Eloise gently packed the few possessions into the satchel. She traced a finger along the heavily worn leather, reminiscing on the past years. It was over and she didn't know what to do. Her eyes glanced up at Ulrich. The smile curled on his face made her feel that the years of pain was worthwhile.

She strode toward the child and swooped him into her arms. The reflection of the two in the mirror caught her eye. Hollow eyes stared back at her as she ran a finger over her narrow cheekbones. The passing of time had not been kind to her appearance. The ragged woman possessed little of her youthful luster. She quickly ignored her thoughts of vanity and placed a kiss atop of Ulrich's head. The gentle coo eased her sadness.

A rap at the door startled her. She knew beyond the barrier was Everett. Her heart raced as she neared the door. She stared blankly at the barrier before opening it.

"Are you ready?" The words of Everett were rushed as he pushed his way inside the room. His eyes roamed across the open space.

Eloise looked around the empty room. A certain sadness came over her, knowing she was about to leave her new-found home. She closed her eyes and recalled the day she arrived. Memories warmed her heart for a moment, but quickly vanished.

"I have something for you." Everett whispered into her ear. Her eyes widened at the sound of his voice. "Turn around."

Eloise complied with the request and found herself staring at their reflection in the mirror. Without speaking, Everett draped the black ribbon around her neck. Resting upon her chest was a Pour le Merit. She gently ran her fingers along the cold medallion.

"Where did you get this?" She mumbled, quickly glaring up at Everett.

The cocky smile on his face grew wider as he spoke, "I got it from the body of Albert von Brandt." he took it into his hand and stared intently at her. His fingers trailed from the pendant, finding their way onto her cheek. "I told you the death of him would be my greatest victory."

Her breath hitched at his touch. She took a step back, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She could see him digging in his pocket for something, what she did not know. Suddenly a white handkerchief appeared. Eloise knew in her heart that it was Albert's.

"This was also his." He inspected the cloth carefully. His long fingers outlined the embroidered E—the one that she had made. "The poor chap must've had a lass who made him this."

Eloise felt her heart pounding violently. Tears were slowly surfacing her eyes, yet she fought them hard. She took it carefully into her trembling hands. Her fingers ran softly along the bloodstains, knowing they were those of Albert. The sight of them broke her heart.

"May I keep this?" She asked kindly, looking down at the linen.

"Oh yes, Eloise." Everett hastily responded, folding it into her hands. "Keep the medal, too. Let it be a reminder of your greatest accomplishment."

Eloise raised a brow, "and what is that?"

"Winning my hand." An arrogant smile crept onto Everett's face. He turned to leave. "Remember we will need to be leaving shortly. Try to be ready soon. It is not like you have much here to live for."

Eloise nodded silently and watched as he disappeared behind the door. She let out the breath of air she had captured. In a haste, she removed the medallion around her neck and took it into her hands. She dared not to have it rest upon her breast, for it was the medal of a hero; it was the prized medal of Albert. Her fingers outlined the points, recalling the visual of Albert wearing it. Carefully, she wrapped it in the stained cloth. She pressed it to her lips before tucking it into her satchel.

"We really should be departing soon." Everett looked at his timepiece. In a swift motion he took the bag from Eloise and moved toward the door.

Eloise nodded and clasped tightly to Ulrich. She froze in the doorway, looking onto her room one last time before following Everett down the hallway. Her eyes studied the familiar world as she passed through the halls the final time. The faces of familiar people offered her kind expressions as she moved beside them. She knew she would miss her home.

Every step taken down the stairs caused her heart to ache. In that moment she knew she did not wish to follow Everett. The corridor bustled with joyous people. The jubilant chatter of people covered any sounds. Everett weaved them through the crowd, reaching the door. The sunlight pierced her eyes as they wandered outside. The warmth from the sun was the only she felt within her.

"Eloise!" The voice of Adeline shouted over the noises. She quickly maneuvered through the people making it Eloise.

Adeline pressed a gentle hand on her cheek and smiled. "I am truly going to miss Ulrich and yourself." Tears glazed over her beaming eyes. "I don't care what anyone says, you will always be the best person I have ever met. You truly are a blessing. I am certain wherever your path goes, you will always shine the way for others."

"Thank you, Adeline." Eloise gave a genuine smile. "Thank you for everything you have done to help me. Without you I would not have been the woman I am today. I don't know what I would have done without you." Eloise fought back the tears that pricked her eyes. "I don't know what I am going to do without a friend like you."

"You won't be alone." Adeline assured her, pointing toward the motorcar. "General Ramsay is accompanying you."

Eloise turned to see Thomas loading the car with bags. "I wish you were going with me. We've been through so much together."

"I have work to finish here." Adeline remarked, taking Eloise into a tight embrace. "Goodbye, Eloise. Take good care of your wonderful son." she pulled away and smiled, "for Albert."

Eloise nodded, "Goodbye Adeline." she turned to walk away, halting in her tracks to look back at her friend. "Goodbye."

Eloise remained hesitant as she approached the motorcar. An immediate smile came onto the face of Thomas.

"I am glad to see you coming along." Eloise commented, returning the smile. "It will make this journey a little less bland."

Thomas let out a small chuckle, opening the door. "I am glad to know you want my company."

Eloise eased into tight backseat, placing Ulrich tightly on her lap. "It is much better than Everett's." she whispered, glancing over at him. "but don't tell him that. It would damage his pride."

Thomas nodded, taking the seat in the front.

"You look beautiful, Eloise." The hollow words of Everett echoed in her ears as he sat beside her. He placed a firm hand upon her knee while his eyes stared at her. The longer his eyes remained on her, the warmer her face grew. She quickly averted her eyes to the outside.

From the window she watched as her familiar world vanished into the distance. Her eyes fell shut, accepting its unspoken goodbye. As the time passed, she kept quiet. She listened carefully to the conversations of the men while her eyes shifted from her son to outside.

They passed a group of battered soldiers. Eloise watched their respectful mannerisms as they stopped to salute the car. Thomas immediately repeated their actions, offering them a hopeful smile. The tired men beamed with joy as they continued their walking.

"Those men," Eloise whispered, gaining attention. "Did you know them?"

Everett laughed, "Everyone knows me, I am a hero."

Eloise shook her head, "I wasn't asking you." she leaned closer toward Thomas. "Did you know them, sir?"

He remained silent, watching the passing world. "I know many people, perhaps I aided them. I cannot remember." He glanced at Eloise, "Whether I knew them or not, they needed to be shown that their duty in this war mattered. A returned salute is the least I can offer them."

Everett let out a disgruntled huff and folded his arms. Eloise could feel the tension building inside the car, hoping that the journey would soon be over.

The hours passed in silence. Ulrich had fallen asleep in the arms of Thomas, while Everett sulked. Tired and bored, Eloise kept her mind occupied with the changing scenery. Soon the sights were becoming familiar once again. She knew the place—it was the Belgian forest. She doubted her sanity for a moment, before completely recognizing the location.

The once hidden world was no longer a secret. The path that had once been small, had grown wide and worn from the amount of traffic that had come through. Pitted holes were blown in the ground, making the ride bumpy. The canopy of treetops had been obliterated into a vast openness. Bright rays of sunshine broke into the dark world, shining on the destructions of war. The Belgian forest had seen its share of the war; all that was left was remnants of a once glorious world. She saw the familiar stream where she had once gathered water. She knew that her cottage should be located nearby the stream, however nothing looked the same.

"Stop! Please!" Eloise cried out to the driver.

The motorcar came to an immediate halt on the path and Eloise quickly jumped out.

"Eloise, there could be enemies remaining in the forest!" Everett called out.

Eloise ignored him, maneuvering swiftly through the forest. She thought of nothing but her long-forgotten home, wondering what could be left of it—if anything. In the distance she could see the outline of a cottage and immediately froze. She stared at it in amazement before she carefully approached it. Standing before her was the remains of her former home.

She gently pushed the broken door open, looking around hesitantly. It had been ransacked. The bed was thrown onto its end. The trunk had been opened and its contents had been strewn about. She felt her heart sink as she looked at the fragments of her past, tossed about as worthless possessions. Nothing had been left in the chest, except the small case that had belonged to her mother. She walked toward the fireplace, where she saw the binding of her books laying in a pile. She could feel tears pricking her eyes at what she saw. As she looked up the stone hearth, she remembered the hiding place in the chimney.

She took a deep breath before she began to trace her hand along the stones. Her eyes lit up when she felt one wiggle beneath her touch. She gently removed it. Inside held the contents she had placed there years prior. She removed the wrapped possessions of Albert and held them in her hands. Her mind immediately returned to the life-changing day when she found him. Her heart longed to return, but her mind knew it could not happen.

A smile came to her face as she looked down at the goggles and pistol. She gently placed them into the small case, preserving them once again. Inside the wrap she found the photograph of him alongside his mother. She clutched the image in her hand and pressed it against her chest, before placing it alongside his other possessions. His lucky token was the last item she found. Her fingers traced along the shape of the little porcelain blue bird. Tears flooded her eyes as she thought of her past life.

"Eloise!" she heard Everett call out, bringing her mind back to reality. "Eloise, where are you?"

She gently wrapped the bird figurine and closed the box from Everett's view. With a hesitant voice she answered, "I am in here."

"What are you doing? You could have gotten yourself killed." Everett scolded her, taking her by the hand. "You even left Ulrich alone with General Ramsay. That is not like you, Eloise."

"This was my home." She uttered in the silence, closing her eyes. "This is where I was taken from years ago. Do you know how long I have waited to return here?" she paused and shook her head, "You wouldn't understand; but how could you understand?"

"I understand that your heart wished to return here, but this isn't your home anymore. It will never be a home again. Look around you. It is not like it was when you left."

Eloise looked around at the disheveled place. The words rang true, yet she did not want to accept it. This was her home at heart.

He rested a steady hand on the small of her back and began leading her from the house. "We need to get driving again."

"Let me get something before I go." She rushed to the side where the trinket filled chest lay. She took the worn handle into her hand and returned to Everett's side. "I am ready."

She stopped in the doorway, taking one last look at the collapsing cottage. She let the memories flood into her mind. There she was happy—and there she was home.

♠

Germany had saw its fair share of the war. Evident battlegrounds painted the roadsides as they entered into the town. Parts of the town had seen a great deal of devastating blows, while some remained intact. The car came to a stop in front of a large stone structure. People surrounded the entrance, making it difficult to enter. The arm of Thomas sheltered Eloise and Ulrich as they passed through the crowd. Their expressions were confusing to Eloise. Some cheered, while some scorned them. Eloise knew not what was happening, but she knew that she didn't belong with those she travelled with.

"I am going to go for a walk," Eloise blurted out. Ignoring Thomas's objections, she disappeared through the sea of people.

She halted when a cool breeze passed by her cheek. People stared at her, but she ignored them. Passing through the streets she observed the remnants of war. Buildings of rubble lined streets. Debris of war polluted the stone pathways, leaving nothing but a bitter reminder of what had happened. Cold, remorseful eyes followed her as she passed the dilapidated structures.

As she passed through the carnage of the city, she returned to an intact street. She stopped beside a circle of people reading a large board. Names of the deceased were posted. She watched as a woman nervously trailed her finger down the list. She suddenly stopped as tears began to fill into her eyes. A man took her into her arms as she released mournful cries. Eloise watched with remorse as they slowly strolled away. Her mind immediately returned to warzones, picturing the dead. She could see now the affects it carried home. Her eyes focused on ads, seeking out knowledge of their missing loved ones. The words she read broke her heart, knowing many would never know of their demise.

She shook her head, hoping to escape from her memories. She offered a reassuring nod to those who stood with her before continuing down the street.

"Can it really be you!?" a voice called out from behind her.

Eloise halted for a moment trying to place who the voice belonged to. With hesitation, she turned to see the face of Margaret smiling back at her.

"Eloise!" Margaret spoke cheerfully. "Where on earth did you manage to go?"

Eloise awkwardly shrugged, "I have been to places you could never believe."

Margaret rubbed the child's blonde curls. "Who is this beauty?"

A kind smile appeared as Eloise spoke, "This is my son." she paused and shifted his body for a better view. "His name is Ulrich."

"You're married now?" Margaret's eyes grew wide.

"No," Eloise stated plainly. "I am intended to be, though. My child needed a provider that is why I am marrying. His father was killed in action. "

"Oh," Margaret glanced away. Eloise could sense the discomfort in her voice. "I got married too." she smiled.

Eloise felt her cheeks grow flushed. Her brow furrowed in thought. She shook her head in confusion, "To Albert?"

Margaret let out a slight chuckle. "Oh no, Eloise. My brother was killed shortly after you left. I never saw Albert again after that. You know how my mother was, she found me another. I married the captain of a Calvary unit." she paused. "His name is Sebastian Böker."

"I am very happy for you, Margaret." she answered with a timid smile.

"Did you hear about Captain von Brandt's death?" Margaret questioned remorsefully, observing the nervous movements of Eloise.

Eloise nodded averting her gaze. Her eyes found their way back down onto her child. The eyes of Albert stared back at her, taking her breath away. "Yes. He was a faithful fighter for his country. He died an honorable death just like the honorable man he was."

"I heard that his family never received anything from the British officers detailing his death." Margaret informed sorrowfully. "They say that his mother is still mourning. No one has really heard from her since he died."

"Do you know where I might find her? I would like to offer her my deepest sympathy."

Margaret shrugged, "I think she is on the corner of 4th and 5th in the large yellow house. I don't believe you can miss it." She stared at Eloise for a moment, "I don't know if she is wanting visitors, but I am sure you could warm her heart since you knew Albert so well."

Eloise nodded, "thank you Margaret. I really must be on my way. It was nice to see you."

"I am so thankful I got to see you as well, Eloise." she remarked pulling Eloise and Ulrich into a comforting embrace. "I suppose that this is our farewell."

"I suppose it is." Eloise sighed, clasping the young woman in her embrace. "Goodbye Margaret, may you have the best of luck in all that you do."

Her heart pounded violently as she walked the streets. Her eyes studied the signs, repeating the directions of Margaret to herself. Suddenly a yellow house stood before her. She nervously looked around before nearing structure.

With a deep sigh, she nervously wrapped her hand around the golden lion knocker. Three loud pounds echoed through the stillness of the air, and through the stillness of her broken heart. She looked down at Ulrich, who watched the world around him peacefully. His blue eyes staring at her with sheer happiness. Her fingers ran along the top of his head covered with blonde hair. The anticipation of waiting on someone to appear was killing her. She debated on knocking again when suddenly the door creaked open.

A stern woman's face appeared in the small crack the open door offered. "May I help you?" her voice was very distant and cold as she directly addressed Eloise.

Eloise pulled Ulrich higher up on her hip, before opening her mouth to speak. "Excuse me ma'am, is this the residence of the late Albert von Brandt?"

The woman grew more distant at the mention of his name. "Why do you wish to know?"

Eloise leaned down, taking the worn handle of the small box into her hand. "I am here to return his possessions to his mother." She clearly spoke, clasping the handle tightly in her sweaty palm.

The woman hesitantly opened the door completely, exposing her melancholy appearance entirely. Immediately she began to smooth the black and white silk suit that hung over her body. Her cold blue eyes pierced into Eloise, who remained silent in the lady's intimidating presence. The lady began to study both her and Ulrich, who hung happily on her hip.

"Who are you?"