.
(A/N: The song Louise finds Jekyll singing later in this chapter is called 'Confrontation' and can be found on Youtube. Anthony Warlow I believe.)
The Party: Part 1
Hyde lay in a bed in Jekyll's home, drenched in a cold sweat and pale as a ghost. His breathing was laboured, and he could feel his life slipping away. He hated it. He hated the weakness and most of all he hated the fear. He felt a cloth pressed to his forehead and his eyes flickered open. They landed on Jekyll, who looked exhausted. "We're running out of time," Hyde growled.
"I know," Jekyll answered.
"Have you made your peace, doctor? Done all you wished to do with your life?" Hyde asked.
"No," he replied. "But my life isn't over yet. Nor is yours."
"When did you return?" Hyde asked.
"Only moments ago. It was a long trip," Jekyll answered.
"But that is not the cause of your exhaustion," Hyde said.
"No," Jekyll confirmed.
"Did they notice your weakness? Hyde asked.
"Of course they did," Jekyll answered. "I gave them vague answers about lack of sleep and general fatigue with a little sickness." Only Meleagant knew different, he inwardly added. Hyde did not need to know that though. Hyde chuckled darkly and closed his eyes. "We're still alive. Though I hardly know why we bother," Jekyll continued.
"You're a weak coward. Always flight, never fight," Hyde said.
Jekyll shook his head, too tired to argue. Perhaps Hyde was right. "I'll get you something to eat," the doctor said, rising and leaving.
"I like you submissive," Hyde said after him.
Jekyll paused, frowning, then sighed and shook his head. He turned back. "Do not forget you are at my mercy, Edward. And I am far more willing to die than you are." Hyde sneered. Jekyll left to make some broth.
Frozen
Hyde tossed and turned in bed, breathing fast and laboured. He had woken up only minutes ago, struggling for air. He looked frantically for Jekyll and spotted him lying on a window seat. Except the doctor looked as pale as a ghost seeming almost as close to death's door as he was right now. Something moved off to the side and Hyde caught his breath, looking quickly over. His eyes slowly widened as before him materialized a figure he recognized all too well. He bared his teeth in disgust. "Carabis," he growled.
The jotun was silent, summarizing him before moving his gaze to Jekyll. He stared at the pale doctor a long moment before turning to Hyde again. "He will not wake up. You're dying. The both of you. He cannot save you now. There is no recovering for either of you at this point. Ahtohallan will cleanse this corruption…" Hyde's breathing became more laboured. He began to wheeze and feel his body shutting down. He shuddered. "I can still save you," Carabis cooed. "I know the mirror. I can buy you time. I can give you exactly what you need to make yourselves whole." Hyde realized, then, that whenever Carabis said 'you', he referred to the collective that was himself and Jekyll… Jekyll was hearing all of this too, he sensed.
"Neither of you want to die just yet. So many things left undone. Unspoken," Carabis said. "I have the solution you know," he said.
"But?" Hyde bitterly asked.
"I can save your life, give Jekyll time to put together the concoction that will fix your little predicament, but in exchange, you will be at my beck and call until I have seen my own ambitions fulfilled," Carabis said.
"As I recall, I refused to be your pawn," Hyde said.
"That was when you had a choice," Carabis answered.
Hyde was silent. "Give me the solution to this predicament," he finally said, and he knew those words were not his alone
"Dr. Jekyll begging his enemy's mercy?" Carabis asked.
"Give me the solution," Hyde repeated in a growl, shakily lifting his hand.
"Do we have a deal?" Carabis pressed.
"Yes," Hyde bitterly answered.
Carabis smiled and placed this solution - tiny crystals it seemed - into the open palm. He closed Hyde's fingers around them. "Crush them to powder and add them, and all will be restored. No strings attached. Well… maybe one. Or two."
"And what would the second be?" Hyde bitterly asked.
"The shard within your body becomes mine," Carabis replied.
Hyde chuckled darkly. "Take the damned thing," he answered.
"Jekyll is still of use to me, and by extension you as well. Killing you for it is not in my best interests," Carabis said. "So, you'll convince Jekyll—who I know is inwardly screaming right now—to add these to whatever concoction he is trying to put together to fix you two, and then you'll sit back and wait for my plans to be realized through you."
"So be it," Hyde answered bitterly. Carabis smirked darkly before vanishing into thin air. Hyde stared at the space where he had been before looking at the crystals in his hand. He felt death driven away and knew Carabis had upheld his part of the bargain. He frowned, clenched his hand on the crystals again, then closed his eyes to sleep once more…
Frozen
Jekyll stared numbly at the crystals Hyde held out to him. He looked absolutely wiped. "This is the only way," Hyde said. "We don't have time to seek out elven help. We nearly died last night, Jekyll. This is what you need to make your concoction work once and for all."
After a long moment, Jekyll reached out for the crystals and took them. For a long time, he stared. Finally, he closed his eyes, letting out a shaky breath of air, and turned to his chemistry station. He placed the crystals in a mortar and pestle and began to grind them into a fine powder. Hyde watched in silence. Jekyll set the powder aside and went to work on putting together the required concoction. After a few moments, Hyde started to become restless.
"It will not be ready for some time yet, Edward. There is far more that must go into this than the powder alone. So it was for the concoction that got us into this mess in the first place," Jekyll said. "Tonight I am to go to a party, but tomorrow I will finish this off and at last all will be righted."
"Good. I can hardly wait," Hyde said, smirking darkly.
"Stay in your room. I will be attending the soiree with Louise. She cannot see you here, when she comes with her brother," Jekyll said.
"Mmm… Such a fine young thing she is," Hyde growled. Jekyll gave him a dangerous look. He chuckled darkly. "So be it, Jekyll. But I will be watching… And listening…" Jekyll didn't snap at the bait or even grace him with an answer, just went right back to concocting the potion he needed.
A few minutes in and Hyde slipped out, bored with the matter. Only when he was gone did Jekyll allow himself a shaky breath as he paused to lean on the table and gather his wits. He shook his head bitterly and looked at his assortment of potions and medicines. "I'm sorry," he whispered, though he couldn't say to whom… He suspected it was to all those who cared for him though… Would it be worth it, he wondered, to let Hyde live at all? He scanned his chemistry ingredients and his eyes rested on a small section of them. It would be so easy to make it a dual-purpose potion, after all… "If I die, you die too," he whispered to himself. Perhaps that, in the end, really would be for the better…
Frozen
Louise arrived at Jekyll's home about a half hour prior to when they needed to leave. She was early, but she wanted to see how the good doctor would like her dress. Franz had been a fan for certain. He had in fact outright said he would love to get it off her for a better look, which had been thrilling, but it earned him a punch in the face by Edvard which, thankfully, was forgiven by a cackling Caleb. The King claimed he hadn't laughed so hard in years. Franz had been indignant, to say the least. She slipped inside smiling. Edvard stayed behind. He had a far higher opinion of Jekyll than he did of Franz. He knew that Jekyll would not be the sort to try and make a move on her, though sometimes she wished he would. Edvard's principal problem with Jekyll was the large age gap between herself and him.
The house was dim, and she frowned a bit in concern. Sometimes he got headaches, she knew, and needed to dim the lights a bit. Usually that only happened when he was stressed or ill. She hoped he was alright, though if he couldn't make the party that was fine. She would stay with him and make sure he had company. She opened her mouth to call for him, then closed it again. She wasn't sure why, but something told her that perhaps calling out would not be the best idea right now… She moved through the home quietly. He could often be found in the den reading a book and sipping at a warm drink, sometimes indulging in an alcoholic beverage instead, and just enjoying his downtime. Maybe that was where he was.
As she neared it, she heard singing…
It's over now I know inside,
No one will ever know,
The sorry tale of Edward Hyde, and those who died,
No one must ever know…
She paused, taken aback by the broken-sounding words, and frowned in concern, eyes becoming worried. Quietly she crept up to the door and pushed it silently open, peering into the room. He sat there on his armchair in front of the fire, a glass of some alcoholic beverage held between his hands and his head bowed, staring into it. It had barely been touched.
They'd only see the tragedy,
They'd not see my intent.
The shadow of Hyde's evil,
Would forever kill the good that I had meant…
Her stomach twisted uncomfortably, and her concern deepened. She slipped inside, shutting the door quietly behind her. He glanced at her out the corner of his eyes before turning his gaze back to the drink.
Am I a good man? Am I a madman?
It's such a fine line between a good man and a madman…
He finally took a drink from the cup before setting it down again and balling his hands together. "Henry?" she uncertainly and worriedly asked.
"You're early," he replied.
"Henry, what's going on?" she questioned, not about to be distracted.
"You look beautiful," he said.
"Henry," she sharply replied, frowning in frustration and crossing to him. She knelt in front of him, taking his hands. "What's wrong?" she demanded.
"Nightmares is all, Louise. Only nightmares," he replied. She was quiet, not sure whether to believe him or not. He rose. "I'll get ready and then we will go. Make yourself at home. Your brother as well, if he is out there waiting."
He walked passed her towards the door. As he opened it, she said, "You're a good man, Henry. You aren't mad. You're good."
"Yes. I am. Good at hiding what I do not want the world to know," he answered. She turned, watching him leave in deep concern. She shifted then hurried out to fetch her brother and inform him of the Doctor's concerning behaviour. If he would not open up to her, perhaps he would open up to a friend.
Frozen
Jekyll was in his room getting dressed when the door was knocked on. "Who is it?" he asked. Either Edvard or Louise, he knew. Hyde could hardly get out of bed, and even if he did, he wouldn't bother knocking.
"Henry? It's Edvard," Edvard called back.
Jekyll paused and sighed. He had known she would tell her brother of his strange behaviour, but that did not mean he was any more prepared to face Edvard now than if he'd been caught unaware. "Come in," he said. He only had a tie left to put on anyway, and gloves. Then accessories to grab. A top hat and cape most likely, and a cane. They would be mingling with high society, after all. Even as high as aristocracy and royalty.
Edvard slipped inside and shut the door behind him, leaning against it and watching his friend. Jekyll didn't address him. "Are you alright?" Edvard finally asked.
"Don't concern yourselves over me, Edvard," Jekyll answered.
"But we are concerned," Edvard said. "Will you at least talk to me, if not to her?"
"You're young. You shouldn't have to play emotional support for a man old enough to be your father. It should be me playing emotional support for you, if anything," Jekyll answered.
"My father is older than you," Edvard said.
"Don't play coy, Edvard," Jekyll said, turning and frowning at him.
"Even old codgers need support sometimes, and you're certainly no codger," Edvard replied. "Men of your age should not convince themselves they need to be the helpers and not the helped. They shouldn't tell themselves they aren't supposed to turn to anyone for aid with their own issues. Although I guess I see why they would logic as much. They're at an age where they're caring for at least two, if not three or four, generations all at once. Their parents, maybe their grandparents, their children, and maybe even their grandchildren. Wow. It really does suck to be smack dab in the middle." Jekyll looked unimpressed. "What? Just saying. If anything, people in their forties and fifties are the sorts of people who need emotional support most! You're not expected to care for everyone but yourself, Doctor."
"This is a matter no one else can help me with, my young friend," Jekyll answered, shaking his head. "But if it makes you feel any better, I have sought out help and received it. You don't have to worry, Edvard. Everything is under control. It will be alright." He wasn't going to claim that he himself would be alright, because he doubted he would, but he still would hope for the best. "Now come on. We have a party to get to and a lot of work to do at it."
"If you continue behaving in this manner, Jekyll, I will be informing the rest of our friends of your worrying behaviour," Edvard said, frowning as Jekyll passed him.
"I expect no less," Jekyll answered somewhat fondly, smirking a bit. Edvard sighed, shaking his head hopelessly, and followed.
Frozen
The ballroom was filled with the sounds of chatter, laughter, and clinking dishware. Elegantly dressed political figures, persons of fame, and all manner of royalty mingled together. Among those high-profile guests stood Dr. Jekyll, a thrilled Louise Collin on his arm beaming around at everything with her eyes dazzling. She looked positively radiant, he thought. "Henry, how on earth did you swing this?" she demanded of him, grinning up at the man.
"Connections," he answered, smirking.
"Our mutual friends?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
"As surprising as it is, I do have connections of my own you know," he teased. "Though to be completely fair, those connections are shared with Hans and Elsa. Duke Carl Alexander is the specific connection I speak of. I have been working to help Lot procure an invitation to a high society event where he can begin to manifest connections of his own that will help him develop his own little Lordship on the Orkney Isles. Charles Alexander and the Duke of Weselton were most helpful in the matter, dropping remarks now and again of a Duke they had found most fascinating. A Duke who had moved from his own castle in Wales to take up residence on one of the uninhabited Orkney Isles, a location which he had developed a strange passion for. Eccentricity catches attention, in the circles of high society. It helps you stand out, and it's up to the 'eccentric' in question, and his or her behaviors, whether that becomes a benefit or an object of scorn. Lot, I'm afraid, will have to navigate that little matter for himself," Jekyll replied. "Carl, that is Charles Alexander, was most insistent Edvard and I come along too. For company, you see. He'll have few friends here aside from us and perhaps Charles Dickens, but that remains to be seen. I haven't seen Dickens yet. Carl gave me the option of bringing a plus one, so here you are, my dear."
"Dr. Jekyll, commendations are in order," Louise said, impressed. "You have an in with royalty. You continue to surprise and amaze me."
"And yet you still cannot manage to choose between me and Prince Franz," he answered in a measure of annoyance, a frown on his lips.
"I quite like this little game," she replied.
"I'm too old for such games as these, Louise," he said with a sigh.
She snorted a laugh. "Old indeed," she huffed.
"Older than you, at the very least. Significantly so," he replied, tapping her nose and causing her to wrinkle it in a manner he found utterly adorable.
He looked around the room and his eyes fell on Lot. Louise followed his gaze and smiled. "He is handsome," she noted.
"You are quite attracted to older men you know," Jekyll said.
"By older I presume you mean more mature?" Louise replied triumphantly. Jekyll couldn't help but chuckle at the little victory she had procured for herself. Woe betide anyone who dared argue said victory, he knew. He'd tried. It didn't work. Franz continued to fruitlessly attempt otherwise, but then that was because he loved to see her up in arms. It most thoroughly amused the prince. Franz took great pleasure in flustering her when she was most unaware and causing her to sputter or get indignant with him.
"Have you met Lot's primary partner in this endeavor?" Jekyll asked.
"Aside from Alexander, you mean? You mentioned others had come," she murmured lowly.
"This one even more capable than Lot and his son-in-law Alexander," Jekyll confirmed, nodding. "Doubtless you'll find him equally as intriguing too, if not more so."
"Well then what are you waiting for, Henry? Introduce me," Louise insisted.
"They're engaged in conversation with certain political juggernauts who will serve to help expand their own influence. Now would hardly be an appropriate time," he replied.
"No? They seem to be getting very antsy. It's not unlikely the conversation has taken a turn in a direction they do not like. We may be better off rescuing them," Louise said. "Imagine it. Rescuing Knights of the Round Table."
Jekyll chuckled. "Very well, Miss Collin. You win." She grinned, tightening her arm around his and taking the lead. Amused, he allowed it.
Frozen
"Duke Gwyar, rumor has it you moved from your own castle in Wales to homestead on some uninhabited island in Orkney. Such a peculiar location," one of the men Lot found himself in conversation with said. He had chosen to go by his born name for this venture. Duke Gwyar flowed more regally than Duke Lot, and was a far less known name.
"The Orkney Isles have long been a fascination of mine," Lot replied, neither giving nor withholding too much. His son-in-law was off somewhere with Meleagant, Dinadan, and Hoel, helping them schmooze for all they were worth to drum up interest in the real estate venture in Orkney. The more interest the better, and those four had best start advertising it among the common populace too. Perhaps even preferably. He suspected that would be something they would have realized for themselves by now, though. Currently, the only one of his companions at his side was Galehaut, who had kept quiet thus far and spoken only when spoken to.
"For what reason? They're hardly anything spectacular," another man said.
"One person's opinion," Lot replied. "I in fact find them quite spectacular. Seventy beautiful, rugged isles, only twenty of which are inhabited. There is potential there, gentlemen. Untapped, boundless potential. I intend to tap into that potential."
"It's rumored you moved into some ruins?" a woman pressed.
Lot's jaw twitched slightly. They were prying too much for his liking. "Orkney abounds in archaeological potential," Galehaut stepped in. "Archaeology happens to be another passion of Duke Gwyar's. The chance to make a home of a ruin goodness knows how ancient was too tempting to pass up. Honestly, I can hardly blame him. He had the money to invest in making it livable again, so why not?"
"You're a strange fellow," the woman said, looking Lot over ponderously.
"My lady, I'm an inquisitive one," Lot answered, a bitter tone tinging in his voice. "I would like to resurrect, if I can, the heritage in that place. I am in fact interested in learning who it is that governs or acts as caretaker over those islands so that I might purchase the one I reside on from him or her. Perhaps a few others as well."
"You really believe you can actually make something of that clump of rocks?" the second man condescendingly asked.
"Gentlemen, I…" Lot began to testily snap.
"He does," Galehaut cut off. "Perhaps it's a risk, but the both of us feel it may be a risk well worth taking. Games of chance may not always be all that appealing, but if this pans out, the man could easily form a lordship over those islands, and a profitable one at that."
"I think he's delusional," the first man stated with a huff.
"But what if he isn't?" a new voice asked. Lot and Galehaut looked over to see Louise, who had spoken, approaching them and towing along Jekyll. "I think the matter is thrilling. I'm excited to see what could come of it." She turned to Lot. "My lords," she greeted, curtseying. Jekyll bowed as well to them. Louise straightened up, smiling at the aristocracy about her. "The King and Queen of Arendelle and of the Southern Isles have expressed interest as well. I hear Duke Gwyar is well connected to them."
"And to the Arabias," Jekyll put in, sounding impressed. "The undying Sultan himself in fact."
"Really," one of the condescending nobles, the first man, said, suddenly more intrigued and open to discussing this concept.
"I hold ties of trade with all of them," Lot confirmed. "They'll serve as a fine foothold for this venture if I can procure the land to properly develop and sell off."
"I may be able to help you with that," the woman said, a scheming smile making its way across her lips.
Lot turned to her warily and bit at the inside of his cheek, eyes narrowing a bit. "You remind me of my late wife," he flatly said in response.
"Do I?" she asked.
"Too much so," Lot answered, bitterness tinging the tone again.
"He doesn't mean that in a petty way. It just hurts him to remember her. He'd rather forget, frankly," Galehaut stepped in. Lot gave him a dirty look but didn't move to correct him. Instead, he sipped from his wine to refrain from scoffing.
"Might I ask what happened to her?" the woman asked.
"She died in childbirth," Galehaut cut off before Lot could say something as salacious as 'murdered by a two of our sons'. Which he probably would, if only to get the satisfaction of a shock factor. Lot could be smart-mouthed like that. He liked shock factors.
"I think I need more wine," Lot said. "Doctor." He shoved the glass to Jekyll, who blinked blankly at it then frowned at him before huffing and heading off to fetch him some.
"Gwyar, please," Galehaut hissed.
"It's understandable why the thought of her would drive him to want to drink," the second man more sympathetically said. "If such a tragedy as that befell me, I would feel much the same. I can put you in touch with the authority of that land, but she's already offered her help."
Galehaut and Lot were silent, glancing over at the woman who reminded them far too much of Morgause, and Morgan for that matter, for their liking. She was smirking victoriously and proudly at them. Galehaut seriously considered getting a drink of his own.
"Well, this is dandy, isn't it?" Lot said with a huff, taking the wine Jekyll returned with and downing it. He shoved it back to him. "Another," he ordered.
"You've had quite enough," Jekyll said, frowning.
"No. I haven't," Lot flatly replied. He put on a charming smile and turned to the woman. "Apologies for my seeming bitterness towards you, my lady. Just… the memory of her still lingers so strongly. It's easier, I find, to forget than to pine, and you're causing the pining to return, to my displeasure. Working so closely with someone so much like her… I can't say it's something I'm keen to consider, though I suppose if you are the one that I must speak to, I have little choice in the matter."
"I shant try and seduce you, good Duke," she replied with a laugh that wasn't at all reassuring, but he'd take her word for it for now. "Tying myself to someone with baggage was never on my list of to-dos." Thank the gods, Lot inwardly answered. "Though you tempt me to reconsider." Damn the gods, Lot inwardly snarled, his hand tightening so much on the wine glass that Jekyll feared he would break the stem. Then again, a bad cut would get them away from this appalling situation, so maybe it wouldn't be such a horrible thing.
"My first priorities, my lady, are raising my son and establishing a settlement, or a few, of my own," he said. "I'm afraid I'd be of little use as a husband."
"Besides, an old war wound made him impotent," Galehaut said. Lot went red with embarrassment, his jaw dropping in appall. He wasn't sure whether to thank his friend or strangle him to death for that lie. The other men present looked suddenly extremely uncomfortable. The woman stared at him in blatant shock that she couldn't hide.
"He's misinformed! That was my brother!" Lot blurted out, resenting the devious, treacherous little smirk on his friend's lips and wishing he could smack it off.
The men seemed to settle a little at Lot's cover-up. The woman raised an eyebrow and turned to Galehaut. "What of you?" she asked.
"What of me?" he answered.
"Well, I must be able to gain something by agreeing to sell Duke Gwyar my lands," she replied. "I have little use for wealth, but I have no intention of remaining single all my life either."
There was silence as the implication sank in. Lot seriously considered revising his 'little use as a husband' remark before remembering Mordred. The last thing he intended to do was put his son in an environment so similar to the one he'd been in when Morgause was alive. It wasn't an option. He looked at Galehaut, who was pointedly avoiding meeting his eyes. Lot turned back to the woman looking defeated. "Is a marriage partner the only thing that you'll consider in exchange for signing over your lands?" he asked somewhat defeatedly.
"If I'm to give up my position, I intend to gain one of equal or greater power in exchange," she said.
"Give up?" Louise asked.
"Of course, my dear. I can tell Duke Gwyar is the sort of man with ambition untapped. Doubtless he will steal the whole of the Orkney Isles right out from under my nose, should I give him a foothold, and he will earn perhaps as far as a Dutchy over it quickly enough if his ambitions become fruitful," she said.
For a moment there was silence. "Do you care much for a marriage of love?" Galehaut finally questioned.
"It would be nice, but I hold little stock in finding such a match," she answered. "A marriage of convenience is just as well. Love can grow. Or not. Time will tell."
"Then we may be able to find you a suitable match," Galehaut replied. "If you care little for a marriage of love, then I would oblige your request, my lady."
"But there are others that could stand as well!" Lot quickly intervened, earning him a curious look from Galehaut. "Excuse us, my lady. I need to… discuss matters with Duke Nathaniel and our compatriots."
"Nathaniel?" Louise asked, puzzled. Where had that name come from, she wondered? Lot ignored the question and ushered Galehaut away. Jekyll and Louise followed them.
Frozen
As soon as they were far enough away that they wouldn't be overheard, Lot turned to Galehaut with eyes narrowed. "What are you doing?" he demanded of him, frowning.
"That woman may seem similar to Morgause and Morgan, but for all we know it's just a front. She isn't her, Lot. Maybe she deserves a chance. Marriages of convenience can fast become marriages of love anyway, if a proper match is made."
"You wouldn't be that match," Lot replied.
"There are other options, Sir Galehaut," Jekyll spoke up in agreement, a measure of concern in his voice. After all, it was clear to him that that woman did precious little for either Lot or Galehaut's mental health.
"Yes. Options like me, who would be a far fairer match," Lot said.
"But you won't do it," Galehaut said.
Lot glared. "Not if it can be helped," he finally chose to answer. "I won't risk putting my son in that position again, if the way she's presenting herself to us isn't a front."
"Then it has to be me," Galehaut said.
"No. It doesn't. What about Pellinore and his sons, after we find them?" Lot asked.
"We have no idea how long it will take to find them, and even if we knew, the odds of any of them agreeing to the match are non-existent. They don't exactly have great history with your family," Galehaut said.
"We could pawn her off on Dinadan," Lot insisted.
"No," Galehaut replied. "Dinadan would probably agree to it without thinking, and definitely without considering what taking on that task could mean. If what that woman is displaying isn't a front, she could destroy him. He may act confident, but he's an emotional wreck beneath it all. He has been ever since… Well, you know."
"Hoel? Bedivere? Selices? We have no shortage of options," Lot said.
"Are you really considering using one of your closest friends as a payment for some islands?" Louise incredulously asked.
The two looked over at her, staring at the woman like she was kidding. Jekyll grimaced. "Louise, darling, back then it was far more commonplace than it is now, and considered far more normal," he said. "It's very common even today, but back then it was more so."
"What it is, is doing what needs to be done," Lot said. "But don't worry, we're not going to decide their fates for them." He turned to Galehaut. "We need to bring the matter up to them and get their thoughts, but at the end of the day if we go this route then we'll need someone with far more bite and wit than most."
"I agree. Someone who can both match her and subdue her. Someone like…" Galehaut began. He trailed off as he seemed to come to a realization. Lot seemed to catch on too, and the duo stared at each other in silence for far too long.
"No," Lot flatly said.
"It isn't our choice to make," Galehaut reminded.
"But it's our choice whether to even present the option to him in the first place," Lot replied with a frown.
"He is our best bet. She comes across as something of a mix between Morgause and Morgan, if her displays aren't fronts," Galehaut said. "Morgan who was intrigued by him. All of him."
"He never became one of her lovers though," Lot pointed out.
"Because he outright rejected her," Galehaut said.
"Why would he not do so again now?" Lot challenged.
"Of all the potential candidates we know of, he's the most suited of them all. He or Raynold, and I doubt Raynold could be bothered," Galehaut replied.
"Who are we speaking of?" Jekyll asked, utterly mystified by this conversation and now very curious, as was Louise.
They turned to him and Louise in surprise like they'd forgotten the two were there, then exchanged looks before turning to them again. "We speak of Prince Meleagant of Hellus," Lot said with a sigh. Jekyll started in shock. Meleagant?
"Who is Meleagant?" Louise questioned, puzzled.
Galehaut sighed. "The knight sent up for Jekyll's sake," he answered.
"For what reason was he specifically chosen?" Louise asked.
"Let's just say he and Henry share a very similar circumstances," Galehaut stated.
Louise started. "A similar… Surely you can't mean…" she began before trailing off and looking at Jekyll in shock.
"They do indeed mean what you suspect," Jekyll gravely said, nodding. Louise looked a little nervous now, turning back to Lot and Galehaut.
"The Dark Prince was the mind behind the crimes Meleagant committed," Lot said. "Mele wasn't exactly the most pleasant of company as was, prickly as a cactus and edgy as could be, but when compared to the Dark Prince he was a sweetheart."
"The Dark Prince terrified Meleagant. He hated him with a passion untold, and he's certain the Dark Prince hated him just the same," Galehaut added. "The Dark Prince was the very embodiment of evil, Meleagant claimed. Whenever we ended up crossing him, we were inclined to agree."
"Could have made Breuse sans Pitie seem merciful," Lot wryly said. "And that man's very name translated was Bruce Without Pity."
"It all sounds very familiar," Louise sympathetically said, looking at Jekyll with understanding and reassurance in her eyes. She turned back to them. "But how is he to help Jekyll if they share the same state?" Again, she looked to Jekyll. "You said that only the incredibly rare alter actually commits criminal acts."
"Indeed. Many are quite self-destructive, badly behaved, or have awfully bad judgment, but the vast majority are absolutely not violent," Jekyll confirmed.
"Then what are the ramifications of two of the rare violent ones butting heads?" she asked in concern.
"I don't know, but it's the best chance I have to deal with Edward Hyde," Jekyll replied. "I have little else left for options at this point."
"Hyde is not a part of him anymore. There's no risk of them coming in contact," Galehaut said, and Jekyll subtly shifted, reminding himself that only Meleagant knew his intentions at this stage. The longer he could keep it that way the better, but he understood that eventually it would need to come out.
"You will not be facing this alone, Henry," Louise said matter-of-factly.
He smiled fondly. "As you say," he relented. "Though I think your brother and father may have my head should you involve yourself too deeply in such a risky affair."
She smiled fondly. "Edvard will be right along with me," she answered. She frowned again, this time a serious and worried frown. "You do not have to fear Edward Hyde anymore," she said. "He will be taken care of soon enough."
"I suppose you're right. I should take heart in that," Jekyll answered, carefully measuring his words so as not to give anything away he didn't want her to know just yet. She nodded, satisfied with his answer, and thankfully didn't pry further into the Hyde situation.
Louise looked to the knights once more. "What is Hellus?" she asked.
"It was a town in the Kingdom of Gorre, which was ruled by King Uriens until he handed the mantle over to his and Lot's relative Bagdemagus, who was Meleagant's father. In this modern day context, though, we're going with another claim. Hellas was a historical name for Greece. Meleagant can be passed off as a Duke of Greece easily enough because of that, perhaps even a prince," Galehaut said. "If Meleagant agrees to this marriage, he would satisfy that woman's desires for prominence and, if luck holds, a marriage of convenience might just become a marriage of love. At least on her part, if not his." He looked at Lot. "Meleagant is our best bet," he reiterated. "He may be more accommodating than either of us suspect he'll be."
"Or the union could become a nightmare for her, for him, or for them both!" Lot protested.
"Or it could be fine," Galehaut said with a frustrated sigh. "We need that woman's cooperation, Lot. If she's willing and one of the others are, be it Meleagant or Dinadan or Hoel or someone else, then so be it."
Lot sighed through the nose. "Very well," he finally relented. "We'll talk to them and see what responses we get. I doubt any will be favourable."
"I don't like the idea of pawning her off on Meleagant," Jekyll said, frowning. Now that he'd seen how very young the prince was, he was suddenly much more unsettled with the whole matter of this political marriage nonsense.
"Even his own father urged him towards such things," Lot brushed off.
"I understand such things weren't exactly a rarity, but were I that boy's father, I would have put my foot down rather than pushing him towards it," Jekyll said, frowning. He felt a measure of resentment and ill-will creeping up in him towards this 'King Bagdemagus'.
"It was complicated. We'll tell you more later, but for now suffice to say that in Bagdemagus' case, he wasn't pressing Meleagant to marry for political ties. He loved his son deeply and cared about him more than anything," Galehaut said.
"Did he?" Jekyll asked.
"Yes. It's a long story. We don't have time to get into it now, but sooner or later we'll explain the matter more," Lot said.
"Very well," Jekyll answered, still put out by this concept.
Galehaut nodded and the group returned to the nobles they'd been speaking to. Galehaut looked at the woman. "We will discuss your price with some companions of ours who also are looking to be married, or who are available for such. I'm certain at least one of them will leap on the opportunity, and he will be prominent besides, I promise you. We have certain friends that may be just the sorts of men that would suit you, if we can convince them to it," he said.
"Oh?" she asked.
"Give us a little time to speak to them about all of this, and when we've procured their answers, we'll bring them to meet you so you might see if one of them is worthy of your consideration," Galehaut said.
She seemed pleased by this. "And when you do all you've promised, then you shall have the Orkney Isles. All that I can give you of them at least," she said. Lot nodded and he, Galehaut, Jekyll, and Louise parted ways with the three aristocrats.