Remains To Be Seen

Princess Cordelia & Gilly the Great

Gilbert
Anne has been in quite a state today. I'd never seen her so in her head. Besides when spelling rolled around in class. She always escaped Mr.Phillips dreadful monotone voice in that head of hers. Oh how I wish I could see what it was she dreamt about all the time. But she had missed the whole exchange between Marilla and I. We were speaking of Bash and Mary and it had come up that I was going to be by myself once again as they are in each other's company away from home.
"Anne can stay with you and keep company."
"Miss Cuthbert that's very kind but I will be okay by my lonesome," I insisted.
"Please it's Marilla. And Anne could use some time away from Green Gables."
"You could use a bit of a break as well, I assume."
"It wouldn't be the end of the world to catch a break with that one," she smiled. "That alright with you Anne?"
I looked over to the redhead who was staring at nothing. Staring straight ahead lost in her imagination once again. I said her name twice and nothing.
"Anne?" I said just barely skimming her hand.
She blinked and was back to reality. I wonder what she was daydreaming about. But she had missed all the conversation and was now obligated to spend the next week with me in my home. She had looked to me almost as if asking for help. I just shrugged. It wasn't my idea. I was just speaking honestly with Miss Cuthbert.
Anne escaped upstairs and I insisted on helping Marilla with the dishes. It took her a few tries to convince her I can help before she let me dry each dish. Anne was taking a while and we had finished the dishes. Marilla was cross stitching and humming some songs as she burned time. I stood up and cleared my throat.
"I'm going to check on Anne," I stated. "It's been a long while. And it's getting quite late."
"Door at the very end to the right," Marilla said softly.
She was too focused on her needlepoint to bother with myself. She was solely concentrated on the task in her very hands. Designs at her fingertips. A skill my father and I never quite got the hang of no matter how many times we tried to learn. I respect the hell out of anyone who has the steady hand to do embroidery.
"Thank you," I nodded then heading up the stairs slowly.
I got to the top and looked both ways. All the doors were closed besides that of which was supposed to be Anne's. I wandered that way and I heard her voice.
"Oh Princess Coredelia, how I'll miss our sweet exchanges while I am away. And Mr.Tree how you'll be missed, seeing you bend the light each morning around your voluptuous amount of petals. The moon. I have never seen you from a different window than this one. Please let each morning be as enchanting such as the ones I have here," Anne was nearly dancing around her room as she said each thing.
Every time Cordelia would come up she always looked in the mirror. It must be a character she enjoys to play herself. Though the name was quite a lot. Anne was much better in my opinion. Anne doesn't always like my opinion though. I lifted my knuckles to the wood frame and tapped it lightly as I leaned against the doorway.
"Come in," Anne said sweetly.
I pushed the door open more and leaned further against the frame comfortably. She had smiled but quickly tried to hide it by crossing her arms and standing up straighter. She curled her lips in biting them shut nervously.
"How's packing?"
"It's fine. Just saying a final farewell to my room for now," Anne said speaking softer with each word like she was embarrassed.
"Well Princess Cordelia, it's getting late. Must we get going to my castle," I asked.
"You heard that," her face turned red nearly the color of her hair.
I saw that she was getting nervous. Like seeing her use her imagination made her weird. I think it made her who she is. I like it myself. Anne always has the best stories in writing. She always read with investment and passion. If only I could be as bold as she. I decided to make my own character to make it less embarrassing for her.
"Well I am Gilly the Great, dear Princess Cordelia. And I'd love it if you could join me on my carriage to adventure to my castle."
Anne giggled and had a huge grin. She put her hands on her hips. She lifted her chin highly stepping forward very dramatically.
"I suppose I can make the time," she said then instantly breaking into a fit of laughter.
We both laughed. She grabbed her bag and took a step closer to me igniting a weird feeling in my hands. It shot through my arms and swirled in my chest. I had no words. So I jumped into Gilly the Great. He was much bolder than I.
"May I take your bag?" I asked.
"I'll have you know I can carry it myself."
"I have no doubt you are fully capable Anne-girl but a princess should never have to carry her own bag," I said.
"I'm no princess Gilbert Blythe," Anne sharply gliding past me.
I saw that look in her eyes. She had hope for a moment of something. But it left as quickly as it came. She left in what seemed like near defeat. Like her world had been crushed. She was the one to crush it. I think that is what broke my heart.
I sauntered down the stairs a few moments after Anne. She was saying goodbye to Marilla and Matthew. I stepped to see her speaking softly to Marilla. They admired Marilla's needlepoint. I watched as her head bobbed as their conversation was light. I stepped forward causing the floor to croak loudly. She looked over her shoulder and the ends of her lips curled up to a delicate smile.
"We might want to get going to beat the cold and treacherous night," I said.
"Indeed you should. Be safe please," Marilla scolded Anne.
"Don't worry Marilla, I'll be alright. It's a nightly adventure I'm surely will go swell."
She pecked Marilla's cheek and then Matthew's. I waited for her as I got my coat and grabbed hers. The smallest and the one I recognized from school. She turned the corner into the coat room and was surprised by my gesture.
"Your coat?" I said.
"Thank you," she said as I helped it over her shoulders.
"Ready?"
"You know I'm always ready for an adventure."
"It awaits," I said propping my arm for her to grab.
She looked hesitant but took my arm anyways. Her fingertips were ice cold to the touch but her palms were warm. We walked in comfortable silence. She gazed at the surroundings as I led the way home in the moonlight. I wanted to speak but it was so pleasant in the silence.
"The moon is shining exceptionally bright tonight," I said in a mere whisper.
"She knows that we need her to shine a light on the path before us," Anne said looking at the path ahead.
"Well thank you Miss Moon," I shouted.
"Gilbert shhh," Anne laughed covering my mouth. "People must be sleeping."
"Anne we don't live in Charlottetown. I bet all anyone heard was what could have been a mouse's squeak," I peeled her hand away as I spoke.
We had stopped in our tracks. Anne's eyes locked with mine. We were close to home. If only I had the courage to express what I was feeling in every moment I'm with her. If she would even listen or accept the fact that I had a care for her more than just friends.
"Anne," I began.
"Yeah?" She was entrapped within my gaze.
"I-" almost confessed. "It's getting chilly. Let's hurry to the house," I finished denying myself the perfect opportunity.
"Yeah," she pulled her eyes away. "I'll race you there!" squealing loudly she then started to run ahead.
I broke into a jog grabbing my hat as it nearly flew off. I kept her in my sights. I glanced behind me for a second and I turned back and her figure was gone. I slowed my sprint and called her name. Where had she gone?
"Anne!" I called for the 5th time getting worried with each hollow response.
"Gil?" Anne said in a painful croak.
I turned to my left and found her on the ground covered in mud clutching her ankle. Also making a mental note of the nickname she gave me right then.
"Anne," I pled sadly kneeling down to her.
She wiped her tears smearing mud on the cheeks. She grabbed at her leg again. I grabbed her wrists tightly but loosened them quickly, moving them so I can see. But it was too dark. We had to get home. I needed to see the injury in the light.
"Can you walk?" I asked grabbing her bag from the ground.
"I'm not sure," she said forcing back the pain in her voice.
"Let's try to stand. If not I'll carry you," I said standing extending my hand.
She nodded taking my hand. I pulled her up and she bounced onto her good foot. We began to walk but I could feel her holding back the pain of stepping on her foot. I stopped and handed her her bag.
"Gil what are you do-"
I picked her up and started walking at a much faster pace. She had her arms around my neck as she trembled. I could feel her eyes on me the whole time. Her warm breath heating my cheek and falling down my neck. She'd never been this close before. If I wasn't so worried about the trail ahead I would've gazed into the oceans of her eyes. We got to the house and I continued to carry her. I managed to get the door open with one hand while keeping her up. I set her on the table where I knew was the best lighting. I lit an abundance of candles as she just sat there. I left and grabbed the first aid kit and she had been silent. I stepped back into the dining room where I had left her and she was gone. I set the kit down and walked to the living area finding her brushing her hands against the spines of my father's books.
"Find one you like?" I asked.
"There are so many," she gushed.
"They were my father's. He always insisted that I read much."
"I'm sorry."
"Let's take a look at this ankle," I said.
She reached her hand to me. She was asking for my help. I grabbed her arm and helped her back to the table. I carefully unlaced her boot sliding it off as she seethed lightly.
"Anne," I said as I turned around for her to remove her torn stockings.
"You're alright," she said after a moment.
Her exposed ankle was a little bloody but nothing too bad.
"This will sting a bit. But it will prevent any possible infection."
I began to clean it up with a cloth and some alcohol. My father kept it with the first aid. He talked about how it can help disinfect a wound. He learned it in his travels. I learned to use it at a young age. Taking care of my own cuts and scrapes. I guess I've always wanted to be a doctor. Always wanted to take care of people and help them.
I finished cleaning it up and then had gotten a cool cloth to soothe the inflammation.
"So much for an adventure," she said.
"It sure still has potential," I said with a grin setting the medical supplies aside. "You're covered in mud. Would you like a bath and I can wash your dress?" I asked not thinking twice about it.
"I'm supposed to ask you that," she said softly.
"I think both genders evenly are responsible for the chores. My father and I had to do near everything. We were lucky to have Miss Leigh to cook and clean for us when my father got sick."
"Gilbert I didn't mean to bring up old and sad memories."
"They aren't sad nor old. Good memories. Burning toast and attempting a boiled egg. It took a few tries but I can manage now."
"I can cook. Marilla's been teaching me," Anne offered.
"In the morning yes. But now the question still begs an answer."