Chapter 3

'So Arthur!' laughed Gilbert out loud, he had drained most of his tankard by now 'What was it like working with that Austria all those years ago?'

'Oh he was much eager than you ever were Gilbert!' laughed Arthur in a sarcastic tone
The two nations had moved to slightly less serious topics as they were finishing drinking their beer.

'Are you both ok?' asked America, tilting his head slightly as they both continued to chuckle but then Prussia yawned loudly

'I am weary Britain!' he sighed 'I simply must rest if I am to fight another day!'
There was something about the word 'fight' that made Britain feel slightly uneasy but then he looked at the old clock which was about to chime to midnight.

'I feel that I must rest too!' yawned Arthur, then looking at America he said hastily 'Off to bed with you, little chap!' he then picked him up gently and carried him to his chamber, Gilbert followed suit behind him.

As Britain put America into his bed the little boy asked as he always did...

'Britain can you read me a bedtime story?'

'Well...' thought Britain but then Prussia walked through the door

'Uncle Gilbert do you know any good stories?' piped up America

'I'm your uncle now am I?!' laughed Prussia 'Oh Britain why is your brother so ridiculously cute?'

'Well? Do you have any good stories?' asked Arthur raising one of his bushy eyebrows

'I don't know about a story but I could play a tune...' suggested Gilbert

'Can you?' gasped America excitedly

'I certainly can!' grinned Gilbert

'Take it away then good chap!' grinned Arthur as Gilbert pulled out a small flute from his pocket and begun to play quite a soft and somewhat soothing melody, which was causing America's and Arthur's eyes to droop as he played, finally America was snoozing peacefully.

'Old Fritz taught me this particular tune,' Prussia whispered to Arthur as America rolled over into his pillows 'he is pretty talented as a king' then he added 'I'm still learning of course...'

'I didn't know you were into music!' chuckled Arthur 'I always thought you preferred the battlefield.'

'Well sometimes even a great and awesome warrior like me needs music from time to time!' laughed Gilbert as they crept out of America's room 'So anyway Britain where have you proposed for me to rest tonight?'

'You can share a side of my bed if you want to,' said Arthur

Gilbert quite wearily nodded as they proceeded into Britain's chambers, Gilbert went behind the screen in Arthur's room and he came out wearing a flowing white nightgown, as he walked past the moonlit window Arthur saw how ghost-like he really was, he sat on one side of the bed comfortably as Arthur then went behind the screen and changed, he was also wearing a white nightgown, he lay on the other side and stretched.

'Can you move slightly further Arthur?!' groaned Prussia who had just curled up 'The great Prussia needs plenty of space for his slumbers!'

'You are taking up most of the bed already Prussia!' sighed Britain nudging Prussia slightly as he made way for himself

'Ow!' whined Prussia

'Honestly Prussia!' laughed Britain 'If you are so great and awesome how did a little nudge manage to hurt you?'

'You're a smart one aren't you Britain!' grinned Gilbert and he nudged Arthur with so much force it nearly knocked him off the bed

'Playing games now are we?' said Arthur raising his eyebrows

'Nein!' smirked Prussia 'I'm only trying to make my little nest for the night perfected as possible!'

'Will you... move... over!' heaved Britain nudging Prussia again 'This legendary pirate needs some open sea too!'

'Very funny Britain!' yawned Prussia

'Oh yes Gilbert, you are a land pirate so you wouldn't understand the tongues of us ocean pirates!' laughed Britain

'You ocean pirates go after gold, we land pirates go after well... land!' Prussia then sighed in a prideful tone 'Believe me Britain, Silesia was worth over one thousand treasure chests for me!'

Britain again raised an eyebrow and said changing the subject 'We shall discuss our alliance plans further at dawn!'

'Gute nacht Britain!' groaned Prussia wearily, as Britain blew out the bedside candle, he then saw as he turned over for a few seconds, the moonlight shining off Prussia's white hair even though the room was dark.

'Good night Prussia!' said Britain before falling into a deep slumber.