[once-a-pirate]

Alongside his usual writing, and promises to behave, Arthur would drop briefings at the end of each whether they were concerning his frustrations with the men he travelled, the sometimes stormy nights, and later he bragged how never once they raised red sails. Their ship hadn’t been alone in the journey and although it caused a general unease the men had all managed to put up with one another easily enough. Weren’t they together in heckling Spain now? Neither, never once, did he bring mention of Alfred coming along in his uncertainties.

Truthfully, returning to the Americas to fetch the child hadn’t been entirely his own idea. Arthur enjoyed the company of very little and cared for less, keeping only a couple friends over his lifetime. Japan and Denmark namely, though he spoke fondly of Norway for his creatures and similar abilities it had been the wilder one of that lot who really paid him any mind, and the white knight of Europe, Prussia (more of a troublemaker, really, if you asked Arthur). Gilbert was, to put it nicely, rather peculiar for a holy man but it had been him and one of the older (and much more kindly) siblings, Hesse, to plant the seed. He had looked thoughtfully at little Holy Rome, busying himself off in the distance, and insisted it was different for this family. The distance involved concerned a few months of travel…

Gilbert won in the end, as usual, of course.

Those thoughts stayed with him on the trip there. What if he wouldn’t come? And on the way home, had he been worried for nothing? Would telling Elizabeth of the plan have altered the outcome? Who knew. As it was, he had been happy to reunite with his boy, and gladder yet when they stepped back on his own lands together.

Together.

Where Arthur had failed to greet Elizabeth properly Edmund made quite well up for it. The blond puffed up under her stare, smiling broadly and lopsided, too pleased with himself to remember. Arthur loved and respected the woman greatly but it was usually for the sake of formalities in front of their people to address her the way they expected of him. Right now? Right now he was more interested in her reaction to what was visible of the young nation.

In contrast, Alfred hadn’t been quite so happy about the staring. He could feel her eyes on him – not the others, him, through heavy wool. Then Arthur took it away. He made a noise upon being revealed and ended up grabbing the worn lace of Arthur’s sleeve when attempting to retrieve the panel of coat. The boy had wide, vivid eyes, only less blue than Fearghas’, and rich golden tones to blond hair that was just long enough for the sections behind his ears to be pulled into a small tail at the back of his head. He felt Arthur push him and panicked. “No, wait!”

“Go on,” Arthur tried again, letting the old pirate help free his shirt’s cuff from the tiny fist. Alfred’s strength was something to be mindful of.

Alfred clutched then empty hands into little fists at his chest, pouted briefly up at Arthur, then fixed Elizabeth with the most convincing scowl he could even with one cheek inflated with air. He shoved his hands down and, with one final look back at the two men behind him, started forward.

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth looked to Arthur as she noticed the struggle he had with the child, however brief it was. She wanted to approach Arthur, to draw him in against her, but she needed to remain calm, though she didn't feel calm. Gaze dropping once more, she looked to the child as he protested, and then attempted to present himself in a manner that let Elizabeth know he had spent a considerable time with her love. Even in the midst of her awe, she managed a small smile at the corners of her lips before carefully moving to her knees; this was an attempt to make herself level with the child, but it also caused some panic in the room as some of the court members moved to make themselves lower as well, while others remained too dumbfounded to move. She ignored the lot, entranced with the child and the potential offer, and an opportunity that her Arthur was presenting to her.

"You need not be so hard, little nation," she said gently, "Your kind is safe in my keep... What is your name?"

[once-a-pirate]

@glorianabess

For a time it had felt strange being allowed in and out of the court without a summons; they couldn’t control him. Now, even with a few months having passed since he’d returned to the sea, the only thing odd about it was that they didn’t seem to bat an eyelid at the scruffy, haggard old man and child that followed him. Edmund had been his first mate since he was a boy stolen from the gallows and has since inherited the ship and crew in Arthur’s absence, though he stepped away whenever he came back to them.

No one tried to stop him for the tattered clothing, grey and worn soft beneath a woollen coat so green it was nearly black, the cuffs and lining bright scarlet with gold braided cord as trim. It had a narrow hole in the left breast he never cared to patch up and a matching one, larger, in the back; the mark of a fight he’d lost a century or two ago. They didn’t stop him for smelling of dried wood and the sea, and they didn’t stop the not-so-immortal pirate that tailed after the countries.

Funny how he’d been concerned someone would manage to convince Elizabeth that he was gone for good.

Elizabeth not being in the room had been what caused Arthur to hesitate at the entrance and eye each individual as they whispered amongst themselves. Soon two hurried out of sight toward the back. Elizabeth not being there was not what caused his steps to be slow and careful when he finally walked forward – it was the small child doing everything in his power to trip him. Beneath the heavy coat, standing only a little taller Arthur’s knee, a tiny America waddled tightly along, all but sewn to his leg. Occasionally he would peek out and make a valiant attempt to scowl at people the way he had seen Arthur do so and to appear half as threatening. Previously Alfred had been content to wander cheerfully between the two men. It was when they stepped inside and everyone looked that he ran to hide.

“Will one of you bring the queen to me?” Arthur called, quite loudly, in the event that wasn’t what the ones who’d left intended. “I’ve someone with me who would like to meet her.”

[glorianabess]

Arthur, as wild and crass and endlessly free as he was, would never leave her. This wasn't because he felt an obligation to her, or that they were bound together, but because in all of that freedom he chose to want to be hers.

Her court, not knowing Arthur like she, advised nothing but the opposite to her, that she should reign him in, as other monarchs had. He had been gone for too long, galavanting on islands and continents unknown, sending letters as a means to appease her, but she knew better. She knew how unhappy he had been with her father, with her mother and sister after, and she promised in her youth to never do him unhappiness. In turn she had earned more from him than any. No one read the letters but her. No one knew Arthur's tenderness like she, and nor did she feel the means to share it. Arthur was his own, and would expose himself however to whomever he liked.

Even in all of that freedom she offered, she had not the ability to be so. She was a mask, the monarch her people needed, but her country knew her. She sought solace in that, and although the longer her Arthur was gone the sting of isolation grew sharper, she trusted those letters, received and given, as a reminder of who she was.

She had felt especially weak that night, a sadness in her she couldn't quite shake, and in an effort to regain herself for the following day, avoided court. She had been in the midst of writing a letter to her Arthur when she was interrupted, and in that announcement she forgot the letter.

It took everything in her to quell the buzzing she felt, though she allowed herself a quicker pace than usual as she entered the court. He was there. Her Arthur was there, looking of the sea, as he wished, and well. Not that the nations could really be much else, but she was happy for it. She didn't speak, a deafening silence in the room as the court awaited something, but she didn't feel need to grant her permissions yet, not while her gaze observed the tinier feet that resided beside the worn leather boots of her lover.

[once-a-pirate]

glorianabess:

He did remember. Her Arthur remembered her, even expected her. It was the touch of his hands, how cold they were, that made her begin to attempt to quell her tears, but she couldn’t quite get them to stop, now that relief had settled in place of the brief upset.

Regardless of more tears, Arthur’s gaze, and his attempts to focus on her features caused her to smile in return, at which point her fingers un-wrung from her skirts, and she reached her arms towards him.

“But look at me! I’m not goin’ anywhere,” she said through laughter, hoping the change in her demeanor would be more comforting, though he didn’t seem the least bit upset.

Even with only one of them, Alfred, being his by blood Arthur had ended up taking care of Matthew after a time and several others for short periods across the span of his lifetime so the reaction, picking her up, to little hands being stretched out at him had been automatic. An ingrained instinct he likely wouldn’t be capable to get rid of. He took her under her arms to lift her while he stood, though he did manage to avoid bouncing her on a hip the way he may have had with his boys.

“I see you – I see you,” Arthur hushed as he pulled her more securely against his waist and stared down at her through lowered lashes with a fondness that he had given only ever to her. He was a cold, violent man but his love for her was more than anything. Arthur loved Alfred, he loved his siblings, and he cared for a few others yet only she held his heart. Elizabeth and Elizabeth alone. None before, none after.

“How do you like that?” Maybe he wasn’t done. “Now you’ll be stuck with this rough old bastard forever.”

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth knew that Arthur was trying to tease her, but as he finally acknowledged her, picking her up to bring her close and looking at her with eyes so sweet, she knew that anything he had to say was grounded in that love, affection and relief.

Grinning, her little hands took his face, patting a couple of times before she wrapped her arms around his neck and held. "All I've wanted is that though," she responded genuinely. "I've wanted ye forever, Arthur love, m'rough, ol' bastard."

[once-a-pirate]

That certainly got her attention. He’d thought it worked at first although she was still clearly unsure, evident enough in the way she fussed at her clothing. It was unfortunate she hadn’t realised he was purposely instigating, or that he had admitted to it, but no matter–he’d simply have to tell her outright.

“Oh. No, my darling, not this time. In fact, I’ve come to expect your return.” Arthur’s movements were slow and a bit more hesitant than he would have preferred when he brought his hands up to small cheeks, skin chilled for the blood had drained from slender fingers in his excitement. He thumbed gently beneath her lash line at the tears that rolled free, the smile on his face having grown warm as he calmed down. “I ask again your forgiveness; I’ve allowed my suspicions to lead me into teasing you too greatly. I thought ‘if not, a child wouldn’t know’. Never once did it occur to me that this may be possible and yet…here you are.”

Green eyes failed to focus fully, darting almost unnoticeably in a show of that while he tried to get a clearer view of her face. “I told you once before it didn’t matter how many times, that I would welcome it again and again. But,” Arthur paused to give her a look, voice levelling back out, “If you say this is the last I’m going to hold you to it indefinitely.”

[glorianabess]

He did remember. Her Arthur remembered her, even expected her. It was the touch of his hands, how cold they were, that made her begin to attempt to quell her tears, but she couldn't quite get them to stop, now that relief had settled in place of the brief upset.

Regardless of more tears, Arthur's gaze, and his attempts to focus on her features caused her to smile in return, at which point her fingers un-wrung from her skirts, and she reached her arms towards him.

"But look at me! I'm not goin' anywhere," she said through laughter, hoping the change in her demeanor would be more comforting, though he didn't seem the least bit upset.

[once-a-pirate]

Yes he was really going to be that way with her; it was all he could do to keep from crying, and he was happily ignoring that it did nothing for how his body shook.

In the end it was the softer tone that calmed him down, at least long enough to notice the glitter of light along the bottom of her eyes. Arthur scrubbed a bit at his face, still pink, as the remainder of then quiet laughter died out. Although he listened to her speak the key presses were now deliberate and he made a weak attempt at hushing her through weak gestures, not waiting for a reply to the text he shot Fearghas.

“I suppose it lucky I hadn’t painted yet.” Elizabeth could become rather vulgar when upset, something which made it rather clear when she didn’t that he had gone on too long or she hadn’t caught onto the reason for that teasing. Arthur did find himself laughing again under his breath when he moved to tuck the cellphone back into a pocket. “Dear, forgive me. I will buy you as many comfits and wafers as you desire.”

[glorianabess]

Comfits... he said comfits and wafers, and it was then that Elizabeth's upset began to shift. That sounded like recognition, those words. He knew her favorites, had brought them to her in the Tower of London in one of her grimmest times. Was he remembering that? Was he trying to sate her upset so that it morphed into something more gentle?

She wrung her skirts harder, and unable to hold in what tears had already formed, there then moved a glaze over her eyes as tears began to slip. She couldn't pretend longer than she had now.

"D'ye not remember me again, then? Is it like that? This is the last time ye'll have to, I promise it, I do--"

[heartbreakhur]

[once-a-pirate]

can i just @glorianabess

[glorianabess]

Do you want to kill me???? ❤️

[once-a-pirate]

Harder yet to mask was the surprise when she cursed and scolded him. Arthur watched his hands so that he wouldn’t have to look at her, began very neatly folding the clothing in his lap to give the trembling appendages something to occupy themselves with. Yes, he’d been trying to taunt her. It seemed to work well enough; they progressed much faster than humans though they still acted as children when they were. Their amount of understanding sometimes couldn’t override that nature. He spent her little tantrum smiling quietly to himself.

The last bit of that – the bit before her stamping. That was what he’d been hoping for.

Arthur set the tidy triangles of fabric off to the side while his other hand dug out a small phone, and looked up at her as he ran his thumb heavily enough over the keypad to depress a few buttons so that they would make a sound. His voice and laughter was as shaky as his hands but his eyes were bright and he pressed on; “Of course! Kiku will know more about cute clothing than I would! How silly of me; I’ll ask him for help!”

[glorianabess]

Was he really going to be this way with her?! Elizabeth couldn't believe it, the fact that Arthur would be so insensitive to her and this moment, enough that she feel tears self up in her eyes when she felt hopeless, unsure of what to do.

"I-I don't want Kiku," she insisted, her tone softer now, however her gaze still had some level of vehement remaining. "I don't like the cute things; I'm not a baby! My body is wee, but I've lived too many times to wear baby things." Little hands were now ringing her dress, unsure if she should reach out at touch him now, or if he was toying with her.

She liked to think her Arthur would endeavor to be kinder upon a reunion than he was currently being, then again she was probably being too trusting of his abilities; she also knew he could be a little punk, like he was trying to be as of present.

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth knew that whatever she had to say about Francis or Antonio would not be well received, however it appeared as if her state, or perhaps even just her presence, tamed Arthur; knowing who she was seemed to cause him to accept what she had to say more than be frustrated by it, as had been made manifest in the several years past in this life. She felt a loss in not having his touch, and as he stood, her hand sought his free one, eyes lifted and watching him in an attempt to remain connected. “I don’t want you to leave,” she said, albeit more pathetically than she intended the words. She closed her eyes a moment later, an attempt to steel herself before she opened then again, and although she felt it, a few tears fell even still as she opened them once more. “Breath will be no less uncomfortable with a few pillows, Arthur… My Arthur, please remain. I don’t want to give this body a chance to betray me, and pass while you’re away.”

[once-a-pirate]

He could have handled being caught hold of. He could have perhaps handled those words well enough. The way she spoke them – the way her voice sounded? Arthur flinched and lowered his head, grit his teeth and ground his heels into the dirt. Arthur was a cold, brutal man who strived on chaos and violence, so why couldn’t he be stronger than this? Why wasn’t he strong enough to pull his hand away, insist, and do as intended? He wouldn’t be gone long, certainly a few moments at most.

In the end it was the tone of her voice that drove away the ire and left him with the pain. Arthur relaxed his jaw before he turned to look back at her, some of the heat in his cheeks fading when he saw the new tears on her face. He wiggled his hand free to step back and he settled on the edge of the cot again, this time upon one knee, and bent over her to kiss her forehead with both hands on either side of her face. “No,” he said quietly, thumbs carefully tending to the wet at her temples, “I would never forgive myself for it, now that I know. I won’t leave you.”

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth had upset him. She knew she had in the set of his shoulders, and the tension movement of his temple. She tried to be stronger by the time Arthur looked at her, but she saw the softening in his gaze and knew full well that she hadn't managed a moment of strength, even if she knew it might comfort him some.

Despite that, it only took her a second to know that he would stay, and once he was close enough, she moved a set of fingers through the back of his hair, the other set wrapping around one of his wrist. A few more tears slipped passed her eyes, and although she had attempted to hold back, a soft sob escaped her.

"I keep leaving you," she breathed. "It's terrible of me, is it not? I can only pray that you might not find any regret in my existence; I wouldn't ask you to endure this again, if it were in my control."

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth was very ready to put up a fight, or a verbal one, however the Nation was far too quick, and set on his decision to contradict her, far before she had made any sort of concrete decision to stay away.

She made a yelp as she was swept up over Fearghas’ shoulder, a grunt following the impact despite his gentleness. She gave a couple kicks, which were stilled easily enough, and she gave a single cry of frustration before she buckled at the waist, pressing her face to the nation’s back.

Her hands held the hood of her jacket over the back of her head, letting out a softer, more upset sound at this point, but she didn’t struggle; in fact she remained limp, only holding the back of her head.

“Fearghas… Fearghas, please. I know you know it’s me, but… all the other times have ended so terribly, and I just want Arthur to not have to relive that again, okay? I’m trying to protect him. He’s your brother, and I know you fight all of the time, but please let me go so I can do this for him, won’t you?”

[teinesaorsa]

Although there was confusion all around them he knew the bewildered crowd was unlikely to intervene, and he held her tighter when she finally drooped against his back. At first Fearghas wanted to cut in but after thinking on it another moment he just huffed and waited her out. “No, I don’t think I’m going to. I’m taking you to my brother; you two can figure it out from there.”

He chewed the inside of his cheek, deciding to add on to that statement quickly enough. “You think you’re protecting him even as he continues to pine. If he hasn’t gotten over you in all this time he definitely never will. Same for you, right?” It didn’t matter that Fearghas couldn’t see her properly from this angle he still turned to look, the next words coming in soft and quiet. “You can end the cycle if you stop loving him.”

[glorianabess]

Pine? Arthur, pine? Elizabeth wasn't sure she had ever used that word to describe what Arthur acted like, and yet she couldn't say that his sadness, and the level of upset historically documented wasn't some level of pining; it had caused her reason to think staying away was what was best for them. "I'll never 'get over' him," she commented beneath her breath, brows frowned as she clutched her hood over red hair, red hair that was now slipping from the confines of that hood, and dangling down her captor's back

Was it strange she had said that just before Fearghas made that suggestion? In a moment of realization, she used her core strength to lift herself up, and with her hands now on his shoulders, steadying herself to look into his face. "It's not possible," she replied faintly. "He did so much for me, in my first life, Fearghas. I..." She wasn't selfless enough to make herself not love him to end his pain.

[teinesaorsa]

If Fearghas was good at anything it was looking like a kicked puppy – except that it was typically done with a certain level of theatrics. This? This was a look of confusion and disbelief, one that would have been a lot more effective had his hair not fallen back in front of his face.

Did she really intend just to leave? He couldn’t make out why, but he wasn’t about to try and figure out if there were reasons beyond the probably obvious ones.

“No, you’re not,” Fearghas protested and he went for her. By nature Nations tended to be more capable than their people, sometimes as in the case of Alfred and Ivan to a superhuman degree, but for the rest of them that strength was more human. Fearghas wasn’t by any means dainty, he was tall and quite fit, and out of the brothers he, as individuals, was physically stronger. And for his size he was very, very fast. On the other hand? Compared, he never had a cruel or cold touch, even when it became demanding.

He’d caught one of her arms before she could move it and, once certain she wasn’t going anywhere, quickly dipped down to put his shoulder against her waist and promptly stood back up while pulling down on that arm.

Then he let go in favour of holding her legs down by the knees. “We’re going this way,” he sang and spun on a heel. Forget the cold, he was going to trot his way back through the crowd with his catch.

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth was very ready to put up a fight, or a verbal one, however the Nation was far too quick, and set on his decision to contradict her, far before she had made any sort of concrete decision to stay away.

She made a yelp as she was swept up over Fearghas' shoulder, a grunt following the impact despite his gentleness. She gave a couple kicks, which were stilled easily enough, and she gave a single cry of frustration before she buckled at the waist, pressing her face to the nation's back.

Her hands held the hood of her jacket over the back of her head, letting out a softer, more upset sound at this point, but she didn't struggle; in fact she remained limp, only holding the back of her head.

"Fearghas... Fearghas, please. I know you know it's me, but... all the other times have ended so terribly, and I just want Arthur to not have to relive that again, okay? I'm trying to protect him. He's your brother, and I know you fight all of the time, but please let me go so I can do this for him, won't you?"

[once-a-pirate]

Catching sight of that grin, he wondered briefly if he’d need to carry her back to prevent her from running off.

He was patient with her, taking the time to study how she moved and held herself to better determine what he could of her immediate personality. She didn’t seem afraid of him or take the idea of leaving badly. That was as good as they were going to get right now, probably. The giggling and rocking? He couldn’t decide whether it meant she were sweet or mischievous.

If she hadn’t followed up with the nickname attached to ‘usually’ he might not have thought anything about the idea that she, or one of the others, had chosen that particular name.

England turned down his head and looked at her sideways in partial squint, his brows set low and the smirk that settled on his lips was incredibly suspicious; they weren’t terribly new to this. That first one he’d never thought it possible to happen to them. He’d been in denial the entire time with the letters up until too late for they couldn’t be so lucky, it couldn’t happen twice. When Fearghas brought her to him and declared his findings he’d been entirely willing and eager to accept it, if a wee bit sceptical. He’d originally thought the letters to be a bad joke since he had entrusted his brother with being told about Thomas, and upon investigating later he’d accepted that the Scot wasn’t quite so cruel.

Something like this? It wasn’t possible.

Thick lashes lowered and Arthur dropped his gaze to the coat laid over his legs. “I see,” it was hard to force a neutral tone. He scolded himself internally for the idea even coming to mind faced with a situation like this, plucked a bit at the cloth beneath his hands a moment before looking back up. “You’ve a lot to live up to being named after my queen, little miss.”

“Now, I wonder what sort of clothing they are packing for you? I had a boy before so I couldn’t help to be excited when they told me this new little one was a girl. You’ve lovely hair, you know, they didn’t warn me about that. It’d be a crime to pair that with certain pinks.” Arthur sighed and set an elbow on the still raised knee and his chin in that hand, making a poor attempt at masking his suspicion with thoughtfulness. It’d do no good to get his hopes up like this, the voice in the back of his head chimed in, but he supposed the joking wouldn’t come off that way to an actual child. “This one shop has a lovely dress about your size with butterfly sleeves, a matching bonnet and cat print…”

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth saw the look in Arthur's eyes, how the memories of times past seemed to fill them to bring to the surface a more bitter-sweet expression, better than the upset she anticipated as a potential. Regardless of his expression that gave way to memory, she sensed his skepticism, something that was also expected. As he gave thought to her words, let her know of the shoes she had to fill, she gave a soft snort in response; it was hard for the little one to not to reach out and grab his face, the impulse a strong one, but she wanted him to be the one to discover this time.

It was further comments from him that made her smile morph into something of a half scowl, scrunching her nose as he mentioned such garish, childish clothing, clothing she knew he knew she would never with to set foot in.

"Tosser, you," she snipped with a squeak as her voice rose in pitch, entirely opposed to this idea. "You're trying to taunt me, saying I can't live up to me own shoes, then trying to make sweet of terrible, baby clothes. Why do you always have to make this so difficult every time, yeh?!" She crossed her arms in pouting a moment later, pairing it with a couple stamps of her feet.

[teinesaorsa]

Good that she stopped – it was too cold to be running around. It could be worse, on the other hand. Much as he hated the snow at least it wasn’t raining.

“Better me than Dan or Ivan, lassie.” It was in poor taste to joke about Ivan, he knew, what with the few incidents involving his people taunting theirs within British territory. Ivan himself hadn’t been involved in any of it and they all just sort of shrugged it off, figuring if it ever came to that it would be purely to piss off Alfred. It would work; it’s been working. The real threat is that ever since his training under Gilbert, Alfred had remained active within the military and still was to this day. “Though I do not expect either to recognise you,” he teased, voice ever lilting.

Whether her unease went unnoticed or he didn’t quite care, Fearghas stepped toward her and away from the curious onlookers behind him. “Aren’t you going in the wrong direction?” there was no malice in his voice though he moved closer. “The speech is about over.”

[glorianabess]

That was in poor taste, the joke, and yet coming from Fearghas it didn't seem too far off, nor unamusing. She gave him a half smirk, though there was still a look of wariness in her expression.

He wanted her to come back with him. It was not that she did not want to see Arthur, seeing him was fine. Remaining at a distance, no longer being this reoccurring agony in his life, that was better for him. She wanted to be able to make sure Arthur was happy, so long as she had a way to help that, even if it meant making sure her reoccurrence in his life was more hidden than immediately present.

"I'm going in the direction I intend to," Elizabeth stated curtly, hoping that her shortness would be enough to make the Scott less likely to push her. Perhaps that was hoping too much, seeing as she didn't continue to walk after stating so.

[teinesaorsa]

I thought I posted this.

Apparently I didn’t.

IT’S POSTED NOW.

[once-a-pirate]

As it always had been, she was right. Arthur closed his eyes to turn his head into her touch, rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand and nodded softly. It didn’t matter that he thought that with all their previous efforts they’d try to brush it off; it still needed to be done. Panic spread across his face when she began coughing and her voice rested heavier. He ended up with one hand beneath her back and the other at her cheek, though he managed to force himself against lifting the woman and slowly drew back his hands.

Arthur was listening until she mentioned those two. He was at odds with Francis, always had been no matter the relations of their people, and although it opened him up it was Antonio’s name that caused anger to visibly race back through his body like a shock of electricity. “What differences can they make?” Arthur snapped, ignoring that they weren’t entirely useless on their own. But he caught himself just as quickly. “No, I–” He knew better. While neither of them could hold in physical combat against him their men stood equally against one another, and they, being what they are, could easier take a mortal life than the other way around. A personal fight wasn’t what was in question. The real problem was their influence on Alfred. “I know.”

“I don’t see it helping much. Still, I will try.” After passing a hand through his hair Arthur pulled himself back to his feet, hand still at his head as if to fight off the heat of detestation, and did a quick scan of their surroundings. There wasn’t much else set up there. “I’m going to find something to prop you up with. Perhaps breathing will be more comfortable.”

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth knew that whatever she had to say about Francis or Antonio would not be well received, however it appeared as if her state, or perhaps even just her presence, tamed Arthur; knowing who she was seemed to cause him to accept what she had to say more than be frustrated by it, as had been made manifest in the several years past in this life. She felt a loss in not having his touch, and as he stood, her hand sought his free one, eyes lifted and watching him in an attempt to remain connected. “I don’t want you to leave,” she said, albeit more pathetically than she intended the words. She closed her eyes a moment later, an attempt to steel herself before she opened then again, and although she felt it, a few tears fell even still as she opened them once more. "Breath will be no less uncomfortable with a few pillows, Arthur… My Arthur, please remain. I don’t want to give this body a chance to betray me, and pass while you’re away.”

[once-a-pirate]

A mere walk from here, news he was glad to receive as walking, less so than hopping on a train or in a car, would distract him from the smell of the sea. It wasn’t as if he’d jump the next ship out these days but after spending so many ages – most his long life, in fact, out on open waters he’d be lying to say it didn’t still call to him. He listened quietly as they explained everything to him including how they found her and where they were holding her, though it seemed both parties had opposing ideas of when he should leave; the people here wanted to keep him longer. He commented on neither. They were taken to a room and left to wait.

One of the men he travelled with at some point had been made to hold a small wooden box of black lacquer and gold leaf for him, which he’d only had enough time to retrieve and carry across the room when the door burst open and a tiny body clattered in after it. Arthur jumped and turned sharply, a few dark flakes and cornflower petals spraying across the floor. Tea – he’d expected to be waiting for quite a while longer. In fact, quickly confirmed as he turned his eyes up to the clock, this was much earlier than told. Her state of dress made the reason obvious. Escaped them has she?  It reminded him of how Alfred had been when he were little (admittedly, however, he had never calmed down). Arthur gave something of a tired, although amused, smile; how was he going to do this? He had barely been able to keep up with Alfred and he had help! Then he turned back to the table to pull his fingers out from between the box, movements quiet and slow, and abandoned it there so that he could go over. They could do this now, that was fine.

That is, however, he only made it half way with that same jolt of recognition and faltering as another form appeared behind her. Arthur set down the partially raised heel, weight rocking back on that foot, to look up curiously. It took him another moment to understand that this woman wasn’t simply an escort she’d outran for she was carrying the clothing the girl was missing. “I’ll have those,” Arthur offered prior to adopting a chiding tone, “Tell me you’ve more prepared for her? I will be taking her to London with me, after all.” Truth be told it was mostly to send the woman away. He didn’t think convincing the girl to come shopping with him would be terribly hard if they needed to. And, knowing there were others who likely had followed her, Arthur also nodded sideways at the other person still lingering in the room to dismiss him.

Slow as before the blond swept the coat away from his legs and lowered down to a knee to look at her properly. She resembled his brother a bit like his brother, he thought. “Have you a name?”

[glorianabess]

Elizabeth could see in Arthur the moment he was turning over what to do about her; she had seen that look so many times, directed towards their Alfred. She was amused to think that he looked at her like this in such a moment. The closer Arthur came to her, the more excited she felt, though she actually felt more shy than perhaps she was used to.

The woman who had been chasing after her had handed over the clothing easily enough, though embarrassed in the way in which she did so, confessing that there was a trunk being prepared for the young providence, and also expressing her apologies for not being able to contain the girl; Elizabeth's somewhat shy smile grew into a grin in response, though softened a moment after.

Once people began to clear, Arthur's focus was singular, Elizabeth found enough breath in her to let out a soft laugh, or more a giggle; she had become accustomed to Arthur's inability to recognize her without touch, and she supposed it wouldn't be so different even now. Regardless of the familiarity, she found herself somewhat rocking upon her heels in her anticipation.

"Aye," she confirmed with a shadow of a nod, her eyes not leaving his for a second. "Elizabeth," she replied, her voice gentle and warm, "Bess, usu'ly, if I remember correctly."

[once-a-pirate]

I thought I was going to do something for Crimmas but never finished it so here’s part of the sketch. ‘-’ (I know you guys don’t want to hear this but please don’t tag my stuff as USUK if you reblog it because it’s not, thanks)

[glorianabess]

❤️

[once-a-pirate]

After all this time Arthur had been convinced that some of the smaller islands would never come to be. His especially. He never felt the hum and pulse of the homelands belonging to his siblings and the same for any of those currently or previously under his charge. Some of those islands? He felt them as a part of him more than his siblings or Alfred, and he knew that meant they were him. So when that disconnect came all it took for him to know exactly what happened was a short phone call by a confused man from the council.

It’d be a lie to say he weren’t excited and it’d been a while since he’d been down there, though the thing he remembered most was that if waiting times were totalled out it made little difference in the method of travel. Not particularly a long journey. As they arranged the meeting for him Arthur decided he’d take the train from London; it was just a bit quicker.

The ferries… Well, he were less than fond of them and only less unwilling to get on the silly thing knowing he was being privately escorted over. A little girl, they’d said. He had only raised boys before though he figured, since the place was already quite established, that she wouldn’t be small for very long.

Or she could turn out like Sealand, he thought.

And cringed visibly enough for someone to ask if he were feeling unwell and had to brush off his confusion to give them an irritated look. Please don’t turn out like Sealand. Of all things, Sealand. It was man made! Why couldn’t they have more of their towns or provinces? When Sealand formed he did begin holding onto the idea that one day maybe there would be more. Perhaps even other recognised things. The world in the past had always seemed that much fuller whenever more came into existence. Sure they had one another and all of mankind, but the world still seemed a bit lonely when there were only so many of your own.

“There aren’t many girls, are there? That should be exciting.” said the same man.

“Oh, yes,” Arthur knew he were more likely trying to dodge ire or further displeased looks than starting conversation with him, and he may have ignored him if he weren’t thinking the exact same.

A short trip indeed. Most the people he saw were dressed sharp and quite professionally. He figured he could have spared to dress up more; he wore dull colours, ivory and tan, under a long coat and black calf-high boots he’d shoved his trousers into. He revisited that thought shortly down the way; Yarmouth was a lot drier than he’d remembered. “I’ve forgotten,” it was well hidden impatience that caused him to skip greeting the group that had been waiting for them, “Where is it that you will be taking me to see her?”

[glorianabess]

It wasn't the same as her other lives. No, this awakening felt like... like how a Mellon tasted, crisp, sweet and fresh. She was birthed out of the water, and although she knew she should have been cold, it felt as if she had been held there in the ocean to grow until the Earthly Mother released her. She had been surrounded by so many people, she remembered, and feeling them all at once, like they were hers-- hers?

Elizabeth was a smart creature, and she knew what this was now. Everything, every one of those lives post-sovereign of her dear England, what she did in dedication to him after those lives, every death even made sense; they were tests, all crafted to see if her mortal self was worthy of such an eternal life, and by some miracle of an everlasting being, she was granted to be a small part of their people, and in turn a small part of him.

The time between being picked up by the council and carted to Great Yarmouth, where she was fussed over, though with her great excitement bubbling in her tiny, no more than six-year-old appearing personage, there was little they could do to control her. She didn't imagine anyone had ever managed so much in any of her lifetimes, truly, but now she was virtually unstoppable.

"Aye! Ye've boo'red him te deafth, no doubt, with yer airs an' frill! He dun cahre much how I look," she giggled as she puttered her way down the hallway, just quick enough to avoid the individuals meant charge after her; she was headed in the direction of the entryway, already having bypassed the room that they had said they'd have Arthur in holding to meet her, and she was not going to keep him waiting longer than she needed.

Barely tall enough to open the door herself, she did a bit of a tumble from the doorway, though righted herself at the top of the stoop. Her hair was a mass of still semi-damp auburn curls, framing pale, but freckled cheeks and eyes the color of the very sea that surrounded the small isle she now embodied. They'd dressed her in a sweet looking, pale blue sun dress, and had managed to put socks on her, though with a somewhat panting dresser not far behind her, holding the missing shoes, a cardigan and a coat, it was obvious that she had not been cooperative.

She couldn't speak. She looked at Arthur, fixated, and a pulse happened in her that was so strong that she knew from that moment on there was no way they could be parted; they were eternal.