Love and Liberty: A Lafayette x Reader Fanfiction

The Army

      The Mulligans approached the Schuyler household just as the sun began to set. The lights still shone through the windows of the ground floor, so Y/N led Hercules behind the mansion, where the Schuyler sisters were waiting.

      Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy rushed over to Y/N, who dismounted and embraced each of them.

      Y/N admired Eliza's knee-length dress and light blue apron. "Well, you certainly look ready to go," she smiled. The she bit her lip. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

      Eliza rolled her eyes. "I could ask you the same question. Yes, I am ready." She glanced back at her sisters. "This is the right thing to do."

      The girls all nodded, and Y/N and Eliza mounted the horse after embracing Angelica and Peggy goodbye.

      With a small wave, Peggy turned to head inside, hiding the tears that glistened on her cheeks. Angelica followed a moment later, giving the girls a sad smile. Hercules, Y/N, and Eliza galloped away, bound for Massachusetts.

                                                       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

      After about two hours, the trio approached Lafayette, Laurens, and Hamilton, who were sat atop a hill overlooking the army camp. Lafayette turned at the sound of hoofbeats, and beamed when Y/N's face appeared above the horizon. He and Alexander rose to help Y/N and Eliza dismount. Both the girls blushed, and glanced at each other incredulously, but accepted the courtesy. John and Hercules rolled their eyes.

     Hercules stepped forward and cleared his throat, breaking Y/N and Lafayette's eye contact (to their great annoyance). "Gentlemen? You've met my sister, Y/N. This is her dear friend, Elizabeth Schuyler, who has joined us to serve as a nurse."

      Eliza curtsied. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," she said, failing to break eye contact with Alexander. Y/N snickered to herself.

      "Well," Hercules tried again, glancing helplessly at John. "Let's report the the general, shall we? Burr's probably beat us to it."

      At this, Alexander finally looked up. He coughed. "Right. Well. We certainly can't let him have the first impression, can we? Let's be off, then."

      Alex offered Eliza his arm, which she took. Lafayette, unsure how to express his elation at seeing Y/N again, chose to walk beside his crush.

      "Have a good journey?" Y/N asked.

      "Oh! Why, yes, it was very nice. John and Alexander are fine companions."

      "I'm glad," Y/N smiled, but inwardly grimaced. She could barely hold a solid conversation, she was so nervous of saying something wrong. She wished she was holding Lafayette's hand. It would have filled the space between them quite nicely.

      The six revolutionaries approached Washington's tent, and John stepped forward to announce their presence. After a moment, a tall, regal-looking figure stepped out of the tent.

      The Pride of Mount Vernon, George Washington.

      Everyone bowed their heads respectfully, but the venerated veteran shook his head. "Please, there's no need for that. Thank you all for coming. I've arranged for all of you to share living quarters, at least for now. We might need to build huts at some point, at least when we camp for winter, but tents should suffice for now. Is that all right?"

      No one dared say no, though they were all fine with it. Eliza turned to Y/N. "You'll stick with me, won't you? The guys seem alright, but I'd feel better if we stay together."

      "Of course! I completely agree. Besides," Y/N glanced around, "We need to have a girl talk tonight." She and Eliza giggled, waved goodbye to the boys after handing over their belongings, and followed Washington to the nurses' tent.

      "You ladies will be here most of the time. If you ever need anything, come straight to me, alright?" The two women nodded gratefully. Grasping hands, they grinned.

      "Ready?" Eliza rose her eyebrow.

      "Ready," Y/N said. This was going to be the adventure of a lifetime.