Thank you all!

Today we have DenNor (and Iceland briefly hanging around). This is not exactly AU, but I wanted to try the fairytale style and this was a good (enough) excuse. You will see at the end. This is soooo cliche.

Once upon the time there was a kingdom with a heartless king.

He was known for wide and far, and people feared him since he had never showed empathy nor pity toward another person. His kingdom was a quiet, dead place where festivals or celebrations were never held. No soul dared to laugh when the heartless king walked out of his castle, and nobody wore nothing else than grey and black. The heartless king himself was often dressed up with white and silver but his face didn't show emotions and when he spoke, it sounded like a northern wind; strong and so cold. They called him ice king and avoided him in fear that he would curse them all.

Far away from the kingdom there was a knight. He was quite famous because of both, his friendly and optimistic nature and his skills. He had already saved few princesses and even fought against trolls and dragons. His fame was getting bigger and people were always happy to offer him a drink when he was passing by during his adventures. But no matter how many brave things he did and people saved, there was still something in him that told him to continue his journey. That's why he hadn't settle down, thought there were many who would have gladly took him as a husband.

One day he finally heard about the heartless king. He had never travelled that deep in the north and therefore the sad kingdom wasn't familiar for him. But after hearing quite few stories he decided that he should experience that part of world too. He had never been one to think or waste the time once he made his decision, so quickly he saddled his horse and left the cozy tavern he had spent some time.

It took about a week for him to get to the kingdom and few days more before he arrived to the city that stood between high mountains. His breath was taken away by the icy beauty of the city and for a while he only wanted to admire it. But the sun was already setting so he made his way to the first tavern he saw.

There were not many travellers so he managed to get a room with a good price and some warm food to keep his hunger away. When he stood up because he wished to sing as a thank you for the cook, people pealed him to sit down and be quiet.

"But wouldn't a small song make the evening a bit more cheerful?" the knight asked with a smile that was rarely seen in that kingdom.

"No, no", people said, "you can't sing in this place!"

"I have sung in many places", the knight said, "how would this be any difference?"

"The ice king doesn't allow it!"

"Oh, he can't hear me from his castle", the knight promised.

"Please, don't sing!"

"Well, if you really are against of it, I guess I'll not", the knight said, letting a small sigh since he would have really enjoyed a song. The people however were satisfied but their luck was running thin since soon they heard a door slammed open. That would have been normal in any tavern but the person standing at door was far from an ordinary. His eyes were cold and his silvery hairs shined in the dim light, making him look like a magical being. He was dressed finely though he carried no weapon or jewellery.

"I hear we have a visitor here", he said with a calm voice. The knight, who knew he was only visitor there, stood up and walked closer.

"That would be me", he said with a smile, "are you the king?"

"No", the person said, "I'm the prince. My brother wished to speak with you."

"Okay, let's go then", the knight said. He noticed how the people avoided the prince's eyes and almost hided, but he couldn't understand why. The young prince looked like he couldn't hurt a fly and such a small person would be taken down quickly if needed. However, the knight was excited about the opportunity to meet the famous king of this beautiful land.

They didn't change any words during the short walk to the castle. Few times the knight tried to ask questions or start a small talk by commenting on something, but the prince only answered with short words and kept his eyes on the road, not minding about anything else. When they finally reached the castle and the knight was lead on front of a door, the prince left him alone. Hesitating only a bit, the knight knocked the door and soon a clear voice called him in.

"So you are the stranger who is visiting my cold kingdom", the man in the room said when the knight stepped in. He stopped, giving a long admiring glance before replying the question.

"Yes", he said, "and you are the king I have heard a lot about?" The king was standing near the window, resting his hand on the sill. The room was very simple and without any luxury or personal things. It was white and somehow felt very cold, though the king himself didn't seem to be bothered.

"That's me", the king said, "I assume it's useless to hope the things you have heard were any good ones."

"Well", the knight said, "they definitely forgot to mention your beauty, though I think it's understandable since it is hard to make up words good enough to compliment you."

"What?" the king asked, a hint of surprise showing in his voice.

"I only just found out I was not informed about some important things", the knight said and smiled warmly, "I would have come to visit much earlier if I knew." The king seemed to be confused about him but hided his feelings well.

"Now you are doing that again", he said, pointing at him.

"Doing what?"

"That thing with your lips."

"Oh, smiling", the knight said and smiled even wider, "I like it. Why wouldn't you smile?"

"I don't know how."

"Everybody can smile", the knight said, "it comes naturally when you see something you like or love." The king thought for a moment but then he shook his head.

"I guess there is nothing I love then", he said, sounding sadly and a hint of desperate in his eyes. The knight felt a weird pain inside and he stepped closer, taking the king's hand on his.

"Hey", he whispered, "I'm sure you love many things. Your brother? You love him, right?"

"Of course", he said, "he is my dearest and only brother."

"Well, you see", the knight said softly, "do you feel happy when you see him?"

"I'm not aware what it means to feel happy", the king replied, "but I feel differently when I see him than I see others."

"That sounds right", the knight said, "what you feel when you see me?" The king glanced at him, ice blue eyes observing carefully before turning away.

"I feel confused", he admitted, "it's a new feeling."

"New is good", the knight said, "it keeps us going. Why you wanted to talk with me in first place?" The king was quiet for a moment but finally replied with a soft voice.

"I heard about you a long time ago", he said, "rumours said you are brave and the best knight in the world. I was simply curious."

"That makes me happy", the knight said.

"Words can make person happy too?" the king didn't completely understand why because his words were not any special.

"Yes, the right words can."

"How you know which ones are right words", the king asked, "there are so many."

"It change by the situation", the knight said, "sometime wrong words are right and another way around."

"Sounds complicate."

"It's", the knight admitted, "but that is part of the life."

"Can you tell me more about the life?"

"Of course, what you want to know?"

"Everything." The knight thought for a moment since that wish was rather hard to fulfil. But something about the heartless king made his own heart beat a bit faster and so he decided to do his best. He just wanted to see the man smile.

"I can't tell much", he said, "but I can show a lot."

"What you mean by that?" the king asked.

"I mean that you should come with me", he replied, "I'll take you to see the life." The king seemed to think about that but then he shook his head and lowered his gaze to the floor.

"I don't think it's possible", he said, "they say I don't have a heart. How can heartless man go out and see the life." The knight shook his head too but for a different reason.

"May I touch you?" he asked and if the king was surprised by the question, he didn't show it. The knight had held his hand this entire time, his strong and scared hand feeling strange but nice on his.

"If you wish so", he only said, and the knight step even closer. He pressed his palm on the king's chest, holding still until he felt the heart beating under the clothes and flesh. It was a bit fast too, like the king was nervous just like also he was.

"I can feel your heart", he said.

"Does it say something?"

"Just dudum dudum", the knight replied, "hearts say a lot but it's only the heart's carrier who can know what the heart wants."

"I see", the king said, looking down on the hand resting on his chest, "this is part of the life too?"

"Yes."

"It's complicate indeed."

"What you think your heart says?" the knight asked with a gentle voice. It took a moment for the king to answer and he placed his hand over the knight's. He wondered if it was a right thing to do, if it was allowed, but he didn't want to look scared so he did it without asking.

"I think my heart desires to go to see the life", he finally said, almost whispering but still the knight heard him and smiled.

III

Denmark waked up when the morning sun touched his face and he left a deep yawn before stretching himself and opening his eyes. He felt wonderful and very happy in the warm and soft bed with his beloved Norwegian, who was already up and reading a book.

"I see you have finally awakened", Norway noted and turned a page. He was leaning on the wall, a pillow pushed behind his back and the blanket on his lap. Denmark smiled and moved closer.

"Have you been up long?"

"About three chapters", the Norwegian replied and stroke the Dane's hair, "you looked peaceful. Had a good dream?"

"Yeah", the Dane replied, "we were there. You were a king without a heart and I was a knight that came to save you."

"I see", the Norwegian said with amused tone, "so, was I saved?"

"Sure!"

"That's nice to hear", he noted, "must to be sad to wake up from so good dream."

"Not really", Denmark muttered, pushing the book away so he could move on the man's lap and cuddle him, "when the reality is this, I don't mind to wake up." Norway was laughing softly and Denmark was so happy he didn't even know it was possible to be. While they lay there, he started to nod off again, only waking up when he remembered something.

"Nor, I think the dream-me forgot to save the dream-Is", he said.

"How dared him?" Norway asked, still betting the man's hairs, "I bet dream-me is quite upset about that."

"Yeah", Denmark murmured and stretched a bit before taking a comfortable position, "well, better to go back to sleep and see if I can fix the future of dream-me!" He snuggled against the Norwegian and let a happy sounding sigh before falling asleep. Norway looked at him and then shook his head, a small smile on his lips as he reached for his book once again and settled on reading. It was a quiet morning anyway so he wasn't in hurry.

This happens when you listen "Let it go" Swedish version for too many times in row (I tried to learn to sing it because currently I can only sing two songs in Swedish: Du gamla du fria and Så tåga vi tillsammans). Yeah.

I learnt new Danish word yesterday! Nabo! It's now my favorite. I learnt it from the s-tåg's TV-screen. I like to check the news while going to city and, though they are in Danish, I can usually understand because it's just headlines, traffic info and weather anyway. This time I understood the part "Huge amount of Danes are fighting with their 'nabo'" and I had very nice ten mins with trying to figure out what is nabo before I checked it from dictionary. (it's neighbor, which means the neighbor land is naboland. This is the best.)
I also learnt "trust me" is "lita på mig" in Swedish but I think Danish won this time.

Tomorrow: Christmas complains (Finland and Sweden + SuFin)