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 19: Dark Clouds
Aideen flew alongside Rohan as Macha lead them out of the dungeon. Her human companions' steps echoed softly on the stone cut steps as they continued to climb upward. Once they had made it out of the dungeon, they made their way out of the abandoned castle and onto a cliff that overlooked the roaring ocean.
Aideen looked at the dark clouds that swept across the sky. She shivered uncontrollably for several seconds. She had the same chill when Rohan had told her that Macha wanted to kill him. The shivers were telling the brave, independent fairy that she was filled with fear and she did not like that feeling.
Aideen's eyes returned to a fear that she could understand and that was Macha. Aideen wasn't certain if Macha would remain true to the truce that Angus had called forth but the fairy was going to protect Rohan with her magic and her life.
Macha glanced at the dark and cold ocean. The waves were larger than any she had ever seen. She could almost see the waves forming into shapes of giant beasts that roared and slashed at the cliffs below.
Macha noted that the fairy was keeping a close watch on her and wasn't surprised that Rohan was as well. She could also feel Angus watching her as well, but she wasn't certain if it was to make sure that she didn't attack Rohan or if it was for another reason.
Macha was uncertain for Angus' feelings towards her. He did seem to care for her and he especially placed great trust in her believing that she would adhere to the truce. Macha shook her head to clear her thoughts before her mind went to places that she had no intention of discovering. She looked up to see dark clouds swirling like the ocean's waves.
A lightning bolt flashed in the sky before Macha causing her to close her eyes against the bright white glare. When Macha was able to open her eyes, she looked behind her at Angus and Rohan. She saw a black aura of evil surrounding Rohan. She raised her staff ready to strike at the Mystic Knight of Fire whose gaze was focused on the sky.
Angus was also looking at the dark clouds before he brought his gaze back down. He saw that Macha had her staff raised and was heading for Rohan. "Macha, the truce!" Angus yelled as he stepped in the path of Macha's staff that was aimed for Rohan. The staff halted just before the weapon struck his head.
"Angus?" Macha asked confused as she blinked her eyes trying to clear the bothersome black cloud that she realized was swirling within her mind. She didn't notice that she had taken several steps away from Rohan and Angus.
A booming roar filled the air causing all of them to look up into the sky revealing that the sound had come from Tyrune. The black dragon turned in midair and went into a dive. Tyrune was several feet above them as he sent a stream of fire off to their right causing the ground to shake beneath them.
The three humans stumbled to regain their footing. Aideen kept close to Rohan, uncertain what she could do against the black dragon.
Once Macha was steady on her feet she shook her head, trying to brush away, the fog that she knew was affecting her in some way. She grabbed the Amulet of Life from around her neck and held it in her hand. She tried to use some of the magic that had been granted to her to clear away the fog, but she was unable to access the flow of magic from the amulet.
As the dragon made his next dive at them, Anian magically appeared on Tyrune's back carrying his dark sword that was casting a black light on the dragon's black scales.
The mist around Macha's vision suddenly became a wall making her unable to see Anian and Tyrune coming straight toward her.
"Macha! Watch out!" Angus yelled as he started toward her. Two bolts of lightning struck the ground one before the Mystic Knight of Earth sending him flying towards the edge of the cliff and one before the Mystic Knight of Fire sending him back from the cliff.
Anian reached out his hand and grabbed the Amulet of Life from Macha's hand.
Tyrune sent a stream of fire to the side of the cliff causing cracks and pieces to fall into the waves below. The ground shook and Angus tumbled toward the edge. Macha, who had been able to break through the wall that blocked her sight, leapt forward and grabbed Angus pulling him in her direction away from the edge of the cliff.
He landed several feet away from where Macha had been standing. Macha stumbled as the ground beneath her cracked and fell into the ocean. Macha spun around and her eyes lingered on Angus who had gotten back onto his feet. The Mystic Knight of Earth watched as Macha followed the rocks into the ocean below.
"Macha!" Angus said as he ran to the new edge of the cliff, gazing into the crashing waves below. Angus scanned the water praying that he would see a flash of silver hair. Angus didn't hear Aideen yelling for Rohan to call the Dragon of Dare. He also didn't he hear his friend call for Pyre or that the Mystic Knight of fire was using his mystical weapon to keep Tyrune away from the distraught Knight.
"Come, Angus, we can not stay here." Rohan said as he grabbed his friends' arm and led him toward where Pyre had landed. Rohan pulled Angus onto Pyre's back. Anian's laughter echoed in Angus' ears as Pyre lifted off of the ground sending a stream of fire at Tyrune. Angus' eyes never moved from where Macha had fallen into the water that crashed against the rocks.
"Father, Cathbad, we have the Cauldron of Heart." Deirdre said as she entered the throne room and pointed at the cauldron that Garrett had in his hands. Her smile became a frown when she didn't see Rohan.
"Where is Rohan?" Ivar asked even though he had a feeling where Rohan had gone.
King Conchobar raised his head. "Rohan has gone after Angus," Conchobar spoke calmly but his tone did not seem to have any affect on his daughter whose face had become pale and quickly become red.
"Father! Why has Rohan gone after Angus? Why did you two allow him to do such a foolish thing?" Deirdre said as began to pace anxiously and angrily.
Cathbad bowed his head toward the princess and serenely clasped his hands together. "Rohan's destiny is not controlled by either one of us but by the gods. He has chosen the path that leads to Angus' rescue and we have no judgment in it."
"That is just foolish! Both of you should never have let him go." Deirdre said as she stopped pacing and stood before her father. "I am going after Rohan and Angus." Deirdre said firmly she quickly turned away from her father and left the throne room.
King Conchobar could tell by his daughters' tone that she was not asking for his permission. Conchobar knew that he could not interfere with Deirdre's decision because she was a Knight and her heart would lead her down the path she was meant to tread. Even though he was her father, he wanted dearly to protect and fight for his daughter, but some fights she had to face without his aid.
Cathbad glanced at Conchobar understanding why the King hadn't protested against the Princess' actions.
Garrett looked slightly bewildered at the Druid and the King, wondering why neither of them had tried to stop Deirdre. Once he realized that they were going to allow Deirdre to do something reckless he ran after Deirdre.
None of them called after Garrett knowing full well that he would follow Deirdre and maybe it would be better for the Princess to have someone with her.
"Ivar, I wish for you to go to Tir Na Nog and retrieve the stone of spirit from King Fin Varra." King Conchobar commanded.
"I do not believe that Ivar needs to make that trip, King Conchobar for I have decided to come here." King Fin Varra's voice rang in the room.
Conchobar, Cathbad and Ivar looked around the room, wondering where Fin Varra's voice had come from.
The three men jumped from surprise as the Fairy King magically appeared on the table leaning on his staff. "Well, where are the other Mystic Knights?" Fin Varra asked as he looked at the only Mystic Knight in the room.
Deirdre had almost made it to the courtyard door when Garrett caught up to her.
"Deirdre. Deirdre!" Garrett shouted as he grabbed her arm.
Deirdre spun around and glared at Garrett. "Release me, Garrett. I have made my choice to help Rohan rescue Angus." Deirdre said as she tried to remove her arm from Garrett's grip but she was unable to do so.
"If you believe Rohan going after Angus is foolish, than you are a fool as well." Garrett said his eyes watching the anger in Deirdre's eyes rise.
"How dare you! You know as well as I do that Rohan is even in more danger than I am."
"We may all very well be in just as much danger as Rohan especially now that the pieces of the riddle are coming together. If you were to leave, that would mean Ivar and I would be the only ones left to defend the castle against an attack." Garrett said refusing to release Deirdre until he could talk some sense into her.
"You didn't really think about that when you decided to follow Ivar and me to retrieve the Cauldron of Heart, leaving Rohan here to defend the castle." Deirdre pointed out sharply.
Garrett sighed. "I believed that Rohan would remain at the castle, but apparently he decided that going to rescue Angus was far more important that protecting the people of Kells."
Before Deirdre could respond to Garrett, Ivar came running up to them. Deirdre was about to let Ivar know that she was indeed going after Rohan but something in her friend's face told her that she was not the reason he had chased after her and Garrett.
"Deirdre, Garrett. King Fin Varra is in the throne room and wishes to speak to all of us." Ivar spoke urgently wondering if his friends would return with him.
Garrett and Deirdre stared at Ivar for a few moments taking in the words that Ivar had just spoken. They both knew that if Fin Varra had come to Kells Castle than the news that the Fairy King had brought was far more important than their squabbling.
Garrett released Deirdre's arm. Garrett and Deirdre fell into step behind Ivar. The three Mystic Knights couldn't help but wonder why King Fin Varra had come to Kells and whether the dark clouds that had taken over the sky were some omen of evil coming to Kells.
guardianM3: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and will review. Remember, reviews are always helpful and appreciated. I apologize for the lateness of this chapter (and for future chapters so I won't have to continue to write an apology).