Disclaimer: There will be a lot of violence in this chapter. If you are sensitive you may skip this chapter.

It is currently 6:30 pm and Henry Wellesley is sitting under a lone tree in the middle of nowhere. He begins quietly whistling a soft and yet sombre tune to himself. Then he stops and begins quietly crying to himself out of sadness and anger.

*Henry Wellesley in thought*

It was always Arthur getting all the glory!

Always him!

I was just a nobody!

I was just there in his shadow I was never in the light of glory!

Then there is Richard who just earned his title after our father's passing!

Richard was just lucky to have earned that title and earned such respect!

Then there is William who is just a drunken twat. Who enjoys hurting me with his newspaper.

But somehow even William is respected in a way!

Then there is just me a nobody General and politician stuck in everyone's shadow no matter where I go!

Curse them all!

Henry Wellesley suddenly gets up and just screams out of rage and hatred. Then he sits back down and continues quietly crying to himself out of rage and hatred. He also begins clenching his fists out of the pure fiery rage inside him.

Suddenly he notices a small patrol of 5 French cavalrymen coming toward him. He glares at one of the men in particular. A man with fiery red hair and sky blue eyes who is wearing the uniform of a French General gets off his horse and walks over.

Henry Wellesley smirks and starts speaking in a slightly calmer voice.

Henry Wellesley: So you are the one that they call The Bravest of The Brave?
???: No that's my father. I'm General Joseph Ney. What's an English General like you doing out here?
Henry Wellesley: Why do you need to know why I'm out here?
Joseph Ney: It's not common to see an English General all alone out in the middle of nowhere. We do sometimes come across deserters but not a General.
Henry Wellesley: I'm a deserter...
Joseph Ney: Why would such a high-ranking officer like you desert your Army?
Henry Wellesley: Just family problems. I didn't want to deal with my brother anymore. I almost killed him. I had to leave otherwise they would have killed me.

Joseph Ney: I understand.
Henry Wellesley: I thought that you were going to kill me.
Joseph Ney: No, unlike my father I have some mercy.
Henry Wellesley: I wouldn't expect a French General to have mercy. I have seen what people like you have done.
Joseph Ney: I have also seen the same with your people...Killing innocent people and plundering their towns.
Henry Wellesley: I didn't join in with that. I didn't want to be punished by my brother.

Suddenly they hear someone yelling in a slightly irritated voice.

???: Joseph what are you doing!?
Joseph Ney: Merde. (Shit)
???: Why are you with an Englishman!? Answer me, Joseph!
Joseph Ney: He's a deserter father.
???: I doubt that a General would desert his Army!
Joseph Ney: He tried to kill one of his own. He had to leave!

An irritated Marshal Ney marches over and glares at Henry Wellesley. He then starts speaking in an irritated tone.

Marshal Ney: Who are you and why are you here?
Henry Wellesley: I'm General Henry Wellesley...
Marshal Ney: You are related to Wellington?
Henry Wellesley: Yes, I am.
Joseph Ney: You tried to kill the Duke of Wellington?
Henry Wellesley: Yes...I had enough of being stuck in his shadow and being a nobody. That's why I'm here because I tried to kill my brother I had to run away before they would kill me. I'm probably now seen as a deserter and a traitor. I still don't know if my brother is alive I just didn't look back I kept going. I hate him.

Marshal Ney: You still want the chance to kill him if he's still alive?
Henry Wellesley: At this point, I can't go back. It won't be long until the rest of my family knows what I've done. So I can't go back. I don't care if I die in battle. If my brother is still alive I don't care if I die trying to kill him. I won't be in his shadow anymore.
Marshal Ney: You may stay with us and fight with us. Since you have now betrayed the English. You could also possibly be useful to us. For once I will allow you to live. You should be glad that I'm allowing this...I shall tell the Emperor. Joseph, you stay with him.

Marshal Ney walks off feeling slightly calmer the rest of the patrol follows him. Joseph Ney calmly sighs and then sits down next to Henry Wellesley. Henry Wellesley starts speaking in a calm voice.

Henry Wellesley: How does it feel serving under your father?
Joseph Ney: I'm use to him being angry. I'm use to him sometimes yelling at me. I don't have his temper but I do have his bravery and he sometimes allows me to get some glory. But I guess I am sometimes in his shadow but not to the point where I want to kill him.
Henry Wellesley: You are lucky...I didn't get to get much glory and when I did it was overshadowed by my brother's glory. As the commander of the British Army, he was always getting all of it. Even as a General like me he got all of the glory and that's how he earned his title.
Joseph Ney: Well once you kill your brother you will earn a lot of glory. Possibly more than your brother ever did.

Henry Wellesley smirks and Joseph Ney does the same. Joseph Ney starts speaking in a calm and slightly cheerful voice.

Joseph Ney: How did you get out here without anyone else?
Henry Wellesley: I just rode here on a horse and didn't look back...I tried to sleep but I couldn't I was scared because I didn't know if I was being hunted or not...
Joseph Ney: Where is your horse?
Henry Wellesley: I set her free. She reminded me of the Army I was in...I don't want to be reminded of where I use to be anymore. It just makes me angry.
Joseph Ney: That is understandable...

A few minutes later Marshal Ney calmly walks over. He then starts speaking in a calm and serious voice.

Marshal Ney: The Emperor wishes to see you Englishman.
Henry Wellesley: I see.
Marshal Ney: Come with me I shall take you to him. Also, Joseph get back to your duties, please.
Joseph Ney: Yes father...
Henry Wellesley: I shall follow you then Marshal.

Joseph Ney gets up and walks over to his horse. Carefully getting on his horse Joseph Ney begins trotting back to the camp. Marshal Ney begins walking back to the French camp.

Henry Wellesley gets up and begins quickly following Marshal Ney. Henry Wellesley awkwardly stares at Marshal Ney. Marshal Ney starts speaking in a calm and pleasant voice.

Marshal Ney: Are you nervous Englishman?
Henry Wellesley: No. Also, I have a name. I just told you my name a few minutes ago.
Marshal Ney: You have to earn my respect before I start calling you by your name Englishman.
Henry Wellesley: Fine...
Marshal Ney: It seems that you get along quite well with my son. I'm actually glad that my son is getting along with someone other than me. He has always been a bit uneasy around people due to what happened in the past. Even though you are an Englishman I'm glad he gets along with someone.
Henry Wellesley: I thought he was going to kill me...

Marshal Ney: He has mercy...But he can still kill. I am not the same as him so I suggest watching yourself Englishman.
Henry Wellesley: Don't worry Marshal I won't bother you if you don't bother me.
Marshal Ney: Good. Because if you do bother me I will enjoy watching you be punished. So no funny business.
Henry Wellesley: I won't do anything funny I promise.
Marshal Ney: I'm glad...

A few minutes later, they reach the Emperor's tent and stop outside of it. Marshal Ney starts speaking in a calm and serious voice.

Marshal Ney: Sire I have bought the English deserter.
Napoleon: Send him in.
Henry Wellesley: Wait which one of us does the talking?
Marshal Ney: I will do the talking...You only talk when spoken to.
Henry Wellesley: Alright...

They both calmly enter the tent. They both notice that Napoleon is calmly sitting at his desk which is covered in plans and other important papers. Napoleon starts speaking in a calm and serious voice.

Napoleon: Where did you find this deserter?
Marshal Ney: It wasn't me who found him, sire. It was my son and he found him not too far from our camp.
Napoleon: Why did he come here?
Marshal Ney: He can't return to the camp where he came from sire. He did something that he would be killed for and he doesn't wish to go back.
Napoleon: What did you do?
Henry Wellesley: I tried to kill my brother sire...
Napoleon: Who's his brother?
Marshal Ney: The Duke of Wellington is his brother sire.

Napoleon: Is this true? Did you really try to kill Wellington?
Henry Wellesley: Yes sire...
Napoleon: Is he dead?
Henry Wellesley: I don't know sire...I did shoot him but I don't know what happened to him. I just kept going because I knew that someone would be coming to kill me for being a traitor to the British Army.
Marshal Ney: He still wants to kill Wellington sire. If he isn't already dead...
Napoleon: Well we shall allow him to do that. It will help us win this battle. Because without their leader who will lead the British Army? He may stay with us so go find him somewhere to stay Ney.
Marshal Ney: Yes sire.

Marshal Ney calmly leaves the tent and Henry Wellesley hastily follows him. Henry Wellesley awkwardly looks at the ground and Marshal Ney notices this and stares at him with slight confusion.

Marshal Ney quietly sighs to himself and he starts speaking in a calm and serious voice.

Marshal Ney: I understand if you don't want to show your face to everyone around here.
Henry Wellesley: I feel like they are going to kill me...
Marshal Ney: Well that is expected...They probably recognise you and you have possibly killed some of the men that these men knew. Revenge is a normal feeling and we all feel it at some point in our lives.
Henry Wellesley: Why don't they just kill me then?
Marshal Ney: Possibly because I'm here and since that, you haven't killed me yet...They don't see you as much of a threat.

Henry Wellesley: So where will I be sleeping?
Marshal Ney: Since you have bonded well with my son I shall allow you two to share a tent.
Henry Wellesley: Alright...But he won't kill me when I'm sleeping right?
Marshal Ney: No I'm sure that he won't. He has bonded with you. I never thought that he would bond well with an Englishman.
Henry Wellesley: I wasn't expecting to bond well with a Frenchman.

A few minutes later they arrive at a tent and they hear the sound of a sabre being sharpened inside. Marshal Ney starts speaking in a calm and pleasant voice.

Marshal Ney: Joseph?
Joseph Ney: Yes father?
Marshal Ney: I have allowed the Englishman to stay with you in your tent. So be nice to him even though he is an Englishman.
Joseph Ney: Don't worry father I will be nice to him.
Marshal Ney: Good. I shall leave you two to get to know each other.
Joseph Ney: Yes father.

Marshal Ney calmly walks off and Henry Wellesley awkwardly enters the tent. He stares at Joseph who is sitting on a wooden chair calmly sharpening his sabre.

Joseph stops sharpening his sabre and carefully puts it back into its sheath. Then he looks up and smiles happily at Henry Wellesley who still seems a bit nervous.

Joseph calmly holds out his right hand to Henry Wellesley. Henry Wellesley awkwardly looks down at Joseph's hand. He then cautiously and gently grabs Joseph's hand.

Joseph firmly shakes Henry Wellesley's hand. Then they both gently let go and Henry Wellesley looks at Joseph and smiles a little bit. Joseph Ney starts speaking in a pleasant voice.

Joseph Ney: It's alright to be nervous around me. I'm French and you are English. We are meant to be enemies. I understand if you are thinking that I will possibly want to kill you in your sleep or something. But the truth is that I don't want to do that. We could be friends.
Henry Wellesley: I'm assuming that you are thinking the same about me?
Joseph Ney: Well yes but I'm not as nervous as you. I guess I'm good at keeping my composure.

Henry Wellesley awkwardly walks over to the second bed and calmly sits down on it. Joseph Ney starts speaking in a calm and slightly cheerful voice.

Joseph Ney: Are you hungry? I could bring you something and possibly some tea.
Henry Wellesley: I do feel a little bit hungry...I didn't eat after I left the British camp.
Joseph Ney: I will go bring you something. Just stay here.
Henry Wellesley: Alright...

Joseph Ney calmly gets out of his seat and exits the tent. Henry Wellesley calmly lies down on the bed and stares at the top of the tent which is gently blowing in the wind.

*Henry Wellesley in thought*

I wasn't expecting this French General to be so friendly to me...

I also wasn't expecting to be allowed to stay here.

I honestly thought I was going to be killed...

I don't know if Arthur survived...

I'm not afraid to kill him if I need to...

It's his fault that this situation has unfolded.

If he truly cared about me he would have been there for me when I needed him most.

But no he went to Spain and Portugal to wage another war and replace me with that stupid twat Lord Uxbridge.

I would enjoy killing them both for what they have done!

A few minutes later Joseph Ney enters the tent with a tray in his hands. On the tray are a bowl of warm vegetable soup and a plate with some cooked chicken wings and legs. Along with a steaming hot cup of coffee and a cup of tea.

Gently putting the tray down on his desk he stares at Henry Wellesley with a smile on his face. Joseph Ney starts speaking in a cheerful voice.

Joseph Ney: What do you want to eat?
Henry Wellesley: Just the soup thanks. I don't feel like eating much else at the moment.
Joseph Ney: I understand that.

Joseph Ney grabs the bowl of soup and gently hands it to Henry Wellesley. Then he sits down at his desk and begins eating the chicken. While Henry Wellesley awkwardly stirs the soup with the wooden spoon.

Henry Wellesley starts speaking in a slightly awkward tone.

Henry Wellesley: According to your father I'm the only other person that you have properly bonded with. Why is that?
Joseph Ney: I was bullied and after a while, I became stronger than those who bullied me. I became a bit violent as a young man. I joined the Army when I was of age and my father said that it would be good for me and would possibly help me with my anger and violence. I still haven't been completely comfortable around anyone until you.
Henry Wellesley: I see.
Joseph Ney: I am a better man now... I'm not as angry as I use to be.
Henry Wellesley: I see...

Joseph Ney: I hope to be a Marshal like my father someday. If I do survive this battle.
Henry Wellesley: I don't know where I will go after this battle. I probably won't be able to go home.
Joseph Ney: You could live in France. I'm sure that they won't find you there.
Henry Wellesley: Yes, I guess I could...
Joseph Ney: I probably will be doing my work after dinner. I also suggest you get some rest after this since you travelled here without sleeping.
Henry Wellesley: Alright...

A few hours later it is now 10:30 pm and Joseph Ney is working at his desk. While Henry Wellesley is lying in bed awake and awkwardly staring at the top of the tent.

Joseph Ney notices this and he starts speaking in a calm and serious voice.

Joseph Ney: Sleep Englishman you need it.
Henry Wellesley: I can't.
Joseph Ney: Why?
Henry Wellesley: I'm thinking about what happened to my brother...I still don't know if I killed him.
Joseph Ney: I understand but you should rest.
Henry Wellesley: I can't stop thinking about it...I don't know if he's dead.
Joseph Ney: Relax and go to sleep...
Henry Wellesley: Alright...

Henry Wellesley slowly closes his eyes and enters his fantasies. Upon opening his eyes he notices that he is in his brother's castle. Everything is dark and he hears some maniacal laughter. Then he hears a sabre being drawn somewhere behind him.

Henry Wellesley starts speaking in an anxious tone.

Henry Wellesley: Who's there?

There is no answer and Henry Wellesley stands there frozen from his fear and anxiety. He hears footsteps behind him along with more maniacal laughter.

Henry Wellesley starts speaking in a terrified voice.

Henry Wellesley: Just say something! Tell me who you are!

There is no answer again and suddenly Henry Wellesley feels one hand grab his shoulder. Then he is violently shoved forward causing him to fall and land face first onto the hard floor.

Then he hears a familiar voice that shocks him.

Wellington: You couldn't kill me you were too scared to kill me!
Henry Wellesley: I'm sorry for what I did to you, Arthur! Please forgive me!
Wellington: Why should I forgive you!? You betrayed me! You have betrayed everyone!
Henry Wellesley: We are brothers!
Wellington: We aren't brothers anymore you said it yourself!

Henry Wellesley nervously gets up and stares at Wellington. Henry feels the tears forming in his eyes which slowly begin streaming down his face.

Henry starts speaking in a voice full of despair and regret.

Henry Wellesley: This is your fault, not mine! If you didn't go to Spain our relationship wouldn't be so broken! Stop trying to blame me, Arthur! I hate you!
Wellington: Stop crying like a child Henry!
Henry Wellesley: I'm not a child! You should have been there like I was there for you Arthur! Did you actually love me!?

Wellington suddenly slaps Henry hard across the cheek almost knocking him to the ground again.

Wellington: Stop whining like an annoying child!

Henry Wellesley then suddenly tries to kick Wellington. But Wellington grabs Henry's leg and throws him onto the ground. Henry Wellesley quickly gets up and goes to punch Wellington in the face.

But Wellington blocks it with his hand and he then kicks Henry Wellesley backwards. This causes Henry to stumble backwards and land on the ground. Wellington starts speaking in an irritated voice.

Wellington: You are still such a weakling you can't defend yourself.
Henry Wellesley: I am not weak!
Wellington: Prove it then!

Henry Wellesley gets up and takes a deep breath. He goes to attack Wellington again. But Wellington punches Henry hard in the face which causes him to fall to the floor.

Henry Wellesley coughs up some of his teeth which have been knocked out. Henry Wellesley starts speaking in a slightly annoyed voice.

Henry Wellesley: You are fighting dirty you bastard!
Wellington: I thought you would be use to it.
Henry Wellesley: You bastard.

Henry Wellesley carefully gets up and glares at Wellington who is smirking at him. Henry Wellesley starts speaking in a concerned and slightly irritated tone.

Henry Wellesley: You have gone completely insane.
Wellington: I know...I knew that it would happen eventually.
Henry Wellesley: Why would you want to hurt me!?
Wellington: You betrayed me and tried to kill me!
Henry Wellesley: I have my reasons...But I know that the real Arthur wouldn't want to kill me. I know that he still loves me.
Wellington: I don't love you! You stupid weakling!

Wellington goes to slap Henry Wellesley across the cheek again. But Henry Wellesley firmly grabs Wellington's wrist and glares into his angry and slightly fearful sky blue eyes.

Wellington then smirks and then slices Henry Wellesley's left arm off with his sabre. Wellington then kicks Henry Wellesley backwards causing Henry to hit the ground hard.

Henry stares at Wellington who is walking toward him with his sabre dripping blood onto the floor. Henry Wellesley starts speaking in an anxious tone.

Henry Wellesley: Please spare me, Arthur!
Wellington: No I will not spare a traitor like you!
Henry Wellesley: Please I'm sorry for betraying you, Arthur!
Wellington: Sorry doesn't cut it anymore Henry!

Wellington stops in front of Henry Wellesley and prepares to stab him in the chest. Henry Wellesley starts crying out of fear and he starts speaking in a fearful voice.

Henry Wellesley: Spare me!
Wellington: No I will not spare you, Henry! You don't deserve to be spared! I don't love you anymore!
Henry Wellesley: I'm sorry for what I have done Arthur!
Wellington: I will never forgive you for what you did Henry!

Wellington then violently thrusts the sabre into Henry Wellesley's chest killing him instantly. Henry immediately wakes up and feels his heart pounding hard in his chest. He also feels tears slowly running down his face.

Suddenly he hears a calm and slightly tired voice beside him.

Joseph Ney: Are you alright?
Henry Wellesley: I...I just sometimes don't sleep well. Sorry for waking you.
Joseph Ney: It's fine it's almost time to wake up anyway. But I still suggest that you rest for a bit longer. You still seem tired.
Henry Wellesley: I don't think that I can go back to sleep...
Joseph Ney: Fear haunts everyone Englishman...
Henry Wellesley: Wait you knew that I was dreaming?

Joseph Ney: Yes, I knew. You were talking and crying in your sleep. Look it's alright to be afraid. We all have our nightmares.
Henry Wellesley: Don't tell anyone about this I don't want your French friends humiliating me.
Joseph Ney: I won't tell anyone...
Henry Wellesley: Good.

Joseph Ney quietly sighs to himself and he starts speaking in a pleasant voice.

Joseph Ney: I remember the Battle of Eylau. I was almost killed there. I still have the scar from that day. That day haunts me. I do sometimes have nightmares about that day. After that battle, I thought I was going to get myself killed. But now I'm here and somehow still alive.
Henry Wellesley: I didn't get to go to Eylau. But I heard that the battle was quite bloody on both sides.
Joseph Ney: Indeed it was. I saw many of them die. I lost many people that I knew and started bonding with. It was quite a hard day for me because I thought I would have made friends with those people. But that didn't happen they were all killed in the battle. I do occasionally go to their graves and pay my respects to them.
Henry Wellesley: Did you ever try to bond with anyone else after that day?
Joseph Ney: No...I was afraid to lose someone again. I just couldn't bear losing anyone again. But now I have met you.

Henry Wellesley: Do you think that you will make more friends after this war is over?
Joseph Ney: I guess once Europe belongs to the French I might be able to make friends with people again. I might not have to worry about losing them.
Henry Wellesley: I doubt that I will be able to return to my friends or my family. But I suppose I could live in France and start a new life.
Joseph Ney: Sometimes starting a new life is a good thing. Now I suggest that you get some more sleep. I will wake you when it's time for breakfast.
Henry Wellesley: Alright...

Henry Wellesley slowly closes his eyes and enters a deep and peaceful sleep. Joseph Ney calmly gets out of bed. Grabbing his blue coat off the nearby chair and puts it on and hastily does up the golden buttons.

Then he grabs his jet black boots which look like they have been recently polished. Sitting down at his desk he puts on his boots and carefully ties up the laces. Then he begins carefully reading some important papers.

To be Continued...