There was no time on board that the Vikings left behind their limitless, vigorous dynamism, and doubtlessly our trio was not an exception.

"How did you know that girl, Norge?" said Denmark.

"I met her as I lost my way, during a day of such thick fog that I accidentally stepped into her house. So, we became brother and sister."

"S'ch a luck, getting a younger sibling without h'ving to find her... I also w'nt one." said Sweden.

"She would be delighted to meet you." Norway convinced.

.

.

The Vikings' vessels eventually reached the dock. They got off in jubilation, before starting to build up trading markets with residents on the island, who welcomed them with gracious hospitality.

"NORGE!" An adorable red-headed girl dashed towards Norway with a huge loving hug. "Finally! I've been waiting for so long!"

"Glad to see you too." Norway replied with a smile. "And... these are my friends, Danmark and Sverige. This is my sister, Faroe."

"My my, so cute! I didn't expect Norge to have such a little beauty!"

"Are you... Danmark? Norge told me a lot about you, a man of chivalry, loveliness, bravery, and...!"

"Faroe, that's enough!" The Norwegian hurriedly covered her mouth.

"Norge really thinks that about me? Oh, I'm so happyy!" The ruffled-haired felt touched.

"It's... it's just long ago, now I do so less... you're too much of a nuisance." Norway slightly blushed.

"And you are...?"

*Glare*

"Argh... so scaryyyyy!" Faroe frightenedly hid behind Norway's back.

"He's a real softie, don't be afraid, go greet him." The brother whispered.

Faroe cautiously stepped closer to Sweden. "I...I...I'm Faroe"

"'m Sverige." Sweden replied. The tense atmosphere between the two made everyone chilly.

.

"Faroe, Norge told me that there are plenty of great things in your place, why not show us around?" Denmark broke up the horrible moment.

"I'm glad to" Faroe was relieved to be rescued.

She led the three Vikings to the trading places. They saw a variety of commodity - honey, animal skin, liquor, and weapons. It was also a small amazement that the little girl raised a stunningly huge flock of sheep. (1)

Shopping around in the market was of great fun, yet there was one thing that made Denmark's hackles rise: Norway was way too close to Sweden. It couldn't be denied that the apprentice Viking needed to be taught about trading, but seriously, his lifelong brother didn't have to be so helpful, seeing that the other guy could certainly handle himself! 'Why am I becoming a bystander?', Denmark wondered.

That evening, the three stayed in Faroe's small log house, having the little girl's one-of-a-kind homemade dinner. The red-headed called the dish Puffin meat (2), a delicacy of the island, whose flavour had nothing to be complained of.

Faroe had a pet sheep named Baah, his bushy fur was so pleasant to touch and snuggle in with its warmth and softness, while the animal's horn seemed to be fairly oversized.

"Hey Faroe, initially I thought you had to take after Norge and his blonde hair, didn't expect yours to be scarlet."

"I do have something resembling Norge, but he isn't my only big brother."

"Eh... another brother? You've never told me before." said a surprised Norway.

"Uh... I was kinda afraid that you would be sad." The girl kindly smiled before starting her story. "Actually before Norge reached my home, there had been two other visitors, both of whom were red-haired. The first one was Ireland, but he preferred being called Eire..."

"Ireland?"

"Yes, you know him too?"

"Nevermind, just continue."

"However, he hasn't returned to my place for ages. The second one is Scotland..."

"Is that the tall red-headed dude with slightly bushy eyebrows and a skirt?" asked Denmark.

"Huh, you two know each other?"

"Oops, much more than just knowing him. The dude appeared to be a giant on the outside but who knows he was that horribly weak! I have no idea how could a man be crazy about wearing skirts like a real woman, and that never failed to make me laugh my head off!" Memories brought Denmark back to his fights at Scotland's home – sweet victories, thrilling times that no words could describe.

"It was you? The last time I saw him, he said he got into some trouble with two ickle brats. Were they you?"

"He dared to call us that? Next time I must beat him to a pulp!" Denmark growled.

"Don't hit him, it's because of you that he's been busy and paid me no visit...! You can't do that!" Faroe cried.

"There... there... alright, don't cry, we won't." Denmark and Norway tried to caress the weeping girl.

"You've promised."

Well, it seemed that the Vikings had no choice but to change their plan...

.

.

"So waarmmm, sheep fur blankets here are the best of the best! Wrapped in such a thing for the whole winter, mhmm..." Denmark talked in his half-sleep on Faroe's attic, reaching for the empty ground beside. Hm? Where was he? Where on earth had Norge gone? Why was there nobody next to him? Why were Norge and Sverige... absent? Or... has something just happened to them?

He saw no shoes of the two, which meant both had been out. Where could they go, in the middle of the night...

Denmark got out in search of Sweden and Norway, not so long before he spotted two blurry silhouettes on a nearby hill. The young Dane hurried towards them.

"Following the direction of Karlsvogna (*) will lead you to the north pole, and the star up there points to the south, while that one shows us the way back to Scandinavia. Always remember the night sky map so as not to get lost on the sea." said Norway.

(Karlsvogna: The Big Dipper, one of the most well-known constellations. In Scandinavian languages, it is called Karlavagnen, Karlsvogna, or Karlsvognen, all of which are variations of the name "Charles's wagon")

"So m'gical, but wh't about sea storm 'nd thick fog? Then h'w do we read the st'rs?"

"It depends on individuals' sailing instincts, but don't worry, you'll soon get on with it. Brr... Ah choo!"

"Ya're c'ld?"

"Just... slightly, not really..."

There was a rustle of someone's coat placed over the Norwegian's shoulders.

"No, I don't need it... aren't you cold?"

"I'm f'ne, it's w'rm already... Should we g't back to the house, in case ya c'tch a cold...?"

"Thanks, but... I don't want to return now, the sky is spectacular tonight... I'll stay for a while, you can get back and we'll learn some more tomorrow."

"Actually I'm n't really sleepy, learn'ng a bit m're would be great..." Sweden lay down next to Norway, as they watched the luminous stars together.

"Sverige... It's wonderful... to have a friend like you."

"Ya... 're just as w'nderful."

And their lesson continued, as Norway wished that Denmark were also there to witness this miraculous beauty.

.

But the Danish boy didn't know that. He had been hiding there for a while... "It's wonderful... to have a friend like you.". For ages the boy had dreamt to hear the same confession from his beloved peer, but now the recipient of it... was that Swede. Why him? He had turned the Dane into a bystander since the day they first met, and from then everything got messed up into a chaos. After all, who did Norway see Denmark as?

Denmark quietly returned to the log house, rolling himself in the blanket, waiting for the other two.

.

.

"Good night, Sverige." Norway whispered. He didn't want to wake Denmark.

"G'd night." Sweden replied.

As Norway was about to close his eyes...

"Where have you gone Norge?" Denmark uttered.

"Did I wake you up? I've taught Sverige to read the stars."

"Why didn't you bring me along?"

"You were sound asleep, so I didn't want to call you. Just back to sleep, okay?"

"Hm... Good night, Norge."

"The same to you, bror."

"G'd night, Danmark." said Sweden.

There was no answer.

.

When the crow of puffins echoed in the sunrise, Denmark was still roaming in his dreams.

"DANMARK! DANMARK! Get up now you heavy sleeper!" A "velvety" voice made the asleep blonde jerk up from his bed in fright.

"Is it a 'must' to shriek into my ears like that?!"

"If I hadn't, you would sleep like a log for years wouldn't you? Hurry and get downstairs for breakfast!" Faroe grumbled.

"Alright, alright..."

When Denmark made his way to the kitchen, Norway was cooking their meals. Appetizing, he thought, it must be something really superb. As the hungry boy opened his mouth to call...

"Sverige, try this." said Norway.

"Need a l'ttle m're salt, 'nd higher heat." Sweden tasted the dish before loading more firewood.

Cooking together, what on earth is happening? Denmark once again felt his rage smoldering.

"What are you two doing?"

"Good morning, Danmark. Sverige is showing me his fish recipe, can you and Faroe wait for a minute? We're close to finishing ."

"Hurry up, I'm starving to death!" Faroe moaned, while her sheep Baah kept rolling on the floor.

"That seems interesting, let me help you!" Denmark approached to take a ladle in the pot.

"You don't have to do anything, just take a seat over there." The indigo-eyed boy took the ladle back.

"Okay, if you say so..."

"Sve, what about this sauce, help me please?"

"Th's is k'nda difficult, leave it t' me. Look." Sweden instructed.

'Sve...? They're this close to each other? Norge has never called me by any intimate names...

I can also help you, why does it have to be Sverige?'

"Done! Enjoy your breakfast everyone!" Norway cheerfully announced.

"It's so delicious! Your cooking is awesome!"

"Thanks Faroe, Sverige taught me to make it."

"Re... really? It's... it's very... good..." The little girl had yet to get used to Sweden's scary face.

"Hn, as l'ng as ya l'ke it."

Sweden noticed Denmark's unusual silence. 'He doesn't like the dish?'

"Wh't's wrong D'nmark, is it too bad?"

SMASH!

The plate was violently thrown at Sweden, making him all covered in food. The others in the room were dumbfounded in shock.

"Sverige, are you okay? What's wrong with you DANMARK?" Norway asked in anger.

"I HATE YOU, AND EVERYTHING OF YOU! I WISH WE'D NEVER MET!" Denmark yelled before storming off.

"He really h'tes me..." Sweden mumbled in sadness.

"Maybe he just got irritated with something... I will try talking to him, don't worry." Norway reassured him. It was obvious that Denmark had been behaving strangely these days, he needed to make it clear.

Meanwhile, Faroe's mouth was still wide opened in shock.

.

"DANMARK! DANMARK! GET BACK HERE, RIGHT NOW!"

Denmark didn't stop.

Norway ran as fast as he could, grabbing his stubborn friend's arm.

"Let me go!" Denmark struggled.

"What's going on with you? Why did you do that to Sve?!"

"Sve? You're like this all the time, always thinking about him! Do you know how do I feel when you leave me behind to be with THAT GUY?!" Denmark burst out.

"Leave you behind? I'm just trying to help Sverige!"

"Only helping? Then what about last night? Oh, such a romantic stargazing night, wasn't it?"

"You were there?"

"Why not? And let's see, what's else? "It's wonderful to have a friend like you". You do think that, seriously? You no longer want to befriend a fool like me right? Fine, Norge, I won't stick my nose into your affair. Never expect you to apply new one in, old one out."

Denmark was on the point of turning away when a punch landed on his face.

"IDIOT! You think why am I trying so hard to learn new recipes? Because they are for YOU, because you seem to love the dishes in Sverige's home so that I go to great lengths to make them! Do you know how disheartened I was dealing with your incomprehensible actions? Do you know Sverige wants to be your friend SO MUCH? He was genuinely hurt to see you shouted at him that you hated him! You... You just DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"

"Norge..."

"Stay away." Norway dashed off without looking back...

.

'He really did all those things...? Have I misunderstood him? Seriously, what the heck is going on with you, Danmark? Now how can I find a way out of this..?', Denmark scratched his head in confusion.

From the log house, Sweden and Faroe had witnessed it all. Perhaps he should...

.

"Sverige... can we talk?" Denmark faltered.

"S're."

"I'm... sor...ry..." The Dane uttered in embarrassment. "I didn't know... I didn't know you're so nice, I... was too selfish."

"No need to 'ay sorry, it's m'rely misunderst'nding. Ev'n friends couldn't 'void falling out for several times, r'ght?"

"You... You're too nice to me!" Denmark burst into tears, lunging at Sweden for a tight hug. "I...I...I'm terribly sorry, I'm such a bad friend, I... I'm the only one to blame!"

"D'n't cry..." Sweden kindly soothed.

"Sve... Sverige... How could I make it up with... with Norge?"

"It d'pends on ya." Sweden sighed.

"No! What am I able to do? He will be mad at me ... for ... for good!"

"Just go and find him for a talk, what if you two can settle it?" Faroe suggested.

"You think it's... possible?"

"Why not? And why are you still here, go find him, quick! Let him down again and I'll teach you a lesson!" The redheaded threatened.

"I'm going now!" Denmark spared no second to look for his absent mate.

"Should we follow him?" said Faroe to Sweden.

"Ja."

.

Tracing Norway was anything but easy, yet Denmark vowed to track him down even if this whole island had to be investigated. Hard as he tried, the blonde Viking remained nowhere to be found. Denmark climbed onto the highest mountain, and suddenly he made out a familiar figure.

Norge....

"Norge, I've found you now." Denmark heavily panted.

The other one ignored him.

"You're so well-hidden that it took me half a day..."

Still no answer. The boy kept staring at nowhere.

Denmark slowly sat down next to Norway, waiting.

"At least... you should look at me once..."

The Norwegian turned to him. "What do you want?"

"I... just..." Denmark went numb with awkwardness. What am I supposed to say? No, I've forgot it all!

"If you've got nothing to tell me, I'll leave now."

Norway was going to stand up, when...

"No, wait! I... I... want to... apologize! I'm sorry!"

"For what?"

"I've thought you to be abandoning me, or... or... something of that sort! I've apologized to Sverige, and... and... forgive me for being so mean to you! I'm truly an idiot!..."

"..."

"Norge, can we... make it up?"

.

.

"You're so annoying, bror."

"That means you agree to forgive me?!"

Norway didn't reply.

"Silence is equal to agreement! That's... so good!" Denmark cheered up.

"There would be no second time, get it?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know! But Norge, please don't call Sverige by Sve, I feel it's too intimate, okay?"

"As you want"

.

.

"Norge, I've got a present for you. I have intended to leave it till next time, but giving it to you now won't hurt" said Denmark.

Norway looked at him curiously. The fluffy-haired Dane took out a small pack, with a thin strip of metal inside, which seemed to be made out of platinum.

"What's this strange thing?"

"A hair clip! I made it for you as sometimes your hair gets too long, it would keep your bangs in place. And about this figure... If I'm not wrong, it is called a "cross", I saw it in Scotland's home and well, quite beautiful." Denmark explained. "Here, let me place it for you."

Denmark put the hair clip on Norway's head. It suited him perfectly.

"See, much prettier now!"

"You dumbhead, Dane..."

"At least you should have thanked me!" Denmark groaned.

.

.

In a nearby bush...

"Great, they've settled down!" A girl with red hair got excited.

"Are ya h'ngry, F'roe? Sh'll we go h'me and eat s'mthing?" Sweden asked.

"No, I want to watch them, you could go first."

"I'll do th' cooking, ok'y?"

"But I'm not hungry..."

"L'ts... go..." *glare*

"Ah... yes, yes... I'm... I'm hungry, let's... go..." Faroe shivered.

The twilight was breathtaking, and it'd be even more terrific to watch it from the summit of a mountain.

Everything had come back to normal.

.

.

Author's notes: The Vikings regularly chose Faroe as a place for trading.

(1) Faroe used to be called "The island nation of sheep" for its huge number of this stock, but of course, couldn't outnumber that of New Zealand.

(2) It's real! Puffin meat is the local delicacy.

(3) The first native residents on Faroe island were Irish shepherds, some of whom were Scottish. Not until the Viking age did a large number of Scandinavians come to the island for settlement. Nowadays, according to researches about the locals' genetic traits, more than half of the population carry Nordic genes, yet another significant number of people have the genes of Scottish.