A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed this story. Your reviews are greatly appreciated. Hope the following chapters are as satisfactory as the first. Enjoy and please, keep up the reviews. - IrethAnwarunya

Chapter 2: The Magician

Schmendrick's sleep was troubled. He tossed and turned in his blankets as he lay on the cold ground, trying to get as close to the fire as possible without burning himself. Some time around dawn, the magician gave up his fitful rest and, trying not to disturb Molly, he forced his stiff body off of the earth and set about making himself a pot of coffee.

It was then that he saw her, hidden amongst the shadows in the thicket at the edge of the road. He stood perfectly still, his breathing momentarily ceased, so not to startle her. Schmendrick's eyes narrowed as he tried to determine if this unicorn was the same unicorn he had freed from Mommy Fortuna, the same unicorn that had helped him become a true magician. She then turned her head ever so slightly and Schmendrick saw pain in her eyes. He placed his coffeepot back to warm in the fire and quietly made his way over to her.

"My lady," he said with a grandiose bow and the removal of his conical hat.

"Hello magician," she greeted him in the same glorious, honey-like voice he had not heard in many years.

A moment of silence passed between the old friends and Schmendrick finally asked what he had been longing to ask her: "Why have you left your forest?"

The unicorn lowered her neck for a moment, seeming almost ashamed, then raised her head again in the same regal manner Schmendrick was accustomed to seeing.

"I want you to change me back. I want to be mortal again. You have the power now. You are a true magician," she said.

Schmendrick stood in awe. "Why would she want to give up immortality?" he wondered. Then, he knew.

Love.

It seemed a little extreme, but Schmendrick glanced at Molly slumbering peacefully, her soft features illuminated by the flickering flames, and he understood. He would give up immortality for her.

The magician returned his gaze back to the magnificent mythical beast before him, but before he could speak, he heard a gasp from behind him. Glancing back toward the campsite, he saw Molly rising from the hard earth.

"Where have you been?" she asked in a strained voice, hardly more than a whisper.

"I am here now," the unicorn replied.

"So you are," Molly retorted and wrapped her arms around the unicorn's elongated white neck.

"So Schmendrick, are you going to change her back?" Molly inquired of her lover.

Schmendrick's breath caught in his throat. "What? How did you know why she had come back?"

"Oh, dear Schmendrick," she said, her voice full of loving pity, "wasn't it obvious to you the moment you saw her?"

"Well... no...but" he stammered and Molly and the unicorn laughed. After a sigh and a long pause, Schmendrick regain his composure and put his thoughts in order.

"Molly and I were on our way to Hagsgate for our yearly visit with Lir. Walk with us for now and when we reach the edge of the kingdom if you still have your mind set, then I'll do what I can to change you back," Schmendrick told her. He meant this as a sort of compromise, but he spoke with a hint of steel in his voice that left no room for argument. He would not do anything that deviated from his plan until the moment came for change. The unicorn knew this and knowing how to pick her battles, she agreed.

"Very well. Let us return to Lir's kingdom," said the magician.