It had been four days in total, and there had been no sign of retreat. As Annabelle and the others waited for the Republicans to make a move, Matthews could tell Annabelle was extremely ill. He looked and saw blood was staining her shirt.

"Annie, you're bleeding!" said Matthews.

"You mustn't concern yourself with my physical state, Mr. Matthews. I'm certain that I only need a fresh dressing of bandages." said Annabelle.

"Then you should go back to Muzillac-"

"No. Not again. I would rather die a painful death then have to sit and watch the Colonel slaughter thousands of innocents."

"Then let me get you to camp. Major Edrington would gladly ride into the city and fetch a physician."

"I'm all right, Mr. Matthews. You've known me to survive worse."

Annabelle could see Archie sitting not far from her, but she could also see that he seemed to be worried. Carefully, she draped her arm across her stomach and crawled over to Archie.

"Something isn't right, Annabelle." whispered Archie.

"What do you mean? The republicans haven't moved a muscle. Our mission was to sit and wait for a retreat. We're doing fine." whispered Annabelle.

"Or perhaps we've been tricked." said Archie.

"What?"

Archie took a good grip on Annabelle's shoulders, and looked at her straight in the eyes.

"Annie, listen carefully. Ride back into the city. Tell Horatio that he must be careful. Tell him that the Republicans could possibly already been in Muzillac and waiting to attack."

"I don't understand. They haven't moved. How could they-"

"Do as I say."

"I can't. I can't bare to watch Moncountant execute the villagers."

"Be brave, Annabelle. Do it for England."

Annabelle nodded and made her way back towards Muzillac. However, she was frozen into a state of fear, when she saw at least forty Republicans attacking what seemed to be a barricade at the city's gate. She snuck around to the city's other wall, and began to climb it. When she suddenly felt herself being weighed down by a pressure in her left foot. She looked and saw a Frenchman was grabbing onto her and trying to drag her down. She kicked him off and made it to the other side of the wall. All she saw was Mr. Hornblower's men attacking the French soldiers that had managed to sneak into the city and a decapitated Moncountant's body laying in the middle of the ground. Realizing that she was unarmed, Annabelle panicked and quickly swiped Moncountant's sword and began to help attack the barricade. She suddenly felt Mr. Hornblower grab her by the shoulder.

"Good God, man. Why are you here?" asked Hornblower.

"Sir, I came to warn you. Mr. Kennedy believed that perhaps the Republicans had already snuck into the city."

"Clearly he was right." said Hornblower.

"What are your orders, sir?" asked Annabelle.

"For you to save yourself. Climb over that wall and make your way back to the bridge. Tell Mr. Kennedy to set the explosives to stop the arrival of the army. Run and don't look back."

"What about you, sir?" asked Annabelle.

"I'll be all right. We can finish these damned Frogs off. Go."

Annabelle climbed back over the wall and made her way back to the bridge. To her surprise, Edrington and his troop was already waiting with the others. The explosives had already been placed. Annabelle ran over towards her friends and collasped to the ground. Panting.

"Where's Mr. Hornblower?" asked Archie.

"He wouldn't come. He is trapped inside of the city." said Annabelle, attempting to catch her breath.

"We can't wait much longer, sir." said Matthews.

"We must, Matthews." said Archie.

"Sir, we cannot delay. The army is getting closer." argued Annabelle.

"A few moments. Please." said Archie, looking up at Edrington.

Edrington nodded and everyone waited. Twenty minutes passed, but there was no sign of Hornblower. Annabelle was usually optimistic but realized that the waiting was hopeless. They had to destroy the bridge now.

"Sir, it's been too long." said Annabelle.

"No. We have to wait for him." said Archie.

"You may not be able to save Mr. Hornblower, sir, but you can save the lives of many." said Annabelle.

Archie turned to Annabelle and gave a small smile. He picked up the fuse and gave one last hopeful look towards the hill. Hoping that he would see Hornblower. Everyone watched on in dismay as Archie attempted to light the fuse. He couldn't. Finally, Matthews took the fuse and lit it. Suddenly, almost like a miracle, everyone could see Mr. Hornblower advancing towards the bridge. With him, was a young lady. The Republicans weren't too far behind.

"He's going to make it. He must make it." whispered Annabelle.

Suddenly, one of the soldiers shot the young lady in the back, and she collapsed. Mr. Hornblower knelt by her and tried to revive her. Archie ran to him, which frightened Annabelle. She would not be able to bare it if Archie was killed because of a selfless action. Finally, Archie was able to drag Mr. Hornblower across the bridge, just as it exploded. Annabelle breathed a sigh of relief, which was noticed by Edrington. Now that the Republicans had been stopped, it was time to head for the Indfatigable. When everyone finally reached the beach, they found some French soldiers ready to attack. Major Edrington ordered his troops to fire and soon the remaining Frogs were dead. Everyone let out a cheer, but Mr. Hornblower seemed to be upset. Just as everyone thought it was over, another Frog on horseback came riding along. Styles lifted his pistol was ready to shoot, but Oldroy managed to stop him.

"It's a good Frog." said Oldroy.

As the Frog drew closer, everyone realized that it was Mr. Bowles. He was only dressed in a French soldier's uniform.

"I thought I'd see you lot in Paris by now!" chuckled Bowles.

Everyone broke into another cheer, in celebration of their victory. A few days later, everyone had settled back into their routine aboard the Indefatigable. Annabelle made a spelind recovery and she was able to perform her duties. The day before Edrington was set to return to England, he went to Annabelle and gave her a rather lengthy kiss. Thankfully, no one was around to see them.

"I'll be leaving at dawn." said Edrington.

"You will be greatly missed." said Annabelle.

"I did not come to say goodbye. I came to ask you a question."

"A question?"

Suddenly, Edrington got down on one knee and took Annabelle's hand. Even though she was shocked, Annabelle knew exactly what was happening.

"Annabelle, if I return to England and leave you here, then I will be making a rather massive error in my actions. I cannot leave without you. That is why I ask you this question that has been resting on my mind since the moment that I first saw you. Will you marry me, Annabelle?"

Annabelle couldn't speak. She could only stare at Edrington, in shock. All Edrington could do was look up at Annabelle, in hopes that he would recieve the answer that he was wanting to hear.