Woven Fates - The War

Let's Go Get Drunk.....

“We need to discuss this uprising.” Jaime sat down next to Ailwyn on a bench under a tree where he sat watching the children run around with the dogs.

“Those dogs are really quite extraordinary,” Ailwyn murmured as he watched how they protected the children.

Jaime looked up, watching them for a moment. “I wouldn’t mind one myself.” He agreed. The dogs were large but incredibly gentle at the same time.

“I’m sorry we didn’t tell ya earlier, I only found out two days ago.” Jaime began.

“Everly is an extremely honourable woman and I would expect no less from her.” Ailwyn shrugged.

“Still, it seems it is not just you. In case you missed it, none of us have partners from the same realm,” Jaime reminded him.

“They strode into my court with a declaration. Did you know that? Stella was sitting beside me when they demanded she be stripped of her title and sent away so I may take other wives. She listened while they denounced my children as heirs. By the Goddess, I have never been so damn proud though. She kept her head held high that whole time, like a true queen. But then, they had the absolute audacity to parade women like animals in front of me that they deem appropriate for me to breed with. It was really quite extraordinary.” Ailwyn muttered absently.

“Ya did well not to put them to the sword on the spot. I doubt I will be so calm when my time comes.” Jaime spat.

“It was because of Stella that I was able to stay calm. She was so regal, so beautiful. They know all she has done, setting up creches so women can work unhindered, helping struggling families. And yet her heritage, which is one of royalty, is not good enough for them. My people have brought much shame to me and my realm through their actions,” Ailwyn continued.

“They surely have brother, they surely have,” Jaime agreed. “Do ya know who stands by ya loyally and who does not?”

Ailwyn sighed. “I have no real idea. I don’t know who to send out as a spy because I can not trust anyone. We were told today our governess can not be trusted and we have allowed her in our home all this time. I have a mind to dismiss all of our staff in case we are poisoned or killed in our sleep.”

“Ya know, I remember the rumblings about us being single and without heirs. Now they grumble that we have the wrong women and the wrong heirs.” Jaime muttered.

They looked up as Lachlan walked towards them.

“Greetings.” Liam bowed his head slightly towards them both.

“How are you Brother? You all seem bone weary.” Ailwyn asked, concerned.

“If it were easy it would not be considered a quest.” Lachlan smiled.

“That is the truth!” Jaime nodded in agreement.

“I came over because I feel I might have an answer to your problem with your people.” Lachlan began. “Miranda had empathic abilities. One of them is that she can read people. She can tell if people are lying or loyal. Perhaps she can travel back with you?”

Ailwyn looked at Lachlan who had sat on the grass in front of them. “I thank you Lachlan, that would be invaluable indeed.” He smiled.

“I was going to ask Lola to change her appearance, make her appear elven. Having her in the court may alert some to our plan.” Lachlan added.

“Yar a bright one for sure Lachlan,” Jaime agreed.

“If she can work out where the problems are, we can have them followed, even if it is by werewolves.” Lachlan added. “I would be weary of trusting your people right now.”

Ailwyn nodded sadly. “I have always done my best for my people, you know. I have always put them first. I knew how they would feel about a non elven queen, but if the goddess wished it to be so, who was I to argue? Although I find the whole thing completely ridiculous. That a queen should not be judged on her merits but by her heritage.”

Jaime nodded in agreement. “My Everly is amongst the people every day. She has built a birthing centre, she is training my people to be midwives. She has even brought Doc Michaels and Merridy in to teach wound care in case we are ever attacked again. She invites the children into the grounds to play and sets up little picnics. She ensures everyone is fed all of the time. She has read everything she can about our history so she can understand it and us better. We have been warned our time is coming too.” Jaime shook his head sadly. “Say, do you suppose they will work together or will they be so full of hate that the thought of mixing with other kinds would be to much for them?”

“I wish I knew.” Lachlan muttered. “My biggest fear is that, like the traitors who came before them, they will turn to Hadley for help?”

“That would be disastrous.” Ailwyn shivered.

“Tell us about the Original Sire.” Jaime asked, changing the subject.

“There is much research to be done on that subject,” Lachlan began thoughtfully. “She claims to have had an accord with my grandfather and speaks fondly of him. Her name is Gwendolyn”

Jaime's eyes opened wide in suprise. “Had a crush on him was more like it.” He chuckled.

Ailwyn laughed as he remembered.

Lachlan raised an eyebrow at Ailwyn and Jaime.

“Here come the others, I’ll wait for them and tell you the story as I remember it.” Ailwyn smiled. “But I must tell you, we did not actually realise she was the Original Sire until you mentioned earlier that the Original Sire was female. It is just now making sense.”

Todd, Liam and Jonas walked over and sat on the grass with Lachlan. One of the dogs had followed them over and sat beside them.

“I have to tell ya, I’ve taken a real shine to those dogs.” Jaime said, eyeing the dog off.

“Robert was saying there are hundreds of them in rescue shelters looking for homes. They just need a little tlc. These dogs, apart from Wyatt's dog, were all abandoned for one thing or another and look at them.” Liam laughed.

“ OK.” Ailwyn began, “The story of Richard and Gwendolyn. The first we came to know of this was a celebration for Richard's birthday. Out of courtesy, Richard had invited Lord Anton and Anton had brought Gwendolyn as his date. I can tell you when she walked into the room a hush fell over it. I had never witnessed anything like it.” Ailwyn shook his head.

“Not entirely true, do ya remember Amelias coming of age?” Jaime nudged Ailwyn and chuckled.

Ailwyn looked at Jaime and then glanced at Todd. Jaime immediately stopped laughing.

“A story for another time perhaps?” Todd asked.

“Uhh, hmm.” Jaime nodded, not able to meet Todd's eye.

“Anyway, Anton enters the room with Gwendolyn on his arm. I remember she had an emerald green dress on that left nothing to the imagination. An instant hush fell over the room. The thing is, no one made the connection earlier because she looked much younger than Anton. You see, a turned vampire never ages but a born vampire can. I guess as the Original Sire she chooses the face she shows. I remember Caroline saying she looked like an old hag to her, so she was quite stunned that the men found her so alluring. Well, the moment she saw Richard, the tables turned. She left Anton's side immediately and made her way over to him. She was quite, ahh, forthright with her attentions. In the end, Caroline told her to put her body parts back in her dress and find her date.”

Jaime burst out laughing. “Oh what a scene that was. Caroline was so poised but she had the devil in her eyes that night and we were sure mayhem would ensue.”

Ailwyn smiled as he remembered. “Gwendolyn was humiliated and angry and single minded in her pursuit of Richard.”

“And then the ruckus,” Jaime said, nodding his head thoughtfully.

“Yes, the ruckus. Richard had excused himself to use the chamber. When he was found some time later, his pants were around his ankles, and he was in a daze. Years later he admitted to Aldrich that Gwendolyn had assailed his every thought for such a long time, it was years, I believe. He dreamt of her, swollen with child. That child being born. That she was there, always there watching. It soon turned to threats. That her child would be the king's down fall, the down fall of all werewolves if he did not go to her.” Ailwyn said sadly. “I guess she was correct, the vampires were the down fall of the werewolves.”

“Those dreams can be extraordinarily vivid,” Jonas confessed uneasily.

Todd looked deep in thought.

“What is it lad?” Jaime asked.

“Was Gwendolyn pregnant with Richard's child?” Todd asked.

“Nobody really knows.” Ailwyn shrugged.

“Was Anton taken with Gwendolyn?” Todd asked.

“Hopelessly,” Jaime agreed.

“So much so that he might take in her child with Richard so that he might exact his revenge?” Todd asked.

Every man stopped and stared at Todd.

“Are you saying…? Ailwyn asked in shock.

“Is Hadley their child?” Yes, that is what I am saying.” Todd agreed.

“But he has no characteristics of being a werewolf.” Lachlan said, confused.

“Maybe it's because he was born of the Original Sire, that may have cancelled out the werewolf blood?” Jonas asked.

“Or he’s been so angry for the last 100 plus years his wolf has never come forward?” Liam suggested.

Ailwyn looked up as he noticed Wyatt running towards them.

“Wyatt,” He said, nodding with his head.

Wyatt stopped in front of them and as they watched, his eyes turned gold.

“You are indeed wise men,” Wyatt said with a smile.

“Moon Goddess, why did you never tell us?” Liam asked grumpily.

“We can confirm things, Liam, but to give such information would see us in trouble with the Fates. They can strip us of all our power. We need to be especially careful now with Francesca involved.” Selene spoke through Wyatt.

“Uugghhh, are you telling us Hadley is our cousin also?” Todd asked in disgust.

“Technically, yes, by blood.” Selene sighed.

“I wonder if he knew this when he killed Aldrich and Richard?” Ailwyn mumbled.

“It could also explain why he targets Amelia with his anger, that it is really aimed at you Todd.” Lachlan thought out loud.

“I just want to drain my blood from my own body and wash it out.” Liam shivered in disgust.

“So the siege was revenge but not for the reason we thought?” Jaime asked, looking confused.

“Maybe he wanted Ingrid to take her from Aldrich and therefore hurt Richard?” Jonas guessed.

“Let’s not try to delve into that monster's mind. Is there any way to prove this?” Ailwyn asked.

Wyatt stamped his foot impatiently. “I did just confirm it.” He insisted.

“I cant deal with this.” Todd muttered.

“I agree,” Liam said. "Let’s go get drunk.”