The fearless young Swedish barbarian's sails had been through the gale of The Atlantic, North Sea and the Baltic Sea. After bidding farewell to his two friends, Sweden travelled around the Baltic coasts, prioritized not fighting but trading. He liked the German merchants for their resourcefulness and versatility; they were also square and moreover, reliable fellow traders.

Nonetheless, the Baltic sea was somewhat too small for the adventurous Swede, meanwhile the mystical Eastern land on the map did not stop tantalizing him. Much as it was harsh and far from ocean, there was no way to know if one didn't dare to venture out. There seemed to be some sort of magical force that was dragging Sweden eastwards.

.

.

Days had passed since the Vikings towed their ships inland, yet there was no sight of a river or coast on the immense Eastern land mass. Just like Norway said, there was an unfamiliar absence of sailing thrill once prevailing during their former voyages on the waves. Having said that, getting further inland brought him a new excitement of seeing boundless plains as well as tremendous paddy fields. As those things couldn't be found in his home, annexing this fertile territory would get the problem of food shortage resolved. Brutal long winters made no difference on him, for the Scandinavian warrior was born to be embraced by frosty air all year round in his birthplace.

.....

Raiding on land was not a thing seafarers like Sweden excelled at. Hence, he encountered a few difficulties during conflicts with the native tribes. Still, the power of Norse adventurers proved to be invincible, and occupying those fruitful plains seemed to be only a matter of time.

'Horribly large... Seriously, where could be the boundary of this region?' Sweden thought. The representative of this land must also be a colossus, but oh, for sure, he would beat that giant down till he saw stars.

Fightings continued on, and the Slavic tribes (1) joined hands to repel the Vikings' invasion. However, Sweden realized that their blazing rows actually could never be settled, even disputes over the most trivial things would lead to reckless fighting and killing. In short, this region was on the verge of falling into the invaders' hands.

"Please, stop... I'm scared... who will protect me?? Please, don't let me be the Vikings' property!"

It was a small child, younger than Sweden, begging his people in tears. 'Protect? Property? Was that boy the representative of this region? Hmph, must prepare to romp home victory.' Sweden thought with satisfaction.

He moved closer to the boy to get a look. The frail child got fair hair verging on snowy, merging into the white paradise around him. But the odd thing was his pure amethyst eyes. Sweden had never seen another pair with the same colour as this one.

Noticing a Viking barbarian heading for him, the purple-eyed frantically ran into the forest in fright.

"Hey, ST'P!" Sweden followed.

"No, you will catch me then! Please, don't chase me!" The little child ran as fast as possible before vanishing into the depth.

'A good runner, eh? Just wait, I'll get you in a second.' Sweden panted heavily.

Suddenly, he heard a sound at the far end of the forest. This was so... familiar, could it be... FLOWING WATER? Yes, it was the sound of water, and gradually getting even more audible. The young Swede made his way through thick bushes, before what he'd been hoping for eventually came to light.

'A VERY LARGE RIVER!'

Finally he had found a river. It was flowing southwards, signalling the existence of sea in that direction. Odin had granted him this fortune...

.

.

"Сестра, сестра Ukraine!" (2)

"Ivan! What's wrong? Calm down."

"Hah... Hah... We're in danger, the Vikings... the Vikings are nearly there!" Ivan warned his sister in horror.

"Vikings?"

"Pirates from the North, they're sailing along the Volga to get here."

"No way, the Volga just doesn't flow through this place. I'll eat my hat if they manage to do so!" Ukraine chuckled.

Ivan suddenly trembled, pointing at the back of his sister.

"Сестра, be... behind you..."

Huge wooden longships were being towed towards the city, as a massive army marched forward with thunderous footsteps, at a horrendous pace.

"Hej... We meet 'gain."

Sweden all of a sudden loomed over the two siblings.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

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Sweden successfully occupied Kiev and the vast eastern territory. Ideal though it was for the voyagers' residence, the native peoples' stubbornness was a real annoyance, with that of Slavs being the worst aggravation. As the Vikings claimed their ownership fair and square, making waves was just another silly way to waste time. Or at least that was what the victors thought. And talking about the Slavs...

"Hey, only this? Must be a hundredfold more comparing to our work! And then your Vikings buy our wheat for this pittance, anything other than selling me short?" Ukraine said angrily.

"Isn't it th't we'd agreed on th's 70-30 d'vision? Wh't seems unjust to ya h're? And, p't the blame on yer rioting, it st'nds to reason wheat pr'ce stays low."

Ukraine couldn't snap back but stood frozen in pent-up anger. Her life was turned upside down when Sweden declared his authority, which surely drove her up the wall. Also, that savage Swede usually made her little brother a quivering mess.

"Hey, what's yer n'me?" He asked the child behind Ukraine's back.

"I... Ivan." answered the purple-eyed.

"Ivan? More l'ke a human's n'me th'n a region."

"Because Ivan is exactly his human name. There's still nobody gave his land another one, so I just call him Ivan." Ukraine intervened.

"He m'st got a n'me... Let me th'nk." said Sweden. "Vikings, th' sailors, th's land was conquered by th' sailors... Let's call ya Rossiya (Russia) then." (3)

"Why?" asked Ukraine.

"Ros means 'the men who row', the sea tr'vellers, for we're th' founder of th's nation. Like yer n'me, Russia?"

"I... love it, да. Finally got a name!" Russia happily smiled. "Сестра, from now on please call me Russia!"

"I... don't like it, but if my brother does, then... fine..."

"By th' way, my boss said he w'nted ya two united as a k'ngdom, then th's federation should also h've a new name."

"Do choose a nice one, oh why not just call it Ukraine, or The Slavic, or...?"

"Kievan Rus." said Sweden.

"What? Can't be that bad!" Ukraine complained.

"Where is it b'd? It r'lates to both of ya, Rus in 'Russia' and ya capital Kiev."

"No, I don't like it, and that 'Rus' part makes no sense! Gimme another!"

"Done th'n, Kievan Rus will be on the maps." Sweden ignored her.

"Pretend to be deaf, don't you? Hey, dude?! Stay here, Sweden! Fine, BEHOLD MY ULTIMATE KILL!"

Ukraine lunged towards the Swede with the-thing-everybody-knows-what-it-was.

Sweden gazed at the sight.

One minute.

Two minutes.

.

.

"Plains all around... Wh're are ya mountains?" Sweden did not turn a hair.

*dumbfounded*

"I'll leave n'w, go on w'th ya work."

'Bastard, I'm gonna be a big-breasted some day.' Ukraine thought.

.

.

Afterwards, Kievan Rus welcomed two new members. No one but Ukraine named the little nations, Ruthenia (4) for the boy and Belarus for the girl.

"Ya seem to l'ke the name Rus." said Sweden ironically.

"Not that...! It's just... I like them matching with Russia."

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.

"Arghhhh! It hurts...! Ruthenia please, spare me some food, да? I'm hungry...!" Russia cried.

"Forget it! Early bird catches the worm!"

SLAP! Belarus gave Ruthenia's face a hard smack, before pinning her brother down to strangle him.

"Give back to Russia! Give back to Russia!"

"Stop it, all of you! No more crying Russia, and oh Belarus, let Ruthenia go! Break it up, you two!" Ukraine tried to deal with her siblings in desperation.

"WON'T YA ST'P OR NOT?!"

Sweden roared, separating the pair of fighting children in monstrous madness. So terrified were the two that not a single word escaped their lips. Even Russia shut his whining sounds, going as white as a sheet.

"Th's is my last w'rning. Let th're be a s'cond time and don't call this Sw'den cruel." Sweden glowered his blazing eyes, as the three kids nodded with fear.

Upon finishing his last word, the Viking turned round and left.

'Dare to scare my brothers and sister. You'll pay dearly for this.'

.

.

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'Dammit!' Sweden was truly done in on this chaotic land. There was not a day without another role of settling the native tribes' disputes. The Vikings were anything but peacemakers, they were here only to be mighty kings of this land. 'Well, guess I have to take the bitter with the sweet.' But above all, he badly needed a rest at the moment.

"SWEDEN! It's high time you cleared off our home!" Ukraine shouted.

'Sweet, what are we having now? Another riot? Really, that Ukrainian never grows bored of it?"

"Get out of here! Cannot stand you for another second!" Belarus announced.

"This isn't meant to be your Vikings' place!" said Ruthenia.

"Да, uhm..."

'WHAT? What's with this sudden unity? No way, isn't it an alliance of Slavs and... Finns (5)? Nonsense, they're supposed to be locking horns with each other! Urgh, no good... so many of them...'

"KICK THE SAVAGES OUT OF HERE!" The crowd roared.

Sweden really had to flee this time...

.

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"You bullheaded Belarus, stop it!" said Ruthenia.

"Messing with Russia is to become my enemy!" the girl grunted.

"Why don't you make peace this time, да?" Russia worded.

"NO WAY!" The two kids again came to blows.

Every day happened to be a chaotic mess. Ukraine had thought giving Sweden the bum's rush was in exchange for less oppression, but never expected this disaster. The Finns and Slavs seemed to achieve a promising unity when they revived fightings and killings like ever before, one could tell so by the two wrestling children.

'It would be better if Sweden were here...' Frankly speaking, it was not that she hoped for the Viking's return, but this country did need a leader to bring it under control. Maybe she really had to trace him...

.

.

The place appealed to Sweden a lot, from the locals to its magnificent scenery. Still, flowers were the most pleasing glamour. Literally nothing could be compared to a good stretch on a blooming field next to the meandering river, as one inhaled the fresh breath of nature.

"Samo shampioni!" (6)

Here came the drumbeats. Ah, he forgot the best of the best. Festivals.

"Yo Sweden, let's party!"

Flying far and high,
Jumping, laughing, crying,
The youngest and the best,
The bravest in the games,
All strong at heart!

The Swede felt like melting into the festival's sensation. There was a world of difference between here and Kievan Rus, and, talking about Bulgaria... Also a Slav, yet one would be showered with warmth, felicity and endless humours being with him. The Bulgarians dressed flamboyantly, heating their lovely homeland with music, drumbeats and powerful singing voices.

"That's way too weak Sweden, no, your dance must be wild like this!" Relentlessly beating his drum, Bulgaria happily danced along to his bouncy songs. The Slavic boy's overwhelming joy was so contagious.

Only wild ones,
Only champions,
Golden boys and girls for millions
Give us the young ones,
Give us the happy ones,
And the whole village comes.
Sing, don't be afraid!

Samo Shampioni!

"SWEDEN, SWEDEN!" Ukraine's call mingled with the vibrant festival's sounds.

Sweden ran to her, surprised.

"Ukr'ine, wh't are ya doing here?"

"I...I... I need you back." Ukraine shyly stuttered.

"Come b'ck? Didn't ya k'ck me out with'ut sparing a thought? Why sh'uld I ret'rn then?"

"Kievan Rus has been in a crisis since your departure... I... I don't know what to do now. Please, Sweden!" The young girl pleaded.

Sweden only replied her with a dreaded silence.

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"HI, UKRAINE!"

"AAAAAAAH!" A horrifying mask appeared to shatter the silence.

"You turn up at the right moment, come and join this fun!" said Bulgaria.

"I nearly jumped out of my skin with that mask of you!"

"Don't worry, it's for driving away evil spirits. Come here, you don't know what you've missed!" Bulgaria took the blonde's hands and pulled her along.

"Alright, alright, just give me a minute."

"Don't leave while I can't see you!" The black-haired said excitedly.

.

.

"Sweden, please, answer me." Ukraine looked at the taller boy hopefully.

"If ya ins'st... then, I'll come b'ck after the f'stival."

"Oh thank you, thank you so much!" She wrapped his arms around him in a big grateful hug.

"Let's c'me in and p'rty."

.

Lo, coming from the village, a reckless lad

Lo, a reckless lad, leading a pony

Lo, by the river, beyond the forest

Lo, she sings by the river

Oh Ukraine, eeh... oh Ukraine tara-doo-dai dara-doo-da...

Bulgaria and Sweden's duo performance sent a slight shiver down Ukraine's spine. The 'reckless lad' wondered if the dancing Swede overthere was really the barbarian she knew.

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"Let a king reign over us with his laws and dispensation of justice, on our land which is rich and disarrayed at the same time. You men of the sea, please come and give us your help!" The tribes announced to the Viking leaders.

"You really won't stay?" asked Ukraine. "But nobody's gonna hate you."

"My boss w'uld be en'ugh regarding his ab'lity, and I shall c'ntinue our journeys w'th the oth'rs."

"Where would you go?"

"Bulgaria once t'lked 'bout a myst'rious road in the east, that's my dest'nation. I wasn't born for yer pl'ce but belong t' the sea, only and f'rever."

"Good luck!" Ukraine kissed him sweetly on the cheek.

"Will we ever meet again, да?" asked Russia.

"M'ybe in one day, n't so far away." Sweden smiled.

***

I've never expected this, but oh my god the author really makes me want to ship Sweden with Ukraine after these little fluffy things :'))) Alright, here's some factual and historical stuff she gives us.

(1) An ethnic group inhabiting all around Eastern Europe and the Balkan states. Slavs are classified into three branches, and are the ancestors of the following modern-day nations:

· West Slavs: Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

· East Slavs: Belarus, Ukraine, Russia.

· South Slavs: Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavian states (except Kosovo).

(2) Сестра : Russian for "sister".

(3) The Swedish Viking tribe named Rus' was the founders of Kievan Rus, and 'Russia' is derived from the term "the men who row" – the men from the sea.

(4) Ruthenia : a successor state of Kievan Rus, used to be an independent nation before World War I and one of the four countries forming Czechoslovakia. After World War II, Ruthenia became a part of Ukraine till today.

(5) Finns : Russia shares the blood of many different ethnic groups, with Slavs being the majority along with minorities such as Finns (perhaps this accounts for the same eye colour of Russia and Finland), Tatars, Kazakhs... Actually Finns were not the bulk of Finland's population during the Viking Age, but the nation was more of a coexistence of many ethnic groups competing against each other. The Finns are known to have migrated from Eastern Europe to Finland, with this modern country and the Republic of Karelia – an autonomous state of Russia – being their nearest successors. (It's still uncertain whether the author is adding this character to the story or not)

(6) Samo Shampioni : Bulgarian, meaning "Only Champions".

The two songs used in this chapter are "Samo Shampioni" and "Water", both performed by Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov. (Interestingly, they're two entries of Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest).