<span style="color: #00BFFF"><br/>As I looked over towards Gabe it seemed that he thought my idea was good too, and motioned for me to collect the net in order for us to catch more fish. I wasn't sure wither it was because I was starting to get the hang of catching fish in the net or, because I was soon keen on the idea of a village dinner but i was determined to catch as many big and wonderful fish as I could. Although there wasn't a greet deal I could really do for them, this seemed like the best way for me to help them and also to spend more time with Gabe. I have already once before seen how he acted with the children and their parents but I was keen to see him with them again. It was strange thing to want to see but it kinda filled my heart with warmth and love, knowing that these family and children had someone like Gabe to look after them all and help out and they all seemed to really cherish him. <br/><br/>The love in his village was greatly different to the love of my castle home. Of course I love my parents and they love me but it doesn't seem to compare to that of what he has with the village, it's like a beautiful fairy tale, though with its sad a tragic parts. It's wonderful how much they love him and how he, although i'm sure he may never admit it, loved them too. But then if they weren't in such a terrible way then they wouldn't need someone like Gabe and they would be more cold hearted like most of the people that where of a higher class. I started to hate where my mine was going, so I decided to stick to the task that was on hand. Walking over to him in the water I handed him one end of the net while I held onto the other. We both placed are end of the net into the water and waited for the fish to swim over our net. <br/><br/>At first I thought that catching fish together would be much easier then doing it along but there seemed to be another trick to it when doing it with someone else. We had to get our timing right, read each others movements so that we both knew when the other person was ready to pull up the net, trapping the fish inside the net other then letting them slip away like we had done the last few times. Although it was slightly annoying it was funny too. If I pulled up the net to fast then the first would slid and slip over to Gabe, coursing them to splash and flip over at him, getting him more wet. It was these moments that I tried so hard not to laugh at. A few times my giggles and laughter got the better of me and I ended up laughing over at him. Though as the fish swam away a focused but on the task and held my net under water waiting. A few times it ended up the other way. Feeling the slimy fish over my flesh felt horrible and I tried to make to much of fuss as the fish flapped about around me. Around about the seventh try we mange to collect some fish and chucked them over onto the bank. By now it seemed that we could read one another quite well, so that we both pulled up the net at the same time. Each time the fish where big and looked like they could feed a few people at a time. <br/><br/>As time went by we soon had a large amount of fish in which we would be able to take back to the village and feed all of the people. The talk throughout the fishing was normal, although Gabe did try and brighten things up by commenting on how the Princess was and said that he had heard that I or she was a bit under the weather and hoped that I didn't have a cold. I had told my parents that I had been feeling a little under the weather and had wished that I didn't want to be disturbed. All in case they got worried about not seeing me all day today. I laughed along with him and enjoyed our little talks over all. Once finished we got out of the water and I watched as he loaded up the fish into a net bag thing, while a sat down and dried off a little. As he spoke I looked towards him with a gently smile as he explained about the fish fry and the other things that they would need to get at the market. "I could get the flour and eggs" I said encouragingly showing that I was willing to help him at the market. I knew that maybe the Oil and fruit would require his expertise but I knew Flour and Eggs would be easier for me to get and the bread as I would be able to try use a little of my charm to get a cheaper price, or more for our fish worth. <br/><br/>When Gabe looked over at me, still socking wet and dripping over the rock and which I was laying on, I smiled warmly over to him, wondering what he was thinking about. Soon enough I found out what he was thinking about and that we would have to get a move on soon if we where to get to the village with all the things that we needed in time for dinner. With a blink of my eyes I found both me and him to be completely dry. I patted down my cloths as a gasp in surprised, finding them to be completely dry along side me and my hair. I couldn't help but think how useful that spell would be and a large smile appeared on my lips. As he handed me my dress I watched as he turned around to give me some privacy. Quickly I took off his shirt and placed on My dress and made myself presentable again. When I was done I let out a little cough so that he knew he was able to turn around. Handing him the shirt I nodded over to him "Ok sounds like a plan." I said in a bright cheery tone. If I was to be honest I was quite looking forward to this market trip, maybe it had something to do with the fact I was going to help him and his village. <br/><br/>Once we where both ready I took his hand and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be." I replied to him as we started to make our way to the Market. It was a slightly longer journey there then I had expected but it was a pleasant walk, with the trees and animals. Arriving at the market it was a busy as normal, filled with people and chatter as they bargained and trained in there goods. I turned around and looked at Gabe with a warm smile. "So are we going to split up now and meet back here in an hour?" I asked with a little excitement in my voice as I was eager to go and collect the things we needed. It gave me a slight thrill to know that tonight I would really be helping them all and I couldn't wait to see the face of the little children as the looked at all he wonderful treats that we would have for them. Also I was hoping if I could really us my charm and teasing ways to get a little something for Gabe himself. I wasn't sure what but I wanted him to have a little surprise too. "Are you going to be disguised again?" I added as I couldn't help but wondered if he was going o us magic and change his appearance. If he was then I would want to know now so I could keep a close eye out when finding something for him. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #8000FF">It might take me a bit longer than an hour depending on how much attention people were paying to their good today. I didnâ€™t want to say that I might be a bit late. I was good at what I did and I didnâ€™t want her to think less of my talents since I had so few of them to recommend me in the first place. Well She had more places to go than I did so she might be late as well. We could plan on an hour and if one of us was a bit late well there was no need to worry, not in the market on the road that would be a different story I wouldnâ€™t let her out of my sight on the road, but she should be safe enough on her own here even if it did take a little longer than an hour to get everything. She probably would take more time since it was very unlikely that she knew all the short cuts that I did to get around. â€œAn hour should be enough time I think. You shouldnâ€™t worry if you get back before me though sometimes the venders actually pay enough attention to tell when something goes missing.â€ I gave her a playful wink. I would have to tell her about some of my other adventures when I had first started to barrow from the venders, but that was for another time we actually had things to do now. <br/><br/>I was already walking away as she asked her question. I hadnâ€™t given much thought to a disguise. I knew I was going to use on probably one of my usual ones that people in the market actually recognized as a frequent trader. I bit my bottom lip in thought. I snapped my fingers as the disguise to use cam to me. â€œI am definitely using a disguise, but donâ€™t worry girly Iâ€™ll make sure you know itâ€™s me when I get back.â€ I smiled at her as I raised my hood and disappeared into the mass of people in the market. I would trade a few fish for the oil first then I could troll the fruit carts. I constructed the handsome young fishermanâ€™s son as I walked. I lowered my hood once the glamour was finished. I was greeted with waves and people asking after my fatherâ€™s health. The story was that my father would send me to the market when he was too ill to go himself. I only used this disguise when I had fish to trade though of course; a fisherâ€™s son swapping something like greens or apples would cause suspicion and that was the last thing I wanted. All of my normal disguises were constructed for specific goods, and this was the perfect one for fish. <br/><br/>I walked with a very specific gait that made it look almost as if I wasnâ€™t quite comfortable on solid ground. It made people laugh, but added a touch of authenticity to the disguise. I walked into the shop that sold things like oil, shoe polish, and candles. The smell of this shop always got to me a bit. This always made the shopkeeper laugh since he couldnâ€™t understand why the son of a fisherman would be turned off by any smell. He welcomed me as always looked at the large sack of fish and nodded. He rolled a barrel of oil out from behind the counter and I traded him four fat fish for it. â€œTell your father I hope he feels better Wally.â€ I did my best not to cringe at the name. It was one of the worst names I had come up with. It had been a very self-deprecating day when I came up with this disguise and I was stuck with the name since I couldnâ€™t very well change it once I had settled on it. I got a sling out of my bag to help me haul the barrel of oil. I would shrink it when no one was looking. <br/><br/>I quickly found an alley where I could shrink the barrel of oil. It was much easier once I had pocketed the large barrel and only had the fish to haul around. I made a round of the fruit stalls to see what was good today. I saw that one of the venders had placed made his daughter tend the stall. It was luck for me this particular daughter thought that Wally was very attractive. She had never given Gabe a second look, but Wally she never stopped looking at. I should be able to get three pieces of fruit for a single fish. I didnâ€™t have too many fish left to loose if we were going to feed the village but I should still be fine if I traded three after all nine was a lot of fruit for three fish and it was always a little harder to steal fruit when she was watching me like a hawk. I walked over to the stall. She blushed as I examined the fruit. â€œWhat is good today Martha? You know Iâ€™m lost when it comes to fruit, but father does love it.â€œ She giggled a bit. The sound made my head spin. Why did she have to make that insufferable sound? I hadnâ€™t said anything funny. Oh well she probably thought it was endearing. She held out a handful of bright red cherries. I picked a few up and shook my head. She looked around for something else. She offered me a kiwi and I immediately shook my head. I actually really liked kiwis but the fuzzy brown skin turned off the kids. She put the kiwi down and thought for a moment before offering me a nectarine to examine. I smiled at her and she giggled again. â€œPerfect Iâ€™ll take nine if you will give me my normal deal. You know Iâ€™m just the poor son of a fisherman and donâ€™t have too much to spare. She blushed a looked down with a slight nod. We traded fish for fruit and she slipped in a tenth nectarine just for good measure. She was trying to buy my love with fruit? That was almost sad, but slightly flattering as well. <br/><br/>I walked around the market slipping in between the stalls and slipping another nectarine into my sack as I walked making small talk with some of the more familiar faces. I passed a stall where and old man sold paper figures. I saw a pair of flowers hanging from one of the support posts. He smiled and told me I had good taste. I took them down. They were unlike any flowers I had ever seen. They were lovely. I fished for a spare coin. I was sure I had one I always had at least one coin floating around just in case. I bought the set of flowers and placed them safely in my pocket where I was sure they wouldnâ€™t get squashed. One was going to Katherine, but the other was for Marisa. The little girl had been sick for almost a week and thought I couldnâ€™t do much to help her she loved flowers and sometimes all the children needed to get better was something to brighten their spirit. <br/><br/>I sat on a rock near where Katherine and I had split up ant counted my nectarines just to make sure I hade enough. I had one for each of the children as well as one for Katherine and even one for myself. I started to eat my nectarine. I wouldnâ€™t get an opportunity later. I had a lot to carry after all and I would have to carry whatever Katherine had as well. I knew I could do it I had done if plenty of times before, but it would definitely fill up my hands. I watched surreptitiously for Katherine to show up. As she approached I laughed a bit and in the smoother voice of Wally the fishermanâ€™s son I purred. â€œThose are some fine feathers you go there . . .â€ I too a long dramatic pause. â€œGirly.â€ I smiled my trademark smile at her. I wanted to see what she thought of Wally anyway. Most people found him rather attractive and I had to admit I kind of wanted to see if she agreed. I hoped she liked me best as Gabe I didnâ€™t want to be anyone else when I was with her so it would be a little disappointing to find that she preferred me as someone else. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BFFF">I smiled over to him as he agreed on meeting back here, where we were in an hours time and I gave a light nod as Gabe said that he was going to use a disguise. But before I could see the kind of disguise he was using he pulled up his hood and left. I knew know that I was going to have to be careful for when picking something out for him. I didn't know what he now looked like so at any time he could be behind or next to him. In a way I found this somewhat comforting as I headed deeper into the market. It was slightly busier then I had seen it before but I wasn't going to let stop from getting the things that we need for tonight. Beside it wasn't just Gabe who was relying on me it was the village and more importantly the children, although they didn't know it yet. <br/><br/>First of my list of things I need to get was Flour and Bread. These I thought I would be able to get together and hopefully get a good price for them both. Gabe had told me that the man who owned the bakery had a soft spot for young ladies as he had two young daughters himself. Walking along the busy paths I tried to stay focused on where I was going and not to get to distracted. Surprisingly it didn't take me as long as I thought to get there bakers shop and inside didn't seemed to be as busy. It was a wonderful relief to not have to weave in and out of people in here and the smell was just as wonderful. The baker smiled warmly over at him and gave a very welcoming hello. I greeted him just as nicely if not more and looked across at his goods. I must admit there was so many kinds of bread I could choose from. There was small loafs, large loafs, Seeded none seeded, begets and even ones that where platted before cooked. "So my young lady, see anything you like?" The baker asked as I slowly made my way over to him. "Oh yes, everything!" I replied over to him and he gave a large chuckle in which I joined him on. "Ah yes! I have a fine collection." He said as he smiled even brighter over at him. It seemed what little charm I was placing on him was already working. I stood and looked at everything think on what the children and village people might like, but I also had to think about the coast. I had only five large fish to triad and a lot to get with them all. For a start, without thinking about it I know the seeded ones may not be liked by children. I remember when I was little I hated them myself, plus I knew that they would be more pricey along with the platted ones. <br/><br/>"You do have a wonderful collection and I would like to have them all but I only have two very big and delicious looking fish. So I was Wondering If I could possible have 4 large white loafs of bread?" I asked knowing that he wouldn't go for this amount. A fish was maybe worth one large loaf of bread for me to be asking double that was cheeky but I hoped he saw my sweetness behind it. The man let out another chuckle "I'm affair no matter how good your fish are I would never give you 4 large loafs for two...but maybe three, since you remind me of my daughters." the man said softly as he wrapped up the 3 large loafs that I was sure would help feed the village. "oh thank you! and could I possibly have two bags of flour for another good looking fish?" I asked as I gave what I hoped was my award winning give me a great deal smile. The man seemed to be thinking about this for a while but soon nodded and gave a light chuckle as he shock his head. Handing him the fish I waited for him to collect the flour, while I looked at the platted bread that looked so good and golden. I hand't notice that the man had returned when I saw his hand reached down for one of the smaller platted breads. "Your going to make me a poor man." The man said as he wrapped that up too. "Oh wait but I don't-" before I could finish my sentence he shock his head. "It was going steal anyways." he merely said before handing me my goods and placing them in my basic which still had two fish inside. <br/><br/>With one bright smile over to the baker I made my way over to the next stool for Eggs. On my way I couldn't help but stop by a stool which had some beautiful jewelry pieces and trinkets. A women next to was holding a child looking at the trinkets two when her child ha dropped its toy. I bent down and retrieved the toy but found a small stone in a shape of a fish. Collecting that too I handed the child it's toy and headed on my way still looking at the stone. It was smooth with a tint of blue running though it and a whole for an eye. I smiled down at it as it reminded me of today as me and Gabe went fishing and I knew this was the little something I was looking for, for Gabe. Now all I needed was some string or something so I could make it into a necklace or bracelet. <br/><br/>Deciding to place this matter to one side I headed down the street path to by some eggs and a few other things so that I could make a little something to go with the fish and bread. Although I am a Princess I still did some something I knew that my parents wouldn't like. O of them was cooking. When I was 13-14 I started to go down to the kitchens more and found myself helping every now and then. I earned to make certain cakes and even tried to make a loaf of bread, though that ended badly. But one of may favorite things I could easily make with out burning it was White sauce and it went perfectly with fish. I knew if I could play my cards right I could get what I needed to make it with the eggs. Stepping side the shop the man didn't seem as nice but still eager to have my fish and gave me some what of a deal. With my last two fish I had I manged to get half a dozen eggs, a cube of butter, pint of milk and some ice strong string for me to do make a bracelet with the fish stone I found. By now I knew it was time for me to be heading back and I had a feeling that I may have been running a little late. <br/><br/>Walking as quickly as I could though the people and holding my goods I made my way back over to where me Gabe had split up to go collect the things that we needed. On arriving I was shocked to find someone else there who was laughing slightly at me as I walked closer. I frowned a little finding the, not so bad looking, young gentleman's behavior a little rude. His comment made me stop in my tracks as I was about to comment over to him when he said something that made me smile. Girly and Gabe did his every so charming and award winning smile at me. "You!" I said as I walked over towards him trying to act hurt but the smile on my lips failed me from doing so. "Very good Gabe...so what are you...wait don't tell me..." I said as I placed down my things and walked around him, taking in his disguised. "Fishermen?" I asked as I know stood in front of him. "Not bad...cute looking..." I said in a little teasing tone. "But I much before the handsome look Gabe." I stated as I felt a light blush appear on my cheeks. It was no lie. To me Gabe was or if not more handsome, charming and caring then any fisherman, fishermen son or Prince, for that matter. <br/><br/>"I bet you charmed a few women this evening with that disguise though..." I added with a light wink as i tried to deflect that matter of my slightly blushing cheeks. "I seemed to get a few good triads in myself!" I said rather proudly, as I was quite proud with what I had gotten for my fish. "Oh and I got a few extra things too but you can wait till we get this lot to the village." I added as I looked down at the amount that we both had. It seemed that we both did rather well at the market but the next trick was trying to get it all there. "So how are we going to mange to take all this with us? It's one thing caring it around the market but another to your village." I commented as I knelt down to reorganize my basket, making sure to keep the fish stone and string hidden till letter, when I would have hopefully made the bracelet for him. "I got three large white loafs of bread, with a pattered loaf too but it isn't as big and I didn't pay for that one. The baker let me have that one. Oh and two bags of flour from him two. I then got six eggs some butter and milk. I thought I would make a white souse to go with the fish and bread...It's something I learnt when I was younger." I said over to him as I finished rearranging my basket so that it would be easier to carry. <br/><br/>Getting up from the floor a stretched a little before picking up my basket and holding tightly onto it with both hands. It was quite heavy, with the flour and milk but I knew that Gabe's fish, oil and fruit weighed more and I didn't want him having to carry it all. "I'll be fine." I commented stubbornly from the look on his face. "I'm a big girl. I can carry things. Plus you have to carry more and I want to do my bit." I added for good measure so he wouldn't comment on the matter more. Though already I knew I was going to regret this as I knew it was quite a long walk to his village, but not the less I was determined to carry my goods and that I wasn't a total Princess. With a steady foot I place one in front of the other and headed down the path, "Come on, we have to get there before it gets to dark!" I said brightly though I let out a huge sign knowing this wasn't going to be as easy as I would like or acted upon. Even half way there my arms where already starting to ache and my breathing a little harsher, but I still tried to place on a brave face. 'Just a little further....just a little further...' I keep muttering to myself. "Can we...." I stated as I placed my basket down on the edge of the road as I catch my breath. I know stopping at the road wasn't such a great idea but I just needed a few moments to give my arms a rest. 'If only I didn't have the flour or the milk.' I thought to myself but I didn't mention anything to Gabe. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #8000FF">I shrugged at her comment. She was close, but there was a very specific reason I was a fishermanâ€™s son and not a fisherman myself. Every merchant knew the actual fishers by face and if they had or didnâ€™t have the proper licenses. By being the son of a fisherman from the next town over I could sell my wares without having to present the paper work and not be caught in my lies. I knew every rule and avoided them with expert precision. I wondered if she knew as much about the rules as I did. I quickly learned that if I were to live outside of the rules I would have to know them backwards and forwards. She should know them as well as I did in my opinion since one day this kingdom would be hers, but it was possible that her parents didnâ€™t educate her in this type of thing and had simply breed and trained her to make an advantageous marriage. I knew a lot of rich families wanted nothing more for their daughters than an advantageous marriage, but I certainly hoped that more was expected of her. If she hadnâ€™t been trained for more we would surely be ruled by whoever married Katherine instead of the princess herself. She would be queen by the time she took over for her parents though. That thought had conveniently slipped my mind. For some reason knowing she was the princess didnâ€™t frighten me half as much as the thought of her being the future queen. I pushed that thought away it was far too unnerving to think about. <br/><br/>I was a bit disappointed to hear that she liked handsome boys. I didnâ€™t really expect her to go for the street urchin look I seemed to be sporting most of the time, or at least when I was myself, but I was hoping for maybe ruggedly handsome. I could have at least pulled off the rugged part of that one. I suppose the best would have been dangerously intriguing. I knew I had certainly scared her with my first appearance, but I had also stolen her earrings and then dragged her behind a tree that would frighten anyone. I tried to laugh off her handsome comment though. â€œWell since you like handsome guys I suppose it is a good thing Iâ€™m not handsome I would hate to strain the friendship by being too attractive for you to think about anything else.â€œ I hoped to every deity that might possibly exist that she didnâ€™t realize how close that was to how I felt about her. I prayed that she didnâ€™t realize how mush I wanted to be more than friends. I had said it once before as a joke, but she probably really did have plenty of suitors who could give her so much more than I could ever hope to offer. I was the opposite of an advantageous match. She of course had enough money and connections for both of us but that didnâ€™t mean that her family would ever approve of me even in the broadest sense of the word. <br/><br/>I push away my thoughts about her assessment of my disguise as I examined her goods. She had gotten much more than I would have thought. I knew she would get everything we would need for the fish fry, but she did even better than I would have. I realized she might have used a bit of flirting to get the best possible deal like I had to get the extra fruit. I felt a slight tinge at the thought and realized I was jealous; I was wishing she would flirt with me. She knew I had nothing to offer though so why bother flirting if there was no pay off right? We seemed to agree on the fact that flirting was just a tactic to gain something. I was a little startled by her comment about a white sauce. She could cook? Did most princesses know how to cook? Surely not cooking was something poor women learned to better attract a husband not princesses. I had learned to cook by way of necessity, but I was only good a rustic cooking and even that I didnâ€™t get the chance to show off very often since I wasnâ€™t home for more than a hour or two on any given day. <br/><br/>I was about to lay my hand on the basket to explain to her that we would get everything to the village by way of magic of course. She seemed to forget that we had this at our disposal however since she hefted the basket into her arms and started off down the road. She seemed rather determined to prove that she could rough it so I didnâ€™t bother to tell her there was an easier way. I wanted to see how long she would last before she asked if I could carry the basket. Most girls wouldnâ€™t get more than a few steps before the weight of everything in her basket would start to strain them. She did very well for a while. Even after a good distance and the clear stain the basket was putting on her she didnâ€™t complain one bit or ask for any help. <br/><br/>She finally had to stop and I was hard pressed not to clap at her success. I hadnâ€™t wanted to make her feel foolish so I had not shrunken anything but the oil, which was already tucked away in a pocket when we had met up. I sat next to her for a moment. â€œWell now that you have proven that you arenâ€™t all frills and ruffles maybe you would like to try my method of transport.â€ I set down the mesh bag still full of fish and the other sack stashed full of fruit next to it. I took a quick look around to be sure that there was no one likely to report me around. I was only too glad to see there wasnâ€™t a soul on the road. I smiled at her with just a hint of mischief. I placed one hand on each bag and slowly they started to shrink. With in no more than a minute both previously bulging sacks had shrunken down to the size of a ladyâ€™s purse. I raised a suggestive eyebrow at her. She hadnâ€™t given me the chance to do it earlier. I stepped over to the basket she had placed down. I closed my eyes. It was easier to shrink things I had shrunken before and were slightly more uniform. Slowly the basket started to get smaller and smaller. When I felt it constrict telling me it was a small as I could get it I opened my eyes to find it about the size of the plated bread she had showed me earlier. I shrugged. It wasnâ€™t as small as I would have liked but not too bad. â€œIt should weigh much less now and it will all still be perfectly fine when it is restored to its full size just outside of the village.â€ I placed both the bags in my pockets handed her the much smaller basket and just for the **** of it decided I would carry her as well. Without any warning I scooped her up in my arms the way I had when she had twisted her ankle spun her around a few times and set down the road at a much faster pace then we had been moving at before. <br/><br/>I smiled and laughed as we traveled to my town. We reached the village well before dark as I knew we would if we did things the easy way. I set her back on her feet and asked â€œReady?â€ After the lightened load the basket would feel even heavier than before but there was much less distance to travel this time. I enlarged my load first even the oil and hid a good number of the tangerines in my pockets since that was always the first place the children looked for their treasures. We were sure to have plenty of help getting things going once we were spotted. We still had to get within eye shot though. I felt the paper flower in my pocket as I started to fill my pockets with fruit. I had almost forgotten about the flowers. I took the first one and brushed back Katherineâ€™s hair tucking the stem of the paper flower behind her ear. It was perfect for her coloring and made her eyes sparkle, or at least they looked that way to me. â€œJust as I thought it suits you.â€ I then enlarged her basket and gestured for her to join me on the much shorter trek into the village. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BFFF">As I stopped to catch my breath and took up a space in a large rock, I looked over towards Gabe as he sat next to me. "your method of transport?" I asked him slightly confused for a moment, but then I realized that he might be able to use his magic. The thought made my eyes sparkle with interest and delight. I loved it when he would use magic as it was something completely different and wonderful and something that I had ever seen or heard of before. Closely I watched him, he placed his bags in front of him and looked both ways up the road. I guessed he was making sure that no one was around to see him do it and I found myself looking around too, just in case he had missed someone coming. Looking back around him I found myself sitting on the edge of the rock, my eyes glued onto him and his movements. I had no idea how he was going to make it easier for us to carry or to take the goods back to his village, but I was very eager to find out. He glanced over at e with his mischief's smile and I knew that it was going to be something amazing. <br/><br/>With all my attention on him I watched as he place both of his hands onto his bags and right before my eyes they started to shrink. I let out a small gasp of surprise as I leaned closer as I watched then get smaller and smaller. In no time there where the size or a women's purse. I would have never of thought that he would be able to do something like this with objects. Shrinking them down so much that they where just a fraction of the original size. When I glanced over towards him he raised a eyebrow at me, clearly to see if I was impressed by his skill...which in truths I was BUT I wasn't going to let him on I was impressed, not yet anyways. I tried to look somewhat impressed and slightly annoyed. He could have done that earlier but I knew I was too stubborn to let him and the thought of him using magic to help us take the good home had never accrued to me. As he moved over my basket I kept my eyes on him like I had done before. I waited and watched as this time he closed his eyes and made my basket with my own goods in it shrink down. That two shrink a lot and it was about the same size as the small plated loaf I was given from the baker. I smiled brightly over at him as he comment that it should way less smaller as he handed it back to me in this form. <br/><br/>As I stood up and looked at my much small basket I found myself being scooped up without warning. A light scream which quickly turned into a giggle escaped my lips. Lightly I wrapped my arms around his neck gently and gazed upon him for a short moment. â€œShow offâ€¦â€ I said in a teasing manner as my giggle slowly faded. I knew that he was showing off but I couldnâ€™t help but like being carried like this, in his arms, close to his body, close to him. Lightly a small blush appeared on my cheeks and I tried to hide it away from him as he walked along the road in a much faster pace then what we was doing before. It took much less time to close to his village this way and I was blessed to find out that it was still light out with very little sign of it getting dark any time soon. This was a relief as I was slightly worried that I wouldnâ€™t be able to stay for long at the village and help. <br/><br/>When Gabe placed me down gently I nodded over to him and soon he made his load back to its normal size. I watched as he placed the fruit into his pockets, I guessed that they where the first place that the children looked for any goods when they spotted Gabe, and the thought of the children finding something yummy within his pockets made me smile warmly. Gabe always seemed to have a thing for children, they where his soft spot I could tell. I was recalling the last time I saw Gabe at his village when I felt him brush back some of my hair. My eyes quickly feel upon his as I saw him place a beautiful paper flower into my hair. I tried to hard not to blush or to show how much I was enjoying that short little moment of him brushing my hair back but I was sure that it was evident in the way I was looking at him now. I blushed away deeper and looked away from him in a shy kinda way. This was far different from how I would normally act when a man gave me something but this time it was Gabe giving me the flower and placing it my hair. When ever our skin touched or brushed against one another I would always get a rush of butterflies or nervous. Although I wasnâ€™t used to it, it was a feeling I had grown to like a lot, along with my new feelings I was having for Gabe. â€œThank youâ€¦â€ I replied brightly as I finally looked over at him, in time to see him enlarge my basket to itâ€™s normal size. <br/><br/>The basket now seemed to way more then it had done before, but I didnâ€™t mind it so much as there was much less of a distance to travel now. As we walked along the road, I tried my best not to make it look like I was having trouble. I didnâ€™t want the village to seem Gabe carrying everything and me just swiftly walking next to him. I wanted to show, although they didnâ€™t know I was a Princess that I could think it out and help in some sort of way. Within time the Village came into sight. â€œLook Gabe, I can see your village!â€ I said brightly as I tiptoed to see more of it. From there it didnâ€™t take much time for the villages to spot us. I had thought there would be some kind of warm welcoming but nothing of what happened. <br/><br/>The child come running towards us first all running around our feet with delight smiles and excitement on the faces, although they looked slightly thin a lacked some of the warm glow that some of the children had in the market. It was clear that these children had less then the ones at the market. â€œHello!â€ I said warmly as I giggled at them all peering over our goods and looking o see what we had. In no time though the realized that Gabe was the one with yummy goods and soon where fading his pockets on where he ha hid the fruit. I smile and laughed more at the way Gabe was replying to them. Even he seemed delighted to see the children as much as they where to see him. <br/><br/>I quickly torn my gaze away from them as I notice my Basket become lighter and suddenly take away from me. Looking round I notice that some of the Villagers had come to help us with the goods and where all thanking us. I few of the elders looked almost in tears at the amount of fish one man was now carrying over as he helped Gabe out with his load, clearly to give him free hands for the children. All around there where bright faces, much brighter then the last time I had saw them. I had no idea why but I found a tear tracing down my check as I looked around. Just a simple thing like food seemed to make these peoples days. Where in the castle it would only had been glance at and most wasted. I wiped the tear away quickly as I looked over at Gabe and I suddenly realized about the bracelet I was going to make him. <br/><br/>Quickly I headed over to where the basket was now placed and rummaged though it quickly, grabbing the things that I needed. Steeping a side a little out of the way of the villages I tied one piece of string to trail end of the fish and another through the eye so that I would be able to tie it around Gabeâ€™s wrist if he even chose to wear it. Looking around I notice Gabe along. The children seemed to be happy eating the fruit and the village adults intrigued on what we had brought in and getting the things that would be needed to start a fire and what not. Now that this may be the only time I would get the chance to give him it I slowly walked behind him. Tapping on the shoulder lightly I looked over at him. â€œGabe?â€ I said with a warm smile â€œI-Iâ€¦â€ I had no idea how to present him with his giftâ€¦this would have to be the first time I gave a man, who wasnâ€™t my father a gift and one I had made myself. â€œI made thisâ€¦itâ€™s a bracelet. I know it might be silly but I thought it would be a little something to remember today fromâ€¦â€ as I spoke I could feel my cheeks blush deeply and I knew that I was starting to mumble too much. â€œItâ€™s a fish, I found it and it just reminded me of youâ€¦of todayâ€ I could have slapped myself for stating the obvious but I was just coming to a blank. â€œYou donâ€™t have to wearâ€¦its just a little somethingâ€¦nothing of true valueâ€ I added feeling rather silly now as I hold it our for ever him to take or for me to place around his wrist. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #8000FF">Katherine seemed oddly happy to see my village growing steadily larger as we walked towards it. I wasnâ€™t sure if she was happy to be there or simply glad that the journey was almost over. I had a feeling it was a little of both. I knew the effect that came from switch from shrunken good to full-scale goods could have. They always felt much heavier afterwards. I was sure there was a reason for that, but I didnâ€™t know exactly what it was so I didnâ€™t try and explain it to her besides we wouldnâ€™t have the privacy to talk about such things soon. Just as I was thinking this, our own little world was shattered by a hoard of clamoring children. <br/><br/>The older more curious children examined everything and rushed off to their houses. They knew what these specific good meant. I was glad of it because it meant that the load would be lightened sooner rather than later. I did my best not to topple over while the younger more eager children raided my pockets for the fruit they were positive would be there. I was having a bit of trouble considering how much I was carrying. I was only too glad to hand over everything when a few of the villages came to greet us. I took the remaining fruit that hadnâ€™t been able to fit in my pockets and handed it out to the older children and anyone who had missed out on the fruit raid. I noticed three nectarines left. I knew that one was for Katherine and one was for little Marisa. I looked around trying to decide who was missing. I spotted him standing by one of the posts of the broken fence. It was Garrett. I knew why he hadnâ€™t gotten his fruit. He had always been a bit of an odd boy who thought himself much more grown up than he was. I walked over and handed him the nectarine. He didnâ€™t take it at first, but after a moment knowing that if he didnâ€™t there was no telling when he might see fruit again he reluctantly took it with almost a melancholy smile. I had a soft spot for him he was very much like me forced to grow up too fast because of a loss. His father had been taken two years ago and in that time Garrett had gone from a carefree kid to someone just trying to help his family. <br/><br/>I returned to the gathering families with my remaining two nectarines as everyone started to prepare for the event. I stood to one side. This was usually the moment I would steal away to my house and eat my meager supper; usually soup of some kind and slightly stale bread. I knew that if I tried to do that today someone would come search me out and make me join them if not for the fish at least for to company. They worried about me and cared about me. I knew that and it was touching in itâ€™s own way, but being around unbroken families always made me think of my parents. I could feel myself start to slip into my normal melancholy. Suddenly though I felt it slightly lift and I was no longer standing alone. Katherine was with me. Just her presence had erased the dark cloud I had spent almost half my life fighting. I donâ€™t know how she did it and Iâ€™m sure I even want to know, but it was her own kind of magic. She wasnâ€™t like me she couldnâ€™t shrink objects or disappear or mix potions, but she could heal me just like I had healed her hand. Was it really that simple? Could it just be a matter of finding a person that made you happy enough that all the bad things didnâ€™t seem to matter? My parents had always seemed so happy even though we had next to nothing; maybe this was why. <br/><br/>I pushed all of my rushing thoughts aside. I was just going to enjoy this time. She made me happy and that was all I really needed to know or think about right now. She held out the bracelet saying she had made it. I touched my writs where it would rest. My motherâ€™s locket rested on a thin chain with my fatherâ€™s wedding ring. I always kept it invisible so the glint wouldnâ€™t draw attention but I felt the cool metal there under my fingers. I slowly felt for the clasp the trinkets materializing under my touch. I slipped the clasp and removed the chain from my wrist placing it around my neck instead. I was sure she noticed there was no way she wouldnâ€™t have. I wanted to have something to remember today by though. I held out my hand so she could slip the bracelet on. I wouldnâ€™t have been able to do it myself. â€œThank you Katherine it is perfect just like you.â€ I brushed a rouge lock of her dark hair back to look into her grey eyes. I could get lost in those eyes. I broke the look handed her a nectarine and mumbled something about going to see a sick kid. The moment was gone and though I was loath to let it pass I was glad it had or I might have done something I would regret. <br/><br/>I rubbed the pad of my thumb over the fish shaped stone as I walked towards the house where Marisa lived. I was ridiculously touched that she had made this for me. I had never really gotten a gift. I had gotten a few ridiculously good deals on fruit or a few extra slices of bread when I couldnâ€™t afford an entire loaf, but I always thought of that as good trading or an appealing appearance. This was different. She had found this fish shaped stone and it made her think of me. It was specific to us. It was personal and was probable the third most precious thing I owned. It wasnâ€™t my motherâ€™s locket or my fatherâ€™s wedding ring, but it was still special. It was probably more special than she knew. I couldnâ€™t stop thinking of the way a normal person would receive or thank someone for a gift. I had no idea what was the normal reaction in this case. Saying thank you had seemed so little and awkward. <br/><br/>I smiled when I entered seeing Marisa with her mom in the kitchen. I would think of a way to thank Katherine later. When I was here it was about these people that was the way it had always been and the way it should be. I reached down and tickled Marisa a bit making her laugh but also cough a little. â€œFishâ€ I whispered making both the little girl and her mother smile so bright it rivaled the sun. I sent her mother out to help with the fish saying I would bring Marisa out in a minute. I produced the paper flower from my pocket handing it to her. â€œI got this for you. It is made of paper so it wonâ€™t wilt like regular flowers you can keep it forever.â€ She smiled and hugged me so tight I could barely breath. I laughed a bit. Her strength was returning at least. I tucked it behind her ear like I had done with the one I gave Katherine. I handed her the last nectarine and lifted her onto my shoulders. I carried her out to join the rest of us. I sat next to Katherine placing Marisa down between us. I pointed to the flower in Katherineâ€™s hair and well knowing Marisa by the time I got back Katherine would be her new best friend. <br/><br/>I got up and walked over to the fry station to get three potions one for me one for Katherine and one for the little girl. I watched from the corner of my eyes to see Marisa scooting towards Katherine pointing to her flower and showing Katherine that she had a matching one in her own hair. I desperately wanted to know what Marisa was saying, but I was sure that Katherine would tell me if I asked. Wouldnâ€™t she? <br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~ <br/><br/>â€œAre you Mr. Angelâ€™s special friend? His name isnâ€™t really angel itâ€™s Moncrief, Gabriel Moncrief, but momma calls him angel because he is so good to all of us. He gave me a flower today. Did he give you your flower? It isnâ€™t a real flower, but the real oneâ€™s wilt anyway.â€ She spoke with a slight lisp that made all of her Rs sound more like Ws and she pronounced the letter S as if it were TH instead. Most people found it absolutely adorable. Marisa could win anyone over. â€œYou know he taught me how to write my name. He taught all of us. Are you the pretty letter he was supposed to write the letter to? I told him he should write you. Did he listen?â€ She was smiling the small gap between her front teeth, which caused her odd speech was visible when she smiled. â€œYou are pretty. I hope you come back we donâ€™t get very many visitors here and you make Mr. Angel happy.â€ She hopped off her seat and went to get the fish from Gabe before going to sit with her mother. <br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~ <br/><br/>I returned with two plates of fish already having given Marisa her plate. â€œCome on girly eat up if you donâ€™t people will be curious. We donâ€™t begrudge those who have more and we have plenty of fish for everyone you included. I promise it tastes better when you work for it. We may not know too much here be we do know that much.â€ I handed her a plate not willing to take no for an answer. I knew she could get better-cooked food and higher quality back at home, but she had helped make this meal possible so she was going to participate if it killed me. â€œIf you plan to fight me on this you should know I wonâ€™t eat a bite until you do girly so if you donâ€™t eat I donâ€™t eat.â€ I raised an eyebrow at her. I knew this would get her eventually. <br/><br/>I started casual conversation watching her fork carefully to see if it was making the trip to her mouth. â€œSo what did you and my little friend Marisa talk about? She is a sweetheart, but she has a way of talking about things she really probably shouldnâ€™t and dear thing can go on without drawing breath sometimes. I hope she didnâ€™t annoy you, but she is just so precious and she was feeling under the weather I thought you would make her smile.â€ I looked over and Marisa was indeed smiling as she sat with her mother eating her fish. She smiled at me when she caught me looking and pointed at the flower in Katherineâ€™s hair. I nodded as if to say yes I gave it to her. Marisa seemed to smile at me in approval before going back to her fish. She knew much more than she should for someone so young. How was it that she understood so much. <br/><br/>I was feeling a little nervous and confused again. I was sitting here with Katherine and fish she had helped me catch. The day had been a whirlwind of activity. It wasnâ€™t over either. I knew I would have to walk her home afterwards. I wasnâ€™t going to let her try and get there on her own especially after what happened last time. I would be alone with her again. My heart was racing a bit at the idea. I ran my finger over the cool metal of the locket around my neck. It was soothing like it always was. I had spent most of the day alone with her it was no big deal we were friends we should look out for each other. I would cross that bridge when I got there. I dropped the locket and went back to concentrating on Katherine. </span>