Roles (Divides Crossed 7)
DJ Dubois
February-March 2018
Rating: T (Teen)
Notes: This is the seventh installment of the "Divides Crossed" series. Merlin and his cohorts (this version at least) belong to the BBC and Scyfy. Britomart is from Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene. Ywain and Malodius are from Chretien's Yvain Knight of the Lion. Please send comments to dante0220 .
Chapter 1 [Third Week of October]
Even if summer lingered unseasonably long that year, chill winds billowed across the landscape. Pigs rooted through the yellowing grass seeking out the last acorns. Peasants pursued them before Jack Frost's arrival shortly after. Foliage's fire burned with bright crimsons, yellows and oranges to the eye above. The last of the crops came in from the fields.
Change loomed on the horizon. Still the seasons' passage was not as drastic as the changing of the guard occurring across Britannia. Political norms shifted. Revolution's bloody scythe had claimed its own harvest during the previous year. Rulers had fallen on the battlefield; their crowns passing to the victors with the other spoils. New leaders innovated with mixed success. Different policies provoked certain reactions for better or worse with subjects and fellow rulers alike.
And for one ruler in particular, reaction proved decided mixed to say the least….
[Tintagel—Grand Hall]
[A/N: Yes we see our resident bad girl in her new position.]
Within the ornately decorated chamber, a single figure gazed out the window. Her eyes swept across the color-splashed leaves below and beyond the walls. Her ears perked to a few passing birds hustling toward their winter refuge leagues to the south. Despite the fine blue robes and matching gown, the person in question felt like a pauper. Longing looked through dark eyes toward a clenched hand. Fingers seeking some semblance of feeling…some bit of a spark….
…a spark that wouldn't come….
Morgana brooded. She missed her magic. Even the preceding half year hadn't lessened the hollow feeling within her over its loss. Aggravation pounded away at her temples. Her ministers' words still stung in her ears. Policy burdened her soul. Persecution against her own kind and the old religion still burned at her.
Magic or not, she still was one of them.
These ignorant brutes have no idea of what they're doing! Gorlois supported Avalon and magic in this land. Even if Uther scorned it, he never would officially sanction such persecution. She sipped on some red wine from a golden goblet. "How I wish Uther had never seized power."
"The Crown weighs heavily upon you, does it?"
Morgana's mouth curled into a scowl. She glanced at Nimue who watched her in turn. "You could have let us know you were coming, Sister. I'd have given you a proper reception."
Nimue shrugged. "And what might that have been, Queen Morgana? A dungeon? Perhaps a charm or some such thing?" She strutted around the chamber. Her eyes surveyed every nook and cranny for anything out of the ordinary. "We do know Uther provided enough of an example for such betrayals."
Impatience burned in the new royal's eyes. "And yet I attempted to take the throne twice to overturn such measures, Nimue. I believe my record in that regard speaks for itself."
"On that we agree. How much blood did you spill there? How many of our kind did your Southron lackeys trample over while you fixated on Camelot's throne?" Nimue folded her arms across her chest. "The goddess desires harmony."
Morgana sipped on her goblet. "Indeed. It is interesting how this all worked out. Arthur gets our father's throne back. My real father, Gorlois', throne suddenly becomes available for me. I don't have my magic. Meantime Emrys is back to playing servant for my brother and betraying our kind!" She snickered.
"Not for much longer, Sister. Arthur has damaged that bond. Perhaps not tomorrow or next month but a change is coming. Still the die is cast," Nimue disagreed. A wry cough escaped her lips.
Morgana rolled her eyes. "Oh really? I know Arthur is a fool, Nimue. Still I never thought he could drive his loyal lapdog away. What did he do? I…" She giggled almost like a schoolgirl plucking a ripe fruit from Gossip's tree for public consumption. "Arthur embarrassed him. Didn't he?" Glee and Satisfaction glowed in her eyes. A dark grin spread across her face.
"He humiliated Emrys in front of all of Britannia. I must admit that it was enjoyable to see Merlin having his nose rubbed in the mess. Gaius gave a few comforting words after the fact but did little else." Nimue met her hostess' eyes with her own glance.
"He does abuse Merlin. I suppose his pride hurt over wearing the gown?" Morgana shook her head. "Aye I saw it. Just tell me that something bigger is happening."
"The goddess always stands ready in such regards. You know that as well as I," Nimue replied. "Arthur rubbed his face in the dirt. This time it's different. It seems that the other rulers didn't appreciate the display. Several negotiations were broken off. Percival told him to apologize."
"Percival did?" Morgana coughed. "Loyal Percival? Really?" She gulped another draught of wine to wash that point down. "He is his own man now. Isn't he?" She rubbed her hands together. "And let me guess…Mithian of Nemeth was there to make Emrys feel better. Wasn't she?"
"She was. Gawain and the red haired wench helped in that way. It was satisfying to watch Gawain scold Arthur in front of the entire hall. Thanks to Guinevere, he suffered no reprisal," Nimue reported.
"Will wonders never cease? Even that prat does the right thing for a change?" Morgana coughed. "Merlin and Mithian desire each other. Arthur's knights berate him publicly. Gwen knocks his authority out from underneath him. Gaius steps aside and allows the show to happen. Oh this is too rich a treat…almost so for my taste!"
"Things are in motion. Remember though, Morgana, you are still being watched. Avalon appreciates your work as Tintagel's Queen thus far. You are making strides in the right direction. Continue on that course. There is so much more to do here," Nimue reminded her. "When you go to Camelot, you are to do nothing to provoke these things."
"Why should I? My dear brother bungles his own affairs quite well. Let Camelot do as it will. I have need of that treaty. Besides…." Morgana patted the throne's arm rest. "…this is Gorlois' legacy. He was my real father perhaps not by birth but by heart and love. I owe him. Consequently I will make this kingdom blossom once more."
"A most responsible outlook indeed. Still you should remember that the goddess put you here instead of the stake. Helios, after all, did not have such a privilege." Nimue shook her head. "Arthur had him hanged, drawn and quartered. Even I didn't think he had that in him."
Lament weighed down on Morgana's shoulders. Her frown only grew. "He should have been allowed to live. I would have…."
Nimue arched an eyebrow. "Have a care, Morgana. One should choose the King carefully. Helios would have manipulated you. He'd get an heir then he'd eliminate you soon after in some convenient accident. It's for the best. Trust in that."
"Yes. Meantime though Mithian desires Merlin for herself? How is that? Explain how that is, Sister?" Morgana pressed.
"There is a reason and a purpose. Besides you set that in motion through your own machinations. Enjoy it, Morgana. Besides the goddess smiles upon Mithian of Nemeth it seems," Nimue reminded her. "Remember no schemes. Just do what you said earlier. You need to soothe a great many ruffled feathers in your own right. Good luck." With that, she vanished in a puff of mist.
Morgana shook her head. Good luck she says. That's fine for her. I still need to deal with the other monarchs. I'll be fortunate if Arthur doesn't just burn me at the stake out of spite. I'll need to make sure the royal guard is ready for anything. Arthur would be that stupid to try something. She glanced toward the throne. I will make this land prosper. You'll see, Gorlois. Helios, I'm sorry you aren't here. With that, she left the chamber.
Duty could be such a burden…..