Title: The Queen and the Soldier
Author: Sairalinde
Type: RPH/RPS
Pairing: Liv/Sean B. and Viggo/Orli
Rating: Explicit Sex
Warning: A.U. fairytale type thing.
Beta: Glorfindel
Website: www.lordsofgondor.com
Live Journal: www.livejournal.com/users/sairalinde
Disclaimer: This never happened...if it did well let's just say I'd be really surprised! Basically this story is based on the song The Queen and the Soldier by Kate Rusby and Kathryn Roberts. The story is original and I look at A.U. like I was writing a movie and if I was going to use the cast from the LOTR what parts I would have them play. I am only using names and physical descriptions of real people, but don't know them blah, blah, blah. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes, please send to Sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com
Archiving: Anywhere you want it just let me know.
Notes: Set in a somewhat mixed Colonial/Medieval era. The Queen is 18 and the Prince is 19. Sean is 30 and Viggo 32, just so you can understand the references to age that are made in the story. I know it's not accurate it's A.U. remember? ;-)
Summary: War has raged between the Northern and Southern nations for the past 25 years. The young Queen Olivia of the North and the young Prince Orlando of the South want peace, but there are some who don't want peace. Viggo, Sean, Orlando, Miranda, and Liv have to work together to bring peace and overcome Liv's controlling Uncle Hugo. (Apologies ahead of time to Hugo and Karl fans.)
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Lyrics that inspired the story as performed by Kate Rusby and Kathryn Roberts can be found here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/sairalinde/13067.html

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[Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6]

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The Queen and the Soldier

Chapter 1

The young soldier with long dark hair and large soulful brown eyes, marched up the hill to the great stone palace, which stood ominously, black and shining in the midday sun. The abode of his queen, the woman he fought for, his friends died for, Queen Olivia Tyler.

He was but one of many who came knocking upon the queen's door the past few years, and lately more and more often the soldiers came, officers and enlisted men. The war was not going well and the queen's men were turning their backs on her and their country. The people of the North wanted peace, the soldiers wanted to lay down their arms. War had been upon this land since before the young queen's birth. The war was all she knew, but she too longed for peace.

The soldier knocked upon the queen's door and when she answered herself he was shocked. He quickly recovered remembering his sister mentioned that the queen had dispatched most of her servants. He introduced himself as Lieutenant Karl Urban and said, "My lady I beg your pardon, but I am not fighting for you any more."

The raven haired queen smiled sadly and slowly she let him inside. This was not the first soldier to come to her but she hoped it would be the last. They came refusing to do their duty. They wanted peace, a peace she didn't know how to grant them. A peace she could not achieve for herself no matter how much she longed for it.

He said, "I am leaving tomorrow. Only first I am asking you why."

She had heard this question many times before. She led him down the long narrow hall to her chamber. Her gowns billowing around her making it seem as if she floated in front of him rather than walked. Once in her chamber she asked him to sit down.

He said, "So now will you tell me why?" as he settled into a chair she offered.

The young queen fixed him with an arrogant eye and said, "You won't understand, and you may as well not try." Yes, it was a rehearsed line. She used it with every soldier because they all asked the same question. She always offered the same answer. He had thought he saw a flickering of something desperate and sad within her deep blue eyes but quickly it had fled.

Her answer was not what the young soldier had wanted to hear, but she had at least allowed him an audience. He bade her good day. She walked him to the doorstep and she asked him to wait, that she would only be a moment inside and she would return with payment for his services to his country.

She called to her lone servant Miranda in the kitchen and asked her to send a boy out to the battle field. Out in the distance her order was heard and a group of troops came to the hill. Before the palace steps the soldier was killed, still waiting for her return.

The young queen bowed her head at the sound of the shots and went on strangling her cries in the solitude she had grown to prefer, as the battle in the distance continued on.

He was not the first soldier to come to her and he would not be the last. She could not allow them to leave and she could not allow them to live. It did break her heart, for truly yes she did have one though seemingly encased in ice. She wished she could set them free, but the queen had little power anymore.

That night Miranda came to her chamber to bring dinner.

"Your highness?" The blond servant asked softly.

"Yes?"

"The soldier that came this afternoon?" She asked unsure how the queen might react.

"What of him?" The queen asked moving across the room amid a flowing gown of red. Miranda had never inquired about the soldiers before.

"He was….he was to be married to my sister." Miranda whispered softly trying to fight back tears.

The queen stopped in the center of the room feeling as if her heart would shatter.

"Oh. Miranda, I am so sorry, but you of all people know what the punishment for desertion is. That is what he was doing, although politely. If I had not ordered his death he would have left and then others would have followed. An army without men is no army at all." The queen explained sadly. Though the words were true they did not alleviate her pain and she was sure they did naught to comfort her only friend. The only servant she kept within the palace walls.

"I know my queen. I know, but knowing does not lessen the pain." Miranda said softly still fighting tears.

"I will make sure his pay will go to your sister and his parents. He served many years bravely." The queen answered crossing to Miranda and placing her hands on the other woman's shoulders. "I am sorry. I wish that I could have offered another solution."

"You could, if you could end the war." Miranda answered steeling herself for a verbal if not physical assault. She was surprised that the queen merely smiled sadly.

"If only it was that easy. You know it is not my decision alone." The queen answered reminding Miranda of her true station. The queen was but a figure head, it was not she who ruled, but rather her Uncle Hugo who would never allow peace. Not while he profited from the war.

"I know my lady." Miranda answered knowing all too well the queen had less freedom then she herself had.

"Tomorrow I must go and view the troops on parade with my Uncle. Will you ready my silver gown for the morning?" The queen asked changing the subject.

"Yes, my lady." Miranda answered looking down at the floor.

The queen lifted her chin. "Please Miranda, call me Liv when we are alone in my chamber. I would think we are friends enough for that. I will find a way to justify your friend's death and all the deaths of all the soldiers who have come to me this past year. I know what lies in their hearts as it lies in my own. I too long for peace, but do not yet know how to bring it about. Not while Uncle wields so much power."

"Yes, my… er, Liv, I know you too long for peace. We all do, except your Uncle and his cronies. We will find a way one day. We will." Miranda answered softly crossing to the wardrobe to pull out the beautiful silver gown before leaving the room and wishing her queen goodnight.

Liv sat down at the table and stared at her meal and then sighed as she could hear the sound of distant battle outside her window.

She often wondered what the night would sound like without the sound of muskets, and cannon fire. Without the battle cries, and drums, sounding loss or victory of her men. Her men in title but not in truth. She shuddered and pushed her uneaten food away and began to cry for the second time that day. For a young and handsome Lieutenant named Karl and for Miranda's sister who lost her lover this day.

The next morning Queen Olivia donned her silver gown with the aide of Miranda. They did not speak of the things they had the night before but when their eyes met they knew they were both in pain.

"Your Uncle is already in the courtyard." Miranda warned as the queen stepped from her chamber into the long hall. Liv tensed for a moment and then nodded.

"Thank you, Miranda." Liv answered lifting her skirts so she could race quickly to the courtyard. All the while knowing if she dawdled too long Uncle Hugo might beat her for tardiness again. He looked for any excuse to punish her.

Once she reached the hallway to the courtyard she slowed her step and took a deep breath before walking out the doors. Her Uncle looked at her with his cold eyes and then to the men assembled there. They looked splendid in their sharp and crisp uniforms. So young, was the only thought she had. They were so young and she was sending them to their deaths one way or another.

She took her Uncle's offered arm and walked beside him as they passed the troops. They stopped in front of a handsome Colonel.

"This one is one of our best, I imagine he will be General one day soon." Hugo commented as the soldier looked on. His eyes never wavering, not even registering the compliment it seemed. The young queen couldn't take her eyes off the handsome Colonel. His eyes the color of green gems sparkling in moonlight and his hair the color of spun gold.

"It is an honor to meet you, Colonel…" The queen paused not knowing his name.

"Colonel Sean Bean, of the Light Company, my lady." He answered in a strong beautiful voice.

"Colonel Bean. I look forward to one day addressing you as General." She answered nodding her head slightly in reverence to the soldier.

The Colonel did the same and for the first time his eyes met hers. At that moment she felt as if the entire world had fallen away but for the two of them. The Colonel seemed equally affected because he swallowed and quickly looked away into the distance not meeting her eyes again.

They continued to inspect the troops and then Hugo walked her to her chamber.

"You disappoint me, Liv." He said as he stepped inside her chamber.

"Disappoint you, Uncle?" She asked tentatively. His moods could change so swiftly.

"Yes, you were late this morning, by thirty three seconds." He said lightly pulling off his white gloves.

"I am sorry." She said softly looking out her window but knowing better than to turn her back completely to him.

"If you would only do as I bid you, there would be no reason for me to punish you." Hugo hissed but then took a deep breath. "Well if it was because you wanted to make a good impression you are excused, this time. You should wear that gown when Lord Mortensen comes for dinner. He will surely notice you in it."

Inwardly Liv sighed in relief. Lord Mortensen's visit in the coming days would be the only reason her Uncle would not beat her, but like he said this time.

"Yes, Uncle. I will." She answered and he bade his goodbye. Once he had left she sank down on her bed and cried into her pillow. The constant worry of when he would lash out wore her down more and more each day.

Several days passed and she found each day she was looking through her telescope at the battlefield. She knew deep down she was not just watching the progress of her army but looking for one man. Colonel Sean Bean. She had dreamt of him every night since meeting him at the courtyard. Dreamt of his golden hair, sparkling green eyes, and friendly smile. He was the most handsome man she had ever met, and there was something, in his eyes that drew her to him.

She told herself that she just wanted to see him safe, but she knew there was more to it than that. She wished for him not only to return from battle but to return to her. Though he would not. He is a soldier and she is a queen. Separated from each other by station, and if not that by years. He was at least ten years her senior, what interest could a seasoned veteran have in a naïve young queen?

She watched with her heart in her throat as he led the charge, watched as he slashed with his great sword and watched as he and his men forced the Southern army to retreat. He would make a great General.

She turned away from the battle and sank down on her bed. So this was to be her life, watching a man she could never have from a distance. Praying he lives one more day even if she can never tell him how she feels, at least she will have him in her dreams.

Lord Mortensen arrived that afternoon and Miranda announced him.

"My lady." The sandy haired Lord she'd known her entire life bowed to her.

"It is good to see you again, Viggo." Liv answered softly pleased at the way he always smiled fondly at her. She wished that she had something to smile about.

"Good to be seen, my lady." He said with his eyes twinkling at the old joke they shared. She smiled in return though the gesture did not reach her eyes. He tilted his head and stared at her for a moment.

"Liv, dear, I think there are some things we must discuss."

The meeting with Viggo had revealed much. Now that the young queen was of age, it was time to discuss a great many things.

He had told her of his knowledge of her Uncle's crooked dealings, his profiteering from the war. He had also learned that their enemies wanted peace, and had tried many times to seek her audience but Hugo had always intercepted the dispatches.

Viggo was trusted by Hugo but he was loyal only to the queen as he was her father before he died. Viggo always suspected that Hugo had been behind the King's early death but he could never find any hard evidence. The queen was now of an age that she no longer needed Hugo, but he needed her. Needed her to hide behind, and needed her to be oblivious to what was really happening, though she said she had suspected and even known about some of it.

She told Viggo that he would be in danger if Hugo ever found out what he had told her, and she told him some of her Uncle's treatment toward her. Viggo was outraged but resigned that for now he could do nothing. He told her that a time would come, when they could bring peace…soon. He could feel it, that Hugo was walking a fine line, and soon his footing would falter.

After a few hours Liv looked at Viggo and smiled, truly smiled at her friend.

"Something is different about you…you seem happier than I have seen you in a long, long time." She said softly as she appraised her friend.

Viggo smiled and nearly blushed. "It's because I am in love."

The young queen giggled and grabbed his arms, "Tell me all about it!" So he did.

Continue to chapter 2.