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The bedroom door started to open, “Lona, no!”
“What? We need to ask them,” they heard Lona reply.
“You know the rules, we never go into Mum and Da’s bedroom without knocking on the door and being told to come in.” The door slammed shut.
Berian looked across their bed at Fiona with a raised eyebrow. “I think the girls want to talk to us,” he grinned. Fiona rolled her eyes and smiled, and then reached over, took her dressing robe and put it on. There was a knock on the door.
“Come in girls,” their mother told them. The door opened again, and High Princess Lona Yaleria-Brice, and her older sister, Princess Abilynn, came into the room. The irrepressible Lona jumped up on her mother’s bed, while Abilynn stood at the foot. Her father, Berian, patted his side of the bed and indicated that Abby could sit there. The two sisters were a unique combination, both of whom were adopted into their family. Lona had three mothers who shared in the raising of the High Princess; Fiona, the High Queen of the Aerielands, Fiona’s sister, Menta Kai, the Great High Queen of All the Elves in the Nine Worlds, and Lona’s birthmother, Gwynlyn Brice, who was also Berian’s mother. In addition to being Menta Kai’s daughter, Lona was also her heir and ward. Abilynn Enya Yaleria-Brice, on the other hand, was the daughter that Fiona and Berian had adopted from Ireland the year before. The two girls were virtually inseparable, and although Lona was thirty-one years old, as an Aerielands elf she was approximately the maturity, physically and emotionally, of an twelve-year-old human. Abilynn was seventeen years old as reckoned in Ireland on First Earth, where she was born.
“Mama?” Lona started. “Abby and I want to do Christmas here this year. Can we do that, Amil?” Fiona looked at Abilynn for confirmation that she had actually talked about Christmas with her little sister.
“Mum,” Abilynn nodded, “last year we went down to Aerielands Castle for Christmas, and the year before Lona says that you went to Eldaria, to Tia Ali’s home and had Christmas with Lord Richard and Lady Kitlaen.”
“We did,” Fiona replied, “but part of that was because Nana and Papa, Kailee and Uncle Joe were all in Drohana at the time.” Nana and Papa were Fiona and Menta Kai’s parents, Iolena and Connor Clark, and Uncle Joe was Connor’s best friend, Joseph Spotted Eagle, who was also originally from First Earth. “And the same thing with last year, because Amil Kailee needed to be at Aerielands, so we all went there.” She looked over at Berian. “What do you think, Nin Mel? Should we invite everyone here to Caer Aerie?”
“It will require some work because right now we’re basically set up for about six guests and only rooms for three married couples other than us. You are talking about your older sisters, your nieces, my parents, my sisters, Penant, the rest of the HAGS, and their spouses, significant others, and children, as well as Ali’s family, Joseph, Lord Thallan, Uncle Tanner and his new female friend,” he paused. “I think if we’re inviting Glynis and Anyon, as well as Alenia and Abrallan, we need to invite the other rangers, Kevyn, Keturah, and Talindra, too. We’re talking about thirty people or more. And don’t forget, Talia and Taeral are going to be traveling with an infant.” Fiona’s niece and her husband had had a baby girl, Estella, in the past year.
“If we’re inviting Talindra, we should invite her parents as well. Doctor Wicker can bring a large number of people with him in the airship, as opposed to everyone flying in here on Great Eagles in the middle of winter.” Fiona sat up and gathered her robe around her.
There was a light knock at the open door, and Fiona looked up to see her best friend, Alistronia Skystormer, standing in the doorway. “Did you mind-speak that you wanted me up here?”
“I did,” Fiona replied. “We’re discussing Christmas, and you’re part of this household. We want to know what you want to do, too.”
“We’re going to have Christmas here, Tia Ali,” Lona exclaimed. “We want to invite everybody from the Aerielands and Gewellyn and Drohana to have Christmas with us.”
“Everyone, Fireball?” Alistronia grinned at her niece. In addition to being Fiona’s best forever friend, Ali was the Lordess of Drohana and the Drohanan ambassador to the Aerielands. She also served as the trainer in combat and fighting skills for both Lona and Abby. “There are a lot of people in all three of those places.”
Lona gave Ali a baleful look. “I mean family and HAGS, Auntie. I know we can’t fit everyone from three worlds in Caer Aerie.”
“If you can find a spot, Ali, have a seat,” Berian told her. She picked up some clothing from a chair and sat down. “Are you and your boyfriend planning on staying here for Christmas this year?”
“I’m sure I can convince him to stay,” she replied. “Why? What did you have in mind?”
“We’re looking at upwards of forty humans and elves,” Berian stated.
“Don’t forget Zed and Zedra, and Zar and Zara, Berian,” Lona reminded him about the family’s four eagle guardians. Because Berian was also Lona’s brother, she still called him by his first name, where Abilynn called him Da or Papa.
“I’m sure the eagles can take care of themselves, Lona. But of course, they will be invited.” He turned his attention back to Alistronia. “If I remember right, some of Caldar’s guards have other skills, such as carpentry and masonry, correct?”
Caldar was the Captain of Caer Aerie’s royal guard, the Mountain Fianna, and had been in a relationship with Alistronia for almost two years. “Yes, they are required to have multiple skills when they are recruited,” Ali replied. “It makes for a better rounded and more versatile team to protect the Caer and its residents. Why, Bear?”
“As I was saying, we are inviting about forty people here for Christmas, and currently we have set up for the five of us and three couples, plus the Rangers’ waystation and the guards’ and staff quarters. We need to get rooms made up, cleaned up, furniture built or repaired, and we have about a month to do it in. Can the guards help?”
“The Fianna would pretty much do whatever their Queen asks them to do. I’m sure they’d be willing to help, as long as it doesn’t leave the castle unguarded. Don’t you have to be at work during the next month?” Berian was the Horsemaster at Great Forest Castle, where Fiona’s parents lived when they were not on the quest to take the Truth to the Nine Worlds.
“I do,” Berian answered. “That’s why I want to get this all set up if we’re going to do it.”
“Excuse me,” Fiona interjected. “Could everyone please clear out of our room for a few minutes so my husband and I can get dressed? Girls, Ali, we’ll meet you in the dining room in ten, fifteen minutes, okay?” She looked at Lona, “And young lady, your sister is right. Remember the rules. Remember, you always knock and wait to be invited into our room, okay?”
“Yes, Amil. I’m sorry.”
“Iolena?” Connor Clark came into his wife’s study and couldn’t see her.
“I’m over here, Love. I’m trying to get this heating duct loose instead of lighting a fire.”
Connor came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “I can think of more fun ways to keep you warm than fighting with some old ductwork. Iolena leaned back and kissed her husband, then pulled loose from the embrace.
“Oh, that would keep both of us warm, but it would also prevent me from getting anything done today. Can you get this thing loose?” Connor pulled on the lever, and it gave slightly, but not enough to open the vent. He felt around the slight opening.
“It feels like something is blocking it, some sort of cloth or something. Why don’t you go ahead and start a fire, Nin Mel, and I’ll bring up some tools and take it apart a little later.” He wrapped his arms around her again. Iolena turned within his arms and planted a kiss on his lips, and then pulled free again.
“Connor Clark you are incorrigible. You’d think you were one of your newlywed sons-in-law.”
“You would prefer that I didn’t find you, the most gorgeous woman in the whole Nine Worlds, so irresistible?” He raised his eyebrows, knowing the answer. Iolena wrapped her arms around her husband this time, and answered, “No, my love. But as the Scripture says, there is a time for every purpose under heaven, and from time to time I have to take a break from having fun with my husband, and help my brother run the Great Forest Realm.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” He smiled at her. “The awesome responsibility that comes with the crown, I know.”
Iolena stuck her lower lip out and gave Connor a pouty expression. “Don’t make fun, Connor Clark. You helped me win back this crown. Now let me do what wearing it requires me to do.” She pressed herself against him and kissed harder this time. “Go find your tools and let me do my job, and I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” he replied.
“I know you will,” she looked up at him from under her eyebrows. “And I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too,” Connor grinned and started for the door. He opened the door and stopped. His son-in-law, Berian, was at the door with his hand raised to knock. Both of their eyes opened wide. Connor broke the awkward silence. “Hello, Berian Brice. What can we do for you?”
“Hello, Adda Connor. Is Amil Yena in her study?”
“I’m here, Berian. Please come in.” Connor moved aside to allow Berian into the study and then started to leave.
“Da, if I’m not interrupting you, could you stay for a moment. Your granddaughters wanted me to ask you something.” He produced an envelope and tilted it back and forth between each of his wife’s parents. Iolena took it from him, opened it and took out the invitation inside. She smiled as she read it, and then passed it to Connor.
Connor smiled too as he read the enclosure. Tucking it back in the envelope, he looked at Berian. “That’s wonderful, Son. Why didn’t they just mind-speak to us?”
“Oh, that definitely would not have worked. This was all the girl's idea, mostly Lona, but Abby went along with it, so Fiona decided that the girls get to do all of the planning. That brings me to my own personal invitation, Da. If there is any way that you and Mum could possibly go up early and help with setting up rooms for all the guests, I would really appreciate it. I have work here that I need to do for the next couple of weeks. We need to convert Caer Aerie from a capacity of six guests to more than forty, and Fiona doesn’t want to use magic to do it.”
There was a light knock on the door, and it swung open to reveal Menta Kai. “Amil is... Berian, you’re back!” She hugged her brother-in-law. “How is my little sister, and more importantly how are my baby and her big sister?”
“They are all fine, Kailee. The girls wanted me to give you this.” He held out an envelope identical to the one he had given Connor and Iolena. Her eyes widened with delight as she read it.
“What fun!” She looked back at Berian. “The girls are in charge of this get-together?”
Berian nodded. “Specifically, Kailee, the High Princess thinks she is running the show. She tells one to do this, and they do it. She tells another to do that, and they do it. Her mother tells her to stop that, and she doesn’t.” He grinned at Menta Kai. “We’ve had a few discipline issues recently. Not that Abilynn is perfect, no child is, but it’s tough when the child that needs to be disciplined is twice the age of the more mature child who is behaving, and she knows it.”
Menta Kai raised her eyebrows. “Would it be helpful if I came up to Caer Aerie and took on Lona for a few days? I don’t think we’re going anywhere before Christmas.” She looked at her father.
“We were just talking about that, Kailee. Berian wanted to know if your mother and I could go up to help with the preparations.”
“What are Ali and Caldar doing for the holiday?” Menta Kai asked.
“They’re going to stay at the Caer. Caldar’s soldiers are helping with the work that needs to be done to accommodate forty-plus visitors. Are Richard and Kitlaen here in Forest Castle?”
“They are,” Menta Kai replied. “I think they’re down in the hot springs right now. I take it you have an invitation for them as well?”
“I do, with the same request if they can.” Berian looked out the window of his mother-in-law’s study. “I had Eloair follow the mountain road from Caer Aerie through the Borderlands. The passes are still open, but I’m not sure how long they’ll stay that way, depending on the weather.” He turned and faced the family. “Fiona is going to ask Alden Wicker to fly as many as he can, including Talia, Taeral, and the baby, to Caer Aerie in the airship.”
“That will take care of the Nichanovas, the Windmeras, the Wynfarins, and presumably your family, Berian,” Iolena agreed. “Everyone from here can either ride up on horseback or the Great Eagles.” She turned to her husband, “Connor, do you know where Joe is now?”
“I think he’s still up in the mountains with Abrallan,” Connor answered her. “I’m assuming that Joe, Abrallan, Alenia and the rest of the Rangers will travel by horseback, regardless. But I think that we should fly in, just in case the weather gets bad, and the passes close up.” Iolena nodded as he addressed his son-in-law. “Berian, we have a couple of things that we need to finish up here, but I think we can leave the day after tomorrow if that’s sufficient?”
“Oh, that’s even more than I expected, Da. I thought maybe you would go up a week or so in advance, but if you can, I know Fi would love to see you and have your help. Lona will be thrilled to have a couple weeks with her Amil Kailee, and Abilynn will be happy to see all of you too.”
“Adda, would it be okay if I were to take Baltac and fly out there today? This is kind of an off time for me, and I’m not needed at Aerielands Castle right now.” Menta Kai thought for a second. “Speaking of my Castle, we probably need to get Tarbitha up there early, as well as Gwynlyn and Sinead. Bear, do you think your father would be willing to run the Golden Swan alone for a few days while we borrowed your younger sister? I know Fiona and Ali are both good cooks, but for as many people as you’re talking about, we need professional help.”
“I’ll be glad to help with the cooking,” Iolena spoke up.
“Thank you, Mum. I think we’re going to need as much help as we can get, including Joseph, if he’s willing.”
“Except Alenia,” Menta Kai grinned. Her oldest sister had a reputation for not being any kind of cook. “Glynis will be there too, and she grew up helping at the Swan, plus the staff that you have there, Berian. I think we’ll be fine.”
“I do have one other task for you, Huntress,” Berian smiled at Menta Kai. “Fiona, Ali, Abby, Zed, and Zedra will take care of fish for the dinner, but we were hoping that you and Da, and Joe might bring down some venison and wild turkey for us.”
Menta Kai looked at her father and smiled broadly. “We can do that, can’t we, Adda?”
Connor returned her smile and nodded.
The study door was open, but Abilynn stopped and knocked on the door frame anyhow. Fiona looked up from the Tengwar manuscript she was working on and smiled. “Yes, Sweetheart, what is it?”
Abilynn came into the study and shut the door behind her, indicating to Fiona that she wanted to talk privately. “Mama,” she looked over at the document that her mother was translating from the ancient Elven script. “Is that one of the Eyru documents?”
Fiona nodded. “Yes, it is. Why? Obviously, you have something more serious on your mind than what I am translating.”
“Actually, Mum, it ties in with what I need to talk to you about.” She sat down in the offered chair and was silent for a few seconds. “Can we go over to Ireland?”
“I’ve told you, Sweetie, I trust you to go through the portal on your own. Just be careful.”
“No, Mama. Can we go over to Ireland? You and me,” her daughter smiled hopefully. “I want to give Lona a very special Christmas present, and I don’t think my magic is strong enough to make it happen, but I’m believing that yours is.”
“Abilynn Enya, you are such a sweet big sister. What are you looking for in Ireland that is going to require Deep Magic?”
“I want to go over and find Fillian, and bring her back here for Lona. There are some nights before we go to sleep that she tells me how much she loved Fillian and how much she misses her. “ Fillian was the leprechaun that the family had befriended when Fiona had been abducted into Ireland two years before, and was now one of Fiona’s dearest friends.
Fiona’s eyes opened wide, and she put her finger on the bridge of her nose, as she often did when she was thinking. “You know, Fillian doesn’t think that she can pass through the portal. She never explained to me why, and I can understand why Cormac and Eithne can’t come through it.” She saw the quizzical look on her daughter’s face when she mentioned Abilynn’s birthparents. “It has to do with the fluidity of time. Your birth parents are from a time different than the portal, so they have to stay in Ireland in relation to that time.”
“But Mum, if we can find Fillian in contemporary time, wouldn’t she be able to pass through, just like we can go through?”
Fiona thought about that for a few seconds. “If we can find her, if her burrow is still in the same place, and if we,” Fiona chuckled, “I can convince her to try, it should work. And you’re right, I can use the Deep Magic to protect her, just in case.” She smiled warmly at Abilynn. “And it’s something that I can teach you to do when I do it. Would you like that?”
Abilynn had a big smile on her face as she got up from the chair and hugged her mother. “You know I love it when you teach me new things, Mama. It’s very special to me.”
“Well here’s something else special for you, Sweetheart,” Fiona said, looking up at her daughter. She marveled at how much the young woman had grown in just the year that she had been in the Aerielands. “Tia Kailee mind-spoke with me earlier, and she is on her way up here on Baltac as we speak. She wants to help us get ready for Christmas, and she wants to help me deal with some of the issues I’ve had with your little sister recently.”
Abby nodded. “I know. I’ve talked to Lona about it, but she has this mindset sometimes, of ‘she who must be obeyed.’ Particularly, since you gave her permission to put together the Christmas celebration.”
“It’s supposed to be a shared responsibility with you, Abby. I know you love your sister, and she loves you bunches, but don’t let her walk all over you.” Fiona stopped and smiled again. “What I was going to say, is while Kailee is here, you and I and Ali can go look for Fillian.”
“That would be great, Mum. I’m looking forward to it, really.”
“So am I, Sweetheart. It will be good to go home again.”
Jai Pastora Kitlaen Skystormer glided into Iolena’s study without knocking on the door. Kitlaen was the only person other than Connor who could do so. She was Iolena’s best forever friend, just like her sister-in-law, Alistronia, was to Fiona, and Arianna Windmera was to Menta Kai. In the two years, the women had known each other they had formed a bond every bit as strong as existed between Iolena’s daughters and their best friends. Kitlaen carried an envelope identical to the one Berian had given Iolena and Connor. She smiled warmly at the Elf Queen and gently touched her hand as she took her usual seat alongside Iolena. “What did you think of the invitation?”
“We thought it was wonderful. And Fiona’s letting the girls run the show. She really is an amazing mother,” Iolena said with pride.
“That’s because she has a wonderful mother for an example,” Kitt replied. “That, and the blessed woman who raised her. Are you going to be able to go up early?”
Iolena nodded. “Tlannatar and I have to make sure that the winter stores are in, and then, yes, Connor and I plan on going up the day after tomorrow. Can you and Richard come?”
“We talked about it. Richard needs to go back to Drohana for a few days, but he’ll be back in time for the celebration at Caer Aerie.” She caught Iolena’s look of disappointment. “Hey, Love. He also said that I can go with you when you and Connor go up to the Caer if you want me to.” She smiled, “Richard will catch up with me in a few days.”
“Of course I want you to, but if you want to go back to Skystormer Castle with your husband, I understand.”
Kitlaen shook her head. As strong as their friendship was, both women shared a passionate love for their husbands. “As much as I’d love to be with Richard, I honestly don’t love Drohana at this time of year. One of the other Pastoras has already offered to do the official Rising Ceremony, and the Castle is closed for remodeling anyhow, so we won’t have the meet and greet this year. No, Yena, if I can’t be with my husband, I want to be with my very best friend.”
Iolena smiled sincerely “I don’t know how much better Caer Aerie will be than Drohana. It’s colder up in the mountains, and is about as far north as you can get in the Aerielands.” She changed the topic. “I’m not sure that Fiona will even be there when we get there. Abilynn has asked Fi to take her to Ireland to get a special Christmas present for Lona.”
“That’s sweet,” Kitt replied. “But I thought Fiona was allowing Abilynn to go through the portal on her own, as long as she was careful?”
“She does, but this is a very special trip, that may require the use of Deep Magic and Abilynn is only a novice at using the good magic. Do you remember the leprechaun, Fillian, that befriended Fiona went she was abducted, and then took part in the wedding?”
“Of course I do. She was so cute, dancing with Lona in the wedding procession.” Kitlaen gasped. “They’re going to try and bring Fillian through the portal for Lona, for Christmas?”
Iolena nodded. “It was actually Abilynn who thought it out. Working around the fluidity of time issue, she believes that if they can find Fillian in contemporary time in Ireland, she may be able to cross through the portal, particularly with Fiona’s Deep Magic to protect her.”
“It sounds like something that would also benefit from the application of prayer,” Kitlaen responded.
“I agree, and that’s why I am really hoping that you will go with me,” Iolena smiled hopefully at Kitlaen.
“Absolutely! When you and I pray together, Iolena Yaleria-Clark, Lordabove is a force to be reckoned with. I’d love to stand in the gap with you, my sister.”
There was a knock on the door, and Iolena rose and opened it to find Maeryn Glynrora outside, holding a tray with a teapot and three cups on it. “Come in Maeryn.” She moved aside to allow the other woman to enter. Maeryn Glynrora was the “special female friend” of Iolena’s brother, King Tlannatar. The two had met while he was on a diplomatic mission for High Queen Fiona in the Eastlands, and she had come to spend increasing amounts of time at Great Forest Castle in the year that followed. Iolena and Kitlaen had easily befriended the tall, blonde-haired Eastlands elf, whose quiet demeanor belied a marvelous mischievous side, and a faith that mirrored that of Iolena and Kitlaen. It was generally assumed around the Castle that Maeryn and Tlannatar would eventually wed, and the King did nothing to deny it.
“I’m sorry I am running late. I brought the tea, Yena. Would you like some?” Iolena nodded and took the offered teacup. “Kitty?”
“Yes, thank you Maeryn.”
Maeryn poured a cup of tea for Kitlaen and then another cup for herself, and sat down in her usual place, on the other side of Iolena from Kitlaen. This is how the three women spent almost every morning when they were at Forest Castle, in prayer and contemplation, accompanied by good conversation and at least one pot of tea. Maeryn produced an invitation envelope from the folds of her gown and held it up. “I would guess that each of you got one of these today also?”
Iolena nodded. “My son-in-law, Berian, brought them with him when he came down from Caer Aerie today. We’re going to go up early and help them get the Caer set up for that many guests. Are you and Tanner going to be able to be there?”
“I would like to.” She smiled at Iolena. “Of course, I know Berian because he works here, but Fiona is your one daughter that I haven’t met yet. Are you sure she would want me to be there?”
Both Iolena and Kitlaen smiled at that. “Maeryn, you will love Fiona. She is the most accommodating and most gracious of my four daughters. I’m sure that she will welcome you into her castle, just as we have all welcomed you here.”
“Fiona is almost identical to her mother in every way, including grace, faith, and beauty,” Kitlaen added. “Besides, Berian said that Fi did not make up the guest list, her daughters did. You know you’re accepted into this family, Maeryn, when Lona starts including you on guest lists.”
“Fiona is your daughter that is a shape-shifter, correct?”
Iolena nodded. “Fiona is the White Owl, the High Guardian of the Great High Queen and the High Princess, in addition to being the Queen of the Aerielands. The prophecy says that she is one of the two most magically powerful elves in history.”
“And Menta Kai is the other?”
“She is,” Iolena replied. “Both of them have been blessed with very strong giftings in the Deep Magic. For that matter, so has Lona. I remember when Lona first discovered her magical giftings, it was difficult to keep her from playing with them. Even now, Kailee and Fiona have to keep a pretty tight rein on her. That was one of the reasons that Gwynlyn asked the girls to take a more active part in raising Lona.”
“What about Fiona’s other daughter, the one from Ireland on First Earth?” Maeryn inquired. “Is she magically gifted also?”
“Yes, she is, but apart from her own shapeshifting ability, she is just learning how to use what she has been gifted with.” Seeing Maeryn’s curious look, Iolena continued, “Abilynn’s parents were both shapeshifters in Ireland. They asked Fiona to adopt her when Abilynn’s birth sister ran away from an arranged marriage, and the prospective groom demanded Abby as compensation. But her birthmother, Eithne, told Fiona later that Abilynn carries Elven blood, where Gráinne did not. She is part of a very ancient line of elves, dating back to the first Great High Queen, Eyru the Magnificent. Eithne was afraid that if her true heritage ever came out, she would be persecuted or worse. Fiona and Alistronia confronted the Druidess and the jilted suitor that were threatening the girl. Let’s just say you don’t want to get them riled. Fiona and Alistronia are really an awesome team together.”
“That’s why Richard allows the Lordess to stay in the Aerielands,” Kitlaen took a sip of her tea. “Alistronia’s destiny is to be at the right hand of High Queen Fiona. We didn’t understand that at first, but now it’s obvious that it is where Lordabove wants her to be. We doubt that she’ll ever return to Drohana permanently, and we’ve come to accept it.”
“Then I feel very strongly, sisters, that we need to hold them all up in prayer. Fiona, Alistronia, Abilynn and Lona, and Menta Kai also.” Maeryn set her teacup down and extended her hands to Iolena and Kitlaen. The three women held each other’s hands and bowed their heads in prayer.
“Dad,” Crown Princess Tanya Joy Wynfarin (Like her mother, Queen Shannon, she had dropped the “Clark” from her last name during the near-rebellion in Gewellyn, several years before) came into her father, King Lochlain’s office, bearing a handful of identical envelopes. “Fan mail from some flounder,” Joy quipped, quoting a line from an old First Earth TV show about a talking squirrel and a moose. King Lochlain looked up at his younger daughter, who at eighteen years of age was rapidly fulfilling the promise of being every bit as beautiful as his wife, her mother.
“What have you got there, TJ?”
“Well, I’ve already opened mine so I could spoil the surprise, but I won’t.” She grinned and held out the invitation envelope to Lochlain. He slid a knife into the envelope, opened it and took the invitation out.
“Where is your mother?” he asked.
“She’s helping Sheriff Karsh with something. She said she would be back by lunchtime, which means any time now.”
“You said you read it already. Do you want to go?”
“Of course I want to go, silly,” the young woman answered. “The question is, is it safe for us to leave Gewellyn for a week or so, yet?” Almost three years earlier, a group calling themselves, “Pure Elves” had rebelled against the authority of the crown, while Lochlain, Shannon, and Tanya Joy were in the Aerielands for Christmas. Lochlain was recovering from injuries sustained in a battle in the Aerielands, and Shannon had been obeying the terms of a one-year exile after she committed treason under the dark magic spell of Zandoran, the Dark Druid, so they stayed at Aerielands Castle.
“I think we have adequate safeguards in place now, between Polana, Beldar, and South Gewellyn. The leaders of the Pure Elf movement are safely put away, and we will let President Nichanova know that we will be away for a week to ten days. I know everybody wants to see Estella, and we can talk to your sister, but it would probably be a good time to have the Jai Pastora, your grandmother, or Fiona baptize her. And we haven’t met Abilynn yet either. I think we should go, sweetie.”
Tanya Joy hugged her father. “I was hoping you’d say that. I have invitations here for Tali and Taeral, my Guardian and Sean, and the Wicker-Aradoves. Ari is probably down at the stables, so I’ll drop Talia’s off at the clinic, and I’ll have Ari ride with me out to Doctor Wicker’s farm, okay?”
“That works for me, TJ. Just let me know when you get back to the castle.” Even though the rebellion had been quashed, no one in the family was allowed to go anyplace, particularly outside of Gewellyn City without an armed escort. Arianna Windmera had been given the task of protecting the Crown Princess by her best forever friend, Menta Kai, in the aftermath of the battle with the Dark Druid’s forces on the Bridge Across the Stars. It was considered throughout Gewellyn and the Aerielands that there were no fiercer warriors, male or female, than Menta Kai Lee Yaleria-Clark and Arianna Windmera, although Alistronia, Fiona, and now her daughter Abilynn were probably equal to Kailee and Ari.
As she guessed, Tanya Joy found Arianna working in the stables. In addition to being Joy’s Guardian, Arianna was still Horsemaster to both the King and the High Sheriff, a job that she truly enjoyed. Joy handed her the envelope without comment and waited while she read the enclosed invitation. “Did your father say we can go?” Tanya Joy nodded. Arianna spun in a circle and pumped her fist in the air. “Yes!”
“What is it, Mommy?” Arianna’s son, “little,” Connor, asked from an empty stall.
“We’re going to see Tia Kailee, Tia Fi...”
“And Lona?” The boy asked buoyantly.
“And Lona, and Abby, Nana Yena and big Connor,” Arianna finished.
Connor was very attached to Lona, even though she was twenty-seven years older than he was, and considerably taller now. The two had been playmates from the time little Connor learned to walk. “When are we going, Mommy?”
Tanya Joy answered for his mother. “We’re going to drop you off with your daddy, and ride up to see Doctor Wicker. We’ll know when we’re flying up to Caer Aerie when we get back from Wickers’, okay, Connor?”
“Okay, Tia TJ. I’m ready to go!” The boy exclaimed.