HIS EYES (Gilbert Blyth - Anne with an E)

Ch 9:New Islands Far From Home

Disclaimer: chapter aligns with episodes 2 and 3 in Season 2. 

Sea-legs were as true a thing as they were. Gilbert Blyth hopped into the docks in a new faraway land, as was surprised to find nothing rocking beneath his feet. Their journey from Canada to the warm weather of the East Indies felt long, but standing there with new smells and sights. Gilbert Blyth felt as if it had all been worth it. Unfortunately, even off the boat, they had to do work, carrying barrels into the streets. They were littered with people of all faces and skin colours. Looking at all the food, Gilbert found that he couldn't take it in fast enough.

He found himself very grateful to Sebastian for guiding him around. At that moment he realised, there was so much that he did not know about anything. Blyth had to admit that Sebastian island was by far his favourite. It was not because of the bright blue ocean and warm coloured sands, nor all the new trees and birds he saw on his way, but more so because it had taught him the most. Gilbert had heard of slavery, but never imagined that the effects of it were still so strong, he had imagined it to be a thing of the past. Instead, the divisions of skin colour shocked him. People such as Mrs Lacroix had to work as maids with little expectation to break free from those invisible chains. Even when he had tried to help the woman give birth, he could see the fear in her eyes. No one had ever looked at him in that way. He felt sickened by it.

Despite not being entirely sure whether he wanted to return to Avonlea, he was certain that he could never see himself here either. No amount of sweet fruit or flavourful meals could tempt his heart when he knew he would unlikely feel as if he could belong in a society riddled with inequality. He felt helpless at each shore, hoping to find a place where his heart would settle and happiness would appear. But at each docking, and the first step on land, he never found it. Gilbert Blyth had started to believe that there would not be any place for him in this world.

Nights on the boat felt the longest. It was reassuring to him when Sebastian would stay up and they would just talk. It was also the only time Gilbert could think about anything. More often than most he thought of Anne. While shovelling coal into the flames, he was reminded of her running through the Gillis burning fire, and the dark-stained cheeks she had afterwards. When he listened to the bickering of the other workers in the day, he couldn't help but miss their snide remarks. She stood up for herself, and Gilbert took comfort in that when he had to stand up for himself too. It felt strange to miss someone, especially when he knew so very little about her. In those moments he wondered what she would have been up to in that very moment. Who was she standing up against, and raging her fiery temper towards?

It wasn't until one night, he was given a letter. It had been from Anne. The cream envelope was bright in his coal covered hands, his fingers left imprints on it as he examined her neat handwriting. He felt less alone, and somehow a burden lifted off his shoulders. He was not alone. There were people who cared about him. Correction, someone who cared for him. Despite leaving on good terms with the notorious Anne Shirley, he had never expected her of all people would have been the one to reach out to him. He hadn't opened it yet, worried that his one glimmer of hope would extinguish itself into a cloud of disappointment. Had something happened to his farm? To the Cuthberts? To her?

He felt eyes watching him with his letter. It was not often that a letter would arrive for any of them. It was usually from lady correspondents of families. Someone who would be willing to pay for the expensive postage to reach them. "Open it" Sebastian stated with an amused smile. "It won't open itself Blyth" he added again before dusting off his cap happily. Sebastian was undoubtedly right. He was the only thing standing in his way of knowing the contents of the letter. During his hands off, he broke the seal and pulled out the page.

Onlookers watched as his eyebrows moved from confusion, to shock in little moments. It had been the most exciting thing to have happened since a drunk guest wandered down and started singing in the coal-burning room at the start of the trip. Sebastian came and sat closer to the young boy, eager to see what news he had gotten from faraway lands.

Dear Gilbert,

I like to wonder that you are in a faraway place, and have settled your heart after your loss. I am obliged to tell you that our classmates speak highly of you and miss you. I am uncertain that this letter will reach you, wherever you are. But, I have news that I must share.

For the past summer, we have been boarding two gentlemen in Green Gables, on their visit they have found gold on the edge of the Barry residents. According to them, they expect more gold to be around Avonlea. The only way to be certain is to collect soil samples and send them to be tested for gold. It seems that everyone is obliging them and each hope for the best. No one has touched the land on your far yet, as they require a fee and your permission.

Travel safe,

Anne Shirley Cuthbert

"She says there is gold on the island" Gilbert stated as he put the short letter down, he had never imagined this scenario in his head, however decided now that he much preferred it. Between the words, he could tell that she had thought of him. She had taken a moment out of her mundane day to stop, pause even to think "I wonder about Gilbert". It seemed like a wonderful little thought that made him brim with a smile if the others were not looking at him.

He had caught her attention

Oh, and there was gold in Avonlea.