The sun was just rising over the Scottish countryside as the Monster Mystery Machine cruised down the forested road.
"It's so beautiful here," Christina grinned, her face pressed against the back window.
"Agreed," said Shaggy though his eyes were solely on the beaming hybrid.
"Rhens Reakfast?" Scooby-Doo asked waking with a yawn.
"Relax, Scoob," Duncan promised from the driver's seat, "The town's only a few minutes away,"
"We can grab a bite and change for the fair," Kenny scratched the Dane behind his ears.
"You did a voltageous job on the costumes, Clawdeen," Frankie complimented.
"Doesn't she always?" Christina giggled, finally turning from the window.
Shaggy did an about-face of his own but he was caught. Sinking into his seat, his ears burnt red. Giggling, Christina kissed him softly, "I love you"
"Love you more," he returned the gesture, no longer burning red.
"It was nice to be invited to the fair," Kenny commented happily, watching the town appear in the distance.
"A vacation without a mystery sounds good to me!" Shaggy replied excitedly.
"I wouldn't go that far," Frankie showed him the new story she'd been reading on her icoffin.
"Dragon burns down cottage," Christina read aloud, "That's odd, dragons don't attack unless they're provoked"
"Relax everybody," Clawdeen caught their eyes in the rearview mirror, "It sounds like a publicity stunt for the fair"
"I hope you're right, Clawdeen," Shaggy was tense.
Christina scooted closer, "No dragon is going to hurt you while I'm around"
"Promise?"
"Faries Honuor"
…...
By late noon they arrived. There was an excited buzz in the air as they climbed out of the van. First out was Duncan dressed in an impressive suit of scale sculpted armor-mostly fashioned from leather made to look like metal. Clawdeen followed in a crimson huntress garb, consisting of a thick, hooded cloak, corseted top, and mini skirt over tight leggings which she paired with heeled boots. Next came Frankie in a beautiful blue gown with matching clear sparkly heels. Kenny hopped out after her, dressed as a squire to match Duncan though he wasn't too thrilled about the hat ( "Where did you find a feather this large, Clawdeen?") From the very back of the van, Scooby hopped out, his usual collar replaced by one adorned with bells. Then came Shaggy in an outfit reminiscent of Prince Phillip's outfit, the major difference being that it was green and tan instead of black and tan. He even had the cape to match. Last out was Christina in an amthyest version of Briar Rose's dress, instead of a headband a circle of black roses crowned her head.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to do the whole thing barefoot Christy?" Duncan couldn't help asking.
"I'm not," Christina pulled off a shoe that became visible in her hand, "Pretty cool, right?"
"Is that what you were doing last night?" Frankie questioned.
"Yep," she was about to slip the shoe back on but Shaggy stopped her.
"Allow me"
"Frankie's the one dressed like Cinderella," Christina laughed, "But, if you insist"
After he slid the shoe back on, Shaggy took Christina by the hand, "You know you owwe me a dance dressed like this?" he grinned, pulling her close.
"Of course," she smiled in return shutting the back doors with a wave of her hand, "Come on, we're hexpected"
The fair was taking place on the grounds of a medieval castle that had been newly restored by the owner and was the center of many local legends. It was pretty if standard with gray stone, a moat, and a drawbridge. Around it were the stalls and tents which housed the attractions and activities.
The castle's owner was a somewhat chubby man with a bushy red beard and steely gray eyes which crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
"Welcome to Glasburgh castle," he shook their hands, "I'm Ewan McEwan, I own the place and I'm very glad you could come"
"Thank you for inviting us," Duncan replied, "We're hexcited to be here"
"Go on and have a good time, I'll see you at the feast later" Ewan waved them past the entrance.
"Well," Frankie turned to the others, "Where to first?"
"Something tells me Christy wants to see the gardens," Clawdeen laughed pointing at her friend whose eyes were locked on to the garden in question.
"This would be a good time to pair off," Duncan suggested, "We can meet before the feast, sound good?"
"sounds great"
So the couples split up to do whatever interested them most. Duncan and Clawdeen went to watch the ongoing jousting match, Christina, Shaggy, and, Scooby beelined for the gardens while Frankie and Kenny meandered from stall to stall curiously. Food, trinkets, souvenirs. Interesting but fleetingly so until the crowds came to a standstill before every female in earshot shrieked.
"Ouch!" Kenny clamped his hands over his ears, "Is it the dragon?"
"No," Frankie seized his arm excitedly, "Look!"
"What am I looking at?" Kenny asked all he could see was the end of a very long line.
"Read the sign"
"Jamison Steven Ripley? isn't he-"
"The star of the Round Table Gang!"
"Didn't they cancel that show forever ago?"
"Yeah, right before the season finale," Frankie pouted sadly, she had been quite a fan, "C'mon I need an autograph!"
Thankfully, the line moved quickly and Frankie was soon face to face with the dashing red-haired man seated on a mock throne.
"Excuse me, Mr Ripley, may I have your autograph?" Frankie shakily handed over her journal.
"Of course, Ms, Stein, I'd be honured"
"You know who I am?"
"And Kenny," Jamison smiled, scrawling his name in gigantic looping letters across the page, "I am quite famlier with the exploits of your little mystery group"
"Wow"
"Okay, move along, you're holding up the line," the attendant manning the line pushed them on.
"This day can't get any better!"
...
"Look at all the flowers!" Christina skipped slightly ahead of Shaggy, practically spinning with joy.
"Looks like a picture from your book," Shaggy nodded with a smile of his own.
"It does!" Christina spun excitedly.
When she stopped she found herself face to face with a jester who had an elaborately painted face giving him the appearance of a porcileon clown. His black-painted lips stretched into a smile as he presented Christina with a blood-red rose, "For the fair princess," he bowed.
"Thank you," Christina flushed scarlet, accepting the gift.
"Of course, milady," the jester somersaulted away disappearing among the topiaries.
"Here, Christina," Shaggy helped her tuck the rose among the others in her crown, "Perfect, now like, what do you say we hit the medevil food court?"
"After you"
Scooby was the only one who saw the strange, off-putting look the jester gave the couple as they left, laughing to themselves.
Something was amiss.
...
Big deep breath! I've been messing around with this particular rewrite for a year at least and I'm still unsure about this chapter but I'm not going to scrap and redo it, again. Anyway, please review!