A/N: Hi guys! Hope you're all holding up okay in these crazy times! Here's our next instalment, as promised. This chapter is dedicated to the wonderful Amanda, who's become my first P atreon! If you want to hear more about how you can support me in my writing endeavours, as well as get access to chapter previews, deleted scenes and info on my actual writing process, you can head on over to my Tumblr :-) Now I've hit that milestone, however, I'm going to see if I can schedule in some dedicated time for this again, and - here goes nothing - I'm hoping to update every two weeks on a Sunday eve.
Anyway, I hope this doesn't disappoint.
A Queen's Request: The Final Arc
DELIVERANCE
'The action of being rescued or set free.'
Chapter 42: Discovery
Everything is such a mess. The war is terrible; so many people are dying. It feels as though it will never end. Finn is keeping us safe, at our home, though. Father seems to just be so tired of it all. He keeps talking about how selfish the other clans are - they fight amongst one another, as well as trying to keep Marley oppressed … it seems all anyone in the world cares about is violence and power. I wish there was a way to just take it all away.
The House of Shwarz are the worst. They're the ones who possess the Attack Titan - the source of the Ackerman bloodline. Father would never tell me that - he thinks I should be protected from such terrible truths - but of course, Finn told me. He knows his clan's heritage, and he's not ashamed to admit it to me. People say the Ackermans were an accident, but that's not it. The truth is, long ago, House Fritz struck up a deal with House Shwarz. It began when our ancestor saw the power of the Attack Titan, and wanted it back. The Schwarz's were not willing to part with it, however, and so began the first of the Titan clan wars. It waged for many years, and cost many innocent lives. A truce was reached when House Schwarz agreed to give up a portion of the Attack Titan's power to create a new race - somewhere in-between Titan and Human - who would posses just a fraction of the Attack Titan's power, but would live past the thirteen year curse. They would be bound by the Founder to serve our own bloodline, and they would never be able to possess a titan themselves. Some might call it slavery.
Like I mentioned, most people today, including my father, say the race was just the result of an accident. But I know the truth - the Ackermans were created as a result of our greed and hunger for power. We fight amongst ourselves, all of us, because we are all the same. Violence and power - we will always crave it, and while we Eldians are able to wield such superior creatures as the Titans, then there will always be a reason to fight - a superior power to fight over.
It makes me want to refuse inheritance of our Titan. Except that won't help ... because it will just be inherited by someone else.
I'm sure Ymir the Founder never wanted things to end up like this.
Finn agrees with me, of course. In the moments that we sneak off to steal together, we often talk endlessly about a way to stop all of the fighting. To end the violence. It amazes me that someone who has the power of the Attack Titan running through them, can be so supportive of the idea of peace. House Schwarz talked of nothing but the search for freedom; to ensure all those who opposed them were crushed. Finn just talks about running away together, and protecting me and my family until the day he dies. He just wants us all safe and away from the fighting, I think. I know he's tried to speak to my father about it on several occasions - but my Father seems so unsure of the right path to take.
Long fingers, nails dark with dirt, flicked over the page of the diary. Lenses perched on the bridge of a nose flashed in the lamplight.
I've had a realisation. A way that we can end the fighting, using the power of the Founder. A way that I can end the fighting.
The remainder of the page was blank. Hange rubbed her eye socket beneath her eye patch, before turning to the next page. What was she missing?
It's getting worse. I worry about what will become of us all. I told father my idea, and he erupted at me. He said I would bring dishonour upon House Fritz if I used our titan in the way I suggested. I don't think he really means what he says - I know he wants to stop all the fighting, too. He hates the violence, just like Finn and I, but he's scared. Scared of my idea.
They were running out of time now. It felt as though she held the key to all of this in her hands in the form of the tattered old journal, but she just couldn't seem to get to the crux of what Freya's idea about the Founding Titan might have been, and why she wasn't able to put a halt to the violence once and for all.
House Tyber, possessors of the Warhammer Titan, came to speak with my father yesterday. Mama and Greta stayed well out of the way, but I snuck to listen outside the door of my father's drawing room. I didn't hear much, but it seemed as though they were talking about a way to end the Great War. I wonder if they have an idea similar to what I suggested? I heard them talk about someone called Helos …
The final page of the journal was written in what looked to Hange like frantic scrawl.
We're running away. I can't believe it, I'm so angry. He's taking us to an island, where he says we'll live in peace and we can forget all about the violence and the fighting and my atrocious idea. He said I'm the worst girl in the world, because of what I want to do. I'm ashamed of him. Now he says Finn cannot accompany us - he says he has a job to fulfil for the Tybers, and we won't need Ackermans where we're going.
Well, he can scream and shout all he wants; when I inherit the Founding Titan, I'll be able to use it's power for what I believe is right.
Hange sighed. She didn't need the journal to tell her what had happened next - the 145th King made his vow, and it seemed this stopped Freya ever realising any ideas she ever had that did not centre around passivity. If only the girl had recorded what her idea actually was … Now it was lost. King Fritz's vow had seen to it that none of his bloodline would have any knowledge of any ideas which opposed his ideology, never mind have the ability to act upon them. The Founding Titan was clearly the key to achieving peace with the rest of the world, but it sounded like it came at a high price. The decision whether it was a price worth paying, however, was taken out of Paradis' hands while the Founder belonged with -
The journal clattered to the floor. Hange slapped a hand to her forehead.
The vow erased memories of all normal Eldians and controlled the thinking of the royal bloodline. But Eren Jaeger fell into neither of these categories, did he? They still didn't know exactly how memory transfer worked between the Titan Shifters. But it seemed there might just be a chance that …
Could Eren have somehow seen Freya Fritz's memories?
"Captain Levi is in a secret relationship with Queen Historia, and he's the father of her child."
Jean's dramatic entrance into Connie's little room in the barracks was certainly not what the shorter scout had been expecting on the day he'd had to say goodbye to his best friend.
He quickly wiped at his eyes with his sleeve, before staring at Jean with disbelief. "Um. What?" He swung his legs over the side of his bed.
"It's true," Jean panted in the doorway. Seemed like he'd been running.
"What the hell? Have you finally managed to get your hands on some of that fine Marleyan wine from the brass or what?" Connie pushed himself off the bed and towards his friend. His formal military jacket still hung around his frame following the earlier service. He'd found he wanted to duck out of proceedings as soon as he was able, for fear of being unable to hold it together infront of everyone. Commander Hange had seemed to understand. "Get in here. Don't stand outside my room saying crap like that. If the Captain were to find out -"
"Connie. Just listen." Jean obediently let himself be lead into the room, Connie flinging the door closed behind him with his sock-clad foot. He sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing his face with his hands. "I … I saw them … He … they were ..."
Connie took a moment to absorb Jean's appearance. He was rather pale.
Holy shit.
He plonked himself down on the bed beside him. "You're sure? Historia and … and Captain Levi?"
"Yeah. We have to keep it quiet."
Connie snorted. ''I'll say. Poor George. Shit. What."
Jean shook his head. "George is in on it. George and Historia were never a thing. George is a cover. She's … having the Captain's kid. They've been at it for months."
It must be the day, Connie reasoned. All the grief. It was getting to him. He made a distressed sound. "Ugh. You're serious? No way. She can't. Not the Captain. I mean … he's so … blunt. And old." He shivered. "Shit - does that mean … when we were all at the Orphanage …"
Jean just looked at him, as though telling him to categorically avoid that train of thought.
Connie leaned back onto the bed. "Nah. No way. Why? What the hell?"
Jean sighed. "I don't know. They said they'd explain properly, but there was no time. But Connie - remember when she smacked him one, back before Shiganshina? Remember that look he had? The smile?"
Connie shivered again at the memory. "Yeah …"
"Well. It was like that again. I think they might, you know. I think they might …"
"Stop. Stop talking," Connie murmured, staring blankly at the stone wall opposite.
"Yeah, okay," Jean replied, staring at the wall too.
"I think we should stay home at the Orphanage for a while …"
Historia glared at George, arms folded as tightly as she could manage across her chest as the pair sat together in the sitting room of the farmhouse. The afternoon sun bled through the window panes, and the laughter of children could be heard from outside as they played in the paddock.
"Where exactly do you think I'm planning on going?"
George's concern for her felt like it was getting ridiculous. Zeke was detained with Levi, and he'd told them that Commander Pixis's Garrison, and the MPs - at least the ones Nile Dok had influence over - would not act against the crown. Premier Zackley would be too busy dealing with the immediate fallout of Eren's actions in Marley. Attention, at least for now, was not on her. And yet he was still so insistent that she not set foot outside of the farmhouse.
"I realise a lot has happened, George, but the island is still stable."
George rubbed the back of his neck. "I dunno, His. I just think, we took a big risk heading to Mitras the other day, with everything that's going on right now. You have to think about the child, and looking after your body, too. You should be resting up."
The Queen maintained her fierce gaze for a moment longer, before sighing. "Yes, I know. I'm not exactly planning on going off gallivanting anywhere in a hurry." She rubbed the dome of her stomach beneath her loose, cotton dress. Trousers were getting far too uncomfortable to wear, now that she only had a few months left. "You just don't need to keep telling me, George."
The fair haired man across from her gave a nod. "Alright. Sorry. I just want to make sure we're on the same page …"
Silence settled in the room. Historia sipped her tea, deep in thought. She and George were on the same page, but only because he wouldn't stop worrying about the idea of her going anywhere since they'd returned from Mitras the day of Sasha's burial. It was getting a little tiresome, having to reassure him constantly. And all this, when the child wasn't even his …
Her thoughts strayed back to Levi. She wondered what he'd be doing right now, holed up in that monstrous forest with Zeke Jaeger. With the Beast Titan. The thought made her heart beat a little faster. The baby squirmed. Her rubbing resumed, and she took another sip of tea.
This was torture.
It was fucking torture.
Levi sat across from Zeke in the camp they'd set up in the small clearing. He watched the cross-legged, hairy bastard mull over a page in that little, battered book of his, before flipping the page over. Huge trees towered above them, casting shadows only illuminated by the flickering flames of the fire.
He sipped his tea. None of that Marlayan wine shit. He was quite content with leaving his share of that to the others. He would've opted for tea anyway, but the night of his first encounter with Historia, where they'd drank whiskey together, plagued him, further cementing the decision. His delay in recognising the MPs who lay in wait to ambush him was unacceptable. Although, whether it was truly down to the alcohol, or the effects of touching Historia Reiss for the first time - really touching her - was definitely debatable. Either way, alcohol of any kind while he was in the presence of Zeke Jaeger was absolutely out of the question.
Sly bastard.
"You know, the way you're glaring at me right now really does ruin the mood of this particular chapter I'm reading, Levi." Zeke's eyes didn't leave his book.
"Tch." Levi set his tea down, but didn't avert his gaze.
"It's supposed to be upbeat. Joyous. Do you want to know why?"
Levi clenched and unclenched his fist. Everything he had went into keeping his features even and blank. His mouth remained firmly closed, lips pursed.
"I can tell you do. Alright then, Levi, I'll enlighten you. This is the part where the gallant knight, who's charged with protecting the crown, has had his way with the naive, young princess, and she tells him she's carrying his child. Isn't that sweet?"
He was going to end him. He was going to cut his fucking fingers off, one by one, so that he couldn't read the next pages of his shitty book. Then he'd never know how it ended. Yeah. Good.
Zeke rubbed his chin as he stared back through those ridiculous glasses. "Hmm. Not your sort of story, no?" He sighed, running his fingers down the inner spine of the book, flattening the pages out. "I can't lie to you - me either. Never really seen the appeal of bringing offspring into this hell-filled world, only to be labelled spawn of the devil and be forced to continue this cursed history."
Levi rose. "Barris! Come take watch for a moment. I need to piss."
"Charming." Levi didn't miss Zeke's eye roll as Barris came over to take his place. He headed to the periphery of their camp, ducking behind a tree.
Fuck.
He was a piece of work. He knew exactly what buttons to press. Levi'd never been one for sly comments and clever words when it came to undoing someone. Nah, he was too blunt for that shit. He liked to deal with his enemies with blades and fists. How he wanted to smack that smug look from Zeke Jaeger's shitty face right now.
But he wouldn't. He'd keep his composure. Even when the bastard made comments about his relationship with Historia. Because that's what he was doing. Constantly. In front of his squad, too.
When the fucker had brought up Levi's experience with woman, when they had started off discussing Ragako, which apparently he didn't give a shit about either, Levi had been all but ready to knock his perfectly straight teeth out.
"Erwin," he breathed to the forest. "I swear. That hairy bastard is mine. You watch this space."
"Captain Levi!"
He hopped from behind the tree in an instant at the sound of his name. It would be his lucky day, if Zeke had decided to pull anything. To his slight disappointment, the man was still sat cross legged on his crate, coolly reading his book.
No chopping off any limbs today, then. Pity.
He caught site of a soldier atop a horse at the far edge of the clearing. His face wasn't a familiar one from the camp, but he bore the Wings of Freedom. A messenger.
He strolled over to him.
"I have a message - from Commander Hange."
Levi tsk'd as he rolled out the parchment on a crate, revealing Hange's messy scrawl. He'd made sure he was well out of Zeke's eyeline when he opened the letter, but still close enough that he could stick him with a blade if he tried anything.
Levi,
Something hit me when reading the journal again (told you it was worth re-visiting). Remember me telling you that Freya had made a proposal to the 145th King about a way to end the fighting between the Titan clans and restore peace to the continent? And perhaps knowing her idea may just help us? Well, it occurred to me that Freya would have still inherited the Founding Titan, however would have been bound by the King's will, so unable to fulfil her idea if it was opposed by her father …
Eren is not bound by this will. He also cannot use the founder's true power due to his lack of royal blood. But we know the Attack Titan seems to work differently in terms of viewing memories of possessors compared to the others of the nine. So, what I'm saying is, through the combination of Attack and Founding Titans - Eren may have seen Freya's memories. Eren may know what she was planning.
I'm going to see if I can talk to him further, or, failing that, I'll send Mikasa and Armin. I would expect him to confide at least something in them. I'll try and keep you posted. I hope Zeke is behaving himself.
H.
P.S. All your squad know about Historia and you at this point - apparently Jean and Mikasa spoke to you both about it, or something? Then naturally, Mikasa told Armin. Jean told Connie. Honestly, Levi - I know you can be sentimental on the very rare occasion, but now probably wasn't the best time for heart to hearts with your subordinates about this. Anyway, I've ordered them to keep it to themselves. Not that they seem particularly keen on discussing it. At all, really. In fact, Jean and Connie barely spoke a word in general for a day or two after they admitted to me that they knew.
Right. Let me know if you're out of any supplies - I'll have more sent.
Keep sharp, Levi.
He ran a hand over his face. He was sure his ears were tinged pink at this point. For fuck's sake; he was the latest gossip now for them all? While he was holed up here with this hairy bastard? Excellent. If Zeke got his hands on that letter, he'd piss his pants with glee. He cleared his throat, before rolling the letter up and pocketing it. The messenger watched him with expectation in his eyes.
"Thanks," Levi nodded. "Tell the Commander, I have nothing to report back, but the points in her message were noted."
He returned to his spot across from the Zeke as the soldier rode away through the trees, and set to pouring himself more tea. He began to mull over Hange's discovery.
So, this royal brat had come up with some scheme to put a stop to the violence and the curse of the Eldian race, but her father had - it sounded to Levi - been too much of a coward to see it through? Funny, the girl sounded almost like Historia. But the question was, had Eren seen her memories? And had that influenced his recent actions and overall plan at all? Had he shared that with Zeke?
Zeke snapped his book shut across the other side of the fire. "Fanmail from one of your many female admirers, was it, Levi?"
Levi crossed his own legs, holding Zeke's amused gaze. "If you like."
What did that bastard know that he wasn't telling them?
The days dragged on, rolling into one another, until Historia wasn't even sure how many had passed since she'd last seen the Captain. But still, she didn't leave the farmhouse.
Her life seemed to have turned into waiting. Constantly waiting around for the arrival of others. George, when he'd head back to his farm for the vegetables and meat she'd use to cook every evening. Levi, out there with a new squad somewhere, guarding that monster. Her child, growing bigger every day, stealing space from her other organs. Her portions were getting smaller, and her trips to the bathroom more frequent.
Still she dreamt of him. The visions were less jarring now; she'd grown used to seeing through his eyes, feeling with his touch. She dreamt of the Underground with Isabel and Furlan, late night strategy meetings with Erwin, fighting alongside Hange out beyond the walls. The more she saw, the more she yearned for him to come back to her.
One dream in particular disturbed her a great deal, but this one really was just a dream. She knew, because it repeated frequently, as though stuck on a loop in her head. None of her previous visions ever occurred more than once. The doctor had warned her that vivid dreams and nightmares were often caused by pregnancy hormones. It all made sense.
But it wasn't only that. In this dream, she was in a forest, and Titans began falling from the sky. Levi would absolutely have mentioned such an absurd occurrence to her before now, and it was absurd. How could that have happened? It wasn't possible, even for a premonition. Titans didn't just appear from thin air.
Any yet … the sorrow she felt as she tore her blade through their napes was so very real; almost as though she'd known them personally.
It was ridiculous to get herself upset by some outlandish dream, though. There were so many more pressing matters to worry about, such as the baby coming early, and Levi still being out on duty. She tried her best to push the worries aside, but she couldn't deny the fact that there was significant risk that he'd miss the birth. As long as Zeke Jaeger was around and a threat, he would stand between them both.
Around a month after their parting, or to her best calculations at least, was when everything finally changed for Historia. The days no longer drifted by, unannounced and uneventful. And she stopped dreaming of falling Titans in gloomy forests.
"Are you going to eat that?" George gestured to the bread roll and sliced cheese he'd brought her as they sat together on the porch watching the children play.
Historia looked at it blankly. "I'm really not hungry, right at this moment."
George looked annoyed. "Historia. Please. You have to keep your strength up."
She gripped the edge of the little china plate, the blood draining from her fingers. She wanted to throw it at him. How much of this was she really expected to take? Sitting out here, being fussed over by a man who wasn't her lover, wasn't the father of her child? It was becoming impossible to live with his constant fretting. She drew in a long breath, but didn't answer him.
"Are you alright? You look pale. Perhaps we should -"
Before the farmer was able to finish, hoofbeats over the brow of the road drew the pair's attention.
She'd waited so long … could this be news? Perhaps even Commander Hange had made some time to come and see her with an update?
Without thinking, she rose. The china plate shattered against the wooden boards of the porch, sending the bread rolling off the edge.
"Oh - sorry." Her apology was weak, her attention caught by the figure heading towards them up the dirt path. It was a woman, and she bore the Wings of Freedom, but it was not Commander Hange.
She dismounted beside the fence, and hurried up the path. It was then that Historia realised that she was really just a girl, a few years younger than her, perhaps.
"Your Majesty," she bowed low, before turning to George and giving a polite nod. "Wagner."
Historia glanced at George, a little surprised by the way he was addressed, before her attention returned to the girl. "Do you have news?"
"I do, Your Majesty Queen Historia. A message from Military Command. Premier Darius Zackley has been assassinated."
Historia's eyes grew wide. "What?"
George shifted beside her.
"Midday. I came as quickly as I could. His stand in is being discussed currently, but I believe it will be Commander Pixis of the Garrison."
Historia had never found herself wishing death on anyone, but the news that a true ally may now be sitting in place of Zackly made her feel suddenly lighter, despite the weight of Levi's child in her belly.
"I see. Thank you. Is there any indication of who was responsible?" she asked the girl, but she was no longer looking at the Queen. Instead, her gaze was fixed on George.
"It's starting." Historia frowned at her, before looking at her companion. He appeared on edge, but he gave a single, slow nod, before she added, "back up will be here soon."
With that, the girl turned on her heel and began back down the dusty path.
There was a moment of weighted silence. Historia stared at George. She opened her mouth to ask what in the name of The Walls was going on, but before she had chance, he called after the girl.
"Louise! Wait!"
His boots thudded down the path. Historia felt as though the world had tilted suddenly. What was happening? What was starting? And who was back up?
"Is … is that really necessary?" George pulled the cap from his head and rubbed the back of his neck. "We're fine. We're not going anywhere."
Louise looked back at Historia, and then shrugged. "Floch said you might say that. He told me to tell you, if the burial was a test - then you failed it."
Moments later, she was gone. Historia didn't notice her leaving. The ground felt as though it was disappearing from underneath her as she stared at George's back.
George.
Her George.
Except he wasn't though, was he? He never had been hers. But this …
"What was a test, George?"
He turned back to look at her, and his eyes were like those of a puppy that's just been caught chewing the furniture leg.
"Tell me, George! What was a test? Why is Floch - Floch, of all people - sending reinforcements here?" She took a step toward the edge of the porch, her shoes crunching on the broken china. "What power does he have to do that? Where is Commander Hange? I don't understand!"
Her voice was hoarse. The children had stopped playing to stare at her, their smiles fading and their eyes wide.
George grimaced. "I think you should head back inside, Historia. You're scaring the children."
She continued to stare at him, unwilling to move until she had some answers. A sickly feeling began to turn her stomach, and it was nothing to do with her pregnancy. Floch had been helping Eren, the night of the Banquet … she and Levi had been convinced of it. Was this something to do with Eren too? Were they working together on something?
"Historia. Please go inside, and we can talk. I can explain. I'll explain everything."
Everything.
So there was a lot she'd been kept in the dark about, then. In that moment, her heart ached for Levi so much that she could wail. But she clung on to her composure, turned, and walked slowly back inside the house.
George was right, there were children watching.
Levi glared at the reins clutched tightly in his hands.
The little cart rolled onwards through the downpour, the horses hooves clopping noisily on the muddy road. Rainwater dripped from the tip of his hood, striking his weather-beaten, white knuckles as hatred the likes he'd never known coursed through every inch of him.
Fuck this.
There had to be another way. There had to be.
He couldn't do this to her. He didn't want to ask this of her.
If it comes down to it, bring Zeke to me. We'll finish it together, Levi.
Her words echoed resolutely through his mind. He grit his teeth. That bastard; all he had to do was stay put and behave himself. They just had to wait for instruction from Hange and the others. Instead, they'd all been fucking plotting. Yeagerists. What a shower of shit. And Zeke … he had to open his stupid fucking mouth, resulting in Levi being forced to obliterate his own squad. Another one, gone. Snuffed out, just like that, except this time they met their deaths on his own blades. It made his gut churn, but he'd be damned if he was going to show a trace of it.
Somewhere behind him, from inside the cart, there came a low whine.
"Shut the fuck up, you Beard-faced bastard. You did this to yourself."
There was only so long he'd be able to keep Zeke restrained like this, and losing him was not an option. Then again, losing to him was not an option either, but Levi was getting too old to want to risk going two rounds with the ape.
Could he really just keep chopping the hairy bastard's limbs off until Historia had given birth? She wasn't even full term yet. The thought of her having to be turned so soon after going through the ordeal of childbirth made him want to scream until his voice was hoarse. But what other option did they have? They could turn one of the volunteers, like he'd told his squad earlier. He just needed to get a message to Hange somehow. He had the serum, just a single vial of it. Just for scenarios such as this. They could use the volunteer as a vessel for the Beast Titan until Historia was ready.
Hs jaw clenched. Like she'd ever be fucking ready for this, really.
This had all always been a possibility; a part of the plan should things take an unexpected turn. Her whole pregnancy was politically motived, for fuck's sakes. Nothing had changed.
Nothing, except him.
He shook the thoughts away. He needed to focus on the damn mission. 'Humanity's Strongest' wasn't allowed to be selfish - hadn't he told her that once? When she'd asked about Petra? His selfishness got people killed. At least this way, Historia would get to live for at least thirteen more years. The way things were headed recently, thirteen years seemed like a gift.
He flicked the reins forcefully, driving the cart onwards through the storm, towards the Farmhouse he saw in his mind's eye, nestled peacefully amongst the cornfields. He wanted nothing more than to be there with her right now, but he also wished with everything he had that he could chose another direction.
Zeke whimpered again, thunder spear still protruding gruesomely from his stomach.
"I will kill you," Levi murmured.