Here is chapter 9! I normally wouldn't update this so quickly but this is what I have been in the mood for so that is what I write. I have found with series that I start like this I almost always do one-shots for. This one evidently is no exception and now has it's own one shots. I think the reason I ended up deciding to do that (I hadn't planed to) is because I really wasn't sure how I wanted to cover Gil and Jenny's weeding. I couldn't decide if I wanted a whole chapter on it somewhere in here or just a brief mention. Then I didn't want to try and write a long chapter on it either so that happened. Let me know what you prefer.
Disclaimer: I only own the twins William and Hope everyone else belongs to John.
Engaged
Will, Alyss, Pauline, and Halt sat at a picnic table under a large tree. Alyss was beside Will with one hand on her bump, while Halt and Pauline were on the other side of the table. The Harvest Festival was over and pretty much everyone was already heading back to their dorms. Hope had headed back towards the castle with William and Rachel. Chase had wanted to tell Rodney he was heading back to the barracks but upon seeing Halt had went back on his own (Chase was still scared of Halt). Rodney was lying on his back beside Ebony while Star grazed nearby. Justin was sitting on the other side of Ebony scratching the Border Shepherd's ears.
"I wonder what is taking Gil so long. He will want to be back soon if he is going to make it back to Whitby with you before it gets to dark," Pauline said.
"I wouldn't worry Gil can take care of himself," Halt said. Pauline frowned.
"I never said I was worried I just wonder what is taking him so long," Pauline said. Halt shrugged and went back to drinking a cup of coffee. Will was also drinking his own cup of coffee while Pauline and Alyss were drinking some kind of herbal tea.
"Well if he doesn't show up soon I guess I can take Justin back to Whitby," Halt said looking up at the sun.
"I don't need a babysitter," Justin complained.
"I don't like babysitting," Halt countered and Pauline nudged him.
"Then why will you take me back when I am perfectly cable of finding my own way back?" Justin asked, trying and failing to make a perfect eyebrow raise.
"Well Justin I hear there is some trouble in your fief, and I am sure Gilan wouldn't want you going back on your own," Halt replied, "oh and by the way that is not how to do our eyebrow raise," Halt added. Justin snorted.
Will and Halt raised an eyebrow at the snort. Before Justin could reply the horses rumbled a warning. Halt and Will glanced up as did Justin. They turned to look at the direction the horses were pointing. Justin spotted the bay mare that was Gilan's mount. His brother was leading the mare over to the makeshift camp and Justin spotted someone else behind him. Jenny had her arms wrapped around Gilan's waist and her head was resting on his back since she couldn't reach his shoulder. Out of the three of them Gilan was the only one taller than his significant other.
"Well Gilan you took your lovely time," Halt commented dryly. Alyss coughed elegantly to keep from laughing. Gilan ignored Halt for the time being and helped Jenny off Blaze. Ebony rose from her spot and wondered over to the engaged couple. Jenny gave her a bone to gnaw on.
"I can be late from time to time," Gilan finally answered leading Jenny over to the table. Will moved over a little so she could sit down.
"Yes from time to time I suppose but I got a feeling someone kept you," Halt replied eyeing Jenny meaningfully. Jenny giggled; Rodney and Justin exchanged a glance.
"I give in she kept me…we kind of lost track of time," Gilan said. Alyss smilled.
"It's not a problem," she said.
"Jen tells me you are expecting," Gilan said. Alyss nodded.
"I am kind of nervous," Alyss said.
"How is the name search going?" Pauline asked.
"Well we have agreed that if it is a boy we will name him Daniel, after Will's father. If it is a girl we have no idea. I want to name her Lilly but Will wants to name her Evanlyn," Alyss said. Gilan chuckled.
"What is wrong with Evanlyn?" he asked innocently. Alyss glared at him.
"I think you know what's wrong with Evanlyn Gilan Davidson," Alyss said. Justin and Rodney were lost but Pauline was trying to hide a smile and Halt simply raised an eyebrow. Will knew that Halt was clearly amused. Jenny just smiled.
"Well if we are done playing catch up I am going to call it a night," Halt said.
"Actually there is one more thing," Gilan said. Halt raised an eyebrow.
"Really?" he asked as he went to finish his coffee.
"We are getting married," Gilan said casually. Halt nearly choked on his coffee and Pauline had to hit him on the back.
"Did I miss something?" Halt asked once he was sure the coffee would stay down.
"We are getting married," Gilan said. Alyss rose from her spot and moved over to Jenny giving her a hug.
"I am so happy for you," she said. Jenny grinned.
"So how did he do it?" Alyss asked eager for details. Justin and Rodney gave each other a discreet high five.
"Well someone set up a picnic for us and we talked for a while about what was happening and then he just asked! It was so sweet," Jenny said dreamily.
"You sure you didn't butcher it Gil?" Will teased.
"I couldn't have possibly butchered it anymore then your proposal. I mean your proposal was terrible. Seriously who says after seeing his best friend announce his marriage, 'You know maybe you and I should think about doing something like that'," Gilan said. Rodney begin laughing hysterically.
"That's terrible," he cried through his laughter.
"Tell me about it," Alyss said slyly and Will pouted.
"Well I am happy for you two," Halt said rising from his spot and giving Gilan a pat on the back. Gilan grinned broadly.
"I am just glad that part is over," Gilan said.
"When is the wedding?" Will asked. Gilan flushed.
"No idea," he said.
Everyone laughed.
"I will help you plan the wedding Jen," Alyss said, "I have been dying to plan a weeding for a long time," she added.
"I would like that very much," Jenny said smiling broadly. Gilan looked up at the sky.
"I hate to propose then run but I really should get back to Whitby my love," Gilan said. Jenny nodded and leaned into him and gave him a kiss. Alyss got up and followed her. Halt grabbed Abelard and headed back to Redmont castle with Pauline close behind.
"Gil Eb is going to be having puppies soon; I will safe one for you. Consider it a gift from me," Will said.
"Thanks Will," Gilan said. Will nodded and slapped the side of his leg. Ebony rose to her feet and trotted over to Will and Tug.
"I should go too," Rodney said scrambling to his feet.
"Hold on you two," Gilan said. Rodney and Justin gulped.
"Yes Gil?" Rodney asked.
"Are you guys ok with this?" Gilan asked softly.
"Of course we are ok with it Gilan! We want you to be happy," Justin said.
"I know that is just….I will be spending lots of time with Jenny now and that means I may have less time with you. Not to mention I have no idea how to work out sleeping arrangements," Gilan said.
"That's ok Gil, we are cool with it. You are our older brother and all we want is for you to be happy. You looked out for us all that time we were at the Ward. You and Jenny really love each other and I and Rodney can live with whatever comes with having a sister-in-law," Justin said. Tears touched Gilan's clear blue eyes.
"I am touched thank you boys," he said. Rodney grinned.
"Word of the wise don't ever pull a stunt like that again…understand?" Gilan warned.
"No problem," Rodney said easily. Justin frowned.
"When did you know?" he asked.
"Ever since you found out about Jenny I was worried the two of you would try something," Gilan said.
"And you went along with it?" Rodney asked confused.
"How was I going to stop it?" Gilan countered, "Besides it let me know that you two approved," he added.
"Sorry if we pushed you into something…we just wanted to help," Justin said softly.
"I know that, that is the reason neither of you have been shot…just don't do it again," Gilan said.
"We wouldn't," the boys coursed.
"Good. Now you better get off to the Battleschool Rodney," Gilan said. Rodney nodded and headed over to Star. He couldn't wait to tell the others how well the plan had worked out. Gilan remounted Blaze and Justin mounted Shadow.
"See nothing bad happened and now Gil and Jenny are getting married,"
"Just you wait he will remember this and I wouldn't be surprised if you wake up one morning with a bucket of cold water thrown over you,"
"Why are you so moody all of a sudden Shadow?"
"I am cautious,"
"Sure,"
Justin didn't bother to talk to Shadow anymore. Gilan rode at a quick pace and when they reached the cabin he groomed and untacked Blaze. Once that was done he headed inside and started writing letters to some of his best childhood friends. Gilan had no doubt that Sir Rodney would hear about the engagement soon, either from Rodney or Halt, and Gilan hopped he would be at the wedding. Rodney had worked with Gilan when he was apprenticed to Halt and the two always tried to keep in touch.
"Any plans for the wedding?" Justin asked causally.
"First of all it is none of your business at the moment and second of all didn't you hear Alyss. She and Jenny are planning the wedding not me," Gilan said. Justin grinned.
"But you are the groom to-be so surely you have some input," Justin said.
"Why do you want to know?" Gilan asked.
"I just want to know if I have to do anything important so I have time to find a date," Justin said easily. Gilan raised an eyebrow at him.
"Are you sure you can find a date?" he asked. Justin slapped him.
"I am good looking thank you very much," Justin said, "Besides I am told I look like dad," he added.
"As a matter of fact you do but I don't see how that is going to help you," Gilan said wirily. Justin slapped him again. Gilan just laughed.
"Easy buddy I would like to not have a bruise before my wedding," he said.
"Gil?" Justin asked.
"Yes?"
"Can you teach me how to do a good eyebrow raise? Halt says I am doing it wrong, and I have seen the three of you do it before so I want to learn," Justin said.
"Halt is hard to please but let's see it," Gilan replied. Justin tried. Gilan chuckled.
"You aren't perfect that's for sure," Gilan said.
"How do I perfect it," Justin pleaded. He wanted so badly to use it on Rodney sometime.
"Well you can always do what Will did and try by the stream," Gilan suggested.
"I am making dinner want some?" Gilan asked. Justin nodded.
"Then let's go," Gilan said and Justin followed him to the kitchen.
They are engaged! :) Finally right? Not much more to say but I do have a question. Do you want me to only focus on Gil, Jenny, Justin, and Rodney and any significant others they may or may not have, or do you want to include other characters lives like Will, Alyss, Halt, Pauline, Horace, Cassandra and future princes or princess? I can do one-shots on them as well if you like. Please review and enjoy!
