Chapter 2: My Love Will Travel With You

With the war starting Ashley and I only got a day to ourselves, which was fine. One day with him was enough then facing days, week's maybe even months without him? He treated me just as I thought he would. He treated me as if I was the only girl in the world. Within that one night I knew I was going to live happily with him for the rest of my life. But one question lingered in the back of my mind. Would the war tear us apart?

"May I go with you down to the train station?" I asked the next morning as we stood in the parlor. I held my breath as I prayed he would let me go with him.

"I'm afraid not dear. It would be much better if you stayed here." Ashley said taking my warm china hands within his. "I don't want it to be harder on you then what it has to be," while kissing my forehead I wrapped my arms around him and tried to stay strong for his sake. Scarlett O'Hara wasn't one to start crying like all of these other old mules did. Silence filled the room as I took in his sent and tried to remember every feature about him. Every piece of hair, every joke he told always made me laugh, the sound of his voice when he spoke my name, just everything about him. For it maybe the last time I see him.

Walking out onto the porch the sun welcomed us as the morning of a new April day was upon us. Only this wasn't a happy day like all the rest had been. No, men were going into battle and their wife's, children and friends didn't know if they would be coming back to them. "Ashley, promise me one thing." I say as the breeze blew my skirts in the wind.

"What is it my love?" he asked looking down at me with a little smile. I could see within his eyes he was worried for my sake.

"Promise me you will come back safe and sound." I say with a smile that only could help him at this point.

"I promise," he tells me as I can see it in his eyes, but I could also tell that he wasn't sure he could keep it.

"I will miss you." I tell him as I see a few soldiers standing outside of the house. "I will think about you always and pray that you come home safe,"

"And I will do the same," Giving me one final kiss he departs, never knowing if I will see him ever again. Waving to him I can feel a single tear rolling down my face. I had turned into one of those old mules. Wiping it away I sigh sadly.

"If it isn't Mrs. Wilkes," I hear a deep voice call out. I turn to see that varmint Rhett Butler standing there.

"What do you want?" I asked in a harsh voice. "If I can recall our first meeting wasn't a pleasant one and this one won't be either. I don't wish to see you." With that said I started to make my way into the house. I didn't want to see anyone at the moment. The man I loved just left for the war and only God knew if he would come back to me.

Opening the door I walked back into the parlor and did not acknowledging Rhett presents. Sitting on the couch I put my hands to my face and let myself go. This wasn't like me in the least, but everything had fallen apart so quickly. Normally I was the one that fought back not letting anything get to me. I stayed strong, but today I allowed myself to cry. After this moment I wouldn't cry again.

Hearing a sound, a sound such as footsteps I looked up. "What do you want? I told you I don't want to see you." My green eyes were filled with tears, but behind those tears of sorrow was fire.

"You left the front door open Mrs. Wilkes," Rhett says as he points back in that direction. I'm still looking at him as though he is lying. Taking out his white handkerchief he hands it to me. I take it and dab my eyes. "Cheer up, Ashley will come home in a few months and the war will be over with."

At hearing the word war tears filled my eyes yet again, while different thoughts raced through my mind. I was horrified I what went through my mind. "What if the war doesn't end? What if Ashley is killed?"

At hearing my cries Mammy came into the room. "Child what is the matter?" Mammy asked seeing that I had been crying. "You, what are you doing here?" spotting Rhett standing in the parlor entrance.

"I was walking by when I spotted Mrs. Wilkes. She seemed rather pale so I thought I would stop to make sure she was alright." Rhett answers as he knows this isn't the truth. I look up at him with fire now filling my eyes. That varmint he would say anything wouldn't he?

"Why child you do seem rather pale. Do yaw feel alright?" Mammy asked.

"Fiddle-dee-dee I feel fine Mammy. I'm not sick I'm just worried for Ashley's sake that's all." I protested as I turn my head the other way.

"If you will excuse me I best be on my way." Rhett says as I turn to look at him. "Mrs. Wilkes," bowing a little he left moments later.

"Come child let's get you up stairs for a rest. All of this has excited you." With Mammy's help I made my way up stairs for a good rest.

On May 18th word spread through that a battle by the name of: The Battle of Sewell's Point had started in West Virginia. At hearing this, my heart sank. Ashley was up there. For several weeks now I had been receiving letters upon letters from him. Talking about how the battles were getting much worse as each moment passed. At getting these letters there was still hope that he would survive this and come home to me. With every letter I received I could feel his pain, I could feel his sorrow as my eyes went swiftly across the letters, while my heart was high in my throat.

Dear Scarlett,

I'm writing this to you for it maybe my last. I do not tell you this to worry you. I tell you this because I love you. My troops are working hard to keep the enemy at bay. It has been working so far, but we are afraid it won't hold them off much longer. My love is with you at this very moment as I know you are fighting as well. Do keep safe and healthy. I will see you at Christmas time.

Love

Ashley

At reading those last words I let the letter drop to the porch as I sat in a white rocking chair. This truly was the end. I would be alone in the world. Yes, I still had Pa, Mother and my sisters, but my love would be dead. He would die and there was nothing I could do. Looking out over the many acres of Tara I could see the sun setting as the orange, red and yellow sunset took over the wide open sky.

That night at dinner I barely touched what was on my plate or barley heard what Pa was saying about the war. I was too lost within my own thoughts. Looking over at me Mother noticed that I hadn't touched anything. "Scarlett, dear what's wrong? You haven't touched a thing on your plate,"

I look up and look her in the eyes. I know I can not lie to her. I take a deep breath and spill all that had been building up for a while. "I'm so miserable mother. Ashley is away at war. From the talk that has been going around it sounds as if war will never end."

"Perhaps you could go to Savanna." Mother says as she looks over at Pa. "Tis sounds like a fine idea," Pa says as he agrees with mother.

"But what will I do in Savanna?" I asked wondering if they knew the answer to my question? I knew I didn't have an answer.

"Well there's always Atlanta," Mother said. "You can stay with Ashley's cousin Melanie and their Aunt Pity Pat."

"Yes, I could couldn't I." I said knowing that all I need was a good change of scenery, but staying with Ashley's cousin Melanie just made my stomach churn. She was too happy for my taste.

"Tis settled you will be on the first train for Atlanta tomorrow morning." Pa said as he could tell that my face had changed within moments.

A/N: What do you think? I hope the characters aren't to much out of character. Next chapter you will see Scarlett in Atlanta.