Horatio Hornblower was first introduced to the public as a dark haired, dark eyed, gangly, seventeen year-old Midshipman aboard the Indefatigable in the first episode: The Duel (a.k.a., the Even Chance). A son of a prestigious doctor, Horatio is often ridiculed for his late start in his naval career, and for his apparent knack for doing well with any, and whatever struggles life throws his way. Horatio's story takes place in the early 1800's, when England is at war with the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. Usually in constant fighting, Horatio's stern outlook on his life, as well as his tactical naval genius and ability to work well and calmly under fire earns him the respect of his men and his place in the British Navy. These traits, however, do give Horatio enemies, such as Midshipman Jack Simpson, but also wins him friends, as in Archie Kennedy and William Bush. Horatio also earns respect from his captain, Richard Pellew. His effective and well matured fighting capabilities quickly push him forward in the line of promotion, and places him in the favorable eye of his superiors. Horatio marries the daughter of a local inkeeper, Maria, during a long period on half-pay in England. The decision, one that was made mainly out of pity then out of love, will be one that haunts Horatio for a long time in his life.

Moving again up the ranks, Horatio is promoted to Captain and given the command of a number of sloops as the war in France continues. His wife, Maria, gives birth to two children, Horatio Jr and Maria. Horatio grows especially fond of his son, though, being often at sea he rarely gets the time to visit with his children. A bout of Smallpox kills both young Horatio and baby Maria, a loss that never fully left Horatio as he continued to spend more and more time at sea. It is also during this time as he leaves Maria, now pregnant once more, that he meets Lady Barbara Welsley, a lady of noble blood and who requests a ride back to England on Horatio's ship. Horatio and Barbara end up having an affair, one that comes to and end shortly before arriving at England and results in a cold harshness from Barbara. The rejection of his would be lover does not have time to sink in fully as Horatio sets off to see once more. Shortly after during another precarious voyage, Horatio is captured by the French and is sent from Northern France to Paris, where he is to be put on trial. On the journey, his friend and fellow officer, William Bush, and one of his sailors, Mr. Brown, manage to escape and make their way down a river in an attempt to out-run their French pursuers. Horatio finds allegiance from a elderly French gentleman and his daughter-in-law, both of which are in support of the war to come to an end. The gentleman gives Horatio, Bush, and Brown shelter until the spring whereupon the escapees make their way to England in a fishing boat that they constructed over the winter.

Arriving safely in the three men's home country once more, Horatio returns to find that Maria has been dead for a number of months and has left him with a son, a young boy called Richard, during his capture in France. Sometime later Horatio renews his former love engagement with Lady Barbara, and shortly after, marries her. Barbara turns out to be a devoted wife and mother and treats little Richard as she would her own son. Hornblower is honoured with more and more appointments and his reputation as a fighting captain devoted to his men becomes firmly fixed. Barbara often travelled with him to his far posts, but their true home was always Smallbridge House which became as dear to Hornblower as his commands.

With higher rank, Hornblower was no longer in command of simply one ship, and therefore travelled about between so many he never really got to know his own crews and became more and more iscolated even from the officers who treated him as some sort of hero. Even Bush' constant awe often irritated him despite his affection. His only constant companion was Brown whom he did not particularly like but desperately needed to take care of all those little details both at sea and on shore. He was taken severely ill during the Prussian campaign and spent months on the verge of death from typhus but he made it through.

Hornblower had sent to Admiral Pellew for re-enforcements and his old captain sent Bush with a few others whom he knew Hornblower would be happy to see. The result proved ill-fated. They occupied the town of Le Havre who declared itself against Bonaparte in order to received much-needed supplies through the blockade. Bonaparte was furious and soon moved against the rebellious seaport. In order to stop it, Hornblower sent his fleet with Bush in command to destroy supply barges which carried cannon and munitions. He was never to see his friend again. Bush and three other boats were next to one of the powder barges when somehow a stray shot set it off. Nothing was left of the boat crews save a few stray pieces. Bush had been 'blown to bloody rags' sending Hornblower into a moody depression for years afterward.

As political pressure mounted with his peerage, Lady Barbara and her elegant and well-connected family began pressing Hornblower into a sort of rejection of it. He still loved Barbara but they quarrelled more often and over more trivial offences. Things came to a head when she wanted to leave him to head her brother's salon. It was at this moment that Marie, the frenchwoman whose family had sheltered Hornblower in his earlier escape, arrived. In his desperate lonely state, feeling also that Barbara had somehow deserted him, he rushed to the comfort of Marie's arms. It was during that time that Bonaparte marched once more on Europe. On a whim, he, Marie, the Old Count and several others decided to stop him.

After several nights terrible march through rain and cold they encountered enemy troops. The result was, of course, failure. Marie valiently fought but was shot in the leg. An artery was ruptured and Hornblower watched helplessly as she bled to death, loyal to him to the end. Fortunately for him the war was soon over and he was released unharmed but still more hardened by his experiences. He was sent as Admiral of the West Indies in which he had some unfortunate encounters with the Americans. By that time he was in his forties and not the same active lad who had once scampered about the ship. He liked his coffee and he liked it just the right temperature and at the exact time with no fuss and the rest of his life to correspond. This happy tranquility was upset when he was captured by pirates, from which he fortunately escaped.

It came time finally for him to relinquish his post, he did not relish it but it seemed his career was at an end. With mixed feelings, he boarded the ship with Barbara to take him back home only to be nearly shipwrecked. More than half the crew was lost and the ship sinking as an unexpected gale struck them unprepared. His quick thinking saved them but they were left helplessly adrift with no food or water for several days before rescue arrived. Barbara's actions during this episode prove her bravery and courage nearly equal to Marie, her love of Hornblower keeping her strong.

It was to be the last adventure for the aging sailor. He retired in some comfort to his home at Smallbridge. He still loved Barbara to the end, though his opinion of her general mental abilities was somewhat lessoned by certain events. For all his adventures and peril he died peacefully of old age secure that he had served King and Country.

Written By Lúthien Anclimë and Zimrahil.