Hello, this is a rather interesting one for me to write. This was in the works before the request I had received, at least mentally it was. This will be a historical fiction with actual history lessons thrown in here. Creative license will be taken as well though. End Notes will be notes about the actual history.

Training a Rebel

Chapter 1

September 26th, 1777

More than just a little bored, Alfred F. Kirkland walked around the dock in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Currently he was trying his best to keep still entertained and out of trouble, after being scolded quite a bit over the last few days and even smacked a handful of times.

He had been told by General Washington that it had to be him that greeted the nation of Prussia when he arrived, seeing as they were of a similar kind. This had excited the child greatly at first, since he had only meet a handful of other nations before and it felt like he was becoming a country in his own right by doing so.

However, after the sixth day straight of hanging around the harbor to welcome a nation he barely remembered meeting with England once and his Barron it didn't feel worth it. If he remembered correct, Prussia was an aristocratic man who had brown hair, a strange curl kind of like Canada's and glasses. Other than his appearance he remembered nothing good about the man, just that he liked to find fault in everything about America.

The brown dog he found a few days ago, that he named James, barked happily as it ran first to him and then away while wagging its tail. Alfred smiled and chased it, a game to two had been playing off and on for the last few days. The mutt was also one of the big reasons he had found trouble over the last few days.

Meanwhile, Gilbert Beilschmidt looked out at the land as his ship was tied to the dock. Although he didn't particularly like England's colonies all that much, seeing land once again was welcomed. The journey from France had not been fun, nor was any type of sea travel as far as he was concerned. He loved a good fight though, such as this one was looking like it would be. Plus, at this point every nation wanted to stick to England in any way possible that wouldn't place themselves at risk.

Though it had been a little over a decade since he had last visited the colonies and even longer since he had to have meet the personification of these middle colonies, Prussia was confident he remembered what the obnoxious brat looked like. The child had wide, violet, scared looking eyes and light blond hair with one large curl. The kid acted a bit strangely too, always caring around a real polar bear.

Prussia stepped off the ship and adjusted his country's red military uniform proudly. Glancing around the docks he couldn't say that he saw anyone around that matched the description of the kid, although, with so many people around it was hard to say. Admittedly, the people of the colonies had a bit of Prussia's respect for taming the wild around them and as colonies united declaring a War with the powerful British Empire. Although, that may be because as of late he had been dealing with France and other wimpy nations.

While the sun was in his eye for a brief moment, a boy of about twelve or thirteen ran right into him, knocking backwards and onto his butt while his map and letters took a tumble of their own. The man was not happy at all as he got back to his feet, fixing the lad with a glare.

"Oh, I'm sorry mister!" The child exclaimed, halting his play and coming back to help Gilbert to pick up his things.

Feeling as though he was owed the aid, Gilbert did not bother to lift a finger as he watch the child retrieve his things. Noting the blond hair, with a small clump defying gravity itself in remaining straight up, and big light blue eyes, Prussia began to work out that this was the child he had been searching for in the first place. Now he had expected the lad to be much younger, as only fifteen years ago when he last saw him, the child appeared to be about seven or so then. War was starting to age him already.

Prussia took back his items from the lad, "Are you Alfred Kirland?"

The child paled noticeably as he squeaked out, "Who wants to know?" After Alfred and his people had declared war on Great Britain a year ago, he had learned quickly to be careful around men he didn't know in red uniforms. Not only that, but this man had scary red eyes.

Gilbert smirked at the clear fear in the child's blue eyes and extended his hand in welcoming, "Gilbert Beilschmidt."

Alfred took a step back, eyes wide in confusion and distrust. It sounded like a Germanic name, and he was waiting at the docks for some Prussians, but he was sure that wasn't the Baron's name. James by this point had returned to the lad's side and understanding the emotions of his friend was growling slightly at the man.

The soldier noted how comically both the mutt and the child looked so very similar with large confused looks on their faces. After a brief pause, where in which Gilbert realized the child was not going to get it on his own, he continued in a proud voice with "Also known as the personification of the Awesome Kingdom of Prussia."

"Ohhh," the child said, a slight blush coming to his cheeks as he shook the man's hand. The beast stopped growling, watching this exchange.

Prussia was a tad annoyed at the boy's reaction, it was as if he was not impressed by being in the presence of pure awesomeness. "Is this land yours?"

"Uh," Alfred stuttered and nodded slowly. "Yes, sir."

Gilbert's eyes narrowed at the hesitation in his tone, which was something that would be needed to be trained out of him. "Then you know where I can get some gut food and gut beer."

"Oh, right!" The child said with a jump, "Um, where's the Barron? George said I should pay for a meal and an inn for tonight."

"He's busy with preparations, he will be needing to see more before he is convinced." The nation said waving his hand. "For now do not concern yourself with the Barron, I'm your only problem."

"Yes, sir." The lad squeaked out, unsure what to make of this stranger. "There's a couple places over here, I'm not sure the best place for beer though." He mumbled, "But I know they sell alcohol for you."

"Nearest place will do then," Prussia grumbled, more hungry than anything.

Despite the density of the crowd on the decks, Prussia had no issue following the jabbering child and annoying mutt to the tavern. His rather menacing presence made people stay out of his way, which was just the way that he liked it.

Alfred pushed the door open, "I've been coming here the last few days, their food is better than Arthur's and the people are really nice." James padded on right after the two, laying down under the table at the boy's feet, clearly still not trusting the man.

To this exciting information, Prussia only grunted. He cared little about everything the child was chattering about. That was just something else that would stop soon enough, likely as soon as training began. Alfred would learn quickly to fear his new commander, but for now they both could relax.

A woman, obviously the owner's wife, spoke to them both about food and beer and gave Alfred a stern look about the dog hiding under the table. Prussia casually ordered for them both, not wishing to see how Alfred would drag it out. "Ever have a beer before, Junge?" Prussia asked, after the lady produced two beers walked away.

"Er, no sir." Alfred said sheepishly shrugging and looking at the dark liquid. "Arthur would never let me go near his alcohol…" He could remember doing so a decade or so ago and getting his arse set on fire from Arthur's slipper when it was found out. It was obvious that the elder meant business when it came to his alcohol.

"Learning to hold alcohol is a step toward becoming a man," Gilbert said, chugging down half of the mug in one swing, even though the taste was unsatisfactory. "When men talk about business it is usually over an open bottle." He watch the child's face, knowing that the youngster would take the bait.

"But…" the lad mumbled, still very unsure and still very much under Arthur's thumb despite the long distance. He wondered just how his big brother would feel about this. Likely, he would be very upset with him, and even if they were not at ware he would receive a very through spanking. But, Arthur was not there, and he was angry anyways for Alfred following the colonist towards rebellion.

Feeling rather brave and grown up, Alfred picked up the mug and attempted to chug it like he had just witnessed Prussia doing. The burn of the beverage had him coking and coughing a moment later though. With tears in his eyes he looked up the man.

Gilbert smirked, the surprised looked on the child's face was certainly priceless. He wondered if Ludwig would have the same response or take it like a man. "A bit strong for you, eh?"

Quickly Alfred shook his head, "No. Just wasn't…"

"Expecting it?" Prussia chuckled. "Kessess~"

Alfred turned red in the face, unable to look at the man. Quietly he tried to take another drink from it. This time grimacing he managed to take it.

"Don't worry too much about it," Gilbert responded, liking the spunk he was seeing. "You'll grow to like it eventually." He smiled to himself imagining the face on the Brit if he found out that Prussia was making a drinker out of Alfred.

"You said I'd be a man then," Alfred said. "Right?"

Perhaps it was the alcohol settling in his stomach or his relief at being off that verdammt ship finally that had placed him in a decent mood. "You're nowhere near being a man, kid." He said laughing even more. "You'll be man when the war is over, if you win."

On September 26th, 1777 Baron Von Steuben arrived in America (Portsmouth, New Hamspire), over a year after the colonist had declared war on the British.