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Tim watched the tanks drive through Amsterdam and felt his people being stripped from him. He was now an occupied nation.
Neutrality didn’t work.
His royal family barely made it to England.
Tim watched as his office was stormed and he was taken away in chains.
Taken to Berlin to be under Germany’s control.
Taken into the office and forced to stand at gunpoint as Germany sat behind a big desk smirking at him.
“Netherlands, you are to support my army, your people will be enlisted.” Germany told him blankly.
“No.” Tim defied standing strong.” We are not Nazis.”
“Then what will you do? Just stay the victim?” Germany asked standing up.” I thought you had more pride than that.”
“I thought you had a conscious, or did Prussia really just raise a monster?” Tim snapped.
“Take him to the camp, his people will fall in line soon enough.” Ludwig dismissed and the guards dragged Tim from the room shouting obscenities.
Madeline watched the royal family come down the stairs and nodded to the queen.” Your plane is ready.” She told them.” The nation of Canada has agreed to house you as the Blitz continues.”
“Thank you.” Princess Juliana smiled to the nation.” I have one more request from you. I know you have already done so much but I feel I must.”
“Yes Princess?” Madeline asked confused before she pulled out a letter.
“When my people are freed and you find Tim, give this to him.” She requested and Madeline took the letter.
“I will mam.” Madeline nodded putting the letter in her pocket.” This war cannot last forever.”
“We can only hope. I leave my nation in your hands.” Juliana gave a weak smile before taking her family to the plane.
Madeline watched as the woman left.
Thinking only of the people she is leaving behind.
Years later and it was obvious the war was going to go down in history. Years of fighting made the allied meeting nearly impossible, but they managed it.
“I say we call General Winter.” Ivan suggested.
“You just told us about the Camps, about what they are doing, if we call on General Winter those who are in them will die.” Alfred argued looking at the pictures with disgust. The idea humanity could do that was horrifying enough.
“But we are barely winning.” Arthur sighed looking to Francis who had zoned out again.” If we go all in sure people will die but it means this will all be over.”
“Would we even have enough power to stop him?” Madeline asked looking at the map.” From my experience he can barely cover a European country let alone all of them.”
“What if we combine summoning him?” Ivan suggested looking at the blond.” Me from the east, you from the west?”
“Use the elements to push him back?” Yao frowned at the suggestion.” The human cost has already been so high but a quick death seems merciful now.”
“Let me think about it.” Madeline only asked. She was the only other northern ally, the others are too far south to summon the General.” This cannot be made lightly.”
“I have to agree.” Arthur backed her up.” Its only July, we caught Germany off guard with D-Day so lets figure out our plans for Operation Fuck off Back Home.”
Everyone agreed with the statement but Ivan still pulled Madeline aside after.” I need to tell you why I think General Winter is needed.” He took a deep breath.” These camps are where they send political prisoners. Its likely our missing comrades are in these camps.”
“Your sister?” Madeline asked and saw the darkness in his eye as Ivan nodded. Natalya’s plane had been shot down last year with no word from her since.” That also means that is where Netherlands and Poland are.”
Laura had managed to stay hidden enough to become the rebellion and make contact.
The other two had not been heard since their occupation.
“Either we get them with General Winter this winter or we let them rot in these abominations for another year.” Ivan told her and Madeline nodded.
“I understand the need to save a sibling, Leon is occupied by Japan.” Madeline admitted.” But let me think.”
“Of course.” Ivan nodded.” It’s the reason I asked you here.”
Madeline walked away with the request on her mind. So when she got back to her troops it still weighed heavy.
“Commander, you okay, eh?” Someone asked and the recent addition to the troop Lou asked sitting beside her as they sat in the trenches.
The other looks at him confused but the oblivious man watched her confused.
“Got word from the high ups they want the war done by this time next year.” Madeline explained to them.” With the high from D-Day they want to start pushing. But there is a weapon they are unsure to use, because it will kill more people. So the question is, do we use it and let the bodies pile high now? Or wait and the bodies fall slower and not be done by next summer?”
“The bodies are already falling.” An older soldier who knew Madeline was a nation due to their fight together in the last war told her calmly.” If you have a way to end all this suffering now, take it. Please take it.”
“Phil is right, what is it anyway?” Kyle asked beside the elder soldier.
Madeline looked at them all, her men had risked their lives on a daily basis. They needed to know. She created ice between her fingers and watched the men jump back.” There is something called General Winter, it’s the reason Russia has done well last winter. The idea is if I summon him from the west, another person summons him from the east and plunge the continent in the harshest winter ever seen.”
The group was silent at the idea.
“And it means that all those currently taken by the Nazi's and under their occupation will likely die, all the people we are trying to save.” Madeline explained as she remembered the pictures of the camps.” But we know they are already dying at such a rate that if we don’t do it, they will still die but it could be a year is horrible conditions vs dying in a December. Either way the toll will be high.”
“And they want you to do it?” Phillip asked concerned.
“I am the northern most nation, I have better control than someone from the south.” Madeline explained.” But summoning Winter is a double-edged sword, some of you will die.”
“We have been dying for years, I say you do it.” Willy spoke up from the corner.” These people are not living, they are barely surviving. If I was in Germany or Belgium, I would rather die through winter than have a war on for another year.”
“Do you have to give them an answer now?” Lou asked.
“No, I have till winter starts.” Madeline sighed looking at her bag.
“Then lets see how far we can get before then.” Phillip suggested standing up.” If we can push them far enough back, then you don’t call Winter. If we can’t get far into Europe or get suck call Winter and we use it in our favour.”
Madeline nodded at the suggestion. It was something.
By October the allies had liberated France and Belguim but failed to secure the Netherlands. Madeline looked at the map and sighed looking at her troop.
“I think we have gotten far enough that I won’t call on Winter.” Madeline decided pointing to the new area they broke into in Germany.” They are on the offensive.”
“There is still lots of area in the west that will need help.” Phillip reminded her standing beside the girl.
“Russia has that under control. For now, we need focus on the Netherlands.” Madeline told him confidently.” I will call and tell him.”
She made her way to communications and requested to be put in contact with Ivan’s badge number.
“Commander Williams, have you thought about my suggestion?” Ivan asked bluntly.
“I think that in the past few months we have made enough progress that the east does not need General Winter.” Madeline told him.” I think you have more than enough power to handle the west.”
“Da, we have made excellent progress I must agree. I have got to the end of Belarus and have started into Poland.” Ivan told her.
Madeline nodded.” Any sign of her yet?”
“No, it seems they are moving prisoners into the heart of Germany so I doubt I will find her till the end.” Ivan sighed.” And no sign of the others.”
“Can I ask you something about territories?” Madeline blurted out.” Belgium said she had no connection to her people, just the land. It's likely the same happened to the Netherlands, what happens if we can’t get him connected again or find him?”
“Where are you currently?” Ivan asked.
“Border of Belgium and Netherlands, we have only gotten a few miles in.” Madeline told him.
Ivan explained to her how to occupy a country, how to represent a new group of people and hold them in similar regard to her own.
After the conversation Madeline stepped out of the camp into the farm lands around them.
“Commander?” Willy followed her eye, always a keen eye.
“Guard me, I need to do something.” Madeline ordered him.
Madeline sat on the wet grass and took a deep breath as she took in the people on the land beneath her.
The hope of those liberated that this would all be over.
The desperation that could be felt but not fully reached from those yet to be reached.
Those liberated could be felt far stronger but she was now the Netherlands guardian until the real Netherlands was found.
“What was that?” Willy asked as Madeline stood up.
“A nations thing, if there is no representation its likely to fail. So I took them in as my own and hopefully I will be able to give them all back.” Madeline explained taking a deep breath.” I need to do right by them.”
“Have you met the Netherlands before?” Willy asked as they walked back to the barracks.
“Only once.” Madeline admitted.” I was New France at that point and he came over for trade negotiation. All I knew is that I had a nightmare, I ran into the study crying but only he was there. He picked me up and tried to calm me. He ended up telling me a story and I fell asleep before Papa came back.”
“And you are willingly doing all this for him?” Willy asked and Madeline nodded.
“Are you saying I should leave and join England in going after Germany?” Madeline asked.” We got out Belgium and liberated Papa, now I need to get Netherlands back.”
“Then we will keep fighting.” Willy nodded jumping on his bunk.” Willy you get anything from this? Like a reward?”
“No, its unlikely anyone will remember it was me in a few years.” Madeline explained.” No one remembers me after a while.”
“Well I hope they do.” Willy told her calmly before looking at the ceiling as the siren wailed.” Because I don’t like this.”
“No one does.” Madeline sighed as the others ran in and everyone grabbed their gas masks.
By April they had the river they failed to get in September.
“I say we just go.” Phillip suggested.” Stop waiting and just storm the country. Go by foot and tank, and liberate house by house until this end.”
Madeline nodded to her second. It had gotten to the point that it was confusing why she had to wait.
“Gather all the troops, we are doing it.” Madeline decided before looking at the map.” If we do this right, and we don’t stumble we can liberate the country. Germany is weak. If we keep just pushing we can do this.”
Madeline marched on foot all the way through the country. It was strange to see celebrations after she killed someone but the people of the Netherlands celebrated their arrivals.
Spies from the resistance had given them enough intel that they were able to keep pushing for weeks straight.
The troops felt weak and many had to take turns staying behind to rest but Madeline kept growing. She felt the hope grow as she gained more control of the land beneath her feet.
There was a current truce for Amsterdam and the other low-lying cities that if Madeline stopped the attacks relief would be allowed in. She agreed in a heartbeat until she gained control of the surrounding area.
Soon enough the German’s fully left and Madeline felt an entire country cry out in relief.
On May 5th she finally let herself feel the hope for the future and smile.
“Commander?” Lou asked as they sat down to rest, watching the people rejoice.
“Go, have fun. We finally did it.” Madeline dismissed him and Lou nodded before jumping of the tank and going to dance with one of the girls smiling at him.
Madeline wanted to call for an update from any of the others but they had advanced so much there was no way the phone lines kept up.
Instead she found the German command centre and picked up the phone.” Is anyone there?”
“Hello?” A familiar voice asked.
“Gwen?” Madeline asked.” I did not expect anyone to be there.”
“Well the allies have gotten into Germany and I am trying to see if there is any stragglers on the lines.” Gwen explained calmly.” So what can I help you with niece?”
“Is there any sign of Netherlands, I have liberated his land and I want to let him feel their relief.” Madeline admitted.
“I will ask around, keep someone by the phone and I will get back to you.” Gwen promised as the line went dead.
The past few years had been hell. With no connection to his people Tim had no idea what was happening outside the prison walls.
He had been starved for years and killed several times by exhaustion or disease. He watched so much death it made him rethink his entire life. He had killed yes, but never like this.
Children cried during the night for food.
Parents watched their parents die right in front of them helpless to stop it.
One day Tim woke up to the sound of silence. Everyone looked at each other confused before some of the younger men went outside to look.
“The allies are here.” One of them ran back yelling.” We are free.” Everyone rushed outside, Tim stayed in his bed, he was trying to figure out who was there. He could sense it was someone but he was so weak he couldn’t figure out if it was a neighbour.
“Anyone else in here?” Neighbour, that was a neighbour in the form of the French man.
“Francis?” Tim asked moving to sit up and saw the French man watching him. The look of realisation made Tim realise he was finally vulnerable in front of the man.
“Tim? Fucking hell.” Francis ran over and handed him some water.” I know understand why Madeline was so scared for you.”
“Madeline?” Tim asked confused.
“Canada, she took your royal family in. She has been liberating you land for months now.” Francis admitted helping Tim drink once seeing the man was shaking.” I will get word out to her that we have found you. She was terrified at the fact she gained your people.”
“What?” Tim asked confused.
“Once we gained footing in your land she took your people to make sure it went well.” Francis explained.” She had just learned about the camps and feared they would have ended you.”
“Do you know how far in she is?” Tim asked.
“No, she has started a campaign that can’t keep up with our communications.” Francis admitted.” But I can ask around.”
“Do, I want to know about my people.” Tim nodded as he looked around.” I want to see my fields again.”
“No one can blame you.” Francis nodded before helping Tim up.
It took a week but Madeline now knew Netherlands was coming on the next train. She waited at the station watching with Willy right beside her.
“You don’t have to be here?” She told him.
“Phillip would be if he was still here.” Willy told her calmly.” And as the next in charge I will be here.”
The man died in the countryside from a sniper that surprised them.
“Then thank you for honouring his memory.” Madeline nodded as the train came in. Those that where healthy from the camps where filed out and started to go help the rebuilding effort as Tim stood on the platform waiting. The man stood tall in clothes Francis loaned him, his usually long blond hair was shaved off to the point Madeline didn’t recognise him.
“Netherlands?” She asked once everyone left.” I am Canada.”
“The one who liberated me?” Tim asked and Madeline held out her hand.
“Yes, do you want your people back?” Madeline asked and Tim reluctantly took her hand. Feeling his people transfer back to him. Their hope was infectious.
It was the first time he felt it in years.
Years that were filled with starvation and death not just for him, he could feel it.
The purple eyes that watched him had brought him that hope.
She refused to give up.
“These are for you.” She also said handing over a pile of letters.
The neat familiar writing made Tim take in a shaky breath. His princess.
“Willy, leave us.” Madeline told the man in a similar brown uniform.
He just nodded and left the pair as Madeline moved Tim to the nearby bench.
“They kept writing letters hoping one day you could read them all.” Madeline told Tim who still looked at the letters.” I had to number them to keep track.”
Tim untied the bundle and opened the first letter. She explained leaving the UK for Canada in case the war got worse.
Tim read all of them as Madeline sat beside him quietly.
Tim nearly cried hearing Princess Juliane gave birth in a hospital that became international land so she was born Dutch.
The very last letter was about her saying she knew it would be hard but they would see each other soon.
Tim looked up from the letter to the messenger that was now watching birds in a nearby tree.
“Most nations never would have done all this.” He started, trying to keep his emotions in check but his voice still broke.” Why did you save these? Why did you give me another princess? Why did you take my people and look after them when I couldn’t? Why did you work so hard to save my nation?”
“Because I would want someone to do the same for me.” Madeline told him with a smile. “If it was the other way around, I would only hope someone would remember me enough to save me.”
“Remember you? If you are like this to a stranger, I am confused how anyone would forget you.” Tim asked her concerned.
“Well people do. I don’t expect you to even remember me in a few years.” Madeline admitted before pulling out a bulb.” But it doesn’t matter. Focus on your country. Rebuild. Replant. I would love to come back one day and see fields of tulips.”
She gave Tim the bulb and he started to cry.
He had seen hell. Lived it for years and now he has met an angel.
Madeline said nothing as she rubbed the man’s back.
No remark that he was weak.
No laughing at him.
Just acceptance and caring were felt from the girl.
“If I forget you, I am not remembering the right things.” Tim finally said pulling himself together.” You must be an angel to do all this.”
“I am no angel, we all have our dark sides.” Madeline told him.” But my government has allowed me to stay to help, some troops will stay to help rebuild while the others will go the east.”
“Then I should show you what is left of my house. I am not about to let my saviour sleep on the street.” Tim nodded standing up.
They walked through the town before arriving at what was the command headquarters of the Nazis that Madeline put out the call to Gwen.
“This was their central command.” Madeline explained as Tim looked around.” The upstairs has been turned into a completely separate apartment.”
“Have you found the basement?” Tim asked looking to the blond who frowned.
“No.” She admitted and Tim moved to what was his kitchen where the built-in bookcase had been turned into shelves with old equipment.
Tim grabbed the top and pulled it out showing a staircase down. He saw the ribbon he tied that morning still there that stopped the door from opening all the way.
“They didn’t make it down here.” He smiled in relief as he pulled the ribbon and walked down.
Madeline followed him down confused as Tim put on the light and looked around the crates.” What is down here?”
“My life.” Tim admitted opening a box and pulling out a sword.” I had this with me when I sailed the seas, fought Arthur with it on more than one occasion.” Tim smiled at the memories as Madeline looked in the box. She pulled out a small box and looked at all the large gold chains and rings.
“It would be a travesty if they got this stuff.” Madeline spoke up bringing Tim back from memory lane as she pulled out a ruby necklace.” All that history lost. Alfred says they are scrambling and burning everything. Records, painting, everything.”
Tim sighed as he looked around the barely lit room.
He nearly died the past few years. He could feel himself fading latter in the last year before he was suddenly stable again, Madeline must have done that accidently when she took the land.
All of this story would have come to an end in that camp.
“What is your name?” Tim asked her as Madeline looked at him confused.” Not your nation, your human name?”
“Human names are for allies, papa and dad taught me that.” Madeline told him.
“You saved my people, you took in my royals, you kept these letters for me, you did not have to do anything and you have done so much.” Tim told her.” My name is Timothy Heeren.”
Madeline was taken back by the idea he thought so highly of her he would give his human name.
“Madeline Williams.” She would not disappoint him.
He would probably forget her soon enough
“Madeline.” Tim nodded.” Thank you for everything you have done.”
Madeline smiled at the gesture.
“You're welcome.” She told him putting the necklace back into the small box.” I say we start clearing out the communication stuff.”
“We can set it up in the library next door.” Tim agreed putting his sword back before pausing.” What did that become?”
“I think it's still a library, there were still books when I raided it.” Madeline explained as they went back up.
She stayed with Tim for only a few months before they both got summoned to the Allies conference once Japan finally surrendered.
After she went home and saw her people had already started to get back to normal life. There were never bombings in Canada as there was in Europe so everything was exactly where she left it. Kuma had been left with her Prime Minister who commended her for her actions in Europe.
The apartment in Toronto was far quieter by comparison.
It was normal.
A year from when she helped liberate the Netherlands she was in work when a man walked in.” Excuse me, it seems there is something in the harbour you have to see.” He told Madeline who frowned moving to look out the window at the harbour.
She saw a boat that had a multicoloured deck.
“This will be good.” Madeline sighed before heading out the door and following her Prime Minister outside.” What is going on?”
“The Netherlands said they had a gift for us.” He shrugged as they came out and walked to the harbour.
“He remembered?” Madeline asked confused before picking up the pace. The tall Dutch man stood ordering people around on where the plants should go, holding a single vase with a tulip.” Netherlands?”
“Madeline.” Tim smiled and walked over.” And call me Tim.”
“Okay. Tim, why are you here? What is all this?” Madeline asked looking at what she now knew was tulips.
“You said you wanted to see fields of tulips, so I brought them to you.” Tim said calmly.” And this is for you.”
Tim handed Madeline the vase and she smiled looking at him.” You gave me the bulb the first time we talked.”
“You really remember me.” Madeline wiped her face.
“Of course, I refuse to forget you.” Tim told her.” Now what should we do with all these?”
“There is a green we can bring them to and plant.” Madeline said before getting the men to bring them to the green. It was soon full of the bright colours as the people came out to see them.
Those who recognise the face of their liberators started to tell broken English tales of their heroics.
“Thank you for remembering me, I know it can’t have been easy to do all this.” Madeline told Tim.
“I grew flowers and put them on a boat, you walked through my entire land in a month and saved my people.” Tim reminded her.
“I know, but no one does something like this for me.” Madeline admitted sniffing the tulip.
“Well I will keep doing this until you know I will not forget you.” Tim told her sternly.” You deserve it.”
“Please don’t. I think you have given me more flowers today than I think my sisters have gotten combined in their entire lives.” Madeline told him.
“Well I have met Lucille and she does not deserve it as much.” Tim told her making Madeline smile at him.
“That is sweet, and never say that in front of her.” Madeline said before looking around.” Do you want to come back to mine? You let me stay with you, let me return the favour.”
“I would love to stay at your place, maybe I can finally meet this polar bear you told me about.” Tim suggested and Madeline pulled him along the street to her apartment.
The Tulip festival soon became what both nations looked forward too. In 1985 when the world meeting cut into the festival and was held in Finland both couldn’t help but be frustrated.
“Why now?” Madeline asked as the two met in the bar, having arrived the day before.” How do they even decide the days?”
“I have no idea, its normally up to the nation hosting.” Tim explained, since Madeline was finally completely independent, he had become a mentor and protector of the girl, having seen her be ignored in meetings.” Unless you want to start screaming at Finland then there is nothing we can do.”
Madeline looked down at the beer in her hands and started to think.
“You are not fighting Finland. We can do something together here.” Tim told her seeing the look in her eye.
“Why not? It's not like he would remember it was me.” Madeline ranted and Tim took away the beer bottle.
“And you are cut off for the night.” He told her before downing the beer and putting down his part of the money.
They went back to the hotel since Tim refused to drink the overpriced drinks where he could run into another country.
“Maybe a nature walk?” Tim suggested.
“If I wanted that I would go up to the cabin.” Madeline sighed at the idea as they stepped into the lift.” Does Finland have any attractions?”
“I have no idea.” Tim admitted.” When we leave tomorrow, I will try and snag some leaflets.” As they stepped out on their floor to see Alfred was yelling and pounding on a door.
Madeline sighed and pulled his arm.” Alfred stop that.” Madeline asked him stopping his arm.
“And you are?” Alfred asked looking right at Madeline.
“Fine, do whatever you want.” Madeline let go as Alfred looked at confused.
“She is your sister you dipshit.” Tim spoke up.” I know you have over 100 but come on.”
Alfred looked to Tim confused before nodding.” Sorry.... I will stop.” Alfred said before looking at them both and walking away.
“You didn’t have to tell him.” Madeline sighed.
“No, I did.” Tim told her calmly before walking back to his room.” You need to stand up for yourself Madeline.”
Madeline sighed before finding her own room key.
“Hey, repeat what I said.” Tim asked her.
Madeline rolled her eyes to look at Tim.
“I need to stand up for myself.” Madeline caved and Tim nodded.
“Yes, you do, you deserve to be noticed.” Tim told her before stepping into his room with a faint good night.
He knew she did not believe him, but he would still tell her.
She saved his people, he would protect her for as long as he remembered that.