Chapter: Twenty-five

Author: Iwillsoaronthewingsofeagles...aka...MLBL

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters from The Patriot. I do own Emily Brandon, her family, and Patrick...and any other characters I incorporate in this story.

A/N: Sorry I've taken so long in getting this chpt up. I got a little behind in some stuff. I don't know how long it'll be till I've got the next chpt up. I just hope ya'll won't give up on me. Well here's the chpt.

Even though I knew this would happen, I had hoped the colonel might back out. But he hadn't. He had gone through with it, and none of his men had stopped him. None of them had seen through the madness!

I looked around me. Women were still crying. Men shouted their revenge, and some tried to comfort their wives. The children still clung to their mothers.

It made my heart lurch, reminding me of my own mother.

How I wished she were here, right now. Telling me I'd done well, and that now things would be all right.

They would, wouldn't they? They had to be. People could go back to their homes. Tavington had done what he had to do.

Yet how far away was he?

"Emily?"

I focused on a soot covered Anne. "Yes..."

"Thank you. Thomas said you were the one that saved us."

"Oh no! Thomas was the one in charge. I tried my best to help." I smiled weakly. My limbs ached. My feet refused to take a single step more. All I wanted was to collapse into a comfy, warm bed. Even the cold, hard ground, or the hollowed out tree I'd shared with Thomas seemed inviting.

"Are you all right? You must be tired. And those clothes, wouldn't you like to change?"

Yes to the rest. No! To the clothes. These are great!

"Come, come. You must rest."

I forced my feet to move all the way to her new home. Amazing how I'd been able to run around like a mad woman trying to get the people out of the church. Now I had to fight to even keep my eyes open!

We were soon in a small little bedroom with an oak bed post, dresser, and a porcelain pitcher and basin.

"This is the guest room. I haven't had much time to get it right."

"Anne Martin, it's perfect."

She smiled. "Now you rest. I should have a dress that would fit you, so you needn't worry about that."

"Oh, I won't worry." I had to fake a smile.

I slipped the boots off, and pulled the covers back. "Thank you, Anne." I murmured, and as soon my head hit the pillow I was asleep.

I was back in the Martin attic. Lightning flashed. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again...

I awoke to a gentle stroke on my hair. I opened my eyes. Light instantly offended them. I closed them again. I tried opening them slower, and more carefully.

"Ah, she awakens." Thomas smiled. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, I mean yes."

Thomas chuckled. "You still astound me sometimes."

"Oh?"

Thomas chuckled. "You are the town's heroine now."

"What?" I sat up quickly. "Are you serious?"

Thomas chuckled once more, sending shivers up my spine. "Yes. I am serious."

"How come? You wer-"

Thomas quickly cut in, "Emily, you were the one that saved this town. I was there to help."

"No, Thom-"

"You are awake." Once again I was interrupted. This time by Anne. "Would you like to eat something?"

"Yes. Actually I would like that very much." I pushed back the covers, and slipped my legs off the bed.

"Thomas you come out, so that Emily may change." Anne pointed at a dress.

I held in a groan. Corsets were the last thing I'd want to be worrying about.

"Of course." Thomas got up and Anne ushered him out of the room.

I pushed myself up from the bed. My legs were rather wobbly, and it was hard to keep my balance. I stretched and walked around some. The numbness soon went away.

I saw Anne had set a couple of chairs in the room. One of which Thomas had been sitting on, the other that had the dress.

I picked the dress up. It was a nice green fabric, but I didn't look forward to the corsets, stays, skirts, and all that stuff. I wanted to continue in these clothes. These were much more comfortable, and better.

I lay the dress back down on the chair. I slipped off the pants and blouse, and the long process of getting the undergarments were underway.

The sent of bacon drifted in to the room. My stomach instantly grumbled. When was the last time I'd had a decent meal?

I hastened to finish tying up and settling in the 18th century curses on women. Why women put up this, was beyond me. Yet here I was...putting up with it.

Finally I slipped the dress on and hurried out the door.

"Anne, how long was I asleep?"

"I am not sure but you slept through the night." She smiled warmly. "It is about seven now."

"Oh. Good? I believe."

"Yes, it's very good. You needed your rest. Now sit down." She set a plate of bacon, another plate of biscuits, and a bowl of eggs on the table. As well as a clean plate in front of me, and a fork and knife. Then she sat down herself.

Thomas burst through the door. "Father, Gabriel, and the other men have arrived."

Anne hurried out. I hated to leave that bacon there, especially when my stomach protested fervently. I snatched a few small pieces, stuffed them in my mouth, and was out the door.

Anne was hugging her husband. Some of the other men dismounted their horses. Men and women walked out of their houses to welcome them. Were it not for the burned church, no evidence of what had occurred showed. At least not as far as the eye could see.

Anne tried to hide it. and was almost successful, but I knew she'd been quite shaken by it. And I hadn't been there for any of them. I'd been sleeping! Real good, Emily.

I had been so caught up in my scolding of myself, I hadn't realized Benjamin Martin walk up near me.

"Miss Brandon, Thomas tells me you knew of this, and helped in the prevention of the killing of many innocent people. He didn't tell me how you came upon this information, and I believe you must wish to keep it secret. I will respect that, seeing that you have saved not only my one son's wife and her family, but the rest of the town. You have mine, and my men's gratitude."

"Mr. Martin, I am one of them. It was no great thing what I did. Any other patriot would have done the same. I am no different than yourself."

He smiled, "Again, you have our gratitude." With that he walked away.

Happiness overwhelmed me. I'd succeeded, and it felt good.

"How are you?" Thomas had walked up behind, and now reached for my hand.

I looked up at him and smiled. "I feel great. How is the town coming along?"

"They're getting along. I believe some of them are still shaken over what happened."

"Of cour-" I looked away from the town. I couldn't make out what it was, but there were many figures comming our way. Shivers went up my spine. I strained to focus. "Thomas, who are they?"

Thomas looked in the same direction that I was looking.

Bright red coats, ridiculous black tall hats, shiny buckles flashed in the sun. The Dragoons. "Thomas, it's them." Immediately I turned around, and ran to one of the houses. I looked back quickly, I saw Thomas running after me.

I looked back in the direction I was running. A group of men were gathered talking. "Mr. Martin, the-the-Dragoons." I tried to catch my breath. My lungs hurt with every breath I took. "The-Dragoons, they are coming back."

Instantly, Benjamin sprang into action. "Men! Prepare for battle."

I watched, motionless, as the men followed their leader. Getting pistols and muskets ready. Some even got swords.

This wasn't supposed to be happening. Things were supposed to get better.

"Emily!" Mr. Martin shouted. "Get the women and children to safety. No matter what happens."

I weakly nodded my head, and willed myself into action.