Vivian woke the next morning with a feeling of elation. She'd really connected with Michael; there was just something about him that had made her trust him implicitly. And now, she would get see him again! She bounded out of bed with newfound joy and skipped over to her closet. Throwing the doors open, she realized she had nothing to wear. Vivian inspected the meager contents of her closet; the dress she had woken up in hung from a coat hanger in a corner.
The silk it was made of was a beautiful shade of emerald green with tiny jewels that sparkled in the sunlight. The dress was the only thing in the closet and the only thing she actually owned; the clothes on her back were borrowed from Marin. She remembered being told the dress had once belonged to Morgana, which made it very special. Actually, she did own one other thing; she had also been gifted with a pack of fresh underwear that the Bernes had happened to have at hand.
"Marin," Vivian called. "Does going shopping today sound alright with you?" She heard an exited squeak coming from somewhere down the hallway, followed by a groan.
"Yeah, just a minute I'm still a bit sore from last night," Marin yelled back.
"Right, whenever you're ready," Vivian replied.
About an hour later, the two girls were walking along the quaint shopping boulevard of Glastonbury.
"Ooh, this is my favorite store," Marin exclaimed. She grabbed Vivian by the wrist and pulled her inside. It was all slightly overwhelming for Vivian; the walls were crammed with racks of brightly colored garments and shoes. There had never been so much fabric in one place back in Vivian's time in Camelot.
"Oh my goodness, this is amazing," she gasped.
"Not really," said Marin. "This is actually a pretty small store.
"Oh, alright then," Vivian said, still not completely to terms with to amount of material present. "Why don't you look around and see if anything catches your eye?"
"'Kay," Vivian replied. She forced herself to move forward among the clothes, glancing around for something green. Michael liked that color. She was skimming the back wall when a deep burgundy shirt jumped out at her. It had cap sleeves and layers of lace down the front. It wasn't green, but it was still gorgeous.
"Hey, Marin? What do you think about this one? I rather like it…" Vivian called.
"OH MY GOSH. It's gorgeous! We have to get that for you!" Marin exclaimed. "Look and I also found this pair of faded denim shorts! They're limited edition! It would go so perfectly with that top… Ooh look at those earrings!" After Vivian's brilliant find, Marin decided to drag Vivian around the store personally, looking for tops and other articles of clothing of a similar style. At last Vivian was equipped with ample clothing, so the two girls headed back to the Berne residence.
Marin insisted she do Vivian's hair for her. Vivian protested and struggled, but in the end they compromised and Vivian ended up with a stylish half-up/half-down braid.
"There! Now it'll be out of your face, but it'll look all pretty at the same time!" Marin said with more than a hint of satisfaction. "Do you need earrings?"
"No, it will be alright. Maybe I can wear some of your mascara, though?" Vivian asked.
"Sure!" Marin replied enthusiastically. "Here," she said while handing Vivian her mascara tube. "This bag should match your outfit… that red shirt was a bit hard to pair stuff with."
"I don't know… he said we might go hiking afterwards. I really like walking in the woods. A bag seems a bit impractical. Do I need money to pay?"
"No. He is your date. He has to pay for you. It's the rules of etiquette," Marin said seriously.
"O-okay?" Vivian said.
"Oh my gosh! You're gonna be late! Shoo shoo! Oh, wait the place is on Glasting Street! You'll find it. Bye!" Marin yelled as she pushed Vivian out the door. Vivian stood in a daze for a split second before starting down the road.
Michael looked up when he heard her approaching his table.
"You look beautiful today," he said smiling up at her. "Have a seat! What would you like to drink?" Vivian blushed, much to her own embarrassment.
"Sure! What do you recommend?" Vivian asked. She avoided admitting she really had no idea what drinks this modern world had.
"Well, they're not my favorite, but all the girls your age seem to like these diluted, sugary coffee drinks," Michael answered.
"Um, I guess I'll just have an herbal tea then, if you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all," Michael said with a smile in his voice. As he got up to go order her drink, Vivian couldn't help but admire his composure and grace. He had this otherworldly quality about him she had never associated with anyone else. He was gorgeous, too. His black hair was tossed casually about his head, and his eyes sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. The color resembled the ocean on a stormy day. He was thin, but his corded muscles stood out along his arms. Fortunately, Vivian caught herself before she started drooling. She turned away and directed her thoughts to her original purpose. Arthur was going to rise any day now and… boy was his smile adorable! Vivian had looked up to find Michael holding her tea out to her with the positively cutest, most endearing smile ever seen on the face of the Earth. She found herself staring with her mouth hanging open, however she closed it quickly and looked away.
Michael looked at her with a worried expression upon his flawless features.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.
"No, not at all! I just had a thought and… never mind. It was really nothing," Vivian assured him. Michael's charming smile was back.
"Oh good; it wouldn't do to offend the pretty lady on the first date," he said coyly. Vivian's cheeks were now lobster red. In an effort to recover her dignity, she changed the subject.
"So, what are you studying in school?"
"I'm majoring in history, medieval mostly," he replied.
"Oh how interesting! That actually sounds like something I'd want to do…" Vivian said, her mind wandering momentarily to her long lost home.
"So what are you going to study?" Michael questioned her.
"I was actually thinking somewhere along the lines of the same thing," Vivian answered, making her response up on the spot. "History would probably be best for me."
"It is a rather fun field," Michael agreed. "On a sort of off topic, you did say you like hiking right?"
"Oh yes! It used to be my favorite pastime!" Vivian said.
"Wonderful! I'd like to show you my favorite place to go for a hike. The view is spectacular. Is that okay with you?" he replied.
"Of course!" Vivian replied excitedly.
"I hope you don't mind waiting, but we must go when the timing is just right," Michael said.
"That's perfectly alright. At least you're not bad company," Vivian teased. Michael laughed, which made her happy. Back in Camelot, Vivian had never had anyone who was as friendly to her as Michael. Her own mother had never truly showed affection or kindness like he had. She was beginning to quite enjoy the attention. He was so easy to talk to, and, if she was not deceiving herself, he actually enjoyed her company as well. Their lively conversation continued, and Vivian started losing track of time.
Merlin checked his cell phone for the time. It was bordering on evening, so he stood up and offered his hand to Vivian.
"Shall we get a-hiking? The hour is approaching!" he said in a joking manner. Vivian laughed her clear, bell-like laugh and took his hand.
"Of course! I'm beginning to get excited," she said.
"Trust me, you'll love it," he added. They began to walk down the street, and Merlin realized he still hadn't let go of Vivian's hand. She'd made no move to remove it, so Merlin decided not spoil the moment. He glanced down Vivian who walked beside him in companionable silence.
"So," Merlin said. It was getting darker; he couldn't believe they had been talking for almost three hours. He wasn't even beginning to feel tired.
"You haven't really told me, during all this time, much about your family." It might have just been his imagination, but Vivian seemed to tense up a bit as he said it.
"My father… um, I never met him. He did before I was born, so my mom had to raise me on her own. We were never very close," she said. Merlin scanned her face for any signs that might tell if she were lying. Vivian fidgeted a bit and ran her hand through her hair. So I guess that's her tell, Merlin thought.
"Yeah, well I never really knew my dad either," he replied. "I guess we've got that in common." He smiled at her in support. She smiled back, but there was a distant look on her face.
"So," he said, changing the subject, "it isn't much farther, just right through up here."
He led her off the main road and away from the town. They walked across a grassy field before continuing deep into the woods. The glow of the streetlamps faded behind them, and now it was getting darker. A light trail had been tread from the many times Merlin had visited the place over the years.
He held the branches out of her way and guided her over roots as they made their way through the foliage. Finally the trees opened up to form a small clearing on the bank of a lake.
"Vivian, this is the Lake of Avalon," he explained. "Legend has it that it's the gateway to Avalon, a place only the dead can see right before they pass through the veil. Doesn't that make you wonder what it looks like?" merlin turned his head to gauge her reaction.
"Not really… since you just now told me about it. But it sounds like it would be beautiful," she told him.
"Yes, however this isn't the only thing I wanted you to see." Merlin helped Vivian onto a flat boulder. "Just wait." The sun
The two of them stared into the horizon. Vivian rested her head on his shoulder, and he put his arm around her. It just felt so natural to be around her, as if it were meant to be. The sun started to shimmy closer to the horizon, and the world was washed with beautiful hues of pink, gold, and red. Vivian gasped and clapped her hands to her mouth. Merlin thought he almost saw tears shining in her beautiful green eyes.
"It's just…" Vivian started, but she didn't finish the sentence. They lapsed into another comfortable silence as they stared at the scene unfolded before them.
Merlin figured they both must have dozed off, because when he next opened his eyes, he and Vivian were sprawled out in the rock together. The sun had almost crept into the sky. The water reflected the mix of colors spread across the canvas that was the sky, and it was almost more magnificent than the sunset had been. It was nearly as if no time had passed at all since he had fallen asleep. He looked over at Vivian who had just barely opened her eyes; an expression of pure contentment and awe bathed her face in a rosy glow.
"What do you think?" Merlin asked unnecessarily.
"It's… much more than words could ever describe! The reflection on the water… maybe that's what Avalon looks like…" Merlin smiled at her reaction. As the only person alive to have ever seen Avalon, he knew it was much less stunning than what it had been built up to be. The realm of the powerful Sidhe was nothing compared to some of the wonders Merlin had witnessed on Earth.
"You still look exhausted. Let's get you home," Merlin said to Vivian. She stared up at him drowsily.
"Thank you for bringing me here. It really was wonderful," she said.
"No problem. It's my favorite place to go when I want peace. I was just exploring the woods when I stumbled across it," he explained.
"Oh, I don't want to be intrusive or anything… I mean, if this is your quiet place are you sure you want others to know about it?"
"Well, I've only been around town for a week or so, so I guess everyone has a right to it. Plus, I know you'll probably need a place to rest and think too. This town is pretty small and everyone gets in each others' business; at least that's what my granddad told me," Merlin said. "Let's get you home."
"Okay," Vivian said passively. She let him lead her back through the forest and down her street to the Bernes' house. Isolde Berne opened the door almost immediately after Merlin knocked.
"Vivian! We were starting to get worried about you!" she explained. "What are you doing with him?"
"Oh, Mrs. Berne, this is just my friend Michael," Vivian replied. It warmed Merlin's heart to be considered her friend. But at the same time, it cracked to realize he had to hide who he was from her. In consolation, at least she certainly had ulterior motives for being in this town.
The moment Vivian was inside and the door was closed, Isolde exploded. "Vivian, what possessed you to stay up all night and take a hike in the woods with that boy? You have to be careful! You can't just go throwing yourselves at strange boys like that! There are risks involved! We were so worried!" Isolde scolded, her motherly instinct kicking in.
"Nothing happened! And must I remind you I hold authority here? You are not my mother and you shall not dictate were and when I go places!" Vivian snapped. It upset her to an unusual extent that Isolde believed Michael to be untrustworthy.
"But sweetheart! You just met the guy!" Isolde had already grown very attached to Vivian. Caine Berne, Isolde's husband walked in to the room.
"Well! You must be Vivian! I'm so sorry I wasn't here to welcome you! I'm Caine Berne," he introduced himself.
"Pleasure," Vivian brushed him off. She then turned back to Isolde. "Isolde, you are under the command of the high priestesses, and right now, I am the only high priestess. Who I choose to keep company with is up to me alone."
"But my lady…" Isolde started.
"Be quiet," Vivian snapped, "and keep in mind that magic was bred out of your family centuries ago. However, mine is very new and my bloodline is pure."
"Well not if you end up with that Michael kid," Cormac said. Vivian spun around to find him leaning on the doorframe. Color rose to her face at the thick boy's comment.
"How dare you!" Vivian exclaimed. Without a moment's hesitation, she chanted a line of spell work and smiled cruelly as Cormac cried out in pain.
"Sweetheart!" Isolde exclaimed, anxiety for her son plastered across her features. Caine simply stood there in shock. Their son stood before them covered in black splotches of rotting skin. At this point he fell to the ground and began rolling around in agony.
"What have you done?!" Caine cried.
"I have taught your son the valuable lesson of respect," Vivian said smugly. "Your entire druid cult could learn a little something from this experience." The spots disappeared. Vivian knew that they should never find out that she wasn't truly powerful enough to keep Cormac sick like that. She suspected only a select few actually could. To maintain a spell like that was extremely difficult, which is why poisons were concocted instead.
Caine and Isolde looked up at her with newfound fear. Vivian swallowed her regret. Who was it who had said that it was better to be feared than to be loved? She turned on her heel and swept out the room and up the stairs. Once in her chambers, Vivian collapsed onto her bed with am exhausted sigh. Everything was all so new and she felt so alone… And she was alone, except when she was with Michael. He made her feel appreciated, like she meant something as a person and was not just as a figurehead of the Old Religion. Vivian got up and paced around her room. Everything was so different; she just felt homesick sometimes. But really, what was there to be homesick about? Her mother, Morgause, had never truly treated Vivian as her daughter. She had been treated just as a backup plan, and completely excluded from the outside world. Vivian smoothed back her hair and sat back down on her bed. Her limbs felt like blocks of wood and her eyelids were heavy. She supposed, all things considered, that things were better like this. Now, at least she had someone.