He sat down and looked at his chained hands.
“What is good? I have failed to protect the kingdom and now everyone suffers. It is my fault. Had I been more careful I could have prevented this!”
“But how?” Came a voice.
“I… I don’t know… I just could have, okay!” The mage wiped a tear from his eyes, “I am not so heartless. The king may be horrible, but that does not mean that his concubines who attend him, the guards who serve him, or the people who are loyal to him need to suffer!”
“What will you do?” Asked the voice.
“I don’t know…”
The cool breeze brushed his hair. It was though someone was whispering in his ear.
“Mage of Winthrop, you are with a kind heart, a warm heart. Take your shackles off and save them. Save them all.”
“I can’t!”
The wind grew violent.
“If that is so then the kingdom will be destroyed… so… what will you do?”
The mage widened his eyes and felt a stinging cold creep up his spine. It was freezing him. To the bone.
Before it reached his heart, the mage closed his eyes.
He remembered all the good that magic could do.
He remembered why magic was powerful.
He understood at that moment why he could never be powerless.
It was at that moment that the sun began to peek through the dark clouds.
The wind was calmed and the air was warmed with light.
The mage found his answer. He found his peace.
Light was all around him and he knew what ailed him.
Magic had stopped flowing in his veins because he had been unhappy. He was appalled at his own inability to do good.
Now he was free.
Turning around the mage was planning to free the woman in the ice coffin but noted that the ice had already melted.
The woman was sitting at the side gazing at her hands.
“It took you long enough mage of Winthrop.” She said softly.
“You… your voice… you have been talking to me haven’t you.”
“Indeed. I also heard all the things you said to be at your humble abode. You have a good heart mage of Winthrop.”
The mage blushed.
“I… am happy you are free… if you need help returning home I will gladly assist you.”
The woman blinked and tapped her chin.
“Oh… I was planning on staying with you mage of Winthrop. I enjoyed listening to your stories. I would like to hear more.”
The mage awkwardly smiled.
“You heard everything… didn’t you.”
“Yes.” The woman smiled, “I believe you once asked if I was a goddess or a fairy meant to torment your lonely nights.”
The mage was beet red.
“Oh no… um… I was drunk that night… I didn’t mean it, wait no- I mean you are beautiful, a heavenly woman, truly- er I meant the part about torture wasn’t what I wanted to say, since you probably- I mean you obviously wouldn’t torture people!”
The woman tilted her head and beckoned him closer. The mage stepped forward nervous to speak anymore.
He helped her down and she pressed her hands to his chest.
“I like the sound of heavenly goddess. Tell me. How should I return the compliment?”
The mage was confused and unsure of what to say.
The woman smiled and leaned closer.
“I know that I am desired by many even by kings across the land. Still, you found it in your heart to seek my happiness first instead of your own. I am pleased with your words. So, I wish to be yours, so that I may be praised by you everyday in a kind and generous manner… if that is alright with you.” Said the woman.
The mage smiled and nodded his head.
“Your name fair lady…?”
“Gia.”
“Well Gia. I suppose you are a goddess sent down to make me happy. No magic can compare to you, I swear.”
At that moment the mage was compelled to kiss the lovely Gia.
He kissed her and then immediately pulled away.
“Ah, I should have asked first, forgive me Gia-“
She had grabbed his shirt and pulled him for a kiss.
“You are mine, Mage of Winthrop!”
The kingdom returned to normal and the seasons were now in balance. The winter was cold but not unbearable. The spring was uplifting and full of sunshine.
As for the mage, he and his favored lady were married and they lived happily on the mountain far from the kingdom with their children.
