by Sharp
Saturday 20th July 2008
Gabriel was sat at her vanity trying to decide what makeup looked the best. She knew today was supposed to be a rest day, but considering what seemed to occur almost daily she decided she should look at her best. Gabriel went down on her knees. “I do not know if you can hear me or not all sorts of weird things have been happening recently.” As Gabriel was praying there was a flash of light and the room was illuminated with the light from the being that appeared.
“Fear not Gabriel none can harm you or those like you. Those who try will suffer the vengeance of the Tinys. It is my job to show you the past. I am called Galadrial by some. To you I am your grand mother many times removed. On all Hallows Loki will make his bid for power. He knows his power will be at the strongest then. He has forgotten though your power will also be many times stronger than it currently is.” Gaby pinched herself to double check she was not dreaming. “Child give me your hand I wish to show you some of England’s past Rulers.” Gaby took the hand of Galadrial. Gabriel watched as a battle unfurled before her. She recognised part of the Battlefield as York. This is what she saw.
A man appeared to be talking to Gaby. “I am William Priest, Grand Thane and companion to Harold the Godless. This is the story of what has befallen me and my companions the last few fateful days.”
“Today Harold the Godless has received notification that his brother Tostig has sided with Harold the Hard, King of Denmark and they have taken the Northern capitol of Yorvik. Harold has called for his entire house Carls to aid him in vanquishing the invaders of our land. We are to march to Yorvik and meet the invaders and there do battle with them.”
“Our resident witch threw the bones and she said, "The day will go well for Harold." Which Harold did she mean? Well, we are all off, for better or worse. We are gathering many more men as we march north. They come flocking to the Dragon standard of Wessex.”
“We got to Yorvik to find the streets running with blood. All the inhabitants had been slaughtered on Tostig's orders for resisting the invasion. Eventually we found a woman who was dying. She pointed the way the invaders had gone towards Stanford Bridge. There was nothing we could do for her but say a prayer for her soul. Harold decided we would march through the night.”
“We soon saw the trail of devastation and destruction of the Danes. Dead bodies, being attacked by carrion crows and dogs, marked the way. We could smell the fires of the Danes, and hear their drunken celebrations long before we set eyes on our enemies. By the time we met up with them our battle harden men were sickened with what they had seen. They decided no quarter would be given to the invaders. No we were not going to leave a single Viking alive that day. We flew the black flag so the Vikings knew unless they left immediately they would receive no quarter from us.”
“We decided to camp on top of the hill overlooking the Viking camp. Our House Carls were up early in the morning, refreshed and ready for battle. Our foes had been drinking and celebrating. They were not prepared for us when we appeared. This did not stop the Vikings putting up a good fight. Their Bezerkers in particular took a lot of our best men.”
“Eventually we won the day and were about to celebrate. When the worst news possible reached us. William the Bastard had set sail from Normandy and landed near Senlac with a large force of men. We gathered the spoils of war and buried our dead in a great pit. We have lost over half of our main fighting force. The Vikings we left them where they fell for the carrion crows to feast on. We had not time to bury them after we got the call of the Norman’s landing. Once again we were marching to do battle.”
“Back down South now with a greatly depleted force we went. Our men were hopeful but they also knew William the Bastard has a legitimate claim on the throne of England, unlike Harold the Godless. I feared some of our men would be changing sides, yes or slink back off home. Just as I feared some of the men said they where too injured to fight another battle. Never the less, we still have a larger fighting force than William the Bastard. This battle would not be like the one with Tostig & Harold. He would have priests and would ban all drinking, until the battle is over. William likes his men to have clear heads to do their fighting.”
Even Harold was concerned and asked me to go and take the Anglo Saxon Princess Iolanthe to a safe place. Iolanthe was the most precious thing we English had. She was the last of her line. I took her to the Isle of Ely and placed her in the care of the Abbot. We carefully took the path across the fens few men know. I doubt that William would ever try to cross the fens. It always proved fatal to man and beast if they did not cross at the correct place. They would find a watery grave instead.
The Abbot has assured me the Princess was quite safe and the Princess was placed in his care. I left three of the house Carls to act as her guardians. For William to take Ely would need a traitor. Hereward would be in charge of the house Carls. I quickly made my way to Senlac
I returned with my men to fight alongside Harold only to find the English Army had been totally wiped out. There was a great pile of English bodies & we presumed Harold had gone down fighting the Normans’. William was celebrating winning the battle although he still had not confirmed Harold was dead.
He recognised me and said, "I see you did not fight with your master."
I replied, "I did not because you have a legitimate claim to the throne as the Confessors nephew. I fought with Harold the Godless against the Vikings to defend our country from the Vikings, but I will not go against the Lords appointed." I could not tell him I had been busy hiding a Saxon Princess from him on Ely.”
William, “As you did not fight against me you shall also be my Thane."
"King William as I knew many of the slain Saxon nobles may I make arrangements to send their bodies back to their families?"
The Bishop of Rouen advised, "Sire it would be the Christian thing to do. Who better than a Saxon Thane to return them to the loved ones."
William the Bastard said, "You may return the bodies but I would like to see that body of Harold the Godless. Even in death he will be granted the rituals of a King.”
The English warriors we buried in a great pit as we had done at Yorvik. The Earls and Thanes we sent to their families for burial. Among those still alive we found Harold with an arrow in his head. I stripped him of his clothes and placed the raiment of a Thane on him.
“My friend I am getting you out of here. Your army is vanquished & all I can do is save you now. Perhaps we might once again raise an army against the Norman invaders. That will not be for quite a while though.”
He touched my arm, “No William is the chosen one. It was I who was at fault I should have supported William and his claim. Instead I decided to grab the crown for myself. Did you get the lady to safety?”
“Sire I did & you will join her at Ely.”
I spirited Harold away to Ely; there he would be well protected. I found the Dragon standard of Wessex and was spotted by one of the Norman's. I said, “I was just going to take this to William it is the English Standard. Look I have found the King with an arrow in his eye. The unknown English Thane's face was smashed beyond recognition but he certainly wore the raiment of the king. The noble ran to William and said, "He has identified the King."
William looked at me smiled and said, "You have served me well. As I promised this King shall be buried in London."
My friends said, "We know that was not Harold the Godless. But it is better all believed he died in the battle. Once again we might live in peace.”
William, "Tell me what you desire and it shall be yours?"
"Sire I tire of all this fighting and had been thinking of taking Holy orders. If it is your desire I would like to be made Bishop of Ely."
"You have given me a kingdom so the least I can do is give you the Bishopric of Ely as you requested."
Was I a traitor to England? I took the Bishopric of Ely and kept out of the way. I did have a lot of chats with my Half Blind companion who joined me in Ely. William often visited us in Ely and eventually insisted I married the young lady who lived near by. I could not deny the King could I?
As for the real Harold he is now known as the good. He often has talks with William who knows full well who he is but the population believes Harold died at Hastings on that fateful day, it certainly changed English history forever.
Gaby looked puzzled. “What has the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings got to do with me?”
Galadrial. “Look closely at the Princess and at William Priest.”
“Well William Priest could well be a younger version of Draconaris the protector of Princesses. The Girl looks a little like me and Maddy.”
“You may well ask Gaby. Thane William Priest & the Saxon Princess are both ancestors of yours. Except the Saxon Princess was actually a Celtic princess. “She should look like you Gabriel as you are descended from her just like I am. As for Draconaris he is your Grandfather many times removed. Your blood line goes back a lot further than her, but it is a starting point. Harold for all his faults did the correct thing in sending her to Ely. If you want I can show you more recent times like Victoria.”
“So if we can go back in time can we also go to the future?”
“Yes Gaby like that BBC programme called Dr Who we can do that. Only the most powerful of us can do it though as it takes a lot of energy to do it. Likewise we can slip into other similar worlds. I believe you may have already met Astrid & Cleo who live in a similar world.”
Galadrial showed Gabriel a young Princess Victoria being informed she was now Queen of the British Empire after the death of her Uncle. Gabriel saw Victoria take her first cousin Albert of Sax-Coberg as her consort. Then Gaby saw Victoria giving birth too many children. Gabriel was in tears when Albert died. Then they saw a Victoria at the register office in Newcastle. Once again she looked happy as she married Robert. They saw her as a happy mother as the majority of her children married cousins from across Europe. Then Gabriel noticed two females she knew. “Those two look like Nicholas’s sister who recently joined our group.”
“They are Gabriel.”
“Are we going to be visiting past relations all day? I did hope for a quiet day to day.”
“Well today will not be exactly quiet for you.”
After breakfast the group made its way to the Spa. The first thing they noticed a grandstand had been put up over night on the spa car park. Den was already down at the Spa along with Bill and some of the Lampkin family. The tide was still in at the bay & it would be a couple of hours before it had gone out enough so that they could use the beach for target practise. The Cordoning off of the sea front meant traffic had to be diverted around the town. Maria & her mother the Countess were already seated on the Grandstand. Along the seawall was a massive television screen that allowed the competitors to be seen even when out of sight of the grandstand. Other television screens were placed at prominent points along the sea front.
Jenny was in the first heat. Her main opposition was Nichol Cook. As it happened after a terrific battle between the two ladies they both tied and ended going through to the semi final. The juniors had their own heats and finals. While this was going on some of Oberon’s daughters were collecting for the Paralympic team. After the Junior & Seniors had won their respective races it was time for the final. Maddy announced they would be riding again. Kattrina looked at Gaby.
“Well my friend it looks like we have my mum & yours and Nichol to beat.”
Jennifer Lampkin. “Gaby we will do our best to try and beat them.” It was very close between all three of them. Gaby managed to taker the lead and then her tire burst only yards from the finish like she had seen Lance Armstrong do in a previous race she picked the bike up and ran for the finish. There was considerable clapping as Gaby still managed to come in third after her mother and Nichol Cook who took first and second place. Wendy was waiting for Gaby.
“Hi that was a fantastic finish. You would have won but for the tire having a blow out cot you the race. I know this is supposed to be a rest day. I came to see you about a wreck the under water Archaeological unit have discovered. What has been discovered is the wreck of the Bonhomme Richard. Admiralty records show it as been sunk by the British Navy off the coast of Flamberough. We thought you might like to come and watch the recovery. Especially as the American Ambassador has asked to be there when the Wreck is brought up.”
Gaby started to grin and then said, “Oh I remember being told stories about the American ship that attacked some of the costal towns round here before being sunk. I better come and I will make it plain all artefacts recovered will go in the new naval museum. As for any human remains recovered the Americans can have them. If they do not want them then they are to be treated with respect and given a funeral.
Gun after gun was recovered and they proved beyond doubt that the ship was the Bonhomme Richard, Captain John Paul Jones. The American ambassador greeted Gabriel as the helicopter landed on one of the ships. Gaby looked at the Guns. She then saw there were quite a few bags with the remains of the skeletons in.
“Your majesty I know the British considered John Paul Jones a pirate. We as Americans though consider John Paul Jones the father of the American Navy. As these guns prove it is Paul Jones ship. We Americans would like the recovered human remains to be interred at the Annapolis Naval Academy along with their Captain whose body was interred there quite a while ago.”
“I have already given instructions concerning the human remains. The remains of the ship along with the recovered artefacts though will go into the new Naval Museum at Scarborough. Before the human remains are returned to you though they will all go to Bradford to the forensic unit. Once the unit has sorted out which bones belong with which body they will all be transported to America for interment.”
Wendy, " Gaby while I have your attention I would like to talk to you about some very unhappy clients. They have just realised that the investigation is going to cost them more than they could make for the land had they been able to develop it."
Gabriel, " In that case offer to buy the land for what they have paid out. Put this option to them & see what they say."
Wendy spoke on the telephone, "All but one has agreed to sell their holdings in return for instant cash. The one who turned me down has a house & it was believed it was the home of Owen Glendowers. They already have had extensive digs done but they are short of money."
Tiny, "Do they want to restore the building & gardens to how it used to be?" "Do you mind if I take a team to look at the site before you Gaby arrive?"
"Go if you want as I know I could not hold you back.”
In an instant Tiny along with David Bond was at the house. Tiny rang the doorbell a rather bedraggled couple answered the door. The young woman said, "Are you here about the survey? We can not afford to pay for any more work at the moment. As we are rather strapped for cash."
Tiny."Actually you have just come to my attention & I needed to find out what you actually where wanting to do."
The young woman spoke, "Originally all we wanted to do was find out if it was the home of Owen Glendowers & that has been proved beyond doubt unfortunately for us."
"We now have a listed home, but not the money to continue the further surveys that are required.”
Tiny, "Please can we look round the house & gardens?"
The young woman, "Charles makes our guests a drink while I get ready. I apologise I look a right mess at the moment I probably look like the witches who where reputed to live here."
Charles gave a nervous laugh, "Coffee, Tea or my own potion of Nettle beer.”
Tiny, "If you have sufficient then we would all like the Nettle Beer please."
"My wife Philomena has this thing about witches. She says that the moon will always protect us. I must apologise about my own appearance and I realise we both look like a couple of hippies. I work from home & unless I have to go to a meeting I dress like this." After they had all had their drinks the couple Wee-Wee wanted them to show her around the house?
Tiny. "I like your dress where did you get it?"
Charles replied, "Actually we found a dress similar that was very old. My wife decided to copy it exactly & puts it on when we have special guests."
Philomena, "We have no intention in selling the house to anybody. I have no intention of selling it now we have it back again. Years ago this house belonged to a distant ancestor of mine. The locals thought she was a witch & persecuted her. I do not know what happened but they moved away. I have always been drawn here & when it came up for sale I had to have it."
Tiny, "So you are not a witch?"
Philomena, "Some times I wish the rumours where true & I could just zap all that needed doing."
Tiny, "This house must be a bit dangerous for your children." Philomena burst into tears.
Charles, "We have been unable to have children & it is not from trying."
Philomena, "I have been to the doctors & they could find nothing wrong with either of us. A friend told me to try the old gypsy lady that comes round. She looked at my palm & said, the baby will come when you learn to use the gift."
Tiny, "How long is this since she said that?"
Charles, "It will be three years ago as she has not been this last two years."
"I asked at the fair & all they would say was she had trouble with her two sons they had been caught poaching. I hope she returns this year as I quite liked her."
First they where shown round the grounds. Then they where taken into the house.
Tiny, "You have not shown us the cellar."
The young woman looked at her husband, "OK I will show you but please do not tell any body else.”
The cellar was done up beautifully,” I now see why you did not want to show us your place of worship."
Charles, "We found a diary & instructions how the room should look if the Queen was ever to visit us."
Charles, "I think the Queen has enough palaces of her own with out bothering to visit this place."
Tiny, "Charles you are thinking of the wrong Queen."
Charles, “We found these books as well but only I could read the first six pages & they appeared to be a recipe book. That is where I got the nettle beer from. It is good stuff funny thing though it makes my hair grow."
Tiny, "You read the first six pages not your wife. Have you all the artefacts you found?"
Charles, "Yes everything is here."
Tiny, "I am going to ask you to do something that will appear strange but please do it. I want you to take the dress out of the box & go behind the screen & completely strip off & put the dress & shoes on."
Charles, "I am not gay or anything like that."
Tiny, "Please do as you are asked."
A short time later Charles returned & said, "I feel no different.
Tiny, Philomena read the front cover. Now you Charles have a go."
"Charles read this is the Diary of Vespera. My children have an enchantment on them only when one wears my dress will they be free. Charles turned the page & said, “The next is a prayer, have I to read it?"
Tiny, "No I can read it from here.”
Charles, "I can read the entire book not just a few pages."
Tiny. The gypsy was correct but got the wrong one. She did not expect it to be the husband who was the witch. Philomena you still puzzle me though as you said it was your relations who lived here."
Charles, "That was also correct."
Philomena looked at Charles, "We did not know when we got married & where called Jones & Davis. I married my brother by accident. Neither of us realised & it was only when we started to delve here we realised. We have decided to stay together.” She looked at Tiny & said, “I thought you would have been shocked."
Tiny, "Personally I can see nothing wrong in two sisters living together. Charles if you can read that book then you certainly is not a Charles & most likely a Charlotte. I will prove it to you both. Turn round clockwise three times & say Vespera the Empress commands your attention." The lights dimmed & then a purple smoke started to emerge next to Charles.
Vespera appeared.
Charles. "I believe this is yours.”
Vespera, "You are the one who summoned me."
Charles. "I said the words I was told to say."
Vespera turned around. "Ah a Tiny I might have guessed it would have to be you or one of your kind who came to check the palace out. If you are here then the Empress & companions are not far behind."
Philomena. "So the stories where right we are descended from witches."
Vespera. "Yes but you are both inappropriately dressed. That is better novices should be in white. You have to earn the dress you where wearing. I am glad to see you both followed my instructions to prepare this for a royal visit. Charlotte when next asked you will hand your home to the Empress immediately no questions asked. Tiny does it come to your expectation?"
Tiny. "All we need is the seating & waved her hand. I will let you present these novices."
Charlotte. "I am getting very bad tummy ache.”
Vespera. "Take these it will make it go away for a while." Charlotte took the tablets & the pain subsided. "We need to do a few things first but then we will be back in here.”
Vespera placed earrings & necklaces on both girls & then bracelets. Now I want you both to relax & think of each other. I want you to imagine you are inside each other & you can read each others mind. Philomena now read the book to me. You will now separate but from now on you will both be able to do exactly what the other can do. Twin sisters always have the same abilities."
Philomena. "Why have you changed Charles to a girl?"
Vespera. “I have not or at least Charlotte has restored herself. I did not ask you to read the book or put on my robe. Neither did I tell you or Charlotte to summons the Empress."
Tiny, "Let’s get this straight. A boy could never have read the book only a good witch could read it. You managed to read part of it with out putting on the dress. Once you put it on you where restored to how you originally where."
Vespera. "You could not have children because it is impossible for two girls to impregnate each other. Until a few moments ago though your memories where split between you both. This has now been corrected."
Charlotte, “I am going to ask the Moon goddess to help us with this place because I have no intention of selling this place."
Gabriel,” I am very glad to hear that Charlotte. Now perhaps Vespera you will get on preparing your children & present them."
Charlotte, "Vespera you cringed then like a schoolgirl been told off by the HEAD MISTRESS."
Vespera, "I suppose you could say that was the head mistress. Come we had better not keep them all waiting."
Charlotte, "Well there can not be many, as the room is only small."
Vespera, "Walk behind me & do exactly what I do." Vespera walked up to Gabriel, Empress I have been unexpectedly restored to my twin daughters. May I present Charlotte & Philomena to you? Then she curtsied. The twins both curtsied.
Gabriel, "I understand you refused to sell the house to my agents."
Charlotte, "It is our wish to restore the property to its former glory. We though have run short of money."
Gabriel, "I am going to ask you to give me the house & I will see that it is fully restored to its former glory as a Royal Palace.
Charlotte & Philomena looked at each other & said, "We where warned by Vespera & where told to say yes."
Charlotte, "I will not give it to you just because my mother told me to do it or because you instructed me to hand it over. I am a bit of a rebel & do not always obey authority."
Vespera noticed some of the others cringing, "Empress I apologise for my daughters."
Gabriel was still smiling, "I have another proposition to put to you.”As you do not want to sell it or give it to me perhaps this would please you better."
"I will put up the remaining money for the restoration & get a 50% stake in the house in return. I promise that I will never try to sell my share or force you to sell yours in fact I will make it a condition that you continue to live there & work for me rather than for your self. Philomena went to a cupboard & brought out a document & said, "We had to be sure that your intentions where the same as ours. You can have the deeds to look after."
Nena, "Thank you I will ensure all the work is completed shortly. Whilst that is being done it may be best if you & your mother accompany us as it will be getting rather dusty here."
Gabriel, "Will you give me a tour whilst your belongings are removed?"
Tiny joined them & said, "They never located the crypt."
Charlotte, "I think I know what you are looking for but there is nothing there & certainly no treasure."
Gabriel, "Do not be so sure."
Charlotte , "There is this marble slab. I had been thinking of lifting it to see what was under, but so far I have not had the time."
Vespera read the inscription & said, "In the Empresses name open."
The slab slid back revealing a staircase Gabriel pointed her wand & said, "Let there be light." The room was totally illuminated.
Gabriel. "Vespera are all the rest here?"
Vespera, "Only two where chosen to go into the human world & when the time was ready they would meet up again."
Charlotte, "All I can see is lots of marble tombs & they look impressive."
Vespera, "These are your sisters Charlotte."
Charlotte, "It appears we had rather a lot of siblings."
Vespera corrected her, "Have rather a lot of siblings."
Philomena, “No they are all dead so it is had rather than has. I have also been wondering if you are our mother how come you look no older than the Empress. Have you a youth spell or something?"
Gabriel, "One day you will find your mothers secret for now though you can help me & read the names out in turn."
Charlotte read the first name & Philomena the second & continued to do so until they had read all the names on the monuments.
Vespera, "That is the lot so you can come & join us here now." They watched as Gabriel's hands started to glow & then they both turned Blue & what appeared to be balls of lightening left them & began to bounce around on the monuments.
Gabriel, "We should all leave here now." Charlotte & Philomena followed Vespera & Gabriel out of the crypt & back up stairs. They all took seats in the hall & waited.
Charlotte. “What are we waiting for?"
Vespera, "We are waiting for your sisters to arrive as they have just been given a wake up call." Philomena clutched hold of Charlotte as the first explosion happened. This was followed by other explosions." Vespera was counting the explosions & said, "Only one to go. You two continue to sit at the Empresses feet & do not move. I must now go & fetch the others."
Charlotte, "Why are they all statues & we are normal?"
Gabriel, "When the villagers attacked you mother was very week.”She changed her youngest to a baby boy & baby girl. After sealing the crypt she left. All the villagers ever found was you two & you where sent for adoption. The Jones & Davies knew nothing of your past."
Philomena, "But the others where all statues."
Gabriel, “The others knew their mother would not use her magic to hurt the villagers whatever they did. Also your mother’s power had faded over the years. Your sisters decided to take their chance with the long sleep. They could be restored providing the statues are not badly damaged."
Charlotte, "We heard & felt explosions."
Maddy, "I was terrified the first time Gabriel released somebody this way. They are now very good friends of ours."
15 minute later, Vespera appeared. "Empress thank you for restoring my family." She curtsied & then proceeded to give her daughters names.
The last two arrived & greeted Gabriel. They then curtsied to Charlotte & Philomena. "So you two are our baby sisters who helped release us. Come give your eldest sisters a kiss. Ah I can see better now you are in need of money to do our home up & restore it I believe."
Charlotte "Until a short while ago neither of us realised we where witches."
The eldest laughed. "You two maybe the babies of the family, but you also are the most powerful of all us sisters."
Gabriel. “Talking of babies has your mother explained that you all will have to spend at least a week in the nursery & the older ones it will be longer?”
“Yes Empress, mother has explained to us."
Gabriel. "Take the babies with you to the nursery." One of the sisters picked up Charlotte & the other Philomena.
Charlotte tried to speak but all that came out was a gurgling sound. Ursula & Urania said "Oh how cute the babies are trying to talk."
Urania, " I know you two can here all that is going on but neither of you can speak. You have been regressed for a purpose. All you owned is still there & will be there for you when you return to normal. All your sisters need your help. While your home is been repaired you two will be living in the nursery. You both will have to communicate like all the other babies. We have the task of looking after you two & all the other babies. In case you are wondering until we get the space problem sorted out only the eldest eighteen are left the rest are as you."
Gaby. "You two wondered how mother could look so young well now you get to find out firsthand. You two can still communicate with each other & you will find that there are others who can communicate with you. You are worried about Tiny & the promises you made to her. Well at the moment she is helping Wendy out with a problem or two. Make the best of your time & you may find you like it.”
“I will keep my promise to you & the house will be fully restored & how long it takes depends entirely on you. If you behave & do all that is expected then it should be no more than two weeks. If you play up then that will delay the restoration & you could find yourselves babies for a very long time.”
The two of them wanted to cry. The next instant they found they where been laid down in a crib with lots of other babies. All the others where quiet but not these two.
Uraina. "Ha you are telling me you need feeding. I quite forgot that neither of you have been fed of bathed yet. They both expected to be given a bottle. Instead they found a nipple was pushed into their mouth. The sucking response happened straight away. They both sucked as hard as they could & soon they where changed to the others side."
Urania looked. "Is yours fast asleep Charlotte sure is so I will bathe her later once she awakes.
Ursula, "This one is also fast asleep."
Vespera came in, "Your remaining sisters are complaining they want to help look after the babies."
Ursula, "Mum it only needs the three of us to look after the babies. I propose the others get the same treatment. I realise we all will have to work harder but we can do it between us."
"Mum why did you make Charlotte & Philomena believe that we would be returning to our home.”
“I did not exactly lie to them they will be returning to their ancestral home & will live with all the others. Gabriel is keeping her promise as we speak. Owen Glendowers palace is already been restored to its former glory. The builder & restoration team have estimated it will take at least a year to complete. Once restored it will be opened to the public."
Wee-Wee came in to the room. "I have brought you three some food & drink. Just to let you know Gabriel agrees that we only need you three to look after the babies so you are on permanent nursery duty for the next year."
Ursula, "Is this place bugged or something."
Wee-Wee laughed, “Not exactly but certain members of your family informed me & the Empress everything you said."
Urania, "They are all babies here & none can speak."
Wee-Wee, "The Empress & I & a certain select few have other abilities. At least two of the babies have the same abilities & can broadcast to me & the Empress. They of course do not yet realise that they can do it."
Vespera, "In that case it has to be Charlotte & Philomena who have the ability."
Nena entered the room "In case you are wondering we all are been monitored 24 hours a day seven days a week. You get used to it & in fact some time it can be a distinct advantage. With the exception of the children and Tiny’s we all are the same size & we all like the same things."
Vespera . "Some things I had already realised, but others I did not. I did not realise we all where monitored.”
Nena. "Even when you sleep somebody is watching over you. It is not always Wee-Wee, in fact she is only a trainee.”
Vespera. "So all the babies now know they will not be returned to normal until the palace is fully restored."
Wee-Wee. "You may find that the three of you are doing nursery duty longer that. Especially if some of them decide to stay as they are for a few years."
Tiny came in & said, "We could speed it all up but the house would not be ready. "I have a suggestion Vespera. I think all your daughters should be brought up by their Mother & grandmothers."
"I also think you would be better going to Oberon's for 18 years or so."
Vespera looked at her. "Yes Mum I will do as you say." Vespera & Tiny picked up Ursula & Urania. Sorry girls I know you wanted to help but you will now be brought up with all your sisters as you should have been. When you next see this place you will all have the bodies of eighteen year olds." The two of them wanted to cry & they found Vespera was comforting them both. "Apparently your sisters all agree with me that you should all be brought up together & learn to play & go to school together again. You will still retain a full set of memories so nothing you have already learned will be lost."
Nena, "We have plenty of helpers & the time will fly by". They left for Oberon's palace on the Isle of Man. The children grew up together & had birthdays & then they got close to their eighteenth birthday."
Vespera, "Girls we are returning home now." They walked through a door & found themselves in the Great hall.
Gabriel, "I am afraid the house is not ready yet, as you have only been away 18 minutes."
Vespera, "I clean forgot about the time difference."
Charlotte, “Empress I know you intend restoring the palace, but would and my sisters I be better continuing receiving our education with our family & friends?"
Rhine & Volga came in together. "Grandfather Neptune asked us to invite Vespera & all her family along with you & your companions as he wants to meet Vespera & her family.
Gabriel, "Rhine you can tell Uncle we will all be there & I will personally introduce Vespera & Daughters to him." Peggi & her sisters arrived.
Peggi, "Neptune did not seem bothered before at first when you where found. But since your children have been restored they are all he talks about."
Gabriel, "Vespera did you have a liaison with Neptune?"
Tiny, "No but at one time her mother did have a liaison with somebody that might be Neptune & it is possible that Vespera is Neptune's daughter. She though did not realise he was Neptune."
Lindi, "By any chance was it a Mr. Nemo, or Mr. Vater?”
“Actually no my father was called Mr Vasser.”
The American Ambassador accompanied Queen Gabriel back to Scarborough. Some of the Archery heats had already taken place. One of the Fae handed Gabriel and those who came off the helicopter a bow. “Your Majesty are we expected to also use these?
“Well I certainly will be having a go if only to see how I do against our Olympic & Paralympic teams.”
“In that case I will also have a go.” There was a television screen giving all the best scores. The American fired his arrows and he was listed in 49th place. Gaby fired her arrows and her score put her in third place. The Screen then flashed final results. Danielle Brown from the Paralympic team had come in first. Baby from the Tiny’s came in second and Gabriel took third place. After the days events a dance was held for all the participants.
