Thunderbolt of Laurels

Chapter 5- Late Night Talks

I walk through the small patch of forest towards the lake. He's not out in the open which means he has to be behind the boulders. As I head towards them, I see a shadow on the ground caused by the moon. It's not the shadow of a dwarf but rather of a man. His hair shags down his head, his figure tall and slim. It looks like his arms are crossed but I can't tell. Who is this? I peek over one of the boulders to look but it's Merlin. What?
I step out and rustle some coarse grass beneath my feet, making some subtle but noticeable noise. Merlin turns around to face me, a surprised look on his face.
"What are you doing here?" he asks.
"I don't know, I guess I was just curious as to why you were still here." I eye him suspiciously. Why did his shadow look taller and different? Like a human's shadow. I think I might be going crazy, or just thinking about him too much, I'm starting to think he's a reality when he's not, not yet. 
"You look fazed," he says.
"Oh, I just thought I saw someone else," I say looking on the ground.
"Really? Who?"
"It doesn't matter. I don't think I'll see him any time soon. . ."
"Are you sure?" he asks. I look at him puzzled. He doesn't know what I'm talking about, who I'm talking about.
"No. I'm not sure, I just ruined things and I think it's eating me up." I sit down on the grass, staring at the flowing lake.
"Well," he starts, sitting down beside me. "What makes you think you ruined things?"
"You don't even know what I'm talking about," I say leaning my face in my hands.
"I think I do. . .a boy right? One from your past?"
"Yes. . .how did-"
"I guess I'm good at reading between the lines." I nod and cross my legs, recollecting my thoughts of him.

After a few moments of silence, he speaks up asking the same question. "Why do you think you ruined things?"
"Because I did. It was all me. I made a decision, one that separated us. It was for the greater good. I've wanted to see him ever since, but it didn't hit me until now that he might not actually want to see me." That thought never came to me before. He could be mad, hurt, any other negative  emotion. I sigh.
"Well, whatever happened, he may be hurt and upset, but there's a likely chance he'll be glad to see you again." He sounds genuine, like something like this happened to him before.

"Merlin, have you ever met someone, and it seemed like it was meant to be but it didn't last?" I ask. I don't expect his answer. He looks at me straight in the eye.
"Yes, I did once. What you're saying sounds similar. . ."
"Oh. . .you really do know what I'm talking about. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, it happened a while back, and I'm okay. And I think I'll be even better soon."
"Why's that?" I ask.
"Something big is coming, I can feel it. And it's going to make my world so much better. And I think the same thing is going to happen to you."
I smile. "That's a nice thought."
"Would you ever consider, you know, finding someone new?" he asks. Is he referring to himself?
"I don't know, I never thought of it. He seemed like he was the one, there were just obstacles. If I don't see him again, then I guess that's it. . ."
"Oh. . .well, that makes sense," he says unsurely. I look over at him as he has a small smile on his face. He tries to hide it, but I notice it. I thought he was interested in me, not trying to sound conceded. Red Shoes probably didn't know what she was saying when she said he liked me. She planted that thought in my head. But, what he said made it sound like he was disappointed; his expression says otherwise. I change the topic.
"Okay, enough of this sappy stuff, how did you seven meet?" I ask.
"That's an interesting story. . ."

He tells me about their first battle, that's when they met. It was completely unplanned. One day there was a beast terrorizing one of the kingdoms, which had never happened before. He says that's when the Fearless 7 group started and so did their fan club. They were there, first hand watching their heroes in action. The individuals from the F7 came from their kingdoms to use their skills and abilities to defeat the beast. When the dwarfs met they took on their proper roles and banded together.
"They're my family," he says. "From day one."
"That's nice. I've never really had friends, just my sister and. . ." I trail off. I don't want to talk about him. Either boys. He notices my pause and doesn't push me.
"Sister?"
"Yeah, she's my younger sister by a year. She's always been smarter, kinder, just overall perfect. She should be the one that leads the kingdom, not me. Plus, it's not like I want to do it anyway. I want my freedom."
"Is that why you ran away?"
"That's part of the reason."
"And the other part?"
"Well. . ."
"Don't worry, you don't have to tell me, I don't want to press you or intrude."
"Thank you. I'm just not used to telling people things, I guess. You've been a really good friend tonight. I really appreciate you listening to me," I say.
"Of course." He shifts his position. "What's with the bow? I don't remember that," he says and quickly covers his mouth with his hand. I furrow my brow.
"Don't remember what?"
"I mean, uh, I don't remember asking about it. . .heh heh."
"Oh. . . It's more of like defence I guess. When I was little, I used to watch the archers train and I always asked my mom if could train along side them. She always said no, and that weapons were no use to a princess and that it wasn't proper blah blah blah."
He chuckles. "I've heard that one before, about princesses and weapons."
"It's so unfair! Anyways, I complied. Until, one day," I sigh. "It was the day of the attack. These rebels attacked the castle. My father reached my sister and I and took us to a safe, hidden place. He went to find my mother but he didn't make it to her. He was just a few steps too late. . ." I pause, trying to collect myself. Merlin put his hand over mine and leaves it there.
"I'm so sorry," he says.
I smile at him. "It was years ago, but thank you. From where I was hiding, if I had a bow, if I was allowed, I could have saved her. But I didn't. So that's why after that I trained, everyday. My father never objected, he actually supported me and tried to get my sister into something but she was never interested."
"Well that bow surely does suit you."
"It does, doesn't it?" I say proudly.
We spend a while talking and laughing, just like we did in Aqua Maine and the sudden familiarity comes back to me. I think I just really enjoy his presence and our conversations. "So what's the deal with the others trying to get in good with Red?" I laugh.
"Oh that. . .um you see I guess they just think she's really beautiful." He laughs nervously.
"You guys are hiding something. They're trying so desperately to impress her." A sudden realization occurs to me. "Are you guys under a curse or something?"
He doesn't get to answer since we hear large rustles of movement coming from the forest. I grab my bow quick and load it. A man comes out with an army of soldiers and knights behind him, and not just any man; a prince. Prince Char, or as everyone calls him Prince Charming. "Who are these guys?" Merlin asks.
"Remember when I said not wanting the throne was just part of the reason I left?"
"Yes."
"Well, this is the other reason."