The Frozen Bride

The travelers decided to tell Eleanor about their plan. The three, now four, would hike down the mountain back to their camp at the base. They would then journey for a little over a week to the port of Le Havre. From there, they would take the soonest ferry across the English channel to Portsmouth. 

For the next week the band of travelers made their way across France. Eleanor was astounded by the many new inventions that had taken the world by storm. At every city and town they passed through she found new things that delighted her. 

On day 5 they landed in Paris. While walking through the streets, Quinn saw a sign for a photography studio.

"Hey Eleanor, would you like to get your picture taken?" He asked her.

"Picture?" 

"Yeah, come with me." He led her by the arm into the studio.

The photographer got them to stand together against some musty smelling curtains, and then disappeared underneath a cloth draped on top of a strange looking device. Eleanor was perplexed.

"Stay very still.." Quinn whispered to her.

"Okay.." she whispered back.

"One...Two...Three!!" The photographer shouted. A flash of white light blinded Eleanor for a second. She wanted to flee, but she trusted Quinn. A pillar of smoke rose from an object in the man's hand. Without a word to either of them he removed a plate from the device and whisked it into another room. 

"Now we wait." Quinn reassured her. "These things used to take longer, but now they only take about 15 minutes to develop."

Eleanor had no clue what he was talking about, but she nodded in agreeance anyway.

After a short time the man reappeared. "Here you go, Monsieur. That will be three francs." 

Quinn payed the man and handed the picture to Eleanor. She stared at the photo, completely gobsmacked. 

"Quinn.....THATS YOU!" 

"And you're in it too.." Quinn chuckled.

"Mon Dieu! IT IS! What magic is this?" Her eyes were as big as dinner plates. 

"No magic at all, this..." he tapped on the glass, "...is science."

Two more days passed and they arrived in La Havre. Here they came upon and issue.

"We have a problem." Tom said to the group. "I just talked to the captain of the passenger ferry, they have no more room and the net boat isn't leaving for another few days."

"So now what?" Nate questioned, "Do we just sit and wait?"

"Well, there is one more option. There is a merchant vessel leaving tomorrow morning. They said we can hitch a ride, but it's a slower boat with less amenities."

"We will make due." said Eleanor. 

"There is one more thing." Tom interjected, " Women are often seen as bad luck on a ship. More importantly, the crew is all-male. I'm rather worried about what they may do when presented with a beautiful woman."

"Perhaps we could dress her as a man?" Quinn offered.

"Will that work? She doesn't exactly have a masculine figure. She might be able to pass as a young lad."

"That could work. She could go as my nephew, Alexander." Said Tom.

"Haven't I an opinion?" Eleanor demanded to have herself heard.

"It's either pretend to be a boy for a week or risk getting frisked." Tom said.

"Boy it is then." She reluctantly concurred.

"We're going to need really baggy clothes in order to hide her figure." Nate looked her up and down.

"Careful, wandering eyes have a habit of being plucked out." Eleanor crossed her arms, staring him down fiercely.

"S-sorry." Nate blushed and awkwardly scratched the back of his head. Quinn glanced between the two of them, then started to steadily walk towards her.

"Oh, come on Nate. Stop acting like a child, I doubt a woman of her beauty would hurt you."

"Stop." She said in a firm voice. But still, Quinn advanced closer. Eleanor backed up slowly. "Don't coax my blade to a new resting place prematurely."

Elena's back pressed against the freezing stone wall of the portmaster's house.

"You couldn't hurt me if you tried, sweetheart."

They were barely a foot away from each other now, and still, he was moving impossibly closer. He placed one hand on her hip, the other tilted her chin upwards. Nate and Tom shared one of those "Oh great" glances, quite used to their friends antics.

"Don't mistake my friendship," she whispered cooly. He placed one finger on her lips to quiet her.

"Don't mistake mine..." He lowered his mouth to hers.Warmth spread down her spine and filled her entire being; every nerve and cell in her body warmed with this one kiss. 

And then he pulled back, and Eleanor came to her senses. Quinn's heart was pounding. Did he really just do that? Yes, and he wanted to do so again. He leaned in a second time, but he did not get the response he was looking for. Instead of another kiss, Eleanor slapped him across the face.

"How dare you!" Tom tried to hide a chuckle but failed. "I will not be treated like some common prostitute!" She turned away and spoke over her shoulder; "I suppose some men are not as honorable as they first appear. Thomas, Nathaniel, let us be on our way." The two glanced back at Quinn, following Eleanor.

"You showed her, eh?" Tom failed again to hide his laughter.

"I guess I was wrong." Quinn rubbed his now reddened cheek.

"Some man you are." Nate jested.

Quinn gave a frustrated sigh and followed them.

~*~

The four rented two rooms in the inn that night. As the men were getting ready for bed, Tom spoke up.

"You should apologize to her."

Quinn glanced his way, "Yeah, I know. It was stupid."

"You're stupid." Nate said. Quinn threw his shoe at him. 

"What on earth possessed you to kiss her? I don't even kiss my wife in public, but a perfect stranger..." Tom continued.

"I don't know, it was just an impulse. There is something about her, she makes me lose control."

"I think I should remind you that she is married. I mean, the guy cursed her and ran off, but he's still her husband." Nate reminded. 

"How could anyone leave her.." Quinn wondered.

"Here, lover boy. Take these clothes to her, they will be a little baggy but it's the best we can do. Tell her to tie her hair under this wool cap, and for god's sake, apologize." Tom handed Quinn a bundle of clothes and opened the door for him.

Once in the hall Quinn could hear his heart in his ears. What would he say? Would she even talk to him? He dreaded the thought of never seeing her smile again. He stopped at her door and knocked on the rough surface. Eleanor opened the door, wrapped in a quilt, her raven hair falling perfectly past her shoulders and back. 

It took Quinn a moment to gather himself, for he was in awe of her. In the candlelight she looked like an angel. It felt like the whole world had slowed to a stop and all he could do was stare. 

"What do you want?" She asked softly.

Her words jostled him to life. Quinn ran his fingers through his hair as he pondered what to say. "I brought you some clothes." He mumbled.

"Thank you." She said calmly, taking the bundle from him. 

"You are welcome." Quinn said as she began to close the door.

"Wait...I'm sorry for kissing you." He held the door open with his hand. "I shouldn't have done it without your consent. You were right to be so angry with me."

Eleanor stood and faced him with a small smile.

"Tis a kind apology, and one I accept." 

Quinn was bathed with the glorious sight of her smile. It made her already bright eyes radiant. The beauty of her expression alone was enough to make him long to feel her lips once again on his. He barely resisted the impulse to sweep her into his arms.

Seconds passed and turned into a minute. Both were totally content just to be with each other. Strangely enough, Eleanor now wanted to kiss Quin. His skin was tanned from years of working in the sun. His hair was curly, dark and jaw-length. His brown eyes seemed to caress her as they took in every inch of her face. He was quite handsome. She felt as though she would make a fool of herself at any moment. She drew in a sharp breath, inhaling his scent. 

"Thank you again for the clothes, we will see if I pass for a lad." She smiled brighter and felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

"You okay? You're blushing." It's kinda cute. He thought to himself.

"Yes, I am quite alright. Just a little warm." 

"Do you have a fever?" Without thinking Quinn placed the back of his palm on her forehead. He grimaced, expecting another slap. He didn't receive one though, just a quiet laugh.

"No, no. It must just be nerves. I-I'm sorry for slapping you. The world has changed very much since I last saw it, I guess it must be the custom now for men to kiss young ladies." 

"No, it's not. I just...." Quinn's throat tightened. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, how badly he wanted to kiss her, and how hard he was falling for her. 

"You just?" 

"You're married, and I forgot that. I apologize." He could barely choke out the words.

They stared at each other in silence. Neither one wanting to speak. 

"I should probably go." Quinn pointed behind him with his thumb but made no move in that direction.

"Yes, I suppose so." Eleanor opened the door a little wider. Quin swallowed and drew in a shaky breath.

"We have to get up early tomorrow." He stepped in front of her.

"Yes..." Elena stepped closer to him, feeling the sudden need to touch him, to be touched by him.

Quin moved closer to her. All was silent except for the occasional call of seagulls and the crackle of the fireplace. He stooped down to her height, pausing to take in her surreal beauty. Slowly, the distance between their lips closed. Eleanor felt her heart beating so loud she thought the Moon could hear it.

"Are you going to slap me this time?" He whispered to her tenderly.

"No..."

He leaned in so close she could barely think. The smell of his clothes, his hair, his skin was sweet, it lured her closer to him. Suddenly a thought crashed into Eleanor's brain. Just as Quin was about to kiss her she turned her head, letting his lips land just below her right ear.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Y-your're right. I'm married."

Quinn's heart sunk. 

"Right-right." He stuck his hands in his pant pockets and bit his bottom lip.

Eleanor looked away, savoring the touch of his lips on her neck. 

"However..." Quinn said, an idea emerging into his mind. "That was 800 years ago."

Eleanor's heart quickened. Of course!! How could she have been so silly. Jack must have passed. "You're right. Um..." She caught her breath, "Would you like to come in?"

Quinn looked at her in surprise, was this really happening? 

"Yes, I'd be delighted."

~*~