Gaby & the Half Term Break by Sharp

Chapter 47

Drew prepares for her Coronation.

 

It was now only a month to her coronation. Gaby went to speak with her father now known as Elizabeth since her transformation. “Dad I wondered if you would like a day out in Leeds. I was thinking you might like to go to the Royal Armoury in Leeds. I know you still like your history although your body has changed. I told you previously that you are still dad to me.”

Elizabeth felt somebody pull at her skirt. She looked down and noticed Wee Wee. “Wee Wee & Baby Tiny's all want to go to Leeds.”

Elizabeth picked her up. “Ok I will take you. I wanted to see the new display of ancient weapons.”

Wee Wee Giggled, “We all know the tiny broadcasting system informed us so we all know. Just as they know you wished you could have seen various battles unfold. Gaby has a special treat for you.”

Gaby, “Dad we are not going via a portal today. Instead we are going via the railway.”

“Ok we can go today as it will keep your mind off your coronation.”

They were ferried to the railway station in the family mini busses. Elizabeth went into her handbag and brought out a series of passes. The recently re-established Thames-Clyde express pulled into the station. No more stops for the train now until it reached Leeds. Unlike the local Metro train that stopped at all the stations. This train only stopped at the county towns or regional capitals. Elizabeth and the girls swarmed on board the train. They soon settled down. Station after station flashed by. Tiny shouted, “The trains not stopping. How will we get off?”

All too soon the train pulled into Leeds City Station. Gaby noticed although they had travelled on a regular service train the red carpet was laid out for her at Leeds City Station. Apparently Skipton Station had telephoned Leeds station to say that Her Majesty the Queen of Northumbria was travelling on the Thames-Clyde express. This had put the staff in Leeds in a panic. The Northumbrian Transport police provided the security at the station. The regional manager had dusted off his dress uniform that these days he only used for special occasions. Gaby smiled when she saw him. She kept her thoughts to herself although the Tiny's picked up that the man reminded her of the Fat controller in the Thomas the tank engine books. At the Queens Hotel entrance of Leeds City Station a fleet of limos waited for Gaby & friends and also waiting there was Siegfried, “Princess Maria, Countess Von Ezenbreg Why have you permitted her majesty to come here without first informing me?”

It was Wee Wee who marched up to Siegfried. “You were informed or you would not be here. Now Grandpa please stop this game of trying to make Maria suffer. She is doing what Elizabeth wants and that is to visit the Royal Armoury.”

Siegfried burst out laughing. “So I am a grandpa to a tiny am I?”

Baby, Tiny & Tiniest joined Wee Wee. “No you are a Royal Grandpa. We sent you the message because we wanted you here to help look after us. Princess Maria is still trying to teach Gaby all the things a Queen needs to know.”

Siegfried got into one of the limos. A short time later the limos pulled up outside the armoury. Inside there was a fantastic display of weapons from various centuries. Gaby noticed many of the weapons had a note that informed people that the weapon came from the Duke of Brunswick's collection. Gaby looked at Siegfried to be enlightened further.

It was Elizabeth that responded. “Gaby that is one of your German titles.”

Gaby noticed other items that had from the Battenberg collection or from the Wittlesback collection. In the next room they visited was a display of ancient Chinese and Japanese soldiers.

Princess Jasmine looked at them and said, “Gaby these are from your Eastern collections.” Room after room was the same. Some items had on loan from the Tower like the suits of armour. After looking around for two hours they stopped at the cafe. Then they went to the arena to watch jousting and then knights fighting.

A rather worried man joined them at the jousting arena. “Your majesty you took us by surprise. Normally we are informed long before the visit. Had we known you intended to visit us we would have made better preparations.”

Gaby, “There is less of a security risk if I visit at short notice. Also it allows me to see everything as the general public see it. Now I notice you have very little in Anglo Saxon, Viking or Norman armour or weapons.”

“No mam we have very little from those times.”

“I will see what I can do for you. I might also be able to let you have a few Romano British items.”

“Yes madam we would like that very much if you could find them.”

After the man had gone Siegfried asked, “Just where do you intend to get those items?”

Gaby. “That is easy first we go to York and recover what Viking and Saxon items we can.”

Gaby transported the entire group back in time to York in 1066. Harold and his men had left the bodies of the dead Vikings still on the top of the ground. They could see the ships of the remaining Vikings sailing away towards Norway. They had not even taken the body of their king with them.

Siegfried looked visibly shocked. A quick wave of Gaby's hand and all the remaining bodies were piled on a great pyre their armour and weapons were in another pile. Another wave and one pile had vanished. A second or two later the great Pyre burst into flames. Even the retreating Vikings saw the great fire. “See even the Saxons treat our king with honour and give him the Viking funeral he deserved.”

Gaby then waved her hand and they were watching another battle unfurl. To the surprise of Siegfried it was the Celts & Romans fighting. Roman standard after standard was falling to the Celts. Elizabeth, “Gaby this is the missing 9th legion?”

Gaby again separated the dead and their armour. , Once again the weapons vanished. For the second time she created a great pyre and was about to light it. A druid appeared.

“Mistress may we lay our dead with them so that they may go to the light together?”

Celtic warriors appeared before Gaby and laid various arms in front of her. “Mistress will you ensure our brothers get these in the next world? Please take these Roman standards as well.”

Gaby waved her arm and the weapons vanished. “Druid your people can celebrate a great victory. In the years to come many will wonder what happened to the Roman Army? I know and I am sure that through your oral tradition your people will know. Now though we must let the dead go.” At that the great pyre burst into flames. The pyre would smoulder for days to come after Gaby and her companions had left.

When Gaby and companions left the druid smiled. He turned to the warriors. “See she comes and goes as she wishes. Did you not see our Queen Boudicca alongside her?”

“Sir I noticed the Empress Helena and the Queen Cartumandia alongside her as the legends foretold. Even the Romans will submit to our queen. They should never have attacked us on the sacred mountain.”

For the third time Gaby moved her team. This time they watched as the Normans and Saxons battled it out for the crown of England. Gaby saw a Saxon Grand Thane riding to the battle. She summoned him over. “I presume you spirited the Saxon Princess over to Ely. Your King lies yonder with an arrow in his eye. Take him to Ely. Then place his raiment on a dead Saxon.”

William Priest did as ordered and he sent some of his soldiers to Ely with Harold. He then called a Norman over. “I have found Harold of Wessex.”

While William Priest was doing Gaby's bidding. William of Normandy approached Gaby. “I had to see for myself. The Lord Bishop saw you arrive my ladies. So I came across to return to you my sword.”

Gaby. “William of Normandy today you won a great battle. Grand Thane William Priest will give you the crown this day. In return you will give unto him the Bishopric of Ely. You will also instruct him to marry the young woman who resides in the cathedral. She is not for you but William Priest although he does not yet know it. Saxon or Norman dead they shall all have a funeral fit for a king. Let the person William Thane says is king to be laid on top of the great Pyre. Place the remains of your ships and the dead horses around the pyre.”

William ordered this to be done. One of his men approached William. “Sire we did as requested. Even the ancient gods would be pleased with the sending off they are to get. The weapons and armour of the dead seemed to have vanished. There are very few of Harold's House Carls left the remainder are from the levy & they request that they are allowed to go home.”

William. “Treat their wounds and feed them for now I am their king. Let them see Harold being sent to Valhalla.”

What Saxons were left saw the great pyre that contained their former friends and enemies? William dropped his hand and a shower of fire arrows rained down on the Pyre. The heat from the Great Pyre could be felt from a long distance away. In France the Pyre was clearly visible & the locals knew William had won a great victory. William & his men were to stay around Hastings and area for several days while they recovered from their battle wounds. Eventually they moved on to London.

Siegfried turned to Gaby. “I presume all those arms and armour are now going to the Royal Armoury.”

Gaby, “They will arrive in cases fully documented from where they have come from. I might even decide to send them a few missing Royal jewels' or crowns. If some of my cousins wish to collect them.”

Back in Leeds an articulated wagon arrived at the Royal Armoury. On the back of it were a considerable amount of wooden cases. The driver got out and walked to the main entrance. “I have a rather large delivery for the Royal Armoury. Where do you want the cases delivering?”

The chief Director of the Armoury was puzzled by the delivery and went to inspect the wagon. “All these cases are for you sir.”

The director looked at the manifest and then instructed the fork lift driver to take the boxes to the warehouse where they could be inspected at leisure.

The director realised the boxes were colour coded and so the boxes went into three separate piles. On two of the piles he noticed somebody had written Harold H & Harold W. He took a crowbar and opened the case marked Harold W. Inside was a note. “This is the battle dress of Harold of Wessex as worn in 1066. The arrow is the one that pierced his eye. Also inside here is the sword of William of Normandy.

One of the museum staff came up, “Sir we opened some of the other boxes they appear to be Roman & Celtic. Somebody must be having a joke on us as the Roman armour is all from the missing legion. It includes the standards and a full list of all the Romans who perished. There also appears to be various Celtic clothing. Also there appears to be a considerable amount of correspondence from the Empress Helena ordering the death of certain prominent Romans.” They opened the case marked Harold H. Inside was a note. “Harold and those who died with him and Earl Tostig were given a Viking funeral as befitted their status. The pyre should have been visible for miles. Likewise those who died at Hastings got the same treatment.

“Good grief I only was talking to her majesty about not having much from these periods and then all this arrives.” Inside each envelope was what looked like a SD card? The Director put each card in turn into his computer. The first card showed the mighty Roman legion falling to the Celts. A man with long white hair and a long beard appeared on screen. First he spoke in a language the director did not recognise. Then he spoke in Latin the language of the ancient Romans. The director did understand that. “Greetings from the children of the Dragon people. By the time you get this. I like those on the great Pyre will be dust. My queen the Lady bids me inform you we have sent the weapons and armour of the dead to the future so our children's children can see what happened to the mighty Roman Army when they made war upon our most sacred of mountains. The Roman losses incurred at Venutias palace are nothing compared to those who fell on the Sacred Mountain. The loss of life was that great that Mother herself awoke. With the help of the Lords of Light & Life we bring a semblance of normality to this area.”

The director put the second chip into the computer. It showed the Viking army sailing up the Ouse towards Yorvik. They had joined forces with Harold's brother Tostig. Attempting to keep them at bay was Lord Morcar. He was gradually losing ground when Harold arrived with the House Carls and put the Vikings to flight. Harold appeared on the screen. “Greetings the witch foretold Harold would die and that has come to fruition. I soon go to fight another battle against William the Bastard. I already have lost half of my trusted House Carls. Some of the Levee men are slipping away as they do not wish to fight William. I fear my rein as king is about to end as the Lady informs me it will. I have sent Thane William Priest to Ely to ensure the safety of our Saxon princess. Now I go to make war on William.”

The director looked at the armour and weapon in front of him. “They appear to be what Harold was wearing.” The Director put in the third chip into the computer. This started were the other finished. It showed William Priest in Ely. Then it showed Harold marching his men to Hastings. The Director went to a drawer and took out a sword. He read the inscription upon it and compared with the one he had recently taken out of the wooden box. He then read the notes with the sword he already had. The two of them could have been twins. The difference was that inscribed on this sword was this is to replace the original that was returned to the Lady.

“Oh the Lady keeps appearing. Did not the Lady give Arthur a sword that he fought the invaders with? Upon his death it was returned to the Lady. It appears throughout history the Lady appears with the sword of power. If this is real thing then this should be the coronation sword for our Queen.”

Ariel turned to Gaby. “What is this about needing your cousin's help?”

Elizabeth. “I presume Gaby was thinking about all the crown jewels that went missing in the Wash in 1216 when King Johns baggage train got trapped by the rising tide. He himself was to die a few days later.”

Ariel giggled, “Gaby is that all you want. We have most of the armour and other stuff stored in a cave. I suppose we should have returned it to John Lackland. However he died shortly after the loss of the baggage train. We got occupied with other things. So we never returned the items.”

Gaby “Let the Royal Armoury have the weapons. I would like to see the lost jewels.”

Elizabeth gasped as Lorelei produced the ancient crown and sceptre. “Gaby you only need to take hold of the sceptre and the sword of power will appear in your hand.”

Lorelie placed the crown on Gaby's head. She then handed Gaby the Orb and sceptre. Back in Leeds the Director was astonished as Williams sword vanished in front of his eyes. His junior, “Sir you were lucky to see it. The sword of power once used by Arthur has returned to its mistress. Only she has the power to control it. Mortal men may be loaned it for a short time however it always returns to the Lady.”

The Chief Director had all his staff come to the museum theatre. There he played the three SD cards he had recently received. A junior held his hand up. “Sir who ever made those films got their facts correct. I have recently been translating some of William's personal notes. From those notes I understand William made Harold abbot at Ely and chatted with him often. The Saxon Princess did marry William Priest and King William attended the Wedding.”

Another of the museum staff, “Sir it is obvious that whoever made those films had access to information not known by the general public. My team recently discovered a few graves near Riccal. We did discover the site of a massive bonfire. It was only yesterday I got the result of the analysis. Apparently there was a great concentration of human bone in the ashes. From that I would say we have discovered the grave of Harold king of the Vikings.”

“Sir the Roman Armour and Standards show they belong to the 9th Legion. It is obvious these treasures are not from Stanwick. Whatever happened to them must have been a major defeat for the Romans. Everything here also agrees with what was discovered at the Stanwick and Lincoln sites. I think I know where the battle took place. If I am correct then it was not far from the Roman forts at Elslack & Ilkley. Hadrian sent the 9th legion supposedly north. They were never seen again after leaving York. The 6th legion would eventually replace them. York though retained the boars head the symbol of the 9th Legion. On that film it showed a hill coming to a sharp point. If it is to be correct then the remains of the Romans and their foes will be found on that hillside. I think I know where they are. Have I permission to make a copy of the SD card?”

The Director grinned, “Youngman you have it bad. I suggest you make a copy of all three disks and go on your quest. One standard was not sent to us and I presume it went in the funeral pyre. If you find that then you have discovered the 9th last resting place.”

The Youngman made the copies and put on his computer. He smiled as a picture of the hill came on the screen. He got into his Smart car and set off on the A65. He drove through Ilkley which had been called Olicana in Roman times. As he approached Skipton he could see his destination sticking out of the Pennine range like a giant horn. He turned off the A65 at the Grassington Road roundabout on to an unclassified country road. After driving a mile he turned to the right and drove up a very steep hill. At the top of the hill he got his computer out and looked at the picture of the druid. He started to follow the track to the trig point at the top of the hill. On his left hand side he could see the forest but did not notice the children of Herne watching him. He looked towards Flasby fell and then looked again at the computer. Carefully he counted his paces from the trig point towards Flasby Fell. His concentration was interrupted when a voice said, “Young man you are way off the footpath.”

“Sorry I am on a quest.” He then looked up and in front of him stood at over 6ft with long white hair and an equally long beard a Druid. “You're the Druid from the film.”

“Ha you are the one the mistress said might come looking. Yes my young friend that was me you saw. I presume you came looking for the 9th ? I will show you their resting place. You are not far from it.”

On one patch of the moor nothing seemed to grow. The Youngman examined the ground and realised it comprised of carbon & bone. He also noticed something metallic and moved away the ash and bone away from it. Taking out his digital camera he took photos as he removed the ash & soil. It was the missing boars head standard. The next minute his head was spinning and he passed out. The young archaeologist awoke finding himself on a bed. Wee Wee came into the room. “Oh you have awoke you gave us quite a scare when you passed out.”

He noticed the Boars head standard had been mounted on a wooden shaft. It also appeared to have been polished. “It has 'presented to the 9th by Hadrian' inscribed on it in Latin. Quite a few of us took turns at cleaning it. Barbara insisted it was placed on a wooden pole and some of the others made the trappings for it. Silly me I should have told you your boss was pleased you found the 9th last resting place. The ashes are being recovered and taken to York there they all will be interred in the ancient fortress of Ebor. Come now it does not do to keep the mistress waiting.”

The archaeologist followed Wee Wee into a room.

Gaby, “Welcome David. You made quite a discovery, by now your discovery will be on all the news. Your boss the director has been asked to go onto Look Northumbria television to talk about your discovery. York University Archaeological unit was up the hillside to collect the remains of your find. Doctor Payne was impressed with your discovery and would like you on his team. We had a look at your computer and we noticed you have three of the local Roman camps missing off your computer. We added Long Preston, Malham Moor & Farnhill. We also put on pictures and measurements of each site.”

David pinched himself to check he was not dreaming. “Sorry you have me at a disadvantage. My mind must be playing tricks on me today. Earlier I thought I saw a Druid and a second ago I thought I saw Queen Cartumandia of the Brigantines and Queen Boudicca of the Iceni.”

This brought about more giggles from the Tiny's. David closed his eyes and managed to say “Oh no not again.”

Eventually he came to Tiny passed him a glass of water. “You should not be driving in your state.”

“Yes I will have to go to the doctors and get checked out. I know what is wrong with me as I had it as a child and then I was told I was cured and I managed to get a driving licence. Some cultures would say I was communing with the gods. Others would say I was possessed and doctors today would say I have just had two epileptic seizures.”

He started to tremble as Barbara & Amanda helped him up off the floor. Gaby, “So you commune with the gods do you? There was me thinking you had just had two Grand Mal seizures close together. A visit to Dr Jones would soon discover if that was correct. I do not think you will be driving your Smart car for some time to come.”

“As a child I had several grand Mal attacks. Usually though I had hundreds of Petit Mal attacks in a day. They were a total blank to me. Anything that had just preceded the attack was totally wiped from my mind.”

Tiny, “Gaby his brain is like a mixed up 3d jigsaw. It will need the skills of the Tiny's to sort it out.”

Dr Jones smiled at this description. “It would be a lot better for David if you Tiny's could try and reassemble his brain.”

David, “Woo I am not letting anybody cut my head open to take my brain to bits.”

Gaby. “David there is nothing to be afraid of. The Tiny's are skilled at reading minds. By spring cleaning one area and then moving on to another they can sort out your brain.” David was wondering what to say when he passed out again.

Gaby. “You Tiny's had better start your work while he is passed out.”

Candy appeared with the other Tiny's. “Wee Wee asked us all to come to spring clean David's Brain.” Each of the Tiny's took a section and proceeded to clean it. Occasionally they would say. “This bit is for you Tiny.” Eventually they stopped.

Gaby noticed the flicker of his eye lids. “He is awakening girls.”

Wee Wee, “Gaby we know that as I just told him to wake up. We have found all the lost files and done a full defrag on David. He was right though about communing with gods. He met up with Odin & thought he was a druid.”

Dr Jones took David's pulse and blood pressure. “David I am going to organise an EEG for you to double check your brain. Until I tell you differently you will not have to drive your little car.”

Odin appeared with Herne. “Hello David I see Gaby's Tiny's have already claimed you.”

David smiled. “Thank you sir for bringing me here. I appear to have become the patient of a lot of tiny girls. One even wanted to take my brain to bits and reassemble it correctly.”

Odin, “Oh and have they done it yet?”

David looked at Herne and then at Odin. “Neither of you are druids as I first thought. From your attire I would say you must be Herne the Stag Lord. If you live on that hillside there is no wonder the ancient Celts called it a magical place?”

Gaby, “David the person you thought was a Druid is brother to Herne and called Odin and many other names. I should also inform you your mind has already been defragged.”

David started to laugh. “Well I know who wanted to do that. I bet you got a few surprises little one.”

Wee wee, “We have come across a lot worse than you David. We did though make note of your secret interest.”

David looked visibly shocked. “So you know I am weird. I thought my secret was safe as I have told nobody. I know there are clubs for the likes of me and colleges these days have Glat clubs. I never had the nerve to attend.”

Odin. “The daughters and Grand Daughters of Lord Draconnis Diablo have come across far worse than you David. So is it the clothing you like or do you wish you had been born female? Regardless of what you want to do you will now have to stay with the Tiny's. I cannot allow you to go running around telling everybody Odin exists. As for your interest in Archaeology Gaby will have you transferred to her team with immediate effect. Tiny's I take it you have already prepared his room?”

Maddy, “Odin the transfer has already been done and his flat in Leeds cleared. We did find his stash of female attire and the pictures he took with his web camera. We also found a ticket to South America. This we cashed in. We also found the leaflet about mother's special clinic.”

Odin, “Tiny's it is time you claimed another sister.” The Tiny's did not need a second telling. They all started to kiss David. The four smallest were the first to kiss David.

Almost immediately David started to shrink. At first he did not realize and continued to hug the four smallest. Wee Wee. “David you are now Davina and because you hugged us four smallest first you are now our little sister forever.”

David could not believe it. “I was going to South America for treatment to make me female. You though have given me my deepest wish. I am now a little girl like my sisters. Now it is imposable for me to return to the Royal Armoury. If possible I would still like to continue with the archaeological side of my work. When at University in Sheffield I studied under Professor Payne. I remember when he brought two brothers called Mr Underhill to talk to us. I later chatted with one of them and he said you would do well on the team with my daughters. He then left laughing. I could not understand why he thought an Archaeology team was funny.”

Tiny, “Oh we have to do that all the time. Except when Gaby is riding her bike. Can you imagine how daft she can get? It is only a month from her coronation and what does she do? Persuades her mum, Cookie & Pemberton to join her in the Tour de France as it is now open to all. Imagine calling it the Tour de France when it is starting out from London and going under the channel tunnel before going round France. Well I am not being disloyal but that Bradley Wiggins looks fit. As for the Mr Underhills you have joined the team with his daughters in it. For most of them are the larger tinys”

Gaby, “Davina Tiny has a thing about Bradley Wiggins after he did well at the Chinese Olympic Games. However as you have just witnessed first hand Bradley is just a dream that cannot be. Unless he wants to become a tiny and I doubt that. Now Davina there is somebody else I would like you to meet. She joined me a while ago however I have not got round to having a full chat with her. My friend Wilma Church reminded me when she was talking about a former school friend to me. Fortuna how many children do you have and could some of them be called Fortune?”

Fortuna, “Gaby if Fortune is their Surname then they could be descended from me. I would need to see them to be sure. My children are not marked like those of other gods. However they will all have certain traits regardless of if they are male or female.”

Wilma Church, “Fortuna years ago while at secondary school I became friends with a boy called John he had a sister called Katherine and a younger brother called Mark. They had two female cousins called Gillian & Eve. The strange thing is all five married Three brothers and two sisters from Keighley. Now what was their surname? I remember their parents had come from Eastern Europe? I remember their father's name it was Aran Dracoski.”

Fortuna started to grin. “Aran Dracoski now that is a name I do know about. I think Gaby it time these children were brought into the fold. Now about this race you have entered.”

Gaby, “Well it will be the last race that I can officially enter as Gaby Bond. It is also the first time it has been opened to everybody. Tiny I know you think Bradley is the best thing since sliced bread. I intend to win it. Tomorrow both our main teams will be entered along with certain members of the British Team. So I am off for an early night as tomorrow the first leg is from London to Dover and through the channel tunnel.

Fortuna, “Yes I agree you should have an early night. In the meantime I will be checking the children of Aran Dracoski out as well as these Fortunes you seem to know.

The following morning Gaby was up early. She along with the two teams went for an early breakfast and then anybody watching would have seen them all exit the Savoy Hotel. Gaby looked at the riders. Anybody who saw the British team in China would recognise a few faces. Gaby knew she had to put on a good show. This was the first time the Tour had been open to all. Before long the mass of cyclists were set off. Gaby found herself in a Group with Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish. The three of them stuck together like glue. Each one took a turn at being in the lead. Before long Gaby realised they had reached Dover and they were on to maintenance way of the Channel Tunnel. For a while they dropped down and then it levelled out. Gaby found Nichol Cook had joined their group.

Nichol, “The others are all someway back there was some sort of a tangle. Gaby your mother asked me to watch over you.” Nichol gave Gaby a signal she recognised. The two of them set off leaving the boys standing. Before long the two of them were emerging on the French side it was neck & neck which one was going to take first place in the first heat. Eventually it was decided that Nichol & Gaby had tied in the first heat. Gaby was pleased to see Elizabeth was there with the support team to greet her. Elizabeth handed Gaby a high energy drink. She downed a second bottle and then looked at her friends.

“I was a little thirsty. How many more have come in so far?”

Nichol burst out laughing, “Gaby it looks like Mark & Bradley are going to slog it out for third and fourth place in this heat.”

Bradley was to get third and Mark Fourth place. Jenny came in soon after with a whole group of others. Gaby by now had recovered and was cheering her friends on. The race also took Gaby's mind off her coronation. By now though the media had realised Gaby Bond and Gaby Battenberg were the same person and were quick to let their readers know that the new queen of Northumbria had come joint first with Nichol Cook Olympic Champion.

Over the following weeks security had to be increased. The same group was always at the front. Sometimes it was Bradley & other times Gaby it got to the final section. Occasionally there was a tie as on the first day. The ratings made interesting viewing. Gaby had come in or tied for first place on seven occasions. Bradley had won five of the heats. It was obvious to all those racing that the final stage to Paris would see a new holder of the winners title. Gaby also realised she had to win the final heat or be placed second to take the champions title.

Jenny Bond looked at her youngest daughter who was concentrating hard. It was now down to the final few kilometres. Gaby watched her mother who made a break and Gaby followed through as did Nichol Cook. Bradley got a puncture in the last kilometre he got off his bike and started running to the finishing line with it. He managed to see the Battling Bonds tie for first place with team mates Mark & Nichol coming in second. Bradley was surprised to hear the judge's decision that he had come in joint second with Mark & Nichol. As he looked round he could see a team of young ladies all chanting go Gaby go. Bradley bent down to pick up one of the smallest that seemed to be chanting Go Bradley go.

Wee Wee, “Bradley that is out Tiny and she has a thing for you.”

Bradley, “With cheerleaders like you there is no wonder Gaby won or should I say Queen Gaby of Northumbria. I take it you are all her friends?”

Gaby, “Bradley they are all my family. Even Princess Tiny granddaughter of Prince Draco Diablo of Moldavia.”

Bradley's face went white. “Tiny are you one of the eternally young my nurse warned me about?”

Tiny, “You know about me and the others?” Tiny waved her hands and Bradley was encircled by all the Tiny's.

Gaby, “Bradley who actually told you about our Tiny's? For the majority of people think of them as just small children.”

Bradley, “My parents took in a girl from Romania and she used to tell me stories of how girls from her village used to work for a Draco Diablo. Usually they came back with lots of money however several girls never returned. In fact my nurse's family all vanished. She was away at the time and when she returned she found all her family were dead.”

There was some chattering between two of the Tiny's.

“Bradley do you know where the girl is now? We would like to meet her.”

Bradley, “By any chance have I just got two more cheerleaders?”

Gaby, “Bradley I think your fiancé is here.”

Two of the Tiny's launched themselves at Bradley's companion. She was stunned when they both called her Izzy.

“Bradley put down that child. Have I not told you enough times about the daughters of Lord Draconis? The village girls all informed me about them and how Lord Draconis would bring vengeance to bear on anybody who harmed them. Now you two how do you know the name my younger sisters called me?”

Lord Draconis appears. “Ha the missing sister who appears not to be contaminated. Young man I should congratulate you on doing so well. I noticed the lady wears your engagement band on her hand.”

Bradley looks at Izzy. “Izzy is a little older than me. She was engaged as my nurse or nanny. However as I grew older we got closer and on my 21 st we got engaged. We intended to go to Izzy home to seek out You Lord Draconis to ask you to walk Izzy down the aisle.”

A woman and man appeared at the side of Lord Draconis. The man spoke, “My Lord it appears this young lady wishes to be classed as your adopted daughter it would have been your right as Prince to do that.”

Bradley looked at his fiancé and then at Draco. “Sir I was only giving the baby a cuddle.”

Egor, “Izzy as you may have already guessed your sisters are not dead although they have changed somewhat. They both wanted to become Lord Draco's companions. Usually they can do with not being separated from him except when Queen Gaby is around and then they all flock to her.”

Tiny, “Bradley I was Gaby's very first micro tiny. Grandpa came to help my mum one of his real granddaughters.”

Gaby took the Tiny off Bradley. “Bradley you do realise your fiancé is a Princess and as such she needs to ask permission off her monarch.”

Bradley, “Well I knew that applied to British Royals but did not know it applied to other countries.”

Siegfried of Bavaria, “Well Bradley until recently all the German Royals still had to ask permission from Elizabeth. Now they have to ask the Queen of the three Germanys. As do any daughters of Lord Draconis.”

Bradley knelt before Gaby. “You're Majesty for the few weeks we have been battling it out for the prize of the Tour. It appears now that I must ask your permission to get married to my fiancé.”

Gaby looked at the two Tiny's in Izzys arms. “Bradley I have no intention of saying no. However there might be a Tiny or two who wish to be flower girls or bridesmaids.”

Izzy, “I was thinking of having a very quiet do. Somehow I do not think my wedding will be very quiet after all. I was going to ask two of Bradley's female team mates to be my bridesmaids. Like Rebecca & Nichol. I would have liked lots of flower girls but did not know who to ask.”

At this there was a “YES” from all the Tinys.

Gaby. “Izzy it appears you have just acquire your Flower girls. Bradley I have to warn you both not to kiss the tinys or you will become as them. Davina you kissed the micro Tiny's and became one with them. From what you will have just heard you will have guessed all the micro tinys are the Great grand daughters of Lord Draconis or Mr Underhill as you know him. You Micro tinys will be the flower girls while the tinys will be the junior bridesmaids for Bradley's bride. Prince Draconis you will walk Izzy down the aisle. Siegfried will you ensure that this time the wedding takes place in the Great Minster of Peter at York. Princess Maria you will consult with Bradley and Izzy about invites. However there are those who will be required to be there.”

Draco, “Izzy I need to mark you as my daughter so all know you are under my protection. Bradley once you are married I will also mark you.”

Bradley watched the mark appear on Izzy, “Oh I have one of those an old friend put an F on me. She seemed to be a little forgetful for she kept saying I should have marked them all. Then she would say thank you for doing my shopping. Mum used to say Fortuna was very old and forgetful and that the mark would eventually fade. It never did.”

to be continued

Sharp 14.12.10 © 2010

Want to Comment? Click here Email me to Email me