133Title: The Good Old Days
Pairing: L/C, R/T, L/H
Setting: I'm thinking 1800's. The era around the time of the movie, Ever After.
Summary: Set in the 1800's, Tristan and Rory are thrown together after both escaped a stuffy party and become friends, but with Tristan's mysterious past and Rory's pressure to be married, conficts arise.
Disclaimer: If I owned them do you think I would be here in my small town in Canada? Yah right! But just for all you serious folk...
I don't own any of the characters, actors, or anything else to do with the gilmore girls except the stories in my binder, the poster on my wall, and the videos hidden under my desk.
Feedback: Please!
Rating:PG or PG-13 tops.
Chapter One:
He saw them, all of them, but none of them were interesting. He knew if he had to marry anyone she'd have to be very interesting, someone witty who could keep him on his toes, and a true individual. But all these girls weren't that. They were uniformed from their walk to their talk to meet the societies image of the perfect wife. He smiled and politely excused himself from the crowd of girls forming around him, and went outside to the secluded deck. He look around the secluded garden below. No one occupied it except a dark haired woman, leaning over the rail to throw small stones into the glistening pond, in the center of the garden. He watched her slowly stand and walk toward a bench and sit down. She looked up and smiled at him.
"Sorry to bother you, I just had to get out of there." He admitted as he sat next to her.
"Oh, I understand completely. I did the same thing." He smiled at her.
"I'm Tristan." He introduced himself.
"I'm Rory, well Lorelai actually, but you can call me Rory. Only my grandma calls me Lorelai when we're in public." He took her hand and gently kissed the top of it. "So, why did you leave?" She asked and leaned back.
"Well, my parents introduced me to a load of women and it was getting a bit..." He hesitated, searching for the right word.
"...Suffocating?" She supplied.
"Yes. Exactly. Very, very suffocating."
"I know what you mean." She sighed.
"So you too then?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, but with men of course. And it was my grandparents not my parents. My mom would never make me do this sort of thing if she were here."
"Where is she?"
"My mom married my dad one month ago, and they are still on their honeymoon. Until they get back next month I'm in the hands of my grandparents."
"Ah, I see." He nodded. "When did you get here? I haven't seen you around the party?"
"Well, I've been out here most of the night. It's just so silly to go along with it, when I really don't want to." She admitted. "Once I met half the people I just left. My grandma was hoping to make a 'proper match' tonight." She chuckled lightly.
"Yeah, my parents also." They sighed simultaneously. The two sat next to each other in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's company. Rory had never met anyone like him. He actually seemed normal. Not so stuck-up and worried about marriage or societies image and he just was a normal person. A loud noise interrupted her muses. Tristan and Rory jumped and hurried up the step to the door, Tristan helping Rory carry her deep blue dress up the steps without thinking, to see that one of the waiters had tipped their tray all over a now very grumpy old woman. Rory and Tristan looked at each other, then burst out laughing.
"That's my aunt." Tristan slipped. Before bursting into laughter with Rory already clutching her stomach and his arm for support. They regained their composure as a man came toward them. Rory grinned at him as the man said, " Oh Tristan, I've been looking for you everywhere! Where did you go anyway? Oh, never mind it's not important. Your mother needs you right away." The man nodded politely to Rory then turned to lead Rory away. He mouthed, 'help me' over his shoulder and disappeared into the crowds. She turned, and sat on a bench outside the door. Rory sighed and closed her eyes. When will this night be over? The only normal person here seems to be gone. She thought to herself. Boy, I miss mom.
Just then, Rory was jolted out of her reverie by two strong arms lifting her to stand. She opened her eyes to see a very distressed Tristan.
"Rory, I need a favour, you have to help me!"
"What? What's going on? Are you ok?" She asked, taking his shoulders.
"I'm fine, I just... I need... Can you dance?" He asked. Rory was about to laugh, but noting his seriousness, she nodded.
"Then can you please come with me? I need you to dance with me because my mom needs be to go out there and I don't want to go with those other girls..." He made a face. "...So I need you do come with me right now. I know you don't know me that well but..." Tristan said all in one breathe."
"Okay, Tristan, I'll go but when?" Before he could answer he pulled her in front of him and quickly lead her onto the dance floor. He carefully put his left hand on her slim waist and put her hand on his shoulder. She smiled and allowed him to take her other hand, and started dancing with him. One step, two step, turn. They moved gracefully to the music. Had they taken their eyes off each other, or their feet, they would have noticed the people gossiping around them. Emily Gilmore smirked and whispered with her friends. Richard Gilmore stared at his beautiful granddaughter in shock. And as a few other couples joined them, the gossiping continued.
"Thank you so much. " He finally said.
"Oh it's no problem." She grinned. "We're satisfying their taste for vengeance. Your really saving me here."
"Okay then I guess we're even." He grinned and nodded.
"Everybody's staring at us." She said, feeling the eyes upon her.
"Don't worry. You look great." He gently assured her.
"So, these girls are all pretty, they seem..." He grinned at he, awaited her choice of words. "... nice." She giggled.
"Sure they're nice but their not...nice...You know?"
"So articulate." He chuckled. "But yes, I know what you mean." By now the dance floor had numerous couples scattered about on it. "Any one girl in particular?" She inquired.
"Yes, actually. They were really interested in ." He articulated.
"Which one is she?" She asked, looking around her at all the girls giving her dirty looks, and was about to ask him about it when he spun her around and then spun back in so she was facing the other way.
"The one in the pinking red dress, with blonde hair." He supplied for her and she looked at the crowd of ladies.
"Oh I see her." She saw her alright. And Ms. Karington seemed to notice Rory also. Rory examined her, she was the definition of beauty. Her posture could be compared to that of a queen, as could her composure. She radiated grace and elegance. Rory sighed, and Tristan just pulled her closer, reassuring her. "She's very pre..." She started.
"Snobby." He interrupted. "She is a duchess or something like that I honestly couldn't care less. No matter what my mother say."
"How very rebellious of you."
"I like to think so. Just don't tell my mom." He whispered in her ear. Sending a jolt of tingles down her spine. She fought back a blush as the dance ended, and they headed towards the doors again when Rory felt a light tap on her shoulder. The pair turned around to see a nice looking man staring intently at Rory.
"Excuse me miss, but may I have this dance?" He asked politely. Rory looked at Tristan's odd expression then sighed and accepted. Whispering , 'I'll be right back', on her way to the floor once again.
"So your name is Lorelai?" He asked once they had started to dance comfortably.
"Yes it is, and your is...?"
"Charles. My friends call me Charlie though. Your grandmother and my grandmother are good friends. I've heard so many great things about you, so I figured I just had to have a dance with you."
" Well, I'm certain you didn't hear about my dancing abilities." She giggled.
"Oh, you're a beautiful dancer."
"Thanks." She chuckled.
Tristan watched them from the doorway. Rory was like no other girl he had ever met. She was witty, smart, and interesting. He decided right then that he had to make her his friend. He saw her laugh, the way her eyes lit up and suddenly he wanted to be the one making her laugh. So he strode over to her and tapped gently on the man's shoulder. He was tall, and had light brown hair. Rory saw Tristan over Charles' shoulder and smiled again.
"May I cut in?" He asked politely. Charles looked sad but turned again to Rory, and kissed her hand.
"Thank you for the dance, It was great to meet you." He nodded to Tristan then left the floor. Rory noticed he went straight to Emily, and started to talk, but her muses were interrupted by Tristan.
"So how was he?"
"He was nice, you're a better dancer though." She thought out loud. he nodded and grinned. "But I don't know, he's talking with my grandmother. I think they're up to something."
"Like what?" He asked, looking at the couple in question.
"I don't know." She smiled. "But I'll find out later." She turned her focus back to Tristan. He smiled at her and asked.
"My friend Jeff is playing polo this Saturday at the castle, and he reserved me some seats. Would you like to come with me."
"I don't know..." She hesitated, although she didn't know why.
"Come on, it'll be fun. He's really good, and I told him I'd bring someone. I can't think of anyone I'd like to bring more than you."
"I'm just kidding. Of course I'll go." They locked eyes and smiled brightly.
"Lorelai!" Emily called, interrupting them.
"I'd better go, before you have to meet her." She giggled.
"Alright. I'll pick you up at 2 on Saturday." She turned to leave, but spun back around to look at him again.
"Wait, how will you know where I live?" She asked suspiciously.
"I have my ways." He answered vaguely.
" I don't even want to know. Goodbye Tristan."
"Goodbye!" He sighed. Tristan made sure she got into her carriage okay, waved, then went inside. Rory Gilmore. He thought to himself and sighed.