For the kingdom

Happy Anniversary

A month had passed and no word of a suitor had been heard from her parents. They seemed to especially favor Prince Robin but he was the most arrogant of any prince they had ever met. Yet he had been to visit about three time and had been for dinner five or six. Raven always tuned out what he said in favor of thinking Garfield, how he spoke and what he would say. That was how she made it through everything he parents threw at her. Just then dessert was served and today was Garfield's day to serve. All the servants were like a family and Garfield was like the father. He took care of all of them, never put himself first, and always trained the new people to make sure they were well suited to what to expect. All he wanted was for everyone to be happy, everyone but Raven's parents he hated them. He came out with his best fake smile and served them their dessert swiftly and in a word artfully. He made sure to secretly run his hand down her arm and wink when no one was looking. "Raven darling are you alright, you look quite flushed" her mother asked worried. Raven swore she heard Garfield's laugh emminating from behind the door. "Yes mother I am I just need to, uh go lay down I think I may be falling ill".    "Well yes dear of course go on and lay down" he mother said I she stood to left. Robin came over to her and kissed her hand, it took a lot not to cringe away. "I will see you again soon princess". She nodded and excused herself going to lay down for a bit. A soft knock came and she turned over "I am sleeping it better be important or else" she yelled. She heard the familiar sound of door knob turning and the creak of the bolts. "Oh I believe it is plenty important princess" snarked a familiar voice. She turned smiling "What are you doing in here? What if someone were to come in and-". Garfield started laughing "Why must you worry so much? I asked Star to make sure no one will come in and bother us, it is just that- well I just" he returned to his nervous habit" I feel like I never get to see you anymore" Raven went to speak but he continued "Look I know you are busy and everything with your studies and I could never understand that but-" Raven silenced his with her lips upon his once they broke apart she spoke."You are so ..... funny, but sweet to . I have missed you too and I am glad you came to see me. Frankly if I had to spend another minute listening to prince Robin drone on and on about how wonderful he is" Raven said smiling and Garfield returns it instantly intensifying his muscles. They were about to kiss again when the door knob was turning and Raven froze but Garfield quickly jumped under the bed and stayed completely quiet. Raven, finally snapping out of her state, laid back down and pretended to be asleep. "Hello princess" Raven inwardly rolled her eyes at the voice she knew to well. "Yes prince Robin. I am trying to sleep of a migraine is it urgent?" He came closer and she suddenly felt a bad feeling coming into her gut. "Your parents have asked me to tell you that I am one of the finalists to be your husband. They said you would like me to tell you personally so here I am" he finished with his eyes on the oak floor. Raven was fairly certain she was the first girl to ever not swoon at his feet, and that thought made her smile a little. "Well thank you for telling me in person and good night" she said making to lay back down when he took another step forward. "Why do you dislike me? I am trying to reach out here and no matter what I do you seem unimpressed". This time actually rolled her eyes "It has nothing to do with you. I do not hate you I simply do not know you well enough yet. I promise I am trying to make an effort. Is that all?". He seemed more hopeful and a microscopic piece of her felt bad for lying but the rest of her loved Garfield to much to risk that by telling the truth. He nodded looking thoughtful and left bidding her a good night. Once she heard the familiar creak of the stairs she tapped the bed twice letting him know it was safe. He crawled out of wiped the sweat from his brow. "I do not think that my heart has ever beaten so fast. Well that is not true, you make my heart beat fast" he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and Raven had bite then inside of her mouth to not give him the satisfaction of her smile. "Do you ever turn it off?". He shook his head and got under the covers. "Star promised to come get me early, I just wanted to sleep with you for a bit" he whispered. Raven snuggled up against him and he snaked his arm around her waist. Soon his breath evened out and she knew he was asleep. With sweet music of his breathe and the heat imminating from his body she soon followed him into slumber.

The next morning Raven awoke and turned over sad but unsurprised to find that Garfield was gone. She knew it was too early for her to be woken up by a maid so she simply got up herself. She headed over to the kitchen. "Good morning princess, sleep well" Starfire said with a smirk on her lips. She nodded and when no one was looking snuck some fruit. "Well princess today you are free your mother going back through bachelors and your father has meeting with his men all day". Raven was not listening but the word free always caught her attention. "So may I go to the stables for a while and work on my riding skills?" Starfire nodded to busy making food to really comprehend what she said. Raven scurried off to get dressed. This day would be amazing.

That day was Cy's day off because there were no actual lessons scheduled but she knew Garfield would be there. He was extremely kind and whenever he had a day off he would always go and do someone else's job for them to give them a break. Raven heard his humming and quietly shut the door and began seeking up to him. She got to the stable and saw no one. She was about go look when a puff of air hit here ear and she heard "BOO". Raven thought she had never screamed so loud in her life. Once her heart had finally returned to her chest she noticed that Garfield was trying not to laugh, and failing miserably. "Care to remind me why I love you again" she joked playfully pushing him. He put his hands up in mock truce "I would love to princess but I am afraid we do not have all day" he smirked. "What do want to do today since I have no princessly duties or annoyingly long meetings with my parents trying to get me to succumb to the power of the throne" Garfield laughed but she knew it was forced. Before he could reply Cy came in. "Good day princess, Garfield I came to give you my gratitude for taking over my work load for the day". Garfield clapped him on the back "Of course brother I would do anything for you, now go on you have a date with Bee do you not" Cy openly laughed at Garfield's antics. "Gratitude" he said one more time before running out most definitely to meet Bee. While Raven was distracted by cleaning Silky and Garfield took the opportunity before she knew it she was blindfolded. "Do you trust me"? She nodded.

Raven was not sure where they were going, but she could hear the slush of wet grass under her flats and smell what could only be describe as the forest. Finally he stopped her and removed the blindfold. At first the sudden sunlight hurt her eyes but once they adjusted she was taken back. In front of her was a beautiful set up meal on a hand knitted blanket.Her favorite meal, turkey with green beans and mashed potatoes, were there and she caught the scent of her favorite dessert, chocolate pie. Raven felt tears burning her eyes  "What is all of this for"? Garfield led the frozen girl over and sat her down "Why for our two year anniversary silly".       "No our two year is in three weeks time why now"? Garfield sighed "Because I do not know where you will be in two weeks" and then he said so quietly she almost missed it ? "Or who you will be with". Raven put down her food and crawled over the straddle his waist holding his face between her hands. "Do not think like that alright, I -I do not know what I would do without you. Gar you are everything I could ever want please believe me". He beamed at her and turned his head to kiss her left palm. "I do. I love you my precious bird". Raven felt her cheeks heat up at the name " And I you. Happy Anniversary". And it was and Raven prayed there would be many more to come.