A year passes since that time. He continues to train tirelessly. Although his routine changes a little, from taking care of the horses to polishing the armor, he is always striving to become better. He continues to go into the woods to hunt, and spends time training by himself. The teachings of his instructors flow through his head, such that he can even train alone and still improve. An imaginary opponent would come to face him whenever he wanted.

As he finishes his training one day, he notices a girl watching him from through the trees. He recognizes her, a strange girl who he's seen around the woods before.

“Hello, Morag. What brings you here?” Thomas asks.

“I came to watch you train. You're very impressive.”

Thomas smiles politely. “Thank you, but I have just finished and it is time for me to go.” He checks the distance of the sun from the horizon. “It’s going to be dark soon. Will you come back to Brigadoon with me?”

Morag looks disappointed. “Oh. I don’t live in Brigadoon. I live in a cottage away from here. Can't you stay just a little while longer and keep me company?”

Thomas shakes his head. “I’m sorry. I cannot. This firewood needs to be delivered. If you come earlier tomorrow, I would be happy to talk some more.”

She nods. "Ok. I will be here tomorrow."

As Morag watches him go, her expression turns to one of longing.

The next day, Morag diligently meets Thomas at an earlier time. They strike up a conversation, and Thomas enjoys her company. They become good friends.

“What are your dreams for the future, Thomas?” she asks him one day.

“I plan to be a knight serving my king… and maybe more.”

“More?”

“Yes. There is someone special who I hope to marry.”

“I see…” she says.

“What about you, Morag?” he asks.

“Oh. I don’t know.”

“I see you out here every day. You have helped me track animals to hunt, though I don’t know how you do it. Do you want to be a hunter?”

“No. I just want to be with you.” She says.

Thomas laughs. “That’s very flattering. What about seeing the world? Would you like that?”

She makes a pouting face, but nods. “I suppose I would, as long as you are there. I haven’t been to a city in a long time.”

“You should come visit me in Brigadoon, that way you get used to it.”

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Morag looked sad. “I don’t think they would accept me, Thomas.”

“Why not?”

“Because…”

Thomas raises an eyebrow. “Because why?”

“It’s something I haven’t told you before…”

“And what is that?”

Morag hesitates. “The truth is, I’m the daughter of a witch.”

Thomas examines her for an indication that she is joking, but when he doesn’t find it, he looks at her in shock. “A witch?”

“Sorry I didn’t tell you. I don’t usually tell people that. They're afraid of us.”

“Well, I'm not afraid of you, Morag. I just didn't know.”

“Thank you, Thomas. You're the only person who's ever been kind to me.”

“You are a good person. In fact, I really don’t see why other people would not accept you. I can’t even tell that you are a witch. The witches from stories are covered in warts and wear torn up clothing, but you have a lovely appearance.”

Morag blushed. “It’s because you don’t have any magic. If you were a mage or a priest, you would be able to see the dark aura around me. Appearances do not matter.”

“Ah… you can tell that I don’t have magic just from that? That makes sense.” Thomas nods. “I won’t ask you to go to any populated places. You are my friend so I will help you and keep you safe.”

“Are you sure you still want to be friends with me?”

“Of course.”

Morag smiles. They continue to talk and train together in the woods.

One day, Thomas came back again, Morag was playing with a wolf pup.

“I found him in the forest,” she tells him. “I befriended the wolves.”

“That's extraordinary! He is so cute.” Thomas says.

“Not as cute as you, though,” Morag smiles mischievously. She told the pup to fetch, then gave it a piece of meat.

As they were talking, Thomas was in a nostalgic mood. His training was extra hard that day, so Morag decided to offer him some mead. With his tongue loosened, he mentions Fenella again.

“I miss Fenella. It's been so long since I've seen her. Maybe I’m an idiot for falling for the princess when I am a commoner, but I already know what I need to do in order to be with her. The path ahead of me is crystal clear, just like my mentor’s sword movements. This is why I can train for so long by myself, you know, Morag. I only hope Fenella feels the same.”

Morag felt a pain in her chest. “I’m sure the princess misses you too.”

Thomas nods with rosy cheeks and a smile. “I hope so.”

Morag watches Thomas leave, tears streaming down her silent face. Morag has fallen in love with Thomas, but he only has eyes for Fenella. Morag realizes this but continues to spend time with Thomas, unable to resist his kindness. She knows that Thomas will never love her the way she loves him, but a feeling stirs deep in her heart. She can't accept it.

The next day, Morag and the wolf pup came to watch him again.

“What’s wrong with his leg?” Thomas notices that something is wrong and asks.

“Oh. It seems I played with him too roughly and he got injured. He’s not as sturdy as you are.”

Thomas got some cloth and created a bandage for the pup. “His paw seems to have a scratch. You should let him rest, and be careful in the future.”

“Okay.” Morag says.

A few days later, she did not bring the pup at all.

“What happened to the pup?”

Morag looks sad. “The injury became infected and he died. The medicine I made didn’t work.”

“Oh. I see.” Thomas gives Morag a comforting hug.

“I could see its soul pass on.” She said sadly, “I wonder if I could’ve stopped it from happening, if I was better.”

“Everything dies. Even we will die someday.”

Morag looks into his eyes. “I won’t let that happen.”

“I’m sure you won’t.” Thomas smiles. "But if it happens anyway, don't blame yourself."

Later the two of them went back to training.