Always Room for More

By Donna and Abs

After the wedding of Fae and Grogan at the Solstice party, the Old One was feeling a little down about things.  He hated having to do that to one of his little ones . . . and it left a bad taste in his mouth.  His good friend Min was nowhere around, and even Banny seemed a little testy, what with not being able to banish Grogan, and having to kiss his royal bottom!  So, he wanted to do something to cheer himself up.  What better way to make everyone happy, but to call two of his dormant fae to life on such a perfect night for it? 

There were two that he had in mind. Arista had talked to him about the men on the farm she was living on, how two of them needed to find women of their own before she could be wed to her One. 

The Old One liked Arista - she was such a quiet, sweet girl.  And he liked Moses!  So he wanted to see them wed, and soon.  But he also understood what was going on in the home.  And he had an idea.  One of his girls had a striking resemblance to the woman the two hold - outs had loved on earth.  Either one or the other would want her, he decided. 

So, that one decided on, he turned his attention to Faline, who although she still seemed to be enjoying herself, seemed a little subdued. She had told him about a special young man at the stables who was her friend, the one they called 'Mouse'. 

Chuckling to himself, he knew for sure that he could help THAT one out! 

Humming softly to himself, he worked the required magic. Bringing two was no problem to him. It was nothing compared to the large group he had brought at the Spring Festival. A short time later, a tiny mouse came scampering up to the toe of his boot. 

"'Allo, Souris," he said in a distinctly French accent, "comment allez-vous ce soir?" 

The mouse stood up onto its back legs, and with a shimmer, transformed into a petite young woman. "I am fine, Papa," she said with a smile as she hugged him. 

"It is good to see you.  And Sandi?" he asked, looking about.  The other one he'd called was nowhere to be seen. 

"I am here, Father," a self-assured voice called out. The girl it belonged to stepped out of the woods, completely naked except for the light coating of sand that covered her whole body. 

He laughed and said, "Dawdling at the beach?  You might need to find somewhere else to play, Little One.  The men I have in mind for you are farmers." 

"Farmers!" she gasped in utter disbelief. "Sure there isn’t a good lookin’ fisherman around? Or a sailor?" 

"Now, where is the challenge in that?" he asked with a grin.  Yes, she was a feisty one!  He wondered which of the two possibles would woo and win her!  Either one would suit his needs, as it really only took one wedding to free things up for Arista and Moses. 

He waved his hand, and two shimmering garments appeared on a nearby tree limb. The humans would be showing up soon, so his two new daughters needed to be appropriately dressed. As the smaller one slipped her gown over her head, she glanced nervously at the Old One. "And where will you be sending me, Papa?" 

"To Camelot, my darling," he smiled.  It always pleased him to bring new daughters!  "You will like it there." 

"The castle?" she said, her eyes widening. "It sounds awfully big!" 

"Oh, it is, my little mouse," he said. "But you will find a nice place to curl up in, and someone warm to curl up with, I wager!" 

She blushed prettily. "Yes, Papa," she said demurely. "I hope so." 

"Oh, you will," he grinned.  "You are too lovely not to, with those pretty blue eyes!" 

Once his two new daughters were dressed, the Old One took them by the hands and led them back into the glen to join the party, that was still in full swing even though it was past midnight. He was sure Sandi would do well for herself, but he was a little concerned for his shy little mouse. 

Though of course, he had someone very definite in mind for her.  If things went as planned - not that they always did - she should find her One fairly easily, and all would be well. 

He found Faline, and introduced Souris to her.  The girl immediately took the newcomer under her wing, so to speak. "For the Mouse?" she asked the Old One, her eyes sparkling with mischief. 

"We can only hope," he said with a dreamy smile.  "But don't force it!”