After Madeline was confined in the London home she fell into the routine of asking Arthur, when he was there, what was happening with her brothers. Arthur would scowl but saw no harm in informing her of the goings on of her brothers. And so she was at least able to keep up with what her brothers were doing. However Madeline found herself growing extremely bored with the walls of her room and shortly after word of the war with America ending reached her Madeline asked if she could at least have access to the library. Arthur agreed, telling her that after supper he would let her have some time there to find a few books to read. The first books she grabbed were simple stories, fairy tales and the like. Eventually she read all of those and moved onto a few books that taught science and biology. She began to study and found she really enjoyed learning about the various processes and workings of the world. She really found herself enjoying learning about human anatomy and found she wanted to become a doctor. Arthur scoffed at the idea, telling her that women did not become doctors.
After she had asked about becoming a doctor Arthur began making her learn embroidery and other proper tasks for a gentile lady. Reluctantly she learned them and began filling time between books with making things for her brothers, at least for Matthew. She had made a few things for Alfred but Arthur had refused to send them to him, still bitter about the war and its results.
Meanwhile back across the Atlantic with Matthew and Alfred. Alfred's bosses were getting more and more wary of Canada being in British hands. As concerns grew tensions rose and eventually Europe was being plunged into another war as Napoleon began his crusade to rule Europe. America took advantage of Britain's distraction and declared war on Britain. They turned their sights on Canada and prepared for invasion. Alfred was against it. He was worried about his siblings and he feared that attacking them would do more harm than good.
Despite his reluctance and attempts to stop things Alfred was assigned to the force that took York and was there when things went wrong, but he tried to do the right thing and find Matthew and Madeline so he could bring them back with him to Washington. During the chaos of all the looting and burning Alfred managed to find Matthew's home and hurried inside.
"Matthew, Madeline!"
He rushed forward to find Matthew in his parlor curled over in pain. Alfred curses, he had forgotten about the pain of being connected to the land and its people.
"Dammit!" Alfred hurries toward his brother and wraps his arms around him. "Mattie! I'm sorry, it wasn't supposed be like this."
"Al Alfred?" Matthew looks up at his brother through sweaty bangs before looking around. "He he's not here is he?"
"Who, who isn't here Mattie? And where is Madeline?"
"Arthur's watchdog. Alfred he took her, Arthur took Madeline. He said if I misbehaved or tried to leave him..."
Alfred stared at Matthew in horror as suddenly Matthew's answers to his inquiries to join him made sense.
"I, I'm sorry Matthew." Alfred held his brother to him, letting him cry on his shoulder. They sat like that on the floor for several hours until things outside began to settle down for the night.
"I I have to go Mattie. I'll see if I can stop this. They weren't supposed to go this far, just capture the city."
After that Alfred left and managed to get his people under control enough to get them out of the city. They soon left all together and Matthew was left in his house, back under watch from the general that Arthur had assigned him. After that Matthew made it a point to send letters to Alfred whenever he got a chance and managed to get a few from his brother as well. Unfortunately things began to grow more complicated and chaotic for Alfred as tensions between his political parties and the northern and southern states rose.
Back over in Europe Madeline was still studying the books as she witnessed Arthur becoming more stressed as tensions between him and Russia rose. When war finally broke out with Russia Madeline learned about it and asked Arthur if she could help somehow.
"What could you possibly do to help. This is a war, a woman has no place there."
Madeline holds a paper up with Florence Nightingale's call for nurses to serve the soldiers that were fighting.
"Let me help with the hospitals then."
"Stubborn." Arthur runs a hand through his hair. "Fine, fine. You may go and help as a nurse."
Madeline smiled at Arthur before giving him a slight hug and running off to pack a few things she would need.
Unfortunately when Madeline went to apply with Florence Nightingale's crew of nurses she was turned away for seeming so young. Upset but not wanting to give up on helping, or go back to being caged in Arthur's house, Madeline managed to locate another hospital run by a Jamaican woman named Mary Seacole. Mary did not turn Madeline down, too in need of nurses to do so. Working in the hospital she was able to help the soldiers and learn more about medicine and how it is done. Mary seemed to notice something wasn't quite right with Madeline as the war progressed, her not aging was not missed it seemed. But Mary didn't say anything until the war began to come to an end. It was then she came up to her and asked her what she planned to do when they were no longer needed to run the hospital.
"Me? Well..." Madeline looks at her lap sadly. "I suppose I'll go back to London."
Mary looked her over and caught the sad look to her at the prospect of returning to London.
"You do not want to return to London?"
"No, its not that. I just, I miss my brothers."
"Brothers? Wouldn't they be in London?"
"No, they're in Washington and York. My family's a bit spread out."
"I see, well why don't you go back and visit them when all of this is over?"
Madeline blinks at the suggestion, "Well... I don't know. I, I suppose there isn't anything stopping me from doing so." And the more she thought about the more she realized it was true. Arthur wasn't here and he couldn't stop her from going to visit her brothers. With a newfound sense of joy Madeline made plans to go to Canada and visit with Matthew and then go to stay with Alfred, knowing if she stayed with Matthew Arthur would be able to take her away again.
She wrote a series of letters to Arthur and asked Mary to send them at intervals to Arthur to buy herself time. She knew that if she just left that Arthur would figure something was wrong very quickly and would be able to catch her before she reached York. Mary agreed to help with the ruse and dutifully sent the letters to Arthur.
After boarding a ship to Canada, Madeline found herself overly eager and very excitable. It took nearly a month to reach the Canadian shore followed by a few days travel to get to York. Once she arrived she sought out Matthew's house and eagerly knocked on the door. It was then she remembered how Arthur had left someone to watch Matthew and make sure he behaved. SHe worried her lip as the door was opened to reveal Matthew. He had grown since she last saw him and now looked about 15 and was nearly a foot taller than her, just as Alfred had been at that age. The two siblings just stared at one another for a few long moments before Matthew acted and had her wrapped tightly in his arms.
"Madeline!"
His voice was excited but breathy and quiet. Madeline returned the hug and soon found herself comforting her brother as he refused to let go of her.
"How?"
"I found a way to escape. Arthur is going to catch on soon though so I can't stay for long."
"You're going back to him?"
"No, I was thinking I would head south and stay with Alfred."
Matthew sighs in relief, not having realised he'd tensed up until she explained her plan.
"I'm glad. Arthur hasn't hurt you at all has he?"
Madeline shakes her head. "No, but I think he felt we were more trusting, at least he was. And I have to admit I almost didn't take advantage of his trust."
At Matthew's inquisitive look Madeline motioned they should go in and sit down.
"Where is Arthur's watcher?"
"He's out with his family right now. What happened Madeline?"
"I've been studying, I haven't had much else to do since he locked me up in his house. I found I really enjoy medicine and I wanted to help him with the war he's been fighting with Russia. I managed to convince him to let me serve as a nurse, I just wanted to get out for a bit really, but Mary, the head nurse at the hospital I worked at, asked me why I wanted to go back to London. I told her the truth, that I didn't want to but that I was expected to. She then asked me what was making me go back, I couldn't answer. Arthur was off somewhere working to end the war in his favor, there was nothing stopping me from running away. With Mary's help I managed to buy myself enough time to get here and spend a few weeks with you, that is if I calculated everything correctly."
Matthew smiles and hugs her again. "We can get you a room in a hotel or something nearby. If the General sees you, you'll never get away."
After that the two siblings began to chat and catch up. Matthew told Madeline about the changes happening to the south in America and how political tensions there were causing Alfred problems with his health. This just cemented Madeline's decision to go stay with her other brother. The next few days were spent with the two of them sneaking time together behind the general's back. Then one day Matthew came rushing to Madeline's hotel room late at night. He startled Madeline when he told her to get dressed.
"Matthew?"
"Arthur's here. He seems very upset and he's screaming about you and how he's looking for you. I managed to sneak out and I got you a horse." As he spoke Madeline had dressed while he packed her bag. They then hurried out of the room and into the dark street. Matthew helped her to get onto the tall horse, it was sleek and looked to have been bred for speed rather than power.
"I'll try to buy you some time. Thank you Madeline, for coming here first."
The two heard shouting down the street and turned to see soldiers making their way down the street with Arthur leading them.
"Go! Quickly! Don't look back!"
Matthew slapped the horse's rear sending it off into a gallop, Madeline kept her gaze forward and guided the horse through the streets and out into the surrounding country. After passing through several fields she came to a forest and ducked in. She set her direction to the south, knowing that she needed to get as far south as she could as quickly as she could. Early in her flight she had heard the sounds of pursuit but had used a few tricks to lose them and eventually she couldn't hear them at all over the sounds of her own horse's beating hooves. And despite the reason for her doing all of this she felt more free than she had since she first found her brothers. She loved them, they were so precious to her, but it was true that once they had come into her life she had had to take responsibility for them and care for them. And then the Europeans had found them and she was restricted even more. For the briefest of moments she debated whether to continue on to Washington and Alfred or if she should just go somewhere else, anywhere else. Then she remembered that Alfred needed her. He was tearing himself apart with rising political tensions and he needed her there to hold his hand and comfort him, to hold him together. So she stayed her course and found herself crossing into the Vermont, then into New York. It had taken her a week of nearly nonstop running to get that far, stopping only to eat, grateful that Matthew had packed some food for the journey, and to rest the horse.
When she reached boston she thought to get a room but found that she had no money. In the rush to leave York it had been overlooked by both herself and Matthew. Tired she continued on, knowing her only chance for rest would be to get to Washington. She ran out of food shortly after leaving Boston and the horse began to slow down, weary from the long journey with few true rests. It began to wear down on Madeline as well until one day as she was passing a farm in Virginia she simply passed out, falling from the horse to the ground. Someone must have seen her fall or noticed the horse skittering about her fallen body, for when she came to she was laying in a soft bed with a cool damp cloth on her forehead. Mumbling she made to sit up and found she was rather achy all over. It was then that a woman came in with a bowl, pitcher and cup.
"Ah, you're awake. We were beginning to worry about you since you've been sleeping so deeply since we found you yesterday." The woman sat the item's she was carrying down on the table at the bedside and moved to help Madeline sit up. "I've made you some thick broth to help you recover, we noticed it seemed you hadn't eaten a proper meal in quite a while. Best to start off on something light."
"Thank you." Madeline found her voice was rather scratchy as she accepted the cup, now filled with water, and sipped it carefully.
"It's no problem dear. We've put your horse in the barn, he seems to be in a similar state though I suppose it's easier to feed a horse while on the road than yourself."
"Yes, though I suppose I was pushing him a bit too harshly. Is he doing well?"
"Oh, deary yes. But if you don't mind my asking, where is it you are going?"
"I, I'm trying to get to my brother. He lives in Washington. I believe the address was sixteen hundred Pennsylvania. Our other brother was helping me to get away from our... guardian in York."
"In Canada?"
"Yes, he has some pull with the military and I've been trying to stay ahead of him, I left without a single coin."
"Oh you poor dear, was he really so bad, if he was your guardian I mean?"
"He separated us and wouldn't let us see each other. He drove Alfred away, which is why I am going to stay with him."
"You poor thing. Well you're nearly there a few more days. But do rest up. We wouldn't want you to pass out again like you did here."
"Yes, thank you again. I don't know how else to express my gratitude."
The woman smiles at Madeline and helps her to eat the broth. She stays at the farm, getting to know the other inhabitants, for a few days before deemed rested enough to leave. She thanks them for their hospitality before heading off in the direction they assured her she would find Washington. When she eventually made it to the capital city Madeline quickly found herself lost. Certainly the city was laid out with reason, a grid pattern, but she was looking for a specific street and could find no clues to its location. She had tried to ask people for directions but most brushed her off without a second glance due to her dirtied appearance. So she lead her horse through the busy streets searching out where she might find her brother.
Unfortunately for her she wasn't able to find the street by nightfall and once night came Madeline found herself without a place to stay, the farmers had given her food but hadn't had money to spare to give her for the last leg of her journey. So she found herself a somewhat hidden place to curl up for the night, it turned out to be an alley. When the morning came Madeline woke once more and found she had rolled into a pile of something that smelled foul. Frowning in disgust she tried to clean herself up as best she could before heading out into the streets.
By midday Madeline was happy to say that she had finally found Pennsylvania Avenue and was able to determine which way to travel to get to 1600. She reached the address and her jaw nearly dropped at the large white house that loomed in front of her. With a gulp she went up to the front door and and knocked. After a few minutes it was answered and the butler seemed to wrinkle his nose at Madeline and her appearance.
"May I help you?"
"Uh, yes, I'm looking for Alfred Jones. I was told he lives here."
The butler looks down his nose at the dirty girl standing on the front porch making her feel as small as a mouse. "I'm afraid Master Jones is busy and can not take guests at the moment. Perhaps you would do better finding an orphanage and getting yourself cleaned up." With a sniff the butler turns and closes the door in her face.
Madeline blinks at the closed door and finds her eyes stinging. She was so close to finding him and here she was being turned away at the door. Slowly she makes her way from the door and down to the street where she had left the horse tied up. As she is untying it a woman spots her and sees her silently crying.
"Is something wrong dear?"
"Ah, oh. Um, it's nothing." She wipes her tears only for more to replace them.
"Oh you poor thing, you can tell me what's wrong."
"I, well I was just trying to get into the house to see my brother."
"Your brother?"
"Yes, Alfred Jones. I was told he lives here."
"Alfred's sister? Oh dear, what's happened to you?"
Suddenly Madeline found herself being bundled into tight hug before the woman was pushing and prodding her toward the large house.
"I'm Virginia, but Alfred is always calling me Ginny."
Virginia lead Madeline into the house, chatting at her the whole while. When they passed the butler Madeline shrunk away while Virginia simply frowned at him and ushered her along. Eventually they reached a room, it was small but cozy.
"Let's try to get you cleaned up a bit and then I'll take you to your brother."
And so Virginia helped Madeline to clean up and gave her a fresh change of clothes. Once that was all done she led Madeline through the halls and they eventually reached a room with the door slightly ajar.
"Alfred, how are you feeling. Sorry I'm late getting back to you, but I ran into someone that was very eager to meet with you."
"Ah, hey Ginny. It's alright, you know me I was just resting."
Madeline doesn't wait any longer than that before she is running up to Alfred and embracing him.
"Alfred!"
"Madeline?"
"Oh Alfred, Alfred. When Matthew told me you were suffering..."
"Hey, hey, calm down Maddie. I'll be fine, just some political pains. I'm sure they'll fade."
"Oh such a sweet girl. Alfred you're lucky to have such a caring sister."
Alfred blushes as Virginia comments on his reunion with his sister. "Ah, well I haven't seen her in a long time." Just then he blinks and turns to Madeline. "Hey speaking of, how did you get away from Arthur?"
"Uh, well, I managed to talk him into letting me out and then, uh bolted for it."
"Maddie, Ginny knows about us, so how did you really get away?"
"I convinced him to let me work as a nurse in the war. It started coming to a an end and the woman running the hospital convinced me to not return to Arthur. He wasn't there watching me, it was like he trusted me to return. Alfred when he caught up to me in York he was so angry. I'm worried about Matthew."
Madeline curled into her brother and he held her tightly.
"I'll write him, let's hope he's able to write back."
"I know. Now, we're going to have to let you rest."
She leans forward and kisses him on the forehead. Alfred blushes but snuggles down into his before Madeline turns to leave with Virginia.
"Oh, you probably weren't able to bring much with you. Ginny, could you help her get some things, clothes and such."
"Of course Alfred. I'll even find her a room near yours."
He smiles at her as he lets his eyes shut and seems to slip into sleep. Madeline looks up at Virginia, she smiles at her and the two go out into the hallway and find a room just slightly down the hall, next to Alfred's. After that Virginia takes Madeline down to meet the president and his wife. They seemed happy to meet her and were happy to welcome her into the house.
After that meeting with the first family Madeline was able to settle in easily and took to tending to her brother as tensions rose between his north and south. Things seemed to have reached a stable point, even if precarious, when one Abraham Lincoln was elected as president. Shortly after Lincoln took office the Confederacy broke from the Union and a civil war began between the two factions.
At the start of all out war Madeline took it on herself to fully care for and tend to her brother while his body acted as if it was trying to rip itself in two. Madeline was growing more worried each day as Alfred became bedridden. A few months into the war led to an interesting visit from someone Madeline wasn't expecting.
"Privyet, Fredka."
Madeline glanced up from the book she was reading while sitting at Alfred's bedside to see a tall man with ashy blonde hair and purple eyes. He wore a pale pink, almost white, scarf over his clothes and seemed to be smiling at Alfred.
"Hmm?" ALfred had meanwhile cracked open an eye and was smiling at the visitor. "Ivan. You came to visit."
"Da. I would have also brought help for your north but my country is still recovering from the war in Crimea."
Madeline noticed his accent was thick and not from anywhere she was familiar with, though it did sound similar to some of the Ukrainians that had been brought to the hospital she worked at in the war.
"Oh, well I suppose that can't be helped. At least you came. Oh, right." ALfred struggles a bit to sit up and both Ivan and Madeline move to help him. "Ivan, I want you to meet my sister, Madeline. Madeline this is Ivan, he's the personification of Russia. I wish I could have introduced you sooner."
"Da, I am sorry for not visiting you sooner Fredka, rebuilding after the war has been taking up much of my time and resources." He seems to be studying Madeline as he says this. "It is very nice to meet you Madeline. I hope you do not find this rude, but which nation do you represent? A young one, da?"
Madeline tries to avoid Ivan's gaze at the question but Alfred just laughs slightly at the scene.
"Ivan she's my older sister and no one is really sure where her lands are, just that they are somewhere on the continent."
Madeline looks up at Alfred's explanation and her multihued eyes meet Ivan's purple. He seems intrigued by them but says nothing more on the subject. The three then move on to lighter topics and eventually Madeline excuses herself to go to bed. Ivan follows her into the hall seeing that alfred was tired as well and not wanting to strain him.
"So, you do not know where your lands are? That is very strange."
Madeline nods, "I wandered far from them before I found Alfred and Matthew."
"Hmm. I see. I wonder if you could represent the territories I own in the north, Russian America."
Madeline looked up at Ivan but neither denied nor confirmed his suspicion, leaving it hanging in the air between them before saying her good night and stepping into her room. The exchange left Ivan curious but unable to act on or do anything about the thought.
As the civil war raged on in America Ivan stayed to help Madeline with Alfred. She often found the two together and one time she walked in to see them holding hands and looking into one another's eyes with a care she hadn't expected. She had simply smiled softly at the scene and left them be. When the war finally ended and Alfred remained whole all three were happy for it. Five days after the war had ended Ivan was scheduled to sail home, his boat would leave in the late afternoon. With a bit of help, Alfred was able to come with Madeline to see him off.
"Travel safely Ivan."
"I will be sure to Fredka. Good luck with your reconstruction." He then smiled kindly at Madeline. "I will hope that you find your lands soon little one."
"Thank you Ivan. For everything."
"It was no trouble at all."
After Ivan boarded the boat and it began to sail away Madeline and Alfred turned to head back to the White House. The president would be at the theatre that night with his wife, they had invited the siblings along but both had turned them down saying that Alfred was in no condition to be at the theatre and see off Ivan in one day. Later that night word reached them of the President's assassination and Madeline comforted her brother at the loss of his leader, the one that had held him together through the toughest period of his young life.
A few years passed and Ivan made several more trips to America to visit with the siblings and he also hinted that he would like to sell Russian America to the United States. The secretary of state took up the task of negotiating for the purchase and eventually the treaty was signed, granting ownership of the lands to the United States which renamed it Alaska.
Hope everyone enjoyed this, if you want more of that steamy romance between Ivan and Alfred then go to my alternate posting site, yourfanfiction, since it is a bit steamier than this site allows. Please review, really please do cause it makes me sad that no one has so far.
