Council
1672 Words
“Children and dogs everywhere.” Lydia laughed as she watched them play in the grounds.
“Aint life grand?” Robert smiled as he reached out to hold his wifes hand.
“Tell that to the staff cleaning up all the hair.” Lydia laughed. “It’s becoming a full time job!”
“Ohhh Goddess, the hair.” Robert laughed, pointing to his pants that were covered in hair. “But they do a marvellous job of keeping the children happy and busy, don’t they.”
Lydia laughed. “And they have never slept so well.”
A fuss in the front hall had Robert on his feet and running inside to see what was happening. He saw Jonas walking through a portal, followed by Lachlan. After a moment Liam, Todd and Will followed.
“Kids, your fathers are here.” Robert called out, smiling s he walked over to hug the men one after the other.
A wave of children washed through the room, hugging fathers and uncles.
“News?” Robert asked, raising an eyebrow. The men nodded.
“I will bring Ailwyn and Jaime in.” Will murmured as he began opening portals. He walked through into Jaimes castle.
“Young Will!” Jaime called out, walking over to greet him.
“Jaime.” Will smiled. “Have you time for a meeting?”
“Of course lad, of course. I’ll get Everly.” Jaime smiled.
Magnus and Lola came running out, Lolas stomach obviously larger.
“My goodness, there will be children everywhere soon.” Will laughed.
“I hear you are responsible for that more than any.” Magnus quipped.
“True, true.” Will laughed. “Come through, we have some news.”
They all walked through the portal and Will closed it behind them, opening a portal into the elven realm.
“Will, how are you?” Stella cried, running over to greet him. “Have you news of my sisters?”
“Oh, I’m sorry Stella, I always forget. Would you like to come and see them? I’ll organise for Angelique and Heath to come through with the children if you’d like.”
“I would love that, thankyou.” Stella gushed, moving away to collect the children.
“Will, how are you?” Ailwyn moved forward to greet him.
“How are you is the question?” Will asked.
Ailwyn sighed. “I need to talk to the kings.” He said quietly.
“We have news of the quest as well, please come through and we can have a council.” Will offered.
“I’ll get Otrix.” Ailwyn agreed as he walked away.
Stella returned moments later with her governess and children.
“Stella, I’m sorry but your governess can not come through.” Will said, putting his hand up.
“Oh, I. Umm ok.” Stella smiled.
“You will have all the help you need in the Fae realm.” Will reassured her.
“Of course.” Stella smiled as she walked her children through the portal.
Will hadn’t missed the resigned look on Stellas face. She had been through something they would need to explore further.
Ailwyn came back moments later with Otrix and they all walked through the portal together.
Will closed the portal behind him.
The scene at the other end was one of pure joy. Will opened a third portal for Sergio, Isabella, William and Olive to come through, bringing Sergio and Isabellas children with them. Wyatt was already at the Fae castle.
“I will just get Angelique and Heath and we will get started.” Will smiled.
He returned moments later with Heath and Angelique and their children, James and Jonathan with Jay.
“Well, that got big quickly.” Jaime said over the top of screaming children.
“Ok, everyone outside!” Robert called to the children before shutting the patio doors.
Lydia went to the kitchen to ensure none of the children went hungry while they were in their meeting.
They moved into the conference room as everyone hugged and greeted each other.
“That is uncanny.” Lola breathed looking at Olive and Olga who had joined them along with Otis.
“Well, we are twins.” Olga laughed.
“Wow, anyone not having children?” Jaime asked, looking around.
“Uuhhh, that would be us.” Jay smirked pointing from himself to Jonathan.
The room went silent as they all stared.
Smiles began to grow on peoples faces as they all moved forward to congratulate the couple.
“If you ever want to become parents, there are many orphans being cared for in the packs.” Heath winked.
Jonathan smiled and nodded. “I appreciate that.”
“Let’s get this meeting started and then we can spend some family time together.” Will began.
They all sat down as Will stood looking around.
“We welcome you all, it has been to long.” Will began.
Everyone nodded and murmured in agreement.
“I know we all have our own issues, but I think we can all agree that we need to start with the quest. Who would like to speak first?”
Looking between the four men, the thing that stood out immediately was how exhausted and haggard Jonas looked.
Lachlan stood up. “We have found the Original Sire.” He began. The room went dead silent. “She insists she seeks an understanding like she had with King Richard. She has told us she has no desire to kill anyone. Unfortunately, the hellions that live with her are not showing us that they can be trusted. We are unclear on what to think. We believe the Original Sire knows we are there to kill her. Well, end her, as she is technically already dead.” Lachlan shrugged.
“Wait – She?” Jaime asked.
“Yes, she.” Lachlan confirmed.
Jaime nodded his head.
“So do we strike an accord, or do we kill her?” Ailwyn asked.
“The issue is that we wished to kill her to see if it would turn some, if not all, of the vampires back to their original form. There has been much study done on this subject at the Magic Academy, but nothing can be confirmed. I’m afraid the only way is trial and error.” Todd shrugged.
“They are messing with our minds now, it has become exhausting. Five years is a long time to be away from your loved ones and they assault our minds regularly, it would seem Uncle Jonas in particular.” Liam added.
“It is better for you to return than be ground down and potentially trip up.” Robert cautioned them.
“We will stay a few days, see how we feel.” Lachlan confirmed.
“How is Valentina?” Sergio asked.
“I will take you to her after the meeting.” Jonas smiled.
“I appreciate all you have done for her brother.” Sergio smiled.
“Ailwyn, I know we are all wondering how you fair?” Everly asked.
Ailwyn sighed. “My people have abandoned their Goddess in anger over the tainted bloodline as they call it. I am sick to death of hearing about it to be honest and it is making Stella ill with worry.”
“You should not trust your governess.” Will warned Ailwyn quietly.
“I will dismiss her as soon as I return.” Ailwyn agreed.
“Why don’t you leave Stella and the children here for a little while so you can work on this problem without distraction?” Robert asked. “We would be happy to have them visit.”
“Thankyou Robert, that may be best.” Ailwyn agreed.
Jaime looked at Everly and raised an eyebrow.
“Is there something we need to know Jaime?” Ailwyn asked.
“Maybe.” Jaime sighed. “We had a visit from Morradin.” He began.
“Ailwyn, you have a twin sister. Her name is Allira. It was my mother who birthed the two of you. She was sworn to secrecy by your mother but told me on her deathbed. I did not realise the situation before you until Morradin spoke to us and told us of your peoples demands. I am sorry I did not tell you sooner.” Everly bowed her head.
Ailwyn looked at Everly shocked.
“How could you not tell me?” Ailwyn demanded angrily.
“It was your own mother who demanded it be that way. Allira was to be taken away and raised without her identity being known to her. Her foster family were killed and she is now leading the uprising. Ailwyn, she is dark, I feel it in her.” Olive answered the question.
“And this is all because Stella is Fae?” Robert asked.
“Yes, and it is just the beginning. We are concerned all of the realms will follow. None of the kings has a queen from the same realm,” Olive pointed out.
“Liam does,” Todd pointed out. “I will not contest for the crown if it will drive down a rebellion.”
“Ugghh, this again.” Liam rolled his eyes.
“Think about it Liam. This isn’t about you and I, it’s about the good of our kingdom,” Todd muttered.
“Let’s get our kingdom back, shall we? Then we’ll decide what’s best for it.” Liam argued.
“What the hell is going on out there?” Magnus asked, looking through the patio doors.
They all turned their heads to see the children running around being pursued by large white fluffy hounds.
“We adopted some dogs.” Robert shrugged.
"I don't know about you, but I need a break already. That looks like fun." Magnus smiled.
"I'm with you." Liam agreed, standing up.
"Take half an hour, eat and we will resume." Robert agreed as he stood up and walked outside.
- Writer
