"Ye ken thet our parents wasn't too happy with ya leavin' like ya did," Morgan began as they made their way back home. "I'd already gi'en up ma right ta rule as the eldest but said I'd stand with ye as yer Supreme Battle-mage. They knew that was what was in ma heart ta do an' lackin' any decent battle-mage e'er shown up in court, father agreed to it. Then ye go an' take off - inta world of men. Gods know why!" Morgan exclaimed. "Still yer ma brother, an' I respect yer right ta do as ya will. But I think we'd best pay a visit ta the Court." "I will nae leave wi'out Marne," Conor retorted stubbornly, as he shouldered the bag of flour he'd taken from the village store. He'd left a gold coin on the counter to assuage the feeling he was stealing it, but they needed flour for all the apple and pumpkin pies Marne would bake. "I left 'er ta go do battle an' coom back ta find 'er thinkin' I'm dead. I ain't puttin' 'er through thet agin, Morgan. You know very well the difference in time 'tween here an' there fer humans." "Ayyyeeee," Morgan lept ahead of him a-pace and lowered his head, looking him in the eye. "And...? If ya take 'er with us, she'll git old in there. What're ya thinkin' lad! Ya need ta go home an' I don't doubt thet the disappearance of the people in the village ain't some sorta 'call' ta ya. We're goin' - if I hafta spell ya an' drag ya there masel'!" They were approaching the house now. Conor spied Marne waiting in the doorway for them, but she looked different. She looked...positively beautiful. Not thet she weren't beautiful but fae-beautiful. Morgan opened the gate looking at Conor's wife askew, and let his brother pass. "Marn'! Look at ya!" Conor let the bag down onto the ground, stopping before her. His expression was a mix of awe, admiration and consternation. "Ya look right bonny, darlin'!" Marne laughed softly, coming up to him. "Mmmm, ya look quite bonny yersel' Conor mac Fionn - all sweaty an full o' muscles. They're gone, aren't they? The humans." She ran a hand through his hair and laughed again. "Aye, how'd you ken thet Marne?" Now he was a bit suspicious. "Are ya truly ma Marne, er is this soom trick?" She leaned closer to him and whispered something only Marne would know. "Aye, Conor - I'm yer lovin' wife, fer certain! There's just soomthin' ya never knew 'bout me. I'm fae - just like you an' Morgan 'ere!" A giggle escaped from her. "Morgan's right, all thet were a call home, love." "Yer fae?" Conor wasn't sure what to think about this. She'd kept this from him all these years. As if reading his thoughts, Marne stroked his face and kissed him on the cheek. "I were told specific not ta ever say a word 'til 'twas time. Yer parents always intended us ta marry, but then ya left, so I left too. I love you Conor. I always have. Our meetin' were no accident. But I tell ya true, I ne'er put no spells on ye. Ye fell in love wi' me all on yer own. 'Tis time now, Conor. Yer father's dyin'. Ya need ta go home an' make amends an' do what ya need ta do, luv." Conor sighed, turning to Morgan. "Did ye ken ought o' this?" "Noo, absolutely not brother! Come's as much of a su'prise ta me as ye. I do know there were a Lady of the Fae they'd planned ta be yer wife, but I ne'er met 'er." Morgan looked Marina up and down pulling at his chin. "I suggest we all go then an' see the truth of it fer ourselves!" ***** Thank you all so much for your comments, faves and views on "Wary Cherry - Chapter 5"! I'm glad you like the story so far and hope you will continue to follow it! I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!! :) Ray Credits: Backdrop is from DM's "Chronicles" (RMP). Roses are from Lisa's Botanicals "Briar Rose" (DAZ). Outfit is "Fae Story" from DAZ with HMG "Asrai" textures (DAZ) Hair is Carolina Hair by SWAM (was in RMP). And SRG_Marina (YURDigital) as Marne.