Author's Note: Again all my thanks to my faithful reviewers Akora17, Jimli and Arista Everett June. I hope you'll keep enjoying all the twists and turns this story makes.

THE WIZARD'S PRICE

CHAPTER 6

Many, many times the Wizard used the ruse of the Regent's Dagger. Many, many years passed. Many, many kings and queens followed King Gustav and Queen Margaretta.

In the garden time stood still, even if day and night still appeared. Artus and Carl did not age, but to poor Artus, doomed to be a beast by day and feeling the weight of his friend's sacrifice at night, each day seemed like eternity. If it hadn't been for Carl's encouragement and optimism, Artus would have given up.

Back in the real world the mysterious garden and the two princes – one a statue, one a beast – had become history. The history had slowly been distorted into the legend of a beast that had changed two princes into statues and kept them captive in a garden. Ultimately it became a fairy tale that mothers used, to scare their children into good behaviour. "If you don't behave the beast will come and get you and turn you into a statue in his garden."

This story had spread across the continent and very learned men debated on the veracity of the story and its origins.

By this time the last descendant of King Gustav had died childless. The kingship had gone to the only heir of Queen Matilda and her husband: her husband's youngest brother. Thus with King Xavier and Queen Henrietta a new dynasty now ruled Eburon. The Wizard, who had just come back from a rejuvenating break in his tower as the new regent, organised a visit to the new monarchs. The new king and the new regent were eager to continue the friendly relationship between the two countries.

During the official dinner on the first day the wizard noticed a young woman, one of the queen's ladies, staring at him. For the first time in his very long life he felt something stirring in his body. Of course he knew nothing could possibly come of this. She was a young woman and he was old enough to be her he'd-lost-count-how-many-times-great-grandfather. Yes, the rejuvenation made him young in every fibre of his body, but he had more memories than normal for a man of the age he appeared to be. He was after all a very, very old man.

At the next official gala ball the girl came straight to him when the master of ceremonies announced with a loud voice, "Ladies Choice", an old Eburon custom that allowed women to have at least one dance with the man of their choice. The wizard knew that refusing her would be considered rude to the extreme. Not that he really wanted to. He held her as if she was a delicate exotic flower or made of priceless porcelain. Dancing with her felt heavenly but all too soon the dance ended. Unfortunately he had to dance with an awful lot of important woman before he could even think of asking her again. It was late when he had fulfilled his official duties and he wondered if she had left already like so many had done. She hadn't. He looked around the ballroom and saw her, staring at him again. He walked towards her, knowing he shouldn't, knowing it was wrong, knowing he would give her false hope, but he couldn't help himself.

"Shall we dance, Miss?"

"Danella, my name is Danella."

"May I have this dance, Lady Danella?"

She laughed. "I'm not a Lady. My name is Forrester, Danella Forrester. I was hired by the late queen to be her companion; the last one she engaged. Queen Matilda loved to surround herself with pretty young girls. Queen Henrietta kept me on as lady-in-waiting because I had no home to return to."

"No home? That is sad."

"Not really, I like it here. Shall we dance then, Lord …"

It was his turn to laugh. "Bernard du Montagne, but you can call me Bernard."

While they were dancing they continued their conversation.

"Bernard doesn't really suit you, I think. It's a name that appears regularly in your family, doesn't it? It was Bernard or Armand or Bertrand right from the first du Montagne regent."

"You are interested in the regency of Peratha?"

"I'm interested in history of Peratha AND Eburon. Aren't you? Seeing that you're the regent?"

"I feel as if I've lived it," he said.

They danced until the ball ended that night. Every minute of free time he had, the wizard spent with the young woman. He realised he was giving her hope for a future he could not give her. And more than likely she wouldn't want it if she knew the truth about his age.

The last day of the visit had arrived. Before the official leave-taking, after which he would set off immediately, he had some free time. Together with Danella he went for a walk in the extensive park around the castle. They were walking silently. The wizard wanted to say goodbye, wanted to tell Danella what a wonderful time he'd had but he was afraid that he would hurt her, whatever he said. It was Danella who spoke first.

"You're leaving today, aren't you?"

"Yes, just after midday."

"Aren't you going to ask me?"

"Ask what?"

"To be your wife. I know we've only just met but we feel more than friendship for each other, don't we?"

"Danella, you can't understand-"

"It can only be one of two things," she interrupted. "Either you think I'm too common-"

"No, Danella, don't think that. Never that."

"Then it's because you think me too young for you … Master Wizard."

Dumbstruck he looked at the young woman.

"It wasn't too difficult to work out you know. The wizard who returned to his mountain. The succession of regents, who never marry and disappear when they get old and always a new one pops up, from the same family: 'du Montagne', 'from the mountain'."

"Well, you've guessed my secret, so you know how old I actually am. You must realise that marriage between us is totally out of the question. The age difference-"

"Well, it doesn't bother me and to everyone else you're a young man of suitable age. The queen will think I made a good match, considering I'm not nobility."

"Danella, are you sure?" He couldn't believe that this happiness might be his after all.

"Am I sure about what?" she teased.

He went down on one knee.

"Miss Danella Forrester, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

"Yes, I do," she said, quietly and solemnly. Then she added with a laugh, "But you'll have to tell me your real name. I'm sure it's not Bernard."

"It's Quirinius."

"Danella and Quirinius, yes, that sounds better than Danella and Bernard."

The wizard got up.

"You are absolutely sure you want to marry an old man?"

"I'm absolutely sure I want to marry you, Quirinius," she answered, then she kissed him.

For a while they sat in the garden, enjoying the happiness they had just found. They returned to the palace well before midday and the wizard asked to see the king and queen on an urgent matter. He was granted an audience and took Danella with him in the office.

Quirinius came to the point immediately and said, "Your majesties, forgive me this intrusion. I have asked for Miss Forrester's hand in marriage and she has kindly agreed. I hope you'll approve our union. Though we made up our minds rather quickly, we are sure of ourselves."

"It was quick, yes, but I was already aware of Miss Forrester's feelings," said the queen.

"And my wife told me, so this doesn't really come as a surprise to us," added the king. "We both agree that this marriage is the best thing that could happen to Danella. My wife and I will take care of everything. In this we'll act as Danella's parents."

Three months later the wizard married his beloved Danella and took her back to Peratha. They were very happy together. Even more so when Danella became pregnant. When their little girl was born they doted on it. For three years their life was perfect.

One evening after their girl's third birthday, the fairy Orelia appeared.

"Mr Wizard, this time it is you who must pay," she said. "I have need of your child and I've come to take it away."

Danella picked up her child, holding it close. Quirinius turned pale. Was his one mistake going to hurt the woman he loved?

"Please," he said. "This won't just hurt me. My wife-"

"You misunderstand me, Master Wizard." Orelia sighed deeply then she continued, "Since Kalanta left us we are not so strong as we once were. Our full power requires twelve and for too long there have been only eleven of us. Now Athera has seen a dark shadow over the future of Peratha and Eburon. The missing king of Peratha and the illness of the heir to Eburon are threatening the peace of both countries. Greedy neighbours are thinking of their resources and want them. Athera has seen that your child is to play an essential part in keeping the countries safe."

"What could our child do to keep the peace?" the wizard asked. "She's only a toddler."

Orelia had to tell them all she knew, everything Athera had told her about the vision. Eventually she agreed that Danella and Quirinius could keep their child a bit longer. In the two years that followed she visited the regent of Peratha and his family regularly at the palace. Too soon for the parents they celebrated the child's fifth birthday.

The following day Orelia arrived early. She spent the day with Danella and Quirinius.

She told them, "We cannot defer the inevitable any longer. Athera insists the child has to come with me now, or it will be too late. I really don't relish having to do this to you but we have no choice."

Quirinius and Danella held each other tightly.

"We are ready," Danella said, "and so is Felìcita. We have told her a fairy tale which will make it easier for her to leave us. Promise she won't grieve for us."

"I promise. Your daughter will not grieve for you," Orelia said in a solemn voice.

The little girl was called and dressed for the journey. Danella and Quirinius hugged and kissed their daughter. They told her, "Be a good girl, be kind and don't fret about things you cannot change. Listen to Orelia and her sisters. We love you, Felìcita, remember that."

The little girl cried. Even if she was allowed to go away with a fairy, even if she had been prepared for this day, it was not easy to leave her parents. She was wise and brave beyond her years, though. She smiled through her tears and hugged her parents.

"Goodbye, mummy. Goodbye daddy," she said and grabbed the hand of the fairy.

Just as Orelia was about to leave with his daughter, Quirinius handed her a small fortune.

"Take this," he said. "I don't want my child to arrive at her destination and be called a beggar;"

Orelia took the money and said, "Thank you, Quirinius. If everything goes as we planned, you will see her again. Athera is convinced of that." With those last words of comfort, feeble as they were Orelia left with the little girl.

ooOOoo