Everyone seems to have calmed down, it only took the rest of spring and the entire summer but we've calmed down. Major Stewart especially seems a lot more comfortable now that we've joined the new group and he's amongst other officers. When we went off for a practice ride he admitted that he felt like he had more control over things now, like he was more sure of what he was doing. We've been in a few charges and several shoot offs with the enemy, and have hardly had any casualties. Definately nothing like what we had when we first started our campaign. He now rides Fergus as confidently as he rode Topthorn, but sometimes before excersizes I can see his hands trembling slightly as he gathers the reins.

Charlie also seems to feel much better about his position as Captain, and has practically reverted back to the Charlie I met when I first joined the cavalry. Cheerful and totally irreverent to Jamie and the other officers. The two of us like to ride off away from the group together and do whatever we want. Just the other day Charlie managed to convince me to climb a tree with him. I'm slightly afraid to climb trees, especially after my last time climbing resulted in me falling out of the tree and injuring myself.

We also like to ride bareback, which is especially fun on Sparks. He's so responsive to me, I don't have to fear not having as much control of him even without the security of the saddle. My pony back at home used to take slight advantage of me when I rode him bareback, and we danced on the line of control often. As great as Sparks is though, I find myself missing my sweet little chestnut pony.

The other great thing is that the cavalry unit we joined up with is full of really great guys. A bunch of daredevils some of them are! Today they've decided to have jumping practice, and I'm excited because their jumping is the craziest thing I've ever see let alone done. When we first joined with them, we were all too nervous and grief stricken to participate in their training sessions. A couple months ago we finlly brought ourselves to go with them, and I am so glad we did!

They like jumping, unfortunately with the war in full swing it's very hard to find materials to make proper jumps. The last time I jumped something legit was back when Captain Nicholls was still alive. That seems an eternity ago now, but the pain hasn't dulled any. I still miss him, especially now that Joey is gone too. Bottom line is, we don't have materials to build jumps, however that doesn't stop this cavalry unit. They make jumps out of all sorts of things, including each other and other horses!

I haven't had the guts to jump other horses yet, because it's so high. However I've jumped other things including picnic tables, motercycles, and other privates. It is absolutely insane jumping other people, but I think it's awesome! Sometimes they'll pick up a man, having one person hold their feet and the other hold their head, and then we jump over him that way. Other times several guys will bend over in a row and we'll jump over the group of them, or two guys will just hold hands and we'll jump over their outstretched arms. One time a private stood on his head and spread his legs apart, having two of his buddies helping him keep balance, and we jumped between his legs.

Today it looks like it's going to be picnic tables, motercycles, and people again. The officers are sitting at a table on the far side of the field eating brunch and talking, looking over at us occationally and commenting on our riding. Right before it's my turn to jump the course, a neat little idea pops into my head. "Private Donnelly! You're up!" someone calls, I gather up my reins and grab a handful of Sparks' mane before asking him into a canter.

I keep him collected as we canter and leap over the first private who's elected to be a jump today. We clear him, and I direct Sparks towards the picnic tables. He fights me slightly as I pull on him, trying to collect him and get the strides right. He leaps the jump and I jump it the way I'd been taught to do it in my own time. Leaning forward, standing out of the saddle slighty with my heels pressed down, and giving Sparks his head. All the other cavalry riders of this time sit the jumps, holding their horses' heads up tightly over the jumps. It is kinda neat to watch, because now I know why carousel jumpers look the way they do. I've tried myself to jump that way once or twice, but it didn't feel as secure as the way I originally learned.

Once we've cleared the tables, instead of going to the next set of people that are supposed to be my next jump, I make a tight turn on Sparks and begin cantering towards the table where the officers are eating. I give Sparks his head and allow him to charge towards the table, the officers all look up as they hear my horse thundering towards them. Their eyes widen and several officers' mouths drop open as I press up and Sparks leaps over the table. Two of the officers stand up and one falls out of his chair, Jamie and Charlie both remain seated. The Major doesn't even seem remotely bothered, he continues smoking his cigarette as he watches Sparks and I canter around and back onto the main course.

The other privates are hooting and hollaring at us as we pull up and get back into the line after completing the course. The officers look a little flustered but the ones that had leapt up return to their seats and resume talking. They don't seem bothered at all as their table becomes the new third jump on the course. Horse after horse leaps over, they continue to sip their tea and chat about how the war is going.

While I sit in the line up one of the privates begins talking with me. "Hey, you jump really weird. Why do you stand up over the jumps?" he asks curiously. I shrug "I just feel more comfortable when I do it that way. It's how I was originally taught, it's better for the horse too. They don't have to put as much effort in if you give them their head and get off their back" I explain.

When it's his turn to go he tests my words, riding up out of the saddle over the jumps and leaning forward. When he returns someone tells him that he finished several seconds faster than his last time around. He looks over at me and I smile at him. The rest of the jumping goes by in a blur, Sparks and I making three more trips around the course before everyone decides to call in for the evening.

Sparks is in good spirits as I rub him down and feed him. The other soldiers have gone to the dining hall to eat, I stay out with Sparks. Resting my head on his neck, I think for a little bit. I wonder what my mother would say about me jumping picnic tables and people, I can't imagine she'd be too pleased with me. Not that I ever cared what she thought, it just crosses my mind. I miss her somewhat.

I'm drawn from my thoughts by Charlie coming up behind me. He smiles "That was some impressive jumping you were doing today, looked pretty good." he tells me. I can't help but grin like a fool "Oh really?" I ask. He nods as he approaches me "Yeah, of course I could have jumped it much better, but it was good for a woman" he teases. I smack him in the chest "I think you know better than to say stupid things like that" I tell him.

He laughs "Yes, I certainly do" he replies cheekily. We begin walking to the dining hall together "You know, it might not seem like it, but soon it'll be winter" he tells me. Winter? But that can't be! He seems to read my mind because he nods "Time certainly does fly. We've already been put on hold for the season. So, the men were thinking about attending the fall carnival. There's a little town quite a ways from here, they seem bound and determined to hold their festivities whether there's a war or not" he explains.

"Can you just get to the point Charlie?" I ask, I know exactly where he's going with this, but I like giving him a hard time. He clears his throat "I was wondering if you'd like to uh, go with me" he finally asks. I smile "Of course I would go with you! Geez Charlie, you ask it as though you are trying to ask me to marry you or something! It's not life or death, just a carnival outing" I tell him. He chuckles at me, but something in his demenor changes and I see it right away. It's that look that I've seen from those supid romance films my friends used to make me watch.

Before we get to the dining hall I grab his arm, taking him around the corner so we're in the dark "Charlie" I say quietly "You, you weren't considering asking me that, were you?" I ask. He looks away so I reach up and gently cup his cheek, turning him so he faces me "Charlie" I say again. He swallows uncomfortably "I wanted to wait, until the war was over. I remember what you told me, about your fiance. I just thought after everything we've been through..." I cut him off by kissing him lightly on the lips.

I can see his eyes shining as he tries to hold back tears, and I feel absolutely horrible. "I love you Charlie, you're the dearest friend I've ever had. I just, don't know if I can do that. Besides, who's to say we'll make it to the other side of this war?" I ask. He shakes his head at this "We'll make it! It's almost over! It has to be!" he said. I sigh "Charlie, you can't do this to me. I love you, I do. I just, can't agree to that. We're the bestest of friends right? Nothing can separate us right?" I ask.

He nods slowly and I kiss his cheek "Nothing's going to change Charlie. Let's just pretend this whole thing didn't happen ok?" I ask. He smiles sheepishly "So this means you're not coming to the carnival?" he asks. I feel an incredible urge to smack him, but instead I just laugh "Come on, let's just go eat".

The cavalry is on the road again the next day, riding towards that town Charlie talked about last night. Everyone chats amiably with one another as we ride, someone even strikes up a tune. Jamie told me this morning that we'll be staying just outside the town for the winter, so that we'll have more access to supplies and things of that nature. We spend the entire day riding, and just after dark we finally arrive on site of where we'll be putting our camp.

I completely ignore the world as I take care of Sparks and pitch my tent. I ignore them further by climbing in my tent immediately after and falling asleep. It's not until the obnoxious bugle sounds first thing the next morning that I decide to actually acknowledge anyone. I wake up and stretch, running a hand through my hair before forcing myself to get dressed and get out. The entire camp is buzzing with excitement, and the soldiers are acting like little children. They are beyond excited for this carnival.

Jamie and I exchange a brief good morning while we water our horses. I keep Sparks near Fergus and Charlie's bay mare, whom he has decided to name Sugar. The name makes me a little nervous, because whenever I hear that name I can only think of the famous racehorse Shergar. That's just my oddball mind though, coming up with obscure thoughts to certain prompts. I asked Charlie about the name, he told me he named her after the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker, which was his favorite ballet.

Oh the stories I told him after he told me that! My parents had once taken me to see the New York City ballet perform the Nutcracker every single year, since my grandfather played in the orchestra. I got to go backstage, and in the pit, and I even had a small bag of snow that I swept off the stage. He enjoyed listening to me talk about that, and told me how he wished he could have seen such things for himself. I wish I could bring him into the future to see it too, I bet he would love the future!

After Sparks is taken care of, I head back to my tent to freshen up a little bit. I run my hair through a comb, it's beginning to grow out again and now it's starting to curl. I'm going to have to cut it again soon if I'm going to keep up appearances in the cavalry. Not that any of my comrades care, even the new men know the truth about me and they all like me. It's a secret though to the outside world, I'd like to keep it that way.

Once my hair is brushed out and I've made my uniform look somewhat spotless, I begin searching for Charlie. I run into Jamie again on my rounds around the camp. "Are you looking for something?" he asks me, taking a puff of his cigarette. I nod, "Yeah actually, I'm looking for Charlie. He wanted to go to that carnival with me. Have you seen him?" I ask.

He shakes his head, "Not since this morning, no. You've tried his quarters?". When I tell him I have he hums in contemplation, "I'm afraid I'm not sure where he could be then. Sorry." I smile "That's ok Jamie, I'm sure I'll find him sooner or later. Are you going to the festival?" I ask him. He shakes his head, taking another drag of his cigarette before dropping it on the ground and snuffing it out with his boot, "No, I'm going to stay here and watch the camp. With things so peaceful I might finally be able to read my book." he tells me.

"Oh? What book is that?" I ask him, I didn't even know he had a book! He smiles, "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. I read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes constantly when I was a boy, but I could never get a copy of the next series of stories until now." he explains. Just as he's finishing telling me about Sherlock Holmes, Charlie comes around the corner beaming "Hey! I have a surprise for you! Hurry up! We don't have all day!" he says eagerly, grabbing my sleeve and tugging me. I wave to the Major over my shoulder "Bye Jamie! Have fun reading!" I call. I just barely catch the goodbye he offers me in return before Charlie drags me off and out of sight.

I ask him what he's doing, but he doesn't answer me until we're in his quaters. There's a box on his bed and he thrusts it into my arms, "I want you to go in there, and change into this, and then we're going to the carnival to have a grand time." he says, shoving me towards his bedroom. Before I can protest he has shut the door behind me, stopping me from saying even a word about the matter. What the hell could be in this box anyway?

Carefully, I set it down on the bed and open it. I am not sure whether to be stunned, or excited, or how exactly I'm supposed to feel. I guess the first thing I feel is a little violated, he dug through my stuff and got a hold of my corset and other women's undergarmets! There are some new things though, that have been placed in the box. There's a white shirt, and a green day skirt with a matching green jacket. There's also a hat, which he could not pay me enough to wear ever! I suppose he feels the need to take advantage of the fact I look like a girl with my hair right now. Only slightly begrugingly, I change into what he's left for me. He even got me shoes! When the heck did he find out my shoe size?

When I emerge he's beaming, and I can't help but smile back at him. "We're going to need to have a little chat about this sometime," I tell him, he only smiles bigger at this and I laugh. He holds out his arm for me to take, he's wearing his uniform, the silk lined cap and all. I take his arm and he leads me out of hi quarters, out of camp,and on te road going towards the village. Even from here I can hear the music and commotion from it.

"We're going to have such a grand time! They have a carousel! And cotton candy! And a scary tunnel! All sorts of things! I used to love carnivals! My brothers and I would go all the time!" Charlie chatters as we walk towards the villiage. I listen attentively, I always learn new things about Charlie when he rambles on and on like this. It's also really cute when he gets excited like this, I already know today is going to be fantastic.

The carnival is lively, though I can't understand half of what the people are saying because they all speak french. We run into a few of our comrades, a couple of them are pretty drunk already. Charlie and I laugh at one of them as they drunkenly chase after a small group of young french girls. One of them smacks him in the face in order to get him to stop and she mouths off to him in french. He just smiles at her like an idiot, and continues tailing her.

We spend the next little while just walking around and exjoying the atmosphere. It's hard to talk much because it's so loud, but it's alright. Charlie and I don't need to speak in order to communicate, we've gotten pretty good at reading each other. As we stroll through the midway, he nudges me and points over to one of the games. I raise a skeptical eyebrow and mouth the word 'no'. He drags me over anyway and I roll my eyes as the sketchy looking attendent immediately begins conning him into playing.

It's one of those games that is almost always rigged. There are three milk bottles, and you have to knock them all over in one throw. It's impossible though, even if you do manage to somehow hit it just right, the bottles are either weighted or glued down so it's impossible to knock them over. Still, Charlie gets three baseballs and begins his quest to beat the unbeatable game. His first throw isn't even close, the second is no better.

I'm about ready to drag him away from the infernal game as he raises the last ball and lobs it as hard as he can at the bottles. They all crash down, and Charlie grins at me "I'm the best shot in the cavalry you see!" he boasts. I shove him playfully as the attendent grumpily hands Charlie his prize. He presents it to me and I almost don't want to take it from him. He won it, so he should have it. "No, I won it for you! For coming with me!" he says, pushing it into my arms.

Finally I take the suffed bear, its fur is surprisingly soft. He's a rather handsome bear, with plush brown fur and bright blue glass eyes. There's a matching blue satin ribbon tied around his neck, which makes him even more adorable. I keep him tucked carefully under my free arm, holding Charlie's hand in the other. "Thank you Charlie, you didnt need to though. I'm glad I came with you, I'm having a really awesome time!" I tell him, and I mean it. I am having a good time!

Next he buys cotton candy, and we split it between the two of us as we wait in line for the scary tunnel. I am careful not to get it stuck in the bear's fur, or get any of it on my dress. Today has been so lovely, and for once I don't mind being a girl. I wish my friends could see me now, they'd be so proud of me for going out with a boy. I really do love Charlie, he's fantastic! He's so fun and cheerful and sweet. He's my best friend in this time period, I want to be his friend forever. I know that's impossible though, and thinking about it slightly dampens my day.

We enter the tunnel just as we're polishing off our fingers from the cotton candy. I hold onto Charlie's arm tighter as we walk cautiously through the dark. I hate these things, I've always hated haunted houses and such because I never know what to expect. Charlie pats the top of my hand and laughs "Afraid of the dark?" he teases. I shake my head "Afraid of what's hiding in it, actually" I reply.

Suddenly someone jumps out at us and I yelp and jump in surprise, clinging to Charlie's arm in fear. He laughs and we continue on our way, there are various loud noises and things jumping out. Each and every one causes me to jump, Charlie is only caught off guard once or twice. When we walk out we're both laughing though, and we sit down on a nearby bench so I can collect myself. "You'd think I'd be braver after all I've been through" I tell him, chuckling. He smirks "Well not everyone can be as brave as me" he says cheekily. I hit him with my stuffed bear "Yeah, you're the bravest knight at the round table Sir Boast-A-Lot" I reply sarcastically.

Once we've stopped giggling we continue on our way around the carnival, looking at some of the various rides. A few of them are actually pretty modern, things I recognize from my own time. There's the swinging chairs, and a ride that resembles a tobogan ride they used to have at my fair. Finally we reach the carousel and Charlie eagerly takes me on it. He leads me up and over to one of the wooden horses and before I can do anything he grabs me around the waist and hoists me up onto it; jumping on the one beside mine. Some other soldiers who saw us get on the ride as well, and find horses as near to us as they can get.

The organ plays a gentle tinkering melody as the starting bell rings and the ride starts moving. Charlie set me up on this horse side saddle, and I find myself holding onto the brass pole on my horse tighter than I normally would. The others on the carousel hollar and cheer as we go around. There's a brass ring, I can see it. I'm almost afraid to reach out in an attempt to grab it because of my pecarious position on my horse. Charlie encourages me and I stick my tongue out at him before finally joining my other comrades in an attempt to get it. In the end, I fail, and one of the privates right behind me manages to grab it.

With the sun setting and many of our comrades pretty wasted, we decide to go back to camp. Charlie and I stroll hand in hand and sing random songs that pop into our heads, most of them wildly out of tune. Major Stewart must have been feeling generous, for when we return we find all the horses have already been fed and watered. There's also a fire going, and he's sitting around it with his feet propped up reading his Sherlock Holmes book. Seems he thought ahead and figured most of the privates wouldn't be capable of taking care of themselves, let alone their horses.

"Did you have a good time?" he asks us, not looking up. Charlie and I both glance at each other before shrugging "Oh you know, it was ok. Nothing overly exciting about it" Charlie finally replies. Jamie bobs his head, his eyes still not leaving the page he's on "I thought as much. Well, I believe if you hurry you can get something decent to eat before the drunken masses manage to stumble their way here and eat it all" he tells us. Charlie and I decide to take his advice, and make a beeline for the food. Cotton Candy is only so filling.

I am SO sorry the updates for this take me so long! I've just started my senior year of high school and there's just so much going on it's hard to find a moment! I am going to try my very hardest to update more frequently, but I make no promises. This chapter is twice as long as usual though, to make up for my absense.

Thanks for the reviews, the support, and just for reading this fanfic! You guys are totally awesome! If anyone has any ideas, do feel free to offer them up! I'm always open for suggestions! THANK YOU EVERYBODY!