Thunderbolt of Laurels

Chapter 21: An Archer's Tale

She screams in agony, frightening Red for a moment. She guides Chonkers away from the sound, just in time. He jumps off the terrace, landing onto the other balcony. I sigh a breath of relief. Red's with the others. She's safe now. I watch as Regina wiggles like a worm on a hook, releasing more piercing screams. The poison of the apple entering her wound. But as the witch falls on her knees, her skin becomes dark and rough. Her body starts to freeze in time. She looks out the window one last time as the bark engulfs her neck and then her head. She is just a tree now with sharp edges, in the shape of a witch.

All her curses are lifted. The wooden creatures disappear, turning into knights of the castle. My leg is now free, and I get up, trying to make my way to Merlin, but stumble in the process. My leg is weak from the abrasions. Merlin immediately comes to my aid. He wraps my arm around him, letting me put some of my weight onto him. "That doesn't look very good does it?" he says looking at my leg.
I shrug. "Could be worse."
He gives me a look of disapproval. "We need to get that checked out Alaura."
"Yeah, I know, I know." Char walks towards us. "How in the world did you get here so fast?"
"Your little friends, well I guess the F7, Pino, Noki and Kio came to pick me up. Told me you and your friends were in trouble," Char explains.
"Why didn't they just bring the rest of the F7 over here?" I ask. They were so much closer.
"Guess they knew I was just a better fighter and swordsman," Char boasts flexing his bicep.
I scoff. "Yeah okay."
"Makes sense to me," Merlin starts. "Because of the curse we can't use our full potential. There are many things I did in this fight that I couldn't do when I was a dwarf. We're stronger in our true form."
"I see."
"Hey, Ei- Alaura. That doesn't look so good," Char says pointing at my leg.
"Yeah, but someone had to shoot an arrow at the witch."
"Fair point."

Merlin wipes the blood off my lip and looks deep in my eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't help-"
I cut him off. "No, I wasn't the priority here. I'm glad Red is alright." I turn to her and see her on on the other side of the broken bridge. She waves in delight. I smile and wave back. I turn my gaze towards the boys. Char seems uncomfortable as Merlin wraps my leg with some cloth. I'm not sure if it's because of my gross leg, or because of Merlin's hand placement, either way I don't ask. 

"All done," Merlin says as he finishes tying the cloth. "For now. We'll have to go for the doctor in the village." 

"Thanks," I smile. I look over to the tree in the shape of a witch. I walk towards it, curious. It's so sharp and twisted. 

"Hey, Alaura, stay back from that. It still could be dangerous," Char warns. I ignore him and continue towards it. Before I can get any closer and gust of wind breezes into the room and the tree turns to ash, blowing away from the castle. 

"Well, I guess she really isn't going to be a problem anymore," Merlin says. 

"Good."

We reunite with Red and the others, celebrating our victory. Red and I run towards each other and hug. "Thank you for saving me," Red says. 

"We just helped a little." She smiles. "Where's Chonkers?" I ask. 

"Oh I'm not sure. He hopped off a while ago." We walk through the castle, passing the shards and debris from the fight with the magic mirror. What a crazy day. No, what a crazy past few days. So much has happened. I found the missing F7, not to mention rekindled an old love story, saved a princess, defeated a witch, a mirror and freed her wooden prisoners. Free. I am also free. And still on good terms with everyone in my life...how did everything end up so...perfect?! I couldn't be happier. I couldn't ever be happier. 

As we walk through the throne room a man emerges from that shadows. No. The king. "King White?" I ask.

"Yes certainly. I have returned from a wooden prison," he replies.

"Wooden prison?" Char asks.

"Chonkers?"

"Yes, yes! That's what you all called me. Quite an interesting name." 

"Oh my, father you've been with me all this time! That's so great," Red says. She runs up to her father and hugs him. 

"Snow?"

"Yes."

"You don't look like my Snow."

"I um-I have some magical shoes."

"You don't need them dearest. You are the most wonderful girl, inside and out." He gives her another hug. 

"You know what father, you're absolutely right. All this fighting started over vain vanity, and it's time we're all true to ourselves." I can attest to that. She takes off her shoes. "We need to get rid of these." I'm glad Snow White is back. I've always seen her as the coolest. 

As Snow and King White reunite, the rest of us walk outside of the castle. "Should we go back home then?" Arthur asks?

"Yes. I don't wan't to clean up zis mess we made. Let's go before they hold us accountable!" Jack says. The six little dwarves hop onto the triplets contraption. "Are you guys coming?" They all turn their heads towards Char, Merlin and I. 

"I think I might head back home," Char says looking towards the horizon. He turns his head to me and walks up. "Hey, Eira, er, I mean Alaura." I smile at his use of my preferred name. "I just-I-don't hesitate if you need me." I wrap my arms around him in a tight embrace. 

"Same here, Char." We separate and he smiles down on me. 

"Would you guys be able to take a small detour to me kingdom?"

"Why not?" Pino replies. 

"And you guys?" Jack asks Merlin and I. 

"I think we'll take a quick stop by the doctors and head for home."

"Sounds good." Kio says and just like that they take off, gone with the wind. 

Okay now sappy merlin moment then the end. 

And united we are.