War of the Valran by Ruex   "Calin Farren Dominic! You just wait!" Came the yell from upstairs as the seventeen year old boy ran down the stairwell with a laugh. "I'll get you back!" "Yeah! Right! You'll tell Dad, the first chance you get, Cee!" Calin yelled over his shoulder, jumping the last few steps and skirting around the stair case, heading for the kitchen, chuckling to himself as he heard his little sister, Cearea raising hell upstairs. He ducked into the kitchen. His mother was at the table. Calin paused to look at her. She didn't really look older then late twenties. Course the same could be said about his dad, but it didn't really bother him, and it didn't bother the girls. Lexi looked up from the paper and eyed her son. "Why is Cearea yelling her head off?" She asked evenly. Calin tried to bite back a mischievous grin. "I don't know..." He said with a shrug, heading over to the fridge. "Calin..." Lexi said softly, a slight warning tone to her voice. Calin winced slightly, but took a soda from the fridge before going over to the table and dropping into a chair across from his mother. She wasn't really his birth mother, he'd known that for years, she and his father had adopted Calin when he was 15 months, but he didn't care. As far as he was concerned, they WERE his parents, who'd always done what ever they could to make sure he was loved and grew up well. He felt a certain protectiveness over his mother, just as much as he did his sisters. There was running feet on the stairs, double. "Girls!" Lexi called. "You've been told not to run down those stairs, Sorcha, you know WHY!" They heard two giggles and Sorcha and Raelyn came into the kitchen. "Ello mum." Sorcha said, leaning over Lexi's chair to kiss her on the cheek. Raelyn followed, kissing her other cheek. Sorcha looked over at Calin and grinned deviously. "We saw what you did to Cee." "Didn't do a thing, Sora." Calin replied feigning innocents. "Mhmm, sure ya didn't..." Sorcha replied. Raelyn snickered. Lexi turned her eyes on her son. "Calin...what did you do?" "He put food coloring in Cee's shampoo and turned her hair green." Raelyn put in. She was the snitch, being the youngest. Lexi sighed deeply, shaking her head and looking heavenward. "Calin...you will apologize to your sister." She said evenly. "Yes, mum." Calin answered. "Just as soon as she's settled down..." He added. Lexi snorted softly, her absinthe green eyes sparkling. Sorcha and Raelyn plopped down at the kitchen table as well, giggling. There was the sound of some one stomping down the stairs. Everyone looked down the door way, the girls trying to stifle their giggles. Calin slid a little further down in his chair. Then Cearea appeared in the kitchen doorway, her green eyes on fire as she glared at her brother, her red hair having a green tint. "I'm going to kill you, Calin." Cearea hissed, stalking toward him. "Cearea." Lexi said softly. Cearea gave a pout. "But mum! Look what he did!" "I can see what he did perfectly fine, dear. But you can't kill your brother." Lexi replied, folding the paper and laying it on the table. "Calin, you have something to say to your sister, I think?" Calin was doing his best to surpress a smirk. "It's...a...beautiful shade for ya, sis." He said. Sorcha and Raelyn broke out in laughter. Cearea's eyes flared again and her fingers twitched. "Calin!" Lexi's tone this time was sharp and parental. Calin winced then sighed. "I'm sorry, Cee, really, just a harmless practical joke..." He said, holding up his hands. "You just wait until dad finds out!" Cearea snarled. "See, what did I say...ya can't get me back on your own, ya gotta go off an' tell dad.." Calin rolled his eyes. "Don't make a bet, that I can't get you back, smart ass." Cearea replied softly. There was another set of footsteps coming from the dinning room, and Faal entered the kitchen, pausing, to look at his family, his eyebrow raising, as he eyed Cearea's hair, then looked at Lexi. Lexi, Sorcha and Raelyn all pointed at Calin. "Your son did it." Lexi said simply. Faal turned his eyes on Calin, eyebrow still raised. "And why did you turn your sister's hair green?" He asked curiously. "Just a harmless practical joke! Honest!" Calin said, drinking his soda. Faal sighed softly. "Calin...what have you been told..." "Not to pick on my sisters..." Calin muttered defeated. Lexi got up from her chair, going over to sixteen Cearea, and reached over, running a hand over her daughters hair, casting a glamour and turning it red again. "It'll wash out soon enough, darling." She told her daughter. Cearea gave a soft sniffle, but smilled slightly before turning a glare on Calin. Faal started to say something, when the door bell rang. Calin lept up, saved by the bell so to say and quickly headed out of the room down the hall to the greeting hall and the door, which he opened to find Bastin, Nicky and Michael standing there. "Damn, mates, ya couldn't have picked a better time." Calin said with a slight smirk. Bastin raised an eyebrow. "Wha'd'ya do this time?" He asked. "Oh...nuthin' serious." Calin answered. Nicky and Michael snorted. "Yeah, right..." Michael put in. Calin just winked. "Who's at the door, Calin?" Came Faal's call. "Jus' the boys!" Calin called back. "We're going out..." He added, grabbing his coat. "Calin, be back by ten." Lexi called. "I know, mum!" He answered, pulled on his coat, "Later! Love ya all!" He slipped out on to the porch, closing the door behind him. "So where we goin'?" Calin asked. Nicky and Bastin looked at Michael, who was looking off in the distance for a moment. With a sigh, Michael looked back at Calin. "How much ya know 'bout the Red Court?" Calin's eyebrow shot up. "The Red Court...Can't say I've ever been there...only places in the fae realm I've been to are Uncle Estehl's court and Great Grandda's Court." "Yeah...well..." Michael stuck his hands in his pockets. Nicky sighed. "Michael's gotten...leave t' enter the Red Court...t' see...his...real mother...an' he doesn't wanna go 'lone." Nicky said. "Ya want us to go with you?" Calin asked. "Well, you know fae courts better then us..." Michael put in. "Aye, yeah, I do...Alright...I'll go with ya." Calin said. "Thanks mate..." Calin looked at his three best friends. Nicky, tall with his silverish white hair, and dark blue eyes, handsome, like his father. Bastin, with his blonde hair and blue eyes, boyishly good looking. And Michael with his reddish copper hair, little longer then Nicky and Bastin's, like Calin's sandy blonde. He'd grown up with them his entire life. As much trouble as they'd gotten themselves into, nothing could tear them apart. "Well, how ya wanna do this mate...?" Calin asked, as they walked off the porch and around the side of the house. "Well, I was wondering if...you could get us into the fae realm...I mean, I was given leave, but..." Michael gave him a sheepish look. Calin snorted softly and shook his head. He turned partly and opened a rift into the Seelie Court, it would be easier that way. The rift opened up in the library of the Seelie Court. Niell, looked up from his studies as the four young men came through. Calin smirked, seeing his...uncle. "Afternoon, Ni." "Cal." Niell nodded, going back to his book. "Your da' around?" Calin asked. Niell sighed, closed his eyes, seeming to concentrate on something a moment. "He'll be here in a moment." Niell said, his voice soft. His red hair was stand out from his almost white skin. Calin shook his head, bemused. Niell was a bit of a snob, Calin couldn't guess why, Prince and all... The door of the library opened, Gillorn Pendragon entering. Upon seeing Calin and the other three, he broke out in a smirk. Gillorn, had never changed, as long as Calin had known his uncle. His appearance was still the same, youngish, LONG white blond hair, full of small braids, his eyes fire opals shinning, and a smirk always in place. "Calin, m'boy!" Gillorn came over, pulling Calin into a hug. Calin chuckled softly. "Ello Uncle. Ya remember, Michael, Nick and Bastin, I hope." Gillorn releashed his beloved nephew's son and smirked, looking at the other three boys. "Oh of course. Its good to see all of you again, although a bit surprised HERE in the Seelie Court, is this a social visit, or is something wrong," Gillorn eyed Calin. "You're father knows you're here, I trust?" Calin rubbed the back his neck nervously. "Er...not exactly...but I'm sure he's figured it out..." They heard Niell snort softly. "Should we be expecting him any moment to retrieve you?" Gillorn asked, eyeing the boy. "Nuthin' like that, Uncle. It's Michael...he's lookin' for a jump point into the Red Court...he's been given leave to enter...to..." Calin paused, looking at Michael. "To see his real mum.." Gillorn blinked, and looked at Michael. "Is that so...well...of course...I can help with that. How is your mother, Michael...the other one..." Gillorn asked, speaking of Larkin. "She's good, sir. She and Maya are out shopping today. And Gavin and Avalon are with our da." "And you're parents know you're going to the Red Court, I trust." Gillorn added, eyeing the redhead. Michael didn't answer, Calin blinked. "Lards almighty, Mike! Ya said ya had leave!" "I do! From...HER...I just...I didn't tell me da...I don't wanna him knowin' yet..." Michael said in reply. Gillorn assessed the boy, then nodded. "I understand perfectly. Of course. Well, shall I open a rift for you?" "Please...thank you sir." Michael said. Gillorn chuckled softly and turned slightly, opening a rift into the Red Court. "Well, there you go. Calin, tell your father, I want to see him soon and if he doesn't come to me, I'll come to him." Gillorn said, eyes sparkling. "I'll pass on the message, Uncle." Calin said with a smirk. Michael hesitated, and looked at Bastin and Nicky. They indicated he should be first, but Michael still hesitated. Calin sighed, then clapped Michael on the back, stirring him toward the rift. "Ya wanted to go, Mikey. We're right 'ere with ya." Calin said softly, as they both went through, Bastin and Nicky following. They came out in the courtyard gardens of the Red Court, with it's hedges and statues of elven figures. They looked around. "Right, so where to?" Calin asked. "Um..." Michael looked around. "Michael? Michael MacDonnell?!" A man's voice spoke. They turned to see a man in a regal uniform. Michael blinked, something familiar about the man. "Aye..." He answered. The man, who was tall, and handsome with black hair smile, moving forward. Calin noticed the majestic sword at his waist. "You've grown, Michael...you look a lot like your father. I know...you don't really remember me. I'm your Uncle, Gwyndion." Micheal blinked some more. "Oh...um...aye...its..." "Been a VERY long time." Gwyndion finished with a nod. "I suspect you're here to see...Aiyla..." "Yeah..." Michael said softly. "And your friends, who are they?" Gwyndion asked, looking at the other three young man. Nicky and Bastin looked nervous. Calin on the other hand was looking back at the man nonpulsed. He loved playing his rank, thanks to his parents. "Um...this is...Bastin Caine, and Nickolas Montgomery. And this is..." Michael looked at Calin when Calin placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Prince Calin Errin." Calin introduced himself. He saw the shock on Gwyndion's face a moment. "Errin?" "Yes, Prince Ellander Errin's son." Calin said. Gwyndion suddenly gave a bow. "Its an honor to meet you, Prince Calin. I'm Prince Gwyndion Corvin, Queen Aisleen's son, Red Knight of the Red Court, and heir to the Red Thrown." Calin gave his own polite bow as he'd been taught. "The honor is mine, Prince Gwyndion. As I'm merely accompanying Michael for...moral support." Gwyndion inclined his head slightly then looked back at Michael. "I'll take you to the Queen's study, and have...Aiyla notified you're here. This way." He turned with military grace, and began leading them. "Your mother's name is Aiyla?" Calin asked in a whisper beside Michael as they walked. "I guess, yeah, I remember da sayin' that was 'er name." Michael said softly. "Why?" "My grandmother, my father's mother, her name was Aiyla." Calin said softly. Michael glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. Calin shrugged. They followed Gwyndion out of the garden and into a regal hall. He led them toward a set of double doors, Nicky and Bastin looking around every where. Like Michael, they'd never really been in the fae realm   Two pages opened the double doors and Gwyndion entered. Queen Aisleen was seated at her desk, working. Still as beautiful as ever, but perhaps looking a little older. Gwyndion cleared his throat. "Yes, Captain?" Aisleen asked with out looking up. "Your Majesty. I present to you, Michael MacDonnell, and his companions, Bastin Caine, Nickolas Montgomery and...Prince Calin Errin." Gwyndion said, with a bow. If the name of her grandson hadn't gotten Aisleen's attention, Prince Calin Errin did. She looked up from her work with a raised eyebrow, looking at the four boys. Michael, Bastin and Nicky seemed unsure what to do. Calin however, remembering his aunt Aisleen as a little boy, stepped forward and bowed gracefully. "Your Majesty, Queen Aisleen." He said, with a smile. Aisleen stood from her desk moving around it, she smiled at Calin, her eyes sparkling. "I'm impressed, Prince Calin." "My father schooled me well, your Majesty." Calin replied, slowing come up from his bow. "And how is your father?" Aisleen asked. "It's been a very long time since I've seen him." "He's well, Majesty." "And you're mother?" "She as well." Calin answered. "But I'm only here for Michael." Calin said, stepping back, he nudged Michael forward. Aisleen's eyes moved to her grandson and she smiled softly. "Michael...you've grown...so much. You look well." "I...I am..." Michael said softly. "I take it, you're here to see your mother." Aisleen said softly. "Aye...er...Yes...your Majesty..." Michael said. Aisleen chuckled softly, moving toward him. She took his chin in warm fingers, lifting his face so she could look him in the eye. "You look very much like Nathaniel. Captain, see that word is given to the Princess that her son is here." Gwyndion bowed and left. "Please, make yourselves at home." Aisleen indicated to the chairs and couch against the wall. She turned her eyes on the other two, first Bastin. "You would be Xander Caine's son, am I correct?" Bastin swallowed. "Yes ma'am." Aisleen nodded. "And by the last name Montgomery, you would be Eire Montgomery's son?" She looked at Nicky, who meerly nodded. "Your fathers are both good and noble men." Aisleen said with a nod, turning to go back to her desk. Michael blinked. Calin chuckled slightly and steered him toward the couch, Bastin and Nicky following. "Prince Calin may I speak with you in privet?" Aisleen spoke. Calin glanced up. "Of course." He left his friends' side and followed Aisleen into a smaller room off the study, a small sitting room. Aisleen closed the door. "I'm afraid you may have chose a bad time to enter the fae realm, Calin." She said softly. Calin raised an eyebrow. "Why is that, Majesty?" "There is a war in the works, and as of this morning, no one can open a rift OUT of the fae realm." Calin blinked. "But...we just came from the Seelie court...WHY can't a rift be opened out?" Aisleen sighed. "We do not know...this has only been discovered very recently and word has already been sent to the other courts. I do not think Prince Gillorn is aware of it yet. King Estehl however is, and is furiously working on the problem." "A war with who, may I ask?" Calin said, biting back the panic. "The goblins, for one...but they seem to have help...from the...Valerin." Aisleen said, looking steadly at the seventeen year old. "The Valerin?" "Children of the Dark Ones..." Aisleen said softly. Calin felt a certain coldness fill him at those words. "Does my father know any of this?" "I'm afraid we have been unable to get word to Ellander." Aisleen answered. "Damn!" Calin swore. Aisleen chuckled softly. "When you and Michael and the others are done here, I would suggest you go straight to the Elven Court and speak with King Estehl." "We will." Calin said with a nod. They both glanced back toward the study at the sound of arguing. "Oh dear Lards." Aisleen muttered, before opening the door and going back into the study. Michael was standing in the middle of the room, staring at the woman with white blonde hair, who was aruging with Gwyndion. "And you SHOULD not have let them in!" Aiyla snapped at her brother. "Aiy, I DIDN'T let them in, they came on their own!" Gwyndion hissed back. "We're going to war, Gwyndion, NOW is the not the time!" Aiyla snapped back. "Enough!" Aisleen spoke, Calin behind her. "Aiyla, your son." Aisleen's tone was stern but soft. Aiyla looked at her mother, before turning her eyes on Michael, who was staring back at her with a mixture of surprise, awe and disdain. A strange mixture Calin noted, but understandable. Aiyla sighed, walking toward him. She seemed hesitant. "Michael...Lards, you've grown so much..." She said softly, a fraint smile on her lips. Michael sucked in a breath, then spoke softly. "I don't remember you...Not really..." Aiyla sighed. "Yes, I know..." She answered. "Well, what do you want from me, Michael?" Michael's eyes flashed. "I want to know why." Aiyla raised an eyebrow. "Why what?" "Why you left. Granted, I ain't complainin', I've got a hell o' a mum...but I think I have a right t' know." Michael replied darkly. Aiyla's eyes narrowed. "A hell of a mother...Larkin, of course..." She turned on her heel at that and headed for the door. "You're not even going to tell me?! Because of my mother?!" Michael cried after her. "SHE is NOT your mother!" Aiyla snapped with out looking back as she pulled the doors open. "She sure as hell is! More then YOU ever were!" Michael yelled, watching Aiyla storm out with out another word. Bastin and Nicky were at Michael's side, Nicky speaking softly to Michael, unheard. "No! I don't give a fuck! At this point, I'm wishin' t' hell Larkin WAS my bith mother!" Aisleen sighed softly and saddly, she looked at Calin. "I think it would be better if you boys go on..." She said softly to Calin, who sighed, but nodded. "Tell Michael when he's calmed down, I'll talk to Aiyla..." "I will..." Calin answered, moving past her to his friends. "Come on mates. I think ya need a distraction, Mikey, an' I got just the thing." Calin said grabbing Michael's arm as he opened a rift into the Elven Court. He shoved Michael through before the other could protest and followed with Bastin and Nicky. Michael stumbled into the setting room of an elegant apartment in the palace of the Elves, looking around with a raised eyebrow. Calin stepped through with the other two. "Where the fuck are we?!" Michael demanded. "My family's apartment in my Uncle's palace." Calin answered, moving over to the door as the rift closed and opened it, spotting a page, he motioned the boy over. "Inform His Royal Majesty, that his nephew, Prince Calin is here, and wishes to speak with him, at ONCE." He told the page,. who blinked, nodded and ran off. Calin closed the door. "Make yourselves at home mates, we've got a bit of a problem. And I've got change." "Change?" Bastin asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, be right back." Calin skirted them and ran toward his room, already pulling off his coat and t-shirt. He quickly changed into a more suitable outfit, and grabbed his sword, strapping it on. His father was going to have a FIT when he learned about all of this. He came back out into the sitting room to find the boys still standing where they had been. They all looked at him. Nicky snickered. "Look," Calin said. "We're stuck here for awhile. Rifts can't be opened out into the mortal realm, but appearantly, my Uncle's been working on that, and if he's made any progress, we're gettin' out. But in the mean time. The lot of you, SIT down! I'll be back as soon as I can." He said, as he headed toward the door at the knock. The page informed him, the King was waiting for him. Calin left the apartment and headed into the hall, he hurried as fast as he could, with out actually running toward the King's study. On the way there, he ran into two familiar faces. Puk and Krell were standing in a nitch in the halls talking softly. Puk looked up to see Calin and nudged Krell who turned to look. "Prince Calin!?" Krell said with surprise. Calin smirked at the older young man with dark hair and a very handsome face, his mother's squire. "Ello, Krell. How's things as a squire?" Krell snorted softly. "Same as always, highness." He said with a slight smirk. "What brings you to the palace?" "Misadventure. I've got three friends with me, they're back in my family's apartment." Calin said with a smirk of his own. Puck snorted himself. "Think ya chose the wrong time, highness." "So I've heard. I'm just to see my Uncle. Where's Caspin?" "Prince Caspin and the Queen are in Scotland...the King ordered them to remain there." Puk said. "So then, I take it this is more serious then Queen Aisleen let on..." Calin said with a scowl. "Very." Puk said solemnly "Great! My father's going to KILL me!" Calin groaned. Neither squires replied and Calin shook his head. "I'll speak to you later, Krell." He said, heading in the direction of his destination. He approached the door to the King's study and gestured to the Page, who opened the door. Estehl turned from his desk as Calin entered, the door closing behind him. "What in the GODS name are you doing here, Calin!?" Estehl demanded. "Not what you think, Uncle. Michael, I'm sure you remember him, wanted to see his...mother, he asked me to get him into the Red Court. When we got there, by way of the Seelie Court, Queen Aisleen informed me what was going on. I'm assuming Uncle Gillorn didn't know about this...restriction?" "Well he does NOW...but at the time, I doubt it." Estehl said, rubbing his temple. "Damn it! What am I going to do with you and your friends, Calin?! Ellander is going to have my head! I can't get any of you out! And as of THIS moment, no one can get IN!" Calin's eyebrow shot up. "Why?! What is causing this restriction?" "The Valerin." Estehl said, his tone soft. Calin rubbed his forehead. "So what...would you rather me and the boys stay here, or go back to the Seelie Court? Our parents are going to KILL us..." "I'm sure your father would prefer you to go back to the Seelie Court.." Estehl said. "But you'd perfer us to stay here..." Calin finished. "That's your decision, Calin." Estehl said. "But if we go to war, you'll damn well all be shipped off to the Seelie Court. I wont have my nephew and the sons of several men I know, involved." Calin snorted, giving his uncle a look. "I wouldn't underestimate us, Uncle Estehl. Besides, you might need the help." "That, I wont need." Estehl replied giving Calin a look. "Oh, yeah...right...you wont have dad here to give you a hand, remember..." "Please, don't remind me." Estehl replied. "Go on, get back to your friends. The servents have been alerted to the four of you." Estehl said with a gesture. Calin shook his head. "Right. Well, we'll be around." He said, heading back to the door, his mind turning all this over. He left the study, heading back down the hall. Upon arriving back at the apartment, Calin shut the door, the others were sitting in silence. Calin didn't answer their questioning look. Instead, he went over to the mirror on one wall, and attempted a scrying. But apparently something was effecting that as well. "Shit!" "Alright, WHAT the fuck is going on?" Michael asked, getting up from the chair he'd been sitting in. "Short and simple, we're stuck here, rifts OUT are blocked by...some really bad people, powerful people...and theres a chance a war could happen any moment...my father is going to kill me...you're father is going to kill me...AND you...and chances are Xander and Eire'll be doing the same to Bastin and Nicky AND us..." Calin said, looking at his friends. There was silence for a moment, before all three of them swore. Calin chuckled softly, shaking his head.   tbc...

 

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The Gurgi Clan & Chaos Inc.
  Skye, Ruex, Sage, Washu & Miss Frost .
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