Leaves and twigs snapped under the heavy boots. Alfred wasn't exactly the most light-footed human around. Arthur, on the other hand, glided through the lush forest with ease and silence. The loud noises made by the large knight were beginning to get on Arthur's nerve, and it wasn't until a final snap of a branch did Arthur began to get on Alfred again.
"You humans are so loud and careless, it disgusts me." He spat, flicking his tail at Alfred. "Couldn't you be more thoughtful about the small life around you?" He added.
"What do you mean? You're not the one wearing all this heavy armor!" Alfred snapped back. He really didn't appreciate it when the dragon-man nagged at him. Crossing his arms, he continued to walk with Arthur.
"Then why don't you use logic. That small brain can at least do that can't it? Take those huge boots off, or maybe the entire little armor set!" Arthur said bluntly and avoided another branch, in which Alfred unknowingly ran into and broke.
Alfred thought for a moment and then shrugged. "I guess it wouldn't hurt. This stuff is pretty heavy and I don't think I'll need it." He murmured and began to take off his boots, hopping along on one foot to keep along with Arthur. "Wait. Where would I dump it? You wouldn't want me to just toss it randomly." He asked.
Sighing, Arthur spun on his heel to face Alfred. "You better watch your tongue, human." He snapped and began to look around. "The fairies like to play in things so you can set it down on that batch of moss over there." He ordered.
After placing the rest of his armor on the moss, Alfred was left in his slightly tattered trousers and shirt. "Fairies? Aren't those little people with wings that bite people?" Alfred guessed, referring back to the childhood tales that were told to him long ago.
Arthur laughed at the knight and slapped him with his tail playfully. "You humans are really ignorant aren't you? No, they do not bite; they just fly around and trick others." He explained, "That's why it's best to give them those toys and such to keep them occupied."
As they walked deeper into the dark forest, Alfred decided to ask something he had been wondering for a while. "By the way, my name is Alfred Jones. What's yours? It's not some huge unpronounceable name is it?" he asked, groaning a bit near the end.
Thinking for a moment, Arthur smiled. "No, it's simply Arthur." He said plainly and walked past him. Alfred tilted his head a bit at the human name, but thought nothing of it and continued to keep up with Arthur.
"Where exactly are we going?" Alfred asked, "You're not leading me to some nest of giant dragons or something are you?" He glared at Arthur and obnoxiously poked his cheek, which he found was warmer than a normal human should be. It was probably all that fire in him, he thought.
"We're going to a human as stupid as you, maybe more. At least he knows how to put a bandage on a wound." Arthur grumbled, "If I remember correctly, which I do, his name is Francis Bonnefoy; a disgusting creature if I say so myself. He tells me he escaped that same town you come from many years ago."
Racking his brain trying to recall the name but failing, Alfred wondered who this person was and how he had escaped so soundly. Suddenly they came to a large clearing, yet still in the forest. In the middle sat a small cottage with smoke billowing out the slightly crooked chimney. Wild flowers, many Alfred had never seen before, sprouted up and about in random areas surrounding the warm looking abode. Arthur walked up to it and briskly knocked on the door with his knuckle.
"Ah? C'est qui? Je n'est pas parle en anglais!" shouted a nervous voice inside. Locks could be heard closing tightly and Alfred could have sworn he saw the curtains fly shut. Arthur sighed and banged his small fist on the door.
"Open up, idiot! It's just me and this other foolish human who refuses to leave me. We're a bit injured so it would be very generous of you if you could lend us a helping hand." Arthur hissed, trying to sound as nice as possible. The locks that had just been closed could be heard opening and the door swung open. Standing in the doorway was a neatly dressed man with slightly long curly hair the color of gold. His smile was wide and goofy, and his chin wasn't shaved well.
"Mon ami! It's been so long! I thought you were dead! What happened to you?" He said pulling both Arthur and Alfred into the house. As he asked questions, he went about in search for medicines. Herbs and plants were growing at every spot, and the air smelled like healing cream. The furniture was very simple, and even though plants crowded every inch it was very snug and homely. A large fire burned in the strange fireplace, its flames ranging from colors of ice blue to blood red.
"Well, those dastardly humans caught me flying over there city and used me as there play toy. They sent knight after knight trying to see who could kill me, until this fellow appeared and defeated me. He refused to take my life and escaped the city with me captive!" Arthur snapped, trying to make Alfred sound like he was evil.
"Held you captive? You were practically crying for me to save you!" Alfred retorted. Grabbing his small wings, he started to aggravate the dragon-man in any way possible. Francis came back with a handful of strange medical goods, setting them on the table before pushing the two apart.
"I think I'll address Arthur's wounds first, since he's more hurt than he looks." Francis murmured, sitting the small blond down onto a chair and tugged on the cloth that was protectively wrapped around him. A slap to the face was returned, Arthur blushing like mad and babbling something in an ancient tongue that neither Francis nor Alfred could understand.
"The little brat might need some clothes first, don't you think?" Alfred snickered, crossing his arms and nudging Francis. Arthur growled at the two of them and pulled the cloth as tight as possible around him. France laughed and nodded, walking over to the back of the cottage and coming back with a small bundle. He handed the clothes to Arthur and led him to a bedroom to change. Once he returned, Alfred bombarded the Frenchman with questions.
"How did you escape the town? Why? How come you and the dragon know each other?" He inquired, staring at Francis with curiosity. Francis put his hands up to try and tell Alfred to slow down, but it failed. He slapped the young man's mouth gently and smiled apologetically.
"Well, it's a very long story, the whole thing. Arthur doesn't like to talk about it much, him being so caught up in his pride. Maybe when he sleeps tonight I can tell you my story, if you think you can sit through it." He said with a caring smile. As if on key, a scowling Arthur walked into the room wearing clothes that were way too big on him. There were two large holes, which were obviously ripped just now, to let his gold wings spread out behind him. A slight whimper could be heard from Francis as he noticed the holes.