Ethan waved Christopher a goodbye and shuffled down the street back home. He pulled the carefully made paper invitation to Briar Rose's party from his pocket.

You are cordially invited to Miss Briar Rose's Sixteenth Birthday Party. This Friday at 5:00 P.M. Gifts are not required, but are encouraged. Please R.S.V.P.

Ethan sighed. He was really confused right now, and he knew he'd be in this weird depressive funk until he could think his way out of it. He had to do something about what was supposed to happen, but really, what could he do? It seemed like things were already planned out pretty well without him. Wait. Topher just said we're playing at the castle this friday... That's when all this funny business is supposed to go down. The tallest tower must be in the castle. We just have to get there early, stake things out and make sure she can't get up there. Maybe delay her, talk with her, kidnap her, I don't know! something! There has to be a way to stop it from happening. Ethan stuffed the invitation back into his pocket. He didn't think he'd be making it to Bri's party. It even sounded like Bri wasn't going to be at Bri's party. Something was going to happen and she would end up at the castle. At the very celebration they were going to be playing at. Ethan nodded as he made the mental connections. This could still work.

"Ethan, you're home!" his mother greeted him warmly and kissed his forehead. "I was just about to start dinner!"
Ethan shook his head. "That alright, I can do it. You can take a break. I haven't been home much lately anyway." he smiled and went to his room to change into his "cooking" shirt. It was starting to smell a little bit like sweat and soup broth. Not that he really cared. He walked briskly into the pantry and pulled out some ingredients. His mother watched him with a wistful smile before mussing his hair, "I'm glad you're feeling better sweetie."
Ethan nodded and went on with the business of making dinner.

The week passed much faster than he'd expected. He supposed he shouldn't have been too surprised. It was now Friday morning and he just hoped everything would fall into place the way he'd planned. Just in case it didn't, he left a few things behind. He crept around the house before dawn. His father and brother were already out working and his mother would be up soon. He pulled up the floorboard under his bed without a noise.
He'd stopped at Topher's shop yesterday afternoon for a quick practice and to pick up a few things. He smiled just a little sadly and placed a couple bags of sweets at the foot of the younger boys' bed. He snuck into his sister's room and tucked a small new doll into her arms.
As he made his way back to the cramped kitchen, he stirred together a quick pancake mix. His mother trudged down the hall sleepily in her pajamas. She startled when she saw Ethan. He smiled at her, "Morning Mom."
"Morning sweetie." she yawned. "What're you doing up so early?"
"Just felt like helping you get things started. I have to head out a little early today. Topher and I are having a practice at first light." It wasn't really the truth, but she didn't need to know all the little details.
She smiled, "Good luck at your concert. I'm so proud of you honey. I wish we could watch you and Christopher play. I really do."
Ethan left the bowl of batter on the counter, and discreetly left the small bag of savings he had from their last performance onto the counter as well before packing his school bag and heading for the door.
"Bye sweetie. Thanks for your help."
Ethan paused, then turned around and gave his mother a quick kiss on the forehead, as she would always do for him. "Bye Mom." Was the last thing he said before he turned back to the door and walked steadfastly through it.

Dawn was barely breaking as he walked into town. Briar Rose's house wasn't too far from here. He had to be careful about this though. He reached in his pocket and found Bri's gift, carefully wrapped in a scrap of paper and ribbon. It wasn't really important to his plans to give it to her, but... He knew this would be his only chance. He nodded to himself and pressed on. The town was starting to liven up a little as shop lights came on and people began to walk the streets. At this rate, he'd catch her just before she left for school. He gathered his courage and rapped on the front door of her large home.
It took only a few moments before a rather pleasant looking middle aged woman opened the door. Her hair was in a perfect bun and she wore a nice, complimentary dress. "Yes? May I help you young man?"
Ethan took a deep breath to shake away his nervousness. "I'm here to see Miss Briar Rose." He put on his best gentleman-ly voice. "I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to her party this evening, so I thought I would offer my congratulations and a small gift to her this morning."
"Of course!" Mrs. Morely smiled cheerily at him. "Let me go and fetch her. Would you like to come in for a moment?"
Ethan bowed deeply. "I'd be honored."
The woman smiled again and swept up the stairs in a flurry, leaving Ethan in the parlor. There were several comfortable looking chairs, but he chose to stand. It was only moments before he could hear footsteps coming back down the stairs. They paused a moment, but then continued. He turned to face Briar Rose.
She was wearing another new dress. He presumed her mother must have gotten it for her birthday. And as always, it looked marvelous on her. Ethan had to swallow down a mouthful of butterflies as she walked toward him. She made a confused face, not sure whether she should be glad to see him, or angry because of things past.
"Hi." she started.
"Hi." he replied with much less charm than he'd like to have given. "I um... well first of all Happy Birthday."
She looked at him with open suspicion now. "Thanks."
"I'm sure you're wondering why I came here..." Ethan said, a little flustered.
She gave a cunning smile and raised a delicate eyebrow, "Yes. Do tell."
"Well... I wanted to give you this..." He handed her the gift. "It's not much, I'm sure. Especially when compared to---"
"Thank you." she cut him off and took it in her hands. "It's perfect I'm sure."
Ethan blushed, "I um... thanks. But um... I won't be able to make it to your party tonight..."
She didn't seem too surprised, "I guessed as much. Not that I wouldn't mind having a pauper at our party, but I think some others might..."
He smiled just a little sadly in return. "It's not that..."
"Then why?"
He shook his head. "I can't really say... but... I will still see you later tonight. That much I'm sure of."
She looked quite intrigued now, "Oh really?"
Ethan nodded. "Today will be..."
"Yes?"
He wasn't sure how to put it, "I think today will be a very... exciting day. A lot of changes and surprises..."
She looked into his eyes and gave him her sweetest smile. He almost melted right there and then, "I do love surprises..."
Ethan reached out and took her hand, "I... I just want you to know, that whatever happens today... I..."
Their eyes met and there was something in that moment that just caused his heart to ache. "I... I'll always be here... by your side."
She placed her hand over his and he wondered if she felt the same aching. "I'm glad..." she said quietly.
Ethan slowly let go of her hand, "Well... I guess then... I'd better go..." He started toward the door.
"I'll see you later tonight Ethan..." she said, with an eager voice.
He nodded, "Yes. I'll see you later."

* * * * *

Briar Rose watched Ethan out her front window. He waved one more time as he walked through the front gate and back into town. She wasn't sure what it was, but she felt something so different, so special when he was around. Her hand still felt the warmth of his when he'd taken it. Her mother walked back into the room with hardly a sound.
"So was that him then? The 'secret' man I've been hearing about? He's very charming..." her mother egged her on.
Bri thought about telling her, but it was so much more fun keeping her in suspense, "mm... perhaps." she mused.
"Hey, I want some details!" she pleaded.
Briar Rose just smiled, "I have to finish getting ready for school!"
She hurried up the stairs to her room and pulled loose the ribbon from the package. The paper fell away to reveal a worn old velvet box. She carefully flipped the lid open to reveal a small silver ring and a pair of matching earrings. They weren't anything extravagant, but she'd known it wouldn't be. There was a tiny bit of engraving on the inside. "Amor Vincit Omnia" She had no idea what it meant, but it sounded cool. She slipped the ring on her finger and thought it didn't fit perfectly, like in the story books, she rather liked it. It had a sort of subtle grace to it. Much like Ethan, she laughed.

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