The Finnish War 1808-09

The year was 1808.


Just like any other February morning Tino woke up to see the beautiful snow outside of their windows. Ice was hanging down from the roof, the tips of it looking like small pearls. There was a reason for this month being called "pearl month" in his own language after all. The winter was a beautiful time and should be appreciated but never underestimated.

Outside a Bullfinch was eating seeds from the sheaf put out for them and there were tracks on the snow from a hare that had run past the house. Maybe to gnaw on the apple trees. He would have to mention that to Sweden so they'd find away to protect the trees somehow.

This calm peace had been going on for about 20 years now. It felt as if nothing could break this happy life they shared now. Like no threats existed anymore. This was the right place to be. That was why Finland preferred not to think of his thoughts of leaving from a few decades back. Of course, the thoughts o his own home were still somewhere inside him at times, but he always came to the conclusion this was were he belonged. He belonged with Sweden.

There was nothing in the beautiful snowcovered landscape, nor had he seen any in his husband, hinting to that this day, the 21st of February 1808 would be the beginning of a very big change in his life.

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Okay, I fixed my post a little. And You guys decide yourselves who goes next. However I think some working insome background and things into them would be great. Like Russia, you can go all Tilsit and yeah.

Ivan Braginski stood watching as his troops marched around, gathering their weapons and prepared for battle. And battle there would be. Soon. Ivan smiled to himself. He doubted it would be very long. The Swedes were unprepared, though they had been warned. He and Sweden had been exchanging letters about Napoleons blockade months now. The smile grew wider as Ivan remembered the letters the tsarina Elisabeth has sent her sister to try and convince her royal husband to join the blockade. That had been fun to watch.

This, however, was not very fun at all. It was the 8th of February, it was snowing, it was cold and it was all because of France and that short boss of his. Ivan casually broke a barrel of supplies as he made his way through the camp, still smiling. The camp was stuffed with soldiers, but every one of them got out of his way when he approached. Ivan didn’t notice, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the meeting over half a year ago.

Ivan didn’t like losing, and this time losing to France had been even more annoying than it usually was. Possibly because the French boss was a miget, or because tsar Alexander had been such a трус the entire war. Maybe it was both, Ivan didn’t really care. It wasn’t fun. End of story.

The treaties themselves had been pretty fun though. It wasn’t everyday you got to negotiate on a raft in the middle of a river. It would have been more fun if he had been the one with the upper hand, but it was not as the deal was entirely bad for him. He had to join the blockade against England and help France fight Turkey, sure, but he could have Finland if Sweden didn’t join the blockade. That was good, the fact that Alexander had been totally fascinated by the midget and became friends with him was not so good. Ivan knew it wasn’t going to last. Better get Finland quickly.

General Tučkov rose up when Ivan entered the tent. Ivan gave him a less dangerous smile and sat down, wrapping himself in a blanket.
Tučkov looked at him.
“Are you cold, родина?”, he asked.
“I’m always cold in winter”, Ivan replied. “I wish we could have waited until summer.”
“The melting ice will make it harder for the Swedes to aid the Finns. We should have an easy and quick victory.”
Ivan smiled. The Finns wouldn’t go down without a fight. Quick or not, it could be interesting.
Tučkov noticed the smile. He frowned.
“Please don’t forget we’re supposed to make this as bloodless as possible.”
Joy killer.
Ivan took out the bottle of vodka he always carried with him and offered a sip to Tučkov.
“To victory”, he said.
“To victory”, Tučkov agreed.
Just a few more hours, and they would attack. No declaration of war, not this time. Sweden had been warned, and Ivan knew Sweden vas aware about the upcoming attack. Question was, had he bothered warning Finland? Ivan took another sip from the bottle. Cold or not, it could prove to be a fun war. Ivan smiled as he felt the warmth of the alcohol running though his veins.

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Yey, actually managed to write something at last. Seriously though, I'm still quite unsure how to do this. Oh, and about the date, Russia is still using the Julian calendar around this time, so it should be accurate.

(Okay, finally, here it goes...)

Sweden awoke to the morning sun on his face only to find he was alone in the bed. He looked around for a little bit because it was odd for the other to wake up before the Swede.

Sweden got out of bed, shivering a bit as his feet touched the cold floor. He stretched out his arms until they gave a satisfing pop and then walked out to see his wife, Finland, looking out the window at the winter landscape. Sweden took a moment to admire the shorter nation as he looked in that moment, so beatiful in his mind. Sweden walked up behind the other and wrapped his arms around him saying in a soft voice "Beatiful."

He hoped that the other would be able to understand what he was saying with such short words. Sweden, having grown up in such a cold place had always just thought that it was nature to not say much and therefore conserve energy, but since meeting Finland, he had begun to wonder if that was what was best.

But for right now, he live was everything he hoped it would be. His country was pulling through another winter, and Finland was still by his side.

The feeling of Sweden's warm arms around him made him smile, and the uttered word spread a small blush over his face so early in the morning. Only Sweden could make it sound so sincere.

"Go'morron" he said, and leaned into the embrace, his back against Sweden's chest. Sweden. His husband, lover, or whatever you wanted to call him. They'd been through a lot together. Fought many wars and seen many hardships. Protecting Finland's half of the Kingdom had not always been the easiest thing.

Not so long ago the Russian Empress Jekaterina had even suggested he should join her and be given something similar to independence. It had been a tempting thought, even among his people. With roots in that it was probably no wonder the Anjala Conspiracy had mostly involved officers from the Eastern part of Sweden --Finland.

But no matter what the separatists said, and how much his people were slowly getting more tied to the east, he knew that in his heart and in his people the fear caused by Ivan and his armies in the pas were far from gone. And now Sveaborg stood there, as a proud example of how much the leaders of Sweden were ready to sacrifice for protecting Finland. Even almost causing themselves to go bankrupt. But Sveaborg would protect them from anything. And Sprengtporten had since long disappeared off to Russia.

The beautiful day would continue with breakfast together, just like always. He didn't know if they had any bussiness to attend today, but he was sure they'd be informed. Turning around he leaned up and gave Sweden a quick kiss before smiling up at him.
"Tillsammans för alltid"
(Together forever)

Crossing the frozen river of Kymijoki and entering Sweden’s territories had been easy despite the cold. Too easy, in fact. Ivan was a bit disappointed with the lack of battle they had encountered so far, but even more he was amused.

It was quite clear that Sweden had not given Finland any warning that war may come. The Finnish brigade at the border had probably been suspecting something, how could one not with an army gathering on the other side of the river? Yet it was clear they were surprised and unprepared for a war. The three-way Russian attack could have completely squashed them, had it not been for the orders to take it easy.

Ivan snickered to himself, the sound causing slight discomfort to the marching troops behind him. Finland would be so pissed at Sweden for this. And there would be no troops from Sweden to help Finland until spring.
Ivan smiled. Everything was going as planned.

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Bit short, but oh well, I'm alive again. Sorry for the absence, I'm back in buisness.