Lol I totally forgot to update this on here - I've had the AO3 update for a few weeks now. MY BAD GUYS!

I really lost inspiration for this story for a long time, but I stubbornly did not want to give out when I have so much planned for future chapters / content. So here's an update. I'm working on the next, it seems I've found some inspiration again which I'm super happy for!

AoT / SnK belongs to Hajime Isayama.

Eren woke with a sudden start that morning. She shot up in her bed, breath heaving, for a reason unknown to her. The dim light of early morning was being overwhelmed by dark storm clouds. She shuddered and rose from her covers, quickly tugging on a dressing gown over her night dress.

There was something off about the morning, Eren couldn't fight the bad feeling that had welled in the pit of her stomach. It was the kind of day where she wished she had access to her mother's comfort.

Despite her state of unsettle, she continued on to a bath and readied for the day. Together with the other ladies, she trooped down to breakfast without any reaction at all from the Prince. Eren wondered if he sensed something amiss as well.

The day proved to be different when they entered the dining hall to find the King and Queen already seated. Since the first week or so that she had arrived, it had been rare to see the man at the table. Queen Kuchel described her husband as busy and involved, such as a king should be.

He offered them a nod in greeting, which they returned graciously.

Her feeling was proven correct when a courier burst into the room during their breakfast meal. She watched as the man surreptitiously sidled up to the king.

King Darius huffed a sigh. "Report," he said with authority.

One quick salute later, the courier spoke his message. "Word from our southern borders, sire. The defense factions have been overrun by Titans. The only surviving commander is rallying with Maria's troops to launch a counter assault before anymore damage can be done. Commander Hughes sends his apologies that he was not able to keep the brigands at bay."

Silence took the room.

Eren felt alarm rise up within her. Shiganshina was one of the countryside villages just outside of Maria. If the borders had been breached, then it was possible her parents could be in danger. Her gaze swept upwards and locked with Mikasa's. That's right, she thought, the Ackermans live on the outskirts of Maria, they could be in trouble too if this counter offense isn't effective.

The King nodded his thanks to the courier and stood from the table with a soft kiss to his queen's forehead. He beckoned to one of the butlers, one Eren remembered was known as Reiner, and spoke in hushed tones to him. When the man hurried from the room, his focus turned to Prince Levi. "Come my boy, it's high time you've sat in on a battle council."

Levi didn't put up any kind of fight, to Eren's surprise. Rather, he dutifully rose and rounded the table to follow King Darius out the door.

Queen Kuchel stood at the head of the table, "Ladies, given the course the day has taken, I'm going to cease any activities for the day to ensure the instructors may be able to assist the King in the council today if need be. Please continue to reconvene for meals, they shall be held at standard times." With that, she quietly left as well for an unknown location.

To themselves, the ladies all shared looks.

"To think that the brigands have managed to get across the border so easily," Historia murmured with concern.

Mikasa's gaze was hard, "Depending on the outcome of the counterassault, this could easily be the brink of another war against the Titans."

Jeannie huffed and crossed her arms, "It's been too quiet in this country for too long, conflict in inevitable. Our forces are strong, let the Titans come."

Petra tossed her an unsettled glance, "Have you no shame? Conflict brings death and uncertainty for everyone. Yet you would wish so easily for it? This country doesn't need another war, let the reign of peace continue."

Hannah fiddled with some of her red hair in disinterest. "It's all politics, let the men worry about it."

From Historia's side, Ymir looked up with interest. "You really don't care about any of it? What kind of queen would you make with that poor attitude?"

The redhead spluttered in disbelief, "How dare you say such a thing! I would trust in the King's decisions and not get involved where my presence is not needed."

"Wow, yeah, don't let her become queen," Jeannie commented as if to antagonize her.

"War can lead to food shortages and no one needs that," Sasha threw in, throwing a concerned glance to her breakfast plate.

Mina was next to speak. "I worry for the call to arms should a war arise from this conflict. My brother would probably be drafted in and I would fear for him."

Eren listened to it all quietly, her mind preoccupied with the potential danger her parents might be in. If the tentative schedule remained the same, her next letter from home should be arriving within the next couple of days. She was anxious to see what her mother might pass along from the countryside.

"Have you any thoughts, Miss Jaeger?"

She blinked, refocusing on the room before her to find everyone looking at her expectantly. "Oh.. I wish for things to have a quick solution, but mainly I hope all the civilians can be protected."

Half of the ladies seemed surprised by her response, though she had no idea why.

"That was… surprisingly mature of you to say," Hannah commented dryly.

Eren shot a glare at her, feeling offended. "Oh, my apologies Miss Diamant, perhaps I should just stop worrying and leave such trivial things to men as per your suggestion."

The room fell into a shocked silence.

"Do excuse me now, I must see if the courier has come bearing a letter yet or not," she bit out, stalking from the room.

As she turned the corner from the dining hall, she bumped directly into the courier she was about to seek out. "Ah Reginald, my apologies."

"No harm done Miss Jaeger," the elderly man said gently. "I was actually searching for you. You've a new letter." He handed her the folded parchment and bowed to take his leave.

Eren retreated to the general suite to read, part of her hoping none of the other ladies would come in until she had finished. She perched in her favorite chair and carefully broke the wax seal.

Eren my dear,

Apologies for the lateness of this letter!

I hope things have continued to be as you said, uneventful. I'm sad that the other ladies still haven't really proven themselves to be the friendly kind, I was hoping you'd be able to bring out their more personable sides. Though I am glad to hear you've found a friend in this Armin boy. He sounds like a gentle soul.

You can only imagine the surprise your father felt when I told him you were friends with Castor and Finnian as well. He asks you to pass on well wishes to them both. It has been long since we saw them.

Business has been quite a lot in recent times, so many requests for weaponry. I suspect that is due to the increasing amount of activity at the border. There is talk of an attack, and it is clear to see that the guard is making preparations. Though hope I might that such a thing won't come to pass, the signs are there.

Your father had to refuse a customer as he struck us as a brigand, I hope he doesn't return.

I have many hopes and worries, my dear, I cannot lie. Yet amidst this all, I am glad to have you safe in the capital. May Sina's walls protect you more than we could have here should the worse come to pass.

I shall write again soon to keep you informed. Your father and I love you ever so dearly.

Make the best of things, and worry not for us,

Mama and Papa

She traced the written characters with her brow furrowed in concern. It was utterly impossible for her not to worry with the knowledge that the border had been breached. Shiganshina was much too close to the danger for her to imagine anything but bad coming to pass.

Eren folded the letter back into its envelope and sat back in her chair, fingers pressed lightly against her lip. She cast a lingering glance out the window, part of her pleased to find that despite the obvious implication of the dark clouds, it had yet to begin raining.

In an impulse decision, she tore off her day dress and tugged on her slacks and black peasant top. Her hair was quickly put into a half ponytail style, riding boots pulled on over her dark brown pants. It had been far too long since she had taken a ride on Camille.

The palace was simultaneously void of activity, as it was humming with it. Servants and guards alike congregated with matching looks of concern. The threat of war was becoming a palpable one, though no one wished to consider it. Yet the battle council had pulled in many staff, leaving the usually bustling palace halls in a strange state of eerie quiet.

Eren hurried past it all to reach the stables. Camille easily seemed to pick up on her discomfort and nuzzled against her face affectionately, a low rumble sounding in her chest.

She laughed weakly. "Thanks Cami. Want to go for a ride around the palace grounds with me?"

The white mare stomped impatiently, lips clumsily pulling at the bridle and saddle set up nearby.

Eren grinned and allowed herself to drift through the familiar motions of saddling up her horse. It never seemed to matter what was happening, Camille always seemed to be able to lift her mood.

"C'mon girl, let's go."

She steered them to the main palace gardens, which was a huge and predominantly natural fixture at the back of the vast castle. Up by the building, it was more developed with marble and stone pathways laid out in intricate patterns, and a few fountains and statues scattered about. But as it moved outward, it gave way to large trees with ample amounts of open running area. It was well within the grounds of the castle and yet far enough out that she felt free enough to be herself.

The wind billowed through her hair and past her face as Camille instinctively rose to a gallop, bolting around the small field with ease and joy. Deciding to truly embrace the moment, she slowly pulled herself to a stand on the saddle, giggling breathlessly. "Go Cami! Go faster!"

From a somewhat nearby balcony, Levi watched the scene with a mild sense of awe. Eren was a very peculiar fixture in his world of monotony, and he found himself growing more intrigued by her rebellious nature and honest words as the months went on. Earlier on, he had anticipated that she would wilt under the pressures and felt a bit guilty for having been the one to drag her into things, and yet here she remained, seemingly as free and resilient as ever. She was far more complicated than the other ladies fighting for his affections, especially as she wasn't fighting for them at all. And yet, he found himself growing tolerant of her presence.

Levi's face quirked into a tiny smile as the wind carried a carefree laughter with it. Hearing such a sound was a relief from the tense war meeting he had attended, and he found a small part of him craving to hear more of it. Eren remained an enigma to him, but he was definitely interested in learning more.

Eren steered Camille closer to the gardens, pulling back on the reins slightly to slow her excitable mare. "Easy girl, time for a drink I think."

The white horse slowed to a trot as her rider carefully lowered to a crouch on her back.

Just as she was ready to slip her feet back into the stirrups, Camille slammed to a halt and bucked her back legs, sending her flying into the air and straight into a nearby pond. Eren quickly surfaced with a splutter, "YOU CHEEKY WHITE BEAST! I take you out for a run finally and this is the thanks I get!?"

Camille whinnied at her, lips showing her teeth in an almost teasing fashion.

"You little-" she hastily made her way through the stodgy water to tug her horse in with her but Camille reared back and took off away from her. "GET YOURSELF BACK HERE THIS INSTANT CAMI! FAIR IS FAIR, YOU HEAR ME? I WON'T TOLERATE THIS BEHAVIOR FROM YOU!"

Surely it was a comical sight, a woman in dripping wet clothing chasing around her overgrown pony amidst the delicate gardens of Sina's castle.

It took a half an hour, but finally Camille allowed her to grab the reins again, whinnying and chuffing playfully.

Eren pouted, "Fine. I guess I'll get you back later. You had fun, which you deserved after being cooped up so long. I learned my lesson, okay?" She patted the mare's flank affectionately.

They walked side by side for a bit, Eren preventing her horse from eating on the no doubt priceless shrubberies. It was a small piece of home amongst everything unfamiliar. Just her and Camille. It was a much needed reprieve from the stress of that morning.

Gentle sprinkles began to fall from the sky as they headed in the general direction of the stables. She paid the rain no mind, focusing instead on the fresh scent that arose from the ground that was slowly being saturated. "Everything will be alright, won't it Cami?"

Her horse, of course, could not reply, but nudged into her side in a comforting way.

Eren bit her lip, "I hope so too."

A couple of weeks passed, no word came from any messengers. The absence of news set everyone on edge. For surely something had happened, and it did not bode well.

The breakfast table was near silent, even with a full setting. The King was subdued, the Queen sitting a vigil of comfort at his side. Prince Levi seemed to be anxious from the way he was almost imperceptibly fidgeting.

Even after breakfast, no one seemed to want to leave each other's presence, a sense of calm found in their togetherness.

Seeing this, Queen Kuchel rose and invited everyone to join her and the King in a nearby sitting room.

Eren could hardly focus on the fact that they had never been in that particular room before, her mind too preoccupied with worry. Surely some kind of word would have made it to the palace if the worst had come to pass.

Mikasa sidled up to her at one point, wordlessly taking one of her hands and giving it a small squeeze. "I know," she murmured, "I'm worried too."

Eren offered her a wavering smile, squeezing her hand back. "Thank you, I hope for both our families that nothing has happened."

While the ravenette did let their hands drop, she never quite moved away. Their joined worry was an apparent comfort to them both.

Time passed at its own rate, no one paying it any mind.

Then finally the long anticipated shift came. A courier came running into the sitting room which they had taken up residence, he appeared distraught. He saluted to the royal family before speaking, "My King, Queen, terrible news comes to us from Maria and her countryside."

Silence came over them all. Eren couldn't shake the sinking feeling in her gut that had only seemed to worsen as the day went on.

It was King Darius who nodded for him to continue, "What is it, Moblit?"

"Titan brigands have lain waste to a vast portion of the countryside," he spoke dutifully, "hundreds, if not thousands, have already fallen to them. Maria is requesting further emergency military support in hopes of warding them off. Lord Erwin's own home was threatened recently but his guards were able to hold out. He anticipates he shall arrive to the castle within the next few days."

No one said a word, though they all had matching downtrodden expressions.

Eren could hold her peace no longer, "By chance, was there any word of the Jaeger Smithy or of the Jaegers themselves? Have you heard anything?" She could feel everyone's eyes on her as she spoke but she didn't care, she had to know.

Moblit bowed his head, "Apologies, m'lady… word has reached our messenger that the Jaeger Smithy was burned to the ground by the brigands. Mr. and Mrs. Jaeger perished within."

A choked gasp escaped as her heart seemed to stop beating in her chest. She backed away from him as though she had been struck. Her eyes filled with tears as her lungs seemed to collapse. "No…" she whispered, "s-surely… they couldn't-" Her breathing picked up unbidden, "No.. no no no. No."

Her legs failed her then and she crumpled to the floor in a sobbing heap. The ache in heart left her feeling empty and broken. It simply wasn't possible.. Eren barely noticed the various hands placed on her back and arms, soft words of sympathy being whispered to her. But the small comforts did nothing to calm the vortex of grief swelling within her.

Levi's eyes hardened into a deadly silver, "Give Maria troops, father. Evacuate any families left within the countryside. We must save as many lives as we can."

The King wordlessly agreed, "Send word to Maria and her soldiers that we will deliver; they will not fight alone."

Moblit saluted to him, took one last wayward glance to the sobbing woman on the ground and then left.

Queen Kuchel placed a hand over her mouth as the sound of Eren's heart wrenching sobs echoed through the room. She waved to a nearby butler, "Send for some nursemaids to help Miss Jaeger back to her room."

"No, please my lady Queen," Petra spoke boldly, "allow us to assist her. It is the least we can do for the poor dear."

The Queen merely nodded to her, but spoke again to the butler, "Instead have them sent to her room. She will need delicate care."

With a bow of confirmation, the butler left the room.

Mikasa and Sasha helped Eren to her feet and began guiding her from the room

Prince Levi watched the sad affair with a softened gaze, his heart aching uncharacteristically for the girl. His expression did not go unnoticed by his mother.

King Darius was quick to leave after placing a kiss on his Queen's cheek. He declared that he had ready the guards and make other battle preparations.

It left the Prince and his mother in the room.

"You feel softly for Miss Jaeger, do you not?"

He was mildly surprised by the question, "What?"

Queen Kuchel looked to him levelly, "You're different when it comes to that girl. She awakens something in your eyes that I've never seen before. I'm well aware of your growing affections for her."

Levi glowered a bit, "I feel nothing for her."

She sighed wearily, "Levi, please… you've favored her since the moment she arrived. Perhaps even before as it was your idea to personally fetch her from her home." The ravenette turned to look out the window, "You may not know it yet, but she will be the one you choose, I can tell. Which is why I wish to give you counsel given the current turn of events."

With a small huff he spoke, "I'm listening."

"Her heart has been broken," the Queen murmured, "the good of the world has suddenly vanished from her sights and has left her feeling empty. Emptiness can fester within the mind, loneliness only feeds it. And if it is left to rot away at her core, her mind may just crack and leave her desperate."

He approached his mother warily, "What are you suggesting?"

She turned back to face him, "I'm telling you that if she isn't properly cared for, you could lose her. Perhaps not to a physical point, but you may lose her to despair. If she is allowed to wallow in the depression and self pity that she currently feels, she may just try to join her deceased family. So allow her to grieve but do not allow her to sink into the darkness. The others will do what they can, as will I, but I feel that you will be the one that can get through to her."

The Prince turned his head downward at that, "Do you think she will end up in a similar way to me?"

"I fear it, yes. The loss is just as great as yours was, not one but two precious people lost in a sudden moment of horror." Her eyes glimmered, "Please, if she begins to sink, please try and help her rise."

He nodded solemnly, "I will… do my best."

Kuchel smiled weakly to her son, "I know you will, Levi."

Shit getting real!

~Ghosties