Sweet Polly Oliver and the Tomcat

by HotTopicLuver

Elijah Schuyler is a well-renowned general in George Washington's army and he is the successor of his father, Philip Schuyler. However, what nobody knows is that he is actually Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler in the disguise of a man. But her disguise will be put to the test once a new soldier takes a sudden interest in the general and that soldier's name is Alexander Hamilton.

21. Chapter 21

Sweet Polly Oliver and the Tomcat Chapter 21

I do not own Hamilton: An American Musical or any of its characters or the song "Sweet Polly Oliver"

A once proud man sat in front of the garden. His head was bowed as he stared into nothingness, his eyes were dull and his form was lifeless. Never in her life had she witnessed such a scene. The very sight of it broke her. Young Elizabeth Schuyler watched from afar as the man suffered in silence.

Her beloved father had been depressed lately. And who could fault him for such a disposition? He had just lost his mother. He had lost his father at the young age of eight, and now he lost the last parent he had in the world. And it was the very parent who took it upon herself to support and provide for him all throughout his childhood and adulthood. Even though he wasn't a child anymore, he still looked to her for guidance. She was his number one supporter.

And now she was gone. That was probably one of the harshest blows life could ever give someone. Yes, he had his wife and children and their other relatives, but no one could replace Cornelia Schuyler. She had left her mark on the world and in her son's heart.

They say that a parent was never ready to lose their child. Well, it seemed like the same applied in the opposite matter as well. A child was never ready to lose their parent either. Eliza couldn't imagine such a travesty. It reminded her of how fortunate she was to have her parents, even if she was still so young.

There was no denying that their household didn't feel the same anymore. The funeral had been held weeks ago but the tensed atmosphere still remained.

Her father, Philip Schuyler, had always been support of their household. He provided them with everything they needed to have a happy and fulfilling life. Her mother, Catherine Schuyler née Van Rensselaer, was the décor that made a home feel like a home. But if those were their roles, then her grandmother had been the pillar of the Pastures. She kept everything in order and she supported the support. It all started with her… and now that start had reached its end too soon.

Eliza felt the missing presence of her grandmother. There were times where she could have sworn that she heard her voice echo throughout the Pastures walls. Then there were moments where she smelled the sweet lily scent she adorned as a perfume. Not to mention the nights where she would awake to the touch of familiar hands, only to discover it was a dream.

It was little episodes like these that made Eliza's heart ache and yearn for the good times. It was a time of mourning for the Schuyler household, and her father's endless sorrow proved that. As stated before, he wasn't the same man she had grown so accustomed to throughout her young life. He was a shell, a shadow of his former self.

Her grandmother wasn't the only person she was missing. She was also missing her father too. Lately he had kept to himself. He tried to focus on his work, only to discover that his tears blinded his eyes to the words. He tried to talk to his wife, only for the words to come out as sobs. And he tried to interact with his children, only for the attempts to remind him that someone was missing.

So now here he was, sitting in front of the lily garden her grandmother had adored so much. The flowers she spent years cultivating and taking care of bloomed so beautifully in her absence. How ironic it was for the world to continue despite such a loss. Those flowers could continue to bloom for years to come, her grandmother made sure of that, but she would never be around to see that.

But that wasn't the worst of it. The worst part was that her father was no longer crying or sobbing like he had been doing the past few days. Now he was as lifeless as the stone wall he was sitting on. There was not a shred of emotion on his face as he stared into the lily garden. Any remainder of his mother sent him into a hysterical fit. But now there was nothing, and scared her more than seeing him cry.

It was as if there was nothing left inside him and she feared that the man she knew was crushed by the weight of his sorrow. She wondered if she would ever see him again. Apparently death wasn't the only way to lose a person. They could lose themselves to the world around them and to themselves. But her father wasn't a dead person. He was still here, so she still had a chance. She didn't have it with her grandmother, but she could have it with her father. And that was all she needed.

She recalled how her grandmother was able to bring him back from the darkest of places, she was like that to everyone. Maybe she inherited that gift and maybe she was capable of bringing him back. She supposed she wouldn't know unless she tried. And so, little Eliza Schuyler slowly walked over to her father. Her tiny footsteps echoed on the stone floor but he didn't react. He was still as motionless as he had been since that morning.

She fiddled with her fingers nervously as she now stood in front of her father. Immediately her eyes widened at how dull her father's eyes looked. Even behind glass, she could see that there was no light in them, only darkness. She had never seen such a sight before, and it almost made her lose hope. Almost.

The middle Schuyler daughter took in a deep breath and placed her hands over her fathers, not even a single reaction. She wondered if he could even see her at all. If that was the case, then maybe he could hear her. But what could she say? What words would make this right? She had to be like her grandmother, she had to say something she would say. It was probably the only way she could bring her father back to the world of the living… back to their home.

"Grandmother would like this garden," she said.

No reaction still, but she kept going. She stroked her father's hands as she spoke her gentle words.

"It's a pretty garden."

Nothing, but she didn't lose faith. Instead, she gazed at the Pastures. She took in the beauty of their household, including the garden Cornelia left behind. She was reminded of how this place was not only her childhood home, but his as well. His mother, her grandmother, had left her mark on his house as well. She helped maintain it after her husband's death and she passed it onto her son so that he could leave his mark as well. But she left a mark too.

Her voice, her perfume, her touch. Eliza experienced all of this while she was inside this house. In a way, it was no different than when she was alive. In fact, it was almost as if Cornelia hadn't left at all. Eliza's heart skipped a beat at that observation. Tears welled up in her eyes, and they poured down her youthful face. Why hadn't she realized it before?

That was all it took for Eliza to realize that Cornelia wasn't gone… not entirely at least.

Cornelia was alive. She was in her heart and in her memories… therefore she wasn't gone. She was still here, even if they couldn't see her. Those memories, that's what kept her alive. And as long as they didn't forget, then Cornelia was still here. She just had to make her father realize that as well, no matter how hard it was for him to accept that she was gone from this world.

Her hands tightened on her father's and her tears fell onto his skin. And Eliza could have sworn that she felt a twitch from him in response. But he didn't say anything, so she went ahead with what she learned. She wanted to pass that teaching to her father.

"Look at where you are," she stated. "Look at where you started."

More tears poured from her sweet brown eyes as she talked about the wonderful place they called home. The very same place where Cornelia's life flourished and would continue to thrive even without her presence.

"The fact that you're alive is a miracle," she added. "Just stay alive… that would be enough."

That's what she wanted more than anything for her father. She wanted him to stay by her side, and not just hers but her mother's and sisters sides as well. She didn't want to lose him, not to death or to his sorrow. That's when Eliza felt the twitch again, she felt it. She felt him. She looked back at the garden and a small smile spread across her face as she watched the lilies dance with the wind. It was almost as if the flowers were her grandmother… she was listening. She could feel that as well.

"Father, do you like that garden?" she asked. "It's a pretty garden."

Indeed it was. There was no other garden like it. Cornelia Schuyler had a certain air to her, there were things only she was capable of. And that's why they would be able to remember her.

"And it's like Grandmother… it lives even when she's not here."

That's when Eliza felt something more than just a twitch. She felt her father's hands enclose around hers. She turned back to look at him, and to her relief and joy, his eyes were starting to show signs of life. They weren't as dull as before, the light was slowly coming back. More tears welled up in her eyes at the sight of it, the smile on her face didn't disappear. Instead, she looked around her. Her eyes wandered to their home and back to the garden.

"She lives in the garden… and she lives in the mansion too," she stated. "She's everywhere because she left those memories for us."

More light, less darkness. It was working, it had to be.

"And if we remember her… then it's like she's still here," she said. "I think that's something Grandmother would have wanted us to learn."

That's when Eliza was surprised by the sudden intrusion to her space. The man before her actually got up from his seat and eloped her in a deep embrace. The movement made her gasp a little, and it caused her heart to skip another beat. She quickly regained her senses once the familiar scent of her father hit her, it was both welcoming and comforting. That's when she felt the shaking emitting from his body, then she heard the sobs.

Her father was crying… and that made her cry even more. Finally, her father was showing emotion. That was much better than being a lifeless shell. He was responding to her! She hugged him tightly and cried along with him. Father and daughter cried as they focused on the memories Cornelia left for them. Her live was fruitful, and her death left behind the seeds for the future. And it was up to them to ensure that those seeds bore fruit as well. They would do so by remembering her, and by making sure others knew of her name as well.

That was Cornelia Schuyler's legacy.

After several minutes of just crying and embracing, her father finally graced her ears with his voice.

"She dedicated every day to you," he said.

It was hoarse. He hadn't spoken in a while and any words he attempted to speak had been replaced with sobs. Overall, it was good to hear his voice again. And what made it better was that his first words were about his mother. He could talk about her anymore. By doing so he was becoming more accepting of her departure.

"She dedicated every day to your sisters and you after your births," he added. "And she enjoyed every second of it… it's just like when I was a boy."

Eliza smiled at the statements, that was just like her grandmother. The elder Schuyler woman had the heart of a child, she maintained it even into her old age. That was the reason she was able to interact with children so easily. It's what made her an outstanding mother and grandmother, they were roles Cornelia was born to have. She thrived off it… and that's how she would be remembered by her closest family members.

Her father loosened his grip a little and he was now facing her. There were still tears in his eyes, but a smile was on her face. His face looked more relaxed than before and his presence felt lighter. Eliza smiled at the result, tears were in her eyes as well. Mr. Schuyler gently placed a hand on his young daughter's face, his smile never faltering as he did so.

"She changed my life, she made my life worthwhile and when you smile…" he started. "I know a part of her lives on."

It seems as if her father found another way for her grandmother's memory to thrive. If she possessed her grandmother's smile, then she was living inside her as well. Cornelia was living inside them all as her descendants.

"I know I can go on."

That warmed her spirit. Her father wasn't going to give up on life, he would always be there. And in that moment she was the happiest girl in the world. He then brought her close to his chest. He caressed her hair and her back as he did so. The comforting motions made her lean into his embrace.

"You have come of age with our young nation, we bleed and fight for you," he said. "Sometimes it seems that's all we do. But you and your sisters will build a strong foundation."

Her father moved upward and slowly let her go, he was now standing tall and proud. This was the man she knew and loved, the very same man she had been afraid of losing. But now he was back, and it didn't look like he was going anywhere. He had realized that his mother was there with them, in spirit and in their memories. And now it was his turn to make sure that his children flourished. He wanted to watch them grow up, he wanted to be what his mother was to him: a good parent.

"And I'll be here for you, the way is clear for you to blow us all away."

He took her hand and led her like a dance partner, she followed without any hesitation. He twirled her around, her dress dancing with the wind as she glided across the stone floor. She even giggled a little in response. She then let go and picked up the sides of her dress to perform a proper curtsy. Her father continued to smile at her as he moved toward her. He then kneeled down in front of her.

"Someday, someday," he whispered. "Yes you'll blow us all away."

Father and daughter stared at each other with expressions that mirrored each other. They knew then that they would overcome this heartache together. They would keep their memories close to their hearts and they wouldn't be afraid to share them with each other. That way it was as if Cornelia was still there with them and watching over them. They would live their lives for her and for each other.

The father embraced his daughter yet again. And for once since his mother's death, he felt at peace with the world. He was one step closer to healing and moving on with his life, so was Eliza. They would move on together… into the future that Cornelia had shaped for them. And Mr. Schuyler hoped that one day he would get to see his daughter blow them all away, just like his mother had.

"Someday, someday."

That was a day Eliza would never forget. Not only had her father returned to her family and her, but it was the first time he told her what he wanted from her. As a parent he wanted her to blow him away. And not just him, but others too. That was something Eliza took to heart, but she never seemed to realize that she had already accomplished so.

Even before becoming Elijah Schuyler, Eliza was blowing people away. Instead, she felt like her work was never done. There was still so much for her to do, she had to keep going and even when she succeeded, she still had to keep pushing forward. At this point the only thing she feared was leaving this world too soon, just like her grandmother had.

Every time she was on the battlefield, she was reminded of her mortality. She remembered that while she had made it to the position of a general, that didn't make her invincible. Scars and old bruises were littered all over her body, reminders of the war she was fighting against her enemies, herself and time. And if she wasn't cautious, that day could be her last.

But isn't that what they all wanted? To go out in a blaze of glory? Wasn't that the dream of every solider? Maybe for most, but it wasn't for her. If she was going to bring glory to anybody, it wouldn't be for herself. Rather, it would be for her family. If she was going to die, she would die for their honor. She wouldn't allow generations of Schuyler ancestors to have their legacies shamed because of her. Which is why she had to dedicate herself to her cause.

It wasn't enough to just be a man, she had to become a man. She had to talk, walk, dress and act like one. She had to put on a show for the rest of the world… and that's what she did.

Until now.

Right now, she was on the ground, defenseless and out in the open… in her true gender! And that's not all, Alexander Hamilton was there with her! He was bearing witness to her real identity! He was the last person she wanted to see her like this. Out of all people, why did it have to be him to discover her secret? And then there was the fact that he had do so without intent. He had no idea what he was getting himself into the moment he opened the door without her permission.

By far this was her lowest point in life. Never had she been subjected to something as humiliating as this. Not even her Uncle Richard had done something of this magnitude, and he was guilty for much of the embarrassment she experienced throughout her life. But this was something else… and there was nothing she wanted more than for the ground to swallow her whole.

But instead, she continued to shield herself from this loud mouthed fool. Not that it mattered, he had seen enough to know the truth. However, the woman within her screamed to for her to cover herself from such an inappropriate appearance. How ironic it was for her to do so, especially when she had been living as a man for so long. This man had brought that side out of her, and she loathed it with a passion.

Sweet Polly Oliver had been cornered by the Tomcat.

And speaking of the Tomcat, he was going through his own mental battle at the moment.

A woman.

General Elijah Schuyler… a woman? General Elijah Schuyler is a woman. General Elijah Schuyler is a woman!

He couldn't believe what he had just seen. Never in his life had he seen anything like this. He had been around his fair share of women throughout his life, but this was something entirely new. A woman… in a military uniform… fighting in the army… serving as a general… under the guise of a man!

How was that even possible? It wasn't! There was no way a woman could have enlisted in the army! She would have been spotted immediately! Not to mention that this discovery explained a lot of observations he had about Elijah Schuyler. He always noticed how beautiful the young man was. He sported a physic similar to a man, muscle mass could be seen on his arms and legs along with his torso. However, he also possessed delicate features that resembled that of a woman's such as the lips and eyes. At least that's what he thought of the time, and now he knew why he saw all of those things. It's because he was unknowingly staring at a woman the entire time!

But then another realization hit him. This man had proclaimed himself to be of the Schuyler family. But if he wasn't a man at all, was that even true anymore? Had he been an imposter of some sort? However, that couldn't be possible either, the public knew of Elijah Schuyler. They knew him as the only son of Philip and Catherine Schuyler, he existed to the world. But he was a she, so what did that mean?

Never in his life had he been so confused. He had all the pieces of the puzzle finally fit together only for those pieces to become a part of an even bigger puzzle. And once again, he found himself frustrated with not being able to figure it out. But still, he couldn't deny that the sight was breath taking.

The woman was drenched with rain water and humiliation, she looked so helpless as she attempted to cover her figure. Her breath was ragged as she shook from the cold temperature. Alexander could practically see her pulsing heartbeat through her tightly held bosom. The previous image he had of Elijah Schuyler was gone, instead it had been replaced with this lovely and captivating being. He felt a burning sensation in his cheeks as his heart started to beat erratically.

"Well I'll be damned," he whispered.

Eliza's form perked up a bit once she heard the tomcat speak. She wasn't at all surprised that those were his first words on the matter. If there was one thing she learned about the man, it's that he seemed to be a glutton for punishment. Or at least very self-destructive. But she refused to be backed into a corner any more than she already was. Instead, she finished removing the wet coat and shirt on her person and slowly stood up from her spot. Her arms were still covering her body as she turned to face him.

"Careful what you wish for Hamilton," she spoke. "You just might be surprised."

The general was back. The tone of her voice had changed back to her former self, Hamilton couldn't help but smile at the sight of it. That was the person he had come to annoy and enjoy playing this exciting game with. But now it seems like the game just lot a whole lot amusing and interesting.

"That I am," he responded.

That's when he spotted her shaking. It wasn't from nerves though, rather from the cold air that was hitting her wet body. Even if he was considered a tomcat, he wasn't a cruel person. He couldn't stand to see people helpless, memories of his time in the Caribbean came rushing back to him. He remembered those nights where his brother and him struggled to keep warm when their mother wasn't there. Those nights where the rain was too loud that he ran to his mother's side.

That hurricane.

The very one that caused his future to drip down the drain. But at the same time, caused him to raise above his station. It was the beginning of a new start for him, it allowed for him to move to New York and continue the path he set himself on.

Despite that success though, Alexander couldn't stand the idea of rain or storms. He hated the feeling of being helpless. And so, he looked around and found what he was looking for. There was a bed located in this room, and on it a sheet big enough to cover oneself. He pulled the sheet off the bed, the action surprised Eliza. That's when he made his way over to her.

Eliza gasped a little over how near Alexander was to her. He was so close that she could smell the traces of rain water on him. The warmth of his breath touched her skin as well, it awaken goosebumps. Her face became flushed with pink as her heart skipped a beat. She came to the realization that a man had never been this close to her before, not when she was in a state of undress. Not even her first male love, John André, had the knowledge of this. It was so embarrassing for her to know that a tomcat had been the first. But before she could say anything, Alexander beat her to it.

"You'll catch a cold if you continue like this," he commented.

That's when she felt the sheet wrap around her, she welcomed the warmth as Alexander made sure it was tight around her before letting go. As he did so, he avoided touching her in any inappropriate ways, which astonished Eliza. Then again, maybe she wasn't the kind of woman he was interested in. That wouldn't surprise her, what man would want her?

Alexander took several steps back from the woman, she now looked more comfortable than before. At least he didn't have to worry about her falling ill. But then again, if Elijah Schuyler wasn't real, then his weak constitution as a child wasn't real either. Alexander was starting to wonder if any story he heard about Elijah Schuyler was true. It was all so puzzling, and he fully intended on finding out what the truth was. And so, he decided to break the tension in the air by finally addressing the matter.

"So… you're a woman."

Eliza flinched from the tone of his voice. At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed as well. She clutched onto the sheet tightly as she turned to look at him.

"Isn't that obvious?" she questioned.

Alexander just shrugged his shoulders before tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear.

"Well now it is."

Eliza looked away from him, but he still continued with the thoughts that had plagued him from the moment he laid eyes on the person before him.

"I knew there was something about you," he said. "Something that just didn't look quite right."

Eliza flinched a little over that comment. He had been watching her? For how long? Did he have his suspicions about her long before this incident? But how? All this time, she thought she was careful. Wasn't she? Ever since Washington accepted her gender, she had made sure to take extra precautions. If anyone had any suspicions, they never said anything aloud. But she knew Alexander Hamilton was different. If he did find anything suspicious about her, he wouldn't be afraid to voice it. This was the final nail in her coffin, because now that he knew, what was to stop him from running out and spreading the word?

"There were times where you just didn't like yourself," he added. "I don't know how to explain it but… you look like one person… and then sometimes you'd look like another. And now I know why that is."

She snorted under her breath, and she looked up to face him. His brown eyes bore into hers.

"Well I suppose you were right about one thing," she replied. "Never thought I hear myself say that."

Despite the situation, Alexander couldn't help but chuckle a little. A small sense of victory washed over him, it seems like he bested the general in something. But that still wasn't enough for him. There was more to this story than she was letting on.

"So that begs the question," he started. "Just who are you?"

Eliza's clutch on the sheet tightened more. She couldn't believe she allowed herself to be put on the spot. She wasn't used to being backed up in a corner. Ever since she heard her Uncle Richard's hurtful words all those years ago, she promised herself that she would no longer allow herself to feel helpless. She wouldn't allow anyone to feel like that had power over her.

But that was an excellent question. Who was she? All her life she had lived as a man. There were times where she actually forgot that she was a woman. Whenever she looked at her reflection, she couldn't see who she was born as. Rather she saw herself as the person she created. But then there were times where she wondered just who exactly was staring back at her. It was during those times that she hated herself.

And now here she was, she was supposed to tell this tomcat her identity. What was the point in lying now? He had already seen too much, too much to know that she wasn't Elijah Schuyler. Besides, she couldn't deny that the thought of introducing herself excited her. After all, she had always introduced herself as Elijah Schuyler, not as Elizabeth Schuyler. This was an opportunity for her to be proud for who she was born to be. And so, the young woman turned to the solider. Her eyes glowed with determination and her expression was full of pride as she stood tall. Even Alexander noticed this change as her lips moved to reveal her secret identity.

"I am Elizabeth Schuyler," she proudly proclaimed. "Granddaughter of Johannes and Cornelia Schuyler and Johannes and Engeltie Van Rensselaer, daughter of Philip and Catherine Schuyler and sister to Angelica and Margarita Schuyler."

Alexander felt his world come to a stop at the revelation of who this woman was. Elizabeth Schuyler. This was Elizabeth Schuyler? Impossible! Alexander and many other people had seen all the Schuyler siblings. Hadn't they? Angelica, Elizabeth and Elijah and Peggy, they were well known public figures. But now that he knew Elijah didn't exist, then did Elizabeth not exist as well?

"You're Elizabeth Schuyler?" he questioned.

The young woman gave him an annoyed look, clearly he didn't believe her. That made her all the more determined to prove it to him. She nodded her head.

"The one and only," Eliza said.

Alexander was trying to put together the pieces of this strange puzzle.

"But that would mean that… if you're Elizabeth Schuyler… then who is that woman everyone sees in public?"

That caught her attention, and she glared at him. Immediately, Alexander could feel a protective aura around the woman. She looked like a lioness trying to protect her cub.

"That is none of your concern," she stated.

Now Alexander was getting annoyed. He didn't appreciate the tone she was taking with him.

"And why not?" he asked. "You've been lying about who you are this entire time, the least you can do is confess!"

But Eliza wasn't falling for that. There was no way she was involving Maria in this matter. Her dear sweet Maria Lewis, her only true fried and first female love, she was too good for this world. She reminded herself that she wasn't the only one who sacrificed for this cause. Maria had sacrificed just as much as her. She allowed herself to fill the shoes of Elizabeth Schuyler while she became other person. She tended to matters in her place while she went off to serve in the war. She owed her so much, she owed Maria her very life. How ironic that was since Maria was practically living her life every single day. That gave Eliza all the more reason to protect her.

"That woman holds a place in my heart, and I will not tarnish her good name on account of a tomcat!" Eliza exclaimed.

She turned away from him once she finished her statement, and Alexander was left to process what he just learned. There really wasn't an Elijah Schuyler, the Schuyler couple didn't have a son after all. All this time there were two different people posing as twins. One was an actual child of Schuyler, while the other was some look alike. And it was at that thought that Alexander realized that this woman, Elizabeth Schuyler, had been posing as a man for years now. How did she get away with it? He had heard that the Elijah hadn't been out in public until he turned five due to a string of illnesses. No one ever questioned the sudden appearance of male heir? She had fooled them all… even him. What an amazing person this Elizabeth Schuyler was. But there was still another question that now plagued his mind.

"Why?" he asked

She looked at him once again.

"What?" Eliza questioned.

"Why this charade?" Alexander added. "Why go through all these lengths to be a man?"

She turned away, her expression was full of thought. It almost as if she was thinking of the proper answer to give him. Did she even know?

"Why not?" she answered.

Alexander snorted and let out a huff of frustration

"Oh come now," he said. "Certainly there's more than that."

Eliza gave him an annoyed glance as she continued to cover herself from the tomcat. Why couldn't this man leave things alone? Why did he have to be so interested in her? Eliza had her reasons, but sometimes she wondered if they were the right reasons. Those who knew Eliza the best, knew her selfless personality. She always put another's happiness before her own. Eliza took joy in pleasing those around her.

However, she couldn't deny that her selflessness had led her to miss out on the many joys of life. She would never know the love of a man and she could never embrace a woman properly. And the thought of one day having children was somewhat impossible. There were ways around matters such as this, but she couldn't help the hidden desires she held within her soul. Inside of her, the true Elizabeth Schuyler was screaming to get out. She was at battle with Elijah Schuyler everyday of her life. What a miserable existence it was.

That's when something in the room caught Eliza's eye. A singing and reflective surface contained her image. A mirror. She hadn't noticed it before, but now it was obvious. And she didn't like what was staring back at her.

Her reflection.

She looked so terrible, her appearance was disheveled in a maidenly fashion. Her hair was down and wet. Her bosom was exposes beneath the bed sheet that covered her. And her slender body was on display even with the cover up. It was no wonder Alexander was able to discover that she was a woman.

But despite knowing that was her reflection, she couldn't recognize it as her own. At least not truly. It wasn't the one she had come to know, and that reflection wasn't even of a real person. How she could not know what her reflection looked like after all her years of living?

Ironically it was that reflection that motivated her to keeping going. It reminded her of why she had to be Elijah instead of Eliza. Had she still been Eliza, she would have been away from war. Instead, she would be spending her days practicing maidenly activities such as sewing, cooking, cleaning and raising children. Her female elders would teach her how to dress and look the part of a housewife and mother. She would have to learn to conform to society's expectations of her.

But look at her, she was none of those things. She wasn't what the world wanted her to be. And so, she had to find her purpose elsewhere. She had to become someone she wasn't in order to satisfy those around her. She became a man as a way to free herself from society's prejudice against her.

That reflection was the answer to Alexander's question.

"Look at me Hamilton," she said.

Alexander was looking, and then he spotted to where she was looking. He saw her reflection and then he looked back at her. He noticed how Eliza's expression was full of disappointment and a hint of sadness. He had come to recognize that look, it was one he caught himself giving time and time again. During those times he hated himself for not rising above his station, for not showing the world what he was capable of. That look was common during his days at Nevis. And now, he could see that this woman was feeling something similar.

"I will never pass for a perfect bride or a perfect daughter," she added.

Alexander was more than surprised at that statement. How could she say something like that? Did she see what he saw? He saw a beautiful and healthy woman, one who held much promise for whoever courted her. Any man would be fortunate to have her as his bride, and what parent wouldn't consider themselves grateful for her to be born to them?

"Can it be I'm not meant to play that part?"

She held her hand close to her heart, and her eyes narrowed with thought. Images of her parents and sisters flashed through her mind. And also her grandparents, particularly her beloved grandmother Cornelia. They were who she wanted to make proud, but she couldn't help but feel like she disappointed them with everything she did.

"Because if I were truly to be myself, I would break my family's heart."

Alexander's eyes widen at that statement. Her family? The Schuyler family? They were her motivation to live as a man? He supposed that he shouldn't be too surprised though. After all, they had to have helped her in some way. She couldn't have done this alone. And that made her all the more interesting.

Eliza couldn't be who she was born as, she served no great purpose as a woman. At least, not one of her status and position. She was the middle daughter of a wealthy couple, she was the sister that paled in comparison to her dazzling older sister and charming younger sister. How could she compete with those traits?

"Who is that woman I see staring straight, back at me? Why is my reflection someone I don't know?"

Alexander heard her words and he felt like he was starting to understand. Some of it still confused him, but he felt like it could relate. As a child, he never liked his reflection. It presented nothing but a painful reminder of his low status and loss. He was a bastard child who had little to no chances to prosper, that was his birthright. His father had abandoned his mother, brother and him. His mother worked to support his brother and him until her untimely death. Then there was the separation his brother and him were forced to endure. And his string of losses didn't end there, he suffered so much in life. Why would he want to look at a mirror after all that?

But this didn't seem to be the case for Elizabeth Schuyler. Her reason for hating her reflection appeared to be for a much deeper reason than his. She acted like she didn't even know who she was, or who she was meant to be. An identity crisis, that's how he could best describe it.

"Somehow I cannot hide who I am, though I've tried," Eliza said.

Oh how she tried, she really did. She forfeited anything that would give away her true identity. She fully dedicated herself to the part of Elijah Schuyler. To the point where it sometimes hurt her. But she did it, for her family… and maybe a little for herself as well. However, she wasn't always successful. She may have satisfied the public and her family, but what about her? She did find some joy in her new identity, but at times she longed for the other half as well. Why couldn't the two be together?

Because she would hurt those that mattered the most to her, that's why.

"When will my reflection show who I am inside?"

She wasn't satisfied. He never felt satisfied. Did they have that in common? Alexander couldn't believe it. He could sense the pain emitting from this woman, but he could also sense the pride and strength from her as well. He never met a man who was capable of such emotion or traits. But he also never met a woman like that either. Elizabeth Schuyler was the first.

"That's what I've always wondered Hamilton," Eliza stated. "If I can't be Elizabeth Schuyler, then maybe I can be Elijah Schuyler instead."

That's when she turned to him. Despite what she was feeling, she gave him a confident look. One that had had become familiar with whenever he spotted the general.

"And I think I've done a decent job of playing that part don't you think?" she asked.

He gave her an amused look, it seems like the general still existed after all. The general was both this person and the former. And it excited him, because now he felt like he was going to learn more about the both of them as time went on. At least, he hoped that was the case. That's when Eliza turned away from him, her back was now facing towards him.

"That's enough conversation for one day Hamilton," she said. "I would like to get changed and rest for tomorrow's ride back to camp."

Alexander was shocked to hear that. After the discovery of her secret, she was going to continue as Elijah Schuyler? He didn't know if that was brave or foolish. She seemed to read his thoughts as she spoke once again, but she didn't face him as she did so.

"I may be a woman Hamilton, but I am still a general in Washington's army," she stated. "You knowing my secret isn't going to stop me from serving my nation."

"I see," he responded.

This wasn't over, far from it. The game just got a whole lot compelling, as did the puzzle. And Alexander fully intended to win and solve both. But for now, he knew that they were both exhausted after the day's mission and the strange turn of events. He turned away and walked toward the door.

"Goodnight solider," she said.

He paused before he turned to look at her, a small smile graced his face.

"Goodnight," he responded. "General."

He could see her perk up a bit from that comment. That was another small victory for him, but he had to her credit as well. She managed to land a large victory over him with this sudden revelation of her true identity. It would be a while before he could match that, but he was not one to give up so easily.

With that he exited the room, leaving Eliza alone with her thoughts. The woman continued to stand until she heard the door close. She turned her attention to the clothes on the floor. She picked them up and hung them on the furniture in the room. That's when she looked into the drawers of said furniture. Alexander had been right about there being spare uniforms. She pulled out one that looked her size and started to strip.

Her wet breeches hit the floor along with her stockings and boots. She also removed her bindings because they were wet. She quickly put on the cravat shirt, breeches and stockings. She was planning on sleeping, so she didn't have to worry about the other pieces of the uniform. She then made her way to the washroom located in the room and strained the wet clothes in the wash pin. Once that was done, she hung them again and walked over to the bed.

One her way there, she spotted two important items on the ground. Her sword and the ribbon that held her hair. She smiled a little as she picked them up and admired their beauty. It was the sword that Washington had gifted her all those years ago. Then there was the talisman of her family crest that her father had given her when she joined the military, it was on he carried when he was still a solider. It was chained to her sword's handle. Needless to say that she always felt a sense of pride whenever she looked at it, especially in the heat of battle.

Then there was the ribbon. It was red, her grandmother's favorite color. It was also the color associated with her gender, while blue was more fitting of a man. That's why she wore it, because it was a reminder of her beloved grandparent and of her true gender. It was the only way she could be a woman even when she was a man. She placed a small kiss on the ribbon as she set them both down on the chair.

Eliza blew out the candles in the room and then picked up the bed sheet she had been using. She hung it to dry, the bed had plenty of sheets to keep her warm either way. She then laid on the bed and covered herself tightly. She was too tired to worry about what Alexander would do with the knowledge of her true identity. A part of her was afraid because she knew how he was. But at the same time, all hell would break loose if he even dared to say a word to anyone about it. She would make sure of that. That was a promise.

As she closed her eyes she remembered the song that inspired her mission, and she couldn't help but sing it.

"As sweet Polly Oliver lay musing in bed,

A sudden strange fancy came into her head.

'Nor father nor mother shall make me false prove!

I'll 'list for a soldier and follow my love!'

So early next morning she softly arose,

And dressed herself up in her dead brother's clothes;

She cut her hair close and she stained her face brown,

And went for a soldier to fair London Town.

Then up spoke the sergeant one day at his drill,

'Now who's good at nursing? A captain lies ill!'

'I'm ready,' says Polly, to nurse him she's gone,

And finds 'tis her true love all wasted and wan.

The first week the doctor kept shaking his head;

'No nursing, young fellow, can save him,' he said,

But when Polly Oliver has nursed back his life,

He cried, 'You have cherished as if you were his wife!'

On then Polly Oliver she burst into tears,

And told the good doctor her hopes and her fears,

And very soon after, for better or for worse,

The Captain took joyfully his pretty soldier nurse!"

And with that she fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Alexander was preparing to rest as well. He might as well since there was nothing else to do at this point. He had blown out the lights of the cabin and made his way to the other bedroom of the house. He then removed his clothes. And as he did so, he couldn't help but think about the other occupant.

The general was a woman. Elizabeth Schuyler was in the other room, he was actually in the presence of the true Schuyler sister! It had truly been a day for him. But what would he do with this new knowledge. No one else could know if they hadn't brought it up to the commander. And speaking of the commander, did he know? He couldn't have. Letting a woman be a solider was frowned upon, it was practically against the law. There would be serious consequences if anyone found out that George Washington allowed a woman into his army. But he felt like he had a right to know. However, he also didn't want to put her in that situation.

She may have lied about who she was, but didn't deserve any harsh punishment for what she was doing. By the sound of it, her family was somehow involved in her plan to live as a man. He didn't know what to do, he had never been in a situation like this before. There didn't seem to be a right answer. Maybe it would come to him tomorrow.

With that idea, he laid down on the bed and covered himself in the warm sheets. But before he fell asleep a proud yet mischievous smile spread across his face. Never in his life had come across a person like Elizabeth Schuyler, she was one of a kind. And he had the honor of meeting her in both forms. That made him feel special. As he closed his eyes, the images of both people appeared in his mind. They would certainly be in his dreams tonight.

"What a man and woman you are."

He fell asleep.

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