My, it has been a long time since I updated this - but I'm back again. Hopefully, this chapter will be as well recieved as the others. Enjoy!

April 12th, 1862

Dear Rogue,

I apologize for not replying sooner - Dieu, you could not know how much of a relief it was to read your letter, especially after recent events here in North Carolina. I'm sure news has reached you of the two day battle - Shiloh, they are calling it. I can tell you now chére, it was the most horrific sight I have ever seen - spread of word say that this is the greatest loss of lives in the war yet. I know I am certain never to forget it, I'm just happy that I was not in Tennessee for the duration, that is where the bulk of the ruckus was centred - but not to worry, both Henri and Myself are well and unhurt. I can imagine Mercy and Aunt Priscilla having a fit of nerves at the very mention of 'battle'. Make sure to put them at ease with this news.

Our regiment has spent the last few days recuperating, we suffered some losses - but not as many as some. I'm surprised your letter even reached me this soon, considering I keep changing locations every two days or so. I have no clue as to where we are headed next, hopefully not any further north.

As to the 'evacuation' plan you mentioned, I know exactly where you mean and I am certain you will like it there. What I would give to be going there with you, should you need to go - though I am confident that such an extreme measure will not be called for. You mentioned the Union army moving down the Mississippi, so long as New Orleans is not captured - which is impossible, everything will be fine.

I long to see your belle face again chére, those green eyes of yours could stop an army in its tracks with just one flutter of those long lashes - maybe even, the always delightful monsieur Logan would fall under your spell.

I am sorry that my charming portrait, of which you hold in your posession - does not serve as a talkative companion, but if as you say you have replaced me with my cousins Theo and Etienne - then I doubt you have much time to dwell on missing me.

As to your Mother's berating for your uncanny show on the night that myself and Henry left - you have no need to worry, although I doubt that you do. I could not have asked for a sweeter send off, even if you had accepted my proposal. If anyone should feel a fool, it should be me - for not sweeping you up in my arms and refusing to join in this battle of luck. That is what it is chére - pure luck. There is no skill to staying alive in this war - It is just the draw of the cards - which I thank you for incidently.

But tonight I will not think of that, as I wait for your reply. The sky is clear this night and it is easier to see your face in my minds eye.

Remy x.

Ps; Give your brother my condolences. He will need them if he is indeed to wed my cousin and in the presence of my dear Aunt and your Mother.

April 30th, 1862

Dear Remy,

Please accept my sincere apologies for not replying much sooner than I wanted to. As you probably already have heard up in North Carolina or wherever you may now be - something terrible has happened, of which none of us could ever have thought possible - New Orleans has been captured by the Union army.

It was a terrible day, the fighting could be heard from where we were - well the canons and such anyway. Everything was such a mad rush.The moment your uncle learned of the attack did he have us packing our things and evacuating the plantation quicker than the strongest, most powerful strike of lightning. Which you see, is why it has taken so long for me to reply to your letter.

At this very moment we are in a small town in Alabama, having passed through - albeit it, very swiftly my beloved home state - we have only just stopped for the night. I was worried that I may have mislaid your letter as it had only just arrived on the day of the invasion and in all the panic, I simply did not have time to read it and packed it up with the rest of my things and until today could not find it.

At first, I could not understand the reasoning for abandoning the plantation so abruptly as we did so - but from what I have heard since we left, I am glad that we did. The Union army has been throwing their weight around, burning houses and towns to the ground, forcing whatever young men there are left into their army and other terrible, unmentionable things - and all the time wallowing in their 'victory'! I suppose with power, comes responsibility and the most responsible of people are not always the ones in charge.

At the time, I just felt so angry. I wanted to go back and help those that had been left to defend for themselves - beat of the Union with my two hands if I had too. But in reality, what could I do?

As for the rest of our small party, they are all doing well. My Mother and Priscilla are not coping nearly as well with all the travelling as everyone had hoped and are clearly missing their home comforts. But compared to yourself, I would imagine that the comparison between our living conditions is a very poor one indeed. But with any luck, we should arrive at our destination in no time at all.

I am surprised that you can even remember what I still look like swamp rat. Are you sure your even thinking of the right girl? If I had a picture of myself, I would send you it - but I don't and with the way things are at the moment, I doubt that I will have chance to have one taken. So in the meantime, you will simply have to make do with your memories - provided you are thinking of me and not someone else.

As for the stars, they are visible tonight and with them I wish for you and your beloved city.

Rogue x

Ps; Take care Remy.

Rogue set down the inky quill to the side of the small, very basic desk she was sitting at and re-read the last few lines of her letter to Remy. No sooner had she finished reading, did she raise her eyes to the small rectangle photograph propped up against the diminutive cross-hatched window of which the desk was postioned directly in front of.

Those same intense, dark eyes that had left her with both hope and regret on the night of his sudden and unexpected departure little more than two months ago, stared back at her with that very same passion. It didn't seem like him though, she couldn't feel his presence and how she missed that cocky, blasé attitude - that this regimental image just did not show. Inwardly, she hated to admit feeling so lost without him - she had always been fiercly independant, even from a young age - but now, she felt almost weak and helpless without him. Or maybe it was the combination of knowing someone she cared for was out there, putting themselves in danger, fighting for a cause which class and sex simply would not allow her to do the same.

She sighed tiredly, her eyes drifting away from the frozen image of a man who seemed like he was thousands of miles away and into the dark, ebony sky dotted with millions of glittering stars forming their own map of the universe. It really was a beautiful night, so still and peaceful and she inadvertedly found herself wondering if he was sleeping comfortably tonight. Did he have the comfort of a bed? The warmth of a fire? Candlelight even? She didn't know. The truth was, she reminded herself sternly was that no - he probably didn't.

A cold shiver hit her square on the shoulders, making her shudder involuntarily and pulling the simple, but thick brown shawl around her shoulders closer to her neck. She would post this tomorrow, Rogue decided as she neatly sealed the letter in an envelope and retrieving the still inky quill from its resting place - wrote as clearly as she could the name of the person she was trying oh-so-very-hard not to let inhabit her thoughts night and day.

Well, what did ya'll think? It's more of a filler chapter really - but I'm hoping it is ok. I apologize to all those that have reviewed to chapter 13 - believe me, you guys rock!

So, if you liked it - review! If you didn't - review! I accept constructive criticism :)

Until the next chapter then . . .