Hetalia – The Cold of War
Chapter 13! So sorry for the late update, illness took its toll on me. But to compensate, an extra long chapter for you all!
Enjoy!
The Nordic Kingdom, The Royal Palace, The Training Hall
The Nordic kingdom's training hall stood a little distance away from its palace and central to barracks. The Viking style building was huge, built from a mixture of stone and elder-wood. A semi-domed roof crowned the building and wide heavy doors, strong enough to withstand a battering ram, guarded it. The flagstoned floor was spacious and open, the air husky and smelling potently of sweat and testosterone. Closest to the entrance sandbag practice dummies hung from support beams stretching across the ceiling; men practising with their own fists or blades. At middle section of the building, a low ring platform had been established, used for conducting matches between eager fellow soldiers. Sets of weights and Dumbbells lay at the back of the hall, though it was the ring has had the most attention that day.
High above the ring, lazily swinging their legs as they ate, sat Arthur and Allistor Kirkland. After they leaving Allistor's chamber, they had pillaged the Kitchen like he had promised: a block of goat cheese, a few soft rolls of whole grain bread and a couple of apples each. Sprinting ahead Allistor had led the way, taking the route that would provide them the most parkour action. They had slid down roofs, clung to window sills and little outcrops in the walls and jumped from heights that would make the even the bravest cringe. The exercise was hard but invigorating for Arthur. He always loved free running and leaping from tree to tree as a child, pretending to be like the eastern stealth warriors Dylan had told him about. It made him feel like the wind, like he were some shadow unseen by way goers below. It was made all the more better that, because of his thin lightweight build, he was more agile and faster then Allistor. A fact he liked to smother in his face whenever the chance presented itself.
The brothers had scaled the weathered tiled roof of the training hall and slipped in easily through a sky window, before balancing over on the creaking beams above the ring to have a show as they ate. Though Allistor was more concerned about eating breakfast, then watching the over enthusiastic fighters. Arthur however, was watching keenly as Alfred boldly stepped up into the ring, his arms held high above his head and a confident grin across his face.
"Oi Artie, that's the one from last night isn't it?" Allistor asked as he cut a thin layer of cheese from the block and spread it thickly against his spongy roll. The aged smell of cheese against the warm bread making Arthur's mouth water, prompting him to get a bite out of another pink lady Apple.
"Hm? Oh yes, that's Alfred," Arthur confirmed after he bit in the fruit with a nod, looking down again to see Alfred whip off his sweat soaked vest. The light was dim enough for Allistor to miss the light blush that had taken Arthur's cheeks. "I feel sorry for the man who goes up against him"
"Oh aye? And why is that?" Allistor smirked with a raised eyebrow, his mouth full of cheese and bread. A few crumbs stuck to his trimmed auburn beard.
"Because he's got the physical strength of a three ton bull" Arthur admired and smiled fondly down at Alfred who had began his match, facing off against a muscular dark skinned man whom Arthur recognised as Jonny. The two circled each other with raised fists before Alfred struck first, feinting left but pushing sharply off with his heel to attack Jonny's undefended right side. Jonny back-pedalled for more room but was stopped when his back touched the thick rope ring. Alfred saw his chance and darted in low. Like a flash, Jonny brought his knee up to defend, Alfred inches from the flying kick. Forced to tumble to the side to avoid the follow up grab, Alfred spun and bounced on the balls of his feet as he regained his posture. Watchful sky blue eyes anticipating Jonny's next move.
This time Jonny came to meet Alfred, his fists brought up to guard his face as he ducked and weaved towards him. But Jonny's opposition had other plans. Instead of readying his defence, Alfred tightly tucked and rolled to meet Jonny, completely flying clear of his fists and landing himself behind the stunned Jonny. Arthur felt himself cheer alongside the crowd as Jonny tried to spin to defend but was too late. Alfred smoothly kicked the soft place behind the kneecap, causing Jonny's leg to buckle, and swooped down. He wrapped his bulging forearm tightly across Jonny's windpipe and applied pressure, bringing his legs up and clamped them around Jonny's midsection. Jonny gasped as his air was cut off and instinctively attempted to pry off Alfred's suffocating arm. Getting desperate and gulping for air that would not come, Jonny tried to throw Alfred off by falling back and crushing him. Alfred grunted as his back slammed against the hard ring platform but kept his grip strong. Jonny squirmed for a second longer before reluctantly tapping out, his screwed up face had started to turn a dark shade of purple.
The crowd roared as Alfred released his lock and bent down to help Jonny up, raising their fists together as if they had both won the match. In the corner of his eye Arthur caught Allistor give an impressed nod of approval and scratch his beard thoughtfully. Arthur looked back to Alfred and shook his head with silent laughter. Jonny had been taken out of the ring and Alfred was performing his victory lap with a few challenging gestures thrown in.
"C'mon boys whose next?," Alfred bellowed over the men chanting his name and stomped the floor with his arms held open. "Drinks are on me for next one that beats me!"
Well Arthur's ears peeked up at that. Giving his curious brother a cheeky smirk that said 'watch this', Arthur moved out of his sitting position. Crouching like a frog, Arthur waited until Alfred paraded directly below him before he sprung and dived down. Alfred gave out a loud cry of shock when he felt something rocket itself and crash down onto his back, his knees buckling like Jonny's had and his chest lightly pinned against the floor. With difficulty Alfred turned his head so he could see who had managed to sneak up on him, with to his great surprise and amusement, seeing Arthur grin down at him sat with a leg on either side of his back. A confused silence had taken the watchers before they burst out laughing and slapping their knees in good humour. Arthur remained on Alfred's bare back as he crossed his arms with a smug look on his face.
"So Mr Jones, where will you be taking little ol' me?" Arthur smoothly asked as Alfred pretended to struggle to rise, knowing he could easily remove Arthur if he wanted to. But Alfred didn't want to kill the mood.
"Wherever you want Mr Kirkland, I'll be treating you remember?" Alfred replied as he wiggled his eyebrows, drawing a light heartened laugh from Arthur as he clambered off him. Alfred's entire front was a pink colour of protest from being shoved to floor, sparking a few chuckles from the crowd as they moved to allow Alfred and Arthur to leave the ring. Alfred briefly leaving Arthur to go fetch another shirt, Arthur losing sight of him as he pushed his way to get to through the crowd. Arthur jumped as Allistor fell and landed heavily beside him, ignoring his brother's irritated look.
"What was that all about?" Allistor quizzed throwing a puzzled look at Arthur as he dusted himself off and leaned out the way as more soldiers moved to go past him. Arthur actually hadn't known why he had done it. Perhaps he had been caught up in the atmosphere that he had just jumped first without thinking; or maybe he just wanted to give Alfred a taste of his own medicine from back when they had sparred on Whale-Tail island.
Or maybe, just maybe, Arthur was secretly thrilled at the prospect to spend some alone time with Alfred. They had hardly seen each other since touching down in the North. Arthur had been so swept up in reuniting with Allistor that he hadn't had time to catch up with Alfred or Kiku and Matthew. It seemed the more time Arthur spent apart from Alfred, the more he began to miss his shining presence bouncing beside him. He missed laughing to Alfred silly jokes and the two of them just talking together, sharing their worries and secrets, making the burdens just a little lighter. Now Arthur reflected on him, he realised just how big a part Alfred was in his life, and how big a void he left when he was missing. And now the two of them had set aside time for each other, Arthur felt his stomach flutter with anticipation. So lost in his own thoughts, he was roughly brought back to attention when Allistor made an impatient noise with his throat.
Remembering himself, Arthur shrugged as if it didn't mean anything "I thought it'd be funny to swipe that cocky grin off his face". Allistor gave Arthur a suspicious final look before he turned towards the sandy blonde haired youth that was hurrying towards the brothers through the moving crowd. The young man wore brown trousers which had large patches sewn in places and over his loose white shirt swung a large teal blue poncho. His white knitted woollen gloves gripped a parcel wrapped in brown paper tightly and his lavender eyes looked relieved as he finally located the youngest Kirkland. The boy ran up to Arthur and thrusted the parcel to him with a low bow, his hands trembling slightly.
"Arthur Kirkland Sir! A gift from His Majesty Sir!" The lad shouted with his head still bowed. Arthur looked to Allistor for some clarity to find that Allistor was too busy grinning like the cat had got the cream. Uncertainly Arthur took the parcel and looked at the boy with a raised eyebrow as he rose upright.
"What's the occasion lad?" Arthur asked feeling the hefty weight to the box, he could hear a faint thud of two objects colliding.
"In celebration of your arrival Sir. Mr Allistor suggested the idea Sir!" The boy piped happily despite the nervous flickering of his eyes from face to face. It was Allistor's turn to be the subject of Arthur's raised eyebrows.
"Oh he did did he?" Arthur said with dripping sarcasm. Allistor knowingly wiggled his thick eyebrows back for looking at the youth and smiling gratefully.
"Thank you Tino, ya services are much appreciated. Tell tha King, Arthur adored his gift". Tino squeaked with a relived expression and bowed a final time before sprinting away for the door. Arthur's eyes followed the boy until he was no longer in view, turning to demand what Allistor had meant; only to find that Allistor was already strutting towards the exit. Grumbling under his breath, Arthur followed, sliding out of the crack between the two doors. Allistor has facing towards the iced frosty town when Arthur caught up to him with a huff.
"Aren't ya going ta open it?" Allistor asked with an excited twinkle that very rarely visited his green eyes. Arthur rolled his eyes but couldn't put off the giddy grin that had slipped onto his lips, his childish side resurfacing at the prospect of opening a present. He tore off the wrapping and lifted the lid of the cardboard box, letting out a small gasp.
Inside the box were two matching glove gauntlets. They were made of the finest quality of leather, able to be crafted by only the most skilled of smiths. Along the half fingered gloves moulded copper pieces fitted so they would act as a set of brass knuckles in combat. Over the top of the forearm-bracers there was a space created by the thinner inner layer and the hardened outer layer, three small pointed throwing knives sheathed there already. And on the under side, a wicked hidden blade with Spring movement mechanism hid. They were the gauntlets Arthur had seen only the highest ranking Hunters wear, some even rumoured to be part of some secret Assassin group. These gauntlets were the mark of a Master. And Allistor had had a King make them for him.
Arthur looked up at Allistor, his mouth hanging up at a loss for words. He tenderly lifted one gauntlet and almost gave an embarrassing sob at how perfectly they fitted as he slid his hand in. Allistor was wearing an ear splitting grin now as he moved to helped Arthur tighten them, his heart throb at Arthur's expression of wonderment.
"You had these made for me?," Arthur breathed as he examined the tiny intricate Celtic designs imprinted into the darkened leather. Allistor laughed out his exhale as he nodded and finished, reaching for his own gauntlets he had brought with him when Arthur hadn't been looking. Allistor's were of similar design with but they were so much heavier with more additions of steel and looked like they could crush a man's skull with ease. Arthur understood why there were no two of the same; each set had to be tailor made to accommodate their owner's builds and strengths. "They're amazing"
Allistor nodded again in agreement as he flicked his waist back, triggering the spring lock mechanism and releasing the hidden blade so that it sprouted roughly five inches out of his wrist. Arthur let out an impressed whistle and mimicked the movement and delightfully laughed as the blade shot out, his arm recoiling at first from the shock. Allistor watched pleased as Arthur practised activating and deactivating the blades.
"It'll take some takin' used ta fighting with them, but they're brilliant for stealth," Allistor commented as Arthur experimented slashing with them "Just make sure ya don't accidentally stab someone". Arthur nodded and carefully pulled out one of the throwing knives. He flourished it before expertly throwing it against the hall door, where it embedded itself into the solid wood a hair's breath away from Alfred's nose as he was exiting. Alfred stared at blade that had nearly taken the tip of his nose off and then over to Arthur with a flabbergasted look.
"Hello to you to," Alfred grunted after he recovered as he pulled the knife out and scrolled over to Arthur to give it back, noticing his new gauntlet and letting out a low impressed whistle "Now they look worth something" Arthur nodded and looked fondly over to Allistor.
"They were a gift from the King," He said as he took the knife back and slowly sheathed it back into its gauntlet, blushed faintly "Sorry for, you know, nearly taking your nose off". Alfred waved over the apology with a gloved hand. A bell of a town crier could be heard ringing and the Kingdom people had begun their day.
"Na, it's cool. Who needs their nose anyway. Want to go get that drink?" Alfred breezed, ignoring Allistor's directed glare behind Arthur's back. Jeez he knew Allistor wanted to catch up with Arthur but he hadn't left him alone the entire time they had been here. The time Alfred would of liked to of spent with Arthur stolen away so he had sulked off to training with the few men. Arthur opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Allistor's abrupt interruption.
"Actually laddie, Artie and I have some more things ta discuss. He needs to learn how to properly use his new hidden blade so he doesn't take someone's eye out," Allistor stepped, an aggressive tone layered under his mock politeness. Alfred narrowed his eyes at the challenge. So this was how it was going to be. Not taking his eyes off Alfred for a moment, Allistor pointed to a random building in the town "Arthur go wait for me there, we'll practise when I meet up with ya"
Arthur looked uncertainly between his brother and Alfred, not quite able to put together the situation. He had wanted to get that drink with Alfred, but he felt he owned it to Allistor to stay close. Sighing in defeat Arthur turned to Alfred and offered a weak apologetic smile
"Could I meet you here at dusk instead? We could go to one of the late taverns?"
Alfred nodded and returned with a warm smile when he saw Arthur's face immediately brighten. Giving them both a passing wave, Arthur jogged off and launched himself up and onto a nearby house's roof. He gave the duo one last uneasy look for free-running towards the building Allistor had pointed out, leaping easily from rooftop to rooftop. As soon as Arthur was out of sight, Allistor spun onto Alfred and violently pulled him close by his shirt.
"Listen here boy," Allistor snarled the word, "I don't know what you have for ma brother but it stops now. Ya hear?" Alfred looked at Allistor square in the eye and laughed at him before choosing to deliberately anger him and act the innocent fool.
"What stops now?" Alfred asked in a exaggerated high pitched tone. Allistor growled and twisted Alfred shirt tighter, pinching his skin and drawing a noise of muffled pain.
"You bloody know what, pisspot. I have waited seven years to be reunited with Arthur. Seven. Fucking. Years. Ya nonexistent brain might not understand, but Arthur needs to learn how to protect himself. And I cannot teach him if you're making lovey-dovey eyes at him. I am actually working to keep him alive and safe" Allistor glared radiating anger and intimidation. Any sensible man would of backed down in fear of such wrath, but Alfred was sick. He was sick of holding back his advances, his own hesitations gave him enough trouble, so the hell if he was going to add another barrier to Arthur on his list. Instead of trying to get Allistor release him, Alfred leaned forward so that his forehead nearly butted Allistor's.
"Look pal. Get over this stupid 'overprotective brother complex' you've got. Arthur's way stronger then you give him credit for, so quit acting like he's some damsel in distress. He's not helpless and he's not alone. I've always had his back and always will; you can try whatever the hell you want, but that won't change how I feel," Alfred gritted through his teeth, determination ringing with every word. "I get that Arthur has to learn to use his new gear, but make no mistake that he is capable of fighting without you. You don't have to watch him twenty four-seven because I'm looking out with him as well. So for Arthur's sake, we should focus on protecting him together instead of fighting each other" Allistor looked down simmering at Alfred before releasing him with a huff, seemingly calmed from whatever rage he had flown into.
"At least ya heart isn't ruling ye head," He muttered as he took a step away, the fresh snow crunching underneath his boots, and ran his hand down his hand wearily down his face. Allistor dropped his hand to his hip and looked at Alfred with tired eyes, seeming to Alfred like the oldest person in the world in that moment. "I just... want ta see him safe. I had ta watch two of ma brothers die, I can not do it again. That's why I have ta push the both of us,". Alfred nodded with grim understanding and watched Allistor pause and give Alfred a queer look with a slight grin on his face. "Ya know, y'ar not bad at hand ta hand, ye quick on ya feet and Arthur says ye as strong as an Ox…The old man would box ma eyes for this but ma gut is tellin' me it's right; Alfred, I want ya ta go to the sorcerer named Lukas and I want ye ta ask him to teach you about us. Specifically how we fight and our vulnerables"
Alfred blinked in surprise and adjusted his glasses, taken back. He hadn't been expecting that at all. "Why would you want me to know how to fight you? Shouldn't that be top secret?" Allistor crossed his arms and fixed Alfred with a serious look.
"Aye lad, which is why I shouldn't be tellin' ya to. But if ye going ta be stickin' by Arthur, ye have ta know his weak points and how ta cover them well. I've filled Lukas in so ask him an' he'll tell ye," Allistor concluded with a clap on Alfred's shoulder "I'll focus on training Arthur, ya focus on learning ta cover him. Agreed?"
"Got it" Alfred agreed and watched as Allistor took off in the same direction as Arthur had, scaling the walls as if they weren't there and disappearing down the grey tiled roofs. Alfred stood in the snow for a second, listening to the continued yells and cries of the hardworking men in the hall. Someone new must of taken the ring and was clearly on a win streak. He thought back on the words he snapped at Allistor, 'I've always had his back and always will…That won't change the way I feel'. Alfred groaned in dismay. Allistor may of picked up his feelings for Arthur, but when Alfred had said that, he had confirmed it beyond any doubts. At least Arthur hadn't heard it that way, that would have been so much worse.
Allistor hadn't been completely happy that Alfred wasn't backing down, but he seemed appeased that Alfred genuinely cared for Arthur's safety, which Alfred took as a step in the right direction. He hadn't exactly given him his blessing but he had deemed him trustworthy enough to refer him to Lukas, to learn information that was presumably incredibly valuable and sensitive. Alfred stretched his arms above his head before shaking them out and starting towards the Palace with a spring in his step, happy thoughts about his date with Arthur keeping his chest warm against the hailing snow.
Woo Hoo, quite the chapter. So first thing to clarify, I do not own the concept of Hidden Blades. They was from the awesome video game series Assassins Creed which is owned by Ubisoft. If you haven't heard of it I highly recommend you give it a look, lot of the Kirkland's fighting style is drawn from the assassins moves.
Oh ho Ho, the drama between Allistor and Alfred. I have been waiting for that volcano to erupt for so long. To be certain, Allistor does not have a brother complex, he's just extremely protective over Arthur and sees Alfred as a distraction to Arthur. It's not like Allistor wants Arthur to himself, but he feels as though Arthur needs to stick by him so they won't be torn apart again, which is probably Allistor's biggest fear. It's nice to the two could to an agreement, I didn't want the two to continually butt heads but there will still be some sparks. God help Alfred if he ever hurts Arthur.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this extended chapter. If you are enjoying this series and want to leviate five foot in the air while singing your country's national anthem, please take the time to leave a review telling me your thoughts, opinions and questions. Once again thank you for reading and as always,
Until next time folks!