Chapter 20

'I decided to stick to my plan of Splendid Isolation. After much bitter fighting, Denmark, who had no allies was forced to surrender the area of Schleswig Holstein to the two kingdoms. Although Austria and Prussia had strangely teamed up, their rivalry it seemed remained unchanged as Prussia who only had the procession of Schleswig also instinctively wanted the duchy of Holstein, alas the two nations went to war in the year of 1866, Prussia crushed Austria quickly in a matter of seven weeks. Not only did Austria lose Holstein he had finally lost his influence over Germany, for him it was a heavy blow, whilst Prussia seized control over many of the German regions. I was glad in the end I had not become involved in the brutal struggle. However after the wars I saw Prussia as less of a threat, he was like the keystone holding up the European bridge, keeping my traditional rivals Russia and France at bay...'

The year was 1867, Britain was hosting a small family reunion in his garden with his three brothers, it was late spring, the birds sung merry songs in the sky and butterflies and bees were circling around the multicoloured flowers.

Scotland and Ireland were scrolling down a huge newspaper whilst Wales in a more dreamy state of mind reclined in his chair, Britain meanwhile was busy buttering some scones and sipping from a mug of steaming hot tea, stroking the ears of his big pet tom cat who sat on his lap, happily purring and grooming his paws.

'I say!' he sighed happily 'What a splendid afternoon for our little get together!' at these words; Britain did not notice Ireland tutting irritably under his breath slightly.

'God has blessed us!' said Wales happily enjoying the warm aroma around him as he rested his arms behind his head.

'It's a bonny day indeed...' exclaimed Scotland '...although I'm not so used to the butterflies myself... the midges help the good brave Scots to adapt, even if the biters are a bloody nuisance sometimes!'

'You're insane elder brother... you know that right?!' laughed Britain as he picked up a newspaper himself, but just as he was about to read he suddenly heard a distant ring coming from the front door.

'Who possibly needs me during this time?' yawned Britain as he slowly stepped out of his chair 'I'll be back in two minutes!' he called to his brothers. As he strolled to the door, his tabby cat followed him, meowing excitedly, the three siblings laughed quietly amongst each other out of their brother's hearing range.

'Honestly Wellington why do you always meow like that for everything?' chuckled Arthur to the cat as he approached the front door and opened it

'Arthur...' the man stuttered

'Gilbert...' groaned Arthur 'I was in the middle of a family reunion!' but being a gentleman he opened the door gladly for him anyway. The moment Prussia had stepped into the room; Wellington began circling around Prussia's feet, still emitting his rumbling purrs.

'I take it you're a cat person?' asked Prussia bending down to stroke under the cat's chin

'Oh yes!' blushed Arthur 'I love cats! They just have that sort of mysterious charm around them that I appreciate... I don't know if dogs are such a suitable pet for my quiet lifestyle...'

'I'm a dog person myself...' explained Prussia '...I have never really understood cats... although your feline seems friendly enough!' the cat continued to rub his body affectionately against Prussia's legs before Britain pointed to one of the couches

'Go on Gilbert take a seat!' he indicated

'Not before I...' winked Gilbert and slowly he strode towards Arthur and kissed him before they embraced, when they finally let go they both collapsed in one of the huge comfy sofas, Arthur was the first to speak.

'I'm sorry I... suppose I over exaggerated... I...' he sighed deeply

'It's ok, Britain, I knew you would understand one day...' said Prussia 'It's been rough on the road for me you know...'

'Yes...' nodded Arthur '...besides... I should be much more concerned about the position of France...'

'I am too...' sighed Prussia '...that's why I am here, Britain. Louis Napoleon may not be his uncle but he certainly shares his enthusiasm...'

'What do you want me to do exactly?' asked Arthur frowning slightly

'Well Russia has requested that the great powers hold a meeting to discuss this little muddle in Luxembourg... he too has grown rather concerned lately...'

'I'm sure that can be arranged,' said Britain 'I hear France is trying to buy Luxembourg from the Netherlands am I correct?!'

Prussia nodded and pleaded 'We just cannot afford that to happen, the Dutch must maintain ownership over Luxembourg otherwise the French will have an advantage over us!' then he added 'A garrison of mine are currently stationed within the city, if France decides to make a move they will be ready.'

'I see...' considered Britain coolly '...very well, we shall all arrange a meeting here in London later this month, tell Russia I approve his plans, I would much rather have this dispute sorted out on peaceful terms rather than having to revolve around war for absolutly everything...'

'It's settled then!' yawned Gilbert stretching noisily and lying back

'But Prussia...' asked Britain '...why did you travel all the way to London just to pass on that message? I simply must insist that you rest here!'

'I've just missed being in your presence...' said Prussia in a quiet voice '...in my years at war, it may not seem like it to some but deep down I have really missed you... I agreed to marry you, we are supposed to be together...'

'Really Gilbert , I must say I have sorely missed having your delightful company here too...' said Britain taking Prussia's hand in both of his own 'I have had barely anyone to talk to lately... I must admit, it does get lonely, even my own brothers seem distant from me..'

Prussia said nothing as he looked up at the ceiling sadly, ages seemed to pass until he changed the subject

'Arthur, did you know that my cousin is getting married?'

'Austria?' asked Britain

Prussia nodded 'He is being wedded to none other than the beautiful Miss Hungary!' he uttered a cold laugh at these words

'Were you invited by any chance?' asked Britain

'I was...' said Prussia '...but between you and me... I would much rather be here with you and your family... particularly after Austria claimed he was too sick to attend our ceremony!' he coughed abruptly

'Oh Gilbert you can be so sweet sometimes...' laughed Arthur pinching Prussia's cheek, '...you really have no idea...' before he asked another question 'But who is looking after Ludwig in your absence?'

'He's grown since you last met him Britain!' chuckled Prussia 'But whilst I am gone, good Old Mr Bismarck is taking care of him as we speak!'

'He's probably teaching him how to duel as we speak...' murmured Britain

'What did you say?!' asked Prussia raising an eyebrow

'Nothing, nothing!' laughed Arthur weakly.

'So... you are having a little reunion I take it?' said Prussia moving on to another topic.

'Indeed!' smiled Britain 'Come at once to my garden and sit amongst us, you look utterly tired my darling!'

Prussia agreed and together they walked side by side out into the garden where the three brothers were waiting.

'Prussia my lad, what be you to come on this fine day!' bellowed Scotland as he strutted towards Gilbert, shaking his hands before giving him a bone crushing hug.

'Scotland, brother you are suffocating our poor guest!' chuckled Ireland as he sprang to his feet to greet Prussia, shaking his hand enthusiasticly before Wales got out of his chair to greet the nation too

'Shall I play a song for thee, great Prussia, returning from thy great battles?' he chanted, as he brandished a small fiddle in his hand

'That would be splendid!' grinned Gilbert, wondering whether Wales had a little too much to drink, he sat down wearily, pouring himself a a cup of tea, and taking off his jacket. Feeling the spring breeze flow past his ears as Wales played a slow soothing melody Prussia said happily

'Sometimes I dream that I could live here in your green lands...' Arthur looked up in astonishment as Prussia smiled 'I cannot feel more welcome here...' he gazed into the sky '... once my destiny is fulfilled and when my people see some logic, I can truly sleep, then we can walk together across the pastures looking over your many great hills, watching the birds take flight over the forests...'

Arthur strode forward to Gilbert and kissed him softly on the nose 'I can guarantee you peace in the end my sweet Prussia...' he said softly before taking a seat besides him, careless that the three brothers were watching.

'Then they can help me find the Loch Ness monster!' winked Scotland to the two younger siblings as they watched the blue sky slowly turning pink and the couple became increasingly silhouetted as the day drew to a close.

'As I along with the other great powers were keen for war to be avoided, a meeting was to be called in London. It was a success, Luxembourg would remain neutral but that would also mean the Prussian troops would be withdrawn. Tensions at first seemed to be settled, however my hopes were diminished, after a series of disputes between France and Prussia, as well as some sneaky but clever tactics made by Bismarck, the two countries finally declared war and Prussia was keen to unleash his wrath upon the nephew of the man who had caused him so much pain around fifty years before.'