***Hello guys! Thanks for all your support! Here's chapter 4 for your reading pleasure!

***Warning: Weapon use, hunting

***Disclaimer: We do not own Hetalia. We are making no money off this fic.


Chapter 4

At the water bin, a few women looked at him in mild surprise before returning to their duties. Ivan took a cloth from the edge of the tub and started washing off the blood, beginning with his arms. The water was cool against his heated skin as he silently watched the rivulets of blood trickle down his arm and fall into the bin.

Gilbert watched him for a few moments, then picked up another cloth and helped wash Ivan's other arm. He did it without speaking or really hesitating.

Ivan paused to look at him. "You don't have to do that, Lord Gilbert." He stated softly.

"I know," the Elf replied. He leaned a bit closer and lowered his voice. "But... you're fighting your own clan members to the death, just to keep me safe. The least I can do is help you afterward."

'Just like a mate!' Ivan thought to himself with a smile. This is just some of the many things mates did for their alphas, although, Ivan doubt Gilbert would be submissive like most other mates of his clan. Mates had a special code to follow with their alphas; he could see Gilbert rebelling against all the rules. To Ivan, the rebellious idea was exciting because even though he grew up in a very strict society, the idea of acting the opposite pleased him. It made him tingle with joy.

Gilbert looked at him. "Why are you smiling?" he asked.

"Hm? Oh! Ah, sorry. I guess I'm just happy that you are doing this. I feel special."

The Elf's cheeks turned a light pink. He didn't say anything else and looked back at Ivan's arm, continuing to wash the blood from his skin and avoided eye-contact. He didn't know why he was blushing. Something about Ivan was just so sweet, and even cute, regardless of how strong and brutal he could be. Gilbert had never been so close to someone, everyone back home was either tying to impress him so they'd have his favor, or trying to double cross him and his family. He didn't have any friends or anyone to actually be with. Ivan seemed to care for him, and it wasn't because he wanted money or a marriage. Gilbert liked the thought of being liked for just being himself.

"When I'm clean, we'll go and get our share of dinner and bring it back to the hut. This time we can have real meat to cook all fresh! We don't need dried meat any more." He splashed water on his face, rubbing away the blood droplets sticking to his skin.

That made Gilbert smile. He loved the idea of eating fresh and cooked meat. He started to wash Ivan quicker, but still did a good job, until the blood was gone.

Now clean, Ivan showed him where all of their hunting kills were stored. Under a large flat tent were numerous tables covered in slabs of meat, ranging from large to small. The warrior behind a table congratulated Ivan on his wins and, as a reward, offered him a choice of meat from the carcass hanging behind him. Ivan picked out the shoulder for them and the warrior set to carving it off. Then Ivan remembered something- Gilbert was with him. He was certain that the Elf had never seen how meat was first prepared before it came to his silver plate fully cooked. He risked looking at Gilbert, hoping the Elf wasn't ready to vomit.

Seeing all the meat around did make Gilbert feel a bit queasy, but he held it down and realized that this was just how things were done. He even thought to himself that maybe one day he'd be getting and carving his own meat in the same way. When Ivan looked at him, he offered a small smile. He was clearly a bit uncomfortable, but he hoped his smile proved that he was trying to accept and even show an interest in how Ivan lived.

The slab of meat was handed to him and Ivan simply carried it in his hands. "Do you prefer stew or rack?" Ivan asked him after he saw that Gilbert wasn't passing out from the sight of raw meat.

"Hm... stew sounds good, if that's all right?" the Elf replied.

"Yes. Let me just pick up some herbs before we go." The spice and herbs were under another tent, all separated and stashed in hanging baskets for anyone to take. "Pick which spices you want, Lord Gilbert. If you are unsure of what they are, I will tell you."

Gilbert looked at the baskets. He had no idea what any of the spices were. He never learned the names or looks of the spices or ingredients in the food he ate; it just came to him and he ate it. He really was like a spoiled child, he felt a tad bit embarrassed for not knowing, and he didn't want Ivan to know.

"I don't care," he spoke. "Whichever you think is best."

Ivan picked some very simple herbs like rosemary and pepper corn. He let Gilbert hold them, figuring the Elf would want to hold something that wasn't raw and bleeding. "I think that's everything. Let's go back."

Gilbert nodded holding the spices as to not drop them, then followed Ivan back to his home.

The stew was made and set hanging in the hearth, its rich aroma filling the stale smelling hut with a spicy scent. Ivan was sanding Gilbert's bow while the two of them sat quietly. Ivan figured Gilbert was thinking about the fight he witnessed today. He wondered if he should bring it up at all.

The Elf tried not to think about it, but whenever he'd look at Ivan, he'd glance to his hands, and the memory of seeing and hearing Ivan punch that other warrior to death would haunt him. The silence was bugging him, though, but he didn't know what to even say to Ivan.

"It'll be cold tonight." Ivan suddenly spoke. "The stew will help to keep your belly warm." He smiled. "Then we should go to sleep after we eat. We have a big day of practicing tomorrow."

Gilbert gave a little smile, but frowned shortly after. "It smells good."

"What's wrong? You seem sad. Are you...thinking about today?"

"How could I not? It's not easy to just forget...that."

"You're not used to it and I understand how you can feel. I see that every day. You have not seen death, have you?"

Gilbert shook his head slowly. "I've been sheltered from that kind of thing my entire life..."

"All death though? Haven't you had family or friends die?"

Gilbert turned away. "My mother died when I was young. I don't like to talk about it."

Ivan gave a little nod. "I understand. What about your father?"

"He's a jerk." Gilbert's voice had a bit of anger to it. "He's alive, but we're not on good terms."

"Do you think he misses you? They must know you're gone by now. I know my father would miss me if something happened to me." He looked to the bow. "My parents died when I was very young. I was raised by my big sister mostly. My mother became very ill after my little sister was born. She just...couldn't get better. She stayed with us for maybe two years before she died. Then my father was killed on a hunt. A mountain lion killed him."

"My father probably doesn't miss me, but I bet he's trying everything he can to get me back." He forced a chuckle. "And by that I mean he's telling his guards to look for me." He went quiet for a few seconds. "My mother died of an illness too. No medicine would make her better, until she just passed in her sleep."

Gilbert suddenly realized something. Ivan had lost most of the people in his family. "So you...you've been alone for a long time then...?"

Ivan lowered his eyes. "Yes, I've been alone. Once I reached manhood, I couldn't be with my sisters anymore. They had to go with the women and do their jobs. I had to go and do mine. Now they are gone and...it's just me here."

Gilbert had always been surrounded by people, regardless of if they were friends or not, but that made him feel lonely so he could relate to Ivan in that sense. "Well...you're not totally alone... I'm here, so..." he said, trying to lighten the mood a little. He wasn't sure how to cheer someone up, especially when he himself was still a little shaken by the fight from earlier.

"But you have lots of people around you, right?"

"Yeah, but I wouldn't consider them friends. I'm not really close with anyone."

"Why not?"

"Well...when you're nobility, people don't usually make nice with you just for your friendship. They always want something. A business deal, protection, a marriage..."

"It kind of works that way here too."

"I hate it. It makes me feel like no one actually likes me," he said. He pulled his legs to his chest as he sat on the ground. Part of him felt sad because at least Ivan had the respect of some of his fellow warriors. Most Elves didn't respect Gilbert, but simply needed him for their own gain.

Ivan put down the bow. "How so?" He asked. "I don't understand. Can you tell me more so I can better understand you? I don't know how being around so many people can be lonely. I would love to have a lot of people with me."

Gilbert thought about it for a few moments, thinking of how to say it. When he spoke, he still wasn't sure if he worded it well enough. "It's like... Imagine being around people, but they don't actually care about you at all. All they care about is your status. I'm a nobleman's son, so anyone who talks to me just wants me to put in a good word for them with my father, or they want me to marry their daughter, or something like that." He paused. "It's lonely when you have people around you who want nothing to do with you as a person. They'll use me in whatever way benefits them the most. It gets lonely when you can't trust anyone because you don't know if their compliments are real."

Ivan's eyes widened slowly. "I never knew it was that hard for...someone of your status. I thought you had it very easy, Lord Gilbert. But in my world, no one is sneaky or a double-crosser. We settle everything through a fight. Whoever wins, that is who is the victor. My clan always side with the one who wins. The one who wins is the one who is the strongest and he is the one that can be trusted. So maybe...all your pretty lifestyle...is actually more dangerous than mine."

"It kind of is. My lifestyle is very lavish and rich, but everyone is always looking to double-cross the other through schemes and dirty tricks. It's always about who has a bigger influence or has more money. Having a true genuine friend is practically impossible for noble children. We're like pawns for our parents to use to their benefit."

"That's terrible." Ivan responded. "Parents should stand up for their children and want to protect them. Not throw them into the line of fire!"

"The only reason my father will want me returned home is so that he can marry me off to some woman and give him an heir." Gilbert lowered his head into his arms. "I want nothing to do with it..."

Ivan got up and went over to him. "You could just stay here where those rules won't apply to you?"

Gilbert looked a bit surprise. "No. No I can't stay here." He shook his head. "I'm a prisoner, and everyone here wants to kill me, or worse."

"But if you...become my mate you can be safe here." It was worth a try, Ivan thought.

"Your mate...?" Gilbert shifted uncomfortably.

"If you really hate the way people treat you in your world, you could make a new life here with me." He gave a nervous smile. "I can teach you to live like me. You can be free here with me! And if you are my mate, no one will touch you. They can't."

"But...being your mate implies that you...will touch...me..." he sounded and looked nervous, gripping the furs in his fists.

"I'll bathe myself completely so I will be clean for you." He said innocently, not quite catching on to Gilbert's words.

"That's not what I mean." He blushed a little. "It's not your dirt or scent." He paused. "Mating involves...sex..."

"Sex?" He thought about the word for a moment. "I don't know that word. Mating is bonding. Our bodies connect, like the animals do."

Gilbert's eyes widened. He was completely baffled by the fact that 'sex' wasn't part of Ivan's vocabulary. He started to blush more as he thought about how to explain it in his terms. "When you say 'connect like animals do'...what do you mean?"

"When the animals...ah, make love, maybe? Is that a better word for 'sex'? It's when the male animals go to the female animals and fill them with offspring." He added to the details by patting his belly.

Gilbert turned a darker red. "Yes, that's a better word...it's the same thing. I assume making love is very different between our two cultures..."

Ivan felt himself blushing as well. "In my clan...we mate to bond because we like the other, not just for business and children." He blushed a darker shade now. "I would be very gentle with you, Lord Gilbert. You see that I can be nice, and I'm always very nice to you."

Gilbert didn't doubt that Ivan would be gentle with him, but he'd never been with anyone before. He'd never even been touched in that way before, and he has seen, first hand, what Ivan's hands are able to do. Thinking about it made him feel nervous, but it wasn't entirely a bad feeling. It was the kind of feeling one gets when something exciting and new happens.

"I...I can't just decide this right now." He looked away, cheeks a dark red. "You're asking me to give myself to you, and let you...do things to me." To make things worse, he only knew the very basics of sex and nothing else.

"It's because I want you to stay with me, Lord Gilbert." Ivan said honestly. "Yes, I did kidnap you but I don't see you as my prisoner any more. And I really like you."

"It's not that easy for me," he said a bit louder, looking at Ivan with distress in his eyes. His face was still red, especially from Ivan confession, but he looked a little upset. "I'm scared of the whole 'mate' thing, and I'm scared of giving up my old life for one I know nothing about."

"Lord Gilbert, I'm sorry!" He said, sharing in Gilbert's same hurt and distressed expression. "I understand what you mean. I won't mate with you or touch you in any way, and I will show you the ways of my people. Maybe then, you will want to stay here and be my mate. Then we both don't have to be lonely anymore." He found himself smiling. "I want us to become one, Lord Gilbert. I will work hard to prove to you that I am a strong mate you will be worthy of!"

It was very easy for Gilbert to get caught up in Ivan's words. A part of him really wanted to just do it. To leave behind his palace and silk sheets. With Ivan's last sentence, Gilbert found himself even more embarrassed. Ivan really seemed to want to impress him, but it didn't feel like he just wanted Gilbert for sex, and that made him happy.

Gilbert offered him a sweet smile. "You don't need to prove that you're strong," he said. "I just...need some time before I think about, um...'becoming one' with you." He rubbed his neck shyly.

Ivan softly cleared his throat. "I'm...really good at it, you know."

Gilbert recoiled backward a little, looking stunned and blushing an even darker shade of red. "W-Why say something like that?" he stuttered in embarrassment.

Ivan, suddenly embarrassed too, covered his nose with his scarf and sunk his head into his shoulders, like a turtle. "Just...something to...keep in mind?"

"Are you trying to bribe me that?" Gilbert pouted slightly. He couldn't deny that Ivan had him thinking now. He thought about the fact that Ivan wasn't just good, but 'really' good, and that made his stomach feel a bit strange, even though he had nothing to compare it to.

"No...I just don't want you to be afraid of it. It will hurt at first but then it gets better, and I will take my time mating with you. I want us to bond together forever as one!" His face was still red.

"You're strange..." Gilbert mumbled and looked away. He wasn't sure how to even respond to someone like Ivan. The man barely knew him and already he was talking about being with him forever. "But...you're cute," he said. He wanted to at least let Ivan know that he did like him, even just a little.

"Cute? You think I'm cute? Not...manly?"

"You're both, but sometimes the way you act is cute."

"Ah, I guess that comes with being raised by a sister..." He looked bashful. "I think the stew is done!" he quickly changed the subject.

Gilbert smiled and got up. He went to the bowl the stew was in, then looked at Ivan. "It smells delicious," he complimented it again.

Ivan took the wooden bowls he had and ladled out a large portion for Gilbert. "Here you go."

Gilbert noticed that there was no spoon or fork. Ivan got his own and held the bowl to his lips to drink the soup and used his hand to pick up the pieces of meat.

He watched Ivan for a second before looking at his own bowl. It was different from how he ate stew back home, but he figured that if he was even thinking about staying here, he'd have to live like Ivan did. And maybe that meant no eating with utensils. Mimicking Ivan, Gilbert put the bowl to his lips and began to drink the soup first.

"How is it?" Ivan asked. "Is the broth good? Too spicy? Too sweet?"

Gilbert took a long sip. "It's good. It's sweet, I like it."

"I know it's not a fancy food but it will keep you full all throughout the night. I promise you that!"

"It tastes great. You're a pretty good cook." He smiled.

"I've learned from my sisters. I've had to cook on my own for a very long time now. At first I would burn everything and almost set the roof on fire!"

Gilbert chuckled. "I've never cooked before. I bet I'd catch something on fire too."

"So I'm guessing you really do get everything handed to you?" Ivan teased.

"On a shiny silver platter," he said with a grin.

Ivan looked at his wooden bowl. "So I guess you weren't expecting these?"

"Something like that." He took another sip. "It's weird, though... I don't really mind it."

"If you think about it, what a bowl is made out of doesn't matter. All bowls do the same thing: hold things. Keeps them from spilling. Doesn't matter if it's gold or wood, right?"

"Mmhm." He picked up a piece of meat between his thumb and index finger. "As long as I get the food, I don't care what it comes on." He sucked some juice off the meat before taking a small bite.

Ivan grinned proudly and thumped his chest with his fist. "See? I'm a good provider for you!"

"I never said you weren't," the Elf said with a little smile.

"I know. But I'm just trying to impress you." He said bashfully. "I want you to want to be my mate so I have to do all kinds of things to make you think I'm worthy enough to mate you. You must think that's silly, huh?"

"It's normal to want to impress someone if you like them, but...I think the idea of being 'worthy' to be with someone is silly." He looked into his bowl of stew. "I was always told that I had to marry someone who was a noble, and I couldn't have lower class friends or even speak to them." He then looked back to Ivan. "Just be yourself, all right? If you do a bunch of stuff because you want to, not because you have to, then I'd like that more."

"Oh...okay then. So you...don't want me hunting things for you? You don't want me to give you something to be proud of, like an antler rack or some pelts?"

"Only if you want to," he said. He didn't like the idea of someone trying to win him over with gifts, it reminded him too much of home. "If... If I end up liking you like that, it won't be because you killed some animal for me."

Ivan had another idea. "Do you want me to dance for you, maybe?" He grinned. "I'm good at dancing. That's not giving you anything!" He stated proudly.

Gilbert chuckled. "Like I said, if you want to."

Ivan smiled and stood up, setting the bowl to the side. He figured Gilbert would find his clan dancing humorous, but in a way, Ivan thought that he needed to laugh. He had to keep Gilbert from viewing him as a monster. So with a clap of his hands, he started to dance- each step resembling a warrior fighting. It was a mating dance, but he didn't want to call it that in case Gilbert found it funny. However, he didn't expect to get his feet tangled up with each other and with a little 'yelp' he came crashing forward onto the ground floor, face flat.

"Ow."

Ivan's plan worked, Gilbert was chuckling softly to himself as the other danced. He'd heard of clans having different dances, he'd read of them and saw illustrations in his books, but seeing it in person was actually quite interesting, even if slightly funny to see. However, when Ivan fell, Gilbert gasped, but he still had a half smile, like he wasn't sure if he should laugh or be worried. He crawled over to Ivan on his hands and knees.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yes...but my pride is hurt." He muttered.

Gilbert watched him for a moment. He felt a little cheerless by Ivan's words. Hesitantly, he reached out and touched Ivan's head, gently ruffling his hair a little.

Ivan lifted his head when he felt Gilbert's hand atop his head. He glanced up at the Elf and saw the look of mild concern on the pale face before realizing what a fool he had made of himself. With another little 'squeak', he pulled his head away to bury his face in his arms. And then, a thought occurred to him. Maybe he could see how far Gilbert would go to make him feel better.

"Hey..." Gilbert groaned a little, then scooted closer. "It wasn't that bad. You shouldn't feel bad about it."

"But I was trying so hard! I've done that dance before! I'm just a big clumsy ox!" He moved to sit on the ground floor.

Gilbert kept himself from chuckling. "No you're not. Maybe you were just nervous dancing in front of me." He smiled at Ivan.

"I didn't feel nervous." He stood up, dusting himself off. "Well, it's getting dark and we should be getting to bed. I want you bright eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow to begin your first bow and arrow lesson!" He grinned happily. "I'll get the bed set up for you, and then I'll finish stringing your bow."

Gilbert smiled brightly as well. "I can't wait, I've always wanted to learn how to use a bow," he said and stood up as well.

Ivan set to covering the feather-stuffed mattress with the furs. He lined the bed with mixed fur and then layered the top with other various blankets of rabbit, wolf, deer and fox. He fluffed the large pillow, making a mental note to have another made for Gilbert. He turned down the furs and pat the bed.

"Here you go, Lord Gilbert."

Gilbert sat on the bed. To his surprise, it was actually quite comfy. Something entered his mind and he looked up at Ivan with a small frown. "Are you still going to tie my legs together?"

Ivan thought for a moment. He couldn't bear to do it.

"No, I won't tie you up. If you try to escape, I'll feel you moving. If you try to leave the house and village, you will get caught. We have warriors taking shifts all night long and patrolling."

Gilbert's frown turned up just slightly. He looked relieved. "Thank you."

"You've stayed with me this long without giving me any reason to distrust you." He pulled the furs up over Gilbert. "I'll join you after I'm done my bow. Remember, it gets very cold here at night so you want to have a warm body to stay with. I'll feed the fire too, so you can stay nice and cozy."

Gilbert's cheeks felt a little warm as he thought of sharing the bed with Ivan. It felt different from the first few times, and didn't really know why. He nodded and cuddled into the bed and furs.

Ivan went over to the fire to feed it more wood before taking the stew pot off of the hook. The fire blazed brightly, lighting up the hut with heat. Ivan took the bow and string to sit in front of the fire so he could see well enough to bring stringing it.

Gilbert turned over so he could watch Ivan work. He had a bit of a fascination for watching the warrior. Even before when he was telling the stories of his weapons, before the meeting with the clan, Gilbert was so interested by it. There was a moment where he wondered why he didn't miss home or feel absolutely terrified of his kidnapper, but he found himself not caring, and only admiring Ivan as the light from the flickering flame lit up his face. After a while, he began to drift to sleep, his eyes slowly closing.

When Ivan was finally finished, he removed his boots, placed them in front of the fire, and went over to the bed. He gazed down upon the sleeping Elf in his bed; soft pink lips slightly parted in sleep, white lashes resting on softly flushed cheeks, and a fist resting calmly against the pillow. Ivan smiled, finding the Elf just too cute! He wanted Gilbert in his bed every night now and would work twice as hard to have the little Elf to wake up to every morning. He would have the most beautiful mate in all of the clan!

Eagerly, he climbed onto the bed to settle under the furs, keeping a few inches between their bodies. He wanted to pull Gilbert close to him but feared the Elf would wake up and become offended. All he could do was stare at the sleeping face.

Gilbert stirred slightly as Ivan got into bed. He woke up but just barely, and slowly peeked out of tired eyes. When he saw Ivan staring at him, he turned a bright shade of red.

Ivan smiled sleepily at him, putting a finger to his lips. "Shhh. Go back to sleep." He whispered.

Gilbert pulled the furs up to his face, hiding his embarrassment and shut his eyes. He quickly fell back asleep, feeling warm and safe.

In the middle of the night, Gilbert began to shift around in his sleep, and small whimpers slipped passed his movements alerted Ivan immediately. When he sat himself up on his arms to look at Gilbert, he saw that the Elf was only having a dream, but by the looks of it, a bad one. Gilbert continued to thrash around, his sounds of distress getting worse.

Ivan gently started to shake him. "Lord Gilbert? Lord Gilbert, wake up!"

Gilbert jolted awake with a startled cry. His mind was still in his nightmare and thought Ivan was attacking him, and he started to pull away, slapping his hands against the other out of instinct and fear . "No! Get away from me!" he yelled.

"Lord Gilbert? It's okay! It's me, Ivan! You were dreaming!" He grabbed Gilbert by the forearms to get him to stop attacking.

The Elf froze up, but his pink eyes were wide with fear. He had never been more relieved to see someone before. Still startled by his dream, he bluntly hugged around Ivan, burying his face into his chest. He was trembling.

Ivan was surprised by the embrace. He felt Gilbert's small form trembling against him, and he slowly hugged him back.

"What happened? What were you dreaming about?"

"Someone in your clan. They...they were hurting me." Gilbert nuzzled his head into Ivan. He felt a bit safer in Ivan's arms, but the image in his mind was still unsettling him.

Ivan held him close, rubbing soothing circles on his back. "No one will harm you when you are with me. No one would dare come into my house for I would wake up and I would kill them."

Gilbert gave a soft groan. His body relaxed in Ivan's arms. "Thanks..." he mumbled quietly.

"I speak the truth, Lord Gilbert. Don't be scared anymore."

Gilbert pulled back a little. "I'll try not to be. Sorry for waking you up, and hitting you, and hugging you like that..."

"No, no, it's all fine, really! I like it." he smiled.

The Elf looked up at him. "You like it...?"

"Yes. I like how you needed me just then, and I was happy to be there for you. And for you hitting me…well…that was like a mouse hitting a bear." He teased.

Gilbert smiled a little. "I've never had someone to hug when I was scared." He scooted a bit closer. "Would you keep hugging me...?"

Ivan's eyes lit up. "Yes! Yes, Lord Gilbert, I will! I'll hold you all night long! I've been so lonely that I would enjoy having another beside me."

Gilbert simply hugged around him again. "Don't ever lose," he whispered against Ivan's chest.

"Never. I swear this to you."

He settled down on the bed with Gilbert, ushering the Elf to turn around so they could spoon. With the furs in hand, Ivan made sure that Gilbert was wrapped and tucked tightly beneath them while he laid his arm over the blankets. With a happy, content sigh, he buried his nose in Gilbert's soft hair.

Gilbert turned over easily. He was a little too shaken up by his dream to be embarrassed or nervous about the position, as he needed Ivan to comfort him. He found it quite comforting, actually, to have someone near him. He had never allowed someone so close before. The feeling of Ivan's nose in his hair, behind a pointed ear, made him shiver lightly, and he cuddled into the furs, pushing back against Ivan as if to move closer to him.

"Sleep now, Lord Gilbert. I will shield you all night and every day."

Gilbert closed his eyes, smiling a little as he felt safe and warm. He fell asleep within minutes.

This is what he had often dreamed of, having someone sleeping beside him that wasn't one of his sisters. This was an actual warm body laying beside him, in his bed, curled up against him as a lover would. Gilbert was perfect for him, he decided. He wanted this Elf in his bed for this night and every night after that until the end of their days. He never wanted to let Gilbert go.

This time Gilbert slept soundly with not one nightmare in sight. He didn't know it, but being held and protected made even his subconscious feel safe. It was something he'd never had. He always slept in a big bed alone in a large room, and now to share one with another, and trusting the other, it was something Gilbert really liked as well.

Ivan was the first to wake up, pleased to find that Gilbert was still asleep in his arms. The sun was almost up, and it was time to begin the day. Ivan had an idea. Slowly, he slipped from the bed and went to his trunk, reaching down to the very bottom where he found his big sister's flute. Their father had carved it for all of them, but it was his big sister who had the talent for making music. Ivan knew one or two little songs, but nothing more than that. He thought it would be a great way to awaken Gilbert.

Going back over to the bed, he put the flute to his lips and started to play a soft, lyrical, gentle melody that seemed to lure the sun out of hiding as well as waken Gilbert.

As the music filled his ears, Gilbert slowly woke up. He gave a little grunt before realizing that Ivan was playing a flute in front of him. Tiredly, he rubbed his eye and sat up smiling.

"Good morning," he said with a yawn.

Ivan ceased the music. "Good morning. The sun is just coming up. We should eat and then be on our way to practice with your new bow!"

Gilbert smiled happily. "I can't wait, it's going to be great!" He beamed. He hung his legs off the side of the bed, smiling at Ivan.

"Did you like my music, Lord Gilbert? I'm not very good...but I thought you would find it nice."

"I did," Gilbert said with a nod. "I love music actually. It's the one thing I enjoyed back home. I actually play the flute. My mother taught me when I was young." He smiled.

Ivan smiled back and held the flute out to him. "Is your flute like this one? My father made this for the family. You can play it, if you want?"

"Mine was made entirely of silver," he said and took the flute. He couldn't resist playing it, he loved playing the flute. He put it to his lips, and started to play a beautiful little tune.

Ivan's eyes sparkled. "You play like my big sister! Oh please, don't stop! Keep playing while I warm up the stew!"

Gilbert smiled as he continued to play several songs that he'd learned over the years. He was happy that Ivan wanted him to play. Everyone expected him to be good at playing an instrument, so he never got any real praise, but he still loved playing.

The music helped to warm the soup faster, or so Ivan liked to think. He poured the rest of the stew into two bowls for them. "Time for breakfast."

Gilbert placed the flute down and slid off the bed, then joined Ivan.

They finished up the rest of the soup and then dressed for the chilly morning, and Gilbert in lots of furs. He handed him the bow.

"Are you ready?"

Gilbert gripped the bow in his hands, then nodded. "You're sure your clan won't have a problem with this?"

"They will have no choice. You belong to me, and I can do whatever I want with you. Don't be afraid. I'm here for you."

"Thanks. I guess I'm just a little on edge after last night." He forced a smile.

"And you have every right to be. I know my world is a little scary and strange to you. But after today, you will be sending arrows soaring through the sky!"

Gilbert's smile turned a bit more relaxed. "Do you really think I'll be able to shoot a bow well?" he asked

"I have faith in you, Lord Gilbert. And you need to have faith in yourself or else you won't be able to wield a bow properly. So do you have faith in yourself?"

"I do," the Elf spoke quickly. "It's just... I've never really used a weapon before. I was taught to play flute, paint, and have elegant handwriting. The first time I pointed my dagger at someone was at you. I'm a little worried I won't be any good."

"It takes a lot of practice. Now follow me."

Ivan took him into the woods where there was a large clearing with targets on slates of wood. He brought along his own bow too. Now began the training.

"Here, try to stand like me." He posed the right way with the bow pulled back.

Gilbert looked at Ivan's stance, then mimicked him as best he good. "Like this?"

"Yes, but pull your arm back a little more." Ivan helped him. "There, now you have the stance. Hold that for as long as you can."

Gilbert gave a small nod. He pulled his arm back more, keeping his back stiff as he held it there. It was a lot harder to pull back the string of a bow for an extended amount of time, but he was determined to learn so he forced himself to keep holding.

When Ivan saw Gilbert's limbs shaking, he told him to lower the bow. "No need to strain yourself too much, Lord Gilbert. Your muscles still need time to build themselves up."

Gilbert released his pull. "But doesn't straining them work better? Like, pushing your body passed its limits?"

"Yes, but only when your muscles have first become used to using a bow. If you do too much at first, you can hurt yourself. You can hurt yourself so bad that you could lose all use of your arm, wrist or hand."

"I don't want that," Gilbert said, making a face. "So then...what do I do?"

"Let's use an arrow now." He got one from his quiver and helped Gilbert position it properly. "Now, hold the back just like that and pull the string all the way back. Try to keep the bow straight. And then let go."

Doing as told, Gilbert pulled back the arrow as his arms shook lightly. He let the arrow go, but it didn't go far and simply hit the ground a few feet in front of them.

"Okay, that's a good start." Ivan pulled it out of the ground. "Let me move a target closer." He moved one much closer to Gilbert, lining it up perfectly so that it would be hard to miss. "There."

Gilbert restarted, pulling the string and arrow back again. He held his arm stiff, and then released it. The arrow stuck into the target, but missed the bulls-eye.

"Wow! Great job, Lord Gilbert! You hit the target!"

Gilbert couldn't help but feel a little proud, even if his shot wasn't the greatest. He looked to Ivan. "Thanks. I want to try again!" He ran to the target and pulled the arrow out himself, then went back to Ivan with a happy smile on his face.

"Here, watch me." Ivan nocked his arrow, aimed, and fired, hitting the target head on. "Soon you will just as good as me, if not better! Bow and arrow are not my weapon of choice."

"Are your fists your weapon of choice?" Gilbert joked lightly as he loaded his own arrow.

"It's a little scary, but..." He pulled back his arrow. "I do feel safer knowing that you don't need a weapon." He released the arrow, and it hit a little closer to the middle of the target this time.

"Look at you! You're catching on quick! Try a few more, and then we will do a few arm and wrist exercises."

"That's enough for today. You did very well and I'm very pleased." He smiled.

Gilbert smiled back, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and satisfaction. "I guess it wasn't bad for my first day. I'm going to be sore tomorrow though." He chuckled a little. He felt very happy that Ivan was pleased with him. It was strange to actually make someone else proud, but he liked the feeling.

"Yes, so we won't practice tomorrow. We'll give you time to rest up and I'll show you around the village instead. Maybe will have time for something else, too."

Gilbert pouted a little. He was already hooked on shooting a bow and he didn't want to stop, but he knew it was a good idea to take a break.

"I'd like to see more of your village," he said. "As long as no one tries anything. I don't want you having to kill someone everyday."

"We can't hide inside all our lives." Ivan chuckled. "I promise to be as calm as I can if something happens."

"Hopefully we'll be okay. I don't know if I can take everyday of this violence..."

That worried Ivan. He looked at Gilbert with a soft expression. "We don't view it as violence, really. It's just our way of life...but like I said, I promise to keep everything as calm as possible."

The Elf forced a smile. "I'll try to get used to it." He didn't understand how it was normal to fight among one's own clan members over such a thing, but he had to remember that he was in a different world, so he tried to see it through Ivan's eyes. It was extremely hard, though.

"No...but I'm less scared than I was when you first brought me here." He smiled a little. "It's not so much the place, just the idea of being hurt by multiple people."

"I'm glad you're feeling a bit more comfortable." He smiled softly. "Let's go pick up something nice for dinner. Then maybe tomorrow, after a tour, if we have time, I'll show you how we go fishing."

Gilbert smiled more and nodded, then held his bow and arrow at his side as he followed Ivan.

Back at the village, they returned to the meat vender and this time Ivan ordered them two rabbits, one for him and one for Gilbert. Ivan chose to carry the rabbits but had an idea. He held the rabbit out to Gilbert.

"Why don't you try and carry it? If you're going to want to hunt, you have to get used to carrying dead animals. Your Elven people hunt animals all the time, but all you see is just the prepared clean meat on a plate."

Gilbert cringed a little as the rabbit was handed to him, but he knew that Ivan was right. He took the rabbit from Ivan carefully, as if he would hurt a dead animal. Its body was long, much longer than he thought a rabbit's body was. He pictured a live one huddled on the ground nibbling grass, a small bundle of furry fluff. To think that this red, white and pink hanging piece of meat was once a furry little animal.

"Don't be so gentle, Lord Gilbert." Ivan couldn't resist chuckling. "It's already dead. Remember, we are all part of a life cycle. Animals eat us and we eat animals. There's no harm or shame in it. Every creature wants to survive, right? We all need to eat to live."

"I guess... I've just never held a dead animal before..." He changed how he held the rabbit, holding less like a delicate flower. "It's just something I have to get used to." 'And something I never even gave much thought to.' He added mentally.

"When you hunt your first animal, you may feel badly at first, but you should be proud as well. If you were ever stuck in the woods all alone, you wouldn't live long at all. You would die. Soon you will learn how to care for yourself should something happen to you. Pampered prince." He couldn't help but say the last part with a laugh.

Gilbert pouted and raised a brow at Ivan's laugh. "Don't mock me. I'm doing better than most 'pampered princes' would." He knew that Ivan was just teasing him.

"Ah, but I haven't met many pampered princes. I'm only going by what I see with you." He giggled behind his scarf.

Gilbert boldly pulled Ivan's scarf down a little to see his giggling face. "I'm not THAT pampered!" He looked a bit embarrassed by Ivan's teasing as a little tint of pink colored his cheeks.

Ivan grinned. "Can I do something? I want to test you. Are you brave enough to let me do this tiny little thing?"

That violet eye twinkled with childish mischief that had Gilbert feeling a little suspicious of what 'thing' the warrior wanted him to do. He loosened his fingers from the scarf, looking intrigued. "What is it...?"

Ivan carefully laid the rabbit on the ground beside his feet. He reached down, picked up some wet dirt in his palms, and smudged it over Gilbert's cheeks. "Can you deal with that mud on your face for any length of time?" He grinned childishly.

The Elf gasped as he felt the cold smear on his face. He looked shocked and appalled for a moment, as if he'd just been slapped. After a second, he let out a heavy breath, then gave a small glare to Ivan. He wasn't bothered by the mud, aside from some small irritation and itchiness.

"Are you pleased?" he asked, poking the mud with a finger, then pouted playfully. "I'm all dirty now."

"Lord Gilbert, you still look pretty even when you're covered in mud." Ivan said honestly, and then blushed behind his scarf when he realized what he said. That was way too bold of him to say. He felt stupid and silly and thought, what would Gilbert think of him?

When Gilbert heard what Ivan said, he lost his pout and his eyes widened in surprise. It made him blush and feel a bit nervous in his stomach. He knew he was pretty, and he knew that most people thought he was too, but the way Ivan spoke was so genuine and sweet. To hear such words from an uneducated, primitive and backwards warrior was more believable than all of the noble Elves back home. He just didn't know what to truly make of Ivan's words.

End Chapter 4 TBC