Here I going to try and give this a go....Well, here goes....
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My Knight In Shining Armor

“You like my mirror, child?”

Sue smiled at Tara’s eccentric maiden aunt. “It is unusual,” she agreed, looking once more at the numerous gilded cherubs that gaudily crowded around the antique glass, smoky with age.

“It’s been in my family for generations. Since the Middle Ages in fact. My many times great grandfather had it made for his daughters for Valentine’s Day.”

“They celebrated Valentine’s Day that long ago?” Lucy asked in amazement.

“Oh my yes. In the Middle Ages St. Valentine was a most popular saint and they had many interesting customs surrounding the day. They took it very seriously – not like the frivolity you see today.” Miss Williams wrinkled her nose in distaste and the three women visiting her shared amused glances.

“What kind of customs, Auntie Gert?” Tara asked encouragingly. She loved her father’s great aunt with all her heart and was very pleased to be able to show her off to her two friends. They had spent an enjoyable evening this St. Valentine’s Eve sharing good food, stories and laughter. Tara had never seen her aunt so animated. The extra company had done her good and she was glad she had followed her impulse and invited Lucy and Sue along on the visit.

“Well, let me think now. Ah, here’s one that many young women would do well to implement nowadays. It would simplify the whole courtship procedure immeasurably. Not that there is much of a courtship nowadays, the way girls flit about from man to man and vice versa,” Aunt Gertie muttered under her breath. “Well, now, seeing as you young ladies have yet to find your knight in shining armor, you might like to give this a try. Tara dear, bring me a bowl from the kitchen. Any one will do – a clean one, mind.” As Tara hastened to do her bidding Aunt Gertie turned to Lucy and Sue. “While she’s gone I want you to write out the name of every eligible young man you know.” She reached for a writing tablet and began expertly tearing hearts out of the paper. “One name to a heart. Then fold them up and put them in the bowl. Here’s Tara now.”

Obediently the three women bent over their task and thoughtfully scribbled down names.

“No jokesters now, mind. You could saddle your friend with a n’er do well for life,” Aunt Gertie warned. Tara promptly crumpled up three of the names she had written. “Now, toss them all into the bowl and swirl them around. That’s right. Tara, you pick first. Then Lucy. Then Sue.” Each woman selected a heart and took a quick peek.

Tara flushed with excitement. “Now what, Auntie?”

“Now, you sleep with that scrap of paper under your pillow tonight and on the morrow, St. Valentine’s day, if you’re brave enough, you pin that name on your sleeve and where it there for a week. Then see what happens.”

“Is that where the saying, wearing your heart on your sleeve comes from?” Lucy asked, her eyes alight with excitement.

Auntie Gertie nodded her head, but something outside the living room window caught her eye. “Can you hear that?” she fretted, “Ice on the roof. It’s freezing rain again. You girls can’t possibly travel home in this weather there’s nothing for it but for you to spend the night.” The old lady seemed unaccountably delighted at the prospect of extended visitors. Seeing the protests beginning to form on more than one pretty face she thumped her cane imperiously. “I won’t hear a single excuse. I have plenty of room and will enjoy seeing your fresh faces over breakfast tomorrow morning. Tara, you take Lucy and Sue upstairs and let them each pick a room and chose some nightclothes for them from the hall closet. When you’ve changed come back down here and I’ll tell you all a bedtime story.”

* * *

“Your Aunt Gertrude is something else,” Lucy said with admiration. “That’s what my Grams is going to be like if she ever lives to be a hundred a four.”

“Is she really that old?” Sue asked, shimmying into a delectable frothy white nightgown that definitely belonged to another time period.

“Don’t forget your cap,” Tara teased, slipping the sheer lace onto her head and tying a bow under her chin while Lucy and Sue giggled some more. “And Aunt Gertie has the birth certificate to prove it. Okay – all ready?”

“We look like something out of the middle Ages,” Lucy joked, prancing around her white robe. “I’m Princess Lucy and you two are my ladies in waiting.”

“No fair,” Sue pretended to be miffed. “You chose the best role for yourself. I want to be a princess too.” Her pretty pout was ruined by the comical wrinkling of her nose as she tried not to laugh.

“Children, children. We can all be ladies of the manor tonight. Come one, Aunt Gert must be getting tired. She’ll want to see us all decked out in our finery before she goes to bed.”

* * *

“But you don’t really believe that do you?” Sue asked skeptically. Tara and Lucy’s rapt perusal of the Valentine Mirror as Gertrude Williams called it, worried her.

“I’d give practically anything if it were true,” Lucy sighed wistfully.

“There’s no such thing as magic,” Sue said firmly, trying to quell the unidentifiable stirring she felt in her bosom. “It’s not possible to see your future by looking into the past…at least not this way.”

Aunt Gertrude had retired for the evening after she had entertained her three guests with a superstitious story about the mirror that dated back to the Middle Ages and the knights of yore. “Back when men were strong and brave and true.” The old lady had winked knowingly at them. “Isn’t that every girl’s dream – to have a knight in shining armor?”

“That was the plan,” Lucy acknowledged somewhat sourly.

“And it still can be,” Aunt Gertrude said with conviction. “When the time is right. I find it most providential that you three have been stranded at my doorstep on St. Valentine’s Eve. Mind what I said. Each of you give it a good polish on Valentine’s Day and see what you spy…Use a nice soft cloth and some elbow grease and you just may be surprised at what you see…”

And no matter how Lucy and Tara had begged, Aunt Gertie wouldn’t tell them any more.

Lucy walked back and forth in front of the mirror, watching her distorted refection in the antique, smoky glass. She laughed as her reflection shimmered. “It sure looks like there’s something inside there – this mirror has more depth than any I’ve ever seen.”

“Of course it does. It’s ancient; they don’t make them like that any more. Honestly, we’re not twelve year olds on a sleep over pulling out the ouja board. We’re grown women and you two are acting like you’ve been cast under a spell. Here I’ll show you.” Sue marched up to the mirror and began to give it a vigorous rub.

“Stop! It’s not time!” Tara cried, pulling her friend away. “You’re not supposed to do that until Valentine’s Day. You’ll jinx it or us if you do it earlier.”

“Oh for pity’s sake. Nothing happened. Nothing’s going to happen.” Sue exclaimed in exasperation.

“Right, time for bed before we get into an argument. I say we meet back here first thing in the morning and each give polishing the mirror a try. Until then…” Lucy zipped her lips. “Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

* * *

Moving stealthily and quietly in the darkened hallway she made her way down the stairs, her white gown billowing about her bare feet. Once in the hallway below she practically floated into the formal living room and came to a halt in front of the Valentine mirror.
It must be too dark to see my reflection, she thought when the mirror gaped emptily back at her. Well, I’m down here; I might as well get it over with. Pulling her hand back inside the voluminous sleeve of her white nightie she reached out and began to carefully polish one small corner of the mirror.

Suddenly her stomach lurched, her head felt light and her whole body felt an unbearable pressure for a split second before she collapsed onto the ground gasping for breath. Her hands clutched the springy grass and she bent her head low trying to stay the waves of nausea that had suddenly assailed her.

“Grass?” she exclaimed in surprise and looked up quickly, startled to see that men dressed in armor surrounded her.

“What manner of witch might you be, then?” one asked menacingly.
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The first chapter is soon to follow.....

Sorry to keep you waiting....i would have posted last night....but it was too late and I had to go to bed.....but I am actually glad that i didn't get to post because i got the chance to change some things.....well enough with that.....enjoy
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Chapter 1
Not in Kansas Anymore

England-- Year 1200

Sue answered the soldiers that sat on their horses in front of her, "I don't know what you mean. I am no witch."

"Than how did you come to be here?" another asked as he moved his horse so that it loomed above her.

"I don't know....I," Sue fumbled over her words. Her mind was a jumble and she didn't know what to say. "Where am I?"

The soldiers found this a silly question. "Why, don't you know?" the second man asked.

"No. I.....don't know what's happened to me. I don't know why I'm here. I can't quite remember," Sue said holding her aching head.

"You're in England." A man walked his horse from behind the others, dismounted it and took off his helmet answering the question.

"England?" Sue said surprised. The man offered his hand to held her up and she took it. She stood up and she brushed her clothes off. But then she noticed, they were different. She was no longer in her night gown, but in a dress that looked as if it had come out of......the Middle Ages. Sue realized, The mirror!

"Is that so surprising?" The man asked.

"Yes....I mean....no....I mean...."

But before Sue could say anything else, the man pulled her aside and said, "Look out!"

Sue fell backward, the man catching her. When Sue turned around to see what it was, she saw Lucy lying on the ground as she had only minutes before. She was in rags and it pained Sue to see her tattered clothes and matted hair. "Lucy!"

Lucy looked up at Sue. "Sue, what are you doing here?"

Sue was going to run to Lucy's side, but the man held her tightly as if trying to protect her. Sue watched as two other soldiers got off their horses and grabbed Lucy fiercely. Sue turned to the man behind her, still not knowing his name, and asked, "What are they doing?"

"She's to be brought into the town square and if she isn't claimed by her master, she'll be sold," he answered.

"Sold? What do you mean?" Sue asked now worried about the fate of her friend.

"She's a black. I wouldn't worry about it," he brushed off the subject.

"You don't understand. She's my friend!" Sue squeeled, trying to wriggle from his grip.

"Let go of me!" Lucy struggled. "What are you doing?" The soldiers threw her to the ground in cruelty. They kicked her for her outburst, for such a thing from a slave was forbidden. They were unrelenting and Sue screamed. The manner that her best friend was being treated pained Sue greatly. The soldiers picked Lucy back up and dragged her away, Lucy looked back tears begining to stream down her cheeks.

When Lucy was out of sight, Sue turned away. "I'm sorry," the man said, guiding her eyes back into his.

"No your not. You don't care about her.....or me," Sue said crying."Just leave me alone." Sue struggled to be set free from his grip, but he wouldn't let go.

He turned her around and found in her eyes all that she was feeling. Anger, hate, worry, sorrow, and although he was going to say something, thought
better of it. He let go of her arm, but she just stood there, staring at him.

Sue recognized the face, the same brown eyes. No, it couldn't be, she tried to tell herself. But, no matter how much she didn't want to admit the truth, it was there staring her in the face.

* * *

"Aunt Gertie! Aunt Gertie!" Tara fiercely knocked on her aunt's door.

"What is it, Tara?" the woman said standing in the doorway putting her weight on her cane.

"Sue and Lucy are gone! I can't find them. Unless...." Tara said, remembering the mirror. "But not Sue, she was suspicious about the whole thing, she wouldn't have..." she tried to reassure herself.

"I think that curiosity got the better of them," Aunt Gertrude concluded.

"What can I do?" Tara asked.

"Follow them....through the mirror."

"What will happen?"

"Many things. I am not quite sure, but I think that an adventure is in the making," Aunt Gertrude said wrapping her arm around her great niece's shoulder as they walked toward the mirror.

Tara took a deep breath and began rubbing the mirror. Tara thought she was in one of those movies where someone was sucked inside of a computer. Soon, Tara lay on the grassy ground and looked up at soldiers on their horses, trotting away. Then she spied Sue. She was going to call her name, but then remembered her deafness. She would have to follow them. She looked at her clothes. The one thought that popped into her mind was of the line from the Wizard of Oz, Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
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I hope you enjoyed it......I'll be back asap

Sorry....I'm little behind...but i was grounded from internet....so.....well...sorry if i'm hard to keep up with...but time is running shorter.....so....here goes....enjoy
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Chapter 2
Familiar Faces

"Do you think that you can find your way home from here?" Jack asked Sue, riding up to the castle gate.

"I think so," Sue lied. In this place, what is home? she asked herself.

Sue grabbed Jack's arm and he helped her get off the horse. "I am truly sorry about what happened back there," he said. Although against his upbringing, he had felt sorry for the way that the soldiers had treated this woman's friend.

"Then why didn't you stop it?" Sue asked. She had not been physically injured, but there still was a gnawing pain in her stomach. Jack looked at the ground in shame and didn't answer. "I thought so." Sue's words stung Jack with a pain he had never known. Sue walked away, Jack was going to go after her, but it wouldn't do any good.

Sue was feeling bitter. This wasn't what she had expected when she came here. She was expecting what you sometimes read in fairytales. Where things always went right and the princess finds her true love. But here.....things were ALL wrong. Lucy was a slave, she was no more than a peasant with no one she knew. And Jack.....well.....he didn't know her, he didn't even recognize her. That way he had about him...wasn't there. This wasn't the Jack Hudson that she had come to know and love.....or was it?

* * *

Tara followed Sue and soon caught up to her, touching her shoulder. Sue jumped. "Tara!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Tara said.

"I'm so glad to see a familiar face," Sue told her.

"What about Jack?"

"I may be familiar with him, but he's not familiar with me."

"You mean, he didn't recognize you?" Tara asked and Sue answered with a shake of the head. "Wait a minute. Where's Lucy?"

"You haven't seen her?"

"No. I thought she was with you," Tara said with growing concern.

Sue shook her head. "She's a slave."

"A slave!? But why?"

"She's a black," Sue said her eyes beginning to blurr.

"Where is she?" Tara asked.

"I remember them saying something about the town square, but I....I
don't know where that is."

"Good point."

"We don't know anyone here....we're lost."

"There must be someone who can help us," Tara asked desperately.

"If WE'RE here and Jack's here, is it possible that the rest of the team
might be here?" Sue figured.

"I suppose, but they wouldn't know us," Tara pointed out.

"True, but they WOULD know the other people in this town and they
might be able to help us."

"How are we going to find them?" Tara asked and Sue pointed past her. Tara turned around to see a tall man with a wonderfully familiar face.
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Well....I'll be back soon....to post more.....replies are greatly appreciated

Well....I'm posting this chapter becuz it didn't show up that i had posted when i really had so here...
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Chapter 3
Not What They Expected

"Hello there!" Bobby said when Tara and Sue approached him with a hello.

Sue said to him, "Do you think you could help us?"

"I'll try." Bobby's charm rang through. Bobby looked like a nobleman, but acted like a gentleman.

"Could you direct us toward the town square?" Tara asked.

"I can do better than that. I'll take you there. Come with me," Bobby said leading them toward the stables. He payed to rent two horses and saddled up his own. They rode at a slow speed and they were drawn into conversation.

In the midst of it, Sue asked, "Do you know a knight named Jack?"

"I do, as a matter of fact. Why?" Bobby asked, facing Sue.

"Nothing," Sue said drooping her head.

"Nothing? Wanting to know about Jack isn't nothing," Bobby said.

"I....I just can't believe that...." Sue began, but was unable to finish.

"Can't believe what?" Bobby interrogated.

"Nothing. I really don't want to talk about it."

"With Jack, there a lot that can't be believed," Bobby began. Then he
finished, almost speaking to himself, "He's so unsure of himself." Bobby looked up and said, "Here we are! The town square."

"Wow!" Sue said. This place was beautiful. With shops and tall buildings, horses clopping their hooves on the stone roads.

"It's beautiful," Tara said.

"Is there anything else I can help you ladies with?" Bobby asked the
two mesmorized women.

"Where's the slave market?" Tara asked turning to him.

"I don't think you want to go there," Bobby said warningly.

"Please, we need to find someone," Sue pleaded.

"You're not going to like it," Bobby said. He began to trod off and he motioned for them to follow. On the far end of the square, were broken down shacks and a platform. Next to it was a pit, for the slaves Sue and Tara concluded. This place was a terrible nothing compared to the square. People were beginning to gather round, some on horses, some on foot. Mostly rich people....to buy slaves. Sue looked around for Lucy, but she was no where to be seen. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay here. I have to go," Bobby said uneasily.

"What about the horses?" Tara asked.

"Never mind that. Keep them for now, I'll take care of it."

"How can we repay you?" Sue asked, seeing his uneasiness.

"Get far away from this place," he said as he rode away.

Sue and Tara didn't understand. Things that they had read about in books didn't seem so threatening. But they were about to discover, the horrific truth. They dismounted their horses and made their way through the crowd looking for some sign of Lucy. Then they saw her. She was on the platform and had a sign hung around her neck. Sue watched the crowd and they said things that she could decifer. But she knew that they were bargaining for the price of her best friend. Tara watched in horror as the price got higher and higher as if they were auctioning off cattle or some livestock.

* * *

Lucy felt helpless as she was being sold. She had never known this kind of humiliation. She was a black in D.C., but a free one. She surveyed the crowd, people calling out prices and it pained her to hear it. Then she saw the most beautiful thing, her two friend's faces. They never looked so wonderful, but then she heard the terrible sound of the slave trader calling out, "Sold!" And Lucy was being pulled down the stairs into the hands of her new master.

She looked back at Sue and Tara. Their images getting distorted and blurry. This wasn't what she had expected when she came here. It wasn't what any of them had expected.

As the faces disappeared in the distance, Lucy didn't know what to do. But luckily, the man who had bought her, when they were out of sight, turned around and untied her hands. His face was hidden by a cloak.

"Thank you," Lucy told him.

"Don't thank me just yet," the man's voice answered back. "Come with
me," the man told her. They got on a horse and galloped as fast as they could to their destination.

* * *

Sue and Tara tried to follow Lucy through the crowd, but it was to congested. By the time they made it out of the crowd, Lucy was no where to be seen. "What are we going to do now?" Tara asked in frustration.

Sue didn't answer. Her mind was too preoccupied. She had seen the man who had bought Lucy and he was mysterious, his face covered....and yet....it seemed as if she knew him. The way he walked looked like the gait she had seen so many times before, but she wasn't sure. She couldn't be sure of anything right now.

Thank you so much for your comments .....I'm glad you are enjoying it so far.....well...Now I have three things I need you to do for me.....sit down...relax....and enjoy
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Chapter 4
Love is in the Air

"You're very lucky," Kate told Lucy. Kate was brushing Lucy's hair-as an act of kindness- in one of the many knight's quarters and Lucy was being given clothes better than rags.

"I know. I just wish I knew who he is," Lucy told her. Kate had been kind to her and it seemed that she was treated well here. She seemed to be happy.

"You don't know who he is?" Kate asked, stopping what she was doing.

"No, I didn't get to see his face," Lucy said.

Kate paused and motioned for Lucy to come closer to hear what she had to say. "His name is....." Kate was interrupted by the opening of the door.

The knight's hand motioned for Lucy to come. Lucy turned to Kate,
gave her a hug and whispered, "Goodbye."

"Be careful. You never know what will happen out there," Kate said.

"Thanks for the advice. I hope I see you again."

"Goodbye," Kate said with a wave as Lucy left.

As Lucy rode away behind him on his horse, Lucy wondered what Kate
was going to say. Lucy had an idea of who the man was, but it seemed as if he wished to be kept a mystery. But Lucy was determined to know. "Who are you?"

The man pulled on the reins causing the horse to stop and he turned around to face her. Removing the hood of the cape he seemed to reveal much more than just a simple name.

* * *

"You've already seen them?" the man said in surprise. They had gone out seeking Bobby. Now, they had just discovered that he had already seen Lucy's friends, Sue and Tara.

"Yeah, a couple of hours ago," Bobby answered. "Why?"

"Personal reasons. Do you think that you could track them down for me? I would do it myself, but I really have to get back before I get in trouble."

"Hmmm," Bobby responded. "Well, I'll do what I can."

"Thanks," he said said helping Lucy down. "How can I ever repay you?"

"Let's just say we're even from the last time you saved my neck," Bobby said. The mystery man began to ride away when Bobby said to him, "How's Kate?" Lucy could see in Bobby's eyes the same look that she had seen in Sue's eyes so many times before. He was in love.

"She's good," he said. He knew how Bobby felt about Kate. Without another word he rode away.

Bobby shook himself out of the daydream he had wondered into and
said to Lucy, "Well, we'd better get going."

Helping Lucy onto the horse and he himself mounting it, Lucy
asked, "You love her, don't you?"

Bobby paused before he said, "Yes. I suppose I do."

Lucy smiled, this trip could turn out to be an interesting one after all. Two couples to play matchmaker with. What fun!

* * *

Sue and Tara rode their horses gloomily, they had failed Lucy. And worse, had no idea where to begin looking for her. But then hope's light shined when Tara tapped Sue's shoulder and pointed to Bobby. Sue looked closer and saw Lucy on the back of the horse. "Lucy!" they called out and galloped to her. All three got off their horses and gave a group hug. Bobby smiled, reunions always made him happy.

"Thank you, Bobby....for everything," Lucy said.

"Always ready to help," Bobby said beginning to ride away.

"Is there anything we can do to repay you?" Tara called out to him. He
had been asked that question so many times.

"When I think of a way, I'll let you know," Bobby said.

Tara smiled and they all waved at him. So many things had happened
in such a short time. Lucy had been a slave and then had been set free, they had managed to get reunited with the help of someone unknown to them and there were probably many more things left to come. This was going to be an adventure to remember!
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I wouldn't jump to conclusions about who this 'mystery man' is....I mean Bobby has more than one friend.....well....we'll find out who he is soon enough.....I'll be back soon

I've got you guessing.... " ......well....I'm sorry to say but the identity of the 'mystery man' will not be revealed until a later date....I'll try to make it sooner rather than later....anyway....here's the next chapter....enjoy
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Chapter 5
Heavenly Eyes

"So how did you escape?" Sue asked Lucy. They were now walking down the cobble-stone streets. They were unaware of the time or the exact place.

"I didn't. I was set free," Lucy told her.

"Set free!? By who?" Tara asked.

"I promised I wouldn't tell," Lucy said with a smirk. "Let's just say, he was a good samaritan."

Sue shook her head. Lucy was funny when it came to secrets. Just like a little girl, if offered candy to reveal the secret, more than likely she would. But when Sue looked up, she saw the funniest thing. "It can't be," Sue said and it caused Lucy and Tara to turn around.

"Myles!?" Lucy said in surprise, with a little chuckle. For there was Myles, sitting on a horse in the most royal clothes that you would ever see.

Tara couldn't help but laugh at the sight of him. He would never understand the tormenting jokes that she was going to poke at him when they got back to D.C. "Who is he?....I mean he's Myles, but....is he a prince? A nobleman?"

"Beats me.....but he's definately that Renaissance man that he claimed to be," Sue said with a giggle.

"Uh-oh," Lucy said, the grin on her face turning up-side down.

"What?" Tara asked turning to her and Sue looked at them both.

"He's coming our way and let me tell you, he doesn't look happy," Lucy
said descretely pointing in his direction.

The three girls watched as he approached. He rode up on his horse, a small group of soldiers following close behind. He stared down on them and although they looked perfectly calm, on the inside the girls were shaking in fear. Who would have thought that they would be afraid of Myles! Myles turned to the soldiers behind him and said, "Take them."

The girl's feet were frozen to the ground. No matter how much they wished to move, they couldn't. Against their will, three of the soldiers picked them up onto their horses and they rode away.

* * *

"Prince Myles Leland III!" the doorman announced. Myles had just walked into the throneroom. The room was made of marble with pillars holding the ceiling up.

"My son! Welcome home," the king greeted with a hug.

"Father!" Myles returned the greeting. "It's good to be home."

"The men have told me that you beat the enemy single-handedly," the
king said as they slowly walked out of the throneroom and through the sparkling halls.

"I don't wish to brag, but...ummm.....I would say that that is an
understatement," Myles boasted. But, what the king had said was an exaggeration.

"Good, good." The king was very proud of his son.

"Your majesty, the queen would like to speak with you," a servant politely interrupted.

"Okay, thank you," the king told the servant. "I'd like to hear about your travels.....maybe some other time. You'll have to excuse me, son. "

"Of course," Myles said bowing. His father left and Myles left the throne room.

"Jack! Noah! Justin! Take them to their new quarters!" Myles ordered the three knights who held the three girls on their horses. Tara, Lucy, and Sue all struggled to break free, but they stopped because of the heavenly eyes that gazed at them.

* * *

"Elizabeth, you know better than to let that stray dog in here!" Dimitrius scolded. Dimitrius and Elizabeth were both servants who worked in the castle kitchen.

"Sorry, D. You know me. I'm such a softy," Elizabeth apologized. The golden retriever that came to the door everyday had those big brown eyes that Liz just couldn't turn down.

"Now hurry and take Sue's breakfast to her, before we both get in trouble," D said handing her a breakfast tray.

Elizabeth took the tray and walked out of the kitchen and began walking up the stairs, what she didn't know, though, was that the dog was following close behind. Elizabeth opened the door and Levi rushed in. "Oh no!" Elizabeth cried.

Levi put his front paws up onto Sue's lap. "Hey there, buddy!" Sue turned from her gaze at the sunset.

"I'm sorry Miss," Elizabeth said to Sue who was sitting on the window sill.

"Don't be," Sue said before she looked back out the window.

"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked, setting the tray down on a table.

Sue didn't answer, she had faintly heard a voice, but couldn't decipher the words. All she could think about at that moment was the look that had gone between her and that pair of big brown heavenly eyes.
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This chapter MIGHT have given you a clue as to the 'mystery man's' identity.....well.....I'll be back soon to add more

Yes....I did purposely put that in there....it was a grammatical mistake or something.....

I'm sorry I haven't posted all week....it's been hectic, there's this big project for school, plus the regular homework....I'm just glad that I could escape to my computer to write some more...It relieves much of my stress---although he might add some too....anyway enough talk....here goes
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Chapter 6
Twitter-pated

"Knock, knock," Justin said walking into Lucy's room. It had been a couple of days since Lucy, Sue, and Tara had come to the castle. Justin had gotten to know Lucy a little and had found that they had a lot in common. Although neither of them knew it, they were both matchmakers.

"Come on in!" Lucy said, looking up from her book. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Justin shut the door behind him, "but I was wondering if you could help me out with something."

"What is it?" Lucy set down the book.

"I was wondering if you could help me find my two buddies.....well.....somebody to love."

"That just happens to be my spec-i-ality." Lucy smiled. Playing matchmaker was fun, but teaming up with someone to play it was even better. "It's Jack and....Noah, right?"

"Yeah, those two," Justin said as he rolled his eyes. "So will you help me?"

"Under one condition," Lucy began, "you'll tell me why we're here. Deal?"

"Easy enough. Okay," Justin said as they shook on it.

"So, why ARE we here?" Lucy asked sitting down and Justin sat down across from her.

"Well...it all started...."
* * *

Tara walked through the gardens. The garden had an assortment of flowers and bushes. Along with beautiful fountains with statues posed in the middle of them, some spewing out water.

Tara was starry-eyed, the atmosphere of Middle-Aged England was beginning to take effect. She held in her hand the heart-shaped piece of paper. It was strange because the name she had originally written on it wasn't there, there was no name at all. She breathed a sigh and remembered her Aunt's words, Isn’t that every girl’s dream – to have a knight in shining armor?

Tara was taken out of her dreamworld when she heard footsteps approaching her. "Tara?"

"Hi," Tara said softly.

"I heard you were out here and I thought I might join you," Noah said.

"I was just thinking that I could use some company," Tara said.

"They're beautiful, aren't they?" Noah said beginning to walk.

"What are?"

"The gardens," Noah said.

"Yeah, they're beautiful," Tara said. She had never met anyone like
Noah. Maybe it was the way he talked, or maybe it was the way his bright blue eyes gazed at her. She didn't know what it was, but she was falling head over heels almost against her will.

There was a silence before Noah said, "I'm so sorry about the other day."

"When Myles picked us up off the street....literally," Tara said, half-joking.

"Yeah...Can you ever forgive me?" Noah asked as he faced her, looking her straight in the eye.

Tara thought for a second. Then, returning his gaze, "I already have."

"Good." Noah took her hands in his and slowly moved closer to her face and seeing that there was no objection, he continued his advance. He would have kissed her if it hadn't been for the sound of a horn, the horn that was used to gather the knights together. "I have to go," Noah said, as he reluctantly left, hanging on to her hand as long as possible.

"When will I see you again?" Tara asked, knowing the meaning of the horn.

"Tomorrow evening. Here?"

"I'll be here."

Noah ran off into the distance. Tara watched until she couldn't see him anymore. She turned to the flowers. She let out a groan of frustration and clenched her fists. She looked down at the ground, her Valentine heart had fallen on the ground. She must have dropped it and as she bent down to pick it up, she noticed it had changed yet again. It now had the letters N-O-A-H.
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Hope you liked it ....I know that it doesn't explain who the mystery man is...but that all ties in later ....be back asap

Thank you for your replies...they are very appreciated.....I hope you enjoy this next one....
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Chapter 7
Accidentally in Love

"Justin!" Lucy called as she ran down the hall. Justin stopped and turned, waiting for Lucy to catch up to him.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Justin asked looking at Lucy who was completely out of breath.

Between her huffs and puffs, Lucy managed to say, "I...I just....heard that...Tara and Noah....they're..."

"They're what?" Justin asked, anticipating the answer.

"Apparantly they've already fallen in love."

"So now we just need to work on Jack," Justin concluded.

"Exactly," Lucy said, her breathing started to become more natural.

"He's going to be a tough nut to crack."

"I think he'll be easier to crack than you think," Lucy said, that sinuous smile crossing her face.

"What did you have in mind?" Justin asked.

Lucy looked to her left, then to her right. "Follow me." Lucy grabbed his hand and pulled him into the gardens.

"What are we doing?" Justin asked, getting dragged along.

Lucy stopped. "Look over there. Do you see her?" Lucy motioned toward Sue.

"Yeah, I see her."

"She's the one for Jack," Lucy simply stated.

"How do you know?" Justin asked. He looked at her, wondering the same thing about himself. He wanted to be the one for her, but he wasn't sure of her feelings. He hoped that in matchmaking, he could find a match.

"Believe me, she's the one," Lucy said. This match has been in the making for three years, Lucy was sure that with a little Middle Age England romance, Jack and Sue would finally see the light.

* * *

Tara paced nervously back and forth. She had been waiting almost all day for Noah to return. She thought she was going to make a rut in the stone ground. Just then, she turned to see his face. "Noah!" She ran into his arms and held him close.

He smiled and spinned her around, her feet leaving the ground. "Tara," he said softly, running his hand softly through her hair. No words could describe what either of them were feeling. They simply held each other, not wanting to let go. Noah's fear was that he would lose her to some terrible fate. Tara's was being sent back to D.C. and never seeing him again. They broke the hug and held hands as they walked through the gardens, not saying a word. But their thoughts spoke things that words could never say.

Tara wondered if this whole wonderful thing was a dream, that soon would fade into nothing but a memory. When she first came here, she wanted to go home because of all the things that had happened to them. But, now.....she wanted to stay here forever. She had never known this thing before. Was it love? she asked herself. Then she wondered, What is love? Love isn't just a warm fuzzy feeling that you get about someone. It's wanting what's best for them and wishing only good things upon them. It was about being selfless.

Noah knew from the moment he had seen Tara that she was the one. He would never be able to explain to anyone how he knew. She was beautiful, smart, funny....everything and there was something different about her. Other girls that he had known were stuffy and stuck up. But not Tara, she was....better than any number of words could say. She was.....more than he thought he deserved. He looked at her lovingly and smiled. Noah thought that his heart might explode from the love he was feeling.

I suppose you could say......they were accidentally in love.

* * *

"Kate!" Bobby whispered, trying to get her attention without attracting anyone else's.

"Bobby?" Kate asked quietly looking out her first story window. "Is that you?" Kate rubbed her tired eyes.

Bobby ran to the window and sit on the window sill. "Yes, it's me."

"You know you could get us both in a lot of trouble."

"Admit it, you wanted me to come tonight," Bobby said using his irrisistable charm.

"Alright I admit it," Kate confessed.

Bobby smiled. He had known Kate for a long time. For almost five years and Bobby wanted to marry her, but had been unable to. His parents had a strict rule about marrying below your status. And Bobby being a knight and Kate being a servant went against that rule. Without his parents, Bobby had no money, no riches. Kate had told him a million times that she didn't need money or lots of things, but he was stubborn. "Do you think you could get away?" Bobby asked.

"Why?" Kate asked. She knew that Bobby's intentions were good, but she was always full of surprises.

"I want to show you something."

Kate thought for a moment. "Alright, but I have to get back here before sunrise," Kate said trying to be stern.

"Follow me," Bobby said grabbing her hand as she climbed out of the window.

"Where are we going?" Kate asked, beginning to giggle. Whenever Bobby got excited over something like this, it was going to be good.

"You'll see," Bobby said, laughing with her. He ran into the edge of the town square and there were old, deserted buildings made of stone. He led her up one of them and got to the top and said, "Close your eyes."

Kate closed her eyes and Bobby pulled back a curtain. "Can I look?" Kate asked curiously.

"Okay, now," Bobby said and watched her reaction. She was awed at the sight. From where they were standing you could see practically the whole city. "Do you like it?" Bobby asked.

"It's beautiful. How did you ever find this place?" Kate asked, still in awe.

"I used to play here as a boy. It's the most beautiful sight that I've ever seen. That is, besides you," Bobby said sweetly.

"Thank you," Kate said, for both the compliment and showing her this secret place.

Bobby took her hands in his. "I don't know how much longer I can go on living without you," Bobby said sincerely.

"I don't know why you insist on having so much money. I don't care about that, I just want you," Kate said, snuggling close to him.

Bobby was beginning to break. As much as he wanted a good life for them, he didn't know how long that might take. He didn't know how long he could last without her.....Not long enough.
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I'd better hurry....so much to write in so little time....I'll try to post tom....but it's not a guarantee....if I don't....Happy Birthday to me!.... :Bdaygirl: ....I may even feel generous and post twice tom....anyway....I'll be back asap

Thank you guys so much for your replies and your birthday wishes....I really appreciate it....Well....Here goes... ....enjoy
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Chapter 8
Plan A...Gone Bad

Lucy, Sue, and Tara walked into the huge castle ballroom and were amazed at the sight. With an extremely high ceiling and the old fashioned architecture, they all felt as if they had just walked into a storybook. They split up, Lucy looking for Justin, Tara to look for Noah, and Sue....well, to look for no one in particular. She wasn't having the same great time that her two friends were having. She was still mad at Jack for what he had done. But, he was the only man she had ever truly fallen in love with. But, here, he was different. She didn't know him....or so she thought.

* * *

"Justin!" Lucy whispered trying to get his attention.

Justin turned to the sound of her voice and searched for her face. When he found it, he pushed through the crowd of people to get to her. "Is Sue here?"

"Yeah. Is Jack?"

"Reluctantly, but yes, he's here."

"Time for Plan A. You know what to do," Lucy told him and they went to their places.

Justin headed for Sue. When he reached her, he bowed and asked, "Would you like to dance?"

Sue was surprised. Not because of his question, but rather the fact that she could faintly hear his words. She touched her ear, not knowing what had happened. She answered him, "Sure."

She took his hand and he led her onto the dance floor. Sue heard the music and she shook her head. Justin asked her, "Is something wrong?"

"It's just that I can hear."

"Is that so surprising?" Justin asked, half looking for Lucy.

"For me it is." Sue saw his confusion and said, "Never mind."

Meanwhile, Lucy found Jack and tapped his shoulder saying, "Would you care to dance?"

"I would love to," Jack said, setting down the glass he held in his hand. He grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor. Lucy made sure that they were close to Justin and Sue.

Lucy and Justin looked at each other and nodded their heads, giving the signal. Using a dance-looking move, they switched partners. Sue was caught off guard by the transition and she found that she couldn't look into Jack's eyes. Jack could sense her discomfort. Sue let go of Jack's hands and said, "Excuse me." Hearing her own simple, yet hard words, she walked away, leaving the
ballroom.

"That didn't work," Justin said to Lucy, looking at Jack as he followed after Sue.

"I don't understand it. I thought she was crazy about him," Lucy said puzzled.

"It appears that you thought wrong."

* * *

"Sue! Sue, wait!" Jack pleaded trying to catch up to her.

"Just go away!" Sue said. She had never heard Jack's voice before.
It still sounded far away, but she heard the words. She could hear the pleading in them, but ignored it.

"Please, listen to me!" Jack said grabbing her arm and spinning her around. She looked into his eyes and she noticed they looked different. They were softer than before. Or maybe it was just her imagination.

"I have nothing to say to you!" Sue said fighting her feelings for him.

"But I do!" Jack looked around, thinking through what he was going to
say. "You've bewitched me body and soul. And I love....I love....I love you. I can't go on any longer....without you. I'm asking if I may have your hand," Jack stumbled over his words.

Sue thought for a moment. "You are the last man that I could ever be prevailed upon to marry," Sue said coldly, her words injuring even her emotions. She broke from his grip and ran off, beginning to cry. Jack stood there in agony. Her words made him feel as if he had just hit a brick wall.

Lucy and Justin had heard the words that had passed between Jack and Sue. They had seen Sue walk away and Jack, now, walk in the opposite direction. "Now what?" Justin asked. There was little hope of getting them together now.

"I don't know," Lucy answered. Justin walked back into the ballroom while Lucy remained where she was. She couldn't understand it. Where had she gone wrong? Sue had been totally infatuated with Jack. What had Sue meant when she said, You are the last man that I could ever be prevailed upon to marry ? Jack had even been more open than he was in D.C. Well, back to the drawing board, Lucy told herself as she walked back into the ballroom.
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This chapter might have been a :eek jaw drops: kind of chapter....but I promise that it will end with a happily ever after....In some way or another....be back asap

Here goes.....enjoy
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Chapter 9
Good Times...and Bad

"Tara?" Noah asked her. A couple nights had passed since the ball. Tara and Noah were laying in a field, a fair distance from the castle, gazing at the stars.
"Mmmm," Tara replied. It was a beautiful night and Tara felt like floating on air.
"Let's say there was man. A simple man, who fell in love with a beautiful girl. And, one day he wanted to ask her to marry him, but didn't know how to say it. What advice would you give him?"
"Well," Tara began, knowing he was talking about himself. Tara sat up and looked down at him. "I can't give HIM advice....but I can give YOU an answer."
Noah sat up. He smiled and stared at her. "So what is your answer?" he asked, although he already knew.
Tara thought for a second. She would have said yes within a heartbeat. But she didn't know when she was going to be sent back to D.C. She didn't want to leave him....not for the world. Why would she have to? With that thought, Tara answered confidentally, "Yes."
Noah didn't say another word. He simply moved closer to her, holding her face in his hands. He first kissed her forehead, then her left cheek. Then, he kissed the tip of her nose. He gently kissed the other cheek. He looked deep into her eyes before kissing her tenderly on the lips. Tara wrapped her arms around him and held him close. She never wanted to leave this place. She wanted time to stop where it was, so that this moment....this time....would never ever end.
* * *
"What day is it Elizabeth?" Sue asked the girl who was headed out the door.
"It's February the 10th, I believe," Elizabeth said before closing the door behind her.
"February 10th," Sue said to herself. She got out of bed and headed for the window. The sun was beginning to rise above the distant mountains. As she watched the sunrise, Sue thought of Lucy and Tara. Lucy was trying to play matchmaker again WITH an accomplice. And Sue had found out early this morning that Tara had accepted a proposal from Noah. Although Sue was extremely happy that both her friends were having a great time, she also envied them. She was everything but happy.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the horn. Sue had heard that sound every morning for the past couple of days and she was used to it. But this time it was different. It wasn't the same tune that it always played. Sue turned and grabbed her robe, throwing it on. She ran out of her room. Tara and Lucy stepped out of their rooms as well, wondering the same thing. All three headed down the stairs and nearly ran into the king. "What going on?" Sue asked.
"The soldiers are being summoned. A town nearby are in need of reinforcements."
"All the soldiers?" Tara asked, concerned.
"All that we can spare," the king said excusing himself.
Tara, Lucy, and Sue ran to their rooms to quickly get changed, in hopes that they could bid the soldiers farewell.

"Who are you looking for, Noah?" Jack asked his friend.
"I'm looking for Tara," Noah said straining to look over the heads of the men. They would be leaving soon and he couldn't leave without saying goodbye.
"I see." Jack wished that he could wish someone farewell, but with Sue angry at him, he didn't want to push his luck.
"Don't you have someone to say goodbye to?" Noah asked.
"No. No one want's to say goodbye to me," Jack said depressingly.
"I'm sure that's not true," Justin said riding up next to them.
Jack was going to say something when the three men heard someone calling, "Noah! Noah!"
Noah turned his head and saw Tara running towards them, Lucy and Sue following close behind. "Tara," Noah said, dismounting his horse. She ran into his arms and began to cry.
Tara grabbed Noah's shoulders gently and looked him in the eye. "What if something happens to you?" Tara sniffled, her eyes no longer dry.
"I WILL come back. I promise you," Noah said, beginning to choke up himself.
Meanwhile, Justin said his goodbyes to Lucy. As for Jack and Sue, they didn't say a word, but acknowledged each other's presence.
The horn sounded again and Noah reluctantly got back onto his horse and gallopped away with the others, waving goodbye to Tara, Justin doing the same to Lucy. Sue began walking away, but Jack remained watching her. The horses and men soon faded into the distance. Waiting- though it might be argued otherwise- was going to be the hardest part of this journey so far.
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I'm sorry if this chapter wasn't very good...I didn't get the chance to proofread it....plus I need to get it finished next week....and I think I have a lot to go....so....I apologize if it's not very good.....anyway....be back soon...thank you for your replies...

Here's the next chapter....hopefully most of your questions are answered....Hope you enjoy
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Chapter 10
Mysteries Revealed....Too Late?


"What's wrong with you?!" Lucy asked Sue when they got back into the palace. They were in the long hallway between rooms.

"What do you mean?" Sue asked.

"Why are you treating Jack like this?" Lucy said, getting annoyed.

Sue looked around, feeling guilty. Sue looked back at Lucy and said, "Because of what he did to you. When those soldiers were beating you...he didn't do ANYTHING!" She was beginning to cry.

"I see," Lucy said, calming down a little. "Then, there's something that you need to know." Sue turned to Lucy. Lucy continued, "When I was on that platform and was being auctioned off....I had a horrible feeling in my stomach. I was afraid and then....the man who bought was kind and he set me free."

"It was Bobby," Sue said confused. She had thought all along that it had been him.

"No," Lucy said, tears crawling down her cheeks, "it was Jack."

"But why? Why would he do that?" Sue was beginning to see things clearly.

Lucy's voice was beginning to break and she spoke through the lump in
her throat. "He did it for you."

"I don't understand. Why didn't he tell me?"

"I think that he realized..... that sometimes when you do something for someone out of love, the joy of it is.... for them not to know. To just see the happiness it brings." Lucy began to walk away. She knew that there were other things that Jack had done that were worth mentioning, but Lucy didn't find them necessary. Just telling her this was enough to make Sue realize what she had done.

"Was I wrong to be angry with him?" Sue asked before Lucy left.

"No, you weren't. But....when he asked for your forgiveness....you
didn't give it to him. THAT was what you were wrong about." Lucy said going into her room.

Sue stood in the hallway. Lucy was right, Jack had asked for her forgiveness-in his own way- and she had denied him that. His words rang in her head, tearing her heart to pieces. You've bewitched me body and soul. And I love....I love....I love you. Sue would never be able to forgive herself if Jack didn't come back safe. He might never know what she truly felt. "What have I done?" Sue said softly through her tears.

* * *

"Jack! Jack, where are you!?" Noah and Justin called out. They had won the battle, the enemy was gone and they were searching for survivors.

The commander of the knights approached them. "We really must be on our way. As it is we won't be getting back before dawn."

Justin and Noah looked at each other. Neither of them wanted to leave without finding Jack, but if some of the casualties didn't get back, they wouldn't survive. So reluctantly, Noah said, "Okay. Let's go." Justin reluctantly followed them. They mounted their horses and Noah stopped, looking over the battle field one last time, hoping that by some miracle, Jack would appear. Justin touched Noah's shoulder, trying to comfort him. They turned and rode off....taking the journey home.
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Now you know who the mystery man is and you know why Sue was acting the way she was.....anyway...I know that you still don't know why Sue can hear....I'll explain that one in the next chapter....well...I'll be back soon with more

Well....here we go again.....I couldn't stand to torture you guys for long....so here's the next chapter....enjoy
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Chapter 11
Strange Things

Sue was up before dawn the next morning. Once she had woken up, she couldn't go back to sleep. So, she got dressed and went outside. The air was crisp and Sue rubbed her arms to keep warm. She began walking, not knowing where her legs would lead her. All Sue could think about was Jack. Was he okay? Will I ever see him again? she asked herself. She stopped and closed her eyes. She was trying to picture his face. The way he smiled....the gentleness of his eyes.

When she opened her eyes, the sun shone behind the figure of a man. The man approached her and Sue made out his face. It was Bobby. "What are you doing here?" Bobby asked.

"I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk," Sue answered.

"Did you hear about the soldiers?" Bobby asked.

"No. What about them?"

"I heard they're getting back today."

Sue was excited, but at the same time anxious. "When?"

"Early this morning, I think," Bobby said. He watched as Sue looked toward the sun, squinting her eyes against its brightness.

There was a pause between them. Bobby looked in the direction of the sun as well. He said, half to himself, "A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night."

Sue heard the words and feared their meaning. Then, she heard the sound of hooves. She began running towards the square. The knights had come back. So few had returned. Sue frantically searched for Jack. But didn't see him. "Jack! Jack!" she called out. Justin and Noah heard her and followed her voice. They approached her and she asked them, "Where's Jack?"

Both men dropped their heads. Sue throat tightened. Noah took off his helmet and held it beneath his arm. "We couldn't find him."

Sue gasped. "No! No....he can't be dead," Sue said, breathing heavily. She wouldn't believe it. She ran off.
Noah was going to go after her, but Justin grabbed his arm and said, "Leave her be." Neither of them could understand it. Sue didn't want anything to do with Jack before they had left. What had changed her mind?

* * *

Sue ran until her legs would run no more. She dropped on her knees and cried, her heart aching. Then she heard a voice behind her saying, "What's wrong, my dear?"

Sue was startled. She quickly turned to see an old woman with a cane and a familiar face. "Aunt Gertie?"

"The one and only," the old woman answered. Sue looked at her and began sobbing again. "What's wrong?" Aunt Gertie, got down on the ground and gave Sue a hug, rocking her back and forth.

"I can't do this anymore," Sue told her.

"Do what?"

"Live in this place."

"I know. By rights we shouldn't even be here....But we are," Aunt Gertrude began. Sue listened intently. The wise old woman continued, "It's like in the great stories. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes, you didn't want to know the end....because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was...when so much bad had happened?" Aunt Gertrude paused for a moment, letting her words sink in before she continued. "But in the end....it's only a passing thing....this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day WILL come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you...that meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why." Aunt Gertie took Sue by the shoulders and looked into her eyes and said, "But I think I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories....had lots of chances of turning back only they didn't. They kept going....because they were holding on to something."

"What am I holding onto?" Sue asked, wiping away her tears.

Aunt Gertie helped Sue up and told her. "That there's some good in this world, Ms. Thomas. And it's worth fighting for." The woman turned around and looked to the distance.

Sue looked as well. She looked closely and saw a hunched over man, riding slowly on a horse. She looked at Aunt Gertie and she gave her a smile. "You gave me my hearing back, didn't you?"

"No. He did," she answered, motioning towards the man in the distance. Sue was confused. "Love does some strange things. Even....magic."
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I hope you liked it....Well...I'll be back soon...

Enjoy
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Chapter 12
Mission Accomplished

Jack rode his horse feeling depressed. He truly felt inside that there
was nothing left to live for. During the battle, he had been wounded and had sought shelter. He hadn't heard Justin and Noah when they had called out his name. Soon after, Jack had crawled out of his hiding place and had found the battle field deserted. Jack didn't know what to do until a horse approached him. He didn't know where it had come from, but he was thankful for it.

Now he was riding and saw two dots that resembled people on the top of the hill that loomed above him. He watched them as they stood there for a while and then he saw one of the figures begin to run down toward him. He dismounted his horse and as the person got closer he could tell that it was Sue. He stared at the ground and closed his eyes trying to gain his composure. He greatly feared what she was going to say to him.

* * *

Sue ran frantically down the hill, nearly tripping over her own feet. She couldn't believe he was alive. "Jack! Jack!" she called to him as she got closer. She came to a stop, her heart racing.

"What is it?" Jack asked.

Sue looked at him in the eye and said, "I wanted...no...I needed to tell
you that...I'm sorry."

"For what?" Jack asked, surprised at her words.

"For what I said to you. My feelings were clouded by my anger. Can
you ever forgive me for what I said?" Sue asked, pleadingly.

Jack smiled and said, "What DID you say?" Sue smiled back, knowing that he had already forgiven her. They gave each other a hug and Jack asked, "I just have one question?"

Sue grabbed his shoulders and held him at arm's length. "What would that be?"

"What changed your mind?"

Sue looked back on the hill. Aunt Gertie's figure still stood there, looking down on them. She looked back to Jack and answered, "Lucy told me what you did for her...and for me. But more than that, I realized that you gave me such a great gift. Something that's to be treasured."

"What would that be?" Jack asked.

Aunt Gertie had told her that Jack wouldn't be aware of giving her back her hearing. Sue wasn't speaking of her hearing anyway. "Your love."

Jack smiled. He picked her up and spun her around, both of them laughing. There had never been more love between two people. Here...and now....everything was perfect.

* * *

"Mission accomplished," Lucy told Justin as Jack and Sue walked off. They had just been reunited, with much smiling and laughing. Jack had explained what had happened to him and Noah and Justin had told their side of the story. Jack had excused himself and walked off with Sue in the direction of the castle. Noah and Tara did the same.

"Huh?"

"Mission accomplished. Jack and Sue are together, Noah and Tara are together, and even Bobby and Kate."

"I see. Now....what about us?"

"What ABOUT us?" Lucy asked.

Justin asked Lucy, "Would you ever consider finding yourself a match?"

Lucy turned to him and said, "I suppose. Why?"

Justin faced her and said, "Because I think that I've found the perfect
match for you."

"Really? What's he like?" Lucy asked, although she already knew that Justin was her perfect match.

"He's considerably strong. I'd consider him handsome. He's a very kind
and considerate guy."

"Who would this gentleman happen to be?"

"It just happens to be me," Justin said with a smile.

Lucy smiled back at him and she took his hand in hers. They walked
off, following the others. Lucy repeated her words to herself, Mission accomplished.
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I'll be posting the next chapter really, really, REALLY soon....be back

I know I'm going a little fast....but if the challenge ends tonight....than I'm cutting it close as it is.....here goes
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Chapter 13
Goodbye's the Saddest Word

"Jack?" Sue asked him as they sat in the garden, snuggling against each other. All couples were seated somewhere outside the castle. Noah and Tara sat on the far end of the garden. Jack and Sue were seated on the opposite end. Bobby and Kate in the fields. And Justin and Lucy were in the middle of the garden.

"Mmm?" Jack responded, his arm around her shoulder was stroking the golden hair that shimmered under the full moon.

"What day is it?" Sue asked.

"February the 13th. Why?" Jack wondered.

"The 13th!?" Sue jolted up.

"What is it?" Jack asked, wondering what had cause her surprise.

"The 13th was the day I came here. The eve of Valentine's Day."

"But how's that possible when today is the thirteenth?"

"It's kind of complicated," Sue began. He looked at her with a puzzled look. Sue ended, "I'm from the future."

Jack let out a laugh. "Now, I've heard everything."

"No, I'm serious," Sue tried to reason with him. Jack could see from the expression on her face that she wasn't joking. Sue went on to say, "I think that I might be going back tonight...about midnight...because that's the time that I came here."

"But you can't leave," Jack said, saddened by this news.

"I wish I didn't have to. I would stay here forever if I could. But I don't belong here," Sue said grabbing his hands and looking deeply into his pleading
eyes.

Jack looked down at the ground. "What will I do without you?"

"I don't know what's going to happen," Sue said, moving closer to him.

Jack brushed her cheek with his finger and then looked into her eyes.
Tilting his head, he moved closer to her face. Her eyes began to close as she put her hand to his face. Their lips met and they held each other close, until they heard something behind them. Sue looked at it. "The mirror!" she exclaimed, standing up and walking towards it. She softly touched the cherubs that covered its frame.

Jack stood up and walked towards her. He realized that this mirror was
somehow magical and was going to send her back home. "So...I guess this is goodbye."

Sue began to sniffle. "Not forever, I hope." She hugged him...for the last time in THIS magical world. She looked him over one last time, tears building up in her eyes, blurring her vision. "Do you think that the past can affect the future?" Sue asked.

"I suppose," Jack said, fighting back his own tears.

"Perhaps, we'll meet again. Maybe next Valentine's day," Sue said, but
she knew that she would never be able to come back. But the concept of the past possibly affecting the future was a small comfort. "Goodbye," Sue said.

"Goodbye." Jack reluctantly let go of her hand as she rubbed the mirror and she disappeared into it. Then, it was gone in an instant, but her face lingered in his mind. He began to wonder to himself, I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

* * *

The mirror appeared again, but this time near Lucy. "What's that?" Justin asked her.

"It the mirror," Lucy said walking towards it. She looked back at Justin, "It brought me here."

"I don't understand," Justin said.

"It doesn't matter. The point is that, I have to go home."

"But THIS is your home," Justin said, trying to comprehend everything.

"I mean my real home. In Washington, D.C. I have to go back."

"But what about me?" Justin asked.

"That's what makes it so hard."

Justin tried to fight his battling emotions. "Will I ever see you again?"

"I don't know." Then Lucy remembered something. "But I want you to
have this." Lucy grabbed- it would seem out of nowhere- her heart with his name on it. It had changed as Tara's had. She handed it to him.

"What is it?" Justin asked, holding the heart in his hand.

"It's my heart. I'm giving it to you," Lucy said.

"Thank you."

Lucy turned back toward the mirror and then back to him, "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Justin said. She was about to climb into the mirror when
Justin stopped her and said, "Wait!"

"What?" Lucy said turning towards him.

"There's something that I want to give you," Justin said. He kissed her gently on the lips, pulled back and then kissed her again. But this time, they were both drawn into the kiss. And when they parted, Lucy was crying, sad that she had to leave.

"Thank you," she said and turned, rubbed the mirror and disappeared.
Justin turned, sat down, and stared into the distance trying not to cry.

* * *

"Noah! Look!" Tara said, pointing at the mirror. Tara watched it
glimmer as it reflected the moonlight.

"It's a mirror," Noah said.

"My great aunt's mirror," Tara said looking at it. It was looked newer than the last time she had seen it. The cherubs still smooth from their carving. "Her magic mirror."

"Magic mirror?" Noah said, as confused as the first two men.

"I have to go back," Tara said looking at Noah.

"Go back where?" Noah said, not entirely grasping the concept of her leaving.

"Home," Tara said. Her heart was beginning to break as she looked into his eyes.

"But you ARE home," Noah tried to tell himself more than Tara. But he knew the truth of the situation and it haunted him.

Tara knew that he understood and it tore her apart. "I don't want to leave."

"Then don't," Noah pleaded.

"I don't belong here," Tara said, her words tearing her apart. "I'll never
forget you," she said, trying to comfort the both of them.

Noah didn't want her to leave and he could see that she didn't want to. But he also could see that she didn't have a choice. She belonged somewhere else. "I PROMISE you...that I will never ever forget you."

Tara gave him one last kiss. "Goodbye. I'll miss you."

"Goodbye." Noah watched her disappear along with the mirror. He sat
down on a stone bench. He knew that he had a heart....because it was breaking.
____________________________________________________________________

This isn't the end.....I'm sorry if there are grammatical errors and such...i didn't get the change to read it over....well....be back

I'm sorry if this next chapter isn't very good....I'm writing it at the last minute....it's quarter to eleven and I need to get to bed....but I really need to finish this....so...here goes....enjoy
____________________________________________________________________

Chapter 14
There's No Place Like Home

Sue, Tara, and Lucy found themselves lying on the floor of Aunt Gertie's living room. Aunt Gertie sitting in her rocking chair. Tara stood up and asked her aunt, "Will we ever see them again?"

Her aunt thought for a moment before she answered, "Not in middle-age England."

* * *

Lucy was heading out to dinner with Tara that Valentine's Day when they happened to meet the most unlikely people. "Noah?!" Tara called out when she saw him.

"Justin?!" Lucy shreiked.

The two men heard the woman calling their names and they walked
towards them. "Where have you been?" Justin asked, kissing Lucy on the cheek.

"We've been looking all over for you," Noah said to Tara.

"You have?" Tara and Lucy said in unison.

"Why of course! Don't you remember....today is our double date," Noah said.

"Oh, yes...now I remember," Tara said pretending she knew what she was talking about.

"What are we waiting for?" Lucy said, putting her arm through Justin's.

The four of them headed for the restaurant. Tara and Lucy exchanged a look. It seems that their going back in time did change their present lives.

* * *

"Hey, Sue! Wait up!" Jack shouted down the hall. But Sue had found that her deafness had come back. It was the magic of the Middle Ages, she supposed. But Levi got her attention and she turned around.

"What is it, Jack?" Sue asked, still thinking that he was the same as when she had left.

"Have you forgotten?"

"Forgotten what?" Sue asked, confused.

"Our date, tonight. I thought for sure you would remember," Jack said.

Our date? Sue thought to herself. "Oh, yes...I remember. It just
slipped my mind for a second."

"Good. So I'll pick you up at seven?"

"Seven's good," Sue said as she headed for the elevator. She couldn't help wondering that if them going back in time and falling in love with these 'knights in shining armor' changed the future, was their someone in the past that had gone into the future and changed the past? Little did Sue know that the knights Jack, Justin, and Noah had found the love of their lives and they still lived in Middle Age England, along with Bobby and Kate.

And they all lived happily....ever....after.


THE END

I love happy ever after endings ...

Perfect end!!!!

I am so glad Noah and Justin appeared in our century!!!! I wouldn't want to see Luce and Tara's hearts broken!!!!

Nice, lovely story!!!

THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!


Restie

loved it !!!!loved it !!!! perfect ending for a perfect story!!!!

The past sure does affect the future!

Thanks you guys for replying....it has kept me going throughout my whole story...you even gave me some ideas....anyway...I would also like to thank Kav and the admin. for putting up this challenge....I love doing it....Thank you

wow, i loved this it was a perfect anchanting valentines story with a perfect ending.

Me too!

Thanks for sharing your story with us!!! Terrific job!

Jill

I'm glad you had the present change because of the past...I wondered if we'll have some sad goodbye's but in the end we didn't!

This was great. I love that Noah and Justin were in DC when the girls got back. Great job.

Great story! I finally had a chance to finish it! lol. Life's been hectic.

Oh, and using Pride and Prejudice stuff? neat idea! I saw that movie three times in theatres, so it totally jumped out at me. hehe.

Great job!!

I just caught up on your story and it was wonderful from start to finish!! You did a wonderful job at bringing everything together!! I love the fact that what happened in the past DID change the future for all the girls!! I'm glad they all got their knights in the end!! And, I love the fact that you let us know that the knights in the middle ages did fine too!!

Thanks for sharing with us!!!

Joy

Man, I am pushing time to get these little beauts read. Very creative and loved the realistic look at the times. Yes, the darkness and bad stuff, as well as the good. A little love, a little magic, a little fun and lots of good things to read...

Great job!

glad they all found a match.
too bad sue can't hear jack any more again.