The Man That Was A Soldier
The Tale of Captain Nicholls and his sweetheart (Elizabeth); before he joins the army, when he becomes Captain, before and after he goes to war (he doesn't die in this fic, the cavalry charge. The he falls asleep for a few decades. When he wakes in the 21st century, he tries to track down his sweethearts grave, when he finds her, his grieving and his healing process, which leads him to a new friend, new love and new life.
Elizabeth's POV:
James and I walk hand through the courtyard on my father's grand estate. A gentle breeze blows through the trees as James leads me to a stone bench. He and I had been courting for almost a year now. He was a fine man and many a young lady were after him, not only was he a good looking gentleman, he was also one of the best academics around and had a very good carer ahead of him. But that wasn't why I wanted him, no, I love him genuinely. For who is, so today, when he arrived at my front porch, well dressed and nervous, I expected that he was going to ask me to marry him. But we've just been on a very long walk and I'm beginning to think that he doesn't want to propose to me at all!
"Sit down Elizabeth." He asks gently. I sit, half expecting him to get down on one knee but instead, he sits next to me, hands clasped in front of him, moving his knee up and down slightly. My stomach starts doing flips and my heart flutters as he prepare his words. "I just-" he starts.
"Yes James?" I encourage, I feel my heart jumping into my mouth.
"I don't know how to say this." He states nervously. There's something in his demeanour that I can't quite place and suddenly, I feel afraid of what he may say next.
"Elizabeth, I'm going to join the military. Or more specifically, the cavalry." He blurts.
The military! I sit in stunned silence as I let my jaw drop.
"Please darling, say something." James pleads after letting the news sink in.
I want to slap him, knock some sense into him somehow. He can't join the military, he'll be killed! Doesn't he realise that! He has plenty of opportunities to become a professor or politician or business man and he wants to join the army! I stare at James waiting for a reaction until I realise, he's still waiting for me to say something.
"Well, I think you're making a mistake." I state promptly, "But if you want to risk your life for king and country, be my guest. Just," I falter on y next words, "please be careful. I." Oh I may as well say it! "I love you James." James breaks into a smile and inches closer to me until we are just centimetres apart.
"I love you too." He whispers. I turn my head so that our noses touch. I look into his golden brown eyes, a few golden drops of sun catching in his iris. But he closes his eyes and so do I. I move my lips towards his and he presses his lips on mine. They are soft, gentle and oh so sweet! Like honey! He pulls away slowly, my lips still tingling from the feeling of his mouth on mine, my cheeks burning. I hunger for more, but the sun is burning a deep orange and is setting quickly. Already stars are shining in the deepening blue sky above us. James, still smiling, takes me by the hand and we walk arm in arm to my front porch.
"I'm afraid I won't see you again for another two months as I complete my training." He says sadly, "But I've enjoyed our time together."
"So have I. I can't wait for you to come home already, and you haven't even left my property!" I state forcing a smile. I feel tears pricking my eyes, "But I must ask, why didn't you tell me all this before?"
"I knew you would try and talk me out of it. But I want to follow in my father's footsteps and you know I've always considered military service." He replies.
I nod, my throat burning, "Well, I wish you didn't have to go but I understand how you would want to make your father proud. He joined at your age didn't he?"
"Yes." James replies.
"And that's why you signed up isn't it? Because you want to honour his memory?" I ask. James simply nods. "Well in that case, I'm proud of you." I smile, genuinely but a tear escapes me.
"Thank you darling. I knew you would see reason." He smiles as he wipes away my rogue tears. "Don't cry now, We will see each other again." He assure me. Again, I nod in fear my voice will crack and I'll start sobbing. He takes my hand, gives me a quick yet comforting kiss in the cheek, before turning and walking down the road to his home. I watch him walk until he's out of my sight, then I run straight to my bedroom and start crying. My James, going to the military, I should be proud. I am proud! I just wish he didn't have to go so soon!