I do not own Axis Powers Hetalia all copyright belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya
Melody and Memory
Arthur wandered into the living room carrying a tray of tea and scones for his afternoon snack.
"Alfred, did you want any tea?" he wondered
When he received no reply he glanced around the room. The younger nation was nowhere to be found. It was then music began to drift into the living room from the adjoining study. Arthur followed the sound. Sure enough Alfred was at the piano playing Londonderry Air. Intrigued, Arthur listened quietly as Alfred continued to practice on the piano. He began another tune. The Englishmen grew very solemn and his heart began to grow heavy. He remembered that tune quite well. Then, in a confident tenor, Alfred began singing
My country tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
Of Thee I sing
The all too familiar chords brought back a wave of nostalgia and Arthur was left reminiscing about days past.
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"Absolutely not!" Arthur growled
"Please, Arthur. It would mean a lot to me." Alfred pressed
"Why?"
"It's just. There's a song I want you to hear okay?" Alfred murmured
It was that sad melancholy note in Alfred's voice that caused him to cave.
"Alright fine,"
Alfred placed the card with the time and date of the concert in Arthur's hand. The concert was set for 7:00pm July 4th.
This was how Arthur found himself waiting in the crowd in front of a large pavilion stage the next Fourth of July. He took a seat and before long a man in a suit came to the stage. A modest choir followed him and began to take their places.
"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to our Independence Day concert! We're glad and honored that you could come. We will begin with a traditional favorite." he announced
The band began to play. Arthur was quite shocked to realize he recognized the tune. It was God Save the Queen. Immediately England's memory flashed to a vision of him singing it to calm down a much younger Alfred. His eyes began to tear. He excused himself and wandered into a quieter corner of the park. There was a rustle behind him. He turned and was confronted by two familiar gleaming cerulean orbs.
"So you heard it?"
"Yes, I heard it,"
"It's very popular. Popular enough to become the national anthem,"
"But why would you make a national anthem out of one of my songs?"
"Because somehow you're always a part of me, Arthur," Alfred replied
Arthur wanted to say thank you. He wanted to say how touched he was. He wanted to say many things. Unfortunately the words would not come. Suddenly there was a boom and the night sky lit up with fireworks.
"Thank you!" Arthur yelled
At that Alfred hugged Arthur. The two of them simply stood there with lights bursting overhead.
**************************************************
Arthur slipped into the study and hugged Alfred from behind.
"Can you play it again?"
"Sure," Alfred replied with a beaming smile.
Arthur sang along with him. He began unsurely but soon their voices flowed in a gentle harmony.
Land where my fathers died
Land of the pilgrim's pride
From every mountainside let freedom ring.
The End
Waah this worked out so much better in my head. I really wanted to do a music themed story for them and this is how it turned out. The Star Spangled Banner is also adapted from a British song, but My Country Tis Of Thee fits better. There's also apparently a second verse I never knew about. It was quite popular and sang at many public gatherings before congress declared The Star Spangled Banner the national anthem. Anyways thanks for reading.