Ch. 8 Farewell...
From: Libitine
To: Arwen17
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:09 am
Queen Mab's shallow, stone heart melted as her daughter uttered her mortal words. She smiled warmly at Moira, but suddenly her eyes filled with tears, a first for the queen, and she turned away from her daughter. Despite her best efforts, her pain was undisguised, and Moira could easily she the woeful tears rolling down her face. The cloth she was holding dropped from her left hand, revealing the scar for the first time to anyone but the queen herself. It was long, jagged, and wet, never having healed properly.
The next few seconds seemed like hours as the queen tried to calm herself, but her anger only made the tears flow faster. "Oh, Moira." she said finally, but that was all she could say in her greatest moment of weakness.
Mordred winced in pain as Frik set his arm in a sling. His collision with the ground had left his right arm fractured and swollen to twice the normal size.
"Oh, grow up Mordred." Morgan grumbled between sips of wine. "How in the hell do you expect to fight Arthur if you can not even make it through a broken arm?"
Mordred glared up at his mother. "Why don't I break your arm and see if you can last through this pain?" he threatened with an angry glare.
Morgan scowled. "Direct your anger at Arthur, Mordred, where it belongs." Morgan said sternly and left the room.
From: Arwen17
To: Libitine
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:25 am
Moira had mostly kept to herself the next few weeks, but she was feeling a lot better and calmer. Mordred was constantly training to fight Arthur even while his arm healed. He would soon be ready to finally take Britain for himself. Moira and her mother hadn't had a conversation since the incident, but there seemed to be a silent understanding between them, something where words had no place.
Moira was out riding Artemis through the woods at a breakneck pace, but she was enjoying her sense of freedom. The gods must have cursed her she decided for once again she ran into Merlin who was also on his horse. "Arthur is returning." Merlin told her joyously. "I'll reach the capital before he does. But the sun will finally shine again on this land with the King's return."
"I rather doubt that. Mordred won't remain still any longer the moment Arthur's back." Moira replied. "So I'd say to be prepared for lots of thunderstorms instead of sunshine, Merlin." and left him.
From: Libitine
To: Arwen17
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:16 pm
Mordred burst into Mab's palace, anger burning in his eyes but a pleased grin on his face.
"He is unbelievable! He thinks he can rewrite the rules for himself, as if Camelot should be just for everyone but him!" he yelled to no one, and everyone at the same time.
Mordred's arm had healed and he swung it in the air, knocking some of Mab's crystals off a pedestal and sent them crashing onto the floor. He continued walking, in search of his family, down the halls of Mab's enchanted place. "Auntie Mab!" he yelled storming into the dining hall where he found the other members of the palace, his family. "Can you believe him, Auntie Mab?" he yelled, desperate for his aunt's support, and attention.
Mab was standing in front of her bonfire, as usual, gazing into the flames, as if they were showing her something very important; sharing secrets. Her midnight coloured locks were piled high atop her head, like any warrior would like it, and set with her amethyst and black diamond tiara. Mab wore a long black dress set with the same jewels in her tiara. If looked at the Queen and looked beyond the jewels and fabric that adorned her body, there was something humble about her, something Mordred had only just noticed. Her face was set like stone, her beady eyes reflected anticipation and pain. Her mouth was set in a firm line, the rest of her remaining totally emotionless.
Lady Morgan Le Faye played a game of cards with Frik, who had put on his usual costume for his lover. Mab hated his costumes, but they made him happy so she rarely said anything about them. Morgan sat regally in a green Roman style dress with her red hair falling freely down her back, the occasional jewel sparkling in her locks. They looked up at Mordred when he entered, and set there cards down gently, giving him their full attention. Theirs was not the attention he wanted.
"Auntie." Mordred said softly, lowering his voice down to a whisper. "Did you hear what I said? Arthur is rewriting the rules. We are losing our own game!"
Mab straightened herself and continued to look straight at the fire. "Why give up so easily, Mordred, my sweet?" she hissed with disappointment in her voice. "You are but a boy. You know nothing about who is winning and who is losing." It was then she turned to Mordred. "You have no right to tell me so."
Mordred scoffed. "Auntie," he began impatiently. "Arthur will not lay a finger on Guinevere no matter what evidence is presented to him. No matter what is fact and what is fiction, Auntie, he will not do it."
Mab angrily crossed her arms. "Mordred," she said, her voice thick like venom. "That is enough. If you want the throne, you will use what I taught you and we will win."
From: Arwen17
To: Libitine
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:57 am
On the eve of Mordred's battle with Arthur, Moira found her mother alone in her crystal room. "I believe you'll win." Moira told her. "And even if you somehow do not, I will never forget you. So you won't disappear no matter what."
From: Libitine
To: Arwen17
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:20 pm
(One Week Prior)
Rain softly hit the steps of Morgan Le Faye's castle on the coast on England. The grey clouds were quickly rolling in from the sea to pour upon the rolling English fields. The wind blew softy, rustling the leaves of the trees around the palace.
Mab and Mordred walked arm-in-arm down the front stairs of the castle.
"Be careful, dear." Mab cooed to Mordred. "I wouldn't want you to slip, now would I?"
Mordred whistled for his horse, Bartimus, and he came galloping to the base of the steps. He was a noble, jet black steed, who had been given to Mordred by Mab for his thirteenth birthday. Mab's horse, Libitina, came up next to Bartimus and nuzzled him softly.
Morgan Le Faye stumbled into the open doorway and pointed over to Mordred.
"Wait!" she yelled drunkenly at Mab. "Where are you taking my son, Mab?"
Mab mounted her horse and glared up at Morgan. "Mordred is coming with me from now on." Mab said. "I have training I must put him through, and your company is no longer needed."
Morgan began walking down the wet stairs. "He is my son, Mab" she yelled. "You have no right to him."
Frik appeared behind his lover and followed her down the stairs in confusion.
"He is my son!" Mab hissed angrily.
"What did you ever do to raise him, huh?" Morgan said. "All you did was give him toys. I'm the one who loved him!"
Mab's eyes turned deep crimson red. "I gave him his life." she growled and glared at the drunken Lady.
Suddenly, Morgan slipped and went tumbling down the wet stairs. When she hit the bottom, her neck snapped and blood trickled down the stairs like a steady stream. Morgan made no noise, instead she lay limp in on the final stair. Frik flew down the stairs to Morgan's aid, only to discover that she was already dead.
Mab turned to Mordred and smiled and he returned it.
"Thank you, Auntie." he replied happily.
Frik stood and walked over to Mab. "How could you?" he said heartbroken.
"What?" Mab said innocently. "She slipped. I couldn't help her."
Frik's eyes filled with tears. "Of course you could have!" he yelled. "You did it on purpose!"
Mab rolled her eyes. "Frik," she said sternly. "As much as I have appreciated your many years of loyal service, I am afraid you, like Morgan, are no longer needed in our lives and your powers are no longer needed in yours." She waved her hand in the air, removing Frik's powers from his body. "I am going to leave you here Frik, because quite frankly, I am sick of you." Mab's face remained emotionless.
"Let us go now, Mordred." she ordered and they turned and galloped away, leaving Frik and his sorrows behind.
Mab kept her back to her daughter.
"It is not that simple." she replied coldly.
Lately, she had refused to show anyone any emotion, secluding herself further from Mordred and Moira. Now that the Lady Morgan was dead and Frik was gone, things at the house had gotten quieter and quieter between the group.
From: Arwen17
To: Libitine
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:37 pm
"Is it?" Moira challenged, then swept around and left. Well I won't stand around. I'll do something about all this.
Another arrow thudded into the target with precision. Moira simply drew another arrow from her back and placed it on the string. She had a lightweight sword strapped to her hip as well. Frankly she didn't trust Mordred not to screw this up. She could at least be back up in case of emergencies. Dammit, I wish I had my magic! Moira thought. It would be far more effective than this.
From: Libitine
To: Arwen17
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:02 pm
Mab continued to look away, hiding her anger. "You can not save the world, Moira." she said softly. "It is just not that easy."
Mab stood with Mordred at the mouth of her cave, ready to see him off. He was dressed in full armour, a sword, axe, and two daggers strapped to his waist. "I will avenge you today, Auntie Mab." Mordred said. "I promise."
Mab smiled weakly at him and nodded. "I know you will." she said.
"You know, don't you, Auntie?' Mordred asked. "You know how this all ends."
Mab's smile faded and her face froze. "Yes." she replied. "But it all depends on you."
Mordred nodded solemnly. "I will not disappoint you, I promise." he vowed.
"That is a promise you can not make, Mordred." Mab said as the boat pulled up.
"I will see you again, Auntie Mab, I know I will. This is not our final parting." Mordred turned to get in the boat, but stopped, as if he had something else to say.
He hesitated, but turned to his aunt once more. "Please," he said softly. "Don't hate me for this." Mordred said and leaned forward to embrace Queen Mab. He got almost far enough to touch her, but her power was still too strong, so he hugged the air around her. Then he lifted his head and kissed the air by her cheek. "I love you, Auntie Mab." he said and smiled, blinking tears out of his eyes.
Mab looked down at the floor, saying nothing. He nodded, as if that was how things should be, as if her silence came as no surprise. Mordred turned away and got into the boat. Mab smiled weakly as she watched the boat sail away.
From: Arwen17
To: Libitine
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:14 am
Moira sadly watched Mordred and Mab silently behind some rocks. As soon as Mordred left she turned and went back to her room.
I'm not trying to save the world. Just you, mother! her thoughts pleaded.
From: Libitine
To: Arwen17
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:40 pm
Reality was coming back to the castle as Queen Mab forced herself to embrace the truth. She had fooled herself for so, so many years.
She was dying.
There she stood in her crystal room, alone, knowing Moira had gone to bed long ago, waiting - but for what? For death. The death of a king, or the death of an heir. Her heir. Her son.
For a moment, she doubted Mordred. Certainly his ability was great, he had the potential, but he got cocky and he got ahead of himself. He was human, and he had weaknesses.
Then, those doubts went away and Mab struggled with her patience.
From: Arwen17
To: Libitine
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:19 pm
Moira woke up the next morning to a very eerie silence. She walked the completely empty halls and something felt deeply wrong. She called Artemis and mounted her. "Take me to where Mordred is."
From: Libitine
To: Arwen17
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:07 pm
Mordred swung his sword in the air like a menacing yo-yo as he walked toward Arthur. "Mordred." Arthur said breathlessly. "We meet again, father." Mordred said confidently. "For the last time, I am afraid." Arthur swung Excalibur in the air and it collided with Caliban, Mordred's dark weapon. In one smooth move, Arthur grabbed his axe out of his belt, swinging it in the air as Mordred dodged Excalibur. The tip of the axe struck Mordred's chest, piercing the skin and drove into Mordred's ribcage. Mordred fell to the earth, balancing on his knees. He wordlessly pulled the axe out of his body, clutching his bleeding wound. Mordred pulled off his helmet, enabling him to look his father in the eyes. Arthur raised Excalibur, ready to deliver his final blow. "Tsk, tsk, father." Mordred said dryly. "You would kill your own son." Arthur paused, giving Mordred just enough time to make his fatal move. He whipped a dagger out of his boot and stuck it in his father's heart. He laughed as Arthur's eyes widened in shock. But the shock wore off. Arthur took Excalibur and plunged it into his son. Mordred gasped in horror as Arthur slid his sword out of Mordred. Mordred fell to the ground as Arthur painfully slid away.
A strong pain grew in Mab's chest, spreading like a plague through her body. She waved her hand towards her bed of crystals, begging for the source of her pain to appear. The image was Mordred, drenched in his own blood, laying lifeless in the dirt. Mab screamed in rage. "Mordred!" she yelled as she watched her son die.
Mab bent over her fallen angel, her last hope, as he bleed onto her glittering robes. He gazed up at her, his eyes going in and out of focus. "I can not save you, Mordred." Mab whispered helplessly. "I won't hold it against you." Mordred said with his usual sarcasm. "Please don't die, my sweet. I love you. I love you too much to let you leave me." Mab said softly, laying her hand on his cheek as she hugged him closer to her. "Don't you fret, my dear Auntie Mab." Mordred said. "I will never leave you." He took a few more shallow breaths, and his body slowly went limp. Mab continued to stroke his cheek, even after her son's soul had long left his body. "No, no, no, no, no." she wailed in despair.
Mordred was gone. Mordred: her light, her son, her love, her future - her beginning and her end.
Mab was alone - alone in a world that hated her.
As she stood over the broken body of her son, she remembered her faithful daughter, Moira. She knew her magic was waning and she knew she only had the strength for one more trip to her home in the Land of Magic. Only one more meeting between them. Mab vanished from her son's body, to see her daughter for the very last time . . . .
Mab appeared in the main hall of her castle, outside the door to Moira's room. She peered into the mirrors that lined the hall, shocked at what she saw. Her glittering robes had turned ash grey along with her famed black hair. Her magic was dwindling down. She turned away from the reflection and took a shallow breath. The pain she felt was unreal.
From: Arwen17
To: Libitine
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:44 pm
Moira had only gotten halfway to the battlefield when pain struck deeply into her. Someone was in terrible pain. Mother...! Moira rushed back to the palace. It felt like half of her was dying and if she didn't get there in time she would lose it all.
"Mother!" Moira rushed to her and took her hands in her own pressing her forehead against them, weeping silently.
From: Libitine
To: Arwen17
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:54 pm
"Moira. My Moira." Mab said softly, tears pressing against her closed eyes. One pushed through her thick lashes and rolled down her cheek. As her daughter held her hands tightly together, Mab realized her heart was breaking. "Please," Mab whispered in almost a pleading tone. "Don't weep for me." She opened her eyes, and peered down at her daughter, with pain on her face.
From: Arwen17
To: Libitine
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:05 am
"What's going to happen now?" Moira said, clutching Mab tighter. She tried to compose her face prepared for the worst.
From: Libitine
To: Arwen17
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:12 am
Mab sighed. "I have to leave." she said. "The battle is not over yet." Mab let one of her hands free of Moira's grasp and pat her gently on the head. "Frik was wrong, you know." she cooed. "You were no one's replacement." Mab gently put her hand on her daughter's cheek. "Frik was made as my servant, Vortigern made as my leader, Merlin as my champion, and Mordred as my redeemer." She smiled warmly at Moira. "You, my darling, were made just for me. Just to be mine." Mab bent down to Moira's level. "I love you." she said and embraced her little girl.
