The Druid Boy

“I am certain, indeed.” Mirana reassured him. “Of course, if you ever change your mind, you are free to make such decisions for yourself. What matters to me is your happiness and whatever wishes you have, you know you can come to me.” She glanced at him with a grin before turning around, gazing through the windows at the people enjoying the festivities in the ballroom. 

“Well, I believe it is time for me to return to the ball before they all start looking for me. Would you care to accompany me?”

He didn’t think he would change his mind. There was a darkness there that he could not escape. Mistrust from someone he looked up to, and apologized to for words said as a child weighed heavily on him. He was overwhelmed there, and appreciated the calmness that his mind was offered here. The world itself was alive with people and creatures and action, but Mordred had a calm mind. He felt the potential his parents, and uncle once told him about as a boy. He had no desire to go back, and surely Merlin would be grateful that he did not. He smiled, “I have always appreciated your advice,” that was half why he voiced the concern to her in the first place, the other half was to tell her of his wishes.

He nodded, “It would be my honor,” he said holding out his arm for her. “Who do you think would start looking first?” he mused out of curiosity. After all, he was trying to get to know everyone still.

“There’s nothing to tell you right now.” This, of course, was a blatant lie, but in addition to being a lie, it was a conversation she’d rather not have with him at the moment. 

So there was something. She wasn’t telling him, it had to have been something recent then, or something that occurred around this time. She’d tell him, and if she didn’t he’d remind her because he didn’t forget. But he also wanted her to feel okay, she was his mother after all. He wanted the best for her. So he needed to change the topic. “What are we doing today then?” he asked.

“Of course.” How could a child look at her with such a serious expression? Everything was okay. It was only her mind playing tricks on her. Again. “You don’t need to worry.”

He frowned, because he still didn’t believe. “Okay,” he agreed, but he paused. “Promise you’ll tell me? Like right now too?” he asked.

He gave her a stern look, well as stern as any child could. He didn’t believe her, “You’d tell me if it wasn’t right?”

It was true. Mirana had many worthy contenders to fight beside her as White Knight but Mordred had immediately captivated her as she sensed great power and courage in him. “To be quite honest, I never expected to find a Champion in the Overlands of Albion or to have the courage to return and reclaim my throne.” Mirana let out a small sigh as she gazed at him. “That was until I met you. I was ready to give up and just live my life in fear but you have convinced me to return and fight for my people.”

She have him a reassuring grin before she continued. “So, of course I won’t send you away, Sir Mordred. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me… and Underland.” The White Queen let out a soft chuckle as she glanced down at her feet before gazing out into the view of Marmoreal, peaceful at last. 

He looked up at her, awe on his face. Her words honored him. He could have never expected her to say those words. The purpose he had was so strong here. Some of those things he hadn’t thought that he had done. It was a surprise to him, he mostly talked to her after all. But then again, he should know how far kindness went.

He smiled that he wouldn’t be sent away. He breathed a sigh of relief that he could stay here. Things were so much brighter here. “That is a bold statement to make, not that I want to say you are wrong,” he began. “But are you certain?” She seemed so sure of the statement that he was the best thing to happen. But it was so much to say, especially for how little he actually did, he fought alongside her, that was all. She did so much, and now she had her throne back, the land seemed prosperous.

Time has certainly gone by since Mirana’s days in exile in Albion, awaiting to find the Champion that would fight by her side to regain the Underland throne. She had taken great risks with her magic in a land that outlawed it. Despite it all, she found something special in Mordred the day she met him.  

It warmed Mirana’s heart to hear such words from him. She could not hold back the grin on her dark lips. “I am quite happy to hear that. I could not imagine anyone else more suited to be my White Knight after all. You have blossomed into a worthy Champion… and companion, I must say.”

Her response provided him with hope that he would be able to stay. He had so much purpose here. No one looked at him like he was a darkness that they were all dreading. He could learn more about his magic here, he felt that he could be more of who his parents, wanted him to be here. His title, the White Knight, was one he held with immense pride. While he had pride in being a knight at the Round Table, it was different here.

He smiled, “I am honored that I was chosen. You had many men to pick from.” Mordred was not the best fighter, nor the strongest. Sure he had magic, but she had many men she could have chosen to be her champion. Arthur’s knights were some of the best in the land. At the mention of companion, he hoped even more than he had. “Then you wont send me back?” he asked, hoping for an affirmative. “You wouldn’t send your friend away, right?”

At last, peace and tranquility had been restored to Underland and the White Queen had owed it all to her army and her White Knight, Mordred. Grateful for their valiant efforts, she held a ball honoring them and a farewell to Mordred who in time, was to return to his life back in the overland of Albion. She would dare not admit it, but she had grown a bit melancholy at the thought of his departure. Fighting in battle beside him had been the happiest and proudest moments she had as Queen and she would not know the next thing she was to do without him in Underland.

At deciding to take a break from the festivities, Mirana wandered outside into the courtyard and saw Mordred there. Before she would say a word, he had admitted to her his wish to not return to his land. She held back a smile as it was what she longed for him to admit. However, she could not help but question.

“For certain? But your life back there, loved ones, perhaps?” She bit her lip lightly as she further explained. “Do not misunderstand, I enjoy your company and it has been quite an honor training and fighting with you but are you sure this is what you want?”

He had been nervous especially of how she would react. He knew he had nothing to fear, but he was still nervous. But she seemed to be understanding which was one of the best reactions he could have hoped for. He bit his lip, “I am certain, I have no one left, and those that are there will meet the same fate as my family---” he looked down and then back at her. A silent sign that he felt he too would meet that fate.

He sighed, and tilted his head, “I do not feel the darkness that followed me in Albion here. I feel free in a way I never have been before, I don’t wish to give it up. I don’t wish to leave for I love this place, and I do not wish to leave you either.”