(Disclaimer: I do not own Strange Magic; just the OC's that appear every now and then.)

(Authors Note: Hello dear readers! I am so sorry for not uploading new content sooner but I've been rather distracted by my Transformers FF and life in general. My sister and brother-in-law are having their first child in August and I've been super excited to welcome their tiny bundle of joy into the world. So, in case I don't upload new content, it's not because I haven't been working on this story, but rather because I'm preparing for my niece's arrival. Until next time, stay safe, stay creative, and stay awesome!)

"English/Common"

"Memories/Dreams"

-Autumn-

The next few months passed swiftly for the residents of the Fairy Kingdom and the Dark Forest as the seasons brought new changes along with their usual outcomes. While Marianne and Bog were eager to marry, their top priority was securing resources for the coming winter months. Both had agreed to wed once the harvests were over and the winter stores were fully-stocked. As much as they desired to be united as one, the welfare of their kingdoms had to come first.

Unfortunately, due to the urgency of their royal duties, they hadn't seen each other in almost three weeks. While they sent daily letters to one another (thanks to the newly established message station), it just wasn't the same. Bog kept himself distracted by joining his goblins on morning hunts or foraging resources to further stock their food supply, while Marianne would accompany her sister in helping their subjects harvest crops for winter.

At the moment, the elder princess was harvesting wild grapes, barberries, rose hips, sumac and persimmons with some elves, worker fairies and brownies when a sudden chill swept through the area, causing everyone to shiver while their breaths puffed around them. The cooler temperature now had everybody wearing warmer clothes as a means to stave off the cold while they tirelessly worked to harvest the remaining produce. While the majority of the crops were already harvested, stored away, or sent off to the Dark Forest as part of the trade agreement that was established earlier that year, there were still more to attend to.

This year had been quite bountiful for the residents of the Fairy Kingdom and they were more than happy to share their bounty with the goblins. In fact, over a dozen of Bog's subjects had recently arrived to deliver a supply of medicinal plants and truffles to the fairies when they offered to stay and help with some of the harvesting. This, of course, was a welcome relief to Marianne's subjects as goblins were very agile when it came to scaling up bushes and stems. With their assistance, an hour's worth of work to fully harvest a single bush took less than thirty minutes. As thanks for their help, Marianne sent them off with a large bounty of rose hip, wild grapes and sumac, which was greatly appreciated.

XXXXX

-Later-

As Marianne was about to head back to the castle, she was approached by a courier, "Excuse me your highness, I have a letter for you from the Bog King."

With a smile, she graciously accepted the letter, "Thank you for bringing this to me."

"Of course, Milady," he then flew off to which she opened the sealed letter and began reading it to herself:

My Dearest, Loveliest Marianne,

I hope this letter finds you well because I had hoped to ask if you would be interested in moving our wedding date to an earlier time? I understand that we originally agreed to marry once the harvests were complete, but I fear winter will be early this year. This morning some of my scouts had reported seeing ice upon the ground and most of the insects and even some of the animals in my realm have recently gone into hibernation. I don't want you to feel obligated to comply with my request, but I needed to bring the current situation to your immediate attention.

In the event that you wish to marry earlier than originally planned, I would be fine with whatever terms and conditions you wish to suggest. Until we finally see each other again, take care, my beautiful bride.

Faithfully yours, Bog

Marianne hugged the letter to her chest before fluttering over to where Dawn and Sunny were busy harvesting some rose hip. "Sis, Sunny, I have news!"

"Oh? Did you get a letter from your Boggy Woggy," the younger princess winked at her sister, to which she nodded:

"I did. Bog asked if we could marry sooner than we originally planned because winter seems to be just around the corner. Apparently, some of his scouts encountered ice upon the ground and some of the animals have retreated into their burrows to hibernate."

"Oh Marianne, I'm so excited for you! Yet, I'm also worried."

"Same here," Sunny chimed in. "This whole situation has me concerned. What if you two can't marry before you're forced to sleep for the winter?"

*sigh* "I'm not going any longer without Bog beside me. We've been apart for almost an entire month...I don't want to sleep without him next to me."

"We understand," Dawn replied with a nod. "Why don't you head back to the castle and see what Dad has to say about it. Maybe he'll even offer to host your wedding tomorrow," she winked, making her sister blush.

"You really think he would?"

"I don't see why not," she shrugged. "At any rate, I know he won't let you hibernate without Bog by your side."

"I pray that he doesn't."

XXXXX

Upon entering the castle, Marianne immediately flew over to the throne room where her Father was speaking to the guard captain:

"Your Majesty, my men have reported sightings of frost during their morning patrols. I fear with how drastically the temperature has been dropping these last few days we're likely to experience an early winter this year."

"He's right, Father," Marianne approached. "I apologize for interrupting, but I too have reason to believe that the frosts have arrived early this year. In Bog's latest letter, he says that many of the Dark Forest's creatures have already started to retreat underground for hibernation."

The Fairy King sat in his throne and emitted a sigh, "We haven't experienced an early winter in almost fifteen years, but it looks like the seasons are changing faster than expected. Captain Hans, send some of your men to the villages, fields and posts, and inform the citizens of the situation. We may only have a week left until we're forced to head underground."

"Understood Sir," he respectfully bowed before flying off to address his men.

Marianne looked over at her Father with a worried expression and asked, "Do you really think we only have a week left until winter is upon us?"

He solemnly nodded, "I do. If there have been sightings of frost upon the ground then snow is soon to follow. I cannot risk having our subjects freeze, hence why we must take all the necessary precautions and move everyone underground before it's too late." *sigh* "I know you and Bog wish to marry before the frost settles in, but with winter arriving early this year, it may be best for you two to wait until spring."

"But Dad, Bog mentioned in his letter that if I wish to marry earlier than planned, he'd be fine with it and would accept any terms and conditions that may apply." She had a sad look on her face as her wings drooped to the floor, "Please...don't make me sleep without him. I haven't seen him in almost a month...I don't want to spend an entire winter without him by my side."

"My dear, I would never deprive you of his presence for an entire winter. You may write to him and inform him that your wedding shall be held tomorrow morning; however, because of winter limiting our supplies, we'll have to host the reception feast in the spring. I hope that's alright?"

She smiled and nodded, "That's perfectly fine. Thank you so much," she then hugged him and kissed his cheek before flying off to the study room to write a reply to Bog's letter.

My Handsome Bog King,

In response to your letter, I have informed my Father of the situation and he too believes that we are to be visited by an early winter this year. However, on a brighter note, he has given us permission to marry tomorrow morning! Unfortunately, the reception will have to wait until spring, but I'm sure that won't be a problem. If these conditions are alright with you, please respond to this letter at your earliest convenience.

I cannot wait to see you again, my dearest groom.

Forever yours, Marianne

With that, she sealed the letter and headed outside to deliver it to the messaging station, hoping Bog would reply shortly after receiving it.

XXXXX

-Twenty minutes later-

Bog was sitting in his throne room when Thang entered carrying a sealed letter in his hand: "Sire, a letter came for you from the Fairy Kingdom."

"Thank you Thang," he graciously took the letter and opened it, to which a smile lined his face upon reading it to himself. In an instant, Bog got up from his throne and headed up to his study to write his response. As he wrote, his mind raced with anticipation: Marianne would be his wife and Queen within a matter of hours! He could hardly believe it.

Upon finishing his letter, he flew out of the castle and presented it to the mushrooms where they began passing it down the line through the Dark Forest. Afterwards, he headed back inside to inform his Mother of the news:

Griselda was down in the kitchen brewing tea when she noticed her son enter, "Hello dear, did you receive another letter from Marianne?"

He gave her a nod, "Aye, that I did. I hope you don't have anything planned for tomorrow because she and I have agreed to wed."

She immediately stopped what she was doing and hugged her son, "Oh my precious boy, I'm so happy for you! Ah, but we need to figure out what you're going to wear tomorrow…"

He chuckled, "We can do that after tea. I could use something warm to drink seeing as how it's getting colder outside."

"Indeed it is," she agreed as she poured them some tea, "The last time winter came this early was about fifteen years ago. I remember it caught everyone completely off guard. One day it was your typical fall morning, the next, it was snowing. I was just glad we had enough supplies to last." *sigh* "Ah well, it is what it is. Anyways, what else did Marianne's letter say?"

"She wrote that the reception will have to be held in the spring. I suppose it's because we all need to conserve as much supplies as we can with winter arriving sooner than expected."

"That makes sense," she shrugged. "Sooo, are you excited to finally marry Marianne?"

"Of course I am," he smiled and sipped his tea, to which she stated:

"Then I suppose I can expect some grandchildren in the near future."

Bog sputtered and began to cough before composing himself, "...Mother!"

"What," she smirked and gave him a shrug. "I'm just asking."

*sigh* "I know...but let Marianne and I enjoy being married first before you start pestering us about having children. Please."

"Relax you thorax; I'm just teasing you. I can understand wanting to have some personal time with your spouse before dedicating your lives to another being. Besides, you were born almost five years after your Father and I were married. Oh, you were such a little ball of outrage," she fondly stated, making him roll his eyes and shake his head.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Marianne was soaking in a hot bath when there came a knock at the door. "Who is it?"

"It's me," Dawn's voice chimed in on the other side. "May I come in? I've got a letter for you from Bog."

"Of course," she replied with a smile, to which the younger princess stepped inside and closed the door behind her. As she was presented with the letter, she asked, "Could you please open and hold it for me to read? I don't want to get it wet."

"Sure thing," she then broke the seal and held it up for Marianne to read:

My Dearest Bride and soon-to-be Wife and Queen,

I would be most honored to marry you tomorrow morning and I understand your reasoning to postpone the reception. In truth, all I desire is to marry you and hold you in my arms once more. I miss you, Marianne. These last few weeks have been long and lonely without your presence. While winter may be at our doorstep, I shall look forward to spending it with you by my side.

Until tomorrow, my dearest bride.

Forever yours, Bog