I DON'T OWN ANASTASIA
Tannenberg, East Prussia. August 22, 1914.
A few weeks after the blessing, Ivan , Bogdan, and Lyosha had been sent to the front line in East Prussia. Poland was occupied by the Russian empire and was right on the German border. At the moment, the German army was making great strides into Polish territory, so it was hoped that an attack in East Prussia would make the Germans divide their Eastern forces.
When the mint troops arrived, there had already been hard fighting in the town of Gumbinnen. The Russian army had managed to score an upset against the Germans, due to their hastiness in engaging the Russian army. However, the Germans had been provided with reinforcements and the fight was far from over.
"Rumor is that the commanders are looking to crush Ludendorff's forces early in the morning. If we can smash through Ludendorff's men, Hindenberg's units will have to retreat; or face the same fate." Ivan replied as he and his brothers in arms sat down after receving their grub frok the cook.
"I can't believe we're stranded in this Prussian wasteland!" Lyosha griped as Bogdan sighed.
"Good God Lyosha, no matter where we go, you feel the need to gripe about it." He chided. "When we were in Siberia, you hated Siberia. When we were in St. Petersburg, you hated St. Petersburg, and now that we are in East Prussia, you hate East Prussia. I suppose that when we reach Germany, you will hate Germany as well?"
"Nyet, I'm looking forward to the land of krauts." Lyosha remarked. "I heard the the Germans have fine food, fine beer, and fine women." This got a laugh out of young Ivan.
"You can have all the German woman you want, I'll pass." He replied as he knew no German gal could compare with Maria Nikolaevna. They just weren't in the same class. Ivan was willijg to wager his life on Maria being far and away the most beautiful damsel on Earth.
"Why...Are you saving yourself for a certain grand duchess?" Lyosha teased.
"Have you heard from grand duchess Maria?" Bogdan inquired with eagerness in his voice. "She said that she would write."
"Perhaps she has forgotten about you, as woman of her station are known to do." Lyosha offered, always the pessimist.
"Nonsense." Ivan insisted, not wanting to buy into Lyosha's negative view on the matter. "She is a grand duchess. There are many imperial duties required of her that take up her time."
"You may think Ivan naive, yet the truth falls from his lips." Bogdan agreed, putting his arm around Ivan in a show of solidarity. Lyosha was about to respond when the mail wagon came into the camp.
"Mail call, come get your letters!" The mail carrier called out as the soldiers gathered around like a pack of vultures. "Easy you, one a time, one a time!" The men's names were called out as they were handed their parcels.
"I won't be getting any letters." Lyosha assured his comrades as they got in line. "There's no one who cares whether I am in East Prussia, America or Japan."
"Abakumov!" The mail carrier shouted as Bogdan ran forward to get his letter. His mother lived in the city of Omsk and wrote her son regularly.
"I hope she's sent me a few roubles." He said as he opened the letter and started to read.
"Skorokhodov!" The mail carrier shouted as he handed a parcel to a surprised Ivan. He took the parcel and showed to his friends who were equally stunned.
"Who would send you a parcel?" Lyosha asked curiously as Ivan opened the wrapping and found a beautiful, hand knitted, violet scarf. Whoever made it possessed great skill in knitting. As the men gently touched the scarf, it felt heavy, but also soft at the same time. As Ivan opened up the scarf, he found that there was also a letter tucked in. Ivan opened the letter and read it aloud to his pals.
Dearest Ivan,
I pray that this letter finds you in good spirits. I had meant to write to you sooner, but I have been far to busy. Since the war started, my sisters and I have begun duties as Sisters of Mercy. Since Olga and The governess (Tatiana) are old enough, they are allowed to help with operations. Nastya and I are only allowed to aid in the raising of spirits. We usually play checkers and billiards with the wounded that come in. It is very enjoyable. In the evenings after I am done with my duties, I found time to knit you a scarf. I hope the color is to your liking. The thought of you shivering displeases me. I hope that you will reply to me soon. A hug to keep you warm, good soldier.
Marie, Sister Romanova the third.
As Ivan read the letter, he was greatly comforted by Maria's concern, as opposed to his friends who were shocked beyond words. Bodgan, who felt vindicated and Lyosha who was now faced with the prospect of eating his words.
"I'll be damned, Maria Romanov wrote you a letter and knitted your ass a scarf!" Lyosha exclaimed with sheer amazement as he slapped his cap on his knee.
"I told you that she would." Bogdan chided his friend; feeling particularly pleased that for once, he had been right and Lyosha had been wrong. "You must be more positive about life, Lyosha."
"I am not positive, I am realistic." He remarked as Ivan inhaled the beautiful scent that Maria had woven into the scarf and was greeted by the strong scent of her perfume. It was a thing of beauty to ward off the stench of death that plagued the camp. With Maria declaring her affections so openly, it gave Ivan something to fight for besides merely surviving another day.
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