This is what happens when the Horseman returns to Sleepy Hollow.
Rated Teen for possible Graphicness.
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It seems like it happened a year ago, when in reality, it only happened earlier this week. She was an outcast in her world, even though she was the daughter of a prominent constable, Ichabod Crane and Katrina Van Tassel. She had her mother's looks, but her father's dark hair and green eyes. Her name was Ivy.
"What's that noise, Ichabod?" Katrina asked him as they walked through the streets of New York.
"I'm not sure, Kat," He replied. "Let's go see."
They walked to where a group of people were surrounding a group of about 3 teens. Two of them were boys, and the third was a girl, dressed in boys clothes. Katrina gasped a little, and Ichabod stiffened when they saw the girl. It was their daughter, Ivy. She was playing an instrument that her friend, Masbeth, had given her. It was called a guitar. While she was playing, Masbeth, who was there playing drums, noticed the Cranes. He tried to signal Ivy before she got in too much trouble. The third boy, Peter, was another good friend of Ivy's.
Playing her guitar in a style that we now call rock, Ivy began to sing.
"I'm not your average girl,
I've got high expectations
And when you are with me
There are possible consequences
My life is different than yours
My mind is not the same
How can you expect me to listen
When you don't listen to me?
Your standards are high
My dreams are higher,
I'm not what you think
And I'm gonna find my dreams no matter what happens"
This was all the farther she got, because Ichabod hurried her off of the make-shift stage. Katrina followed, more than slightly embarrassed. Her parents bustled her into a carriage and she yelled to Masbeth, "I'll see you later!"
The driver was instructed to take them to their home and Ivy scrunched under the scrutinous eyes of her parents. Ivy placed her guitar on the floor of the carriage and her father spoke.
"Ivy," he started.
"Don't say it, Father. I've heard it before." Ivy stopped him.
"Then why must we say it contiously? This is not the proper way for a lady to act."
"I don't care!" The carriage stopped and so did Ivy. She knew this discussion would have to wait until they were in their own home. She sulked through the door with her guitar and into the family room. Ichabod paid the driver and came in, escorting Katrina to a seat. Then he sat next to Ivy, who started to get up.
"Sit down, Ivy." He said. "This is no way for a lady to act. You must act more like your mother."
"I don't have to act like Mother!"
"You must and you will, Ivy! We cannot have you acting like you did today!"
Ivy's eyes filled with tears and ran up the stairs to her room and cried. She cried for a few minutes then heard a tap on her window. Masbeth stood on her balcony and she opened the door and embraced him.
"My parents are mad at me, Masbeth." Ivy said, letting go of him.
"I'm sorry, Ivy. I really am."
"It's not your fault."
There was a knock at the door. Masbeth disappeared over the balcony as Ichabod walked in the room. Ivy wiped her eyes and looked at her father.
"I'm sorry, Ivy." He said, sitting on her bed. "But we cannot have you acting like this."
"I'm sorry, too, Father." Ivy thought. "Father, could we go to Sleepy Hollow? Please."
Ichabod thought for a moment. "Of course. We can go tomorrow. Now, get some rest. We'll have to get up early. " He kissed her forehead, and left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, Ichabod, Katrina, and Ivy were all on their way to Sleepy Hollow. While Mr. and Mrs. Crane found Katrina's old home, Ivy walked into the woods. She found a large tree, oddly shaped. She climbed the tree and sat. She heard horse hooves and saw a man running. He had black hair, pale skin, and as he got closer, Ivy saw that he had sharp teeth. He was running from 3 men on horseback. The man fell and he staggered to get up, but was too weak. The three men caught up with him in no time.
One of the men raised his sword to kill the man, but Ivy jumped from the branches of the tree and onto the man's back, grabbing his sword. She used it to scare the other 2 men off, then turned her attention to the man on the ground. She dismounted, then knelt by the man.
"Sir?" She asked, shaking him a bit. "Are you all right?"
The man groaned as she rolled him over.
"Please, sir. Are you okay?"
Ivy heard a branch snap behind her and saw her father standing there. He knelt by her when he saw the man on the ground.
"We have to help him." Ivy said. "It's the right thing to do."
"Of course." Ichabod picked him up and put him on the horse which the first man had rode. Ivy led the horse to her home, and to a guest room. She wiped the man's head with a cold cloth and watched over him until the next afternoon. She fell asleep with her head in her hand. The man woke up and saw a very beautiful girl sitting in a chair with her head propped in her hand. He stirred and tried to get up. All that moving woke up Ivy.
"Sir, are you all right? Do you need me to get my father?"
The man just shook his head and said nothing. He tried again to get up and Ivy helped him. He looked confused and happy at the same time.
"You were in the woods. I saw a man try to kill you, so I thought I had better help."
The man remembered why this girl looked familiar. Ichabod Crane and Katrina Van Tassel were obviously her parents. As the girl leaned close to wipe his head again, he put his hand on hers and kissed her hand lightly. Ivy blushed, and pulled her hand away as Ichabod walked in and cleared his throat.
"How is our guest?" He asked. "How are you feeling, sir?"
"He hasn't spoken, Father. I don't even know what his name is."
"H-Henry." The man said, softly. "Henry Van Geller."
"Very well, Master Van Geller. How are you today?"
"I am feeling well, sir. I thank you for your help. I am well enough to leave."
Ivy left to get fresh water for the water basin. Ichabod insisted that Henry stay for a while, just to be sure that he was fine.
"May I ask your name, sir?" Henry asked.
"Certainly. I am Ichabod Crane. The young lady is my daughter, Ivy."
"She was in pants, I noticed."
"Sadly, yes. She will not embrace the customs of young ladies."
Ivy walked back in with a fresh basin of water and a message.
"Father, Mother wishes to speak with you."
"Thank you, Ivy." Ichabod turned to his guest. "I hope to speak with you soon, Master Van Geller."
Henry bowed his head. Ichabod walked out, and Ivy walked to the side of the bed. Henry leaned against the pillows that were propped up.
"My mother will send up food when you are ready to eat, sir."
"Thank you, Miss Ivy Crane."
"How did you know my name?" She asked, surprised.
"Your father told me."
"Well, I don't think that's fair, sir, since you know my name, and I don't know yours."
"My name is Henry Van Geller. Your father also says that you are reluctant to be a lady."
Ivy blushed and looked at the floor.
"Yes, sir. It's not who I am."
"I should very much like to see you in a dress, Miss Crane, before I leave. You are a very beautiful girl, if you do not mind me saying so."
"I do not mind, sir." Ivy turned to leave. "Mother said if you feel up to it, you could come downstairs for supper. Or I could bring it up here."
Henry thought for a moment. "I'll come downstairs, Miss Crane."
"Very well, sir."
Ivy turned and walked through the door, down the hall and into her chambers. She looked at the dresses in her wardrobe that her mother packed for her and chose a green one. As she changed into it, she thought about the visitor upstairs. Master Van Geller. The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it. She brushed her black hair so that it shone and faced the door as her father knocked.
"Come in," she said, standing.
"Ivy, your mother asked me to go to town. Would you care to c-....." Ichabod stopped at the sight of his daughter in a dress. "You looke very appropriate and beautiful, my daugher." He extended his arm. "Would you care to be escorted to town by your father?"
"I would consider it an honor, sir." Ivy said, mock curtsying. She took her father's arm and was led downstairs and into the waiting carriage. Ichabod told the driver to go to town. When they arrived, Ivy heard her name called. She spun around and saw Masbeth waving at her. She turned to her father and he nodded permission.
"Masbeth!" She said, running to him and hugging him fiercly. "How did you get here?"
"I rode in a carriage. I couldn't stand being away from you." He said, kissing her. "You look different in a dress."
"I missed you too, Masbeth. Perhaps my father will let you come to our home for dinner. Can you come?"
"Surely, if your father agrees."
Ivy held Masbeth's hand as she ran to catch up with her father. "Father, may Masbeth come for dinner?"
Ichabod looked at Masbeth and smiled. "Of course, darling."
"Thank you, Father." Ivy hugged Masbeth again.
Ichabod walked to the store and bought some ingredients Katrina needed. Then all three of them returned to the carriage and to the Van Tassel home. Ivy went upstairs to check on Henry. Masbeth walked to the kitchen to help Katrina if she needed it.
Henry was standing next to the window looking out when Ivy walked through the door. He turned and smiled when he saw her in her dress. Ivy curtsied and Henry smiled bigger.
"I was correct, Miss Crane. You do look beautiful in a dress."
"Thank you, Master Van Geller. Mother almost has supper ready. Would you care to come down?"
"Thank you, Miss Crane." Henry extended his arm and Ivy took it. Together they walked down the stairs, Ivy leading the way. Masbeth and Ichabod stood as Ivy entered the room.
"I think I'll go see if Mother needs help." Ivy walked into the kitchen and offered to help her mother, who refused it. Ivy returned to the dining room, where Ichabod was speaking with Masbeth. She turned on the record player and listened to the music. Henry walked to her and asked her to dance.
"Of course, sir." Ivy put her hand in the one that Henry extended. They danced together and it was at that moment, as Henry looked into Ivy's green eyes that he realized he loved her. And he would do anything to have her as his own.
Masbeth must have realized that, because he asked to dance with Ivy also. Katrina walked through the door at the moment and dinner was served. Masbeth sat by her mother, and Henry by her. Ivy's father sat at the head of the table, Ivy on the left, and Katrina on the right. The dinner was delicious and quickly eaten. The men retired to the sitting room to talk, while Ivy and Katrina cleared the table. Masbeth asked to speak with Ichabod privately, and Henry retired upstairs.
"Master Crane, I love your daughter very much." Masbeth began. "I ask your permission to ask for her hand in marriage."
"It is a good match. You have my permission, Masbeth. Do well by my daughter."
"I will, Master Crane. I promise."
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