Snow Queen: Chapter 3
He was unfamiliar with these surroundings. Who’s room is this? He wondered as he sat up in a bed that was not his own.
The room was golden in color. The floor boards, the bed, the dresser, the yellow irises in the bronze vase, the quilt over his bed… he squinted and fumbled about the nightstand beside him for his glasses. His had made contact with the cool glass and he put them on. Even the light that poured into the room was golden.
The air was light and had a sweet scent to it that he knew he had experience but could not but his finger on. He had the most peculiar feeling as if he had been born again.
Outside the room, he could hear barking followed by young laughter. Groggily, he got out of bed. This feeling was disorienting. What was he supposed to do now? He straightened his glasses and stepped out.
The hall was long with pictures of golden fields. He followed the bright red carpet past many closed doors before finally coming to an open doorway. Before he could even see the room it led too, a mass of white dashed at his legs. The laughing stopped. The barking continued.
Kneeling down, he pet the white dog behind the ears before raising his gaze once again to see the two boys. One with amber colored eyes who stared dumbfounded at the older man and the other was a boy with glasses who sat up from his chair and ran to the back, to another door calling, “Lithuania! He’s come out of his room! Lithuania…” And his voice faded as he disappeared into the room to find Lithuania.
“G-good morning, sir,” The amber eyed boy greeted meekly.
“G’mornin’.” The Swede returned and the boy jumped up from the ground and stood straight and stiff like a board. He now noticed that he was in a room that appeared to be a kitchen. A table for four in the center with an brick oven and many cabinets decorated the room.
“D-did you sleep well…?!” He squeaked and Sweden grunted yes in response. “That’s… that’s good!” His voice was growing higher with each sentence.
A pair of footsteps and the boy with glasses returned with a taller, brown haired one. His hair was long enough to be tied back but was too short to do a proper pony tail as much of it was still worn freely like it was now. “Oh, you’re awake!” and the other boy whispered “I told you!”
“L-Lithuania!” The smallest boy exclaimed, turning around and trembling, “H-he’s talking!”
The two younger boys looked up at Lithuania curiously, silently asking what should happen next. Scratching the back of his head, Lithuania laughed, “Well,” He began awkwardly, “Poland will be glad to hear about this…” And he pulled a chair aside, “Have a seat. Latvia, get the cakes from the cupboard but not the honey ones or Poland will throw a fit-Estonia, you can boil some water in the kettle.”
Sweden got the idea that as of right now, Lithuania was in charge of the house but only because this “Poland” character was away. Taking the offered seat, the Swede watched as the two younger boys scurried about the kitchen grabbing plates and the like.
Sitting down across from him, Lithuania smiled weakly, “Are you hungry?”
“Hm.” Yes, he was but he didn’t want to impose on them.
The youngest brother hurried forward with a lightly wrapped package. Placing it on the table he squeaked, “I-I’ll get the p-plates!” And Sweden got the impression he was just searching for an excuse to be away.
Unwrapping the paper, a small cake, plain cake was revealed. It smelled of almonds. “You haven’t eaten much since we brought you here.” He spoke calmly, beginning to cut the cake with a knife.
“. . . How l’ng?” He asked just as the youngest brother returned with plates, cups, and tea bags along side the middle one who carried a steaming kettle. Lithuania took the kettle and began to pour the water into the cups.
“Two months.” Lithuania replied calmly and Sweden could feel his heart drop into his stomach. “Poland and I found you on our way back home.”
Something in the back of his head told him he should know this. He remembered hearing a boy speak loudly and energetically. He remembered someone stepping on him and cursing violently in a foreign tongue.
This was a memory. A foggy, vague, and dissociative one but it was his memory.
He could remember Lithuania’s voice speaking, ‘Maybe we should take him to town.’ And the other voice replying angrily, ‘He’s totally not our problem! Just leave him!’ There was a gap in his memory and the two travelers were back, ‘He’s still there, Poland,’
‘So?’
‘Poland…’
‘FINE, bring him if it bothers you that much! But you’re totally carrying him, got it?!’
Sweden looked up at the Lithuanian, suddenly aware of how grateful he should be.
“We let you sleep in Latvia’s room,” Lithuania continued.
“I-I didn’t mind.” The youngest brother assured, “E-Estonia let me share his bed…!”
“It wasn’t a problem,” Estonia agreed, “It was the dog I had a problem with.” And he gave the white haired creature an annoyed look. For two months, the dog had shed all over his bed and clothes. It was a hassle removing the white hairs from his dark, winter clothes.
There was a moment of silence and Latvia stammered, “Y-you didn’t l-leave the room.”
The Swede took a deep interest in the tea cup.
Memories.
The first morning he woke up in the room, the color had been gray.
Lithuania closed his eyes, “We were worried you were going to starve yourself.” And the three brothers snickered.
Lithuania and his brothers stood by his bed, trying to get the Swede to eat something. Even if it was just soup or a sip of water, it would have been better than nothing at all. ‘Like, omigosh, if he won’t eat then just let him starve!’ A blonde haired teen snapped from the doorway. His arms were crossed and he shot the Swede a disgusted glare.
‘Poland…!’ Lithuania exclaimed tiredly. He was trying to be hopeful but he was beginning to reach his own end. For weeks he had tried to justify his concern for the foreign nation but it was beginning to feel as if it were all for nothing.
Raising an eyebrow, the Pole sighed dramatically and stomped towards the trio, ‘Look, he’s obviously not eating ‘cos you’re doing it wrong!’ He scolded, ‘Give me the spoon!’ He commanded and his friend willingly obliged. ‘If he won’t eat then stop babying him! Just shove it down his throat like this-‘ and the blonde sloppily stuck the spoon into the Swede’s mouth. There was the sound of a tooth probably being chipped in the process and probably some gagging but that didn’t stop the Pole who force-fed the Swede and left his friend to clean the mess.
A slice of cake was passed along with a fork and the Swede remained silent.
“You should eat,” Lithuania insisted gently.
He was not hungry any more. Everything was out of place. He was not at home, Finland was not at his house-nothing was the way it should be.
There was the sound of movement and the Swede looked up to see a fourth person: A young man, small in stature but tall and proud. The three inhabitants of the house rose to their feet but did not speak as they anticipated a reaction.
Raising a hand to his blonde hair, he pulled the ribbon that held his hair back and ruffled it, letting his hair fall naturally to the sides of his face. “I am like, sooooo beat!” He announced, stretching his arms in the air but then stopping mid-way to see the new addition to his table.
There was eye contact. Light blue met bright green and the smaller male snapped, “It’s about time you woke up!” He sounded annoyed, “Tch, I was totally about to kick you out for dead!”
“Poland!” Lithuania exclaimed.
“Whaaaat? It’s way true!” The Pole barked back, flipping his hair and glaring at the Swede, “Y’know he totally like, just mooched off of us all winter and for what?! He didn’t help us in the fields during the fall! All he did was crash here and sleep all day! And don’t even get me started on the dog!” There was barking and Hana-Tamago growled at the grouchy blonde. “LIKE, CHILL- OUT!” Yelled Poland and the dog dashed back behind Sweden. Poland was angry at the dog. God knew how many pairs of brand new shoes the animal had chewed and it was only his shoes.
Placing both hands at his hips, Poland looked down at Sweden, “I’m totally tired of you: Get outta my house!” He demanded and Lithuania grabbed the blonde by the arm.
“You don’t need to be rude!” Lithuania whispered.
“I want him out!”
“Poland, you aren’t being very nice-“
“Nice? I totally let him stay at my house all winter for free! I’m way generous to a fault!”
“Poland!”
“Liet!”
“Poland!”
”Like, what?!”
Picking up Hana-Tamago, Sweden rose from his seat. He could tell that he was no longer invited to stay in the Pole’s house and he was intent on finding Sweden.
“See, he’s totally ready to leave anyways.” Poland pointed out and stepped aside for the taller man to get to the door. “Like, see you later!” Poland bade, “Only not.”
“Wait!” Lithuania insisted, running to one of the drawers and pulling out a green cloth. He grabbed various items from the counters and set them down on the table where he folded the rest of the almond cake and a few fruits into the cloth. Running back to Sweden, he held out the package, “I’m sorry about Poland,” He whispered and behind him Poland obnoxiously sighed, ‘I hear you.’ “He’s a good person, really.” He apologized.
The Swede could sense this to be true but he suspected it all depended on what type of person you were. Nodding his head as if to understand, he could see the Lithuanian’s expression relax. No sooner had he accepted the package when Poland began shoving the man out the door. Insert a few awkward steps outside into the brilliant, new green called spring, he maintained momentum, continuing to walk long after the Pole had stopped shoving.
He was a fair distance away from the house when he heard far behind him, a bossy voice yelling, “And don’t come back!”
The room was golden in color. The floor boards, the bed, the dresser, the yellow irises in the bronze vase, the quilt over his bed… he squinted and fumbled about the nightstand beside him for his glasses. His had made contact with the cool glass and he put them on. Even the light that poured into the room was golden.
The air was light and had a sweet scent to it that he knew he had experience but could not but his finger on. He had the most peculiar feeling as if he had been born again.
Outside the room, he could hear barking followed by young laughter. Groggily, he got out of bed. This feeling was disorienting. What was he supposed to do now? He straightened his glasses and stepped out.
The hall was long with pictures of golden fields. He followed the bright red carpet past many closed doors before finally coming to an open doorway. Before he could even see the room it led too, a mass of white dashed at his legs. The laughing stopped. The barking continued.
Kneeling down, he pet the white dog behind the ears before raising his gaze once again to see the two boys. One with amber colored eyes who stared dumbfounded at the older man and the other was a boy with glasses who sat up from his chair and ran to the back, to another door calling, “Lithuania! He’s come out of his room! Lithuania…” And his voice faded as he disappeared into the room to find Lithuania.
“G-good morning, sir,” The amber eyed boy greeted meekly.
“G’mornin’.” The Swede returned and the boy jumped up from the ground and stood straight and stiff like a board. He now noticed that he was in a room that appeared to be a kitchen. A table for four in the center with an brick oven and many cabinets decorated the room.
“D-did you sleep well…?!” He squeaked and Sweden grunted yes in response. “That’s… that’s good!” His voice was growing higher with each sentence.
A pair of footsteps and the boy with glasses returned with a taller, brown haired one. His hair was long enough to be tied back but was too short to do a proper pony tail as much of it was still worn freely like it was now. “Oh, you’re awake!” and the other boy whispered “I told you!”
“L-Lithuania!” The smallest boy exclaimed, turning around and trembling, “H-he’s talking!”
The two younger boys looked up at Lithuania curiously, silently asking what should happen next. Scratching the back of his head, Lithuania laughed, “Well,” He began awkwardly, “Poland will be glad to hear about this…” And he pulled a chair aside, “Have a seat. Latvia, get the cakes from the cupboard but not the honey ones or Poland will throw a fit-Estonia, you can boil some water in the kettle.”
Sweden got the idea that as of right now, Lithuania was in charge of the house but only because this “Poland” character was away. Taking the offered seat, the Swede watched as the two younger boys scurried about the kitchen grabbing plates and the like.
Sitting down across from him, Lithuania smiled weakly, “Are you hungry?”
“Hm.” Yes, he was but he didn’t want to impose on them.
The youngest brother hurried forward with a lightly wrapped package. Placing it on the table he squeaked, “I-I’ll get the p-plates!” And Sweden got the impression he was just searching for an excuse to be away.
Unwrapping the paper, a small cake, plain cake was revealed. It smelled of almonds. “You haven’t eaten much since we brought you here.” He spoke calmly, beginning to cut the cake with a knife.
“. . . How l’ng?” He asked just as the youngest brother returned with plates, cups, and tea bags along side the middle one who carried a steaming kettle. Lithuania took the kettle and began to pour the water into the cups.
“Two months.” Lithuania replied calmly and Sweden could feel his heart drop into his stomach. “Poland and I found you on our way back home.”
Something in the back of his head told him he should know this. He remembered hearing a boy speak loudly and energetically. He remembered someone stepping on him and cursing violently in a foreign tongue.
This was a memory. A foggy, vague, and dissociative one but it was his memory.
He could remember Lithuania’s voice speaking, ‘Maybe we should take him to town.’ And the other voice replying angrily, ‘He’s totally not our problem! Just leave him!’ There was a gap in his memory and the two travelers were back, ‘He’s still there, Poland,’
‘So?’
‘Poland…’
‘FINE, bring him if it bothers you that much! But you’re totally carrying him, got it?!’
Sweden looked up at the Lithuanian, suddenly aware of how grateful he should be.
“We let you sleep in Latvia’s room,” Lithuania continued.
“I-I didn’t mind.” The youngest brother assured, “E-Estonia let me share his bed…!”
“It wasn’t a problem,” Estonia agreed, “It was the dog I had a problem with.” And he gave the white haired creature an annoyed look. For two months, the dog had shed all over his bed and clothes. It was a hassle removing the white hairs from his dark, winter clothes.
There was a moment of silence and Latvia stammered, “Y-you didn’t l-leave the room.”
The Swede took a deep interest in the tea cup.
Memories.
The first morning he woke up in the room, the color had been gray.
Lithuania closed his eyes, “We were worried you were going to starve yourself.” And the three brothers snickered.
Lithuania and his brothers stood by his bed, trying to get the Swede to eat something. Even if it was just soup or a sip of water, it would have been better than nothing at all. ‘Like, omigosh, if he won’t eat then just let him starve!’ A blonde haired teen snapped from the doorway. His arms were crossed and he shot the Swede a disgusted glare.
‘Poland…!’ Lithuania exclaimed tiredly. He was trying to be hopeful but he was beginning to reach his own end. For weeks he had tried to justify his concern for the foreign nation but it was beginning to feel as if it were all for nothing.
Raising an eyebrow, the Pole sighed dramatically and stomped towards the trio, ‘Look, he’s obviously not eating ‘cos you’re doing it wrong!’ He scolded, ‘Give me the spoon!’ He commanded and his friend willingly obliged. ‘If he won’t eat then stop babying him! Just shove it down his throat like this-‘ and the blonde sloppily stuck the spoon into the Swede’s mouth. There was the sound of a tooth probably being chipped in the process and probably some gagging but that didn’t stop the Pole who force-fed the Swede and left his friend to clean the mess.
A slice of cake was passed along with a fork and the Swede remained silent.
“You should eat,” Lithuania insisted gently.
He was not hungry any more. Everything was out of place. He was not at home, Finland was not at his house-nothing was the way it should be.
There was the sound of movement and the Swede looked up to see a fourth person: A young man, small in stature but tall and proud. The three inhabitants of the house rose to their feet but did not speak as they anticipated a reaction.
Raising a hand to his blonde hair, he pulled the ribbon that held his hair back and ruffled it, letting his hair fall naturally to the sides of his face. “I am like, sooooo beat!” He announced, stretching his arms in the air but then stopping mid-way to see the new addition to his table.
There was eye contact. Light blue met bright green and the smaller male snapped, “It’s about time you woke up!” He sounded annoyed, “Tch, I was totally about to kick you out for dead!”
“Poland!” Lithuania exclaimed.
“Whaaaat? It’s way true!” The Pole barked back, flipping his hair and glaring at the Swede, “Y’know he totally like, just mooched off of us all winter and for what?! He didn’t help us in the fields during the fall! All he did was crash here and sleep all day! And don’t even get me started on the dog!” There was barking and Hana-Tamago growled at the grouchy blonde. “LIKE, CHILL- OUT!” Yelled Poland and the dog dashed back behind Sweden. Poland was angry at the dog. God knew how many pairs of brand new shoes the animal had chewed and it was only his shoes.
Placing both hands at his hips, Poland looked down at Sweden, “I’m totally tired of you: Get outta my house!” He demanded and Lithuania grabbed the blonde by the arm.
“You don’t need to be rude!” Lithuania whispered.
“I want him out!”
“Poland, you aren’t being very nice-“
“Nice? I totally let him stay at my house all winter for free! I’m way generous to a fault!”
“Poland!”
“Liet!”
“Poland!”
”Like, what?!”
Picking up Hana-Tamago, Sweden rose from his seat. He could tell that he was no longer invited to stay in the Pole’s house and he was intent on finding Sweden.
“See, he’s totally ready to leave anyways.” Poland pointed out and stepped aside for the taller man to get to the door. “Like, see you later!” Poland bade, “Only not.”
“Wait!” Lithuania insisted, running to one of the drawers and pulling out a green cloth. He grabbed various items from the counters and set them down on the table where he folded the rest of the almond cake and a few fruits into the cloth. Running back to Sweden, he held out the package, “I’m sorry about Poland,” He whispered and behind him Poland obnoxiously sighed, ‘I hear you.’ “He’s a good person, really.” He apologized.
The Swede could sense this to be true but he suspected it all depended on what type of person you were. Nodding his head as if to understand, he could see the Lithuanian’s expression relax. No sooner had he accepted the package when Poland began shoving the man out the door. Insert a few awkward steps outside into the brilliant, new green called spring, he maintained momentum, continuing to walk long after the Pole had stopped shoving.
He was a fair distance away from the house when he heard far behind him, a bossy voice yelling, “And don’t come back!”