The Guardian and the Sorcerer
Eve was out, alone for once. She was picking flowers for the wedding and this was one decision she wanted full reign over. She had just the bouquet it kind and didn't want anyone to change it. Then she was going to meet Cassandra later and they were going to get the dresses. Eve had already spoken about what she wanted her dress to look like and Cassandra had a few ideas. She was just examining the ivy trails when someone stood right behind her.
"I've always found ivy a very appropriate choice for a wedding bouquet." They said. She span around and found herself face to face with a handsome young man. His eyes were two different colours. One was a clean lake blue, the other a cat green. His black hair was spiked and he had a very even tan. His features were sharp in a way that made him even more appealing and his pink lips were parted slightly, showing pearly white teeth. Of course, Eve recognised him. Or at least she'd heard the description from Flynn when he told her about Scotland. His accent did sound foreign but she couldn't place it. "I assume then that you will use white roses?"
"Who are you?" Eve asked, slightly irritated that he'd guessed that. Yes, ivy and roses were a common combination but she had some other things to add.
"Just a casual observer." He said with an expressive shrug. Eve's eyes narrowed.
"Cut the bull, I know you took the stone from Flynn in Scotland." She said sharply. The man looked mildly amused.
"Ah he told you about that, did he?" He asked. "The whole team or just you?"
"That's none of your business." Eve said. The man chuckled, it sounded like wind chimes tinkling in a mild breeze.
"I think Guardian, you'll find that it is." He said. "If your, hmm, airhead of a Librarian is still being territorial and keeping certain people out of the group... well things are going to end very badly indeed." He walked over to a stand full of carnations.
"What do you mean 'end badly'?" Eve asked suspiciously. "And Flynn doesn't keep anyone out."
"Hmm I think these would look nice in the bouquet." The man pondered. Eve glared at him. "To answer your question I mean end of the world badly. And I do mean a realistic chance of it ending." He paused and started moving flowers around, taking the ivy, white roses, white carnations, some lavender and some purple salvia. He started arranging them. "And I think you'll find that your soon to be husband does leave people out. Why Ezekiel must despair at the thought of you marrying Flynn."
"Ezekiel." Eve said sharply. "You know Ezekiel?" Then it clicked. Ezekiel had mentioned someone at his mother's grave. Emmy. She had assumed it was a girl's name. "You would be Emmy." The man looked round at her.
"Yes, well my name is Emrys but that seemed a little difficult for kids." The man said as if expecting some kind of recognition.
"Em- sorry. Emrys?" Eve tested on her tongue. It was an unfamiliar word. Emrys sighed.
"To you plebeians it would be Merlin." He said looking rather miffed. Eve's eyes went wide.
"You mean the Merlin from Camelot?" She asked. Emrys gave an impatient nod. Her eyes darkened. "If you knew Ezekiel, then you knew his mother." There was another nod. "And you didn't help her?" Emrys looked like she was stabbing him in the gut. Good she thought.
"I admit that I knew her, but there was nothing I could have done. Magic or no magic. She was a dead woman walking." He said, looking like it killed him just to get the words out.
"And why is that?" Eve asked.
"None of your concern Guardian." Emrys said sharply. She felt satisfied to have gotten a proper response from him. "Besides that's not why I'm here."
"Enlighten me then." Eve said with a sigh.
"Something is coming and is going to cost you heavily no matter what you do. All you can do is change what it is that you'll lose." He said with such finality Eve wished she had the cheery one back. "Of course a Librarian and the Guardian will always face danger and tragedy but I doubt you've seen anything like this."
"And what is this thing?" Eve asked.
"Telling you won't help you, in fact in may hinder you. You're going to have to rely on new things for this, untested things. Best not be caught up in the past." Emrys said. He stared at Eve. "I would also advise keeping an eye on Cassandra."
"Why?" Eve asked, bewildered at the change of topic.
"She may not be fully aware of it but she has an aptitude for magic." Emrys said. He looked bitter. "I once knew someone like her and she turned into a menace. Cassandra is using her magic, whether she is aware she is or not is another matter, but you must warn her against doing anything reckless. Some of the Ladies of the Lake would quite like to nab her and they can get pretty nasty." He said this quickly as if Eve would feel better having it shoved down her throat.
"So what do I do?" She asked.
"Keep an eye on her and tell her groups would be interested in her." Emrys said.
"And the other problem?" Eve asked.
"Stick together Eve, unity is often the strongest power we possess as a species. Keep them close." Emrys said. He handed her the bouquet. She gasped, it was perfect. The ivy trailed like a waterfall. Six roses were in a circle, one in the middle. The carnations made a circle around it. Lavender and salvia dotted the rest of the bouquet. It looked perfect to her. It was as if Emrys had pulled the image right from her head.
"Thank you." She said.
"My pleasure Eve." He said. He bowed lightly. "Congratulations by the way." Eve stared at the bouquet and then looked up. Emrys was gone and the florist was walking over ready to look at the finished product.