Thunderbolt of Laurels

Chapter 11-Princess and the Dwarf

He leans into me, but I don't feel his touch anymore, nor his presence near my face.
"Seriously Eira? You ditched me for a troll?" a voice says. Char. I open my eyes and there he is standing in front of us.
"That's rude, Charming. He's a dwarf," I snap back. "For your information he so happens to be the best person I've ever met."
"He's barely a person, look how short he is!" Merlin frowns at him, rolls his sleeves and starts walking towards Char. I pick him up before he does anything. Char's skill with a sword is exceptional.
"Char, get out of here. Just leave me alone."
"Oh okay. I'll just head home and have a cup of tea and a bath. . .ARE YOU KIDDING ME EIRA?! I've travelled far and wide to find you! I was worried about you. You think I'm going to give up on you that easily? What happened to us? We used to be fine and out of no where you disappear?"
"I was just doing my duty, following orders. This was never my choice."
"So what? I'm a pretty good catch, and rich too."
"I'm a princess, I don't care about that."
"Yeah? Well what about your kingdom?"
"What do you mean?" I ask confused.
"Your father is going bankrupt and needs me to help. Of course I will, but I want you too."
I narrow my brows at him. "This was never business. My dad would have said something."
"He was, but you left before he could say anything. So now, it is your duty Eira," he says.

I stare at him in disbelief. "You're joking right? Is this another one of your unfunny jokes?"
"It isn't." I keep staring. I feel myself panicking. Why are we going bankrupt? Why didn't my dad say anything earlier? This means I really have to do something. He won't leave me alone and he won't help my kingdom if I don't marry him. I was selfish once, keeping the F7 out of our kingdom to help heal my aching heart, but I can't let my people starve and become homeless. My breathing becomes shaky and rough. The world around me starts to spin. I'm dizzy. And now I can't breathe. I can't breathe! My freedom. . .gone. I couldn't get out. Can't leave my birth right. Can't have Merlin.

"Eira, are you okay?" Char asks.
"I-I-I'm. . ." I can't speak. The words won't form. I fall onto the ground in front of me, trying to regain my composure. I feel a pair of arms around me, pulling me, but failing. Then a stronger pair of arms pulls me. I'm leaning on something. I don't know what, I can't see clearly.

"Breathe. Alaura breathe," Merlin says softly. His voice calms me and I start taking deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. This takes me back to the night we met. That's when it all started. Thinking about him, all we went through, what we had, it calms me.

My breathing paces out. It's smooth again. The world stops spinning. Char kneels in front of me, holding my hand. Worry on his face. "Are you okay?" he asks. I nod.
"I'm okay now."
"Do you need anything?"
I shake my head. "Maybe just a little bit of space." He and Merlin grant me my wish and move back a bit. I look up at the sky and still pace my breathing. "I'm okay."
"I'm so sorry. I never noticed how serious this was," Char says.
"How could you? You were always so busy." I see a twinge of pain in his face. "Char," I say as I look at him. "I will go with you."
"Oh goodie! Let's go, I have another horse for you."
 "I'll go back to my kingdom. But I will speak with my father. Find a solution for all this." There is no way I am giving up this easily. Not when I finally found my fairytale. 
"But there is a solution. Me!"
I sigh. "Let me just say bye to Merlin and my friends first."
"Alright." He stays in his spot.
"Alone. . ."
"No."
"Char!"
"Okay fine!" He walks back into the forest mumbling.

I crouch down to talk to him. "I'm sorry Merlin but I have to go back and clear up this matter. I'll come back." He stops me.
"I know. Don't worry, I get it. I could come with you. . ." he trails off, not knowing if it's a good idea. 
"I don't know. You guys still have to help Red Shoes. Maybe the next trip up?"
"Okay sure." He takes my hands in his. "Doesn't mean I won't miss you."
"I'll miss you too. . .But I'll be back, I have to, right? This is our. . ." I trail off. 
"Our story."
"I hope so."
"Are you gonna okay?" he asks. 
"Me? On my way back to the kingdom? Merlin, I ventured all the way here alone."
"You're right, I know. I'm so used to saving princesses."
I laugh. "This princess doesn't need much saving."
"You're right. It's a reason why I love you." He catches himself and widens his eyes. "I uh-"
I smile. "I love you too." 

I close my eyes and lean into him. Then, our lips touch for the first time. It's soft and gentle and perfect, everything I dreamed it to be; but for now, it's goodbye kiss. The thought makes me kiss him passionately. I hold onto him, I don't want to let go. When I open my eyes, he's glowing. Gold magic engulfs him. The curse is broken. He's Merlin. He's back. He's how I remembered him, but older. Three years have done him well. I chuckle. "What's so funny?" he asks.
"You just look good." I shag his hair. He looks down at his hands in amazement.
"I'm back! I'm really back!" He gets up and spins me around in celebration.
"Woahhh."
"Haha sorry." 
"Guess I am the most beautiful," I laugh.
"You really are." I blush.
"ALAURA HURRY UP!" I hear a voice boom from the forest.
"Ugh. I'll see you soon." He takes my hand and plants a kiss on it.
"Yes you will."
"Tell the others I said bye. I'll come back as soon as I can."
"Okay." He pulls me in again for one last kiss, but this time it's deeper, like we're both holding onto our dear lives. Like we can stay in this moment forever, but we can't. He squeezes my hand as we pull apart and I start walking into the forest, his hand slipping away from mine.