Author's note: Hey everyone nice to have you back for another installment of Medieval and Modern Times.
Johan: Just hoping you arn't too frustrated with Aralyn and how her last chapter turned out.
Aralyn: Yes, please don't be angry with me, I'll make it up to you I promise! But besides that onto the show!
Johan: Aralyn does not own any of the smurfs characters, but she does own herself, Ashlynn, and the plot for her original chapters.
Medieval and Modern Times
"Oh Mrs. Sourberry, your sewing skills are absolutely amazing!" Ashlynn smiled as she examined herself in the mirror. When Gerard and Ashlynn had received their invitations for the King's Christmas party Ashlynn had gone straight to Mrs. Sourberry to ask if she could make her a dress.
The dress, which had taken almost a week to make, was without a doubt, quite stunning. The bright Christmas green fabric flattered Ashlynn's small form, with its neckline hanging off her shoulders, the long sleek sleeves, empire style waist, and a flowing skirt that reached the floor and would softly swish with every step she took, all trimmed with small silver embroidery along the edges.
"I knew you'd like it." Mrs. Sourberry chuckled, "And I'm sure 'is 'ighness will like it too."
"Mrs. Sourberry!" Ashlynn exclaimed, her face turning a brilliant shade of pink in embarrassment.
Still laughing to herself, Mrs. Sourberry accompanied Ashlynn down to the castle courtyard, where Gerard and Clockwork had a sleigh waiting.
"Ashlynn, you look absolutely breathtaking." Gerard complimented with a small bow.
"Thank you Gerard." Ashlynn curtsied in reply, blushing even deeper.
"Mrs. Sourberry, I know we won't get back until late Christmas evening," Ashlynn explained, pulling out a medium sized package, "So I want to give you this before we leave."
Removing the wrapping, it was revealed to be a high quality sewing set, complete with needles, measuring tape, pins, scissors, and some spools of thread. "Oh Miss Ashlynn," Mrs. Sourberry hugged the young girl, "You're so sweet to think of a present for me. Thank you, thank you."
After releasing Ashlynn from her hug Mrs. Sourberry handed her a box that was roughly the size of a good book, "This is for you dearie."
Opening the box Ashlynn pulled out a soft warm shawl to wear over her shoulders. It was made out of Christmas red fabric and lined with soft, white, fuzzy, fur. "Mrs. Sourberry, you're spoiling me with all this clothing. You're too kind!"
Clockwork and Gerard watched patiently as the two of them exchanged one last hug.
"Ready to go, Lady Ashlynn?" Gerard smiled, offering her a hand up as she boarded the sleigh.
"Yes, thank you, King Gerard." Ashlynn giggled as she sat down, giving a final wave good bye to Mrs. Sourberry as Gerard sat next to her and took the reins.
Mrs. Sourberry watched as the two teens and Clockwork disappeared over the hills, "Ah, young love." She sighed as she walked back to the castle, "Mark my words, before this holiday is over…" she shook her head with a soft laugh. "They'll see it eventually."
As Gerard pulled the sleigh to a stop in the King's courtyard the three passengers were welcomed by their four castle dwelling friends.
"Oh Ash!" Aralyn squealed as she and Savina captured Ashlynn in an endearing group hug, "I'm so glad you were able to come."
"Aw come on Ar," Ashlynn giggled, "You think I would make you sing a duet with Peewit? Come on I'm not that cruel."
"Savina!" a voice yelled from across the courtyard, which made Ashlynn jump, nearly half a foot in the air. She watched as a lady approached them, she was tall, thin, and had an expression that made it look like she had been eating a bunch of sour lemons. "A proper princess does not linger outside in the snow, now come inside before you catch cold." She scolded before turning around and marching herself back towards the castle.
"Yes Dame Barbara." Savina sighed, like a mix of defeat and annoyance.
Bending down Ashlynn grabbed a good fist-full of snow and packed it into a ball. "Hey Peewit," she nudged the court jester, "Watch me hit that meanie square in the head." Then quickly taking aim she threw the snow ball and watched as, true to her word, it hit Dame Barbara in the back of the head.
Peewit immediately started laughing as Dame Barbara froze, bits of snow covering her head and shoulders. Slowly the baroness turned around to face the group of teens near the sleigh.
"Peewit!" Ashlynn gasped in fake surprise, covering her mouth with her hands so as to hide her smile, "Why would you do that!?"
Dame Barbara's glare turned murderous as she heard Ashlynn's accusation, "PEEWIT!" she screamed as she chased the little blonde around the courtyard.
"MOMMA!"
Everyone, even Clockwork, laughed at the small skeptical, "Ash, you didn't have to go and do that." Aralyn tried to scold in between laughs.
"No, but you know he would have done it if I hadn't."
"True, now come on." Aralyn waved everyone inside, "She does hold a valid point, if we stay out here, we will catch cold."
As they walked up the stairs Peewit ran up from behind, "That was a close one, thanks a lot Ash."
"No problem," Ashlynn giggled, "But how did you get away from 'Mrs. Sourpuss'?"
"Easy, she's still looking for me in the stables."
All the teens laughed at the recent events as they entered the main dining hall.
"Come on Gerard," Savina demanded as she pulled her cousin along, "Uncle has been waiting for you."
Ashlynn started to laugh until she found a hand wrapped around her wrist as well, "He wants to meet you too Ashlynn." Savina smiled as she dragged the two of them towards the only other regal person in the room.
He was average height, a bit round around the belly, his hair and beard were white, and Ashlynn couldn't help but notice his kind eyes. No doubt about it, these three royals were related.
"Uncle, Gerard made it!"
The man turned and in a second captured his nephew in a bear hug. "Gerard, it's been too long. Tell me how are things going, I heard there were tree cutters…"
Ashlynn began to tune out the conversation, it was starting to remind her of politics, and she really didn't like politics, they put her to sleep.
"So where is that Clockwork Smurf of yours, he did come with you didn't he?" the King asked after a bit of discussion.
In reply to his question Clockwork let out a series of squeaks and chirps from atop Ashlynn's shoulder, drawing the King's attention to himself, and to the young lady, whose shoulder he had perched himself on.
"Ah, you must be Lady Ashlynn," he smiled as he approached her, "the others have told me a little about you. It is wonderful to finally meet you in person."
Ashlynn curtsied, "Thank you you're highness, it's a pleasure to be here."
"The pleasure is all mine, to meet the young lady who risked her life for my nephew, is an honor to say the least."
"Really you're highness, it was nothing." Ashlynn blushed at all the attention, "I only did what I felt in my heart was right."
At that moment Ashlynn heard her name being called, it was Aralyn; it was almost time for them to perform. "Excuse me you're highness, Gerard, but Aralyn needs me. See you later." She waved as she left the two kings and Clockwork behind her.
"I noticed she doesn't use your title Gerard, that wouldn't happen to be by your request would it?" the King asked after Ashlynn was gone.
"Uh, well yes, Uncle." Gerard sputtered, "I don't want her to use my title, I want her to see me as a friend, not just a king."
The King nodded, "You're sure there isn't more to it?"
"What do you mean uncle?"
"Well she is very pretty, don't you think?" the King asked, watching his nephew for a reaction.
Gerard nodded as he watched Ashlynn laugh with Aralyn, "Absolutely beautiful." He sighed, not realizing what he had just said. Only when the King's chuckling reached his ears did his statement register in his mind, causing his face to heat up instantly.
"It's alright my boy," the King patted Gerard on the back, "In fact I'm glad you have found someone who takes your fancy. You seem much happier than the last time we met, and I think it may have something to do with her."
Clockwork gave a few chirps of agreement, causing both monarchs to smile. "I know uncle. When I'm with her I feel like everything is perfect and happy and, the only thing that can bring me down is her pain. She makes me smile no matter what's wrong and she always knows what to say when I feel stuck."
The King smiled, "You know, your father said very much the same thing. Right after he met your mother he came to talk to me and he said almost word for word what you just said about her. I wasn't surprised when they fell in love, and now, looking at the two of you, I can see, just like your father loved your mother, you love that young lady with all your heart."
"But uncle, what…what do I do?"
"Gerard, I am going to give you the best advice I can, but after that it's up to you. Right now the loudest voice in your mind is that voice of doubt. I want you to ignore it, because the voice you need to listen to isn't in your mind," the King looked Gerard in the eyes before pointing at his nephew's heart, "The voice you need to listen to above all others is in your heart. When the time is right your heart will tell you, all you need to do is listen to it."
Meanwhile standing just off stage Aralyn noticed Gerard glancing at Ashlynn every now and again.
"So Ash," she smirked, "How are you feeling, living here I mean."
"Oh Ar, it's so much fun." Ashlynn smiled, "I love it here."
"Yes you seem to be adjusting well."
"Yeah, it was hard at first but things are really looking up." Ashlynn sighed, quickly glancing at a certain young king.
Aralyn caught Ashlynn looking and her smirk grew a bit, "I guess a lot of that is thanks to Gerard huh?"
"Uh huh." Ashlynn murmered without thinking, then after a second her response registered in her head and she began blush furiously under Aralyn's watchful gaze, causing her friend to laugh.
"Ash you don't need to be embarrassed." Aralyn giggled as she wrapped her arm around Ashlynn's shoulder, "Honestly I think you two would make a cute couple."
Ashlynn was quiet for a second, "Maybe…but…Ar it wouldn't work, he's a king and I'm an orphan…a nobody. That kind of thing only happens in fairy tales."
"Ash," Aralyn snickered, "In case you haven't noticed, we're living in a fairy tale."
Ashlynn smiled gently, glancing up again, and unexpectedly making eye contact with Gerard from across the room, before putting her head back down to hide her embarrassed blush.
Aralyn fought to keep her giggles to a minimum as she dragged Ashlynn up onstage, "Come on lover girl, time to let those vocals of yours do their thing."
Ashlynn took a deep breath as she gave Aralyn a small nod of agreement as the young female wizard used her magic to entrance the nearby instruments and began their duo performance.
"La, la, la, la...
I'm wishing on a star
And trying to believe
That even though it's far
He'll find me Christmas Eve
I guess that Santa's busy
Cause he's never come around
I think of him
When Christmas Comes to Town
The best time of the year
When everyone comes home
With all this Christmas cheer
It's hard to be alone
Putting up the Christmas tree
With friends who come around
It's so much fun
When Christmas Comes to Town
Presents for the children
Wrapped in red and green
All the things I've heard about
But never really seen
No one will be sleeping on
The night of Christmas Eve
Hoping Santa's on his way
Presents for the children
Wrapped in red and green
All the things I've heard about
But never really seen
No one will be sleeping on
The night of Christmas Eve
Hoping Santa's on his way
When Santa's sleigh bells ring
I listen all around
The herald angels sing
I never hear a sound
When all the dreams of children
Once lost will all be found
That's all I want
When Christmas Comes to Town
That's all I want
When Christmas Comes to Town"
As the music faded the roar of applause filled the grand ball room. Aralyn dashed off stage and caught Johan in a loving hug, "How was it?"
"Perfect." Johan grinned.
Aralyn backed up a bit, "What's with that look?"
Johan didn't say a word he simply looked up, above their heads, then quickly looked back down. Aralyn followed his glance and she too began to grin at the sight of a bit of hanging mistletoe.
Ashlynn watched as the two of them kissed, wishing deep down she had something like that. They were such a cute couple.
Watching the two of them Ashlynn found herself wishing that things were like that between herself and Gerard. With a wishful sigh she turned around only to bump into someone.
"Oh I'm so sorry!" she quickly apologized as she looked up and realized it was Gerard she had crashed into. "Oh, hi Gerard." She laughed lightly, and blushing slightly.
"Hello Ashlynn." Gerard smiled back at the flustered girl. "I just wanted to say, uh, you sang beautifully." He blushed, rubbing his neck.
"Aww thanks Gerard." Ashlynn smiled back before they both fell into an awkward silence.
Then catching a slight movement out of the corner of their eyes both Ashlynn and Gerard looked up. Dangling a foot or so above their heads was a small sprig of mistletoe, hanging from one of the lower wooden rafters.
Both teens shyly turned away, blushing so deep it would have made a ripe red tomato jealous of their color.
Ashlynn quickly stole a glance at the young king she had come to, dare she say it; love, in these few short months. Gerard looked at her, and she looked away, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she did.
Seizing the opportunity Gerard leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her bright red cheek.
Ashlynn's eyes widened as Gerard pulled back. And Gerard's mind began to cloud with panic as she looked at him.
"I'm sorry." He quickly apologized, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
Things became quiet between the two of them, until, after a deep breath, Ashlynn dared to speak up.
Aralyn: Mwa ha ha...cliffhanger!
Ashlynn: You evil, evil story writer! Tell me what I said!
Aralyn: Next time Ash, next time. *mumbling* Whenever 'next time' ends up being.
Ashlynn: Oh...right...school starts tomorrow. *gag*
Aralyn: Yup, it's all sorts of yuck, but hey what are you going to do, in this day and age you need an education.
Ashlynn: Anywho thanks for reading and we hope we update soon!
Aralyn: Have a smurfy week ya'll!
The song that Aralyn and Ashlynn did a duet on was When Christmas Comes to Town from the Polar Express movie.
Plus I have another pic for you guys! Of the mistletoe scene. EEEP! All that fluff, it's too much!
