I do not own Hellsing nor do I have any interests in it save for pleasure.

Authors Note:

- Italics are thoughts. "sent or projected thoughts."

-Bold words are with emphasis not necessarily yelled or shouted.

Queen Takes Knight

Walter was sitting in the garden amusing himself by 'trimming' flowers with his wires. I feel so damn useless! He shook his head and ground his teeth. Granted Miss Victoria involves me in the restoring and running of Hellsing as much as she possibly can. Miss Victoria always comes to me for help, information, advice, comfort, and at times strength. To be honest her ideas are usually spot on, but he I never feel like just a sounding board for her. While Miss Victoria always has the basics I often help her to refine them. She bears the brunt of all the work and problems that comes with Hellsing being rebuilt.

"Damn! I'm not healing fast enough!" Walter growled. So much was on the shoulders of the young vampire. "If pressure makes diamonds, Miss Victoria is indeed becoming a rare gem." He said with a fatherly smile to the wind. Walter's head snapped up. There was movement near him. The house had been attacked another time recently and everyone knew it could happen again at any time. Walter looked around for the source of the noise, it was behind him. Walter turned, wires at the ready only to retract them. "Miss Victoria?" Walter looked at her; she seemed to be in shock. Seras blinked walking towards him. "Seras Victoria, what is wrong?" He asked her as he stood up. "Damn! That hurt."

"Ummm, Walter we have a guest who wants to speak to you, me and Alucard." Seras said still looking confused as she walked up.

"You, Alucard and I." Walter corrected absently.

"Oh yea sorry." Seras looked up at Walter. She could tell that he was in pain. Seras also knew that if she offered to help him too soon it would upset him. Walter hated the current state of his health. "They are in the formal sitting room. Do you want to go by way of the garden or the house?" Seras looked worried.

"If you would not mind, I will lean on you a bit as you lead me up the garden path, until someone can see us of course" Walter joked and smiled sounding naughty. Seras caught on quickly.

"But my mum said I should never lead a man up the garden path!" Seras feigned shock "My dad always muttered something about slamming gates after that." She giggled. Seras was always happy to help Walter.

"Like any true father!" Walter said with a laugh. He had been on the receiving end of more than a few 'gates' in his younger days. "Seras, kindly tell me who our visitor is?" Walter asked as they walked through the garden.

"Oh, yea, how could I forget, it's Her Royal Majesty." Seras said with a calmness she did not feel. Walter nodded very pleased that Seras was composing herself quickly.

"I see. One wonders what she would want to speak to the three of us about." Walter mused. "Did you tell The Queen about Alucard's absence?" He quickly asked looking at Seras almost afraid of the answer. When surprised or flustered Seras still had the habit of saying precisely the wrong thing.

"Well yes and no, I said that Master Alucard was out this evening and not responding to me right now." Seras shrugged nearly upsetting Walter. "It is the truth. The useful part at least." Seras sighed. Since he disappeared she tried for a half an hour every night to contact Alucard. He was not responding.

"That was very well played Miss Victoria." Walter smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "Very well played indeed!" He complemented her. Seras looked happier and more confident. "Well from here I go solo. I hope I do not fall on my arse!" Walter whispered to Seras. She tried not to dissolve into giggles.

"Sit!" Was the first thing out of Her Royal Majesty's mouth looking at Walter and pointing to a comfortable chair.

"As it please Your Majesty, of course." Walter sat Her royal Majesty never changes.

"Do have a seat my dear." The Queen smiled at Seras and gestured to another comfortable chair. The young vampire was doing well but the Queen could see her nervousness. "We are sure that you both would like to know why We traveled here as opposed to using other forms of communication." Her Royal Majesty began pleasantly. "Do you know how much longer Alucard will be?" She questioned and looked at them both then focused on Walter. The girl was such a bundle of nerves that the Queen could not read her. Walter on the other hand She knew, and She was certain to get more from him.

"I am afraid I could not predict that Your Majesty. He has not been keeping regular hours here." Walter responded with all earnestness.

"Very well then, We are sure the two of you can tell him of this meeting and the high points. "Firstly you appear to be without one leader." The Queen looked thoughtful for a moment. She then gave a gentle shake of her head and continued. "That matter is being dealt with as we speak. It should not be long. Secondly, We are placing you; Seras Victoria, and Walter Dornez as co-commanders of Hellsing. The specifics of how this will happen will be up to both of you. Thirdly, Seras Victoria you and Alucard will not and cannot be hunted here. You are both are under the Crown's protection. You will be known by the Crowns through the ages. Great Britain will be something of a safe haven for you. Your aid in issues will come up from time to time, but right now you are in the thick of it anyway. Though now it would seem that there is a new and unique threat." Seras' eyes got very big. "Do not take any rash action though." There was a definite warning in The Queen's voice. Seras got it and nodded quickly. "Lastly, this house and it's property are now being held by the Crown, more specifically held by Us. Get your men together and get back to work. Do you understand?" Both nodded. "Thought it would seem you have already done so. We are pleased by this. Continue to be careful, things may not always be as they seem, but do your job using whatever means you deem necessary."

"Yes my Queen!" Walter and Seras replied in unison. "We understand and will not fail you!"

"Of that We are sure." The Queen smiled. "Commander Victoria."

"Yes Your Royal Majesty?"

"You are dismissed. We have further business to discuss with Walter. See to it that We have Our privacy and are not to be disturbed."

"Yes My Queen!" Seras stood and saluted the Queen. She then left closing the doors quietly behind her.

"She seems a good girl she must be exceptional in some way for Alucard to have turned her." The Queen said with a cocked eyebrow.

"That she is Your Majesty It is interesting to note that she had more ability than anybody gave her credit for here, including myself I am embarrassed to admit." Walter shook his head. "I have asked her why she never let anyone know that she could do all of this." He said gesturing to mean the whole of the operations. "Her answer floored me and left me feeling rather like a heel. 'How could I? Nobody asked me. All anyone wanted from me was to keep my mouth shut and follow orders.'" Walter grimaced remembering the look on her face as she said those words.

"We see." Was the only response from the Queen. "Walter, We have something important to ask of you." The Queen said seriously.

"As My Queen wishes I will do without fail." Walter answered with equal seriousness.

"Do not be so quick to agree to this." The Queen said sharply when Walter made to disagree, he was John Bull to the core. "In truth We have no right to ask this of you." the Queen nearly whispered. "Let Us finish." She looked right into Walter's eyes. "There are those who would see this request as a sin for Our even thinking of asking this, much less to actually act upon it. It may well be. If it is, the sin is on Us and Us alone." She looked right into Walter's eyes. "Wait to respond until We finish."

"Of course." Walter nodded. He could not imagine what Her Majesty could ask of him that was so serious.

"This is difficult for Us personally." The Queen stood and walked towards the fireplace looked in, then turned to Walter. "But as Queen, We must do that which is uncomfortable to Us personally when We feel that it is in the best interest of Our country." She took a deep breath "We may be asking you to destroy yourself. What We are asking is that dangerous, delicate, and …forever, We really do not know." The Queen swallowed.

"My Queen?" Walter prompted her gently.

"We want you to allow Alucard to turn you into vampire." The Queen's voice was only just above a whisper. Walter thought he misheard Her but as She, his Queen looked at him he knew he had heard correctly. Walter paled as his eyes went large in surprise. He blinked. "As We said this is probably a sin for Us to even think of it. We pray to Our Creator that any and all sin be on Us alone and not you if you agree to do this." Her Royal Majesty went over to him and sat down again. The effort she had to make in order to ask and the concern She felt was evident. "Things have gotten to this point, We are so sorry."

"But, my age?" Walter nearly stuttered.

"It is not a concern in this matter. One of the Special Projects people that We employ has discovered a way around this issue. When you are turned you will be as in your prime, physically inside and out. We seem to remember your prime being very pleasant to look on." Her royal Majesty smiled a bit teasingly.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Walter looked properly humble and embarrassed but still smiled a bit.

"There is a formula that you must drink. Drink one dose daily for a period of at least one month. This begins the process so that your body can handle the final change. That last change can only end with you being turned into a vampire or dying." The Queen said looking pained. "The older and stronger the vampire the better. We have one month of doses for you here now, more can be made if Alucard does not return by then." She sighed and took his hand shocking Walter immensely. To touch the Queen was of highest improper behavior, unless instigated by her. "You can say no! We will fully understand if you did. We are aware that this thing We ask of you is forever." She took a deep breath and sighed. "We are sorry to come to you with this request. If you have any reservation or doubt or misgivings then say no and nothing will be said of this again, you have Our word, the researcher does not have any names." The Queen sighed and sat back in the chair. "Take your time before you answer."

They sat together in silence. Both were deep in thought on this request. Staring at the fire they were trying to find answers from deep within. Would he do this thing? Would he give his soul? Many times he had been asked to give his life, each time he did so unflinchingly and survived. Would he make what was the truest sacrifice to Queen and Country? After reflecting for a time Walter moved. He stood, albeit slowly and with pain from his injuries. By his will alone he went to one knee before His Queen. This act, much less his ability to accomplish it surprised Her. He then bowed his head.

"My Queen I do most humbly thank you for this honor and the trust you have shown in me. You must know that in the past when I was a younger man Alucard offered me this immortality. Each time I refused, saying I preferred to die as a human. That offer when made in the past was in vanity, his and mine. I do not fear death by any cause, be it old age or violence or disease. You have presented me with a way to serve you My Queen, My Country, Its Populace, and The Future of all. This offer is made for a cause higher and more important than any one man alive, dead or undead." He looked up into the eyes of His Beloved Queen and in them saw all that She stood for, that which was the British ideal, all that he stood for. "As My Queen wishes I will do and Never Fail." Walter bowed his head in total submission to his Queen and country.

"Walter." The Queen whispered. Part of Her had truly hoped that he would refuse. She knew that he would not. This was why She asked it of him. Why She had to ask it of him. Here in front of Her knelt John Bull in the flesh. "Any sin of this act now and forever is visited on Us and Us alone." She whispered holding back tears knowing full well he went to his destruction. "Walter know this, from this moment on you are a Knight of this Realm. It would pass to your descendants, but as you won't die you will hold this title. Should the need for Walter to die which We are afraid will be the case for this incarnation of you. It will pass on to the newest Walter. Plans are already in the works for that. We think you should wait to use your new title until then." Her Royal Majesty smiled at him. "Now get back into that chair before you do any more damage to yourself!" The Queen shook her head and looked into a case at Her side. She retrieved a wooden box and handed it to Walter. "You must consume one bottle daily, understand?"

"Yes I do my Queen." He replied as he opened the case and looked within. There were thirty bottles each nestled into place in royal Purple velvet. Walter was glad they were small bottles. "There are no special instructions?"

"One. Find Alucard and do it quickly! After the third month of drinking these We do not know what happens, the records only talk of the first three. Once you start there is no turning back. After you drink the first bottle the deal is done." Her Royal Majesty warned him. Walter's eyebrows went up. "If he has not returned by the end of the second month We will use Integra's bond with him to pull his undead arse back here! We however do not want to involve her just now." The Queen stood and retrieved her valise. "Well We are sure We will be seeing you both again." When they walked out of the room the foyer was empty. Save for one, Seras. "Commander Victoria." Her Royal Majesty said as way of acknowledgment.

"My Queen." Seras saluted. Seras took the Queen's request seriously. Yes, she could have listened to the conversation, all knew she had not. She had been wondering and worrying about this new threat.

"Commander Dornez." The Queen said and looked at Walter. Walter bowed and with that The Queen left.

Seras needed a little time away from Hellsing house to think about that nights events. After all it's not every day the Queen comes to visit. The market place was a great area to simply wander, and just let your mind work everything out on its own. Stepping into an alleyway Seras was looking to the side when she noticed some ones back. It was someone she had not thought about, or knew how to deal with. Knowing he could turn to face her in an instant Seras realized that her best option was to be the aggressor.

"Ya know what; of all the cute little names Master Alucard has given you I think that I like 'Vatican's Whipping Boy' the best." She smirked beginning to stalk towards Anderson. Oh God let this work, or I am ash.

"Eh?" Father Anderson turned to face the voice that confronted him. He knew it; he knew it all too well. It did sound a shade different though. "Well lass where is yair master?"

"It isn't going to matter Whipping Boy" Seras launched herself at him; to anyone it would look like it was a full frontal assault. It wasn't. Seras aimed herself just to his left.

"Harlot!" Anderson reacted as if it was a frontal attack, he then heard ripping. On his left side there was a hole in his coat body and coat arm. He was stunned. "Come t' play lass?"

"No." Seras answered and grinned large, with her fangs growing.

"Is tat so?" Anderson realized Seras was not there to play; she was there to kill him. I will not allow that! I am bigger, stronger, better trained and I have God on my side. Anderson just needed to get rid of her now. "Very well lass I'll save some o' yair ashes for ye' fiendish master." Anderson pulled out two bayonets and attacked.

Bloody Hell! I am so dead! Seras thought; she knew she had her hands full. With each strike from Anderson she would just get out of his way. Seras then surprised them both. She shot him square in the chest."Oops got ya Whipping Boy!" Seras giggled. "Maybe I should find a lash?" She hissed the last word. "But then I do owe you for my throat." Seras' teeth and eyes shone in the night.

"Now ye die!" Anderson was angry at himself. Just because she is a woman nay a female, tae female of tae species is more dangerous than tae male. Especially with how desirable she… OH GOD NO! "This ends now!" Anderson attacked much harder now with a cold fury, slashing as swiftly as he could.

Oh hell I got to get out of this one! It was all Seras could do to survive. She defended like mad, and then had an idea. Kitten was her nickname in D11 but now she was a full grown cat. She stole from that and at his next charge she went towards him and then went low and 'Clawed him from underneath'. This surprised Anderson enough that he unbalanced himself. Seras clawed open his chest, scraped her teeth across his throat, and to add insult to injury shot him in the groin at point blank range. Then Seras quickly retreated out of his range. "Well Whipping Boy, you taste pretty good, and your …little loss should help keep you from sexually gratifying yourself, over thoughts of tonight." Seras said as she licked her lips and then fingers slowly, sensuously wondering where the hell those words had come from. Seras escaped, taking with her a lessons from this night. She had sustained more than a bit of damage herself, but it was worth it; the look on Anderson's face was PRICELESS!

From that night on Walter drank one bottle a night, generally prior to dinner. His recovery time sped up markedly, and he found he was feeling like his "old self" which was in fact his "younger self." That idea amused him but for now it needed to remain a private joke. Everyone did notice that they would see that smirk on his face occasionally for no apparent reason, but this was Walter and he was a bit odd. Those who knew of his past cocked an eyebrow wondering where his wires were; the others just thought him a dotty and harmless old man.