* *All rights to the character Jasper belong to Stephanie Meyer and her association with Twilight; as well as the reference to Eowyn, belonging to LOTR but not the character herself

EOWYNS POV

Back up through the uneven embankment Jasper held my arms to steady us as we tried not to fall into the slick smooth rocks and saturated sand, each step quickened our pace in doing so. Not wearing the proper foot wear for this type of traverse, we failed to keep steady and lost our balance nearly tumbling back into the terse sand once more. In this moment I found myself grabbing at air as I lost my footing, clutching his jacket and shirt in a desperate attempt to save myself, catching his glance again, laughing in embarrassment and in that instant it felt like I had as a young girl, when infatuation was comfortable. There was emphatically something compelling about this man, effortless falling for him as his charm and grace just poured over me. I knew it was little distance back to the town and felt drawn to prolong our conversation, such as it was.

"Major Whitlock, if I may, I'd like to ask you how a man of your age became such a high ranking officer?" A just question as he could not have been much older than 18 which I found as intriguing as it was impressive.

He smirked, shook his head and closed his eyes as he smiled, "Seems so long ago now that I began my journey, being from Texas you are taught at a young age how to hold your own. My father taught me how to handle a sword and by 10 I was an expert, besting even his friends in a duel. Not soon after that he began my training with a rifle, which I again mastered to the delight of my family. That's where I met Jared. As I was a prodigy of sorts, my military strengths found a more practical use at 15 when our local Militia called for arms against an enemy that meant to take our homes and lives. Anyone can carry a rifle and sword; Jared commanded both as well as myself. Finding an equal in tactics in him, we took control of this Militia and eradicated the enemy almost single-handedly. High ranking officers took quick notice of our combined skills, who assumed our talents under their own command and taught us what only a superior could. By the age of 17 I had been promoted to Major without seeing any real battle, working successful strategy seemed to be just as good as skill with a blade. Jerad promoted alongside me, he and I were unbeatable and found no foe we could not defeat which brought us to where we were. In all my days I never thought that I would have to fight a war without him beside me for strength and like-minded coercion. We met up with our current crew almost a year ago, the Colonel found the best in their fields, such as he and I, and placed us together. We were unbeatable. Until recently, that is." He drew in a harsh breath and I knew that was the end of our talk.

I had not expected such a personal insight into his mind and my remorse overflowed, he had truly lost the closest person to him in this life and the bitter sting of loss sat as raw on his heart as if he had died himself. I wanted to console him but what could a stranger say to such agony? There were no words that could take his ache away and his anguish enveloped me, I had never felt so helpless.

Placing my hand on his shoulder I exhaled as well, "Major, thank you for revealing such a tender story with me. I grieve for your loss. Truly."

"My thanks to you for listening. No one had ever asked how I took rank, just appreciated that I had." He nodded to me, "Where are my manners. Please ma'am, tell me of yourself. How did you happen upon your profession, this town?"

Although this was just as tender of a subject as his was, I felt compelled to tell it. The empathy behind his eyes put me at ease and I inhaled a dense breath, "My family had settled not far from here, began to build our home and raise our crops and cattle. My mother had been an extraordinary Nurse herself, she had been called to assist the best physicians in town to save lives. Taking me on some of her house calls I took to her craft as easy as breathing, I enjoyed it. Not soon after we developed our land a regiment from the North marched in, cruel men who spared no one as they plowed into town. With them they took my mother and father as they sat on our porch, my brothers too, shortly after a feeble attempt to fight them off in the fields. I had been in the woods bringing in supplies from town, spared only because of absence. I held my mother as she passed, my father held her hand and mine, whispering only a few words before he expired as well. After I buried my family in the fields we worked so hard to make our own, I swore I would take up her passion; if the world had to be darker due to her absence then I would do what I could to light it once more. I do what I can with what I've been given. That is all we can do." Refusing to let my tears flow in his presence, I peered up at the Major and he paused. Perceptive to what remorse swirled around my mind he continued

"I too am sorry for your loss. Seems as though we both know of the horrors of war, taking witness bears a burden no human should have. We are exceptional creatures in our own right, are we not?" He took my hand in his, wrapping it around his upper arm and waved my hair past my face. I basked in his touch, his warmth rested into my noticeably flush cheeks; fleeting joys came so infrequently I drank them in at opportunity.

Before I continued to make myself more a fool I spoke resolute, "Our conversation has taken a tenuous undertone, I apologize. Let us hope that the end of this comes as swiftly as daylight seems to have on us. Major, you are an Officer and a gentleman; it has been my extraordinary pleasure to make your acquaintance this day and owe you more than my life. Incredible that out of this darkness I found an angel of kindness and mercy." He smiled back at me and nodded in agreement.

He motioned for us to keep walking as we were nearly there. Continuing we trekked through the open pathway that now lay before us, between tents we began to pass some of the military men that settled into camp the night before. With brisk salutes, they keenly passed their gaze from he to I in a curious spectacle. Although I was acutely aware of how horrid I looked no amount of preparation readied me for the brazen stares I had gotten from passersby. Such conjecture put me on edge, rushing my eyes to the ground in humiliation and shame I picked up the pace to my quarters, the Major at my side.

He marched with me in tow into the entrance, abruptly encountering my superior as we paced further into the make shift rooms.

She halted, mid stride, right before me and gasped. "Dear lord child, what happened to you? I was sick with worry!"

Infuriated and embarrassed, I simply replied, "There is no cause for alarm; it was a misunderstanding between another Officer and myself. The Major has returned me safely to my duties and I'd very much like to have him on his way if I may." That should do it I thought, as I smiled with courtesy and tried to be about my way. I had quite enough of this doting, the attention that I seemed to gather with every step grated on my nerves.I turned to my sentinel of protection, Major Whitlock, with an obliging grin to convey my gratitude one last time.

"Major, it has been a pleasure and my honor. Please go with my blessing for a safe trip, wherever this life takes you Sir."

Fearful this would conclude our interaction and that I'd never again see this man in this life, my eyes met his intense gaze and I bowed in reverent fashion. My heart was pulsing deafeningly in my ears, barely able to breathe from the sweltering fire in my lungs and tears welling up in my eyes; it ached to bid him farewell. I had grown quite attached to him in just a few meager hours.

Standing at his fullest attention, he bows and says, "And you, ma'am. Thank you for your company and your favor." He kissed my hand in a silent goodbye, holding my gazing eyes as he turned and paced towards the doors, slipping my hand slowly out of his. As his touch left mine, I tersely gasped. In this moment two collective tears escape from the corners of my eyes and down my bruised cheeks. I whispered to myself He's gone. Trying to appear as if nothing had transpired and wiping the remnants of the tears unkindly away, I directed around to my boss and the inevitable glowering eyes. Always a watchful eye and a brandishing tongue, I don't think the woman had the ability to give a kind word and it made me miss my mother more every day.

"My orders, ma'am?" Is all I could choke out.

She looked me over once, taking notice of my obvious bloodied attire, shredded skirting, swollen eyes and desperate composure.

Sneering in disgust, "I have no use of you today. Go back to your quarters and clean yourself up. Be presentable this evening for my patients."

Knowing that I should have fought her decision, I most literally had no exertion left in me and could only feebly bow my head in disgrace to depart. Before I turned away, I inquired one last uncertainty of her.

"Ma'am, what of the Majors friend? What becomes of him, the young Captain?"

Furrowing her brow at me in query, she replied "Not that it is any of your concern young lady but he will be buried today with the fallen in the graveyard above the fields atop the hill. I understand that to be transpiring within the hour. Out of my sight, you may take your leave of me!" I shuddered and directed myself to the exit in haste. Knowing what I needed to do, I ran to my room, quick to change and off to my duties. Not of work but of new loyalties and of an honorable death that needed a proper send off.