Eloise leaned against a straw bale, staring at the white tents that were lined along her side. The hot days passed slowly as she waited for someone to receive her. She kept her eye toward the sun, watching it as it crept along the cloudless sky. No words were conversed with the gawking men who passed her and Albert was not to be seen. She ran her hands along the back of her neck, feeling the knotted muscle between her shoulders. In the strange world she was alone...

She perked up at the sight of the impressive general who was approaching her. In a haste, she rose from where she sat on the hard ground and straightened her shabby attire. Her hands quickly brushed away the strands of brown that obstructed her vision. A nervous lump began to form in her throat as she bowed respectfully to the officer.

"Look at me, miss." His words addressed sternly. Slowly her eyes met his, peering into the aged blue orbs. "That is better, miss."

She meekly nodded without speaking. He moved to her side and placed his arm around her shoulders. Dashingly, he began strolling with her at his side. The smell of pungent cologne circled around her nose as she was pressed close against his side.

"You will be riding with us for another day." He informed, halting his walk. He released her arms and stared at her. "No one would come for you here. Near France, there is a field hospital in Belgium that will take you in and train you."

"France?" She questioned baffled.

He nodded nonchalantly, paying no mind to her confusion. "Yes, miss. That is where the fighting is. Germany doesn't need nurses back home, they need them near the western front." He shrugged. "I didn't like the idea of a woman riding in my cavalry any more than the others, but I can't leave you now; people know of your existence."

A blank stare came across her face as she looked upon him. Her mind could not fathom the information she had been given. In fact, her mind didn't want to understand the words. She began to look around the campsite that was going to be her new life for the upcoming days.

"Don't act like it is such a punishment." He bluntly remarked. "As I have told you before, my men could have killed you in the woods and no one would have missed you. It will only take a day at most to arrive there." He shook his head at the silent Eloise. "Who am I to think you will answer me?" He sarcastically asked, waving her away. "We will begin our ride today. You will have your own horse and will trail behind the men—" he paused, raising a single white eyebrow. "a good distance behind the men."

"Will I be alone?" She meekly asked.

A disgruntled sigh slipped from his lips. "You are woman. You cannot ride alongside my unit." He went silent as he watched her face fall. "I will place the Captain von Brandt with you. I don't see that it can hurt anything since he is not part of my unit, either." He nodded reassuringly. "He is a skilled marksman if any problems shall surface." He leaned closer toward her. "By the goodness in my heart, I am allowing you to ride with me until we arrive at the field hospital. Do not overstep your boundaries, miss."

She watched the general as he turned away from her and traipsed superiorly toward a young man. Intimidation plastered all over his youthful face as he listened intently to what the man said. He spoke several words to him before leaving his presence. Coldness radiated from the general. His appearance and his voice—every trait the older man possessed created discomfort in those around him.

The man, who appeared callow, rushed to the center of the open field and began to blow a bugle. Before Eloise could bat an eye, the cavalrymen surfaced from the makeshift tents and lined up. The general soon returned to the bugle boy's side, analyzing his unit.

"Men," his booming voice rang out. "We will be leaving today. You are to gather all of our supplies and mount your horses." He began to intimidatingly walk up the line. His cold eyes resting on every man. "You have fifteen-minutes. Schnell!"

In the blink of an eye the men were working at disassembling the campsite, saddling horses, and dressing in full uniform. Eloise remained stationed on the bale watched them carefully. Words could not express the discomfort she felt among the camp. She could always feel their eyes burning into her, judging her presence.

From the corner of her eye she could see the form of Albert approach her. She felt a sense of anger, yet pleasure at the sight of his dashing appearance. In a haste, she began to straighten her disheveled hair and smooth her crinkled dress.

"I am truly sorry that you have been alone these past few days." Spoke Albert, apologetically. "They have been asking me so many questions I simply couldn't get away from them. I suppose that it is a surprise to see me in a living body." He eased himself down onto the corner of the straw bale. Eloise could feel the warmth from his body radiating onto her, causing her heart rate to increase. '

"Don't worry yourself, captain." She replied, shaking her head slightly. "I have been fine. My time alone has given me the opportunity to let my mind wrap around on what my life is to become."

"That is another thing I am sorry about." his once chipper expression faded fast. "It is my fault that any of this has happened."

Eloise offered him a reassuring smile. "It is not your fault. It was inevitable that I would be found sooner or later," she paused and shrugged. "it just happened to be sooner and you happened to be with me at the time."

A silence grew between them as they both watched the world moving quickly around them. Eloise glanced over at Albert, who locked his empty eyes on the clear blue sky. She wondered what went through his mind as he sat there. She, too, fixated her eyes in the distance and began thinking about the past—a place that she could not leave.

"I am also sorry, Captain." She apologized sorrowfully, breaking the stillness between them. Her eyes remained away from Albert, for she knew that she would buckle under his stare.

"What in the heavens should you be apologizing for?" He asked with confusion.

"Some of your possessions were left in the cottage."

Albert took a deep breath, before shrugging. "I don't mind." He reassured her by resting a sturdy hand on her knee. "It was only some old photographs and my pistol. You shouldn't worry about them and when you return to your home, you can return them to me."

"What about your goggles and your flying gear?" She asked, staring at him nervously. "You will need them when you return to your squadron, sir."

He glanced at her with a smile. "They will give me new ones once they realize I am not actually dead. It will only take a few days to get adjusted to the new pieces." Albert answered simply as he stood up from the bale. As he stood he stretched out his arms, letting out a loud groan.

"Are you well?" Eloise concerningly questioned, rising to his side. Without thinking, she instinctually reached to the location of his wounds, resting her hands lightly upon them.

The cheer partially returned to his eyes when he looked at her. A smile began to creep upon his face as he nodded. "I am very well, thanks to you." He answered, offering her his hand. "Shall we get our horses?"

Eloise could feel her cheeks growing flushed after her very outward display of care. She covered her face with her hand as she followed him several paces behind. Near the general's ten were two horses tied. Albert rested his hand lightly upon the back of the sturdy brown creature, whispering calming words into its ear as if he was making peace with it before climbing into the saddle.

"The General suggested that you take the smaller horse," he pointed to the opposite horse that was already saddled. "He feared that you would not be able to handle one of the larger ones." Albert quickly glanced up at Eloise, who was staring blankly at him. "I know that you could handle it well, but persuading the high command is a challenge I cannot undertake."

Eloise looked over at the animal that was visually smaller than the others. She pressed her hand against his scrawny underbelly, tracing her fingers along the protruding ribs. "The poor creature seems so weak."

"He was their pack horse. The one that pulls all of the supplies behind them, no matter how heavy."

Eloise sighed before mounting onto the saddle. "They have almost worked him to death." Her words carried remorse as she smoothed out her worn dress, making sure that all of her body was covered properly.

They rode side-by-side, following a good distance behind the rest of the mounted unit. In the far distance she could hear the echoes of gunfire singing a chilling song over the foreign land. Her heart was heavy with every passing moment, knowing that every gunshot meant more people in need of her services—the services that she had no idea about.

They rode in silence for miles. Neither had a word to be spoken about anything. So many words had been exchanged in the previous days there was nothing left to tell. Her eyes wandered over onto Albert, who held his shoulder in silence. Pains still lingered in his body, she knew, but there was no more help she could offer him. She wondered what he thought of everything taking place in his life. He never spoke of the war or what he had done in the wars; but in long, silent moments she assumed he thought of his deeds. Words of his homelife in Germany was a mystery—and she dared not to mention it. He was still very much a stranger to her, but he was alive because of her. In her mind she tried to wrap her thoughts onto the fact she would do the same for other poor men just as she had done for Captain Albert von Brandt.

"We are nearing the field hospital." Ingraham rode back to inform them.

Eloise could feel the nervousness returning to her stomach that had finally settled. She offered him only a silent nod and proceeded her quiet ride.

"I never did properly thank you." Albert's voice interrupted the stillness.

"For what?" She asked confused.

"for saving my life. I owe you a great amount and I don't think I will ever be able to repay you."

Eloise smiled back at him. "You have already repaid me, Captain. You saved my life," She halted her voice and locked her eyes onto the busy setting up ahead. "in more ways than one." "There it is—" Her voice trembled at the thought of her destination. "the field hospital. I suppose that is where we will part ways."

A large stone structure stood in the distant. She could see a colossal wave of white tents surrounding the sturdy building. Horse drawn buggies and carts were continuously moving about the perimeter. Bulky ambulance vehicles were zooming around beside the tents.

"I think I am ready to go home."

Albert let out a soft chuckle under his breath. "Well, I hate to crush your spirits," he raised a single brow. "but I don't think either of us will see home in a while."

"I know."

Eloise kept her words short as she watched the busyness of the field hospital growing closer and closer. She could feel her heart pounding. The perspiration on her palms coated the thick leather reigns as she clutched them tightly, hoping no one could sense her uneasiness. Just as the cavalry unit halted, the active world quickly became a reality for Eloise. She glanced around hesitantly taking in the new surroundings before catching a glimpse of the general riding toward her.

"This is where our company with you, dear lady, shall come to an end." His words seemed distant as did his piercing gaze. "I hope that you have enjoyed your time with my unit. Once you go inside, search for a man named General Beck and tell him that you are sent by General Fertig. If you will do this you shall face no troubles." He reached her a handful of papers along with a leather pouch. "Take these things with you, you will need them."

She took the objects and stared at him with a puzzled expression. He was not like the man she met days earlier, instead he was friendly and helpful. Her eyes wandered down onto the weighted black sack in her hand, curious to what was inside. Just as she went to open it, the general rode away and returned to the front of his unit.

Eloise took his disappearance as her que to leave. She tightened the strings of the pouch and slipped the straps down onto her wrists. Carefully, she dismounted the horse. Her nervous hands immediately straightened her wrinkled garments. She let out a long sigh before running her fingers through her loosened hair. Albert remained poised on his horse, watching her movements.

"Goodbye Captain." She kindly called out reaching her reigns to him.

A long, awkward pause came between them as they both glanced opposite directions. Neither knew what to say, but something was needed for the still moment. Eloise gave a simple nod before turning to walk away.

Albert followed after her shouting, "Eloise," he paused to catch his breath. "Before you leave I want to speak with you."

Eloise halted in her footsteps, waiting for Albert to approach her. A nervous pit welled in her stomach as she heard the sound of him nearing her.

"What is it that you need, sir?" She asked professionally, turning to face him with poise.

His dashing gaze caught her off guard, making her heart feel as if it skipped a beat. She focused her eyes on the side of his face, hoping to not lose herself in the cool pools that stared at her. He quickly reached into the pocket of his well-pressed gray uniform and pulled out a small leather pouch. Eloise watched him as he nervously poured out the contents into the palm of his glove-covered hand, scratching through the random baubles. She could see the twinkling shine of gold and silver against the blackness of his glove. A delightful smile crept onto his face once he found the item he looked for.

"I was saving this to give to the most beautiful woman I knew," He smiled again, glancing up at the expressionless Eloise. "which was my mother."

Eloise curved the corner of her lips, recalling the image she had previously saw of his mother. "She is a very beautiful woman."

Albert nodded, looking down at the small golden ring he clasped between his fingers. "Yes, she is; but she is not here to give this to." His piercing eyes met with hers. She could feel her cheeks growing warmer as their gaze intensified. "That is why I want to give this to you."

Albert reached his steady hand out to Eloise, flashing the sparkly ring in her direction. Confusion scrawled across Eloise's face as she stared at him. She could not understand what he meant with his mannerisms, or why he was even speaking with her in such a manner. Her questions could not be answered as she stood there facing him.

"I can't take your mother's ring." She quickly retorted, waving away his kind gesture. "She is the woman who needs it. She is the most beautiful woman you know and that is who this ring is for."

Albert slipped the other objects her held back into the leather pouch, dropping it back into his pocket. Immediately he removed the leather gloves from his hands and slipped them into his coat. Before Eloise could object he had laced her hand within his and pulled her closer toward him. "Actually, this is not my mother's ring. She doesn't even know that it exists." He offered a crooked smile. "I found it a while back, but My mother is not here to give it to. When you leave, I will be returning to my flying squadron and I may never see her again," a pause came over him as he lifted her hand for better visibility. "and you are the most beautiful woman I know that is here with me." He traced the rough tip of his finger along the smooth back of Eloise's hand before slipping the golden ring onto her forefinger.

Eloise looked down at the perfectly-fitting ring that rested upon her finger. The delicately carved golden band had six diamonds lined along the front, shimmering vibrantly in the bright sunlight. She ran her finger lightly over the precious gems as she admired their beauty. She tried her best to hide the excitement she felt when she looked upon the dainty piece of jeweler. Her finger had never touched such fineries and she could not believe that it was hers for keeps.

"This is beautiful." The words fell from her lips before she thought. She looked up at him and shook her head. "Why are you giving me this?"

He smiled, taking her by the hand again. "I've already told you that many times, Eloise." He stated, looking upon her fair hand. "It was a perfect fit, I see." Eloise nodded at his statement as he examined it closely upon her hand, "It's like it was made for you," he whispered lovingly. "And only you." A sly smile came onto his face as he pointed at her other hand. "A little hint for you, dear," He calmly spoke, pointing down at her folded hands. "Put that ring on your left hand and the men will leave you alone.""

The words sent a shiver down her spine, hoping for something more than a ring—hoping for something lasting, but it was an unachievable dream. In a matter of seconds her train of thought returned to her mind, causing her to pull away from his touch.

"I really must be going, sir." She spoke nervously, pointing in the direction of makeshift tents nearby. "They are expecting me in there and I really don't wish to be late." She rambled, stepping anxiously toward the mud-worn path. "I fear that it would not look very professional of me to be late."

Albert watched her coly, a smile appearing on his face. "Will I see you again?" he asked, following behind her.

Eloise paused a moment to shrug, "I don't know, sir. I hope that our paths do cross again." She began walking once again. "But if it isn't meant to be, do know your company has been great."

"And yours has been exceptional." He offered her a dashing wink.

Eloise became flustered at his remark. The dimples in his cheeks caused her heart to flutter even more than it already was. She quickly began trekking down the beaten path, passing strangers dressed in all-white clothing. The smell of the camp left her feeling nauseous. She glanced back down onto the ring that lined her finger and could not help but to smile. A peaceful memory was present in her mind as she knew she was entering a place of great pains.