Disclaimer: JER/NBC own characters

Of course, this is not possible without, and dedicated to, LuvinEvian and Courtaney, for their help, support, and threats! LOL! Love you guys :) :) :)--EF

Eve could hardly believe the costume that Lord Crane gifted her with. A low-cut bodice of white tulle enveloped her lush curves, ending in light layered skirts. Golden dust was sparkled over the gown, so whenever Eve moved, she sparkled as well. And delicate, sheer wings floated from her back. Her gloved hands held a white mask, embroidered with golden thread.

"You look breathtaking, Eve," Grace marveled. "Who would have guessed Lord Crane would give you such a lovely costume? And an angel, no less!" Grace was dressed as a milkmaid, complete with milking pail.

"Grace is right, Eve, you do look breathtaking," Samuel agreed. He wore blacksmith garb.

Eve blushed at the compliments. "You are both so kind to me. I don't know what I would have done without the two of you." The three walked into the castle, in awe at the luxurious surroundings.

"Have you ever seen tapestries like this?" Eve exclaimed. "And the paintings. Lord Crane obviously is a man of exceptional tastes."

"No, I haven't," Grace answered. "Not even on market day, when the traveling vendors pass through Harmony."

Samuel smiled at the ladies' remarks. "Lord Crane is obviously an extremely wealthy man. It stands to reason that he would fill his home with all manner of treasures, not usually seen in a provincial town like Harmony."

A silver haired woman suddenly appeared before them, a friendly smile on her face.

"Good evening," she said. "I am Lisette. Who, may I tell Lord Crane, has arrived?"

"Captain Samuel Bennett, my wife Grace, and Dr. Eve Johnson," Samuel explained. Lisette curtsied, and then led them into the main hall, alive with other folk from the town.

"Lord Crane is indisposed at the moment, but he will be here shortly." Lisette signaled to a female servant. "Jane will see to your comfort with wine and honey cakes." She curtsied again. "Please, excuse me."

Eve shook her head at the proffered cakes. She did not feel hungry, and mention of the wine made her remember Julian's dandelion wine.

Grace saw Eve's expression change, even under her mask. "You're thinking of him again, aren't you?" She laid a comforting hand on Eve's shoulder. "Eve, even if it is just for a little while, try to take your mind off of him."

"I am trying, Grace. It's just when I see everyone enjoying themselves..." She glanced at Seth, who was with the tawdry blonde she saw before with Julian. "I cannot even pretend to be happy," she said.

"Seth is not the good man I thought he was, I agree," Grace said, her eyes narrowing at him. "If only for one night, Eve, try to smile."

Eve smiled at Grace, though her eyes were glassy. "For you and Samuel, Grace."

"Would you allow me the pleasure of dancing with you later?" Samuel asked Eve. "You and Grace are the loveliest ladies here, and it would be an honor. Not to mention every other man here will envy my good fortune."

"Of course, Samuel."

"Dr. Johnson has arrived, Lord Crane."

Julian held his breath a moment. His beloved was here. Finally, as a normal man, he would be able to see her and hold her in his arms. How would she react?

He looked at Lisette gratefully. "Thank you."

"Shall I announce your entrance now?"

Julian shook his head. "Not yet. I have to finish my preparations. Is Father Lonigan in attendance?"

"Yes, Lord Crane."

"Thank you, Lisette. I will be there shortly."

"As you wish, Lord Crane." Lisette curtsied, and left the chamber.

Julian picked up his eye mask, and tied it around his head. Soon he would see the love of his life. He left his chamber, clutching the ring he intended to place upon Eve's finger.

A hush fell over the crowd. Lord Crane stood at the top of the magnificent staircase, resplendent as a pirate. A cutlass lay in a red sash around his waist; Lord Crane wore high black boots, and white shirt. Completing his outfit was the black mask.

A page announced him, though it was unnecessary. "Lord Crane." As Julian made his way down the staircase, the page continued, "In keeping with the theme of the masque--mystery--Lord Crane shall not speak aloud this evening." A murmur rose from the crowd.

Julian smiled to himself. He did not want the tone of his voice to give him away...not yet. Not until he finally revealed himself to his Eve.

He reached the bottom of the staircase and scanned the room for Eve. Where are you, my love, he wondered. How can I find you with all of Harmony here?

An idea occurred to Julian, and he signaled the page who announced him. After listening to the instructions, the page hurried off to do his bidding. Julian walked through the crowd, nodding at those who greeted him. Yet his mind was not on his guests, save one.

"I pray you forgive me for my harshness when we last saw one another, my darling. I wanted you to be happy, with a man who would love you the way you deserved to be loved, and give you everything that I could not.

"Now, I will be that man, and we shall grow old together. Lord and Lady Crane."

The music suddenly stopped, causing the costumed crowd to grow quiet. The page stood in front of the musicians, holding a scroll and a cloth bag.

"Lord Crane wishes to announce he is giving every family in Harmony one hundred pounds in gold. He wishes to help the village provide for their needs for a long time to come." An excited buzz went through the crowd.

Julian smiled to himself. He wanted to repay the villagers for the foodstuff and livestock he was forced to steal as a giant. Seeing the overjoyed faces of his guests, he knew he did the right thing.

"Lord Crane has further declared that a special dance is to be held. The names of the maidens in Harmony were placed in this bag. He wishes to dance with the maiden whose name is chosen at random."

Eve shook her head. She was amazed Lord Crane was so generous with his fortune, but she wondered at the announcement of the dance he intended to share with one of Harmony's maidens.

"Did you hear that, Eve?" Grace's eyes sparkled like diamonds as a wide grin turned her lips. "I wonder who the maiden will be. Wouldn't it be something if it was you?"

"Grace, I do not want to dance with this Lord Crane, or anyone else save Samuel, he being a dear friend. Besides, the page stated all of the maidens in Harmony have their names in there. The chance that it would be me is highly unlikely."

What Eve and Grace did not know, and the page and Julian did, is that Eve's name was the only name in the bag. The page held the name up, and read it aloud.

"Doctor Eve Johnson." A hush went through the crowd, as all eyes turned to Eve. She stood there, nervously holding her mask up to her face, her cheeks crimson.

Why did it have to be me? Eve fretted. I do not want to dance with this Lord Crane; I only want to dance with Julian, her heart cried. The villagers made way for her, but Eve still stood, frozen to the spot.

Julian's breath caught in his throat. Eve was stunningly beautiful in the costume he had ordered for her. It was fitting she dressed as an angel, for that was how he saw her. He began to walk towards her.

"Eve," Grace whispered, "you have to dance with him."

"Grace, I don't want to. I have had enough of being forced to do things that I do not want to do," Eve whispered back.

"It's just a dance, Eve. What harm could it do?" Grace squeezed her friend's gloved hand for support, and then backed away as Lord Crane drew nearer.

Julian stood in front of Eve, his gaze feasting on her. Eve. The woman who saved him from a lifetime of despair and torment. The woman who loved him in spite of his monstrous size. The woman who would soon become his wife.

Eve grew uneasy at Lord Crane's frank appraisal of her. To break her growing tension, she dropped into a graceful curtsey, the wings of her costume fluttering softly behind her.

"Lord Crane," she whispered. Julian held his hand out to hers, raising her up. He then bowed low over her hand, placing a chaste kiss upon it. Eve was unnerved by the gesture, and tried to withdraw her hand, but he maintained a firm grip.

Julian could hardly contain his delight. He stood up, Eve's hand still in his. The page signaled the musicians, and they began to play a new song.

Julian led Eve in a slow dance, his heart swelling with love for her, as the music filled the air...

Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.

Greensleeves was all my joy Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves.

Your vows you've broken, like my heart,
Oh, why did you so enrapture me?
Now I remain in a world apart But my heart remains in captivity.

I have been ready at your hand,
To grant whatever you would crave,
I have both wagered life and land,
Your love and good-will for to have.

If you intend thus to disdain,
It does the more enrapture me,
And even so, I still remain A lover in captivity.

My men were clothed all in green,
And they did ever wait on thee;
All this was gallant to be seen,
And yet thou wouldst not love me.

Thou couldst desire no earthly thing,
but still thou hadst it readily.
Thy music still to play and sing;
And yet thou wouldst not love me.

Well, I will pray to God on high,
that thou my constancy mayst see,
And that yet once before I die,
Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me.

Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell, adieu,
To God I pray to prosper thee,
For I am still thy lover true,
Come once again and love me.

Eve felt odd. She could not put her finger on it, but Lord Crane reminded her of something...someone. He said not a word, but the eyes that stared at her through his mask were strangely familiar.

She could not shake the feeling she had seen this man somewhere before, but where? She had never been around nobility. She shook her head at such a foolish notion. No, she had never rubbed elbows with the gentry; it was just her tired mind playing tricks on her. Her empty heart wanting to see those eyes from behind that mask. She sighed. Those eyes.

Julian's heart skipped a bit upon catching the shimmering brown orbs staring back at him. She is thinking of me, me as the giant, he reasoned. She is reminded of me. Joy filled his heart. Oh Eve, I can't wait to take you in my arms, to place that ring on your finger, to finally be with you in every way. Oh, Eve. Soon. It won't be long now.

Lord Crane's eyes. The intensity left her transfixed. He looked at her as if he knew her, yet Eve could not recall ever meeting this man. His very touch on her hand made her feel warm inside, but she did not want to feel that way about anyone. Only Julian. No other man was so kind, so gentle...even if she did not understand the cruelty of his actions when he brought her back to Harmony. Eve closed her eyes at the remembrance of the anguish she felt. No! If she could not have Julian in her life, she did not want anyone else.

But this Lord Crane... The closer he held her to the solid wall of his chest, the harder she found it to hold onto those words. This man, he made her feel things. Things she didn't want to feel. She looked into his eyes. What was so familiar about him?

They turned about the room. Eve felt like she was gliding, though her feet were firmly on the floor. She would have given anything to be able to dance like this with Julian. To have him hold her so close in his arms. To rest her head on his shoulder.

Lord Crane pulled her closer still. Eve thought to pull away, but for reasons she couldn't understand, did not. She enjoyed being with him. She enjoyed it too much, even as she continued to miss Julian more and more with every passing second.

Eve met the gaze of her dance partner. "It is wonderful what you are doing for the village," she said. "Those families will be forever grateful to you for your kindness. And thank you for this lovely costume." She laughed merrily. "Though I would never have thought of myself as an angel."

How she could consider herself anything but one was a mystery to Julian. He shook his head vigorously, as he guided her through the steps of the dance.

Julian inclined his head toward her. He longed to speak with her, but he did not want to reveal himself just yet. Eve wondered why he did not speak aloud, then remembered what the page had stated earlier.

"Forgive me for prattling on. I forgot you wish to remain silent this night. I just wanted you to know how much it will mean to my friends and patients." At his encouraging smile, she widened her own. "Your estate is beautiful-at least what I have seen of it. The tapestries, paintings... Everything is dazzling."

It thrilled him to know she admired his home. She would love it even more when it became hers as well.

The song ended, and the crowd broke into applause. Julian bowed to Eve, who responded with a curtsey. He clasped her hand as she attempted to leave.

"Lord Crane?" Eve looked at him quizzically. "The dance is over, so I would like to rejoin Samuel and Grace Bennett." He shook his head and gestured toward the entrance to the ballroom. "You want me to go with you?"

He nodded. Eve knew she should return to Samuel and Grace, but she was curious about Lord Crane. Curious as to why he sent her the costume and even more curious about the way he made her feel. Feelings she only wanted to feel for Julian.

"Yes, I will go with you," Eve agreed. As he led her out of the ballroom, every eye was upon them, particularly Grace's.

"Samuel, there is something going on here. Why is Lord Crane being so attentive to Eve?" she wondered.

Julian led Eve to the garden. Moonlight shone down upon them as they walked along the path. The air was heavy with the fragrance of the flowers.

Eve breathed deeply. "Your garden is as exquisite as the rest of your estate, Lord Crane. You are so blessed to have all of this." Eve beamed. She sat down on a settee next to a patch of Sterling roses. "These roses do not have thorns, were you aware of this?"

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers.

"They are my favorite," she said. "I've never see so many in one place." Eve sighed in contentment. "I could stay here forever." She tried to look more closely at Lord Crane's features, but the mask obscured his face. "You will not speak, even though we are alone here?"

Julian's hand covered hers that held the mask to her eyes. He lowered it and gasped, in awe of her beauty. It was like looking at her for the first time all over again.

Eve blushed upon hearing his sharp intake of breath. "You have me at a disadvantage, Lord Crane. You know my face and my voice, but I am unaware of yours."

He caressed her cheek, his eyes fastened upon her lips. Julian leaned closer and touched her lips with his. His eyes closed from the sheer pleasure of it. He'd dreamt of this moment for so long, he could hardly believe it finally happened.

At first, Eve seemed startled by his boldness, but as his lips moved over hers, she responded in kind. He held her, kissing her with all of the pent up feelings he had for her.

Eve was swept away by his kiss. She forgot where she was, and whom she was kissing. She let her mind be carried away to somewhere far from her opulent surroundings. To a place of simplicity, love, and desire. Her enchanting time with Julian.

She suddenly pulled back, struggling to catch her breath as heat fanned her cheeks. How could this have happened? How could she kiss this total stranger? What was it about him?

"Lord Crane, please forgive me. I do not know what has gotten into my head. Your kiss... I was affected by it, but I cannot let you get the wrong idea. I was wrong to let it occur. You see, my heart belongs to another."

He smiled at Eve's confession. She noticed his reaction, confused.

"My darling, I know this is all so hard for you, so confusing."

That voice. That endearment. Eve shook away her thought. It was ridiculous.

"Darling?" she repeated. "Lord Crane, I don't think you know me well enough to be so familiar," she replied, standing.

Lord Crane grabbed her arm and gently pulled her back down.

"I can explain," he said softly. "If you will let me."

With a start, Eve sat ramrod straight. "Your voice! It is like...but it can't be...it just can't be. Why am I torturing myself so? I am seeing him everywhere. Hearing him everywhere. He is always in my thoughts, but I shall never see him face to face again, of that I am certain. It is so hard. I love him with all my heart, and I shall continue to love him for all eternity." She sobbed, no longer able to control her emotions, even in the company of this dashing stranger.

Julian was overcome with emotion. He couldn't let his ladylove suffer anymore. "Eve, darling," he said, "Look here." She stopped sobbing and looked up at him as he reached behind his head and slowly removed his mask.

Eve could not believe her eyes. For before her stood Julian. No longer a giant.

"No, this can't be happening," Eve whispered, her voice trembling. "You are--you can't be."

"Eve, my darling, it is I." Julian held his hand out to her.

"No. This is not real. Julian is on Mount Harmony. And he's a giant! You can't be Julian." Eve tried to pull away from him, but he held her fast.

"Eve, listen to me! I came back to find you!" Julian tried to make her understand. "I missed you more than I can say, my love. "

She refused to look at him. "It is cruel to taunt me in this manner, Lord Crane! Unhand me at once, so I may go home!"

Julian sighed, shaking his head at her disbelief. "My love, I will prove what I am telling you is the truth. I kidnapped you when you fell down a hillside. I placed you in a golden cage in my cave. I rescued you from the viper's bite. And you told me that you loved me." He took a deep breath. "And I returned you to Harmony to find someone that you could marry, and bear children with. The spell I was under was reversed; therefore, I will be that man. I love you and will love you forever, Eve."

She stared at him. Her hand reached toward his face. "Julian?"

"Yes, my love. It is I, and I will never be parted from you again."

Eve slapped Julian across the cheek, her chest heaving with anger.

"How could you?" she breathed, before her world suddenly went black.

Greensleeves was written approximately 1580, possibly by King Henry VIII. For those who are not familiar, the tune is the same as "What Child Is This".

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