The last chapter! Sorry this is late, mild Writer's block but it's done now, enjoy!

I don't own Hetalia!

The King Of Spades!

The Mertorian crew were still being held on the ship so they had to take a couple of carriages to the dock, King Voss, Erica along with a Mertorian and a Altheian guard were in one carriage, everyone else in another as they were driven down to the harbour.

"What do we do if this doesn't work?" Alfred asked and Matthew translated the question for Arthur and Yao. "If the crew back Erica up..."

"We'll deal with that, if and when it happens," Alex replied. "We can only hope that things go to plan." Yao and Arthur began clicking and chirping between themselves for a few minutes, Alfred and Matthew understanding the conversation but Alex and Jason were confused.

"They're discussing what to do if King Voss learns about us," Matthew replied. Yao turned to Matthew, chirping and squealing and Matthew nodded.

"If it doesn't work," Matthew said. "Yao and Arthur said we'll tell them everything but that we'll keep the location of Spades a secret for now, in case King Voss's reaction is hostile." Alex nodded.

"If this goes wrong," he replied. "And King Voss does react badly, all of you run, my men will defend you while you escape. If King Voss shares Princess Erica's bigotry, I'm not going to lose my nephews to it."

"What about Altheia's relationship with Mertoris?" Alfred asked while Matthew chirped and whistled to his other royals. "If he finds out his sister's telling the truth, any chance of an alliance will probably be dead in the water, no pun intended."

"What can he do?" Jason replied. "We'll have Vynlande on side, he won't take us both on. Madeline's father will back us, even with tales of people from the sea and Voss can't take those odds. Besides, Mertoris avoids war whenever possible. They haven't been involved in conflict for centuries and I think Voss will avoid one now, especially one he can't win."

"But let's hope it doesn't come to that, anyway," Alex said. "I just hope this works!" And with that, the harbour came into view.

They had arrived!

Arthur could not stand the smug look on Erica's face as they all stood on the deck of her ship, waiting for the captain and first mate to be brought up from below decks by Captain Matthias's men, could not stand the certainty she exuded that she was about to be proved right. Alfred stood beside Arthur with Yao and Matthew either side of them and Alex and Jason between the Spadians and the Mertorian brother and sister as sounds came up from the door to below decks as Altheian guards came through flanking the captain and first mate and they came to stand before the two sets of royals and they bowed to their king.

This was it! The moment of truth and Arthur prayed that this would work, despite the fact the Jokers warned that it might not take with land-dwellers. He felt Alfred take his hand and give it a squeeze in comfort.

Alfred was not just holding Arthur's hand in reassurance, he wanted a firm grip on Arthur so if this did not work and this turned nasty he could pull Arthur to the side of the ship and get him to safety. He looked over to his brother and Yao, catching their eyes and giving the slightest nod toward the sea and they nodded back. If things went bad, they would all escape to the sea.

King Voss approached his two naval men, looked the captain straight in the eyes and asked the fateful question while the Altheians and the Spadians hid their concern.

"Captain Maruir," King Voss began. "You may not be aware that you actually left dock without permission." The Mertorian captain opened his mouth to protest but King Voss held up his hand to keep him silent. "My signature on the permission document was forged so you are not in trouble for this, you had no way of knowing. Blame for this falls on the forger." Erica squirmed a little uncomfortably beside him. "But I need to ask you questions about the more recent events. Were you and any of your crew involved with the kidnapping of the Altheian princes, Alfred and Matthew, and of the foreign dignitary, Sir Arthur of Spades. And was Sir Arthur tied up and thrown into the sea from this ship." The captain looked over at Alfred, Matthew and Arthur, a little shame-faced.

"Unfortunately, Your Majesty," he replied, both men casting their eyes down in repentance.

"Why did you perform acts that could so obviously lead to war?" Both the captain and the first mate's eyes flickered to Princess Erica nervously.

"It was a royal command, Sire," the first mate replied, quietly.

"From who?" More eye flickering to Princess Erica. "There will be no punishment for speaking the truth, now who gave those commands." Captain Maruir took a deep breath.

"Princess Erica, Your Majesty," he said. Voss sighed as Erica's actions were finally confirmed, casting a look at his sister that told her of his opinion of her actions but she was not going down without a fight.

"Ask them what else they saw," she demanded. Voss could not believe what he was about to ask.

"This might be a strange question," he told the men. "But certain …... events have been reported which are hard to believe and the two of you are in a position to clear things up. Was this ship attacked by fish people?"

Altheians and Spadians held their breath.

The night before...

Matthew had realised a problem and he was sure that the others had been thinking about this and he brought the problem to the table while they were still on the ship, talking about how to approach King Voss in the morning.

"We have to address another issue," he said while, this time Alfred translated for Arthur and Yao. "We can tell King Voss that it was Captain Kohler that captured Princess Erica's ship until we're blue in the face but there's an entire crew and the Princess herself that saw the Spadian Army overrun it. How do we keep ourselves a secret?"

"I've been mulling over that myself," King Alex replied and that made sense to Matthew, his uncle was not a fool. "I'm trying to find a way to present the facts to King Voss without mentioning the Spadians but I don't know how we can." Yao clicked and chirped and Matthew, Arthur and Alfred looked at him.

"What did Sir Yao say?" Jason asked. Matthew turned back to his cousin and uncle.

"He said, to consult the Jokers," Matthew replied. "They might have something to contribute." Alex nodded and they all stood up and made their way out on to the deck. Matthew, once again, climbed down the rope ladder over the side and gave a call into the water. While the rest of the Spadian army had retreated to beyond the harbour wall, far enough out to not be spotted accidentally but the Jokers stayed close to the ship, in case their knowledge or magic was needed so it did not take long for Gilbert and Peter to surface.

"Guten nacht," Gilbert greeted. "What do you need from the Awesome Jokers?"

"Can you come aboard?" Matthew asked. "We have a little problem that we hope you can help us with."

"Let us up," Peter replied. "And we'll see what we can do."

Matthew clambered back up the ladder with Gilbert and Peter following after him and they flopped on to the deck. Gilbert decided that it would be more comfortable to do this as land-dwellers and, after blankets were brought to cover their modesty, Gilbert and Peter performed the magic and the Jokers finally set actual foot on deck.

Gilbert was given some of Captain Kohler's clothes to wear while some of the cabin boy's were brought for Peter and, with a little help from Matthew and Arthur, the Jokers were helped to the captain's cabin where the royals laid out their little problem. Gilbert whistled.

"That's not a little problem," he replied. "That's an unawesomely big one. An entire crew of Mertorian land-dwellers with knowledge of us is bad." It had surprised King Alex that, when the Jokers had transformed, Gilbert could understand and speak Land-dweller.

"Can you help us?" Alex asked while a chirping translation went on in the background. Gilbert hummed.

"I don't know," he replied. "There maybe something...but it's rarely been used...even less than land-dweller transformation magic. In fact, that magic had not been used in over a thousand years...what I'm thinking of... hasn't been used in longer."

"Why?" asked Jason.

"It's not very moral," Gilbert said. "In fact, in the wrong hands, it's very dangerous and it was badly abused in the past, so much so that it was used on all mers, leaving the Jokers untouched and we became the guardians of the ancient magicks." Yao and Arthur were a little shocked at the translation that Matthew provided and chirped their own question.

"What was this magic?" Gilbert translated for Alex and Jason and he chirped back an answer to Yao and Arthur who gave a look of understanding before Gilbert turned back to the king and prince. "It was magic that could mould the memory, change it so the person the magic is being used on believes whatever the magic tells them. You can imagine the chaos that caused so the Jokers before us used the magic to make the other mers forget it and kept the knowledge safe ever since. Peter and I know of it because knowledge is passed on from Joker to Joker."

"Could you use the magic to make the Mertorian crew forget?" Alex asked, hopefully. Gilbert sighed.

"I wouldn't normally use this magic," he replied. "But this is to protect the Mer race so I'll try but ….."

"But?" Alfred asked.

"It's never been used on land-dwellers," Gilbert said. "There's a strong possibility it might not work on your race."

"I don't understand," Jason replied. "Why wouldn't it work? Your healing magic does."

"Healing magic is easy," Peter chirped up. "Every mer can perform it and it works on everything. Prince Alfred is not the first land-dweller to be healed and saved by a mer. We might not show ourselves to land-dwellers but we don't let them die if we can save them. But memory magic is more complicated and it's never been used on land-dwellers. Not all mer magic works on your race and this might not work either. And I don't think it will work on Princess Erica."

"Why not?"

"I don't think she's sane," Gilbert replied. "And this magic didn't work on the Mad. So she'll remember everything. It might work with the crew but I can guarantee nothing. All the Black Joker and I can do is do the magic and hope that it works but it would have to be done tonight."

"That's important?" Alex asked.

"Very," Gilbert replied. "It must be done while they sleep so the magic can settle and take root. It will give the magic the best chance to work and we have nothing to lose by trying."

"Then please, Red Joker," Alex begged. "Help us!"

Gilbert and Peter were transported to the Mertorian ship and down below decks where most of the crew had been sleeping but a few were still awake. The Altheian guards were told to stay on deck so they would not be affected by the Joker's magic and a quick burst of singing sleep magic had put those still awake under their influence and, when all the Mertorians were in the arms of Morpheus, the two Jokers began their real work.

"Was this ship attacked by fish people?" The Altheian and Spadian royals waited with bated breath as everyone waited for an answer from either the Captain or the First Mate while Princess Erica looked on smugly. This was the moment of truth. The Captain and First Mate looked confused and, for a brief moment looked like they were trying to remember something.

"Fish...people, Your Majesty?" The First Mate asked.

"Yes," Voss replied, trying to stop himself from blushing with embarrassment. "Like those of myth." The two men looked like they were trying to remember again but then went back to looking confused.

"Such creatures don't exist, Sire," the Captain replied. "I know I've never seen one." The Altheians and the Spadians gave an inward sigh of relief as they realised that the magic had worked while Princess Erica's face dropped with shock and then filled with rage.

"THEY'RE LYING!" she screamed. "THEY'RE LYING! THE WHOLE CREW WERE FIGHTING THEM AND THAT FREAK KNOCKED ME INTO THE WATER WITH HIS TAIL!" She pointed at Arthur with a venomous look.

"Your Highness," the Captain said to Princess Erica. "Prince Alfred accidentally knocked you into the sea when he saved his brother from the knife to his throat. The crew were fighting the Altheian crew when they caught up to us." He turned back to Voss. "It was they who took us prisoner, Your Majesty."

"And Sir Arthur?" the King asked.

"He arrived with the Altheians," the First Mate replied. "He must have gotten loose and they picked him up."

"LIARS!" Erica shrieked and lunged at the two men, her hands braced to scratch their eyes out but she was intercepted my her brother. "LET ME GO, BROTHER! THEY'RE LYING!"

"Why would they lie, Erica?" Voss demanded. "They're citizens of Mertoris, not Altheia so why would they lie against their own kingdom?"

"I don't know," Erica replied and then shrieked in their direction. "BUT THEY ARE!" And she looked over at Arthur, Matthew and Yao. "They must have done something to them, just like they did to Alfred. I'LL KILL THEM!" And she tried to break Voss's hold to get to them but Voss held on to her wrists firmly.

"STOP IT, ERICA!" he shouted and pushed her further away from the Spadians. "STOP IT NOW!" Voss had to face the fact that his sister was, indeed, mad. She thought that it was all right to kidnap and murder to get what she wanted, that Prince Alfred was hers and anyone who got in the way deserved to die and now this delusion about fish people...The court whispers were true, his sister was insane.

"This is my fault," he blamed himself. "I tried to make up for the fact that you never knew our parents but I've spoilt you to the point that you want what you want by any means necessary and now you're excusing your crimes with delusions." He looked at King Alex.

"My apologies, King Alex," he said. "My sister's actions have clearly caused you and your family great distress, to say nothing of the distress and insult offered to your guests. I know that little can make up for what has happened and I can only say that my sister is clearly sick. If you agree, I will take her back to Mertoris to consult our finest doctors to get her the help she so obviously needs."

"No! Brother!" It had sunk into Erica what her brother was saying and knew what kind of doctors he meant. "I'm not insane, it really did happen! I don't know why the Captain is saying it didn't but it did!" The Mertorian Captain and First Mate shot each other a 'She's crazy!' look.

"Enough, Erica!" Voss replied and looked at Alex. "She needs to be confined for her own and everyone else's safety. Will you allow her to be confined to her cabin? I will collect her things from the palace and she can stay here until it's time to leave. That is, if you will allow her to."

"I realise that your sister is …..unwell," Alex replied, tactfully. "And that she acted without your sanction and I'm willing to let this matter lie, as long as steps are taken to … address her issues. But I cannot speak for the Kingdom of Spades. Her actions were against them too." Both Kings turned to the Spadian royal pod who had heard the whole thing through Alfred and Matthew. There was a short consultation between them all and then Matthew turned to King Voss and his uncle."

"Sir Arthur and Sir Yao have discussed the matter," he said. "And said that they realised that these events were all Princess Erica's doing and that she...has problems. Spades also has no desire for war, especially one so unnecessary so we agree to the same terms as Altheia, Spades is willing to let the matter drop." Voss gave a sigh of relief.

"I appreciate your forbearance," he replied. "I know that not many kingdoms would be so forgiving and I'm relieved that your kingdoms are ruled with compassion and wisdom and I swear that Princess Erica will receive the help she needs, the moment we return to Mertoris and I can only apologise for what you have all suffered at Erica's hands. I'll collect Erica's things from the palace and we'll leave with the next tide." He turned to the Captain and First Mate.

"Take Erica below and confine her to her cabin," he ordered and the two men took Erica from his grip and pulled toward the door, leading to below deck, surrounded by Altheian guards while she began screaming all the way.

"NO, YOU CAN'T DO THIS!" she shrieked as she struggled helplessly against her captors. "BROTHER, TELL THEM TO LET ME GO! THESE PEOPLE ARE FREAKS! DEMONS! THEY SHOULD BE DESTroyed..." Her voice faded as she was pulled below decks. Alfred breathed a sigh of relief as she was taken from their sight. He had almost felt guilty about Princess Erica but, while she was not insane because of a delusion of 'fish people', she was still a few swords short of a full armoury.

Point was, the magic had worked. No one remembered the battle with the mers but Princess Erica but her behaviour had everyone convinced that she was mentally unstable. Well, she was. Just for different reasons.

They could breathe again.

The Mertorians left the next day on the next full tide, after all of Princess Erica's belongings had been taken to the ship and provisions had been replenished. All talk of an alliance had been put aside for now, to give time for the dust to settle and, only when the two ships disappeared over the horizon, did anyone relax.

Arthur had gone to his guest chambers and Yao had been given a suite of chambers next to his. They had decided that Alfred and Matthew needed to talk to their uncle and cousin alone because, sooner or later, they would have to return to Spades. The entire royal pod was absent and that could not continue much longer and Alfred had to be introduced to his kingdom but they knew that separation from their land-dweller family would be hard for the twin King and Ace brothers and Arthur and Yao wanted it to be as painless as possible for them.

"Phew!" Alfred said, flopping down in a chair in the lounge in King Alex's sitting room that everyone had retired to after seeing King Voss off. "If I never have to deal with things like that again, it will be too soon."

"Oh, my boy!" Alex replied. "If ruling Spades is anything like ruling a land kingdom, you'll face many situations like this, see this as practice."

"Oh joy!" Alfred replied, sarcastically. "Arthur never mentioned that part of it. But then, he is the Queen of Spades, not the king." Jason gave a chuckle.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to the idea that Spadian Queens can be male," he said.

"And Spadian Kings can be female," Matthew replied. "All the royal positions can be held by any gender. It can be weird for a land-dweller to understand but it's pretty normal for us. In fact, it's strange to us that only males can be kings and females can be queens. Seems oddly restricting."

"You talk like you're not a land-dweller yourself," Alex commented. Matthew swallowed.

"I'm not," he said, candidly. "Not any more. I haven't been a land-dweller since I was four, not really." He took a deep breath. "And you know that Alfred isn't a land-dweller any more either." And now they were addressing the elephant in the room.

"I know," Alex sighed. "I know you have another kingdom to get back to. I'm just not ready to say goodbye to Alfred and I'm not ready to lose you again, now that we just got you back."

"I wish we didn't have to leave either, uncle Alex," Alfred replied. "I don't want to go but Spades needs its king and, as unready as I feel for that, if there's one thing I learnt from you, it's I have to take my responsibilities seriously."

"And here I was thinking that lesson hadn't sunk in," Alex quipped.

"Oh, ha ha!"

"Besides, you're not losing us," Matthew replied. "Soon, there'll be a treaty in place and we can come back to visit you. We'll still be around from now on."

"It's not the same as having you here," Jason commented. "I'm going to miss you, Alfred. And you, Matthew! I was looking forward to getting to know you. I won't have much time before you have to leave for Spades."

"I know," Matthew replied. "And we need to return soon but, once Alfred is introduced to the kingdom and settled as king, we can arrange a diplomatic visit to strengthen ties between Altheia and Spades and Alfred and I can come back." Alex sighed.

"I suppose it will have to do," he said, grudgingly. "But it will be a while before you can return. Crowning a new king and him settling in can take time. Do Spadians crown their royalty?"

"Damn if I know," Alfred replied. "I've got a lot to learn."

"Yes, you do," Matthew laughed. "And no, we don't crown our royalty. There's just a celebration when the new royal is presented to the people. Considering how long we've been waiting for Alfred, it's going to be one hell of a party."

"Well, I'm down for that," Alfred grinned.

"I'm still going to miss you two," Jason replied. "And I'm sorry that I'm going to miss that party."

Arthur had introduced Yao to the miraculous fluid known as tea (although Yao was not sure about the milk and sugar and drank his without either) while they sat together, wondering what was happening in King Alex's sitting room. Arthur knew it would be hard for Alfred and Matthew to leave their land-dweller family so it was probably a good thing that it was rare that land-dwellers became mer royals because this was hard for those chosen.

Arthur was pleased that they were opening diplomatic relations with King Alex, although it had never happened between a mer and a land-dweller kingdom before but it would soften the pain of separation for his King and Ace and Arthur had to admit that he liked King Alex and he believed that their two kingdoms could work well together.

"Do you think King Alex will try to talk his nephews out of coming back to Spades, aru?" Yao asked. Arthur hummed.

"King Alex seems quite reasonable," Arthur replied. "But, saying that, he has raised Alfred like his son since Alfred and Matthew's father died and Matthew was lost to them so it's hard to say but King Alex does seem to understand royal responsibilities and duties. The treaty between Spades and Altheia should make it easier but still, we're asking a lot of the land-dweller."

"We need our king, aru," Yao pointed out.

"I know, I want our king in Spades as much as you," Arthur said with a bit of a blush painting his cheeks. "But we can't force this. We're actually lucky we got this far. Did you know Alfred was terrified of the ocean?" Yao paused in mid-sip.

"Really, aru?" he said, surprised.

"Absolutely," Arthur replied. "Losing his family and almost drowning when he was very young, gave him an over-whelming fear of the sea. When I saved him, that had been only his second time on a vessel since that time, the first being his journey to Mertoris."

"He seemed so composed in the water when we were swimming back to Altheia, aru," Yao mused.

"Probably because he was now a mer," Arthur commented. "He knows as a mer, he'll no longer drown and it takes away a lot of the fear. I'm just glad he was unconscious for his initial transformation because I think Alfred was right, he might never have gone near the sea if not for what happened."

"I dislike the idea that we have Princess Erica to thank for bringing our king to us, aru," Yao snorted.

"Since it wasn't her intention," Arthur replied. "I think we can hold back our gratitude. I'm just glad she's disappeared from our lives."

"Speaking of disappearances," Yao said, putting his cup down. "We have yet to discuss yours, aru!" Arthur internally groaned, thinking that Yao had a memory like stone. Once something was etched into it, it was there for good.

"Yao," he began. "I …..." He was saved when the door opened and Alfred walked in. "Alfred! You and your family have finished for the evening."

"Yeah, we're done talking," Alfred replied. "Uncle Alex gets that we have to go to Spades, although he's not happy but once we're settled in Spades and everything's good, maybe we could arrange something diplomatic and Mattie and I can come back for a visit."

"I'm sure we can arrange something," Yao said. "As long as the absences are expected this time, aru." He gave Arthur a scolding stare.

"When do we go to Spades?" Alfred asked.

"Soon," Yao replied. "Right now, the entire royal pod is absent and that can't continue so the sooner the better, aru."

"I'm kinda nervous," Alfred replied. "I mean, what if the people of Spades don't like me?" Arthur put his hand on Alfred's cheek in comfort.

"The people will love you, Alfred," he said, his thumb stroking the skin. "And they'll be delighted to finally have their king. Don't worry so much,"

"I think I will retire for the night," Yao said, getting up and leaving for his own chambers. "May your dreams be calm waters, aru." He went out the door. He was pleased that his King and Queen were close but, if they were going to get amorous, he would give them the privacy to do so. He did not need to see it.

After Yao left, Alfred pulled Arthur close and pressed a soft kiss on Arthur's lips and Arthur put his arms around Alfred's neck, pulling him into a close hug.

"I'm kinda torn," Alfred admitted, resting his chin on Arthur's head. "I know I have to go be the King of Spades and I wanna be with you but, at the same time, I don't wanna leave my family."

"That's understandable," Arthur commiserated. "You don't want to leave your family behind. But I can't say I'm sorry that you've chosen us and I promise we'll make sure you and your family can spent time together, I would never separate you from them." Alfred took his chin off Arthur's head and looked down at him as Arthur looked up.

"I know you wouldn't," Alfred replied and lowered his head to capture Arthur's lips and Arthur raised himself up to meet him. Alfred put his hand on the nape of Arthur's head to hold him in the kiss and deepened it. By the time the kiss ended, both were panting for air and Alfred did not want to leave Arthur, not even for a moment.

"I want to stay with you tonight," Alfred said and Arthur knew what he was asking. "Please let me stay!"

Arthur took one of his arms from around Alfred's neck so he could caress Alfred's cheek. This was his king but, more than that, this was his love and this would be, maybe, his chance to experience love-making with Alfred as a land-dweller. Alfred could teach him, just as he would teach Alfred love-making as a mer.

"Stay with me!" Arthur begged and Alfred kissed him again and they continued to kiss as they made their way to the bedchamber.

The dreaded day had come, the one that King Alex and Prince Jason did not want to arrive and that Alfred had wished for and wanted to put off, Matthew wanted to as well, if he were honest. Arthur and Yao were excited but understood the pain of the others with them.

The royal pod were going back to Spades.

Gilbert and Peter were waiting in the water by the same beach Arthur had left Alfred on, where he had come when he came looking for Alfred, waiting for Alfred and Matthew to say goodbye to their family while Arthur and Yao stood back.

"I was looking forward to some fun with both of my cousins," Jason was hugging both Alfred and Matthew, an arm wrapped around each of their necks. "But now I have to lose both of you, I'm going to be bored out of my skull." Alfred hugged his cousin back.

"Hey, you're not losing us," he replied. "We'll be back before you know it and I can tell you everything about Spades. Don't worry, Jase, we're still a family."

"We'll return as soon as we can, Jason," Matthew also reassured him. "I want as much time with you as I can get. I just found you all again, I'm not going to give you up." They released each other and King Alex came forward pulling Alfred into a tight hug.

"You and Matthew are the last link to my brother," he said, a tear in his eye. "And you're as much my son as Jason. I'm going to miss you, my boy."

"I'll miss you too, Uncle Alex," Alfred replied, hugging his uncle back. "But I promise I'll be back at the first opportunity." Alex released Alfred and it was Matthew's turn.

"And you," Alex said. "We barely get you back and you're leaving again. This is not fair."

"I know, Uncle Alex," Matthew replied, giving his uncle his return hug. "I wish I had more time too but we left Spades without proper organization and we have to go back. When we return, things will be better arranged and we'll be able to stay longer."

"I hope so," Alex replied and let Matthew go. Arthur gave a few clicks, chirps and squeals and Alex and Jason turned to Alfred and Matthew.

"Arthur said that we'll be quite safe in Spades," Matthew said. "And we'll be back at the nearest opportunity. We have a treaty now and allies should stay close." Alex smiled.

"So they should," he agreed and Alfred translated for Arthur and Yao who smiled back. There came a clicking and squealing from the sea and everyone turned to the Jokers and Gilbert was calling to them.

"What is he saying?" Jason asked.

"He's saying he's sorry to rush us," Alfred replied. "But we need to go now. If the tide turns, it will be harder to get back to Spades." The Altheian royals sighed.

"Well, I suppose this is it," Alex said and hugged his nephews one last time and Jason joined them in one big group hug. When the hug broke up, they gave each other one last smile then, with Arthur and Yao directing them, all four entered the water and shed their clothes when it was waist deep. Arthur had told him what Gilbert had told Arthur what was going to happen and Alfred was just glad he did not have to face the prospect of drowning again. Gilbert and Peter swam up to them and Gilbert produced the sapphire and held it up. Arthur slipped his hand into Alfred's and held it reassuringly and Matthew took Alfred's other hand. Not to leave him out, Arthur and Matthew grabbed each of Yao's hands. It's not that they had to hold hands but it just seemed right that they did.

Gilbert and Peter began to sing and the blue misty light flowed from the stone and engulfed the four men. Slits appeared on their necks and webbing appeared between their fingers as a glow shone below the water. All of them felt their legs fuse together and the scales grow back in, glowing blue and then the glow faded, leaving behind four mer where four land-dwellers once were.

Alfred and Matthew looked toward the beach where Alex and Jason watched with wonder and ….. sadness as they knew that both Alfred and Matthew were now beyond their reach...for now. Alfred felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Arthur. Alfred had not even felt Arthur let go of his hand to put it on his shoulder.

"I know you don't want to leave them," he said, gently. "But we must go before the tide turns. We'll see them again, soon." Alfred held on to that promise and he and Matthew waved one last time to their uncle and cousin who waved back before they turned and swam out to sea where the Spadian army were waiting to escort them back to Spades.

Alex and Jason watched Alfred and Matthew wave to them one last time before the six mers swam out to sea and they stayed until the mers were out of sight before returning to the castle, with a melancholy air, without half of their family, to count the days until Alfred and Matthew could return.

Next Conclave...

Gilbert had never looked forward to a Conclave so much, this was going to be awesome. While the finding of the King of Spades was announced to the Spadian populace (resulting in a celebration that lasted five tides and Gilbert had never had such a good time), the revealing to the other kingdoms was always at Conclave to give the new royal time to get used to it all. Alfred, being a former land-dweller, had more to get used to than most. He still got a little red when mermaids swam by because, despite preferring men, he got embarrassed at the sight of boobs on full display. He had to get used to the food as well. Cooking food was not an option underwater so everything was raw and it took him time to get used to eating raw fish. On the plus side, being in water meant he never got thirsty.

King Francis spotted Queen Arthur across the Conclave cavern and realised that the Spadian pod had arrived and he swam over to the blue-tailed queen. Francis looked forward to Conclave, just to mess with Arthur and see how much he could ruffle Arthur's scales. The grumpy Spadian looked adorable when he was all red and flustered and Francis was itching to fluster.

"Bonjour, mon chèr," he greeted with his usual flirty manner while Arthur gave a groan.

"Not right now, Francis," he said with a hiss of irritation. "Conclave will be standing soon and we need to get prepared so I've no time to waste on your flirting." Francis just drifted closer, his tail waving through the water with lazy seduction.

"There's always time for old friends, Cherie," he purred as he came right into Arthur's space and enjoyed the embarrassed blush that stained the Spadian's cheeks and was going to ruffle Queen Arthur further when a pair of arms came around Arthur and a blonde head with blue eyes appeared over his shoulder.

"Hey, Artie," the head said. "Whatcha doing over here?"

Upon arrival, the first royal mers Alfred had been introduced to were the Hearts pod and Alfred thought he could get along with these mers. King Ludwig was okay, if a tad anal but a king determined to do the best for his people. Queen Kiku was quiet and polite, the opposite of Alfred but Alfred liked him and he had the feeling that he and Kiku would be good friends. Feliciano was a dizzying, slightly ditzy ball of energy and lots of fun to be around but exhausting, even for Alfred but still, a great guy and a counter for his older brother and Ace, Lovino who seemed bad-tempered but Alfred thought that this was a front to keep people at arms length, making Alfred wonder what his story was but Alfred really took to the red tailed mers.

Arthur had left the group, saying that he wanted to go and talk to Gilbert before the Conclave about a visit to Altheia that they were in the middle of organising for diplomatic, and Alfred and Matthew's, sake. Part way through the conversation, Alfred had looked over at Arthur to find that he had finished speaking to Gilbert but he had been stopped by some blonde mer with long hair and a yellow and orange tail who's body language was flirty and seductive. Arthur's body language told Alfred that Arthur was irritated with the mer and decided to go to Arthur's rescue. He excused himself and swam up behind Arthur before wrapping his arms around his Queen and saying, "Hey, Artie. Whatcha doing over here?"

The orange/yellow tailed mer looked at Alfred's face over Arthur's shoulder and Alfred spotted the mark on the mer's chest, a K in a Diamond. So this was the King of Diamonds!

"Oh, Alfred," Arthur replied. "I'm just talking. Alfred, this is King Francis of Diamonds." Despite the fact that Alfred was behind Arthur, he went through the motions of putting his hand over his heart and giving a little bow. Francis's eye went to the arm still around the front of Arthur's shoulders and the way Alfred was pulling Arthur back against him. So, the little Spadian had found himself an amour, a Spadian that Francis had never seen before and Francis had to admit that the mer was very handsome and he could see what Arthur would see in him but really! Arthur was a queen, he should not settle for just anyone.

"Francis," Arthur continued. "This is King Alfred of Spades." Francis's eyes flew to Arthur's face in shock and back to Alfred's, then back to Arthur.

"King Alfr...," he gasped. "You found your king!" Arthur smiled while Alfred drifted from behind Arthur to show his own mark and he kissed Arthur on his left temple, giving the very clear message that Arthur was off-limits. "Congratulations, King Alfred. Queen Arthur." Francis put his hand over his heart, gave a bow and excused himself.

"You okay?" Alfred asked Arthur.

"Fine," he replied. "All part of dealing with Francis. He's a bit flirty but he's mostly annoying."

"Well, he can flirt with someone else," Alfred said, pulling Arthur into his arms and giving him a quick kiss. "From now on, you're all mine. Let him get his own queen."

"He has his own queen," Arthur quipped. "But I think Jack Vash will gut him if Francis tries that with Queen Lili. No one touches Vash's little sister." Alfred grinned.

"I'm glad someone keeps him in line," he replied. He was interrupted by a noise that almost sounded like a whale and the pods took their places as the Red and Black Jokers took their spot in the centre. The Red Joker puffed out his chest and took a deep breath.

"This is going to be an awesome Conclave," Gilbert announced. "With the awesome news that the King of Spades has been found and he turned out to be the twin of the Ace of Spades. So I am awesomely proud to announce the newest Spadian royal, King Alfred of Spades!"

Alfred took a deep breath and swam to the Jokers with all eyes on him, the red-tailed hearts smiling as their newest acquaintance took to the centre to give the speech that was required of all new royals to give to the other royals of the kingdoms. The Diamonds were looking Alfred over, Francis wondering how he could tease Alfred over Arthur, the new king was certainly possessive of his queen. Lili, sweet as ever, was wishing Alfred all the luck in the sea and Vash was just plain assessing him. Ace Antonio was too busy looking at Lovino to pay attention, kind of oblivious but Alfred wondered how much he should trust that façade.

King Ivan was looking at Alfred with a child-like but slightly creepy smile on his face and Alfred could not decide if Ivan was imagining them as friends or imagining crushing the life out of Alfred's body and Alfred suppressed a shudder. He would have to watch Ivan.

Ace Natalya was not much better, Ivan's younger sister did not smile, giving her a rather unfriendly look but beyond that she gave nothing away. Queen Elizaveta and Jack Roderich were also assessing Alfred but it was just trying to determine whether he would be friend or foe and Alfred hope they would not be foes. He had not become the King of Spades, just to start a fight with the green-tails.

Alfred floated between the two Jokers with the royals of four kingdoms looking at him, including his own, waiting for his speech and he had to make this good and he took a deep breath.

"I haven't been a mer for very long," he began. "I never even considered that a possibility until the Queen of Spades came into my life, bringing my twin brother back, after thinking him dead for many years and now I'm the King of Spades. This has given me so much but also given me great responsibility. Not only for my own kingdom but for yours as well." Alfred looked toward the other kingdoms for emphasis. "Every decision I make will not only effect my kingdom but could have consequences for yours too. It's both exciting and frightening at the same time and I will do everything I can to keep harmony between my kingdom and yours. I may have been a land-dweller but I was a royal land-dweller, born and raised understanding the pressures of ruling a kingdom, of maintaining a kingdom and defending a kingdom. I will do what I must to make Spades strong but I invite the other kingdoms to grow strong with us, to work together for the sake of all mers." Alfred paused to take another deep breath.

"I don't know what else to say but," Alfred continued. "The future depends on us all and I will do my part as a mer...and the King of Spades." After a moment, clapping began among the hearts pod, followed by the Diamonds and then the Clubs. One thing that had been feared was that the new King would rule Spades and make decisions without thinking of the negative consequences for the other three but Alfred's speech had made it clear that he understood this, that he wanted to make and keep Spades strong but he wanted to do that alongside the other kingdoms as well. Only time would tell if things would go that way Alfred wanted but this was an encouraging start.

Arthur looked at Alfred, his king, with great pride and love and with great hope for the future as Alfred swam back toward the other Spadians. He felt sure that everything would be fine and the kingdom was in safe hands and, when Alfred wrapped his arms around Arthur, he was absolutely convinced of it.

"Did I do all right?" Alfred asked. He had worried about his speech, ever since Arthur had told him he had to make one, telling the other kingdoms his plans for his own and his plans for interaction with the other kingdoms. He wanted to convey that he would keep Spades strong but he did not want to seem like a threat to the other kingdoms. He had become a mer to be with Arthur and to be King to Spades, not to start a war with the other mers.

"You did wonderfully," Arthur reassured him. "And I knew you would, I'm so proud of you, Alfred." And he floated up to kiss Alfred, not even registering that he was doing this in front of all the other mers and Alfred did not care either as he deepened the kiss that Arthur initiated. Safe in each other's arms, Arthur and Alfred no longer had doubts about the future. Spades was going to be fine, all the mers were going to be fine and before Alfred and Arthur was a future of love as they took Spades into a golden age.

And a story was added to mer history, of a mer queen who set foot on land, looking for his king and bringing him home to become the greatest king Spades had ever known. And they fell in love.

And who does not love a good love story.

And there we go! I rewrote the last part three times and I'm not completely happy with it but I wanted to get this out. I'm hoping to do another Cardverse fairytale, maybe this time involving the Hearts kingdom this time, we'll see.

Hasta la Pasta!