Written by Ben Groenen (Raushan)

We are allowed a few nights rest, before it is time to obtain a token of the Fae for the Circle’s repair. Gwyn is assigned the task of drafting a message to the Fae, as she has dealt with them in her earlier days … umm, nights really. Looking over her shoulder, I quickly scan the letter but I think she is saying oh so much more than she should. But when I needle her, she gets in a huff. Who could have guessed that she doesn’t take criticism well … ?! Oh well, at least I had lots of fun.

She won’t write anymore while I’m there, so after I leave I ask Monaco to talk to her. He eventually convinces her to run the message by Lucio, as nobody knows how to write ironclad contracts as … well, you know. Meanwhile, Rosalita was told that we would be leaving after Gwyn had written her message, so she left the castle surrounds for a short while. When she returns, she laughingly tells us that she has arranged with a river spirit to take us to the Fae the following night.

Half past midnight, our party has been gathered by the river for a while when something suddenly seems different. We all notice at the same time that beside us is a knight, richly clothed, and armoured in silver with a two-handed sword and who is standing behind a beautiful woman who names herself Lady Mathilde of Lothlorien. She greets Illisander as the second son of the Prince of Stars, which surprises all of us including Rosalita. But even with this news, I think her ambitions concerning Illisander have only increased.

In the discussions that follow, Gwyn does well in that she promises nothing, but Mathilde informs us that the Fae will offer a Fae item of Power which will be loaned in exchange for the return of a miscreant for trial. They demand that Durandel be returned to them! But Durandel … is Rollon’s sword?! Now, Rollon’s sword has a cross-guard of eagle wings, while the hilt is a woman with her arms straight by her side and her braided hair covering her almost fully. In battle, her eyes open and blaze red while singing seems to come from the sword.

I don’t know if he is bright enough to pay any attention to it, but when he puts his sword down its eyes open and they follow him wherever he goes. At times, we’ve seen it in full woman form walking about the castle looking for him. We’ve also seen it cut through rocks, and we guess that is not all it can cut through. As they know Rollon has control of her, they are willing to offer him that which he most loves in exchange for the return of Durandel. It is very important for the Fae that Durandel must be returned freely of will by Rollon.

On our journey back to the castle, we discuss of what could be the thing that Rollon loves the most. Our best guess is that we think he left behind a betrothed, named Audi, who died waiting for his return from Spain. On our return, Gwyn brings the news to Lillane. Upon some reflection Lillane, after mentioning the Lay of Rollon in passing, instructs Gwyn to ask Rollon on this matter. Well, Gwyn does get on with Rollon the best of all of us since they have the most in common. Gwyn, of course, knows where to find him. Where else but in the stables.

Not knowing where to start the conversation with him, she chooses to talk about horses. For a while he lets her meander in her discussion anywhere but at whatever she obviously (and it has to be extremely blatant for him to notice) wants to say to him, but then he goes on the assault and asks her outright what she wants to say to him. Reluctantly, she brings up the meeting with the Fae, and convinces him to speak to her without his sword around. Thinking this as very strange, he complies with her request.

Gwyn talks of the meeting with the Lady Mathilde, and their requirement for the loan. Even though he tells her he has everything he wants, he agrees to attend the next meeting. Meanwhile, I have tried to find out about Durandel. Going to our extensive library, I examine many books until I find a small book, which states that Durandel is the daughter of the Unseelie Prince, Ailil and Morgaine. The name means Daughter of Thunder (ominous, don’t you think!)

I agree to go with everyone else to try to convince Rollon to agree to the trade. But we fail, as I should have known if I ever suggest anything to him. He says he would give it, but it wouldn’t be freely given.

The following night, Rollon has joined us at the river by the time the Fae have appeared. Allah yisallimak (God bless you), Rollon, for being who you are. Showing no concern for courtesy and amenity, Rollon bluntly wants to know the crimes that Durandel is supposed to have done. From the Lady Mathilde, we are told that she is charged with the murder of ½- and full-blood children of those at Lothlorien. Bismillah! (In the Name of God!)

The Fae continue with the list of crimes … she also placed a curse on one of the Seelie Royal Family, as well as a blight on the land and calling down the rolling thunders that shattered the city walls. Even though (maybe because) one of the dead children was theirs, the King and Queen of Lothlorien will pass judgement. If found guilty, Durandel will be punished with eternal entombment.

Mathilde and Rollon continue the discussion away from the rest of us for a number of minutes, until he is convinced they can offer what they are saying. He agrees to go with Durandel to the trial and as a gesture of solidarity; I agree to go with my brother, as will the rest of us. For some reason, my saying that infuriates him (Heh heh!). With our agreement, the Fae instruct us to close our eyes. I just closed my eyes for a second (because I wanted to see what was happening), and we were already elsewhere.

I can Sense Life again. Il-hamdu Lillah! (Praise Be To God!) The freedom to stretch that sense that I have held in for so long. We move through the forest, following the Lady Mathilde and her Silver-armoured companion. It is not hard to follow them as there are lighted red globes under some of the trees. By the time we move onto a walkway, beautiful harp music is wafting out of nowhere. The music gets louder and louder, and I assume that this must mean that the Seelie Court must be approaching. Courtly Fae appear around us almost out of nowhere, as the King and Queen advance on us. The focus of everyone is on Rollon, and it is almost as if no one else sees us.

Mathilde and her companion bow the King and Queen, and then the Fae rulers look at each of us and greet us as followers of the Queen of Shadows. Gwyn stepped forward and responded with many flowery phrases. Gwyn does know how to use diplomacy … even though she can’t seem to use it in most circumstances.

An informal court convenes around us, apparently by default as the King and Queen take seats on some nearby stone park benches. Some Court official reads out the crimes that we had been told of before, except they are stated in more formal terms than before. (Lawyers are the same everywhere!) The only new piece of information that we gain is that Mathilde’s betrothed was the one hit by the curse. The official finishes his recital and calls for witnesses, which begins a long procession of them which just flow from one to the other with almost no break.

But in the first break, we find out from Mathilde that the trial has four parts to it. First the charges are read, then the witnesses have their say, then the defence has its say, and finally there is a decision. During this break Rollon is convinced to put Durandel down. As soon as he does, she changes into her human form and lets out a wild wail, which upsets the court. Concerned, my Sensing of her shows that she is being constrained … by Rollon! Durandel does look like she would rather attack those around her, than just stand there. Hmm, Rollon himself looks out of his depth here … I guess he’s just waiting for a fight. Inshallah! (If God Wills!)

It is fortunate for Rollon that we find it will go to trial by combat between champions. As Rollon and the silver armoured Fae start preparing themselves, Rafi begins asking why Durandel did it. Through his probing questioning, he establishes that these events happened when the King betrothed his nephew to Mathilde, after the nephew had already made betrothal promises to Durandel. She had been Unseelie, but had changed to Seelie (because of the love that she had for him); so the argument is raised that she has been true to her nature (Unseelie) and that she is the responsibility of the Unseelie.

With this, Rollon refuses to champion her. With much talking between the pair, the King and Queen plan to hand her to the Unseelie at the changeover. In the meantime, it is proposed that Rollon will hold Durandel (as no other will can hold her) until the changing. At that time, she will be returned to Ailil in return for him removing some of the curses. It is so decreed! At such a tense time, it is most incongruous that every Fae is suddenly revelling in the blink of an eye. Gwyn receives silver spurs from the King and Queen of Lothlorien, with instructions that they are for the repair of the Circle. Mathilde whispers a name, and maybe some other things to Rollon. I wonder … will we find out what?

Upon our departure from the lands of the Fae, which is brutally brought home to me by the sudden excruciating agony of my seventh sense, we return to find our servants have been waiting for us for two days. We return to an audience with Lillane, and Gwyn and myself report what had occurred, as Rollon won’t say anything … especially about what he was told alone. Allahu Akhbar! (God Is Most Great!) The man can infuriate me sometimes, because I know that whatever he isn’t telling us is going to be very amusing.