Glad you all enjoyed the last chapter, here's the next one!

I don't own Downton Abbey or any of it characters.

O my Love's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Love's like the melody;
That's sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I;
And I will love thee still, my dear,
Till the seas gone dry.

- Robert Burns

His body tensed, his tongue tied in his mouth. Sybil drew back from her position untangling her arms which lay around him. ''Tom, please do not tell me you have enlisted?'' Tears welled in her dark eyes, the hurt radiated of her pale face. Branson shook his head.

''No, I did not enlist..''

Sybil drew a harsh breath knowing that this was not the end. Her heart beat so menacingly in her chest, it seemed to penetrate the small area they were in. Tom stared at her in sorrow, he had to tell her now. Better to be truthful and see her hurt than reign her with false hope; he took a deep breathe.

''However, I have been called up to fight.'' Brandishing the telegram from his trouser pocket, she took them from his grasp.

Reading them through thoroughly not accepting the fact of his departure. ''I'm sorry'' was all he could relay as she sobbed into her hands.

It was devastating watching his love hurt so much and knowing he was the cause. Bransons heart broke at the sight of her pain. ''Come here'' he whispered drawing her into his strong arms. Sybil could not fathom it. Her lover going to the battle fields, to fight the enemy. She could hear his brave heart beating behind the thin shirt he wore, tears swan down her white-pale cheeks devouring it with moisture.

The two stayed like this for another few moments until Sybil calmed herself through Tom's comforting words. He kept her cradled in his arms never wanting to let go but knowing he must. ''When do you leave?'' Sybil asked not at all wanting to hear the answer. Nestling her head into his shoulder. ''I leave for active duty on Monday'' A gasp radiated the room. ''So early..'' reinstating the fact that they only had 2 days left until his departure. ''I know.'' Branson's eyed rimmed with fresh tears, he let them freely fall, holding Sybil tighter as she sobbed once again.

''I love you'' she told him again a small smile pertruded upon his face, he kissed her forhead. ''I love you too, and no matter what comes our way that feeling will never change.'' The two lovers fell asleep in eachothers arms never wanting the night to end.

The sun rose behind Downton Abbey, there was not a cloud in the sky. However fine the weather this day was far from glorious; August 13th 1914 was the much feared day that 3 downstairs servants left Downton to fight in the grevous war. Thomas, William and Branson stood in a line outside the grand house, looking upon their employers. William stood strong fighting tears as Daisy cryed silently into a dirty cloth. Thomas had no glint of tears in his eyes yet his face was striken with pure fear.

Branson stood a little beside his fellow soliders, his face looked torn and fragile as if one look at Sybil, whom stood next to her mama and faced him, would cause him to shatter into a million pieces. The two had said goodbye earlier in the day, she had come to the garage caught him packing and ran into his arms holding tightly, never letting go. At the thought a tear cracked his facade, it ran slowly down his brissled cheek. Sybil's eyes were red rimmed from crying - though she passed it of as a bad nights sleep - and her body fit to burst with grief. Oh, how he longed to hold her, tell her he'd be okay, make promises they both knew could never be kept.

The cars - which were transporting the 3 to the boats which would then take them and hundreds of other young men over seas and into the destructive and deadly battlefields - pulled up onto the gravel making Daisy the wretched housemaid let out a heaving sob. Anna whom stood next to her and Mr Bates comforted the young girl. Sybil's eyes overflowed with tears which ran swiftly down her pained face. This is it she thought my Tom, gone. The reminder brought fresh tears soaring down her face. The three men were now working their way down the line of servants and employers, kindly shaking each of their hands.

Branson shook hands with his fellow employee's, Mr Bates brandished him a kind and 'goodluck young lad' smile. Anna smiled weakly. Daisy was to incoherent so he smiled gracefully at the poor kitchen maid. After shaking the firm hand of Lord Grantham and sweet one of her Ladyship Branson reached Sybil.

''Goodbye M'lady''

He spoke almost silently. He took her hand and squeezed it. Sybil replied as best she could ''Goodbye ... Branson'' She heart broke as she said the words. He nodded and carried on down the line. Sybil felt a small piece of paper in her hand and swiftly swung the hand behind her back, swiftly shaking hands with the other two fellows.

Back inside the warmth and serenity of Downton Sybil quickly made her excuses and left to her chamber. She closed the door firmly behind her and looked at the folded paper. Dearest Sybil It read, she unfolded the paper and two words were present written in a quick and unneat hand Write me. Sybil slightly smiled at the thought of contacting him and knowing it may takes weeks for it to arrive in france she penned a letter to him.

Branson had hated mud. But now he simply detested the stuff. It was present like air in the trenches, nobody could walk 3 feet without delving into a slosh pile of black and brown squelch. He had been on the frontline for 10 days, seen men killed and blown up before him. Unimaginable horrors he had witnessed. His regiment has been the first to arrive in France. None of the other Downton employers joined him, he found it to be a good thing. You didn't make friends on the frontline, it was to much a risk. The mail came slowly, reaching them only every 3 weeks at a time, no responce had come from Sybil. Yet he told himself.

It was a dull day, the clouds lay above dark and penerating. The BEF soliders had began there retreat from Mons and the Germans were well on their way. During the night mustard gas and artilliry fire could be heard and smelt from miles around, no man slept. Branson knew mail was due today, his heart stopped when the man brandished a letter for Corporal Branson. He sludged through the swamp-like trench and took the letter greatfully. His boots so soddem and drenched his feet blistered and slashed, Branson had to sit down, he found a round stone not far from were he stood and sat upon it opening the letter from his lover.

13th August 1914

Downton Abbey

Downton Village

North Yorkshire

Dearest Tom,

I pray with all my heart that you recieve this letter. I hope that it shall bring you great comfort in this time of hardship, knowing that I love you so very much. I already miss you dearest Tom though the car taking you to the western front has only just departed my home. I know from now on until your return I shan't be myself. However hard I may try I know you will be in my thoughts every single day. Your suffering shall pain me ever so much.

I feel so much regret towards the fact that I have denied my love for you for so long, how selfish I was! I am terribly sorry to have kept you waiting, you were hurting and that was my fault. I am sorry.

I am sorry this is such a short letter but please pen a reply it shall keep me sane.

All my love, and heart

Your Sybil

Branson sighed a heavy sigh and placed the letter into his breast pocket, she was so optimistic, so open. Until your return she had wrote. He would fight for her, he would stay safe for her. Nothing else mattered.

All is fair in love and war.

Thankyou so much for reading this, and im sorry it's such a short letter, his reply will be better.

It would make my day if you could review, hehehe, and also it would encourage me to write more. My head is filled with ideas.

xxxxx