Madeline's POV

I remember the time when everything wasn't so difficult. When no surprises surpassed us, no dangers, no conflicts. But now, as I stand in watching the two faeries stare one another down, I wonder to myself, why do our small choices map out of our futures? Even one mistakes can change anything and everything without even trying. In that moment I knew, if King could go back in time to save his people, he would, no matter of the consequences... I would do the same to save my father if I could. I never found out what caused his illness, I only know that it wasn't from old age because he was in his early forties when he passed away. What did cause his death? And why did it have to happen when it did?

(The first signs of distress, 15 years old)

"Madeline! Can you go out and get me a few things?!" I heard my father yell for me from downstairs. I nodded, closing my book and getting out of bed before running down the steps to come in sight to see Dad leaning against the counter, a list in hand.

"You won't have to go very far, you may even find some of the things in the market place. Just be careful." He told with a weak smile. I nodded and took the list out of his hands, my eyes roaming over it. Most of the ingredients confused me, we rarely have to use any of these before! I looked up at Dad, smiling.

"Okay. I will be back soon." He nodded, holding in something. I ran out the door, closing it behind me only to stop in place when I heard a series of coughs making shivers run up and down my spine. My vision for a second became foggy, making me blink and rub them to return them back to clear. 'That was weird.' I thought in my mind before heading off to the forest to gather the first ingredients.

3rd Person's POV

Doctor Hans coughed violently into his hands, sputters of blood covering the skin. He sighed at the sight, walking over to the sink and washing them off. He looked out the window to see his daughter running off into the direction of the forest, the one who is able to help him. He shook his head at the thought, 'No, I must not lay everything down on her shoulders, she is still my apprentice after all, with healing capabilities or not.' Ever since the first signs of Madeline's Senexes' blood made it's appearance, he revealed to her of who her mother was, but not why she left because even if he doesn't know that fact. They have tried in working to get her magical healing abilities to appear again with no luck. However, throughout the years of when she would get hurt, her wounds held marvelous speeds of healing. He had planned to send Madeline off to the capital of Britannia to find a teacher, to help her study and master her gift of magic, gain a better understanding of it. Unlock the ability like she did when she was five, to help other people. Only- Being a small town doctor comes with its downfalls, money was an issue to even request for such a thing, plus Madeline has never been outside of the village's radius, she could easily get lost and never found.

He shivered at the thought, not wanting to ever lose his only child, his only family. He wondered of Madeline's future frequently, her grand future, a future that would be filled with love and joy. He splashed water onto his face with a deep sigh, drying it with a nearby towel. 'Please watch over her for me after I'm gone... I don't want to burden her any further.' He heard a knock on his door, knocking him out of his thoughts. He straightened out his disheveled appearance before walking to the door and opening it, revealing one of his patients. The old woman smiled up at him kindly.

"Hello Doctor, I see that you aren't at the clinic today."

"Indeed. I have just been feeling under the weather is all."

"I am sorry to hear that. I hope that you feel better soon."

"As do I. What is it that you need, Miss Ange?" Miss Ange cleared her throat before speaking, "Nothing at all. Just came here to check on you and Madeline. She is certainly growing up to be a beautiful young lady." She complimented and Doctor Hans nodded, his weak smile returning.

"She certainly is. I hope that her future is amazing."

"How is her studying in medicine going anyway?" Miss Ange inquired with a curious gaze.

"Slow but well. She has always never been one to retain information as fast as the other kids." Miss Ange nodded with a small chuckle.

"I shall take my leave then. Get well soon, Doctor Hans." She turned on her heel and walked down the path and into the small village. Doctor Hans closed the door before sitting down at the table, tapping his fingers unconsciously. 'I will for her.'.

Madeline's POV

"Aeoru... Wollen... Populure... I have never seen Dad use these before..." I talked to myself, studying the medical plants as I picked them, placing them in the basket I held. I began humming a small tune as I ventured throughout the forest, searching for most of the medical plants that grew here. I crouched down in front of one plant, reading the description of it out loud.

"Quito Fern: Small orange flower with a yellow and green stem and abstract appearance, most commonly used curing common colds for long amounts of time... That's odd, Dad never used this for common colds, he usually just tells the patient to rest and hydrate until they feel better..." I furrowed my brows in confusion before plucking the small orange flower out just in time to hear a series of hooves hitting the ground nearby. I grabbed a few more before placing them in my basket and standing up straight to see a centaur running towards me, skidding to a step ten feet in front of me.

"Oh, sorry am I in your territory?" I asked him with a tilt of my head. He shook his head, smiling down at me with his tall stature.

"Not at all, but quite close to it. Don't go beyond the briar bushes or you will be hurt." He told me, pointing over to the briar bushes. I nodded in understanding.

"Alright. May I ask for a favor?"

"What is this favor?"

"I need to find three more medical plants by these names: Galileo, Dragon's Tongue, and Tuli." I listed off to him, showing him the list. He carefully took it into his hands, reading the descriptions of the plants. He finally nodded, handing the list back to me.

"I will be back in a few minutes, don't move."

"Thank you!" I thanked him before he ran off, jumping over the briar bushes that led into his territory. I sat down on the ground, playing with the ends of my green hair. The centaurs are neighbors of the village and usually help us if there is anything we need, just as we do for them. Most commonly, I would go on an errand for Dad that is in this forest and run into one of them, ask them for assistance which they usually accept if I give something in return that they have in mind.

After a few minutes of silence, my vision becomes foggy making me blink and rub my eyes to clear them. Since the beginning of this month, my vision has been going in and out, sometimes even all of it would be gone! The sound of hooves made me look over to see the same centaur and another trotting over to me, the plants in hand, wrapped with a large leaf. I stood up and waited until they were closer to me before initiating conversation.

"What is that you need?" I asked them and the centaur looked over at his friend. My eyes trailed over his arm that was bandaged, giving me the impression that he was hurt. I nodded in understanding.

"I will try my best."

To Be continued

*EDITED, 03/31/2020*