Pixie's Honor by: Elsbeth Matthew learns even the littlest of fairies value honor above all

Chapter 7

Just on the other side of the Fae Realm, next to the tree known as ‘Father Oak’, Poppy sat with her back on the trunk, watching Lord Alexander and his betrothed spar. Back and forth, the two Aes Sidhe flew, riposted and parried as Alex pushed Morgan back. Suddenly, the Princess parried the incoming attack, deflecting his blade with a strong striking motion then lunged, seemly catching the young lord off guard.

“You’re a hundred years too early if you think you could surprise me.” Alex said obviously pleased, Morgan’s counter attack had surprised him.

“Morgan Hime is improving.” The fox woman, known as Kuugen, once called Aya sat a few feet away from Poppy. A few minutes earlier, the pair had been trading blows.

“I agree.” Replied Sapphira, Gatekeeper of the Forest, her mouth full of double mushroom pizza. Currently the centuries old hamadryad was dressed in a young schoolgirl’s outfit, sitting on the kitsune’s lap.

After a strong feint, Morgan slipped underneath the young lord’s defenses tagging him underneath his sword arm.

“Very good your Highness, may I make a suggestion that you start your attack earlier, and keep your blade lower.”

“You let me hit you.”

Alex smiled. “Of course, I just want you to feel you’re doing well. I hate for people to die embarrassed.”

“Gods, you’re such a pain, so what’s the counter?” The Aos Sidhe Princess shook her head; Alex had spent the entire morning quoting Princess Bride. She loved the movie herself but was starting to regret watching it with him and Abby last night.

“Let me show it to you.”

Morgan rolled her eyes at the other three women; he so enjoyed the hands on approach. Poppy smiled at the two, remembering when she first met Matt’s wife. Although her experiences were different, the young Pixie could tell that there was a mutual attraction between the two of them although for now, it was decidedly one sided.

Pushing away from her cousin, she began to walk away. “Alright you big letch, why don’t you play with Poppy for a few minutes, I need to speak to Kuugen.”

Grabbing a slice of pizza, Morgan sat down next to the Kitsune. “So, what do you think?”

The Yoaki sighed, “Is it necessary that I dress as a school girl?”

“What’s wrong with dressing as a school girl? I think the uniform is cute.” Sapphira stood up and twirled around. "And don’t tell me it’s your age Kuugen, I am centuries older than you.” The hamadryad smiled sweetly.

“If this is what you wish, Morgan Hime.”

The Aes Sidhe Princess shook her head. “No that’s not what I asked. I wanted to know if you’re interested.”

The Yoaki looked thoughtful; it had been a very long time since anyone had asked her opinion.

“The only person I actually don’t mind bossing around is Alex and that’s because he’s my cousin.”

“Lover.” The young Aes Sidhe called out.

“In your dreams, Lord Hastings.” Morgan shouted back

“She needs someone to watch over her, and what could be better than you becoming her roommate.” Sapphira, now back in her adult form, wearing black jeans and a dark blue Skogshaven High sweat shirt, took a seat.

As a nine tailed Kitsune, changing one’s physical appearance, like Sapphira wasn't an issue. “Why not bring her here?”

Morgan nodded. “We thought about it, however...”

“It’s safer for her not to be in Skogshaven right now.” Sapphira frowned. “And I believe, perhaps it’s time that you get out of the Saito’s house.”

The four women had been slowly getting Kuugen to come around. Since Morgan shattered the bonds that enslaved her to the Umeki family, the fox woman had become somewhat of a recluse. Earlier in the week Sapphira and Hotaru Saito had made the final plans for this very meeting, just before the family headed off to Ravencrest.

“I’m sure that Hotaru loves the extra help with the girls, but you must be tired of daytime television already?” The Aes Sidhe Princess smiled.

Kuugen looked down blushing; in truth she had in fact become enamored with a number of shows. Perhaps she needed to give the Saito’s back their spare bedroom.

“Don’t let him get too handy, Poppy.” Morgan shouted as the two danced back and forth.

To those watching, Alex’s skill greatly surpassed the Pixie’s; however, for a few seconds that changed. As the Aes Sidhe lord came at Poppy with a simple forward thrust, she counterattacked like an avalanche in a complex series of combinations. The young man jumped blocking the attacks but just barely.

As the two broke away, Alex looked at the Pixie in wonder. “What the hell was that?”

Poppy shook her head. “I don’t know. For a moment, I knew exactly what you were planning and how to defeat it.”

“Inconceivable, Poppy let me see your sword.” The hamadryad crossed the field.

The young Pixie nodded, holding the sword out pommel first.

“No, ask it if it’s OK.” Sapphira smiled.

“Ask it?” Suddenly Poppy looked surprised. “She doesn't mind if you touch her.”

“Her? Did she speak to you Poppy?” Kuugen asked, as she and Morgan joined the group.

“No, it’s just a feeling.”

“Poppy, see if it’s OK for the Princess to touch her.”

The Pixie smiled. “She doesn't mind.”

Morgan took the blade in hand. After feeling its weight and balance, she returned it. “The feeling, she reminds me a little of Blackie.”

“Blackie?”

“Abby’s new familiar.” Morgan smiled.

Thank goodness, Abby finally got her familiar, a big black Tom, Morgan thought. She had been difficult to live with when she discovered her cousin received one first.

“Can I see the blade, Poppy?” Alex asked.

The Pixie shook her head sadly. “No, I’m sorry Lord Alexander, she doesn't like you.”

“What?”

Morgan laughed. “She has good taste.”

“Just kidding, Alex.” Poppy grinned, leaving everyone but the Aes Sidhe lord in giggles.

After acting sufficiently insulted, he took the blade in hand. Standing back, the master swordsman swung it a few times and returned it to its owner.

“I agree with Sapphira, inconceivable.”

In a very bad Spanish accent Poppy said. “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

“You know I am going to have to hurt all of you.” Princess Morgan groaned.

Snuggling up to Laurel, Poppy couldn't sleep as she continued to be haunted by strange dreams. In the latest, she found herself running through a rice paddy in Vietnam, with mortars falling all around. However, she looked like Poppy and not Matt. In another dream, she found herself prepping for surgery but instead of normal nurses and doctor’s they were all Pixies.

Her new life seemed to be slowly intruding on her old one however, Matt’s memories were still as real to her as the ones she made now. Once again she became concerned; if her body failed in the hospital would she suddenly become just Poppy with none of Matt's memories?

No matter how much the young Pixie wanted to ignore it, she needed to go to the hospital to check on Matt. As much fun as she was having, keeping her body on life support indefinitely didn’t seem right either. Although all of his family was long gone, Matt did have friends that must be concerned.

As much as she hated to admit it, the young Pixie had kept putting it off; frightened at the prospect at meeting her other self, frightened to see his condition but Poppy could not longer put it off. In the morning, she would speak to the Princess.

“Wake up child, I need you.”

Opening her eyes, she found Xera staring at her. For some reason, a little black crow was perched on the Keeper’s shoulder. Rising from the mass of girls that lay on Rynders living room couch, the young Pixie disturbed her friends, who also insisted in joining the group.

“Fine, I don’t have time to argue.”

With the help of the other Pixies, the Keeper of Names shifted the entire group into the Fae, apparently some distance away from Skogshaven. The Keeper had explained the summoning, the odd bird of her shoulder. Other than the group was going to meet with someone, Xera gave very little details.

Now deep in some unknown forest, suddenly on guard the Pixies spread out. It was hard not to notice that Xera brought along of some of the most powerful spell casters in the clan, including her apprentice. To Poppy there seemed to be a lot of firepower for a simple meeting.

“Xera, they are here.” Lily motioned the others to pull slightly back.

Poppy drew Samphire, giving the sword that name made a certain sense and seemed to make it happy as well. Moving forward, along with her two friends, the young pixie kept close to the Keeper of Names.

The new group that suddenly approached the Pixies surprised everyone but Xera.

“Spriggan Wives?” Laurel asked.

Xera nodded, turning to the group she commanded. “Stay here, I’ll speak to Ili alone.”

Lily walked up to the three Pixies, her face full of concern. “Do you know what is going on?”

“No, I thought that you might.” Poppy watched as the Keeper of Names and her apparent Spriggan counterpart speak. The black crow that had been on Xera’s shoulder had immediately flown off landing on Ili’s shoulder.

The white haired Pixie shook her head. “No, I was asleep with Bree when Xera came into my dreams and woke me.”

Poppy frowned. “I wonder why she didn’t with me.”

Lily smiled. “It’s because of your sword.”

“Really?” Poppy and her two friends looked down at the blade.

"Lets go, I need to speak to Princess Morgan as soon as possible." Xera suddenly appeared in front of them, so busying talking about Poppy's sword.

As the Pixies flew away from their strange encounter, Poppy could still feel the sword's presence; Concentrating now, the two become one, like she did when she fought Lord Alexander. Scared at first, afraid she would lose herself; Poppy discovered that they were still separate but the bond became even stronger than before.

The next morning, Doctor Poppy Sully found herself standing outside Eastside Medical Center. She had believed that bringing up the desire to visit the hospital with Morgan, she could put off meeting with Matt a little longer. However, plan were already in place, the Princess knowing that it was just a matter of time before Poppy wanted to visit her old self.

Finally gathering up her courage, Poppy slipped through the hospital's front doors.

Crossing the threshold, part of her felt like a stranger, another part felt like she was coming home. Poppy had been walking in and out of hospitals most of her adult life, but until today it had always been as Matt. Admiring the lobby, well lit and nicely decorated, with welcoming aura, Poppy approved. For those who entered the hospital, the sick or concerned for a friend or family member desperately needed a pleasant atmosphere.

Poppy once more silently thanked Morgan’s mother for her advice on what to wear for her meeting. In her mortal form, dressed conservatively in a expensive looking navy blue jacket, skirt, and a small matching purse, Poppy approached the hospital front desk.

“Good afternoon, how may I help you?” A young woman, wearing blue and white flower printed scrubs greeted Poppy warmly.

“Hi, I am Doctor Poppy Sully. I have a meeting with Doctor Shango St. Hill.”

The receptionist looked her over for a moment, before reaching for a phone. Hanging up the phone, she looked up at Poppy with a smile. “Doctor St. Hill is still in surgery; however his assistant Doctor Abasi will be with you in a moment.”

Waiting only a few minutes, a tall African-American man approached. Smiling, he took Poppy’s hand. “You must be Doctor Sully; I am Doctor St. Hills assistant Doctor Abasi.”

Thanking the receptionist as she passed, the doctor began to explain that one of the other surgeons became ill so Doctor St. Hill was filling in for him.

“However, if you need anything, just ask. I expect Doctor St. Hill to be out of surgery in the next hour.” The doctor waved his identification badge in front of a door, passing the two of them into another hallway. Walking up to another desk, Poppy signed in, showing her new driver’s license; in return she was handed a visitor’s badge.

Taking the elevator the two Doctors joined a number of others as they made their way to the third floor.

“Doctor Dumas is the lead physician on the case.”

“Correct, he will also be meeting with us in a few minutes in Doctor Dobson's room.”

She had already looked over a good portion of Matt’s medical records before coming to the hospital. From what she read, the prognosis wasn't very good. Still in a medically induced coma, Matt’s body did not appear to be healing as it should. She could tell by Doctor Dumas notes, that it was not something that they expected. The young Pixie wondered if something else kept Matt’s body from getting better.

Although she had steeled herself with the realization of seeing her own body, the reality of it proved much more terrible. Holding the door frame for a moment, she entered the room.

Her body, Matt’s body, appeared much older, frailer than she remembered. Half shaking, she reached for a folder, looking over the results of the most recent tests.

Noticing her discomfort, Doctor Abasi looked concerned. “Are you alright Doctor...Oh, I’m sorry. Doctor St Hill just informed me that the patient is a relative of yours.”

“Yes he is.” Reaching over, she brushed the hair out of Matt’s eyes. Poppy felt that it was like looking at her father all over again, as he lay dying in a VA hospital so many years ago.

“Let me give you some privacy, just call when you’re ready to meet with Doctor Dumas.”

“Thank you.” Sitting down next to her sleeping form, Poppy held Matt’s hand and began to cry.

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. If you like the story please leave a Kudos, if you have the time I would love to hear from you. Thanks to all for reading! - Elsbeth