Hi and thank you for clicking on To My Beloved Major.
Some Things To Note Before You Begin:
This fan-fiction was inspired by the TV show on Netflix, but incorporates pieces of the light novel series. I have not read them in their entirety, but I hope to do so some day. I apologize beforehand if there are some discrepancies between both of them, I have tried to remain true to cannon as possible, but in all honesty I am mixing a majority of the TV show with some of the novel series as I see fit.
Like a lot of us right now, I too am waiting for Season 2: Violet Evergarden, and I couldn't help but write this as we all painfully fantasize and dream for that season of Gilbert hopefully reuniting with Violet. Am I right ;) There is more chapters after this one, but I wanted to know what you guys think, guess what is going to happen next, inform me of typos, complain about the character portrayals, or just envisioned for this long-awaited meeting between Violet and her beloved Major. Love you guys, love your ideas, very touching reviews, and I hope you enjoy the outcome of this work of fiction!
Summary:
Written for all of us that imagined Major Gilbert opening the door at the end of the season finale. This begins from that moment onwards. This is the story of a broken Blacksmith, and a certain Auto Memories doll's second chance at returning the Major's declaration of love. TV show based.
Disclaimer:
I own nothing, it all belongs to the fantastic producers of anime series: Violet Evergarden, whom gave us a worthwhile story on Netflix, and the creators: writer Kana Akatsuki and illustrator Akiko Takase, of the light novel series. They are the real heroes of this fandom! In regards to my OC's you are free to use them too, just send me a PM so I can read and enjoy it too :) For those that want to translate this story into other languages (wink wink* Guest #1 I see you!) please do at your pleasure. PM me if you have any questions, and I mean any, the more of us that get to enjoy this story the better!
Footnote: Anything that is italicized = thoughts, memories, dreams, singing. Everything else will be in Violet's third person POV unless stated otherwise.
Updated: 04/09/2019*
"I love you"
Summer.
It was everywhere. It was a humid heat inches above Violet's head, it was the ocean salt breeze that ruffled against Olivia's bright blue parasol, and it tickled the damp stray curls at the nap of her neck. She could feel it occasionally playing with her two red hair-ribbons, a faint memory of standing on the deck of the ferry boat, with whipping wind chaffing against her naked cheeks. It's rough coolness against her skin was a welcome reprieve from the humid hour walk from the ferry to the furthermost east side of Leiden.
"Excuse me!" She called out to one of the men tying his boat to the dock. "But do you know the way to that cottage that is facing the sea? The one on top of the hill!"
"Sure!" A helpful fisherman at the wharf pointed the way out for her as she continued her steady pace up a few residential streets.
From a distance, any passerby could see the iconic blue parasol shading Violet from another sunny day in the Bay of Leiden, and could not remember a moment when they had not seen it taking on another mission to take on another letter. It still surprised her how quickly others could recognize her now.
Despite the occasional familiar greetings from practical strangers, she minded her path carefully, with a labyrinth of confident thought as she passed house after house. She had learned that life of an Auto Memories Doll was not meant for the faint of heart, but it came with it's little pleasures.
Violet radiated practiced grace and ease, her smile bright as she focused on the stone steps turning to a windy dirt road, trekking through a sparsely made treeline, that led her further to the cottage waiting for her on top of the hill. She continued to ponder the path she had made for herself.
The beautiful thing about writing letters, is that for a Doll, she doesn't have to get it right the first time. It was a journey worth taking. It was evolving, growing with the words, memories, and feelings shared between two parties, Violet learned that. All she needed was the time and tools now to see it made complete. Simple as that.
Such as the weight of her hefty typewriter. It felt perfect in the Doll's metallic palms as she trekked the green grass hillside. Violet wished she could feel the comfort of the wood handle against her own fingers, the rough yet smooth texture of wood she remembered still, but she settled for the wonderful weight of the typewriter weighing down on her mechanical arm instead. Her trusty typewriter, as always, kept her grounded to the purpose of this three hour hike to her next client. Her request letter signed Sincerely, S.K. with the directions to the residence of the very same.
This morning she had packed two sets of her uniform and set off from the CH Postal Company with an audience at it's double doors.
"Don't be too late for Cattleya's birthday! It's in a week ya'now!" Iris and Erica waved her off. Cattleya was too busy with a customer this morning, a secret love letter that needed her special touch, but she knew that her dearest friend would have been there to wave her off too.
"Well, your all sisters of the pen, it's no use fighting with family," some customer had once said. Violet liked to think of them as all her new sisters.
"I'll try to get back in time!"
"You better!"
That sounded so much like Iris.
A smiling Violet had the chance to wave at all three of her sisters from the trolley.
Iris, Erica, and even Cattleya showing up after-all.
She even caught Claudia Hodgins at the doors, standing proudly over Cattleya's shoulder with that warm smile he had perfected in the last month. She could see that fatherly side of him now, the one he had no reason to be embarrassed of, and perhaps in the not so distant future he would have the daughter he always dreamed of. Violet hoped so, hoped the very best for all her friends and acquaintances.
The memory of their loud and touching goodbyes left Violet with a warm smile on her face. Unlike most days as an Auto Memories Doll, Violet had no problem with holding onto this emotion thrumming through her as she strolled down the well-beaten path to a humble cottage overlooking the sea.
Peace.
After finally writing that letter to her beloved Major, her understanding of the words "I love you" felt right in every way possible, a very peaceful feeling, and making another journey to write another series of letters for a client no longer left her uneasy for reminiscing her past. She had a greater appreciation now for remembering the moments she did have with Major Gilbert Bougainvillea.
Raven blue hair and bright green eyes, her world reflected in those eyes, and she thanked whatever higher power gave her photographic memory to keep that part of him with her always. The comfort of his hug the first time they met, sharing his clothes when she had none, taking her to that Thanksgiving festival... she would treasure him until she was old and grey, even when her memories faded, his eyes would never... Violet touched her brooch.
"What's wrong?" He had once asked her.
She could not stop staring at it. From the first moment she had been enchanted, and perhaps she was always meant to be. "This brooch is the color of your eyes." Violet was glad she had spotted it in the first place. She would always have a part of him now.
Yet, it was a contradiction to say she still didn't imagine the Major had been found. How different she would be, her future be, if he had been there since the first moment she had awakened in that hospital bed after the Battle of Intense. If he had helped rehabilitate with her, for her to know the person he was away from war and death, and if he could see the same for her. The question was begging to be asked. If they had the choice to rise away from the shame of the war, together, and started their own lives, started a fam...
"No." She stopped herself, looking up at the cottage that looked even cuter up close.
Despite that dream, Violet had changed throughout these four years as an Auto Memories Doll. She had grown less lonely, she had sisters, friends, a good boss, and most importantly she now understood a great deal more about herself than the fourteen-year-old girl that had followed the Major's orders.
Violet's mouth inched upwards again at the memory of being ordered around like a tool as she met the stone path to the cabin. She remembered the rare memory of Captain Dietfried face, frozen in disbelief, when she outright refused to follow his orders.
"Live... and be free."
Oh yes Major, I will, I promise I will. She had repeated the Major's words with deep satisfaction in herself and the Major's still resonating wisdom seemed to be even greater without his presence there to remind them.
"I don't need orders anymore."
That smug feeling of illiciting Captain Deitfried's surprised face when she refused him. That image would stay with her until the end of her days. Perhaps, the Leidenschaftlich's Soldier Maiden had truly died the moment she was come to understand the meaning of love, and how precious this new life could be.
"From the bottom of my heart... I love you."
Violet wondered on the Major's tear-provoking words, as she usually did, and she felt fuller for some reason. Perhaps, because she understood them fuller now. Even if the questions still came, like insects refusing to stop buzzing. What the Major would think of her now if he could see her? What he would say for her living her own life, and being free just like he told her to do? Would he be proud? Would he still love the woman she had become? A woman worthy of the name Violet?
"Yes." She touched the rich aquamarine green pendant on her neck. "Yes, Major." A pleasant memory of Gilbert naming her, and giving her an identity that didn't involve killing was what brought her proudly to the cottage's doorstep overlooking the sea of Leiden.
She knocked on the wooden door.
"Hello, CH Postal Company."
She waited for the client.
The client that The President of the CH Postal Company had procured for her. She remembered his vague mention of a war veteran seeking to write to a loved one, as she remembered the splendor of the Air Show, and the magic of thousands of letters flying all around their group.
What felt even more magical to Violet was that the President- sorry, Violet forgot herself. Claudia was her friend now. After all they had been through, he certainly was. These years had been blessed with so many friends at the CH Postal Company, the faces so endearing, Mr. Claudia Hodgins, Iris, Erica, Cattleya, Benedict, Luculia, and not to mention all the people that she had the pleasure of writing for on her journeys to almost every country of Telesis. So many heartfelt letters. Each one an unforgettable gem in her heart.
Violet found her voice again. "Hello! Auto Memories Doll!" She knocked harder, once again on the cabin's door, hearing footsteps coming closer to greet her.
Violet took a deep breath, being mindful of her stoic face, and hoping that she would not come across too icy or indifferent to her customer. The little thrill of adventure shivered through Violet. The thrill came from the possibilities of writing a new letter, the empowering properties a letter could bring to the sender and the one that would be receiving it. The thrill that came to sharing feelings with others went through her as she heard the person turning the doorknob.
The door opened. "It is my pleasure to meet you." Violet dipped into a deep curtsy, the movement as easy as breathing. "If a client requests it, we shall go anywhere. Representing the Auto Memories Doll Service-"Her breath caught in her throat at the person standing before her, her eyes couldn't help but twinkle. "My name is Violet Evergarden."
The person with the most beautiful aquamarine green eyes nodded to her, opening the door wider. "Please, will you come in-"