Chapter 4: Long Journey Home

"You know, it occurs to me that we're going to have a bit of a problem getting home," Daria remarked as they walked towards the end of the island. Before them stood a small, grassy hill. "We don't have a skimmer, and there's no other way of getting home."

"Actually, there may be another way," Magus said. "Let's see if this still works..." He chanted a spell. Almost instantly the rock wall opened to reveal a cave.

"Whoa!" Daria exclaimed. "How'd you know that was there?"

"Used to use it all the time back in the Middle Ages. I'm surprised it still works."

Daria laughed. "They'll have a heck of a time figuring out how we got off the island."

"Well done." Smiling, Bleu leaned up and gave him a small kiss. "Let's proceed, shall we?" They continued on into the cave.

"You know, I could swear I've heard your middle name somewhere before," Magus commented.

Bleu shook her head. "I don't see how," she replied. "It's my mother's name and it's not very common. But, then again, my father once told me that it's very old. Maybe you knew someone with the same name."

"That's probably it."

They continued through the cave, and exited in Fiona's Forest. They walked north through the woods, towards Guardia.

"Is it just me or do I hear water?" Daria asked.

"No, it's not you," Bleu replied. "Come, this way. This may just be what I think it is." Obediently they followed her.

"It is, it is!" she squealed, excited. They'd found a waterfall from the Denadoro Mountains that emptied into a little pool.

"Oh, I used to love it here!" Bleu breathed as she watched the running water.

"You've been here before?" Daria asked, surprised.

"Lots of times," Bleu answered. "I used to swim here all the time."

"Too bad you can't now," Daria commented.

Bleu turned to her with a curious expression. "Who says I can't?"

"You'll ruin your clothes," Daria pointed out.

"Who says I'm going to wear clothes?" She looked over at Magus. "Why don't you join me?"

Magus's eyes widened. "You want me to go skinny-dipping with you?"

"Why not?" She twirled a strand of his blue hair around her finger. "It'll be fun."

"I'm not sure that swimming naked in cold water is my idea of fun."

"Then we'll have to warm it up, won't we?" Her blue eyes gleamed with mischief. "Come, I'll meet you there!" she called as she ran toward the waterfall.

Undressing, Bleu slipped into the water, trying to ignore the coldness. Folding her arms, she stood waist-deep and watched the waterfall. Then, suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Gah! Don't ever do that again!" she gasped as she whirled around to face Magus. "You scared me half to... ohhh." She smiled as she realized he was naked as she was. "So, you took me up on my offer."

"How could I resist?" Smiling, he took one of her hands and kissed it. Bleu blushed. Then he pulled her closer. Suddenly the water was very warm.

Magus looked down on her with curiosity. "You're trembling," he commented.

"It's the water," she lied. For the first time in a long while, she felt very vulnerable.

Magus knew she was lying, but he didn't want to embarrass her. He felt just as she did. So instead he just pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly.

Bleu sighed and pressed closer. She had never felt this way before. It was... magical.

If he had it his way, Magus would have stopped time to hold this moment forever. He was, without a doubt, falling in love with this lovely young magician.

"You're what?" Bleu pulled back with a shocked expression. With a sinking feeling, Magus realized he'd said it aloud.

Bleu just stared at him, unable to utter another word. A strange feeling was coursing through her. She couldn't believe what he'd just whispered: that he was falling in love with her.

It would be the first time in years that somebody said that to her.

"Bleu, I can explain," he stammered. "That slipped out. I, I didn't mean --"

"What?" Her face fell as he said it. "Oh. I should've known. I should've known nobody could feel that way about me!" She started to pull free, but he held her tighter.

"Wait," he said gently. "Why are you reacting this way?"

"Why?!" Her eyes were filled with tears. "Because I, I --" She made a choking noise. "I can't! I just can't! Not after you led me on!"

"I didn't lead you on."

"Then why did you say you're not really falling in love with me?"

"Because I'm already in love with you."

Bleu stared at him, tears running down her cheeks. "Y-you mean that?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Of course I do."

Bleu swallowed hard. "Th-then I love you."