Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia. But, with Hetalia fanfiction, technically, you can own the world. Think about it...
Omi-chan: So, I've had this idea for a long time. I wanted to start it after I finished band camp, but then I had a bunch of summer homework to do because I'm a procrastinator. And then school started, and I had even more stuff to do, so I haven't really gotten around to writing. Thank gott for weekends. I don't plan on going in any order with the chapters, so if I skip something timeline wise that you'd like to see, drop me a message or a review and your request will be granted. =D
Also, sorry in advance for any grammatical errors, I'm pretty tired XD
Wrapping his thin, green cloak tightly around him, the small sandy-blond boy trudged through the snow. Beneath his cloak, he wore only a cream-colored tunic, his feet and legs bare. Denmark had stolen his shoes again, leaving young England's feet cold and wet. He had chased the taller boy for a while, but in the knee-deep snow, he soon found that he was at a disadvantage and gave up the race after a while.
England looked around, trying to figure out where he was, though all he could gather was that he was in an unfamiliar forest in the middle of winter. Wonderful. The nation's breath was a visible mist, his cheeks flushed red from the cold, and his torso trembling. His lower half had become numb quite some time ago, but he somehow managed to keep his small legs working as he searched for familiar territory. Sleepily, he wiped his green eyes with a tiny fist. Maybe it was just his imagination, but he could have sworn he felt tiny ice crystals clinging to his eyelashes.
Stupid Denmark, he thought as he continued on, this is all his fault. And France for not helping me, the bloody frog.
He was growing more tired now. Whether it was from the cold or long distance he'd walked through snow, he wasn't sure. Perhaps it was a combination of both. "I-I'll just lay d-d-d-down for a few min-minutes," he said quietly as he shook, curling into a ball in the snow. "Dogs s-s-sleep i-i-in the snow all t-t-the time... so I should b-be able t-to."
But as soon as he closed his eyes, he felt something tugging on a section of his hair. "Don't fall asleep!" said a small, feminine voice.
The boy took it all as a sign of insanity, and ignored it. There was no one there, so he just had to be hearing things. There was no other explination for it. Or at least that's what he thought until something much bigger nudged him from behind, effectively flipping him onto his stomach.
Now thuroghly confused and annoyed, England sat up and opened his eyes. He let out a cry of surprise and scrambled back several paces when he was greeted by a truly strange sight. There was an old man with a long beard who looked to be about the same height as the boy, an even smaller, red woman with wings who looked like she could fit in your palm, and a white horse with a single horn on its head.
"Wh-who are y-you?" he demanded, clutching his cloak closer to his body. He knew that he didn't sound or look very intimidating, but he tried to make his voice sound assertive and older than it actually was.
The small woman flew close to the boy and placed a tiny hand on his lips. "Shhh," she said comforting. "I'll make introductions fast. I'm a fairy, have you heard of faries before?"
England shook his head.
She smiled gently. "My name is Scarlet." She flew over to the strange horse hurriedly and stood on its nose. "He's a unicorn, but he doesn't really have a name, but we all call him Uni. And our gnome," she motioned to the small man, "is called Brownie."
Brownie grunted in response, looking rather grumpy.
"I-I'm England," the blond responded between shivers, "but-but my n-n-name is A-Arthur."
Scarlet flew back over to him. "Well Arthur," she said with a sweet smile. "We're going to take you somewhere nice and warm, okay?"
England nodded. "O-okay." Brownie helped him stand and wobble over to the unicorn, who knelt down so the boy could climb aboard. Arthur held as tightly as his numb fingers would allow on the horse's mane. He buried his face in its hair. He was warm and comfortable, and when they started moving, he moved quickly, but made sure not to bounce too much. It wasn't too much longer before England fell asleep to the rhythm of the unicorn's movements.
When Arthur woke up again, his whole body was warm again. He could hear the crackling of a fire and felt several blankets and coats piled ontop of him. But best of all, he could feel on his feet- socks. He gave his toes an experimental wiggle and was delighted to find they still worked properly and were toasty in their new wool homes.
He sat up and looked around at his new surroundings. He was in a small cave, the entrance not too far from where he lay, the outside world raging in a snowstorm, looking very uninviting. His cloak had been hung close to the fire to dry out, and sitting across from him was a man Arthur had yet to meet. He looked like he would be tall, were he to stand, and thin, too, his face was pleasant and a curly black mustache sat proudly upon his upper lip.
The man must've felt the boy's gaze because he looked up from tending the fire at the boy and smiled. Then he called over his shoulder, "He's awake!"
Seemingly out of no where, the three who had greeted him in the forest appeared along with...
"It's a flying mint bunny!" Arthur exclaimed upon seeing the strange creature. As if being called, it glided over ot Arthur and began snuggling itself into the crook of the boy's neck like an affectionate puppy.
Scarlet laughed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, I guess you could call it that." She then turned to introduce the man sitting by the fire. "This is Roberts."
"Pleasure." Roberts and Arthur said in sync. Then they all started laughing, save for Brownie who still wore a scowl. Arthur began to believe that was the gnome's normal expression. That or he really didn't like the new boy.
After they'd had their fill of laughter, young Arthur asked a question directed at Scarlet, but meant for everyone in the room to hear and answer. We're friendsnow, right? he asked, his voice hopeful. These people had saved him and they were all so kind. They were much better company than that frog Francis and the troublesome Dane, Mathias, he decided.
"If you'd like us to be friends," was the response.
Arthur nodded enthusiastically.
"Then yes, we're friends."
"Forever? Until I'm not a country anymore?"
Scarlet smiled reassuringly and flew over to the boy. Arthur cupped his hands in front of him and she landed gracefully on his palms. "Forever."
Omi-chan: It's so... I don't know. Bad? Good? What do you readers think? Was it a good way to start out this fic? I hope so. And I'm sorry I suck at naming mythical creatures. I stole several names from other fanfics I'd read over the last few months. (If any are yours tell me, and I'll give you credit!) And about Brownie, I know he's kinda happy looking in the anime, but for some reason, I see him as a grouch. *Shrug* I dunno why.
Next up is either Magic!England or Britannia Angel. Not sure which yet.
Review, s'il vous plait~ I'd love to know what you think!
