Disclaimer: The characters portrayed in the story are not mine. Good enough?
A/N: First time "Anne of Ect." writer here…hehehe, I'm an Anne – Fan. Anyways, don't mind me, most people don't, it's just easier. Looking for some feedback, be it good, bad, or downright ugly. Enjoy!
Champion
Walter climbed off the bleeding Dan Reese, paused for a minute, then fled.
The boys immediately clustered around Dan, while the girls were sobbing. All except Faith, who stood on the fence, motionless. The roses had gone from her cheeks, and she was pale and tense, her bright eyes dreadful. With a sudden movement, she leapt down from the fence and ran, in the same direction Walter had.
She ran blindly – it was good she knew the path to the Valley so well, or she would have fallen. She collided with something – something tall and warm and dressed in black.
"Father!" Faith gasped, staring up into her father's eyes. John Meredith smiled down on his daughter. "He's in Rainbow Valley. Go and find him." Faith needed no more encouragement. She ran, and the minister gazed after her. "Go and congratulate your champion, Faith," he said softly, watching the small figure until she was out of sight.
Faith stumbled into Rainbow Valley. It was empty – a rare occurrence. The string of bells swung gently, their simple, mystical music floating through the trees. Faith looked around – where was Walter? She jumped at the sound of a voice.
"Hello, Faith." It was Walter, sitting on the shadow-cloaked ground beside the Tree Lovers. Faith paused, uncertain of what to say, even why she was there. "I came for my ribbon," she lied, motioning to the blue hair ribbon, still tied around Walter's arm.
The pale boy stood slowly, and untied the ribbon, handing it to Faith, who reached out a shaking hand. "I just wanted to…to thank you, Walter, for defending my honour," she said quietly. Walter shrugged. "I wasn't doing it for just you. He insulted my mother. Besides," he continued, warming to his topic, gray eyes flashing. "I'm sure you would have liked it more if it was Jem who fought. No one calls him Miss Jem."
Faith choked, tears springing to her eyes. Walter forged on. "So you can just take your ribbon and go away, Faith. Go away and find Jem and everyone else – and leave me alone!" He whirled around, anger gone as quickly as it came.
Faith stomped her foot, the tears streaming down her still pale cheeks. "I do not like Jem!" she exclaimed vehemently. "He's so stuck up, and he thinks he knows everything. I don't care that they call you Miss Walter – I know it's not true. I came here to thank you, and you tell me to go away. Well fine then. Goodbye!"
She turned and ran, reaching the top of the path before Walter called out her name. She stopped, and turned back, watching through tear filled eyes as he slowly walked towards her.
"I'm sorry," he said gently. Faith pulled out her handkerchief, wiping her eyes. "I don't care. I don't want an apology from you, Walter Blythe!" She started to move again, but he reached out and caught her hand. "Please," he begged. "I am sorry. I was just mad – at myself, at Dan, at everything. I shouldn't have said what I did."
Faith paused, her outrage slowly disappearing. Walter leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on her rosy lips, before turning and running. She stood, disbelieving.
Maybe Walter wasn't all that bad…
***The End***
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