Help Wanted

Martin Corwell adjusted the ?Help Wanted? sign he had hammered to the outside wall next to the double doors to his smithy and took a step back regarding it thoughtfully. The letters printed with red paint were easy to read even for his eyes, clouded with age.

Danielle, his grand daughter, would be surprised that he finally gave in to her gentle yet persistent pleas that he should hire someone to help. Until yesterday he had remained steadfast in his refusal to do so. His sight had been less than perfect for years now, but not so bad as to have a negative influence on the quality of his work. Overall he was still in remarkable good shape. His back was still straight and his body had not lost any of the muscle like bodies were want to do when age crept into bones. But yesterday when he was helping Karl shoveling coal from the wagon he had to stop before the job was done.

The pain that shot up his left arm and how it had seemed to squeeze his chest had scared him. Not so much for himself ? he was ready to leave this world ? but for Danielle. The girl had come to stay with him for what was supposed to be one summer eleven years ago. But his son and daughter in law had never returned from their trip, the ship having been lost at sea. At first he had been at a loss as to what to do with the girl and how to raise her but, looking back, he had done pretty well even without the help of a second wife. There was a time that he considered finding a woman that could be a mother to Danielle, but he had not found any that could take Julie?s place in his affections.

These days Danielle was his joy and he looked forward to the meals in her company. She never failed to cheer his spirits when he dwelled too much in the past. He was not at all looking forward to the day when a fine young man would take her from him. But for her sake and his peace of mind, he hoped that someone would before he passed from this world.

A slight cough from behind took him from his thoughts and he turned around to see who was trying to gain his attention.

Unexpected Employment


"And a good day to you, for what's left of it." Martin Corwell regarded the stranger for a long moment. The man did appear to be in prime condition and had an air about him that made him sympathetic. His glance moved over his horse. A healthy and well taken care of beast, he was pleased to note. One could learn much of a man by looking at his horse. He looked down at the horse?s hoof. ?Threw a shoe, didn't he?" he said as he nodded his chin toward the roan. "Do you still have it?"

?Yes, sir. About 4 miles down the road. I looked for it, but it was gone; so I guess I?ll need a new one pounded out.?

The smithy sighed, ?I?m already behind in my work. Seems everyone wants their work done yesterday.?

?Well, I know a thing or two about shaping hot iron. If you let me borrow your tool, I can have one made and get out of your hair in no time.?

Martin Corwell looked the man over. ?Is that?s so? Well young man, as the sign says, I'll be needing some muscle around the shop. Ya dun need ta be always smithin' so long's ya willin' to chop the wood, shovel coal, handle the air 'n such."

Garry smiled and held out a strong hand to seal the deal, ?The name?s Garry, Garry Bradstreet.?

?Martin Corwell.?

?Let me tie up Warrior here, and I?ll get started. I?ve never been one to shy away from hard work and an honest wage.?

"Speakin' of wage, would ye be wantin' all coin or be likin' room'n board?" Martin thoughtfully rubbed his chin.

Garry had to smile, ?To tell you the truth, some good cooking and a bed to sleep in is worth more to me right now than all the king?s gold.?

"Well, the 'keeper's room behind the kitchen needs a little work, but yer welcome to it 'n Danny cooks well enough."

?I?m sure he?s a great cook,? Garry responded as he put on a blacksmith?s apron.?

?He?s a she. My Granddaughter, Danielle.?

Garry raised a brow. ?Well, I hope that I?m not going to be any trouble for her, having an extra mouth to feed and all.?

"Naw, she wont mind 'n be likin' the company. Just the old man around can't be pleasin' to the young'n." Martin looked up and saw his granddaughter. He lifted a hand and gave a friendly wave in the direction of the house next door to the smithy.

Garry half turned to see who may have attracted the old man's attention. A young strawberry-blond woman in a yellow dress had paused half way up the front steps and waved back at them before she disappeared into the house. Garry?s hands just stopped in the middle of trying to tie the apron strings behind his back. He would not have been surprised to find that his heart had stopped also ? he was sure it had skipped a beat.

?So, ?.er?it?s just you two living here?? Garry asked after the girl disappeared inside.

?Yep,? Martin replied and he pointed to the back wall of the shop. ?I keep the stock of shoes over there on the wall. Might as well start with shoeing your own horse." He paused and added, "Then if you mess up, I?m not losing anything.? Martin gave a smiles and a wink and went off to his own project.

Garry nodded and went to find a shoe of the approximate size.

He liked his new boss.

Angel in a Doorway

Garry had been in the process of heating the horse shoe, shaping it, cooling it, measuring it to Warrior?s hoof, and repeating the process over again. All this time his thoughts were on the girl he had seen walking up the steps of the house; and it showed in his work. He had received a burn, hit his thumb, and nearly walked into the stable wall. The only saving grace was that Martin had been busy and hadn?t noticed. Garry?s smithing skills would not have made a great impression.

He was just sizing the shoe to his horse for the second time when he felt Martin?s touch to his arm. Garry released the horse?s leg and looked up; the shoe slipped from his hand and hit the dirty floor with a short ring sound. There was the girl he had seen walking up the house steps.

From this distance she was even more beautiful than he had imagined. As she stood in the doorway, the sun?s rays from behind her shown through her strawberry blonde hair in such a way as to make her look like a divine angel come to give an epiphany to the wondering eyes of mortal man. His heart beat hard as he tossed down the hammer walked toward her, wiping his hands on the front of the apron and feeling that slight cleansing would do little good to prepare his hand to touch her.

A handsome smile creased his lips as he took her hand in his and looked into her brown eyes, ?The pleasure is mine, Danielle,? he said with a voice that was strong and warm. He released her hand and stood there, his thumbs tucked into his belt, his gaze going from Danielle to her grandfather and back. ?Your grandfather as been kind enough to allow me to work for room and board. I hope that I won?t be imposing.?

He looked to the cold tea and buns, ?If that is waiting for me, I?m sure going to enjoy it.? He grinned and brushed a lock of his black hair away from his face.

Garry had to smile at the mention of 'Poppy'. Smiling came easily to him and his face showed that he did a lot of it. He reached for the drink first, fearing that if he took the bun in her presence, as hungry as he was, he'd make a pig of himself in front of her.

He took a sip and smiled back at Danielle, "Dinner sounds absolutely delicious. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had a good meal."

Truth be told, he could have eaten a stick of jerky and still have been in heaven if he could sit across the table from this beautiful woman.

He reached for the bun. "I'm looking forward to seeing you at dinner, Danielle. I'd better get back to work before 'Poppy' fires me." He turned and gave her grandfather a wink, then walked back to his horse where he devoured the sticky bun in private.

Garry followed Martin into the kitchen; he had his duffle sack slung over his shoulder. He had taken if from Warrior?s saddle when he had bedded down his horse in one of the few simple stalls that were attached to the blacksmith shop. People often would leave their horses with the smithy to shoe, so such holding stalls were not uncommon.

Garry?s eyes immediately went to Danielle. ?Dinner sure smells wonderful, Danielle. I hope I have enough time to get cleaned up before we eat.? He grinned and added, ?If not, I believe it would be to everyone?s advantage if I ate in the stables.?

Martin laughed, ?Aye, we?re in ?ere a bit early lad, an? I?m sure my Danny doesn?t want us t? be gawkin? over her shoulder as she?s finishin? the preparations.?

Martin showed Garry to the door off the kitchen. It led to a small and sparsely furnished parlor that then had a door to a bedroom. The bedroom had a sink and running water, and a large and well-mattressed bed. Martin pointed out where the bath house was and left Garry to his own. ?You?ve got about 45 minutes, lad. If you?re not there when th? food is served, don?t be expectin? for me to wait.? He laughed and close the door behind him.

Garry Bradstreet spent little time looking around. He got out clean clothes from the duffle and laid them on the bed. He removed his shirt, gathered up clean underwear and pants, and grabbed a bar of soap and a bath towel from a stool near the sink. He hurried out of the room, slipping quickly through the kitchen so as not to be seen by Danielle, and then out of the house and down to the bath house.

The bath house was a simple one with a hose coming down from an overhead water storage tank that counted on the sun to do the heating, but it was enough and more convenience than Garry has had in weeks. The warm water and soap felt wonderful, and he wished he had more time to spend in it. Nevertheless he had plenty of time to get himself clean and dried off and his clean pants and socks put on.

Garry came out of the bath house and walked back up to the house. His black hair was wet and his muscular upper body was covered in the warm light of the setting sun. Then was no way to avoid the view from the kitchen window, so he just hoped that Danielle was busy at the stove.

When he walked into the kitchen he came face to face with Danielle as she was taking a pot off the stove. ?Excuse me, m?lady, I?m just going to my room. I?ll be ready in five minutes.?

"Five minutes will be fine." She tried not to stare, but he was gone as quickly as he had appeared, and she needn't have worried to be caught looking.

He went to his room, shaved, added just a light touch of the French par fume he had obtained while in the army, combed his hair, and put on a clean, white poet?s shirt. He walked into the kitchen with his hair still slightly damp and a strand hanging on his forehead. He saw Danielle putting the food on the table and Martin coming from the other direction.

?Danielle, you have made us a feast fit for princes!? Garry said with a wink and gleam in his eye.

Garry smiled, "I'd love that. I think it would be good to get to see this town that I might settle in." He was not yet ready to give up on the food for the dessert and added more meat and potatoes to his plate. "Danielle, you are the best cook I've ever seen."

"Thank you," she replied with a bit of a blush at his compliment.

Martin chuckled, "Told ye she was." He was rather obviously enjoying the fried apples, even more so after he added a dollop of sweet cream to them.

Gary looked over to the apples that Martin was loading with cream. They sure looked good, but he was still enjoying the main meal. When he put the last fork of meat into his mouth, he wiped his lips with a napkin and leaned back in his chair. "That was the best meal I've had...perhaps ever, Danielle."

Danielle managed to have her plate empty by the time Garry was done with seconds and rewarded his praise with a wide smile. ?I am glad you enjoyed it."

"Apologies, pray don't feel like ye have t'hurry from t'table jus' because I do. I'll see ye in t'mornin'." Martin rose as soon as he was done with his desert. ?T?boys be waitin?.?

"Enjoyed it? It was magnificent!" He looked to Martin as he arose from the table. "I'll see you as the sun rises."

"No need t'get up, lad." He grinned to Garry before turning to Danielle. "Make sure he's not missin' out on them apples. Don't wait up." Martin stooped to brush a kiss on Danny's head, then he headed out to his game.

Garry watched him go. "He's quite a man. I like your grandfather."

?Yes, he is.? Danielle smiled a little, suddenly shy now that Poppy had left. "But he doesn't get up quite that early, Garry."

"To tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind sleeping in just enough to let the sun arise before I do," he said with a grin.

"You will be able to, at least until sometime after equinox. In the wintertime we do not get very many hours of light, though."

Garry had just a little of the fried apples and savored the taste. "I'm used to getting up well before the sun. It's a military thing." He looked at her and couldn't believe how beautiful she was. "I think I'm going to like it here, Danielle."

Danielle answered quietly, "I do believe I would like that." Garry smiled and looked down at his plate to hide a blush. That he, a grown man, should blush at so simple a statement made Danielle less nervous.

He then finished the dessert and set his fork down. "Would you have any coffee brewed?"

"No, but I could make some. I'll have to have some hot water for the dishes anyway." She smiled, ?Grandfather can't sleep when he has coffee in the evening."

"Well, at least let me help you with the dishes while the coffee is brewing." Garry immediately stood and picked up his plate and mug.

"Thank you," she responded as she rose, turned and grabbed the pot to be used for heating water. She took it to the sink to fill it while Garry brought the dishes over to the sink. He reached around her to set the plates on the side, a hint of her delicious fragrance wafted toward him - perhaps the apples and cinnamon she had prepared and lavender soap, he guessed.

"I'll just...set these here,? he said softly, his breath moved a bit of her hair.

"Thank you. That will be quite alright." Danielle turned off the water just before the pot was full and started to turn. "Oh." She was surprised that he should be quite this close. He was standing right there, not having moved since put the plates on the sideboard and she suddenly found her face inches from his with nothing but the water pot between them. "This should be on the stove," she said softly.

He smiled and looked down into her brown eyes, then blushed, realizing that he was in her way. "Oh. Yes...I was just....putting the plates... I'll get some more." He went to the table and picked up Martin's plate and mug and placed them on the sideboard also.

Her heart skipped a few beats while he was looking at her, then beat all the faster as if to make up for the lost time as she took the pot to the stove and busied herself with pulling out the coffee things. "It'll take a few minutes to warm up enough."

He kept bringing the dirty plates over. "Tell you what. Do you want to wash or dry?" He gave her a wink.

"As you do not yet know where the clean things go, I'll let you wash." She stepped up to the sink and pulled a towel from under it, leaving that cabinet door open for him as she moved to the side. "You'll find everything you should need right here."

A Walk Around The Block

Danielle sat down on the front steps, leaving plenty of room for Garry to sit next to her if he so chose. The sun had just set and soon stars would twinkle in the sky. There was not a cloud in sight and the heat of the day dissipated quickly. Light spilled from some of the windows of the houses along Steel Lane, but the shops between the houses were closed up for the night and dark.

"Will your horse be okay for the night or do you need to check on him again?" Danielle lifted a hand and waved back to the man who just left the house across the street. "That was Mr. Hillback. Most of the fancy iron work like railings and fancy gates are made in his shop." Danielle supplied the information after Mr. Hillback had turned down the street and was well out of hearing range.

Garry nodded from his seat on the steps next to Danielle, and gave a wave to Mr. Hillback just to be friendly. He was sure the man was wondering who was sitting on the steps with Martin's granddaughter. "I'm sure he does good work. I'll have to pay him a visit sometime." He turned his head and looked upon Danielle and smiled. She was beautiful beyond words and just sitting with her made him feel good. "I suppose I should check on Warrior later. Would you like to see him when I do?"

"Yes, thank you. Is he as much a warrior as his name implies?" She looked to Garry with a little smile, inviting him to volunteer as much or as little as he felt like. Though she was curious regarding everything about him, she did not want him to think of her as a pest. What he thought of her seemed above average important.

Garry sipped his coffee, enjoying the taste and the peacefulness of the evening. This day was surely ending a whole lot better than it had begun. "Warrior was just a 4-year old when he was assigned to me in the army. He had a disposition about him that most didn't want to deal with. He and I understood each other. So I named him Warrior, for he seemed well suited to what we had to do. When I left the army I asked for him and they gave him to me. I guess it was a perk for being an officer. He's mellowed over the years. I guess there's nothing left for him to prove." He smiled and sipped his coffee, realizing that the same could be said regarding himself.

"He does sound like someone I?d like to meet." Danielle glanced at her coffee cup and found it empty.

Garry Bradstreet also finished his coffee and set the mug on the steps, off to the side. "Would you like to go for a walk? So far, all I've seen of this town is your grandfather's shop, your home, and the front of Mr. Hillback's house." He stood up and offered a hand to help her down off the steps.

She sat her cup down and placed her hand into his as she stood up. The very moment her fingers touched his palm a tingle moved up her arm. Danielle glanced sideways at him. Did he feel it, too? "We should remedy that. But I'm afraid there is not all that much to see. The town is mostly shops and houses, a few bars, but nothing of spectacular architecture or size."

He didn't care if she showed him a row of a score of privies. As long as they were together he'd hardly notice anything but her anyway. Danielle's hand in his felt far too good to release, but to do anything else would hardly be proper. He held her until her feet reached the street, then reluctantly released her hand. His eyes moved down the street which was now dark but for the occasional street light. He began a slow walk in that direction.

Danielle fell into step beside him, missing the warmth and odd sense of security the moment he released her hand. "This," she indicated with a sweep of her hand, "is Steel Lane. Most of the streets are named after the type of shops found on them. You can actually find almost anything in town. The gates make trading easy, at least during the summer months. The only gate of any use during the winter is the south gate to Rhydin."

He listened to her words, or more precisely, her voice; for it was her voice that seemed to be reaching right inside him and be doing something strange and wonderful to his heart. "It seems like a perfectly logical way of doing things," he said in a voice that was soft yet deep. "I gather that the winter season brings much snow with it and has to be prepared for." The back of his hand touched hers as they walked along the street.

Something in his voice made her smile up at him. "Yes, there will be a lot of snow, and the passages will be blocked for a few months. Do you like or hate the winter weather?" It seemed natural that she should find her hand in his again.

He had to think about that question. "You know, Danielle, it's hard for me to answer that. I used to love the winter until I entered the army. Then the winter just made everything so much more difficult." His hand again brushed by hers. "I think I'm going to enjoy finding out what it would be like to get snowed in and not have to worry about moving troops and cannons."

She gave a soft chuckle, but her reply would wait a moment. They had arrived at the end of the street and she paused. "Left to the lake or right for more streets of shops and houses?"

He scrunched his lips and thought. "I would love to see the lake, but perhaps during the day. Let's take a right. I'm enjoying seeing your town with you. Have you always lived here?" His hand touched her back near the shoulders as they turned to the right.

"For as long as I can remember, although grandfather tells me that we lived in Rhydin for some time." She answered his question as they resumed their walk before returning to the earlier subject. "If the snows get bad enough, you'll be having a few days off. Even when the weather is somewhere in between, it is always warm by the forge and the fire place inside the house."

Garry laughed, "In time. Right now Warrior is getting over his loss and prefers not to be sociable." They came to the door of the shop that led to the stable and entered inside. Garry closed the door behind them to keep out the cold. Just a small amount of light entered from the street though a dirty and cobwebbed window. "He's over here," Garry whispered in the darkness.

"Thank you." She whispered back, and then wondered why they should be whispering as she carefully made her way across the smithy's floor. "Is he sleeping?"

He grinned at her question, realizing that she must think him silly for whispering around a horse. "Perhaps, but I think I need to wake him." He looked toward the stall. "Hello Warrior. I've brought someone for you to meet." He heard a whinny from the 16.3, black destrier.

Danielle stepped up next to Garry, trying to make out the dark horse in the slightly black darkness. "Hello there," She greeted the beast softly, holding her hand palm out up for the horse to smell. Warrior made a sound and his upper lip began to move over Danielle's hand, looking for an apple or other consumable present.

Garry ran a hand over the horse's flank then went to make sure that water was in the water bucket and he added hay in the hay rack. "I think you'll be fine for the night, Warrior." He moved to the head of the horse next to Danielle. "Warrior, I want to personally thank you for going through all the trouble of losing your shoe just so that I could meet Danielle. I'm forever grateful." His arm moved around her waist, this time not for the warmth of two bodies close together, but simply because he wanted to touch her. . . to be close.

"I'll add my thanks to that. The treats will have to wait until morning, but you are welcome to the apples left from dinner." It would be nice to lean against Gary, but she had just met him - was it really just that afternoon? Already it seemed to her as if it had been days or weeks rather than hours.

"We'll see you tomorrow, Warrior. You be good." The horse gave a slight grunt as if insulted. Garry took Danielle's hand and led her around the horse and to the shop area. The heat of the forge could still be felt. He paused a moment, and turned and looked at Danielle. "I think he likes you." He smiled and shrugged. "Can't say I blame him."

"You really think so?" She blushed and lowered her eyes when she realized that he could apply her question to either of his statements. Then snapped her eyes back up, for she didn't want to miss his reaction either way.

He could feel his heart pound as he looked at her in the soft glow of the forge. His voice was soft and warm, "There is no doubt in my mind."

Danielle smiled at his answer, pleased beyond words and found her gaze captured by his.

Garry just looked into her eyes. He wanted so much to touch her face and hair and to kiss her; but it would not be right. He had no right to want such things. He was her guest and they had only just met. How could he have such feelings so soon? His gaze upon her face turned into a warm smile. "I guess we should go back to the house. I've kept you out too long, I'm sure."

"You have kept me from an evening of boredom over mending grandfather's old shirts. And then he'd only wear them again instead of his new ones." She gave him a little wink.

A second lock of black hair fell across his forehead as he chuckled, "Well, I'm sorry to have your grandfather have to put up with shirts with holes, but I can truthfully say that I can't remember a more pleasant evening than this one."

Danielle started to lift her hand, wanting to smooth the look back in place, then thought better of it. "I very much enjoyed the evening, too."

He looked toward the door. "I guess...we should go." He held out his hand for Danielle to take it. She placed her hand into his and nodded.

They walked to the house, stopping on the steps to pick up their coffee mugs before going inside. Garry immediately went over to the sink to wash the mugs. "If you have other things to do, I'll clean the mugs and the coffee pot."

"Thank you very much. All I have left to do is to climb the stairs now that you've relieved me of the cups."

He set the cups down and turned to her, missing her already. "Well. . .," a smiled creased his lips, "you have a good night's sleep. I'll see you in the morning." Why was this so hard? Why was he dreading seeing her leave?

Danielle smiled back. "Do sleep well and be careful to dream something wonderful. It is said that the dreams of the first night in a new bed come true." Reluctantly she turned toward the stairs, and then turned to face him again. "Two eggs or three? For breakfast, I mean."

He grinned and turned to her, "Two would be fine, Danielle. Or, and I'm sure I'll have good dreams." He started for the sink then turned and added, "But there are not many dreams that could be better than this evening with you."

He turned before she could see his blush, then cleaned up the mugs and coffee pot so that it would be ready for the morning. Garry Bradstreet went to his room, removed his boots, and just sat on the bed, replaying the evening over and over in his mind.

Upstairs, Danielle replayed the evening in her mind, hoping she'd made a decent enough impression and she admonished herself not to read too much into what could very well have been just friendly, well mannered actions and tricks of the light. Not that she was listening to her own admonishments very well.

Morning Visitor

Lieutenant Josh Jones pulled his cover off his head when Martin answered the door to his knock. ?Good morning, Mr. Corwell.?

?S?that you, Josh?? Martin grinned as he recognized the young officer. ??N?so dressed up. Showin? off t?promotion??

?Not really, I thought I?d stop by on my way up to the Beacon to see if it would be okay if I asked Danielle out to the dance this Saturday.? Martin lifted a gray brow, wondering if he had missed something. Josh had not stopped by, that he knew of, since the Beltane dance, and Danielle had looked none too pleased when she had returned home early from that dance.

?Why don?t ye come in then n?ask her. Danny?s in t?kitchen. We?ve just finished coffee.? Martin moved aside and invited Josh in, calling toward the kitchen. ?Danny, Josh?s here t?see ye.?

Danielle frowned at that news and reached for the dish towel to dry her hands. What was Josh doing here? There was a time when she had liked Josh, but not since the Beltane dance. He?d danced with her only once, and then busied himself with trying to impress Captain ?Julie Darling? by being rude to her escort. She sat the towel down and forced a polite smile on her lips before she turned to greet Josh.

?Good morning, Josh. What brings you here this early in the day?? She was unimpressed by his fancy uniform and refused to comment on it.

?Good morning Danielle. You look mighty pretty. New dress?? It wasn?t a new dress. Danielle just looked at him, her mien not changing. ?There?s another dance this Saturday.?

Danielle nodded. ?So I hear.? Of course there was a dance, there was one every two or three weeks. She had been waiting for a chance to tell Garry about it and was already looking forward to going with him. But that didn?t explain what Josh was doing here, for certainly he couldn?t intent to ask her after the way she shredded his character on the walk back after the last one.

?Would you do me the honor of attending with me?? He asked with a boyish smile.

Danielle was stunned. How could Josh even for a moment think that she?d accept. She searched her mind for a reply that wouldn?t ruin any chance of her going dancing with Garry.

Cookies

Lunch had been over way too quickly to please Danielle. Poppy and Garry had been talking about steel and iron prices, banding wheels and the latest order from the hardware store. Though she knew all the jargon ? for years her grandfather had only her to talk to over meals ? the subject was not particularly interesting to her. The highlight of the conversation had been the mention of a trip to Rhydin in the near future. But Garry had winked at her twice and she found that had made up for the shop-talk.

Now Danielle was forming the cookie dough into round balls and set them in neat rows onto a cookie tray. She hoped that Garry like chocolate cookies with pieces of soft caramel; they were to be a thank you for him rescuing her from the awkward situation this morning with Josh.

As the cookie tray filled her thoughts drifted to the dance tomorrow evening. Tomorrow still seemed so far away, but it wasn?t far enough away for her to get a new dress. Her old, light green one from two years ago would have to do. She had pulled it out earlier and found it to still be passable. The styles didn?t change much from year to year in Beacon town, but she wanted Garry to think of her as pretty, not just passable.

Danielle slid the full tray into the oven and started to clean up to thoughts of Garry?s hands on her arms and how incredibly young he had looked when he had worried his bottom lip with his teeth. Soon the fragrance of warm chocolate and caramel wafted through the kitchen, reminding her that she had better check on the cookies.

She was just in time; the cookies were done and still chewy. Quickly she filled two mugs with milk and set them as well as a plate piled with cookies on the snack tray, and then brought them over to the smithy for Garry and Poppy to enjoy.

Danielle was quiet during dinner and kept her eyes mostly to her plate. Though she didn't know why, she did not like the idea that grandfather should catch her staring at Gary with a dreamy expression. As soon as she was done eating she put water on the stove for coffee.

The next while had been pure torture, Danielle thought. Her grandfather had posed the most awkward questions to Garry, even mentioned her grandmother in that line of questioning and implying that Danielle would be less than safe going to the dance with him. As much as she liked Garry?s company, at that moment she wanted to be somewhere else.

It was with great relief that Danielle announced the coffee was ready. She already had picked up her cup and was ready to flee outside with it when her grandfather mentioned a fishing trip he had planned with Karl for the next morning. So her flight was delayed until after she had wished grandfather biting fish and a good night.

Danielle breathed deeply of the evening air before she sat down on the steps and sipped slowly from her coffee cup. Garry sat down next to her and nudged her shoulder. "I'm sorry if that was embarrassing. I think your grandfather knows how.....how attracted I am to you, Danielle."

"It was rather awkward, though, wasn't it?" She was pleased to know that Garry found her attractive, but that her grandfather should comment on it was indeed embarrassing.

Garry took Danielle's hand in his, his voice was warm and soft, "I think I knew it the moment I saw you."

"I was on the way into the house. You waved back." She gave his fingers a little squeeze and turned her face to look at him. She was still searching for the words to what she wanted to tell him when the couple that had been walking down the street paused at the steps.

"Good evening, Danielle, Sir. Is your grandfather still up per chance?" The silver-blond winged female asked.

"Good evening, Lady Topaz." Danielle nodded to the gentleman with her and rose. Said gentleman bowed formally and Garry rose and stood off to the side, acknowledging the impressive couple with a bow.


"Yes, he is inside." She moved and opened the door, calling to her grandfather. "Lady Topaz is here to see you." Then she turned to the couple again as she stepped aside. "Please, do come in."

"Thank you" The Fairy and her well dressed escort went inside and Danielle could just hear her grandfather welcoming them before she closed the door again behind them.

Garry whispered, "Who are they?"

"Lady Topaz is the commander of the Beacon. I don't know who the man with her is." She smiled. "I wonder what she wants to have made. At least I'm guessing she's here to place an order of some kind. Our roof's fine. She must be in a hurry, too, or she would have insisted on introductions, I'm sure."

The two decided not to go for a walk this evening in favor of finding out what work awaited Garry and Grandfather as soon as Lady Topaz and her escort had left.

The Walk to the Dance

Danielle stared in admiration for a moment. Garry looked absolutely breath-taking in his uniform. Then she smiled to him. "Good evening, Garry."

The smile spread across his face as he approached the beautiful woman that stood there before him. His gaze of total appreciation moved over her and he couldn't believe how lucky he was. "Good evening, Danielle." He approached her, "You look so beautiful. I'm breathless." He could say no more, but he pulled his hand from behind his back and held out a red rose to her. He shrugged, "Just a little something I got from the flower girl this afternoon."

Her lips formed a silent 'O' as she reached to accept the flower. Then she found her voice again. "Thank you." It occurred to her that she should probably do something with the rose other than holding it, but she was at a loss as to what that might be.

He smiled, "Let me get a glass with some water. I don't want you holding that all night. I need those hands for dancing." He gave her a wink and went for a glass and put some water in it and set it on the table. "I just wanted to give you something to show you how much this night means to me." It wasn't much, but he had little money left of his severance pay. It was just a little keepsake reminder of this night.

"That is a very kind thought." She moved to the table and placed the rose into the water glass, and then smiled up to him again. "I can't remember ever having looked forward to a dance like this before." She knew she would remember the evening in detail even without a keepsake.

"Me too, Danielle. It's all I've been able to think about since learning of it. I can't wait to show you off, the prettiest woman in Beacon town." He gave her a wink opened the door and helped her down the steps and held out his arm. "Shall we?"

She agreed that they should and linked her arm with his, and they started toward the Beacon. Several other people were on the road this evening, all walking into the same direction they were.

"The dance is to be on the green at the back of the Beacon. That way, should it rain, it can be moved inside. There is a rather large bar there with a dance floor, called the Rapiers Crossing. It's been closed for the most part since the altercation with the empire and these days only is opened for special occasions."

He followed the direction in which everyone else was walking, acting as if he knew the way. "It sounds like it should be fun. I can hear the music already." As they drew near, the number of people of many races were all coming together and the sounds of talking, laughter, and music grew louder. He placed his hand on Danielle's protectively.

A wooden dance floor was set up on the grass, not so far away from the gated door at the back of the fortress. A band was seated in a corner of the dance floor, benches stood around in no particular order on the grass, and off to the side stood a table with punch and finger foods set out on it. Danielle waved or nodded to the people they passed.

Marion Satfield and the Husband

"Danielle, wait up!" A brown haired, blue eyed, well fed and healthy looking young couple approached them. "Good evening Danielle." The woman offered a wide smile. "You must be Garry, a pleasure to meet you. Roman, say Hello."

The man offered a nod but his bubbly wife didn't pause long enough for him to offer a greeting.

"This is Roman, my husband, and I'm Marion, of course, Danielle's friend. Are you enjoying our little to do? Do stay away from the watermelon, it's not at all good, but do try the punch. Have you seen Josh yet? He's here you know. Oh, listen, a waltz! You promised, Roman." Roman shrugged helplessly to Garry and Danielle, but was grinning from ear to ear. "We'll catch up with you again later." Marion threw back over her shoulder, already dragging her husband to the center of the dance floor.

Danielle grinned to Garry. "That was Marion Satfield and her husband."
Garry stood there in absolute amazement. He just hoped his mouth wasn't gaping. "I didn't even get to respond and she had an entire conversation with me. Her poor husband could be a mute and no one would have any idea." He looked to Danielle and laughed.

"I did hear him say 'I do' at their wedding.? She chuckled softly. ?So it's not like he never gets to talk. And Marion will now and then pause for a breath. But she can be a little overwhelming at first."

Garry grinned, "Those were likely the half the words he'd ever need to use - 'I do' and 'Yes dear'"

Danielle was still laughing. "She did let me tell her of you, though."

That had Garry's attention, "Yes....I noticed that." He smiled and asked in a teasing flirtatious way, "So, what did you say about me? Hmmm?"

"Nothing but the truth, m'lord." Danielle grinned back. "That you applied for the job Poppy was advertising, the you've a fine horse that likes apples, and that you can wash dishes without breaking any." She had told Marion much more than just that, like how heart stopping gorgeous he looked with his shirt of in the sunlight and how adorable his smile was, but it didn't bear repeating now.

He was a bit disappointed. He was hoping to hear something a little more flattering. "Oh, so you just told her that I was...a good worker, a hired hand. . ." now he began to tease, "a local drifter looking for a meal. . . " he grinned a very handsome grin.

"I told her no such thing. You might actually say I was bragging just the tiniest bit over how expertly you handled Josh. Marion appeared appropriately impressed." Secretly she hoped that Marion wouldn't embarrass her by following through on her threat to ask Garry to take his shirt off so she may see how true Danielle's statements have been.

Garry smiled and placed his hands on her shoulders, "How about I get us both something to drink and we go off by ourselves for a while? Just to rest up before the next dance."

Danielle Corwell: "Thank you, that would be welcome." Danielle smiled back to him, suddenly thirsty.

New Privies and Other Exciting Places

Garry chuckled, "I wish I could say yes to that, but unless you happen to think that dangerous forests, muddy camps and smelly army barracks are interesting, I'm out of luck. Oh, we did get new privies once. They attracted a lot of interested ? lone lines, in fact; but that was short lived." He smiled as he teased her. He loved to see her smile.

Danielle laughed at his mention of new privies. "That is not what I imagined. What do you get the fancy uniforms for when all you get to do with them is to muddy them up?" She sipped from the punch and found it be rather pleasing.

He laughed and leaned forward to her. "They're to make us think that things will get better." He realized that his life did indeed get better, but only when he left the army and came to Beacon town. "To be truthful, I did see some interesting places - towns on the top of tall mountains, great trading centers near the shoreline, places of historical and religious significance, an occasional village occupied by other races and cultures. If one looks with an open mind, I think you can find something interesting in wherever you go."

He paused for a bit and then asked, "What about you, Danielle. Do you ever get to go away from here? Perhaps to someplace very different and intriguing?"

"Does Rhydin count? When grandfather goes to pick up supplies I sometimes get to come along to browse the stores there, and if he gets very busy, I might get to go to deliver an order in Rhydin. But it is rare that someone from there comes all the way out here to have something made. Other than that, I've not been anywhere but here." Danielle could not think of anything interesting to tell Garry about, though right now she wished that she had.

He had been staring at her lips as she spoke, then reached for her hand that was lying in her lap. "I've been there several times. Perhaps we can go together the next time you have to go there. I would really like that."

Danielle turned her hand and curled her fingers around his as she looked up to him. "I would like that very much. The Beacon has ordered all those light holders and there is a need for more supplies. Has grandfather perhaps made mention of it this afternoon?"

He shook his head, "No, he just told me to try to clean out some iron racks because we'll have to get in a lot more supplies. That must be what he was talking about." He smiled and looked from her lips to her eyes, then back again. "He did mention that he?d need you to go there for him, but I didn?t know why. I guess it must have been for those light holder supplies.? Garry had to smile, ?You might as well know that I did ask him if you and I can go together. You know, for your protection and company. It?s a long trip and supplies can be heavy."

Danielle's heart beat faster under his gaze. "You did?" She had to pause to take a breath. "I mean, what was his response? He didn?t mention anything at all about business when I looked in on him before we left this evening, nor over dinner." Of course Garry knew already that nothing was said about supplies during dinner since he was there for dinner.

"He just said that it might be a good idea, and that he'll think about it." If they stayed there one more moment he was sure he wouldn't be able to resist kissing her. "How about we dance again, and then come back here when we need to rest?"

An Eternity in Their Kiss

Garry heard the music change to something faster, but somehow he just couldn't make his movements change with it. He just continued to sway slowly, holding Danielle in his arms, his cheek against her forehead so that his lips just touched her. He held her a bit more tightly and his voice was a soft whisper, "I'm so glad you are here with me, Danielle. This night is perfect."

A small sound of agreement was all she could get out as she breathed in his scent, a delicious mix of cologne and something uniquely him. The night, this moment, was indeed perfect. Her fingers curled more securely around his upper arms.

He could feel that she also was in no hurry to end this "dance" that became more of an embrace. He could feel her hair on his face and loved how soft it felt and its fragrance. It seemed that they were all alone. Everything else faded away as unimportant. He took a chance and actually places a kiss on her forehead and then leaned his forehead against hers as his hands came up to her shoulders.

Her heart beat so fiercely she thought that Garry must be hearing it for sure. She leaned her back a little when she felt the change of his hold on her, but not so much as to compromise the touch of his head to hers. That lock of hair had fallen over his forehead again, she noticed with a little bemused smile.

He looked into her eyes with his face just inches from hers, and he saw her smiling at his hair falling on his face. "It seems to always do that," he chuckled softly. "What do you think I should do about that?"

Her smile deepened as she lifted her right hand from his arm and reach up, gently brushing the lock from his forehead with her fingertips. She guessed that it wouldn't stay on his head for very long, but she had been wanting to do just that for days now. Her gaze returned from his hair to his smoky-blue eyes and she promptly forgot to take her hand back down.

The touch of her fingers was like magic to him, and he was never so thankful for having hair that didn't always stay in place. He stared into her deep brown eyes and slowly brought his hand up; his fingers moved to gently touch her cheek. His face moved closer to hers in slow, hesitant movements, closing the distance between their lips.

Danielle held still, mesmerized first by the look in his eyes, then by the tantalizing feeling of his fingers on her cheek. Her eyes closed when she could feel his warm breath against her lips. She idly thought that she probably should take another breath soon or faint, but somehow having the thought was not followed by acting upon it.

Their first kiss lasted only a couple of seconds, but the remembrance of it would last for the rest of his life. He lowed his mouth to hers; closing that distance between their lips that was literally a breath away, and he felt his lips come into contact with her soft, moist ones. It was a simple kiss, but he was totally lost in it. This was the kiss he had wanted since he first caught sight of her. This was the kiss he would have fought an army for.

His lips on hers felt better than she could have imagined, firm yet warm and gentle, and it made her feel treasured and happy in a way she had never experienced before. All too soon the cool evening air replaced his warm lips again. Danielle opened her eyes, needing to see him again so that she might still feel him; and that by itself wasn't enough to ascertain that this was no dream.

His lips were overtaken by a most handsome smile as he gazed back into her eyes. No words were necessary. Without words their feelings were expressed with complete fluency by the smiles on their faces and by where their eyes were focused. His hand now cupped her cheek feeling the softness against his palm, and he brought his lips once again to hers.

Her fingers slid into his hair of their own accord as she totally lost herself in the sensations of his second kiss. If the first had been so perfect in every way, what should this one that was so much better be called?

This kiss refused to end so quickly. That should be of no surprise, for how could it possibly come to a quick end when two hearts were holding it together with the desperation of inner longing being fulfilled. He kissed her gently, moving his lips against hers, feeling her breath, hearing the sighs that they both would make. He was in love; and if he had actually succeeded in denying it to himself before, he would never get away with such desperate lies again. He loved her.

That emotion was echoed by her heart in the way her lips moved under his, and in the way her body came to lean against his. Eternity was in their kiss, though that was barely enough time to take in every nuance and appreciate it. Danielle knew she'd be changed for it.

Captain Julie

"A timely punch, Sir." The dark-haired half-elf briefly touched a hand to his arm. The collar of her uniform bore the captain insignia, but she wore no name tag.

Garry turned and looked at the dark-haired woman. He did not enjoy fights, especially at festive affairs, so he took no pride, but held plenty of embarrassment that he had to use force to bring the young man in line. "Good evening, ma'am, I'm sorry for the disturbance. In spite of his insults to this lady, I should have been more diplomatic."

Her gold flecked eyes held amusement. "Though Jones likely doesn't have the sense to appreciate your interference, he should prefer a sore chin to spending the night in the brig." She pointedly looked at the backs of a pair of retreating armed guards.

His eyes followed hers to the retreating guards and he smiled. "Well, as long as you put it that way, I took great pleasure in doing him the favor." He chuckled and bowed, "I'm Captain Garry Bradstreet, retired from the Border Guard and now doing some honest work with Danielle's grandfather." He paused a moment and realized that perhaps Danielle didn?t know everyone in Beacon. "Oh, pardon me, please. Do you two know each other?"

"Captain Miriam Julieneris of the Atrebla Guards, or Julie as everyone else around here calls me." Miriam nodded a greeting to Danielle.

"We've met a few times. Good evening, Julie." Danielle smiled. She wondered just how bad Josh had behaved before he had found Garry and her to harass.

He presented a warm smile, "I'm very pleased to meet you, . . Julie." He found it difficult to be that familiar with an army captain. "You have a very pleasant town here. Your guards must be doing a good job at keeping things peaceful and protected."

"Thank you." She answered the smile, including Danielle in it. "Please do enjoy the rest of the evening. Oh, do excuse me." She waved to a group of soldiers all garbed in similar uniforms, sitting at a table attempting to gain her attention.

Danielle nodded to the female captain. "You, too." With the possibility of running into Josh removed, on top of getting to spend more of the evening in Garry's company, enjoying herself should be easy.

Garry nodded, "Thank you, Julie." He then turned to Danielle and held out his plate of chicken. "If you would hold these two plates, I'll get us some more punch."

Danielle accepted the plates. "I'll be happy to." She followed Garry to the punch bowl.

He filled up two glasses with punch, gave Danielle a wink and led them to a picnic table that was empty and had a view of the dance floor and musicians. He set the glasses down and took the plates from her. "This is perfect. I'm glad we stayed." He pulled out the bench and let her slide in first, then sat next to her. "They say that hunger makes the best cook, but it can't compare to your cooking, Danielle."

"I'm glad that we stayed, too." Danielle picked up a piece of chicken and grinned. "I am going to enjoy eating something I didn't have to cook. Do have any favorite dishes, or is there perhaps something you absolutely dislike? I would much rather that you keep enjoying your meals."

He was glad the woman had given them each two pieces of chicken because the first was all too quickly diminished to bare bones. "I've enjoyed everything you made, and being up at the border for the last eight years has made me a very unpicky eater. I do love the lamb stew with the stout ale added to the gravy. I'd die for that."

Danielle chuckled softly. "I'm sure lamb can be found somewhere in town. But stew will not do at all for taking along to the lake tomorrow." She sipped from the punch before she picked up the second piece of chicken.

He smiled at the mention of the lake. "Ah, for the lake some wine and cheese and fruit would be all I need. How does that sound to you?" He couldn't wait to be alone with her and all day to enjoy it.

"It sounds wonderful. Does that mean that you would prefer I leave the fried pork at the house?" Danielle had been looking forward to the dance, but not to the point of forgetting to plan for the outing to the lake.

"Fried pork?" His eyes widened, "Oh no, we must bring the fried pork along. We don't want it to feel left out." He gave her a wink and finished his second piece of chicken and wiped his mouth.

Danielle laughed as she wiped her fingers on the napkin. "No, we would not want it to feel left out." She finished off the punch and set down the cup. "This was as delicious as it looked." She was much less nervous now than she had been at the beginning of the evening and enjoyed Garry's company all the more for that.

Sunday Morning

The morning sun filtering through the window of the upstairs room was already warm when Danielle awoke. She pushed the window open as soon as she was out of bed and a quick glance skyward told her that the weather would hold. If there was going to be storm, it would likely hold off until the sun went down again, for right now the sky was very light blue and appeared very far away. She had sat out the yellow dress last night because it was the only one that she had a hat to match and a pair of boots comfortable for walking.

Danielle sat down to brush her hair once she was dressed. She would get to spend the entire day with Gary. She had been looking forward to that all week, but now she wondered what they would be talking about during all those hours - nothing really interesting had ever happened in her life to tell about. She sat down her brush, reached for the hat and left her room before she could make herself more nervous or think about Garry?s kisses.

Her grandfather was already sitting at the table when she entered the kitchen. ?Good morning, Poppy.? She paused to kiss his cheek. ?Coffee will be ready in a few minutes.? She sat the hat on her chair and busied herself with the preparing of breakfast. ?There?s fried pork, potato salad and a pie in the pantry. Will you be sure you?ll be all right for the day??

?You worry t?much. I?ll be fine. Mrs. Hillback already said t?come over in t?afternoon. Karl?s goin? t?be there, too. That?s about all t?excitement I?ll be wantin? for a Sunday.? Martin folded up the paper he hadn?t really been reading even before Danielle had come downstairs. ?How was t?dance??

?Oh, it was wonderful, Poppy. Garry really knows how to dance. I can?t remember ever having had so much fun at a dance. Except for when Josh tried making trouble. You really shouldn?t allow him in anymore. Garry took care of him, though. Two eggs today??

?Aye, two.? He wondered what happened to sweet little boy with the blond curls and sighed. ?I feel for t?lad?s parents.?

?Captain Julie came over afterward and introduced herself. She thought Garry saved Josh from a night in jail. Marion and her husband were there, too? Danielle set plates and cups on the table. ? Mrs. O Conner had brought some of her famous chicken. I?m sorry you missed it.?

?There?ll be another time.? Martin smiled to himself. ?What would ye say to a trip into Rhydin? Ye could pick up a new gown or two after ye showed Garry where t?get t?supplies.? He looked up when the door opened. ?A fine mornin? t?ye, Garry.?

Ride to the Lake

Danielle walked beside Garry over to the smithy where Warrior was waiting for them. "There are some apples in the basket, too."

"No wonder this basket is so heavy!" He smiled and opened the door to the stables. "Warrior, ol? boy, you're going to like this picnic." He set the basket down and went to work tacking up his horse.

Danielle chuckled softly. "I do believe it is the bottle of wine that make the basket heavy." She stepped up close to the stall and greeted Warrior while she glanced to Garry and what he was doing every so often. Making her voice soft and quiet she whispered to Warrior. "You wont be doing anything to embarass me, will you?"

Garry grinned and watched Danielle talk to Warrior. He put on the saddle blanket, then the saddle and fastened it beneath the horse, adding the martingale since he already had the halter on Warrior. A few adjustments and the destrier was ready. He walked the horse outside, stretched his legs and attached the picnic basket to the back of the saddle. "Are you ready?" He asked Danielle.

"As ready as I can be." She had followed them outside, more than a little nervous. Though Garry had not said that he meant for them to ride, Warior now was wearing a saddle.

"I'll give you a leg up. It's easy. With that pretty dress you'll just have to sit side saddle in front of me." He put his hands together for Danielle to step into. "Just up and onto the saddle."

Danielle had seen enough women ride like that. It should be easy to copy. "Just up and onto the sadlle, got it." She took a deep breath and then approached Garry, putting a booted foot in his hands.

He lifted her up nice and slowly, making sure she was steady in the saddle, then mounted and sat on the heel of the saddle, sliding a bit into her. He reached around her and took the reins in his hands, an arm on each side of her. "Let me know if you get uncomfortable," he said softly against her ear.

"Thank you, I will." Though how she could possibly be uncomfortable this close to Garry she couldn't imagine. She slipped her arm around Garry's middle and found her ballance. She chuckled lightly. "I've not sat on a real horse ever. Ponnies are a lot closer to the ground."

He smiled at her statement, "Well I do think that Warrior feels honored that he'd be your first full sized transportation." They slowly walked out of town, heading southeast. When they were well out of town and alone on the road, he held Danielle a bit tighter in his arms.

"He is very well behaved." Warrior's gait was steady and it did not take long for Danielle to adjust to the motion and she was able to enjoy riding like this. When she felt Garry's arm tighten around her she leaned against him a little, wishing the hat would allow for more.

"Now, you'll have to tell me where to go. I only know the general direction. I have no idea where a good picnic spot is." He could tell by the vegetation in the area that they were getting closer.

The shore of the lake was not at all far from town. "This lake's true name is Otyep Lake, though few people actually know it's name. There are several nice places for a picnic with a view along this trail." She pointed out the path following the west shore. "It's fairly well traveled as the path also leads to the portal. If we cross the creek, we'll find a grassy shore line. On the southern side, if one bothers to go that far, is an islet that is also very nice for enjoying the lake. Which would you like better?"

"Let's go to the area less traveled. I don't wish to be disturbed like we were last night. The islet sounds wonderful!"

Danielle smiled. She would rather not run into neighbors or friends either, but have Garry to herself. "You should enjoy the ride with a view of the lake from the hilltops."

The motion of riding along with her close proximity to Garry had worked together to slide the hat of Danielle's head. She rather enjoyed the feel of light breeze against her skin and did not reach to slide the hat back in place. Along the way she turned Garry's attention to all the noteworthy rock formations, flowers and even some of the animals they happened across.

He had no idea where they were going, but he was happy riding along the lake with Danielle in his arms and he face against her hair, his lips close to her ear. They had passed by one or two others who were intending to fish, but other than that they had been alone.

Eventually they came to the southern-most tip of the lake where the road continued south over flat land and the lake bent. "From here on Warrior will have to make do without a path. When we go to Rhydin, we'll be following the road to the portal."

Cooling Their Feet

Garry tried not to smile at her remark so he continued to busy himself with setting his socks in his boots and his boots to the side. He turned onto his stomach and watched Danielle with Warrior. He wondered how this day would turn out, and what the ride home would be like. Would they be closer or would all the dreams have some crashing down. She was definitely a beautiful woman and he wondered why no man in town had won her heart. He looked at her shapely body in that pretty yellow dress, and her legs that appeared below the low hem. He leaned his chin on the back of his hands that were themselves pressed to the wool blanket and just watched her.

When Warrior had accepted his treat she returned to the blanket and Garry. She lowered herself to the blanket to sit near him. "It appears that I have fallen behind." She glanced at his boots. "You do look comfortable." She turned her back to him and bent to undo her boots.

He lifted a hand and just started to rub her back. It was still not yet midday, and the morning sun felt so good. "It's nice lying here, so quiet and peaceful."

"I am sure it is." His hand on her felt good and she was in no particular hurry to get the boots of her feet. It was an odd sensation to be taking off any article of clothing with him so close; one that put butterflies into her stomach. Eventually she sat the boots aside with her stockings in them. She made sure her legs were properly covered again be her skirt before she faced him again, a small smile played around her lips. "That feels very good."

Garry stopped rubbing her back when she turned around and faced him. He lifted himself up to a sitting position, then stood and reached for her hand. Let's go walk at the shoreline.

Her warm brown gaze moved over his face as if to commit every detail to memory again and her fingers tingled with the sudden desire to brush them over his cheek. She wondered at herself. She had never before felt any such compulsion with anyone. Then he moved to stand and the moment was gone. She placed her hand in his and pulled herself up, giving him a warm smile. "I would like that."

They were just a couple of yards from the shore, and they walked on the grass to the smooth, silt of the lake sure. The water was cool but refreshing when Garry put his feet into it. "This feels good! Come, put your feet in the water." He bent down and rolled up his pant legs to mid calf.

Danielle decided that she liked the easy way he had to disburse her nervousness. She chuckled softly at his invitation and, lifting her skirt to keep the hem from getting wet steps up next to him. "Oh, the water is cold. But you are absolutely right, it feels good."

He glanced as her legs as she lifted the hem of her dress higher, then put his arm around her shoulders. "Let's just walk a little this way," he said, point to the north. As they walked, the water felt less cold. Turtles and frogs moved from the places where they were warming themselves as they approached, and a family of ducks swam slowly away. They came to the tip of the islet and now the expanse of the lake was before them. Garry stopped and just looked out upon the lake. "I've never seen anything so beautiful." Then he turned, looked into her eyes and added softly, "Except for you."

How Many Ways to Say 'I Love You'?

Garry lifted his eyes skyward as if in deep contemplation, he twisted his lip in a perplexed expression, and then replied. "No, I just can't say that I like you the littlest bit." He looked into her eyes and smiled, then took her hand and continued their walk around the point of the islet to return on the opposite side. "Actually, Danielle, I like you more than that 'little bit' - much more. Of course I'm sure that has me liking you a lot more than you like me, but . . . I guess I'll just have to live with that," he said with a smirk on his face.

Danielle wanted to take back the words at Garry's initial reaction and paled when he finally replied. But his smile, at odds with his words, left hope. It took her while to realize that he was teasing her. The words 'much more' and the infliction he gave them made up for some of that. His smug grin, however, deserved some teasing in return. "If you put it that way, 'like' has very little to do with it." The more she thought about what he said the happier she was with his response.

He began swinging her arm playfully, smiling in spite of efforts not to. She had actually indicated that she liked him, and that was warming him more than the midday sun. "Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I really don't think that 'like' is the right word." He looked down on her with a mock frown, "Do you?"

She shook her head lightly and smiled up to him with soft-brown eyes. Though she recognized the frown to not be serious, she wanted to make it go away. "The phrase 'care for' may well be more appropriate."

He thought a bit and nodded. "Yes, that a good way to express it. I suppose I do care for you far more than you care for me." He gave her hand a squeeze as they continued to walk along the lake shoreline. "But you know, I'm not sure that even 'care for' is the right phrase."

Danielle grinned and held his hand a little tighter. "Before I take up the argument of who does what more, I would like to know the phrase you deem more fitting."

Now she had him. He had boxed himself into a corner and she was quick enough to see that and take advantage of it. He had to think fast. "Well, the word that I was thinking of was. . . OH! Did you see that turtle over there! He was huge! Went right under the water!"

Danielle laughed at his attempt to distract her. "I think I care far more for your plight and find it more interesting than the size of any turtle." But she did have mercy on him. "Can you hear the picnic basket calling to us?" She tugged lightly at his hand.

"YES! I hear that picnic basket loud and clear, and just in time too!" He laughed and gave Danielle a hug and they turned inland down a little path that led them back to Warrior and then to their picnic area. "I think I could eat a horse!" He looked quickly to Warrior, "No offense boy!" He laughed and knelt down on the blanket, not remembering when he ever had such a good time.

"I do so hope you will find the contents of the basket at least as satisfying as horse steak."

Danielle sat down on the blanket with a chuckle. "Oh, that's cold!" She only now noticed how wet her skirt was and pulled up her legs under it in attempt to avoid further contact with the offending hem. "There's even that bottle of wine in there that you were dreaming of."

"Great. I'll pour the wine, honey." He stopped, and then quickly reached for the bottle, realizing what had just slipped from his lips like it was a fish pulled from the water with a greased hand. He couldn't take it back, so all he could do was hope she didn't hear it.

He saw her try to move out of the wet area of her dress. "Oh...that must be uncomfortable. Can I do something to help? I can try to wring some water out; or, I can get another blanket from the saddle to wrap around you and we can let it dry." He wasn't sure what he was saying at this point, only that he had called her 'honey'.

"It certainly is not pleasant, but the sun is shining and I'm sure it will dry just as well with me in it." She was not about to disrobe in front of him. "What was that about honey? Should I have packed a jar of it?" Oh, she had heard all right and if the huge smile she was giving him was any indication, she liked it, too. "A glass of wine would be lovely just about now."

He blushed noticeably, realizing that she had heard the term of endearment slip from his mouth. In a last attempt to recover he said, ?Oh, did I say ?wine honey?? I meant to say ?honey wine?. I was wondering if we had brought some mead with us.? He fought down a smile, thinking that he had covered himself rather well; then seeing she wasn't buying it, he just conceded and gave her a wink as he pulled the cork and poured two glasses of wine.

Preparing for a "Voyage"

Garry had been drifting in and out of sleep in one of those times of rest when you're never really sure what's dream and what's reality. The one thing he was sure of was that whenever he'd open his eyes, he looked upon the face of Danielle as she slept in the crook of his left arm, and knew that he had found the woman he'd love for the rest of his life.

Danielle had slept deeply. When she did wake and she opened her eyes, it was to find Garry looking at her. The soft smile that had been on her lips even as she slept deepened then. Slowly she lifted a hand and touched her fingertips to his face, as if to make sure he was really there.

He took her hand in his and kissed her fingertips. He didn't say anything for awhile, for no words needed to be spoken. Their eyes and smiles conveyed more love than could have a score of chapters in a book written by the more romantic of bards. His fingers traced the delicate lines of her cheek and jaw, and his gaze moved to her lips.

Waking up with Garry like this was something she would miss come morning. Her fingers slipped from his cheek into his hair and she slowly pulled his head down to hers. A soft sound escaped her as his lips met hers with a feather light brush.

The feel of her lips could become a sweet intoxication if he merely yielded to his desires and lingered longer in the kiss. He finally pulled away and smiled, "When we were walking, I saw a canoe pulled into the cattails. Have you ever been canoeing?"

"No, but there's a first for everything, isn't there?" Canoeing with Garry sounded like it would be fun. The boat they had happened across had looked to be in good shape, too. "Have you been canoeing before?"

He grinned, "Once a while back. It's a piece of cake." He stood and helped her up. "Please wait here just a minute. I want to go move Warrior to another grazing spot."

Danielle nodded her agreement to him. "I will wait." She rose and found her hat, although it was certainly late to remember protection from the sunlight, better late than never. She tied it back on and then lifted a hand to her face to feel for signs of sunburn, wondering if Garry liked freckles should she have picked up some this day. By the time Garry returned she also had had a few mouthfuls of tea, and the plates and glasses set back into the basket.

Garry took the rope to Warrior's bridle and walked him to a new area to graze. He looked back and saw Danielle standing there, looking off in the opposite direction, and he would have sworn that she was an angel. Everything about her thrilled him, everything she said intrigued him, and every look of her eyes made him both weak and yet determined that he'd fight an army just to be in her presence.

http://www.geocities.com/flyguyii/GarryandDaniell2.jpg
He looked back and saw Danielle standing there, looking off in the opposite direction

He tied Warrior in a new location and came to Danielle and held out his hand. "Are you ready? We can canoe for a half hour and come back for that delicious pie you made."

She turned to smile to him and placed her hand into his." I am ready." They walked toward the cattails where they had seen the canoe earlier. "There are a couple of apples left for Warrior, too. He is certainly being well behaved."

"Well, I think he likes you and is on his best behavior." He reached down and took hold of the canoe. "This probably belongs to some hunter. I'll hold it while you step inside."

Ice Water


The water was cold. Ice cold. For a moment that was the only thought in Danielle's mind. Then she got her bearings and broke the surface to draw a breath. She tugged at the hat strings. The soggy hat had slipped back and it's weight pressed its restraints uncomfortably against her throat. Then Gary came up sputtering and she had to laugh at the look on his face, despite their situation.

His only thought was for Danielle. He had kicked to get at her and reached for her, not realizing that her dress had floated up and his hand got caught inside it. He came up and blinked with water in his eyes and his hair down his forehead and saw her laugh. That relieved the tension and he also started to laugh. "That's settles one thing. I'm not going to be a sailor!"

"At least not with a canoe." She chuckled. The hat removed she could breathe without restriction. "So what is that thing?" She nodded her chin at the object he was now directly next to. They could at least find out what it was before worrying about how to get out of the water.

He pulled her close and treaded. "I'm not sure what it is. You want me to take a look." The water was so cold, but he was curious too. After all, suppose it was some treasure!

"Yes, please." She placed a hand on his arm. The warmth of his body was tempting, but she needed the movement of her other arm to stay above water.

"Be right back." He moved from her and did a little "jack-knife" dive and went down the ten feet to see what was there and shinning at them. He inspected it and came up, seeing Danielle's legs and her dress floating like a yellow halo around her. He surfaced and wiped the water from his face and caught his breath. "It's a turtle trap!" he said with a laugh. "Looks like the giant turtles got us after all!"

Danielle laughed. "I guess I owe you an apology the. I thought you made them up." With a look from the canoe to the shore she added. "It doesn't look to be worth the trouble to try and get back into the boat. What do you think?" The water didn't feel quite so cold anymore.

"I think you are right. Let's get out of the water before those giant turtles come back," he was only teasing, but the water was cold and that was as good a reason as any to get out of it quickly. He grabbed the paddle and the rope that was floating and attached to the canoe, and he pulled them along while swimming with one arm next to Danielle. "Are you okay, honey?" he asked as he struggled along.

"I will be fine once we get out of the water." She could swim, but the going was slow with the energy-draing cold and the water pulling at her dress. A hint of blue had come to her lips, too, despite the summer sun shining down on them.

They made it to the cattails where they could finally stand and push their way through the reeds. Garry left the canoe and paddle there and reached for Danielle and helped her to the shore where they stood and looked at each other. "We are like drowned rats, except that you still look beautiful."

She did believe that she looked like a drowned rat, but not the rest. The dress was clinging to her most uncomfortably and made walking a struggle. "Charmer," she grinned and allowed the ruined hat to slip from her fingers. The breeze, that had been welcome earlier to relieve the summer heat, now only made her shiver with cold. "And the dress had just dried, too." She made a futile attempt to hold the skirt away from her legs.

"Come, I'll get the two blankets. We need to get these clothes off us before we get sick." They went to the picnic area and Garry picked up the blanket that was on the ground, shook it out, and held it up between them so that he could not see her below her face. "If you get out of your dress, I'll hold this up and then you can wrap it around you. We might still have time for our clothes to dry before going home."

Danielle gave him a careful look as he picked up the blanket. Propriety demanded that she should protest his suggestion, but her teeth chattering told her that he was right. Rubbing her arms for warmth did not appear to help much. She turned around, facing away from Garry and, reaching for the buttons, muttered softly. Of course they had to be on the back, difficult to reach, and wet hair was getting in-between her fingers and the little buttons.

A Choice of Dessert

He pressed his body to hers and smiled, "Well, I like to have my hands free to be able to hold you." He looked at the grassy area below them, "Perhaps we should lie down. It'll be warmer than standing straight up here in the breeze."

She leaned against him and gave him a suspicious look, not at all sure if that wasn't just something he had made up. He did not appear to be teasing, she decided. "Perhaps."

He kissed her cheek and hid a smirk. "Okay, well I'm just going to lay down here on this nice soft, warm grass; and if you wouldn't mind, just stand a little more to the right and block that wind for me. . .if you're not going to join me, that is." Garry laid down on the grass, his belly to the ground. The blanket had slid off his shoulder and fully exposed his tanned, muscular back and broad shoulders. He laid his head on his hands and looked like he might be going to sleep.

Danielle chuckled, "Oh, no, I'm not doing that." She sat down next to him, making sure the blanket-dress was covering every inch of skin it should and careful that none of her still wet hair touched her. "Are you that tired?"

He turned onto his back and looked at her. "I'm just tired of waiting for that delicious pie that just sitting there in the basket, waiting to be eaten." He gave her a wink and sat up.

"You'll have to look at it a lot harder in order to get it to float over this way." She gave him a teasing wink.

"Oh, you mean you're not going to go over there and get it?" he teased, wanting to see her walk with that blanket around her and getting the pie while trying to secure the blanket at the same time.

"No, thank you. I'm quite comfortable now." This was difficult enough without moving around and thereby adding chances for the blanket to come undone. She smiled, "but I'm not keeping you from fetching the basket or the pie either."

"What? And chance having this blanket fall to my ankles? Oh no you don't. I'm not so easily tricked." Garry laughed and came forward on her laying Danielle upon her back and tickled her side with his right hand while supporting himself with his left arm lying just to the right side of her head.

Danielle giggled, more from his teasing than tickling. But she was ticklish, too, when surprised by it like she was now. Holding the blanket in place with one hand she tickled him back with the other. "Perhaps you didn't really want any pie after all."

He stopped tickling and used that hand to pick a strand of wet hair from her cheek and lay it behind her ear. He voice went soft as he caressed her cheek with the tips of his fingers. "Maybe I just think your lips are more delicious than even the most wonderful pie ever to come out of an oven."

She went still then. Her gaze was drawn from his eyes to his lips. The hand that was tickling him came to cover his at her cheek. He could not possibly be meaning to kiss her now; they were not even properly dressed. But she wanted him to.

The length of blanket that had partially covered his chest was now lying on the grass beneath him. His hand cupped her cheek and his thumb lovingly stroked that soft skin. He saw her eyes move to his lips, and that unspoken invitation could not be denied. He lower his lips to hers, brushing over them sensuously.

Going Home

"That was quite something." She said softly, not at all referring to the dip in the icy lake water, but to that latest kiss. It had been so much more though, than just a kiss, but what to call it she didn't know. She gave him a little grin as she handed him the second plate. There was no way that she could get a single bite down, she'd not even tried.

Garry happily took the second piece and it was not long before the plate was clean and he was wiping his mouth of the crumbs. He set the plate down in the basket, covered it and pushed it out of the way. He poured more wine for the both of them and handed Danielle a glass. "It's important to keep drinking when in the sun like this."

"But wine?" She chuckled, "there is some tea, too." But she did take the glass he handed to her and sipped from it before she leaned against him. "Do you think our clothes will be dry enough when it is time to return?"

"Well, I was thinking that we'll probably have to ride into town naked. Do you think anyone will notice?" He tried not to grin too much as he teased her.

Danielle laughed and blushed at the suggestion. "There is no way you could make me do that. Oh, you are impossible."

Garry laughed and hugged her. "I think that another hour or two and our clothes will be just fine. So, what should we do to pass the time?" He raised a brow in a flirtatious way to her.

Though she had no idea how late it really was - that unlooked for nap earlier had upset her inner clock - she guessed that it was already too late to reach home in time for dinner, even were they to leave now. They would probably have to leave soon to make sure they arrived back in town before it was too dark for Warrior or themselves to see where they set their feet.

"Are you sure we have that long or can your horse see in the dark? Though, if you keep looking at me this way, I might come to think that staying out with you all night and thoroughly ruining my reputation and giving Poppy a heart attack in the process isn't quite so bad an idea."

Garry couldn't help but smile. "Well, maybe I did build in a little too much leeway into that time. Our clothes might still be damp, but we could leave in a half hour. So, how do you want to spend our last thirty minutes by this beautiful lake?"

"Like this is just fine. I really enjoy just sitting with you and there will not be many opportunities to do so once we're home again." There moments alone together would indeed be few. Garry had work to do and her grandfather would watch and listen to most everything they'd do and say over the meals.

He nodded and smiled, and put his arm around her, his hand sliding into her bare shoulder. "This is indeed nice, Danielle. Times like this I wish would last forever."

"As do I. Perhaps there will be another Sunday with nice enough weather to do this again before it gets too cold. Minus the dip in the lake, of course." She chuckled softly.

He lowered his head and chuckled, "Yes, I think we can do without the extra bath." They sat and talked, and when it came time to get dressed, they were both pleasantly surprised that the sun and gentle breeze had combined to do an excellent job on drying their clothes. Garry finished attaching the blankets and picnic basket on Warriors saddle, then turned to Danielle. "You all ready to head back home?"

"I guess so. I'm not eager to leave, but I'm looking forward to the ride." Moments later they were both in the saddle and started the long ride back. Already the breeze was getting cooler and Danielle was glad that her dress was dry. Otherwise she'd have been chilled, even Garry holding her close to him. "Would you mind terribly if I said anything to grandfather?"

"I don't think so. What would you like to say to him?"

She thought on that for a while before answering. "How happy I am that you called you me honey and that you return my feelings for you. I might leave out the bit about the canoe though."

He kissed her cheek as they rode, and then said, "I have no problems with that at all. I think he already knows that I love you." His heart pounded as he said those words, but they just slipped out so easily and naturally.

"He might," she smiled softly. "I wonder if it will come as a surprise to him that I love you, too. He does appear to know a lot before anyone else does."

The words she spoke just filled his heart with such happiness. He wondered if her grandfather also knew that he planned to ask Danielle to marry him. Sometimes it seemed that Martin knew things before he did.

Off To Court

It was several days before Garry felt that the opportunity was right for him to speak to Martin about Danielle. They had been working all day together on a special casting for an elaborate iron rail fence that was to go around the courthouse property. It was an intricate pattern of fleur-de-lay with spirals of iron that represented leaves. Together they had cut the casting in half and carefully removed the original so as not to damage the cast.

?It looks good, son,? Martin said as he examined the casting. ?Ye did fine work.?

Garry smiled and wondered if Martin realized that he had called him ?son?. ?Thank you, sir. We work well as a team.?

?Aye, that we do. I?m glad ye ?ave come into our little town here. Ye?ve been a good help t? me, an? I know that Danny has not been complainin? about it at all either.?

Garry cleared his throat. This was as good a time to ask as any. ?Martin, speaking of Danny, there?s something I?ve been meaning to talk about with you.?

?You two ain?t havin? an argument, are ya??

?Oh! No, sir. Actually it?s just the opposite.?

?Ah, well, that?s good t? hear. You?ll both be leavin? for RhyDin tomorrow for those supplies an? I wouldn?t want yer two t? be arguin? all th? way.? Martin was of course just joking, for he knew Danny?s heart already, but Garry thought he might actually be serious.

Garry stood up straight and wiped his oily hands on his shop apron, then took a deep breath. ?Sir, you probably know that I?ve grown quite fond of Danny in the short amount of time that I?ve been here. She?s an exceptional young woman, and quite good looking as well.?

Martin busied himself with the casting, trying not to smile and to appear more interesting in the workmanship than the conversation. ?That she is. My granddaughter is th? apple of my eye. I would ne?er want any harm to come t? ?er.?

Garry nodded, ?I feel the same way. In fact . . .? he decided to get right to the point, ?I would like your permission to court your granddaughter.?

?Danny?? Martin acted surprised.

Garry blinked. ?Is there another?? He question was serious.

Martin laughed. ?No, no . . . one is enough for an ol? man like me.?

?Well, then the answer is yes, I?d like to court Danny, if that would meet with your favor.?

Martin stood up, set down the casting and grabbed a towel while he pretended to think. ?So, you?d like to court my Danny.?

?Yes, sir.?

Martin smiled and walked over to Garry and held out his hand. ?Ye ?ave my permission; and ye be good t? ?er, lad.?

Garry took his hand in a strong grip, ?Thank you, sir. And I?ll be very good to her. I can promise you that.?

Martin finally smiled, ?I know ye will. If I wasn?t sure ?bout that, I would ?ave said no. But ye be respectin? ?er on this trip now. I feel safer wi? yer bein? there wi? ?er, but I don?t want ye t? be tempted t? do what ye know ye shouldn?t.?

Garry blushed just a little, ?I respect her, Martin, and will be very careful to do nothing we wouldn?t do with you there.?

?Well, ye don?t ?ave t? be goin? that far!? Martin replied with a grin, remembering his younger days.

They both laughed and continued their work until it was time to wash up and head into the house for the evening meal.

The Boar's Head Inn

Garry drove the wagon to the Boar's Head Inn and parked it outside as the sun was nearing its midday zenith. He helped Danielle out of the wagon and then tied Warrior to the post. "I'm sorry, boy. I know this must be humiliating. I'll make it up to you. I promise." He took Danny's hand and they walked inside. The inn keep nodded to an empty table, and Garry went to the table and pulled out a chair for Danielle. "It seems like a nice establishment," he said softly.

"Poppy and I did like it." She smiled to Garry before she let go of his hand and sat down. "I am glad you approve."

An older woman with an apron came over to the table. "G'day, m'lord, m'lady. What will ye be havin' today?"

Garry looked at the board on the wall. "I think I'll have some of that lamb stew." He looked to Danielle. "What would you like, honey?"

Danielle glanced to the board, then up to the woman. "Sweet tea, please, and the ham plate."

"I'll have an ale," Garry added.

The server smiled and said she'd return right away with their food.

When she was gone, Garry reached over and took Danielle's hand. "How are you doing?" he asked softly.

"Well, here we are sitting some more." Danielle chuckled softly to him. "It's odd how exhausted one can get from doing nothing. I'm looking forward to walking a little this afternoon." She liked the way her hand felt in his and they way Garry looked at her. "How are you doing?" The eatery was starting to fill up slowly as they waited for their food.

"I'm hungry as the boar in the sign, but other than that, I'm really happy. We are alone together, Danny." He smiled, "I really like that. It feels good."

She answered his smile. "As alone as one can be among strangers. I am enjoying not having to share your company with grandfather."

"It does indeed take some of the pressure off us."

He had no sooner said that when the serving lass brought their food and set it down. "Iffin there be anythin' else ye be needin', jus' gi' a hollar."

Danielle nodded politely to the woman. When she had left she turned to Garry again. "That cannot be easy for you either. At least I've known grandfather forever." She reached for the tea. "Do you talk much together while working?"

The Perfect Dessert

The light in her warm brown eyes seemed to brighten as the meaning of his words became clear to her. "He gave his permission, didn't he?" It was not really a question, but her heart had started to race just the same.

He smiled from ear to ear, "Yes, he did."

His answer did not slow her heart, but did make the smile on her lips spread. "That is wonderful." For a long moment she could do nothing else but look into his smoky-blue eyes and wish that they were somewhere other than in an eatery that was now bustling with people and noisy with their conversations.

"Are you finished? I would like to go now if you are."

Danielle nodded and the spell was broken. "Yes, I am finished." There was no way that she could get another bite down.

Garry left the money for the meal on the table, helped Danielle with her chair, and they walked out to the wagon. "We have to go to the iron mill now, but first. . . " He moved his face toward hers and gave her a kiss upon the lips, and he didn't even care that it was in full daylight.

When his lips touched hers Danielle forgot that they were on a busy street in town. Suddenly she felt dizzy and her hands came up to his arms to steady herself.

His arms slipped around her and he let the kiss linger and deepen until he became a bit self-conscious of the looks from the passersby. "Let's go get that iron!"

Heat rushed to her cheeks the moment his lips left hers and she was at once again aware of where they were. "Iron, yes." That was not a very intelligent thing to say. She groaned inwardly and then chuckled softly at herself as she turned toward the wagon.

A Room Or Two

He stood there protectively, looking around the common room. None of those he had seen before were around, but the inn was much more crowded than he remembered it being. Garry smiled at Danielle, "Let's see if they have a room or two."

"Two." She chuckled. "I'm sure grandfather had two in mind." She winked to Garry and stayed close to him as they stepped up to the counter.

He blushed slightly, "Oh, yes, right. Two rooms. That's what I meant." He was still grinning as he went up to the person on duty. "Would you have two rooms available? I'd prefer if they were next to each other." The woman behind the bar smiled and said, "Sure, but you'll have to share the bath that's between the rooms. Just use the locks on the doors and you'll be alright. Sign in and I'll get you the keys." Garry signed them both in, got the keys and thanked the woman tender. He turned to Danielle, "Let's see, we have rooms 205 and 207. Must be on the same side of the hall because we're sharing a bath."

Danielle chuckled softly. "Then let us go see what they look like. I don't think that we ever before stayed in those numbers." She was relieved that the rooms were next to each other. "We're sharing the bath house at home. This should not be very different."

He smiled, picked up the luggage he was carrying over his shoulder and headed up the stairs to the second floor. He was on the 3rd floor the last time he was here, so this was also new to him. He went to Danielle's room first and set her clothing bag on the bed and looked out the window to the front of the Inn. "This should be very nice, honey."

Danielle took a look around the room before joining him by the window. "It is a nice room. Though if everything goes as planned we will not have much time to enjoy the rooms. I like it when you call me honey." She slipped her hand into his.

He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He turned to her and smiled and took her into his arms and just held her there, his cheek against her forehead. "This is nice."

"Very nice." Danielle leaned against him and for long moments simply enjoyed feeling his arms around her. He would eventually have to go look at his room. But there wasn't anyone waiting for them with dinner and therefore there was no hurry. "You did well at the mill. Grandfather will be pleased." She said at length, her voice quiet. Then she tilted her head back a little to look into his eyes. "You really do mean to court?"

Her question caught him by surprise, but he just had to grin a wide, handsome grin. "Well, I really meant it, honey. Of course, it's really up to you. You can always tell me to get lost." He tried not to smile.

"Oh no, I would not want to do that." She reached up to cup his cheek with her palm. "I do believe I would be very sad should you disappear. If it was really up to me, I'd ask you to stay."

He kissed the palm of her hand and spoke softly, "It is indeed up to you, my love, for I stay because of you." He looked upon her face and his heart pounded within. He cleared his throat and went on, "You may have the bathroom first. Just knock upon the door when you have finished."

Her smile softened and her heart swelled with emotion. "Thank you. I will do that." He would want to change out of his dusty clothes, too. The thought of being clean and that they would be spending the evening together kept her smiling. "I will hurry, too."

Danielle watched Garry walk to the door after they had agreed that he would knock at her door when he was ready to leave for dinner. Only after he had closed the door behind him did she turn to her bag and got out the few items she would need to freshen up. She took the time to shake the wrinkles from the other dress she had packed before she headed for the bathroom.

Carriage Ride

Danielle leaned back and enjoyed the ride. Rhydin looked much prettier viewed from inside a comfortable carriage at sunset than while walking the streets during the day, she decided and told Garry.

?You are being very secretive about our destination.? The soft glow in her eyes was not from the wine. But the butterflies had definitely flown away and she was able to enjoy Garry?s company without being nervous in the least.

Garry had been looking out of the window to his right, then turned and looked into Danielle's eyes, enjoying that view more than any sunset. He turned slightly toward her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. "I want it to be a surprise. There's so little that I can surprise you with; you know, living in the same house and all. So you're just going to have to wait and see." He gave her a wink and a smile and noticed that they were departing through the Dragon's Gate and heading north.

"I do not mind waiting. I think it is rather sweet of you to make a surprise of it." She leaned against him and reached for his free hand. "It is rather odd living so close together. But I do like getting to see you several times every day as opposed to just the irregular weekend."

He tenderly caressed her hand with his fingers while his other hand stroked her shoulder and played with her hair. "That's true, and yet I'm finding that even such frequency as that is leaving me woefully unsatisfied. When I'm not seeing you, I'm thinking of you." He looked down at the floor of the coach and mumbles softly, "Especially at night."

"You are supposed to be sleeping at night, though." She glanced up to him with a smile. "Just the same, you're constantly floating through my thoughts, too."

He laughed, "How can I sleep when I know that you are so close to me, but so out of reach." He turned to his window and changed the subject, "Anyway, look at this sunset!" The coach was going over a ridge and it gave them a last look at the sun and the display of colors against a deepening blue sky.

"It is very beautiful. I can already imagine the stars where the sky is darkening." Danielle's fingers played with his and she moistened her lips with her tongue. "I should not have drunk that wine so fast. Now I'm even thirstier than I was. Did the patrons in the common room appear aggressive to you, or was that just my imagination?"

He turned back and looked into her eyes, and then to her lips. "They're always aggressive, usually born out of jealousies and ruined relationships." As he spoke, his words became softer and his face moved closer to hers. "Those are all problems that we don't have to worry about." His voice softened to a whisper as his lips came to hers in a kiss that began with soft brushing of lips, but quickly deepened with the passion of the love they shared and the freedom of the wine.

By the time Garry lifted his head again, Danielle had forgotten all about the Inn's patrons and the sunset. She looked at him expectantly, slightly out of breath and still feeling the heat of his lips on hers. The carriage had turned off the main road and was slowing down.

The Lakeside Inn - Part 2: The Main Course

The illusion of being alone was near perfect and only faint sounds from the orchestra were heard. By the time the waiter returned with their drinks and their appetizers, Danielle and Garry were enjoying the view out of the window. Though night had fallen the lake seemed to glimmer with its own lights and the sky was dotted with the first specks of starlight.

Garry felt that this was the perfect culmination of a perfect day. He put his arm behind Danielle and leaned toward her and spoke softly, just enjoying the closeness. This would be a night he'd always remember.

When the appetizers had arrived, they ate and shared. He had some of her tomato salad and then he held up a prawn to her lips and let her bite a piece off. The music in the background, the soft candlelight, the view of the stars and the reflections off the lake, the soft murmurings in the background, the impeccable servers - all contributed to making this a magical night. When their appetizers were finished Garry leaned over and whispered in her ear, "I love you, Danielle."

Danielle's heart skipped a beat at his whisper, only to beat that much faster afterward, as if to make up for the lost time. Though she already had known, nothing was quite like actually hearing the words. She slowly turned from the view to look into his smoky-blue eyes. With a soft smile and her heart in her eyes she whispered back, "I love you, too, Garry."

Her words touched him so deeply that it took him a moment to respond in any fashion. Words were not sufficient for times such as this, and so he leaned in and placed a kiss upon her lips. It was soft and lingered far too long for being in such a public place even if shielded in subdued lighting, but Garry didn't care; and when the kissed ended he kept his face near to hers, looked into her eyes and touched her hair until he saw their server coming with their entrees. He moved away and sat up straight, "Here comes our main course!"

Danielle was thankful for his warning. Though there was not enough time for the blush to recede from her cheeks, she too was sitting straight when the server placed their dinners on the table and removed the lids. She smiled when Garry declined his offer to serve them. "Everything smells and looks so good." She was still whispering as she watched Garry fill their plates with small amounts of everything.

"You are always cooking such wonderful meals for your grandfather and me, you really deserve having a good meal cooked for you, sweetheart."

He stopped and thought what he just said. He had never called her that before. It just slipped out. He spoke again immediately so that the word would not dangle there in space to be reflected upon for too long. "I do believe we chose well. The lamb and sea bass are fighting for our attention."

"They certainly are and they look much prettier than anything I ever put on the table." She had not missed the endearment. But this was certainly not the time to remark upon it. When he sat the plate in front of her she picked up fork and knife. "I hope I can do justice to so fine a meal."

He watched her and smiled as he also ate. "Well, Danielle, they might have made this look fancy, but I'm convinced that nothing compares with the taste of your cooking."

The idea of sharing entrees seemed to be a good one, their own special version of a surf and turf with a variety of flavors and textures to their food. The server came over and refreshed their drinks and asked if there was anything else he could get them. Garry just thanked him and gave his compliments to the chef.

The food was delicious and, Danielle was convinced of that, far better than anything she had ever eaten before. But her heart warmed just the same at Garry's compliment. Though she had thought that she was too excited to eat much of anything, she found that she was hungry.

"So, tomorrow we go shopping for clothes," Garry said casually after taking another bite of food.

"Yes, the fun part of the shopping trip, for me anyway." She gave him a little wink before she continued, "How do you shop for clothes? Poppy just tells the merchant how many shirts he wants and is done. I am far pickier than that."

The Lakeside Inn - Part 3: After Dinner Walk

The night was cool, but not uncomfortably so. It merely encouraged a little more body contact, and Garry was most willing in that area. They walked out on the dock and the night was suddenly transformed into a peaceful, quiet journey into a realm where it seems that only he and Danielle existed. He put his arm around her shoulders and held her close, and they walked on the planks of the boardwalk that was only 4-foot wide, but seemed to go some distance around the perimeter of the Lake. They passed light poles with stylized swans at their tops and little gazebos at the end of short paths between the light poles. At first they saw lovers occupying the gazebos and they tried to ignore them as they walked past. Soon the light poles ended and they walked the boardwalk in greater darkness.

"It is beautiful out here." Danielle slowed her steps further as they left the light poles behind them. "Thank you for a most splendid evening. I have never before been to a place like this; didn't even imagine such a place could exist." She glanced up to Garry, but it was too dark to read his reaction of his face.

He was smiling, enjoying the closeness and the feel of her body next to his. He enjoyed the splash of stars across the sky and the occasional sound of a frog or turtle plopping into the water. He also slowed their steps, not wanting another fall into a lake. They came to an area where trees came close to the lake and the boardwalk cut a path between them and the water. There he slowed to a stop and turned toward the lake. "So, this is where everyone is supposed to skinny dip," he remarked casually. "Are you ready?" He was glad the darkness was hiding his smile.

Danielle was about to tell him no, but then she caught a glint in his eyes. ?You made that up.? She chuckled softly and was glad for the darkness. At least he couldn?t see her blush at his outrageous suggestion.

He laughed and took her into his arms, "Well, it was worth a try." He held her tightly. "I love you so."

"I love you, too." She wrapped her arms around him and tilted her head back so she could gaze into his eyes. Her voice dropped to something close to a whisper. "Do you really want to go swimming like that, without any clothes on?" She tried not to grin, imagining that he was blushing as she asked so forward a question.

She had him speechless. That was the last thing that he expected to hear from her. He expected her to be shocked, laugh, and just drop the subject. Now she had him being shocked. He thought about it and finally said, "Well, I suppose I'd be willing if you were."

"Perhaps some other time." She was pleased with his long pause. "We didn't bring towels for one, and I'm not all in the mood for a dip in the lake." She chuckled softly to let him know that she was teasing to begin with. But he had put the image into her head and her thoughts were circling around it.

He was relieved - in a way. In another way he was now thinking how wonderful it would be to do that with her. "Darn. I meant to bring towels too." He smiled and placed a kiss upon her forehead. He closed his eyes and brought his lips down to her eyes, and then her cheek.

"Of course you did." She turned her head until their lips met. Her lips were so soft and moist as they kissed in the dark. His hand came up and caressed the side of her face as he tilted his head and kissed her deeper, delighting in the taste and feel of her mouth. His other arm moved around her waist and drew her into him so that their bodies were touching from hips to chest to lips.

This was heaven. Danielle hoped the kiss would go on forever. When Garry finally did lift his head she was oddly out of breath. For a few moments she stood utterly still. When it became clear that he would not repeat the kiss she leaned her head against his shoulder.

They were still a little too close to the Inn and he was concerned that some other couple might come up the boardwalk. "Let's go on a little further," he said softly, and walked her to the end of the boardwalk where a grass path picked up and continued around the lake.

"Would you like to go all the way around the lake?" Danielle had kept an arm around Garry's middle when they resumed their walk.

It was a very large lake and he guessed it would take an hour, but and hour of walking by a lake with Danielle sounded like heaven. "Why not! There?s a lot to explore, but I must warn you - I might be compelled to kiss you every fifty yards." He gave her a little teasing pull against himself.

Danielle gave a soft, happy chuckle. "I would not mind that at all. What might there be to explore in the dark?" Walking around the lake was preferable to returning to the restaurant right away, and inevitable to their rooms at the Inn. She was far from ready to relinquish his company.

He couldn't think of anything to explore, so he just made something up. "Well, you never know. Maybe there will be a treasure to be found. Or perhaps a Leprechaun sleeping on a log whom we might capture and release only if he offers us a pot of gold...? He turned toward Danielle again, and moved his cheek against her hair. His lips brushed her ear and trailed down her neck.

"Somehow I doubt that." Her breath caught and her body swayed closer to his. Her free hand came up and she rested her palm against his chest. "But it could not hurt to look."

His kisses went from her neck to her lips, and again they kissed deeply and for a very long time. When the kiss ended they walked further along, and Garry knew his already had his treasure worth more than all the gold he could imagine.

"You do the oddest things to me." Her heart was beating loud and fast. So much so, she wondered if he could hear it. "I like it." She added when it occurred to her that he may misunderstand her first words.

The Lakeside Inn - Part 5: Evening in the Bridal Suite

Garry Bradstreet came out of the bathroom with his shirt off and a towel over his shoulder. "Can I use one of these pillows?"

Danielle stepped off balcony and back into the room. "There is no doubt in my mind that you can." She gave Garry a teasing wink. "How would you like to use it?" A multitude of pillows sat upon the bed besides the four oversized ones obviously meant for resting ones' head on while sleeping. Danielle picked up a deep green round pillow of the much smaller, decorative pillows and threw it at Garry. Before he could retaliate or dart for the remaining missiles, she had grabbed two more.

He dropped his shirt and towel reaching for the pillow that was hurled at him. "I think I'll use this one to . . .," he stopped and chucked it at her, "have target practice!" He aimed at her legs, grinning from ear to ear.

Laughing Danielle attempted to escape the missile aimed at her legs - and failed - even as she took aim and threw the other two pillows at Garry, one at a time. "You call that target practice?" She reached to pick up the pillow at her feet.

He grabbed the pillows as they hit against his face and chest and came after her. "I prefer hand-to-hand warfare over archery and hurled missiles!" He wrapped his arms around her, pillows still in his hand and began swatting her bottom.

Danielle squirmed and wriggled, trying to escape his arms even while she reached behind her in an attempt to wrestle at least one of the pillows from him. "So I see." She giggled. "Oh, this is not at all nice."

"Ahhh..." he teased, "do I sense a surrender coming from the vanquished army?" He held her tight against his chest which was clean and cool and smelling good from washing. He put his lips to her ear, "Does my lady surrender?"

She rested her head against his chest for a moment and filled her lungs with his scent. "The vanquished army considers surrender. My lady asks what your terms may be."

He moved is face into her hair and inhaled her fragrance; his hands dropped the pillows and moved up her back, hugging her tightly to him. "It is fortunate for m'lady that the one who had conquered her is a rather reasonable person and will not demand her to release her very large bed to him. This time only he shall settle for just a pillow and a goodnight kiss."

"Your terms are acceptable, milord." Slowly she lifted her head and looked into his face.

Garry smiled and brushed a lose strand of hair from her cheek, pushing it behind her ear. He looked upon her face, and his voice was low when he spoke, "Danielle, I have already confessed my love for you, being rather poor at keeping that a secret." He smiled and went on. "I have full intention that when the time is appropriate I shall ask you to marry me. And if at such time you were to say yes, and we were married, I should wish that our honeymoon would be just as wonderful as this day I've spent with you."

Danielle's smile deepened at the mention of his confession. But his next words quite took her breath away. For a long moment she just looked at him, love shining in her warm brown eyes. Her expression of stunned surprise slowly changed back to teasing when she found that she could draw another breath. "Including the wheeling and dealing at the mill?" She moved her hands up his chest, marveling in the feeling of his skin, and came to rest on his shoulders.

"Are you kidding? That was the best part!" He had to laugh at his teasing and he held her face in his hands and kissed her with a kiss that expressed all the love he held for her in his heart. He'd marry her this very night if he could, but that would not be the proper thing to do.

Whatever she was going to say in reply was forgotten when his lips met hers and her eyes closed. A warmth unlike any she had felt before flooded her entire being; in an odd way it was a feeling like having come home.

He didn't want to ever stop kissing her, but they did need to come up for air. He smiled and gently caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. "Thank you, Danielle, for such a wonderful day. I hate to see it end. It's been better than my best dreams."

"I would rather that it didn't have to end as well." Her whisper was husky with the effects of their kiss. She could gaze into his eyes forever. "Perhaps tomorrow will be just as wonderful."

He nodded in agreement, "This day will always be very special to me." Garry then went to the bed and picked up one of the four sleeping pillows. He turned away quickly, not wanting to see the bed that he and Danielle could be sharing. "If you should need anything, honey, just give a holler. He kissed her cheek and walked to the bridal suite's lounge.

"I will." But she wasn't sure if she had said the words out loud or merely thought them. She stood there for a while longer after he had left before she told herself that she would sleep much better lying down than standing up and she readied for bed.

Danielle removed her dress and folded it over the back of a chair. Her night gown being at the Red Dragon Inn along with all her other things, the shift and petticoat would have to do for sleeping in. She hurried through her toilette and was between the sheets before Garry had turned off the light in the other room.

He laid on the couch, the pillow beneath his head, and just thought of how nice it would be to be holding Danielle. The day would come. He turned off the light and closed his eyes.

Shopping In The Morning

By the time they had finished a light breakfast and stepped outside, carriages again lined the Lakeside Inn's drive way. There were not near as many of them as the previous evening, but they really only needed one. As the weather was nice they picked an open carriage for their ride back into Rhydin.

The ride was beautiful and there was just something about being alone with Danielle on a beautiful day and put Garry in a very good mood. Perhaps it was spending a night with her in the bridal suite, or maybe just all the kissing and holding they had done, or even just knowing that this woman sitting next to him would be with him for the rest of his life. Whatever it was, Garry was in a very good mood when they arrived in Rhydin and he helped Danielle out of the carriage in the marketplace. "Well, my love, look at all these shops! I think they're all calling your name."

"Half of them anyway." Danielle chuckled as she took a look around. Several clothing stores lined the market place. Their main chore for the day was to shop for clothes. Though Danielle would have enjoyed looking at all the other wares, she doubted that they would have time for that. Garry, too, needed some warm things for winter. "Can you hear any of them calling for you?"

He put his hand to his ear, "Yes, I do believe that men's clothing store has seen me coming. I'm definitely going to be returning to Atrebla Valley a poor but happy man." He needed just about everything, from underwear to overcoat and everything in between.

Danielle giggled with delight at his antics. "Poppy did say we could spend anything we didn't need for the supplies on clothes. That should help a little." Her grandfather probably had not foreseen just how good Garry could be at bartering when he had said that. "I think I'll be going over here first." Danielle pointed at a Shoppe advertising boots. "And then to the one next door. Where and when should we meet up again?"

"How about we meet right here in two hours. Then we can either walk to the Inn or take a carriage, depending on how many bags you have me carrying." He gave her a playful nudge.

"You mean you are volunteering?" She laughed softly. "You will have things of your own to carry, too. Of course, the stores could offer to bring things to the Inn this evening. Then we'd have our hands free to eat lunch."

He laughed, "I do believe I'm in love with a very savvy shopper! I never thought of that." He gave her a kiss. "Okay, see you in two hours."

"In two hours." She repeated his words and entered the first store. It did not take her very long to find the perfect pair of boots for the winter and she had that much more time to while away over picking a dress or two at the next store.

When she left the store to meet up with Garry, she had the sales lady's word that her choices would be delivered to the Inn before dinner time. She hoped that the dresses she had picked, one for dancing and one for should they want to go anywhere during the day, would find Garry's approval.

Garry bought warm socks and boots in preparation for the Atrebla Valley winter. He also bought himself a heavy coat that had a hood and new gloves. He went to another shop to get a supply of underwear, work and dress shirts, and some dressier pants that he could wear when he and Danielle would go out together. Garry took Danielle's advice and had everything delivered to the Inn. Then he made one other stop that he would keep secret from Danielle - a jewelry store.

The two hours were nearly up when he finally came out of the hardware store with a new honing stone for his knives and sword. He came up to where he and Danielle departed and saw her standing there.

A smile spread on Danielle's lips when she spotted Garry and she moved toward him. "How did you make out?" Though she would have liked to feel his arms around her again and to hug him, the middle of the market place did not seem the right place. So she slipped her hand into his and gave his fingers a gentle squeeze.

He just held up the little bag with the honing stone. "This was all I could find. You know how picky guys are with clothes. I just couldn't find anything that didn't make my butt look big." He bit his cheek to keep from grinning.

"You are too funny. Let me look." She laughed and fell a step behind him without letting go of his hand. There was nothing wrong with his bottom that she could see. In fact, she found the sight rather pleasing. "Hmm, perhaps you should stop to tug your shirts in, if you don't want anyone to look."

Garry laughed and gave her hand a gently squeeze. "Let's have some lunch and in the afternoon I want us to shop together. I want to get some idea of your taste in things - what you like and what you don't like.

"Those are both marvelous ideas. I'd love to find out your taste in things as well." More importantly, she loved the promise of getting to spend the afternoon with him. As odd as it would have been to have Garry watch her shopping for clothes or putting boots off and on, she had missed his company. "Perhaps you can help me find a Yule present for grandfather."

"Yes, and I should get him one also." He already knew what he was getting Danielle for a Yule present and he wasn't about to give that information away. They went to a little lunch shop within the marketplace and Garry ordered a liverwurst on rye sandwich and a glass of ale. Danielle opted for a glass of tea and a bowl of stew.

The lunch shop was crowded and noisy, too noisy really to have a private conversation. So they ate quietly for the most part, only occasionally commenting on a snippet of the conversation buzzing around them. But for the most part they entertained each other with speaking looks and grins.

Scones and Coffee

"Should we check on the rooms first?" Danielle asked as soon as they had entered the Red Dragon Inn. She wanted to make sure everything was still where it should be and she would love to get out of the clothes she'd been wearing since the previous evening in exchange for something fresh.

Garry looked to Danielle after having made note of the only two patrons currently in the common room. A woman with feline?s features was sitting at the bar, eating cherries and talking to a man standing behind the bar with a bottle in his hand.

"You know, after all that shopping in the marketplace, I'm thirsty. How about we have a drink and maybe a little bite to eat before going to the rooms. I'm sure our packages won't arrive for another hour at least."

"Shopping is thirsty business." She was not hungry in the least, but something warm and wet would be welcome after a day spent shopping and the walk from the market place to the inn.

"It is for me," Garry winked to her. "So many things to look at, more than a man's eyes are meant for. You want tea, coffee? wine?"

"Coffee, please." Danielle watched with a soft smile on her lips as Garry moved behind the bar, poured two cups of coffee, added cream and sugar, and put two blueberry scones on a plate. She wondered what else he thought of as 'more than a man's eyes are meant for'. He had seemed to enjoy the outrageous play at the jewelry store as much as she had, though, and they had not gone to look at any of the more frilly things together.

Garry avoided looking at the cat-like woman as he passed by her on his way back to Danielle. "Let's take a table, honey."

?That isn't per chance your idea of dinner, is it?? Danielle gave the sconces a suspicious look once they were seated. They had yet to talk about what they might like to do with their evening.

?I'm exhausted. You know, I'm looking forward to getting home tomorrow. If I stay here another day I'll be broke.? Garry dropped his gaze to the plate with a teasing grin. ?Hmm, looks good. Has fruit, must be good for you. Can't beat a scone.?

Danielle picked up the cup and sipped from it before she grinned back at Garry over the rim. ?As you're so exhausted, maybe you should have both. Does that coffee taste odd to you?? The coffee did taste like a sprite took a bath in it. She pushed the plate further toward him. ?You just need a day or two of rest, bending over hot iron.?

Garry would have killed for two cups of coffee and two scones a year ago while on the border guard, so he didn't notice anything wrong. But he'd play along. ?Hmm, yeah, not like yours
at all, honey. Maybe we should forget about this snack and head upstairs.?

Danielle had expected more teasing. Garry turning serious made her pause. She set down her cup and gave him a questioning look. ?Are you sure you're okay?? She tilted her head slightly to the side and studied his face closely. He did appear a little wan. ?Perhaps you stepped in a puddle or something worse in the market place and are now coming down with a horrible cold??

?Oh my! That must be it.? Garry made wide eyes at her. ?I think you need to help me to my room and take my temperature.?

?Exhausted, spendthrift behavior, lack of appetite, looking forward to work, unsocial...? thoughtful she checked off all the symptoms. She could not decide if his attempt at teasing was off the mark because he had mentioned that their time alone together was coming to an end or if he was truly starting to come down with something.

?Come to think of it, that sounds far worse than just a nasty cold.? She pushed back her chair and offered him a hand up. Garry taking sick on the way back to Beacon Town would be terrible. Garry taking sick at all was a terrifying thought.

?I guess I just don't want to spoil my dinner.? He smiled and leaned into to her. ?Besides, I want to be alone with you.?

?That must be the fever talking.? She made an attempt to hide her concerns and keep her tone light. ?I'm sure that we can get someone to bring up a cup of chicken broth for you.

?I'm feeling very weak. I might need some help lying down.? Garry whispered as they headed up the stairs.

?Oh my, you're really feeling that bad?? Poppy never had admitted to needing assistance with getting to bed, even when he was seriously ill. He?d have slept with his boots on rather than admit to that. ?Perhaps we need a porter to help you and send for a doctor??

?No! No doctor! Actually I started to feel much better!? He laughed and gave her a kiss on the cheek. ?Well, there goes my ploy. You know me too well, Danielle.?

?Oh, so you were 'merely' teasing.? She promptly removed her ?assisting? arm. Though she was relieved that he wasn?t sick, she did not all appreciate that he had made her worry so. Danielle tried to look out of sorts, but a grin was already tugging at the corners of her lips.

?Let's ... um... talk about your grandfather's gifts!? Garry opened the door to her room. The teasing had not gone as he had intended.

Three Mintues to Make Up


Garry Bradstreet never slept deeply.

That was not the way of one who had been a Border Guard, for to sleep deeply often meant that one would never awaken. A Border Guard never slept while on watch. That would be considered traitorous and punished accordingly, but even in the barracks throats had been known to be slit.

A noise from Danielle?s room had Garry?s eyes suddenly open. He laid there listening, assuming that she was getting up to use the privy.

Something didn?t sound right.

Footsteps were too heavy and even if Danielle had been drinking (which she hadn?t) she would never stumble so much in the night. Garry picked his head off the pillow and continued to listen, but the room grew suddenly quiet. He got up out of bed and knocked on the door that adjoined their two rooms.

?Danielle?? he whispered. ?Danielle, are you okay??

Nothing.

He grasped the handle and turned, but it was locked. He tried again but this time put his shoulder to the door, and with a sharp crack the lock broke and the door opened.

There was enough light to see with his dark adapted eyes, and it was clear that Danielle was gone. His heart was already pounding as he ran to the window. He looked just in time to see a man turn a corner lit by a street lamp. The man was carrying a woman over his shoulder.

Garry?s countenance became hard as rock and his hands flexed.

?Josh,? he spit out the name.

?You?re dead.?

He rushed to get dressed, and this time he slung the baldric over his shoulder and felt the familiar weight of his sword.

It took two minutes for him to get dressed and out of the Inn?s back door. Josh had a three minute head start, and it would prove to be far too short to survive.

Joshua had kidnapped the wrong woman.

Tracking Prey

Captain Bradstreet was on the hunt.

That Josh had the nerve to plan a kidnapping of the woman Garry loved was unbelievable; that he actually pulled it off was the most stupid thing the lad would ever do.

Garry moved swiftly and quietly through the Rhydin streets, a lethal hunter using skills that were second nature. In this modus operandi his thoughts were focused and his actions mechanical, his years of training released in every movement of his body.

He turned the corner to see a wagon pulling away from the livery stables, the same stables where he had Warrior boarded overnight. He observed the wagon?s direction and ran full speed to the stable. He knew it would take him two minutes to saddle and tack Warrior; this time he did it in a minute, forty-five. He was already on Warrior?s back by the time they left the stable. He raced down the street not worrying about the sound of his horse?s hoofs on the cobblestone, the wheels of the wagon made enough noise to cover any sounds of the approaching horse.

Garry estimated how far the wagon could have traveled in that minute, forty-five, and cantered Warrior to that point and stopped. There was no sign of the wagon anywhere.

Had the kidnapping occurred during the day when there would be the usual activity on the city streets, Josh would have escaped undetected. However, it was a cold morning and still dark in the early hours of a new day and sound traveled far in the city that was still asleep.

He heard the distant sound of a door open in an ally that was up ahead and to the right. Then there was the faint sound of a horse and a man?s voice followed. It reminded Garry of hunting on cold, dark mornings on the northern border. The snap of a twig could be heard two hundred yards away, the fall of leaves could be detected within twenty-five feet.

Hunters learned this. Molecules move more slowly in the cold, hence air becomes more dense. Sound travels faster and further in a more dense medium, which is why one can hear the sound of bubbles in the water, and why sound becomes so much louder when one places their ear against wood or metal.

Garry?s head turned to the sound. He dismounted and followed it.

He walked down the ally and saw men in the shadows of doorway.

The men pulled a woman off the wagon.

Garry?s woman.

And the hunter went in for the kill.

Any Which Way but Out!

As soon as her kidnapper had closed the door behind him, Danielle pulled the blanket off her face. The room was dark and she still couldn't see anything, but breathing became easier.

Next she tried to remove the rope from her wrists. That proved to be an impossible task and after several attempts she gave up. She would need to find a knife or something equivalent.

With some difficulty she got to her feet and felt her way in the dark, along the wall first, then along a longish table. It was a clumsy undertaking to find a usable tool on the table. The noise of glass braking made her proceed with more caution. She did not want to step on any shards.

Garry moved past the fire, the smoke burning his eyes so that he could barely see. He came to the metal door and banged on it. "Danielle!! Danielle!! I'm coming, my love!" His fingers worked frantically at getting the key into the lock, dropping it once before finding the key with one hand and the keyhole with the other. "Danielle!"

"Garry." She whispered his name at first, before repeating it loud enough to be heard.

The key went into the lock. He turned it and the door opened.

She turned toward the sound of the opening door. Smoke tickled her nose before she saw Garry in the dim glow.

The door opened into the dark room and he saw her standing there. "Danielle!" He rushed to her and took her into his arms. "We've got to get out of here. . .fast!"

Danielle leaned against him for him for a moment. She would have hugged him, but her hands were still tied. "I'm so glad to see you." Then she stood straight again. The increasing smoke gave emphasis to his words. "Lead the way."

Garry saw that her hands were tied and that needed attention first. He reached into his boot and pulled out a single-sided blade that was finely honed and used for eviscerating game. It sliced through the rope like butter. "Come, love!" He took her hand in his and left the room.

They immediately came to a dead stop. The fire was completely cutting them off form the main doors. She bumped into him as he stopped, but she did not need to ask why he had stopped. The flames were burning brightly now and she no longer felt cold in her night gown. Even the floor started to feel comfortably warm. Only, she was not comforted by the stray thought. "This isn't good."

Garry looked looking around for any way to escape. Warehouses just as this would often be built with only one way out to protect from theft. She turned around and looked for a window or a door. The room did not appear to have either. Defeated her gaze dropped to the floor. "Look, a trap door."

He smiled, "Danielle, you're a genius!" He reached down to pull on the heavy black ring, but the door wouldn't budge. It obviously hadn't been opened in quite some time. He pulled again, every muscle in his strong arms staining, the veins in his next standing out. Finally the door sprang open and a blast of cold air came up from beneath them. "I'll go first just in case. You have bare feet." He sat on the floor and lowered himself down, feeling for something that his feet might hold on to. "Okay...come!"

Danielle lowered herself into the hole in the floor, seeking purchase with her feet. Though it made her shiver again, the cool air was free of smoke and welcome for that. "The door!" The trap door, too, was metal. She pulled it closed overhead in the hope that would keep burning debris from falling down on them.

Garry stood on the rungs of a narrow ladder as Danielle closed the door, leaving them safe but in the cold darkness. As she took a step down to let the door drop closed, she came into Garry's arms. Garry then took another step down and his feet were on the ground in the small tunnel beneath the warehouse.

The tunnel itself was not high; in fact, it was only a little over five feet talk and Garry would have to crouch. In this moment of safety and relief, he just held Danielle in his arms. "I'll get us out of here and we'll get out things and get right home to where it's safe. It's going to be alright."

She wrapped her arms around him and for a moment enjoyed the luxury. At length she spoke. "It has to be all right. I wonder if this is another way to the outside, or if we're stuck until the fire burned itself out." She hoped fervently that there was a way out, or at least a way further away from the fire. She had no desire to be baked in a pit. The sounds from above of the building starting to collapse were anything but comforting.

"I have a feeling it's a way out. Sometimes warehouses didn't always do business in legal goods, and they needed a back door when the constable came with his deputies."

Garry reached into his pocket and found his small can of matches. He struck on and saw an old, rusty oil lamp on the wall. He lit it and filled the tunnel with light. "You must be freezing," he said while taking off his heavy coat. "Get this on you. It'll keep you warm." He then reached for the lantern, took it in hand and headed down the tunnel. It was not a long one, ending at a basement door in the building across the street - a door that was locked.

She gave him a relieved look at being able to see again before she took a coat, still warm from his wearing of it, and wrapped herself up in it. "Thank you." With a mirthless chuckle she added, "I wasn't given the opportunity to get dressed for the outing."

He touched her cheek with his hand, "Josh will never bother you again." That was all he was going to say about the matter. He then took his shoulder and slammed against the door. The two hinges began to pull away from the door frame. He moved back and slammed the door again. This time it fell away. They could simply climb some steps, push open an outside basement door, and they'd be free.

So it had been Josh all along. She wondered what had happened to the nice boy he used to be that he had changed so much, but for now her mind needed to be on more urgent matters. She reached for Garry's hand as they made their way through the tunnel.

With the door shattered on the ground, Garry turned to her and whispered, "Wait here." He stepped over the door and walked up the steps, unlocked the outside basement door and pushed it open. He could hear voice a block away shouting about the fire. Further away was the sound of sirens.

Garry put his fingers to his mouth and made a loud, piercing whistle. He waited only a few seconds before Warrior came around the corner and approached him. "Good boy," Garry said while patting him. "I'll be right back." He went back down and smiled at Danielle. "Our ride is here. We have to hurry. I'll carry you." He didn't want her getting a nail or splinter in her bare feet. He carried her up the stairs and set her on Warrior's saddle. He then mounted behind her.

People were running to the warehouse just as Garry and Danielle were riding away. He didn?t hurry so as not to attract attention. There was a dead body in that warehouse and he didn?t want to get questions.

Garry dropped Danielle off at the inn so that she could get dressed while he hitched up the wagon. A half hour later they were both warmly dressed and in the wagon, heading out of town filled with the supplies of iron and their Yule presents. They looked to the west and saw a column of smoke rising in the cold morning air.

Garry wasted no time getting out of town. It was late afternoon when they pulled the wagon up to the blacksmith shop, glad to be home and looking forward to some rest and celebration.

A New Chapter and Another Winter

The Holidays had come and gone and the winter weather that followed cooled more than just the outside temperatures. When it had just been Martin and his grand daughter, they had managed to make the best of the snowbound weeks, and only a month ago Danielle had looked forward to that time.

But winter had turned out to be very unlike she had anticipated. Rather than enjoying games and conversation with her by the hearth, Garry had spent hours every day to clear a path to the smithy so he could work. They ended up spending less and less time together and when her grand father took ill none at all.

When the spring thaw came and the trail to the portal was once again passable, Garry had left to accept a mission. He was only to be gone for a couple of months but nearly a year had passed without so much as a letter from him.

Danielle had come to know him as a responsible person and therefor found it difficult to believe that he would just disappear with his affairs unsettled.

Not that she had much time to miss Garry. Her grandfather had been sick more days than healthy and the days that were not taken up with caring for him she spent catching up on chores that she had no time for while he was laid up. She even had to put off their trip into town for winter provisions several times.

Finally the trip could be put off no more, and she would have to go alone. Her grand father, while currently healthy, was not strong enough to withstand the rigors of travel.

Danielle would have to hurry, too. She'd not have as much time to look for Garry while in town as she had hoped for. While winter seemed to be late in arriving in the mountain valley this year, they did already have the first snow and the sunshine and dry weather they had now could not last much longer. So it was decided that to save time she would get into town just riding the neighbor's horse and buy a cart there to bring back the provisions.

The Morning of her trip dawned bright and clear and the air was crisp but with only a mild breeze blowing and Danielle made good time. The decent weather was not to last, though.

Gray, snow laden clouds moved in quickly, as they tend to do in the mountains, and with them an icy wind. The temperature dropped drastically, making the lone rider shiver in her traveling cloak.

But she had come too far already to turn around. She?d spend less time in what quickly turned into a full blown blizzard if she pressed on.

?Thank you. I'm starting to warm up I think. Just my luck to have to outride a blizzard just before getting into town after the day had started bright and clear. Please tell me you have rooms left to let and you won't be sending back out into the weather to find another inn.? She asked with a beseeching look. Just the idea of venturing back out into the cold made her shiver again.

Locke didn?t answer right away. Danielle watched as he pulled a bottle from the ice box, flipped it in his hand and popped the cap off before he sat it in front of a customer and then with a quick turn on his heel grabbed a bourbon bottle from a shelf, twisted the cap, and poured some of the drink into a glass. He added a dash of ice and served the drink to another thirsty patron. Danielle wondered if he had heard her when he turned his attention back to her.

?It is terribly cold outside these evening. Are you faring well, otherwise?? He grinned cheekily at the little dragon still sitting on his shoulder before he once again turned to Des. ?We've got rooms to let, right??

?Sure do have rooms, Locke. They just gotta sign that big ledger and decide if they want a private bathroom or to share the one in the hall.? The capable woman replied.

?I already found a place for the horse in the stable on the way in.? Danielle nodded with a relieved smile at the good news. ?Is it much more for a private bathroom??

?Oh and if they want a room with a view of the main street, courtyard, or back. Not too much more, just a silver more a week is all and all the rooms do come with two meals a day from the kitchen.? Des supplied the information even as she turned to greet a friend who just arrived.

?In that case I'll take one with a bathroom for a week please.? Danielle brightened visibly, already having feared that she might not be able to afford the better accommodations.

Locke slid some coins into the till before he turned to grab the ledger. He flipped it open, then turned the pages until he found an empty one. He shrugged his shoulder, a barely perceptible gesture with the dragon on him.

?Des knows more about costs then I do.? Then Locke moved away to serve the next patron.

Danielle pulled a little leather pouch from somewhere within the cloak and counted out coins to cover the cost before she picked up a pen to sign her name to the ledger: Danielle Corwell from the Corwell smithy in Beacon Town.

?Good to have you here....? Locke smiled politely at Danielle when he returned for the ledger a moment later. Glancing down at the page, he read her entry and then held out a gloved hand for her.? Danielle? Name's Locke. Locke D'Vestavio. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.?

?A pleasure.? She gave him a friendly smile. Locke D?vestavio ? now she knew his name and what a beautiful name it was; musical, she thought, and took his gloved hand for a moment. Then she remembered that she was still holding the pen and placed it into the ledger.

Danielle picked up that glass again, taking a much more hesitant sip this time. When Locke glanced her way again she smiled with an expectant expression.

?Something else I can do for you?? Locke asked promptly.

Danielle took the bar tenders' leave taking as her cue to go get settled into the room that was to be her home away from home for a week and picked up the dark gray cloak and stuffed the soggy mittens into it before folding it over her arm. Then she grabbed up the tea pot and bags and started to head for the stairs. Half way to the foot of the stairs she remembered her bag that she had left by the door and altered her steps to pick that up, too.

Everything picked up, she maneuvered carefully up the stairs, not to spill any of the hot water along the way, all the while puzzling on how she'd get the key into the door with all she was carrying.

After a few minutes, Locke headed down the stairs, grumbling a little bit. White dress shirt and dark tie had been exchanged for a black button-up to go with the black slacks and shoes he was already wearing. He waved at Danielle in passing before he entered the patrons' area.

It took Danielle a moment to recognize the bartender in the elegantly dressed man she passed on the stairs. By the time she did he had already passed her. Not that she could have returned his wave anyway, not having a hand free to do so.

Masque

Upon arriving in town Danielle's first stop after having stabled her horse had been the Red Dragon Inn to procure a room. Merry music drifted from the great hall every time a masked and costumed patron opened the door to then slip inside.

"The annual Masque." The tender informed as he handed her the key to her room - number 18 again.

Even up in her room she could hear the music and she found it hard to resist. Before she quite knew what she was about she found herself back downstairs at the doors to the great hall.

The soft yellow dress she had quickly changed into, while perfect for the dances at home, was not a ball gown by far, but it was the best dress she had packed for this trip into Rhydin. She was not wearing a masque either, but she simply had to come to the hall to at least have a peek.
While nearly everyone wore a masque, there were quite a few who did not. One in particular, under a black top hat and above a powder blue tailcoat, drew her gaze. It was white and silver and glitter. In the mage light it glittered like snow. It even was styled in the shape of a snow flake. The overall effect was quite stunning.

The costumes of men and women alike were all elaborate and some even quite daring and for a while she just stood there by the doors, admiring them. Perhaps her dress would pass as a costume, she told herself as she allowed the group of party goers that had just arrived to sweep her inside the hall.

Danielle had thought the hall crowded before, but in what appeared only minutes the number of costumes to look at had doubled and so had the number of pairs moving in beat to the music on the dance floor. She watched them twirl and move with a dreamy expression for quite some time. How much she would like to be one of them, dancing in Garry's arms.

Then a movement caught from the corner of her eye had her turn her attention away from the dancers. The snowflake, with a deft toss of his hand, threw his cane up into the air and suddenly hit the ground in a somersault. Without skipping a beat, he popped up, reached out his hand, and grabbed the cane as it fell. He gave a bow to the rest of the hall, before he quickly twirled the cane in his hand and then touched it to the ground.

The little show was over and Danielle moved to find a spot that offered safety from jostling. The music had changed from a lively country dance to a waltz and her foot lightly tapped the rhythm. A servant from the bar paused near her and quietly asked what she would like.

When she again spotted the twirling cane the owner stopped and gave her a deep bow, very polite and even more formal. Could it be that he knew her? But she didn't really know anyone here but the business people near the dock. Perhaps it was a game, she thought, and returned the greeting with a formal courtesy, inclining her head lightly and smiling. The snowflake doffed his top hat just slightly toward her.

After brief but pointed glance to the dance floor Danielle smiled to the snowflake again.

He gave a shake of his head and sighed, ?Terribly sorry, milady, but I am afraid I am cursed with these two sinister feet that will not let me dance the way I want to. 'Tis a shame, to leave a lady such as yourself disappointed. I beg your forgiveness, milady.?

Danielle never made it to her room though. A black suited gentleman with kind green eyes approached her as she left the hall, seeking to cheer her up. Before long he suggested that they put a headstone on the evening with a dance. While the term seemed an odd one to Danielle, she saw no reason to decline. She did enjoy dancing.

The gentleman promptly pulled her onto the dance floor and then swept her into a spin. Danielle chuckled softly and easily matched her steps to her partner?s. Enough of the string music remained to make ballroom dancing feasible, though barely, but the strong rhythm going through it added a considerable amount of liveliness.

Danielle was sent off into a blurring spin. In this split second Temhota two-stepped with Maeve and Johnny, thumbs in belt loops to boot. Only he doesn't own a gaudy belt buckle. Completing his circuit he rejoined hands with the girl, who had not seemed to notice his little side play.

"I'm afraid I never caught your name."

?You dance very well, milord.? Her expression made her joy at dancing obvious.

"And you didn't answer my question."

?Question?? Danielle looked up into the gentleman?s handsome face with a delicate brow slightly raised.

"Your name?? Now that they had a couple to showcase with he carried a simple waltz around the strutting pair., subtle dips, haphazard spins that sent the skirt of her buttercup yellow dress flaring. All sense of his reality was forgotten.

?Danielle Corwell is my name.? She gave her name in-between dips and spins with a beautiful smile.

"Danielle Corwell, My pleasure to meet you." He fluffed flared skirts with a free hand while the other provided the pivot point. Very 1950's, but he was reliving a lost childhood. At first the gesture had startled her, but then she was laughing softly at the effects.

?It is my pleasure as well, milord.?

Rena's arrival caused Temhota a slight pinch and miscue in otherwise flawless steps. Tonight was his to enjoy without harm! "Think we ought to switch to Sock-Hop?"

?I would be in total agreement if I new that dance. I am afraid I have never heard of a dance by that name.? Danielle felt only slight disappointment that the dancing should be over.

"Kick of your shoes and kick your feet! It's that simple!" Centuries of unlife had bestowed ageless and useless knowledge. Loafers were sent flying off Temhota?s feet.

While taken up in the merriment, Danielle could not bring herself to simply kick off her shoes, but she stepped out of them just the same and left them at the edge of the floor, then looked expectantly up to Temhota.

?Just kicking??

Temhota nodded before he picked up one of her shoes and tossed it to someone. ?Then grab someone and spin.?

Danielle tried to take note of where to go look for her shoe later but had lost sight of it, then as per instruction, grabbed a hold of Temhota and starts spinning. Temhota promptly moved back into close quarters.

"I promise I'll get your shoe back.? He spun and cackled up a storm.

Two Duels, Two New Acquaintances And A Bad Idea


A few months later Danielle was in Rhydin again, the masque all but forgotten. This time she was not looking for word from Garry. This trip was solely for finding the one woman that could make the medicine that would hopefully grant her grandfather another year.

Finding the woman had been much easier than anticipated, but she didn't have any of the needed medicine in stock. It would have to be made and that took time, no matter how urgently it was needed or how much the herb woman hurried. So now Danielle was stuck. For a day and a half, or so the herb woman had informed her.

To take her mind off her worries she took the portal to Twilight Isle as she had done on previous visits. She even found a sparring partner practically the moment she emerged from the portal. Scarlet, the woman had introduced herself when she offered the distraction.

The plan worked, too. For the next half hour Danielle didn't have a single moment to think of Poppy or to puzzle over the chances that she would make it back home in time for the medicine to do any good.

But all too soon the duel was over and Danielle once again had time to worry. As luck would have it, she was not left to her brooding for long. Because just as she glanced up to will the portal to spit out another dueler, someone stepped from it.

"Where are the creaky, brittle-boned geezers?" The rather blue-skinned ice elf dressed in a pink and white vertically striped button-up, black slacks, and Oxfords, wanted to know as he stepped upon the beach.

Danielle recognized him at once. That bar tender seemed to be just everywhere.

?Creaky and brittle boned... I've not seen any like that tonight.? She chuckled at his description for what must be the experienced mages. ?I do remember you, though.?

"As do I.? Locke glanced over to Danielle with a wink and a smile. ?Have you been faring well since last I saw you?"

?Not really. My trips into town have not been very successful. But I didn't get caught in any more blizzards.? That last bit at least was a good thing and she really did not know him well enough to tell anything further.

"She says there haven't been any old blokes in filthy robes with staffs dueling here tonight. This is Twilight Isle, correct? Home of the Duel of Magic?? Locke inquired of the official before he once again turned to Danielle. ?Aces to hear, mate.?

?Are you interested in the magic duels? I'd not have guessed to run into you here as well.? Perhaps he would be willing to distract her for the next half hour. But he shook his head.

"I have dabbled in these duels, here and there. Care to test me?" His reply was in direct opposition to his gesture.

?I don't get to come here all that often but yes, I'd love a little test. I very much like the idea of being the object of your hopefully undivided attention for five to fifteen spells.? Danielle accepted the challenge, and Locke moved to procure a ring.

"I'm all yours, mate." Locke winked as he stepped into the ring a moment later.

?He did very well, indeed.? The official agreed as she prepared to leave and made her fare wells.

?Oh, you cast spells, too?? Danielle had thought him merely an observer until now.
"Indeed though it was many years since I had done so when I dueled. Magic died on the world that I had last been a resident of and I was there for a good number of years doing without." He said with a nod.

?Oh, that is just terrible. You must be very happy to have found this island.?

"Not just this island but also the entire world of Rhydin. One can feel the magic." If he was happy it didn't show on his face or in his eyes, though his words were stated simply with all the truth he could put in.

?I can't do any magic besides here, though. But you're right, even I can feel it everywhere just the same. I can't even imagine there not being any to be felt. It must be kind of like when the sun doesn't come up for a few days in winter.? Something in the way he spoke appealed to her and she decided to stay and listen for a while longer.

"Or when there are days of cold and cloudy skies where the world is little but white and gray." He said with a nod. "Though to some who live shorter lives, it was much more gradual and they did other things to make up for it."

?I do prefer sunshine. Are you one of those people then who have lived for centuries?? Rhydin was populated with all kinds of creatures, even more so than Beacon Town.

"Something like that. I have lived nearly as long as there has been life. And death." He said and a faint ghost of a smile crossed his features. "And on many worlds of both magic and technology."

?I must seem disgustingly young to you then.? She grinned but his words reminded her painfully of why she was here.

"No. I have no contempt for the young or those who are considered old. It is what one learns and does in one's time that makes the most difference. What one can leave behind when the end comes, if and when it does." He shook his head, once more seeming emotionless.

?I guess there will be little enough of that from me.? Too many times she had contemplated what she might do with her life once she no longer had Poppy to take care of and come up empty.

"Why do you say that?" He asked, his gaze direct with the question.

?My friends, the ones I went to school with, are all already married. Marion even has a little boy already.? Yet her yearnings had very little to do with that. Before she had met Garry she liked the thought just fine of at some point in time being her own mistress. But now that appeared utterly undesirable.

"Does that really make a difference? Forgive me being a little familiar in the saying of it but I really do not believe that it does. I know not for certain your race, but I can plainly see that you are neither old nor middle aged and even if that were so there is nothing stopping you from making yourself great."

?Maybe it's the in comparison short live spans that makes the leaving behind of children and the wherewithal for them to live rather than struggle be so desirable. Poppy, that is my grandfather, would love to see me settled before he...? She did not finish the sentence. As time passed without word from Garry, Poppy had started to encourage her to look elsewhere. While she had accepted one or the other invitation to please Poppy, she could not bring herself to feel much of anything for the young men.

"That which works usually is good enough though sometimes even good strategies have their flaws."

Danielle puzzled over that statement for a time, then grinned, ?I seem to have run out of worthy replies. The hour must be growing late.?

"What makes a worthy reply? I think that any reply at all is worth the time to speak it. Though I understand your point." He glanced at the sky out of habit, but it was impossible to guess time by looking at the sky here, the isle being blessed with permanent twilight, then nodded. "Yes, a bit. Though I have yet to be made to understand where the point is which turns late into early so it could easily be either." Another jest, probably though with no more emotion than before.

The young fairy tried not to stare, but was clearly fascinated by the deep philosophy and what he considered an entertaining battle of wits, in which this girl should be considered if not unarmed then badly armed, considering the sparing partner. Years of contemplation had given the other plenty of arms and armor for such a battle.

?It depends on when one went to sleep and woke. At least that is how I understand it.? Danielle chuckled softly; delighted to have an answer for the ageless one he did not have before.

"I see. So what to some would be early, to others would be late and really, the only deciding factor is perception. As old to young and hot to cold and everything in between." He said in understanding of the statement. "One learns something new every day. It makes sense in a way." He admitted. "It would sound a little odd for someone to say 'It's getting early.' If they stayed out very late, after all."

?That it would. And I am definitely out late.? Danielle gave a soft chuckle. No one expected her and even if she did return to her room at the inn, worry would keep her awake.

"And for me it matters not because I have no where where I am expected and will not sleep for another night or so. Though, if you think you should go, I will not attempt to keep you too long." He said calmly. He was enjoying there conversation but he was nothing if not polite.

?I am wondering how late I may be and still be able to get the key for my room at the inn. I should hate to be caught without a place to stay for the night.? That would be bad; even if she would lay awake she should eventually try to at least get some rest.

"We could venture there and find out, if you would like?" He offered then turned to the winged one. "You are welcome to join us, I am sure."

?I would like that.? Danielle glanced to the winged one again, deciding that he must be of the fae as unlikely as that was.

?Really? Hmmm.? He preened his wings as he thought about the offer. ?Alright, sounds interesting. I like how you talk, very thought provoking.?

"I would not say so if I did not mean so." He assured the winged one and rose to his feet from the sand and adjusted his sword and dagger then brushed the sand from his clothing.

The fairy came over and offered his arm to the pretty girl at the same time the ageless one offered. Danielle rose to her feet and accepted both with a smile.

?This, being escorted by two handsome men, is certainly preferable to traveling alone.? They certainly were good looking, she thought in a detached sort of way.

"Easily convinced." He said with what could have been amusement though there was only a hint of it.

?Do you think it will be this crowded here tomorrow evening, too? Perhaps the official's advice to visit the young man while he's working was not such a good one after all. Only now, sir, because ...well, I don't know exactly why.? Danielle knew exactly why. She did not want to be alone. But if she admitted that she would be asked why and she did not want to answer that question.

?No name.? Tormay thought deeply, or as deeply as any young fairy could. The next moment he blinked at Danielle, clearly caught of guard by something she said. ?I believe that I shall call you Anon for now.?

"Perhaps. I believe it depends on the time of evening though the tenders that I have seen here multitask very well indeed." He nodded to Tormay. "I will accept that."

?Wonderful, Anon it is.? Tormay grinned big.

?I do not wish to be one task of many.? Danielle followed the ageless one to whatever seating arrangement he was leading the way to. ?In fact, I do not wish to be considered a task at all.?

?I am sure that would be quite irritating.? Tormay giggled a little.

"That was not what I was insinuating, I assure you." He said as he pulled out a chair for Danielle and she slid into it. "I merely meant that they are good at concentrating on many things, the important ones most of all. Though I admit your point. One must also consider that one can sometimes not find what one seeks when one knows not where to look and that knowing where someone or something is going to be at a certain time, is rather a blessing."

?Thank you. Aye. I definitely don't know where to look, or what to look for. That I appear to know whom to look for tomorrow evening and where does not change that.? Danielle knew that she wasn?t looking for the bartender. But if she had to give up searching for Garry, she had to start looking somewhere. ?Who knows, he may already have his eye on someone else anyway. So perhaps, as I know so little, I should try all the harder to enjoy the company of those who managed to find me.

Tormay sat down and looked wide eyed at Anon, then Danielle, and back again, clearly not keeping up with all the whom, wherevers, times, and what is known and not known.

"No but you could take a moment of his time and concentration to establish a time when you could be his only concern." His tone almost saying 'think about it' though he was calm as he pushed her chair in and gained his own.

?I could?? Danielle blinked with surprise. ?What an outrageous idea. That just might work. He could of course answer "never", but at least that would give me some knowledge.?

?Of course it will work.? Tormay nodded to Danielle. Though he wasn?t sure what ?it? was, he always liked to look on the bright side.

He nodded without a word or sign though he was amused. How could he not be? ?What would the two of you like to drink? My treat."

?I would definitely go for a chamomile tea. Thank you, Anon.?

?Yea.... Ok. Don...? Tormay coughed and reached for his cup.

?Perhaps I'm just fated to become an old maid.? Could it be that she really was that boring?

?Don't talk about the price of anything. Smithing is really a good thing though. No no, can't do that now. Talk about smithing. Stay away from horseshoes though.?

?Hmm, I don't really do any smithing. I could just go on about how Poppy makes things.? And about how incredible Garry looked swinging the hammer as shadows from the fire danced over his chest. She did not put that last thought into words but shook her head to make the image go away.

?Right... should have known that.? She really didn't look like she could lift a hammer; much less drag it to an anvil. ?The wintering in the mountains sounds very good though. I am sure none of those sophisticated ladies would know how, and yet it could show just the right kind of interest in the young man.?

?It's not good at all. You'd know if you ever got snowed in for a few weeks or months.?

?Just leave out that part.?

?If I leave out all the parts there's nothing left.?

?Well then, you would be just like the sophisticated ladies then, wouldn't you?? Tormay nodded in finality.

?I would be? But they all look so sophisticated doing that. I'd just look...well, stupid.? Danielle was getting drowsy and it showed in her conversation.

?Which makes you interesting. Stupid isn't what you should be going for, just clumsy. Although, fun would be better than clumsy.? Tormay amended.

?I'm afraid I'm not all that good at being clumsy or delicately helpless either.? Danielle shook her head. ?Say, aren't you a fairy? Could you just wave a wand or something??

?I could make you sneeze perhaps.? He offered.

?Wouldn't my nose get all red?? That suggestion didn?t seem helpful to Danielle at all. ?I do look downright frightful when having a cold.?

?Oh... that would be a problem.? Tormay giggled at the thought of the beautiful blonde with a bright red nose. ?OH! I know! I could make him sneeze.?

?How would that help??

?It might help you get his attention?? He didn?t sound convincing.

?How so??

?I haven't thought it that far out. I just kinda figured it would work itself out the way I intended it to.?

?I think I'll go with that well turned phrase, and if I can't make the words come out of my mouth, I'll just hand him the note.? Danielle celebrated that conclusion with another drink from her glass. That stuff still didn?t taste any better than before.

?Well then, why didn't you just say so in the first place??

?I thought I did.?

?I thought you did too, but I had to make sure.?

Danielle nodded and took another sip. ?I think I am getting sleepy. I could at least avoid dark circles under the eyes.?

?Good idea, I must be off myself. Good luck with the note.? Tormay smiled.

?Have a good night, Tormay, and thanks for all the advice.? Danielle rose to her feet.

?Good night. If you need more advice, try to track me down.? Tormay rose and bowed.

?Thanks.? After another nod Danielle went to the bar to pick up her key ? No 18, same as last time - and then went up the stairs.

Martin?s Secret


It wasn't the sound of a wagon, but that of horses coming down the street that Garry heard next. They were moving fast and then abruptly stopped. Then there was a knock on the door, followed by,

"Miss Corwell?"

Major derKorst turned to his companion, a beautiful brunette of ageless quality. "Perhaps she's still in town. Martin should be upstairs."

Garry came out of his thoughts when the knock came on the door. Who could this be, he wondered. He rose up from the chair and started down the stairs.

"Coming! Hold on!" They were calling for Danielle, so he knew she wasn't with them. He feared that they were probably some new friends from the military wanting her out. He lit the lamp in the kitchen and opened the door and stood there just a moment, wondering who they were.

"I'm sorry. Miss Corwell is not at home."

"Bradstreet? Glad you found your way back." The flicker of surprise in derKorst's eyes was so brief that most would have missed it. "Dr. Le Amon, medical doctor, healer extraordinaire and Director of Hy Breasil, Captain Garry Bradstreet, retired unless he had a recent promotion and junior smith."

"I believe we've a patient to see." Le was 100 percent business, even though she gave Bradstreet a quick once over inspection. Garry gave a brief nod.

"Major derKorst, this is a surprise. Dr. Le Amon, a pleasure. In fact, you are both a sight for sore eyes." He was surprised they even knew about Martin. "Yes, Martin is upstairs. I just hope you're not too late. I've been afraid he wouldn't make it through the night. Come in, please. He's upstairs." Suddenly Garry began to have some hope, the first since his entry into the village and finding Martin sick and Danielle gone.

"We've been informed, though less than an hour ago. We'd been here sooner, but the bloke Danny left the message with sent it through the chain of command without marking it a priority. He didn't even stick the name on the outside, or I'd have had it within moments of Danny having delivered it to the Beacon." The major's well practiced gaze remained on Garry Bradstreet. Dr Amon had stepped right in, even before Garry finished the invitation.

"Martin's in his room?" She thought to ask, her foot already on the first step of the stairs.

Garry met the Major's eyes while he was talking, and the incompetence of the military chain of command didn't surprise him. He turned to Dr. Amon, "Yes. Please go right up."

He turned to Major derKorst, "I want to go up with the doctor. You may also come if you wish." Garry wanted to be right there when the doctor saw Martin, but he couldn't understand why a Major and such an extraordinary doctor would come to see a mere blacksmith.

"Are you a personal friend of Martin Corwell?" Garry asked as they ascended the staircase.

"Lead the way. She'll throw us out soon enough anyway." Major derKorst made to follow Garry before he replied to his question. Dr Amon of course had already navigated the narrow stair case. 'Friend' did not describe their relationship at all. "Mr. Corwell is not just a smith."

"Only the keeper knows that. The story is that one of the time lords, a cronomancer Guardian will have rescued the key and has brought back to before there was knowledge of its existence, for at some point the head Guardian will need it to free that which is imprisoned while keeping total control in order to avert the disaster that otherwise would ripple time in all directions." Julian had hoped that Martin may have talked to Garry about this before. Now it was obvious that he had not. Probably for the best, seeing that Bradstreet had been missing for the past year or so.

"And Martin holds this key? And if he dies, then I would guess the secret of the key and its whereabouts dies with him." Garry was overwhelmed with what he was hearing. It was almost as if all this were a joke, but he knew the Major didn't joke.

"Those under the spell of that which is imprisoned are constantly working on the destruction of the Guardians and devising all kinds of schemes to free it. Were they to know of the key's existence..." The witches would use everything humans could conceive of to get that key and as many more humans could not conceive of, or they would kill the keeper and with it the secret. Julian was not sure which would be worse. "You see why secrecy must be kept."

Garry looked down and walked about the kitchen as he thought about what was being described to him. "Yes, secrecy must be kept," Garry said, almost subconsciously.

"It is paramount that the key will have a keeper until it is needed. Martin cannot be allowed to die until he has named a successor." And that was the crux of the matter.

"Can the Dr. restore his health? Is she capable of doing that?" At this point Garry still cared more about Poppy than about any key that Poppy held.

"Perhaps. I'm sure she will let us know momentarily." Julian had witnessed Le work many miracles, but when it was someone's time to go, even she could only delay the inevitable.

Garry just gave a nod and looked up the stairs, wondering what was going on up there. Then he turned to the Major. "You said that Miss Corwell sent the note. Do you know where she is?"

"Yes, she is in Rhydin to get a particular medicine from one of the other Guardians. She was ready to depart when she took the message to the Beacon." Major derKorst was happy that he could give Bradstreet something positive. "Considering how Querylon works and travel time, she should be back tomorrow, late afternoon, evening at the latest."

Dr. Amon stepped into the hall just then and softly closed the door to Martin's room behind her. Hurried steps brought her to Garry and Julian. Her mien was serious and offered no hope.

"Poppy? Er, I mean Martin. Is he okay? Is he going to live?" Garry's relief about hearing of Danielle was quickly diminished when he saw the expression on Dr. Amon's face.

"It's worse than I imagined. I'm lifting him to Hy Breasil now but I'm making no promises. Make sure Q knows every minute, make that every second, counts." Le didn't wait for Julian's reaction but turned to return to Martin's room the moment she was done speaking. Already in the door she paused, though. "And get Danny back here now."

Julian didn't need Le to explain further to understand how grave the situation was. She hated lifting, and if she was willing to risk that Martin must indeed be more than half way to Hades. Garry swallowed and looked from Dr. Amon to Julian, not having any idea what to make of all this.

"What does she mean . . . lifting him to Hy Breasil?" He was happy to hear about getting Danny back here now, but these were not the circumstances he was hoping to meet her under.

"A high tec means of travel, nearly instant, and much saver than these roads, reserved for critical patients. Hy Breasil is the Lady's place of healing. If every second counts I must be off and take every gate available. Are going to Hy Breasil, staying or coming with me? I've an extra horse now." Major derKorst was eager to be on his way.

"I'll go! Well Miss Corwell be taken there?"

"Yes. Come on then, you can come with me as far as the Beacon. Gives me the chance to order someone to take you across the bridge."

Garry didn't hesitate. He knew how to act on an instant's notice. "Let's go!"

Captain Bradstreet accepted the Major?s offer of the extra horse, leaving Warrior stabled at Corwell Smithy. However, it was not very long into the ride when he was wishing he had his own horse beneath him. It would have made staying abreast of Major derKorst a far easier chore. Upon reaching the main entrance, Garry dismounted right behind Julian and followed into the entry hall and listened to the major?s commands.

He looked at Mage Melange, and gave a nod of greeting. He was quite familiar with those who wielded magic from his time in Rhydin, but had stayed away from such persons as much as possible, not trusting something that was for the most part invisible and inexplicable.

Garry raised a brow when she asked if he had ever been teleported. He hadn?t before, he didn?t want to be now, and he wouldn?t be upset if he managed to avoid that experience for the rest of this life. Nevertheless, if it meant being with Poppy and Danny, he would do it ? or anything else that might be required.

?Thus far, Mage Melange, I?ve not had the pleasure. I assume that?s about to be remedied.? He gave her a confident smile.

Garry gave her that ?You?ve got to be kidding me? look. His head was filled with questions, not the least of which was ?Have there been any fatalities doing this?? but he kept them to himself.

?No, I think I?ve got it straight ? keep still, don?t fall off the causeway, wait for you to arrive. I think I?ll keep my eyes open, though; hate to miss any of the excitement.?

Actually he would have loved to miss all of the excitement of the last few days. This was not exactly the kind of Beacon Town homecoming he had been anticipating. The only thing that could make it worse would be seeing Danielle show up with a two-month old baby, and that thought wasn?t even funny!

They arrived at the lake and Garry dismounted at the shore. He looked around, took a deep breath and stretched. ?Beautiful day for a transportation,? he said facetiously. He made light of the situation to keep fear and worry at bay, but he knew this entire trip was serious ? gravely serious.

Deceiving Appearances

Danielle checked the folded note that was carefully tucked into the sleeve of her dress before she entered the common room. She still wasn?t sure that she should visit the young elf. Her mind was miles away more often than not and she did worry what she would find upon returning home on the morrow. Her bag was already packed and she was all set to head out come morning.

Her mind thusly occupied her steps were slow. She was almost surprised that she had made it that far when she came up against the bar and onto a stool. The Inn was crowded again, even more so then the night before.


?Good evening, Locke.? She said, still pre-occupied.

?Evening, Danielle. Get you something to drink?? Locke winked and grinned.

?Yes.? She finally managed to pull her thoughts into the here and now and even a little smile. ?I was going to get a drink.?

?Right-o. One moment.? Locke moved so fast, for a moment he seemed to blur as he filled orders of other people at the bar. Then he was standing before Danielle again. ?What would you like??

?Hmm, what would I like?? Danielle?s mind was blank; she could not seem to remember the name of any suitable liquid and for a moment she looked utterly lost. ?I have no idea. I forgot to get advice on that.?

?I can try and whip up something quick and interesting if you like.? Locke offered in-between fetching bottle from a cooler and pouring spirits into glasses.

?Yes, that would be very helpful. Thank you.? She gave Locke a thankful smile.

As crowded as it was, Locke didn't have time to really whip up anything too fancy, just a Collins glass filled with orange juice and vodka. He handed the drink to Danielle, smiling.

?There you go, mate. Name's Locke. Locke D'Vestavio. Give me a shout and I will try to catch your order, savvy??

?Thank you kindly.? She reached for the glass and took a sip. ?That's pretty good, like juice with a little something extra.?

?Screwdriver. Simple, yet effective.? Locke explained with another wink.

?Yet no metallic taste at all. Screwdriver, what an odd name for something sweet.? Effective to do what, she wondered. Danielle touched her fingers to her sleeve. Yes, the note was still there. But what did it say?

?Locke? When will it be less busy?? That was certainly not what the note said. Danielle shook her head lightly. But Locke was off again to take and fill orders and to collect coins. Just as well, Danielle thought and took another sip.

?Getting your attention, silly.? Danielle blushed again and bit her bottom lip. But that last word had already slipped out. She thought the doll silly, though, not Locke.

?Need something?? Locke didn?t seem to have taken offense.

?Yes. A drink in a really small glass, a tiny glass, perhaps better a thimble.? Danielle felt strange suddenly.

?This is Danielle. Me and her met a few months past. I dueled against her the other day.? He explained to the doll.

?You did, did you?? The doll narrowed her eyes at Locke. ?Well stop pussyfootin around an' ask her out already. Yer both makin me sick.?

Danielle was mortified that the woman should speak so. He certainly couldn?t be asking her out now! She was going home tomorrow and she would not come back into Rhydin until Poppy was well again.

?I already have a mot, mate.? He replied with a flat-faced grin. He did pour Danielle a slightly smaller glass of vodka and orange juice, though.?

?What's a mot?? Danielle and the doll wanted to know, though the doll threw in a few words better suited for use by a sailor.

?Girlfriend.? Locke shrugged his shoulders.

?Oh.? Well, that settled that.

?Then you have no business talkin to her!? The doll shooed at Locke and then spat sharply Danielle. ?Go 'way.?

Locke nodded to Danielle and then to the doll before he once again resumed pouring drinks and fetching bottles while the doll turned to greet someone.

There were still a few hours to get through until she could leave to fetch the medicine from the herb woman. Danielle still was trying to think of how to best spend those hours when the doll got loud again with a finger pointed at her.

?Locke here has a girlfriend an' this woman is coming onto him.?

?Dude! Don't flirt with pretty blue.? The doll?s friend appeared outraged.

Locke, while glancing at each in turn, didn?t say anything at all. That bothered Danielle more than anything the ill behaved brats said.

?You can just keep your stupid drink, Locke.? Danielle had just about all she could stand and slid off the stool, then she turned to Locke again. ?Uhm, I still need that key.?

?Key to what?? Locke appeared confused.

?Room 18. And I will be taking one of those complaint forms.? She should be able to while away at least half an hour filling out one of those.

Locke just let the spiteful doll grab the complaint form and sighed. ?I miss anybody's order??

?Here you are, HOMEWRECKER.? She handed Danielle the piece of paper, then turned to Locke. ?No. You are doing fine. I will chastise you when you screw up.?

?You forgot that key. The sooner I have it the sooner I can remove myself from those nasty creatures that seem to enjoy nothing better than to cause other people grief.?

Locke grabbed a key and dangled it in front of Danielle. ?There you go.?

?See what I mean Sami?? The doll, Danielle started to suspect that she was an old hag in a pretty disguise, pointed again. ?She's flirting so bad with him he missed yer order.?

?About time.? Danielle snapped up the key and immediately regretted her words. That woman was grinding on her nerves and while she was disappointed that the elf didn?t appear to have a back bone, she was not upset with him. Not every man could be as gallant as Garry. The entire idea had been stupid to begin with. She didn?t really want to go out with anyone.

?I meant, thank you,? she amended before she turned to get away from the spiteful voice and ignored whatever else it was that the doll spat in her direction.

Danielle was halfway to the stairs when she paused mid-step. Now that she could no longer hear the grinding voice being in the middle of the crowd noise, too loud to hear oneself think, was much more appealing than brooding in her room until dawn. She shouldn?t even put any store into anything the hateful creature had said. With that thought Danielle turned to sit down at a table instead.

Nightmare

Danielle was as if in a daze, walking through a night mare. While she observed that the way Major derKorst was leading them was not at all the way she knew was the shortest one to the portal to the Atrebla Valley, she did not think to comment on or ask about it. Neither did she react in any way when the major led them, as it appeared to her, straight into a wall at the end of a narrow ally. It also was perfectly fitting for the nightmare she was currently living that the herb woman didn?t appear to find anything wrong with the route they were taking and riding her horse into a wall.

Major derKorst had terrified her with the news that Poppy, her grandfather and the only family she had since her parents disappeared when she was but a very small child, was not only very ill, but dying and that they needed to hurry if she wanted to say good bye to him.

In fact, the entirety of the last few days had an unreal quality to them. Granted, Poppy had taken ill several times in the past year, but he had always gotten well again. He never had sent her off with a message to Major derKorst or to find an herb woman to get medicine, and she didn?t go visiting strangers at work just because she missed Garry, and there certainly was no such thing as handsome 6 feet tall fairy men.

The portal did not take them to the valley either, but into an odd room. It was ringed with portals. In the center a huge crystal globe hovered over a pedestal, a greenish ring around it at an angle, globe and ring defying gravity. The room itself was bright as if lit by the brightest summer sun, but she couldn?t detect so much as a single source of light. It was the strangest, most unreal place she had ever seen.

Two wide steps separated the portal she had emerged from and the floor of the room that appeared no more substantial than a few fluffy clouds reflected on the surface of the lake on a hot day without so much as a breeze. The sound of the horses' hooves hitting the shiny floor was loud, though. No, she would wake up soon and this night mare would be over.

But that was not to be.

Major derKorst lifted Danielle from her horse and set her on her feet and then turned to Querylon who was now standing next to them.

?Querylon,? he paused until she was looking at him. His voice was the kind that forbid all argument when he continued, ?the mages will port us to the bridge.?

Only then did Danielle become aware of the three war mages, all three of them looking expectantly at them. And then the great hall flickered. When the flickering settled she was standing on the bridge from and to nowhere.

She felt Major derKorst's hand gripping her arm again and thought Querylon looked disturbed. The she was led off one end of the bridge and she instinctively held her breath in preparation for stepping into the icy water of Atrebla Lake.

To her surprise that last step did not take her into the water but onto a grassy field. Across the field were two large buildings unlike any she had ever seen before. But she was not given time to study the strange surroundings. Already Major derKorst was leading them toward a side entrance and she nearly had to run to keep up with his stride.

Once inside the major led her and the herb woman down an oddly bright, long hallway, around a corner and another hallway. Doors lined the walls at irregular intervals. He paused them in front of a set of metallic doors. After a moment the doors slid apart and two people definitely not human but of a race she didn?t recognize stepped from the room and walked past them.

Major derKorst pulled her into the small the room that could only be a closet though it lacked shelving. As soon as Querylon had followed them in the doors closed and Danielle had the odd sensation of her stomach falling.

Before she could give that another thought the doors slid apart again and major derKorst pulled her back into the hallway. Perhaps he had taken a wrong turn, Danielle thought. The major paused to exchange a few words with the goblin that now stood in the hallway and then led them around a corner and down a different, much shorter hallway. He stopped at one of the doors and opened it for her and the herb woman to enter the room that lay beyond.

A narrow bed, white linen, stood in the center. A woman in a thin white coat stood beside the bed, eyes closed, her hand rested on the chest of the man lying in the bed.

?Poppy.? Danielle whispered. She recognized him at once despite his face being pale gray. For an endless moment she had the sensation of the floor having disappeared from beneath her feet.

?Querylon, blessed be, over here. The rest of you: out!? The woman in the white coat demanded.

Danielle stood as if rooted to the spot.

Garry's voice touched something deep inside Danielle, and movement came back to her as if his voice had removed whatever was holding her in place. Then she was in his arms, her hands and cheek resting on his broad chest. "Please, don't be a dream." The plea rushed from Danielle very quietly. Perhaps she was hallucinating him, but he felt real, solid and strong. She lifted her head to gaze upon his beloved face, and his warmth - she had not even noticed that she was cold - started to slowly spread out from her center.

Such a flood of mixed feelings washed over Garry. The fear and worry for Martin were momentarily forgotten by the joy of being reunited with the woman he loved more than life. His strong arms wrapped around Danielle, and his hands moved over her back, and then up to her head, finally returning to her back as if he were feeling her to determine if she were really substantial and not some deceptive spirit. "Oh my love," he spoke softly against her ear, "I'm not a dream; although I confess that I do feel like I must be dreaming. Oh how I've missed you!" He held her extra tight, not wanting to chance her slipping away.

"Hrrm, Hrrm." Julian derKorst cleared his throat. "If you would follow me."

Danielle had heard Major derKorst, but the words made no sense. She'd not go anywhere when Garry was here. Her hand moved up to touch his cheek. "It?s really you. I?ve missed you, too."

Garry?s hand covered hers and he kissed her palm. "I'm home, and I'm never leaving you again, Danny." He looked to Julian and back to Danielle. "I think we need to leave the room. Poppy is not doing well, honey; but he's in very good hands. Let's follow Major derKorst." He placed his arm around Danielle and took her hand in his opposite hand. He just had to keep touching her; the feel of Danny was like a spring of water to a man dying of thirst.

"The herb woman . . . Poppy sent me for medicine and to tell Major derKorst." Garry wasn't going to leave, but would stay; and despite her worry about her grandfather her heart lurched with joy at hearing those words. She walked as close to him as possible and still be walking, needing to feel the warmth of his body against her.

Major derKorst led them down the hall and opened a door to a private waiting room, while Garry walked with his body and Danielle's pressed against each other. To an observer they might have looked like two grieving people comforting each other, but in reality Garry was so filled with joy and relief in having Danny with him again that it took all his self control to not just turn her around and kiss her long and deep. They entered the waiting room and Garry motioned to a couch. "Let's sit there," he said.

"You'll have to excuse me. I will join you as soon as duty permits." Major derKorst flipped the sign at the door and then closed it behind him, not waiting for either of them to reply. Garry watched the Major leave and smiled at his wisdom and sensitivity.

"Yes," Danielle said as she sat down without releasing his hand. They had so much to talk about and there was so much she wanted to know, but right now it was enough just to be able to look upon him and to feel him close.

Garry kept his one hand around her and continued to hold her hand with the other. His body was turned toward hers and he just looked into her beautiful eyes. "I can't believe we're together again. I was so afraid that I had lost you. And when I came home and found Poppy so sick, I thought I was losing the only two people is this world that I love." He leaned in and placed a kiss upon her cheek, wanting so much to kiss her lips but not wanting to do anything that might be inappropriate.

"Me too," Danielle replied. The feeling of his lips on her cheek was heavenly. Her fingers, that had been cold earlier, were warming up now that he held her hand. Then her warm brown eyes were gazing into his again. She still could not quite believe that he was really there and a little afraid that should she look away he might disappear. Then she remembered his words and the way he had said them and smiled. "I was looking for you or for news from you when you did not return, but no one wanted to admit to knowing anything. Poppy took ill a few times, but never like this."

Garry pulled her against him so that she might lay her head on his shoulder. "They probably didn't know anything. I will tell you all about it when we get home. It's a long story, but it's over and behind us. I'm so worried about Poppy. He's just got to make it through."

"I want to hear every detail of that long story, too." She did rest her head on his shoulder. For long moments she was silent and squeezed his hand. Tears once again stung her eyes and there was a knot in her throat, threatening to choke her at the thought that it was very possible that Poppy would not make it this time. "You?re really here to stay." Danielle said once she could talk again. "That has to make a difference. He missed you, too."

Garry nodded his head against Danny's. "There's nothing in this universe that's going to take me away from you and Poppy. I told him I was home for good, so he knows it also." Garry kissed her forehead. "He'll be okay. He's a fighter." Garry couldn't even imagine the home and smith shop without Poppy around, yet he also knew it was a very real possibility.

"I am glad you two got to talk." She tilted her head without lifting it from his shoulder and gently squeezed his fingers again. She wanted to feel his warm firm lips on hers.

Garry looked at Danny as she looked up at him. His gaze went to her lips and then to her beautiful brown eyes as he slowly lowered his face to hers. His hand caressed the side of her face as he took in her features. "I love you, Danny," he whispered just before his lips came to hers and moved against them in a slow, loving kiss with his eyes closed.

Danielle wanted to tell him that she loved him right back, but his lips were already on hers. So she told him by kissing him instead of with words. Eventually she withdrew her hand from his and moved her fingers into his hair.

"Your grandfather is in the best hands, but you have to understand that he is very sick. We lost his vitals twice already." Dr Amon kept meeting Danielle's eyes and took note of the girl's expression. "That means his heart beat and breathing stopped. But we got those going again for now."

Garry dropped Danny's hand to bring his arm up to her shoulders and he put his arm around her as the news was spoken. Danielle?s fingers immediately felt oddly naked.

"With most people with heart problems there is a blockage we can remove or a weakness in a part that we can fix or replace. With your grandfather, though, the problem is a general degeneration. In layman's terms, he is getting old, but his heart is doing so at a faster rate then the rest of his body." Dr Amon paused for a breath.

"How much... time, doctor?" Garry squeezed Danny around the shoulders.

Dr Amon glanced up to Garry "When the heart does not want to work, the other systems want to fail too. While we have a regenerator, we can only regenerate as is not as was twenty years ago. That is why we brought in Querylon. She has the very rare talent of re-directing for lack of a better word, life force."

"Can she make his heart younger?" Garry wasn't sure he was even asking the right questions.

"In a way, but not really.? Dr Amon turned her gaze to Danielle again. ?As you may imagine, with a young person such can work with much less complications than with one of your grandfather's age. Your grandfather has very little life left to be re-directed and he can't really afford that. So what Querylon is doing is directing life force from one of the few herbs that this can be done with into your grandfather."

"So, I guess you're saying that we're literally trying to buy time, but with the herbs as the monetary unit." Garry commented.

"This is not a cure however. A plant's life force is simple and much less powerful as that of a human, and therein are limits. The medicine Querylon was making for you was along those lines, but the direct method is needed now.? Dr Amon turned to Garry again, ?Yes, we are buying your grandfather some time. He will use the plants' life force instead of the at best hours he has."

Danielle took in all the information without so much as blinking, not wanting to miss a word. So the doctor and the herb woman were turning hours into days. To her that seemed like a miracle.

"Querylon is good, very good, but she too can't do without sleep and those herbs do not grow like grass. We can probably get him up to a year, less should he catch a cold or infection." Dr Amon wanted to avoid giving the pair any false hope.

Garry nodded, a little hope starting to come once again. "If you and Querylon can get him well enough to go home, Danny and I will take really good care of him. We promise."

"I have no doubt of that." Dr Amon smiled to both before she continued with a more serious mien. "He will have to stay here until Querylon managed to work enough magic to get him stable. In a week, perhaps two your grandfather may come home. Querylon will come by your house on a daily basis until it is safe to switch to pre-made medicine.?

"May we go in and see him?" Danielle needed to see for herself that he was alive and that there was hope. The doctor's words, while she immediately trusted her, were just not enough.

Garry looked at Danielle then back to Dr. Amon. "And can we stay here with him?"

Dr. Amon shook her head sadly. She had always hated this part of her job the most. "No, I can't in good conscience allow that while Querylon is working. The risk of distraction and that of either of your life forces responding is too great. But if you'd like wait here a while longer, I will call you in the moment it is save. Querylon has been working none stop for days and I am sure she cannot keep this up for much longer."

"If you'd like to stay close by, our waiting rooms are equipped for overnight stays and the cafeteria food is actually rather decent instead of just barely edible." Dr. Amon was rather proud of her cafeteria. It did offer personnel, family and recovering patients a comfortable place to rest besides a wide range of meals to please nearly every pallet.

"Thank you, doctor. We'll talk it over while we're waiting." Garry nodded. Danielle looked up to Garry, tears once again threatening to spill over, but also hopeful that he'd be for staying as long as possible.

"I am very sorry I did not have any better news for you." Dr Amon nodded, and then turned away from them and as quietly as possible re-entered the room.


Garry turned and took Danny into his arms when Dr. Amon left. "I wouldn't feel right going home with Poppy here, honey. I'd just be too distracted to do any work anyway. I could stay here. This wouldn't be close to the worst place that I've slept."

"I want to stay,? Danielle offered after a moment?s thought, ?but I've nothing with me. Major derKorst was in such a hurry that he'd not even let me grab the traveling bag from my room at the inn. How long can you stand me in the same clothes?" She agreed that they would have no peace waiting at home for word of how Poppy was doing. Even if they only would get to see him for minutes here and there, those minutes would be well worth every little discomfort.

Garry had to grin at Danny's words. "I think I can stand you until the clothes literally fall off your body." He laughed and kissed her cheek. "If you get too stinking, I'll ask a nurse for one of those hospital gowns for you; the kind that doesn't close in the back." He gave her a wink.

"They make gowns like that?" She asked with a moment's horror. Then she realized he was merely teasing her and she chuckled. Garry's teasing felt good and she was glad for the respite from dealing with the terrible news the doctor had for them. "You got me. What do you think the stable master will do to Fred's horse when I am not picking it up in the morning?"

"Oh, he'll have the horse tended to. I'm sure about that. Soon we'll all be home and things will get back to normal. Well, not quite normal." He gave Danny a wink, wondering if she could guess what he had in mind.

Man to Man


Garry gave Danielle a kiss and then waited for Danielle to leave for the general store. He turned his gaze up the stairs and knew that this was the time. He took a deep breath and went to Martin's refilled cup of coffee that was sitting on the table. He went and picked up the coffee and walked up the stairs.

"Well, Poppy, with this cup you've managed to drain the pot to empty." Garry smiled and handed Martin the cup.

"That makes one thing I can still do." Martin greeted that news with a pleased smile. His hand was not completely steady and he had to use both hands to drink from the cup.

Garry went over to the window to look out. Danny was walking up the street and turned her head to look back to the house just before she would round the corner. She thought she saw someone standing at Poppy's window. It had to be Garry, she thought, and raised an arm to wave.

"I'll have the smithy up and running today, Poppy. I'm sure the people of this town will be happy to see smoke coming from our chimney again. You've taught me well, so I don't expect problems. If there's anything I don't know, I'll come up and ask."

"You should find plenty of material to work with. Danny went into town to get supplies before the winter, but I wasn't in any shape to make use of any of it. In the drawer with the book is an order from the Beacon. You'll probably want to get to that first." Martin drank some more coffee, not so much because he was thirsty, but the emptier the cup got the easier it was for him to hold the darn thing. "So, Garry, have you decided then to take over the shoppe and be a smith?"

Garry waved back at Danielle, loving her so much. Already he was missing her. He turned to Martin, "I'll do that. I know they'll be pounding down our doors if they don't get their order fulfilled." He walked to Martin's bed and sat down on the chair that was next to it. "I think that decision has been made for me, Poppy. I'm ready to start. You've taught me well."

"It puts me at ease more than I can put into words that it'll be you rather than some stranger taking over the smithy and using my tools." Martin gave a chuckle and then a little impatient with his weakness, "here, you hold that led cup. I've been hoping that your interest in the smithing was real and not just a play to get to eat Danny's cooking."

Garry took the cup. "I've got to admit that I do enjoy her cooking." He laughed and set the cup down. "Actually, there is something else that I really need to talk with you about. I suppose this is as good a time as any."

"Now, isn't that just a coincidence. There's something I really need to talk with you about, too." Martin sat up straighter, which took much more effort than he thought it should.

That took Garry by surprise. "Well, do you want to go first, sir?"

"I might as well." Martin nodded slowly. "It's something I should have talked about with you before you left. But I thought I had plenty of time to wait for the right moment and I wanted to be absolutely sure you were the right one to ask. Mind you, I was starting to doubt myself on that when ye didn't make it back before the second winter."

Garry listened, thinking that Martin was speaking of the smithy business. He just nodded and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and listened.

"Julian, I mean Major derKorst, when he reminded me that I had a bit of business to take care off still he told me that he explained our little secret to you, or as much of it as he could." Martin's eyes were as sharp as ever as he looked at Garry, despite his body giving out on him.

Garry suddenly realized that Martin was talking about the Key. "Major derKorst mentioned something about a key that you held, Poppy."


"The key that doesn't look like any key I've ever seen. Such a small thing and yet it is what keeps me from joining my Julie." Martin was tired and he wondered if Garry could fathom the depth of that simple statement. By all rights he should have been dead by now and while he'd have loved to stay around long enough to see his grand daughter settled, he was ready to leave. "Anyway, I think you'd be perfect for the job if you'd be willing to take it on with all it entails."

"What does it entail, Poppy? What does it mean to have the key?" Garry was confused. He didn't know what was being asked of him.

"Utter and complete secrecy." And that was the crux of the matter. "Even you and I will not talk about this ever again after today. So you be sure and ask every question you have. You can only mention it again when you think you found someone to take on the burden for you and to let one of the Guardians' know that you passed on the responsibility. For once the enemy finds out that the key is here, no one will have any peace."

"I will tell this only this once, for it is strange and I don't understand all of it, so listen well. The fortress is a door of sorts, and the Guardians, well, they guard it. A creature, a mage of enormous powers, not quite human, not quite demon, but definitely bent on destruction, has been imprisoned in a bubble dimension many hundred years ago. The people that put away the creature, obviously they could not just destroy it, devised this prison in this particular way because the creature has followers that would do anything to free their master. And by anything I truly mean anything. Many have lost their lives over the years to the schemes of those followers; all of those schemes designed to destroy the fortress and its inhabitants." Martin thought of the war with the Kazur Empire that the creature's followers had instigated, the assassinations of prominent Guardians and some of stories his grandfather had told him of happenings before his time.

"If the dimension would have been designed completely separated, without such a door, the followers simply would have devised a way to find and destroy it. I have never seen the actual door, and it likely doesn't look like one any more than the key looks like a key, and originally there was no key." Martin was glad that Garry didn't interrupt his telling of the strange story and it was about to get even stranger. He had a hard enough time remembering all of it, not ever having talked of it since he heard it, and just talking seemed to sap his strength.

"At some point in the future the need arose for the Guardians to open the door, but without freeing the creature. So they devised this key. This imprisoned creature or one of his followers found out about the plan or the key or both. Either way, there was trouble. One of the Guardians then happened to be one of those time mages and he brought the key to safety into the past. And he kept every measure to keep that a secret." Martin shook his head slightly. The concept of a future that already happened eluded him.

"The key has to be kept and kept secret until it is needed. It's appearance and location is only to be known by the one keeping it, just in case. Even who keeps the key is to be known by as few as possible. These followers even torture the dead to gain the information they seek." This last sentence, when he had heard it, had been what enabled him to keep the secret even from his beloved Julie.

Martin sank back into his pillows, exhausted from talking for so long and yet relieved.

Danielle Returns

Danielle alternately hurried her shopping because she wanted to be home where Garry was - perhaps he could use some help with getting the smithy ready to open shop - and dawdled with her shopping because Garry had sounded like he needed oodles of time to talk with Poppy. In the end she wasn't gone from the house to make her purchases any longer or shorter than usually.

As she had explained to Garry earlier, she'd have no use for a cart. Most of the things she bought would be delivered later in the afternoon, ice and the wished for ice cream would be arriving together. So she was carrying only two bags when she walked back into the house.

Garry had attended to the position he had assumed, and therefore he was in his bedroom when he heard the door open. He came out and saw Danielle with two bags of groceries.

"Oh baby! Here, let me help with those." He rushed to her, but it was obvious that she would have the bags to the table before he could be any help whatsoever.

Which was just as well because that left her with two arms free to hug him. "Hello Garry. There's really no need. But you'll have to wait for your ice cream a little while longer. Did everything go all right?"

He gave Danielle a hug and kiss upon her cheek. "Oh, yes! It went well. Shop talk, mostly. I'm going to wait for tomorrow morning to get the smithy going again. I thought it would be nicer for you and me to spend some time together before I start right into work. Poppy said you'd probably give me a very hard time with that decision." He continued to hug her so that she couldn't see him smile.

"Where would he have gotten that idea?" Danielle nearly glowed with happyness at his suggestion. She would have found a way to spend time with him to clean up the smithy, but they'd certainly enjoy the afternoon much more without the distractions of dirt, soap and water. "Tormorrow is plenty early to get the smithy ready. Look I did get a treat for Warrior." With that she reached over to the table without leaving his arms and pulled a couple of carrots from one of the bags.

Garry saw the carrots and had to laugh, "You're going to spoil him, my dalring. It's no wonder he was in such a hurry to get back here." He pulled back just enough to look upon her face. "Maybe we could take a walk after the rest of the groceries arrive. It'll be nice to see how this old town has changed since I've been away. Besides, I can think of nothing better than to walk beside such a beautiful lady." He smiled and gave her a wink. He could actually think of a few things that would be better - and all of them involved Danielle.

"Not in enough of a hurry, if you ask me. And you quite saw through my plan of making him too fat and too happy to ever manage to leave again." Danielle tilted her head to smile up to Garry. She was in no hurry to unpack the rest of the bags or to deliver the carrots to Warrior, she'd much rather stay right here were she was and peer into Garry's eyes. " A walk is a fabulous idea, especially once the herb woman is here. I'd hate to leave Poppy alone for long while he can't do much of anything for himself. The down didn't really change at all, though."

Garry smiled as he pictured Warrior too fat to ever leave home. "Well, why don't we get these put away while waiting for the rest to arrive and for that herb woman. Or should I behave myself and stay out of your kitchen?" Garry knew enough about women to know that sometimes the best place for a man to be was anywhere but in the kitchen.

"Oh no, don't leave. I like having you in my kitchen. You can help, too. All the stuff here goes over there and over there." She pointed at two different cabinets just as there was a knock at the front door. "And the bag with the little meat pastries is for lunch."

Garry nodded and picked up a bag and started to help. He was always interested in seeing what was purchased. He began to put things into closets in the places that make sense to him. "Meat pastries?" He raised his eyebrows and smile. "You treat me too good." He attention was diverted to the knock at the door. He never assumed a knock to be innocent, especially now.

"I've had no time to cook lunch so I grabbed some ready made." Danielle turned to see who was knocking, leaving Garry to find his way around the kitchen. "It's your ice cream." She called back over her shoulder before she showed the delivery boy where to put the ice and ice cream. She was back in the kitchen before Garry had the bags unpacked.

"The other boy knows where everything goes, but we don't usually get ice." Danielle watched him for a moment.

"We better get that ice cream on that ice. Ice cream should always be eaten just as the sun is starting to set." He was joking, but not really. There was a reason for that statement. He finished emptying the first bag and turned to see if the boy knew where to put the ice and ice cream.

"If it's that important, we could go follow him to the pantry and see that he get's it right." Danielle chuckled softly.

"Oh, I think he can handle it. Once the herb woman arrives, why don't we bring those meat pastries to the lake and eat them there. I want to see that lake again." He smiled, "Good memories."

"Very good memories." Danielle smiled. "I'm sure they'll taste twice as good there. One is for Poppy though, if we can make him eat." She was eager to be off with Garry and hoped that Querylon would arrive early. An entire afternoon just to enjoy his company without anyone or anything to worry about was like a gift. "Did I tell you yet what a fabulous idea I think you had there?"

Garry picked up the second bag and began to unload that one. "Which idea is that? Ice cream? The lake? Not working today?" He smiled and added, "Somehow I think they're all related. Oh, and Poppy was going to sleep when I left him, so he might not be ready to eat for a while."

"Not working today. The left over money should be in the bottom of that bag." Danielle moved to help put up the last view items. "Then we'll leave two here and ask the herb woman to try to get him to eat something."

"Okay, I'll get a bag for lunch and some cold tea for drinks." He walked behind Danny and moved his hand over her back as he passed. He just had to touch her; it was just so good to be with her again.

"You are just thinking of everything today." Danielle was impressed. She turned her head and smiled to Garry when he walked past. She already missed his arms around her and that small touch felt wonderful and made up a little for the embrace being over. Perhaps she could device a plot that would have her leaving and returning often.

"How often?" The words came out of Danielle in a breathless whisper, but she was not really expecting an answer. His lips were way too close to hers - excitingly so. Heat rose in her cheeks when she thought of a similar moment after their disaster with the row boat, and of the uncountable times she had thought of that moment while he was away. It made all the sense in the world if Garry couldn't actually be able to keep count.

Garry grinned and moved his face even close to Danielle's so that she could feel his breath. "I think that if you multiplied all the days by a hundred times a day, you would have a close estimate." He moved his face to the side of Danny's, his lips very close to her cheek, "I think that is a lot, and do you know what I would be thinking all those times?"

"That many, at least," she replied with a whisper even softer than the previous one. His breath felt warm on her skin and her heart was beating fast and loud, she thought. She turned her head from left to right, meaning to shake it 'no', but she got no further than that.

Garry turned his head and his lips touched her cheek. "Do you know what?" He paused to let the rhetorical question settle. "All those thoughts put together aren't nearly as wonderful and amazing as being here with you right now." His lips moved closer to her mouth.

It was a good thing, too, that he gave her time to at least try to comprehend his question, because her mind didn?t want to work at all just now. The sensation of his lips moving over her cheek also impaired her hearing with a soft rushing sound in her ears, and she had to repeat his question several times in her mind before it made enough sense for her to come up with an answer. "I agree."

His lips moved to just above Danielle's and his voice was a mere whisper, "I love you, Danielle. I love you so much I can't begin to describe the half of it. You are my life. You're all I want in the entire world." His lips were but a millimeter over hers. He could feel her breath and delighted in it.

Her heart swelled with happiness and emotion and appeared near bursting as his words sank in and repeated in her mind. No dream she ever had of this moment, nor any memory of Garry kissing her in the past could have any hope of competing with the right here and right now. "I love you, too, Garry, so much so that there aren't words for it." Between his intoxicating closeness and his heady words she felt dizzy, but her hands came up to his shoulders simply because she couldn't stand for another moment not to touch him.

Her response just melted his heart, and his arms were beginning to feel like rubber from leaning on them for so long. He loved having her hands upon his shoulders but that only made his arms weaker; weak enough that he didn't fight against moving forward the final millimeter and his soft, moist lips pressed against her even softer lips. His eyes closed and he moved his lips against Danielle's. His heart pounded and he just soaked in the moment.

Her eyes also closed and relief flooded her as Garry's lips finally touched hers; that and something else that she couldn't name that made her want more. Her arms slid further around his neck as she savored the feeling of their lips moving against another. She wanted this moment - his lips on hers, his body so close she thought to feel his warmth through their clothes, his hair brushing against the back of her hands - to last forever. Even now she knew that when he would move back again she would feel bereft.

Garry didn't believe in the saying that absence made the heart grow fonder. He knew that it wasn't his absence that was causing the feeling in his heart, but rather the natural steady growth of a love that was meant to be and to last forever. He moved his legs to take the pressure off his arms, practically straddling Danielle and allowing his left hand to rise to the back of her head and hold her into the kiss. He deepened the kiss just slightly, feeling her breath against his face, and touching her tongue with his.

The gentle touch of his tongue surprised her. It was a sensation utterly foreign and her first instinct was to move away from it. The taste though - she couldn't quite name it, yet - perhaps a little sweet. She was thankful then that Garry's hand had kept her head from moving and she tentatively moved her tongue to re-create the touch.

A soft moan of delight came from somewhere inside Garry and then he smiled against her lips and slowly moved his face away from Danielle's. "I love you, Danny. I've always loved you, but now it has grown into something that just overflows my heart. I finally feel complete again now that we are together." I hope you don't mind me saying these things.

While she missed Garry's lips on hers the instant they were gone, it took her a moment to open her eyes again and another moment for them to focus. "No, Garry, I don't mind. You may say anything to me you wish." Her voice sounded a little off to her own ears and her heart was still racing as if she just had been running. She had missed part of what he had said, though. Hadn?t she? "Would you mind terribly saying it all again?"

Garry had to laugh, and he moved to sit behind her and take her into his arms. His voice was soft and his mouth was close to her left ear. "Well, I said that I love you; and that I love you so much my heart is just overflowing." He paused a bit. "I think that's what I said. Or did I ask you for that meat pastry? I?m not sure." He grinned and placed a kiss below her ear. "No, I'm sure it was about how much I love you."

Danielle leaned against him and held his arms to her. What she was feeling for him now had been there since she had first seen him, and it had grown since then too. And now that he had returned and once again was a part of her life it, was growing even faster, as if to make up for the time that he was away.

Danielle shared that last thought with him. "And now that you are returned and I am no longer lost, this love has grown even faster, as if to make up for the time spent apart. Meat pastry?" She had for the moment completely forgotten everything even remotely to do with lunch, including pastries. "Right." She chuckled. "Do you really want me to believe that you thought of food just a minute earlier?"

But now that he had brought it up, she stretched an arm to reach for one of the plates, unwilling to move out of Garry's arms or away from him for even a moment. She caught the edge of the plate with a fingertip and maneuvered it closer. When the pastry upon it was within easy reach, she picked it up and, turning slightly within Garry's arms, brought it to his lips.

Garry had to laugh at Danny's response. It just endeared her to him even more. "No, I really didn't think of food. I just wanted to see if you were listening." He was still grinning and chuckling when she brought the pastry to his lips. He took a bite. "Mmmm...that's good. Of course, not nearly as good as your lips."

"I was trying to listen, but my heart was beating so loud I couldn't hear all of it." She admitted honestly, and while feeling bold she added, "I think I like the way you taste, too, not just the way your lips feel. But it may take a few more tastes before I can be absolutely certain." She gave him a teasing wink. Of course she had already decided that not only did she like the taste of him, but she also found it addictive.

As he chewed the pastry he remembered something. "Oh...I nearly forgot. I brought home a gift for you. Just a little something from my travels."

"A gift? From your travels?" She was immediately curious. Gifts were something very special. "How could you forget about a gift for this long? You've been home for weeks!" She turned some more so she could look up into his face, but she kept a hand on his arms to keep holding them to her. The pastry still hovered in front of him with only one bite missing.

He smiled and took the pastry from her and set it down. "Well, I was waiting for the right time; and besides, I've been so concerned about Poppy that I just didn't feel right about pulling out such a special gift." He felt inside the bottom of the picnic basket where he had hidden it earlier when packing their lunch. "Ah...here it is." He pulled out a small box and held it out to her. "I hope you'll like it."

"A special gift?" Daniele smiled to Garry, her eyes gleamed with joy that he should have brought her a gift at all. "I?m certain that I?ll like it." She took the small box from his hand and a second later she shifted her eyes from his to look at the box. Carefully she lifted the lid to peer inside. The sheen of polished, precious metal greeted her sight and she inspected the bracelet she found more closely. Garry watched and hoped that she would like it.

"Garry! It is beautiful!" With even more care she lifted the bracelet and sat the box aside to study each of the seven stones held together by golden links. Each stone was different and each was beautiful, and strung together so that the result was stunning. "May I try it on right away?" She asked half excited and half in awe that she should be wearing anything like it, and absolutely overwhelmed that Garry would give such a thing to her. Up until now, the only piece of jewelry she owned was a string of pearls that used to be her mother's.

"Of course. Here, let me help you." He picked up the bracelet which was remarkably light, for the stones, while beautiful and unique, were not large. Most of the weight was from the gold chain that held the stones. He put it around her wrist and attached the two ends together. He was pleased that it fit so perfectly. It was the kind of bracelet that would look good whether an accessory to fine clothes or the everyday type of wardrobe. Once he put it on her wrist he took her hand and kissed it. "I have a story to tell about how I purchased this, but that's for later."

"Right, that is for later," she agreed and smiled brightly at the bracelet on her wrist. Then she turned the rest of the way so she could embrace Garry. She wrapped both arms around his neck, "Thank you. It?s the best gift ever." Then she brought her lips to his for a thank you kiss.

Garry wrapped his strong arms around her and kissed her. It wasn't just a quick kiss, but long and slow, showing his love for her that was behind the gift. Danielle leaned against him, returning his kiss bit for bit, no longer shying away from the touches of his tongue but enjoying each fully. It took no time at all before her entire attention was on Garry and him kissing her. Even the weight of the bracelet on her wrist was not enough for her to give it another thought while Garry was kissing her.

The kiss slowly ended, but not the intimacy of the moment. Garry looked into Danielle's beautiful eyes and slowly caressed her check with his hand. "I love you, Danielle. I love you with all my heart." He paused a moment, then added, "You know, I've come to realize that I can't even imagine not having you in my life."

?Life was difficult to adjust to when you were gone. I?m very glad that you said you'd not leave again. I don't think that I could make that sort of adjustment again." Her fingers brushed over the nape of his neck as she returned his look. "I love you, too, Garry."

He suddenly looked very serious. "Danielle, I have one more box for you to open."

"Another present?" She wondered at the seriousness of his mien.

Garry nodded and moved on the blanket until he was kneeling in front of her and then he reached for the picnic basket and picked out a small box that was wrapped in a napkin. His hands were shaking a bit, which was definitely atypical for Garry.

"Danielle, as I said, I can't think of my life without you in it." He paused and then went on, "I'm not a wealthy man, but I do have some money put away now. I'm not the smartest man in the world, but I do know one thing - I love you with all that I have and all that I am, and I'll love you and care for you until the day I die. I will do all I can to make your life happy, and I'll always treat you with respect." Again he paused and opened the box which had a gold ring with a central diamond with two smaller ones, one on either side of the central diamond. "Danielle, I would be very honored, and certainly the happiest man in all the lands if you were my wife. Danielle, would you marry me?"

Danielle smiled to him, encouragingly so, when she saw the little hints to how nervous he was all of a sudden. She had no idea what to expect, the bracelet Garry had given her was wonderful already and his mien now was so different. But she certainly had not been expecting this - hoping for it, dreaming of it, yes; but not expecting it, not today. She was certain that Poppy would give her little warning or at least a hint once Garry had asked his blessing. There had been none. Not even a glance or a mysterious smile.

Her gaze left his to look at the ring nestled in the box, but returned to his right away with happiness shining from her warm browns. She had not really seen the ring, and would have to look at it more later; and she hoped that was not important. Right now only Garry mattered to her and that he should not worry about her answer any longer. "Yes," she breathed with conviction. "I would marry you. I'd love to be your wife and for you to be my husband."

The smile raced across his face from ear to ear, and he dropped the box with the ring in it and pulled her against him and just held her tightly, placing kisses on her hair and forehead. "You've made so happy, Danielle. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make you just as happy." He pulled back to look into her eyes, then cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

"I'm already happy," she said against his lips, and then showed him just how happy she was and how much she loved him; and that she was going to do everything within her power to make him happy too. All this she demonstrated with her kisses, her arms once again wrapping around him.

Martin?s Wedding Preparations

?How is that, Martin?? Querylon lifted her eyes and focused her gaze on the old smith a few moments after having let go of the magic energies she had been working with nearly all afternoon.

?Much better.? Martin filled his lungs with air, appreciating that he could do that without experiencing pain. Then he reached for the herb woman?s hand. ?Thank you, Querylon. I know I?ve said it before, but I can?t really express my thanks often enough. What you?re doin? there, despite the obligation?s passed on means the world to me.?

?It?s the least we can do, Martin.? Julian derKorst had knocked and stepped into the room in time to overhear Martin?s last sentence. Martin appeared much healthier and about ready to leave his bed. Querylon?s pallor worried him, though. For a while he thought that she had taken his advice to work a little less and leave time for R&R, but now she appeared to have abandoned the R&R again. ?A good evening to you both. I was given to understand that you needed to see me, Martin.?

?Julian, it?s good to see you. Yes, I do have some news for you.? Martin nearly smirked and appeared much younger for that. ?The key has a new keeper.?

?About time.? Julian winked and smiled, sounding relieved. The news didn?t seem to perk up Querylon and Julian concluded that she had been informed already. ?Bradstreet??

?Right on.? Martin gave a deep chuckle. ?Just before he asked my Danny to marry him, too.? Then his expression turned more serious. ?We?ll have to discuss a few things.?

?I shall leave you to your business. I will see you on the morrow, Martin.? Querylon rose with a warm smile for the old smith, at once ready to depart. Then she turned to Julian and inclined her head in greeting. ?Major derKorst??

?Thank you, Querylon. If you would please wait for me, I?ll escort you to the portal, at least. I?ve a couple of things I?d like to talk about with you along the way.? Julian regarded her with a warm smile. ?I?m sure Danielle would be happy to set you up with a cup of tea.?

?Of course.? Querylon lifted questioning eyes to Julian, but he gave no further hint, leaving Querylon to wonder.

Danielle and Garry arrived at the Beacon, and knowing that he had to go see Major derKorst at his office, Danielle was looking forward to getting to enjoy that enormous but comfortable library there while waiting. "Will you find your way to the major's office?" Danielle asked after having described the way to Garry as best as she remembered from a previous delivery she had mad for Poppy.

Garry had to laugh, and then he leaned down and gave his beautiful fianc?e a kiss. She was just adorable. "I think I can find my way to the major's office, and if I get lost on the way, I'm sure that there are many who can point me in the right direction. Just you don't be getting lost amongst those piles of book," he said teasingly. He loved Danielle so much that she was his entire life. He didn't know what he'd do without her. "I'll come join you as soon as I finish talking with Major derKorst."

After the kiss she said, "I'll be right by the big fire place through those doors." She nodded at the doors across the hall to the right that were currently standing wide open. "I promise I won't get lost. Good luck, darling." Garry was, of course, correct. There were enough guards around to point him to the right office. Anyway, there was nothing too complicated about up the stairs, down the hallway, around the corner, first door on the left. Danielle wouldn't need a book to pass the time. She loved just looking upon the shelves of books and scrolls and the artwork between them. And she'd much rather dwell on Garry and how good he was to her then read about other people.

Garry had no trouble finding the major's office. He was far too accustomed to the military and their procedures and style to feel out of place. He came to the door and saw the place with the major's name. In typical army fashion he knocked and then opened the door slightly and looked in, not sure if the major would have a receptionist, as most officers did.

This office did not have a receptionist. It held a wide desk with a comfortable, leather covered chair on either side, shelves and cabinets for mostly paperwork and few books - probably ledgers - and most noticeably a large window. The window was where Julian had been when Garry first knocked, peering out of it. Now he turned around and smiled when he recognized Garry. "Bradstreet! Come on in. I appreciate that you could come up here, saving me some time."

Garry walked into the office and shut the door behind him. "No problem at all, Major. Besides, Danielle was excited to come and spend some time in the library."

"I hear some congratulations are in order. You have found yourself a fine bride. Let me wish you happy." Julian was indeed pleased to do so.

He stood there and smiled at derKorst. "Thank you, sir. I'm a very lucky man," I understand you might have some important information for me. Is that correct?"

"I do indeed have some business to discuss with you, that is correct. Shall we be comfortable?" He indicated the leather chair in front of the desk. Garry moved to the chair and sat comfortably with his left leg crossed over his right knee.

Julian moved behind the desk and sat down as well. "First, let me convey the Commanders congratulations to your new position and her welcome to the Guardians. Lady Topaz regrets that she can not be here to welcome you personally, as she would have loved to do, and hopes that you do not feel slighted that she charged me with that honor."

Garry raised a brow, surprised that the position was even mentioned. He had heard a little of the Lady Topaz, but had no idea she was the commander of anything, let alone the Guardians. "No . . . no, I don't feel slighted. Please convey my thanks for her welcome, and that I'll try to be every bit as good in the position as Martin has been."

"She?ll be very happy to hear that, and I am sure she'll welcome you in her own way as soon as she?s able to do so." Julian smiled. "Here?s where I should ask you if you wish to be recognized as Guardian, or if you?d rather not. Either way, you are entitled to make use of what the Beacon has to offer and some benefits. What is your preference?"

Garry sat up straighter in the chair and took a deep breath. He was quite perplexed. "That's difficult to answer, sir. I have no idea what are the pros or cons of either choice." All this was still very much a mystery to him, and they were talking as if this were one of your typical job appointments down at the local meat factory. "Please explain my options in a little more detail, if you wouldn't mind."

"The main differences are how recognizable you will be to the other Guardians and how others may perceive you should they recognize you as one and if we call on you should there be any need for your talents or not. Martin, as you know, preferred to keep it a secret, mostly for security reasons. Others liked having the extra respect and the association." Julian opened the only folder currently on his desk, a jade colored one. He had been expecting his current visitor, of course, and was well prepared. Another difference is how we keep you in the books for pay purposes."

Garry listened, but was not hearing much on pros and cons, other than the choice of recognition or added security. He didn't particularly care how he was kept in the pay books. "Then, from what I understand, I would prefer that it be kept secret, just as with Martin."

Julian nodded and picked up a pen to make a notation on the previously blank sheet of paper he had opened the folder to. "The sum of 1000 silvers to be paid to Garry Bradstreet quarterly for keeping the Beacon supplied with...." He looked up then, "Does nails sound plausible to you?"

Garry nodded, "I'm sure the army will require nails of all types."

"Nails it is." Julian finished the notation and moved the paper over. "And a pocket charm for the portals instead of the pin." He slid the next paper over to Garry, upon it a pin and a pocket charm, each depicting black crossed rapiers over a jade background, both in the shape of crests.

Garry looked at the paper with the pin and the pocket charm, and he reached over and picked up the latter. "How do I use it?"

"We?ll get to that shortly. I would like to show you the portal room, too. You already have met Le Amon, Querylon, myself, and you at least know of Topaz Datratzanov. Shall we keep the knowledge of your position among those or would you prefer an additional person of contact?"

"Those should fine," Garry said. In truth, he wouldn't have known who else to put on the list.

"If you ever find yourself in need of anything, small or large, please do turn to any one of us." Julian pulled the paper back once Garry had picked up the pocket charm and put it back into the folder, moving the pin into his pocket to be destroyed after Garry had left again. "Besides activating the portals that lead to and from the portal room, showing the charm will get you immediate transport to Le's hospital and aid from anyone wearing the Atrebla uniform."

"Should you lose the charm, notify me immediately." Such a thing in the wrong hands could spell disaster, but Julian wasn't about to insult the man by pointing that out.

Garry gave a deep sigh; all this was more than a little over the top for him. "I'll be careful with it. Is there anything else I should know?"

Julian took the next two papers from the folder and placed them into a metal waste basket. He then picked up the matchbook that had been under those papers, lit a match, and then held the match to the papers in the basket. "Just the all clear sign in case you wish to bring someone with you into the Beacon through the portals."

"The all clear sign? What is? Lighting a fire in a trash can?" Garry paused, then went on, "I'm sorry if I'm asking such stupid questions, but all this is completely new to me. I don't know about portals, charms, how to use them, all clear signs . . . sir, I'm just a smithy now. Maybe you have the wrong man."

Julian closed the folder, stood up and moved around the desk to stand before Garry. "Watch my left hand." Julian demonstrated the small sign of hand. "The guards are trained to look for it, when they don?t see it they know something's wrong. We've had trouble in the past. The metal can is there to destroy paperwork that shouldn?t exist. I had prepared some forms in case you should want to officially be a Guardian." Julian nodded. "Just a smith, but even a smith can bring trouble. Better safe than sorry."

Garry watched his hand and memorized the small sign and assumed that this was the all clear sign. "Okay, I have that down." By this time he just wanted to leave and go see Danielle.

"Good. Then, if you?re ready and have no more questions, let me show you the portal room." Julian looked to Garry, waiting to see if he had any questions.

Garry shook his head and stood up, than asked, "Is this the only portal room in the area?" If so, that would make the sign far more understandable.

"Yes." Julian answered simply and moved to open the door. Once again Garry just nodded in affirmation and then followed the major out of the room. Julian led Garry back down the way he had come and to the opposite side of the hall from the doors to the library, into the portal room, nodding to one or the other guard they passed along the way. The portal room was ringed by four large portals, each to be reached by a couple of steps, and each shimmered a different color. Two guards and a mage stood more or less in the center of the room, apparently on duty, watching the portals. The floor was polished to a fine shine and seemed to glow with its own light. Suspended over a gray marble pedestal floated a similar gray globe, a jade green circle floating around it.

"This one leads to an alley in Rhydin, a block and a half away from the Red Dragon Inn." Julian pointed out the portal of shimmering blue, almost like a perfectly round lake's rippled surface standing on its end. "I imagine that one will be the most use to you. The others lead to the opposite end of the valley, Krondor, and just past the pass to Guardian." Julian pointed them out in turn.

Garry looked at the portals, never really expecting them to look this way. He never had much exposure to magic and didn't particularly care for it, but he could see the purpose in these. It would certainly make it easier on Danielle when she needed to go into town. "Yes, I think I'll be taking Danielle into Rhydin for some wedding preparations."

"They do make traveling faster, and during the winter months when the passes are closed travel to and from the valley would be impossible without them." Julian offered with a smile. "Now, I believe I have kept you long enough from your lovely fianc?e."

Garry was actually quite pleased this had ended. He needed time to sit and think and absorb it all. "Well, thank you, Major, for all you've done and your help. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon." Garry smiled and gave the major a salute and turned and left the room.

Dinner

An hour later, after Danielle had talked Poppy into a bowl of soup and had seen that he ate it, she brought the empty bowl back into the kitchen, ready to see how Garry was proceeding with their dinner plans. The aroma of sizzling meat greeted her even before she slipped out onto the porch.

Garry had the two steaks cooking perfectly. This was going to be a meal to remember. He also had purchased some wine and he wanted to share it with Danielle this evening. While he knew that Danielle rarely drank anything with alcohol, this was a delicious wine and he knew she'd like it. He looked over his shoulder and saw Danielle and waved to her.

"That smells wonderful." Danielle glanced to the pit and then smiled to Garry as she came over.

"Only the best for the woman who's to be my wife," he said as he handed her a glass of wine. "Let's celebrate with wine. It's a special day and you are my very special woman."

"I missed you, too, my most handsome groom." She took the glass from him with a wink. She had more news to share to add to the specialness of the day.

"Poppy says for us to have fun and he sends his congratulations to your new contract, too. He also said that he'll be having lunch with us tomorrow." Danielle was happy that he finally felt up to getting up. "We'll be having lunch upstairs, though. He refuses to get carried to the table."

Garry touched his glass to Danny's and drank the wine. "We have an entire bottle that has to be emptied this night," he added with a grin. "The steaks will be done soon. All we need is two plates and knives and forks." The night was beginning to settle around them as he turned the steaks over and was so happy about all that life had brought him.

Danielle sipped from her glass and then held it out to him again. "If you will hold this for just a moment longer, I'll go get us knifes, forks and plates. An entire bottle? You may have to help me find the stairs." She chuckled.

He took her glass and waited. Live just couldn't get any better than he was experiencing at this moment, and he wondered how long it would last. He was feeling the wine and smiled at Danny when she returned, looking at her legs through the material of the summer gown she was wearing.

"I like what I'm seeing, too." She grinned to him when she saw his look and then set the plates and silver ware down so she could relieve him of her glass again.

He blushed and gave her the glass back. "I'm just so obvious in the way I want my soon-to-be wife, huh? I can't help it, Danielle. I'm just a man who has such a beautiful woman next to me." He tried to be quiet now and put the steaks on the plates. "We eat like kings and queens tonight my dearest," he said, once again taking a sip of that wine.

"You certainly are making me feel like a queen." She blushed a little and took a drink from her glass. Much more quietly she admitted, "I do like the way you look at me, it makes me feel beautiful and warm."

He began to cut a slice of the steak. "You are indeed beautiful, Danielle. I don't know if I can't wait to be with you. I think we need a very quick wedding", he added as he tasted the steak. "Ummm...delicious!" he added his approval of the meal.

"You keep saying that." She took another drink from her glass before she set it down in order to pay proper attention to the steak. He had many so many references to not being able to wait that she started to wonder what their might be to being married that she was supposed to find out soon enough.

Garry's arm went around Danielle as she began on her steak. Between the steak and the wine and the night and the close presence of Danny, he was quite amorous. His kisses went to her neck. "I love you so very much," he whispered against her neck.

"I love you, too, very much." Danielle found it impossible to concentrate on eating while his kisses send delicious shivers though her, so she set the fork and knife down again.

He saw her lay down her eating utensils. "Are you as hungry for me as I am for you, my Danielle," he whispered into her ear, and refilled her wine glass. How far away was this wedding? Obviously far too long.

"I don't know." She whispered back. She certainly would prefer his kisses to steak, but she had a suspicion that he was referring to more than just that. She should have insisted that Marion answer some of her questions instead of allowing her friend to brush her off with some vague hints and that she would find out the rest soon enough. "How hungry are you?"

He had to laugh, and he certainly respected Danielle and did now want to do anything that they would regret in the morning. He mouth moved on her ear. "I'm very, very hungry. Can't have these steaks get cold." He began to cut another piece to eat, noticing that it was getting darker and the lightning bugs were beginning their shining dance.

"They are pretty tonight." She had followed his gaze with hers. Then she picked up her silver ware again with a little sigh. But Garry was perfectly correct; it would be a shame to not even try what he had cooked. They could kiss later. It wasn't like anyone would be sending her to bed the moment dinner was over.

"Oh, this is good!" She exclaimed with surprise when she had gotten a taste of his cooking. "You had better be careful mister groom, or you'll be taking over the cooking."

He had to laugh. "Oh no! I know how good a cook you are, my Danielle. I'm good for the occasional steak on the grill. I need you to keep us living." He had another drink of the wine and another piece of the steak and leaned next to Danielle. "It's such a beautiful, perfect night," he said while watching more stars appear.

"That it is, even more so for getting to share it with you." She found her wine glass again for another sip. "I still find it hard to believe at times that you are really back and worry that I could wake up. Then I look at the ring and pinch myself." She finished with a little giggle.

He smiled, knowing that he'd never leave her again. "I'm here, my love, and nothing will take me away." He finished his steak and poured more wine for Danielle and himself, then just slipped his arm around her and held her close in the darkness. "I can't wait for us to be married," he whispered against her ear as his hand lay upon her leg.

"What exactly is this you can't wait for?" She pushed the plate away to better snuggle up against Garry, keeping the refilled glass in her hand for now and sliding her free arm around him. She had eaten about all she could anyway with Garry distracting her so.

He blushed and grinned and felt so silly. "I just can't wait for being totally with you all night. I want to wake up with you in my arms. Is that so bad, Danielle?"

"No, not bad at all, I like the idea of getting to sleep in your arms and getting to look at you first thing in the mornings." She took another drink from the glass and then set it down. Two arms free were much better for hugging.

Dance at the Festival Grounds

Danielle came down the stairs, a little nervous. When she had been in town earlier this week to order her wedding dress she had also picked up a new dress to wear for the dance today, and she was not at all sure if Garry would approve of it, because it was not at all in the style of what she usually would have picked. The seamstress had been excited about her gown and when Danielle had mentioned the dance, the middle aged woman had brought out this dress, swearing it was absolutely perfect for the occasion and for Danielle's figure and coloring. Danielle didn't have the heart to decline and it had seemed fine when she had tried it on in the shoppe. But now it made her feel ... different.

The gown was deep red, almost burgundy, and yet it seemed to compliment her hair color rather than clashing with it. It had the tiniest of sleeves with a hint of ruffles around the sleeves edges and the neckline, which while still modest appeared outrageously daring to Danielle. The skirt flaring from the empress waistline was contrastingly simple and only adorned with a couple rows of a matching and shiny ribbon. She wore long gloves with it made from the same material, the bracelet and ring Garry had given her over the glove of her left, and matching slippers. The result had her appear even taller than her already above average 5'8''.

Garry had been waiting in the kitchen, slowly pacing and a bit nervous for this would be the first time that they've really be at a social function since they've been engaged. He was dressed in a formal black suit and starched white shirt. His black dress boots were well shinned. With his dark hair and handsome good looks, he was not hard at all to look at. He heard Danielle's steps on the stairs and turned to see her come down to the kitchen. He would later swear that she literally took his breath away. She was amazingly beautiful. "Danielle . . ." He could not say more at first. Then he added softly, "I've never seen anyone look so lovely as you do this night. You are so beautiful."

His reaction put a smile on her face and she at once felt much better. Perhaps the seamstress had been correct after all. She walked the last few steps over to meet Garry with her gloved hands stretched out toward him.

"You are ever so handsome, too. The ladies shall all faint just getting a glimpse at you." She felt a little feint, too. She had never before seen him in such formal attire. The last few times he had taken her out dancing, he had been wearing his captain's uniform.

Garry laughed and took her hand in his. "I was just thinking that I'm going to have to beat away all the men who are going to want to dance with you tonight. I'm not going to be at all fair about sharing you. I hope you'll not mind." He looked at Danielle and smiled. He couldn't even imagine how beautiful she'll look in her wedding dress. "Shall we go, sweetheart?"

"Not in the least. I want to dance only with you anyway." She smiled back, glad that he wasn't willing to share her for so much as a single dance. Though they might not get away with that plan. "Yes, I'm ready to leave."

Garry opened the door and stood off to the side to give Danielle room to pass by. Once in the street he offered her his arm. "It's a beautiful night. I'm sure it will bring out everyone." He felt so proud walking her down the street. "I wonder if our friends will be there tonight."

"I am sure everyone will be there." She placed her hand on the offered arm, her free hand lifting the skirt of her dress a little to make sure it didn't collect too much dust off the cobbles as they walked. "I've not heard of anyone being sick and it is indeed a wonderful evening for a dance.

Garry's eyes followed where Danielle was pointing. He gave a little wave over to them, glad that he knows someone here besides Danielle. "I'm sure they'll be some punch left." Then he remembered how Danielle was with the wine. "Of course, maybe we can have some other drink later."

"Danielle! Hold up and let me look at you." Marion caught up with them just then. As always she was pulling her husband, Roman Satfield, behind her. "My, what a color, and don't you look just hot in it. Doesn't she, darling? And who's this?" She turned to Garry. "Oh, we've met you before. You're Danny's Captain, aren't you? It sure is nice to see you again." And then she was grinning to Danielle again. "Is your grandfather doing any better? I've some more of those meat pastries he likes you could pick up tomorrow."

Danielle just smiled and nodded. She knew there was no point in even trying to interrupt Marion until she had to pause for air.

Garry tried to respond at several points, but it was fruitless. He just smiled and looked from Danielle to Marion and back and forth. He then looked at Roman and gave a man-to-man shrug.

Roman gave a good natured roll of his eyes and then nodded his head to Danielle and a nod and a wink Garry, also waiting for his wife to have to take a breath.

"Good evening, Marion, Roman." Danielle smiled and, hoping the men would get in a few words, waited with extending her hand toward Marion to show her the ring Garry had given her. For seeing that was certain to have Marion start another long monologue.

Garry tapped Danielle's shoulder. "I'll get our drinks while you talk. It should just take a minute." He left to find that punch bowl.

"I'll be right back." Roman winked again and followed Garry to the punch bowl.

Garry looked at Roman and smiled. "The women love to talk about dresses and weddings."

"Good gods above and beyond, Danielle, where did you get that! Let me have a look." Marion reached for Danielle's hand even as she continued to exclaim over the bit of jewelry.

Garry had obtained the ring when he was away, traveling amongst other ports and he knew it was spectacular. They'd be talking a long time.

"Weddings, ey?" Roman grinned back. "Congratulations. Though I think tonight it's Marion talking, might be different by morning."

Garry laughed, "Thank you. As long as Marion doesn't talk her out of it, I'm happy."

"No chance, she's been going on about how nice it would if Danny would get married, so she'd have someone to talk to about married stuff." Roman grinned. "I hear you opened the smithy up again. Are things going well?"

"Yes, they have. Maybe too well. I'm getting more business than I'm ready for. I guess people were holding onto their jobs, waiting for it to open again."

"Could always get an apprentice." Roman accepted two glasses of punch when it was his turn and waited for Garry to get his. "I was thinking of getting a new sign for the bakery, but it can wait a bit. Dun need it 'til Yule."

It took a little maneuvering, but they did make it to the dance floor without anyone holding them up, and just in time for the musicians to strike up a Waltz. Danielle?s eyes shone even brighter when she realized that she would actually get to spend the next minutes in Garry's arms rather than skipping apart from him to the country reel.

Garry heard the music of the waltz begin and he was quite happen to have timed it so perfectly. He had a few dances under his belt, and the waltz was one of them. He held Danielle's hand high as they passed through the crowd and took their place on the dance floor. He turned and faced her with a smile and a bow, "M'lady. I would love this dance." He put his right hand on her back and took her right in his left.

"It will be my pleasure, milord." She smiled up to him as she came into his arm, placing her ringed and gloved hand upon his shoulder.

He led with the left on the one, and they flowed over the floor, passing those who were less capable at the dance. Garry never took his eyes from Danielle's. He felt her red dress moving with the breeze they were creating. "You are so beautiful, Danny," he said with no little admiration in his voice.

"I love dancing with you." She felt like her feet floated over the floor instead of touching it, his lead was so perfect and easy for her to follow.

Garry watched her and wanted to kiss her, but that would be a bit difficult to do while waltzing. The waltz took more concentration than most dances, and if he tried kissing her they'd surely fall over someone. "We need to make more wedding plans, honey."

"That we do. Marion wants to bake the cake and some other cakes and pies. She thinks there will be lots of hungry people." Danielle had to chuckle at the image or Garry trying to select a cake with Marion talking. "And we should probably find a priest or priestess. Oh Garry! We never set a date." It was only due to his expert lead and their being such well matched dance partners that she didn't skip a step as that realization hit her.

Garry had to laugh. "Yes, I had thought of that when Roman asked the question about when we would be married. Also, we need to reserve a hall and send out invitations. I don't know if we're going to have time to do all this." He was starting to panic.

"I think Poppy already asked Major derKorst about getting the tavern for that. But we certainly can't invite anyone without knowing what day they should all be there." She chuckled at his panicked expression. "It will be fine, darling. I'll say yes even if we get married in a pasture wearing rags and rain is pouring down and nothing but steaming cattle for guests."

He had to laugh at that, and fortunately the dance was ending. He took Danielle into a hug. "I think I like the idea of just having cattle for guest."

"Oh no, we're not planning for that." She laughed as she held him a little tighter for a moment, wondering what tune the musicians would strike up next.

He stood there and just held her hands in his. "I wish we were married right now," he said in a whisper against her ear. "Maybe we should just elope," he said, half teasingly against her hair.

"Why?" She whispered back, completely missing that other couples around them had started to move again. "What would you do if we were married right now?"

He furrowed his brow and scrunched his lips together, thinking about how to answer this. She sounded quite serious and he certainly didn't want to sound like all he wanted was to be in bed with her. He had to think of something else. "Well . . . if we were married, then we could have a spare bedroom in the house again. You know . . . for having guests stay with us."

"That is such a weak argument." She grinned, guessing that this particular reason was far from his mind only a minute earlier. "Whom would you like to invite for an overnight stay?"

He knew he was busted, but he'd try to act innocent. "Well, you never know who might come visit from Rhydin and need to stay with us for a while. It's always good for us to be prepared. Right?"

"You may have a point there, though I cannot think who." She winked up to him.

That wink got him and he laughed. "You know why I want to be married right now. You're just teasing me!"

"I want to be married to you, too." She blushed but did not take her eyes from his.

He moved his lips to her ear and whispered, "If we were married, I think I'd want to leave this dance already and take you home to bed."

"But we only got to dance once. Are you already tired?" She leaned her head back a little, studying his face with a touch of concern.

She had to be teasing. Didn't she? Then he thought that maybe she wasn't, and that horrified him. "Oh, no. I'm not tired. Come, let us dance." He took her in his arms for another dance, but his thougths were on what she just asked.

"I am glad." And off they were again to swirl over the dance floor and among other couples. When she looked up to him again she smiled and then glanced further up and beyond him. "Look, darling the stars are out, too." No, she had definitely not been teasing him. She had tried to ask him several times why he found waiting so difficult, and even told him that she had not gotten a clear answer from Marion on the subject either. And he told her that he wanted to sleep with her in his arms or beside him.

They turned in a circle and he saw the stars. "Yes, they're out there alright. Very bright too."

"And absolutely beautiful!" Then Danielle looked to Garry again, a happy smile on her lips. All too soon the tune came to its end and the music faded.

Garry bowed, "Thank you for the dances, m'lady. I enjoyed them very much." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, smiling into her eyes which to him were more beautiful than the stars.

"No more so than I enjoyed them, I am sure of it." She smiled back, curling her fingers around his and giving his fingers a gentle squeeze. "Are you as thirsty as I am now?"

He was really thirsty for her lips, but he'd settle for a drink. "I was just thinking that a drink would be perfect. What would you like, honey?"

"Anything really, so long as it is wet, please. I don't think they will many dancers for the livelier tunes this evening, it is just too warm for those." Then again, it may not be the exertion of dancing alone that made her feel overly warm.

"I'll be right back," he said and went for a drink. This time he brought back punch that was very alcoholic, but very tasty with strawberries and sorbet in it. "Here you are, honey. This should taste very good."

"Thank you." She accepted the glass and raised it to clink to his before she brought it all the way to her lips. She ended up taking more then just a sip. "Oh this good, and delightfully cold, even better than your ice cream."

"Better than my ice cream?" he replied raising a brow, quiet surprised. "Well, then we're just going to have to drink more of this punch." He put his hand on her back. "Shall we go where we can see the stars better?"

"I would like that." And she quickly took another sip with the thought that a less full glass would be easier to walk with without spilling any of it upon her dress. Then she let his hand on her back guide her through and away from the throng of people.

He moved them away from the crowd and into the shadows of the night. He moved behind her and put an arm around her a waist and his cheek near her ear. "I love being with you," he whispered. "I guess that's a really good thing since we're getting married."

"Yes, that is a good thing, because you will get to do that all the time." A little shiver went through her as his breath tickled her ear. She leaned against him, holding his arms to her and gazed up at the stars.

He took a sip of his punch, and then began to place cold kisses against her neck, moving down to her shoulders. "I love you, Danny," he whispered.

"I love you, too." She tilted her head slightly to the side offering her neck for more of those cold kisses. She could feel the tingles of Garry's cool lips on her heated skin all the way to her toes and hoped that he'd not stop anytime soon. "That feels ever so good."

"Then you wouldn't mind if I continue," he said while nibbling on her shoulder, loving this closeness, holding her against his body.

"Not in the least." Danielle sighed softly and was perfectly happy. It was like he had read that wish from her mind. She held his arms to her a little tighter, taking another sip from her glass.

Garry continued to hold Danielle and place affectionate kisses upon her neck. He only stopped when he felt the sudden eerie coldness pass over them and the stars momentarily disappear from the cloudless night. It passed as quickly as it came on, but it left Garry with the same foreboding dread that he had encountered several months back.

It was searching.

?We should probably go back,? he said against her ear. ?Don?t want everyone to think we already left.?

"I'd like to enjoy the rest of the evening on the porch with you," Danielle said, hoping that Garry had not changed his mind about some alone time with her. Danielle stepped up onto the porch and sat down on the bench there.

Garry wasn't sure about the porch. If he had seen what he thought he saw while at the dance, he really didn't want to them to be out in the open. But then he saw Danielle sit on the bench and his heart just melted. She was so beautiful, and that dress was just too nice to bring inside right now. Besides, perhaps he only imagined it. This is far from where it had last made its destructive appearance, and he doubted that it would hunt him down this far. Garry looked at Danielle and smiled, "I'd enjoy that too, honey." He went over to the bench and sat down next to her. "Did I tell you how proud I was to be with you tonight?"

"No, not yet. How proud were you?" She smiled up to him even as she scooted close.

Garry put his arm around Danielle and leaned close. "Well, let's see. I think I was about as proud as any man could possibly be when he has the love of such a beautiful woman."

"I can do more than just look pretty." Danielle chuckled softly and slightly shook her head. "I was proud of your fine manners and the way you didn't let Marion embroil you in a lengthy conversation and how well you danced. That you look drop dead gorgeous didn't hurt, though."

Garry laughed and leaned close and placed a kiss on her cheek. "You are too kind, but I could tell Marion could be an all-night engagement if I showed any interest in what she was saying." He gave Danielle a wink, then looked out from the porch and up into the night sky.

"Of course she would be. It's her charm." Danielle knew Marion was an acquired taste for most, but she loved her dearly. "And we'd not have gotten around to dancing then. What do you see up there, darling?"

"Up where? Oh!" Was he being that obvious? "I just love looking at the night sky. You never know when you see one of those falling stars." He turned back to Danielle, "Of course, they can't compare to your eyes."

"Do you have a wish you need one of stars to fall for, to make it come true?" She turned her eyes up to look into his.

Garry reached up with his right hand and his fingertips gently touched her soft cheek. "I think I've already received my wish." His hand caressed her cheek as he gazed into her eyes.

"I don't currently have a use for a falling star either." Danielle tilted her head lightly into his caressing hand.

Garry bought his lips to Danielle's and kissed her. It was a kiss that wasn't intended to end quickly. He deepened that kiss and he melted into the taste of her mouth and feel of her breath. "I love you," he whispered against her mouth.

"I love you" She sighed back after a while. But for long moments she was too busy with enjoying the feel of his lips and his mouth to come up with the breath to form the words.

Garry sighed a deep, satisfied sigh, and gave her another kiss before leaning back slightly. "So, we're getting married tomorrow, right? I think it was tomorrow. Or was it tonight?"

"Good question. I can't remember." She grinned up to him with a teasing wink and then gave the appearance of thinking hard. "Did I throw a bouquet at anyone at the dance?"

He gives that same appearance of thinking. "Why I think you did! Honey, we're already married. Let's go to bed."

"Your memory is terrible." She poked him playfully as she chuckled softly.

"What?" he gave her that very innocent look and realize that he should have stayed there until she had a lot more of that alcoholic punch. "Well, we do have to settle on a date, my dear, because I doubt that what happens in Corwell stays in Corwell." He looked her over, "By the way, I love that dress."

"Thank you. I am very glad that you like it. And you are perfectly correct; we do need to set a date." She smiled to him. All the punch in the world would not be enough to make her forget getting married to Garry.

Garry kept his arm around Danielle and stroked her shoulder. "Planning a wedding seems to be more difficult and stressful than planning a battle campaign, at least for me it is. I hope you're good at it, Danielle. I get the feeling there are a lot of people who'll want to be there with us." His hand rubbed her back.

"It's not so difficult. We just need to go to Marion to pick what flavor cake we'd like, let everyone when the wedding is, pick some flowers, decide who to invite besides just everyone, pick an invitation, and make sure everyone has something to wear." She listed all the things she could think of, which wasn't all that easy just now with Garry so close, that kiss earlier and the punch before that. She probably forgot a few things, too. "We probably should go into town next week to pick some furniture and check on those clothes." Then she snaked an arm around his back and gave his waist a little bit of a squeeze.

?Furniture?" Ah, now she had said something that he could actually wrap his thoughts around. "Yes, it will be fun to pick out furniture." All the other things she said went over his head. He'd have to write them down and think about those. But furniture is something a blacksmith can understand. "Okay, my love! So, when do we head into town? Next week?"

"Poppy should be able to fend for himself by then. I can make sure he doesn't have to wander around to cook and that he has some company." Danielle already looked forward to picking out items for the room they would be sharing and, of course, to a fitting for that wedding dress. "Thursday, maybe?"

Garry gave a nod. "Thursday it is." He leaned in and gave her another kiss. "It's getting a bit cool out here. I think we better be heading inside, darling."

Danielle merely nodded after that kiss, not feeling the least bit cool.

Garry stood and reached for her hands, helping Danielle to her feet. "I hate for this night to end, but I'm getting tired and I need to get the smithy shop operating early tomorrow."

"That you do. I'm a little sad, too, that the evening's to be over already." But there would more evenings and she had to smile just thinking of those.

He nodded as he opened the door, and he was already looking forward to all the evenings and nights together. "I hate for it to end too, Danny."

Danielle moved through and inside the house and turned around, waiting for Garry. She would at least kiss and hug him good night before heading upstairs to check in on Poppy and then to her room.

Garry locked the door and moved to Danielle and slipped his arms around her. "I love you, Danielle," he whispered. He then brought his mouth to hers once again and kissed her deeply with his strong arms embracing her.

Danielle first leaned the melted against him as she responded to and returned his kiss, holding onto his shoulders.

Garry wanted her so much, and it was difficult to not suggest that she come visit him in his bedroom. Nevertheless, he was an honorable man and he would be patient. For now, he enjoyed the kiss and didn't want it to end.

"I love you, Garry. Sleep well and sweet dreams." But she stayed in his arms for a while longer to wait for the world around her to quit spinning.

Garry held her for several minutes, gave her one last kiss, then wished Danielle a good night. When he went to his room, the first thing he did was look out the window at the night sky.

Garry?s true appreciation for the portal came when he discovered how easily he and Danielle could get back home with all the wedding preparations that they had purchased while in the big city of Rhydin. It was an exciting time for him. He loved Danielle more than life, and he couldn?t believe they were actually getting married in less than a month. Until that time came, he devoted his time building up the smithy business and watching over of Danielle and poppy. It was a life that made him happy.

But all was not was at peace within him. He still hadn?t told Danielle where he was or what had happened to him while he was away for that year. He wasn?t sure if it was just to protect her, or if talking about it would make it more real once again. He wished he could put the year out of memory, but what he had seen the night of the dance was not going to allow that to happen.

It was searching.

Damn, but they should have killed it when they had the chance.

Warm Milk

It had been a busy and productive day for Danielle, too. Poppy had been well enough to not only get dressed, but to also come downstairs. He had stayed in the kitchen after breakfast and Danielle enjoyed his company as she cooked, baked and cleaned.

The furniture Garry and her had ordered from town had arrived just after lunch and Danielle had put aside her plans of baking ahead for the entire week in favor of directing where which piece of furniture was to go. After the men had left and she had settled Poppy back to his room for a nap before Querylon would arrive for his afternoon treatment, she returned to what would be Garry and her bedroom and added finishing touches to it.

It was past time to worry about dinner by the time she was done with that well loved task. It was just as well that dinner was ready late that evening. Garry had worked late at the smithy and Querylon had stayed with Poppy longer than usual.

The evening had turned out busier than usual, too, in a good and relaxing way. Poppy had been talkative throughout dinner, entertaining Garry and Danny with stories from his past. He was still in the middle of one of those stories when Danielle moved to the sink to wash up the dinner dishes and came to its end as Garry put up the last of the dried plates.

By then Danielle thought she might burst. She?d been waiting for hours to show Garry their future bedroom, hoping that he would like how she had arranged it. But first Poppy would have to be settled for the night. Garry offered to help Poppy up the stairs while Danielle would make their after dinner coffee.

Finally Danielle got to show Garry her surprise. His initial reaction was disappointing, though. Garry, though he assured her that he liked the room, appeared far less excited to Danielle than she thought he should be after how much he seemed to have enjoyed the shopping. But then he had pulled her into his arms and kissed her rather fiercely, leaving no doubt in Danielle?s mind that whatever excitement was missing from his reaction to the room was due to the day having been extra long and busy.

Garry had been rather quiet, too, when they had finally returned to the kitchen to drink that coffee that was waiting there for them. He even had declined to take the coffee out to the porch and drink it there as they usually did at the end of a day. They did not linger and wished each other a good night as soon as their cups were empty.

Spilled Milk

A sound interrupted her reverie and returned her to the here and now. It wasn?t a particularly loud sound, but it none-the-less had her on guard. A part of her still wondered why such a sound should make her anxious as another part of her already supplied the answer. The cup slipped from her fingers and her heart stood still for half a breath only to beat twice as hard a moment later.

Then, not evening noticing the shards now littering the porch, she turned and ran inside. She took the stairs to the upper floor two at a time and didn?t even pause at her grandfather?s door but burst right into his room.

As the burning feeling in her stomach area had warned she saw Poppy crumbled to the floor between bed and door. That sensation only grew and threatened to choke her as she crouched down beside him.

She?d just help him up and settle him back to bed, she told herself, but the grey-ish pallor to his skin told her otherwise. Try as she might, there was no pulse to be found, and no amount of denial and wishing that it was not so, Poppy was gone.

Danielle sat the rest of the way down and, gathering his lifeless hand into hers, gazed at the old man who had been the only family she had known for most of her life. She didn?t so much ignore the little voice that told her to call for Garry but she didn?t feel up to battling the choking fog of grief for long enough to do so.