Ever After

What would happen if Danielle and Henry were separated and didn't see each other for 10 years? Would the love still be there? Wedding bells? Children? What about a conspiracy on Henry's life, headed by a past enemy?

Danielle ran from the masque, crying and her tears were blurring her vision. Leonardo saw her and called to her, but she didn't seem to hear him. Leonardo went to Henry on the roof.

"What have you done? Do you have any idea what that girl went through to get hear tonight?"

Henry retorted, "She lied to me."

"She came to tell you the truth, and you fed it to the wolves."

Henry jumped up from where he had been sitting, "What do you know? You build flying machines, and you walk on water, and yet you know nothing about life!"

"I know that a life without love is no life at all."

"And love without trust? What of that?"

"She's your match, Henry."

"I am but a servant to my crown and I have made my decision...I WILL NOT YIELD!" He shouted at Leonardo.

With a heavy sigh he replied, "Then you don't deserve her."

Leonardo set down Danielle's glass slipper and walked away, head held down in despair. Henry looked at the slipper, and then gently touched it as the rain began to fall. Somewhere far away, Danielle had not gone back to the manor. She had gone into the woods, and then ran into the band of gypsies that she and Henry had met a few months ago. The leader of the group recognized her and approached her.

"What is wrong, my dear?" He asked.

Danielle looked up at him, and continued to sob. "Henry doesn't want anything to do with me, and I can't go back to my home. Can I join your troupe of gypsies? At least until I get back on my feet and get a place of my own?"

"Alright, little one. Come on. I'll introduce you."

The next day, Henry went to church to get married. When he saw that Gabriella did not want to get married anymore than he did, Henry told her to go to her love. Then, he ran out of the church heading for the Baroness' coach. Maurice was sitting on the coach when Henry arrived.

"Where is she?" He asked panting.

Maurice was confused, "The Baroness?"

Henry shook his head, "Nic-Danielle."

"We don't know, sire."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

Then, Jacqueline came up. "We don't know where Danielle is, sire. After the masque when she ran out, Mother thought she would go back to the manor. But, when we got there, we couldn't find Danielle anywhere."

Henry hung his head. As the tears began to swell in his eyes he thought, 'this is my fault. I drove her to this, because I wouldn't listen to what she had to say. Why am I such an idiot?' Suddenly, he lifted his head up.

"If it's the last thing I ever do, I will find Danielle. I will search for her day and night. It is my fault that she is missing and I'll be the one to bring her back." With that, Henry walked away from the carriage and toward the castle.

Danielle was having a good time settling into her new home amongst the gypsies. She had now met all of them and all of them were so nice. They all loved her, and they made her an honorary gypsy. Then, the head gypsy, Royu came to pay her a visit. Royu came and sat beside Danielle.

"How are you, little one? Settling in nice?"

"Yes, thank you very much. I appreciate all that you are doing for me."

"You may stay here as long as you like. You have my word."

And she did stay...for 10 long years.

10 YEARS LATER

Henry had looked for Danielle for 5 years after her disappearance. He looked all in the forest, went back to the Ruins at Amboise everyday, and still no Danielle. He had finally given up, but still had not married. He refused to marry until he had news of Danielle's death, and that was the only way he would marry.

Danielle was with her friends one day and they decided to go into town. When they got into town, Danielle noticed something very funny. Her picture was posted everywhere, on a 'Wanted' sign. It read:

Danielle de Barbarac: wanted Dead or Alive. See Prince Henry with details if you have seen this woman. Reward: Title of nobility, 100,000 pounds, hand in marriage of any maiden in the kingdom.

She gasped. 'Why would Henry want me dead? I thought he loved me.' As soon as she had completed the thought, a man came a snatched her.

"I'm gonna get me a title of nobility!" At that moment, Danielle started to struggle and the man knocked her out with a hammer and then proceeded to drag her to the palace.

When he reached the gate, the guards asked, "What business do you have here, peasant?"

"I have here, the lady on the 'Wanted' signs. I want my reward."

The guards looked closely at her, and it was indeed, Danielle.

"Thank you for bringing her in. We'll take it from here."

"Wha' abou' my reward?"

"Sir, you are wanted for thievery and you get no reward. You'll be lucky if the King pardons you for bringing in this woman. Take him to the dungeon."

The guards took a limp Danielle with them to the throne room, where King Henry was meeting with his advisors. One of the guards knocked on the door and stepped in cautiously, not knowing how to start this conversation. When the King nodded for him to come in, the guard stated,

"Um...Your Majesty...I have something outside that you'll want to take a look at. And I don't think it can wait. It is a matter of some urgency."

Puzzled, the Henry followed the guard outside the throne room and nearly passed out. Right there in front of him, was his beloved Danielle. Without speaking, he moved closer to the guard carrying her, and walked toward his chambers. What did I do to deserve this? I can't believe I am holding this angel in my arms. I have missed her. It has been what...10 years since the masque and the last time I've seen her? I'm never letting her go again. Never.

Henry finally reached his chamber, and laid Danielle down gently on the bed. She looked so peaceful sleeping. She was dirty from head to foot, and had on tattered clothing. And even after all that, Henry still thought she looked like and angel.

Slowly, Danielle woke up. "Hello."

She looked over at Henry, and shot up out of the bed.

"How did I get here? What are you doing here?"

"A man brought you in for a reward and it turns out he was a thief himself. You're safe. Please don't leave, sit down. Please?" he talked just above a whisper.

Her heart beating wildly, Danielle sat down. She sat and he moved closer to her.

"I want to explain about what happened so long ago. After that night, at the masque, I never stopped looking for you. I searched for 5 long years, and then just started offering a reward and put up the Wanted signs, hoping someone would eventually bring you to me. I still mean what I said that day, at Amboise. I still want you for my wife, and queen. If you'll have me. I still love you with all my heart."

Danielle looked shocked. "Are you honestly expecting me to just jump into your arms, like nothing happened? How can you even be sure that I still love you?"

He grinned, "Then why are you breathing so heavily, and being so jittery?"

She couldn't help but smile. "Ok, so I do still love you. I haven't stopped thinking about you since I left. But why should I become your queen?"

He moved closer to her on the bed. "Because you can't resist me and you love me. And I want to get you out of those clothes. By the way, where have you been all these years?"

She hung her head as she smiled. "I have been living with the gypsies that we met that day so long ago."

They laughed. This was the first time that they had both laughed in so long. When they had subdued their laughing, Henry leaned in toward Danielle and kissed her. It felt like fireworks were going off in that very room. He put his hand on the back of her neck, and deepened the kiss. She felt his tongue on the tip of her lips, and parted them willingly and welcomingly. Finally, with much dismay, Danielle broke the kiss. She thought if they went any further, they might do something inappropriate. And they weren't married yet.

"So, can I take that as a yes?"

She laughed and just kissed him again.

ok guys, let me know what you think. There will be more to come, I assure you! Enjoy! Review! Love, Brianna ºoº

Music-Butterfly