Lily had always known that her heart wasn’t cut out for war, but duty and fate had a way of putting her on paths she’d never dreamed of. As the youngest general in her nation’s history, her rise to the title had been swift and surprising. Her reputation as “The Gentle General” came not from the fury of battle, but from her kindness and compassion towards her soldiers, her ability to speak to them as though they were family, not just warriors.
Yet, as she stood on the edge of a desolate battlefield at dusk, her thoughts drifted far from the scene before her. She imagined herself back in the warmth of her small town, sitting by the river with Sam. His laughter, his easygoing charm, the way he made her feel like the world wasn’t so dark after all—those memories had become her only solace on cold nights.
Sam was no soldier. He was a writer, a dreamer with eyes that saw the beauty in everything, even in Lily, who often felt more like a shield than a person. She wondered if he still thought of her, or if the burden of waiting had stolen his patience, leaving only silence where love had once been. She had never wanted to keep him waiting so long, but her duty as general was relentless.
Her soldiers saw her as a warrior, a symbol of hope and resilience, but Lily knew her heart was softer than any blade she carried. She often found herself wandering away from camp in the stillness of night, writing letters to Sam that she never sent, pouring out her fears and her wish to return home. She would tell him how she missed the simple things—the way the breeze felt back home, the scent of the fields, and how his voice was a balm to her weary spirit.
In truth, Lily felt out of place in the field, leading others into battle. She wasn’t the kind of person who craved victory or power. She was a gentle soul who cherished peace, who believed in a world where love could conquer all. Every clash of swords, every fallen comrade weighed heavily on her heart, and she dreamed of a day when she could walk away from it all.
One evening, after a long day of strategizing, Lily stole away to a quiet corner of the camp. She gazed at the stars, wondering if Sam was looking up at the same sky, if he could feel her longing reaching across the miles. She took out a small locket he’d given her, inside which was a tiny note he had written before she’d left, promising he’d wait no matter how long it took. Holding it close to her heart, she whispered into the night, “Soon, Sam. I promise I’ll be home soon.”
The war dragged on, and with each passing day, Lily’s heart grew wearier. But she held onto her love for Sam, letting it guide her, reminding herself that someday, somehow, she would find her way back to him. And though the road was uncertain, her gentle heart beat strong, knowing that love was the greatest strength she could ever carry.
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