Chapter 24

If Raphael was warm, open and perhaps, maybe, just a little bit quirky, then the angel who stood in front of the gates was the opposite. Cold, arrogant, and unimaginative. He watched the small group of Fay approach with a cynical jaded glower. The angel was every bit as good looking as Raphael, with indigo wings, grey eyes and black hair. He wore a blue grey tunic with brown pants and boots. The requisite long sword hung at his hip. He was taller than Raphael and looked like he was in his early twenties. Rhiannon watched his hard eyes flick from Raphael to herself to Rowan. There was suspicion and contempt in his eyes, but if he was surprised to see them he masked it well. Rhiannon approached him ahead of the others. Raphael had told them that morning at breakfast, that getting past the gates would either be a breeze or a challenge, depending on who was on guard. If it was Sarah she would let them right in, some of the older angels would take some convincing, but of the younger angels the only one that they had to worry about was Malik, and if Malik did indeed turn out to be the keeper of the gate, Raphael was pretty sure that they would not get by without a fight. He'd called Malik 'the anti-rebel'. “Malik sticks to the rules as his own private form of rebellion,” Raphael had said shaking his head. “He isn't so bad underneath it all, but the four of us all feel pretty helpless, and clinging to all of the old dogmatic shit is Malik's way of coping.”

“The four of you?” Yuka was quick to ask.

“There are only four of us, in my generation . . . I'm the youngest. At present, it looks as if we will be the last.”

Based on what Raphael had told them, Rhiannon was pretty sure that the angel before them now was Malik. When she was three feet away from him she stopped and curtsied then looked into the expressionless face and said to him, “My name is Rhiannon. I am the daughter of Queen Sulamith and King Lugh. I've come because I need your help. I wondered if you would be so kind as to let me pass so that I might speak to your people?” she asked politely if somewhat quietly, balked by the tall cold angel and the towering stone walls.

“None may pass,” the angel said automatically.

“May I ask why not?” Rhiannon asked softly. “We've come a long way.”

The angel said nothing.

“Come on Malik. Why don't you just admit that you don't know why your not letting her in,” Raphael goaded.

“Shut up Raphael. Everyone knows that you're a misfit.” Malik gave Raphael a hard glance, obviously unsurprised by Raphael's presence, even if he was surprised by the group of travellers.

“At least I'm not an automaton. At least I think for myself,” Raphael responded.

This isn't going well. Rhiannon thought to herself and looked at Raphael as she said, “We didn't come here to fight. Please,” she levelled a desperate pleading gaze at Malik hoping that 'pretty girl eyes' might soften him up. “We just want to talk. We don't want your magic, just your swords and your support. We wouldn't have come all this way if there wasn't a profound need. At least give me a chance.”

“We are above you. There is no reason for us to help you. What happens to your people is of no concern to us.”

“Not everyone believes that and you know it!” Raphael shouted in anger.

Malik glared at them. “Show me then. Show me that you are of some consequence.” His eyes ran over the small group. He rolled his eyes at Raphael as his glance passed over the rebel angel, then he let his gaze rest on Rhiannon. “Little Fairy. I could crush you.”

Rhiannon couldn't help but think that Malik spoke in the strangest tone, as if he was seeing her for the first time. Seeing how much smaller than him she was, that she was indeed little, and in her way, against him, really quite helpless. So many emotions passed over his face that it frightened her. She let him see that she was frightened in the hopes that it would at least cause him some discomfort. That it might bother him, on some level, to have frightened someone who he could so easily crush. There was a flicker of guilt and uncertainty in Malik's eyes but his words had had consequences and Rowan had stepped in front of her. She should have known that he wouldn't let her be threatened. Even Raphael now had a look of dangerous anger towards Malik in his eyes, but she knew that Raphael's hands were tied in this. If he fought Malik over this it would mean banishment or death for Raphael, and it was all the angel could do to keep his temper reined in and his hand off of his sword. But Rowan wasn't subject to their laws, so he said to Malik, “You have no cause to threaten her, but if you want consequences I can give them to you.”

Rhiannon could see the confusion in Malik's eyes as he inspected Rowan and observed the anger that both he and Raphael now directed towards him, but all that the uncertainty did was push him back into the conviction that the old ways must somehow be right, and his face hardened again as he looked down at Rowan scornfully and said, “Fine. If you can overcome me, I will let you pass.”

“No! We didn't come here to fight,” Rhiannon cried out in alarm, even though Raphael had assured her that Rowan could handle Malik . . . even though she knew that Rowan was unafraid. Rowan drew her aside as she pursued her argument. “No my love. Please no. There has to be another way,” She pleaded, taking his hand in her own and holding it there.

Rowan shook his head sadly and stroked her cheek, “It is the only way. It is the only language that this one understands.”

“He's right Rhiannon,” Raphael said quietly from where he had come to stand beside them. “I would fight for you if I could, but you know that I can't attack Malik.”

Rhiannon could see that Rowan was right even if she didn't want to admit it. She stepped forward and kissed him, noticing the earring pushed through his collar as she did. She nodded, stepped back, and Raphael took her hand and led her to the edge of the courtyard as Rowan turned to face Malik. There was a semicircle of massive oaks growing around the edge of the courtyard but even massive as they were, they were dwarfed by the imposing stone walls. Aledwen, Merlin's Shadow, and Yuka joined them by the side as Malik looked from Rhiannon to Rowan with more confusion in his face before he once more erected his wall of indifference.

Rowan walked to the centre of the courtyard, drew his sword and said to Malik, “Have it your way. I'm ready.” And the angel was on him.

Rowan was out from under Malik's attack in a matter of seconds and the angel was gripping his upper arm in shock and anger. Rowan was both stronger and faster than Malik had expected him to be. Rowan's face was hard as he held his sword and waited patiently for Malik to renew his attack. Rhiannon looked at the plain sword in Rowan's hands. It was a funny thing, Rowan and swords, but he didn't really get attached to them. She'd asked him about his sword one morning as they'd walked down to Gwydion's and he'd told her, “It's a tool like a shovel or a pen. It works better if it's made well, but even though the shovel that I use to dig potatoes works well, you don't see me getting attached to it or decorating it. I don't understand men who become attached to their swords.”

Malik charged, alert now to Rowan's speed. Rowan raised his ordinary sword and met Malik's attack and though Malik gave it his all he was again deflected. Malik was glorious with his indigo wings poised and long sword flashing but Rowan was so light on his feet, so quick to defend and attack that, while if it came to a contest of brute strength Malik would probably win, Rowan's accuracy and skill were superior. It still bothered Rhiannon to watch, especially as they were not, as Rowan and Raphael had been only three short days earlier, taking care not to harm one another, but despite the heartache that it caused her, and the sick feeling in her stomach at the conflict, she had realized a few things watching this fight. One: when Rowan fought Leif, he was holding back. Two: While Malik was a practised fighter, he was not experienced. Not in real life combat. Not even like Raphael, fighting elves on the fly. Practice was all that Malik had ever done. And three: and this was probably the greatest example of Malik's inexperience and ignorance, he had challenged a Dryad to a dual in the centre of a ring of oak trees. The expression in the world she'd left behind would have been 'How stupid can you get.' And while watching this was still excruciating to her, she couldn't help being in awe of Rowan. They'd been at it now for nearly a half an hour and Rowan was dancing effortlessly out from under Malik's attacks and twisting the angel up in circles. He stepped in and attacked once again, nipping Malik's forearm with the tip of his blade. Malik was bleeding now from several small wounds and Rhiannon was pretty sure that Rowan was holding back just enough to keep from doing serious harm, while Malik was fighting for his life. Malik yelled in pain as Rowan slashed at his leg and a dark red patch seeped into the fabric of his breeches. Rhiannon was sure now that Rowan could end it any time he wanted, but he wasn't about to until he had made Malik understand that he wasn't dealing with a subspecies. In an act of desperation Malik leapt, pumping his wings. It wasn't honourable, but Rowan had pushed him to his limit. It was an attempt to gain the upper hand however he could, but no sooner had he lifted off, Rowan blinked out of sight. The angel had been pushed so far that he didn't have the energy to sustain flight and had no choice but to land, but where? He couldn't see Rowan anywhere. Within seconds of lifting off Malik was back on the ground looking around desperately. His sword flew from his hand and clattered against the nearest wall. Malik fell to his knees and shouted, “I yield!” As Rowan blinked back into view directly in front of Malik, his sword point at Malik's throat.

“You'll let us in?” Rowan asked.

Malik nodded. “I most humbly apologize for my behaviour. I see now that I was wrong,” his voice shook as the words rushed out of his mouth.

Rowan withdrew his sword. “Stand,” he said to Malik, not a request.

Malik stood, bleeding and unsteady.

“You're injured. Would you allow one of us to heal you?” Rowan asked.

“You can do that?” Malik asked incredulous.

“If you left the mountains every once in a while you would know this,” Raphael interjected.

“Shut up Raph,” Malik sighed, not in anger but simply in the tone of one with a severely injured pride who's world view has just been shattered.

“I don't think that I deserve it,” Malik said to Rowan, then hung his head.

Rhiannon, who had been watching all of this from the sidelines, stepped forward. Her feet felt like lead. Her heart hurt. This wasn't what she wanted to be. This wasn't what she wanted to do. She was only a little fairy. Nothing more. She didn't want to be a queen but the weight of what her future held pushed her forward like a current and she was helpless as she walked towards the angel who could crush her if he wanted to and said, “Please let me heal you?”

And more out of shock than permission he allowed her to take his hand. What he saw when he looked into her face as she gazed up at him, the small sweet face with dark blue eyes and the flashing opal, was the entirety of her pain. She gripped his hand not letting it go and she knew that what she was doing was cruel, but she let the worst parts of her life flash through her mind, maintaining the contact with his hand as she unloaded it into his brain. It tore her apart as she saw through his eyes, the newspaper clipping of her parent's burned out house, the way she'd yelled at Rowan after she'd learned who she truly was, Raphael on the beach, her father Lugh, the unhappiness she'd experienced in her childhood, the teasing, the bullying and now the constant fear that she wouldn't live out the year or that somehow she would lose the child she carried. And, worst of all, the fear that she felt for the people she loved who would have to fight, were fighting, for her. She held tightly to her life force and the little spark inside and she let him have these images and feelings as she healed him, then finally, before she let go of his hand she showed him the intensity of her hope and her desire for peace and freedom. She let go and staggered a little to the side, suddenly dizzy. Yuka took her arm and steadied her.

Rhiannon turned in shock and horror at what she'd just done. In her heart it felt like an atrocity. Now Malik would have to live with her experiences like they were his own, and she was pretty sure that he had his own issues to deal with. She had caused him pain but she'd wanted him to understand her and she hadn't known how else to do it. But she had caused him pain. She placed her hand over her mouth to stifle a sob then turned back to Malik who had a bruised look in his eyes. “I'm sorry, I'm so sorry,” she said wiping ungracefully at her cheeks.

“Don't,” Malik said to her. “Don't carry more sorrow on my account. I brought this on myself. It is my burden to bear. It is the price that I will pay for my pride.”

“Stoic till the end. That's Malik,” Raphael muttered under his breath.

Rhiannon swallowed and nodded then asked, “Will you take us now, to your people? I don't need to tell you that this is urgent.”

“Yes. Come with me,” Malik said quietly and lead them towards the gate.

“This one is your mate and champion?” he enquired, motioning towards Rowan.

“Yes. This is Rowan. He is my husband and the Captain of my army,” she answered, and Rowan nodded to Malik as they walked.

“And you are the Queen of both the Human and Fay realms?”

“I am the rightful queen of the Human realm yes, but as my father still lives I am currently the heir to the Fay throne. The logistics of that may change if we succeed at what we hope to do.”

Rhiannon introduced Malik to the others as they crossed the courtyard and passed through the gates. Malik turned and shoved a heavy lever so that a great grinding of gears could be heard within the stone walls and a solid and impassable grill came down on the outside of the gate.

“Are you going to leave the gate unguarded?” Raphael asked Malik incredulous.

Malik smiled ruefully, “No one has come to this gate in four hundred years except for you. You might be right Raphael. Maybe it is time to start breaking the rules. I'm going to leave the gate unguarded. It's not like I'm leaving it unlocked and there's still a sentry up on the wall,” Malik shrugged. “I feel like I'm going to be struck dead for doing it, but if I am I'll just blame you Raph.”

“Uh yeah um, sure. No problem,” Raphael accepted the blame for Malik's possible death uncertainly.

They were in what looked like an alcove with no exit, but Malik lead them to a hidden door that opened into a corridor. He threw another lever behind them and then lead the way along the corridor and out into a town square. It was obvious that no one had lived there in a long time except maybe a few ghosts. Gardens were barren, doors hung open like gaping black mouths starving for life and windows looked out at them like blind sightless eyes. It must have once been a beautiful city but now it was nearly dead. Rhiannon walked holding Rowan's hand and she could see him looking around and making the same observations she did. Raphael had been cagey about what to expect when they arrived in the angel's city and now Rhiannon understood that he was embarrassed.

“There used to be three thousand of us living here but now there are only forty-eight. We don't use this part of the city.” He pressed his lips into a grim line.

“It's true. We are much diminished from what we were many generations ago,” Malik agreed soberly. “We can't even heal people like you healed me anymore.”

They walked in silence for a time, through the empty streets, before Raphael spoke again. “Long ago Humans and Fay used to come here. That's why we have streets, but some parts of the city only have landing pads.”

Rhiannon looked around her. The city almost looked like pictures she had seen of ancient Greek ruins only much less ancient and not quite ruins. It seemed like a very sad place to live. It took nearly an hour but eventually they came to a part of the city where people still lived. The buildings were maintained and the remains of summer could still be seen in the garden plots. A few frowsy looking old angels sat in doorways and gawked at the newcomers in amazement. They came to a set of elegantly carved doors. “Raphael, you take them up to the hall. I'll go find Nuriel,” Malik said before making a short quick run and lifting off.

The building that they were standing in front of looked like a small very elegant Parthenon. All of the doors were wide and high to accommodate wings. Raphael opened the doors and ushered them in. Rhiannon felt like a Hobbit outside the Shire in this place, built to accommodate people nearly two to three feet taller than her. There was a spectacular marble staircase leading up to a light filled chamber above with vaulted ceilings. Raphael lead them up to the large room where there was a long table surrounded by chairs with benches along all of the walls.

Word had obviously spread that there were strangers in the Angel's city and several tall dignified angels had come into the hall to see what was happening. Within minutes the entire Angel population was there including Malik, who was accompanied by an angel Rhiannon knew could only be Nuriel. Malik and Nuriel arrived via french doors at the other end of the room. Despite their small numbers, seeing the angels together in the flesh for the first time was an awe provoking experience, and it was outside of any experience that Rhiannon had ever dreamed of having. They were stern and dignified but very beautiful. The women were serene and calm and even the older angels had an ageless quality to them. Rhiannon noticed however that there were no children anywhere. Raphael had been telling the truth. He was the youngest angel there. Rhiannon noticed a woman looking at her with a strange intensity. She approached Rhiannon with a look of tenderness and wonder, and Rhiannon realized that this must be Sarah, Raphael's mother. She was overwhelmingly beautiful with glossy black hair that fell around her in loose curls and alabaster skin. Her cheeks were delicately tinted a soft lavender pink, she had full soft pink lips and incredible cheekbones. Her eyes were large dark violet pools surrounded by thick long eyelashes and all of this was set against the backdrop of her heavenly violet wings. The angel, and that was what she was in every possible way, turned to Raphael and asked, “Where have you been? I've been worried sick. I've searched and searched for you.” She put her arms around her son who suddenly looked every bit a teenager. Then she turned to Rhiannon, “I'm almost afraid to talk to you,” she whispered and then put her arms around Rhiannon tightly. “I've wanted to do that so many times,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes. “When I saw that your house had been burned I feared the worst. I thought that perhaps both of you were dead.”

There was a sudden hush and everyone turned towards the end of the room where Nuriel stood. He was an enormous angel with crimson wings and brown hair. He looked at Rhiannon with arrogant hostility. Rhiannon approached him. When in doubt curtsy, she thought to herself and sunk even lower before the huge angel who towered over her by nearly three feet.

“I am Nuriel. Malik tells me that you have something to ask of us.”

Rhiannon straightened. “My name is Rhiannon. I am the rightful Queen of Nova Britannia and I have come to ask for your help.” Rhiannon wondered how she could stand so still when she felt like her heart was beating hard enough to shake the whole room.

“Our help in what?” Nuriel asked, still stone cold.

“We want to break the taboo.” The moment the words were out of her mouth a hush came over the room that was more profound than anything Rhiannon had expected.

Nuriel's face flushed in anger. He looked down on the small queen who stood calmly in front of him. He would never know what that calm cost her. He looked her up and down noticing the fern pattern on her hand and her cobalt eyes. “What would one little fairy know about the taboo?” he spat at her contemptuously. “Do you think that you understand what you are meddling with?”

“I think that I understand it better than you ever possibly could,” she said to him equally cold.

“How so?”

“I am the daughter of the Fay king and the Human queen. I think that I am clear evidence that the taboo is nonsense and I am not the only one.” She softened her voice, “Help us please. Come amongst us once again. Help us fight the elves. If we can't bring the Humans and the Fay together we will be annihilated. Would it be such an evil thing to come down from your mountain even for a short time and lend us your support?”

“You understand so little,” Nuriel said in a clipped tone.

“I understand that without a united Nova Britannia we don't stand a chance against Seamus' army. I understand that if the Fay maintain their position of neutrality and the Humans won't accept an alliance that my uncle will succeed and we might as well hand everything over to the elves right now. I understand that if this happens my life will be very short!” She took a deep breath. “We know that the Angels started the taboo but we don't know why. If you won't support this we might have a chance at succeeding, but if you will support this, if you will come down from the mountains and show the people that you support an end to the taboo then I know that the revolution that my parents started by conceiving me will succeed.”

“You don't understand,” Nuriel said again but he was beginning to deflate in the face of Rhiannon's stubborn passion.

“What don't I understand?!” Rhiannon exploded at him so that he flinched, which was a strange sight, the massive angel shrinking from the tiny queen. Rhiannon watched his face closely as he flushed again then, she only saw it for a second before it was pushed aside, there was an expression of discomfiture or maybe even an expression of . . . shame?

“We will not leave the mountains.” Nuriel's voice was flat and dull. He'd tried to make it sound final.

Rhiannon decided that it was time to take a risk. She risked alienating Nuriel further but if she was right about her suspicion, it would pay off. “The Humans in the world I grew up in kill each other over their differences. What could be worse than that? What are you hiding from us. What dirty little secret have you been keeping up in these mountains for all of these centuries?” She spoke softly keeping her eyes on his beautiful stern face. “We would hate you if we knew, so you've let it fester here . . .” She paused then started to cry exhausted overwhelmed tears that she couldn't do anything about. “Look at you. There is nothing left of you but a handful of rag-tag Angels who can barely do magic. What are you so ashamed of?” Nuriels face softened at the sight of her tears and Rhiannon knew that Rowan had been right when he'd told her that all she needed to do was to be brave and be herself.

“Tell her, Father.”

It was Raphael who finally spoke and Rhiannon realized how very brave he must be to make the stand that he had all of his life if Nuriel, the leader of the angels, was his father. She kept her face passive not letting Nuriel see that she hadn't known he was Raphael's father.

“I've seen more of this world and more of the other worlds than any angel here. I know that everything she's saying is right and our fear of their hatred isn't a good enough reason for us to keep this from them anymore. They deserve to know the truth. They deserve to know how we've failed them.”

Dead silence.

“TELL HER!” Raphael yelled, then paused to give Nuriel a chance to speak, “If you won't, I will.” His voice was low, challenging his father.

“Then let it be so,” Nuriel spoke quietly. In defeat.