Title: Forever Yours
Author: Noelwing
Email:
Summary: The tale of an English Lady, an Elfin Prince and the events between them that led to Nuada's decision to awaken the Golden Army. Nuada/OC. Pre HB2 universe.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of the HB2 universe. Any other characters are creations of the author and belong to her.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings include domestic violence and some adult situations in later chapters.
Author's Note: I want to apologize for the even later posting of this chapter. My costume making and vacation planning kind of took precedence over my writing. Plus it took me a while to work this chapter to satisfaction. If there are any spelling or grammar errors I apologize for them now. Please enjoy this long delayed update ^_^
Chapter Five: Plans and Repercussions
"So it was by the grace of a human woman that your prized possession was at last returned to you." Nuala's tone was more of appreciation rather than satisfaction. Nuada was glad of it. His father and sister both had accused him of not seeing humans for their potential. Sophia's choice to return the spear to him had only proven them right.
Nuada stared at the interweaving lines that decorated his tea cup. He stared at those designs as if they might give him something better to say. But all he had was the truth. "I wanted so much to believe that she only wanted me to have the spear back so that she might spite her husband." He placed the cup back down on the table.
Nuala, ever the good hostess, filled her brother's cup. "Yes, I suppose it would have been easier for you to believe that. Such black and white views leave no room, or reason for that matter, to look beneath the surface."
Nuala filled her own cup. "But that was not the way of it now, was it?" Nuala could not help but to smile. Her brother's tale was about to become so much more interesting now.
Nuada's fingers gripped the rim of his ceramic tea cup. He watched the steam float up from the red liquid contemplatively. "No sister. As much as the events that followed intertwined our paths, though I could have never imagined just how much, I wish they had been different."
"What do you mean by different? Surely you do not mean your relationship with her."
"Peace sister," Nuada implored. "Nay, I regret nothing. More I lament. I lament the events that brought Sophia back to me. That her selfless, noble act was repaid with cruelty."
"You are talking about what she faced as a consequence of her decision." Nuala's voice became forlorn. It came as no surprise to her that Sophia's actions carried terrible retribution from her husband. But Like Nuada, Nuala often wondered herself why fate often rewarded compassion with callousness.
Wink deflected yet another attack from Nuada and jumped back to try and put some distance between him and the prince. It had been several days since Nuada and his favorite weapon had been reunited. Since then the elf and troll spent the days sparing and refining their skills. Wink enjoyed their sparring matches but noticed a change in Nuada's behavior.
Nuada had become quite single minded, focusing only on training and hardly anything else. Nuada would continue to train long after Wink had retired. The troll had practically taken on the roll of care taker over that of body guard. He hunted and prepared the food while Nuada continued to train and develop his skills. Often the elf exercised from dawn until dusk. Nuada would then gratefully eat the food Wink had prepared for him before falling to sleep. In the morning, it would all begin again.
Wink was smart enough to know that this energy came from more than just the joy of owning the spear once more. This behavior was more of an obsession. Wink braced himself as Nuada (whose attacks had become ever more aggressive) came at him with his spear fully extended and ready to strike.
"So I am to fight fire with fire." Wink said resolutely. The troll raised his mechanical fist and jettisoned the weapon at his opponent. Nuada dodged the metal hand easily but Wink had another tactic in mind. Instead of expelling the chain completely and relying on the mace's momentum, he stopped the chain at only half. A quick pull on his arm and the mace snapped back and flew towards Nuada's exposed back. The elf never saw it coming-literally.
The heavy object smashed into Nuada's back sending him crashing to the forest floor. Wink exploited Nuada's momentary daze. He dashed over to Nuada, who struggled to regain his senses, and placed his cloven foot upon the prince's chest completely immobilizing him.
Nuada batted at the hoofed foot that pinned him but Wink refused to let him up. There was more to Nuada's recent madness and Wink would have it out one way or another. He would keep Nuada underfoot (literally) all day if he had to.
Nuada heaved in defeat and gave Wink's foot a last slam with his fist. "Victory to you my friend," Nuada said breathlessly. But Wink did not lift his foot.
"Friend, please tell what is going on. I know you are happy to have your property back. But I must say that your recent behavior has been a bit odd of late."
Nuada's scowl was replaced by a smirk followed by chuckling. Wink was right…as usual.
Feeling that his friend was at last ready to talk, Wink lifted his foot and helped Nuada to his feet. Nuada took a few tentative steps trying to regain his breath as well as realign the vertebrae in his spine. "By the Gods Wink, could you have hit me any harder?"
"Whatever do you mean sire, I was being quite gentle." There was no denying the amusement Wink felt as he chided his friend.
Nuada collected his spear and the weapon returned to its half shape. Nuada twirled the weapon a few times before returning it the sheath on his back. Wink wanted to know what had been on his mind for the last several days and, perhaps, it was time that he knew.
The two of them began to walk out of the forest heading back towards the ruined cathedral that served as their lair.
"When I left Elf Land all that time ago I vowed that I would return when my people of the magical world needed me the most." Nuada said focusing on the trail in front of him.
"An incredible responsibility as well as burden, you have placed upon yourself." Wink said sympathetically.
"It is a responsibility I intend to keep none the less…" Nuada's voice trailed off. For several moments, the prince became eerily quiet.
"My friend, do you ever question your decision to take such a path?"
Wink had a way of being blatantly honest no matter what. It was something Nuada had come to rely on over the centuries of friendship. "Had you asked me that in the early years of my exile, I would have said no. In fact that is one reason why I chose a life of exile.
"Not just so I might find new ways of fighting and improving my own skills. I left so that I would hold better to my vow and not be influenced or have my resolve diminished by the weaklings of my father's court. But so much time has passed now. Centuries upon centuries and yet I am still wandering the earth, I am still waiting."
Wink nodded his head, finally understanding what was really been bothering his friend. "I see, though you have chosen this destiny, there is no promise that this path is truly yours to fulfill."
"Gods bless you Mr. Wink, you always understand." He smiled at the tap on the back Wink gave him with one of his enormous fingers. With hands so large, a tap was the best Wink could offer in regards to a reassuring 'pat on the back'.
"I do not know what fate has chosen for me. It may be centuries yet before I know for certain. Until then, I will hold to my vow and face every obstacle I can."
Nuada's words left Wink with a sudden, sinking feeling. He had heard Nuada talk this way before, of challenging himself. But this time was different.
"Nuada, please tell me what it is that you are planning this time." Wink's tone pressed the matter. He was afraid of the answer but he needed to know.
"In the lands far north of here, what the humans call Scotland there dwells a great terror-"
"The dark elemental!" Wink exclaimed. He had long heard tales of an elemental, a forest God tainted by darkness that bestowed only death. It was a being that lived outside of the balance of nature-a demon more like.
Wink stopped and faced Nuada. "Sire, you are not seriously thinking of confronting such an entity, are you?"
"Wink, no greater challenge has ever come before me. My heart has desired this for some time." Nuada pulled the spear from its sheath and held it in front of him. "Now that I have the spear, the most powerful weapon of elfin making, will I be able to take this challenge."
His eyes ran over the length of the weapon and for a moment, he looked as though he could not believe he held it. Almost as though he were not worthy of it.
"This spear has been wielded by the greatest champions of the fey race. The greatest of all being Scathach, my own mentor. Scathach's greatest achievement was the slaying of a dark elemental. "
Nuada turned his gaze to Wink. His eyes were alight with reverence for his mentor as well as the determination to achieve the same as those before him.
"This is my ultimate test and I accept it. In defeating the dark elemental I will be on equal grounds with Scathach and by surviving I would then have surpassed her. Ultimately proving to the Gods them selves, that I am the one to lead their children out of oppression."
Wink was glad that Nuada had not forgotten that defeating the dark elemental had also been Scathach's last achievement as well as her greatest. Her loss was devastating to Bethmoora. A loss, Wink was positive, that Nuada had never overcame.
Wink could understand Nuada's desire to face the same challenge like Scathach before him. It was the desire of every student to become the equals of their mentors, if not surpass them. But this time, Wink feared, Nuada's desire was sorely misplaced.
"My friend, I can understand why you want to do this. But have you forgotten that the elemental Scathach faced was terrorizing the people. As a warrior and guardian of the realm, she had no choice but to fight. The one you wish to face merely hides in the woods and rots in its own vileness."
"A vile thing it is indeed, all the more reason to destroy it. I will do just that and I will survive." Nuada clutched the spear as though he were trying to channel all of his faith into the weapon. It was with this very weapon that Scathach had defeated her elemental. Now Nuada was resolved to do the same.
"To challenge it would be madness. You could cause it to rampage upon this land." Wink made no effort to conceal his worried voice.
"Scathach did defeat the dark elemental but it was never revealed as to how. She died shortly after and just as mysteriously. Some believe she died because she became contaminated by the same evil that filled the elemental-"
Nuada scowled and turned away. "I am aware of that. But I must do all that I can to make myself as strong as possible. I know Scathach would approve-"
"How can you be so sure?" Wink asked. "I do not believe Scathach would approve. For once can you forget that she was your mentor and remember that she was your-"
"I have made my decision and I will not turn from it." Nuada shouted, his proud and regal voiced tinged with obvious pain. "I must prepare in every way that I can. Now, will you help me Wink?"
Every fiber in the troll's being wanted nothing more to stand by his friend as he had countless times before. But this time, Wink feared that Nuada's vow had crossed over into dangerous obsession.
"I am sorry my friend," Wink said as sadly as he did resolutely. "But I cannot help you this time. I fear this time you are going too far." Wink's shoulders slumped and he braced himself for whatever wrath Nuada might deal him.
"Then stay out of my way." Nuada's every word weighed heavy with stern disappointment. He talked as though Wink was nothing more than a peasant for Nuada to command. More hurtful still was the way turned and walked away.
Wink stood alone in forlorn silence. Nuada's words were hurtful and callous to even Wink's battle hardened heart. Yet the troll knew that Nuada was hurting to. They had been through so much together that the idea of not having Wink's aid was completely alien.
But as Nuada had made his decision, so had Wink and he was just as resolved to hold to that decision. But in no way did it mean that he was going to abandon Nuada: ever.
*********
Sophia had kept her promise to Marcus. Everyday the weather allowed she took the animal out for a ride. From the moment she was properly dressed she headed out to the stable where Alexander had Marcus ready.
These days she used a proper riding saddle rather than her Lady's saddle. The real saddle also allowed her to carry her drawing materials along with her. When both she and Marcus needed a rest, Sophia would sit and draw the landscape before her.
It was near the end of February and the landscape was beginning to come to back to life. The surrounding oaks, maples and birches were regaining there crowns or verdant leaves. At their roots were budding flowers. It was as though heaven itself had come and pulled the dreariness of winter off the world like an old, suffocating blanket.
On other days Sophia would set up her easel and paint. Occasionally Mary would come to check on her, bring her tea or simply provide company. Mary never asked about Sophia's last encounter with Nuada, the fabled elf prince. She did not have to for Sophia's state of seeming serenity proved that she had achieved what she set out to do.
No longer did her mistress lie up in her bed trying to recover from supposed illness. No longer was her skin sallow or her eyes blank. She now possessed a glow that words could not describe. Sophia was one of the people who had been blessed to see one of the fair folk with waking eyes.
Once Mary could not contain herself and whispered to Sophia one day while she served her tea. "You are so vibrant these days," Mary said with an impish grin. "If I did not know any better, I would say you were in love."
Sophia only blushed and gave Mary a gentle pat on the hand. "Well, it is good that you do know better."
Whatever the source of what the servants had dubbed a miraculous recovery, Sophia chose not to waste it. She used her new found energy for riding and discovering new meaning in old habits such as painting and journaling.
However, many shadows still lingered within her soul. Darkest of which being her relationship with Richard. Was she to remain bound to him forever; just one more of his collectibles stashed away in his country retreat? Or was there something different, if not better, out there for her? The possibility alone gave her hope.
This particular morning found Sophia writing in her journal at a table on one of the manor's many balconies. She had been in the middle of her conclusion to her entry when Mary came out unexpectedly.
"Mary, what is wrong?" Sophia asked taking in Mary's alarmed state.
"I am sorry Mistress but your husband has returned unannounced." Mary put her hand over her chest to try and steady here breathing.
This was very odd. Richard was usually a month in between visits at least. Barely that much time had passed since he last left. For a moment, Sophia wondered if, somehow, Richard had learned of the spear no longer being in his horde. Her basic logic doubted it for that venture was between Mary and herself. Well, Nuada too.
Sophia was dressed in a simple tea gown made of calico cotton, brown with a rust colored vine pattern on it. It would have to be appropriate enough as she did not have time to dress into something more formal to greet her husband.
When Mary caught her breath she informed Sophia that Richard had returned with a London architect. Sophia calmed down a bit at hearing that piece of information. Richard's return was based on reconstruction to the damage in the library. No one had gone in there since the night of the ball.
She wondered how Richard was going to explain how the library had been so damaged in the first place. Surely he would not tell the architect that a huge troll and a disgruntled elf had been the culprits.
Sophia, unfortunately had to spend the whole day wondering. Not only that, Richard's presence had brought back her familiar pensiveness. As such, she kept in her room all day. She hoped Marcus would forgive her for not taking him out on their daily ride. She tried to continue writing but no words came and she did not much feel like painting either.
"Take heart," She told herself. "He will finish his business here and be gone before too long."
Richard never stayed in this house longer than he had to in recent years. She would make it through like always and once he was gone, things would return to normal-the new normal. Not laying in bed but being outside and riding.
Concentrating on what would come later gave Sophia the courage to endure the rest of the day. It was at the evening meal that she came face to face with Richard. For dinner she donned a polonaise style gown made from lavender colored cotton. The dress was formal enough in design, but still casual and comfortable. Her rich brown hair she pulled into a half-pony tail and wrapped the top portion into a bun. As always, she secured her hair with her favorite tortoise shell comb.
She walked into the dinning room with her head held high and her shoulders stiffened. Richard was already sitting at the head of the table too wrapped in reading the estimates of the repair costs to notice her entrance.
"Hello Richard," She said.
Richard raised his head nonchalantly, as though nothing about her presence were special. What he saw. Apparently, was anything but what he expected. Sophia's eyes were clear and focused and her voice sounded strong and healthy. For a brief moment, he stared like he did not even know who she was. Sophia patiently held out her hand for him to take. Another moment passed in awkward silence before he finally did.
"Sophia, you look…well." She couldn't help but to notice the tone of surprise in his voice.
"I feel quite well, thank you." She took her seat in a chair just to the left of the table's head. The table was already set and with her now present, dinner could be served.
Throughout the meal, Sophia and Richard made casual small talk: How was the return journey? What did the architect estimate the cost of the repairs to be? They were simple questions with simple answers.
Sophia, as far as she knew, was minding her manners and etiquette and doing everything else right. But Richard's constant (and dumbfounded) stare was making her more and more uncomfortable.
"Richard, please what is it?" Sophia asked, no longer able to stand it.
Richard returned his tea cup to its saucer on the table and then stroked his mustache. "It's nothing really. You just look so…so well."
"Yes you have commented on that. Perhaps my holiday out in the country is finally working its magic." Sophia figured it was best to just humor him.
"Ah, I take you must have spent much time resting and of course taking your medicines." Richard, whether he knew it or not, sounded more nervous than pleased. His next question was inevitable but still a surprise.
"Now that you are feeling better will you…will you wish to return to London with me?"
Sophia was sipping from her tea cup when the question was asked. She held the cup suspended in the air while she thought. To return to London; was it possible? Long had she missed the busy streets and the intellectual atmosphere of her hometown but was it really time for her to return?
It was good to indulge in the whimsical feelings returning to London held but Sophia knew better. Richard was merely trying to determine whether or not he would have to make new arrangements to accommodate his time with his mistress.
The truth made her sick to her stomach and she did not wish to even try to discuss it. As always, it was best to just give Richard what he wanted.
"I think it is too early to consider such a thing." She waved her hand in the air and changed the subject "So, will it be too difficult to repair the damage done to the library?"
Richard was clearly relieved by her reaction to his question and gladly discussed the new subject as it was presented. He prattled on about the work to be done, the materials necessary to do so and, of course the cost involved in repairing the damage.
"The chap in charge of this project could not believe the damage done. Accused me of not taking care of this poor old house he did." Richard shrugged his shoulders.
"How did you explain it, the damage, I mean?" The question just came out without thought. Richard's face went pale. They both knew what happened but Sophia did not think Richard told their visiting architect what had really happened to the house.
"What ever are you talking about? You were there that night when some vandals broke into the house and did as much damage as they could before they left."
Richard said it so casually, as if he believed the incident was as mundane as that. But the reality of the incident was anything but mundane.
"Do you deny what you saw with your own eyes? Have you forgotten what really happened so easily?" Sophia's gray eyes smoldered.
Richard Look equally incensed. "I do not understand why you wish to remember." He turned his head away and hastily swallowed the last of his tea. He slammed the delicate cup onto the table shattering the delicate china. He always used violent behavior as a warning to behave. This time however, Sophia refused to be intimidated.
"How can I forget? I was held captive by that man and the creature with him. I had never been more frightened in my entire life and I tell you, there is no forgetting such a thing." Sophia was sure that her voice was loud enough to be heard throughout the house but she did not much care. Richard, however, was furious.
He leapt to his feet and slammed his hands on the table. The china and silverware chimed with the vibration sent through the table by Richard's motion. Sophia became disgusted with his churlish behavior. She glared at him as though he were the lowest creature on the earth.
Richard stared back into her narrowed eyes. Absent was the fear and regret he was familiar with. Instead he saw anger and bitterness. "Why look at me like that?"
"You are so pathetic. Do you think after what I have been through that a little temper tantrum can possibly frighten me? While with my captor I was within an inch of my death-"
"Oh stop sniveling. The bastard let you go. I just wonder what you said, or did, to make him release you so easily." He sneered at her lasciviously.
The flame within her began to burn hotter. "You want to have it out, well alright then. Yes, I did bargain for my freedom but it was not my body he received." Sophia smiled with unashamed sadism.
"Then tell me, what could have possibly used to bargain with if not your body?"
"Something far more valuable: A promise. In exchange for my freedom I was to return him his property. I returned the spear to him." Her eyes lit up at Richard's sudden pallor and surprise. "I am really very sorry to disappoint you," She sighed mockingly. "But it was never me he was really interested in."
"What have you done? Do you have any idea just how valuable that spear was?" Richard shouted louder than Sophia had ever heard him before. She was still too disgusted with him to recoil.
"Oh stop it," She said condescendingly, "You know just as well as I do that you would have tired of that treasure sooner or later. You would have sold it eventually and acquired something else in its place.
"All you care to know about anything is how much wealth it will bring you. Once an item has served your purpose you then dispose of it. The same is true of people. I wonder if your little mistress is aware of this."
Sophia ignored the poisonous look Richard regarded her with and headed out of the dinning room. Her blood boiled and her teeth clenched but satisfaction pulsed through her. Long had she wanted to confront Richard on his wasteful and petty ways. At the same time, making her knowledge of his infidelity known to him lifted a heavy burden from her heart.
The sound of heavy footsteps behind her, however, triggered her protective instincts. She looked to see Richard following her, his eyes fixated upon her. It made her hair stand on end. Never before had he pursued her after an argument. His ice cold stare also took away from her earlier bravado. She wanted nothing more than to get to her room so she quickened her pace.
She was halfway up the stair case when she looked behind her once more: Richard was still there and quickly closing the distance between them. His heavy footfalls upon the steps unnerved her. As soon as she was atop the staircase she broke into a run.
She ran as best she could but her skirts seriously hindered her efforts and Richard caught up with her.
He caught her upper, right arm in a bruising grip and pulled her to her room. She dragged her feet and tried to yank her arm away from him. "Unhand me," She demanded. Richard grunted and continued to ignore her resistance. They arrived at her room; only then did Sophia truly begin to feel afraid.
Once inside, Richard pulled Sophia to him and swatted her across the face. She shrieked and Richard used her disorientation to his advantage and flung her on the bed.
Sophia's hit the mattress and rolled onto her stomach. Her arms shot out and clawed at the sheets trying to gain leverage and get away. Richard leapt upon her, crushing her down. He yanked her onto her back and dealt her another blow.
The two of them struggled for several more minutes. Sadly the battle was in Richard's favor. He used his weight and strength to conquer Sophia's much slighter body and pinned her beneath him. He held her wrists and pinned them above her head.
"You bring all of this upon yourself woman. I would have been content to leave you here as I always do. It would seem that is not possible anymore."
"What are you babbling about," Sophia spoke through clenched teeth. She could feel wetness on her face and knew that her nose must be bleeding. Her hair clung to the sheen of sweat on her face.
"You leave me no choice Sophia. When I leave for London I will be taking you with me after all."
She could feel the color leaving her face and her body turn cold.
"I have tried to care for you with doctors and their treatments but now I know that nothing can help you. I am going to have you committed to an asylum."
Asylum: the one word that encompassed her worst fears and nightmares. Her body went limp, tears fell from her eyes and her voice was reduced to the most pitiful of cries.
"Why?" The word was cloaked by an agonized sob.
"You can ask me that after how you just behaved. No sane woman would ever act so disrespectfully especially towards her own husband. If I did not know better, I would swear you were possessed by some evil or another."
Sophia groaned and struggled again. Only this time her motions were feeble. Fear had stolen her spirits away.
Feeling that he had finally dominated her, Richard released his grip but remained atop her. In a deceptively kind gesture, he brushed several strands of dark hair away from her face.
"Hush my darling," He whispered. "It is for your own good. The doctors in the asylum will take care of you, I promise." He cupped her sweat dampened face. "I am only doing what is right."
No, her mind cried, don't believe him. Sophia grasped upon that voice like a life line and used it to pull herself to the surface and beyond his lies.
"Sophia?" Richard leaned forward, "Don't worry my dear, you will be alright."
Sophia wailed at the top of her lungs and thrust her leg into Richard's groin. The man bellowed indignantly and rolled off of her and onto the floor. He landed with a thud. Sophia turned over and crawled to the other side of the bed. She threw her legs over the side and bolted as soon as her feet connected with the floor.
She ran through the house like a frightened animal only concerned with escaping. Her flight from the house to the stable passed by in a huge blur. It was only until she arrived at the stall that housed Marcus that she allowed herself a pause.
She had never seen Richard so furious before in all her life and his intention to finally throw her away in a madhouse had been too much for her to take. She could not imagine a worse fate.
With shaking hands, she tacked Marcus with her riding saddle fearing that any moment Richard might come and stop her. He did not though and Sophia managed to ride Marcus out of the stable and off the grounds. She headed off in no particular direction. Her only concern was putting as much distant between the manor and her self at the moment.
After riding for an unknown amount of time the ache of her legs that sound of the horse's labored breathing brought some sense back to her. She had to stop. Marcus halted at her command and she dismounted, or, that was her intent. Her legs, tired from exertion and adrenaline, gave out the moment she connected with the ground. She crumpled down to the moist earth with her skits billowing about her.
She sat for several minutes allowing her body to calm down on its own. Slowly, rational thought began to return to her. She was safe from her husband but now had new problems. She had no provisions or even appropriate clothing. The sweat on her body mixed with the chill of the night air was beginning to get the better of her. She was going to have to find some kind of shelter if she was to escape the cold.
She touched her face and could feel the drying blood. She ever so lightly applied pressure to her cheeks and instantly winced. Bruises, no doubt, were already forming.
Never before had Richard ever been so violent towards her but his threat of taking her to an asylum, to her, was worse than death itself. She began to cry agonized sobs and her tears felt unnaturally hot against her cold face. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms trying to warm herself.
Her situation had possibly gone from bad to worse. Out in the forest she was exposed to the elements yet it was not safe to go back to the manor, not yet anyway. She thought that perhaps she could wait out the night, she could survive that much at least, and then return in the morning.
Mary and Alexander could help her hide on the grounds until Richard left but Sophia was unsure. To do so could possibly put Mary and Alexander in jeopardy. Richard might have them arrested or deported back to Ireland for helping her. No, Sophia cared about them too much to risk it.
"Heaven or earth, help me," She whispered into the night. "What am I to do?"
A familiar chattering noise caught her attention. In her lap was a tooth fairy. Not just any tooth fairy but the one that had been visiting her lately.
"My little friend," She said, her voice still broken from her distress.
The tooth fairy made a series of clicks and chirps that was its language. "I went to your room but the window was closed." It said to her.
Sophia sniffed. "I am sorry my friend. But I seem to have gotten myself into a bit of trouble tonight."
The tooth fairy's wings fluttered and the tiny creature took flight and hovered in front of her face. It indicated with its tiny hands for her to follow it. "My little angel," She said. The tooth fairy chirped, delighted by its new title.
Sophia took a hold of Marcus' reigns and walked him through the woods while the tooth fairy led the way. They walked on until they arrived at the old cathedral. She was not surprised the little fairy had led her here. This place was after all a sanctuary for them; why not her?
There other tooth fairies were around no doubt but Sophia had no fear of them. Of course she wondered if Nuada and his cohort, Wink, were still here as well. She strongly doubted it. Having given him the spear, he most likely was gone.
Sophia was too tired to give it much more thought. She un-tacked Marcus and the horse went off to graze. Sophia took the saddle quilt and wrapped it about her shoulders. Slowly her body began to feel warm again.
Marcus would be fine and in this place she had the shelter she needed. In the morning she would think on her next course of action. For now though, she longed for rest more than anything. With her little guardian angel perched on her should, Sophia headed to the alcove where the statue of the holy virgin stood.
She knelt down before the holy mother and thanked her for the quick answering of her prayer. It came in the form of a tooth fairy but Sophia found she could not complain. She knew she was safer with this little beast than she was with her husband, the monster dressed in human skin.
TBC: Please review ^_^
Author's note: In case anyone was wondering, the name Scathach refers to an actual character in Celtic Myth. She was revered as a great warrior who in time taught others and has connections other icons in Celtic legends. She is referenced several times in the book Women in Celtic Myth by Moyra Caldecott.
