WHAT UP!

Here's chapter 2 of The Princess Bride and also tomorrow is the day we find out if Team Rallison is the winner of the Golden Mirror Ball Trophy! I can't sleep because of it, so I'm gonna get some chapters and a new story out. Well, a story idea out, I'm still not sure I'm actually gonna do it.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Austin & Ally or The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Chapter 2

Love is Kind, but Cruel

To say that love is kind would be telling the truth, sort of. Falling in love is easy; it's taking the next step that scared Ally.

Since Ally had found out what Austin had been trying to tell her for the past three or so years, their bond had taken a drastic turn. She no longer referred to him as 'Farm Boy', but now by his name, she actually helped him out with his daily chores, and, when her parents weren't looking, sneaked a kiss or two or three into their day. Anyone, even a blind man, could see that the two of them are deeply in love. But, with being in love, comes certain expectations.

Austin and Ally were enjoying a relaxing picnic in the nearby meadow. Austin's head was settled nicely on Ally's lap while she periodically feed him pieces of grapes and other foods they had packed. He should be enjoying this alone time with the girl he loves, but there were a thousand thoughts running through his head at the moment.

It had happened about 2 weeks ago, he was tending to the horses when Ally's father had approached him. Austin already had an idea of what he wanted to talk about.

Ally's father, Lester, led Austin from the stables and back to the house, motioning for him to take a seat. Austin soon noticed that Ally's mother, Penny, was already seated at the small table with a hot pot of tea ready for them. Once he was seated, Penny offered him a cup and he gladly took it. Once Lester was seated next to his wife, however, he didn't feel as thirsty.

Lester cleared his throat before addressing Austin.

"As you may know, Austin, we are fully aware of the relationship growing between yourself and our daughter." Austin had to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat.

"And it has come to our attention," Penny said. "That we wish to know if you are serious about Ally and that you see a future with her." And then the bomb was dropped.

Austin knew the question of marriage might come up, but he didn't think her parent's would be the one to bring it up. He was but a measly farm boy with no title, no land, and no money, nothing to bring Ally some sort of comfort that she was used to. If he was going to propose, it would be a long engagement as he… went off and left her?

"Look, Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, if I'm being honest, there's nothing I would rather do than marry your daughter, but I'm just a farm boy with nothing to my name. Don't you see me as someone Ally would settle for?" He said anxiety high in his voice as he waited for an unhappy response. What he got, however, was the exact opposite.

Lester and Penny smiled at Austin as they interlocked their hands and gave a look between themselves.

"Austin, we see the way you two look at each other and we can see how much you two love each other. If you truly love each other, Ally will understand and agree to wait while you look for enough money to start you off." Penny said. Austin's mood immediately lifted when he heard that, but dropped when he thought about something else.

"Do you think Ally will wait for me?"

"With the way you two act, either of you would go to the ends of the earth to wait for each other." Lester said.

"So then, there's just one more thing I have to do." Austin said as he leaned back in his chair and exhaled a breath. "Will you give me permission to ask your daughter to marry me?"

Penny and Lester couldn't say yes fast enough.

Now, sitting here in the meadow with the girl he loves would be the one chance he had to ask her without her parents hovering over them. The problem was, how exactly does he go about asking her?

Should he just come right out and say it? Maybe he should be really romantic about it and plan it all out? No, he would have to be quick because he was leaving in a few days. Lester had managed to get him an apprenticeship, but it was in the Italian countryside, which meant a weeks' worth on the open sea to get there. He didn't want to leave Ally, but he had to make something to provide a life for them and their future family.

"Austin!" He jumped a little when he heard his name called, forgetting that his head was still in Ally's lap, and looked up at Ally. "I guess you dozed off as well, you wouldn't answer me for 15 whole minutes."

"Sorry." He said, as he lifted his head up and rose to a sitting position. He stared out at the setting sun as he contemplated what to do.

Ally, noticing how tense Austin was, decided to make him a little less stressed. She got off the tree she was leaning against and moved to sit behind Austin, wrapping her arms around his neck. She rested her head on his shoulder as he smiled and kissed the side of her head. He took her hands in his as Ally turned her head and connected their lips. Their sweet kisses soon turned passionate and in heat of the moment, it happened.

"Marry me." The kissing stopped as Ally eyes enlarged to half their normal size. Did he really just ask what she thinks he just asked?! He couldn't have possibly, could he?

Austin, seeing how speechless Ally had become, moved back to face her. He held her hands in his as he begun the speech he had gone over and over in his mind.

"I know I have no money, no title and no home to give you, but I swear by everything that I hold dear, you are the only one I want to be with for the rest of our days. I only hope that you see what I see and are willing to give me a chance." He said as he watched Ally's eyes begin to water. He only hoped that it was a good think that they were. "So, will you make me the happiest man alive and agree to marry me?"

Ally let out a little chuckle before bouncing off the ground and tackling Austin to the ground. Tears of joy were rolling down her face as she littered his face and lips with kisses. Austin gave out a chuckle at her antics.

"So, I'll take that as a 'yes'?" She stopped what she was doing to look him in the eyes.

"It's more than a 'yes', it's a definite to God 'yes'." And with that, the young lover resumed their picnic before packing up and heading back home to tell her family.

While it was a most joyous occasion, it was soon over written when Ally's father reminded them that Austin was to depart soon for his apprenticeship. However, for Ally, he leaving wasn't what scared her. It was the traveling by sea and the possibility of pirates, especially the feared Dread Pirate Roberts, who known to never keep a prisoner alive. She didn't know what would happen if Austin was taken from her in that way. Right now, however, is a day of merriment and celebration. She was engaged to the man of her dreams and she would enjoy that as much as she could.

The next few days were spent spending as much time together as she and Austin could. They talked about everything from wedding plans to where they were going to live to how many children they wanted. Austin had said he wanted five, three girls and two boys, while Ally had said three, two boys and one girl, and it suddenly began to sink in. She was going to be a married woman and that came with certain obligations. She was to be a wife and someday a mother, but that's if Austin returns safely to her.

When the day came that Austin was to set out on his journey, Ally and her parents accompanied him to the pier to say goodbye. Penny and Lester had given him a care package of things he loved and reminders of the farm for him to look at from time to time. He thanked for them and gave them both a hug goodbye. The parents left them to themselves and Ally swore she was holding back a river in her eyes. Austin noticed this and swept his thumbs underneath her eyes as tears began escaping.

"Hey, come on, we agreed on this separation to better our future together." He said in a hushed tone as he leaned his forehead against hers. She looked up at him with her watery eyes as she gripped his shirt.

"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't worry about you." That caused him to chuckle a little.

"Remember, it won't be for long. I'll be back in a few months and upon the day I return we shall be married." She smiled a little, but that didn't do anything to quell her anxiety.

"How can you be so sure you'll return?"

"This is true love, as long as you remember that one thing, you'll never doubt that I will return for you." She nodded her head and realized that it was time. The captain called for any other passengers and Austin gave her one last kiss before grabbing his duffel.

They held hands until they finally let each other go. Ally watched through watery eyes as Austin walked up the gangplank, but stopped to turn around and wave goodbye at them and then walked aboard. The boat was soon let loose from the dock and Ally continued to watch as it sailed until completely out of sight, Austin waving goodbye the whole time. When it was finally out of sight, Ally collapsed into her father's arms as she cried.

That night and every other night since, Ally would kneel over her bed and pray to God that Austin would return to her, safe and sound. She prayed and prayed for some kind of sign and she got it, but not in the form she wanted.

It had been a week since Austin had departed and Ally was busy at work milking the cows. When she got up to remove the bucket, Ally noticed the messenger leaving the house and her heart leaped for joy. Austin must have made it there safely and was now writing to let her know! Yes, that had to be it! Forgetting the milk pail entirely, she lifted up the shirt of her dress as she raced down to the house to receive the letter. When she came to the door frame, however, she was met with a gloomy sight.

Her mother was by the window with her head in her hands while her father was sitting at the table holding a piece of parchment in his hands. Ally didn't understand, why were they so upset over a letter from Austin? Shouldn't they be happy he made it there safely?

"Mother, father what's wrong?" Ally asked as she saw her mother's tear stricken face. Her father didn't answer her, just simply handed her the piece of parchment for her to read. She pulled the parchment to her face as she read what was written.

"To the next of kin of Austin Moon,

We are sorry to report that the vessel, the North Star, was… apprehended by… the Dread Pirate Roberts." Ally felt her breath, more like her ability to breathe, leave her as she read. This couldn't be right. His ship couldn't have been attacked by the number one most blood thirsty pirate, who was known for leaving none alive. "As such none were found and are suspected… to… be…" She swallowed the last word as she couldn't take it in.

She shook her head and threw the piece of paper into the fire, not wanting to believe what was on it. Her mother tried to calm her, but she threw her off and ran to her room, slamming the door behind her. She threw herself onto her bed and let all the tears just leave her body.

"He can't be, he told me he would come home." She said as sob after sob racked her body. They had to of had the wrong ship, it happens all the time! But, that was not the case.

Weeks, months go by as she waited for a piece of paper saying they were wrong, but that never came. A formal ceremony was soon held for those who were thought dead and Ally sunk into an even deeper depression. Her parents tried to get her to eat, drink, do anything besides just sit in her room staring at the wall, but nothing worked. Nothing seemed to break her from the endless cycle of despair she put herself in.

She had finally met the one man, besides her father, who truly got her and what she wanted in life. Austin was going to be her partner through it all; a loving husband, passionate worker, and finally a devoted father. She couldn't tell you the number of times she ran through the times they had spent together. The times they had spent just talking about anything and everything, including the future they would never have.

Her parents kept trying to tell her that she would find someone else, that Austin would forgive her if she moved on, but that wasn't an option for her. Austin is and always will be her one, true love and no other man would ever take his place. They could try with their sonnets, gifts or other trinkets, but they wouldn't have the same heart behind them. Everything Austin did, he did with love and she would never have that love again.

Finally after sitting in her room for what seemed like an eternity, Ally finally emerged, but with a different lease on life. It was summed up in one little phrase:

"I will never love again."

A sad beginning to a hopefully happy ending, tell me what you think with your reviews, favorites, and follows especially if you want the next chapter.

Thanks and stay ROSSOME! Go Team Rallison!