A New Future

9. Town Meeting

Anna put their dishes in the sink and walked up to Gabriel. "What do you say we go to town and tell the people of our success?"

Gabriel wrapped his arms around her waist. "I say it's a good idea, but we should wait for Carl just to be safe."

"Oh, fooy!" She said pouting.

"I just don't want to take any chances, Hunny. We may have killed Dracula and his brides, but that doesn't mean a warewolf can't show up and attack on it's own free will. I'm just trying to keep you safe. I can't lose you, Anna."

"I can handle a warewolf, Gabriel. It's not like I haven't been knocking on heaven's door all my life. Besides, without Dracula's control, they'll be too preoccupied with surviving. They won't just assume attack on me. Or you for that matter."

He sighed. "I guess you're right. I'm just being protective of you. The Dracula mission was quite too close and it just makes me realize that I could have killed you before you cured the warewolf curse. If I had killed you, I wouldn't be able to do anything, but blame myself. Even if it wasn't under self-control."

"But you didn't. You kept the warewolf at bay. You fought for control over the warewolf and you won. You saved not only me, but my entire family and many others from being killed in the future. And for that, you're a hero." Gabriel looked down thinking about what she's saying and she gently brings his face to make him look at her in the eyes. "Gabriel, look at me. After this mission, I answered that question I asked you before. You are not a murderer. You are a holy man."

"Just because you say it, it doesn't mean it's right."

"Gabriel Van Helsing!" She said in a demanding tone. He looked at her and she sighed. "It doesn't matter what other people may think. They don't know what it's like to be you. After working with you, I do. I know what it's like to be you because I worked with you. Others may think you're a murderer, but in reality, you're a holy man."

"You really think that's true?"

"I know it's true. It's not just my opinion. It's fact. So don't let other people make you believe you're a murderer. Because you aren't."

Gabriel bends down to peck her lips. "This is why I love you."

"I love you too, Darling."

"Good morning!" Came a happy voice.

The couple looked over. "Morning, Carl."

"Anna and I are wanting to head to town to tell the people of our success in killing Dracula and his brides. We just thought to wait on you."

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Lets go!" Carl said rushing out the door.

The couple laughed and followed him.

In town, Anna and Gabriel walked up to the well hand in hand. Carl followed. Anna stepped on the platform of the well and cleared her throat. "Friends! Towns people of Vaseria! There is some important news." Everyone gathered around her and looked at her waiting for her to continue. "This important news is that, Dracula and his brides are all dead! For good thanks to Van Helsing and his friend here." She announced pointing to them.

"No more vampires?!" A man asked shouting it from the back.

"No more vampires." Anna confirmed nodding. Everyone erupted into cheers. "Ok. Settle down." She commanded and they did. She continued. "I have to warn all of you to be on the lookout for any free warewolves just to be safe. They will be looking for food every once in a while in order to survive. Just precaution."

"Anything else?" A woman in the front row asked.

Anna looked at her. "No. Just that this mission would not have succeeded without the help of Van Helsing and his friend."

A lot of the town's single women ran happily up to Gabriel asking for marriages and thanking him for killing Dracula. "I'm grateful to have helped out in the killing of Dracula, but I'm afraid I can't accept your marriage proposals."

The women looked at him in surprise. "Why not, Mr. Van Helsing?" One of them asked.

"Because I'm already taken." He said honestly not looking at Anna.

Anna smiled to herself at his words. The same woman asked him, "By who?"

"By me." Anna blurted out.

The women turned to look at her. "Princess Anna?" They asked in unison surprised.

"Yes." She stated stepping down off the platform and taking Gabriel's hand. "He and I are engaged. He proposed to me in a forest clearing at sunset last night. I said yes of course and now we're engaged."

"Oh. Do you have a ring?" One asked.

Anna showed them her hand and the sun's rays reflected off the white gold gem. "It's white gold."

"Wow!" They all said in unison. They looked up at the two of them. "Sorry if we upset either of you for our misjudging."

"It's no worries, Ladies. Don't worry, there's someone out there for everyone. You'll each find a man you love and who loves you back soon enough. Don't try and rush things." Anna said. "And since I have no family or particular friends, you all are invited to the wedding."

The women smiled. "Thank you, Princess. We can't wait. And congratulations to both of you." They said and left.

Anna stood back on the platform and looked at everyone. "Since some of you already know, I'm letting you all know that Van Helsing and I are getting married. Everyone's invited. We will be back to announce the date and time in just a few days time. Meeting dismissed."

Anna stepped down as everyone went back to their business. Gabriel picked her up bridal style making her giggle. "That was wonderfully announced, My Love."

Anna smiled at him. "Thank you. And you know I can walk. I'm not injured."

"I know that. I just feel like carrying you." He said walking back to the manor.