Disclaimer: I do not own a thing, unfortunately.

A/N: Well, dear friends, this is the last chapter. I am sorry it took so long, I had (and still have) lot's of papers to write for University. I really enjoyed writing this little fic and I hope that you enjoyed reading it. Somehow, this story became quite popular…I had no idea people still read Mulan fanfics :).

There will be no epilogue, or sequel. I actually like the end very much and I hope you will too.

Thank you for all your kind and most appreciated reviews! It made me practically giddy with delight to read them :D

That's it. I'm moving on to my next stories. I have some Ranma/Akane and Kouga/Ayame stories planned and, of course, I shall soon continue my epic LOTR fanfic, "Gold in Gloved Hands". Stay tuned!

Noldorian.

Chapter three

The sun has already drawn her burning fingers towards the horizon when Shang entered the village in which Mulan lived. He guided his horse gently to the village square, from where he could already hear the sound of merriment and music. The many hours and pain that were put into the decoration of the entire village for the festival made their appearance in every forgotten corner. Shang could tell that all the dwellers of the place took part in the preparations for the fair. He reached the heart of the festival, dismounted and looked around in hope of catching a glimpse of Mulan. He knew that it'd be a bit hard to make her out in a crowd of so many people, but Shang was quite certain he'd succeed; after all, how many young ladies of his acquaintance wore their hair so short?

Shang was about to turn away and try heading for her house when he heard her call his name. He turned towards where she was coming from and had his breath caught halfway between his lungs and his lips. Mulan made her way towards him, dressed in a plain blue dress, with a tray of apples in her hands and a garland of flowers on her head; she smiled brightly when she saw that he noticed her and quickened her pace.

'Quick!' Shang thought to himself, 'remember how to breathe before she reaches you!'

Mulan reached him and brought the tray closer to his face.

"Apple?" She asked, still smiling brightly.

"No, thank you." He laughed and shook his head, "How have you been?"

Mulan handed the tray with the apples to a little girl who suddenly appeared at her side; when the burden was passed unto the child, she grinned widely and Shang noticed that her two front teeth were missing. Mulan ruffled the girl's hair affectionately and turned to Shang again.

"I'm fine, General. Congratulations on the new armor; it suits you very much".

Shang could see the red hue spreading over her cheeks; it was quite comely.

"Thank you" he said and blushed as well.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them as they stood rooted to the spot, oblivious to the commotion around them. Shang decided to save the situation and coughed politely.

"I see that the children in the village are quite fond of you" he said, referring to the little girl that skipped away with the loaded tray in her hands. Mulan laughed and smoothed a crease on her dress.

"Yes," she said and looked up to meet his gaze" I'm fond of them and they are fond of me. Would you like to walk around with me? Dinner will be ready in an hour".

***

Dinner, as usual, was very good. After tea was served and the rice cakes eaten, Shang cleared his throat nervously and turned to Mulan's father.

"Honorable Fa Zhou," he said and bowed slightly "may I have a word with you in the garden?"

Fa Zhou, who knew the ways of young men, smiled brightly and nodded. When they left and only the women remained at the table, Grandma Fa grabbed Mulan by the shoulders and shook her.

"You've done it, child!" she cried, "The young General is surely asking for your hand in marriage as we speak!"

Mulan blushed brightly and rose from the table, taking the empty tea cups with her. On her way to the small kitchen she turned around to face the two older women, who looked at her with surprise.

"I doubt it, Grandma" she said and turned away, "Shang probably wishes to tell Baba some story from the war that he is afraid might trouble you".

Grandma Fa raised her eyebrows questionably but Fa Li placed a hand upon her shoulder and shook her head. The old women shrug and rose from the table as well. She knew there was only one way of knowing what the General's intentions were, and that way was eavesdropping.

***

The two men sat on the wooden bench overlooking the garden in complete silence. Fa Zhou decided that it was best to let the young man compose his thoughts and wait until he was ready to talk. The young man in question was apparently at a loss for words. He tried to cough politely and open his mouth a couple of times, but no words passed the threshold of his lips.

'"Damnation!" thought Shang to himself, "I've faced thousands of foes; why can I not ask a simple question?"

He coughed politely again and turned to the older man, who smiled encouragingly at him.

"Honorable Fa Zhou," Shang began "I would consider it an honor, great honor indeed, If I…that is if you-", He shook his head and breathed out a resolute sigh.

"I would consider it a great honor if you grant me the permission to ask your daughter's hand in marriage."

Fa Zhou laughed heartily and slapped the relieved Shang on the shoulder.

"Of course," cried the delighted father, "I would be honored to call you my son!"

Shang was so overwhelmed by the generous exclamation that all he could do for a minute was bow low before the older man. When he composed himself again he turned to Fa Zhou with a serious expression.

"Sir, might I ask you not to tell Mulan of our talk?" Shang said nervously "I would rather approach her in my own time".

Fa Zhou smiled kindly and nodded.

"Of course, General," he said and got up from the bench, "You'll talk to her when you are ready. Now, shall we head back to the house?"

Shang got up as well, smiling broadly. He bowed again, thanked the older man and followed him into the house. As soon as the men left the garden, Grandma Fa emerged triumphant from a nearby bush. So, the young General did ask for Mulan's hand in marriage! Grandma Fa smiled smugly and mentally patted herself on the shoulder. Well, she'd keep quiet for the time being and see how things unfolded. As she headed to the house she thought that watching the poor General squirm might prove to be quite diverting.

***

Later that night, after Shang has left, Fa Zhou recounted the history of their talk to his wife in the privacy of their bed chamber. Fa Li was delighted beyond the measure of words; she took out a handkerchief from the pocket of her nightgown and dabbed the corners of her eyes.

"You'll see" said Fa Zhou, as he pulled the blanket over his tired body, "we'll be celebrating their union before the week is out".

***

However, the week has passed and Fa Zhou's prediction did not realize. Fa Li became frustrated and Grandma Li tended to sulk, but Fa Zhou reassured them that all the General needed was time and that he would come and ask for Mulan's hand in marriage once he mustered some courage.

"Mustered some courage?" cried Grandma Li and shook her head "The man is a General! If there is something he's supposed to have, it is courage!"

"Mother," Fa Zhou said wearily "Let the young man come to Mulan of his own accord; of his own heart".

Fa Li came up to him and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You are right, husband" she said and smiled at him and Grandma Fa, "let time do its work. Shang loves Mulan as she loves him. If they are destined to wed, so it will be."

As it turned out, the only one in the family who was not horribly agitated by Shang's lack of courage was Mulan. She was not aware of the General's plans to ask for her hand and therefore did not sorely miss his heated exclamations of love and devotion.

It was true that Mulan was, by that time, deeply in love with Li Shang; she could finally admit that to herself. She dreamt of him by nights and longed for his company by days; she took care to always put a beautiful comb in her hair, just in case he happened to arrive at her house and surprise her. She even worked more in the garden, though the days grew colder and darker, in hope that she might catch a glimpse of him or his horse.

But days passed and Shang did not grace her family's household with his presence. He only sent a letter, begging for Mulan's forgiveness for his lack of correspondence. He wrote that urgent military business demanded his attention and that he would surely come and visit her as soon as he could.

However, a whole month did pass before General Shang appeared at the gate of her house. He stood rooted to the spot, a bag of green apples in his hands. Mulan, who was at the garden at the time and caught a glimpse of him as he passed, rushed over to greet him enthusiastically.

"Shang!" she cried as she arrived at his side, "It has been so long! How have you been?"

The General smiled nervously and handed Mulan the bag of apples.

"I've been well; these are for your honored family. How have you been?"

Mulan smiled kindly and Shang's heart forgot to do its duty and beat.

"Thank you for the apples, they're lovely. I've been well myself; would you like some tea, or perhaps something to eat?"

Shang shook his head and gestured with his hand towards the garden.

"No, thank you. Might we, perhaps, sit and talk?"

Mulan nodded and led the way to the infamous wooden bench. She sat down and placed the bag of apples by her side. Shang sat down as well and turned to face her with a somewhat troubled expression on his face.

"Mulan," he began "I…ever since I…"

Mulan covered his hand with hers and smiled. This small, loving gesture seemed to give the young General all the courage he was lacking. He shook his head, took her hand in his, and cleared his throat.

"I…I have loved you for a long time now, Mulan; or at least, it appears as long as eternity to me." He laughed nervously at this, "you are the kindest, loveliest and most courageous woman I know and my only wish is…that is, you would make me so happy if…"

He took a deep breath and clutched her hand to his chest.

"Mulan, I would like to ask you a question."

When he looked into her eyes, he saw that she was smiling brightly and his heart contracted painfully in his chest. Mulan gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Please," she whispered close to his heated ear.

"…Please do".

A/N: Well, this is it! Did you like it? Hate it? Just press "review" and tell me:)