The Curse and the Traveler's

[only_more_so]

"Highness, I think I need that tea sooner rather than later. If I do that too often I'm never going to be able to get further than this chair. If I can I'd really like to lie back down as well Beatrix. I don't mean to be rude, truly I don't but I don't know how to deal with all this magic and trying to stay inside my head is giving me a massive headache."

Just then there was a timid knock at the door, quickly followed by a more impatient knocking. Being closer to the door, and mostly healed, Max got up and opened the door letting in a maid bearing a tea service, and Quint holding a pair of pants and a shirt.

Both the maid and Quint starting speaking at the same time, and Quint won out by shear enthusiasm. "The king said you would be needing some clothes, so I went to your room and got some Prince Maximillian! I brought the black pants since Serena always said they made you look good, and the purple shirt because, 'you know what they say about purple'" and he gave an exaggerated wink. Quint's face clearly betrayed that he had no idea what wearing the color purple was supposed to mean, and no idea why people thought it was particularly appropriate for Max.

The maid had set the tea down and started pouring, waiting for Quint to be quiet. Finally she managed to get out, "Here is the damiana tea you requested, Your Majesty." She turned her attention do Skye and asked, "How do you like your tea princess? Damiana's best with a bit of honey instead of sugar. But I brought both just in case."

"Thank-you Claire," Beatrix said. "Now would you be a dear and get some fresh linens for the bed. Skye is too worn out to make it back to her room, and I am sure she doesn't want to be sleeping on the sheets that Max has been sweating in for the past few days and nights."

Especially not considering the pheromones and the tea, Max thought as he changed behind the screen. He came out as the maid was hustling out. Quint sat on the bed watching Skye drinking her tea.

 

[caela]

Skye sighed softly hearing the insistent knocking at the door. The sound seemed to reverbrate in her head but she couldn't very well yell at the young maid and Quint for doing what was polite and knocking. They couldn't know that her head was killing her and she was grumpy from being weak as a kitten. Instead of saying anything she simply sat quietly and listened to those around her.

She made a mental note to ask Max what the secret meaning behing the color purple was but figured it could wait until later. Instead of asking she managed a small smile to the maid as she set up the tea and listened as she explained that honey was better than sugar.

"I've never had damiana tea Claire, so if you say honey is better than honey it shall be please," she said just loud enough that she could be heard but softly enough that her own voice didn't make the pounding in her head worse.

She sipped quietly at her tea while Claire went to fetch fresh linens and Max changed. She didn't bother mentioning that she wouldn't have minded lying in the same bed Max had been. She'd felt safe wrapped in his arms and the scent of him that likely still clung to the sheets would have been soothing. The more of the tea she sipped at the less she had to concentrate to keep her mind in the room and with the easing of her concentration her headache eased as well until it was just a dull throbbing which made her sigh softly in pleasure at the absense of the headache. Other than that she didn't notice any strange side effects.

Absently she poured herself a fresh cup of tea as Claire returned and started changing the sheets. While she waited to be able to reclaim the bed she saw Max come out from behind the screen and smiled up at him. He really did look nice and Serena was right, those pants did him justice. Giggling softly she reached up and stroked the gem at her throat while wishing she curl back into his arms again.

She realized the teas side effects might be kicking in when she had to tear her eyes away from Max to look over at Beatrix.

"Majesty would it..well would it be possible to get one of my nightdresses? Sleeping in a day dress isn't exactly the most comfortable thing." She felt foolish asking because she knew she was going to need help just to get to the bed, actually changing meant asking for more help and the thought of it made her blush as the image of getting Max to help her change ran through her mind. Rolling her eyes at her own foolishness she laughed at herself quietly.

"I'm likely to need help changing as well and I don't think I should drink any more of this tea tonight or I won't be able to vouch for my behavior. It seems Max really wasn't kidding about it's side effects."

 

[only_more_so]

Max felt a strong... yearning through his link to the jewel. This is going to get interesting Max thought. It is a very good thing that the sheets were getting changed. The feelings were getting stronger, and Max knew he had to get out of there quickly.

"Mother, could you please make sure that Skye gets to bed alright. I have to go. I'm sure father needs to talk to me. I'm sure that's why he sent Quint with the clothes."

Hearing his name called the boy perked up and looked over at Max. "No, Prince Maximillian. He said I should get you clothes because a clothed prince is a prince who stays out of trouble." He scratched his head for a moment and said, "But Prince David was stark naked all yesterday! Do you think he's in trouble?"

More trouble than you know... "No, as a matter of fact that's what I need to see my father about. Now run along and tell him I'm on my way," Max said and patted Quint on the head as he streaked out the door.

"Skye, I have to go, but my mother and Claire will see to your needs. Bye for now." He bowed slightly, turned to his mother and gave her another bow and then all but ran from the room.

 

[caela]

"Skye, I have to go, but my mother and Claire will see to your needs. Bye for now." He bowed slightly, turned to his mother and gave her another bow and then all but ran from the room.

Skye was both disappointed and amused as Max fled the room. Disappointed because she couldn't look at him anymore and amused because he practically sprinted out of there and she realized he must have been catching some of her desire through the jewel. Part of her thought that perhaps she should take it off so that he wouldn't have to feel what she was feeling through it but when she reached up to untie it she found that whatever compulsion had made him give it to her also kept her from taking it off and she found her fingers caressing the gem instead of removing it.

Beatrix noticed that Skye couldn't seem to remove the gem that Max had given her and the Queen felt a shiver of trepidation but she smiled warmly at Skye, "You seem quite drawn to that little gem my dear, is there something Max neglected to tell me about it?"

Skye looked at the Queen for a moment before a blush colored her cheeks and she nodded gently, her voice soft and sleepy, "It connects us somehow. I can reach him through it and he can reach me through it as well."

That did give the Queen pause. Was it a good idea for these two to be connected in such a way? According to the terms of the curse Skye was meant for the older brother, for David, and yet the magic of the land seemed to be conspiring to bind Skye to Max instead. She wouldn't force Skye to remove the gem just yet, she wanted to do some reading first, see if there had ever been a set of twin Princes before. Perhaps the land itself was trying to tell them something or perhaps Max and Skye were simply being thrown together too often but until she was sure she wouldn't mess with an object that obviously carried such a strong compulsion. She might end up hurting Skye or Max...or worse both.

Reaching out however she did draw Skyes fingers away from the gem with a small grin on her face, "If it connects you dear please try not to touch it just now. You'll be sending Max pulses of your own boosted desires and he is trying to talk to his father."

That made Skye laugh and she dropped her hands down to her lap, "Poor Max. I didn't even think about that. I just feel drawn to it. I think I need more sleep."

"Sleep you shall have dear. Ah! Here's Claire with your nightdress."

It was a bit of a trick but Claire helped a blushing Skye change from her gown into the the flimsy nightdress. It was long and swirled around her ankles but the material felt like it was made of air and Skye could hardly believe that it wasn't see through but the deep black material was as opaque as the thicker material of her gown had been and concealed everything it was supposed to. With a bit of help from Claire and Beatrix she was put back into the bed and tucked in like a little girl.

She wanted to say thank you but her eyes were already drifting closed and she thought, though wasn't sure, she heard Beatrix telling Claire to stay with her and to have a cup of tea ready for her when she woke.

 

[poohlive]

"Well, to be honest no one ever really ties it, "David said, but he pushed himself into the curtained area anyway. She was waiting for him, done up. Her exposed back was only partially covered on each side by the papert slip. It looked like some comical attempt at clothing.

"Most people trust doctors, and you should too. Serena, you trust him. If he says something silly or weird, like open your mouth or something, you just let him. Tell him where it hurts and be honest with him. If you feel uncomfortable just look at me. I can help you out as best I can."

He tied up the top strings together. They seemed to hold the frilly piece up at the top. The midsections switched around and did not quite leave her ass hanging out in the wind. Soft and gentle curves slipped just inches below his finger tips and David had to stop himself from just touching her.

The doctor came in once David sat back down and said it was ok. He was followed by the nurse, who gave David more than one stern look as she began reading charts and running around the room setting it up.

"So," He looked down at the chart, "Serena is it? What seems to be the problem?"

 

[only_more_so]

As Max strode through the castle corridors, he reflected back on the events of the past few... well hours. Had it only been that long? How had he made such a hash of things in such a short period of time?

Max had to stop in the corridor for a moment as an intense wave of sensations nearly overwhelmed him. Where had that crystal come from and why had Max given it to Skye? Max pondered these questions as he walked toward a meeting with his father. A walk which was made all the more difficult by the pants he knew he had thrown away because they were too tight through the crotch and bottom.

Finally Max made it to the anteroom which adjoined the less formal throne room. Max threw himself into one of the chairs with an unusual display of casualness. Max felt his controlled life slipping through his fingers. He felt a moment of intense panic, followed by the now familiar stroking of the crystal. A feeling quickly followed by the sensation that his mother wanted to have a long talk with him, and he wouldn't enjoy the conversation.

The door to the throne room was opened by young Quint and King Charles strode through the opening. His eyes lit up when he saw Maximillian up and about. He quickly went over and hugged his son, his eyes bright with unsheddable tears.

"It is so good to see you up and about, son," the king said. He finally released Max from his firm grip and held him at arm's length. "We have to talk, and not just about that brother of yours and Serena."

The king glanced at Quint, the guards and various retainers who followed him everywhere. He turned to Max and said, "but first you need to honor the dead for forbidding you passage." Max nodded, and he and his father proceeded to the crypts. When the royal family had to speak of sensitive matters, they did so in a room adjoining the crypts. A room that no one outside of the family knew existed, since no one outside of the royal family ever went to the crypts. It wasn't just that the law forbade them, or that they respected the royal family, it was because they were deathly afraid.

Max and the King proceeded in a suitable somber silence. The guards stopped before a set of doors marking the entry to the crypts. Young Quint proceeded until the stairs when Max released him with a flick of the hand. The two royals proceeded downward into the darkness.

Eventually they made it to the secret room amoungst the crypts. There was still no light, but neither man needed it. Max was still in a reflective mood and so the King started, "So it seems your brother followed Serena into another world and managed to leave behind his means of returning to this world. Meanwhile your brother's fiancee, the chosen one, nearly kills herself using magic, and ends up spending the night in bed with you. Neither of these are common knowledge or we would have panic on our hands. Creatures are starting to appear in the fog, and we can't risk a transit until the next full moon, which is still two nights away. Then we must decide whether to trade for much needed supplies, or risk a rescue of your brother." The king's tone made it clear that rescuing Serena did not enter into the equation.

"Risk a rescue?!?" Max was incredulous. "How can we risk not bringing David back? He is to be king, he is supposed to get married and end the curse." Max spat out the last part, hating that he believed it to be true. Max's anger took a hold of him and he had to respond to the accusation against him, "and for your information, nothing happened between Skye and me! And it wasn't because I'm gay or impotent or whatever the current rumor is. I refuse to be like my uncle, or my great uncle, or any of the other terrible younger twins. I will not father a bastard, and if that means celibacy for my entire life, so be it."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena looked at David and saw his indication that she should answer the Doctor. “My ankle Sir. It isn’t as bad as it was, but I figure that’s because where we come from we heal quickly. I thought it had broke and in all reality it probably did, but I can hobble on it a bit easier than before so it’s probably just really sore or bruised.”

The Doctor stared at her for a moment then looked at the nurse. The nurse replied, “She’s a special girl Doctor.”

“That’s very nice of you to say Miss,” Serena smiled. “David doesn’t think I’m special. He finds me annoying. Like some child. I’m not though... granted Yes I don’t understand everything around here, but I’ll learn in time. I mean it really isn’t my fault I’m hurt anywho... it’s David’s.”

David coughed and gave her a stern look. Serena immediately stopped her chatter. The Doctor stepped in front of David, blocking Serena’s view of her Prince. “Miss Serena... please don’t worry about him. He can’t hurt you. You’re with us. Tell me how is it his fault. Serena dear... what did he do to you.” Serena melting. The Doctor was willing to listen to her. When was the last time a stranger cared.

“Oh Sir... truly. I can tell you everything!” Serena sat up more confident then she’d been in a long time.

David coughed louder, “Serena.”

“Sir... she can speak here. Now if you’re scared about what she’ll say... perhaps we should call in security,” the nurse told him sternly. The nurse did look at the Doctor and say, “Remember Sir... she has shown signs of being special.”

The Doctor nodded his head in agreement. “Serena please continue.”

Taking a deep breath Serena began her story. “Sir... it all started when I saw how Prince David was and is really in love with the Chosen One Skye and how my mate was being chosen by my parents and how Skye didn’t want to be forced to marry David because she didn’t know him... I of course didn’t understand that; I mean look at him. Who wouldn’t want to marry David...even if he wasn’t an arrogant, ego-boosted, pain in the... well... He’s also quite handsome, funny, sensitive, caring, and wouldn’t harm a fairy...” she took a deep breath and noticed the two strangers looking at her in a funny way.

She couldn’t see David, but she had heard him cough a few times. “You know I don’t think this air is good for David. He’s coughing a lot... but back to the problem... The fairies... that reminds me, we were talking about my ankle... well I wanted to come back to Skye’s world... this one Earth and find my own mate, because what if I don’t like the ones my parents chose and I’m stuck with him. I mean that would be terrible, so I grabbed the magic beads and three maps of some of the Worlds we travel in. Of course David somehow found out and naturally he assumed it was me. Why?? I don’t know I mean... yes I was hiding in his closet and taking the beads, but he didn’t know that, anyone could have been in there it didn’t need to be me.”

“Umm... your ankle,” the Doctor said a look of concern on his face. “You’re a special woman... how did he hurt your ankle?”

“Oh... he didn’t do that. I did that when I tripped over a root and landed in the Fairy Ring and I heard it pop. I guess David either landed in it to or he took the same route, but since he followed me right into the garbage when we finally made to Earth, I figure he probably fell in too... because surely he’d have fallen somewhere better than the smelly garbage.. But that’s beside the point. Where we come is quite magical and well I don’t think the bone is broken now... see....”

Serena moved her ankle back and forth. She winced, but the pain wasn’t as excruciating as before. The Doctor shook his head in sadness. “Such a pretty woman too...” He tenderly touched her ankle and smiled at Serena in a gentle manner. “So this man has never hurt you?”

“Ohhhh goodness NO!” she cried.

“Thank God,” the Doctor said. “Nurse wrap it up tight and let her ummm... Prince take her umm... home.” He looked at David. “Sorry about your problem. She’ll be okay. I’ll have the nurse give you some Tylenol to give her for pain. But she probably never broke it, just sprained it.”

“I did break it... it just...” Serena stopped when she saw David’s glare.

“You’ve got to be a Prince to care for her,” the nurse said. She wrapped Serena’s ankle with the beige ace bandage and turned to see the Doctor having David sign some papers. “There you go deary, you’ll be fine soon.”

The nurse walked up to David and touched his shoulder. “You’re a sweet man to take care of your friend. Please keep her from the nasties of Vegas.” The nurse and the Doctor left the room. Serena smiled at David. “Wow... they were a lot nicer than I thought they’d be. See David they think I’m special... I don’t know why you don’t.”

 

[caela]

Beatrix made sure SKye was sleeping peacefully before she left the girl in Claire's care and went to find her son and her husband. She knew they'd be down in the crypts, it was the only place they could have a truly private conversation; even their chambers weren't entirely privates with servants coming and going but no servant would dare enter the family crypt.

Making her way down through the castle she entered the secret chamber just in time to hear Max blurting out, "How can we risk not bringing David back? He is to be king, he is supposed to get married and end the curse and for your information, nothing happened between Skye and me! And it wasn't because I'm gay or impotent or whatever the current rumor is. I refuse to be like my uncle, or my great uncle, or any of the other terrible younger twins. I will not father a bastard, and if that means celibacy for my entire life, so be it."

"Well that answers my question about how many other twins there've been," she said as she entered the room and moved to her husbands side. Leaning up she pressed a tender kiss to his cheek and smiled lovingly up at him, "Good morning darling, it seems we have an interesting situation at hand."

Looking between the two men Beatrix sighed softly. Max had gotten his temper and stubborness from his father and when they were at odd it could be explosive. She was glad they weren't often at odds with each other or it could tear their kingdom apart.

"Now then, both of you stop glaring. Charles, you should be glad that Skye's first fit of magic happened where it did. Imagine if that vision had gripped her while she was alone in her own room...we might have lost her entirely. As it is Max did exactly what was right and shared his own body heat to warm her just as she needed.

And Maximillian I'm sure your father didn't mean to accuse you of anything. You were too seriously wounded last night for anything to have happened physically. Of course that didn't stop things from happening magically did it son?"

She was gratified to see Max blush slightly and her husband looked confused so she explained to Charles, "They connected in their sleep. Somehow it seems that Skye entered Max's dreams or his mind, while there he felt compelled to give her a jewel, a jewel that she woke up with around her neck and carried it's own compulsion for her. She can't seem to take it off and if what I saw in her room is correct it connects them in some way.

I think we might need to consider the fact that the magic of this land might be making it's own play to pair up not Skye and David but Skye and Max...and why."

 

[only_more_so]

Max was thrown off balance by his mother's appearance. Not that he had been feeling very stable before then. Maybe he would end up like all the other younger twins, he already felt the pull toward the fog.

But there was disturbing about what his mother had said. How was it she hadn't known that there were always twin princes? Was there something about the curse that his father hadn't revealed to him?

"Father, there seems to be certain things that you never told mother about the curse. Although I find it incredulous to believe that she didn't know that ever since the curse began there were always twin princes born. It is hardly a state secret, especially with all the bastards they leave around."

"Frankly, son I am surprised you have been able to control yourself so long," The king said. "You probably didn't realize, but the maids, the female courtiers, and even the farm girls have been throwing themselves for years. They also conspired with each other to lace your food with damiana leaves. You probably haven't had tea that wasn't damiana since you were twelve. That doesn't even include the things they have been adding to your wine, or the spells they obtained from village witches. Some have even tried to sneak into your bed while you were asleep.

Don't look so shocked Maximillian. Giving birth to a royal bastard is not such a bad thing for a woman. They always receive money to ensure the child is raised well, and offered a permanent job in the palace, and a stipend to live on when they are too old to work. But you already knew all of that Max. And don't try to blame your mother, because her world is even more permissive of such things than ours. If you aren't gay and you aren't impotent, and you can't honestly believe it is because of siring a child, why is it?"

Max was aghast. Was his father suggesting he sleep around? But he was right, deep down he knew it wasn't about the making some girl pregnant. It was because... Max wanted love. His brother had fallen in love, and that had pushed all other women out of his mind. It was the surety that there could never be any one better.

"It's because of love, Charles," Beatrix said. Something clicked in her mind at that point. "That is why you never told me about the other twins, isn't it? So that both sons would be loved the same. That is why you were so quick to agree on postponing the announcement of the order of their birth. And now Max doesn't behave like the others, he is dutiful and upright."

Charles couldn't help but smile. His Bea might not have had the magic to lift the curse, but she was so much more than he could have hoped for. "Yes, they were all right bastards, figuratively speaking. They were all cast aside in favor of the older brother and rebelled or... My own brother withdrew into himself. When the time came for you to be brought over, he picked up his weapons, climbed on his horse and rode off into the fog."

 

[caela]

"Yes, they were all right bastards, figuratively speaking. They were all cast aside in favor of the older brother and rebelled or... My own brother withdrew into himself. When the time came for you to be brought over, he picked up his weapons, climbed on his horse and rode off into the fog."

Beatrix was horrified at what she heard. No wonder Charles hadn't wanted to announce which was the older twin until their personalities, and the fact that they were both well loved by all their people, were well established! She'd never have loved Max any less for being a second son but she could see how the people of the kingdom might have treated him differently because of it.

"Well Max isn't a "right bastard" and he isn't seeking to sire any. I'm going to talk to all of the servants and if I catch even a whisper that his food is continuing to be laced with damiana, spells, or anything else meant to induce his hormones into overriding his judgement the servant and the culprit will be answering to me.

None of this answers the other problem we have however. Magic is binding him to Skye when it should be binding her to David. If the magic of your world wants her with Max, and she and Max love each other, is it fair to force her to marry David still? Then none of them will every truly be happy."

She spoke to her husband but her gaze moved between son and husband. She was no fool and could see already that her son was attached to Skye by more than just magic, he cared for her deeply, perhaps already loved her and that worried Beatrix. She wanted both of her sons to be happy and it was starting to look like that wasn't going to be possible.

* * *

Skye tossed and turned in her sleep. Her dreams were conflicted and she kept getting images of Max and his parents in a dark room somewhere talking about her but it was jumbled and confused and she pushed the images away. Among them were normal dreams as well including the dream of Max surrounded by children and David on a throne with a woman he wasn't happy with. She still couldn't see the woman in her dream but she got the sense this time that it was the same woman in both instances. After that her dreams shifted once more, becoming more menacing. She found herself shrouded in fog and could hear beasts coming for her but she couldn't see from where, she could only feel their approach and hear the clicking of their talons as they drew closer.

Groaning softly she wasn't even aware of reaching up and gripping the jewel around her neck tightly, her distress as she was trapped in her dreams flooding it and transmitting itself to Max. She jerked awake with a soft cry, and found Claire nearby fretting over her obviously bad dreams.

"It's alright Princess, it was just a bad dream. Here have another cup of tea, it will help calm your nerves," the young maid said offering her the cup of damiana tea.

Skye shook her head gently and pulled the blankets tighter around her, "No. Thank you Claire but if you'd just bring me some water please I'd greatly appreciate it....And please, call me Skye not Princess and tell everyone else I said not to call me Princess too," she said in a mildly petulant tone.

Claire just smiled indulgently at the tone. She'd dealt with more than one person just coming out of a nightmare and knew the tone was meant more for the dream that had woken the poor girl than for her. Pouring out the water she took it to the Princess and held the glass for her while she drank it.

"Try to rest Skye. You need your sleep. If your dreams keep haunting you I can call the doctor and he can give you something to push you into a deeper sleep so that they won't bother you."

"Thank you, Claire," Skye murmured and curled back up into a small ball in the bed. She drifted back off into a restless sleep but this time her dreams didn't torment her.

 

[only_more_so]

Max let himself feel a moment of hope. Could it be possible? He had never intended to fall in love with Skye. Before she arrived, Max could see what made David love her. She was beautiful, and had a grace about her. But when he met her and started talking to her, it just happened. He had denied it himself at first, but nearly dying put things into perspective.

Then the king said, "You will not talk to the servants about what I have said here today, Beatrix. Maximillian clearly has control, and to show any signs of uncertainty, or lack of control at this point could be catastrophic for the kingdom. Just as we cannot let anyone know that David and Serena disappeared through a gateway."

This was the first time the King had truly given the queen an order and her anger simmered. A part of her heart knew what he said was true, but she didn't have to like it, and she definately didn't have to like being told what to do.

The king knew lonely nights were ahead for him, and probably plenty of damiana in his food as a twist of the knife, but the kingdom was more important. "We have to decide what to do about David and Serena. According to the law, she should be banished, and executed if she should return. But David we must find and bring back. There is no telling what chaos would ensue if the heir were suddenly known to be missing."

Max felt his hopes being dashed on the rocks of reality. He knew his father was right, that David must be brought back which likely meant he would marry Skye. He also knew that while he was capable of being king, the kingdom would be in chaos if David went missing.

Max finally spoke, "The full moon is coming soon, and that is the time to go, when the land's magic is at its strongest, and the curse is at it's weakest. It will also allow the magic tides to recover from Serena's two ill-advised trips. The five days in a moment could also prove important, if David is not waiting at the portal. It will mean that I may not be able to return with supplies."

"You will have plenty of time to get supplies, Max," Beatrix said suddenly. "Because I am going to go and bring back David. You and Skye will have just enough time to familiarize me with her world. Don't think to stop me Charles, as you said we can't upset the people. If suddenly the princes were to return without supplies, the people would be pretty upset."

The king recognized that he was cornered. "So be it. The only question that remains is what should be done with Princess Skye."

At that moment, Max wished that he had a crystal to touch. While he could connect through her crystal, it wasn't as tangible.

 

[caela]

The king recognized that he was cornered. "So be it. The only question that remains is what should be done with Princess Skye."

Beatrix was not happy with her husband and it showed in her eyes when she looked at him. Twice she'd mentioned to him that the land itself seemed to be pushing the girl away from David and both times he'd ignored her comments and now he was speaking about the poor girl as if she nothing more than an inconvenience.

"There's nothing to be done with her Charles. She needs to be taught to control her magic obviously or we risk losing her if it overwhelms her again. We know she can see at a distance and from the doctors shock at how quickly Max's wounds had healed she might have a talent for healing as well. She's going to have to take damiana tea until she learns control."

Looking over at Max she paused to see if he would have anything to add before she continued, "And we are not banishing or executing Serena. Obviously she needs to be punished but if she's flighty and headstrong we're just as much to blame as she is. We've indulged her antics in the past because she was close to the boys, if she thought we'd indulge this as well we've only ourselves to blame for it.

Her parents are two of our best Travelers and are even now seeking a mate for her. When she returns we'll confine her to her room and she will have a quiet wedding on her parents return to whomever they've chosen for her. Perhaps a husband will give her the maturity and responsibilty that we didn't take the time to instill in her."

Looking to her husband as she spoke the look in her eyes dared him have the gall to contradict her. She was already unhappy with him and he knew her well enough to know that when she got that expression arguing with her would likely have him bunking in with one of his sons.

 

[poohlive]

David had felt another agument coming on, heated and strong within him. He would shout at her for not obeying him, tear her a new one for getting them stuck in this stupid predicament and then not even listening when he offers what little information he has on this planet to just spout off a story to some unknown doctors. God, she could be so...

But, that look on her face melted away the rest of that sentence inside him. She looked happy, and healthy. Two looks he hadn't seen on her in a long time. In the end, he just shrugged his shoulders.

"You're right Serena. I'm sorry. I think you're special too. I was just mad at you for a moment. It is gone now. Don't worry, ok? You are special, and a lot stronger than I ever gave you credit for. Now, what's say we get out of here, ok?"

He helped her to her feet, and out of the hospital. A nurse at the front desk showed him the bill. Two hundred dollars to look at her leg and listen to her life story, before coming up with the same diagnosis he did in the back alley, and do pretty much the same thing as well. He laid th money down and walked away, biting his lower lip.

But, there was a sigh of relief when they finally passed the doors and got back into a cab. Cabs were everywhere in this city. Couldn't turn around without spotting at least a few of them.

"The cheapest motel in Vegas," He said, counting out the rest of his money in his head. A room for a week plus food and basic toiletries, and that would just about tap him out. He would need to spend a few hours in the room thinking, coming up with a plan to get them out of here.

 

[only_more_so]

"There's nothing to be done with her Charles. She needs to be taught to control her magic obviously or we risk losing her if it overwhelms her again. We know she can see at a distance and from the doctors shock at how quickly Max's wounds had healed she might have a talent for healing as well. She's going to have to take damiana tea until she learns control."

"Bea," The king said as calmly as he could. "That isn't what I meant. What should be done with her in terms of rescuing David, and retrieving Serena. Her help would be very valuable because even though Max and David have studied other worlds, they cannot be as expert on her world as she is. But can we risk allowing her back on her world again? Also, can we risk having only one magic user left here?"

"Father, we could talk to her about it, rather than making decisions for her." Max knew he was letting some of his feelings for her show, but his mother already knew and it would take a more direct statement to make his father see. "We should wake her by midafternoon and get her moving about some, even though she will still be tired. Plus she will need to eat. We can discuss this all with her then. Until then we need to begin arrangements for the travelling."

Max was quiet for a moment. This was the most forceful he had been in front of his parents and it felt strange. Strange and wonderful. Then something occured to him, "I don't think it was Skye that healed me, although I am sure she would have. Even if I were asleep I would have felt her trying to work the healing magic and I would not have let her. I think it was that strange place I found myself in, and perhaps the crystal."

"What is this nonsense about a crystal you two keep talking about?" The king exclaimed as much as asked.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

The cab moved through Vegas and Serena sat with David quietly in the back. Her thoughts were kept to herself, as she contemplated the first place she’d look for her mate. She thought about asking David, but she had this feeling that he’d just laugh at her. He had his mate, what was he worried about. She didn’t and she knew there was no way to make him understand, after all he was in love with Skye and he didn’t need to worry about his future. He was a Prince who would one day be King. She was a maid in a castle who would one day be a mother. She blew her hair from her bangs and noticed the Taxi pulling up in front of a run down building. “Oh my,” she whispered.

She’d been curious where they were going, now she was concerned and no longer curious. “We can’t stay here driver. Please take us somewhere else.” She turned her face toward the glass, expecting to be obeyed, but when she saw more of what she assumed to be money pass to the driver and David exit the car she groaned.

She followed him in, her ankle a minor problem for her now. She down two of the little white seeds and the pain was limited now. As David spoke with the man at the counter Serena walked around looking at the interior of the establishment. It seemed dark and the floor looked as if it hadn’t received a proper cleaning. She saw the evidence of rodent droppings on the floor and even found a few bugs. “Oh David, surely not!” she exclaimed.

He took a key from the man and guided her to a set of stairs. They went up two floors and then David found the room they needed. With the key in hand he opened the door and let Serena inside. She stepped in and immediately turned around and walked out. “I’m not staying in this place. I can not bring a mate here to meet me. I will not do it David.”

 

[caela]

"I don't think it was Skye that healed me, although I am sure she would have. Even if I were asleep I would have felt her trying to work the healing magic and I would not have let her. I think it was that strange place I found myself in, and perhaps the crystal."

"What is this nonsense about a crystal you two keep talking about?" The king exclaimed as much as asked.

At that Beatrix patience with her husband reached it's end, "If you'd bothered to listen to anyone's voice but your own the whole time we've been down here I've tried to tell you twice what crystal.

Max, you might be right. We aren't sure where exactly you two were but if Skye didn't heal you than it seems likely the magic binding you did. I don't think I've heard of it happening before but it might be a good idea for you to check the library and see if you can find anything in the magic books about this happening before. Check the older tomes, the ones with the more esoteric information," she said mentioning the older books almost as an afterthought.

She deliberatly didn't bother explaining to Charles what they were talking about. If he'd listened to her earlier when she'd come down he'd know now he could suffer for a bit in confusion. It was something she'd done before when he got too caught up in the sound of his own voice. She'd found early in their marriage that his natural curiousity could be used against him when he knew he'd missed something she'd said. If he'd missed it because he simply had chosen not to listen she'd make him wait before she'd explain it again. Initially she'd had to do it alot, he'd been raised a Prince after all and was used to his every word being hung on but he'd learned quickly to listen to his Queen.

From time to time however he needed a reminder, especially when it came to dealing with their sons who he still sometimes saw as children.

"I'll see about getting Skye something to eat, you're right she'll need food and to move around. Why don't you come up to her room around midafternoon as you suggested. We can talk to her while she eats and then you can help her to walk around a bit. Clair and I won't be strong enough to lift her if it's needed and I don't want her exposed to too many people while she taking the damiana but she's already been exposed to you and somehow I don't think keeping you seperated would do any good when it seems you can walk each others minds."

She gave Max a warm smile so that he knew there was no accusation in words just simple fact. They did need to know where those two had gone while they slept and her husband might be able to help them so she at last turned to him and laughed softly at the highly confused look on his face.

"Ready to listen now darling?" at his nod she once more explained what Max and Skye had told her about the strange bonding experience they'd shared and the jewel that Max had felt compelled to give her and that the same compulsion seemed to keep Skye from taking it off. "As I tried to tell you before love it seems the very magic surrounding them is seeking to bond them to each other. Has such a thing occured before that you know of?"

 

[only_more_so]

Max left his parents in the secret room off the crypts. He hoped they would make up soon, although he wasn't too worried. He decided to only make a perfunctory visit to the crypts, just in case they got too enthusiastic in their making up.

As he walked past the room on his way back to the main portion of the castle he could hear them talking in soft voices. He decided not to try to make out what they were saying, just in case it was embarrassing.

He climbed the stairs and was grateful for whatever healing he had recieved. It was a long climb in good health, it would have taken him an hour if he were still injured. Quint was still standing vigil at the top of the stairs, looking a bit pale and skittish.

"Come along Quint, we have work to do." Max knew he couldn't take the boy to the private library, but he wouldn't leave him at the crypt. "I'm going to the private library to do some research, but I want you to do some research as well. Did you see the necklace that Skye was wearing this morning?"

Quint blushed slightly and nodded. "I want you to go to the gallery and looked at all of the paintings and see if you can find the same necklace anywhere. After you check there, check the other paintings in the castle. Can you do that?"

The laxidasical nod indicated the boy understood, but wasn't convinced it was an important task. "Go on then Quint, and when you are done, wait for me outside of Serena's room, where Skye is napping. If the queen shows up before I do, you can tell her what you found."

Max left the boy shuffling toward the gallery, and hurried to the library. He went immediately to the furthest corner, to where the oldest books were stored. He started with the the tomes on magic. He was impatient and flipped through the pages quickly, hoping to find something.

 

[caela]

Skye yawned and stretched when she woke once more. This time though it wasn't from a nightmare but was the simple rise to conciousness of a body that no longer wanted to sleep. She didn't want to get up though either. Rolling over she saw Claire sleeping in her chair and smiled softly wondering just how long the poor girl had been up watching her. She didn't think she'd slept that long and a glance at the window told her that unless she'd slept through til the next day it was only around midday.

Drawing her blankets tighter around her her body she reached up and absently stroked the gem around her throat while wondering what Max was doing. As she wondered an image of him formed in her mind, bent over a book and flipping through it impatiently. She could see the small shiver that told her he felt her watching him and she smiled once more. Knowing she shouldn't be using magic and feeling better for having seen him she drew her mind back and was startled to find that she didn't feel in the least bit tired.

Claire however was awake now and looking worried. Obviously the fact that she'd tapped into the same magic that had her bedridden scared the girl.

"Princess Skye! You shouldn't be using magic! You're already stuck in bed because of it and if you keep using it you'll just weaken yourself more."

"I'm sorry Claire. I just needed to know where..." her voice trailed off quietly, she didn't think she should admit that it was Max she was spying on.

"Where Prince Max was?" the maid asked with a laugh. "Don't worry Princess...Skye. It's natural. You'd been drinking damiana tea before he left and since you obviously aren't into girl the teas properties drew you to him. Half the women in the kingdom are drawn to him without the tea, no one would blame you for being drawn to him while drinking it. That's not going to go away anytime soon though. Here's a fresh cup to help keep your vision from overtaking you again."

Skye took the cup of tea with a smile though she was still blushing at being quite so obvious in her desire for Max. At least the maid seemed willing to blame it on the tea...Skye herself didn't. She hadn't had any tea after all when she'd entered Max's dreamspace and she'd wanted him there as well. Every touch had been electric between them and she'd felt that electricity again when they'd woken though she'd been too weak to act on it.

"Drink it all Skye, the Queen won't be happy if she thinks I'm doing a poor job taking care of you."

"If anyone even whispers such a thing I'll tell them different Claire," she said with a smile as she drank the tea. It wouldn't become her favorite by any means but it wasn't horrible either. As she drank it she could feel its effects on her and had to fight the urge to caress the gem around her neck. SHe knew if she did that Max would feel it and he'd been trying so hard to find something in those books, she didn't want to disturb him any further.

 

[only_more_so]

Max was still flipping through the tomes of magic when he felt Skye awaken. Actually he felt her questing out for him as soon as she woke, before she was quite conscious of what she was doing. Such a limited use of magic shouldn't weaken her very much, and maybe the jewel's magic did the communication instead of drawing power from her exhausted body. Her deliciously supple body. Max shook his head sharply to try to clear it.

What had he been thinking about? Of course, the jewel providing the magic. That is what had triggered the thought deep inside Max's memory. He shut the tome on working magic and searched anxiously for another book. A book that was mostly forgotten, except for the one page on the seeds that had been copied into other newer books.

Max quickly found the slim volume and placed in on the table. Unlike the other books on magic, this one did not cater to or even allow for the novice user. It entirely skipped the basics of magic theory and launched immediately into the complexities of magic. Max remembered being frustrated by the books esoteric nature on a number of occcasions. He skimmed the first few chapters that dealt with the storage of natural magic in living organisms. Not just how to create the seeds to allow travel back from other worlds, but how to use the magic stored in trees as reserves when confronted by overwhelming forces, and how to use the river's magic to aid farming. The second to last chapter of the book was written with a very different tone than the previous chapters, and that is the chapter that captured Max's thoughts.

The chapter dealt with the magic of the inanimate. It mentioned magic devices of great power that should be feared. The pages were incredibly vague on whether the devices were created, or had existed previously. There wasn't even a description of any such device being found or used. It almost sounded like the author believed such things were theoretically possible, but not real. Max read the chapter three times, trying to coerce some useful knowledge from the pages, but to no avail.

The book's final chapter was even less useful than the previous chapter. Each word made sense, and he couldn't find any flaws in the language, but Max just couldn't understand any of it. The words turned to gibberish as soon as he read them. There were diagrams with geometrical shapes, but Max just couldn't figure out what they were meant to represent.

After scanning the chapter twice and understanding none of it Max slowly closed the tome. He left the colume lying on the table and decided to ask his mother later if she could make sense of it.

He quickly checked the time and realized he should be heading down to see Skye soon. How had that much time passed? He checked the books to make sure he had returned them to the proper places and his hands deftly plucked a thin red book from the very top shelf.

As he walked down to Serena's room he felt a certain sense of gaiety invading his heart. Even with all the craziness going on in the kingdom, he was really happy to be seeing Skye again. He didn't even realize that he was still carrying the book.

He knocked politely on the door, and it was soon opened by Claire. "Hello Claire," Max said as the door opened. He stepped around the opening door and looked down on Skye who was propped up in bed. Seeing that some of the color returned to her cheeks he smiled, and said, "Good afternoon, Skye. I hope you are feeling better." As he said this he placed the book on the bed next to Skye, and then moved to sit in the chair next to the bed.

"I see my mother hasn't arrived yet, but she will be bringing food shortly. Also Quint might show up, but I think I sent him on a wild goat chase." As Max spoke he saw Skye picking something red up from her bed. "What's that you have there?"

 

[caela]

"Hello Claire."

Skye had felt him drawing closer to the room but a smile curved her lips when she actually heard his voice. Self conciously she tucked stray strands of her hair back behind her ears and looked up at his shyly as he sat down and greeted her. She saw the book he dropped but she paid it no mind initially so caught up on just looking at him as she was.

"I'm feeling much better thank you Max," she said at last and picked up the book he'd dropped. It was lovely really with a red cover in a soft supple leather that she just wanted to caress and hold.

"I see my mother hasn't arrived yet, but she will be bringing food shortly. Also Quint might show up, but I think I sent him on a wild goat chase." As Max spoke he saw Skye picking something red up from her bed. "What's that you have there?"

Skye giggled softly at the "wild goat chase" comment and felt her stomach rumble at the mention of food. She was surprised she was hungry but once she thought of it she was suddenly ravenous and was startled to realize that what she really craved was meat. She wasn't a vegetarian by any means but she'd rarely felt a craving this strong and figured her body probably needed the protein after such an energy expenditure.

Glancing down at her hands she looked from the book to Max and confusion showed on her face, "Just a book. You brought it with you Max, I figured you thought I'd be bored stuck in this bed and had brought me something to read but I can't seem to read this language so you have to come here and and help me. I can pick out a word here and there but it just doesn't quite all make sense."

 

[only_more_so]

"Just a book. You brought it with you Max, I figured you thought I'd be bored stuck in this bed and had brought me something to read but I can't seem to read this language so you have to come here and and help me. I can pick out a word here and there but it just doesn't quite all make sense."

Max sat down on the bed next to Skye, with a puzzled look on his face. "You say that I brought the book? But I have never even seen it before! May I see it?"

Now they both shared the puzzled look and Max turned the book over in his hands. The red leather binding was incredibly smooth, and the gold lettering still showed clearly. The words on the cover simply said 'Diary'. But Skye was right, there was something about the text that made it hard to understand. He could clearly read the letters, the letters clearly formed a word, and going through each letter in sequence he was able to discern the word.

There was a knock at the door and the Queen bustled in followed by a train of servants. They came in bearing covered serving trays, and set them on Serena's small table. Another servant set down a stack of plates, and a set of glasses. There was also a fresh kettle of tea, a couple of bottles of wine and two carafes of juice.

"Up girl, no dwaddling in bed with Max while there is food to be eaten. You must regain your strength. I didn't know what you like, so I had them bring up a variety. I know you must be craving meat, but do remember to eat your vegetables as well, or at least some fruit, you really do need the vitamins." While the Queen was saying all of this she was busy getting Skye out of bed and to the table with a plate in her hand. She also shooed all the servants out. "And don't forget to drink the tea," the queen added.

When she was done with that she looked at the book in Max's hands. "Where on earth did you find that Max? My goodness, it is written in Fairy!" The queen dropped the book back onto the bed as if it were on fire and sat in the chair.

Picking up the book, Max muttered the incantation to read Fairy and realized that his mother was correct. But there were no Fairy books, only the monoliths, and stones near the circles. Opening the first page he realized whose diary it was.

 

[poohlive]

"I'm done arguing with you, Serena." David said as he scooped her up and carried her into the room. It was a rather awkward way of christening the cheap motel room, but David had few other options. If she was going to drag her ass the entire way he would just need to help her understand that his way was the only way that would keep them alive.

At least for the time being.

"It's just for a few days, ok?" He said, setting her on the bed. Two of them sat only a few feet away from each other. She had the one closest to the window, which showed a lovely view down to the pool. Brown and green algea floated inside of the piss poor yellow water. David took only a second before he closed the drapes, letting the shadows cover up the worst parts of the room.

"Quit fighting me, Serena. You have to understand I'm not trying to punish you... I'm not bering mean, I'm just trying to help get us out of here. None of us are in any shape to be wandering around Vegas. We need a place to hide up while we get some essentials. Food, clothes and money."

Money was short. He spread a hundred bucks down on the small dresser that had one single t.v. An old fashioned thing that still sprouted bunny ears on top of it. He gave a small smile at that, but then ruffled through the dresser drawers.

A pair of jeans too big and a Hawaiian T-shirt that would scream he was a tourist. He sighed, it was the best he could get at the moment. Beggars could not be choosers.

"Serena, I need to know if you're going to help me. You really want to find a mate here, ok I understand that. I'll even help you. I know this world, I can make you see the best and brightest candidates, a husband that will love and treat you like the princess you really are. But, you need to help me too, ok? That is the new deal now, if you help me then I will help you."

 

[caela]

"You say that I brought the book? But I have never even seen it before! May I see it?"

Skye laughed softly and nudged Max lightly with her shoulder as he sat down beside her, "Yes you brought it. You certainly don't think I went to the library to fetch it do you?" she asked with an impish grin. It was obvious that neither she nor Claire had gone after the book so he must have brought it. "I think you were studying to hard Max and just forgot grabbing it."

While Max was studying the diary the Queen came bustling in with what looked like an army of servants to Skye. She could smell the food they carried and didn't argue when the Queen came over and started helping her out of bed, "Up girl, no dwaddling in bed with Max while there is food to be eaten. You must regain your strength. I didn't know what you like, so I had them bring up a variety. I know you must be craving meat, but do remember to eat your vegetables as well, or at least some fruit, you really do need the vitamins."

Settling in at the table Skye took a large serving of whatever form of meat it was they'd brought. She didn't really care what it was just then, her body was craving the protein so much that it could have been nearly anything and she would have eaten it. She'd always been more of a fruit than vegetable person so she also took a large serving of some sort of melon and some berries as well. To her it all tasted like heaven and she tried to remember if she'd ever had a meal that tasted so good.

She only paused in her ravenous eating when she heard the Queen exclaiming that the book was written in Fairy and she saw Max practically drop it like it had burned him. Why was the fact that it was written in Fairy something that seemed to frighten both of them so? Looking quizically between Beatrix and Max she realized they were both just staring at the book as if it might bite them.

Finally she asked, "Is it being written in Fairy a bad thing? Whose diary is it? Max brought it but he doesn't even remember picking it up in the library, could it have the answer to whatever he was looking for so studiously in those old books?"

She didn't get any further when her stomach rumbled loudly voicing it's protest that she'd stopped eating. With a soft laugh she patted her stomach and murmured, "Yes, yes I'll eat stop growling at me," before she dug back into the food before her. She took seconds of everything and thirds of the meat the Queen had had brought and she was amazed at how hungry she was but once she'd eaten it all she did feel better. She could almost feel her body absorbing the nutrients it so desperatly needed. In between bites she sipped at her tea as the Queen had told her and was glad to note that the food she ate seemed to dilute it's effects somewhat.

"Much better. Thank you Beatrix so much. I knew I was hungry but I didn't realize I was ravenous."

"It's perfectly normal dear. Expending as much magical energy as you did uses a lot of energy. Once you learn to focus that energy and control the magic it won't leave you so drained but until then it can sap the very life force from your body."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena was still reeling from being unceremoniously dropped on the bed. She pushed her hair back and stared at David with eyes that would have scared the unruliest of boys back at the castle. However, as soon as he said he’d help her find a mate her eyes grew wide and her pulse raced. He was going to help her. “How wonderful,” she thought to herself. She grinned and knew that David would be one of the best men to help her find someone between Max and him who else knew her better? No one!

Moving from the bed she limped over to him and threw her arms around his neck, hugged him tight, and kissed his lips quickly. She stepped back and her smile was still lighting up the room. “Oh David! Thank you! That’s all I want. I want to find someone who will love me... though David he has to love me for me. I can’t be prim and proper. I’ve tried.”

She kissed him again then released him and went back to the bed. She lay down on her stomach, her feet by the pillows, and propped her head up with the palms of her hands. “Where do we start? I’m sure we can get money from the treasury... I mean David you’re a Prince and I’m sure that their Kingdom will recognize you once you tell them the problems. In the meantime... David I’ll need to hunt for a good mate. I’m not looking to be a Princess... I just want to have what you have with Skye. I want him to love me the way you love her.”

Rolling onto her stomach she contemplated how to find her mate. “I can’t flirt David, I don’t know how. Perhaps you’ll have to teach me that. I also know that you think I’m not the brightest jewel in the keep, but if you’ll take the time to teach me and explain things to me I’ll learn.” She looked at him from the position on the bed. “I’ll not argue any more. I’ll no longer talk of our world. I’ll just be what Skye was that first day... an unfamiliar traveler... I think you call them tourist here in this world. I’ll be a tourist and just follow where you lead me.”

She felt wonderful. David was here with her. He was going to find her a mate. She would be a good wife. She’d have loads of children. David could then go back and wed Skye and Max... she stopped for a moment and sighed. Max would what? Max would be miserable, because Max was in love with Skye. Serena sighed and groaned. “David... are you sure you love Skye? I mean... if you didn’t have to marry her... would she be the choice for you? I mean... if she wasn’t the Chosen one and you found someone on this planet while I was looking for my mate... would you still want to marry Skye?”

 

[poohlive]

"That's a tough question to answer," David said, putting his head under the sink and letting the water pour over him. It felt good, cooling him and making his pores shiver in delight. That's what he needed. With a smile, David grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his head.

"In the wrong group of people, that question could be treason, and so would anything I answer," He sighed, sitting down on the bed next to her.

"I thought I did, I thought I loved her and she was the one for me. Ever since she's come to me though, it's been nothing more than one fight after another. I can not get anything right. I think... I think we're just too far apart. Our worlds are just too different. And I don't mean her world here and my world there. We are just two different people, and the fact that we are pushed together like this has just been angering and confusing her to no end. I can't even get a private moment with her to tell her how I feel... not that she would listen anyway.

"If I were given a choice, I would let her go, and love whoever she wanted. And then I would marry whoever Mother and Father told me, and be a king. I would hate every day of my life, but I would live it because it is expected of me."

David let the towel come off his head, hair no longer dripping water, but it still hung from his head in a mass of damp curls. He threw it back into the small bathroom before looking down at Serena.

"But I'm going to give you a choice I never had. You can have whatever mate you want. I promise he'll love you for you, and not some cheesy flirty whore. Do not worry about it, Serena. I can teach you anything you need. Just ask."