(Disclaimer: I do not own Strange Magic; just my OC's that sometimes pop up in dreams/nightmares)
(Authors Note: Hello again my lovely readers! I hope you all are doing well and staying safe out there. As for me, I've been rather preoccupied with several other projects that have been claiming the majority of my time, but I assure you all that I have not forgotten about this story. Goodness no. I may not post as often as I might like, but I'm always working on my stories whenever life gives me a moment to do so. That aside, thank you all for the continued support and inspiring comments. I hope you all will enjoy this chapter as it certainly won't be the last one I post. Nope. I've got plenty more where this came from, but it's just the matter of finding the time to edit and post new content for all of you. On a side note: I apologize that this chapter is shorter than my previous ones, but I promise that it had been given just as much love and devotion as the others had received. Anyways, thank you again for taking the time to read my story and I hope it brings you all joy. Stay safe and stay awesome!)
"English/Common"
"Memories/Dreams"
-Midsummer's Eve-
Bog nervously paced around his bedroom as he thought about how he was going to propose to Marianne: he wanted to ask her when they had a moment to themselves, but he wondered when exactly that might be. After all, it was Midsummer's Eve and the night of the gala, which meant there would be crowds of people all around, and little privacy.
No matter. He'd find a moment to take Marianne aside and ask her to be his bride and his future Queen. A fond smile lined his face at that thought: for the longest time he always thought that he was too hideous to love, and now the Spirits have blessed him with someone who loved him for who and what he was. What more could he ask for? He glanced down at the ring he had crafted for Marianne and was now contemplating on where he was going to store it until he was ready to propose. Wait... Of course! He remembered the Gala was (optional) formal attire, which meant he could simply wear an article of clothing and hide the ring in a pocket or something of the like. But what would he wear? He never wears clothes. With a frown, Bog headed off to ask his Mother for advice.
Meanwhile, Griselda was finishing dressing in her fancy maroon colored gown when there came a knock at her door. "Oh my dear son, what brings you here? Is it time to head over to the Fairy Kingdom already?"
Bog shook his head and stepped into the room, "I actually wanted to ask yer advice."
"Oh? And what might I be able to help you with?"
*sigh* "I was wondering if you had anything of Dad's that I could wear to the gala? I understand formal attire is optional, but I wanted to look more presentable for Marianne since I intend to propose to her tonight."
At that, she sadly smiled, "Oh my boy...I think I have something that you could wear. Now, keep in mind that your Father didn't wear much in terms of clothing due to his chitin plating, but he did sometimes wear a sash or a fur stole to formal events or council meetings." She opened the chest beside her wardrobe and pulled out a long strip of dandelion yellow fabric, "This was one of his sashes, of course he preferred the red one, but he looked nice in this one too. Now, I'll have to help you put it on so it doesn't get caught on anything," she then set to work wrapping it once around his waist before having him sit on the vanity stool while she then brought up across his chest and threaded it through a large golden ring before draping the rest over his shoulder. "Oh my precious boy, you look so handsome."
Bog emitted a slight groan but had to admit that it did look rather nice on him. He then asked, "Would it be possible to sew a hidden pocket? I really just need it to hide the ring in until I can present it to Marianne."
"Hmm, I think I might be able to fix up something. Just let me get out my sewing kit…"
XXXXX
-Meanwhile-
Marianne nervously fluttered around her bedchamber while her pixie handmaidens worked to get her all dolled up for the gala. At the moment she stood before the vanity wearing nothing but the full-length, royal blue ball gown Dawn had found within the wardrobe a few weeks ago. Marianne was surprised to see that it didn't even have a pair of leggings to wear underneath it; just a matching pair of royal blue slippers. 'I guess this'll limit my flying,' she said to herself. All fairies were expected to wear some sort of leggings when flying as it was for modesty reasons. But this gown had no leggings to wear with it, so she would either be completely grounded or only permitted to hover slightly off the ground.
Upon placing her blue rose in her hair, Marianne glanced over to see Dawn poking her head into the room, "Oh Marianne...you look so beautiful in that gown."
"Thanks sis...but it doesn't come with a pair of leggings to wear underneath. I won't be able to fly in this."
At that, Dawn merely smiled, "Then you'll just have to have Bog carry you in his arms."
A blush spread across her cheeks at that, "Well then...I suppose I could forego flying if that were the case."
"Exactly," she winked before stepping inside the room wearing a periwinkle gown with matching leggings, boots and gloves.
"Dawn, your gown is lovely. Did you make this yourself?" She asked as she admired the lovely craftsmanship.
"I did. I just hope Sunny will like it."
"I know he will, but you should know that whatever you wear doesn't change the fact that he loves you just the way you are."
"Same thing with you and Bog. Although you do look stunning in that gown. I still can't believe you never knew that it was inside your wardrobe."
"Me either," she admitted.
XXXXX
As the sun started to set in the sky, Bog and his goblins arrived within the Fairy Kingdom with a variety of culinary dishes as part of their personal contribution to the festivities, seeing as how more than fifty of his subjects offered to attend the gala. It was only fair that they bring something to the shared table. While Griselda and her group met up with the cooks from the fairy castle to help prepare for the feast, Bog met up with King Dagda:
"Ah Bog, it's good to see you again. How is your new castle coming along?"
"Likewise Dagda. The castle is near completion and my subjects have been busy stocking up our winter stores. I must offer you my thanks once more for lending us your aid."
"Of course lad; of course. Anything to make up for the wrongs Roland and his men did. The shame of it all...and I was no better than they were, for it was I who permitted him to go after my daughters…"
At that, Bog emitted a sigh and answered, "We both made mistakes that night, but I am glad how things turned out in the end, despite the destruction."
"Indeed," he agreed. "I've never seen Marianne so happy. I know you'll make her a fine husband one day."
"Thank you Sir," he politely bowed his head before both Kings spotted the fairy Princess in question: she was adorned in an elegant, royal blue ball gown and wore a familiar blue rose in her hair, which brought a fond smile to the Bog King's face. He felt his heart racing within his chitin-plated chest upon glancing at her divine face: she was so radiant and beautiful, Bog swore that she could outshine the stars with her splendor.
Marianne's face glowed with happiness upon seeing her beloved Bog King, to which she fluttered over towards him and gracefully curtsied, "I'm honored by your presence, oh noble and mighty Bog King."
At that, he bowed and gave her a charming smile as he gently took a hold of her slender hand and brought it up to his lips, "You flatter me my dearest and loveliest Princess Marianne; but the honor is mine to give." He then placed a chaste kiss upon her hand and slightly winked at her, making her blush and flutter her wings.
"You look very distinguished and handsome tonight."
"And you are a vision of divine beauty and radiance that outshines the stars themselves."
Marianne felt her breath hitch and her heart rate quickened upon hearing such lovely and sincere words coming from her handsome Bog King. Spirits above, she wanted to kiss him, but she refrained from doing so in the presence of her Father.
XXXXX
Bog and Marianne were currently dancing with each other and gently spinning to the waltz music that was playing in the background and enchanting everyone with its lovely melody. As the music came to an end, they shared a long and tender kiss before Bog softly whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too," Marianne replied with a warm smile as she looked into his icy blue eyes and placed a hand over his heart while he gently caressed her cheek.
As the music started up again, it began playing something a bit more lively which caused both of them to playfully roll their eyes as they saw Dawn and Sunny step onto the dance floor and began cutting the rug. With a smile, Bog leaned next to Marianne's ear and whispered, "Care to join me for a moonlit flight?"
She curtly nodded in agreement before taking a hold of his hand and quietly slipping away from the large crowd of fairies and goblins. Once they were alone, Bog led Marianne to a rather isolated and romantic grove where they stood atop a bridge overlooking a glistening stream. *sigh* "Oh Bog, I'm having such a wonderful time. I don't see how this night could get any better."
"Is that so?" He asked with a fond smile, to which she nodded:
"Mhmm."
"Well, I might know something that would make this moment even better."
"Oh? And what might that be?"
"This", Bog gently took a hold of her hand and got down on one knee, where he then reached into the small, discreet pocket of his sash and pulled out a beautiful silver, amethyst and amber ring, "Marianne, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and Queen?"
Overwhelmed by happiness, the fairy Princess felt tears sting her amber eyes, but she happily nodded and answered with a radiant smile, "Yes! A thousand times yes!"
Overjoyed at her answer, Bog tenderly slipped the ring onto her slender finger and grinned when it fit her perfectly. Afterwards, he stood back up and embraced his fiance where they shared a long, passionate kiss underneath the moon and starlight.
(Authors Second Note: Yay! They're engaged now! This means I can work on their wedding and future together! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and again, I apologize that it was shorter than what I usually post, but I did say that it was given as much love and care as the others, so it should balance that factor out. Besides, Bog and Marianne are engaged now! I'd say that's a delightful shift in the story...of course you all knew they were gonna end up engaged cause my previous eight chapters practically stretched out that notion. I didn't want to rush into things because I enjoyed the romantic buildup leading to this point. I hope you all enjoyed it too :) Anyways, I'll continue to add onto this story and post new content whenever I find the time to do so.)