The New Title

Hobson was ogling the pile of gold that was sat before him. It looked like he wanted to jump in it and spend his entire day rolling around in the massive hill that Milena and Ben had created, like a pig in mud. Walter, on the other hand, took one look at it and returned to the war room where the Queen was stood waiting.

"You might want to get a mop," the knight said, "He's beginning to drawl."

She rolled her eyes, "I swear that he's been dreaming about the day when he could swim in gold."

"It wouldn't surprise me," Walter chuckled, "Though I have to say it's quite an impressive find. Briar Rose's hidden treasure!"

She grinned, "And I never would have found it had it not been for mother's stories and Ben's less conspicuous time in Brightwall."

"Speaking of that captain of yours, where is he?" the old man asked, looking around, "I haven't seen him since you arrived."

Milena's grin grew wider, "He's probably trying out his gift."

Walter's eyebrow rose, but he didn't ask what it was, returning instead to the sheets of paper that were littering the table next to them. Avo, how she hated paperwork! "Well, I've made all of the preparations, just as you've asked. It should all be ready by tomorrow morning."

"Good," she replied, skimming over the details on the papers.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mentor shift uncomfortably, a frown playing across his face, "Um, Milena?"

She didn't take her eyes away from the table, "Hmm?"

"Have you told him yet?"

Looking up, she blinked. "No, not yet. I was planning on doing it straight after this."

Squinting his eyes at her briefly, but turned back to the task at hand, "Well, what you brought in from your adventures over the past few days has helped us raise another four million gold! That should keep us in the black for a while."

Milena nodded, "But it's still not enough."

He shook his head, "No. And if you're planning on keeping all of those promises you've made, I would suggest you continue to work, otherwise we'll never make it."

"I thought as much." Sighing, she pinched her nose, "It was never going to be that simple, was it."

"I'm afraid not," Walter replied, putting a hand on her shoulder, "But at least we're out of the danger zone."

They stood there in silence for a few moments, but then Milena suddenly felt Walter tap her.

"And thus concludes today's discussion," he smiled, "Now, I do believe you have something to tell a certain someone."

Laughing, Milena thanked him and took her leave, heading out into the corridors, many of the servants and guards bowing to her as she passed them. She hated it when they did that, but it was one of those traditions that were far too old and ingrained into society to break.

Eventually, she found the man she was looking for sat at a table in the servant's dining room… which was almost impossible to get to through the swarms of swooning maids stood gossiping next to the doors who quickly excused themselves when they noticed who she was.

"I swear, every time you come here, I lose half of my staff!" she exclaimed, causing the blond haired man to look up from the item that had been holding his attention on the table.

Ben grinned, "I'm sorry, love, but I can't help being so roguishly handsome."

Returning his smirk, she sat down opposite him and looked down at the table where his gift lay. "I see you've been examining your new toy then."

"Pft, toy?" he replied, picking it up, "This is no toy! My flintlock is a toy! This – this is a piece of artwork!" He stroked the barrel of the pistol, pulling the hammer back slowly, savouring the sound of the mechanism, "I didn't know there were any more of these in existence."

"There were six made, Ben," Milena said, "Reaver has five, for which he constantly boasts, but my mother was able to find the last one before he did. And since I don't use pistols…" she left it hanging.

Ben shook his head in disbelief. "I can't take this."

"What?" she asked, "Why not?"

"It was your mothers. She gave it to you so-"

"Actually, she never used it," Milena explained, "She found it, told me stories about it, and told me that if there ever were a person worthy enough to wield it, they should have it. Unless you've been lying all this time, and whenever I've watched you it's only been a fluke that you've never missed, I would say you were worthy."

Smirking, he looked at her, "Well, like I said, I have shot through three hollow men with one shot before."

"Exactly."

He continued to stare at her as he leaned in closer, "I have the overwhelming urge to kiss you right now," he murmured so that his 'fan club' that was undoubtedly hiding just around the corner wouldn't overhear.

She started to lean in as well, "Then why don't you? You did it before."

Ben snorted, "But nobody was there then. I don't want to ruin your reputation. I mean, the Queen of Albion kissing a mere captain?"

"Well I doubt you'll have to worry about that much after you're promoted tomorrow."

He blinked, "Sorry?"

Milena smiled innocently, "Oh yes! That was why I came down here! Walter has been receiving letters complaining about the state of the chain in command in a certain faction of the army, and there have been several recommendations for a new Maj-"

Suddenly, the distance between them had disappeared, and their lips collided.

Fireworks exploded in her mouth, just as they had before, and she could feel her whole body sighing. She felt her eyelids droop and there was nothing but his lips.

And then, it was over. Only it wasn't. Her mouth was numb from the experience, and she could feel his breath on her face. Opening her eyes, Milena found him less than an inch away from her, smiling contentedly. She had no doubt that she wore a similar expression.

"Think the maids got that," he asked, "or do they need another showing?"

Ben was fairly sure that the news of his 'latest conquest' had already reached the edges of Bowerstone. Of course, there was no way of really knowing unless he was out there, but he was stuck in the castle grounds until after his promotion.

Unlike Swifty (don't…), he was privy to the entire official ceremony, which, luckily, did not involve dances, long speeches or parties of any sort. Well… apart from the one his men were sure to throw for him as soon as he got back to them.

After Milena had said goodbye, and by said… he had gone in search of someone who knew what exactly he would be doing, not wanting to distract the Queen from her duties any longer than he already had. That was about the time when he'd run into Walter.

The knight had gone through the stages very carefully, making sure he repeated them back to him, just to make sure that he was listening, which had become extremely difficult over the drumming of his heart in his ears, but he managed. Barely.

He was surprised at how little he had to say though.

For the rest of the day, he had decided to go to sleep in the room that had been provided for him, which had thick enough curtains to keep most of the sunlight out. After asking one of the servants to wake him before night fell, he slipped his shoes of and settled on the bed, though it was at least an hour before he was able to get any sleep.

It had now been around twelve hours since waking, and he was stood pacing in front of the doors leading to the throne room.

He'd gone over the plan about a hundred times in his head, hoping he'd be able to remember it all.

But what if he forgot what to say? What if his men hated him? Would he ever be able to replace Swifty?

A knock came from the door, the signal that they were about to be opened, and the servants in the area backed away.

Straightening his jacket and running his fingers through his hair one final time, he stood to attention, just as the door started to open.

The room wasn't full, but there were still a good thirty people there. Milena sat in the place of honour, looking a little uncomfortable in the dress she was wearing, Walter stood just to the left, and Logan to the right. Ben recognised a good few of the men from Mourningwood Fort, and a few others from the army camp he'd been stationed in. There were a few men he recognised nearer to the front than the rest, the stripes on their jackets showing their ranks. Lieutenants, Captains and Majors; he'd met a few of them at the meetings, but he was too nervous to remember names.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he bowed, though not so low as to let Milena out of his sight.

If she noticed this, she didn't show it, standing and keeping her attention solely on him.

"Captain Benjamin Finn of the Swift Brigade in Albion's imperial army," she began, her voice filling the room, "It has come to our attention that you lack a commanding officer in the field."

Logan had the good grace to look uncomfortable, fully aware that most of the room was probably looking at him.

"It has also come to our attention that you have many, if not all, of the qualities necessary to fulfil this role," She turned to Walter who produced a square piece of folded fabric and handed it to her, "Therefore, I have the honour of presenting you with your correct uniform, as Major. May you serve this country well."

As she handed over his new jacket, he felt something crackle underneath the surface of the fabric. Unfortunately, his question could not be answered by the Queen's eyes, as magical as they were, so he remained silent, waiting for the final part of the ceremony to begin.

Once Milena had returned to her throne, Walter made his way to the top of the stairs and cast his kind but scrutinising on him. "Major Finn, do you swear, by the name of Avo, and by the name of your Queen, Milena, that you will do everything in your power to protect Albion and its peoples from any threat?"

"I swear," Ben replied, nodding slightly.

The knight turned to the other officer, "And do you, officers here present, swear to hold him by his oath, and do what is necessary to keep him from straying."

"We swear," they replied, speaking in unison.

Standing once again, Milena addressed the entire room, "I hereby call this gathering at an end." And with that, she started her descent of the stairs. As Ben stepped out of the way, he noticed her look at him out of the corner of her eye, a smile playing on her lips.

Holding back his own smile, he bit his lip as the three processed past him, trying to keep his face as serious as possible. It was only after they had left that the silence was broken.

"Congratulations Major!" one of the officers, Lieutenant Harrison, said, "You deserve it."

It was as though he'd opened a floodgate.

The newly promoted Major was immediately swarmed by people congratulating him and wishing him well, a smile on every face he saw. As nice as it was to be welcomed as readily as he was, all he wanted to do was to find out what was in the bundle in his hands.

It took him fifteen minutes to escape the room, and another ten to find somewhere peaceful enough to make his discovery alone; his room.

Of course. Why would he expect it to be any different?

Sitting down on the bed, he unfolded the jacket.

Placed right in the centre of the fabric was an envelope with his name written in a very familiar scrawl across it.

Putting his new uniform aside – he'd look at it later – he carefully broke open the plain wax seal and began to read.

Benjamin Finn,

Congratulations my boy! I knew you'd make it! You always were one of the good ones. I would have loved to have congratulated you in person but, since you are reading this, I am no longer in the land of the living.

Writing this now, on the eve of a revolution, I can see that it is probable that I will lose my life, though, hoping that all goes well, you will never have to see this note I have instructed Walter to give you once you are promoted in my absence.

I know you have it in you to be a great leader. You have earned the respect of the men, and they will follow you into hell. Your reputation has made a hero of you, and there will not be many who could turn you down.

I have but two pieces of advice; don't let it go to your head, and always do what is in your heart, for it will never lead you astray.

During the years I have spent with you, I have seen you grow into the honest man you have always wanted to become, and I am sorry to leave you with such a burden as my death, but you must move on.

It saddens me to know the past you have left behind, but although your actions may have been ill guided, your intentions were pure. Never lose that, and your future will be bright.

And on that note, I shall bit you good luck, and farewell and all that,

Major Swift

AN - Hooray! Ben's a Major! Whoot!

I really enjoyed writing this chapter, and I was hoping to make it longer, but then I realised that this was as good a place to stop as any other I could think of.

I can't believe how long I stayed with the characters this time! I thought I'd go on forever!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I look forward to the next!

Until next time!