Just A Memory

The Drunken Huntsman

"Dad wake up!" Tristan yelled as he bounced on his parent's bed. Meliodas groaned as he covered his head with a pillow.
"It's too early to be dealing with hyperactive shizz"
"It's like 8 in the morning. Get up!" Tristan pulled the pillow away "Everyones been up for two hours already. Mum sent me to get you"
"Still too early" Meliodas rolled onto his back "So did I miss anything?"
"Uncle Ban got into a fight this morning"
"With who?"
"The cooks. He wanted to make everyone breakfast like old times and the chef told him to get out of his kitchen" Tristan explained.
"Typical Ban" Meliodas climbed out of bed "He was like that when we ran The Boar Hat"
"Boarhat?"
"I'll explain that story another day. Right, you head down to breakfast. I will be there shortly"
"Okay, dad!" Tristan grinned as he ran out the door.
"I wish I had this energy in the morning" Meliodas smiled as he went to find some fresh clothes.

"During your 3000 years, What did you do for jobs Dad?" Tristan quizzed as he scoffed his breakfast down.
"Easy kid. Chew your food" Meliodas pointed with his finger.
"So what did you do?" Ban yawned. He still hated being up early. Meliodas tapped his chin.
"Hmm. I was a Knight. Twice, A Sin, A Barman, A Wander, A Hunter twice, A Mercenary, A Companion and A farm boy" Meliodas listed.
"You was a hunter?" Ban raised his brow "You? The one who can't aim for shit with a bow"
"Fuck off!" Meliodas flicked a spoonful of food at Ban.
"Mum! Dad and Meliodas said a bad word!" Lancelot yelled. Elaine rolled her eyes at Ban who didn't seem to be paying attention.
"Ban" Elaine put her hands on her hips and floated behind her Son. Elizabeth just looked down her nose at her Husband. Meliodas ducked his head down and little and grinned at Ban.
"What? He's heard worse out of my mouth" Ban sipped his drink.
"Why does he get to swear and I can't?" Lancelot leaned his head back over the chair and stared at the Fairy.
"Because he is an adult and you are 10" Elaine placed both her hands on Lancelot's shoulders.
"That ain't fair" Lancelot sulked "So you were a hunter?"
"Sure was and I didn't use a bow" Meliodas glared at Ban "As your Dad said. I can't aim"
"So what did you use?" Tristan knotted his brows together.
"A hammerhead tomahawk. Two in fact" Meliodas wiggled two fingers in the air.
"A what?" Lancelot quizzed.
"It's like a hatchet axe but bigger" Ban twirled his fork between his fingers. Lancelot nodded.
"Can you tell us the story of when you were a hunter the first time?" Tristan begged.
"I did pinky promise" Meliodas grinned.
"Is this drunken huntsman?" Elizabeth picked at her grapes. Meliodas looks away.
"Yeah" Meliodas spoke after a minute.
"I take it this one doesn't end in a happy ending?" Elaine ponder. Both Elizabeth and Meliodas shook their heads.
"Mum, Dad. Are you sure that you guys are okay with telling us the stories? They always make you sad" Tristan looked between his parents. Meliodas and Elizabeth looked at each other. They were having a conversation without words.
"I'm sure. Talking about bad things that happen helps to deal with the grieve" Elizabeth nodded.
"I agree" Meliodas put his hands on his wife's hand and squeezed gently "Right on with the story!"

{Flash-Back}

It had been 17 years since Meliodas last saw Elizabeth. He knew that if he saw Elizabeth again, He would have to live through all the pain again. He didn't want that. But he had to deal with it till he broke their curse. After all, He did make a promise to her.

For the first 15 years, Meliodas travel the country, Trying to find someone who knew anything about curses. He reached a small town just outside The Forest Of White Dreams. He had been in the once before but someone had spread poison across the land and it was practically hell to walk through. To Meliodas it was like walking through his homeland again. He said he would never go back there.

For the last two years, Meliodas has made a base in Vanya Village. He claimed that it served the best Ale. But he started having nightmares. Horrible ones. He started to drink more and more, But with him being a Demon. It would take the Tavern's entire Ale supply to get him even tipsy.
Meliodas decided that he need to start some sort of work. He was already a hunter but he was so useless with a bow that no one would hire him. So he sat under a tree, Grabbed his paper and wrote down all the jobs he could think of.
"Fisherman? Nahhh" Meliodas scratched off the lists "Market stallholder? Nope," Meliodas crumbled another piece of paper "I need a drink" Meliodas stood up and grabbed his stuff.

He dragged his feet to the Tavern known as The Boozy Barman. This had been his local for around 10 years. Most people stayed cleared of Meliodas as he has a sword on his hip. But little did people know, That it is broken. Meliodas once stated that unless he was training someone, He would never pick up a sword again. He didn't want to go back to the man he once was. He didn't have Elizabeth to calm him down.

Meliodas sat down in his usual spot and ordered a large mug of Vanya Ale. It was quiet in the bar. Only a handful of people scattered around.
"Oi! Shorty!" An Irishman known as Jackson boomed across the floor. Meliodas rolled his eyes. This man has accused every Tom, Dick and Harry that they owe him Money. Most pay up as they are afraid of him (He is a big man)
"Hey, Jackson!" Meliodas pretended to be drunk. This normally made Jackson leave him alone but today was different. Meliodas downed his drink. Jackson shoved Meliodas in the shoulder, Causing the young Demon to hit his head on the bar. Falling off his chair with a loud thud.
"You owe me money!" The bar owner shouted as he leaned over Meliodas. Meliodas decided that he would annoy the man and play along with his little game. Meliodas patted his pockets. Jackson raised his fists and Meliodas shielded his face.
"No! No, Please don't. I... I have it right here in my back pocket. If you'll just help me up" Meliodas holds his hand out. Jackson walks over, suspicious. Just as he is about to get close, Meliodas grabs his arm and kicks with both feet in Jackson's chest. Jackson flies back, then strides to Meliodas and grabs him by his shirt and drags him out of the building.

Jackson throws Meliodas to the ground and kicks him in the side. Meliodas winced as his hands fly to his side.
"I want my money!" Jackson's spits as his veins stick out a little further than normal.
"Actually, I seem to have drunk it all. You are more than welcome to it when it comes out again" Jackson hauls him back up to his feet. He takes a swing but somehow, Meliodas dodges the blow, swinging back at him. Everyone has come out of the Inn to enjoy the fight. Meliodas lands a body blow to Jackson, who doubles over. Meliodas comes in for the kill, winds up and swings. But since he is pretending to be off his face with booze, Missing Jackson but hitting a horse on the ass. It kicks its legs, sending Meliodas flying. He lands in a heap and drops his head back. Meliodas feels a set of hands on his torso, They lift him and drop him in a horse trough. He's underwater for a few seconds before he comes to and lifts out his head, eyes still closed. He then sniffs.
"Perfume?" He opens his eyes to see a tall man with a scar going down his left cheek, Gazing down at him "Royalty. That explains it"
"The Queen demands your presence"
"Can't you see I'm having a bath?" Meliodas gestures down to the water. The man nods to two men and they hoist Meliodas out of the water and dragged him to the castle.

Meliodas is taken to the Castle on the hill. He was dragged up many flights of stairs and into the main hall. He was thrown at the feet of the new Queen. She was around 5 and feet tall. Dark brown hair and red eyes.
"Ah Queen Aletha" Meliodas held his ribs as he stood up "You summoned me"
"My brother tells me you are one of few who has ventured into the forest of White dreams" The Queen spoke.
"And?" Meliodas raised one eyebrow.
"A widower. A drunkard and the sort of man I need for this job"
"Why do you need me to go in the forest?" Meliodas said. How did people know that he was a widower? Though the only time he was married to The Goddess Elizabeth but that was 34 years ago.
"One of my wards has escaped and has run in there" The Queen looked at Meliodas dead in the eyes.
"Well then he's dead" Meliodas folded his arms.
"She" The Queen corrected.
"Then she is certainly dead" Meliodas scoffed. The Queen rose out of her seat and walked a little closer to the Demon. Meliodas didn't move from his spot but he noticed that several guards moved a few inches away.
"I need you to find her and bring her to me" the Queen ordered. Meliodas shook his head.
"No, I don't think so. I've been to that forest, I'm not going back"
"You will be rewarded handsomely" Her Highness insisted.
"What good is gold to me if I'm lying dead with crows picking at my eyes?" Meliodas frowned. The Queen huffed as she walked over to a large open window "Why is she of such value?"
"That is none of your concern" The Queen looked over her shoulder. Meliodas took two steps and lent on a pillar.
"I'll determine what concerns me, thank you"
"You will do this for me!" The Queen ordered.
"And if I refuse?" Meliodas stared the Queen down. She clicked her fingers and her guards all level their spears at Meliodas. Meliodas eyes them. They all seem dying to cut him to pieces. He then glances back to The Queen.
"Do me the favour, I beg of you" Meliodas taunted. Queen Aletha smirked as she turned to the guard closet to Meliodas.
"To his knees" She ordered as the guard kicked Meliodas in the knee. Causing his crumble to the floor. The Queen strolled over to Meliodas and lifted his chin up with her long nail "So you wish to be reunited with your beloved?" Meliodas reacts instinctively, grabbing her by the throat. The Queen's soldiers rise to their feet and the guards draw their swords, but Queen Aletha holds up her hand. The guards relax.
"Do not speak of her" Meliodas hissed.
"You miss her. What would you give to see her again? You know of my powers, bring me the girl, and I will bring back your wife" Something about her face, the fact that she enjoys his hand on her throat makes Meliodas feel a little uneasy. He releases his grip, Staring at Queen Aletha.
"Nothing can bring her back" Meliodas mumbled as he look to the ground. His eyes say he wants to believe. No, More like he needs to believe. The Queen lifted Meliodas head with her nail again.
"I can. A life, for life" The Queen bent at the waist. She let Meliodas head go but The Demon kept her gaze "So what will it be?"

Meliodas guided 5 of The Queen's guards and her Brother to the edge of The Forest. He tied his horse to a fallen branch. As did the others.
"You fought in the war? Against the Demons" Meliodas nods without looking at him, gazing at the forest "You must have seen a great deal of death?" The Queen's Brother eye grew with curiosity.
"Death is everywhere" Meliodas mumbled.
"Come now, you're being modest. There is a difference between gutting a deer and gutting a man. How many did you kill?"
"It's not something I counted" Meliodas replied. He lied. He counted the first thousand. It seemed pointless after that.
"Nor I. But I recall every face. There is no greater delight than battle" The Brother spoke with a smile. Meliodas finds this odd but prefers not to engage "Come now huntsman, what do you feel when you watch a man die? Delight Invincibility?" The man lent against a broken tree stump.
"Sorrow" Meliodas answer honestly. This takes the man back. Meliodas concludes that this was not an answer he was expecting.
"And what of them? At the tip of your sword. What do they feel? I'd enjoy knowing" Meliodas looks at him, realizing from The Queen's Brother's face that it is an honest question "The only difference between you and I is that I never found a wife to save my soul"
"Too bad. You'll need one" Meliodas mutters as pulls his jacket on and walks away "I hate this place" He mumbled. The Queen's Brother walked behind and gazed into the fog.
"This place used to be a beautiful sight. Especially in the spring with all the freshly bloomed flowers" He sighed as he picked a leaf of a twig. He started to tear it to shreds.
"Too bad someone cursed it" A guard shouted.
"Yes indeed. My Grandmother really was in a bad mood that day" The Queen's Brother shook his head "My Sister does have the power to fix it but the Tricksters do not make it easy"
"Why did she curse it?" Meliodas grumbled as he sheathed his axes.
"Boredom" The guy shrugged. Meliodas glared as the man walked away.
"I must make a reminder to leave this dude in the forest," Meliodas thought to himself "So what does this ward look like?"
"I do not know. She wears a masked and a hooded cloak. But My Sister says she has blue eyes" Meliodas stopped in his tracks.
"Blue eyes??" He thought. He shook his head. Surely it cannot be who he thinks it is?

"Do exactly as I do" Meliodas carefully places one foot after the next on grassy stepping stones that disappear into the bog as soon as his full weight is on them. The others catch on and follow, stepping on stones of their own. Once they're across the bog and onto dry land. The Man takes a step forward but Meliodas grabs his arm and pulls him back "Exactly as I do" Meliodas puts a cloth to his face, gesturing for the man and his guards to do the same and moves forward through the mushroom field pops of pollen misting all around them. Meliodas stops, bends down, spotting faint footprints in the moss. He walks faster now, The Queen's Brother watching in admiration.

Meliodas, The annoying man and the Guards move through a dark copse of trees.
"Leave this place!"
"Begone"
"Leave!"
"You are not wanted here!" Voices and whispers call to them from the wind. Meliodas stops and looks around.
"Pay them no mind" The Brother warns his men "But, Kill on sight"
"Tricksters! Bare us no evil. We need to find someone who has invaded your territory!" Meliodas exclaimed as he covered the man's mouth.
"One hour!" The voices echoed.
"You should try talking to them" Meliodas spoke as he pushed on deeper into the forest.

One of the Guards leans over a pool of water to drink when he sees a GHOSTLY reflection gazing back at him. He stares in surprise, leaning closer. Suddenly a spiked tail shoots out of the water skewering him and drags him into the depths. The others turn as they hear a scream but there's no sign of their companion now, just the bubbling water. Only The Queen's Brother looks unconcerned. Meliodas stops senses something, holds up a hand. Then darts ahead, leaving them flat-footed. Johnathon makes a decision to follow and waves for his Guards to go ahead of him. They look at each other and They reluctantly follow Meliodas.
Meliodas finds the ward. He spots her trying to navigate her way through the moss. He sneaks past her and waits in a ditch. He grabs her by the feet and pulls her down to the floor. She fights to get away but he pins her with a foot, reaches down and turns her over. All that can be seen were her eyes. They were the same shade as his Elizabeth's. There was no doubt about it. His first look at her gives him pause.
"Here we go again," He thought as he pulls the girl up onto her feet. Gripping her arm with very little force. She tries to pull away.

"There is no point fighting me. I might be little but I am still a lot stronger than you" Meliodas grumbled. The girl grabbed onto a branch and wouldn't let go "Come on. I need to get you home"
"Will you help me escape from them?" The girl begged. Meliodas ignored the girl. He couldn't let her know that he felt the pull to her. Even with a mask covering her face, He knew it was his Elizabeth. He wanted to help but he couldn't risk triggering her memories. then falls over. her masked slipped a little. Revealing her face. Meliodas falters as he gazes upon it. Now he was certain that this was Elizabeth "Please. Please! She is going to kill me" The girl struggled against Meliodas's grip. Meliodas stopped in his tracks.
"Who is?" He frowned.
"The Queen" The girl panted as she dug her heels into the ground.
"I'm sure she is" Meliodas gripped the girl's arm and pulled her behind him. He didn't want to look back as the girl because he knew he would give into everything she wanted "Why would the Queen kill her own ward?"
"She's going to rip out my heart!" He somehow believes her. Soon the bushes rustled and the guard push through. The girl gasps at the sight of the Queen's Brother. She grips onto Meliodas's arm.
"Quick work. Well done, Meliodas. Hand her over" The man clicks his fingers at the Demon.
"What do you intend to do with her?" Meliodas quizzed as he tilted his head.
"Why do you care?" The Queen's Brother.
"You want her? Give me what I was promised"
"You did your job well. Now keep your word"
"He'll kill us both" Elizabeth whispered into Meliodas ear.
"Shut up" He hissed under his breath.
"He will" She replied. Meliodas's eyes rolled into his head.
"I said shut up or I will hand you over" He glared at the girl.
"No! No!" She panicked. It was at this moment that Meliodas knew that she was telling the truth.
"I'll keep my word when the Queen keeps hers!" Meliodas yelled. The Brother rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"My Sister has many powers. She can take life away, or sustain it. But she can't bring your wife back from the dead"
"I hate liars" Meliodas growled. He pushed the girl behind him and clenched his fists "When I say. Run that way" Meliodas nodded backwards with his head.

The Guards keep inching toward Meliodas. Meliodas, still gripping the wards arm, starts slowly backing up. Johnathon pulls his own sword and approaches. Four against one. As they burst toward him he tosses the girl to the ground and in the same motion throws his knife into the chest of one of the Guards, who crumbles. Meliodas reaches behind, grabs both hatchets and faces off with the others. They all rush at once. Meliodas fights off the guards as he raises a hatchet, throws it right into Johnathon's chest. But there was no blood, no wound. Johnathon pulls it out, laughs and throws it at the huntsman who ducks as it sticks into a tree. The girl, terrified, races off into the forest. They notice her exit but keep fighting. Meliodas fights on three sides now - holding his own until Johnathon manages to plunge a sword in his side.

Meliodas grunts and falls back. The Brother races forward to finish him off but Meliodas lunges and Flips the man onto his back and into a grove of mushrooms. Meliodas covers his nose with his arm and looks at the other. Guards, who look from Johnathon, who is dazed, to Meliodas, who is hurt. The Brother struggles to his knees, shakes his head, hallucinating a bit.
"Butcher him! Find her!" The man shouted as he holds his sides. The Guards, also trying to cover their noses, move forward. Meliodas decides in an instant to grab his knife out of the dead Guard, as well as his hatchet from the tree and runs after the girl "I will find you!"

Meliodas catches up with Elizabeth again in the Dark Forest, he grabs her and places his hand over her mouth and pushes her behind a thick brush area. Meliodas places a finger to his lips. The girl's eyes are wide but she then spots the guards running past.
"Shh. Shh. Be quite. Alright?" Meliodas Elizabeth nods her head, he takes his hand away from her mouth and as soon as he does that she strikes him in the shoulder and takes his Dagger. The girl punches him with everything she has, Meliodas stumbles back licks his bloody lip. She takes another swing. This one he manages to grab "Hey! What the hell is going on? Who are you? Why does the Queen want you dead?"
"She wants everyone dead, all of us!"
"What makes you so damn valuable?" Meliodas folded his arms.
"You should know, you're the one hunting me!"
"You know what, I ain't doing this again" Meliodas walks off. He knows the girl will follow him "I should have never got involved in the Queen's business. Everyone warned me and what did I do? I got involved"
"Where are you going?" The girl tilts her head.
"Getting away from you. You are trouble"
"I need to get to the Duke's castle. He has an army"
"What, the Duke's army?" Meliodas laughs "Bunch of farmers and milkmaids with pitchforks. I know sheep that have more fight in them"
"I'm valuable. That's why you're here, isn't it? If you return without me, you're dead. If you leave me, I'm dead"
"Just for argument's sake, How much reward? Hmm?" Meliodas smiled.
"However much is enough"
"At least thirty gold pieces," Meliodas said a random number that popped into his head. Truth be told, He would have done it for free.
"A hundred" The girl spoke quickly "Help me. Please"
"Who are you?" He sighed. He knew full well her name was Elizabeth or something along those lines.
"Maybe you should have asked the Queen that"
"I don't trust you" He lied. He knew that he could trust this one with anything.
"I've given you my word" The girl frowned.
"I still don't trust you, But" Meliodas spits in the palm of his hand and holds his hand out for her to shake which she does "But you have a deal"
"Thank you" Meliodas walks off but then turns around.
"Oh before I forget" He takes his sword from her hand "Give me that before you lose a finger"

"Why do you wear a mask?" Meliodas quizzed.
"The Queen doesn't like it when a woman is more beautiful than her" The girl holds her sides.
"I'd rather look at your face than hers" Meliodas didn't look back "You may as well take that mask of yours off. Unless you wanna go back" The girl removed her mask and tosses it away.
"Do you drink to drown your sorrows or your conscience?" The girl asks as he walks off and takes a swig of his drink.
"What concern is it of yours why I drink?"
"I suppose a man's sorrows are his own" the girl shrugs.
"What does a young girl like you know about sorrow?" Meliodas gulps another drop. The girl doesn't answer, he comes towards her and suddenly rips the hem of her dress, she steps back from him, frightened. What did they do to her in this castle "Don't flatter yourself. Now stay close"

The pair walk a little further into the forest. Meliodas look around and turns on his heel. Facing the girl.
"Here, I wanna show you something" Meliodas hands Elizabeth a knife. she takes it with caution.
"It's a knife"
"I want you to feel its weight. One hand to the other" Meliodas instructed. She shakes her head but does so. Meliodas fought the urge to smile. He remembers teaching Elizabeth to wield a sword "Now hold it with the business end pointed at me"
"Why?"
"Just do it. Now, Which is your lead foot?" Elizabeth shakes her head and the Meliodas suddenly moves as if to attack her. She moves back but her right foot stays in place "Right, someone comes at you, you raise this arm up, you block and you use your strength against him" Meliodas holds her hand and he shows her the move with the knife "Now because you are quite dainty, You need to wait until they are close"
"Close enough for what?" The girl raised her brows.
"So you can drive it through their heart, to the hilt. Do you understand? You do not hesitate, and you look in their eyes, and do not pull it out until you see their soul"
"I couldn't do that" The girl stuttered.
"One day, You might not have a choice" Meliodas goes to walk away. the girl goes to hand the knife back "Keep it" She nods, now focused on him in a way other than as an instructor. He turns and walks away.

Meliodas takes a deep breath in as they reach a stone bridge as they come towards the outskirts in the Dark Forest.
"Is this the edge of the Dark Forest?"
"Aye," Meliodas walks with his arms behind his head. He then stops, draws his axe.
"What is it?" The girl says as he places a hand on her knife.
"Shh! I sense something" Meliodas leas the way as they walk across the bridge. the girl pokes Meliodas in the back and points to the ground. They notice bones and swords and armour scattered around, suddenly a large creature opens its eyes and awakens.
"What is that?!"
"Troll!" The troll knocks Meliodas and Elizabeth off the bridge, Slamming them down in the shallow river. Meliodas head smashes into the ground. The troll roars and comes after them, swinging its giant stone fists "Run!"

Meliodas runs at the Troll. He ducks as a mighty arm sweep over him, darts between the troll's legs, and hacks at its leg with his hatchets. The Troll falters a bit. A swinging stone fist catches him and hurls him across the creek. The girl looks back to see Meliodas lying stunned on the ground, his wound bleeding again, at the troll's mercy. She hesitates, still terrified. She gulps and starts to run back.

The Troll towers over the huntsman. It raises its stone hands to crush him when The girl arrives screaming. The Troll looks around in surprise. So does Meliodas. The monster turns away from Meliodas, striding towards the girl. Meliodas tries to crawl to her. But the troll knocks him away. She stands her ground, fighting her terror. She pulls out her knife. The Troll looms over her, but she doesn't retreat. She raises an arm, just as Meliodas instructed. Meliodas stares in surprise, watching the twenty-something foot monster towering over the tiny girl. The girl stares into the troll's eyes, seeing something almost gentle in its monstrous gaze, slowly losing her fear. The troll stares at her too, confused, then slowly pacified, until it finally turns and strides away.

Meliodas rises to his feet painfully and heads over, taking her by the arm.
"I told you to run!" Meliodas stares at the girl.
"If I had, then you would be dead" It's clear he sees her in a different light. She stares back at him.
"How did you get it to leave?"
"No one really wants to fight" The girl shrugs. Meliodas holds her gaze, struggling a bit. That was a phrase that his wife use to use. Meliodas stumbled forward when ghostly figures appear.
"What now?" He rolls his eyes.
"They say only demons or spirits can survive the dark forest. Which are you?" Meliodas, steps in front of the girl.
"We're fugitives from the Queen. We mean you know harm. We are a little on edge. Nearly attacked by a Troll"
"It is close to nightfall. We will offer you sanctuary" The hooded figure raises her hood. She is revealed to a woman in her early 50s.
"Thank you" Meliodas and the girl both speak. The woman rolls her eyes and tells the pair to follow her.

It is now late afternoon and Meliodas is sitting on an old wooden pier as he attempts to bandage his wounds. The lady from earlier approaches him from the side. Meliodas instantly grabs his axe. The lady holds her hands up.
"Easy Demon. I bear you no ill will"
"You know I am a Demon?" Meliodas places his axe down. He goes back to patching himself up.
"Aye. I was a mere teenager when I first saw you. You have not aged" The lady holds her hand out for the bandage. Meliodas stares at the hand "You wanna patch your own shoulder?" Meliodas places the rag in her hand.
"Why are you helping me? You know who I am" Meliodas mumbled as he winces a little.
"I am surprised that you don't recognize me? Has it really been that long?" Meliodas spun around to see the lady transform. Meliodas felt a smile form on his face.
"Merlin"
"How is the curse going?" Merlin tightens the bandage. Meliodas frown at Merlin.
"I'm only on my second reincarnation and I am already up shit's creek without a paddle" Meliodas sighed "And how did you find out?"
"You spent 15 years asking people. Word spreads" Merlin shrugged.
"You are not the man you once was" Merlin spoke "You have travelled far. And with such a heavy burden"
"I've had worse jobs. And anyway, she's not that heavy" Meliodas joked.
"You do know who she is, Don't you?" Merlin points over to the girl.
"Yeah. The Queen's ward" Meliodas shrugged.
"Her name is Elizabeth. She is the daughter of the Duke. Queen Aletha kidnapped her when she was a child because of her healing abilities"
"I didn't know that. She didn't tell me anything"
"The Queen is old as time. As is her Brother Johnathon. They believe that Elizabeth's blood will make them immortal as no one can find the fountain of youth"
"Why her?"
"It is said that she is off the Goddess bloodline. She bears the Triskle in her left eye" Meliodas head turned towards Elizabeth who was playing alongside some children.
"Already? How long till she gains her full memories?"
"She's had the mark since her 7 birthday. Each awakening is different" Merlin sighs "Your bandage is done"
"Thank you" Meliodas put his top back on and walked over to Elizabeth.

Meliodas watches Elizabeth as she tucks the children into bed. Meliodas smiles softly at her. He then looks away. He starts to make his way along the perimeter, finding a path through the trees. Suddenly he stops. Turns around.
"What do you want now Merlin?"
"Meliodas, How can you desert her when you know the truth?" The lady from earlier spoke.
"I know the truth. That's why she should be as far away from me as possible. I love her but if I stay near, she will die. I can't handle it. Not this time, She's safer here with you"
"She's the only one that can save us. She needs you" Merlin raised her voice.
"Merlin, Trust me. I'm the last thing she needs. I'm bad luck. Everything I've ever cared about was destroyed"
"There's good in you Demon. I can see it"
"People have made that mistake before" Meliodas sighed. He looks into the field.
"Did The Goddess Elizabeth think that when she fell in love with you" The Lady folds her arms.
"And where did that get her? She died! I should have died with her! We made a vow to be together till death parts us! Yet here I am, Drinking my way to oblivion" Meliodas kicks at the grass.
"She still loved you regardless"
"I need to go. I can't bear to watch her die again" Meliodas sighs and walks into the night.

"Why did I leave her. I know I'll just be pulled back to her" Meliodas grumbled as he paces up and down the river bank. He then spots moving lights in the river. He glances upwards and sees flaming arrows lighting up the sky. Every single one aiming at the village "Oh shit!" He runs back to the village. Moving faster than his legs thought possible.

Meliodas arrives to see the village in flames. He sees Elizabeth and Merlin at the centre of the village. Feeling a little bit of relief, He runs up behind a guard and smashes his axes into his back. The whole village is no alight. He finally gets to Elizabeth.
"Meliodas, You need to get her out of here!" Merlin insisted.
"What about you lot?" Meliodas pulled Elizabeth to his side.
"This ain't the first time we have been attacked. We will survive. Now quick go. Head down the east river. The safest route to the Dukes" Merlin pushes the pair away. She uses her powers and throws element balls at the fire.
"What is your name?" Elizabeth grabs Merlin's hand.
"Merlin. Now Go!" Merlin put up a perfect cube as she and Meliodas shared one last look.

Meliodas and Elizabeth are far down the river. They make their way to the bank, drenched and exhausted. Elizabeth's hands shake with distraught over the violence in the village. Meliodas looks at her guiltily.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry" He holds Elizabeth in his arms. They had been running for a while now. Elizabeth collapsed near a tree.
"You left us! We should never have been there!" She panted.
"I'm sorry. I should have been there" Elizabeth looks at him with empathy. He's in pain, too.
"Hey, look at me," Meliodas said as he took Elizabeth's face in his hands "I'll take you to the Duke okay? You have my word" Elizabeth nodded slowly. Meliodas uses his thumbs to wipe her tears. Meliodas lies back and looks up at the sun flickering through the trees. It dances on his face and then a huge shadow blots out the light. Before Meliodas can react, fists and boots lay into him. As he protects his face, He catches glimpses of brutal figures in battle masks. Meliodas kicks a couple of them away, but more of them swarm over him, pinning him down in leg locks and chokeholds.

Elizabeth is treated just as roughly, powerful arms and legs pinning her down. She bites one of her captors and he twists her arms behind her back. A noose is slung around Meliodas's ankles and he's hauled up in the air, hanging upside down. Elizabeth is also tied up, sits on the ground beside him. A line of druids stand before them and pull up their grotesque masks.
"This is our lucky day" Their leader glowers.
"Oh, no!" Meliodas rolled his eyes "Hey Matthew"
"Oh joy. The person I loathe most in the world lands right in our lap"
"Come on, Matthew. Is this how you treat a friend?" Meliodas smiles.
"Oh! No! No! No, you buttock! This is how I treat a friend" He hits the Meliodas in the stomach.
"She's pretty" Another Druid name Elijah points.
"Mm. And who's this, hey? Is it an errant apprentice or captive?" Matthew pokes Elizabeth's cheek.
"This man is helping me" Elizabeth wiggles against her ropes.
"Hey Owen, We should kill him both!" Another shouts.
"Yeah, he's caused us nothing but trouble"
"Liam, Will you skewer him and leave her to rot. I don't like killing girls"
"I'll do it" Liam nodded as he pulled a dagger from his belt.
"Good" A smaller man walks behind Elizabeth. Meliodas starts growling.
"Leave her alone!" Meliodas wiggles "Hurt her and I will kill you all"
"Who is she?" Matthew quizzes. He kneels down by Meliodas.
"Someone who is worth a lot of gold to me, which I am happy to share with you, stupid little idiots!" Liam hits the Meliodas "Stop that!"
"Gold is worth nothing to you if you're all dead!"
"Queen's men hunt us! They're very close!"
"Shut it girly" Owen yelled.
"Oh please tell me you don't actually like the Queen" Meliodas groaned. Matthew smacked him again.
"Oh, we have no love for the Queen!" He declared "No one likes the Queen. She killed the King all those years ago"
"We lost everything when the King died.
"We fight only for ourselves.
"My Uncle was King James" Elizabeth sighed "I am the Daughter of the Duke"
"Atlas, does she speak the truth?" Matthew turned his head sideways.
"Yes," The old man that Matthew spoke to reply "Cut her down. Gently" The Druids let Elizabeth down gently when they placed her on the ground.
"Can you let him go?" Elizabeth stayed by Meliodas's side.
"Why? He gets on our nerves. Bastard's better off dead" Owen shrugged.
"He owes me a life debt. I saved him a day or so ago" Elizabeth smiled "If you help us, You will be paid handsomely"
"How handsomely?" Matthew put his hands in his pockets.
"Your weight in gold. Each of you" Elizabeth waved her hand around the entire group.
"That's more than you offered me?!" Meliodas complained.
"Cut him down!" Matthew orders. Owen roughly cuts the line and Meliodas drops to the ground. Elizabeth helps him up.
"Matt! We got trouble!" Liam yells. Everyone looks round to see a dozen horsemen appear on the field.
"MOVE OUT!" They all hurry down the hill.

From their hidden vantage point, Meliodas, Elizabeth, and the Druids watch the riders searching for them. Some gallop on, but a small troop remain behind. Realizing they have no choice but to retreat further. Liam and Will signal and the Druids follow them deeper into the cave system.

Matthew moves some fallen vines out the way to an enchanted forest. Meliodas gasped as several butterflies flew past him.
"This is as different to the dark forest as one could imagine" Elizabeth covered her mouth. Life was growing everywhere. Lush grass, Proud trees covered in butterflies. There was a bubbling stream. There was rabbits and foxes side by side "Oh look at those flowers" Elizabeth ran over to patch and knelt down. Taking in big sniffs.
"I forgot that she was cooped up for so long" Meliodas watched with glee as a butterfly landed on her head.
"You sure you're in this for the money?" Matthew whispered as he walked past him. Meliodas frowned at the man.
"Blasted fairy music!" Will complains as he covers his ears.
"Here. Good thing there's plenty of moss about" Liam grumbles as he gives Will some moss to put in his ears.
"Where are we?" Elizabeth asked as she picks a bright blue flower. She spins around on the spot, still mesmerized by the fairy music and the shimmering haze.
"They call it 'Sanctuary', me lady. It's the home of the fairies" Elijah spoke. The group reach a clearing.
"We'll set up camp here"

The night takes the day, Hearty, Soulful sing can be heard. Warren, The youngest of the Druids was playing his flute.
"That song takes me back to the battle of the 5 races" Owen sighs as his hands go behind his head.
"You fought in the Holy war?" Elizabeth pulled her knees to her chest.
"We were miners. We funded The Stigma. A load of bollocks if you ask me" Matthew gulped his Ale.
"Do you know how it ended?" Elizabeth quizzed.
"No sorry. One day the group you see before you went down into the mine for a month-long shift. Warren was only a boy. When we came back to the surface... nothing. The land was black, everything, everyone was gone. We searched but We never found any of the other races" Elijah put on arm over his knee as he lent back.
"You know what, I hate all this depressive shit" Matthew sat up "Warren play louder, I can still hear those harpy fairies"

Meliodas is sat a little further away, Leaning on a tree. He drains the last few drops of his Ale when Matthew approaches, sitting beside him gruffly.
"Fleecing us of all our rum, eh huntsman?" Matthew eyes Meliodas.
"What do you say, we let bygones be bygones?"
"Not yet. So What's really in it for you?" Matthew asks. Meliodas gives him his most innocent "You really are thick. Look I'm talking about the girl? Is it really just about the gold?" Meliodas glances over to Elizabeth who is now dancing with Owen. He then shrugs.
"I'm not sure, Matt. If I had any sense, I'd have abandoned her long ago"
"A Demon Prince that runs away from a girl? Never thought I would see the day" Matthew chuckles.
"You know me then?"
"Aye. Your Father summoned me once to his Castle. You were there. Picking a fight with a black haired version of you"
"I ain't that man anymore"
"I know. We would all be dead if you were" Matthew looks at Elizabeth "Liam says she's destined. Question is, Huntsman, for whom?" Meliodas looked away. He felt eyes on her. He looks up to see Elizabeth standing before him.
"You've taught me to fight, surely I can teach you to dance?" Meliodas trades a look with Matthew, who nudges him on. Meliodas stands and they proceed to dance, with her teaching "Palms up, head straight, look me in the eyes. And" Meliodas moves better than you'd imagine. His face even softens as they both enjoy the dance. Matthew looks on with a smile.

Meliodas and the Druids are asleep. Some of the animals have nested against them. Liam and Owen were sat up with their backs back to back to each other. They were always at the ready. Elizabeth feels the light on her face, sits amazed, drinking in the sights and sounds And to her surprise, she sees Two beautiful fairies staring at her. The gesture for her to follow them. Elizabeth looks in the direction and she spots a dazzling white light shines through the trees. A little way away, Warren snores in his sleep. The golden light crosses his face and he wakes up. As he opens his eyes, he stares in wonder, then quickly wakes the other Druids. They all stare in amazement now, even the blind Atlas. Meliodas is the last to wake up (Only because Matthew kicked him in the leg) wondering what the fuss is all about. They rise and follow Elizabeth.

Meliodas rubs his eyes. Standinbeneathhe the giant tree, Was a majestic white stallion
"Please tell me you guys are seeing what I am seeing?"
"No one's ever seen this before" Matthew muttered. They all watch as Elizabeth touches the stag and the Stallion bows his head.
"He's blessing her" Elijah sniffs.
"What are you talking about?" Meliodas scrunches his face up.
"You have eyes, Meliodas, but you do not see. You, who have been with her the longest. She is life itself, she will heal the land. She is the one. Can't you feel it? Are your ailments not gone? Gold or no gold, where she leads, I follow" Atlas holds his head up.
"Aye" All the Druids agree.

Suddenly an arrow flies through the air and hits the white stallion. It roars in pain and bolts. The fairies and animals scatter in all directions now, their sanctuary violated. Meliodas looks up to see Johnathon emerging through the trees on horseback, notching another arrow to his bow. A fierce wind rips through the sanctuary now, shadows spreading where there was once light. Meliodas sees Johnathon appear on horseback, looking like a demon god in the gathering darkness.
"I hate these guys" Meliodas grabs his axe. So do the Druids, pulling on their battle masks. Another man emerges through the trees to see Johnathon aiming his bow at Elizabeth. The arrow narrowly misses Elizabeth, thudding into a tree. Elijah grabs her by the hand. Dragging her deeper into the Forest. Meliodas notices that Johnathon has turned his horse to chase after Elizabeth. He growls and chases after the man.

Meliodas flies into Johnathon with a cry of rage. Johnathon deflects the blow and hurls him back into the trees. Driven by fury, Meliodas charges again, but Johnathon uses his anger against him, ducking under the vicious blow and landing a brutal one of his own. Meliodas crashes into another tree. His eyes are still full of hatred but his body is weak. Johnathon smiles in contempt from a few yards away.
"You know, I captured many girls" Johnathon walks around Meliodas "I remember your wife. The Goddess Elizabeth"
"What?!" Meliodas hissed. His mark spreading across his forehead.
"I found you two. On a hillside. you were dead but her body was broken"
"She was still alive?" Meliodas arms dropped to his side.
"Only for a moment. She fought and then she begged. For her life. Please?!!!"
"You killed her?"
"You should know she called for you. Your Elizabeth" Johnathon smirked. Meliodas is shocked, desperate "She begged you to wake up. Just before I slit her throat"
"You bastard," Meliodas notices a fallen tree trunk behind the man. It had dead branches sticking up like sticks. Johnathon steps toward him.
"Now you can look for her in the other world and beg for her forgiveness" Johnathon smiles and raises his sword for the deathly blow when Meliodas lunges. He throws himself at Johnathon, his momentum carrying them both into dead branches. The branches pierce Johnathon's body, their tips digging into Meliodas's flesh. Johnathon howls in agony. Johnathon writhes, fighting to pull himself free of the branches but Meliodas holds him down, even as the spikes dig into him, forcing Johnathon's wounds to stay open, Unable to heal "Sister, heal me!!"

Johnathon writhes, fighting to pull himself free of the branches but Meliodas holds him down, even as the spikes dig into him, forcing Johnathon's wounds to stay open - unable to heal.
"Sister" Johnathon twitches for a moment, looks to Meliodas "I feel...." Then the light goes out of his eyes. He is finally dead. Slowly, Meliodas pulls himself free of the branches cutting into his flesh. He hears yelling from the other side of the Forest.

He runs to the centre and sees a tall woman standing over Elizabeth and Elijah.
"No!" he screams and his arms turn black "Hellblaze" He shouts black fire at the woman. But she deflects it. Once the fire is out, She is revealed to be Queen Althea.
"It didn't work. Her blood was supposed to make me immortal"
"She is of the Goddess race. Not the Fairies you stupid bitch" He flies at her. Plunging his hand into the chest and rips out her heart. He burns it with hellblaze. The Queen screams and claws at him. Her skin grows old and her hair turns grey "Your brother is waiting" He dropped the heart and goes back to Elizabeth. The Queen crumbles to the ground. The ground swallows her up.

As the other druids arrive, Meliodas cradles her and begins to cry, devastated, turns to the Druids.
"What are you looking at? Do something! You're Druids, healers! Save her! Help her!" He pleaded.
"No. This cannot be" Altas drops to his knees. The poison has now drained the colour from her lips.
"Please!" Meliodas mutters "I can't do this. Not again"
"What will we do, Matthew?"
"What we promised" He pulls his shoulders back. Meliodas watches as Elizabeth's body is wrapped in a shroud, laid out on a funeral board.

Elizabeth's body to Duke Hammond's castle, she is laid in the chapel in a dress, the Meliodas sits near her body, drinking "Here you are. Where it ends" He stands up and goes to her body. He touches her arm. Feels the fabric of her funeral dress. Looks at her face and breaks a bit - losing the drunken swagger "I only act drunk. It kept people away. I'm a Demon. I can't get drunk like everyone else" Meliodas spoke to Elizabeth as if she was still alive "I should have been there. Chased after you instead of fighting that idiot. You deserve better than this" Meliodas grabbed Elizabeth's hand and placed it on his "You once asked if I drink to down my sorrows " Meliodas reaches down and gently brushes a strand of hair off her face "I had a wife. her name was Elizabeth. I fought in the wars, I carried with me the stench of death and the anger of the lost it. I wasn't worth saving. But Elizabeth did so anyway. I loved her more than anything or anyone. Hell, I even betrayed my own race for her. And then she was gone and I have to stop myself from becoming my inner self again. A self I never cared for. Until you. You remind me of her. Her spirit. Her heart. And now you, too, are gone. You both deserved better. And I'm sorry to have failed you as well" Meliodas leans against the stone table. He leans over and kisses Elizabeth "I'll see you again" He finally turns and leaves the chamber, tossing the flask aside.