Folk Tales and Fables
Tales of the Frozen North
Viking meets Azur Lane that no one asked for. That's it. Anyone wants to see Viking Bismarck (And isn't that a drool worth image) wooing The Lady Hood this is it. Also a side of Prinz and Wales with Enterprise being the useless baby Lesbian with Belfast in the wing to help the girl along... I'm sorry I cant say that with a strait face at alll.
Authors note: This is Historically inaccurate as hell so no one criticize me on that please. Because bottom line is I. Do. Not. Care. I want some fluff snuggles and what ever catches my fancy between Bismarck and Hood with a side helping of EntEnt and Belfast. That's it. No other reason though if anyone with artistic talent so happens to make some Fan-art of a Viking Bismarck seducing Hood I would happily drool all over it. Same with the rest of em. I will die a happy camper people. Now a word from our sponsors ENJOY!
This production is brought to you by RUM. Let the the clear waters fuel your muse.
Chapter 1
The Court of Queen Elisabeth was quite as they read the latest reports of the Northern Kingdom. The Saxon King who had killed the Old King of Northumbria was dead. Killed by a newcomer from across the sea. The Information on the how was little and the news months old. But that mattered little at this point. What mattered was if this New Comer was just as bloodthirsty as the old king and if she would now lead the charge against their boarders. For this meeting only five where present. The first of which was Queen Elizabeth herself. The young queen dressed in a fine blue gown fitting of her station with a gold crown atop her head. The young teen had not been ruling long only a scant three years after the Death of her father at the hands of the Northumbrian King. But in many minds it was no great lose. The man was more warrior than King and the crown sat ill upon his brow. Something that could not be said for his daughter who rose to power despite those who tried to claim it for themselves. Thinking the young teen weak do to her gender.
Something they did not live to regret as her friends and current allies saw that they did not repeat such mistakes.
The second was 'King' George as she was Jokingly refereed to. A bastard of the late King that gained prominence in the Army along with her three sisters who despite all odds climbed through the ranks with startling efficiency until she was head of the Royal army. While her sisters gained lands to rule as rewards for their valor and services. She much like their father was a warrior through and through. Didn't care for the crown and despite being the oldest was content with leading the Armies of Britannia. While letting the young Queen rule.
"We must do Something." King George said a scowl on her lips as she studied the map on the table. Her red eyes glaring at the parchment which spanned the width of the table. Today like always she dressed in her military uniform. A set of supple leather armor with metal plates sown into the hide with great care. Across her shoulders was the ever present Red cape with black bear fur mantel. At her side was her sword strapped to her waist over a battle skirt and black pants. "If we do not press the advantage of the sudden instability we will not have another."
"True. But I hear that this new Earl is very different from her predecessor." Commented her sister Howe who dressed much the same though in white instead of the royal red. The woman also looking at the map "I've received reports from York that the Northern Incursion has receded and talks are in place of peace between them and another Earl that has taken over the Rule of Yorkshire."
"Someone actually managed to kill that detestable beast of a man Ivan?" asked Wales looking both pleased yet worried. Wales or Prince of Wales as she was often called was one of the Sisters awarded Lands during her service. Much like the 'Duke' of York the woman oversaw the lands of Wales. Keeping everyone inline and overseeing the lands awarded to her in the south.
Howl nodded "Indeed. The Earl that has taken over even sent her younger sister as messenger to show sincerity and has even brought a missive from the new Queen of Northumbria. It seems that this one is interested in peace talks."
"Lies all of it!" George denied shaking her head "Everyone knows that these barbarians are nothing more than War loving savages. Their whole religion is one of war and death! Their can be no peace with them!"
"I agree with you sister but Our men are tired and winter is setting in and it is looking to be one of the worst yet." Wales interjected before her older sister could devolve once more into a rant "We need the men and women back in the fields to harvest what they can for winter. Also there is news that the while many have already bent the knee to this knew Queen. Some have not and war is brewing between them. If it is true let them fight themselves and let use regroup. In this time we can see if the peace talks are true. If not we will have gathered enough strength by next spring and have trained enough troupes to have a chance at pushing back and reclaiming what we lost." Wales suggested.
"Hmm a wait and see approach as they bleed themselves of resources and men. Brilliant plan if I do say so myself." Queen Elizabeth agreed with a toothy smile "I do so agree with this course of action. But who shall be our Envoy? If we are to make use of this opportunity we must appear interested in their offer at least. For this we will need someone of esteem at least. Howl of course will be one but we need another."
"I will go. If my queen permits."
All talking stopped and everyone looked at the speaker who until then had been silent. Upon realizing who had spoken Wales paled.
"No no I forbid it!" Wales denied looking at her long time friend.
Lady Hood Viscountess of Warwickshire had spoken from her place at the table. The woman was dressed in a blue caplete over a long sleeved double breasted floor length dress with a golden sash and brown ridding boots. She was currently absent of her armor which consisted of a silver chest piece pauldrons and gauntlets. She did however have her saber sheath at her hip. The Gold and silver pommel simple in its elegant design. Hood looked towards Wales and smiled wanly.
"Aside From York my Lands are the only ones who are closest to the current Boarder."
"No I will not-" The short haired blond began only to be silenced by cold blue eyes glaring at her from the rim of a tea cup.
"You cannot and will not decide anything for me Prince Wales. OR do you not remember the last person to try and do so."
The room feel deathly silent at the memory of the late Lord Hood. The man while young had been well known for his military carrier and for being an avid hunter. Though few knew the man personally none where surprised when he went on a hunt one fall and never came back. Leaving the now widowed Hood to rule in his steed. What exactly happened no one knows and if they do none have spoken.
"W well with that decided I will have your escort prepared." Queen Elizabeth declared nervously with a fragile smile "I'll have Belfast join you as well. Her skills will be of the utmost use to you."
"But then who will be in charge of the Castle with Belfast gone My Queen?" asked Hood looking curious.
"Belfast sister and the old Head Sheffield will take over." she said getting nods of agreement from everyone "Now Lets begin with what all you will be taking along with who you will be taking. Let no one say I did not give my friends the best when they are insuring the future of our People!" she said proudly.
The others agreed though Wales more subdued than the others. From their they began to plane out the party which would be sent forth. All the while unknowing of what was brewing in the north.
~oo0oo~
The Funeral pyres burned into the night as men and women celebrated their victory and those that did not. Tales and songs of the Victorious dead rang through the camp as ale flowed like water and various foods where past around. They all knew that come morning that this would be the last feast for them as come morning they would all return home and begin the preparations for winter. It was still early fall and the fields along with the Granary's had thankfully remained untouched do to the quick actions of their New Queen.
Said Queen was sitting on the throne of the previous Earl. Her long wheat blond hair was pulled back into a braid that rested across the silver wolf fur mantel upon a black cloak. Under which was a long sleeved black shirt under a Metal Cuirass with a snarling wolf with etched into the chest piece. On her shoulders where a set of pauldron's also etched with protection runes with silver clawed gauntlets. For trousers she had black pants heeled up by a brown leather belt where the clips for her weapons rested empty along with a few pouches. She had a mail skirt over this and a set of greaves over well worn fur boots. In her hand left hand was an ale horn in her right a spear. The shaft resting comfortably in her hands as she watched her people bellow celebrate with a barely their smile.
"It seems they are taking to your victory rather well I must say."
The Queen turned to look at the speaker. The woman had long flowing silver hair and brilliant purple eyes that sparkled happily in the fire light. She was dressed in a cream colored long sleeved shirt under a leather curiass under a gold fur lined cloak. On her hands where long leather gloves that had metal plates stitched into the leather over the knuckles and wrists though three off the fingers on the gloves had been cut. Leaving her thumb pointer and middle finger bar to the first knuckle. At her waist was a quiver still filled with arrows announcing her preferred weapon along with the ax on her opposite hip. Her bow was absent probably resting with her sisters as she mingled with the crowed. For pants she had on simple brown trousers tucked into fur boots.
"Yorktown." The Queen greeted toasting the archer "I take it your sisters are settling in well."
The woman smiled "Assuredly. Hornet is making quick friends with the locals and is working on making more... Enterprise however is still skulking around in the forest with some of our best hunters. I believe she wants to deal with any problems before they take root." she informed as she sat on the steps leading up to her throne.
"Still trying to be three steps ahead of a problem I see." the Queen said with a nod of approval already pondering on what to give the girl. She had been looking at birds of prey recently. Maybe something from the traders perhaps?
Yorktown nodded "Yes. Their are signs that the up coming winter will be a harsh on. She wishes to prevent anyone from getting certain ideas." she said taking a pull from her ale horn.
"Fools will be fools till the end." the Blond muttered with a scowl of distaste.
"And nothing is more dangerous than a fool with nothing to lose. As is with our current supply's the winter will be manageable and Gods willing we will not suffer badly. But if anyone starts anything I can not say how bad the results will be other than the obvious." The silver haired woman said looking towards the party "So how will everything be handled now? I Know you and the Iron-blood will take over Jorvik as you already have builders looking for places to build."
The woman nodded "The Old Earl found some ruins that he was repairing that sit in the center of Northumbria. Remnants of a Empire called Rome. Its buildings are still intact and what wasn't has already been repaired and even expanded. Above it is a rather large Keep that is being repaired as we speak." she informed before a smirk graced her lips "Prinz was surprised that the man had enough of a brain to comprehend that he could use them. My sister however claims that even a halfwit can come up with a good idea once every ten winters."
The silver haired woman laughed at the barb aimed at the now very dead self proclaimed 'King'. Finding the words not so undeserved before asking a question that had been on her mind for a while "Do you know how he was able to manage it? From what I hear he was little more than a pirate with no true skill at ruling let alone building." Yorktown commented looking curious.
The blond nodded "You would be correct. The work was done by some Thralls he had traded for in the slave markets. Stonemasons and carpenters from all over. I offered them freedom and a bag of silver in exchange for their work to be completed by Summer. They agreed."
"Where will you be staying until then?"
"In the town bellow the keep. It has already expanded and Farmsteads are being raised along with housing. By the time I return My Sister and Prinz should have everything that needs to be built done before the first snows fall." she informed fingers tapping on the armrest.
Yorktown nodded "That's more than the lout we killed can claim. This will be a Hel of a mess to straiten out." she said despairingly. "All these years and there are so few homes and even fewer farms. It seems he was more of a warlord than a king. Even more so here as the Earl decided that he wanted a mobile hunting camp than a proper home."
The Queen hummed in agreement as she looked over the hold-fast they where situated on. "I have heard that the Romans left many a structure behind when they left the Isles. Perhaps we may find one for you or should I say your sister shall find one for you and I shall see about sending some stonemasons your way to repair it." she said with grin.
Yorktown laughed "It would be just her luck to find the solution to a problem without even knowing it! Also I will gladly take you up on such an offer. These 'Towns' are rather quaint in their own way. I think I shall build one given the chance. A place to gather and mingle is always a good thing for comrade." she said with a brilliant smile.
The Queen hummed in agreement her smile drifting from her lips as she looked out over the horizon "Tell me. What do you think the Englishmen will do with our offer? Will they go back on it like those before them? Or do you think they will wait and gather strength before lashing out?"
The silverett went silent for a moment mulling over the question before answering "I think they will try. If for no other reason than because winter will soon be knocking on our door. I also believe they will be preparing for a war if things do not go in their favor."
"A peace offering in one hand and a dagger in the other." the Queen sighed leaning back in her throne "Well I guess we should prepare to receive their diplomats then. Do you mind hosting them when they arrive?"
"Not at all! It will let me gain their measure and allow me to know if I should prepare for war now or not at all." she said with a smile.
The Queen chuckled "I highly doubt they would make it past your lands if you were truly dug in. Still I will send some of the thralls to help in construction and preparing the lands. If we hurry we may get in one more crop before the first frosts take these lands." she brought the ale horn to her lips and took a long drink from the horn before setting the empty cup down allowing the servant to refill it as she continued "For now let us enjoy the night. We can worry about the potential daggers in the back tomorrow."
"Always so pessimistic Bismarck."
"One of us has to be. Now lets start divvying out the land agreements. I believe you wanted some along the boarder yes?"
End Chapter