The Long Walk Home by bsmog

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5181787/1/The_Long_Walk_Home
http://twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=8469


Official Description: Broken by his experiences in the Civil War, Edward marches with Jasper and Emmett to Gettysburg. A stolen night’s sleep leads him to the girl he thinks could save him, but the battle rages on, and his duty could destroy them both. AH. Canon pairings.


Heather Dawn says: I don’t typically read period piece fics, probably because they end up boring me like a history lesson. So when I was told to read this I was a bit skeptical, but am so glad I did. The story begins as the three boys, Jasper, Emmett and Edward are walking down a road, a road they’ve been walking for two years now. They left for the Civil War as young soldiers and have unfortunately seen more death than they ever imagined.


The boys are tired, and Jasper makes the following comment to Edward.

“I know it ain’t just your feet, Edward, it’s your heart too.”

None of the boys have a girl back home waiting for them, but Edward seems to be the only one ready to give up. Until, they stumble upon a barn on their way to yet another battle, and who does the barn happen to belong to, but Bella, Rose and Alice. The three pairs each meet in their own unique way and each of the boys is smitten with their woman from the start. All of them longing for the company of the opposite sex and the boys spend the morning enjoying a hot breakfast with the ladies.


Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and heartfail is inevitable. We find out the Bella was married, her husband had also signed his life away to the army and it’d been months since she’d heard from him.


The connection between Bella and Edward is heartbreakingly painful as realizations come to light and we find out that sometimes you have to let something go and accept that what you thought you had really isn’t as good as it could be.


I loved reading this story, and i loved reading through parts of it again as I tried to find the best parts to share. Unfortunately it’s so complex and the best part, the saddest part isn’t something I can share because you need to read it for yourself.

Kassiah says: One day I got a comment from some chick on my LJ page, thanking me for something I said. I was intrigued by this girl and looked her up. I noticed the summary of her story, and thought, “Historical Fiction? Ugh, if I wanted a history lesson, I would go to school.” lol I am just not into them.


Some time later, the girl who left me the comment became an invaluable contributor to TwificNews and quickly became my friend. I still didn’t read her story; the summary just didn’t appeal to me. I have lots of friends in the fic world and don’t rec stories based on that. Fast forward to the FtLoJ contest ,and I took a bite of bsmog’s writing and was instantly hooked on her amazing style. The promise of battlefield dry-humping later in TLWH mystified me, and I can honestly say that though I went into this fic rather stubbornly and quite begrudgingly, it is one of the most well-written and well-developed stories that I have ever read. 


I love how bsmog has woven in richly-detailed characterization and imagery; some of the scenes are almost like you are right there.  I also really love how she provides enough historical information to tell the reader what she (or he) needs to know without overwhelming or bogging down with mundane (to me) details.

I giggled as I collected myself and appraised the man on the ground at my feet. The first company we’ve had in months, and my clumsy nature takes over. I could hear Alice and Rosalie in my head, “Leave it to Bella to knock a man off his feet before he ever laid eyes on her,” they would giggle.


His face was turned away from me, and I took a moment to take him in. He had a shock of tawny red hair the color of a shiny penny. His coat of dirty gray wool – that had been the scratchy fabric I felt as we collided – was stretched across broad shoulders that gave way to a lean frame. His clothes were so threadbare I could see his muscles flexing as he tried to gather himself up. He cursed as he turned.


““My goodness sir,” I admonished. “Such language! I should expect better manners from the gentleman that provided us with such a lovely serenade last night.” I gasped as the words flew from my mouth. When had I become so brazen? That was certainly no way to speak to a stranger! And yet I was shocked to find myself laughing. Laughing! When had I last laughed that way?

We find out some things with Edward and Bella that send me straight to emoville, but I think that will pull most of you angstphiles in.  The multiple POVs will lure you in as well.  Jalice fans will find their fill in The Long Walk Home as well.  Oh, and I guess I don’t hate Jacob either.



So whether you are looking for an historical fic or you just want a well-written amazing story, I think you should check out The Long Walk Home