Good morning, good afternoon or whatever time you will read this.
It might be one of my first english written fanfiction at all, so bear with my poor english.
I also might write it more french-sided, since I am a France rp'er and know way more about France than of Scotland.
Pairing: Scotland x France
Rating: T
Genre: Historical.
As I imagine how it all went down. I might miss events, but that's a minor loss in my opinion.
Disclaimer: France and Scotland belong to Europe, Francis Bonnefoy belongs to Himaruya and Alasdair Iain Angus McKirkland (Scotland, and I gave him this name) belongs to a user in pixiv.
_
But things hardly go as they were planned. Five years later, the happy family life stopped again. France was involved in more warfare down in Italy. Yet, he had insisted on Scotland staying behind and taking care of little Mhairi, like he had done before.
"Don't worry about me. You trained me to be very strong and I will soon own Italy. And if not, I will at least survive. I wouldn't want our daughter to grow up with only one fa… now don't give me that look."
"I can't.", Scotland looked down. Mhairi was still asleep at that time and they stood in the hallway.
Francis gave the older man a long kiss before they parted.
Francis I., king of France ordered his troops to attack next close to Pamplona. In this battle, that took place in early summer of 1521, the Navarrese in northern Spain were backed by France, and had to fight against the Spanish. Most Navarrese towns rose immediately against the Spanish in honour of the battles back in 1512.
One man was injured seriously during the battles. The French admired the man for his bravery and carried him back to his home in Loyola. The man soon changed his life and became a priest, thus founding the 'society of jesus', the 'jesuits' (who will become more important later on).
The Navarrese could gain control of Pamplona as a result of this battle.
The battle of Noain-Esquiroz was fought near Pamplona just a month later. A Castilian Army on behalf of the Spanish defeated the French and the Navarrese forces, driving them out of the Iberian Navarre.
In the Siege of Mézières an imperial Spanish army attacked the city Mézières but the determined French resistance gave the French king enough time to raise his forces against the Hapsburg king Charles V.
More and more battles took place around Northern Spain and Italy, and South France. The battle of Pavia at the end of these series of battles showed once more how mighty the Spanish-Imperial army was and how France alone hardly could stand a chance. All the time in these Italian wars, France had various Alliance partners though they had been for only one battle. But even Scotland couldn't help him, in spite he had always been so very strong. It all didn't change the fact that France needed more strength. More powerful alliance partners. It was that Spain had partners with Austria and the Holy Roman Empire. Serious enemies.
The French king agreed on this thought and sent France towards Poland. It was not easy at all to get there. On the land route there was the Holy Roman Empire, Switzerland and Italy in the way. On the sea route it was England, Denmark and Prussia. But eventually, Francis managed to go undercover and arrive at Poland.
He had never seen the nation before and he was surprised to see someone who, at first sight, looked a lot like himself.
A girly appearance, shoulder length blonde hair, but sharp green eyes. Also, his hair was more straight while Francis' was more wavy. The Frenchman suggested that it was his own, roman/italian legacy that made his hair wavy.
"Bonjour.. I actually hate to ask this, but .. could you help me out with an alliance?", Francis asked.
The polish boy seemed rather uninterested. "What do I get out of this? What is the point of me joining you in an alliance?"
"Booty.", The French nation and messenger answered. "You will get a little richer when you help me during this time. And it is worth it. Spain and Italy, and maybe even the Holy Roman Empire and Austria have a lot of treasure to grab. Help me and you get a good portion. I have seen on the map that your country is not that big. Wouldn't it be tempting to expand?"
"To be honest, I have no interest into the expansion … but in wealth. I sure have a thing for beautiful things. Jewellery, fashion,… I know your kingdom is known for the latest fashion. The 'couture' or how you call it."
"That's right."
"It's a deal. Let's set up an Alliance."
"But there is one thing, I do not want."
"Huh?"
"I am… married. I have an Alliance with Scotland. And we have shared a few years together. Over 400 years now. So… if you and me have an Alliance, please remain on the level of friendship. That we help each other with goods and military. That's all I want.", the Frenchman tried to explain. For nothing in the world would he be playing with the relationship he had towards Scotland. Many would call France a whore already, but the Frenchman would never betray the redhead.
The deal with Poland was set up, despite this little incident. Poland was also having someone else in his heart already, so he didn't mind. For now it was enough for both to know that there was a friend to watch over.
Poland had moreover said that he could not join the battles for Italy, but could supply the French troops with food and other things that they could need.
The war of the league of cognac was fought between the Hapsburg dominions of Charles V. - Spain and the Holy Roman Empire – and the League of Cognac, a crazy Alliance including France, Pope Clement VII., the republic of Venice, the Duchy of Milan and the republic of Florence.
England was actually also supposed to be in that League of Cognac, but since Henry VIII. couldn't sign the treaty in England, he refused to join.
Two years later, in 1528, Hungary joined France as an Alliance partner as well, but also rather serving him with supplies instead of joining into war also for several reasons. The Frenchman didn't mind. Battles were nothing to be happy about. It always cost a lot of lives. So many good men had died for no reason. Brothers, sons and fathers were kept away from their home.
The Hapsburg king knew how to control his own troops very well. In the next few battles, and in the final battle, the Spanish-Imperial troops made decisive victories. Hope was almost lost for the French to accomplish their desire to get Italy.
Then in 1530, Hungary called out for help. As an alliance partner, Francis immediately took some troops and hurried there, where Hungary was involved into the fight against Hapsburg. Then there was also other alliance partners of Hungary: the ottoman empire, Moldavia and Wallachia.
"I'm glad you could come, Franciaország", Hungary said, before she bowed a little.
Francis looked at her very long hair first. Wasn't Hungary a male? At least according to his memory, Hungary had always been male…
"Bonjour, Hongrie. I hope I can be of any assistance in your 'petit guerre'."
"Would you like something to eat? I have cooked some Gulyás soup.", she cheeringly said and walked off into the kitchen. While Francis had noticed the different gender, Elizaveta had as well noticed that France was no girl, but a grown man by now. She was no in the least disappointed. This only meant for her more strength in the upcoming battle.
"Didn't you say, that you need my alliance for this battle?", France asked as he followed her into the kitchen.
"I did. ..But you need to eat something good in order to win. And I need to show that my alliance partners sure mean something to me. Do you understand?", she said with a big smile.
"…Oui."
Francis stayed for a long while in Hungary, but then he felt more and more homesick. Besides it was still nagging him, how it was unclear what would become of the new world. Scotland was doing well with Nova Scotia, but there was so much more to claim!
The blonde left Hungary an entire army to command, but then left once again for the new continent.
On the way, his king told him, that they were already trying to settle for a place close to Nova Scotia as the advertisement for new settlers was going around and Nova Scotia was flourishing. They had found some more native tribes around 'Kanata', but somehow got along.
The Canadian winter was merciless and way more cold than Scotland had described this area. Or I am more cold-sensitive than I thought, Francis said to himself as he stepped through the heavy snow. It was still snowing and the whole place looked magically. So sweet. Francis liked the view in spite of the coolness. In fact it was relieving after the heat he had experienced all the time in Northern Italy and Northern Spain.
"Maman! Wait for me!", Mhairi cried out and fell into the snow. But she wouldn't cry. She got up and hurried further into the snow, just to catch up with Francis.
"Be careful, ma petite.", Francis laughed and picked the child up to carry her. A little further, another redhead appeared. Alasdair and Mhairi had obviously come to Kanata as well.
"Ah cam as soon as ah heard ye wur 'ere.", the adult redhead said and kissed his wife.
"I had hoped so.", the Frenchman returned the kiss.
"Maman, why did you have to leave again?", Scotia asked and made a sad face. She was still a baby nation. Alasdair had dressed her in winter clothes, so she didn't wear her children's clothes anymore.
"I am sorry. I had to go for the war again and I didn't want to wake you. You look so adorable when you sleep."
Scotia blushed and looked down.
"I'm really sorry.", Francis said again and kissed her deep red hair.
"Huv ye fun whit ye huv bin keekin fur?", Alasdair asked and played with some snow that was lying on top of some leaves.
"Non. Not yet. But I am not giving up."
"What are you looking for?", Mhairi asked curiously.
"For a child. One like you. The children in this new world seem to be different. I mean.. you were 'found' by Alasdair. And the other child in the south was found by England and me. So there is.. a lot of unsure things on how such children come into life. Do bodies of colonies have to be formed first. Or is it us European nations that have to creative this new life? Back in Europe things were a lot like with the normal people. Men and women connect, thus bringing new life."
"How do they connect?", the child asked.
"Ugh…"
"Ah wull tell ye efter, whin ye huv grown up, Mhairi.", Alasdair explained quickly.
"Why? I am so big already. You said, I would grow if I'd allow your people to live here!"
"A-aye. Aye, Ah said sae. Bit . Ugh… I'll tell ye whin yer at least /this/ height!", Alasdair took a knife and marked the height onto the bark. It was just a little smaller than Francis. Francis smirked.
"But whhhyy? I want to know! Now!", she became even more cranky and hopped down from Francis' arms, just to attack her poor father who meant to protect her. "Why are you so mean, daddy?"
"Your father only means to protect you from bad things. You are just too young to know everything about this. I am sorry, that we can't tell you about this….But I promise you, I'll give you 'the talk' one day. I know, you are a few years old now. In human age, you'd be more than ready by now. But since you are a nation, you are still a child. Why don't you still enjoy your childhood? You are not involved in any wars. You can learn many other things. And you should always know that your father and me love you.", Francis explained with a calm voice as he dragged the girl a bit away so she wouldn't kick Alasdair anymore.
Mhairi cried out of rage. She didn't want to hear such things. Soon she struggled free from Francis grip and ran into the forest.
Such an annoyance, France thought as he looked from where she had left. Alasdair wanted to follow her already, but the blonde held him back.
"Don't follow her. She will come to reason by herself. She needs to learn that we don't spoil her. She should not get to much of everything. It needs to be balanced. She will come back when she has calmed her hot head. I promise you, if she does not return by nightfall, I will help looking for her."
"... Ah see.", Alasdair nodded after a while, but agreed on that. They wanted to raise Scotia together after all. It was actually more or less their second try as they had tried to raise England – which had turned out to be a fallacy. England had turned against both of them, making their life hell.
"Now, we have more children to look after. I know, we could go more south.. but I am sure that there is going to be a 'nouvelle France' as well, as a Nova Scotia. I have seen that there is a separate society of French building up next to yours."
"Aye. Ah huv asked thaim how come thay wid nae jyne us. Bit thay refused. Ah don't ken how come. Ah think thay didn't ken me."
Francis laughed. "Oui, you are hard to understand for someone who doesn't know you. But don't worry. There is no Frenchman on earth who could dislike the Scottish. You just have the sympathy for being my alliance partner. All French people feel so. The feeling reflects in me. And I love you."
"Ah'm glad…", the redhead murmured and leaned onto Francis.
Slowly they approached through the heavy snow.
But then suddenly, Francis stepped into a trap and both were caught in a net of some strange materials. By the looks one could say, natives have made it.
"Damn this trap…", Francis searched in his pockets for a knife. They were hanging in the net some metres over the ground, but rather being free than being someone's prey, was the motto.
"Francis, cuid ye please stoap wiggling!? I'm trying tae git mah dagger … ugh.. DAMNIT!", the Scotsman just dropped his knife as the other man shifted his weight. Francis' knife had fallen out as they had been dragged up by the mechanism of the trap. Now they had nothing but their teeth and nails as weapons.
"This is juist stoatin …", the redhead snarled, looking down at the two pieces of metal.
"I am sure this is some net set out by the natives.", France said.
"Mmhm. Me tae.", Alasdair tilted his head and then leaned back to get more comfortable. Actually this was much like hammock.
"Ugh, careful.. you almost squished my hand."
"Sorry."
"Mmpf."
Another awkward silence passed by. Animals moved all around them. The sounds of the nature grew louder.
"It can be hours until someone comes by to cut us off.", Francis figured as he watched his breath escape in clouds from his mouth due to the cold outside.
"Aye."
"…It has been a long time without you, Écosse."
"Didnnae stoap ye frae forming twa mair Alliances.", Alasdair replied with a hint of accusation.
"As if I was the one to choose…", the blonde murmured.
"Weel ye didn't wale wi' me.", dark green eyes looked straight into blues. "You're mine and I do not wish to share you with someone else. What would you say if I'd make some random alliance with someone else? Let's say… with Spain. Or with Greece."
"Don't be silly!"
"Oh, bit Mister France says, it's silly. Mibbie then ah wull nae mak' an alliance. Fur ah aye dae whit Mister France wishes."
"Stop that!"
"Noo, ah wo-", but Alasdair had to stop as he noticed that Francis cried. "ugh…Francis, ah.."
"Just stop it.", came a faint whisper from the French lips. Francis curled into a ball. He just didn't want any of these false accusations. Had he really been unfaithful? Like, when he ate this stew Hungary had made? Or when he had promised Poland to share the bounty?
A few more hours passed by and soon the darkness set onto the area where they were. The trees were so high that they couldn't even see where they were. And they couldn't be seen from somewhere else either.
The two nations hanging almost in the trees weren't cooling out too soon as they wore some pelts that kept really warm. But eventually things like hunger and thirst and the need of visiting some private place would come up…
"Keek Francis… I'm pure sorry fur whit ah said. Noo stoap blocking me aff.", Alasdair looked at the frenchball beside him. "Ah mean it. Ye kin huv as mony alliances as yi'll waant."
"I didn't do anything with them."
"Whit?"
"I said… I didn't do anything with them.", Francis looked back to Scotland. "I told them to remain on the base of 'friendship', because I am with you. And they agreed. All we ever did was talking. I didn't even hug them. They can prove that to you, if you ask them."
"…Pure?"
"I tell you. If I'd ever lie to you, I'd cut off my tongue.", the Frenchman said with a serious tone.
"Och, Francis…", Alba snuggled up to him. He didn't feel like kissing, since his face felt frozen over. Sure, this felt like any Scottish winter, but still cold. And he had hardly been outside on such a weather for the same time. "Let's huv a go tae kip, Aye?"
"Oui."
Both tried to sleep for a bit. Maybe some hours. But then Francis awoke to a nightmare. He didn't make any noises, but jumped.
"Wh-… what's wrong, Fran..?", Alasdair sleepily said, trying to take Francis into his arms to comfort him.
"Ah… I juste 'ad a nightmare is all.", Francis snuggled up to his husband.
"Huv a go tae kip again.", Alba muttered and patted the blonde hair and nuzzled into the Frenchman's cheek, which the Frenchman found very comforting. He felt like a little baby being pampered in the strong arms of the redhead. It sure has been a while since he had been held like this.