Queen's Quest

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen Show and Tell

My crew and I ate breakfast that morning at a special dining hall reserved for military and palace staff. Comments were made as to the fact that we weren't permitted to eat in the palace proper but we were still sleeping there and actually this dining room was much closer to the separate hall where the hearings were to be held, I certainly had no complaints. Lieutenant Tormish mentioned that he had been talking to several people who he claimed were "in the know," that felt our guests were in for a rough time. From what he was telling, some of the Fae from earth were being obnoxious and rude with the staff and word had gotten back to certain people who could make life extremely rough for them. However, things went today it would be our first opportunity to finally get the full details of what sort of life our brethren were experiencing back on earth.

As I suspected the hearings were going to be a real circus as we entered the hall, everybody was jockeying for prime seats, pixies were here in force flittering around seeking perches and places to observe the proceedings. The news people were all here setting up their cameras in positions to better record not only royalty but our guests as well. Jina would be sitting with Lieutenant Commander Siofra, Lieutenant Vesson, Ensign Zoxie, and Lieutenant Frayla the team of witches who defeated the Garuda. A select group of senior Witches Guild members would also be present, everyone an expert in Elvin and Faerie lore and magic. I spotted Dr. Aelfric from the University of Pyrra sitting with a group of other senior historians all experts in both human, Elvin and dwarvian history and lore. As was pointed out to me, if these people had any thought of trying to fool us, or present the situation as anything other than the truth they were going to be in for a rude shock. People were also taking bets on how long the woman calling herself "The Morrigan" would last. All the news coverage I managed to catch of her always showed her in a bad light or less than positive images.

We would be sitting with all the personnel from not only the Inkara, but the Nessa as well who had talked with them. This included all senior grade officers but investigators and "experts" as well. Our table as well as all the others were well equipped with microphones as well as a translation computer for the benefit of our guests who couldn't speak elfish.

Trick, "The Morrigan," Ciara, and "The Nain Rouge" spoke a very old dialect of elfish, one that hadn't been spoken here on Isseth for over two hundred years. While aboard the Inkara and Nessa our guests as well as those who spoke on a regular basis to them all wore translators the size of a hearing aid programmed to decipher English and modern elfish. Since this was a major investigative hearing, there could be no errors in the meanings of words hence the special computer. As for our guests, they were all being seated front row and center, there's nothing more intimidating than having to look up into the glaring eyes of those who hold your very life in their hands. Just out of curiosity, I sent Ensign Fashar over by the guests table to pick up any stray thoughts. He returned several minutes later telling me,

"Those people are down right scared, even "The Morrigan" is jittery. Surprisingly though, Brie and "The Nain Rouge," were pretty calm, perhaps in Brie's case she really hasn't a clue. I've always thought "The Nain Rouge," was genuine and simply believes in her self, I guess we'll soon find out."

Finally, everyone was seated but we all stood as Queen's Maguire, Kolee, and King Trueblood entered, and took their seats. This was the signal to sit down, whereupon Queen Kolee opened the hearing with a short speech.

"As many of you know, information came to us after the defeat of the Morda of two galaxies unknown to us. As a result of this information, two expeditions were mounted to investigate them. The results of one of those expeditions now sit before us, and early information strongly suggests that our guests are quite possibly the decedents of our ancestors, these hearings will attempt to seek answers hopefully to questions that many have wondered about since the beginning." She then cast her eyes on the group from earth and continued.

"On behalf of Queen Maguire and King Trueblood I welcome you all to Isseth; it is my hope that through this hearing we can find discover our true beginnings as well as work towards this strife and acrimony that appears to be dividing the Fae of earth. So, with that in mind let's begin." Casting her eyes to "The Morrigan," she said,

"How about we start with "The Morrigan," you have the floor, why don't you tell us of your lives on earth and perhaps why it is so unbearable a war with the humans is your only recourse?"

I wasn't in a position to see her face, but I could tell by her body language "The Morrigan" didn't like being put on the spot like that. Her voice dripping with sarcasm she began by dragging out every injustice or wrong she thought would tug at our heartstrings or elicit sympathy. I knew the media people would really focus in on this aspect of the hearing, which they did, however the three rulers sat there staring at her devoid of emotion. It wasn't long before "The Morrigan" started drifting requiring Queen Maguire to interrupt her.

"I think it's clear to us all that life for the Fae back on earth has been no picnic and our hearts certainly go out to you but unfortunately life's tough then you die. Are you able to add anything to our knowledge of the earliest days of Fae life on earth?" It was here that "The Morrigan" made her first tactical error when she spoke out,

"Your Highness, with life being the way it is for us on earth I'm afraid we don't have a lot of time to speculate on our ancestors, it's all we can do to remain hidden from the humans." There was a very slight almost undetectable gasp from the audience who understood the mistake she had made. There was no reaction from royalty but I had no doubt that "The Morrigan" would regret her remark later on.

Queen Maguire then thanked "The Morrigan," and called on "The Nain Rouge" to share her experiences as well as any knowledge of the earliest days. The woman that proclaimed herself a divine Fae spirit brought the room to attention with her account.

"There are repositories containing very old records detailing the great schism when our people separated. The exact location is in much despite many think they are somewhere in northern Europe, possibly the Scandinavian countries. I on the other hand think they are located on what was once lfheimr, the palace being named lfheim. At the mention of these names, gasps erupted from various scholars as well as members of the witches Guild. Queen Kolee then asked "The Nain Rouge,"

"Why didn't you mention this to the investigators aboard the Nessa?"

"Because I was under a lot of stress," she replied. "it's also very sacred knowledge," then turning to "The Morrigan" and her people, "The Nain Rouge" continued,

"Surprised you, didn't I? and you thought I was just some sort of washed up Phantom hanging on to the past." "The Morrigan," scowled and turned away. "The Nain Rouge," then turned to Queen Kolee and said,

"Your highness, up to this point, I wasn't sure what to make of all this, I'm a hard one to convince of anything but now I truly see that you are our true descendants. My heart sings as I look around at a true Faerie world; however I must warn you that the information I have already given you as well as more to come could be used by "The Morrigan," to destroy us."

This caused an outburst from "The Morrigan,"

"How dare you reveal our deepest secrets to these ursurpers…" A bolt of light streaked from Queen Kolee's fingers freezing "The Morrigan," like a statue. The silence was deafening all eyes were on the Queen who merely glared at "The Morrigan," who had become a living statue.

"She's fine," announced the Queen to a stunned audience, "She can still hear us, CAN'T YOU?" as the Queen addressed the motionless woman. "Anymore outbursts like that will get the same treatment, now…Your eminence please, tell us more of this lfheimr." "The Nain Rouge," collected her thoughts and continued.

"lfheimr was an island somewhere in what we on earth call the Baltic Sea, I'll be happy to point this out on a map should your scholars have one. Anyway, there is an island belonging to the country of Sweden called Gotland. Closer to the nation of Russia is another group of islands, Hiiumaa, and Saaremaa. Between the island of Saaremaa and Gotland is a large open body of water this is where lfheimr is suspected to have been." By this time a couple scholars were spreading a large map out in front of the three but all seemed to be struggling with trying to pinpoint the exact location until Queen Maguire looked up at "The Nain Rouge,"

"Your eminence, perhaps you could assist us here?" "The Nain Rouge" then made her way up to where the two Queens and king were sitting. She stopped short, and bowed before approaching the table. Queen Kolee beckoned her forward.

"The Nain Rouge," then looked at the map for a moment to get her bearings. I knew it was a terrain map made by the Inkara but without a lot of place names marked yet. Once she had figured out the location "The Nain Rouge," pointed to the map and marked with a pen the existing islands as well as the suspected site of lfheimr. Once accomplished she returned to her seat, at which Queen Kolee asked,

"I take it this island no longer exists?"

""Your quite right your Highness," replied "The Nain Rouge."

"It started life as a volcanic island much like the famed Atlantis of human legend, which is supposed to have met a similar fate. There is a very ancient poem known as the Alvíssmál that tells the story of a volcano that starts to become active and threaten the island. It's been so long since I heard it from my predecessor I have forgotten much." At this point Trick spoke up,

"Your highness, I too know much of this poem, perhaps "The Nain Rouge" and I could meet with some of your historians and attempt to remember this poem in its entirety. Queen Kolee spoke into her mic thanking Trick, and promising time with palace staff to re-create the poem.

She then continued with "The Nain Rouge,"

"Do you know anymore about this island and it's fate?"

"Only in bits and pieces your highness, it speaks of a race separate from the others, of two classes of elves, light and dark, and of four other sub-classes. However many of the terms come from a very ancient language even I am not familiar with. References are also made to the fact that elves and men can procreate stating such in the saga of Hrolf Karaki, telling of a human king named Helgi who r***s an elf-woman and the resulting child. The poem ends with references to the great schism where many fled the island as it was slowly being destroyed while others chose to move farther south." "The Nain Rouge," paused for a moment then looked at the three and finished by saying,

"I don't know if it means anything your highness's but there was a single word that stuck in my mind, I don't know why but it did, the word is "Reívá." Again, there were more gasps.

Lieutenant Tormish leaned over to me and whispered,

"Don't you recognize it, it's the earliest form of the word we know as "fly," or "flying." I chuckled, he was right.

"It's a very early form of the word," added Lieutenant Tormish, I've only seen one reference to the word in all the texts and scholarly works I've been privileged to look at. I know the word mainly from research I was doing at the university." He started to tell me more, but Queen Maguire began to speak.

"Your eminence, that word is a very early form of the modern word "fly," or "flying." Clearly, that word is the first reference to a group of refugees leaving the island by flight, establishing the fact that flying was understood at that time. Now, as to how this flying was achieved still remains a mystery, but up to know this was only speculation. This poem you speak of is only referenced once in ancient texts that are currently available to scholars. During the Ogre wars, many repositories containing ancient texts and artifacts were destroyed much of our priceless heritage was thoughtlessly destroyed, it is quite possible copies of this poem you speak of were part of that lost heritage, as no examples exist today that we know of on this planet." There was another low rush of voices around the room as this information sunk in, then I saw Trick raising his hand, King Trueblood took notice and called on him.

"I believe this man wants to ask a question," said the king, who looked at Kolee and Maguire, who appeared to have no objection.

"Very well sir, what is it you want to ask?" Trick looked at Ciara who sat next to him then speaking into the microphone he began.

"Your highness, Ciara and I have been talking and feel that we can add information to this poem as well as the Hrolf Kraki saga. As things now stand, the only population of Fae we are aware of, live in Great Britain, though there is a very small group of what we call Leprechauns living In Ireland. They are a sub-class all their own and I must confess not very hospitable. They are an ingrained part of Irish history and heritage, but they keep to themselves. It is also quite possible there may be Fae living elsewhere in the world, America perhaps, but as I say, we only know of those living in England."

"This is most welcome and appreciated," said King Trueblood, "We graciously welcome any added help you care to offer." Trick then spoke again adding,

"However your highness, we share the same concern as does "The Nain Rouge," in that we worry very much that "The Morrigan" might use this information for her own ends or at the very least withhold valuable information from you. Make no mistake Your Highness; she knows as much as we do, perhaps even more of those ancient times, she lied when she said she didn't."

Queen Kolee then looked over at "The Morrigan," who had become a statue, and said,

"Do tell, well let's ask her." With that she sent a greenish bolt of magic towards "The Morrigan," who jumped when the spell hit her. "The Morrigan," then gave an evil look towards the three rulers and snarled,

"If I didn't have all these binding spells on me I'd fix you!." There was a collective gasp in the room and a flurry of agitated fluttering from the pixies who didn't appreciate someone threatening their queen. Queen Kolee feigned a surprised look on her face and replied,

"Wel-l-l-l-l, listen to this, do I take that as a challenge?" "The Morrigan" continued to glare at her and said.

"Take it any way you want, go ahead, kill me, stick me out in this Cantard place you keep threatening my people and I with, I don't give a good goddamn any more."