Spring Party

By Abby and Donna

Word spread quickly through the fae community that the big spring celebration was going to be in a different location this year.  At first, no one understood why it was going to be in the big house that had once housed Lovelace's House of Pleasure, but once they heard about the changes to the building, they understood!

The basement, which once had rooms that contained dark secrets, now was being remodeled. The Innocents would be having their rooms down there, so when they were most vulnerable - when they were sleeping - they could be protected.  The garden that Bannie had mentioned could be reached from there.

The house was now under a constant watch by the Trooper Faeries and Oberon's men. A special alarm had been installed, and if need be, the girls could be warned to escape while they still could. There was a tunnel from the basement into the mountain behind the house.  Of course the house had a yard around it and a garden in the back, but those were not safe.  In the mountain was a miraculous garden, sunny despite being under ground! After all, it was a magical garden! And it was in full bloom.

So, when the twenty-first dawned, all of the fae made their way to the House, where they were shown the newly renovated basement.  Nicolas de La Motte was only too happy to welcome one and all, including the pretty new Leprechaun women!

They were redheads all, of course. Two of them caught his eye in particular. Meg, one of the leprechaun lasses that had been on Edan for a while, and Onora, one of the new ones.

He spent a good part of the party chatting them up, despite the fact that Blade was carrying his child.  After the raid, the only two women left were Naiad and Blade, and of course, since there were only two men, Nicolas and Max, they naturally paired off.  But though Max and Naiad were in love, Nicolas and Blade were not.  She was having his child to keep safe.

Meg especially was flattered by all of the attention she was getting from Nicolas. She was seriously thinking of taking up residence in the Fae House. It might be good to have someone with a little more experience around than the Innocents. She was almost three centuries old, and very good at recognizing potentially dangerous situations and making sure she had a way out.

Blade, meanwhile, was making the acquaintance of someone Sunny and Bill Stewart had brought.  Edward had his new hands on, but though they looked rather normal, he was having trouble manipulating them as he had.  This was a shame, because he had been very good with scissors and shears.  When told this, Blade went over to make him feel better.

Everyone loved the new garden. It had a very special feel to it, and since the girls could come and go as they pleased, they were happy.

Gala, the child Innocent, was especially delighted at all she saw. She was well loved by everyone, and as usual, when they greeted her, she produced an apple for them.

The new girls were introduced, like every year, and with them came a magic of their own!  Merlin's new daughter was Aria, and Fisher made one to go with her called Harmony.  They brought music to the party and livened things up.

Not that the party needed much livening up with all the leprechauns about! Jericho and Sean couldn't help but smile smugly as they watched Barney and the youngest of the new girls dance together. Her name was Rosheen, and she wasn't much older than he was! Hadn't Bannie said she was sending one for everyone?

Sean was having a good time flirting with all the other lasses, but his eye was still on one of the Trooper Faeries flying above his head. He couldn’t help but wish he had wings too as he watched her dance with some of the young men from her castle. The one he liked most was dancing with Grogan's old cronies.  Maybe, he thought, he should try and interest them in saving the Count!  Then they could be captured, too?

Jericho saw the love struck look on his friend's face and wondered if there was going to be trouble for him in the near future. The last thing Boric and Morag wanted was for another daughter to be involved with a leprechaun!

The two new fae that were staying in Edan would probably move into the House.  But they'd need special watching. One of them, Tinkerbell, was of the type especially prized by Montoya.  So, though she was not an Innocent, she still needed protection.  The other was named Penny.

There was one new girl for Camelot, named Hyacinth.  She was very pretty, and it was expected that she'd catch a knight quickly!  Kelly and Ursula would live in the forest, while Zazu and Liberty went to Esperanza.

Nicolas was very pleased to hear that his house was going to be full again! Of course, he knew that they wouldn't be performing the same services that the other girls had. At least not yet!

And to this end, the army was invited in to meet the new girls.  No one took anyone else to a room, at least, not in that way, and they shared some of the magic of the fae celebration - something only partners had been allowed to do up to now.

Most of the soldiers understood the change, and were looking forward to *wooing* the new girls. They were all pretty and sweet! Of course, not all of the soldiers were so tame, but most of the troublemakers had gone to the other side, which explains the change.

One couple in attendance had just arrived from Innocent Island, having left the band of mares and foals there in the capable hands of the studs. Curley's eyes were wide as he looked around, but he was having a blast!

"Well, shee-it!" he said.  "I thank I'm gonna like it heah!"

Sierra was pleased with his reaction. They were a couple now, and the plans were for them to go to Booker's ranch after the party was over.

Hopefully, this was a sign that the coming year (because March 21 was the New Year for fae folk) would be better and happier than the last one!