Chapter 10 [Twenty-five minutes later—Buckingham Palace]
A crowd of dignitaries and officials gathered in the main courtyard beneath the king's speaking dais. Varied press corps scrambled for a view of the revived hero. Others wanted to hear his acceptance speech. All wanted to report on the Captain for their papers back home and the international propaganda effort.
Knowing that the Nazis would want a shot at a gathering of this nature, the site had been locked down. Soldiers checked credentials. Others stood watch on rooftops surrounding the palace. Still more stood under the podium and constantly inspected the crowd for trouble.
Nothing was going to happen if they had anything to say about it….
Sitting in the second row, Senator Brandt checked his watch for the third time. Among others, he'd been elated at Steve's rescue from the icy grave. He'd visited his favorite soldier/propaganda piece in the hospital of course. Naturally he made a few calls to help get his man honored in this way.
Of course the question at the moment was would the Captain show up? He'd stiffed the brass before at a previous event. It was also known that he didn't care for such individual accolades. It was also known that he'd try to sneak off to another briefing or a mission rather than accept an award.
Brandt, while admiring that trait, knew that snubbing George VI wasn't in the interests of American diplomacy. Hence he'd made sure that Phillips and Agent Carter knew that and would get the Captain to where he was supposed to be.
An aide hustled over. He bent over and whispered, "They just arrived."
Brandt nodded in relief and offered a smile. This time, at least, all was in readiness…..
[Bathroom—Fifty yards away from the dais]
Steve looked anxiously in the mirror and inspected himself. After two months without it, the costume still felt right on his body—almost like a second skin. He admittedly admired Stark's clean up efforts on it and the shield. "Looks good but am I good enough for a king? I just did my job." He sighed and ran his hand through his blond locks.
Pain pounded at his temples. Sweat dampened his palms. Butterflies banged against the inside of his stomach.
He hated the spectacle. He just wanted to grab Peggy and head back to the front…
To his mission….
To get the war over that much sooner….
What the Hell was he doing there anyway?
Wish they'd just focus on kicking the Nazis back to Berlin and be done with it! Steve shook his head. He knew the Brass wanted their props. Even as he was being honored, he knew it was their show for their pride. Just remember you're accepting this for every GI out there, Steve. Suck it up. Remember Bucky. This is for him. This is for the Commandos. Think of all the guys who've died for their countries. He set his jaw and donned his helmet. Then he slid his hand and arm through the shield's straps.
At that moment, Peggy knocked and called, "It's time, Captain! Are you ready?"
Here we go! "Right. Thanks," he replied. He glanced once more in the mirror. "Showtime." He strode toward the door and pulled it open. "All set?"
"That's my question for you, Captain. It will be all right." She watched him expectantly. "You do look handsome." She pecked him quickly on the lips before stepping back into her usual role. "Just hold the line."
"Have to. It's for duty. Come on," he agreed as they headed for the dais.
Just hang in there, Steve. It'll be all right! She mused to herself as their footsteps echoed against the hard tile below…..
[Ten minutes later]
The crowd shivered in the brisk air and chill wind as they waited for the speakers to assemble on the balcony above. They definitely wished for some speeding up of the process…
…not to mention sticking it to Hitler and his Goosesteppers all the quicker….
They cheered when the first of the dignitaries, a gaunt man with snow white hair and bundled in a thick grey coat, stepped to the podium. "BRING ON CAPTAIN AMERICA! WE WANT TO SEE HIM!"
"Calm yourselves! Calm yourselves, Chaps! Thank you very much!" George Stenhouse cleared his throat. He'd given many a heartfelt speech in the Houses of Parliament for the previous half century. He'd dealt with those things in good times and bad….
…certainly for this occasion, he could do a lot too….
Stenhouse glanced toward his monarch and offered a bow of his head. "Before we press on, may I present His Majesty, the Ruling Monarch of the United Kingdom and British Empire, George VI? Please rise and bow."
As one, everyone below and on the balcony rose. The Brits bowed before their ruler. The others offered a tacit head nod in respect.
George VI surveyed the crowd. His eyes surveyed them firmly. His brow arched in regal strength and forbearance against the elements. Even if they were all cold and wanted indoors, they'd act with dignity and offer the world a show of the British Stiff Upper Lip. "Welcome. I appreciate you appearing before me on this day of singular importance! We have all given much to Duty! We should all be proud as we bear our scars! We remember as well those who have fallen before our enemy's guns. Those men and women faced the Greatest Sacrifice with distinction and honor. We remember you all today!"
The crowd cheered their sovereign's words loudly. Commoner and noble. Baron and pauper. Both stood hand in hand to cheer their heroes.
Bucky, you heard him! Cap glanced toward the sky. Same with you, Mom and Dad!
The king allowed the group their thirty seconds before resuming, "One such gallant knight pursued his duty without regard to himself. Time and time again, the man who we honor today had plunged head first into battle. He only thinks, I'm told, of others. Just six months ago, he prevented a holocaust across the Pond in his native land. He defeated the Red Skull and Hydra without regard for his own welfare. He did it for Duty. It is with great pride that I ask him to stand and be recognized. Captain America! I await you!"
After giving Peggy's hand a quick squeeze, Cap strode anxiously toward the host monarch. "Your Majesty. Thank you." He offered a respectful bow to the older man. "I only seek to do my duty for you and the other Allies. I seek to make my country proud."
"And you do that every day, Captain. Go forth in battle and be proud. Serve us well as always. I thank you for your sacrifice to down the Valkyrie before she could strike a crippling blow against us. While you are not a British citizen, it is my privilege to award you our Defence medal for your airborne effort. Speaking on behalf of your President Roosevelt and myself, you have the thanks of a grateful people," George continued solemnly. "I would knight you but your country forbids it. Unfortunate indeed because it would be a richly earned honor. King Arthur himself would wish for such knights as you, Captain. Thank you. You may rise."
The crowd broke into applause.
"You hear them, Captain?" George could see the hesitation in Cap's blue eyes. "You should give yourself some credit before charging back in. Meantime I have something for you." He accepted a blue velvet case from Stenhouse. He opened it to reveal an ornate medal on a fine silk ribbon. "You are the first non-British citizen to receive our Defence Award. May you wear it with distinction." He raised it in the air to let the throng see the prize. "Please kneel again, Captain."
Peggy's eyes glistened in spite of herself. Her heart brimmed over with pride for her beloved. How far he'd come since that boot camp experience. Yet she'd seen that special spark then…and so had Erskine. Now she watched as her monarch recognized that special quality as well.
George hung the award around the recipient's neck and stepped back. "It suits you well, Captain. I believe your Senator Brandt has something for you as well." He turned to the American senator. "Please make your presentation."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Brandt expressed as he strode forward to the microphone. "Everyone, thank you for coming. We honor one of our greatest assets…our greatest hero…."
Steve squirmed with embarrassment at that comment. I'm not the greatest! Will he please stop?
"Just last fall, he prevented a Hydra death plan from striking out at America's greatest cities. We might have been dealt a crippling blow. Fortunately Captain America prevented that from happening. We nearly lost him to the Arctic ice. Thanks in part to Howard Stark's ingenuity and our combined Allied resources, we got the Captain back. As the king has said, Captain Rogers, you have the thanks of many people today and our gratitude. President Roosevelt has personally invited you to the White House when the war is over and our duty done," Brandt continued. He accepted a brown leather case from his assistant before snapping it open to reveal a glistening silver medal on a red, white and blue ribbon. "With President Roosevelt's deepest gratitude and on behalf of him, Congress and a grateful nation, I present you with the Congressional Medal of Honor for your valiant pursuit of duty and honor. May your service bring a faster end to the conflict ahead."
"God willing," Steve muttered to himself. He stood and stepped forward. "I accept this on behalf of my fellow GIs and allied troops everywhere. May we all serve so."
"I couldn't have said it better, Captain. May I?" Brandt hung the award around Cap's neck so that its medal shone next to its British counterpart in the overcast light. "Congratulations!"
The two men shook hands as the camera flash bulbs strobed the exchange into the history books. Their accord sealed the past event as one of duty and as an example to others following later.
For Steve, that was all one could hope for. The awards may have chafed him but he knew that others would be inspired in such ways….And that is what he could hope for….
Hope for indeed…..