Lawrence hastily rides down the busy main street of Berlin. He eventually gets to the busy centre and he quickly and carefully gets off his bike. He strolls over to the left side of the street and starts strolling down the street until he gets to a large cottage. The dark wooden door has the number 583 in gold on it. Lawrence knocks on the door and he waits for a couple of minutes. The door suddenly opens and a tall man with short blonde hair, blue eyes and a beard. Who is wearing a Prussian uniform with many shiny medals on it stares at Lawrence.

Oli Buchman: Who are you?
Lawrence: I am Lawrence Sir.
Oli: Why are you here? Did someone send you?
Lawrence: I'm here to travel with the Prussian Army. Peter Sundermann sent me sir.
Oli: Peter Sundermann sent you?
Lawrence: Yes he's my uncle, sir.
Oli: Lawrence I'm sorry for what happened to your father. I was there when he was killed.
Lawrence: It's fine sir it's not your fault sir. My father was a brave man. He wouldn't want me to be sad that he's gone but to remember the good times when he was here.
Oli: You're a rifleman?
Lawrence: Yes sir 95th rifles sir.
Oli: I could tell that you are not a Prussian. But an Englishman.
Lawrence: So may I be able to travel with the Prussian Army sir?
Oli: Yes but we must go to Potsdam that's where all the Generals are gathering to get orders from his Majesty.
Lawrence: I've never been to Potsdam before I don't even know how to get there sir.
Oli: Don't worry we will be taking a carriage there.
Lawrence: Are we going to meet his Majesty?
Oli: Yes.

A dark wooden carriage suddenly pulls up.

Oli: Right let's go, Lawrence, it's time to go to Potsdam and meet his Majesty.
Lawrence: Yes Sir.

Oli and Lawrence stroll over to the carriage and Oli opens the carriage door and he gets into the carriage. Lawrence then gets in and sits down beside Oli and shuts the carriage door. The carriage starts riding through the main street of Berlin.

Lawrence: I'm nervous to meet his Majesty.
Oli: Understandable your just a rifleman. You haven't needed to meet a ruler and follow his orders in war. You have only needed to follow your commander's orders.
Lawrence: I don't know what I should say, sir.
Oli: I'm not sure. Just remember to greet him as 'His Majesty'.
Lawrence: Yes sir.

Meanwhile at the Palace in Potsdam Voltaire is wandering through the halls. He suddenly hears some soft and mysterious flute playing nearby.

Voltaire: *whispering* Frederick my love where are you?

Voltaire continues wandering through the halls until he gets to Fredericks bedroom and he notices Frederick playing his flute in the rays of the sun. He stares at Frederick and quietly listens to the soothing music. Frederick suddenly notices Voltaire staring at him and he stops playing his flute.

Frederick: Voltaire?
Voltaire: Yes.
Frederick: Are you alright.
Voltaire: Yes. I was just looking for you, Frederick.
Frederick: Voltaire I need to ask you something.
Voltaire: What is it, Frederick?
Frederick: Are you sure about coming to this war with me. You are just a poet and a good friend of mine and I don't want you to be in danger. You are also probably not use to war and the dangers of it.
Voltaire: Frederick...I don't want to be left alone in the palace. I don't want to be wandering these halls alone knowing you're in danger and needing someone to talk to.
Frederick: Alright.

Voltaire suddenly walks over to Frederick. And he gently grabs Fredericks right hand. He then kisses it.

Voltaire: May his Majesty be safe and well during this war.
Frederick: Thank you, Voltaire.

Voltaire smiles at Frederick and he looks into Fredericks stunning blue eyes.

Frederick: Voltaire are you sure your alright?
Voltaire: Yes I'm fine Frederick.
Frederick: Dont worry Voltaire I will be alright during this war. Now I need to prepare to meet with my Generals.
Voltaire: Yes I will leave you to do that, your Majesty.

Voltaire quietly leaves the room and he gently closes the door behind him. He quietly walks down the halls until he gets to his bedroom. He turns the golden knob on the door and he enters his bedroom closing the door behind him. He glances at his cluttered desk covered in pieces of poetry. He strolls over to his bed and he sits on it and continues staring at his desk.

Voltaire: Why do I have these feelings for him?

Voltaire gets up and starts pacing around his room.

Voltaire: Do I tell him?
Voltaire: He's the King though and he does have a wife...But it seems he doesn't love her. But would he approve of my feelings for him? I love him but would he love me? Why can't I say just four simple words? 'I love you, Frederick' that's all I need to say to him.

Voltaire sits back down on his bed and puts his head in his hands. He suddenly hears a knock on the door. A young man with a royal Prussian uniform enters. He stares at Voltaire and he then closes the door behind him and strolls over to Voltaire.

Frederick William: Voltaire?
Voltaire: Prince Frederick.
Frederick William: Are you alright?
Voltaire: Yes I'm just thinking.
Frederick William: You seem troubled Voltaire.
Voltaire: No...I'm fine Prince Frederick.
Frederick William: You're worried about my uncle aren't you. He has told me that you're a good friend to him and I know that you don't like being in the palace alone. But Voltaire you must understand that he won't be around forever we all die. When he is gone you will still have me.
Voltaire: It's different with him...I had to leave France due to the Emperor not liking me that much. I knew that I would be safe here. He protects me and he asked me if I wanted to still go to the war with him. I told him yes.
Frederick William: War is dangerous Voltaire. Are you sure you made the right decision?
Voltaire: Your Highness I will be with Frederick even if it gets me killed!
Frederick William: Voltaire can you use a weapon? I'm sure that Frederick won't want you to not be able to defend yourself.
Voltaire: I...I have used a gun once in a duel. It caused me to go to the Bastille though.
Frederick William: Jesus Christ Voltaire you should know that duelling is illegal.
Voltaire: I don't want to talk about it. I have learnt not to be so foolish.
Frederick William: I understand. I will see you in an hour I want to see if you can shoot.
Voltaire: Your Highness are you sure that this is necessary?
Frederick William: Yes you need to be able to defend yourself if the enemy attacks.
Voltaire: Fine. I'll see you in an hour.
Frederick William: see you then.

Frederick William promptly walks over to the door he opens it walks out then closes the door behind him.

An Hour Passes.

Voltaire is at his desk writing poetry. His desk is no longer completely cluttered but the poetry is in neat piles of paper. He suddenly hears a knock at the door. But he continues writing his poetry.

Frederick William: Voltaire are you in there?
Voltaire: Just a moment I need to finish this.

Frederick William opens the door and he suddenly enters and he glances at the many piles of poetry.

Frederick William: Jesus Christ...
Voltaire: What is it, your Highness?
Frederick William: Have you been working all day? Also, did you forget that I was going to help you use a gun?
Voltaire: I haven't been working that long I just started an hour ago. Some of these poems are from a couple of days ago I just haven't found a place to put them yet. Also no I didn't forget I just got lost in my work.
Frederick William: Dont work too hard Voltaire you still need to take care of yourself. Now, do you have a pistol or any gun with you?
Voltaire: Why yes, I just only used it previously in that duel. I still don't want to talk about it.
Frederick William: I understand Voltaire.

Voltaire opens one of the draws on his desk and inside the draw is a black and gold flintlock pistol. He carefully grabs the pistol and then gently closes the draw.

Frederick William: Fancy.
Voltaire: I thought I would never use this again.
Frederick William: Is it still loaded?
Voltaire: It's been loaded since the duel.
Frederick William: alright follow me, Voltaire.

Voltaire gets up out of his seat. He then walks out of the room and gently closes the door behind him. Frederick William and Voltaire walk down the hallway together. They get to a staircase and they carefully walk down the stairs. They start walking down another hallway until they get to a wooden door with many windows. Frederick William carefully opens the door. They stroll over to a grassy field with wooden targets set up.

Frederick William: This is where I normally practise with my rifle. However, I suppose it can be used for a pistol. I want you to hit one of these targets.
Voltaire: alright.

Voltaire holds his pistol up in front of the target. He prepares to fire the pistol. Frederick William notices that Voltaire is nervous.

Frederick William: relax. Focus.

Voltaire calmly breathes. He then pulls the trigger. The bullet flies above the target.

Frederick William: A bit lower perhaps.

Voltaire lowers his pistol slightly. He then prepares to fire again. He quickly pulls the trigger. The bullet hits the target near the centre.

Frederick William: Jesus good shot.
Voltaire: I...I don't want to kill anyone.
Frederick William: Why did you start a duel then?
Voltaire: Don't ask me that!
Frederick William: sorry...
Voltaire: I don't think I would be able to commit a murder...
Frederick William: I understand. But if you do have to face the enemy remember you might have to kill to save yourself.
Voltaire: Fine...
Frederick William: Let's head back inside shall we.
Voltaire: Let's...

Voltaire and Frederick William start walking back to the palace together.

To be Continued...