Disclaimer: "Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog" and its' characters are owned by Saban and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of this show. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fanfiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off of it.
Chapter 14: Cauldron of Heart
King Conchobar had Rohan escorted to Cathbad's study where he knew that the Mystic Knight of Fire would be safe. He had ordered the soldiers to remain and guard Rohan while the entire castle was thoroughly searched.
Ivar, Deirdre and Garrett remained in the throne room with King Conchobar when Duncan entered and told them that the searchers hadn't discovered a trace of Macha. Worry was apparent on each of their faces when Angus entered the throne room.
Angus' eyes were darker than any of them had ever seen before. He wore a scowl and was holding onto his mace so tightly that his knuckles were white. "Where is Macha?"
"Macha has left the castle, Angus," King Conchobar replied as he stared down the Mystic Knight of Earth but Angus didn't seem to notice as his eyes narrowed.
"Angus, Macha admitted before us all that she intends to harm Rohan. She is not a friend," Ivar said firmly.
Angus released one hand from his mace, slammed his fist onto the table, and looked at them fiercely. "It is some trick or maybe Anian has cast a spell on her, like Maeve had done to Garrett."
"No, Angus, she has not been cast under a spell," Cathbad said as he entered the throne room with Rohan and several soldiers following behind him.
"They are right, Angus. Macha wishes to harm Rohan," Deirdre said gently as she went to place her hand on his arm.
Angus stepped away from Deirdre as he glared at them and shook his head furiously. "I'm going to find her and prove to ye all that she isn't going to kill Rohan," Angus said as he turned and sprinted out of the room.
"Angus. Angus!" Rohan yelled as he began to follow but Ivar grabbed his arm.
"No, Rohan. You must remain here. I shall go after Angus and watch over him," Ivar said as he cast a glance at King Conchobar.
King Conchobar nodded his head and Ivar quickly left to go after his friend. "Angus shall be all right Rohan, Ivar shall protect him."
Rohan nodded his head but he wasn't certain if Angus would be all right going after Macha. He feared that she would do anything to get to him, including hurting his friends.
Deirdre looked at Rohan and had a strong feeling what he was thinking. She hoped that he was wrong. Deirdre also hoped that Macha didn't really want to kill Rohan that it was one of Anian's tricks, but she knew that Macha had spoken the truth when she had admitted that she was going to take Rohan's life.
Deirdre vowed that Macha would never harm Rohan, her father or any of her friends.
Anian sat in a chair in his quarters with his hands resting on the arms of the chair. He had brought the table with the silver chalice on it into the room. He was waiting to hear news from Mider and he was running out of patience. His fingers began to tap the arm of the chair as his expression darkened.
Green flame erupted in the silver chalice and landed on the table revealing Mider. "My gracious Lord, I have come to bring you tidings of Kells."
"Report Mider," Anian said with a hint of irritation in his voice.
"Ah, but where to begin, my Lord? There has been quite a stir within the castle of Kells," Mider said with glee as he clapped his hands.
"Yes, be on with it," Anian said as he waved a hand at Mider for him to continue hoping that the stir would benefit his plans.
"It appears that the girl Macha wishes to kill the Mystic Knight of Fire, Rohan. It also appears that the Mystic Knight of Water discovered this information when he overheard the girl talking magically to one know as Fedelma. And he told…well…everyone. Conchobar discovered this and tried to have Macha locked away, but she escaped by using magic," Mider said as he fluttered his fingers in the air mimicking her disappearance into the air.
Anian remained impassive as he thought about how the new occurrences were going to fit into his plans. A smile began at the corner of his lips as he rose from his chair.
"You may go, Mider." Anian waved his hand dismissively and he turned to head out the door.
Before Anian made it out the door, Mider spoke again. "But my Lord, there is one more thing. The Mystic Knight of Earth, the one with the scraggly hair, he refused to believe the Knight of Water."
Anian quickly spun around and slammed his hands onto the table, causing Mider to stumble but he was able to maintain his balance. "Are you certain of this, fairy?" Anian asked as he stared fiercely into Mider's eyes.
Mider smiled darkly and with triumph, that he had pleased Anian. He feared that if he had not brought such interesting news, Anian would have done more than just destroy him. "Yes, in fact, he is searching for her at this moment."
"Well done, Mider but I want you to continue to spy upon Kells and to report instantly if anything else interesting comes across you," Anian said quickly as he turned and rushed out the doorway to send out his orders.
"Of course, my Lord. Of course," Mider said as he bowed and then disappeared in a swirl of green fire.
Rohan had been pacing in the throne room ever since Ivar had gone after Angus. He didn't even concentrate on the conversation that Conchobar, Deirdre, Garrett and Cathbad were having about having to change the castle's defenses. They feared that Macha may have overheard the plans and they were debating about what defenses were going to be altered.
Cathbad was telling them that he had better place a spell around the castle that would detect Macha unless she found a way to break through the spell. Deirdre and Garrett were arguing about the castle's defenses on the east side while King Conchobar was trying to stop the argument by making the suggestions of combining the two defenses.
They barely noticed when Duncan entered the room. Duncan cleared his throat several times before they noticed him.
"Yes, Duncan?" Conchobar asked once the room was silent.
Duncan bowed before King Conchobar. "My King, Nemain wishes to appear before you."
King Conchobar could not hide the look of surprise on his face just as the Mystic Knights and Cathbad could not hold back their looks of suspicion.
Conchobar cast a look at Cathbad and the Druid nodded his head.
Conchobar returned his gaze to Duncan. "Very well, Duncan. Allow Nemain to enter," Conchobar commanded and sent a look to the Mystic Knights before any of them could protest.
Duncan bowed to King Conchobar and left the room to bring Nemain into the throne room.
The Mystic Knights and Cathbad stood protectively around King Conchobar as Nemain entered surrounded by half a dozen soldiers. They were all surprised that Nemain looked as though she hadn't slept in several days. Her hair was tangled and her eyes were hollow and dark around the edges. Her skin was pasty and she was shaky as she stepped closer toward them.
"Why have you asked for an audience, Nemain?" King Conchobar asked firmly.
Nemain's eyes darted around the throne room and she looked at each of them closely. "Ania…" Nemain squeaked out and quickly cleared her throat to cover her fear and continued. "He asked me to find something for him and I am certain that it must refer to the power that resides on this island." Nemain paused as she looked around the room again noting the absence of two of the Mystic Knights and Macha.
Conchobar nodded his head and Nemain continued. "This scroll mentions a cauldron that he is seeking and it is known as the Cauldron of…"
"…Heart," Cathbad finished his voice sounding hollow.
Rohan looked at Cathbad who had become slightly pale and to the Mystic Knight of Fire's fear the druid had worry reflecting in his eyes.
"Yes. This scroll not only reveals its location but what the cauldron could be used for," Nemain said nervously.
Garrett stepped forward and outstretched his hand. "Perhaps Cathbad should see the scroll, Nemain."
Nemain reluctantly handed the scroll to Garrett who in turn handed it to Cathbad.
"Hmm," Cathbad said as he read the scroll.
"What does the scroll reveal, Cathbad?" King Conchobar asked.
"This scroll reveals several possible uses for the Cauldron of Heart." Cathbad's face became filled with worry. "Some are for good, but there is one that is for a dark purpose."
"Why should we trust you Nemain? You are dark yourself so I do not understand why you have brought this information to us," Rohan said as he stared at Nemain threateningly.
Nemain cast him a wicked smile. "I truly enjoy the power but sometimes it is best to leave some darkness alone." Nemain's smile faded, as she looked at the Mystic Knights with fear quite evident on her face. "Anian wishes to release this power, this darkness and that would mean the end of us all."
"Anian would be destroying himself as well." Garrett said nervously as he noted that King Conchobar and Cathbad both looked very worried.
Nemain laughed hoarsely. "You foolish little Knight, Anian has more power than you could imagine inside you tiny mind and besides, where do you think he gets his power?"
"Why are you telling us all of this, Nemain? I would think that you would be getting some power as well, once Anian has released this dark power," Deirdre said as she stepped closer to the dark sorceress.
Nemain held back the urge to shiver and stared at Deirdre with defiance. "Anian wouldn't want anyone else to be a part of this power. He would only want those to be his slaves." Nemain paused as she looked firmly at each of them. "I wish to join you to stop Anian from accomplishing his goal."
"Why should we trust you?" Rohan asked.
"Because I do not wish to be destroyed or remain a slave under that monster's control."
"Very well. You shall help Cathbad solve the riddle," King Conchobar ordered as he rose from his throne.
"But, my King, why do you wish for the riddle to be solved? Anian would be able to release the dark power if we solve the riddle," Rohan argued.
Conchobar looked at Rohan. "Once we locate this dark power, we shall destroy it so Anian shall never be able to release it."
Conchobar began to give out orders while Cathbad and Nemain left the room and went to Cathbad's study with Rohan right behind them. Rohan hoped, by Dagda, that Ivar would be able to convince Angus to come to his senses before it was too late to save them all.
guardianM3: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Comments, suggestions, etc. are always welcome.