HEY GUYS! This is my first attempt at a fan fiction. Sorry if it is a bit of a long chapter! Hope you guys enjoy!

Cornwall 1718

Ross went off to war, leaving me at home with his mother and father. We were supposed to be safe, and happy: that was an illusion. Half way through the war our home was wrecked and burned by the enemy, my mother and father and his parents died shortly after that, so I was handed off to Ross's uncle and aunt. Then we were told that Ross was dead, killed in battle. My heart seemed like it stopped beating and my throat closed so I couldn't even scream, it felt like my chest was being pushed down on by a heavy weight while my lungs filled with water. I stayed in my room most of the time. After three years I was given too my fifth cousin twice removed. I sat in my new room with silk sheets and soft blankets, with feathered pillows. It was late at night and I had refused dinner with my husband to be: Conrad. I didn't like him, he was rude, dishonest and twice my age.

There was a ruckus downstairs as I heard a door slam and Conrad telling someone to leave quite harshly. The response was muffled and harsh as well but I knew what was said, 'where is she?' I rose slowly from the chair my fingers toyed with the end of my long dark brown wavy hair as part of it was draped over my shoulder. The shouting continued as I opened the door to my room and slowly walked down the stairs of the large house. The arguing became clearer as I neared closer: it was about I. The two voices began to argue using harsh words I wasn't custom too. I stopped on one of the upper stairwells and listened, then I heard it the familiar rough voice with the English accent. My heart started to beat faster as I raced down the stairs, "Ross!" I called breathlessly. I stopped at the top of the last flight of stairs as I saw him: Ross Poldark. He looked up at me with the same soft brown eyes and dark brown curly hair that laid near his shoulders. He was in his red and white army uniform.

"Addison..." He said breathlessly moving towards the stairwell. I smiled running down to him, he embraced me in a soft hug with strong arms. The world seemed to fall away as he held me. He pulled away slightly and put a soft hand to my face, I looked up at him, "I have missed you so much." He whispered. I smiled as tears gathered in my eyes, "you kept your promise, you came back." Ross stroked my cheek softly, "always." The harsh words from Conrad brought us back to reality, "get away from her!" He spat grabbing my arm and jerking me away from Ross. Ross glared at him, "hand her back." He demanded. Conrad shook his head and clenched his hand around my arm tighter, "she's not yours, not anymore." Conrad smiled devilishly. I could smell the liquor on him.

"Let me go!" I snapped at him trying to yank my arm away from his grasps, but was unsuccessful.

"Quiet you!" Conrad snapped tugging me towards him, and then threw me back into the wall. My back hit the wall and then my head. I fell to the floor as my back throbbed. I kept my eyes closed trying to quiet the bounding in my head. There was a sound of a sharp slap and a thud on the floor near me, opening my eyes slowly to see Conrod on the floor a few feet away for me holding his cheek cursing, "CURSE YOU POLDARK!"

Ross came over to me ignoring Conrad and lifted my chin to look at him, "are you alright?" He asked softly. I nodded slowly, "yes I think." Ross set his lips on my forehead softly then lifted me up in his arms, and turned to the door.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS POLDARK!" Conrad screamed as we left. It was night and the air was crisp and cool. Ross walked over to his horse and lifted me up into the saddle then got on himself, "let's go home." He whispered to me.

Chapter 2

We got to his home as it got darker: Nampara. We rode near the great cliff and by his father's mine that had been closed for a while. Finally we got to Nampara: fog was everywhere, plants and vines were overgrown, stone was crumbling. Ross dismounted his horse and looked around then turned back and helped me down. We walked to the front of the dark and rundown house, Ross pushed the door open slowly, and stepped inside. We continued to walk down the hallway into the house through a doorway was the kitchen filled with cobwebs, spiders and animals.

"Jud?" Ross called removing his cloak, "Prudie?" There was no answer. I looked around to see a goat across the kitchen. There were some broken windows and rats on a table, and chickens in another room. I stepped over broken chairs and opened a door which led into a study filled with dust and cobwebs and books and papers all over. Ross lit a candle as I made my way back to him. I held his arm as he led us through the kitchen and upstairs. Ross's expression seemed a bit sad and weary when I looked to him. Once up the stairs he turned and went into the master bedroom. In the bed were two lumps and the sound of snoring. Ross's breath became sharp and he handed me the candle then left swiftly from the room and down the stairs. A few minutes later he came back with a bucket of water and threw it on the lumps. They both cried out from the shock and sat up quickly.

"On your feet now!" Ross commanded when they set eyes on him.

"Judas!" Prudie said in shock, "is it Mr. Ross?"

"Back from the grave." Ross said a bit proudly then turned to me grabbing my hand gently and leading me out the door. Morning came quickly and Jud and Prudie were put to work cleaning the house. The couple were in their late 50s, but still able to do work. Ross was talking to them in the kitchen when I walked in. I was wearing a dress of gray simple cloth that was laced up in the back along with an uncomfortable corset underneath. My hair was left loose all but a small braid on the side.

"You were my father's personal servants," Ross spoke as I joined him. He was wearing a white shirt with a blue vest on top along with a brown over coat along with brown pants and boots. "You were left in a position of trust." He spoke sternly.

"Well, pick me liver, what could us do, left alone with no master to guide us?" Jud spoke up. Ross stepped forward, "I'll guide you with the side of my foot in the future."

"But see, 'twas rumored you were dead Sir." Prudie spoke as Ross turned away.

"Perhaps you started the tale." Ross said turning to face her from where she was on the floor.

"Ain't no call to accuse us, Mr. Ross," Jud seemed to challenge him, "'Tisn't right, 'tisn't fair, 'tisn't fit 'tisn't friendly." I glanced at Ross.

"You'll get "friendly" if I don't see my face reflected in this floor by the time you're done." He responded sternly then retreated from the room. I glanced at the two before following Ross. We walked over the land of mud, dirt and ruin. Ross picked up part of a broken plow looking at it in distress than throwing it back down in the mud. I glanced up at him. We continued to walk towards the front and up into the hills towards the cliff near Nampara, neither of us said a word. He stopped and turned to look at the house riddled with vines and rot. I took his hand slowly and leaned my head on his shoulder, "we can fix this." I whispered. He looked down at me, "I believe we can." His words were soft.

We rode down the hills and towards the village onto the dirt path on Ross's horse. Ross stopped us at the graveyard. He dismounted helping me down before looking for his father's grave. He found it: Joshua Podark. Esqr of Nampara. He knelt down and touched the stone lightly. I put a soft hand on his shoulder. Our next stop was the village of workers that worked in the mine of Nampara. As we neared closer the workers gathered talking amongst themselves. I smiled, Ross got off quickly and I followed.

"It isn't a ghost?" One of the workers said and quickly made his way to Ross.

"See for yourself!" Ross said embracing the man in a hug. "We heard you took a bullet!" Another shouted. Ross continued to hug them.

"Lady Addison." Said the first man who hugged Ross.

"Hello Zacky!" I smiled brightly and hugged him. The others continued to ask Ross about the war.

"An education Jim." He said to one of the younger men, "Well..." He said looking at the houses they lived in and started to walk around, I walk beside him as he talked, "what happened here?"

"Since you father died, we've had no repairs." Zacky told him. I looked around at the holes in the roofs and rotting wood: my heart seemed heavy.

"I'll remedy that." Ross replied, "you were my father's tenants and now you're mine."

"Nay Ross, you've got enough to think on, with ruined home, barren land, and Miss Addison of course." Ross smiled and pulled me closer, "I have hands, do I not? A spade, a plough...and Addison is tougher than she looks."

"That I am." I replied smiling.

"Well, we can help ye." Zacky offered. Ross looked at the houses a melancholy look on his face, "I cannot pay you."

"And I would not expect it." Zacky said.

"You labored long enough in my uncle's mine for a pittance. I will not have you work for nothing." Ross decided then turned back to the horse lifting me up then getting on himself.

"Ross, what did happen out there?" Zacky asked. Ross answered simply, "I grew up." We started to ride towards the village, "you know, Ross they just want to help."

"But I cannot pay them, I will not let the labor for nothing." He responded.

"You're right Ross," I touched his hand, "you have grown up." Ross kissed my head as we entered the village, fishermen were at the docks and villagers were selling good on the street. Ladies and men walked about. Ross rode to the bank. I sat with him as the banker talked about the will of Ross's father.

"You father left little value. The house, two derelict mines, a few decaying cottages. The land, I fear, has been left to rot?" The banker spoke.

"Entirely." Was Ross's response.

"So you come to inquire as to credit?" Asked the banker, "as your friend I would back you to the hilt. As your banker, I'm obliged to disappoint. Your father had debts, your property is mortgaged, your land has no income." Ross looked down, "I'm a poor risk."

"Quite so."

"And my tenants, I can do nothing for them?" He asked.

"I know you have affection for these people, but you can barely support yourself, let alone them."

"What about my money?" I asked the banker, "left by my father?"

"Um..." The banker said looking through a pile of papers, "it wouldn't be much, but probably some."

"No." Ross said, "we won't use that money, but save it." I looked over at him, "Ross, this could help."

"And one day it will. But not today." He said softly. I nodded slowly.

"What do you advise?" Ross asked the banker.

"Look to your own devices. Seek your fortune as and where you may." He advised.

"Beggars cannot be choosers?" Ross smiled slightly.

"I hope you may rely on the friend, if not the banker." He gestured to himself.

"I hope so too." Ross gave a light smile then I slowly vanished, "for I need all the friends I can get." We left the bank and began our ride back home, we rode by a field on the land full,of weeds and grass. Prudie rose from the mess, "just clearing the field Mr. Ross."

"A cheering spectacle, and a need for one," the horse slowed, "hard work is now required if we're to put food on the table."

"Hard work?" Asked Jud as he rose from the overgrown field.

"I can see you're unfamiliar with the concept. Let me clarify: we have nothing to live on beyond the fruits of our own labors. We shall need to tighten our belts, and in some cases that can only be to the good." Ross explained sternly. Prudie and Jud nodded. There was the sound of hooves approaching, Ross turned the horse slightly to the right.

"Verity!" I said happily to see my cousin even if she was a distant one. We rode our horses out near the cliff path and stopped near the edge.

"You would have been surprised to hear about Elizabeth, and Addison and Conrad." Verity said.

"I had no option on the girl, and Addison is where she belongs now." He said.

"It was strange how it happened, one moment she barely noticed Francis. The next...and then Conard coming along asking of Addison..." Verity explained. I looked over at the water.

"Conrad must have mentioned money to your father, somehow. As for Elizabeth, she noticed his mine, his house, his estate?" Ross spoke freely. Verity looked at him shocked.

"That was uncalled for." He apologized. Verity took a deep breath, "the wedding's in a fortnight. And Conrad did not seem pleased on you taking Addison." I felt Ross nod, "so soon?"

"I wish I could help you, my dear." Verity said gently.

"I must find my own way out of this."

Once we got home Ross changed his clothes and went straight to work rebuilding and patching the rock wall that ran along the property. I swept and continued to clean the house. Ross brought clean good hay into the house, kissing me on the cheek then returning to work. Later towards the evening we met up with a few of the tenants and shared stories over a fire in the woods. We walked home as the darkness set in the sky. We sat in the restored study near the fire. I was working on my embroidery as Ross sat in the chair beside mine. He glanced over at me, reaching out he touched me cheek brushing off a little dirt.

"You should not have to work like that, not when you are to be my wife." He said staring back at the fire.

"We are going to be married. So this house it as much yours as mine, and I am stronger than I look." I replied. Ross laughed, "that I have no doubt of my dear." I smiled, "good."

The next morning we were at the mine moving rocks, when Francis arrived on horseback.

"Should you two be doing this?" He asked.

"I cannot afford a farm hand." Ross replied.

"Your father would not have wished you to stoop." Francis answered.

"My father would not have wanted us to starve." Ross said standing to face him. His hair was a bit of a mess, his brown vest dirty. My apron was smudged with dirt and my hands. Francis looked at the mine, "she's proved a poor legacy."

"Certainly a fickle one." Ross also looked at the mine.

"Her time may come again." I said standing by Ross.

"Perhaps I should examine here." Ross said.

"What?" I said turning to look at him my eyes wide.

"Is that wise?" Francis asked. Ross started to walk up the hill to her, "are you coming Francis?" He asked lightly a lantern then opening the door to the shaft.

"I suppose." Francis said taking off his brown over coat.

"You two can not be serious!" I said standing off to the side.

"It's just a quick look, nothing more, I promise." Ross said coming over to me and kissing my forehead.

"Be careful." I said as he began to descend down the latter, Francis began to follow him, "please do be careful." Francis nodded before disappearing. I sat on the steps on the stairs waiting for them to come back up. When they did Francis was soaking wet.

"Francis!" I said shocked standing quickly and giving Ross, his coat. Ross laid it over his shoulders. "Are you alright?" I asked. Francis nodded, "yes, I just slipped." After drying off a bit Francis went home and so did Ross and I.

"Are we going to the wedding?" I asked as we began to walk home.

"I don't see why not." Ross said putting an arm around me.

Hope you guys enjoyed! I'll post another chapter soon! Thanks!