Chapter Six: The Lady of The Lake

Midas, Ashlyn and Snow stood before a huge ship. The title was The Queen Mary. Midas grabbed his son's statue-d body up the stairs of the ship and the two woman followed behind. Snow held Smurgle tightly in her arms. Ashlyn turned to Snow, "I promise you, we will save Smurgle's life." Snow smiled and then sat down on a barrel. "So are you sure we'll get their safely?" Ashlyn asked Midas. "Of course, if I know anything, is that the seas are our friends." Midas smiled looking out to the wide open sea. He turned around and went down into the ships haul where he placed his son's body. "I trust him." Snow said. Ashlyn turned around and sat next her. "I know, I do too but.. this place, it seems no one ever get's a happy ending." Ashlyn said. "I know how you feel, I thought when my mom died and the queen took over my kingdom and my life that..that I would never find happiness again. But believing is key." Snow explained. "Are you sure?" Ashlyn questioned. "I know so. Believe in yourself and everything will come together, it might not be today or tomorrow but someday it will come."

"You know..She had a point. I guess what she said kept what the books title means. If you believe than you'll have your happily ever after. I guess after hearing that, I found more hope."

"So if this Lady of Lake will truly have these powers, will she be willing to actually help us? I mean.. How do we know?" Ashlyn said. Midas overheard everything and came close to the girls. He sat down next to them, a little awkward but still trying to be there. "I heard of bad tales from the lady of the lake. When I was little and I even told them to my own children." Midas explained. Snow and Ashlyn started to listen in more. "She's neither good nor bad. As a being she chooses whether you deserve her worthy powers or if your just wasting her time. Lancelot was lucky enough to earn her trust and she mothered him more than I could ever do for him." Midas explained. He looked down to the musty floors, "I honestly wished I could have been a better father. Even if I wanted him dead today, I still wish I could have been better." He sulked. "Cheer up." Snow smiled. "How can you guys help me after what I have done?" Midas asked. "No one deserves pain, not even villains like you and the queen." Snow explained. "She's right. Just believe and things will work out." Ashlyn said.

"KING WE HAVE REACHED THE LAKE!" A man cried out. "Lower the sail and set for the dock." Midas demanded, he got up and left. Ashlyn and Snow also got up and went towards the edge to see the area where this lady lived. "Whatever you do. do NOT listen to her lies." Midas said. "How can you tell?" Ashlyn asked. "You'll just know. If your lucky." Midas said.

The ship then docked at the edge of the lake and Midas, Ashlyn, Snow and one man who was carrying out Lancelot's body walked out and stopped in front of the lake.

"LADY OF THE LAKE!" Midas called out.

"I CALL UPON YOU TO HELP US WITH OUR SINS, WORRIES AND PROBLEMS!" He continued to shout.

Everyone looked around but nothing was shown. "Believe, believe, believe." A voice whispered. It was as soft as the heavens voices and the melody of her voice ringed. "Lady of the Lake, we know that is you. Please, show yourself." Midas asked. A giggle was heard in every direction. Just then from the sea a morph of water formed into a shape, it was tall and long. Out from the form revealed  the lady. She was gorgeous and tall. Her black silky hair and long, velvet see through dress whispered in the wind. She smiled and walked towards the group. "You called?" She asked. Midas bowed down to her, "My lady, will you help us?" Midas asked. She giggled softly. She began to speak, "Midas, aren't you the one who abandoned your son? The one who told him lies and treated him like a fool?" She said. Midas didn't say a word. "What out? are you out of words this time, my king." She said with sarcasm. She then turned her head to Ashlyn. "And who might you be?" She asked but before Ashlyn could answer she spoke again, "Ashlyn from another world." Ashlyn turned to Snow who shrugged her shoulders.

The Lady of the Lake walked closer to her, "Why do I sense fear from you?" She asked. "I-i I have no idea what you mean?"

"You stuttered." The lady hissed. She raised her hands and grabbed Smurgle from Snow's arms by telekinesis. "Please, don't hurt him." Snow pleaded. "Now, now dear. Why would I do a thing like that." The lady said. She tickled his head and then walked back to the lake. "I will grant one wish from you each. BUT only Ashlyn and Snow White." The lady announced. "But."

"SILENCE!" The lady snapped as she pushed the king backwards. "Midas!" Ashlyn said, running towards him. "Are you okay?" She asked. "I'm fine. Please..please wish for my sons freedom for life." He pleaded. Ashlyn smiled a little, "Of course I will." She got up and walked back to the lady who was smiling proudly. "I WISH FOR LANCELOT'S LIFE BACK!" Ashlyn shouted with her eyes closed. Just then a blast of light came from the statue and the man holding it backed away. Everyone squinted their eyes and watched as the young round table knight came back to life from the once statue form he lived. "Lancelot." Midas whispered under his voice. Lancelot fell to the ground and Snow chased him down, holding his slightly cold body. It's okay." She said. He slightly opened his eyes and smiled at Snow, "Thank you." He said with a little breathe he had left. She smiled back, "Rest now." She said. "Is that what you wanted?" The lady asked. "Yes, ma'am." Ashlyn said, bowing down. The lady turned to Snow and raised her eye brows. "What about you?" The lady asked.

Snow looked over and got up. The lady then slid across the ground until she was face to face with Snow.

"Darling. I know your wish." The lady said. "You do?" Snow asked. "Of course. I will not say but I know it. I know that love is what you really desire in life BUT will be love from family..or love for a partner?" The lady said. "Don't listen to her!" The king shouted. "Quite you fool!" The lady snapped again. She then raised her hand again but used her powers to make a guard around his mouth. She turn back at Snow. "Now Snow. I love that your kind but darling why do you suffer for the love of others?" The lady asked. "I don't understand?" Snow asked, looking up to the lady. "You wish for foolish things, you go through hell just to please and yet, are you happy?" The lady asked. Ashlyn saw what the Lady of the lake was doing, "Snow. Just use your wish and let's get going." Ashlyn said. "Quite darling. This conversation is part of Snow and I's deal." The Lady said. "Deal?" Snow asked. "Yes, that is right. A deal to bring back your beloved friend." The lady explained. "What kind of deal?" Snow asked. "In order to bring back your beloved one from the harm of death, you Snow White will have to find love. If you don't, well I would hate to see the outcome." The lady smirked.

Everyone looked at them both with confusion and shock. Snow looked to the ground and then opened her mouth, "Deal."

"Hah! Mighty good deal indeed!" The Lady of The Lake smirked. She lifted the small creature up into air and magic surrounded him. He spun around until all the magic was consumed into his heart. He then landed in Snow's arms. "I expect that your wishes will be fulfilled." The Lady smiled. She then started to walk into the lake and melt and morph into it. Midas gasped a bunch of air into his mouth. "You idiot!" He shouted. "Smurgle." Snow said, dropping to the ground with the little Sprixie in her arms. "Ashlyn." Midas called over. Ashlyn got closer to him and helped him up a little. "What is it?" Ashlyn asked. "That girl..she. she made a mistake." Midas said. "What do you mean? She got Smurgle back?" Ashlyn said. "But the deal.. never make a deal with the Lady from the Lake." Midas said. "All she has to do is find love? Maybe your taking this out of proportions?" Ashlyn questioned. "I'm not. You silly fool, The lady didn't say when or how to find love..how do we even know if she will?!" He exclaimed.

"GUYS LOOK!" Snow said, calling everyone over. Ashlyn helped Midas all the way up and they all gathered around her. "Smurgle?" Snow said. He slowly opened his eyes. He patted them a few times until he looked up to Snow's smiling face and he smiled. "S..snow." Everyone smiled. Smurgle lifted his body up a little bit and then shook his body like a dog. "How do you feel?" Snow asked. "I, uh, feel good but how?" Smurgle asked. "By the magic." She said. "What type of magic, Snow?" Smurgle asked. The tone in his voice changed from happy to worried. "The..the Lady of The Lake.." Snow said. "No. no. no..what, how..ugh!" Smurgle scrambled into the air and flew in all directions. "What's wrong?" Snow asked, getting up. Smurgle stopped and then floated down to everyone's face level. "The magic from that lady is dangerous..especially if it involves a deal, which I assumed you did!" Smurgle explained. "How would you even know that I did?" Snow asked. "Because. I died! Bringing back that dead with that ladies magic means that if you don't fulfill that deal. Then both of us die." Smurgle explained. "I told you! You fool." Midas exclaimed.

"You were better off ignoring her deal and just asking for his life back." Midas continued. "He's right." Smurgle agreed. "I didn't know.." Snow said. Ashlyn walked over to Snow and looked everyone else in the eyes. "Leave her alone. So she made a mistake. All mistakes can be fixed." Ashlyn said.  "Not this one." Midas said, walking back to the ship. Ashlyn ran forward to Midas and followed him. "What do you mean not this one." Ashlyn asked. "Just grab everyone." Midas commanded. Ashlyn stopped where she was and thought for a while, she didn't understand what the big deal was.

Somewhere far away from the group. Another ship was docked at the bay. Out from the ship a hook was revealed. A man in black boots came walking out and he looked out to the ship. He turned around and revealed his face, it was shaggy looking with a shaggy black beard and black curly hair. He wore a red vest with a black under shirt. He smirked. "Well, well, well what a surprise to see you ma'dear." He spoke, with a British type accent. In front of him was the evil queen, Maleficent walking towards him. "I have a deal I need to make with you." She smiled.

He smirked, "What type of deal, shall that be?" He asked stroking his beard.