AN: I realize that my knowledge about the time between the end of the Kalmar union and until 1814 is really lacking, so I apologize for any historical inaccuracy there may be, and for my slow updating. I'm just a bit stuck on how to write my future chapters. I'm worried that my writing will drop in quality if I just force myself to write without any real motivation. I'm trying to get out of this slump by writing on my other story in the meantime.
The 30 years war 1618-1648
Turn of the tide 1625-1629
"So you are just going to take off then?" Norway's voice was sharp and betrayed his frustration as the shorter male struggled to keep up with Denmark's long strides as the taller rushed through the hallways. They had just come back from a meeting with the king and the Dane had just let him in on the plans of the king and the council.
"I don't really have much of a choice" Denmark muttered back without the slightest hint of his usual chipper tone present in his voice. "I have to follow the orders of my king and he has asked me to join in the fight to secure his position in the south now that the wars are causing instability in the Germanic states and leaving them vulnerable."
"No you don't have to follow him" Norway snapped back angrily. "Christian goes directly against the wishes of the riksråd; you don't have to do everything he says. The emperor is too strong; you shouldn't do anything that can anger him and his people, we cannot afford it."
Denmark sighed tiredly and continued his walk through the house until he arrived at their bedroom. "I have to." He rummaged through a closet, picked out a backpack and started filling it with spare clothing. He knelt down by and opened a trunk by the wall and picked out first a red cloak and then the chest piece of perfectly polished plate armor and held it up for a moment to admire the craftsmanship.
Norway knelt down beside him and put a hand on the piece of armor so Denmark wouldn't pack it away immediately and he put the other on Denmark's cheek and forced the man to turn towards him. "You know I can't join you on this mission right?" he said while giving the Dane his most piercing stare. "He securing a position in the south has nothing to do with me or my people."
Denmark sighed again and looked back at the Norwegian with determination in his face. "I'm fully aware of that. You have your duties, I have mine. But I cannot help but wonder if this has something to do with you and the king still not getting along."
Norway huffed in annoyance and let go of the piece of armor so Denmark could continue picking up the remaining armor from the trunk and stable them in a pile on the floor. "How you have so much faith in the man is beyond me." Norway muttered. The last war he had not bothered to ever try keeping it a secret that he did not approve of the kings tactics in war.
Denmark turned back to him and broke out in a mocking smile. "You must be the only one in both of our kingdoms that dislikes him as strongly as you do. The rest of your people don't seem to mind him at all. He has founded what… four cities, and one of them is even named after him right?[1]"
"Christiania" Norway sighed. ". I don't have to like him purely based on the fact that the people seem to tolerate him. I do have a mind of my own you know."
"Are you trying to say that I don't?" Denmark stared at him, feigning a look of hurt. He knew very well that he was annoying the Norwegian to a dangerous degree and seeing the angry glare from said man he couldn't hold back a snicker any longer.
"Just try not to get yourself killed" Norway said as he left the room to let Denmark continue packing on his own. He wanted nothing to do with what he considered to be a foolish mission.
1628
The ship was rocking roughly along with the constant rush of waves moving underneath it and striking against the ship's side. It was one of the many ships that was used to patrol the coasts of Denmark these days, either to make sure that no unfriendly ships were heading their way or to be used as a transport to raid areas that had fallen into enemy hands.
On board, Both Denmark and Norway were scouting out over the rough seas, trying to see anything in the distance through a thick cover of mist.
"You still can't see anything right?" Denmark almost had to yell in order to be heard over the wind.
"No" Norway replied calmly, his voice was barely audible with the noises from the wind, sea and other men working on deck. "Just like the last time you asked." He had to constantly hold on to his hat to keep it from flying off. Denmark nodded and they headed for the ships cabin so they could get away from the weather and have the possibility of talking without having their words drown by the surroundings.
You are really worried about these people aren't you?" Norway shut the door behind them and turned to face the Dane so he could see all the faint lines of scars that were crossing over one side of his face. They were still in the process of healing properly after Denmark had first come to get them at some point after his king had dragged him along to join the wars.
Denmark cleared his throat and nervously drew a hand through his hair, clearly uneasy about the question.
"I take that as a yes" Norway muttered and with a gentle nudge of his head signaled for Denmark to follow him down to the storage area, so they could get away from the rest of the crew and continue their conversation without any curious onlookers. "Even if you said yourself that they will never be able to take the capitol, and I agree with you on that point. The empire doesn't have a fleet capable of invading any more of your land.
Denmark huffed in annoyance. "They still plundered and invaded Jylland. It's just lucky for us that they can't afford to acquire a fleet large enough to do more damage. And don't you dare to even thing about saying I told you so" he hissed rather aggressively. "I'm perfectly aware that we messed up."
"I didn't say anything" Norway sighed, ignoring Denmark's tone.
"Right…" Denmark muttered under his breath and turned away to evade the piercing stare the Norwegian was sending in his way.
"So…" Norway said after a moment of uncomfortable silence and crossed his arms over his chest. "Will you ever tell me what happened at Lutter not too long after you first set out on Christian's mission?"
Denmark paled noticeably at the question and kept his head turned away, pretending to have a sudden interest for a barrel of dried fish standing by one of the walls. "We lost the battle, what more is there to know?"
"I was there when the guards brought you back home. I stayed with you every day until you got better again. I saw the wounds you got, I treated them and I can still see the scars that remain." Norway took a few steps forward and drew his fingers over the faint lines on Denmark's face until the taller finally looked back at him. "I hate to see you like this and knowing that you are trying to keep me from knowing."
Denmark pulled the smaller man into a hug and held him firmly against his chest, seeming almost afraid to let go of him. Together they sat down between some barrels in the storage room, leaning their backs against the wall. "I don't really remember all that much…" Denmark started off before he took a moment to pick the right words to continue. Norway still rested his head on Denmark's torso and the taller in return began to absentmindedly run fingers through the Norwegian's hair.
"We had 20 000 men at the ready. Christian wanted to take advantage of the absence of one of the main commanders for the Holy Roman Empire, Wallenstein and launch an attack on Commander Tilly's army. It worked great at first, but then Wallenstein sent reinforcements." Denmark sighed bitterly and closed his eyes as he relived in his mind everything that had happened.
"We were outmanned and about to retreat, but with all the rain that kept on falling, the roads turned to mud and we were left with nowhere to go and were forced to make our stand instead. Things started going bad as soon as they started shooting at us with canons. There was debris flying everywhere and when our forces were unorganized and vulnerable they sent in the cavalry. After that I can mostly just remember the smell of gunpowder."
Norway shifted in his position and so he could look at Denmark's face and trace the faint scars crossing over his face. "How did you get all those injuries?"
Denmark flinched away from the touch. "A tree just beside where I was got hit by one of the cannons, I got hit by the flying splinters and my horse panicked and threw me off. Just after that Christian called for a retreat and he fled. I knew I had to get away as well, but had had a few imperial soldiers I had to fight my way through."
"It is strange how such a large empire is represented in the body of a young boy" Norway muttered.
Denmark laughed bitterly. "But then remember what we were like when we were younger. We traveled around and burned down monasteries just for the fun of it. And the boy is not alone… Last I heard, The Holy Roman Empire had asked for the help of Spain so they could make an imperial fleet."
"I have come to realize how important it is to have a good fleet" Denmark continued. "It is the only thing that keeps us safe. And I have been thinking that maybe your people should start building a fleet of your own. Who knows, might come in handy some day."
Norway stared at him and tilted his head in curiosity. "It will take years to build ships and train enough men, but I will see it done. But what are we going to do right now? We can't just keep patrolling the coast and hope we won't get invaded."
Denmark shook his head. "Our loss at Lutter cost us dearly. The king's council has opened for peace discussions with the empire.
"Is that a wise choice?" Norway asked, clearly concerned. "We don't exactly have a very strong position at the moment and nothing that can give us any advantages in any negotiations."
"I got a few tricks up my sleeve" Denmark smirked. "If you can recall, I did actually get along with Sverige at that siege of Stralsund. Christian intend on making the emperor believe that we will actually get along with the Swedes and are about to join with them, for the emperor fears a possible alliance."
Norway choked back a mocking laughter. "Good thing the emperor doesn't have too much knowledge about you history with Sweden; they would have seen right through that lie and known that is not likely to happen."
"Hey, it fooled the Swedes well enough. And if the discussions with the emperors men do not end well, then it might just be we have to join with the Swedes in order to survive."
1629
Denmark had to put on a mask of confidence as he followed after the emissaries chosen personally by King Christian through the hallways that were leading to the meeting room. They had arrived in the town of Lübeck two days ago and they were now ready to meet up with representatives for the emperor would discuss the terms of peace. Firmly clenched in his grasp was a roll of paper that contained the terms Christian had demanded fulfilled if was to accept a treaty.
The door to the meeting room was open and through the doorway, Denmark could spot the people they would negotiate with. They had been seated, but stood up once they spotted the Danish party, ready to exchange cold greetings. He could spot the commander Wallenstein who had been chosen by the emperor present their conditions.
"We will discuss this treaty elsewhere."
Denmark had been lost in his own line of thoughts and was about to enter the meeting room when someone grabbed on to his arm and pulled him aside. He turned towards this person to find out who it was and was surprised to find himself staring right into the light green eyes belonging to Spain[2]. The emissaries in the room turned back at him, wondering where he had gone, but Denmark signaled for them to go along without him. So the men standing guard by the door closed them right before the eyes of the two personifications.
"I should have figured I would meet you here" Denmark muttered venomously, but the Spaniard seemed completely unfazed of his spiteful tone and merely smiled innocently at him. Denmark huffed, "Is the little emperor not brave enough to meet me on his own and sends you in his place?"
"The Holy Roman Empire is represented in the form of a young boy. I don't think anyone would let him meet a brute like you on his own; it would not be a very wise idea would it?" With a firm hold on Denmark's upper arm, Spain led the way down another hallway, further away from the room where the diplomats were held up.
"I assume I can thank Wallenstein for meeting you here then?" Denmark said in irritation. "We could have just discussed this along with the rest of the delegates and not lurk around in the hallways."
Spain finally opened a door to a room and gestured for Denmark to enter. It was sparsely furnished and a few small windows high up on the walls provided only a little light. "We could have" Spain said lightly. "But in a conversation without the humans present we won't have to hide any threats behind false courtesy."
"That is true" Denmark answered carelessly, pretending that it had not bothered him to be dragged along to a room resembling a dungeon to discuss the terms. "I do miss the old days when things were settled with the swing of a Sword and when deals could be made with a toast and not with endless discussions and piles of papers that need to be signed."
"So let's get this over with shall we?" Spain said. "First things first…. The first term for peace is that this is the end of your part in the war. When we are done here you will get back to your own lands and stay there."
Denmark clenched his jaw shut, but was careful not to let it show. Ending the war was not really what Christian wanted, but the Rigsråd were by now desperate to end the fighting. "Fine!" Denmark snapped. "I will stay out of the war, but the real question we need to discuss is what to do with the land. I want my territory back!"
"And the empire wants the same thing, and we can't both get our will." Spain smiled sweetly back at him and Denmark wished nothing more than to punch him in the face. "You and your king took over areas that were not yours and now the empire wants to keep the land he won fair and square in retribution."
"That is out of the question" Denmark said sharply, putting as much confidence behind his words as possible. "Unless we get Jylland back there will be no peace." My king and I had a meeting with Sweden just a few months back, if we cannot come to a conclusion with you today… then we will have to set up another meeting with the Swedes[3]."
Denmark was pleased to see just the slightest hint of insecurity in the Spaniard, even if it just lasted for a moment before it was hidden again behind a smile. "Jylland will be returned" Spain finally said and then with slow motions walked closer to the Dane. "But the imperial land will remain in our possession and you will no longer have any claim to it."
Spain was staring Denmark directly in the face and without any form of warning he showed the taller male at the wall and pressed an arm harshly against his throat to restrict his breathing. "This is the reason why I didn't want us to be in the same room as the other emissaries." Spain said in a quiet but malevolent voice. "I want your word that you will not interfere with imperial affairs from this day forth. Do you understand?"
Denmark let out a chocked sound and nodded. "You have my word; there is no need for the violence"
"But there is another thing" Spain chuckled. "The Öresund Strait… We feel like there are some people that should not be allowed to pass, Enemies of the empire, and it will be your job to make sure they can't pass."
"You mean Sweden don't you?" Denmark chocked out.
Spain only smirked back for a moment before he replied. "Exactly. So we just want you to stay behind your borders until the empire calls for you." And with a last quick flash of a smile, Spain let go of Denmark and turned on his heel to leave.
Denmark was left alone, rubbing a hand over his sore throat and staring angrily at the now open door. At least they had been able to make the terms for peace, but he wondered if it was worth it. He wouldn't have to worry about imperial troops for the time being, but the Swede would not be pleased the day he would find the Sound blocked by him on imperial orders.
Historical note: Denmark-Norway only played a part in the 30 Years war between 1525-29 and 1643-46. This first time they were involved. With the piece of Lübeck in 1629, Denmark lost his place as the leading Nordic power in favor of Sweden and things went downhill from there.
[1] Christian is supposedly the one Danish king that has made most of an impression on the Norwegians ever. He founded a couple of cities in Norway, one of them was Christiania, or Oslo as we know it by today, but I really can't imagine Norway getting along with him at all, so he will continue his dislike for the man.
[2] I know very little about the Holy Roman Empire and I find all the sources to be really confusing. But what I believe to have found out is: HRE is basically, the German states and Austria ++. Spain is here because he fought on side with the emperor in the 30 years war, and the commander Wallenstein asked Spain for help to make a fleet that could be used on and attack on Denmark.
[3] Denmark was in a weak position after having lost several battles, but his place in the negotiations was strengthened by the fact that the military leader for the HRE, Wallenstein, feared a Danish-Swedish alliance. Christian IV had a meeting with the Swedish king where they planned a joined invasion on the empire just to make it more believable that he was about to make an alliance with the Swedes even if he refused the terms suggested by the Swedish king.