DAY 6

The meeting had continued as normal when Germany returned. He had decided not to mention the disappearance of the two British countries publicly yet as it could be a simple misunderstanding. Just in case though he had told Wales.

The next day and they were still missing. Though Wales appeared unconcerned…

In the Fairy World though, after the brothers had been escorted to a court room where England had been accused of stealing the handcuffs. However before the trial officially started, Scotland requested 24 hours to prepare a defence.

After some long bartering, Gyre Carlin finally agreed in exchange that they both stay in Fairy World, confined to their room, until the end of the trial.

It was an inconvenience and potentially dangerous.

At this moment in time though, Scotland was gently twisting one of the small silver links on the chain connecting the hand cuffs between two slim fingers. He was staring off absently into the air, leaning on his palm, his elbows resting on a table.

It was a complete one-eighty from his earlier angrier mood.

The table he was leaning on was a unique thing. Since any form of iron was banned in Fairy World because of its poisonous effect on the fae, it was made by slotting wood together so it supported itself. On the table, apart from Scotland's elbows was a long scroll rolled out the entire length of the table, with one side over the edge of the table and along the floor.

England also sat at the table, on his left, sharing the bench that was actually made of several small trees twisting together. Unlike his unusually calm older brother, England was frantically darting over the scroll, trying to understand the strange language on it.

It didn't make sense at all.

He couldn't even understand the shapes or find any sort of pattern that even indicated that he was in fact reading a real language, not just gibberish-like doodles.

He was panicking.

A trial that could decide his fate was in a matter of minutes. His brother was being useless. Basically after asking for time to make a defence and a copy of the fae laws, he just lost all motivation. He lazed around, watching the blonde throw himself desperately into the scroll, trying to decipher it.

He had asked earlier if Scotland was going to defend himself, if not the blond, at least and he replied rather snappily, "I dinnae take tha handcuffs so I git meh defence. Plus I wasnae tha one that was accused."

Finally the blonde dropped his head on the desk.

"It's useless! I don't understand the stupid writing here!" He leaned on his arms in defeat.

"Tha's pathetic…" England turned his head to look up at the red head was looking down at him blankly. England just sighed slightly. "Yer reading tha wrong part tae..."

"I don't understand Gaelic." He said huffily.

"That's gud… 'cause this annae Gaelic."

"What?"

"It's the ancient language of the fairies and pixies." The perplexed face demanded a more detailed answer.

"Pictish, ye eejit."

"What?"

Scotland rolled his eyes and said something in a strange language before translating it into English for England.

"Those who wish war cannot make war unless commanded by the Queen. Only the royal of blood and position can call for battle and arm their forces. If those who are called for battle but do not wish war shall not refuse if they have sworn fealty as it is in the oath. For those who had not sworn such an allegiance, they are free to act as they wish in the right of the solitary fae. This does not include the daily bloodshed, conflicts and chaos for the needs of the darker fae."

England stared at the paper.

"Is that what this says?" He asked in amazement.

"Aye. Yer tha first English man ta hear tha language in ova a 1000 years." England blinked at the scroll as if trying to see the words that Scotland had spoken.

"Is that a law? What does it mean?"

"Only Queen Carlin Gyre and Queen Maeve canne start an official war between the courts. If yer in one court, yer forced tah take part in tha war oor die. Solitary fairies can refuse tha royalty withoot an official punishment but I dinnae recommend it…. If a Queen doesnae get her way, she usually jus' kills tha fairy responsible. Solitary fairies dinnae belong ta anae court so can be killed oor harmed freely withoot consequences. That's why only tha strongest fairies can even think aboot being solitary and most only remain so fer a short time… Some fairies need blood ta survive so wee fights are allowed… and sometimes encouraged…."

By the end of his detailed description, he was staring at the ceiling again.

"Huh." He said in surprise. "Why would there be a war?"

"The wee-er beings are like pawns. The Queens dinnae mind whit happen tae them so minor fights are allowed ta sustain certain creatures and power balances. However if a higher or beloved person was taken oor purposely harmed oor killed then a war might start. Fairies are highly possessive of their possessions."

"Higher or beloved…" It wasn't a question but Scotland answered anyway.

"Aye…. Like ye…"

Now that caught England completely off guard.

"What?"

Scotland looked bemused. "Yer part of tha Seelie court. Ye cannae remember swearing fealty?"

England nodded. "Of course I can! But I'm not a fae."

"I neva sed it had ta be a fairy to be taken to start a war. Ye, Wales, Ireland and North Ireland are Britannia's children and automatically placed on high authority within tha Seelie court." Scotland smirked. "Jus' be carefully nae ta git beaten up by some Unseelie court fae and start some stupid war." He added teasingly.

England rolled his eyes and decided to change the discussion back to the trial.

"Where is the part about theft?" Scotland shrugged.

"There are a lotta laws and the scroll is long and many of the laws ainnae actually written down. Unlike humans who can change their laws freely ta match the time and people, the laws of tha fae are ingrained into their very being. They physically cannot change any law. They usually ken most of the rules off tha top of their head. They are only written down for record and it's in Pictish to stop others from learning their weaknesses and strengths."

England sighed huffily again. "Can you read it and find out."

"Aye but dinnae want tae." England glared moodily at him. "Fine… I'll call Wales then…" Scotland snorted.

"Only two non-fae beings know Pictish including meh and tha otha one isnae Wales."

"Who then?"

England needed help and he was desperate enough to ask anyone. A punishment from the fairies would be lethal, painful and last a long time even for him. Their punishments were designed for immortals after all, because of their long lives.

"Eithne." It took a moment for England to register the name.

"Your bloody bird?" England screeched a little before calming down and bringing his voice back under control.

"Aye."

"She's a fucking dove! She can't help me!"

"Plus she cannae speak English…"

"She's still a bird!"

"Not always…" Scotland replied quietly. His bright green eyes were unfocused as he stared into his own past, presumably his shared one with Eithne.

England stopped and stared at his brother a long time before whispering in return. "I'm sorry…" He whispered in return.

"Nee yer fault." England had only witnessed a small moment of their united past during his pirating years when he discovered the immortal dove's origin.

(A/N – This isn't the end but this is kinda important so I'm pausing the story to say this.

I know that this is horribly teasing, saying that there is a sub-plot to the bird but not telling it. I will post a story of Eithne's origin.

Now some of you may be wondering 'Why the hell did you give Scotland's white messenger bird a back ground story?'

The answer is simple. Cause Scotland past is too damn happy. *Sarcasm*

I'm kidding. I have made his past horrible enough without this tragic little story.

(I still have to write about Rome and Ancient Saxony and how Britannia died and what her last wish was from story 1 etc. too… Sorry Iain – I'm a sucker for heart breaking back grounds plus it would explain your bad attitude at times. And sorry readers – my 'to be written' list is getting longer and longer and I have minor writer's block. Thanks for being patient with me.)

The main reason why is because it is Scotland's only mention in the anime. Anyway, since the bird had the privilege to represent Scotland in the anime, I think it deserves a story better than just being a boring white bird. That bird is basically Scotland in the anime so it gets a cool but very sad back ground story.

If you disagree, tough. I'm Scottish so I don't really care if you think it's stupid. Deal with it. Now some of you may be asking 'Why not tell us the story now?' I have thought of it but it is a little long and very sad so I think it also deserves sometime better than a brief recap in this story. It WILL be in the pirate story or this fantasy/horror that I WILL write soon-ish. Be patient please.

Now back to the story.)

"Dinnae worry…" He blinked himself out of his day dream. "I'll figure something oot. I wonnae let ye git punished."

He sounded confident and England felt strangely comforted. The blonde smiled at his brother. It felt odd but he liked it. He ran his hand over the bumpy wooden which felt like fine silk, peering at the strange scroll again.

"So what is your ide~"

The door opened suddenly, reveal the Queen plus her several hand-picked maidens to follow her every command and weigh on her every need. Today she was appearing in her secondary form of an ugly, big ogress, except she wore fine clothes.

She guided to a stop before the table and Scotland stood, tugging England messily to his feet just behind him.

The table and chair sunk into the ground along with the scroll just as a massive throne that appeared made of smooth glinting gold raised up. There were several pillows placed on the rare metal to make it comfortable to sit on. She sat down with ease, moving like a goddess while looking like a monster and stared at the two British men.

The women began to make sure she was comfortable – one held a drink, three of them held three platters of different and unique foods, two lingered on either side ready to fulfil any order. They were all ready to serve.

After a while, she turned to England expectantly who suddenly realised that he was lacking his manners presently in front of his court's queen. (A/N – His first and foremost loyalty goes to Queen Elizabeth. Queen Gyre Carlin comes second but he would never say this.) He bowed very low hastily.

"My Queen." He kept his head down, waiting for the order to rise again.

"You may raise your head, England." She said blankly. She turned to the red head now. Scotland bowed from the waist in a Victorian like manner.

"Queen Gyre Carlin." He stated formally but behind his ceremonial tone, there was a slightly friendly, playful and personal tone. It seemed mocking that he had addressed her so teasingly, despite the bow. He straightened his back, smirking.

The Queen smiled slightly looking slightly bemused and irritated.

"Quit with the formalities Scotland. Your false bow is unwanted." She said absently.

"I was only being polite. If you would like, I would gladly bow again fer yer entertainment." He said, this time being openly cheeky. She glared at him before laughing it off. It sounded tense.

"You remind me so very much of your mother – stubborn, head strong and gutsy."

"I'll take tha' as a compliment."

"As you wish."

England stared in amazement. His brother was conversing with the fairy queen of the Seelie court freely. The most powerful fairy who was known for her cold, demeaning personality and her intolerance of disrespect and was conducting his trial.

And his brother had made her the butt of his joke…

lovely…

At least she didn't decide to kill him.

Or England.

Yet.

He knew if it had been anyone else, they would have been killed for being disrespectful to the Queen. But why was Scotland spared, he wondered. Her expression hardened again.

"To business. England you have been accused of theft of a pair of specially hand crafted hand cuffs designed and made for Queen Gyre Carlin. How do you plead?"

"Objection."

Queen Gyre Carlin, England and the half a dozen maidens turned to the speaker. The queen kept her cool, constant face but there was a slight tension in her powerful aura. The defiant man continued.

"Both me brother and meh haff nae memory. It's unfair."

"Hmmm… You are right… We will just have to see the events for ourselves then." She snapped her fingers and a mirror grew from the ground.

It showed an image.

It was his house. It was dark. It was night and a small winged man was carrying a pair of handcuffs. It was Gofannon, the black smith who made them.

Seconds later, England stumbled into his house drunk and with France and the fairy flew off in fear, dropping the silver handcuffs.

The blonde's eyes widened and he turned a deep crimson as he saw himself disgrace himself openly by screaming strange things.

"Scotland? Is this…"

"It's whit happened one week agah befoore we git handcuffed."

"That would explain why Gofannon knew that we had them… He had left them there by accident."

"Aye. He must haff known where they were. They were probably never stolen or lost."

The Queen had a blank expression as the image continued.

France suddenly pushed England up against the wall. There was some frantic kissing before a before Scotland appeared in jeans, t-shirt and wearing shoes and socks. He yanked France back from the wall and gave him a punch to the stomach.

England crumpled to the ground in a drunken mess. Scotland was threatening France when suddenly England sat up and clipped the hand cuff onto Scotland's left hand. The red head looked down in surprise as England pulled himself to his feet, clipping the other hand cuff to his right hand.

He yelled something at the blonde who yelled something back. England suddenly pushed Scotland back. The red head barely regained his balance but the blonde continued forward as he lost his balance, knocking Scotland back again. The two fell together, Scotland hitting his head on a table. The two became still.

France however panicked openly. He tore off Scotland t-shirt and tried using it to stop the freely bleeding head wound. It was soon useless. France suddenly headed for the door, obviously fearing that his friend might wake up soon and he would get hit more. He grabbed the hand cuff key, the bloody t-shirt and stole Scotland's shoes and socks before running off.

The two men stared at it with open mouths.

"Fuckin'~"

"~hell…."

The image ended suddenly. The queen pondered a little before nodding her head.

"I have found my verdict. England is declared innocent as the item in question was never stolen. It was the foolishness of the owner and a lie that led to this situation. He is the one at fault and will be punished accordingly."

"Are you really going to punish him, my queen?" England asked, politely of course.

"Yes. I do not accept liars in my court, son of Britannia."

England wanted to disagree badly. He tried to hold back against his fairy queen. "B-But…"

Scotland leaned down and whispered quickly. "He sed tah us that he had lost it a few hundred years agah. He sed that 'cause he was scared that he would be blamed and he was correct. He still lied which is an offense fer fae." England still looked worried. "Dinnae worry. He's one of tha fae's best blacksmiths. She cannae break his body or spirit without risking losing a valuble asset. He will be forced ta dee a task like made a 100 magical swords or something along those lines."

England nodded stiffly. He felt a little better but he still worried. The Welsh black smith seemed proud and arrogant but also kind.

Despite reigning over the good court, the queen could still be very cruel and his punishment might not be light.

"The trial is over. You are free to go England. However… Scotland I wish for you to stay."

"Nee thanks."

"It wasn't an offer."

"I though sa. Yer real sleekit."

She smiled. "If I wasn't I wouldn't have charmed so many men or be a fae queen."

"You can't just take my brother, my queen."

"Actually she canne."

"Solitary beings have little rights and no protection. They are free to all to be picked off or picked up if one wishes."

"The freedom in return is much betta if ye ask meh. And ye ken meh, I always chose total freedom if I canne."

"You are a solitary?" Scotland nodded before grinning widely.

"Aye. Free tah come and leave as I will." Scotland faced the queen confidently, no longer bothering to be polite or gracious. The ogress's eyes widened slightly. "Well cheers. Trial's ova and I need ta beat up a French mannie."

"GRAB HIM!" She yelled in command.

The females ran towards Scotland. He suddenly pulled England towards him, holding the blonde to his chest tightly. England opened his mouth to protest, blushing heavily, but had nothing to say. He felt the air around him suddenly buzz with energy. He saw a bright light and he soon realised it was being emitted from Scotland.

"Ta." He half turned his head to his fairy queen, to see her fade away to be replaced by a window.

"We are back where we started?" England said surprised. Scotland released him like hot lead when he spoke.

"What day is it?"

"Date?"

"Sometimes time is a tad tricky in tha faery world. The date might be slightly different oor it might not." England found a desk calendar on the table.

"It's the morning of last day of the meeting."

"Gud."

Scotland sounded tired but also angry and ready to fight. That anger at France he had hidden in front of the Queen was now out in the open. It was the same with England.

"France still has that key. He's gonnae pay fer leaving us like this!"

"For once, I completely agree with you!"

"Truce?"

"Truce!"

(A/N - The brothers are finally working together! It only took one week of being handcuffed together, several fights and bouts of revenge, one fairy 'kidnapping', a trial for theft, a daring escape, some magic and a final dramatic truth revealed. Not too much then… *sarcasm*

A reminder of who Gyre Carlin is.

Gyre Carlin is the queen of all the fairies in Scotland. Apparently she is like a giant ogress or a hag. She can appear as a beautiful person though. Her name means 'greedy old woman' and she can quite cruel and demeaning when provoked. She is also meant to be sly and cunning and able to charm men (human or mythical) to do her bidding. She is powerful and rules over fairies, elfs, nymphs, witches, sorceresses who ride behind her when she goes riding around the Highlands. She rides around alot on magical steeds. She is indifferent to All Hallows Eve (Halloween) and doesn't fear the evil spirits. She is sometimes thought as the mother witch.

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