the-engdyssey

[the-engdyssey]

The coat may have belonged to someone else, but she wore it like it had always been hers. No one in Elizabeth’s court suspected the truth—yet—not with the way she held herself. But she never took off Arthur’s heavy privateer coat for the remainder of the evening. The smell of the sea, of rain soaked grass, of him reminding her that her husband was her home. In every way. A secret marital union between nation and monarch that, for now, remained as strong and visceral yet invisible as the gusts of ocean wind that allowed him to set sail.

A historical drawing of Lizzy I did forever and a half ago, inked and colored forever ago, and finally did the final digital edits today. But Arthur’s precious wife only deserves the best! Also, it should be mentioned that no, Lizzy would not have dressed exactly like this if she was in front of her court. Actually, she wouldn’t have dressed like this at all. Her hair, makeup, and dress would be much different. So I’m willing to call myself out for that haha. HOWEVER, this drawing was inspired by many historical films about Lizzy where when she’s a bit younger/newly Queen, she tends to have her hair down. When she’s alone with Arthur? Her hair’s always down. He’s enamored with it. Just like he’s enamored with her wearing his coat, a way to claim his Queen without causing a stir about the fact they’ve already been married a couple of years.

But never fear. The rumors will start circling around Lizzy like they always do. And eventually, Arthur will confirm the rumor that his Queen is his wife.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetaween-event

Day 4: Shadows and Day 8: Demons

Title: A Wager in the Dark

Rating: T

Warnings: malevolent supernatural entities, demonic entities, Shadow People, hauntings, people driven to madness and death, this entity I came up with is vile I'm so sorry.

Summary:

Arthur had only ever known it by one name. 

The Death Bringer. 

It was smiling at him. It was always smiling at him.

It did not need to physically speak to be heard. The mouth was there only for one thing: to smile. And when it did, it was not a simple baring of teeth, not a grin, not a smirk—it was a maw splitting the void, peeling back its own darkness to reveal something underneath. It had no lips, only a wound that tore too wide across its faceless visage, stretching in ways that broke the mind to witness. A gaping abyss that breathed.

[the-engdyssey]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62841249

@gurotalia-week

Day 3: Historical

Title: Old Men Talking, and Young Men...

Rating: M

Warnings: mentions of the second world war, brief but graphic depictions of violence, Gunshot Wounds, a soldier being shot in the head, references to very young men fighting in the second world war, death of a young person, Historical Hetalia

Summary:

Old men talking, and young men dying. That's a war.

--

A story in which Arthur reminds his men that dead men--and boys--tell no tales. Where he is content to don the cloak of monster so that his men can preserve their humanity during the Second World War's darkest hours.

[the-engdyssey]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62369551

@hetaween-event

Day 9: Ghost Ship

Title: The Unseen Passenger

Rating: T

Warnings: Plague Ships, a historical fanfic but not based on any one particular historical event, mentions of deadly illness (plague) but no specification of which illness specifically, Illness and death, ship wreckages, impending epidemics, Victorian Era Arthur

Summary:

Arthur recognized it before he even truly saw it. The nauseating scent of sickness and death in the air, the hallmark signs on the bodies around him all told him what exactly had ravaged through every man, woman, and child aboard the ship.

Plague.

—

A story in which a plague ship crashes onto the shore of the Thames in the Victorian Era, a very real and very deadly ghost ship has found her way into the heart of London.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetaween-event

Day 1: Witches

Title: Witchcraft In Your Lips

Pairing: Arthur Kirkland (England) x Elizabeth I

Rating: T

Warnings: Nation x human relationship, reference to historical figures (Elizabeth I and Thomas Seymour), nationverse, Arthur’s musings on witchcraft throughout his existence, the old man being all sentimental, also Arthur harassing his cat Winston with little kitty Halloween costumes, Arthur making dad-jokes (egregious), sweet and fluffy

Summary:

Arthur had been there. And she was much more incredible than any of them could imagine. Because she was, with all her virtues and flaws, with all her successes and failures, her mortality and humanity, simply a woman.

It was easy to say she was his woman, because she was. She was his Elizabeth.

And despite what he knew the history books got wrong, despite the fact that they angered him so at times, they did occasionally get something right.

He was hers.

—

A story in which Elizabeth has no idea just how much she enchants Arthur, and Arthur can’t possibly get enough of her. Takes a witch to know one, after all.

[the-engdyssey]

@gurotalia-week

Day 4: Decapitation

Title: The Lion's Vow Pairing: Arthur Kirkland (England) x Elizabeth I Rating: M Warnings: Nation x human relationship, reference to historical figures (Elizabeth I and Thomas Seymour), nationverse, tw: decapitation, tw: death, tw: decomposition, tw: insects, Arthur enjoys putting heads on pikes along Traitor's Gate at the Tower of London, the gore is exactly what you would expect it to be though I think what I've covered is good from the gore standpoint, also need to mention that there's references to Thomas Seymour's historical and documented inappropriate behavior towards Elizabeth when she was about 13, but there's nothing overly graphic (mentions of tickling and spanking), keep in mind there's historically accurate mentions of age differences in relationships in Tudor/Elizabethan England but there's nothing glorifying or graphic about such things, it just was what it was in the context of the time, but I want to be thorough in my warnings.

Summary:

Arthur had always considered himself an exceedingly simple man.

No one disrespected his monarchs. No one disrespected his wife. And if someone were to make the mistake of disrespecting his wife who was also his Queen…God help them all.

—

A story in which Arthur relishes being able to prove just how much he loves his wife by adoring Traitor’s Gate with the heads of those who have caused her any distress. And pissed him off.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetaween-event

Day 7: Tarot

Title: Fortune's Memory Pairing: Arthur Kirkland (England) x Elizabeth I Rating: G (General Audience) Warnings: Nation x human relationship, reference to historical figures, nationverse (where Elizabeth is reincarnated and returns to Arthur) Summary:

She beamed up at Arthur and replied, “I want to get a tarot reading.”

Arthur chuckled and replied, “I could have done that for you, love. I can read tarot cards…remember when we used to use them as actual playing cards too…”

He looked up with his brows furrowed at the rather... distant memory. --

Elizabeth and Arthur have joined Alfred for a day out in Salem, Massachusetts in October, and Elizabeth decides to indulge in something that she was never allowed to do in her lifetime as Queen. Get a tarot reading.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Day 4: Secret Relationship

Title: Ours, Unscripted

Ship: Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I // Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I x Alfred F. Jones

Warnings: Polyamorous relationship, Human/Actor AU, derisive comments from media outlets regarding a woman but no foul language

Co-authored with: @phantom-wolf

Summary:

Not really his wife…

That stung Lizzy with a ferocity that took her by surprise. It had been decades of harsh derisive words sent her way from the tabloids and entertainment channels. Insinuations that she had been unfaithful to Arthur had eventually morphed into barely contained accusations of her being a whore for loving two men at the same time.

If she wasn't his wife, then what was she? --

For over thirty years, Arthur, Elizabeth, and Alfred have navigated stardom’s intense spotlight—with their relationship the industry’s best open secret. But when multiple lines are crossed on the red carpet of Alfred's latest film, Elizabeth decides that enough is enough. Under the watchful eyes of the cameras, Elizabeth claims what’s always been hers.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Day 6: Based on a Movie

Title: Trapped in Amber

Ship: Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I // Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I x Alfred F. Jones

Warnings: There will be eventual violence since it is Jurassic Park, but it's not featured in the first chapter. There are also jokes of a sexual nature so be warned

Co-authored with: @the-engdyssey

Summary: “Oh for God's sake,” Arthur murmured irritatedly as the phone rang. It never ended, but such was his job as the head of the department. “Dr. Kirkland,” he answered the phone. An unfamiliar voice greeted him. After asking who the caller was, Arthur remained mostly silent except for a few utterances of acknowledgement. The more Arthur listened, the more silent he became. Elizabeth paused as she noticed Arthur's brows drew together. “I'm sorry,” he interrupted finally, “you're saying you have a what??”

Based off the Jurasic Park book and movie!

[the-engdyssey]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Day 5: Raising a Family

Title: What's In a Name? Ship: Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I // Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I x Alfred F. Jones Cowritten with: @phantom-wolf Warnings: Polyamorous relationship, Human/Actor AU, Arthur and Elizabeth are married and they then as a couple brought Alfred into their relationship, they all eventually have two children together; a son named Rowan and a daughter named Willow, Arthur, Lizzy, and Al have been together for decades, they all consider each other their spouse even if they can't legally marry Al, Arthur and Alfred are both equally the children's fathers, biological paternity remains ambiguous and irrelevant, none of them the kiddos included want to know one way or the other Summary: The red circular official looking seal initially drew his eyes, causing him to look a bit confused. He saw his kids' signatures briefly, causing a quirked eyebrow but his eyes found their way to the top of the paper. Then they widened in understanding.

Change of Name Deed.

--

Arthur, Elizabeth, and Alfred's children have waited many years to give Alfred a very special gift. At eighteen and sixteen, they don't mind sharing with the world that Alfred is just as much their father as Arthur is. Even though their parents try (and fail) to keep the fact that the three of them have been in a romanic relationship for decades a secret. Rowan and Willow don't want it to be a secret that their Alfred's children too, and they think the last name of Kirkland-Jones sounds amazing. They can't wait to see it in the credits of their future films one day.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Day 3: Apocalypse

Title: Starving off Her breadcrumbs

Ship: Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I // Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I x Alfred F. Jones

Cowritten with: @the-engdyssey

Summary: He vaguely heard Reg's introduction as he watched a young woman headbutt and break the windshield of a nearby car. In a desperate bid to escape, the occupant, a middle aged man, fumbled with the car door, spilling out onto the pavement. But not before the woman had latched onto him, her head turned sideways as she lunged once more, her mouth clamping down on the man's arm.

Then came the countdown.

Here comes a herd of zebras! One. With a ferocity she tore her head back, stripping the man of flesh and muscle as she did so. More akin to a bear ripping into the carcass of an elk than anything human.

Two. The female left him after she'd taken a few chunks out of his arm, her attention stolen by another passerby that had run too close. The man's arm was twitching uncontrollably, spasming from what Alfred had assumed was pain. He couldn't bring himself to look away. What the fuck?

Three. The Marine urged his family to move quicker as he noticed the body on the ground convulsing. Worse now. It wasn't just arm twitches anymore, his whole body was convulsing-

---

This work contains graphic depictions of violence. It also contains some swearing. Also thank you for joining us! We appreciate any and all support on this fic and the others! We hope you enjoy, and you do we have more content coming. In the meantime check out our pages! We have plenty more content for this ship as well as Arthur and Elizabeth.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Day 1: Mythology

Title: Be Strong, Saith My Heart Ship: Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I // Arthur Kirkland x Elizabeth I x Alfred F. Jones Cowritten with: @phantom-wolf Summary: They'd won, but Arthur's transgressions against the Gods only increased.

Arthur swallowed thickly, he could hear the other men stirring, far away enough for Arthur to be honest so long as he spoke quietly enough. “I'll be dead before they're satisfied. I'm not going to survive this… --

A Trojan War au lovingly crafted by both the original writings of Homer and some of the modern retellings of the myth that we so adore. Arthur as Odysseus, Elizabeth as Penelope, and Alfred as Achilles.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Day 5: Meeting the Family

Title: First, Last, and Only Pairing: Arthur Kirkland (England) x Elizabeth I Rating: T Warnings: Nation x human relationship, reference to historical figures, nationverse (where Elizabeth is reincarnated and returns to Arthur but perhaps she's not the only one who has been able to come back...) Summary: Arthur mused to himself that perhaps all the sins and transgressions of the world were truly amended, it was just that humans didn't live long enough to see such things come to pass. Perhaps that was why humans needed to have faith while he…he did live long enough to bear witness to such miracles. To see the woman who was his whole heart come back to him and choose him over any other once again. To see a mother stolen from her daughter reunited with her precious child.

--

In their second lifetime together, Arthur is the first man Elizabeth has ever brought home to meet her mother. He will also be the last, because even if Elizabeth and Anne can't remember him yet, Elizabeth is forever his wife.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Day 2 & 5: Culture and History

Sharing this disgustingly late after getting my degree and moving. But here is a work for Rare Pair Week from 2023. I was very inspired by Victorian Era wedding photos, so here is a drawing of Arthur and Elizabeth at their wedding in 1887. I’ve been wanting to draw Arthur and Lizzy in Victorian Era clothing for years, and I’ve finally done it! Arthur’s hair refuses to be slicked back, I’m proud of how Lizzy’s hair turned out, but her hair would be in an updo as a married woman in that period of time. I tried with the details of her dress.

As for the Culture portion of this piece: Lizzy is holding a very distinct bunch of flowers called a Tussie-Mussie. They were small bouquets of flowers given to women of all ages by gentleman callers. They had decorative vases which could be pinned onto their dresses. (Apparently they’re quite collectible nowadays). Queen Victoria popularized these courtship gifts that have medieval roots and have given ways to the larger bouquets we see today. During the 1800s, they went hand in hand with floriography.

While they’re very poorly drawn, the flowers Lizzy is holding in the Tussie-Mussie that Arthur gave her are; a red rose for love and appreciation, larkspur for strong bonds of love, lily of the valley for happiness and sweetness, and marigold for comfort and protection. These are all qualities that Arthur think Lizzy possesses, and what he promises to always give her throughout their marriage.

[the-engdyssey]

So I wanted a calendar and realized I could make one, so I did a thing...

I don't even know what to call this. A craft? Project? Psychopathy?

Either way, I made a calendar with my favorite man with a 70s porn stache. Hope you all enjoy 😂💕

[the-engdyssey]

@hetaween-event

Prompt: Day 8 - Nightmare

A piece for my Nightmare Before Christmas au for Arthur and Elizabeth. Because my OTP is forever Arthur x Elizabeth I, and I think they fit Jack and Sally so well <3

And don't mind chibi pumpkin man in the corner offering them a flower. @phantom-wolf and I have naturally made this an OT3 au where once again Alfred is the headless horseman in case anyone didn't see my Alfred as the horseman drawing this rendition of headless horseman Al is just as sweet and stupid. He's purely a himbo and they love him. And he reaches a point where he has more than pumpkin seeds for brain cells and loves them back.

Uplaoded with Arthur having something like 'tattoos' to mimic a more skeletal look like Jack and one without for your (hopefully) viewing pleasure haha.

[the-engdyssey]

@hetaween-event

Prompt: Day 1 - Folklore

“In the dark shadow of the grove, on the margin of the brook, he beheld something huge, misshapen, black, and towering. It stirred not, but seemed gathered up in the gloom, like some gigantic monster ready to spring upon the traveller.” ― Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

While I couldn't exactly call The Legend of Sleepy Hollow folklore exactly, I would say it's one of the oldest, most iconic, and certainly my favorite horror story from American literature.

So naturally I made an au where Alfred is the headless horseman. It's an idea I've been sharing in discord servers for years, but never did anything with. That's now changed, and it's something like this:

Arthur knows full well Alfred is going to win the revolutionary war. The knowledge smarts, but that's not what bothers him. He's irate that Alfred's grown a penchant for lopping off the heads of English soldiers. Alfred's going to win the war, but he's not stronger than Arthur. Not yet, and he'll never see his own victory. Arthur takes Alfred's head to remind the boy who exactly he's dealing with. Carving a face and performing an incantation on a pumpkin to give Alfred a new head? That was all spite. But the world has changed and so has Arthur. Anger and spite have given way to guilt, because without his brain....Alfred's kinda stupid. Exceptionally so. He doesn't have an ounce of malice in him. He's not interested in lopping off heads anymore, he just wants to race whoever ventures into his stretch of the woods. Sweet and stupid, and he still loves Arthur. So every Halloween, Arthur comes to visit until one fateful visit, with his wife in tow, Arthur comes to visit bearing a gift...

If you like the sound of this idea, stayed tuned becaus @phantom-wolf and I are writing a fic of this exact story.

Also check out under the cut for a few different versions of this piece! Thanks!

This one stays truer to the original colors of the piece, but wasn't dramatic enough for me.

And here's the original piece without any hue adjustments. It was a challenge on multiple fronts, but I'm super happy that I could create a very dark piece while varying in shades and tones. A struggle, but a worthy one!