Gabriel Van Helsing and his fiancée, Misha Draguilia sat by the window in their bedroom, both felt the heavy tension and sense of expectancy in the air, it was as though even the earth had stilled and was waiting for something, maybe something good, maybe something bad; they did not know. It had lasted for about two days now, it seeped under doors and through the cracks in walls, intoxicating and poisoning everything it met, sentencing them to this dreadful tension, sentencing them to await whatever fate brought, everything stood still, none talked, none move; it was the same stillness, watchfulness even, Misha was positive that the clouds had not moved or changed in the sky, the weather was determinedly the same, grey and cold, threatening to rain. The people the mimicking the weather, and the tension continued... it was almost unbearable.

"What do you suppose everything is awaiting, Gabriel?" asked Misha.

"I don't know darling" said Van Helsing. "It's something big though"

"I wish it would stop" said Misha. "Do you suppose there is going to be a battle?"

"Maybe, it sure feels like it" said Van Helsing.

"Do you think we'll fight in the battle?" asked Misha.

"This is to be the biggest battle of our time, I think we'll be in it somewhere" said Van Helsing.

Misha nodded.

Just then the door flew open and it was as if the tension lifted, and everything began to stretch and wake up. A man came running in, a piece of paper clasped in his hand and handed it to Van Helsing.

Van Helsing read Dracula's letter quickly.

"It has happened, Misha" said Van Helsing. "He has declared war on the Count"

"Oh!" said Misha. "Then we are leaving!"

"No, just me" said Van Helsing. "He states that you are to stay here, and I must gather the Knights

and ride for Castle Dracula this hour"

"But..." said Misha.

"No buts, Misha" said Van Helsing. "I love you to much to loose you"

"But...what do you think life will be like for me without you?" cried Misha. "I would much rather die an honorable death in battle with you than live without you"

"I will not relent, Misha" said Van Helsing. "If I have to tie you up and leave you in the dungeons I will, don't make me do that love"

Misha burst into tears. "Gabriel I love you, please, please don't leave me...don't leave me alone in Hell, life wouldn't be worth living without you..."

"Misha, life wouldn't be worth living without you either" said Van Helsing. "That's why you must stay here, where you are safe"

He placed a passionate kiss on her lips and left, leaving her sobbing on the floor where she had fallen as soon as he let her go; she felt empty and desolate, lost in a world of fear, sorrow, lies and death.

Van Helsing was not willing to let his Misha die, he loved her so and seeing the way she just fell to the floor in despair when he let go of her was horrid, it wrenched his heart in two and then tore it into shreds, throwing them in a burning fire of sorrow, he had no idea what the future would bring, whether he would die in battle or finally be with Misha. He seriously doubted that she would stay and let him die, but there would be no reason left to live if she was gone, just the empty nothingness of despair. He walked down in silence to the Pope's quarters and told him about the letter, then it began, the gathering of any man who could be armed and horsed within the hour, the arming of the Knights and then they assembled in the great courtyard, only awaiting one person; Van Helsing himself.

Van Helsing stood silently as his squires dressed him for battle, he armor gleamed in the sun which had suddenly come out and he could see the men below holding his horse, they only waited for him now. He wondered idly whether this would be the last time he saw the Vatican and Rome, it probably would. But he must leave something for Misha. Taking out a piece of paper he wrote:

For my lovely Misha,

my love, for love you will always be, I go to battle with you in my thoughts and prayers. As the arm me and I look out at the sun, I see you face when we were riding in England, you hair flying in the wind and I beg of you not to throw away your life, if this is the last time I see this place then so be it, death is but another great adventure and here is the a quote from one of your favourite books to prove it: 'None knows what the new day shall bring, what dawn will show us, none knows how fate works and what he holds; but know this, my love, that we will always be together for I shall aways be in your heart and you in mine, if I die it will be seeing your face' , I hope, Misha that this sums up how much I love you and why I am doing this.

Forever yours, Gabriel.

He called a squire and asked him to give the note to her and then left, he couldn't hold off the inevitable any longer. They must ride to battle on the strong north winds.

He walked down the stairs to the courtyard and mounted, suddenly a figure came running out, armored and girt with a sword.

"Oh God, not now Misha" muttered Van Helsing.

But the figure wasn't Misha.

"Gabriel, please let me come, this is my homeland we are talking about" pleaded Anna.

Van Helsing didn't have time to argue. "If you can be ready to ride within a minute"

"Yes, Sir" said Anna eagerly.

And true ton her word a squire had been waiting with her horse.

They turned and galloped out, the war had begun.

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A/N:THIS IS URGENT, IF YOU WANT A SEQUEL YOU MUST SAY SO NOW! THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL NOT COME OUT UNTIL I HAVE WHAT I WANT AS IT SETS THE WAY THE STORY WILL TURN, AND I WANT IT CLEARLY WRITTEN OUT, OKAY? NO SLERING AND VAGUENESS, STRAIGHT FORWARD, IT ONLY TAKES A SECOND TO WRIT; SEQUEL: YES/NO.