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It was perhaps, the warmest day in August they’d seen so far. The dining room where he and the other aides sat writing daily missives was stuffy, even with the windows open to allow a small breeze to pass through. Alexander wiped away sweat at his neck with his sleeve.
Laurens looked up from his writing to glance up at his friend. “You alright, Hammy? You look a little flushed.”
Hamilton sighed and sat back in his chair, “I’m fine Laurens, just overly warm in here. Wearing these woolen things doesn’t help.”
Despite the heat, General Washington ordered that the men keep their coats on as a matter of decorum, much to the complaints of the soldiers.
Tugging at his cravat, Alexander muttered, “I don’t know how women wear so many layers without fainting.”
“Perhaps we should dress you as one to find out, Hammy. I’m sure you’d make a very handsome woman!” Meade laughed from his side of the table while Hamilton’s cheeks reddened.
The mirth died down after a moment as they returned to their work. Alexander didn’t want to admit that a headache was beginning to form behind his forehead. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Tilghman also looked over to his fellow aide-de-camp. “He’s right though, Hammy. You look tired.”
Alexander sighed. “That’s what happens when you only have five hours of sleep.”
Laurens opened his mouth, then closed it seemingly not wanting to mention that it was mostly from his own doing, as Alexander often stayed up to work or read.
There was a pounding a footsteps that issued from the stairwell which the aides knew all too well. The men jumped to their feet and saluted General Washington as he entered the dining room. Alexander took an extra second to do the same, which garnered a disapproving look from the General.
Washington pulled an envelope from his coat and brandished it towards Alexander. "Hamilton, I have a missive of great importance for General Knox that I wish for you to deliver. "
"At once, sir," said Alexander, taking the envelope and tucking it into his own pocket. He turned on his heel and made to leave, but Washington's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"I have not yet dismissed you, Colonel."
Alexander felt a flush creeping up his neck. He turned back to the group, which had re-seated itself. He took a seat next to the Marquis, who gave him a curious look.
"Yes sir." Hamilton did not take his gaze off the General, even as his stomach began to churn.
Washington gave him a slightly curious look. "Shall I assign this task to someone else, Colonel Hamilton?"
Alexander flushed, embarrassed. "No, sir. My apologies."
The General waved his hand in the air, as if brushing the incident aside. "Very well, then."
Alexander felt the tension drain out of his shoulders.
"General, perhaps it would be prudent to have two men on this assignment? It is a twenty mile journey." Tilghman inquired, giving his friend a sympathetic look of apologies at Washington's distemper.
Washington shook his head, dismissing the idea. "If the journey were longer, perhaps, but I am confident that Colonel Hamilton can handle the assignment alone. You are all dismissed. Except for you, Hamilton. I wish a word with you before you leave."
The group rose from the table. As the room emptied, Washington approached Hamilton, who remained seated. "Are you feeling quite alright, Alexander?"
Hamilton flushed again, surprised at the familiarity "Yes, of course sir." He answered promptly.
Washington seemed skeptical; his lips tightened before he nodded. “All right. I am expecting an answer from General Greene as well you may know.” Of course, Hamilton knew, he had drafted the reply after all. “You will await it and then return. Is that understood?”
Alexander nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Dismissed Colonel.” Washington said as they saluted.
*~*
Alexander knew he was not well as soon as he’d awoken that morning, a chill had overtaken him, and his stomach had been uncomfortable even after breakfast. Lying to the General would not end well, but he allowed himself to think that he was just over-heated by the warm summer day. Though even he was lying to himself. He’d grown up on a Caribbean Island where the days were just as warm, if not warmer. He knew what ailed him; the first onslaught of his annual bout of ague was creeping in upon him. Alexander could only hope that he could finish this mission before the symptoms worsened so much that he couldn’t travel.
He winced as he pulled at his cravat, a wave of chill overtaking him. His stomach lurched and he was forced to stop his horse and shakily dismount to duck behind a tree to lose the contents of his stomach. Alexander dizzily made his way back to his mount, and taking the canteen, took a few good swigs. It did not taste of water, but of alcohol; Lafayette must had cheekily filled it with brandy while he was readying himself to go. The brandy was fruity, a young age obviously, but not unwelcome by him. The spirits seem to steel him slightly as he re-mounted his horse and spurred it back into a cantor.
*~*
General Greene wrote a reply to Washington’s letter while Alexander stood at rigid attention. The shifting slightly of his feet and attempted disguising of a shiver had garnered the older man’s attention.
“You don’t look well, son.” Greene said with some concern. “Perhaps you should report to the infirmary to have a doctor look you over.”
“It’s nothing, sir.” Alexander confirmed without looking the General in the eye. “Just the heat of the day.”
Greene nodded at this at took out his handkerchief from a pocket to wipe at his forehead. “I certainly can understand that. Damnable heat is insufferable.” He folded the letter, then sealed it before handing it to Alexander. “Please give my regards, to General Washington, Colonel Hamilton. Dismissed.”
Alexander started to go when Greene called out, “Colonel?” Alexander had turned on heel with a puzzled expression. “Do be careful out there.”
*~*
The heat was finally starting to wane slightly as the sun began to set. Alexander took reverence at the breeze sweeping through the branches and cooling him even more as he galloped back to camp. He could barely hang on to the reigns, his hands were shaking with the fever that had enveloped his entire body. A wave of dizziness barely kept him from falling from his saddle. Perhaps he should find an inn for the night? But he shook his head at that. If they discovered that he’d been delayed on a relatively easy mission they’d know that he was ill. Better to get back to camp and collapse in his own bed.
Alexander was slumped over his horse’s main, taking in the smell of hay and sweat from the animal’s skin in hopes that it would keep him awake by its pungency. More than once, he’d fallen prey to unconsciousness on the road, only to re-awaken suddenly some time later. He could feel his heart beating hard against his chest now as they neared the lights of the camp’s outline, where two sentries were pacing back and forth in the firelight. He heard guns cock as he reached the pair.
“Stop! One of the men shouted. “Dismount and announce yourself!”
“Lt. Colonel Hamilton.” Alexander announced, not heeding the first command. “The code word is Chesapeake. Let me through.”
The gates were swiftly opened for him to pass through, Alexander was relieved as he finally dismounted his horse, allowing the stable boy to take it. Alexander's sight blurred, feeling uncomfortably warm even as the sun had sunk behind the horizon. He attempted to steady himself by inhaling deeply and putting on a facade of composure, despite the overwhelming sensation that he could collapse at any given second.
He stumbled, disoriented, through the corridors of the manor house, finally seeing Meade in the parlor with his portable writing desk. His knees felt weak as the aide came to his side.
Meade's panicked voice called out Alexander's name as he descended into the enveloping darkness, his sight fading away.
*~*
Alexander awoke with his head pounding. He experienced the soothing touch of a damp cloth, shielding his eyes and providing relief from his fever.
“Hamilton?” A voice that belonged to Doctor Cochran called gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You need to wake up for me, son.”
Alexander shifted his head, wincing at the movement. ‘’m ‘wake.” he whispered, his voice sounding gravelly even to him.
The doctor approached him. "Now, now, my boy. I'm going to need you to stay awake just a bit longer."
Alexander nodded slightly. "Of course, doctor."
The man smiled, sitting on the bed beside him. "Now, tell me how you're feeling, first and foremost."
“Tired. And a bit thirsty.” His throat felt dry like he hadn’t drunk anything in a week. He was helped to sit up, feeling exhausted even with the small movement. The doctor helped him, pressing a glass to his lips that he knew was water. Shivering, Alexander felt the chills running through his body with vengeance.
“I had Laurens go downstairs and fetch you some tea. We’ll get you well soon enough, my boy.”
A moment later, Lafayette burst through the door with John on his heels. “Mon ami!’ he heard the Frenchmen almost shout.
“Gentlemen,” Alexander could hear the annoyance in the doctor’s voice, “I would appreciate it if you would keep your voices down for my patient’s sake. He needs rest and quiet and no excitement. Do I make myself clear?”
Both men sounded abashed as they apologized, then Lafayette spoke up. “May we stay and keep him company since what he has is not catching?”
“You may, but mind you don’t excite him.” Doctor Cochran’s tone was terse even as Alexander heard the men agree. “Then I will report to General Washington that Hamilton is awake.”
The man left Alexander alone with his friends. He took a deep breath, feeling the world spin as he did so. His head throbbed, and he felt a deep exhaustion settling in as he tried to remember what had just happened. With the removal of the cloth, his vision cleared, revealing the concerned looks on Lafayette and Lauren's faces.
“Mon ami, we’re so glad to see you’re fever has fallen. You’ve been ill these last two days and le General grew quite worried.”
Alexander seemed to remember fuzzy words and incredible heat as a fever burned within him. He could feel his body shaking and his head pounding. He was weak, but he tried to stay awake to keep his mind focused.
“You lied to me, Alex.” John said only slightly sharply, “And to General Washington. He’s still a bit angry with you for lying about not being ill.” Lafayette nodded in agreement.
Alexander didn’t look at the disappointed expression of his friend. “I know.” he whispered. He wondered if Washington would ever entrust him with a mission again after this.” He gave him a tired smile, "My sincerest apologies, I thought it was nothing more than heat prostration."
John scoffed, "I should hope so, Hammie. What were you thinking?"
He had been thinking of the importance of the missive, the General's trust in him, and the fact that he couldn't stand letting Washington down as his right hand man.
"I was thinking," he said softly, "That it was the best decision at the time."
He could tell by the look in his friend's eyes that he wasn't buying it.
"Alexander, when will you learn to not put your health at risk just to complete a mission for the General?"
"It was important." Alex said, his voice barely above a whisper.
John shook his head, "Everything is important to you."
Alexander couldn't deny that, but it was true. He would die for this country, if necessary. He decided a change of subject was in order. “May I have a little tea, perhaps? I would hate for it to go cold and waste it.”
John let out a deep sigh as he gently lifted him into a seated position. With a supportive arm wrapped around him, he offered him sips of the warm brew. When the cup was empty, he added. "We would have worried a lot less if you had been honest with us from the start."
Alexander nodded his head. He didn't doubt that.
"I promise I won't do it again."
"See that you don't Alex." John huffed, then gave his friend a soft punch in the arm.
Alexander winced, his muscles still aching from his illness. "Ouch!"
"Serves you right." Laurens grinned.
"Indeed." Lafayette chimed in.
Alexander groaned, "Well, you've both made your point."
"Good. Now sleep." He stood and began to head for the door.
“Bonne nuit, mon Ami!” Lafayette added cheerily, rustling his hair before striding to the door.
"Good night, Laff." Alexander responded, yawning.
Before he left the room, John said, “And Alexander? I hope you can come up with a profound apology before tomorrow when the General sees you.”
Alexander gave a slight nod, his eyelids already beginning to droop . Don't worry, I have a plan."
John snorted, "You always have a plan."
Alexander responded with a weary grin and allowed his eyelids to gently close. “You know it."