Of Legends and Innocence

Chapter 3

Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait for an update. I have been staying with a friend to help out, and sadly, had no internet service. I have, also, taken some time to do some research about Ireland. And much to my surprise (and embarrassment), Lough Gur is actually a lake in County Limerick, not a town. *Blushing*

So for the sake of my story, let's just say Chloe now lives in County Limerick, near Lough Gur.

And if something seems off or wrong, please don't be afraid to point it out to me. I hope you enjoy this chapter despite my lack of knowledge of Ireland. And I hope you bear with me as I learn. *Crosses fingers and gets down on knees* Please?

And please don't forget to comment. Vote? Fan?

Chapter 3

Chloe pulled her sweater tighter around herself, taking a sip of her hot tea as she used her toes to set the porch swing to swaying again. It was the beginning of June and it felt as if it was October. Back home, she would have been sitting on the porch, wearing only a tank top and a pair of shorts. This weather was crazy. She felt like she should be getting ready for Christmas, not the summer holidays.

And what was with the hot tea? When, after scourging the kitchen for a good fifteen minutes, she had asked Aunt Madeline where the coffee was, she had received only a blank stare and a smirk as the curly red-haired woman handed her a small box of tea bags. Then she had felt even more bewildered when her aunt had pulled out the sugar cubes and the cream. Cream in tea? Hot tea?

Then, Madeline had openly laughed at her as she had attempted to venture out onto the porch in her usual summer clothes, only to dash back inside to change into a sweater and jeans.

Chloe tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and wrapped her hands around the mug of tea, grateful for the heat, as she stared out at the green rolling hills from her place on the back porch. It was quite beautiful here, despite the unexpected climate change. Maybe getting away from home and all of the reminders of Mom would be good for Fiona.

Watching the sun rise over the seemingly endless hills was strangely calming as she thought about her sister's strange predicament. Fiona had yet to speak a single word, and didn't seem in any hurry to do so anytime soon.

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Madeline jumped, dropping the bowl of batter into the sink in her surprise. Her hand pressed against her pounding heart, trying to calm its furious rhythm. She drew herself up, trying to appear unaffected by the unexpected intrusion and pasted a scowl on her face as she turned around.

"Have you ever heard of knocking?" She hissed in a loud whisper. "It is our custom. Surely by now you have noticed that."

The young man in front of her gave a small smile, his pale grey eyes lighting up with mirth. "But why, when it is so fun watching you drop things, which is another of your so-called clumsy customs."

Madeline rolled her eyes as she tried to smooth down her frizzy hair, before catching herself and gave him another scowl. The man chuckled at her attempt to remain unaffected by his presence.

Why did they have to send him? Of all things Seelie, why him? The court jester. The seductive womanizer. The one who made every woman's heart skip a beat and go pitter-pat.

Resisting the urge to check her reflection in the shiny surface of one of pots hanging above the stove. Madeline turned back to the sink and turned on the faucet to wash the ruined batter down the drain.

"It is very rude to ignore invited guests, Madeline."

She cringed at the condescending laughter in his voice and kept her back turned to him as she pulled flour and sugar from the pantry.

"I didn't invite you," she spat. "I called for Aine, not for your vain, self-con- "

"Careful, Madeline." The man's pale grey eyes flashed, momentarily turning dark, before returning to their natural, but unusual coloring, and his soft lilting brogue deepened ad he spoke. "Ye may not have called me, but it is I who answered ye."

Madeline froze and slowly turned to face him, an apology on her tongue when he shrugged.

"Besides," he grinned, all anger gone from his voice. "I needed an excuse to get out. You, my dear, are my official get out of jail free card."

He leaned over the counter, resting his forearms on the marbled surface and stared at her intently.

"Now, what do you need? And please tell me it is something long and complicated and will take until just this side of forever to sort out."

And as Madeline explained, a little five year old girl knelt behind the kitchen table, her eyes as wide as saucers.

Author's Note: I know, I know. Another short chapter. But I am having to write this from my phone and it is taking flipping forever. I am so sorry. I will try to have more up tonight or in the morning.

So like it? Love it? Please comment and let me know.