Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 125: The Once and Future King

Chapter 125: The Once and Future King

Schmendrick awoke. But he didn't stir. He didn't even open his eyes. It was unlikely that Artie had survived the night - the thought of scraping snowflakes from his corpse was unbearable. Another death? Schmendrick cringed. Oh. The thought of getting up was actually painful.

Poor Artie. Poor boy.

Schmendrick didn't understand why, but he liked Artie. The boy was brainwashed (claiming to be The King for mercy sake!), but his peculiarities were nonetheless admirable. Although Artie sought Lady Elsa to break his curse, his ultimate goal was not true love. Artie's ultimate goal was saving Fantasia. That was commendable – kingly even.

But the wintry curse was too strong, even for Artie's noble heart. By now, on this sunshiny morning, the Fantasian boy was probably dead.

"Poor Artie." Schmendrick stiffly uncurled. Shaking snow from his hat, he gazed sadly at Arthur. But just as he promised himself not to cry, Schmendrick gasped.

"Oh!"

Schmendrick dropped his hat. Blue magic puffed under the brim as Kayley, Garrett, and Shrek woke to Schmendrick's cry. Together they followed Schmendrick's trembling finger to Arthur.

Arthur was alive, stirring from a peaceful sleep. His hair was less white; his complexion less blue; a faint rosiness colored his cheeks. 

And a gorgeous unicorn had rested her head upon his chest.

They stared. They gawked in the morning light.

Finally Schmendrick murmured.

"Unicorn...my spell. Lady Odette was transfigured into a swan...and...her sister....a unicorn."

Schmendrick pinched his nose. He clenched and unclenched his hands, trying to remember the disastrous incantation that had transfigured ladies Amalthea and Odette.

Unable to recall the spell, Schmendrick gingerly approached. He paused as the unicorn lifted, her gaze sweeping gracefully from Arthur to him.

Schmendrick inhaled. He held his breath. He turned burgundy and suddenly remembered to breathe. His exhale came out in one big poof.

  "Oh...um!" Schmendrick saw himself quivering in the unicorn's violet eyes. He stammered then stopped. Violet. The unicorn's eyes were violet. Wide, reflective, and violet, exactly like...Lady Amalthea's eyes.  

Schmendrick hardly whispered.

"My...my lady? Amalthea?"

The unicorn blinked. Then she smoothed Arthur's cheek with an affectionate rub.

"OH!" 

Magic spiraled out of Schmendrick's nose to the tips of his ten toes. His outburst woke Arthur, which thrilled the magician even more. His excitement hit the stars and sailed through the cosmos. Schmendrick danced, jumped, shouted, and cried.

"Unicorn! Amalthea! Artie! Avalon! Here! Once! Future! Once and Future – Twinkle twinkle little thing, hail the Once and Future --- OH WHOA! OH WHOA THE POWERS OF WHOA!"

Schmendrick sunk to his knees. He clasped his mouth. 

They could scarcely hear his homage to Arthur through the tears.

"Oh...oh Your Majesty."