A/N: This occurred to me while I was away- Matthias is probably completely
O.O.C. (out of character.) in my story. Sorry about this. From now on just
believe that it is his more affectionate side that he has never revealed
before, okay? Please don't start yelling at me now. My brain isn't working
well, as it is summer. In September I'll be more with it. I'll pick up on
small details then. But not now.
Part 11- Celebrations and Surprises
The next afternoon was the ceremony that officially installed Brother Alf as the new Abbot. After his ceremony, he gave a short speech.
"I want to thank all of the abbey members for your continual support. I am very honored to take over as your father and I hope I will do as good a job as my predecessor I would also like to congratulate Matthias and Cornflower. Old Abbot Mortimer was right- you were made for each other. We can work on converting the gatehouse into a proper home for you to live in."
Matthias spoke for the both of them. "Thank you, Father Abbot. We appreciate your generosity," he said respectively, bowing his head.
"Then I have only four words for you- let the feast begin!"
It was a tradition at Redwall to have a feast at the start of every new abbot or abbesses reign. This particular one was special, however, because it celebrated not only this but the start of Matthias and Cornflower's life together.
*******
The next morning, Matthias awoke in a huge cushioned armchair in Cavern Hole. Cornflower was sitting half on his lap, half in the chair, and was leaning on his shoulder. He woke her gently and they went down for a light breakfast.
"Cornflower," he said softly, shaking her shoulder lightly, "wake up!"
She sat up with a start. " What? What is it? What happened?"
"Nothing, " he replied, chuckling, "We must have fallen asleep in here last night."
"Oh.... okay. D'you want to go get some breakfast?"
"Sure."
As they went to the kitchens, Matthias told Cornflower more details about the gatehouse plans.
"Father Abbot said we may reconstruct the interior of the gatehouse, providing we make sure none of the records and things are damaged."
"Oh, that's wonderful!! It was so nice of him to give it to us in the first place, but this is extraordinary!"
"Yes, I agree. What's your opinion on it?"
"Oh, anything is fine. Whatever you want."
"Okay, well I was thinking a sitting room, a bedroom, obviously, and maybe even a kitchen," he said, knowing that she would be pleased with the kitchen idea.
"You mean one with an oven and everything?" she asked in disbelief.
"Actually, I was thinking more the kind where you heal wounds and keep the sick," he teased her.
"Hee hee... Of course, how silly of me. Sorry."
" 'Tis not your fault. Anyway, back on the gatehouse, I think we're going to be starting today with cleaning it out. Martin knows how long that will take."
"Aye, I don't envy you the job of cleaning it out. There's got to be seasons of old things stored there."
"Hmm, well, I should go. Don't want to lose any time on it."
"Okay, see you later," she replied, kissing him lightly.
*******
ONE WEEK ON
"So he has no idea at all?" Sister Serena asked Cornflower. "None at all?"
"Nope. If all goes well, this party will be a total shock to him. I don't even think he knows that I know that this is his birthday," Cornflower replied, grinning.
Serena cackled with glee. "This will be so fun!! I can't wait to see the look on his face when you bring him in! I'll be sure to have everybeast ready in time. Two hours after mid-day three days hence, right?"
"Aye," confirmed Cornflower, giggling a bit herself.
Little did Matthias know of it, but Cornflower had been planning a small surprise party for him every since they had wed. He had been so stressed lately, what with re-constructing the gatehouse and helping Abbot Mordalfus. A small party with would help him to forget everything and just have fun. She had gained permission from Friar Hugo to make everything that was needed since her kitchen wasn't complete. Cornflower had even gone so far as too learn a bit about brewing ales, cordials, wines, and fizzes so she could help Ambrose Spike replenish his stock when Autumn came round. Many of his friends had agreed that Matthias needed a little pick-me-up, and had willingly agreed to help.
Part 11- Celebrations and Surprises
The next afternoon was the ceremony that officially installed Brother Alf as the new Abbot. After his ceremony, he gave a short speech.
"I want to thank all of the abbey members for your continual support. I am very honored to take over as your father and I hope I will do as good a job as my predecessor I would also like to congratulate Matthias and Cornflower. Old Abbot Mortimer was right- you were made for each other. We can work on converting the gatehouse into a proper home for you to live in."
Matthias spoke for the both of them. "Thank you, Father Abbot. We appreciate your generosity," he said respectively, bowing his head.
"Then I have only four words for you- let the feast begin!"
It was a tradition at Redwall to have a feast at the start of every new abbot or abbesses reign. This particular one was special, however, because it celebrated not only this but the start of Matthias and Cornflower's life together.
*******
The next morning, Matthias awoke in a huge cushioned armchair in Cavern Hole. Cornflower was sitting half on his lap, half in the chair, and was leaning on his shoulder. He woke her gently and they went down for a light breakfast.
"Cornflower," he said softly, shaking her shoulder lightly, "wake up!"
She sat up with a start. " What? What is it? What happened?"
"Nothing, " he replied, chuckling, "We must have fallen asleep in here last night."
"Oh.... okay. D'you want to go get some breakfast?"
"Sure."
As they went to the kitchens, Matthias told Cornflower more details about the gatehouse plans.
"Father Abbot said we may reconstruct the interior of the gatehouse, providing we make sure none of the records and things are damaged."
"Oh, that's wonderful!! It was so nice of him to give it to us in the first place, but this is extraordinary!"
"Yes, I agree. What's your opinion on it?"
"Oh, anything is fine. Whatever you want."
"Okay, well I was thinking a sitting room, a bedroom, obviously, and maybe even a kitchen," he said, knowing that she would be pleased with the kitchen idea.
"You mean one with an oven and everything?" she asked in disbelief.
"Actually, I was thinking more the kind where you heal wounds and keep the sick," he teased her.
"Hee hee... Of course, how silly of me. Sorry."
" 'Tis not your fault. Anyway, back on the gatehouse, I think we're going to be starting today with cleaning it out. Martin knows how long that will take."
"Aye, I don't envy you the job of cleaning it out. There's got to be seasons of old things stored there."
"Hmm, well, I should go. Don't want to lose any time on it."
"Okay, see you later," she replied, kissing him lightly.
*******
ONE WEEK ON
"So he has no idea at all?" Sister Serena asked Cornflower. "None at all?"
"Nope. If all goes well, this party will be a total shock to him. I don't even think he knows that I know that this is his birthday," Cornflower replied, grinning.
Serena cackled with glee. "This will be so fun!! I can't wait to see the look on his face when you bring him in! I'll be sure to have everybeast ready in time. Two hours after mid-day three days hence, right?"
"Aye," confirmed Cornflower, giggling a bit herself.
Little did Matthias know of it, but Cornflower had been planning a small surprise party for him every since they had wed. He had been so stressed lately, what with re-constructing the gatehouse and helping Abbot Mordalfus. A small party with would help him to forget everything and just have fun. She had gained permission from Friar Hugo to make everything that was needed since her kitchen wasn't complete. Cornflower had even gone so far as too learn a bit about brewing ales, cordials, wines, and fizzes so she could help Ambrose Spike replenish his stock when Autumn came round. Many of his friends had agreed that Matthias needed a little pick-me-up, and had willingly agreed to help.