I really should be working on Flowers right now, but inspiration has struck. Darn plot bunnies! Messing with my head. So. This is what happens when I go to a medieval-themed camp for a month. Enjoy!

I don't own Hetalia.

The King and His Country

Arthur sank into a bed that was soft, softer than he was used to, in an unfamiliar room. "I can't believe I'm king," he said aloud, staring at the ceiling.

"I can't believe it either," a child said.

Arthur sat bolt upright. There was a blonde boy with bright green eyes, no older than 9, staring at him from the middle of the room. He was dressed in a dark green cloak, and reminded the young king of Merlin, for some reason.

"What?" was all Arthur could manage. This was just too much after all of the other things today. The pulling of the sword, the coronation… all of it.

"I can't believe you are king, either," the boy repeated. "Merlin told me you would be the greatest king I'd ever have, but I have my doubts."

"You know Merlin?"

The boy snorted. Arthur only noted the disrespect because everyone, even Kay, had been respectful to him all day, bowing constantly. "Of course I know Merlin!" he said as if it was obvious. "I know everyone in the castle. Really, I suppose I know everyone in England, but it's hard to know everyone intimately. I really should know you better, but I've been busy."

Arthur stared at the strange boy for a while before flopping down on the bed again. "I give up," he said. "This has got to be a dream. It's just too weird."

The boy hopped up on the bed, looking down at the king. "Merlin has not talked to you about me, has he?" he said after a time.

Arthur opened an eye. "No, he never talked to me about strange, rambling boys appearing in my room at night."

"Oh." The boy seemed very put out. "Um, I guess I'd better introduce myself, then. I'm England."

The other blue eye opened. "England?"

"Its embodiment," the boy – England – explained. "Every country has one. You'll probably meet some other ones, too."

Blue eyes closed again. "I have to be dreaming," Arthur repeated.

The door opened, and Merlin came in. "Oh, good! Arthur, you've met England! Do you two get along well?"

Two pairs of accusing eyes were turned on him.

"You didn't tell him about me," England accused.

"Some warning would have been nice," Arthur added.

Merlin blinked at them. "I could have sworn that I told you, Arthur. England should have been at the coronation, so I told you before it, right?"

"No, you didn't," Arthur stated.

Merlin continued in his monologue. "But he wouldn't be there because he's shy, so I wouldn't have –"

"I am NOT shy!" England interrupted, bristling. "I just think that I don't need to be at a coronation where no one knows or needs to know what I am! Which means," he said aside to Arthur, "that you cannot tell anyone about me."

Arthur nodded. "England, I think we will get along great."

England paused again in his rant at Merlin. "Yes, we just might," he said thoughtfully before following the retreating wizard. "I am NOT shy!"