Ha! I hope none of my dear readers were fearing another long pause between chapters. I just got done watching the movie about... nineteen minutes ago. So my mind is fresh with inspiration, and I come back with another chapter!

I'll try to be more diligent from now on...

But you don't want to hear about that. You want to hear Howl's Plan B...

Howl stood before the mirror, finger-combing his dark hair until it was to his liking. Outside the window behind him, the sky was a brilliant blue, sun shining brightly above. Only a few white clouds glided across the sky. Only a slight breeze stirred the grass and flowers. But of course, such fine weather was to be expected on the day the Prince was to wed the kind and lovely Sophie Hatter.

Howl was dressed as any other person would be dressed for such an occasion. He'd managed to pull together a formal outfit, and his coat was draped over his shoulders, as he preferred this style in contrast to actually wearing it as it was intended to be worn. With a sigh, he pulled his fingers through his hair again, pondering that a lighter shade would be far more attractive. But Sophie seemed to like it dark, so dark it remained.

Calcifer and Markl were both surprised to see Howl come trotting down the stairs. He had not confined himself to his room as he had before, but they hardly expected to see him up and dressed this morning. Heen was completely unfazed, and the former witch wore a knowing smile.

"Master Howl," Markl inquired bravely, approaching the great wizard, "Are you going out?"

"Yes," Howl replied simply, rifling through a stack of books on the table and pretending to be busy. In reality, he was just trying to kill time before the wedding ceremony started. He said no more, and left Markl just staring at him expectantly.

"Are you going to the palace?" Calcifer prompted, in the middle of devouring a log Markl had given him.

"Yes," the flat, simple word was uttered again. Calcifer, Markl, and the witch continued watching. Howl knew that all three of them were thinking the same thing. In a moment, his suspicions were confirmed.

"He's going after his girl," the witch spoke, clasping her hands and leaning back in her chair. Howl didn't answer, but he felt the eyes of his apprentice anc the fire demon still on him.

No one asked any more questions. Hours passed before Howl stood quickly and went to the door. No one dared try and stop him as he turned the dial and pushed open the heavy wooden barrier. Those who remained inside only caught a glimpse of Sophie's palace bedroom before the door swung shut and their master disappeared.

The room was deserted, as Howl had anticipated. The wedding had just begun, meaning that the bride would already be in position, as would the bridesmaids and flower girls that would have populated the room. He moved with the silence of a leaf on the wind. The falling of his footsteps made not even the faintest tap as he glided across the vast floor, towards the hallway outside.

Even the hall was completely empty. All staff would be preparing the ballroom for the reception, no doubt. No one was around to catch him. Everyone's guard was down today. He was confident as he moved through the winding corridors, moving instinctively towards where the ceremony would be held.

He could hear music being played, somewhere far off. He knew he was close, and quickened his soundless pace. His heart began to race as the music grew louder.

As he came closer to the woman he yearned for.

In a matter of moments, Howl stood before the large doors that separated him from his dear Sophie. He'd expected to see guard there, and was well prepared. He used an old trick, forcing them to walk away and become locked in a closet without once laying a hand on them. Now the only thing that stood in his way were those pesky doors. But that could be dealt with within a few seconds.

He raised his hand to eye level, focusing on the crack between the two lavish doors. He took a deep breath, and sharply swept his arm to the side. As expected, the doors swung open with no hesitation, banging loudly into the walls around them and creaking on their hinges.

Howl found himself as shocked as the guests had been to see him. Across the long room, looking at him in awe and a mixture of delight and rage, stood his Sophie.

A beaded and jeweled bodice formed flawlessly to her shape. The collar came right up to her neck, as expected from her. A diamond choker complimented the dress. At her waist, the bodice flowed out into a perfect, long white skirt that trailed on the floor. Her hair was pinned back once more, and a lacy veil was held in place by a silver ornament. There was false coloring on her lips and cheeks, but it only brought out the real beauty that lied beneath. She was perfectly stunning, there was no other way to put it.

But the fact that it was Turnip at her side that made Howl almost ill with rage.

No one challenged him, as no one knew his motives. Not a soul stood in his way as Howl sprinted down the aisle. On either side, elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen watched him with startled looks. But he payed them no mind. His eyes remained locked on the beautiful vision that was his Sophie. His jacket fell away from his shoulders in his haste, but he ignored it, finally reaching her.

"What is the meaning of this?" the turnip-faced prince demanded, gripping Sophie's hand within his own. Howl impatiently threw the man aside, seizing Sophie around the waist with his arm, and pressing her close to him.

The guards were aroused, and were beginning to attack from all sides. Sophie struggled against Howl's grasp, protesting that there was no way this could work. A smile spread on Howl's face as the guards closed in. He'd worked all this out.

They were airborne the instant the soldiers reached them. Sophie shrieked and clung to him, afraid of falling. But Howl was not going to let her fall. He'd kept her safe that first day he'd met her, and he would keep her safe now.

They crashed through a stained glass window in their escape. They were pursued, under the command of the Prince. But they ascended more quickly than their attackers were able to, disappearing beyond the cover of a barrier of clouds Howl had managed to conjure while still keeping steady.

It was exactly as the day they had first met. He held tightly to Sophie's hands to keep her from falling, and the pair walked effortlessly across the sky. Sophie kept her back to him, refusing to meet his gaze. He did not attempt to speak to her. After all, he had kidnaped her from her royal wedding. A breeze freed the veil from her hair, causing it to fly out in all directions. Her skirt flapped in the wind, spread out around her as though she were a cloud herself. It was difficult for Howl to keep his eyes off her.

"Howl," his angel spoke softly, closing her fingers tightly around his, "Were the theatrics really necessary?"

"Completely," Howl assured her, looking down into her deep brown eyes, which had turned up to gaze at him. A smile spread across her painted lips.

"Thank you," she answered gratefully. Carefully she turned, so that she could embrace him as they hung in midair. He could feel her tears soaking into the front of his shirt as she began to cry, so grateful for his persistence.

He kissed her hair tenderly as they remained suspended there. He knew that there would be consequences for this. They would have to always be running, living and loving as fugitives. But little of that mattered to him at the moment. He'd won back his dear, sweet Sophie. She belonged to him once more. And until the day they were eventually captured, he would never allow her to leave his side.

And on that day, he would die happy, knowing that because of his actions, he'd been able to not only capture more time with his Sophie, but save her from punishment as well.

And that was enough for him.

How long can this last? You'll all just have to be patient with me, and wait for the next chapter!