It was late April, when the thaw came. Hans had taken over the duty of a traditional Nanny, and had found he greatly enjoyed being an uncle. Though Johana was not the first to make him an uncle, the other nephews and nieces had been born when he was younger and not the adult he was now. A few years ago, he might have balked at doing what was traditionally a woman's job, but after seeing the struggle Hania had endured, he was gladly at her beck and call for anything she needed. However, tonight was one night he would have handed this stubborn infant off to anybody available, as tired as he was. Night had long since fallen, and the little one was refusing to sleep for the third night in a row, no matter what was done. Nearly half delirious himself with sleep, Hans stroked her tiny cheek as he paced and rocked with his niece, humming and singing the lullabye his mother had used when he was a child.
Sleep Sleep little bird,
Please little one, be calm
For I know the day
Has been played away
Yet outside of the window
Is the face, of a man,
A man who bids you sleep too deep.
And out in the forest, a bird calls its friends
Come sleep with me, oh dear one.
When the mountains of A'Tall'an
Fill your heart with desire,
Play along, and in time,
You'll find yourself there.
For there in the land
Of the sleep in the clouds
You'll find a world of wonder…
And I guard your mind, to comfort and care
And your cradle does rock
in the calm of the storms;
But outside still the face of a man
And he asks to take you,
Yet I bid you stay
And the man, He gladly,
Goes away
For when the weather is Grim,
And the sky is so bare,
Er' the outside rain cries.
Look around for me child,
For I will be here.
The cries of the Darkness,
I turn 'way from them
For Naught, should they
Find ye here...
Now come to rest,
In the cradle you go,
Silence the crying and laughter
Sleep now, sleep now,
Bring your maman some peace
As the saints preserve ye, oh child.
"The Old Man song? That ballad was odd to me even as a child." Hania remarked from the doorway, a soft smile on her face. Hans chuckled, nodding to the rocking chair in the corner as he continued to swing.
"The wording is a bit dark, but the melody would never make you think about an epidemic." He agreed. Hania nodded, and then hesitated as she watched her daughter start to settle down. Finally, she spoke, eyes flitting from her brother to her daughter.
"The fjord is nearly thawed. Have you thought about my offer?"
Hans shook his head hard, and Hania sighed. "You came here for me. I don't… Brother, I don't want you killed. I don't want Maman to lose her son, or Anneliese her uncle. I could sneak you away from here so easily! Trade will open soon, you could go to Germany, or Russia… or the Americas! Anywhere, Johannes! Anywhere but here! Your time is short here, every day I watch more ice break from the sea as spring surely comes our way, and my heart already grieves for you. I'm your big sister, I'm supposed to protect you-" Hania broke off, choking from the sobs caught in her throat, and she dipped her head. "But I can't. Not from this. Not if you won't let me help you. I could smuggle you aboard a ship, and have it dock somewhere Father wouldn't think to search!"
Hans turned from his sister, blinking back tears. "No. I gave Maman my word that I would not run from this. I will keep my word, Hania. If it costs me my life to have seen you through your darkest hours, then so be it. These last months were filled with joy at seeing you each day, and this last month of caring for your little girl has filled my heart with more happiness than I deserve. I have no regrets." He paused and then took Hania's hand, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "If the worst happens, make sure you tell Johana how much I loved her."
Hania dipped her head again, trying but failing to hide the tears. She turned from Hans and stepped towards the door, clinging to the archway. "If you die, Johannes, I will have to change her name and mine so I will not have to stumble over introductions for the rest of my life."
Without waiting for a response, she fled into her chambers and shut the door behind her.
Three days later, royal guards from the Southern Isles paraded up and down the roads of the Northern Isles. Although Hans had been mentally preparing himself for the past weeks, he felt the blood drain from his face when he was spotted, after a guard looked up to the window and shouted.
He had been about to put Anneliese down after a feeding when the guards burst in the door, and he quickly handed her off to Hania, who fumbled to take her while in shock. Her face was pale as he closed her fingers around the baby's form as she had done to him only a month prior, and winced when the guards threw him to the ground, cuffing his hands behind his back. Keeping eye contact with her as long as possible, he threw his head back and shouted to her as he was jerked upward and led through the halls. "It will be alright! Everything will! Have faith, Hania! Have-" The gag that was shoved into his mouth prevented him from speaking anymore, but he made eye contact with his mother on the way down, begging her silently to keep her head and go to his sister. Wordlessly, she fled up the stairs, and Hans began to pray that she could keep Hania from falling apart. Forcing the tears and despair down, he let himself be dragged down the stairs, through the garden, across the roads and thrown haphazardly onto a wagon that quickly set off towards the pier.
After he was loaded onto the boat, the stress of the last moments got to Hans and as his mind spiraled out of control, he found everything going hazy as his anxiety and fear grew, until he was dragged into a blissful sleep.
When Hans awoke, it was dark and cold. He was aware of discomfort in his limbs, and as he stretched out slightly, his eyes adjusted to the darkness around him. The smell of pine accosted his nose behind the gag he still wore, and his eyes widened when he realized he was back in the Northern Isles. Testing the bonds on his wrists and ankles, Hans moaned at realizing that he could not do more than inch anywhere if he wanted to move. Before he could begin to try and think his way out of this, a door opened and Hans' eyes widened.
Zian stood in full ornamental getup, and the young man looked so saddened at Hans, shaking his head as he moved to kneel down to his brother.
"Johannes, why? You seem to only make more trouble for yourself. Consider yourself lucky that it is I here and not Father coming to carry out a punishment for this. You are spared death only because I do not hold the power to execute you with my own two hands, and he who would has taken to his sickbed."
Hans' eyes widened at that, and Zian nodded resolutely. "It is thought that by late spring, I will reign on my own. It works in your favor, though, I must say." Zian reached behind Hans' head and loosened the gag, continuing to explain. "As he is ill, I am the de facto king. I cannot kill a prisoner or command his death to be carried out by another, but all else falls to me." Pushing Hans' bangs aside, Zian shrugged as he took a key from his pocket and undid the cuffs on Hans' ankles, and then moved to his hands. After the ex prince's hands were freed, Zian grasped his brothers hands, the reassuring grip bringing Hans comfort.
"I will spare you as much as I can. I know and understand why you did as you did. I wished to go to Hania in your place, had Father not taken ill. I must make it look convincing, but trust me when I say that I will give you the slightest sentence I can. Come, the Court is in session to hear your fate."
"The Court? They did not hear my sentencing the first time…" As Hans trailed off, Zian nodded and held the door open for his brother.
"This time you have actively ran from your sentence. You escaped. The Court will see you now as not only the traitor you were originally convicted of being, but also a flight risk and an insult to our prison system."
Hans did not like the sound of that. "So, they're out for my blood?" Zian paused and then slightly nodded as they entered a clearing outside.
"Fortunately for you, I am on your side."
It was hours long, the Court session. Hungry and thirsty, Hans barely heard most of the comments. He was aware that various men of his father's court stood up at different points, throwing accusing fingers his way and yelling something about how he needed to be taken back to the Main Isle and punished before the real king.
It was that repeated phrase which caused Zian to stand. His eyes blazed at the baron, and Hans was struck at how fast it seemed the man had stepped up from the sensitive bookworm to a man of honor and valour. "You will not speak to me in this way. In this manner, I am the king, and now you have spoken and it is my turn to speak." Zian turned to Hans, his eyes sweeping the prince, and he turned, walking a few feet away, deep in thought.
"Are you gentlemen aware of Princess Hania's condition recently, as a new widow and mother?" Quiet affirmations met his ears, and Zian nodded sharply, turning back to face them. "Johannes has always put his heart first and brain second when it came to decision making. He did wrong in stowing away and escaping his sentence, however I find he did it to do what he believed to be right in the manner of family. He went to her, and according to Queen Alvilda, aided in the birth of her child and in rearing the babe until he was captured. For this, I do grant him a brief reprieve."
A man shot up, red in the face from anger. Something about the man put Hans on edge, and he watched as the man stalked forward, his medals and uniform marking him as a Duke. "Look here, Zian! How can you put your good name at stake like this? I do not understand. You trust the word of a woman over what common sense will tell any man. Johannes ran like a blasted coward, and had to be dragged back like a mule."
"That woman is our mother and your queen, you pompous-!" Hans snarled, but Zian shot him a look and held up his hand for silence.
"I will think of your concerns, Duke Ernst. However, let it be understood to all that, should you speak ill of my mother the Queen again, I will see you imprisoned in the dungeons of the Main Isle." His voice was even, and Hans kept silent as the court session began again.
Duke Ernst, angry at being chastised, walked forward more, shoving others aside. The anxiety deep inside of Hans spiked as the man stepped ever closer, and when he saw the slight glint of silver, Hans launched himself at the man, thankful Zian had undone his binds. Taking Ernst to the ground, the ex-prince slammed the duke's shoulder into the dirt, grabbing the knife the duke had tried to pull and throwing it aside. "Not my brother, you rascal!"
After a few moments of shock, the court moved into a frenzied unit, pulling the two apart; Ernst sporting a bloody nose and a few teeth missing and Hans' face badly bruised, his split lip dripping blood as he lunged again towards the nobleman. Hans panted from exertion, jerking forward angrily towards the man again. "Let me at him! He was going to hurt Zian! Let me go!"
Zian stood, putting himself between the two. "If you two would please, calm yourselves. Guards, take Ernst to the back and see that he remains there." Zian turned to his brother and nodded at him, catching sight of his bruised face and busted lip. "Why have you defended me?"
Hans dipped his head, glancing to his brother with a small smile. "I am honor bound to defend my king, whether or not I am in good standing with the Court or not."
Zian nodded in approval and then slowly turned his head, making eye contact with as many court members as possible. "He has honorably defended me, and so I extend my thanks. For this, I enact my father's law of Gjør Mot Andre. Johannes, it was my father's will that after your punishment within the woods, you would return home and do all tasks asked of you for him. Your servitude of two years' time begins now. Take him to the medical bay and have him seen, then he is to return with me to the Main Island in a week, where I will put him to work."
When Hans returned to the Main Island, the ship had hardly docked when Zian took the ex-prince by the arm, undoing the wrist and ankle cuffs keeping him chained. "It is law that you must travel with these on to prevent going overboard, but I will allow you to walk yourself off the ship."
The ship jolted to a stop, and as the plank went down to allow the occupants to disembark, Zian stopped suddenly. "Oh, no."
Hans followed Zian's gaze, his eyes landing on a figure dressed in heavy black cloth. A heavy veil covered the persons' face, but the shape was unmistakable. "Maman."
The brothers voiced the word together, and exchanged heavy glances. Solemnly they walked off the ship, looking at her and bowing deeply, while Zian spoke. "My queen mother. What has happened? I did not expect you back to the Mainland so soon; your letter sent in defense of Johannes did not reflect such a notion. Is all well with Hania and the little one?"
The older queen looked to her sons and she stepped forward, engulfing them both in a hug. When she released them, she stepped back and straightened her shoulders. "Your father went on to our ancestors a few nights ago, Zian. I left not long after Johannes was taken from the North Isle, as I knew nothing of his health until I spoke to the soldier who delivered to you my letter." Mindlessly, she played with the ring on her left hand, her soft green eyes filling with tears and voice breaking as she spoke. "For forty five years I have stood by his side in all things. It was only right that I cleave to his side as he passed from this world into the next…" She trailed off, covering her mouth to quiet a sob, and Zian quickly moved, sensing she was beginning to lose it. They walked quickly towards the castle, and unlike the last time when all eyes seemed to be on Hans, the young man's eyes were solely focused on his mother and gave no heed to others.
Once inside the castle, Zian turned to his younger brother with a grim smile. "Johannes, tonight you will reside in the right wing of the castle within my room, though I do suspect you will reside truly with Maman all night long without taking leave."
Hans nodded his thanks, and together the two helped Alvilda to her room. She was quiet as they walked, and once they settled her into her quarters, she heaved a sigh and rested a palm against Hans' cheek.
"My son, words alone do not express how grateful I am for your life." Hans hugged his mother, removing her veil and brushing her hair back. He searched for words, but when he could not find any, he just smiled softly and she nodded, speaking for him. "I know you and your father had your troubles, especially within these last months, yet I do find comfort in knowing he spared you and you continue to find ways around the severest of punishments. Now, tell me Child…" she trailed off slightly and her eyes darkened angrily, "Who did this to your face?!"
Zian chortled at her expression, and he waved away her concern. "Do not worry, Maman. Rest assured, it has been handled. Be grateful for it, for it is what saved your son from a severe punishment. He defended his king from harm, and as a reward, will reside here without a formal punishment for two years time doing all things which I require."
Alvilda nodded, and then looked out the window, raking her fingers through her hair. "Nothing can be done with Johannes until you have been crowned king. I will stay upon the throne for a week as preparations are made, and then all royal duties will fall to you."
In a weeks' time, Hans watched encumbered in chains on the sidelines, accompanied by his other brothers and sisters. In between the royal children were as many commoners and secondary royalty as the Court and the Throne Room could hold. Hans watched with barely restrained pride as the soldiers and guardsmen led the trumpeteers, cymbals, and horn players forward, and those were closely followed by half of the choir and the priest. Behind the priest was another band of trumpeteers, who were closely followed by the remainder of the guards and pulling up the rear was Zian, dressed in his finest.
As the prince came to the front of the Courtroom, he knelt and kept his eyes to the ground. As the musicians finished the national anthem, the Priest made his way in front of the crowd. As the Southern Isles had once held ties and great ancestry to France, the fluid language of the french soon filled the room. As old promises were spoken of guarding the kingdom and keeping the people safe, Hans couldn't help but puff his chest out in pride to think that his brother was really becoming king, missing the last parts of the Priest's speech.
The prince rose as a scroll was read by the priest and then set aflame. As water was dropped into the ash, Zian tilted his head upwards. The Priest dipped his first two fingers into the grey mix, spreading the ash in a circular motion on the Prince's face. "This is to represent the islands which you have been given charge over. So that you may know their location better than you know yourself."
With help, Zian removed his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt part way, exposing his shoulders and chest. Once he was still, the priest dipped his hand in the mix again, speaking once more. "This ash symbolizes how your decisions can change your kingdom. Selfish, greedy decisions can burn your kingdom so that it is no more and all who prosper will face defeat and suffer anguish at your hands." The priest's ash-covered fingers met the chest and shoulders of the heir, tracing them down into a half circle and several patterns that looked vaguely like wheat crops and water. "This is to remind you that our great nation is born on the backs of those who harvest and tend to the livestocks. They look to you for their wellbeing, and to them you must especially stand firm in their best interests."
The priest paused, turning to hold the large crown which had been placed on a pillow atop the throne. Facing Zian again, he lifted his eyes to the crowd and then back to the prince, putting the crown on Zian's head.
"As those of our ancestors ordained, today you will partake in this most important rite of heirship and wear his crown proudly, as he did before you. And as your own son will after you. When you wear this crown, it is a symbol. A symbol of your birthright, of your people, and your duty to them. When you wear this, it binds you to the kingdom for all your days, and in wearing this royal piece you agree to abide by all laws, to rule within your means without deceit, and to always put your subjects first. Do you so swear?"
Zian nodded, and then spoke. "By my birth and by my blood, I do so swear. By the power of the blood of my father, given to him by the blood of his father, which was given to him by the blood of his father, I do so swear to rule fairly. I swear before you to rule justly, and above all, to remember my kingdom comes before all else. With your and my mother's blessing, I become your king."
The old man met the young heir's eyes and then stood tall, his voice seeming to shake the rafters as he took Zian's arm and turned the young man to the crowd, addressing the mob of people. "Long live the king, and may he prosper! What says the people of the Southern Isles?"
The phrase was echoed, and flowers and other small tributes were thrown into the aisles, loud joyful shouting filling the room as everybody ached to make their voices heard. Hans sighed, keeping quiet and looking out to the window. The ceremony had been hours long, and now finished, the sun had long since set on the water. Feeling a tug by a guard by his side, Hans winced and followed the guard quietly, nodding to his brother as he was forced from the room.
"Congratulations, Brother. May you reign as well as any within our blood."
A/N: Here's chapter seven! A bit of filler, but it was crucial for later plot- a lot of you have asked me when will the truth be revealed, and I assure you, it is coming! Working on chapter eight now, so maybe by the new month, schedule permitting. As always, read and review please! I love to hear your thoughts and feelings! If anybody wonders, yes, I wrote the song myself. It's origin is based on a parent wanting their sick child to sleep during an epidemic, and the parent wanting to keep their child from death- the Face of a Man is supposed to be symbolizing an angel of death.