Chapter 22

Fredric

He was awake, his eyes were open, and he couldn't believe it. He didn't think he was going to make it, but he had and it was all thanks to his….

He closed his eyes and shook his head. Thanks to his twin brother. He had never communicated like that before, especially unconscious like that. What was it Henrik called it? Thought listening?

Get some rest or try to anyway. We'll be there later on this morning.

He sat up or tried to anyway. He was a bit dizzy, but he was sure he'd be fine.

He tried again and this time it worked. Still dizzy, but he forced himself over to the window. Once he got there, he leaned on it, waiting for the world to stop spinning.

But he was fascinated with what he saw outside.

For the most part, it was still dark, but there was a little light in the distance. The sun was starting to rise.

They would be here soon. The meeting was early and scheduled for approximately nine thirty or thereabouts. He didn't know what time it was or where he was exactly, although Henrik had told him that he was in a hospital that the monks built years ago. The one the Abbott always called the infirmary.

He stared out the window. This is what he was waiting for, wasn't it? He had Henrik in the palm of his hand now; there was revenge within his reach.

But things were different now. This plan he had failed and he should have known it was going to fail. He couldn't get away with it, he would be doing it all in front of the Abbott, Father Pederson and Brother Jakob. Everyone would see and he could go to jail. Revenge would have to wait until later when they were alone, when it was least expected.

He stumbled as a wave of dizziness passed over him. He had to make his way back to the bed or else he would end up on the floor. It was the last thing he wanted, for the Abbott to find him unconscious on the floor.

He reached out and grabbed the edge of the bed for balance. He pulled himself along the edge and around the curve until he reached the middle of it, where he sat down. Somehow, he pulled his legs up and was able to lie down, his head swimming.

Henrik, are you there?

No answer. What was he going to tell him anyway? He hadn't explained anything to him, not yet anyway. He couldn't really remember, not at first.

Fredric wanted to. He wanted to tell him everything that happened, he wanted to feel comfort and secure, he wanted and needed a friend, and somehow, he had found one in Henrik. The man that he wanted to kill, the man he hated for knowing magic, for being different, for being what he called "the other."

Henrik had done what no one else had ever done, not Brigitta, not Greta or Erik or Francis. And he always counted them as his friends. Not someone who his father had always said was the enemy, not who his father called a monster, not the father who wanted revenge at any cost.

No, not Henrik who had turned out to be the only one who understood him, who made him feel at ease, and who had coaxed and supported him through this whole messy process.

And right now, Fredric knew what he wanted. Henrik's soothing voice was what he needed to hear right now, right now when he was unsure of himself. And for the first time ever he felt love, he felt caring, he felt wanted. He felt secure and at peace, safe and comfortable, like he belonged. He waited his whole life to feel that way. He could finally be himself, no airs to put on, no one to hide his true self from.

And he vowed then and there that he would never live without those feelings ever again.

But what if Henrik didn't mean any of it? What happened if he had taken advantage of his helpless condition? And more to the point, what happened if Henrik didn't trust him? After all, they hadn't left on the friendliest of terms, had they?

He felt a little stronger and managed to push himself into a sitting position. The world swam again, but this time he was going to be fine.

He knew where he wanted he go and where he would spend the rest of his life. He was able to see his whole future in front of him. And for once, he was excited about it.

Now all he had to convince was the clergy and see what they said.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Greta

She didn't want this meeting, no not at all. She would have to confess just like Erik and Francis had. She was going to jail and so was Brigitta for being an accomplice. There was no mistaking it.

Brigitta had told the Royal family everything, except one thing that had they had tried to keep secret, the one reason why they wanted to be near him, to keep an eye on him. And it had nothing to do with revenge.

It was the poison that they had been feeding him ever since he had arrived at the monastery, but what was surprising to both of them was that he had still been alive. And they wondered why. Could he know that he was being poisoned? Could he guess? Could the clergy have found out about it?

It had been Francis's idea. Francis, who had masterminded this plan, had already drew a gun against him, but decided, at the last minute, not to kill him. But one night, he had talked her into it.

"He confessed it to me," Francis said, as they sat together in his room at an inn at the edge of the Enchanted Forest. "He told me what he was, what his brother was. He said he was half human, half water nymph. He said he always had a longing to be one with the water and that he had markings, although neither Erik nor I could see them. At that point, Fredric had changed his mind on revenge; he was leaning toward making up with his brother."

Greta shook her head and her mouth curved into a small O shape. "That doesn't sound like him," she told him, "It's not his nature."

"He is a monster, Greta," Francis said, grabbing hold of her shoulders. "He will never survive in the world we have now. He will be found out sooner or later. For your safety and the safety of others, he and his brother must be destroyed."

"But we have a plan, Francis,"

"It won't work, Greta. We need to get rid of him now, before they find out who he is. Before they find out that we're involved. "

She promised that night, six months ago, before they grabbed them in the forest and brought them back to the dungeon for questioning. That was the last time she would see him.

And now she would have to confess everything she knew. And she would have to face the consequences.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Henrik, the Abbott

Right before the meeting

"He's awake, Henrik," the Abbott told him. "That's why I wanted to see you."

"Have you spoken to him?" Henrik asked.

"Yes, I have, just before you arrived. You are here earlier than expected and I thought now would be a perfect time to have this conversation."

"Did you tell him I was coming? Does he know that I am here?"

The Abbott nodded. "He told me everything, he kept nothing secret." He looked closely at Henrik's face. "The resemblance is strong, although there are some differences, but that is to be expected." He smiled. "The bond between you both is strong as well, Henrik, and is worth exploring."

"Have you considered my offer, then?" Henrik said, "I will take good care of him."

The Abbott smiled. "Let him tell you, Henrik. Go on inside, he is waiting for you."