So the goal of these chapters is to write as quickly as possible. Honestly the quality won't be the same as the other stories I've published in recent years. But I've a good laugh. If you have any outrageous ideas of how Gilbert acting like Pepe le Pew might try to woo Anne… Do leave a comment…
Back to the story…
He was up early the next morning braving the cold and snow drifts after his chores were complete to throw pebbles up at Anne's window and when she came to the window to begin to sing a love song. It was the only one he knew and even he knew he was a horrible singer. Yet she was so beautiful there as he sang. The song was about a girl named Maud, but was easily changed to Anne.
Marilla gruffly invited him inside and told him to stop making a racket.
He'd made paper flowers, but as he did not wish to offend the other ladies, he gave small bouquets to each Marilla, Dora, and Mrs. Lynde leaving the biggest one for Anne. "Queen Anne they don't smell as sweet as you, but then only when Hester Gray's garden is in full bloom does it compare. Please, would you give me as a token a handkerchief kept close to your bosom that smells of you that I might place under my pillow at night and dream of summer?"
"I…" Anne bit her lip. "I'll embroider a new handkerchief for you Gilbert of summer blossoms. Thank you for the paper flowers but I promised to spend the morning with the twins and then I'm to track over to Orchard Slope to see Diana…."
"I am at your disposal. I will carry you to Orchard Slope fair maiden."
"Breakfast is ready, are you joining us Gilbert?" Marilla asked, hands on hips.
"Yes but only to feast upon the beauty of Queen Anne. I am still working on a poem for the beauty of her hair. Of carrots her hair tastes, like sweetness in the soil." With that Gilbert rushed forward to place a very wet sloppy kiss in Anne's hair above her left ear. He truly was a loss cause. The only line he could think of next was that her hair tasted of the wild white violets. Yet the look they all gave him. "Wild violets and carrots. Sweetness itself."
"Humpf." Mrs. Lynde pulled him away from Anne. "In my day men did not take liberties without an understanding, and then they did not ruffle the ladies hair or clothing. If this is what you two are doing in front of us all, Marilla I suggest we talk to the Blythe's and ensure they're never alone before the wedding. You remember George and Patricia Fletcher's courtship. There's a reason that Gilberts cousin Alice was born only six months after the wedding. No doubt it runs in the family with Patricia being his mother's sister."
"We're not engaged and except for madness that's come upon Gilbert in the past day. No liberties have been taken, and I myself will break something harder on your head Gilbert Blythe if you dare try again."
I was a goner. For one I wanted to laugh at how cute she looked her face as red as her hair with her arms crossed in front of her as she glared. For two, I couldn't think of what to put next in the poem. "Firey Titania, I am at your service. The old Gilbert is gone, I will be the hero of your dreams until I die doing heroic quests for me. Set me on my path and I will fetch my stead. Until I win your love and heart, grant me a boon of your handkerchief as I battle your enemies on your behalf. If you banish me I shall simply stand outside your window singing to you until you grant me my hearts desire. One sweet kiss from your perfect lips, and your hand forever. Yet I cannot marry you until I slay a giant or a dragon. So I beg your leave as I see to find a quest worthy of you. Yet I need a squire to ensure if I die fighting the beast, that my final words might be reported and that you might never doubt my love. Please I beg that you would send your trusty page David as my squire that he might report on the depths of my love."
"I…"
"I'll go Gilbert. Gee, you are acting funny but you really think there's a beast to slay in Avonlea? I prefer the old Gilbert. Anne, you think he's dying and that's why he's so odd now? Or is that just what happens to love sick men. I swear I'll never be love sick."
"Marry me Anne Shirley when I have brought in the beast and freed Avonlea from it. I have seen its tracks."
"There's no beast in Avonlea Gilbert Blythe." Anne rolled her beautiful eyes. "Go ahead and search with Davy though and perhaps tomorrow you'll have some sense and give up this love making."
AUTHOR"S NOTE: So Gilbert hunting a beast in Avonlea to save the fair maiden has come about. Any ideas of what the beast should be?