"Oh stop looking round like a crazy man, Johnny. Your Rose is not here, yet."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Richard..."
"Yeah, yeah... come on, we didn't meet yesterday! I exactly know what or rather WHO you have in mind, right now..."
Not coming by any answer, Richard continued.
"Aright... I will end your torment. Rose will come with Kahlan, surely a bit late..."
"I didn't asked for anything!"
Spoke up John. However, honestly found this information very useful. Of course Richard was right. John looked around, as if like some fool... desperately searching for Rose. Sadly he couldn't notice her dear face between all these unfamiliar strangers. He felt a little unsure, whether she would appear at the ball or not. Never had the chance to ask about it himself because he hadn't spoken to her since yesterday evening... From what John knew, Donna wanted to spend some time with Rose today, but apparently 'some time' turned into almost whole afternoon. He wondered, if it's a good sign or on the contrary... John came to the ball in Richard's company about twenty minutes ago and he still didn't spot Rose anywhere. In a moment, he would probably start to panic, so Richard's teasing appeared to be exceptionally helpful...
"You are saying, Rose is coming with Kahlan? Shouldn't you have come together, as you are married... I mean you and Kahlan, obviously..."
John tried to sound as indifferently, as possible.
"Do you? I thought, you meant Rose... Johnny, seriously you don't have to remind me who is my wife..."
Bantered Richard to him. When John pretended that he didn't hear that, Richard added, grinning.
"... nevertheless, I supposed it, too at the beginning. Like you've said, we usually come together to the balls and stuff... but today my dear wife insisted, that must take care of your Rose, so I decided to take care of you meanwhile."
"Oh... How nice of you... AND Rose is not 'mine', Richard..."
"Well, she could be... It all depends on what you will do... or won't do..."
If it would only be so easy...
"Anyway..."
Suddenly Richard sounded much more serious, John had a feeling that knew what's coming now...
"...have you finally told her?"
Here it is...
"I plan to..."
"You plan to, huh? Every time when I ask you about it, your answer is that you plan to. I suppose, you already must have some great plan... BUT seriously, John... you do realize that it's nothing to wait for, don't you?"
"Yes, I DO... Just it's very difficult you know... Don't you worry either way, I decided to do it tonight."
"Finally! I'm proud of you pal. I really am! However, why... tonight? At the ball?!"
Because tomorrow is Sunday and I promised your wife to deal with it, during this week. Unless she would tell Rose herself and I'll be in big trouble...
"Well, perhaps we'll sneak out later to speak freely..."
He decided to say, instead.
"Better not to her bedroom..."
Richard blinked.
"Why not?"
"Why not?! Cause, then you can end up like the last time... not in the least talking!"
"Very funny!"
"I'm not joking... Really Johnny, just take her for a walk somewhere... Maybe, you two will be able to resist, being outside... or maybe not..."
"RICHARD!"
"Okay, okay... Coming back to the point, it's great that you decided to tell her. Honesty is very important... And it will make many things much easier - finally the end of these lies."
"I'm not so sure, whether it will be better... the end of these lies, but what if..."
What if, all THIS between them (John wasn't quite sure how to call it... and somehow, the only proper word for it hadn't come to his mind, yet...) will end too? For a second, he tried to imagine that it truly would happen: Rose would leave him just like that, one day vanish from his life. Forever... This thought froze John's heart. He simply couldn't imagine living without her right now... He wouldn't want to live in the world without Rose...
Richard apparently noticed the sudden sadness on friend's face and quickly guessed what could cause it, as when he spoke up his voice became much softer than before.
"Oh... maybe it won't be so bad, you'll see! Besides surely it will be better this way, when you tell her, yourself. If, she were to find out from somebody else... well then it could be worse..."
"You don't have to tell me that..."
"I don't... John, Rose also cares about you. I'm sure you can feel it, deeply inside. You cannot give up without a fight, you know..."
"You think so?"
"Of course! Kahlan and I are the best example for it: it was impossible for us to be together, and now look at us... I'm not saying, Rose will jump for happiness after such news... But I think you will figure out what to do with that... together..."
"I wish you're right..."
He truly wished, more than anything...
"Incidentally, have you talked to Arthur yet?"
Richard tried to change the subject.
"No, he seems to be very busy..."
"He's the king, after all... Look at them! Gwen and he look so royal today, don't they? But, who the hell they are talking to?! I've never seen those people before... "
"Me neither... I suppose, they had to invite some high born from other Kingdoms..."
"Yeah, probably that's it... By the way, have you seen Merlin somewhere? I've thought, he would already be here, but I don't see him..."
"Visibly, he's late too..."
As if their words would have enticed Arthur, he suddenly looked at them with a smile and started coming toward their direction.
"John, Richard so nice to see somebody normal finally!"
"Are you sure, that we are so normal?"
Joked Richard.
"I meant: not one more of these high born lofty bigheads..."
Explained Arthur quieter and smirked.
"Then, why you invite them?"
"What choice do I have, Richard? All the alliances stuff and so on... Mostly now, when the war is ahead..."
John could remember this pain... His grand father was also forced to invite some rather 'not wanted' guests, because he needed to maintain 'good relations' with them. They usually came to the official occasions and events. That's why John hated balls so much: they were full of people like these...
"Right..."
Admitted Richard. Arthur impatiently looked at the doorway.
"WHERE THE HELL IS MERLIN, WHEN I NEED HIM THE MOST?!"
He spoke up.
"We have just been wondering about it, when you came..."
Noticed Richard.
" Seriously... one day, I will murder the lazybones with my bare hands..."
"Will you? Oh Arthur, better don't even try... He would turn you into a toad or something..."
Teased John.
"I'm sure he would - in self-defense..."
Supported him Richard, with an innocent smile.
"Besides..."
He added.
"... we all know you cannot live without him, right Johnny?"
John couldn't not agree...
"Sorry Arthur, but Richard is right. However, if Gwen doesn't mind... Speaking of which, where have you lost her?"
"Somewhere between this crowd of overdressed dolls and so called 'gentlemen' shining with brilliantine, I guess..."
Proposed Richard in in one breath.
"Not so loud!"
Giggled Arthur.
"I can see, you love balls much the same as I, Richard. But you're right... I left her with some 'ladies' for a while. Maybe, she's a bit more patient and polite than me..."
"NO WAY!"
"Very funny Richard!"
"Oh there she is! Can you see her? In that corner: my beautiful Queen..."
He said with completely changed voice: full of warmth and pride. Then smiled sheepishly looking at the mentioned.
"Well... now I'm not quite sure, whether you love Gwen or Merlin more... How do you think, Johnny?"
"Could you finally stop to call me like that?!"
John now also looked into Gwen's direction. Indeed, she looked very pretty and elegant, like a true queen. But one thought touched him...
"Is it only me, guys or really with exception of Gwen, there are just a few... very few (seriously, I could count them on my fingers on one hand!) women in the whole ballroom, who don't behave horribly hmmm... artificially and aren't foppish to the impossibility?"
"Yeah Johnny, sad but true... But I have a feeling that my wife will join 'these just a few' soon... Same as, your Rose."
"She's not... oh whatever..."
He started, but resigned in a half of sentence, not wanting to begin this subject once again... Luckily, Arthur didn't hear that.
"Yeah, I would agree Kahlan and Rose... and what about your sister John? By the way, will she come to the ball? I thought that you'd introduce us to her, at last..."
"I already wanted to do it before, but it seems she has spent almost whole day with Rose..."
John explained.
"Oh that's interesting...you think it's good?"
"Very interesting!"
Joined in Richard.
"Just imagine it, Johnny... your sister and your beloved, together... what they are doing for so long? What can they talk about...?"
He said in mysterious voice, hardly resisting not to laugh.
"Good point... you can only hope, that it was not about the most embarrassing moments from your childhood..."
A wide grin appeared on Arthur's face. John decided to end this useless discussion. High time too...
"I will die of laughter in a moment... Very funny, guys! Actually it's not funny at all because, as I know my dear sister it's quite possible... Anyway, I think she should be here at any moment now..."
As if she could read John's mind, Donna suddenly appeared at the doorway. With Jack by her side. Both smiling and looking at each other warmly... John still wasn't sure what to think about it... He looked at them for a few seconds and with astonishment, realized that he has never seen Donna neither Jack so... happy, before... They looked simply happy...
"Talk of the devil!"
He said aloud, causing Richard and Arthur to look up as they had engaged in a new conversation.
"My dear Sister - Donna, in her own person."
The men glanced at the doors. Richard smiled welcoming, but Arthur behaved a bit unexpectedly...
"No way!"
King shouted with unbelief unbelieving smile.
"What is it?"
John didn't understand.
"IT'S JACK!"
"Well, I know it's Jack..."
"JACK! JACK HARKNESS! Why didn't you tell me, that you know him?!"
"I didn't know, that you knew him..."
"How could you not know, that I knew him?!"
"How would I know, that..."
"Alright guys, sorry but that's enough! Just listen to yourself, like two elder tradeswoman on the market, arguing about buttery butter..."
Richard interrupted them.
"... if somebody wants to know, sadly I don't know HIM so cannot join this interesting discussion... but it seems, that this Jack and your sister haven't noticed you yet. Perhaps, you could simply hmmm I don't know invite them to us? What do you think Johnny?"
In fact, it was not bad idea... John called them, trying to be discreet. Naturally, it didn't work very well and half of the crowd looked at him like he was a complete idiot... At least Donna also saw him. She smiled telling something into Jack's ear. Then he also looked at John smiling, and they both moved into his direction. John decided to go forth to meet them, just in case. Another good idea...
"Here is our Space Man! We couldn't find you, brother..."
"John, it's good to see you my friend!"
Jack greeted him.
"Too busy with your own company to notice me, huh?"
He answered jokingly, still not sure whether congratulate them, wishing happiness together or make a big fuss...
"And Donna, don't call me like that! If my friends, would hear it..."
"Hear WHAT?!"
Of course, Richard was already there and judging by his face, heard everything... In a second, Arthur approached whole group, too.
"Jack, My old friend!"
He spoke happily and hugged Jack, who also looked very happy of this meeting.
"Arthur! I've missed you all and Camelot... cannot believe I'm here again!"
"Why you didn't say that you're coming?!"
"I didn't know, till yesterday! And wanted to make a little surprise for you..."
"A little?! Jack! Oh just look at you..."
"Alright... and maybe it's the right moment to tell us, how do you two know each other?"
Suggested John impatiently.
"EKHEEEEMMMM!"
Donna cleared her throat, making loads of noise.
"Why wouldn't you first introduce us all, dear brother?"
"Right... Donna, Jack let me introduce you: Richard and King Arthur (well you know him Jack... however WHEN the hell?!)"
They all started to introduce themselves to one another and then exchange polite words. In a moment John had to start again, because Gwen came to welcome new guests... She knew Jack, too. The whole three of them seemed to be very close. Interesting... It all lasted for ages... When they finished, John finally could vent to his curiosity.
"So... how did it happen that you two and Jack know each other?"
"Oh it's a long story..."
Begun Jack, but Arthur interrupted him.
"Long indeed. In general, Jack did something wonderful for me in the past and I will never pay this debt back to him..."
He explained, but what was strange, instead of Jack he looked at Gwen lovingly...
"What did you do?"
Asked Donna, evidently very curious.
"Oh, it's nothing like that..."
This time, Gwen didn't let Jack finish.
"Oh don't be so modest, Jack. For me it wasn't 'nothing like that'..."
" He saved my life... "
She turned to Donna with a smile.
"Wait, WHAT!? When? How?"
John wasn't sure from which question would start.
"Not now, John later."
Jack looked at him pleadingly.
"Let it be... but we'll come back to the topic, be sure of that..."
John warned.
"I bet you will... However John, where is this famous Rose who stole your horse? When will I finally meet her?!"
"Louder Jack, perhaps people from other Kingdoms haven't heard this story, yet..."
John drawled through his teeth. The whole group looked at him and burst into crazy laugher. When they calmed down, Donna came closer to John and took him on the side.
"Speaking of Rose, John... SHE'S WONDERFUL!"
He smiled from ear to ear, a bit surprised but in a way relieved and glad to hear these words...
"I heard that you two spent a lot of time together, today..."
"We did and I already adore her! I would never believed that you could choose so well... You have my blessing!"
"Wait... WHAT?! Isn't that a little too soon for such..."
"Have you already told her?"
"I swear... If one more person ask me today about it..."
"Better, just answer me..."
Said Donna sharply and scowled at him.
"I will tell her today."
"Aright then."
Her face lit up.
"But I warn you!"
She added very seriously.
"...don't you ever dare to hurt this lovely creature... I mean it! Otherwise, you will have to answer with me!"
"I would never hurt Rose."
John also answered very seriously. And he meant it, too.
"Good."
Donna smiled, visibly relieved and they both join with the rest again.
"Here you are!"
Said Arthur smiling.
"So, you wonder where is Rose, while I still have no idea where this loafer MERLIN is..."
Gwen came closer to them looking carefully at her husband.
"Oh, you accidentally had in mind our talented wizard and dearest friend, MERLIN?"
She asked with a smirk..
"Yes, that's exactly what I meant. What would I do without my wise, beloved queen..."
He smiled widely, kissing Gwen's hand.
"I have no idea..."
Gwen answered him jokingly. They were very extraordinary royal couple, indeed...
This time Merlin didn't force them to wait long. Suddenly the doors opened noisily. All guests in the ballroom looked in that direction enchanted with who would appear in the doorways. It was Merlin, in the flesh. Moreover, Merlin in the company of two beautiful ladies. Without a doubt, that was the grand entrance from his dreams...
However one of these beautiful women was Rose and when John saw her, he couldn't see anything or anyone else except her. The time stopped in its place, for a moment... hour or maybe whole year... it didn't matter... All the people around simply disappeared, the whole world disappeared. There was only Rose. Rose, who tonight looked more like some ancient goddess or aqueous nymph, emerging from the sea. With her long, wavy hair shining as pure gold. With her deep, dark eyes so lively and full of light. John couldn't breathe, his young heart pounded madly. Without thinking, he started to go towards Rose. Faster and faster, almost running. To Rose, his one and only in all the galaxies. To Rose... His Rose... When they met next to the doors, she smiled. If this smile wasn't the most beautiful thing in the world, then John had no idea what else could it be... He smiled back, looking at woman in awe. Then he noticed, she pinned up a blue rose to the dress. The rose, he gave her... THAT rose. Suddenly John felt, that he never had been so happy, before... simply happy...