Within Magic [Douxie X OC]

Witch Hunt [Part Three]

[A/N]

I know this has been a long time coming, but I hope I can try to make up for it. I've been dealing with things in my personal life during these difficult times such as loss of family and friends, sickness and mental insecurities. I've been struggling with motivation, so I hope these next few chapters turn out to be fun for everyone!

For my readers who read these chapters when they first came out, I want to let you all know I made some minor alterations and redesigned Nimue. While she previously had short hair, it's now long. You can find her new designs posted in Chapter One [Starting My Not-So-Simple Life], Chapter Three [Spellbound Part Two] and Chapter Five [History in the Making Part Two].

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They'd ridden through the forest for a while before reaching what Arthur had called the Forbidden Wood. Douxie had tried to talk to Merlin to convince him of his plan, but it was to no avail. All he got was a lecture about his recklessness. That was nothing new. The frustration he felt was building. Between the dire situation they were faced with and Merlin's inability to listen to what he was trying to say, he was feeling that distance with his master growing.

After they'd dismounted the horses, the group were traversing through the forest on foot. Douxie and Nimue were going to try and persuade Arthur while Claire was meant to talk to Morgana. Unfortunately, it wasn't going so well.

Douxie had attempted to speak with Arthur, but the armor-clad king had only pushed him away by his face, gruff as ever.

"Jeez. Talk about stubborn." Nimue muttered, arms crossed over her chest while stepping up to Douxie's side.

"That certainly is the way of life for most people in this day and age." The wizard sighed, rubbing his forehead a little.
"This might be more difficult than I thought."

"We need to keep trying, but I'll admit, they don't seem like they even want to look at each other." Looking over at the two royal siblings, Nimue leaned back against a tree. It was clear this was worse than a sibling spat.

Archie hummed, tail flicking and following Nimue's gaze.
"Not much love left between them." He said, feeling perplexed by the situation. He wasn't entirely sure what they could do to change the dynamics of this hunt.
"If only you could make him remember the good old days."

Douxie's brows furrowed, looking to Nimue whose expression mirrored his own. The idea of letting her and the others down started burning at the back of his mind, but when he dropped his gaze, he caught sight of something carved along the trunk of the tree she was leaned against.

Eyes widening, he moved closer, ushering her to step away from the tree for a minute.

Nimue blinked when she saw his expression change, and did as he asked, turning to see what he'd been looking at.

There was the carving of three names. Arthur, Guinevere and Morgana. What was that doing out here...?

"Maybe I can..." Douxie muttered, fingers lightly touching the carving. A small, hopeful smile crossed his face before a blue light infused the names. Then Douxie stood and pulled Nimue to his other side.
"Say, my liege. Didn't you used to spend time in this wood?" He asked, catching Arthur's attention.

Seeing the carving, the king's expression softened.
"Yes. As a boy." He said, walking over to what seemed like an important memory for him.

Nimue's green eyes brightened. The change she saw in Arthur was encouraging. Her gaze turned to Douxie, who was trying to contain his anticipation.
"Good thinking, Doux." She thought to herself, gently squeezing his hand In the hopes of conveying that thought.