A picture from my Hometown in this week’s Friday Fictioneers, it’s taken outside the Royal Castle in Stockholm, and you can walk right up to the soldier. I served two days as a guard many years ago during my military service, and actually wrote a haibun on my own experiences on a very similar picture from Managua. If you want to read it, just follow the link. I decided to write fiction on this instead. This one is exactly 100 words and might be a little sad actually.
Friday Fictioneers is a wonderful group of bloggers from around the world who every week gather to write a story of 100 words (more or less). If you want to know more, go to Rochelle Wissoff-Fields page and check it out. If you only want to check out the great stories click the little blue guy at the bottom.
He recognized her walking from far away, and despite his orders to keep a straight face he smiled. She had not seen him yet, but when she also smiled his heart started to beat faster. Emily was the love of his life.
But when he saw the familiar man approaching and they started kissing, his knuckles turned white gripping the gun tightly.
He was locked away from the world by duty and orders, and during the remaining hour of his watch he decided to sign up for Afghanistan.
Emily cried at his funeral a mere 3 months afterwards
—
June 19, 2013
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Dear Björn,
“…locked away from the world by duty and orders.” That’s my favorite phrase in this well-written and telling piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you.. it’s a feeling I recall from my own guard duty,
It’s moving. Sad.
I can’t help but think there’s a word missing.
She had not seen him yet, but when as also smiled his heart started to faster.
You are right… That will take it to 100 words exactly.
Sorry to point it out
I’m glad
Unrequited love can lead to rash decisions!
Oh yes … probably felt right then..
you wrote this for my hopelessly romantic heart didn’t you?
I like that he smiled, even when he shouldn’t have, love is about constant and trusting risk.
I liked it!
🙂
.. romantic of course … sometimes you have to be 🙂
very well written, Björn. i could almost feel his frustration…
Thank you 🙂
Great story, lovely Haibun. I see we went along similar lines this week, each of our guards seeing something they didn’t really want to see. Nice work.
Ah.. yes but myself I just remember counting windows..
I like the same phrase Rochelle did. Very good and yes, sad, story. He would have been better served to not have thought so much or to act on what he though. 😦
janet
.. rash actions is what young men do…
Very true. 🙂
So sad that it was too late by the time Emily recognized her feelings for our valiant soldier.
afterwards it’s always too late.
Ha! Wonderful! This started out so safely and quickly took a turn for the worse!! I love when that happens. (Congrats on your Trifecta win too Bjorn! :D)
😉 twists is really my speciality…
I concur Bjorn! 😀
Well, I have a dear family member in Afghanistan right now, so a bit hard for me to comment on. He is slated to come home in the next few days. We are counting the hours. k.
I’m sure he will be safe… but in fiction all is possible.
Bjorn, I think this is one of your BEST! Man, you REALLY nailed this one! It almost sang! Congratulations and (as a former soldier who served his country as well) thank-you for serving your homeland!
When I grew up it was mandatory… but it felt important-
No shame in that, man! Great story, all the way!
painful ~ the momentary decisions we make can effect the rest of our lives
Indeed.. I think these things can happen
I often wonder what goes on in military guards’ minds in this kind of situation. As you say, ‘bound by duty’. I loved this.
Not a lot you can do … standing there.
Young people make decisions like this all the time based on their feelings or misconceptions.
I’m so glad I am not young. 😉
You have a point.. but on the other side one tend to never make decisions when old…
at least Emily realized that she loved him later.. but too late
maybe… or she cried for herself …
Oh, my heart was breaking even before the last line. Good job, Bjorn.
Thank you.. 🙂
It’s hard being a soldier and never being free. What a sad ending. It seems like there’s a lot of might-have-been in it, like what have happened if he hadn’t gone off to war.
Life is full of whatifs … this was taking it to the extreme.
Very, very sad and I don’t like Emily!
If love is not mutual these things happens.
Björn you’re right, it is very sad, but very well written!
Thank you Penny
Sad about this guy… to stand like a statue while watching that. And then to end up like that. Poor guy.
😦 agree to that.
Well done, Bjorn. She made a decision and must live with the consequences, if only he could do the same. Thanks for sharing.
Exactly.. a wrong choice by him… but she will leave with guilt I think
This is the best piece I’ve read by you yet. Very well done. Quite moving.
Thank you 😉
“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” –Joni Mitchell. A great story. I’ll bet this has happened for real before.
Love that comment… Joni Mitchell indeed.. that I’ll play
Nice job Randy
Oh so many levels – loved the read and in such a short piece you created a very believable character!
Thank you. I’m glad you liked it 😉
Evocative, well-done writing.
This is the 2nd story I’ve read about the guard’s love interest kissing someone else in front of him. How cruel! I think they should send the guy Emily kissed to Afghanistan.
shameful girl to kiss in front of the guard especially if she knew there were tender feelings in the air…your words created the characters emotions very well.
I think she didn’t know it was him standing guard –
oh, okay…all forgiven. 🙂
Sad indeed – i feel for him. Ah, youth – the truth of love is harsh.
she killed and hurt him before the bullet would have..
Such emotion Bjorn and easily possible in any time period as lovers are separated by war and other conflicts.
That is so sad on many levels. Well-done
I imagine this story happens oftener than we think.
Friends? or did she realize?
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/friday-fictioneers-62113-romantic-fiction-pg13/
I’m left wondering who the familiar man was (colleague/ brother?). Your story makes we want to go back in time and bang some heads together – such a waste.
Great story Bjorn and such an insight into the mind of the guard…locked away from the world by duty and orders.. so descriptive.
Always wondered what they thought, now I know 🙂
Oh Bjorn, unrequited love and then death. It breaks my heart.
I have some of the younger generation in our family that still serve (have served in dangerous places…) and thankfully have come home safe. You were right… time to find a box of tissues. Thanks for your visit
Dear Bjorn,
The power of love moves mountains and drives men mad. Bound by duty was a heartfelt story and a tale of woe to be sure.
Aloha,
Doug