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+APH+ History of US-CA Part 4

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                                                        ▬1867▬
                          APH: A History of Canada – US relationships ---> PART 4



Rain was coming down hard on everyone and everything, the sky dark and heavy with storm clouds. The men trudged through knee-high mud, carrying supplies, armament as well as the injured. The battlefield was littered with fallen soldiers; the ground stained a sickening dark rouge, mixed with the sludgy soil. Fatigue was evident upon everyone's faces, sallow by war and hunger that usually comes with.

Arthur stood hunched over from the cold, his beautiful features covered in mud and blood, leaning over helplessly onto his musket. He had sustained many injuries, namely to his legs, and could not stand tall and proud anymore. To his left stood his son, his face wearing a hardened expression cause by all the hardships. His vague emotionless eyes swept across the landscape and no thought resonated within his mind. The boy who had grown rapidly into a man had gained a cold composure in front of the horrors caused by the man at his side.

"It's over, Arthur" he spoke casually. He had since long stopped calling him 'Dad'.

"How ... how can you say that? It ... it's not over till it's over ...!" replied the Englishman through laboured breaths.

"You're about to die. You better just sit and wait for death to come" he answered coldly, his blue eyes unusually cruel.

"What do you care anyway? It would be ... better for you if I did ... die, right? Matthew?"

The blonde refrained from answering, opting rather for a silent that said all. "I know you hate me" continued Arthur. "But I never meant for all of this to happen. I only wanted us all to be a family. I can't let go of Alfred like this. If you're ok with it then, sod off and let me meet my end" he said before painfully standing up straight and walking towards his fate.

On the other side of the trench, hidden from view, stood the American and French resistance. Alfred waited patiently, musket in hand, to greet his father, the only real parent he'd ever had. Not far behind could be seen the Frenchman and his army of blue and white, proudly waving tricoloured flags above their heads, ready to pounce at the first sign of threat against their ally.

In a few instants, the flaming red jacket of the British came into sight, staggering his way through the field. Alfred came down from his perch, his gun well positioned on his shoulder.

"Alfred! Vat are you doing? Get back here! Zis is too dangerous for you to go alone, let us-"

"It's alright Francis, I can take care of this. Please don't interfere" replied the young man with abnormal seriousness.

Alfred walked a few yards until he was a short distance from Arthur. He could see how much pain he was in by the creases on his face and his heavy breathing. Compared to him, Alfred was relatively well, considering it was a war. Francis had been a good cover for him and had protected him well.

"Al...fred" spoke Arthur first.

"What do you want? Have you come to surrender?"

"NEVER!" he exclaimed loudly, causing him to cough uncontrollably. Arthur fell to the ground onto shaky knees, his hands clawed helplessly at the soil as his body wracked with chills.

"Arthur, you're sick and you're hurt. Stop this nonsense now and you'll be saved"

"I ... I can't!" he exclaimed, raising his head to meet his son's powerful gaze. "I can't let go of you! I won't!" he said before reaching out his hands towards him "I can't let you ... go".

"You have to, this is what everyone wants" replied Alfred without getting closer to the desperate man.

As he spoke softly against the howling wind, Matthew came into sight as well, no weapons at his side, wearing his ripped uniform that clearly stated on which side he stood. He came to a halt a few ways from Arthur, his eyes locked on Alfred's.

"Matt!" he whispered breathlessly "Why ... why did you betray me ...?" he asked with a pained expression.

"I-"

"He ... didn't" interjected Arthur "I forced ... him to".

Both Alfred and Matthew stared in awe at this sudden confession. Was it a dying man's last words? Neither of them understood his behaviour, they never had and they probably never would.

"I ... don't want bad blood between you two, on my account" he continued.

By then, Francis had joined the little troupe, showing confusion in his stance. All the players were in place: Francis the robbed father, Arthur the robber, Matthew the stolen child and Alfred the avenger. As the rain kept pouring over the quartet, Arthur came to a realization; one that pained him more than any physical wound, one that ate away at his soul.

"Alfred ... you're free now ... you may go, you've won, I concede defeat" spoke the once great man in a low voice, his face streaked with rain and tears.

Alfred stood still for a few seconds before he understood the words he'd only just heard. He dropped his weapon, which fell with a loud clatter, and walked over to Arthur. He knelt down before him, encircled his arms around the small British, and whispered a heartfelt "thank you" before collapsing in a heap of navy blue and red.


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Matthew came crashing into the medic tent with wild eyes. There he saw his brother, lying still on a slab, his officer jacket unbuttoned, revealing his bandaged chest. As he came closer to his bedside, he couldn't help but notice all the cuts and bruises on his beautiful face.

"He's sustained minor injuries: broken ribs, cuts, bruising and a twisted ankle" said the doctor tending to Alfred "it's amazing he survived the war so unscathed".

"Minor? You call this minor?!?" exclaimed Matthew, obviously appalled. "My brother is a hero, show him some respect".

"It's ok Matt ... don't ... scare ... the Doc" murmured Alfred painfully.

"Al!" exclaimed Matthew as he rushed to his brother. "Are you OK? God, what in the world possessed you to do such reckless things ... s-stupid ..." he mumbled, fighting back tears.

Alfred chuckle, crinkling his eyes at the same time "ow, it hurts to laugh" he mused. He raised his hand to his brother's worried face, cradling his cheek before pulling him down to his chest. "I think this is the first time you've gotten mad at me ... really seriously pissed".

"I'm not mad ... I just think you're reckless and a danger to yourself" he replied, letting the tears flow generously.

Alfred smiled warmly at the lock of golden hair laying over him and patted his baby brother on the head. "I love you too, Matt" he whispered gently.

They remained in silence for a while, forgetting about everything that had happened, and all that was to come. They did not want to think about Arthur, nor their countries, nor anything else but one another. This small reprieve sadly lasted all but a few minutes, before the sounding bell was heard through the American-French encampment.

"INTRUDER!" yelled a soldier from outside the tent. "INTRUDER ON THE PREMISES! BRITISH SOLDIER HIDING AMONG US, FIND HIM!!!"

Alfred sat up straight in his bed, forgetting about his broken ribs, his eyes rounded with fear. "Matt! That's you! They're looking for you! You have to get out of here, quickly, behind the tent, before anyone sees you!" he spoke in rushed words.

"Al! I can't leave you like this! Let's go home and we can-"

"No Matthew" interjected Alfred with a firm voice. "This is my home now, you'll have to go on your own. We can't be together anymore"

"W-what?" he replied barely audibly. "What are you talking about? We ... we're brothers! We-"

"-'re enemies now" finished Alfred, a genuine sadness in his eyes. "Now, go, before they find you. Please Matt, I'm begging you, I can't stand to see you get killed because of me. They'll have you hung for entering this camp! I'd never forgive myself if it happened".

Matthew nodded slowly, his eyes empty of emotion once more. He got up from the gurney and silently slid behind the tent's screen, disappearing into the darkness such a ghost.

A few moments later, some guards came hurling in Alfred's tent, guns at the ready. "General, Sir!" spoke the youngest one. "We've had report of an intruder, Sir! The doctor saw him in your tent Sir! Are you unharmed, Sir?"

"I'm fine, go back to your post, soldier"

"Yes Sir! We will definitely find him, Sir!" said the young man before running out of the tent with his men in tow.

Alfred slumped back onto his bed, his mind filled with troublesome thoughts. Had this war really been the best option? In any case, it was too late to go back.



To be continued in Part 5 ...
:iconhurrplz:
PART 3
PART 5

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Charas: Matthew Williams (Canada), Alfred F. Jones (USA). Arthur Kirkland (UK), Francis Bonnefoy (France)
# words: 1487 DX
Fav Line: “No Matthew” interjected Alfred with a firm voice. “This is my home now, you’ll have to go on your own. We can’t be together anymore” How amazingly sad is that? ;A;

Historical Background

1775-1783: American war of independance. The Declaration od independance is signed on July 4th, 1776.

Hanging of British officers: Deserters as well as treators to the British army were hung for treason. Enemy officers were also hung by the opposite parties if caught.

Conscription: Every young man, eligible for army enrolement, had to fight, by means of obligatory conscription. These men, 18 years of age and up left their families in order to protect their country. Most of these young soldiers died in war.

About this chapter

Phew! I'm glad that's over XD I wanted to make this chapter as historically accurate as possible ... I hope it turned out ok XD. So, the USA indep. war is not my forte (hence the quick description under 1500 words XDDD) but still, I find it wildly interesting *__* I have a deep love for everything "history", especially war history, I find this subject fascinating (in a non-creepy way, of course XD).

Anyway, I think Matt had a whole 360o turn, don't you think? He went from being a sweet, innocent child, to a full grown man, with murderous ideas XDDD (I love torturing charas *¬*). Alfred has grown as well! He's much more responsible than before, looking out for his country and all ♥ And what about poor Arthur? Did he die? (Of course not! XD) but still, he's pretty darn hurt from all of this ... and Francis was kinda forgotten ;A; (sorry Papa!)

Part 5: Preview

-What will happen to Arthur now that he's lost against Alfred?

-Will Francis go back home without a fight?

-How will Alfred survive in maintaning his own country, without any ressources?

-What will happen to Matthew, now that he's lost the last person that counted for him? Can he survive and grow even stronger?

Stay tuned and find out!

~Saku-chan~

:iconchibicanadaplz: :iconchibiamericaplz: :iconchibienglandplz: :iconchibifranceplz: belong to Hidekaz Himaruya
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StriatonTrioFan7's avatar
ENIMIES??? D; POOR MATTIE!!