Her Guarding Arm Part 4 FINAL

Her Guarding Arm: Or, A 1983 Doomsday Tale through a Once-Nation's Eyes.

(4/4)

Elizaveta found it ironic how she knew the exact place and moment of her death to heart, but not the actual date. For all she cared it might have been 1985 or early 1986. Not that it mattered anymore, as she watched from a distance an exhausted young man in uniform  enter a military tent, a group of soldiers still in their bulky expedition gear waiting for him. Many of them were either Swiss or Austrian. But the rest, from how they spoke and looked, were undeniably of her people.

Or far more likely, her daughter's. The once-Nation had to remind herself that save for faded memories this wasn't her land anymore. In any case, she knew that the crate being brought before the young man was to be delivered to "Herr Edelstein" at long last, after years of failure. She was also all too aware of what was inside it. And how by some coincidence, it was found in a ruin so decayed that they would have gone past without ever noticing it.

"It was risky of you to pull that off, " the familiar voice intoned, echoing in her head. "To tamper about with the living…I take you're aware of what this means for your loved ones."

"He can't go on like this,"  she gritted curtly, keeping her voice to a faint whisper. "If denial doesn't destroy him, grief will. He's suffered enough! They all have! Please God…"

"It cannot be just to hold you back now, isn't it? So I shall offer you this time."

This momentarily caught her by surprise, barely noticing the young man making his way out of the tent with his valuable package. Had her time finally arrived? "What are you saying?"

"Exactly what I mean." There seemed to be a faint hint of an assuring chuckle in the voice. "You will understand in due time. But know this. Your wish shall be granted. And so will theirs. An angel will see to that."

Soon enough, Elizaveta found herself alone. There was no time to waste now. She had an old promise to keep.

--o--

Somewhere near the Sopron Frontier. 2009.

It was an old cottage close to the very fringe of Alpine civilization. Apart from the sounds of weary soldiers going about their watch and of cold November winds melding with dissonant piano chords, there was nothing else around to disturb the privacy of its guest. Nothing more than a self-inflicted prison, Hungary thought gloomily as she glided down the path. Don't count on that for long, Roderich.

There was no doubt in her mind by now that Austria knew what was in the box his assistant only recently delivered. That after all these years persisting  and waiting in that ritual, she sensed, the Nation finally had his answer staring right into his face. Painful as it was, she had to do it for his own good. Don't deny it now. Please. As though on cue, the haunting melodies from his piano had stopped. There was no turning back now.

Taking on a more comfortable form, she silently made her way into the cottage, towards the door at the end of the main hall. If there had been any sound, it might have been from her anxious breathing. It was one thing to simply watch over her former husband from afar or even to slip into his mind. It was another entirely to see him in person and up close after a very long time without any parlor tricks, as he would have called them. As she carefully pushed the door, she forced herself to stay calm, resisting the urge to just lunge right in and…

"Is anyone there?" an aristocrat's voice asked in a barely controlled monotone from behind the door. "I am not in the mood to..."

It parted to reveal a figure that had clearly seen better days, though nonetheless bore a dignified stride. Even so, a coy yet warm smile crossed her face. Despite an otherworldly aura she couldn't quite disspell, the once-Nation took great care in how she showed herself: still wearing the same country dress she had on all those years ago. A fragrant flower nestled on her hair. Still beautiful and vibrant. There were no tricks or subconscious visions this time. Just a former Nation who had gone by the name 'Elizaveta Héderváry.' Warrior. Servant. Friend. Wife. Lover.

"Ungarn?"

"Who else, Szerelem?" She winked mischievously, if somewhat forced. "After all, we did promise to meet the other night." But before Austria could even reply, she brought him into a warm embrace, which he willingly though awkwardly returned.

"It really...has been too long, my lady, But please. You must be tired..."

"Not at all, dear," she replied with a mellow smile. "I'm just happy to see you again."

--o--

It all seemed too surreal. And there was no doubt in Hungary's mind that Austria shared the same feeling, as much as he tried to hide it behind a calm face. Not that I mind at all, she thought, keeping herself calm. It's just like you. Yet here they were, having a candlelit dinner just as they used to so long ago. The strudel, along with the other simple dishes he managed to prepare definitely helped, reminding the once-Nation of how much she enjoyed his cuisine. Even after all this time, her heart was still Austrian territory. And she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I never expected that you'd come over Elizaveta," he started haltingly, managing a smile. "I would have offered a more suitable selection, even some goulash, had I known."

"It's still definitely better than Gilbert's," she smirked, faking a pout at the mention of Prussia. "You'd think that after a while, that self-absorbed buffoon would lighten up with the whole beer and sausage thing!" She felt tempted for a moment to add how she managed get a sneak peak of the albino's dinner before going against it. Let alone inform him about Julia, whether or not he knew about her. One step at a time…

Before long, however, she noticed the cracks appearing in the Nation's facade. His hands seemed to twitch uncontrollably while hints of a pained grimace lined the aristocrat's face. It was as though, she sensed, that he was beginning to realize what was happening, trying pitifully to deny it. After all, loved ones normally don't come back from the dead to share meals. But a part of her wondered whether he blamed himself in some way for killing her.

Nem…Don't fail on me now, Roderich. Fighting her own pain in seeing the unfolding sight, the Magyar reached out to him, her hands sliding gently into his and a look of soft concern on her face. Feeling the brown haired German calm down, she slowly tugged at his coat, lifting him up with surprising ease and bringing them close together. But the motion also brought up other, more intimate parts in their relationship that Elizaveta missed. Which she was certain her former husband shared as well.

As the sun set around the couple, she whispered to his ear with a vaguely seductive voice. "Can we be husband and wife once more, dear? Like old times?"

And being a gentleman, to her welcome surprise, he willingly obliged.

--o--

She wished that night would go on forever. Both of them did. It didn't take long before their bodies got reacquianted with each other. Even as hints of her true form showed themselves in the heat of passion, neither of them really cared. And she had to admit that the aristocrat was still just as skillful a maestro in the bedroom. It was after all, a symphony only they alone shared. One that hasn't been played for far too long. But as the last surge of pleasure died down, Elizaveta sensed the faintest hint of a familiar pull once more threatening to claim her. Damn…not now…please…

She was soon distracted, however by the growing uncertainty in her former husband. There was no one, human or Nation, for him to put up appearances for. At that moment, the true face of her beloved Austria was laid bare: an image of a man who had lost almost everything and everyone dear to him. Despite his efforts and her own, the immense grief he suffered refused to leave. He couldn't go on like this. Neither could their dear Sopron. Prussia and the Alpines could only do so much. If only I've been here sooner…Ó, Istenem ... All while the pull grew stronger.

Then finally, she heard him struggling to cope with it all. "A-Are you..."

"I'm really here, Roderich," Hungary replied soothingly as she brought his hand back on her soft chest. A somber look appeared her face even as she played with the aristocrat's hair. "Don't worry, I won't lie. But you've figured it out...haven't you?"

He nodded, blushing as he found it harder to look at her. "My apologies, Elizaveta..." the aristocrat finally muttered in a breaking voice. Which only made it all the more difficult for the once-Nation to hold back tears. "Those...bastards killed you! I shouldn't have known tha-"

"Nem." She brought his face toward hers, eyes now flowing even as she desperately fought off the pull for just a while longer. "If there's anyone who's sorry, it's me. I can only imagine what it must be like for you. Those first years...the pleading...I really tried to get to you as soon as I could. Even though I'm already dead...it was never my intention to hurt you. God gave me this chance to see you. But my time...my life ended years ago...I'm sorry...sorry..."

The Magyar felt him bringing their bodies into a close embrace, using what little energy he still had. "You don't...have to worry," he gasped, his eyes slowly closing shut. "After all that's happened...Even if it's...the end...for us...I have no regrets. Ich liebe dich."

Taking his glasses off, she brought him in for one last kiss. She had long resigned herself to knowing that it would never be the same between them. But whatever happens, we'll still be together. All of us… she silently vowed, cuddling as Austria muttered sweet nothings to her ears. Even as the pull started to overwhelm her. For a moment, Hungary felt what seemed like wings coming out from her body. She didn't mind it at all.

"Please look after our daughter," she whispered as they held on to each other, her voice growing more distant along with her physical form. "This isn't the end. We'll see each other again...that's a promise."

Even as she slid away from the world, Hungary felt after so many years,a sense of contentment seeing the soft smile crossing his slumbering face for the first time in years. And it would not be the last. For once, eternity didn't seem so lonely and painful anymore. She knew all along. Her wishes were finally coming true.

As will all of theirs. Her guarding arm would see to it.


--o--

There was a sense of quaint serenity in her mood as she listened to Julia talk about her day, as the young girl always did whenever they got together like this. It still frustrated the once-Nation to resort to meeting her daughter in her own dreams. Then again, the last thing she wanted was to just appear before her and Roderich out of the blue. She loved them too much not to do that, tempting as it was.

Much was left to be done for both Nations to come to terms, that was definitely certain. She knew that Austria still couldn't bear to have the child call him father, as much as he did his best being a good one. And little Sopron was still too young and vulnerable before the changing tides of the world. But to watch them form a bond in such a short time and move on with their lives gave her an immense feeling of peace. Indeed, just to see her, or rather their child's bright face was more than enough. But nonetheless, she refused to abandon them. They all had promises to make and keep. Hungary herself eagerly waitied for the proper time.

And that time, she sensed, was soon coming: their planned picnic outside Vaduz. She was certain they would all be with the Alpines tomorrow, maybe even with Prussia. Everything was in place. She even had a special party planned. There was only one thing left that had to be done.

"Do you know something, Julia?" Elizaveta asked with a warm smile, which her daughter playfully returned. With tender affection, she brought the Survivor-Nation onto her lap. "I'm thinking of paying you all a visit tomorrow!"

"Really?" The young girl's eyes beamed as she hugged her mother. "Is it actually true? Please tell me, Mama!"

"Igen, my dear. I'll always be here for you and Austria. No matter what," she murmured. "I'm also looking forward to it, too! After all, I'm your guardian angel now…"