Disclaimer: There will be some violence in this chapter. You may skip it if you are sensitive.

It is now noon and the French have sent out thousands of soldiers. Meanwhile, on the British side of the battlefield, Wellington is gazing out across the battlefield through his spyglass. A couple of minutes later he hears footsteps approaching him. Lord Uxbridge stands beside Wellington and he starts speaking in a slightly anxious tone.

Lord Uxbridge: Sir. I have urgent news.
Wellington: What is that Uxbridge?
Lord Uxbridge: La Haye Sainte has fallen to the French sir.
Wellington: Uxbridge I need you to do something.
Lord Uxbridge: Yes sir?

Wellington: I need you to send my orders to the cavalry and that includes some of the Prussian cavalry. I need them to prepare for a charge as I can see that the French are also preparing for a charge.
Lord Uxbridge: Yes sir.
Wellington: I also need you to order more infantry to be sent out there. I will not allow Hugomont to fall. Quickly Uxbridge!
Lord Uxbridge: Yes sir!

Lord Uxbridge quickly marches off. Meanwhile, on the French side of the battlefield, Joesph Ney sat confidently on his horse. Joachim Murat trotted over on his horse and stared at Joseph with a look of slight annoyance. Joachim Murat starts speaking in a calm yet slightly annoyed tone.

Joachim Murat: What are you planning to do General?
Joseph Ney: I'm planning a charge, Your Majesty.
Joachim Murat: I don't think that is a good idea General.
Joseph Ney: Of course, you don't agree with me. All because you think I'm under you. Even though my father is second in command and he is only under the Emperor's command.

Joachim Murat: You aren't in charge General.
Joseph Ney: You don't command me. My father put me in charge of his army. I'm his second in command. Now since he is incapacitated I'm the second in command.
Joachim Murat: I'm a king! You will listen to my orders. This is not a good plan General. I suggest thinking of something else.
Joseph Ney: No! I'm under the Emperor's command, not yours.

Joachim Murat rolls his eyes and quickly trots off. Joseph Ney sighs out of frustration and slight annoyance.

*Joseph Ney in thought*

Why does no one listen to me!? I'm my father's second in command. He put me in charge so why is no one listening to me?

Now even King Murat isn't listening to me and thinks that I shouldn't be in charge! This is ridiculous he should listen to me!

We will not lose this war. I will also prove to my father that I can make a great commander.

Still, this situation is ridiculous.

Meanwhile at Hugomont Lawrence is firing down at the French soldiers. Suddenly he notices Lukas Buchman sprinting over to the farmhouse. A few minutes later he quickly slips through the gate and shuts it behind him. Lawrence immediately runs down the steps and notices the fear and slight anxiety on Lukas' face. Lawrence starts speaking in a calm yet slightly concerned voice.

Lawrence: Are you alright sir?
Lukas Buchman: La Haye Sainte has fallen to the French. I barely got out of there alive.
Lawrence: I see well that's not good sir.
Lukas Buchman: I'll stay here for a bit.

A couple of minutes later Benedict Fraser carefully walks down the steps and over to Lawrence and Lukas. Benedict Fraser starts speaking in a calm yet serious tone.

Benedict Fraser: Who's this Captain?
Lawrence: This is Major General Lukas Buchman, sir.
Lukas Buchman: Pleased to meet you.
Benedict Fraser: Colonel Benedict Fraser.
Lukas Buchman: Pleased to meet you, Colonel Benedict Fraser.

Benedict Fraser: I'm glad to meet you, Major General Buchman. Now may I ask why are you here?
Lukas Buchman: La Haye Sainte has fallen to the French. I barely escaped with my life.
Benedict Fraser: I see that's not good. I will find somewhere that you can command here.
Lukas Buchman: Yes sir.

Benedict Fraser and Lukas Buchman walk off together and Lawrence rushes back up the stairs. Meanwhile, on the British side of the battlefield, Wellington gazes out across the battlefield. He notices the massive fight happening and that many British and French soldiers are being slaughtered. A couple of minutes later Lord Uxbridge quickly marched over to Wellington and stands beside him. Lord Uxbridge starts speaking in a calm yet serious tone.

Lord Uxbridge: The cavalry is ready for an attack sir.
Wellington: Good Uxbridge. I do have a feeling that the French are going to send the cavalry soon.
Lord Uxbridge: I have that same feeling sir.
Wellington: I hope that this war will be over soon.

Lord Uxbridge: It will be sir. I have a feeling that we will win this battle and possibly the war.
Wellington: I hope so Uxbridge.
Lord Uxbridge: Don't lose faith, sir.
Wellington: I'm not going to lose faith Uxbridge.
Lord Uxbridge: I'm also not going to lose faith.

An hour later Wellington notices the movement of the French cavalry through his spyglass. Meanwhile, on the French side of the battlefield, Joesph Ney is sitting on his horse ahead of the cavalry. Joachim Murat trots over on his horse and stops and glares at Joseph. Joseph rolls his eyes and then he starts speaking in a slightly irritated tone.

Joseph Ney: I'm not going to listen to you. Haven't you figured that out by now?
Joachim Murat: Still you are going to need me.
Joseph Ney: Fine I'll accept your help, Your Majesty.
Joachim Murat: Good General.

Joseph Ney: But I'm still not under your command Your Majesty.
Joachim Murat: Fine General.
Joseph Ney: Let's prepare for the charge Your Majesty.
Joachim Murat: Fine as you wish General.

Joachim Murat makes his horse move up beside Joseph's. Joachim Murat continues glaring at Joseph. But Joseph ignores Joachim Murat's glaring. Joseph Ney starts yelling in a commanding tone.

Joseph Ney: Trumpeter sound the advance!
Joachim Murat: Don't get yourself killed for your father's sake.

Joseph Ney silently nods at Joachim Murat. The trumpeter then sounds the advance. Joseph Ney, Joachim Murat, and the rest of the cavalry start charging forward. Meanwhile, on the British side of the battlefield Prince Henry, some of the British cavalry, and some of the Prussian cavalry are preparing to charge. Prince Henry starts speaking in a commanding tone.

Prince Henry: Remember you are doing this for the protection of Europe! To bring peace to this continent! To end this war!

The British and Prussian start loudly cheering. Prince Henry continues speaking in a commanding tone.

Prince Henry: Sound the advance trumpeter!

The trumpeter sounds the advance. Prince Henry, the Prussian cavalry, and the British cavalry start charging forward. In the middle of the battlefield, the British infantry notices the French cavalry charging toward them and starts hastily getting into the square formations. The French infantry notices the British cavalry charging toward them and starts hastily getting into square formations. But the French infantry struggle to do so and begin to get slaughtered by the British cavalry and Prussian cavalry. After a few minutes, the British and Prussian cavalry begin to fight the French cavalry. The sounds of sabres clashing echo across the battlefield. The British infantry starts to retreat to the British side of the battlefield. After a few minutes of fighting the French cavalry begins to falter.

A sabre suddenly gets close to slicing Joseph Ney in the neck. But Joachim Murat immediately blocks the attack and then flings the saber out of the British cavalryman's hands. Joseph Ney stares at Joachim Murat in shock. Joachim Murat then violently slices the British cavalryman across the chest. Joachim Murat starts speaking in a serious tone.

Joachim Murat: I suggest that you watch yourself, General.
Joseph Ney: I can take care of myself very well.
Joachim Murat: Sure. But I suggest that you sound the retreat, General.
Joseph Ney: I'm not a coward Your Majesty!
Joachim Murat: Stop being ridiculous General! We are being slaughtered out here!

Joseph Ney: Listen to me Your Majesty I will not be seen as a coward to the rest of the army.
Joachim Murat: General! This is madness do you want us all to be slaughtered!? Would your father want this!? Would he want you to die on the battlefield!?
Joseph Ney: No he wouldn't want me to be killed.
Joachim Murat: Well listen to reason and sound the retreat and end this madness!
Joseph Ney: Fine. Sound the retreat!

The trumpeter sounds the retreat and the French cavalry begins promptly retreating to the French side of the battlefield. The British and Prussian cavalry begins loudly cheering. After a couple of minutes, Wellington begins to scan the field through his spyglass. Lord Uxbridge calmly strolls over and starts speaking in a calm yet slightly confident tone.

Lord Uxbridge: It seems that the French cavalry has retreated sir.
Wellington: Indeed Uxbridge. But I feel like the French are planning something.
Lord Uxbridge: Well they are running low on troops.
Wellington: The Emperor still has his Imperial Guard.

Lord Uxbridge: I understand that sir.
Wellington: The ones that are undefeated in battle Uxbridge.
Lord Uxbridge: I haven't seen them in combat before sir.
Wellington: I haven't seen them in combat before either Uxbridge. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they haven't been in combat.

Meanwhile, on the French side of the battlefield, Joachim Murat marches over to Joesph Ney who is gazing out at the battlefield. Joachim Murat starts speaking in a tone full of anger and slight seriousness.

Joachim Murat: You absolute fool! You almost got us all slaughtered!
Joseph Ney: Dont you dare call me a fool Your Majesty!
Joachim Murat: I'm stating the truth, General! You were being very foolish and you almost got yourself killed!
Joseph Ney: I have had enough of your insults! Have you forgotten who you are speaking to!?

A couple of minutes later Marshal Ney quickly walks over and stands in between Joachim Murat and Joesph Ney. Marshal Ney glares at Joachim Murat he then starts speaking in a tone full of annoyance.

Marshal Ney: Are you insulting my son King Murat?
Joachim Murat: No I'm telling him what he did was very foolish. He almost got everyone slaughtered!
Marshal Ney: You have no right to call my son a fool.
Joachim Murat: He didn't listen to me and he thinks that he is above me!

Marshal Ney: My son is not your pawn. He is under my command and I am under the Emperor's command. We are not your pawns King Murat.

Joachim Murat marches off out of frustration and slight rage. Marshal Ney gently places his hand on his son's shoulder and starts speaking in a calm and confident voice.

Marshal Ney: Remember Joseph you aren't a fool or a coward.
Joseph Ney: Yes father.
Marshal Ney: You have that fight in you. You should never be afraid to show it.
Joseph Ney: Yes father.
Marshal Ney: I will talk to you later Joseph.
Joseph Ney: Yes father.

Marshal Ney quickly marches off in the same direction as Joachim Murat. Joseph Ney looks on with concern and slight worry. Meanwhile at Hugomont Lawrence has noticed that there aren't many French soldiers left trying to get into the farmhouse. Benedict Fraser looks out across the battlefield and notices some movement. Lukas Buchman stares at Benedict Fraser with slight concern. He then starts speaking with a concerned tone.

Lukas Buchman: What's going on Colonel?
Benedict Fraser: It seems that they are preparing for an attack of some sort.
Lukas Buchman: Are they going to try and attack us?
Benedict Fraser: I am unsure about that Major General.

Lawrence promptly walks over to Benedict Fraser and Lukas Buchman. He then starts speaking in a calm voice.

Lawrence: Are they planning to send more soldiers this way sir?
Benedict Fraser: I am unsure Captain but I see a lot of movement over there.
Lukas Buchman: Well I'm not afraid to fight more of their men.
Lawrence: I'm not either.

Benedict Fraser: It's good to be prepared just in case they are coming our way.
Lukas Buchman: You are right Colonel.
Lawrence: Indeed.
Benedict Fraser: I shall keep an eye on the battlefield. Go back to your battle stations
Lawrence: Yes sir.
Lukas Buchman: Yes Colonel.

Lawrence and Lukas Buchman promptly walk off back to their battle stations. Meanwhile, on the British side of the battlefield, Wellington notices these movements through his spyglass. Lord Uxbridge promptly walks up to Wellington. Wellington stops looking through his spyglass and puts it back on his belt. He then starts speaking in a calm yet serious tone.

Wellington: Uxbridge I need you to do something for me.
Lord Uxbridge: What is that sir?
Wellington: I need you to send some orders to Major General Maitland.
Lord Uxbridge: Yes sir.

Wellington grabs a piece of folded paper out of his pocket and hands it to Lord Uxbridge. Lord Uxbridge puts the paper in his pocket and quickly walks off. After a few minutes, Wellington notices a large French force moving across the battlefield. A couple of minutes later Lord Uxbridge promptly approaches Wellington. He then starts speaking in a calm yet serious tone.

Lord Uxbridge: Maitland is in his position sir as you requested.
Wellington: Excellent. Because it seems that the Emperor is sending his Imperial Guard.
Lord Uxbridge: Well we are prepared sir.
Wellington: I just hope that it goes as planned.
Lord Uxbridge: It will sir.

A few minutes later the Imperial Guard are halfway up the hill. Wellington then starts speaking in a commanding tone.

Wellington: Now Maitland!

Many muskets start firing close by and begin to slaughter the Imperial Guard. After a few minutes, the guard started to falter and retreat down the hill as they were losing many men. Meanwhile on the French side of the battlefield, Marshal Ney storms over to Joachim Murat. But before he says anything he looks over and notices the Imperial Guard retreating. He then starts speaking in a shocked and slightly irritated tone.

Marshal Ney: Merde. (Shit)
Joachim Murat: You wanted to speak to me didn't you?
Marshal Ney: No not right now! I need to go do something!
Joachim Murat: Alright.

Marshal Ney walks off and starts searching around the camp. He notices panic starting to arise in the camp. As soldiers start sprinting around the camp and the officers start trying to quell the panic. After a few minutes, Marshal Ney notices Joseph Ney and immediately walks up to him. He then starts speaking in a calm yet serious tone.

Marshal Ney: Joseph the Imperial Guard has fallen. We need to get out of here!
Joseph Ney: What that's not possible!?
Marshal Ney: Joseph find your friend and tell him that we need to go!
Joseph Ney: Yes father I'll go find him.
Marshal Ney: Please get it done quickly Joseph!
Joseph Ney: Yes father!

Joseph Ney sprints off to go find Henry Wellesley. While sprinting through the camp Joseph Ney starts avoiding the other soldiers running around due to mass panic. After a few minutes, Joseph notices Henry Wellesley standing around looking confused. Joseph sprints over to Henry and starts speaking in a concerned tone.

Joseph Ney: Henry you need to get any stuff that you consider important!
Henry Wellesley: Why is that Joseph? What's going on?
Joseph Ney: The Imperial Guard is retreating! The battle is lost Henry and we need to get out of here!
Henry Wellesley: The only important things I have on me are my clothes and my sabre.

Joseph Ney: Well come with me then we need to find my father at get out of here!
Henry Wellesley: Yes Joseph! Before the British Army starts slaughtering us all!
Joseph Ney: Yes exactly before that happens!
Henry Wellesley: I'll follow you, Joseph!

Henry Wellesley and Joseph Ney both begin sprinting through the camp together while avoiding the panicking soldiers. A few minutes later they notice Marshal Ney standing next to three horses that are tied up. Henry and Joseph sprint up to Marshal Ney. Marshal Ney then starts speaking in a calm yet serious tone.

Marshal Ney: Quickly get on a horse we need to get out of here.
Joseph Ney: Yes father!
Henry Wellesley: Yes Marshal!

All three of them quickly start untying the horses. Then they mount them and start galloping off after the rest of the retreating French army. Meanwhile, on the British side of the battlefield, Wellington gazes at the retreating French army. Lord Uxbridge quickly marches over to Wellington. He then starts speaking in a calm tone.

Lord Uxbridge: The battle is won, sir.
Wellington: Yes Uxbridge but at what cost? How many men had to die because of this battle?
Lord Uxbridge: A high cost sir.
Wellington: Yes Uxbridge. A high cost.

Lord Uxbridge: What should I do sir?
Wellington: Order the dead to be collected.
Lord Uxbridge: Yes sir.
Wellington: Thank you Uxbridge.

Lord Uxbridge calmly strolls off and Wellington continues gazing out across the battlefield.

*Wellington in thought*
The war is over...We won the battle.

But for every battle, there is always a cost of life. It's a heavy price to pay.

I hope that I have fought my last battle. I don't want any more blood to be shed across this continent.

After a few minutes of staring out at the battlefield, Wellington strolls off back to his tent. Eventually, he gets to his tent and enters it, and notices Kitty sitting on her bed. Kitty smiles at Wellington and she gets up and walks over to him. She hugs him. Wellington starts sobbing onto Kitty's shoulder Kitty then starts gently rubbing him on the back with her hand. She then starts speaking in a soft and soothing voice.

Kitty Wellesley: Arthur what's wrong? Did something bad happen? Did you lose the battle?
Wellington: I didn't lose the battle Kitty it's that I didn't want the cost of life to be so high.
Kitty Wellesley: Are you blaming yourself again?
Wellington: Yes I am. But I was the one who ordered those men to their deaths!

Kitty Wellesley: Arther do you want to take a break? You are probably exhausted from the battle.
Wellington: Yes I feel like I need to have a break, Kitty.
Kitty Wellesley: It's alright to cry Arthur remember that. Also, remember I'm here for you.
Wellington: I'm also here for you my love.
Kitty Wellesley: Take some time to rest and calm your mind Arther.
Wellington: Yes your right I need to calm myself.

Kitty and Wellington stop embracing each other. Wellington then walks over to the bed and sits down. He tries to compose himself but he continues quietly sobbing. Kitty walks over to Wellington and sits down next to him. She then starts comforting him by gently stroking his hair. Meanwhile at Hugomont Lawrence carefully walks down the steps and grabs the French Eagle. Lukas Buchman walks up to Lawrence and starts speaking in a calm yet serious voice.

Lukas Buchman: Are you alright Lawrence?
Lawrence: I got my eagle. But it was at a cost of someone close to me.
Lukas Buchman: What do you mean Lawrence?
Lawrence: My brother lost his life fighting a French General. But before that my brother tried to take the eagle from me.

Lukas Buchman: I see well I'm sorry for your loss Lawrence.
Lawrence: Even though he hated me I never hated him. It still hurts that I lost him even though he was always rude to me and tried to hurt me.
Lukas Buchman: Well he was family. You shared the same blood. You loved him even though he hated you. It's understandable that you are feeling this pain it's normal.
Lawrence: You are right sir.
Lukas Buchman: Let's start heading back to the camp.
Lawrence: Yes sir.

Lukas Buchman walks over to the gates and pushes them open enough. So that he and Lawrence can both walk through. As they exit the farmhouse they notice the destruction and the many dead French, Prussian, and British soldiers. They both stand there in silence for a couple of minutes before making their way back to the British and Prussian camps. A few hours later in the British camp, Wellington is sitting at his desk staring at a bowl of vegetable soup that has gone cold. A couple of minutes later Lord Uxbridge enters the tent. Wellington looks up and stares at Lord Uxbridge. He then starts speaking in a voice that is calm but also filled with sadness.

Wellington: How many losses Uxbridge?
Lord Uxbridge: There has been a great loss of life sir.
Wellington: Just tell me Uxbridge. How many men have we lost in this battle?
Lord Uxbridge: The Prussians have lost 2,000 men. We have lost 10,000 men. In total, we have lost about 12,000 men, sir.

Wellington: I see that is a great loss. A loss that I wish we didn't have to take Uxbridge.
Lord Uxbridge: We will all need time to recover from this. But please sir don't blame yourself for the many men who have lost their lives today.
Wellington: Uxbridge you don't understand what it's like commanding this whole army. I make the orders and I sent many to their deaths.
Lord Uxbridge: Sir, please stop blaming yourself. Just take some time to recover from this you need it. A battle can be physically and mentally draining.
Wellington: You are right Uxbridge.
Lord Uxbridge: I shall leave you now.

Lord Uxbridge exits the tent and Wellington continues staring at the cold bowl of soup. Meanwhile, in the Prussian camp, Lawrence is sitting on a log in front of a campfire holding the French Eagle up beside him. A few minutes later Lawrence hears footsteps behind him. Frederick sits down beside Lawrence and he notices the French Eagle in Lawrence's hand. Frederick starts speaking in a calm voice.

Frederick: I see that you managed to get what you wanted Lawrence.
Lawrence: Yes I did Your Majesty.
Frederick: Is something, wrong Lawrence? You seem a little upset about something.
Lawrence: Something happened when I was trying to get the French Eagle.

Frederick: What happened Lawrence?
Lawrence: My brother and I started fighting over it. Because well he wanted glory. A French General then came over and Ronnie started fighting him. But the French General killed him.
Frederick: I see and this is causing you a lot of pain isn't it?
Lawrence: Yes even though he just hated me I still loved him. I just wish he didn't always choose to pick fights with everyone.
Frederick: Just take some time to recover from this Lawrence. You are going to need it.

Tears start slowly streaming down Lawrence's face. Frederick notices this and gently puts his hand on Lawrence's shoulder. Frederick starts speaking in a soft and soothing voice.

Frederick: Lawrence your brother would be proud of you. Even though he hated you I'm sure that deep down he still had some fondness for you.
Lawrence: Do really you think that Your Majesty?
Frederick: Yes Lawrence I do. I'm also sure that your father would be proud that his boy has grown into such a great soldier.
Lawrence: Your right Your Majesty. But when are you going to tell me about my father?

Frederick: Once we get back to Prussia I will send you a letter telling you when you can see me.
Lawrence: Alright Your Majesty.
Frederick: I promise you that you will learn the truth about your father.
Lawrence: Thank you, Your Majesty.
Frederick: I shall be off then Lawrence. Good night.
Lawrence: Good night Your Majesty.

Frederick gets up and walks off back to his tent. Leaving Lawrence to gaze into the blazing orange flames.

*Lawrence in thought*
I guess His Majesty is right. I suppose Ronnie did possibly have some fondness for me. But he just didn't choose to show it. He probably would be proud of me even though he wouldn't show it.

I'm also glad that I will get to know about my father. I do wonder what he was like. Because it seems that His Majesty knows a lot about my father.

I also guess I should get some rest I do need it from this battle.

Lawrence gets up from the log and starts walking back to his tent. While carrying the French Eagle with him.

To be Continued...