I do not own Hellsing.
The car sounded from outside, the Hellsing Director looked out of her window with a blank expression.
She should have been happy, this was a special occasion.
She didn't have in her to feel happy; she wanted to sleep. She wanted to lie down and wake up and see the red overcoat of a faithful subject with that insolent and amused smile that she would never allow him to see upon her face, she wanted to hear the clink of china cups and see the familiar and kindly old face of her former butler asking 'would Sir like tea in the study or on the veranda this morning?' and then watching that dear old man taking it to wherever she decided she wanted it.
She missed her soldiers and their reports, she missed the rag tag Wild Geese making a mess of her firing range and causing a general nuisance around the place, she missed her household being spotless and perfect, she missed feeling the need to put on the show of being an ice queen to command the men around here...
She was twenty five next year but her life felt like it was over rather than beginning.
This was a special occasion… a summons to the Queen. Her father would have been proud… so very proud…
She lowered her head and allowed the burning his memory caused behind her eyes to once, just this one time, be allowed to become tears since he'd passed.
"Father…" she whispered as she turned around to look at his painting.
His likeness had been spoiled by bullets, but not irreparably. She could see those eyes and that calm confident smile still reassuring her from that frame despite the bullet holes that had punctured the canvas and wood during the attack on the headquarters.
Integra, sometimes being a leader is making the hard choices and sometimes you'll get them wrong he had told her in the final days of his life when his strength was still enough for him to sit up and hold her hands as she sat on the bed beside him You'll make the wrong decisions sometimes, it happens. But you should never be afraid to make them.
'But how will I know?' She'd asked him 'how will I manage without help…?' really meaning to say 'without you', but afraid to seem weak.
He had seen through her of course, he'd always been able to see what she was really asking.
Integra, my sweet little daughter… shall I tell you a secret?
'I don't want secrets! I want you to stay!' she'd not been able to hide the fear in her voice, nor stop the tear that spilled out over her cheek from the corner of her eye. He'd wiped it away and gave her a gentle smile that said he wanted that too, but it was not possible. They both knew it.
Let me tell you my secret about making those hard decisions and defending myself when I'm in those meetings and facing that boardroom of other knights demanding me to explain myself. I promise it's quite easy so you'll manage it just fine even without my help.
She'd pulled herself together and nodded bravely. It had made his smile even warmer as he squeezed her hands reassuringly through his pain.
I just tell them 'I did what I thought was best' in my most official voice, and that's all you ever have to do to shut them up. Here's the trick to commanding people Integra; you never make a rash decision, you always think it through carefully because when you have to explain why it went wrong or why you felt the need to make the tough call in the first place you'll always be able to remember why you did it and why you felt that was the best course of action. You'll always be able to explain yourself, because you'll always have thought it through before you take action. Do what you think is best Integra, just be reasonable when you do it. Can you do that for me daughter?She looked at the picture and wiped the tears away.
"I can father," She promised the picture as she swallowed her sorrows and straightened her back to face him proudly and bravely as she had done all those years ago.
"I will."
-
Seras was finding her outfit uncomfortable. She'd tried to wear it as she had, but there was a certain… strangeness to it now. Since her conversation with Integra she'd been noting her outfit and attire were still that of the fledgling Seras that she had been until a few nights ago.
It was interesting how these things weren't noted until they were observed by another. She also noted her eyes were blue, when they'd been so very red on the night that London had been attacked…
She sighed. Enough! If Master could manage it then why not she? She'd turned an arm of shadows into flesh, she'd made her red eyes blue, she could fly through the air like a thunderbolt!
She was Seras, she was… of Alucard.
Her Master had not been exemplary in all things, his sense of humanity warped and twisted by years of isolation and unsavory experience. But above all his flaws there had always been a presence and a sense of being at ease with himself even if the world wasn't.
He would return. He was Dracula for God's sake! A creature on terms with both God and the Devil for his part in the affairs of man…
She was of him… she was his in a way. Still was, and yet *not* at the same time!
She was him. He lived through her. He would return because of her. She was sure of it, but not sure how or when this might be. Just as night had to turn to day, Alucard had to return because to remove him from the world of man was like taking the heat from a raging fire.
Quite impossible.
She smiled and laughed at herself, how strange she'd become! A girl from London, a determined police woman and an orphan she'd only really learned what she was in life after she'd died!
Then finally found who she really was when she'd died a second time and been reborn as more than mortal flesh and bone.
Seras was finally herself, a woman who would not age, who drank of blood for nourishment and cavorted with the creatures of night for companionship. She was not a freak, she was not a monster… she was just…
her own woman.
She made herself whoever she wanted to be.
And with that knowledge, with that acknowledgement she transformed. The uniform became deep red, her eyes glowed as she smiled proudly at the thought that all was well with her world, the shadows within her blonde hair darkened deeper where the light could not quite reach and the smoky tendrils of her power danced from her arm and her shadows, whilst voices from a soul not her own told her she was right to feel this way…
A clap sounded behind her, followed by another and another until it grew to a respectful applause.
She smiled at the sound and went to turn around and acknowledge him who had given all this to her and was to be thanked…
"Master" she began to say appreciatively, but stopped.
He was not there.
She frowned… she had heard him. She had sensed him! He had been there! She waved her hand around the area, trying to feel any lingering essence of him.
Nothing.
"Are you alright?" a voice asked from the doorway behind her.
She spun around to see the Hellsing leader standing before her "Oh! Sir Integra… yes! Yes I'm fine. Thank you." She added respectfully.
The older woman smiled "Good. The car is outside Seras, ready to go?"
The Draculina beamed "Yes."
As she passed her leader she felt a strangely warm feeling emanating from Integra, as though she'd done something well and the woman felt proud of her for it.
"Red suits you Seras." The woman complimented her.
"Thank you Sir." She replied.
"Alucard would approve." She stated.
"That's why I wore it."
-
The reception area was strange to Seras. When one imagined meeting the Queen then one often pictured a grand hall of a palace, or maybe a Cathedral or some sort of fanciful reception area… so to be meeting her in a manor house of one of the knights seemed quite odd. It could have been Hellsing headquarters were it not for the different decor and servants around the place.
Integra informed her this was the house of Shelby Penwood, one of the Protestant Knights who'd lost their lives during the Millennium conflict. She'd be requesting something to acknowledge his bravery, perhaps a recommendation for a Victoria Cross to be received by his next of kin in his honour.
From the short encounters with the man Seras had thought him to be a bumbling fool, and Integra had affectionately hinted this in a previous conversation, but at the end of his days he'd been very brave to do what he did and Seras thought Integra was right to make such a recommendation.
"Will we be receiving honors too?" She'd asked, unable to help her curiosity.
"Myself? Possibly." Integra had said in a manner that seemed indifferent thought Seras knew better "But you Seras. You may be here for personal thanks." It almost seemed to Seras that Integra would rather have her reward than the official one and Seras couldn't help but ask why she was not able to have a medal.
"Not that I really want one of course!" she hastily explained when Integra gave her an astonished and almost outraged expression that personal thanks should somehow not be enough "It's just that… well, if Mr Penwood gets one despite being dead, don't I qualify too or something?"
Integra paused in the corridor of the house for a moment, making their escort wait for them.
After a moments hesitation she decided that Seras genuinely meant no offense was asking because she simply wasn't informed about these procedures worked she answered.
"Shelby Penwood is dead and was an official member of a high ranking military family. For him to receive such an award, though deserved, is not especially extraordinary. His family has several I believe."
"Oh."
"But you're a vampire. Things might change in the future now that the secrecy surrounding the existence of such creatures is publically known, but for now we're following protocol and tradition and traditionally such creatures don't exist so you can't receive an official medal for your services. Seras Victoria the Police woman died in a strange misfortune in the village of Cheddar some time before the attack on London, so giving a medal to her might seem a little strange don't you think?"
"Ah. Yes… right then." Seras agreed, now understanding where they were coming from with all these awards and proceedings…
"Yes indeed. Now come; the Queen is waiting." Integra motioned for her to get a move on and the two entered the doors at the end of the corridor into a large room set up in all its finery for its special guest.
The Queen was sitting in a chair, alone but for two bodyguards and Hugh Islands who was finishing whatever he'd been doing in here with her Majesty before they arrived.
The monarch of England and Great Britain looked at the two of them, a kindly and welcoming look that was full of dignity and respect.
For Integra it held everything that she respected and worshiped about her sovereign yet for Seras, not so acquainted with her Majesty as Sir Integra was, there was something else within the look - a certain gentleness and strength of spirit that simply made meeting this woman for the first time everything she'd hoped it ever could be so true it made her glow on the inside.
Wow. The Queen of England!
Just… wow.
"Your Majesty," Integra greeted her sovereign with a bow as she lowered her eyes modestly to the floor, Seras quickly followed her lead.
The Queen rose and smiled "Sir Helling, Seras Victoria…" (wow!) "won't you both join me?"
"Of course your Majesty." Integra replied smoothly.
"Yes Ma'am!" Seras said nervously.
Integra gave her a weary look as the servants closed the door behind them and they down with the Queen at the table.
"My bodyguards feared they would be knocked unconscious again Sir Integra" the Queen smiled in amusement as she said this "but I think we can assure them this shan't be the case this time?"
"Quite so Ma'am." Integra agreed.
"Well then, this being the case and with your capable servant here for protection, I think the two of them can enjoy some reprieve from standing around looking after an old lady like me," The Queen turned to face her guards "Gentlemen, won't you please excuse us for a few moments?"
"Yes your Majesty." The bodyguards bowed before leaving the room.
"Now then, I believe thanks are in order for your establishment Sir Integra. You've done your country proud; you have my deepest thanks for your efforts against our enemies."
"It is my duty, Majesty." Integra humbly replied.
"None the less, you deserve nothing less than the highest recognition for your actions. I will be awarding you for gallantry in the field and going above and beyond the call in the line of duty. Sir Integra, I shall award you with the Victoria Cross."
"Thank you, your Majesty." The Director solemnly intoned.
"I wish to award you something else as well Sir." The Queen continued. This seemed to catch Integra off guard and she waited patiently to hear the rest.
"You will be awarded with a personal favour from myself. Should Hellsing ever have need of it, you have but to ask and I will grant you that boon. If it is within my powers to assist you, then I shall."
"Your Majesty-!" Integra was struck dumb for a moment, quite unable to speak for her shock at such a reward.
The monarch chuckled "It appears I have done the impossible; the child of Arthur Hellsing has been disarmed. Are you alright Sir Hellsing?"
"I… I… yes. I'm fine Your Majesty." Integra composed herself, though a slight blush had formed on her cheeks at being caught in such a state.
Tea was brought in 'for her Majesty's enjoyment' though Integra was certainly just as grateful for it, after a few minute's silence Seras was feeling nervous and anxious herself. Why was she here? Hadn't Sir Integra said the Queen specifically asked for her?
"Sir Hellsing," the Queen spoke "I am informed that your house has received a rather unusual guest in the last few days?"
Integra nodded "You are correctly informed Ma'am."
"And I am given to understand, this guest is remarkable in quite a few ways?"
"You are again correct Your Majesty."
"Sir Integra," the Queen was grave now and her voice was guarded "I am told by certain members of your Conference, he is one of the senior members of our enemy's military organisation."
Integra was silent for a moment "Yes Ma'am. His name is… Hans." She explained "He is the Captain of the Nazi remnant's battalion and he is also a werewolf"
The Queens eyebrow's rose at the last part "So the rumours I've heard are true, you really do have a werewolf prisoner! Perhaps you might explain for my benefit, how this came to be?" she requested curiously.
Integra took a sip of her tea and settled herself "Our prisoner was discovered badly wounded in the aftermath of the assault by my servant Seras" she waved attention to the girl sat beside her who squirmed under the attention of such an august figure "she decided to stabilise his condition for moral reasons, and then helped make preparations for his captivity at my premises where he was transported to once we had the means. Since then he had been my prisoner."
The Queen settled back in her chair and raised the cup of tea to her lips "I see" she mused thoughtfully "is there anything else I should know?"
Integra looked back at her for a moment and replied "Not yet ma'am, and that is my official word on the matter." She answered.
"This is a serious situation, Sir Hellsing." the Queen warned, though there was some amusement in her voice as she said it.
"Apart from him being a Nazi, everything's fine if that's what you're asking your Majesty." Integra assured her.
The Queen actually chuckled a little at that comment, and Seras knew she was missing out on something here as both women seemed entirely more at ease about this situation than she thought they'd be now Integra had said that.
This was unfortunate for her as in generations past when Abraham Van Hellsing had been employed and sanctioned by the monarchy to defend England from the supernatural threats towards them he had always very carefully used the term 'my official word on the matter' when reporting to the monarchy of England as a polite way of warning them 'don't ask' because if they did ask him to explain then they were inviting a headache and were likely not to like or understand it anyway.
As time had gone on and refusal to comply with his gentle request had been ignored it had only proven his warning to them well founded and now within the monarchy there was a warning about what the phrase 'my official word on the matter' meant when it came from a member of the Hellsing family.
Fortunately, with time the monarchy had also learned that when a member of the Hellsing family said everything was fine, it would be fine.
"Whatever the situation in your household is Sir Hellsing he will need to answer for what he's done." The Queen told her subject.
"I've been informed of this Ma'am. Preparations for this are under way I'm told." Integra said.
"Indeed they are, Sir Islands and I have just finished arranging the matter. You will have a few days before the trial is held."
"Trial!" Seras yelped, unable to contain her shock. Somehow, back when Integra had warned her that Hans future would be determined on what her Majesty thought best, she's rather naively believed that if Integra said it was alright then this would settle the matter.
She couldn't believe what she'd just heard!
"Why the hell is there going to be a trial? What's going on here!" she demanded.
"Seras!" Integra barked angrily "The Queen has spoken and you will-"
"It's alright Sir Hellsing." The Queen interrupted "Let her speak."
"I-" Seras paused "I thought…" she shot a hurt and slightly betrayed look at Integra, who groaned and buried her face in her hands for a moment before looking apologetically at the Queen whom regarded Seras silently for a long moment.
"Sir Hellsing. Would you leave me and Seras to talk privately for a minute?" she politely instructed the other woman.
Seras, having just inadvertently back talked her Majesty, did not have time to form an apology before Integra had exited the room and left her alone.
I'd just like to confess that I had some nerves going into this chapter; its the only bit I've really been awkward in writing so far. Being English and writing the Queens response and character into this is no easy task given the respect I have for her. Also thank you very much to all those who've reviewed so far, I do my writing in the evening because of my work shifts so when I look at my phone on break the following day and see what you think I go; "Oh brilliant - someone's read my latest chapter!' because reviews are the quickest way to see that people are reading your stories.
God save the Queen, God bless her!
Thank you for that.