By: Alyza Van Tassel
Inspired by Tim Burton's 1999 film, "Sleepy Hollow," and Washington Irving's original tale.
All suggestions welcome. Please do not sue me, this is just MY version of the story!!!!!!, and I am certainly not profiting in any way by this, other than having the pleasure of knowing that other people will read and like my writing. Please ask me for permission before using this story anywhere and do not plagiarize, or I'll chop your head off like a tulip! :) Hee hee, I'm kidding…but don't you DARE copy without permission! (If you ask me to let you put it on your site or something, I'm pretty sure I'll say yes…but ASK first! K? PLEEEEEASE?? :) (E-mail me at: Alyza_@excite.com) Alyza, Eliot (as MY character), and all other people who do not appear in the originals belong to me. A couple of things about the story. No, at first, the Headless Horseman is not ghastly-looking in the BEGINNING like in the movie (sharp teeth, I mean) I'll let you know how he changes as the story progresses. K? And remember..... NO PLAGIARISM!!! Or else!!!

Chapter the Seventh

Three years later...

December, 1777

* IMPORTANT: There is some "intimacy" in this chapter. I've tried to make it pretty suitable for kids. But if your gut wrenches at any little thing than mentions so much as a kiss, turn away I beg thee!!! Otherwise...go on reading. Do not worry, it's not bad. In fact, compared to some stories I have read in my lifetime, this is rather pathetic. Just please read.*

"Beautiful, is it not?" Alyza asked, pointing towards the horizon. The sun was setting, the first snow covered the land, and the sky was lit up in all sorts of colors, from yellow to the depths of blue and purple.
Eliot, apparently, had not noticed it until now. Nevertheless, he nodded affirmatively. "Yes," he then said.
Alyza sat in front of Eliot, on his horse; therefore, she had to turn to face him. She smiled as she did so.
"I cannot believe that even after I have told you, for the five years I have known you, to enjoy the view, you still don't listen..." Alyza reproached him playfully.
His dark eyes pleaded innocence. He might as well have had a halo around his head, and she wouldn't have noticed. "I DO enjoy the view," Eliot replied earnestly.
Alyza grinned. "Liar."
"Very well, you want me to prove it?" he asked, and, not waiting for a response, got off the horse. Picking up a handful of snow, he threw it upwards. The snowflakes settled on her head and in her hair. "See? Beautiful."
Alyza shook her head. Well, this is scary, even for him...to say the word 'beautiful...' she thought, at the same time smiling. Well, whatever works. Whatever is going to happen...

Eliot lifted Alyza off Daredevil and straight into his arms. "Hmm.....I think I'd much rather have stayed on the horse," she told him. This time, she wasn't sure if she was actually being serious as usual.
He shrugged and began to nudge her back up onto the black steed. "Oh, very well then, go ahead," he replied in the same tone. "Only don't blame me when he rears up and you fly off!"
"I'm SO sure he will," Alyza laughed.
"Better you than me," he answered back in that sweet voice of his. However, she could still detect a flavor of mockery in his words. A nice kind of sarcasm though. Alyza gave him a grin and got back onto Daredevil. She took the reins and, with a poised, fancy aura, sat up, her chin held high. Through all this, she had to apply a good deal of willpower to keep from bursting out in laughter. She didn't laugh much, but if you saw the way she held herself on that horse, you'd laugh too.
Eliot suddenly got that mischevous spakle in his dark eyes that was usually reserved for the most special moments. Was this a special moment?....What special moment???
"Hey, what the---"
Eliot's hands shot out faster than she could blink. Well, that was possible; he had been a warrior for many years, and did have that kind of skill. Alyza barely had time to shriek (not as loudly as she had expected to) before he snatched her off the horse and wrestled her to the ground.
"You are not fair!" Alyza managed to blurt out in a rather unconvincing voice as she tried to get out of his firm grip. No use whatsoever. She did, however, get one hand free and tried to push herself off the floor. That only concluded in her running out of strength and laying her head on the ground with a thud.
"All right, I give up..."
"So easily?" Eliot looked bewildered. "You DON'T put up much of a fight, do you??" He knew that would get her annoyed and prepared for the worst, tightening his grasp on her.
Alyza looked indignant but her eyes gave away the fact that she was liking this. "Oh? Maybe you like a challenge....?"
"And what if I do?" he asked. He had asked her that question many times before, and didn't expect her to do anything...
Now, more than ever, she wanted to kick him, push him, do something to prove she wasn't afraid---

A mere second later, she found herself reaching up and kissing him. Good grief, she actually kissed him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When Alyza finally opened her eyes, thoughts began to form in her head in a listed order, number one being 'What in the name of all that is holy have I just done?', and number two, 'This isn't half bad...this isn't bad at all...'
She looked up at Eliot, waiting for some verbal reaction. What on earth was he going to say? And think? Instead, she stared right into his eyes. The sparkle had not disappeared. Neither had that look, so full of defiance and luscious mischief. And he did look strikingly intimidating. But she was not afraid of him the least bit. In fact, Alyza loved that daring aspect of his personality. It made him so.........strangely dangerous. Not like those other people... Eliot was different. He did not shout his latest plans out to the world, and was as stealthy as he was straightforward on the battlefield. It was a challenge in itself to figure him out. And to win against him in a battle of wits was as equally hard as inflicting even the slightest wound upon him in a real fight. But Alyza was not afraid.
He did not reply to her look. He only gazed back, staring intently, as if torn over something that he was mulling over in his head. Finally he spoke.
"Look...." His voice sounded hesitant, distant, but she understood immediately what he wanted to say before he even said it. "You're...your choice...and if you wish..." (his voice got even lower at that moment) "...I shall oblige."

She nodded. Why? She had no idea. They had been friends. They really had. And it felt like she knew all along. She had never waited...but she knew...it was bound to happen. He then kissed her. It was deep, demanding, like endless oblivion. She never knew a kiss could feel that...err...nice. Alyza gasped to him, "Well...that was that. But, um...." She hesitated, then realized that she was still her old self, and decided to tell it straight, before she lost that self.
"You know, it's so damn conspicuous here." Oh, that sounded great, so frank for a moment like this. She could not help herself. It's the way she was.
Eliot seemed to agree, because he immediately scooped her up (if that word is not too obscene or strange to use here) and carried her down the hill to the tiny house they had left a few hours before. He walked at a steady, calm pace, and Alyza concluded mentally, THIS is going to be rather interesting.......
Without a single word, he shut the door of the small cottage, and the nearly inaudible sound of a device locking it sounded from within.

Alyza opened her eyes with a start. She glanced at the window opposite the bed. Still darkness; but she knew the sun would rise soon. Alyza stirred slightly and turned her head to her left, as if afraid that Eliot was gone. In reality, she didn't think he would be. And he wasn't. He was asleep. This was the first time that she actually remembered being awake before him. But then again, what happened between them might have changed that..... Alyza wondered if he was exhausted. She couldn't help grinning at the thought of it. Just part of life...these little humorous thoughts that you keep to yourself.
She settled back into the bed and went back to sleep. But not before taking on a warm glow of contentment and a smile.

"Stay away......stay away from him........"
"No....." She tried to run, but a cold foggy hand grasped her and held her in place, immobilizing her.
The eyes were cold, unrelenting. A flashing, blinding shaft of lightning struck in front of her. Then......a hand.....clutching a thorned rose.....blood streaming from the wounds. She's pale, so pale. Like death. Standing in front of a bleeding tree...
The voice froze her blood in her veins. "This is your fate. Stay away......stay away....your love is not strong enough....to beat hell.........."
Alyza's own shriek hung in her ears.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!"

She jolted up from the bed, still screaming; putting her hands over her ears, as though trying desperately to block out the voice. Alyza finally opened her eyes with a gasp. And felt Eliot's comforting embrace. She shook like one who had been buried in snow.
"Oh........."
Eliot looked concerned. "It was a nightmare......it's all right now." That was the only solace he could offer. He had never seen Alyza scared like this. She was as white and cold as the icicles outside. He took her head in his hands and leaned close to her.
"Alyza.......do you hear me?"
She finally came to. "Yes..." she muttered. "I am.....fine now. It was a nightmare." She raised her head to look at him.
"Tell me," he said, "are you sure?"
"Yes, I believe so." She had never been one to hold on to nightmares, and she never believed them, either. But this was nothing like she had ever experienced. Still, Alyza was too tired to think it over. She breathed in and out, then sat back and put on a serious expression to assure him that she was fine.
"Silly dreams," Alyza said. Inside, she wasn't sure HOW 'silly' they were.
"Yes, dreams betray," he said, seeing that she was feeling better. "But you scared ME half to death!"
Alyza smiled. "Did I?" She was now completely back into reality. Somehow, Eliot made everything go away... Oh, she sounded like a heroine in a cheap romance novel. (No offense to romance novels...really!) She decided not to think about it. Alyza glanced outside the window. Still dark.

The nightmare had scared her... a lot, Eliot thought. In an instant, he kissed her, running his hand through her long hair; one of the things he loved about her. It was so soft.... (Now it does sound like I have been reading romance novels, doesn't it? *shudder* I'll shut my mouth now. No offence to romance novels. Again.)
Alyza raised an eyebrow. "And that's supposed to make me feel better HOW?"
He shrugged. "Hmmm......not working is it? How about this?" He grabbed her and kissed her again, but this time more deeply.
"Yeah....but needs a little more work....."
Now it was his turn to raise an eyebrow. "I see...." I think I can handle that, he figured with a rather sly smile, and slid into bed beside her. He'd tell her everything that he was thinking later. Now....he was busy, to say the least.

God... he loved her. Like no one else before. It wasn't just the circumstances talking; no, for he had known her long before this. He loved her for everything. He was even a bit nervous. People like himself weren't supposed to fall in love this hard. Were they?.... But he knew, he just KNEW something good was to become of this. And he knew she loved him. And he was determined to protect her, shield her from any harm. Forever. (I gotta lay off the novellas...)

Alyza woke with the dawn. She glanced to her side. Eliot was not there. Her anxiety faded when she saw him at the front of the room, taking something out of a drawer. He was dressed...sort of. Well, just in his pants and boots, not bothering to put on his shirt. His black hair stood up in all directions like usual. His dark eyes shone with satisfaction. And something else. Alyza knew that look. He was intent on doing something. She, of course, did not know what, but she had a feeling she'd find out very soon.
He turned around, feeling the eyes of another person on his back. How he knew, he did not know. Maybe it was instinct. Or in-depth paranoia. Whatever.
"You're awake...good," he said, grinning at her. It didn't make her uncomfortable, just a bit curious, that's all.
"I know you're up to something," Alyza said. She preferred to be frank when it came to these things.
He laughed wholeheartedly and stared at her, feigning innocence.
"What do you mean?" He sounded too sincere, but she knew him too well. His eyes sparkled when he lied.
"Spill it, Eliot, I know you're up to no good..."
He shrugged and walked back to the bed and sat on it. When he saw that she wasn't convinced of his candor, he smiled.
"All right, I confess," he said. "I...want to ask you a certain...favor."
"Why am I not surprised?" Alyza asked and leaned back onto the pillow. "What is it?"
"Well...for you to hear me out."
"Do I have a choice?"
He thought about it. "No, not really."
"So say it already."
"Very well, should I make this short?"
"Please do."
Eliot sighed and smiled again. "OK, you got it...in two words."
"What is it?"

His dark eyes shone. Not sparkled. "Marry me."

She stared at him, her breath caught in her throat halfway. "...What?...."
Eliot looked back at her. "Well, you did say you wanted it short. I think I made it to the point!"
"I am not...sure...I heard you right," Alyza replied. That was a lie, of course. She had heard every word. Well, there were only two words to hear, but that wasn't the point.
Eliot sat closer. "I said I want you to marry me... be my wife. I...love you, you know the rest." He breathed deeply. He had never thought he'd say those words.
Alyza looked like she'd swallowed something and was choking. Could this be true? Was this the Eliot she had met five years ago? Or was this some apparition, a dream that was too good, and that would vanish once you tried to touch it, and keep it for your own?
Eliot broke the silence. "It's your decision. I would never force you. I can only hope now."

Alyza looked up at him. "What do you think I should do?"
Of all the things he'd expected her to say!...He could conceive an answer from her like "Yes," or "No," or "I'll think about it," or "Go away, you're scaring me," but THIS? OF ALL THINGS...Women. Sheesh.
He shrugged. "It's up to you."
She turned away. Eliot's eyes widened. Had he just ruined it?
Alyza turned around with a grin on her face. "Show me that you mean it."
Now THIS he had thought about. "You wondered why I went to that drawer?" He extended his hand. "Here's why."
Alyza leaned closer and gasped. "What..."
It was a ring. A silver one, twisted something like leafed branches, entwined together with white and yellow gold. And on the top...was a sapphire.
"Like your eyes," he explained. Poetic, for him at least, but it was true. He had it made, especially for her.
"When did you..."
"Never mind that," Eliot said. "Marry me or not, I want you to keep it. Who knows, one day it might be worth something. Gold and everything..."
Alyza finally looked him straight in the eyes. "Eliot," she said, "no ring is worth more than what...who... comes with it. But I shall keep it, as you ask."
He smiled. "And the answer?"
"Yes to you, yes to the marriage. Not because of some gift, or some words, or some promises." She smiled warmly at him. "Just because of you, for showing me how to... live again, and for treating me like a person." She smiled again and put the ring on her right fourth finger. It glistened happily in the sunlight.
She looked at him now.
"Well, you certainly look happy," she remarked.
He grinned. "How can you tell?"
"Your eyes reveal much more than you would like them to, I suppose."
"Oh..."
"Well...now what?"
He shrugged. "You know, I have no idea. I thought about how I'd ask you, but after that...well, it didn't really cross my mind."
"Ah well, I guess spontaneous conversation is not one of our strong points!"
"Yeah," Eliot replied. "But you want to know what I think?"
"What?"
"I think we should get up."
"Yeah, me too." Alyza laughed. "This is so strange. I mean, I'm your..."
"Fiancee?"
"Uh-huh."
"I like it," Eliot said. "We share something...how shall I put it...special."
"Yes...we do. I think that I should be gettting to the tavern soon."
"To tell the news?"
"If you want me to," Alyza said.
"Wouldn't Roxanne have a heart attack?"
"Oh well...sooner or later, she has to find out!" Both of them laughed, partly because it was funny, partly because they were happy, and partly because they didn't know what else to do.
A whole life ahead of them...seemed like such a good idea.

The moon and stars shimmered like precious stones in the black velvet of the night sky. Alyza stood on the doorstep to her little dwelling and breathed in the night air. She smiled when she was two familiar figures coming down the hill that was in front of the house.
Eliot stopped Daredevil not far from the doorway and jumped off. He didn't have his cloak on this time; it hung across the saddle. Daredevil, so well trained that Eliot didn't have to utter a word, went to the side of the house to graze as usual.
"How do you know the exact moment I am about to arrive?" he asked as he came in front of her. "I hope you don't stand out here waiting..."
"I'm a woman, I know these things," she replied with a smirk. "Besides, I know YOU."
Her husband grinned. "I am sure of that," he said, leaning against the door and kissing her as he did so. Alyza had found that even after a year, his kiss was still as delightfully intoxicating as ever. One of the perks of a good marriage. Perks? Where on earth did she come up with this word??
Speaking of marriage...they didn't have any kids yet. But they were, to put it blatantly, as Eliot often liked to, "working on it." Eliot desperately wanted a son, and Alyza wanted a daughter. Big deal. Difference of opinion. They decided they wanted both. As her old boss Geoff used to say, 'the more, the merrier.'
"I made supper," she finally said. This, especially with the way SHE cooked, was a big accomplishment.
Eliot smiled. "What would I do without you?"
"I shudder to think," she said laughing as both of them walked inside. Daredevil, who was chewing his own supper nearby, picked his head up from the grass to stare at them. If horses could roll their eyes and laugh, that is exactly what he was doing.

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