Some of the dialogue is pulled directly from the episode, "Necromancer". Hope you guys enjoy!
Sleepy Hollow 1774
A slight breeze pushes against his face as he makes his way down the street. Sleepy Hollow is alive with joy at the upcoming festival later in the week. Every sort of vendor imaginable flocking to the street. The scent of flowers in the air from the booths being arranged.
As he walks along, giving a courteous nod at the occasional lady he passes by, he listens as Abraham continues in his conversation. They are on their way to where, he knows not. Earlier in the morning, Abraham had practically begged Ichabod to accompany him down the street in order to gain his opinion upon something. This he did not know the reason to, either.
Curiosity, more than anything, caused him to pull himself from the many letters to various individuals he had been writing, to accompany his friend on this unknown outing.
Abraham seemed oddly excited. Which only furthered Ichabod's curiosity. He could not fathom where it was they could be going this early in the day to cause such the amount of excitement as Abraham was exhibiting.
As they came to the door of one of the more lavish houses in town, Ichabod found himself glad he would finally gain the answer to his burning curiosity. The housemaid that answered the door relieved them of their hats and coats, for which Ichabod gave a warm thanks and small smile. He always felt it best to be as kind to others, even those considered of a lower social standing than he, as he wished to be given himself. As another young housemaid led them further into the house, Ichabod found himself admiring the architecture of the building. He was always struck by how different the architecture of the buildings in the colonies were in comparison to the ones in his homeland.
As he was pondering this, another man entered the room carrying a small case. Ichabod assumed this man was the reason behind this morning's adventure.
Making his way over to the pair, the man reached out his hand to Abraham.
"Ah, Mr. Van Brunt, I'm so pleased you could make it this morning. After yesterday's cancellation, I was afraid you'd had a change of heart."
"Some urgent matters arose that needed my attention. I, however, am glad for it. I now have someone to give a second opinion on the decision. Mr. Sutton, might I introduce you to my dear friend, Ichabod Crane."
With a slight nod of his head, Ichabod gave a smile to the man. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. Though, I must admit, I know not why I am making it. Abraham has been very secretive about this morning's agenda."
"Of course, of course! Let us get right to it then. I have some rather rare pieces here for you to choose from Mr. Van Brunt."
Abraham and Mr. Sutton took seats opposite each other, while Ichabod opted to remain standing. Upon laying the case open on the table, realization dawned on Ichabod of why he was here and what this morning's curious journey was for. Mr. Sutton began removing a variety of jewels from the case to lay out on the table. As Abraham leaned in to get a closer look, Ichabod had to remind himself to breathe. Katrina. Of course she was the reason behind Abraham's excitement this morning.
In the handful of months since the announcement of their engagement, Abraham had been oddly jubilant. Something Ichabod had found curious in and of itself. The engagement was an arrangement, one he knew from Katrina's confession the night of the announcement, that she was none too thrilled about. Abraham on the other hand, seemed exactly the opposite.
He would go on and on about how beautiful Katrina was. Ichabod agreed of course. There was no denying Katrina's beauty. No one else in the colonies could compare from what he had seen. Ichabod considered her to be a truly unique woman. Never had he met anyone quite like her.
But Abraham's excitement over the upcoming engagement was not shared by his friend. Yes, Ichabod wished them the very best in life. They were remarkable people. Two of his closest and dearest of friends. But he could not help the feeling of nearly overwhelming jealousy that consumed him upon hearing Abraham speak of her, or worse, seeing the two of them together. Ichabod had honestly tried his hardest to stomp out this feeling, but it never seemed to truly leave him.
At times, he thought himself possessed by one of the nightmarish demons he was beginning to realize existed. Thoughts of Katrina constantly haunted him. Her smile. The sound of her voice. Her green eyes. She, however, was not his betrothed to dream about, but Abraham's, his best friend. His love for Katrina was something that had to be pushed to the farthest corner of his heart, for he knew nothing could ever come of it.
The two men began conversing over the different pieces, each one more extravagant than the last. Ichabod truly wished he had remained behind to finish writing his letters.
Handing the latest piece over to Abraham, the man explains,
"This one, sir, is sure to melt her heart. There's no other like it in the colonies."
After a moments examination, Abraham offered his thoughts. "I think I rather like it for her."
Ichabod did his best to keep his expression under control. This entire outing was absurd. The piece was the farthest from what Katrina would want. Ichabod knew Abraham wanted to give Katrina something she would like, but the longer they stood here, the more Ichabod realized just how little his friend knew about Katrina.
"What do you think Ichabod?"
Looking from one man to the other, Ichabod did his best to force a smile. "Yes, it's a ... it's a beautiful piece."
A little impatiently Abraham prods, "It's the best one."
"It's not my place."
"Ichabod, this is important."
Letting out a breath, "Right, I'm...I'm not sure it suits Katrina."
Looking back at the necklace, Abraham examines it once more, before handing it back to Mr. Sutton. Ichabod glances at the table, already knowing which one to offer. Picking the piece up, he holds the dark green stone in his palm, allowing the chain to hang over the side.
"This one. It embodies her elegance, simplicity, beauty, and restraint."
He directs the latter part of his sentence toward Mr. Sutton. He notices Abraham glance Mr. Sutton's way as well, who in turn offers a thin smile and nod. Sighing, Abraham snaps his fingers at Mr. Sutton, "Uh, very well."
Pleased with himself, Ichabod hands Mr. Sutton the piece, as Abraham lifts a hand, "I'm trusting you."
Offering a last tight smile, Ichabod nods his acceptance of this.
Finally, after clearing up the last of the details with Mrs. Sutton, Abraham joined Ichabod out on the porch. As they walked back down the street, Abraham and he fell into conversation about the party occurring at that very same house later this evening, and the upcoming festival in town later in the week.
"I believe I will give it to her this evening at the party. Do you think that will be an appropriate time, Ichabod?"
"Yes, of course. I'm sure she will be delighted with it."
"Of course."
Coming to a stop and turning to Ichabod, Abraham grabbed him by the arm. "You must come as well Ichabod."
"Oh no. I couldn't..."
"But you must! It will be a lovely party. Many of the most staunch supporters of the war will be in attendance, and I hear there will even be entertainment. Ichabod, tell me you will come."
This day was turning out very differently than Ichabod would have liked.
The entertainment Abraham had been referring to was that of a glass armonica. A beautiful instrument to be sure, but by far the least interesting part of the evening. Ichabod was not sure what he was doing here. Everyone in the room was a noble of some sort, and while in his past Ichabod would have jumped at the opportunity to converse with them and exert his knowledge, today, he simply wanted to return to his room.
Abraham and Katrina were standing a few feet away, and Ichabod found he could not help but to steal glances at her. She was absolutely stunning in her dress. Her hair pulled up perfectly. It must have taken hours to prepare, and Ichabod imagined Katrina had hated every minute of it. He knew she found all this fuss over dresses and hair to be trivial. He did as well. Ichabod found he preferred her in a more natural state. Her hair down, or pulled up in a simple manner. The way she looked when she was working at the infirmary. Immersed in her work.
As the music ended, Ichabod noticed Abraham turn to Katrina. "Turn around, Darling."
As she did so, Abraham brought the necklace up and around her neck. Looking down to view the piece, Katrina brought her hand up to touch it. Looking positively pleased with himself as he locked the necklace in place, Abraham then proceeded to pull Katrina's hair up and out of it, letting it twirl around his fingers as he released it. "There...we...go."
When Katrina looked back up, her eyes met his, and he offered a small smile, which she returned. Pulling her eyes from his, she turned to Abraham. "It's perfect. Exactly what I would have chosen."
"I knew it would be."
Ichabod suddenly found himself admiring the floor of the house in the same manner he had observed the rest of it earlier.
"Ah, Rutledge is here, with news from the crown. Word is they're sending troops to disrupt Congress."
With a kiss to Katrina's cheek, which she offered what seemed to be an uncomfortable smile to, he and his parents moved to greet the newest arrival.
Turning to Ichabod, Katrina held out her arm, to which he readily took. As they began moving slowly across the room, Katrina began the conversation, "You picked this out, didn't you?"
"Sorry?"
A knowing smile crossed her face, "Abraham's taste is far more excessive."
Ichabod could not help the smile that overtook his face as they came to a stop.
"He's not bought anything of the kind for me."
Rounding to face her, and positively giddy at her guess, he replied, "Perhaps he's learning."
When her expression appears doubtful at this, he continues, "I merely consulted. Take no offence."
Offering a small smile, Katrina glanced in Abraham's direction, causing him to do so as well. His friend seemed knee deep in politics at the moment. Abraham always enjoyed those sort of talks, and Ichabod found himself grateful for this. It gave him these treasured moments of conversation with Katrina. His observation of the men from afar was broken, however, at Katrina's next words.
"I'm breaking off the engagement."
Shocked, Ichabod felt he must have heard her wrong, but when her face revealed he obviously hadn't. Ichabod gave a hasty reply, "You can't."
"I'm telling Abraham tonight."
"Katrina...I know an arranged marriage is not the stuff of fairy tales, but Abraham's from a good family, and... he loves you."
"I do not love him. I never have. My heart belongs to another."
Realization clouds his features. He'd known Katrina was not in love with Abraham by any means, but to hear her say that her heart belonged to another, made his heart nearly beat out of his chest. He simply knew. But instead of elation at the words he could only have ever imagined her saying, he felt dread. Looking about the room, he felt as if all eyes were on him.
"I cannot betray my friend."
She remains steadfast, "This isn't about you, dear Ichabod. This is my life. I am breaking off the engagement because it isn't right for me."
More than anything, he feared for her. He knew the result this kind of decision could reap.
"There are consequences."
He'd barely gotten the words out before she voiced her next statement. "As there were when you turned your back on England, remember?"
Of course, he remembered. How could he forget? She was the only one who really knew the consequences that he had faced.
"All of this... it's the remnants of a life we are fighting to leave behind. I do not wish to go to the effort of creating an independent country, only to have it dictated by the same senseless customs as our motherland. If and when I marry, it will be out of love. Otherwise, I know not what I'm fighting for."
He gave her the only words he could, the truth, "You deserve nothing less than love."
"And I love you, Ichabod."
There were few times in his life that Ichabod Crane found himself speechless, but this one. This one left him more than speechless. It also left him tired, jubilant, confused, and overwhelmed. She loved him. Katrina loved him.
Even after Abraham had returned to deliver her home, and Ichabod had returned to his quarters, he was still reeling from her confession. Abraham had appeared at her side so quickly after her statement, Ichabod feared he had overheard. Thankfully, he hadn't. Never before had he been so glad for an interruption, for it gave him time to give her words more thought.
He'd walked the entire way home in a daze. What a day this had turned out to be indeed. Of course, he loved Katrina. There was no question about it. Ever since their very first meeting, Ichabod had held an admiration of her. An admiration that turned into an even deeper love with every new discovery he made concerning her.
A part of him had always hoped she felt something for him as well, and now that he knew she did, he went over every conversation he'd ever had with her. An easy enough task for him with his eidetic memory. All the small smiles. The looks. Her subtle hints. Ichabod considered himself an intelligent man, but somehow, he'd missed all of the signs. He'd always known she cared, but now he realized just how much. Love.
But the consequences! The betrayal Abraham would feel. His best friend. Katrina had said this decision to end her engagement was not about him, but even still. If anyone were to even suspect that the reason for the ending of the engagement was because of him, Katrina would face dire consequences. He could not begin to imagine what others around town would say. Not that he cared too much one way or the other about their opinion of him, but Katrina. He could not bear the thought of her facing such scrutiny.
Still, he could not help but be thrilled. Katrina loved him. He'd imagined a life with her so many times. Only he never thought for a moment this imagined life could come to pass. She'd always been out of his reach, but now... Oh, how very confused he was! Somehow, he knew sleep would elude him this night.
Ichabod is so hard to write. Sorry if I lost his character's personality in here. He's so complex. Hope it was enjoyable anyway. Thanks for reading!
