Long May They Reign

Hostage

"We have no quarrel with the Germans. We are just farmers. You're welcomed to share our eggs."

"You'll need a lot of eggs..."

The farm boy looked behind him and saw thousands of German troops littering the Russian border.

"We here on word of our Furher. We know she is not dead. So where is she?"
"Who?"
"Don't play fool with us boy! Where is your Queen?"

Long May She Reign

Nat was in her chambers with Yelena playing chess. Well, trying to play chess. Trying to teach her chess.

"Nattie! I don't know how to play! When will Steve be here? He said he would ask Clint to teach me archery."

"He'll be here soon. I promise. Will you be alright if I go down to meet the Italian delegation."

"Yeah."

There was a knock on the door and Steve came into the room. His face was grave and she knew something was wrong.

"The count has arrived but I fear his arrival is not what we had imagined." He spoke quickly and lowly making sure the little girl couldn't hear.

"I will go and see with you."

"Are you sure? You'd be safer here where you won't be seen."
"Maybe so but everyone knows I am here. I'd just be delaying the inevitable." She wasn't afraid.

"Yelena, stay here. I'll go find a servant to send here." She stopped down and planted a long kiss onto the child golden head.

"Okay Nattie."

Once they found a servant and sent her on her way to the room, Steve led her towards the dining hall where 50 Italian guards stood waiting with Queen Sarah and Princess Wanda. The princess had just arrived back for a scheduled break from education in Paris. Unfortunately, she'd come back to the palace being held hostage.

Wanda's POV

I was finally going back home after a long six months of schooling. I missed Steve and Peggy and even Mother and Father. I'd heard that Nat was back at court. Thank God! I wouldn't be the only girl there other than Mother.

When we got closer to the palace we could see a line of tents pitched in and around the lands. My guard Vis had sent ahead a convoy to investigate because we had not been sent news of any camps or anyone arriving during our arrival.

They never made it back and he had them turn the carriage around but we were stopped before we could get off the property. By Italians. But they weren't here on word from the Vatican or the Medici's (decided to keep actual family name as Italians royals). And they would've known considering the Medici's were good friends with the American, French and former Russian totals.

"Vis? What is going on?"

"My lady, we fear they've taken the palace. We can't get away as they've surrounded us. We're heading into the palace."

"I'd hurry up if I were you!" Gruff voices were heard, laced with anger and bitterness. "We heard you were escorting a princess! Might have some fun with her later!" The men laughed at the crude insinuation and peered in at her as she leaned back to get away.

"You will leave the princess alone! Or you will die!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, don't think that would be such a good idea. We have your queen, prince's, the English princess and the Russian Queen all in one room. Certainly you don't want anything to happen to them. Now do you?"