Merlin ♟ Liam Gallagher (merlyn) wrote in mythopoeics, @ 2012-08-01 11:33:00 |
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Entry tags: | !mini-log, !zurvan, igraine, merlin |
The sound of Igraine's heels hitting the floor echoed against the walls of the corridors she passed through, each step sounding more hollow than the previous. It rattled in her chest and head, being all that she could focus on until she reached her brother's chambers.
There had been no delay between being informed by the queen and reaching out to Merlin. This wasn't news one could keep secret for long. She'd taken it upon herself to relay the information to her youngest brother, the one who had remained in Camelot, the one she trusted above all. Deep in her heart, she understood it would be only the two of them in a matter of days. That there was no saving Heimdall.
Her head was held high despite all of this. Later, in the safety of her own room, she would crumple, but in the presence of her siblings, she had always pushed back her shoulders and held herself upright. This was no different as she stepped into Merlin's chambers, pain etched into her face.
Merlin was stirring the tea that Ra had brought him a few moments ago, he had asked him to well... go away, so he could speak to Igraine in absolute privacy. His mind was a little hazy from his last dose of painkillers (read: opium) and it was a little difficult to sit up all the way, sliding down the chair again and again. Admittedly, Merlin wasn't sure what to expect exactly- not good news, yes, but what? He didn't quite know.
Either way, if someone had upset his older sister, they would be answering to him. Maybe he had his arm in a cast, but that would not stop his wrath. The fact was that Merlin was not a family man, but he still had his justice notions that had to be respected. Those were subject to be thrown out the window as required though; situations sometimes called for drastic measures.
The visible pain in Igraine's face as she came in confirmed Merlin's suspicions, someone had done something to her and they would have to pay. Rising unsteadily to his feet he crossed the room, reaching out for her with his good arm, "Igraine?"
If only the sight of her brother could have calmed her. If only it could have give her some semblance of comfort. But she took his hand, holding it between both of hers for a few quiet moments. Before speaking, Igraine pressed the tip of her nose to his knuckles, soaking in the silence.
"Heimdall's been captured by the Ryugunese." Her voice was hard. Not disbelieving, not angry. "The queen informed me not ten minutes ago. They're bringing him back to Ryugu-Jo for trial." Which to her, sounded like 'to be inevitably executed'.
Something was very wrong indeed, the chancellor opened his mouth to say something but then Igraine spoke up and Merlin couldn't help but flinch at those news, swallowing thickly - feeling almost like his pronounced Adam's apple got stuck halfway there. "Don't say trial, it's an execution." His hard tone was betrayed by the sudden wetness in his eyes, "And she's just going to let this happen, no matter what because 'we are neutral'." There was a scoff, anger and sadness all overwhelming him, rationality going out the window.
He drew his hand back from Igraine, swearing under his breath, "She's a stupid woman, I won't- " He stopped in mid-sentence, "I will not serve."
Igraine cast her gaze out of the window, though not to admire the view. Seeing the tears in his eyes brought upon a thickness in her own throat, but she refused to cry. She would not cry. "Not once did I understand how easily she could hand him over. In order to keep peace with another region, must we hand over Camelotians just to ensure no war comes to our doorstep? Is one man's life worth sacrificing for the safety of a whole nation?"
She looked back to her brother. "There is nothing we can do to save Heimdall now. But we can do something to ensure another Camelotian isn't sacrificed for the price of war."
Merlin looked up at her, dark and intense, "I will not have the fact we're 'neutral' used against us. It was a stupid position to begin with and I've been saying so for years." This was the price of it, and too high for their family to pay. It was treason to think this way, he knew. "The old must go out before the new can come in. What are your proposing, sister?"
His gaze was met evenly. "At the moment, I'm not sure," she murmured, reaching out to take his good hand and lead him further into the bedroom. If anyone was to overhear this, it wouldn't mean well for them. "However, something must be done, and not by us alone. If we were to orchestrate this by ourselves, it would appear too much like a grudge, especially with Heimdall's execution on the horizon."
Quietly, she cupped his face in her hands to press a reassuring kiss to his forehead. "Let us sleep on it. Tomorrow, we will do what is best for Camelot."