Basically my first APHfic.
Based off a AU from Alternate history (dot) net where Sweden wins the Great Northern War, and Russia hence fails to become a great power. There is a bit of OOCness because this is AU, but c'est la vie
Enjoy.
Sweden examined his wares, a flintlock pistol, a smoothbore rifle with an iron bayonet, and a can of beans. He was preparing for war. Decent time for an expedition into mainland Europe. To his right stood his boss, Charles the Twelth, with an expressionless face. Sweden knew he was a young monarch, but a skilled and adept one. Charles kept his emotions in a bottle of brine behind Charles XI's grave. The man knew little physical pain. He was a military genius, and if Sweden didn't say so, beautiful.
Adam Lewenhaupt...well, the same couldn't be said of Charles' great general. He drank during Poland's party in Russia's house, he drank when Sweden took back Scania, hell, he drank underwater. Inspite of his bad habits, He had the same tactical genius of the King, and was a true father to his men. If Charles wasn't careful, though, Adam's binge drinking could spell the violent end of the military campaign.
Denmark, Poland, and Russia, (Little, backwards Muscovy, Sweden thought to himself) wanted to take Estonia, Livonia[1], and his share of Holy Roman Empire's land away and degrade Sweden into a retard power. Charles XII was a peaceful man, but he resolved to defend his Sweden at all costs. So began the Great Northern War: Sweden (and Hollstein, but they didn't matter) versus the World.
Charles glanced over at Lewenhaupt, who wiped a navy blue fleece hand across his nose. Hesitant, Lewenhaupt turned to face his king. "Yes, Sir?" Lewenhaupt asked, keeping his eyes from meeting his king and country's cold ones.
"Adam, you left the vodka with your bar friends, correct?" Charles asked, his voice both crisp and monotone.
Adam rubbed his chin, thinking to himself where he left his bottle. Under the bed.[2] Aww shit, I could've shared some with my troops! He thought to himself. "It's nowhere on my person, your Lordship."
Charles gave a brief hint of a prideful smirk, for his lips to correct themselves, remaining a straight line across his face. "Excellent, Lewenhaupt", he says, content. "Framåt."[3] Charles said in a soft voice. The Three of them stepped off together, marching through te Streets of Stockholm, awaiting one of the best militaries in the world, on the Shores of the Oresund[4]. War awaited.
...
1. Latvia is traditionally known as Livonia, in this world, the name sticks.
2. The Point of Departure; What made this world intitially different from that point on, things are different.
3. 'Forward (March)'
4. The Strait between Denmark and Sweden
Review, flame, whatever.