Second Chapter! This took me a while to write but I did it! In this chapter there is a part where it talks about Sweden and Finland. That came to inspiration due to a manga strip i found. So you can read that for more of a visual experience. I Did NOT draw the manga i simply found it! 1514170


It was early morning at the castle, Denmark's castle to be exact. The sun was streaking through the large arching windows of the castle infirmary, shining down onto the row of empty medical beds. As the sun danced on my eyelids, I peacefully awoke, rolling onto my side. I wouldn't have remembered the previous events of last night, if it wasn't for the quick realisation of my surroundings.

"Morning sleepy head." A voice behind me spoke. I rolled over onto my back, surprised that I didn't notice him earlier. It was Hong Kong, the palace gardener and one of my closest friends. He was slouched back in his chair with his arms crossed.

"Huh? What happened? Where's Nor, and why are you here?" I asked. I looked around trying to see if Nor was in a bed beside me, or even on the other side of the room. He wasn't. Maybe he didn't get hurt.

"Nice to see you too," Hong joked. "But if you want answers for your questions, you'll have to see King Denmark. He's the one who saved your butt." He revealed.

"Right, I'll head over there right now." I stated as I pulled back my sheets. My head was now throbbing with every heartbeat, but I didn't care, I needed to know what's going on.

"Woah woah woah woah, where do you think you're going?" Hong Kong asked. I paused and sighed as I realised what he was thinking.

"You're in no condition to be running around a castle in medical robes. You. Stay here." He said pointing at me, then the bed.

"I'll be back with some breakfast, so rest up. Oh, you may also get a visitor." He advised. A visitor? I wonder who. I sighed as I return to my original position, positioning the pillows to an upright position. Hong may seem like the bossy type, but he's really a caring person. I looked up at the windows. The sky was blue, with white clouds streaking the sky. A few birds were sitting in the branches of an old tree. It was a large oak tree with branches perfect for climbing. The leaves that rested on top were layered thick and green with health. It had been like this ever since I was little. It was planted as a symbol of the New Kingdom, Denmark's Kingdom. I remember when I was a kid, Nor would take me out to play beneath it. From hiding behind its large roots, to finding creatures in the bark. We would sit in the branches and feel the breeze on our faces, thinking nothing would ever bring us down. I smiled to myself at these thoughts. I loved those days. *THUMP* My trail of thought was suddenly broken. I looked over to the door, where it seems like somebody just ran into it.

"OW! I thought this was supposed to be open!" A gruff voice growled. I laughed at their stupidity. With a slight creak, the door opened slightly and my visitor took flight. It was Mr Puffin, my right hand man, well puffin, who came with me almost everywhere. We argue and bicker most of the time, but when things get serious we can practically read each other's minds and get the job done. So this is who Hong Kong meant by a visitor.

"Nice to see your awake! How're you holdin' up?" He squawked.

"Oh I'm fine. What brings YOU here?" I replied. He looked taken back and offended by my question.

"Isn't a puffin aloud to see how his buddy's doin'? I'm offended! But i was going to tell you that King Denmark wants to see you immediately. So get movin'!" He revealed.

"Ice isn't going anywhere." Hong Kong stated over Mr Puffins outstretched wing. We both turned and jumped. How long had he been there?! He was carrying a tray with a small arrangement of breakfast foods.

"He's injured if your tiny brain hadn't noticed. He needs rest and breakfast." He sounds like a mother.

"No need to get over protective. I was just following orders!" Mr Puffin retaliated. I would have personally followed Mr Puffin, due to my own curiosity. But I think resting for now is the best idea.

It was two in the afternoon, and the castle had woken up and was now filled with busy workers making their daily routines. I was now in new 'armour', well that's what we call it. Our outfits consist of a few bits of shiny metal protecting our shoulders and boots, while the rest is just fancy adventure gear, belts and bags. I don't know what Denmark was thinking when he designed our Knights uniform, but I guess it beats the stereotypical knight armour. As I walked along a long, carpet covered hallway, two maids were popping in and out of rooms that were dotted along the corridor, straightening up the contents with quick precision. I couldn't stand doing the same thing day in day out, especially under orders. For me, each new day should be an adventure, at your own free will. But what I hadn't realised, is that I had stopped stock still in the middle of the hallway. I was too deep in thought, trying to convince myself it would all be okay.

"A bit spacey are ya? Don't worry; I'm sure Norway's fine!" Mr Puffin squawked from my shoulder. I looked to the large door at the end of the hallway, where the throne room was placed.

"I just have a bad feeling, that's all." I replied as we came closer to the door. I pushed the heavy wooden door open, to reveal a large, heavily guarded room. As I walked along the blue strip of carpet that had continued from the hallway behind us, there lying lazily across a detailed throne, was King Denmark. He turned his head towards us and grinned, swivelling into a sitting position. Standing beside the throne quietly was King Netherlands. Obviously signalling that they had been conversing.

"Your Majesty." I said as a knelt down, standing back up almost immediately. I then bowed quickly to King Netherlands who didn't seem that impressed, or happy.

"Happy to see you're fine and dandy!" He said with a slight chuckle. But this attitude soon changed as he realised the situation had to be revealed.

"So I guess you've come to find out where Norway, even Princess Belgium, is right." He said in a serious tone, resting his head onto his tightly closed fist.

"That, and because you wanted to see me. But it looks like that's why you called me here in the first place." I spoke. So obviously something was wrong, and I was scared to think what. But what I heard next, well, I wasn't prepared for it at all.

"The thing is, we don't know where they are." He said, looking down to the floor. The shock hit me. I may have lost my only brother.

"When we found you, it was just you, lying there unconscious. There were patterns all over the ground, probably made by magic, so we can only guess what happened." He explained.

"Trust me, we sent out search parties, they're still out there now. If it wasn't for your steed, we wouldn't have known that anything had happened to you guys. She's a trusty horse, you're lucky to have her." He tried to comfort me. But there was a painful feeling, growing larger in my chest. I felt, lonely. Memories came back from when I was younger, when Norway would go out on duty for days, sometimes a whole week, without returning to the castle. I would cry, and I wouldn't come out of my room until he came home. But he couldn't just be dead, he was out there somewhere. But the world is a large place, and time could be running out. My throat tightened. Before Denmark could say anything more, I turned and started walking. I looked to the ground. I can't cry, I can't cry, I won't cry, but I will cry. Stop, stop, STOP! My eyes welled up with tears as I left the room.

"Iceland, ICE! COME BACK HERE!" Denmark yelled, standing up from his throne. But I didn't turn back, not now. Mr Puffin was now flying by my side as I jogged through the maze of a castle.

"Buddy! Hey're you okay?" He asked.

"Just go away." I stated. He stopped following me and landed on a nearby side table, nearly knocking a vase of flowers off it. He knew when I needed room, and decided to keep some distance.

Back in the throne room, Denmark stood looking at the door. He sat back down and sighed. He got this way if we disobeyed orders. You see, under that pretty boy face, he has another side. A side that he won't often show. A controlling side. If he doesn't get his way, there will be a price to pay. I've only seen this side once. It was a long time ago, when we had more than two Nordic Knights. There were two others, I think their names were Sweden and Finland. One of them had got sick of the way King Denmark was ruling, so he decided to leave. Being Denmark of course, he wouldn't allow it. I remember there was some yelling and fighting, and I think Finland got stabbed at one point. But nonetheless they left, and haven't returned since.

"Why don't you go see him personally? Can't you see he's upset and worried?" Hong Kong, who had been watching from the side, said. Hong wasn't afraid of King Denmark, never had been.

"QUIET! You will NOT tell me what to do! Now get back to your duties or there will be consequences!" Denmark yelled back. As Hong Kong made his leave, Netherlands spoke.

"But maybe he is right. Maybe you should go see Iceland. You may not be related by blood, but you are still brothers."

Denmark looked down at his feet, then rose.

"Guards, show King Netherlands to the lounge. Also prepare some tea." He said looking over to a maid. As everyone started to walk off in their different directions, Denmark walked straight ahead. He was going to see Iceland.

I lay on my bed, with my face in my pillow. When I got back to my room, I had broken down and started to quietly cry. But my tears had run out, and I was now thinking about anything I could do to help the situation. My thoughts and worries were soon interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Ice. It's me Denmark. Don't worry I'm not angry." He said softly. I quickly wiped my face on my sleeves, but it was no use. Denmark opened the door quietly and sat down at my bench. Mr Puffin had also followed him into my room and was now perched on my bed.

"Sorry for yelling before. I may have been a little insensitive." He spoke.

"You've been crying huh?" He said while leaning a little closer. I told you it was no use. I buried my face further into my pillow.

"You probably think I'm just an immature baby. Norway was right; I'm too young to be a Knight." I mumbled

"Nope. It takes a real man to cry." He comforted. We sat there in silence for a few seconds.

"Well, since I'm no good at this comforting stuff I'm going to get straight to the point. I would have suggested it earlier but King Netherlands was all against it. He wants it done 'professionally'. So it's our little secret okay?" He announced. I nodded. What could Denmark be thinking? What would Netherlands disagree with?

"I'm thinking, how would you, and Mr Puffin of course, like to go on your own little rescue mission?" He suggested with a smile. My face immediately lit up.

"It'll be a chance to prove your worthiness of your title. And if you succeed, you get Norway back as well." Denmark stated. I looked up to Mr Puffin, who nodded. I looked King Denmark in the eyes and said,

"I'm in."