It took them about two weeks to make it to Boston by ship from Quebec City and once they made it Madeline and Matthieu were in awe of just how large the port had grown. It was easily twice as big as Quebec City and seemed less defended since there were no walls protecting it from attacks. Though both realized the city was more in the heart of an area where defense wasn't necessary since farms and towns had sprung up for miles around. Alfred told them that the nearest wilderness was actually several days journey from the city so attacks from the natives weren't something the people of boston needed to worry about.

Alfred led them from the dock to his house, excitedly telling them about Arthur and how he was sure he'd be happy to see the two of them. when they reached the house both Madeline and Matthieu took note that it was about the same size as its neighbors. It was still a nicely sized house but it was far from the mansion they had lived in with Francis. They went inside and Alfred called out for Arthur and received a response from the parlor.

"In here lad. I heard you were successful in finding your siblings."

The three enter into the parlor and Alfred presents Madeline and Matthieu to Arthur.

"My my, you've certainly grown since the last we met lad." He turns to inspect Madeline as she stands there in her fanciful french court dress. She had opted out of the corset as she had left her maids behind in Quebec when she had left with Alfred, the dress was still too much for her but she had no other clothes at the time. She had however braided her hair to keep it out of the way while they traveled south.

"Hmm, I can see Francis has continued to dress you in those court fashions of his. I'll call for a seamstress to make you some new clothes, something more appropriate for you and less flouncy. Matthew can have some of Alfred's old things for now, at least until we can get him some of his own."

The three hardly took notice in the slight change to Matthew's name, it wasn't that different, just barely enough to notice.

"Also, I am aware that Francis must not have had you do much work while you were with him. I know how he can be hiring servants to every little thing. However now that you are with me I expect you to do your part in keeping up the house. Madeline I would like you to help in the cooking and cleaning of the house. A young woman should know basic house care and I expect you to learn. Matthew, you will be helping Alfred with his chores, splitting wood, running to the market and making repairs to the house when needed. The people that I have hired to help you while I am away are not your servants. They are a pleasant young woman and her brother that will cook and tend to the horses, as I will be away most of the time due to business in England they will be your guardians when I am away. You are to listen to them when they ask something of you and help them when they need it. Have I made myself understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, well then I think perhaps I shall show you to your rooms. I've had a spare bed moved into Alfred's room for Matthew. Madeline will have her own room across the hall. My room is at the end of the hall across from my library and study. You are allowed free reign of the house I just ask that you be careful with some of the books as some are quite old and delicate."

Arthur has been leading them up the stairs as he speaks, showing them their rooms and the study. Matthew seems to love the room as Francis had always frowned on reading for anything other than business, thinking it a pastime not suited to those of their class. As such Matthew had never really seen books lining the walls in such a fashion and his siblings could tell he was going to put the room to good use.

the rest of the day was spent allowing Matthew and Madeline to settle in. A seamstress was called to fit Madeline for some clothes better suited to what she would be doing as well as more comfortable for her. She was told it would be a few days before she would have something ready for her, but Madeline didn't mind. She was already relieved upon finding out she would not need a stay or a corset. The next few days she spent simply cleaning up around the house as her court dress only got in the way of any attempts at cooking she tried. When her new clothes arrived she happily tossed out the flouncy court dress for the more relaxed linen dress she was given. Now dressed more comfortably and more practically Madeline began learning to cook. It wasn't so much that she didn't know how as Francis never allowed her near the kitchen and so she never learned how to use one. The woman in charge of their kitchen, Mary, was rather impressed by Madeline's quick learning curve when finally being introduced to the kitchen and its tools. She picked up how things worked easily and was soon able to be left to cook things on her own.

Despite being made to actually do work Madeline could not have been happier and Arthur noticed. He often saw her moving around the house cleaning and humming as she did her part in keeping the place tidy. Even when she was left in charge of the kitchen, which admittedly didn't happen very often, she was more than happy to do the work. Matthew and Alfred also noticed how her mood improved and were pleased by it, even if neither understood why doing chores was something that made her happy.

Although despite Madeline's happiness at them all being together again, Alfred was not happy with how things were going. He had thought that after his request of Arthur to help in his war against France that he would receive something to show for it. But instead the lands they had won from France that were not part of New France, or as it was now being called Canada, were being made off limits and any settlers that had moved into them were being told to move out. Alfred had argued with Arthur about it and he said that the lands were being given to the natives to keep them pacified.

Alfred was also not happy with the increased taxes and many of his people seemed to agree with him. Madeline worried when he would go out and then not come back until late at night. He would come back speaking of radical ideas. It wasn't until he did while Arthur was visiting them that Madeline began to truly worry.

Alfred was just coming back from wherever it was he went. He had been out when Arthur arrived and when he came back through the door Arthur started in on him.

"Where have you been young man?"

"I was out with some friends, not that it's any of your business."

"You are still a child and living under my rule. I have every right to make it my business."

"I'm not a child! Regardless of looking younger than I actually am I look fifteen. Plenty of men my age are looking to get married right now. I could easily sign up as a regular. Hell I've fought in a war already. So stop treating me like a child!"

"You are still a child! It doesn't matter that you look old enough to be an adult by our standards you are not. When I was your age I was still barely knee high to my leaders."

"It's different now! You treat my nation, my people like they are slaves to your empire. You tax us but don't listen to us. The population is growing but you keep us from expanding, you're purposefully stunting my growth!"

Their voices begin to raise drawing the attention of Matthew and Madeline.

"I am only doing all of those things with your best interests in mind!"

"My best interests! If you had my best interests in mind you treat me like an adult and listen to me instead of dismissing me as a child. I'm no longer a child!"

"Yes you are and as long as you live under my rule you will do as I say and not question it."

Alfred gathers himself, showing his height to be equal to Arthur's. "You leave us here to make do on our own. When you are gone and even when you're not I am the man of this house. I take care of Maddie and Mattie. And if I have to get out from under your rule to get out from under your thumb then so be it!"

The two stood face to face breathing heavily for a long moment.

"Get out." Arthur's voice is cold and full of venom. "Come back when you have some sense."

Glaring angrily Alfred storms out of the house, slamming the door behind him on his way out. Madeline and Matthew watch from the door into the kitchen, Matthew wrapping an arm around his sister's shoulders in an attempt to comfort her.

"Arthur?"

"Both of you go to bed." When they hesitate he snaps at them, "Now!"

They both hurry up the stairs and to their bedrooms as requested.

Meanwhile Alfred, after leaving the house, made his way to where he knew friends would be. He could not believe Arthur's audacity at ordering him around like he was some petulant child. Arriving at the pub he had been at earlier that evening he knocks on the door and is greeted by Samuel Adams.

"Alfred? I thought you were going home."

"Hello Mr. Adams. When I got there I had an unexpected guest."

"I see. Do you need a place to stay for the night?"

"It would be nice if I didn't have to sleep in an alley."

"I'm sure my wife would be happy to make you a bed. Come on then."

Alfred follows his friend down the darkened streets towards his home and when they reach it he finds himself warmly greeted by Mrs. Adams and shown up to their guest bedroom.

The next day Madeline woke early and made her way down to the kitchen to begin breakfast and found Arthur sitting in the parlor. He was smoking a pipe and seemed to be grumpily thinking about something.

"Arthur?"

"Yes, Madeline."

"I apologize for Alfred. I think the burden and stress from the new taxes is getting to him and he's feeling crowded"

"That's no excuse for his behavior, he is just a petulant child."

Madeline frowns a bit at this. "Arthur, that's not really fair..."

"Fair?" Arthur's expression darkens and turns contemplative. "I wonder who gave him the idea that he was the 'man of the house'. Perhaps it was you." Arthur narrows his eyes at her and she stiffens.

"What?"

"What exactly have you been filling his head with while I am away? Perhaps putting you three together was not the right thing after all."

"What are you saying? Arthur?"

"I suggest that you and Matthew get your things packed. As soon as the two of you are ready we'll take a ship to York where you two will stay until Alfred can learn to behave himself."

Madeline looks to be on the brink of tears as she stays standing stiffly with her shoulders back.

"Madeline?"

Madeline and Arthur both turn their attention to Matthew.

"Ah, Matthew, lad I suggest you get your things packed. I'm sending you and Madeline to York. We leave as soon as the two of you are ready."

It took Matthew taking her hand and leading her up to their rooms to get Madeline to move. She silently went about packing her things and when she was done went downstairs once more with Matthew where Arthur was waiting for them. He led them from the house silently and to the dock where he had them board a ship before it set sail. Madeline watched as the shore receded on the horizon and said a silent farewell to Alfred, wishing him luck in whatever he was up to.

Alfred came home that afternoon, he had spent the night as well as most of the day with the Adams and now he was finally coming home having calmed down from yesterday. Only when he came home, instead of hearing Madeline in the kitchen or moving about the house cleaning he couldn't find her anywhere. The same could be said of Matthew. Alfred also noticed that Arthur seemed to have left as well.

"Maddie? Mattie? Where are you two?" He made his way up to the bedrooms and first looked in Madeline's only to find all of her things missing. Growing concerned he hurries to his and Matthew's shared room and again finds nothing of his brother's still left it. Growing concerned and angry he rushes to Arthur's room, throwing open the door and finding his things gone as well. Growling angrily he rubs both hands violently through his hair and nearly misses the letter left on the bureau. Picking it up he reads it quickly and then rips it in frustration.

"He took them! He took them away to try and keep me in line! That, that pig headed bastard."

Then and there Alfred decided that he would fight Arthur for his independence. It was the only way he could get his siblings back. It was the only way he could get away from Arthur and his unreasonable rule.

Madeline and Matthew settled into their new home in York with Arthur. Both were slightly confused by Arthur staying with them longer than he normally would. Infact news was soon reaching them that Alfred's people were getting more and more restless before word reached them about the raid on a ship carrying a cargo of tea where men dumped the tea into the bay. Arthur was furious and nearly lashed out at Matthew and Madeline, screaming at them that it was their fault Alfred was acting like this. As the tensions in America increased and eventually reached the boiling point with the declaration of war Arthur grew more and more angry. Madeline and Matthew were forced to sit on the sidelines as Arthur angrily fought with their brother. At one point Matthew, growing more and more frustrated with Arthur's outbursts, makes an attempt to help Alfred with his war. Arthur however will have none of it and drags Madeline to London, leaving Matthew behind with a British general watching him. The threat of what Arthur would do to Madeline if Matthew stepped out of line had Matthew behaving like Arthur had asked.

"Why are you doing this?"

Arthur was dragging Madeline by her arm through his London home.

"Because it would seem the only way to keep your brothers in line is to keep you away from them."

They reach a room on the second floor and Arthur opens the door before pushing Madeline inside.

"This is your room. You are to stay here unless summoned. Someone will come to get you for meals, which will be eaten with me. I recommend you make yourself comfortable. You are going to be here quite a while."

With that Arthur closes the door and Madeline hears the sound of the lock being clicked into place. She falls to her knees as the tears she's held back for this whole journey so far finally break free and fall.

While this was going on Alfred was training with his soldiers. He had met up once again with George Washington, who recognized him and questioned how he had seemed to have not aged as much as he should have. Alfred answered him, explaining to him just who he was. Washington took the information in stride and had Alfred join the troops at Valley Forge where a Prussian officer was to train the men that had volunteered. Alfred was also able to meet another nation for the first time that was not a member of his family.

"So you're America?"

The blond nods as he stands before the Prussian.

"Gilbert Bielschmidt." He holds out his hand to Alfred who takes it with a smile.

"Alfred F. Jones."

"It's good to meet you. So I have to ask, you're really all for this? Most of us are reluctant to fight when it's just our people being disgruntled. Not saying you're wrong to want independence, you just seem to be taking charge of this more than most of us would."

Alfred looks down, clenching his fists tightly. "He took them."

"Who?"

"Arthur took them, my brother and sister. He took them and tried to use them to get me to be a good little boy."

"And all it did was fan the flames. I gotta say, that was pretty low of the old bastard. You must really care for your siblings if he thought that was how he could control you."

"I do. Which is why I'm going to win this war and get them back."

Gilbert heaves a sigh but nods in agreement. "Well if that's your resolve. I guess you need someone that can train you to beat the old bastard." Grinning Gilbert claps Alfred on the shoulder and the two get down to business.

It takes several years, Alfred had even gotten the leaders of the patriots to send forces to attack Canadian forces in an attempt to get Madeline and Matthew back before the end of the war. The attempts failed to get them but eventually the war came to an end. At the signing of the treaty Alfred was surprised to only see Matthew there.

"Where's Madeline?"

Matthew's lips seemed to twitch slightly before a look from Arthur had him keeping silent.

"Let's get this bloody thing signed and get this whole mess over with."

Alfred glared at Arthur as he stepped toward the table where the treaty had been set up and was waiting to be signed.

"What about Canada? Are they getting their independence as well. I asked for it in the treaty, that Canada get the choice to come with me."

"I won't come America. Canada will remain a British colony."

Alfred looks at Matthew in shock, as does Francis who is standing nearby to be witness to the signing.

"What? Why Mattie?"

"Be because you are a petulant child that should have listened to your ruler and I will not suffer through your eventual fall with you."

When Alfred looked in Matthew's eyes he saw just held back tears and knew something wasn't right. What had Arthur done to make Matthew behave like this, to stay with him when he and Madeline could come with him and they could be a family again like they were before. Then he remembered. Madeline wasn't there, he hadn't seen her since that night before all of this started. He wanted to question Matthew but found he couldn't. He didn't want to risk anything happening to her so he would sign for his independence and later he would find out what Arthur had done to Madeline.


So am I the only one noticing that this version seems to be shorter than the one for the 2Ps. And again Arthur is a jerk in here, he's so easy to make into the antagonist isn't he. Please review. Just one, even so I know if I am doing a good job or not. I know people don't like OCs a whole lot but give me something to show that I'm going in the right direction, or the wrong direction if its something that's upsetting you.