There was a knock at the door, and Kurt and Blaine were still just catching their breath when they heard it echo through the almost empty house. It shocked the both of them, wrapped around each other and sharing blissful kisses until Blaine pulled back suddenly, eyes wide and confused. "Theres someone at the door." He whispered, as if whoever it was could hear him. "Just ignore it, theyll go away eventually." Kurt mumbled as he kissed at the corner of Blaines mouth. "What if its important?" Blaine said "What if its about the twins?" Kurt pulled back with a sigh.

"Okay, then go answer it."

"Me? I cant!" Blaine exclaimed.

"Why not?"

"Kurt look at the state of me."

Look Kurt did and he had the decency to blush. Blaine was the picture of debauchery, hair wild and his skin still streaked with come and tacky with sweat. It was obvious that with a quick once over Kurt was the one capable of looking a lot more presentable. He threw on his clothes and combed a hand through his hair as Blaine sprinted toward the bathroom. There was another knock, louder than the last, or so it seemed as Kurt quickly descended the stairs and jogged toward the door, yanking it open as soon as his hand touched the handle.

Standing on the other side was Malik his hands each resting gently on one of the twins shoulders. "Oh you cannot be serious." Kurt breathed out looking down at the dishevelled looking twins, feathers sticking out of their hair and clothes. In the span of only a few hours the twins had managed to get into trouble yet again, and the king of all people had escorted them home. Remembering his manners, Kurt opened the door and bowed, inviting the regal man inside. Malik declined with a vague smile as Gaël appeared seemingly out of the darkness, his expression uncharacteristically serious. Kurt was just about to ask what the twins had done when Blaine noisily tripped his way down the stairs behind him, hair dripping onto his shirt as he hastily tried to button it.

"Your majesty" He gasped as he approached the door, the bright blush that had been staining his cheeks draining away as he glanced between the king and the younglings. "Wha-" Blaine managed to choke out before Malik raised a halting hand. "Your younglings were merely the perpetrators of a rather raucous pillow fight they arent in any trouble. We are here concerning different matters; were simply delivering Tim and Magnus into Kurts care whilst you come with us." His voice was calm, a veil of indifference and Blaine felt panic rise in his chest.

"What is it? What do you need?"

"Its not us Taliesin." Gaël interjected "Its Maeve; she arrived in court an hour ago. Shes asking for you."

"Me? But-" The look of fear on Blaines face sent a sudden chill down Kurts spine. If Blaine was afraid, then they all should have been. "She hasnt been seen since-"

"We know Taliesin." Malik interrupted "Please, come. To keep her waiting is a risk we cannot afford to take."

.oO0Oo.

The oak doors swung open and the great hall was unusually quiet and cold. A soft voice called for the others to leave, wanting to speak to Blaine and Blaine alone. "Blaine Taliesin" The voice hissed close to Blaines ear but when he turned his head there was nothing there, nothing out of place but the wild flicker of a wall-mounted torch. "You are a Milaukan, ahh but alas no." There was a menacing sounding giggle and Blaine had to try hard not to flinch as a cold wind blew past him, like air from the beat of wings. "You are from the well, Connlas to be exact. Of course its not there anymore even though it was technically part of fae lands. They destroyed it all. I saw. I watched. I-"

"Stop!" Blaines voice echoed through the vast hall, bouncing off of the stone walls.

"You dare interrupt me!" The voice boomed and when Blaine opened his eyes there stood a woman, shrouded in smoke, her hair grey and eyes as black as coal. She stared unblinkingly at him and smiled teeth blackened and sharp. Blaine knew better than to speak again.

There was a sound resembling thunder and in his next blink she had sprouted wings, her vile mouth replaced by a razor sharp beak, jet black and glinting. Another crash and she circled him, flying high into the vaulted ceiling to just dive at him, barely missing every time, her raven wings, cutting skin as she passed him, all while singing.

And when the sun sets dimmed in eve, and purple fills the air,

I think the sacred hazel-tree is dropping berries there,

From starry fruitage, waved aloft where Connlas Well oerflows;

For sure, the immortal waters run through every wind that blows.

It was mocking and high in an imitation of the children Blaine used to know. She repeated it over and over again louder and louder until Blaine couldnt tell which echoes were her or his own memories. "STOP! ENOUGH! PLEASE!" He screamed at her. All of a sudden there was silence, until she appeared in front of him once more, shrouded in smoke. "Im sorry your highness I-"

"That is right dragon." She snarled. "I am a queen." The smoke dissipated and she appeared with a crown of hawthorn and lilies. "I am the Morrigan." She transformed again into a beautiful woman, raven wings stretched out wide, breasts bared and full. "I am the White Lady." She transformed once more and appeared as a crone, bent over and gnarled. "I am life, I am death, I am the very reason your world continues to turn. The cycles are under my command." The smoke had returned thick and cloying and concealing her from view. "Dare to disrespect me again my boy." She whispered and Blaine fell to the floor. All of his strength leaving him as his blood ran cold.

The smoke filled the room, black and oppressive, so thick Blaine could barely breathe. He strained to see but the room just grew darker and darker. "Listen well." She said in the same soft voice she had used when they had entered. "There will be war. There is discord in the North. Past battles will be renewed the result of a brothers betrayal. You are the tether, mortal peace. You are weak..." Blaine choked against the smoke coiling into his lungs, flooding his mind with blackness as he attempted to call out, his fingers trying to clutch uselessly at the smooth stone floor. "And all shall burn..."