Once Upon a Gundam
A Tale as Old as Time

Chapter III: A Proposal

Tolle and Sai stood by the tree line close to Miriallia's cottage. Tolle smiled, today was the day he was going to make his dreams come true, dreams he strongly believed that were Mir's too. How could they not be? He was Tolle after all, the greatest hunter in the World.

"Well I guess today is the day you give Miriallia the surprise of her life" Sai said to his friend.

"Yeah, today is definitely her lucky day." They both walked through the trees. There on the other side was a band, various guests and even a minister. All this just barely out of the sight of the cottage. Tolle was full of confidence that Miriallia won't even think about denying his proposal. He walked over and stood in front of the people gathered. "Thank you all for coming to my wedding!" He announced. "But before we get this thing started I better go you know… propose to my girl!" Everyone laughed gleefully, all except for the three bimbettes who seemed to have eyes full of tears. Tolle looked over at Sai "Remember, when we come out-"

"Don't worry I've got this. When you come out I'll cue the band."

Inside Miriallia and Murrue were clueless to the events transpiring outside. Murrue sat on the sofa knitting clothing for her little bundle of joy while across the room at the kitchen table her sister-in-law read her book. It was peaceful and calm. All this was interrupted when there was a knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" Murrue asked confused. They weren't the type of family to get many visitors, in fact she couldn't remember ever getting any visitors before. Miriallia placed her book down on the table and walked over to the door. She reached up and pulled down the viewing device her brother had invented. She peeked through and saw none other than Tolle. She rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "Well? Who is it?"

Miriallia looked back at her. "The last person I want to see that's for sure" She said before reluctantly opening the door and faking a smile. "Tolle, what are you doing here?" She asked trying to be as kind as possible.

"I thought I might surprise you" He said pushing past her to enter.

"Well mission accomplished" she replied shutting the door and turning to face him.

"Yes, well you'll see I'm full of surprises." He boasted as he looked around the small cottage. "You know Miriallia I don't think there is a single girl in town that wouldn't wish they were you today." He said as he walked by a mirror. He could help but check himself out, smiling thinking he looked good today. He looked over at her "After all, today is the day all your dreams come true."

"And what exactly do you know about my dreams?" She said half disgusted receiving a disapproving look from Murrue.

"Lots. Just picture this" He said wrapping his arm around her shoulder while he tried to paint her a mental picture of how he saw their lives going. "A rustic hunting lodge, a freshly killed game roasting on the fire, and my wife rubbing my aching feet, while the little ones play on the floor with the dogs" Disgusted Mir pulled herself away from him. She walked over to Murrue hoping for salvation. "We'll have five or six"

"Dogs?" She asked not really caring about the answer.

"No Miriallia, tough boys, just like their papa" he said proudly

"Image that" Murrue joked.

Mir just shook her head and walked over to pick up her book. Making sure the bookmark was secure she placed it onto the shelf. "If only" she replied.

"Do you know who that wife will be" He asked in a husky voice from directly behind her.

She turned about to see him practically pushing her against the bookcase. "Ummm… well"

"You silly" He said smiling before leaning in to try and kiss her.

Miriallia ducked under his arms narrowly escaping his lips. She backed away towards the door. "Wow really, Tolle I'm speechless. I really… I just don't know what to say"

He walked towards her pushing the furniture out of the way. "There is only one thing you can say. Say you'll marry me"

Mir reached behind herself taking ahold of the doorknob. "There just one problem with that" She said as he approached very close to her. "I just don't deserve you" as she spoke she twisted the knob causing the door to fly open. She ducked once again under his arms and to safety while he fell out the door and into the mud.

As if in irony Sai only paid attention to the door opening and cued the music. Hearing the door slam he looked over. Seeing Tolle in the mud he directed the band to stop. Tolle sat there angry in the large swampy mess.

"So how did it go?" Sai asked sarcastically trying not to laugh at his friend.

Angry Tolle jumped up and pushed Sai against a tree. "She will be my wife. Just wait and see. One way or another she'll be mine." He let go of him and started to walk away.

"Touchy" he said to himself before following.

Miriallia watched from the window as the boys outside left. Taking a deep breath of relief she turned to Murrue. "What the heck is he thinking asking me to marry him?"

"Madame Tolle… can you imagine" she half laughed.

"I would never be the wife of such a boorish… brainless… grrr" She said as she opened the door to go outside. Murrue set down her knitting project and followed. They both grabbed a bucket of feed and walked over towards the animal pens. As fed them she stop and looked at her sister-in-law "I want so much more than this provincial life… I want adventure, danger, excitement. I want a life that is unpredictable."

"I know Mir… maybe if Mwu wins the-"

"Then what? We'll move to yet another town where we are the odd ones?" She asked. "What if we never fit in anywhere?" She set down her pail and walked out into the field. Murrue did the same and followed her. They both sat down in the field with the dandelions in seed. Mir picked one up and watched as the seed blew into the air. "I want adventure in the great wide… somewhere. I want it more than I could ever really express." She admitted.

"Adventure, danger it's all seems amazing in your books I'm sure. But to live it… to experience it, what if it isn't at all what you hoped it would be. You're brave Mir, but don't let that bravery make you stupid. Sometimes the cautious path is the better one… even if it takes you a little longer. Shortcuts can be dangerous."

"What are you saying"

"Don't try and create an adventure. Be patient… maybe someday the adventure will come to you"

"In this town? I doubt it" She said disappointed as she buried her face into her knees. "I just wish I could have someone who would understand, like how my brother has you… what if I never find someone like that? It's not like there is anyone in this entire village I could ever talk to"

Murrue looked at the young girl with concern. She could see the pain and loneliness she felt. But it was nothing adventure could fix. She needed to find her soulmate, the part that would make her feel whole. Maybe then she could find some happiness. And maybe with him should could find the adventure she craved. Their thoughts were interrupted when a familiar horse came rushing out of the woods towards them… alone.

"Endymion!" Miriallia yelled jumping to her feet. She quickly rushed to met him calming the poor horse down. "Shhh…. it ok boy. You're safe" she said stooking his mane and leaning her face against his large head. Once he was calm she stood back and looked over to Murrue who was now standing beside her. "What is he doing here?" She asked.

"Where's Mwu? Where is he?" Mir could see her sister was upset and scared. Miriallia looked up at their horse.

"Endymion… I need you to take me to him. Help me find my brother please." She looked at her sister. "Unhook the wagon Murrue. I'm going to find my brother and bring him back"

"Mir you can't do this on your own" She protested "Lets go into the village. We can as Tolle and his friend Sai for help. I'm sure th-"

"And for what price?" She asked before mounting the horse. She looked down at the woman who now had tears free falling down her face. "You know what he would ask. In exchange for saving your husband he would be mine. I'm sorry but that is a price I'm not willing to pay"

"Mir-"

"Besides… didn't you just say I needed to wait for adventure to find me? Well Endymion is delivering on that." She took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. The sun was starting to set. She looked over at her sister. "I'll bring him back to you, you have my word. I'll do whatever it takes. You just take care of yourself and the baby.

She nodded "Promise you'll be careful" She said before unhitching the wagon. Mir smiled and nodded her head.

"If you need anything… please don't go to Tolle. The bookseller in town, his name is Andrew. He is the closest thing I have to a friend in town. If you need anything go to him. Just tell him I'm your sister and he'll take care of you I promise."

"Thank you" She replied reaching up to hold Miriallia's hand. There was something about this moment that felt so final. Like nothing would ever be the same again. Murrue couldn't help but hope that this was not a bad omen. Mir released her hand and in one swift movement snapped the reins to let Endymion know it was time.