Bastard king

The tax came and true to Arthur’s word he payed but when Alfred asked for the towns resources was met by a bill that exceeded double the cost of the tax. He tried to convince his brother to return to the original agreement but the food never came and the villagers began to starve and riot in their hunger which Alfred in his desperation raided the homes of the local gentry and merchants to pay for the food supplies but this made the local in hunger try to rise and Alfred punished them by mass executions leaving his rule stained by blood and **** nothing more and the nobles to do the unthinkable and beg for Arthur to ride out against him; to take the throne and rule.

“But I’m illegitimate!” Arthur reiterated for the hundredth time to the nobles, “It doesn’t matter if you usurp the throne from him and after what Alfred has done; no one cares what you are!” “Is it really that bad?” “People are starving to **** Arthur; rebellions are frequent and his guards are all violent mercenaries who are just looting everything for payment!” Arthur looked at Brienne who disliked the idea as much as he did but later agreed with Lagertha and Alfred’s mother when they said, “Sometimes we have to do things we don’t like for the sake of the people!” he sighed before nodding heard Aveline demanded her men to arm up, “Well if I must!”

The forces marched through the states gathering the Lords support who flocked to his banner and began the march to the capital. The villagers watched in horror as the men of the other lords eyed them up but were being held tightly on an imaginary lead by Arthur who instead ordered them to feed the children and treat the injured whilst Alfred with his mercenaries rode out to meet him, “I should have known brother!” Alfred spat next to his ill wife, “Believe me brother I don’t want this but the Lords have spoken, they want me to rule and to fix your wrongs; to restore the wealth the North once had and protection from the South; If I must be the one to do it then I will!” “The King needs to go!” Aveline snapped looking around the village, “My little sister was murdered because she was apparently going to attack one of his mercenaries; she was only asking for food. It’s why I joined your side! To gain justice!” Arthur nodded before patting her shoulder spoke, “Yes and that man was executed we cannot blame the poor choice of men Alfred buys but blame him for not being able to maintain his current army” “The people are starving because of you!” “Your lands should be self sufficient the fact that they aren’t is the true problem and the fact you tried to go back on an agreement that you yourself proposed! I will rule to help the people not to treat them as slaves!” Alfred looked down before drawing his sword spoke, “Then let the Gods decide!” Arthur sighed before drawing his glowing blade spoke, “This is a big mistake!”

Alfred fell backwards as he glared down at the wound that tore through his chest he tried to swing again but missing was met by Arthur kicking him in the face before retrieving the blade struck again this time finishing off his brother as he sighed in disappointment, “This shouldn’t have happened but men, inform Brienne and Lagertha; William is it?” William nodded causing Arther to shake is hand and state, “I want to know the full debt and troubles we face, Aveline bring food, blankets and supplies into the town, healers to help the injured and Aveline...” she turned back as he whispered, “Any of these mercenaries who won’t leave or join the military are to be removed!” she nodded as he grabbed the crown from Alfreds body before looking over to Gwendoline who mourned his body spoke, “I’m sorry it had to happen like this. I didn’t want this but he **** my hand!” she nodded before looking up to see his tearful eyes, “I know, it’s not your fault but thank you for your sympathies!”

Queen Brienne took the longest thing to get used to but the rest was easy for Arthur. The South heard of the turmoil tried to push North but what met them was an army of the United Lords led by Arthur and pushed them back and continue South until a treaty was made involving a lot of money and a lot of land whilst more money for the safe return of the kings daughter. Initially the funding came from the North of Wales but soon merchants expanded along with more people saw great value in mining a trading. Arthur was seen as tactically outsmarting and soon the nobles who sided with Alfred were executed along with those who followed Arthur. He replaced them with people who HE put in power which meant they owed him their loyalty and tax at the very least. The army was restored and proved very vital in repelling the raiders and European forces and even in attacking those very kingdoms who sought to invade them in the first place. Arthur used treaties and allegiances like it was a big chess game and nearly always won but credit was handed out to him by the nobles with his revolutionised ideas and reforms which ensured the North was secure, wealthy and ready for what came next and unlike his predecessor’s Arthur didn’t wait until his **** to stop ruling, when his eldest son was old enough Arthur retired from politics and relinquished the throne to him where Arthur would only involve himself if he was required to or act as regent when Wulfstan was away fighting; whatever was said prior was now a distant memory as the North “Was now ready”