Letter to Krampus Chapter. 2

The Krampus was taken a back a little, though Krampus was mythical, Germania was a large country and not a mere mortal, he was a little intimidated, and got a little scared. He slightly backed away, wide eyed.

"Whoa whoa did I SAY that? Was I going to take your darling child?" He shook his head and frowned
"Really? I was telling you the rules, so now answer me. Did I SAY I was going to eat your delicious naughty brat? Did I say that?"

"You did indeed say he would make a fine stew...and that does not sit well with me, in a way that was promoting the future of cooking him..." He looked over at Gilbert. "Most likely the child would be gamey, and I am not sure that would suit you well." Germania chuckled a bit. He then looked down to the child. "Gilbert...what do you suppose should happen to you? With all that has happened? With your behavior and all that has happened in the past...do you feel that you yourself have not been naughty?" The question being asked directly was difficult to Prussia.

"I...I don’t think I have been. Well, really that naughty." Krampus scoffed

"Ha see how he lies...?” Krampus was giving a little chuckle, but seeing Germania’s face he frowned. "Not saying that is stew worthy...just saying..." Germania cast a glare at the beast, and revealed his sword for the creature, and then looked back down at Gilbert.

"With as much trouble you caused in the two days your cousins were visiting, and all the grief you cause me about doing your chores? And lastly, you being mean to Ludwig...I really ought to have Herr Krampus give you a bottom tanning...hmmm, as a matter of fact." He looked up. "I should allow you to give the child a switching, just so he knows what really happens to naughty little boys, and knowing very well that I, his Vati is doing the right thing..." Prussia was tearing up at hearing Vati say this and started to sob.

"Nein I'm sorry I have been naughty b-but…" Krampus suddenly interrupted and held his hands up, almost like he was being attacked.

"Whoa whoa whoa, just settle down! I don’t just start handing out switchings to every kid that comes up here with their parent. Why do you think I save it all for the 5th of December? Come on let’s be reasonable...I would never get work done if I had to stop and spank every kid that wanders up this way." Germania looked to the small one, and then at Krampus.

"Then if you are not going to take care of your duties, I suppose I will have to? I suppose with all the children that are coming forward you must really be busy. Wow, so many children." He looked around, and was surprised. There was nothing. He then turned back to Gilbert. "You had me come all this way and for nothing. You know what little one...I promise you, with the time that has passed now, you are going to understand the consequences for making me come all this way, and it will not be favorable to your hind end once we return home. You are getting a bottom tanning, and going to bed until the Spring!" He raised an eyebrow at the child. He was tired and cranky, and looked back to Krampus. Germania had gone all this way...and nothing had happened. Krampus shrugged his shoulders.

"Come on really what did you expect? When I say Dec 5th I mean it. I will be at your place then to carry out the judgment, and I don’t make the rules..." He paused and smiled "Ja yes I do. Now get out of here, you and your brat are smelling up my house!!" The elder nation just glared, and shook his head.

"Fine...I suppose I will have the child wait." He then turned around, and walked towards the child just shaking his head, and waving a finger at the boy. "Gilbert Beilschmidt, you just wait till I get you home...come on!" He grabbed the child's hand, and turned back to Krampus. "I am sorry for having wasted your time, and mein...as it is wasted as well. I DO HOPE, you stop by, as there is one little nation who is going to have a hard time sitting this Christmas." He was not happy with the creature, but just nodded his head. Prussia was on the verge of tears. Things had not gone the way he had wanted at all and now Vati was mad at him and everything was a mess. His Vati was going to spank him, and then Krampus was soon after. It was just  too much for him. Krampus sighed and waved to the two.

"Ja, Ja. No big news there, now be gone I have a lot of switch birches to make." The creature started to whistle, and looked around the room like he had no care in the world. Just looking back at the being, Germania slightly scoffed, and grabbed up Gilbert into his arms, holding him tightly. They walked out of the home, and arrived back at Kaspar. The horse neighed, and Germania set the boy down, and gave him a glare.

"So we traveled all this way for you to get a warning young man? Do you have any idea how very upset I am?" He made sure the child was strapped in, and he got on the horse as well, seating himself behind, holding the boy tightly. "I am debating leaving you with that Krampus...just for the Hölle of it." Tsking, he clicked his heels, and Kaspar turned and headed down the mountain. Prussia felt miserable and sniffled

"Vati...nein don’t! I don’t want to stay with him, and I-I didn’t think my plan would fail....I...*sniffle*, please he is really scary. I-I'm not happy either. *sniff* J-Just think how I feel now...." He gave another sniffling sob as Krampus waved from his porch. Holding the child tighter, Germania had had it.

"You have a voice, and you did not say a thing to him. I did not raise you to be afraid. I am tough and strict with you because I have to be, and what could have been avoided with him coming to mein house! Ughhhh...I have never been this upset with you Gilbert!" Germania had the horse gallop, and they rode, and rode. The nation was very tired. "I think we should stop and take shelter for the night. Perhaps build a fire. There is a cave up ahead." He peered, and thought hard to what the child had said. "And you know what little one...I do not care if you are not happy with how you will feel. You know that being naughty brings trouble."

The lecture was almost worse than anything.  Gilbert had disappointed Vati, and  he had tried to say things, but after facing the Krampus, what was there to say? He had been very intimidating to him, and Prussia now was feeling too downcast to argue with Vati. He too was tired, and felt his spirit a little wounded over all of this and simply cried silent tears over this all. Vati was disappointed, that was the worst thing of all. They arrived at a similar cave, and Germania got off the horse. He reached over, and grabbed the child into his arms. Holding him tightly, the two arrived into the entrance, and like before, the elder nation set the boy down, and set up pelts, and wool blankets. He made sure there was enough cushion, and then looked over, grabbed some spare wood logs that had been left behind, and within moments, hastily built a small fire. Reaching into his bag he pulled out some bread, a container of soup, and some water. Splitting the soup, he handed some over to the child.

"Go on, eat up, and then sleep." The nation did not say much, as he was tired...and just wanted to get back. Prussia didn’t want to eat, he felt in the depths of despair at the moment and sniffled and pushed the soup away and went to pull the wool blanket over him

"Gute Nacht Vati" Little Gilbert  said his goodnights with a hoarse voice. Germania was about to pull back the blankets, and make the boy eat, but he felt that the child most likely felt punished enough. He set a hand down on the little pile laying down. Shaking his head, he spoke softly.

"Guten Noct...you go to bed then, and we will resume in the morning." Shaking his head, he took to his soup, and drank it down. Yawning, and having a warm belly full of soup, Germania leaned down, and got under the blankets. He made sure the little one was sleeping, and then snuggled up, holding the child close to him. He was almost sorry he was going to have to teach the boy a lesson once they got home. Morning arrived with the bright shining sun blazing into the cave dwelling. Germania did not wake though, not yet.

Prussia had slept very soundly all night long.  He was worn out mentally, physically and emotionally from the entire endeavor, but he felt slightly better as he felt the warmth of Vati around him. As his eyes opened the next morning, he tried to quietly get up without waking Vati. He really didn’t want to wake him so he could hear more lecturing and still felt bad for what had happened the day before, he decided to start picking up some sticks for the fire. Germania rolled over and breathed heavy. He opened his eyes, and yawned. The cold brisk air filled the cave, and the nation did not want to get up, as it was very comfortable under the pelts. He looked to his side, and noticed that his little one was not there. Expecting the worst, he sat up and panicked, only to see the child quietly collecting sticks. He had calmed down since they left the beasts house, but still slightly upset, the nation got up, and stood there looking to Prussia.

"Gilbert...Guten Morgen, collecting sticks witcht? Good boy...I will see about cooking something for us." Prussia winced a little at hearing Vati’s voice and almost dropped the sticks but managed and didn’t look at him and only mumbled half heartedly.

"Ja...Vati...." He felt worthless, Vati was mad and maybe he wasn’t as brave and awesome as he thought he was. He had lost his chance and what was worse was that Vati was disappointed in him. He brought the sticks over to where they had the fire the night before, and then he walked over to the edge of the cave and looked out into the white world feeling the same way inside cold and blank. The nation watched the little one drop the sticks down, and walk to the cave's entrance. Shaking his head, he knew the child was being repentant. This would pass, as he needed the child to understand the wrong he had caused. Turning to his knapsack, he pulled out another loaf of bread, and the remainder of the cheese. Something as simple as toasted cheese would suffice. He fixed up slices, and taking a grate he had packed, he put the bread slices with cheese down, having them crisp, and drip with cheese. Looking up, he called to Prussia.

"Come boy...have something to eat, and then we continue on."

"I'm not going to eat" Prussia said not turning around looking still out into the snow "I don’t deserve to eat ever again.” Prussia said, clearly, not in a pitiful way, it was in a more, I’m going to punish myself sort of way. He was indeed upset, and because he still felt so unresolved about the situation, didn’t know how to handle himself since he still felt the impending doom in his future. He also thought maybe if he was hard on himself, Vati would not be so hard on him. Taking the toasted cheese off the grate, and setting it down on some clothes. He looked up at the child, and became stern.

"Nein, you are not going to act like this in front of me. This is exactly why you were on that creature’s naughty list. I have had it with your little attitude, and it has been getting the best of you. You come here right now, eat something, and then my friend...we will be going home. Kommen hier runt." The elder nation took his bread and bit in. Reaching into the bag, he took out some more milk, and set it down. Prussia was jolted by the stern command and he felt himself moving toward the fire and the food before his mind caught up with it, he was red faced and took the toasted cheese bread.

"I don’t want to go home. I...I don’t deserve to have a home, and if...if you hate me so much, and are disappointed then why don’t you just leave me here in this cave? I am sure perfect little bruder will meet your expectations." Prussia said now almost shouting angry tears welling in his eyes, and having a little tantrum with his whines, and pouting. Shaking his head, Germania finished his bread and pulled the boy down, and had him sit. Then standing up, he pointed to the child.

"Sit there, get warm. I am done having this conversation. You are being silly Gilbert. To think I hate you, don't be absurd. You are not going to be left here, and I love you and your bruder equally. Now EAT your breakfast, and let's go."

He walked to the entrance where Kaspar was waiting, and strapped down some bags. He could not believe the child was having a small tantrum. Hopefully the boy would fall asleep on the way back, as it would be almost seven more hours that they would be traveling. The nation would go home and be exhausted, he just knew it. Prussia pouted and sulked a bit and took a bite out of the cheese bread, it was very good but he was trying not to enjoy it. The little nation was in self pity mode, he finished the breakfast and stayed there sitting slumped over looking behind his shoulder at Vati every few minutes or so. He was hoping he would finally take pity on him too. Fixing the strap on the horse, he then walked over and started collecting the spare blankets, wrapping them up as well.

"Okay, come little one...we need to go. I need to get you on the horse. I am greatly in need of a bath, and I know you are too...hmmm, among other things." He looked down with a raised eyebrow. "I am not going to get your bruder until tomorrow, as you and I have not finished our discussion." He walked to entrance and grabbed several clumps of snow, and walked back to the cave, putting out the fire. He then leaned down, holding out his arms. "Kommen..." Prussia didn’t like the sound of that. Discussions with Vati were always bad and he knew he was going to be spanked over this. Vati had already said so.

"I...am going to stay here." He said not moving from his seat on the ground. "I am not worthy to be your kinder Vati. I have humiliated and shamed myself, and you deserve better...go. Just leave me, I deserve to be eaten by wolves." He said with a sill sulky face and drew his knees up to his chest. The nation mostly didn’t want to go home because he really knew he was going to get it. Eyes widening, Germania felt as if he was going to dish out a spanking sooner than later, but then he just shook his head, and put his arms up.

"Fine...you want to stay here, then that is what is going to happen. One less mouth I have to feed." The nation turned his back on the child, and walked to the knapsack, taking out a scrap piece of paper. "Before I leave, I am just going to write a quick letter to Krampus. Just letting him know there is an unruly little boy waiting in a cave...ready for whatever is dished out to his small self." He grabbed out a lead pencil, and started to write down several things, casually smiling, but not letting the child see, however he did read it out loud as he wrote. "Dear Krampus...*scribble, scribble*....come see mein naughty child....*scribble, scribble*...he is staying in the cave to the North of your home....*scribble, scribble*...please come now." Signed Germania, Proud Nation. Looking to the boy, he folded it. "Alright then..."
Prussia couldn’t believe it. Was Vati really going to leave him? He had wanted him to tell him nice things like. Oh no your my boy I could never leave you, but he didn’t. Prussia flinched and was on his feet in a second

"You wouldn’t really leave me Vati???" He said making his way toward him quickly afraid he may just disappear and really leave him. Hearing the words he was waiting for, he decided to continue the game, but only for a little bit longer. They really did need to go. He turned back, holding the letter, and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Hmmm...well, I could, and very well should leave you." He continued and tucked the note back into his pocket. Without looking to the boy, he spoke in a deep voice. "If you don't want me to leave you here, then don't make me ask you again then Gilbert Beilschmidt. Get your little behind over here, and we are going home."

Germania’s voice sent a cold shiver down his spine and he quickly ran as fast as his feet would take him to Vati and the horse biting his lip. Yes he was dreading the spanking he was going to get at home, but being eaten by Krampus was a worse fate, and having to die alone was bad. He didn’t apologize though and was now a little more subdued and not so sulky. Seeing as the child was following order, Germania reached down, grabbed the boy into his arms, and put him on the horse. Looking around, he then walked and collected the other blankets. Making sure everything else was clean, he himself got onto the horse, and clicking his mouth, they were on their way home. All the while dreading the long ride, the elder did not think it would be all that bad. Kaspar ran like the wind. His hooves moving through the snow piles with ease, and soon time had passed. Beginning to feel very tired, Germania was nodding off every so often. Sensing the time, it wouldn't be long. Prussia was silent the whole way not enjoying the ride back as he had the ride to. Every gallop of the horse was only bringing him that much closer to the switching he was sure Vati had planned for him and he shivered and closed his eyes. Maybe this was all a terrible dream, and none of this had happened at all. Maybe he would wake up in bed at home, and there was no Krampus or anything, and he could go on with his life the way it was before. The traveling continued for a while longer.
Hours passed, and Germania stopped at one area. He saw that the little one was sleeping, so he did not wake him. He did however get some water to Kaspar, and gave him some grains, and a few apples. The horse would need a nice long rest once they arrived home. Shaking his head, he looked back tot he boy. Gilbert was very sorry, he knew it, but this was no excuse. For these actions, he would be spanked. Seeing as the horse was all ready, he walked back over, and got back on. The last hour passed quickly, and they arrived back home. Germania pulled Gilbert into his arms, and walked Kaspar back into the barn. With that done, he walked into the house, and closed the door. Arriving at the table, he set the boy down.

"Gilbert...wake up. Wake up boy..." Prussia rapidly blinked his eyes and looked around, they were home it felt a little like magic as he had slept most of the way. His body was sore and ached a little and he looked around and then thinking fast tried one last ditch effort.

"Oh Vati, I had the weirdest dream. You and me went to visit the Krampus, but he wasn’t all that great and well...it was more like a nightmare. I am so glad it was just a dream." Prussia could only hope that Germania was so tired from the trip just maybe he would buy this. Standing back up from looking down at the child. Germania kept a straight face, and smirked slightly.

"Gilbert...you did not have a dream, what happened was very and truly real." Clearing his throat he continued and rubbing his eyes of the tired, he explained to the child. "You wrote a letter to a creature by the name of Krampus. You explained to me that you needed to hand deliver him the letter. We rode...for close to two days...and there, he alerted you that though you wrote a letter, nothing was going to stop him from switching you. Now then...for my part...you were suppose to speak up, you didn't, and Mein time was wasted." The elder nation walked over to the kettle and went to prepare some tea. Doing so, he walked over to a shelf above the sink, and grabbed a slender, but nicely adequate switch. "Go into your room, and wait for me to call you when I am ready." The nation would make the boy wait. Anticipation was the devil. Prussia knew Vati wasn’t stupid, but upon hearing him relay it all to him plainly he felt his heart sink a little and he looked up clenching his fist.

"I...I don’t see why you have to spank me when...when Krampus is going to SPANK ME ANYWAY!" He said loudly and red cheeked huffing, and puffing. He didn’t think a double spanking was not fair to him in the least. Germania gasped, and walked close to the little one. He kneeling down, and then grabbed the child by the arm, turned him around, and delivered a sound and hard smack to his little bottom. Then turning him back around, the nation looked down to the boy wavering a finger at him, and speaking in a very harsh and grim tone.

"Go to your room immediately...and don't you ever, EVER contradict me again in my own home. You do not choose your punishment, nor the fate of your future. I have had it with you. Wait for me to call you Gilbert." Fire raging in his eyes, he was fully irked by the boy's behavior. Prussia didn’t have hardly time to cry out from the sudden smack, and Vati speaking so sternly he was almost afraid of wetting himself. He knew he was just making things worse, and so taking the warning he turned and ran as fast as he could to his room and slammed the door also as hard as he could. He then flung himself face down on the bed, and started to cry angrily and loud. He was finally being able to throw the tantrum he wanted to throw from the very beginning, but knew better than to do so in front of Vati.

Watching the child run to the bedroom, Germania walked to the counter, and set down the switch. He then made himself a cup of tea, and as he poured the water, his eyes were very heavy. Fixing the cup, he then grabbed up the switch, and walked over to the couch. Sitting down, he sipped from the tea. It was nice, and warm and hit the spot, but sleep was getting the best of him. He decided to let the child wait, and slowly, he leaned into the couch, switch still in hand. He laid against the cushions and soon passed completely out. Prussia had cried out is little tantrum long enough and rolled over and lay on his back. He might as well enjoy lying on his back while he could with the time ticked on and the house seemed too quiet, Gilbert wondered. He sat up, and tip toed to the door and peeked out and was shocked to see Vati was asleep. Prussia thought a moment about the tactile advantage he now possessed, and he had felt how that switch felt in the past. He knew it was a good whippy one, and was really going to be swung hard onto his bottom. He quietly tipped toed over to Vati where the switch was in his hand. If he could manage to slip it out of his hand. And maybe destroy it, then Vati would either. A. use his hand and it still hurt but not as bad as the switch, or B. Make him get another and then Prussia could make sure the one he got would not be so intimidating. With this in mind, he started to ease the switch out of Vati’s hand. Germania snored slightly, and sleep felt incredibly wonderful. As he did so, he dreamed of snow, and presents. Having Christmas morning arrive, and handing out gifts to his children. He was so relaxed, and moved his head to the side. The dreams continued, and he even went as to further dreaming. Having Albion and Maria pop into his head. He smiled in his sleep. Fortunately, he was not having a "soggy" dream, or so it was called by Gilbert. Dreaming, he dreamed away. Prussia felt that luck was with him and felt the grip loosen and he carefully removed the switch holding his breath the whole time, he then tip toed away and was about to throw it in the fire to destroy it when he suddenly realized the golden opportunity he had. Instead of destroying it or having to endure Vatis hand, he would sabotage the switch. He quickly pulled out his little dagger and started to cut inch like cuts from the top to bottom, that way when Vati started to spank he it would start breaking and then what would Vati do? He wouldn’t suspect Prussia and then Vati wouldn’t probably just think he hit his son so hard it broke, and feel bad and that would be the end. It was brilliant, Prussia quickly cut the notches in the switch then tip toed back to Germania. Prussia decided just to lay the switch on the floor, and he was sure Vati would think he dropped it in this sleep then Prussia snuck back to his room smiling.  Smiling, Germania cast a stray hair from Albion's face, and leaned in to kiss her...but something seemed weird. The air was slightly colder, and it caused the nation to open his eyes wide looking around. He smacked his lips together as they were very dry. Sitting up, he looked around. It seems he had dropped the switch somewhere.

"Ugh...mein Gott...I forgot about this." He got up, and noticed that the switch was nowhere to be found. Getting up, he stood up, and stretched. He suddenly remembered that he needed to take care of something. Holding his hands to his mouth, he called out to the boy. "Gilbert...GILBERT...come now...come out of your room." The nation needed to find the switch though. Prussia heard Vati call and went to him trying to look as calm and innocent as he could and sad, yes he needed to look sad as he was about to be spanked.

"Ja Vati." He went and stood in front of him and saw Vati hadn’t noticed the switch on the floor and went to pick it up "I am ready for you to punish me Vati." Gilbert said stoically. Looking down to the boy, Germania saw that Prussia was holding the switch in his hand. He leaned down and grabbed it in his hands. Nodding his head, he spoke softly.

"Alright little one...um...hmmm..." The nation was thoroughly confused. He knew the boy needed punishment, but Gilbert was never willingly wanting to take it. "Um...you are ready to be punished? Gilbert...what is going on? I don't want any funny business; you are wearing out mein patience. And another thing..." Germania raised the switch high in the air, and had it come down in his hand, but as it did this, the switch snapped in half. "Was Zur Hölle?" He looked at the broken switch, and then back at the boy. "You...you did this!” Prussia eyes got wide as he hadn’t expected it to break like that before he was struck he had to act fast

"My Vati....you are very strong. Are you sure you should be spanking me at all? You might kill me…and…Vati, how would I have done anything to the switch? I was in my room the whole time!!!” Germania looked down at the switch, and noticed it had been cut, even more so than what it had looked like. Peering even closer, he noticed trace amounts of silver. His eyes widened, and he looked down to the boy.

"Gilbert...fetch me your dagger please..." Prussia felt his blood run cold. It couldn’t be possible, there was no way Vati had figured it out. No way. He nodded now, being very quiet and went to get his dagger and returned holding it slightly trembling out to Germania.

"Ja...Vati. What’s the matter?" Grabbing the dagger out of the boy's hand, the elder nation studied the blade carefully. Because it was a blunt blade, it hadn't been sharpened in such a long time, and had small trace amounts of nicks in it. Eyes growing wider, Germania's keen eyes noticed a trace amount of wood, specifically from a certain willow switch. Pulling it from the dagger, he dropped it to the ground, and snapped the switch in half.

"You're in serious trouble..." Hearing the sound of the switch snap in half, Prussia felt his knees go week. Germania was looking at in such a scary way and he had not expected his little trick to backfire like that and now he stood there caught in a lie and an act of deceit

"V-Vati...I...there is no way you could have discovered that I did anything to your switch. How could I have? It’s just not fair…"