Chapter Text
The year is 1721 and the 24-hour nights in late winter Greenland are incredibly cold, though it was nothing that Mathias and Lukas weren't used to. The two arrived on a large boat, ready to claim what they saw as rightfully theirs; they had expected to be greeted by an army, but what they found was… a boy…? All alone… he looked no older than the youngest Nordic, tall and frail like a young tree with deep brown skin and long black hair tied in braids that flowed with the wind, contrasting against the hailing snowfall surrounding him. His glaring eyes hardly perturbed by the weather conditions; they were dead set on the blondes, as though he had laser vision and could simply stare the intruders away.
Mathias pouts, turning to Lukas. “Man, it's just a kid? What now?”
“Don't be so quick to give up… idiot.” Lukas spoke in his usual quiet, monotone register. “This only makes things easier, let's just talk to him.”
The Dane muttered disappointedly under his breath “...So I can’t even use my axe…?”
Norway walked up to the boy, his lifeless eyes doing little to make him look any less threatening. “Hello, boy… we're here to be your new friends, would you like to see our cool boat…?”
This seemed to only unnerve the boy as one may expect, causing him to reach for his quiver.
“Woah, woah, woah, Nor! You're gonna get nowhere fast with that attitude, if you come on too strong you'll just creep the kid out! Here, let me show you how a real pro does it!” He pushes Norway out of the way, surely earning him a mighty choke later.
“It's only polite to start with formalities so how about I introduce myself, ja? I'm Mathias Køhler, but you can just call me Denmark; and the ice queen over there is Norway, pleasure to meet you!” He held his hand out to shake, crouched down slightly to meet the boy's gaze.
“...” The boy didn't respond, his scowl sharpening further, though not quite as sharp as the arrow he stuck through the Dane’s extended hand.
“Wha…? — YEEEOWCH!” He yelped in pain, jumping back as the boy ran from the scene of the crime. Norway looked down at the Dane with an impassive look.
“Wow, you sure showed me.”
“My hand…” He whined, presenting his impaled palm as though the Norwegian hadn’t noticed.
“Don't be a colony, come on. Let's go catch up.” He grabbed Matthias's wrist and pulled the arrow out before trekking forth.
“Ow… could've at least kissed it better…” He grumbled, stroking his hand as his cells rapidly regenerated, sealing the hole.
They searched the seemingly endless tundra looking for the runaway kid, losing hope more and more as the time slipped past them.
“Man, this place is huge, practically endless!” The Dane’s eyes lit, as did the sky with Auroras.
“Stay focused…” Norway muttered, already used to seeing the lights from out his window back at home.
“Yeah, yeah, I know, I know…” Denmark rested his hands behind his head.
After what felt like hours of searching the vast land for any signs of him and asking around they found a small house made of stone, off in the distance it was just a blurry box to them, however.
The island was huge, but the population was sparse, mostly situated at the coastline where it's a little warmer, the locals told them the boy called himself “Grænland” and that he mostly kept to himself, seeking shelter deeper into the arctic.
The two Nordics found themselves fighting against the wind on their way towards the hazy structure “How the hell did that kid not fly away…? He looks like a twig…”
“Keep quiet… an iceball could knock your teeth out with all this hail.”
“Awh, you worried…?~” Mathias teased in a sing-songy tone, pinching Lukas's cheek.
“I said be quiet.” He pushed Mathias back into the snow.
“Ouf! Fair play…” Denmark took a handful of snow and threw it at Norway, giggling like a bad little kid.
“We don't have time for this.” The Norwegian turned back towards their destination with an angry expression, expecting Denmark to follow without instruction.
Denmark feels something fly past his face, grazing his cheek. “Haha! Nice fake-out Nor, you missed though!” He stood, grabbing more snow to retaliate with.
“...?” Norway turned, eyes widening.
Denmark wipes his cheek, feeling a wet trickle. He looks down at his hand and sees a small drop of blood smeared across his fingers.
Another shot, Norway jumped out of the way. “Arrows…!”
The Dane rolled over immediately, standing in front of Lukas with his axe out, using the blade as a makeshift shield to deflect the arrow fire. “It's that kid again…!”
“Negotiating didn't work last time… offer him something, maybe then he'll trust us.”
“Look in my bag, I'll hold him off!” Mathias continued to block the arrows while Lukas trifled through the contents of the leather sackpack he wore, finding some preserved fish.
“Oi. Grønland. Put the bow down, I have something for you…” He held the fish up.
“Awh, man! I was saving that for dinner…” The Dane pouts, looking back.
Greenland lowers his aim, eyes narrowed with suspicion as he jumps down. “What is your business here?” He finally spoke, his voice small yet stern.
“We want you to join us, your landmass and resources will prove useful.” Norway negotiated, knowing that his porcupine-headed colleague was not suited to do so.
“And if I refuse…?”
“Our bosses wouldn't allow that. The way I see it, you're best off doing this the easy way.”
“You're being all creepy again, Nor! Listen, Grønland.”
“Grænland.”
“...Right, Greenland. It must be very cold and lonely out here without anyone else like you?”
“...”
“...You seem quite young, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear you've outlived many of your friends.” Norway added, rather morbidly.
“S…Shut up!” He raised his arrow once more, angered by the perception. “I've met your kind before… you can't handle it here, you'll leave…”
“Greenland.” The Dane spoke up once again, “Be our ally, and we'll never abandon you again.”
“...” His hands shook, dropping the bow. “Give me the fish.”
Norway nods, stepping out from behind Denmark, extending the fish like a peace treaty. Greenland took it, exchanging a look of understanding with him.
To be Continued!
…Maybe…