Chpt 4

Francis's eyes narrowed as he looked at Arthur. Arthur could tell two things. One: Francis was not pleased at being threatened. Two: His crew wasn't so fond of Arthur, probably because he was holding their precious captain at sword point and had just killed their friend. Hmm perhaps killing that guy had been to rash. Obviously this all meant that he would not be rising to captain of this vessel today. Still he had to try and at least take over the position of sailing master, to keep himself alive!

While he was thinking about his position he reacted to slow to stop Francis from withdrawing his sword, but fast enough to block his attack. The two swords met with a clash as both men stared at each other, eye to eye. The crew grew silent, and the sky gave a flash of lightening.

"Arrimage les chanoines comme il dit ! I will take care of zis" Francis ordered his crew

The crew all rushed to obey him. Arthur was pleased to see ropes being tied round the closest cannons, and came to the conclusion that the frog may not be as daft as he looked if he was taking the advice that Arthur had given him. Well right now he looked angry, but that was fine in Arthurs books.

Francis swung his sword again and Arthur blocked it again. Then Arthur thrusted at Francis's heart and Francis blocked it. The two soon got into the fight. The two moved with such speed that their swords where nothing but blurs and crashes. The deck under their feet was warm from their quick foot work.

Arthur was impressed by Francis's skill, obviously this was why he had been chosen as captain. Francis also seemed to be impressed, because despite the fact that the two where panting hard he as well as Arthur where smiling. The two soon found themselves almost nose to nose, the only thing separating them was their swords that where pressed against each other in a cross. For some reason Francis was blushing, maybe it was because of Arthurs heavy panting?

" W-what is it Frog? Why are you blushing?" Arthur asked in gasps which seemed to be only making the Frenchman blush more.

" Excusez-moi? Moi? Your are ze one oo ez blushing bright red. Are you per'aps recollecting your memory of kissing me? Ez et sexual tension?" Francis Teased

"Bog off!" Arthur hissed

Arthur pushed Francis back and leapt backwards. Francis stumbled slightly, but regained his footing. The two raised their swords ready to clash against each other again. Just as they took a step forward the sky opened up and the rain began to drench them. They both paused and looked around them at their surroundings. Both of their faces paled as they saw the wheel of the ship was abandoned. Arthur rushed to the wheel and gripped it.

"What are you doing? Zis is my ship!" Francis sulked

"I'm steering the ship through this storm. Will you relax already? I have this under control." England called

England closed his eyes for a moment. He listened to his friends the merfolk and water nymphs who told him that he was off course in the direction of his own ship. In his mind he asked them to give him directions to get back on course as politely as possible. He opened his eyes and sighed as he span the wheel abruptly. He began whistling a song, a song that he used to help his mythical friends located him and keep him on course. However to Francis it just looked like he was completely relaxed. Every huge wave that threatened the ship Arthur steered artfully to make it seem like a small bump. Francis looked at him curiously from the corner of his eye as he shouted orders. Just who was he? He was no merchant that he had ever met before.

For the rest of the day and all night the crew, Francis and Arthur steered through the storm. It was only after Arthur was sure the storm had passed that he called to Francis to give the all clear. The crew was too tired to notice this shift in power, however they were suddenly reminded when Francis held a sea burial for their fallen comrade. Arthur had the sense to sneak back to the captain's cabin, as he knew the crew would be baying for his blood. When they did Francis told them he had something different in mind for Arthur and told them to rest. The only one not to rest was a short young man with brown hair that had a curl. He was to steer the ship. Arthur recognized him at once as being another personification of a nation, Northern Italy to be exact.

As soon as Francis opened the door Arthur walked out and straight up to Italy. The shorter brown haired man gave a little squeal when he noticed Arthur walking towards him.

"Calm down Feliciano, why are you aboard this ship? I thought you would be on a ship with other Nations?" Arthur asked curiously using Italy's human name

" E-e-england, you don't remember do you? Vee that's sad." Feliciano replied

"What is?"

" I can't tell you otherwise Germany will be angry and then he won't be my friend anymore!"

"Ah erm ok? Anyway, don't tell the people on this ship that I'm the pirate king. Do you understand Italy?" Arthur commanded

" Don't worry your secret is safe with me!"

"Right."

Still why don't I feel confident in his response? Arthur thought as he walked back to the Captain's cabin after giving Italy simple directions on how to stay on course. He shut the door behind him, and pulled off his wet shirt that smelled heavily of salt from its adventures in the past twenty-four hours. He looked at it, his face a picture of disgust. The salt would surely harden, the shirt was probably ruined.

"Et ez a tacky shirt, I will give you one of my own more beau shirts non?" Francis said

Arthurs head snapped up to look at Francis who was sitting on his bed holding a glass of wine. The Frenchman smiled at him and took a sip of his wine before standing up and approaching the wet Englishman whose blonde hair was dripping. The hungry look in Francis's eyes made Arthur step back and collide with the wall. Francis took this opportunity to pin him against the wall. Arthur blushed a little at the intimacy.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Arthur snarled

"I think zat ez my line. You walk into my cabin and start taking off your clothes." Francis replied a dangerous but alluring tone in his voice

Arthurs blush deepened. Francis had a valid point. Walking into someone else's room and ripping off your shirt was bound to lead to awkward conclusions being made. Still Arthur wasn't going to admit that Francis was the one in the right here.

"You don't expect me to sleep in the crews quarters do you? They'll kill me idiot!" Arthur said his temper causing each word to grow in volume.

To Arthurs shock and horror Francis silenced him by pressing one of his fingers to his lips.

" 'ush you will wake up mon petit Mathieu." Francis whispered silkily

Before Arthur could protest Francis swooped in and pressed his lips to Arthurs. Those dangerously sweet lips. Just what did he put on his lips to make them taste that way? Arthur responded to the kiss by deepening it. Just as the kiss was reaching its crescendo Arthur pushed Francis back, his face bright red. He ducked under one of Francis's arms that had pinned him, and picked up a pillow and spare blanket that had been on the bed. Arthur settled himself in a corner opposite another door which he presumed led to a smaller a joining room that belonged to Matthew.

"Night, and if you even think about touching me again you poxy frog it will be you with the bullet between the eyes got it?" Warned Arthur

"Oui mon cher." Replied Francis smiling

Authors notes

Sorry for how long it has taken me to do any updates. I'm in between jobs and I'm moving soon. However The ending for my fair England and brothers from another hemisphere has been thought up and will be up soon.