Semi-prequel to my semi-AU Stand By You. Elsie came straight from Argyll to Downton as a child to work as a laundry maid. Charles works as a hallboy and his father is a stable groom. Updates will be highly sporadic and inconsistent.


"What are you doing here?"

Elsie turns, not at all startled. "'Ello, Charles. It is ever sae nice tae see ye. Isnae th' weaither fine t'day?" She smiles sweetly at him, entirely sarcastic.

"My apologies Lady Elsie. I was only concerned for the well-being of your shoes. I would hate for such dainty items to step in horse sh-"

"Charles, that is enough!" His father emerges from the back room, glowering at Charles.

"Yes, Father. Sorry." Not that he's very sorry of course. Elsie had started it.

His father turns to Elsie and hands her a small towel-wrapped bundle that had been hidden by his large hands. "Here you go. I put a splint on the leg. I would instruct you to keep her off it but she seems to not pay it any mind. You may remove the splint in a month or so." A small gray tabby kitten meows as it changes hands.

"Thank ye, Mr. Carson." Elsie bobs a neat little half-curtsy. When she turns to leave, her back safely to Mr. Carson, she sticks her tongue out at Charles. The watchful gaze of his father prevents Charles from responding likewise. But when his father retreats back into his workroom, Charles runs back outside after her.

She ignores him of course, stares straight ahead and keeps on cradling her kitten bundle to her walk through the grounds, down the long drive, and then finally leave the estate proper and turn onto the dirt path that cuts through the forest towards the village farms. Finally she stops and regards him in annoyance. "What are ye daein'?"

"Walking you home."

She glares at him. "Ah dinnae need ye lookin' after me."

"Father taught me to be a gentlemen. And you shouldn't be walking alone." It's why he had been so surprised to find her in the stables - the rest of the day maids had left the house nearly a half hour prior.

She scoffs. "Aye, yer a fine gentleman indeed, gonnae 'bout saying horse shi-"

"Elsie! Girls can't cuss!"

She stares at him for a long moment, giving him a look that clearly indicates he is the stupidest insect to ever crawl the earth. Finally she gives him an exaggerated eyeroll and turns to march down the path. He almost returns to the house - all girls being a complete and utter nuisance - but it's a nice day, the sun is bright and warm in the late afternoon, dappled on the ground through the leaves of the trees, and if he returns it will just be more chores for him.

Charles trails along behind her, kicking at stones as he goes. She continues to ignore him, walking calmly with her back perfectly straight. As they leave the forest into the meadow, he starts to sing loudly:

Mary had a little lamb

with coat as black as soot,

and into Mary's cup of milk

it put its dirty foot.

Now Mary, a straightforward girl

hated any sham,

she rapped out a naughty little word

that rhymed with Mary's lamb!

"Ye shood be ashamed ay yerself, Charles Carson," Elsie calls over her shoulder.

"Goodnight, Elsie Hughes," he laughs back. The farmhouse where her aunt and uncle live is in sight, so he turns back to Downton, whistling all the way.