Fun fact: When I got around to converting this chapter a la Hetalia style my reaction was '...Wat, I don't remember any of this.' -laughs- And the ending bit is technically a part of something that did happen in the original story, I just moved it from its chapter and expanded upon it.

With a heavy heart at his lost time and perhaps a touch of sympathy for Francis, who had truly treated him very well, Matthew took up his journey once more. He traveled far with clothes hardly proper for that time of the year. But he did not come upon another person in all the time he walked. His meals consisted of what he could scrounge up and his bed was any dry place he could tuck into at night. It was truly miserable and his sorrow only increased.

And all too soon winter appeared once more, making a bitter traveling companion.

One day Matthew sat to rest upon a log, shivering in the cold. Suddenly there was a rustling in the bush across from him. Eyes wide, he watched the spot as a young man emerged. The youth appeared a bit older than himself, an odd curl of his light brown hair sticking out at an odd angle that reminded him a bit of Alfred's stubborn cowlick.

The young man appeared badly frightened when he first spotted Matthew then seemed to determine after looking at him for some time that he was not a threat. "Ve...Good day."

He spoke plainly and deliberately and had just a touch of an accent Matthew was unfamiliar with. But he looked very friendly so he responded in kind, "Good day."

The man looked at him worriedly. "Are you cold? What are you doing way out here by yourself? It's very dangerous! Something bad could happen..."

Sighing softly, Matthew told him his story through chattering teeth, for the man was the first person he had seen in a very long time and he hoped terribly to find some luck in locating Alfred.

When he asked if the young man had seen Alfred he nodded a bit uncertainly after a pause. "Well... I might have seen him..."

"No! Have you really?" Matthew couldn't believe his luck and for a moment it was as if the cold had melted all away. He was so overjoyed he embraced the young man, squeezing him nearly to death with joy.

"A-ah! Please be gentle! Um... I only think it might be your Alfred. And if so I'm afraid he must have forgotten about you for the princess..." The young man winced. "Please don't hit me, I'm sorry!"

Matthew had no intention whatsoever of hitting the poor man even if his words did sting a bit. "He lives with a princess?"

"Ve, yes if it is the right man. Um... do you happen to know the Italian language so that I can explain it better? It is very difficult for me to speak your language even though I try very hard..."

"No, I'm afraid I don't," Matthew said. "There is a man in my hometown who knows it and sometimes spoke it to us but I didn't ever learn even a word of it."

The young man shook his head. "That is okay, really. I will explain it as best as I can, promise. Though it will be badly done I will try my hardest!"

Matthew smiled at him kindly. "And I am grateful for that much, honest."

These kind words brought a gentle smile to the young man's face. "Thank you... My name is Feliciano. You can call me Feli if you want. I'll tell you what I heard. In the kingdom we are in right now there lives a princess. She's really, really clever and has read newspapers from all around the world, and forgotten all about them too, though she is so clever. Not too long ago she was sitting on her throne and began to sing a song that began with the words 'Why should I not be married?'"

Feliciano paused. "An odd song don't you think? Anyway, let's see... So then she said 'Why not indeed?' She became determined to find and marry a man who knew what to say when spoken to, and speak well. She wanted someone who could do more than just look grand, for that is apparently tiresome to someone who grew up surrounded by such people. Oh, and um, I know all this because I have a sweetheart who works in the palace. His name is Ludwig and he is one of Princess Elizabeta's personal guards. So you can trust my information!"

Matthew nodded. He would not have doubted Feliciano anyway as he had such an earnest face and eagerness to please. Feliciano continued. "They sent out notices immediately into all the newspapers to different countries. It had a border of hearts and the initials of the princess. Isn't that cute? They alerted the people that every young man who was handsome could visit the castle and speak to the princess no matter what his background was. The one who could woo the princess best with the way he spoke would be chosen as her husband.

"So many people came! It was really scary and I got knocked over a lot... Um, it was very chaotic the first two days or so... And no one did very well. Once they got inside the castle they seemed to become tongue tied. Ludwig told me about it. He said it was like they had lost all sense and wit the moment they entered the castle. And that as soon as they found themselves in the throne room all they could do was repeat the last word the princess had said and could not recover their speech until they left the palace. She got very weary hearing her own words repeated back to her."

Feliciano paused for it was a very long story to tell and he was quite cold. He felt doubly sorry for poor Matthew who did not even have a proper coat. And despite being so cold Matthew did not once urge him to hurry his story. "The line was very long and went from the town-gate to the palace. They were very hungry and thirsty. They were offered nothing inside the palace, not even a glass of water. Some of them had bought bread but refused to share it. Personally I couldn't do that. I love my pasta too much and I hate being hungry."

Hungry... When was the last time Matthew had eaten a decent meal? He shook the thought away. "And Alfred? What of him? Was he in the crowd?"

"Um... Just give me a second, I'm getting to him. On the third day came a young man who was supposed to be very attractive but dressed in very poor clothes and carried a strange case."

"That must be Alfred!" Surely the case was a pack he had taken with him when he ran away, though Arthur had never mentioned that anything was missing.

"Ve, I don't know about that but I heard from my sweetheart that he went through the gates, but when he saw all the finery he wasn't embarrassed at all. Ludwig said the young man wasn't self-conscious and seemed very confident in himself, not seeming to notice anything amiss with his appearance in his surroundings."

"That sounds just like Alfred! He's very bold and wouldn't be the least bit intimidated by such things," Matthew said.

Feliciano tilted his head. "He must be bold for he walked right up to the princess herself, and just about all the court was present. It was supposed to be very crowded. But he paid them no mind. He only had eyes for the princess."

Matthew listened anxiously. "And did he win her over?"

"You know... I would have married her myself if I wasn't so timid... She is very lovely and quite kind. But I am engaged to Ludwig so I guess it's alright. I wouldn't want to make him sad. Anyway, the man spoke as beautifully as I do when I am speaking Italian, so I heard from my Ludwig. He was a bit awkward but was apparently very polite and agreeable and said he had not come to woo the princess, but to hear her wisdom. They were quite pleased with one another. And then he spoke to her in another special way but I can't remember what it was anymore. I'm sorry. But they say at that the princess's heart was completely won over."

Matthew found he was a bit glum at the news. While he was happy to have possibly found Alfred he had not expected to have found him wed. "I see... That sounds like Alfred. He can be so very charming and clever. And I'm sure that special way of speaking had to do with how he started talking the summer before last. Many were impressed by his observations of people."

Though he had often used it to mock others, including Matthew. But the past was the past. No time to dwell on that. "Please, can you take me to the palace so that I may see him?"

Feliciano took Matthew's cold hand in his. "Come on, we'll go talk to Ludwig. Hopefully he can give us advice on how to get you into the palace. If anyone can do it it's him!"

"Oh not to worry, when Alfred hears I've arrived surely he'll let me in." At least Matthew hoped he would...

Smiling encouragingly, Feliciano took Matthew to the palace, which was quite beautiful even from the outside. "Wait here and I'll be back soon, I promise."

Matthew waited diligently, never once straying from the spot even as the minutes crawled to hours. It was evening when Feliciano returned. "Ve! I am so sorry it took so long Matthew! Ludwig sent this roll from the kitchen. He thinks you must be terribly hungry. He says you will not be allowed in through the front entrance. There are those who will not allow it. But don't you worry! My sweetheart knows a back staircase that leads to the sleeping apartments and he can get his hands on the key."

They cut through a large garden, Matthew gratefully eating the roll. The lights in the palace were being put out one by one. Feliciano took Matthew to the back door, which stood open. As Matthew began to climb the stairs his heart beat wildly with anxiety and longing. He could almost imagine Alfred smiling at him as he once had when they sat together among the roses. Surely he would be happy to see him, especially after he heard what a long way he had traveled for his sake and how sorrowful everyone at home was because he had left the way he had. But what would he do if Alfred was cruel to him? The thought terrified him so much he could not dwell on it.

Once they reached the top Matthew nearly ran right into a tall, muscular man with cold blue eyes and blond hair that had been slicked back. Matthew quickly bowed his head, wondering if this severe man was really the cute Feli's sweetheart.

Ludwig spoke. "Feliciano has spoken very highly of you and told me your story, of which I sympathize. He also begged quite profusely. It is for these reasons alone that I am bending the rules and assisting you. Take the lamp and I will walk ahead of you. If we go this way no one should see us."

Following Ludwig with Feliciano tagging close behind, it felt as if something was looming behind them. The shadows cast by the lamp only served to make him more nervous as they made bizarre shapes and images.

Feliciano put a hand lightly on his shoulder. "Do not fear the shadows. They are dreams. There is more to fear if we get caught."

Ludwig turned his head momentarily. "Then hold your tongue and perhaps we shall not run the risk."

Feliciano showed proper remorse for speaking and was silent the rest of the way. They came to the first hall and it was truly spectacular. The walls were covered with rose-colored satin with pretty flowers embroidered into the material. This was to be the first of many and each hall was more majestic than the last.

Eventually they reached a door, pausing outside of it. Matthew turned his head, listening carefully. He could hear music... faint and very beautiful. It was such a sweet sound it made his heart ache. Ludwig paused and indicated with a nod of the head that this was Princess Elizabeta's room. Hands trembling with anticipation, Matthew opened the door as the other two stepped back.

The sweet music spilled through the door, enveloping them. Matthew took a hesitant step inside. The ceiling was very high up and made of the most costly colored crystal one could find. Matthew took a few more steps into the room. A gauzy material hung around the center of the room. It was sheer enough to reveal two silhouettes behind it. One was the elegant profile of a lady, surely the princess. The other was a man's figure, tall and slender just like Alfred. It even had a cowlick like that of his dear Alfred. It simply had to be him! Though he seemed to be the one playing that enchanting song on an instrument. Alfred hadn't even owned anything like that... But then again some time had passed. Perhaps he had learned it.

Licking his lips nervously he called out in a hitching voice, "A-Alfred!"

The music abruptly stopped and the two figures turned towards him. The princess stood and pushed past the curtains. She was very lovely with a kindly face. Her eyes alighted on Matthew with curiosity rather than fear or anger. "My dear boy, whatever is the matter? Why are you here?"

Matthew opened his mouth to speak when the second silhouette stepped from behind the curtain. It was not Alfred at all! Though he was an attractive man he did not resemble him in the least now that he had stepped out where Matthew could see him. The shock was so great that Matthew wept. How sure he had been that he had finally found Alfred!

Princess Elizabeta put her arm around his shoulders. "Please tell me what the matter is!"

And so he told them his story and what Feliciano and Ludwig had done to help him, begging them not to punish the two for their actions.

"Poor thing," said the prince and princess. They reassured him and soothed his tears. Then they called Ludwig and Feliciano forward, praising them for their actions though they were not to let it happen again. But this time they would be rewarded for it.

"Would both of you wish to be raised to a high position in my court?" the princess offered. The two bowed low and accepted it, thinking it best for their future.

The prince turned to his gracious bride, "Shall we give him the bed tonight?"

Princess Elizabeta nodded. "Yes Roderich dear, that is perfectly alright with me.

And so the prince gestured for Matthew to take the bed, insisting despite his protests. As he lay down Prince Roderich raised his instrument and began to play a beautiful melody. This was the 'second way of speaking' that Feliciano had heard of, for when Roderich raised his bow and played for Princess Elizabeta her heart, already swayed by his words, was thoroughly captured.

Matthew's eyes closed slowly and he began to drift off, thinking, "Everyone is so very good to me. I am truly lucky."

His sleep was deep and filled with lovely dreams. One was of his Alfred, so far away. The snow was so thick at Matthew's feet that he could not reach him and the other would not stop no matter how much he called out to him. It melted away as soon as he awoke. After all it was merely a dream.

That morning Matthew was greeted by the prince and princess, who spoke very kindly to him. They had him dressed in silk and velvet from head to foot. He was invited to stay at the palace for a few days, as long as he pleased, to rest but he kindly refused. All he asked for was a pair of boots, a carriage, and a horse strong enough to pull it so that he could more easily search for Alfred. The prince and princess wished to give him more but he refused all other gifts except a single pair of gloves to keep his hands warm.

When he was prepared to depart he was taken aback by the sight of a coach made of pure gold, the coat-of-arms of the prince and princess like a dazzling star upon it. There was even a coachman, footman, and outriders, all of whom had a small gold crown. The sight was overwhelming for Matthew and if not for his need of it he never would have accepted such a lavish gift. The royal couple helped Matthew into the coach, giving him warm wishes of luck and words of encouragement.

Feliciano and Ludwig also came to wish him farewell, Feli hugging him tightly and crying. Their kindness was overwhelming and Matthew found himself weeping once more.

"Farewell, farewell, may you find what you are searching for," cried the party as they saw him off.

Prince Roderich began to play his violin, a somewhat melancholy tune. Matthew leaned out the window and waved until they were too far away to see. And so he finally ducked back into the coach that glittered in the sunlight like fresh hope, the sound of faint music lingering in the air.

~.

At the same time Matthew left the palace in his golden coach, the Snow King and Alfred had retired to the Winter Palace. The Snow King lead Alfred through its halls, showing him its magnificence. The walls were in some places made of solid snow, in others of thick ice so clear one could see across their width as if there were nothing there but a slight distortion. Every room, hall, and icicle was lit by vivid light of the aurora which danced across everything, turning it into a kaleidoscope of color. The entire palace sparkled majestically, a vast, empty thing of cold perfection.

All of these sights bedazzled Alfred, for in his corrupted eyes there was not a single flaw. No place could compare to its beauty. The Snow King brought him at last to his favorite room, which stood in the midst of the dizzying maze of hallways. It was a wide open space, below their feet a frozen lake, surface broken into a thousand shapes. Each piece resembled another, each one as perfect individually as a work of art. In the very middle of the room stood a tall throne of ice that looked like stone. This was where he tended to spend most of his time when he was in his home.

The Snow King held out a hand and gestured to the room. "This is 'The Mirror of Reason'. It is not only the best but only of its kind in the world. This is your home now, when you are not traveling with me. I am sure you will be happy here."

Alfred could have spent eternities looking at the surface of the lake alone. The idea of living in such a place was a dream come true. "Yes..."

"One other thing. I have a gift for you." The Snow King raised his hand and the winds blew bitterly. A moment later there appeared on the ground sharp, flat pieces of ice. "It is a puzzle, similar to what some call a 'Chinese Puzzle'. You can form various figures and words with them. The ultimate objective is to make the word 'Eternity' though there are many, many possible combinations."

The Snow King's arms slid around Alfred's waist, pulling him back against him. "Does it please you?"

"Very much," Alfred immediately responded, for he liked such things. They were a fun challenge, though he was not particularly good at them most of the time. "Thank you."

The Snow King placed his lips against Alfred's ear and as he spoke it was as if a frosty wind blew against it. If he could feel cold any longer it would have left him shivering violently. "If you ever solve this puzzle then you shall be your very own master and I will give you all the power in the world. But until that day you belong to me and must stay with me." With these words the Snow King lightly caressed his cheek. "We shall stay here for a time. Entertain yourself my dear one to your heart's content. The answer will never be yours."

The arms fell away and the Snow King sat on his throne, watching intently as Alfred knelt on the ground, moving the pieces around. Thoughts of power and freedom did not fuel his actions, merely a desire to prove his cleverness to the Snow King. Who could wish to leave such a wonderland as the Winter Palace? And so King and companion idly spent away the hours in the silent beauty, and not a single heart was beating.

AN: Feliciano and Ludwig's characters were crows in the actual story~