A Night in July CH2 + Plus

[TheAce1918]

“Yes you did, now what do you want?”  He moaned.  From behind Ana, Olga pushed forward a large cart with loads of fresh food on it.  His stomach betrayed him, growling at the sight of it.  None of it looked familiar, it obviously was Greek cuisine but he didn’t care.  
      “I think somebody’s hungry!”  Marie laughed.  Charlie looked up at her with a slick grin.  
      “Care to come in ladies?”  He held the door open, his arm extended inside like a chauffer.  They pushed the huge cart in and sat down at the table in the center of his room.  “Let me go try and find something to throw on and I’ll…”
      “Sit down and eat first.”  Tatiana ordered.  He turned to her, a funny look on his face.  
      “Look at what I’m wearing!”  He said pointing to his robe.  
      “That will do just fine until later.”  Marie said taking his hand, leading him to the small buffet.  He felt uneasy at first but when he sat down and started on the food he was in heaven.  Another knock came to the door and a servant came in with another large tray.  The duchesses thanked him and opened all the lids on their own dinners.  
      “You guys didn’t eat yet?” Charlie said with surprise.  
      “Well we didn’t want you eating alone…so we brought dinner up.”  Olga said digging into some fish.  He turned to Anastasia who was busy eating a salad.  
      “Is this your idea of flirting?  Because it seems to be working.  Getting a guy to a point where he only has one thing on, then you feed him until there is no tomorrow?”  
      “Yes!”  They all shouted laughing.  He blushed again, biting his bottom lip before he started on his supper.  Tatiana leaned over to Marie.  
      “Look at that Mashka, whenever he bites his lip…not only is it downright adorable, but it’s proving how vulnerable he is.”  Mare took in her sister’s advice, watching Charlie carefully.  He was stubborn enough never to show it, but he liked them…and whenever they caught him off guard he blushed to cover it up.  
      When they finished supper, they leaned back in their chairs, rubbing their bellies.  
      “Now that was some good food!”  Anastasia moaned.  
      “What about your brother…and your parents and grandmother?”  Charlie asked with heavy eyes, he was becoming fatigued again from the bountiful feast.  
      “Oh they are eating in their room.”  Tatiana answered sipping some tea.  Marie caught Charlie dozing off every now and then.  
      “Hey…”  She said patting his arm.  He looked up at her drowsily.  “You’re sleepy aren’t you?”  He nodded, giving her a sweet look.  
      “Come to think of it, I’m a little tired myself, perhaps we ought to call it a night?”  Olga offered to the others who agreed.  Marie got up, taking Charlie’s hand once again and walked him over to his bed.  His head landed in the fluffy pillow beneath him.  
      “Good night Charlie.”  She said warmly, tucking him in.  He reached for her hand as she walked away.  “Yes?”  She asked sitting down next to him.  He reached for her jaw and pulled her close.  And for the first time in her life, Marie Nicholaievna Romanova received her most passionate kiss.  When he released her, her eyes were wild with excitement and surprise, and her lips had felt as though they were burning.  The other grand duchesses kept quiet, yet they were just as shocked.  Touching the side of her cheek, he silently mouthed, ‘Night’.  
      Marie stood up, her legs shaking.  Charlie was softly snoring away, tucked into his pillow.  She didn’t even notice herself bumping into her other sisters who were just as awestruck.  They quietly closed his door and ran across the hall into their own room, giggling the entire way.  
      “And how was Captain Andrews?”  Nicholas asked the girls as he made the next chess move against Aleksey.  Alexandra looked up from a book, puzzled.  Minnie gave her granddaughter a curious look.  She had seen that face on her Nicky when he first met Alexandra.    
      “He was hospitable.”  Olga finally said, Tatiana and Anastasia giggled.  Marie didn’t say a word, she was still in shock.  She quietly walked into the bathroom and looked into the mirror.  When Olga walked in after her, she heard Marie talking to herself aloud.  
      “Wow.”
      “What’s wrong Mashka?”  
      “Wow.”  She repeated as Olga walked up behind her, placing her hands on Marie’s shoulders.  Suddenly Marie smiled widely, and then she erupted into a wild dance laughing.  
      “Wow.”  Olga concluded laughing, folding her arms.
He heard some crackled firing in the distance.  Looking up from the ground he saw the burning carcass of his Nieuport.  Taking his Colt 45, he slowly crawled over the muddy grass beneath him.  Slithering like a snake into God knows what.  Someone was bound to find him eventually; he had to get out of dodge and quick.  Walking away from the plane wreck, he stumbled over and slipped down a hidden hillcrest.  After a minute of tuck and tumble he landed in front of a tree.  Looking up he noticed where he was, he nearly vomited.  He was back in Yekaterinburg, in front of the Ipatiev house.  
      “I thought we blew that damned thing up!”  He said aloud, praying with his might that this was all a sick dream.  He heard voices, thick Russian accents that chilled him.  He turned around and met the butt-end of a rifle slam against his face.  When he came to, he couldn’t see anything, but he could hear well.  He heard the sound of revving engines, as if they were racing each other.  Then he the sounds of the Russian voice again.  
      “You are going to like this my friend.”  The voice taunted

[TheAce1918]

Then Charlie heard muffled gunshots, loud explosions.  Following them were the most terrifying screams he had ever heard.  His whole body began shaking violently.  “You see comrade!  I told you, you would like it!”  The voice laughed in a sickening tone.  Charlie wanted to scream but couldn’t, the Russian had clamped his mouth shut.  Before blacked out he heard a silent little voice call out.  
      “Help me…please help me.”  


19 July 1918



        Charlie shot up, sweating like a race horse.  He darted his eyes around his quiet palace room.  It had been a dream.  Thank the Lord.  The clock on his wall read five in the morning.  Lying back, Charlie let out a few deep breaths.  “I hope I don’t have that again!”  When he tried to fall back asleep, he couldn’t, so he gave up.  Picking up the phone on his nightstand he called downstairs.  
      “Hello?”  A sharp voice rang out.  
      “Hello Captain Khorsos?  I was wondering if I can order some new clothes for the remainder of our trip…my uniform is a bit um, messy.”  
      “Captain Andrews?”  
      “Yes sir.”  
      “Name what kind and we’ll have them for you in an hour.”  After placing his short order, Charlie went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and freshen up.  He felt sticky from the Mediterranean heat.  By the time the clock displayed six-thirty, the door knocked quietly.  Charlie opened it and found a whole wardrobe for himself.  A few suits, basic underwear, shoes, belts.  Pulling the wardrobe in, he tore the note off of the jacket in front.  

  With warm regards from the royals of Greece
-Capt. Khorsos

      By seven he was freshly dressed, checking himself over in his mirror he ran out to the small patio that flanked his room.  Breathing in the fresh air, he smiled.  Feeling like a million bucks he plucked six little flowers from the basket dangling from the banister.  He walked out into the hallway, the armed guards still in position from the night before.  Gingerly knocking on the Romanov’s door he whistled a tune before Olga answered.  A sweet smell of flora and fauna splashed upon him as she peeled open the door.  
      “Well look who it is!”  She said embracing him.  He handed her the flower.  
      “For you your majesty.”  
      “Why thank you Charlie.”  She said with a smirk.  He found the other grand duchesses hovering over breakfast.  He heard the shower running, Nicholas was in it.  Aleksey was sitting up on his bed, reading a magazine.  He looked much better compared to several nights before, several doctors looked him over and now that he had proper food and clothing, he was perkier.    
      “Hello and good morning Captain Andrews.”  He said smiling.  
      “Charlie.”  He corrected the boy.  He handed Tatiana, Anastasia, Minnie and Alexandra their flowers, each one of them kissing him in thanks.  
“What ever happened to that shy boy from last night?”  Olga asked with a smirk.  Tatiana took his hand, admiring his new outfit.  He did look handsome indeed, a god more like it.  
“I hate to say it, but this isn’t that shy boy.”  Tatiana said, resting her chin on his shoulder, showing him their reflections in the mirror.  “He has most definitely bloomed into a man.”  She giggled, kissing his cheeks which bled a rouge color.
“Um…”  Charlie stuttered, snapping awake from the romantic fairy-tale.  “Thank you Tanya.”  He threw an apologetic look to the two empresses sitting before him.  Alexandra only grinned while Minnie remained expressionless.  When he got to Marie, he began to feel nervous.  He meekly handed the flower to her, like a child would to his first crush.  “For you.”  
      Marie took the flower; she inhaled its luscious scent, winking when their eyes met.  He bit his lip, holding back a giggle.  She gave him a big hug, kissing the near-end of his neck.  
      “Thank you.” Her breath was so cool, the hairs on his neck zapped.  
      “Y-You’re welcome.”  
      “Someone’s in love!”  Anastasia sang in a tease.  
      “Shut up!”  Marie and Charlie said in unison.  They looked at each other fell into a fit of laughing.  The most surprising thing was Alexandra herself was chuckling a bit.  When Nicholas walked into the room from the shower, drying his hair with a towel. He looked confused at the scene.  
      “Did I miss something dear?”  He asked his wife, who was still too busy giggling with the others.  
      “Just a spot of love my dear.”  Minnie said to her confused son.  Nicholas gave her a ponderous look, Minnie only smiled.After a filling breakfast and last minute packing.  The Romanov family once again set sail aboard the grand battle cruiser Sword.  Their next stop was Alexandria, Egypt.  The hopes were high as well as the mood.  The British sailors brought out some instruments and began performing on the deck, swaying back and forth with the majestic sapphire waves of the Mediterranean Sea.  Charlie moved his fingers like a conductor, moving along with the upbeat song.  As the violinists continued the piece, a few sailors began singing the British war song, Rule Britannia.  
      Charlie rolled his eyes laughing aloud.  
      “What’s so funny mister?”  Olga asked walking up next to him.  He pointed to the singing sailors.  
      “Aren’t they a riot?”  
Olga listened to their song and after a few verses began laughing quietly with Charlie. He whispered to her.
 “They need to play some Over There, or Belgian Rose, or…what a minute.”  Just then he got an idea.  When the sailors were finished with their song, he ran over to them asking them something.

[TheAce1918]

Charlie then ran past Olga who was still wondering what he was up to.  He walked over to Marie who was silently watching the waves kiss the hull of the ship.  “May I have this dance?”  
She looked at him with a smirk.  “What dance?”  
Just then, the violin started up again, in an upbeat march.  Then one of the sailors began singing as Charlie led Marie to the center of the ship’s bow.

“Poor Johnny's heart went pitty pitty pat, Somewhere in sunny
France He met a girl by chance with ze naughty naughty
glance, She looked just like a kitty kitty cat, She loved
to dance and play, Tho' he learned no French when he left
the trench, He knew well enough to say,”

Then, holding Marie tight, Charlie began singing as he started dancing with the tune.  

“Oui Oui Marie, will you do zis for me Oui Oui Marie,
then I'll do zat for you, I love your eyes they make me feel
so spoony, You'll drive me loony, you're teasing me, Why
can't we parleyvous like other sweethearts do, I want a
kiss or two from Ma Cherie, Oui Oui Marie, if you'll
do zis for me Then I'll do zat for you, Oui Oui Marie!”

Marie whooped in laughter, she was laughing so hard at his spastic singing and dancing she had tears in her eyes.  The other sailors joined in, clapping their hands and stamping their feet on the deck.  The other Romanovs clapped their hands and only were able to remember the first few words of the chorus, but like Marie they too were rolling in laughter. When Charlie finished the song, he held her still in a proper dancing style. She stood on her toes and asked,
“And what is it I shall do for you?”  
“Kiss me.”  Charlie said as confident as ever.  
“You want a kiss?”  She asked, rising an eyebrow, giving Charlie a look that made him melt.  
“Oui, Oui…Marie.”  He said bursting in a faulty French accent.  She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him in, kissing him longer this time.  There were whoops and hollers all over the Sword. Charlie raised his fist victoriously, gaining more applause from the sailors.  When the two finished they were nearly gasping for air, but smiling.  
“Vous ete a mon Coeur.”  She whispered softly to him as their dance came to a lovely ending.
“Come again?”  He asked.  She only smiled and walked away, back to her original spot on the ship.  He stood there dumbfounded.  What the hell did she say?  As if on cue, a British sailor walked up to him and politely told him the answer.  
“She said ‘You are in my heart’, mate.”  
Charlie nodded his thanks, still in awe at her.  This radiant beauty that had just flirted with him in the most romantic language in the world.  
“Boy…do I feel like the smart one.”  He said to himself sarcastically.
When Charlie walked away, confused and guilty for not knowing French, the other three Romanov duchesses raced to their sister, giggling away.  
“My God!”  Anastasia exclaimed.  “Now there is a man who knows how to dance with a lady!”  
“That was the most adorable thing I have ever seen anyone do.”  Olga said holding her stomach.  She was laughing so hard at the way Charlie was dancing her sides ached.  Tatiana noticed Marie staring idly into the waves of the sea, her eyes sparkling something they hadn’t before.  When Tatiana gave her one deeper glance, it hit her.  
“You’ve taken a liking to him, haven’t you Marie?”  
Marie looked startled by the question.  
“Well…I…I…”  
“Y…Y…You are most definitely in love Marie, stop lying!”  Anastasia quipped, nudging her sister, grinning like the cat that caught the canary.  Marie blushed, smiling lightly.  Olga turned her away from the sea and looked deep into the young girl’s eyes, trying to find the sincerity that was deep within her.  
“Marie…”
“Yes…I like him, a lot. Now leave me, I want to be able to remember this.”  She explained sighing.    
The three girls smiled, nodding.  Walking away towards the ships galley, Anastasia turned around and let out one last tease.  
“Mashka’s in love!”  
Marie turned around and walked the other way, annoyed by Anastasia’s joking. She came across her grandmother, who had watched the whole show gleefully.  
“Hello granddaughter.”  
“Hello grandmamma.”  Marie replied emotionlessly.  
“I see you and the American captain there are quite the friendly couple.”  
Marie gave her a shocked innocent look.  She knew that her parents had raised her and her siblings much different.  Never allowing them friends the same age, obviously not of the opposite sex.  What was amazing was that neither Nicholas nor Alexandra had given Charlie odd looks.  Perhaps because they liked him?  They trusted and warmed up to him?  
“Well…yes grandmamma, Charlie and I are most definitely friends.”  The young girl bit her lip, not daring to look into her grandmother’s eyes.  Minnie looked at her lovingly.  She had never thought she would live to see the day where one of her granddaughters would be in love.  Of course there were marriage proposals all over the continent.  From Olga’s denial of Prince Carol in Rumania, to Marie’s own thoughts about a certain soldier from one of the regiments that had marched off to war.  But Minnie noticed that Marie acted much different when Charlie was around and vice-versa.  The two were more open, sweeter and obviously enjoyed each others company.  She laid a hand on Marie’s sunken shoulder.  

[TheAce1918]

“He is a very good looking man…very natural and not a snob from another kingdom.  If I knew any better, I’d say you have taken a rather serious fancy to him.”  Marie’s eyes lit up.  
“But grandmamma, you don’t know…”
“I don’t?”  
“Charlie is so different compared to the men of Europe, not because he is American.  But because he is funny, and sweet, and brave…there is just something about him personally that I find so…so…”
“Attractive?”
“Yes.”  Marie blushed deeply, keeping her gaze on the sea.  Minnie turned her, forcing her gaze upon her old face.  
“I like him too, well at least all that I know of him.  I am most surprised your father hasn’t stalked him like an eagle!”  
“I think that is because Charlie is the eagle…the protector…the angel.”  Marie’s voice drifted into the Mediterranean waves.  She looked into Minnie’s eyes, which were glowing with joy.  
“Well, whatever you decide…I shall respect.  But I think he is a great dancer!”  The dowager empress said, walking away after hugging Marie warmly.  She heard Minnie hum the song that Charlie had performed.  Marie turned her gaze back onto the sea, her mind wrapped in a cloud of thought.  

okay here is the link to the actual recording of the song
http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/ouiouimarie.htm

wonderful tune!

[TheAce1918]

Alright...need to know...
what is good and what is bad.  Just so I know for when I post in the future.

Merci

[Historybuff_262]

So far, everything is great.      I love the song.  

P.S. Vous parlez Francais?  

[TheAce1918]

I used to take french classes, but I was horrible in them.  Why?

[TheAce1918]

20 July 1918


      Alexandria, Egypt.  At one time, the majestic port city was one of the crown jewels of the empire of Alexander the Great in 334 BC.  The great emperor founded the city to improve its trade and agriculture.  In 1918, it was underneath protection by the British Empire and had been since the 1880’s; still there was the hum of threat from the Ottoman Empire next door.  The garrison at Fort Albert was gearing up at maximum security.  When the Romanovs arrived, they would be taken to the fort where their future would ultimately be decided.  In fact, the rumors were spreading.  Back to Greece?  To England?  France?  Where on Earth would they go…the chilling question was if any country would accept them?  
      There had been talk that King George V of England would take them in for a short while.  There was also talk that President Clemenceau of France would adopt the Romanovs, but that seemed highly unlikely seeing as that the Germans were not far from Paris and France was still holding on for her dear life.  Greece was another possibility, but it was in the hub of the chaos with Austria and the Ottomans.  On the political scale, every country that had been allied with Russia was afraid to take the royal family in, on account each country’s government feared revolution.  It fumed Nicholas’ anger as well as Charlie’s when he heard.  When Charlie overheard the conversation between Nicholas and Alexandra, one country immediately came to mind…America.  But he shrugged it off, besides why would royalty want to live in a free democratic state where the leaders are voted and opinion is a national tradition?  Plus, America’s multi-racial and national populations of Jews, Slavs and more had reeled over the Tsar’s many ‘issues’, but still.  
      The Sword was towed into port at four o’clock in the morning.  There wasn’t much activity on the docks, the British wanted to make it seem like it was another day.  Waiting for them was an armored carriage chained to six great Arabian horses.  Charlie had fallen asleep below deck on a makeshift hammock.  His cap was shading his eyes, hands clasped together over his chest.  Nudging a little, he felt the hammock move slightly then it went still again.  He turned over on his side, trying to get comfortable.  He felt a sudden brush of fingers over his forehead.  The sweet aroma of lilacs tickled his nose, he smiled.  Slowly opening his eyes, he realized he was face to face with Marie, whom he hadn’t spoken to since dinner the night before.  And even that was a ‘hello, goodbye’ scenario of shyness.  
      “Good morning sleepyhead.”  She said kissing the tip of his nose.  He fluttered his eyes, hoping he wasn’t dreaming.  
      “Aye, same to you…what time is it?”  
      “Four o’clock in the morning.”  
      “Four in the morning?”  He exclaimed shooting upright on the hammock so fast he flipped right off of it, landing on the cold hard steel floor.  
      “Charlie are you alright?”  Marie panicked, hoping he hadn’t hurt himself.  
      “Yeah, I’m alright…damned hammock…stupid thing won’t even…”  He groaned, mumbling obscenities to himself as he stretched out.  Marie laughed at him, shaking her head.  
      “And what pray tell is so funny princess?”  He asked, hands on his hips.  
      “Nothing, it’s just so…cute when you’re angry, that’s all.”  
      “Cute huh?  Well let it be known your majesty, that I am not cute…I’m ugly as sin!”  
      “Whatever you say, captain.”  She said throwing her hair over her shoulder, saluting him mockingly.  
      “Are we still at sea?”  He asked yawning, looking for a new pair of pants to put on.  
      “Nope, were in Egypt!”  
Nicholas had been to Egypt before; he had once even climbed the pyramids and fished in the Nile.  He thought it was a lovely country but did not take to the humid temperature too well.  The rest of his family had never had the chance to visit and like Charlie were amazed at the bazaars, the monuments, the clotted but still lovely landscape of oasis’s, the emerald Nile river and of course the sea to their backs.  He took a deep breath, enjoying for the first time a sense of happiness.  The imprisonment in Russia had ended, the dedicated men who had fought and died for them would never be forgotten and he vowed to display his gratitude some way some how.  Alexandra came up behind him, leaning on a cane.  Her tired eyes wandered all over the pier, studying her new surroundings in a timid feature.  
      “How long are we to stay here Nicky?”  She asked nervously eyeing the British soldiers and Arab traders who spat on the ground at unreasonable bargains from nomads, displaying their cavity infested teeth.  
      “I’m not sure Alix,” He answered using her German name for Alice.  “I suppose until Georgie or someone else takes us in.”  Nicholas thought about what he had just said.  For the first time since Yekaterinburg, he realized he and his family were homeless and far from their usual surroundings.  Though they were not broke whatsoever, they did not have a single ruble invested in Africa.  All of their real money was either still on the ship or in banks on mainland Europe and across the Atlantic in America.  Obviously all of the accounts were frozen due to the revolution. Aleksey walked up behind the two, taking both their hands.  

[TheAce1918]

“Mama, Papa…how long are we to stay in Egypt?”  They never could answer, before their very eyes; they saw their youngest daughter race down the exit ramp of the ship, laughing hysterically.  In her hand was a pair of trousers, flapping away madly in the wind.  What came next was the most side-splitting thing any of them had ever seen.  
      “Anastasia Nicholaievna Romanova!”  Charlie howled chasing after her.  He was wearing briefs and a t-shirt, the look of Satan on his face.  “Give me back my pants now or I swear I will take you back to where you came from!”  
      Anastasia stopped in her tracks, turned and gave Charlie a sheepish look.  
      “I can’t do that Charlie…I couldn’t possibly fit.”  She said pointing to her mother. Her reaction was answered with catcalls and loud guffaws that flowed over the pier.  Charlie still chased her until she dropped the pants.  Foolishly picking them up, he yanked them on trying to suck in as much dignity as he could muster.  He turned to the youngest grand duchess who was busy laughing away with the rest of her family.  Nicholas looked as though he had seen a ghost and Alexandra covered her mouth with her hand.  But he could tell they thought it was just as funny.  Charlie gave Ana a threatening look.  
      “I swear you had better stay far away from me, otherwise I’ll knock you into tomorrow!”  
      “Promises, promises.”  She said, sticking her nose in the air, much to everyone’s laughter.  
      
      The Romanovs were loaded into the carriage, Charlie embarrassingly boarded with them as they set off for Fort Albert.  Holding Marie’s hand, he looked out the window at the world outside.  He was fascinated with Egypt and had always dreamed of visiting it and digging up what was left of the great Sphinx.  The Arabian horses trudged along the dirt road, the wheels of the carriage crushing and bobbing over the thousands of rocks and debris that polluted the city roads.  In a short ten minute ride from the piers, the carriage pulled up to a grand stone fortress.  Nicholas looked up as he stepped out of the carriage.  It was a large structure, British guards and cannon flanked every wall and corner.  A large iron door with spikes jutted from its hinges.  Atop the grand fort were two flags, one of the new fledgling government of Egypt and one of Great Britain.  
      “This way your majesties.”  A soldier instructed them.  Guiding them into the fort, each soldier stopped in his tracks, raising his arm in salute to the royal family.  “Where do you think your going mate?”  The soldier-guide grabbed Charlie, pulling him out of Marie’s hand.  
      “Let go of him!”  She screamed.  Before anyone could do anything, Charlie had the soldier on the ground gasping for air in a choke hold.  
      “Say uncle you tart, say it!”  He shouted threateningly.  The soldier couldn’t even open his mouth.  Marie ran to him, breaking up the fiasco.  
      “Charlie…it’s alright, come on.”  
      Reluctantly Charlie loosened his grip and walked away, holding Marie protectively.  Looking back, Charlie saw the soldier’s eyes, hate written in them.
The commander of the fort, Colonel Brighton welcomed them.  He privately assured them the utmost protection.  He also informed them that word from London was that King George was willing to take them in by late August at best. But if they were to indeed do just that, it would have to be under the largest veil of secrecy. With the situation in on the Western Front, and the dangers of German U-Boats in the Atlantic, safety was the key.  The funny thing to Nicholas was that a year earlier, when he abdicated he pleaded to his cousin for exile in England…the British government refused.  And now they were instantly allowing safe passage to the British Empire, only in secrecy.  For the time being, the Romanovs would stay in Egypt.  In comparison to Siberia, it was absolutely perfect.  
      “Colonel, I know it is none of my business.  But…”  Charlie was interrupted by the man who calmly held his hand up.        
      “I understand Captain Andrews, the soldier that had done you harm will be dealt with swiftly.”  Charlie nodded his appreciation and walked with the family to their room.  

      Like their rooming situation in Greece, the Romanovs were stationed in one room, while Charlie had his own.  The only difference was that the end room down the hall was stationed with eight heavily armed guards.  Assigned to accompany them wherever they went.  Charlie settled in, rummaging through his bag, half of the ammo was gone; all of his grenades and explosives were gone.  The only things that reminded him of home was a photo album that he had yet to glance at it again, and his good luck charm, a little ring he found in a Cracker Jack box when he went to see the Cleveland Indians at League Park in 1909.  Marie tip-toed into his room, watching him reminisce.  Smiling warmly, she wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly.  
      “What is that?”  She asked looking at the bronze trinket.  
      “Oh…just something from home.  My good luck charm, whenever I get homesick, I just look at it and it reminds me of the childhood days.”  
      Marie nuzzled his back, taking in his scent.   Funny thing was he hadn’t put on any cologne or aftershave, so what was it that made his aroma so…addictive? He turned around still looking at the ring, its emblem tarnished from being a witness to war.  Then, without warning he took Marie’s hand and slid it onto her right pinky finger.  
      

[TheAce1918]

“Maybe it will bring you more luck than it did me at times.”  
      “Charlie I couldn’t take this…”  
      “It gave me one last miracle before it died on me…you.”  He kissed her hand and quickly left the room, heading downstairs to the army offices.  
      She looked at the ring now sitting proudly on her finger.  If the aristocracy of Russia had seen it, they would have laughed.  A bronze ring?  Boy he must be a millionaire!  She kissed the ring and took it off of her finger.  Detaching her pearl necklace, she slid it onto its chain; it slid in between her pearls.  She wanted it placed near her heart.    

      The day had been filled with so many activities.  Telegrams and phone calls from all over the country and Europe.  Family in Paris and London and even Germany had sent them messages of well wishes and love.  Nicholas became more than suspicious over them all, their former enemies and so called ‘friendly relatives’ wouldn’t even give them an inch when they were prisoners, but now they wish to think that everything is dandy?  Alexandra couldn’t get over at how many bouquets of flowers were being sent to her room.  The children had begged Nicholas if they could browse the bazaars of Egypt.  They had never done much intercontinental traveling and now was their chance.  They promised they would stay with the British escort troopers and would never wander far from one another.  Olga had even begged Charlie to come along.  The girls wanted him to have fun, to get out and enjoy the world as much as he could.  He only answered to Nicholas, when he proposed the grand duchesses plan, Nicholas agreed, but only to the high security arrangements.  When Charlie turned to leave, he saw that the Tsar was eyeing him.  He couldn’t tell if it was hostile or kindness, but he didn’t take the chance of guessing.  

      The Arab trader is known as the complete radical version of a Wall Street broker.  They will bargain and argue for what is best for them and their business for hours on end until some kind of agreement is made.  As the Romanov children wandered throughout the city streets of the second largest city in Egypt, British soldiers had followed them into every building and had watched their every move.  Charlie had found himself over by a table loaded with all sorts of paintings and papyrus scriptures.  One item he did find interesting was a papyrus paperback edition of the Egyptian Book of the Dead.  He flipped through its pages, amazed with the art and the hieroglyphic writings.  Tatiana walked up next to him, toting a bag of her own.  She had bought a bottle of exotic perfume and a new sun hat.  
      “What’s that?”  She asked.  
      “Some holy book of the dead.”  He answered handing it to her.  She looked at it carefully.  
      “Looks interesting, are you going to buy it?”  
      “No…just looking.”  His reluctance caught her attention; obviously the poor lad hadn’t a cent.  She called over a British soldier who knew Arabic; she requested to the man that he find out how much the book was.  When the trader told him that he would only sell it to her cheaply because she was a pretty lady, Tatiana pulled out a British pound and the trader slid the book to her with a gingivitis smile.  She caught up with Charlie who was busy over at another table.  
      “Here.”  She said, handing the book to him.  
      “Tanya you didn’t have to do that…”  
      “Your welcome.”  She said kissing his cheek.  “Now come along, we have to get back to the fort, colonel’s orders.”  
      When they returned to the carriage, the children all showed off what they had purchased.  Tatiana put on her new hat, posing in it as she tried out her new perfume…a lovely scent of wild jasmine.  Olga had purchased some writing paper and some old scribe pens, the ancient form of hieroglyphics had fascinated her. Marie bought a handheld paper fan with a picture of the Egyptian goddess Isis on it.  Aleksey bought a carved wooden motor car with little metal wheels.  It reminded Charlie of the Indianapolis 500 back home.  And Anastasia bought a new journal which she was already busily scribing into.  
      “What did you get Charlie?”  Aleksey asked looking up from his car.  
      “Um…”  He was embarrassed to say he was broke and that Tanya had pitied him.  But he just answered.  “The Egyptian Book of the Dead.”  Awes filled the carriage as they each grabbed for the paperback, asking question after question.  Charlie gave Tatiana a sorry look, but she just winked at him, smiling.  The Tsar and Tsarina breathed a sigh of relief when the children walked back into their room, showing off their souvenirs.  
      “I assume you all had a joyous time?”  Alexandra inquired over her fresh cup of tea.  She had just gotten out of the shower, allowing her sore and tired muscles a well needed chance to relax and heal.
      “We sure did Mama!”  Aleksey exclaimed.  “Look at this!”  He showed her his new car, rolling it around their table.  
      
Charlie paced around in his room, fumbling words from a poem that he had thought of on the sea voyage to Egypt.  He kept reciting it in his head, afraid he would loose it at any second.  He sat down on his bed, rubbing his temples, hoping that the ritual would keep his treasured words in his mind.  
      “Are you alright Charlie?”  Olga asked as she stood in the doorway of his room.  
      “I’m okay Olga thanks…just trying not to forget something I’ve been reciting.”  Olga tore a piece of paper from her notebook, handing it to Charlie with a scribe pen.  
      

[TheAce1918]

“Write it down and you won’t forget it.”  
      “Thank you.”  He said hugging her generously.  “I’ll write it down right away, the words just flooded my head when we were out at sea.”  
      “A poem?”  She asked as she left him in peace.  
      “Yep.”  He answered as he started scribbling away.  

      By the time he was finished, he was sure the pencil was warm from how much he had written.  He felt it took him hours when it only took no less than fifteen minutes to properly put it to paper.  He held up the sheet to the window covering the blazing Saharan sun, the letters reflected brightly into his eyes.  

Oh princess whose eyes sparkle wherever you are!
May I say that I love you?
May I say that you are as precious as the North Star?
Or will you laugh me aside?
My soul aching more, my heart beating less

Oh dear angel direct from God above
Will you let written fate judge your soul?
Or will you take command of your life?
And fly like Noah’s only dove
To your own birth-set goal
A mother and a wife

Oh sweet duchess whose as happy as can be
Dare I ask it in front of royalty?
Will you spare a moment or two?
Will you have a dance with me?
So that I may gaze into your eyes, as blue as the sea!

Darling little girl bless me
I wish, though life never grants
Through all of the years and all of the dreams
Will you please kiss me?  Save me from the worlds horrid rants
Make the monsters flee away, from the rivers and the mountains, from the meadows and from the streams

Oh woman of majestic light
Will you hold me please?  Kiss all of my tears?
Lift me at ease, erase all of my fears
May I, oh please princess may I?
Have this dance with you tonight?

Charlie Andrews 7/20/1918
The sentences on the page tore through him, like slashes from knives.  He reread the poem quietly to himself.  He felt the tears swell up in his eyes, allowing a few to roll down his cheeks. He slid the paper in his new book and set it down on his nightstand.  He took a breath.  It’s just a poem, but would he let her read it?  Charlie sighed, putting on his new coat; he closed the door behind him and went across the hall, hoping to catch them before they went to dinner.  When he knocked on the door he heard muffled giggling and chatter.  When the door opened, Anastasia had her hair down and make- up littered her face, she looked like a clown that had been thrown out of the circus.  
      “Oh!  I’m sorry; um I’ll come back later.”  Charlie said shocked, turning to walk away.  
      “Oh no, you can come in.”  She grabbed the back of his collar and yanked him into the room.  Instinctively he covered his eyes in embarrassment, when he dropped his hand to his side he saw the large room littered with gowns and dresses.  Make-up cases were thrown about the several tables, empty from extensive use.  The odor of several types of perfume permeated the grand room.  He recognized the lilac automatically, but there were others.  Rose, Jasmine, Violet and Vanilla.  The sound of girlish chattering leaked from the next room, giggles and serious talk no doubt.  
      Anastasia pushed open the already ajar door, Tatiana, Marie and Olga looked at the two by the mirror in front of them.  They were preparing for supper.  Charlie brought his hands back up to his eyes.  
      “Um, I’m sorry…she brought me in here against my will!”  He stuttered pointing to Anastasia who was already laughing up a storm.  He tried to break free from her grip, but with his one hand over his face, he instead made himself look like a child dragged into the make-up section of a department store.  
      “Aww, what’s the matter Charlie?  Never walked in on a girl changing her make-up before?”  Tatiana teased, puckering her lips applying some lipstick.  “Such a thoughtless action, why I never!”  She said humorously.    
      “I think he’s just shy…but secretly he has to be enjoying himself!”  Olga mocked spraying on some of her favorite Rose scented perfume.  
      “Now you leave him alone!”  Marie laughed, taking Charlie from Anastasia’s grasp and holding him protectively.  “It’s okay darling, don’t let these mean girls taunt you.”  
      “For your information it is not proper to walk in on a girl while she is dressing.”  He said, his hands still covering his cowering eyes.  
      “No of course not.”  Marie cooed, stroking his back.  She gave her sisters a devilish wink but her voice remained serious.  “Charlie, move your hand darling.”  
      Reluctantly he obeyed, keeping his eyes focused on the window.  He felt a hand turn his cheek, at first he stubbornly refused but turned his head and saw her clad only in a large bath towel, her hair dripping wet, eyes magnified by her wet skin.  He felt his heart skyrocket to his throat, his feet turned to puddles.  Anastasia nearly went blue trying hard not to laugh at the unique situation that Charlie was brought into.  
      “Oh my God!  I’m so sorry, excuse me please.”  He said, stumbling past her as he darted out the door, cursing to himself over and over.  “What would your parents think for Christ’s sake?”  He yelled as he left their room, slamming the door.  
      The room fell silent after the short laughter from Olga and Anastasia who shrugged her shoulders and suggested.  
      “Perhaps his eyes are virgins too?”  Marie went up to her, pointing her finger threateningly.  
      “You had better watch yourself Ana.”  
      “Okay, I’m sorry…gee Mashka you really are attached to him!”  She moaned rolling her eyes smiling.  

[TheAce1918]

“Why is it that every time since I arrived in Russia, I have screwed something up?”  He stared up at the ceiling of his room, trying to make patterns out of the crusty old brush strokes that looked like frozen waves.  He wanted to apologize over and over to Marie.  Though she did not indicate at all that she was offended, but he felt guilty for what Olga had forced him to see. Dinner had been hell.  He was nervous the entire time, trying hard not to even glance in their direction.  He kept hearing Tatiana and Anastasia giggling in between courses.  
      “Girls are you okay, is something wrong?”  Alexandra asked.
      “No Mama, just a joke Olga said.”  Anastasia answered quickly.
      “May we hear it?”  Nicholas inquired.  
      “Um, you probably wouldn’t understand it.”  Tatiana said kindly…trying to avert the subject.  It worked, the guards brought in a fresh tray, the main course of roast beef and potatoes. Charlie couldn’t wait to excuse himself and when he finally did, he ran to his room. The girls looked up from their meals sadly, Anastasia especially felt guilty.  She felt the stinging eyes of her sisters’ stab her.  She looked sorrowful to them; Marie still kept her eyes on the grand staircase where Charlie had run to.  
      “What was the matter with Captain Andrews?  Is he alright?”  Alexandra asked aloud.  
      “Oh, he’s alright Mama…he had been complaining of aches to the head earlier.  He’s probably napping right now.”  Once again, Tatiana’s diplomacy had saved the moment.  

      “I got to tell her…I have to otherwise I’ll never be able to live the guilt down.”  Charlie got up from his bed and went to open his door.  Marie ran right into him.  
      “Oh goodness, I’m so sorry.  I am such a clumsy girl sometimes!”  She said nervously, pulling down the sleeves on her fresh nightshirt. Her hair was let down to her shoulders, the way it clung to her body made the hairs on his neck stand.  
      “It’s alright, no harm done.”  The two teenagers stood in front of each other motionless.  After exchanging smiles several times Marie broke the silence, twirling a strand of her hair with her fingers.  
      “I just wanted to say goodnight.”  
      “Goodnight Marie…I’m sorry for what Ana…and you know.”  He blushed slightly.  
      “It’s okay Charlie…don’t be so upset, you did nothing wrong.”  He nodded, smiling in light relief.  She took his hand, standing on her toes she kissed him on the cheek, nuzzling his ear and whispered goodnight to him once more. The sound of her whisper numbed him so badly he thought an ice cube was on his spine, his eyes rolled up and a tiny grin curled on the side of his mouth.
      “Goodnight.”  He said, hugging her tightly.  Regretting letting her go.  She glanced back sweetly before closing her door.  
      When his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light, smiling so wide his cheeks hurt.  Before he felt his body surrendering to the essence of sleep he listened to the Nile River flowing powerfully through the land.  As the bloodline of Egypt ebbed the stress from Charlie’s mind, the cool desert breeze drifted through the room, playing with the wind chimes that hung lifelessly over his window.  

      The trucks revved up again, creating a deadly looking fog from their exhaust pipes.  The muffled screaming turned into heart shattering cries for help and mercy.  They were quickly expelled by thrusting of knives and the blasting of pistols.  He heard a faint heavy sigh of breathing before the soldier cracked his skull with a rifle again.  

      “Help me, please…help me…”

End of CH

[Jay]

Ace, that is a wonderful story even if it is fiction. I loved reading it. Thanks for posting it. Did you come across it somewhere? Or, did you write it? Anyway, it was a real treat!!! Thanks!!

[TheAce1918]

Thanks Jay!    It is my story.  
And I am not posting any more of it.  I have decided to seriously, SERIOUSLY rennovate and edit it.  I am elongating the chapters, adding tad-bits here and there and also mending the format.  Plus, not too many people read it, so I didn't want to waste anymore space.  

I have not decided if I will be posting the updated version of it.  I want to write it so that I can try and publish it in the near future.  But who knows :-/

[Jay]

  If you do ever publish it, please let us know. I'd love to read the revised story. Thanks again.