Hi there! This is my first fanfic on this fandom, but I've read lots here. As stated this is a Gabelena based story.

Esteban woke this morning ready to get on his work. As the sun made its way in the sky, the Canchellor got dressed in his usual atire and with some paper in hand, left his room, his head on buissness. Lurking around the hallway where the main bedrooms where, he saw Gabe, the Captain of the Royal Guard, also Elena's personal guard leaving her room. Esteban followed him with his eyes till Gabe entered a small room, which the royal familly let him use sometimes, instead of the barracks. He let it go as it wasn't something unusual for Elena to need something early in the morning and ask Gabe. A while after Gabe, the door to Elena's room opened again as she let herself out in her red loose gown, waving to her cousin when she saw him.

Elena was quite a morning person, always waking up pretty easily and ready to make any day an amazing one, even with all the problems she got to solve as the Regent Princess. She aproaches Esteban, her shoes click-clacking on the tiled floor of the empty hallway.

"Good morning, Esteban!" she greeted with a smile."Do you have work to do so early in the morning?"

"Morning, Elena. As a matter of fact, yes, I do and it concerns you, actually. Since you're coming to age in such a short time and you'll be crowned Queen, you know you have to find yourself a husband."

"A husband? You have to be kidding, I can rule by myself pretty well." she stated, crossing her arms across her chest as they walked together towards the Council's room, where a meeting was called, breakfast being served after.

"I know you can, dear, but it's written in the law and you cannot defy it. If you're not accepting to get married, the throne will be passed along to the next suitor, which is me. I am doing this for you, Elena." Esteban asured her, not believing any word he said.

Even though he grew out of the thirst of getting the throne, after all this years he got to spend as Elena's Canchellor, it was no lie it was still his biggest desire to rule Avalor. He cleared his throat, pointing up with his index finger, pacing side by side with Elena.

"But fear not, Elena, I am already sorting out a list of the best suitors for you, and I hope that in a few days they will be here to present themselves and their wishes to become your King." he said, entering the Council's room behind her. Their abuelos were already in there, seated and caught deep in a conversation, and shortly Naomi barged in and took her chair. The guards were already by the door.

"Can I at least look over it and maybe add a few names?" Elena asked hopefully, but by the look Esteban was giving her, she guessed his response.

"Of course not!"

Observing her granddaugter's attitude and face, Luisa immediately knew something was wrong and that it had something to do with Esteban. She watched worried as Elena slumped in her chair, suddenly bored and lifeless, so she had to take the matter in her own hands.

"What is the problem, mijita?" she asked, grabbind the attention of everyone in the room.

She eyed her carefully and Elena could do nothing but talk to her abuela, hoping to find some understanding.

"Esteban said I have to get married in order to keep ruling and becoming Queen. Leaving out the fact that I can't do anything about it, he doesn't even let me look over the list of pretendents, let alone write myself some names." she rantted, getting more angrier and helpless by the second.

The tought of getting married at this age making her sick, and also to a random man she might not know. As soon as she would be able to she would make sure to change the rule for her kids or even Isabel. If something happened to her and Isabel would have to take over, she wouldn't want her little sister marrying of some prince she doesn't love. At least someone in the future should be happy. She had a name and only one name in her mind that she would like to know on that list, but she was sure Esteban wouldn't even think of him.

"Miija, don't worry. You are not Queen yet, and you still have some time. And you want to know what, I know that law very well, and you don't have to be married when you come to age. You have to either be in a long term relationship or be engaged with someone. It states also that you have a year time to get married, and then if not you'll lose the throne." cimented in her abuelo, comig to her side.

"Even so, in two month I'll be 21 and I'm neither in a relationship, nor engaged."

"Well then," butted Naomi in,"you still need the Council now, so we have every right to each have a say in the list, so I say, after this meeting, you leave to do some of you chores, and we will stay behind. We will write our choices and discuss the matter of meeting them."

"This is wonderful, Naomi, thank you!" Elena exclaimed, hugging her friend tightly.

Everyone agreed, except Esteban who was fuming. It was his idea, his plan and he wanted to do it alone. Naomi knew Elena very well and she knew what she wanted. Her abuelos wanted the best for their granddaughter, and it was no lie that Luisa became suspicios of Elena for some time now. Sometimes it was in the middle of the day, sometimes late at night or early mornings that she would see Elena wandering off in the gardens, on one of the balconies or on the terrace. Always alone, but with her peace skippy and fast, like she would be dancing. And not only once had seen the woman the looks she and Gabe shared, or their furtive touches when they tought noone was looking. Luisa didn't mind them any thought, apreciating Gabe and his job, if not even loving the young man as he was like her son. Her husband was also very fond of the guard, after all, he was impressed with his application and elected him for becoming Elena's personal guardian.

Elena left the meeting nervous and with a bunch of royal duty to keep her occupied throughout the day. She called Gabe to accompany her when she passed by him at the door and asked him to prepare the carriage as they were going to the village. Elena was going to sign some paperwork by the docks, they were making trade with a new kingdom and she was to made sure everything worked smoothly and according to plans and then to aprove of a place for a new fountain. She said her farewell to Isabel and waited at the front door a couple of minutes. Like she prefered, Gabe was the one driving, that meaning they could be alone for most of the afternoon. He helped her up, his hand lingering more than it should on her waist, but then quickly took his place.

"To the docks first, please." asked Elena, to which Gabe only nodded and took off.

In half of hour, he pulled by the docks and offered his hand, helping her climb down. Gabe secured the horses and walked by her side towards Naomi's father. After a brief discussion about how are the things going around and any problems that might happen, Elena signed the trade's papers and watches as merchandise was loaded and unloaded on the foreign ships. Saying their good wishes they moved to their next spot, the center of the village where they were to meet with some members of the comunity. Elena studied the plans with Gabe and showed her aproval of the project. The new well was close to a playground and at hand for everyone in that part of the village. The digging will take more than a week, and the rest something close to two, so in less than a month everyone will enjoy the new fountain. Being close to Gabe's parents' Bakery, they payed a visit, leaving with lots of goods. It was a little bit after noon when they decided to head back.

Arriving, Elena ran off to share the sweets with her familly. Gabe took the carriage to the barns and dettached the horses, putting them in their stalls and letting their caretakers to do their jobs. He rounded the palace, talking with all the guards and making sure they were each at their spots. He listened to every raport, gave some orders and then rounded inside the palace, stopping a little bit by the kitchens. Everything seemed to be in place. He found Elena talking with Naomi close to the library, but kept his distance, not wanting to disrupt.

Naomi was asuring Elena everything was going to be fine, but not disclosing anything about the list. The suitors were to come in two days and present their intentions. She left her with a smile, excusing herself to work. She would come back by evening for dinner and more talking to the Princess. That day, Elena paced around the palace, nervous and anxious. She spent most of her time with Gabe, not caring who would see them now. She felt like she was a prisoner and they just voted her sentence, so now she was enjoyed the little time she had left with the people she cared about the most. That night she stayed by the fireplace in her room, surounded by Naomi, Gabe, Isabel and Matteo, playing the guittare, complainig about the situation and what outcome it might have.

Next day she sulked around, being to no use, walking like a ghost and worrying her familly, except Esteban, who of course was too busy preparing for the day to come. He didn't pay her any mind, failing to see how this whole situation was hurting not only Elena, but the people around her. Gabe stayed close to her, keeping her preocuppied as the day went on painfully slow. She didn't sleep much that night, mostly thinking and wandering, she cried herself to sleep. Gabe had to wake her in the morning and convince her to get out of the bed, keeping her in his embrace as long as he could before he had to leave himself.

Naomi dragged him to his room and obliged him to dress in his best uniform, showing off his grades as Captain, arguing that he should make a good impression as the Captain of the Royal Guard. After breakfast, Elena, dressed in her scarlet princess dress seated herself on the throne, trying to keep the skirts in control as they fluffed up and would cover most of her body. Her hair was in a complicate braid around her head, her crown sparkling in the light of the Throne room, Elena opted for a light make-up. She was playing with her scepter, huffing depressed. The Council was seated at her right and left, Gabe was close by at the bottom of the couple of stairs, Higgings next to him with some paper in hand. Even Isabel was present, next to her abuela, and the jaquins, seated close to the windows.

Elena could doo nothing but observe Gabe, in his best uniform, his body straight and his hand on his sword. He refused to look at her, his gaze fixed ahead on nothing in particular. His muscles were defined through the rich blue material, his posture intimidating and perfect. Higgins anounced the first name, some prince from somewhere, interrupting her train of thoughts. One by one, young men came and spoke. Some offered her gifts, all kind, flowers, chocolate, jewerly. The members of the council asked questions now and then, mostly Esteban, as Elena remained silent, a forced smile adorning her features. With each prince or duke or count, Gabe got more and more depressed, his knuckles white on the handle of the sword. It seemed like a never ending list. After Prince Kai left to a waiting room, Gabe stole a glance at Higgings who seemed to have gotten to the end of his paper. He was desperate, but then...

"Captain of the Royal Guard, Gabriel Nunez", anounced Higgins, "once, twice, three times".

He was more than astonished, Elena the same, as her head rose, a genuine smile finally on her face. Esteban was blood red, boiling, looking around the room, what in the jaquins was going on! Naomi was smiling, along with Luisa and Francisco. The blonde wrote Gabe's name, knowing it was Elena's desire. When the list got to Luisa and she saw his name, she immediatly put a X2 sign next to it, and sure Francisco put the X3 one. It was really oblious who was the best choice for the Princes and they all thought of it.

Dazed, Gabe climbed the stairs and stopped in front of Elena, bowing before her and then the Council. He didn't kneed as most of the pretendents did, nor did he lunged for her hand, but stood tall his eyes on her and only her. He found his voice lost in his heart.

"Crown Princess Elena and dear Council. I would lie if I would say I expected to be on that list. I am not royalty, nor a rich member of the community, but I am the Captain of the Royal Guard, and worked hard my way to get here. Elena, at first I was just a guard assigned to keep you safe, but you didn't really needed me for protection. In time I gained your trust and respect and became your friend, confident, lover. Only you know I wouldn't lay a finger on you if you didn't want me to. I am no King and I will not be because you don't need a King to make you Queen and rule the kingdom. You are a Queen because you care about your people and want to give them the best, you are selfless and would do anything for them. You don't need a man to help you rule, you do that by yourself just amazing, or a man to keep you in his shadow, because you are wild and free, and you don't need a man to protect you, to make you Queen, to take over this great kingdom that you built after Shuriki. I don't want to be King. If you choose me, I will stand by you, and help you in your quest, I'll be there to find your answers and help you find the right path. I will be there making sure you don't forget your head as you often do, and listen to you when you want to pour your soul out, I will be there there for you as a friend, as a partner, as a confident. If there is something I know for sure is that I love you and I would do anything to make you happy, cause if you are happy, everyone around you is happy and I am too. Avalor is yours and only yours, and these people accepted you as their Princess and will accept you as their Queen, they will listen to you and no king. And all that because you showed them love, you showed me love and believe me when I say it is the most powerful thing I have ever seen." Gabe concluded.

Naomi showed him thumbs up, excited. Elena tried really hard to maintain herself calm, as she was feeling she would explode any minute. She got a hold of her skirts and pushed herself up in a standing position, her hands firm on the scepter. Elena looked at everyone's faces, all expectant, then at Gabe and finally focused ahead, trying to sound all buissnes.

"Thank you, Captain Nunez. I have made my choice, Higgins, please bring everyone here. Now, please excuse me." she said, entering the room behind the throne, the gown hiding her uneasy feet. When she returned, Higgins exceeded in bringing all the suitors, waiting in a row in front of the Council. Gabe was right in front of her as she stood in front of her throne. Elena looked around the room at every face, finally stopped on Gabe's. She pulled out a ring from her right pocket.

"Thank you everyone for coming here on such short notice, and thank you for all the gifts, I appreciate them all, and your time. As you might know, I am coming to age and have to find someone to help me rule, someone to stand by my side and to know what he's doing. I made that choice, and honestly I made it a long time ago. This ring is a promise ring," she said as she descended the carpeted stairs, stoppin at the bottom of them, "that I will give to the man that showed that I am Queen without a King." She paced right in front of Gabe and met his gaze. "Give me your hand."

Gabe raised his left hand, palm down, the largest grin on his face as Elena slided the silver ring on his finger. "And this man is you, Captain Gabriel Nunez. I ask you to rule Avalor with me, as my King."

Elena felt his strong arms find their way around her waist and lifting her off the floor, twirling her across the room a few times, everyone clapping in the backgroung, even most of the suitors. Her skirts swirled around her legs as he put her down, still hugging her. "I love you", he confessed in a whisper. "I love you" she responded by his ear.

Gabe broke the embrace and held her hand, guiding her along the room, up the stair and to her throne. He took the place at her left, both smiling and happy. Luisa embraced her granddaughter and then Gabe, and Francisco shook his hand vigurously, but then hugged him tightly, as Naomi slapped his back saying "It was about time." Esteban stood in his seat, ready to cry and tear his hair off, Higging was trying to talk to him. The jaquins flew aroound the high room, close to the ceiling and round the chandeliers, and Matteo threw around his magic. Isabel hugged her sister and then Gabe, happy to officialy call him her brother, cause he became like a slibing to her. Elena thanked everyone again,asking some guards to escort them to their carriages.

Than night, when she hit the bed, and layed under the covers, when Gabe came to see if she needed anything she was the happiest women alive as she called him over and he held her in his warm embrance for hours, tracing love on her skin. Like they wanted to do for so long. And the night transformed in morning and their love was never consumed.

Well, that was quite it. Thanks to everyone who read, and enjoyed or not. If you want, leave a review, a rate, whatever you wish, I will be glad. Thanks again and lots of love.

~Niko~