Wildflower (King!SteveRogers AU)

Chapter 41

"I don't like this..." Sam commented as they rode along toward their destination, a camp they'd make the other side of the hill from Vormir fields. "It seems too easy..."

Amberley was currently the only person Steve had on his mind. No doubt she'd be back at the castle, barking orders at the guards and preparing herself to defend the city. He knew her like the back of his hand. His Queen would not cower in a tower or away from the fight - she'd be in there right in the midst of it all. At this point in time? He really wished his wife to be one who simply would get herself away from the danger. He'd almost lost her weeks ago, and they'd not yet had a proper chance to relish in their happiness over Jasper's birth.

"What if he's sent troops to march on Brooklyn already?" Bucky asked

"Just as well I was prepared. I sent word to King T'Challa, asking for the Dora Milaje to head for the city, and his army to join us. We have his allegiance, and Amberley will have more weapons and bodies to aid her. It's clear that Thanos wants us away from the city, and it would be stupid of him not to attack now that we've left. He has spies.

Bucky frowned. "Who?"

"The chitauri, beings that Thanos has summoned himself" Wanda now spoke. "I saw it in a vision. They will have the city under siege, but Brooklyn will prevail".

"Wait, why's she here again?" Sam asked, but then his eyes widened on seeing Wanda's eyes flash, and the manifestation she was manipulating with her hands appear. "Ok...don't...just don't blow me up with that thing please?"

Steve smirked. "Wanda is forever in my debt, if anyone can help us then it's her".

"Scarlet Witch" She mused with a small smirk to Sam, who had steered his horse away from her a little more. "I won't hurt you, unless you hurt me".

"Guessing you're here with us then because you like the colour red - gonna be seeing a lot of that no doubt" Sam mumbled.

"Sam". Steve rolled his eyes as his tone told him to stop. "She saved Amberley's life, she's loyal to Brooklyn, that's all I need in order to trust her".

Usually around this time, Bucky would have said something smart, but decided to refrain from doing so, not wanting to be cursed or something like that.

They soon came to make camp, Tony's army arriving soon after they had. Steve sent out some scouts to see what they would be dealing with and how many when the time would come. "I may have misjudged the bastard on his performance issues". Stark said as he and Steve pondered over the maps in the tent. "Seems like it's come sooner than I'd have liked it to".

"Kill the bastard and his army, we all go home happy. Have you heard anything from Thor?"

"On his way I'm guessing. I sent a messenger with the location so he won't be far off..." Tony poured himself a tankard of ale, then giving another to Steve. "You look like shit, drink up", now perching on the edge of the table. "I could've done without this today".

Steve chuckled. "I think we all could have, we'll only know what's happening once the scouts get back".

It wasn't long before the tent flaps were pulled back and Peter, and another of the squires sent out to scout, now came in. "So kid, what you find?" Steve asked.

"There's thousands of them, but a chunk of those were marching out. I think they're heading for Brooklyn, sire".

"Just as I thought, you get eyes on what kind of weapons they have?"

"We've got more variety that's for sure". Peter explained. "Oh, and I'm guessing he's the purple man? He was in human form".

Tony shrugged. "Could send the kid in there to burn their supplies, strike while the iron's hot", now offering his friend a piece of fruit to which he declined.

"No" Steve replied. "Sending anyone in there now would be suicide".

"That's tactics". Tony emphasised. "Where's red head witch? She could hel-"

"Tony!" Steve now stopped him. "No. We wait until Thor arrives and then we make a plan, for now we sit tight".

Tony huffed, "and give them a head start? Haven't you heard of the element of surprise?"

At this point, Steve sent Peter and the other scout away to go and rest before they would prepare for battle. Tony still wasn't happy but had to accept that they'd not be slaughtering Thanos as he slept that night.

"I'm gonna aim for the head" Thor told them once he was there and seated with them

"The man can literally turn into a dragon, what you gonna do? Climb his back and take him for a fly?"

Thor shrugged sheepishly. "It could work..."

"The idea of rising Thanos reeeeeeally doesn't appeal to me" Steve smirked as he sat back and thought. "We need cover, the fields are open but the surrounding area isn't..." the plan was coming together in his mind.

Wanda, who had been sat silently in the corner now spoke. "I can help with that..."Now conjuring a small mist around her hands. "They would not see you coming, draw them to the field by allowing a solider to spot one of your men, the mists will take hold and then? You have your trap".

There was silence as the men stared at her for a few moments before Thor broke the silence with a small nod in approval to this. "She's good..."

Steve also nodded to himself, the plan fully forming. "Meet in here at dawn, we'll go through what we need to and then make for the fields", now telling his friends who stood up to go and rest in their respective tents. Once they were gone, he turned to Wanda who was still present. "There's something else isn't there? Something you've seen".

"Do you have the Queen's necklace on you?" She asked, watching as he fished it out from his pocket and now smiled to herself. "I;m about to tell you just what an important part that will play tomorrow, but you need to do exactly as I have seen for it to work properly. Otherwise the war will be lost".

Steve poured her a drink and passed it to her, sitting down opposite and looking from Amberley's amulet to her.

"Tell me everything you know".