Eight Men [fanfic]
Title: Eight Men
Author: MorriganFearn
Rating: R
Characters: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Prussia, Poland, America, Russia
Genre: Dark, History, Friendship, Drama
Pairings: SuFin, DenNor, GerIta, LietPol and hinted others
Warnings: Violence, extreme sexual situations, dark themes
Summary: August 1945. While the humans debate the proper end to the Second World War in Potsdam, the nations are already in Nuremberg, trying to decide what to do with Germany, Bulgaria, and Finland. For eight of them, Allied and Axis alike, this has just been the inevitable conclusion of history.
Chapter: Two (Part 2 of 8)
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus
Summary: May 1617. Sweden meets the man who will build his empire.
Eight Men
Historical Notes
Stockholm - King Gustav Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus, the Lion of the North) became king of Sweden at seventeen when his father died. Normally this would be a nice trade-off, but Sweden was financially impoverished (things would get worse, once the war with Denmark was concluded), and embroiled in three wars simultaneously. The new king used these facts to his advantage to rebuild, refine and redesign the Swedish army into the most feared fighting machine in Europe which dominated the scene through out the Thirty Years' War (we do not speak of the Battle of Nordlingen), and established the Swedish Empire, which lasted for about a century.
Chapter 2: That Which is Broken-Hearted
May, 1612 - Stockholm, Sweden [7]
He had chosen the castle gardens for no reason in particular. Perhaps because it was May, and sunny. Berwald was no more an outdoors person than he was an indoors person, but even he could appreciate the beauty of a leaf unfurling from its bud to drink in the liquid spring sunshine. Perhaps because he wanted to admire the white walls of his lovely castle, and felt that he should not inconvenience the new king too much by forcing him to meander around the city, as Sweden found new angles to examine and etch in his mind. Perhaps because the land already knew what he would discover, and knew too, that he needed a stronger connection to the land than he normally did, and so it placed the idea of the gardens in the back of his mind that day.
Or, perhaps there had been no reason, no fate behind such a momentous occasion. Perhaps he just happened to meet his new king in the gardens because they were both taking the air, and had run into each other, as people do. Sweden, who liked order, disliked this most legitimate of theories because of the inherent chaos contained therein.
A swift darting from an overhang the on the round central tower of Tre Kronor caught Sweden's eye, and he stopped in the middle of the path, hands behind his back, head tilted to watch the speedy flight, the broad wings reminding him of perfectly sculled oars. Once he was done here, maybe he should take a walk along the Slottskajen.
It had been a long time since he had been able to just move through his cities and country, even taking this fine day from the wars seemed like stealing, but Tino and Eduard had assured him that he could do so. Well, Tino had told him that he would do so, or things would become very interesting, in a bad way. Su-san, you weren't even back for the death of your old king. Go. Denmark isn't going to overrun things in one day. He really was going to have to remind Tino at some point that Tino was his wife and wives did not tell their husbands what to do.
Thoughtfully, Sweden continued along the path, enjoying the sunshine and the crunch of gravel under his boots. Denmark had a tendency to run on the water for the sheer joy of being a seafaring nation, but Sweden preferred a good piece of solid ground under him. You knew where you stood, with the ground supporting you.
Another crunch out of sync with his own came up the path from behind him. Sweden, not intending to walk as quickly as this human, stepped aside courteously, turning to incline his head. That was when he caught a flash of gold and piercing blue. Both men stopped moving, transfixed. With the effort of an oak tree in a hard wind, Sweden sunk to one knee, thinking how natural it all seemed.
"My king."
The blond young man, with his round handsome face, blinked, "Rise-please. Have you been to court before?"
Sweden kept his eyes on the shorter man as he unfolded to his normal lofty height. He shook his head mutely in response to the query. "Not yours, my king. I have been at war."
The broad mouth under the successful beginnings of a full mustache twisted wryly. "Who has not? I was just going to review troop movements. I-I think I would appreciate your insight."
Sweden nodded, waiting for the human to meet him, and then they began to walk together. Each stride filled him with confidence. Karl had been strong, but prone to an anger that Sweden had always found unwise. His son, however, Sweden cast the shorter man another glance, appraising the new, uncrowned king. Yes, his son had the same energy, but it was controlled, and directed properly.
"Have we met before?" Gustav asked, favoring Sweden with another one of those too bright glances.
Sweden considered the question. It was best to let leaders come into their own. If a man could not recognize his own land, it did not bode well for the land. On the other hand, Sweden could feel the recognition seeping into him with an amazed joy. "I was your father's servant."
Gustav nodded. "Just as the House of Vasa [8] has always been yours, I believe."
Sweden nodded, and looked ahead. The clouds scudding merrily across the sky seemed so much clearer. The sky so much bluer. The focus and intent of the man pulled at Sweden, as he acknowledged the human. Gustav knew what he had wanted. How had Sweden even managed to remain impartial when this man had taken on the role of his king? The human was so young too. He couldn't be more than eighteen, but already he was disciplined. Ready.
"We have done a disservice to you, I think," Gustav broke the silence once again. "Three wars is a lot to ask of a nation."
Shaking his head, Sweden was suddenly aware how out of fashion he was, wearing his hair close cropped, and not bothering with a beard. Anything else felt too much like a throwback to his younger years when he and Denmark were brothers on the sea, and Suomi was a mysterious word whispered from the interior. But to a young man like this, he must appear strange and remote. Not how one should appear to a leader. To his king. "I can be in many places, my liege. It-stretches me. But I am capable. And there are others who guard my house."
The human, surprised, halted for a second, and then resumed his walk. "God in heaven, I do not know what is the strangest part of that statement. Still, three wars at once is far too much for my people, even if you are willing."
"I will do as you command. I am very strong," Sweden felt a little guilty about saying that. It was boastful. But he was strong. He would do all that was asked of him for this man.
The human shook his head, smiling a little, as the sea wind tugged slightly at his white lace collar. "I know you are. You must be," a small group of men and ladies in their court robes hurried past, and the blue coated Sweden nodded at them, which made the humans gain a confused look, and only distractedly bow at Gustav in passing. "Did you do that?"
"Yes," Sweden realized that this had troubled the young man. It had troubled him a small bit, as well. Usually he did not exert his power like that unless he was in a council of war. This was a walk through the garden to a council of war, of course, but it was still a fine May morning. He did not have to isolate Gustav.
However, it appeared that the isolation was not the main cause of the trouble. "Can they see you, then?"
Considering his answer, Sweden nodded, and then decided to elaborate. "In the same way they see the land around them. Some humans are more aware than others. It is the same with every one of us. But when we want to, we make our presence felt."
Gustav's understanding bloomed all around his land. It felt so good, the country thought, to be recognized like this. He was almost drunk. How long had it been since he had last felt this aware? In 1523 the founder of the boy's house had certainly pulled him together after the vicious split from Denmark, but before that? That went back to before the Kalmar Treaty.
Venturing carefully, Gustav asked: "I have seen two men beside Sigismund sometimes. They are different. Especially the one in the dress."
"Poland and Lithuania. I request that we," when had it become so easy to think in terms of 'we,' nation and leader? "not give in to your cousin."
Gustav's expression was grim. "I would never give into that Catholic swine. You should not doubt my faith."
The corner of Sweden's mouth tilted quietly upward. Oh, humanity. He was proud of his Protestants, and wanted the best for them, but why must humans simply assume that faith was the only thing that concerned him? "Personally, I am more worried about my capital becoming Warsaw."
Gustav blinked those strong blue eyes again. His mouth turned down for a moment, but then he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It must be very different from your perspective," it was and was not. "So, if you do not want to be ruled by him, peace is not in our full interests. What do you think of Russia?"
Trying to frame his thoughts in human terms was hard, Sweden realized. How did one say that Russia was dying, and it would be a mercy to him to put Sweden in charge of the whole mess? The large nation was only hanging onto his power by his teeth. In the long life of the Scandinavian country, Sweden had witnessed many dissolutions. Never for a nation as big as Russia, but he imagined the same principle that worked on tribes would happen to Russia. The land would fall into chaos, and then it would be absorbed by a stronger, more dominating power. That power should be Sweden's as he was by far the best candidate to take control, and he should take control early, so that the chaos was minimal, and the humans were not too badly harmed.
"Russia is weak and destabilized. Soon, we will have it." [9]
Surprisingly clean white teeth worried at a full lip, as the king considered what his nation had to say. Sweden felt like rejoicing. The man was thinking of him, was looking at the strength and weaknesses in his suggestions. Was considering how far Sweden could be stretched before he was handling too many battles.
"Then-Denmark."
The formerly immobile face pressed its lips together, forcing blood from dead white skin. "Denmark will-,"
A human hand rose, and Gustav, so young and nothing compared to Sweden, gave his nation a reproving look. "I think two wars at once is plenty. If this is not resolved within a year, I will end it, one way or the other." [10]
Sweden maintained a scowl for several long moments. "Denmark will be crushed. He needs to learn his place."
The human's near invisible gleaming eyebrows rose. "My father did provoke the Danes."
"He was just looking for the excuse. If I was not who I was, I would have killed him a long time ago."
The silent question rolled from the human at his side, too polite to ask a nation about its ways. Sweden acquiesced anyway, because the love and trust he felt could not be denied. "Sometimes, humans do not push far enough. We act through them, and their actions give us leave to move. There have been many times when I have held my sword to that dog's throat, and been incapable of pushing further."
Gustav looked thoughtful. "It must be a terrible thing to be so bound."
"No," Sweden saw the swift swoop through the sky once more. "It is who I am, as I said. If I did not hold my rage I would not be Sweden. We are not men, your highness. Despite those who cling to the petty verisimilitude. We are not men. We do not feel things as you feel," and he just admired Gustav. For having the mind that thought through his country's needs. This human boy was just human, in the end. A nation was stronger than one man. Fools like France and Denmark could venerate mere men. Sweden forged ahead of such folly. Now he would be doing so under the direction of this strong young man. But that was not any different from his father, or grandfather, or even his Catholic cousin. "Were we to feel these things, we would be neglecting our duty. We would favor some of our people over others. Human failings would become our own. That would be a disservice to you, greater than merely getting me into a few wars. I was forged in battle."
The leonine young man chuckled at this, causing Sweden to smile. "Speaking of battle, I'm planning on getting rid of all those stupid heavy cannon. We're not moving fast enough on the field with those weighing us down. I would like your support with the generals on this. Especially with Oxensteirna [11]. He has been skeptical of my plans. We are a militant nation, to my view, and that means we must update the military. Just as we have the perfect proving grounds to practice my ideas."
Sweden, agreeing, let the light of his old ways accidentally shine from his face. An updated military sounded good. Gustav's ideas sounded better. They continued in through Tre Kronor, speaking in general of tactics and planning, while the silence carried unspoken promises of Empire.
Footnotes and Annotations
[7] - The entire dialogue in the Stockholm scene is taking place in Swedish, rather than the mysterious universal language that I have the countries use normally. This is why Berwald finally sounds natural. He's speaking in a language that he is comfortable with using.
[8] - The House of Vasa was Sweden's Royal house, and technically ends with Gustavus Adolphus. The following monarchs find ways to claim blood relation with the family who made Sweden great.
[9] - This assessment turns out not to be the case, but in 1612 Russia was undergoing its "Time of Troubles" and most nations expected that it would collapse, or just not be the powerhouse that it became.
[10] - The war with the Danes was solved by a peace treaty in 1613 that got the Danish off Swedish land, but stipulated that Sweden pay a war indemnity for the right not to be attacked any more. This was rather typical practice after invading a place: Take money from those who have money through taxes, and then loot the rest to fund the next hostile take over. The war indemnity concept grew out of it. Unfortunately, Sweden's grasp of the 'looting' end of this concept was less sophisticated than Denmark's, as Prussia will discover during the Thirty Years' War.
[11] - Axel Oxenstierna, Gustavus' right hand man, and speaker of parliament. This capable statesman lead Sweden through the time after Gustavus' death, when his daughter took the throne, and then abdicated by converting to Catholicism. Her heir was very young at the time, and Oxensteirna stepped in as regent. It is unlikely that Berwald and he share last names is a coincidence.
Links to Other PartsGo Back a Section: That Which Is Broken Hearted - Part One
Go Forward a Section: That Which Is Broken Hearted - Part Three
Author: MorriganFearn
Rating: R
Characters: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Prussia, Poland, America, Russia
Genre: Dark, History, Friendship, Drama
Pairings: SuFin, DenNor, GerIta, LietPol and hinted others
Warnings: Violence, extreme sexual situations, dark themes
Summary: August 1945. While the humans debate the proper end to the Second World War in Potsdam, the nations are already in Nuremberg, trying to decide what to do with Germany, Bulgaria, and Finland. For eight of them, Allied and Axis alike, this has just been the inevitable conclusion of history.
Chapter: Two (Part 2 of 8)
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus
Summary: May 1617. Sweden meets the man who will build his empire.
Eight Men
Historical Notes
Stockholm - King Gustav Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus, the Lion of the North) became king of Sweden at seventeen when his father died. Normally this would be a nice trade-off, but Sweden was financially impoverished (things would get worse, once the war with Denmark was concluded), and embroiled in three wars simultaneously. The new king used these facts to his advantage to rebuild, refine and redesign the Swedish army into the most feared fighting machine in Europe which dominated the scene through out the Thirty Years' War (we do not speak of the Battle of Nordlingen), and established the Swedish Empire, which lasted for about a century.
Chapter 2: That Which is Broken-Hearted
May, 1612 - Stockholm, Sweden [7]
He had chosen the castle gardens for no reason in particular. Perhaps because it was May, and sunny. Berwald was no more an outdoors person than he was an indoors person, but even he could appreciate the beauty of a leaf unfurling from its bud to drink in the liquid spring sunshine. Perhaps because he wanted to admire the white walls of his lovely castle, and felt that he should not inconvenience the new king too much by forcing him to meander around the city, as Sweden found new angles to examine and etch in his mind. Perhaps because the land already knew what he would discover, and knew too, that he needed a stronger connection to the land than he normally did, and so it placed the idea of the gardens in the back of his mind that day.
Or, perhaps there had been no reason, no fate behind such a momentous occasion. Perhaps he just happened to meet his new king in the gardens because they were both taking the air, and had run into each other, as people do. Sweden, who liked order, disliked this most legitimate of theories because of the inherent chaos contained therein.
A swift darting from an overhang the on the round central tower of Tre Kronor caught Sweden's eye, and he stopped in the middle of the path, hands behind his back, head tilted to watch the speedy flight, the broad wings reminding him of perfectly sculled oars. Once he was done here, maybe he should take a walk along the Slottskajen.
It had been a long time since he had been able to just move through his cities and country, even taking this fine day from the wars seemed like stealing, but Tino and Eduard had assured him that he could do so. Well, Tino had told him that he would do so, or things would become very interesting, in a bad way. Su-san, you weren't even back for the death of your old king. Go. Denmark isn't going to overrun things in one day. He really was going to have to remind Tino at some point that Tino was his wife and wives did not tell their husbands what to do.
Thoughtfully, Sweden continued along the path, enjoying the sunshine and the crunch of gravel under his boots. Denmark had a tendency to run on the water for the sheer joy of being a seafaring nation, but Sweden preferred a good piece of solid ground under him. You knew where you stood, with the ground supporting you.
Another crunch out of sync with his own came up the path from behind him. Sweden, not intending to walk as quickly as this human, stepped aside courteously, turning to incline his head. That was when he caught a flash of gold and piercing blue. Both men stopped moving, transfixed. With the effort of an oak tree in a hard wind, Sweden sunk to one knee, thinking how natural it all seemed.
"My king."
The blond young man, with his round handsome face, blinked, "Rise-please. Have you been to court before?"
Sweden kept his eyes on the shorter man as he unfolded to his normal lofty height. He shook his head mutely in response to the query. "Not yours, my king. I have been at war."
The broad mouth under the successful beginnings of a full mustache twisted wryly. "Who has not? I was just going to review troop movements. I-I think I would appreciate your insight."
Sweden nodded, waiting for the human to meet him, and then they began to walk together. Each stride filled him with confidence. Karl had been strong, but prone to an anger that Sweden had always found unwise. His son, however, Sweden cast the shorter man another glance, appraising the new, uncrowned king. Yes, his son had the same energy, but it was controlled, and directed properly.
"Have we met before?" Gustav asked, favoring Sweden with another one of those too bright glances.
Sweden considered the question. It was best to let leaders come into their own. If a man could not recognize his own land, it did not bode well for the land. On the other hand, Sweden could feel the recognition seeping into him with an amazed joy. "I was your father's servant."
Gustav nodded. "Just as the House of Vasa [8] has always been yours, I believe."
Sweden nodded, and looked ahead. The clouds scudding merrily across the sky seemed so much clearer. The sky so much bluer. The focus and intent of the man pulled at Sweden, as he acknowledged the human. Gustav knew what he had wanted. How had Sweden even managed to remain impartial when this man had taken on the role of his king? The human was so young too. He couldn't be more than eighteen, but already he was disciplined. Ready.
"We have done a disservice to you, I think," Gustav broke the silence once again. "Three wars is a lot to ask of a nation."
Shaking his head, Sweden was suddenly aware how out of fashion he was, wearing his hair close cropped, and not bothering with a beard. Anything else felt too much like a throwback to his younger years when he and Denmark were brothers on the sea, and Suomi was a mysterious word whispered from the interior. But to a young man like this, he must appear strange and remote. Not how one should appear to a leader. To his king. "I can be in many places, my liege. It-stretches me. But I am capable. And there are others who guard my house."
The human, surprised, halted for a second, and then resumed his walk. "God in heaven, I do not know what is the strangest part of that statement. Still, three wars at once is far too much for my people, even if you are willing."
"I will do as you command. I am very strong," Sweden felt a little guilty about saying that. It was boastful. But he was strong. He would do all that was asked of him for this man.
The human shook his head, smiling a little, as the sea wind tugged slightly at his white lace collar. "I know you are. You must be," a small group of men and ladies in their court robes hurried past, and the blue coated Sweden nodded at them, which made the humans gain a confused look, and only distractedly bow at Gustav in passing. "Did you do that?"
"Yes," Sweden realized that this had troubled the young man. It had troubled him a small bit, as well. Usually he did not exert his power like that unless he was in a council of war. This was a walk through the garden to a council of war, of course, but it was still a fine May morning. He did not have to isolate Gustav.
However, it appeared that the isolation was not the main cause of the trouble. "Can they see you, then?"
Considering his answer, Sweden nodded, and then decided to elaborate. "In the same way they see the land around them. Some humans are more aware than others. It is the same with every one of us. But when we want to, we make our presence felt."
Gustav's understanding bloomed all around his land. It felt so good, the country thought, to be recognized like this. He was almost drunk. How long had it been since he had last felt this aware? In 1523 the founder of the boy's house had certainly pulled him together after the vicious split from Denmark, but before that? That went back to before the Kalmar Treaty.
Venturing carefully, Gustav asked: "I have seen two men beside Sigismund sometimes. They are different. Especially the one in the dress."
"Poland and Lithuania. I request that we," when had it become so easy to think in terms of 'we,' nation and leader? "not give in to your cousin."
Gustav's expression was grim. "I would never give into that Catholic swine. You should not doubt my faith."
The corner of Sweden's mouth tilted quietly upward. Oh, humanity. He was proud of his Protestants, and wanted the best for them, but why must humans simply assume that faith was the only thing that concerned him? "Personally, I am more worried about my capital becoming Warsaw."
Gustav blinked those strong blue eyes again. His mouth turned down for a moment, but then he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It must be very different from your perspective," it was and was not. "So, if you do not want to be ruled by him, peace is not in our full interests. What do you think of Russia?"
Trying to frame his thoughts in human terms was hard, Sweden realized. How did one say that Russia was dying, and it would be a mercy to him to put Sweden in charge of the whole mess? The large nation was only hanging onto his power by his teeth. In the long life of the Scandinavian country, Sweden had witnessed many dissolutions. Never for a nation as big as Russia, but he imagined the same principle that worked on tribes would happen to Russia. The land would fall into chaos, and then it would be absorbed by a stronger, more dominating power. That power should be Sweden's as he was by far the best candidate to take control, and he should take control early, so that the chaos was minimal, and the humans were not too badly harmed.
"Russia is weak and destabilized. Soon, we will have it." [9]
Surprisingly clean white teeth worried at a full lip, as the king considered what his nation had to say. Sweden felt like rejoicing. The man was thinking of him, was looking at the strength and weaknesses in his suggestions. Was considering how far Sweden could be stretched before he was handling too many battles.
"Then-Denmark."
The formerly immobile face pressed its lips together, forcing blood from dead white skin. "Denmark will-,"
A human hand rose, and Gustav, so young and nothing compared to Sweden, gave his nation a reproving look. "I think two wars at once is plenty. If this is not resolved within a year, I will end it, one way or the other." [10]
Sweden maintained a scowl for several long moments. "Denmark will be crushed. He needs to learn his place."
The human's near invisible gleaming eyebrows rose. "My father did provoke the Danes."
"He was just looking for the excuse. If I was not who I was, I would have killed him a long time ago."
The silent question rolled from the human at his side, too polite to ask a nation about its ways. Sweden acquiesced anyway, because the love and trust he felt could not be denied. "Sometimes, humans do not push far enough. We act through them, and their actions give us leave to move. There have been many times when I have held my sword to that dog's throat, and been incapable of pushing further."
Gustav looked thoughtful. "It must be a terrible thing to be so bound."
"No," Sweden saw the swift swoop through the sky once more. "It is who I am, as I said. If I did not hold my rage I would not be Sweden. We are not men, your highness. Despite those who cling to the petty verisimilitude. We are not men. We do not feel things as you feel," and he just admired Gustav. For having the mind that thought through his country's needs. This human boy was just human, in the end. A nation was stronger than one man. Fools like France and Denmark could venerate mere men. Sweden forged ahead of such folly. Now he would be doing so under the direction of this strong young man. But that was not any different from his father, or grandfather, or even his Catholic cousin. "Were we to feel these things, we would be neglecting our duty. We would favor some of our people over others. Human failings would become our own. That would be a disservice to you, greater than merely getting me into a few wars. I was forged in battle."
The leonine young man chuckled at this, causing Sweden to smile. "Speaking of battle, I'm planning on getting rid of all those stupid heavy cannon. We're not moving fast enough on the field with those weighing us down. I would like your support with the generals on this. Especially with Oxensteirna [11]. He has been skeptical of my plans. We are a militant nation, to my view, and that means we must update the military. Just as we have the perfect proving grounds to practice my ideas."
Sweden, agreeing, let the light of his old ways accidentally shine from his face. An updated military sounded good. Gustav's ideas sounded better. They continued in through Tre Kronor, speaking in general of tactics and planning, while the silence carried unspoken promises of Empire.
Footnotes and Annotations
[7] - The entire dialogue in the Stockholm scene is taking place in Swedish, rather than the mysterious universal language that I have the countries use normally. This is why Berwald finally sounds natural. He's speaking in a language that he is comfortable with using.
[8] - The House of Vasa was Sweden's Royal house, and technically ends with Gustavus Adolphus. The following monarchs find ways to claim blood relation with the family who made Sweden great.
[9] - This assessment turns out not to be the case, but in 1612 Russia was undergoing its "Time of Troubles" and most nations expected that it would collapse, or just not be the powerhouse that it became.
[10] - The war with the Danes was solved by a peace treaty in 1613 that got the Danish off Swedish land, but stipulated that Sweden pay a war indemnity for the right not to be attacked any more. This was rather typical practice after invading a place: Take money from those who have money through taxes, and then loot the rest to fund the next hostile take over. The war indemnity concept grew out of it. Unfortunately, Sweden's grasp of the 'looting' end of this concept was less sophisticated than Denmark's, as Prussia will discover during the Thirty Years' War.
[11] - Axel Oxenstierna, Gustavus' right hand man, and speaker of parliament. This capable statesman lead Sweden through the time after Gustavus' death, when his daughter took the throne, and then abdicated by converting to Catholicism. Her heir was very young at the time, and Oxensteirna stepped in as regent. It is unlikely that Berwald and he share last names is a coincidence.
Links to Other PartsGo Back a Section: That Which Is Broken Hearted - Part One
Go Forward a Section: That Which Is Broken Hearted - Part Three