Legendary..? Teutonic Knights{Prussia and Hungary}

[Hungary]

~1211 Acre, Israel


It had been days since the boy had left his homeland and the sight of the port city was quite the welcome sight. The young lad had been riding for days and both he and his horse were exausted and hungry, but he did carry an important message from his Lord, so the strain would be bearable for now. Upon reaching the gates, the lad dismounted, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of a gloved hand and stepping forward to the guards who looked him over as he approached.

"What's your business here?"

The lad sighed but retrieved a crest tucked into the folds of his tunic carrying the symbol of his country. "I am here to deliver a message to the Orden der Brüder vom Deutschen Haus St. Mariens in Jerusalem on behalf of my Lord Great King Andrew the second of Hungary" Ugh what a mouthful, but the lad presented it prim and proper as would've been expected of him. The guard nodded and stepped aside allowing him entry, despite the sword at the boy's hip he didn't appear to be threatening in any way.

The boy walked his mount past the gates into the city limits. He glanced around in wonder at all the citizens busteling about, occupied with their daily routines. He seemed a little out of place, clad in a forest green tunic and tan breeches. He was light skinned, with luscious golden brown locks that touched his shoulder, but tied back with a simple strip of leather. Long bangs framed a smooth, youthful face, rather innocent looking. And bright emerald eyes seemed to glitter like gems in the sunlight. He was average size for boys his age though a bit thin, but one might attribute that to smaller portions of food being a 'servant' but he was more that that.

He made his way through the busy streets, people moving aside with faint curious glances in his direction. He could smell the sea that surrounded them and fish which would likely be one of their strongest outports seeing as it was a port city. Children ran through the streets, laughing and carrying on. Briefly the boy wished he could join them, be carefree and not having to worry about his countries problems. He then scolded himself for thinking out of turn.

That's just not a life for someone like me to have...

He approached the church grounds and looked up at the majestic building. It was simple but very beautiful and the boy couldn't help but smile as he peered up at the structure. He had heard tales of the Order. The White Knights riding the country side, bringing the word of God to men's hearts. It was a lively and beautiful tale, and he was quite excited to be able to meet them for the first time, even though it was on a serious matter.

"Ay!"

The boy was snapped out of thought as a man approached him. He was dressed in plain brown robes and the boy wondered if he was a member of the church. "Are you here to seek confession or perhaps sanctuary?" the man was looking him over and must of realized he looked tired, which he was.

"Ah no, I have a message for the Orden der Brüder vom Deutschen..." the boy began, the man smiled at him.

"Ah yes I see come with me then"

The man waited as the boy tied his horse in the stable, the stable hand moving to give it some feed "Please take care of him" the boy told the stable hand giving him a coin.

The stable hand smiled at him and nodded as he went to tending the Hungarian's horse. The boy followed the robed man into the church and directed him to have a seat on one of the benches in the chapel.

"I'll let them know you're here ah..?"

"Eli"

"Ah yes Eli. Someone will be with you momentarily"

The boy uttered a thank you as the man exited the chapel. He glanced at a few citizens that were there, head bowed in prayer. He made the sign of the cross over his chest and made a silent prayer of his own as he waited. Trying his best to hold down the excitement of meeting one of the glorius Knights.

[Prussia]

"Success will never be a big step in the future,
success is a small step taken just now."
Jonatan Mårtensson

Small and gentle hands were needed for tending the injured and curing the sick. They helped soothe the feverish by bestowing a wet cloth to the forehead. Placing a kind hand to hold the back of head, the healer could ease the sick or injured up just enough to drink for a wooden cup. A few drops of cool water, a blessing in the Middle Eastern heat, would sometimes drip down the invalid's chip and onto a dusty and dirty tunic, covered in dirt from extensive travels or stained with blood from battle. The fabric would turn dark and muddy, the already ragged state of the person may appear worse than before, but with moistened lips sometimes chapped or broken, the poor person would still manage out a haggard: "Danke. So very kind."

Whether it was blood from the wounded man or from the man's enemy, Gilbert had not thought to ask back then. His earliest memories belonged to the flashes of horses riding in and out, the injured being dragged in by the dozens, by the hundreds, the sun rising behind the great fortress walls of Acre and falling into the ocean, and his tiny body flying across the battle grounds, small feet pounding on the sunburned ground to get him to those that needed his help. And then there was the blood. It was not his own, he knew then he was not injured or even hurt, but the red was sticky between his pale fingers and clung onto whatever he touched: his cheeks when he had an itch, his forehead when he whipped away a stray strand of white hair, or to his oversized belt when it began to fall. The front of his white tunic had been speckled in it. Red on white, with the black cross of his Order. The only Order which spoke German, like him, and so attached him to them readily.

Twenty years later exactly, the young boy had barely aged a year since then and but yet he was equipped with a short sword, sharp as anything, strapped around his waist on a brown belt that now fit him properly. The white mantle with the black cross was proudly blazed across his small chest. Where men outside the Order, and even some within, called out for him to go back to clinging to his mother's skirts, the Hochmeister had discovered the truth soon enough. Besides the stark red of the boy's eyes, he was as pale as ghost in the tunic of the Order, but his passion and quick devotion to their faith and cause gave the Hochmeister the will to accept Gilbert in with open arms.

Gilbert had people in the form of brave knights, the best kind of people in his opinion, and a boss, even the word Hochmeister being like music to his ears and bringing a smile to his face, but he was not a nation yet. Not even a half nation or a partial nation. Nor was he even the Order of the Teutonic Knights, der Orden der Brüder vom Deutschen Haus St. Mariens in Jerusalem.

It had been a hard blow to his youthful ambitions in the beginning. He wanted to be a knight. He was a knight even if he had barely begun to fight. "I am one of you! Let me represent you, Hochmeister! I will make you proud." But by the second Hochmeister, and then the third, with the Order growing little and Gilbert growing little with it, they all knew there was something there, some sort of connection, but there knowledge was lacking.

And then the boy began to dream that there was something bigger in store for him. This little city in this little place was just the start. He would grow up one day and do great big things fit for great big people.

Gilbert could not take credit for that thought, not in its entirety. Herr Hermann von Salza became Hochmeister in Gilbert's nineteenth year of looking not a day older than six years old and then things changed. They had been changing for several years before then, with Gilbert being taken out into the yard to practice his sword fighting and given less time in the hospice perfecting his first-aid. Herr Hermann von Salza would soon begin to nudge the small boy, with his white hair and red eyes and a face still clinging to its baby fat, to visit Spain across the vast sea and Livonia across the weathered roads.

His education pertained to his religion, his prayers, and his sword. For Christianity he would fight. For the safety and well being of those pure and innocent Christians, he would slay the enemy and his world would become a better place.

He was a good boy, after all, and no cause was truer or nobler than the one he had been given. Hochmeister and the Pope had told him so.

Sitting in the cramped study room, Gilbert's ears perked up at the sound of approaching feet and nearly jumped for joy when the door opened and Priest Kroos appeared. The boy's enthusiastic face at the thought of having a break or the learning session being cut short was clear across his face. The giant tome in front of him blocked out everything of Gilbert's lithe body below the shoulders.

His tutor, a knight by the name of Huth, who had been making the poor child read aloud from a history book for the last hour, looked up from his own reading. "Excuse me for the interruption," Priest's Kroos said in greeting, "but there is a young boy by the name of Eli, from Hungary, here with a message from his lord."

"Young boy?" Huth asked, his voice deep and rumbling like thunder. Gilbert may not have liked the reading sessions but he did like to hear the man speak. "A squire?"

"I did not ask, but he arrived alone."

"I'll handle it!" Gilbert volunteered, and already his slim body was sliding off his wooden seat, ducking underneath the table, and emerging out the other side. "You stay and read, Herr Huth."

"Does that mean you picked the good Priest to continue your reading for you?" Herr Huth asked, already looking back to his books.

"I can do that?" The child's voice full of regret that he had not known this before.

"What have you been reading, Junge?" the Priest asked, stepping back out of the doorway to allow Gilbert to exit.

"A book!" Gilbert shouted his reply, his swift feet already carrying him down the hall. A knight without a war to fight is a horrible thing! Gilbert could not help but think, a worry in the pit of his stomach of all his awesome knights growing up to become weak and withered and wrinkly. Like the Pope, whom he had some strange admiration and adoration for, but wouldn't really want watching his back on the battlefield. Books didn't even make good shields.

Switching from a run to a quick step, adding in a little hum for his own entertainment when he passed the small garden, the church was quick to greet his arrival. The clear, clean glass in the high windows let the sunlight pour in on both sides and bathed the simple wooden benches with sunshine, with sharp shadows appearing in the wings. The many candle sticks, the crosses, and the large Bible on its heavy golden stand at the front were all too familiar features and Gilbert's eyes immediately found his target.

The other boy was easy to find, being the only one there in the middle of the day. "Hallo! I hear you come all the way from Hungary," Gilbert said as he made his approach. A dark leather belt was wrapped around his waist with the small sword safely at his side. His well-worn pants were a dark brown and his sturdy brown boots gave him a confident step, adding much to an already broad grin as he was overly pleased to see someone like him who wasn't old.

He liked the boy already. The hour of being cramped in the study room made his words come out easily with the eagerness to speak. Already he had forgotten the boy's name. "So you have heard of the noble deeds of the awesome Teutonic Knights, have you? We are impressive, aren't we? We fought"--the other boy not needing to know the precise details of the truth--""for three years to claim this city from our enemies and now it looks even more awesome than before." He walked up the bench in front of the boy's row and came to a stop in front of him, climbing up onto the seat on his knees so that they might face each other. "I don't know what you're here for but you came to the right place!"

_____________________________

A/N: I tried to keep his history brief here but hopefully I managed to touch upon the important/more pressing aspects. X3

[Hungary]

Eli continued to pray silently as he waited, his head bowed, lips moving slightly as he recited familiar verses from his teachings. He felt at ease, his body relaxing and appreciative after the strain of a long ride across countries. He still felt a tingling in his stomach however and a part of him wished the priest would hurry so he could at least fill his belly with something warm and favorable. He then scolded himself.

Forgive me Lord for my impatience...

"Hallo! I hear you come all the way from Hungary,"

Startled, Eli looked up to see a pair of dark rubies glittering in the dim light of the chapel. He blinked as he peered at the boy who had appeared. "Ah yes..." he replied in a soft, respectful tone, he was in a church after all. He couldn't help but study this new boy curiously, the white hair and red eyes very uncommon, but not necessarily unheard of. He blinked out of his daze when the boy was speaking to him again.

"So you have heard of the noble deeds of the awesome Teutonic Knights, have you? We are impressive, aren't we? We fought...for three years to claim this city from our enemies and now it looks even more awesome than before."

The boy blinked, clearly surprised. This boy looked about the same age as him and he was a Knight? Eli was impressed but no need to let him know that. He nodded at the boy "It's a very nice City" he replied as he stood slowly, adjusting the sword at his hip so it wouldn't hit the bench. "So you are of the Orden der Brüder vom Deutschen Haus St. Mariens in Jerusalem?" Eli upped a brow at him, still a bit surprised someone so young was a member of these impressive figures. "If so I have brought a message from my Lord Great King Andrew the second of Hungary" Ah good he got the mouthful of proper titles and words out without a mistake. He hoped his King would be pleased that he was able to put off such a formal appearance.

"I don't know what you're here for but you came to the right place!"

Eli smiled and offered his hand in a greeting "I certainly hope so. I believe the message pertains to a job my Lord wishes to offer your order. We have heard many great things. How Strong and courageous the Knigths are, passing the word of our Lord to our fellow man. I must admit however, I wasn't suspecting one around my age to be a part of it" He offered a friendly smile, his emerald eyes glittering. "May I know your name? So that I may at least adress you in a more formal manner?" My how polite, just as the court had taught him, when making allies one must be a propor visitor, especially when intending to ask a favor.

[Prussia]

The wood bench under Gilbert’s thin knees was smooth and familiar, worn down by frequent use over the past two decades. Facing the back of the chapel, he could see a small candelabrum near the front entrance, right behind the other boy's shoulder, and that one of the large doors was open ajar with a narrow stream of light slicing across the grey-tiled floor.

Gilbert used the back of the bench as an arm rest while he listened to the other boy, taking notice of the brown hair pulled back by a piece of leather and green eyes the color of forests that did not exist in those middle eastern lands. Even after the long pilgrimage the other boy had undertaken, the journey did not appear to have worn him down the way Gilbert had seen it wear down so many others. The benefits of being a kid, no doubt, but then again, Gilbert had bury one too many of travelers his own size.

"So you are of the Orden der Brüder vom Deutschen Haus St. Mariens in Jerusalem?" the boy asked. "If so I have brought a message from my Lord Great King Andrew the second of Hungary."

"I am," Gilbert said, the acknowledgement of it filling his chest with pride and his eyes shining in delight. A King?[/color] he thought excitedly, his face brightening up. For being in the lands far from the native home of his people, he had met a fair number of Kings already. They may not have known who he was, but he knew what they were. Kings were the great men who sent their Knights and soldiers on Crusade, who held the calling for their noble religion close to heart. In Gilbert's small yet awesome opinion, they were amongst the best beings imaginable. The best leaders when a nation--a real one--did not have the privalege of having a Hochmeister like he had. Nothing beat the awesome might of a Hochmeister who was not afraid to raise his sword against evil. "What sort of message?"

Offers had come and gone through the Order, with some being better than others, but he had yet to be granted a task by a true King. He knew Hungary to be just about en-route from his people's lands in Germania, mostly with the Holy Roman Empire. The place was not too far.

Lifting his arm up from the bench rest, he took the offered hand and gave it a firm shake, flashing a toothy grin over something as simple that his hand was, for once, not engulfed nor crushed in other boy's small hold.

His arm returned to it's resting spot and he squirmed a little in his seat while he listened. Still naive to the actual contents of the request, he could not help feeling pleased that this Hungarian King was seeking out the Teutonic Knights, a more humble order than the other two with a shorter history but, according to Gilbert, by far superior.

"The Teutonic Knights are strong and courageous," Gilbert affirmed with a prideful yet childish tilt of his head. "Age doesn't matter here"--even though he was by far the youngest, just a small babe amongst elders, not tall enough to reach the waist of even the shorter men-- "But I'm the strongest and most courageous of them all!" He rose up, high on his knees on the wooden bench with a faint flush over his cheeks, so that he could be a head and a half taller than the other boy who still sat on the bench.

"My name's Beilschmidt." The surname first, just as he had heard the knights say their own amongst greetings. No one ever gave such honorific to a child, even one as important and awesome as the human name of their Order. "Gilbert Beilschmidt." As prideful as he was, the grin he gave the visitor was friendly but lacking in whatever politeness the other boy had. Gilbert had never been to court. The battleground and the walls of Acre were all he truly knew amongst the faint memories of Germania his knights had carried with them to the Holy Land. "What's your name? And you can tell me what else that job said. I'm"--he spent a single beat thinking on how best to describe it--"close to the Hochmeister. I'll make sure the message gets to him."

Then he couldn't help asking with a touch of eager curiosity plain to hear: "Do you really know the King of Hungary?"

[Hungary]

"My name's Beilschmidt. Gilbert Beilschmidt. What's your name? And you can tell me what else that job said. I'm...close to the Hochmeister. I'll make sure the message gets to him. And do you really know the King of Hungary?"

Eli shook his hand, a friendly smile on his youthful face "Eli Héderváry. Pleased to make your aquaintance Sir Beilschmidt" though young, Eli still felt inclined to address the Knight properly.

"My Lord offers a job of sorts really. There are a group of heretics that threatens the peace of our lands" Eli began, his gaze seemed to darken somewhat. "My King wishes to employ your knights to protect the innocent and our country from these foul men. He offers to pay you handsomely as well as allow you residency on our land for as long as it takes to deal with them. You will be given high titles and whatever sustenance your men require." The boy smiled, it was a generous offer really, her King had insisted on it, willing to front the coin it would take to gain the service of these Knights. But sometimes it took more than money, which Eli was prepared to offer as well.

He almost chuckled at the boy's question "Yes I am a squire of his royal court. I hope to be a knight someday myself." he nodded as he rested a hand on his sword hilt out of habit.


He watched the boy a moment wondering if the offer was good enough for them to accept, it was likely he would have to report to a higher authority and Eli wasn't in that much of a hurry. "I plan on staying a few days to recover from the journey. If you need time to consider, I'm in no hurry to leave just yet. In fact I would like some time to see your city. " Eli smiled his head tilting to the side slightly. "It's been quite awhile since I've been able to visit another place and I admit I am a bit taken by the serenity here. I bet part of it is because it is under your watchful eye?" Ah yes, it was always good to feed compliments. Eli hoped he was still putting off a good impression, his King would be rather upset if he came back empty handed.

"Also I'd love to see how strong you are. How about a friendly spar sometime? I would be honered to touch blades with one of your order" he smiled again, a bit of charm to his greenish gaze. As he waited for the boy to respond, his stomach growled rather loudly, he frowned, rubbing his stomach through his green tunic. "Ah...sorry" he grumbled, looking a bit embarrased "It's been awhile since I ate anything. Might you know of a good inn I could replenish myself? It could give you some time to mull it over."

He watched the boy again with a blank expression, Eli wasn't one to show off his weaknesses especially in front of what he inspired to be. He wanted to make good impressions to these knights. Show them that Hungarians were good, hospitable and trustworthy. He scolded himself for his body's betrayel and hoped the Knight wasn't offended.

[Prussia]

Gilbert's pleased expression turned curious, the signs of a slight frown forming between his eyebrows while his smile slackened, signs that perhaps he wasn't sure what Eli was talking about. But he knew quite well, bright boy that he was. Eli's King wished to hire the Teutonic Knights. The Knights were to protect the innocent from foul men. The promises of handsome rewards and residency were only a passing thought while he nodded his head once to show he was listening.

"I see," Gilbert said most magnanimously, most lordly--words he had heard used amongst the men and travelers, especially by those close to Kings. "So your King just needs us to take care of a few sinister guys?" He was being asked to protect the innocent from foul men. "You've definitely come to the right Order if that's what your Kings requires!" The grin was crooked from the effort it took him to keep from laughing, but still a chuckle escaped, and to keep from doing something drastic in his excitement at this sudden victory. This was a victory! Sir Beilschmidt was being asked to protect the innocent from foul men.

"Yes I am a squire of his royal court. I hope to be a knight someday myself."

‘Sir Beilschmidt’ sure did have a nice ring to it, Gilbert thought with approval and that wide grin of his. Eli Héderváry didn't sound too bad either. It was the name of squire, however, poor kid. Maybe Gilbert would need to teach the squire a thing or two about being a knight. Now that would impress the other boy for sure!

But Eli was kind of talkative even as far as squires went. Although Gilbert listened, he was caught up in his own plots. Never before had such a big-sounding job come his way. It sounded like it had been tailored for him, an adventure of grandeur—a phrase he didn’t really understand but liked the sound of anyway--and Gilbert was just so damn happy at that instance he could have sung!

"I plan on staying a few days to recover from the journey. If you need time to consider, I'm in no hurry to leave just yet." And the talking continued and Gilbert’s ego was well fed, but he was young, and his body overly energetic on a regular day when he hadn’t been stuck inside reading to his tutor. When Eli finished with "...under your watchful eye?", Gilbert leaped up to feet. As he had been sitting with his feet on the wooden bench, he towered above Eli.

"We'll make preparations to leave as soon as possible," he informed her, small hands making small, determined fists. As the little proto-nation of the Order, his joy was their joy, their determination was his as well, and they would not waste long before heading out. The Hochmeister cared about him too much to let him rot around when there were bad men to fight, innocents to save, and glory to find. "But know you will be, ah, unmolested and unharmed while in our city! No one does anything bad when the Teutonic Knights are out and about!" That was how the Knights said it, right? Unmolested? Oh well!

Territory was mentioned too, he recalled Eli saying, and titles. There would be money also. The knights would be all taken care of and Gilbert would get to beat up rotten men! I'll make them all see how useful I am!

"Also I'd love to see how strong you are. How about a friendly spar sometime? I would be honored to touch blades with one of your order."

Gilbert laughed and climbed over the back of his bench and jumped onto the bench Eli sat on. "Just name the day! Don't forget that I'm a full-fledged knight, though, while your... a squire." Plus he was proto-nation, he thought proudly, but he quite liked Eli for one reason or another--maybe the politeness? Or that he was another little kid like Gilbert? Or that he had traveled this far to deliver this wonderful message?--and so added hastily after, a mixture of cockiness and shyness: "I'll try not to hurt you too bad."

Then without waiting for an answer, having heard the stomach growl from his companion, he waved his arm as a gesture to get up while he took a step backward. The wood bench was plenty wide for his small feet. "Follow me then! Supper isn't for awhile but I'm sure we can get some bread and cheese until then. We got some tasty grapes, too!" Gilbert found no shame in being hungry and so did not realize Eli was embarrassed from it at all. "Never mind what the hour is. A man's got to eat!"

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A/N: Little Gilbert is probably like the poster-child for ADD. XD Also, his likeness for Eli also has to do with him/her being a nation~ Taking notes from my thread with Germany for the sake of consistency, I'm going to assume that proto-nations don't recognize actual nations for what they are.

[Hungary]

"Just name the day! Don't forget that I'm a full-fledged knight, though, while your... a squire. I'll try not to hurt you too bad."

Eli couldn't help but up a brow. Now he wanted to spar Gilbert even more now, if just to prove that a Hungarian was no pushover, squire or no. Eli gave a soft sigh and a shake of his head before his stomach embarrassingly betrayed him.

"Follow me then! Supper isn't for awhile but I'm sure we can get some bread and cheese until then. We got some tasty grapes, too! Never mind what the hour is. A man's got to eat!"

Eli tried to mask the relief that would be present on his youthful features. Using a smile instead to hide it. "Ah thank you Sir Beilschmidt. I would appreciate that greatly" the boy got up and smoothed out his tunic "Please lead the way, I am at your disposal"

Well things seemed to have been off to a good start. For the most part Gilbert had seemed interested in the offer Eli had presented to him. He very much hoped so, Eli would be thrilled to please his Liege in any way. The boy still held dreams of Knighthood, Chivalry, High Courts and Heroism, like most aspiring boys his age should.

He took this moment to study the Knight more closely. There was something about him that drew Eli's interest. Eli knew he was different than humans, being a nation with a longer life span and a tendacy to heal and bear great strength. This knight however gave him this feeling that he was also more than a youth unusually knighted at this age. Eli held the other boy's gaze, there was a light in them that was very drawing to Eli and despite his boasts that would usualy make him annoyed with any other child, he found this one very interesting. Perhaps this boy was just like him? He had only met a few in his life time and the possibility of meeting another piqued his interest quite a bit.

"I was wondering something" Eli began but then thought better of it. It was a rather personal question after all "Ah never mind...." he said softly, tilting his head a bit to the side as he waited for Gilbert to lead the way.

OOC: I imagine they could sense that they are similar XD

[Prussia]

When Eli stood and smoothed his tunic down, Gilbert rocked on his heels and took note of the other. His chest puffed out a little when he took a deep breath of satisfaction. Not only did they seem to be the same height, but the other boy didn't look to be any stronger than Gilbert was. "Please lead the way, I am at your disposal"

"Don't need to tell me twice," Gilbert said happily, jumping off the bench and onto the smooth tiled floors. He tugged on the bottom of his tunic to pull some of the wrinkles out while he led the way down the nave, past the row of benches and pews towards the entrance. "You're in luck that you came this month. Sir Hummels just came back from Rome. No one makes bread like Sir Hummels. Or swings an axe as hard." He chuckled, remembering his excitement when the shield of Sir Hummels' fighting partner burst into a thousand splinters.

"I was wondering something." Gilbert glanced over his shoulder--his eyes on the Eli but visualizing the way the splinters cut at the man's face and drew little droplets of blood. He was listening all the same, however, but Eli added quickly and quietly: "Ah never mind...."

"Huh, if you're sure..." he replied lightly. "If you need to use the toilet, I can show you where that is too." Golden light with green, blue, and red hues from the painted glass continued to pour in from the high windows, giving the wall paintings a hearty glow. Gilbert tapped a hand on each wooden pew on his right side as he passed, drew the cross on himself as the approached the Mother and Child--tapping the child on the head with two fingers as he walked by--and stepped out onto the stone porch of the Narthex.

A few people strolled past outside and took little notice of the two of them, children as they were, as they headed onto the paved courtyard. Outside the walls of Acre, plants were tough and grew sparsely in the sun-dried Earth. The same could be said about the courtyard: stone, pillars, walls, and arches were abundant, with a small tree here or there to give hints of shade in the otherwise brilliant sunlight.

Gilbert reached his arms above his head as the sun hit him and stretched his back out with a happy sigh. Only the pleasantness of being outside was marred by three Knights Hospitallers. In their red tunics with white crosses blazed on their chests, all the while towering above Gilbert's meager height, walked just ahead of him and Eli. They looked to be going to the Knights Hall, too.

The Knights Hospitallers and Knights Templar were already more popular, better recognized, and older than Gilbert by nearly a hundred years or more. The Fortress of Acre was build-up by the Hospitallers long before Gilbert came along, and even when the Fortress was retaken, Gilbert had not participated in the fighting. He felt small and servant-like, walking in those three Knights Hospitallers’ shadows.

"This way," he said, pinching Eli's sleeve and giving it a light tug as he turned to the left, avoiding the route that would have taken them through a pair of tall wooden doors which would have let them directly into the dining hall. A mischievous grin ran across his face that said he would not take no for an answer. "I'll show you something really good!"

Walking under the vaulted archway, Gilbert led them towards the eastern wing. Once past the door, he kept right and hung against the wall, allowing for a full view of the room. The place was gigantic--the largest hall the Knights' Halls had to offer--with vaulted ceilings supported by numerous square columns. Large tables in a square formation were covered with rich black cloth. Mighty chairs were pulled up close and benches sat a little further behind them.

"This," Gilbert proclaimed, his arms wide open and spinning around as though to take it all into himself, "is the ceremonial hall. We also use it as a hospital sometimes." Something he was quite familiar with either way. "Impressive, right?" The look he gave Eli was expecting nothing less than awe. The hall was vast but humbly decorated. A few banners draped the walls, covering the sleek stones, with the signs of the attire of the Templar, Hospitallers, and Teutonic: crosses all, colored in simple yet proud whites, reds, and blacks. The torches and light stands were dark, the hall filled with light from the courtyard to the west, from the south where birds could be seen flying over the sea, and behind them, to the north.

The slumbering silence was barely stirred by their soft footfalls and quiet breath. "The walls are thick here," he started to explain, his tone not at all hiding the pride he had in it, nor subduing the boasting he could not hold back. Seeing his own colors usually did that to him: overcame him with a pride that had no bounds. "Then again, they're thick everywhere. The knights have always built their fortresses strong, hearty, and tough. Like us!" He laughed loudly but his childish voice did not so much as echo in the mighty hall.

_________________

A/N: Sorry this took so long. I was having trouble trying to figure out how to proceed, then trying to figure out what Acre even looked like, then what the Knights Hall looked like, etc. etc. It's made difficult because the architecture and structures were discovered under buildings later constructed by the Ottomans in the 17th/18th century. And if they aren't under them, they were completely destroyed. ''orz

I think I got a good idea of it though, and will be using my best judgment for the rest of it. \o/ Although with Gilbert acting as tour guide, you get the easy way out: you get to just follow my lead. XD

I followed these directions to figure out where they going. I also used this map. I have them coming out of the Citadel (near the top, semi North-West. Note that this is the Hospitallerian citadel.) and into the courtyard, which was surrounded on all sides by the structures to the Knights' Halls. Here is a picture of the courtyard as it is today. As a side note, the Fortress actually had a medieval type of plumping (go gravity!). [/size]

[Hungary]

Eli watched silently as he followed Gilbert along the aisles of the chapel, raising a brow as the boy tapped each pew they passed. He sure did have a lot of energy, must be from spending time cooped up here. He wasn't sure how the Knights would spend their free time, he himself enjoyed long rides across the plains of his land, still a nomad at heart, breeze strong against his face, or training with the other squires in the noon sun.

When they approched the mother, Eli followed suit and made the cross symbol over his chest, sending a quick silent prayer before following Gilbert out onto the porch. As he followed, Eli couldn't help but watch the boy's back. He couldn't shake the feeling that this boy was different. Once they reached the courtyard, Eli was distracted from his thoughts by the sight of the pillars and arches. Eli admired the craftsmanship of the walls, though still simple. He had always liked things that way, not the fancy frills of High Court.

Eli returned his attention to his host. Curious at the boy's expression as he watched a trio of Knights ahead of him. He took a step closer, following the boys gaze as they watched the small group. He was about to inquire the other boy but was interrupted by the tug on his sleeve

"This way"

Eli obeyed and let the young Knight pull him along. "I'll show you something really good!" Eli blushed slightly at the mischeivious grin that settled on the boy's features and couldn't help but smile in return "Sure!" he followed obediently under a vaulted archway, making a right into a wing. Eli peered in wonder at the large Hall. He stepped forward towards one of the tables and rested a hand on the black cloth, marveling at the feel of it.

"Amazing..." he murmured softly as his greenish gaze passed over the great vaulted ceiling.

"This is the ceremonial hall. We also use it as a hospital sometimes. Impressive, right?"

"Indeed." He was very impressed. Eli walked a small ways among the chairs, admiring the craftsmanship and running small hands over their surface.

"The walls are thick here, Then again, they're thick everywhere. The knights have always built their fortresses strong, hearty, and tough. Like us!"

Eli turned to look back at the boy, a smile on his face, he was certainly proud of his Order, which was understandable since Eli had heard so many wonderful tales about their bravery and skill. He met Gilbert's gaze, slightly captivated by the light in the reddish orbs another faint hue of pink touched his cheeks. He blinked, a bit taken aback at this sudden reaction and swallowed a little hard, he shook his head, the strange feeling returning that there was something different about this boy, something familiar about him...

"Sir Bielschmidt...I can't help but wonder something..." Eli's gaze turned downcast. How do you exactly ask someone something like that? "It may sound strange but... have you ever felt...different. Like you weren't exactly like other people around you?" Eli lifted his gaze towards Gilbert's again and gently bit his bottom lip, it was always a habit of his. He really hoped he didn't sound like an idiot but he sighed and shook his head "Ah..never mind, I don't really know what I'm trying to ask" he chuckled a bit nervously "Sorry..."

[Prussia]

Being as full of self-esteem as he was, Gilbert didn't much need to hear Eli vocalize his awe and gush over the magnificence of the hall. He tucked his thumbs into his belt and rocked on his feet, watching the other boy meander around a little. It's probably just one of those things that takes a while before you realize just how amazing it really is! he thought happily, his eyes meeting Eli's gaze. Gilbert's eyebrow rose a little at the faint pink appearing on the other boy's cheeks. Maybe Gilbert's confidence was too overwhelming? His deeds too great? His great potential overpowering?

As he heard Eli speak next, he paused his idle rocking balancing on the front balls of his feet. "Have you ever felt... different? Like you weren't exactly like other people around you?"

Two rows of bright white teeth flashed as he laughed with a short "Heh!" and let his feet fall flat with a soft pat on the tiled floor. Of course he was different! He was better than most, or better yet, the best one of all! "Why are you acting all embarrassed?" he asked quizzically after Eli apologized, a bit disturbed by such un-knightly behavior of looking down and biting one's lip. Purposefully he blocked the fact that he had broken into tears on occasion--it wasn't something Eli needed to know, anyway!

Assuming, as he often did, that Eli was thinking the same thing as him, he announced: "No way would I be like those lame guys back there! This here, this symbol"--he unhooked his thumbs on his belt to tug on his white tunic, the black iron cross adorned across it and covering his chest and stomach--"shows me for being the best of all! It's my symbol and shows me for the awesome Teutonic Order, er, knight that I am." Teutonic Order because he was more than just a knight, but he was still just a knight because he was not quite the Order itself. It was very confusing for him so he tried not to think about it too much. It was better to just let things run their course and let him get swept up in it. So far, so good! Eli's presence and message could attest to Gilbert's method.

It then occurred to him that Eli, with the lip biting and the downcast eyes, might actually be doubting him. Him! Gilbert Beilschmidt! The thought made him step forward, his own cheeks heating up as his expression turned insistent and less of a braggart than before.

"So!" He barely waited a beat to speak again right away, eager as he was to make sure Eli wasn't having somehow changing his mind about this. "Who are those guys messing around in your King's Kingdom? B-But whoever they are, I swear that you can count on me," he said, a slight tendency to switch between 'us' and 'me' when describing his beloved Knights. "Actually, no matter who they are, I'm-- we're undefeated! It'll be over before you know it!"

Then again, Eli was just a squire and nothing more. A squire wouldn't be able to change his king’s call for the Order even if he had wanted to. Gilbert felt sheepish for his sudden insistence but eager to hear Eli agree, watching earnestly out of the corner of his eye as he took his turn to roam the hall. A pale hand drew across a heavy mahogany table and small fingers flicked at a quill that simply flew up a hand-span, flipped over, and fell back flat onto a sheet of unused paper. The hall was amazing but pretty boring when empty, he realized, and already he was slowly orienting his way towards the other end of the hall, the door they entered in sharing the same wall with the door he meant to exit from.

[Hungary]

"Why are you acting all embarrassed?"

He blinks as he looks up at the other boy, stunned at first but then frowns a bit. "Well I didn't think it a comfortable question...I" but he was interrupted as the boy continued.

"No way would I be like those lame guys back there! This here, this symbol shows me for being the best of all! It's my symbol and shows me for the awesome Teutonic Order, er, knight that I am."


Eli upped a brow, wow this kid had an ego the size of the moon, or even the sun. Already the fascination he had was somewhat fading, but perhaps it was his way of admitting that he was like him. The boy merely nods, not in the mood really to question this knight's 'greatness.'

"So!"

Eli snapped to attention, locking his gaze on the other's.

"Who are those guys messing around in your King's Kingdom? B-But whoever they are, I swear that you can count on me, Actually, no matter who they are, I'm-- we're undefeated! It'll be over before you know it!"

"Ah well these heretics are called the Cumans and they have been terrorizing our villages as of late. Hopefully the Knights will be able to protect the poor good christian people of these raids. I trust the tales are true, that you truely are undefeated." smiles at him, Eli was sure a stroke of the ego would win him over for sure, and his King would be pleased that he had been successful, the very though of it made him grin.

He then noticed the boy was already moving on, not really seemingly paying to much attention. Eli sighed but followed, sadfully leaving the magestic room, resting a hand on his stomach as it growled at him hungrily, he really hoped they could grab something to eat soon, or he was sure to parish in the halls never to return to his plains.

"Ah I don't mean to be rude, but I'm very hungry. Can we stop for some food?"

OOC: Oh Gawd I know it's been forever and it's so short. The Holidays have kept me busy of late and I was also unsure of where to keep going with this really. Perhaps we can wrap it up and move on to our next planned thread? If not that's ok to.

[Prussia]

"Cumans, is it?" Gilbert asked, the name not impressing him very much but still it was the name of the villains, of the pagans, the people who sought to harm and steal what belonged to him and all those other good people. "We've been protecting the poor, good, Christian people cross into the Holy Land for centuries!" Once again he used logic sparingly, figuring Eli didn't look at dates or names any closer than Gilbert did. "I'm sure protecting a kingdom will be as easy as pie!" As pie wasn't something he was exactly talented at, he added, "Or bread!"

Food, in general, seemed to be the calling of the late afternoon. Gilbert smiled big when Eli asked, "Can we stop for some food?"

"That's where we headed!" He waved his hand for Eli to follow after and pointed at the door at the end of the hall. "This was just a, ah, shortcut!" Rather than walk, he took off at a run, the small sword on his belt thumping against the side of his leg but not holding back his short strides at all. Coming to the door, he grabbed onto the metal handle, put his shoulder into the wood as he was accustomed to do, and pushed. Being part of the fortress, everything was indeed made strong and tough. It just so happened that it was heavy, but Gilbert was strong, too, and made of much tougher stuff than brick and mortar.

Back into the courtyard he went, and a quick sweep of his eyes let him see that those other knights were no longer around. He smiled keenly. Crossing the yard--the yard they had just come out of but now only a dozen steps from the next building--Gilbert began listing off the food they had, the words making his mouth water and his own stomach growl. "We've got bread, cheese, jerky, fish... Lots of fish!" The call of seagulls was not so strong today, he noticed, but that didn't mean the harbor was any further away now than it had been yesterday. "We have fruit too. It might be a desert but we've got it all! Ah, I'm starving!"

Yet he couldn't be distracted by food with the prospect of glory just within reach, and he remembered the task he was given and the importance of Eli's message. "If the Hochmeister isn't in there, we can go find him afterwards. He's never hard to find." Of all the knights, Gilbert seemed to be the only one who always had a sense of just where the Hochmeister was, and knew precisely where to find him when he was needed. It was like he was drawn to his leader like a starving man to the last potato on a plate. "Then you can tell him what you told me, and we can head off to your country right away!"

:. Das Ende .:

__________

OOC: Sorry for dragging it on, I didn't know you were having troubles. ;; *Was liking the thread* I ended it though/Hopefully this was a good ending for you. \o/[/size]