Author's note: Hey everyone Happy 4th of July!

Ashlynn: *running around like a maniac* SPARKLERS!

Aralyn: Ash, don't do that, I know their fun but please, you might hurt yourself.

Jokey: I like this holiday, so many surprises.

Aralyn: Jokey not in the house!

Ashlynn: Jokey here *hands Jokey a few of those little poppers* throw these and see what happens!

Jokey: *throws poppers* Hee hee, that's a surprise alright.

Aralyn: *sigh* How did I know today would be like this. You two are hopeless.

Ashlynn: *lights a sparkler for Jokey, and two for herself* SPARKLERS WHOOOOO! *runs out of the room screaming with joy*

Aralyn: I do not own the smurfs or any of the characters, I only own Ash and myself.

Ashlynn: JOKEY LOOK AT THE PRETTY FIREWORKS!

Medieval and Modern Times


(S)

The wind whipped Gerard's hair behind him as he urged the horse on. He could see the battlements just over the next hill, they were almost there.

Coming across the drawbridge he skidded to a halt in the courtyard.

"Gerard!" a familiar voice called out.

Turning he saw it was Savina, and with her were Aralyn, Johan, and Peewit.

"Where have you been Gerard?" she demanded, "We've all been worried sick over you! Do you-"

"Please Savina, not now." Gerard begged his frantic cousin, "It is a matter of life or death."

Dismounting he carefully cradled Ashlynn's pale shaking body in his arms, "We have to get her to the infirmary. Now!"

Not wasting a second they all hurried inside without question.

"Ouch," Aralyn hissed, as she pulled back the bandage, remembering her own arrow wound from way back when, "how'd this happen?"

"There's no time to explain. Can you help her?" Gerard worriedly dismissed the question.

Not even stopping to answer Aralyn began applying herbs and pulling out a needle and thread she started to carefully treat and stich the wound together.

Savina ushered all three reluctant boys out of the infirmary.

Hours passed as they all waited, then the door finally opened and a tired looking Aralyn quietly closed it behind her.

Gerard stepped forward, "Is she…?"

"Asleep for now." Aralyn sighed, "But she'll live. You got her here just in time, a few minutes longer and…well…"

Gerard fell back into a chair, visibly relaxing at the news that Ashlynn would be alright, given time.

"So," Savina sat down next to her cousin, "now can you tell us what happened?"

"Yeah, why were you so worried about saving her?" Peewit added.

"She saved my life," Gerard explained as the other five humans gathered around. "If she hadn't been there, that arrow, it most likely would have killed me."

Noticing the stares he was receiving he went back to the beginning, "The day after we had the picnic with the smurfs I returned to the castle and Malcolm used a magic amulet to turn me into a black stag. For a few days I managed to avoid being hunted down but yesterday I injured myself and only managed to escape because the smurfs lured Malcolm and his henchmen away.

Apparently, after the picnic she accidently found the village and had been living with the smurfs. So she helped the smurfs look after me while they treated my injury. This morning Malcolm resumed the hunt and he chased me into a dead end and was about to fire an arrow to finish me off, but that young lady, she placed herself in between me and Malcolm. However the arrow accidentally hit her while she was defending me. I owe her my life." Gerard finished softly.

Savina hugged her cousin, "It'll be alright Gerard, you brought her here, and thanks to Aralyn, she'll live."

"Yes, and I am thankful you were here, but I must ask. Why were you here?"

Aralyn pulled a note out from her sack, "We received word from Mrs. Sourberry yesterday morning. She was wondering if you were visiting Savina and the King, and she was getting worried after not having seen you for days. So we came as fast as we could to help with the search."

Gerard smiled, reminding himself to thank Mrs. Sourberry later. "How long are you staying?"

"I'm sorry you're highness," Johan apologized, "but we must leave tonight. We have to return to the King's castle before our absence starts a panic as well."

"But what about her?"

Aralyn placed a comforting hand on Gerard's arm, "Don't worry, she's strong and she's healing fast. She should be awake, most likely, sometime tomorrow. My guess is that by then she should be well enough to move around, almost as good as new."

Gerard and Clockwork waved good bye as their friends rode across the drawbridge and over the hills, on their way home.

"Home…" Gerard sighed, "It feels so good…to finally be home…"


It was dark, fear and shadows swirled around her, whispering worries in her ear. Ashlynn covered her ears, "No I won't listen to them." She whispered to herself as she shut her eyes. Suddenly an image flashed before her mind, a muddy gorge, and at the base a poor stag, lying motionless, and a ruthless hunter gloating over his victory.

"NO!" Ashlynn screamed as she sat up. It had only been a bad dream. It was early morning, and she was in a strange bed in, what she was sure was a castle. "The castle from the stag's drawing." She gasped, could it really be?

As she lowered her feet over the edge of the bed she felt a dull pain in her side. "The arrow." She lifted the hem of her shirt to reveal a bandage around her waist, "Gone, I don't know how but I'm glad."

Slowly she placed her bare feet on the stone floor and stood up. Looking around she found a change of clothes on a nearby chair. Picking them up she read the letter that had been left on top, 'Please feel free to use this change of clothes, they are yours to keep. –Aralyn'

Though she had no idea who this 'Aralyn' was, she was grateful for a clean set of clothing. Walking behind the screen Ashlynn changed into the new set of clothes, a grass-green, short sleeved, tunic, short black trousers that came a few inches above her knees, a pair of light blue tights, a pair of soft, light brown leather boots, and a green ribbon for her hair.

Ashlynn stepped out wearing everything minus the boots, which she set down at the foot of the bed, choosing to go barefoot for now. As she did her stomach let out an angry sounding rumble. Not being able to think of a better idea Ashlynn crept out of the room and began her personal mission 'Find the Kitchen'.

It wasn't long before she did, looking in she saw no one was there, it was completely empty.

"I guess they wouldn't mind if I made myself some breakfast." She reasoned with herself, "Whoever, 'they', are."

As she prepared her food she started to sing to herself, hoping that her favorite hobby would help her feel better.

"Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in,
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

Let it slide,
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine
Until you feel it all around you
And I don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by,
It's the heart that really matters in the end

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

All of my regret
Will wash away somehow
But I cannot forget
The way I feel right now

In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away but these small hours
These small hours, still remain,
Still remain
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These little wonders still remain…"

To her surprise, as she finished, from behind she heard clapping. Turning around quickly she saw it was a kind looking lady, a little shorted than her-self, with slightly graying hair.

"I'm so sorry ma'am." Ashlynn quickly sputtered, "I don't mean to intrude but, I uh, I was a bit hungry and well…"

The lady chuckled softly, "It's quite alright ma dear, you're not in any trouble."

Ashlynn sighed, "Thank goodness."

"You makin' breakfast?"

"Yes, Mrs…?"

"Sourberry. And what is your name missy?"

"Ashlynn, ma'am." Ashlynn gave a small curtsy, or the best one she could, seeing as she wasn't wearing a skirt.

"Oh so you're the lil' one his 'ighness was so worried about yesterday." Mrs. Sourberry said more to herself, than to the girl standing in her kitchen.

Ashlynn stared wide-eyed, "Highness? As in royalty?" she practically choked out.

"Yes, I've never seen King Gerard so upset before. I'm sure if he could 'ave moved a mountain to save ya, he would 'ave done it."

"A K-king?" Ashlynn stuttered in disbelief, "To save my life? But why?"

Taking a tray in one hand, Mrs. Sourberry led Ashlynn out of the kitchen, "I think you should ask 'im. I don't know the 'ole story, and he'd be the best to explain it to ya."

Ashlynn nodded as they entered another room, this one with a wooden table, and seated at the table was a young man, who Ashlynn was sure, was not much older than her-self.

"Good morning Mrs. Sourberry." He greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning your 'ighness. Did you sleep well?" Mrs. Sourberry smiled placing the tray of food on the table.

"Yes, it feels good to be home. And even better to be eating your cooking again."

Mrs. Sourberry smiled, "Oh it's not ma cookin' you're ighness. It's this young lady's cookin'." She explained as she gently pulled a completely embarrassed Ashlynn forward.

"Lady Ashlynn!" the young king nearly jumped out of his chair, "Are you feeling alright?"

"Um, well… yes. I-I do feel better, it's just a bit sore, but I'm fine." She blushed furiously, she hadn't expected such a young king, he seemed so kind.

"Good, I'm glad to hear it."

Ashlynn smiled as she held out her hand for him to shake, "A pleasure meeting you you're highness, my name is Ashlynn, but you already knew that." She giggled softly.

To her surprise he took her hand, but he didn't shake it, rather he lifted it to his lips, giving the back of her hand a soft kiss, "The pleasure is mine Lady Ashlynn, I am King Gerard." He smiled kindly.

Ashlynn was speechless, and her face felt like it was burning up, but she sat down in the chair Gerard offered her and began to eat the breakfast she had recently finished making.

After a minute Ashlynn spoke up, "Excuse me you're highness, I know this will seem like an odd question, but…is the black stag alright? I know, it seems silly but besides the smurfs he was my first friend since I found myself here."

Gerard paused for a moment, as if in thought, "Yes, he's unharmed."

Ashlynn relaxed at the news, before daring to make another request, "Do you think it would be possible for me to see him again? I just want to see for myself that he's alright."

"Yes, I do know that you are able to see him again." Gerard smiled.

Ashlynn let out a small gasp, "Is this the castle he drew in the ground?" she asked, hoping with all her might that it was.

"Yes, this is the castle." Gerard answered, the he paused a moment before adding onto his statement, "And he is glad that you have recovered from your injury so quickly."

"That's grea- WHAT!" Ashlynn stopped, this was so confusing, "B-but how did he know…?" she placed her head in her hands, trying to get the whole thing straightened out in her head. But then something caused her head to shoot up in the air,

"When the last eagle flies
over the last crumbling mountain
and the last lion roars
at the last dusty fountain

In the shadow of the forest,
though she may be old and worn
they will stare unbelieving
at the last unicorn…"

Ashlynn looked in awe as the young monarch softly sang the first bit of the lullaby she had sung for Baby, when the stag had been resting at the smurf's village, the only ones who heard her sing that song were the smurfs and…

"You were the black stag!" she nearly yelled in shock.

Gerard merely nodded his head, "Yes, I was under an awful spell because of my selfish cousin Malcolm. He planned on killing me as a stag and then taking the throne as his own." He explained slowly, "I wanted to thank you for the kindness that you showed me and for risking your life for my safety."

"Oh my gosh." Ashlynn gasped, "I risked my life for a deer, and he turns out to be a king…I saved an entire, smurfing, kingdom!"

Gerard gave a soft chuckle, "Yes, and you are quite welcome to stay here as long as you wish."

"Stay h-here?" she asked, not sure if she had heard him correctly. "But what about the smurfs, will I be able to see them again?"

"Yes, to both your questions. You saved my life; it would be an honor to have you stay here. And the smurfs village is not too far from here, you can visit them anytime you like. Though they have been known to come here for a visit sometimes too."

Ashlynn seemed to think about it for a second, "Thank you King Gerard, but I wouldn't feel right if I lived here without something in return."

Then an unexpected whirring sound startled Ashlynn, nearly causing her to jump out of her skin. She watched as a small wooden smurf climbed the table and seemed to talk to Gerard, who listened for a second before nodding in agreement.

"There are three things I would like to say then." Gerard said, turning back to her, "First, I would like to introduce my personal advisor and closest friend, Clockwork Smurf, he was designed and built by Handy Smurf a few years back."

Ashlynn giggled as the little mechanical smurf did a small bow, "Nice to meet you Clockwork." She smiled as she shook his tiny wooden hand with her finger.

"Second, Clockwork suggested, if you would feel better working while you stayed here, there is an opening for a court entertainer." Gerard continued.

"Entertainer?" Ashlynn tilted her head to the side a bit, "Like, sing songs, do tricks, that kind of entertainment?"

"Exactly, but a bit more besides that too."

"What else?" Ashlynn questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"A friend." Gerard explained, "Besides Clockwork and the smurfs I'm afraid I don't have many close friends to speak of."

"Sure! I'd be delighted to be your friend, and I'll take you up on that offer for entertainer, it's perfect!" she smiled warmly, "Watch this!"

Standing up she judged her distance, then ran at full speed towards the stone wall. Timing it perfectly she ran a few steps up the wall, then launching herself backwards she rolled onto the ground in a summersault, pushed herself into a cartwheel, preformed a backflip, and finished on her hands, which she used to walk back over to the table before setting herself upright again.

"Whatcha think of that?" she asked proudly.

"Absolutely amazing!" Gerard applauded the performance.

"Chee chirp scree!" Clockwork cheered in agreement.

Ashlynn blushed as she began to walk back to the kitchen with the finished breakfast plates, "Thank you Clockwork, King Gerard."

"Wait, Lady Ashlynn, one last thing." Gerard called out as she disappeared around the corner.

"Yes you're highness?" she asked, poking her head back in the room.

"Please, you don't have to use my title, you can just call me Gerard."

Ashlynn's blush deepened a bit, "A-alright," she stuttered, "but only if you simply call me Ashlynn, or even Ash, I'm not used to the whole 'Lady' title, it's kinda odd for me."

"Of course Ashlynn, if it would make you feel better."

"Yes it would," Ashlynn smiled as she went to leave again, "See ya later Clockwork, Gerard!" before disappearing from sight.

Walking down the hallway she couldn't help but grin like there was no tomorrow, "This is so awesome!" she happily squealed to herself.


Aralyn: *wrapping Ashlynn's finger in a bandaid* What did I tell you, you would hurt yourself.

Ashlynn: *sniff* I'm sorry.

Gerard: Is she going to be alright?

Aralyn: Yeah it just hurts right now, it'll be fine soon enough.

Ashlynn: It stings. *holds out hand to Aralyn* Will you kiss it to make it better?

Aralyn: *rolls eyes and walks away without a word*

Ashlynn: *looks at Gerard and gives him her best puppy eyes*

Gerard: *blushing furiously*

Ashlynn: Please Gerard? *pouts*

Gerard: *gently kisses the tip of Ashlynn's injured finger* Better?

Ashlynn: *blush* Uh huh, much.

Gerard: *smiles* Good.

Aralyn: *around the corner* So smurfing cute! *calms herself down* Ah-hem, thank you readers for your reviews, hope you have a smurfy 4th of July. Please don't forget to review, and take a look at the poll on my profile, it's just for fun. Have an awesome week yall!