Elfhaven (the Danu Cycle: Fiann Trilogy Book 2)

He left he the next morning and ran to his sister's room, bounding around the Sidhe who were all out and about for the day, and sparing each a smile. He chuckled as a couple of brownies rushed passed, grumbling as he knocked over their tray of food.

He knocked furiously on Mavelle's door.

"For the love of Danu, do you know what time it is?" she asked, pulling the door open. She brightened somewhat when she saw him, but her look of genuine pleasure turned to a smirk. "You look much better."

"I told her."

"I guessed."

"I told her and she will have me." He grinned.

"By Danu, brother, I have not seen you look such a fool in many centuries." She laughed, then her tone softened. "It suits you."

He picked his sister up and kissed her cheek. "I only have you to thank, sister. Who knew emotions could be pleasant?"

"Who knew?" he heard her laugh as he ran off again.

He likewise informed Padraig and Leachlainn then went to find his father. He was not in his hall so Eamon jogged to his room. There was a guard on the door so it seemed he was still in.

"What has managed to drag you out of bed this early, my son?" his father laughed, still wearing his pyjama robes.

"I feel the need to apologise to you father."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh yes, and why is that?"

"I told you once that I would never defy you for Lady Niamh again..." he stopped at the look on his father's face. It was a mixture between anger and laughter. "What is the matter?"

"I see you have finally come to your senses." His father smiled.

Eamon found himself smiling in response. "I am sure I do not know what you mean, Father."

"Really? Do you not? What were you going to say then?"

"Only that I feel the need to inform you that that might not be the case...going forward." He said, slowly.

His father nodded, indicating he take a seat, he did so and his father sat opposite him.

"When your mother and I first met, we did not see eye to eye either. She was such a free-spirit, she did not want to be tied down to the future king of the realm. Likewise, I thought she was...not refined enough to be the future queen." He chuckled to himself, wearing such a look of adoration for his wife, and Eamon smiled.

"We all know how long that lasted." Eamon laughed.

"Indeed. At least we managed to make ourselves look convincing, unlike you and Lady Niamh."

"And, what, Father, is that supposed to mean?" Eamon asked, but he was smiling.

"Only that it took the two of you much less time to realise how you felt, and that pleases me. I do sometimes wish your mother did not hate court so."

"That is why you gave her dominion over the healing school and the young ones." Eamon said, picturing his mother amid meadows of flowers and laughing Sidhe children.

"I miss her."

"As do we all." They locked eyes, a rueful smirk. "Well, not all of us. Padraig, Leachlainn, Mavelle, Donagh, I...we at least miss our mother."

"Hopefully she will visit soon. I fear we will not get the chance in the near future." He sighed. "You must take care of her, Eamon." Eamon knew he was now talking about Niamh. His father must have seen Eamon was going to object, as he continued. "No, I mean, you must help her recover and regain her full strength, whether that blessed power comes from Danu or not. There are more battles brewing, and I fear this is only the beginning. Dwendardien wants the realm back and, this time, I fear we will not be enough to stop him." He paused. "Does she still want to leave?"

"I do not know now. Knowing her, I expect so."

Surprisingly, his father nodded. "Good, take her back to Gryffynhall, keep her training, help her mourn, let her help you mourn." He chuckled. "Do not be surprised, I can see you mourn, even if you are more used to the death than she is. They were you fiann, Eamon. No one expects you to shrug them off so simply."

"Midir and Sloan would." He looked into his lap.

"Midir and Sloan would kill me in a second if they thought they could." His father's harsh words surprised him and he looked up.

"Father, I do not think it wise to talk about your sons in such a way, some could take it to mean you do not intend to pass the throne down the line." Eamon said slowly.

His father grinned. "You know as well as I that I do not, my son. And, I know you will keep my secret because you despise Midir and Sloan possibly more than I do."

Eamon smiled to assure him he was right. "So, the rumours are true; Donagh is your heir?"

His father chuckled. "I never said that."

"In the words of Lady Niamh, 'you are such a faery'." Eamon replied, smirking.

His father laughed aloud at that. "If it means so much for you to know, I have not chosen Donagh as my heir, no. I have not specifically chosen anyone, though I have my forerunners, and Midir and Sloan are last on the list!"

"And, where am I on this list, Father, if I am not last?"

"Ah, that would be telling, would it not?"

Eamon smiled. "You keep your secrets, old man. I am quite happy with my life. I have everything I need in my fiann." He stood up to leave. "I will see you at the ball.

"Until tonight, son." His father said and Eamon made to leave. Just as he was about to open the door, his father spoke again, very softly. "A shame that two fianna have only half their members..."

Eamon turned around. "What did you say?"

His father looked at him blankly, his violet eyes shining with mischief. "Nothing, son, I will see you tonight."

"Yes, Father." Eamon said, smiling, knowing he would get no more out of his father when he was in that mood.

Eamon thought about his father's words as he went back to his room, an idea forming in his mind. He was not convinced everyone would agree to it, but there was no harm in voicing it anyway...was there?