I've finally finished! I know there's only a slight change, but a small spark can burn a forest, right?

Disclaimer: I own nothing...*sigh*

Persuasion

Melchior Gabor was sitting against the back of an oak lost in thought when a rather rushed looking Wendla Bergman walked by. "Melchior?" She asked in disbelief.

Melchior snapped out of his train of thought and looked at the person who had addressed him. "Wendla Bergman?!" He said in even more disbelief. What on earth was she doing in the middle of the forest? "Like a tree-nymph fallen from the braches. What are you doing-alone up here?" He asked, getting up.

"Mama's making May wine. I thought I'd surprise her with some woodruff. And you?" She said, showing him the proof in her hands.

"This is my favorite spot. My private place-for thinking." Melchior explained.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Wendla said, starting to walk away. Melchior reached out his hand to stop her.

"No-no. Please." Melchior said. She stopped and turned to look at him. "So…how have you been doing?" He said, not knowing what else to say.

"Well, this mourning was wonderful. Our youth group brought baskets of food and clothing to the day-laborers' children." Wendla said, happy to talk about helping others.

"I remember we used to do that. Together." Melchior said, remembering the days that they would walk from church together and then go to Ilse's house to play pirates with her and Moritz.

"You should have seen their faces, Melchior. How much we brightened their day." Wendla said, smiling at the memory.

"Actually, its something I've been thinking a lot about." Melchior said, remembering himself writing something about that in his last journal entry.

"The day-laborers?" Wendla questioned.

Melchior shook his head. "Our little 'acts of charity.' What do you think, Wendla, can our Sunday School deeds really make a difference?" Melchior asked, expecting a typical answer from the girl.

"They have to. Of course. What other hope do those people have?" Wendla said sounding shocked that Melchior would think otherwise.

"I don't know, exactly." Melchior said honestly. "But I fear that the Industry is fast determining itself firmly against them."

"Against us all, then." Wendla said. Melchior looked a her, shocked that she had followed what he was saying.

"Thank you, yes!" He said, smiling.

"It seems to me: what serves each of us best is what serves all of us best." Wendla continued.

"Indeed." Melchior was astounded that someone like Wendla Bergman could have said something so profound. "Wendla Bergman, I have known you all there years, and we've never truly talked."

"We have so few opportunities. Now that we are older. And ready to go on to adulthood without realizing the consequences of our actions." Wendla said. Melchior saw a hint of knowing in her eyes that he had not known was there before. He wanted to see if that knowing was what he thought it was.

"True." He said carefully, stepping closer to her. "In a more progressive world, of course, we could all attend the same school. Boys and girls together. Wouldn't that be remarkable?"

Wendla backed away. "What time is it?" Wendla asked.

Melchior was a little taken aback by the question but recovered in time to say, "Must be close to four."

"Oh!" Wendla said, surprised. "I thought it was later. I paused and lay so long in the moss by the stream, and just let myself dream…I thought it must be…later."

"Then, can't you sit for a moment? When you lean against this oak, and stare at the clouds, you start to think hypnotic things…" He said, no longer thinking about the Industry.

"I have to be back before five." Wendla said warningly.

"But, when you lie here, such a strange, wonderful peace settles over you…" Melchior tempted.

"Well, for a moment maybe." She said, settling down. Melchior sat beside her. He looked up at the clouds and closed his eyes, letting his mind get swept away with the breeze. Eventually, he got the strange feeling that he was being watched. He looked opened his eyes and noticed Wendla staring at him. He smiled at her. His hand slowly reached down and grabbed hers. She let out a gasp.

"The sun's setting, Melchior. Truly, I'd better go." She said getting up.

"We'll go together. I'll have you on the bridge in ten minutes." He said getting up and putting his hand on her shoulder.

"No. She said, shrugging him off. "I think it would be best if I went alone." She walked toward the sunset, which looked beautiful through trees. Melchior didn't seem to mind the denial. He walked back to the tree and let himself get swept away again. By the time he snapped out of it, he could clearly see stars in the sky. He pulled out his journal and asked his questions to Leo and Orion as he copied them down in his book.

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Got to love how Melchior just shrugges it off. Reviews are Ilse to my Moritz!