Disclaimer – Cythera not mine. And for once, this Gary isn't mine either. Seeing as he's straight and all in this one. But at least the maid is mine! Mwahaha…

A/N: Okay, down to business in this chapter. Gary is actually un-OOC, for the first time, but swears a lot. And no Raoul. Altogether now – Awww.

"Gary, are you listening?"

I blinked out of the pleasant haze the warmth has inspired, turning to Cythera. "Uh… Of course Cythera." I spot the maid struggling with the heavy picnic basket. "Excuse me a moment, I think the maid is a little out of her depth." I dismount gracelessly, almost stumbling in my rush to escape Cythera. How can one woman talk with such consistency? Women in Elden must have learnt not breathe. "Here, let me help." The maid argues, saying she's strong enough, and that I mustn't worry myself, but I took no heed.

I carry the basket easily, forcing myself to return my attention to my wife-to-be-to-be. Er… Fiancé-to-be… "Where would you like to sit, Cythera?"

She slid off the horse with the elegance of a dryad. Hmm… Good comparison that. She looked like a dryad in the flowing olive dress, with her brown hair only tied loosely above her head. She danced gracefully through the clearing, towards the bank. "Here seems fine, Gary," she called to me, and I stared in a kind of morbid fascination as her chest rose with the effort. Mmm… She had a wonderfully husky voice.

I gestured for the maid to lay down the blanket where Cythera chose, and lowered the basket by it. When the maid had set out all the food and the satin cushions I loved, I gestured for her to retreat out of sight and sound.

Cythera and I sat down on the blanket in a semi-awkward way. I took a long draught of the wine without tasting it. Cythera followed my lead, pausing to smell it. She took a small sip. "Mm… Good wine. Rich flavour, well matured."

I blinked in astonishment. "You like wine?" When she inclined her head mysteriously, I gave a little laugh. "Well it's settled then! You're perfect. Willyoumarryme?" I had meant it to sound more nonchalant than that.

She smiled. "Why Gary, I'm flattered. I don't know what to say."

I sighed in exasperation at the teasing. "Cythera, you're the most beautiful woman on Earth, you're smart, and you're funny. You're a truly wonderful woman, and even your name commands love from all men. I'll simply die if you turn me down." Yes… If she turned me down, and I had to start this long, painful process all over again. Of course, if she turned me down, and every eligible woman in court decided I was unmarriable, that would be a very different case altogether.

She tilted her head slightly. "My name?"

I smiled as best I could. "Yes. Did you know it means Goddess of Love in ancient tongues?"

Her jaw dropped in surprise, just enough to part her lips. I leant forward, over our food, to brush my lips tentatively against hers. "Please, Cythera. Be my bride."

Her eyes were moist with emotion, which kind I couldn't tell. "Do you love me?"

I thought it would have hurt me to reply, lies always hurt me. But it didn't. "I love you Cythera. And I want you to love me back." Yes, I love you… But I'm certainly not in love with you.

Cythera nodded slowly. "Then yes, Gareth of Naxen Junior, I will marry you."

I felt butterflies suddenly appear in my stomach, or maybe dryads, dancing around the clearing. I reached up, burying my hand in Cythera's hair, and slowly pulling it undone. The blonde locks fell around her head and over her shoulders in silky tresses. I sighed, loving the feel of such silky locks slipping between my fingers.

Cythera slipped her arms about my waist. "Please Gary, would you kiss me?"

I nodded, letting my lips find hers. We shivered in shared delight at our first kiss. Her lips opened slightly, inviting my tongue inside with all the shyness of a virgin. I ran the tip of my tongue over the inside of her lip. My free hand glided up to caress her milky cheeks.

As our kiss deepened, our tongues tentative but passionate, my hand slipped from her hair, to the lace of her dress. She allowed me to loosen the lacing as best I could, enough to fit my hand beneath the first layer of her dress. I could sense the roughness of my hands as they made their way to her shoulders, but I continued unhindered.

How well my body seemed to recall the habits of youth!

I felt the bare skin of her shoulders, which I gripped in a firm but gentle hold, moulding Cythera to my body.

Her cheeks began to flush hot pink, a welcome encouragement. My hand struggled down, to find it's way to her breast, massaging it through the underclothes. One, maybe two layers tops, such was the convenience of informal wear.

My hand fell from her cheek, to continue the unfinished job of unlacing Cythera's dress. As the first half of the damned inconvenient clothing fell loosely away from Cythera's back, she gave a little yelp. "No!"

I recoiled as if burnt to the other side of the blanket.

We sat, panting, and staring at each other for a moment. In a subconscious stock-take, I noticed that I'd succeeded in landing one knee in what I assumed used to be pumpkin tart. Damnit, my favourite dessert ruined. I turned my attention back to my panting betrothed. "Cythera, forgive me. I don't know what came over me to be so callous." I stared at her with pleading eyes.

Cythera took a few panting breaths. "No, Gary, it's fine. I didn't mean it like that… I'm just… It's not fitting… For a duke and lady to do such a thing in the open air… before anyone even knows of our betrothal."

I nodded slowly, emotionally. "Of course, Cythera. The last thing in my mind was to rush you."

She half extended a hand, almost pleadingly. "It's not that I don't want to, Gary. Believe me I do. I just… I'm entirely unprepared… and I'd feel guilty, not even telling anyone."

I shuffled around the food, coming to kneel by her side. "I'd feel guilty also, my love. Thankyou for stopping me, at least one of us had the sense." All I wanted was to get it over and done with! Dear gods, is that too much to ask?

We were awkward for a moment. Suddenly, and it came as a great shock, I realised she had meant what she said. She really wanted to! Ah, shame on me! I'd got her so excited, knowing we even go through with it!

I gently pulled Cythera in to my lap. "Cythera, my love, would you allow me to make it up to you?"

She looked at me, wide eyed. "What do you mean, Gary?"

As answer to her question, I slipped my hand beneath her skirts, up towards her thighs. She squirmed, but in pleasure rather than discomfort.

I ran my finger gingerly along her opening, making her gasp loudly.

"Your Grace?"

For the second time in less than five minutes, I shot over to my side of the blanket. Cythera quickly composed herself, in the way that women seems to do so well. I pressed my legs together self consciously as the maid walked towards us. "Forgive me for interrupting, your grace, my lady. I was curious as to whether or not you were ready to leave. I… It may rain soon." She gestured timidly to the skies. I glanced up, looking at the gathering rain clouds. "Of course, I hadn't even noticed."

Cythera stood up, brushing some grass off her dress. "Well don't take all day! Clear this up. I don't want to get wet."

I stood quickly and inelegantly, doing my best to hide my arousal, and rushed off to my horse

I looked at my flushing betrothed, at the nipples so visible beneath the cloth over her breasts. Jon, I fumed, is going to die laughing.

Okay, hope you liked it. Kinda random ending, and very unsatisfactory, I know. But I have to save something for the later chapters. And just a heads-up, there will be a certain drunken king who we all know and love. I think he's become our favourite character, am I right?

Thanks to my loyal Readers and Reviewers, and to all newbies who deign to review.

Luv ya all!