Hello my readers, I hope you all are enjoying the story. With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I just wanted to say that I am so thankful for all those who have read or responded to this story. Thank you! I hope you all like this new chapter.

As Jagiello left, Poland came rushing in, with two huge towels. "Touch 'em Liet. Aren't they the softest things ever?"

Lithuania ran his hand over the still warm towel. It was indeed very soft. "Oh, Polska! These are wonderful. Do we really get to use them?"

"Yep! Jadwiga says I can only use them on special occasions because they are really hard to come by. But, I think your first bath definitely qualifies as a special occasion."

"It is not my first bath." came the indignant response.

"Fine, your first bath here."

Lithuania rubbed the towel against his face as Poland started undressing. "You don't mind if we share right? It big enough for two."

Lithuania looked at his friend. "I guess not. I do it all the time at home."

"Great!" Poland threw his clothes into a corner, stepped into the water, and started splashing around. Lithuania put the towel down with a final pat and started to remove his clothes, gingerly folding them and setting them off to the side. Suddenly, he was assaulted by a wave of water. He turned and Poland smirked at him. "You put away clothes like a girl Liet."

"You splash like a girl." He retorted, jumping into the water and pushed a wave toward Poland. The blond spluttered as the water hit him in the face. It was Lithuania's turn to smirk. "That's how to splash like a man."

"You're on!" Poland yelled.

Outside the bathing chamber, shrieks and giggles could be heard along with various war cries. One of the maids standing guard finally had enough. Angerly she marched into the room. "You two need to stop fooling around and actually clean yourselves. There is going to be a dinner in one hour and your bosses do not want you appearing dripping wet." She looked around becoming aghast. "Look at a mess you made! I have half a mind to make you clean it up yourselves if it wouldn't make you late. You should be ashamed. This is no way for boys of your standing to behave."

Poland looked sheepish, while Lithuania sunk into the water, trying to hide.

"Sorry," they said at the same time.

Still angry, the woman left and Poland quickly grabbed the soap in case she came back. He sniffed and crinkled his nose. 'Smell." He tossed it to Lithuania who had the same reaction. "It smells…"

"Girly." Poland finished.

Lithuania sighed. "A little. But, I guess we have to use it?"

Poland rolled his eyes. "You got that right, Liet." Gathering their courage, they lathered on the floral scented soap. Poland thought for a moment, then grew excited. "Hey Liet, have you found a nick-name for me yet?"

"O-of course!" Lithuania stammered out.

"What is it?" The blond questioned.

"Umm…do you like Polska?"

Poland laughed. "Liet! That's already my name."

"Right. Sorry." Lithuania blushed and racked his brain as Poland looked expectantly at him.

"How about…uh…Po...lk"

"That's great!"

"Polk?" Lithuania asked, startled.

"No silly, Po!"

"Oh, yeah. Po. You really like that?"

"Yep!"

"Okay…Po."

It didn't take long for the two to get clean and dressed. They then made their way down to the dining hall. Lithuania was starving, having only eaten the snack with Poland. The Baltic nation was desperately hoping his stomach did not decide to make it known just how hungry he was.

In the dining hall they met both their bosses, and a collection of nobles, with some from Lithuania, but most from Poland. "Hello." The king smiled and gestured for the two to sit down. As the food was brought out, the conversation started. "Polska, Litwa, in just a few days, Duke Jagiello and I are going to be married. We plan to form a union between our two countries. How does this sit with you?"

Poland looked cautiously at Lithuania. "I don't mind." He said. "I like Liet, and I want him to stay."

Jadwiga tilted her head. "Liet? You two have already become friends?"

"Yes, ma'am." Poland smiled while Lithuania nodded.

"This is wonderful." She turned to the duke. "Did you know this?"

He shook his head. "It's news to me."

"Well, I'm so happy Polska." She beamed at him, eyes full of pride. "I just knew this was going to work out okay. There was nothing to be afraid of darling, nothing at all." She smiled again. "Oh! I just-this is such good news. Polska, you make me so proud." Poland bowed his head, pleased, but embarrassed. "As for our plan of action. Grand Duke Jagiello and I will be married on the 18th of this month. As a union, although a very loose one, the trade will increase between you two. Also, we shall allow some of Polska's people to move onto your lands Litwa, and you to give us back some of the lands you took during border disagreements. In return, Polska will act as a shield for your people who convert to Christianity. I expect that will be most…?"

"No, ma'am. Neither I and nor my people wish to convert. We like our gods and we like our traditions. But we are no different than you in that respect."

Poland let out a huff and Jadwiga's smile faltered. "But then, how can we protect you from the Teutonic Knights if we can't say you are Christian?" Lithuania looked nervous. "I-I'm s-sorry. I-I" Jagiello interrupted him. "Lietuva can hide behind the fact that I and his nobility have converted. That will be enough for the Knights." He leaned over and whispered something in Jadwiga's ear that made her relax. "As long as you try." She whispered back. "How does this sound to you two?"

"Will Liet get to live with me?" Poland asked, bouncing on his seat in excitement.

"Well," Jagiello said, "He will live mainly at his house, but, I expect you will often visit each other a lot for work, and possibly play."

Poland shrank back into his seat. "Oh."

"I'll come visit a lot!" Lithuania told him. "And you can come see my house. It's really pretty."

"Maybe," Poland said, still upset. The two rulers smiled, the union was already off to a great start, before being finalized. Both thought it to be a sign of times to come.