Philip sat at the writing desk in the study, penning a note to Aurora. It was addressed to Marcus disguised as a business missive, but it was his only way of speaking to his sister, hearing how she was and sharing news of home.

The door to the study opened and Philip looked up as his step-mother came in.

"Oh, hello, Philip. I didn't know you were in here."

"Just writing a note to Marcus," he replied, waving his quill to indicate.

"You've been sending him quite a few notes lately, haven't you? Why not just ride over and see him?"

Philip finished the note and quickly sealed it, "Well I like giving old Andrew something to do."

Andrianna laughed a little, as she walked about, idly picking up books and putting them down. Philip felt guilty at times that he was sometimes short with the woman. She had just recently lost a husband, but she had a way of finding him when he most wanted to be alone.

"That King Marcus is a fine man, I wonder that he isn't married."

Philip laughed, "It'd be an odd woman willing to take him."

Adrianna sent him a quizzical look, and suspecting she may start hinting that he ought to settle down soon, Philip stood and left in a guise that he needed to post his letter.

Letter posted, he stood for a moment at a loss to what to do, then went to find Eric in the training yard.


Marcus answered the knock on his study door with a, "Come in."

Belle popped in a moment later. "Just come for you, Lord Marcus."

Marcus looked up long enough to take the letter from her, then went back to what he was doing. But Belle hovered.

Marcus glanced up. "Is there anything else?"

Belle had taken over many tasks in the house in the months since she had been here. She was quick and polite and almost always annoyingly cheerful. She had taken to commandeering the library each evening to teach herself how to read. Marcus would help as he could, but she seemed quite content to do it on her own.

"It's from Philip," Belle said, proud of herself for having made out the name despite the atrocious handwriting. Marcus actually glanced down at the letter.

"So it is."

"Do you think it's to her?" Belle questioned eagerly, and Marcus sent her a look.

He had told Belle of Aurora after about a month of her service here. He had come to trust her, and knew she could help cover were anyone to ask questions, like where was it the King had been disappearing to a couple times a week. Belle knew it was to bring Aurora her letters and to take Philip's back in return, but the thought of a girl hiding from a curse deep in a magical forest had admittedly thrilled her.

"It's likely." Marcus said, stubbornly refusing to open it then and check. He had work to do.

Belle blew out a breath, "Well, good day, Lord Marcus," She dropped a curtsy before she left and Marcus rolled his eyes. She still insisted on such formalities although Marcus had told her it wasn't necessary. Unless of course he interrupted her studies, then it was "Go away, Marcus, I'm busy."

Glancing down at the letter, Marcus gave up and tore it open. It was to Aurora. Setting it beside the one he had received just yesterday, King Marcus made plans to visit the forest that night.


He left later that evening, Belle gathering his things for him and whispering a quiet, "Tell her I say hello," before he left. She had taken to forcing him to bring things with him for Aurora when he went. A shawl. Some treats from the kitchen, and books, she almost always added books. Marcus didn't quite have the heart to tell her that though Aurora enjoyed the other gifts, she did not particularly enjoy reading.

It was Marcus who usually cracked one of the books open and sat by the fire of the cabin as Aurora read and answered her brother's letters.

It was a quiet walk, the air holding a slight chill that made him walk more briskly. The stars were out, and Marcus called on his magic long before reaching the wood so he could watch the fairie come out. He had been connecting with his magic more and more as his visits to the wood occurred more frequently, and he enjoyed the quiet beauty of life.

He reached the clearing and nodded to each ped, who called out to Aurora that he was there. She used her amulet almost constantly now, since the fairie were so keen on powering it. They had even adapted it so it would work by just being worn about the neck. Marcus had rolled his eyes when Aurora had shown him; the showoffs.

Aurora appeared in the door, greeting him eagerly, "Lord Marcus! I was just thinking about you."

His brow rose slightly, and she colored. "I meant about you, and Belle, and the castle. It was chilly and I wore the shawl she thought for you to bring me."

Marcus nodded, "She'll be glad to know you're enjoying it." He entered the small hut and set his bundle down.

"Tea?" she asked, as he began rummaging through the pack. He glanced down at the familiar leaves, then sent a peg by the door a look that they answered with a barely perceptible nod, she still needed the tea to help sleep.

"Yes, thank you." He answered, setting down the book Belle had asked him to bring. Aurora glanced at it and smiled almost indulgently. She looked bright, happy even, at home in this little cabin surrounded by fairy light, but he knew she did not really belong here. She had a family, a place in her own kingdom, and with the Enchantress having defeated them there was little hope of ever returning. It worried him, especially since, with the Enchantress having kept her word, their kingdoms had been safe for anyone but her.

He wanted to ask if she was happy here, but there were dozens of ears listening, and he did not think she would be honest if she thought it would hurt their feelings. She had grown so accustomed to living among them it was amazing to watch her move between fairy wing and step over Constant, the ped at her feet, as if they performed an intricate dance. But he wondered suddenly if perhaps she would not crave to sometimes be alone.

She handed him his tea as she plucked her letters from the table. She walked happily to her tiny desk in the corner. Marcus had thought to bring it once Philip began writing her letters, but he let her believe it was at Belle's insistence.

He picked up the book he had begun last time, amused that Aurora had thought to leave it out, and began to read. It wasn't the most interesting book, a bit too fantastic for his taste, but Aurora hummed as she wrote and the entire atmosphere was filled with contentment.

When Aurora had finished her last letter and set down her quill, Marcus looked up.

"Would you care to walk?"

Constant perked up at this, ever by her side, but Marcus shook his head slightly at the ped. He wanted to talk to Aurora alone. The ped settled down, knowing the girl would be safe enough in these woods with the king by her side. Aurora nodded eagerly, gathering her shawl, and followed him outdoors.

Cool air greeted them, crisp with the scent of night, and Marcus led her down a small path into the tree.

Aurora walked along contentedly, glad for the open night air and the quiet. She enjoyed her friends but there was something to be said for not having them constantly under foot. They had not gone far when the light of magic around them suddenly began to dim. Aurora stopped, hand going to her necklace as the lights faded entirely.

Marcus looked back at her.

"That was me." He supplied. At her quizzical look he added, "I made the charm, Aurora, I can control it."

She blushed a little, not sure if he noticed he had just used only her given name. She looked about the shadowed woods and the moonlight that filtered to the path below.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, finding a strange calm in the sudden darkness.

"I thought you might perhaps enjoy a normal moment."

Aurora smiled a little, Her "normal" had become so far removed from anything she had previously known, she didn't even know what to say. But he was right.

With no one else there, she enjoyed the connection to the magic around her, but with someone here to walk with and talk to, it was nice to be somewhat alone in the dark.

"Are you happy here, Aurora?" Marcus asked suddenly, and she looked at him in soft surprise.

"Of course," she spoke quickly, but he stayed quiet in response, merely looking at her, and she sighed a little, "I'm not quite sure how to answer that. I live in this magical place surrounded by amazing creatures who would do anything to protect me. I can see so many beautiful things and am so thankful for all you have done for me and my family."

"But...?" He prompted.

"But I would love to go home again, to see my brother, to be able to walk without fear of falling. Were we anywhere else other than enchanted wood its king had ordered to protect me, a walk like this would be strictly forbidden, everything would be forbidden because the alternative would be to be nothing at all. Not alive, not dead, just asleep. Here I can live, if not freely, at least there's life here."

Her impassioned words fell to an abrupt halt and she would have felt foolish for speaking them, but his steady gaze was somehow reassuring.

"Are you ever frightened?"

She blushed a little, "I used to be, before I grew accustomed of the things you showed me. And sometimes, at night, I think of my father, or of the curse, and fear finds me. I know that I am not alone here, yet sometimes I do feel very much alone."

Her voice had gone small, and he laid a hand on her arm in much the way he used to do when he would share his magic, "I am sorry this has happened to you, Aurora. I hope someday to make it right."

She smiled up at him, "Thank you, Marcus."

He smirked a little when she said his name, and her gaze fell blushing away.

They returned to the cottage shortly after, and as Marcus gathered the letters he would return to

Philip.

"Good night, Lord Marcus." A prim curtsy and a gaze that wouldn't quite meet his own.

He smiled, "Good night Lady Aurora."