Chapter 8 [Throne Room]
[A/N: If Morgana thinks she's going to get even, she's sadly mistaken!]
Morgana frowned. Her eyes opened ever so slowly only gradually readjusting to the light. She propped herself up on one shoulder against the throne's wooden backing. She ground her teeth and looked around before wishing she hadn't.
The sight around herself just made her feel even worse. Most of the courtiers and soldiers still lay sprawled from the magical assault. Furnishings were damaged. Tapestries lay in torn heaps on the floor. Even Helios, as much as he prided himself on being prepared for anything, lay still unconscious against the room's far corner.
"Emrys! Why do you haunt me? WHY?" She jumped off of the throne and stalked down from the dais. Her eyes blazed at the discarded leather bonds on the floor. "Arthur, you can't get far. You won't…." She stopped her rant in midstream. She detected another presence…that of a fellow priestess. "Don't sneak up on me!" She threw a burst of magical fire.
Freya deflected the burst with one of her own. She steeled herself recalling the goddess' directive. "Your hate and anger blind you, Sister. Please stop and think on what you do."
Morgana sniggered. Sarcasm dripped from her tone. "You dress as a priestess? I am the last one! I am the High Priestess!"
"You was a High Priestess. The triple goddess has sent me to speak with you. I am Freya, your successor as Avalon's High Priestess. You allowed your obsession with Camelot's throne to blind you. There is another way. Please consider…." Freya started to clarify.
"I AM HIGH PRIESTESS! YOU ARE NOTHING!" Morgana's eyes glowed. She threw another burst wide scoring the wall and just missing Freya in the process.
Freya quaked slightly. Anxiety akin to facing a rabid animal seized upon her for a few heartbeats. Mother, she will not listen! She deflected another burst with a sorcerous energy bubble.
"How grandly you hide behind your shield, Freya. You are a child. I will kill you. Then I'll deal with Emrys as he deserves. He will suffer before…." Morgana threatened.
Freya stiffened. She ground her teeth. Anger flared consuming Fear and Anxiety's grip within herself. Her eyes glowed florescent yellow. "YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HIM!" Without a mitigating thought, she returned fire with a lightning burst of her own.
Not suspecting Freya's capabilities, Morgana was ill prepared. Much as an explosion might snuff out a torch, the newcomer's spell had its effect. Before she could erect a defensive barrier, the burst knocked her backwards. She slid against the wall.
Freya's mouth twisted into a dark frown. She waved her hands again casting a spell.
Glowing energy bound Morgana's hands and gagged her mouth.
"Now you will not threaten anyone, Morgana. Now you will have to listen," Freya instructed. She composed herself. "You are not meant to have this throne, Sister. You may want it but this one is not for you. There would be another one if you can handle the responsibility."
Morgana growled incoherently. She struggled against the bonds. She could not summon even a spark of magic to free herself. Her eyes blazed with righteous fire. You brat! You side with Emrys against me? You traitor! Just wait until I'm loose! I'll kill you! I…
Freya does my will, Morgana Pendragon. Just as you should have done for the past decade of your time, the goddess informed her. You choose not to serve me. So be it.
A bright light filled the chamber before the triple goddess herself appeared in its center. Unlike in her own sanctuary, the deity allowed Serenity's mask to drop. In its place, a stern expression burned into the recalcitrant sorceress' psyche.
Freya quickly bowed. Forgive me, Mother. I am trying to make the offer you asked of me.
I understand. Still Morgana Pendragon cannot be trusted. The goddess' glow increased in luminosity. She pointed. If you will not serve me then you will not have your gift. Then she made a swiping move with her hand as if pulling something from the air toward herself.
Morgana quivered and spasmed. Pain seared every inch of her body. Her hair bristled. Her skin tingled and reddened. She screamed through the gag. She felt something being torn from herself….
…which in effect it was….
She fainted against the wall; her senses overwhelmed by that last assault.
A glowing jet black ball of energy streaked through the air. It broke apart and flowed back into the triple goddess' form.
Freya shook from fear. Failure burned at her. "I have failed you, Mother. We have lost a valuable ally."
The triple goddess shook her head. You tried to reach her, my Priestess. No. Morgana Pendragon was consumed by her anger, hatred and vengeance a long time ago. She turned from the way well before this point. I could have eliminated her. I could deny her the path chosen for her. Yet I will not. She can still do such things.
"You are truly merciful," Freya complimented.
She can do them. She will not, however, do them with magic. As with any form of power, it must be wielded responsibly. Perhaps, if she repents and reforms herself, I will return the gift to her. Until then, Morgana Pendragon will have to manage without such things. Take her to Avalon. We shall speak again when she awakens, the goddess explained.
"As you wish, my Lady. If I may ask, what about her allies?" Freya asked.
Yes. What of the rouge clad warriors? The goddess' eyes glowed. She waved her hands effectively sweeping the fallen men away. They have been returned to their own lands. Without this one, they have no unity or will be a further threat. That is how we deal with a situation such as this, my Priestess. Eliminate the infection and allow the body to heal and resume its normal function. Arthur Pendragon can have the privilege of judging this one. She pointed to Helios. I hope that this turn of events will convince him of my good will and the place of my ways in this world. Now back to Avalon with her and yourself.
"At once, Mother. Thank you." Freya enveloped herself and Morgana in the mists sweeping them both from the throne room and toward the hidden isle.
The goddess looked down upon the unconscious Helios. You are of greater threat than you know. Pity. You might have served me further. Now you will feel Justice's sting. She teleported them both away in a blinding flash of light.
And so the court and castle were virtually abandoned. Other than the devastation from Merlin's intrusion earlier, not a sign remained of the standoffs or turning of the tide.
That, the goddess intended, would allow for the Greater Good to triumph…..