Author's Note: This is a very short story, in fact soon as lunch is done cooking I hope to have it partially written. It was an idea from years ago, and I never saw it as longer then 10k words anyways, though this likely will be even shorter. Imagine a Gilbert having a nightmare he's like Pepe le Pew…. I think it'll be 4 short chapters, we'll see. I'll write during short breaks.
Gilbert pushed his way through the deep winter snows between his family home of Apple Bough and Green Gables where a certain Redhead was waiting. He was attempting to court Anne Shirley, but everything with her was an uphill battle, but when won the prize always was so sweet. Years of winning her friendship and now, he aimed to win her love.
Few were stirring that winter, nestling in the small farm houses as snowstorm after snowstorm brought record drifts to Avonlea. The Ice Ferry had not even run and Charlie Sloane had refused to risk the ice boats to the Island, instead turning back to Kingsport and their boarding house. Anne's roommate Pris had gone to relatives on the mainland and had it not been one stubborn Redhead, even he would have returned to his boarding house rather than taking the ice boat crossing.
The only good thing of this heavy winter was Aunt Mary Maria had slipped, broken her ankle and refused to leave her home in Charlottetown that winter. So while everyone else only ventured out when strictly necessarily. He bundled up each afternoon to go like a moth to the red headed flame he loved.
He'd spend the afternoon with Anne in the parlor, attempt to woo, not that he was successful. Then fall back to his old chummy ways and enticing a laugh out of Anne. He had to admit he was making little progress of securing his greatest dream.
He was crossing the bridge over Barry's pond, or as Anne called it. The Lake of Shining Waters. When he slipped on an icy patch, fell and hit his head.
—
Gilbert woke, a bump on the back of his head, with the sudden realization. Clearly the failure to properly woo Anne Shirley lay in not being romantic enough, but rather too full of laughter and good spirits. Dusting himself off, he rose, and continued the journey to Green Gables.
As soon as he was divested of his layers, and Anne had been called downstairs from her studying by Mrs. Lynde and Marilla had announced plans for making scones with some plum jam and would need the twins assistance while as soon as Anne entered, even more beautiful then the day before, Mrs. Lynde insisted she meant to finish the letter to her daughter in Charlottetown as she hoped Gilbert would be so good to deliver it after his visit.
As soon as they were alone, Gilbert rushed to Anne, sweeping her in his arms and spoke in the softest voice he could manage. "Darling Anne, I have been thinking on each freckle on your nose of which is the fairest. I think it is the three at the highest that like an arrow point to the most beautiful hair in all of the Island, no of Canada. For whom could describe such hair. Carrots is so wrong. What folly of my youth! No, as firelight! Come spread it out before the fire that I might gaze at it and contemplate."
His hands released her enough to reach for her coiled hair to find the pins he assumed were there when released enough to get loose of his embrace, Anne backed up before soundly slapping him in the face. "Gilbert Blythe, I did not give you leave to take such liberties with me. What's come upon you?"
He ignored the stinking cheek, Instead kneeling before her. "Queen Anne. I have seen the light. A romantic hero is what you deserve. Like in your story you published."
"I think you best leave, Gil…"
Perhaps that was best. Especially if he was to carry out his plan of being romantic because for the life of him he could not think of a single sonnet romantic enough for Queen Anne. But no, he had a letter for Mrs. Lynde to deliver first so instead he contented himself to smile and stare at her until Marilla and the twins arrived with tea and fresh scones full of plum jam and Mrs. Lynde with her letters. He ate nothing instead insisting that a man could live on the beauty of Anne's eyes.
Being romantic was entirely exhausting. Especially when he thought of a joke that would have Anne laughing no doubt about the snow piles between their homes. But this he was certain the way to win Anne Shirley's heart. Become her romantic ideal.