"You were in the throne room when my son was murdered. Why did they let you live? How did you survive, if it was not the Summer Court behind it all?" And, because she had never heard of Virus, she said, "if you did not steal the Scepter, who did?"

She sighs, "An iron fey named Virus."

Mabs eyes went glassy and terrifying, and she raised her hand. You dont 'lie' to a faery queen and expect to walk away scot-free. But Oberon finally stepped forward, interrupting Mab before she could turn Claire into a Popsicle. "Hold, Lady Mab," he said in a low voice. The Winter Queen turned her mad, killing glare on him, but he faced her calmly. "Just a moment, please. She is my daughter, after all." He gave Claire a measuring look. "Please return the scepter to Lady Mab, and let us be done with this."

She hands the scepter to Mab, backing away quickly.

For a moment, the Winter Queen stared at Claire, her features cold and blank, letting her sweat. Finally, and with great dignity, she reached out and took the scepter, and a great sigh of relief spread across the battlefield. It was done. The Scepter of the Seasons was back where it belonged, and the war was over.

"Now," Oberon said as the ripple died down, "why dont you tell us everything that happened?"

She nods, explaining what happened, finishing off with the mention of Ironhorse dying and returning here with the scepter.

When she was done, an incredulous silence hung in the air, and for a moment only the wind could be heard, howling over the plains.

"Impossible." Mabs voice was chilly, but it had lost the crazy edge, at least. "How did they get into the palace, and out again, without anyone seeing them?"

She stays silent, thinking about it.

Mab went absolutely still. Ice began creeping over the ground, snapping and crinkling, spreading out from the feet of the Winter Queen. "Where is your proof? Do not expect me to accept these blasphemous claims without proof--you are a human and can lie so easily! You say my son has betrayed his court and kin, to side with these iron abominations that none have seen? Very well! Show me proof!" She pointed a finger at Claire, eyes narrowed in triumph. "If you have none, you are guilty of slandering the royal family, and I will punish you as I see fit!"

The sounds of a struggle interrupted them. The crowds shifted, looking around, then stepped out of the way as a trio of faeries came through. Ash and Puck, bleeding, grim faced and dirty, dragging the spiky frame of a Thornguard between them. Staggering into the circle, they threw the faery at Mabs feet.

Panting, Puck straightened, wiping blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "Theres your proof."

Oberon raised an eyebrow. "Goodfellow," he said, and that one word made Puck wince. "What is the meaning of this?"

Mab smiled. "Ash," she purred, but it wasnt a friendly greeting. "What a surprise to find you here, in the company of the Summer girl and Robin Goodfellow. Would you care to add anything more to your list of crimes?"

"My queen." Ash stood before Mab, breathing heavily, his expression bleak and resigned. "The princess speaks the truth. Rowan is a traitor to us. He sent his elite guard to bolster the armies of the Iron fey, he allowed them access into the palace, and he is responsible for the death of Prince Sage. Were it not for Robin Goodfellow and the Summer princess, the scepter would be lost, and the armies of the Iron King would overwhelm us." Mab narrowed her eyes, and Ash stepped back, nodding to the moaning Thornguard. "If you doubt my word, my queen, just ask him for the truth. Im sure he would be happy to tell you everything."

(Did I make Claire the daughter of Oberon? I can't remember...)

(Yeah, when they first traded off the scepter you had Orberon speak with Claire.)

She stares down at the thorn guard.