Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 8: The Dance

Annnnnnnnnddddddd....here comes the romance!
Above picture is Merlin's reaction when he sees Rose in her dress.
Summary: While on a boat, Rose and Merlin share a dance together and start to feel things for one another.

     Merlin had bartered their way into a simple ship carrying cargo from Valdonia- their current location -to the border of Haven. This meant that they could reach Haven in a matter of days.
     Unfortunately, seeing as they'd joined last minute, there was only one room available, with one bed and one couch. This, of course, was an unfortunate situation but they made the best of it. Naturally, Rose was to take the bed, seeing as they were still pretending that she was royalty. Since Nyx could shapeshift into dragon form and honestly preferred it that way, she opted for the floor, which left Merlin the couch which wasn't very big but...It was better than nothing.
     As Nyx made arrangements with the captain to use the deck for a few hours, Rose was unpacking her small bag, setting the items where she was sure they'd be safe. Bored, she sat on the bed and muttered, "Lux." A ball of light appeared in her hand.
     "Nicely done." She turned around to find Merlin watching her.
     "Tenebris." The light disappeared, leaving Merlin to nod his head in approval.
     "You are talented, I must say. That's good. You'll need to be when we face Ingrid."
     "Do you think she'll believe us?"
     Merlin looked at Rose with an expression that Rose couldn't quite place; it was sort of like awe but somehow...more.
     "Yes. I truly do." He gestured with his hands, revealing a beautiful green dress. "I got this for you. It... should make you look the part of a princess, seeing as that was a huge concern of yours."
     Rose smiled. "Careful, Merlin, people might actually think you're nice."
     "And I definitely don't want to ruin my reputation." Merlin retorted, with a mixture of sass and amusement. Then he shrugged. "Just... put it on ok? Then come to the upper deck for your final princess lesson."
     "As you wish."
     Merlin left, then, muttering to himself. He knew he wasn't good enough for Rose, even though she was just a simple girl. He had lied to her and, therefore, wasn't good enough for the woman that he'd come to admire.
     Below deck, Rose studied herself. The dress was beautiful. Her boots, the ones she'd worn from back in her orphanage days were still in good shape and fit the dress perfectly. Now for the rest...
     Meanwhile, on deck, Merlin and Nyx were chatting about Rose. "Are you sure she's ready?"
     "Oh she's ready." Merlin assured. "We've practiced and practiced and she knows everything we've taught her. Surely, we can pull this off?"
     "Perhaps." Nyx pondered. They were broken from contemplation when Nyx looked up to find Rose twirling on the deck. "Ooh! Child, you look absolutely perfect!"
     Merlin looked up himself and couldn't help but get very nervous at her appearance (above gif, at the top). She was dressed in the simple green dress he'd got her:

     She was still wearing her brown boots but they worked with the dress:

     And her hair had been pulled into an elegant braid:

     Nyx was right; Rose looked like utter perfection. "R-rose, you look.... beautiful."
     Rose smiled. "Thank you, Merlin."
     Nyx was ecstatic. "Alright then. Rose, child, you look stunning, the very picture of a princess but there is one last lesson we have to teach you. You must learn how to dance for a royal ball."
     Merlin stepped forward and extended his hand to Rose. "May I?"
     "I'm nervous."
     "Don't be. You can't be any worse than I am."
     Taking a deep breath, Rose accepted Merlin's hand. They began to move.
     The first few tries revealed how little they knew about dancing, from moving at the wrong time, to stepping on each other's feet, to knocking each other down.
     Finally, however, they got the hang of it once they calmed themselves and started a short conversation.
     "Y'know," Rose began, "I never did thank you for getting me this dress."
Merlin shrugged. "It was the least I could do. Besides, you'll need it for when we meet Ingrid."
     "Right. Do you think I can pass for a princess?"
     "I do, love. I always thought you would." The look he was giving her was intense. "You really do look beautiful in that dress." He twirled her around. "Even if you're a royal pain in my rear."
     Rose rolled her eyes. "Are you ever going to change, Merlin?"
     "No, don't think so. You'd get bored."
     Rose found herself laughing. "Maybe..." They were staring into each other's eyes again. "You know, you don't look too bad yourself."
     Merlin blushed pink, all the way to the tips of his ears. "I...Think that's enough dancing for now." The two stopped, feeling the slightest bit dizzy and not just from the dancing either.     
     As Merlin gazed into Rose's eyes, something happened. "Rose, I-"
     "Yes?"
     He couldn't help himself; he leaned forward and felt that Rose was doing the same. His eyes closed and he was just inches from her face and....He couldn't do it. Merlin quickly pulled away.
     "Um...You've really improved. Good job."
     And, with that, he rushed away, never looking back.
     Now there was just one question: Does Merlin love Rose? And is Rose falling in love with Merlin?
To be continued.....

Translations:
Lux. = Light
Tenebris = Dark