Dear Diary,

Happiness that just days ago filled my days has faded so quickly and violently that I fear writing down my sorrows on paper. To do so would make them real, while I wish with all my heart that they were lies, and I could tear their falseness from my world.

But this is not the case. I must write these words, because the truth rings within them. My Andrew must leave me so soon after we have found each other. He has been called to serve at the front. We quarrelled when he told me these bad tidings.

I was sitting down by the lake, enjoying the sun, watching Oliver frolic near the apple orchard, as only such a high-spirited horse can, fairly daydreaming about my love when he did appear. I was pleased, but my pleasure turned to foreboding as I noticed the grim look on his face.

"What is it?" I asked, rather fearfully. He looked away. My fear deepened into something so much more that I am barely able describe it.

"I have been summoned to serve Her Majesty. We go to war," he said, very calmly. I nearly fell to my knees.

"And you must go?" I asked slowly.

"I have a duty to my country, Katherine. As much as I fear what may await me there, as much as I fear what I may loose, I have a duty that I must fulfil, and neither you nor my father can stop me!" he declared, and I knew that he had been asked by his father to remain at home.

"But you do not have to leave. You could send someone else in your stead. You could stay here, Andrew," I said, knowing how very much he wanted to hear my words. I also knew that he would not take the coward's way, he would go and he would fight. And I might loose him.

"I am sorry, my sweetling, but I must go. I could not remain here, living my heart's truest happiness, knowing that my cowardice has sent a man to die in my place. And so I go," he said. He was struggling with his decision, and so I went to him, and I held him, and I shed the tears that he was too proud to loose.

Katherine

Dear Diary,

How dim my days have grown. The absence of a letter from my Andrew has me anxious and fearful. 'Tis been three months! I hear news from where the fighting is, and my heart flutters with horror and I fear I may faint on the spot. So I have stopped hearing the news.

I watch daily from my balcony, watching, waiting for the moment when I will see the familiar form rising from the horizon, knowing that my dearest has returned safely to me. But that day has yet to come, and so my nightly vigil must continue. Day after day, my hope is eaten away by the absence of that far-off form, but yet by some miracle, there remains still an ounce. Andrew will return soon, I know he will.

There is a sickness spreading around the surrounding estates. There is a growing fear that it may spread to Brickwoode, so we have quarantined ourselves, protecting the family from any threat. There have been none ill so far, but only time will tell before this epidemic wears itself of our company and moves on. My father is worried.

Despite the quarantine, I know that no matter what may hinder him, Andrew will return to me. He will stand below my balcony, and he will call to me, and we have one of our late-even walks, below the stark moonlight. Hurry home, my love!

Katherine

The sound of a voice outside her window startled Cairo. She was enthralled with the life of Katherine, and with the sudden arrival of her guests, she hadn't been able to grab much time alone with the journal. She hadn't been very willing to share her find with anyone, she almost felt that it was someone's private thoughts and no one (but her) had the right to read.

"Cairo! Come on, baby!" the voice called softly. Frowning, she pulled off her glasses, and followed the sound of the voice. She walked out the open doors to the balcony, and saw Nick standing below it.

"Nick, what are you doing?" she asked quietly.

"What I always do. I'm standing outside your balcony, waiting for you to come out, or at least answer me, so we can go for a walk. Just like we always do. Come on Kay, it's a beautiful night!" Nick cried.

"Always do? Right Nick, whatever you say. Hold on, I'll be out in a minute," she said, turning to walk out her room, planning on going out through the foyer.

"No, sweetie, you'll wake everyone. Just climb down." Frowning again, Cairo heeded Nick's request, and swung herself over the edge of the balcony. Dropping down her knees on the edge, she adjusted her hold, and swung down to the ground.

"Like an old pro," Nick said, as he grabbed her hand, and began pulling her along with him.

"Where are we going?" she asked, feeling a little annoyed.

"It's been so long…I don't think I can remember where it is…Surely you know, honey. Our spot," he was saying brokenly, obviously searching around in the dark for something. Cairo was growing a little concerned.

"What do you mean, it's been so long? Nick, you've only been here for three days," Cairo protested. He kept pulling her along, and then he stopped abruptly.

"Here it is. I knew I could still find it," he said proudly. It was a view of the lake that she hadn't seen before. The moon was filtering in through the trees, lighting the water beautifully. It was breathtaking, and the ideal romantic spot. Nick's arms wrapped around her waist, and she laid her head back on his chest. The romance of the situation was dissolving her annoyance quickly, as Nick stroked her hair.

"It's beautiful here," she whispered.

"I knew you'd love it here, my lady. Oh, Katherine," he sighed. Cairo's heart skipped a beat.

"What did you say?" she demanded, breaking the moment that had been in the works.

"I just said Kay. What's the matter? What do you think I said?" he asked with a laugh. Relaxing a little at his humour, Cairo admonished herself for becoming so involved in Katherine's story that it began to filter into her life.

"I'm just…not thinking," she said, turning to kiss him.

* * * *

It was such a pretty sight to him. He stood watching it with such contentment. His love was laughing joyously as his friend, his brother, tried to show how to bait her fishing hook. She shrieked as he jokingly shoved the bait in her face. They were so close, he never had to separate his attentions to each, they were happy to spend time as a group.

"'Tis funny, my lord, that you find this sight so appealing. I would think that a man as intelligent as you would not appreciate being made a fool," a low, cool voice said from behind him.

"Elizabeth, speak clearly, woman, do not speak in riddles. What do you mean by these things?" he demanded, annoyed at having been bothered from the watching pretty scene.

"I just worry that her loyalties may not be so clear as you think, my lord. She spends a lot of time with him…and you are not always within the premises during these times," she said slowly.

"What are you implying? My lady betrays me with another?" he demanded.

"No, I would not dare. But I would watch them more closely. They seem to…comfortable with each other," she hissed, as she walked off. Narrowing his eyes, the scene lost his beauty as his friend, his brother, reached out his hand for her. She had fallen down off the rock. She accepted his hand, and he noticed that she lingered a moment longer than necessary, looking into his brother's eyes. Anger and suspicion filled him.

"I will not let anyone take her away," he growled, and then he marched towards the pond, eager to break apart the lingering touch.

Waking suddenly, Nick was startled to find out that it was night outdoors. Shaking slightly from the feelings of anger that lingered after the dream, anger that he could not understand, he placed his head in his hands. A beam of soft moonlight was illuminating Cairo's hair, and he remembered where they were. She was sleeping beside him, nestled comfortably in the grass. Feeling the inexplicable jealousy and anger from the dream he could no longer remember drain away, he burrowed down next to Cairo into his arms, tightening his arms possessively around her and closed his eyes.