(Disclaimer: I do not own Strange Magic; just my OC's)

(Authors Note: Hello dear readers, I am so sorry for not updating this story sooner but I certainly haven't forgotten about it. Oh no. I was just busy working on my other stories and taking some personal time for my other hobbies. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far because I certainly enjoy writing it for all of you and myself, of course. Also, feel free to comment for I enjoy reading them and I love your support. I will be sure to post again soon, but know that if I don't update right away, it's because I'm trying to dedicate some time to my other FF's and give them some attention as well. Not because I forgot about this story. Now with that, I hope you all continue to stay safe, stay warm and stay awesome.)

"English/Common"

"Memories/Dreams"

XXXXX

-Later that afternoon-

As soon as the last stubborn patch of tree resin was removed, Marianne emerged from the washroom completely sap free, if not a bit sore from the scrubbing. She had been advised not to fly for the rest of the day and to dress warmly as a means to avoid catching a chill. Granted, the bath water had been regularly heated to keep her warm, but she had spent the last few hours partially submerged in order to loosen the resin that had coated her skin and wings. She was currently on her way over to the study room with Dawn walking beside her:

"...And then Sunny said, 'That's not a chair: That's a toadstool.'" Both sisters shared a laugh as they entered the study where their Father was seated at his desk and talking to his honored guest.

Bog felt his heart skip a beat upon seeing his beloved fairy princess, "Marianne, it's wonderful to see you again. I trust you are well?"

She dearly wanted to embrace him, but forced herself not to while she was still in the presence of her Father and sister. With a smile, she politely nodded, "I am; thank you. I apologise for not welcoming you and your subjects into the castle earlier, but as you may have heard, I was a bit indisposed."

"Ye needn't apologize, my fair princess. I understand circumstances sometimes change, but you're here now and that's all that matters." He then presented her sword, "I believe this belongs to you."

Marianne graciously accepted it and gently ran her fingers over the smooth side of the blade, "Oh Bog...I never thought I'd see this sword again. Thank you so much!"

"Yer welcome. I've also taken the liberty of polishing it for you."

"Words can't even begin to express how grateful I am towards you."

His eyes softened as he gently caressed her cheek, "My dearest Marianne, ye needn't find the words to thank me with, for all I've ever desired was your happiness."

At his statement, she felt her eyes tearing up, but before she could respond, Dawn spoke up: "Aww, that is the sweetest, most nicest thing…"

"Agreed," said Dagda with a smile. "By the way, Marianne, seeing as how we were unsure as to when you would be available to visit, I've invited Bog to stay the night."

"Thanks Dad," she set her sword aside and hugged him before asking, "What about the others?"

"My Mother and my subjects left nearly an hour ago," Bog replied. "They were given the available supplies we received as part of our trade agreement, and headed back to the Dark Forest. Yer Father offered her a room, but she insisted on heading back with the others to begin stocking the winter storehouses. However, she sends her love and hopes to see you soon."

"Aw, when you see her again, will you give her a hug for me?"

He chuckled, "I suppose that will be unavoidable."

XXXXX

Shortly after meeting up with her Father and Bog, Marianne was given a debrief of the events that had taken place earlier while she was indisposed. Basically, Bog and his goblins had been given a tour of the construction site and they even offered their advice on some adjustments that would be added to the project: like the sentry post would have to be as natural as possible in order to camouflage it from birds or other predators. The settlement would also have to be well concealed (at least from an aerial perspective) and blend in with the natural surroundings. They also suggested having more than one sentry post as an added precaution, which everyone was in agreement with.

Afterwards, Dagda had presented Bog and his fellow goblins with the available supplies requested in their trade, to which Griselda offered to take back to the Dark Forest with the others while Bog remained in the Fairy Kingdom so he could continue to discuss winter preparations with Dagda (as well as inform him of his engagement plans). The fairy king was very optimistic about the whole arrangement, but he did voice some of his concerns in regards to Bog's upcoming trip to the Black Chasm in order to obtain an amethyst for Marianne's engagement ring. However, he was reassured when Bog informed him that he planned to enlist the help of some of his subjects when the time came for him to make the journey. He was also sworn to secrecy to not tell anyone about it, especially Marianne.

At the moment, she was walking out of the study with Bog by her side. As they walked down the hallway, they soon stopped in front of a large portrait depicting her and Dawn's late Mother: Queen Anne Marie. It was obvious where Marianne got her looks from because upon first glance, Bog thought it was his beloved fairy princess: Her face was exactly the same as her daughter as well as her wings, hair and eye color. However, unlike Marianne, Anne Marie's portrait depicted her with long ringette curls as opposed to short hair. Unlike her daughters' love of shorter dresses and leggings, she was adorned in a long, violet and gold accented gown with a golden locket around her neck and her elegant, jeweled crown atop her head.

Marianne glanced up at the portrait and asked, "The resemblance is uncanny, isn't it?"

Bog smiled down at her and gave a nod, "Aye, it is. For a moment, I thought this was a portrait of you."

She shook her head with an amused look across her face, "No...I could never bring myself to wear such an extravagant outfit, nor grow my hair out that long. She was actually one of the few fairies I've ever known to have long hair."

"Why's that?"

"Well, it's not that fairies can't have long hair, we can. It's just that it tends to get in our way when we fly, hence why we keep it short. However, my Mother never had an issue with it."

"Might I ask what happened to her?"

Marianne looked into his gentle eyes and gave a nod before facing the portrait once more. "Years ago, there was a fever that swept through the kingdom and lasted for almost three months before it vanished with the frosts. My Mother was one of the many victims that unfortunately contracted it and perished as a result. I was eight at the time of her death and Dawn wasn't even three years old."

Bog gently placed his hand on her shoulder and offered a sympathetic look, "I'm sorry. I can't imagine the experience you went through but I too know the pain of losing a parent and I understand that it's not something you easily recover from."

She nodded before glancing back at the portrait, "I think my Mother would have approved of you."

"Really?"

"Of course. Sure, she would have been a bit skeptical at first like my Dad was, but I know she would have loved you."

At that, he smiled and glanced up at the portrait before glancing back down at her, "In that case, I'll try not to disappoint."

She playfully rolled her eyes and hugged his waist, "You could never disappoint me, Bog."

XXXXX

-Later-

After dinner, Bog was shown to his room and was surprised to discover that it was located right next to Marianne's chambers. He wasn't sure if that was intentional or not, but he didn't mind it in the slightest. He was just glad to be near her, but at the same time, it was driving him crazy. He longed to feel her lips upon his own and he desired to hold her in his arms. Knowing he had King Dagda's permission to propose to her was well and good, but he longed to marry her and take her as his queen. Oh, what a divine ruler she would be. He could just see it now:

Marianne casually sat in her throne wearing an elegant amber circlet atop her head. Her hands were folded in her lap while her eyes were fixed on the subject standing before her.

"Sire, your Highness, our scouts have reported sightings of a bear approaching the forest center. What actions do you suggest we take?"

She glanced over at Bog for a moment before answering, "Send word to the alchemists to craft a repellent that we can spread around the castle exterior and surrounding trees. We cannot allow it to tear up our home and raid our winter stores. Until it's ready, have some of your men mount up and lure it away to buy us some time."

"It will be done, my Lady."

A fond smile lined Bog's face as he looked upon his enchanting wife, "You handled that situation well, my dearest Queen."

"Well thank you, my handsome King," she politely bowed her head and was met with an amused chuckle from her husband. Marianne then got up from her throne and casually seated herself upon his lap, "You know...I was thinking we'd take a moonlit flight tonight and maybe stop by our favorite tree afterwards?"

"Oh? And why is that?"

"It's a surprise," she winked.

XXXXX

Bog stood by the window and glanced out at the full moon before turning his attention to the wee bundle in his arms, "Welcome to the world, my son. Yer Mother and I have waited so long to finally meet you. And look at you: Why, I do believe you'll take after me when ye grow up and become King." There was a tiny gurgling sound, to which he chuckled, "Yes, didn't ye know? Yer the heir to my throne: the Marsh Prince. That's yer name by the way."

*gurgle*

"I'm glad ye like it. Your Mother likes it too." The little one yawned, to which Bog smiled and continued, "Aye, your Mother is a fine and fair Queen: the jewel of my realm. My heart incarnate. To this day I still don't know how I managed to catch her fine eyes, but somehow I did...and here you are: our pride and joy. Our wee Prince. Our son. You'll make a grand King someday, but for now we're happy to have you as you are. Just remember that no matter how old you get, yer Mother and I will always love you and we'll always be there for you."

Marianne awoke to find tears leaking from her eyes. She wasn't crying because she was sad, but rather, she was crying because she was happy. Feeling the tears continuing to roll down her cheeks, she knew that she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now. Not with Bog in the next room. "Spirits, I need to see him," she whispered to herself before slipping out of her bed and donning her shawl. Marianne then quietly slipped out of her room and saw that the hallway was dimly lit for the night.

Perfect.

As silently as a field mouse, she approached his door and gently knocked. Within seconds, she was met with a familiar pair of blue eyes. "Marianne? Why are you still awake?"

"I wanted to see you. Is that alright?"

"Of course, come inside," he stepped aside, allowing her to enter before he softly closed the door behind him. "So, is there a reason you wanted to see me?"

She shook her head and smiled, "No, I just couldn't sleep knowing you're right next door and yet so far away."

At that, Bog chuckled and gently caressed her cheek, "I think I know what ye mean. It's been torture having you next to me. Not to mention this bed is keeping me awake. It's comfortable, but the scent of daisies is a bit overwhelming."

Marianne couldn't help but softly laugh, "I'm sorry. Had I known you'd be staying the night, I would have had a moss bed brought up here for you."

He waved it off, "Ye needn't worry about that, my dear. I would have adapted to it sooner or later during the night."

"Well, regardless, I'll be sure to commission a bed specifically for you for the next time you decide to sleep over," she ran her delicate, slender fingers over his chitin-plated chest. "I um...I had a dream about you."

"Oh? Did you want to talk about it," he kindly asked while gently taking her smaller hand in his own and caressing her fingers.

She blushed at his kind gesture and answered, "In my dream you said that I was your heart incarnate."

He smiled and placed a chaste kiss upon her wrist, "Aye, that seems about right. You are indeed my heart incarnate, for without you in my life, I fear that I wouldn't have a heart at all."

"Oh Bog…," Marianne felt fresh tears threatening to roll down her cheeks before Bog gently wiped them away with his thumb. "...I love you so much."

"And I love you, my dearest Marianne," he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips, which she happily returned, feeling her heart flutter within her chest at their exchange.

XXXXX

Bog awoke a few hours later to find Marianne asleep against his chest while her arms were wrapped around his waist, causing him to fondly smile down at her. She just looked so peaceful and content, but he knew she needed to return to her room in case her pixie handmaidens came in only to find her missing. He certainly didn't want King Dagda to accuse him of defiling his daughter.

Absolutely not!

Being careful not to jostle her around too much, Bog slowly moved her off his chest and slipped out of the bed where he then gently scooped her up into his arms and silently opened the door before slipping out of the room. As quietly as an owl, he opened the door to her room and stepped inside where he then approached her rose bed and carefully laid her down upon the soft petals. Upon planting a chaste kiss to her forehead, Bog felt a familiar touch as Marianne gently squeezed his hand. "...Stay…"

His heart felt heavy at having to leave her, but he had no choice, "I would love nothing more than to climb into bed and lay by your side for the remainder of the evening, but I'm afraid that would be considered inappropriate if someone were to walk in and see us together like this."

"...I'm sorry...I just wanted to sleep next to you," she tiredly stated.

His eyes softened as he caressed her cheek, "Ye needn't apologize, my dearest Marianne. I too desire to lay by your side and awaken to your beautiful face, but right now I'll have to settle with seeing you again after sunrise. Until then, sleep well my fair princess."

"...My handsome King," she lovingly brushed her fingers across his own, to which he responded by planting a chaste kiss upon her cheek.

"Goodnight, my love," Bog whispered before silently slipping out of her room and quietly closing her door behind him.

XXXXX

"Mama, Mama, Mama, guess what?"

"Hmm? What is it sweetheart?"

"Marsh said he'll take me out flying later and that he'll let me steer the dragonfly this time."

"Oh? Well you should have Julius go with you for safety."

"But Mama, we're only flying to the hollowed stump and back."

"Aislinn, my mind is made up. You and Marsh are to always have a guard with you if your Father and I aren't present. You both are still too young to be wandering through the Dark Forest by yourselves. How would your Father and I feel if something happened to either of you and we weren't there to help?" She knelt before her daughter and cupped her cheeks in her hands, "You, Marsh and Marcas are our most precious and dearest treasures. If anything were to happen to any of you, it would devastate us as well as everyone within our joined kingdoms. Do you understand?"

She nodded, "Yes Mama, I understand."

"Good," Marianne kissed her forehead and turned her loose. "Tell your brother that I want you both home before dinner, okay?"

"Okay, Mama."

XX-fast forward-XX

"Marsh, where are we? I'm scared."

"It's okay, Aislinn. I'll figure out where we are, just stay calm."

"But I miss Mama and Daddy. I wanna go home," she shivered and began to cry, to which her brother gently pulled her close and covered her with a leaf for warmth.

"We'll find our way back home. You'll see."

"Where's Julius?"

He shook his head, "I don't know...Last I saw, he was knocked off his dragonfly by that bird."

"Meanie bird. I hope its feathers fall off."

"So do I, sis. But right now, we have to stay here and wait until morning. Without our dragonfly we'll have to walk back to the castle and I can't see very well in the dark yet like Dad can."

*sob* "I wish Daddy and Mama were here…," her tiny hands rubbed her eyes as she continued to heavily cry, prompting her brother to pull her close and hug her.

"Shh, it'll be okay, Aislinn. I'll protect you."

She looked up at him with glassy eyes, "Ye promise?"

He nodded and gave her a reassuring smile, "Aye, I promise."

XX-fast forward-XX

Marianne nervously paced around the nursery while her youngest child slept nearby in the cradle, completely oblivious to the fact that both of his older siblings were missing.

As she continued to worry, the Queen turned to see her husband enter the room with a grim expression on his face. "What happened?"

*sigh* "Julius was found by our scouts. Apparently a bird attacked and knocked him off his mount as he was trying to lure it away from the children. When he fell, he was knocked unconscious and sustained a broken arm."

Shocked, Marianne felt her eyes sting with new tears as she was suddenly embraced by her King, where she heavily cried into his chest, "...No...Our babies…" Yes, she was upset that Julius was hurt, but at the moment all she could think about was her children.

Bog rubbed her back and held her close while inside he too felt like crying. If anything happened to his children... No! He refused to think that way. "My love, I promise you that I'll find them. In the meantime, I'll send my Mother up here to help you look after Marcas while I lead a search party to look for them."

"Then I'm coming with you…"

"Absolutely not," he interrupted. "Yer in no condition to be scouring the Dark Forest. Yer stressed and sick with worry, and I cannot allow you to put yourself and our unborn child in danger," he gently placed a hand on the small protrusion in her (otherwise flat) abdomen. "I'm sorry, Marianne, but for your well-being, I cannot allow you to join me on the search. I know you want to help me look for Marsh and Aislinn, but right now, I need you here in case they come back."

Finding reason in his answer, she emitted a sigh and nodded, "Okay...I'll stay here in case they return home. But...please find them…"

He lovingly caressed her cheek and pressed his forehead against hers, "Upon my word, I will bring back our children."

"Promise?"

"Aye, I promise."

Marianne suddenly woke up and softly started to cry. Sure, her dream was just that: a dream. But it felt so real. Glancing around, she realized that she was still in her own room, wearing her silken nightgown and lying in her rose bed. Rubbing her arms, she shuddered when a slight breeze wafted through the window, to which she turned to her side and pulled the petal blanket tighter around her frame. As she closed her eyes to try and fall back asleep, the door suddenly opened, revealing her perky younger sister:

"Good morning Marianne, I hope you had a restful night's sleep because we're going to visit the construction site after breakfast," upon seeing the tears on her sister's face, Dawn's expression suddenly turned from joyful to concern. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing...I just had a bad dream. But it felt so real," she wiped the tears from her eyes and sat up in bed while Dawn seated herself beside her.

"What was it about?"

*sigh* "I can't bring myself to talk about it right now. I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Marianne. You can tell me when you're ready, but please don't put off telling me about it like you did with that incident with Roland."

She gave her a small smile and shook her head, "No, I won't do that again."

"You promise?"

At those words, she felt like crying again, but kept her composure and nodded, "Yea, I promise."

XXXXX

Once dressed, Marianne stepped out of her room with Dawn by her side. They were greeted by the Bog King as he respectfully bowed his head to them. "Good morning, Marianne, Dawn. I trust you both slept well?"

The younger princess gave a nod and cheerfully replied, "I slept fine, but Marianne had a nightmare."

Before he could ask, she responded, "It wasn't just a nightmare, but more like a premonition. I've been getting those a lot lately and for the first time last night, it wasn't pleasant. I can't talk about it right now."

He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and offered a reassuring look, "When yer ready to discuss what happened, I'll be here to listen, alright?"

She nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, "Okay." Just having Bog nearby eased her nerves and brought a sense of peace to her mind. He truly was a wonderful guy and deeply cared about her, which is way more than Roland ever did. Eww, why was she even comparing him to that arrogant, shallow, self-centered, pig-headed son-of-a-...

"Marianne? Are you alright?" Dawn waved her hand in front of her face, trying to get her attention.

"What? Oh, yes, I'm fine. My mind was elsewhere for a moment. Did you say something?"

"I asked if you wanted pancakes for breakfast."

"Oh, um, sure, that's fine," she replied as they walked down the hallway and off towards the private dining room.

Upon entering, they were greeted by King Dagda, "Ah, good morning my dears. Bog, I hope the accommodations were to your liking."

He gave a polite bow of his head as he sat down at the table, "It was sufficable, yer Majesty. Thank you for permitting me to stay the night."

"Of course," he then looked over at his eldest daughter and noticed that she seemed slightly distraught. "Marianne my dear, what troubles you?"

Her amber brown eyes met those of her Father, to which she lightly shook her head, "It's nothing...I just had a bad dream that left an impression on me, that's all."

"Well my child, I'm here if you want to talk."

"Thanks, Dad. But honestly, I'll be alright."