"I'm not quite sure what all the details are. The Fae have tried to avoid interfering in matters of the Mortal World -- including the Magical Realm -- over the past few hundred years, unless it was absolutely necessary," the voice came from inside the crystal bubble floating in front of Katrin.

"Avoid interfering? Is that what you call the whole snatching Uncle Toby thing?" she grinned at him.

He grinned right back. "That was absolutely necessary."

"Ah, of course." She twirled a lock of her hair around her fingers. "Well, if you don't know all the details, then you can't know that this situation falls under the 'absolutely necessary' clause. So why get involved at this stage? Why all the secrecy? Or is it because you don't know all the details?"

"You always were one to pick up on these nuances." Her father sighed. "Technically, what they have told me does not qualify it as something we should interfere with. However, considering the source, I cannot not get involved. At this stage, they ask only advice. Since that is a rare request, I cannot deny it in good conscience."

"You keep saying 'they'. 'They' who?"

"I expected you to ask that. 'They' are a group of Goblins who have been running a bank in the Magical Realm of the Mortal World for hundreds of years. Their Majesties did not require a relationship of such length and history to be disconnected simply because they deemed it wise to hide our existence. As my subjects, the Goblins in charge of this bank would not reveal the Secret in any case."

"Goblins in charge of a bank?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. "I mean, not that I question your judgement or their capability since they've been doing it so long, but..." she trailed off.

"But you never would have expected that?" He chuckled at her slightly bewildered look. "It's a long story, but suffice it to say they are a different breed than those which run amok in my kingdom."

"I guess that makes sense." Katrin pondered this information for a moment. "OK, not really. But that is neither here nor there. What I don't understand is why I have to be there if it is your advice they want. I'll come, definitely, but why?"

He sighed again. "Reinforcements, so to speak. It will look better if the whole family is at the formal reception. Shows no dissention among the ranks, unity on the matter, that sort of thing. Besides," he paused and his look darkened slightly, "there is something about this whole matter that I just don't like. I doubt that anything will happen to you, but it will be easier to formulate our position if everyone is there. I don't want to make this decision without everyone involved, because it has the potential of affecting all of you."

"Our position?" She hoped he was not implying what she thought he was implying. "Do you mean in case things get presented at High Court?"

"Exactly." He rubbed his hand across his face. "I hate all these politics. It would be much more efficient if I could just run things the best way for my subjects without having to go through all this ceremony every time a situation arises."

"When is this formal reception?"

He grinned at her once more. "Do you not mean 'when is the latest I need to be there so I can spend more time with a certain red-haired young man'?"

"Oh for crying out loud, Dad--"

He held up his hand to silence her. "I am only teasing you, Kati. Unfortunately, while the reception will be held the day after tomorrow, I will need you tomorrow morning to help get everything prepared and for some family time. We will be in full regalia." He chuckled at her groan. "Also, I do not know when all will be finished, so I cannot say whether or not you will be free to attend your Faire on the weekend."

Katrin sighed. "Well, I can always plead family emergency. Things come up, for everyone, and they know that. I guess I'll see you in the morning."

"Please, try not to sound so excited to come see your beloved family." She giggled. "I shall tell your mother when to expect you, but not about this red-headed fellow. You can give us both the details at the same time."

"DAD!!!" He chuckled again and Katrin shook her head. "Tell everyone I said hello, and I'll see them soon. And that I send my love. Even to you, though I daresay you're getting crotchety in your old age." He bowed his head and faded out of sight. The crystal floated gently into her outstretched hand. She eyed her computer. "Well," she announced to the empty room, "I suppose I must needs reply to that red-headed fellow's email." Shaking her head and muttering something about how she didn't think she'd hear the end of this until mid-winter, Katrin gracelessly plopped down in front of her laptop.

Bill sat on the log staring at the letter from Charlie, which he held limply between his fingers.

"Damn." Bill folded the letter and put it in his pouch. "This doesn't sound good at all. I wonder what is going on..." He turned to the owl. "Well, what do you say to this plan? You take what is left of today and tonight to rest and do whatever it is you owls do. I'll go back to town in the morning and email Katrin. Maybe if I get there early enough, I'll get a reply before I have to Apparate us back to England. When we get home, I'll do what Charlie suggested and send you back to him then." The owl hooted at him before flying off into the trees. "I'll take that as a yes." He pulled out his wand and used it to string up a hammock between two trees. He conjured up some dinner then settled down for the night.

As he lay there, looking up at the stars, he thought about how he'd explain to Katrin that he had to leave and would not return for some time, if ever. I knew that I'd be leaving in a week... but still... I thought we'd had a week. Hopefully we can keep in contact, but where do I go for this email back home? Maybe she'll give me her address and we can write to each other via Muggle post. But then where would she write back to? I suppose I could try to ring her; Dad and Ron found a telephone to ring Harry that one summer. But she wouldn't be able to call me back. Asking for her telephone number and not giving one in return sounds a bit dodgy. Plus, from what I understand, telephoning someone that far away gets expensive. He sighed heavily, pulling a blanket over his head and squeezing his eyes shut.

Honestly, he thought before falling asleep, could things get any more complicated?