Chapter 9

Suoja Suomenmaan
Shelter of Finland

Великое княжество Финляндское.

Storfurstendömet Finland.

Suomen suuriruhtinaskunta.

The Grand Principality of Finland, an autonomous state of the Russian Empire.

Damn if that didn't sound and feel like a great name.

But with a great name came a great responsibility and Finland and his new Government Council had been hard at work since all the papers had been finalized; there were laws that needed to be updated and they would have to reorganize pretty much the entire shebang so that it would work together with Russia's system – but in a manner they could ensure their continued separation at the level it already was. And of course they had to figure out how the former soldiers who had fought in Sweden's Army until the end should be treated – luckily one of his smarter former Army Officers managed to put together a manifest to ensure things would go well and it seemed to be working out okay – how they should regard the Russians, what rights they should have and also start up the Committee of Finnish Affairs in St. Petersburg.

If he had the right to go straight to the Emperor and Russia with his issues, Finland was going to use it.

And then there were even talks of moving his capital from Turku to Helsinki – Uusimaa and Varsinais-Suomi were having a very snarkily feminine spat (a 'cat fight' as Savo called it eagerly) about that and everyone else, Finland included, made sure to stay out of it. Even though he had to agree that from a governmental point of view in made sense, Helsinki's location relatively near St. Petersburg would ensure quick communication with Russia and the Emperor. But on the other hand Turku had always been his heart, trying to imagine it being anything else felt... discomfiting.

And the rumours that changing one's capital could drive a Nation insane didn't help either. Russia made for a very convincing example.

Turku and its surrounding areas had belonged to him, it was the area he had born to over two millennia ago, to personify a small tribe of people, who were content to mind their own business. Then his stronger and bigger neighbours decided they wanted more land, and Sweden had picked him up. And when Sweden strengthened his hold and widened his sphere of influence to Finland's siblings' lands… and those new lands had been treated as if they were Finland's. He had effectively grown out of his area and his own people, coming to encompass all of his siblings' peoples too.

Then Varsinais-Suomi had been born to replace him.

And now, six centuries later, Russia would effectively be cutting his last direct connection to his old heartlands.

The thought made him uncomfortable but he knew himself well enough to know that he had the habit of clinging to things. If he remained in Turku, on some level he would still cling to Sweden and he didn't want that.

With all the changes lately, he felt that making a clear difference between his time with Sweden to his time with Russia was actually a good thing. A clean slate, a new start, so to say.

Finland might have started liking Russia after he got to know the other Nation better, but he still didn't like him enough to obey everything without question or to become like him. They had too much shared, dark history for the smaller Nation to let go of all of his principles. Finland was his own Nation, thank you very much.

Another hard thing to figure out was how to regard Sweden. What sort of 'foreign relations' should they establish? Finland didn't really know; not only had he never really needed to establish foreign relations before – because the trading he did with Germania and his children and the Baltics before Christianity certainly didn't count. Back then it had simply been trade with no undue conditions attached for the most part.

And on one hand he missed some of the camaraderie he had shared with Sweden. But with the changes brought by Finland's move and the loss of war... Sweden really didn't seem like the same person anymore.

Of course they hadn't seem each other since the treaty signing in Hamina but all of Finland's officials in the Council had some family in Sweden and Åland certainly hadn't stopped exchanging letters with his blood siblings. Lappi was also quick to offer information on how thing were in the north, apparently determined to stay with Finland who was at least familiar to her, unlike Russia.

And all these minor connections meant that Finland heard things, how Sweden seemed to be withdrawing into himself and bowing under pressure, if the phony war he had with England was anything to go by. And that was not even taking into account how he had just stood to the side as one of his high officials and Lords of the Realm had been beaten and stoned to death in the streets of Stockholm. During a funeral of a Crown Prince.

That was not like Sweden at all and Finland couldn't help thinking that the other had truly grown so weak that he gave up. Yes, Finland had essentially been one third of the Kingdom both in area, population and commerce but Sweden was a fighter at heart, he shouldn't be giving up.

It disturbed Finland in a whole new level and he simply found it easier to pull away. Sweden's new attitude and his own rise in the world… yes, it would be better.

Sweden's new choice of a crown prince didn't really help his stance in Finland's eyes. King Karl XIII, Gustav IV Adolf's uncle, was old, childless and now – according to rumours – permanently disabled. And after the first heir candidate to him had died, they had chosen his crown prince to be a French General.

And only two years ago they had both been agreeing that France and Napoleon were both insane.

That if anything had ensured he would keep his distance from now on.

Sweden was weak.

Finland hummed happily as he nearly skipped down the slippery street in Viipuri with a bemused – and much more careful – Russia on his heels. Even the ridiculously cold winter or thick banks of snow couldn't dampen his mood. Finally, today, after three years of careful political work from both Finnish and Russian officials – especially Armfelt who had very quickly become one of Finland's favourite humans ever – he would have the best Christmas present ever for Pohjois-Karjala.

Karjala was coming home today, on December 23 1811. Well it would become totally official after New Years but the Emperor was giving his manifest today so it was close enough as far as he was concerned. Russia was only along because he was apparently avoiding work and possible derisive letters from France. What Finland had gathered of the situation, the two weren't getting along at all anymore after Russia's money troubles forced him to start trading with England again.

Finland wasn't complaining; he had also re-opened his own timber and tar exports with the Island Nation and appreciated the money it brought in greatly. Running an autonomous household required a lot of money and even though all of his tax money stayed in his own coffers for a change, he was constantly nearly bankrupt. And that left him feeling heady and dizzy, as if he was constantly drunk and feverish, but not badly enough to stop him from functioning. Well, most of the time he could function and some of his recent ideas had been called ridiculous. And while the feeling wasn't nice per se, he was willing to work on it. He had even opened his own bank last year!

He hadn't been involved in any war efforts since the treaty, not even when his officials insisted on gathering a small volunteer regiment to send to St. Petersburg. Although there were now talks of establishing more troops, Finland remained hopeful that he wouldn't need to actually send them anywhere.

If nothing else, he was absolutely certain that he himself wouldn't be going to battlefield anytime soon. Russia seemed intent on keeping him close to home.

"You seem uncommonly cheerful," Russia observed.

Finland grinned over his shoulder, "Just happy I can finally see Karjala again, we've missed her a lot."

Russia smiled slightly, "I can understand that, I miss Ukraine and Belarus a lot when I go a long time without seeing them."

They fell into easy conversation about their siblings – sharing funny anecdotes from the past and bemused griping about their sisters never making sense – as they continued on their way. But as they finally reached Karjala's home street, Finland's voice faltered and he fell silent except for a few nervous laughs that were quickly covered by coughs. Now that he was so close, he couldn't help wondering how his sister felt about all this. She had been living with Russia for a lot longer time than he had and she had been forced to adapt to Russia's style of leading and living. Would she even be the same Nation anymore? Did she even want to return to them?

From his point of view the answer seemed obvious, even if he was biased about it. And if the things he had seen and the documents he had received from Russia were anything to judge by, there would be a lot of work before Karjala's standard of living was up to the same levels as her siblings'.

Russia had to actually push him forward once they reached their destination. Finland took a deep breath and knocked quickly on the door. It didn't take long until a maid opened the door, peeking out and looking nervous.

"Kuiten mie voija auttoa työt?"

When Russia floundered for a moment, Finland offered the girl a bright smile, easily slipping into one of his more eastern dialects. "Onks siun emänt koton?"

The maid was quick to nod, "I'll announce you…?"

"Misters Lugnström and Braginsky."

They were let into the cosy entryway to take off their coats as the girl disappeared deeper into the house. Finland's scarf had barely joined Russia's fur hat on the hat shelf before they heart quick steps hurrying towards them. And suddenly Finland's arms were full of sturdy woman who appeared to be in her mid-twenties, her hair tickling his nose.

"Moi, Karjala," he said contently, hugging her tightly, smelling the familiar whiff of hay, pines and homemade cooking in her hair.

"Suomi, sie mukoma!" she laughed as she pulled back, her grey eyes shining with happiness. "What have you been up to? What's this I hear about becoming an autonomous state while I wasn't looking?"

Finland flushed slightly, still grinning. "Oh you know, just a lucky break for once. How've you been doing?"

"Okay," she shrugged before glancing at Russia. " Здравствуй, Россия."

" Привет, Карелия," Russia returned the greeting. "We have things to talk about, shall we proceed?"

"Of course," she agreed, her back straightening and her countenance losing some of its warmth in reaction, "Please follow me."

She bustled them to her sitting room and sent her maid to bring them snacks and coffee as well as vodka, just in case. Finland relaxed happily into one of Karjala's sturdy country chairs, gazing around the modest home that had changed even less in its character than the town outside the window.

"So what brings you two here?" the female Province asked curiously as she sipped her strong black coffee.

Finland and Russia glanced meaningfully at each other before the Empire started speaking. "For the last three years I've had this project with Finland, you might have heard of it. We've been thinking that you would like to return to your siblings and –"

"– join the Grand Principality of Finland as the Viipuri Province," Finland finished.

The Province's eyes widened considerably as she looked from one of them to the other. "Truly?" she asked hopefully.

Finland grinned a bit, getting up from his chair and giving his older sister another hug. "Of course, we all want you to come home to us."

Her eyes flickered uncertainly to Russia, who simply smiled in response and nodded. Karjala bit her lip before grinning widely and hugging her little brother back. "So when do we leave?"

"As if that half-burned backwater village would ever make a fitting capital!"

The screech echoed through the door and long ways down the street. Finland let out a frustrated sigh at Varsinais-Suomi's indignant screaming and glanced wryly at Karjala who raised her eyebrow at the racket. They'd arrived at Turku day after the New Years to reintroduce Karjala to the rest of the family and it was chaos even before they had seen each other. They had felt rather slighted when Finland had told them he wouldn't be spending the Christmas or the New Years with them and refusing to explain where he was actually spending them. The Nation figured they would be more likely to forgive him with the peace offering – the gift – of their sister's return.

Of course, the fact that he liked giving gifts – and said gifts being surprises – meant that his family had been angry with him through the season.

Finland had to wonder why there was suddenly so much work involved in taking care of his land. Maybe it was all the responsibility he had been given in running it?

"Just because you've had our capital until now doesn't mean you should have it!" Uusimaa's voice reproached sharply. "From a purely practical point of view it would be better to move it to Helsinki!"

"Now now, calm down the both of you," Häme tried. "There's no need to shout about it."

"You shut up!" the female Provinces snarled, Varsinais-Suomi's voice just a hint louder than her sister's.

Finland rolled his eyes and pushed the door open. "And I was hoping to give you all a late Christmas present," he observed blandly, "but it seems you're being naughty. Maybe I should hold onto it as punishment?" he asked Karjala over his shoulder.

The fighting girls huffed and refused to look at each other as Karjala stepped in, smiling slightly. "Well you can't punish others for their mistakes and I want to see everyone else at least."

For a moment there was silence and then a scream of joy as a small dark haired girl launched herself at Karjala. "ISOSISKO!"

The older Province caught Pohjois-Karjala with a laugh and hugged her tightly as the younger babbled happily into her ear. Finland smiled softly as the other Provinces hurried to join in the hug; it was good to have her home.

Even Lappi seemed happy as she hugged the tiny Lapphund pup into her chest, smiling softly, unnoticed in the commotion. Finland knew she was still uncertain about her part in the family, so he stepped next to her quietly, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. She looked up, her brown eyes wide and Finland offered her an encouraging smile, which she answered with a wide smile of her own.

Kukkis yipped happily in her arms.

"I still think the capital should stay exactly where it is."

"Ski up a pine, Varsinais-Suomi."

Russia blinked in surprise as a sheaf of papers was thrust to his face the moment Finland stepped into his office in the Winter Palace. Лапушка seemed uncommonly harried, his hair stuck up in every direction, there were dark bags under his eyes and his collar wasn't as groomed as normally.

"What's this?" he asked curiously, his gaze flickering over the carefully written documents and what appeared to be a detailed city plan.

Finland slumped into the guest chair, letting out a tragic sigh. "I," he announced, "have finally had enough of my sisters' fighting and am taking charge and requesting myself that I can move my capital from Åbo to Helsingfors."

Russia blinked, bemused. Well, that was unexpected. But not at all unwelcome. It was actually a lovely gesture of friendship. The Empire's lips stretched into a smile. "Of course, let's bring it up with Alexander at dinner."

Finland nodded resolutely.

Russia could tell the Emperor was pleased to see the newest addition to their Empire at the dinner table and he asked quite curiously after Finland's affairs, seeming impressed and pleased with Finland's responses. When the issue of Finland's capital was brought up, Alexander seemed even more pleased and was quick to approve the plans after just a cursory glance at the papers. Although he did admit that one of Finland's high officials from the Committee – Armfelt, if he remembered the name correctly – had brought up the matter before and quite determinedly too.

"But really, I must admire your initiative, Finlande," Alexander stated appreciatively as he signed the document the moment he got his hands on a pen after the dinner. "I truly believe your shared future with Russia is going to be bright."

Finland flushed a bit, smiling slightly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. The future seems extremely bright for me as well," he shot a sunny grin at Russia who returned it with equal brightness.

His chest felt warm, as if ice was melting somewhere deep inside him. He had finally done right by someone and it felt wonderful to him. Many of his officials had been saying to both him and Alexander how they were going too easy on the Finland, giving him all these special privileges, like letting him keep his own language, laws, religion and traditions as well as letting him keep all of his tax money for the upkeep of his own house, upholding the old tariff borders and now – with Karelia's move back to her family – establishing new ones.

But Alexander wanted to try a different way to lead and govern – and Finland offered a great testing ground for that – while Russia himself just wanted to have better relations with his neighbour. A friend who could support him and who he could talk to.

Russia smiled; he had to agree with both of their assessments. The future was indeed bright.

Finland's capital had never been moved, not really, and while on the intellectual level he figured it would feel like… something, he had never actually expected it to be so unsettling. And that was the only word he could think for it; it wasn't painful, not like when it had been attacked or obliterated almost completely over the past few centuries by Russia and Denmark or when his people escaped the occupying Russians in 1714 and Finland was finally captured, to be imprisoned in the castle for seven years…

It was better not to think about it.

Instead he felt weird tingling in his heart and his stomach rolled as if it was contemplating regurgitating his lunch on the hill overlooking the Suurtori. He glanced down at the papers spread across the temporary table the Helsingfors Rebuilding Committee had appropriated from some nearby house. Pretty much all of the old town centre would first be torn down and then rebuilt in neoclassical style – loads of pillars and pediments from what he had gathered – a new, huge square, flanked on the north side by a brand new Lutheran cathedral – noted on the papers as the Church of St. Nicholas – on the east side by the new Government Palace and on the west side by the palace of the Governor General.

At least they would keep the old bourgeois houses even if they had to be renovated. And what the hell was that part about filling in part of the bay?

The plans were grand and while he felt a bit nauseous at the moment, he was certain it would look gorgeous once it was finished.

Maybe even a tad too gorgeous for what was essentially a Russian provincial capital.

"This all seems rather… grand," he said uncertainly, glancing at the man standing beside him. He cut an intimidating profile with his strong hawk-like nose, only accentuated by the hairline that had receded so far that the top of his head appeared nearly bald.

Mister Ehrenström and the Chairman of the Rebuilding Committee as he was currently called, huffed slightly. "It's meant to be grand, herr Lugnström," the man said imperiously, sweeping his hand over the scene before them. "Emperor Alexander in all his wisdom has decreed that your city is to become great, and that, of course, requires great framework."

While being allowed this much freedom was wonderful, Finland knew quite well that he was, for the most part, a social experiment for both Russia and the Emperor. A chance to see if the Empire could have a good friend nearby, who was not planning to stab him in the back. At the same it was a chance for the Emperor to see how a different system worked and if it could potentially be modified to work in a larger scale, throughout the Empire.

But he wasn't going to say it aloud. Questioning things was a risk he wasn't willing to take.

"Now if we only could find a good architect," Ehrenström pursed his lips disapprovingly, seeming to almost pout.

"I'm sure you'll find someone," Finland offered, still perusing the map. "Which reminds me, are you sure your plan here will work out?" he pointed at the upper right corner of the map where the new street plan had decisively been drawn over what he knew to be bedrock.

Meaning it would extremely hard to level down enough to build streets through it, let alone build houses to line those streets.

Ehrenström leaned over to peer at the Nation's point of concern and coughed nervously. "Well, yes but that grand framework I talked about requires the strict plan and the plan requires that there are streets there. So we'll figure it out."

Finland raised an eyebrow wryly. "If you say so."

As it was, this town had already faced one big change before, having first been founded considerably deeper among the multitude of islands scattered near the coast. When it hadn't become the great centre of commerce capable of rivalling Reval across the Gulf and when it became clear that the first bay had been too shallow for the larger ships... Queen Christina's regency council had ordered it to be moved further out, here on Estnäs. And now they were here again, upsetting the lives of these people.

Finland remained hopeful that the end result would be worth all the hassle. And they did need to repair it; he could still clearly see the places where the fire four years ago had raged.

France's lips stretched into a suave and pleased smile as he rode into the city beside his Emperor, his gaze sweeping over the streets and their tired forces. The roads had been absolutely horrid, nearly non-existent and the peoples between here and his own lands had been so filthy France didn't know what to do with himself. The city would certainly be better, if only so that he could avoid the dirty locals.

The empiric-neoclassical white palace rose before them across the square they rode into and he could barely make out several forms standing on its front steps. In the very front stood a slight figure, waiting for them calmly. As they came to a stop and France got down from his saddle, he gazed up to observe the slight man, who seemed out of place there, among the aged gentlemen. He was young, with shoulder length brown hair pulled back in a low ponytail, unassuming and rather average appearance.

What France really liked were his eyes, their green not even nearly as brilliant as Angleterre's but just as strong and determined. They spoke of age and experience, as well as unspeakable horrors that he and most of his contemporaries had seen and taken part in. He had a feeling he knew who this was.

"Sveiki atvykę į mano mieste, Prancūzija," the man bowed, his sharp gaze taking in France's immaculate uniform and proud bearing with certain wariness.

"Merci beaucoup," France smiled slightly, grazing the other with a regal nod in spite of not understanding a word. "Lituanie, I presume?"

The other Nation nodded noncommittally, seeming somehow tired and resigned, but still without seeming to give up his pride. France didn't know much of the East-European Nation as Lithuania had never been anyone of concern to him. He had either conducted his business with Poland or, more recently, Russia. He tilted his head thoughtfully, pursing his lips, Lituanie was rather attractive… in a sort of plain and homely way.

He glanced to the side; Napoleon was ordering the local officials around, leaving the Nations to their own devices. He really had to appreciate his Emperor, so decisive and determined and he clearly didn't mind France's more curious tendencies, checking out the rest of Europe and getting a bit more elbow room on this way too cramped continent.

Sometimes he really envied Angleterre and his fréres; a group of islands with no one to bother them – except him of course. And Denmark and Norway back before they became Christians. Although the Isles' brothers did bother each other too…

He motioned meaningfully to Lithuania and started walking, the East-European Nation joining him silently. France gazed around curiously as they walked along the streets with a contingent of his soldiers following along Just In Case and to offer some extra persuasion…

"You don't seem too eager to attack me," he observed after a while.

Lithuania hummed thoughtfully, not looking at the invading Nation, his fingers fixing his sleeves nervously. "I don't see a point," he said calmly. "It's not as if I like living under Russia's rule."

"You… miss Poland, do you not?" France gave a dramatic little titter, pulling a rose from his sleeve and smelling it with a smile. "How positively quaint."

"Don't be disgusting!" Lithuania snapped sharply, his hands clenching into fists, green eyes flashing darkly as he glared darkly at the other Nation, "My relationship with Lenkija isn't like that!"

France raised his hands in calming gesture, both to stop his guards from pulling their swords at Lithuania's aggressive tone and to appease the angry local. "Oui, oui, I believe you Lithuania, do calm down."

He really didn't but that hardly mattered in this situation. As far as he was concerned there was something suspicious if two or more Nations lived in that sort of symbiosis for a long time. There just had to be something more to it, otherwise his romantic's heart wouldn't be able to stand it.

"But you do miss him, is that correct?" France asked, attempting to pull the discussion back to the main point.

Lithuania frowned darkly at him for a moment before letting out a tired sigh. "Fine, yes, I do miss him. Life was considerable better when I was with him, and truly with and none of this 'under someone's rule' nonsense."

France nodded, Definitely more than friendship, no way that sort of relationship works without some sex to keep it going.

"But why would you care anyway?" Lithuania asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "You're doing exactly the same thing."

France chuckled a bit, bringing the rose back to his nose and taking a deep breath. "Ah, mon ami, but I'm not."

At Lithuania's doubtful expression he hurried to explain. "You see, I wish to free maltreated Nations such as yourself, I'm marching to fight Russia. Even Pologne is taking part under his new name, Duchy of Warsaw" he paused for dramatic effect. "Would you like to join us?"

Lithuania stared at him for a moment, seemingly uncertain. France could tell he wanted to say yes, but seemed to be afraid to do so. "…Are you sure you know what you're doing? If you're not out of there by winter…"

France waved the other's concerns away dismissively, placing his arm around Lithuania's shoulder. "Don't worry, mon Lituanie, I have everything under control."

After a moment of doubtful silence, Lithuania sighs resignedly. "…You clearly need someone along to make sure you don't get yourself killed. Lenkija, too I suppose, he's always been too impulsive… So, where do I sign up?"

"Venäjä, are you absolutely certain this is a good idea?" Finland demanded, hurrying after his overlord, who was humming cheerfully as the meandered down the street of Turku towards the Governor's house. "You were being invaded the last time I checked! Is this really a good time to have a meeting with Sweden?"

Finland may have professed to be nervous about Russia's health but he did have his own cow in the ditch; he was nervous, almost frightened really. He hadn't seen Sweden since the Treaty of Fredrikshamn had been signed and now his old overlord would be meeting his new overlord on his land. As far as he was concerned, it was a supremely bad idea of epic proportions. He just hoped it wouldn't come to blows like it inevitably tended to when the two of them were on his land at the same time.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad…

Who was he kidding, with his luck Turku would burn again.

"Oh don't worry Финля́ндия, I have everything under control," Russia answered cheerfully over his shoulder. "France is no match for General Winter."

"…It isn't winter."

'It's August,' remained unsaid but was very clearly implied.

Although he could see the point about General Winter's might; while he himself hadn't taken part in Sweden's invasion of Russia during the Great Northern War, Sweden's refusal to talk about it after the fact told him a lot. And it wasn't as if his own winters were that much warmer, if they were warmer at all. He really didn't know and wasn't actually all that interested in finding out.

"My winters come early," Russia waved his hand dismissively before letting out a harsh cough and frowning slightly. "And I think I need to remind Sweden of his place…" Russia gave a creepy smile and continued on.

'If those two try anything, I'm tying both of them to their chairs and dragging them to sauna, let them sweat a bit,' Finland thought sourly as he ambled after his overlord.

If he was completely honest, he wasn't actually sure why he had been invited along to the meeting between Sweden, Russia and their rulers – unless it was to supervise and referee or possibly simply because it was polite. They were on his land after all and it was only common courtesy to invite the host, not that it actually happened very often in their circles.

And he really would have preferred not having to meet Sweden or his glorified French Crown Prince. He was still hoping Russia would give him a free pass from the meeting. Although considering the second choice was listening to Varsinais-Suomi bemoan her fate in losing Turku as the capital and how she was 'positively going to die from the indignity of this tragedy…'

In the long run attending the meeting might be better for his sanity.

In the end it became clear he had no such luck on his side. Just before Sweden and Prince Karl XIV Johan were scheduled to arrive and his one last pleading look towards Russia had been waved aside with a careless smile, he took a step back from the situation. Russia and Alexander were talking quietly to each other as he situated himself near one of the windows with a view of the Aura River. Maybe that way he could escape attention for a while at least.

"You seem uneasy, Mr. Finland."

The voice startled him from his intense inspection of the spider making its way across the windowsill beyond the glass.

A smile broke out on the Nation's face as he turned to meet the gaze of one of his favourite people. His eyes were sharp and he stood relaxed but attentive beside the short immortal, the posture of a soldier. His answering smile was genuinely warm as he waited for a response.

"Just worried about having Russia and Sweden in the same room," Finland answered with a slight incline of his head towards the Empire and the Emperor discussing in quiet voices near the table. "It's nice to see you again, General Adjutant Armfelt."

"You as well, mitt fosterland," Armfelt said softly, his eyes fond as he gazed down on Finland.

The Nation flushed and brushed his fringe nervously from his eyes. He was pretty sure he would never get used to that, the feeling of warmth those words caused to run through him.

"S-so, yes, I've been meaning to thank you for a while, for everything you've done for me, Armfelt," Finland hurried to change the subject. Thankfully the human didn't remark on his flushed state or how he stumbled over his words.

"It's nothing," Armfelt denied. "I just did what I felt was right for our future. We Finns are not to be underestimated," he chuckled.

Finland grinned as well, it felt gratifying to know that someone as well travelled and versed in the ways of the world would still feel that way. Armfelt was ambitious and steadfast, he had grand plans and worked hard to see them through, oftentimes succeeding. And that would always be something Finland admired in a person.

The first time he had met Armfelt had been over twenty years ago, now. The human, only thirty years old at the time, had been commanding the infantry in the war against Russia and their meeting had been short and to the point. His status as a Nation hadn't even come up and had only been referred to as 'uncanny knowledge of the land and people.' Two years after that Armfelt had been appointed into the secret war preparation council and had apparently been informed about Nations because soon after when they were negotiating peace together in Värälä, Armfelt was very quick to ask for his input.

The sound of the door opening interrupted their discussion.

"Bienvenue á l'Grand-principauté de Finlande," Emperor Alexander said grandly from the general direction of the meeting table somewhere behind Finland. "I hope your trip was pleasant?"

"The Baltic Sea is quite nice in the summer," an unknown male voice agreed. "My first time taking the trip and my first time in these lands. They are rather lovely."

Russia chuckled. "Да, Финля́ндия is a very lovely nation, wouldn't you agree, Шве́ция?"

He was ready to bet Russia was winding Sweden up on purpose – actually, there was no betting about it, he was sure Russia was doing it on purpose.

Stupid big countries.

But almost without meaning to, Finland found himself straightening his back, waiting for the Sweden's response. He barely felt Armfelt shifting beside him.

"I don't see anything special about it," Sweden grunted.

Finland gritted his teeth in response. Suksi kuuseen, Ruotsi, he thought darkly and turned sharply on his heel to face the room, offering a deep bow to its residents at large. "Welcome on my part as well," he stated expressionlessly, ignoring the startled twitch from Sweden. 'Noticed I'm here, did you?' "I hope your accommodations are up to your expectations?" he addressed the Prince.

The Prince nodded pleasantly. "Oui, they're fine… Finlande, I presume?"

Finland nodded but stayed quiet, glancing towards Russia, clearly expecting him to take control of the meeting now. But Russia seemed to be determined to act childishly instead of like the respected, powerful Nation he was supposed to be.

"And Finland's place has such a lovely weather too…"

He had been entirely correct in his prediction; while Karl Johan – or Jean-Baptistewhat'shisface – and Alexander haggled about Swedish-Russian relations with Armfelt making notes or offering his input (something about Sweden getting some recompense for losing Finland; well at least Norway would have an easier time communicating with the Swede, and about how France was totally out of control and something needed to be done about that soon), Finland was left with the job of babysitting his current and former overlords. His job was made even harder by Russia constantly complimenting him – clearly trying to piss Sweden off – and Sweden putting him down – clearly trying to piss Finland off. He was actually tempted to leave the two to their own devices if he wasn't afraid of the consequences. He didn't need any extra money-eaters if the two decided to start destroying his property.

'And these two are supposed to be former and current Empires?' he thought despairingly. 'Oh God, have mercy. If they try anything stupid I'm seriously tying both of them to their chairs.'

A/N:
Chapter title: from a line from the song Suomen valta (Fin. Power of Finland) written by A. Oksanen (real name August Ahlqvist) and composed by Emil Genetz.
Великое княжество Финляндское / Velikoye knyazhestvo Finlyandskoye (Rus.): The Grand-Principality of Finland; in this fic, I'll refer to Finland as a Grand Principality. I honestly can't wrap my head around him being called a Grand Duchy when all the three languages involved speak of a Grand Principality.
People generally credit Adolf Arwidsson with the quote "We're not Swedes anymore, we don't want to become Russians, let us be Finns instead" but Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt (Governor General of Finland 1813 and the first Chairman of the Committee of Finnish Affairs in St. Petersburg) was a very strong follower of the same doctrine from the moment Finland came under Russian rule. Finnish politicians of the time actually felt that separation from Sweden was a good thing because Sweden's new direction was against everything that had been good and righteous about Sweden.
French General: Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, later King Karl XIV Johan.
Karjala/Karelen/Karelia/ Карелия (Kareliya) (Fin./Swe./Eng./Rus.): Finland's oldest sister, much more independent compared to other siblings, talkative, hard-working, sharp.
Finland's bank was originally called 'Waihetus-, Laina- ja Depositioni-Contori;' Exchanging-, Lending- and Deposition Office and it was started up in 1811.
Kuiten mie voija auttoa työt? (Kar.): How can I help you? – I don't speak actual Karelian so not totally correct.
Onks siun emänt koton? (Fin.): Is your mistress home?
Moi (Fin.): hi, hey – whereas moi moi is bye bye.
Suomi, sie mukoma! (Kar.): Finland, you rascal!
Здравствуй, Россия /Zdravstvuy, Rossiya (Rus.): Hello, Russia.
Привет, Карелия/Privyet Kareliya (Rus.): Hello, Karelia.
About one fourth of Helsinki burned in 1808 during the war.
Finlande (Fra.): Finland.
1318: the war doesn't have a name but Sweden and Novgorod were attempting to cement their authority in Finland and the exact borders between them, this war ended in the Treaty of Nöteborg 1323.
1509, 1522: part of the conflicts when Sweden was very displeased with this whole Kalmar Union thing and Denmark, obviously, didn't like that.
1599: Åbo Bloodbath, the execution of Sigismund's Finnish opposition following the events of Cudgel War and duke Karl's (later Karl IX) general opposition of his nephew.
1713: the Greater Wrath, again.
Suurtori (Fin.): the Great Market Place; used to be where the Senate Square is now.
Helsinki became the capital of Finland on April 8 1812.
The Invasion of Russia started on June 24 1812 by Napoleon's Grande Armée and they marched into Vilnius on the 28th.
Sveiki atvykę į mano mieste, Prancūzija (Lith.): Welcome to my city, France.
Merci beaucoup (Fra.): Thank you very much.
Lituanie (Fra.): Lithuania
fréres (Fra.): brothers.
Lenkija (Lith.): Poland
Pologne (Fra.): Poland
The Third Partition of Poland(-Lithuania) was in 1795 and Lithuania's areas fell under Russian rule, which he really didn't like. Many Lithuanians took part in the Invasion of Russia.
To have one's own cow in the ditch (Fin: olla oma lehmä ojassa): a Finnish proverb which basically means 'for one's own benefit/good.'
Battle of Poltava 1709 during the Swedish Invasion of Russia in the Great Northern War. It's generally agreed that this battle is when Sweden lost its Empire status.
Karl XIV Johan and Alexander I met in Turku in August 1812.
Bienvenue á l'Grand-principauté de Finlande (Fra.): Welcome to the Grand Principality of Finland.
Suksi kuuseen, Ruotsi (Fin.): Ski into a spruce, Sweden.
Tervetuloa (Fin.): Welcome.