MV Warrior 1912

Got to love this piece of history

This vessel was built in 1912 and now still in full working order 108 years later

She served in WW1 and WW2 including being a lead vessel in the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940. A classic vessel that not only served in various war time missions but continues today cruising Europe

“Are you okay father?” Elizabeth asked standing next to him greeting the guest as they came in.

“I am fine darling, do enjoy the ball.”Elizabeth nodded and walked off. She saw a server with a plate of wine glasses and took one off before walking away. She saw her sister and quickly turned around and ran into a colonel who was rushing inside. The colonel knocked her over and stopped.

“I’m so sorry ma’am, I was not paying attention.” He out his hand down to help her up. Elizabeth took his hand and smiled. He gave her a hankerchief from his pocket.

“I will say I accept your apology if I knew the name of the colonel who bumped into me.” Elizabeth teased the young man. She took the hankerchief and began to dab at her dress. She knew Angelica would be mad since she was borrowing the dress. Elizabeth thought it was stupid to own all these dresses with layers of material when they had soldiers out on the field freezing to death. Alexander blushed and took his hat off.

“Colonel Alexander Hamilton at your service madam.” Alexander ruffled his ginger hair that had been messed up under the hat.

“Elizabeth Schuyler and I accept your apology.” Elizabeth smiled at him and giggled at him blushing of embarrassment. Alexander glanced past her into the crowd.

“Are you looking for someone Colonel?” Elizabeth asked.

“Oh Schuyler, your name is Schuyler, is your father General Philip Schuyler, if so, do you know where he is, I need to speak with him.”

“I am right here young man.” Philip Schuyler walked over, tapping his shoulder, and Alexander turned and saluted.

“There’s no need, come.” Philip Schuyler lead him away to a side parlor.

“Pleasure to meet you again Miss Schuyler.” Alexander took her hand in his before following Mister Schuyler. Elizabeth smiled and waved after him, before weaving her way into the crowd. Amidst the happy crowd, Elizabeth felt a pang of sadness wash over her. She didn’t know why it came, all she knew was that it did.

The war had been halted as winter settled in, snow was falling and Christmas was close. John sat at a window in the officers house, writing a letter to his sister. The fire was beginning to die since he never bothered to add more logs. John only poked his head up when he heard a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” John asked setting his quill down. The dim light made it hard to see, but John recognized that slim frame with ginger hair. “Oh it is just you.” John spit in disgust.

“John please, I am sorry. I did not know anyone was following us.” Alexander pleaded. He found a second chair and sat down next to John. “It was a mistake. I know we could have been hung for being caught. I am sorry. I truly am.” John rolled his eyes and got up.

“Maybe you should have thought about that before you kissed me. Before you almost ruined our lives. I would rather die on this battlefield than by being hung for kissing another guy. I already risk my life fighting this war.” John turned back to his letter and began to write again. Alexander just sat there in silence trying to figure out what to say.

The logs eventually died out as John was finishing his letter. Alexander was still sitting in the window watching the snow flurries begin to flutter from the sky. John quickly found a lantern before burning his letter. He then left. Alexander got up and took the letter from the fire, he blew off and opened it.

Dearest Alexander,

Today I almost lost my life due to your recklessness. I trusted you to keep our secret safe. I do not know if we can continue to see each other. I am lost and confused right now. Please, do not bother me. I will talk when I am ready.

You have been the first person I was willing to let my guard down for, and I hate that I did. I hate that I let another person get inside my heart. Right now, I feel as if I have drank poison, and it’s slowly consuming me.

Maybe I will find an antidote. Whether it be through time alone, or someone else I do not know. The moments we shared together I will cherish, but it is time for me to let go. To focus on my own life, and my own struggles.

Your friend,

John Laurens

Alexander held the letter in his hand and began to cry. He never expected to lose John like that. It stung more than a bullet hole, or the worse venom. Alex gently folded the letter before sticking it inside a pocket in his jacket. Grabbing his boots, Alexander trekked outside into the snow. He walked over to the barn, grabbing his horse, before riding outside of camp. Alexander has no idea how long he had been gone.

Glancing up at the sky, all he saw were gray clouds and white falling from the sky. Alexander cursed under his breath realizing that some of his tracks would be covered in snow. He hoped that his horse knew the way home, for Alexander was lost in the woods.

Hopping off his horse, Alexander led it to a small clearing under some trees. There was not as much snow and Alexander laid down cuddling in the roots of a tree. His horse settled beside him, soon both were asleep.

When Alexander awoke, he was in a bed. The fireplace had been lit, and he was tucked in blankets. Alexander had never seen the room before and began to panic. That’s when a younger girl with long raven hair slid into the room.

“Colonel sir, I was wondering if you would like any broth, I would offer you breakfast, but you slept through breakfast. Oh and do not worry, your horse is safe in our barn.”

“Wh...where am I?” Alexander asked trying to sit up. Every bone and muscle in his body felt stiff, as if they were frozen.

“You are back in Morristown sir. My uncle was returning from a friend’s house and heard your horse whining. You were almost covered I snow and freezing to death.”

“Oh...uh thank you, and yes, I would like some broth thank you.”

“Of course.” The girl backed out of the room, closing the girl back behind her. Alexander slowly climbed from the bed over to the window. A soft glow of sunlight lit the camp off in the distance. He saw soldiers coming and going from the officer's house. Many were there to meet with Washington. To find out what to do once spring appears. Others were just trying to get warm from the bitter cod that has been blowing. Alexander walked downstairs, taking a step into the crisp air.

Rubbing his hands together, he took a short walk down near the camp. He saw his blonde lover standing at the entrance talking to a guard. He was discussing passwords with the soldier currently on duty. Alexander took the chance and walked over.

“John can I speak with you for a second. There is something I would like to discuss with you.” Alexander told him.

“If you read my letter, then you would know, I do not want to discuss this issue. I want to leave it behind us. We have more important things to figure out.” John told him. The ginger stood there hurt. He knew better than to intrude, but he already missed John. Alexander nodded at him though and walked back to the brick house he was being housed. Walking inside, the warmth cling around Alexander. He found his way to the kitchen to find a bowl of broth waiting for him with a newly polished metal spoon.

“Ah, Miss Elizabeth said you might come for that. She went to take it to your room, but you were nowhere to be found.” The cook told Alexander.

“Yes, sorry, I went to discuss an issue with a friend. We seem to have a difference of opinions on the issue.”

“Understandable, it is a time of war. Not every soldier will have the same opinion.” An older man with graying hair stepped into the room, sitting down next to Alexander.

“Doctor Cochran.” Alexander dipped his head to the doctor before proceeding to sip on the broth. Alexander tilted his head. “Sir, your, I’m presuming Brice, her name is not Elizabeth Schuyler is it?” Alexander asked.

“Yes, why?” The doctor asked.

“I met her about two years ago. She probably does not like me on the grounds of why I showed up. She seems very close to her father.”

“Ah, you are the young lad who was in charge of presenting him with his court martial weren’t you?”

“Yes sir, I was. Then the girls at the party decided to corner me into a room and ask me a million questions. It was quite embarrassing sir.”

“I bet it was, but you are a handsome young man. I am sure you could get any girl in the world. Even Miss Elizabeth.”

“Yeh...any girl in the world.” Alexander mumbled. Glancing down at his broth, he pushed it away.

“Are you going to finish that, you really should.” The doctor told Alexander.

“I am not hungry anymore, but thank you Doctor Cochran for your hospitality.” Alexander backed from the table and made his way outside. The sun had peeked its way from behind the clouds, causing Alexander to squint his eyes. Walking slowly, Alexander began to think on what he could do to avoid John until he was ready to talk. He could not force the subject upon him.

Alexander went straight to his room and found a quill and ink. Paper was already laid out, as he was constantly scribbling notes and reminders.

Dearest John,

I know you do not want to speak in person, but I hoped you would at least read this letter. I know I could have gotten us both hung, and I am very sorry. It was a mistake which I wish I could take back.

Alexander stopped, tears running down his face. He watched as one fell onto the paper messing up the black letters underneath him. Alexander saw that it was still legible and kept writing.

I would do anything in the world to make it up to you. Right now, I feel like the worst person in the world. Please, will you at least say you forgive me, I mean, we are not dead yet…

Alexander sat his quill down and pushed it away. Something moved in his peripheral vision. Alexander pushes his ginger out of the way and saw John standing in the doorway. John pursed his lips and sat down on the bed.

“Alexander I have something to tell you. I know you will not like it, but I think it is for the best.” John told him fidgeting with his jacket.

“What...what is it?”

Spring approached, meaning the war would be back. The cold, bitter winds of winter were replaced by gentle spring breezes. Alexander held onto his reins, sighing as he watched troops march past him. Alexander knew John would not be among those. John had left in the middle of the winter to defend his home in South Carolina. Alexander missed his friend more everyday. John’s letters were slow in reply, John told Alexander that he was busy, and Alexander just nodded in compliance. He knew it did not get very cold down there in the winter. His older half brother Peter wrote him before explaining the seasons, and even offering Alexander a trip to get rid of the cold.

Alexander declines the offer saying he was too valuable to leave Washington’s side. Alexander has begun to be more dependable now that John had left. He had begun to realize how much of a distraction John was to him. Alexander still loved him, but it was hurting his career.

Alexander watched as the last of the troops marched out of Morristown, hopefully for the last time. Alexander hoped for the war to be over soon. All he was to find John, and maybe, if he was lucky propose to Elizabeth Schuyler. Over his time at Morristown, Alexander fell more and more in love with the stranger from the ball two years ago. Elizabeth was the calm to his storm, unless you got her talking about something she was passionate about, well then you started the fire.

“Hey ginger, you ready?” A voice called out. Alexander snapped from his dream state and glanced up to see his french friend standing in front of him. “It is time to go, are you ready?” Lafayette asked calming his horse. Alexander shook his head and nodded.

“Yeah….I am….I am ready to go.” Alexander told him taking a deep breath. “Let us go.” Alexander twisted the reins in his hands, kicking the side of the horse. They headed out into the south as the sun began to rise over the eastern sky.

Spring still bright cold mornings, so Alexander wrapped his jacket closer around him. Lafayette and Alexander trotted in silence, compared to the peppy talkative soldiers in front of them. They finally stopped for lunch around eleven. Alexander hopped off his horse before sinking into the ground. The dirt gave away leaving Alexander to be partially swallowed by the Earth. Lafayette ran over and helped him. Alexander whined, letting Lafayette help him up.

“I am not about to let Washington’s aide de camp get swallowed by the earth.” Lafayette told Alexander picking him. Alexander swept a loose piece of hair from his own face, sighing. Alexander wanted to be back in Morristown, or in South Carolina with John. Alexander had already pleaded to General Washington to let him go south and fight, but alas his plead was met with a denial.

Alexander thought about just fleeing south, but the thought of being hung for treason kept him from doing so. Alexander perked his head i when he saw a familiar face riding towards himself.

“Where is General Washington?” The newcomer asked frantically.

“He is somewhere near the front. I did not feel like walking up there with them, so I am last.” Alexander told him. The person nodded, he turned and went into a full gallop to the front of the troops. The dirt kicked up from behind him, leaving Alexander coughing in his wake.

Alexander finally found a spot to curl up and sleep. He took his jacket off, using it as a blanket. As Alexander slowly drifted to sleep, he heard the sound of hooves running away. He figured Talmadge had delivered his message and had been given a message to carry back.

“Alexander? Alexander wake up.” Alex mumbled something about sleep, and sleepily opened his eyes to see John standing in front of him. Alexander perked up, smiling at his friend. John sat down next to Alexander, kissing him.

“Mmm I have missed you so much.” Alexander told him kissing him back. “How did you get back, when? What about your home? I thought you wanted to protect your home.” John smiled and shushed him

“When I got home, everything was destroyed. The house, all the fields, even my mother’s grave was destroyed. I was told it was because her family was Tory loyalist and she married someone who was not, plus I’m a patriot.” John curled into Alexander’s arms trying not to cry.

“John I am so sorry. If I could help undo the damage. I hate seeing you hurt like this.” Alexander told him hugging John tightly.

“That….that was all I had left of her. My mom is gone forever.”

“She is not gone forever John. Her spirit will live on inside of you.”

“What if it doesn’t. What if I have disappointed her?” John asked. John began to shake in Alexander’s arms.

“John you did not fail your mom. I am sure she is smiling at you from heaven.”

“How do we even know there is a heaven? I mean, after I have been through in my life, I do not think there is one. Maybe we just roam as ghosts, oblivious to the living world. Maybe we just are forgotten by the living, to spend an eternity underground.”

“John, first of all, you could never be forgotten. You are such a brave and talented soldier. Second of all, if there is no heaven, I will find you once we turn into ghosts.” John just snuggled into his arms and began to fall asleep.

“Alex…Alex….” Alexander felt someone poking him. Opening his eyes, Alexander saw Lafayette standing over him. “Hey, break is over, everyone is leaving. Are you okay? You look like you have been crying.” Lafayette helped Alexander up, and brought him over to their horses.

“Yeah...I am fine, I just had an interesting dream. John came back and everything he loved was gone.”

“Oh my, I have no idea what I would do if that were to happen.” Lafayette told Alexander. The two once again followed up the rear of the troops as they head south.

♥ ✉️.