Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

M erlin tried to keep Rosa calm as he sent her off to talk peace with Bleddyn and their armies, promising he would find Balthasar for her.

Please let him be back in his old body , he prayed and climbed over earthen walls that Rosa had erected between the armies. He hadn't seen Rosa lose control in such a way since they had trained at Gwaed Lyn. He couldn't deny its effectiveness; the blood hungry warriors could do nothing but beat against rock walls and wear themselves out.

"Remind me never to piss off Rosa, or I might end up in another tomb," Arthur said beside him.

"She wanted to kill the queen. She didn't want a battle and for others to die," Merlin replied, his eyes flicking to Nimue to make sure she was still close. She gave him a small smile of reassurance before turning back to searching the mess around them.

"Merlin Wylt," a voice called up to him. Gwyn ap Nudd was smeared with Seelie blood, the queen's grisly head still dripping from his saddle.

"Lord Gwyn, what can I do for you?" he asked, doing his best to be polite.

"My Hunt has found the beast and is holding him in the southern quarter. I will find my Queen Rosa and meet you there." The command in his voice irked Merlin no end, but he still smiled through gritted teeth.

"My Queen Rosa?" Nimue whispered once the Lord of the Hunt had ridden on.

"He has a crush," Merlin muttered.

"What happened when I was in that pit?" Nimue's blue eyes turned cool. "You didn't have anything to do with this, did you?"

"Actually, my love, Rosa created that madness all on her own." Merlin climbed down the wall and held his hands up for her. "We have to get Rosa and Balthasar back to Gwaed Lyn and away from Gwyn before he can get any more attached than what he already is."

There was no effort required to find where Balthasar was being kept under control. The Hunt had created a protective circle about him and whatever magic Gwyn had on animals was keeping him calm.

"Why didn't he change back when the queen died?" Nimue wondered, drawing closer to Merlin. "I don't understand. It was her magic that changed him."

"Neither do I, and I am too exhausted to think," Merlin said. He watched the beast that was Balthasar lie bleeding on the grass. He was alive, in a fashion, and that meant Rosa was safe from Gwyn. It still felt like a hollow victory. There was stirring amongst the riders of the Hunt that signaled the arrival of Gwyn, Rosa sitting behind him in the saddle.

"Thank you for finding him," Rosa said. Arthur stepped forward and helped her down from the horse before Gwyn could. "At least he is calmer."

"The Hunt seems to agree with him," Gwyn replied, looking down at the beast with cold silver eyes. "Whatever sorcery Aeronwen used does not seem to be shifting. Rosa, you could always join us with him."

"Balthasar is still alive, and I have no doubt between my father and I, we can unravel whatever magic this is," Merlin interrupted before Rosa could. He placed an arm around Rosa's shoulders. "We need to get him home to Gwaed Lyn. We don't know if the magic is locked to the Aos Si… He could change as soon as he's away from the flow of power."

Merlin was grasping for ideas, and he knew it sounded weak, but he couldn't let her give up hope. He could sense the tangle of enchantment over Balthasar, and without a long sleep to clear his head, he wasn't going to be able to begin to unravel it.

"How will we get him back home?" Rosa asked, her eyes full of tears.

"Gwyn and the Hunt could help. As you can see it calms him, and they can cross over to the human world," Nimue said, her eyes wide with innocence.

Merlin hid a smile. There were times that he loved her so much that he was surprised he didn't explode from it.

"Nimue is right." Rosa looked up at Gwyn, placing a hand gently against his leg. "Please, can you help me? I need to sort out some things here in the Aos Si tonight before I can return, but if you take Merlin, Arthur, and Nimue with the Hunt, they will be able to secure him safely. I will meet you at Glastonbury at the next full moon to fulfill my promise to you."

Gwyn's tight mouth softened as he said, "You have been good with fulfilling your promises thus far, geneth . I will do this thing for you, though you should consider my offer if by the full month he is still a beast."

"I will consider it," Rosa promised him.

He touched her cheek gently before whistling. Two mounts came forward, and he gestured at them to Merlin.

"Don't worry, Rosa. We'll make sure he gets back safely," Nimue said, giving her a hug.

"Tell Bleddyn what happened and not to fret." Merlin pulled her braid gently before climbing on the faerie mount. He lifted Nimue up behind him, and Arthur drew his horse close, effectively putting himself between Rosa and Gwyn.

Rosa winked at him. "Make sure Merlin doesn't do anything stupid."

"I can't promise that, my lady. You know how much he enjoys his stupidity," Arthur replied.

A warrior of the Hunt wound a rope around Balthasar's neck and leashed him carefully to Dormach.

Better Dormach than Gwyn , Merlin thought. He didn't know how far he'd go to ensure that Rosa joined the Hunt, and killing Balthasar would be an easy way to make it happen.

"I trust you know the way to Gwaed Lyn," he said to Gwyn.

The Lord of the Hunt gave him a frustrated look before his power rolled out over them, and they were racing together as one.

Bleddyn saw the Hunt ride away and felt Merlin's magical pulse with it.

It's okay, Father. I'm taking your favorite child home , Merlin touched his mind reassuringly.

Thank you, Merlin , Bleddyn replied, relief flooding him. And Rosa is my favorite.

Mine too. Find her. She isn't coping well.

Rosa was dry-eyed by the time Bleddyn located her, sitting on the trampled grass, the sword of the Seelie across her knees.

"It was supposed to work," she murmured. "Killing her was supposed to be the answer."

Bleddyn knelt down beside her, placing a gentle hand over her bloodstained arm. "Look around you, Rosa. You have achieved something here that none of us could've imagined," he said.

Rosa lifted her head with a sniff. Since they had told the armies that the battle was over and that the new queen was putting together a treaty with the Unseelie, the fighting had stopped. There was an awkward peace happening. Daesyn was talking and laughing with Fintan. A group of knights and warriors were sitting together on the earthen walls, and Seelie commoners were creeping cautiously out of the forest, watching the Court burn with wide eyes. Bleddyn never thought it would be possible. He expected them all to die that day.

"We will restore Balthasar. I promise you," Bleddyn reassured her. "You know we will. The day wasn't a loss. There hasn't been peace since the old kings died. You stopped a lot of death today, Rosa. You should be proud of that."

"Merlin burned the Court," she said finally. "Where are all the Seelie going to go? I can't just leave them. The land won't let me."

"We will take them to the Day Court. It was in a heart tree close to the border until the queen decided to create her own barrow court. If we go there now, we can be there by nightfall. How about it? We can get these people to safety and go home."

Bleddyn was helping Rosa to her feet when Eirianwen appeared through the trees and barreled into her, hugging her tightly.

"Thank you, Rosa."

"Argh, for what?" she asked, staring, wide-eyed, over Eirianwen's shoulder.

"For not hesitating and finally killing her." Eirianwen released her, and it didn't surprise Bleddyn to see the unshed tears in her eyes. "You don't know what this means for all of us. For thousands of years, this land has been oppressed. Can you not feel the magic shifting back? It is like the world is righting itself, and it's because of you."

"You're welcome," Rosa replied. "Bleddyn wants to take the Seelie to the Day Court. Will you come with us?"

"Of course," Eirianwen said, giving Bleddyn a warm look that made him want to kiss her. She wouldn't welcome such a public display of affection, no matter how good of a mood she was in. They had spent the previous evenings making up for lost time, and he couldn't believe they were both still standing.

Within half an hour, they started to move out, an exodus of fae walking and talking together. Bleddyn knew that it could be an unsteady peace, but he had a plan to make the power flow equally. No more kings and queens. No way ever to disturb the balance again.

Rosa was shimmering with magic, and he hoped that when the time came, her love for Balthasar would be strong enough for her to let it all go.

Bleddyn looked at Eirianwen, wondering how he would leave her again. He wanted to ask her to come with them to Gwaed Lyn, but how could he? The Unseelie looked to her more than they did to him. He couldn't be that selfish even if a part of him wanted to be.

"It still stands," Eirianwen said. The forest cleared, and the Day Court rose in front of them. It was stripped of leaves for the oncoming winter, its once lustrous bark a dull grey in the afternoon light.

"Aeronwen's wards are gone," Fintan said with a smile. "She had always made sure that no one could find this place, let alone return to it. There are some amongst us that are too young to have seen it."

"It used to have pale green and gold leaves," Eirianwen replied, looking at it with a dreamy smile. "I used to love visits to the Day Court with my grandmother. I'm sure the Seelie will love it again when it's restored."

"I can do it," Rosa said, her voice changing and eyes glazing over. Before Bleddyn could warn or assist her, she placed her hand on the decayed wooden entranceway. The Seelie shuddered as Rosa pulled magic to her like a magnet. This was Summer Magic, and Bleddyn's own power shied away from it.

"By the gods," Fintan hissed. "I've never felt anything like this before."

"Aeronwen hoarded magic like a dragon hordes gold. She would've kept her own people from having too much." Bleddyn glanced at Rosa with a smile. "Rosa's always been generous with the people she cared about, and you are hers now."

Magic rushed up the trunk of the Day Court, changing the bark from grey to shimmering rose gold. Rosa was glowing with golden light as she placed the Seelie sword into the lock on the gates. Decay fell away from it, and they slowly opened with a groan.

The Seelie edged forward one at a time with wide eyes, and they walked through the gates. Rosa removed her sword and rejoined Bleddyn, getting out of the way and watching the mixture of surprise and joy on their faces.

"What next?" she asked him. "If I don't let this crown go soon, Bleddyn, I don't know if I ever will. I can feel it…eating at me."

"We need to get to the border. It isn't far," Bleddyn soothed before turning to Eirianwen. "Can you get the generals and Daesyn and Fintan?"

"I will be as quick as I can," Eirianwen said, casting a worried glance in Rosa's direction.

Bleddyn helped Rosa onto a faerie mount and swung up behind her, holding her steady in the circle of his arms. He didn't wait for the others to join them, but headed straight for the place he had in mind, knowing that Eirianwen would be able to track him easily. It was dusk when they arrived.

"Time between times," Rosa mumbled, looking around at the growing shadows.

Bleddyn held her hand, keeping the magic flowing in her steady as they reached the borderline. He unsheathed Widows Fury , taking a long look at it. Rosa did the same, the magic glowing between them.

"They really are very beautiful," she said, a little sadly.

"I know, dear one, and they have shaped the fate of the Aos Si for too long. It's time to give all of the fae a new fate."

"Do you think the fae will be able to handle not having a monarchy?" Rosa asked.

"They will get used to it."

Eirianwen and the others arrived soon after Bleddyn explained what he wanted to do. They watched the two Seren Dus carefully as if they couldn't handle one more miracle that day.

"What are you doing, Bleddyn?" Eirianwen asked uneasily.

"We are going to make sure that no one can ever abuse the power of these swords ever again. No more kings and queens," he said firmly. "As a final royal action, we—the last king and queen of the Aos Si—have decided that a council of Seelie and Unseelie will now govern these lands to ensure the balance is never disturbed again."

"But, Sire, please consider what you are about to do! If you don't want the crown, hand it on to someone else," Madoc tried to argue, but Bleddyn silenced him with a look.

"No. It must be this way. It will be this way."

As one, Bleddyn and Rosa put the swords together and drove the tips of the blades into the ground. The earth trembled beneath them, and they stepped away, Bleddyn holding onto Rosa as the power rushed out of her. The swords glowed and began to transform. Gold and black melded together and began to grow at an alarming rate.

A sapling became a tree in seconds, the combined power of the swords, transforming and moving back into the earth on either side of the borders. Around the tree, rose twelve stone seats—six black and six gold.

"It would seem that the Aos Si has decided it will be a council of twelve," Eirianwen said in awe, coming to stand beside him.

"One for each of you," he replied, even though his heart ached even saying it.

"One for Bran perhaps." Eirianwen frowned at the chairs. "I'm done being a general and a leader. Daesyn, Bran, Aiden, Madoc, and Fintan are a good start."

"I have a few Seelie in mind that would do the job admirably," Fintan said, looking at the chairs. "Being ruled by a council is a good thing, but it might take the Seelie a while to get used to the idea."

"Don't worry, Summer. I'll help you convince them," Daesyn promised with a teasing tone that reminded Bleddyn of Merlin. "The Unseelie have been ruled by our generals for centuries. They won't resist this."

"My thanks, Ash Knight. I will appreciate your support and your company." Daesyn's ears turned pink as Fintan bowed to him, and Bleddyn hid a smile.

"Can we go home now?" Rosa asked in a small voice.

"Of course. We will make our farewells and ride for the portal." Rosa nodded and went off to hug Daesyn.

"Will you take a walk about the tree with me, my lady?" Bleddyn asked Eirianwen, offering her his arm. She took it, careful not to make eye contact with him.

"You will leave so soon?" she asked once they were out of sight of the others.

"I have to. Balthasar is still caught under the curse, and I long for home," he said honestly. "I want you to come with me. I know it's selfish for me to ask that of you, but it's true. We've been alone long enough."

"There's a lot of Unseelie that need to be taken back to the Night Court. Those that were imprisoned will need an escort, and the additional council members will have to be found," she replied, her voice hitching slightly.

"I know." Bleddyn stopped walking so he could trace her face gently with his fingers, memorizing every line and curve. "You will always be welcome at Gwaed Lyn, but it's up to you to decide where you want to be. I won't force you to choose. The portal will always be open to you, should you want to visit… I hope that you will."

"You know I love you," she whispered, her eyes filling with unshed tears.

"And I love you. I'm an old, patient man. I know how to wait for someone. You will always be worth the wait," he replied, pulling her close.

"Don't you forget it either, wolf." Eirianwen stood on tiptoes so she could kiss him long and hard before their lips parted. He buried his face in the groove of her neck, breathing in her warmth and scent one last time.

Let her go, even if it kills you , he demanded, and with shaking hands and a breaking heart, he released her.

"Come on, your children need you more than I do," Eirianwen said, taking his hand and leading him back around the tree.

Bleddyn embraced Daesyn goodbye, the younger Seren Du promising to keep in contact and visit Gwaed Lyn soon. Eirianwen spoke low with Rosa, the younger woman nodding and accepting the hug that she gave her.

"You know where I'll be waiting, my lady, should you change your mind," Bleddyn murmured to Eirianwen before climbing onto his faerie horse. Rosa got up behind him, her arms coming around his waist and holding him close. He could feel the sadness and exhaustion radiating off her, so he whispered a command, and the horse shot through the night.

Bleddyn didn't look back, even though he knew that he was leaving a part of himself behind.

The night moved past them in a blur until they reached the standing stones. "God, it is weird seeing them," Rosa said behind him. "It's like it's been years and a moment."

"I know the feeling," Bleddyn replied, and the light of the portal glowed around them. There was the sickening sensation of falling and rising before they remerge by a frozen lake. The lights of the mansion glowed through the forest and Bleddyn heaved a sigh of relief.

"I'm so happy to be home," Rosa said, even as she cried.