Sunlight danced through holes in the tree canopy above Matthew and Native America, a gentle breeze ruffled their hair. The blond-haired boy held onto his mother's hand as the two of them followed the worn hunting path through the forest. Though the birds sang in the sky above and the streams gurgled as water passed over their rocks, something about the scene set the nations watching on edge. Only the backs of Matthew and Native America were visible to the countries, but something felt...off about Native America. She walked slower than the nations had seen her walk before and there seemed to be a weariness about her that didn't match her physical age.
Canada stifled a cry. He knew what was going to happen and he really didn't want to relive it.
"Dude, you alright?" asked America.
"Y-yeah." mumbled Canada, clutching Mr. Kumajiro tighter.
Matthew swung the and that was clasped in his mother's. "Where are we going? Does this have anything to do with the strange clouds by the river?"
"Yes, my child." said Native America. "I'm taking you to go see them. Hopefully there will be a person there for you to meet."
Matthew stopped and cocked his head to one side. "Why me? Why not you?"
Native America's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her son. She crouched down and put her hands on Matthew's shoulders. "Do you remember the man that came to take Alfred away?"
England shifted uneasily in his seat. He hadn't thought of what his colonization of America would seem like to Native America and Canada.
Matthew nodded. A year ago, a strange man speaking a strange language by the name of Arthur landed in his brother's land. One day, Alfred had just disappeared in the night, leaving only a note saying that he was traveling back to Arthur's homeland and he would return soon. "He had green eyes." Matthew remembered.
"Yes." Native America nodded. "There is someone waiting for you at the river, just like Arthur waited for Alfred."
Matthew's face broke out into a grin. "Does that mean that you and me are going to see Alfred again?"
Native America winced. "You will."
"Oh." Matthew didn't quite understand what his mother was implying. Then something in his eyes lit up with excitement. "Have my storebrors come back?"
Norway grimace. "Sadly, it was not us."
Canada looked down. He couldn't believe that even after all those years, he had still harbored hope that his brothers would come back for him.
Native America shrugged. "I do not know, my child, but they are not our people."
Giddy with happiness, Matthew grabbed his mother's hand and raced down the path. "I want you to meet them. They're nice and they taught me their language and how to fight with their weapons." Suddenly Matthew stopped. "I hope Sigurd isn't there."
Prussia snorted. "Birdie, Sigurd was mortal. He can't have survived hundreds of years."
Canada blushed. "I really hadn't stayed in a place with a human long enough to see the extent of their lifetimes. I thought that everyone lived forever."
Native America smiled sadly as she watched Matthew skip through the woods. She winced again as her scars gave a particularly strong throb. "Matthew." she called. "Please come here."
Matthew stopped and ran back to her. "What is it, Mother? Do you need help again?"
"No." Native America gave a painful smile. "Matthew, please listen carefully. I'm afraid my time her is coming to a close. You and your brother are now ready to take charge of the land. The man you will meet will help you until you are older." A single tear leaked out of her left eye. "Your brother is gone now and soon you will be too. There is no more need for a personification of Native America. The pale men have already started settlements and their people will be yours in addition to our people."
"Mother, what-"
"Matthew, please!" Native America cried. "Take care of the land and your little brother. I love you, my son."
Matthew's eyes filled with tears. "Are you going to leave me too?"
Native America gave another sad smile. She quickly embraced her son. "I love you, Matthew."
Matthew sobbed from where he was in his mother's arms. "I love you too." he choked out.
America ran to Canada and hugged him, the two of them crying into each other's shoulders.
Native America let go of Matthew and gave him one last smile. Then, her form flickered and slowly faded, leaving only the memory of her lingering smile behind.
Matthew wailed. "MOTHER!" he cried.
Italy let out of sob and latched onto Germany, who gently stroked the back of his head. The memories of Grandpa Rome never coming back were at the forefront of his mind.
China bowed his head. He had seen many nations fade in his time, so this wasn't a new sight to him, but to others, it was.
Several nations were crying or staring at the scene in shock.
France looked like he wanted to comfort Canada, but England put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. "Let them be, love. They need to grieve alone for a while."
Matthew screamed in despair. He sank to his knees and buried his head in his hands. Suddenly, a breeze blew around him, caressing him in it's gentle embrace. Matthew thought he heard his mother's voice. Do not cry for me, child. I am safe with the Spirits above. Always remember that I love you and your brother.
With one last choked sob, Matthew wiped his eyes and stood up. He would make his mother proud of him. Scanning his surroundings, Matthew made the decision to continue down the path to the river and find the strange man his mother had mentioned. If the man knew where he could find his brother, Matthew would go with him. It was his duty as the older brother to inform Alfred of their mother's passing. Casting one last look at the spot where his mother had disappeared, Matthew pushed through the undergrowth and stepped to the banks of the river. He stumbled in the soft sand and pale hands reached out to catch him. Matthew looked up in surprise at the man who had caught him. The man had silky blond hair that he wore tied back at the nape of his neck and sapphire blue eyes. He wore dark breeches and leather boots. His shirt was a white tunic covered by a long pale blue coat and a red sash wrapped around his waist. At his side was a sheathed sword and atop his head was a black tricorn hat.
France smiled. This day was one of the ones he would remember forever. The day he found Canada.
Matthew tilted his head as the man set him down. With his blond hair and blue eyes, the man looked a little like his storebrors. Maybe he knew them!
"Do you know my storebrors? Their names are Lukas, Berwald, and Mathias. They kind of resemble you." Matthew asked in Norse. He figured the man didn't know any of his native languages, but he might know Norse.
The man stepped back in shock. He said something in a language Matthew didn't know, and then asked a question Matthew didn't understand. When Matthew gave him a questioning look, he pointed to himself and said, "Francis."
"Matthew." Matthew said. "Why are you here?"
It was a very surreal for France to hear the conversation again, but this time actually understanding what Matthew was saying.
But of course, the man didn't understand. Suddenly, Francis turned and barked an order at the people behind him. A man came up with a coloured piece of cloth in his hands. Francis grabbed the flag and planting it in the ground at his feet. "New France." he declared.
Now Matthew understood what the man called Francis was doing. Arthur had done the same thing when he took Alfred away. Francis was claiming this land and named it 'New France'. Matthew thought that was silly. This land already had a name.
Suddenly, Matthew found himself being swept up in Francis's arms. The older man put Matthew on his hip and walked back to the ship, talking in his strange language the whole time. Matthew tried to tell him that he didn't understand, but all that came out was Norse, which the man clearly didn't know. Matthew sighed and buried his face closer to Francis's tunic. Maybe Francis would be his new big brother, just like his mother had said.
Please review if you want me to continue with this story. It will follow Canada from when he was discovered to the present. I will warn you though. I'm Canadian, so the information here is what was in my history textbook and might be a little biased, but I will try my best to not favour one side over another. Many thanks for reading!
