Written by: Aryea

 

TITLE: Land of the Fienne

 

CHAPTER FOUR

 

CHAPTER 4

------------- 

 

 

Braennon accompanied them on their journey, along with two other guides that held provisions and food. Nigel had never encountered a forest so large that it took a day and a half almost to walk through. As was Nigel’s habit when he was bored or nervous, he continued to ask Braennon about the Fienne. She answered all of his questions serenely and without a hint of agitation or impatience.

She explained how the Feinne were born with their gifts and that each one had to consider the consequences before using them. The power of the Feinne came from their life force and if a Feinne used too many of his or her gifts, they became drained and started to fade. Each time they used their power a portion of their life force was taken from them.

This had alarmed Nigel and he asked what happened if a Fienne used all their power. Did they die? Breannon explained that her people did not die, but merely became one with that which was around them; the trees, the river and the air. A Feinne lived on forever in the guise of nature and it sustained them for eternity. It was rare that a Feinne was foolish or brave enough to use all of their gifts, but sometimes sacrifices had to be made.

Soon, their journey came to an end and their companions waited on the edge of the forest as Nigel and Sydney stepped out into the clearing. Nigel recognized where they were almost immediately and he couldn’t fathom how they started out in Ireland and ended up in England , but he supposed it was all part of the magic. He’d never been a believer in magic, but there was just no other word to describe some things.

Luckily, even in their younger bodies, they retained their possessions, including their money and less than an hour later they were taking the tour of Windsor Castle . Nigel had tried everything to dissuade Sydney from going ahead with the plan, during their trip through the Faerie Forest that somehow led them just outside the palace of The Queen of England , especially when he saw that the Royal Standard flag was flying at the tower, instead of the Union Jack, meaning that the Queen was in residence. He’d immediately gotten cold feet. However, Sydney reminded him of the people counting on them.

They wandered away from the tour unnoticed and ducked behind a set of shrubberies.

“I really don’t know about this, Syd,” Nigel protested quietly. “If we get caught…”

Sydney grinned at him. “We’re kids, Nigel. What are they gonna do to us?”

Nigel pulled at his collar, concerned. “Beheading comes to mind.”

“Don’t worry.” She patted his knee. “Come on. I saw the tree a ways back.”

“Syd…wait. What if…?”

“Nigel. Do you want Braennon’s people to disappear?”

“No, of course not. But this…this is just wrong.”

“Only to an Englishman.” Sydney regretted the remark the minute it was out of her mouth.

She understood that Nigel took his heritage very seriously and while she had taunted him about his British mannerisms several times, she never tormented him about his traditions. This was stealing, pure and simple and to him, stealing from the Queen of England was as bad as stealing from God himself.

He dropped the bag he had pulled out of his knapsack and stood up. “You can do it yourself then.”

Sydney grabbed him and pulled him back down just as someone walked by. They waited until they were sure the man was gone to speak again. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.”

“Then you shouldn’t have said it!”

“I know. Look, I’m as nervous about this as you are. Really. Come on. We’re a team. Stay with me on this one, okay?”

“I can’t!”

“You can. Think of Braennon.”

“Stop trying to guilt me into doing what you want. You always do that and I am tired of it.”

Sydney paused, startled by his hostility. “Nigel…”

“Syd…I know that the tree rightfully belongs to the Fienne and I am well aware of what it means to them, but this…Can’t you see how hard this is for me? Just once, can’t you stop in your relentless pursuit of a bloody relic to consider how I feel?”

Sydney stared at him. He looked so cute when he was upset; his slightly pudgy cheeks puffed out in agitation and flushed with anger. His sweet, full lips pulled into a progressive pout. He was adorable. Yet, his words were of the adult that had become her best friend and she couldn’t ignore that. However, before she could speak, they heard someone else approaching. She tossed Nigel flat on the ground and lay over him, hoping the hedges would keep the covered.

“As lovely as this is, could you please get off!” Nigel whispered as he pushed at her from below. The footsteps had faded away. “I can’t breathe!”

Sydney quickly sat up. “Sorry.”

“This will never work. There are people all over this place. We’ll never get to the tree unseen.”

Sydney took his hands and smiled, her braces sparkled in the sunlight. “Nigel, I promise to make this up to you. I swear I will. I know this is hard, but we have to do this.”

“I’m not trying to disappoint you, Syd. It’s just…well…You aren’t British. You simply don’t…” He stopped talking as Sydney pulled out her knife, which had shrunk to accommodate her new size. “Wh…what are you do…OW!” Nigel started to pull his hand away from where she had cut his palm with her knife. “Are you mad?”

Sydney made a small cut on her own palm, and then placed their hands together to let their blood mix. “My blood to your blood. My oath to you is to never forget who you are. Wherever you go, I go and whatever doubts you feel, I feel. We’re brother and sister now.”

Nigel tried not to think of how unsanitary the whole process was and stared at their hands, interlocked. Where had this come from? He couldn’t help the small, private thrill it gave him for Sydney to take such an action, although he doubted he would ever be able to think of her as a sister. He wondered if perhaps the child in her had taken over. “Um…” He didn’t know what to say.

Sydney released his hand. The pressure she had applied had already caused the small cuts to stop bleeding. “So…Now that we’re the same blood, whatever you decide, is also my decision.” She looked at him solemnly, suddenly looking much older than nine. “Do we go forward or do we go back.”

Nigel blinked. She was leaving the choice up to him? That had never happened before. “Syd…”

“You have to chose, Nigel. We can’t stay here forever and we’re running out of time.”

Nigel stared at her and then looked at the cut on his hand. He squeezed his fist closed. Being the decision maker was a big thing for Sydney Fox and she was handing it over to him freely. It was mind-boggling. He gritted is teeth and gathered his courage. “Let’s go, sis,” he sighed picking up the bag. “Daylight’s wasting.”

Sydney’s winning smile was worth a thousand decisions and pushed back the last of Nigel’s doubts. She had to know what his choice would be, she wasn’t stupid.

They retraced their steps back towards the rear gardens. Sydney spotted the tree almost immediately and they hurried over. They quickly, but carefully started to uncover the roots of the small tree.

“Hurry, Syd,” Nigel insisted as he rose and held the bag open as Sydney carefully dug up the tree with the small hand spade Braennon had given her.

“You there!” a voice called out, startling them both. They spun around, guiltily. “What is that you are doing?”

Nigel dropped the bag he was holding and Sydney , in as much shock as he, could not even straighten up. They both stared helplessly at the petite gray-haired woman before them.

“Has the cat stolen your tongues?” the woman inquired, her voice calm, but authoritative.

“M…M…Your Majesty!” Nigel finally managed to stammer as he bowed from the waist and lowered his head, ashamed. “F…forgive us we…we…”

“We were lost from the tour,” Sydney interceded as she slowly stood and hid the small gardening spoon behind her back. Seeing how humbled Nigel was before the Monarch of his homeland she knew that it would be up to her to do the talking. However, she was feeling quite unworthy herself. “We were on the tour and we became lost and…”

Sydney Fox had never suffered from an inability to speak coherently and yet she experienced such a fate now. She had a story prepared, should they get caught, but she had expected a grounds keeper or a perimeter guard…Not the Queen of England herself.

Elizabeth II, successor of Elizabeth I, granddaughter of Ann Bolin and Henry the VIII, watched the two children with mild amusement. The young boy was practically shivering in fear, and yet he had addressed her correctly, without any coaching as most young children needed before meeting her. The young girl seemed respectful enough, but there was boldness in her eyes that the Queen found intriguing in one so young.

“You became lost and decided to vandalize my garden?”

“Oh no, Your Majesty!” Nigel quickly found his tongue and stepped forward. “We would never do such a thing, truly. It’s a beautiful garden. We only wanted the tree.”

“Nigel!” Sydney snapped.

“Nigel is it?” She glanced at Nigel who shrank beneath her view. She turned to Sydney . “And your name, young lady? You are American, aren’t you?”

“ Sydney , Your Majesty, and yes I am.”

“I see. What is so special about that tree, Sydney ?” Queen Elizabeth inquired, curious.

“You wouldn’t believe us if we told you, Your Majesty,” Sydney sighed and realized that they truly were in a fix. They were in the bodies of children, caught on the grounds at Windsor Castle and destroying property. They were sunk.

“I do detest those that assume to tell me what I should or should not believe,” The Queen replied. “Do you suppose a body can rule on supposition alone, or is it unheard of to be aware of one’s own mind without such subtle intimidation?”

Sydney shook her head. “No, ma’am…I mean...yes, Ma’am.” Aw hell, she didn’t know what she meant. This woman was far to intimidating for someone so tiny!

The Queen stepped forward and looked down sharply. “Show me your hands. Both of you, at once.”

Sydney and Nigel presented their hands face up.

“As I suspected.” Queen Elizabeth nodded disapprovingly. “Two children with very dirty hands. You cannot come to tea in that condition. Come with me.”

“T…tea?” Nigel squeaked.

“Why of course. It is well past the hour and I had to wait for the tours to be finished to enjoy a walk in my garden. I find I am quite thirsty after all this.” She turned and started to walk away. “I shall enjoy the company, once you’ve washed. Come along.”

Sydney and Nigel glanced at each other, shocked.

Queen Elizabeth turned around and waited patiently. “Must I repeat myself, children?”

Sydney and Nigel hurried after her. The Queen was silent on the path back to the palace and Nigel fairly skipped after her. He didn’t care if they were headed to the guillotine after this; he was going to have tea with the Queen! Sydney , meanwhile, was frantically trying to come up with a plan to get them out of this mess.

The Queen climbed the steps leading to a rear patio and immediately one of her servants rushed to meet her. “Enjoy your walk, Mum?”

“It was quite surprising.” She turned to the children trailing behind her. “Show my guests where they may wash up, and then bring them to me. I shall have tea out here today, Michael.”

Michael offered a slight bow and turned to Sydney and Nigel. “This way, please?”

Sydney and Nigel followed him inside and tried not to be overwhelmed at their surroundings. Nigel stumbled and lagged behind several times to look at a tapestry or painting.

“Young Master?” Michael called and waved him forward. “This way, please. We mustn’t keep the Queen waiting.”

Nigel hurried to catch up.

After they had washed up and were returned to the patio, where the table had been set with a silver service tea tray, a selection of tiny finger sandwiches and a variety of biscuits, the Queen finally walked up and settled at the table with them. Nigel had risen upon her arrival and she waved him back down.

“You are very well mannered for someone so young, Nigel,” she offered kindly. “Do you like hot tea, or would you prefer a soft drink?”

“T…tea, please, your Majesty,” Nigel replied and was both flattered and appalled when the Queen of England poured their tea herself.

“ Sydney ?”

Sydney was still trying to fathom what was happening. “Tea is…um fine, please.”

“You’re parents must be very proud of your manners, Nigel.” The Queen set the teapot back on the table and offered them the plate of sandwiches. As it would have been rude not to accept, both Nigel and Sydney selected a sandwich each. “Perhaps not so proud of your extra-curricular activities of tree stealing, I suspect.”

Nigel flushed. “I…my parents passed on some time ago, Your Majesty.”

“Are you an orphan then? Is that what I must attribute today’s events to? Do you reside at an institution and have run away?”

“No, I have my own place.”

Queen Elizabeth looked surprised. “Oh?”

Nigel forgot that he was in the body of a ten year old. “I…I mean I…go to…” He swallowed hard, not even wanting to say the word. “Boarding school.”

“We meant no harm, Your Majesty,” Sydney interrupted, saving Nigel further embarrassment. “We weren’t trying to steal the tree.”

“I see.” The Queen turned to her. “You were borrowing it with the intent of returning it sometime in the future then?”

Sydney slowly shook her head. “It…it’s complicated.”

“Indeed. Please continue, Sydney . I am most anxious to hear your explanation.”

Sydney stared at her for a long moment and tried to think up a good lie. “I…” She sighed. It was no use. The Queen would never believe the truth and Sydney just couldn’t force herself to lie to the lady before them. “You really wouldn’t believe me.”

“Is the tale not to be believed due to its fantastical attributes, or do you assume I shall turn a deaf ear because you are children?”

Sydney was honest. “Both, Your Majesty.”

Queen Elizabeth delicately sipped her tea, chewed on a small, circular cucumber sandwich, which had the crusts removed, and when she was finished, said. “My grandchildren were the same way when they were young. They did not trust grandma to believe their stories.” She smiled slightly and leaned forward. “They tell me everything now. I find children refreshingly honest, Sydney . Whether your tale is to be believed resides in your belief in what you are saying. Do you not agree?”

 “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Will you require anything else, Mum?” Michael asked, appearing out of nowhere and startling Nigel.

“No, that will be all for now. Thank you.”

Michael inclined his head and returned inside.

“Why do they call you, Mum?” Nigel asked before he could stop himself. He found the address rather disrespectful, considering who the Queen was.

Queen Elizabeth was not offended by his impudence. “It is what they have always called me. They greet me by my title first thing in the morning and the rest of the day is more relaxed.” She selected a biscuit. “I am addressed formally whenever I am in public, Nigel, but I would be annoyed to be addressed so officially in my home at every hour of the day. It would become tiresome, don’t you agree?” She winked at him. “You may also address me as Mum, if you should like.”

Nigel smiled shyly and dipped his head as he flushed deep crimson. She winked at him, actually winked. He didn’t think the Queen of England was allowed to wink. His mother would be in a fantastic state to know that her son was having tea with such a great lady, and Elizabeth seemed like such a regular person.

“Now, the story, Sydney .” The Queen pushed the plate of biscuits closer to Nigel, noticing he would not take anything else after the sandwich she had offered him. His manners were almost too good, so she assumed that he would never reach across the table. “I am an old woman and can little afford delays in much of anything anymore.”

“You’re not old,” Nigel commented, again before he could help it. “I think you’re wonderful.”

The Queen laughed, most of her earlier reserve falling away. She picked up the plate of sweets and offered it to him. “Sweet boy, have a biscuit and stop your nonsense.”

Sydney glanced at Nigel who flushed happily and accepted a cookie.

“Tell her, Syd,” he encouraged, completely enamoured of their host.

Sydney took a deep breath and slowly related the tale.

After almost an hour of storytelling, the Queen sat back and observed both of the children seated at her table. It had been a thrilling tale, a most unbelievable one at that and yet the young American had told it with such passion and truth in her words. These were no ordinary children.

“I believe you,” she decided finally as she placed her napkin over her plate.

“Really?” Nigel and Sydney both asked, simultaneously.

The Queen nodded and rose, causing both children to do the same. “I must say, you are the most unique and well educated children that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.” She smiled secretly. “And, if your story holds true, there is good reason for that. Also, if you truly are Sydney Fox and Nigel Bailey, then I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

“You…you’ve heard of us?”

“Indeed. You are the pair responsible for returning much of England ’s past to it’s present.” She extended her hand and both Sydney and Nigel raised an eyebrow and the familiar ring that rested on the Queen’s middle finger. “As well as a few other, more personal treasures.”

“The Royal Ring of Ann Bolin!” Nigel exclaimed, remembering his adventure with Sydney and Preston to find the ring.

The Queen seemed surprised, and then relieved to have her suspicious confirmed. “I was most delighted to have this returned to our family.”

Sydney smiled, pleased. “We’re proud to have been a part of it, Your Majesty.”

“You really believe us?” Nigel asked. “You aren’t going to have us arrested or anything?”

Queen Elizabeth laughed. “Goodness no! This has been the most amusing afternoon I have spent in a good many years.” She picked up a small bell on the table and rang it. “And as old as I am that is saying something.”

 Almost immediately Michael appeared. “Yes, Mum?”

“I require two Special Requests.”

“Yes, Mum.” Michael disappeared.

The Queen turned to Sydney and Nigel. “I shall tell you a secret that I have told no one and this is why I believe your story, Sydney . My father once told me of that tree that is so precious to you. She said that Queen Ann found it one day on a trip to Ireland . Their caravan came across a great forest and Ann wanted to have a look inside. She insisted to those with her that she saw faeries, singing in a glade. When she ran to catch them, they disappeared. At her feet was that tree. She believed it was a sign, a good omen of the little folk, so she had her men dig the tree up and brought it back here, to Windsor Castle .”

“That’s incredible!” Nigel remarked. “Braennon told us the tree was taken by those who worked for a great lady. I would never have imagined it to be Ann Bolin.”

Queen Elizabeth nodded. “And so it was. Had she known the importance of the tree, perhaps she would not have been so bold to take it.” The Queen lifted her hand. “However, I have noticed, as did my father, that the tree never grew in our garden. It never bloomed and it never died. It stayed, preserved exactly as Ann found it.”

“So, you won’t mind us taking the tree back to the Feinne?”

“It belongs to them, as you say.” The Queen turned as Michael appeared. She accepted the two envelopes and turned back to Sydney and Nigel. “You may take the tree with my blessing, but I wish something in return.” She handed them the envelopes. “If your story holds true, you will return as your adult selves to visit me very soon, and prove that I have not misjudged you.” She offered them a devilish smile, something that was a rarity on such a reserved woman. “I wish to hear the end of the story.”

Nigel and Sydney were speechless as they accepted the invitations. A direct request from the Queen of England to return to her home. It was unimaginable.

“You…you honour us, your Majesty,” Nigel offered, his more reserved and adult side showing through his child-like voice. “And humble us. We are yours to command.”

Sydney was speechless and glad Nigel could speak for them.

Queen Elizabeth smiled and quickly glanced around. She leaned down and hugged them both quickly. “I envy you your adventures,” she whispered to them. “I often wished that I had ruled during the days of Knights and royal quests. You have brought a piece of that to me in the present. God go with you both on your journey.” She straightened into the regal woman of royalty once more. “I await your return.”

Sydney and Nigel beamed at her, and then fairly skipped down the stairs to return to the garden and claim their prize.

 

-------

Any reference to the Queen or the Royal family is meant only in fun and in no way meant to dishonour or demean their stations or person.

 

Continue to chapter 5

Please  review