Elric knew that his time as a king was rather limited and that sooner or later he would have to abdicate so Mack could take over, he was just hoping he would have at least a few more years. However, seeing how well Mack led this military campaign he knew he had no choice. It was for the good of his kingdom.
"Mack, there is something I think you should know." Elric said to Mack as he entered his tent, stationed in the centre of the camp. "What is it, father?" Mack asked, both curious and concerned. "After you take Winchester and we return to Bamburgh, I am going to abdicate and you shall be crowned king of Northumbria, Wales and Wessex." As soon as Mack heard the word abdicate he thought he had a heart attack. "F-father! No, you can't do that! I'm not ready to be king yet!" As soon as these words left Mack's mouth, he realised that that was the first time in years he had shown disrespect to the king. "Mack, that's rubbish and you know it. You are more then ready to be king." The way Elric said this was so full of certainty and conviction that Mack just couldn't bring himself to argue back. "Very well, father". After Elric heard this, he left the tent and began walking to his own, weighed down by thoughts of what was to come.
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"Rebels! Bring me your leader and lay down your arms and no-one will be hurt." Mack shouted out to the small force of Wessex soldiers that banded together after Edward's death. "Death to the invaders!" was the only response Mack received from the unorganised mess of armed men.
As the chants were starting to get even louder, a young man stepped out of the crowd and shouted "quiet!" Mack looked at the man, who actually looked around his age, expecting to see a member of the nobility from Wessex with whom he was familiar, but was surprised to see what appeared to be a commoner. "Who are you?" Mack asked, not even trying to hide his distaste toward the rebel insurgents. "I am Lucas, sir. I was a soldier in the honourable King Edward's army. All we ask is that you appoint a new king from Wessex nobility instead of annexing Wessex. If you do this then we are willing to lay down our weapons."
Mack found this to be an interesting offer, and frankly something he hadn't considered. "Very well, however, it will be made clear to all that Northumbria was the victor in this war and Wessex shall accept the full blame for the war. Also, the lord I appoint shall be provided with Northumbrian ministers and advisors to ensure the populace does not grow unruly." Lucas contemplated this, knowing that if he said yes then all this bloodshed was for nothing and things would return to how they were before. He turned and looked at the soldiers behind him, all of whom were shaking their heads no. Lucas was astonished by the determination and courage the people in front of him showed. They were facing a far superior army that both outnumbered them and outmatched them.
"I cannot accept these terms", Lucas said, "They are not fair on the people who fought and died for change only to have things go back to exactly how they were. It is unethical." Mack was understandably frustrated. "This is not a negotiation, it is an ultimatum. You do as I say or you be cut down like dogs. I will give you ten minutes to deliberate with your advisors."
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Mack and Lucas returned to the front lines after a very tense 10 minutes, both convinced they had brilliant plans. "Lucas, have you chosen to surrender yet?" Mack asked, condescension clear in his tone. "Prince Mack, I would like to propose a new deal to you that I believe will benefit us both", Mack was once again annoyed with this man's ignorance to his situation. "Didn't I tell you this wasn't a negotiation?" Lucas simply ignored this rhetorical question, instead opting to say his proposition. "I propose that in exchange for our original terms, all of our soldiers that you have brandished as rebels join your army and help you re-unify England. What say you, Prince Mack?" Mack could not deny that he was intrigued by the idea and he knew he needed more troops since he left some at Cardiff.
"Very well. For how long will these soldiers be in my employ?" Mack asked, wanting to get all the details. "For as long as you pay them, sir", Lucas replied, begrudgingly using the proper formalities for when speaking to a noble. "Well then. Now that that is resolved, we shall march onto Winchester and annihilate any rebel lords who still stand against us. We shall teach them that resistance is futile and we shall forever engrave the name of Northumbria in history."
This being said, all those present began to relay the message to pack up and prepare to march to the camps, the former rebels also informing of the impending union of the two forces.