"Hell is empty and all the devils are here." – William Shakespeare
Chapter 11
By the time her family and Simon returned in the late afternoon, Clary had managed to compose her feelings, and safely store her new dagger carefully in her room. She didn't really want to explain its existence to Jocelyn, or any of the others just yet, especially with everything that was going on in relation to Simon.
She was in the kitchen, her head in the fridge, when she heard the footsteps of her family, signalling their arrival home.
She quickly extracted herself and turned around and said, "Hi! How did it all go?"
"It wasn't the most enthralling of days," Jonathan said dryly. "Val and I spent several exhilarating hours in the Penhallow house while the Council was in session."
"Simon had quite a long day," Jocelyn added. "But he coped very well. He was asked a lot of questions, and he was examined by Brother Zachariah in front of the Council."
Clary gave a shudder. She knew from the title 'Brother' that her mother was referring to one of the members of the monasterial style group of Shadowhunters called the Silent Brothers. Visually they were a little creepy, and definitely very intimidating. The Silent Brothers only spoke telepathically, and were immortal. The process to immortality involved the application of runes to the skin that normal Shadowhunters would usually never use, due to how powerful they were. They were dedicated to knowledge and traditions of the Nephilim, as well as being archivists, researchers, librarians, scholars, and healers, among other things. The Silent Brothers lived in the Silent City and only kept to themselves, dedicated to their duties, unless their services were needed by other Shadowhunters.
"Was it very awful?" Clary asked Simon.
"Well, let's just say I've had more fun in calculus," Simon said grimly.
"Has the Council come to a decision?" Clary asked, realising that the silence on the matter probably not a good sign.
"The Consul and the Inquisitor will be making the final decision," Luke told her. "They've heard almost all they feel they need to hear. They've heard from Amatis, and Magnus, and they've also spoken with a projection of Raphael Santiago, who is from the New York clan, as well as being the vampire's Council representative. We're all quite concerned at this seemingly unprovoked attack on a mundane, and it appears that his supposed connection to Shadowhunters was the only reason he was targeted. Raphael informed us that Simon was taken by a vampire called Lily, who was until this point, not a rogue vampire, so it is something we will need to look into further once the matter of Simon is closed."
"Simon is not a matter, he's a person," Clary said firmly.
Simon gave Clary a grateful smile, which she returned.
"So, does he need to go back tomorrow?" Clary asked, hoping the answer would be no.
"Yes, and you've also been asked to attend. The five of you who were in New York are all being asked to attend, so that we can here from you all before the Consul and the Inquisitor make the final decision on what will happen to Simon," Jocelyn said gently, knowing Clary would not like the news.
Clary did not look impressed, but had assumed she'd have to speak to the Council at some point about her involvement in the whole thing.
"There's one more thing," Luke said hesitantly.
"They're going to question us with The Mortal Sword?" Clary guessed, a grimace on her face.
"No, not over this. They thought about it, but I spoke with Robert and convinced him it was an unnecessary step at this point," Luke answered. "Now, this isn't definite, but I wanted to give you some warning. The course of action they're leaning towards at the moment is having Magnus alter Simon's memories and send him back to his life in New York, and you won't be able to contact him again."
Clary sucked in her breath, but kept her calm. She had known that altering Simon's memories would be one of the viable options, in fact, she had told Simon so herself. Still, it pained her to hear that it would probably be happening, and soon.
"Happy birthday to me," Clary said wryly.
"I'm sorry sweetie," Jocelyn said gently. "Let's not talk about it anymore. Tomorrow will come soon enough. Let's just enjoy the rest of the day, and your time with Simon."
"Can Simon and I hang out until dinner?" Clary asked hopefully, wanting a chance to talk to him alone.
"Sure," Jocelyn said indulgently. "Luke and Jonathan can help me with dinner."
Luke and Jonathan did not look particularly thrilled about this, but seemed resigned to their intertwined fate.
Clary and Simon headed upstairs and settled down on Clary's bed in her room.
"I hate that you have to go back," Clary said impulsively.
"It's sad when you have to return your pet human to his home," Simon said dryly.
"I don't think of you like that, I think of you as a friend," Clary said seriously. "I don't have a lot of friends, and I don't usually like people straight off, but I like you, and I feel like I can talk to you."
"Well, I've enjoyed being here with you, once I got over the initial shock," Simon said with a smile. "It's really like I'm living a video game. Girls want to live fairytales, guys want to live their video games. So even though I won't remember it, I'm glad I have this now."
"What if you didn't have to lose your memories?" Clary said suddenly. "What if you went back to New York, and promised not to say anything about what you've learned about Shadowhunters, and Downworld? We could still be friends that way."
"Would they even allow that?" Simon asked dubiously.
"I don't know, it's not like there's really a precedent for this situation," Clary said thoughtfully. "They're kind of making things up as they go, according to the Law. But if I asked, they might allow it. My dad was pretty important, so my name has some sway. So do Isabelle, Alec and Jace, what with who their dad is. If they backed me up we might have a good chance of the Council accepting our proposal."
"If you think it's worth a try, then I'm for it," Simon said. "It would be hard to keep from gloating about this to my friends, but it would be worth it, to keep my memories, and be your friend."
"Okay, I'll ask Isabelle to back me up tomorrow, she does owe you after all," Clary said with a grin. "Now, I was going to tell you something, because I need to tell someone, and you probably weren't going to remember in a few days, but I don't know now."
"Well there's a chance I won't remember anyway, and even if I do, I'll be on another continent," Simon pointed out. "Besides, we're friends. You can tell me."
"Jace came over today, so I wouldn't be alone on my birthday," Clary shared shyly. "He gave me this."
She had pulled her dagger out of the back of a drawer next to her bed.
"Wow," Simon said in admiration. "He really wants to get into your pants if he's giving you something that elaborate."
Clary flushed and said, "We're not like that. I barely know him. He only kissed me for the first time today."
"Really?" Simon asked in surprise. "I just thought, from the way I noticed him looking at you, and you at him, that you were dating or something. You really hardly know him?"
"Well, I've known who he was since I was born, but we hadn't talked before this time last week," Clary revealed. "I feel like I know him, on some levels, but there's also a lot I don't know. I don't know if he really likes me, or just likes that I'm not like the girls he usually dates."
"Well, speaking as a teenage guy, we don't really waste our time chasing a girl if we don't really like her," Simon shared. "Sure, if a girl chases us we just enjoy the attention, even if we're not really interested, but it takes a lot for us to do the chasing."
"And you've had experience at this?" Clary asked dubiously.
"Well, not me so much," Simon allowed with a rueful grin. "But according to my friend Eric, that's the way it goes. He has this whole 'I'm in a band and I have groupies' thing going on in his head."
"It's just, I'm finding that the more time I spend with him the more I want to know about him, and the more I feel drawn to him," Clary explained shyly. "I don't want to fall hard, but I'm scared that I will. They say that as Shadowhunters we tend to love more recklessly, because our lives are often shorter, due to the danger of what we do. Part of me would hate to miss out on finding out what could happen between us, and part of me would hate to find out and lose him, either because he loses interest in me, or dies."
"Well, I don't think either of those things should stop you," Simon said frankly. "You're some super badass warrior, your love life should be a piece of cake compared to beheading things."
"Unfortunately we're not trained in romance, just in Shadowhunting," Clary said dryly.
"Look, from the way I see it, and I don't know much, about your relationship with him, or love, but if I felt the way about someone the way you seem to about him, and him about you, I would have to see where the relationship was going," Simon told her. "There's this show my sister Becky watches, called Grey's Anatomy, and it goes on and on about relationships, and I saw this episode once where they were talking about how it was good to be scared, because it means you've got something to lose. It doesn't mean you're going to lose it, it just means you should fight to keep it. You're a fighter, if you want something with this guy, you should fight for it."
"That's it, I'm really not letting the Council take you from me," Clary said with a shaky laugh.
"I'm considering letting them, I've turned into Dr Phil," Simon joked. "But seriously, I am starting to feel a bit like a girl. Is there something we can do to remind me that I'm good for something other than advice?"
"How about some archery?" Clary suggested, smiling indulgently. "There's a good half hour of light left."
They headed outside to use the last of the early evening light to do archery before the evening meal.
The next morning all the inhabitants of the Fairchild Manor were up early, ate breakfast, and then Jocelyn, Luke, Val and Simon were installed in the family carriage, with Clary and Jonathan accompanying it on their horses. They travelled as quickly as sensible toward Alicante to attend that day's Council meeting. Clary had not mentioned to her parents, or Jonathan yet, what she planned to ask regarding Simon. She didn't think they'd be particularly in favour of it, and might try to stop her.
They stabled the horses and walked past the silent Academy building – it was closed temporarily due to the 'emergent' state they were in due to Simon's appearance – to the Accords Hall.
Clary noticed Jace waiting out the front with his siblings, excluding Max. As she approached them she smiled at him, but instead of speaking with him grabbed Isabelle and said, "I need Izzy for a minute," and dragged her off. She supposed Jace would assume it was to talk about the day before, and that didn't really bother her, it was better than him knowing the truth for the time being.
"Izzy, I want to ask the Council to allow Simon to return to New York, with his memories of what happened, so we can stay friends," Clary whispered urgently. "I think they might let me, because of Valentine, and Luke's on the Council. If you backed me up, it might help sway them, because your dad is the Inquisitor."
"I don't know, Clary," Isabelle said uncertainly. "Dad probably won't like it, and it might backfire. Why don't you ask Jace? He doesn't mind doing things that shock people, and his family is pretty much as important as both of ours, plus he has that 'poor orphan' thing going for him."
"I didn't want to put him in the position of making that choice," Clary countered. "I thought you might feel like you owed Simon one."
"Let me think about it?" Isabelle asked. "It's the best I can do for now. Sorry."
"It's fine, I'm using the memory of my dead father, you've still got to contend with a living one," Clary acknowledged. "Don't worry about it."
The meeting began, with Jocelyn and Luke sitting up the front of the hall with Jonathan, Clary and Simon, and with Maryse with her children, with the exception of Max. In attendance were many of the members of the Clave who were in Alicante, including all of the Council members. Magnus was there representing the warlocks and a projection of Raphael was once again present for the vampires. Amatis was still in attendance, as well as a Silent Brother, presumably Brother Zachariah.
Alec was called on first, as the eldest, and they proceeded to go through according to age, from Jonathan, to Jace, then Clary and finally Isabelle. They all answered the questions they were asked, relating specifically to their trip to New York and what had happened with Simon, the vampires, and the Hellhounds. Clary refrained from making any commotion about Simon's fate during her testimony, she wanted to wait until they actually made their decision.
"The Inquisitor and myself will adjourn for fifteen minutes discussion," Jia Penhallow, the Consul announced. "We shall return with a decision. Thank you all for your cooperation and patience."
They left, and Clary turned to Simon and whispered, "I think they were pleased with our testimonies, but they would never rule to do anything but send you back with no knowledge of us, at least without it being suggested. When they come back and give the decision, I'll stand and protest."
"Don't do it if it will get you in trouble," Simon whispered in reply.
"It's fine," Clary said quickly. "Really."
Clary looked across the aisle to where Isabelle was seated and hoped that the dark haired Lightwood girl would back her up.
Robert Lightwood and Jia Penhallow returned in a little less than fifteen minutes and moved to address the Council.
"After considerable deliberation, following hearing from many reliable and knowledgeable sources, and from those involved in this situation concerning the mundane Simon Lewis, we have reached a decision. Simon Lewis will return to New York, under the protection of Amatis Graymark and Magnus Bane, where under the observation of Amatis, Magnus will alter Mr Lewis's memories so that he has no recollection of this experience," Robert announced.
Simon bowed his head as if in acceptance, but Clary stood immediately and said, "Please, Consul, Inquisitor, I would like to request that you consider an alternate option."
The Council members looked visibly shocked, and neither Robert nor Jia looked particularly pleased, but they did not seem as shocked as the other occupants of the room.
"Clarissa Morgenstern, you are here to give your testimony regarding this situation, and nothing else," the Consul said firmly.
Isabelle then stood suddenly and said, "Please Inquisitor, Consul, would you hear her request? As you know by now, Clary was the one who made sure that Simon was rescued safely, so it makes sense that she is most concerned with what happens to him in the future."
Robert narrowed his eyes, unimpressed at the position his daughter had backed him into, not only was she his daughter, but now that a Shadowhunter, even an underage one, had seconded Clary, it would be almost impossible to deny hearing Clary out.
Jia and Robert exchanged a look and then Robert said, "Fine. Clarissa, you may make your request."
"I petition that Simon be allowed to return to New York and keep his memories," Clary declared loudly, which caused much murmuring in the rows behind her. Her mother and Luke also did not look pleased, but Jocelyn did not seem surprised. "This situation is unprecedented, at least to my knowledge, so it's not likes there's any decision previously made that makes my suggestion untenable. Simon can swear to never breathe of our existence, and if he does, his memories can be taken. He's my friend, and I don't want him to have to forget about me."
"And how do you propose maintaining your friendship?" the Consul asked coldly. "Mr Lewis cannot just come here and visit during summer holidays, you know. You live here in Idris Clarissa, so it's not like you can visit him whenever you or he have time."
"We can right letters, I can see him when I'm in New York, my aunt does live there," Clary pointed out. "You could think about considering Simon as a candidate for Ascension."
"Clarissa, you must know that we have not accepted a mundane for Ascension in some time. Mr Lewis may not even be a suitable candidate," Robert countered.
"Please just consider my request," Clary implored in as dignified a manner as possible. "If not for my father, the Mortal Cup would no longer be ours to make Ascension a possibility. All I ask is that you consider what I've asked, consult with whomever you wish, just don't make your final judgement on Simon now. Thank you."
"We will do as you have asked Clarissa," Jia said after a moment's pause. "I am making no promises, but we will wait to enact our decision on Mr Lewis, in deference to you and your request. Please sit."
Clary sat, feeling quite overwhelmed, her hands shaking with adrenaline and nerves. She could tell from the looks that she was receiving from Jocelyn, Luke and Jonathan that she would be hearing about her actions as soon as they left the Accords Hall.
The Inquisitor and Consul were in quiet discussion at the front of the room, and several Council members had approached to join in. The rest of the room was also involved in murmured conversation when the doors opened to reveal a faerie. He had long black hair and was dressed in white armour.
Clary heard Luke whisper to Jocelyn, "So Meliorn is making an appearance, however delayed."
Clary then realised that of course the faerie was the Council representative of the Fair Folk, explaining how the Downworlder had gained access to Alicante while most of the city was at the Council meeting. Downworlders could only be admitted through the gates of Alicante with express permission, but as a Council representative Meliorn had some consequence.
Meliorn made straight for the front of the room and handed what looked like a large leaf to the Consul, then turned on his heel and walked straight out of the hall.
Clary noticed Isabelle apparently trying to catch Meliorn's eye, but the faerie kept his expression blank and looked straight ahead, which caused Isabelle to give a huff of irritation. Clary was just as curious about Isabelle's behaviour as she was about Meliorn's appearance and exit, as well as what the note he had delivered said.
Clary turned her attention to the front, where Jia had apparently finished the note, looking rather white, and then handed it to Robert, who was reading it with a quickly growing expression of alarm on his face. Clary looked across the aisle and met Jace's eyes, who had the same look of concerned curiosity on his face.
Robert cleared his voice and the now silent Accords Hall looked at him, waiting with baited breath.
Robert began to read, "The Seelie Court wishes to advise the Nephilim of the intention of the Fair Folk to declare war on all Shadowhunters and all who support them, unless Jonathan and Clarissa Morgenstern are delivered to us as a gesture of goodwill as well as a promise for neutral meetings to discuss changing the Accords as they affect the faeries. We are tired of being oppressed by the Nephilim and we shall no longer bow to their rule. If you refuse, in forty eight hours we shall commence war against you like have never known before. Our numbers and allies are far greater and more powerful than you could imagine. Choose wisely. Queen of the Seelie Court."
AN: Thanks for reading! Apologies for the cliffhanger - it is the first one at least :)
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