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“’Tis a pity. I could take staying in this bedchamber for the next week or so. “ Love welled in his eyes, and though they had never said the words to each other, she knew he loved her as much as she loved him. Now was the time for her to change the subject.

“The shield that you carry, is it Elvin silver steel or human made?” she asked, as she reached for her own shield. She slung Brina across her back, and made certain that her Celtic dagger, Airell, was in place.

“Human. “

“Then you’ll need to get behind me if they decide to give us a flaming welcome. I can’t have you becoming the first course of the barbeque. “

“Do you think they’ll take a shine to us?”

LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 157

“That’s a matter of perspective, Collin, my love. “ She pulled the white fur-lined hood over her head, and tossed Collin another cloak. “You’ll need this. For some reason the temperature is unnaturally cold, and the climate in the Welsh Mountains won’t be any better. If they don’t make us into a human barbeque, then we’ll be safe to say that they fancy us. “

“Thanks for the words of inspiration. And by the way, I didn’t really need that particular mental picture,” he muttered.

“Glad I could set the scene for you,” she joked. She turned her head as a loud rapping sounded at the door.

She whisked it open to see Morganna and Millicent waiting for her.

“We must release Lancelot and Gwen from the Tower. They sound as if they are fighting like wounded banshees. “ Morganna’s voice was pleading and almost desperate.

Millicent was wringing her hands nervously, and kept darting her eyes toward the North Tower. Molly sighed, and tried to keep her temper in check.

“Has Lady Elyzabel left yet?” Molly asked, staring between the two.

“Nay, but she is almost ready to depart. What I can’t understand is why you are allowing Gwen and Elyzabel to continue their ruse. “

“Morganna, I do not expect you to understand, though I’m not surprised that you and Millicent have discovered the truth. I simply can’t sentence Gwen back into a life of living in her own skin. She begged me to leave her in Elyzabel’s body, and I think that it would be the best for all parties involved. “

“Bullshit. “ Morganna was seething. “I hope that you know what you’re doing. Arthur won’t be happy to return to find that his wife has undergone a drastic change. “

“I thought you had given up on my father. “

“Well, not in my deepest of hearts. Arthur’s survived much worse. He’ll come through this time as well. Besides, your mother believes that he still lives, and she is rarely if ever mistaken. Her intuition is good enough for me. “

“Thank you. As soon as Gwen…I mean Lady Elyzabel leaves for Glastonbury, you may release Lancelot and Gwen, but you must keep them under close guard. I don’t want anyone finding out the truth until the opportune moment. Millicent, since Elyzabel is also your cousin you can help her keep her mouth shut. “ Millicent nodded her head in silent understanding.

“Will it not be dangerous for Lady Elyzabel to make the crossing to Glastonbury?”

“I think not. Have the ships been prepared to set sail?”

“Aye, they arrived from Glastonbury this morning. They should take Lady Elyzabel to the Holy Isle rather quickly. “

“Perfect. If you would like to worry about the dangerous crossing ahead, you may fret about my journey to Wales. We have received no word yet that Lord Cardan has stretched toward Glastonbury have we?”

“Nay,” Millicent murmured. “He has not been able to take that much land. “

“Praise be to the saints above,” Molly murmured, as she moved past them, and Collin followed. “I shall see Lady Elyzabel off now, if you and Millicent would like to join me, be my guests. “

Morganna shook her head. “As much as I’d like to say otherwise, Molly, I cannot truthfully say that I will not be happy to see the backside of that woman. Now, maybe we can figure out how to make Arthur a free man, so that your mother can scoop him up. “

“You know, Morganna, somehow the part of matchmaker suits you. Just be sure to get your own heart’s desire in the process. “ She winked at Morganna.

LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 158

Molly chuckled, and walked quickly down the steps into the Great Hall. She dashed outside, and skipped down the rest of the steps leading into the large castle courtyard.

“Gwen, I shall miss you,” she murmured. Gwen turned and stared at her with the flawless face of Elyzabel.

“And I shall miss you. But we may still see each other again. I have faith if you do. “

Gwen moved forward, and pulled her into a tight hug. “Take care of yourself, Molly. “

“I shall. But I worry more about you…safe journey, Gwen,” Molly murmured. Gwen mounted the palfrey that would carry her down to where the ships were moored.

“May the angels be with you,” she called back to Molly. Her horse let out a long whinny and with that she galloped away.

“And with you,” Molly murmured, as Collin wrapped his arms around her. “We must get a move on. Have you seen Thaney?”

“No, I think she was rather sore at you. “

“Well, it’s no matter. She’s safer here. I will apologize when we return. She’s no doubt sulking. “ She and Collin turned around only to come face to face with Branden and Adria.

“Lachlan is already down by the Lake,” Adria said, resting her hand on Ely. “And someone is with him. “ Adria’s eyes narrowed.

“Aye, I know. Puck is with him. “ Molly snorted, and then stared at Collin when he stopped in mid-step.

“Hasn’t anyone given any thoughts to supplies, or that is to say, food?”

Molly smiled.

“Of course. Puck will have already attended to those needs. He’s a trickster but he’s not completely useless. When it comes to food, he conjures the best in town. Morganna,” she called. Morganna looked down at her from the stone steps of Tintagel.

“I know. Gawain and I shall be in command of Tintagel until you return. Do not worry.

Tintagel will still be standing when next you see it. “

“Praise the Lord for that,” Molly murmured. “I’ll leave it in your able hands then. “

“Farewell,”

Morganna

called after them.

“Farewell,” Molly called back, feeling a distinct pain enter her heart. She had to go and seek out the Clan of Rowan. But no matter how much she tried to assuage her trepidation, she knew that facing a Dragon Clan was probably going to be one of the most frightening experiences of her lifetime. Dragon Clans had faded into legend, and now she’d be visiting one of those legends.

They reached the Lake in no time at all. Puck stood at attention by the majestic swan-ship. It was more beautiful than she had remembered it. Collin sharply drew in his breath, and his face blanched slightly. She could certainly sympathize with him. For it was an awe-inspiring sight.

“Where is Lachlan, Puck?” she asked, as they stepped aboard the ship.

“Down below, with our other member of the company. “ Puck smiled at them, tipped his tricorne hat at them, and then flew up to the highest mast on the ship. This time he was dressed like an officer of the British Royal Navy.

“What is he talking about?” she wondered aloud. Adria and Branden walked toward the bow of the ship.

They were gliding along the water in a matter of moments. It wouldn’t take them long to reach Wales, as her mother had sent them one of the fastest ships in all of Avalon.

“Who’s steering the ship?” Collin asked, leaning against the rail.

LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 159

“This swan-ship is enchanted. There’s no need to worry. It shall take us wherever we want to go. “

“It has a name. “ A mystical sounding voice murmured, startling all of them.

“Did the boat just talk?” Collin asked, spewing out a frustrated gust of air. Now he not only looked as white as a sheet but he had a green tinge to his skin as well.

“Aye,” Adria murmured, coming to stand beside them. Branden followed with a wistful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Molly did tell you that the ship was enchanted, didn’t she?” Branden asked.

“My name is Bridie,” The ship murmured, and then she fell into a haunting melody, as their speed increased.

“Now, I can add talking ships to my list of abnormal magical happenings,” Collin muttered, busying himself by staring at the passing landscape.

Molly stood beside him, and rested her head on his shoulder. Her body was filled with tension. She had no inkling as to what to expect when she first came into contact with the dragons.

“We should be in Wales by mid-afternoon. “ She was beginning to feel drowsy, and she wondered if she’d be able to fall asleep while standing up.

“Tell me something,” Collin said, moving so that her head nearly slipped right off his shoulder.

“Hmm…” she said dreamily. If she fell asleep she might just have another visitation from Merlin in the dreamscape.

“Do you see that gargantuan statue that’s moving toward us? I think that maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me. Perhaps I need glasses. “

She snapped her head up so quickly, that she nearly gave herself whiplash.

“Branden,” she called out. Puck let out a loud whistle and dropped down to the deck.

“Oh, what a fine kettle of fish we’re in now,” Puck mused, eagerly rubbing his hands together. “I was wondering when this journey was going to get exciting. Merlin was right when he said my time spent with you lot would be time well wasted. “

“I hate to burst your bubble and all Collin, but that’s no statue. It’s a giant,” Molly muttered, reaching to rest her hand on Excalibur.

“I was afraid you were going to say that. I had been hoping that you would tell me it was a figment of my imagination. I mean talking ships, dragons, and now a giant…hell, I seem to be on a roll. “

“That’s no trick that your eyes are playing on you. That’s a genuine giant. A rather large one at that!” Molly tried to calm her ragged breath.

The giant was on the edge of the lake now, and though there was a great distance between them, Molly knew that he’d be able to scoop them up in his hand. She really didn’t want to become his brunch, today.

“Brace yourselves,” she called out. She gripped Collin’s hand tightly and pulled him back toward her. They fell against each other as Bridie tried to swerve out of the giant’s way.

His giant sized paw began reaching toward them. They were blanketed in darkness as his fingers wrapped around the swan-ship. He easily plucked them dripping from the water. And then, he sneezed.

LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 160

The swan-ship went hurtling out of the giant’s hand, as they were all thrown about the deck. Molly slammed against the side, and gasped as the wind was knocked out of her.

She sat up rubbing her ribs, and looked blearily around her. Everyone was dancing before her eyes. She could swear that Thaney was teetering toward Puck, while Lachlan sort of stumbled behind her.

But Thaney couldn’t be here. Molly had strictly forbidden it. Puck it seemed had been knocked senseless. Thaney was trying to revive him, but she didn’t seem to be having much luck.

Collin. Where was Collin? She looked down at her wedding band and then felt her heart begin to beat again when her eyes fell on him over by Branden. By the looks of it, Branden and Adria had broken Collin’s fall.

“What do we do?” Collin demanded, hurrying over toward Molly.

“The ship,” she stammered, her teeth slamming together as a tremble raced through her.

“It’s a swan-ship,” Branden said, walking toward her steadily. He at least seemed quite unaffected by the odd vibrations rolling through the deck. He didn’t seem perturbed in the slightest, except for the fact that he had his bow ready and waiting.

“That’s Ogfan the Giant. I know him well. We should not allow him to take us again.

Like dragons, there are bad giants and good giants. Ogfan is as bad as they come. No human has gone up against him without ending up as his evening meal. Trust me in this, Ofgan’s the worst you’ll ever meet. “

“Then take him down,” Molly shouted over the rushing wind. Sea spray whipped against her cheeks and blurred her vision.

“Easier said than done,” Branden muttered, shooting off a volley of arrows at the approaching giant.

Collin joined in what seemed to be a futile task. Ogfan merely flicked the arrows off of his body as if they were no more troubling than a pinprick. Molly’s jaw dropped open. If they couldn’t penetrate his thick skin, how were they supposed to take him out?

“I could help,” Thaney offered. She dropped Puck’s head onto the bridge and stood up.

Molly could have sworn that she heard Puck let out a muffled groan. She furrowed her brow.

Molly glanced at her cousin, and then narrowed her eyes to thin slits when she saw Puck open one eye, look around and then shut it again. What sort of game was he playing now?

“I happen to be very skilled in the ways of enlarging objects. Merlin always said that it was one of my greatest talents. “ Thaney beamed with pride.

Molly bit her lip and considered her cousin’s words. Thaney might be able to help them.

Although the swan-ship was flying rather quickly away from Ogfan, it would only be a matter of time before he caught up with them. He kept clapping his hands at the air, and the resulting mini tornado he created was going to make them crash and burn, sooner or later.

“Adria and I shall assist you,” Molly murmured. Putting Thaney in harm’s way still made her uneasy.

LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 161

“That is very kind of you, cousin, but I shall be able to do this incantation on my own. “

Molly met Thaney’s determined gaze. She wanted to argue with Thaney…but right at the moment, she didn’t see any other way of saving them.