The Secret Kingdom

Discovered

Merlin stumbled a bit as he made his way down the darkened paths from the palace towards the large willow grove nearby. Even though there were scattered lanterns hanging from branches to light the way, it was still difficult to see all the roots. It almost felt like they reached out to snag his feet when he wasn't paying attention.

He was also a tad sore from all the dancing during the feast. Fianna had been right in that he picked up the steps quickly. And even though he had enjoyed it - he enjoyed watching Arthur stumble through the dance even more - Merlin couldn't stop himself from looking for Elia and wishing that he could have been one of her many dance partners throughout the night.

"Merlin!" a voice whispered.

He froze and looked around as a figure with a dark green cloak and hood stepped out from behind a tree. He relaxed when Elia lowered the hood, exposing a broad grin on her face. She held out her hand, which he eagerly took as they began walking deeper into the grove.

"You were taking so long, I wondered if you were coming..."

"Of course, I'd come," Merlin scoffed softly, taking his eyes from the path for a moment to look at her face. "Just Arthur had a lot to say about tonight's feast..."

"And I'm sure a lot of work for you to do," Elia replied.

"I may have been a guest during the feast, but I'm still his servant," he grumbled.

"Yes, but someday you will sit at my side on the throne of The Willows," Elia said dreamily, a far-off look on her face. "And have your own servants."

"Dunno how I'll get used to that," he replied.

He hadn't really thought about it at all, to be honest, he was so focused on getting to the point when they could be together. Merlin never considered what would happen after that.

"Don't worry... you have me to guide you on the finer things of elven royal life," Elia said, smiling at him before returning her attention to the path before them.

They were approaching the largest tree in the center of the grove, its branches hanging so low that it created a curtain hiding the trunk from sight.

"This is my favorite spot in the whole of The Willows... it should provide us privacy."

Elia reached out and held the drooping branches aside, allowing Merlin to step in. She followed, letting them fall back into place. Merlin's eyes widened as he took in the space before him. He had expected it to be much darker, but it was lit up by the many fireflies floating in the air, creating a rather cozy nook that couldn't fit more than a few people. Elia stepped past him and settled among the roots near the trunk, patting the spot next to her.

"Certainly know you're in a magical place," Merlin said as he lowered himself next to her.

Elia had pulled her legs up towards her, wrapping her arms around them as she looked up into the branches of the tree.

"This tree is the oldest in the grove and there are stories that it is the center of all the magic in The Willows. That this is where the magic originated many thousands of years ago when the world was still new," she said before looking over at him.

"Is that what you believe?" he asked. She shrugged.

"All I know is that you can feel magic flowing through the tree" she said, placing a hand on a root. "It pulses..."

Merlin reached down and placed his hand next to Elia's, closing his eyes. There was a sort of hum that he could feel throughout his body as soon as his palm made contact. His eyes flew open as he lifted his hand away, causing Elia to laugh softly.