The Visitor from the Peri Court (Part 5)

Title: The Visitor from the Peri Court (Part 5)
Fandom: Original (Ogham-Duir/FFQP)
Characters: Dionne, Endora, Hux (guard), Captain Janlou, QueenTaralen, Prince Hareem.
Author: sidhe_faerie
Rating:  PG
Length: 1556
Content notes: 23. Explanation. Warning attempted assault
Summary: Endora subdues an intruder. Queen Taralen plots a new marriage for her granddaughter.

The Visitor from the Peri Court (Part 5)
The moon was high when Endora suddenly woke up. She sat up and looked around. There was a noise near her chamber door. At first she thought it might be Dionne but when she looked over to the alcove where Dionne slept and saw that she was there fast asleep.

Endora took the dagger from under her pillow and made her way to the door. She switched hands with her blade and quietly took her sword out of the rack by the door. Whoever it was wouldn’t get far.

The door latch clicked and the door opened slowly. A dark figure slowly stepped inside. There was a glint of a blade near the figure’s hand.

Endora stayed in the shadows until the figure was near the center of the room. She silently moved behind the figure and put the tip of the blade in the middle of the intruders back.

“Don’t move!” Endora pressed the blade harder against the dark figures back. “Dionne!”

“What? Huh?” Dionne jumped and looked around. “Endora, where are you?”

“Over here. Go find the guards.” Endora waved her hand and the candles in the room lit. “Pull down his hood first. I want to see who dares to sneak into my bedchamber.”

Dionne grabbed her wrap and walked over to the figure. She took the dagger from his hand and pushed back his hood. “Prince Hareem? What are you doing here?”

“The guards, Dionne.” Endora reminded her. She pressed the sword into Prince Hareem’s back again. “Get on your knees!”

Dionne ran out of the room and went to look for the castle patrol.

“What are you going to do? Take off my head?” The Prince asked as he got down on his knees.

“It was a thought. Why are you in my room?” Endora poked him with the sword.

“I came to persuade you to change your mind about marrying me.” Prince Hareem shrugged. “I just wanted to impress you with my skills as a …”

“Burglar? Thief? Murderer?” Endora poked him again. “Why are you really here?”

“Surely, you know why I’m really here. Endora.” The prince laughed. “I’m in your bed chamber in the middle of the night. What skills do you think i'm here to impress you with?”

“And the dagger? What’s it for?” Endora poked him with the sword.

“That hurts!” Prince Hareem wiggled his shoulders. “The dagger was for your maid. I didn’t need to be interrupted.”

Dionne came in with the three guards. “There he is!”

“Highness, what do you want us to do with him?” The older guard asked.

“Take him to the dungeon.” Endora stepped back and let the guards take him. “Strip him down to his underwear. He may have other weapons on him.”

“Are you coming to visit me later?” The Prince winked at her then struggled against the guards.

Endora squinted at him then punched the Prince as hard as she could. She smiled when he went limp in the guards’ arms. “Never wink at me again, you foul man.”

Dionne giggled. “They will never learn will they?”

Endora glanced at Dionne. “Where is the dagger you took from him?”

“I gave it to Hux.” Dionne pointed to the older guard. “It was a Peri blade. The blade was curved and it had an elephant on the hilt.”

“Hux, may I have it?” Endora held out her hand.

“Here you go, Highness.” Hux handed her the dagger hilt first. “We’ll have him buttoned up in just a jiff.”

Endora nodded. “Thank you all.”

Queen Taralen rushed in wrapped in a fur shawl. “Endora, are you all right? Dionne?”

“We’re fine. Prince Hareem broke into my room and got more than he bargained for.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Taralen looked at the prince.

“He winked at her.” Dionne bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Taralen laughed. “Take him to the dungeon.”

The guards smiled and whisked the unconscious prince away.

“He came in here to … wink … with me. I didn’t invite him. He said that he was going to kill Dionne with this.” Endora held up the Peri dagger. “I ordered him to be stripped to look for hidden weapons.”

Taralen hugged her granddaughter. “He didn’t, did he?”

“No.” Endora hugged her tight. “All he got was my sword in his back.”

“We will send him home in the morning.” Taralen surprised Dionne with a hug. “Are you sure you’re both unharmed?”

“Yes Majesty.” Dionne straightened her wrap.

“This is why I wanted to post guards outside your door.” Taralen gave Endora a frustrated look. “He was the last prince even close to your age.”

“About that.” Endora shifted on her bare feet. “I was thinking that I should marry someone from the guard. Actually, it was Dionne’s idea. I’m a warrior so I should marry a warrior.”

“Your great grandfather was a warrior. Dagda the White is still spoken of with great respect.” Taralen looked at Endora. “If you can find a warrior that is worthy of you, then let me know and I will arrange it. Just make sure he’s high ranking.”

“It doesn’t work that way. He has to want to marry me too, Grandmother.” Endora picked up a shawl from the chair and pulled it around her shoulders.

“Maybe I should ask Captain Janlou to include you in drills for a while. It will give you a chance to get to know some of them.” Taralen smiled mischievously.

“You wouldn’t!” Endora gasped.

“Goodnight girls.” Taralen waved as she walked out.

Dionne sighed. “I’m going to the kitchen for some tea. We aren’t getting back to sleep tonight. Sandwiches?”

“Sounds good.” Endora plopped down on the settee. “I’m going to need strength for those drills.”

Dione laughed as she walked out.

A few hours later, Prince Hareem was bound and held by guards at the Great Portal. His belongings were packed and sitting nearby. Taralen handed a scroll to one of the guards to put into the prince’s pocket.

“That scroll will explain why you are being sent back and why you are banned from returning to this realm.” Taralen waved her hand and the portal opened. “Good luck with your war.”

“Please reconsider. If I am sent back without the help we need my king will be angry with me.” Prince Hareem looked at his hands. “At least untie my hands.”

“You’re lucky my granddaughter didn’t run you through with her sword. She showed amazing restraint.” Taralen sighed. “I’m showing restraint by not executing you. You planned on assaulting her and killing her maid. You are scum. Send him through!”

The guards pushed the Prince’s belonging through the portal then shoved him through behind them.

Taralen waved her hand to close the portal. “Send Captain Janlou to my sitting room. I need to talk with him.”

“Yes Majesty.” Hux bowed and went to fetch his captain.

Captain Janlou, an older fae with a scar on his cheek, entered the Queen’s sitting room and bowed. “Majesty, you wanted to see me?”

“Sit. I want you to explain why there was no guard on my granddaughter’s door.” Taralen poured a cup of tea and handed it to him.

“I tried but she kept sending them away.” Captain Janlou sighed. “To be honest, she really doesn’t need one. She fights better than more than half my men. She can handle herself. I was informed about the incident last night. She had no trouble in subduing the blackguard. I’m surprised she didn’t inflict some harm on him.”

“So was I.” Taralen smiled. “I have one other issue to discuss. I want Endora to take drills with the men.”

“Really? I don’t think my men can keep up with her.” Captain Janlou laughed. “Why do you really want her to take drills with the men?”

Taralen looked at the cup in her hand. “She needs a husband and a warrior would be her last chance. There are no more princes left for her to marry.”

“She keeps punching them.” Captain Janlou chuckled.

Taralen laughed. “They keep winking at her.”

“That bodes ill for the Sidhe Guard.” Captain Janlou grinned. “I assume that you want me to steer her toward the higher ranking men?”

“Please.” Taralen nodded. “Endora needs a husband worthy of Dagda the White’s great granddaughter.”

“I know of one. His name is Commander Fawnard.” Captain Janlou told her. “He is a widower. He will understand her pain over her lost prince.”

“Gently nudge them together but don’t push too hard.” Taralen warned. “She may catch on.”

I have no doubt that she will. She reminds me of your mother, Queen Deidra.” The captain put his cup on the table. “Strong. Fierce. It will do well when she finally reaches the throne. There will be much to repair after Cara’s rule. No offense Majesty.”

“Cara will never rule. It has already been settled. Endora knows this as does her sisters.” Taralen put her cup on the table. “Endora will start tomorrow.”

“I will look forward to her pushing them to do better.” Captain Janlou stood up and bowed. “Good day Majesty.

“Good day Captain.” Taralen nodded his dismissal. She looked out of the window. There was a feeling of doom weighing on her heart. She knew something horrible was coming and she felt powerless to stop it.

The Fall of the Northern Court (Part 1)

Part 1
Word Count: 1152

It was the dark of night when the five intruders made their way into the castle of the Northern Court of the Tuathe de Danaan. They silently made their way to chambers of the Queen and her three princesses. The intruders took their guards by surprise and killed them on the spot. They entered the bed chambers and slit the throats of the royal women and maids. The invaders slipped back into the darkness without being found out. 

The maid of the youngest princess had been away from her post talking with her sweetheart. When she returned a few hours later and discovered that the guard was lying dead on the floor and the princess dead in her bed she screamed and went to find the guards patrolling the castle.

The alarm sounded and the guards poured out of the barracks only to find an army of intruders waiting for them. The guards were taken by surprise by the sheer numbers.

The Queen’s captain looked around and realized that the protective barrier around the realm was gone. That was when he realized that the Queen and the Crown Princess were dead. He had no choice but to order his men to fight.     

The Captain grabbed one of his men and pulled him to the great portal. He took the crystal out of the portal told the soldier to run and not let the enemy get the crystal.

The man ran for the woods and didn’t stop until he was clear of the battle. He stopped and held the crystal out in front of him to make a portal. He escaped through the portal to the Southern Court.

The invaders slaughtered every fae in the village surrounding the castle. They even killed the woman children as they tried to defend their homes. In the end, the invaders looted what they could find then burned the crops homes and left the bodies of the fae littering the ground. 

The Northern fae soldier stumbled through the portal into the woods near the castle of the southern court. He ran to the castle.

“Help me! Please help me! The fae shouted as he ran toward the castle.

Captain Janlou was walking from the barracks to the castle when he saw the man. He recognized the uniform of the Northern Court.

“Halt!” The captain called out. “How did you get here?”

“I was sent by my captain. He told me to take the crystal from the Great Portal and run. Invaders have taken our realm. The barrier that protected it is gone.” The soldier collapsed to his knees. “They came in the night. They were slaughtering women and children.”

“Who were they? Was it the Fomors?” Captain Janlou picked him up by the jacket. “Tell me who they were?”

“I don’t know. They looked human. They spoke the human tongue and had no wings or markings.  My wife … My children …” The soldier sobbed.

“Fawnard! Get over here.” Captain Janlou shouted to a man walking out of the castle.

Fawnard ran to where the Captain was standing with the soldier. “Where did he come from?”

“Commander, the Northern Court has fallen. He was sent by his captain to warn us. Gather the guard. We must make ready.” Captain Janlou ordered him

Commander Fawnard nodded and headed for barracks.

“Come with me.” Captain Janlou pulled the solider to his feet and walked him into the castle. “You need to tell your story to our Queen.”

Twenty minutes later, Queen Taralen rushed into Endora’s chambers. She was carrying a heavy leather bag. “Dionne! Endora! We don’t have much time.”

“Grandmother, what’s wrong?” Endora stopped sharpening her sword.

“The Northern Court has fallen. I need you both to listen to me. I need you to leave the castle. A soldier from the Norther Court used their portal crystal to come here to warm us. Pack quickly. Take anything of value with you. Take Dionne with you.” Taralen handed the leather bag to Dionne. “These are my jewels and the crystals from both portals.”

Endora put down her sword and looked at the bag. “Why are you giving us all of these? You will need one to escape.”

“No. I must stay. I’m sending all of my jewels with you. Most of them have faerie crystals. We must keep them out of the wrong hands. The invaders were not fae. They were looting as well as slaughtering everyone in the castle and the surrounding village.” Taralen explained. 

“They wouldn’t dare come here.” Endora picked up her sword again. She held it ready. “We have an army. We should fight.” 

“I don’t want to take that chance. Not with you.” Taralen hugged her tightly. “If I fall, this realm will not as long as you are alive. Go tell your sisters i love them.” She looked at Dionne. “Take care of her.”

“I will Majesty.” Dionne bowed and started to pack.

“Let me stay. I will fight for this realm.” Endora pleaded. “I can just let you stay here, in harm’s way.”

“No.” Taralen shook her head and hugged her again. She whispered in Endora’s ear so Dionne wouldn’t hear. “I taught you the renewal ritual for the barrier and had you perform it with me so that even if I died the realm would not fall. You must stay alive so that the barrier will not come down and lives will be saved.”

Endora held on to her grandmother. “I understand. I love you.”

“I love you too.” Taralen kissed her on the cheek.

Endora wiped a tear from her cheek as she pulled away. “We will be gone in an hour. Dionne and I will take Astra and Sugarplum.”

“Hurry.” Taralen looked at Dionne packing Endora’s jewels. “Make sure you talk all of your crystals. Yours too Dionne. I know you have at least one.”

“Yes Majesty but I have just the one I wear.” Dionne pulled the chain from under her blouse and showed the Queen.

“Dionne, go pack your things. I will finish up here.” Endora nodded her out. “I will meet you at the stables.”    

Dionne took the hint and dropped what she was doing. She glanced back at the two women before she went through the door.

“If you stay you will be killed.” Endora cautioned her.

“I am the Queen. I can’t run from my fate. You will see once you are Queen.” Taralen started to cry. “I have raised you as best as I can. You will do well.”

A guard came rushing in. “Majesty, the Crown Princess is here.”

“Thank you.” Taralen said to the guard. She turned back to Endora. “Hurry Endora. Don’t come back until you are summoned. Do you understand?”

“Yes Majesty.” Endora bowed. She watched as her grandmother walked out the door. She wiped her tears. She finished packing then headed down to meet Dionne at the stables.

The Fall of the Northern Court (Part 2)

Part 2
Word Count: 1259

Taralen walked into the throne room. Cara was standing with her arms crossed between two guards.

“What am I doing back here? You promised me that I could live my life as I pleased.” Cara was angry and she didn’t care who knew it.

“It is good to see you too, Cara. I summoned you here to protect you. You are in danger.” Taralen sat down on the throne.

Taralen knew what she had just told her daughter was a lie but she didn’t want to tell her the real reason she summoned her. The invaders would be looking for a Queen and a Princess so Taralen would let them find just that. Taralen assumed the invaders knew Cara was the Crown Princess but they wouldn’t realize she didn’t possess the magick everyone thought she did.

“If you wanted me to come, you could have just asked.” Cara looked at the two guards on either side of her. “You didn’t have to send soldiers to drag me back. Drake will wonder where I am. They didn’t even give me time to leave a note.”

“Endora will explain to him and your daughters. I need you here we are expecting guests.” Taralen looked at the guards. “Go settle into your chambers. I will see you at supper.”

Cara turned and walked out. The guards followed her.

Captain Janlou walked into the throne room and bowed. “Do you think having the crown princess here is wise, Majesty? The invaders who brought down the Northern Court may be on their way here.”

“I am aware of that. They are expecting a Queen and a Crown Princess. I am just giving them what they are expecting.” Taralen folded her hands in her lap.

“Does she know what’s going on?” The Captain asked.

“No and she don’t want her to be told.” Taralen gave him a look. “Tell your men not to whisper in front of her.” 

“I will tell them, Majesty.” Captain Janlou bowed. “I saw the Princess and her maid at the stables getting ready to leave. You are sending her away?”

“She is the last of our line. I must keep her safe.” Taralen went to touch her ring on her hand and remembered she had given it Endora. “I took the crystal out of our portal. I sent it and the one from the Northern Court with the Princess.”

“Wise decision.” Captain Janlou took a deep breath. “The Sidhe Guard is on standby. All leave has been suspended and everyone has been called back. I have increased patrols in the castle.”

“You have everything well in hand, I see.” Taralen smiled. “If things go badly, take care of my granddaughter.”

“I will promise but I don’t think they will get by us.” Captain Janlou bowed. “Majesty, I need to attend to my men.”
Taralen nodded.

Captain Janlou bowed again and headed out.

Taralen sat alone. There were guards on the other side of the door but they would never disturb their Queen. Once again, she was doing something she shouldn’t. She was sacrificing her daughter to save her granddaughter, the future Queen.      

Endora carried her travel bag and the heavy leather bag that the Queen left with her down to the stables. She had put her own jewelry in the leather bag as well. That included both of her crowns. She wore her bracelet with the faery crystal under her riding glove. She needed to be ready if they had to make a quick escape.

Dionne and Quin were talking. She hugged him.

“Are you ready to go, Dionne?” Endora asked as she put down her bags.

“Yes. I guess so.” Dionne sighed and looked at Quin. “I was just explaining to Quin that the Queen is sending us on a diplomatic mission.”

“Highness, I’ll get your mounts.” Quin bowed and walked back into the stables.

“Thank you Dionne.” Endora picked up her bags.

“He’ll be okay, won’t he?” Dionne asked.

“Our Sidhe Guard is the best in all the fae realms. They will not let our realm fall. Endora reassured her.

“That didn’t answer my question.” Dionne realized she wouldn’t get a straight answer.

Quin brought out Sugarplum and Astra. “Here you go, Highness.”

“Thank you, Quin. We’ll see you in a few days.” Endora tied her bags to her horse and got on.

Quin helped Dionne up on Astra. “Good luck.”

Endora nodded and nudged Sugarplum towards the passage. She looked back at Dionne and saw her crying.

“I’m sorry Dionne. We need to hurry.” Endora looked forward again. She nudged Sugarplum to move faster.  

Aura came out on the porch when Endora and Dionne rode up.

“What are you doing here?” Aura saw the tears on Dionne’s face. “Endora, what’s wrong?”

Endora got down off her horse. “Aura, the Northern Court has fallen. Grandmother sent us here for safety.”

“Dragas!” Aura called back into the cottage. “Come out here!”

Dragas came out on the porch. “Hello. Aura, why did you call me out here. Weren’t you expecting them. 

“No I wasn’t. Endora was telling me that the Northern Court has fallen.” Aura turned back to her sister. “When did this happen?”

“Last night.” Endora tied sugarplum to the post. “The Queen and her daughters were killed in their beds. The barrier fell and the village surrounding the castle was overtaken. Grandmother sent us here with all the faerie crystals including the one from the Northern Court’s great portal.”

“How did that get here?” Aura asked.

“One of the soldiers was told to take it and run for the woods.” Endora explained. “When he was clear, the soldier created a portal and it connected with the Great Portal here. That was how we found out about the attack.”   

“You can’t stay here. This will be the first place. They will look for her.” Dragas looked at Endora. “We need to take you somewhere they won’t look for you. We can take them to the Crystal Castle.”

“No. That would endanger your people. We should take them to my father’s estate. There is a protective spell built into the estate put there by my great grandparents.” Aura said. “We can tell Mother what is going on and keep her safe as well.”

Endora looked down at the ground. “Aura, our mother is at the castle.”

“What?” Aura was startled. “She was staying at the estate with our father. When did she go to the castle?”

“She had just arrived when we left. A guard came into my chambers to announce her as grandmother was saying goodbye.” Endora looked at Aura. “I have no idea why she was there.”

Aura looked at Dragas. “We have to go get her.”

“Aura, there is no time.” Dragas grabbed her arm and shook his head. “Night will come soon and if they hit the Northern Court in the middle of the night they will follow the same tactics here. They may already be on the way to the castle by now.”

“Meet us at the estate. We will follow as soon as Aura warns Victra and Klaus to join us.” Dragas looked at Aura. “You and Victra are at risk. We must get you both to safety. They may come looking for all of Taralen’s granddaughters.” 

“We should all go together.” Endora looked at Aura. “If he’s right, you’re at risk too.”

“I can handle myself.” Aura hugged her sister. “We will be right behind you.”

Endora got back on Sugarplum. “Don’t take too long. Come on, Dionne, let’s get to the estate.”

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