Opening!

Me: Hello my readers! Say hello you two.

Feliciano: Vee ~ Hi gorgeous girls! *Blows a kiss.*

Ludwig: Italy, don't be so assuming. There may be some male readers as well. Hello all.

Feliciano: I know that Germany! I was just saying hello to the pretty ladies first. *Winks.*

Me: Oh Feli, you're a shameless flirt. *Looks away with slight blush and playful smile.* I certainly hope you would think to offer me a complement like you would my reviewers.

Feliciano: Si, si. I think you're very nice and beautiful too. You let Germany stay and there is no one else I'd rather be here with than him! Right, Ludwig?

Ludwig: -/- J-Ja. Same here.

Me: Oh Germany! You've turned red! ^_^

Ludwig: Just get on with your story! The people have been waiting long enough!

Me: O-kay! Chapter start!

I own nothing sadly…

The Wrong Vow…


Arthur, with speed unknown to him before this night, flew through the moonless sky to Alfred's castle. The wind almost spurred him on with violent gusts to his destination.


The music trailed off in the ballroom and Alfred drew the one he believed to be Arthur close to him. There in front of the entire court and foreign royals of the world he spoke. "Kings and Queens… Ladies and gentlemen… Mother." Elizabeta's lip wobbled in happy sobs. "I have an announcement to make!"


Gasping in exhaustion the Swan Prince arrived at just this time. He was barely given a chance to take a breath when Alfred said his next words.

"Today I have found my bride!"

Eyes growing wide with shock Arthur furiously tapped at the window to get his attention. "No! Alfred, no! It's a trick!"


"I present him to you as the future queen of our fair kingdom!" The false Arthur smiled as he glanced around. The expression became one of contained horror when he saw the white swan fluttering outside. If the prince turned his gaze just a little the plan would be ruined and Ivan would destroy him! Self preservation driving his actions, Toris latched onto Alfred's arm and turned him from the glass.

The real Arthur shot through the air in an effort to be seen, but at every opportunity his lover was distracted or faced away.

The speech went on. "As proof of my love for him, I make a vow to end all vows…"

The swan then tried to break into the castle, but no openings were left unsealed. He returned to the window, hyperventilating with terror and frustration.

"…A vow stronger than all the powers of the earth, before you and before the whole world, I make a vow of everlasting love-"

"Alfred!" Arthur shrieked.

"…To Arthur." With a loving grin Alfred gestured to the black swan, the disguised trick, The Wrong Prince.

"No!" His true love's heartbroken cry went unheard as the crowd burst into cheers.


The celebratory cries were suddenly cut short as harsh stormy gales forced open the doors and windows. Curtains blew ominously where they hung and the candle light ceased to be.

A low toned voice floated in with a song sung tauntingly. "No more Mr. Nice Guy, no sirree!" A childish mocking laugh followed this and the cruel person responsible stepped forward slowly, purposefully into the room. He was tall with pale hair and deep purple eyes.

The gusts from the open door seemed to circle him as he leaned on a water pipe by his side. "Hello, little prince." His voice was smug and he was wearing a smile full of dark satisfaction.

Alfred stood defiantly and pushed 'Arthur' well behind him. "Who are you?" He demanded.

His question was ignored and the enchanter laid his head in one hand as if studying him. "Went and pledged your love to another, eh?" The smile widened, he knew the answer.

The crown prince glared in confusion. "What are you talking about? This is Arthur!"

The man threw his head back and cackled. "Oh no, I think you'll find that Arthur… is Mine." Looking back at Alfred, he curled his fingers into a fist. In truth he was imagining the Swan's life being crushed before him.

Alfred's eyes sparked with recognition. "It's you! You have No power here! I made a vow, a Vow of Everlasting Love!"

Ivan laughed again. "You made a vow alright!" He raised his arms to cast a spell. "A Vow of Everlasting… Death!" A yellow light flew from hi hands, swerved around the crown prince, and knocked a frightened 'Arthur' off his feet.

"No! Arthur!" Alfred kneeled at his side, but then shot backwards as the blonde hair bled to brown and the emerald eyes became blue. Those same eyes turned downcast in grief.

"You should have left him to me…" The attention returned to Ivan. "…And now, Arthur will die." He twisted to face a window and gestured with a wave. A beautiful white bird flew unbalanced in the distance.


When Alfred had spoken his words of love to the wrong person, a bolt of pain racked through the Swan's body. Arthur could have sworn his heart stopped for just a moment. He gasped on air that was suddenly difficult to inhale and tore off back to the lake. This had to be it, the enchanter's final curse. He was dying.

'No! Not… yet.' A determined glare settled on his face, but his vision was wavering. 'I C-can't- I Won't!' His thoughts turned to his trio of friends and he chuckled desperately. "I-I can't leave yet. Stupid Francis would get eaten by alligators, and Antonio would be upset, Gilbert wouldn't get home. (A.N. *Sniffles*)


Alfred pushed past Ivan once he saw the real Arthur. He saddled his horse and bottled across the moat. The dark spell caster watched him go then turned to mist and followed after. What did he think he could do? Arthur's life was slowing to a halt.

"He's fading fast little prince!" He taunted. His voice echoed around the forest.

"He's too strong to die!" Alfred yelled back.


"He only has so much fire! And I think your words cut a good deal of it down!"

The three friends at Swan Lake glanced at each other, horror in their expressions. Gilbert was the only one to voice their thoughts. "Something's gone wrong."


"If you hurry Little Prince, I'll let you see him one last time!" Brambles of thorns surrounded the gates to the crumbling castle grounds. Alfred was forced to abandon his horse and hack them away with his sword.


From up above Arthur lost height quickly. There it was the water, the lake, even- even the trio-

He couldn't focus any more. Couldn't land, try as he might, a wing dipped into the water, but he remained airborne. His friends saw him.

"There he is! Arthur, Arthur over here!" Francis hopped to get his attention. The swan didn't see him, his vision was too blurred. (A.N. DX *Cries*)

"I don't think he's gonna make it." Antonio mumbled.

Gilbert shook his head. "Nah, not that way Arthur. Get closer to us and we can help." These wishes were nearly silent as he pleaded. Much as he wanted to, if he tried to approach the prince, Arthur would likely lash out in delirium.

The Swan attempted to gracefully meet the land, but fell forwards instead. He turned on his back, closed his eyes, and felt himself return to human form. Little sparks of magic bounced away, the spell had run its course.

Alfred sprinted around the lake bend, catching sight of Arthur and paying no heed to the three animals that followed him. They watched him drop to one knee and lift the shorter prince into his arms.

"Arthur? Oh God, what have I done to you? I'm so sorry. Forgive me, please!"

A soft groan sounded, dazed green orbs were revealed. "A-Alfred." It was said so quietly.

"Yes Arthur, I'm here."

"Alfred… I-I feel so weak… I think, I think I'm…"

"No, no, you'll live Arthur. The vow I made was for you."

"I know. I love you, Alfred." A gentle hand reached to his face, but then slipped down again. The prince's eyes shut, and then his breath hitched and his chest fell, never to rise thereafter.

"Arthur… Arthur! I love you too." With a shuddering gasp he glared at the area surrounding him. He knew who was listening. "I made the vow for him! Do you hear? The Vow I made was for him!"


Feliciano and I: *Hugging and sobbing.* TT_TT

Ludwig: Hmm… Well, that was dark.

Me: Wah! D*** my masochistic need to create believably sad scenes! *Falls to the ground where a puddle of tears forms.*

Ludwig: Okay. You there! *Points at readers* Review this chapter or there will be no peace in this weird hyperspacey place!