Here is chapter three, Howl has finally made an appearance.

The next day Morgan was up a little later than planned, but was still dressed before seven. He ran down the stairs, into the living room and was just about to open the door to Market chipping, when he heard someone get out of a chair behind him.

It was Howl; he looked older and had obviously not been in the bathroom yet, but it was not the lack of spells that made him look older, it was the bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. He had been up all last night passing about exchanging idea's with Calcifer, trying desperately to find some way to sneak out of looking for a husband for the king's daughter.

He was now standing quietly looking at Morgan, accusingly, with his arms folded. Behind him Calcifer hovered looking smug.

"Where are you going?" Howl asked.

"Err, out?" replied Morgan, trying not to reveal anything.

"Oh no you don't, you're going to have a magic lesson first."

"Why!"

"Because you need to learn the trade."

"What trade?"

"Royal Wizard of course!"

"What! You don't inherit that." Shouted Morgan getting angrier; he was late

"Well the king wants you be his next royal wizard, when I retire."

"You can't make me!"

"No, but he can. Then you will be you looking for silly princes for some little brat to marry."

"You just want me to help you find some way to get you out of looking for the princess' husband!"

He ran to the door, but found Calcifer blocking the way. He turned and walked back to Howl.

"Let me out!"

"Not unless you tell me where you're going or after your magic lesson."

"Father!"

"No, sit down. Why are you wearing your best suit anyway."

"You said I didn't have to tell you if I endure an hour of figuring out some spell or another, so you can spend your time slithering out of other things!"

"Sit down, you'll wake your mother."

"Good! MOTHER!"

"She'll make you tell where you're going, so far I've told her you where spending the day with some friends."

"You just want me on your side." Morgan replied, but he didn't really want to confront his mother, so he spoke quieter.

"Yes, but do you really want a row with Sophie?"

"Better than continuing this one."

"I'm sure I was a much less whiny teenager."

"I'm twenty!"

"Fine, but I bet I wasn't half as rude and cosseted as you!"

"Well if you were anything like you are now, you were worse!"

"Don't disrespect your elders!'

"Who spent three hours every morning in the bathroom trying to look my age!"

"You would two if you had 31 grey hairs!"

"You counted?" said Morgan, rather hit off his guard.

"Every morning." Replied Howl, looking a little sheepish.

Morgan sat down and faced his father.

"That is sad." He said finally, breaking the awkward silence

"Well so is you being so ashamed of whatever you are doing all day."

Morgan looked rather ashamed. Howl continued,

'I won't ask or even make you do your magic lesson today, if you promise to try and either find a nice husband for the princess or find some way for me to get out of it."

Morgan nodded and without a word exited the castle, before he had to talk to Howl again. It was so that he started his walk, through Market Chipping to Cesari's, in a bad mood. He was late and now roped into helping his father with a stupid plan to slither out of doing his job, which meant Morgan would now have to find some way to slither out of helping. He grumbled to himself all the way down the hill.

It was a brisk morning and rain clouds leered above the slate roves of Market Chipping. There were puddles on the path and heavy dew. He saw a clock hanging above a shop, Cesari's must have already been open an hour! It would be jam packed already and he would have no chance of seeing Elaine at all. This thought did however not stop him joining the mob inside the shop. It was not as busy as it had been on May Day and he managed to push himself to the front. Elaine saw him and hurried forward to serve him knocking another serving girl out of her way and leaving her previous customer half way through his order. This made Morgan feel rather smug, though he tried not to show it.

Elaine's face appeared in front of him and in an instant he had forgotten all about Howl.

"Well what do you want today? Pizza?" she said smiling band and making Morgan laugh.

"One talk in private, if possible miss." He replied

"You'll be lucky." She replied, but followed Morgan as he pushed his way through the crowd to the half-door that lead behind the counter. Elaine opened the door and lead him to the backroom where they faced another bunch of red faced girls with trays of wonderful smelling pastries. She pulled him through a door and into a small coat room.

"Well, here is your order sir, I hope it fits your needs and make whatever you need to say quick; I'm probably already in trouble."

"How can say everything I need to say quickly."

"Give me a reason to listen"

"I…I love you." He stuttered. A silence followed, broken when Elaine said, now serious,

"And I don't even know your name."

"I..I'm Morgan"

"You really love me, we…we've only met twice you know."

"I know but….but, I just couldn't help it. I've never felt this way before about anyone."

"I never believed in love by first sight and I had to keep reminding myself that after we first met and then you, well, turned up again and it…." Her voice faded so she just smiled and reached her hand out to Morgan, he took it. It was sticky and rough from working in the bakery but he could not care for a moment. He looked into Elaine's eyes and said slowly and a little shakily,

"Are you, you busy later?"

"Well I…no."

"Would you perhaps join me, well me and my family, for dinner… tonight?"

"Err, ok, umm, where do you live"

"You know wizard Howl?"

"Of course"

"I'm his son'

She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"…What, but I've never seen you, before…before a few days ago." She finally managed to stutter laughing a little.

"I'm usually in Kingsbury, but I'm off for the Holidays."

"Well, I guess I'll see you tonight."

"Good."

"Bye"

She did not let go of his hand, but pulled him out of the cloak room and to the door which had been stuck. He let go of her hand, and looking back for one final glance at her beautiful face, he walked away and back to the castle, to find some way to break the news Elaine would be joining them at dinner and some how make sure they all behaved.

Well what do you think? Review please.