Thanks to you all that dedicated time to review this story, and to the ones that just dedicated time to read it.
I really enjoyed writing it, and I hope you enjoyed our time together.
A Nanny Fairy Tale
Epilogue
The next day was dedicated to a big celebration. Since CC, the Witch, has appeared hand in hand with Niles, the Clever, at the entry of the tent, people were rejoicing.
In fact, the revelation was made some moments earlier, when Fran entered the tent and saw them asleep covered just by the white toga.
That woman could scream!
That attracted a lot of people to the patio, waiting for an explanation, and Niles was very quick to take CC by the hand and make sure to everybody that they were in a serious relationship and would marry once all of this was settled.
To his utter relief she nodded to every word he said, and people found it adorable, and said 'Uhrra!', and she was taken by her own people to some conversation, while he was being greeted by King Maxwell, who was more than eager to have his preferred Knight back into politics, now that all was solved.
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Now it was night, and Niles was watching the party going on. He had a lot of people around him for the day, as CC had, and they barely had seen each other.
After the night they had together, he found very difficult not being able to be properly closer to her.
He was standing, leaning into a big pole. He was relieved he was able to be aside the big group for a while. He felt drained and his body ached for her presence.
A lot of things had happened, today – Fran awakening them with her yells of joy, the announcement of their relationship, the reunions to set an agreement about the forest, the preparations for this party… Answering questions and drawing maps and listening to suggestions were fun, but could tire even the cleverest of knights.
And, to top his day, that man had approached him some moments ago.
He was alone, wondering where his witch was and looking at the people having fun, when he heard the voice, 'May I have a word with you, Knight?'
Niles looked at him. He was wearing a white toga and was a few steps by Niles' side, waiting for authorization to get closer; at the same time, his eyes were scanning Niles in a way that made him feel a bit uncomfortable.
'Yes, of course', Niles made an effort to make it sound like an invitation, once the guy was wearing something very similar to what his witch wears. He probably was from her people.
The man came to conversational distance. 'I've been informed of your intentions of… marrying a person that is very close to me'.
Niles couldn't hide his interest, and congratulated himself for inferring the situation correctly. 'Yes, it is true. It is a very important tradition among my people, and it means that we are both involved in a serious relationship'. He changed his stance, turning totally to the man, 'I didn't have the opportunity to meet any of yours, yet, but I sincerely hope to have your approval'. The man didn't say anything, and Niles felt the urge to clarify, 'I wish I can meet your standards'.
'That is not how things work among us'.
'No?'
'No. The woman has made her choice. We will just make sure she will be respected as she must be'.
'Well…', Niles smirked, 'if by respect you mean all of her wills and desires being attended… We shall have to negotiate that'.
The man frowned, 'I require some explanation for this'.
Niles sighed. 'I have done all that I can to guarantee the well being of that witch… Well, you know what I mean'.
'Yes, I do. Among us, it is not an offense'.
'That is exactly the point: you have your set of beliefs, I have my own set, and she has her own very personal set… Even if I knew exactly how to do in order to give everything to a traditional witch, it would not always work with her… So, that is what I shall do: I shall attend to her every whim, once I am sure it is what is best for her. She has made some bad decisions, lately, and I have learned that she can't be always obeyed'.
'She is a very unique individual'.
'Yes, she is. She has high talents and capacities, but needs someone to take care of her and put her in place'. He grinned, 'And I love her for all that'.
The man nodded, 'You seem suitable, Knight'.
'Suitable?'
'Yes', and with that and a departing wave of hand, the man went away into the crowd.
'Suitable?', Niles asked himself, frowning.
It had been really a difficult day without a mysterious warlock; now, Niles didn't know what to think.
He sighed and was feeling the ache for his witch start again, when, as if for magic, she got out of the crowd and came walking to him.
Niles stood there, waiting for her and feeling his heart beat as if she was his lifeline.
She approached him and their bodies melted together while their mouths occupied themselves into killing any other thoughts but their belonging.
When they parted, she grinned, 'I really missed you!'
'You sound surprised'.
'I am a bit', she clung to his side, their hands pressed together on his chest. 'I told you I have never felt like this before. I mean, I was the focus of everybody, today – they wanted to know how I had managed to project for so many people, and how I trained the shut down, and how I managed to wake up, and I couldn't stop desiring you were there with me…'
'So I could be embarrassed while the witches discussed if it was the kiss or the name?'
'I didn't give them so much detail, don't worry. I'll do it later, when I'm back to my land and I'll have time to discuss this with the wiser among the wiser'.
'What do you mean by being back to your land? You promised to marry me!'
'And I will. Does it mean I can't go back home to be a celebrity for a while?'
'Not if I am permitted to be with you'.
'You must be with me. My people have bonding ceremonies, too, and I want you to perform some of them'.
'So you want to marry me, too?', he grinned widely.
'I thought you had understood that, yet. How did you pretend to be clever all of this time?'
'Shut up, witch!', he kissed her soundly, 'I had enough of your kind for today!'
'That's not what it seems…', she murmured against his neck, 'But tell me, what daddy said to you?'
Niles stopped her ministrations by holding her a bit apart from him, 'You mean… the guy in a toga who came to talk to me a few moments ago…?'
'Yes'.
'God! Couldn't he introduce himself?!'
'He probably wanted to talk to you without putting any pressure'.
'You must be kidding me'.
'Just tell me – what did he say?'
'We didn't talk much. The important part is that he told me he thinks I'm suitable'.
'Wow, that is great!'
'Really?'
'Congratulations! He is not that revealing, usually'.
Niles laughed, 'Then everything is well'.
'U-uhm', she answered, embracing him, 'Fran Fine have told you she is a spy?'
'No!'
'She came to me, today, to explain she had been sent by her people to have an eye on me. They are herb collectors and want the forest for medicine purposes, and wanted to make sure I really was a non believer'.
'I knew there was something about her…'
'Oh, yes, there is. She is incredibly seductive'.
'I meant in the way she acted. She was always one step ahead of things'.
'That is exactly what I meant. She even found you before me, that night in the forest'.
'Are you jealous?'
'I must be. It is a problem some witches have when they are not bonded to their loved ones'.
'You mean you want to marry me and be bonded to me the quickest we can?'
'Obviously. I barely can wait to see you dressed for the fertility ritual'.
'I don't know what it means, but God forgive me if it doesn't sound good'.
'You're lucky I am not a believer. You would make such a handsome pagan… I could convert you with a whistle'.
'Maybe you could. But I'm clever and lucky. Wouldn't it be ironical if you were the one to be converted?'
'Well, I must admit that miracles happen. Different peoples are right there celebrating together, I am already softened, King Maxwell has committed to Fran…'
'The wonders never cease! How did she manage that?'
'See? Wonders and Fran very close in your head…'
'Don't even mention it, you crazy woman! After all I have done for you?'
'I told you, Niles: while I don't see you nude, your body covered in flowers and honey, taking me over and over under the full moon, the light of torches illumination your skin, I can't be sure of our relationship'.
His eyes were wide open, 'You just described a fertility ritual?'
'No, I've described the traditional set for what we call a honeymoon among my people'.
He pretended to be all serious about that, 'Well… even if I really like this compromise we have, of respecting each other beliefs and non-beliefs… I have the upmost respect for tradition, you know…'
She laughed, 'Yes, I do. Don't worry, I'll make sure to pick some good traditions of my people to teach you'.
'Thank you. And I'll make sure you will feel rightly honored and praised when you walk down the aisle to meet me'.
'My traditions are a lot more fun for the both of us'.
'But mine will make the world revolve around you for days'.
'That's fair'.
'You are fair'.
They smiled sweetly at each other, and kissed lightly. 'I want to tell you something, Niles'.
'What?'
'I'm joking about all of that, but I know how important the marriage thing is to your people. And I understand that you have all a role model thing going on, and I don't want to put it in jeopardy'.
'Aw, witch! You've really softened!', he hugged her, 'Thank you for understanding me'.
'I may seem a bit tough, but I know there are a lot of people who rely on you', she looked him in the eye, 'Besides me'.
His grin grew impossibly large, and he was ready to say how amazing he thought she was when a nasal voice interrupted them, 'Oh, you are at it, again?!'
'Look: the spy is here', CC made a face at the woman, 'Your work is over. Go away'.
'I already told you I was not spying on you. I just wanted to make sure the situation was under control'.
The witch rolled her eyes, and turned to stand in front of Niles, as if to separate him from the brunette, 'Whatever'.
'I knew you would be all right with it, sooner or later', Fran interjected, 'I am so happy for the two of you!'
'It is really a dream that comes true', Niles answered, coming closer to CC, holding her from behind and kissing her hair.
'Well, I'm really sorry to interrupt', Fran saw the happy smiles on the couple's faces, 'But people have been asking where you two were. Max wants to say some things about the forest and how happy he is…'
'We've heard about how happy he is', CC said to Niles, and both snickered.
'Oh, you two! Come on, let's go! The man is getting anxious'.
'He is always like this when he can't have what he wants', the Knight commented. 'Get used to it'.
'Niles, have you realized you may be talking to your next Queen?', the witch asked.
'You're right…', he murmured, 'I should respect her'.
'You better', Fran winked. 'I may be the Queen, yes, and more than that – I have discovered the most amazing thing about the white card and its potential! I will be famous as the inventor of the most awesome credit thing ever! Can you imagine having a card that symbolizes what you can buy? Not having to carry any gold or other heavy things with you?'
The three of them started walking, and CC was soon by Fran's side, 'It is a surprisingly good idea! I know I will regret it, but I will ask – tell me more about it!'
Niles pondered in the two of them getting along and how it made him feel happy. The fact that the witch had left him a bit behind right now didn't even matter that much, once she seemed engaged in something that would put that shine in her eyes.
'Hey, you, slow one', CC stopped and extended her hand to him, 'You won't let me alone with this moron, will you?'
Niles gave her a smirk, 'I was wondering if you had already forgotten me, stupid witch', and he went to hold her hand with his.
Fran was going to say something, but she gave up when she saw the Clever Knight and the Wicked Witch smiling sweetly at one another. 'Well, I suppose moron is a term of endearment. Better get used to that, too'.
The three of them entered the jubilant crowd, and they lived happily ever after.
The end