The Arrangement

By Donna and Abs

Amazingly, because he was not one to socialize openly, the Old One was at Methos' party.  Actually, he *had* to be there, because there were political ramifications to be dealt with, involving his cousins, the Trooper Faeries.  As Monroe began a slow song, he went up to the Grand Banshee and tapped her on the shoulder.  "I believe you owe me a dance," he said.

"Why yes," she cooed. "Shall we?" With an amused smile on her face, she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow and allowed him to escort her out onto the floor.

"I'll admit," he said as they started to dance, "that this is partially motivated by my need to speak with you, Bannie.  You know what it's about."

"I can't image why," she said with a smile. "Haven't the Leprechauns all settled in nicely? Some of them have even become involved in some type of relationship." The Old One just chuckled, making her sigh deeply. "All right you win!" she said with a shake of her head.

"They approached me.  None will do but Fae!  You would think," he grumbled, "with all my daughters, that one could choose him for herself."

"He has been pestering me about it too. But he needs a strong woman to keep him in line. Do you think she could?"

"Probably," he sighed.  "But that's not why he wants her.  He thinks her blood is truer.  I know, Bannie, that we do need to link their kind to mine.  I'm not arguing with that!  But to pick one out and say, 'That's the one', without giving her a choice. . . it's so archaic."

"It is, especially considering all the others have been able to pick their own mates," Bannie said gently. "I say that we should not require her to make the match, but to encourage her highly to give it a try at the very least."

"He's not easy to get along with, you know."

"Believe me, I know," she sighed. "If it doesn't work out with her, I will just have to figure something else out. I think I know something that will keep King Boric and his wife happy at least."

"Oh?" The Old One asked.  This he had to know!

"I arranged for them to have a suitable home. An air castle, similar to but a little smaller than the one they lived in back in Ireland. I was going to ask you where you thought it should be located."

The Old One smiled.  He didn't have to give that much thought.  "Why not put it up near Camelot?  So they can see the other castle.  Or do you think they will take offense at that?"  He only knew he wanted them on the other side of *his* forest.

"I think that is a wonderful idea!" Bannie said with a laugh. "The Leprechauns seem to be content to stay here in this area." She nodded her head at Dani and Nickel, who were dancing nearby. Several of the Monkees were also out on the dance floor with some of the lovely red heads.

The song ended, and the Four came back.  Colonel Paul had been beleaguered with requests, and though normally quiet and shy off stage, it was clear he was flattered by it.  Getting up now, he said, "This is one I wanted to sing, for me."

As the Old One and Bannie stood apart, not sure if it would be something they'd like, the song "I Will" began. 

"Who knows how long I've loved you

You know I love you still

Will I wait a lonely lifetime

If you want me to, I will

For if I ever saw you

I didn't catch your name

But it never really mattered

I will always feel the same . . ."

 All around, girls sighed softy as he sang. He was a heartthrob, that was for sure! And there were many of them that wouldn't have minded being the girl in his song.

And some of them realized he was singing the song *because* he was looking for that girl!  They all had a chance, didn't they?  Those who were not already entangled?

The Old One smiled.  It would be fun to see who he chose.  But then he nudged Bannie.  "Oh no.  Look."  Fae was one of the girls leaning on the stage, looking up with stars in her eyes!

Bannie mumbled a very unladylike word under her breath. "Looks like I shall have to come up with a Plan B, just in case." Seeing Min walking toward her and the Old One, she suggested that he dance with her as well, knowing they were old friends. In the meantime, she had to go tickle the fancy of King Boric with talk of Camelot and going to visit the royal court there! 

***

Count Grogan shook his head.  "No, it must be that one.  Where is she, anyway?" he asked, his face a mask of annoyance.

 "Listening to the music, I believe," the Grand Banshee said with a stern look. "Her father is going to talk to her about you. Till then, I suggest you learn a little patience." Her eyes glowed as she spoke, reminding him of the power that she had.

He had that expression you just wanted to slap off.  "Everyone knows we need a blood link between the faeries.  The sooner the match comes to fruition, the better!"

"Watch your tone of voice, boy," she growled low in her throat. "Your fate is in my hands. Remember that!" With that, she changed into a huge black raven before his eyes and flew off.

Grogan snorted.  He knew she couldn't touch him - they needed his seed!  And that meant he would have a bride, and soon.  Smiling to himself, he wandered over to the stage, where his chosen one was sighing up at a HUMAN!

Furious, he went to look for his uncle Boric and the one they called the "Old One" here.

He found his uncle and aunt looking over a scroll, and excited look on their faces. "We have been invited to the royal court at Camelot!" he was told when he tried to air his grievances. "Isn't it wonderful!"

"Yes.  Wonderful.  Great.  When are you going to finalize this marriage?  The sooner we make an heir the better!"  He was the very picture of logic and reason.

"Marriage? Oh yes! Yes, you should. If the girl is agreeable of course," King Boric said happily. Dismissing Grogan with a wave of his hand, he and his wife continued to discuss their upcoming adventure.

Grogan grabbed the Queen by the arm.  "Tell him he must arrange it," he said firmly.  "The bubble headed idiot doesn't even know his own job!"

She gave him a look that mirrored the one that the Banshee had given him. "Mind your place," she said stiffly. "I will not abide you speaking about my husband that way! Go away so that I can go see to making this arrangement myself!"

"See that you do, or there will be no linking of the blood," he said dangerously low.  They *would* stop pushing him around!  "I won't marry a Leprechaun, of course, but there are *other* women here.  Keep that in mind, Auntie!"

She sniffed disapprovingly, and walked away, heading over to talk to the Old One, who was just finishing his dance with Min. That boy was more trouble than he was worth sometimes!

"Kicking up a fuss?" said the Old One.  Min frowned but stayed by his side.  "I suppose we shall have to go through with this.  Why couldn't you have had a son of your own!"

She gave him an offended look, but then looked thoughtful. "Perhaps we should," she said haughtily. "It would put him in his place, that is for sure! But in the meantime, we should at least try to see if we can make this work, don't you think?"

"I meant it as a compliment," said The Old One tiredly.  "Any child you have will be much better than that one, which is our only resort now.  Unless we do not want to combine the two of us?"

"That we should!" she agreed, hesitating. "Personally, I don't see what the big rush is all about, though. Do you?"

He shrugged. "The snip of a Count wants it right away.  Of course we could have one of your servants mate with one of my daughters. . . ."

"Absolutely not," she said huffily. “That would just not do at all!”

"Exactly.  We're stuck!" He sighed.  "I will have to break it to Fae.  He won't have any other, because she is the only unattached one he considers 'all fae', whatever that means!  Has something to do with their forms.  It all has to be done by the book!"  He snorted.  "But it is a proper alliance and we can't really refuse."

As he moved off to tell the bad news to Fae, he paused and, looking in Boric's direction, joked, "Are you *sure* you can't give us a male heir by midsummer?"