Hearing of Natasha's near elopement Andrei leaves Moscow, breaking off the engagement despite Pierre 's efforts to intervene, but larger forces are at work as Bonaparte breaks the treaty and invades Russia again, dismissing the tsar's envoy, Boris's request for peace. A mass exodus results with Andrei's father dying in the process though Nikolai is declared a hero after helping Marya's household to escape. Whilst Helene contemplates divorce Pierre travels to Borodino where he is reconciled with Dolokhov though Andrei still refuses to get back with Natasha. A fierce battle ensues with the Russians suffering heavy losses and needing to retreat. A severely wounded Andrei finds himself lying on a table in the medical tent next to Anatole Kuragin, whose leg needs to be amputated.
—don @ minifie-1