Chapter 30 ~ The Knights Retreat.

---

There were exhalations from everyone as they realized the scene was over. She was gone, Mirror was gone. They had done it.

And then came the hugs, Ly and Karil, Merlin and Arthur, Gwaine and Lancelot, Maurelle and Karil...

It was a slightly awkward moment, though no one really saw it. Ly went over to speak to Merlin and the knights were talking fast among themselves. Maurelle suddenly embraced Karil, and though he blushed, it felt comfortable. She drew out of the position a few seconds later and laughed self-consciously.

But for the first time, Karil didn't feel awkward. Instead, he fulfilled his sudden urge and bent down to kiss the surprised Maurelle.

It was a romantic sight, the mist drifting over the isle, water sloshing upon the shore in the background, snow beginning to fall. For a few seconds Karil lost himself in the kiss.

Ly hadn't been that far away though...he walked up and surveyed the couple and commented in his old, joking voice;

''Ah, young love!''

It was at that moment that the kiss ended, as Karil needed to punch his friend and Maurelle embrace him. Ly smiled and let out a sigh of relief after these actions had been carried out by his two companions.

''Thank god it's all over.'' He turned to Maurelle. ''I seriously thought you'd gone bad-ass evil, girl.''

Maurelle smiled shyly. ''Mirror helped with that. I let her in, broke my golden rule.'' She turned to look at Karil. ''The only reason I was unfriendly to you guys was because of that rule. I thought I could never let people close to me, because all my close friends before had been killed because of me.'' She shook her head. ''But I was wrong. You need people to be close to, otherwise you become inhuman.''

Karil put his arm round her protectively. He liked the feeling. For once he could be comfortable with a girl, a girl whom he loved and wanted to keep safe.

Ly smiled at the gesture. Joking aside, he was glad to see his friend happy and finally at peace. Karil had had a rocky childhood, his father had been killed by a werewolf when he was five and his brother bitten. Then his Mother had had to abandon them with friends and family whilst she made a living. It had been tough for him. But now, Karil was happy, with a girl by his side and a story to tell for generations to come.

''I still don't get how you know Mirror, though.''

The three of them pricked up their ears at Merlin's question that was addressed to Arthur. They all wanted an explanation. Karil took Maurelle's hand and walked over to the wizard, Ly following.

Arthur grinned at their arrival. ''Well, I'm going to have quite an audience. But first, can I actually know your names?'' He looked Maurelle up and down as she shifted uncomfortably. ''Though actually, I think I can guess who you are.''

Ly and Karil were introduced and thanked, and Maurelle shyly said her greetings. Arthur, though, showed tenderness towards her, and embraced Maurelle as his niece. Merlin was also kind, not bearing any anger despite Maurelle's previous plan to murder him. The truth was, she looked so like Morgana that it was nice to see the similar face gaze up at them. They both missed the old Morgana, before she had become twisted and changed, eventually to be killed at Merlin's hand.

But Arthur also had a story to tell, one of Mirror's past life.

''I discovered her quite by chance, visiting the house Darnell in west Albion. They were old friends of my Father, and very welcoming. Whilst staying there, however, I caught a serious case of scarlet fever, or something like that.'' Arthur watched as Merlin began to nod his head. 

''You remember? Anyway, their physician came to see me, it was an old woman, accompanied by a small girl. Whilst in some kind of stupor, I heard the woman talking to the girl, telling her about her Mother.'' He paused to take a breath, screwing up his face at the same time as he tried to remember. ''The physician talked about a woman, tall and blonde, a mighty sorceress named Morgause, slain by Merlin, mother of this girl. Of course, in my state I didn't react, but once out of the illness wished to find the girl, named Mirror. I searched everywhere for her, but after my presence at house Darnell, she disappeared. It was later revealed to me by the old physician there that she was immortal and had magic, but I was made to swear I would never tell anyone in my living days.'' Arthur laughed. ''I suppose it doesn't really count now.''

Merlin creased his brow. ''So - you're saying Mirror lived through the centuries like me?''

Arthur nodded. ''I have no idea how she didn't grow old, but there we go.'' He grinned. ''Still, you don't look to bad now, Merlin.''

Merlin sighed. ''Yeah, but I may begin to age again.'' He looked at Arthur. ''And what about you? You and your knights will have to go back into your condition.''

Arthur nodded sadly. ''I know.'' He winced slightly as there was an invisible tug on his arm. ''Already the spell is drawing us back in.'' The King grinned at Merlin. ''Look's like it's goodbye for now, Dollop-Head.''

Merlin smiled back. ''It's a shame, Clot-Pole.''

The two men hugged warmly, trying not to let the mood dampen. After their goodbyes, Arthur turned to Maurelle.

''Make your Mother proud, Maurelle.'' Maurelle nodded, the solemn feeling setting in as the knights began to get back into position, readying themselves to sleep again. Maurelle was surprisingly emotional, despite not knowing the man whom she embraced very well. Merlin was even more so, gulping slightly as he gave Arthur a more sorrowful ''goodbye.''

And with a wave, the knights marched, armour shining, faces grave, down into the chamber in which they would rest until called upon once more.