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“Fiona?” Fillian looked at her friend.
“What is it, Filley?” Fiona replied.
“Strange question. What if I get over there successfully and safely, and I don’t want to come back here, back to Ireland?”
“That is a strange question considering you’re a leprechaun,” Fiona agreed. “But I’m sure we can make some sort of accommodation for you. The truth of the matter is, though, Fillian, that just like Abilynn and just like myself, you will want to come back here. You will feel a need to come back here. Ireland is more than our home, it’s in our blood.”
“But you’re an Aerielands elf,” Fillian responded. “Your real home is on that side of the portal.”
Fiona shook her head. “My husband and my family that I love more than life itself, other than these two,” she said indicating Abilynn and Alistronia, “are on the other side of the portal in the Aerielands. But Filley, I grew up here from the time I was an infant, a wee babe as they say here. The first one hundred and twenty-nine years of my life was spent in Ireland, I’ve only lived in the Aerielands for four years. Cormac said that Ireland is my destiny along with the Aerielands.”
Alistronia looked at her two friends with the touch of indignation. “Are you two going to sit here and wax poetic for Lordabove knows how long, or are we going home?”
“I’m with Tia Ali, Mum,” Abilynn told her mother. “It’s time to pray over Fillian, and take her back for my little sister’s Christmas surprise.”
A snowflake drifted past Fiona’s nose, and she looked up to see the snow starting to fall. “The day before Christmas Eve, and it’s snowing in Ireland.” She smiled at Abilynn, Ali, and Fillian, and placed her hand on the little leprechaun’s head. Alistronia and Abilynn placed their hands on top of hers. “Heavenly Father, make safe the way for our friend this night. You have blessed her, and she has blessed us, and she is the first of her kind to rest in your arms. We pray your protection over Fillian, your strength and your grace to lead her across the portal to the Aerielands so that she can be a blessing to Lona and our entire family. We stand with her and ask you to stand with us and be glorified this night, in your Holy Name we pray.” All four of them responded with, “Amen.”
Fillian looked up at Fiona. “You know I love you, girlfriend, and usually I listen to your advice, but I think we’re going to do this my way.”
“What do you mean?” Fiona asked.
“Rather than doing that whole Eyru thing, you know, with a hand, then the arm, then the whole body, that thing, I want Abilynn to go through first and then Ali, then me. I will step through, and if everything feels normal I’ll stay there, and if anything feels strange or bad, I’ll step back. I promise if it hurts I’ll step back into Ireland. But I’m believing in you, Fiona Bridget. If I don’t come back through, follow me home.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.” Fillian nodded in reply.
Abilynn waved the portal visible, and then flexed her fingers to open it. Fillian looked up at her. “You need to teach me how to do that, Peaches.” Fiona remembered it was Fillian who had first referred to Lona as, “Pumpkin,” and smiled at the new nickname. Abilynn grinned, went through the portal and into the Aerielands followed by Alistronia.
Fillian looked up at Fiona and saw something that only a leprechaun’s magical eyes could see, a soft, glowing warm light behind her friend. “Bless me, Reverend Mother.” Fiona smiled in return and made the sign of the cross over Fillian’s head. Fillian turned, took a deep breath, and stepped into the Aerielands.
Fiona counted five, ten, twenty seconds. Then all of a sudden Fillian popped back through the portal, looked up at Fiona and said, “What are you waiting for, Santa Claus to get here? Come on, Fiona, we’re waiting for you.” And she disappeared through the portal again.
Fiona came through the portal, and the room was filled with giggling and laughter. It had worked, and Fillian was in Caer Aerie.
“Fil, does your magic work over here?” Fiona asked her.
“It should,” the leprechaun replied. “You and Peaches and Blondie can all use your magic in Ireland, so why shouldn’t I use mine here?”
“Disappear,” Fiona commanded. Obligingly, Fillian did just that, and momentarily later reappeared. “Okay, that’s probably the most important thing. Hop up on Ali’s back and disappear again. You can stay in her quarters until the family celebration tomorrow evening. We’ll get some food to you when little eyes aren’t looking.”
Fillian jumped up on Alistronia, who swung the little Fae on her shoulders. “Hey, I’m getting to like it up here, despite the thin air. You can see a long ways when you’re this high up.” Alistronia batted at the leprechaun with her hand but only succeeded in hitting herself in the head. “Careful with that, warrior woman or you’ll knock yourself silly.”
Alistronia shook her head. “Oh the joy, I am going to have to put up with this for a whole day,” and then she sneezed. “And that, too.”
They opened the door to the portal room, went out in the courtyard and stopped, the three of them looking around in awe and amazement. If it was even remotely possible, there were more lights, more candles, more decorations than had even been in the Caer on Fiona’s wedding night, and in the center of it all stood a huge balsam fir, covered with magical lights and ornaments. From the guard's tower above the main gate, the trumpet sounded three times, telling everyone in Caer Aerie that the High Queen had returned.
Doors opened around them on all four sides of the courtyard, and people poured out. On their right as they came out of the portal room door, the South wall where the Rangers waystation and the Mountain Fianna barracks were located, soldiers and Rangers, resplendent in their green and gold uniforms, formed twin ranks in front of their quarters, and Captains Caldar and Alenia in full dress uniform, marched in perfect step to the front of their lines. From their left, farther down the same wall, the kitchen and the household staffs, also wearing their best uniforms, lined up alongside Debra and Tarbitha. From the other doors, on the far two sides came all of the members of Fiona and Alistronia’s families, led by Berian, Padraigh, Connor, Iolena and Menta Kai carrying Lona. All of them were dressed in their formal best. Fiona and Alistronia stood, bewildered at the amazing display.
In her mind, Fiona heard Fillian mind-speak, “Wow, do you always get this big a welcome or did they just miss you more this time?” Fiona shook her head.
When the phalanx of family and close friends were approximately twenty feet in front of them, they all stopped, and a shout went up in salute from the Rangers and the Mountain Fianna. Fiona looked to see their swords and pikes held high to honor the High Queen. On the other side the staff members all bowed or curtsied, depending on their gender, and in front of them, all of Fiona’s family and friends bowed to her, except Padraigh.
Fiona looked at the cleric. “What’s going on?” She asked with trepidation.
“They are bowing in respect for the High Bishop Reverend Mother and High Queen of the Aerielands and Ireland.” Padraigh paused and smiled. “You need to tell them ‘all rise,’ dear.”
“All rise,” and turning to the soldiers and Rangers, “At ease. Now, with somebody, please tell me what’s going on?”
Alistronia held up the sheaf of papers that she had been carrying for Fiona since they left Trinity Library. “Remember, I told you that this was really interesting, but that we would get into it later?” Fiona nodded. “This would be that really interesting part.”
“First things first,” Fiona said looking around her at the amazing decorations to her Caer. She looked at her husband. “Bear, first of all, husband, don’t you ever, ever bow to me again. You are my husband, my partner, my very best friend in the entire universe, my lover and the father of our daughter. You do not bow to me. We are hand-in-hand and side-by-side until the end of all days. Second, I thought that I told you no magic in fixing the Caer up.”
“Fiona, Nin Mel, you told me no magic in cleaning and reconstructing the rooms and quarters. You didn’t say anything about no magic for decorating. Beyond that, ask your mother.” He smiled at her, and she reached out and wrapped her arms around him, kissed him hard, and held him close for a few seconds until Alistronia cleared her throat. Berian then took Abilynn in his arms and hugged his daughter tight as well.
“Amil?” Fiona looked at Iolena and held out her arms. Her mother embraced her and mind-spoke, “We wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well, you certainly succeeded at that.” She let go of her mother and looked at the father she adored. Connor took his youngest daughter into his arms and lifted her feet off the ground in the embrace. He kissed her and set her back on the ground. “From what Padraigh tells us, your trip to Ireland was a complete success.”
“It was,” she told him,” “and Adda, I got to meet Michael Collins. He bought me a beer.”
Connor grinned. “Guinness, I would hope.”
Fiona nodded. “It was, and unfortunately I had to drink it in a hurry. It’s been a long time since I had a Guinness. Maybe sometime you and I will go back and share a pint or two.”
Abilynn had taken Lona from Menta Kai, and the little elf hugged her mother from her sister’s arms. “Did you see Fillian, Mama? Did she remember me?”
“Yes Lona, we saw Fillian, and she does remember you, and she sends her love. She hopes to see you soon,” Fiona answered as she saw Alistronia heading to her quarters out of the corner of her eyes.
“Good. Maybe we can go there after Christmas before I have to go to Aerielands Castle?”
“Maybe. We’ll see how busy we are and what the weather is like.”
“High Queen,” her father addressed Fiona, “you need to review your forces so they can go back to their duties or rest period.”
Fiona signaled to Alistronia, who had come back from her rooms, to accompany her, and they walked past the line of castle staff, each of whom Fiona recognized by name. They then walked down the line of assembled Rangers and Fianna, stopping in front of Alenia and Caldar. Fiona mind spoke to Ali, “When I hug my sister, you may hug your boyfriend.” She saw Alistronia nod almost imperceptibly. Fiona looked at Alenia and grinned. “You’re looking pretty sharp for a thousand-year-old gal, big sister.” She reached out and hugged Alenia, and Ali did the same with Caldar, who initially looked surprised, but took it in stride.
“Well, I was going to wait until tomorrow to do this, but since I seem to have your undivided attention,” Caldar told her as he noticed Richard and Kitlaen come up behind Alistronia. He dropped to one knee and pulled a small box out of the pocket in his uniform. “Alistronia Skystormer, I have fallen deeply and completely and totally in love with you the past two years. You are my best friend, my closest confidant, my best sparring partner, and the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Alistronia, will you be my wife?”
Ali stood there silent, her eyes opened wide, and her hands went up to her mouth. For a second, Fiona and everyone around them was afraid that she was going to say no, but finally, she found her voice and simply said, “Yes. Oh, Caldar, I do love you. Yes, I will be your wife.”
Caldar took the ring out of the box and slid it onto Alistronia’s finger. “For now, and forever.” He stood up, and the two of them embraced, and Ali gave her new fiancé a long kiss.
Fiona leaned back against Berian in the hot springs pool, much like the manner her mother had always done with Connor. She sighed contentedly. “I am so glad you got the hot springs repaired, Bear. You don’t know how much I have been waiting for this.” She turned her head and kissed him.
“I can’t take all the credit for it. Joseph seems to have some good knowledge about plumbing, and your father seems to know a lot about everything. They both helped me a lot with this project. Six of the eight pools in the Caer are functional again, and we should have the one in the staff quarters working in another few days after Christmas. We have one that will take a while longer.” Berian smiled and stroked her long black hair. “This is the only one that is private. Ali and the girls share one, and the guest quarters share the others. This one is ours.”
“What do you think about Alistronia?” Fiona asked him.
“Actually, Fi, I’ve known about it for quite some time,” Berian answered. “Caldar had me make the ring for her. And it’s the second engagement ring I’ve made in the past few weeks.”
Fiona turned to face him, her long hair flowing out on the water around her. “Who?” Her eyes widened, “Uncle Tanner? He’s going to ask Maeryn to marry him?” Berian nodded. “That’s wonderful. I haven’t had a chance to get to know her, but she seems really nice, and they seem to be a good match for each other.”
“They are. She’s been staying at Great Forest Castle more and more over the past year, and we’ve all figured that they were going to marry eventually. She’s also become very good friends with your mother and Kitlaen. Maeryn joins them for Bible study and tea several mornings a week. Your mum has indicated she would like you to join them now that you’re back, but I’ll let her talk to you about that.”
Fiona looked at the rings on her own finger, which she only ever took off to go to bed at night, and smiled warmly at the man who had made them for her. “You are an amazing man, Nin Mel. Horsemaster, plumber, carpenter, warrior, and silversmith, not to mention the most wonderful husband and father in the whole Nine Worlds.”
Berian smiled. “I thought your father was a most wonderful husband and father in the whole Nine Worlds? In any event, I’m honored to be in that same category with Connor.”
Fiona swatted at her husband softly. “He is the most wonderful father any girl could ever have, and Adda and I have a very special bond. But Bear, I see you becoming the same kind of father to Abilynn, and to Lona, even though she’s your little sister. She’s going to need that until Kailee finds a husband. Abilynn has shared with me how special her relationship is with you, and how very much she loves you, just like I do. And,” she smiled, “I can’t speak for my mother about how wonderful a husband Da is, but I can definitely tell the whole Nine Worlds what a wonderful husband you are.” She kissed him and pulled him forward towards her. “Come on, wonderful husband. It’s fun time.”
It was after breakfast the next morning that Fiona was sitting in her study, going over the Ogham and Valarian documents from the bundle they had found at Great Forest Castle, when Kitlaen Skystormer knocked lightly on the door frame. Fiona smiled at the Jai Pastora.
“Fiona, your mother and I were wondering if you would like to join us for Bible study and tea, and no small amount of girl talk?”
“I would love to, Kitty,” Fiona replied. “Tell Amil that if you would like, we can do the study here, in my study. I can have Debra bring tea and biscuits in.” She indicated the fireplace. “Berian has had a fire going in here since before breakfast, so it’s nice and warm.”
“That sounds wonderful, Fi. I’ll mind-speak to Iolena. Is it okay if Maeryn joins us?”
“I expected she would. Of course, it’s okay,” Fiona smiled.
“If you would like, Alistronia and Abilynn are welcome to take part, too.”
“Thank you, but I’ve already tasked Ali with the job of teaching Abilynn and Lona about Rising Day this morning if she can break her attention away from that big new rock on her finger.” Fiona started clearing a space on the table. “Maybe another time, Kitt. Since Abilynn and I share a common background, just like you and Ali, and Kailee and Amil, I have been teaching her the ways of our faith in the manner of the Blessed Colum Cille. She’s not sure, but she thinks she may have actually met Columba when she was younger.”
Kitlaen came the rest of the way into the study. “I’ve mind-spoken to your mother. She and Maeryn are on their way. About Abilynn, that’s wonderful. Watching you raising her and Lona, and Kailee with Lona, as well as Talia and her new daughter, has Richard and I talking about trying to have a child again.”
“Well if this is the time for you, then we’re going to start praying for you and that baby right here and right now.” Fiona’s warm smile almost lit up the room. “Lona, and now Abilynn. I love being a mother.” She paused. “Changing the topic, how would you like to handle the service this evening?”
“Iolena says that you are going to sing a song from First Earth, about the birth of the Savior. What would you like me to do, Reverend Mother?”
Fiona inhaled deeply. “In all honesty, Kitt, I’m not sure how comfortable I am with that title yet.” She brightened. “Jai Pastora, the responsibility I’ve been given is very similar to your own. Before you head back to your winter quarters at Forest Castle, perhaps you and I could sit and talk and pray together about that?”
“Oh, Fiona, I would love to do that, anytime,” Kitlaen replied. “I really think we can learn from each other, and I honestly hunger to pray with you and to minister alongside you. Your giftings are incredible. Maybe in the spring, we could plan on an all-women’s retreat at the Juncture, and you and I could share the teaching.”
“It’s always spring at the Juncture. We could do that anytime, and the more I think about it, the more I would like to do that, and also invite Shannon, Arianna, Talia and Tanya Joy. That would be fun.”
“About this evening,” Kitlaen brought the conversation back to the topic, “just let me know what you would like me to do. Will it just be our families?”
“No, everyone is invited including the Caer staff, the guards, and the Rangers and their families. The Great Eagles have offered to take the place of our Mountain Fianna so that they may all attend.” Iolena knocked on the door frame, and she and Maeryn came into the study. Fiona rose and hugged her mother.
“I am so glad that you could join us, Melin er. We’re going to cover the second chapter of Luke from your First Earth Bible,” Iolena told her daughter. “I was hoping you would be willing to guide the conversation.”
“Of course, Amil. Kitlaen and I were just talking about the service tonight.” Fiona returned to her chair and indicated seats for her guests. “Do you think that Adda would be willing to read the Scripture from Luke?”
Iolena smiled. “I’m sure that he would, but may I make a suggestion?” Fiona nodded. “Joseph Spotted Eagle has a version of the Nativity story called, Birth of the Chosen One. Why don’t you see if he would be willing to tell that version?”
“I’ll do that,” Fiona agreed. “Thank you, Mama. That’s a wonderful suggestion.” Fiona felt a brush against her leg, and glancing down but not seeing anything, she looked at her mother. “Where is Lona, Amil?”
“The girls are both with Ali and Kailee over in the classroom,” Iolena replied.
Fiona nodded and smiled. “Then, would it be okay for Fillian to join us. She really loves to learn about the Christian faith.”
“Fillian is here?” Iolena smiled broadly. “You are doing this for Lona, for Christmas? That’s wonderful, Nin Mel. Of course, she can join us. Where is she?”
“Right now, she is under my desk, and actually bringing her here is Abilynn’s present to her sister. We just need to keep it secret a bit longer,” Fiona instructed.
Fillian reappeared and looked up at Iolena with a loving smile. “My Lady, I have wanted to see you for so long. When I heard the cook say that you are going to be in Fiona’s study, I snuck in and hid. Thank you for allowing me to learn from you, your wonderful daughter, and your friends.”
Iolena bent over, picked up the little leprechaun, hugged Fillian and set her on her lap. “However did you cross the portal?”
“To quote Fiona and Abilynn, my Lady, a little bit of magic and a lot of faith.”
“Faith works wonders, Fillian,” Iolena told her. “I’m betting that there was a whole lot less magic involved than you might think.” Fillian acknowledged the statement with a smile and leaned back against Iolena like a small child would, as the Elf Queen read the lesson for the day.
At eleven o’clock that evening, everyone gathered in the courtyard where several large fires had been lit to provide warmth. From Estella, the tiny baby in Talia’s arms, to Padraigh, the ancient and mystical cleric, the courtyard was full of elves and humans. Overhead, four of the Great Eagles stood watch, one on each parapet of Caer Aerie, as Zar and Zara, their offspring Zed and his mate, Zedra circled above the assembly.
A stage had been set up between two of the bonfires. At the stroke of eleven, Jai Pastora Kitlaen Skystormer, attired in the full ceremonial robes of her position, High Bishop Reverend Mother Fiona Yaleria-Brice, wearing the more simple habit of an Irish religieuse and the crown of the High Queen, and Chief Joseph Standing Eagle, arrayed in the full ceremonial regalia of the High Plains First Indian Nation, came forward and onto the dais. Each of them delivered an opening blessing in their native tongue, with Fiona speaking twice, in Elven and then in Irish.
As Lona and Abilynn lit the twenty-four candles across the back of the stage, Fiona and Kitlaen explained the significance of each one, what they stood for in the worship of the Great Lion, Lordabove, and the Holy Trinity. Then Joseph stepped forward, and in the storytelling tradition of his people, told the assembly, “That night, in the fields nearby, sheepherders were keeping watch over their sheep. Suddenly a great light from above was shining all around them. A spirit messenger from Creator appeared to them. They shook with fear and trembling as the messenger said to them, “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news that will be for all nations. Today in the village of Much Loved One a great chief has been born, he is the Chosen One! The messenger continued, This is how you will know him, you’ll find the child wrapped in a blanket and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly a great number of spirit warriors appeared giving thanks to Creator saying, “All honor to the One Above Us All and on Earth let there be peace to all who stay under the shadow of His wings.”*
After Joseph was finished reciting the First Nations Version, Padraigh took the stage and read the common translation of 'Don oíche úd i mBeithil' (To That Night in Bethlehem) as Fiona sang along in Irish.
Menta Kai, carrying her violin, and Alistronia with her flute, came onto the stage and led songs of Christmas, The Rising of the White Eagle, and The Coming of the Lion. The same story told in the understanding of Ireland, Gewellyn, the Aerielands, and Eldaria.
Through all of this, no one noticed the harp sitting unused, off to one side of the stage. As the service drew to a close, Joseph and Kitlaen left the stage and joined the others in the assembly, leaving Fiona, Alistronia, Menta Kai, and the small, green-clad Fae sitting behind the harp. A shriek came from the front row of the assembly, as Lona could not contain her excitement. “Fillian! It’s Fillian!” Abilynn put her hand on her sister’s shoulder and whispered in her ear to wait and listen to the song their mothers and the leprechaun were going to perform.
The music of the harp rang out clearly, and then Menta Kai’s violin came alongside, and Fiona, in a voice as clear as a bell and as beautiful as an angel, began the song, “O, Holy Night, the stars so brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.” Between each verse, she gave time for the violin, flute, and harp to play. Then, when she reached the part, “Behold your King,” Iolena and Kitlaen raised their hands and faces to the sky and were joined by Shannon and Maeryn in worshiping. Then, when Fiona sang, “Fall on your knees,” all four women dropped to their knees, their faces and arms still reaching to the sky. Fiona’s beautiful voice rang out, accompanied by the music of the harp, flute, and violin, to the crescendo of, “Oh, night divine,” and Lona also raised her hands, and the sky overhead lit up with the Starfire, the lights of heaven accompanied the last measures of the song.
The applause was thunderous. If Caer Aerie had ever heard anything like it before, it was not in this age or the one before it. Lona, released by her sister, shot up onto the stage and engulfed Fillian in a dancing hug. Berian and Abilynn came up, hugged Fiona and stood on either side of her. Richard, Kitlaen, and Caldar mounted the stage and did the same with Alistronia, and to everyone’s surprise, Joseph came back up on stage, hugged Menta Kai and stood by her side, her arm wrapped around his.
Berian raised his arms for silence, and the applause slowly died off. He gestured to his wife to speak to the people of her Caer.
“Thank you. Thank every one of you, and thank our wonderful Lord and Savior for his birth this day that we celebrate.” She raised her hands and face to the sky, and the applause started again. When it died down again, she said, “My family, my friends, and those of whom you will be my friends before this night is through, our celebration is not over. Please, Berian and I, my parents and my sisters, the Skystormers and the Brices invite you all to the banquet hall for the wonderful meal that Tarbitha, Debra, Sinead, and Gwynlyn have prepared, and there will be more music and dancing and celebration for as long as you want to stay. Thank you again for your love, for being part of this family that is Caer Aerie. And please, everyone please take the time to come up to Berian and myself that we might personally bless you and wish you a Merry Christmas.” The applause started up again, as Fiona, Berian and Abilynn stepped down from the stage and made their way across the courtyard.
In the very early hours of the morning, after the music and the celebration had died down, the elves of the Mountain Fianna had returned to their places on the castle walls. The Starfire still sang overhead, and the Great Eagles had returned to their Aerie in the high peaks of the Borderland Mountains. It was then that quietly, as if in the whistling of the wind, a sleigh appeared in the sky, and settled into the courtyard. The Fianna watched but gave no warning for these were elves, like themselves. They went about their work under the guidance of an immortal human dressed all in red. From time to time, the Starfire would reflect in his white beard or the white fur trim of his garments. He looked up at the elves on the wall of the Caer and pointed. One of the elves with him gathered an armload of presents and bounded up to the top of the wall. When all of the rest of the presents were set under the big fir tree, the elves climbed back into the sleigh, its driver into the front, and with a wave to the Fianna, the reindeer took off, cleared the wall of Caer Aerie and were gone.
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*Scripture passage quoted from “Birth of the Chosen One,” retold by Rev. Terry M. Wildman, adapted from the First Nations Version Project. © 2013