Title: Between Land and Sea, Chapter 1

Rating: T

Character(s)/Pairing(s): USUK, side PruCan, SuFin and LietPol.

Summary: Alfred is the heir to the throne that commands the Seven Seas, but is unable to govern until he finds a mate. In one of his quests, he saves a British sailor and falls in love with him. Now all he desires is to become human.

Author's Notes: The merfolk setting is as follows: Berwald is the King of the Seven Seas and Tino is the Queen (as in, cardverse type of queen). Their two children (merfolk of same gender are able to reproduce) are Alfred and Matthew, with an age difference of one year. Alfred's personal servant is Toris, who used to work for the Dark Magician of the Seven Seas, Ivan... but more of that in the next chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own this series in any way. The art cover was taken from Google, however I don't know who is the photographer. If you do know, or is the one, please tell me (by review or PM) and I'll add you in the credits.

Between Land and Sea

CHAPTER ONE

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The whole kingdom was in a euphoric state; bright lanterns guided the way of the merfolk to the castle, which was brimming with colorful lights. Merfolk from all Seven Seas joined today at the castle, and the servants did their best to attend to their every need. The queen displayed a larger smile than usual while he chatted animatedly with their guests, the king – whose usual stern face seemed more relaxed – right by his side. Everyone was in an especially cheerful mood today, of course. Even the servants, who usually didn't care much about the political affairs, were smiling cheerfully as well. Today wasn't just a political affair either; after all, it was the coming of age of their energetic young prince.

In the same euphoric mood, Toris, Alfred's personal servant, was for the third time already adjusting a group of blue balloons that just didn't seem right. The brunette merman thought for a second someone had called him, but turning around he didn't see anyone; and so he was swiftly back to work with the balloons. Next to him, a blond sighed.

Today was an especially difficult day for Matthew. His birthday was still one year away, but he could already feel the pressure of it. His brother, on the other hand, couldn't care less. Alfred had always been more easy-going than Matthew, and for that reason he was more easily remembered by others. His older brother was charismatic and strong willed and Matthew was very proud of those characteristics of his. But there was one thing that was very troubling (no, not his never-ending appetite)... Alfred only liked living underwater. And the problem with that, Matthew always had to remind his brother and others, was that Alfred didn't love living underwater.

Of course, he loved their kingdom and cared very much for each citizen, but his obligations were always forgotten if any subject concerning the human world. His brother had a passion concerning those subjects: he would keep every single object he discovered was once of humans'. He even had a secret cave for it, for god's sake! No one ever realized how much this was troubling – nor did they listen much to Matthew. Exactly like today, from the minute the sun was reflected from upwards, no one even seemed to realize there was a second prince.

"Please, Toris, listen! I need to talk with you about Al-"

"I wonder how many people are gathered around here today... perhaps two hundred? Or maybe three… Oh, I hope everything goes well!" The brunette was now talking with himself as he finished organizing the balloons.

Before Matthew could try getting his attention for a fourth time, a voice louder than the other echoed through the room.

"This is, like, totally well made! Of course, I was the head of the design committee, so that's understandable… Hey, Liet!" It was Feliks, the only merman who actually had a pink tale – of a bright and extravagant color, like himself. He and Toris had been friends ever since they were little. As both mermen started chatting animatedly, Matthew gave up.

At least one hundred of the merfolk were here – and all the important political figures were present as well – to celebrate the coming of age of the heir of the Seven Seas. But said heir wasn't there at all. Taking a deep breath, Matthew left the saloon through a window and started to swim quickly towards the desert areas near the palace. Alfred was probably somewhere around, already loosing the track of time, and he had to be there on time today, of all days. It didn't matter if another prince was gone during the mean time.

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"So he went out exploring today of all days? That boy sure is an idiot, aru." A voice filled with Chinese accent was heard coming from the little group of Asian mermen.

"Now, don't say that, Yao. Alfred is just curious about the world around him." Another voice, softer, answered. Kiku smiled in sympathy to the oldest merman in the castle, and possibly, in the ocean.

"You mean the human world around him, right? The kid goes on even more adventures than me! But obviously, he should know that human culture was created by me, da-ze!"

The others proceeded to ignore him as the Korean merman continued to loudly proclaim the many things he supposedly did. The small Asian group was present, albeit without two of their members, in the great hall of the mermen castle. Mei and Kong had recently gotten married and were travelling in the Oriental Seas, homeland to the whole group. They didn't want to be dead weight to the dead couple, so the trio stayed in the main sea land, though Im Yong Soo swore he would one day go back to his Korean Coral, as he dubbed it.

Kiku didn't have many plans concerning the Oriental Seas. He left as a diplomat and he was still of use in the castle, besides being the oldest prince's best friend. Besides, there was a certain merman who came from the Mediterranean Sea that was his favorite chatting companion around. Yao, as the oldest and wisest merman in the main sea land, was undeniably important in all Seven Seas, even if he usually just passed the day eating food from his homeland and being bitter around anyone who wasn't in their group. Still, he was somewhat of a counselor for both princes and was always of big help whenever either Kiku or Alfred were in trouble – which was a consistency for the latter.

The Japanese merman had noticed a while ago that the oldest prince wasn't present, but decided to stay inside the castle, hoping Alfred would return in time. However, he hadn't noticed the youngest one leaving to go fetch his brother.

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The King of the Seven Seas, known as Berward to the very close, was sporting his usual serious face while the Queen, Tino, was sporting his usual smile. Today wasn't a day dedicated to them, even though the Kingdom rejoiced yearly at the reunion of their King and Queen from many years ago with an astounding party. The queen, embarrassed, once asked whose idea it was since both him and the King never dared asking for such a thing. The answer melted his Finnish heart. It was the mermens' idea, Yao told him, and so it was their right to decide to throw a party or not every year. The couples' celebrations were always from the people, displayed as a sign of pure gratitude.

Therefore, the day of both princes' coming of age was a celebration like no other. Everyone from all Seven Seas had come to greet them and the mermen present were already going insane with excitement – especially the young mermaids, who were eager to make themselves known for the now legal princes. Tino could only keep smiling, albeit a strained one, as he wondered where both his boys had gone while Berward maintained his perfect poker face. Sometimes Tino wished to have his usual expression as a stern one, not a smile. The corner of his lips were starting to hurt.

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A strong wind blew through as the ship navigated towards deeper waters. The city's festival would happen by the end of the week, and all ships had the obligation of helping out with the food. Even the royal Rosemary had to do so, commanded by the fierce captain Beilschmidt. The crew was as animated as always, thanking the king of seas for this lovely strong wind, which would help get the job done much quicker. During this time of year, all they did was work as a cargo ship. Only in difficult times would they act as a means of combating, and the kingdom was happy to announce their tenth year of peace with all of their neighbor kingdoms. However, the captain always loved a battle or such, so he trained all his recruits' daily in the ways of fight; but he did appreciate a peaceful time, now and then. It meant he could visit his friends of different kingdoms in more peaceful terms and he was content with that.

The crew was singing another of their cheerful songs when a young sailor fell once more to the ground, exhausted. Instead of worrying for his health, everyone laughed and yelled for him to get up, asking, "what happened to your fairy friends, boy?"

Arthur Kirkland had only one function in the ship: be a joke. The disinherited son of a very rich family, the young man found himself working as an underpaid – that is, when he was paid – sailor who dreamt of becoming a captain. Not only that, the blond seemed an oddball to his mates as well; sometimes he would stop in his tracks and start a conversation with nothing and then explain he was talking with a mystical creature. Arthur Kirkland was a joke in his ship and the reason he still managed to maintain a certain respect was his hard work. Never before had a completely inexperienced sailor try so hard to not only please his mates, but himself, and as such, he managed to keep his "job".

Not that he wasn't thankful, of course. Captain Beilschmidt had been so kind to lend him a position – as low as it was – in his ship while his friends had bashfully denied him. They had once been rival friends, like Arthur had been with both captains Bonnefoy and Carriedo, but now the young Brit was in a terrible social situation, and a job as a sailor was as good as it would ever get. But Arthur was also happy in his job, since he always had a passion for sailing and ships. He was very much afraid of water and would always stay onboard whenever the captain had one of his crazy fits and decided to swim in dark waters. A sailor that couldn't swim was simply a joke and the fact complemented Arthur's position perfectly.

The best time of his day was whenever he would see a different elemental creature around. Like his brothers, he always held a gift for the supernatural – and had also been ruthlessly mocked for it. As much as he tried to tone it down, he couldn't help himself to speak and caress a new darling creature he would find in their short little travels. He only saw the water fairies around the region, since his more known friends were either at his cramped old cabin or back at land. Their travels always led him to new creatures and it was always amazing. Because of those travels, Arthur knew there were many more mystical aquatic creatures down below – and for that reason he had secretly been training swimming, though it was to no avail. His mood only worsened when, after each failed time and countless saves by the captain, he realized he would never be able to swim and meet at least one of the merfolk.

The merfolk were by far the most developed creatures of all underwater, but instead of governing ruthlessly like the humans, they were kind to all other creatures, especially the fish – many took them as their pets. The higher members in society also had a knack for magic and held deep links with the mysteries from the Seven Seas. Honestly, Arthur was also very much interested in such treasures – ambition was, after all, a common characteristic of the Kirkland family – but what he truly desired was to meet a creature he could talk to. His friends were always small and barely managed to elaborate phrases longer than four words and Arthur aspired for intellectual conversations with those amazing and smart creatures. Surely, the merfolk was infinitely smarter and more composed than any human being. Such thought made him get up every single day and do his best on the ship, even if no one acknowledged him for it – although sometimes the captain would have striking moods of kindness – and be constantly mocked. He would definitely meet a mermaid or merman, for sure.

"Oy, Kirkland, com'ere and do a better job in this knot, will'ya?" A large crewmate called out for Arthur, breaking his line of thoughts.

Mentally preparing himself for another scolding, Arthur breathed in deeply and ran towards the sail. He would've never thought his life would change completely by the end of this day… and all because of his poor swimming skills.

A/N: Finally, here is the beginning of the second most voted story of the latest poll. This is a sort-of crossover between Hetalia and Disney's Little Mermaid. Since it's Disney's, the ending will be happy, but there will be many plot differences. Hope to see you in the next chapter,

Fieldings