"NEW WORLD ZORRO"
TITLE: "DREAMS LOST AND FOUND"
Disclaimer: I don't own these wonderful characters. I am merely borrowing them for a while. I promise to return them, much happier after I play with their minds a bit. They belong to the wonderful actors (and in Victoria's case, actress) who portray them.
Author's Note: When I mention Don Alejandro, I mean Efram Zimbalist, Jr., as he is my favorite of the two. And thanks to Linda Bindner, who gave me the courage and feedback to write this story. This takes place at any time after "Conspiracy of Blood".
Chapter One:
It has been unusually quiet in the small pueblo of Los Angeles, here in early spring of 1821 (this is the date most fan fiction writers use), for the last few weeks. After his recent brush with death at the hand's of the King's Royal Emissary, Gilberto Risendo (who turned out to be the long lost twin brother of one of the pueblo's most eligible bachelors), Alcalde' De Soto has been somewhat withdrawn--not imposing any new taxes or punishing the peons for some imagined offense. He has even left the tavern's beautiful owner alone about her relationship with his archenemy: the famous (or some say infamous) bandit--Zorro.
The pueblo is now preparing for Easter--a time when many of the children will
receive their First Communions. Padre Beinetz, recently arrived from Mexico City, is helping them learn their lessons and keeping a watchful eye on his parishioners. In particular, he watches over two of his favorites: Don Diego de la Vega (the son of one of the largest and wealthiest landowners in the area) and Victoria Esclante (the beautiful, high-spirited owner of the pueblo's sole tavern).
Even Zorro has been taking a bit of a break--since things have been so peaceful.
He was last seen two weeks ago when he personally delivered a pair of bandits that had robbed a stagecoach. But what no one realizes is that he has been taking advantage of the time to quietly court his lady-love: a book of Shakespearean love poems and a perfect red rose left on her pillow when she went up for the night, a midnight ride through the countryside on his black stallion, an afternoon picnic on a deserted beach, . . .
And Victoria has found herself falling even more in love with the masked man who first won her heart five years ago. Even though several men have asked her to marry them (either for her wealth, as the owner of the tavern, or her beauty), Zorro is the only one who has truly taken time to court her, winning her heart and soul.
In the opinion of both Zorro and Diego (an old friend of her family and her absolute closest friend), Victoria is the most beautiful woman in the world: she stands a petite five feet three inches tall, with a curvy figure; her hair is a glossy raven black that flows in shimmering waves to slender shoulders; and her eyes (framed by long feathery lashes) are a dark brown. She inherited the tavern when her mother was killed, at fifteen.
Don Diego de la Vega looks every inch the handsome young caballero: a lean six feet tall, with broad shoulders; shinny coal black hair (worn to his collar); and pale blue eyes (inherited from his English grandmother--on his mother's side) that can be either kind and gentle or like chips of pure ice--depending on his mood. Educated in Madrid,
he's incredibly knowledgeable about science, medicine, and law. He currently edits the pueblo's newspaper: The Guardian--located just across the plaza from the Tavern (which allows him to keep an eye on Victoria).
At thirty, he's considered the most eligible bachelor in Los Angeles. But has so far resisted all efforts by all the well-bred young senoritas--preferring to concentrate on running his father's ranchero, his various experiments, editing the paper, and helping the poor.
Today, Monday, April eighth, Diego arrives in the Pueblo early to get started on the next issue of The Guardian. He rides a beautiful palomino mare with the easy grace of a born horseman. He's casually dressed this morning: crisp tan slacks and jacket,
simple white shirt, and polished brown boots. His black hair has been slightly mussed from the breezy two-mile ride from the Hacienda.
As he dismounts in front of the paper's small office and loops Esperanza's reins around the hitching post (Author's note--as a horse-lover, I know better than this, but back then--it was common), Diego turns to look at the tavern--almost without thinking. All of the sudden, the sixth sense that has served him so well for the last five years goes on alert, "Victoria!"
For a split second, he wonders if he simply isn't allowing his usual concern get in the way of common sense. Victoria's well able to take care of herself, as she's so often proven. But still--he can't help but worry about the raven-haired beauty that captured his heart on his return from Spain five years ago.
Felipe', a now teenaged boy whom Diego found orphaned on a battlefield--alone and mute from the trauma of witnessing his parent's brutal deaths at the hand of Spanish soldiers, canters up on his black and white pinto pony. He looks at his guardian, whom he dearly loves as a father, standing silently beside his mare and follows his gaze over to the tavern. Then he looks back and signs Victoria?
Diego shakes his head, realizing that no one is close by to realize that the boy is actually hearing, "I'm not sure. Ever since I awoke this morning, I have had an uneasy feeling. But I wasn't sure, since both you and Father were fine. But now--"
Felipe' makes a quick sign Zorro?
Diego shakes his head again, "No--if there is something wrong, there isn't time. Go--fetch Doctor Hernandez while I check on Victoria."
Felipe nods, having seen how often Diego's sixth sense has been right, and reins his pony around, kicking him into a fast canter.