At World's End -- Part 4b
anonymous
March 22 2010, 02:08:29 UTC
True they had been apart for the last five years but that had always seemed temporary. This was permanent. He was going to be whisked away to the North before he really had a chance to understand what was happening to him. He had no idea when he'd be able to see his family again...or if he would ever be able to at all. The other option was escape but there would be no coming back from that either and no way to let them know he was okay or know how they were fairing. If he managed to get away he'd have to go into deep hiding in the wilds of the most southern parts of Southland if he hoped to escape the Northern King's reach.
Neither option appealed to him. He sighed. He was once again faced with a decision he didn't want to make where neither choice was good.
He glanced over at the connecting door that led to his brother's room. Instinctively he knew Matthew was on the other side probably getting ready for his trip. That he hadn't already come barging through the door when he was sure to know that Alfred was there was not much a surprise. As he knew when Alfred needed him, Matthew also knew when he wanted to be alone. Alfred was probably putting out enough keep away vibes from himself to build a second wall between them. Matthew would give him his space but it probably wouldn't last for long. Matthew never let him wallow for long and it had been five years since they'd last seen each other.
He sighed again. He wanted nothing more then to lay his current problem's at Matthew's feet and ask his advice, but he couldn't do that this time. His father had asked him not to and though it was the last thing he wanted at the moment Alfred had to agree with him. Matthew couldn't know about the switch until it was too late for him to do anything about it. He would be furious and he would find some way to get it switched back. Matthew was a lot wilier then Alfred who tended to rush straight into things without thinking. Matthew would come up with some way to get Alfred out of the contract and himself back in it. That was simply not and option in Alfred's mind no matter what other choice he made that day. Either he would be getting married the following day or he would be long gone which would make the possibility of the contract getting switched over impossible.
He rose to his feet and grabbed for his bag. He needed to think and he needed to do it in a place less confined...less filled with memories. The garden had always been his refuge at such times in the past and it would serve him well now. He hurried out onto the balcony. The first real smile he'd had since he'd entered Britannia's borders the day before. The tree he'd always used to gain access to the gardens below was still there. He was a little surprised since it was the tree that he'd used to sneak out of his room on the night he'd left. It was also the tree Matthew used as a way to the gardens as well and that was probably the reason it was still there. It wouldn't be fair to punish Matthew for something Alfred had done.
Cinching the pack tightly around his chest and waist Alfred reached out and grabbed one of the tree branches that overhung the balcony and swung himself up. He grabbed onto another tree branch and waited half expecting the tree to give way. It held and he quickly scurried down it and to the ground. He brushed himself off and then set off towards the wall that encircled the perimeter of the gardens and kept it separated from the rest of the castle grounds. He tried to look casual as he walked but he had a specific destination in mind. He wanted to check to see if the escape tunnel he'd used to escape was still open. It would only take a few wards to make it accessible to the family magical signature only. If his father had put the wards in place he would be out of luck.
At World's End -- Part 4c
anonymous
March 22 2010, 02:10:08 UTC
He stopped in front of a section of the wall towards the back of the garden. There barely visible even to those who knew it was there was a small chunk of brick that looked only slightly out of place with the rest of the wall. He took a deep breath and pushed it. The door swung open slightly. He breathed a sigh of relief and quickly shut it back up again. Then he continued walking until he reached the place where the regular gardens merged with Francis' rose gardens and turned and walked towards the center of the garden and towards the pond. He waited until he was sitting with his back against the tree, pack on the ground next to him, before he sent a cautious glance towards the windows of the family quarters.
They settled on the windows of his father's study. He only barely stopped himself from making a rude gesture towards the windows, it was childish and he doubted his father would be looking out at the gardens anyway. He probably had his nose back into work feeling quite smug about what he'd just pulled off. If he was bothering to think about Alfred at all which he probably wasn't.
Alfred huffed and tossed a rock into the pond. Then the atmosphere of the garden seemed to change, a bit of warm wind brushed against him and he couldn't help but smile. He knew long before he glanced up that his brother was near.
"Alfred!"
Matthew's voice reached his ears as he followed Alfred's earlier example and scurried down the tree and hurried across the gardens. Alfred stood as Matthew reached him and accepted the hug his brother tossed around his neck greedily. For a moment they stood there connected together and Alfred felt peace. He was whole again. Then Matthew pulled back and tried to pin him with a stern look through the grin spreading across his whole face.
"Why didn't you didn't tell me you were coming?" he asked. "I could have rode out to meet you..."
"Sorry..." Alfred mumbled glad that he was at least not going to be yelled at for leaving in the first place. There had been more then one letter with that bent over the past five years. "I didn't know until I crossed the borders back into Britannia..." he said, averting his head so Matthew wouldn't read the lie on his face.
There was a silence as Matthew shifted a little to try and catch Alfred's eyes, there was a huff of air as his brother pulled away and crossed his arms pinning Alfred with a real sharp look he felt even though he wasn't looking in that direction. "You're lying," Matthew said firmly. "You're here because I told you about the betrothal...no other reason...you're angry with Father."
"Of course I am!" Alfred snapped glancing up at his brother and matching his glare with one of his own. "How else am I supposed to feel after hearing he's trapped you into marriage with some King you've never met before..."
"He hasn't trapped me," Matthew said quietly. "He laid everything out for me and asked me if I would...I agreed."
"How much of a choice did you really have?" Alfred scoffed. "The truth, Matthew...I'm sure he placed all sorts of pressure at your feet."
"He didn't lay any pressure at my feet," Matthew said sounding mildly irritated. "He did explain why it would be good for the two Kingdoms...and I agree it's a very good match."
"For the Northern Kingdom maybe," Alfred said with a wave of his hand. "But what does Britannia actually get out of it? Nothing as far as I can tell. In fact it seems more detrimental then anything...because it leaves us without a heir to the throne..."
Matthew shifted uncomfortably at Alfred's words and scooted a little bit away from him. Realization smacked Alfred upside the head as just what weapon his father had used against Matthew became clear to him. The fact that there was still a part of Matthew who didn't want the responsibility of being King, a part of him that didn't think he would be any good at it. That wasn't anywhere near the truth. Matthew would make a fine King someday and he deserved it too.
"Matthew..." he said softly, insistently. "Surely that's not what you truly want. To give up the throne..."
At World's End -- Part 4d
anonymous
March 22 2010, 02:12:36 UTC
"You haven't been around for the past five years, Alfred," Matthew snapped in real anger. "What could you possibly know about what I want or not?"
Alfred flinched backwards at the direct hit. The guilt and anger at himself for not being around when his brother needed him was much stronger at that simple barb then anything his father could have thrown at him. He should have been there. If he hadn't been so busy thinking of his own needs he could have prevented this mess from ever happening in the first place.
"Sorry..." he mumbled stepping away from his brother he crossed back towards the tree and sat down.
"Oh Alfred..." Matthew said with a sigh as he hurried to sit down next to Alfred leaning up against him. "I didn't mean it like that..."
"Yes you did," Alfred muttered not willing to allow Matthew to back out of it. Matthew had the right to be angry with him.
"Alright," Matthew admitted after a moment. "Maybe I meant it a little...but...that doesn't mean I don't understand why you left. I know you needed to, to find out for yourself who you are and your place in the world. At least one of us has a choice..."
"You have a choice, Matthew," Alfred said firmly, not allowing him to think about how any real choice had been taken from him.
"No I don't..." Matthew said with a shake of his head. "I never really have. I've come to accept that as the heir I have to do what's best for the Kingdom even if it's not necessarily the path I thought my life would take. Please try to understand, Alfred. I don't think I could handle thinking you were angry with me over this..."
"I'm not angry with *you*!" Alfred squawked completed aghast that his brother would ever think that..
"Don't be angry with Father either," Matthew said softly. "I don't think he particularly likes that I am faced with this..."
"Then he should change it," Alfred said with a huff not willing to give their father any leeway. "He's the King...he can make any choice he wants to about it...it's not like this is a fallout of war, it's a conscious decision on his part."
"He has to do what's best for the Kingdom, Alfred," Matthew insisted firmly. "Even if it's not necessarily one he wants to make for himself...or for me...the Kingdom must come first. This is good for the Kingdom it will help us grow and give us extra strength and protection. For us...and for our people. They are always are first priority in everything we must do. Even if that leaves us facing choices where neither option is something we find pleasant..."
Alfred sighed and muttered to himself pulling away from his brother slightly to let his eyes drift towards the office windows across the garden. That sentiment was quickly becoming the running theme to his life. And an annoying one at that.
"You'll stay won't you?" Matthew asked tentatively into the silence. "For the wedding?"
"Matthew..." Alfred said with a sigh. He hated having to lie to his brother. "I don't think..."
"Please, Alfred," Matthew insisted quietly. "It would be easier if you were here with me."
"I'll...I'll think about it..." Alfred said lamely.
"Alright, then," Matthew said with a frown, it was obvious that was not the promise he was going for. The bell tower in the chapel in another section of the castle grounds rang the hour, Matthew's frown grew deeper. "I have to finish getting ready, I have to leave for Prussia within the hour. I've been invited to the Prince's engagement party."
"I was there," Alfred said and Matthew looked at him curiously. "That's where I was when I got your message. King Gilbert has pulled out all the stops for his brother's party...you'll have a good time..." Alfred sighed a little sadly thinking about all the food that he had spied in the Prussia kitchen stores before he'd left. He'd so been looking forward to eating it. It seemed like a lifetime ago that he was riding through the Prussian country side with Ludwig and Feliciano as they tried to escape the King's frantic crazy part preparations. So much had changed within the space of a couple of days.
At World's End -- Part 4e
anonymous
March 22 2010, 02:14:37 UTC
Matthew seemed to sense his mood though he misunderstood what it was for. "You could come with me," he said with a wide grin. "Imagine the stir we'd cause if we showed up together!"
"I probably shouldn't," Alfred said with a sigh he was tempted to say yes. To tell his father and the Northern King that their wedding could wait but he knew they would never go for it, it would be too easy an escaping point for him for them to allow it. Besides it was obvious they wanted to get the wedding done with while Matthew was away. "I...I...have things I should discuss with Father..." he winced at the last ie but was thankful that Matthew would probably misinterpret it for more anger at their father as well. At least that wasn't too far off the mark from what he was feeling.
Matthew's expression brightened at the idea that Alfred and their father might try to work through their differences, it made Alfred feel worse then ever. Then Matthew turned more serious as Alfred turned his face back towards the pond and threw another rock into it. "You'll still be here when I get back won't you?" he asked.
Alfred felt the painful tug at his heart and sighed. There was no way that he could get out of this with a half truth. One way or another he would be gone when Matthew returned from Prussia. He opened his mouth to say something and then shut it quickly when nothing came out. Besides him Matthew sighed and threw a rock of his own into the pond. Alfred watched the ripples it created as it sunk. He waited for his brother to speak again.
"Could you try and wait for me to return?" Matthew asked softly. "Then at least I could see you off with a proper goodbye?"
Alfred gulped he couldn't lie but he couldn't not answer the request. "I...I will try..." he said and hoped that would be enough.
Matthew nodded his head, a soft frown on his face, then he turned towards Alfred. "Will you at least see me off tonight?"
"Of course," Alfred said quickly. Truthfully he'd hoped to spend as little time interacting with people that evening as possible. He had a big decision to make but he couldn't say no to his brother after all the lying he'd already done. Either way it would give him the chance to give Matthew that proper goodbye.
"Good...you'll get to meet Ivan," Matthew said with a slight nod as he drew himself back to his feet, Alfred stood along with him.
"Ivan?" Alfred asked curiously, confused for a long moment about the name he couldn't place. Then realization struck a few seconds before Matthew clarified it himself. There was only one person Ivan could be.
"The Northern King," Matthew said. "His name is Ivan."
"Ivan..." Alfred repeated softly testing the name out on his tongue.
"You can tell me what you think," Matthew said cautiously. "Though you have to promise to behave yourself. He has been nothing but kind to me since he arrived here."
Alfred managed to bite his tongue to make some scathing comment about how of course the Northern King was kind to Matthew when he knew very well he wasn't going to be marrying him at all. Instead he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded.
"Alfred..." Matthew said in exasperation.
"I will treat him as he treats me," Alfred said simply.
Matthew huffed a bit and rolled his eyes. Then reached forward and pulled Alfred into another tight hug. "I've missed you, Alfred."
"I've missed you too, Matthew," Alfred said truthfully and returned the hug fully.
At World's End -- Part 4f
anonymous
March 22 2010, 02:16:26 UTC
"Do you want to help me finish packing?" Matthew asked hopefully.
"I really don't have the urge to watch you fold and unfold and refold your clothing a million times, no," Alfred teased knowing just how his brother was when it came to packing. He doubted that had changed over the past five years.
Matthew glared at him but it dissolved quickly to a grin. He turned and headed off then stopped and turned back to look at Alfred. It looked like he very much wanted to say something but he shook his head and continued on his way. Alfred sighed and turned back to look at the pond. He suspected Matthew knew that he would not still be here when he returned from Prussia. As always his brother knew him too well.
Alfred flicked another stone into the pond this time skipping it instead of just dunking it. He realized as he watched it that his life was much like the stone. His father the controlling hand sending him on his journey he could either choose to skip forward or sink to the bottom. For that's what this marriage was like...a force of gravity pulling him downwards against his will..
He thought about his Matthew who was so willing to give into that force though he didn't know what was waiting for him underneath the depths. He did it because he thought it was his duty to his people and his kingdom. He did it because he thought it was the right path for him to choose. His brother was always so quick to trust that things would work out the way they were supposed to in the end. Alfred had always admired his brother's brand of quiet bravery but he also knew that that sort of bravery was not for him. His own was as loud and brash and head first as he himself was.
Alfred skipped another stone watching as it flicked forward across the water as quickly and as far as it possibly could, before it too could no longer fight the inevitable pull downwards. In that moment he had his answer. He would have to try and escape from the pull his father was trying to exert over him. It wouldn't be easy, the Northern King might expect that his command would be enough for Alfred to listening but his father would learn from his past mistakes he would be ready for him to make a move.
So Alfred would just have to make sure he was just two moves further ahead.
Re: At World's End -- Part 4f
anonymous
March 22 2010, 10:30:18 UTC
This was totally worth waiting for, everything fits so well together and both Alfred and Matthew are very realistic. The stone in the pond part was really good. Now I'm wondering what his escape attempt will be?The part where Alfred learned Ivan's name was really cute too ^_^
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it! It's nice to know there are a few people still hanging around to read this I feel bad about leaving it hang for a while but real life and naughty muses just did let me.
*happydance*
anonymous
March 22 2010, 20:39:56 UTC
This was great. I'm totally looking forward to the next bit, and will wait just as long for it :). The characters are great and the bonus information is just soooo WIN.
Re: At World's End -- Part 4f
anonymous
March 23 2010, 02:33:50 UTC
Yay an update! I really like that invisible bond that is there between the two brothers. And I also love the rock part near the end. Great job so far! Keep it up! C:
Neither option appealed to him. He sighed. He was once again faced with a decision he didn't want to make where neither choice was good.
He glanced over at the connecting door that led to his brother's room. Instinctively he knew Matthew was on the other side probably getting ready for his trip. That he hadn't already come barging through the door when he was sure to know that Alfred was there was not much a surprise. As he knew when Alfred needed him, Matthew also knew when he wanted to be alone. Alfred was probably putting out enough keep away vibes from himself to build a second wall between them. Matthew would give him his space but it probably wouldn't last for long. Matthew never let him wallow for long and it had been five years since they'd last seen each other.
He sighed again. He wanted nothing more then to lay his current problem's at Matthew's feet and ask his advice, but he couldn't do that this time. His father had asked him not to and though it was the last thing he wanted at the moment Alfred had to agree with him. Matthew couldn't know about the switch until it was too late for him to do anything about it. He would be furious and he would find some way to get it switched back. Matthew was a lot wilier then Alfred who tended to rush straight into things without thinking. Matthew would come up with some way to get Alfred out of the contract and himself back in it. That was simply not and option in Alfred's mind no matter what other choice he made that day. Either he would be getting married the following day or he would be long gone which would make the possibility of the contract getting switched over impossible.
He rose to his feet and grabbed for his bag. He needed to think and he needed to do it in a place less confined...less filled with memories. The garden had always been his refuge at such times in the past and it would serve him well now. He hurried out onto the balcony. The first real smile he'd had since he'd entered Britannia's borders the day before. The tree he'd always used to gain access to the gardens below was still there. He was a little surprised since it was the tree that he'd used to sneak out of his room on the night he'd left. It was also the tree Matthew used as a way to the gardens as well and that was probably the reason it was still there. It wouldn't be fair to punish Matthew for something Alfred had done.
Cinching the pack tightly around his chest and waist Alfred reached out and grabbed one of the tree branches that overhung the balcony and swung himself up. He grabbed onto another tree branch and waited half expecting the tree to give way. It held and he quickly scurried down it and to the ground. He brushed himself off and then set off towards the wall that encircled the perimeter of the gardens and kept it separated from the rest of the castle grounds. He tried to look casual as he walked but he had a specific destination in mind. He wanted to check to see if the escape tunnel he'd used to escape was still open. It would only take a few wards to make it accessible to the family magical signature only. If his father had put the wards in place he would be out of luck.
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They settled on the windows of his father's study. He only barely stopped himself from making a rude gesture towards the windows, it was childish and he doubted his father would be looking out at the gardens anyway. He probably had his nose back into work feeling quite smug about what he'd just pulled off. If he was bothering to think about Alfred at all which he probably wasn't.
Alfred huffed and tossed a rock into the pond. Then the atmosphere of the garden seemed to change, a bit of warm wind brushed against him and he couldn't help but smile. He knew long before he glanced up that his brother was near.
"Alfred!"
Matthew's voice reached his ears as he followed Alfred's earlier example and scurried down the tree and hurried across the gardens. Alfred stood as Matthew reached him and accepted the hug his brother tossed around his neck greedily. For a moment they stood there connected together and Alfred felt peace. He was whole again. Then Matthew pulled back and tried to pin him with a stern look through the grin spreading across his whole face.
"Why didn't you didn't tell me you were coming?" he asked. "I could have rode out to meet you..."
"Sorry..." Alfred mumbled glad that he was at least not going to be yelled at for leaving in the first place. There had been more then one letter with that bent over the past five years. "I didn't know until I crossed the borders back into Britannia..." he said, averting his head so Matthew wouldn't read the lie on his face.
There was a silence as Matthew shifted a little to try and catch Alfred's eyes, there was a huff of air as his brother pulled away and crossed his arms pinning Alfred with a real sharp look he felt even though he wasn't looking in that direction. "You're lying," Matthew said firmly. "You're here because I told you about the betrothal...no other reason...you're angry with Father."
"Of course I am!" Alfred snapped glancing up at his brother and matching his glare with one of his own. "How else am I supposed to feel after hearing he's trapped you into marriage with some King you've never met before..."
"He hasn't trapped me," Matthew said quietly. "He laid everything out for me and asked me if I would...I agreed."
"How much of a choice did you really have?" Alfred scoffed. "The truth, Matthew...I'm sure he placed all sorts of pressure at your feet."
"He didn't lay any pressure at my feet," Matthew said sounding mildly irritated. "He did explain why it would be good for the two Kingdoms...and I agree it's a very good match."
"For the Northern Kingdom maybe," Alfred said with a wave of his hand. "But what does Britannia actually get out of it? Nothing as far as I can tell. In fact it seems more detrimental then anything...because it leaves us without a heir to the throne..."
Matthew shifted uncomfortably at Alfred's words and scooted a little bit away from him. Realization smacked Alfred upside the head as just what weapon his father had used against Matthew became clear to him. The fact that there was still a part of Matthew who didn't want the responsibility of being King, a part of him that didn't think he would be any good at it. That wasn't anywhere near the truth. Matthew would make a fine King someday and he deserved it too.
"Matthew..." he said softly, insistently. "Surely that's not what you truly want. To give up the throne..."
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Alfred flinched backwards at the direct hit. The guilt and anger at himself for not being around when his brother needed him was much stronger at that simple barb then anything his father could have thrown at him. He should have been there. If he hadn't been so busy thinking of his own needs he could have prevented this mess from ever happening in the first place.
"Sorry..." he mumbled stepping away from his brother he crossed back towards the tree and sat down.
"Oh Alfred..." Matthew said with a sigh as he hurried to sit down next to Alfred leaning up against him. "I didn't mean it like that..."
"Yes you did," Alfred muttered not willing to allow Matthew to back out of it. Matthew had the right to be angry with him.
"Alright," Matthew admitted after a moment. "Maybe I meant it a little...but...that doesn't mean I don't understand why you left. I know you needed to, to find out for yourself who you are and your place in the world. At least one of us has a choice..."
"You have a choice, Matthew," Alfred said firmly, not allowing him to think about how any real choice had been taken from him.
"No I don't..." Matthew said with a shake of his head. "I never really have. I've come to accept that as the heir I have to do what's best for the Kingdom even if it's not necessarily the path I thought my life would take. Please try to understand, Alfred. I don't think I could handle thinking you were angry with me over this..."
"I'm not angry with *you*!" Alfred squawked completed aghast that his brother would ever think that..
"Don't be angry with Father either," Matthew said softly. "I don't think he particularly likes that I am faced with this..."
"Then he should change it," Alfred said with a huff not willing to give their father any leeway. "He's the King...he can make any choice he wants to about it...it's not like this is a fallout of war, it's a conscious decision on his part."
"He has to do what's best for the Kingdom, Alfred," Matthew insisted firmly. "Even if it's not necessarily one he wants to make for himself...or for me...the Kingdom must come first. This is good for the Kingdom it will help us grow and give us extra strength and protection. For us...and for our people. They are always are first priority in everything we must do. Even if that leaves us facing choices where neither option is something we find pleasant..."
Alfred sighed and muttered to himself pulling away from his brother slightly to let his eyes drift towards the office windows across the garden. That sentiment was quickly becoming the running theme to his life. And an annoying one at that.
"You'll stay won't you?" Matthew asked tentatively into the silence. "For the wedding?"
"Matthew..." Alfred said with a sigh. He hated having to lie to his brother. "I don't think..."
"Please, Alfred," Matthew insisted quietly. "It would be easier if you were here with me."
"I'll...I'll think about it..." Alfred said lamely.
"Alright, then," Matthew said with a frown, it was obvious that was not the promise he was going for. The bell tower in the chapel in another section of the castle grounds rang the hour, Matthew's frown grew deeper. "I have to finish getting ready, I have to leave for Prussia within the hour. I've been invited to the Prince's engagement party."
"I was there," Alfred said and Matthew looked at him curiously. "That's where I was when I got your message. King Gilbert has pulled out all the stops for his brother's party...you'll have a good time..." Alfred sighed a little sadly thinking about all the food that he had spied in the Prussia kitchen stores before he'd left. He'd so been looking forward to eating it. It seemed like a lifetime ago that he was riding through the Prussian country side with Ludwig and Feliciano as they tried to escape the King's frantic crazy part preparations. So much had changed within the space of a couple of days.
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"I probably shouldn't," Alfred said with a sigh he was tempted to say yes. To tell his father and the Northern King that their wedding could wait but he knew they would never go for it, it would be too easy an escaping point for him for them to allow it. Besides it was obvious they wanted to get the wedding done with while Matthew was away. "I...I...have things I should discuss with Father..." he winced at the last ie but was thankful that Matthew would probably misinterpret it for more anger at their father as well. At least that wasn't too far off the mark from what he was feeling.
Matthew's expression brightened at the idea that Alfred and their father might try to work through their differences, it made Alfred feel worse then ever. Then Matthew turned more serious as Alfred turned his face back towards the pond and threw another rock into it. "You'll still be here when I get back won't you?" he asked.
Alfred felt the painful tug at his heart and sighed. There was no way that he could get out of this with a half truth. One way or another he would be gone when Matthew returned from Prussia. He opened his mouth to say something and then shut it quickly when nothing came out. Besides him Matthew sighed and threw a rock of his own into the pond. Alfred watched the ripples it created as it sunk. He waited for his brother to speak again.
"Could you try and wait for me to return?" Matthew asked softly. "Then at least I could see you off with a proper goodbye?"
Alfred gulped he couldn't lie but he couldn't not answer the request. "I...I will try..." he said and hoped that would be enough.
Matthew nodded his head, a soft frown on his face, then he turned towards Alfred. "Will you at least see me off tonight?"
"Of course," Alfred said quickly. Truthfully he'd hoped to spend as little time interacting with people that evening as possible. He had a big decision to make but he couldn't say no to his brother after all the lying he'd already done. Either way it would give him the chance to give Matthew that proper goodbye.
"Good...you'll get to meet Ivan," Matthew said with a slight nod as he drew himself back to his feet, Alfred stood along with him.
"Ivan?" Alfred asked curiously, confused for a long moment about the name he couldn't place. Then realization struck a few seconds before Matthew clarified it himself. There was only one person Ivan could be.
"The Northern King," Matthew said. "His name is Ivan."
"Ivan..." Alfred repeated softly testing the name out on his tongue.
"You can tell me what you think," Matthew said cautiously. "Though you have to promise to behave yourself. He has been nothing but kind to me since he arrived here."
Alfred managed to bite his tongue to make some scathing comment about how of course the Northern King was kind to Matthew when he knew very well he wasn't going to be marrying him at all. Instead he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded.
"Alfred..." Matthew said in exasperation.
"I will treat him as he treats me," Alfred said simply.
Matthew huffed a bit and rolled his eyes. Then reached forward and pulled Alfred into another tight hug. "I've missed you, Alfred."
"I've missed you too, Matthew," Alfred said truthfully and returned the hug fully.
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"I really don't have the urge to watch you fold and unfold and refold your clothing a million times, no," Alfred teased knowing just how his brother was when it came to packing. He doubted that had changed over the past five years.
Matthew glared at him but it dissolved quickly to a grin. He turned and headed off then stopped and turned back to look at Alfred. It looked like he very much wanted to say something but he shook his head and continued on his way. Alfred sighed and turned back to look at the pond. He suspected Matthew knew that he would not still be here when he returned from Prussia. As always his brother knew him too well.
Alfred flicked another stone into the pond this time skipping it instead of just dunking it. He realized as he watched it that his life was much like the stone. His father the controlling hand sending him on his journey he could either choose to skip forward or sink to the bottom. For that's what this marriage was like...a force of gravity pulling him downwards against his will..
He thought about his Matthew who was so willing to give into that force though he didn't know what was waiting for him underneath the depths. He did it because he thought it was his duty to his people and his kingdom. He did it because he thought it was the right path for him to choose. His brother was always so quick to trust that things would work out the way they were supposed to in the end. Alfred had always admired his brother's brand of quiet bravery but he also knew that that sort of bravery was not for him. His own was as loud and brash and head first as he himself was.
Alfred skipped another stone watching as it flicked forward across the water as quickly and as far as it possibly could, before it too could no longer fight the inevitable pull downwards. In that moment he had his answer. He would have to try and escape from the pull his father was trying to exert over him. It wouldn't be easy, the Northern King might expect that his command would be enough for Alfred to listening but his father would learn from his past mistakes he would be ready for him to make a move.
So Alfred would just have to make sure he was just two moves further ahead.
* * *
TBC
* * *
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:-)
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Great job so far! Keep it up! C:
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