Hidden Hills: The Stand

By Pauline Perron

In this final chapter of the conflict between the fairies and the Goddess Morrigan, everyone's endurance is tested over and over again as Morrigan seeks her revenge for past events as well the her son's disabling condition. She attacks all of the Allies who come forth to help the fairies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483531588

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Morrigan, the raven Goddess, smiled, satisfied at how easily she kidnapped Prince Tethra, the infant son of the fairy princess Shaylee and her mate, Kallan of the Northern Island.

Come, my darlings, she called out to the hundreds of black ravens following her back to the caves and home. You have done well, and you shall be rewarded with something special. The large birds responded with a collective deep-throated croak.

The baby, cradled in her arms and protected by her black cloak, slept without stirring until she placed him on the cold stone slab beside her son, Glaith, sitting on his favorite chair. He awoke with a yelp.

Look what I brought for you, Glaith…a brother.

Glaith’s eyes settled on the tiny figure lying on the slab, and he rose, leaned over, and picked up Tethra, who stopped crying. He stared at the small baby, with the ebony hair, pale skin and sea-green eyes, and his thick fingers reached to touch the tiny pink face, and he ran them over the cheeks and puckered mouth. Tethra, reacted by opening his mouth to suck on one of Glaith’s fingers. Glaith pulled his hand away. The baby emitted a loud, angry scream.

Give him to me, Morrigan ordered. He must be hungry.

Glaith shuffled behind Morrigan to an area she had prepared for the baby. He followed her movements as she laid Tethra in a wooden cradle on layers of soft furs and placed one over him as a cover. She heated some milk by the fire, filled a small container with the warm liquid, and fed it to Tethra. The baby sucked robustly. Morrigan’s black eyes shifted from the baby to her son, and to her surprise, she detected a hint of a smile upon his sober face. Could this small child help him heal and become the son she once had?

The space Morrigan had prepared contained a small cradle and a little chest in the far corner of the chilly room. The walls were damp to the touch and the stone floor cold and moldy. Morrigan and Glaith never felt the frigid conditions, but baby Tethra was part human, and Morrigan feared the excessive cold might cause him harm, so she produced a fire in the room. Sometime during the eating process, Glaith became aware the baby stopped sucking, closed its eyes, and was quiet. Like a child, angry because a new toy is broken, Glaith seized Prince Tethra from the cradle and shook him.

Stop…Glaith! Morrigan shouted, and she snatched the screaming baby and returned him to the cradle. He must go to sleep, she whispered and rocked the cradle until he closed his eyes. The baby will awaken again when he is hungry. Morrigan took hold of Glaith’s hand and led him from the room into the main chamber, and returned him to his chair.

Word of the kidnapping of Prince Tethra traveled with speed throughout the fairy world, and they responded with a rage of such intensity, Queen Orrla, feared they would seek revenge, and reached out to calm them until she had more information. She sent the same message to all within her Kingdom.

Do not be hasty in your actions. I will speak with all of you soon.

Of importance were Kallan’s injuries, and she called the healing practitioner. Kallan lay in a heap on the floor, unconscious, blood oozing from a serious wound on his head. His body was bent and twisted from what she feared, were broken bones, and although he was unconscious, his handsome face revealed the pain he suffered.

I am here, my queen, the healer said as he appeared.

Tend to Kallan’s injuries, she ordered. I will see to Shaylee.

Shaylee, in her rage, conjured up evil spirits, angry with everyone, whom Orrla confronted with her own magic. She struggled with a green two-headed goblin, with a wingspan larger than any bird, that she slaughtered with a spear one head at a time- then a gray shadow Orrla thought looked like the ghost of a long-dead enemy from one of the wars centuries ago. It flowed into her body with the intent to destroy her. A ball of light ignited within her body, and forced the ghost shadow to leave, fading into the atmosphere. Shaylee flung her arms upward and initiated bolts of lightning, which Orrla diverted outside the cottage, resulting in the burning of the foliage closest to the home. The constant use of her magic drained Orrla, and she grew fatigued. However, rest was not available, because Shaylee began to shift into a series of predators, which Orrla zapped as gently as she could, so as not to injure Shaylee. Orrla confronted a vicious gray wolf that left bite marks on her arms when she fought razor-edged teeth, and grappled with a cheetah she chased twice before subduing. When an angry lioness appeared, pouncing on her, tearing her clothes, leaving a deep bloody gash, Orrla responded by becoming a larger male, and the lioness quickly vanished. From the skies, a giant flying reptile flew down, attacking with sharp claws puncturing her exposed chest until she grabbed its neck and flung it into the air along with a fireball. When Shaylee turned into a sorcerer, Orrla, weary and bleeding from her injuries, had no recourse but to transform her into a young child, whom she firmly held, and with a soft voice finally calmed her, stopping her delirium.

Olom materialized, armed with a potion he administered to Shaylee, who fell promptly into a deep sleep. Her beautiful pale-colored hair was disheveled and damp, her attire torn into fragments, and her soiled face, gaunt and drawn from the many tears shed. They lay Shaylee in her bed and gently placed covers over the sleeping princess.

Even in her sleep, her tortured expression revealed the anguish and grief she experienced.

Orrla slumped into the nearest chair, exhausted.

Your majesty, I must now tend to your wounds, Olom pleaded.

Thank you, Olom., she sighed at the little elf. How did you know where I had gone?

It is my duty to know the whereabouts of my queen, at all times, he replied stoutly.

She smiled and thought, This red-haired elf with a permanent scowl on his rigid face, has proven to be a worthy protector. The elf tribe had chosen well.

As soon as I am advised of the condition of Kallan, she said, I will address the situation, but I do not want either of them left alone."

I will stay at the cottage, if you wish, Olom stated.

Yes, it is best, she replied.

The healer approached. I have given Kallan a sedative. His wounds are serious but not life threatening. I have tended the laceration on his head and his broken bones, and I believe he will be as new, except for a nasty headache when he awakens. He walked over to the bed where Shaylee slept. Do you want me to attend to Princess Shaylee?

Olom gave her a sleeping potion to calm her, but I fear it is only temporary, Orrla replied. Do what you can. I need her beside me when I address the clans.

She will be as before, he assured her.

CHAPTER 2

Orrla flew to the town hall. Her clothes were in tatters, and she realized she could not meet with the clans in such disarray and conjured up another garment. She called the wood sprites, the elves, the trolls, the leprechauns, and all fairies within her mental reach. She also sent her thoughts to King Erimon, of the Milesians, advising him of the injuries to his son and the kidnapping of his grandson, Prince Tethra.

The elves were the first to arrive, followed by the wood sprites. The trolls marched into the palatial room, stared down at the elves, and placed themselves on the opposite side. The leprechauns and other fairy clans arrived shortly thereafter until the room filled, with noisy chattering and babbling.

Orrla appeared the perfect queen dressed in a fresh gown the color of lilacs, with ruffles surrounding a V-shaped