Finnigan Godfrey, Generation 22
As the oldest son in a family with seven children, Finnigan became the "man of the house" young. He was just eleven years old when his father left to fight in the American Revolution. Though still a child himself - he stepped up to help with his many younger brothers - though, admittedly, his sister (the eldest and only daughter) took on the majority of it. As the war dragged on the children grew, Finnigan had dreams of joining his father on the fields of battle some day.
Though he became a great shot, his real skills turned out to be in the subtle, discreet exchange of secrets and information. He was charismatic and charming with the young ladies - who knew nearly as much as any man - and he proved more useful to the forces staying exactly where he was - at home and in society.
As happens in such situations - he soon fell head over heels for one of his sources and, as the war came to an end, he knew he had to act fast. She would sail back to Europe soon if her family had any say (and when it came to women - the family had all the say). So he offered her his heart and his future....
She said no. Unbeknownst to him, she already had an intended - arranged for by her father before his death - that she had no choice but to marry.
Finnigan had every intention of taking her rejection and moving on but he couldn't get the sweet Elinor out of his mind. When her nuptials were announced his heart took over and he found himself outside the church on the day of her wedding. He offered her nothing more than love and a promise to keep her safe, always.
As she placed her hand in his, he pulled her onto the horse behind him and they fled the city with naught but the clothes on their backs and a small purse he'd taken from home that morning.
They rode through the night until coming upon and old, abandoned cabin deep in the woods, far from home. Finnigan made them a fire that night, and every night after. They were able to scavenge and save and make the start of a life together. They waited several months before reaching out to family to let them know they were alive at least. Finnigan's family wrote back, pressing him to come home with his new bride, but Elinor's family made no attempt to respond.
Life in the wilderness proved difficult and sometimes Finnigan resorted to thievery to try to make Elinor happy - she longed for the luxuries she had grown up with (and so did he to be fair). Most of the time he was able to get away with it, taking only little things that wouldn't be missed by most. But sometimes... sometimes he ran afoul of one of his neighbors.
They couldn't have known what was happening. They couldn't possibly understand without any point of reference....
When he saw her, he couldn't stop the anger coursing through his veins - though he knew it wasn't anger at her. He fled into the night - leaving her and her children in the house where they'd be safe. He'd always promised her safety. He knew that... deep down under the animal. As he felt the dirt beneath his paws (???), he knew they'd be safe there.
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