Chapter 10

Arthur stabbed his scrambled eggs as if it had murdered his first born son. What had he been thinking when he had decided that he should act so lovey dovey with Francis? The guy was a literal pain in the butt. Really he was and Arthur squirmed at the memory. Then he remembered. He was doing this for Alfred, he would do anything for that kid. Or maybe for the giddy feeling and the increased heart rate that Francis gave him. No, he was doing it only for the first reason, as that was what he kept telling himself.

"Bonjour mon cher" Francis said approaching him with a spring in his step.

"Ahhh give me strength." Muttered Arthur under his breath

Francis sat next to Arthur and began to help himself to his breakfast. Arthur slid the plate to Francis and looked up as a shadow fell across them. The man it belonged to was a tall blonde with blue eyes. He had his hair slicked back and looked like a no nonsense kind of man. It was probably because of this fact that Arthur had chosen him to be his right hand man.

"Ludwig! It's good to see that you have returned. I heard you went to search for me? Don't worry your actions will be rewarded. " Arthur said

Francis looked at the man next to him. The words should have sounded joyful as it sounded like it was suppose to be the reunion of two friends. However Arthur said the whole thing in a business tone. The only thing that gave away his happiness was the gleam in his emerald eyes. Francis took his eyes off of Arthur and looked at Ludwig. The man was eyeing him with a look that Francis couldn't place.

"This is Francis. He will be joining us on our excursion today." Arthur informed Ludwig

"Very good sir; I have had the honour of meeting Mister Bonnefoy before. We have been neighbours for as long as I can remember ." Ludwig announced

Arthur looked at Ludwig in surprise. He knew that Ludwig, like him, was a personification of a country. Ludwig was Germany. But how was he and Francis neighbours? Francis was a normal human right? He didn't have time to dwell on the words as Ludwig called his attention to him.

"Sir the fleet is ready. All the captains are ready to give you their reports and submit their vessels for inspection." Ludwig replied

Arthur felt a chill go down his spine. It was time. He was going to make the oceans red with Spain's blood. He stood up and saw a nervous look upon Francis's face. His eyes must have taken on their demon like quality. Brilliant. He walked in the direction of the harbour leaving the other two to catch up.

The harbour was filled with hundreds of ships with unfurled sails and bristling to the teeth with weapons. Each ship's captain gave him a quick report and Arthur chose some ships to inspect, though he only inspected the few that were crucial in his plan. Once he had given out harsh words, a few appraisals and the coordinates, Arthur made his way to his own ship, the Black Thorn.

He watched sadly as his crew ran around the ship making her depart. He closed his eyes and sighed. Alfred better appreciate all the sacrifices he was making for him. He opened his eyes and saw Francis's ship sailing next to his. It towered over his ship, not that Arthur cared. He had other things on his mind.

Arthur withdrew a black wand with a star on top of it from his best jacket that he was wearing today. He was wearing his best because he wanted to be in all his glory when he destroyed his enemy completely. What could he say? He turned destruction and conquest into a dramatic artistic talent. Pushing that thought aside, he waved his wand and the air in front of him burst into flames, then died down into a miniature fairy sized flame version of himself. The flame version of him smiled wickedly showing sharp pointy teeth.

"Better tell them we're coming and our arrival coordinates." Arthur commanded it

"Payment" The fire creature hissed its voice crackling

Arthur raised his eyebrows at it and gave it a cold glare. It let out a terrible hissing laugh and shot out a flicker of flame from its hand towards the closest part of the ship. Arthur lost his cool and pinned it to the railing ignoring the searing pain of his burning hand and the smell of burning flesh.

" Those who float in large chunks of wood miles from land should pay up." Crackled the creature

"And those who want paying should do the job at hand. Once you tell my brothers of my arrival I will let you feast like you have only ever done in the Fire of London." Snarled Arthur

The fire version of Arthur widened its eyes. Arthur knew why. He remembered that this stupid flame version of him had eaten thousands of homes when he had first summoned it near a bakery shop. Still, he now knew its side effects and with careful planning hoped to use that as a part of his plan as well. He slowly released the creature and as he did so it bowed to him and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

He smirked as he swished his wand over his burnt hand to heal it. He could just imagine the horrified look on his brothers faces when they saw such a dangerous creature working for him. He examined his newly healed hand, then put his wand back into his jacket pocket.

He walked to the ships wheel and turned it harshly and abruptly so the ship jerked viciously to the right. He heard members of his crew stumble and curse as well as a string of French curses from the neighbouring ship. He laughed as he took the lead in front of his fleet leading them through the hazardous corals

The Black Thorn was hard to follow. Being a sloop it was fast and nimble leaving the larger ships behind. Francis's ship of the line was soon falling behind and Arthur sighed in frustration. Why did the Frenchman have to be so useless with ships? Well compared to himself of course.

He put his fingers to his lips and let out a loud ear piercing whistle. A large wave towered above the fleet. The crew let out cries of fear as Arthur walked to wards it and leant on the ships siding with his head in his hands. He smiled up at it.

"Would you mind speeding up our progress? It would be greatly appreciated if you did, especially when it comes to my less talented friend (he waved towards Francis's ship)." Arthur spoke to the wave

There was an awkward silence where Arthur smiled to the wave like he would to someone he loved and was very close too. In answer to his response the wave shattered into droplets and the small waves seemed to speed them up, not that the crew realized this. In fact Ludwig walked over to Arthur and put a hand on the smiling mans shoulder.

"Captain, we were lucky that the squall hit some rocks, maybe the squall could be seen as a bad omen? Also are you sure Francis is actually our ally?" Asked Ludwig

Arthur stood up straight and faced the German. His smile had vanished and had been replaced with a cold disapproving look as he shrugged his hand away. Arthur wasn't really sure why he felt so angry at Ludwig's comment. He was use to people not believing in his magic. Perhaps it was the insult about Francis? Impossible!

"And why would you think Francis would betray me? Is there something you're not telling me Ludwig? After all you have been his neighbour for such a long time." Spat Arthur with narrowed eyes

" There is something Captain, but if I call your attention to it you would have me drawn and quartered as that is what you threatened. I can't believe that you really forgot..." sighed Ludwig

"Forgot what? Enlighten me Ludwig or else..." Hissed Arthur his friendly demeanour disappearing and proving that even his right hand man could be subject to his mood swings.

Ludwig shook his head. Arthur withdrew his sword and with rather quick steps stood behind Ludwig and placed his blade gently at Ludwig's throat. Ludwig blinked slowly and stiffened.

"Want to change your mind?" Suggested Arthur

"No. It's not just me doing this. You made us all promise." Ludwig replied calmly as if outbreaks like this where common.

Arthur paused. He saw Gilbert walk slowly towards him and Ludwig. All? He looked at Gilbert who looked worried. It suddenly made sense. All meant all the other nations. They were all keeping something from him. Something that involved himself and Francis.

Arthur let out a cold psychotic laugh that made Gilbert freeze and Ludwig sweat. Arthur pulled his sword away and pushed Ludwig away from him. Ludwig stumbled forwards and Gilbert helped steady him.

Arthur walked off leaving the two brothers and stared out to sea towards Francis's ship. Would Francis betray him? Didn't all the time they spent together since Francis pulled him out the ocean mean anything? Arthur let out a "tcht" sound. Really he knew better than to trust a frog. Still his heart felt like it was being torn apart. His chest was in such bitter pain. He had no idea why but Francis always had this effect on him. He blinked back tears and grit his teeth.

"British Navy off the starboard!" The lookout called

Arthur walked over to the other side of the ship. He could see his brother's ships on the horizon. He sighed. It was show time. If Francis will betray him he would take him down as well as Spain. He didn't need anyone anyway. Well maybe Alfred, but nobody else.

"Prepare the canons on all vessels!" Bellowed Arthur

Captains from nearby ships heard his orders and shouted them to themselves and thus creating a chain effect to all the other vessels. Arthur watched as all the ships call out his orders. He took hold of the ships wheel and steered the ship towards his brothers. While the fleet went towards the British navy certain ships in the fleet put up flags with a red cross on a black background. Arthur watched as his own ship raised the flag. He looked away from it and winced. Would his heart ever stop hurting?

Authors notes:

Sorry for the historical inaccuracies. The Fire of London happened waayyy after the fall of the Spanish Armada. However it just added a little to the story. Sorry if it bothers anyone.