These chapters that take place during the war are sort of on fast forward so it won't be day by day. It'll probably by months, maybe even years. This chapter contains many feels that I am not responsible for. Just trying to write my own version of the talented Michael Morpugo and Steven Spielberg's: War Horse. Enjoy :)

"We're going to Devon tomorrow to gather new soldiers and horses. Then we go to the training camp. After that, well, after that we ride into battle" James explained.

"I can't believe it's been a year since Jamie told me you two are leaving. A whole year has past and today is the last day I'll see you for a long time" I admitted.

"We'll be back soon. Don't worry" James said, offering me a kind smile.

I spent all day with James because Jamie has been busy with rallying troops in London, but he promised he would come tonight. He promise. If I know Jamie Stewart, it's that he never breaks his promises.

"We're let off every 6 weeks for a day or two so other troops can fight while we rest, either in the hospital, or in peace" James said.

"Please take care of yourself. And Jamie" I pleaded.

"I will" James assured, wrapping a strong arm around my shoulders.

We'd been sitting on the white picket face surrounding the horse pen for about 2 hours now. About a hundred yards away was my parents' mansion with it's trimmed hedges, golden gates and marble columns. That's the perks of being brought up by a rich family, they don't care how long your out, as long as you don't discredit their names in society. James and Jamie both know this. That's how we met actually. All are parents are rich aristocrat who wanted their children to interact with other children of the same working class.

"I'm going to miss you and your sarcastic comments" James admitted.

"Come back alive and you'll be hearing more of those comments" I said, putting on a brave face and trying to keep the tears at bay. They were really leaving and I might never see them again.

"I promise"

"I'm holding you to that"

"I know"

With a light chuckle, he hugged me tighter as few tears trickled down my cheeks. I don't know what I'd do if this war takes my boys away from me.

"I-I've got to go. We leave at the crack of dawn" James admitted. I watched with sad eyes as he jumped off the fence and put his officer's hat on.

"Goodbye Kate" He said.

"Goodbye James" I managed, holding back all the tears. He gave me a warm smile before turning and walking down the paved road, back to London.

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James had gone back to his temporary flat in London to pack for tomorrow while I still sat on the white picket fence, watching my black gelding run around the pen. I couldn't bring myself to leave. So many thoughts were going through my mind. I wasn't even thinking about the fact that my parents had arranged a courting of me and some aristocrat who refused to fight for his country. Even James and Jamie had gone to war! I was more immersed in my worries for my best friends. What if I lost Jamie? We'd always had some kind of connection. I knew it. I knew that he knew it. James on the other hand, was like the brother I've never had, being an only child, but my feelings for Jamie were... different.

Speaking of the Major, here he was, walking down the paved road from the city. His brow was furrowed so he must have been thinking. I watched, almost mesmerized, by the way the setting sun gave his pale skin a warm glow. I couldn't bring myself to believe he or even James might not come back.

Controlling the tears, I jumped off the picket fence. I began walking towards Jamie. He looked up and smiled as soon as he saw me. Now I couldn't control it. A few tears trickled down my cheeks as I walked a bit faster towards him. God what would I do without either of them? I broke into a small run. Jamie took off his officer's hat and caught me in his arms, embracing me closely. I wrapped my arms around his torso. .

"Please don't go" I begged, trying my best to keep more tears from spilling.

"Kate, you know I must. It's my duty" He said.

"Just be careful. Take of James. Come back to me alive" I whispered.

"Your making our departure much harder then it should be" Jamie muttered.

"Is that your way of saying you'll miss me?" I asked playfully, though my unshed tears.

"Of course" He replied, managing a smile. I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek, slipping out of his embrace.

"I-uh-I-I must be off. I came to bid you farewell and er..." He stuttered, straightening his uniform ad putting his hat on. He lowered the front so it hid the rosiness adorning his cheeks.

"I promise I'll come back for you" He whispered, leaning down and kissing me. I was dumbfounded by the action but found myself deepening the kiss. He pulled away, turned on his heel and walked down the road without looking back. I stared after his disappearing form with tears streaming down my cheeks. He was a few yards away before I saw his tense shoulders relax. Even this far. I could see his cheeks were glistening with tears as he looked back at me. Never would I had thought Jamie Stewart would be crying. Smoothing out his uniform, he turned away once again, and continued marching down the road.

I didn't imagine this would be the last I saw of my darling Jamie Stewart for a long, long time.

Demons run when a good man goes to war
Night will fall and drown in sun
When a good man goes to war
Friendship dies and true love lies
Night will fall and the dark will rise
When a good man goes to war
Demons run but count the cost
The battles won but the child is lost

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"Oh, Kate! Mr. Baker sent a telegram. He wishes to see you tomorrow" Mother told me as I walked into the house. I groaned internally. My two best friends have gone to war and now I must go and see Charles Baker, the man my parents wish me to marry. It's not that he isn't kind or good looking, he's just so rude, arrogant and quite spoiled.

"Thank you mother" I said as I walked past the leather sofa where my mother was sitting, drinking tea from expensiveness china. I glanced at the telegram laying on the table by a Chrystal lamp behind the couch. Mother and Father always wanted everything to be luxurious. That's why they had inherited the mansion. The walls were marble and the floors were expensive tiles. Not to mention the double staircase that led upstairs with the gold banister. Everything in the house was white, gold and royal blue: the colors of the family crest. I walked up the left staircase as my bedroom was on the left side of the house. I passed the coffee tables at the end of the stairs adorned with flower vases as I walked towards my room. It was nighttime so the maids must be in the kitchen. I retreated to my bedroom and relaxed as soon as the door closed behind me. My walls were white, adorned with gold while the arched ceilings had royal blue drapes. My bedroom was quite spacious. I walked to my dark wooded desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. I found a pen, dipped it in ink and began to write. Tomorrow I would send a letter to James and Jamie.

#####

I was watching from my bedroom window the post man's cart. The horse was pulling him towards our house. Quite slowly for my taste. I've only received 2 letters, one about how horrid the camp is, the other about how horrid war is. James has been sending me drawings of Joey, the thoroughbred he shall be riding into battle. He's always been an amazing artist. In his letter, he said Jamie is on edge, quite nervous about their charge.

Finally, the post man dropped the letters in front of our wide, wooden front doors. I ran out of my bedroom, grabbing my dressing gown, running down the stair case in the most unlady like way. I opened the door and quickly grabbed the letters. There were 4, 2 for me and 2 for my parents. I dropped the letters for my parents on the coffee table and ran back to my room. I closed the door and sat down on the edge of my bed. Opening the envelope with Jamie's handwriting, I braved myself for what I would read.

My darling Kate,

I do not know how to start this letter. Nor do I know if I shall be returning from this dreadful war. Tomorrow, we are going to France to invade a German encampment. James and I both know that the Germans will have revolvers and such as they are masters of , he doesn't want to discourage his troops. I want to die as heroes if they must die at all. If not, then let them live in glory. But we are hoping for the best. I will write a letter tomorrow. But I will not be able to post it so I shall leave it in my pocket. If I die in battle, they will collect the letter and send it to you. I am praying to God or whoever is in the heavens that I may return and read it to you myself.

Love,

Jamie

I fold the letter and realized that tears have started streaming down my cheeks. They are going into battle tomorrow! They might not come back. I pull myself together but a few tears trickle down my cheeks as I open James' letter.

Dear Kate,

We had a practice charge today. I finally won against a race with Jamie! Joey is quite a fine horse. I regret bringing him to the war but if I have to charge into battle tomorrow, I certainly am glad it will be on his strong back. I wanted to tell you, I honestly believe Jamie loves you because I can hear the scratching of pen and paper from his office every night. I even found 5 pages of love letters he planned on sending to you. 5 pages! I even managed to convince him to shave off that horrid moustache when we come back from the war. I hope too see you soon. And do not worry for all will be well.

From,

James

I found myself smiling through the tears as I read his letter. James was always so cheerful and optimistic. My smile widened as soon as I read 'when we come back from the war'. I always admired James for all the hope he had. I stood up from my bed, walking over to my desk where I kept their letters and James' drawings. I found myself re reading all their letters, I barely heard the knock on my door. My eyes welled up with tears as I read Jamie's letter over and over. He began signing his letters with 'Love, Jamie' since he arrived at the camp.

"Miss"

I turned around and found one of the maids standing by my door. It was Sylvia. She was the only maid whom I knew since I was little. I remember she tucked me into bed when my mother wouldn't and read me bedtime stories when my father wouldn't.

"May I ask what's wrong?" She asked

"Yes of course, you may ask me anything you want" I told her, drying my eyes with my satin dressing gown. She walking into my room and approached.

"Are those letters?" Sylvia asked, glancing at the stack of beige papers with dark ink.

"Yes they are" I replied.

"From whom?" She asked.

"James and Jamie" I said.

"They're in the war, aren't they? A Captain and a Major in the cavalry?" She asked.

"Yes, they're going to the front tomorrow. Jamie wrote that he believes they won't be coming back from the war because he knows the Germans have an advantage" I explained.

"Shouldn't he tell his superiors?" Sylvia asked.

"No, he doesn't want to discourage his troops. He wants them to die as heroes if they must. If not, then let them live in glory" I said, quoting Jamie from his letter.

"What of James?" She asked.

"He was just being optimistic, writing about the witty and good things that have come out of this war. There are not many so his letters are short" I said.

"May I see?" She asked.

"Of course" I replied, handing her the stack of letters. I walk over to the armchair by the fire and snuggle under the fur blanket as I watch her eyes skim over the words. After many minutes, she looks up at me with red eyes.

"Oh my darling, you mustn't lose hope. They will return" She said.

The next day, France, German camp...

Jamie Stewart sat in the ambulance cart with the other captured British cavalry soldiers. Lt. Charlie Waverly sat across him, a bloodied bandage wrapped over his forehead. Jamie had broken an arm when he tried to fight back against the Germans. Now he sat in the ambulance, not being able to believe he fact that his best friend had died because he had seen Joey run through the forest with an empty saddle. He glanced at the remainder of his troops. There were about a dozen men who have survived, all injured badly. Their horses have been taken but the rest of the men and horses have been killed. He looked back to the field, hoping to see his best friend, alive and well, walking towards him. Instead he saw his best friend, blood spreading throughout his uniform, being set next to the other dead men.

Jamie turned away, a few tears trickling down his cheeks. He was alive but he doesn't know how he would get home. He wasn't even sure if the Germans would let them go. They would probably keep them prisoners until they died of sickness or worst. After a few hours, the cart stopped. He glanced outside and found they weren't in a forest anymore. They were in the middle of a dusty road leading to an endless amount of grey tents for the soldiers. He got out with the rest of the men, holding the letter tightly in his hand. As he walked where the Germans pushed him too, he could feel the cool chain against his skin. It was still there. The St-Anthony pendant Kate had sent him the other day. He never took off the slim, gold chain because he knew it was hers. Her guardian angel, St-Anthony, was now guarding him.

They were led towards a bigger tent then the others, most likely housing the officials. He and Charlie were pushed into the tent first, being the only surviving officials. The German officers talked in whispers as they observed the disheveled appearances of their prisoners. One of the officers said something to the man that had brought them here. The man grunted a response in German and began leading Jamie and Charlie away from the other British men. Then he realized this was his only chance to get the letter sent to Kate. He broke free of the man's grasp and ran back to the tent, ignoring the shouts of protest. He took the letter from his pocket and handed it to the officer.

"Please send this" Jamie begged. He wasn't sure if the man understood him and yet, he took the letter. Jamie nodded a thank you before he was taken away from the tent and punched in the gut for disobedience.

"What was that about?" Charlie whispered as they were pushed to a tent near the captured horses. He found both Joey and Topthorn, his own horse, there. He was relieved they had both survived.

"I wrote a letter to someone special" Jamie explained. Both men were pushed into the mud as the German soldier walked away laughing. Jamie glanced at the barbed wired fence around the camp. He knew they'd get shot the moment they touched that fence. But he needed to get back to Kate. He promised. And Jamie Stewart always kept his promises.