Chapter 7

"Please. Have a seat." Ivan smiled gesturing to the group. Cautiously Behr watched Ivan as Tino and Lükas found themselves chairs. "Oh you have a bear with you. I like bears." He watched the Swede move away closer to the Finn and chuckled, putting the hot poker aside. "Can I offer you anything? To eat or drink perhaps?"

"Er we-" Tino began.

"You are starving adventurers after all! The least I can do is offer you sanctuary and give you food!" He clapped his hands together soundly. "My kitchen is preparing my meal this evening, we shall have a feast in your honor!"

"I-It really isn't necessary!" Tino gasped.

"I think different! You saved one of mine when he was in need. Without my loyal subjects I would be in big, very big trouble!" He smiled wider at them in a cheery manner looking about at the faces perking some at the mage in the last chair. "Ah Lükas Bondevik, it has been a while!" Tino and Behr looked back at their friend watching him compose himself quite elegantly not showing a thing he felt inside. Almost like royalty.

"It has. Greetings to you my Lord."

"Polite as always!" Ivan beamed. "How are you these days?"

"Very well thank you." The Norwegian nodded his head politely.

"You must tell me! I hear of invasion in Sweden, is it true?"

"It is."

"And Norway?" Lükas nodded solemnly still hiding everything inside. "Then it is just as I had feared. My subjects told me of these men and their weapons. It is why I have taken refuge in the north western parts of my land to better spy on them."

"Spy sir?" Tino peeped.

"Yes. Ravis and Toris are my spies! They see and tell me everything I need to know if we are to defend ourselves against danger such as these men impose."

"I-I had no idea… They were so…"

"Unassuming yes." Ivan smiled at Tino, eyes caught on him a second longer than they should have. Behr frowned up at the Russian. "And you are Tino." It was more of a statement to remind himself than a question but Tino answered regardless.

"Yes." He smiled nervously.

"You have the trademark deep violet eyes of a true Finn." He offered the compliment with a silver tongue making said Finn blush.

"A-Ah I hear Icelandics have violet eyes as well." He smiled trying to fight the color away from his face.

"Is true but not like the Finnish." Ivan reached for Tino's hand making him tense lightly. What happened next made Behr bristle and lurch forward the slightest. Tino gasped as his hand was brought to the Lord Ivan's lips, watching him kiss his skin. Cold was the kiss but something charming about it. "The Finnish have the deep blue and purple. Beautiful to look at."

"Sir please I'm just a pauper." Tino muttered nervously looking away.

"It makes no matter Tino, beauty comes in many shapes and forms." Though for Tino's sake of modesty, he pulled away with a smile tucking his arms behind his back. "You all must be exhausted. I have rooms prepared for you to stay in for tonight. Please relax, I'll send for Ravis to lead you to your rooms. Enjoy my home." He clapped gloved hands together clasping them joyfully with a cheery smile.

All Tino could think of was Lükas was right. Ivan Braginsky was an eccentric man. He paced about the room he was given, looking around at all of what it had to offer. There was no warmth or touches to it that made it look lived in. It was cold and dark save for what light the candles offered. Even with a window in the room curtained off.

"Stop doing that." Behr scolded. "You'll wear a hole in the floor."

"I can't help it." Tino hugged himself. "I'm just so nervous."

"You're always nervous."

"Am not." He huffed down at the bear with a frowning pout. "Lükas was right, Ivan is a strange man."

"And now you know why I don't trust Baltics."

"It's so unfair to Ravis and Toris though, they're so nice." Tino spun around to face him.

"Nicely in servitude to Russia's ruler. Look Tino, nothing against them. I'm sure they are nice people, but I don't trust Ivan. Everything that man and his family have stood for has always rubbed me the wrong way. The rumors don't make it better either."

"Rumors?" Tino immediately stopped pacing, moving over to sit down at the edge of the bed.

"First off, you know the balance of the three kingdoms in Scandinavia right? In times of trouble Norway is the magic, Sweden the defense and Denmark the strength. Norway is known for its magic users, it's a kingdom of healers and such. Its court is close in contact with the fae. Sweden has been a stronghold and has offered its defenses and weaponry to all of Scandinavia. And Denmark has had very strong warriors mostly in part to a very successful king. It's a balance that has lasted centuries and is respected by every living thing."

"Yeah I know…but what about the rumors of Lord Braginsky? How does he fit in?"

"…that the family has ties to the court of the dark fae, perhaps even worse." Behr muttered.

"Worse? What could be worse?" Tino furrowed his brow, somewhat worried.

"That the first Braginsky sold his soul and his family name to Hell. Dark magic Tino. Not even such a thing is discussed in Norway."

"Great, scare me why don't you?" Tino frowned at him hugging himself.

"You asked. Don't blame me." He looked around the room and sighed. "Best get a nap in before dinner. I could use a good meal. That is if it hasn't been poisoned."

"Behr." The Finn still huffed but nodded but then frowned in confusion. "…Behr?"

"Hm?" He curled up on the floor shivering at the cold stone.

"Has it always just…been the three? The three kingdoms?"

"..Hm…no in ancient times there were more. I can't remember though."

Tino sighed and crawled over on his bed shivering at the cold fabrics. Cold cold cold everything was cold! Peeling back the covers he slid under them in attempt to try to warm himself up. "Then…what of Finland?"

"Finland?" Behr perked his head up.

"Yes…"

"…yes it was a kingdom long ago. Rest Tino, we'll talk later. Keep your strength up." It was easy for the bear, but Tino had some sleep shortly before arriving at the castle. He wasn't so sleepy anymore. The covers were tucked up around his shoulders as he looked to the window. It seemed like sleeping was all he was doing nowadays. It took some work but he closed his eyes, willing himself to fall asleep.

"Hello?" The knock came to the door making Tino gasp and jump straight up. The candle that lit up the room had long gone out. Looking out the window he could see that a great portion of the day had gone as well.

"Gosh…" He whispered rubbing his head. "Er um, be right there!" Calling out, Tino grumbled pushing the now warm covers off of his body. "Behr? Behr…" He called out looking around on the floor sighing when it was obvious he was the only one in the room. "Yes?" He came to the door blinking to see Toris there with a mild smile. "O-Oh hello Toris."

"Good evening to you. Did you sleep well?"

"I er, well that is.." Tino looked behind him at the messy state of the bed before looking back at Toris laughing nervously. "Yes I did. I'll clean up my mess though!"

"It's no bother, I'll clean it up later. Here, this is for you." The Lithuanian urged the load in his arms to the Finn. Clothes. Very nice looking clothes too.

"For me? Whatever for?"

"The banquet. In your honor." Toris smiled. "It will be ready shortly." Oh that's right…the feast that Lord Braginsky had mentioned. "This is your attire."

"Oh I see." He took the clothes smiling at them awkwardly then smiled at Toris who just stood there. "Um…"

"What is the matter?"

"I think…I need a bath." Tino laughed. "It's been a few days and…" He turned his head to look down at his own dingy clothes not taking a chance on smelling them.

"How thoughtless of me!" Toris gasped. "Come!" He grabbed a hold of the younger urging him off out of the room into a room adjacent across the hallway. There was a lot of rushing around on the green eyed male's part. He would run out the room returning moments later with buckets of hot water pouring into the empty tub. Many times Tino had offered but Toris had declined so he stood back in awkward silence as Toris eventually had the cold unused bathroom looking like new. Warm, steamy and alight with candles and lamps. Off to the side Tino stood breathing in warm herbal scents.

"Mmm…"

"The bath is ready for you sir Tino."

"O-Oh oh okay." Tino smiled but looked around at the room again looking a bit lost.

"The privacy screen is right over there." Toris pointed.

"Uh…"

Laughing softly Toris reached over and pulled out the folded room divider placing it into an arc near the tub. "Here you are. Just change behind the screen."

"Ohh I see now!" Tino smiled nervously hopping over to the screen. "I didn't recognize it!" I never would have recognized it in a million years, he thought pathetically. Sliding behind the screen he shrugged his old clothes off hanging them on the top of the screen tip toeing on the cold stone floor to slide into the hot bath sighing in pleasure.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Um no I'm fine. Thank you."

"Very well, I will check on you shortly." Toris smiled and left the bathroom quietly leaving Tino by his lonesome.

"Ahh…a bath…" Tino sighed happily just soaking in the pleasant water before he turned to look at his choice of bathoils to use. He reached over to the bottles to uncork and sniff them. Very weird scents. Tino searched the lot of them before deciding on a certain one scrubbing his skin and washing his hair. "Much better!" He smiled stepping out of the bath. After drying off he held up the new articles of clothing holding them up to himself. Well new clothes were better than no clothes. It didn't take too long to slip them on, at least he hoped he put them on right.

"Finished?" Toris popped his head in.

"Eeh!" The blond gasped in surprise.

"Oh so sorry!" Toris flinched back with a mild gasp.

"No no you just startled me!" Tino smiled waving his hands. "Um, how do I look?" He held his arms around, the aristocratic drape of the thick cape adorning Tino's back fell to the floor, the buttons were crooked, and the sleeves and collar were turned inside out.

"Here…let me make a few adjustments." The brunet smiled understandingly. Ah he knew he had it wrong. Toris circled around him straightening up the outfit for him. Straightening the cloth, drawing up the cloak in a distinguished way so it didn't drag the floor and turning the collar in the right way. "Oh dear I forgot your gloves…what did I do with those…" He muttered to himself patting his pockets down, eyes widening sharply with a smile. "Ah here they are." He pulled out a set of white gloves hands them over to the other boy.

"These look expense…"

"Everyone's evening wear is of the finest selection hand crafted by Russia's best tailor."

"Oh gosh I couldn't! These clothes are worth more than me! The gloves are worth more than me!"

"Lord Braginsky has so ordered." Toris tipped his head down in a bow. "The feast has begun. Allow me to guide you to the banquet hall."

"…V-Very well…" The blond Finn murmured looking down at his hands, gingerly putting the fine white leather gloves on. Snug and just right.

"This way if you will." Toris waved to Tino picking up the lone candle he left sitting on the sink of the bathroom disappearing around the corner. As for Tino, he turned to look into the full body mirror looking back at himself, well, that wasn't him. It was some pretense. His violet eyes looked down at the buttons, the draping thick cloak, the fine pants and boots that he was given. He almost looked like royalty. Giving a meek, wry smile at his reflection he turned away the boots clipping on the stone as he went after Toris.

"Sir Tino has arrived." Toris smiled nervously, sliding out of the way as Tino entered the great hall. Oh gosh it was lovely, just the biggest table with so much food. More than he's ever seen in one place before! Lükas looked over conveying as much surprise as his emotions would allow, his dull blue eyes widening. Both Ivan and Behr turned their heads, jaws dropping, Ivan recovering quicker.

"Mister Tino! You look marvelous!" He declared loudly and stood, making his way over to Tino eagerly holding out his hands to him. "Allow me to seat you!"

"I-I guess…" Tino uttered letting the Russian man take his hands familiarly. At once Behr's hair stood on end, growling to himself. "Sir there was no need in preparing so much food. I-I'm not even that hungry." He laughed a little.

"So endearing you are Tino. A diamond in the rough." Ivan pat his hand smiling. "In all seriousness though, eat! Eat what you can!"

For the sake of keeping up inconspicuous appearances, Behr remained on the ground but was luckily being fed the food and not scraps from everyone else's plates. Everyone was eating now, everyone but Tino. He looked around to see Ivan eating heartily, Lükas taking his time tasting the meal and Behr disliking being on the floor but at least there was a plate there. Oh how he hated eating off of the floor, he smiled to himself when the Lord looked up from his meal.

"Why are you not eating?"

"A-Ah sorry just um, looking at all the food to see what all I want." The Finn laughed nervously, looking out over the table. Most of the food he had no idea what it was but he'd try it anyway. He reached to take something but faltered frowning softly. Oh what if he ruined these nice clothes? Or these gloves?...

"Ah I understand now. Toris! Come! You serve mister Tino his meal!"

"N-No! I'm capable!" Tino gasped.

"I insist!" Ivan clapped his hands twice calling for the Lithuanian. "Toris, you will wait on Mister Tino is that understood?"

"Yes my Lord." Toris murmured bowing his head looking to Tino reaching for his plate. "What would you like sir Tino?"

"You don't have to…" Tino whispered but looked at the plate in the Baltic man's grasp. He was shaking… "I…j-just a little bit of that…and….um whatever you suggest." He smiled up at other in turn helping him to smile a little. When the food was graciously loaded up Tino began taking off his gloves.

"Mister Tino?"

"Er yes?" He blinked looking up like a thief caught in a spotlight, pausing in taking off his gloves.

"What are you doing?" Ivan pouted tipping his head some to the side.

"Um it's just I'd hate to dirty these gloves." He chuckled nervously. "They just look so expensive."

"I assure you I have many more!"

"If you insist…" And at last he began to eat. He had to admit, it was the best food he's had in a while. His parents would have thought they've died and gone to Valhalla if they saw all this food. It seemed that Lükas had finally had his fill, Behr and Tino following suit with Ivan finishing up behind them. It was almost astonishing…all of that food, how did the Russian put it all away? Tino wiped his mouth when something caught his eye. "Lord Braginsky?" He murmured eyes scaling a tall wall.

"Yes mister Tino?" He smiled cheerily at the younger male.

"I was just wondering. What is that?" That meaning a rather large tapestry hanging on the wall of the dining hall that he gestured to. A very large one. It towered over them reaching almost as high as the ceiling. He never noticed it before for how dark and gray everything was.

"Oh that? That w as a gift to my father." Ivan dotted his mouth with his napkin turning to look with Behr and Lükas following suit. "It is the only one in the world and it remains here." He declared proudly, eyes looking a little lost but yet a little eager. "Do you know what it is of?"

From what Tino could see, it appeared to be…a woman. Standing on a balcony of a castle looking over the ocean. He shook his head but looked at Lükas who looked sad gazing at it, even Behr. "Who is it?"

"Sofia von Ammondt. Queen of the Finns." Ivan looked up at her in wonder.

"The Finnish queen?" Tino gasped looking back up at the tapestry. "What happened?"

"Dear Tino you surprise me!" Braginsky gaped at the young Finn truly looked shocked. "Your legacy is Finnish and you know not of what happened to your queen?"

"I-well I! Um…that is…I-I've been sheltered a lot and…I-I haven't heard…I mean I heard tales but…no one speaks of that…or that I heard of…as long as I've known we've never had a kingdom…"

"Let me put your suspicions to rest mister Tino." Ivan smiled, pushing himself away from the table to stand up. His arms tucked themselves behind his back as he paced in front of the tapestry turning to look up at it. "A good few years ago, a young Sofia married a rich man, the only son to the king of Finland. It was then she descended to the throne. Everyone loved her. She was kind, fair, and very loving. Sofia had the qualities every king desired. Even my father."

"Your father?" Tino's eyes widened.

"Yes. He had lost mother early on in my childhood and he was very lonely. He tried to take her by force but with the combined forces of her and her king's love they were unstoppable. They crushed him, and pushed his army back to the outer reaches of Scandinavia, decimating him. Of course, that meant I was banished as well. To the cold." Ivan frowned softly, something indiscernible in his eyes. He quickly recovered smiling pleasantly to his guests. "But soon after news of a baby swept the country! The forces lead by my father were rising once again and many countries Sofia had helped to colonize and prosper, Baltic land, were falling and burning. So Sofia said goodbye to her king as he led many of his best troops into battle. And she waited…"

Tino's eyes were wide, curiosity was making him tremble. Hungrily he wanted to know what happened. What happened to Queen Sofia?

Lükas hung his head. Must this really be discussed now? He dared not speak it aloud but every time the story was retold it made a little something inside of himself die. Behr was fairing no better, he growled and dug his claws into the floor in attempt to bite his tongue.

"He never returned." Tino's heart fell. "She was alone, soon to bear a baby with no father. And to make it worse, the evil forces descended into Finland ravaging the land. It was bleak but then the Lord gave Sofia a message.

'If your child is born a woman. I will let you go. Your child will be free to wed with the kingdom across the water. If your child is born a man. You will become mine. For all the kings and queens of our world have birthed princes to descend to their thrones nay princesses. If you cannot produce a princess to join in matrimony with their princes then you and I shall rule this land together.'

The Lord Braginsky backed away from her land giving her a taste of peace once more but only until the appointed time. She knew her hands were tied and all she could do was wait until the night had come. The night of her child's birth. You could only imagine how she had felt…"

"What?! What happened?!"

Lükas sighed wringing his hands but let Ivan continue on with his story.

"Queen Sofia had a little girl in her hands. Oh how she had wept! Nobles from miles around came to see her princess! The king of Sweden offered his prince's hand for Sophia's sake and she accepted. The night she set sail to meet with Sweden's rulers, a terrible storm rippled across the oceans and her ship was lost. Thus ended the line of Finnish royalty.

Great tears welled up in Tino's eyes. "That's it?...That's how it ends?"

"Well many long years after that Sweden beat back Russia's forces and claimed most of Finland today. And not long after that my father died leaving me to rule in his stead. I prefer the peaceful route. Many still think ill of my country for what my father has done. I cannot beseech them, he was a demon of a man I do agree. You can understand can't you dear Tino?" Ivan frowned softly reaching for his hand tenderly kissing it.

"I-I…" He blushed before looking back up at the tapestry of the beautiful woman. "I just never knew."

"Come. I would never let a thing happen ever again." He whispered pulling the Finn against his chest stroking his hair.

Behind them Behr seethed, claws ripping at the carpet digging down into the stone.

"Your eyes are so lovely. So purple." He whispered leaning in closer and closer, Tino frozen in shock.

"I believe we have finished with our meals." Lükas spoke up running a hand loosely through his hair. In recognition Ivan pulled back to look at the mage, in turn allowing Tino to take in a deep breath of relief. "I hope you don't mind my Lord. I do wish to look around the premises, relax as much as one can."

"Of course! Make yourselves comfortable! My home is your home!" He let go of the little blond but smiled back at him stroking his hair. "Just don't be going too far, yes? There are many dangers even around my home."

Tino watched the Russian's retreating back as he vanished down a dark corridor on the other side of the room. Behind him he heard the clatter of dishes and such being gathered for cleaning but for the life of him he couldn't bring himself to look away from the tapestry. Lükas stood behind him quietly, his eyes joining Tino's gazing up.

"To be honest." He began quietly making Tino jump. "There are many stories and alternate versions, but the Lord has told the most accurate one in account."

"Is she really dead?" Tino mumbled, looking away back at the Norwegian.

"I'm afraid she is." Lükas sighed squeezing his staff. "She really was as the Lord Braginsky stated. Very beautiful, and very kind. A great deal of people loved her, not just in Finland but in Sweden and Norway as well."

"You knew her?" Tino's head spun in shock staring at his friend.

"I did. I was a child then but I met her. She captured many hearts and was plenty powerful on her own, but she was gentle. People from all over Scandinavia flocked to Finland to hear her advice or just hear her voice…" He chuckled wryly tipping his head to the side. "There is also one count…I dare not think I should speak it aloud."

"Tell me?" The purple eyed Finn tugged meekly on Lükas' robes.

Lükas looked back at Behr before saying anything else. "Before the Queen was wed to the Prince of Finland, she loved another." He turned and began walking out one way that lead to the garden, Tino following closely while Behr made up the rear. "Before she married, she was in love with the King of Sweden. And he the same."

"The…King?"

"Their union wasn't to be blessed and Queen Sofia's parents arranged the marriage to the Finnish Prince. She was heartbroken but she came to love her King just the same."

"He was heartbroken though." Behr's voice came up behind him, somber. He hung his head walking along beside them. "Even after marrying his own Queen he still thought much of Queen Sofia and so did Prince Berwald." Tino rubbed Behr's fur tenderly wanting to just hug him.

"You think so much of the Swedish nobles Behr."

"Sweden is my home." He uttered, like it explained everything.

"Tino, even the animals and spirits of the land love their rulers if they are worthy. Behr finds the Swedish line very worthy of their titles. He is close in spirit with them, and loves them very much."

"I'm so sorry Behr…you must be so worried for the prince." Tino cooed rubbing over his ears, a spot he found was sensitive for the bear making him groan ever so softly and lean in.

"I am." He sighed.

"Tino, Behr, I'm going to look around the castle grounds. I'm sensing something in the air and I want to investigate." Lükas looked up at the sky, blue eyes looking around cautiously. "In the meantime I suggest you stay together and not to wander too far from the castle or each other."

"Oh…okay…" Tino watched the mage's back as he walked down into the outer gardens, his cloak billowing. "I wonder what it is he's sensing…" The Finn frowned softly.

"It can't be anything good. Stick close Tino, remember we're in Russia. And now you know why I don't like it here." Behr gave the boy a look nudging his leg to keep him alert.

"Yes…" His eyes grew cloudy and distant as he remembered the tale that was just shared. Poor Queen Sofia…she almost made it. Tino's eyes searched out for the horizon where the sun was setting behind dark purple and orange clouds. A sigh left his lips, misty air puffing up into the sky.

Author's Notes:

I recently got inspiration to finish this chapter and hopefully I can get more to finish my other stories hanging in the balance lol. My newest fic Rock n' Roll Dreams has the lesser pool of inspiration but it's coming along swimmingly. If you like DenmarkNorway AUs you might like it~