Arthur, who are you? The group forms a viable plan. Darkside faces an old enemy and Morgana meets a new one. Oh yeah... Liberty
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This is the same scenario with Arthur's previous battle with himself. This time it's lightside vs. dark. Lightside is first person this time, and Darkside is third. Lightside's thoughts are flanked by two open circles. When it is just the two of them their internal battle is separated by paragraphs, so it's less confusing. When in the presence of others though, they are back together. I don't think it's as bad this time and it's only one chapter.
"No, I swear. I saw him."
"That's bollocks, Jacqueline, and you know it."
"No, Camille, I did. I don't know why he's here, but I promise you, I saw the prince."
The mentioning of the young monarch caught Elena's attention. "Uh, excuse me? Did I hear you just say you saw the prince?"
"Yes, I promise. I'm not lying. I..."
Elena stops listening after the confirmation. Yes. Yes means the prince is there. Yes means the prince flew home early. Yes means he's not staying away. Yes means he's not keeping his promise. Yes means he only has one target. "Merlynn." Her eyes widen in horror at the realization. Fuck! Oh god, oh god, oh god. And that begins her frantic search for the witch.
Gwen spots Elena from across the room, and can see her panic. "If you'll excuse me." She politely withdraws from her conversation and makes her way to her roommate. "El, what's the matter?"
"Have you seen Merlynn?!"
Gwen shakes her head. "Not for a while. Why?"
Elena's now running her hands through her hair with worry. "Fuck!" She dashes across the hall towards Sefa and Elyan, the bride right behind her. "Please tell me one of you has seen Merlynn!"
"Not for probably a half hour. Maybe longer." Both members of the Camelot Twelve are alarmed with the maid of honor's behavior. "Why? What's..."
Elena isn't waiting for people who don't know anything. She next sprints to the bar to speak to Percival and Mithian, an entourage on her heels.
Lancelot spots his bride chasing around the blonde who has now been joined by Elyan and Sefa. He catches up with them. "What's going on?"
"We don't know. We only know Elena is panicking and trying to find Merlynn. You haven't seen her, have you?" The groom shakes his head.
"Have either of you seen Merlynn?" Elena is panting.
Both friends leaning into the bar are alerted to her presence and notice the group surrounding her. "What's going on?" Mithian asks.
"Merlynn! Have you seen Merlynn?!" Elena is practically shouting, and Gwaine's ears zero in on his girl's distress. He's there in seconds.
"No, I haven't seen her since the dance floor." Mithian answers while Percival shakes his head.
This has the blonde tearing up and pacing.
"Elena, love, what is wrong?" The rogue holds his girlfriend, trying to calm her.
The group is all standing around wanting the answer to that question as well.
"Arthur's here."
Gasps, eyes widening, jaws dropping, and worry spread through the eight of them.
"How do you know Arthur's here, love?"
"I overheard someone talking about how they saw the prince."
"Who? Who did you hear?"
Elena scans the room for the woman who claimed to have seen the future king. "There." She points to the other side of the hall.
"Did she say where she saw him?"
"Uh..." She thinks back. How stupid! She forgot to ask. "No."
"Let's first go and ask her. Maybe it was just someone that looked like him." Gwaine is rationalizing for his girlfriend.
Leon is slumped in a chair at a random table across the dance floor. The alcohol finally got to him, ailing him with a pounding headache. Through blurred vision he glimpses the group all congregating together. His friends don't look like they're socializing, and in fact, seem alarmed. He instantly sobers, his concern driving him to join the others. Pain be damned.
"Excuse me?"
The two women look up and are surprised to see the small gathering of people, including the bride and groom, surrounding their table. "Uh, yes?"
"Sorry to bother you, but my girlfriend heard you mention that you spotted the prince somewhere."
Leon positions himself on the outskirts of the group. He nudges his giant friend. "Hey, what's going on?"
Percival turns and beholds the first knight. "Leon! Have you seen Merlynn?!"
"I didn't spot him somewhere, I actually talked to him."
"You're such a liar, Jaque."
"I did too, it was outside the..."
"Last time I saw her she was on her way to the..."
"Loo."
"Loo."
The group all look between the eye witness and first knight.
Oh no.
--
"Come on, love." The prince is lightly tapping his witch's cheeks, who seems to have passed out.
"Hmm?" Her eyes start to flutter open.
"Hello there, beautiful. Wasn't sure I could wake you." She's so adorable, floating in and out of consciousness. "You're really addled, love, and I'm thinking maybe you should go on home now. You've had quite the night, and I can let everyone know."
Merlynn's head is swimming in confusion. It's like she doesn't know which way is up or down. The word 'home' brings pleasant feelings, though, so it must be a good idea. Her vision drifts north into the eyes of the prince, realizing then she's cradled in his lap. "Wha... what happened?"
Woah, she's seriously out of it! He's never heard of someone fainting from orgasm. Maybe the soulmate connection intensifies the sensation. Arthur regards it as a compliment, which he accepts with pride. "We had a good time. But as much as I would love to take you out of here and swing you around on the dance floor, I'm thinking you're done for the night. Looks like you need sleep."
"Sleep?" Yes, that does sound good. Her lids begin to fall draping her eyes with darkness.
He wishes more than anything he could take her back to his bed, enfold her into his sateen sheets, cloak her with his down comforter, and cuddle around her, but... He sighs. Mournfully, it isn't time... yet. "No, no, no, sweetheart. I meant at home." Your home. Damn. "Can you teleport, or do you need me to take you?" God, she's precious.
"Teleport?"
"Yes, love. Teleport home. Can you teleport home?"
Merlynn has to think. Focus. Home? Home in her flat. Her room. "Home." Her eyes glow.
Arthur regrettably feels his queen disappear from his arms and hopes she went to the right place. The prince rises to his feet and tucks himself in. He tears some toilet paper from the roll and wipes his spend off the floor, then exits the cubicle to go and wash his hands. As he peers at his reflection in the mirror, he feels no guilt. In fact, the blonde is proud he kept his word and didn't fuck her, satisfied for now with the oral sex and peep show. At the very least he has the images and memories for wank material, and if that doesn't work he has some lovely souvenirs. Her bra dangles from his finger tips while he fists her knickers in his pocket. The future king smirks to himself as he finally exits the site of his debauchery, nonchalantly whistling in contentment. Pleasant memories.
--
The Camelot 'Nine' are nearly all sprinting to the loos and stop short when they come face to face with the royal himself.
"Arthur." Gwen's tongue is caught in her throat. She had hoped... no, prayed they were wrong.
"Arthur, what are you doing here? I thought I told you not to come."
"Yes, well, I got back a little early, Lance. And I thought I'd at least make an appearance at my old friends' wedding. Congratulations by the way."
"Where's Merlynn?" Elena is barely holding it to together.
Arthur scratches his head. "Ah, yes Merlynn... Merlynn had to go home a little early. She was a bit... tired." He says smugly, recalling his time with his queen.
"You son of a bitch!" Gwaine takes a swing at the bastard.
Arthur easily dodges it, but the swift movement has the witch's panties falling from his pocket. The whole group, including the rogue, freeze at sight of the garment. The prince stands proudly at the proof of claiming his Goddess.
"You sick fuck!" Now the duke is unhinged. No one is restraining him, too stunned at the evidence of their friend being assaulted... again.
"You don't want to do that, Gwaine." He warns. The blonde isn't bothering with any offensive maneuvers. They aren't necessary.
"Oh I do. I really, really do." Gwaine continues throwing hollow punches at the prince.
Arthur sighs. He asked for it. "Emrys, Emrys, Emrys."
--
Merlynn arrives in the same pose she left, materializing in her room, reclined on the plush carpet. What happened? Everything seems muddled, and she can't pass a coherent thought. She precariously pushes herself up and wobbles to her feet, staggering over to her floor length mirror. A single glimpse of her dressed in her bridesmaid's gown is all it takes, and she's flooded with memories of the evening. She remembers. She remembers everything. Merlynn shields her eyes and steps away from her reflection as if concealing the visual will change the reality. The acceptance of the truth overwhelms her and she slumps onto her bed, convulsing in sobs. Merlynn doesn't know how long she's there before she starts feeling the pull. Oh no. Nooo! Without thinking she bolts, somehow believing she can outrun the vacuum to the other side. She can't.
They all stand by as their witch phases into view, observing how the summoning works for the first time.
"Ahhh!" As soon as she manifests, the prince is shielded, which the duke strikes at full strength.
"Gwaine!" The group hauls away the injured rogue.
Merlynn's struck dumb at Magic hurting her friend.
While everyone else is distraught at the image of their girl. She looks terrible! Blotchy cheeks, glassy eyes, runny makeup, and on the verge of collapse. But the worst of it... The very essence that makes Merlynn, Merlynn... her smile... is gone.
"Merlynn." Gwen's heart breaks for her endearing, lovable friend.
The witch weeps in remorse. "I'm so sorry, Gwaine." Head hung low in shame. Next thing she knows the future king is behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder.
"No need to apologize, sweetheart. You were just doing your job, and I warned him." He brushes his lips against her bare shoulder then trails butterfly kisses up her neck. A fresh stream of silent tears flow from Merlynn's eyes.
The Camelot legends are confounded at this supposed greatest king there ever was. This audacious man with no remorse, who finds it completely acceptable to molest their friend and his alleged love of his life.
"They seem to think, love, that I shouldn't be spending time with my own fiance, my queen, my... soulmate."
The group is despondent and anguishing for Merlynn, furious with their powerlessness to help. Leashed by the victim herself to come to her aid. To be tethered to a man and manacled, forced to click your own bracelets shut and throw away the key. It's horrific... and there's nothing they can do about it.
"What do you think, angel? Should we be spending time together?"
Merlynn doesn't speak as salty waves continue to streak her face.
Seems like his soulmate needs a little persuasion. She needs to remind these people to whom she belongs. Arthur continues to hold her waist and uses one hand to slide up her torso between her breasts and wrap around her neck. He whispers sensually, "Merlynn?"
Each one of the Camelot women are wrapped in a knight. As females, this crime is especially heinous, and they can't believe they're witnessing it.
The witch's voice eludes her, and she can only stare stoicly at nothing as she's publicly defiled.
"Merlynn?" He gifts her an open mouth kiss behind her ear. Hmm, guess that wasn't enough. Starting at her shoulder, he slips his hand beneath the chiffon material and caresses the bare skin. The feather touch of his finger tips grazes the smooth ivory and drifts lower and lower and...
"Yes!" Goddess was he honestly going to fondle her in full view of their friends?!
Well, that broke her from her stupor. Arthur smirks at the group. "Good girl. Now my Goddess, I don't think I'm welcome here anymore. I think you should take me home."
Home. His home. The home where he violated her, took her innocence, stole her home, lost her fiance, and tied her to him for eternity. Yeah, sure. Let's go there. She turns to face the prince. "I will uh... take you home. Just let me heal Gwaine first... Please?" Have to get permission from the master.
Oh his sweet, benevolent angel. Always thinking of others. "Certainly, love."
Merlynn pivots back towards the Camelot 'Nine' and approaches the duke. She holds her palm out to receive his hand.
Gwaine lays the injured appendage down caught in her dead eye gaze. "You don't have to do this," he whispers.
"Yes, I do." Her eyes flare and she waves her hand.
When they fade back to blue Gwaine flexes his fingers and twists his wrist, testing the range in motion. "I meant you don't have to go with him."
"I know." She slowly returns to her destiny.
At half a meter's distance from him Arthur lunges forward, seizes Merlynn's wrist, and yanks her into his chest, the sudden movement causing her to gasp. Arthur takes advantage by crashing his lips to hers and forcing a deep mouth kiss. While he continues to devour her he smirks at the Camelot 'Nine'.
Merlynn can't handle the audience anymore. She's beyond disgraced. With his tongue still in full exploration mode, her eyes glow gold. Then both the Once and Future King and Emrys vanish.
The group is stunned. Did that really just happen? Did they honestly just watch their long time friend torment and harass their witch, after proving his earlier sexual assault? This can't possibly be real, can it? This is some weird dream they all are sharing. Maybe it's magic... or maybe it's the truth and their witch... is in serious trouble.
"Lance?" The groom's eyes look to his bride. "Please tell everyone to go home... I'm done."
--
In the library of Ambrosia a warlock continues to pour over every tomb, sometimes multiple times. After he was healed from his burns, he's thought of nothing else. He barely sleeps. He barely eats. His father and friends bring him food. The librarian has given him his own room. Everyone who knows is encouraging, all desperate for him to save their girl. Others may not understand, but they trust their high priest and support him in faith. Healers have to come in from time to time to check on him and sometimes use magic to keep him functioning. After all, bodies need food and sleep.
He's spoken to every magical creature and inquired of their knowledge. But no one can compete with the power of Emrys. The dragons aren't helpful at all. 'Friend is foe, foe is friend. Loyal is traitor, traitor is loyal'. What the hell does that mean? So he continues to work tirelessly day and night. He knows he can't take her from the King. But if he could just... then she'd at least have something back. "I won't stop, dragonlady. I'll never stop." He can't fight her magic. It's a waste of time to try anymore, but maybe he can make it ineffective.
So the search begins with a new goal in mind, but for the same purpose, Mordred and Merlynn united again. Days go by as he follows all the little rabbit trails of possibilities that always lead to nowhere. He won't allow himself to be frustrated. He won't let himself get discouraged. No, those are just the first steps to failure, the first steps to surrender. Never! He will search til his last breath... Fortunately he doesn't have to.
His eyes widen and is mouth gapes, then a broad elated smile forms across his face. He springs to his feet, shooting his fist into the air in victory.
"I've got it!"
--
The atmosphere is thick with tension. This time the Camelot 'Nine' are assembled at Percival and Elyan's flat. It also resides in student housing, so the layout is the same as the girls'. However, their's hasn't had the Emrys makeover and looks more like the trio's original average uni lodgings. Needless to say the Camelot 'Nine' are scattered around a living room furnished with hand-me-downs and unmatched furniture. No one cares about the setting or the comfortability of the crammed flat, however. No, their minds are consumed with a single thought... Merlynn.
"I can't believe I got married yesterday. What's supposed to be the best day of my life ending so tragically." Gwen realizes her mistake and eyes widen facing her husband. "I'm sorry, Lance! I... I mean, you know I love you, but... I mean not like I... shit!"
"It's okay, love. I know what you mean." He lifts her hand to his lips, bestowing her a gentleman's kiss, and smiles tenderly. "Trust me. I feel the same way."
"Uh... how... how was she last night?" Percival asks.
The only roommate of their witch now glances up from her previous gaze at the floor. What an infuriating question. And stupid. "How would you be?!"
"Elena, my heart, you don't need to get snappy. Everyone wants to know how she's doing." His girlfriend has been on edge like he's never seen her before. Normally he's the one needing placating, but this time it's her emotions that are out of control. Gwaine wraps his arm around her, attempting to sooth her fury.
"I'm sorry, Perce. She's just... she's horrible, awful, wretched! Pick one or all!" A single tear rolls down her cheek, but she angrily wipes it away. "All she does is cry or do that staring contest with the wall thing! She didn't sign up for this bullshit! She thought she was going to be bodyguard to her King, not sex slave to the prince!" The blonde's fury deflates, leaving only despair. "I uh... I slept with her last night. I just held her until she eventually cried herself to sleep." Elena remembers how her shirt adhered to her skin, her roommate's tears acting as adhesive. "Fortunately, he didn't rape her when she took him home. Thank god for small mercies, right?" She smiles sarcastically. "But he definitely did stuff at the reception." She's sitting with her legs crossed on the floor with her head bowed as she picks fuzz out of the carpet. "She uh... I don't think he's uh... I don't think he's forced her to pleasure him. I mean... she didn't even know what a jobby was, which I probably shouldn't have mentioned. It horrified her, and now she thinks it's only a matter of time before he demands that. But she did know about women if you know what I mean." They nod in understanding. "She's so scared, and... Fuck, he took everything! Her first words to us were he destroyed her, and she was right. He took her virtue and innocence. She lost her home and her fiance. She discovered she exists for nothing more than being a shield and weapon for her rapist. And said rapist tied her to him for all of fucking eternity! All that power, capable of controlling the elements, could bring the entire planet to its knees, yet she can't do what she wants most in the world..." They look to Elena to continue as if they didn't already know. "...kill herself, people," she says annoyed they needed the reminder.
They knew. Of course they knew. With the position she's in, who wouldn't? But to hear it said, to have those words now floating into the ether, and to have it all be reality...
"God, Merlynn. I'm so sorry. I just... I don't know what to do!" Elena crashes, tucking in on herself as she bawls.
Her boyfriend drags her back into his chest where he enfolds her in his arms, rubbing her back. "It's okay, my love. You cry all you need. I'm here."
Elena's wailing is muffled by Gwaine's shoulder, but it's clear to all the power of her cries, and the tears are becoming contagious. Everyone is either weeping, shedding random tears or eyes are full and glassy. After a few emotional minutes someone finally breaks the silence.
"That's just it, Elena. There's nothing we can do," Sefa says.
"No. We can still keep Arthur preoccupied. He's not going to do anything around us."
"Uh, hello? Are you forgetting after the reception, Mr. Noble Knight?"
"I meant more serious, Gwaine."
That comment has Mithian springing out of her seat. Only a man would think molestation wasn't serious. "He was going to feel her up right in front of us, Lance! And the motherfucker was proud of it! He was rubbing it in our faces! He wants to show us, any other man that shows any interest... hell, the whole fucking world, that she is his!"
"Mithian, calm down. He's not saying that what he did was any more acceptable than... the other... things. All of it is wrong, but if we can keep him focused on something else... That's all you were saying, right Lance?" Percival rubs her calf to pacify her fury as he leans against the chair. She squeezes his shoulder with an appreciative smile and replants herself behind him.
He nods. "Yes. God, please don't think for a second I'm making light of any of this. Shit, I'm still having nightmares about my stag!" Gwen motions the truth of that statement. "I mean things where Merlynn being there would cause a problem. Like uh..." Options start filling Lance's head. "...footie game! Or in class. Or she's in class. I don't think he'd jeopardize her education for a random hookup. Just... I don't know. You all come up with some."
"I think those are all good ideas, and we should come up with more, but there is something else we all need to talk about that hasn't even been mentioned in a while." This has been in the back of Leon's mind, but it always paled in comparison to the present issue.
"Okaaay. Go on, first knight."
"Thank you, Mr. Wise." Smart arse. "Has anybody done anything with Liberty lately?"
"Shit! I forgot about that. Sefa and I can pick up where we left off, but the problem is, while we've been dealing with... this..." She gestures the previous topic. "...that list has grown, by quite a bit, I imagine. And guess who is the only one that has access?"
"Fuck. Arthur." The thought was pretty well universal.
"Exactly."
They all stare between each other, no one wanting any contact with the royal.
"I guess I'll talk to him. Keep it professional. Technically, he's my boss, so if I keep that in mind I should be able to stomach it."
"That's an issue, there. What about Merlynn's job as bodyguard? Is she seriously gonna be forced to protect that fucker?" Elena asks. God, how much worse can it get for their friend?!
"Uh, I have been thinking about that. Don't think I haven't. I'm not sure I can get away with not giving her any assignments and not raise suspicion. But I can control the types of assignments. If she could have only jobs where the prince is kept busy. No more spectator details like the opera. He found her at intermission, and we already know glamours don't work, not with that fucking GPS they have on each other from their bond. So things like a footie game where he's playing or visits to the children's hospital. There's another benefit coming up. I won't have her work that. He's supposed to give a speech and socialize, but it would be too easy to pull her into an empty room. I wouldn't even put it past him to use a closet or an isolated corridor."
Disturbing thought, but the group can't help but agree. Arthur has become callous and unfeeling to others, especially Merlynn. He's so self-absorbed now, she has to be poised at all times to satisfy the prince whenever his needs arise, literally.
"Okay. Those all sound good, the jobs and keeping busy stuff. But what do we do about the nights?"
"Elyan's right. What's to stop the royal arse from summoning her at three o'clock in the morning for more Aussie kissing?" Sefa asks.
What do they do? It's not like one of them is going to be having sleepovers with the heir to the throne every night. And even if someone were to stay with Merlynn, they can't prevent her from being 'called' away. So the legends mull over other possible solutions.
"Alcohol."
"You would think of booze," Elyan says.
"No, no. I think Gwaine's onto something. If he's drunk and hungover, he's not going to be thinking about sex."
"See. Thank you, Perce."
"Okay, that works for some nights, but you can't get him drunk every night. We need more ideas."
"My wife is right." He winks to her at her newest title. "No one would believe he was drunk every night either."
"What about exhaustion? Wear him out in some way." Mithian suggests.
"Make the bastard sick." Elena would volunteer.
"All right, remember we have to spread this over two to three weeks." Percival is typing notes into his phone. "We have pissed, exhaustion, and sick so far."
"We can do a couple sleepover things. That won't be suspicious." Elyan suggests.
"Sleepovers. Got it. What else?"
"What about something about Merlynn that he wouldn't pull her away from?" Sefa wonders if Arthur would even care at this point, but hey, they're brainstorming.
"Like her mother. Arthur wouldn't call her away from Hunith, would he? Or... shit, maybe he would. I don't know. That man is not who I grew up with, so there's no telling what he would do."
"No. I think it's a good idea. Gwen moved out, so we have the extra bedroom. And it's not like Arthur wouldn't believe it. Especially since he knows the rape was not kept secret."
"What about if we need her for something? Like maybe she's helping us study for a test. I mean, Lance and I probably wouldn't work, because we have each other. He wouldn't believe we'd need her help. But the other uni students would."
"Uh... I'm not so sure about that. I mean using us as blockers at a reception is one thing, but I don't think Arthur would be okay with Merlynn spending time alone with Elyan or Percy. Especially all nighters."
"Leon's got a point. I think Percival and I should be out of the running for study buddies."
All heads bob in agreement.
"Okay, I've added Hunith and study partners."
"What about if she's sick? I think he might want to take care of her. In his sick, twisted mind he sees them as lovers. But at least he won't be pushing for anything sexual."
"True. Oooh, Mith, she could probably fake a fever with magic! Good idea. I could really play it up, too," Elena says.
"What about we need the princess? Like maybe something to do with his credentials as prince. Like a concert, to get backstage passes."
"Is there anything that would make him just not in the mood for it? I honestly can't think of anything. His sex drive has been insane lately, but, I don't know. What would be bad enough to really turn him off?" Elyan asks.
"It would be a good idea for a normal person, but you're right. It's like nothing's getting that boy down. His libido is almost supernatural."
Leon eyes Sefa. It does seem supernatural, doesn't it? He can't seem to be satisfied. "We know Arthur hasn't been spelled or enchanted. Merlynn's been looking for any magical influence daily. But what about other things? Like did someone switch out his vitamins and replace them with Viagra?" If he remembers correctly she's immunized him for all poisons, but what about normal drugs. "It has to be something. Its like he's possessed, incapable of controlling himself. At this point I almost wonder if our Arthur is locked in a room somewhere, and this is a look alike. We know it can't be magic, but there are look alikes out there. Shit, some people make a career of it."
"Fuck, you don't know how bad I want that to be true, but sadly we know he is our princess because of the magic. It wants this Arthur. It forced Merlynn to 'bond' with this Arthur. Unfortunately, the man over there," He gestures in the direction of the prince's address. "...doing whatever the fuck he does in Kensington, is the Arthur Pendragon that we all knew and loved. And god, do I hope he is alone."
"I still care about him, Gwaine. I know he is our Arthur, but I also know something is seriously wrong with him, and whatever it is he doesn't have control of it. Here, you want to know where I personally stand on this whole thing. My heart breaks for Merlynn, and I will do everything in my power to help her. I also know Arthur has gone mad for whatever reason, and I hope it fixes itself when the memories return. Because if not... if not, Arthur and I are done. I cannot be friends with a practicing rapist and sex abuser, especially to my friend. So, there you go. That is Sir Lancelot's, the noble knight's, stance on the Once and Future King and Emrys."
Everyone is surprised by their normally introverted knight proclaiming his opinion so vehemently. They also think that as angry as they are at Arthur, they need to wait for the prince and witch's birthday before they pass their final judgment. One by one each member of the 'Camelot Nine', in their own way, affirms the man's declaration. The assent from Gwaine is hesitant but eventually passes.
"So now I'm adding Merlynn sick and us needing the prince for something. That's everything."
Enough talking. Need action. "Now, after everything we talked about, here's what we need to do." Time to live up to his namesake. "We will make a schedule both day and night for Merlynn duty and Arthur duty. When whoever is not on the calendar, they need to be working on Liberty." He turns his attention solely on the blonde. "Elena, you need to contact Hunith about her possibly coming. We'll need to fit it somewhere on the schedule. I have all the prince's plans arranging his security, so I'll enter those dates as well. Finally, I'll talk to Arthur asap and see about getting that new list for Liberty. Did I miss anything?" Leon inhales for some much needed air that evaded him during his rapid dialogue. Everyone wags their heads, then he motions with a single clap."Good, let's get to work."
It took the rest of the day but the group set up a comprehensive schedule prior to their founding legends' birthday. People decided with the severity of both situations being so critical, these particular issues have precedence over other obligations, and call for complete focus. The Camelot 'Nine', one by one, either are using vacation time or temporarily switching to online classes. They have a new job.
Plan: Save Merlynn. Save Arthur. Save magic.
It's on.
--
Each priestess faces their bedroom looking glass in a three-way conversation. Morgana is unable to visit the temple that day, too swamped with royal responsibilities and her own work against Liberty. However, her fellow witches need an update on the previous evening's events before she begins her tasks.
"So, he definitely took it up a notch. He didn't rape her again, but he did assault her in a public restroom at the reception. If I understand correctly, he also almost molested her in front of the entire group, with no reservations about doing so."
"That's good," the eldest says with glee. "That type of public humiliation is exactly what we need to push her over the edge."
"Why are you so happy about this, Nimueh? Don't you realize how terrible this is for her? How frightened she must feel? I understand it's necessary, but we don't have to be relishing in someone's pain. Especially to someone so innocent and thoughtful. That woman would volunteer for the pyre to save us. She deserves our respect, not disdain. Where the fuck is your compassion?!"
"You are one of the legendary heroes, Morgana, not me. I never claimed to be. I only want to save magic, and I need your help to do it. I'm well aware who you are now, and have made sure to devise a plan that you would be maybe not comfortable with, but willing to do what we have to."
"You make me feel like a villain. I am no longer an antagonist in this story! I refuse. I love both my brother and Merlynn. I don't give a fuck about your rancor and resentment towards them! I will protect them from you if I have to."
Nimueh smirks at the witch and leans in closer, staring direct into the princess' eyes. "Oh, honey. If you think you can take me on, be my guest."
"Ladies!" The blonde frequently has to act as mediator between the two powerful women. "Arguing amongst ourselves isn't going to get us anywhere. Nimueh, if you want to bask in all the suffering this scheme is causing, then do it on your own time. I'm with Morgana. I left that life behind a long time ago and have no desire to go back." Morgause turns her gaze towards her sister. "Morgana, I hate to say it, but the fact of the matter is, Nimueh is correct. It has to be severe enough Emrys is willing to leave everyone behind. Like you said, she would tie herself to the pyre for a stranger. So we have to get past her compassion, push her enough that she would be willing to leave this world without its Goddess incarnate. To sacrifice the savior against the good of magic. She has to know that without her she's basically signing Arthur's death warrant. Can you imagine how bad it has to be for her to abandon her very reason for existence? Without Emrys or Arthur as far as she knows there will be no united Albion, no peace and prosperity. What would it take for her to forget the purpose for which she was created to save herself? This is going to get bad, sister. Unfortunately, it has to. I hate it. I really do. But I truly believe that if they knew this was what had to be done to save magic, they would."
"I do understand all of that, and it's what keeps me going, but you aren't on the front lines. You aren't seeing it with your own eyes. It hurts. It hurts so much." Morgana can barely swallow what Merlynn must be going through. She knows sex slavery is still an issue but to have it so close to home, right in your own backyard? And the perpetrator is your brother and victim one of your oldest and dearest friends?
"I can't imagine, sister. You by far have the hardest job of all of us, and if you wanted to scrap the whole thing... I won't fault you for it." She will never force her to do anything again. That last dose she gave her in the cafe was the last one.
Those words catch the eldest's attention. These women are wavering and things are on the edge of falling apart. If they dismiss this because they can't reconcile what has to be done... there will be consequences.
"No, I know my role. I just need to vent sometimes."
"I understand. We need to support each other. Encourage one another to stay strong." Morgause softly smiles to her sister, who returns it in kind.
Nimueh rolls her eyes. "I hate to break up the little lovefest you two have going on, but we need to get back to business. Morgana, you have the seventh dose. That has more anger and more pride, which should continue to increase the jealousy and possessiveness. It also has what's necessary to increase lust and arousal. That would push the anger in a direction of sexual resolution, hence the assault."
"Yes, wonderful. We get it Nimueh. You've created the perfect elixir to manipulate Arthur into being a lecherous criminal. Fine."
"What I was going to say is that something worse should be coming that would be a good time to mention to Merlynn your way to help her escape. Play it up as you trying to save her from your 'lecherous criminal' of a brother."
"Yeah, fine. I get it."
You're losing her, Nimueh. You know the difficulty on the horizon. Fix this. "I'm sorry, Morgana. I was out of line earlier. I know this is hard on you, and I admit I might need some lessons on caring for others. Maybe that's what makes us an effective trio. We balance each other out."
"Thank you. I appreciate the apology." Morgana distrusts Nimueh's sudden contrition. The witch doesn't do 'sorry'. Even when she's wrong, she's right. But Morgana is a practiced thespian, forever trained to fake it. She smiles 'genuinely' in acceptance.
"Hey, why don't we end this on a high note, eh? I can send you both a cuppa and we can all just chat for a little bit. Lighter topics."
"That sounds nice. How 'bout it, Morgana? We know you have to get back to your schedule, but let's leave everything on good terms."
What's your game, Nimueh? Time with the old lady may reveal something. "Okay. I do have to get back soon, though. I have a lot I need to finish today." Starting with apologies for all the conferences her and Arthur were supposed to attend. Can't really say, 'sorry, it was an emergency. The prince had to get back to rape his girlfriend'.
"Wonderful! I'm sending a fresh blend, something new I found at the market. If you like it, I'll buy more. Each of you, hold out your hand."
The high priestesses spend the next hour reminiscing about old times. For the first time, the princess actually enjoyed the highest ranking priestess' company, which is even stranger. Hmm? By the end, though, she felt better about things. Changing the mood really helped strengthen her resolve. She can do this. FOR Merlynn. FOR Arthur. For magic.
--
Arthur has replayed the evening over and over in his mind. He's been working on homework all day, needing the distraction, but it has been to no avail. It's seems his brain is only capable of one topic. And he... let her... go. It took all the restraint he had to, but he did. It would have been easy. As soon as they materialized in his room, he could have tossed her on the bed, hiked up her skirt, (her knickers still in his pocket) and one swift thrust.
You're such an arsehole.
What the hell?
Yeah, you! You're the arsehole. This is the woman you love with your whole heart, and you're treating her like a fucking concubine at your beck and call!
He is not! If she wanted him he would provide. His body is hers just as much as hers is his. He can't help she doesn't want him right now because of those damn suppresants. That's not his fault.
It doesn't matter if you're randy and gagging for it or walking around twenty-four seven having a bar on. You have no right to fuck anyone without consent! Let alone the love of your life! You ruined everything! You even tied her to you for ETERNITY. Hence... YOU are a grade A douche, arsehole, son of a bitch, bastard.
He is not! He no longer has to deal with some pubescent warlock. He has united with the woman he loves and helped save magic by doing so, and the most gorgeous woman on the planet is his, SOLELY his. He fails to see the downside.
Fail to see... Are you kidding?! How about the crying, the screaming, the begging, the fighting? Or maybe the hating, the loathing, or personal favorite... the fear?
She's his for eternity. She'll eventually get over it.
You absolute prick. Victims commit suicide over this type of thing! And you're doing it over and over and over. You even threatened her with public assault!
He doesn't have to worry about that. She's immortal, and if he gets caught he has diplomatic immunity.
Are you serious? It doesn't matter how miserable it is for her, because she's incapable of blowing her brains out? That's what you're going with? It's perfectly fine to psychologically and emotionally torture the person who you're supposed to cherish and treasure, because at the end of the day she'll rise again? Okay, then how about this, you selfish bastard. You may have diplomatic immunity but public opinion still matters. You will be vilified and disgraced by the media and your people. The people you claim you would walk through fire for.
Worth it to show the world she is his. At the end of it all, he still will have his queen and nothing can break their bond. It doesn't matter if he's run out of the country, because she will be going with him. She will always be his, and that never would have happened if it wasn't for him. The lightside would have him pining away languishing in a corner somewhere watching his soulmate live happily ever after with another man.
No, you stupid fuck. She would have been a bright, carefree queen, the vivacious woman that makes her who she is, not the person you've created. She would have been yours ninety-five percent of the time, and you would have been fine. When you love someone you're supposed to care about their happiness, not only your own. But no, you had to have it all. Her virtue meant more to you than her smile, her joy. Well, newsflash you bloody fuck. You did lose. You may have her body, but you lost Merlynn. Who was a jovial, untroubled, glorious woman and turned her into a shell, a sorrowful, despondent, wretched woman, that not only doesn't love you but despises you. Instead of the man of her dreams, you are the man of her nightmares. So congratulations, genius. You may have a nice axe wound to stick your cock... but in the end you lost, Arthur, because you lost her heart.
The prince is angry. He thought this guy had been silenced, but he guesses he'll have to take more drastic measures to keep him quiet. He will not have his plans foiled and certainly not by himself! Her heart will come in time and he doesn't need to be told otherwise. Arthur abruptly stands from his office chair and flounces to his closet, pushing himself quickly before that annoying voice can persuade him differently. He is not going to be swayed. He will not let anyone, not even that pesky lightside, take his soulmate from him. At this point if he stopped, if he didn't continue asserting his dominance, she would leave him. She's looking for ways to escape him. He's not stupid. He knows what 'he' said to him was true about her feelings towards him... currently. No, mistake or not, at this point he must stay the course. If he'd let her, she'd be gone in the blink of an eye. So the key to keeping his Goddess... don't let her. He calls his driver through intercom. "Get the car ready. We're going to see the princess."
--
Morgana is just finishing writing letters to various nations, wanting to arrange diplomatic visits for the following year. It's almost December, and she needs to start scheduling her travel engagements, various charity functions, and try to fit a holiday in somewhere. This all will have to be adjusted, of course, if their plan succeeds and she becomes queen. Then she'll have a whole new agenda tearing down her father's regime, and freeing magic finally in the UK.
Part of her doesn't want it to succeed, though. For two reasons and she guesses they are probably selfish. One, she doesn't want to lose Merlynn. She really does love her, and she is going to miss her fiercely, especially since Morgana will be the only one to know she ever even existed. And two, she's genuinely intimidated about being queen. She always pictured Arthur as king, but now it will be all on her. And he may not even stay with her. His dream is the military, so he may, at the first chance he gets, rejoin the RAF. But she will do what she has to, starting with bulldozing Uther's legacy.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
What on Earth? Who the hell could that be?
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Hold on! You have to give me time to reach the door!" Idiot. She peers through the peep hole. Of course. Well, how is she going to play this? Supportive sister or outraged princess? Well, what would she normally do? Please. Was there ever any doubt...? "Arthur? What the hell are you doing here?!"
"I need another one of those vials!" he says as he shoves himself past his sister into the living room.
Might not want to go storming into your sister's flat like a junky on crack, looking for a fix, you bloody wanker.
"Are you kidding me? Are you even going to apologize for abandoning me on tour?! Do you know what I spent my morning doing, Arthur?" Besides planning yours and your girlfriend's demise with my co-conspirators. "I spent my morning writing apology letters for all those seminars we were supposed to attend throughout our tour. Did you know some of them had incorporated us into their presentations?"
"No, I didn't. Now where's the vial?"
Jesus, you don't really care about anyone anymore do you?
"And all so you can come back and rape your girlfriend at your best friend's wedding reception?!"
Her too?! He thought he had her support. She's the one that told him to do this.
She never told you to continue with this harassment.
"I didn't rape her! She showed me her baps and I gave her an Aussie kiss, that's all!"
God, you're a git.
"Oh, well that makes it okay, then. I made a mistake," Morgana says tartly. "I told you to claim your Goddess, so that you could stop worrying about it and get back to your job as future king, both magically and literally. But no, you've gotten worse! Do you even remember the name of the drug we are trying to stop? To prevent magic from going the way of the dodo bird? Extinction, Arthur! Extinction!"
"Of course I do. It's Liberty. And I will stop as soon as my soulmate accepts her position."
Do you honestly think she ever will? You can't force someone not to hate you, not to fear you, not to cringe at the sight of you. Especially when you continue with the acts she hates or is afraid of. Seriously, when did you get so stupid?
Shut up! "Give me the damn vial!"
"And you believe this is the way to do it?! By forcing her to fuck you until she starts to enjoy it?"
"I did not rape her!" He didn't! Why does she keep saying that? He kept his word.
Idiot.
"What, so you think just because you didn't stick your willy in her quim, it isn't rape? Well, I hate to tell you this, dear brother, you have been gravely misinformed. You are making her perform sexual acts. Period."
She's right you know. Just because you haven't penetrated her again with that particular appendage, doesn't mean what you did was any less heinous.
Of course it does! Definition of rape is penetration. This is just molestation and sexual harassment. There is a reason these are tried as lesser crimes.
Did you honestly...? You do realize you just admitted to yourself you molested and harassed your soulmate? And you are okay with this? What the hell happened to you? You said not even your darkside would be evil. Well, hate to break it to you, but in this narrative, you're the villain. Dark Arthur.
So be it. "I have not made her do anything for me. I have always concentrated on her pleasure."
"It's all traumatic, Arthur. Doesn't matter what you choose. At the end of the day, she's still devastated." The princess can't believe how far her brother has fallen. All she can say is it's a good thing he will have no memory of it. This would destroy him.
See.
Shut up!
Ah... Lightside is gaining on you, isn't he? Poor Arthur, unfortunately still has a heart. Has at least half a brain thinking straight. So maybe the other guy should take over a while and see if he can fix this.
No! "I don't need this, Morgana. I need the fucking vial!"
"Why Arthur?! Why brother do you need another vial so badly, if you are so convinced what you're doing is right?"
"I never said it was right. I said it was necessary." There. See. He's not a monster. Emrys and the Once and Future King needed to unite. He did what had to be done.
Even if that we're true, continuing to force yourself on her is not necessary. So what do you have to say to that?
Shut. Up.
"Semantics. Now answer the question. Why do you need the vial?"
"Because he's back!"
Lightside will always be there, Arthur. Even if you're not listening. He's going to be there.
He may be present, but Darkside can turn him on mute.
"What are you talking about? Who's...? Oh, oh I get it. We're back to Jekyll and Hyde, now, are we. Hmm, and I take it Jekyll is none to happy at what Hyde's been doing. Wonder why that is." Hmm, this is interesting. Her brother is still in there somewhere, fighting to get out. Well keep fighting, Arthur. Even if you're losing, keep fighting. Otherwise, you'll lose yourself and what makes you, you, and when this is all over, she wants her brother back.
That's it. If she wants to call him out, fine. No one is going to keep him from his Goddess. No one.
Arthur, what are you doing?! She's your sister!
Not anymore. "Shut... the fuck... up. And give me... the fucking vial... Now. My Hyde has only just begun, Morgana. You have no idea what he is capable of. I highly suggest you do as your told."
Morgana has never been afraid of her brother, never... until now. They really have created a monster. Really what is so different from the classic tale? He takes a chemical serum and turns into the darkside of himself. He's right. She has no idea what he's capable of. The princess finds her handbag on a counter in her kitchen. There in the center pocket, carefully wrapped, is the seventh ampoule. She retrieves the tube and takes it back to the prince, regretfully. She has never doubted this plan more.
Arthur sees his sister clutching something in her hand. He snatches it from her grip in one swift movement.
"Arthur!"
Arthur NOOOO!
The prince pops out the stopper and downs all of the contents. There. Take that... bloody Lightside. "Smart move, sister," he says cool and detached. But then he twists his head to face the princess and look her dead in the eye. "Don't question me again." He swivels around and struts out of her flat, whistling as he walks. "Have a pleasant evening."
Morgana watches speechlessly the prince saunter away, without a care in the world. As if he didn't just threaten his sister. As if he didn't just silent the light. Oh Morgana...
What have you done?
Fun fact: I know nothing of British slang sex terms. I had to research. If I got it wrong and sound ridiculous then just consider it comic relief. :p
