Becoming Mrs. Darcy

Little Falcon: Okay, can I just say… I'm so in love with the movie! I was so obsessed that I even read the book and its sequel. This story is based according to the movie of course but I'll be incorporating details that were in the books.

Disclaimer: The characters were based on the PPZ franchise. However, this storyline is my idea.

Prologue: Old Friend

She glared at the canopy of their wide, grand bed as it grew blurrier by the second. Sweat trickled down her forehead as she listened to the horses gallop away from their estate into yet another battlefield. Elizabeth tried blinking repeatedly to clear her vision but it seems that the fever is getting the better of her. This was the first time that she felt ill enough not to join her husband into skirmish with the unmentionables. Although she did try to persuade her better half that she was able, Mr. Darcy knew her better. "This will be the first time where I cannot be with you to watch your back," Although against the unspoken rules of refinement- a married woman must never again hold a blade, Colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy realized that he would be restraining a great part of his wife's being by taking away her sword. Thus, he didn't. And much to the people's suppressed surprise, the couple has been one of the greatest force against the unmentionables ever since.

"I'd rather stay longer until you recover, my love," his dark eyes reflected a worry she has never seen before.

"The dead will not wait for me to recover, or to eat all of the living's brain in that household, dear husband," she gave the faintest smile and touched his cheek. "I am a bride of death. Death will not betray me by letting me die over a cold,"

"You forget that you are my bride as well," he kissed the back of her hand tenderly and looked into her eyes. "As such, I am allowed to worry for your well-being over others,"

Her heart melted at such words, the ever so stoic Mr. Darcy was now shamelessly, openly declaring his affection. Married for five years already, Mrs. Elizabeth Bennet-Darcy still cannot get used to such endearments. "My dear, you are a Colonel first before you are my husband. The people of London need you more than ever," For five years, Mr. Darcy had never won an argument she has started. A smile lifted his lips as he willingly surrendered to her logic.

Not long after, a young physician came to examine her condition. After being given her medication, the new doctor informed her that he will just return the next day to check on her condition as he is also needed on a nearby estate.

By supper, the mistress of the Pemberley estate was feeling like herself again. The fever has broken and she was at her feet again. Wondering through the dojo housing their merged weaponry collection, she began to debate whether she was fit enough to join Mr. Darcy in battle before she sensed another presence in the room. Grabbing the nearest blade, Elizabeth unsheathed the samurai sword and assumed a battle stance. "Who's there?!" She demanded as she caught a shape in the shadows. With her other hand, she took the shuriken and threw it accurately at the intruder.

A man of oriental origins and a few years her senior stepped into the light. With his hands behind his back and his stance straight yet completely relaxed, he walked towards her and in between his fingers was the shuriken she just threw. "When the master told me that you gave your hand to a man, I simply cannot believe it. Even more so, when he told me that that man is a student of the Kyoto fighting arts," he stopped only when the tip of her blade was a few inches from him.

"Xiao! What are you doing here?" Releasing a sigh of relief, she sheathed her sword.

When he opened his mouth to speak, a maid unintentionally walked in. "Mrs. Darcy," she immediately took as step back when she saw the stranger. Looking at her mistress and the intruder, the poor girl sought any sign from Mrs. Darcy if the person was of any threat to her or the household.

"It's alright, Anne. He is a friend of mine when I was training in China,"

Doing a perfunctory curtsy, Anne informed her that supper was ready.

During their meal, Lizzie asked about their master and friends in China while also supplying details about her sisters and parents as well. "Xiao, I feel that it was quite rude of me to do all the talking. I apologize for my enthusiasm. I realize you sought me out for a reason,"

"I did, Lizzie," he looked at the lady sitting so elegantly on the head of the table of this grand estate yet somehow he still feels like he was looking at the ten-year-old her clumsily throwing weak punches and clumsy kicks. "But that can wait for tomorrow, I realize that you need rest as it is too late for this kind of conversation," Puzzled, she still agreed as she was again feeling faint. With that, they both retired to their respective rooms.

Absently stirring her warm tea, Elizabeth starred at the barely risen sun across the horizon as she stood in the drawing room. There was faint knock on the door before her butler announced the arrival of her dear friend. "Xiao, you woke up too soon. Join me for tea as the y are preparing our meal,"

Dressed in his traditional Chinese warrior clothes, Xiao looked so out of place in the Darcy's great library. "Not as soon as you have, I'm afraid," he watched their butler leave them to their privacy.

"I can't sleep well with my husband in the battlefield," she honestly replied as she poured him a cup of tea.

"Lizzie," he grabbed her hand as soon as she was finished pouring his drink. "I came here with the most urgent need of your skills,"

Retreating from his touch, she put down the teapot. "Please explain your purpose more so I may understand," feeling a bit wary, she put a distance between them and sipped her tea pretending to admire the view outside.

"Once, you were recognized as the best student of Master Pei Liu, the only one deserving enough to be called bride of death," he remained seated as he earnestly implored. "I came here because only you can help me. I can explain it all to you on the way for I just received a message that I am to depart immediately,"

"On the way to where? Never mind that, even if I see your purpose is noble. I still need to seek the approval of my husband regarding matters like these," she looked at him apologetically. Her vision started to go dim as her knees lost their strength. With the last ounce of her consciousness, she clung to the table.

"I'm sorry, Lizzie. I know you'll understand…" she barely heard his words as she fell to the floor taking the table cloth with her. The tea cups shattered as they hit the marble floor and immediately the maids knocked on the room to inquire.

"Don't…hurt…them," she begged before she drifted away.

Mr. Bennet found it strange that there was no butler outside the gate to open the door for him and even more so when no one answered the door when he knocked sternly. Immediately, he went around the house with a sword in hand. There he found all the staff unharmed but also unconscious but he found no signs of his daughter. "Lizzie?" He began checking every room and found the broken teacups in the drawing room.

Shaking the servants awake, he instantly inquired about his daughter. "Xiao Ran," he repeated the name in his head as he wrote a message to Mr. Darcy informing him of the situation. Not a few hours later, Mr. Bennet heard horses entering the estate grounds.

Apparently, the threat in that certain household was not as serious as the writer suggested. Mr. Darcy was already halfway towards the Hampshire when he received word that the unmentionables are already dealt with and that his assistance is no longer required. Without second thought, he urged his steed to turn back home.

Eager to see his ailing wife, he jumped off his horse and was however surprised to be welcomed by his father-in-law. "Mr. Bennet, I'm glad…"

"Did you receive my letter?" The older gentleman asked straightaway.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bennet. I have not received any letter from you. Is it about Lizzie? Is she well?" A foreboding feeling gripped his heart as he saw the color drained from Mr. Bennet's face. Without waiting for a reply, he went inside the house and called for his wife.

"She's been taken by a man who formerly sought her hand," His father-in-law was still looking at the mess in the drawing room for it was clear to him that Lizzie did not go without a fight.

His hand itched to draw his blade and strike at something. "Who is this man?" With the last reserve of civility, he asked with his gritted teeth and clenched jaw.

Little Falcon: Soooo, what do you think?