A Day in the life of the Brother IV
Scotland un-tucked his shirt. He ripped a strip off the bottom of it. A nearby fairy scolded him.
"Scotland! First cutting yourself now ripping your clothes!" Scotland just grinned and gently batted the fairy away. Scotland rarely did what he was told unless it was his mother.
"But I donnae had any moore wrapping. I used it up." He wrapped around North Ireland's hand. He ripped off another strip.
"We can just get more from the elves!" He wrapped it around Ireland's hand next.
"But we cannae rely on them forever. Plus elves are wee and making soo much clooth is troublesome fer them."
"But! But!" Scotland ripped off another strip, much to the fairy's annoyance. "Fine! You win!" Scotland grinned wider.
"Cheers! Can ye wrap this around my hand?" The fairy sighed before wrapping Scotland's hand. "Barry!" He thanked the fairy gratefully and she blushed at the sudden attention.
The boys began to work together and wrapped the dead deer in thick cloth and placed it in the small cave beside the large clay pots that Britannia had brought from the humans as gifts. The pots were kept in the small cave and stored grains, dried food and meat. It was like an emergency supply.
It was hard moving it but the five young boys managed it.
The sun beat down on them. It was unusually hot and their warm clothes were uncomfortable with the strange heat. It was rarely so sunny but it was still highly valued. Though Ireland was annoyed that hıs and North Ireland's imfamous freckles had emerged in a spray of brown dots. (Short A/N at the end)
Scotland looked over his brothers now. He, Ireland and North Ireland were already a mess from racing through the forest but now there was a lot of blood too from the hunt and games played afterwards. England was covered in mud from his fall and Wales was filthy from being in a field of sheep all day. This was normal for them and the brothers thought nothing or the dirt and the smell.
The fairies were much more civilised in some ways, but more animal like in others. Though some fairy revel in blood, they all kept themselves reasonably clean and tidy. The messy boys were untidy and filthy compared to them. A fae bounced into view.
"Sirs. Would you maybe like to go play in the river? It's quite hot and sunny today. It would be a perfect for a swim or a splash around." It was a sly way of suggesting a bath without angering him.
"Aye" The red head burst out in reply. Ireland looked at him and nodded. North Ireland looked confused.
"But why Alba?"
"Cause it's hot and sweaty. Iggy is muddy, we are bloody and battered plus Wales reeks like sheep manure!" Wales crossed his short arms and scowled. It was funny seeing the 3 year old try and look angry or intimidating so Scotland laughed. North Ireland giggled as well so the scowl deepened into a glare. The laughter became louder until Ireland was joining in as well. Finally Wales smiled again and giggled quietly.
England stared at the four laughing brother and broke out into a smile as well. After the laughter died down, they had a mini race. The five were running at first but England soon fell behind so Scotland had to turn back and pick him up. Ireland didn't say anything.
They soon arrived on the stony banks of an un-named river. It was a wide, deep river than flowed fairly quickly. Scotland and Ireland were the only ones who could swim properly yet, and Scotland was the only one strong enough to swim in this part of this river. North Ireland could do a small doggy paddle for a couple of metres.
Luckily, due to some strange rock formation, a small section of the river broke off and formed a large shallow pool that was easy to swim and wade. The water from the river flowed into and out of the pool steadily so it rarely overflowed but it always had fresh, clean water in it. The water was perfectly clear and you could see right to the bottom of the pool and all the fish that lived in it.
The three older ones stripped first, unashamed of being naked. They were all brothers with no reservations and animal like natures. Nudity didn't worry them.
They tossed the clothes in a huge bundle at the side. They helped the younger ones, next. The clothes were bundled up in a messy mixed pile.
Scotland ran into the water first, kicking up splashes of clear water. The water was freezing but he didn't notice it much. He swam a lot with Nessie.
Ireland was not used to the water temperature like Scotland so he only went as far as his knees at first, deciding to slowly get use to the cold. Unfortunately for him, North Ireland sneaked up behind him, giving him a push so that he crashed forward into the water. He stood up again, gasping and shaking at the sudden burst of cold.
"Y-y-y-ye e-e-e-erse!" He was shivering uncontrollably.
North Ireland laughed until Ireland grabbed his arm and pulled him in as well. North Ireland gasped in shock at the chilled water. North Ireland splashed him in revenge.
Soon the two were in a splashing fight and moving around so much so that the two had warmed up, despite being in the water. Scotland joined in. They eventually turned on England and Wales who were hanging around in the warmer shallows.
They cause chaos in the waters with simple carefree abandonment that only young children could possess. Eventually all five brothers were soaking wet and used to the icy water.
They played in the pool a bit. They all enthusiastically splashed and ran around in the water, pretending to be fish, mermaids, selkies, dolphins and other water animals they have seen.
North Ireland made England snort water after pretending to be a kraken and 'attacking' Wales who squealed in return. Wales and England had to stay in the shallowest parts at the edge of the pool and wade or sit down.
Wales looked really happy to be playing but he looked the coldest too. He was not as used to the cold as the others and the dragons usually had to keep him warm. Even England could cope better than him.
Scotland swam to the deepest bit and dove beneath the water. He swam under the water for a couple minutes before bursting up for air. Wales and England clapped in awe. Ireland and North Ireland were nearly too deep to stand.
North Ireland was clinging to Ireland, trying to swim properly. Ireland kept trying to kick him off. Scotland swam over and helped North Ireland off of Ireland. The small auburn was scared of drowning. He held the hands of the auburn boy as he kicked wildly, learning how to swim. He coughed violently when he swallowed a lungful of water so Scotland held onto him until he was okay again. He smeared the reddish brown hair from his eyes and grinned.
"Cheers Alba." He swam clumsily back to the shallows. He waded up to England who was standing in chest high water, trying to catch one of the tiny fish that sometimes swam into the pool. He joined in by trying to herd the quick silver darts towards England. The small river life was fascinating to them and they were amused by their speed and different shades of silver.
Scotland and Ireland were scrambling over the rocks which separated the pool from the main river. They sometimes slipped but as long as they were not hurt badly, they continued recklessly. They climbed onto the highest rock and jumped into the pool, screaming.
Wales was playing a game of chase with two water sprites that had appeared. The waist high, thin creatures wavered in their watery forms as they threw water into the air in sprinkles, creating small rainbows which quickly disappeared. They stopped and stared dazzled in the air at the bright colours. While the children were distracted by the playful water sprites, a couple of brownies emerged.
They took the bloody and muddy clothes and cleaned them and fixed them. The creatures truly cared for the boys. After an hour or so, clouds began to drift over, blocking the sun. The air chilled a little and the boys soon had to retreat from the water while it was still warm.
They dressed in their clean clothes. They didn't put on their shoes again and left them behind for the fae to pick up. Their wounds and cuts were already healed, only being light wounds, except for a thin pink streak on Scotland's palm where he had cut a little too deeply.
The bandages had washed off in the water. They marvelled at how pruny their fingers were and how shiny and clean they were compared to normal. They walked along the edge of the river bank, mainly just wasting time and fooling around. Their hair, body and now clothes were wet. They shook their heads like dogs, spraying water over each other.
Scotland loved the way that the rocks felt smooth under his feet. The stones were shiny and soft from the river rushing over them. He picked up a big one and heaved it as far as he could so it made a large splash in the water. They all threw in a couple more stones before sitting down.
They had all been moving all day. Running, fighting, hunting, swimming, playing and laughing; they were nearly always constantly moving. They hated being still for too long. It was against an animal's instinct to be completely still. Hence the reason when they sat down, they still moved around and shuffled about. Sometimes a play fight would break out and be over in a matter of minutes.
England yawned. His four older brothers were still brimming with energy and life. He usually had to take regular naps or else he would collapse. He really was weaker physically. Scotland frowned slightly.
The four year old blonde had been sleeping at midday and it was only about 6. It was too soon for him to be tired. The rest of them were bundles of energy that stayed up late and waked up early with ease.
He picked up the four year old, pushing him up until he was holding him securely in one arm. England had his arms wrapped around Scotland's neck. Wales held out his hand and Scotland took it. North Ireland and Ireland were holding hands but this was normal for them. It was a long walk back to their clearing.
They had ran a lot and had walked very far so it was a mile or two back home. They walked quickly and cheerfully with a lot of energy.
They would stop often if one of them saw something exciting or interesting.
They laid down low in the grass and watched a couple of stags but heads with fascination.
They stopped and raided a huge bee hive for a handful of honey each and ended up running in fear from a swarm of pissed off bees.
They followed a will-o-wisp to a large willow tree where the tree's dryad and several pixies sat in the branches, waiting for passer-bys to throw pebbles at in pranks.
They listened to a wailing banshee which sang by the foot of a dying tree, signalling its death.
They talked to a couple of fairies which lived in flowers.
They raided a blackberry bush for its small bitter-sweet dark fruit.
They were easily distracted by the sights and sounds and strayed from their path many times.
The world is an amazing and endless place to young children. To them there are not 7 wonders of the world but 7 billion.
(A/N - Now I'm in TURKEY! And it's only 2 days to my 17th B-DAY! I'm havıng difficulty using this keyboard so I am just editıng the already written story so you can read ıt easier - so no long notes.
Ireland and North Ireland get freckles when it is hot and sunny. Ireland hates them whıle North Ireland fınds them kinda cute. Mostly they are very faint and hard to see until Summer when they sort of explode across their noses and cheeks.
REVIEW PLEASE!)