1914. ASPIRATION
Gilbert tiptoed into the mansion library, wondering under which section will he find Ludwig today. He subtly steered the boy in his studies, deftly directing him toward practicalities of ore mining, agriculture, mechanics and engineering. Ludwig was a keen and fast learner, a pride of his family.
The white-haired man didn't have to seek far. By following soft glow of a candle he was soon standing by the boy who was just entering his teens, hair shining golden under the tiny flame. Ludwig was lost in one of the books of Gilbert's vast library, so absorbed he failed to notice his brother approaching.
Gilbert stood still for a moment, admiring the sight of small hands that rested on yellowed pages, a plump face that still silently mouthed difficult words, long eyelashes that shaded bright eyes. Ever the soldier, Gilbert wore the only garment he felt comfortable in, but he didn't dress Ludwig in a uniform. The child wore an expensive piece tailored for rich inhabitants of numerous merchant cities that were budding across Germany.
"Studying diligently, I see." the young man smiled approvingly, entering candle's bubble of light.
"Brother!" the child exclaimed, forgetting strict rules of proper library behavior. Wide eyes, full of unhidden admiration turned upwards towards Gilbert's face. "Today I am learning about locomotives!"
"Good boy." He affectionately ruffled Ludwig's hair, running his fingers through long locks of gold. Not a soldier's haircut and Gilbert found the fact strangely pleasing. He then pointed a warning finger at him, "But please remember, no loud noises here."
"Yes sir." Ludwig's voice obediently sank along with his chin. Gilbert felt a pang of guilt, knowing the boy was unused to military drill, but rules were rules. Even if there was no one in the library beside themselves.
"I came to talk to you about something." Again, he had Ludwig's full attention. "Remember uncle Roderick, the one who let you play his piano?"
"Of course!" laughed the boy, then remembered his manners and tentatively corrected himself. "Of course." he whispered, "He gave me the best cake ever."
"Well," Gilbert pulled a chair close to the boy and sat facing him, "it appears that our cousin has got himself into some sort of trouble."
"Bad trouble?" concern was genuine on the child's face.
"Very bad indeed." Gilbert replied. "He declared a war on somebody."
"Why?" Ludwing's voice was growing more anxious.
"Why?" the soldier sighed, "That is a difficult question, little brother. Much more complex than this engine blueprint you are studying."
The boy considered this for a while since the blueprint spread before him seemed like the most difficult thing in the world, something that could only be mastered with great effort and wisdom.
"Why is it difficult? Am I too young to understand?" he finally asked.
"Maybe." Gilbert paused, "Maybe even Roderick doesn't understand it entirely himself." After seeing Ludwig's puzzled expression, he added "I told you it was a complex question."
"But you understand?" It was more a statement than a question and Gilbert only smiled in response.
"Since Roderick is, after all, our cousin, I feel we need to help him in this predicament." Gilbert's grin was a bit too wide. "Him, and ourselves."
"Pre-di-ca-ment?"
"Yes. If somebody was bullying you, you would like me and Roderick to come and help you, right?"
The boy empathically nodded. Gilbert rested elbows of his thighs and leaned conspiratorially closer. He would have whispered the next words, library rules or not.
"I need you to lend me a hand. To help Roderick. Are you in?"
The boy nodded again, too honored or too scared to utter a sound.
"The thing is, bro, if we get involved, that might make some other countries very, very upset." Gilbert's glare was adamant, yet somehow far away. Even if he tried, Ludwig couldn't read the red orbs.
The boy had no notion who those other countries might be and why would they be upset with them trying to protect their kin. He didn't travel much, diplomacy was left to his brother's elite. However, what he did know is that he didn't want to let his brother down.
"I will go with you." he said firmly, as much as a child's voice can sound resolute, "We will ride to uncle Roderick's schloss and help sort things out."
Gilbert's face beamed. "That's my brother!" The boy smiled enjoying the feeling of approval that washed over him.
"But I don't want you to go anywhere near the borders, it is too dangerous. I will arrange everything, I just require some of your people, your provisions, money, that sort of thing."
"But I thought I would get to wear a uniform, like you…" Ludwig's sapphire blue eyes moistened with disappointment. Yet, he didn't dare to cry. Not in front of his big brother.
"Out of the question." said Gilbert, standing up. Then, seeing the boy fight with swelling tears, added, "Well, maybe someday, when you grow up."
"How much do I need to grow?" he was defiantly looking at the soldier from below, barely reaching his belt buckle sitting in his chair.
There was something in that look that caught Gilbert's attention, although he couldn't tell why. He studied his brother, too young to be sitting in a library all day, too innocent to be pulled into other peoples' war.
Above them, a portrait of late Chancellor Bicmarck sternly and silently overlooked the conversation. 'Blood and iron' he had said and blood and iron shall it be. Rules and orders are to be obeyed. And yet, this child was so fragile…
"You will wear a uniform when you are taller and stronger than me." Gilbert said as he turned on his heel and marched in long strides that tolerated no tarrying towards the door. He had preparations to make, new wars to wage. A chilling smile wouldn't leave his face all the way out.
Ludwig's gaze followed him in waning candle light, noting his brother's broad back, lanky hands and strong legs. 'Then I will just get stronger and taller than you.' he whispered, got on the floor and, childishly clumsy, tried to do push-ups as he had seen his brother do.
He had long way to go.