Chapter 42

The day following Thatcher and Shelly's wedding is a day filled with lots of discussion and planning among the royal parties. Richard, Katherine, Thatcher, Shelly, Luke, Roonie, Cade and myself gather in the throne room for King Richard's important announcement. After learning that King Richard has been living with grave illness everyone is beside themselves. "Dearest daughter, I wanted your special day to be just that, a special day full of joy. I didn't want these matters of my health to worry you. Katherine and I have decided to crown Rohan and Isabelle rulers of Stone Ridge. I have coordinated a surprise coronation for them tomorrow to do just that" King Richard tells Shelly and the group of us. Shelly, torn with grief manages to reply, "Oh father this news is terrible! Won't you please return to Brendlewood with our group. I can't bare to leave you here, we've already been apart so long! Later, once we've figured out some plan of action against this evil we're facing, you, Katherine, Thatcher and I can travel to Blue Haven together and live out our days there." The King gives her a large grin, "Why of course my dear, that sounds like a wonderful plan, with Cade and Nora's blessing of course." "Oh, yes! We would love to have you for a visit!" I tell him after Cade gives a little nod. "Well then it's settled! The group of us will return to Brendlewood, get a plan of action together, and see you off to Blue Haven!" Cade smiles as he and King Richard exchange a handshake. "Well, I better go see what the others are up to...I will check in shortly" I mention to Cade, and he gently kisses my cheek. "Catch up with you soon lovely" he tells me with a wink. 

No sooner than I wonder where they could be, I hear the voices of Jax, Tulip and Clover coming from a nearby bedroom. Giving a gentle knock at the door, I enter the room. "Hey! I've been looking for you all! King Richard has some news- What's wrong? Is everything ok in here?" I ask after reading the expressions on their faces. "Quite the opposite actually!" Clover fumes. "I don't know why you're so upset with me, I haven't done anything!" Tulip huffs. Jax gives me a helpless look and runs his hand through his hair in frustration. "Perhaps I should come back later..." I suggest, but Jax shakes his head and asks me to stay. "I know you are the father of this baby and we are meant to be together! I don't want you speaking to Tulip, she's just trouble" Clover tells him folding her arms. Tulip raises her eyebrows in disbelief, "Oh I'm trouble, am I? I'm not the one down at the alehouse filling my time with the company of a different man each night!" Clover waves her hand seemingly un-phased, "It's not a different man each night." "Clover, I don't mean to pry but is there any possibility that you could have had another gentleman caller about the same time you and Jax were together?" I carefully ask her. She thinks for a moment before replying, "Well there was Marcus, but it couldn't be him. He said he wasn't able to have children." Jax frowns and crosses his arms, "That doesn't mean anything, there's always a chance." "Once the baby has arrived I can perform an enchantment that will tell us for sure. Then we'll know once and for all!" Tulip says. "Great idea! Clover, if this is my child I will be more than happy to be a part of the baby's life but it still doesn't mean we are together. I love Tulip, always have, always will" Jax says giving Tulip a smile. "Jax I...with all of this I just can't, you understand don't you?" she replies. "See! She doesn't even want you! I do! We will have a family soon, can't you see it's meant to be?" Clover snaps. "Nora..." Jax says giving me a look that begs for help. "Yes, Nora what do you think? Since none of us can figure this out calmly" Tulip says giving Clover a scowl. "I think until the father's identity has been proven, Clover you need to give Jax his space. I also think that until we know for sure, Jax you need to give Tulip her space. "But I-" Jax begins. I shake my head at him and he lowers his head before storming out of the room. "Fine!" Clover barks and exits as well. 

"Tulip...you alright?" I ask calmly. "I'm just so confused Nora. I have loved Jax since we were kids, but he's always been easily drawn away. Now, he might be a father, and I am so mixed up after all the drama with Alex. I finally trusted someone whole-heartedly and look how it ended up. It's strange because Alex seemed like such a great guy and he ended up hurting me. If he will, Jax will for sure!" she replies slightly panicked. "I know how you feel, but people can change you know. Jax claims to have 'woken up' so to speak. He's told me that he knows you are the only girl for him. Heck, he even saved you from those monstrous trolls!" I tell her somewhat cheerily. I can tell Tulip is deep in thought, for she only nods. I give her shoulder a pat, "Just think about it, only you know where your happiness lies." Tulips gives a half smile, "I'll be alright, thanks for the advice though." "Anything for a friend" I tell her kindly. Turning to the others I inform them of the news of Richard and the upcoming coronation, before taking off to talk things over with Bonnie and Arthur as well.

Later that afternoon, everyone gathers in the throne room for Rohan and Isabelle's coronation. The arch bishop then asks for everyone to be seated and begins the ceremony. "We're gathered here today to witness Rohan and Isabelle to be crowned King and Queen of Stone Ridge." The arch bishop announces. He then turns to Rohan, "Young man, this crown symbolizes the kingdom of Stone Ridge, loyalty, leadership, and royalty. Do you accept the responsibilities in which comes with the crown?" "I do your grace," Rohan replies. The arch bishop then turns to Isabelle, "My lady, you are a woman of honesty, kindness, love, caring, and put others needs before your own. With this crown comes responsibility. Will you put the kingdoms and it's villagers needs before your own? Will you agree to everything this crown symbolizes?" Isabelle smiles a sweet smile before replying, "Yes, your grace I do."  Richard then places the crowns atop Rohan and Isabelle's heads, "I am proud to announce my grandson and his wife Isabelle, King and Queen of Stone Ridge! May God bless them this day and every day after! All hail King Rohan and his Queen Isabelle! My fellow friends, there will be a feast following this blessed day, feel free to join me in the royal dining hall!" A small tear escapes Shelly's eye as everyone applauds, and congratulates Rohan and Isabelle. Rohan smiles widely and says, "Please join us in the formal dining hall for our celebration. Tomorrow we will have to bid ado to our friends from Brendlewood and beyond, as they make their way home. So let us celebrate this last eve together friends and family alike!" 

Upon entering the dining hall, King Rohan and his queen take a seat at the top table under a canopy, with all their family members, and the other royals to the left of them. Huge tables adorn fancy candles, and the servants bring out trays filled with peacock, lamb, wild bore, corn on the cob, peas, and cabbage. "I'm happy to have you all here for the last feast I will be attending here in Stone Ridge. I know in my heart that Rohan and Isabelle will be great rulers, and I have made the perfect choice. Now, let's eat for I am starving!" Richard announces. I over hear Shelly voicing concerns to her father as to where her brother Logan is. With a sigh Richard replies, "I was hoping he would be here by now. He went out hunting a couple of months ago, and no one has seen him since! I have had search parties out for him, and sent word to surrounding kingdoms asking if anyone has seen him, but no one knows of his whereabouts. Don't worry sweet heart, this isn't the first time he has done this. I'm sure he will turn up at some point." Shelly, however still wears a look of concern. 

That evening, as some of the guests retire to their chambers a vision emerges. Katherine's ladies help Shelly to her evening wear and she hears them whispering about the beautiful evening of dancing, and how they never learned how to dance. "Come on ladies, surely someone has taught you" Shelly adds. "Oh no majesty, our families were servants of the court, so they never really had the time" Lady Jane replies. Shelly offers to teach them if they would like, and they both agree. As they all start dancing the kingdom dance, Thatcher enters the room and grins. He immediately grabs Shelly by the waist and twirls her around the room, laying her onto the bed. Shelly dismisses the ladies, who curtsy and exit quickly. Thatcher and Shelly share a very long passionate kiss. before he gently unlaces the ribbon on Shelly's nightgown. She gives him a smile before blowing out the bedside candles, and the vision fades.

Meanwhile in the dining hall, we are all having a blast, chatting away about the evening and the journey back to Brendlewood. "We leave first thing in the morning" Cade announces. "Excuse me, King Cade, I only have one question. Would it be alright if Melina travels to your kingdom with us? We could really use the extra help taking turns with Richard being so ill" Katherine asks politely. "Oh, well we would love to have her back at the castle! Everyone misses having her around, and I think it would be good for Shelly too. She can also meet her little sister, Juliana. That's if the other's agree as well" Cade replies. The group nods excitedly and retreat to their rooms for the night. "We'll need to be well rested for tomorrow's journey home" I think to myself.

The following morning the group awakens to find that the maid have prepared their saddlebags for their trip back home. "Oh Rohan, I'm going to miss you so much! Please at least send word on how you're doing, or if you should need anything" Shelly tells him as a tear rolls down her cheek. Rohan agrees and hugs her tightly, and asks her to give his baby sister a hug and kiss. "Tell her that her big brother Rohan loves her bunches!" he smiles. Shelly nods and we all exit the castle. Mounting the horses I hear everyone speaking eagerly about returning home. "I can't wait to embrace my sweet little princess once we return to Brendlewood and take her to our rightful place in Blue Haven" Shelly says with a smile. Once everyone has mounted the horses we give a final wave goodbye and we take off down the road leading out of Stone Ridge.

Awhile later . . .

The cool morning breeze brushes along my skin and I wrap my arms tighter around Cade as our horse trots along happily through a grassy meadow. "There's a brook not to far from here!" Thatcher calls. "Right then, we'll press on a bit and have the horses stop there. We can stretch our legs and enjoy our lunch" Cade answers back. "Good! I'm starving!" a very pregnant Clover chimes in. "I hear something..." Roonie says quietly. "What dear, what is it?" Luke asks her. "I'm not sure, sounds like...like crying" she replies uncertainly. "Should we see what or who it is?" Shelly asks. "Over there, it's coming from over there!" Roonie calls out as she slides off the moving horse. Clumsily landing on the ground, she hops to her feet and takes off running towards the woods just up ahead. "ROONIE! Come back! What are you doing?" Tulip calls after her. "Yaw!" Cade hollers at the horse after telling me to hold on tight. Catching Roonie up we find her standing in the middle of the forest, perfectly still. "Shh, shh shh!" She tells us as she appears to be straining to hear whatever sound she thought she  heard. Katherine who is bringing up the rear by wagon suggests we stop awhile here. "Good idea. We can have a brief stop here and once we find the brook, we'll have lunch. Sound good?" Jax offers. Richard, who was napping in the wagon sits up quickly. "Oh grandfather, do be careful" Melina tells him. She climbs out of the wagon and helps him to his feet. 

"Darling, are you sure you heard something?" Luke asks Roonie inquisitively. "Yes I- there it is again...hang on" Roonie trails off as she begins looking behind tree's and bushes. "HERE! Oh my gosh! Are you ok?" she squeaks. We all rush over to see what all the fuss is about, and to our dismay we see a very weak, very dry mermaid. "Help" is all she manages to get out before Cade scoops her up and lays her in the bed of the wagon. Thatcher helps Melina get Richard loaded back up and tells Cade if they hurry they might be able to save her. "Follow me quickly!" Thatcher shouts as the groups horses dash off to follow him. 

As we near the stream Luke lifts the mermaid out of the wagon and into the brook as the rest of the men tie up the horses securely. Everyone else spreads out large blankets and starts setting out food for our lunch. Once everyone is settled comfortably on the banks of the brook we begin asking the mermaid questions. "Are you hurt?" Roonie asks concerned. "What are you doing so far from water?" Tulip chimes in. "What's your name?" I ask.  "Quiet everyone, let the poor girl speak" Cade instructs kindly. The mermaid takes a big gulp of water before speaking and then replies, "I am not hurt badly. Only a few places where my flesh has split due to being so dry, but I'll manage. A few days ago Castlerock was brutally attacked. I am not even sure what happened, or who caused it. I have never seen her before..." We listen intently as the mermaid describes the leader of the attack and I inform them that it is none other than the evil Kristen Lioncourt and her goons! "The one that killed our dear Cirrus!?" Roonie almost chokes. "Yes Roon, one in the same..." I answer before encouraging the mermaid to continue. "I was fortunate to escape with my Pulmonis Crus potion in save keeping. It's a lung and leg potion to allow you to temporarily grow legs and lungs, that's how I made it this far. I didn't know the potion would wear off so soon though, and I got stranded on my search for help" she tells us. 

Everyone remarks on the horror of the situation and continues asking her countless questions. "This nonsense has got to stop! We need to find this Kristen woman and take her down!" Bonnie snarls. The others agree fervently before Tulip interrupts them, "Wait! You haven't even told us your name. Won't you tell us please?" "Well it's Nerissa, Nerissa Riptide. But my name won't do you any good, I'm a nobody. My father is a fourth generation shell shiner. I just had to get out of there though. So many merfolk are angry with the humans of Blue Haven. They feel that the humans forced them out of their own land and many people have considered joining the Shadow League, and I think we all know who runs that operation..." she trails off. "Carolin Lioncourt!" we all say with gritted teeth. "The Shadow League offers protection to us and acts as an ally to take back Blue Haven. But, there are those of us who disagree with all of this, and wish to remain peaceful with the humans living together in harmony" Nerissa tells us. 

Over the next hour we talk of loyalties and recent happenings, while Tulip tries to create another Pulmonis Crus potion for Nerissa. The group decides that she can travel back to Brendlewood with them and once they have arrived Cade can get a formal plan together for resolutions to the many problems they face. "Don't worry friends, I know we can put a stop to these evils!" he tells them boldly. As the men begin to pack up camp, Roonie tends to the Nerissa's wounds, and in no time Tulip is able to drudge up the potion. Nerissa graciously thanks her, before she consumes the potion. Slightly choking on the oxygen in her lungs, she coughs, and sprouts a pair of human legs. "Here ya go, I've got an extra" Bonnie says tossing her a skirt. Nerissa smiles and thanks her as she slides into it. Once everyone and everything is packed again the group returns to their trek back to Brendlewood's welcoming arms. 

Two days later the group finally makes it through the castle gates of Brendlewood. They dismount their horses, and lead them into the barn where they can rest in the stalls. "I can't wait to hold my little girl in my arms" Shelly say as she rushes towards the castle doors. Suddenly Thatcher grabs hold of her arm, "No! Something isn't right!" He then looks over at Cade and draws out his sword from it's sheath, "Where are all the guards?" Cade nods and pulls his sword out as well, and instructs me and the women to remain in the barn. "No, my little girl is in there! I wanna come with you!" Shelly shouts. Cade shakes his head no, and tells me to let them check things out first. Richard looks over at her, "He's right Shelly, it's too dangerous for you to go in there!" Tulip hugs her tight as the men head inside to scope out the castle. "What if everyone was taken by trolls to do their bidding?" Roonie shrieks in fear. "Not to mention those mischievous goblins who steal babies!" Clover adds. Bonnie furrows her brow, "Oh for goodness sake, SHUT UP Clover!" Shelly shudders and cries out, "Trolls! Goblins!? Oh, Nora they have my baby!" Katherine calmly rubs Shelly's back as I try to calm everyone, "Calm down everyone! Let's not lose our wits about this! We're no help to anyone in that state. I'm sure the guys are checking everything out thoroughly, and then we can join up with them and get this all figured out.

Just after I tell them this however, I am struck with a vision. Inside the castle, Cade, and Thatcher lead Luke, Jax and Arthur in every room of the first floor in hopes to find any signs of life. Bodies of the missing guards lay about in different rooms. Every room on the first floor has been ransacked as if someone had put up a good fight. As they near the stairway, Thatcher hovers around the corner until he see's that the coast is clear, and waves his friends onward to make way upstairs. Once they reach the second floor, Thatcher holds his pointer finger to his mouth to signal the group to not make a single sound. Suddenly a large thud sounds from one of the distant rooms. "Did you hear that?" Cade whispers to the group of them. They all nod in agreement and follow the sound to Shelly's chambers. "Locked" Cade whispers, after trying the door knob. Thatcher then tells the group to stand aside. "On the count of three" Thatcher whispers to Cade. "Ready?" he asks. Cade gives him a nod, and as Thatcher reaches three, they kick the door in.

As they enter the room, they find the maids bonded together with rope, the furniture sprawled about, and Juliana's crib on its side. Cade, Luke, Jax and Arthur hurriedly untie the maids as Thatcher rushes over to the tiny crib. He throws the mattress and blankets away from it, in hopes to find his little girl, but has no luck. Luke removes the duct tape from one of the maids mouths, and asks, "What happened here? Who did this to you?" In a sad but fearful tone the maid tries to find her words, "I'm so sorry majesty, there were too many! We couldn't fight them all off! They killed the guards and then took us all hostage. Midi and the rest of us tried to protect the princess the best we could, but we were not strong enough to hold them off." Thatcher then falls to his knee's as warm tears spill out of his eyes, "They took her! They took Juliana! How can I possibly tell Shelly that our daughter is gone? I should have stayed and protected her! I could have killed them all!" Arthur helps Thatcher to his feet before replying, "You have to get a hold of yourself man! My mother needs you, and besides if you had stayed, you would have been killed as well!" "You don't know that! I could have taken them!" Thatcher protests in disbelief.

  
Midi approaches Thatcher apologetically, "Majesty, we all tried our best to see to the safety of the tiny princess, but there is something else you should know. I did overhear Kristen saying she was taking Juliana to her mother. Something about she now has what we want, and maybe now she will get what she wants.  It didn't really make any sense to me, but perhaps you would know what she was talking about." Thatcher furrows his brow, "I really don't care what they want! They have messed with the wrong family!" He then storms out of the room and makes his way back to the barn. With tear filled eyes, Midi says, "We tried majesty, we tried our best to hold them off...." Cade sighs and places a hand gently on her shoulder, "I know you did and so does Thatcher. His emotions are getting the best of him right now, and although I can't blame him, he needs to get his head on straight!."

Down in the barn, Thatcher readies his horse as Shelly approaches him. "Where are you going, and where's Juliana?" Shelly asks in a worried tone. "Maybe you should ask your so called friends who were supposed to care for her while we were away! Instead of sitting here and doing absolutely nothing, I'm leaving to find her, and bring her back to us!" Thatcher rants at Shelly. "Please don't go, I need you here with me! I can't do this all alone, and besides you are the King of Blue Haven, you're just another target for them out there without any guards!" Shelly sobs hysterically. Katherine approaches Thatcher's horse, "I know you really don't know me all that well, but it's too dangerous for a king to be out there all by himself! You know Carolin and Kristen are out there somewhere, and are just waiting for the right moment to get you alone, and take over Blue Haven!" Thatcher smiles slightly and says, "Miss I'm happy to know you're looking out for my safety, but this is my daughter we're talking about, and I'm going to kill every one of those ignorant fools who took her!" "What if you get taken prisoner by some blood fiends or something? You won't do your daughter any good dead!" Roonie says fearfully. 

Nora approaches Thatcher and gently and methodically says, "You know you're like a brother to me, and we have always been such close friends. Don't you think it would be wise to  wait for Cade and the other men to go with you? You know of all the dangers out there, and you know what Katherine says is right. Why don't you just wait and see what Cade has to say about this matter, and if you don't like his plan, you are free to be on your way to where ever it is you're going." Thatcher sighs and says, "Nora my dear friend, you are right. I shall wait and see what Cade has to say. I'm sorry I was so....angry, but I have had enough of Carolin and her family to last me a lifetime, and now they have Juliana!" Just then Cade enters the barn and says, "Thatcher, we all understand where you are coming from, for we have all had our fair share of Carolin's family and the lycans. We all want nothing more than to defeat this evil and send them all packing. Mark my words, we will get Juliana back, even if it means this war happens a little sooner than we anticipated!" "Will you kindly join me in the throne room? We have much to discuss on this event." Cade asks the Thatcher, who more than happily agrees. Cade then tells the others that the castle is clear and that they are all free to head inside if they wish to do so. The group thanks Cade and exit the barn to go back into the castle to start cleaning up.

Upon entering the throne room, Thatcher finds Cade and Nora sitting on their thrones discussing what to do next. Cade then asks him to take a seat and begins discussing the situation that they are now in. "Thatcher my friend, I understand the predicament you are in. I know it's not easy to sit here and discuss what to do, but the forest is not a very safe place for a King like yourself to be traveling in without guards. What I'm suggesting to you is this, how about you and I work together and lead a team of guards to find this Kristen woman? We know she has killed Cirrus, and has caused other problems as well. There's not a doubt in my mind that she is behind the kidnapping of the Princess Juliana! Perhaps if we capture her, we can then bargain with Carolin and Parfon." Thatcher sighs before replying, "Cade my brother, there's nothing I want more than the safe return of my daughter, and I will not rest until she is found! I agree to your proposal."