A reward

“I won’t forget what you did no matter what your blood is. We have a manor in North West of Wales; that and surrounding area is yours. However, as a further acknowledgment to your achievements here I offer you three booms for you to use now!” Arthur nodded before looking back over to the crowd of knights asked, “Anything?” he nodded causing Arthur to speak, “Your mother is being sent back home Norway by the will of Cersei; my first boom is for her to stay here. However I am aware of the trouble that this will cause so offer you the choice to have her live with me!” Alfred nodded before stating, “Thank you brother!” Arthur nodded before stating, “My manor will need guards and since you have some here anyway I request that remaining court guards from Olaf’s and your manor previously “neglected” by you both is to protect my manor which also serves as a way to “deal with the trouble makers” he once again nodded but he didn’t have much choice because the guards had already turned away from their positions but some stopped when they heard the last request for their friend; the bastard prince. “I’m aware of a female knights obligations and vows and apart for dishonourable discharge their is only one person who can free one from the vows they take!” “Yes, it’s true!” Olaf spoke which caused Arthur to look back and smirk, “One vow is one shall not marry unless unable to fulfil their duty to the king or have reached the age of retirement. I wish for you to bypass this vow so I can marry my protector, friend and lover; Brienne is she feels the same!” the officials stopped in shock as she stuttered back, “Me?” he nodded before offering his hand spoke, “If not you who else?” she took his hand before grabbing hold of his arm heard Alfred agree, “Of course, it’s not like she’s a peasant farmer anyway! Olaf see to it!” Olaf nodded as he dismissed his brother until he spoke, “Oh, Arthur... take Lagertha with you, her family don’t want her back!” Arthur nodded watching the woman follow behind them as the guards formed up either side of the couple, “We thank you Ser!” Lieutenant Haytham spoke offering his hand but being met by Arthur slapping him on the back heard, “Paying guards is one thing but fair treatment and respect to those protecting them brings loyalty that money can’t buy!” “And for that you will always have our respect!”

Less than a week later both were married, heads turned when Brienne didn’t wish to walk down the aisle and much like Arthur choose to wore armour for the ceremony some even thought it was two men getting married but when Brienne’s name was spoke and she spoke her vows these mutterings soon ceased and instead were replaced by nervous apologies; however the day marked something darker in the North’s history. Cersei continued to exercise a lot of power in the politics of the throne and this added to the councils distrust of the monarch; to them Alfred was weak and selfish with the claims “Arthur’s ‘reward’ is nothing more than a gift of sympathy” wars were fought led by councils members and their allies which brought down stricter rules and a growing paranoia to the king. Arthur was calm in these issues and either stayed out of the politics whilst building and running his own market towns or according to other lords “played the Game” perfectly keeping both sides happy and went under the radar but also showed great displeasure when they tried to entertain Arthur with ideas of him ruling. It was six years later when the kingdom faced ruin and Arthur was **** to confront his half brother.

Over the six years Arthur discovered a mini goldmine of wealth if someone actually funded into it. The North had great waters to fish, areas to mine for minerals and also soon to be good farming lands with areas to keep large number of cattle and with this wealth brought merchants who were also charged small taxes to set up stalls; what helped was the increased taxes of the North that were “unprofitable for the smaller merchants” and troops from the borders of both North and South flocked to this growing town of influence and wealth. However, the popularity earned envy from the other nobles who now spent vast coin to support Alfred who with the lack of personal interest from Olaf saw only one way to keep the economy which his predecessor struggled to keep afloat, that was winning wars and taking the spoils back for the lords who lent him the money prior with interest. The strategy worked when he won but the South now pushed back and coastal European towns were more rigid and prepared in defence forcing the nobles to reduce funding considerable in an attempt to control the king and his decisions which created another aggressive decision and an regrettable decision; taxing Arthur’s landing breaking the agreement agreed when Arthur first petitioned to get recognition as an legitimate state or shire and with that brought more trouble for the stressing king; an rival with an reasons for the nobles to rebel.

“My Lord Arthur a letter from the king!” “Thank you Aveline!” she handed it to him as he read the letter and document presented inside before referring to the document he had signed prior spoke, “Brienne, we don’t owe the King tax do we?” “Of course not this is what we got promised by him in exchange for grain and fish supplies which we regularly deliver!” Arthur nodded before handing the documents to Lagertha who acted as advisor to them spoke, “He is clearly in trouble if he has gone back on his word. Don’t do it! If you do he will keep turning the screw on it before we can’t afford to pay it” Arthur nodded before stating, “Or we charge him the same amount for our fish and grain!” Lagertha nodded before stating, “I like it, Aveline accompany Arthur to his brothers court he should inform him personally!” Arthur nodded staring at the redheads swerving backside that always earned a nudge from Brienne; but she always did say “You can look but don’t touch... well unless she could to” unfortunately Brienne didn’t like women. “Brienne; I’ll be away for a few days, look after the children and give them a kiss from their father at night!” she nodded kissing her husband as she spoke whilst wrapping him in a hug, “Stay safe and... no touching Aveline, got it?” he laughed before nodding let Aveline go in front so he could watch her hips sway once again and him to smile enjoying the view.

“Your majesty, we must put these nobles down and take over their lands!” “We have no money!” “We promise our troops will get paid after the victory!” “I have a source of income, coming from Arthur’s land if he ever pays me!” “You did what?! You promised and now risk losing the only potential new ally in the kingdom!” “I need the money to pay off the other Lords!” William sighed before hearing the door slam open the remaining loyalist Lords gasped to see the golden line covered body of Arthur who holding the letter and official documents up snapped, “What is this?!” “A tax, every town must pay tax to the crown!” “This document says otherwise!” he handed it to William who read the term out to the other court causing Alfred to snap, “Times change; I need money and your two won’t be getting any free rides anymore!” “Do I have to remind you who supplies your villages with fish, grain and other crops? If you charge my kingdom tax; we double that cost for our “free products” retract this ruling!” “I can not!” Arthur shook his head and spoke, “If you will not then we will starve your people out!” “You do not threaten me! I’m the king!” “A clearly incompetent one! If you are **** for money and have this turmoil; there will be nothing stopping the South from reclaiming the land you took and even worse invade the capital! You need a new plan because we won’t pay!” “Don’t defy your king!” “Just remember! I was the one who made you king!” Arthur snapped walking away leaving Alfred to slump against his throne to contemplate his next plan.