Pre-note: This is the first APH fanfic I've written and I'm pretty unsure about it. I ended up making both Hungary and Austria pretty out of character, sorry. I was afraid that was going to happen. Umm, enjoy?
Chapter 1
By Stonefang
The war had only just begun and already Elizaveta was already itching to join the war effort. Now, if only women were allowed to fight. She sighed and glanced at the newspaper. News of the war spread across the front page in faded letters.
The thought of fighting beside her fellow Austrians, the idea of rushing into battle, it gave her an adrenaline rush. If just the thought of battle did that, then what would it be like to actually act on her instinct into battle? Grinning, Elizaveta came up with an idea. A brilliant idea.
But how can I convince them?
It was a difficult task, taking on the semblance of a man, but if she was to fight it had to be done. Immediately, Elizaveta headed for her bedroom. She picked up the knife that sat on her vanity. The handle was of dark, whittled wood with intricate designs reminiscent of tulips on it. The flat blade was made of iron. Quickly, she lifted the knife to her hair and began to cut into it.
With the knife she sheared off strand upon strand of her long brown hair until it was chin-length.
"Perfect," she said to herself. "This should be convincing enough."
But cutting my hair isn't enough. They'll see my chest and know.
It was one thing to cut her hair like a man's; it was another to completely hide her femininity. It wouldn't be hard to act like a man because she could learn from observing her fellow Austrians.
Elizaveta headed off to her storeroom with a plan brewing in her mind. An old, mahogany chest sat near the oak doors. It had a brass keyhole in it and Elizaveta pulled out a key she hung on a chain around her neck. Slipping the key in, she revealed that the chest was full of medical supplies. Since she had never gone to war everything inside was left alone in neat piles.
She picked up a roll of cloth bandages and a couple of small, silver pins. With her supplies in hand, she headed back to her room. Everything was going as planned.
She undressed and wrapped the bandages around her chest tightly. It wasn't much but it would have to do. Elizaveta frowned. She was unsure on whether or not it would work. Only fate knew.
***
"So your name is Edvin Héderváry?" asked the clerk.
"Yes, ma'am." Elizaveta replied, a faint smile on her face.
"Is something funny?" She asked
"Nothing, ma'am."
"Good. Your application is fine. You will be in tent sector A-10. Report to Ludwig once you're there."
"Yes, ma'am." Elizaveta saluted unnecessarily. She took her registration papers from the clerk and headed to the war camp. Sector A-10: where her life would change forever.
She, Elizaveta Héderváry, had managed to get into the war without anyone noticing. She, a woman, was going to war. A broader smile appeared on her face.
***
In sector A-10, Roderich Edelstein grimaced as Officer Ludwig told him of the new soldier, Edvin Héderváry. Another man who would most likely die on the battlefield. Roderich hated it but he was here for his country and because his parents had somehow convinced him to join. He would've rather been at home practicing a new song on his grand piano. But, no, his parents had considered war a nobler job than music. They had no power over him but inside he knew he would feel guilty if he didn't fight.
He thought about the new soldier, Edvin. Did he know what he was getting into? Probably not. He was probably just a young and foolish man wanting to prove himself to his country and would end up dead for it. No one deserved such a cruel fate. Of course, Roderich didn't know Edvin's true identity nor did he know what would happen in the weeks after he met "him".
The Seven Week's War was full of mystery and secrets.
End chapter 1
Author's Note: Well I hope you enjoyed chapter 1. I'm sorry it's so slow right now. This chapter is merely an introduction to the story. It should get better (hopefully) from here on out. I hope to also make the chapters longer as well. This one feels too short. Critique and everything is welcome. Thank you. The next chapter will probably be up on Friday. I have Finals this week, which are keeping me pretty busy. ~Stonefang