I've caught the Olympic bug. Before I was indifferent about it but now I feel the most patriotic than I ever have been. Go Canada Go! Was I the only one that screamed loudly for every Hetalia character during the opening ceremonies?
Anyway, another character is introduced in this chapter. Who is it? Let me give you a hint: she may seem all innocent and sweet but she packs one hell of a punch, or whatever you would call using that kitchen item as a weapon. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Plot is mine, characters are not.
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"I want my army ready for a long journey!" Arthur instructed Roderich, who hastily wrote it down. "That means battle gear, weapons, and packs with provisions ready to go! Put our very best general in charge of the group. You know who I mean! We are going on a rescue mission!"
Roderich nodded and rushed away. Arthur rounded on the guards. "You three have failed in your duty to protect this castle and its inhabitants! Twenty floggings as punishment!"
"Now Arthur, aren't you being a little harsh?" Francis interrupted, sidling up next to the guards. "They tried their best. And this one is so young and handsome…" He gave the centaur a flirty smile only to get a scowl in return. "Well aren't you a feisty one."
"Francis!" Arthur grabbed him by the collar and dragged him away from the guards. "Don't flirt with my soldiers. No!" he said sternly when Francis opened his mouth to speak. "We are going to go and get my wand from the throne room and you are going home!"
Francis' eyes widened. "What? But things just got interesting!"
"That's exactly why you are going. I don't need you in my hair making a mess of things, too!" Arthur responded. He let go of the Frenchman and sat on the prince's bed.
"Er, your majesty?" one of the centaurs asked hesitantly.
Arthur looked up. "Well, why are you still here? You've got a rescue mission to prepare for!" The guards bowed down and left the room in a hurry.
"Why did he take him?" Arthur asked no one in particular. Francis sat down next to him. "I didn't do anything. I mean sure, there was the whole take-over-his-land thing, but that was centuries ago!"
"You sure like taking land that isn't yours, don't you?" Francis said. Arthur glared at him.
"But we both kept to ourselves after that whole ordeal. Why now? Why?" Sighing, he laid his hand next to the pillow and heard the crinkle of paper. "Huh?" He slid his hand under the pillow and pulled out a torn piece of paper. A large chunk of it had been torn away leaving only the top half.
Francis looked over Arthur's shoulder. "What's that?"
"I don't know. But the writing…" Arthur touched the words. It was Peter's hand writing. Arthur read aloud.
"I saw from my walks outside the palace boundaries two men wearing hooded cloaks in the forest. They had a large bucket in between them that looked like was filled with rocks. They were talking and since I was curious and had nothing better to do I ducked behind a large rock and listened. I'm getting to be really good at spying (so I can listen in on those important royal meetings that jerk King won't let me in) since they didn't see me for a whole ten minutes. But they did see me and I had to run. I got away, duh, but what's really interesting is that they said that they were going to use –"
The rest had been torn away. "Hooded cloaks? You mean like that guy who took him away?" Francis thought out loud.
Arthur furrowed his large eyebrows in thought. Men that were wearing the same thing as the kidnapper. Peter listening in on their conversation. Them seeing him. Then that would mean…
"Your majesty!" came Roderich's voice. He was standing by the door looking worried.
Arthur stood up, still holding the paper. "Yes?"
"T-the soldiers, they d-don't want to g-go!" Roderich stammered. He flinched at Arthur's explosive reaction.
"WHAT?!" he roared.
Roderich pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "W-well, when I told them it was to rescue the prince they were ready and willing. But when I told them they'd be saving him from the Evil Warlock they all backed out immediately. Too scared to go, sir."
Francis stood up as well. "Too scared?" he repeated. "What's your army made out of, Arthur, Italians?"
"There are no Italians in my army!" Arthur retorted. He turned to Roderich. "Tell they get fifty floggings each if they do not fulfill their duty!"
"I've already told them that they would be in for severe punishment if they didn't, but they still refused."
Arthur let out a long string of curse words. Francis asked in a loud voice, "Why are they so scared, anyway? It's just some wizard with two other guys with a pile of rocks."
"Just some wizard?" Roderich stared at him, shocked. "You really are from out of the kingdom. He isn't just some wizard. He's a warlock, the most powerful magical being in the world. Although he only has a few followers, he can use his powers to raise an army of rock-soldiers. During the last war with him, tens of thousands died on our side alone. It lasted only a few months but the damage was enough to place the kingdom in near ruin. The soldiers have a right to be scared."
"But they also have a duty to perform!" Arthur barked.
Roderich cleared his throat. "Well, your majesty, not all the soldiers are unwilling. There is a small group of soldiers that are ready to fight. The general is also willing to go out there and rescue the prince."
Arthur looked up at him. "How many?" he asked.
"Fifteen, including the general."
"Fifteen…" Arthur sighed. "It's not much, but it's something. Come; let's see the troop, then."
Roderich led them through a long corridor at the back of the palace. It was almost deserted, except for the stray soldier here and there. They bowed to Arthur but he scowled in return. They reached a plain wooden door that when opened revealed a training ground outside. There was an archery range, a small grassy hill, what looked like a special obstacle course designed for hooves, and a large wooden stable. A handful of centaurs were standing by it, chatting among themselves.
"Hem, hem." Roderich said loudly so that the centaurs turned to face them. "Presenting His Royal Highness King Arthur of the Kingdom of Fairchester." He and all the centaurs bowed down and Arthur stepped forward.
"I would first like to say that you are all showing great amounts of courage and loyalty to the crown by coming on this rescue mission." Arthur said. Francis had never heard him speak like this before. His voice was dignified and he chose his words carefully while standing tall and proud.
"You will be rewarded greatly when we return. I thank you all." He looked around the training ground. "Where is my general?"
"I am right here, your majesty." Came a voice behind them. Francis turned and saw not another centaur, but a fawn. A female fawn.
"Elizaveta, General of the Mighty Army of the Kingdom of Fairchester." She bowed down. "I am sorry for arriving here late; I had a few things to attend to last minute."
Francis gaped at her. It couldn't be. Long, sandy brown hair tied in a ponytail. Big green eyes. A flower in her hair. "HUNGARY?!"
Elizaveta looked at him, confused. "Er, no. I just ate."
Arthur shot him a deathly glare and Francis hastily corrected himself. "Oh, you just looked hungry, that's all. I thought it would be polite to ask you."
"Ahaha," Arthur walked forward and slapped Francis a little too hard on the back. "This is Francis. The chap will say the most random things at times, so don't mind him. He's only visiting."
"That's right." Francis stepped forward and placed his hand on his chest. "I'm from the fantastic, magnificent, most noble country of France. Where both the food and the men are simply delicious." He gave her a wink before Arthur could pull him back.
"Yes, moving on. Are you sure that you want to go on this rescue mission?" Arthur asked Elizaveta.
"I will serve the crown faithfully." She replied. "Besides, nothing can stop me from kicking some warlock ass!"
"And the troops?"
Elizaveta's smile didn't even falter. "There may not be many of us but we're tough enough to take the Warlock down!"
"That's what I like to hear!" Arthur said proudly. He felt someone tapping on his shoulder and turned around to see Francis.
"Hey, is she really your army general?" he whispered.
"Yes," Arthur replied. "She's been general for twelve years."
"Really?" Francis exclaimed, forgetting to whisper. "But she's not a centaur, she's a fawn! A girl fawn. How can she be an army general?"
CLANG!
"Sacre bleu!" Francis yelped in pain and his hands flew to the top of his head. Something hard and metal had hit him across the head. He looked behind him and saw Elizaveta glaring at him, frying pan in hand.
Arthur laughed. "Still use the frying pan, I see."
"It's a very useful weapon." She replied, eyeing the whimpering Frenchman. "He seems very…weak."
"I am NOT weak!" Francis cried.
"She may be a female fawn, but she's tougher than any centaur out there!" Arthur said, ignoring his protests.
Elizaveta blushed and lowered the frying pan. "Thank you, your majesty." She said.
"No problem." He replied. Then, remembering what was going on, he snapped into full gear. "Now, I trust that you and the soldiers are prepared for the journey?"
Elizaveta nodded. "Bags are almost packed, weapons being polished and sharpened as we speak. I would say we'll be ready to go in ten minutes."
"Very good." He said. "That should be enough time for me to escort my guest back to where he came from."
Francis looked at him, startled. "I'm still going back?"
"Of course!" Arthur said. "This is a serious matter and I can't have you mucking around."
"But it was getting exciting! Can't I stay and see how it's going to turn out?" Francis stepped closer to Arthur and he took a step back, alarmed. "Si'l vous plait, Arthur?"
"N-no!" Arthur said, taking a step back for every step Francis took towards him. "And don't get so close to me, wineface."
"Your majesty, if I could make a suggestion," Elizaveta said. "Perhaps it would be a good idea to have Francis come along with us on the journey."
Arthur looked at her, shocked. "W-what?!"
"She's right, sir." Roderich spoke up. "There aren't many soldiers going on this journey already, an extra hand can't be a bad idea."
"It is if the extra hand is his!" Arthur retorted.
"He could be a help, even if he is weak." Elizaveta continued.
"Yes, I've had experience in wars and fights." Francis added. "I know what to do."
Arthur scoffed. "Rubbish. You were occupied by the Germans in World War Two, you lost Canada to me, and you know that I still can kick your ass."
"Your majesty, we need all the help we can get." Elizaveta said.
"We're strong enough, we can handle it." Arthur replied.
"I promise I won't tell anyone when we get back." Francis said.
"You bloody well won't. Even if you did no one would believe you." Arthur smirked.
"If you don't, I'll tell everyone about the maid's outfit!"
Arthur was silent for a moment. "Bloody bastard." He muttered to himself. "Fine, you can come. Now where's my toga?"
[End Chapter 6]
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Translations:
Si'l vous plait -[French] Please
I thought Hungary would make a fine addition to the army, don't you think? I was toying around with the idea of having Ludwig be the general, but I decided that having Elizaveta take on the role would be more unexpected and appropriate. That girl kicks ass.
Now click that button down there and review! C'mon, it's Arthur in a toga. How can you resist?
