A Kind of Magic

Fifty-Four

"Lady Isabella, Sir Peregrine," the dark-blue clad man greeted, removing his pointy hat with a flourish worth a courtier from a historical fiction book, bowing deeply to the couple standing in front of him, holding hands, even as he landed on his feet, his mid-calf, black leather boots perfectly inappropriate for a stroll in a forest in the middle of the summer. 

The woman, connecting her floating feet to the firm ground at his side and following his example with a low curtsey, was dressed just as innaproprietly in a floor-length, magnificent, deep burgundy gown hiding her shoes entirely, her hat, a shade darker than her velvet attire, a little shorter but wider and more elabourate than her companion's.

Fiona didn't have time for closer observations before two things happened at the same time-- the couple of wizards raised their hands in surrender even as Leodhais appeared behind Fiona and Peregrine's backs, the sound of his nocking his elegant bow she had never seen him use turning Fiona's skin into gooseflesh.

"It wasn't the two of us who killed your parents, young elf," the woman spoke, her low, serious voice reverberating through all of them. "Many people who don't deserve to die prematurely perish in wars. That's why each country needs a wise ruler, a man or a woman willing to protect their people in the best, unselfish ways, a ruler who would value love more than dreams of glory, who would become a part of their country just as the country would become a part of them. We are here, representing the entire coven of dark wizards, to pledge loyalty to our future king, Frederick of Silmarea. In a few years' time, upon reaching the age of ascension, he will become the king Silmarea needed for centuries."

Even as she said that, and Leodhais relaxed his posture slightly, Freddie wedged himself between his mother and Peregrine. He looked back at the elf, compelling him to drop the bow to his side and walk back to Annwyn and the rest of their group before he approached the couple of dark wizards and bowed deeply.

The boy didn't speak, but both Peregrine and Fiona felt as if a silent exchange passed between him and the wizards even as both she and Peregrine laid a protective hand on his shoulders, keeping him close to them, while they never let go of their hands, presenting a picture of a loving family.

The sight made the dark-clad couple smile, their faces looking eerie in the bluish light filtered by Freddie's grey hoodie emanating from the ring.

"You won't be able to refuse your father entirely," the wizard said, directing his intense gaze at Fiona now, as if he was replying to a silent question he gleaned from her mind. "There is a role waiting for you in his kingdom, too."

Peregrine cast a raised eyebrows look at the woman whose hand he was still holding. From the centaurs' behaviour and the dark wizard's words, Princess Isabella had taken decisions he didn't know about. Maybe he should ask her what was on her mind, he mused, squeezing her hand tighter in his. She would be a good queen; it was a shame, really, that she seemed convinced otherwise... He could feel that she was happy about Freddie being apparently the one whom the inhabitants of Silmarea accepted as their future ruler.

"You must leave this to her," the wizard spoke to him, making Peregrine look away from Fiona and meet his dark, beady eyes. "She is ready to accept her destiny. You must do the same, Highlander, if you want a better future for our world." 

Destiny. It was the second time in as many days Peregrine heard it, had the word thrown at him and yet, right until he met Fiona days ago, he had never paused to think whether he actually believed in destiny... He wasn't sure he did, but he believed in his feelings for her. If she was his destiny, then he would never refuse it.

The witch smiled at him approvingly, the knowing flicker in her eyes that reached his from the shadows cast by the wide brimmed hat over her face confirming that the wizards could read his thoughts just like the centaurs. She nodded before she said, "Remember this moment, Sir Peregrine, forever, and allow destiny to take its course for the happiness of Silmarea and your own."