THE ROYALS
SEASON 5
EPISODE 10: Everything falls apart, that beautiful decay
Cyrus, Liam and Sebastian sat in the room Robert had walked out of. It was only perhaps ten, fifteen minutes after Robert walked out that he made the announcement. They had been on their phones, and were all stunned by what they had seen.
"He's not serious, is he?" Cyrus asked, once phones returned to their normal screen
"He couldn't be. He was far too pissed!" Sebastian commented
"He meant it. Of course he did. He just lost his inhibitions which would control how he announced it" Liam commented.
"No way. No this can't be. The man is nuts" Sebastian said standing up. In outrage walking around the room. "What did he mean death! Like is he going to bring back hanging?" Sebastian asked
"No. With Robert he would want something a lot more torturous. Like burning, or drowning" Cyrus said
"Or crucifixion" Sebastian added
"Might just do a shot gun to the back of the head" Cyrus suggested
"Can we stop this!" Liam asked
"Too gruesome for you?" Cyrus teased
"No more, the fact that the King has just announced that anything negative said against him counts as treason" Liam reminded him. "And this Palace is almost certainly bugged" he added. The pair shut up quickly
"What a wonderful idea!" Cyrus said
"It certainly is a way to control the people" Sebastian added
Len, Jasper, Earl, The Grand Duchess, James Hill and Sarah Alice all sat in the Cottage. They had arranged a movie night. They were halfway through The Lion King, Sarah Alices' choice, when Robert's announcement had come on the television. Silence filled the room once it finished The Lion King came back on. Jasper picked up the remote and paused the film.
Sarah Alice, who clearly had not understood the weight of what Robert had just said, sighed disappointed as the movie stopped.
"What. The. Fu-" Len began when James cut her off
"HECK!" He shouted, covering the swear before Sarah Alice could hear
"What the Heck" Jasper repeated. Len glared.
"What is he thinking?" The Grand Duchess asked, shocked
"He was horrifically drunk!" Earl commented
"He's lost his mind" Len stated
"Yes. Do you think he means it?" Jasper asked
"I think so" James replied
"But he can't do that. He can't censor people like that. This isn't a communist state" The Grand Duchess exclaimed
"He can do whatever he wants. He runs the country!" Earl reminded her
"He's drunk. He's delusional, and he's power driven. He's at his weakest" Jasper commented
"Are you thinking a con?" Earl asked, enthusiastically
"I don't know. But we need to strike. Now" Jasper insisted
"Let's go!" Len said standing.
James and Sarah Alice went back home, with the promise of finishing the Lion King another time. James said to call if they needed anything. They agreed. Len and Jasper got Rosie, and the three jumped in Jasper's car, racing to the castle.
"What's our plan?" Len asked
"Get Liam, get Helena. Go find Robert and take it as it comes" Jasper replied
"Got your gun?" Rosie asked him
"Always" Jasper replied
"Good man" Rosie commented.
"Shit's about to hit the fan" Len stated.
Earl and the Grand Duchess sat at the cottage, silence filling the room.
"We should go too" Earl said, breaking the silence.
"Agreed" The Grand Duchess said, standing up. "But first" she said, throwing herself onto him, lips meeting in a fury of passion.
"What are you doing?" Earl asked
"We have left our fate up to Len and Liam. There is a good chance if we are not dead by morning, then we will be imprisoned. I'm making the most of my freedom" The Grand Duchess said. Earl did not object.
Gemma had watched the announcement, dumbstruck by Robert. Not sure what to do. Her questions were answered as a few minutes later her phone beeped. A text from Len.
"Distract him"
She was not sure what they were planning, but she knew she had to do something. This was her time to play her part. She stood up and walked quickly to Robert's office. On her way, she passed Laura, who was dusting
"Lens on her way. Send her to Robert's office" she whispered quietly to Laura as she walked by. In the corner of her eye, she watched Laura nod. Before she turned the corner and went to his office.
She could smell the alcohol from outside the room, walking in, she smirked as she saw him sat on his desk, swaying lightly.
This was a broken man. A man so lost in his own power she knew he would not recognise himself in the mirror. She walked up to him
"Hey" she said softly. He jumped, having not seen or heard her approach
"Gemma" he greeted "Come" he said, patting the desk beside him. She walked over and jumped on the desk next to him. He raised another of who knows how many glasses he had already had of alcohol to his lips, but she picked up the glass and pulled it away. He pouted.
"Give it back" he said
"Not yet. You can have it back in a little bit" she said promised. She leant down to put the glass on the table, and his lips met hers
"Did you see my broadcast?" he asked. She nodded
"I did. You exerted your power well. The people need to know who is in charge, and that certainly showed your dominance" she said
"I want you" he growled in his drunken attempt at seduction into her ear
"I think you've had too much to drink. How about we go and get you some coffee, and a bit of food. And if you still want me in a few hours, then you can have me all night" she assured him
"I thought I said that anyone who goes against me would be tried for treason" Robert said angrily
"I am looking after you" she promised him. "I am acing in your best interests"
"I don't care. On the desk. Now" he commanded. She rolled her eyes but complied. She knew that in his state he wasn't going to be able to achieve what he wanted to. And it would distract him as she promised Len she would.
Robert smirked down at her, trying, and failing to unbutton his shirt. Giving up after two sporadic undone buttons, and leaving the shirt on, hands going to his belt buckle, trying desperately to undo it, whilst swaying from side to side.
Whilst not aroused, Gemma was certainly amused.
Violet walked round the halls in shock. She had sent he broadcast and was desperate to find someone. Anyone. She did not know where Cyrus was, she knew he was in a meeting, but he could be anywhere in the Palace.
Helena had not been seen since breakfast. Violet hoped she was in her room. She began to make her way along the corridors, when she found Laura, pale faced and trying to look busy holding a tray of tea.
It was impossible to ignore the nerves in Laura, as the metal tray she was holding was shaking lightly. A light rattle filling the otherwise unnerving silence
"Laura!" she called. The young woman jumped.
"Violet" she smiled back. Both girls relieved to have found one another
"Did you hear the broadcast?" Violet asked, Laura nodded
"What do we do?" Violet asked
"Liam, Sebastian and Cyrus are in the Lords room. Though I can't imagine they'll stay there now. Gemma is with Robert. Len and Jasper are on their way. I was about to go out to the front to meet them" Laura explained
"I'll come with you" Violet offered, and the two women walked off.
Jasper and Len pulled up to the Palace. Usually, the journey up the driveway was a tedious one. Filled with dread, disappointment and a desire to be leaving. This time it was different. There was an air of urgency, excitement. This had hope.
They got out the car, and walked up to the front door, where Violet and Laura met them. After Willow's passing, Laura had been allowed to stay in the castle, taking the role as Palace Stewardess. Generally assisting in whatever was required. Which she had to admit, was less and less lately.
"Violet, Laura!" they greeted. She turned, not put down the tray she was holding to keep herself looking busy, and pulled them inside, walking quickly down the halls with the couple following.
"He's lost it" Laura said
"Lost what?" Len asked
"Everything. Common sense, he's mad. He's drunker than I've ever seen him, even Cyrus never got as drunk as Robert is now" Laura explained
"What's sparked his drinking tonight?" Jasper asked
"He's hasn't been sober since before Willow died. I think it's an accumulation of everything. Willow admitted to me before, that he was really struggling with the fact that the country is against him" Laura explained, turning up a flight of stairs
"That makes sense. Robert always needed to be liked, he just always assumed people liked him, he never had to work at being liked" Len explained
"He doesn't have the skills and envies you and Liam for your popularity" Violet explained
"Where is Liam?" Jasper asked
"Liam, Cyrus and Sebastian were in the Lords room … They were in a meeting with Robert just before his announcement" Laura explained
"And where's Robert?" Len asked
"With Gemma, in his office" Laura answered
"Poor Gemma" Jasper muttered
A dishevelled, messy-haired Grand Duchess zipped her dress back up, as Earl put his trousers back on.
"That was the best one yet" he stated
"Perhaps something to do with the fact that we know what's at stake. Adrenaline is a wonderful aphrodisiac" the Grand Duchess explained
"That it is" he agreed
"Where is everyone?" she queried
"The palace" Earl answered
"I am so fed up with siting here, waiting to be told what's happening. I am a part of this family too!" she exclaimed angrily
"We need to go to the Palace. I'm not sure what's going on, but we need to be there for it" Earl said
"I've never been more attracted to you" she smirked
"Oh, I think that sounds like a challenge" Earl teased
"If we get out of this alive, or at least not behind bars. How about we give it another try" she offered
"I think we have a dictator to take out" Earl smirked.
The pair checked themselves over and called one of the cars to take them to the Palace.
As predicted, Robert was unable to perform, which made his mood increasingly negative. Gemma reassured him, stroking his arm, explaining to him that she was not disappointed, that he had a lot going on at the moment, and she was sure he would make it up to her later.
"I've jumped the gun" he said softly to her
"What do you mean?" she asked supportively. He stood up, slamming his palm against the desk
"I've got nothing in place to support my new laws. How do I keep an ear out for treasonous whispers. How do I punish. The prisons aren't big enough to accommodate it. How would I execute?" he asked
"You are the King, the government and the ruler of this fine country. You will find a way, and the country will follow you" she assured him
"I am, aren't I" he said, perking up a bit, smirking and smiling
"You are. Now, you've told everyone what you want to achieve. You need to think about how to implement it. Get a plan. Make a plan" she convinced him
"What do you think? Streetlamps having audio devices? I could hire people to monitor them and listen. And it would be great for offering jobs" Robert said gleefully
"Now you're thinking! I'm just going to go to the ladies room, I'll be right back. Stay here, enjoy the fire, and start thinking about a plan. We can discuss it when I come back" Gemma said. He kissed her and she walked out.
"I can't take it anymore!" Liam said standing up. Cyrus and Sebastian looked at him.
"Dude, it's been like five minutes" Sebastian replied
"No. I've had enough time to think about it. This is unacceptable. We need to go and talk to him" Liam insisted
"And say what?" Sebastian asked
"I don't know. Anything? Everything?" Liam replied
"You said it yourself. You would be tried for treason" Cyrus reminded him
"But we can't let this go on" Liam responded
"What are you going to do? Kill him?" Sebastian laughed
"Maybe!" Liam shouted. Sebastian stopped laughing and his smile faltered at the sincerity in Liam's voice.
"You wouldn't" Cyrus replied lazily
"Come on uncle. How many times have you considered putting a gun to dad's head. Or Mine. Or Roberts" Liam replied, Cyrus getting more agitated with each word
"I would never -" Cyrus began but was cut off by Liam
"I've seen you pull the gun on me. That roulette shot missed me by inches!" he exclaimed
"I wasn't aiming at you" Cyrus defended
"Would you aim at him?" Liam asked, eyebrow raised
"ENOUGH! I've just got back in the good books, I am not killing the King now" Sebastian interjected
"No one was asking you to" Cyrus said snarkily
"You have it in you, uncle. Do it, and when I become King, I'll make sure you get what you deserve" Liam offered
"Well that just sounds ominous" Sebastian stated
"Liam you're acting as crazy as Robert" Cyrus replied
"The irony that statement coms from you" Liam rolled his eyes
"Listen, you little shit-" Cyrus said angrily
"We need to do something" Sebastian cut them both off
"Like what?" Cyrus asked
"Len. We need Len!" Liam interjected
"My cars out front" Sebastian offered
"Let's go" Liam stated. The three men stood, walking out of the room, a newfound pace between them as almost a run.
Gemma rounded the corner.
Sebastian, Liam and Cyrus rounded a corner
Len, Jasper, Violet and Laura rounded a corner
The three groups met in the Grand Hall. An echo of a collaborative scream echoed through the Palace. (Italics below)
Everyone began talking at once.
"Len we need your help!"
"Robert's lost his mind"
"What do we do"
"I have a plan"
"Does Helena know"
"ENOUGH!" Liam shouted, and silence fell
"Everyone to my room. Now" he added. Still in silence, the group followed him to his room.
Jasper, who as last in closed the door, as Liam. Put on music, to drown out the noise. Not that the bugs would matter anymore, they were either the walking dead, or about to be free.
"We need a plan" Liam stated
"What are you thinking?" Jasper asked
"Actually, we don't have anything" Sebastian commented
"Well, Liam suggested I kill Robert" Cyrus suggested
"You can't kill!" Violet replied sharply
"I wasn't going to" Cyrus promised, defensively
"Does anyone have a plan?" Laura asked
"We need to do something" Len agreed
"I know!" Gemma said, loud enough that everyone stopped to look at her.
"You know what to do?" Liam asked, a little relieved
"Robert is at his weakest, because he thinks that he is most powerful. If there was any time to take him down, it would be now" she explained, bringing everyone up to speed. They all nodded in agreement
"What do we need to do?" Len asked
"He thinks he's in control. He's scared. Why else would be act so irrationally. He knows that the country is against him, and he has no support. He hates it. He's put out a bloody law to state punishment, imprisonment, fines or even death for anyone conspiring against him! Even speaking against him. But he has no way of implementing it yet" Gemma explained
"He is the government though" Sebastian reminded her
"He is. But so far it is only his word. There is nothing in writing. By British Law, if he was to imprison or execute it would have to go through a court, and until he has a policy in place, approved by the Magistrates, then he cannot actually go through with his threats" Gemma explained
"How long would that take?" Violet asked
"He is writing the policy now. You're right, he runs the government so if he wants it to go through, it will. It could be in place tomorrow if he's efficient" Gemma explained
"So, what you're saying is we have tonight to take Robert down" Liam asked
"Exactly. We have until nine o'clock tomorrow morning to get him off the throne … After that, we have no chance" Gemma explained
"What time is it now?" Len asked
"Just gone eleven" Cyrus said
"Ten hours" Jasper calculated
"That's right" Laura confirmed
"How do we do it? How do we take him out?" Liam asked
"He's on a power trip. We need to remind him that he has no one on his side" Gemma explained
"The country will hate him for what he's just done. If we open the gates, if we tell the people we have until tomorrow morning to take him down, they would help us. We need more people" Len said
"Like we did with Ted Pryce?" Liam asked
"Exactly!" Len agreed
"We get the people to give justice?" Cyrus asked
"I think we need to" Sebastian asked
"Is it safe?" Violet queried
"None of it is safe" Gemma reminded them. "But as soon as we do this, Liam becomes King. We can't have people thinking Liam is bad too, or they might just overthrow the Monarchy itself. We need Liam and Len to lead"
"Let's gets some social media broadcasts out then. Let's take over, the way Robert did" Liam suggested
"Bring everyone to the Palace. It's one thing having people complain about you on social media, but actually in front of you. It might be enough to intimidate Robert" Len said
"Do you think he'd abdicate?" Jasper asked
"If the alternative was being killed by the people, I think so" Cyrus replied
"Someone needs to do the broadcast, someone needs to open the gates. Someone needs to get rid of the guards and aides, or get them to join our side. Someone needs to get the Palace ready for when they turn up, and someone needs to distract Robert so he doesn't know what's going on. I'll do that" Gemma Listed
"We'll do the broadcast" Len said, pointing between her and Liam
"I'm coming too" Jasper explained
"No. You and Sebastian go and open the gates. Go and bring the country in" Len told him
"I'm not leaving you" Jasper promised
"I'll be fine. Go open the gates then you can come and find me" she assured him
"What can we do?" Violet asked
"You, Laura and Cyrus, can go and talk, bribe, blackmail, threaten whatever you need to do to get the aides on our side. Lock them in a room if you have to" Liam told her.
"Let's do it, and all meet back here at midnight. We'll take it from there" Len stated. They all agreed, and went their separate ways
"How do we do this?" Len asked looking at her phone.
"I don't know how Robert took over everyone's devices. We might not be able to, I assume he did it in his office so the tools to do it are with him. We can't do it here" Liam explained
"That's such a shame. What if we don't get the views we need?" Len asked
"You had over a million likes on your last post within the first hour of posting... I think you'll be fine" Liam laughed
"Ok. Let's do this. Ready?" she asked, as she turned on a live stream on her phone. Liam nodded.
"People of Britain, we need you!" she begun
"I'm sure you've all seen Robert's broadcast. We hated it just as much as you do. I cannot stand by and watch my country become censored and dictated by him. We need to take him down!" Liam explained
"This is a revolution. Robert's new law cannot legally come into place until tomorrow. We have tonight to get him off the throne. If you're with us, come to the Palace now! Let's take our country back!" Len shouted
"Take our country back! Take our country back! Take our country back!" Len and Jasper cheered.
"Hurry, we don't have much time. We need to stand together on this!" Len explained, before cutting off the feed.
"Almost a million views. Share it, put some posts out. We need to get this out, now!" Liam urged. Between the two of them they did, and immediately had an onslaught of support, people stating how they were coming on their way, and in full agreement.
"Take our country back" was now the headline of all social medias.
"Ring Harper. Get her to share it too. Get her to come to the Palace and start building support" Len told Liam, who nodded in agreement
Harper Day say at her desk scrolling through her articles. She had around eight more already written against Robert. All of which were now redundant. Until, she saw a pop up, advertisement.
"Len and Liam fight back!" She clicked on it, and watched their speech. She trusted them, if they said it wouldn't start until morning she had to upload everything she had tonight.
She did. Every article, video, incriminating picture. Everything she had, she uploaded, and shared within an inch of it's life. Robert would be everywhere.
She smiled at her handy-work when the phone rang. Liam.
She answered it.
"What can I do?" She asked
"Share it. Get everyone to know. Get everyone to come. Do what you can to promote this. We need people now. The more the merrier" Liam explained
"I'm on it. I'll get everyone I can to come to the Palace" she promised
"And come yourself. Live stream from here. Get interviews. We need more anger against Robert to take him down" Liam explained
"I'll be there as soon as I can" she assured him
"We can't do this without you, Harper" Liam said, before hanging up the call
"Gemma!" Sebastian called as they all separated. She stopped and he walked over to her "I meant what I said. If we get through this, if we're free tomorrow, would you let me take you out?" he asked. She blushed slightly
"I wasn't sure how much of that was sincerity, and how much was for show. I didn't dare let myself think you would actually want me" she said softly
"Well, I do" Sebastian assured her
"Even after you've seen me completely abuse and manipulate Robert?" she laughed
"Perhaps more because I have" he smiled. She leant into him, and pressed her lips against his.
"Yes" she whispered. "Now go and open the gates so we can take him down" she smirked. He nodded, and ran off to catch up with Jasper"
Gemma walked into Robert's office. The Aide not batting an eyelid. She didn't think to knock, she didn't think it was relevant. And as Robert was so engrossed in his writing, she doubted he would have heard it anyway. Although she was relieved to see that his decanter was no emptier than when she left.
Although, for. brief moment she did consider that if he drank much more, he could have done the work for them.
"How is it going?" she asked, jumping onto the desk beside him
"Good. Do you think I should plant a bug in each house? Or just go through people's phone microphones to check on them?" Robert asked
"Are you going to listen to every conversation? Or would you just save it until you had reason to monitor people?" Gemma asked
"I suppose everyone, otherwise I won't know how compliant people are" Robert mused
"It would just be a lot of people to listen, it would be half the population, listening to the other half" Gemma queried. Robert paused. Then crossed through the paragraph of writing he had just finished. She heard distantly a clatter outside, and wondered if it was the people starting to fight. She had to keep Robert distracted. Just a little bit longer.
"Well let's come back to how. Let's think about punishments. What would qualify prison, what would be death, and what could be a fine?" she asked. Robert started to list ways of treason which would be punishable.
"Conspiring to kill the King"
"Creating negative press or opinions of the King"
"Sharing said negative press"
"Negative thoughts, views, opinions or conversations about the King"
"Negative comments about the Kings Decisions"
He continued listing, and Gemma could remember a time when she was guilty of each one. She realised then just how important it was to take him out tonight!
"That's all the kitchen, bedroom, laundry and servant staff on side" Laura said as she reconvened with Cyrus and Violet in the Great Hall
"Stables and Stewards done" Violet replied
"Security on the lower levels is convinced" Cyrus agreed
"What's left?" Laura asked
"Just Robert's personal Aides" Cyrus stated
"I don't think we're going to be able to take him down" Violet stated
"No. James Hill had to knock him out at Robert and Willows wedding" Cyrus admitted
"Do we take him out again?" Laura asked
"We might have to" Violet said
"How do we do it?" Cyrus asked. There was a brief pause.
"Follow my lead" Laura said, picking up a tray and walking out the room. Violet and Cyrus shared a look before following her out. A few steps behind, as Laura was walking with pace.
She rounded the hall to Robert's office, tripping on the corner of the rug. The tray and silverwear went clattering to the floor with a loud BANG. Followed quickly by the thump of Laura's body.
"Are you alright?" The aide said, stepping forward out of post, and dropping to his knees, to help a dazed Laura, who had one hand on her head.
"Where am I?" She asked weakly. The aide turned to look at her head, checking for injuries. Laura looked to Cyrus and Violet who had frozen after watching her fall. Nodding sharply. Violet nodded back, picking up a vase from the table and hitting the Aide over the head with it.
"My God!" Cyrus cried as the Aide fell to the floor, unconscious
"Did you not expect that of me, my love?" Violet asked meekly
"No. You don't surprise me at all. But that vase cost about five million British pounds!" Cyrus complained
"Well then it shouldn't have been left out, should it" Violet said nonchalantly. She walked over and helped Laura up
"Are you alright?" She asked sincerely
"I'm fine" Laura laughed "Come on, we need to get him out of here before he's seen on the cameras
"Where do we put him?" Violet asked
"The safe room in the tunnels" Cyrus said. They pulled him into the secret walls, and between the three of them, dragged the muscular man to the room. Locking the door.
"Now let's go get rid of all the stupidly overpriced things so when the people turn up, they won't get injured" Violet thought
"Good idea" Laura replied
Nigel Morefield picked his phone up. It had been going off constantly. Enough to wake him up. He reluctantly looked at the screen, squinting from the bright light, as he watched the broadcast by Robert.
By the end, he was sat upright in bed, wide awake. The next video that played, was the one from Len and Liam, requesting everyone to come and fight against Robert.
"Take our country back" he whispered to himself once the video had finished. He went straight to his messaging app. He had formed quite the army of revolutionaries back when Cyrus was King, and his desire to take over the country, to remove it from the Monarchy had grown ever stronger. Especially throughout Robert's reign.
If Len and Liam were right, then tonight he could take over without punishment. He needed to get to work. He needed to get to the Palace. He was dressed in the blink of an eye, his followers equally ready to go.
As midnight stuck, they all, minus Gemma who was keeping Robert away, gathered in Liams room again.
"Gates open" Jasper confirmed
"Guards gone. Staff compliant" Cyrus stated
"Ridiculously expensive vases and artefacts put out the way" Violet said, ignoring the smirk from Cyrus
"People are already starting to turn up. But there's no direction for them. They're just walking round the Palace. Shouting in anger and protest" Liam commented
"We need to go and find Robert. Liam, Len, Jasper. You go. The rest of us will rally the people" Sebastian said
"What are you going to do with them?" Len asked
"Bring Robert to the Great Hall. I'll bring the people in, and we can advertise a question and answer. Hopefully, as soon as there's that many people in, Robert won't get a word in, he'll crumble" Sebastian offered
"Then what?" Cyrus asked. Silence
"We do what we have to. Or the people do it for us" Liam replied.
Len turned to Jasper as they walked out the room, Jasper not willing to leave Lens side again. Not with as many people in the Palace as there was.
"Do you think this is it?" she asked him hopefully. Jasper looked out the window at the mass of revolutionaries marching across the bridge, into the Palace
"I hope so" he said, placing a soft kiss to her lips.
Sebastian, Laura, Cyrus and Violet wandered the halls, finding people everywhere. It was easy to lure them into the Great Hall, they were all very pleased to see the King. Not like they used to, when they wanted to be graced by his presence. No. Now they wanted to punish him with theirs.
The Great Hall was full. Harper was given a front row seat where she was live-streaming to the world. There were queues outside, out the room, out the halls and even out the Palace itself, people waiting to have their say, to take the King down.
The room was angry. It was intimidating. Sebastian sent Len a quick text, to let her know they were ready for Robert
Having received the text, Len and Liam got into action.
They walked in to Robert's office. Jasper waiting guard outside. Gemma smiled as she saw them.
"What are you doing?" Len asked, outraged, knowing if she riled Robert up it was more likely to weaken his persona
"The country was against me. I did what I had to do" Robert explained coldly
"There were a million things you could have done. Why this. Why become a dictator?" she asked
"You don't understand" Robert said
"Well neither do the people. There are thousands of them in the Palace now, wanting answers and explanations" Liam explained
"How did they get in" Robert hissed
"Robbie" Gemma said softly "This is for the best. Now you can go and lay the law down. Let them see how serious you are about all this" Gemma encouraged.
"Yes" Robert said, clearly very influenced by Gemma. "You're right. Come on. I have to show who is in charge" He stood and walked to the door, stopping when he got there
"There's no one here" he commented
"They are, they're in the Great Hall" Len explained. Robert scoffed and stormed out. Len, Liam, Gemma and Jasper following him
"Are we sure this was a good idea?" Gemma whispered to Len
"I hope so" Len whispered back.
The Grand Duchess and Earl Frost pulled up at the castle. Surprised. There were no aides to meet them. No one to lead them in. There was an entourage of people trying to push their way through, into the Palace.
There was no security. No one to greet them, recognise them and help them in.
They tried to push past, but the people seemed to have no interest in who they were. Their titles and rank meant nothing.
"This is bullshit" The Grand Duchess rolled her eyes. "Hey!" She hissed at a teenager who tried to steal her handbag from her arm. She swatted the bag, hit the child in the head, who promptly ran away, and she turned on her heel, back towards the car. Earl following close behind
"There must be another way in" he asked. She nodded
"Of course" she replied. They walked around the Palace until they came to one of the lesser-known doors. Half of the Palace staff did not even know about this one, let alone the public. They were able to get inside with ease. They saw the queue to get into the Great Hall, not wanting to fight their way into their too, The Grand Duchess pulled Earl a different way, and they walked up a narrow set of stairs
"Where are we going?" he asked
"To the Gallery" she said
"The Gallery?" Earl asked
"It's a smaller room, but a viewing point over the top of the Great Hall" she explained
They meandered up the hall until they walked into an observation room. As the Grand Duchess said, overlooking the Great Hall
"This seems rather small to host in" Earl commented
"It's not. It's for people who want to witness without being seen, though as of late it's been used for security for large events" she explained
"That makes sense" he replied as they looked over the edge and saw Robert, Liam and Len walking into a hall full of people
"Where's Helena?" The Grand Duchess asked
"I can't see her" Earl replied "Maybe she got stuck trying to get in too?" he asked
"No. People would have moved for her. Come, let's go" she said. She tugged on his arm and pulled him out of the room.
Helena was fast asleep. She was tired after a long day. She had been getting over her breakup with Mark by taking herself shopping. She had grown fond of the smaller businesses, and had gone off to a small town in the heart of the countryside, for a spot of shopping in some independent shops which were very grateful for her custom.
She had taken dinner in her room that night, and after a relaxing bath, with a glass of wine, she had gone to bed early. So fast asleep, she had missed everything, including Robert's broadcast.
She was rudely awoken by sharp banging on her door. She rolled over.
"Go away!" she called, trying to hide her head under the pillow, but not having much success. The knocking continued, and she recognised the voice calling her name
"Helena! Open this door at once!" her mother cried. She sat up in bed, wondering what her mother was doing here. She was staying in the Cottage with Len and Jasper … Something must be wrong.
Sighing, and picking up her dressing gown, she threw it on as she opened the door.
"What's wrong" she asked, trying to keep the sleep and anger out of her voice, but failing.
"My dear. Have you not seen the news?" The Grand Duchess asked
"What news?" Helena asked
"Oh. Sit!" Dutchie ordered. Reluctant, and a little awkward seeing Earl, Helena walked into her room and sat on the bed, as the Grand Duchess pulled out her phone. She tried to type something for a few minutes, a few curse words under her breath before she threw the phone at Helena.
"Google King Robert's Broadcast" she ordered
"Which one?" Helena asked
"Only one will come up" The Grand Duchess assured her. Helena typed it in, confused, and saw a video from around an hour ago
"What's he done now?" she asked
"Just watch" Earl encouraged, looking everywhere but the length of her exposed legs.
She watched the video, her face paleing at his words
"Can he do this?" she asked
"We don't know. But the revolution has begun" The Grand Duchess explained
"Revolution?" she asked
"The country has turned on him. Len and Jasper are leading people into the castle. Tonight, we take him out" Dutchie explained
"Where are they?" Helena asked
"The Great Hall" Earl replied
"Go and find the kids. Control the situation. I'll get dressed and meet you there" Helena assured them. They nodded, and walked out.
It took some bullying, but the couple were able to push their way in and to the front of the room. Watching as Nigel Morefield stood at the front of the room. Sebastian, Len, Liam, Gemma and Jasper all stood to the side. Clearly not defending Robert.
Cyrus, Violet and Laura were further into the crowds. A good view, but not close enough to get involved.
"I am the King of England" Robert's voice rang out
"You are unfit to rule!" Nigel countered.
"You think you could do a better job?" Robert taunted
"A draught excluder could do a better job than you" he replied
"If you understood how difficult this title was, you would be thinking differently" Robert assured him
"And yet I would run a country where the people could live in peace, not in fear. Where they could think what they wanted to, and do as they willed" he insisted
"But that is not Britain. Britain is serving the Monarch. Ruling a country with an iron fist" Robert exclaimed
"You're ruling with an Iron curtain!" Nigel insisted
"This is ridiculous. You can't all think like that" Robert called out to the room. There was a loud chorus of 'yes' through the room, before the cants started.
"Take our country back! Take our country back! Take our country back!" It repeated over and over. The energy in the room growing as Robert's anger was becoming more and more obvious.
"What's that? Take our country back? IT is your country!" Robert replied to the crowds before turning his attention to Nigel "Is this your doing?" he sneered
"It was theirs" Nigel smirked, pointing to Len and Liam. Robert was seething.
"My own blood, turning my people against me. Well, what a fine display it would be when you two are my first public victims of my new laws" he hissed.
"You've gone too far, Robert" Len said softly
"You need to stand down" Liam added.
"No YOU NEED TO STAND DOWN" Robert roared. "You want my throne, my crown, my country, brother?" he spat "You want it and you've turned everyone against me so you could take it for yourself!" he hissed
"You mean your mess, Robert" Lian replied
"You want it, you can fight for it" Robert snarled. He pulled the crown off his head and handed it to Len.
"Winner takes it all" The room ran silent.
"You're on" Liam replied
Helena was dressed, she was wasting no time. She fled from her room, and down a few floors. Until she reached the cellar. She walked past the Wine room, past the storage room, past the emergency panic room.
She picked up the key, which was hidden on the top of the frame and unlocked the door into the gun room. She was never a fan of guns. Simon always went hunting with someone else. She had gone with him once and realised it was the most miserable she had ever been. She had not gone since.
And yet, in this room, perhaps with the tensions of everything else which was going on around her, she felt Simon's presence. Touching her, like a hand on her shoulder. Guiding her towards his old gun. His preferred choice. An over and under shot gun.
She was not sure how to load it, but something deep within her took over. She cracked the barrel and inserted two shells. Cocking it and taking off the safely.
She left the door open as she walked out. Ready to put an end to it all.
Robert had pulled two ceremonial swords off the wall, behind the thrones. Passing one to Liam, and keeping the other to himself, they raised their swords, placed their non-sword-bearing hand behind their back, and bowed.
"You will regret this" he assured Liam
"No, I won't, Robert. You are an infection, you're infecting all of us, the country. You need to be taken care of" Liam replied back, as the first swing was taken, by Robert, Liam pushing his sword back, a metallic clang echoing out.
"I wouldn't be so hasty, Sparrow" Robert taunted. Two swipes in quick succession, both of which blocked by Liam. Jasper, watching from the side, pulled his gun out, just in case. Len noticed this and slipped her hand into Jasper's other.
"I've been waiting for this for a long time" Liam promised him
"And I bet you cannot wait to tell Dear Kathryn about your win, am I right?" Robert teased. A quicker swipe and Robert fell backwards.
"Don't say her name" Liam hissed, Standing over a fallen Robert, sword against his chest
"Kathryn?" Robert asked, unphased. "Didn't you find it funny that you never heard back from her. Just think about all those letters you sent, landing at an empty house" Robert said "I wonder where her car turned up. I suppose, I should have paid a little more attention. After all, it is my child she's carrying" Robert added.
Liam pushed the blade slightly into his chest. Robert winced, but did not move
"What did you do with her you son of a bitch" Liam hissed.
"What? You don't want to kill your dear brother now? What happened to wanting to take your crown?" Robert asked. Liam's eyes flicked to the silver crown in Lens hands. Robert took the moment of Liam's distraction to swipe his legs out. Liam's sword went clattering to the floor, as eh fell too.
Robert got up, sword in hand, pushing the blade up into his brother's neck. The sharp metal beginning to cut at his skin
"Where is she?" Liam asked
"It doesn't matter. She's gone. And so will you be" Robert teased. He kept his blade on Liam's neck, he looked up at the crowds
"Take a look people. This is who you wanted as your King. Why would anyone want you, Liam. Surrender" Robert taunted
"Never" Liam replied, his words choking on the blade
"You're quite the fighter aren't you. Shame that Kathryn wasn't the same. She was so easy" Robert replied.
"Maybe, to reinstate my point, the first execution should be public. And what could be more fitting than having the treasonous brother of the monarch, killed, beheaded in front of the people, in the Hall?" Rpbert asked. He pulled Liam up, kicking him in the back as he did, winding him. Holding hie head up by his hair, and pressing the blade against his neck, he looked out to the people once more
"Look at your King now!' He cried.
The echo of the gunshot rang through the palace. Len jumped, looking to see Jasper's hands empty. Those at the front followed the noise, to see Helena on the Gallery, gun still smoking in her hand.
They turned to look at Robert, who fell backwards. A clean bullet hole in his forehead. Liam collapsed as his dead brother fell. Looking out at the crowds of stunned people, then over to Len, who's eyes never left her dead brother's body.
Season six in progress. Let me know if you want to read it. Thanks for sticking with Season 5, let me know what you think!