I would like to thank Aeschylus for the inspiration for this chapter. The Next chapter after this will be at Poland's house. I think I will also be introducing Belarus and/or Ukraine. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
"Estonia?"
The call flooded into Estonia's tired mind and raised him from him half sleep. Glancing up, he caught the eye of Latvia, who was standing by his bed, looking rather lonely and small.
"What is it?" Estonia mumbled.
"I can't sleep."
"Did you have a nightmare?"
"No, just can't sleep. They were talking in their room earlier, so I couldn't go to sleep, and now they have gone off, but I can't."
"Well," Estonia grumbled, "think of something nice, and keep on thinking of it, until your eyes fall shut."
This was one of Lithuania's favorite maxims, but Estonia did not mind borrowing it. He was too tired to think of something on his own.
"I can't…"
"Then don't bother me about it."
"Can't I sleep with you?"
"I thought you said you couldn't sleep."
"Yes, but if I lay here, maybe I would."
"Don't be silly. You'd just keep me awake."
"No. But if you don't let me stay, I will."
Estonia let out a heavy sigh.
"Fine, climb in."
With a squeal of triumph, Latvia pushed his way under the covers. His little feet were cold. Estonia could feel them against the side of his leg. Ugh, he thought and put some distance between their two bodies.
"Now," he told Latvia quite firmly, "you must be quiet."
Latvia started to squirm and worst of all giggle.
"Quiet," Estonia whispered, trying to demonstrate the meaning of the word.
"Do you really need to sleep tonight?"
"Yes, Latvia, I do."
A pause.
"I had a nightmare," Latvia whispered.
"You said before you didn't."
Latvia rolled away from him and then turned back over, stared into his eyes.
"Estonia, why do they fight?"
"Who?"
"Sweden, Poland..."
"Pent up feelings, dislike, opposing strong wills..." Estonia said in one short breath.
"You make it sound so far off."
"That's were I want to keep it. You shouldn't think too hard on these things. They can drive you mad."
"Really?"
"So, I've heard." Estonia turned his back on Latvia, hoping this would convey that the conversation had ended, but Latvia was never one to pick up on these things.
"Estonia, why did you do that?"
"What?" Estonia grumbled into his pillow.
"You know. Shield Finland like that."
Estonia lifted his head up. Stared on the patterns on wood on the wall. Latvia was breathing against his back.
"Because he was acting like a fool, and I wanted to keep him safe."
"Do you think he's upset with you?"
"Why would he be?"
"You know because…well, it was an insult to his pride."
"What are you talking about, Latvia?"
"Don't you think he can defend himself?"
"He wasn't trying to defend himself. He was trying to defend Sweden. He always tries doing things for Sweden…Sweden can take care of himself."
"And Finland can't?"
"He can't take care of himself and Sweden and us too, no."
"So, you have to take care of him?"
"Why are you being such a pain?"
"I don't know…I don't want you to get hurt."
"Well, don't worry your little head about it."
There was quite a long pause. Estonia hoped that meant Latvia had fallen asleep or at least give up talking to him. Then came the little voice again:
"Estonia?"
"Yes?"
"Do you love me?"
"Latvia…"
"Well?"
Estonia rolled over and pulled the boy into his arms. He ran his fingers through the boy's curls and kissed his soft, round cheek.
"Of course, I love you, silly. Now go to sleep."
"I can't…"
The next morning, they were late getting out of bed. In the kitchen, cold porridge was waiting for them, along with bread and cheese. There was no sign of either of Sweden or Finland. They ate their breakfast quickly before heading outside.
It had apparently rained some in the hours of the morning, for everything was moist and there were little puddles here and there. The smell of wet pine was thick in the air, and the sound of someone chopping wood came flooding in from the backyard.
They went out back and found Finland hacking away with an ax. Sweden was sitting on a nearby tree stump, carving small figures out of wood chips.
"Good morning," Estonia said.
"Good afternoon," Sweden said, "ya two slept late."
"I am sorry about that, Mr. Sweden," Estonia said with a bow of his head, "I am sure it won't happen again."
Sweden nodded.
"Here," he said. He held out the small figure he had been working on.
Estonia looked away. He wasn't a child, and he didn't need toys. Maybe, it was meant for Latvia. Latvia should take it. Latvia didn't it.
"Yours," Sweden said. He pressed it in Estonia's hand.
Estonia stared at the figure. A little person about the size of his middle finger, carefully carved with an oval shaped face, a shirt with a lace collar, a jacket, breaches, little shoes, and even tiny wood spectacles. It was him. A little him. So detailed, so particularly crafted.
"It's me," he said out loud.
"Ja," Sweden said. Picked up another little figure and gave it to Latvia. "That you."
Gingerly, Latvia took the little wooden toy. This one looked like him.
"They are very nice," Estonia said, bowing, "we are honored by your gifts."
"It nothing," Sweden said. Estonia could swear he saw him smile, if but for a brief moment.
"M'turn," Sweden said turning to Finland. After chopping one last log, Finland surrendered the ax with smile, wiped the sweat from his brow, turned to the boys. He looked calm, sane, happy. Like Finland should look. Not like yesterday, when he was threatening to tear out Lithuania's heart and liver.
"How about," Finland was saying, "I have a drink, and then we can go to the woods and pick mushrooms?"
Sweden's ears seemed to prick up.
"Ya won't go far will you?"
"Of course not," Finland said, offering him one of his most reassuring smiles, "just the woods around here."
"Not sure if there any," Sweden said, "it so cold."
"Well, we'll see," Finland said with a small shake of his blond head. He walked towards the house, though he looked quickly back over his shoulder before going in. Estonia saw a flame live and die in Sweden's eyes. He followed Finland into the house.
Well review and tell me what you think.