MORE THAN WORDS

Author: Becca
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: You/Cesar
Categories: Drama, Romance

Disclaimer: I do not unfortunately own the rights to any of the characters shown in The Man Who Cried. I wish I did and have asked it from many a star in the night sky but so far my wish hasn’t been granted, I’ll be sure to let you know if it does come true though if I’m not busy running off with Cesar ;)

Summary: As the war spreads across the world Cesar and his family are attacked. He and his brothers and fathers try to fight but as the soldiers remain resolute they are losing the battle until almost everyone is dead. Fleeing the fighting Cesar escapes, his family killed and alone in the world without anywhere to go. His mind is flooded with thoughts of his Suzie, his family and everything he has lost and it seems that the end of his life is night… that is until someone comes along and brings a little bit of hope.

Author's Note: I hate summaries so please forgive me for that one I know it doesn’t sound particularly exciting or intriguing, I hope you will think the story is better though! Please bear in mind this is my first Man Who Cried based fic so I’m a little bit shaky with the characters and everything but as I continue on hopefully it will become more stable. Overall I would just like to say enjoy!

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CHAPTER 1

The night seemed warmer on this night, warmer than it had been for a while despite the wind blowing in from the sea. It seemed warmer than all the nights previously and one couldn’t help wondering if it signified a change, maybe that things would get better.

Cesar however knew that the wind would not predict the movements of the armies marching across the country, it would not change Hitler’s mind and would not make either side back down from war. The warmth was just a pleasant yet saddening little reminder of days that have passed and days that could come… though it seemed that these happy days would be far into the future. The warmth was similar to that of a day just at the beginning of summer, just as the wind would blow in from the South bringing with it the smell of exotic fruits and warmer climates. The days would grow longer and the evenings would be filled with much merriment, laughter and dancing.

Cesar was unsure now what time of year it was, this may be the beginning of summer but in all honesty he could not be sure. For months he had just forgotten about time; days and nights seemed to melt together as the skies always seemed to be black. The war seemed to have even made Mother Nature put up her defences and it had rained steadily for many days, pelting anyone who did not get out of it’s path. Cesar had slowly found himself lost in his life, with no familiar faces to look to and nowhere to go. The lack of a home or direction didn’t bother him so much; it never had before as it was just his life but being alone? No, Cesar could gladly admit he had not been alone for much of his life, he had his family around him all the time, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children, all smiling faces for him to turn to. No longer were those faces there to see, no longer was he greeted with their warm smiles.

He had stayed in Paris when Suzie had left just as he said he would, just as he knew he had to. He had stayed and fought when the soldiers came to destroy his family and send them away. He had fought alongside his fathers and brothers; killing any man that dared to hurt the people he loved. He was not a vicious man and killing was not something he liked to do but when it came to protecting his family from these hateful bastards he could do nothing else. They wouldn’t think twice about cutting his throat and nor did he feel any sorrow about doing it to them.

Everything had turned upside down within moments, short weeks after Suzie’s departure his camp was being invaded, the soldiers dragging the women and children away screaming and crying. The horses had gone wild, whinnying and stamping occasionally knocking people to the ground if they got in the way and trampling them until they were nothing but a corpse. It was not their fault when they trampled a small child, they did not differentiate between the people who had cared for them and the soldiers, and they were too frightened to even comprehend it all.

As the soldiers kept coming Cesar and his family were overpowered, the horses were shot and everyone was either killed or dragged away to a later death at a concentration camp. It had only been Cesar and his best friend and brother Miguel who had managed to get away. Cesar and Miguel had managed to ride the only horse left away from the destruction, away from the screaming. They didn’t want to run, they wanted to fight but no more could be done. So many bodies lay strewn across the ground, soldiers dragging every living person away and killing anyone who fought. It was a very sad day when Cesar and Miguel knew that they could stay and fight no longer and it had almost been too late.

Cesar could remember the moment well, he remembered looking through the faces, some pained and screaming for help, these were his family and then there were the stern and resolute faces of the soldiers. Miguel had coming running to him, a man of around the same age as Cesar and told him that they must leave now if they wanted to live. Cesar had been adamant to stay at first, he would fight to his death to save his family but eventually Miguel had pleaded enough to persuade him. There was no point in him giving his life, his family were lost now to the soldiers, they would just kill him and his family’s doom would remain the same.

Hiro, Cesar’s beautiful white stallion had been the only horse left in the camp, still tethered to a pole and whinnying loudly, stamping his hooves. It took many a soothing word for Cesar to be able to get near enough to untie him, the fear was clear to see in the horses eyes, the whites showing more than the usual soft brown. Eventually Cesar had calmed him enough to manoeuvre himself onto his back and without a saddle it was not the easiest of tasks. Cesar was experienced though with horses and Hiro in particular, he knew how to mount him with the proper equipment or without; it was just a bit easier with. From then he’d guided Hiro through the crowds of people to where Miguel was gathering as much supplies as they could afford to take and had stopped and helped Miguel onto Hiro’s back, bags filled with food and clothes over his shoulder.

They had been a sight to behold as they galloped away from the camp, the soldiers shouting after them and trying to shoot them down. It had been an odd sensation for Cesar to run away like this, to have bullets speeding through the air but never making contact though coming so close. They had galloped away through Paris, through the cobbled streets, past the shops and hotels and anyone who dared to be out at this time of night.

They did not stop until they reached the outskirts of Paris where they could barely make out the sounds of gunfire. It had been only now as Cesar had slowed Hiro to a halt that he felt Miguel’s weight resting heavily upon his back and a warm dampness seeping through his clothes. Turning his head he could see Miguel’s head slumped down and as he tried to turn his body Miguel fell right off the horse, startling Hiro and making him whinny.

Jumping quickly down to the ground Cesar knelt by Miguel’s body, turning him to face him gently and seeing his eyes closed. Looking at his chest in the dark of the night he could make out a thick liquid seeping through his clothes, he had not known that any of the bullets had hit them. Checking his pulse point Cesar’s beliefs were shown to be true as no life ran through Miguel, no heartbeat at all. Biting his lip and attempting to hold back the tears Cesar sat next to Miguel’s body, rueing every Nazi in the world. They had done nothing to harm anyone and now his family had been ripped away from him and he felt as though it might as well be his very heart. He felt empty and alone, colder than on any winter day and more alone than he ever knew possible.

Throughout the night Cesar had sat there, Hiro gently trotting about and eating the grass though not moving very far away. The horse knew who his friend was, who cared for him and he knew not to leave his side. Cesar dosed for a while, slumping down next to Miguel’s body and only awaking with the dawn chirping of the birds and a red sun making its way into the sky, hidden behind smoky grey clouds.

Realising that the day was coming Cesar had sat Miguel up, removing the sacks from his back that had taken some of the impact of the bullet and stopped it from going through Miguel to Cesar and had dragged him away to some bushes. He would have liked to have buried him but he knew that if he stayed here much longer the soldiers would come and find him and he would be killed. Even in this lonely state he didn’t want to die, at least not by their hands.

Mounting Hiro once again with the sacks now slung over his shoulder he urged the horse onwards and galloped away from it all, the sounds of Paris growing even more distant as the day wore on. Cesar did not know where he was going all he knew was that it had to be away from here. The man and horse had gone on for many days, only stopping to find water and sustenance and to sleep in the shelter of a tree or abandoned cottage at night. It was only when they reached the North coast that they had stopped and trotted slowly along the beach, dipping in and out of the surf as the waves sprayed up foam.

It was refreshing but nothing at this time could make Cesar feel happy again. Staring out across the sea he knew that England was across the Channel, most probably being invaded by the Nazi’s as well. He knew it was Suzie’s home before Paris and wondered if maybe she had gone back there to be with the family that had brought her up but he found it unlikely. From talks with her as he held her in his arms she had told him of her unhappiness in England and her want to find her true father. She told him that she never felt a connection with the people she had had to call her parents and though she might miss them on occasions they were not set too deeply in her heart.

He wondered if she still thought of him, it had only been a few weeks since they had parted but he couldn’t help wondering at this particularly lonely time. It seemed that the only person who cared for him who was alive was away in another country, off in America finding her father and a better life for herself or so he hoped. He hoped that she would sing and show the world her beautiful voice; memories of her singing Dido’s Lament by the fire flooded his mind and made tears come to his eyes as he reminisced. He missed her terribly, they had only known one another for a month or two but their bond had seemed so strong.

She would move on though he knew, she would find an American man to love her and she would forget about the gypsy who showed her true love for the first time. He did not like the bitter, jealous feeling that would rise within him and make him feel like lashing out and yelling. He preferred to be quiet and peaceful but everything had gone so terribly wrong lately that he couldn’t help but feel angry. Instead he remained silent and he and Hiro stayed wandering along the shore and onto the cliffs up the rocky path. The supplies that Miguel had managed to pack were slowly dwindling and Cesar did not know what he would do once they were gone. He was no where near a village where he could buy anything or more likely steal as he had no money or anything to barter with and the only options left would be for him to move on or hunt.

It was strange for him to think of himself as hunting animals down and killing them, he knew his fathers had done it but he had never needed to, they had moved from town to town and had managed to get food by bartering goods or their services as workmen. When they had stopped in Paris Cesar had found the job with the theatre as they required animals and trainers on stage and was also invited and paid to perform at the fancy dinner parties. He had always had some money and a meal awaiting him at the camp if he didn’t go to a cheap café but now he was alone and penniless.

If he moved on then he might be able to come across a village and do work in exchange for food and some kind of shelter. He was happy enough to stay in a stable with Hiro, as long as he could eat and drink and look after his horse he would be content enough. Without knowing his whereabouts though he wasn’t sure how far he would have to travel to find anywhere and he didn’t want to risk running into more soldiers as the armies made their way across the country. If he stayed they might find him he supposed but if he got to know one area well enough he could find a place to hide and escape their bloodthirsty hands.

He did not understand the war or why everyone was fighting. All he knew was that Hitler had a great hate for anyone who was not part of what he called the Arian race, the German men and women with blonde hair and blue eyes that were strong and healthy. Cesar did not understand why one man believed he could mould the whole of humanity to be like this, this strange idea of perfection, by killing everyone who didn’t fit the description. It saddened him greatly to know that so many were being slaughtered and it was hard for him to feel grateful for his own life when he had no one to turn to.

So here he was on the slightly warmer night, mounted upon Hiro’s strong back standing in the surf looking out across the Channel. Sometimes he would imagine that he could see the distant landscape of England and Suzie waving to him but he knew that she wasn’t there and even if she was he couldn’t see her that far away.

It was growing near the end of the time when he could live on what supplies he had, he’d been eating as little as possible over the days but eventually his resources were becoming scarce. He looked out across the sea for hours wondering about what he could do, whether he should set Hiro loose to run in the wild freely and remain here to die of starvation or he could try to move on. He had tried his hand at hunting down small mammals but without anything other than his own hands to catch and kill them his efforts were bountiless.

Breathing in deeply Cesar patted the stallion’s firm flank and gently kicked the right side of his belly to make him turn and go back up the beach. The horse responded and the pair began their slow walk away from the waves and towards the bottom of the cliffs to the small cove sheltered by rocks that they had been using as a little camp. The rocks sheltered them from the cold and the wind and provided enough protection for Cesar to make a small fire using any driftwood that had dried out and the remaining couple of matches Miguel had found before. Dismounting Cesar sat beside the fire that had dimmed down and added some more wood from the pile he had built up, the flames eagerly licking at it and burning it away. The fire was not very large but provided enough warmth from the cold night and both man and horse slumped down next to it, Hiro letting out a slight snort as he lay down in that awkward way horses do.

Sitting there Cesar listened to the world around him, the waves breaking, the seagulls screeching loudly, the growl of his stomach… sighing he closes his eyes and awaits the darkness of slumber that he knows he shall not enjoy. It did not matter how long he slept for as he never felt rested, he always felt on edge just waiting for something to happen, for soldiers to come and kill him or for him to be carried away by death.

It was a tuneful whistle that made Cesar open his eyes, sitting to listen to the sound again. He had been drifting in and out of sleep but now that he was fully awake he could still hear the melody flowing across the wind and to his ears. Hiro seemed to hear it as well, opening his eyes and snorting before shutting them once again, his ears twitching. Frowning in puzzlement Cesar continued to listen, the sweet melody seemed familiar to him but he could not place it at this time. He sat and listened and tried to figure out where the sound was coming from, whether it was getting nearer or moving away. It took a few moments for him to realise the tune and it was a revelation that made his heart sink and him wish that he had not heard it.

The beautiful sound of Dido’s Lament was filling Cesar’s mind and though the song was lovely it reminded him too much of Suzie and put hope into his heart that she was there. He fought with himself as to whether he should stand up and look for the owner of the whistle or stay put and eventually his curiosity won.

He stood slowly and cautiously, his head appearing over the rocks to view anyone on the other side. As he looked out though he did not see any figure and the beach was as abandoned as ever. As he listened again, carefully trying to make out the melody above the sounds of the sea he realises that it has disappeared and can’t help but feel that dull ache inside him, his hopes of finding anyone in the deserted place dashed.

Sighing he lies back down once again and even when he hears the tune as he closes his eyes he does not stir and continues to try and rest, placing the noise as a figment of his imagination. He had not eaten or drunk much over the past weeks and had barely slept so it was no wonder really that he was becoming delirious. As his eyes slip shut and darkness engulfs him he does not hear the scuffle of feet coming down the winding pathway of the cliff and does not notice the young woman with large brown eyes that creeps up and looks at him, leaning against the rocks that he is sheltered by.

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CHAPTER 2

“Cesar?” spoke a soft, sweet voice, one that he recognized well. “Cesar?” she asked again, causing him to open his eyes. There she stood, her soft black as ebony hair billowing out behind her in the cool breeze, her velvety hazel brown eyes sparkling in the moonlit sky, her rosy lips curled into a sweet smile as she spoke his name once more. He had to blink before answering her.

“You’re here?” he asks, unsure of how she could be, why she was when she was supposed to be in America.

“Of course, I’m always here for you Cesar you should know that,” she replies, her voice brimming with slight mirth as if his question were childish.

“But I thought you went to America, I told you to go?” he queries, he was incredibly happy to see her but under the circumstances he wasn’t sure how appropriate it could be. He was after all on a beach with very little food or drink, a horse and the clothes on his back.

“You did and I did go but I couldn’t leave you forever, we’re soulmates you and I and we shall never be apart” she says with a smile.

“You came back? For me? You left the chance of living an amazing life in America for me?” he continues to ask. This was surreal, why would anyone give up so much for something so little? The smile seemed to drop from her face completely and he saw tears well in her eyes. “Suzie what’s wrong?” he asks, going to brush away a tear from her cheek only to find her flinch away from his touch.

“Not exactly, you see… I’m not exactly…” she replies, chewing her lower lip lightly and stuttering through her words before trailing off.

“Not exactly what?” Cesar continues to ask, trying to persuade her gently to tell him what was wrong. He couldn’t bear to see her upset, he couldn’t stand for it and not knowing why it was is tearing his heart into pieces. All he receives in response is a shake of her head and a sudden whinny from Hiro as Cesar’s eyes quickly open once again, only for real this time.

She wasn’t there; she’d not been there at all he acknowledges with a sigh, it was just another delirious quirk of his imagination playing tricks on him. He needed to find food and water if he were to escape these visions, these dreams that seemed so real but where he could find it he did not know. Sometimes he wondered if he really wanted to escape them for at least for a short while he believed her to be there, safe with him despite the cold and the lack of food. But then when he woke she was gone, nothing but a dream making him reminisce about the times they spent with one another.

Cesar sighs and pokes a stick at the embers of the fire that had slowly died out, the night had not progressed that far since he slept, he must have only missed a couple of hours at most. Hiro’s snorting catches Cesar’s attention, looking to the horse and companion with a smile. He wasn’t alone completely at least. Something in Hiro’s eyes made him look again though, the way that the horse was looking past him, his ears twitching as though listening for something.

Frowning in puzzlement Cesar remains silent and still, listening in just the same intense way as the horse. At first he hears the soft scuffle but dismisses it as a sea bird or crab but when it comes again, slightly louder he realises that something is amiss. Standing carefully and quietly he glances back at Hiro who remains still, his beady eyes still seemingly looking through Cesar. To many the horse’s expression would be no different to usual but to Cesar he knew to a good extent what went through the horses mind, what he was feeling. He had after all been close to the animal having worked with him since he was but a foal.

The scuffling sound rips Cesar’s attention back to the rocks sheltering their small camp so creeping slowly he peers over the edge, looking down to see a young woman, hunched up against the rock on the other side hugging her knees to her chest and attempting to remain perfectly still.

* * * * Your POV * * * *

Why did sand have to be so easily moved, you’d been trying to remain still for the past few minutes but every few moments the pressure of your heels would disturb the sand and the grit making it fly up into the air and quietly rustle.

“Hello?” a male voice speaks and as you incline your head to look up you see the owner of such voice, the one you’d been trying to hide from. Blinking slowly you offer a weak smile before letting out a sigh and standing up, brushing the sand from the plain paisley green skirt and offering your hand. He wasn’t supposed to see you, you’d been adamant that you would remain unnoticed but here you are, caught out.

The man takes your hand cautiously and shakes it gently, frowning slightly as he looks you over from head to toe and back again. You did indeed look rather bedraggled. You had attempted to tie your hair into a French plait but unruly strands had protested and were now poking out in every direction, your clothes had no doubt seen better days, faded and rather worn over the years that they’d been in service to one woman or another, passed on through families until they would become threadbare which they aren’t just yet. His scrutinizing gaze however is starting to become the slightest bit uncomfortable so as soon as your hand is freed from his you hug your arms to your chest in a defensive manner.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, an obvious question you were sure but one that you did not have an answer for. You’d come to the beach on many nights over the span of your entire life here, it just so happened that this gentleman had been occupying it for the past few weeks and he and his horse had piqued your interest. More often than not you would remain on top of the cliffs, watching him walk or ride up and down the stretch of sand and across the cove. When his master was not guiding him the beautiful stallion would frolic amongst the surf but always coming back at his masters whistle. An obedient horse he was indeed, more of a dog you would think.

The man before you frowns at your lack of response, possibly perturbed that you were being rude by not answering. Well this could not be helped; he would have to accept that. You offer him a smile, glancing around you and shrugging your shoulders to which you receive a small smile from him.

“My name’s Cesar,” he says, “and my fine companion is Hiro.” He adds with a small laugh.

“Cesar,” you repeat his name, rolling it over your tongue, seeing how the sound felt.

“Yes, and you are?” he asks. You purse your lips for a moment and furrow your brow… you knew this answer… you had to know this answer… in all your 23 years of life though so many names had been bestowed upon you it was hard to recall just one and even worse to say them.

“Laurel,” you finally manage to say, smiling broadly at your achievement. The man you now know to be Cesar nods his head as though agreeing with you, the name obviously unfamiliar to him. Moments of silence pass between you, neither of you knowing what to say to the other despite having only just met properly. You take the moment to study him just as you’ve done many times before over the past few weeks and can’t help the sad little frown that comes across your features as you see how thin he is becoming. He seemed to be a sturdily built man, not particularly broad or tall but he still had plenty of strength within him. Over time though his faces most particularly has become forlorn, his eyes strangely sunken in a way that looks very unnatural accompanied with defined cheekbones and his lips seem paler than they should. The odd mismatch of scars that graze his features are also very intriguing, something you would quite enjoy learning about at some point.

Nodding your head as you finish taking him in you offer Cesar your hand again and though he frowns puzzled by the gesture he takes it. Smiling you start to turn and walk away from the rocks, attempting to pull him along with you.

“What, where are we going?” he asks, whistling quickly to Hiro who shuffles to his feet and joins you as you make your way to the winding path up the cliffs.

“Home,” you say with a smile and though Cesar’s puzzled expression does not fade he makes no attempt to stop you from leading him onwards.

* * * * Cesar’s POV * * * *

As the woman Laurel leads him up the cliff path, Hiro trotting slightly unsteadily behind him Cesar can’t help but find it all a bit strange. He’d looked over the rocks and there she was just crouching there and now she was leading him to a place she called home, it was rather random indeed. He felt uneasy following her, not knowing who she was or what home meant but he had the instinct that she couldn’t do him much harm. She seems fairly timid and the likeliness of her hurting anything more than a fly seems very remote.

Walking steadily onwards it does not take too long for the three to reach the top of the cliffs, the young woman pausing to look back as Cesar and Hiro join her and then proceeds to look out to the sea. She held a wistful expression on her face as though she could see something out there that was just too far from her grasp. There was much to be learnt about this girl he could tell but for now all he knows is that she talks very little and her name. As strange as it sounds Cesar’s judgement of the girl was not entirely his own, he could see Hiro’s reaction to her and though the horse seemed a little dubious he was not fearful. Cesar knew well not to take a horses emotions lightly, they were good judges of character and if Hiro was okay with Laurel then she shouldn’t prove to be a problem.

“Where is home?” Cesar asks, pondering where Laurel would be leading him as he and Hiro had wandered along the cliff tops quite far and not found any signs of life. Cesar watches the girl as she turns from watching the ocean and jabs her finger in the direction of a dense thicket, bordering a patch of woodland. Looking at it Cesar cannot see anything that could resemble home but trusting Laurel he nods his acknowledgement and walks along beside her as she starts walking.

Hiro’s soft snorting and the sounds of the waves breaking down on the beach are the only noises to be heard in the night and the silence seems a little eerie to a man who grew up with noise. Nights had never been this quiet, there was always something happening wherever Cesar was and now it seemed strange when the wind whistles and kicks up fallen leaves from the ground. Silence did not seem to affect the woman though; in fact she’s wandering along with a small smile upon her face seemingly lost in the silence. It seemed that she might well be part of it.

The three reach the edge of the thicket within a short amount of time, their footsteps now louder as they crunch through foliage, snapping branches and rustling the leaves. All the while as they move Laurel does not let go of Cesar’s hand, a strange gesture from a girl he had just met but he puts it down as her way of guiding him, despite the fact he could have just followed behind. It seems that Hiro is not having the best time of making his way through the thicket as brambles are constantly popping up and scratching at his legs but the horse still moves on, snorting in a slightly peeved manner when Cesar looks back to him. It was a definite thing to say that the man and horse shared a relationship very akin to a friendship between two humans.

Walking steadily onwards Cesar ponders making conversation but realises from his experience so far Laurel would probably not answer with much, plus he didn’t know what he could say. When two strangers meet one would think that many words could be shared, questions about one another’s past could be asked and answers could be heard but when the conversation was only to be one-sided it seemed pointless.

The trees of the woods quickly start to loom above them, slightly menacing in the dark as the moon and wind make shadows dance but none seem perturbed. The woods were natural and in the northern parts of France it would be a very unlikely occurrence to come across anything that could harm you. Tales of ghosts and ghouls had been a common event around the fires of his camp Cesar recalls but he was usually the storyteller, a young child in his lap and the rest gathered around to hear the tale of the headless knight who wandered the streets of Paris. They would giggle in fright and edge in closer, forming a tight circle around him as he continued the tale, waving his hands as he describes how the knight scratches at the doors of the houses and knocks on their windows, looking for the young maiden who he had lost his life for.

Now in the dark the stories brought warmth to Cesar rather than the chill that ghost stories were intended to bring. He felt the warmth of the fires at his camp as he would sit around them on occasions playing his guitar or on the rarest of times singing along with a folk song that had been started. Otherwise Cesar liked to just watch his cherished family as they chatted with one another, laughed and were merry. They may not have been living the life of riches and it did seem hard to have to work so much and gain so little but still they were probably the happiest family in the whole of France. They had the love of one another, the bonds that the ever-growing family held with one another were always strong and not even death could break them.

Cesar could feel that same bitter feeling that would rise within as he thinks of their deaths, the way that children had just been ripped from their parent’s arms screaming. The soldiers had paid no heed to any of the cries, not of anguish or fear and most certainly not of suffering. Anyone who was only minorly injured would be dragged onwards shoved into large wagons barred in like animals, the rest were left to die. The soldiers had been merciless, shooting people down if they ran to the wagons and attempted to free the captives, or smashing the butt of their rifles into anyone who foughts skulls and knocking them to the ground usually dead. It had been sickening, the sights, the noises, the smells, it all filled every one of Cesar’s senses and it made him feel angry and helpless. He couldn’t stop them, not enough, even though he fought on and on it made little difference; there were just too many soldiers.

“Home,” Laurel’s quiet voice suddenly breaks Cesar’s reverie and as he looks he realises that his surroundings have changed. Now they stand on the edge of the woods in a clearing, small cottages before them with plumes of smoke reaching up into the night sky coming from chimneys. The cottages seemed rather dilapidated but housed people nonetheless it seemed as flickering candles stood in windows.

For the first time Cesar finds Laurel’s grip leave his hand and watches as she walks onwards, a slight skip in her step. As Hiro nuzzles his head on Cesar’s shoulder, pushing him forward slightly he needs no other persuasion to follow the young woman, especially when the smell of food reaches his nostrils and the growl of his stomach is quite audible. He’d left all his things on the beach and though the sacks now held very little he would have to return for them in the morning, they were in some small way a reminder of his past and his family.

The silence of the night is suddenly broken as a clatter of pans is heard from not far ahead and as Cesar looks on he sees what has made it. Laurel stands at the doorway of one of the cottages, smiling at him as she waits for him to catch up. Looking to just above her head he sees a string of pans, all lined up and swinging, these it seems are what had made the noise and proceed to do so again as Laurel runs her hand through them.

Reaching where she stands Cesar frowns a little, worrying that she would wake the occupants of this little village like settlement and make them less than receptive to his arrival. He did not need to wait long for a voice to be heard from within the cottage, the sound of a woman swearing in French was very clear.

“Laurel I told you, you do not have to do that after it is dark! Where have you been child, it is almost dawn?!” a rather rotund looking woman says as she opens the door, her large frame blocking most of the light. Laurel just smiles and proceeds to bob in a slight curtsey before pushing past the stout woman into the cottage. Hiro’s whinny snaps the attention of the woman away from watching the girl and she seems slightly taken aback that Cesar is standing before her with a white stallion by his side. “Who are you?” she queries, ‘who’ sounding rather more like ‘oo’.

“Cesar, I was on the beach when Laurel um… found me.” Cesar offers, smiling quickly.

“On the beach, at this time of night? What were you doing there?” the woman asks with a puzzled frown.

“The same thing I’ve been doing for the past three weeks, waiting.” Cesar replies, knowing his answer wasn’t much and would seem strange but it was after all the only one he could offer.

“You’ve been on the beach for weeks… waiting… for what?” The woman persists to question. Cesar frowns at this, to be honest he did not know what he was waiting for, death maybe?

“I don’t know actually, I came here from Paris, the soldiers… they invaded my home.”

“Oh, you’re another poor soul those wretched bastards have ruined the life of,” the woman says, her eyes softening and her expression sad. “Come in, you look famished,” she says quickly, gesturing to him to step through the door.

“My horse, Hiro…”

“You can leave him out here, he shouldn’t wander far and no harm will come to him even if he does look like he’s got a fair bit of meat on him.” The woman answers. Cesar raises his eyebrows and glances back to his stallion who has proceeded to graze the short grass of the clearing but as he gets no response he decides to trust the woman and follows her inside.

Stepping into the cottage the walls are bare stone mostly with some plaster still sticking to them in various places. Warmth seems to radiate through the whole building though despite the shoddy walls and the smell of food makes Cesar’s mouth water.

“We live with what we can, as you can see it’s not the classiest of homes but it’s enough.” The woman voices as she leads him into a kitchen where a large fire burns in the hearth, a teapot hanging above it blowing out steam. “Take a seat and I’ll get you something to drink and eat, yes you certainly look like you could use it.” She says, motioning to a table surrounded by wooden chairs and glancing over Cesar’s slightly diminished physique as he sits down.

“Tea?” a small voice pipes up as Laurel seems to bound into the room. She seemed fairly young, barely a woman at all when one looked at the way she acts but her eyes and her face showed longer years.

“Yes give him some tea,” the woman says as she busies herself looking in some small wooden cupboards. Cesar glances between the woman and back to Laurel, watching the sprightly young female carefully manoeuvring the teapot out of the flames and picking it up using a cloth. Carrying it over to the table she places it down before scurrying to a cupboard and taking out a couple of mugs.

“Olga?” she queries, it seemed that was the name of the woman.

“Yes?”

“Tea?”

“Oh, yes please. Don’t think that’s going to get you in my good books though girl, you’ve been gone for hours.” Olga says, straightening and looking at Laurel with a slightly stern look on her face. Laurel however seems oblivious and only proceeds to bring the mugs to the table, placing one down before Cesar and the other two to the side. In silence but with a smile adorning her features she pours the tea into his mug and then into the remaining two and places the teapot down.

“I’m afraid we’re out of sugar but we have milk if you want it,” Olga says as she places a small jug on the table.

“Thank you,” Cesar responds with a smile at Olga though his attention is quickly drawn to Laurel as she takes a mug and proceeds to sit cross-legged on the floor in front of him instead of on a chair. Sipping at her tea she does nothing but stare at him, watching him as he pours the milk into his own mug and takes a much-needed drink.

“So, you’re from Paris?” Olga says as she places a plate full of homemade bread and butter on the table. Cesar eyes the food hungrily before answering, his attention quite drawn to it as his hunger is large.

“Yes, though it’s not my only home, I move around a lot with my family,” Cesar says, glancing at the bread again and gratefully taking a piece that Laurel stands and offers him.

“Oh yes, sorry, take what you like,” Olga says with a smile. “Where are your family?” she enquires causing Cesar to inwardly flinch a little.

“Dead, or taken by the soldiers,” he replies dropping his gaze to the table.

“Oh… I’m so sorry,” Olga offers her sympathy. Cesar smiles his thanks but continues to remain silent, he didn’t want to seem rude but he’d rather not talk about it, not when he’d only just met this woman though she seems nice enough. All three sit in the kitchen drinking tea and eating the bread though it is mainly Cesar who gets that, neither of the women seem interested in it.

“Night.” Laurel says abruptly as she stands, placing the mug on the table and bobbing in a slight curtsey once again.

“Night, I’m not surprised you want to get to bed, I think I’d better go soon seeing as you woke me up.” Olga acknowledges, giving Laurel a slightly disgruntled but warm smile.

“Cesar.” Laurel says making Cesar look at her, just in time to find her face next to his as she places a chaste kiss on his cheek.

“Night Laurel,” he says quickly, his eyebrows raised in slight astonishment watching as she leaves the room.

“Don’t worry about her, she’s a friendly one to be sure but quiet as a mouse,” Olga says, her voice showing her amusement.

“I noticed, the quietness at least before now,” Cesar responds.

“She came here a few years ago, just turned up on my doorstep. The place was nicer then, there were more people and everyone was happy, over the years it’s all fallen apart really. From day one she didn’t say a word but over the years I’ve managed to teach her a few things, she picks words up as she pleases. I thought she was a mute to begin with but I heard her say my name and knew that not to be the case, that was after two years though so I’m surprised she’s learnt yours so fast.”

“How old is she?” Cesar queries, wondering how a woman could not know the simple method of speech to a greater extent.

“I’m not sure, early twenties I believe. I don’t know anything about her before she came here, she didn’t even have a name.”

“You named her Laurel?”

“Aye, means timid, just how she was at first. I was slightly scared to talk around her in the beginning, she seemed to enjoy silence and I didn’t want to ruin it but after a while she seemed to become accustomed.” Cesar nods his head in acknowledgment as Olga talks, eating the bread as his hunger starts to lessen and drinking the remaining tea in his mug. “Would you like another one or would you like to get some rest? I have to say I’m tired myself so I’ll be leaving you.”

“Erm, I’m ok… but… where can I sleep?” Cesar asks, suddenly realising that he was a guest and had no arrangements. “I have no money so I can go outside, Hiro will keep me company,” he offers.

“Pshaw!” Olga scoffs indignantly. “That girl brought you in here and I’m not about to chuck you out, there’s only one bedroom in this place but it’s sectioned off with curtains and there are four beds. Laurel and I only need two so you can take your pick.”

“Thank you,” is all that Cesar can say as he feels rather astounded by the woman’s kindness. It was a very rare occasion for anyone to accept a stranger into their home, even more so to give him food and drink and then a bed for the night.

“All right well I’m going to go and get into bed, I’ll see you in the morning,” Olga says and makes her way out of the room. Sitting for a moment Cesar looks around him, musing over how his circumstances had suddenly transformed. This is a most welcome change of setting compared to the cold beach, it was very welcome and very strange to be here when he had given up almost all hope of seeing a living soul again.

Standing and picking up the mugs and plate Cesar places them on the side near the sink before making his way down the little hall he had walked through to get to the kitchen. Bordering it is one small door leading in to the single bedroom and already in the short space of time he can hear Olga’s snores. Seeing the nearest bed empty he sits on the edge, taking off his worn boots and running a hand through his hair. Lying down on the slightly lumpy but still comfortable mattress he pulls the blankets over him and stares at the ceiling, listening to everything in his surroundings. This was a very welcome change in circumstances to be sure.

* * * * Your POV * * * *

Lying in the bed curtained off next to Cesar’s you wonder about the man lying but a couple of feet away. You’d listened to what he had said to Olga after you left having listened outside the door and you were intrigued to learn more about this stranger. You’d watched him for a fair while but had not learnt anything when he had only ever spoken in hushed tones, whispering to his horse.

He seemed like a very interesting character and although it had been slightly embarrassing and awkward having him find you you’re glad he did, especially now that he had been welcomed into yours and Olga’s home. You’re quite adamant that you shall learn more about him and try to come up with a plan to make him talk, he seemed like the quiet type, just as Olga said you were. Well, you knew what quiet people were like being one yourself so you’d find a way around him.

Closing your eyes you listen to the sounds around you, it was not silence that you liked persay, it’s more the smaller noises that you can hear when everything is peaceful. You can hear Olga’s snores coming from across the room as she sleeps soundly and as the time passes you hear Cesar’s breathing steady and deepen, signalling that he is asleep as well. As time moves on you find yourself being lulled into slumber by these very sounds, drifting into a peaceful sleep.

* * * *

Authors Note: I hope the changing viewpoints in this haven’t been too confusing and that you’re not disappointed with the lack of 2nd person POV. The idea is that as the story progresses you shall feature more as it is very much a story of learning about yourself as well as Cesar and an interesting little adventure I have planned too. All in all I hope you’ve enjoyed it!

TBC...

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