Okay, promising start. Let's see how you like when the Netherlands shows up.

And no, there will be no angst.


First chapter

"Nore", Iceland said and reached his hands to the Norwegian, "I am hungry." Norway nodded and helped the Icelander down off the horse, holding him close a bit longer thought they had rode together all day. The group had almost reached the town, but the evening had come, and they had decided to sleep outside one night more simply because visitors coming in middle of night were not always welcomed well. The personifications didn't mind about spending their nights out, they had got used for worse, but Norway had noted few more high-born men complaining lowly about the situation. He didn't really envy the Danish personification who had to deal with those people.

"Wait just a bit longer", Norway said, "Dan will bring us food." Iceland didn't seem to be happy about wait, but he didn't complain. He only accepted it quietly. He had always been easy child to take care of, Norway thought, there was a bit too much wisdom in him though he still seemed to not understand some things and tended to act like a child sometimes.

"Hey, I am here", Denmark said when he was near enough to be heard. The sun had already set, making the only source of light being their camp fires and the stars on the moonless sky. Norway had set their camp bit farther from other fires, so they were surrounded by darkness offering them some privacy. Keeping distance and being abnormal was a risk, but Norway deemed it to be lesser than the risk of making critical mistake while among humans. His position was endangered enough, and he knew he and Iceland should be very, very careful until they have once again claimed their status as independent countries.

"Welcome to our fire", Norway said, and glances up to see the Dane carrying their food portions. Iceland ran to him, his excitement getting a bit lower when he saw the day's menu was the same thick soup kind of food with dried meat once again. It had been the same during the whole travel.

"No candy?" he asked with a disappointed voice, and Denmark shook his head.

"I am sorry, little one", he said and set down the bowls, "I will take care you get lots of sweet once we are in Leiden. Just one day more, I promise." Iceland nodded, once again accepting the situation without complaining, although he did give the Dane a stern look to make sure he would keep his promises. Norway chuckled for their exchange and picked up his portion. He made his way a bit farther of the fire and sat down next to an oak tree that offered him place to lean on. Most people preferred to stay near the fires, even so close their clothes were on risk to be burnt, and Norway understood their fear toward the dark forest although he didn't feel same. For him there was nothing to be afraid of, and when he stayed perfectly between the light and shadows, he was shielded from curious looks but still able to keep everything on eye.

"We are almost done with the travel", Denmark noted and sat down next to the Norwegian, "and nothing bad had happened. Do you still feel like something might be wrong?" Norway nodded shortly, keeping his eyes on the Icelander who staying closer the fire and curiously watching the humans.

"I will stay on alert until we are back home", he said with a low voice, so the youngest nation could not hear him. He didn't want to worry the Icelander, and Denmark seemed to understand that because he didn't continue on the topic. He only nodded and sneaked his arm around the Norwegian's waist, pulling him a bit closer for that little intimacy they were able to share at that point. That and quickly stolen kisses with secretly held hands were all they had now until they would be back somewhere where nobody could interrupt them. It was okay still, they were satisfied so long things were going on well and they were together.

When they had enjoyed their simple dinner, Denmark started to explain the Icelander once again how he could use the stars to find back home. The trees were blocking the view partly, but it didn't stop the Dane from pointing out few most important stars and telling stories about them and how he and two other Scandinavian personifications had used the stars for finding the way during their wilder days. Iceland had heard those stories before too, but he still listened, sitting on the Dane's lap and quietly enjoying the moment.

Norway watched them, but he didn't drop his guard. He knew there wasn't much in world that could really kill them, not when they still got their positions as personifications, but he was determinate to keep Iceland away from all harm and there were things worse than death.

When he heard a faint noise coming from the forest behind him, he grabbed his sword and focused on listening, though he kept his calm look. When he heard the noise again, and it was clear it wasn't an animal, he jumped up and held his blade up ready for either a strike or defend. Denmark was quick to follow and didn't ask questions. He only took his sword and pushed Iceland behind himself, murmuring few soothing words so the younger nation would stay calm.

"One of us", Norway muttered when he sensed the presence only a personification could have. There was something familiar in it, but the Norwegian couldn't really point out what it was and there were risks even when meeting other nations. They were not always friendly.

"How far?" Denmark asked just loud enough for Norway to heard him.

"Few meters", Norway replied shortly, standing ready. Denmark nodded, but then he also sensed the presence, and he recognized it.

"Nor, it is…"

"Are you going to stab me if I step forward?" a low voice asked from the shadows in broken Danish, "I thought I can move freely in my own land."

"Nederlandene", the Dane said. Norway lowered his sword and watched the Dutch man to move to the light.

"I apologize", he said with a nod, and relaxed again. There was no need to fight.

"No harm done", the Netherlands muttered and waved his hand to the Dane, "how is it going?" Denmark smiled and stepped closer to clasp hands with his friend.

"Well enough", he replied, "nothing gone wrong yet. You?"

"Just normal", the Dutch man replied, and switched back to his own language, "I thought you were going in the town today, so I came to check on you when nobody showed up."

"The group leader decided to wait for the morning sun", Denmark explained, "you know, people don't like to be woken up in mid of night by travellers from other lands."

"True that", the Netherlands replied with a small nod, and seemed to finally notice the young nation still hiding behind the Dane. He didn't seem to be too curious about Iceland, but still looked at him and snorted when the Icelander stared back despite of being shy and keeping Denmark between them, "who is that?"

"His name is Island", Norway replied, speaking up first time after apologizing for the Dutch man, "he is my brother."

"Island", the Dutch man muttered, "I don't remember hearing about any land called that."

"He is an island in the ocean to west from our land", Denmark replied and gently nudged the Icelander to step closer, "Is, this is Nederlandene, a friend of mine. Can you say hi to him and point the direction to your land?" Iceland nodded and stepped forward, though he was still giving the Dutch man suspicious looks.

"Hi", he said shortly and then pointed toward north-west before moving to the Norwegian, who smiled to the young nation.

"So there", the Netherlands said, "IJsland."

"My name is Ísland", Iceland said back with a slightly scolding tone, and tugged Norway's cape around himself.

"Of course", Denmark said with laugh, "but in his language, your name is IJsland. I also have different name… What it was again?"

"Denemarken", the Netherlands muttered with slightly bored tone as he had already lost his interest toward the young nation.

"Yeah that", Denmark said, "and you probably got other name for him in your language."

"I don't know", Iceland muttered.

"In that case, just call him Hollie", Denmark said with a grin.

"Den…"

"No fighting in front of kids!" the Dane said, and laughed when the Netherlands sighed.

"You will pay this later", he promised and glared at the Dane, who thought he was being funny.

"Sure", Denmark said, "wanna sleep here with us?" The Dutchman shook his head quickly.

"I have a bed in the town", he said, "and already enough of your company. See you tomorrow." He nodded a goodbye to the Norwegian nation and walked away same way he had come just few minutes earlier.

"Well, he didn't seem to be worried about anything", Denmark noted after few minutes, "so I guess things are okay."

"Maybe", Norway replied, but the nagging feeling in his mind didn't go anywhere. During that night he kept sleeping Iceland near him, and laid quietly on the ground, watching the stars and unable to sleep.