Merlin stepped of his horse warily and walked toward hut that was beyond familiar to him. He noticed there was smoke rising from the tip of the roof. 'This house hasn't been inhabited for years! How can this be?' He thought to himself. When he got closer, a frail womanly figure emerged. She was old. Wrapped in lightly dyed wools she straightened and faced him.

"Merlin" she said quietly

Merlin quickened his pace as realization washed over him. Embracing when they met, they both smiled.

"Oh my dearest" Merlin said lovingly as he moved closer to kiss his long lost love.

"Frik found you" Nimue muttered

"I never believed I would see you again" he paused "So many years lost"

Nimue pulled away from Merlin slightly, still not wanting to let go of him.

"You've grown older"

They both laughed. "You too!" Merlin stated.

I grabbed the remote and turned off the T.V. I couldn't bear to watch the end of this movie. My father, looked puzzled, sat up and stiffened. "What's the matter?" he questioned me.

"Dad! Really? We've seen this movie a thousand times and you know the ending upsets me." I said walking toward the T.V. to turn it off so I could get the sleep I needed.

"Lydia honey, it just a movie! You don't have to get all worked up about the ending." My father pleaded with me.

"Dad" I sat down on the couch next to him "I know that Celtic history and mythology is your passion, but its not mine Daddy. You know I love you, but I really have to get to bed, I have my choir concert tomorrow. I need my sleep"

He shifted uncomfortably for a bit then stood up to kiss my forehead. Holding my head in his hands, he spoke through his lips. "Good night my little Snow White"

I laughed at my childhood nickname. "Goodnight Papa Prince"…

My name is Lydia Sullivan. And I live in a small town on the edge of the forest in Virginia. My dad had a lifelong obsession with mythology, with a particular fixation with Celtic history. He is an anthropologist, so he travels a lot. On one of his adventures he tells me, he saw the most beautiful siren of the sea. She had long red hair and spoke not a word of English. So naturally her took her back to his land and made her his wife. She is my mother. Cordelia. He had 5 beautiful children with her. All of my siblings have names with a Celtic origin. Megan was the oldest, followed by Brian, Myself, Nessa and Neil. Megan and Brian were married and out of the house, so we never saw much of them save holidays and collage vacation.

Earlier when I told my dad that I was bored oh that movie, I lied. It wasn't the fact that I was completely disinterested, it was because I had grown fond of the character Mab and I hated seeing the story end in such a way. It truly made me sick. No one knew this, but I too had an obsession with Celtic history, more specifically with the old ways. And even more specifically with Queen Mab herself. In my Christian household it had to be kept secret. I didn't dare share this with anyone, even my father in whom I confided everything. All I could do was admire her in secret.

The next morning was more than rushed. I had to be at work at 7 in the morning. While I was taking peoples orders of fish stick and cheese fries, I was humming the songs I would soon be performing at my final choir concert. I was the featured soloist. This was my big chance. Taking pride in my voice, I was the most dedicated member of my madrigals choir since my sophomore year of high school. Although I had plenty of other things to worry about, I was off in some odd corner of my mind thinking about how the movie could have ended. I had countless scenarios made up in my head. Most of them consisting of Mab raising Merlin herself and conquering the world. I smiled at the thought. I couldn't help but wonder how the world might have been different if the old ways had stayed alive. Would we all be of the pagan faith? Or would different religions emerge no matter what? I had not a clue to do with all of these questions swimming around in my mind. If I had been paying a little more attention to reality rather than my wayward thoughts, I would have noticed the small child escaping from the table in front of me. Before I could even register what had happened, I felt the burn of hot liquid all down my body. I had managed to trip over the young kid and in doing so, spilled coffee down myself.

"Ah Shi.." I caught myself

When I looked up, there was an audience of peering eyes. Among them were many of my co-workers, the child that was on the floor, the family of the child and worst of all the security cameras. My embarrassing moment was now forever captured on tape. My stomach twisted itself into knots. I was humiliated. I got up as quickly as I could and darted for the kitchen. Grabbing the towel nearest to me, I mopped up the coffee that now stained my work uniform as best I could.

Kira ,who was habitually late to work, sauntered in like she hadn't a care in the world when she noticed me soaking wet. "Coffee?" she said giggling as she offered me the extra Latte in her hands.

I shot her a glare that made her step back.

"Gosh just trying to be nice Lyd, You don't have to cry over spilt milk" Kira said defensively.

"Coffee" I corrected " is much hotter than milk"

As she walked behind me to punch in her time card, she slipped her work apron on. She was all ready to go, unlike myself. I had managed to go from sopping wet to somewhat damp and I still looked like a mess. Having about an hour and half before my concert, 'I should just go home' I thought.

"Kira? Will you cover me while I go home and change? My shift ends in an hour anyway."

"Yeah whatever. You owe me Lydia!" she warned.

"Thanks so much" I yelled as I sprinted out the back door of the restaurant.