N O N S E N S E V E R S E

by Antonia Stark-Bondevik

Denmark's jaw dropped, watching old memories of himself and a much younger Norway, who was only three in human years when he had been found by Denmark and Sweden. He was a very different person then, the boy in the memories shocked Iceland and Finland to the core. Norway was laughing. The Nordics explore a brave new world...Norway's mind. And discover who he really is...

5. In Which the Nordics Make an Ally

Chapter Five- In Which the Nordics Make an Ally

A Bengal Tiger skidded to a stop in front of the Nordic four, almost doglike. Iceland stood still, shocked, as it licked his hands and face. To Sweden and Finland, it gave their hands a few licks.

But the best was his reaction to Denmark. It jumped up, tackling Denmark to the ground with its claws sheathed. It began to happily lick his face and sat down on his stomach, and for the first time Iceland could read the note tied around its neck.

Brodre,

I don't have much time and my hands hurt as I write. This is Baldur. He represents my love. Here, in this portion of my mind, Animals are emotions. He'll guide you the rest of the way. Trust him.

Elsker, Norge.

The paper was torn, the handwriting was messy and specks of blood were evident. But the writing was definitely Norway's. Iceland handed the note to Finland, who read it aloud. Denmark looked up at the tiger.

"Baldur, huh? Nice name."

Baldur rumbled as if purring at the compliment.

Denmark stroked Baldur, until the tiger allowed him to sit up.

"Why would Norge hide him away?" Denmark asked. "He's beautiful."

Baldur looked soulfully up at the now-standing Dane. He pondered something for a minute, before dropping to the ground and rolling over on his back. The four Nordics gasped.

Ugly scars crisscrossed Baldur's stomach, burns and rips that looked like they had been sewn up in a great hurry. The tiger whimpered, begging forgiveness for sins that he had never committed. Sweden knelt, pushing back the fur on the tiger's sides to reveal similar scars, glossy fur covering them.

"Who did this?" Finland asked quietly. "Who did this to Norway?"

"We did," Denmark muttered regretfully. "WE did."

"Danmark-" Sweden began.

"HVAD?" Denmark snapped.

"TH'Y d'd n'thing," Sweden muttered. "W' d'd. Y' 'nd m'."

"Ja," Denmark quietly agreed. "We did."

Baldur rumbled, pawing at the air quietly. Finally, he rolled over and licked Denmark's hand. Sitting up, he looked first at Denmark, then at Sweden. A dry wind gusted around them, carrying a voice.

"Even though they still hurt, he allows you to touch them..."

Denmark jumped. "Norge?! Jeg er så ked af det! I didn't mean to hurt him...again..."

Baldur rumbled, laying back down. Finland looked up at the sky.

"It's getting dark. Do you know a place where we can stay? Baldur?"

The tiger nodded, leading the four Nordics to a tree. He sat at the foot of the tree, before springing up into the branches. Denmark snorted.

"What is this, The Hunger Games?"

Everyone glared at Denmark, and he quietened, because that possibility was almost all too real.

And, as they settled in for the night, they each hoped that it wasn't true.

A/N: Explanation of the username change.

I bet my friends I could go one day without RPing on Tumblr. I FAILED. I RP Norway, I'm fond of him (but not really in that way! /) and I'm part Swedish, so they made the leap to "Norway is Toni's wife."

And an animal OC! Baldur is the Norse god of light and love. Will I get shot for this? XP

Last night I meant to upload this but I kept getting 404 errors. Sorry. ;-;

Review away!

~Toni Stark(-Bondevik)