Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 12: The End

Ooh...Merlin's ready to fight for his princess!
Merlin: (to Karayan) That's my princess! Get your own!!
Sooo summary: Karayan and Merlin fight. Rose makes her choice. Everyone lives happily ever after.
Final chapter of Journey to the Past! Yaaaayyyyy!!

     It was the day of the ball to celebrate the return of Princess Rosalia. The princess in question was currently admiring herself in a long gold gown and fancy headdress.

     Meanwhile, Merlin was standing in Regina's council chambers as the queen had summoned him just moments ago.
      "You sent for me." Merlin stated, as he bowed in a gesture of respect.
     "Indeed I did." She gestured to a box sitting on her desk. "The reward for reuniting me with my niece, as promised, along with my gratitude."
     "I accept your gratitude, your highness, but the reward I cannot take."
      "Very well. We have many other forms of reward than just money. Perhaps you'd like to have a high place of authority like your friend, Nyx."
      It was true; Nyx had been restored to her place on the council. Unfortunately, this held no interest for Merlin. "Unfortunately, I am not the type to want or deserve such a position. I am afraid there is nothing you can give me."
      As Merlin bowed and started to walk away, Regina called, "Wait!" Merlin turned back to the queen once more. "I know you Merlin Emrys. You're the one who saved us. You saved her life and mine, then you restored her to me. Yet despite all that, there is nothing I can offer you?"
       "There is only one thing is this world I want yet I can never have it."
       Regina watched his forlorn expression with interest. "You love her, don't you? Rose?"
       Merlin stiffened at the accusation then relaxed. Knowing it to be useless to lie, he replied, "I have loved her longer than I care to admit. But I cannot have her."
       "Rose told me about you. She was too shy to admit the truth of her feelings but I could see it in her eyes. She does still love you."
       Merlin shook his head, wishing to hear no more on the subject. So with a heavy heart, he gave out his final goodbye before leaving.
      He ran into Rose on the stairs. She was standing at the bottom of them, dressed in gold and more beautiful than he'd ever seen her.
      "Merlin."
      "Your highness." He stated, formally.
      "Merlin, that's not-"
      "Please, just let me say my goodbyes. I'm glad you found the family you always wanted."
      "Congratulations on being the one to find me."
      "Goodbye, your highness."
       Rose watched as he ran off, tears in her eyes as she whispered, "goodbye."
                               * * * * *
     Nyx was dressing herself in a rather fancy purple dress and Lyall sat beside her, perfectly groomed, as Merlin walked in.
     "So long, old friend."
     "You shouldn't leave, Merlin. This is a mistake."
     "Trust me when I say this is the one thing I've done right. I can't stay here, Nyx. I don't belong here and I can't stay here and see the love of my life hate me."
      "She doesn't hate you."
      "But she doesn't love me and I cannot put myself through that again. I told you before: princesses don't marry kitchen boys"
       Then he left.
                            * * * * *
      Rose was at the ball, watching, wishing that Merlin could be there. She missed their dance. She missed his snarky attitude and his kisses and heartfelt confession. But most of all, she missed him.
       "He's not there, Rose."
      "Who?" Rose asked, as her aunt appeared.
       "The one you're thinking about. You still love him and...Rose...you must know he loves you."
       "He lied to me."
      "Yes. But do you want to forever wonder what might've been? Yes, you were born into royalty but I'm not sure this is what you really want. You'll always have me but you won't find a love like that again. Rose, he didn't take the money. I offered him the world but all he wanted was you."
     "He...But I thought..."
     "Don't fret, dear. Your heart knows what it wants. And sadly, it's not me though I know we will always love one another." Regina seemed sad as she suddenly disappeared.
      Rose stayed where she was as she tried to think. Her thoughts, however, were cut short by a sudden noise in the distance. Oddly enough, she felt she had to find out what was going on so Rose followed until she came upon a man, calling her name.
       He was tall and dark, sort of had an air of fear about him but he was quite handsome.