Chapter Seven – Treaties Made, Treaties Broken

Conquering Finland and Tavastia had not been enough for Sweden, not when he had the blessing of the western nations and the church, not to mention the moral right – even duty – to bring the last bastions of pagan Europe under the one true faith. And if Sweden had something to gain from all this, was it not a deserved prize for his righteous actions?

The little details – like the fact that more eastward he went, the more likely it was that the locals had already converted – did not matter much, since these people had adopted a wrong type of Christianity. They were heathens in the eyes of the western church, worse than pagans, because they were not ignorant, but simply wrong in their beliefs.

For Finland and Tavastia this meant constant war with Novgorod.

Sweden came, and demanded men, supplies and funds. And they complied, for what else was there for them to do? But they did not follow Sweden to east, nor did Sweden command them to.

Perhaps this was his way to show regret, Finland sometimes thought.

Tavastia had been living with Finland ever since his… incident. He had become more quiet and subdued. All in all, even if he now was more pleasant to be around, Finland still wished he would get the old Tavastia back, brash comments and odd sense of humour included.

Every time Sweden visited – which was not thankfully often these days – Tavastia made himself scarce, disappearing for days in the forest. The few times Sweden had caught them off guard with his visits, Tavastia had put on a brave face and seemed almost normal – if not for his paler than usual complexion and the hurried glances to make sure Sweden was at least good few paces away from him at all times.

As for Finland, he had not forgiven Sweden. He only answered direct questions from the other nation and never spoke at him unprompted. And when he had to speak, his tone of voice was respectful enough, but aloof and cold.

Every time Sweden came to visit, he at first sounded hopeful, but right after seeing Finland's uncharacteristically stand-offish behaviour, his whole being seemed to deflate. It was heart-breaking to see, especially from the normally so inexpressive young man. But every time Finland felt those pangs in his heart and thought of forgiving the other nation, flashes of his brother's unseeing violet eyes on his mind reminded him why he would not – could not – forgive Sweden.

So they went on with this odd play of tension masked with indifference. Sweden spent more and more time in the east, and while both Finland and Tavastia were concerned of what this meant for Karelia, they rarely spoke of it even to each other.

They lent more and more troops and supplies, until they had none to spare. But Sweden was adamant. In the end they had no option but to go with remaining men – those normally tasked with the protection of their lands – to try to minimise the losses.

And when they travelled to the east on the new road on the coast, for the first time they truly saw the changes Sweden had brought to their shores. This part of coast had belonged to Tavastia, but it had always been sparsely populated. Tavastians had favoured the lakes in the inland. But now the coastline was sprinkled with farmsteads and people – just not theirs, but Sweden's.

They had felt the changes, of course, but it was different thing to see them with their own eyes.

The change was even more dramatic when they stepped on the Karelian lands. The war had ravaged the land, leaving many homes abandoned or pillaged and burned down. The castle of Vyborg was bustling though, filled with bustling soldiers from all over the realm. The tower was barely two decades old, but it looked battered like it had stood there centuries.

They left their men in the courtyard and climbed the steep stairs until they reached the main hall. The hall was a cacophony of people, but Sweden was easy to spot. He stood in the middle of the hall, and was almost a head taller than the rest.

But just as Finland was about to take a step towards Sweden, a gasp of breath from Tavastia made him turn his attention to the other direction.

"Karjala!" Tavastia screamed and ran.

Finland could hardly believe his own eyes. There she was, Karelia, with her familiar curly red hair cascading down her back, laughing as Tavastia swirled her around the room in his arms. And Finland rushed there too, to catch her in his own embrace as soon as Tavastia let go of her.

Then he gently pushed her back a bit, to get a look at her. She had grown taller, she now had an half a head on Finland. She looked tired and her eyes were red and puffy, and full of tears, but her smile reached almost from ear to ear.

"Why are you crying?" She asked and gently wiped a tear from his cheek. Finland hadn't even realised.

"Why are you?" He retorted, but got no answer other than a giggle before she pulled him back to her arms.

When she released him, he stepped back to allow Tavastia to hug her again.

Now that the shock of seeing Karelia again after more than a century was starting to fade away, Finland realised all the eyes in the room were on them, including those of Sweden's. But just as their eyes locked across the hall, Sweden turned his gaze away and refused to look at their direction again.

Finland didn't dwell on that for long, though. Soon his all of his attention was yet again focused on Karelia and his brother.

"Come, come", Karelia grabbed their hands and led them away from the hall. She led them through a corridor after corridor through the tower until they were ushered inside of a small chamber.

"Sit, please" Karelia said, "this is my room. No one will bother us here".

And talk they did, well in to the night. Karelia told them about the life under Russian rule, and Finland and Tavastia told her about how they had fallen under Sweden. Or rather, Tavastia talked, Finland saying a word now and then. But he didn't mind. It had been quite some time Finland had seen his brother this animated.

"Aren't you glad to be away from Novgorod?" Tavastia asked her.

"Glad? No, not really…" Karelia answered, and after seeing their astonished expressions, she hurried to add: "He isn't that bad, I think. Just misguided and slow to trust anyone. But even during the bad times I had Ingria there with me. It's easier to forget your own troubles when somebody depends on you.

"When Sweden first brought me here, in this cold dark keep, I was miserable. I wasn't any freer than I was night before, but now I was alone…"

She paused then, and smiled.

"But I'm not alone anymore. I got you two back."

Finland and Tavastia smiled at her easily enough.

Then Tavastia started telling her about his defeat – without mentioning the little detail that was his death, Finland noticed – when she said: "and that's why you're holding a grudge? I've been passed around like a bag of turnips here more times than I can care to count, but you still give your new master a silent treatment for something that happened half a century ago?"

Tavastia fell silent. Finland felt indignant on his behalf, though.

"That's unfair! You don't know what you're talking about! Tavastia lost his…" Finland started to say, but Tavastia's sudden glare made him swallow the end of the sentence that was '…life'.

"…independence" Finland said instead, and it sounded an awfully weak argument even to his own ears. But how could he argue about this if he couldn't tell his main reason for staying mad?

"Well, that's still dumb. Sweden obviously likes you even now, Finland. He would probably tell you his plans, or even listen to you if you just talked to him."

But Finland shook his head. He couldn't. Sweden had hurt Tavastia, and his brother still wasn't back to normal.

A gentle touch made him lock his gaze with a pair of warm green eyes. Karelia looked pleadingly at him.

"Do it for me, then. I don't know how long I can take this constant fighting. My people spend more time fleeing than doing anything else. This land is well on its way to becoming a wasteland. He would listen to you, I know he would. Please…"

Finland did not what to say. He knew the situation had been bad, but to hear the other land was on a brink of desolation? How could he say no to a girl he loved like a sister?

"Fine", Finland whispered, defeated.

"Thank you, Suomi", Karelia whispered back. She looked at him so gratefully that he couldn't feel any ill feelings about her unfair plea.

"I can you show where Sweden works", she continued.

"You want me to do it now? In the middle of the night? Sweden is probably already sleeping!"

"No, he isn't. He usually works through the night. Come, we'll see if the there's light in his chamber", Karelia said, and ushered him out of the room.

Finland groaned loudly but did not argue. He already knew it was futile with this force of nature of a girl.

It was as Karelia had said. There definitely was a stream of light coming from under the door to where the other land had guided him to.

"Karjala, don't make me do this. What would I say?" Finland whispered, voice tense.

Karelia didn't seem to have any empathy for him, though. She merely winked at him and said: "oh, I'm sure you'll manage".

But before Finland had time to ask her what was that supposed to mean, she had knocked the door and ran away.

"Com'in" came the muffled reply through the door.

For a brief moment Finland thought about just leaving and quietly following Karelia. But he had promised her, hadn't he? So he took a deep breath, and opened the door.

"It's just me, Finland", he said and peeked in.

The room wasn't much bigger than Karelia's, which surprised him. Sweden was sitting behind a heavy-looking wooden desk writing something, though he looked thoroughly started when he realised who it was standing there by the door.

"I can come back later – that is, in the morning – if this is a bad time?" Finland mumbled cheeks red in embarrassment. Why was he even asking that? Of course it was a bad time, it was well past midnight! Not even waiting for answer, he started to close the door again, saying: "I'm sorry, I'll just go…"

"NO!"

Finland froze. Sweden had stood up and raised his hand like he could physically pull Finland into the room. He also looked just as embarrassed as Finland felt.

"I – I mean… Ya can come in, if ya like", Sweden said.

Finland stepped in and closed the door behind him. Ha had no clue where to start, so he opted for looking around the chamber. It was not a big room, but it was very well lighted with a bunch of bee wax candles which must have cost a fortune.

There was a bed in the corner, and a desk next to it. Most of the space was taken by a table in the middle of the room. It was filled with papers and a one great map. Finland bent over a bit to get a better look of it. It was a work of art, as far as maps go, and there was blue and red painted wooden buttons to mark some points on the map.

"Are the blue ones yours?" Finland asked, and jumped a little when he realised Sweden was standing right next to him.

Sweden nodded, and Finland turned his attention back to the map to hide his yet again reddening cheeks.

"It's… not going well, is it?" Finland asked after a while. It was obvious, really. He had known it before, yes, but after seeing this map Finland realised that it was not only going badly, it was going to go much worse very soon.

"No", Sweden simply answered.

"Then what are you going to do?" Finland asked, his voice hesitant. He didn't know if he was in a position to ask such things. But Sweden answered his question, none of the less.

"Attack here", he pointed on a map, "force the Russians back here. Or here, if I can. Then sue for peace".

This made Finland look at Sweden in surprise. The other nation wasn't looking at him, though, but at the map, deep in thought.

"You think he'll agree?" Finland gasped. Novgorod had the upper hand after all, at least according to this map.

Sweden raised his gaze to his. His stare was so intense that Finland found it hard to maintain the eye contact. After only a short moment, Finland had to turn his eyes back to the map.

"I don't see why not", Sweden said at last, with a shrug, "he's the one who first asked for it".


Estonia stood still. An unforgiving wind was blowing from the sea, making his hair dance wildly. He didn't care. Even if the wind made him shiver, it was a welcoming change to the numbness that had taken a hold of his soul.

Life under Danish rule was not unbearable, nor was it agonizing. In fact, Denmark didn't even seem to care about him other than as an opportunity to collect a levy. Not that he minded much, no. He was happily staying under the radar: out of sight, out if mind, as it was.

But this policy of appeasement had also made him numb to the world. Denmark did not want him to travel outside his borders, so he did not. He had no longer any say on the matters of state, but instead patiently waited orders from the capital on the other side of the sea, usually conveyed to him by the Viceroy – the person appointed by the Danish King to ruled Estonia in his place.

He had accepted his place in this world: he was a pawn at best, a means to an end at worst.

"There you are!"

Estonia flinched. He had let his dark thoughts pull him so deep he had not even heard Denmark approach. Denmark's hair was a mess, as usual, and he was smiling his customary wolfish grin. This did not put Estonia any at ease though. He had long ago learned that Denmark's smirks and smiles were just as effective mask for his true intentions as Sweden's impassive face was.

"You were hard to find, Estland!" Denmark said when he had reached Estonia's side.

Estonia he did not know why the other land had sought him out. In fact, this was highly unusual and unnerving. They had almost perfected the dance of casually avoiding each other during the almost 100 years of Danish reign.

"Danmark" Estonia acknowledged and nodded as a greeting. Then he fell silent awaiting the awful news bound to come. Because what else would have made the other nation to actually search for him?

But Denmark did not speak right away. He too had turned to watch the raging grey sea. Estonia waited, now even more nervous. This couldn't be good if even Denmark – who really did not posses even an ounce of subtlety or consideration for his subjects – was unwilling to just out right say what was on his mind.

"This is… troubling, this divide" Denmark started, and despite himself, Estonia felt himself get bristled up. This 'divide', as Denmark called it, was not his fault – on the contrary! It originated from the power struggle within the Danish royal family.

"Did we change kings again?" Estonia asked snidely and immediately regretted speaking out his mind.

Thankfully there was too much truth in his words. Though Denmark glared at Estonia for speaking out of turn, it was all he could do. Denmark was ruled by warring branches of royals, who used every opportunity to try to grab the power. 'The King of Denmark' was not very permanent position these days.

"As I said, this divide of yours is troubling me" Denmark continued as if he had not even heard Estonia.

It was true – Estonia was also divided into warring factions, half of which supported Denmark and the other half which had thrown their weight behind Teutonic Order. But Estonia had deliberately stayed out these skirmishes. In truth, they had nothing to do with him, or his people. It was the foreign clergy and the German nobles and merchants who had decided to fight it out amongst themselves – who was he to step in to reign it in, when all he wished was that they would just end up finishing each other off and leaving his people be.

"And what would you want me to do about it?" Estonia asked, his voice sounding once again perfectly polite even though he was feeling quite the opposite.

Denmark let out a long-suffering sigh and rubbed his eyes.

Estonia glanced at the other nation on the corner of his eye. Denmark looked worn out and tired, though it was no wonder considering his troubles.

"I need you to pick sides. My side that is" Denmark said at last. He turned his deep blue eyes at Estonia, his gaze steady, and face hard and commanding. The dark circles under his eyes only made his expression more ominous.

"I'll do my best" Estonia said, his tone still light, civil and entirely indifferent, even if his palms started to feel clammy and his heart beat increased.

But Denmark was having none of his polite non-answers.

"Stop it, Eduard!" Denmark snapped.

Estonia wasn't sure if he was more surprised at Denmark's sudden outburst or more irritated that the other nation had used his new Christian name. This new name of his had been but a one tiny part of christening his land – he too had had to let go his pagan customs, and accept the changes.

But before Estonia got a chance to retort, Denmark continued. But this time his voice was also urgent and sincere – though still very heated.

"Don't give me that dismissive crap! I don't like this situation any more than you do, but it can't be helped. Sweden has signed a peace treaty with Novgorod – after decades of fighting! And they have drawn up the new borders on the map. They have divided Karelia between them. This means Novgorod will be a serious threat to me, to us, from now on!"

Denmark took a deep breath and continued more calmly: "during all this time you have been under me, have I not protected you and your people?"

Estonia could not deny Denmark's words. He had been safe, as had been his people. He simply nodded.

"Are you not in a special position in the realm? Have I not allowed some of your people to hold their own lands?" Denmark asked.

This was all true. He was a personal possession of the King – all the laws of the kingdom also applied here, in his little corner of the Baltic Sea. And his people certainly had fared better under Danish rule than those unfortunate enough to live in regions which had been ceded to Livonia.

Again Estonia nodded.

"But the truth is that I'm stretched too thin. I'm trying to keep the infighting in check at the capital while also trying to wage war with Novgorod and protect the realm. This situation here… Estonia I need your help."

Estonia was silent, but not unmoved. He had never heard Denmark speak so… frankly before. But he was still the underling, he had to think himself first – that was exactly what Denmark would do in his situation despite any heartfelt speeches.

"So what do you really want me to do then? I won't risk my people, I won't – "

But his sentence was cut off by the dismissive gesture the other land made. Estonia snapped his mouth shut.

"Nothing like that. You still have a sway over your mercenaries, right? So nudge them into the right direction so they'll pick my side. They'll get paid and everyone wins. Also, try to get the average people to be more sympathetic with my priests and nobles. This is not the time to have peasant rebellion."

"Right. And if I do all that, what do get?"

"What?" Denmark said eyes wide, clearly surprised.

Estonia's hands were sweaty, and he wanted to swipe them on his pants, but could not. That would have just blatantly told Denmark how scared Estonia really was. He was only a minor vassal state, and here he was, making demands.

"If I do that, I'll need guaranties, in writing, that you'll do everything in your power to protect me – and my people – no matter what."

Estonia was proud of himself that his voice didn't waver, nor did it give away his nervousness.

Denmark stared at him with a blank look. Estonia was sure the other land could hear the loud thumping of his heart, or at least see the visible drops of sweat forming on his forehead. What had he been thinking? He could barely order what he wanted for breakfast; he wasn't in any position to dictate anything like this!

But then – just as Estonia was sure his heart would give up from stress – Denmark actually burst out in laughter.

Estonia didn't join in, though he did relax considerably.

It was a hearty laugh, the kind that normally invited others to join. Despite all that had happened, Estonia was glad someone in this messed-up world could still laugh like that. He sure hadn't in a longer time than he cared to remember.

"Oh, you are a brave little land, Estland, you sure are", Denmark chuckled now that his laughter started to wind down, "I really like your fighting spirit."

Then he shook his head like he was trying to shake off the last residues of his mirth, and offered his hand to Estonia.

"Fine. Have it your way. I'll ask my king to write something up. Now then, do we have a deal?" Denmark asked still smiling brightly, and his hand in the air.

Estonia could not but be reminded about the similar situation almost a hundred years ago, when this exact same person had offered him a deal that ended up being quite a good one considering all the circumstances. Not needing to think this offer over, Estonia grabbed Denmark's hand and shook it firmly.

Things were finally looking up for Estonia.


And as always, when things started to look good, they came crashing down, as they usually did for Estonia.

It was a hard work, trying to keep different warring factions in line when they had been previously allowed to run amok. But he had managed.

That is, he did manage until the Danish King died and left a serious power vacuum in his stead. The whole Danish realm fell into political turmoil. And for Estonia, it meant that the other side had lost its backing in a one swift swoop.

The last straw was when his own people rebelled against the Danish rule. Estonia knew they meant well – they simply wanted Estonia to be independent – but their actions also meant that the merchants and nobles felt threatened. When it became apparent that the Danes couldn't curb the peasant rebellion, the German born vassals of the country almost invited Teutonic Order in.

Estonia retreated to Narva to buy some time so the help from Denmark could arrive. It was no use to try hold Livonia and Prussia back on his own. The forces of Teutonic Order occupied the lands quickly, and reached Narva river within weeks.

Estonia looked down from the highest tower at the troops on the ground. Teutonic Order was preparing for the siege. Estonia almost felt like laughing. They could barely feed their own few men as it was, a siege against them wouldn't last for a week. This had Livonia written all over, Estonia was sure. No one else would have called for such an overkill move when the victory was already certain.

Estonia stroked a paper in his pocket. The parchment felt coarse under his fingertips, but it calmed his as he chanted the words on the paper in his mind.

"WE, CHRISTIAN II…" it began. It was the promise he had demanded for his help, signed by the king.

"...never to abandon or sell Estonia…" he whispered aloud, for comfort. Denmark wouldn't abandon him, no matter what. The promise had been made before God and all men. More than honour was at stake.

He couldn't help but to fantasize the possibility that he could, despite all odds, hold the line until next spring. It would be so much easier for Denmark to regain the lands if they could have a foothold ready.

Alas, it was not to be. Estonia sighed and gave the order to surrender.

Estonia received the occupiers in the hall. Livonia strode in like he owned the place – which he now did, Estonia had to remind himself. He was surprised to notice Livonia had come alone. He had thought that Prussia would keep the other land on a tight leash.

"Nice to you, brother. Eduard, is it not, these days?" Livonia said in a frightfully civil voice. Like he was here to chat over a cup of tea, instead of the out-right occupation.

"Livonia", Estonia greeted back, though his tone was more distant and guarded.

"Nice of you to let us in without any hassle. I see you have learnt to recognise a futile situation" Livonia continued in the same infuriatingly proper manner.

Even though Estonia had chanted in his mind: don't let him get to you, don't let him get to you, he could not help himself.

"Don't get too comfortable. I don't think you'll stay for too long."

This got Livonia's attention.

"Oh, you think so? And who will make me leave, pray tell, hmm? You? Oh don't make me laugh, brother dear!"

Estonia kept his mouth firmly shut, but Livonia seemed to read the answer from his defiant expression. Livonia's polite smile at last melted away into an angry grimace.

"Don't tell me you expect Denmark to help you still? Oh, you little fool! Why won't you learn?"

Without any further ado Livonia strode forward, and planted a letter on Estonia's lap.

"What's this?" Estonia asked, puzzled.

"Just read it. You know how to, right?" came the testy retort.

Estonia glared at Livonia, but did as was told. The letter seemed to be some kind of bill of sale. 19 000 Köln marks, it said, for all the Danish counties of Estonia.

No… no, it couldn't be! Estonia thought. But there it was, in writing. With the same royal seal that adorned his promise. The promise to never to be abandoned or sold

I don't understand. They promised to help me in the name of their God, Estonia thought.

"And that's why you're yet again in this situation. You can't trust anyone! Sooner you learn that lesson, the better. A promise to a god doesn't mean a squat. Denmark will ask forgiveness from Vatican, and will receive it with a reprimand barely worth of a mention", Livonia answered, his voice oddly gentle.

Estonia hadn't even realised he had said his thoughts out loud. He didn't know what to think or feel, or how to deal to deal with Livonia now.

"Hey, at least you made a decent dent in Prussia's gold vault, if that's any consolation."

Estonia stared at Livonia, eyes wide and mouth open in dismay. Was he making a joke about this situation? No, it was no consolation! His people had died because of them, and the rest would lose their lands and become serfs to the German landlords. It was anything but funny! How dare he…?

It took all of Estonia's willpower to bite inside his cheek and avert his eyes, and to stay silent. It would do no good to lash out against the new master.

Livonia thankfully either didn't notice or simply didn't care about his inner struggle. If Estonia had learnt anything from his time on this earth, it was that it was best to be grateful even for small blessings.

He had a feeling there wouldn't be much to those in his future from now on.


A.N. Sorry about the wait. I had a bit of writer's crisis, during which I reread my story and convinced myself that it was bad and I should feel bad. But worry not, I got over it soon(ish) enough. Thank you for all the comments - they help me push out new content! And thanks to one reader in particular who pointed out some mistakes I made in the last chapter!

As for the chapter content, Finland kinda decided to put the past behind him if only to get some intel about Sweden's plans. Sweden and Novgorod signed the treaty of Nöteborg in 1323 after a few centuries of fighting each other. Not that it stopped either of them, but at least they now had new fancy borders to put on the map.

And Estonia does what Estonia does best, that is, be betrayed yet again. Livonia seems to be my favourite bastard to write, though in his own way, he tries to teach his little brother some important life lessons. Oh, and the new Danish King really had to publicly repent for breaking the promise and to ask forgiveness from the Pope.

I probably won't cover next few centuries as thoroughly, but instead I'll focus on relationships. But, hey, next chapter should be Kalmar Union one, yay!