Guys, forgive me! I ended up spending the night in front of the TV and Eurovision, and updating kind of disappeared from my mind. Just sat down, big congratulations to Austria, you were amazing.

Anyway

I may jump and skip a little in time in this chapter. A lot happens that doesn't necessarily involve war, but some things happens so timely it was easier at times to concentrate on one nation at a time.

This time period contains the years of 1814-1914

The Nordics

Chapter 12 Independence is soon

Norway is with Sweden, Finland is with Russia. In Norway the rebellion against Sweden rises. Finland on the other hand gains much more from Russia, and slowly realises his own abilities. He also comes to like Russia, despite the nations initial creepiness. Denmark ties his new colonies closer, making life harder for nations like Iceland. Scandinavia is born, but falters as Denmark is attacked from South and losses a great territory. Famine hits Northern Sweden and Finland, making many people flee from their land. A new player enters the Nordic territory, uniting the Germanic states, Germany. The new nation helps the Nordic nations to frolic as their trade goes better and better. Russia's worsening situations causes him to change persona and Russianify Finland. This is not taken well, and Finland makes a stance. Russia once more goes all in to make Finland completely his. Meanwhile, after many years of nagging, Noway breaks the union, and becomes fully independent. In general the Norse nations live in peace. Sadly, the remaining Europe is locked in what could perhaps turn into yet another war.

NORWAY

Norway knew when to give up, but that didn't mean he needed to fully appreciate it. When he and Sweden joined he was pleased at least that Sweden agreed to allow him to keep his new constitution and his new laws.

Sweden, of course, had set him on a few points he needed to follow.

Norway was going to follow Swedish politics, but he got to decide on his foreign policies.

Norway now had to bear the new Union flag. This was a mix of the old Swedish flag and the newer Norwegian flag.

In case that the Swedish monarch wasn't present in Norway, Norway had to accept another member from Sweden to take his place.

Norway on the other hand was dead set to stay as independent as he possibly could. Over the hundred years that the union lasted he was never fully happy, and on several occasions he voiced his unhappiness as rebels grew within Norway.

Norway knew Sweden was trying to make things as well as he possibly could, he wasn't just sure whether Sweden was the best nation to do so. In Norway's opinion, uniting nations in the way Sweden tried was to no good.

But he also understood, to his annoyance, why Sweden had been so persistent on getting him close. He sighed. Sweden was not used to loneliness.


SWEDEN

Sweden didn't like how the Norwegians opposed his decisions openly. At the same time, he couldn't threaten with war, Norway made that very clear the last time he went in. The Norwegian nation had seen the invasion with blood-red colours, and responded equally as fiercely allowing him to win several of the first battles before Sweden won. As it was, to calm Norway down again, Sweden agreed on many things that Norway demanded, though not all of them.

But in general, Sweden felt relieved. Unlike Finland, Norway had known him for a very long time, and he knew many of Sweden's psychological problems. One of the first things they discussed, once their international discussions were settled, was such a thing. Gothia. Norway still remembered Gothia, even if his memories had bleached over the years.

And of course, Norway had not believed how much Sweden had dwelled on these matters for so long. Instead, he went to fetch one of many items he kept in his basement.

"Here." he said and put an urn in front of Sweden.

"What is that?"

"Livland, or what remains of him. He used to be mine and Iceland's little brother. Native America killed him, long before he was shunned to the wilderness by America, England and the rest."

Sweden stared at it, as if it was going to bite him.

"You are not the only one who has lost family members." Norway said swiftly. "Besides, your brother would be proud. You did do well, just get over your loss. It's been hundreds of years, even we can die you know, it's just very difficult."

Sweden was silent, but Norway knew he had his attention.

"Gothia was a great nation, but even he knew he would never last forever. I guess he saw you as a stronger leader, despite well... your bad eyesight. I am sure he saw what he could do for your joint nation, he was quite intelligent... unlike some of us."

Sweden simply nodded.

"So, stop moping, it won't do any of us any good. I've already had it with Danmark and his fear of death, I've told him time after time that he is FAR too stubborn to die."

Sweden looked at him.

"Danmark is afraid of dying?"

Norway nodded.

"Why else would he want to claim an entire empire? Yes, he is. Remember when Ancient Rome fell, we all felt that. Denmark panicked more than the rest of us, I think it's because he was so alone when we all awoke after the Ice Age. He told me death scared him."

"I didn't know."

Norway shrugged. "Few do."

There was silence for a moment.

"Speaking of which, will you allow me to keep my own flag."

"No."

"Sverige!" Norway raised his voice. "I will not tolerate your dominance, know that!"

And once more, the discussion, like so many times reversed to their political matters.


FINLAND

While Sweden was struggling to somehow get Norway to dance his waltz, Finland felt like waltzing. True enough, being on his own was a truly strange experience, and he often found himself looking for Sweden, only to remember that they didn't share homes anymore. That did make him a little sad and empty. But, at the same time, he loved being able to explore his own home thoroughly. He slowly got to know his own people again, which reminded him about so long ago in his youth when he did just that.

Russia assisted him as well. The sovereign nation moved his capital to Helsinki. But apart from that, Finland got to make tons of decisions on his own. Such decisions regarded his nationality, language and many more seemingly trivial things. But as time went, he realised how much this meant for his people.

They were no longer Swedes.

They weren't truly Russian.

They were Finns, and he was very happy for that.

Finland smiled. He had seemingly many things he could thank Russia for. After Finland had become one of Russia's allies, the nation had left Finland to thrive.

Speaking of Russia...

There was a knock on the door, and one of Finland's servants opened. Finland sat on a white couch, reading pieces of Kalevala when he looked up to see Russia arriving unannounced.

"Ah, Venäjä!" Finland said in surprise, and marked the page he was reading.

"Finlyandiya, you look well."

"The same as when you saw me two months ago. What can I do for you?"

Russia smiled. "Nothing much. I was simply out to examine how all of my friends were doing. I see your new freedom suits you."

Finland smiled.

"I love it."

"Good, good. Well, I will not disturb you any longer. I just wanted to make sure you were well."

Finland nodded in reply. He had stopped worrying about Russia's sudden visits only a few months back. He guessed old habits, from back when he was together with Sweden, truly died hard. Back then he felt like Russia could pop up out of nowhere.

He still could, only now Finland felt quite sure Russia didn't come here to start a war.

Russia winked and left. Finland contemplated going back to read, but he looked out to see the sunset. It reminded him about the many sunsets Sweden and he had watched on the battlefield. He wondered briefly what Sweden was doing, and how he was doing without him, but he quickly shook that feeling away. Sweden had Norway now, and he was sure the Norwegian nation kept his old friend quite busy. Denmark had hinted such when he visited, quite distressed that Norway had said no on reuniting with him.


INTERLUDE

In general this era was marked with the Scandinaviasation. The three nations Denmark, Norway and Sweden now, instead of fighting endlessly, sought to find things that held them together. Like that mixture of different colours to create one harmonious rainbow. For a while this became extremely popular, but it gradually fell apart. Who knows, maybe they liked bickering, but they agreed nonetheless that they did have many things in common.


DENMARK

Denmark felt like punching something, just anything. He was just upset.

It had been several years since the union of Sweden and Norway had been formed, and so far nothing new seemed to happen. Sweden was, in his opinion, a little too happy about the deal and Norway had personally given his regards on wanting to be his own nation, once he managed to shake Sweden from his shoulders. But Denmark missed Norway badly.

Denmark wasn't completely alone. He had after all, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands under his roof. Of course this wasn't the same. All three, were to his regards, a pest. While Greenland and Faroe Islands merely protested, Iceland slowly started rebelling by declaring his wishes to be fully independent as well. Of course, Denmark turned down all such requests. He had too many other things to worry about.

At his southern borders people started becoming miserable. After the Napoleon was Denmark still struggled financially, and naturally everyone was far from happy. At Denmark's southern borders people demanded their own constitution, and soon battles followed. This soon resulted in Civil war, where Denmark couldn't decide whether he wanted to truly keep his southern borders or not. After all, parts of his people there spoke German, the other part didn't want anything to do with him.

It only made things worse when other nations, including Sweden, voiced their will for Denmark to simply leave that part of his home be.

Denmark naturally thought this was completely unfair.

"Says you, who got my other half." he would mumble whenever Sweden would turn up for dicussions.

000

But things escalated, as they usually do. I think it must be some sort of decease. Prussia decided to attack Denmark, creating yet another war. Eventually Denmark, who was still trying to recover, lost and had to say goodbye to 1/3 of its mainland.

When Denmark was attacked, he sent pleading messages north to Norway and Sweden to help him, but...

Dear Danmark

I understand how distressed you are, but I have my hands full getting Sweden to understand that I am NOT his wife.I don't know how Finland put up with him for so long, but he is driving me crazy. Besides, if your people are so miserable, isn't it YOUR duty to make them happy? I cannot help you in these matters, I am sorry.

Your truly

Norge

And Sweden sent:

Danmark

Of all nations, you of everyone ought to know that I am too busy trying to teach Norway what goes and what does not go. Sure, if you drag this war to me I will have to put my foot down, but considering how much you like to meddle you ought to be able to handle this yourself. Of all things, let them have their constitution if that is what they want. I cannot believe you're starting war because of something as petty as that.

Sverige

Denmark felt like burning these letters, well, maybe not Norway's. Still, he wasn't too happy that he lost such a big part of himself.

What Norway and Sweden had guessed, was that eventually things would calm down and Denmark simply overreacted. This was half true, Denmark did get parts of what he lost to Prussia back, but not the German speaking part.


SWEDEN/FINLAND

Several years passed with the usual things happening, when things suddenly got dire once more. Europe stumbled upon a huge of problem, when for a few years the grains didn't grow as they would. The situation was bad, but worst came for the northern parts of Sweden (though, in reality everyone was affected), and Finland was worst off of them. Entirely 15 per cent of his population starved to death.

Naturally, during this period both nations had grown much weaker, and much thinner than ever. Sweden of course could send help to some of his people, but Finland was proud.

He was after all, no longer a part of Sweden. He could manage.

But for how long?

Luckily, the famine didn't last forever, but more players would soon enter the field, and make things even more difficult.


FINLAND

During this time Russia gradually lost its influence of the Northern sea due to his losses against Japan. A new players entered the field, a man who would one day make all the Nordic nation tremble. Germany was founded 1871, as an result of war. This new German state proved to be an equally fierce battler at the northern seas, but this seemingly only helped the trade-routes at sea for all the Nordic nations. Even Denmark got a fair share from the profits, and his economy recovered.

But as Russias situation worsened, Russia started tightening all bonds he had with all of his nations, including Finland. Finland had long been allowed to do as he wished, but as Russia got more and more desperate, probably because Belarus could be such a pain. But this new change did not suit Finland at all.

Finland, with a small number of his people, travelled to Russia to hopefully make the man see sense, and momentarily Russia agreed. But the situation grew dire, as things worsened and Russia once more tightened his hold on Finland.

Finland would have to be fully Russian, like Russia had made so many of his nations.

Finland still rebelled, he refused. He once had been presumably dominated by another nation. He didn't want that to happen once more.

Who knows what would come from this situation.


NORWAY

While Finland struggled against the Russian lead, Norway had enough. It had been almost 100 years since he had to unite with Sweden, and things had never been perfect between them. Norway didn't mind Sweden as a friend, but as a housemate he was impossible. Everything somehow clashed, making both of them quite unhappy, Sweden just refused to see it that way.

Unalike most nations who starts war to become free, Norway simply wrote Sweden a short note saying he had enough, he was leaving, Sweden would have to deal with it.

Sweden naturally replied by warning Norway that if he went against the union, he would use force.

But since both nations didn't really have the energy to really drag their people into war, they met to discuss the matters before war began.


Sweden was pissed at his neighbour, when they met face to face. Norway was equally as angry, and the first hour of the meeting resulted in them literally shouting insults at each other. Yet, as they slowly calmed down, they started using seemingly neutral tones.

"So, you really want to leave?" Sweden asked.

"Yes."

"You know, we have a contract."

Norway snorted.

"Fuck that."

Sweden sighed.

"Is that what everyone truly wants."

"Yes."

"Are you sure,"

"Yes."

"Very well. I can give you independence back, on one condition. If the majority of your nation wants freedom I have no rights to keep it."

"A public election?"

"Yes."

Noway smiled, it seemed fair after all.

"Very well. I'll get back to you in a few days."


Like agreed the nations met after the Norwegian people had said what they wished. The results were not truly surprising. A vast majority of the Norwegians said yes to independence. A mere 184 votes spoke against it. Sweden kept his words, and his king left the Norwegian crown (quite begrudgingly). Norway got their freedom, and the union between Norway and Sweden quite naturally fell apart. Norway once more got a Danish prince to this time become their king, and that royal line still connects Norway to Denmark.


INTERLUDE

As a new Era was about to start, the Nordic situation was indeed split.

On one hand Sweden, Norway and Denmark enjoyed peaceful times in general, with a few thorns here and there, but nothing major.

On the other hand, the situation on Iceland struggled for their independence. Finland was even worse off, he simply had nothing to say about it.

But things would soon change. The situation in Europe was generally tense. The question was, what would make the situation overflow.

Well, it started with...

TBC


Final Notes: I feel like I owe Finland more in this chapter... (makes a sad face).