Icelokk

Maeve

It had been a few weeks and Sebastien still hadn't seen the Sylven. Agatha barred the door anytime he tried to meet her. She insisted he wait until the Sylven was ready to leave the room and venture out into the castle on her own.

"Well has she mentioned what her name is?"

Sebastien asked.

"Maeve Sweetbriar." Agatha answered.

She inquired about the Shrine being built in the courtyard.

"They just completed building it today. It's an eight sided greenhouse though the Sylven, er, I mean Maeve, will have to supply it with plants of her own." He replied.

"She brought a small bag with her but there's not much in it. I've been letting her browse my seed collection and she's picked out what she wants to grow. She's very keen on growing a willow tree by the pond."

Agatha mentioned, with a slight smile on her face.

"I'm not keen on having my courtyard become a jungle." He said irritably. "She may grow whatever she wishes in the greenhouse. I don't want to see any plants outside of the shrine or around my castle. Is that understood?"

She frowned at Sebastien. "Why are you being such a tyrant? Are you afraid we can't afford the resources to supply the shrine?"

He grimaced, "No, we have plenty of resources. I just don't see why she's so special. I haven't even seen the inside of your chambers- and I'm the King! Yet this wild creature is allowed inside?"

Agatha smirked, "So you want to see the inside of my secret chambers?"

He paused for a moment and then huffed, a bright red blush blooming on his face, "Well when you say it like that, it sounds very inappropriate."

She chuckled at his embarrassment.

Sebastien felt very flustered. "When will I get to meet her?!" He demanded.

"Oh do you want to see inside HER secret chambers instead?" Agatha smirked.

"OH YOU INSUFFERABLE WENCH!" Sebastien stormed off to his private chambers. Agatha withdrew into her room. Maeve was sitting up in bed. She had short red hair that fell to her shoulders, with wavy locks. Her eyes were the color of jade and her skin was pale like moonlight. She sat up in bed, wearing a long white blouse.

"Who was that?"

Maeve's voice was rough. She reached for her cup and sipped on the cool water.

"That was the King, asking about you again."

Agatha sat at the foot of the bed.

"He's come by nearly everyday to ask about you." Agatha mentioned.

"He must be a kindhearted king to be so concerned with a lowly creature like me." Maeve looked down at her hands.

"He's not kind very often. He's not cruel, just insists on logic and reason. Emotions do not come easy for him." Agatha looked over, out the window. "I believe he's curious to meet you because he wants to study the runes carved into your skin."

Maeve's face was sorrowful as she ran a finger over the runes on her skin. "I'll never be welcomed home by my people. I'm better off if I were to fade away…" her voice trailed off as tears rose in her eyes. Her skin seemed to glow dimly.

"You mustn't dwell on such matters. Your life will be joyful here. Just give it time. Time heals all wounds." Agatha reached out and laid a warm hand on Maeve's arm. It felt comforting.

"The King said they completed building the Shrine. Soon we can move you into your new home." Agatha smiled warmly at the Sylven.

"Home. Where my garden grows." A melancholy smile spread across Maeve's face.

Agatha asked, "Did you decide which seeds you wanted to start with?"

And with that, Maeve's face brightened. She excitedly explained which plants she decided to grow first and they chatted for a bit longer. Maeve soon fell asleep and Agatha entered her second chamber, which was adjacent to her bedroom and shut the door quietly behind her. The walls were lined with heavy tomes on oaken shelves. Desks littered with scattered papers on magick and spellwork sat in a group of four, surrounding a magick circle carved into the stone floor. Candles, salt, and herbs decorated the circle.

From her pocket, Agatha produced a hand mirror. In it, was the reflection of a beautiful woman.

The reflection spoke: "Have they met yet?"

"No Myrtle. Give me time to work my magick." Agatha rolled her eyes.

The Goddess of Love smiled.

"Okay but when they do, give me all the juicy details." Myrtle rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

Agatha smiled.

"It'll all unfold, in due time."