"Keep up!"

With a small huff, I spur my horse onward, pushing it faster through the snowy landscape that surrounds us. I'm finally traveling to the Red Kingdom, and Alfred thought it'd be a good idea to challenge me to a race. In all honesty, I'm staying far enough behind him, because I'm scared he might hurt himself. I want to be able to help him if he does.

His laughter brings a small smile to my face. "You are so slow," he calls back to me, glancing over his shoulder with a grin. Even the bitter, harsh lands that make up our surroundings can't contain his wild and bright personality. It's refreshing, in all honesty.

We've left his brother and father far enough back that they can't hear us, despite how loud we are. They can definitely see us, though. 

Alfred seems to realize that I'm in thought when he next glances back at me, slowing his horse down so he's at an even trot with me. The only sound between us being the harsh wind and the horses' footsteps as they make their way through the snow. 

"Are you alright?" he asks, looking at me seriously. I almost wish he wasn't so kind to everyone. It'd make things easier.

"I don't really know," I admit, looking up at him worriedly. He raises a single, curious eyebrow, and I sigh. "I'm just nervous," I say instead. 

"About what?"

"Everything," I breathe out, feeling a slight amount of the weight on my shoulders slide off. "I don't konw what's going to happen...and it's rather frightening, I must say." I shake my head. "I know that I have a duty to my kingdom..."

"But you also want a life for yourself..." Alfred finishes, and I look to him in surprise, wondering what he's thinking. He sighs, looking lazily into the distance as our horses slow down to a leisurely pace. "It's the curse of being royalty," he says, glancing at me solemnly. "Our lives aren't what come first."

I nod, looking to my hands. "The kingdom comes first," I agree, sighing heavily and closing my eyes. "I just wish things were easier."

"Doesn't everyone?" he jokes, smiling softly at me.

I give him a small grin in return, but we both know it's weak.

"Arthur," he whispers, and I hum in response, finding my hands to be rather interesting at the moment. "Arthur, look," he says, and this time, I raise my head.

My breath catches at the sight of the border. The line of snow meeting the line of grass, one bright white and blinding, the other blazing emerald and welcoming.

"Bloody hell," I whisper, watching in awe as the horse and I move closer to the border.

"Are you ready?"

I look to Alfred again, finding his hand extended towards me, kind and welcoming. I tentatively take his hand in mine, swallowing thickly at the thrill of holding his hand and the wonder of crossing the border at long last.

We dismount a few feet away from it, walking forward with our horses being led by their reigns. I stop in front of the invisible line that divides our two lands, and I look to Alfred. He's smiling gently at me, looking to me with understanding and patience. It's the kindest mixture of emotions I've ever experienced. My own family never looks at me like that.

"Are you ready?" 

I nod, swallowing thickly. "I'm not entirely sure."

He nods before stepping across the border and turning to face me, looking at me expectantly as he removes his thick cloak. Closing my eyes, I take in a deep breath, trying and failing to calm my unsettled nerves.

I step across the border with butterflies filling my stomach as I'm enveloped with a feeling so foreign to me I gasp, letting my eyes fly open as I let the feeling spread through my body. I look to Alfred, who is grinning widely.

I open and close my mouth repeatedly, trying to find the words that can express how amazing this is to me.

"Is it everything you were expecting?" he asks, and I find myself letting tears start to fall from my eyes. He looks panicked for a moment before the smile appears on my face and I shed my cloak.

I stutter profusely, trying to find the words to express myself, but I can't seem to find any. This is pure bliss. I finally feel warm...

"I'll assume that means yes," Alfred says with a laugh, grinning wildly. His bright white teeth seem to be blinding in the sunlight, and I have to squint because everything is so bright and colorful. I am to used to the boring landscape of my home kingdom, which never fails to be covered in snow.

"I-It's so..."

"Bright, right?" he asks, chuckling at me as I fidget, not knowing how to continue with this situation. "Wait until we get to the castle. Everything is really colorful there."

Still in shock, I take his hand nervous as he helps me back onto my horse, leaving the magic cloak on it. I don't want the horse to overheat. It's too used to the cold, so I'll have it sent back when we reach the inner parts of the kingdom.

"Let's go," Alfred tells me excitedly, galloping away hurriedly and leaving me in the dust.

It takes me a minute or two to come to my senses and follow suit.

Red Kingdom, here I come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heylo, my lovely little nuggets! I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to leave any comments or suggestions if you have them. They always make my day :) Anyway, I'll see y'all nuggety readers in the next update! Until then, have an absolutely fantastic and fabulous day! Bai!!! >:3

-IggyScones

P.S. If any of y'all like poetry, I really hope you check out my friend @RonBuyna! He's an amazing poet and just starting out on Wattpad. Trust me when I say that he's insanely talented and deep! :) You don't have to, but he definitely deserves some praise for his writing ability!!! Please give him a shot. :3