Dropping the mug that he was holding from his hands, it came crashing down onto the floor. Germania not casting any sort of glance at the mess he had created ran outside, along with Rome who seemed equally disturbed by what had happened. Kneeling down to the boy laying crumpled in a small pile on the ground, he put out a hand and felt his head. It was cool and clammy…and not something of the ordinary. The heat was slightly intense outside, and the child's body, as limp as it was in need of medical attention.
Scooping Prussia into his arms, Germania ran back inside and laid the boy on the table. He looked over to Rome who seemed slightly uneasy, but wanted to help in any way he could.
"Sandrino…um…uh please fetch me a wet rag, and maybe boil some water?" Germania was shaking with fear. The child had caused so much grief to him when he wasn't ill, this was just making it slightly over the top.
"Yes Will…at once." Sandrino ran to the outside pump, and frantically put water into a small caldron. While he was occupied, Germania ran his fingers through the boy's hair.
"Oh Gilbert…please…you mustn't stay like this…little one…you must get better." Large tears formed in his eyes. Furiously wiping them away before Rome came back, he breathed in deeply. "This shall pass…you are stronger than this…" He looked outside and saw the other nation come back in. "Please…go and set that upon the flame."
Rome nodded and walked over to the fire. Setting the caldron over the flames, and ran back.
"What could have happened? Why would he suddenly fall ill with no warning?" He had wet a rag and Germania taking it from him ran the cloth over the boy's forehead and face.
"I haven't the slightest I mean…" He stopped mid sentence and his eye caught something. A small little nick seemed to attract attention. It was hard to see at first, but with slightly minute strands of blood, he turned his eye to the wound. "What is this?" He held up the boy's foot and rubbed at it with his thumb. His eyes suddenly widened. "Nein! The scorpion! He…he tried to touch it, and I warned him. It must have stung him when he wasn't looking. Oh how could I have been so foolish…why didn't I lead him away?"
Sandrino grabbed the other nation by the shoulders and shook slightly.
"You can not blame yourself. Children get into all sorts of things…and well…it will be alright, he is a very resilient child Will!"
"Ja…I know…he is always testing the limits." Looking around as if something was going to pop out at him, Willahelm leaned in and picked up the boy, holding him in his arms. "I am going to have him rest…it just seems like the only thing right now." He went to leave, and Rome gave him a look. Raising an eyebrow, Germania spoke. "What is it?"
"What do you want to do with the water?"
"I don't know…I…just set it aside right now…the child will need to have a bath…it might make him feel better, but I believe that sleep is best, might bring down the fever…I am not sure."
"No…Will, you need a medical type professional for him…shall I run to the village and see if I can find someone?"
Germania held the boy close to him, and nodded. Nothing more was said. He walked out of the room and into his own. Setting the child in the bed, and making him comfortable, nothing was going to make it better unless he stayed by the boy's side.
A few hours later, Sandrino returned Alistair Whittling, the medic in the village. He was a gentle elder man whom was extremely talented in his profession. He wore a long white cloak, and a dark brown woolen hat. He walked into the house and towards the bedroom in which the child was laying. Willahelm looked up as the two walked in. He stood up, looking relieved as he was anxious. Alistair put out his hand to shake, and Germania took it.
"Hello good sir…Rome made me aware of everything. I am filled with remorse for what has happened to you. Nothing is worse than a sick child…believe me, I have been through it many times."
"Yes…thank you…what can you do for me? How can you help him?"
"I have a mixture of herbal remedies, and I will need to apply them to the wound…I have made it into a paste…and it will need to be applied several times a day."
Germania did not say anything…he was just content that something was going to be done about the boy. He stepped aside as the doctor approached the bed, and sat down beside the child. He carefully picked up the boy's foot, and applied a generous amount of the healing salve. Once he was finished, he wrapped it with a cloth, and tucked the child under the covers. Standing up, he handed the medicine to Germania.
"Apply this to his infected area three times a day, make sure he stays in bed…as he needs plenty of rest." The man tipped his hat and was seen to the door by Sandrino. Germania looking back at the child, knew he was okay to be left alone. He walked out of the room, and left the door open slightly ajar. Arriving in the kitchen, Rome was closing the door. He stood semi smiling at Germania.
"I am going to leave you for the night…let you be alone with your boys…I am so sorry that this has happened to you."
"Yes well…sometimes these things can not be helped…the boy is entirely too inquiring on so many different things. I thank you for your help…I will be alright."
Ancient Rome…as annoying as he was sometimes, he had been incredibly helpful. He closed the door to his home after the nation left. Turning down the lamps, he walked to the room where HRE was sleeping and cracked the door open. Peering inside, he saw the sleeping little three year old slumbering away. This would indeed be difficult to explain to a tot where his brother was, or why he was in poor health. Closing the door, he left the room and walked into the den. Sitting down on the sofa, he leaned against a pillow and slowly closed his eyes. Sleep would come, but would be very difficult.
The suns light poured in through the window, making its presence known that it was indeed morning. The gentle chirping of the birds outside, and the cicadas buzzing made Germania's eyes open. He stretched and moaned slightly, as the position he was in made his body ache. Sitting up, the house was very still and quiet. This was not something he was used to. Prussia had always been vibrant and full of energy, its what kept the house alive, and even though he did not like to admit it, it also kept Germania jovial. Scratching his side, he stood up, and then noticed little Ludwig standing by the doorway. His eyes filled with tears, and two fingers in his mouth.
"Ludwig…come here my little one." He knelt down on one knee…and waited, but the child just stood staring. He had slept through the night, but waking up and not seeing his brother made him slightly vulnerable, almost like he was afraid. "Come here Ludie…"
The boy hesitated again, but walked towards the elder. Sensing something not quite right, he then ran into the larger nation's arms and burst into tears. Germania couldn't do anything but be sympathetic to him. Holding the child close, he picked him up and walked over to the couch, sitting down, the child held on tight and buried his head into Germania's chest.
"Vati…Vati…where is Gilbie? Where is he Vati? He wasn't in my bed…he is gone, Where is he?"
Sighing and not knowing where to even start, he positioned the boy more comfortable and stroking his hair, spoke gently.
"Gilbert is resting…he is not feeling better Ludwig. Yesterday, he was hurt by a big bug, and now he has to rest so he will get better…okay?"
Germania was not really sure how to explain the situation. The scorpion was a dangerous and very poisonous creature. He did not want to scare the child. Ludwig did not respond but slowly slid off his Vati's lap and looked up at the nation with his little blue eyes.
"I want my Bruder to get better Vati…come on, let's get him better!" The child began pulling Germania's hand, trying to get him to stand up and go to where Prussia was, but the elder nation held him back and shook his head.
"No Ludwig…he needs rest, and I can not have you going to bother him. Let me make you some breakfast, I will get you bathed and dressed, and then you can help me with some things around the house."
"Vati…I want to go see him, I don't want to have breakfast…its not fair!" The little boy stamped his feet in a slight fit of rage. Germania held on tightly to the boy's hand, and looked at him somewhat bewildered.
"LUDWIG…not today! Behave yourself or so help me, your backside will feel the palm of my hand!"
The child was clearly upset, and not having his brother around, he was unbothered by the older nation's threat. He got ran over to the table and seated himself underneath pouting. Annoyed, and not wanting to deal with the little one's antics, Willahelm just threw his hands up and walked over to the kettle, setting it over the fire. He would just make something, and if the boy ate, he ate, and if not, then he would just go hungry, until he wanted something.
He had not wanted to become cross with the child, but again with the heat, it did not make it easier. He took out a loaf of bread, with some blackberry currant, and cut several slices. Once that was finished, he spread some of the jam on it. Ludwig's favorite, so the older nation knew the boy would not be able to resist. He set it on the table, and poked his head under.
"If you don't eat, I know a lot of birds outside that would love to have the most wonderful treat I have for you."
The boy continued to sulk, and that was fine. As long as he wasn't making too much noise, Germania did not care, but he would not put up with it for long. Seeing this as a moment to check on Gilbert, he walked down the hall. Casting another glance at the table, Ludwig had his head down, and he was twirling circles on the wooden floor, softly whining. Shaking his head, Willahelm went into his room, and saw the sleeping sickly boy. Sweat was forming on the child's face, and it was time for him to have his applied salve. Grabbing the jar, Germania unscrewed it, and put some on a cloth. He rubbed it into the child's foot, and then watched as the breathing boy slumbered. This was indeed something that needed to pass…the house was too quiet still.
The boy would need a bath, and it was going to be slightly difficult for the nation to do this while Ludwig was awake. Seeing this might scare the child and he might even question why his brother was getting a bath while sleeping. Germania would need to wait until the younger child was in bed.
Once that was done, Germania needed to go and check on the other little runt. He knew the boy couldn't possibly have done anything. He closed the bedroom door, and walked towards the kitchen. Looking towards the table, and what should have been a sulking little boy underneath was now nothing. He looked around and noticed that the table was missing a few slices of bread, and there were now crumbs trailing the floor. Smiling, Germania followed it and it led to the washroom. He walked in and saw that the boy had ate some of his bread, and left it on the floor. Ludwig was sitting in the basin with one of his wooden toys, his clothing cast aside, and he looked up at the older nation.
"Oh so you want a bath now?" Said the exasperated nation. He had no clue about the little one, who had a mind that changed all the time. The boy looked up and nodded. "Okay…but I need to get some fresh water, and it'll be a little while before I can get some heated water. Come out of there Ludwig…"
"Noooooo Vati! I wanna stay here!" The little boy was wiggling his feet in the tub, splashing the water around. This slightly irritated Willahlem.
"Now come little one…you are making your Vati very mad." The boy shook his head at his elder, and sloshed back and fourth in the water.
Seeing as little HRE was not going to cooperate, and he really did not want to deal with the child's capers, he reached down and pulled the little boy up by his under arms, pulled him out of the water, and placed the sulky little runt over his lap. Since the child had already rid himself of his clothing, Ludwig was completely open to his Vati's advances, and whined loudly as the first spank came down on the boy's bare little bottom. He was slightly shocked, and dropped the toy he was holding.
"You have left me no other choice little one, (smack), I have a lot on my mind right now, and your little tantrum is not making it any easier. (smack)." Germania gave the boy four more slaps, and with the child kicking his legs, and crying out, he was set down.
Ludwig sunk to the ground, kneeling down, grumbling as his backside hit the back of his legs. The older nation got up and saw that his pants were wet from the little boy, having taken Ludwig right out of the basin. The child was crying, and was extremely unhappy. Raising an eyebrow, he held his hand out to the child.
"Come now…you're not going to sulk in here. I need to clean up some things, and with that, I am going to keep a close eye on you. Take my hand…now Ludwig."
Ludwig took his Vati's hand and got up. They walked out of the washroom, and Germania led him to the bedroom where he got out a new outfit. Pulling up the little pants, and putting the boy's shirt on, he led the child back into the kitchen. Once they arrived, Ludwig still sniffling, walked over to a chair and went to sit down, but Willahelm gripped him gently by the shoulders, and steered him away.
"No, no…over to the corner young man…until you can learn to obey me. Go now, five minutes. He swatted the child, and Ludwig rubbed at his backside, and walked to the corner. He leaned his hand against the wall, and stood obediently.
Completely exasperated, Germania looked to the table and saw the left over bread pieces and scooped them up. He took the scraps and opened the front door, throwing them out to the birds. Once that was done, he decided to leave the door open so there would be a nice air flow, as it had become warm once again. This of course was a mistake, because as soon as the nation walked over to the caldron, he heard a familiar voice.
"Knock knock…hello Germania…am I interrupting anything?" It was Rome…and he held in his hands a parcel of sweets from beyond the village. He figured he might as well bring something for Ludwig.
Germania sighed and looked over at the nation, and proceeded to put a kettle on, and he wiped away any trace amounts of debris around the area. Looking over to the nation, he spoke softly.
"Rome…very good to see you…and I take it those are for…?" Rome walked right over to the table and placed the package down.
"For the children Willahelm…er…any changes in little Gilbert?" He was genuinely concerned for the boy…and whatever rival the two nations had with one another was put aside. Germania shook his head, and held back some tears.
"No…no real changes, its just too early to tell. Its just been the little one and I…and…"
"Ah, the little one…" Rome said as he glanced over to the corner where HRE was standing. Smiling back at his comrade, he spoke again. "Been a diminutive naughty one has he?" He tilted back his head and laughed slightly. Germania on the other hand did not laugh, but looked over to the boy.
"Yes well, he was warned." He cleared his throat and called over to the child. "Ludwig…come here please. Come to Vati."
Turning around, and rubbing at his eyes, the boy walked over, and was helped into Germania's lap. The two sat, while Rome spoke to them, telling little jokes, and trying to make the two feel better. He offered some of the sweets to Ludwig, but the child just put his head into his Vati's chest. The day continued into night. Germania had made a broth for the three. Ludwig ate some, but had since passed out in the man's arms. Getting up with the child in tow, Willahelm whispered.
"I am going to put him to bed, and then I will be right back. I was waiting for him to fall asleep…Gilbert is in need of a bath." He walked out of the room, and into the boy's bedroom. Setting him upright, as the child snored, he took off the little one's outfit, and put him in a nightshirt. Once that was accomplished, he set Ludwig in bed, and covered him. "Goodnight little one, sleep well." He leaned down and kissed the boy's tearstained cheek.
Walking out of the room, he approached his own, and saw that Prussia was still sound asleep. He walked in, and tensed up. What if the child stayed in this state? He couldn't even fathom what his life would be like without the little rambunctious Gilbert running around. He sat at the end of the bed, and reached out a hand, stroking the child's cheek. Suddenly without realizing…he noticed that the child's face was warm…and he was breathing more heavily. Pulling back the blankets, he put the little foot in his hand, and looked the wound over. It was almost fully healed, and did not look infected or anything. The salve had helped greatly. He ran his hands back over the boy's hair and watched as he breathed in deep. Getting up from the bed, he walked to the doorway when he then heard a small little voice.
"Vati…my Vati…"
Germania's eyes widened and he looked back. Prussia opened his eyes and looked at the man with a blank stare.