Shannon Arrives at Court

---------------- ORIGINAL STORY FROM THE 1960s- ----------------

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Shannon picked up his lute with pride, and carried it over to a bench in the corner, where he sat down. While the others in the great hall listened in silence, he plucked each of the instruments thirteen strings to see if they were in tune.

Sean had just sung a funny little ballad about a mouse, and before him Tramtrist had sung a ballad about his namesake, Tristram of Lyonesse. Non Shannon touched the strings of his lute, ringing forth a melody of sweet joy. Then his voice joined, the lute, in a song he'd written himself. The song was a beautiful, emotional one; it was coming from his heart and he sang it to Heather.

Lawrence looked down to find the Queen's eyes gazing up at him. They felt the song, as did Percy and Jocelyn. Sean's thoughts flew to Emily, and Tramtrist and Bette thought of happy years to come. Virginie looked soulfully at Shannon, while her brother glared in disapproval and Erik sat, unmoved.

A steward entered; knowing the company wished no interruption, he signaled to the King that a party of travelers had arrived. Lawrence nodded, and turned again to the minstrel. A moment or two later, most heads turned to the door, where a few travelers, the majority being knights, entered.

Josephine notice one man who Sean greeted warmly, not as tall as Sean, nearly his twin. Then her eyes fell upon a young woman, hardly more than girl, with long, dark tresses dark eyes, and a frightened look.

The woman was rather small, and her skin was pale. Her clothes were not good cloth, but they were bright and pretty. She followed the man to Sean, darted her eyes about the room.

Lawrence looked started but pleased, Sean greeted her cheerfully with a hug. But it was Shannon's reaction that told the Queen who it was. He'd stopped his song abruptly and now sat, looking frightened and surprised.

Heather looked around and caught his gaze. Her eyes shone with tears, and love. She went toward him slowly, and he backed p. But with a strangely sure look on her face she stood by him and smoothed his hair. Sitting down, she took his hand and looked to the door where a maidservant entered with to young children. At three, Seamus looked more like his father than ever, and not even a full year old, Deirdre didn't look like him a tall. The Queen nearly gasped, the baby looked so like the young woman at Shannon's side, dark haired and dark eyed.

Josephine thought gentle, happy thoughts of the couple's reunion. Shannon now began to smile. The Queen felt in her heart that tie between her and the minstrel loosened with the smile he gave his wife. But suddenly she felt it tighten again when Heather did something that hurt Jo's soul as a woman. Lawrence's grim look showed shock, too, when Heather shunned a kiss as Shannon leaned over to place it on her lips.

Shannon frowned and looked up at Josephine. Others had noticed, it, too. Christophe didn't seem surprised at Heather. In fact, he rather approved. Virginie was puzzled. Sean looked as if he'd expected it, and the others exchanged glances.

The Irishman stood, and seeing Christophe's look, and knowing the Gaul's moral philosophy, shouted, "Come over here and keep this woman company! Your morals should live very happily together!" Then with a glance at Josephine, he went for the door in a rage. He stopped by Sean. "Sure, now didn't I tell ye? She knows love is only for makin' babies!" Then he swore in Gaelic and stomped out.

Next: Shannon and Heather Re-kindle their Love