Author's note: This is a short and filler chapter. Sorry for this, guys. But hey! Read the note at the end of the chapter. I think many of you will be relieved. Next update will be probably in five days. Alright. On with the story.
Chapter 24
To trust your enemy
" I wish you were here Fred. " Princess Erina said while looking at the portrait of a young man in steel plated armour. Silent tears were falling from her eyes.
" Max is going to war tomorrow. He is going alone this time. You were always with him before and now you are not. "
She continued crying while looking at the portrait. Morgana who was standing a little far from the princess in the corridor of portraits was trying hard to resist the urge to go near the child and console her.
After the meeting which happened earlier this afternoon, Morgana had been wandering around the palace in search of Max. She needed to talk to him about some certain stuffs. During her search for the prince, she had stumbled upon the princess standing in the famous corridor of portraits.
The corridor was very spacious. Numerous portraits of the members of Nassau Royal Family were hanging on the wall of the corridors. Upon finding the princess, she had been going to ask her about her brother's whereabouts. Then, she realized that Erina hadn't noticed her as the princess hadn't stopped staring and talking to the portrait.
So, Morgana stood a little away from the princess hearing what the young royal was saying. It was clear that this was the Fred the king was referring to in the meeting. Maybe he was a prince who died. And if that was the case, Morgana deduced that he hadn't died long ago. The person in the portrait looked like he was in his early twenties not much younger than Max.
The young man had fair skin just like the king. He had brown eyes and black eyes like his brother. He had a rather boyish face. In a way, he reminded her of Merlin when he first arrived in Camelot. The princess was still crying while Morgana was looking at the portrait. She would've come closer to the princess and consoled her if Max hadn't beaten her to it.
" Eri, what are you doing here? " Morgana looked behind her and saw Max coming towards the princess.
The prince walked past her and took his sister in his arms. A surprised yelp came out of Erina's mouth. But when she realized who was holding her, she buried her face in Max's shoulder and began to sob.
Max was gently ruffling his little sister's hair while saying " It's going to be alright " over and over again.
That didn't stop the princess from crying. Instead, her crying intensified. Morgana felt sorry for the siblings. It was clear that the little princess was afraid for her brother. She didn't want to let him go, afraid that she might lose him forever.
The former high priestess wondered just how the same things were happening in every house of Saxony. Women of the kingdom were bidding their men goodbye not knowing if they could see their loved ones again. Mothers were hugging their sons not knowing if he would come back to her alive or dead. Wives were kissing their husbands not knowing if they could do it ever again.
That's what war had always brought upon humans. Bloodshed, misery and heartbreak. And most of those wars were nothing but pointless. Morgana had known all about these things. After all, she had lost her true father in war.
But seeing the royal siblings in front of her made her remember just how much a war could take away from someone's lives.
' Why do you care? You killed innocent people too. ' A voice inside Morgana whispered.
' Shut up. I don't need that kind of voice inside my head right now. ' Another part of her mind scolded herself for thinking like that.
Her musings were cut short hearing the prince's voice.
" Don't cry, Eri. I will come back. I promise. We will go visit the king's falls after I come back. "
To Morgana's surprise, Erina stopped crying and looked at Max. Her eyes were puffed and red. She looked Max in the eyes and then said, " That's what Fred had said when he last talked to me. "
Morgana could understand what Erina was trying to say. It surprised her just how much that child had sounded older than her years.
" I am not going to die, Erina. We will win this war. I will come back to you. " The prince's voice didn't sound very convincing.
" How can you be so sure? "
" Because Morgana will have my back. " Max replied and gestured to the priestess.
Morgana's jaw dropped to the floor hearing Max. Of all the replies she had expected from Max, this was not the one.
She didn't have time to process what Max actually meant by his words as Erina questioned her instantly.
" Really? Are you going to help Max? Are you going to protect him, my lady? " Erina's eyes were gleaming with hope.
Morgana looked at Max and saw that his eyes were almost pleading. She would have enjoyed to torment the prince but even she was not that cruel to break a child's hope.
So, she looked at Erina and gave a short answer. " Yes. "
That small answer was enough for the princess as she beamed a bright smile.
" Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you sooooooooo much. " The princess squealed in delight and Morgana couldn't help smiling a little hearing the happiness and gratitude in the princess' voice.
Max gave Morgana a grateful smile and looked back at his sister.
" You see, Eri. I'll be alright. You're happy now? "
Erina nodded and said, " But still be careful, Max. Okay? "
" Hey! I am always careful. "
Erina rolled her eyes and Max chuckled seeing that. " Who would believe that you are eight years old. You sound like older than me. "
" I am a big girl. " The princess protested while pouting.
" Of course, you are. Now I believe it's time for your dinner. Why don't you go to father? I'll be in the dining hall in a minute. "
Max downed his sister on the ground and Erina rushed out of the corridor after giving a soft kiss on Max's cheek and saying, " Don't be late. "
She seemed so happy that it was hard to believe that the same girl was crying her eyes out only a few moments ago.
" Thanks , Morgana. " Morgana turned around to see that Prince Max was smiling a grateful smile at her.
" What for? "
" For saying yes. Erina wouldn't have stopped crying if not for you. " Max sounded sincerely grateful.
" She loves you so much, doesn't she? "
" More than anyone. " Max said with a fondness in his voice.
Had Arthur ever loved her like that? She didn't know for she hadn't noticed it. Yes, they were close. They grew up like friends, like siblings. People thought that one day they would be the king and queen of Camelot. But they never had any feelings for each other. They tried to flirt for some time but it never worked out for them.
Now Morgana could understand why Uther never pushed them for marriage. It's not actually traditional to get married with your own brother after all.
But one thing Morgana could say without any doubt that before her turning against Camelot, Arthur truly had cared for her. Just like she had cared for him.
Just like a good sister should.
Morgana heaved a sigh thinking about the times when everything was much simpler.
She was so absorbed in her thought that she at first hadn't noticed that Max was speaking.
She stopped her musings and began to listen to the prince.
The prince was looking at the portrait Erina was looking at while speaking.
" ...two years ago during our campaign against the Vandals at the east. I was there with him. He was fighting with so much grace and skill. An arrow pierced him through his throat shot by a crossbowman.
I was helpless as I watched my little brother's life fade away in front of my eyes. He couldn't even say goodbye to me. He was in so much pain. "
Max closed his eyes. Morgana could see a single tear running down his cheek.
She had never seen him like this. Prince Max was an epitome of strength and bravery to the people of Saxony. To see him like this, wasn't something she was expecting. She had thought that the prince's heart was as cold as ice. But it seemed she was wrong.
Prince Max was not yet finished. He continued speaking.
" We grew up together. We trained together. We fought together. He was my best friend. My beloved brother. " He placed his hand on the portrait and looked down.
Pain and anguish was written all over his face. Morgana felt a sudden urge to consol the prince. But something stopped her. Maybe it was her hatred for Max. Maybe it would have been absurd. She didn't know for sure.
Instead she asked, " Why are you telling me all these? "
" Sorry, Morgana. It all just came out. Actually, no one talks to me about Fred. Father has prohibited it and Eri could not stop crying when I try to talk about him.
But the memories... they just keep haunting me. Not a single day passes by that I don't miss him. " Saying this Max looked back at Morgana and said,
" I am sorry, my lady. Forgive my ramblings. I think you have far better works to do than listening to my chatters. "
" Actually, I was looking for you. "
" Really? Why is that? " Max asked Morgana looking in her eyes.
" You know why. "
For a second, Max seemed confused. Then, realization dawned on his face.
" Oh! You want to know why I asked you to battle? "
Morgana just gave a nod of agreement.
" I believe you yourself wanted to join the battle. People were saying that you were practicing with sword every day. And father said you were working hard to connect yourself with the magic of earth. So, I assumed you were preparing for the battle. "
" Your assumption is right but why did you include me in your group? Don't tell me that you truly meant what you said in the council chambers. "
Max chuckled hearing Morgana's words. " What will you say if I say that I meant exactly what I said in the council. I could really use your help. You are a very good swordswoman or so I am told. "
" Don't play coy with me. You had me at your mercy without even breaking a sweat. I am sure as hell that you can defeat one hundred soldiers in a second by messing with their minds. " Morgana said through gritted teeth.
Heaving a sigh, Max said, " It seems that you don't know much about telepathy. "
" Enlighten me, O great telepath of Saxony! " Morgana said in a mocking voice.
Max looked a little offended hearing Morgana's mocking tone but didn't say anything about it. He scratched the back of his head ( a gesture which Morgana interpreted as being nervous ) and began.
" A telepath can't enter into multiple minds at once. He only can subdue one mind at a time. So, he may be formidable in an one to one duel but in a battlefield, where there are thousands of soldiers, it becomes very hard and risky for a telepath to use his power as subduing one's mind is a time consuming process and... "
Max didn't get the chance the chance to complete his sentence as Morgana intervened in the midway.
" Why are you revealing your weaknesses to me? I tried to kill you. You should treat me like your enemy not like a friend. "
" You are not my friend, Morgana but you are soon going to be my sister in arms. And you should know your comrade's strengths just like their weaknesses. I know all your strengths and weaknesses where you know only about my strengths.
You are going to fight with me so, you should know about my weakness if you want to watch my back. "
" Who said that I am going to watch your back? "
" No one. I am just taking a wild guess. " Max said giving a mysterious grin.
Both of them didn't talk for sometimes. Then, Max opened his mouth again.
" As for why I am not treating you as an enemy... Well, it's been seven months but you haven't tried to kill me. The High Spymaster has informed me about that. So, it seems you have taken my advice to heart.
Father thinks that you have all the potential to become a ' Daughter of Saxony ' . But the councilors disagree. So, I propose that the battle ground can be your test field. If you prove yourself loyal to the kingdom in the battle, the councilors will cease their hostilities towards you. "
" But... " Max raised his hand and Morgana closed her mouth.
" Let me finish first. Battle is the great redeemer. The fiery crucible in which the only true heroes are forged. I believe that you can become a great ally and friend of our nation. You can become one of us. Prove yourself in the battle and all of Saxony will believe it too. "
' Is this really happening? ' Morgana thought.
It was too good to be true. She had wanted to prove herself loyal to Saxony ( obviously for her personal fain ). And now here the crown prince was saying that she could become one of them if she proved herself in the battle. Maybe fate was not such an evil bitch she thought it was.
But one thing was bugging Morgana. What would Max gain if she became one of them? All he ever cared about was his kingdom and family. He never cared about her well-being.
' Or did he? ' She mused.
' Don't be ridiculous. He doesn't fancy you. He's not like the stereotype nobles who fall for you at first sight. ' Her mind reminded herself.
Still she wanted to know about his motives. So, she asked knowing very well the prince might not give her a direct answer.
" What's in it for you if I become an ally to your kingdom? "
To her surprise, the prince did give her a direct answer.
" You are a good tactician, a good fighter and a soon to be master sorceress. Saxony will benifit greatly if you beome one of us. For now, you are just a guest. But your deed in the upcoming battle might change that status. "
" Oh only that. " Morgana muttered. She didn't know why but she had felt a little hurt hearing Max's reply. Or maybe she did know. She just wouldn't admit it. Anyway, she questioned again.
" Why the sudden change of heart? Seven months ago, you couldn't even stand my shadow and now you are trying to make me an ally of your kingdom. "
Max hmphed, " Argh... So many questions. You never make anything simple. Seven months ago, you were trying to kill me and now you are just calling me ' Bastard ' . That's a huge improvement.
You never even mentioned the name ' Albion ' once. We also know you're not plotting anything. In fact, you are helping people. " Morgana was going to say something but Max stopped her.
" Don't deny that. Your healing magic is very good and I know that you are helping our court physician and herbalist when you are not training.
So, I can safely assume that you are trying to earn our trust. And as I believe everyone deserves a chance, I am willing to give you that. Also I can't miss an opportunity to make a new and strong ally for the better of our kingdom. Happy now? "
Morgana knew the prince was holding off many things from her. But the things he had said would have to do for now. He had tried to trust her. The least she could do was to trust him back.
" Know one thing, Morgana. Try anything to betray us in the battle and you might find your head on a different place than your shoulder. "
Okay, maybe not fully. But still, it was a massive improvement than their full fledged rivalry seven months ago.
Prince Max began to walk away from her but Morgana's question stopped him.
" Who is really Lady Iliera? "
Max looked back at her and gave a mischievous grin.
" Noticed something odd, have you? Well, you'll know soon enough. " Saying this, the prince of Saxony left her alone in the corridor of portraits.
Morgana looked back at the portrait of Max's brother. The prince was a man of many secrets. Today she had learnt that he was not so cold as she had thought. Maybe they were not very different from each other.
But more importantly, today he had trusted her to be by his side. Although he didn't trust her completely. It was more than she could hope for. Maybe in time, she could convince the prince how miserable life was in Albion for the magical people.
And as he had magic too ( A strange type of magic ), she hoped that one day she could march to Albion with him and his army by her side.
To make that dream happen, she would have to trust Max back. Because you can't create an alliance without any trust.
Only a few days ago, they were each other's sworn enemy. Now it seemed their bitter relationship had taken a turn for the better. And maybe, just maybe, one day they could become friends. It seemed very odd now but who could tell what the future held? Even a seer like her couldn't see everything.
For now she had to remain focused. Because they had a battle to win in three days.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I am not much pleased about this chapter. It was hard for me. I was getting bored writing about Morgana just like you guys were getting bored reading. But there's good news. Next chapter we're returning to Albion. We're going to stop in Camelot to see what was happening there before going to Elmet. The moment of reunion between the two kings is nigh. Please leave a review, guys. I will be grateful. Happy reading and Adios.
- Assassin of Syria