Princesses, Redcoats & Revolutionaries

Authors Note: While playing Fable 3 again recently I got the urge to write up a fic that would give a better ending than the cannon one. While there are plenty of fics in this category, I thought I'd take my own shot at it and add in a few of my own unique twists. Obviously all ownership rights for Fable belong to Lionhead studios and I am just doing this for fun. For all you fans of my what a difference series, don't worry, I will be updating that soon, life events recently forced me to slow down on my writing but now I've got some free time, I can get back into it. I will be taking a few liberties with the timeline and back-story, so it won't match the game exactly.

Prologue

'Brigade, halt! Into line, right turn!' barked a fresh faced young ensign

Hundreds of red-coated soldiers turned to face the balcony before the great doors of Bowerstone castle. Princess Rose followed her father, the legendary hero King onto the balcony, Logan and Sir Walter a few paces ahead while Jasper trailed a few paces behind her, carrying several cushions.

Rose came to a halt beside her brother and listened as her father received the salutes from the two officers leading the regiment and gazed down at the ranks of men before her as her father began to speak.

'Soldiers of Albion, you have fought bravely for our nation, through your efforts and by the sacrifices of your fallen comrades, our nation enjoys peace and prosperity once more. Today we gather to honour two extraordinary members of your number whose gallantry, steadfast loyalty to our nation and bravery in battle are second to none. Captain Swift! Come forth.'

'Your Majesty!' barked a black haired soldier with perhaps the largest moustache Rose had ever seen.

'For your gallantry and service to Albion you are hereby promoted to Major and awarded the star of honour.'

The officer sprang to attention, stepped forward and marched up the steps before coming to a halt before the three royals and bowing, Logan spoke briefly to him and pressed a pair of epaulettes into his hand and Rose, remembering her duty, pinned the blue ribbon, which Jasper passed her onto the new Majors uniform and addressed him.

'Do you, Major Swift, vow to continue your duty as you have unto now? To protect the citizens of our nation from those who would oppress them?'

'I do Your Highness.' replied the officer.

'Then go forth in your new rank and strike down all who would do our land harm.'

Major Swift smiled at her and bowed before marching off and back to his men, just as the King spoke again,

'Lieutenant Finn, for your gallantry in battle, compassion for your comrades in arms and your courage in the face of overwhelming odds, you are hereby promoted to Captain and are admitted to the order of the rose.'

Rose's brow rose, 'By Avo, the order of the rose! In fact, I think only Wally has that medal and he's served father personally since before I was born.'

Rose jerked back to the present as she watched a young ensign with curly blonde hair and blue eyes, maybe only a few years older than herself begin to march up the stairs and stop before Logan. Logan began a small exchange and presented the captain with his epaulettes and a sword. The Captain turned to face her and Rose looked closely at him, noticing the look of roguish good humour in his face and fought back a blush as she addressed him.

'Do you, Captain Finn vow to protect our kingdom, our way of life and to do your utmost to save those around you from injustice even unto death?'

The Captain gave a wink and said,

'I do your highness, nice to see old Wally is thinking of retiring.'

Rose smiled and pinned the proffered red ribbon to the Captains chest before taking the flower of her namesake and tucking the stem into his lapel, Rose blushed when the Captain bowed over her hand and marched off. Logan nudged her, gave her a look of disapproval, and whispered.

'Show some decorum sister, we must show the utmost dignity before our people. What would father say if he saw you blushing like a little girl over a common soldier?'

Rose frowned and huffed at Logan as the soldiers began to march off after being dismissed by her father and went to find Walter and Jasper and heading back inside the castle.

As darkness fell for the day, the Swift brigade was enjoying a few drinks at the cock in the crown inn, glad to have some time on leave after the festivities. Captain Ben Finn nervously played with the ribbon and cross of the medal he had been presented with and turned to his mentor and father figure, Major Swift.

'Why me Swiftie? I'm not cut out to be a nob, is Wally thinking of retiring? What can I do for that girl that Wally can't?'

Major Swift chuckled and took a drag on his cigar before blowing out a smoke ring and saying.

'Relax my boy, the King's got his reasons, and he obviously sees something in you, he gave you a great honour today. You're now the youngest Captain in the service, and I doubt he'll be needing you at the castle just yet. That old war horse Wally's still got a good few years to give that sweet little gel the support she needs.'

Major Swift smiled at his disbelieving junior, 'poor lad, I doubt he ever really got over what happened to his family, I just hope the King know's what he's doing.'

Major Swift pulled out his money pouch and pulled out a few coins and said, 'here you go Ben, next rounds on me, I'm off to talk to the King, see if I can learn what he's planning for you.'

Ben smiled at his commanding officer,

'thanks Swiftie.'

Hours later, the king lay in his bed, smiling as he dismissed the last of those he needed to see in order to prepare the catalyst of his legacy and realised his time had come as the world turned grey and a woman shrouded in a red hood stepped into his chamber.

'Your task is complete little Sparrow, take my hand, one final time.'

The aged king smiled at Theresa and said,

'I have scattered the seeds of the future, and I can only pray that they germinate, But Theresa, please look after them. Logan and Rose have so much pain coming, guide their hands as you guided mine.'

The blind woman smiled and nodded and Sparrow stretched out his hand, Jasper came into the room, knelt besides his old master and put his head to his chest as the king closed his eyes, before standing up and saying to the room at large.

'The King is dead, long live the King!'