The characters from the show the Mystic Knights of Tir-Na-Nog are the property of Saban Entertainment. I'm just borrowing them. This is fan fiction, written for enjoyment of the fans, nothing else.

Stones Unturned

by: Fujiko Worrell

Rohan and Angus pass looks back and forth as Aideen finishes Fin Varra's account of Humanity. Angus leans against the tree while Rohan sitting cross- legged, jumps up,"OH AIDEEN! GREAT LUGH! YOU EXPECT US TO BELIEVE THIS? THIS.. THIS IS UTTER NONSENSE, FAIRYTALES THAT'S ALL! DAGDA PLACES HUMANS HERE AND WHEN WE FINISH OUR GOOD WORKS WE JOIN HIM, AND INHERIT A PLACE IN HIS KINGDOM. THERE AREN'T ANY SKY KINGDOMS, WHERE ARE THEY NOW IF THEY ARE OUR MASTERS? WHY HAVEN'T THEY COME TO US DURING OUR LIVES,STOP THE MADNESS DOWN HERE AND..WHY.. HAVEN'T WE SEEN THEM? THESE ARE STORIES AND STORIES HAVE MANY INTERPRETATIONS MAYBE KING FIN VARRA JUST GOT A VERSION, WHICH IS A MISTAKE, THAT'S ALL." Rohan extremely agitated and intimidated.

Aideen sighs,"Fin Varra was right, he said you humans couldn't accept! He said Aideen be forewarned for the humans would not believe it because you still have the belief that Dagda places humans--Man above all other creatures! But Rohan this is truth all species accept this, except for you humans. Look at how you cannot accept it being Dagda's will allowing your Princess to open Ivar's Puzzle Box but she did, didn't she, because it is her destiny to do it They have been chosen by the Lemurian Sky Lords, Fin Varra said." Aideen nodding confidently.

Rohan remembers,"Sky kingdoms, Cathbad discussed this..but still I cannot understand their destinies. How can they interfere with our lives when neither Deirdre nor Ivar was asked whether they wished to take part in this? Neither one seems to be happy about it, there has never been a courtship between those two and it is not possible."

Angus coughs and looks up, since he learned from Ivar that something did happen. He and Rohan trudge down the trail slowly towards their home debating with her. Aideen looks down to the ground. She wanted to confide in him but could not reveal what is known. She wishes that Rohan could take her feelings of courtship seriously. Thinking to herself, if only she could have conveyed her feelings for him, when Maeve transformed her to human,maybe maintaining her form a little while longer, just to see if Rohan could have fancied the unknown, village girl who showed the Mystic Knights a thing or two with her courage and warrior skills, even rescuing the Princess. Maybe she could have shared a passionate night with him but dared not, for fear of her manifested form disappearing revealing who she is to him. She couldn't risk that. Aideen thinking if she studies and mimicks his species' courtship behavior, he might get the message of her intentions. She spies a bucket near a water trough, remembering Deirdre and Ivar's 'Shower of Love' display in the art studio, the fairy hurries over to it while Rohan and Angus stand around arguing about Dagda, not seeing Aideen's action. She comes back to him,"Rohan, you may not accept easily..but maybe in time...perhaps if I show you just how much you mean to me."With a huge , bright fairy smile. Rohan just starts to turn around slowly to give her a puzzled look then...SPLASH!! Soaking Rohan head to foot,"AIDEEN!!! WHA...T? WHAT..ARE YOU..? WHY DID YOU..." Aideen beams triumphantly and with adoration,"Your Love Shower My Handsome One!"

"Love Shower?" Angus claps falling backwards laughing seeing Rohan totally flustered with eyes bulging, shocked his lion-mane, tussled hair now flattened, glued to his face."

"AI-DEEN!!! LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME!!! WHAT IN DAGDA'S NAME MADE YOU DO THIS?"Rohan wiping his hair out of his eyes and Angus chiming in, "Yep, DAG--DA's WILL!!" Laughing hysterically as Rohan scowls at him, then her.

Aideen senses that she misread the cue of human courtship display,"But Rohan ...I thought..humans do this to display love feelings...I saw Ivar pour a water can on Deirdre, soaking her..at the art studio..a few minutes ago....and then they hugged each other.

Angus eyes widened and jumps over to Aideen to get the juicy details of what she eye-witnessed, so she told the whole scene to him explaining her interpret- ation of their bizarre behavior. Angus busts out laughing holding his sides, and moves backwards not noticing he misses sitting on the trough's edge and... SPLASH! He falls back into the cold water which sends Rohan and Aideen into fits of laughter, pointing at him--surprised, struggling to get up and out. "Very funny! Angus annoyed, just laying there.

Aideen now red-faced,"I'm soooo sorry, Rohan, I just thought....well... she seeing him stare at her..."Um..Never mind! Oh Dear! As she flies away rapidly in embarrassment.

Maeve dressed in an elegant purple velvet gown, the sleeves studded with tiny blue stones. Her long, dark tresses drape her shoulders and hanging around her neck--a pendant of silver--large dragon its claw clasping a huge amethyst stone."Good..you are finally here. I Queen Maeve of Temra, welcome you, Kotkar. We have so many mutual interests and there is much we can do to help one another." As she descends the steps to her throneroom extending her hand to her guest, who kisses it.

Kotkar bows,"Queen Maeve, it is with such an honor to meet you and aid in my quest to finally get justice for my poor sister, Findar. The court of my homeland did nothing to address the wrong that has been done to my family. I will not rest until justice is done!" Kotkar's intense emotions bubble to the surface."

Maeve smiles thinking to herself,"Kotkar, you will definitely be my instru- ment of revenge on the Prince. The man will do any of my bidding if it means the destruction of that meddlesome brat!" She ushering him to a table laden with Temra's finest cuisine. As they dine, she gathers much information about Prince Ivar's family and especially Jantar. "No wonder the Prince is always trying to put on a gallant front when dealing with me. Hmm..maybe he's not such a catch as a lover after all, no wonder the Princess of Kells fell for my creation!"Both of them laughing maliciously. "A toast..to us..Prince Ivar for you..the end of the Mystic Knights and the end of Kells with your shipbuilding empire's agreement with Temra, to build our war fleet for me!" CLINK!! As they hit their silver goblets together sealing their bargain and start hatching their scheme.

And at another dinner gathering...King Conchobar arrives with a beautiful woman on his arm that he met earlier in the afternoon. All in the Kell's Royal Dining Hall, stop to gawk at the female. Princess Deirdre's eyes follow- ing her father and the woman thinking,"New prospect, Father?" She on the alert. Then she sees what is her father's intention..as he takes the woman right over to Ivar, for first introduction. He introduces Freya to Ivar as coming from Norse country--the old Teutonic people--(today, northern Europe--Scandanavia). Ivar responding by kissing her hand and giving her his brightest smile. He spoke to her in her native tongue and this impresses her immediately. As well as the king informing him that she will be involved with the shipbuilding operations then she and Ivar have instant chemistry--much in common, and become immediately engaged in lively conversation, the king winking at them both, his cue to leave them together, his mission a success. He hurriedly comes back to the table and smiles to the chieftain,"Good choice for Ivar, eh?" The chieftain looking over at the two, "I'll say My King, I haven't seen Ivar's eyes aglow around other women like that!" Nodding and chuckling to the king.

The princess watches and sizes up her new rival--hair, clothes, demeanor and wondering how intimate will she become with him. Deirdre, examines Ivar's face --interested...too interested. Just a few hours before in the art studio, she thought she had made headway in repairing their relationship. "It felt nice to be with him again but now...always something pop s up to mess things up. Is this how destiny suppose to be...knowing the target and move towards it then...Wham! Something comes out of the blue, the target out of reach again! She looks at him and for a second, his eyes seem to sense hers and dart a quick glance before returning to his new acquaintance.

The king leans over to his daughter's ear, clearing his throat, "Hrrumph... Deirdre,it isn't polite to stare at Ivar like that. She happens to be just what he needs to forget his glumness. You'll also be interested to know she will be helping us with shipbuilding assessment, her name is Freya. I want you to be gracious and help her feel welcome." Deirdre repeats her name in her mind"Freya--Norse Goddess of Light, Odin's wife--God of Light," looking at her long blond hair, shining like a bright shaft of light. Her father repeats, "Deirdre? What's wrong? Don't you think that Ivar could use some companion- ship?" Looking at her expression of concern for Ivar. She looks over at her father, hiding her displeasure,"Of course Father, he should be happy...while he is here."Her words conveying no emotion, while inside--"Why her!"Her heart complaining very loudly--jealousy and irritation at Ivar's undivided attention to the woman. "Father doesn't think I can evaluate ships by myself! Thanks for the confidence Father!"Deirdre finding one more thing not to like Freya.

The other court women at the table have their senses fine-tuned on both the princess and the newcomer. There has been quiet talk throughout the Castle's women's grapevine that the princess has finally shown some interest in a male. They have seen the princess and the prince together, watching for signs of romance between the two. Both have shown open affection and respect in their friendship, but there is much speculation that perhaps something else was going on behind closed doors--women's intuition. They know he is forbidden as romantic or marriage prospect--foreign ways, different race, but the prince has a very strong influence on the princess with his exotic, magnetic charm. They also know this relationship could never stand the test of time for he will only be with Kells until he retrieves his chalice from Temra. But the women enjoy gossiping about the princess and prince. There will be much to talk about tonight in the women's quarters of Kell's Castle.

Cathbad scans the Dining Hall, sensing somehow that all is not right. He sees the glowing aura shimmering intensifying around Deirdre and Ivar's energy sensing every bit of it, evident by his constant shifting in body posturing, bombarded by energy from two very intense females. Cathbad also aware of the impending dangers--must prepare himself, drawing on all his talents as a Druid to protect the prince and princess from the forces of darkness. He has confidence that King Fin Varra's guardians will be enough to stave off Maeve and Mider's evil sorcery. Neverless, he will do what he must. "It is going to be a very long night indeed."Looking at the dour expression of the princess at Ivar. Nodding slowly, then leaving the dining hall sighing to himself, Yes a..very...long night of battles lie ahead!"

The chieftain sitting alongside the king whispers, "I'm sure Kells ships will be ship-shape especially with those two overseeing everything!"Glancing over to Ivar, who is listening intently to Freya. It should be smooth-sailing and steady course to victory for Kells!"Giving a thumbs up to the king. Conchobar smiling but from the corner of his eyes, watching his daughter's fixed on Ivar,"Let's hope so, we must be on our guard, ill-winds have been known to blow us off- course, sideways through life!"

And at Queen Maeve's dinner in Temra.... Finishing their dinner strategy session, the feast is removed from the table, Queen Maeve has greedily consumed all the information she could concerning Ivar and his background history. She promises Kotkar that revenge will be a dish best served cold, both laughing conspiratorily. Kotkar leans back in his chair, finally satisfied from food, drink, and scheming, his mind remembers the image of his sister sister on the funeral pyre and touching for the last time her soft, cold cheek underneath the sheer, veiled shroud, sending a shiver through his soul. His sweet Findar,his little sister..." With such big dreams of royal grandeur.THIS.. MY SISTER IS NOT THE WAY, YOU SHOULD HAVE ENDED UP!..YOUR LIFE'S BRIGHT FLAME.. ...snuffed out before your time. THIS WASN'T SUPPOSE TO BE YOUR DESTINY! Not for one so beautiful, giving, trusting, daring..--IVAR!!! MURDERER! I VOW...MY FINDAR..HE WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS! THERE WILL BE JUSTICE!!! As he broke down sobbing next to her body. Wiping the memory, Kotkar says silently to himself"I...promise...you, this time there will be justice for you Findar!" Kotkar nodding slowly and deliberately.

Maeve reading his mind,"Yes Kotkar, Ivar will pay and so...will...Kells! Speaking through her teeth, tossing up her head with defiance looking back at him. "Soon, I will give both Princess and Prince, a taste of what's to come! Midir's magic will be unleashed and I will have the precious stones of Ivar's ring in my possession and soon Kells will fall!"Maeve thinking to herself. Walking to her throne chair, she lifts up the scepter and chants an incantation in sorceress language--code of the ancients, summoning a wraith--glowing iridescent white,blue, then purple appearing in the center of her throne room: "SEEK OUT THE CASTLE OF KELLS, FIND THE RING <
THAT UNIFIES EARTH AND SKY, BACK TO ME BRING."

Aideen senses heighten as she patrols Kells Castle, flying in and out of the many entrances and windows, on the lookout for anything suspicious."I'll feel better when Fin Varra's Brownies and Red Caps get here. The Princess and Prince have no idea what Mider is capable of, the powers he possesses."Aideen nervously keeping her eyes moving, scrutinizing anything that may be out of place."So far nothing seems amiss, I'll head for Cathbad's chamber."

Meanwhile, Cathbad checks over his list of ingredients several times, making sure no powder or potion--Druid arsenal against Maeve, Mider and the other forces of darkness have been left out. He, Deirdre and Ivar may face this night the most powerful evil ever encountered. He must be ready. As Cathbad turns to add his boiling mixture to a glass flask, a fast flying Aideen almost bumps into him,"Oh Aideen, watch out..you almost made me spill this."He working at his table.

I'm sorry Cathbad, Aideen looking around behind shelves and floorboard crev- ices.

"What..are..you..doing?" Cathbad stops to watch her.

Aideen flying to the Druid's table,"Just making sure no bogie or Maeve's creatures hiding or spying here."Aideen taking her patrol and orders from King Fin Varra very seriously. The fairy explains to Cathbad about Fin Varra's story to the Little People of TIR na NOG regarding Humanity--Everything from Lemurian Sky Lords, human evolution, mixed races, human/Elven halfling includ- ing Fin Varra's concerns about Deirdre and Ivar meeting their destinies. Just then Ivar arrives to hear the tail end of her conversation, "Speaking of my destiny..I know now it has to be wrong! The Oracle is wrong too Cathbad, Freya may be my new lady of destiny!" Ivar's eyes and smile dazzling. "She is the one, I just know it! Here, she comes out-of-the-blue! Her countrymen accepts my race--we are considered trophies, Ivar laughing and winking, really excited and full of passion. "I don't think I need to go to TIR na NOG tomorrow. This is truly unnecessary!"Ivar nodding to the Druid and fairy.

Aideen's arms folded with eyebrows arched, then sending a stern glance at Cathbad, who stares back at her then at Ivar,"You need to be cautious Ivar, you have a special mission to complete and no..your..Oracle..is..not..wrong. Things may not be as they appear. Give this relationship time...your involve- ment with Deirdre is more crucial at the moment!"

Cathbad, Aideen I know you think Deirdre and I..well what happened between us...is part of Destiny's plan, I just don't feel it is so! We just had a.. passionate moment, that's all...if this is destiny, why do I feel it's wrong?" Ivar placing his arms across his chest staring at the two of them. Aideen blurts,"What of your Ring of Destined Union, Ivar? Deirdre opened it and the ring shines only for her, no other! You...are afraid..this nonsense about race! You humans will find out all. As for Freya, she may be a beauty..but sometimes beauty can suddenly turn quite ugly!" Aideen cautioning him

"I couldn't have put it better Aideen! As Deirdre came walking in, a moment of silence in Cathbad's chamber, as they realized the princess may have been eavesdropping."Oh, don't stop on my account Ivar, what were you--saying?" Ivar looking down a bit put on the spot,"Well..um yes...how destiny may not only have one path, leading us to...other choices!: Ivar's eyes quickly look- ing away.Cathbad trying to help Ivar out of a sticky situation, steps in,"There is still the prophecy to consider and the importance of the ring! You two will stand guard all night and you can sort out what PATHS you two intend to TAKE AFTER the reunification ritual is fulfilled." The Druid scowling at both prince and princess."Right now both of you will follow me to the chamber, I have invoked a protection shield spell in the room, and YOU and IVAR ARE NOT TO LEAVE IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Nothing will harm you as long as you remember and believe that nothing can. Your ring on your neck will stay there Deirdre, plus I will whisper the password to you both so you will KNOW it is ME and not a Maeve, Midir illusion! We have quite a night ahead of us, I feel it will be happening soon, let us go! Be ready for ANYTHING!"Cathbad walking out of the chambers,the others following.

*****

In Rohan and Angus' hut, Rohan breathing deeply, his head laying back against his clasped fingers on his pillow, mutters to himself,"She has to be...wrong! No! This can't be.. I will talk to Cathbad tomorrow about it!" Moving on his bed to get more comfortable.

Across from him, Angus laying down with his face into his pillow, raises his head,"Whose wrong? Not Aideen, Rohan you can't know everything. Look..these fairfolk have been around longer than we have. They have seen us and other beings. King Fin Varra is from a race of beings that were different from humans. He from the Tuatha DaNaan race once giants who roamed our world but now look at him! Living in TIR na NOG underground with magic powers. They went through changes and new acceptance of other races, if he could change, why couldn't we? What about the stories we used to hear about half-human creatures--Centaurs, Icarus with wings, Medusa or Griffins--head and wings of an eagle and a body of a lion!Remember that from the Greeks, Rohan?" Angus rolling over to face him.

"But Angus if that is so then what is Dagda's plan in doing this?..And why Deirdre and Ivar? Are you saying that Ivar can POSSIBLY be from a RACE that we BOTH originated from? These star people from sky kingdoms who watched over us in the beginning? What happened to us then Why are we so different now?" Rohan sitting up, shaking his head not believing then looking at Angus. Angus sighing,"All I'm saying Rohan, we don't know much about US..really, just what people have said, but we should never dismiss other cultures or stories. Look at Ivar, coming to Kells learning and trying to understand our ways and beliefs like celebrating Samhain with us. Look at his beliefs--THE CHALICE, Yea! A magic cup, Mider travels to our world from other realms. Ivar's chalice given to his ancestors from a sky kingdom! Gods! What if they were only called gods because they were more powerful, smarter than us? What if they came from other worlds, other stars--sky kingdoms! You just think that we are the only ones, what of other ancient temples, building and stones we've found around here, with strange pictures--Boyne Valley, yes fairytales but who said fairytales did not also include some truth? HOW DO YOU KNOW?" Angus staring at Rohan who looks back pensively at him in silence then laying back down,"Al-right Angus..yawning "Goodnite!" Turning over and fell into a disturbed sleep.

Angus pulls the blanket up to his neck and looks up to the thatched ceiling and says quietly to himself,"I'm right!...Yea, I'm right! I am ..right?" Nodding slowly to himself, then closing his eyes and soon drifted into a sound sleep.

Back at Conchobar's Castle..Deirdre,Ivar,Aideen are in the chamber watching and waiting,Cathbad left leaving them with last minute instructions and pouches carrying magic potions. Ivar visibly bored, "Such excitement, I can barely stay awake. So many scaaary monsters, just sending a chill up my spine!" Ivar's pointed sarcasm to the fairy and Deirdre. With Deirdre echoing Ivar's sentiment,"All this ..for a stupid ring! Looking down at it on the chain without looking at Ivar knowing the comment would be taken as a barb, she waiting for him to say,"Well Deirdre,you could always give it back to me!" Thinking to herself,"No, you are NOT going to give this..my ring..to her!"Referring to the Norse beauty, her rival for Ivar's affection. No comment is made by him.

Suddenly, they are plunged into total darkness, the chairs and objects in the room vibrate loudly. There is an eerie humming and then a shrieking sound send- ing all three of them into instant terror. Ivar trying to use his energy sens- ing in the darkness reveals a large area on the wall, a hideous demon face pushing in and out trying to penetrate the wall but held back due to Cathbad's barrier spell. Shrieking louder and louder, the chamber transforms into a violent wind tunnel, knocking Deirdre and Ivar to the floor, bending Aideen's wings back so far that she had to retreat to a corner, wincing in pain. Furni- ture lifts up swirling around then thrown at Ivar's direction, hitting him squarely in the chest, knocking him down. Clutching his chest with one hand, the other grabs his barb trident, and started firing in every direction, but nothing happens finally he screams to Deirdre,"CALL OUR ARMOR!" The transform- ation complete both Mystic Knights use their weapons at the demon wraith moving along the walls very swiftly eluding Ivar's and Deirdre's arsenal, but it still not able to break through the barrier. It decides to push the walls inward at them, panicky disbelieving Deirdre and Ivar move towards the center, not knowing how to get out of this dilemma. Out of nowhere, a bright golden ring encircles them growing wider and wider, repelling the walls from movement. A flash of shimmering light within the ring appears--the sentinels of Red Caps and Brownies circling Deirdre and Ivar inside the golden ring of light.

Aideen screaming out,"Hooray, Fin Varra's warriors are here! About time!" The fairy flying into the ring. Red Cap guardian,"This is just the beginning ...interrupted by the floor being pushed upward, Ivar and Deirdre trying to keep their balance--as the floor rolls like waves on the sea.

This time they hear a familiar voice screaming in pain, King Conchobar's, "Help me Daughter, let me in they're trying to kill me! Open up, help me! Choking his plea. Deirdre screams out "FATHER!" Trying to run towards the door when Ivar jumps on her, pulling her tightly by her waist against him to hold her back,"NO DEIRDRE! IT'S A TRICK, REMEMBER CATHBAD'S WARNINGS! ANY ENCHANT- MENT CAN FOOL US, IT ISN'T YOUR FATHER, IT'S THE DEMON!" Deirdre struggling to free herself from him looking with uncertain eyes, "HOW CAN YOU BE SURE?"

"Show Deirdre...through the wall!" Ivar commanding the sentinels. Behind the wall appears the demon mimicking her father's voice with such realism if she didn't see it, she wouldn't believe that it wasn't her father. Just then a loud roaring sound crescendos into a bright, blinding explosion of red-hot flames around them, the searing heat as intense as Pyre's angry breath on their armor. All in the ring take the intense flickering flames knowing not to believe the manifestation in front of them. For Ivar and Deirdre, a true test of belief and courage sometimes momentarily wavering, humans usually believing what they SEE, but now, both knights seasoned in experience with sorcery enchant- ment, know they must question all. Their senses of reality forever altered by the challenges they have to face as Mystic Knights.

Deirdre starts to choke, gasping for air, clutching her neck as the gold neckchain transforms into a bright boa constrictor wrapping tightly around her neck and Ivar, who without success tries to get his hands around the snake's head--its flickering tongue and bared fangs at him. Cathbad appears, quickly holding a pouch, throws powder from it covering Deirdre, the snake breaks up and falls to the floor, the ring slipping off rolling out from the protective ring a bogie appearing in a flash, snatching it and then vanishing again leaving its green puddle--mark of victory. The laughter of a conjured Cathbad now transform- ing to the dark fairy Mider,"Oh Dear! Looks like the wedding's off you two! Ah Ha!" Disappearing into thin air along with all the manifestations in seconds.

Ivar stunned and outraged,"NO! FIRST HE STOLE MY CHALICE NOW ..THE RING.. AARGH! NO! THIS JUST CAN'T BE HAPPENING AGAIN!"Pitchforking his trident hard into the floor, with such force. Then bending his head down disgusted, he sits on the floor brooding next to Deirdre asking,"Are you alright Deirdre?" She breathing hard comments,"Now what?"Looking at everyone.

Aideen flies over,"We'll wait for Rohan and Angus to arrive and take you to TIR na NOG!" She anticipating seeing Rohan, hopeful that he has forgiven her for showering him with her love--pail of water dumped on him, soaking him what she thought was a human courtship ritual.

Deirdre angered --her ring, Ivar's ring--now gone,"What purpose is there now for going to TIR na NOG, it's gone!" Thinking maybe she was being punished for the comment made earlier about the ring. Ivar agreeing states, "It's over Aideen, before it has even begun, this is not our destiny!" Shaking his head.

Aideen looking at both of them pathetically, "You two are just so...you humans, look...all is fine!" The fairy going to the window, the spreading sun- rays coming in warming her wings. She announces,"It's over! A brand new day is here!"

Ivar and Deirdre looking around startled, the sentinels vanished without a trace or goodbye. The door creaks open slowly and Cathbad enters the chamber door, both knights suspicious demanded the password. The Druid responded correctly and the two royals assured, relieved give Cathbad the bad news. "Cathbad Mider took the ring!"Ivar ashamed, once again he fails to stop a thief.

Cathbad winks at Aideen, Aideen winking back with a huge grin.

Ivar and Deirdre noticing the exchange, "Why aren't you upset?"Deirdre looking at the Druid agitated.

A small smile creeps up on Cathbad's face, walking over to them,"Remember ...when you play with magic, be expected to be tricked once in a while..just like the eve ofthe fest Samhain

Aideen nodding, smiling, pirouetting dancing around the chamber giggling to herself.

Ivar annoyed, "You MIND..LETTING US IN ON THE JOKE CATHBAD, AIDEEN?" Ivar visibly tired and showing crankiness from lack of sleep.

Cathbad motions to Aideen, the fairy comes over to Deirdre and Ivar, lifting her brightly-colored cap and there on her head---the ring! Ivar and Deirdre's eyes widen and then smile at each other, then at Aideen and Cathbad. Ivar cocking his head at the fairy,"Well done, Aideen...I'm very impressed...your cunning!Ivar smiling at her, nodding with approval and Deirdre pursing her lips pretending annoyance, "You were in MY JEWELRY BOX!" A small grateful smile creeping on her face.

Aideen replies boasting,"We fairies can be pre--tty crafty!" Winking with her hands on her hips.

Deirdre stretching out her hand to get back the ring, Aideen moves sudden- ly away from the princess'hand,"No, not yet Deirdre, I'm going to fly ahead to TIR na NOG with it, to get it to King Fin Varra for safekeeping, just in case you are stopped by Maeve or Tork. Her hands converting into blue energy another ring identical to the real one appears on another neckchain on Deirdre's neck."Wait for Rohan and Angus, they will escort you two! I was going to wait too but if I linger the bogies will appear, for soon Maeve will know of the deception. I'll be off now, the ring placed carefully back under her cap, flying out the window to TIR na NOG, before Deirdre could protest.

In Temra, "How could you be such fools!"Looking at the ring which suddenly transformed into a cheap brass band the stones, vanishing before her eyes in Maeve's palm. Furious, a sorceress has been outmaneuvered by fairy trickery, "FAIRY TRICKS!! Yelling at the bogie who now cowers in a corner, as the queen holds up a scepter threateningly at it,"You let it remain in the princess' possession, we must intercept her and get it, follow her every move, now Go!!" Glaring at the bogie, which then makes a fast disappearing act.

"Tork! Take your best warriors and go after the Mystic Knights and anyone close to her. I WANT THAT RING!" Barking at him , who bowing moves quickly away from her wrath stating, "Yes, My Queen!"

King Conchobar seeing his daughter with Ivar so early in the morning, cross- examines them both as he sees them looking weary in the hallway with Cathbad, "Don't tell me you two are just getting in?"Giving a disapproving arched eyebrow at her and Ivar.

Deirdre thinking fast,"No Father, we've been here all night with Cathbad hearing TIR na NOG tales, "I guess..we lost all track of time! Looking at Cathbad to cover for them. Cathbad knows the drill, nodding to the king he doesn't like to lie but the king cannot be privy to any of this, not just yet. Ivar watching the king's unwavering belief in his daughter, asks him "Your Majesty, did you hear any strange sounds in the Castle last night?" Ivar testing the king's awareness sensory perception of the evil presence. The king puzzled, "What sounds, I heard nothing, I slept very soundly in fact. Why? Conchobar examining Ivar who then responds,"Oh...it's nothing must be my imagination running away with me again."Slowly turning to gaze into Deirdre's eyes secret communication received and understood.

"You two should get some rest, we are having our meeting with the chieftains this afternoon, so I don't want you two falling asleep during it and Deirdre, you will be accompanying Freya to our ships to inspect and assess progress.She will give you recommendations!" The king giving her a commanding order.

Deirdre nods, eyes rolling up, "Yes...Father," thinking, "Oh that's just wonderful, just me and the Norse boss! Stormy weather and rough seas ahead!"

Cathbad about to leave, gives Ivar one more stern warning stating,"Remember what I say about our other discussion Ivar, this is the more important mission now...the other one proceed..with...caution! Things are not always as they appear!" His index finger commanding the warning.

Ivar's shaking head replies saying "Yes, Cathbad," but his heart sings passionately, F-R-E-Y-A!

The Druid now back in his workshop, releases a sigh of relief as the first of many battles has been won. He starts to clear off the table of the previous night's work when suddenly, a falcon cry is heard, jarring his senses. A vision of the blue-hooded falcon appears landing...next to it a bird with red plumage lands next and then a third bird appears with yellow plumage. Both birds are on opposite sides of the falcon. Then the birds move stand facing the falcon. The falcon follows the yellow bird to a door, while the red bird displaying agitation tries to prevent the falcon from following the yellow bird to the door. Suddenly the door transforms into an open mouth of a wild cat with fangs bared and attacks the falcon, while the yellow bird flies off escaping. The red bird only watches and all that remains of the falcon is a broken wing! The red bird approaches it chirps mournfully once, then flies away...end of vision.

Cathbad stumbling from the disturbing view he exclaims, "DAGDA! IVAR IN DANGER! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE OTHER BIRDS? Birds are usually spirit messengers", Cathbad analyzing comments,"Message of other worlds?" He agitated struggling to grasp the vision's concept .

*****

Rohan rising up early from a poor night's sleep, is at the stream washing the last traces of sleep from his face, when he looks down at his reflection and remarks,"Ugh! You look as bad as I feel!" Just then next to him, a fairy lands on his shoulder saying quietly, "Are you still angry with me?" Aideen displaying remorse, which then Rohan looking up with side glances sighs,"Oh... Good Morning Aideen, wee bit early isn't it?" Responding in a serious tone, running his hand through his hair remembering yesterday's little fairy gaffe.

Aideen, flying around to face him remarks,"Well not for we fairies, we love to greet the first rays of the sun of a new day. It was such a harrowing night at Kells' Castle but Princess, Ivar, Cathbad and I triumphed over Maeve and Mider! Deirdre and Ivar have had to deal with so many challenges, but last night was almost their breaking point!" Aideen then giving Rohan a full report on the nightmarish events created by Maeve and Mider.

Rohan expresses his strongest concern for Deirdre when he found out Mider tried to choke her with her own neckchain, he exclaims,"GREAT LUGH! BUT THESE WERE ONLY MIDER'S ENCHANTMENTS!"Rohan's eyes widening with disbelief.

Aideen comments,"But real for you humans! Many illusions of this world always appear to you as realities. That's because you don't understand that the world is manifested and your perceptions make them real because you are taught 'what you see' is what you should believe. Your senses create believing and believing creates your perceptions of reality." Aideen demonstrates by conjuring a lily out of energy, putting it into Rohan's hand. Rohan then instantly smelling its fragrance, then it vanishes.

Angus joins Rohan and chuckles saying,"Well, if it isn't Rohan's love fan, Aideen! Come to give Rohan another 'Love Shower'? Angus laughing teasing the fairy as she blushes as red as her petaled cap.

"No, Angus...just telling Rohan about last night at the Castle." Aideen then flying over to Angus' face. "You two are to get Deirdre and Ivar to the Fairy Ring safely. By now, Maeve and Mider are beside themselves with fury because we tricked them!"She telling them about her ingenious plan, keeping Maeve and Mider from getting the ring. She continues,"I was in TIR na NOG already to inform King Fin Varra who wants the Princess and Prince to see him, later this morning. Both of them weary from mental battles with Mider, were heading for their beds when I was leaving. They were up all night, so don't be surprised if they get real cranky with you."

Angus raises his eyebrows and remarks, "Oh great, another day with Prince Sunshine. Maybe Cathbad or Fin Varra can place a spell on him. I don't want to watch another yelling match between Deirdre and Ivar, like the boat or get a pounding from him, he's got a strong left hook!"

Aideen sighs commenting,"I hope not, but with this new lady in the picture Ivar's head and heart is totally off the wall! Deirdre is very upset about Freya!"

During breakfast and enroute to the Castle, Rohan and Angus pump Aideen for details on Freya which the fairy is always more than happy to oblige, concerning the princess' jealousies.

Nearby, a toadstool transforms into a bogie, watching silently, following stalking the Mystic Knights to the Castle, trying to find out what it can and report to Tork.

Later that morning, all four Mystic Knights head for TIR na NOG. Leading the way, Rohan with his eyes moving says,"Keep your eyes pealed, it is a wee bit too quiet for my liking!"As he keeps his head moving from side-to-side, front to back over his shoulder. Ivar still a bit tired, already shows his crankiness commenting,"Well, I'd rather have it a..wee..bit...quiet, than Maeve's beasts coming at us at this moment! Frankly, a trip to TIR Na NOG seems so unnecessary, what's the urgency! Honestly sometimes you fairies get so melodramatic!" Ivar dragging his feet reluctantly, as he walked.

Aideen offended flies in front of his face startling him, and states boldly, "LOOK HERE, IT IS NO FEST FOR US EITHER HUMAN! STOP BEING SO CRANKY AND STUBBORN, KING FIN VARRA WOULD NOT BE SUMMONING YOUR PRESENCE IF IT WASN'T IMPORTANT! HE HAS BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN TO WASTE HIS TIME ON YOUR HUMAN PROBLEMS!!" The fairy puffing her chest, sticking her nose up flying back to the front with Rohan, with Ivar opening his mouth to remark about his being royalty and she is to address him properly, but then thought better of it by keeping silent but glares at her.

All head for the clearing where the familiar ring of stones stand at attention guarding the stone slab where the embedded crystal dome marks the gateway to TIR Na NOG. As they enter the Fairy Ring,Tork and a garrison of soldiers come from behind the trees and shouts,"THAT'S FAR ENOUGH! HAND OVER THE RING PRINCESS!" YOU WON'T BE NEEDING IVAR'S RING. I'M SURE...YOUR FATHER WON'T MIND IF I STOP THIS UNHOLY UNION!" Smirking with sword pointed at Ivar, who responds by drawing his own sword and retorts saying,"OUT OF OUR WAY TORK, BEFORE MY SWORD MAKES SHORT WORK OF YOU! I'M IN NO MOOD TO BE TRIFLED WITH! Ivar seething angrily glaring with his blade reflecting the sunlight, ready to do battle. The other knights also in battle stance, readying themselves.

Tork orders,"ATTACK!" The Temrans and Mystic Knights engaged in a fray with Deirdre kicking a Temran soldier in the groin, throwing another one into one of the standing stones, knocking him unconscious. Rohan and Angus rush a group of Temrans like battering rams with sword and mace in full action. Ivar in fight mode, anger fueled by lack of sleep and Tork's insults quickly subdues Temran soldiers with his battle gauntlet firing at them, who then take off into the woods, leaving Tork alone on his horse. Ivar points his arm weapon at him and yells,"BE OFF TORK! I'LL HAVE MY DAY WITH JUST YOU, BELIEVE ME AND IT WILL BE SOON!" Ivar glaring at him.

Tork grimacing responds,"I'LL BE WAITING! Grumbling with disgust at his own cowardly troops, galloping off.

Without warning, Rohan and Angus hear,"Who...a! Aaaaah!"As Deirdre and Ivar sank disappearing into the ground in the Fairy Ring, leaving Rohan and Angus at the surface. Rohan startled remarks,"Guess,King Fin Varra got a wee bit impatient! He said it would be only the two of them. We'll have to wait here Angus, as Angus throws his mace over his shoulder, feeling excluded says, "Yea, right!" Annoyed, leaning against one of the standing stones.

"I'd prefer entering our usual way!" Ivar snorts to Deirdre, still angered by Tork as they pick themselves off the ground rubbing the dirt off. Both are annoyed with the lack of royal treatment they're getting.

The throne room empty of Little People, just the fairy king pacing the floor looks up,"Ah Yes! You are finally here!" The fairy king scowling at them both and continues,"There is much to go over with you two, get comfortable!"

Deirdre and Ivar sit on the ground and listen without interruption. Through the fairy king's reflection pool, they are shown everything including the grotto. Both royals look down to the ground extremely embarrassed to see the event in such graphic detail from this perspective. Fin Varra states,"The prophecy tells of two royals from two different races becoming lovers to start the reunification of Earth and Sky. You have been chosen not only because of your Mystic Knight- hood but also due to destinies created by your own souls' missions. You have to meet all the challenges ahead of you and I know, aready one of you have problems with your destined path but it is critical...for...you...to...accept and prepare yourselves and..your kind!" King Fin Varra shaking his magical staff at the two of them.

Ivar interjects stating,"With all due respect Your Majesty, I cannot accept this because I don't FEEL this is RIGHT! THIS DESTINY IS WRONG! I'm sure Deirdre and I are both in agreement that this would bring chaos to both our kingdoms! There are certain human societies that can tolerate mixed royal marriages but they are very rare! Kells do not have this kind of cultural acceptance, even though they have shown me great hospitality yes and I have many friends but a royal marriage..unheard of..in Kells royalty standards."Ivar trying to be tact- ful and honest in Deirdre's presence.

Deirdre tries playing devil's advocate, to smoke out more of Ivar's feelings saying,"What if we married and it is totally disastrous due to our different beliefs, the reunification would be stopped anyway. There are no guarantees in marriage arrangements. What of our future rulerships--his kingdom or mine? How will the people of both kingdoms react to such an unconventional marriage and what of heirs and heiresses to the thrones? They will have to struggle through the legacies of what Ivar and I leave behind in this marriage! Although I do believe in destiny and we are suppose to follow it...Life is not etched in stone, offers no guarantees and it is rarely the supposed-to-bes. Deirdre thinking out loud remarks,"Don't get me wrong! Ivar has wonderful potentials as a leader. He has even been there for me as a friend. He has qualities-- generosity, kindness, loyalty, warmth and honor. But, it's still hard to imagine him as my future husband. And there's the problem of course of sleeping arrangements..Deirdre saying without tact, she continues,"Certainly I'm not going to allow someone who snores like a donkey to stay with me! Oh Yes Fin Varra Angus said so! We'd have to make arrangements in the royal stables for him. The princess with pursed lips, nodding her head and folding her arms, looking away, smiling to herself.

Ivar slowly turns and looks at her with a long stare then suddenly booms, "I DO NOT SNORE LIKE A DONKEY AND ME?..STAY IN A STABLE? HOW DARE YOU! AND WHAT..OF..YOU? CONSTANTLY JABBERING AND WHINING WHEN THINGS DON'T HAPPEN THE WAY YOU THINK THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO...AND"Ivar imitating her voice,"I AM PRINCESS OF KELLS, ROYALTY ALWAYS MAKES THE PROPER DECISION! OH REALLY?" Ivar rolling his eyes up.

Then Deirdre jumps in defensively retorts, "Oh at least, I take CHARGE of a situation and speak my mind clearly! I don't have to be a..a..TROPHY for FREYA!" Deirdre spouting her name with disdain.

Ivar counters with,"AH HAH! JUST AS I THOUGHT, YOU WERE EAVESDROPPING IN ON CATHBAD'S DISCUSSION WITH ME AND AIDEEN! ALWAYS LISTENING IN, YOUR EARS AS BIG AS ELEPHANTS, JEALOUS OF FREYA! WHAT YOU ARE REALLY ANGRY ABOUT IS YOUR FATHER FOUND SOMEONE FOR ME AND OF COURSE IT WASN'T YOU! HER OWN FATHER KNOWS ME WELL AND KNOWS HER EVEN BETTER!"Ivar pointing at Deirdre, looking at King Fin Varra.

King Fin Varra's head moves from side-to-side,as the two royals go at it volleying back and forth battling their positions. The fairy king with his Cheshire Cat-like smile and twinkle in his eyes, sits down on his throne, clapping his hands exclaiming,"Oooh such fury! Such passion!" Picking up a bowl of fruit eating, thoroughly entertained by this battle royale with no match point in sight.

Deirdre uncomfortable in emotional sparring with Ivar finally blurts out, the real question she needed an answer to, she grills him, "THE GROTTO...WAS THAT REAL FOR YOU OR WAS I JUST KELL TROPHY OR.. WERE YOU MAKING LOVE TO FINDAR AND I WASN'T THERE AT ALL!" Deirdre's eyes showing hurt, gazing deeply into Ivar's.

Ivar looks back silent staring into Deirdre's blue eyes and now understands the depth of the princess' feelings. For her, she believed their intimacy is to lead to a permanent relationship. He knows now she expects him to be her partner, even aware Kells will not understand or approve. She is still willing , setting up this sparring game to get him to show her how he really feels about her. Ivar's eyes piercing hers directly, with folded arms tells her quietly, "No...Deirdre, I..was..with..you, not Findar! SWEET LUGH! DO YOU BELIEVE ME TO BE THAT WAY?"Ivar a bit off-balance with Findar's name being mentioned and the intensity of the night in the grotto, freshly playbacked from Fin Varra's ' reflection pool.

Both tense and awkward exposing their feelings, totally forgotten the presence of the fairy king,they now hide behind their royal masks and remark to Fin Varra at the same time,"This can't possibly be our destinies, it won't work!"

Fin Varra shook his head laughing, smiling and comments jokingly,"It won't work, eh? I believe it's already working, you two certainly sound like you're married already!" The fairy king rocking back and forth on his throne, laughing at both Ivar and Deirdre, who are not used to dealing with their personal foibles out in the open, and try to maintain royal dignities by remaining silent to the comment.

Although Deirdre speaks with royal confidence, inwardly she doesn't want to lose Ivar to Freya, at any cost! It's a matter of pride and the other Ivar showed her what a relationship and future happiness could be together if they tried. She hates to let go of that vision. There is still the matter of the ring..she opened the box...she alone did it! She questions the fairy king,"Fin Varra, what of the ring, that Aideen brought to you earlier, where is it?" Deirdre shifting to the real reason of her visit to TIR Na NOG and conveying subtly to Ivar that she does really still care about it and what it signifies.

The fairy king points the staff at Deirdre, the ring reappears on her finger, He instructs Ivar to try and touch it. Ivar reaches over and tries to take it off her finger and got an intense shock that threw him from her. She smiles, brightly,and remarks,"That will show you Ivar, if you have entertained any thoughts of getting the ring back!" Deirdre smirks and laughs looking lovingly at her ring with fingers outstretched capturing the multi-colored glow of the stones and slyly glancing over at Ivar.

Ivar stares back rubbing his hand from the sting of the shock and taken aback by Deirdre's not so subtle warning. Ivar knows now Deirdre is going to be serious business, no royal charm from him is going to change her mind. He doesn't respond back but instead looks at Fin Varra commenting,"So this is a protection against anyone who attempts to make off with DEIRDRE'S RING!" Ivar acknowledging the ownership is no longer his but hers. The fairy king wearing his sunny grin, giving him a slow, deliberate nod to him, which Ivar then looks down to the ground his lips pursed.

Fin Varra jumps off his throne, walking towards the two of them stating, "I'm afraid your Fates are sealed! Ooooh, but it isn't all that bad, in fact there will be wonderful times and surprises that lie ahead, you'll see!" The king singing and winking at them. He then briefs them on the entire story about Humanity and the ritual that they will eventually participate in together.

Later that afternoon along the western shoreline, the shipyard of Kells carves out the future of their sea-faring royal fleet. Shipbuilders from other islands discuss ancient engineering problems--compensation for water absorption of wood type, wind stresses on sails and impact on frames by unseen reefs an rocks.

Deirdre and Freya both arrive together assessing the fleet's needs. She gives Deirdre some of the nautical historical backgrounds of the different types of ships and the value of each. Onboard a partly-constructed ship, the wind plays with Freya's hair--flying out in all directions like bright sunrays, capturing the attention of all the males nearby. She proudly shows off her knowledge of nautical operations and Deirdre tries to keep up. After briefing the princess, both head back towards the Castle when Freya startles Deirdre barraging her with questions about Prince Ivar's private life--his women, his availability for marriage his exotic good looks and how she intends to make him her romantic trophy, laughing haughtily. Deirdre knowing all about Ivar's personal history kept mum about her own intimate relationship with him. She just listened and played dumb while fantasizing in her mind, tying Freya to a ship's bow like a Viking ship ornament shipping her out to sea to parts unknown, far from Kells and Ivar. Deirdre also had to tolerate listening to her making romantic plans to take Ivar on a moonlight sailing trip after all the work is completed of course, she assures the princess.

After the shipyard accessment, they both returned to the Castle. As they approach the Throne Room for the Chieftain's Meeting, Deirdre's face reddens as Freya leaves her quickly, sitting herself next to Ivar, giving him her brightest smile. As Deirdre prepares to sit down on the opposite side of him, her father the king slips in sitting down next to Ivar, separating is daughter from the prince Her gives Deirdre the warning look of,"Leave them alone, Deirdre!" Not knowing his own daughter's involvement or future destiny.

The meeting is turned over to the shipbuilders and to Freya giving the king and his chieftains a presentation--a status report impressing all. The future of Kells' Royal Fleet is on steady course.

Aideen watches the proceedings along with Cathbad, whose mind keeps nagging him concerning his latest vision about potential danger to Ivar. The fairy also senses danger coming to Kells, but not exatly sure when or how but Aideen hones in on Freya, watching her flirtation with Ivar not being genuine. "There's some- thing about her I don't trust!" Aideen examining her closely then picking up Deirdre's feeling of annoyance and intimidation with Freya's present. The fairy decides to keep an eye on her before Aideen makes her suspicions known to the princess.

In Temra, Queen Maeve outraged over Tork's failure to once again obtain the ring decides she will have to devise a new plan to get it. She plots to lure the princess into a trap getting the ring. Thinking out loud she states," Let see.. shw might try to rescue Ivar if he is endangered. Let's set him up as bait and prey!" Maeve maliciously laughs, knowing Kotkar grows impatient for his revenge on Ivar. She steps up her plan of action saying,"I will require creating another diversion to once again sepaate the prince, snaring him into my trap!" Maeve's scheme falls into place.

Aideen sees Rohan and Angus walking in the woods and overhears them discuss - ing the beauty at their meeting this afternoon."Rohan, her hair shines like the sun and the rest of her...Oooh Boy!" Angus raising his eyebrows and whistling as Rohan laughs and eyes rolling. The fairy flying to both of them and remarks "Not you two? First Ivar goes out of his mind, which is making someone else very upset! I don't trust Freya, something's not right about her!"Aideen crossing her arms at them.

"Oh Aideen, you are suspicious about everything!" Rohan quips to Angus who then eyes the fairy teasing,"Hmmm Aideen, could it be that you're jealous? I mean after yesterday's 'Love Shower'....women always jealous doesn't matter what species, Deirdre also wasn't so thrilled about Freya and not apparently only at the meeting. Ooh...in the Castle's kitchen," Angus stops walking looking at Rohan jabbers on,"The women...clucking like a buncha hens...about Deirdre's feelings about Freya and Ivar's attention to her. They said the princess was staring at the two of them so hard at the dinner last night. If looks could kill! Even the king noticed and told her to stop staring at them. Ivar also saw Deirdre's face! Whatever happened between them in the grotto, it isn't over! No!Not by a long shot!" Angus with arms folded looking with his head cocked at both Rohan and Aideen.

"It will be over for Ivar, if he gets involved either way!" Aideen nodding and arching her eyebrows, she continuing saying,"Both Cathbad and Fin Varra gave Ivar severe warnings about his path. This mission has to be completed. The Princess and Prince must stay together in order for it to be completed success- fully. This woman could be trouble, I just have a feeling!" Aideen showing serious concern.

"Trouble like that, I wouldn't mind!" Angus chuckling to himself."

"Well I'm off! I'll let you two moon over her and I have better things to do! Hmmmph!" Aiden flying away miffed, scowling at both Rohan and Angus, who then remarks,"Yep...that one real jealous, she is!"

Aideen flies along the shore, when she sees a nearby barrel with a hole in it, she enters to rest when she hears two men stopping in front of the barrel and overhears one stating,"The Kells won't be able to withstand Temra's battering All is going well with our plans. All of Kells vessels will be dead in the water, like spearing fish in a barrel! Har! Har! Maeve will be pleased! Her ships will strike terror in seafarers everywhere! All is ready for the queen, Kotkar!" Both men smiling and patting each other on the back, unaware that Aideen is listening in Kotkar continues,"Kells do not even have an inkling that the shipbuilding company that they hired is that of the royal fleet of Prince Ivar. What a perfect disguise the name we use THE ROYAL WAVE, as we will be waving Prince Ivar and Kells farewell to their deaths!"

Eavesdropping, Aideen was just about to leave when she spies through her little portal of the barrel Freya, talking with a ship captain wearing a Temran uniform meeting up with the two strangers talking. Aideen learns that Maeve paid off the contractor for Kells' shipbuilding contract handsomely, allowing Temra to use their name to disguise who is truly behind the shipbuilding, the shipbuilder of Ivar's royal family. Aideen alarmed by the discovery, is now ready and heard enough, to go to Princess Deirdre! Something big is about to break and it doesn't look good for Kells. Watching them leave, she finally pops out of her hiding place and takes off quickly for the castle.

Deirdre, Ivar, Rohan and Angus patrolling Kell's shipyard walking around observe all the activities. All seem to be going well when looming out of the sky--a large silhouette appears out of the clouds--a flying three-headed dragon bearing down on the Mystic Knights-TYRUNE! Immediately the four of them summon their armor and Rohan using his Dragon Breath Dagger calls Kells' flying ally-- PYRE. Pyre's quick arrival puts Tyrune on the offensive. Both dragons locked in fiery aerial battle--fireballs rain down on the area of the newly, constructed ships. The knights use their mystical weapon arsenal against Tyrune, finally sending the creature scurrying away with Pyre on its tail in hot pursuit, both vanishing into the distant clouds.

Aideen flies into the window of Cathbad's chamber and says,"Hmmm, no one here!" Then Cathbad's cloaked figure appears into the chamber, armed with a large load of herb plants to the table. The fairy flies over to him and says,"Cathbad, Cathbad where are they--Rohan, Princess,Ivar and Angus? I must speak to them!" The fairy wings rapidly fluttering as she talks to the Druid.

Cathbad pulls down his cloak hood slowly and comments,"Aideen, slow down.. they aren't here! They are at the shipyard, but they will be returning soon.If you would like to wait...",as he watched the fairy take off out of the window again without even a goodbye. Cathbad shakes his head and sighs,"Everyone is always in a rush these days, where's the fire?" Muttering to himself, going back to his cluttered shelves, pulling down the many shaped glass flasks and measuring cylinders.

Back at the shipyard, Kells ships did not sustain any fire damage from Tyrune's fiery assaults, thanks to the Mystic Knights and Pyre. After surveying the shipyard Rohan relieved remarks,"Well that was close, Maeve is out to destroy our new fleet of ships, but she failed! Good Old Pyre knows how to take care of Tyrune!"

Deirdre speaking with defiance states,"We'll have to be on alert, Maeve will be back soon! But we'll be ready for anything when she does!"Nodding confidently to Rohan, Angus and Ivar.

Suddenly a Kell shipyard worker approaches and hands a rolled message to Prince Ivar. The worker whispering in his ear, Prince Ivar laughs with him. Ivar reads it and a huge smile appears on his face looking up from it and says, "I'll see you back at the Castle later, I have another pressing engagement to to attend to."Winking but not commenting anything further, but the fragrance wafting from the paper says it all--a woman! As they watch Ivar trot off quickly.

Deirdre knew immediately identifying the perfume's signature who sent the message--FREYA! Her overpowering scent of her perfume lingered over everything she was near, like an animal leaving its scent mark on its territory. The princess almost gagging from its smell, is very annoyed by its presence identi- fying its wearer and Ivar's quick response to her.

Back at Conchobar's Castle, Cathbad lights a dark blue candle, the drippings making a pretty lattice pattern of wax around it. He stares into the flickering flame then suddenly its center seems to open wider revealing the earlier vision - the falcon and the two birds--one red, one yellow. this time, there's a close up up of the red bird's crest--cardinal crown, the other--yellow canary, which leads the falcon to a door, while the red bird walks in front of the falcon agitated. The door becomes stone then transforms into the cat's open, fanged mouth. The falcon enters-- the cat's mouth closes, leaving a broken wing feather and puddled bloodstain. The yellow bird flies off and the red bird goes to the falcon feather, emits a mournful cry and then flies off. The vision ends.

Cathbad's eyes widen exclaims,"The red bird crown--Kell royalty, one red bird--Deirdre? Yellow Canary--Freya? Ivar goes with Freya leading him to danger? The yellow bird did not warn the falcon of the cat's presence as did the red one,also it did not mourn the yellow bird therefore deliberately lead- ing it to its death. GREAT DAGDA! A TRAP!! I MUST WARN HIM!" Cathbad feeling ' the urgency of the vision.

Walking through the dense, tangled forests back to the Castle, Angus needling Deirdre about Ivar's sudden departure comments,"I have never seen Ivar like this, taking off like that! He doesn't usually want to miss meals. But tonight he goes for the dessert first. Freya is definitely on Ivar's dessert menu to be sure --Mmmm..sweet and tasty!" Angus glancing sideways at Deirdre, who makes no comment, but inside she is churning, as the grotto, night walks along the seashore together and other shared times with Ivar play in her mind. She thinking to herself questions "King Fin Varra, are you sure we are the chosen ones for this destiny? Perhaps it is Freya, Ivar said at Cathbad's she came out-of-the-blue, that sounds more like how destiny is suppose to be but...I opened the Puzzle Box...I'm so confused! I feel like wringing his neck!" Thinking silently to herself, as she feels a lump growing in her throat, struggling to keep her thoughts from popping out of her mouth. The knights entering the castle's entrance head for Cathbad's quarters. Upon arrival, they note Cathbad's frantic expression as he sees Ivar isn't with them desperately questions,"Where's Ivar?"

Angus blurts out melodramatically commenting,"Ah, he's with Lady Freya, she sent him a secret message of love and he bounded off like an animal in heat!" Angus laughing doing a jig.

Rohan sees Cathbad's concern remarks,"Why Cathbad? Is there something happen- ing to Ivar?" Looking over at Deirdre, also starting to read Cathbad's face.

Cathbad tells them his latest vision and how Ivar maybe placed in danger because of Freya! Just then Aideen flies in again and says,"Oh Princess, you are here! I came back earlier to find you but you weren't here! Kells is in danger! I felt something wasn't right with Freya so I went down to Temra and I spotted Freya with Temrans and foreigner--a man from Ivar's homeland. He is behind Kells ships being built, but they're being sabotaged! He is from Ivar's royal fleet's shipbuilding company but their using the name ROYAL WAVE to disguise who it really is and that he's working with Maeve. Temrans are getting new ships built too and in return, he gets Maeve to help to help him get revenge on Ivar. He is out to destroy Ivar and Freya was with him and a Temran sea captain. She's a spy or she's going to help destroy Ivar! What are you going to do Princess, and where's Ivar now?" Aideen looking around speaking, so excited looking over at Deirdre, then Cathbad.

"I was afraid of this! So Freya is the bird leading Ivar to the cat's mouth! This is...bad, and we have no idea where to find him? She could be leading him into a trap as we stand here!" Cathbad pacing the floor.

Deirdre's instinct serves her well and knew from the moment she met Freya, she knew she didn't like her. She making all the plans for romance with Ivar, to make him her trophy. Deirdre now concerned for Ivar's safety,trying to put her jealousy aside, she asks,"How are we to find him and warn him?"Looking at Cathbad with a serious expression.

Rohan placing his hand on his forehead comments,"He..can..be..anywhere! Headed towards what? How can we get to him, we don't even know where to start looking!"

Deirdre walking around Cathbad's chambers hand on her chin thinking out loud commenting,"Hmm..Ivar's royal fleet shipbuilder...then it hits her, remembering Ivar's conversation about Findar, the connecting link..she shouts out,"GREAT DAGDA!!! THE SHIPBUILDER--FINDAR'S FAMILY! FINDAR WAS THE DAUGHTER OF THE MAGNATE OF THE SHIPBUILDING EMPIRE THAT SERVED IVAR'S FAMILY. THAT'S WHY THE DISGUISED NAME. THE FAMILY IS AFTER IVAR, REVENGE FOR HER DEATH AND THAT'S WHY MAEVE USED THEM TO GET US AND HIM!"Deirdre face horror-strickened.

Cathbad gazes into the princess' eyes and nods his head several times processing all of it in his mind, fitting his vision,states seriously, "Deirdre, if you're right...Ivar is in grave danger indeed!"

Rohan now agitated announces,"We should go to Temra, how do we get to him?" Putting his Sword of Kells on, anxiously ready to go and rescue Ivar.

Cathbad stares hard at them remarks,"I'm afraid it is up to you three. Ivar taught you to use your greatest tool--your minds. You must now use the powerful mind technique he taught you earlier--Remote-viewing! Ivar's very life may depend on it!"Cathbad taking the three Mystic Knights through breathing exercises. Rohan, Angus and Deirdre now look at each other a bit frightened that it depends on them now --their level of accuracy. They try to relax around the candle and close their eyes trying to push out any distracting images and thoughts. Aideen also tries to use her fairy-sensitivity--empathy, to tune into Ivar's conscious mind.

Ivar on horseback follows a sloping, rock-shrewn trail in the Black Water Loch area. He passes through a clearing looking at his map of instructions and finally after meandering through dense forests and valley, he arrives at a gray stone door carved with Ogham lettering, circular patterns and a metal bird perched on top of a bronze ring. He passes his hand over the surface of the door, feeling the relief along his fingertips as if attempting to get a psychic im- pression of what lies beyond it. Finally he pulls the bronze ring downward, the stone door creaks open, revealing a cave passageway with a distant light at the end of it. Ivar's senses tingle as he reaches the end into the large, cavernous room--large stalagtites sharp as huge daggers appear threatening yet with colorful magnificence. He looking up and touching them remarks,"Beautiful and dangerous! What an exciting combination!" Ivar surveying with awe.

"Exciting combination, I hope you are talking about us, Ivar!"Freya coming out from behind a large rock hideaway, rubbing her hand along his shoulder line.

Ivar startled, his senses knocked out of commission, couldn't senser her approach. Ivar being intoxicated by her perfume and passion surrender to her. She takes his barbed trident off and places it on the rocks behind them, pulling him away from them and to her in a passionate embrace. While Freya and Ivar get more intimate, unknown hands momentarily become visible from behind the rocks, grabbing Ivar's trident and disappear again. Ivar comes up for air-- awareness thrown off-course, back into the recesses of his brain, by Freya's passionate kissses. The alarms triggering in his head go unheeded. Ivar thinks to himself he has now found a different stone to uncover, one most definitely to his liking--jumping to a new path--a different destiny.

Rohan concentrating running his hand through his hair staring at the candle again,struggles trying to focus comments,"I see small and large circles on a slanted surface, two parallel line, smell of rotten wooden logs--green shrubs with gooseberries on either side with a large snapped-off,fallen branch on top of them. Beehive above--buzzing sounds and then after the shrubs, a sloped hill It's moving too fast, another large circle..Ach! This is impossible!" Rohan's eyes snap open suddenly, frustrated his fist hitting the table.

"Okay, okay Rohan, calm down! Let me try it!" Angus jumping in taking over. He squeezes his eyes tightly and comments,"Hmm...seeing a couple of huts--a buncha sheep in pasture nearby, looking down into a large circle--lake, yea a lake. Looks like a circle of stones, but not the Fairy Ring of Tir Na Nog These are higher than them, three small ones in a tight semi-circle and two huge, tall ones facing opposite ends--after circle...archway of tree--going through itt, moving towards eft--a cipher in a field sticking up."The images fading off of Angus' mindscreen. He tries to go through many mental maps of Kells' land filed in his memory to match the areas seen. Angus looks confused, twisting his mouth,exhaling remarks,"Hmm..."

Cathbad notices Princess Deirdre remains silent, he comments"Deirdre, I sense you're hesitant, this is crucial. Look into yourself, I know you're angry, but he is going to need all of our help. There's going to be a heavy price for us to pay if you don't aid him, Deirdre. Put aside your feelings and concentrate!" He looks with a long, sideway glance at the princess.

Deirdre looks into the flame with lips pursed, then lifting her eyes momentarily to Cathbad, she closes them slowly begins stating,"I see a large dark circle of water...the tree branches are bent touching each other looking like an arch ...wait, what's that? Huts? No!--barrow mounds,burial mounds a group of them bleating sheep--a door, stone door with pictures on it--a metal ring! A dark tunnel behind it, like a cave."Opening her eyes, expression showing no compre- hension.

All of them now try to pull information out of the session with Cathbad serving as processor, to find the pieces that fit all--a giant jigsaw--sensory perceptions needed to find their comrade.

Torchlight creating a continuous, swirling red aura off the stone walls of Temra's Throne Room, Maeve paces slowly in a circle commenting,"Ivar under Freya's spell should put the Princess in a panic or she could choose not to help him because of it! Yet she is aware that the Mystic Knights will be weakened, which would also diminish Kells' defenses, so she has to go and rescue him. Somehow the princess has to be given this potion which will paralyze her, putting her in a state of deep unconsciousness so Kotkar or Freya will be able to remove the ring from her. I will send a creature to destroy those Mystic Knights, the spoils--the ring and the end of Kells!" Queen Maeve holding up her scepter, summons the dark powers of sorcery.

Aideen accompanies Rohan, hitching a ride bouncing up and top, on top of his horse's head, as the three knights gallop rushing against time to what they think may be the first visual guidepost--slope hill leading to Black Water Loch. Their horses had to amble gingerly among the zig-zag trail of rocks and the slippery, densely-leaf carpet of the forest floor. They move towards the lake, suddenly hearing the loud buzzing of bees, spying a large beige,paper-like structure suspended from a branch, nearby pink flowering shrubs with gooseberries dangling on branches. On top of a shrub--a fallen branch. Rohan shouts excitedly,"Here it is! We're going in the right direction Come on hurry!" Rohan goes through the woods with Deirdre and Angus--their heads flatten to their horses' as they approach a group of trees--long branches bent over touching one another--extended woody fingers in a swaying dance in the wind--the horses and riders barging into the arch, like party crashers just passing through.

They see in the distance, a large circle of stones in the west peeking out among the green patches of trees. Heading out, they try to get their horses down another very steep slope, Angus complaining remarks, "Just wait til I get my hands on him for making us go through all of this to save his sorry hide!" He using his reins rhythmically sending messages to the horse.

Princess Deirdre jumps in remarks,"Not before me! I'll give you his sorry hide on a silver platter Angus, after I get finished with him!" She turning her head back at him, nodding.

Rohan yells back, "Let's find him first! Otherwise the Temrans will take his hide first!"All three knights head for a dangerous rescue for someone who is not even aware he needs rescuing.

Ivar in bliss, runs his fingers through Freya's golden hair, she with her head nestled on his shoulder. Yet something starts to creep up into his mind disturbing his senses--a presence, don't know where but close. All of a sudden high up above them on the rocks, a creature leaps down-- large fangs--three-headed feline, tiger-like with leathery wings, its eyes glowing white-hot staring at Ivar and Freya.

Freya shrieks jumping up moving away from Ivar, who turns to get his mystic weapon, shocked to find the trident gone.

"Looking for this Ivar?" Kotkar steps out from behind the rocks holding the trident up glaring at Ivar, whose stunned expression freezes on his face saying slowly,"KOT-KAR! Now realizing the real danger he is in.

The creature now moving its heads side-to-side, its hungry eyes fixed on Ivar. Kotkar smiling remarks,"Well Ivar, how do you like your royal reception committee,Queen Maeve assure me that her creatures love to snack on a Mystic Knight! I just came to watch the royal buffet, My Prince. We are invited, Freya and I aren't we?" As Freya walks over to Kotkar kissing him, turning glancing at Ivar slyly her deed done. Kotkar continues, "Oh, let me introduce you to my wife that you were ravishing, first my sister, now my wife! You, Prince Ivar must be dealt with! I'm sure Jantar won't mind, not having his brother around vying for his throne!"

Stunned and now angered by yet another betrayal Freya, Ivar snorts comment- ing,"You played your part well, my lady!"Ivar faking a royal bow and a glare. He remarks, "Well Kotkar, what will you have of me? Revenge, for what? I didn't kill Findar, and you know it. It was an accident. It seems betrayals are part of your family Kotkar. You betrayed our kingdom by falsely accusing me of murder your sister betrayed me with Jantar and now..your Freya, wife doing her husband's bidding, and I thought you were such a lady, how could I have been so wrong.. sharing your life with this...this lowlife opportunist! You stole from our family and swindling Jantar, not that Jantar has ever had any sense about anything!" Ivar's eyes narrow wraping his fingers around the handle of his sword, readying himself watching the creature and Kotkar and Freya.

Kotkar smirking remarks,"Oh Ivar, you always did play the kingdom's royal idealistic fool! Your brother laughs at your sworn duties, the chalice--find it Prince? I just happen to see it by the way, a decorative centerpiece on Queen Maeve's banquet dinner table, the other night. Oh yes, she told me how you tried..to retrieve it, but she beat you! Defeated by a woman? That will go down very nicely in our homeland, your father will..be..so..pleased Ivar!" Kotkar laughs haughtily with every word stinging Ivar like acid. He continues, "Well my lady love and I would love to stay to pick over the leftovers of your royal carcass, but from the looks of things, I don't think Maeve's creature will be leaving even a tiny morsel! We'll give our sympathies to your family --justice finally done for Findar!"Kotkar raising his fist in victory smiling maliciously saying as the leave, "Farewell Prince! May your soul never rest in peace!" As he and Freya leave Ivar in the room filled with hanging rock daggers and the creature, Ivar literally between a rock and a hard place.

As Kotkar and Freya emerge with Ivar's trident, an arm comes from behind, "We'll be taking this!" Angus wrapping his arm around Kotkar's neck while Rohan and Deirdre block them standing in front with folded arms, Angus yank- ing the trident away from Kotkar, throwing it to Deirdre and with Aideen's tiny hand pulling down the metal ring yelling to Deirdre,"This way Princess, follow me!" Deirdre and Aideen head down the tunnel.

Freya kicks Angus, releasing Kotkar and both start running. Angus rubbing himself, stops Rohan from pursuit commenting,"We'll get those two later, let's give Ivar a hand, I have a feeling he might be needing one!"Both running down the passage to Ivar and Deirdre.

Deirdre arrives just as the creature corners Ivar between the sharp stalagtites She shouts to him and remarks,"Need a hand, or can you handle this by yourself?"

Ivar never so happy to see the princess and his trident in hand remarks, "No! Feel free to jump in, let's call our armor!" Ivar now thrown his weapon summons,"Water around me!" Followed by Deirdre screaming,"Air above me!"

Rohan and Angus arrive in the stone chamber and Angus jumping back remarks, "Whoa...nice kitty!" Seeing the creature turn to them. Rohan takes his Sword of Kells thrusting upwards yells,"Fire within me!"Followed by Angus with his mace above his head shouts out,"Earth beneath me! Kitty looking for supper!" Angus remarks, swinging his mace towards it. All knights now transformed circling the creature using their mystical arsenal, Ivar shouts out,"I have an idea!" Aiming his trident to the large dagger-sharp stalagtites above, the heat from his weapon softens the rocks, breaking off falling and pinning the creature down. Then all four knights in unison, using their weapons dissipate the creature's energy--destroyed!. Ivar is impressed how his < remote-viewing training was used as a Mystic Knight team effort, saving his life.

Angus looking over to Ivar remarks,"Hey next time you go out courtin', leave us your whereabouts how you can be reach...just in case of..an emergency!"

Ivar looking at the ground upset and humiliated says,"I'll keep that in mind Angus!"Looking at the three of them, he remarks,"Thank you, I thought I was supper!" Angus punches Ivar in the arm jokingly commenting,"No more going for dessert first!" He winking at him and Ivar smiles weakly, hiding a very bruised ego. Thinking of Freya made his insides churn. He vows never to let anyone betray him like that again."

Aideen flying over to Ivar remarks,"See..told you beauty could turn very ugly!"Her nose up in the air, turns and flies over to Deirdre, hovering next to her, nodding her head. She also transforms a slate of blue stone into a piece of fabric, resembling Ivar's cape, stating,"Maeve will be coming for evidence, a ripped piece of clothing like your cape might deceive her. Let her think she's won for now!"The fairy giggling with her mischievous act.

Ivar looks over at Deirdre who is very cool towards him. She already sensing what took place there, a romantic meeting place like the grotto. Ivar looking around one last time mutters saying,"Beautiful and dangerous! Let's get...out of..here!"Speaking through his teeth, seething and marching towards the exit disgusted, the other knights and Aideen following him. Rohan then brings him up to date on Aideen's discovery--Maeve's plot to destroy Kells' ships and him through Kotkar and Freya. Once again Ivar's past had come back to haunt him and almost destroys Kells! He tries to fight down the emotions triggered by Maeve's continuous victories over him. "There will be..a..day..of reckoning Maeve, I swear it!" He vows silently to himself. He worries that Kotkar will strike again when he learns that Ivar has survived Maeve's deadly reception for him He must be ready for anything.

In Temra..."Are you sure, Ivar didn't escape?"Maeve grilling both Kotkar and Freya, still not accepting the possibility of a major blow to the Mystic Knights. She sends one of her female elves to bring her proof. She continues, "I still need Ivar's ring!" Maeve stroking her crystal embedded in her scepter. Kotkar smiles commenting,"Tell me Your Majesty, I'll be delighted to get the dead prince's ring, after all, there will never be a wedding for Ivar now!" Kotkar's eyes shine with mischievousness. Maeve smiles with reserve and adds stating,"There will never be a reunification of Earth and Sky!" She glancing slyly at the two of them, lifting their wine-filled goblets toasting each others victories.

Almost midnight, near the Castle along Kells long shoreline, it's windy, the moon keeps hidden its glowing face and the stars stare down coldly on a lone figure walking along the wet sands.

Prince Ivar's cape billows like a dark sail behind him, as he walks aimlessly along the rippling water line, lapping his boots. His mind and heart having violent exchanges--telling him the events of the past and present crashing against one another that now transform his destiny.

He finds some driftwood, making a small fire--blowing on his hands, realizing the cold isn't coming from the outside, but within. He thought he knew what he wanted in life--a rich life filled with honor, respect, adventure, purpose and someone to share it with. Is he the kingdom's fool for idealistic pursuits as Kotkar said? He begins to wonder. Responsibility leads to great destinies. Does it? He jumped his original path of unturned stones by changing the course of his destiny, almost getting himself killed and almost causing the destruction of Kell lives in the process. Why didn't he heed Cathbad and Fin Varra's warnings, scolding himself. They both knew how things would unfold for him but Ivar always believed in his own judgment until Freya. He comments,"Deirdre didn't like her from the beginning, I thought it was because of jealousy. No, it's her instincts, just like when her father was going to marry Lady Fianna and it was Maeve! I skoffed at Deirdre and I know she was annoyed with me and hurt questioning her judgment. Deirdre just knows--women's intuition.

"The Oracle told me it is Deirdre I am suppose to be with, that's why the grotto happened. I was fooling myself that it was only a passionate moment Deirdre was so intense at Tir Na Nog, questioning me about my feelings being genuine. She thought I was thinking about Findar or just a conquest! Was..our ...being..together real!" Ivar growing angrier continues,"Freya, I thought she was real--a black widow spider!" Making a fool out of him in front of Kotkar! Ivar churning comments,"Deirdre shows up to rescue me, angry inside I bet, but kept her reserve. Aideen let me have it! Sometimes that fairy can be so brazen she goes too far, but she too, has female intuition that serves her well. Me, I've known nothing but betrayal--Jantar, Findar, Maeve, and now Freya. Only Deirdre did not betray me, she really thought Maeve's manifestation was truly me. Deirdre said she didn't know me well enough, but she thought she was shar- ing all with me. I should have trusted her and her instincts!" Ivar now looking upwards towards the Castle, finding Deirdre's window--dark. She's gone to sleep, he sighs disappointed hoping for company, the way it use to be. He also wishes that he could turn back time, like it was before the grotto. Just he and Deirdre curled up in each others arms, looking at the sky talking, never crossing the boundaries. But what's done is done, they can't go back. He asks, Where do we go from here Deirdre, what is to be our destiny now?" Still staring at Deirdre's window, wishing his thoughts could be carried by the wind through her window to her for a reply. Turning around, he finds a dry spot on the sand, laying down with clasped hands behind his helmeted head, gazing upward hoping to find answers to the meaning of his destiny.

Inside Deirdre's bed chamber, the princess tosses and turns trying to sleep, her mind and heart keeping her awake--Ivar! All the times they have spent together, the intensity of the grotto running through her body's memory, love's illusion--Maeve's Ivar and Freya! Is Ivar my true destiny? Should she be focusing on him when she needs to be concentrating on her destiny as the future queen of Kells. Is there anything between them anymore, she did find out that the grotto was real for him too and he was with her, not Findar or a trophy. Her heart keeps whispering, "He's alone and needs you. You should go to him and comfort him letting him know how much he means to you."She talks to herself, "No! I won't go to him, the last time I did that, we ended up in something we shouldn't have, we became lovers and everything has changed now. I don't know what I want to do. No..I will not, he can work out his own problems, after all he is royalty he will come to the proper resolution and decision!" She continues to toss and turn--a force pushing her preventing sleep, hand pounding the pillows, then burying her head underneath them she then grumbles to herself, "Leave..me..alone!" Finally she can no longer take it, throwing the pillows off the bed, jumping out of bed she storms towards her window peering out. She sees a tiny glowing fire on the beach in the distance and remarks,"It's Ivar, such a creature of habit always the campfire in the same exact spot!"She observes, sitting on the window ledge watching him, she continues,"Why is this happening? I know Fin Varra and Cathbad told me the importance of fulfilling the prophecy--reunification of Earth and Sky but look at all the trouble we face. So many obstacles, I don't know what Ivar thinks or feels these days. He was so angry at TIR Na NOG when I questioned his feelings of the grotto. I had to know, I'm entitled to answers! King Fin Varra was so amused with our fight saying we're already acting like we're married."She gets off the ledge, goes to her jewelry box and puts on her ring and she continues,"Marriage? Me and Ivar? We never did talk about our real feelings of that night, something always gets in the way! We need to talk about it! He has to see me wear his ring, in the dark no other Kell will see it." Looking down at it, she makes a decision.

Deirdre dresses putting on her long, black-hooded cloak and steals out of the castle, heading towards the beach. She's used to following a trail of bouldersin the dark with Ivar to the beach, she fails to sense strangers nearby--two cloaked figures stalking her. Jumping her from behind, they grab her arms one of them tries to get the ring off and was shocked by the ring's energy protection spell letting out a loud scream, attracting Ivar's attention below. He sees Deirdre engaged in a battle, runs up the boulders, with sword drawn. Deirdre continues to struggle fighting to break free, when she suddenly feels something slammed into the neck, she gradually becomes numb, losing her vision then --black. The princess collapses into the arms of the attackers.

Ivar crouches from the rocks, reaching the perpetrators from behind, he jumps them--pulling down the hood, Ivar growls screaming,"Kotkar! Now I have you! What have you done to Deirdre?" Tightening his grip around Kotkar's neck in a headlock. Kotkar and Freya shocked to see Ivar still alive, drop the princess, Kotkar struggling turn breaking free draws his sword towards him, with Freya screaming out with venom,"Finish him off Kotkar!!"

Ivar and Kotkar, jump from boulder to boulder, the clanging of swinging swords, barely visible. The shouting and curses exchanged between them fill the air--rage exploding telling the world what the death of Findar meant to both of them. The loud shouts and clanging of metal attract the attention of Kells drowsy rampart guards who then snapped alert, informing other guards, of a skirmish, possible night Temran attack? They bolt upright scanning outside the castle walls. Several of them, head down to the beach, where they see Prince Ivar under attack and spy a black-cloaked figure lying on the rocks alone, no movement. The fury between Ivar and Kotkar moves to even higher ground, each swordsman's mettle being tested in the dark. Kotkar rages at Ivar screaming,"YOU WILL NEVER RULE IN OUR HOMELAND!" Kotkar charges pushing Ivar to the rocks with such force, ready to give the prince the final death blow,when Ivar's feet spring upward kicking Kotkar directly in his chest with all his force, Kotkar's right boot catches between two boulders making him lose his balance, falling backwards plunging to his death, his head crushed by the boulders.

Ivar hears Freya's scream, a scream momentarily sounding like Findar's. He struggles getting to his feet, heartbeat punching through his chest, again a witness to another death, repeated exactly like hers in his homeland. He looks down at the Kell guards running reaching the body, who then look up at the Prince.He turns to see other guards picking up the limp body of the princess, his heart felt a stabbing pain, his throat growing a lump. He dashes leaping over the rocks, arms and legs aching from his battle. He reaches the princess, seeing she's still breathing but unconscious. He commands the guards to take Freya into custody, who screams hysterically at him,"MURDERER! YOU KILLED MY KOTKAR, JUST LIKE FINDAR!YOU WILL...PAY! I SWEAR IT, YOU'LL PAY!!!"As she continues screaming and sobbing as the guards cart her away. Ivar so shaken, trying to hold back his own emotions, reaches for Deirdre grabbing her from the guards cradling her to his chest, carrying her quickly barking orders loudly to the guards,"MAKE HASTE!RETURN TO THE CASTLE, ALERT CATHBAD AND ROUSE THE KING!!"Ivar's voice becoming choked, panicking when he sees the familiar punctured-patterned incision marks on Deirdre's neck--from a weapon he recognized used in his homeland, to inject a paralyzing potion which renders its victim helpless and then entering into a deep coma, leading to death. Ivar prays silently,"Please..Oh Lugh! May it not be! She must live...she must. It's my fault! Don't punish her, she was coming to be with me! Oh Deirdre, this wasn't suppose to happen. This can't be our destiny! No..I won't accept it!" Ivar anguished running with her with guards following protecting the two royals.

Carrying her through the Castle's hallway, he sees Cathbad is already waiting.Ivar speaks quickly to him identifying the paralyzing substance, then Cathbad hurries back to his chambers to create an anedote.At the same moment, a royal guard followed by King Conchobar bolting out of his chamber half-dressed wipes the sleep out of his eyes when he sees Deirdre, not moving her eyes closed. He screams with horror running to her yelling,"DEIRDRE, DEIRDRE, MY DAUGHTER! Then looking up at Ivar asking desperately,"Ivar, what happened?"Who then tries hard to maintain his steadiness and coherently explain everything to the king, as he continues to carry her quickly to her chamber. Laying her down on her bed, Ivar touches her cheek then tightens his lips. He stays with her and the king trying to comfort and assure him that Cathbad is already working on an anedote hiding his own fear knowing many victims in his homeland succumbed. Ivar now realizing she wanted to be with him, his true emotions about her begin to surface, once again he is responsible for someone he cares about, being injured.If she didn't come out to be with him,none of this would ever have happened.He prays silently again saying,"Please, Oh Lugh! Don't take her...we have so much to do and Kells need her...Her father needs her...I.. ..need her!" Ivar's heavy heart sending the silent plea.

The next morning, all Kells at the Castle remain in vigil as the word spreads throughout of the princess' condition. Cathbad working feverishly through the night, tries to create the right combination dosages of each herbal ingredient-- an anedote to neutralize the paralysis to bring her out of the coma. The sacred Druid herbal plants that he is using are not identical to the indigenous plants found in Ivar's homeland. They are a subspecies and this changes the effect on potency, making its curative effects uncertain. When Cathbad arrives in Deirdre's chamber with the anedote, Ivar is there with his eyes closed, his head resting on the princess' chest. He stayed up all night with her, finally falling asleep around dawn. Ivar's head snaps up off of her embarrassed as if he was caught sleeping on duty. Cathbad putting down the bowl of healing herbs, to position Deirdre's neck for application, smiles slowly at him commenting,"It's alright Ivar, you are entitled to some rest after your victorious defeat of Kotkar!"

Ivar rubbing his eyes looking down at the pale face of the princess who does, not stir, looks up at Cathbad sighing,"No change, Cathbad," brushing her hair and cheek with the back of his hand. He continues,"The king went down to face Freya, and prepare for her immediate escorted deportation off of the island. She will be handed over to my Royal Court of Justice, I will personally send a Prince's Command for prosecution to the full extent of the law as an access- ory in crime. Her crime will not go unpunished!" Ivar giving a royal promise, then looking down at Deirdre with sad eyes he says quietly, "I'm sorry Cathbad.. I should have heeded your warnings, this wouldn't have happened. I've made such a mess out of everything because I jumped the path, Oh Lugh! But I did it for King Conchobar and for Kells, you know it was for the best, or so I thought!" Ivar bowing his head.

Cathbad looks at Ivar and remarks,"You chose your path. We must accept Dagda's will, whatever that may be. We can only pray and wait! Get some rest, Ivar!" He applying the green, herbal concoction to Deirdre's neck wound. Ivar tells him, he will rest when Deirdre regains consciousness, remains sitting by her side holding her limp hand in his.

*****

Angus and Rohan arrive at Cathbad's chambers finding no one. As usual Angus starts nosing around on the table, picking up potion bottles examin- ing the labels, when the Old Druid comes storming in shouting, "ANGUS! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH THEM!" He pushing through, grabbing the bottle from him.

Angus wrinkles his face remarks, "How many times? Let's see..gee I lost count, but I'm sure you'll be able to remember! What's the big deal anyway?" Angus folding his arms across his chest.

"The big deal is that my potion is not working on the princess! The herbal plants are not the same species as Ivar's homeland!" Cathbad rifling through his books looking for alternative ingredients.

What has happened to the princess?" Rohan and Angus eyes widen questioning.

Cathbad surprised they were not greeted in the Castle's hallway with talk from the insiders about the princess' condition, he then explains to them the previous night's terror experienced by Ivar and Deirdre on the beach and Ivar's victory over Kotkar and Freya, but that the princess was given a paralyzing potion and she is in a coma, "Ivar is trying to maintain his courage, but he is very fearful because many have succumbed to it." Cathbad tugging his own beard trying to decide what methods of magick will be needed.

Ivar marches in the chamber, looking desperately at Cathbad, and states, "I'm going to do an 'IMMRAMA'Cathbad, it is the only way, we don't have much time, she is slipping further away! We cannot send for the plants from my homeland in time, I know you can assist me. Your Druid training can prepare me!" Ivar insistent, looking at him."

Cathbad looks startled and comments,"An immrama, you? Ivar, only the most prepared shaman should undertake such a quest. It's not for a beginner or the uninitiated. It can be quite dangerous! I'm sure we can perhaps substitute a few ingredients in the potion." Cathbad nodding slowly at him.

Ivar, pounding his fist remarks,"By the time, you prepare it we could lose Deirdre! Listen to me Cathbad, I've watched others die very suddenly, we can't risk it! I'm ready, I can do this, I must do this! Deirdre should not have to pay the price of Kotkar's revenge on me! We have so much to do. We have already jumped our path, I must make this right, change the course again to our rightful destinies!" Ivar already reading Cathbad's answered expression.

Cathbad stops and takes a deep breath and knows Ivar is not easily placated challenging him,"Do you know how much energy is going to be required for this? Can you energy amass for this journey Ivar? Can you find your way in and out of the Upper, Middle and Underworlds? Can you summon helpers to guide you? Your challenges are many! There are many who can deceive you in those realms as well, can you truly discern reality versus illusion...your latest judgment with Freya, tells me you cannot!" Cathbad raising his eyebrow arched, scowling as he continues to pull other powders off the shelf.

Ivar thinks for a moment then remarks,"Are YOU prepared to let the princess die, a destiny cut short because of a reluctance to take a risk!" He glares back at him and continues stating firmly,"I'm ready for it Cathbad, I only bet on a sure thing. I will handle this immrama, I..must..try!"

"Handle what?" Aideen flying into Cathbad's window, catching the latter part of Ivar's statement.

Rohan comments,"Aideen, the princess is in a coma and Ivar is going to do an immrama, whatever that is to try and save Deirdre." Rohan now worrying as much as Ivar asking him, "Ivar, explain what are you going to do...this immrama to save Deirdre!

"An immrama or 'voyage' is a shamanic journey--a healing by entering a different state of mind and still have complete total control. I will be entering into another realm of consciousness where the princess' unconscious mind will be. I will try to communicate with her spirit and mind, and bring her back to us.

Angus looking puzzled remarks,"Uh..This takes place in your mind. How is your mind going to rescue Deirdre?" Angus eyes then widen, getting more excited as it sinks in, remarks"ARE..YOU..OUT OF YOUR..MIND?" WHAT IF YOU CAN'T GET BACK HERE THEN WHAT, OH THAT'S JUST GREAT, SO WE'LL HAVE TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR MINDS!"Angus putting his face into Ivar's across Cathbad's table.

"First of all Angus, I have control and I will be careful. I have had train- ing from our High Magic Users, they taught us how to live outside of time--mov- ing forward and backwards hundred years in the instant of a thought. Also in ancient times, humans at one time in their lives knew how to access other world realms--other realities defined by our own experiences. I will be going to the Annwn(pronounced Anoon) the Underworld a place where there will be deep spiritual wisdoms and a place where where spirits, deities, and other beings can aid in healing. There are fairies and elementals that act as guides, which can help me to locate Deirdre. Healing is not just about the physical body but the mind and spirit as well. To cure, you contact the spirit of the victim. The spirit strong and willing, then it will bring back the health of the victim.We have no choice Angus, time is of the essence or Deirdre..won't..make it!"Ivar looking with seriousness at him.

Aideen hearing about the presence of other fairies comments,"I'm going to go with you Ivar. I can help you tell which beings will be helpful and which will try to deceive you remember Ivar,"Fairies can be pret-ty trick..y!" She winking at him.

Ivar thinks to himself looking at Aideen that she might be able to be help- ful, provide him with an edge in the other realm. The Underworld has beings that he never has encountered before and perhaps Aideen can act as a go-between. She is also an energy manifester and shape shifter, definitely a plus. Maybe she can get others to support them, helping them both! Ivar takes his pinky finger and touches Aideen's hand saying,"A pinky agreement!"Which Aideen grabs onto his finger stating,"Agreed! We'll make a great team!" She says enthusiast- ically nodding her head.

Cathbad has reservations but with Aideen accompanying him, he felt it might be a risk worth taking, for the princess' sake. He knows that he is getting on in years and he cannot afford to take the immrama himself, the king and Kells, need him here to battle against their two biggest threats of sorcery--Maeve and Mider. He tells Ivar and Aideen he will assist them through the immrama pull ing off the shelves what will be needed for preparation, then all head for the princess'chamber.

And in Temra, after the military inspection of her soldiers, Tork on horseback rides up to her and states,"News My Queen, Princess Deirdre is still in a coma and she wears the blasted ring on her. It has a protective spell on it which is why Kotkar and Freya failed to obtain it. This morning Freya was escorted by Conchobar's guards back to Ivar's homeland and will be taken into custody as an accessory. Ivar has given a Prince's Command to prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law!" Tork riding alongside the queen.

"How unfortunate, but they have both outlived their usefulness to us, the Kells ships are already sabotaged and the Princess is also out of the way! This presents us with an opportunity to strike Kells with two Mystic Knights out of commision, Kells' defenses are weakened!" Maeve's hand patting her horse's bridle smiling.

Back at Kell's Castle, everyone around the bed of the princess, looks gravely down at Deirdre's shallow breaths. Ivar prepares himself for the immrama, by taking off his cape and sits down in a chair next to Deirdre's bed. He takes his sword laying it before his feet on the floor--the sword a protective tool used to repell other world negative vibrations--used by shamans in their cere- monial ritual of preparation to journey.

The king comes in and Cathbad explains how Ivar is going to heal the princess He walks over to him, putting his hand on Ivar's should stating,"You are quite special, a warrior of the highest order. Since coming to us you demonstrated your bravery and leadership. You have also become a member of this family, and you will always be my friend. What you are about to do truly goes beyond your debt or duty. Thank you Ivar, please bring her back to us."The king and Ivar locking hands and arms together.

"Your Majesty, I will do the best I can. All is at stake for the future of Kells and me!" Ivar looking to all and clasping arms with Rohan and Angus who wish him luck. He turns to Cathbad,"Our lives are in your hands."Ivar giving him a long gaze and holding the Druid's ancient hands. Cathbad accompanies Ivar back to his chair which he sits down with Aideen on his shoulder, before him an incense burner is placed. Cathbad lights the incense, aroma of patchouli fills the air. He explains the North represents Earth, physical bodywork, deep spiritual wisdoms, endurance and a time of waiting. Sighing,"I wish this was the eve of Samhain it would be easier, as it is the Time of the Thin Veil--when dimensional portals open to other realms." He instructs Angus to start a slow drum beat as he begins to chant: "Honor blessing to the Northern Airt
Place of midnight
Black as moonless night is the north
Direct my journey steps to the places that balance the physical."

Ivar and Aideen listening to the drum beat, begin to fall into their trances. As Cathbad continues the ritual, the onlookers notice a soft fuzzy, glow emanat_ ing around both Ivar and Aideen. Suddenly their energy fields converge together as a blue/magenta cloud, then moving from the chair hovering over the princess' body. Slowly the cloud descends and enters the princess.

The view of Cathbad's chamber slip further away in Ivar's mind until suddenly a blue, shimmering lake appear--a bright green island seemingly rising in its center. He with Aideen flying by his side, walk into the water and wades through it reaching the island's beach, miraculously his clothes remain dry. He then spots the center of all the realms--a pole--situated in a hole near a tree root. He moves towards it quickly, wrapping his arms and legs around it slid- ing, descending, spiraling towards the left--down...down..further into darkness until a blue-white ring of light--a portal appears below him. As he gets closer and closer to it, he feels a tingling sensation then, landing on the bottom, an eerie orange and purple light appears the energy blurring their visions--as multi-colored auras from trees, plants and beings flitting about them become visible.The trees shimmer with leaves changing intensities--glowing with energy surging through them.

Ivar and Aideen look about in wonder, neither having seen Annwn the Underworld realm before, only descriptions in tales heard in Tir Na Nog and Ivar's homeland. They start traveling through a valley when he spies the WELL OF SAGAIS--the source of Wisdom and Understanding. It is the sacred Calderon-- the well where all true aspects of all humans and other beings could be perceived. Ivar turns the handle and a pail of gold light rises from within. He takes turn with Aideen, scooping the water in their hands for a drink,feeling the refreshing liquid energy in their throats, quenching their thirsts and then clearing their vision--perceiving the Underworld with more clarity with each drink.

Moving along a path of wild, bright red, glowing flowers and a fast-moving stream, they came across stange-looking 'sidhes' fairy mounds and Aideen senses movement, flying ahead of Ivar investigates. Out of nowhere, a flurry of energy appear--transforming into a group of fairies surrounding and blocking her stating,Halt! Who goes here! You are not from this realm!" Larger fairies dressed with white/blue flowing cloth--their wings slender and iridescent, flitting around Aideen examining her unusual wings, moving up and down exploring her cap and clothing.

Aideen announces confidently,"I am Aideen from Earthplane TIR Na NOG and this is a human Prince Ivar. We are here to heal the mind and spirit of Princess Deirdre of Kells. We need to brng her back for she is to be the future ruler of Kells and Prince Ivar's future betrothal. Princess Deirdre and Prince Ivar are the chosen ones of the Lemurian Sky Lords to reunite Earth and Sky peoples, but evil ones used a potion and sent her here somewhere Can you help us?"Aideen bowing her head with respect to them, her eyes pleading for assistance.

"I'm known as Quoran, hmm..King Fin Varra's kinfolk eh? He aided us once so we will give our assistance. We think to find your princess, you must go to the mountain over there where the rainbow ends." The fairy leader pointing to Aideen and Ivar, then continues stating,"There you will find a guide at the waterfalls. Say 'Water around me!'and dip your trident into the waterfalls, then a guide will appear, taking you to the one you seek. Be careful though, there are two paths to the mountain, choose the one which seems least appealing all is never what it appears, remember there is much illusion here. You seek truth, you do not seek illusion. Be careful, choose your allies carefully and good luck!"The fairies disappearing before either Aideen nor Ivar could thank them.

Aideen and Ivar head for the mountain, when passing an old tree a Magpie calls to them saying,"You are going the wrong way to the mountain, you should seek the path along the water, if you are lucky, you may see some beautiful water nymphs,frolicking,"The bird flying around, hovering Ivar's head.

"Come along Ivar, you do not need to see any water nymphs, we have very little time to fool around, the Princess needs us!" Aideen suspicious of the bird using her senses. She leads Ivar quickly along the same path which suddenly becomes rocky terrain, thorn bushes with long, tangling vines trying to capture Ivar's cape with every step. Ivar complains,"The other way might have been faster,less obstacles in our path!" He pulling the nettles and thorns off of his shirt and cape, stepping hard on the tangled-thorned, vines with his boots.

"Remember what Quoran said, we are to choose the path least appealing and this is it!"Aideen scolding him, then flying ahead to scout out the waterfalls. She extends her hearing range and hears a cascade of water crashing on rocks in the distance, she yells back to Ivar,"Come along, hurry this way!"She flying quickly in the direction of the falls, with Ivar running and stumbling to keep pace with her.

Finally reaching the falls, Ivar sticks his trident into the rushing water saying,"Water around me!" This time instead of his mystic armor appearing, a guide appears on the rocks. Ivar looking up and down at it examining it closely --its upper half--human and lower, goat-like--a Urisk creature. Ivar and Aideen approaches it cautiously, introducing themselves and informing it of their quest.

The Urisk thinks for a moment commenting,"Coma..ah yes, that could only mean one place. She has been abducted by the Mind Takers. They do take mortals from time to time so she must be there in the Mind Field. The Mind Takers are found in the cave-tunnel in the mountain. Once you are inside, you will have to release her and that is no easy task! I'll take you as far as the cave entrance, follow me!"The Urisk bounding up the steep sheer rocks of the mountainside with Ivar and Aideen struggling to follow the creature, scaling the rocks. Finally at the entrance, they thank the Urisk and it disappears.

Inside the tunnel, they move with caution until they reach a clearing--a large field of crystalized cocoons of many colors. Upon closer examination, Ivar saw each semi-transparent cocoon encased people in suspended animation, eyes closed. The crystalized cocoons are suspended spinning slowly in circles, without colliding into one another. The cocoons--red, green, white, yellow, blue, purple, pink--scattered all over the field by the thousands.

Ivar hits his forehead with exasperation and remarks to Aideen,"How in the name of Lugh, are we going to find Deirdre? There are countless of them! Where ' do we start?"His eyes widen and look to the fairy for answers as they both scan the vast expanse of floating cocoons before them.

Aideen using her sensitivity kept getting 'red' in her mind. She orders Ivar saying,"We are to check all the red ones first. I know it might take forever but we must do it!" Aideen and Ivar select only the red cocoons because of Deirdre's red hair color, seeming like a good place to start as any, the two splitting up and start searching for the princess.

Aideen flits by the multi-colored rows of cocoons checking only the red ones at first, a very tedious process, knowing they are racing against time. Ivar finally uses his Remote-Viewing technique to pinpoint the area where Deirdre may be found. Both Aideen and Ivar arrive at the same zone of cocoons, from different directions. They spy one--an unusual shape--when they approach they see a woman's silhouette--her hair the same color as the cocoon--red-- it's Deirdre!

Ivar runs up to it, swinging his trident with all his might to crack it open--not a scratch. He uses his trident's energy to heat the crystal--noth- ing! Ivar stares up at the princess, her eyes closed and totally unaware of their presence or attempts to rescue her.

Suddenly there is a tremor on the ground, Ivar almost losing his balance. The ground opens up and a large black cocoon emerges--cracking open, a crystal- ized creature appears transforming suddenly into a live Sphinx, who then booms loudly,"WHO DARES TO ENTER THE MIND FIELD AND DISTURB MY STREAM OF THOUGHTS!"

Prince Ivar speaks first,"I am Prince Ivar of Earthplane and this is Aideen from TIR Na NOG. We are here to find and bring back the Princess of Kells, she is needed by her people and to complete the mission of commencing reunification of Earth and Sky peoples. I am also to take part in this destiny. Her mission has been interrupted by evil ones, who then placed her here--a mistake! We are here to release her so she can follow through on her orders given by the Lemurian Sky Lords. We fight to preserve peace on Earth together as Mystic Knights, without her we cannot defend Kells and we cannot complete our destinies!"

The Sphinx with its orange, glowing eyes fixes Ivar with an unblinking stare and states, "You are here to release the princess from the stream of unconsciousness. You must prove yourself worthy! You must meet my challenges Mystic Knight!You may be a mighty warrior but you will face challenges of the mind by answering all my riddles correctly.If you fail to do so, you will lose your minds to my field, cocoons for the two of you! Is this understood? If you meet the challenges then you can have your princess back!"Sphinx smiles condescendingly to them.

Ivar looks at Aideen, then turns to the Sphinx,"I accept your challenge!" Ivar's heart pounding hard in his chest, curtly nodding with false confidence.

"Let the games begin!"The Sphinx starts the riddles,"Okay Prince Ivar and Aideen..At night they come without being fetched, and by day they are lost without being!"

Prince Ivar smirking remarks,"That's a challenge? That's easy...the stars!" He nodding his head, suddenly hears a tinkling sound from Deirdre's cocoon.

The sphinx comments,"I'm just warming up!" Giving Ivar a sly look and says, "Let's continue!... "The beginning of eternity,
The end of time and space,
The beginning of every end,
And the end of every place."

Ivar repeats it all in his mind saying,"words..alphabet...the letter!" Ivar saying the answer without realizing it. Again he hears a sound, louder this time emanating from the princess' cocoon.

The Sphinx's tail whips the air several times and remarks,"You are correct. The next one..."There was a green house
Inside the green house, there's
a white house.
Inside the white house there was
a red house.
Inside the red house there were lots
of babies. What am I?"

Now Ivar begins to sweat questioning,"Houses? Hmmm..."Looking at Aideen, who wrinkles her face then eyes widen and whispers into Ivar's ear and he comments,"A what? Aideen, that's silly, explain it. As Aideen explains her interpretation, Ivar begins to see her view. He has to trust her because he couldn't come up with his own answer. He swallows and prays hard saying,"A.. a..watermelon!"His heart pounding, thinking he blew it!

The Sphinx delays in responding and looks at the fairy for a long time, making Aideen nervous too. Finally it says,"That is correct!" Just then a crack appears on Deirdre's cocoon.

Ivar and Aideen raising their eyebrows thinking the worse is over sighing in relief when suddenly the Sphinx bellows out,"IT'S NOT OVER! I LEAVE MY SPECIAL AND HARDEST RIDDLES FOR LAST LET'S GO ON PRINCE AND...FAIRY! HERE IT IS.."I never was, am always to be
No one ever saw me, nor ever will
And yet, I am the confidence of all
To live and breathe on your terrestrial ball."

"What is this?" Ivar racking his mind,"Confidence of all to live and breathe ...always to be. He says,"The future! Tomorrow!" He blurting it out, then gazes at Deirdre's cocoon swaying suddenly cracking sounds like ice buckling could be heard and fracturing becomes visible on different parts of the cocoon.

The Sphinx snaps its tail in annoyance. "Yes this is true. The next one should not be so easy to answer unless you are truly a scholar as well as a warrior, my Prince. Here it is..."Before Saqqara was I am. Before the sacred tomb of the first Pharoah was, I am. Having survived the water of the Great Floods, I am. Having preserved the mystery of the horizon, I am. From my seat I have watched, I have prepared a place of honor. I have given my symbol, that you may know me. My gift is knowledge. Your future--my legacy! I am the Father Of Terror--Abu-el-Hol, What am I?"

Ivar sees a view of Saqqara retrieved in his mind commenting to himself, "Egypt--a Step Pyramid--the first of its kind in design and execution by high priest, scholar and architect--IMHOTEP. What was there before Saqqara? The only thing I can think of is that the Sphinx was there! The Sphinx?"Looking at the creature before him, he says to himself,"It would be just like him..."Finally he yells out,"YES...I AM READY...IT'S YOU, SPHINX!" He pointing his finger at the creature, then Ivar sees large red shards breaking loose from the cocoon Ivar runs over to Deirdre when the Sphinx leaps up and roars,"WAIT! THERE IS ONE FINAL RIDDLE TO ANSWER FOR YOUR WORTHINESS, BEFORE I LET YOU TAKE HER!" The Sphinx growling, its tail whipping back and forth angrily.

Ivar also growing angry and impatient yells back,"I WILL ANSWER ONE FINAL QUESTION, NO MORE!" He glaring at the creature.

The Sphinx returning to its reclining position with its paws stretched in front of it stating, "Your final question is: What walks on four feet in the morning, two at noon, and three at night?"

Ivar knows everything rides on this last answer, gazing over at Deirdre's cocoon which now is hanging precariously with her body partially dangling out of it. He closes his eyes and rifles though his mind when suddenly he is ten years old with his royal tutor--Ahmed, a small, dark-skinned man with a shiny bald head with piercing, grey eagle-like eyes who says.."Ivar you pay attention now, swordplay comes later..now it is time to train your mind. We will talk about Thebes in Greece. Oedipus and his soldiers were confronted by the Sphinx who asks riddles of passerbys for entry into the city. Those who failed to answer correctly were devoured! His question was..What walks on four feet in the morning, two feet at noon and three feet at night? Oedipus answered correctly,do you know? I will tell you---HUMAN! Yes, Man crawls like a baby on all fours, two as an adult and three as an old man--two legs and a cane...the memory fading out,and Ivar saying aloud"SHUKRAN MY AHMED!(Thank You),"MA SALAMA(Peace be with you!)Ivar yells out his reply,"HUMAN!" The cocoon explodes sending shards in every direction, with Deirdre falling out and Ivar catching her, she still unconscious. Just then a scream comes from the Sphinx, it crystalizes again then vanishes along with the other cocoons. At the same moment, suddenly the princess opens her eyes and recognizing Ivar says weakly,"I..var, you are here! Where..are..we?" She lifting her head from his chest looking around confused.

Ivar looks down smiling stroking her hair saying,"You are where you belong.. with me. It is time to go back now, Aideen lead the way!" They exiting the cave start the slow journey back to Earthplane. Along the way, Deirdre and Ivar finally express to each other their true feelings, knowing that theirs is a special destiny and that each will go beyond the limit for each other.

Ivar, Aideen and Deirdre reach the pole to climb out back to Earthplane-- the bright blue and white ring appears and they ascend slowly, first Aideen, then Deirdre and finally Ivar. They cross the lake wading through, leaving the island behind, up the hill towards consciousness.

Meanwhile in Earthplane, outside the castle, Queen Maeve executes a strate- gic assault against Conchobar's Castle knowing of Kells vulnerability without Deirdre and Garrett, three Mystic Knights might not be able to hold back her forces but Rohan, Angus, the King and his soldiers prove her wrong fighting the Temrans from the castle's courtyard. Rohan and Angus transform into their armor and weapons, once again Temran dogs run away with their tails between their legs. Kell soldiers and the King yell out their victory cheer, then Conchobar,Rohan and Angus return to Deirdre's bed chamber just in time, to see Aideen's magenta energy emerge from the princess' body, transforming back to her fairy form. Next, Deirdre's eyes fluttering rapidly, slowly opening--her vision first fuzzy begins to recognize the smiling, bearded face of her father, who says,softly,"Deirdre,my daughter!" Kissing her on the forehead and cheek, while Rohan and Angus give her big smiles, and Angus adding,"Welcome back Sleepyhead!"

The Princess smiles slowly and she looks around asking,"Where's Ivar?"Everyone then turns to his still body. The princess alarmed commenting,"Why is he just sitting there?"She slowly sitting upright to take a closer look, not comprehending weakened, she lays back down calling his name.

Cathbad becomes concern with Ivar's delay back to his body, wondering if something has gone wrong with the portal.

Aideen flies nervously over to Ivar's body, commenting,"I thought he was right behind us. Where are you Ivar? You've come so far, just a little bit further."

Making an appearance quite suddenly, a blue energy aura floats on top of Deirdre's crown spreading like a ribbon. The light wave floating from her goes to the chair--energy outlining Ivar's body, aligning then entering it. The body begins to shake violently--hands and fingers wiggling uncoordinated. Immediately Cathbad goes over and places his hands on Ivar's temples and the shaking subsides. The prince slowly opens his eyes--his gaze straight ahead . Then he starts to cough gulping in air taking deep breaths and shivering.

Cathbad yells to Angus and Rohan ordering them to get the blanket off the bed and quickly wrap it around Ivar. Blanket on, they massage him briskly, trying to get his body temperature back to normal, as Ivar's teeth continues to chatter, responding to the cold. He gradually warms up--eyes responding, seeing Cathbad, Rohan,Angus and the king surrounding him, he finally says barely audible,"Cathbad,Your Majesty, Rohan, Angus, ...Deirdre..she alright?" Cathbad visibly overjoyed choked with deep emotion,"Ivar I'm so proud of you.. ..you are truly an adept, warrior and nobleman of the highest order. You..did..it! The immrama was successful! I couldn't have done it better my- self!" He moving to the side to show him Deirdre awake, smiling happily back at him. Ivar struggles to his feet, wrapped in the blanket and walks clumsily to her bed. Sitting down close to her, sticking his hand out of the blanket, grasping hers, rubbing them with his thumbs. She looking up at him comments, "You know, I just had the strangest dream and you and Aideen were with me, but I can't remember any of the details!"Looking first at him, then Aideen as they wink at each other, Ivar remarks,"Hmm..only a dream, Deirdre!"

The king smiles down at Ivar saying, "Kells are now forever in your debt. You have saved my daughter! Thank You Ivar!"

Cathbad interrupting comments,"Yes now that Kells are in your debt Ivar, we must hurry and complete the prophecy's ritual ceremony! Deirdre...Ivar, it must be done before Maeve and Mider get wind of your recovery. Are you strong enough?"

"Cathbad,.. Can't it wait, she is not completely recovered!"Rohan looking questioningly at him and the King looks at Cathbad, not understanding what is being discussed.

"I'm afraid not Rohan, we cannot let Maeve, Mider or any Power of Darkness interfere with this. My Druid sense tells me the time to act is now!" Cathbad becoming anxious looking at Ivar and Deirdre.

Deirdre sitting up again, looks into Ivar's eyes deeply both knowing Cathbad is protecting them and their mission. He knows all that has happened in the grotto between them and knows that this is the most difficult decision he has had to make as a loyal advisor to her father and Kells. It is also the most difficult undertaking she has to make herself. She was heading down to the beach to discuss and resolve the ring and their futures when once again, out- -of-the-blue, something intervenes. Are these signs that they shouldn't go through the prophecy or is it just stones--stumbling blocks that they must overcome to reach their true destinies. Both Ivar and Deirdre tried to air some of it in TIR Na NOG, but it wasn't enough. Now they have to make the decision, before something else interferes. Ivar also used to go with his own judgment but now..since Freya, he isn't sure but he now is going to trust Deirdre's instinct and comments,"Deirdre, I will go along and trust your intui- tion!"Looking at her trustingly.

Deirdre digs deep inside her for her reply, then slowly she responds,"Yes Cathbad, we are ready to proceed! There is no turning back now!"

"Deirdre..Ivar..take out your rings, I will start the ritual."Cathbad already unrolling the scroll, prepared.

Deirdre, removes the ring from her neckchain, while Ivar takes his out of the pouch. Both rings are then placed on a Rose Quartz crystal wand, held in Cathbad's hand. He raises his arm, pointing the wand upward which then begins to glow as Cathbad recites:

"Lemuria, home of Man fallen into Earth sea,
rising again in our sky, Sky Lords hear us!
The two warriors of Peace of Earth and Sky
one woman, one man from the houses of noblemen
ready to join as one, for unity of Earth and Sky".

Cathbad slips the rings off the wand giving them to both Deirdre and Ivar instructing Deirdre to place his ring on his finger saying From Earth to Sky and for Ivar to place her ring on her finger saying From Sky to Earth, both rings explode into fast dancing, glowing colors moving across their faces and the shocked onlookers.

The king puzzled questioningly asking,"Cathbad?...What..is this all about?" Looking worried at his daughter, not understanding, not sure if he should approve.

Cathbad says,"My King this must be done! All will be explained to you. We must hurry!"

The Druid continues reading from the scroll, this time in an ancient langu- age eons ago, unfamiliar to all present in the room. He instructs Deirdre and Ivar to say in unison after each passage,"KAT KAT MALAM." Cathbad recites on and all notice the rings' colors seem to stop its erratic display.Both rings start to follow a sequence--red--orange--yellow--green--blue--purple--white. Deirdre's ring changes colors with Ivar's, in sync with one another. They say "Kat Kat Malam" after each of Cathbad's eye contact with them. The final pass- age read they say the reply looking deeply into each others'eyes and as if their minds suddenly are linked both interpreted the ancient reply's meaning by saying together slowly,"We..are..one!" Then suddenly the eyes of the falcon heads on both rings come to life--bright white, startling both the prince and princess.

In Temra, Maeve's entire throne room shook. Crystals from her shelves start to shatter inexplicably. Maeve summons,"Mider, Dark Fairy of the Shleevs!" Which then Mider's green flames rises out of the chalice, and as he is about to speak, the stones of Ivar's stolen chalice activate glowing brightly.The cup elevates by itself with energy emanating from it, sucks Mider back into it--aglow covering the entire cup trapping Mider, alarming Maeve who jumps off her throne screaming,"WHAT IS HAPPENING?" As she watches the wall- -mounted sculptured lionhead outside the Throne Room glow white hot then melt like candle wax. Her eyes now widen with disbelief comes to realization shouting,"LEMURIAN SKY LORDS! BUT THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE..UNLESS..NOOOO! MYSTIC KNIGHTS! I MUST STOP THE CEREMONY! POWERS OF SORCERY SEND ME A CREATURE! As a flying 5-headed Gorgon-like creature appears,Maeve shrieks,"GO! TO KELLS DESTROY THE MYSTIC KNIGHTS!"

Cathbad, Deirdre and Ivar walk slowly outside the upper level of the castle, among the parapets accompanied by the king,Rohan, Angus and Aideen. The Druid's multi-colored cloak swells blowing in the wind as he instructs Deirdre and Ivar to clasp their glowing ring hands together and raise it above their heads, shouting,"LEMURIAN SKY LORDS..KAT KAT MALAM!"

Just then a Maeve's flying creature comes from the west approaching the Castle, but suddenly a bright orange oval glow explodes, lighting up the clouds in the night sky overhead, like a bright fire and from it, a bright white meteor-like object shoots across the sky and the creature disintegrates.

As all of Kells watch awestruck, all they see is a bright orange cloud above the castle. Kells' rampart guards fall to their knees and onlookers on the ground take cover, peering from behind their hiding places. The King shocked leans against one of the parapets for support while Angus, Rohan and Aideen overwhelmed lean against each other and Aideen exclaims slowly with certainty, "THE LEMURIAN SKY LORDS!"Turning to Rohan who chokes his response,"Gr..eat Dag..da!"Looking at Angus whose eyes are frozen on the sky.

The oval glow changes color and suddenly a bright spoked-wheel craft descends closer to them--countless rows of multi-colored lights appear as the craft silently changes angle giving the appearance of a large chariot wheel.

Deirdre and Ivar shaken to their very core, keep their arms raised above them, hands clasped as instructed by Cathbad. Their rings in sequential order of colors now matching the synchronicity of the craft's.Each color displayed on their rings, the craft answers with the towering rows of matching colors. Suddenly a huge rotating column of electric-blue light descends a few feet in front of Ivar and Deirdre. They drop their hands to their sides, Ivar now placing his hand around the princess' shoulders, she leaning against him. Their eyes penetrating the veil of blue light in front of them, a silhouette is seen--taller, than the average human but thinner, wearing a long flow- ing,silver-metallic garment. The human-like form comes through the veil of light giving Deirdre and Ivar, a closer look at the Lemurian Sky Lord-- Seven feet tall, almond-shaped silver pupils and pale skin reflecting the blue light. They hear in their minds,"Hello Children of Earth, do not fear you will not be harmed. We have come, for you are the chosen ones, two diff- erent households of race and culture to initiate Humanity's gradual ascent to unite with the other kingdoms. Much will happen and you will face many challenges near and far, but you must not fear! You have both demonstrated your bravery and leadership along with creating a bond between you now that cannot be broken. You will be of one mind and one heart. You will set the example for Kells and other kingdoms of Earth. Oneness is the only way for Earth' future. Princess Deirdre will receive her gift and you Prince Ivar will also share it as well. You will learn from many new experiences, all part of your evolution and ascendancy. As you two grow into your changes, your perceptions will change as humans and as future rulers on Earth. There will be much opposition at first, but you will weather all storms, you have the strength and courage. This is to be given to all initiated."A box handed to both--ornate covered with alien symbols carved in twelve panels.

The Lemurian Sky Lord continues,"The ancient wisdom, we of Arinia received from our ancient Earth ancestors is now being returned to you. When you are ready, you will learn the knowledge of your ancestry and your true legacies." The Lemurian Sky Lord then moves back into the light bowing once at Deirdre and Ivar, who return the same royal gesture. The Being back in its curtain of light states telepathically,"Remember Children, KAMANO..KAT KAT MALAM! FAREWELL!" Deirdre and Ivar say in unison, "Kat Kat Malam!"Watching the blue- lit column rise slowly into the center of the craft and within seconds without a sound, the craft's glaring lights explode blinding them and is gone like a shooting star across their skies, becoming a twinkling pinpoint of light-- oneness in the bowl of stars above them.

Deirdre and Ivar stare at the box and then back at the sky. The princess' eyes scanning the skies comments,"Sooooo.. many kingdoms..to explore."Looking in wonder, and the prince smiles and remarks,"What? Up there, don't talk such nonsense Deirdre!" Saying facetiously, repeating her comments from the past. Deirdre looks at him slowly, a smile creeping up on her face remembering her comments adding his past remarks,"Maybe princes and princesses contemplating what destinies will unfold for them...Guess will have to explore all these kingdoms together."

Ivar smiles brightly stating,"Together...Kat Kat Malam!" With Deirdre wrap- ping her arms around his waist repeating,"Kat Kat Malam."Both looking at each other then up at their shining path of stones,leading to their destined journey as one.