Chapter 15
The Future Queen, A.K.A. The Epilogue
Maggie and Hunter walked out of the movie theater hand in hand on a cold, cloudy Saturday. Just last week Maggie had ran the labyrinth and had an adventure that she would never forget. Nibgit and Esmeralda would visit Maggie after school and they would watch movies or play board games when Maggie was supposed to be doing her homework. Even Dagan and the two oreads came for a visit on Tuesday and a little bit on Thursday.
Hoggle also visited. However, it wasn't just Maggie that he saw; he, Ludo, Didymus and Ambrosius would also come to visit Sarah and even Mark. It was nice to have their Underground friends over for dinner or the newly established game night on Fridays.
Since Maggie had saved her parents, they seemed to get along better and there were no more arguments about make believe creatures. Sarah even told Maggie all about her run through the labyrinth.
Besides Maggie's family life getting better, she was also doing well in school. Mr. Harris was even impressed when Maggie was the only student who got 100% on the exam on Wednesday and didn't even write once about fairy tale creatures. But little did he know that Maggie's tutor actually did come from a place filled with magical creatures.
Hunter came to visit Maggie after her friends left for the day. That's when he would sit with Maggie at her desk and they would go over her homework and his studies. It turns out that he wasn't all that bad at Aboveground classes and Maggie was a pretty good teacher when it came to the deciphering Underground textbooks. Of course they would get side tracked with looking up hilarious videos on her laptop.
But today, Hunter and Maggie were going on their first date and Hunter's parents agreed to stay for dinner at Maggie's house.
"So", Maggie said as they walked past the gates that led into the park, "How did you like the movie?" Hunter smiled. "It was, how do you say it? Epic?" Maggie laughed. It was nice to hang out with Hunter. He was easy to get along with and the two had a lot to talk about.
Hunter also laughed. "I had a lot of fun at the movie theater. I particularly liked seeing all the movie posters. And those little movies before the main movie." he said. Maggie smiled. "The trailers? Well, I'm glad you like it."
The two kept walking hand and hand in silence for a bit; enjoying each other's company. "Have you ever had ice cream before?" Maggie asked as they started to near a small ice cream stand. "No, but don't you think it's too cold to get ice cream?" Hunter said as he saw his breath in the cold. Maggie smiled. "So? We can make hot coco when we get back to my house. Besides, you have to try it."
"I suppose. Why is that guy even selling ice cream in this weather?" Hunter asked as they walked up to the stand. "Trust me, this guy sells ice cream in any weather." Maggie said as she looked at the little menu of flavors and prices. "Hey Maggie, what would you like today?" said the man at the stand. He was overweight and balding and today he was wearing an orange jacket, brown gloves, a red scarf, and black ear muffs. "Hey Rich", Maggie said with a smile, "Hmm, I'll have strawberry." Rich nodded and turned to Hunter.
"And I see you brought your boyfriend today", Rich smiled, "What would you like?" Hunter thought for a minute. There were a lot more flavors than he had expected and it was hard to choose when all of them sounded good. "I'll have chocolate." Hunter decided after a few moments. Rich nodded again and got them their ice cream in cones. "Thanks Rich. Tell Lucy I said hi." Maggie said as she paid. "Will do. You two take care!" Rich replied as he took the money and waved good bye.
"Not bad." Hunter said as he took a lick. "Told ya you'd like it." Maggie said as she took a lick of her own ice cream. "Just don't eat it too fast or you'll get a brain freeze." she warned as they continued to walk. Hunter smiled. "Oh I think that's impossible. I'm too hot for that." Maggie laughed and nudged him with her elbow. Hunter returned the nudge and soon they were playfully pushing each other.
"Is that all you've got Goblin Prince?" Maggie said playfully. "Are you challenging me?" Hunter replied with a smile. Maggie giggled. "Maybe." Hunter laughed. "Okay, that's it!" he said as Maggie laughed and Hunter started chasing his future queen down the path.