Here again! Ready for the next chapter! Here you go!

Additional Characters

Matthias – Denmark

Emil – Iceland

Enjoy!

I do not own Hetalia!

Chapter 3 : Twins and Trolls

King Matthias greeted his people as he moved through the camp, heading for his tent. They finally had their first lead when one of his patrols came across the Dutch boy and his sister. The children were now installed in his tent, guarded by two of his best. He passed them with a nod as he entered his tent.

The boy, Lars, was sat on the bed while the girl, Emma, was sat in a chair, the remains of the meal that had been brought to them on the table. They looked up as he came in.

"I see your needs have been seen to," Matthias said. "Do you need anything else?" Emma shook her head. Lars looked up.

"When can we leave?" he asked. Matthias frowned.

"You're free to go any time you choose but where would you go?" he replied. "You've no money, no food, no plan. From what you've told us, there's something in the woods that was chasing you and the people who were suppose to care for you sent your sister to it. They probably won't want that story spread about so they'll have people looking for you. You can leave if you wish but I think you might be safer if you stay here."

"I think he's right, Lars," Emma said. She had been scared when the trolls had first found them. They had both heard the stories about trolls but the last few days had proved that a lot, if not all of the stories were false. The trolls took them to the safety of their camp, fed them and gave them a place to sleep. The only thing they seem to want in return was for them to tell them what happened in the woods.

"What's in the woods?" she asked, quietly. "What was chasing us?"

"We don't know for sure," Matthias replied. "But we think it might …..."

Suddenly there was a commotion outside and the sound of battle. Matthias indicated to Lars and Emma to stay in the tent while he grabbed his huge axe and left the tent while Emma joined her brother on the bed who hugged her protectively.

"Safer here, huh!"

Trolls had their own magic which was good for them as they could erect shields to protect themselves from the dragon-fire coming from the huge white dragon that had suddenly appeared. It was fifteen feet high with green eyes. The wings stretched ten feet on either side and its tail lashed from side to side. Beside the dragon was a Fae, dressed in blue, with blonde hair and a curl that seemed to float independently of the rest of the hair who was shooting spells left and right as the trolls ran to avoid the spells and confront their attackers.

Matthias transformed. He gained height and mass. His features became heavy and he grew fur. Tusks grew up from his lower jaw and even his axe seemed to grow with a viciously curved blade as he ran to join his people in battle, not noticing another Fae, dressed in red and miniaturised, flying from branch to branch, toward the Royal Tent.

Lukas threw a spell at the huge troll with the big axe, bounding toward him but the troll lifted the axe and deflected the spell with the flat of the blade. Lukas ducked as the axe was swung at his head and both Fae and Troll turned to face each other.

"Give us the children, Troll," Lukas demanded. Matthias curled his troll lip at the Fae who spoke with a Norwegian accent.

"Why do you want them, Norge?" he sneered at his opponent. "Those children stay! They're not leaving my custody!" And he gripped his axe, threateningly.

"We'll see about that!" Lukas replied with determination as he raised his wand.

Vladimir was close to the tent containing the children now. Only the guards stood in his way, who were ready to fight as the battle raged around them, should it get close to the brother and sister they were charged with protecting. Vladimir hit them with spells that rendered them unconscious and his path to the children was clear.

He flew into the tent and regained his full size which gave a shock to the brother and sister. Lars pushed Emma behind him as he brandished a dagger he had found in Matthias's weapon trunk at the intruder. Vladimir held up his hands in a gesture of non-aggression.

"It's all right," he said, calmly. "We're friends. We're here to rescue you." Lars and Emma looked confused.

"From what?" Lars asked. It was Vladimir's turn to look confused. From what!

"The trolls, of course," he replied as if it was obvious. Emma gave a cry of surprise.

"King Matthias and his people!" she said. "Why would we need rescuing from them? They helped us!" Then she jumped as a boom sounded when a dragon-fireball hit the ground near by.

"You're not being held prisoner!" Vladimir got the uncomfortable feeling that they might have leapt to conclusions.

"No!" Lars replied. "We ran into them when we escaped the woods. King Matthias has been taking care of us since then." The sounds of battle intensified outside. Between two sides that did not need to fight.

"LUKAS! ALEKS!" Vladimir cried out as he ran out of the tent, followed by Lars and Emma.

The Troll and the Fae circled each other, looking for an opening to attack. Lukas hoped that Vladimir had got to the children and freed them while he and Aleksander kept the trolls busy. As much as he hated to admit it, they were a tough bunch.

Matthias sized up his opponent. Why did this Fae want the brother and sister? Dark Fae used to take children but they were banished long ago by the Royal Family of the Russias to the Shadow World where they could no longer cause harm and this Fae did not match the descriptions of what those Fae had looked like (the Dark Fae did not have wings). This was before Princess Natalya of Belarus turned to the dark side herself.

So why did this Fae want Lars and Emma?

Matthias dodged another spell sent in his direction and held his massive axe over his head and threw it at Lukas. Lukas shot into the air, avoiding it. The axe hit a tree and, with a creak, it crashed to the ground. Unfortunately it crashed down on top of Aleks and the white dragon became pinned under the trunk. Matthias held out his hand and the axe flew back into it.

"You're quick, Norge," Matthias admitted. "I'll give you that. But the boy and girl stay with me!"

"I won't allow that, Troll" Lukas replied as he landed to protect his fallen brother-in-arms as the other trolls began to move toward the downed dragon. Lukas raised his wand and Matthias raised his axe to strike at each other again.

"STOP!"

Greta took Arthur and Francis around the orphanage, the children peeking out of their rooms to see the two strangers and hoping they would be the one that these people might adopt and take them away from this place with the undefinable threat hanging over it. Greta was trying to think of ways to put these two off adopting any of the children. They needed what they had to keep the Dark Fae at bay but accepted the fact that they might have to let one child go to avoid suspicion.

"What sort of child were you hoping to adopt?" she asked, playing along for the time being. "Athletic, academic, creative, young, older child …..?"

"Whichever child steals our hearts," Francis replied before Arthur could open his mouth. "Just like mon petit lapin (my little rabbit) stole mine." Francis put his arm around Arthur's shoulders, hugged him and kissed him behind the ear. Arthur had to resist punching Francis and swore that when they got out of here, Arthur was going to turn him into a real frog.

"We did not come with a wish list," Arthur said as he recovered from the embarrassing display. "We would like to talk to the children and get to know them. Then we can decide which child would benefit the most from being adopted by us."

"Of course," Greta replied, a little unnerved by the Frenchman's behaviour. "I just ask that you don't raise their hopes. It would be unfair to the children that you don't choose."

"Of course," Arthur nodded. He just wanted the woman gone as the children were unlikely to say anything with her around. She lead them to the dormitories and, with a word about not exciting the children, left them so she could go report this latest development to the Mayor.

"What did I tell you about letting me do the talking?" Arthur hissed at Francis. "Do something like that again and you'll be croaking for real, you wanker!" Francis tut-tutted.

"You should not use such language in front of les petits chéris (the little darlings), mon chèr!" he admonished. "Speaking of, let's get to know them!" He walked down the corridors, peering into rooms. If looks could kill, Francis would have been buried. Twice!

Arthur looked into several open rooms, some empty, some containing children who vied for his attention, almost franticly. It broke his heart to see children so desperate that they would take a chance on a total stranger. It was more than just the desire to be adopted, they wanted to be away from this place.

They were scared!

There was no obvious reason. The orphanage was clean and well-maintained and the children seemed well-fed. There were activities and schooling to keep the children occupied and everything seemed to be as it should. But the children still felt threatened.

Arthur went to find Francis.

Francis wandered past the rooms, looking in as the children waving at him and he waved back. Then he looked into the room at the end.

Inside were two six-year old boys with identical faces but one had sky blue eyes and the other had violet eyes. The blue-eyed boy's hair was blonde, short with a lock of hair that stuck up at the front. The violet-eyed boy also had blonde hair but longer with a wayward strand that stuck out and curled in the centre. The blue-eyed boy was jumping on his bed, shouting 'I'm the hero' while the other one sat on his, cuddling a white teddy bear.

"Beautiful day, non?" Francis greeted. The blue-eyed boy jumped off his bed and went to the other boy's side in an almost protective gesture while the other seemed to curl into a ball and hid his face behind his teddy bear. Francis guessed that the two boys were brothers.

"Bonjour, petit messieurs (Hello, little sirs)."

"Hi" the blue-eyed boy said, warily.

"Hello," the violet-eyed boy semi-whispered. Francis raised an eyebrow.

"You understand French" he asked, questioningly. The blue-eyed boy nodded.

"Yeah," he replied, eyes dimming a little with sadness. "Mom spoke French. Dad spoke English. Mattie knows more French than me."

"Mattie?" The blue-eyed boy put a hand on the violet-eyed boy's shoulder.

"This is Matthew," he said. "And I'm Alfred Williams! We're twins but I'm the hero!" Francis smiled at Alfred's declaration as he held out his hand and shook theirs.

"Pleased to meet you," he replied. "I'm Francis Bonnefoy …. Kirkland." Francis only just managed to remember their cover story.

"Are you adopting," Alfred asked.

"We're considering it," Arthur replied as he came through the door before Francis could put his foot in it.

"This is Arthur," Francis introduced. Arthur nodded to the two boys.

"If you're considering one of us," Alfred said. "The three of us will only leave together."

"Three?" Arthur asked and looked around the room. There were two beds in the room besides the ones belonging to the twins. One showed no sign of an occupant but the other was messy with toys strewed all over it.

"Me, Mattie and Peter said we would only leave together," Alfred replied. "We pinky swore!" Arthur almost squeeed at the cuteness of what Alfred had just said but he did allow himself a little smile.

"Where's Peter?" he asked, looking around the room.

"He went to see someone," Alfred answered, evasively. Arthur heard the evasion and raised an large eyebrow.

"He went to visit Berwald and Tino," he said, sheepishly. Francis smiled.

"We won't tell," he whispered, conspiratorially and winked. Alfred smiled the most wonderful smile and Matthew giggled. Both Arthur and Francis found themselves falling in love with the two boys. Matthew was adorable shy and Alfred was boisterously charming. Arthur would make it safe for them. He would find the threat and neutralise it.

"It's time to go," he said. They had to get back and see what the others had found. Both Alfred and Matthew's faces fell.

"Are you coming back tomorrow?" Alfred asked with a pouty lip and puppy dog eyes as Matthew looked pleadingly over the top of his bear. Arthur and Francis were both helpless against their cuteness powers.

"We'll be back," Arthur promised. "We'll be here for a while so yes, we'll be back tomorrow." The dazzling grin came back along with Matthew's shy smile as his whole face appeared above his bear. Arthur and Francis smiled at the boys and waved goodbye to them as they left.

"What was more dangerous, do you think?" Francis asked when they left the orphanage. "The pleading eyes or the pouty lip?"

"Both were equally lethal!"

Lukas was still glaring at the Troll King as Vladimir, Lars and Emma put themselves between the two. Matthias gripped his axe, wanting to strike but not daring to with the children in the way.

"What are you doing, Vladimir?" Lukas demanded. "Get yourself and the children out of the way!"

"Lukas, it's not the trolls," Vladimir replied. "The trolls saved the children, they didn't kidnap them." Lukas lowered his wand.

"King Matthias," Emma said. "These people thought you were going to harm us. They were trying to rescue us. Please stop!" Matthias lowered his axe and transformed back into his human self. Lukas had to admit he was rather good looking.

"Why would trolls save anyone?" Lukas mused.

"Why would we not, Norge?" Matthias growled, offended that anyone would think that his people would leave anyone who was in danger to their own devices. "We help people in need as much as any human or Fae. Sometimes more than most, not that anyone hears about it. All anyone remembers is what they make up. We don't live under bridges, grabbing passers-by, you know and we don't kidnap children."

Lukas, although he did not show it, was ashamed that he had fallen prey to a common prejudice. Little was really known about trolls and prejudice was high. If tales of their help and kindness were told, it was highly doubtful they were believed and spread about.

"I think we should sit down and talk," Vladimir said, as he helped Aleksander,who had transformed back to human, from under the tree that had landed on him. Fortunately, in dragon form, it had done him little harm.

"I agree," Aleks replied, rolling his shoulders to loosen up his back muscles. "We might find we have a common cause. Perhaps we should begin with introductions. I'm Aleksander of the Drackon, dragon-shifter obviously."

"I'm Vladimir of the Drakulya Line," Vladimir said with a slight bow. Matthias turned to Lukas.

"Lukas of the Bondevik Tribe," he said without emotion.

"Matthias of the House of Kohler, King of the Trolls," Matthias replied. "And this is Lars and Emma Van Dyke. They came from the orphanage in Holzstadt." Lukas, Vladimir and Aleksander looked at each other.

"Then we do have much to discuss," Lukas revealed.

"What do I do?" Greta asked the Mayor. "It's not like the carpenter and his 'wife'. These are courtiers with an order from the King. I have no grounds to refuse them access or say no if they decide they want to adopt one of the children. If I say no, they'll tell the King and he'll sent someone demanding answers. What do I do?"

Gruber was sat, holding a goblet of wine and pinching the bridge of his nose. It was the worst day of his life when that Dark Fae showed up and threatened to destroy his town if he did not provide a child every full moon. The orphanage was a good solution but it was temporary. A child a month would be draining so he took orphans from the other kingdoms. Anything to keep the 'larder' full. They needed every child they had but needs must ….

"If they decide they want a child from our orphanage," he replied. "We'll just have to let them take one. We can't have anyone snooping around from the Royal Court. Not only have we been feeding children to this thing, we've still been claiming upkeep for them from the crown. Just act like it's normal and if they choose one of the children, put the adoption through. Just don't raise their suspicions."

Greta breathed a sigh of relief. With permission to allow a child to leave, they would be able to get through this.

"So a troll child disappeared too," Lukas said as Matthias revealed the reason why his people had travelled outside of Denmark. "And you seek the creature responsible!"

"To strike at one troll is to strike at us all," Matthias replied. "And this was a child. An offence we couldn't let pass."

"Indeed not!" Aleks agreed as they all sat in Matthias's tent, drinking ale with the Troll King. Vladimir turned to Lars and Emma.

"You have no idea what was chasing you in the woods?" he asked. They shook their heads.

"We didn't stay around long enough to find out," Lars replied. "My only concern was Emma's safety. I'm sorry!"

"Don't be!" Lukas ordered. "It was only right that you think of your sister. At least it confirms that our suspect is in the woods although Emma's account is worrying." Emma had told them about the voice talking about her potentially 'tasting of waffles'. No one liked the implication.

"So the question is," Aleks commented. "What is it?"

"Could it be a Dark Fae?" Matthias asked. Everyone turned to look at him.

"What makes you ask that?" Vladimir said.

"When you attacked and I first saw Norge there," Matthias replied, pointing at Lukas. "My first thought was 'Dark Fae' when he demanded Lars and Emma but I know they were driven out over a hundred years ago by the Russias. However the pattern fits! Children disappearing at full moon was a common occurrence when they were around. And if what Emma heard was right, so was eating them. Devouring youth was the only way to maintain their power." Lukas shook his head.

"They were all driven to the Shadow World, over a hundred years ago," Lukas said. "There's no escape from there." The Shadow World was another dimension where everything was opposite, a prison for dangerous magic if you could banish it there.

"Maybe they missed some," Aleks replied. "Perhaps one slipped through the net."

"And it's hiding in the woods," Lukas mused. "Then maybe we should go find out."

"That might not be a good idea," Matthias replied. "You said a boy disappeared the night Lars and Emma escaped which means, if this is a Dark Fae, it chose another victim and it's at full strength. If I remember right about the Dark Fae, they're almost indestructible at full strength. That's why the Russias banished rather than destroyed them."

"Then what's your solution?" Lukas asked.

"What ever this thing is," Matthias replied. "It only strikes at full moon which is in ten days. If it is a Dark Fae, it will be weak at that time. Then we destroy it before it can claim another victim."

"IF it's a Dark Fae," Vladimir pointed out.

"Yes," Matthias replied. "IF!"

Anya listened to the conversation with her magically-enhanced hearing. She could not get close without the light Fae detecting her but she heard enough to know that the damn troll was too close to the truth , dangerously so. It was the combination of the Danish sorcerers and the angry tribe of trolls that made her run from Denmark. Taking that troll child had been a big mistake. She pondered over what she should do now. Tell that Greta woman and the Mayor about the threat? Anya was under no illusions that they would probably hope these Fae would rid them of her and her demands for youthful flesh every full moon. She simply did not trust them.

She would demand her two offerings early, that way she would not have to wait for them to arrive when the moon reached its absolute fullness. Then she could feast and be at full strength and have her own allies when her enemies attacked. She smiled.

They would not know what hit them until it was too late!

Francis had returned to his own room and Arthur settled down with a cup of tea he had magicked up while he waited. He thought back to the orphanage and the twin boys they had met. Matthew was a little over-shadowed by his more out-going brother but he was adorable. Alfred, he suspected, would be more of a handful but had his own unique charm and a smile that would break hearts in the future. He could imagine them as part of a family, running around with their father, playing while Arthur sat sipping tea as he watched them with Franc …...

Wait a minute! Where did that come from? Did he seriously just imagine himself raising those two boys with Francis of all people. Wanting to take the boys with him after this was all over, that he could imagine but Francis!

He needed his head examined.

He was pulled out of his worries about his sanity by the door opening. Lukas, Vladimir and Aleks had returned and they were not alone. The blonde, spiky-haired man with blue eyes was taller than Arthur, in fact he was the tallest in the room. He wore black and red and carried a large axe.

"Arthur of the Kirkland Clan," Lukas said. "Allow me to introduce His Majesty, Matthias of the House of Kohler, King of the Trolls. He has quite a story to tell us."

"And when he's done, you can tell me why you didn't tell me about your mission," came a voice behind them. Everyone turned to see who the newcomer was, everyone except Lukas.

"Call me Big Brother!"

"No!"

"Call me Big Brother!" Lukas turned to face the platinum-blonde, purple-eyed boy in the doorway.

"Forget it!" Emil replied.

There we are! All the Nordics are finally in the story as promised and Francis is working his way into Arthur's affections. Alfred and Matthew are getting into Arthur and Francis's hearts. And Emil still won't call Lukas Big Brother! XP

To Cardfighter by Maple – I do hope so! Ah! The beginnings of the great Hetalian love stories! :3

To EverythingMath – Yeah! Vlad should start a dating service XD With Francis and Arthur forced to work together, there's more than enough time for affection to grow. Or hatred, you can never tell with those two! XP

To chanceoutof20 – Thank you. Unfortunately, Switzerland and Liechtenstein aren't in this tale :( but they might appear in one of the one-shots I might do so look out for that!

To themuscialcat – Good! And yes, the spiky-haired troll is Denmark and Lukas, Vlad and Aleks did jump the gun somewhat but I mentioned in HT1 when Lukas and Matthias first met, there was a misunderstanding. Well, this was the misunderstanding but fortunately, it was sorted out before anything irreversible happened. And who'd have thought! Vladimir playing Cupid! XDDD

To Guest – Yep! Totally rude but, luckily, it was all resolved and I think everyone's a little ashamed of their behaviour. And I agree! FRUK!

To Scarlet Phantom – Ohhhh, Writer's Block! Makes you want to bang your head on the keyboard, doesn't it! XP Yep! It's Denmark, all right (; It's nice now but this is Hansel and Gretel. We know how that story went and from what I've learnt, we get the mild version. And Sweden calling Finland 'Wife' is and always shall be a major Squeee moment in Hetalia! XDD!

To Sky-loons – Sorry but all good things and all that and I would like to thank you for your reviews throughout this saga, you and everyone else have kept me going, no word of a lie. I hope the last one is no disappointment and, as you've read, Arthur's already getting a little infected by the love bug (waggles eyebrows!) XP

To Normandy – Thank you and thank you for your review of Sweden Smiles and I think I can clear up the Viking thing for you. Vikings invaded that area in the ten century and Normandy comes from 'Northmen' so there you go, you're a viking! Cool! XD

To Ishikawa Miki - Was it cute enough for you? :3 Thank you, I did my best and I love Tsundere England too because you just know he won't give in to France right away so we can sit back and watch the show, as Russia would say XP. And it would be endless amounts of fun pairing those two up XD

Another week done! In the next chapter, they plan to get someone on the inside and a familiar face makes an appearance. There's a plan to shake things up and there's movement on the romantic front. And there's more cuteness!

Btw, I've added a new chapter to Vee~ (more shameless promotion XP)

So till next week,

Hasta la Pasta!