not so fortunately for her though." Anne said quietly.

"Do you disagree with the King's decision?" Solea asked.

The younger woman made a face. "No, I don't disagree. However I do feel sympathy for someone being…forced to come here. I came of my own free will, as did Giles and Ryan. The Williams' have no choice, and neither does Linda. God only knows what the King intends to do about the man in Linda's life."

The Bard looked perplexed. "Surely you understand it's also a matter of security, bringing Linda Williams here. Once Sarah is Queen all connected to her could be used as targets. To have the royal family all together is a matter of safety."

"My brain accepts that. My heart says it's not fair." Anne sighed. "How I feel is of little importance. Its how Sarah and her Father are going to deal with it that is."

Cairbre shook his head. "Robert is a man of the Law…he'll understand and accept."

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Sarah found Quinn arguing with Meep outside her chamber. "Ok you two, knock it off!" She roared at the pair. "What is it this time?"

Quinn frowned. "Nothing."

Meep frowned deeper. "Nothing." He said as well.

Sarah shook her head at the pair of them. "Will you two please work out some kind of truce?" She turned her attentions to Quinn. "We have a meeting in the War-room with the Bard and Anne. Are you ready for that?"

"I was coming here to ask you that very question." Quinn leaned on the wall. "We also have to make our plans for tomorrow. How to show up as it were."

Distraught by the thought of forcing her mother to come to the Kingdom, Sarah shook her head. "I wish we didn't have to do this."

"If it were in my power to grant that wish I would." Quinn said quietly.

Sarah looked at him, "And if she does not have the last bit of prophecy?"

Frowning intensely the Royal Fae muttered. "It does not matter. Her place is here, and here she will come." He turned and began to walk away. "Are you coming?"

Sarah followed him, "Quinn, surely you can understand how uncomfortable it's going to be." She caught up with him quickly and walked at his side.

"Yes, I understand." He was exasperated. "And I told you, it does not matter. We'll all learn to live together. I learned to live with Jareth, Karen and Linda can learn as well." He halted his movements. "On this WE are in complete agreement."

Placing her hands on her hips she faced the Fae. "Well good for you! But it does not do the rest of us a bit of good, now does it?"

Gloved hands captured her face as the lips came crashing down on hers. "My god, you're magnificent when you're angry!" he muttered as he kissed her.

Sarah pushed him back. "Stop that!" She giggled. "Come on, I'm trying to be serious here."

Quinn took her arm and began to lead her toward the War-room. "I know, and I'm sorry darling. There is nothing that we can do. My hands are tied."

Anne greeted the pair as they entered the War-room. "Bout time you two showed your faces."

Sarah sat down, "I know, sorry. Karen has me working on the wedding every free movement I have."

"I've a Kingdom to run." Quinn quipped as he too took a seat.

The Bard snickered, and hid it behind a hand. His wife sent him a disapproving glance.

Anne pointed to the board. "More than three weeks and we've got almost zip."

Quinn looked at the Court Scribe with sympathy. "What do we have?"

"Mostly conjecture." Anne said "We know there's a battle coming." Anne looked at Quinn, "You know anything about this Crystal Throne?"

"No." he said softly. "I've never heard of one, and I know that Jareth has not either. If he had I'd know about it."

"Bit's and pieces, that's what we've got." Cairbre said. "I've never heard of a Crystal throne."

Quinn felt the change in Sarah's demeanor. "What? You heard of a Crystal throne?"

"No, but it sounds familiar." Sarah sighed. "Like some thing out of one of the books I've read."

Anne sat on the table, "What kind of Throne did Meander's King have?" she teased.

Sarah looked up at her. "What did you say?"

"I said, what kind of throne did Meander's King have." Anne looked at her friend. "No…tell me it wasn't crystal."

"It wasn't….the Dragon's throne was." Sarah looked at Quinn, has anyone asked Angus about the Dragon's throne?"

Quinn shook his head, "I've never heard of a Dragon's Throne…Cairbre?"

The Bard shook his head, "No."

"But has anyone asked Angus?" Sarah asked again.

"Sarah we understood the Dragon in the Prophecy to be a person…not a real dragon." The Bard objected.

Sarah looked at Anne, rolling her eyes up to the heavens. "They always take the most difficult route, don't they?"

Anne sat down. "You think it could be a real dragon?"

Quinn sighed. "Why not?"

Sarah stood up and headed to the door. "Only one way to find out, I'm going to go ask Angus."

Quinn and Anne were quick to follow her. The three approached the Wyrn only to find the groomsmen in the mounting area fretting. Quinn called one of the grooms over. "What's going on?"

"Angus, he chased us out." The groom said timidly.

Another groom came over and added. "He said they would see and talk to no one today."

Quinn walked to the entrance. "Old man, what are you up to?" he shouted in.

"Go away, Quinnie me lad!" the answer came. "We've nothing to say to you…yet."

Sarah heard the words and shook her head. "I don't believe this!"

"Angus! You get out here right now, …or….or…" Quinn could not find a threat.

"Or what Quinnie?" A deep throated chuckle came from the heart of the cavern. "Go away. We will speak when it is time to speak and not before. Come to us when you have all the words."

Quinn turned to Sarah. "Pray your mother has the rest of the words."

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Linda looked at the lovely flat she and Jeremy shared. "It's good to be home." She told the handsome actor.

"Yes it is, Love." He agreed. "No more bad water, bad food and bad beds." He dropped his baggage and then dropped himself into the big overstuffed leather easy chair. "Home sweet home, eh?"

Linda stretched out on the matching sofa. "I never thought it could feel so good to be at the end of a shoot."

"We take no more jobs in third world countries." Jeremy decreed. "Unless they pay us each two million!"

Linda laughed. "Two million? Jeremy I've never even been offered one million for a roll."

The handsome Brit closed his eyes and drank in the peace of home. "It could happen."

"Yeah, and the King of the Fairies could come calling too." Linda teased.

Jeremy looked at her with a more serious face. "On that, love, don't tease."

Rolling off the couch she came to rest her head in his lap as she sat on the floor. "We've been very careful, kept a low profile…"

"Still," the man warned. "It's only a matter of time."

"Let's not think about it. We're home, that's all that matters." She kissed his knee. "Remind me to call Sarah in the morning."

"Of course." He stroked her hair.

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Sarah looked at the building and the entryway they were standing in. "That was smooth." She complemented the King on a safe landing. "No one can find and use that portal, can they?"

"No, it's triggered to my command." Quinn looked at the reflection he cast in the huge hall mirror. "Nice choice of garments, Sarah. My complements."

Sarah had to admit, the man looked handsome no matter what he wore. Be it the skintight breeches that Jareth favored, or the softly fitted breeches of the Tarsi fashion, or even now in the English casual look. "I know that soft blues suit both you and Jareth." She pointed to the soft shirt under the fitted jacket."

He looked with disapproval at the slack outfit she had chosen. "No." he waved his hand and she was wearing a calf length skirt instead of the slacks.

"Now see here," she protested. "I will not be dictated to on my choice of wardrobe!"

"Yes you will." He teased, and then took her hand. "Come dear, we don't have time to argue. Angus is holding information hostage."

"Yes." She agreed, and looked at the names on the buzzers. "I'm so glad Mom and Jeremy moved to this modern building. You should have seen their first flat here in London."

Quinn watched as the girl hit the buzzer and waited.

"Yes?" a feminine voice sounded from the speaker.

"Mom, it's Sarah!"

The buzzer sounded and unlocked the door. Quinn opened it, allowing Sarah to pass in first. He took her hand as they wandered down to the little elevator. It was a short trip up to the third floor of the building. When they entered the hall, they heard the door at the end of the hall open. Linda Williams, now dressed in a long flowing caftan came out of the flat and opened her arms to embrace her daughter. "Sarah, what a surprise! What on earth are you doing in London?"

Sarah closed her eyes, breathed in the wonderful scent of her mother. "Mom." The girl said softly. "Oh God you smell so good."

Linda moved back and looked at her daughter. "You look wonderful! A sight for sore eyes!" It was then that Linda acknowledged the presences of the man with her daughter. "I'm sorry, forgive my manners. I never get to see nearly enough of my daughter…Didn't we meet at the Graduation?"

"We may have." The man extended his hand to her. "J.G. King."

Linda smiled and accepted the hand. The smile faded in a flash replaced by terror. "No." she pulled her hand back. "Oh no." Fearfully she backed away.

Sarah felt her heart sink, "Mother." Her voice was heartbroken. "You recognize him?"

Linda whispered. "Goblin King."

Quinn looked at Sarah. "She's not Nephilim."

"But she knows you." Sarah said quietly.

"She a mixed blood…but not a Nephilim." Quinn stated clearly. A sound in the apartment warned him that there was someone on the other side of the door listening. "Come out here!" The Fae King ordered.

Jeremy popped his head out the door, saw Linda's face and knew. "Jig's up, eh?"

Quinn snapped his fingers and pointed to the floor. Jeremy exited the apartment like an obedient dog answering his masters' call. Quinn looked at Sarah, "Do you need any more proff?"

"No." She said then turned to her mother. "Do you remember the old song Nana sang?"

Linda cast an eye toward the king. "She sang many." She evaded.

"Mother, this is serious!" Sarah snapped. "I need to know if you remember Nana's song about she who sees beyond?"

Linda looked back at the King, "The Two-made-One?" she gasped in a hushed tone.

Jeremy looked at the King. "The time of Change has come?"

Quinn looked at his consort. "Everybody seems to know." He threw his hands up in the air.

Linda came out of her stupor, "Let us move this indoors…where there's less chance of being overheard." She motioned her daughter and the Fae King into the apartment. "Jeremy, light the wards." Jeremy was already moving when she spoke. Linda motioned the couple to be seated. Then she waited for her partner to finish lighting scared candles. She bowed to the King and said. "Blessings on you, oh Shattered soul."

Jeremy also bowed. "We are honored to have you in our dwelling."

Quinn leaned forward. "For the moment, I'm going to overlook your keeping the girl from us." He warned. "I have a limited temper and it is being sorely challenged. Do you have what we need?"

Linda nodded and walked over to the mantle above the fire place. She removed the painting that hung there and took a parchment from its back. "We've been holding it for generations, Sire. Mother to daughter, Sarah was to be the next to hold it."

"Sarah is our consort." Quinn said placing a hand on Sarah's knee. "She is the Daughter of the Night, Child of the Fallen."

"She is not the first in our line to be a Child of the Fallen." Linda said quietly. "We never thought the prophecy was about our line."

"What is your line?"

"We are the house of Flames." Linda stated. "Jeremy is also of the house of Flames."

Sarah looked at Quinn, "When we get home remind me to go kick your father! Somehow, some way, this is all his doing!"

"He was prosperous." Snickered Quinn, then he turned to Linda. "You and your companion will be coming with us." He stood up. "Any complaints? Or protests? No, good. Sarah we are going home."

Sarah looked at Linda. "This should be interesting, you and Karen in the same place for more than a few days."

"Better than that, they have to share the duty of planning our wedding." Quinn said.

"I smell disaster." Sarah linked her arm in his.