A/N Thank you for the most wonderful reviews – especially you, Anna, and Anon! You guys are the reason I'm writing this chapter now!

Chapter 15: Knowledge and Love

Towards late afternoon, Van Helsing led the way into the centre of Vaseria. Anna had wanted to, but with her injuries, Gabriel had insisted that she ride instead of walk. She had grudgingly agreed, hiding her new sword under a long navy coat - just in case. Carl walked on the other side of Anna's black stallion, nervous and frantically trying to devise a way of breaking the news to the Cardinal. His mumbling and the crunch of footsteps in the snow was the only sound to be heard.

As he walked, Gabriel cast his eyes up at Anna. Her gaze was distant, her mind deep in thought. He studied her. She held her reins loosely in one hand as her other was wrapped carefully around her ribs. Gabriel's eyes wondered up to her china face. She was pale. Her usually crimson lips, a washed out pink. The shine that had been in her eyes earlier that day had faded. The cut on her forehead was beginning to heal, but her bruises shone blue and purple. Gabriel's heart ached. He hated seeing her like this. So detached, so…unlike herself. He didn't blame her for being nervous: the townspeople would not react well to her news. Anna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Gabriel reached up and covered her hand with his, squeezing gently to show his support. Anna smiled, opening her eyes and looking down at him, her eyes full of gratitude.

Gabriel didn't take his eyes off her. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Anna-" Van Helsing's foot caught on a branch buried in the snow and the hunter fell face-first into a waiting pile of snow.

Anna giggled and pulled the reins to stop her horse.

"Van Helsing?" Carl leaned out, looking puzzled. "What on earth are you doing down there?"

Gabriel pushed himself up, grumbling and spitting out snow. He glared sarcastically at Carl. "Checking that this is snow, not wool."

"Very funny." Carl said, glancing up at the sky. "We'd better get a move on – looks like there's snow headed this way. I won't be able to cable Rome in a storm," Carl paused to think for a moment, "On second thought, perhaps we should dawdle?"

"No Carl," Anna spoke up. "We must warn the people and find out if anyone had been reported missing. We need to get to the bottom of this – again."

When they entered the main square, everyone turned to stare. Anna held her head high, confident in the knowledge that Gabriel was at her side. Whispers began to fill the air.

"Look at the princess!"

"She's riding – she never rides in town!"

"Look at her face. I wonder what happened?"

"Princess Anna looks terrible. What's wrong with her?"

"Do you think it was that Van Helsing?"

Carl quickly split away from Anna and Gabriel, hurrying to cable Rome. Anna stopped her horse in front of the well she usually stood on. Gabriel took up a position beside her and a crowd quickly gathered.

"Friends!" Anna called. "Count Dracula has been resurrected."

The crowd broke into a panicked debate. Once it quietened, Anna spoke again, explaining the Gislaeya ritual and warning the people against Jacob. Gabriel watched with fascination. She was hurt, nervous, vulnerable – yet here she was, concerned for her people, out in the freezing snow to warn them. At once, Gabriel saw why the people looked up to her so. She was a strong leader, diplomatic and determined, but at the same time, sensitive and attentive. It only served to make her more desirable to him. His eyes floated to her lips and his mind wondered to other, less decent thoughts.

"Is everyone accounted for?" Anna asked, scanning the crown. At first, there was silence, until a young man stepped forward.

"My wife Elaina, princess. She disappeared a few nights ago." He said solemnly.

"What is your name?"

"Gustav Illona, princess."

"Gustav, is there any possibility the vampires could have been responsible?" Anna asked gently.

"Without a doubt, princess. She went to fetch firewood from outside. It was late and very dark. No sunlight. Nothing to stop them."

Anna didn't know what to say to the man. She was too caught up in her own memories. The death of her mother had been much the same. Annabelle Valerious had also gone outside at night and simply…vanished. A young Anna had been told that she had gone to Heaven, but she had known better. Dracula had taken her mother. Her mother had gone to Hell on earth.

Anna looked at Gustav, her mouth open, yet unable to form words. Luckily, Gabriel stepped in.

"Gustav, would you mind if you and I discussed this in private?" he asked.

"Not at all, Mr Van Helsing," Gustav nodded and followed Gabriel to one side of the square.

Anna once again found her voice. Turning to the remaining people and issuing instructions for security – guards and curfews were to be set up.

Nearby, Gabriel turned to Gustav.

"You're quite young to be married," he said, trying to sound colloquial.

"We were married young – an arranged marriage," replied Gustav with an uneasy smile.

"I see."

Gabriel didn't know what to say. He couldn't just come out and ask if the man and his wife had ever slept together – not in such a conservative village. But he could also not stand and say nothing; he was wasting precious time. Luckily, Gustav spoke out.

"You love princess Anna, don't you?"

Gabriel was a bit taken aback by the question. He smiled.

"Yes, I do," he affirmed – both for Gustav and himself.

Gustav smiled and nodded. His eyes drifted past Van Helsing and suddenly his face dropped, as his eyes grew large. Gabriel frowned.

Terror crossed Gustav's face.

"Then you'd better hurry to save her!" he yelled, "Vampire!"

Gabriel spun around just in time to see Jacob sweep down from behind Anna and knock her off her horse. Her head the edge of the well and she lay unmoving.

"Anna!" Gabriel screamed.

Chaos erupted. People began screaming and running around frantically.

Gabriel sprinted towards Anna. Halfway there, he was knocked sideways off his feet. Something large and growling pinned him to the ground. Gabriel looked up into Jacob's eyes.

"You again!"

Raising his leg, Gabriel kicked Jacob off him but Jacob flew back. Gabriel continued to avert his attacks, but Jacob fought back relentlessly, determined to keep Van Helsing busy. In a moment of weakness, Gabriel was able to grab a pitchfork and ram it through Jacob's chest, pinning him to a nearby wall.

Van Helsing stepped back, ready to pull out a silver stake, when an anguished cry interrupted him. It was Carl.

"Anna!"

Gabriel turned. It felt as if a cold bucket of ice water had been poured over him. Dracula was crouched over Anna, his back to Gabriel.

Damn it! No wonder Jacob wouldn't leave me alone! Gabriel's mind screamed at him. He drew his silver stake, ready to lunge at Dracula when a small boy ran past him, pursued by Jacob.

"Save him! Please! Save my son!" It was Gustav.

"Your son?" Gabriel repeated. Elaina had a child. The ritual was flawed. Thank God.

Van Helsing jumped into action.

"Carl! Get Anna to safety!" he yelled, opening fire on Dracula with his crossbow. Dracula shrieked, transforming into his bat form. He fell back from Anna, grasping at his back. Gabriel turned and shot at Jacob, who quickly slanted away from the little boy and hit a tree instead.

Gabriel breathed a quick sigh of relief even though he had little time until Jacob healed. He ran over to where Dracula lay, pointing his crossbow defensively in front of him. Dracula lay gasping.

"Damn you to Hell, Gabriel!" he cursed.

Van Helsing said nothing, but took a sword similar to Anna's out of his coat and aimed in at Dracula's heart. He was about to strike down when he was once again knocked back. His sword clattered to the ground.

It was Jacob once more, more bloodthirsty than ever. He snarled, baring rows of sharp fangs.

"Jacob!" a voice boomed. Jacob spun around, his eyes madly questioning. "We shall fight another day!" Dracula took off into the air. Blood ran from his back, down his leg and dripped off into the ground as he flew over it.

Jacob looked from him to Van Helsing and then to where Anna lay. He gave a frustrated roar and took off, following Dracula.

Gabriel paused for a second, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He remembered Anna. He pushed himself up and ran over to where Carl had dragged Anna.

He was relieved to find Anna awake. She smiled up at him.

"Did I miss all the action?" she asked, looking disappointed.

"Yes, but it wasn't very good," Gabriel winked, "Not up to your usual expectations."

Anna put on a baby face, "I didn't even get to use my new sword."

"Your time will come," Gabriel smiled. He paused. "Are you okay?"

"No worse than usual," Anna winced, and held out her arms. Gabriel wrapped his arms around her and picked her up, holding her tightly in his strong arms. He never wanted to let go. Never.

Anna rubbed her nose against his and pressed her lips to his for a soft kiss. His touch eased the pain, now pulsing in her ribs and her head. Only when she broke from the kiss did she realise that half the town had returned to the square and was now watching them.

Blushing, she looked up at Gabriel, "I can walk, you know."

"I know," he smiled, and gently put her on her feet. Anna wobbled a bit, so he put his arm around her to steady her.

Anna turned to the people.

"There was your proof. The Count has returned. But do not be fearful. We have killed him before and we shall again!"

A few people cheered, others only nodded sincerely. Soon, they began to wander off, returning to their daily business, as if nothing had happened. It had always been this way in Vaseria. With the constant attacks, people become accustomed to disruption and learned to continue as before.

Carl came over to Anna and Gabriel carrying a sword. He handed it to Gabriel.

"Lose something?"

"Thank you Carl," Gabriel nodded his appreciation. The hilt caught Anna's eye. Identical to her own, save emeralds in place of her rubies. She pulled it from his had and inspected the base. A curly G looked back at her. She gasped and looked up at Gabriel.

"It's identical to my own." She said.

"They make a pair," Gabriel said softly.

"Then they cannot be parted," Anna said, her eyes shining at Van Helsing as she leaned in for a kiss.

What was intended to be a quick kiss began to deepen and Carl cleared his throat. Hunter and princess turned to look at him. He said nothing, pointing to the sky instead. Small white snowflakes were beginning to float down from the sky.

"We'd better get back to the Manor." Anna said. Carl quickly ran to fetch her horse and Gabriel helped her on.

Soon, they were seated in the den of Valerious Manor. A large fire was blazing in the fireplace. Gabriel and Anna were lying together on a couch, covered in a warn blanket. Carl's armchair was vacant: he had gone to find some warm drinks. He arrived with four mugs.

"Forgotten how to count, old friend?" Gabriel joked with him. Carl gave him a sarcastic look.

"No, the fourth is a tonic, to ease Anna's headache." He handed Gabriel a mug of cider. Anna got one filled with a pale green substance. She instantly pulled up her nose.

"I thought you dealt with weapons, not medicines Carl," said Van Helsing.

"I do, but I've done a bit of experimenting with certain herbs and chemicals."

"Experimenting? What is this stuff Carl?" Anna asked flatly, looking at her cup suspiciously.

"Warm milk, actually. Infused with some aloe, a variety of herbs and lavender. Quite simple really," he explained smartly, "And harmless," he added quickly.

"Oh." Anna looked down at the cup. She wanted her pounding headache to ease but did she want it this much? She shrugged and downed the contents of the cup.. Gabriel looked at her expectantly. Anna pulled a sour face but said nothing, accepting a mug of warm tea from Carl.

Carl smiled, satisfied and settled into his chair. "The lavender might make you a little sleepy," he commented, "but that's just what you need after the past few days."

Anna said nothing and took a sip of her tea. Chamomile. Her favourite. She always drank it when she was tense.

"How did you get rid of Dracula today?" Carl asked, "You injured him quite badly."

"I thought Dracula was immune to the weapons of man?" Anna added sleepily, looking up at Gabriel questioningly.

"He was." Gabriel smiled, thinking of the good news he had to share. "Do you remember it being said that the sacrifice used in the ritual to resurrect him had to be a virgin?"

Anna and Carl nodded.

"Well, Elaina – the sacrifice – had a son. She wasn't a virgin, not pure enough to ensure Dracula's full return."

"Does this mean what I think it does?" Anna asked, getting excited.

Gabriel nodded. "Dracula is mortal."

Anna smiled, and soft tears of joy began to stream from her eyes. She buried her face in Gabriel's' chest and he put his arms around her. Gabriel understood fully how she must have felt. Nine generations of her family had been wasted in a fruitless quest to kill Dracula. Anna had lost everything and now, finally, she would be able to end her pain. Gabriel glanced over at Carl. The friar sat with a kindly look on his face and a tear in his eye. Carl was always a fool for a sentimental moment. The whole scene just filled him with a sense of undeniable goodness and reassurance for the future.

Anna lifted her head and looked at Gabriel. She mouthed a silent 'Thank You' and he reached up and wiped her tears. He held her gaze, speaking to her silently with his eyes.

Their tender silence was interrupted by a loud sniff. It was Carl. Gabriel and Anna looked over at him incredulously.

"I'm sorry", he said, wiping his eyes, "It's just so happy!" He quickly rose and hurried to the kitchen to get a towel.

Gabriel looked down at Anna and smiled warmly. He fingered a small object in his pocket, thinking.

"I love you Gabriel. I know I say it often, but I mean it more every time. You have made my life happy again. You have lifted my curse." Anna said, putting her hand against his cheek.

Gabriel's doubts vanished. He pulled the object from his pocket.

"Anna, I love you too. You have changed my life. I used to live in darkness, in pain, in guilt. But you have made my darkness light, filled my cold with warmth. I want to be with you forever, I couldn't bear to let you go."

Gabriel took her hand and placed a small, cold object in it. Anna looked down. A fine gold ring shone back at her. It was simple, decorated only with small rubies.

Anna gasped and tears returned to her eyes. She looked up at Gabriel.

"Is this part of a pair?" she asked, her eyes searching his.

Gabriel smiled and reached back into his pocket, pulling an almost identical ring out. It was bigger and had emeralds instead of rubies.

"A pair indeed." Anna said softly. She took the ring from Gabriel and slid it onto his finger. He did the same with hers. Burning joy flooded through Gabriel and he took her lips in a passionate kiss. Finally, they were joined. Together.

A/N Well, I hope you enjoyed. I apologise that all of this was so sudden but don't fear; the story is far from over. I just felt like some fluff.

PLEASE please please take the time to review. I'm going into exams but I have days off to continue writing. I'm a real sucker for reviews – they really bribe me to write.