What Happens By Candlelight

Chapter Three: Practice

I was never known to sleep in for long periods of time. I always got up at a decent time, and I always did what needed to be done during the day.

Today, however, was much different.

Due to the fact that hundreds of red coats are currently camping in my front lawn, I was up much earlier than usual. Apparently, it doesn't matter that they are staying near a civilian home, they must go through their normal training routines.

This meant that at five-thirty in the morning, on the dot, the loud clanging of pots and pans were heard as those on duty woke everyone up.

With a groan, I turned over and buried my head beneath the pillows. The only result was the suffocatingly hot air that hardly drowned out the noise as I had originally intended. After a few minutes, I gave up; there was no point lying in bed when there was work to be done.

I sat up with my hair flying wildly around me in a knotted mess. My eyes dully watched as the sun rose, gently lighting my room without the need for candles. I could already feel the heat from the outdoors, making my nightgown stick to my skin. I must have been quite a sight so early in the morning.

I changed while grumbling curses under my breath. Only the knowledge that Thomas was in pain was enough to quench my anger. Then, there was the satisfaction that Edward was fearful of me. I nearly forgot that I needed to "speak" with him.

Nearly.

Once my hair was tamed and I looked decent enough to go through my day, I exited my room. There was no point in dressing up, but due to our new "guests," I still needed to look nice.

I was greeted with red coats running around my home the second I opened my door. How I didn't hear them rushing up and down the halls before, I don't know.

With a scowl, I closed the door behind me and made my way downstairs. I wouldn't wish this pain upon any of my enemies. Once I was at the end of the hall, my eyes glanced at the grandfather clock. It was about to be six o'clock, which meant that everyone else should be-

*BANG*

I nearly screamed at the sudden gunfire, but I managed to keep my lips glued together while desperately clutching the wall beside me. I took deep breaths to calm myself, watching the men who worked here run outside, while the women and children formed a protective circle around one another. "Startled?"

I jumped away from the voice, my hand flying to my chest, only to be greeted by the feeling of my erratic heartbeat. My head turned to the Lieutenant Colonel, who was smirking smugly at my frazzled state. I bit my tongue, trying to be pleasant to him so early in the morning was difficult.

His icy eyes traveled up and down my form as if he was carving my current position into his memory. With a slight glare, I stood up straight, trying to ignore the second set of gunfire, but still jumping from surprise. "May I inquire as to why your men are shooting at this hour?"

The Colonel walked down the few steps that separated us, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. "The same reason we fire every morning: practice."

With another smug smirk, he walked off and out the front door. I let out the breath I was holding and turned my gaze to the workers. "Everything is fine, they are only practicing."

Each shared an apprehensive look before sighing in relief and heading back to their rooms. I myself continued on my way, after taking a few deep breaths. We still jumped at the shots being fired, but they finished before too long.

My first stop was the kitchen, where I grabbed an apple for breakfast (I was never one to eat in the morning). I watched as some women scurried around, fixing a meal for the officers that resided inside the house, while a few male workers snuck some food before they began their chores.

I bit into my apple and sank into a corner, watching the morning buzz around me. It had been a habit of mine to watch to kitchen girls cook, despite being the lady of the house. Though I myself could cook, I could never bring myself to do any of the work.

I didn't realize I had finished my apple at first, my mind only registering that it was gone when my eyes finally turned back to the once fresh, crisp fruit. I wanted nothing more than to stay tucked away in my corner, but I had a duty to fulfill. With a sigh, I stood up and disposed of the apple core.

I managed to work around the kitchen girls without disturbing their job, which made me proud of myself if I was being honest. I entered the hallway and took a deep breath, my eyes glancing at the door on the other end. Behind that door was one of my brothers, injured and vulnerable.

After I regained some composure, I squared my shoulders and walked with my head held high. This was my home more than their's by this point. I had to protect it and fight for it while they left to frolic through dead bodies on the battlefield.

I entered without knocking, surprised to see my eldest brother awake. His gaze turned to me, and he let out a painfilled chuckle. "I thought this room looked familiar."

I wanted nothing more than to stomp forward and slap him, but instead, I ran full speed and wrapped my arms around his torso. He groaned as I brushed over the wound, but did nothing to move me.

"I thought you to be dead." Nothing was said. For the first time since my brothers had returned, I cried. Tears leaked out the corner of my eyes and stained his clean shirt, the one I had used to replace his bloodied one the night before.

"For a moment there so did I." His voice was soothing as he rubbed my back, attempting to calm me down. I eventually convinced myself to stop acting like a fool, so I sat up with ease and dabbed at my eyes. I felt a presence at the door but didn't have to look up to know who it was.

"I believe you have some explaining to do," I turned to look at Edward in the doorway, "Both of you."