Chapter 12

After breakfast, the two of them headed out into the courtyard. A thrill ran down her spine when she realized they were headed for the stables. Were they going to ride somewhere? Shed been trying to work up the courage to visit the stables since shed arrived here — the only thing that had stopped her was the concern about riding in such full skirts. But it seemed they werent going anywhere after all. As they reached the stable, they were met by a tall man with long, white-blond hair, dressed for riding.

I thought Id find you here, Aelfred, Edward said, pulling the man into a quick embrace. The stranger turned a pair of striking silver-gray eyes onto Ivy, looking at her with clear curiosity. Ivy Jones, meet Aelfred Grant.

A pleasure to meet you, Ivy, Aelfred said, the soft burr of his Scottish accent somehow a little different to the one she was getting used to. You must be the new friend my dear wife has been telling me about. How are you adjusting?

Ivys eyes widened as she put the pieces together. Oh! Youre married to Melanie! The plucky, dark-haired woman shed met a few days after her arrival had mentioned her husband in passing. A few more pieces clunked into place. So youd know all about…

Where youre from and how you got here, yes, Aelfred said with a faint smile. Better than most, Id say. Ive traveled the road you took here myself.

She blinked, nonplussed. You mean the Loch?

Aelfred was a Changeling child, Edward explained.

Aelfred chuckled at Ivys clear hesitation.

He means I grew up in the Fae world, my lady. I daresay I spent a little more time there than you would have as you passed through, though it all feels like a dream now.

You grew up there? Ivy was fascinated. Ive read so much folklore about Changelings, but … well, no offense, but I always thought it was just that. Folklore.

Aelfred nodded. Most do. Old wives tales, fairy stories… it feels safer, to believe that other world isnt real. And it serves the interests of the Sidhe to have their existence doubted by most mortals, so they encourage the ambiguity. He chuckled. No apology necessary, my lady. He glanced at Edward curiously. I understand that the subject of my upbringing was what you wanted to discuss? Away from the Keep?

Thats right, Edward said, glancing over his shoulder. The subject of Changelings is?—

A sore one at the moment, Aelfred agreed, nodding thoughtfully. I understand the need for discretion. And Ivy…?

Ivys offered her assistance with the investigation, Edward said, even as Ivy hesitated over what she should say about her role here. In her own time, shes something of a specialist in… unusual children.

That was one way to put it, Ivy thought, nodding agreement. Maybe she should get business cards with that. It had a nicer ring to it than therapist, that was for sure.

Aelfred was looking at her closely. Youre interested in whether this child is indeed a Changeling, or whether something else would explain his behavior?

Thats the situation, yeah, she said, meeting Aelfreds gaze with a smile. There was something a little otherworldly about him, that was for sure… those pale eyes were certainly unlike any shed encountered here. But of course, I dont know much about… real Changelings. It felt silly to even say aloud, but Aelfreds easy smile reassured her.

Well, I can tell you a little. I dont remember much of my time in the Fae, but thanks in no small part to Melanie, I do know the story of how I came to be there. He sighed, his expression darkening. Youll forgive me if I dont tell it in too much depth. The Sidhe took me from my parents when I was only small… and they did so, as they always do, to protect my life.

Ivy felt a shiver run down her spine, but she kept her expression neutral, taking solace in the warm, comforting presence of Edward standing quietly by her side. Like me and the other time-travelers? she asked quietly. Our lives were in danger, so they brought us here?

Thats right, Aelfred said, his expression somber. In my case, it was my family who were a threat to my life… so I was taken away to live safely with the Sidhe. When people speak of Changelings, they often refer to babies and children being kidnapped, or lured away. I dont see my own story that way, and neither do any other Changelings Ive met. I was never a prisoner, there in the Fae. And as much as my memories are blurry of that time, I do know this much… when I decided I wished to return to my own world, nothing stood in my way. I was family to the Sidhe, not a captive or a plaything. I will always owe them my gratitude… not only for saving my life, but for saving my dear wifes, too. And for bringing her to me, he added, and the way his eyes lit up at the thought of Melanie made Ivy smile. Theyre rather adept matchmakers, the Fae…

Edward cleared his throat loudly at that, for some reason, plunging on with questions before Ivy could give the subject any further thought. Do you think its possible that Colin is a Changeling? Based on your own experience?

Aelfred looked thoughtful. I dont, Edward, no — which is what I said to Chieftain Brian, when he asked me. He didnt seem especially pleased with my answer.

Ivy nodded. Hed already decided what he wants to believe.

Exactly. Keen insight, Lady Jones. Aelfred smiled. The tales of the Sidhe taking children away… theyre much exaggerated. They only intervene in domestic situations when a child is in serious danger, as I was. Young Colin is a much beloved baby, much wanted and anticipated… I cant imagine any threat to his life that would necessitate an intervention from the Fae. He shrugged his shoulders. Theres also the matter that the child is still here.

I visited him yesterday, Edward said, looking worried. Its true what they say — hes a strange baby.

How strange? Aelfreds eyes were gleaming with amusement. Because if the Sidhe truly did take him away and leave something else in his place… why, I dont think thered be any doubt that the creature wasnt human. His expression sobered. No, Edward. I dont think that that child is a Changeling.

Why dont we ask the Sidhe if they took the child? Ivy suggested, frowning a little. The solution seemed obvious, which told her that there was probably something she was missing… sure enough, the two men looked pained.

If only it were that simple, Aelfred said softly, shaking his head. Unfortunately, the Sidhe — benevolent as they are — are notoriously difficult to communicate with.

We have a few friends and allies who have been known to take messages back and forth, Edward said, but its hardly a reliable system… and one we prevail upon only in cases of emergency.

Like most whove been close to the Fae, these allies can be… a little unpredictable, Aelfred said, a knowing smile playing about his lips. Old Maggie is a kind-hearted soul, but even she can be difficult to communicate with.

Sounds like most of my clients, Ivy said drily. More and more, she was beginning to see what her friends had meant when they told her shed find a use for her skills in this strange place. Could we speak with this Maggie maybe?

It would be my next suggestion, Aelfred said heavily, were it not for the fact that shes been out of the area for several weeks. Visiting on the other side of the burgh, we suspect, though Maggie isnt exactly the kind of person who shares her plans with all and sundry. But when she returns… yes, Id advise a meeting. Aelfred studied her for a moment, a cryptic smile on his handsome face. I think shell like you, Ivy Jones.

Thank you for this, Aelfred, Edward said, stepping forward to clasp the mans shoulder tightly. Your insight has been valuable.

My pleasure. My best wishes for a speedy resolution to the problem of this child. His fate is in safe hands, Im sure of it, he added, sketching them both a neat little bow. And with that, he was gone, whistling as he headed into the stables with the sun dancing off his white-blond hair.

An odd fellow, Edward said later, when they regrouped in the dining hall to discuss their next step. But one of the kindest men Ive met.

Melanie had only good things to say about him, Ivy agreed with a smile. Fascinating that hes a Changeling. Its certainly added complexity to the situation, knowing that Changeling children are… real. In my line of work, fairy stories like that… theyre always disregarded as myths, as ways for people to explain away why their children are different. They dont want to deal with understanding who their child actually is, so they make up a story to explain that their real child is somewhere else. She sighed, finding her mind straying back to the case shed been dealing with before the accident that had brought her here. Sorry.

No need, Edward said again. You said that in your own time, nobody knows what actually causes this condition. And you said people who have it are… unusual. Aelfreds unusual. Could the condition be caused by the Fae?

She tilted her head thoughtfully. That would certainly revolutionize the field, she said wryly. Its a shame I wont be able to get any research published… but, no. I agree with you that Aelfreds an unusual man, but he didnt seem autistic to me.

I see.

I mean, its a difficult subject, and I dont want to talk your ear off about it… no two autistic people are going to be identical in the symptoms they show and the experiences they have, of course, and its important not to stereotype, but… She took a breath. No, I wouldnt say that Aelfred seems like an autistic person to me. At any rate, if its visiting the Fae that causes autism… well, all of us time-travelers should have developed it when we came through, right? No. She exhaled. As much as it would make things simpler… no, I dont think thats the case. Just because Changelings are real, doesnt mean that thats what causes autism.

Which means…

Which means were back where we started, she said with a sigh. We have no reason to believe that Colin was kidnapped by the Sidhe… but from what Aelfred said, Brian has already heard that argument and doesnt care. We need more information. She sighed. Id really like to visit the baby — or at least talk to his parents. Do you think thats going to be possible? Obviously, I dont want to push them or be rude or anything, but at this stage, the more information I can get, the better.

Edward nodded. Ill see what I can do. He smiled at her, and she felt another of those unusual flutters of warmth in her stomach. Its good to have you on my side, Ivy Jones.