Chapter 8: The Wonders of Christmas Markets

The next morning, Germany laid out a map on the table and looked at every city while remembering what each city had to offer. 'It will take me the whole day just to figure out where to start…'

"Ve~"

He looked back to see Italy. "Guten Morgen, where's Fern-Lui?"

"Still asleep, she must've been too excited."

Germany smiled as he looked back at the map.

"What are you doing, Germany?"

"I'm trying to figure out which city we should go to start off with." He said as he scratched his head.

"Ve~ When she wakes up, she'll pick it out."

"That's probably the best idea." He said as he saw his dogs come down. "I'll be right back."

"Don't be out too long!" He called out as the German and his dogs headed out of the door as Prussia dragged himself into the kitchen.

"Where'd West go?"

"Just to walk the boys, you hungry?"

"I'm gonna go back to bed…"

"Ve~?" He said as he started to prepare breakfast when the girl came in just like Prussia, except she sat down at the table. "Oh, you're finally up."

"Sì…"

"You still sound a bit tired."

"Sì…"

"Well, Papa Germania left a map out for you to choose which city we can start for your Christmas Market trip."

She looked at the map and took a look at it then went to look for a pencil and started to circle five cities and place numbers in them.

At that point Germany came in and the dogs went into the kitchen, waiting to be fed. Once he got that done, he looked to see that Italy was close to done and the girl looking at the map. "Guten Morgen, Fern-Lui. Did you pick out which city you want to go to?"

She nodded. "I even numbered them."

He looked at it and smiled. "You picked out good ones to start with."

She smiled. "Vati always talks about the Christmas Markets and what cities has which because each market is unique."

"And they are, some even look like they haven't changed since the fifteenth century."

She giggled. "I can't wait to go!"

"After breakfast and getting dressed."

"I know!" She said as the dogs came up to greet her a good morning.

Germany headed out of the room, telling Italy that he was going to wake up Prussia and set out to do that. He found his brother, face down on the pillow and one leg hanging off the edge of the bed and sighed. He prodded his brother first, calling out, and if those didn't work he simply flipped the mattress to the side, letting his brother fall off the bed.

"Damnit, West…"

"Breakfast is done now." He said simply as he grabbed his brother by the back of his shirt and dragged him out of the room.

"I can walk!"

Germany stopped his dragging, let go of the shirt, and waited for his brother to get up.

"Help me up?" He asked as he stuck his arm up to be grabbed.

He saw that coming and helped his brother up before arriving at the table where Italy was serving breakfast.

"So, which one are we going?" Prussia asked as his chick popped out from his hair, and joined in.

"Dortmund." Germany said, making his brother nearly choke.

"That will take the whole day! That's our largest Christmas market in all Germany!"

"I know…" The blond German said with a smile. "A great choice in my opinion."

"Ve… I feel so awful not knowing anything about your Christmas markets, Germany." Italy said.

"Then you have the chance to now." Fern-Lui said with a hum. "Vati always told me about what each market has, and he always raved about Dortmund's markets. Is there really a huge tree there?"

"Should be." Germany said with a smile. "Fourty-five meters high, made up of 1,700 fir trees and alit with 13,000 lights."

"Ve!" Both the girl and Italy exclaimed, not even registering just how huge the tree will be.

Prussia laughed. "Sure the tree's impressive, but the market has about three hundred stalls of practically everything there is to offer." He said as he figured that this isn't a bad place to start after all if there was going to be so many variety.

"Though the programs are also something to look for as well." Germany said. "You might enjoy that, Fern-Lui."

"Vati told me about that." She said as she finished her breakfast. "Thank you for breakfast!" She took her plate and placed it on the side of the sink and ran up the stairs, causing Prussia to chuckle.

"She can't wait to go." He said as he finished his breakfast as well. "What other cities did she put down?"

Germany took a look, causing Italy to look over his shoulder. "Bad Hoenningen, Ludwigsburg, Ulm, and Cologne." He said, making his brother whistle.

"Good picks on her part."

"Ja."

"Ve? What do each city have?" Italy said, making Prussia laugh.

"I think I'll let West tell ya, since these are his markets." He said as he and his bird excused themselves.

Germany shook his head as Italy looked at him expectantly. "Which ones would you like to know about?"

Italy shrugged. "You know them better than I do…" He said, feeling a bit left out from not knowing a thing about his best and closest friend's markets. He knew they were famous in the world, but he hasn't heard much more than that. The only Christmas market he went to was Berlin's, and he was blown away from that.

"Well…" Germany looked at the map where the girl circled and numbered and looked at the second one, Cologne. "Well, Cologne is also a fairly large market as well, seven in total, four major ones being among them."

"Ve? Is it the second largest?"

"It is pretty large…" Germany said with yet another smile that Italy hasn't seen for such an extended period. "They attract at about two million visitors each year."

"Ve!"

"But the most impressive is the one around the Cologne Cathedral."

"Cathedral?"

"You'd be amazed how many cathedrals and churches I have around." He said as he continued to explain. "Though you might find it a bit imposing, but there are wooden pavilions beneath the largest tree in Rhineland and watch artisians at work, so you can enjoy the artistic side of my people. Then there's the Alter Markt, which I believe Fern-Lui will enjoy greatly because there's a lot of things to do for her there along with other children her own age. The atmosphere there is very idyllic with half-timbered stalls. But the oldest of the four in Cologne is Neumarkt, a shopping area against the Church of St. Aposteln as the backdrop. Some of the stalls are still around since the seventies." He chuckled at that. "Then there's the fairy tale area in Rudolfplatz, where the backdrop is of the medival Hahnentorburg with fairy tail figures and other eye catching illuminations."

"Oh! Because the Brothers Grimm are Germans, right? Is that why there's fairy tale themes?"

"Ja. I think she would also enjoy that." He said as he continued. "There's also a Medieval Christmas Market that's outside the Chocolate museum and a Floating Christmas Market onboard the MS Wappen von Maniz…"

"You know each market by heart, don't you?"

"Of course." He said as he continued. "Then the final one earned to mention in Cologne is the Stadtgarten, it's fairly new and located near the oldest park in Cologne. It's a far more relaxed with a village like atmosphere, but still has entertainment that will keep you and Fern-Lui happy."

Italy was very impressed at what that city has to offer. "Are all your Christmas Markets this amazing?"

"They wouldn't be envied all over if it wasn't." He said with an unexpected teasing grin. "You said so yourself that you were envious of me because of what you saw in Berlin."

Italy blushed. 'I've never seen this side of him before.' He thought as he looked at the map and pointed to Ulm. "What does this city offer?"

Germany looked and smiled. "I'll tell you one thing, this city has the tallest church tower in the world."

"T-Tallest!"

"You'll see when we get there. It truly is a sight to see." He said with a soft feature as he continued. "Ulm has about more than 120 stalls to create a festive atmosphere. There's always something different there. There's also a live Nativity scene and all sorts of events. Though the Steiff toys are also very well known, and many enthusiasts come to purchase one of their teddy bears or other stuffed animals. Great quality if I have anything to say about the company."

"Ve~ I wonder if she would like one as a gift?"

"I plan on getting her one." He said as he looked at the remaining circled cities on the map. "Bad Hoenningen is more of a nostalgic market there. It has a very cozy atmosphere with live music, festivally decorated town, and some things that children will enjoy. But the main thing I like about this one is the Hohe Haus, the oldest secular building that is a museum of local heritage, and at around this time they're decked with the Advent scenes including the Nativity scenes."

Italy hummed, seeing that Germany seemed to soften when he mentioned this city. "What about Ludwigsburg?" He asked, getting interested in the markets now more than ever.

"It's a baroque market square kind."

"Baroque?" Italy said, interested when he heard the artistic term.

Germany nodded and continued. "The enterance itself is arched with lots of lights and there are about 170 stalls. There are two baroque churches that are decorated beautifully with lights, giving the area a romantic and historic flavor unique to that area alone." He said softly as his whole feature seemed to ease dramatically. "Ludwigsburg is regarded as the most beautiful of its kind…"

Italy was completely taken aback at how much the German was at ease at mentioning the city's market. To him, it made the German look… beautiful? He blushed as salvation of the silence came in the form of a loud and, to Germany's dismay, obnoxious Prussia and an excitable young girl.

"Are we ready to go or what?" Prussia asked.

"Do we look ready to head out?" Germany asked, not dress appropriately to handle the cold weather, nor was Italy.

"Well hurry up!" Prussia said, while the girl was patient enough.

"Then you take the car and meet us in Dortmund." Germany said, picking up his plate and placed it in the sink, which he was in the process of washing.

"Eh? You're allowing me the car?"

"You're taking Fern-Lui with you since you're both ready, Onkel Preußen."

Prussia sighed as the little bird poked its beak on top of his head. "Ow! What the hell?" He said to the bird.

Fern-Lui tugged on his pants, gaining his attention. "I didn't have a chance to spend time with you, Onkel. So can we go?"

'Damn… this is one time I wish she didn't look a lot like Italy.' He thought and sighed. "Okay, where's the keys, West?"

"In the basket down the hall at the front where they're usually are." Germany said as he finished cleaning the dishes. "Italy and I will be right behind you."

"Yeah, yeah…" He said with a grin. "Take your sweet time you two." He sang, Germany catching on what his brother was thinking.

"East…" He said, but the Prussian and the girl already headed out of the door. He sighed as he went up the stairs to get dressed, which Italy followed like the loyal puppy he sometimes made out to be.

0o0o0o0

Prussia, though an ex-nation, still has abilities of a nation when it came to travel. He made it to Dortmund in a half hour and, because it was still daytime, the market wasn't lit, but it still held much of its atmospheric charm. But what's important to him is that the stalls were open. "Wanna have a look around?"

"Ja!" She said as she grabbed his hand and they walked into the market.

Prussia had a sense of nostalgia when the girl held his hand. It reminded him when Germany was about her size and held his hand just like now. Those were great times for him, even though his nation name is now nowhere to be found in maps anymore, he was still a part of Germany thanks to his little brother. Then he remembered what his brother and Italy talked about when the girl was with Japan and couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he tightened his grip on the girl's hand, which was returned.

Fern-Lui was glad to see her Onkel was spending time with her and was happy to see that he was happy as well. Then she saw the huge tree and stopped to stare at it, making the man chuckle.

"Never seen a tree this big before, huh?"

She shook her head. "Never…" She said as she smiled sadly. "I wish mein vati und mi mamma can see this too…"

"That's right, you never went to any of the Christmas markets before now, huh." He said remembering the revealing fact.

She nodded. "Mein vati loved them a lot, and sometimes, when he and Mamma thought that I was fast asleep, Vati would tell Mamma that he feels guilty that I missed out on seeing this." She said a bit sadly. "I don't like to see Vati sad…"

Prussia was taken aback on how the girl revealed a bit about her life and couldn't help but be a tad curious. "So how did you and your family spend Christmas?"

"Like anyone would. Vati would find the perfect Christmas tree and me and Mamma would decorate it while Vati and Onkel would go out once more, most likely to find or make gifts for everyone, and my auntie would make pancakes in Christmas shapes."

"Sounds like a calm Christmas."

She smiled. "It is before Christmas Eve, on that day we go to whoever is hosting a party and have a great time with everyone. I get to open at least one gift from each of my family members and Vati and Onkel take the rest back home to be open in the morning." She giggled. "I love this time of the year… I get to see everyone in one place and play in the snow all day."

Prussia chuckled. "I agree, this time of year is practically the only time West gets in touch with his softer side, even though he denies it. But you should see Germany in other seasons as well. Spring is a definite must see because everything looks so new and it seems that we're reborn or something like that."

"I would like to see that." She said.

"Though, Japan's place has the sakura, and they're so damn amazing too. Yeah, we should definitely swing by his place to see the blossoms before they all flutter away."

She giggled as she heard Italy's familiar verbal tick and turned in time to see the shocked experession of the Italian seeing the large Christmas tree, which Germany had the simple pleasure of closing the shocked gapping mouth closed. She ran up and hugged the Italian who hugged back just as enthusiastically.

"I see you didn't get into trouble." Germany said as he went up to his brother, who pouted.

"Are you telling the awesome me that I get into trouble?"

"You get into loads of trouble if I don't make sure." He said as his hand was grabbed by Italy and Prussia's hand was grabbed by the girl and they were dragged to one of many stalls to look around in.

0o0o0o0

By the time they went through all the stalls, it was nearly one.

"We can come back here to see the lights, can't we?" Fern-Lui asked as they made their way out with a few bags of things as gifts to other nations.

"Of course." Germany said. "This is just a shopping run for the most part."

She smiled happily as she looked up at Prussia, who was carrying most of the bags. "Do you need help?"

"Nah! This is nothing that the awesome me can't handle." He said as he slightly glared at his brother. 'But it's still unawesome that mein bruder would do this to me.'

"So are we going to Cologne next?"

"I don't see why not." Germany said as he looked at Prussia. "East, would you mind taking the bags back to my place?"

"Sure, not a problem…" He said grudgingly, but was secretly thankful because he got the most awesome gift for his (niece), and he wants to hide it immediately.

"Okay, meet us in Cologne in front of the Cathedral."

"Okay, West." He said as he went up to the car, owned by Germany, as the three went to Italy's car, which Germany took the wheel and they made their way there, which took no time for the nations.

"I'm still amazed on how we got here so quickly."

"The perks of being nations." Italy said as they went out and, like they did in Dortmund, both the Italian and the girl were surprised to by the sight of the area, and when they got close to the cathedral, Italy started to mention the artitecture of the building itself as they waited for Prussia to come to them.

Once Prussia did show up, they looked around and purchased some things for lunch and Italy had a taste of the mulled wine and mentioned that he still liked his Italian wine but it wasn't bad, while Fern-Lui enjoyed some of the sweets. They went to all seven of the markets before it was Germany's turn to put away the bags back at his house.

"We're going to Ulm next, and it'll be up in lights by the time we arrive there." Prussia said as he was about to head to the car when Germany mentioned over to tell him something. "What's up West?"

"Well, I was planning on getting her one of the Steiff stuff animals for a gift, but I can't think of what to get."

"You want me swing by there with them and tell you what catches her fancy?"

"Basically."

Prussia, although thinking that his two gifts are still awesome, promised his brother to let him know and parted ways.

0o0o0o0

Once they did arrive at Ulm, the first thing the Italian and the girl noticed before even arriving at the market is the tallest church tower.

"Ve~" Italy awed as his honey eyes went wide at the sheer height of it. "Germany wasn't kidding when he said this is the tallest church tower in the world…"

"Yeah, you should've seen it when it was being built. This proves that us Germans aren't afraid of heights and are master builders."

"It's made in the Gothic era, correct?" Fern-Lui asked.

"How'd you know?"

"I'm a history nut." She said simply as she looked at the tower. "It was built in the fourteenth century but wasn't fully completed until the nineteenth century."

"That's right." Prussia said as he parked. "And do you know why it isn't referred to a cathedral?"

"Because it never housed a bishop."

"Correct!" He said as Italy was impressed.

"What else about the church?" Italy asked, very interested now.

"Work halted sometime in the fifteenth century due to political and religious factors… which included the Reformation, Thirty Year's War and the War of Spanish Succession…"

Italy blinked when he heard the Thirty Year's War.

Prussia knew about the Thirty Year's War as well, a bit too well.

"And there was also the economic factor when the discovery of America in 1492, and sea routes in India in 1497. But work resumed by 1817 and by May 31, 1890, the Lutheran church, Ulm Minster, was completed."

"Ve! Amazing!"

"But in the Second World War, it only had minor damage during an air raid in 1944."

"I remember that day…" Prussia said. "Most of the medieval town was wiped away from that raid…" He looked at the now lit area. "But it's still there." He then mentioned them to come along and headed made their way to the stall where there were the Steiff toys and he paid attention to what the girl mostly went up to or showed any sort of interest.

Soon they stopped by the front of the church when Germany finally found them, which he was pounced by the Italian and the girl, spouting at how amazing the church was. The German then heard from his brother what he should get from the Steiff stall and took note of it.

Soon they headed to Bad Hoenningen, and enjoyed their time there as Fern-Lui received a small gift from the Santa Claus there and enjoyed the kid activities as the three nations enjoyed some warm treat before moving onto Ludwigsburg.

And just like Germany said, the city of Ludwigsburg is indeed the most beautiful that they have seen. Italy was completely blown away by the gentle lights around the market and the baroque churches. It was like walking into a dream as the group enjoyed the festive atmosphere as they went from stall to stall before going back to Dortmund and Cologne for the lights. However, when he looked at Germany, he felt like painting as he saw the lights played along the nation's features as he was smiling and laughing. He blushed when the other asked if he was okay, and covered his growing blush by saying it was a bit cold and got closer to the other, who was so used to it by now.

0o0o0o0

From there they headed back to Germany's house, which Germany carried the sleeping Italy, bridal style, up to their shared room while Prussia carried the very asleep girl to her room, where he took off the winter coat and boots, tucked her in, and whispered a good night to her before joining his brother in the kitchen for a beer.

"Man what a day…" He said as he sat down at the table and took a swing of the beer.

Germany nodded as he took a gulp of his beer. "This is definitely a good day."

"Then you got work tomorrow…"

"Ja…" Germany said as he took another swing. "But it was worth it. My boss isn't giving me a lot of paper work."

Prussia chuckled. "This will be our first Chirstmas with her…"

"Ja…" He said as he noticed the seriousness in his usually obnoxious brother. "What's wrong?"

"I was wondering how many other Christmases we'll have with her… I keep reminding myself that she doesn't belong in this world…"

Germany knew this as well and sighed. "I know…" He said as he watched his brother, who was staring at his beer bottle, no doubt empty now.

"She's an awesome kid, ya know? I can't imagine adjusting to some other place like she would." He said as he placed the empty bottle on the table. "She told me that her vati told her about the markets, but was guilty that he wasn't able to show her each year…"

"Her family probably lives somewhere that isn't Germany. And maybe in a financial problem so they couldn't go as often as they wanted." He said reasonably.

"That's not what it sounded like." Prussia said as he looked at his brother.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm not completely sure, and what you said does sound reasonable, but something tells me that something's off about it."

"Then don't think about it…" Germany said."

"But-"

"If she doesn't want to talk about it, then we shouldn't push it." He said as he finished his beer. "I know there's something off. She wouldn't be here if there's nothing serious going on where her family is now." He said as he placed his bottle down like his brother. "But even I know from experience that there's things I can tell others, while still keeping most of it to myself until I feel that I can fully open to everything."

Prussia knew this, because he was also the same. "Like after World War II and after the Cold War…"

Germany nodded and both shared a moment of silence before Prussia sighed and got up.

"I'm hitting the sack…"

Germany followed suit and the night was quiet.

0o0o0o0

Fern-Lui woke up sometime around midnight and looked out of her window to see a full moon, sat up, grabbed the Iron Crosses, and put her hands together while staring at the bright moon. "Merciful one, hear my heart's prayer, please keep those I hold dear from harm in this world and the world I lived before. I pray that, if harm does come to them, then you will give them the strength to go on even in the darkest hours and protect them from any evil that is forced upon them or try to steal them away. Ahmen." She said as she looked at the crosses in her hands and kissed them.

"I miss you so much, but don't worry about me, I'm safe here. Just…" A tear escaped and she quickly wiped it away. "I don't know what's going on where you are… Vati… Mamma…" She closed her eyes as a couple tears escaped through before Gino came up and licked the tears away, making her look and pet the cat. "Thank you Gino…" She said as the cat 'venyaa' happily before getting back into bed, still holding onto the crosses. "I wonder if they're wondering if I'm okay too?" This time she was responded with Lutz's deeper meow and looked to see that he had joined Gino, who was rubbing up against the darker cat affectionately. She smiled as she petted both cats. "Thanks you two, I feel a bit better now…" She yawed as she started to drift back to sleep.

Hey guys! If you want to know more about the Christmas Markets, then you could try out this site that I got most of the information from:

http:/ www. germany-christmas-market .org. uk/

There's not a lot of pictures on it, but enough to get the view of what each city has to offer.