A/N: Wow, the reaction on the last chapter was fab! A massive thank you to ForeverTeamEdward13 who is always so quick to review, love you millions. Also a big thank you to my darlings MissBlack2, StarletSpotlight, Jessie and (last but DEFINITELY not least) Aurora. I must say that your idea (Aurora) for an alternative plotline for the Arianwen/Greyback scene had me like :O shoulda done that! I wish you had a account so you could share more of your suggestions with me :( (no pressure btw, I'm just being whiney).
Also just wanna say that I do not hate the English...so if my English readers are like *eye roll* stop crying about how 'oppressed' you are after this chapter, I can assure you that it is just a theme I wanted to play with for the story, not my actual opinion.
Anyway please read and enjoy, feedback is always super welcome!
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Vote
Arianwen stood behind a curtain at the edge of a stage, listening to the soft buzz of chatter in the audience and the whirling of the air around her hair as it wafted calmly in the sticky summer breeze; it was the 16th of August, Election Day. She had parted from Draco six weeks prior but it still felt like yesterday to her, she was broken.
Gwyn, Owain, Carwyn and Brianne had all rallied around her after the split, staying with her at night until they deemed her tired enough to fall asleep and then returning early the next day to check on her. She would have the same conversation with each of them the following morning, pretending to have had a pleasant nights sleep and promising them that she would be fine if they had to leave her, but then the second the door closed behind them she would break down.
"Arianwen!" Aneirin called as he approached her. "How are you feeling?"
He didn't need her to respond to understand how she felt, tension was radiating around her like the heat on the horizon of a hot day.
"You're going to have to fight for this Arianwen, Lord Gwydion won't make it easy for you. Do you know what you're going to say?"
"Of course I do," she snapped. "No one in their right mind would vote for a sympathiser of the 'Dark Lord'. They just need to be reminded of the type of man my uncle is."
Aneirin looked a little taken aback, Owain had told him about Draco and how she would often stare into space and tear up. He thought that she might need help with the speech she had to give to the Councillors, but he hadn't expected her to be so petulant. Aneirin had seen Arianwen at many pivotal points of her life; the first was her mother's funeral, next at her grandfather's bedside as his soul separated from its earthly attachments, then again at her father's funeral, at the gala where Dafydd announced he was going to send her away to Hogwarts, the day she found out that she had a cousin – one final family member that may love her as she so craved, and now, at the election event for Warden of the South. He had always admired how Arianwen had managed to keep up a smile through so many dark times, but when he saw her standing there, shoulders slumped, eyes fixed on the podium at the centre of the stage and her arms clutched close to her chest, he finally saw her for what she really was: frightened, broken and alone. The sight itself was enough to stir something in Aneirin, his cheeks grew hot as what felt like a gnarled hand tightened around his throat, forcing his eyes to moisten and yet burn at the same time.
He cleared his throat in a bleak attempt at composure and willed himself to carry on their conversation. "So if you're confident about what to say, why do you look so… tense?"
"It's just-" she sighed deeply. "It's just that when things have gone wrong in the past, I've always had someone there to save me; my Grandfather, my Father, Gwyn, Draco, and even you, Nei. There's always been someone there to hold my hand and tell me that everything is going to be okay, and it always was. But as the Warden I don't have anyone to turn to, I'm the one that has to make everything okay, I'm the one that is responsible for everyone else. I will be more alone and yet more crowded than I have ever been in my life and I can't help but wonder if I can truly handle it."
Aneirin placed his hands on either side of her shoulders and stared her straight in the eyes. "You may have had people to help you, Ri, but ultimately you are the one who has got yourself through it all. You're stronger than you know and you need to show that to everyone out there, you can't let them glean any sign of weakness from you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small photo, which he pressed into her hands. She smiled sadly at the little boy in the photo, whose inquisitive green eyes were watching her from his cot.
"Lloyd," she breathed.
"Keep this photo as a reminder of why you're doing this. You don't need protection anymore, Arianwen, I have witnessed you pull yourself through so much that I do not doubt for a second that you are the Warden that Wales needs. You need to step up and win this election so that people like him," he jabbed a finger in the direction of Arianwen's uncle, who was mingling with the men in the crowd, "don't exploit us all for his own gains."
Arianwen gulped and nodded, his words giving her courage. She opened her mouth to respond but a loud voice interrupted her; it boomed across the grounds of Gregynog Hall, where the Duke of Montgomery was hosting the election. "Ladies and gentlemen, people of the press, Councillors; please take your seats. The speeches are about to commence."
Arianwen stared wide-eyed at Aneirin, who gripped her hand as a last show of support.
"I've got to go and take my seat," he started hurriedly, "but just remember to smile and shake hands with Lord Gwydion and everyone else. You must never let them know how hard a burden this is to bear."
"I will." Her voice was strong, her gaze resolute, I can do this.
Aneirin flashed her a quick, reassuring smile before dashing away to take his place beside his father, the Duke of Gwynedd.
The announcer introduced Dafydd first, and he took his position behind a broad oak podium where a dragon with outstretched wings had been carved into its slanted stand. Arianwen took a seat to the left of the podium but still on stage so everyone could see her, she took a steadying breath and reminded herself to remain composed as Dafydd began.
"Prynhawn da, honourable friends. I have not come here today to waste your time with feeble attempts at morality, as I am sure the Duchess will do. I am ashamed to say that my niece has not been gifted with the sensibility, integrity, power or unbreakable will of my humble brother, may his soul rest in peace. My niece is slight: slight of frame, slight of mind, and slight of capacity. She shall not be your Warden, she shall be your downfall; the end of Welsh Independence as we know it. Her Grace would have you climb into bed with the English as she does."
There was a smattering of laughter in the crowd as all eyes focused on Arianwen. She fought to keep the blush that was creeping up her neck under control and feigned a look of complete innocence as her uncle continued on.
"-and I will deliver us to greatness, a greatness that our forefathers laid down their lives to provide us with. Under my hand, I will work with my fellow men, Montgomery, Gwynedd," he nodded to the other Wardens in turn, "and unite our country with that of our neighbours in the United Kingdom. We must join them to eradicate the tainted blood that threatens our community, and when we are victorious, we shall be rewarded with higher power and prosperity than we could ever begin to dream of. Join me, brothers, let us make Wales great again."
Arianwen could not help but scowl at the councillors who stood and clapped her uncle as he took his seat on the other side of the stage.
"-and now, please be upstanding for the Duchess of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire!"
It was time. She stared hard into her uncle's eyes, his upper lip curled into a sneer as he twirled his hand towards the podium in a mock bow, as though daring her to engage him in a duel, a bloodied battle to their death.
But that is what this is. A battle of life or death. Should I allow Uncle to gain this position, I am surely allowing him to ally us with the Dark Lord, to execute anyone that disobeys him and make servants of those who are too afraid to stand up and fight. I must win.
She stood on the podium, her hands resting on its stand and her eyes moving between each councillor in turn. Her gaze moved to the back of the crowd where Owain, Gwyn, Carwyn and Brianne were all watching her, smiling supportively; then to Aneirin who sat with his father, the Warden of the North, he nodded slowly at her, willing her to deliver a victory.
I can do this.
She took a long, steadying breath, straightened her shoulders and raised her chin; finally, she spoke:
"The Wardenship was created by our King, Owain Glyndwr, to defend Wales from the English incursion. And though he failed, the Wardens remained. During times of war, the Wardens have marshalled our great armies, they united us with the other peoples of our land: the dragons, the giants, the Fey.
Once again, war is coming.
The English no longer wish to simply rule us, they wish to dominate us, to crush our values and assimilate our culture; destroying our individuality, our proud heritage.
And this man-" she gestured to Dafydd, who was sneering at her patronisingly, "-would see this happen." He fixed her with an icy glare that would have intimidated her when she was younger, but not today.
"We must not be subjugated by the English any longer. We will stand alone surrounded by enemies, our friends in Scotland and Ireland have fallen to him.
I may only appear a young woman but within my veins flows the blood of a thousand generations of our countrymen, the same countrymen that I pledge to protect as Warden. Allow Wales the chance to be free of the tyranny that has conquered the rest of the British Isles. Elect me as your Warden and help me realise our true potential!"
There was a pause where Arianwen's heart was the only sound that could be heard but then a slow ripple of applause sounded, like the first wave crashing against the ocean signalling the beginning of a mighty storm. She watched as people slowly got to their feet, showing their support with cheers and chants of "Undeb, Hedd, Llywddiant!" – the moto of the Wardens, "Unity, Peace, Prosperity."
For the first time in a long time, Arianwen smiled, a true warm, hearty smile that spread all the way through her body like molten gold. She beamed down at her audience, which only spurred them on to clap harder, and cheer louder. Chancing a glance at her uncle, Arianwen saw him glaring at individuals in the audience, as though his stare could bend them to his will with more power than the Imperius Curse. Eventually, the announcer shouted above the crowd for order and Arianwen took her seat again, waiting nervously for the voting to start. When the applause had died down and the crowd was once again seated, the announcer called for the councillors to be upstanding to make their vote.
"Today we have just ten Councillors voting for whom they think should fill the role of Warden of South Wales, as the Duchess of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire is standing for election, her vote today is exempt. Protocol dictates that if we have a tie then the deciding vote is granted to the Councillors of the region in question. We shall begin with the Councillors of the South, then Mid-Wales, and finally the North." There were nods of understanding amongst the men waiting to cast their votes.
"Good luck to both candidates," the announcer gave a brief smile to Arianwen and Dafydd respectively. "Let us commence! Earl Monmouthshire of House Bedwyr, how do you cast your vote?"
Gwyn's dad pointed his wand in the air and called, "I vote to elect the Duchess of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire as Warden." A long golden ribbon flew from the tip of his wand and tied itself neatly around Arianwen's wrist. He winked at her and smiled warmly, there was never any doubt that Gwyn's father would vote for her but his support was still touching nevertheless.
"Earl Glamorganshire of House Conway!" The announcer called, signifying the only other Councillor of South Wales to cast his vote.
"I vote to elect the Duchess." Earl Conway held his wand in the air and out flew another ribbon, which tied itself promptly around Arianwen's wrist. She smiled gratefully at the Earl who returned the smile with a nod.
I have the votes of the South, so if there is a tie, I'll win! Arianwen thought excitedly. The election is not won yet though. Focus.
Marquess Brecknockshire of House Howell was next to vote, and like the others, he pledged his support to Arianwen. She now had three ribbons around her wrist, while her uncle had none.
"Earl Cardiganshire of House Parry."
We have always had a strong alliance with the Parry's, this'll be another easy one.
"I vote to elect Lord Gwydion as Warden of the South." Arianwen stared in horror at the ribbon now tying itself around her uncle's wrist, she had been so sure that Parry would want to elect her, he had been on such good terms with her father.
But you're not Father. The Parry's are traditionalists, they would never want a woman in power, she thought bitterly, trying to ignore the smug look on her uncle's face.
The next Councillor, the Earl of Radnorshire, also voted for Dafydd, causing Arianwen's heartbeat to quicken beyond an acceptable level, she would surely have a fit if it continued.
"Duke Montgomeryshire of House Llywelyn, Warden of Mid-Wales!" The announcer called and Arianwen held her breath as the Duke pointed his wand to the sky. He looked her firmly in the eyes and said, "I vote to elect Duchess Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire."
She let out her breath and managed a small smile to the Duke, who nodded at her firmly. Arianwen now had four ribbons around her wrist while her uncle had two but with four more Councillors to vote, the election could swing either way.
It was no surprise to Arianwen when Flintshire voted against her, as he had been so keen in reminding her of his bosom buddy friendship with her uncle in the past, but when Earl Merrick of Denbighshire and the Duke of Anglesey voted for her uncle as well she couldn't hide the glimmer of betrayal in her eyes.
Dafydd now had five ribbons around his wrist, one more than she did, but if Aneirin's father, the Duke of Gwynedd, voted for her she would win as the votes of the South would decide the tie break.
The Duke looked between Arianwen and Dafydd slowly, as though still making up his mind but when he raised his wand in the air, he spoke with unwavering conviction. "I vote to elect Lord Gwydion as Warden of South Wales."
What? Arianwen could barely breathe, think or hear a thing as she stared, dumbfounded at the Duke.
"TRAITOR!" The Warden of Mid-Wales roared, pointing his wand directly at Aneirin's father's chest.
The Duke of Gwynedd was quick to retaliate, his own wand now pointing at Montgomery.
"Gentlemen!" the announcer squeaked, horrified. "Gentlemen please! I call for decorum! Decorum, I say!"
Arianwen couldn't help but look over at Aneirin, her friend whose father had betrayed her; he stood in shock but did not bother to defend his father, instead a growing look of disgust was contorting his usually smooth skin.
"Sit down, Father," he spat, wrenching his wand arm down so that he no longer posed a threat to the other Warden. He looked up at Arianwen shamefacedly but she looked away, unable to hold his gaze for fear of lashing out.
The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur. The only thing she could focus on was Gwynedd's vote; he could have saved her, put the vote to a tie so the South could take authority… but he didn't, he chose her uncle, the despicable man who was already under Lord Voldemort's thumb, over her. She had lost: six votes to four.
When the moment came for Arianwen to congratulate the victor, she forced herself to remain composed, an air of dignified grace to her stance as she clasped hands with her uncle.
"Congratulations," she said in a voice so low that only he would hear, "you have succeeded in befogging their judiciousness for long enough to scrape a win."
"Jealousy isn't a good colour on you, Niece. Didn't my dear brother ever teach you the qualities of good sportsmanship?"
Arianwen gritted her teeth and made to move away but her uncle dug his nails into her hand, his mouth twisted in a sick grin as her dared her to yelp in pain. She did not. She would not allow him another victory today.
"I know you have the boy," Dafydd snarled, "you can't keep him from me for much longer, he is of interest to someone much more powerful than you or I."
Arianwen felt a chill climb up her spine at the words; he's already offered the baby to the Dark Lord? But what would he want him for at this age?
Dafydd laughed sourly at Arianwen's expression, which was sore with revulsion as she glared at her uncle. "Give me the child, Arianwen, and you need not get hurt."
Arianwen dug her nails into her uncle's hand, not flinching as his grip on her tightened in retaliation and he started to draw blood. Her mouth curled into a grin, abhorrent enough to match his own.
"I will never give him up to you," she whispered, yanking her arm away and marching off the stage to a point where she could disapparate.
My dearest Duchess,
I heard about the result of the election, I'm so sorry darling, I hope you are not too disheartened. I know this may seem a little odd considering your current relations with my son but I would most like to take you on holiday as I suggested earlier in the year. Our estate in Monaco really is wonderful, I have a feeling you would love it and I promise it would just be us girls. What do you say?
Let me know as soon as you can, I will be leaving tomorrow morning.
Kind regards,
Narcissa M.
Dear Narcissa,
Thank you kindly for furthering your previous invitation and for thinking of me at this time. I would be most pleased to take you up on your offer and shall be in Monte Carlo at nine o'clock sharp.
With anticipation,
Arianwen.
A few days later…
"I'm so glad you came," Mrs Malfoy said softly, smiling at Arianwen from her comfortable armchair overlooking the Malfoy's vineyard in Monaco in the French Riviera.
Arianwen smiled. She'd had a surprisingly easy day with Narcissa, who seemed incredibly happy to have her there considering everything that had happened with Draco. They started with lunch at an exclusive restaurant in a picturesque town on Le Rocher peninsula, the same area that their expansive estate and luxury villa was located. Narcissa then took Arianwen to an art exhibition at a cliffside gallery with glorious panoramic views of the sea where they enjoyed a few more glasses of champagne than was strictly polite. By the time they had finished their evening meal and settled in the armchairs on the balcony off the master bedroom, both women were feeling pleasantly inebriated and willing to overindulge each other with personal information.
"Thank you for allowing me," Arianwen said, sipping her wine and shuffling back in her chair.
The two women sat in comfortable silence for a while, both content just staring out over the vineyard and losing themselves in their thoughts. When Mrs Malfoy eventually broke the silence her voice was laced with great sadness and regret.
"Draco wouldn't tell me why he stopped courting you. He doesn't tell me anything anymore. Sometimes I think…" her voice waivered as she tried to reach the end of her sentence. "Sometimes I think that he blames me."
"Blames you?" Arianwen asked gently. "What ever for?"
"For everything. His father being sent away, him having to take the Dark Mark, having to kill-" her voice cracked as she let out a dry sob.
Arianwen was shocked, she had never expected Mrs Malfoy to become so undone before her. She reached over and took her hand, waiting for the older witch to dab at her eyes with a handkerchief.
"I'm sorry," she sniffed, "I should be more composed."
"No," Arianwen said, her voice gentle, "there is no need for composure among friends."
Narcissa let out a small laugh despite her anguish and smiled gratefully at her.
"Besides," Arianwen continued, "I happen to know that Draco loves you and your husband more than anything else in this world. If he does not confide in you, it is because he feels he should shoulder his burdens alone – to protect you. He definitely does not blame you either, I think he has accepted his situation now, even if he does not like it. He will do anything in his power to protect the people he loves; I always liked that about him."
Narcissa gazed, mouth slightly agape in surprise of Arianwen's insightful admission.
Ucgh. I shouldn't have said so much.
"Do you love him?" Narcissa asked and Arianwen froze, but when she met Narcissa's eyes she could see no mocking or judgement, merely understanding.
"Yes," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"But he did not love you?" Narcissa probed, careful to keep hold of Arianwen's hand for reassurance. The younger woman simply shook her head, unable to speak through the tears that were threatening to break from their enclosure.
Narcissa nodded slowly, as though finally piecing together the last of a difficult puzzle. "I wish he loved you," she whispered.
"Me too." Hot tears began to roll down her cheeks as they had so frequently over the six weeks past, but Narcissa was there to wipe them away; she moved so that she was tucked in close to Arianwen on her chair and put an arm around her comfortingly. Arianwen rested her head on her shoulder, the slow breathing of the older woman soothing her instantly. Narcissa stroked her hair tenderly, trying to hide the tears brimming in her own eyes.
"I always wanted a daughter," she mused after a while, "but Lucius was only interested in having an heir so I put all my energy into loving Draco when he was born. Not that it was hard of course, but I did always wonder what it would have been like."
Arianwen nodded slowly, strangely content in the embrace of her ex-boyfriend's mother.
"I would have liked her to be like you," she brooded, "perhaps if I had known you better when you were younger, when you needed a mother?" It was said like a question, like she was asking for permission to love Arianwen as her own.
"I will always need a mother," Arianwen said quietly, smiling sadly at the woman who so desperately wanted to be needed, just as she wanted to be loved.
Narcissa made an odd noise, like a cry of delight and despair all at once. She held Arianwen tight in her arms and kissed her forehead affectionately. It was as though they had reached an agreement that they needed each other and had vowed to love despite their unusual circumstances.
In Wiltshire…
"Where is your mother?" Lucius demanded of Draco at lunch the next day. He'd just returned from a mission in Bulgaria for the Dark Lord, where he'd been out of reach for the past fortnight.
Draco sighed, his father looked like crap, if he was honest. His hair was limp and dull, a drastic change from the lustre it used to carry, and the skin around his eyes was sunken and grey, making the man look as though he hadn't seen sunlight for a long time.
He probably hasn't, Draco mused bitterly. The Dark Lord had been giving him and his father a mix of the worst missions, sending them away to dark, rat-infested hovels to liaise with whichever magical beast was the flavour of the month. It was clear that he was making an example of them, he had taken away Lucius' wand and refused to allow either Malfoy to take part in any real fighting or mission of true importance; not that Draco could really say he minded not having to slaughter a bunch of muggles.
"How should I know where she is? I only got back yesterday."
Clearly this was not a satisfactory answer for Lucius, he growled, his patience wearing thin almost instantly. Biting back a snappy retort, Lucius let out a long breath through his nose and tried again.
"Well did she leave a note?"
Draco merely shrugged and returned his attention to a slightly out-of-date copy of the Daily Prophet, where he had watched Arianwen at the election for the wardenship of South Wales three times in a row already. A Prophet reporter had filmed the event and so all Draco had to do to watch it was tap the paper with his wand and mutter, "Procurro", and it would project a little image of the event for him to watch. His stomach dropped as he noted her appearance, to an outsider she may appear collected, elegant, and everything that you would expect a woman of her calibre to look like, but Draco knew her better. He could see the subtle slump in her shoulders when someone voted against her, the hopeful glimmer in her eyes when the audience cheered for her speech, the way she bit the inside of her cheek to prevent the tears that wanted to escape when that Aneirin guy's father betrayed her. He didn't miss how she stared dejectedly at her hands as she left the stage, or the way her lip had quivered when Lord Gwydion had mentioned their relationship and the crowd had laughed along nastily. Draco knew she needed him, he knew that if he went to her now she would forgive the horrible things he had had to say to make her leave…but he couldn't.
She is better off without me.
"ELF!" Lucius roared, disrupting Draco's thoughts. "WHERE IS MY WIFE?"
Draco hadn't even noticed the elf come into the room; he was standing slightly hunched over, clearly afraid that Mr Malfoy would hit him.
"M-m-mistress is on holiday, Mr Mafloy sir."
Ooof shouldn't have said that, Elf.
Lucius' nostrils flared violently, giving him the appearance of a bull that was ready to charge. "And where precisely," he seethed, "has she decided to holiday?"
"Uh-uh…" the elf looked positively terrified at this point, "M-m-mistress forbade Berrie to say anything, sir!"
Lucius snapped. He kicked the elf square in the chest and before Berrie had a chance to get back to his feet, Lucius grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and had pulled a knife on him.
"I am your master, Elf. Now tell me – Where. Is. My. Wife?"
"Monaco, Mr Malfoy sir." Draco couldn't help but scoff at the stupid elf, his mother would be furious when she found out how quickly he gave up her whereabouts.
Clearly she does not wish to be found. Not that Father will respect her choice-
"Draco!" Lucius barked, throwing the elf to the floor where it quickly scuttled to the corner of the room and out of reach. "We're going to Monaco."
A/N: up next is Draco and Arianwen's meeting in Monaco, I wonder how that will go... I WILL UPDATE FASTER I PROMISE! Don't forget to review/favourite/follow - I'd love to get to 100 followers by the next update!