She walked forward slowly and quietly, not wanting to announce her presence, until she could see... it was Tegryn and Darcy! She hid behind a nearby bush and listened.
"What have you done with the others?" Darcy scowled.
"I sent them back to where they came from. I have no business with them. I know you were behind this... but why did you do it? You told them you were going to have fun with me... is this your idea of fun?"
"How did you know that?"
"I'm not sure, but it's probably something to do with that magic you planted in my head. I guess it had more of an effect than you bargained for. You were able to read my mind just now - it looks like I can do the same thing to you."
Darcy sneered "You're right - and it seems I can see what you're thinking now. I know how you feel about that wretched pixie Musa. What's the matter? Too scared to tell her how you really feel? How pathetic!"
"My feelings for her are none of your business!"
"Oh, they are now! But tell me, why should you be interested in HER? Join me and I can give you all the power in the world - after all, what can she offer you?"
"You WHAT? You obviously don't know me as well as you think! I don't want power, or riches, or any of that stuff - the only thing I want is someone who loves me, someone who can ends my days of wandering and loneliness... someone who I can call my soulmate. And that someone is Musa. She's pretty, she's sweet, she's caring, compassionate, funny... everything you're not. I love Musa. You get it? I LOVE MUSA!"
These words echoed all around the dreamscape. Musa looked on, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. "I love you too" she whispered.
Tegryn continued, his mood darkening "But look at me. My body is a real mess right now, and it's all your fault. I'm gonna be stuck in bed for who knows how long - does Musa deserve to be nursing me? Of course she doesn't - she deserves so much more than me. She deserves to be with someone who can love her back properly, who can treat her like the princess she is. There's no way she could ever love me. There's no point in me loving her... I may as well give up now!"
Musa gasped as she heard these words. "NO!" she shouted as she ran towards him, tears streaming down her face. "No! That's not true!" Shocked, Tegryn turned to see her approaching. She ran into his arms and hugged him tightly, sobbing into his chest. "Don't ever think like that again, please. I love you for who you are. I love you..."
Tegryn was totally taken aback. He wasn't expecting this, and he'd never experienced anything like this before, neither in his dreams or in the real world. He searched for the only words to reply with... "I love you too".
"Oh please, I think I'm going to be sick!"
Tegryn turned and looked at Darcy with disgust. "Oh shut up and get out!" Sure enough, she was gone, leaving just him and Musa alone. They hugged each other for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually Tegryn said, "I'm so glad you're here, but there's one thing I don't understand. This dream was created by those witches - how come YOU'RE here?"
"I'm not quite sure. I was sleeping when I heard your voice calling for me, reaching out to me. Then I found myself here."
They held each other tight, savouring every moment together. Soon, Tegryn looked at Musa and said "I think it's time for us to wake up now." She smiled and faded from view. Everything slowly faded away and Tegryn began to wake up...
That was odd. He could feel something sitting on his head. He opened his eyes and looked upwards. What appeared to be a baby wearing a pink bonnet peered down at him with big eyes.
"Um... hello."
The baby giggled... then looked up at the door.
Musa was stood there in her pyjamas and dressing gown. They stared deep into each other eyes with huge smiles on their faces, then Musa ran over to his bed and gently embraced him. They stared deep into each others eyes, totally captivated by each other, yet wondering all the while what the hell they should do next. The anticipation was driving the two of them crazy, so much that Tegryn could no longer take it. Gently, he drew his lips to hers, drawing closer, ever closer so he could feel her sweet, warm breath upon them, until eventually, they finally touched in that magical moment of their long-awaited first kiss. Tegryn could feel that Musa was trembling - she had rehearsed this kiss so often in her head, but she wasn't prepared for just how good this felt. Snuggling up to him, she said the two words she knew he wanted to hear the most... "My soulmate..."