Chapter 36

It had been three days and she was tired. She didn't know why Birgit wouldn't let her stop. She was tired and she wanted to sleep, but Birgit keep pushing them forward. Towards what she didn't know, her adolescent mind couldn't comprehend the danger that they were in. She knew that she should understand that Mara was trying to kill her. She should understand why, but she didn't. She just didn't know why her mother hadn't come find them yet.

"It won't be much longer," Birgit told her.

"You said that four towns ago. I need to stop. Where are we going anyway?"

"You'll see. But, we need to keep going. I don't know how long your mother can hold Mara off. I have to find us help. It is the only way, Shannon. I am sorry, but we must press onward."

Shannon hung her head but she continued, putting one foot in front of the other. She knew that Birgit only had her safety in mind. She knew that her mother trusted her enough to care for her for years and that was enough for Shannon to follow her blindly. She would follow Birgit to wherever they were going, even if it meant further away from her homeland and further from ever seeing her mother. She just hoped that her mother would find a way to bring her back. She sighed. She couldn't believe that she missed a woman that she didn't even know. She shook her head, shifted the bag on her back, and left out a heavy breath.

"Look!"

Shannon stopped on the road and looked. She couldn't believe the sight before her. It was an amazing castle nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains covered in snow. It was an awesome sight and she couldn't believe the sheer magnitude of the size and design. It didn't look like any other castle that she had ever seen in Tara. She stood there dumbfounded.

"We're there," Birgit told her.

Shannon smiled. Her only thoughts were, 'Finally.' She looked into Birgit eyes and felt herself move a little faster. There was finally a goal in sight and the end was near. She wasn't exactly happy, but she felt something close to it as they got nearer.

Birgit waited until Shannon was by her side before she kept moving. They would have to introduce themselves to the castle guard and hope for entry. She knew that the girl looked ragged and she could only hope that the vision Rhiannon had given them both would prove to help them with the queen of the castle. She lifted herself up and tried to look presentable, but she knew that she wouldn't look right to the people of this realm. She knew that Shannon wouldn't fit in at all, and she would have to cover for the girl until they got their audience with the queen.

"HALT!" a guard told them as they neared.

They stopped and waited as the other guard approached them. Birgit had her hand on the dagger on her belt and slowly moved a foot behind herself. She wasn't going to make herself an easy target. She stayed in her defensive position as the guard circled her. He said nothing, but the one who spoke earlier came closer before speaking again.

"What business do you have here? This isn't a peasant path. The town is that way, vermin. Now, go. This is the queen's path," he scolded them.

"I understand that, good knight," Birgit told them as she slowly knelt to one knee.

He watched but said nothing. The other knight circled around to where Shannon was, but as he came closer, Shannon knelt, too. She felt that she should mimic Birgit's actions. It was an unconscious movement on her part. It was like Birgit had spoken in her mind telling her kneel.

When Birgit brought her right fist up into her chest as a salute, Shannon followed. The knights just watched them, confused at their display of fealty. Birgit dared to raise her head to the knight whom she assumed was the higher ranking of the two knights.

"We are travelers from Tara and seek asylum here. I was sent by Queen Rhiannon. I have a message for your queen. I was told to give it to her ears only, for she is the only one who will understand its meaning, good knight," Birgit explained.

"Who are you?"

"I am Birgit, daughter of Maeve of Avalon, sister of Queen Rhiannon of Tir Nan Og, knight of the realm and protector of the lands of the Youth. I seek your great queen. Will you please tell her I am here? She will know me," Birgit told them.

"Tir Nan what? I've never heard of your kingdom, wench. Leave this road."

"Please, just send word to your queen. I am sure that she will seek an audience with me. If she sends me away, I will go willingly. But, please, just send word to her that I am here."

"Very well, but I doubt that she will see you. Cassius, go deliver word of this creature to her majesty. We'll see how you are received," the knight told her.

She stayed in her knelling position. She didn't dare stand, knowing that he would take it as an act of aggression. She was prepared to fight him if she must, but she didn't want to do it. She stole a glance back at Shannon. She could see the questions in her eyes. She made a slight gesture to her, asking her to keep quiet and she knew that Shannon understood.

It didn't take long for the other knight to come back. He came back with a small troop following. He leaned in and said something to other knight. Whatever Cassius had told him caused his eyes to widen and he moved to the side as the Captain of the Guard came through. He couldn't believe that the Queen was behind them.

"Stand, Birgit, old friend. What has happened that you seek asylum with me? What has happened to Rhiannon?"

"Tari, Im Birgit eston. Est Shannon eston. Gwannas lû and."

The queen regarded her for a minute. She studied them both and it seemed that she waited, trying to formulate the words she wanted to say. She ran her dark chocolate eyes over them and Birgit watched, waiting for anything that would seem amiss to her about the woman. Their eyes met and held each other for a moment or two, before the queen finally replied.

"Gi suilon. Gi nathlam hi. Man i theled i odulegir hí?"

"Cin gwathel, ten naneth," Birgit replied.

"What happened?"

"Mara."

The queen's countenance changed. She immediately pulled herself up regally. She turned and looked at her guards. Her eyes were full of fire and pain, but she said nothing. She reached out and touched Birgit, begging her silently to stand, again. Birgit did as she was bade and she felt Shannon do the same.

"Follow me. I will do anything that I can for you. Come. Come."

"My Queen?" the Captain of the Guard asked.

"Do not question me in front of royal guests, Captain. They are my friends and are welcomed and honored guests in my home. You will have someone bring them something befitting their station. Find my tailor, bring Jefferson. They will need new clothes after their long journey."

"Yes, my Queen, forgive the mistake," the captain stated.

"Just go, Captain and don't delay."

He pointed and two guards fled into the woods to seek Jefferson out. He signaled for the other guards to move out of the way for the queen and the guests. He eyed Birgit and Shannon, but he said nothing as they both followed his queen back into the castle. He wasn't even surprised when Birgit gave him a smirk as she past him. He knew better than to question his queen.

"I think that the brew is ready," Bridget told her.

"Good. Put it in the fridge. They will be here soon enough."

"You keep saying that, but you don't know who they are."

"I know one of them. The other is a mystery, but she is good. I can feel it."

"That doesn't make me want to let them in when they get here."

"They are safe, Bridget. We have nothing to fear from them. Trust me. One of them is a queen coming to fulfill a debt older than you. She doesn't remember, yet. But, she will. You'll see."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because she has saved me once before," Bevin told her.

"You have come a long way, Birgit. Tell me. How can I help my friends? Why is Rhiannon not with you? And, what does that imbecilic Mara have to do with this?"

"Istog peded edhellen?"

"Den iston," the queen replied.

"Ni edhel. Me edhil. Elio nin berio Shannon. Berio ven. Beo den meriad. Odulen an di meriad. Heniog?"

"I do. Gweston. Sevin naw."

"What is that, my Queen?"

"How long has Mara been pursing you?"

"Since she realized that Shannon wasn't dead."

"How long?"

"Leben a leben a neledh."

"Elo! Avo drasto. Man cerig hi?"

"Rhiannon sent us…with this," Birgit answered handed her a parchment.

The queen took the parchment and read it. She looked up at Birgit in wonder. Birgit couldn't see what was going in her eyes. The queen had blocked all emotions from her body.

"Avo drasto. Savo amdir. I know what needs to be done, my friend. Posto. I'll have the potions and your instructions ready in the morning. Sleep, now. You will be provided for and protected while you stay in the Winterlands, my friend. Gweston."

"As you wish, my queen," Birgit told her.

"We will protect the princess."

"Guren glassui!"

The queen turned to Shannon and took her hand. She searched her clear blue eyes and saw the same things she had seen in Rhiannon when she came to visit years ago. Birgit knew of the oath, but she made no mention of it to either of them. She could see it in the queen's eyes. This was part of her obligation to Rhiannon. She could only hope that the darkness that she saw just beyond the royal cloaked eyes was just a flicker with nothing to expand it. She didn't want to fight the queen or her people. She just needed her help and Rhiannon had sent them to her.

"Avo drasto, Birgit. I know my place. I sent word to Urra Dubh. I don't know if he will come from my biding, but we shall see. I think he still owes me from my last deal that went awry."

"He will come, Tari. He will come. He has no choice."

"No?"

"He owes Rhiannon as well."

"Well, then, this might prove to be an interesting audience. I'll send word immediately. If you need anything, ask for the Huntsman. He will help you. But, for now, go rest. We will speak later. Don't worry. She'll be fine here with me."

"Thank you for this, Tari. I know that this puts you in danger with your alliance with Avalon. But, my queen, could think of no one better to help us. I am sorry for the intrusion."

"Don't be. You have given me time to think about better days. There is only one thing that I ask of you. It is a small request."

"Yes, my queen, what is it?"

"You wouldn't happen to be caring any Phoenix oil with you, are you?"

"Always, my queen, always."

"I shall have some need for it…to help you. I'll send for it when the time is right. And, don't worry about Mara. She will not dare attack me. I'll double the guard and patrols to be sure. There is only one person that I fear would harm you now, my dear, and it isn't Mara."

"Who?"

"My step-daughter, Snow White. She is a ruthless bandit that will stop at nothing short of my death. My guards were only trying to protect me earlier. I must say that they were surprised that I agreed to meet with you so quickly."

"As was I, my queen."

"You are the sister of Rhiannon. I have no reason to make you wait. You are an ally."

"That we are, my queen."

"I have not forgotten her kindness. Nor will I ever. We will talk later. Go. Rest."

Birgit curtseyed and took her leave. She met the Huntsman as he escorted them to some rooms down the hall. He was an odd choice she thought to be a member of the royal guard, but she said nothing as he ushered them inside the room.

"If you need anything, I'll be posted outside your door. Just ask. I'll get it for you. I was told to tell you that Jefferson will be here soon to help you with some clothes. I believe she has ordered some food for you as well."

"Thank you, Huntsman," Birgit stated as she shut the door.

She sat down at the table and studied the other scrolls that had appeared in her bag. She knew that Rhiannon had gifted them with magic while they were on the run. They would appear each time she needed help. It was like Rhiannon could see the difficulties ahead and was preparing a way for them to survive. She was glad that Rhiannon had learned magicks. It was useful and she berated herself for not taking a similar interest when she was a child. She was better suited for war and she knew it, but she also knew that if she had her sister's knowledge, Mara would no longer be a threat. She couldn't help as to wonder why Rhiannon hadn't just destroyed her yet.

"Birgit?"

"Yes, Shannon?"

"We aren't staying here, are we?"

"Not long, I fear. You mother is paving a path for us. She has found somewhere for us to be safe for a long time."

"Will she come me there?"

"I am sure that she will, Young One. I am sure that she will. She is trying to protect your throne. She is defending it for you, while we keep you alive. The more you move, the harder it will be for someone to hurt you. We will go home soon and you will see that it was all worth it."

"I hope so, Birgit. I hope so. I am so sick of running and hiding. I just want my mother."

"I know, Young One. Now sleep. We still have things that will need to be done before we continue with our journey."

She watched as Shannon, climbed into the bed and fell asleep immediately. It had been a long and hard road. She was glad to be out of Avalon, because she knew that it would be harder for Mara to find them. She could only hope that the instructions that she gave the queen would help them further the distance and still protect them.

"Rhiannon, I hope you know what you are doing. Calling upon the Dark One for help doesn't always work in your favor. And, I'll give the Phoenix oil to Regina, but will she be able to remember why she has it?" Birgit asked the room as she read her latest magicked parchment. "I have the ingredients for the memory potion. But, I fear giving it to her will harm us, more than help us. I hope you know what you are doing, Sister…for all our sakes."

a/n: I know that many aren't happy with the "weakened" version of Regina, but I promise. She isn't and neither is her reasoning. She did what she felt she had to not only because of what Henry, her son, asked her to do, but for other reasons that will be clear in coming chapters. As we all know, she will do anything and everything she can to keep Henry and prove herself to him. I promise that the "Evil Queen" will be back, reborn, still without regret and maintaining her SwanQueen happiness. All will be explained, I promise. Just give another three to four chapters. But, as always, please feel free to review or private message me. I will respond.