AN: I always love the idea that Anthony Strallan participate in WWI because of his work for the Military Intelligence Service. In addition, I was in need for some fluff. Here is it now, my Post series 1/series 2 AU with love, fluff, drama - and definitely a happy end for Edith and Anthony.

I'll use some well-known dialogues, which I don't own. I'll rip them apart and take them out of the context without being sorry. It has to be done. Enjoy reading!

Love of my Life

Chapter 1: To Fight

August 1914

"I am very sorry, my lady", Harryson, the butler of Locksley demanded resolutely. "Sir Anthony is not welcoming any guests today."

Edith ignored the inappropriate tone of his voice. She somehow felt that if she would give up now, she would have missed the opportunity forever. "And I am very sorry, but I have to speak to him in an urgent matter", she replied in the same tone.

Harryson tried not to roll his eyes. His master had told him that he didn't want to speak to anyone, especially not to Lady Edith. Whatever had happened at the Crawley garden party, the war seemed Sir Anthony a welcomed alternative. Then again, Harryson wasn't sure how to handle a woman as resolute as Lady Edith in this matter.

So, finally, the butler gave in. Sir Anthony was a calm and kind gentleman. Most probably, he would forgive this indiscretion. About the young lady, Harryson wasn't so sure.

Anthony Strallan was packing some papers in his library, when Harryson entered the room. The declaration of war to Germany urged the baronet to be in London sooner than expected; very much sooner.

"Lady Edith", Harryson announced.

Sir Anthony turned around. "What? Didn't I say…"

"Please don't blame him", Edith's voice said. "I made him to give in." To underline her words, Edith looked at Harryson, who immediately left the library and closed the door behind him.

However, she had managed it the sweet and lovely girl had turned in a self-assured young lady over night. Anthony Strallan was surprised.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Sir Anthony", Edith began her well planed speech. "But... Are you leaving?" Her eyes fell on the case he had started packing.

"Yes, err... Due to the war my presence is requested in London."

"Oh." The girl returned, but for a short moment only. "I don't want to delay you, Sir Anthony. I'm only here to say that whatever was said on the garden party yesterday..."

"As a matter of fact, I'm glad to have you to myself for a moment", Sir Anthony interrupted her speech. "You see, I couldn't bear for you to think that we might..."

"Because of what Mary said yesterday? Because, you know, it wasn't true. She only said it to spite me."

Sir Anthony shook his head. "No, it's not because of that. And if you say it wasn't true, I'm sure it wasn't. You see..."

Edith's gaze cut him off. They looked at each other in silence for a moment.

"I have one single question to you", Edith finally spoke her mind. "If my sister's word, her lies did hurt you so much, what does it say about our friendship?"

The answer came hesitantly after some further quiet minutes. Edith's heart seemed to stop beating. She panicked and hoped for the same time. And her hopes were rewarded with an answer.

"I'm truly sorry, Lady Edith that I doubted your honesty, which is actually highly valued by me", Sir Anthony began. He looked at her with an expression in his eyes that made her nearly cry. "Your sister's word hurt me more than I was due."

Edith tried to interrupt him, but he silenced her with a single gesture.

"As I told you, I have to leave for London today, but I hope that we'll stay in contact and will return to our friendship habits as soon as this war is over.

Harryson waited not far from the door of the library, just in case. He was surprised about the changes in both, Sir Anthony and Lady Edith, when they finally left this room.

"And you won't forget to let me know that you are alright?" she asked at the doorstep.

"I promise", Sir Anthony answered. "And don't worry, Lady Edith, I will back before Christmas."

He bowed over her hand and placed a kiss on it.

"Promised?"

"Promised."

Edith returned at home just in time for luncheon.

The atmosphere in the house was quite tense. Everyone seemed to be lost in his own mind. Her mother definitely feared for her husband to be enlisted again. Lord Grantham was keen to be back in uniform soon, while Mary was busy to display her patriotism.

"What will happen now?" Sybil thought aloud over her meal. "All these people fighting against each other."

"That can't be avoided after all these Germans provocations", Mary replied.

"But people will die", Sybil gave back with indignation. Her high moral standards didn't align with the common war fever.

Their mother cut the discussion off, before Mary was able to answer. "You have been away all morning, Edith. Where have you been?"

"I went to the village to buy some yarn and called at Anthony Strallan's house afterwards."

Mary made a noise, which sounded like a suppressed laughter. Cora ignored it and focused on Edith's words. "Is everything alright with him? He left so early yesterday."

Mary's laughter became louder.

Edith starred at her with anger, but answered her mother with a calm voice. "Yes, he's fine. He told me that he had to go to London due to the war."

"He's on the run, I'd say", Mary blurred out.

Her mother's gaze silenced her again, while her father raised an eyebrow only.

"It's good to hear that nothing serious happened to him", Cora finally said. "Let's hope that all our neighbours will be fine when this war is over."

"Didn't you say that Sir Anthony would be going to propose?" the Earl of Grantham asked his wife, when she later joined him in the library.

"I thought so, yes", she replied. "Perhaps this war business kept him away from his plans."

"Then I hope that he will return to them soon. I don't want Edith's hopes destroyed by those silly Germans."

Cora's answer was a sigh.

Later that day, Sir Anthony arrived at the War Department in London. He was welcomed by Lord Ashburn, his direct superior.

"I'm glad, you could come at such short notice, my dear Anthony", Ashburn greeted his guest. "Hope you're fine."

"Yes, thank you", Anthony replied. "What are the current plans?"

"The current plan is to collect as much information about our enemies as possible." Lord Ashburn's gaze went lost somewhere."

"I suppose, I'm going to Germany then", Anthony concluded.

"To Germany? No, not yet." Lord Ashburn shook his head. "I want you to go to Paris and perhaps to Brussels. A close coordination with our allies is first priority at the moment."