Ash shrugged. "hey wouldnt talk to me or Puck, except to say that Leanansidhe already gave them permission to come here. They want to speak with you. Theyre in the clearing now."

She rolls her eyes, moving away from Ash. She walks out of the room, "Let's get this over with." She mutters, heading to the clearing.

At the edge of the trees, they could just make out a pair of sidhe knights each holding a banner, one green and gold and emblazoned with the head of a magnificent stag, the other black with a white, thorny rose in the center.

"The emissary said he had a message specifically for you, princess," Puck said, leaning against the door with his arms crossed. "Said it was from Oberon himself."

She nods, walking up.

Grimalkin was grooming himself on a flat rock, unconcerned with the arrival of the courts. It was late afternoon, and fireflies winked over the grass. Ash and Puck walked beside her, protective auras glowing strong.

She stops in front of the person, waiting.

The two knights bowed as she approached. Between the knights, almost hidden in the tall grass, a potato-faced gnome stepped forward and bent forward at the waist. "Claire Chase," he greeted in a surprisingly deep voice, stiff and formal like a butler. "Your father, Lord Oberon, sends his greetings."

The gnome blinked. The knights exchanged a glance. Puck and Ash stood tall beside her, silent and protective. She could practically sense Pucks gleeful amusement.

The gnome cleared his throat. "Ahem. Well, as you know, princess, your father is at war with the Iron Kingdom. For the first time in centuries, we have created a mutual alliance with Queen Mab and the Winter Court." His gaze flicked to Ash before focusing on Claire again. "An army of Iron fey crouches at our doorstep, eager to taint our land and kill everyone in it. The situation has become most dire."

"What does this have to do with me?"

The gnome sighed and, for a moment, lost his formal tone. "Because, princess, the courts cannot touch him. The Iron King hides deep within his poisonous realm, and the forces of Summer and Winter cannot penetrate far enough to strike at him. We are losing ground, soldiers, and resources, and the Iron fey continue to advance on both courts. The Nevernever is dying faster than ever, and soon there will be no safe place for us to go."

He cleared his throat again, looking embarrassed, and became proper once more. "Because of this, King Oberon and Queen Mab are prepared to offer you a deal, Claire Chase." He reached into his bag and drew forth a scroll tied with a green ribbon, unrolling it with a flourish.

"Here we go," muttered Puck.

The gnome frowned at him, then turned to the scroll and announced in a grand, important voice, "Claire Chase, by order of King Oberon and Queen Mab, the courts are willing to lift your exile, as well as the exiles of Prince Ash and Robin Goodfellow, abolishing all crimes and rendering full pardons."

Puck drew in a sharp breath. Ash stood silently; no expression showed on his face, but there was the briefest flicker of hope, of longing. They wanted to go home. They missed Faery, and who could blame them? They belonged there, not in the mortal world, with its vast skepticism and disbelief in anything but science. Small wonder the Iron fey were taking over the world; so few people believed in magic anymore.

"In return..." The gnome dropped his hands, averting his eyes. "For journeying into the Iron Realm and eliminating its king."

She stood there, staring down at the gnome. "I'm only doing this for them." She mutters, glancing at Puck and Ash before nodding. "You have a deal."