War of 1812 (Ch.2)

"Williams! Williams!" A voice shouted not too far away from Matthew.

By now, he was in a small cottage. A table was in the back, full of different kinds of maps. Guns hung on the opposite wall. A few men were standing inside, Matthew being one of them. It was cold inside, but they didn't really care for warmth now. He turned to the person calling to him.

It was a young male, around twenty. He had brown hair that fell to his shoulders, it up in a loose ponytail. He was sweating slightly, despite the cold weather. He must of ran from wherever he originally was.

"Yes..?" Came the soft reply. What could the other want?

"The... The Americans!" The man panted out. He took a deep breath in, regaining his posture. Taking deep breaths would make the story a bit harder. "They have more men! I don't know how, though. And they are approaching the borders!"

"Calm down," the Canadian said, nodding at the information. Alfred got more men to fight in this war? Why couldn't he just give up? It wasn't like Matthew would try to claim America. After all, Matthew was just a territory to Britain. Alfred got freedom from Arthur, he wasn't going to come back. "Thank you for the information. It will be noted."

He turned back to the map. The blond had been discussing what he would do next. Troops would be sent out immediately now. That was for sure. Matthew didn't care if the others disagreed. It had to be done. They had to protect the borders.

Matthew ran a hand through his hair. The war had definitely took a toll on him. He felt tired and weak at points. Or strong and refreshed at other times. But, he always felt strange. He never even liked having verbal fights with Alfred. This was just... horrible. Too horrible.

"I'm... going for some fresh air." Matthew decided out loud, before leaving the cottage. Once he was outside, he rubbed his eyes. Either if that was from being tired, or stopping tears, he didn't know. Maybe it was a mixture of the two.

Matthew decided to go for a walk. Where to? He didn't know. He didn't care either. He just had to get away from everything. Even if he knew it wouldn't be long. He couldn't just abandoned his country in this time of need.

God, he wasn't even a country yet. Why did he kept thinking he was? He wasn't America, or Britain, or France... He was the British North Territories. Just the British North Territories. Why did a territory have to be in war? Was it because he was a territory, and not a country? Did Alfred think it would be easier to win?

"Mattie... Enough with the questions," Matthew mumbled, as he continued to walk. He was lucky enough this area hadn't been tampered with the war... yet. Soon enough, it would be. "You're just going to go crazy..."

Yeah... crazy, he thought, not like I already reached that.

This was all too confusing for the young male. He didn't need this to happen. All those people who died. And for what? Just to keep Matthew around? They didn't even know what they were doing. They were just fighting for their home.

"I want to talk to Alfred again.. Have a nice conversation with him.. Like when we were younger.." Matthew took a seat under a pine tree. They seemed to be scattered everywhere, like the maple trees he was quite fond of. "It'd be nice. See what he has been up to. How freedom is treating him," a small smile etched on his face, "Maybe he could give me tips for when I want to be my own country."

All of these seemed hopeless now. He figured they could never be the same with each other again. They could never be brothers. Blood makes people related. Loyalty makes them family. And it didn't seem like Alfred was showing any loyalty.

"Uh.. BNT...?" A voice came from only a few meters away. It was a British accent; Arthur.

Matthew flinched at the nickname. He wasn't too fond of it. It only proved that he was territory. Nothing more. Not a country. Just a territory.

"Yeah, it's me," he replied, looking up. The blond male stood in front of him. He didn't seem too happy. Maybe he heard what Matthew said only moments ago.

"Why aren't you planning for the next battle?" Arthur asked, kneeling down to the other. Matthew wasn't really that tall, only the body of young teenage male (after all, he didn't have Confederation yet).

The sentence brought a bit of relief to the Canadian. So Arthur didn't hear him. That was good. It meant that he didn't have to explain anything. "It's too much. I can't handle it anymore, Arthur! I.. I feel like surrendering! But... I... can't.. I can't do that..."

A small look of sympathy went onto the Englishman's face. He could understand how Matthew was feeling. He, himself, had many fights with his older brothers. Sure, it never went as far one of them wanting to take over Britain, but the thought count. "Mattie, I know it's hard. But, you have to do it. Not for me. Not for you. But for your people."

Matthew nodded. He knew this. He wasn't doing this for anyone, but for his people. They didn't realize what was happening. They only knew they were making sure they wouldn't be called Americans tomorrow.

"Arthur," the Canadian started, looking up at the other, "I'm scared. What if I lose? Will I disappear?" He asked. It had been one of the many, many questions that had been bothering him.

"You won't lose, I promise," Arthur smiled, ruffling the other's hair, "I'm here to help you. And you know that frog would be too, but.."

"Papa has his own problems.. I understand.." Matthew said, trying to smile. It was hard for him. The only time he smiled was when he was least expecting it, "But.. America is really big.. And Alfred is really strong.. I'm having doubts."

Arthur sighed, finally taking a seat. This was a bit frustrating to him. Matthew always had the problem of thinking too realistic, when he just should have been thinking things that would be more optimistic.

After a few moments of silence, the Englishman finally spoke, "You won't lose," he reassured, "You won't disappear. You're really strong too, I know that. Even Alfred knows that. He's probably just scared of that. That's why he started the war, maybe. Fear can do strange things to people. Like turn your back to your family. Start things you didn't mean to. And finishing those things, only because they are too scared of what fear will do next. So, if anything, Alfred is fearing fear right now. But, remember..." The Brit looked over to Matthew.

"I'll always believe in you."