Arthur kept his promise. As soon as things settled in the North he went with Matthew to gather his things. Matthew happily burst into the house that France had built for him and called out for Kum, confusing Arthur greatly until the small bear came barreling into Matthew. Matthew was more than happy to catch the small white bear and hold him close and tight.

"Kum! I missed you so much."

"Missed you too."

Kum looked over Matthew's shoulder and saw Arthur, nudging Matthew to explain the presence of the other.

"Kum, this is England, or Arthur. He's the one I've been staying with, him and Alfred."

"Oh."

"Come on, help me get our things, we're going back with Arthur to stay at Alfred's house."

Matthew sets Kum down and the two go down a hall to where Matthew's room is located and matthew locates the chest at the foot of his bed that he had had made to hold his treasures. He had spelled it so it wouldn't be disturbed by the curious maids or thieves. Now however he dispelled that so he could take it with him. Slowly he opens the chest and inspects its contents, looking fondly on the items carefully placed within. Leaving it open he turns to his wardrobe and gathers a few of the clothes he had there. Most of what France had bought him were stuffy clothes that he couldn't stand, his time living with his brother and Arthur had shown him that they were both much more relaxed about what they wore, being more practical.

Arthur watched as Matthew gathered some of his clothes, curious about the chest he had left open, he assumed to put the clothes away in. He had seen as Matthew gazed into the chest with a wistful look in his eyes. stepping into the room he looks into the chest and is confused by what he sees. Most prominent in the chest is the small sword and spear, next he noticed the strange book that reminded him of his magic tomes that he left in his basement in London, there was also a small set of strange clothes that Arthur almost recognized the style of before Matthew appeared at his side and dropped his clothes into the chest. Matthew then turned a stern look on the older man, looking like he wanted to say something to him but held his tongue to fold and pack his clothes.

"Matthew?"

Matthew stayed silent as he folded his clothes to make them all fit. Arthur looked to Kum thinking he might have an explanation and for the first time noticed the strangeness of the bear. He had noted it could speak but there was something about this creature that was unnatural. It took him a moment but he was finally able to recognize the old and strange magic that made up the animal. As understanding bloomed in his eyes he glanced back to Matthew.

"Matthew? Where did you get this bear?"

Matthew tensed at Arthur's question, was he found out. France had never even been suspicious, yet here was this man he had barely gotten to know and he was suspecting things he shouldn't.

Matthew did not answer.

"Matthew?" Still silence was his answer. "Matthew I will not begrudge you if it is from magic that he was born."

That had Matthew stilling his hands and looking up at Arthur with some shock. He could see the honesty in Arthur's eyes and turned back to his still hands.

"I made him. Not long after I came to be here. I was lonely and so I made him from the snow."

"And you breathed life into him?"

Matthew nods and returns to folding his things.

"Where did you learn to do such a thing?"

Matthew was silent for a long moment until he had folded the last article and Arthur thought he was going to remain silent as his answer once again.

"Where I learned it I can not explain. You wouldn't understand anyway."

Arthur furrowed his brow before nodding. If Matthew did not wish to share this knowledge with him he would not force him to, perhaps with time. Until then, "Matthew would you let me teach you some of my magic?"

Matthew was just closing the lid on his chest when Arthur asked his question. It startled Matthew and his head shot up to lock gazes with Arthur.

"Would you really teach me?"

Arthur smiles and nods, "Of course."

"But... I thought."

"You thought magic was treated only with fear in our eyes and feared ever showing your talent. I understand that. When I was young, I too felt the same fear. I grew up surrounded by magics, it wasn't until France came to my lands that the magic I knew so well was treated with disdain. I take it the same is true for you."

Matthew reaches up the the few beads still remaining in his hair and how France had tried to remove them saying they were a savage thing and he was above that. Arthur caught the motion and noticed for the first time the beads tied into Matthew's hair, just behind his ear.

He raises a brow in question, "What are those you have there?"

Matthew cups them protectively, suddenly looking frightened that Arthur would try to remove the beads from his hair as France had.

"I will not take them from you I am just curious. I've seen similar things on some of your natives. They too are your people, aren't they? France tried to force you to forget them, didn't he?"

Matthew nods, "He took most of them from me. They were important to me and he wouldn't understand that."

"Don't worry I won't make you remove them. They are a part of who you are." Arthur was beginning to suspect things about Matthew but had no way to voice those suspicions, instead he held them in the back of his mind and let the two of them fall into silence as Arthur went about helping Matthew to pack those items he wanted to take with him.

Before long Matthew had everything he wanted and he went to grab his chest. Arthur made to take it instead but Matthew cut him off.

"I can carry it."

"Are you sure, it must be rather heavy?"

Matthew smirks, by now he was well aware that Arthur knew how strong his brother was, "YOu don't think Alfred is the only one with that unnatural strength do you?" With that he heaved the chest up and began to walk from the room with it.

Arthur watched after him in shock and wondered if France had ever bore witness to the strength in the child he called his son. Though Arthur was beginning to suspect that there was more to this boy than anyone had ever thought.

Despite the strangeness of it Arthur followed Matthew as he carried the chest out of the house and down the street toward the gates and then the ship, Kum following between them. Yes, Arthur was certain there was something the boy was hiding from them all and perhaps, as strange as it sounded, Matthew was older than they suspected. He thought back on what he had seen in the chest and in particular the strange clothes carefully preserved inside. They resembled something worn centuries ago in Europe but how would Matthew have gotten them. Perhaps with time he would learn the answers to his questions. For now he would teach Matthew what he could and take care of him so he could grow.