**Author's Note: I'm glad you still like my story. I warn you now that the posting of Chapters will be a little more spread out because school has picked up and for the next three weeks I have work as well. But I will do what I can.
Chapter Seven: A Declaration
After awhile Chlorine and Nimby came back, which I had mixed feelings about. On one hand I was sad that I would have to break apart from Galahad but on the other I knew we needed someone to pull us apart or we would have stayed in the tent forever. "So, Averia, do you think you and this gentleman will get along?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Good. You will leave in the morning. Galahad, do you have any questions?"
"No, not at all. I am very well-prepared for this. And I promise to do whatever I can to protect your daughter. She seems to be a very nice young lady and very cooperative. I truly view this as an honor."
"Well, that is very refreshing. We will see you in the morning."
"I do have a request. Would you mind if Averia came to dine at my house tonight? I would like for my father to meet her."
Chlorine looked at Nimby who nodded. "That would be fine. Averia, we will see you afterwards. Have fun."
"I will." At least I hope, I was actually very nervous about the whole thing. What exactly did he mean by it and what would his father think of me. I guess Galahad noticed the expression on my face and he reached over and squeezed my hand.
"It'll be Okay, I promise." I looked into his eyes and saw the smiling cherub. I then smiled as well wondering exactly what Galahad thought of me. Before I could stop it an image appeared in his eyes of me in a wedding dress. This was a little scary, we'd only known each other for a few hours and already he wanted to marry me? Did that mean he loved me? The smiling cherub appeared and my heart soared. As strange as it seemed I realized that I loved him back and had as soon as I saw him. I had never thought it would happen to me. I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. I whispered into his ear three words I never thought I'd say at the age of sixteen.
"I love you." He pulled away and looked at me.
"I love you, too, Averia. I have from the moment I laid eyes on you. You are my ideal women and I want to be with you forever. I was afraid to say anything because I didn't want you not to love me back but you spoke up and that shows how brave you are, and makes me love you even more."
I smiled again and kissed him lightly. "I am going to tell you what my talent is now, so you don't give me so much credit for things. It seems to appear that I can see the truth when I look into someone's eyes. I accidentally discovered that you did love me. I didn't mean to pry because I don't want to invade your privacy but I was just making sure that everything WOULD be okay tonight and I saw it would, then I accidentally wondered what you thought of me and I saw myself in a wedding dress. So then I wondered if you loved me and I got a yes so I am really not as brave as you thought and I am so sorry for betraying your trust and I promise not to do it again and I still love you and I hope you forgive me." He looked down at me and kissed me again. Then he hugged me close and placed a reassuring hand on my hair, stroking gently.
"It's okay, I understand. And you don't have to worry about invading my privacy because I will never lie to you. I forgive you and love you. OK?" He pulled me away and looked into my eyes. I saw the smiling cherub and smiled at him.
"Okay." He kissed me and then looked back at me. "There is something you should know about though. You are only sixteen which means you are still under the adult conspiracy. I can't marry you until you are eighteen and all we can do is kiss until then. You aren't supposed to know how to summon the stork until you are eighteen."
"Wait a minute. Summon the stork? You mean like have sex? I know about that, I have since I was thirteen." Galahad was blushing now.
"Young Ladies shouldn't speak of such things. What a place Mundania is if thirteen year-olds know how to summon the stork. But that is okay. I don't know if that would make it okay or not. But you shouldn't do that if you aren't married anyway. I am confused."
"Well, we don't need to worry about that now. If all I could do was look at you I would be happy because I love you."
"I love you too. And I love kissing you." He kissed me for emphasis. "Yes, I definitely love kissing you. In fact I could do it all day long." There was no talking for the next five minutes until I pulled away from him.
"Don't we need to go to dinner now?"
"Yes. I guess you are right. Okay, let's go. I think my father will like you. He should because I cannot see any reason not to. Well, shall we?" He held out his arm and I took it.
"Of course kind sir." We walked the short distance to his house and as we got closer the fear struck once again, a little harder this time. Galahad felt me tense up and squeezed my arm.
"Hey, I told you it would be okay." He turned me to face him. "Stop worrying, alright?" I nodded. "You promise?" I nodded. "Liar." He kissed me and then opened the door. "DAD! I'm home. I brought a guest." Then we reached the moment I'd been dreading. His father entered. He didn't look very happy at the thought of unexpected company for dinner but when he saw me his expression softened a little. "I got the job. This is Averia."
"Well, I am very pleased to meet such a beautiful young lady. Congratulations son. Come in my dear, have a seat. The Mrs. is just finishing up in the kitchen." This startled me a little because Galahad hadn't mentioned his mother at all. But I guess he just was more concerned about his father. "Well my dear, where are you from, what's your family like? I've never seen you around."
"I just moved from Mundania. I didn't know that I had a magical talent until a few days ago. That's when I learned about Xanth and moved here to live with my parents, Chlorine and Nimby. I've been in town since yesterday."
"Well, I've never met anyone from Mundania. What's it like?"
"It is absolutely terrible compared to Xanth. Everything is so bland and dirty."
"That is what I thought. Well good I am glad you are here. So my son is to accompany you to Humphrey's castle. Good. I am happy about this. Galahad, come with me to fetch your sister. We will be right back, dear, just stay put." The two walked out and left me all alone. I looked around the room. The house was cozy with furniture that had a rustic feel to it. I liked Galahad's father. He seemed nice, although he said well a lot. But I began to relax knowing that Galahad was right, everything would be okay. Then a woman, who I suspected to be Mrs. Wielder, entered followed by Galahad, his father, and a cute little girl, who I guessed was his sister.
"So this is the girl my son is going to marry. Pleased to meet you." I began to blush and Galahad shot her a 'be quiet' look. "Oh, was I not supposed to say anything. I'm sorry, son. Well, too late now. Oh my dear, you blush wonderfully. Galahad, you made the right choice. So I am glad you are here and that you two will be traveling together. I hope you enjoy dinner. Do you cook? Of course you do. All nice young ladies know how to cook." Bam! The panic returned. I couldn't cook, especially not Xanthian cuisine. Galahad won't want to marry me and I will be stuck loving someone I can't have all because I couldn't cook. This was the worst day of my whole life. I thought I would cry, then Galahad's little sister came up and smiled at me. All of my fears went away and I began to feel happy. Everything would be okay. I looked down at her.
"Hello, my name is Averia, what's yours?"
"Guinivere. I can make people happy!"
"Can you? Is that your talent?"
"Yep. Vewy good tawent. I like people happy. I can make daddy happy. You make my brofer happy but you don't have my tawent. How come?"
"Well, because I love your brofer, I mean brother very much. And when two people are in love they make each other happy, it's its own special kind of magic."
"Do you have to be old to fall in wuv? I am only four. Can I be in love?"
"Your family loves you very much. So you are never too young for love."
"Goody." She smiled again and then walked over to her daddy. "I wuv you vewy much Daddy." She planted a kiss on his nose and he smiled.
"Very good choice of a girl Galahad. I am glad you found her. Well, let's eat, shall we?" He got up and left the room followed by his wife and daughter. Galahad walked up to me and held out his hand.
"Well my darling? Shall we dine?" Now that Guinivere was gone my fear came back. I threw my arms around him and started to cry. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"I CAN'T COOK!!!!!!!! You'll have to find yourself another wife because I can't cook." He looked at me and started to laugh. "This isn't funny! I'm serious. You can't marry me." He looked at me with a serious expression and held my face in his hands.
"Averia, I love you. No matter what. I don't care if you can cook. If it's that big of a deal you can learn. OK?" I nodded. "Alright." He kissed me and I realized I was being foolish. He began to pull away but I didn't let him, I needed to feel loved. Then we heard a giggle behind us. Galahad turned around.
"Guinn! What are you doing?"
"You two were kissing!" She began to giggle again. "You are supposed to be eating dinner. I'm gonna tell mommy!" She ran off to the kitchen before Galahad could grab her.
"Don't worry. It's okay."
"Now you sound like me."
"Shush." I kissed him once more just to make sure he wouldn't say anything else. "Let's go." He took my hand and led me to the kitchen. Guinn started giggling as soon as we walked in.
"Guinivere Marie Wielder you be quiet. And eat your food." Mrs. Wielder turned to us. "Is everything okay dears?"
"Yes ma'am. Thank you for allowing me to dine with you. Your house is lovely and the food smells delicious." Once again I refrained from asking what it was exactly that we were eating.
"We are very glad to have you here. I am so sorry about my daughter. She is just curious."
"That's okay, I understand."
"Well, Averia. What are you going to ask the Good Magician." Mr. Wielder asked. He had already finished his plate of food and was getting up to get some more.
"I really don't know yet."
"Dear, leave her alone so she can eat." I smiled gratefully and tried the dish. It was spectacular and I said so. "Why thank you, that's my talent you see. Cooking. I'm glad you like it." The conversation continued merrily along until we had all finished our plates and then polished off dessert.
"It's getting late. I'm going to walk Averia home now."
"Can I come?" Guinn piped up, hopeful.
"No!" She looked absolutely devastated.
"You want to kiss her again don't you?"
"That's none of your business, Guinn."
"Sweetie, leave your brother alone. Averia, it was a pleasure. I hope to see you soon and wish you luck with your quest." She wrapped me in a huge bear hug. Then Mr. Wielder approached.
"I'm glad my son has found such a wonderful girl. I am happy for you both and I too wish you nothing but the best of luck." He kissed my cheek and I did the same.
"Thank you so much for dinner. It was fantastic. And it was nice meeting you all. Goodbye."
"They're gonna kiss, mommy." Galahad drug me out the door. He closed it and as soon as he did pressed me against it. He then kissed me with more passion then I had ever experienced in my life, or even thought imaginable. It truly took my breath away, yet another cliche I didn't think existed.
"Wow." That was all I could manage to squeak out.
"I know you said that you would be happy to sit there and look at me all day but I can't seem to go even a few hours without kissing you. That was hell. But my little sister was right." He smiled and kissed me again. "I love you Averia, more than anything in the world. When we get to your house I will ask Chlorine and Nimby for their permission to be your betrothed." I smiled at him, my whole body still tingling from the passion of his kiss.
"I love you, Galahad." I kissed him lightly and then gave him a huge hug.
"Come on, I'll take you home." We walked to my house, which wasn't far and I led him in.
"I'm home!" Chlorine came rushing out.
"How was dinner dear?"
"Wonderful."
"Excuse me, Miss Chlorine, ma'am, I have something to ask of you and Mr. Nimby."
"Of course. I will get him." I sat down on the couch and Galahad paced nervously.
"It's okay darling, sit down."
"What if they say no?"
"They won't say no. Come and sit by me, my love." He looked at me and then sat, still nervous. I was going to kiss him to calm him down but Chlorine and Nimby returned. They sat across from us.
"Well, Galahad. What would you like to ask us?" I could tell by Chlorine's face that she already knew.
"Umm...well...you see...Umm..." I squeezed his hand. He looked at me and I smiled at him, nodding for him to continue. "I'd like your permission to marry your daughter." He looked at the two, who had very solemn expressions. Then Nimby nodded.
"Of course you can. Just not until she is eighteen. We would be proud to have her betrothed to you." Relief washed over his face.
"Thank you so much."
"Now you must return home you have a long day tomorrow. Averia, see him out." I did so.
"Didn't I tell you it would be okay?"
"Didn't I?"
"You are not as funny as you think you are."
"Yes I am."
"No, you aren't."
"Then why are you laughing?" I realized he was right and I began to feel the now familiar blush creep up my face. "Goodbye my love, I will see you in the morning." He kissed me one last time and then turned to leave.
"Goodbye." I wanted him to come back but knew he had to go. I was in love, I was getting married. The realization hit and instead of the sickening feeling that usually accompanies shock there was only happiness. I ran back inside and up to my room, anxious for the next morning.
