Chains Keep Us Bound

1 | Dinner for much more than two

Anne's vibrant hair flowed in the wind elegantly, Her dress dropped just below her knees and bounced lightly against her stockings. Plain brown boots finished the look. Anne's eyes traced the delicate creases of the flowers, imprinting them into her mind for later, she could add them to her extravagant garden in princess Cordelia's kingdom.

She murmured romantic sayings. Frolicking along through the fields of wheat. She realized she had traveled a bit far from green gables, but assumed who ever owned this land wouldn't mind. "Dear prince....." She stopped, conjuring up a name that correlated with Cordelia well. "Carl, Carnell, Calhan." She sighed in frustration. "The nameless prince of Asgard!" She Shouted ferociously. "Beautiful raven curls." She said dreamily. "And eyes, what color should linger in the alluring orbs." She said dramatically. "For his looks are redeeming. It is princess Cordelia who must save him!" Just as she finished her sentence she heard rustling in the distance. Quick to her lady-like posture, she questioned who was disturbing her at such a location.

"Hello! Who's there?" She asked loudly. As the figure came closer she started to realize who it  was,  an oddly familiar figure, she couldn't quite pin point the person until "It's is I, the nameless prince." Anne recognized the voice immediately. "Blythe! It doesn't do well to dwell on others conversations. It's horribly rude." Her cheeks began to burn a bright pink, utterly humiliated. "I apologize but may I ask, why you're conversing alone in my fields?" He said lightly. "Miss me that much Shirley?" He added teasingly.

"I most certainly did not Mister Blythe and that's Shirley-Cuthbert to you! I didn't realize I had traveled so far from green gables, I must be on my way now." She turned immediately, beginning to walk away when he called out to her. "I'll see you tonight I suppose." His words encircled Anne's mind causing her to stop in her place. "What are you going on about?" She said harshly. "The cuthberts have invited Bash and myself for supper." Anne's cheeks turned red she was positively enraged. "That can't be, Marilla is allowing Cole and Diana over for supper today." She said rightfully, holding her chin up high. "Fun always comes in quantities." He chuckled delicately, carful not to push past Anne's limits, though they were constantly evolving.

Anne didn't bother reply, for it would be no use. Instead she rushed back to green gables to solve this gargantuan problem. "Marilla?" She questioned the moment she walked through the door. "Yes child?" Marilla replied with a knowing grin. "Why did Gilbert Blythe mention that he and Bash would be coming over for dinner?" Marilla didn't bother answering the question, and instead decided to imply something of her own. "He mentioned? What else were you and Gilbert talking about?" Anne tensed, quickly defensive to whatever Amarillo was insinuating . "I accidentally ran into him Marilla, it was dreadful of course!" She insisted. Marilla simply frowned, then returned to her stoic expression.

"Go change into proper attire, Cole and Diana should arrive shortly." Marilla replied, deciding to drop the subject entirely. "Yes Marilla!" Anne said excitedly, while rushing up the stairs. Once she retired to her room she flew right to her closet, she had a dress already chosen for the occasion. It was an unflattering brown but it was her only dress with puffed sleeves. She was thrilled when Marilla presented it to her.

Just as she finished adjusting her hair in Diana's signature style, she rushed down the stairs to open the door for her friends. "Anne! I told you your hair would look beautiful down." Diana re-assured. Cole nodded in agreement. "I'm not sure, my awful red hair is far to prominent." She insisted. They all laughed but decided to leave it down, to keep Diana happy. They all danced around Anne's room until Marilla called Anne down the stairs to help prepare for supper. Diana and Cole kindly helped. The table was neatly set, and the food wafted through the air. A loud knock rang through the house, startling Diana.

"Who's than Anne?" Dina asked innocently, Anne avoided telling her friends that Bash and Gilbert were to join them. "Bash and Gilbert, Marilla invited them." She said sorrowfully. Diana and Cole childishly Oooo'd at Anne. Marilla tried desperately to ignore but couldn't help the smile that slid onto her face. Diana saw it to. It was apparent to everyone that there was something going on that was more than hatred.

"Bash! How delightful for you to join us on such a glorious night!" Anne smiled widely. "Gilbert." She said dully on purpose, she knew it would upset Gilbert if she didn't give him any attention, after all that's how bully's work. That's all he was, a bully, or so she tried to convince herself. Gilbert stood dumbfounded in the door way, his jaw hung open slightly. He had never seen Anne's hair so free and majestic, it cascaded down her shoulders beautifully. "Blythe, don't just stand in the door way, your friend is waiting." Taunted Bash, putting extra emphasis on the word "friend."

Gilbert quickly walked in, glaring at the ground in embarrassment. He ordinarily held himself quite highly, Anne's presence changed everything he thought he knew about himself. She was different than any girl he had ever met, but she was just a friend. They all crowded around the dinner table as Marilla brought in the food. "I'm pleased you could all accompany us this evening." Marilla said lightly. They all nodded with gratitude and began prayer.

As Anne prayed, Gilbert couldn't help but keep his eyes open. He was mesmerized by the way the words rolled off of her tongue. Diana mischievously opened her eyes as well, connecting her orbs with Gilberts. A sly smile slid onto her face while Gilbert realized she saw what he was doing. He sent her pleading looks to which Diana just taunted. Bash opened his eyes, feeling the tension in the room. He noticed what was happening between Diana and Gilbert and couldn't help but chuckle quietly. Catching Gilbert and Diana's attention. Diana and Bash sent knowing looks at each other while Gilbert averted his eyes.

Anne finished her prayer and they all dug into the food. Diana was seated directly next Anne, they seemed to be having a quiet conversation of their own. No one seemed to notice. "That's ridiculous." Anne replied a little louder than she originally meant to. "What is?" Asked Cole. Suddenly everyone at the table was invested in the side conversation held by the girls. "Something from school." She assured the group. "It's dreadfully wicked to lie, Anne." Diana asserted. If looks could kill, Diana would be in drastic amounts of danger.

The table seemed to drop the topic. Anne couldn't have been more grateful. The rest of the dinner was rather dull, besides the planned mockery of Diana and Bash. Once all the guests besides Diana had shuffled out Marilla called the girls into the kitchen. "I decided not to bring it up during dinner, but what were you girls talking about. it's dreadfully wicked to lie and I want the truth this instant." She said in a stern but not overly serious manner. "It was my fault ma'am." Diana replied. "I told Anne that I heard Gilbert say to Charlie that he likes Anne and I was teasing her at dinner. I apologize."

Marilla grinned. Anne glared at the ground "which isn't true." She mumbled. "Alright girls, get along it's nearly time for bed. Besides you have school tomorrow." Marilla insisted. The girls ran up the stairs shoulder to shoulder, neither speaking until behind closed doors.

"Well at least tomorrow you'll get to see your b-" "Diana if you even dare finish that sentence." The raven headed girl laughed and went off to bed.