Blaine could feel Kurt shaking slightly as he stood beside him at the foot of the stone staircase that lead to the altar. He took his hand and squeezed it. "Everything is going to be fine," he whispered reassuringly, "shell be able to help us." Kurt just smiled and nodded shoulders only slightly less tense. Finally, the sound of footsteps echoed around the vast hall and Blaine hastily dropped Kurts hand, standing a little taller. She descended the stairs as if she were floating, her black hair billowing out behind her until she came to a stop in front of them, appraising them with an affectionate smile, her green eyes illuminated by the flickering fire light.

"Welcome home." Blaine breathed as she engulfed him in a hug; the weight of worry and anxiety falling from his shoulders knowing that Elder Cerridwen had finally returned. "Thank you, Taliesin." She replied as she stepped back from their embrace "You have served our people well in our absence you are the stuff of Elders Blaine." Blaine blushed, smiling proudly and Kurt could barely contain his own smile at Blaines happiness. "Now Kurt," Ailidh said, suddenly speaking directly to him "I understand that youre here because Blaine has taken it upon himself to help you and your villages plight, am I correct?" She suddenly looked stern and formidable but Kurt was determined to not let his fear show. He had been sidetracked from his true journey by his injury; he had to save his village and his father.

"Blaine has offered his assistance yes." He said, briefly glancing at Blaine "My village has been wrought by drought for many months and our crops are failing and many are sick. My father has been unwell for a very long time and Im afraid that if I dont return with a solution that he might die. I have already lost my mother; I cant lose him as well. All I ask is that you provide me with any information you can that might be relevant and that you allow Blaine to accompany me on my journey to fix this." He prayed that he had not offended Elder Cerridwen with his outburst. Elder Cerridwen appraised him for a while before speaking, turning her back on the two of them and making her way back up the staircase, her voice louder the higher she climbed. Her commanding voice echoed around the hall.

"You will need to travel to the fae lands. It may be that one of your kind has stolen from us. Our mines and hoards are protected by ancient fae magic, so that all those who are not of dragon birth and their kin are cursed should they touch a precious stone that was not gifted to them by one of our own kind. I suggest you go to their lands and speak with them about this ‘mysterious curse of yours. I also suggest that you go home and condemn the thief in your midst." As she reached the top of the stairs she turned, looking down at them both. "As for Blaine accompanying you on your quest... I am afraid I will not allow it. Taliesin, Son of Hummel, you are dismissed."

Blaine turned to Kurt and saw his head bowed in defeat. Kurt could do nothing with the information Elder Cerridwen provided him if Blaine could not guide him. He had never needed to read a map or navigate; he would never make it to the fae lands alone. "I dont know what to do." Kurt said quietly, and Blaines head snapped from Kurt to Cerridwens fading shadow. He grabbed Kurts hand and squeezed it tightly forcing him to look at him. "I do." He said resolutely, "Please, wait for me back at my home. Ill be there soon." He waited until Kurt had left the chamber before he sprinted for the stairs, taking the hundreds of steps at least two at a time. If ever there was a reason to disobey, to defy orders, it was for Kurt.

.oO0Oo.

He could barely breathe by the time he reached the altar. Cerridwen stared at him with cold unnerving eyes but Blaine barely flinched. "Why am I forbidden from accompanying him?" He asked, breathless and confused in their native tongue. "Because I say so Taliesin" She replied quietly.

"No, that isnt a reason. Why?" He said and something inside of him screamed at him. How dare he. How dare he speak to an Elder with such disrespect, the person who had raised him. "Because I will not allow you to put yourself in danger for that boy. Your duty is here, to your people, to the twins..."

"My duty is to sit idle as a whole village dies, and crumbles into dust?" He was growing angry, all his life he had sat by. It was not his job to command but this he could do. Elder Cerridwen fell silent staring in disbelief that usually quiet, reverent Blaine had the audacity to challenge her. His hands balled into fists. "I have already watched one tribe burn," He added, his voice low "I will not let another fall as mine did."

"It is a silly drought, not a war child." Cerridwen snarled.

"There is no difference when the result is losing the ones you love, your kin. I will not allow him to walk this world alone." Blaine was shaking with fury as he stood before the elder, his body rigid as his blazing eyes stared resolutely at her unmoving form. "You care for the mortal." She uttered softly. "I do." he whispered remembering the feeling that had swept over him the moment he awoke that morning to find Kurt in his arms. "With or without your blessing I will go with him, even if it means banishment."

Ailidh stood, trying to hide her smile. "Very well Taliesin," she said "you have my blessing." Blaine bowed and turned to leave. "But," she called, causing him to turn "hear this Blaine your compassion and desire will be your greatest weakness. Can you be sure he will not desert you once you have served your purpose? Are you an ally or just an asset to him? After all you have known him such a short while; you cannot possibly know his true nature." Blaines expression didnt change; he simply nodded and began to descend the staircase. "I know enough." He said and continued out of sight.

Ailidh stood listening to the sure sound of Blaines footsteps melt into the ancient silence of the hallowed hall. She smiled. "Cooper, if you are to be an Elder you still need to master the art of stealth." Cooper shuffled bashfully out from behind a pillar, his head bowed. "Sorry." He said sheepishly.

"Your brothers time has come Cooper," she said musingly staring at the spot in which Blaine had been standing, "he is a force to be reckoned with, one of the fiercest of our kind I have ever known but with such peace within him, a stillness that brings him clarity." Cooper nodded in agreement as if he understood every wise word she spoke, had seen everything in Blaine that she had seen. "Ive always said he was destined to be more than an Elder," Ailidh gave him a sharp look "I mean no disrespect, being an Elder is an honour but Blaine is special in a way that goes beyond our realms." She looked at him appraisingly for a moment before nodding in concurrence. "You are terribly perceptive when you pay attention long enough Cooper." She smirked "The heavens are stirring, and I feel he is more important than he knows."

.oO0Oo.

A crash sounded outside of Blaines door. Startled Kurt wrenched it open and a yelp was torn from his throat unexpectedly as he stumbled back against the door frame. The crash had in fact been the sound of Blaine landing on their outcrop of rock but Kurt had been shocked by the sight of him standing tall, his wings outstretched. They seemed much bigger now they were spread out beside him; the brown leather of them was flecked with emerald green and edged in gold that seemed to glitter in the early morning sunlight. Blaine said something that vaguely resembled a profanity in his native language and hastily folded his wings away his face etched with concern. Kurts moment of fear had morphed into one of awe and amazement.

"Im sorry," Blaine said in a breathless rush, "I didnt mean to scare you." He ducked his head and Kurt had the gut wrenching feeling that Blaine was ashamed. "You didnt scare me" Kurt said hastily. Lifting his head Blaine stared at him searchingly, looking for traces of fear or deception. "Can I see?" Kurt asked and Blaine just continued to stare his features so expressive moving from confusion to understanding to amused agreement. He puffed out his chest, drawing himself to his full height and was still almost an inch shorter than Kurt. A whoosh of air, like a brisk breeze passed over them and Blaines wings stretched outward, the sharp, claw like tips towering above the both of them. Kurt barely suppressed a gasp and the closer he looked the more intrigued he became by them. "Can I-?" He asked and Blaine smiled and nodded. Stepping forward Kurt pressed his palm to the leathery surface of Blaines right wing. Blaine twitched and the wing rustled in response. Kurt grinned and trailed his hand across its warm surface to trail his fingertips across the golden edges. "Ticklish?" He asked and Blaine flushed.

"Something like that," he said quietly "theyre tough but thin so theyre um- theyre sensitive."

Kurts eyes met Blaines and he also felt his face flush. There was quiet giggling coming from behind them and Blaine snapped his wings back in so quickly that he almost took Kurts hand with them. He coughed loudly as if clearing his throat and they both turned towards the twins who were sniggering into each others shoulders. "So anyway," Blaine began, "everyone inside I have something very important to tell you."