A/N: soooo sorry it took so long to update but I had a lot going on. first I was on vacation, then I had to get school supplies (schools comin' up) then when ever I started typing it was always inturrupted by somthing or someone, and I had to shop for school clothes. so I hope you can forgive me.

They didn't know it but watching the two were Abbot Saxtus, Hon Rosie, and Bowly.

"Everyone says we're in love. And I think they might be right…" Dandin tells Mariel what Tarquin and the others told him about 'them'. Of how they blush when ever they look at each other, or how they're always laughing they're together. "But they're rumors Dan. It doesn't mean they're true." Mariel pointed out "Yea I know," Dandin admitted "But even Abbot Saxtus says they're true! And the Abbot wouldn't lie, would he?"

"No, I…I guess not." Mariel replied a little unsure.

"So it has to be true!" Dandin blurted out.

"So, what if it's true!" Mariel shouted back "Who cares about what they think. What matters is what we think. And we're no'…not…" Mariel tried to say 'not in love' but for some reason couldn't bring herself to say it. Then after awhile gave up "Urrrgg, why can't I say it!" she muttered to herself. She sat down on the grass against the wall.

Dandin came over and sat next to her "Maybe you can't say it because maybe you are…"

"Ok fine," Mariel said "maybe, just maybe, you're right."

Dandin turned to her and asked, "Do you mind if I tell you somthin'?"

"Umm…Like what?" Mariel asked

"Well it's uh, just that umm… well…" Mariel was confused "Ok, let me start over," Dandin took a deep breath "Hoo," he breathed out and stood up "Mariel," Dandin reached out his paw and signaled for her to get up too. She grabbed it and he pulled her up. She had no idea what was coming next

"I don't know if this is totally true but I've had this weird feeling inside of me whenever we're together. I just can't explain it. It feels awkward yet at the same time feels good. And...I…I think it might be love and if it is I might be in love with you." Mariel was just overwhelmed about all of the things he'd just said. All she could do was just stand there, trying to let it all sink in. "Mariel, I know this is a lot to take in but if this is love, then I love you. That is if it's ok with you, and if you love me?"

Mariel was just so taken aback she was almost speechless. "Dan…are…are you sure? Are you sure its love?"

"I'm sure and…I think I've always loved you. I just didn't feel like I wanted to be 'in love'. I've only seen us as best friends. I never really thought that 'we' could ever become 'us'. Sometimes I would find myself think things like: 'maybe Rufe is right. Maybe we could…just maybe…Nah! We're just friends and that's how it's gonna be.' it feels good to open up and share my feelings for once." Thinking about what Dandin just said she realized she sort of felt the same way "I guess you could be right…"

The trio was still listening. "C'mon ole gel. Just say it already! We all know you love him say it!" Hon Rosie said, a little loud. "Sshhhh!" Bowly put a paw to his lips "Do you want them to know we're here? Listenin' to every thing they've said." "Will you two be quiet?" The Abbot harshly whispered (and he actually whispered). "Or else they will find out we've been eaves dropping. Mariel will surely get angry. And Dandin would be very disappointed in us. Especially me, I'm the Abbot!" "Ok, we're sorry and we won't say a word 'til they're done. Right Miz Rosie? Uh, Miz Rosie?" She shook a paw at Bowly "Shush, I think she's goin' t'say it!"

"…I've thought of alot things like that before. I just never told you 'em in case you didn't understand the way I felt. Your right, it does feel good to talk about my feelings, Instead of keeping them all bottled up inside. And I guess I do love…love you." Mariel expected to feel uncomfortable but she actually felt better. Mariel smiled and looked up at Dandin "Maybe I am in love with you." Dandin smiled back "This feels just great." Mariel said to no one in particular "C'mon if we hurry we might get some food before Tarquin and his family eat it all." But before Mariel even took a step Dandin took her paw. "Mariel wait," She turned around "can I ask you something?" "Sure anything Dan."

"He's gonna ask, he's gonna ask her! I just know he is!" Hon Rosie was so wound up she started laughing "Whoohahahoo—hmmff!" Bowly and Abbot Saxtus both put a paw over the lively hare's mouth. "Mrs. Woodsorrel please, can't you be quiet for just a moment?" Saxtus requested.

Mariel looked around with curiosity "Did you hear that?" Dandin looked puzzled "Hear what?" Dandin jogged through his memory "Oh, that," Dandin remembered he had heard a laugh "That was most likely Rosie. You know how she has that loud laugh." "Yeh, you're probably right." Mariel agreed

"Whew! That was a close one." Bowly swiped his forehead with his paw. "Too close." The mouse looked severely at Hon Rosie. "Don't ever do that again." She nodded. You don't ever want to get an Abbot mad.

"Anyways, what was it you wanted to ask me?"

Dandin suddenly felt nervous "Well it's like this. I love you and you love me right?"

"Yea," Mariel wasn't really sure where this was going. "I know we—or you just found out that we have feelings for each other, but I—." He was interrupted by Mariel asking "Where's this going?" He took her paws in his "Mariel," They looked into each others eyes "W…will you…will you marry me?" Dandin closed his eyes and braced for the worst. But what he got was a hug. Dandin squinted out of one eye. Mariel let go and smiled. She had a roguish glint in her eyes. "you can open your eyes now. And yes, of course I'll marry you. O Sword Carrier." She said in mock admiration. He smiled, and then started laughing. So many feelings rushed through him at once. Like a big gust of wind that almost knocked him off his paws. He felt happy that Mariel hadn't lost her sense of humor through all of this, relived that it actually worked out, and in awe that he and Mariel were more than friends or best friends even.

Not having seen all of it but heard all of it, the mouse, harewife, and hedgehog had a hard time believing what they had just witnessed. (Or at least Saxtus and Bowly did) "Who—oops!" Rosie caught herself before Bowly of Saxtus noticed. (This of course is a good thing.) "Can you believe it?!" Bowly exclaimed. With a paw on the top of his head the Abbot shook his head in awe "I can't and I heard the whole thing!" "Well your gonna have to 'cos—." But Bowly cut her off "Look out! Mariel and Dandin are comin' this way! What should we do?" Hon Rosie took charge "We start walking towards the table that's what we do. C'mon act natural walk 'n' talk. That's the ticket!" Lucky for them they got to their seats before Mariel and Dandin noticed.

Abbot tried to act a normal as possible. So he finished eating his now cold pudding. Dandin sat down in his seat. He was smiling from ear to ear (if a mouse can have a smile that big) and had a dazed look. "You've been gone for quite a while. What are you so happy about?" even though the old mouse knew the reason. "I'll tell you in the morning."

A/N: hey just wonderin' do any of you guys have any idea for a new fic title. cuz 'A Newfound Friendship' doesnt fit anymore. now that they've had a romantic part I think the title should be different. If you have any ideas then either give a reveiw or send a message to me. And of course I'll change the subject to romance instead of friendship and change the summery. hope you like the next and last chapter. (it might be rushed but i wanna finnish it before school starts)