Earth and Spirit Part 2

Maeve paced in her throne room. She had been gone too long. Peace had been brought to the two kingdoms and the queen could not let that be.
"Torc!" She was angry. All her guards had been relieved of their posts long ago. She had no soldiers, no army, nothing lead her attack on Kells.
The general rushed up to her. "Yes, my Queen."
"Find soldiers, now. I need to raise my army." She glared at him.
He turned to leave, but her voice stopped him. "This must be in secret, Torc. Kells will be none the wiser."
Torc nodded and left. He knew that if didn't get an army together soon, that Maeve would take it out on him.
A bright green light came from the far side of the room. One of the rune stones flared momentarily. Maeve looked at them. She could hardly believe that she had the rune stones. Though if it hadn't been for that toy knight, she wouldn't have them in her possession at all.
Maeve cackled. The stones flared again. A green flame appeared from within one of the stones. It grew larger and larger until it took on the form of a man.
Mider stretched and smiled. "Mider is happy to be free from his prison. Mider needs to stretch his legs." The dark faerie glanced around the throne room. "No guards?"
"My soldiers were dismissed after the incident with Mystic Knights. I have sent Torc to enlist more soldiers." She said, her voice icy.
Mider nodded. "Mider thinks we must take care of some business. A certain Mystic Knight will pay for what she has done to Mider and his subjects."
Maeve sneered, then began laughing. Mider cackled along with her.

The celebration lasted well into the night. All the knights were tired and as they made their way to their rooms, they congratulated Breaca and Angus and their happiness. Breaca could still sense that something was amiss with Rohan and Deirdre. She knew what it was, but was positive that neither of them would answer the call.
"Breaca? Is something wrong?" Angus asked her.
She smiled at her new husband. "No, just thinking about Rohan and Deirdre. They won't admit anything."
Angus sighed. "I know. It's getting rather old." Angus crossed his arms over his chest. "That's it, I'm going to talk Rohan." He kissed her on the cheek and headed off to find his friend.
Breaca smiled happily as she watched Angus saunter down the hall, heading out to the hut that he once shared with Rohan. She suddenly realized that if he was going to talk to Rohan about the situation, that she needed to discuss it with Deirdre.
"Come in!" Deirdre called from the other side of the door.
Breaca opened the door slowly.
"Breaca!" She smiled as she saw the woman that she looked to as a sister. Deirdre noticed that Breaca was alone. "Where's Angus?"
"He went to see Rohan about something." The warrior entered the room and looked around. The Princess' rooms looked very plain compared to the ones that she shared with Angus. "Deirdre, I wanted to talk to you about something."
The Princess gestured for her to take a seat. "Oh?"
Breaca nodded. "It's about Rohan."
Deirdre's shoulders slumped. She knew that sooner or later the topic would come up, but she hadn't really expected it to so soon. "I know what you're going say. I'm just not sure about him yet."
"What's there to be sure about? Rohan loves you. He has for some time." Breaca smiled. "And you love him. Just tell him."
The Princess sat down. She looked out the window toward the small village where Rohan lived. She knew that Breaca was right, but she wasn't sure what to do about it. She did love Rohan and she knew his feelings for her were the same.
"It's your father, isn't it?"
She looked at her friend. She nodded slowly. "Yes, he expected me to marry Garrett. But..."
Breaca stood and approached the princess. "You don't need to explain it to me, Deirdre. You need to explain it to Rohan and your father."
Deirdre knew she was right. She took a deep breath. "Wish me luck." With that she left the room on her way to talk to Rohan.

Breaca returned to the room that she and Angus shared. Her stomach began to churn again. Suddenly she had the overwhelming urge to find a chamberpot.
By the time Angus returned to their room, Breaca was curled up in bed. He stood looking at the woman who was now his wife and smiled. The thought of marriage was still very new to him. In fact Angus had never really even considered marriage before he met Breaca. He had always thought that he would do through life, defending Kells from various invaders, by himself.
Breaca stirred slightly as Angus crawled under the covers. He wanted to tell her once again how much he loved her and was happy to be married to her, but he decided to let her sleep. They would have plenty of time in the coming years to tell such things.
He kissed her forehead softly and bade her goodnight.

Maeve stood in her throneroom, Torc at her side. She was glaring at a hunched little bogey.
"What?" she shrieked.
The bogey shrank away from his Queen. "The Mystic Knight known as Breaca is with child."
Maeve's eyes narrowed. "If that child is born to her, she will have much power. I cannot allow that."
Torc grinned evilly at the thought of destroying the Mystic Knight. Suddenly, though, a thought came to him. "But my Queen, if we attack now, they will know that you have been freed."
She took a few steps away from her throne. "Yes. We must wait. There will be time enough to take the child." She whirled around to face Torc. "How many soldiers have you been able to recruit?"
"Few my Queen, but those few are prepared to do battle."
She sighed. "We need more than a few. A battalion will suffice." She reached for her sceptre. "Go! I need more soldiers!"
Torc bowed and backed out of the room. He knew that she was planning an all out attack on Kells. It was perfect timing. They would never know what was coming.
The General passed through the front gates of the castle, on his way to find more soldiers for Maeve's army. He never saw the fluttering little figure.

A loud knock on the door roused Breaca from her slumber. Angus was already up and speaking to whomever was on the other side of the wooden door.
He turned to her. "The King has called for a meeting."

Within minutes the Mystic Knights stood gathered in the throne room. The King had a grave look on his face, as did Cathabad.
Rohan looked to his friends. "Fin Varra summoned me early this morning. He informed me that someone has taken the rune stones."
Breaca stared at him. "The rune stones? They're gone?"
Rohan nodded slowly.
"This is terrible. If those stones are not in Fin Varra's care, then Maeve could be free." A worried look passed over the Druid's face.
"Mystic Knights!" A little voice echoed through the room.
They all looked around for a moment when they realized who was speaking to them.
"Aideen!" Rohan exclaimed.
The little fairy fluttered over to hover in front of Rohan. "I have terrible news. Maeve is free and Torc is recruiting men for her armies. They plan to attack Kells!"
All became silent in the throne room. Breaca looked to the ground. She had not donned her armour in almost a year. Suddenly she knew she needed the power of the spirits again. They had been so sure that Maeve would be trapped for eternity in those stones. She feared that if Maeve was free, then Mider had somehow returned.
"We have to do something," Deirdre's worried voice broke through.
Her father nodded. He ordered the guards in the throne room to inform the other soldiers of the situation and to begin drills immediately.
Breaca excused herself and left the throneroom before anyone said anything. The idea that Maeve was free bothered her more than she realized. Especially now that she was with child.
As she entered her room, she stopped as the truck at the end of the bed came into view. It was in that trunk where she kept her armour and weapons. She hadn't needed them since Maeve had been trapped. Now all of a sudden the threat was real again. She needed to be a Mystic Knight.
Breaca opened the trunk and removed her armour and weapons. They felt odd in her hands. The leather of her armour was cool to the touch. Breaca turned to look at herself in the mirror. She knew in her heart that she was a knight no matter how long she had been away from the battle.
Slowly she undressed, then donned her armour. As she looked at herself in the mirror, the horrors of the previous year returned. She remembered how she had fought Maeve. The queen had been determined to destroy her under any circumstance. Even at the loss of her own life. Now Breaca had to return once again to face that woman. She wanted to end Maeve's reign of evil permanently.
The sound of the blade against its sheath was soothing to her. She held the sword in her hand, remembering all the times she had had to use it. Defending the kingdom which she now called home.
Breaca felt different. Being a mother was one thing, but being a Mystic Knight was something that she would always be. She could never leave behind her desire to protect the kingdom she loved. Or the man she loved.
She turned and left the room.

King Conchobar and the Mystic Knights stood in the throne room debating on how to handle the current situation with Maeve. Garrett and Ivar had decided to postpone their return to their homelands when they heard the news of Maeve's freedom. None of them had ever expected to be staring at battle maps again. They had all hoped that the wars would be over. In fact they all thought that the wars were over. Maeve and Torc had been trapped in the rune stones and her armies had dispersed.
Angus sighed and wondered if his wife was well. She had looked awfully worried when she left the throne room. He didn't blame her. They were just recently married and about to have their first child. The prospect of Maeve trying to destroy Kells again, made him worry for her saftey.
"We will post troops at the northern border, where the outpost is. From there I will select a runner to bring messages to me of Maeve's troop movements. Then..." The King stopped in mid sentence as he looked to the entrance of the throne room.
The others broke their gaze from the maps to look at whatever had broken the King's concentration.
Breaca stood in the archway, clothed in her armour. She looked just as she had the day that they had first met her. Deirdre looked to Angus, wondering what he thought of the sudden transformation of his wife.
Angus could do nothing but stare. He had not seen her prepared for battle since the day they had trapped Maeve.
Rohan broke the silence. "We should all prepare. If Maeve's troops are ready before us, we will be at a major disadvantage."
The others quietly nodded, all excpet Angus, who was still entranced by Breaca's appearance. She slowly approached the table.
"My King, I am prepared to defend this kingdom as I did before." Garrett opened his mouth to protest. "I may be with child, but I am a Mystic Knight. My duty is to protect this kingdom,” She looked to Angus. “So that our child may have somewhere safe to live.”
Her husband smiled. "I agree with Breaca. We all need to prepare ourselves for what lay ahead. Maeve could attack any day now."
The King nodded. "The troops will be preparing themselves as well. I want each of you to take command of a battalion of soldiers. Train them well and make them awayre of Maeve's capabilities. Dismissed."
The Mystic Knights turned to leave, but a hand on Breaca's shoulder made her turn. The King stood behind her.
"My King?"
He sighed, heavily. "Are you sure that you are prepared for this?"
She nodded. "Of course I am. I may be with child and recently married, but I am still a Mystic Knight and it is my duty to protect Kells."
He nodded. "Then I shall expect the same of you that I will expect from the other knights."
She smiled, pleased that he had such confidence in her. "Expect no less, my King." With that she bowed and left the throne room.

The next several weeks were spent training the troops. All of the Mystic Knights worked hard trying to get the soldiers prepared for the battle that lie ahead. Maeve had made no move to attack Kells, but they all knew that she would attack. She was not the kind of ruler to let something go, especially when it was something as important as her birthright.
Angus and Breaca had spent little time together since the announcement of Maeve's return. They missed each other sorely, but knew that they must sacrifice ceratin things to assure a future of peace for them and their child. The one thing that they had noticed was Rohan and Deirdre's closeness. The princess and knight had spent more time together during the battle preparations than they had most of the previous year.
Breaca could see that the closeness between them bothered Garrett. She knew little of the knight, other than the fact that he had been betrothed to Deirdre at one time. She could see the hurt in Garrett's eyes, regardless of the fact that he tried to act as thought he was happy for the couple.
Ivar on the other hand was so involved in the planning that he never seemed to notice the couple. But Breaca knew that there was something wrong. She could read it in his actions. Something bothered him severely. Something having to do with Deirdre. Breaca wondered if Ivar could have had some secret feelings for the Princess.

Time passed, plans were finalised and the troops were readied. Maeve would launch her attack any day. At least they were prepared. The King had ordered double guards on the walls and gate. Breaca had taken up a position on the ramparts above the main gate. She wanted to be able to see Torc when he led the troops onto Kells land.
"Breaca?"
She turned to see Ivar smiling at her. "Ivar. It's good to see you."
"I never got to properly congratulate you on your marriage and child." He looked out over the land surrounding the castle. "I'm sure that you will be quite happy in the future days."
She watched Ivar for a moment, realising that there was more to what he was saying. "Your time will come, Ivar."
He whipped his head up to look at her. "How do you know what I feel?"
Breaca shrugged. "I have always been able to see beyond what one portrays. I know that you had feelings for Deirdre at one time." Ivar's eyes narrowed. "I also know that you are feeling lonely." She laid a hand on his shoulder. "You have friends Ivar, that will never change. Though I do believe that something will turn around for you in the future."
Ivar nodded at her. He knew that she was right. Somewhere in the future would be the one that waited for him. Deirdre would have never been that woman. Her love for Rohan was too strong. He sighed and turned to look out over the landscape once again. The sun shone brightly over the Kells countryside. The day was beautiful, definitely not the kind of day one would want to spend guarding the castle gates. A light breeze ruffled Breaca's hair.
Angus looked up to where his wife stood. He thought back to the first time he saw her. She had been so enchanting and mysterious. He knew that he had fallen under he spell the moment he had first laid eyes on her. His heart skipped a beat as he watched her survey the area outside the castle. He knew she took her duties as a knight very seriously. But he feared that she was endangering her life and the life of their child by taking on those duties.
As if reading his mind, she turned to look at him. How she had known he was there was a complete mystery. She smiled warmly at him, telling him with just her expression how much she loved him.
"Temra soldiers!" A guard's voice broke into the moment. Breaca turned to look over the ramparts. Angus and Rohan climbed the stone stairs to join her and Ivar. Soldiers came marching over the grassy plain. There must have been at least two full battalions heading in the direction of the castle.

In the minutes after the Temra soldiers were spotted, a fierce battle ensued. Many Temra soldiers were killed or wounded. Unfortunately many Kellsmen were also lost in the battle. Breaca fought valiantly to defend the castle she had come to know so well. She took notice, when she had the chance, to scan the battling soldiers for her husband. She found him fighting side by side with Rohan. Angus almost always fought next to Rohan. They had, over the years, come to know each others fighting styles quite well. It always became an advantage.
Just as suddenly as the fighting had begun, it was over. Kellsmen lay bleeding or dying on the ground, as well as a score of Temra soldiers. Regardless of the losses, Kells castle had been spared.
The King looked over the men he had lost, regretting their deaths and cursing Maeve as he counted the numbers. He looked up at his daughter, thankful that she was alive and unharmed. All of the Mystic Knights were accounted for and no of them harmed. The battle went well, even if lives had been lost. The Mystic Knights hadn't even needed their armour.

Much later in the day, the King called the young knights into the throneroom. "I wanted to tell all of you personally how well you did today. The battle went well in our favour."
Angus slid his arm around his wife's shoulder and pulled her close. He was very pleased with the way she had handled herself that day. She had fought with all the vehemence of a knight in battle, yet stayed cautious, protecting herself and their unborn child.
Rohan smiled at Deirdre, hoping that she would take notice. She did. The princess smiled slightly at Rohan, knowing that their feelings for one another would be betrayed sooner or later.
"Thank you, my King." Ivar bowed before Conchobar.
The King smiled as he looked at each of the knights. They had all served him and the kingdom of Kells well. He knew that if anyone could protect the kingdom it would be them.
"Tomorrow is another day, young knights. Rest. You have all deserved it." Before they left he said, "Especially you Breaca. Protect that child within you, for it will one day be a brave knight." He smiled warmly at her.
Breaca bowed before the King and thanked him.

"Angus. Breaca."
The couple turned to see who called to them. Cathabad came rushing down the halls of the castle.
"I need to speak with you for a moment." His face bore a look of concern. Then again, the druid always looked concerned, except of course when he was shrinking Angus, then his expression was one of sheer joy.
"What is Cathabad?" Angus asked, a little nerved by the fact that whatever the Druid wanted to say couldn't have waited till morning.
He glanced at Angus, then shifted his gaze to Breaca. "It is about your child."
Breaca furrowed her brow. "What about it?"
"I have had a vision concerning this child."
"And what would that be?" Angus held onto his wife's hand, worried for a moment that this vision would be devastating to them and their child. The Druid's visions always seemed to be bad in one way or another.
Cathabad laid his hand on Breaca's shoulder. "I fear that this child will be in danger once born."
Angus rolled his eyes. Breaca looked at him, then back to Cathabad.
"Danger? What kind of danger?"
He shook his head. "I did not see, but I do know that this child will be different from any other child. He or she will be very special."
Breaca smiled. She liked the thought of their child being special. "What's wrong with it being special? Isn't that good?"
The druid shrugged. "I do not know the details. Just, please, keep your eyes open and watch all around you." With that he bade them goodnight.
Angus and Breaca exchanged glances. He knew that the Druid's visions usually meant something, but they always seemed to be so vague. As he led Breaca back to their rooms, he wondered if Fin Varra would know anything about their child.

"A child?" Fin Varra clasped his hands together. "What great news this is!"
Angus smiled at the little king. He knew that Fin Varra would enjoy the thought of a child being born. He also knew that the fairie king was imagining the way Angus would handle a child.
"How much longer?" Fin Varra asked.
Angus thought for a moment. "Hmm...about 4 months I think. At least that's what Cathabad says."
The little king nodded, his face beaming with excitement. "You must bring the child to me after it is born."
"Why?"
"I wish to bless it. This child will be very special and my blessing will ensure the child's safety in the future."
Angus narrowed his eyes at the king. "What do you mean, special?"
Fin Varra stood from his throne and paced for a few moments. "The child of a Mystic Knight is said to be very powerful and strong. But the child of two Mystic Knights is rumoured to be unmatched."
Angus stared at the little king for a moment. "Powerful? You mean magically? Is our child going to be another Mystic Knight?"
He shook his head. "No not another Mystic Knight. There are no more Mystic Knights. Though this child will be powerful in other ways. That is yet to be seen."
The thief crossed his arms over his chest. "You mean you don't know."
Fin Varra sat on his throne and sighed. "Alas, I do not. No child has ever been born to a Mystic Knight. This shall be a momentous occasion."
Angus nodded and mumbled farewell to the little king. He made his way to the surface, mumbling about magical children and crazy faeries.
"What about faeries?" Aideen's little voice startled Angus.
"Aideen! Don't do that!" He held his hand to his chest, mocking faintness.
She giggled. "What did you talk to Fin Varra about?"
Angus turned and headed towards Kells, Aideen fluttering alongside him. "My child."
"Oh, that's right. I almost forgot you're going to be a father."
He glanced at her. "You don't sound convinced that I can be a good father."
She fluttered over a branch and around in front of him. "No, I think you'll be a fine father. I just have a hard time imagining you changing its underclothes."
Angus grimaced as he thought of the unpleasant duty. "Ewww. Well, nevertheless, I will be a good father. You can count on that."

In the following weeks, Breaca had to stay completely out of the battles. She was forced to stay inside the castle, where she and her child would be safe. She hated to stay inside. She wanted very badly to be out where she could help Angus and the others defend her home, but she could no longer wear her armour and could barely walk sometimes. Breaca had never realized being pregnant was so hard on the back.
Maeve had started attacking Kells on a regular basis. Conchobar could almost predict when she would send her troops. It actually became almost boring, the Maeve had such a schedule for attacks.
"Wait a minute," Breaca muttered under her breath. "Maybe that's the way Maeve wants it." Her eyes became wide as she left her room and hurried toward the throne room.

She found King Conchobar seated upon his throne, shouting battle commands to soldiers.
"My King." Breaca bowed before him, as best she could.
The King jumped from his throne. "Do not bow, my dear, you are in no condition to do so." He smiled warmly at her as he helped her sit. Once seated he stood tall and asked, "What is it that is so important that you come rushing to the throne room?"
She took a couple of breaths. She noticed that since her pregnancy had actually started to show, breathing had become a laboured task. "Your majesty, I have been thinking about Maeve's attacks."
The King nodded. "Go on."
"The are at absolutely regular intervals." The King nodded again. "She is trying to wear us down."
The King looked at her, then realisation dawned on his face. "You're right! Why didn't I see it before?" She did this one other time." The King raised his hands to his head. Once again he began shouting orders to his soldiers.
Breaca sat and watched as the King commanded his soldiers to tell the Mystic Knights to call their armour and take out the Temra warriors once and for all. Breaca wished that she was able to be out there helping, but she knew her condition would never allow her.

Continued