Oneself

Edith and Tom decided to take advantage of the mild weather and take George, Sybbie and Little Marigold for a walk. The children ran ahead, brandishing branches at each other like the knights in their story book. Well George and Sybbie were knights, Marigold insisted on being a princess and told everyone she was wearing a deep pink and silver ball gown. This didn't stop her from joining in on the sword fight. In fact, she was surprisingly ferocious for such a usually docile little girl.

Tom smiled as he noticed Edith laughing, the setting sun lighting up her hair.

"You've looked well, since I got back," he noted politely.

Edith smiled back and nodded, "You two,"

"No, really. Being a career woman suits you,"

"I like working. It's good doing something you care about,"

"Must be nice," he muttered, just a tad bitter.

Edith turned and faced him, an eyebrow raised.

"Well aren't you too?"

Tom didn't answer.

Edith sighed. "Tom. Don't think this is due to my feelings for Mary. I would say this if I worshipped the ground She walked on,"

Tom smirked.

"Just remember that before your duty to Mary, or Downton, or any of us, you have a duty to yourself. A duty to your own beliefs and principles. You must not forget that,"

"You can hardly want me start burning castles down again," "Perhaps not, but you shouldn't just give up on your morals. You simply need to find a new way of expressing them,"

The truth was Tom had not thought of his principles, or morals, or even Ireland in the longest time. But as he did he felt his heart pull at the memory of his home. Those short few months with Sybil had been the happiest of his life, the memories of those love filled days were surrounded with the golden glow of nostalgia and longing.

"Do you think Sybil would be ashamed of me?" he asked suddenly. "I'm not the man I once was. I fear I have lost myself,"

Edith thought carefully. "I believe Sybil would be proud of how good a father you are, and happy that you have made us your family. But I also think she would want you to be true to yourself. There's a world outside Downton Tom. And it is beautiful and terrible and grand and disgusting. And it's waiting for us,"

Tom nodded, "You are right. But I'm not sure if I could leave Downton yet,"

"Just think about it," Edith suggested, bending down to pick up two broken twigs, "But for now, we have a fight to see to,"

She handed him his sword.

"Come Tom, let's do battle,"