Carol didn't like her. Didn't trust this Kieran.

Daryl did. That was obvious. The two had been taking daily trips outside the walls. Carol was certain she was sleeping in his room at night. And the other day she thought she saw them making out behind the horse stall.

And wasn't that the crux of it. The horse. Ever since Daryl and Aaron came striding back in through the gates with the coal black mare in tow he had been drifting. Spending more and more time with it, and less and less with them. And once this Kieran showed up. Well then it was as if the only reason he came back to the house at all was to eat and sleep.

Kieran had never actually spoken to Carol. Sure Daryl introduced them one day. Apparently the same day he had introduced her to Rick. But the girl had just smiled at her, tightly as though she really didn't actually want to meet anyone. And she followed Daryl around like a lost puppy. Carol couldn't actually remember seeing the girl without him. But she had to spend some time away from him, after all she had seen Daryl without Kieran albeit only early in the morning and late at night.

Carol just couldn't trust her. Maybe if she had made an effort to get to know the older woman. Someone Daryl certainly must have told her was family. Or maybe if Daryl hadn't abandoned her for some young girl. No, she couldn't think that way. Daryl was not hers, and she absolutely not jealous. She needed to talk to Rick.

************************************************************

Rick hadn't thought much about Daryl's new mystery girl. He figured the two of them were together. After all, if Daryl wasn't out on runs with Rick he was with Kieran or Buttons. And the girl had taken up residence in Daryl's room. But really, Daryl's personal life was none of Rick's business so long as the other man did his job. But when Daryl couldn't be found for a planned run because he had run off into the woods with the girl, well, then Rick took notice.

************************************************************

"Oh Gods, Daryl!" Kieran screamed as he pushed deep inside her core.

They were being loud. Very loud. But neither of them cared. Kieran had been taking Daryl outside the walls to teach him. Teach him how to siphon magic from her and use it for his own abilities. He was getting very good at hiding. He could even hide her as well from site and sound so long as they were physically connected. Which was good, because this latest trip had devolved to them getting very physically connected on the forest floor.

Daryl leaned over her, kissing her deeply before wrapping his arms around her. He heaved her body up as he sat back, positioning her in his lap.

"Ride it, sweetheart." He commanded.

Kieran complied. Fucking herself hard on his length. She couldn't quite place the feeling growing inside of her for him. It wasn't love. Love she knew. This was deeper. It was more like need. Like she didn't think she could ever be without him. Like he belonged to her. Like she belonged to him. It felt like bliss.

Daryl's name began falling from her lips in litany as she neared her climax. Kieran dropped down hard on him, eliciting a hiss and grunt from Daryl as his head fell back. Her eyes closed, her body shuddered, and her walls clenched tightly as ecstasy washed over her body. Daryl pulled her to him, thrusting up into her another half dozen times before spilling over the edge of bliss with her. The feeling causing a wave of aftershock to course through her body. She loved having part of him inside her, wanted more of him inside her but didn't want to think too much about it.

"What is it 'bout ya?" Daryl asked as they came down.
"What do you mean?" She replied.
"'Ts like I need ya. Can't be without ya. Never felt like that 'fore." Daryl answered.
"It's just because you've never met another fae." Kieran lied. "You'll get used to it."

Daryl was feeling it too. She knew what it was now. The fae never used the term mate the way other supernaturals did. But they also never denied two individuals can be made for each other. Daryl was hers, and she was his. Now all she had to do was figure out how to explain it to him without freaking him out again.

************************************************************

Carol had just walked in the back door of their house after unsuccessfully searching for Rick when she heard the front door shut.

"Carol!?" Rick called out into the house.
"Right here." She said, walking into the living room.
"Do ya know where Daryl is?" He asked.
"Probably out in the woods with his little girl again." Carol replied, derision lacing her words.
"That's what I thought." Rick said.

They both sat down on the couch. Carol leaning her head back on the cushions. Rick sitting forward with his head in his hands.

"We had a run planned." Rick said after a moment. "He knew it."
"It's that girl, Rick. I don't trust her." Carol supplied. "She's got some kind of stranglehold on him."
"It's called lust." Rick said, a small laugh in his lips.
"No, Rick. It's more than that. I can feel it." Carol said. "I think we need to learn more about her. Find out where she goes the rare moments she's not with Daryl."
"You're being paranoid." Rick answered.
"No I'm not. And if you won't help me, I'll find out on my own." Carol said.

Just as she finished talking Daryl walked in through the front door.

"Sorry I'm late. Went huntin'. Lost track a time." He said to Rick. "You ready?"
"Yeah. Let's go." Rick answered.
"Rick?" Carol said as the duo made their way back out the door.
"Later, Carol." Rick replied.
"Wha's that 'bout?" Daryl asked as the two walked down the sidewalk.
"Carol doesn't trust yur girl." Rick answered.
"Who, Kieran?" Daryl bristelled. He wasn't comfortable with anyone having negative thoughts or feelings about her. And when did he get so protective over the girl, she could handle herself.
"Yeah. I told her she was overreactin'" Rick answered.

They made the rest of the trip to the cars in silence. Grabbing their usual black 300 for the run.

************************************************************

While Daryl was gone with Rick, Carol took the opportunity to check out Daryl's room. She didn't find much. His leather jacket slung over a chair. Crossbow in the corner. Women's clothing in some of the dresser drawers, so she was definitely sleeping here. But nothing which would tell her anymore about Kieran.

She decided to try the horse stall. After all this whole thing started when Daryl brought that damn horse back. But there was nothing there either. Just a large black horse and horse things. Although Carol was certain the horse didn't like her. She swore it was watching her. It would snort every so often and she swore there was a tone of derision in it.

Carol couldn't find the woman in question anywhere.

************************************************************

It was late when Daryl and Rick finally got back. Rick bringing the Chrysler through the gates, Daryl following in a truck loaded with canned goods. He drove the truck over to the community pantry and then made his way to find Kieran.

When he walked through the gates of her stall he found her sleeping. Curled up on the straw still in her horse form. Daryl had never actually seen her sleep in that body.

"Kieran." He said, leaning down and placing a hand on her neck.

She lifted her head and looked at him for a moment before standing. She let her form shift in front of him. When she was back in a human body she moved the blanket hiding her clothes and began dressing.

"Why were ya sleepin' like that?" He asked as she pulled her jeans on.
"Carol was snooping around after you left. I didn't want to risk her coming back while I was a asleep." Kieran answered.
"I'm sure she wa'n't snoopin'" Daryl said.
"She was." Kieran said defiantly. "She kept mumbling about finding something."
"It's probly nuthin." Daryl said taking her hand and walking her back to the house.

************************************************************

The next morning Carol was up early. She was sitting alone in the living room, reading in the early morning light, when she heard Daryl and Kieran in the kitchen. She didn't say anything, but turned her head to watch the exchange.

Kieran was trying to eat some oatmeal. Daryl had her crowded in the corner trying to steal a kiss. The playful interaction made her dislike the girl even more. Made her angry with Daryl for behaving like that with someone who clearly wanted nothing to do with his family. She almost snorted when Daryl won the game. Catching herself just in time so not to draw attention to her presence.

Carol watched the pair walk out the back door and over to the horse stall. Of course. She was certain that horse was at the center of all of this. They walked inside the stall and she quietly made her way over to it. When she got to the small window on the back side she stopped to listen. Kieran was asking about going for a run after their walk. Daryl easily complied with the request leaving Carol even more confused. She peered around the edge of the window ledge to see Kieran's naked back. Daryl was sitting on a hay bale and neither of them noticed her. Before she could process why the girl would be standing naked in an empty horse stall, or why the stall was empty, Kieran changed. The large black mare she knew as Buttons taking the girl's place.

Carol couldn't believe what she just saw.

Kieran had been standing naked in Buttons empty horse stall one minute. The next minute she was Buttons. And Daryl was completely unfazed by it. He simply continued to talk to the horse as though she were still a girl. Even pausing in conversation like there was a side only he could hear. He walked out of the stall and Buttons followed, the two going for their daily morning walk. Carol needed to find Rick. Now.

He was feeding Juidith when she walked back in the house.

"Rick. We need to talk." She said sitting down next to him.
Rick just nodded in answer, trying to get mashed pears into his daughter.
"Kieran is Buttons." Carol said.
Rick paused. Blinked. Then shook his head.
"Well, if Daryl's ok with it, she can walk the horse." He finally said, swearing he misheard her.
"No, Rick. She doesn't have Buttons. She is Buttons." Carol reiterated.
"How is Kieran a horse?" Rick asked. He was starting to think his friend had snapped.
"I don't know. But I followed her and Daryl this morning. I saw her change into a horse Rick." She said.
"You don't believe me." She continued. "When they get back, you come with me to the stall. Watch her change back again."
"If it'll make ya feel better." Rick answered. He was certain she was cracking.

**************************************************

Rick was hiding outside the stall window with Carol when Daryl returned with Buttons. The two peered around the window ledge and watched Daryl brush the horse down, talking to her the entire time. When he finished he patted her side and sat down on a hay loft in the corner. Rick couldn't believe what he was seeing as the horse's muscles shifted under its skin. Legs shortening until it stood on two feet. Black fur giving way to pale flesh. And then Kieran was standing where the horse just stood.

****************************************************

"What in God's name did we just see?" Rick asked.

He was sitting on the couch, his face in his hands. Carol was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room.

"I have no idea. But Daryl obviously does." Carol replied. "Rick. He's been hiding whatever she is from us. We can't trust her. And I don't think we can trust Daryl when it comes to her."
"We can trust Daryl." Rick said. "I'm sure he's got reasons for not telling us. Believability being the biggest."
"Talk to him. Figure out what's going on, or I will." Carol said standing.

She walked across the room, exiting through the front door just as Daryl opened it to walk in. She didn't even acknowledge him as she walked out, too upset with his betrayal to say anything.

"Daryl." Rick addressed the other man as he shut the door. "We gotta talk."
"Now? Was gonna go on a hunt." Daryl asked.
"Naw, but as soon as ya get back." Rick answered.
"Alright." Daryl said, making his way to his room to grab his bow and jacket.

****************************************

Kieran and Daryl made their way through the trees, early morning light casting golden streaks along the brush. Daryl was tracking something. Kieran didn't know what. In total honesty she really didn't care. She had asked to join him because she needed to discuss this thing blossoming between them. She needed to know if Daryl felt it too. And if his mother had ever spoken to him about it.

"Daryl?" She said as he stood looking off into the trees.
He didn't move or make a sound.
"We need to talk." She finished.
He shifted before turning around to face her.
"E'eryone needs ta talk ta me today." He finally said.
"What?" Kieran asked, confusion on her face.
"Rick said we need ta talk when I get back." He clarified.
Kieran nodded.
"Can we, or are you still tracking?" She asked.
"Naw. Deer took off. What ya wanna talk about?" He asked sitting down beneath a nearby tree.
"The Fae." She replied taking a seat next to him.
"Daryl, how much did your mother tell you about our kind?" Kieran asked.
"Not much. Mostly she just told me stories from what I assume was her childhood. I was little when she died. Don't really remember much of it." Daryl answered. A fond sadness crossing his features as he remembered his mother.
"Did she ever mention things like the Tuatha Dé, or Sídhe?" She asked.
"Naw. Don't remember her ever usin' those words." Daryl answered.

Kieran took a deep breath. These were his people she was going to tell him about. His heritage. He deserved to know the whole story, not have it glossed over.

"The Tuatha dé Dannan are our people. They are the beginning of Fae kind. They came to the Island of Eire from four cities to the north. They landed their ships off the cost of what is now Connemara. So they wouldn't be tempted to leave, they burned the ships. The black smoke was so thick it blocked out the sun and moon for three days and three nights. Because of this, the local people thought our ancestors arrived in a black mist.
The great King Nuada led our people to victory in the two great battles of Magh Tuireadh. The first against the Fir Bolg for the right to reside on Eire. The second against the oppressive Fomorians for our freedom. Unfortunately, in the second battle our King Nuada was killed by the Fomorian Bálor of the Piercing Eye, who's third eye brings death to all it gazes upon.
After the battles of Magh Tuireadh our people lived in piece for over one hundred and fifty years. Three brothers: Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, and Mac Gréine eventually became the joint Kings of the Tuatha dé Dannan. They reigned for thirty years before the invasion of the Milesians. We lost the resulting battle and as agreement between the two kingdoms the Tuatha dé Dannan agreed to reside solely in the Sídhe.
The Sídhe is the Fae realm I've told you about. Our current King, Oberon, is very strict on who may enter. Only Tuatha dé, and only if they were born there. This is because unbeknownst to all those living in this realm, it is the Sídhe itself which gives us our power and magic. Since the Milesians essentially banished us there, Oberon does not want anyone else having the magic gift we were given by accepting our fate."

Daryl listened quietly as Kieran explained the history of their people. How they came to the realm they live in and why they are protective of it.

"So, basically, we were just normal people until they forced us to live in a different world?" Daryl asked when she finished.
"Yes. We were mortal, human. Just like everyone you live with. It was the magic of Sídhe which transformed our people into the Fae." She answered.
"So, you being Púca and me being Clurichaun, that was only after being forced out?" Daryl asked.
"No. The Tuatha dé Dannan consist of eighteen races: the Abartach, the Alp Luachra, the Caoineag, the Bean Sith, the Cat Sith, the Cu Sith, the Dullahan, the Fachen, the Fear Dearg, the Fuath, the Gean Cánach, the Gille Dubh, the Glaistig, the Leanan Sith, the Leprechaun, the Sluagh Sith, and of course Clurichaun and Púca.
We have always been what we are. We have always been gifted in the ways we still are. We just only became magic after entering the Sídhe." She answered.
"How 'ave we always been what we are, but not magic until then?" Daryl asked, confusion written on his face and lacing through his words. " I mean, how could ya switch between a horse and woman without magic?"
"Ok. We haven't always been exactly what we are now." Kieran said, smiling. "But the Púca have always had a way with animals. The Clurichaun have always been fantastic at going unnoticed when they wanted to. It was when we entered the Sídhe, and it's magic seeped into our very being, we became the mythical creatures man kind knows as the fae." She clarified.
"Ya said the fae can't go there if they were born there." Daryl said, looking down at his hands and beginning to pick at his nails.
"I did. I'm sorry, Daryl. I would love more than anything to bring you to the Sídhe but I'm not allowed." Kieran said. Her heart was breaking for him again. He was such a good man, and deserved more than anything to know and fully understand the world he had every right to be a part of. She would never be able to imagine the hatred which flowed through his father deep enough to deny his own son's their birthright. She knew she may never be successful, but she was going to go to Oberon and beg him to allow Daryl into the Sídhe. He was nothing like his father, none of that darkness lingered in his blood. Aoibheann may never have been able to repair the darkness in her husband with her own vast light, but was certainly able to instill it in at least of he son's, and he deserved to be allowed to at least visit the realm he should be able to call home.

They both sat in silence for several minutes. The only sound the gentle rustle of leaves as the afternoon wind blew through the trees. There was more Kieran had to tell Daryl. She had to let him know about what was blossoming between them. At this point she was convinced it was the only purely fae experience she may ever be able to give him.

"Daryl." She said, taking his hands in her own and stopping him from picking further at his nails.

He looked up from his lap with his name. Staring into her sympathetic eyes. His own filled with sadness for a world he only recently learned he belonged to and would never fully get to experience.

"There is more. I may never be able to take you home to our realm, but there is something I can give you. Something we already share." She said.
"Yeah?" He asked.
"The Anam Cara." She said, leaning forward to give him a small, chaste kiss.
"The what?" Daryl said, confusion taking over his features.
"In the early days of the Tuatha dé there was prince called Aengus Og. He was visited one night in his sleep by the Goddess of dreams, Caer Ibormeith. Caer was extremely beautiful and would sing and play music for Aengus every night. After a year of her visits he was completely in love with her. But she stopped visiting him and he fell into a terrible illness with her loss.

Eventually, after a year of his illness, the best doctor in Eire was summoned to diagnose and treat him. When it was discovered he was ill of a broken heart all of Eire was searched looking for the girl he described. When she was finally found and it was learned she was a Goddess all hope was lost. But Caer told the King if Aengus could find her in her swan form in a lake filled with swans then he could have her.

So Aengus was pulled from his bed and taken to the lake where she resided. Upon arrival the lake was filled with one hundred and fifty of the most beautiful swans. But Aengus immediately knew which one was his Caer. He wandered into the lake, with no regard for himself, and swam up to her. When Caer recognized her love she turned him into a swan as well and pair were eventually bonded.

It is said among the fae that Aengus and Caer where the first pair of Anam Cara."

Daryl's attention never wavered from her eyes as she told him the story. He was enraptured by her tales of the world he was only now learning about. A world he could have belonged to if it hadn't been for his father.

"So, wha' does Anam Cara mean?" He eventually asked after she finished telling the story.
"A loose translation is soul mate." Kieran said.
"How's tha' suppose at be somethin' ya can give me?" Daryl asked, confused again.
"Oh Daryl." Kieran said, kissing him softly again.
"This thing between us." She continued, waving her hand between them. "This need we feel toward each other. It's not something many fae get to experience. Usually when two fae are bound to each other it's arranged by the parents of the pair. But every so often, Aengus and Caer bless two special fae to become Anam Cara. No one in the fae realm would stand between a blessed pair once they discover each other. Even if they come from different races as we do." She explained.
"So . . . Yur sayin' we're like this Anam Cara?" Daryl asked.
"Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying." She said. "Daryl, I love you. But it's more than that. I've loved before, but never felt this need to be with one specific individual they way I feel with you. And I know you feel it too."
"Yeah, I do." He said, a small smile forming on his face. "So, yur sayin' this is jus' a fae thing? Something from that world I get to have?" He asked.
"Yes. The only thing from the fae realm I can give you." She said.
"It's perfect." He answered, pulling her in for a deep kiss.

**************************************************

Daryl walked into the house to find Rick sitting on the couch. His head back against the cushions. The older man looked exhausted and as though he may be sleeping. But the notion was quickly set aside with his words.

"Catch anything?" Rick asked.
"Naw. Was tracking a deer, but some walkers got it 'fore I could." Daryl replied sitting down next to the man he had come to think of as his brother.
"What'd ya wanna talk about?" He asked.
"This girl of yours. And the horse." Rick replied, sitting up straighter so he could look Daryl in the eye.

Shit, Daryl thought. They had been careful. Daryl knew how little trust Kieran had in humans, despite his protests that his family were kind, loving people who would never hurt her. But Kieran had lived a long time. Longer than Daryl could ever fathom living himself. And she had her reasons, good ones (excellent ones) for not trusting humans. But they had been careful. There was no way Rick or any of the others could know what she was.

"What about 'em?" Daryl asked, trying to go for non-phased and totally un panicked.
"Don't ya mean, what about her?" Rick asked.

Shit. He knew. He definitely knew.

"What?" Daryl asked. He was just gonna play dumb. Maybe he hadn't been with Kieran when Rick figured it out.
"Daryl. Carol and I saw her change from a girl to a horse. Carol actually saw it twice. It's taken me a while to process what I saw. But you were with her. Talking to her, when I watched it happen. So I know you know what I'm talking about." Rick said.

Ok. So Carol knew too. And they both knew he knew. He was going to have to do some damage control here. Figure out exactly who else knew, if anyone (hopefully, oh gods hopefully not anyone else). Then he was going to have to impress the extreme importance of neither of them telling anyone else. Certainly not telling Kieran. And put to rest any fears either of them may have had regarding having a horse/woman shape shifter living in their community.

"Who else knows?" Daryl asked.
"No one. Just me and Carol. Who else would believe us? I don't believe us." Rick answered.

Oh thank the gods. At there was one small mercy here.

"She's a Púca." Was all Daryl said.
"A what?" Rick asked.
"A Púca. It's a fae creature. A shape shifter. She can be a woman or a horse. And apparently she does a pretty convinin' dog, though I never seen it." Daryl answered, with a small smile.
"How long ya known this?" Rick asked.
"Really since I first found 'er, but I was in denial fer a while." Daryl answered.
"Why's she show you both forms and no one else?" Rick asked.
"Cause I'm a Clurichaun." Daryl answered, wincing a little bit at giving Rick the information.

Rick was silent. He just sat there looking at Daryl like he had grown another head.

"It's a fae creature too. Reason I never told ya was I didn't know until I met Kieran." Daryl eventually said, breaking the silence.
"Listen. You and Carol. Ya can't tell anybody else ya know what she is. And ya defiantly can't tell her ya know what she is. She doesn't trust humans at all, only reason she lives here is cause a me. If she found out ya knew, she'd leave. And I can't be without 'er now." Daryl said, panic starting to creep into his words.
"We aren't gonna tell anyone else. Who would believe us anyway?" Rick said.
"And look, I get why you didn't tell us what she was. We make her nervous. It's sounds strange. But why didn't you at least tell me what you are?" Rick finished.
"Really. Would ya have believed me?" Daryl asked.
"Good point. So you're a what? Clurichaun is it?" Rick asked.
"Yeah." Daryl said, getting a little shy and looking down at his hands.
"So she turns into a horse. What do you turn into, a deer or something?" Rick asked, a small laugh in his words.
"No. Really I can't do nothin' unless I siphoned some a Kieran's magic from her. But then I can basically make myself invisible." Daryl answered.
"Few times that woulda come in handy." Rick said.
"Tell me about it." Daryl responded. Their easy camaraderie coming back now the difficult part of the conversation was out of the way.

Daryl was about to open his mouth and let Rick know he had nothing to worry about when the front door flew open. Kieran bursting through with Carol on her heals.

"She knows. He knows." Kieran said pointing to both Carol and Rick in succession.
"I love you, Daryl. But I won't. Can't live with humans anymore. Especially ones who know what I am."

With that Kieran turned on her heals and stormed out of the house. Daryl quick to follow as she made her way toward the gates.