** Huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed.=^_^= Please continue to do
so. Originally, this chapter
was the last of Munkustrap's Tale and it is very short. The story was supposed to be continued in "Cat
Morgan Introduces Himself", but I never finished writing it. If you would like to see this tale continued,
please let me know. Feedback is the only way I'll finish....:) Love you all!
Don't forget to check out the website home of Munkustrap's Tale- The Diamond Collar:
musicalmayhem.freeservers.com
Meow,
~Mercy~
Chapter 9: The Truth Will Set You Free
The party was in full swing complete with singing and dancing. But the guest of honor was off to the side trying to stay out of the spotlight.
Before the dinner, Old Deuteronomy had wanted to talk about the battle and such. All he did was praise him for a job well done. But Munkustrap didn't feel any better about what had happened. In fact, the more Deuteronomy talked the worse he felt.
Old Deuteronomy called for a toast and, of course, it was to exhort Munkustrap. He felt guilt try to swallow him and he was helpless to stop it. The only good thing about the evening was that Jezabel was mingling with the others. In a way, he wished that she had wanted to stay with him. But, Demeter was with him anyway. She had been clinging possessively to him since the Jellicle Leader had arrived.
Half-heartedly he had his arm around her waist, wishing that the night would end.
The straw that broke the camel's back came when Old Deuteronomy insisted that Skimbleshanks recount the events of that awful day.
The railway cat was barely half into his story when Munkustrap could stand it no longer. Jumping onto a crate, he cried out,
"This has to stop!"
Deuteronomy gave him a puzzled look. "Munkustrap! What has got into you! Sit down and let Skimble finish his story."
"I can't," he said fiercely, "Because it's a lie!"
The old cat looked strickened. "What?"
"It's a lie. I didn't do anything to save the tribe. If anything, it was my fault we were attacked in the first place. I didn't listen to the rumors or see if they had any basis. And when the dogs attacked, I sent cats that were too young out to fight. Tumblebrutus almost died because of me. I can't listen to anymore of this. I didn't even go to see those who were wounded until a week later because I was too much of a coward."
His outburst was met by silence and stares. No one could believe their ears. Jezabel gripped Mistofelees shoulder and Victoria's hand.
Raising his head and attempting to salvage whatever dignity he had left, Munkstrap stepped up to his grandfather but was unable to look him in the eyes.
"I do not deserve to remain guardian of the Jellicles. I failed in a way that proved to be costly. For the good of the tribe I am resigning as commander of the Jellicles. I ask you to accept this, sir, and allow me to remain as the lowest member of the tribe."
There was a long, painful silence. Munkustrap was positive that every cat could hear the fast thumping of his heart against his ribcage.
He felt Demeter move away from him. She was probably embarrassed to be associated with him.
Finally, Deuteronomy spoke in a grim voice,
"You have given me much to think about, Munkustrap. I will give you my decision in time."
The mood in the Dumpster the next day was dismal and the weather matched it. It was raining once again. Deuteronomy was sitting in his box brooding when Alonzo, Quaxo, and the Rum Tum Tugger came rushing up, out of breath and scared.
"W-w-we saw, we saw dogs!" Quaxo panted.
"There were two scout Pollicles near the Dumpster," said Tugger.
"They know we're here," added Alonzo. "It's only a matter of time before they attack."
Deuteronomy leaped up. The old cat could move when he needed to. "Gather everyone up. We must have an emergency meeting. Hurry, off you go!"
Once the cats had been gathered in the Dumpster's center, Old Deuteronomy shushed them.
"All right, now, Jellicles, the trouble begins. The Pollicles, their defenses are gathering. We must be prepared to fight to the end."
He looked at the frightened and serious faces. There was one face he did not see. Munkustrap's. Whatever had happened before this point could be forgiven. They needed their warrior and they needed him now.
Deuteronomy barked orders at them and the cats scattered to prepare except Jezabel, who was inching close to him with wide eyes.
"I want to help," she said quietly.
The Leader smiled softly at her. He wasn't sure what she could do. She was so young-. Then it came to him.
"Jezabel, do you think you could find Munkustrap? We need him right now. Tell him that it doesn't matter what happened before. He can redeem himself by coming now."
The little cat nodded fervently. "I won't come back without him." And she started off.
"Jezabel," Deuteronomy called. She stopped. "Tell him I love him."
She nodded and was gone in a flash.
The old cat sighed. Even if Munkustrap did come back, they were going to need help. Or else there wouldn't be much of a Jellicle tribe left.
was the last of Munkustrap's Tale and it is very short. The story was supposed to be continued in "Cat
Morgan Introduces Himself", but I never finished writing it. If you would like to see this tale continued,
please let me know. Feedback is the only way I'll finish....:) Love you all!
Don't forget to check out the website home of Munkustrap's Tale- The Diamond Collar:
musicalmayhem.freeservers.com
Meow,
~Mercy~
Chapter 9: The Truth Will Set You Free
The party was in full swing complete with singing and dancing. But the guest of honor was off to the side trying to stay out of the spotlight.
Before the dinner, Old Deuteronomy had wanted to talk about the battle and such. All he did was praise him for a job well done. But Munkustrap didn't feel any better about what had happened. In fact, the more Deuteronomy talked the worse he felt.
Old Deuteronomy called for a toast and, of course, it was to exhort Munkustrap. He felt guilt try to swallow him and he was helpless to stop it. The only good thing about the evening was that Jezabel was mingling with the others. In a way, he wished that she had wanted to stay with him. But, Demeter was with him anyway. She had been clinging possessively to him since the Jellicle Leader had arrived.
Half-heartedly he had his arm around her waist, wishing that the night would end.
The straw that broke the camel's back came when Old Deuteronomy insisted that Skimbleshanks recount the events of that awful day.
The railway cat was barely half into his story when Munkustrap could stand it no longer. Jumping onto a crate, he cried out,
"This has to stop!"
Deuteronomy gave him a puzzled look. "Munkustrap! What has got into you! Sit down and let Skimble finish his story."
"I can't," he said fiercely, "Because it's a lie!"
The old cat looked strickened. "What?"
"It's a lie. I didn't do anything to save the tribe. If anything, it was my fault we were attacked in the first place. I didn't listen to the rumors or see if they had any basis. And when the dogs attacked, I sent cats that were too young out to fight. Tumblebrutus almost died because of me. I can't listen to anymore of this. I didn't even go to see those who were wounded until a week later because I was too much of a coward."
His outburst was met by silence and stares. No one could believe their ears. Jezabel gripped Mistofelees shoulder and Victoria's hand.
Raising his head and attempting to salvage whatever dignity he had left, Munkstrap stepped up to his grandfather but was unable to look him in the eyes.
"I do not deserve to remain guardian of the Jellicles. I failed in a way that proved to be costly. For the good of the tribe I am resigning as commander of the Jellicles. I ask you to accept this, sir, and allow me to remain as the lowest member of the tribe."
There was a long, painful silence. Munkustrap was positive that every cat could hear the fast thumping of his heart against his ribcage.
He felt Demeter move away from him. She was probably embarrassed to be associated with him.
Finally, Deuteronomy spoke in a grim voice,
"You have given me much to think about, Munkustrap. I will give you my decision in time."
The mood in the Dumpster the next day was dismal and the weather matched it. It was raining once again. Deuteronomy was sitting in his box brooding when Alonzo, Quaxo, and the Rum Tum Tugger came rushing up, out of breath and scared.
"W-w-we saw, we saw dogs!" Quaxo panted.
"There were two scout Pollicles near the Dumpster," said Tugger.
"They know we're here," added Alonzo. "It's only a matter of time before they attack."
Deuteronomy leaped up. The old cat could move when he needed to. "Gather everyone up. We must have an emergency meeting. Hurry, off you go!"
Once the cats had been gathered in the Dumpster's center, Old Deuteronomy shushed them.
"All right, now, Jellicles, the trouble begins. The Pollicles, their defenses are gathering. We must be prepared to fight to the end."
He looked at the frightened and serious faces. There was one face he did not see. Munkustrap's. Whatever had happened before this point could be forgiven. They needed their warrior and they needed him now.
Deuteronomy barked orders at them and the cats scattered to prepare except Jezabel, who was inching close to him with wide eyes.
"I want to help," she said quietly.
The Leader smiled softly at her. He wasn't sure what she could do. She was so young-. Then it came to him.
"Jezabel, do you think you could find Munkustrap? We need him right now. Tell him that it doesn't matter what happened before. He can redeem himself by coming now."
The little cat nodded fervently. "I won't come back without him." And she started off.
"Jezabel," Deuteronomy called. She stopped. "Tell him I love him."
She nodded and was gone in a flash.
The old cat sighed. Even if Munkustrap did come back, they were going to need help. Or else there wouldn't be much of a Jellicle tribe left.