Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 3: Saving a Princess

Love ya, honeys!
Above picture is Rose.
Summary: Regina kidnaps Rose, intending to make Uther pay for what he did to her. On the way, however, things change. Meanwhile, Merlin and Uther put aside their differences so they can rescue Rose.

     A moment later, Regina and Rose appeared in Regina's castle on the Forbidden Mountain. Regina immediately began to pace, muttering to herself.
     "I don't get it! How was a servant boy able to break my curse?" She began to flip through one of her books.
     "Would you like me to help you? It might help put your mind at ease."
     Regina turned to smirk at the princess. "You want to help me? Oh what a strange princess you are!" She thought about it for a moment. "Alright then. Start with this. Look specifically for sleeping spells."
     Rose nodded and the two got to work.
                            * * * * *
     Meanwhile, at the castle, everyone had finally snapped outta their stupor. The king immediately began yelling commands.
     Finally, Merlin had to come out and say what had been bothering him for so long, tears streaming down his face, "This is all your fault!" Uther turned to look at the former servant boy. "If you would've just opened your eyes for a moment, you could've seen that Rose and I were happy! But you couldn't stand a serving boy being loved by your daughter! Every bad thing has happened because of you! If you hadn't have banished me, she wouldn't have fell under the curse and if you would've just accepted us, she'd be here now!"
     "Don't tell me my business, boy!" Uther growled out. "I love my daughter and I've always wanted what's best for her! She needs a prince not a serving boy!"
     "If you truly wanted her happiness, you'd accept me!"
     "If you truly loved my daughter, you'd let her go!"
     So they argued. Finally, the queen spoke up. "Silence! Both of you!" They stared in astonishment at her. "If either of you love Rose, you'll stop arguing and work together to find her! Uther, I have tolerated everything you've done over the years but this I will not budge on! I love you, despite our arranged marriage I grew to love you but Merlin looks at Rose and she at him in a way that I never could look at you or you at me!
     "And if we're being honest with ourselves, I'd prefer her to marry Merlin that a prince who just wants her title! And you know all of this was brought about by your doing!"
     "I made a mistake." Uther said.
     "Yes. And now you must atone for that mistake by doing the right thing."
     Uther and Merlin looked at one another then both nodded and shook hands. "We agree to work together to bring Rose home."
     At that moment, an image appeared in one of the mirrors. "Congratulations! You passed the first test!"
     They saw that it was Regina's image. "This was a test?"
     "Yes. You agreed to work together. But now you must find your princess and rescue her. You have 24 hours or you'll never see her again!"
      Regina disappeared from the mirror. "Where could we find her?" Both men wondered aloud.
     "I know." They turned to see the Fairy Queen was the one who spoke. She'd been so silent, they'd forgotten she was there. "They would have to be at the Evil Queen's fortress in the Forbidden Mountains."
     "Then there we will go!"
     "Take great heed. Regina will do everything to keep you from finding the princess. You must be careful and firm in your resolve to work together. And, Merlin, a little magic would work wonders."
     Uther looked at Merlin in surprise. "You have magic? Well that explains a lot, actually."
     Both Fairy Queen and Queen Anastasia spoke up on this. "We know your hatred for most magic but where you're going, you'll need it."
                           * * * * *
     When Regina was done messing with her mirror, she turned back to Rose who was deep into reading one of her books.
     "Perhaps we won't need the books after all. It is clear to me now that Merlin truly loves you after the passionate speeches I just heard."
     Rose looked up. "So now what?"
     "I have to do something real quick," was all she said.
     Moments later, when Regina returned, she found Rose deep in thought.
     "What're you thinking about, highness?"
     "Just wondering something. Why are you doing all this?"
     Regina offered her a sad smile. "Because your father hurt me a long time ago."
     "What happened?"
     Regina seemed to be in a trance as she explained, "Several years ago, long before your birth, the king and I were good friends. I worked in the palace as the sole advisor to the king. Everything was perfect...until it wasn't.
     "One day, the queen grew sick. The king asked that I heal her. I...you have to understand, I was young. I didn't know magic that intense and I misjudged something...the spell, the amount of force, something. The queen was healed but at a terrible price: she could never have children.
     "The king never forgave me. And ever since then, he has hated and feared magic. It's easy to misjudge something you don't understand."
     "So he started all this because of one mistake?"
     "Yes, child." Regina looked in her mirror and found that Merlin and the king were fast approaching her castle, using magic and fighting skills to get through her forces. Rather than be upset, she felt...relieved..?
     She turned back to Rose. "It's time." Rose nodded and Regina waved a hand. Suddenly, Rose was in a beautiful white gown.

     "Thank you, Regina."
     "I curse you and you say thank you? Why?"
     "Because I finally understand. And because now I know that my love is true. And because everything good that has happened has happened because of you."
     Regina smiled. She laid Rose down on a comfortable bed then took out the knife that she had gifted Rose on her birthday. She pricked her finger and Rose fell into a deep sleep.
                          * * * * *
     Merlin and the king had made it into the castle. They found Rose asleep on a bed. Without hesitation, Merlin knelt beside her and kissed her. Rose woke up.
      She fell into Merlin's arms for the second time that day. Afterwards, she got up and hugged her father. Then she explained all that had occurred in the castle. Regina and Uther made up and the group returned to the king's palace.
     That very day, Rose and Merlin we're married with the king and queen's permission. Afterwards, changes were made.
     Magic returned to the castle, as did Regina who took her rightful place as the royal advisor once more. The king learned a lesson he wouldn't soon forget and the whole kingdom lived...
     Happily...
            Ever...
                After...
The End.

And so my dears, we have come to the ending of yet another story. And...it was harder to write than I thought it would be. Oh before you leave, watch this: