Moments later, Sherlock and only six other of his men remain, drinking in the horror of the silence, and looking out to the fields of bloody bodies left in their wake. Mortuary workers from the castle who have waited on the sidelines rush out, but look somber, not knowing where to start the clean up. They bow to the King slowly then begin piling the bodies. A few saying prayers for the friends and comrades they lost, and a few more with tears in their eyes.
King Sherlock begins to help when a worker interrupts. "Your Majesty, there is no need to help. We can take care of them. You have our word. Go and protect our country. Please...stop this war...if it isn't stopped, there's no hope of recovering...once he kills through our troops and castle workers, he will murder civilians if they refuse to honor him..."
The King nods softly and gets onto his horse. "I will stop this war." He rides off.
After days of travel, King Holmes finally reaches the Moriarty castle. He rides into one of the stables and gets off of his horse, "See to it that this horse is fed well. And also tell King Moriarty that I am here." The servant nods, terrified and rushes off.
Sherlock begins to release all the horses and animals and makes them gallop off. Moments later the servant comes running. He's a young boy around the age of eight.
"Is he coming?"
"H-he..he..."
Moriarty grimaces and follows, sword in hand and yanks the boy back by his collar, clicking his tongue. "Ohh Sherlockkk. How many people have to die before you realize that you're not going to win?"
"It's time we end this war."
"I agree." He smirks and holds the sword to the boy's neck.
"Killing people won't help."
"No. But every death is your fault. For keeping it going. For trying to win when you won't. All those lives. Everyone who has fought for you, has died because of YOU."
"This in between you and me. Not this boy."
"Awww see? You've gone soft Sherly."
"Stop hiding behind people and face me!"
King Moriarty smirks, amused. The small boy has tears running down his face, completely frozen in fear. Sherlock stands strong with his sword drawn. Moriarty turns to the boy and traces his blade across his cheek, giving him a good long cut. "Stop crying boy. You're a pathetic excuse of a life."
Sherlock quickly grabs Moriarty by his neck and the boy runs. He turns and punches Sherlock across the face. The boy keeps running as fast as he can. Sherlock takes the punch and then kicks him in one of his shins. King Moriarty laughs evilly. "Of course you'd try that. Why, you're only a boy yourself." Sherlock punches him hard, and Jim grabs his fist and twists, snapping his wrist. Sherlock scream in pain. Moriarty scoffs and knees him in the groin until he falls to the ground. Sherlock groans softly and closes his eyes.
"You don't lay a hand on her."
"I can do what I like with /my/ servants. Well now she's a servant and my /personal/ nurse. If you get my jist", he says amusingly. Sherlock closes his eyes softly.
"She's quite delicious. Too bad you didn't have a taste when you had the chance. Pity pity pity..." he clicks his tongue. "Hopefully her womb will swell with my heir sooner rather than later." He grins devillishly, amused with himself. Sherlock lunges and tackles him. Moriarty falls to the ground, trying to fight him off. Sherlock lands punch after punch onto Moriarty.
Suddenly the little boy appears with a sharp dagger but looks scared. Moriarty continues to laugh at King Sherlock as his own face gets bloodier and bloodier. He then rolls, returning the favor and pounding blow after blow among Holmes. Sherlock tries to fight him off.
The boy bites on his lip in habit and rushes over, stabbing King Moriarty in the upper back. He grows limp and passes out on top of King Sherlock. The boy begins to cry weakly. Sherlock quickly flips Moriarty over, stabbing him directly in the heart, and the boy looks away. Sherlock stands slowly panting. The child sniffles and backs away, scared. King Holmes turns to the boy, "It's alright don't be scared. You did the right thing." The boy bursts out crying.
King Sherlock gently hugs him, and the boy nuzzles his shoulder. "King Moriarty killed my mummy and daddy." Sherlock lifts him and walks to the main castle, "I am sorry for your loss. Could you tell me where the cells are?"
"But the guards..."
"Once they find out King Moriarty is dead they won't care."
"Are you sure...?"
"Yes."
"Okay..."
"Where are the cells?"
"Down in the dungeon chamber, sir. My friend is down there sir..." He nods, setting the boy down and running to the cells.
He sees many people in horrid condition and a larger cell shared by a mother and baby, and a cell holding the little girl that Molly cared for. He quickly unlocks them all. "Has anyone seen a woman by the name of Nurse Molly Hooper?" They all bow to him, most crying, but they all shake their heads. The little girl pipes up, quietly.
"I..I think I may know where she is Your Majesty." she cries. "She was taking care of me until he ripped me away from her."
"Where is she?" The girl takes his hand and goes up the stairs and throughout the castle. He follows her quickly and she leads him to a very large wooden door.
"Is this where she is?"
"I saw them go in here...before the guards took me." says quietly.
He nods softly, "Stay here."
"Okay..."
He gently opens the door and slips inside. It's a giant luxurious bedroom room filled with jeweled furniture. "Is anyone in here?" He says softly. There's silence for a moment until he hears muffled noises. He looks around and hears more noises as he gets further onto the continues to look around and the noises get louder. He opens the wardrobe and sees Molly bound and gagged. She's wearing only a purple, gold and black corset tied tightly, and her knickers.
He quickly kneels besides her and takes the gag off her mouth and unties her hands and legs. Molly flushes a deep red and pants softly. "Th-thank you", she tears up.
He gently cups her cheek, "Are you hurt?" Tears flow down her cheeks and she looks away.
"I'm sore. But...I'll live." King Holmes grabs a blanket and gently wraps it around her shoulders. She wraps it close around her and wobbles on her legs, unsteady from being kept tied for a long while. Sherlock holds her arms, Molly's knees give out and she gasps.
He catches her and gently lifts her bridal style, "Let's get you to a safe place." She flushes red and nods softly, leaning into his chest for comfort, exhausted from her turmoil.
"Th-the kids.." she murmurs.
"They'll be safe as well, I've killed King Moriarty."
"But...they're hungry...and overworked and now I'm sure overcome with grief. They've lost everything they knew.", she says with sadness in her voice."
"I guarantee you that they are safe."
"Wh..Where's Cassidy...? She needs me."
"The little child you were helping?"
"A..and little Declan. He's from Ireland...Moriartys home country, as you probably know by his accent. They were overrun first. He's been through way too much for a boy that young.." she nods.
"I would assume they'll be outside." Molly looks up and meets his gaze, her own a bit weak. "
Take me to them. Please, Your Majesty." He nods softly and carries her down. The children are sat outside, curled up and sobbing as the stray knights try to salvage what's left of the property, completely ignoring them. He gently sets Molly down next to the children. She scoots over and pulls them both gently into her arms. "I'm here...it's alright...I've got you now."
The little girl starts crying and clings to her. "There there Cassidy...I've got you. I'm going to take care of both of you. I want both of you to be my children. I know you are mourning your real parents..but if you'd like me..I'm here for you. Both of you." She kisses their heads. King Sherlock brings a wagon and horses round and helps them onto the wagon, grabbing all the food he can find. Molly and the children eat hungrily, as they haven't eaten properly in days.
He takes the reins and starts driving, "My army will be here soon to help the many others."
Molly nods "Thank You Sire. You are a greater King than we deserve. Your parents would be proud." He glances back at her and continues to steer. Molly wraps her arms around the children protectively. "Sleep my darlings...it will be a long journey to London..."
Sherlock steers the horses throughout the night and day, not feeling tired. When day breaks, Molly wakes slowly. She gently places the children's heads on the soft coat King Sherlock had brought for her in case the night turned frigid. "Your Majesty, you should rest. I am able to take the reigns, if you trust me."
"I'm alright." He says keeping his eyes on the trail. "The horses will need some water soon.."
"There's a small pond. I passed it as I came by the first time. There's a small batch of trees next to the pond. They'll have to use it there."
Soon they pull next to the small pond and Sherlock unharnesses the horses and let's them drink. He then walks off into the trees.
Molly hops out of the wagon and escorts the sleepy children off of it. They walk off to relieve themselves in the woods.
