It might be one of my first english written fanfiction at all, so bear with my poor english.
I also might write it more french-sided, since I am a France rp'er and know way more about France than of Scotland.
Pairing: Scotland x France
Rating: T
Genre: Historical.
As I imagine how it all went down. I might miss events, but that's a minor loss in my opinion.
Disclaimer: France and Scotland belong to Europe, Francis Bonnefoy belongs to Himaruya and Alasdair Iain Angus McKirkland (Scotland, and I gave him this name) belongs to a user in pixiv.
_
Napoleon Bonaparte, who stood at the peak of the French state, was a man of military strength. He put effort in the forthcoming of the nation in his own way. A nation had to be strong and fierce in order to achieve respect among others.
The Corsican himself had been raised to be one for the military. In the time of the French Revolution, the fighting troops had already affected him – but back in that time he had been fighting for Corsica, not for France really. As he ascended in power – France was lacking soldiers and officers – he lost interest for to fight for Corsica alone and widened his ambitions for all of France. His home island was French after all.
Only 2 days after he married Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796, Napoleon went off to conquer Italy. Unlike the French monarchs that had practically wasted most of the 16th century to claim Italy, Napoleon claimed large pieces of Italy in almost no time with modern strategies and weapons.
Napoleon was an energetic commander. He wouldn't rest on his victories for a long time. Initially an invasion towards Great Britain had been planned, but then the invasion was settled towards Egypt.
Scientists and Artists were taken along with the troops to discover the ancient treasures that the nation held. Furthermore, the position in Egypt should become established by building houses in French architecture. Due to this, the French government and military hoped to block England's way to India.
The Expedition in Egypt and the nations in the middle east turned out to be a failure, though it had been a starting point for 'Egyptology'… The failure didn't play a major role to France, Napoleon was still more of a hero to the nation.
Back in Paris, the people didn't rely onto the directorate as much anymore and wanted a different form of government. After some debate, three consuls were selected, with Napoleon being the first of them. Being the energetic man that he was, Napoleon soon drove out the other too, becoming de facto the sole ruler and only consul of France.
As a consul he had almost unlimited power and was selected for 10 years. It was possible that he would be selected after these 10 years once again.
One of the first things he did, as to present his program, was to announce that the Revolution was actually over because the goals had been achieved.
The citizens were mostly relieved. They had been wanting the results of the Revolution, such as a certain amount of freedom and equality, but they were worn from the reign of terror where everyone could kill and do other crimes deliberately.
Also, other important things Napoleon worked for. Things that continued being in charge far beyond the time in which Napoleons ruled. He centralised administration, extended the traffic infrastructure, improved the public finances, made a reformation of the currency that – in its basics – even existed until 1914, founded the 'Banque de France' and last but not least created the 'Code Civil', which is also known as 'Code Napoleon', in which the rights of any human being were held together for the first time.
For special achievements, Napoleon founded the Legion of honour.
Of course, also Napoleon had opponents which still rather were for a king then a selected head of the state or any other commoner who had achieved the power of a king. The consul tried to integrate them, but as he had discovered an assassination attempt, he dropped the case and killed those that had been trying to kill him.
On the outer politics, Napoleon strived to seek peace among the other European nations, such as Austria, Great Britain and Russia (yes, Russia). But bringing back slavery was rather unproductive. During the French Revolution, France had been the first nation to abandon slavery overall. However in Haiti, the former Slaves that would have been forced back into their role protested and achieved independence in the end.
With selling Louisiana to the United States of America, France took his last claim from the northern American continent.
The peace however didn't last long. Due to the annexion of Piemont, the close bond with Switzerland and the fight over Malta, Great Britain felt startled and declared war to the young Republic. France put an embargo on British products and annected Hannover. The Plan to invade Great Britain but was dropped in 1805 anew.
In the meantime, Scotland experienced a time of prosperity, optimism and economic growth in the highlands. There was the 'Caledonian Canal' project in which a canal was built to cross Scotland from the north east to the south west by sea route. Farmlands were improved, the prices for Highland cattle rose and Army became attractive for young men from the highlands who sent pay home and retired there after their time in the military.
Meanwhile in France, after Napoleon had earned the imperial dignity, he wanted to crown himself Emperor of France in December 1804. Pope Pius VII. was present to witness the act in the Notre Dame de Paris.
The nobles and military higher-ups and their families were present. Further down the cathedral, nearer to the entrance, were the middle class people, but also nobles and militaries. Everyone was waiting for the act to start. Also, they were already holding the spirit of the days before Christmas in their hearts. More so, because light snow already covered the streets of Paris this day.
"We can't start yet, Monseigneur.", the old man said.
„Why not? Everything is set up."
"…Only the nation can crown its king.", before Napoleon could say anything, the Pope rose his hand to have him be silent. "Every nation has a human version of itself. The human version of France has been lost ever since the last king of France had been captured. Only few know of the nations that live like normal humans among us."
"But… how do we find France? What does he look like?", Napoleon was actually unwilled to join the ‚old traditions'. On the other hand he had been always eager to fulfill everything that was needed to achieve his goals.
"He is…"
The large doors of Notre Dame were opened, to reveal a poor clothed blonde young man. The man looked like a beggar, but then again much too clean for one. Perhaps he just could not afford new clothes.
"You cannot start without me!", the man cried.
The Pope recognised the person.
"Who are you?", Napoleon asked.
„I am your Republique, my name is Francis Bonnefoy."
Bonaparte grinned. „ Well I guess, from today on you will be my supreme Empire."
Francis felt liking to the word Empire. An Empire was more powerful than a kingdom. The nation had known about the doings of Napoleon… and on contrary had wondered why Louis XIV., the sun king had never declared himself Emperor. In power and determination both persons had been very strong.
Also, Francis liked how Napoleon wasn't startled this much when he had appeared. Napoleon was surely standing his ground.
With long steps, the blonde walked through the large cathedral, soon reaching the altar, where the most important persons of this act were standing. France had brought the crown of France with him. The nation saw that they had already made a new crown. But the one Francis carried was the one many French kings had worn. It literally was the crown of France.
"Bow down before me.", Francis said, following the old ritual. Bonaparte obeyed, though, it didn't need much for the soon-to-be Emperor to be smaller than Francis. Napoleon was about 1,68 m (5'6), while Francis had grown to be 1,75 m (5'9).
Francis held the crown over Napoleons head.
"Hereby, I crown thou to be the Emperor and supreme ruler of my house, my body. Thou shall rule in authority and wisdom and never put your own desires in first place. Thou shall be granted unlimited powers over France and the ability to interact with the nation's rulers outside of France, be it in war or in peace. From today on you will be …Napoleon Bonaparte I., Fils de France. (Son of France)"
After Napoleon was officially declared Emperor, he raised again and replied in a not less festive tone, that he would ‚serve' France with honour and dignity.
"No need to worry, my nation. You will have it good under my rule.", he promised.
In addition to the crowning of Napoleon, the Emperor crowned his wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais. She was much older than her husband Bonaparte and had been married to someone else before... but she felt responsible for Napoleon and both shared a deep bond of trust. So much trust that Napoleon would push the spotlight towards her during his own ceremony.
What Francis also noticed was that Napoleon and his wife wore something… that reminded the nation of the Roman Empire. Usually, the Emperor was depicted wearing the uniform of a soldier. Only recently the trend had went to Romanism. Also, the garments resembled a bit those, that the people had worn in the early Christian time. The clothes back then had the characteristics of the Roman garments, but then again covered the body a lot more. In Christianity, showing too much skin was declared a sin after all.
For now, perhaps, the covering style of the Romanised clothes of the ruling couple was due to it being winter.
It turned out that Napoleon was a fan of the Roman Empire in every way and was determined to make France the centre of the world just like Rome was the centre for Europe in ancient times.
And one more thing came to the mind of the French Republic: He missed Scotland. He missed him with a burning passion. Only 3 years more and it was 100 years clean since England had taken the redhead from him. If it was for him, the blonde would dash out of Notre Dame de Paris… and rush towards Great Britain to free the damsel in distress. He had tried that ever so often, but Arthur / England had just swatted his ships and boats off.
Perhaps, when Napoleon was strong enough, he could bribe this Emperor to attack England to free Scotland. It was a silly idea, but France was loving the older nation still.
A few months later, Napoleon got crowned in Italy as King of Italy. France got to see his younger brothers again: Feliciano (Northern Italy / Venice) and Lovino (Southern Italy / Naples) Vargas. As Napoleon became king of both of them, France practically had them as his territory also.
"Bonjour, mes petits.", the blonde smiled.
"Vee~ buongiorno, Fratello.", Feliciano grinned happily.
"Well, soon I won't be able to call you 'mes petits' anymore. You have grown so much!"
"Grazie. It's all thanks to the good pasta. …You have grown a lot also, Francia. Did you eat a lot of Pasta also?"
"Haha, Non."
Lovino was, of course, not too happy to serve France instead of Spain. But Spain had been too poor to even try to protect the Italian.
"Stronzo!", the hotheaded italian said. „You will never rule over us. Go to hell! Now!"
„Ve? B-but Fratello… it's Francia! He is also our brother…"
„I don't care if he is or not. I don't like that perverted idiot."
„And no one cares what you think.", France dryly said. "You will have to obey Monseigneur Bonaparte. After all… it's not like you could defeat me. Or even defend yourself. You are way too weak to be a match."
Francis didn't want to be cruel. But he liked the sweet taste of sudden success.
But in Italy, another thing awaited the new owner. Before Francis could even think, he saw his father – the ‚grand'father of the Italy twins. It appeared that the old nation had been drawn towards Napoleon and his delegation like a moth towards the light.
"Surprised to see me, filius?"
Francis made a sour face. Even after all this time, he didn't like the older man. "Not really surprised, but disguisted. Why don't you just go where you came from? Weren't you dead?"
"Why so cruel? What did I ever do to you?"
„Well… you came to live in this world."
„As if that is my fault… but now for something different: Your Emperor seems to have a liking in me. I can feel that. So I just decided to live among you for a while. I am sure your Emperor will like it also! And I want to know what my eldest son is doing. I haven't seen you since the Renaissance."
"What…?", France made an even more disguisted face. He didn't remember having seen his father during the Renaissance. Had the old man been stalking him secretly?
„You should remember when you try to claim my grandsons place…You were here to make it yours."
"Ah… Oui.. I remember."
"You've grown so strong! But maybe with my help you can grow even stronger. Your Emperor plans to make you as strong as me?"
Francis didn't even want to listen to Rome anymore and simply turned his back to walk off.
"H-hey, don't walk out on me!"
And thus, Rome came to live with his son in Paris. The poor Frenchman had been suffering from a feel of loneliness and desperation after he had send Seychelles back to her islands for safety. Now, he wasn't sure if he was happy with his father making his home hell.
After the crowning, Francis had joined the army of the French ruler again… as a high ranking officer. He could bring in a lot of his experience in war. Moreover, he benefited from it, grew stronger and healthier, and could wear better clothes – though it was mostly army uniforms. At this time, soldiers of any rank would decorate their uniforms if time and their rank would allow it. It turned out that some looked really fabulous.
With the crowning of Napoleon, there were no improvements made on international level. Instead, Tsar Alexander I. allied with Great Britain in 1805 with the aim to throw France back into the borders it had been in 1792. Austria, Sweden and Naples joined them. Only Prussia wouldn't join this Alliance – in fact the German lands Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden joined the side of Bonaparte.
With the proven tactic of Bonaparte to part the hostile troops, Austria soon was beaten and entered Wien (Vienna) in the very same year, in November 1805.
Right after taking Wien, Napoleon lured the Russians and the Austrian due to faking own weakness at the battle of Austerlitz – which he won. France lost the battle at Trafalgar against the British commander Nelson, but it didn't matter as much on the continent as the Battle of Austerlitz.
In December 1805, Austria was taken to contract in which it had to give the Italian possessions into the Napoleonic Italian kingdom, and Tiro and Vorarlberg to Bavaria.
To secure the successes, Napoleon asked the younger members of his family to watch over the new territories as kings and dukes and others. Also, he married them to the several aristocratic houses in the lands Napoleon had taken. Among them was Naples, Spain, Holland / Netherlands, Italy and parts in Germany.
Napoleon didn't form the Rheinbund without force. The French troops had invaded this region more often. On this occasion, France had gotten to meet the nation representing this place…rather unwillingly.
"Vous êtes fou? (Are you mad?)", France shouted and knocked down a low ranking soldier, who had just shot Ludwig – the Holy Roman Empire – into the head.
The other French soldiers stared bewildered at their nation. The blonde didn't care and took a closer look at a Teenage Ludwig who was lying in the dirt with his head bleeding heavily.
Cursing under his breath, Francis wondered if he could do something for the boy. If it had been a human being, it would have been a deadly wound. But with this…? Francis could swear he saw the brain gushing out and felt nauseous.
More german troops were arriving on the battle field.
"Nous devons aller! (we must go !)", the soldier standing next to Francis cried and grabbed the kneeling nation. "Nous n'avonspas eu le temps (We don't have time)!"
They shot their way out as they retreated.
In Summer 1806, Napoleon formed the Rheinbund around the river Rhein that runs through mostly western Germany. The condition to that was also, that the members of the Rheinbund would have to leave the Holy Roman Empire. Not much later, Franz II., who had been Emperor to the Holy Roman Empire until then, laid down his crown.
Not much later, Gilbird paid a visit to the stressed France.
"Oh, un timbre …(a letter)"
He opened it.
'Hey Frankreich, did you think that you could kill my little brother and get away with it? I made a pact with Russland and I will kill you when you don't go back home to where you belong! I am the awesome Preußen and I will not allow you dirty French to linger longer im Deutschen Reich, nor will I ever allow you to come any closer to me! Pack your things and go!
P.S.: I don't care anymore if we had been friends before! You killed what was most precious to me! You can't demand mercy!'
Napoleon saw a declaration of war in this. Francis didn't know what to say or to think. It hadn't been a purpose. Yet, Ludwig had been a nation! Nations could not die? How often did others have mortal wounds? Francis himself couldn't even count any of them… he had always been protected by others. …Like a princess. Or a prince? He remembered when Scotland had called him ‚wee prince'.
Bonaparte however, didn't get confused over his emotions. He continued the march towards Berlin and destroyed the prussian troops at Jena and Auerstedt with no problems. Everything that the French Emperor came across, he claimed right away. In Autumn 1806, he reached Berlin.
With the remaining troops, Prussia continued the war on the side of the Russian army. With fighting the Russians, Napoleon experienced limits for the first time in his career. The land was very wide and the paths bad for quick movements. The supply for the troops was bad and the Russians always retreated, slipped away, without even meeting for battle. The following winter the French Emperor spent in Warszawa, where some polish patriots wanted him to help recovering Poland.
More battles came, and with the Treaty of Tilsit, Russia, Prussia and France agreed on peace. For Prussia, the agreements were horrible. All regions west to the Elbe were lost and became base to the Kingdom of Westphalen. The polish Provinces became part of the grand duchy of Warszawa.
Thinking of it, Prussia lost half of its territory and had to pay contribution and also its army was shrunken down to an almost ridiculous size.
Nearly all continental Europe was under direct or indirect control of Napoleon at the time of 1807. Against the hostile Great Britain, Napoleon simply put an Embargo: No trading to or from the British Isles – for all Europe!
