Okay, this chapter is a little different as Merlin and Arthur are barely in it. I felt that it was necessary to introduce some characters from the other side of things. Have no fear though, I will get back to Arthur and Merlin in the next chapter. Also big thanks to Lovely-chan and who motivate me to keep going with their continued interest in this story.
All Adelaide ever wanted was to live a nice quiet life. She minded her own business and did what was expected of her. She didn't ask for anything exciting to happen and therefore was totally unprepared when it did. She was walking home after a day's work in the castle when she heard voices arguing around the corner. Quickly ducking behind a wall she began thinking of other paths she could take.
"You said we were just trying to scare them" one voice argued. "You never said anything about killing anyone." Adelaide gasped as she recognized the voice, but no it couldn't be. He would never be involved in a killing.
Adelaide couldn't help but jump as she heard the sound of someone being slammed up against the wall and had to hold back a shriek. She tried to leave, but was too afraid that they would see her.
"Listen here Deakin; you swore that you'd see this through. Either do it or you'll be joining the sorcerer in death." This voice was deeper and rougher. Adelaide's worst fear was realized when she heard her brother's name, but her mind still tried to deny it even when her heart knew that it was true. It couldn't be her brother, it just couldn't be. Deakin would never do something like this. But then again maybe he would, after all he hadn't been the same since Gytha had died and he did say that he didn't want anyone to die.
Adelaide was forced out of her train of thought when the sound of flesh on flesh could be heard. Along with something hitting the ground, one last whispered threat, and footsteps moving away. Cautiously she peered around the corner and saw her brother sitting on the ground hand rubbing his jaw. She stared at him for a moment watching him grimace in the torchlight hardly believing that this was the happy little boy she grew up with. She snapped herself out of it and ran to kneel in front of him ignoring his surprise.
"Dela, what are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Hush" she reprimanded gingerly touching the blossoming red mark on his face.
"You shouldn't be out this late Dela, go home." He said shoving her hand away "I can take care of myself." He added standing up and brushing himself off.
"Yes, I can see that you're doing a right good job of it too." She sarcastically said rising from the ground glaring at him with her hands on her hips.
"Leave it Dela."
"Not a chance in Hell since-"
"Language Adelaide, since when does my innocent little sister talk like that." He interrupted staring at her like they were strangers.
She glared at him, "I'm not a little girl anymore Deakin and even when I was a little girl I was never stupid. So stop trying to change the subject and tell me why you're involved with that man." He opened his mouth presumably to tell her it was none of her concern when she cut him off. "While you're at it tell me why you're involved in a murder." She said voice getting more forceful with every word. Deakin clamped a hand over her mouth and shushed her looking around to make sure no one was there. Then he let go and grabbed her arm instead, pulling her towards their home.
Once inside he lit a few candles and then sat down on his bed Adelaide glaring at him the whole time. When he didn't speak she started tapping her foot just like she always did when she was angry.
"Would you stop that?"
"Not until you tell me what is going on."
"It doesn't concern you." He said looking at his hands.
"Oh yes it does" she scoffed indignantly. "If you're involved in something bad enough that you're either going to be caught and executed for murder or killed by your…whatever you call him then yes it very well does concern me."
"I don't want you to get hurt Dela, I'm only trying to keep you safe." Deakin whispered out.
She softened and walked over to sit next to him. They had always been close, their mother used to say that they might as well have been twins instead of a year apart with all the time they spent together. That all changed when Deakin fell in love with Gytha. They were engaged to be married when she was killed by a rogue sorcerer. It broke Deakin's heart and he swore not to rest until every last one of them paid for what one man did to his beloved Gytha. He was angry and bitter, but she thought he came to realize that the actions of one did not define the actions of many. While she had never expected him to act on his vengeful thoughts it did not really surprise her as much as it should have.
"Did you kill that sorcerer?" she asked deciding to get straight to the point.
"No," he sighed sounding resigned as he answered her. "I thought that we were only going to scare them to keep them in line. Make sure they didn't hurt anyone you know." He wouldn't look at her choosing instead to stare at the ground.
"Look at me." She demanded raising his chin so he would have no choice but to look in her eyes. Eyes that were brown just like her own. Eyes that sparkled with unshed tears and regret she couldn't help the sympathy that came when he looked at her even if it was mixed with disappointment. "Tell me who helped you; we need to take this to the King."
He stared at her with alarm "But-"
"No," she said firmly "If we are going to fix this then you need to turn yourself in and right the wrongs you have committed."
"I'll die Dela, is that what you want?" he asked angrily pulling away from her.
"Of course not, but the King won't kill you if he knows that you didn't want this. Plus, you'll be helping him and showing remorse. He is a good man and I know he'll show you mercy."
"It's not the King I'm worried about, it's the other men." Deakin looked at her nervously before looking down again in shame.
"They will protect you." She reasoned stroking his arm trying to calm him down, "Please Deakin."
He seemed to wage an internal war with himself and then relented agreeing to go with her in the morning. Adelaide stroked his curly brown locks gently as he fell asleep on her shoulder wondering what the morning would bring.
Morning dawned bright and way too early for Adelaide as she sat up looking around her small home. When her eyes found Deakin's bed empty she couldn't find the energy to be that surprised. He had changed from the brave noble boy she once knew into a bitter sad man. She had never felt more alone than she did that day walking with slumped shoulders to the castle.
Usually she would head to the kitchens to begin her day helping Cook prepare the days food, but today she told the nearest guard that she had information regarding the murders. Adelaide felt hollow inside when minutes later she was being escorted to the council room. When they arrived the King and Queen were sitting in their thrones staring at her impassively as she stood in front of them. This was it the moment that she either betrayed her brother possibly saving him or said nothing condemning him to a hollow life of death and murder.
The Queen smiled gently at her easing some of her misgivings. "Adelaide, you had something you wanted to tell us?" she questioned. Adelaide truly loved the maid turned queen who never acted like she was above the servants even when she had every right to.
"I have information on who is behind the murder of that sorcerer." She spoke with her head held high strong even when she was breaking her own heart.
The King leaned forward motioning her to continue. A movement from the servant next to and behind the King caught her eye. Her gaze moved to the dark haired servant that was always close to the King. They were friendly with each other as most servants were; she knew that he was a kind loyal man that could brighten her day with a joke or his normal clumsy behavior. Yet she also now knew that he was a sorcerer whom are supposed to be evil, but if anyone was so blatantly good it was this man. She had always had her doubts about sorcery being completely evil, but had never done anything about it. Until now she thought to herself turning her gaze back on the King.
"Last night I overheard a conversation between my brother and another man. They were talking about murdering the sorcerer. My brother was angry because the sorcerer was dead. He said that he only wanted to scare them not kill them, but the other man was threating him." She paused before continuing, I am telling you this because I believe that it's the right thing to do and to save my brother from a fate worse than death. But, please I beg of you show him mercy."
The King looked down at her and proved that he was a good man by saying "I can't promise anything, but you have shown great loyalty and I will do everything I can to try and spare your brother."
"Thank you, thank you my lord." She said tears that she didn't remember shedding wetting her face, she bowed and turned to go when the King called her back.
"Know this Adelaide if your brother helps these men anymore I will have no choice but to give him the punishment that fits the crime." He stared at her and she felt as though he was staring into her soul. His voice startled her out of her thoughts "I need to know where I can find your brother."
"He works for the butcher in the east part of the lower town, his name is Deakin" she added as an afterthought. Bowing she retreated out to the hall. Slumping against the wall she held her shaking hands to her stomach and couldn't help but feel as if she had betrayed the only family she had left.
