It's me, secretfortunes, if you have previously read Destined For Great Things, then I'm terribly sorry to inform you that I might have accidentally saved over the whole document with my music homework, don't worry I have an earlier copy which has most of what I needed in it, I shall take me a while to get that back up to the level it was before though, so please be patient.

Once again the idea for the story has come from a random idea that was floating around in my head, enjoy.

30th August 1917

The faint sounds of rumbling thunder is heard in the distance as a storm sweeps over the grounds of Masen Manor. "Sir, I fear the weather is about to set in upon us, we should retreat back to the safety of the manor" suggested Henry, Count Edward's most loyal servant.

"Just one more deer Henry, then we shall return to my beautiful wife" shouted Edward over the sudden raging wind "Henry, why don't you go and retrieve the horses whilst I finish off this buck"

As Henry ran off to fetch the horses Edward raised his hunting rifle, aiming the gun at the buck in the distance which had raised it's head in alarm at a nearby sound, Edward didn't care what had startled the buck, he was in the perfect position and that was all that mattered. The Count felt that one moment of dread in his stomach as the deer turned straight towards him, looking straight into his eyes before sprinting off into the bush. The bear's roar was the next thing that captured Edward's attention, it's claws ripping into his back as he fell forwards with the blow, pain seared though his entire body. Seconds later the bear was thrown off him, Edward was slowly rolled over onto his bleeding back as he stared up at a blonde man "Hold on son" soothed the blur of blonde hair, Edward's eyesight started to deteriorate as the loss of blood which caused him to start losing consciousness.

"Bella" he mumbled as his vision turned to black.

The countess sat nervously by the windowsill in her room, over looking the gardens below which held the meadow with the river and the pathway which led into the forest, it was not like Edward to be late, or to stay out in such a storm. Focusing her attention on that pathway Bella tried to push all the images that her imagination was conjuring up. It was a small movement at the far end of the garden that caught the Countess' attention, a man was carrying something in his arms. As this figure came nearer Bella gasped and raised hand to her mouth, she recognised the mystery item that the man was carrying, it was Edward.

Racing down the flights of stairs in the manor whilst screaming for every available servant to help her, the Countess reached the front door which she flung open, letting the raging wind and rain into the manor. "Edward!" Bella shouted as she ran to her husband who was being carried in the arms of a soaked figure, like a small child. "Countess Isabella, I'm afraid your husband was attacked by a bear whilst hunting, I'm Doctor Carlisle Cullen, with your permission I will attempt to save the Count's life" The doctor explained as he carried the Count up to his bedroom with the help of two more servants. As soon as the Count was laid on the bed the Countess ran to his side, grabbing his hand in an attempt to sooth his obvious pain.

"Doctor Cullen, you must save him, please do everything you can" The Countess pleaded as she wept at Edward's side, muttering faint prayers as she held his hand in vain desperation.

"Bella" faintly called Edward, Bella's head snapped up from it's prayer position, she could hardly believe it, Edward was going to make it.

"I'm here my love" she cried with happiness, her mood turned sombre as she took in her husband's state and the look he gave her, she turned to denial, of course Edward would be alright, he'd never leave her alone.

"Bella, you must know that I shall love you until the end of time" Edward whispered in a moment of clarity, he looked directly into his wife's eyes filled with flowing tears, he tried to convey every emotion he had for her in that once small look. It was as if the Count had accepted his death was near, yet he longed for more time with Isabella.

"As will I Edward, for eternity" replied Bella, no sooner had she uttered those words did Edward's grip become less tight, until her hand was grasping onto Edward's now limp fingers.

Doctor Cullen raced across the room and moved as if to listen to Edward's heart, Bella could make out the whisper of "I'm so sorry" Doctor Cullen then raised his head, looking straight at Bella for a moment, wiped his mouth before he called in Anne, Bella's lady in waiting "Anne could you please escort Countess Isabella from the room please and contract the necessary parties for her, Count Edward is dead"

"No!" The Countess screamed as she was pulled from the room by Anne, in this moment of grief she did not realise nor care that Anne, a maid who was much smaller than the Countess was about to pull her from the room as if she weighed nothing. "Edward" she choked "Edward"

The countess only moved from her position by the windowsill twice for the next year, the first was to attend Edward's funeral, where she stood in the customary black, she held Elizabeth Masen's hand in a tight grip as the casket was lower into the ground, not once did she wail like Elizabeth and the other women did, the only sign of her grief was a lone tear that trickled down her face. The second time was to the meadow, with gun in hand she whispered "I shall love you for eternity Edward, I shall join you soon my love". There was a few moments of silence before the cries of crows could be heard as they flew from their perches in the trees, startled by a gunshot.