Noble Descent Part 3
Title: Noble Descent Part 3
Author: TalliW
Characters: James Lester, Nick Cutter
Rating: K
Disclaimer: Primeval is the property of Impossible Pictures. I write just for fun.
Acknowledgments: Thanks to Fredbassett for beta-reading. I couldn't have done it without you.
Summary: James Lester is of noble descent and the heir to the throne of a mighty folk. His new position changes everything for him and his team.
Part 1 and Part 2 here.
Nothing seemed to have changed in the two years since he had last been at the manor. James Lester was greeted by a polite but tight-lipped young man and led into the library.
His great-aunt Rosaline sat in a big, comfortable chair, glasses on her nose and absorbed in a book.
The moment he walked in she put her book away and got up to welcome him.
Lester could see that she hadn't changed much either. Perhaps there were a few more wrinkles around her eyes but otherwise she looked the same as she'd twenty years ago. No one would assume she was pushing seventy already.
She studied him above the rim of her glasses and Lester became unsettled under her scrutinizing look. He fought the notion to check if his tie was sitting correctly or if he had anything on his face, cursing that his great-aunt still could reduce him to a nervous wreck.
For several minutes they just looked at each other, then the older woman surged forward to throw her arms around Lester’s neck. “Oh James. It's so good to see you. It has been too long,” she cried out.
With a broad smile on his face Lester hugged her back. “Aunt Rosaline. It's nice to be here again."
"Is that so? You haven't visited me in over two years. I should be mad at you," she chided.
She hugged him a final time then stepped back. "But now that you have finally found the time to visit your old lonely great-aunt I intend to interrogate you thoroughly. I want to know everything that has gone on in your life. And don't dare to give me the excuse of government secrets. I have held more secrets than you could ever imagine."
"Henry, please, be kind and make us some tea," she said to the young man waiting patiently at the entrance to the library.
After the young man had vanished, she asked mischievously. "Isn't he cute? I found him in Yorkshire in a little restaurant when I was dining with my lawyer. Henry was working there to fund his art studies. He has a wonderful talent for drawing landscapes. I fell in love with his work on the spot."
Lester snorted faintly. He knew his great-aunt. There always had been young attractive men around her.
"What can I say? I just can't resist a charming young man with the body of a god." She winked at her great-nephew. "Doesn't he look fantastic in that suit?"
Lester only rolled his eyes. He couldn't seen any difference to all the other young men he had encountered at his great-aunt's house over the years. They all were young, blond and well-toned. And of course the Armani suits his aunt had a foible for always suited them well.
Some time later, Henry served the tea and hovered over Rosaline Lester until she said, "Would you mind leaving us alone, darling? I'm sure the old family stories James and me will exchange would just bore you. And please tell Margaret to prepare dinner."
Lester watched in amusement as the young man trotted obediently out of the room, closing the door carefully behind himself.
"Well, James, what brings you to me? You can't make me believe you just had a longing to see your old aunt. I guess it's because of recent events. Are you having trouble adjusting?"
"They wreak havoc at my workplace and drive me crazy with their constant presence. I'm afraid of what they might do every moment. I can't live like that."
"Harold had the same trouble. A pity he hasn't inherited any of the traits which made his father such a good king for almost seven decades. In fact your second cousin was even too stupid to understand the effects of his actions. No wonder he met such an early end."
"What do you mean? Are you hinting his death wasn’t an accident?"
"Oh, it was an accident. But one which could actually have been prevented by the Fair Folk. They just didn't care enough for Harold to interfere after he'd hurt the fairy child with his reckless behaviour. I hope you have better manners."
"Great. Another thing I have to worry about. I really don't intend to meet an early death because I angered them inadvertently."
His great-aunt waggled her head. "I've known you since you were born, James. You are a good boy. I think you have a fair chance of reaching a ripe old age."
"I hope so. But there is something else. Someone at work can see them."
"Oh, that's rare. Is he one of the people with a mental disability?
"Sometimes you might think that. But no, he's an university professor, eminent in his field."
"Then it's even more astonishing that he's still be able to see them. How did he react?"
"With the project we're working on there are few things left which could still faze him. He was like a little child in a candy shop before they started playing with him. I think the little fairy girl has taken a liking to Cutter."
"Oh, that's great. I guess anyone who sees dinosaurs in the flesh almost every day doesn’t find it hard to accept the existence of other ancient creatures as well. Is this Cutter a friend of yours?"
Lester wasn't surprised his great-aunt knew about the Anomaly project. She had been in active service with MI5 for almost 16 years and still had good connection to all ministries.
"Not exactly. Cutter is a stubborn maverick with no common sense."
"Well, you said the same about all your friends before you got to know them better. And also about your ex-wife after you’d met her for the very first time. And look how well that panned out."
"Exactly. I haven't seen any of my so-called friends in years and Carole took my kids and ran off with some French gigolo."
"Now you’re exaggerating, James. Your old friend Miles told me it was you who always made excuses when they wanted to invite you for a drink and a talk about old times. And I met Carole's new husband two weeks ago. He's a decent chap with good manners. Even the children like him. You know it's your own fault she divorced you. If you had paid more attention to your family than to your job you might still be together. Relationships have to be nourished and cherished."
Lester had heard this lecture before. That was exactly the reason why he hadn't visited his great-aunt any more after his divorce.
Anxious to change the subject he said, "In the holidays the children want to visit me for a few days. Will it be safe for them?"
"Of course. Why shouldn't it be? The fairies like children, especially the ones with a drop of fairy blood in their vains."
"William certainly thinks otherwise about that."
"Your cousin William was a spoiled prat who couldn't take 'no' for an answer. Your children, on the other hand, are very well-educated. Last time they were here they played tag with the fairies and made flower wreaths."
"My daughter was making flower wreaths? That I'd have liked to see."
Lester couldn't imagine the little girl who had thrown dolls away in disgust and instead had preferred playing with the boys and their slot-car racing track would do something so maidenly. "And Andrew took part in as well?"
"The fairies have their way to spellbind children. You liked to make wreaths too when you were little," his aunt pointed out.
"Yes, well. That's why I have come here actually. I need to know more about their magic." Lester looked steadfastly at his great-aunt, knowing she wouldn't like what he was going to ask for. "Can I have access to the documents?"
"I'm sorry, James. This papers are sealed. Even I, as the guardian, can't access them. The lock of the chest will only open in case of imminent danger to our family. And that hasn't happened in centuries."
"Then how can I rule a folk I know close to nothing about?" Lester tiredly rubbed the bridge of his nose. The events of the last few days had stressed him out.
Lorraine Wickes had found a frog in the empty coffeepot in the afternoon and all of Abby's prehistoric plants in the bio-science lab had suddenly started growing like mad. In the end they had to resort to burning most of them to prevent them overtaking the lab.
The things the fairies had done seemed to be relatively harmless. But Connor searching for a electronic component for half the day had set back his work considerably. And Becker could have hurt himself badly when he tripped because his shoe laces were tied together.
It was just a question of time before his employees got suspicious if the fairies continued with their mischief.
"There is still the textbook," his aunt said after she saw Lester's resigned expression. "You can take a look at that if you want. Even if you already know most of the things written in there it still might provide you with some useful information. I can remember you weren't the best student back then."
"You still have it?
"Of course. I have to educate the next generation after all."
Lester was browsing through the old handwritten textbook "Important lessons about the Fair Folk".
Unfortunately it didn't reveal anything about the origin of the fairies. He would have liked to give Cutter some answers. Lester had felt like a right idiot when Cutter had asked his questions.
On the last page Lester found a short chapter with macigal words. This must be the part his great-aunt had skipped in the lessons. He always had suspected she had kept something back.
Lester quickly scribbled the few commands on a sheet of paper and then practiced speaking the ancient words.
Satisfied, Lester pocketed the paper and returned to his great-aunt.
In the end his visit hadn't been for nothing. He now knew how he might force the fairies to obey him in case of necessity.
When Lester stepped into the library he heard the flutter of wings and sighed in resignation. The fairies hadn't waited in the car as he had ordered. Why had he bothered at all? Clearly they had never been willing to stay behind. A pity he only could use the macigal words in exceptional circumstances.
"Telpin has just recounted his first meeting with your professor. Nick Cutter seems to be a extraordinary man. I would like to met him. Why don't you bring him along the next time you come over?"
Lester furrowed his brow. What was his great-aunt concocting now for a plan again? Cutter definitely was too old to fit her taste.
But he only nodded his head. He had no intention of coming over again so soon. By then his great-aunt would probably have forgotten all about it. She was no spring chicken anymore after all.
"Maybell, give your brother my thanks. The flower bucket has been wonderful. Arvid, please could you beg your wife to make me another tin of her special skin cream? It works wonders against my wrinkles. Rocas, your new shirt looks great on you. I always said emerald green is your colour."
"You know them all by name?" Lester asked in astonishment as his great-aunt Rosaline addressed one after another of his fairy guard by name.
"Not from all of them. I only know the names from the 368 I have already met in person before."
Rosaline Lester smiled happily as she spied the house keeper at the door.
"I think dinner is ready," she announced. "Margaret has probably made her favourite steak pie specially for you, James. And of course your old room has been prepared as well. I assume you'll stay for the night. Even a dedicated anomaly watcher needs the weekend off occasionally."
Cutter had an almost blissful expression on his face as he took a sample from the soup the fairies had prepared for him. The tiny creatures had taken one look at the contents of his fridge and then had started on something they considered decent food.
Whilst the fairy girl had gently ushered Cutter out of the kitchen, the two males had rummaged through the kitchen cabinet in search of a pot.
Cutter had just finished sorting through his mail when one of the male fairies appeared with a spoon full of soup next to him.
Taking Cutter's smile for approval the fairies served him a plate of steaming soup in the living room.
With enthusiasm, Cutter started to devour the light green soup and didn't turn down a second helping and then a third.
"That was great. What was it made of?" Cutter asked as he leaned back against the back of his couch in contentment.
"Stinging nettle, dandelion and daisies with cream, soup stock, white wine and some spices," the fairy girl declared helpfully.
"I had no clue weeds could taste so good," Cutter mumbled dreamily and went out like a light.
"You have forgotten to mention the half bottle of sleeping draught we put in the soup as well," one of the male fairies said, snickering whilst he waved his fingers until Cutter floated in the air.
"Abdominal fat isn't healthy for the heart. We have to put him on strict diet," the fairy girl muttered as she critically eyed Cutter's slight paunch, clearly visible after they had placed Cutter on his bed and had removed his clothes.
Whilst Cutter slept on peacefully the three fairies were busy tracking down every bit of fast food in Cutter's house and making it disappear in thin air. Then they polished off the box of chocolates and five packs of cookies they'd found in Cutter's cupboard and replaced the shriveled apple in the bowl on Cutter's desk with fresh fruit.
In the sure knowledge they had done their best for now, the fairies settled down for the night as well.
Something cold pushed against his hand and Lester tentatively cracked an eye open. No, he wasn't dreaming. Next to the couch sat a beautiful Saint Bernard dog, who looked at him with trusting eyes and wagged its tail.
Lester shook the cobwebs from his brain and looked at the telly. The news was still on so he could only have dozed off for a few minutes.
"Telpin!" Lester yelled so loudly the dog gave a startled "Wuff" and eyed him suspiciously.
As the fairy guard leader arrived Lester glared daggers at him. "Please tell me this dog isn't who I think it is."
"You said the new vicar looks like an oafish Saint Bernard dog and that he would probably be more useful to the community if he really was a rescue dog. Aren't you pleased I complied with your wishes?"
Before Lester could reply, his great-aunt Rosaline stormed in the room, already changed for the night with a dressing gown over her sleeping attire.
"James, how could you? I know you must be angry about the late interruption and that the vicar ate most of your steak pie. But that's going too far. Change him back instantly. He has done nothing so bad as to deserve this. I'm glad Maybell informed me in time."
"I haven't done anything," Lester declared indignantly. "Telpin did it."
"Wuff," the dog confirmed and wagged its tail so heftily the fairy guard leader was almost blown off against the wall by the created air draft.
"Oh dear," Rosaline Lester sighed. "I assume you have ignored the golden rule for a fairy king I drilled into your heads back then over and over again."
"Set boundaries," Lester automatically answered and blushed furiously under his great-aunt's dispraising look.
"Exactly that!"
Lester turned to Telpin, the fairy guard leader, and said forcefully, "No transformations. No taking everything I say seriously. When I want something to happen then I will pose it as an order. Now please change the vicar back and, if possible, so that he doesn't remember anything."
The next moment, Lester, his great-aunt Rosaline and Henry, Rosaline's current protege were sitting at the dinner table, watching in confusion how the vicar helped himself to the last piece of steak pie.
"Thanks for the wonderful dinner and the generous donation for the children's home, Rosaline. I will see you tomorrow in church, won't I? Of course your great-nephew and your protege are invited to join us. Now I have to hurry. My wife is probably already waiting for me."
"Something very strange is going on here," Henry mumbled as he watched the vicar hurry away. "I could swear the vicar had already said goodbye twenty minutes ago and I was on the way to the bathroom right now."
"You are dreaming," Maybell whispered into his ear.
"Oh, of course."
"And now you are sleeping," Arvid said and snapped his fingers. Henry obediently fell asleep and was transported into his bed by two other fairies.
"What have you done?"
"Localised time jumping," Telpin explained. "This way the vicar won't remember being changed into a dog. He will arrive home, perhaps astonished that it's already later than he has thought and his wife probably will give him a dressing-down for his dawdling. It has no other effect other that everyone in the manor has gained a little more time."
"Oh God, what a madhouse," Lester muttered. "It's a wonder our family hasn't gone completely bonkers already."
"Good night, James. May the fairies guard your sleep."
Lester mumbled something under his breath only Maybell could understand, before he wished his great-aunt a good night back.
Snickering, Maybell whispered in his ear. "You’d better not ever say that out loudly, Tiero. Some of the other fairies might take it literally."
Groaning, Lester stomped into the hall and up the stairs to his old bedroom. Ten little fairies were following him, determined to bring him sweet dreams.