November 15, 1779
For the next two weeks, Lillian kept to her work and attended church services with Cassandra and her father. Now that one problem was resolved, there was still one more thing she needed to tend to, one that was personal and required her to leave town, but only for about an hour or so. Mr. Mortner came into the tavern one morning and asked Cassandra where Lillian was. His daughter said she was gathering flowers and would be gone for the afternoon, but would return later. Mr. Mortner understood what she meant right away, for it was about this time of year Lillian went over to the other side of the woods to sit beside the Hudson River and honor the dead.
Many, many years ago, Lillian's grandparents on her father's side drowned in the Hudson River, rendering her father an orphan. Every year around the time of their deaths, Lillian went to the edge of the Western Woods and tossed flowers into the river in memory of their passing. Unlike most Sleepy Hollow residents who usually lied flowers on a family members' grave, Lillian thought it more appropriate to honor them at the sight of their death.
Wrapped in a brown cape lined with rabbit fur to protect herself against the cold, Lillian knelt down by the riverbank, making the sign of the Cross before tossing her small bouquet of wildflowers into the water. She put her hands together and started praying under her breath, when suddenly, she heard hoofbeats approaching and looked over her right shoulder. Lillian signed the Cross again and rose up, hiding behind a nearby boulder. Peeking out from her hiding place, she placed her hand on the dagger at her side, ready to draw it out in case it was a British soldier, and saw it was none other than the Hessian Horseman. The German soldier came to a stop and dismounted from his horse and stroked Daredevil's mane, then led him over to the river to drink.
Lillian watched him from afar, wondering what the Hessian was doing out here by himself. Scouting the area, perhaps? Looking for runaway soldiers?
The Hessian scanned the area with his eyes, keeping an eye out for any sign of the enemy. He glanced down at his reflection in the water and noticed the flowers on the surface of the river. He knelt down and picked up one of the flowers, wondering who was it that left them there. Somebody must have been here before him, but for what purpose, he did not know.
Lillian tried to get a closer look at the Hessian without being seen, but Daredevil must have sensed her presence, for the black stallion raised his head and looked over in her direction. Lillian gasped softly and hid herself behind the boulder from the horse's view. Daredevil's neighing gained his master's attention, as the Hessian turned his head and looked to his right, seeing nobody there, but knowing that somebody was watching him.
The Hessian rose up and withdrew his sword from his sheath, calling out, "Who's there?! There's no use hiding, whoever you are. Come out and reveal yourself!"
Lillian's heart started beating, knowing the Hessian would probably kill her if she didn't answer him right away. "I...I don't think I will", she said, trying to sound defiant. "Not until you put away your sword."
"Are you alone?"
"I am."
"Are you armed?"
"Yes...But if you put away your sword and swear you will not harm me, I will relinquish my weapon over to you and we can have a discussion like civilized people."
"What is your name?" The Hessian asked her.
Lillian summoned up as much courage as she could muster and rose up, stepping out from her hiding place. She removed her hood and revealed herself to him, showing him her face.
The Hessian's blue eyes stared at her in disbelief. His face lost some of its harsh demeanor and he lowered his weapon, holding it down to his side.
"I believe you already know it", said Lillian. "We've met before."
The Hessian sheathed his sword and came forward and took hold of her hand. "And so we meet again. Forgive me if I frightened you, Lillian Waise." He brought her hand to his pale lips and placed a tender kiss upon it.
"I'm sorry if I startled you or your horse", said Lillian. "I was afraid you were a Redcoat."
"And I thought you to be a Patriot. What are you doing out here?"
"I came out here to honor the passing of my father's parents. They drown in this river many years ago when he was just a boy of seven. The man who took him in when he was an orphan also took me in, as well, and raised me as if I were one of his own. When he was alive, my father used to come here to the Hudson every year and pay respect to the dead and say a prayer for them. When he died, my mother carried on his tradition. But now that she if no longer living, it is up to me to remember them. My father took religion very seriously, just as I do. So please do not mock me for my faith."
"I have no intention of insulting you or your faith, but you shouldn't be out here alone. What if somebody were to steal you away and try to rape or kill you again? Does anybody know you're out here?"
"Yes. I'm supposed to return to Sleepy Hollow within an hour, but I'm sure I can spare some time to talk to you. That is, if you're not too busy tracking down American soldiers and killing them for your own selfish pleasure."
"Not at all. As a matter of fact, I was just out for a morning ride with Daredevil."
The Hessian turned his attention over to his horse, who snorted and shook his black mane. He went over and petted his steed, stroking Daredevil's long face and speaking to him in German. Lillian smiled upon the sight of the mercenary and his horse. As murderous and bloodthirsty as he was, the Hessian truly cared about his stallion. Lillian went over and approached them, reaching her hand out and stroking the horse's dark mane.
"Would you like to ride him?" The Hessian asked her.
Lillian looked at the Hessian with surprise. "You mean it? But what if he doesn't like me?"
"Nonsense. You've ridden on Daredevil before."
"Yes, but not by myself. Suppose he throws me off?"
"He won't throw you off. I guarantee it."
Lillian looked into the ebony eyes of Daredevil, who gently nudged her head with his long face and let out an approving snort. Lillian smiled again and stroked his face, then she looked to the Hessian.
"I think you might be telling me the truth", said Lillian.
"Of course I am", said the Hessian. Then he grabbed hold of Lillian and lifted her up onto Daredevil's back. He told her to get a tight grip on the reins, then whispered something in the horse's ear. Daredevil reared and whinnied, charging forward. Lillian tightened her grip on the reins and rode Daredevil around the small patch of open land near the river, then pulled on the reins to turn him around and rode back over to the Hessian.
"You see? I told you you wouldn't fall of", said the Hessian.
"Full of stamina, is he not?" Lillian commented.
The Hessian smiled and stroked Daredevil's face, then offered Lillian his hand to help her down. She fell ungracefully into his arms and had to hold onto him for support before she could fall to the ground.
"Are you all right?" The Hessian asked her.
Lillian gazed up at him with dreamy blue eyes and answered, "Yes, I'm all right."
"Try to be more careful next time." The Hessian helped her to stand upright, then grabbed hold of Daredevil's reins and said to Lillian, "Come. Walk with me."
They walked through the Western Woods together and said nothing for a while, simply enjoying each other's company. Lillian was the first to break the silence. "Hessian, may I ask you something?"
"That depends on what you want to ask me", the Hessian answered.
"Which part of Germany are you from?"
"Dresden."
"Is it beautiful there?"
"Yes, especially during the springtime."
"I'm sure your family must miss you terribly", said Lillian.
"I have no family", said the Hessian.
Lillian looked to her right at the Hessian. "You're not married?"
The Hessian looked at her, an emotionless stare in his cold blue eyes. "No", he answered.
"Do you have a lady in your country waiting for you to return?"
The Hessian looked forward. "There is no woman. I have been on my own for many years and prefer to be left alone."
"What about your horse?" Lillian asked him. "Do you not considered him your companion?"
"A horse is not a poor excuse for a companion", said the Hessian. "Not to me, anyway."
Lillian paused for a moment, moving on to the next subject. "And your children?"
"I have no children."
"You despise them?"
"Not at all", the Hessian answered honestly, then he looked at Lillian and asked, "Are you sure you're not a spy?"
"Why?"
"For a woman who claims to have no affiliation with the army, you ask an awful lot of questions."
"I'm curious to know more about you, that's all."
"And what did curiosity do to the cat?"
Lillian looked away from him in shame. "I'm sorry."
The Hessian glanced to his left at Lillian, seeing the look of hurt on her face. He detected disappointment in her voice and that she must have felt like a child being talked down to by a parent just now.
The Hessian felt slight remorse for his words and sought to change the subject. She was only curious to know more about him, and he admitted to himself that he, too, was curious to know more about her, as well.
"How old are you, Lillian?"
"Nineteen."
"And you're not married?"
"No, I told you I wasn't", Lillian reminded him. "I'm not married, nor do I wish to be anytime soon."
"And you have no children?" The Hessian assumed.
"No." Lillian paused for a moment, then added in, "I wouldn't mind having one, though."
"How can you expect to bare a child when you don't even want a husband?"
"I see your point."
They continued to walk in silence, until the Hessian glanced over at Lillian again and noticed she looked distracted about something that was bothering her.
"You look troubled", said the Hessian. "Is something wrong?"
Lillian blinked and looked at him, shaking her head. "No, nothing's wrong. I was troubled, but what troubled me has been resolved. Since our last encounter, I thought I was expecting something, but now I have no reason to fear it."
"I take it your monthly bleeding has solved your problem?" He assumed.
Lillian stopped dead in her tracks and put a hand on his armored chest to halt him, staring at him with wide eyes. "How did you-"
"Merely a guess", the Hessian answered. "Did I offend you?"
Lillian blinked, removing her hand. "No. I'm just surprised you would say such a thing. I suppose I have you to thank for it, though. Whatever was in that tea you gave me, I think it helped. Mr. Mortner gave me the same thing when I was sick. It...cleansed me, so to speak."
"It's supposed to. Now whenever you wish to bring a child into this world, you may do so by your own doing. If you ever find the right man for you, that is."
Lillian talked with him for a half hour before the Hessian had to return to his camp. He mounted his horse and bid farewell to Lillian, who started to make her way back to Sleepy Hollow.