The first meeting between Violet Evergarden and Major Gilbert Bougainvillea is described in the last chapter of volume one of the Violet Evergarden light novel.
(Picture source: Violet Evergarden Wikia)
The anime series did not really expand a lot on how Gilbert's brother, Diethard, came upon Violet and subsequently gave her to Gilbert. It focused more on what happened after that.
In the light novel, Diethard found Violet on a deserted island after his ship ran aground. He and his men were surprised to see a young girl on the island, and when one of his men tried to rape Violet, she killed him. This surprised Diethard even more, and when Diethard ordered all his men to kill her, Violet mistook it as an order for her to kill all his men. Which she proceeded to do. In the end, Diethard was stranded alone with Violet on the island, who followed him as if waiting for her next order. It seemed she did not understand words, but somehow understood the word "kill". When he eventually made his way back, he brought her with him. Diethard kept her close because she seemed to listen to his orders, and he was afraid of her. Afraid of what she might do if he was not the one giving orders. He also mentioned that so far, eight men have died trying to get in her bed.
Diethard gave Violet to Gilbert as a gift to celebrate Gilbert being promoted to major. Well, at least that was what he said. But it was actually because Gilbert was afraid of handling Violet, and wanted to be rid of her. Violet was probably around 10 years old at that time; Diethard mentioned that he can't really handle things once she grows older and starts having her period and stuff. At that time, Gilbert was 25 years old (the light novel mentioned he started fighting when 17 years old, and had been in campaigns since then for 8 years). I guess that means they are about 15 years apart in age.
Gilbert took over Violet from Diethard because he was partly not happy with how his older brother treated the young girl so roughly. At the same time, he sensed that his brother was truly afraid of Violet. He himself saw Violet kill five men (in a mini demo staged by Diethard when he presented Violet to Gilbert). Gilbert was also afraid of what might happen if he passed Violet to someone else; his brother had warned him that putting Violet in an orphanage may end up with a bloodbath at the orphanage, given the killing machine that she was. In the end, he decided that the best way to make sure Violet is cared for without endangering others is to keep Violet with him. And the only way to do that while he is fighting a war is to find a way to enroll Violet into the army.
To convince his army superiors to allow a young girl into his unit, he got them to allow him to stage a demonstration of Violet's fighting prowess. Hodgins met Violet for the first time just before the demonstration was to start and witnessed the entire thing. Violet killed 10 men in the demonstration, stunning everyone watching the demonstration. Two things were clear: she is highly skilled in killing, and she only listens to orders from Gilbert. Gilbert's superiors in the army decided to give Gilbert his own special forces unit, for the purpose of employing the "weapon" that he has. On the night before the unit was to set off on its first expedition, Gilbert named the "weapon" Violet, after the goddess of a flower which appeared in myths. It was here that Violet spoke her first word: major (Gilbert's rank). Also, Violet was never officially enrolled in the army. She was categorised as a weapon, to be used by Gilbert.
(Note: I have been trying to find this reference about the goddess. The flower violet is associated with Ares and Aphrodite. I guess Gilbert may be drawing reference to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and not Ares the god of war. But it would be a fitting reference both ways. The beauty of Aphrodite, and the destruction of Ares. If anyone knows a more fitting goddess and myth for this reference, please leave a comment!)
After the war, the Evergarden family took Violet in, and she lives with them in their mansion while commuting to work at C.H. Postal Company.
Consolidating the key facts:
- Violet was living alone on a deserted island.
- Violet was around 10 years old when Diethard found her and eventually gave her to Gilbert.
- Gilbert was 25 years old when he was given Violet.
- Gilbert took Violet in to both make sure she is looked after as well as to make sure she does not endanger others.
- Violet was a killing machine, having killed five men in close combat during the "demonstration" staged by Diethard and 10 men in the "demonstration" staged by Gilbert.
- The first word that Violet is known to have uttered is "major".
As you can see, this background can be slightly (at the very least) problematic if it was actually adapted into anime. I am really glad KyoAni decided to make changes to the story for the anime adaptation. The light novel makes for great reading, but certain scenes are better left as words than visuals.
Related post: Weapons carried by light novel Violet Evergarden
Note: As I am still reading the light novels, this post will be updated as and when I happen upon more information.
Side note: Hodgins remained a major at the end of the war. I wonder why KyoAni promoted him to lieutenant colonel in the anime adaptation.
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