Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 10: Haven

My beautiful love struck chickens, they finally made it!
Above picture is Ingrid.
Summary: Everyone arrives in Haven.

     Meanwhile, in Haven....
     "GET OUT YOU CHEAP IMPOSTER!!!!"
      The scream of one Queen Regina was possibly heard throughout the outskirts of Haven.
      "HOW DARE YOU?!" Came the scream of another woman, who forcefully grabbed hold of the imposter and pushed her out the door. She shook her head in annoyance and frustration. "That's the third one this week. But don't worry, old friend, we won't be fooled next time."
       "No! There won't be a next time!! I will see no more girls posing as my niece."
      She took the picture of her niece that had been drawn by an old friend of hers who she had lost during the curse. She crumbled it up and tossed it away, before walking out the door.
                            * * * * *
       Rose, Merlin, and Nyx had finally reached Haven. Once more, Rose was dressed in the green dress and boots she'd worn the day she'd danced with Merlin. Merlin and Nyx, however, were in their usual dress.
        Leaving the boat, the three hitched a ride in a simple carriage that would take them directly to Lady Ingrid's​ house. While on the way, they did a last minute run over trivia to be sure Rose was ready.
       "Where was Cousin Mary from?"
       "Merlin, I'm nervous. What if Ingrid doesn't believe me?"
       "She will! You're Princess Rosalia!"
       "It's just that, a few months ago, I had absolutely no past at all and now I'm trying to remember an entire lifetime. I mean, it was hard during the course of our travels but now it's real."
       Merlin smiled at her. "And that, love, is precisely why you got me. Don't worry; we'll work through this together, ok?" She nodded. "Ok so where was Cousin Mary from?"
       "Misthaven."
                             * * * * *
      A few minutes later, the trio, along with Lyall, arrived at Ingrid's house. The door was opened by a tall, blonde haired woman in a long white dress:

      At this, she exclaimed, "Nyx! Oh darling! How wonderful to see you again!"
      She and Nyx hugged one another joyfully. Afterwards, Nyx announced, "Ingrid, we need to talk."
      "Oh of course! Come in, my darlings!!"
      The trio followed Ingrid into her house. As it turned out, Lady Ingrid was a very wealthy woman with a very nice house. Once inside, Nyx introduced Ingrid to Merlin and Rose (whom she introduced as The Princess Rosalia).
     Ingrid inspected Rose carefully, exclaiming that if this woman was indeed who she claimed to be, then she had grown up beautifully. Afterwards, she bombarded Rose with a number of questions. Finally, Ingrid asked, "Now this last question is a bit out there but indulge me, how did you escape from the siege at the palace?"
     Merlin gulped. He was afraid that they might've come around to this kind of obstacle. Granted, he knew the answer, seeing as the entire reason she'd escaped had been because of him. However, he was too afraid to reveal that person that he had been.
     So he'd decided that the only thing to do was to cover for Rose but she beat him to it.
     "It was frightening; people were running and screaming. I remember... my mother....She died in front of me. I ran back to my room...To grab something and...My aunt followed. We were stuck but then...There was a boy...He worked in the palace...And... He saved us. He got us out but I don't remember his name."
     Merlin couldn't believe it. Rose had recalled every detail perfectly. And since only he, Regina, and the princess knew the truth...That meant she was the princess. He knew he should've been happy; he'd accomplished what no one else had but all he could think about was how miserable he was. Once again, he had fallen in love with the princess and once again, he couldn't have her.
      "So....Is she the princess?" Nyx asked gently.
     "I'd be willing to bet my life on it."
     With a joyous shout, Nyx practically danced across the room to grab Rose up in a great big hug and spin her around, joyfully.
     "So when do we see the queen?"
     "Unfortunately, the queen does not want to see anymore potential princesses. She fears disappointment."
      "Old friend, you said it yourself. If you're willing to bet your life on it, what more could hold you back?"
      "Hmm...You're right, of course. How about this? Every year, Regina throws a grand ball in celebration of the kingdom on the anniversary of her coronation. It just so happens that tomorrow is that day. We can all go together and then you can reunite them."
      "Perfect!"
      Nyx was hugging Ingrid joyfully. Rose was laughing and turned around to find that Merlin had disappeared.
                      * * * * *
     Merlin didn't know what to do. He loved Rose, that's all there was to it. And now, once again, he knew he could never have her.
     It was at that moment that Rose came rushing out to hold him.
     "Merlin, you'll never believe it! We're going to a real life ball! And Ingrid's taking me to get a very special dress just for the occasion!"
     Merlin knew it best to not let on that anything was bothering him. "That's fantastic, love. I'm proud of you."
     He hugged her for a long time after that, stroking her hair gently.
                       * * * * *
     Meanwhile, down in Limbo, Karayan was getting ready to depart for Haven.
      "ADDUCERE MIHI AD ANIMAM!!"
     And he boomed with laughter as he and Seth vanished.
                             * * * * *
      Ingrid was like a kid in a candy store. She had taken Rose, Merlin, and Nyx all over Haven. Each one she dressed in brand new, lavish clothes. They saw the sights and had a great time.
      That night, Rose and Merlin kissed as fireworks lit up the sky. Neither one knew of the chaos that was about to unfold.
To be continued...

Translations:
Adducere mihi ad animam! = Bring me back to life!