Emily had been lying motionless in her bed for hours. The physician was getting worried. Little Friedrich was crying for his mother. Though the local Patriots had been victorious during the battle, and had managed to chase Charles and his men out of the Hudson River Valley, there was no rejoicing. The surviving Hessians were taken into the near by villages as prisoners. Ludwig, The young patriot, and Mr. Van Tassel carried Johann's body into Emily's home. "Put him in the other room.", the physician instructed. Gretel wept silently. She had helped sew Johann's head back on. Suddenly, Emily gave a moan. She began to cough and beg for water. Gretel held her head up. Emily drank the water. "She is lucky. If the Hessian had not arrived so soon after she became trapped, she would surely be dead.", he said. Emily opened her eyes, and with help, sat up. "Frau Abendroth, are you well? You had passed out after Johann rescued you from the fire.", Gretel said. Emily nodded. "Where is my baby?", she asked. "Frau Van Tassel is tending to him.", Gretel replied. "Truely your son loves you Emily. He would not accept any other mother while you were gone.", said Mrs. Van Tassel handing Friedrich over to Emily. Emily held her son, who ceased his crying once he had heard his mother. An eerie silence filled the room. Emily was getting sared, for she felt something was wrong.
"Where is Johann?", she asked looking at her friends. Their faces suddenly went pale. No one wanted to tell her. Emily felt panic rise inside her. "Where is Johann?", she asked again. "Emily, Johann...", Gretel began to say. She was cut off by Ludwig. "He is in the other room Frau Abendroth.", he said holding his wife's hand. Emily smiled. He had lived. He may be injured, but a least he was alive. At least that is what it sounded like. Emily slowly stood up and made her way over to the next room. There on the bed was Johann. His eyes were shut, his hands lay still at his sides, and he had a look of peace. Emily smiled and walked up to him. She sat at his side on the bed. "Johann, everything will be all right. I am here now.", Emily said sweetly. She grabbed his hand. She was shocked to feel how cold he was. "Johann..Oh no..Help! Someone please help!.", Emily screamed. "He is gone Frau Abendroth. I am so sorry.", Ludwig said with sadness. Emily's eyes filled with tears. She rushed over to Johann. "Johann! Please wake up Johann! No! Please do not leave me! I need you! I love you!", she cried. Ludwig and Gretel ushered everyone out of the room and closed the door. They knew that Emily needed time to understand that Johann had passed away. Emily hugged Johann, and kissed him. She cradled him and prayed that he would open his eyes. once she understood that Johann was dead. She looked at the wounds he recieved in battle. Then, she discovered the stitching around his neck. Her heart broke when she realized he had lost his head. Emily carefully covered the stitching and laid him back on the bed. She rested her head on his chest and sobbed. Images of her and Johann flashed through her mind. Poor Emily cried herself into unconsciousness.
The day of Johann's funeral was a very sad day. Even nature had worn it mourning clothes. The preacher waited for everyone to settle into the pews. Finally, he spoke. "I would normally open a funeral for one of our people with a prayer. Instead I will confess my shame. Indeed, we must all, save for the few who knew Johann, confess our shame. We had allowed him to live with us, but we never saw him as one of us. We never truely thought of him as one of us. Though he was not one of us in culture and language, he was the same in faith and spirit. This was the Johann we never knew. He was a friend among strangers. We knew his name, but we did not know the man he was. My friends I am ashamed that I did not know Johann until this very day.", The preacher paused in his speech and saw many people had bowed their heads. Those who did not lower their gaze, had a look of disgust. They were disgusted with themselves. "Tonight we will ask ourselves; why did we wait until the end to hear the begining? Johann knew he was not welcomed into our lives, but he still welcomed us into his. This story's moral is that we must leave our doors opened to all who ask to enter.", he then said. He then finished his sspeech by saying, "With these last words before prayers, I only ask that Johann will forgive us for closing our doors to him." Emily wiped her tears, and as the flow of prayers began, she felt her heart sloewly crumble. She sobbed as she held her son. After the service, they went to bury him. It was decided by the church Elders, that Johann would receive his Christian burial about fifty feet to the back of the church. However, he was the enemy; which meant that he would have no stone or cross to mark his grave. Emily was greatful for what Johann did have though. He was laid in a simple coffin, and the flag of Hesse Kassel was buried with him. Emily wept as the dirt was piled over her husband. Gretel and Ludwig, along with the Van Tassels held her. Once the grave had been completely filled, everyone went home.
December, 1778:
Emily's pregnancy with Johann's second child was starting to show. It had been a month and a half since his death, and every bit of pain was still there. She could not bring herself to read the letter Ludwig had given her under Johann's orders. It was almost Christmas, but this time, there was no Johann. Emily stirred the stew she was cooking. Friedrich babbled aimlessly, in an attempt to talk. Suddenly, a knock was heard on the kitchen door. Emily answered to see a wounded, and near frozen Hessian grenadier. "Please, help me.", he said shivering. Emily was shocked out her grief and got right to work on him. She tended his wounds and gave him dry clothes. "Danke my lady.", he said. "Dinner is done. Have you eaten?', she asked. He shook his head. "Nein. I have not eaten much since I left.", he said. Emily nodded and served him dinner. The grenadier noticed Friedrich. "What a cute baby! Ist it a boy or girl?", he asked. "His name is Friedrich. He was the first of soon to be two children.", Emily said smiling. "Oh, where is your husband? I want to give him my best.", he replied. Emily's smile vanished, and she began to weep. The grenadier did not need anything else to know what the answer was. "I am very sorry for your loss.", he said softly laying a hand on her sholder. The grenadier knew her pain. That was why he was in Sleepy Hollow. He was running away from his own grief.
Yeah, I decided last minute to extend this story a bit, but not by much..this will all make sense later. enjoy!
Horseman: Who the heck is he? UND WHY IS HE TOUCHING MY WIFE!?
Me: Chillax! They aren't going to fall in love.
Horseman: For your sake they better not.