I know, I know it's late and it's short but I had exams all this week so no time for fan fiction. Anyway, this chapter is probably going to have some Matthew POV in it but also a lot of Mary because she is my star. Also sorry that I keep picking on Matthew but I am still angry at Dan Stevens *swoon* I won't kill Matthew though I'm not THAT cruel :) Oh, and this chapter is dedicated to Ms Holly Paton, see if she can spot a mention of her in future chapters!

Chapter 4

"Mail call" shouted General Stevens "Jones, Huron, Sichuan, Brown and Crawley"

Upon hearing my name called I was filled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety, if I was being written too it meant someone knew where I was, uh oh. I rushed forward to collect my letter and ripped the envelope open and in my haste nearly ripped the letter itself in half. Edith, phew it's from Edith, thank the lord I am safe. The letter itself was very, well very Edith, blunt questions and moan, moan, moan. Even when I'm thousands of miles away in France will I never escape that moaning! I suppose I better write her a reply or she threatens to tell Papa and everyone else where I am and that's the last thing I need.

Edith,

Yes, I am safe well as safe as you can be while at war. I beg you not to tell anyone else of my location as I do not want to put anymore lives in danger just to try and keep me "safe". Yes, there is someone else (I think) it's not official yet but I get on very well with him and enjoy his company a great deal. Tell Cousin Matthew to please move on with his life and stop blaming him for my leaving, it was no fault but my own.

Mary xxx

I posted my letter before going to find Daniel to see if he was up for a game of cards. We haven't moved or been in live action for days now so I have spent most of my time playing cards and talking with the other soldiers, turns out they're not as stupid as I originally thought quite the opposite I have met teachers, lawyers, accountants and all different kind of people. I was also surprised to find out that they actually have lives like normal people, funny I swear they were all hermits. I walked into our "card room" which consisted of 2 wooden tables and 16 stools; we all come in here to talk, eat and as you may guess from the name play cards. As I guessed already the room was filled with cigar smoke and tables full of soldiers, I spotted Daniel sitting right in the middle of the pack of Captains and Generals so naturally I headed right to the middle of the group as well. Every day there is a different "topic" and there was one that I have been dreading talking about since I arrived in the trenches…sweethearts. What do you know, that's exactly what they were discussing, great. I tried to sneak away unnoticed but to no avail, Noah (one of the soldiers) spotted me and called me over.

What about you Mary? Asked a slightly tipsy Daniel.

Me? Not anymore. I said while inconveniently still thinking of Matthew.

Not anymore, eh? He mocked "Who was the lucky fellow?"

"Someone from home, but like I said not anymore"

So why do you blush at the mention of him? He smirked.

Strangely that last comment made me infuriated me and I don't know why. Did I still have feelings for Matthew Crawley? Oh God, I hope not.

I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I didn't even notice when I walked straight past Matthew himself on my way out the door.

Matthew's POV

"Stay safe Matthew, that's all I ask, please stay safe" Isobel gave him a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug.

"Mother!" I blushed a bright scarlet before giving her a quick peck on the cheek and walking off to board the train.

After 6 weeks at the training camp in Rippon I finally got the chance to go to Somme. Was I excited? Yes, nervous? Yes, regretting going to war? No. Although I new the next few months or maybe years would be exceedingly dangerous and testing I knew that I would rather be doing my duty for King and country rather than stuck in a stuffy office sorting through papers. Anyway I would have been called up to the front sooner or later so I just saved them a letter by enrolling straight away.

The train ride to Dover isn't as bad as I thought it would be, but then again it's probably because the 'Future Earl of Grantham' gets to ride first class. I've already got a few mates from training camp but my best mate is Timothy Scott a blacksmith from Glasgow whose company I thoroughly enjoy. Unfortunately though he's travelling third class and I'm stuck up here travelling alongside the posh snobby captains and nurses. I read my book for a while before I got engaged in a rather boring conversation with one of the Captains discussing estates and posh stuff, most of the time I hadn't a clue what he was saying but I just smiled and nodded like I was taught to do.

We arrived in Dover this morning and were accompanied by the Generals and Sergeants to the docks. After one final look at my home country and wondering if I'd ever see it again I boarded onto our Naval ship and thought about what was to come.

Short, I know and it might be a while before the next chapter is posted but I will try my best to update ASAP. Happy Reviewing!

EverlastingEve xxx