I'M SO SORRY! I know I'm a week late but last week was MAD! But here is the next chapter, enjoy!

I don't own Hetalia!

Chapter 7 : Coming To An Understanding!

"You know," Matthew interrupted the kiss. "Whether you're a land-dweller or a mer, Alfred, your brother passionately kissing your friend is very embarrassing to watch." Alfred looked at his brother with a blush on his face.

"Sorry, Mattie," he grinned. "Artie's just too adorable. And to come from the sea, just to find me..."

"Yes," Matthew replied. "Thanks for reminding me about that, Arthur!" Arthur turned at the sound of his name and the conversation changed to Mer.

"Why did you leave without telling us?" Matthew scolded. "The whole kingdom was in an uproar when we found you were missing. Yao was tearing his hair out!"

"I'm sorry, Matthew," Arthur replied. "I was only going to talk to the Jokers to see if there was a way to find Alfred. When they told me they could turned me into a land-dweller ….."

"You should have come back and told us," Matthew said. "And we could have worked out a plan together." Arthur shook his head.

"You and Yao were so against the idea of looking for Alfred," Arthur fumed, crossing his arms in defence. "You would have stopped me so I took matters into my own hands." Matthew sighed.

"We weren't against looking for Alfred," he denied. "We just didn't think there was a way to do so. If you told us what the Jokers had said, we would have come up with a plan and I should have come for Alfred."

"You didn't know what Alfred looked like," Arthur argued. "You had no idea that the next King of Spades was your brother. I didn't know he was your brother until I saw that image of the two of you as fingerlings so I was the one who had to ….."

"Arthur, you're the Queen of Spades." Matthew replied. "We were already missing our king, what if we lost you as well... Ah well, what's done is done! But you can believe Yao won't let it drop when we get back to Spades!"

Yes, Arthur knew that argument was coming!

"Hey, Mattie, bro!" Alfred said, listening to all the chirps, clicks and eeks and he knew Arthur and Matthew were having a full conversation without him. "I'm starting to feel a little left out here."

"Sorry, Alfie," Matthew replied. "Just giving Arthur a what for. He came here without telling anyone and threw the palace into chaos." Alfred put his arm around Arthur.

"Was Artie a naughty boy, just for me?" he teased. Arthur did not understand what Alfred was saying but cuddled into the hug. Matthew groaned and face-palmed.

"Will you two just get a room already?" he moaned.

King Alex sipped at his goblet of wine and pondered the recent events, He was elated that his long, lost nephew had returned but, if what Matthew said was true, he would not be able to stay and Alex would also have to face the fact that he could lose Alfred too, although knowing that both were alive out there was an improvement on thinking Matthew was dead but Alex had raised Alfred from the age of four and loved him like a son. The idea that Alfred would no longer be living in the castle was something Alex found hard to imagine. Even if Alfred had married Princess Erica (and that was not going to happen now, even if the benefits of the alliance were great. Alfred would be miserable with such a spouse so Alex and King Voss would just have to arrange the alliance in another way), they would have lived in the castle but, if Alfred really was destined to become a merman and rule an underwater kingdom (Alex was still not sold on that, if he was honest), then Alfred could not stay in the castle. But surely they would not lose all contact, would they? Would the mers stop Alfred and Matthew from visiting their land-dweller family? Alex could not see Arthur demanding that, somehow and, maybe they could have an alliance with the Kingdom of Spades. With the King of Altheia and the King of Spades being Uncle and Nephew, it was not beyond the realms of possibility. Yes, this could work out if Alex could get some assurances that he would not completely lose his nephews and he could get that from Queen Arthur.

So perhaps a discussion with Queen Arthur, with Matthew translating, might lay a few worries to rest.

Dinner was an awkward affair. With Matthew returning from the dead and foreign royalty visiting, a finer meal than normal was prepared in celebration and everyone was seated with King Alex at one end of the table and Matthew as guest of honour at the other. Between the two, on one side, was sat Alfred and Arthur, with Alfred sat by the king while a scowling Princess Erica was seated opposite Arthur who sat close to Matthew so he could translate for him and Jason sat to Erica's side and by his father. Erica was upset that she was not sat beside Alfred and threw poisonous looks in Arthur's direction. Jason tried to distract her with small talk but she just ignored him as she constantly tried to keep Alfred's attention focus on her.

"I missed you after you left, Prince Alfred," she simpered. "I hope you plan to come back to Mertoris soon." She brightened up. "Perhaps you can return with me. We have so much to discuss, with the wedding and everything." Arthur frowned when he heard Matthew's translation and Alfred tried to look diplomatic.

"I don't think I'll be stepping foot on another ship for a while," he replied. "If ever." And Erica's face dropped.

"As for the wedding," Alex said, determined to nip this delusion in the bud. "There are no arrangements between our kingdoms as to that as yet. In fact, recent events may change plans somewhat." Erica looked at the Altheian king sharply.

"What do you mean?" she demanded.

"Nothing is certain yet," Alex replied. "But the recent recovery of Prince Matthew and other events may make an alliance by marriage untenable so we shall have to see." That was not what Erica wanted to hear but Arthur smiled when he was told what Alex had said.

"But Prince Alfred came to Mertoris to...," she spluttered.

"To see the viability of such an alliance," Alex replied, adamantly. "But Prince Matthew had not been found then and it changes things. We shall have to see how things go." But the Mertorian Princess was not willing to let things go so easily.

"How do you even know that this is the real Prince Matthew?" Erica snapped. "He could be some peasant imposter who just happens to resemble Alfred. Are you willing to throw away the alliance because of some interloper?" Alfred scowled at Erica and Arthur erupted into a chorus of angry chirps and clicks.

"Arthur said 'how dare you!'," Matthew replied, turning to Princess Erica. "My uncle knows I'm who I say I am. Like it or not, Princess Erica, I am Prince Matthew and I'm sorry if that throws your plans into disarray but it is what it is." Erica was flushing red and Alex spoke.

"I know beyond a doubt that Matthew is my nephew," Alex replied. "I had my own means of identifying Matthew and Matthew definitely is the nephew I lost so many years ago when I lost my own twin brother and I will not hear anything to the contrary." Erica's lips tightened but she said nothing and Alex turned to Matthew.

"Incidentally, Matthew," he said. "I wish to speak to both you and Q...Sir Arthur tomorrow morning. There are some matters I need clarifying." Matthew translated to Arthur who looked in the king's direction and nodded. "Now, let's talk of other things, this is supposed to be a celebratory dinner." Alex and Jason began to regale Arthur, translated by Matthew, with some of the antics Alfred got up to as a boy, much to the embarrassment of Alfred, which had Arthur ack, ack, ack-ing with laughter and giving Matthew the giggles as well while Erica sat and seethed with indignation at what she had just heard. That they were pulling out of the marriage alliance because they had found someone saying he was Alfred's long, lost twin and Erica knew that this mysterious Sir Arthur was involved somehow, especially after that kiss she saw in the garden. Was this a plot between the two to steal Alfred away from her? She looked at Alfred and Arthur and saw them look and smile at each other, making her incensed that this person was laying claim to Alfred before her eyes. No one was going to take what was hers.

No one!

Arthur listened as Matthew translated the stories that King Alex and Prince Jason told of Alfred as a child, especially the one about the bison (whatever that was) that Alfred tried to keep as a pet and the reaction of the maid when she found it and how it ran amok through Alfred's birthday party, scattering guests, left and right. Alfred sounded like he was a mischievous little fingerling and Arthur could not get enough of hearing about what Alfred used to get up to. He wished he could tell them some of the stories of Matthew's younger years but he got the feeling that Matthew would refuse to translate them.

But through it all, Arthur could feel eyes on him and he knew it was Princess Erica, glaring at him. From what Matthew had told him, she seemed to think she had some kind of claim on Alfred, like he was her own personal property and that did not sit well with Arthur. Alfred was destined to be the King of Spades, a kingdom this rude land-dweller could be no part of and Arthur was glad about that. Besides, Alfred had already shown his affections for Arthur and, as Alfred's Queen, Arthur had no intention of rejecting him.

Under the table, Arthur felt Alfred's fingers lace between his and he looked toward Alfred who looked back at him and they smiled at each other. Arthur found it hard to believe that Alfred could get any more handsome but he managed it every time Arthur looked at him.

No, Alfred was his, by Alfred's own choice. Whether he went through the transformation to become King or not, Arthur would not give Alfred up now and Princess Erica would just have to live with the disappointment. Arthur gave her no more thought as Matthew began to translate another escapade, told by Jason that was guaranteed to make Alfred turn red with embarrassment.

After dinner, Princess Erica was escorted back to her chambers by Prince Jason and she peppered him with questions about Arthur.

"Who is he, really?" she demanded. "And how do you know for sure that he's royalty, like Prince Matthew claims?" She said Prince Matthew with a strong hint of disbelief.

"Why would my cousin lie?" Jason emphasised cousin, not appreciating Princess Erica's doubts. "Matthew said that Q..Sir Arthur is a royal of the Kingdom of Spades, a highly prominent one at that."

"A prominent royal that swims about in the ocean, rescuing people!" she snorted, mockingly. "That sounds like no royal I've ever heard of."

"From what I can gather," Jason replied. "The Spadian people have a very different culture to ours. They no doubt have a lot of different customs that we might find strange." Erica sniffed.

"Sound like savages to me," she commented.

"Well, that savage," Jason replied, objecting to the term. "Is the reason Prince Alfred is still with us and, I for one, am happy with his presence. If it is savage to save a life, it's a level of savagery we should all aspire to. I believe these are your chambers, Your Highness so I shall wish you well with the rest of your day." They were stood at the door to Princess Erica's chambers and he bowed and left, wanting to get away from her as soon as possible.

Princess Erica stared after Prince Jason as he walked away from her as fast as possible without running. Even though Prince Jason was the Crowned Prince of Altheia, his opinion meant nothing to her but it was clear that this Sir Artie was asserting his influence over the Altheian Royals to destroy the alliance that would see Alfred and herself married.

He had to be stopped. And she would have to keep an eye on Prince Matthew too.

The next day, Alfred had wanted to sit in on the audience with King Alex, Matthew and Arthur but Alex had wanted to speak with Arthur alone, with Matthew translating so he was told to occupy himself while the other three royals talked and he took a walk down to the beach and looked out over the ocean. He tried to imagine what the underwater kingdom that Arthur came from and where Matthew grew up was like, although he knew it could only be very different from Altheia. Instead of birds, tweeting outside your window in the morning, you might see colourful fish swimming by. Going for a walk would be going for a swim and people swimming all around you. Gardens replaced by beautiful and colourful coral reefs. According to Arthur, Alfred was destined to rule over such a kingdom but only if he could go through the transformation and that was what Alfred had a problem with. As Thalassophobic as he was, could Alfred willingly let himself drown? He who had sworn never to go to sea again?

The water lapping against the shore seemed to be innocuous but filled Alfred with foreboding, one he had not felt when he found Arthur because he had concentrated on helping the man, seemingly swept in by the sea and never once looked at the ocean. Now the ocean was the focus of Alfred's full attention and he eyed it, warily. Could he deliberately submerge himself in the salty water and allow it to fill his lungs? Could he even enter the water at all?

Alfred removed his boots and stockings and rolling his trousers to above his knees, Alfred walked across the sand to the shallow waves, rippling over the sand toward him and then running back, only to return as he got closer until he finally felt the cool salt water between his toes and flowing over his feet.

This was not so bad, not very different to stepping into the bath, only less warm and Alfred took another step into the water and it reached his ankles, still not a problem as he moved further through the sea. Apprehension began to poke at Alfred as the water climbed his calves and the water currents began to drag at Alfred while making it difficult to move through the sea at any great speed, holding Alfred in its restraining grip. Alfred stopped when the water was just below his knees, unable to go any further and took a deep breath to calm down, tamping down his nervousness of the sea and felt able to take another step.

His foot came down on a smooth rock awkwardly and slipped. Alfred lost his footing and fell, hitting the water and sinking beneath the salty brine, the water closing over his head and filling his mouth, not having time to take a deep breath and close his mouth. Alfred flailed his arms around in panic, breaking the surface of the water with a gasp, spitting water and struggling to his feet. He moved as fast as he could to the shore and collapsed on to the sand when he was clear of the sea.

Alfred lay on the sand, gasping and feeling ashamed of himself. Even before the slip, Alfred had been fearful of the water, lapping around his legs and when he went under the water …...

"I'm sorry, Artie," he whispered. "I don't think I can do this!"

Arthur, Matthew and King Alex were sat in the King's Study, refreshments on the table between them as Alex sat across from Arthur and considered the Spadian mer carefully. Would Queen Arthur give him the reassurances that he was seeking about still being able to see his nephews, if or when Alfred decided to make the transformation to the Mer King of Spades.

"Thank you for agreeing to talk to me in private, Queen Arthur," he began. "You understand that Alfred means a great deal to the royal family, as does Matthew as well, now that we know he still lives." Matthew spoke to Arthur in click, chirps and eeks as he told Arthur what his uncle had said. Arthur looked back at Alex and chirped and clicked and eeked back at him.

"Arthur said it's his pleasure to discuss matters with you," Matthew said. "And he understands that you might have concerns." Alex nodded.

"Indeed," he replied, addressing Arthur. "So you understand that I have no wish to lose complete contact with my nephews. To that end, I wish to arrange a diplomatic treaty between our two kingdoms so I can still see my nephews, should Alfred go through the transformation, and perhaps arrange some trade between our two kingdoms. I would like to discuss the likelihood of such a treaty." It took Matthew a while to translate everything that Alex had said that led to a discussion between the two mers.

"I assume you wish to maintain contact with your uncle and cousin?" Arthur asked. "I would, in your place." Matthew hummed.

"I would like that," Matthew admitted. "I spent years believing my brother was dead and not knowing how to find the rest of my family. Now that I have them back, I would hate to lose them again. Do you think we could make a treaty?" Arthur thought for a moment.

"A trade treaty is Yao's domain," he replied. "It's up to him to see if it can be negotiated but something can be arranged for you to keep in contact with your land-dweller family, I'm sure, now that we know that the Jokers can change us into land-dwellers but we would have to speak to them first, I would not want to just assume."

"Should I tell my uncle?"

"By all means."

"Arthur said that trade treaties are the duty of the Jack," Matthew explained. "But, and he would have to talk to the Jokers about it but, if they agree, Arthur is confident that a diplomatic arrangement can be created with Altheia so Alfred and I can stay in touch with you." Alex gave a relieved smile.

"That's good news, if it can be arrange," he said and Matthew translated. "But this all depends on Alfred choosing his destiny, I will not have him forced into this." Arthur chirped and whistled to Matthew who turned to his uncle.

"Arthur said he would never do that," he replied. "It must be Alfred's decision but Arthur has confidence in Alfred. He is sure that Alfred will choose the king-ship."

"As long as we are clear," Alex said and raised his goblet of wine as Matthew told Arthur the King's reply. "I propose a toast. To the hope of a future of alliance between the Kingdom of Spades and the Kingdom of Altheia!" Matthew translated and explained about toasts and Arthur too picked up a goblet of wine. It was a drink that he had acquired a taste for and he raised his goblet, along with Matthew.

"At erk click ack whistle squeal!" Arthur said.

"To the hope of a future alliance!" Matthew translated.

Jason, once again, had the unenviable task of entertaining Princess Erica who was not happy that Alfred had not been near her since the celebratory dinner for Matthew. He was her destined husband but he was neglecting her and Jason was no substitute.

"Why is Alfred not here with me?" she demanded as they walked in the gardens. "I came here to see him but he's ignoring me. Why?" Jason sighed. This rude brat was definitely high maintenance.

"You arrived at a bad time," he made excuses for Alfred. "The recovery of his brother is taking priority at this time, he hasn't seen Matthew since he was four."

"Really?" she said, disbelievingly as she looked across the garden. "Strange how his brother is currently in the company of the so-called 'prominent royal', rather than with Alfred." Jason looked toward the part of the garden that she was staring at and groaned as he saw Matthew walking with Arthur. They must have finished the audience with his father and come out of the gardens, talk about bad timing.

"So where is Alfred now?" she demanded. Jason had no answer for that and she stalked away, heading for the two Spadian royals.

"Where is your brother?" she demanded as she approached Arthur and Matthew. Matthew, once again, was taken aback by this foreign princess's lack of manners and inflated entitlement.

"I'm afraid, I don't know," Matthew replied. "Arthur and I had just come from an audience with my uncle and Alfred was asked to give us some privacy."

"And where did he go?" she huffed. Matthew rolled his eyes.

"As I said," he said. "I don't know!" Arthur erupted in a tirade of clicks and whistles, not knowing what the princess was saying but disliking the tone she was using.

"What did he say?" Erica demanded. Matthew grimaced.

"He said," he lied. "That he's tired of not understanding people and having to depend on me to know what's being said because sometimes I forget to translate." What Arthur had actually said was I can't believe this spoilt child is royalty. Her manners are appalling, she shows no respect to anyone and she thinks people are hers to do what she likes with! Matthew agreed with everything Arthur said but could only imagine Princess Erica's reaction if he told her the truth. Jason raised an eyebrow at Matthew, showing that he knew that Matthew had lied in his translation and could only surmise that what Arthur had really said would not have gone down well.

"Then he should learn the language," she sniffed. Before Matthew or Jason could answer that, her attention was caught by a sopping wet figure making his way across the garden from the end closest to the beach.

"Prince Alfred," she gushed and then noticed his state. "Why are you so wet?" The three men in the group turned to see Alfred dripping water from head to foot and Arthur immediately went to Alfred, clicking and chirping. He knew Arthur had been to the ocean because he could smell the sea water he was covered in.

"What happened, Alfred?" Matthew asked.

"I was down at the beach and I fell into the water," he replied, flicking water from his fingertips. "I was trying to get used to the sea again." Matthew translated that for Arthur who looked at Alfred, hopefully. "I slipped and went under. Not exactly what I needed to happen." Arthur's face dropped at that translation.

"Why would you want to go into the sea anyway?" Erica replied and then she noticed Arthur fussing over Alfred. "Get away from him, you interloper!" And she went over and pushed Arthur away. Alfred rushed to stop Arthur from falling and scowled at Erica, incensed that she had laid aggressive hands on the man he loved.

"Don't talk to him like that!" he snapped, holding Arthur to him. "I have had just about enough of the way you treat people. You're rude to just about everyone and, if I'd noticed that when I visited Mertoris, I would have made it clear that I wouldn't marry you in a million years."

"But...," Erica could not believe what Alfred was saying to her. "This man …..."

"Is my future husband," Alfred replied. "One way or another! Someone should have told you before but I'm not romantically attracted to girls, I prefer men in general and Artie in particular. I never made any promises to you, what you believe is in your own head so let me make this clear. I. Am. Not. Going. To. Marry. You!"

"But...," she spluttered. "But...but you can't even understand him without Prince Matthew!"

"That doesn't matter," Alfred replied. "I love Artie and, even if I didn't, I could never love you! Even if Artie wasn't around, after this little visit, even my uncle is having second and third thoughts about a marriage of alliance with you, for which I'm eternally grateful." Erica could not believe what Alfred was saying to her and she turned to Arthur.

"This is your fault," she hissed. "You've poisoned Arthur against me, I'll make you pay for this." Everyone gasped as she turned on her heel and stalked away. Matthew translated Erica's threat to Arthur who vowed to keep Princess Erica away from Alfred in the future. He was not worried for himself, he had his own defences but she was clearly obsessed with Alfred and who knew what she would do to get what she wanted.

"Wow, Alfred!" Jason was astonished. "I know she's a pain but that was savage." Alfred snorted.

"Nothing else was getting through to her," he replied. "Uncle Alex told her that the marriage was less likely but she still thought it was going to happen. The only way was to be blunt and I'm sick of pussy-footing around her. Maybe now she'll get the message." He turned to Arthur.

"Matthew, translate this for me," he said. "Arthur, I don't know if I can go through the transformation to be King of Spades but I promise, I'm gonna try and I'm doing it for you. Because I love you!" When Matthew finished translating Alfred's speech, Arthur put his arms around Alfred's neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

"Eek chirp ack at," Arthur replied.

"He said," Matthew told Alfred. "That he loves you too." Jason groaned at all the lovey-dovey fluff.

"Oh yuk!" he commented. "Get a room!" Matthew laughed to think that he had said the same thing. Great minds!

Princess Erica's personal servant turned in shock as the chamber door banged against the wall and saw his mistress, a quivering ball of rage as she slammed the door shut again. This was never good as this was when the young royal was at her most unreasonable as Princess Erica began to rant.

"How dare he!" she stormed. "HOW DARE HE TALK TO ME LIKE THAT! HOW DARE HE REJECT ME!" The servant had a guess that Prince Alfred had seen the Princess for what she was like and made his feelings known and if he had rejected her …... Oh, this was going to end badly!

"It's that interloper!" she continued to fume. "That...that...that ARTHUR! He's behind this, infecting my Alfred with his poisonous influence! Well, I'll deal with him...and that so-called brother of Alfred's." she looked up at her servant with an insane gleam in her eye that made him want to run for the hills.

"GUARDS!" she bellowed and her personal guards came in. "I have a task for you. I want you to watch Prince Alfred, Prince Matthew and Sir Arthur and, when you find them alone, take them to the ship without being seen and keep them there." The guards looked at each other in confusion but did not question their orders and left to carry it out. Her servant was horrified.

"Your Highness!" he gasped. "Please reconsider, this could lead to war! Your brother, the King..."

"Would be affronted that the Altheians are pulling out of the treaty like this," she huffed. "Pack our belongings and take them to the ship we must be ready to sail, the moment the guards have Alfred and those ….. other two."

"King Alex will react badly to the abduction of his nephews," he replied. "You can't …." Princess Erica went to her dresser and opened one of the drawers, taking out a jewelled dagger before pinning her servant against the wall, the dagger to his throat.

"Do I have to deal with you too?" she demanded and the servant gulped.

"No, Your Highness," he said, weakly.

"Good!" she snapped. "Now pack my things! Once we have the two princes and that fiancé thief and we're out at sea, I'll deal with Sir Arthur!"

I don't need to tell anyone that she's going to be trouble! And she definitely has it in for Arthur so let's see how that goes!

so, till next week (gets down on knees and prays)

Hasta la Pasta!