A/N:

Hello again! Thanks for patiently waiting for this final part of the "Renewed" trilogy. I am afraid I may not be able to update as fast as previous stories... but this story is still very much alive in my head and wants to be told. ;) I hope everyone enjoys it.

Part I took place over a few weeks, Part II took place over a year but this story will follow the entire war and its effect on the oldest three grandchildren of Robert and Cora Crawley. Usually my goal is twenty chapters, but I'm giving myself at least thirty for this one because it covers so much and of three main characters over a number of years. If any of the chapters seem irrelevant please let me know. I do appreciate all feedback. I thank you for reading this story in advance. I know the same premise is being written by a few people right now, but hopefully this is unique enough to be entertaining.

Happy Reading!

much love, xx

p.s The main Characters and the place of Downton Abbey do not belong to me. I'm simply borrowing them for a new tale.

Synopsis of Parts I and II, (in case you haven't read)

Christmas of 1937, Tom and Sybbie Branson visit Downton Abbey from America for the holidays. Tom is unsure of where to go next in his life and Sybbie has gotten a bit out of his control with her behaviors in Boston. While at Downton Abbey, Sybbie and George take an unprompted drive in one of the cars of the estate.

An accident occurs while Sybbie is driving, the car swerves, but strikes the youngest daughter of John and Anna Bates and hits a tree. Emma Bates loses her arm in the accident but recovers in time. George was responsible for saving the girl's life, though he was seriously injured himself in the accident. George's actions resolve the conflict between Bates and the Crawleys as it was initially believed that George was driving the car.

George suffered a serious head injury, leaving him with a nasty scar on his forehead. (This scar will become important in the future. (You will see.) While he is injured, he and his mother Lady Mary come to terms with their poor relationship and agree to get to know each other better. Mary resolves not to let the fact that George is so much like his father, both in looks and mannerisms that she could not stand to be near him for the pain it caused her in memories, be a factor any longer. Their relationship improves and grows strong in the following year.

At the time, a young Irishman by the name of Kevin O'Malley was the employed chauffeur of the estate. He was seriously injured in the accident and later died from his injuries. His family blames Sybbie Branson for his death with the exception of his older brother James O'Malley who came to Downton to be with his ailing brother. Shortly after his death, it is revealed that Kevin had intended to destroy the Crawley family and his plans were almost completely layed out. Only by a strange chance, did George and James discover the plans but not before a few of the bombs that Kevin had been building went off in the servant's quarters of Downton. James saved George's life by covering him during the explosion. Their lifelong friendship began that day.

James O'Malley stayed on at Downton after the accident to be the estate's new chauffeur. He did not tell his family of his brother's plans. Unbeknownst to nearly everyone, James and Sybbie Branson fell in love and began a relationship in the later part of 1938. James tried to leave on Christmas Eve, but was found by Tom Branson and told that if he truly loved Sybbie, he would stay. He did.

Sybbie was very seriously injured in the accident and for a time it was feared that she would die. In those early days, a nurse by the name of Lily Becker supported Tom Branson through many tough nights. The two fell in love while Sybbie fought for her life, slowly recovered and the two were married in April of 1938. Tom agreed to stay at Downton and resume his old role as the estate manager. He discovers the estate had prospered enormously over the years by following the plans that Matthew Crawley had forged and by making very intelligent investments. George will be a very wealthy man some day. His future is secure.

Sybbie recovered eventually by the dedicated efforts of her personal nurse, Lily. A bond was formed tightly between Tom, Lily and Sybbie.

Lily discovered she was pregnant quite quickly after her marriage, and after a few rough patches, she and Tom accepted their new family as it would be. Jack Branson was born on Christmas Day, 1938 after a very long night...

Many other characters make appearances throughout the story including Mary, Edith, Robert and Cora of course, Marigold, The Bates', and many of the downstairs crew.

They will all make appearances in Part III as well.

(Check my profile for back stories on everyone.)

and now... Part III

World on Fire

I Don't want to Set the World on Fire

By the Inkspots. recorded 1941

I don't want to set the world on fire
I just want to start a flame in your heart
In my heart I have but one desire
And that one is you no other will do

I've lost all ambition for wordly acclaim
I just want to be the one you'd love
And with your admission that you'd feel the same
I'll have reach the goal I'm dreaming of believe me
I don't want to set the world on fire
I just want to start a flame in your heart

(I've lost all ambition for wordly acclaim)
I just want to be the one you'd love
(And with your admission could you'd feel the same)
I'll have reach the goal I'm dreaming of believe me
I don't want to set the world on fire
I just want to start a flame in your heart...

Early January 1939

James O'Malley sat at the kitchen table in the former house of Lily Branson. A cup of tea sat nestled between his fingers and he sipped it occasionally while nervously awaiting his guests.

Tom and Lily had given him the keys to the house and permission to stay there as long as he wanted and he was grateful. He had given his resignation as the chauffeur of Downton Abbey on Christmas Eve and had been incredibly honoured at the gift from the Bransons, the two people who would someday be his in-laws. He hoped.

He had never hosted an Earl for tea and he wondered what Lord Grantham could possibly want to speak with him about. The message had arrived earlier in the day and he had been pacing around ever since.

He laughed to himself of what his mother would think with the knowledge that he was hosting an Earl. She wouldn't have believed it barely a year ago. His recent decision to stay in England and pursue his engagement to Sybbie Branson had meant silence from his family. It had been a hard decision to make, but the feelings he felt for the young woman were too strong to walk away from. He had tried... but now he was in it for the long run. He could only hope that his family would come around in time. He wanted his mother to be proud of him.

He noticed then that his hands were shaking so he stretched his arms and cracked his knuckles hoping to alleviate some of his nerves. He looked at the clock, it was half past two and the Earl had stated in his message that he would be there at three o'clock sharp.

James stood up to heat the kettle again. His thoughts were suddenly of the future and he wondered if he and Sybbie would spend afternoons together on days like this. Most of the snow that had fallen on Christmas Eve had melted away, but the world was mucky and wet and going outside was bound to be a muddy experience. He smiled as he thought of making tea for his future wife. If it would ever happen. He hoped it would, but he and Sybbie were still young and she wanted to finish her nursing school before they were married. It would be at least a year away, but he would wait forever for her if she asked him to. He intended to. And prove to the family that he was worthy of being her husband.

The next half hour went by in the blink of an eye and as the clock on the mantle chimes three times, he heard the knock on the door. He walked to it, took a deep breath and opened the door slowly. He braced himself for the reason of the short-noticed visit.

Lord Grantham and his valet stood outside with stern looks on their faces. James gulped.

"Good afternoon Sir. Won't you please come in?" James welcomed them both inside and took their hats and coats. He wasn't sure what to do or say so he just stood there awkwardly as Robert looked around and Bates stood just behind him.

The young Irishman looked at Bates to see any sort of reaction from him or any tell-tale sign of the reason for the visit. The older man with the cane stood stone-faced.

"Have you been in Lily's house before?" James asked, thinking of nothing else he could say. Lord Grantham looked back to him.

"I have. When Lily was taken by the baker I was here while the search was going on. And a few times years before that. But that's not why I am here my good man, I came to ask something of you." Robert stood watching the reaction of the young man.

James stuttered for a second, wondering what the Earl of Grantham could possibly need of him. It had only been revealed recently that he and Sybbie had been developing a relationship in secret and James had been avoiding the main house like the plague for fear of what Sybbie's Grandfather would do with him. Now it seemed it was time to face his punishment. Or scrutiny. He had no idea which.

"Would you come have some tea Sir?" James looked towards the kitchen, desperate for a distraction from both sets of eyes firmly upon him.

"That would be lovely O'Malley. Thank you." Robert followed the younger man into the kitchen and took a seat at the head of the table at James' request.

A pot of tea was placed on the table a short time later and Bates poured them all a cup, passed them around and then took a seat on the opposite side of the table from James. The three men sat in silence for a few minutes sipping from the cups respectively.

"I have plans for you O'Malley." Robert finally broke the silence and James crushed his cup into the saucer rather sharply at the words.

"And what might those be Sir?" He tried to set his cup down, but the rattle of the fine china gave away his shaking hands.

"I know you are good friends with George." Robert looked quickly to Bates and back again to the young man.

"I would consider him to be one of my best friends my Lord."

Lord Grantham took another sip of tea. There was no tremor in his hands.

"I know you have proven your loyalty to this family and especially to George. I had plans to make you his personal valet and for you to be his right hand man as he goes through his life. I was willing to pay you a tidy salary in exchange for your continued loyalty to him." Robert gazed carefully at James. "But now, with the news of your relationship with Sybbie, I think those plans have been thrown out the window. Unless you would consider breaking it off with her, to ensure a salary as long as you live to be employed by Downton Abbey."

"I would not consider that Sir. Not for any amount of money in the world. I love her, and I want to spend my life with her. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't go to the end of the earth to make sure George was safe. I would do that anyway." James hoped some of the disdain in his voice was more hidden than he thought. Was Lord Grantham trying to buy him off?

"I am happy to hear that my dear chap. As Bates has been by my side for so many years protecting my family and myself, I wish you to take the same role for George. He is the only heir of the estate and he must be protected from all the world is going to set before him in the next number of years. I want to be assured that you will be by his side. I trust you James. The loyalty you have shown has not gone unnoticed. What do you think of my offer?" Lord Grantham stared carefully across the table.

James was deep in thought for some time. He wasn't entirely sure what the Earl was asking. He would be George's friend without being prodded. But as he thought, he started to wonder about how loyal old Bates must have been to Lord Grantham over the years. He thought of the night they had both found the old baker hiding at Tom and Lily's house. He had never spoken a word about it to anyone and no word had ever come back to his ears about that night.

Obviously Bates had never spoken to anyone about it either. He wondered if that had been a test of his loyalty and his ability to keep his mouth shut. He had always wondered why Bates had taken him along that night. Perhaps that was why. And perhaps he had passed the test. He wondered how many secrets John Bates had locked away in his grey covered head.

Bates cleared his throat and brought James back to the present. When James looked at him, he had that slight little smile he sometimes had on his face. The smile that portrayed that he knew so much, but spoke so little. James smiled back slightly.

"I will always be on George's side. You have my word Sir. Until the day I die, I will ensure his safety."

"I just wonder what we will do with you now. If you plan on pursuing the relationship with my Granddaughter, we can't have you employed in the service of the estate. I wonder if you would be interested in working alongside Tom Branson. Perhaps someday you can be to the estate what he is now. Be his right-hand man so that when the day comes for George to inherit, you can be for him what Tom is to me. A trusted confidante who will only have the best interest of the family at stake. Would this interest you?" Robert had a look on his face that made him seem like his thoughts were both of the past and the future at the same time.

James was honoured. It seemed though, that the earlier implied comment of a buy-off had been replaced with an acceptance that he was going to pursue Sybbie until they were married. And that Lord Grantham would not stand in their way. James had read the diary of Sybbie's mother and it seemed to him that the Earl had changed his ways from twenty years previously. The young Irishman's fears of being shunned by both his family and the Crawleys were alleviated by half. It was only his own family back in Ireland who might never forgive him for wanting to marry the girl who had been responsible for the death of his younger brother. But that family did not know the entire truth. He would deal with them in time. Once they got to know Sybbie they would fall in love with her as he had. Or so he attempted to convince himself anyway.

"I would enjoy working alongside Mr. Branson. I would be honoured in fact." James felt a tear come to his eye but he fought it back. He had never imagined when he tried to make his escape on Christmas Eve what he would be truly be giving up. He would be eternally grateful to Tom Branson for convincing him to stay.

"Good then. I shall begin the preparations when Tom is not so busy with his new son. I think he will be pleased. There are two more things." Robert stared hard at James again,

"What is it?" James asked.

"I ask you not to tell George of our conversation here today. I don't want him to think that I am being over-protective, but I am. He is the sole heir to the estate and he must take over some day. I want to ensure that he is healthy and of sound mind when that day happens. I want to to be sure of the woman he chooses to marry some day that she is right for him and that she loves him for who he is, not what he is worth. "

"I'm sure it won't be for some time that he has to accept the responsibility." James tried to state how he knew the succession would occur some day. Bates snickered and Robert shot him a look.

"I hope that as well, but we must be prepared. If George should die without an heir, there is only one that could argue for the estate, but I hope it never comes to that. George is young and healthy and strong and I don't have to tell you how smart he is." Robert continued to speak, ignoring the truth that he would have to depart his mortal coil for George to inherit, "If we prepare now, it will not be as big of a shock to him. And now, there is one more thing I ask of you."

James waited silently for the next request. He had no idea what it could be.

Lord Grantham reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box and handed it to James.

"I know for a fact that you haven't properly proposed to Sybbie. This ring was the ring that my father proposed to my mother with and I want you to have it. More, I want Sybbie to have it. And I am pleased that it will be you who is the one to give it to her. You're a good man James O'Malley and I think you will be a good husband to her. I give you my blessing." Robert smiled slightly at the look on the young man's face.

James was speechless. He opened the tiny box and stared at the beautiful elegant ring that was resting in the fine silk that lined its home. He struggled to find the appropriate words that would express his gratitude.

"I thank you Sir. From the bottom of my heart. She will love it." James finally manged to say anything. "I will make an oath to you here and now that I will always protect your Grandchildren. Marigold included. We have all become quite good friends over this past year and I swear to you it will always be. You can trust me."

Robert stood up and put his hand on the shoulder of the young man. "I know you will. I trust you entirely."

The two older men had achieved all they had come there to do and made their way to the sitting room to bid their good byes.

They left quickly and James was standing alone staring at the box in his hand. His future was in that box and soon it would be on the finger of the girl he loved with his entire heart. He would spend the rest of his days proving that he was worthy of her and loving her completely. He had given up his blood family to be with her, so the sacrifice had better be worth it. He knew it would be as he thought of the young woman and the life he was starting to realize might come to fruition. The life they would have together. He was happy. As happy as he had ever been. He couldn't have known how much his life would change the day he received the telegram informing him that his brother had been in an accident and his presence was required at Downton Abbey. Had it really only been just over a year ago? It was amazing what could happen in a year. He very much looked forward to the next one.

It could only get better.

to be continued...

thank you for reading xx