Lady of Magic

XIII

Merlin pulls Ava into her chambers. He looks stressed out.

"I tried to kill Arthur again," he freaks. "I don't fully remember it, but Gwen and Gaius stopped me."

She lets out a groan, staring at the ceiling for a second.

"Okay. So what do we need to do?"

"I think we need to kill the mother creature," he informs her. "I need to get to Morgana's hut, but I need you to cover for me. Gaius seems to go for the excuse of me being in a tavern for some odd reason."

"I can cover for so long. Be quick."

"I will try. Then we can discuss some plans for the future."

He smiles at her before quickly leaving the room. The princess lets out a sigh before grabbing a basket. She hurries down the hallway towards the exit of the castle. Leon passes her along the way.

"Where are you going?" he asks.

"Merlin and I are going out on a picnic," she lies.

"I'll go ahead and let Arthur know," he promises.

"Thank you. Probably should get some fruits before meeting him."

She turns to leave.

"Wait," Leon calls. She mutters to herself before turning around. "I meant to ask you if all the rumors are true. That you and Merlin are actually going to get married." She nods her head and a smile grows on his face. "Well let me be the first one to congratulate you."

"Thank you," she smiles back. She waves goodbye and head out of the castle. She does end up heading down to the market, buying fruits and flowers before heading towards the woods. She can't really be seen alone if she is to pull off this. And might as well take advantage of this and go see an old friend. The princess wanders for so long until she arrives in a familiar clearing. The trees knitted tightly together, crowning the grassy area. 

A man is sitting there, playing a reed pipe. A hat is pulled over his head awkwardly, as if to hide a pair of pointed ears perhaps. He stops and looks up at the red head before him. A smirk grows as he looks at her.

"Should I let the Queen know a sorceress is trying to pull her away from her duties?" he questions. "Or how her savior has arrived wearing iron, a harmful substance?"

"Why don't you just tell her Ava is here to visit her, hmm?"

The man looks annoyed before disappearing. Soon the young queen appears, hugging her friend. The red head is careful not to place her ring on the young woman in fear of hurting her. 

"How are you?" Ava asks.

"Okay. We have to be more careful because of Morgana is trying to use us to fight Camelot."

The two sit on the grass. The sorceress pulls an apple out of the basket, inspecting it.

"She has caused many to join her side. The promise of magic is enough to convince plenty of people to join her."

"But I know about the future you and Merlin are to bring in. My kingdom will always side with that."

"Thank you."

Ava takes a bite out of the fruit, looking out towards the woods where the entrance to the hidden kingdom is. She has wandered for a bit what it would be like in there. There have always been rumors what it would be like there, but only Titania and her citizens would know. The young queen lets out a squeal.

"Are you and Merlin-?"

"Oh yeah. Fair warning, it's iron so you-"

"I can tell but still, I'm happy for the two of you. Why iron though? It can block the flow of magic." Ava shrugs while the dark hair lady studies her. "Wait, you seem different."

Ava shrugs her shoulders and the two drop it. The women start discussing all that has happened since they have last seen each other. Titania has been dealing with unrest in her kingdom since some do want to join Morgana. Soon the young queen's men come to get her. By the time this happens though, the sun is getting lower in the sky. Hopefully Merlin will be back soon. The two say goodbye. Just as Ava is about to leave Titania calls to her.

"The next time you come back, you may be able to enter the kingdom."

Her voice sounds slightly broken, which concerns the princess. She puts on a smile, turning.

"Maybe."

With that, they separate.