The woman who lived by the hill

(13) A call for aid

Historia's farm
857

Usually, when people thought of the word "Queen", they expected a refined woman draped in the most expensive of garments, jewels glittering like stars in the sunlight and a dainty little crown upon her head as she sat in her grand and majestic palace.

Queen Historia of the island of Paradis was not like that.

She was a hard-working woman who didn't mind getting her hands dirty. Rather than big ball gowns with layers of lace or silk, she contented herself with plain clothes, which were far more comfortable and easy to move in. Her mind was turned over to the issue of helping others; she didn't care about big tea parties with other noble women or all the silly and unproductive activities the typical queens she imagined took part in.

Not that she was like any other 'typical Queen' in other ways. She didn't do much of actual decision-making or ruling of the Island as her subordinates handled that. No, nearly all of her time was spent on the family farm where she worked, ran an orphanage, raised her daughter and was expecting her second child.

This had gained her the nickname of The Cattle-farming goddess amongst her subjects. She always found it amusing to hear about it.

On that day, as she usually did of late, Historia was out in the barn feeding the animals, her three-year-old daughter running about energetically and screaming nonsense. She had just gotten around to throwing some grains for the chickens when her husband came rushing over from the house.

Isham had grown up in the same area as Historia. When they were younger, he would bully and throw things had her. Now, he was her husband (they had gotten married a year after their daughter, Ymira, was born) and he was the father to her children. It was funny to think it, but she had started to truly fall for Isham, even though there was one person she would much rather have by her side...

"What is it?" the Queen asked as he came to a halt before her.

"Someone's here to see you," Isham informed her. "She says she was in the 104th training corps with you. I left her waiting on the porch."

Historia's eyes went to the house. She couldn't see who the person was from her position, but at least she could tell there was, in fact, somebody there. "I wonder if it's...? Isham, watch Ymira."

She set off on a determined march. At four months pregnant, it was difficult to make good time, but she got there eventually, and the visitor became distinguishable. It was as Paradis's ruler had predicted.

"Mikasa!"

She climbed up the wooden stairs to the porch where Ackerman sat in wait. When she saw Historia she stood and bowed.

"There's no need for that. No formalities on the farm, that's the rule. I'm no Queen here, just Historia."

"Okay," said Mikasa simply.

"So. What brings you? I never get visits from you. Is this because the peace treaty was denied?"

The other woman shook her head. She said, "Historia, I need your help."