"I can't believe I agreed to this," Belle's voice shook a little as she said it, and Marcus was not sure if it was fear or annoyance.
"You look lovely," he said from his place beside her as they waited outside the palace door. She wore a flowing gown of blue silk that brought out the frown in her eyes, and Marcus swallowed a chuckle. "You wanted to be here, and he needed an escort." He reminded her, and she sighed as the doors were opened.
Philip smiled when he saw them, it not quite reaching his eye until he caught Belle's expression and his grin flashed quickly. He held out an arm, and with one last look at Marcus, she took it.
They entered the long hall, filled with people on every side, royals and residents of this kingdom who had come to witness the coronation. A buzz sounded as poorly disguised whispers speculated about the woman now twice seen on Prince Philip's arm. From the corner of his eye Philip watched her chin lift a little at all their curious stares. He went to say something quietly to her, when the crowd in the front parted to allow them to pass, and the thrones came into view.
Adrianna stood at the base of the steps, and Belle stiffened as a sharp hiss came from Philip. Her hand tightened on his arm, this was not the time yet. Anger would give them away. The woman wore a bright red gown, wide and ruffled. Belle studied her, curious despite herself, her breath hitching the tiny bit as she stared at a woman capable of such evil, cloaked behind her dark-haired frame. She was covered with pieces of gold jewelry, and Belle took in each, wondering which could potentially be her connection to the sea.
She did not see, as they passed a pocket of commoners, an older man start in recognition as she passed, using a worn sleeve to rub at his eyes in disbelief. She hardly looked at anyone until at last they reached the front and the hall quieted.
"Prince Philip," Adrianna bowed in familiar greeting, before turning primly to Belle, "And Lady Belle! Welcome, welcome, I have been quite curious to meet you!" Her smile was wide, and her eyes looked so kind, Belle had to swallow a wave of nausea before responding.
"Lady Andrianna," she bowed, her hand still gripping Philip's arm tightened, "I have looked forward to this moment as well."
They turned as an older man stepped forward. He had been the king's advisor in years past, and he bowed with real warmth to Philip before turning to Andrianna.
He spoke, addressing them but his voice spread through the room.
"After a time of great loss, the time has now come to crown a new ruler. Prince Philip," he turned to the blonde man, expression grave, "Will you take the crown?"
The room had gone silent, waiting for a response, Andrianna watching with interest, though her eyes held an almost certain look. Veiled confidence that had Philip straightening.
"I can not answer that, Sir Henry, for not everyone is here who has claim to the throne."
A murmur went through the room as the doors opened. Belle squinted against the light that poured in from outside as two silhouettes appeared. They entered and the doors swung closed behind, allowing King Marcus to fall into natural light, Lady Aurora standing proudly on his arm.
Gasps swept the crowd as Andrianna staggered in surprise.
"Aurora?" It was a whisper, laced with an edge that caused Belle to shiver.
Philip held out an arm, "My sister, Aurora, has returned to lay claim."
Andrianna stumbled forward as if amazed as the young woman progressed down the aisle, escorted on King Marcus's arm. "Aurora!" she poured relief into the word as she hurried forward, a furious mind working quickly behind her mask of shock and relief. "Child, it's been so long!"
She stopped before the girl, the woman now, and embraced her tearfully amidst a flash of cheers from the spectators around.
She did not notice the amulet that dangled from the fair blonde's neck, or the way her eyes had focused on the small gold chain that hung around her own. It was simple, un-ornate, easy to be worn with anything.
Aurora returned the embrace, heart pounding as her hands found the clasp. She prayed her hands would not shake as she stepped back from the embrace and pulled the simple chin from the woman.
"King Marcus's forces are just outside." She spoke it lowly, as if returning the woman's own greetings, and she watched the confusion flicker for just a moment as Adrianna's eyes landed on the necklace that dangled from her fingers. Rage more pure than Aurora had ever seen filled the face of the woman before her, and she stumbled back even as Andrianna raised a hand and raked it across her neck.
Blood welled and dripped before the Enchantress's eyes and she laughed even as she felt her magic begin to recede. They may think they could defeat her but they were foolish to forget the girl's curse. She watched in amazement as Aurora smiled, a calm, confident smile. A wave of anger vibrated off of King Marcus as the man stalked Enchantress was gone in an instant. Using a flash of remaining magic she transported in rage to the shore of the sea, determined to retake her connection and return to that coronation in full glory and wrath.
She stepped towards the sea and instantly a force rose out against her, knocking her back and she stared, stared uncomprehendingly as the waves parted and figures appeared. A line of mermaids rose from the depths, each clothed in the armour of the sea guard. From among them stepped a man, a human, with eyes flashing with the power of the sea.
Andrianna stared at him in some wonder.
"You're supposed to be dead. Unless…"
"You failed, Andrianna," the voice floated with the strength of a melody, and Andrianna turned her eyes and found beside the man the mermaid she had trapped in the tower, the one who's life should have cost the guard his own. They could not both here. They could not. It was not possible. Adrianna raised an angry finger to rail at them, to hurl a thousand curses their way, as the magic inside her began to wink away and die.
"You will never touch the sea again," the man spoke, and a rise of sound gathered from the army stretched on either side, a buzzing hum of energy that was almost a shout. "You will never draw from its power again."
Anrianna wanted to scream at them, but the buzzing grew louder and it pressed onto her senses. Seething, she fell to the earth.
"You. will. paaay," she half moaned, half cursed, before using the last of her dwindling magic to wink out of sight.
Inside the palace Belle gathered close to the mirror Philip held, watching the Enchantress. Beside them Marcus murmured quietly to Aurora, his hand brushing the skin beside red mark on her neck.
They watched the woman through the glass, weak and pathetic crawling through the stones of a desolate land, far from the reach of any kingdom. Marcus spared the mirror a glance over Aurora's head. Belle started a little as his eyes flashed.
"Her magic is gone," he said after watching the woman a moment. "She's no threat to anyone anymore."
There was a knock on the door of the inner chamber, and they all turned as Sir Henry entered, looking stern and a little too calm for everything that had just transpired. Yet this man had lived since the reign of Philip's grandfather, and had seen much in his time.
"Prince Philip, we would like to continue the coronation, if you please."
Philip looked at his sister, and Marcus and Belle, and each smiled back at him, nudging him towards the door.
They filed out after him, taking there places at the front of the gathered spectators, who had stayed in amazed curiosity after just witnessing the unmasking of a terror and the banishment of Andrianna.
Sir Henry approached Philip.
"Do you accept the crown?"
Philip nodded once, sharply, but his voice was steady when he spoke into the hall, "I do."
Aurora held her breath as Henry completed the coronation, the vows Philip would take as king, to protect his people and their land above all us. Tears fell in unbelieving joy as she watched him be crowned king, and she laughed as a cheer rose up from the surrounding people as they were introduced to King Philip of Aberlene.
He stepped down into the aisle, to greet his people, and Marcus and Aurora stepped forward to congratulate him, Belle only a second behind. She felt almost wild with relief and joy and knew her cheeks were probably flushed red from smiling so much, but she could scarcely care as she watched the joy and happiness all around as she followed King Philip down the aisle, watching him greet and clasp hands with royals and commoners alike.
As they reached the center of the room a voice began calling above all the noise.
"Belle, Belle!" It was a rough, grizzly voice and Belle froze in some surprise, recognizing it.
Philip caught her frown as he turned and followed her gaze.
"Is that-" Marcus began to ask behind her, and Belle nodded her head.
"Yes."
Maurice stood in the crowd, was pushing against those gathered at the front of the aisle, and Belle just stared. How had he come to be here? It was not past her father to try to wrangle his way in to places like these, but this wasn't even their own kingdom.
"Do you want to…" Philip asked now, trailing off as he gestured toward the man.
"N-no," Belle stammered, shaking her head, she took a step back. Today wasn't about him. Wordlessly Philip stepped in between, taking her arm, and they continued their walk down the aisle.
Outside the four stood before crowds of people, cheering loudly just past the palace steps. Aurora saw above them, suspended, hidden in the air, hundreds of fairie life armed and shining in the sun. Word had spread through them all that the Enchantress had met an end in exile and Princess Aurora had returned and joy flowed through the streets as it had not done in many years before.
Marcus watched Aurora taking it all in, the tears of joy that slipped down to her smile, and he turned her gently to face him.
He had meant to do this another time, after he had spoken with Philip and readied his kingdom, but he did not want to wait.
"Aurora," he spoke quietly but his low tone carried, "I know you have only just returned to your home, but would you consider leaving it again? To come and live in mine, as my queen?"
Her eyes widened in absolute shock then with a startled laugh she embraced him there on the steps in front of an entire kingdom.
"Yes!" she laughed, and the fairie flashed and danced through the air as new cheers arose.
Philip gaped at the couple, a goofy grin splitting his face.
"I swear no one tells me anything."
Belle patted his arm in mock consolation, "It's because you don't pay attention." She said as she went to congratulate Aurora.
"Wait, Belle," he caught her arm. He too had meant to do this later, but if Marcus was making a tangled mess of things, so could he.
"I wanted to talk to you, about Snow. I- I want to adopt her, and bring her here."
Belle gaped in astonishment, but the new king was not done with his startling announcements, "and I want you to come with her, as my advisor."
Belle blinked. "I, I can't." she stammered, "I wouldn't know how, and even if I did, I can't leave Marcus."
Philip's brow rose high at her choice of words, and she blushed furiously, "No, I meant I can't leave his service, I'm bound in servitude."
Philip's brow furrowed in confusion, when Marcus spoke from beside him.
"That isn't true anymore, Belle." He took in her look with a warm smile. "Your covenant has called for an act of service equal to the service of war. You've done that, Belle. You risked your life to protect the lives of those in my castle, you've come here to face the Enchantress despite the danger to yourself. You have paid your dept, times over, and your service is fulfilled."
Belle gave a little squeak and unthinkingly bounded forward to hug Marcus. He laughed a little in surprise, returning the hug before handing her off to a waiting Aurora. The two women hugged each other between laughter.
Turning back to Philip, she met his gaze with a smile and sighed,
"Don't make me regret this."
