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

Chapter 6

For the third day in a row, the eastern seaboard had been covered in snow, not unusual for the upper Northeast. For the most part, the citizens of Skogshaven went on with their normal routines. However, for a Laura Rheingold, a mother of two and nine months pregnant, the snow could not have come at a worse time. He husband, Richard was stranded somewhere in the Southeast due to a number of airline cancellations. Plans for a quick two day trip to Florida were made because everyone, Doctors included believed the couple still had a number of weeks until their new born was to arrive but as with many things in life, especially children, they have their own time schedule.

“Alright, Laura, I need you to press down and hold it.” Poppy sat in the back seat of Laura Rheingold’s minivan, sitting in front of Laura Rheingold, who was in the process of giving birth to her third child.

Laura too forgot that every birth and pregnancy was different. She didn’t realize that she was in actual labor most of the day until she made it to the library and her new born decided it was time for it to come into the world. Luckily Morgan and Abigail were walking out of the Skogshaven library when they spotted the woman in trouble.

For a brief moment, Poppy and Morgan discussed passing the young mother through the Fae Realm but realized it was way too late for even that.

“Again Laura, you’re doing great.”

“How are the twins, are they behaving?” The young woman asked between contractions. “They are OK, right.”

Morgan smiled, sending warm energy into the mother. “As I said before, they are in the best of hands. Don’t worry; we have everything well in hand. “Abigail had taken the two young children into the library to keep out of the cold.

“Keep talking to her, Morgan.” Poppy nodded, the birth was coming along fine. Although as a Neurosurgeon Matt had not birthed many children, the ones she participated in, she always agreed, had a magic all their own. Of course, for this birth a true touch of magic was involved.

“Doctor?” Laura was surprised how easy a birth this had been compared to the birth of her twins. Even without an epidural, although terribly uncomfortable, the birth had not been painful.

“You’re doing wonderfully, alright Laura, one last time.” Poppy had been concerned at first; the child wasn't really in position to be born. Without her help, Laura would have most likely needed a caesarian.

The wails of a new born coming into the world were soon drowned out by the wailing of an ambulance as it entered the Library parking lot.

Abigail reached over and kissed her girlfriend on the cheek. “Good job.”

The Aos Sidhe Princess gave a small laugh, “I didn’t do anything.”

Poppy took a sip of hot chocolate, courtesy of Mrs. Jacobson, Skogshaven town’s librarian. “I wouldn't say that, you helped her manage her pain quite well.” The three stood off to the side while the EMTs moved their patient and the newest member of the Rheingold family into the ambulance.

“While you did everything else.” Morgan smiled.

“Well, not really, Laura did most of it.”

Thankfully, after a few frantic phone calls, Laura’s sister managed to make it to the library a few minutes after the birth. She along with the twins would be following the ambulance to the Eastside Medical Center.

“Doctor Sully, thanks again. This is what the second, no third time this month.” Brett smiled nervously while keeping a half an eye on Morgan.

“My pleasure Brett, be sure to give Juan my best.”

The EMT nodded. “Ah, I do have a question. How am I going to explain this at the hospital? Your name keeps popping up. The family of the boy you saved from the snowboarding accident was asking about you.”

The green haired pixie made a face, she wasn’t planning on stopping helping those in need but this did present a problem.

“Brett, don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of it. I will call Dr. St Hill in the next few minutes.” Morgan smiled at the nervous EMT.

“That be great Your High...I mean...Lady...I mean…”

“Morgan is just fine.”

“OK, right thanks. I’ll be going, thanks again Doc, you’re a real life saver.” With a wave, Brett ran off back to the ambulance as it prepared to head towards the hospital.

The Princess sighed as the young EMT disappeared inside the ambulance. “Alright, let’s get back to work.” Looking at her watch she turned to Poppy with a smile. “Three hours.”

“Really?” For the last few weeks the young pixie had been practicing staying in her larger form. Instead of growing larger when she felt that there was a need, she was now almost able to do it at will.

“I’m sure that Bree will be happy if you can do it all day.” Abigail slipped her arms through Morgan’s, as the three began to walk back towards Morgan’s home.

“That’s because she wants me to replace her math teacher.”

“According to my sister, Mrs. Armstrong is obviously a sympathizer of the Winter Court.”

Poppy had to smile at that, she too had different opinions on some of her own teacher’s backgrounds.

“Well if you ever need a job, Poppy, you can always set up practice here in Skogshaven.” Abigail smiled, obviously teasing.

“I love helping out around town, but it couldn’t happen anyway, it’s not like I have a license to practice medicine.” Matt of course was legally certified, the green haired pixie named Poppy was not.

“Not a real difficult hurdle.” Morgan commented as she unlocked the door. “We could easily make that happen if it was something you desired.”

Poppy was surprised; she never really gave any consideration to actually become one of the town’s physicians. Her own fate was still undecided. She had been trying hard not to find out more about what happened to her other self. Perhaps it was time, if the Princess could get information on what exactly was happening she could make some decisions. She had spent most of her adult life healing the sick; it was something she loved to do however with her new chance on life was that going to be her path as well. It was something to consider.

Princess Morgan as a general rule forbade Bria from allowing a cohort of pixies to accompany her inside school. Besides being unnecessary, it also didn’t help her with concentrating on her lessons. School was also a place, Morgan confided to Poppy where she could step away from her responsibilities for a short time.

Still, it didn’t stop some Fae from walking into the middle of a classroom unseen to speak with her; thankfully those incidents were few and far between. Unfortunately today was one such occurrence took place in the middle of World Geography class. Although none of the other students noticed the Aos Sidhe who entered the classroom, her teacher did.

“I’m sorry for disturbing your class Mrs. Saito” Morgan waited until her classmates had disappeared to lunch before approaching the teacher’s desk.

Poppy sat on the Princess shoulder, one of six pixies allowed in school. Normally Bria led the group but this time much to the surprise of the green haired pixie, she was in charge.

At first Poppy didn’t notice but she soon realized that Morgan and her teacher were speaking in Japanese. Although the Princess had placed a ward around the room before approaching her teacher, it was a good way to make sure no one listened in on the conversation.

“It wasn't your fault Morgan, although I will admit I did not expect another Aos Sidhe to walk into my class." Hotaru frowned. "I assumed by your reaction that it wasn't a social call.”

Princess Morgan nodded. “More troubling news and something I wanted to discuss with you and your husband. Do you have time tomorrow?”

Hotaru Saito shook her head. “I’m sorry your Highness, my family has an out of town birthday party this weekend. My nephew Takashi is turning sixteen.”

“Should be quite the surprise party then.” Morgan gave a small laugh; she knew that turning sixteen for many Unseen was their first step into the other world. “Is Kuugen going too?”

“No, she...perhaps you could visit her. I don’t want her to think I am having someone check up on her, but if you could.”

“Of course, actually I need to speak to her anyway. I have a job that I think she is well suited for.”

Mrs. Saito smiled. “That’s very kind of you, Morgan; I know she will be pleased. How about you and your family come over on Monday for dinner? Your mother has been gracious enough to have my daughters over several times already.”

As the two made dinner plans, Hotaru brought up another party that was going to take place the next weekend. “My girls tell me that you were invited to Jolie St Hill’s birthday party.”

Morgan sighed. “Yes, well a little birdie told her that I have never been to a slumber party.”

“Never?”

Morgan shrugged. “Can’t say that I have been to a lot of birthday parties either, but a dance club wouldn't be my first choice to host one.”

“True, I wouldn't have picked the Necropolis to have one of my children’s parties, even if it’s not going to be in the actual club itself. I have been told that the St. Hill family is very close to the owner.”

“I met her recently; we met to discuss...Sile’s new roommate. Nina is different. Not what I expected. Anyway, my mom and Bree want me to go.” At least if she went, she wouldn't be the oldest Morgan thought, most of Jolie older female cousins were also invited.

Poppy tried to suppress a giggle which was overheard by Morgan.

“Don’t think you’re getting away with not going Poppy. Bree has an invitation for you as well.”

“What me? I can’t go.” The green haired pixie hovered in the air.

“Of course you can. Bree explained to Jolie that you’re our cousin, which is technically correct. It seems that my baby sister found out from one of your sisters that you can appear younger if you want.”

“But I can’t stay in that form for that long?”

“We have a week to work on it.”

“But...I can’t go to a girl’s slumber party..I mean.”

“Yes?”

“I’m not going to get out of this am I?”

“Nope, where I go you go.” Morgan grinned.

Across the New York border a family of Spriggans celebrated the change of leadership. Although not everyone was pleased, there was nothing to gain and everything to lose if one voiced their displeasure. Sitting in a big circle, a dozen or so male Spriggans made a meal of the last leader. The head of the family was given the best parts, while those of his inner circle were given the rest. There was a belief that the strength of the vanquished foe would be absorbed by eating his flesh.

Menadue turned the blade around in his hand, the instrument that allowed him to gain dominance over this family. By absorbing Jago’s family, the Spriggans family was even larger when his old one entered the fight with the Aos Sidhe over the summer.

“Three days from now, we get the child and then we will return the pain inflicted on us over the summer.”

“So, you still insist on going on with that plan of hers?” Kernow asked, one of the few Spriggans willing to question the new Hembrynkyas decisions.

“Do we have a choice?” Menadue didn't trust the Countess, he was positive if most of the family was killed trying to kidnap the child it would make no difference.

“Why does it have to be that child? Any child of power should do? Let’s go back to Skogshaven. I’m sure we could find a child that’s suitable.”

The new Hembrynkyas frowned. Indeed why did it have to be that child. If the rumors were true, there was no possible way that this was going to end well for the family. He had a sudden thought that what they were doing was just a diversion.

“Kernow, at another time I might have made you regret questioning my authority, but I believe that your idea has merit.”

“So what are your plans?” Ili stepped from the shadows. The male Spriggans rose to their feet, some of them placing their hands on their weapons. None of them had any idea that the Spriggan wife was near.

“That’s no business of yours, woman.”

“Not true, I need to make sure the family is prepared to move. What is your time frame? What direction do you wish to go?”

Menadue growled at the Spriggan wife. Although Ili didn't hold true power, she had great influence on the other wives. Her opposition would make it difficult for him to accomplish any of his goals. He also couldn't just kill her that too would be unwise. The wives’ knives were very sharp, and had no desire to wake up one morning missing body parts.

“Tomorrow, we head towards Skogshaven.”

“I see. I’m sure that Bria will be most pleased with our return.”

“None of her business either.”

The Spriggan wife took one last look at the group then departed back into the shadows. “As you wish.”

“She is going to be trouble, that one.” Kernow sat back, idly chewing on some gristle.

“So do you think she heard our plan?” Another Spriggan asked.

“Doesn’t matter, what is she going to do about it? No, Ili will be taken care of in due time.”

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