Day 103

"Video Diary, Maddie Sussex..." She smiled at the camera as she rested back against her pillows. "We've arrived in Svalbard and we are at the hotel. We had quite a bumpy flight on the way in. We're doing twenty miles on the skis in the morning and should be leaving for Barneo the day after. I'm excited to get out on the snow with the team, to see what all this training has done for us. We had dinner together tonight and everyone seems to be excited and...ready. There are some amazing people on this trip. The women are so..." She looked off in the distance and took a breath before she looked back. "Already I'm impressed and...humbled that they've allowed me to tag along." She laughed softly. "I suppose after tomorrow we'll see if I'm still allowed. Okay. I'm going to sign off and get a nice, warm night of sleep. More tomorrow. Goodnight."

It had been a long day full of travel and introductions. Though she already knew the team, already felt welcome among them—she had only just that day met the Documentary Crew who would be going along with them on the Trek; filming nearly every moment. They had talked for a bit about logistics, about how filming would start the next day, about how the Video Diaries would be used by all of the teammates, about how they would be conducting interviews with all of the teammates. And though Maddie had been a little leery about any type of media being around, she had known this was part of the deal and she fully supported what they were all trying to do. So she relaxed and decided to let her beef with the press sit aside for a moment and to give these guys the benefit of the doubt. They were documentarians after all—and they seemed very nice.

Moving the camera off to the nightstand, she climbed out of bed and looked for her bag; wanting to pull out a sweatshirt of Harry's she had brought with her—for warmth and for comfort. As she pulled the soft, gray hoodie from her bag, something fell from the pocket landing on the floor at her feet.

"What in the..." She pulled the sweatshirt over her head and bent over to find a small gift wrapped box. She felt silly as her heart pumped wildly in her chest, her lips turning up in a smile as her fingers tore at the wrapping. She moved to sit in the middle of the bed as she lifted the lid off the box and there on top of some folded tissue paper was an envelope addressed to her.

In Harry's handwriting.

Her eyes welled up at the sight, her fingers stroking over the paper before she lifted it up and pulled out the heavy cardstock stationary with his monogram on the top. With a lump resting in her throat she read from the card.

"My best guess is that you found this in Svalbard, probably on your first night. I had to work a little magic and enlist a little help but I simply could not let you begin this trek without something from me. In this box you will find two items that I thought might be important to have along. Keep digging. H."

With a giddiness that should have embarrassed her, she did just as his note said. She pulled back the tissue paper and found a small-ish, lumpy package wrapped in the same paper. This one had a note attached to it.

"I know this is going to be as hard as a rock by the time you get to your goal but I thought the image of you enjoying your Christmas Candy at the North Pole was just too sweet to pass up. Share with your friends-H"

And there, underneath the beautiful gift wrap was a small bag of her favorite candy; more than enough to go around. As she held the bag in her hands she felt warm and happy and loved. When had he planned this? How had he planned this? And who in the world had been brave and bold enough to sneak a package into her luggage? Though she was curious to the answers to those questions, she was more curious about the second of the two packages he told her of.

Pulling back the tissue paper even further, she found a small wrapped box. With no thought to the paper this time, she quickly tore it away, quickly discarded it and she pulled off the lid.

Inside was a small ipod shuffle with earbuds. It wasn't hers and it wasn't his; it was entirely new to her. Just as she was about to ask nobody in particular just what exactly was going on, she pulled the shuffle from the box and saw a small note with simple directions.

"Put in the buds. Press Play.

I love you. I'll see you soon-H"

With a cautious look in her eyes, she did as the note instructed; she put the buds into her ears and she turned on the ipod and pressed play.

And she gasped when she heard his voice in her ears.

"Madeline..." It was so rich and so warm and so close. "Sorry...hold on..." There was a bit of background noise, maybe movement and then he laughed—the sound making her eyes well over as her fingers flew to her lips, trying to hold in the sobs that felt inevitable at this point. She had no idea what this was but so far he had said only four words and she was nearly a mess. "Sorry love. So. If you're listening to this then that must mean you're in the Arctic gearing up for the trek. I hope you found this on your first night. I hope you get this before any of the horrific skiing takes place," he chuckled and took a breath. "Alright. So. Get on with it Sussex...is that what you're thinking?"

Maddie shook her head. No that wasn't what she was thinking; nowhere close, in fact.

"What's happened is this...I've put together a...playlist of sorts. I've collected some songs; some of your favorites, some of mine...some I took with me on the very same trek you're about to embark upon. It's pretty good if I say so myself. I think you'll find the selection to be fulfilling and diverse and...Oh!" She could see the excitement on his face as he exclaimed. "I had a little help from Collins in securing some of the native music of Bendal and...it's on here too." That was it. She was done fighting as tears slid from the corners of her eyes. "I thought...I don't know what I thought..." His voice dipped low. "I thought you might want to take a little of the desert with you to the Arctic. I thought you might want to take a little bit of me with you..." He took a moment, a pause in which Maddie sniffed and sucked in a breath. "I'm terribly proud of you Maddie. Terribly proud. I love you...Harry."

Day 104

"Video Diary...Maddie Sussex..." The great big smile on her face, the wide excited eyes—nobody would ever be able to tell just how tired she was. "We went on our first ski today. Twenty-one miles and...wow..." She laughed, leaning back in her chair and pulling off her stocking cap. Her hair was mussed and her cheeks were pink but she didn't care. "You want to know what's utterly amazing? Michelle—without her right arm. Sheryl—with a prosthetic left leg. Wendy—who suffered from Post-Traumatic stress disorder after a harrowing experience I'm sure she'll detail for you. And Louise—who still has shrapnel embedded in nearly her entire right side." Maddie shook her head in awe, in disbelief. "These women were out there in the snow, on the skis looking better than...frankly, looking better than my cousin Kyle who's been skiing since we were two." She chuckled and took a beat. "This is going to be an amazing experience. The team is so incredibly impressive, so ready to go and we're already..." Her smile pulled higher as remembered the day, the conversations, the already strong bonds that were being formed. "We're already having a great time. Tonight we're having a big dinner and most likely heading to bed early. We take a helicopter to Barneo first thing—weather permitting. And it starts. Okay...that's it for tonight. See you tomorrow!"

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Maddie had made her way back to the main room for dinner and some conversation. They had enjoyed their last warm, cooked meal for a few weeks and afterward they lazed about; chatting and relaxing. A few brave souls who had no fear of a hangover were sharing a flask of whiskey. It was a big lump of people; the soldiers, the guides, the documentary crew; everyone gathered in a big warm, comfortable room.

When the flask of whiskey was offered to Maddie she shook her head and laughed out loud. No way was she taking that kind of chance. She knew what awaited her in the morning and she knew she was going to have a hard enough time without throwing her system off.

So she sat off to the side, listening and laughing at the tales they told of home, of service. And she felt, strangely, at home. She felt safe and comfortable and at ease among this group of people. And then the man whose job it was to report on all of it sat down across from her, warm mug of coffee in his hand and a welcoming smile on his face. They had met before, spent a little time together on the first day and then again that morning when he was filming their practice ski. But this was the first real conversation they would have.

"Your Royal Highness," he nodded as he sank into his chair.

Maddie finished a sip of her hot tea and shook her head as her eyes turned up to him. "Is there any chance I can persuade you to call me Maddie for the rest of the trip?"

"Yikes..." He sucked in a breath as he smiled at her. "I don't know. I'm sure I could get into trouble for breaking royal protocol."

"You really wouldn't," she laughed and leaned back in her chair. "Maybe we could negotiate? The title when there are cameras, my actual name when there are not?"

"Maybe..." He teased, leaning forward on the table. "But what do I get out of the negotiation? What do you have in trade?"

"Nothing," she held her hands up. "I have nothing...oh wait!" She exclaimed, stuffing her hand into the pocket of her fleece jacket. "I have these." She held out a small fun-sized bag of M&Ms. "What will these get me?"

"Ooooohhhh..." His eyes widened as he grinned. "Those will get you a first name or two."

"Excellent," she laughed and passed them across the table.

"Tell me," he leaned back in his chair, taking the treats with him. "What do you prefer? Madeline or Maddie?"

"Maddie," she shrugged and extended her hand. "Maddie Sussex."

"Andrew," he reached out to shake her hand. "Andrew Bradley."

"Nice to meet you," she smiled. "Unofficially anyway."

"You too."

Maddie watched him for a minute as he tore open the M&Ms and popped a few into his mouth. She had a good feeling about him, had watched him interact with the team, watched as he worked. "Andrew Bradley. That's a great name for a reporter. Have you always had it or did you change something to make it sound more journalist-ish?"

"I've always had it," he chuckled.

"Good," she nodded and thought for a moment; curious about the ease with which they were conversing. "Can I ask you a question?"

"I don't know," he narrowed his eyes playfully. "Is it on the record or off?"

"Ha!" Maddie clapped her hands together. "Off."

"Okay..." He tossed it around. "One question. Go ahead." He knew that developing a rapport, a relationship with Maddie, with the entire team, was paramount to the great footage he was hoping to get. And it was only fair that she had a chance to ask him questions for all that he was going to ask as the days went on.

"How did you get this assignment?" She waved her hand around. "I mean...did you ask for it or was it a short straw situation?"

"An all-expenses paid trip to the North Pole?" His eyebrows lifted. "Are you kidding? I asked for this one."

Maddie smiled, appreciating his answer. "Good. Now, did you..."

"Oh!" He held up a finger. "You said one question. You had your one."

"Aw come on," Maddie rolled her eyes. "I've never had a chance to sit down with a reporter in a casual atmosphere and ask my own questions. One more."

"This one will cost you."

"You have all my M&Ms!"

"Okay..." He thought about it. "How about I'll trade you a question for a question? You ask one, I'll ask one."

"Hmmm..." Maddie pulled back, caution wrapping up her mind. "I don't know."

"Come on," he joked. "I've never had a chance to sit down with a royal in a casual atmosphere and ask my own questions." He paused and took a breath. "You can always pass...And I'll keep it off the record."

"Okay," she was leery as she took a breath in through her nose. "We'll see how it goes. How about that?"

"Okay," he laughed and leaned in; lowering his voice. "Now. What was your question?"

"The reason you're following this trip, this story...is it about them?" She nodded to the women she had the upmost respect for. "Or is it about me?" Her eyes slid back to him.

"Honestly?" He raised his eyebrows and she nodded. "I'm here for them. But my organization...they let me be here because of you."

She instantly appreciated his honesty, his bluntness with her. "Fair enough," she smiled; her eyes tightening up as she looked to him. "Okay Andrew Bradley. What's your question?"

"Hmmm..." His finger tapped at his chin as he thought it over, never really having been presented with this opportunity. "Can I ask you about your husband?"

He could see her defenses fly up, her posture changing enough that he caught it. She was much more guarded about Harry than she was about herself. But she held his eyes and nodded. "You can ask."

"Okay," he grew a bit more serious, his smile fading from his lips. "I know he's deployed in Khundu right now."

"Yes," she nodded.

"And I know that not long ago there was an accident; soldiers were hurt, one died. I know he was there and I've heard the rumors of...heroic actions..." He watched as Maddie's eyes glazed over just a bit. "I heard that they wanted to pull him from duty and that he convinced them to let him stay on, next to his men."

"You've heard a lot of things Mr. Bradley," she reached for her mug and took a sip.

"I thought we were on a first name basis?" He smiled softly.

"What's your question," she sat her mug back down. "Andrew."

"Are those things true?"

Maddie took a breath and watched him for a moment; he didn't look away from her, didn't break her gaze. He sat tall and steady and she decided to take him at his word. With half a shrug and half a nod, she sighed. "I don't know."

"Aw come on," his eyes narrowed.

"I don't," she smiled. "Not all of, it at least. I...I wasn't there. I don't know if there were heroic actions on his part and he would never tell me if there were. I wouldn't be surprised but...I don't know." She sighed. "As for him staying..." She looked down at her fingers tapping on the handle to her cup and then smiled. "That's true. He wanted to stay."

Andrew's smile tugged higher as he nodded. "I knew it."

"Yeah?" She squinted.

"I've been assigned to him on and off throughout the years. Hell of a soldier."

"So I've been told," she smiled.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I'm sure you have."

"Okay," Maddie leaned in. "My turn."

"Shoot."

"Do you like being assigned to follow royalty around? Or is it something you put up with?"

"Ha!" His head tipped back. "I'm not sure there's a right way to answer that."

"What?" She laughed lightly. "Why do you say that?"

"With all due respect ma'am," he offered a small mock salute. "You are a member of the Royal Family. If I say I like it..." He shrugged. "If I say I don't..." He waved his hand. "You know."

"Chicken," Maddie snickered.

"Wow..." He shook his head, surprised. "I had no idea you were so feisty."

"Most people don't," she shrugged and laughed. "Come on."

"Okay," he took a breath and leaned in. "When it's stuff like this; stuff like the gardens you're building in the city through The Prince's Trust. When it's your husband's deployment or work with Walking With The Wounded or William's work with Tusk...I like it. I like it a lot. I think that the work you're doing is really great stuff."

"Thank you," she smiled. "But I sense there is a but."

"But..." He chuckled. "When it's movie premieres or parades...not so much."

"See," Maddie nodded at him. "I knew you could do it."

"Okay," he sat back. "Your turn. Same question."

"Do I like being assigned to follow royalty around?" Her face twisted up in question. "Yes. I have a particular fondness for the red-headed one."

"No!" He shook his head with a laugh. "I meant...do you like it? Being a 'royal'?"

Maddie smiled; sweet and innocent and she nodded. "I love being married to my husband," she shrugged. "And whatever comes with that...I'm happy to take on."

"All the duties?"

"I mean..." She looked around the room for a moment. "Yes. This? I love this. I love the gardens, like you said. I love nearly everything I do. And I like the rest. Are there things that are strange? Sure. But that's pretty much true for everyone, don't you think?"

"I suppose," he agreed and held out the small package in his hands. "M&M?"

"Oh!" Maddie nodded, leaning in to take one. "Thank you. Now...I know that aside from this fun part of your job, you're also the managing editor for your division."

"Yes," he chuckled. "You've been reading up on me?"

"Yes," she nodded as she chewed and swallowed the M&M; there were people that made sure she was incredibly informed before she had set out on this trek. "And I couldn't help but notice that you didn't print one single article about me having an affair with Will."

Andrew's eyes flew up, his breath catching for just a second. He had never imagined that the Duchess would be so forward with him; so blunt. It shocked him for a moment. But he recovered, shaking his head and sipping his coffee. "No. We didn't."

"Why?" She studied him from across the table. "Nearly everyone else did, even the more reputable of the group alluded to something," she raised her eyebrows. "But not you. You and a few select others. I'm just...incredibly curious as to why."

"Easy," he shrugged, finishing off the last of the candy and putting the wrapper on the table in front of him. "I'm not a gossip columnist. I'm not a teenager with a blog." He sucked in a breath. "I have a Graduate degree from Oxford. I've studied with award winning journalists. I follow royalty because it's this amazing historical institution that walks the streets of London, that has beers at the same pubs as I do...I follow because I want to document history. You think I want to write something catty and crass? While your husband is at war?" He shook his head; his jaw tight and set. "No. I'm above that. I work at an organization that holds integrity at a priority and if they didn't...I wouldn't work there." He laughed at himself then, noticing how serious he had become. "Sorry. I'm not a gossip columnist. That's my answer."

"One follow up?" She pushed her luck just a bit.

"Sure," he nodded; happy to appease her.

"Do you ever...I don't know. Do you ever have something in your possession; a photo or a story and decide not to go with it...even if it would sell like crazy? Do you ever decide not to do it because you just...can't?"

He grew quiet and smiled across the table at her. "Of course. I'm a son and a brother and a husband and a former soldier and a friend and...I have a conscience. I try to exercise it occasionally."

"You want to give me an example?" She arched an eyebrow, curious if he would give in and tell her.

"No ma'am," he shook his head.

"Okay," Maddie smiled as she realized