A Fairy Tale #57: Mordred by deviantGrubb on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Shivana curtseyed to Lord Mordred and said “Greetings, Lord Mordred, I am honoured to be invited to your court.”

“I did not invite you, my father did.”, Lord Mordred replied.

“All the same, it is still an honour”, Shivana responded.

“My father thinks you can help me in the matters of war.” Lord Mordred said.

“What do you think? Can you help with creating plans to defend this city?”, Lord Mordred asked. He clearly was not happy with having to talk to this woman that no one knows. A woman, helping him...in the matters of war. He was obviously insulted at the idea.

Shivana explained “If my presence insults My Lord I am deeply sorry. Like you said, I am here at the request of the King. To answer your question, no, of course I cannot help you. I am a poor girl with no experience with such things. My Lord cannot learn anything from someone such as myself. I am assured My Lord knows exactly what he is doing and what the city needs for continued defence of the city. My sincerest apologies to My Lord and The King for the misunderstanding.”

Lord Mordred answered “Your apology is not accepted. If it were up to me, you would be thrown in the dungeon as a heretic. While you were seeing Merlin, my father told me what you said and what you believe. Your words conflict with some of the doctrines of our church. You would rot in the dungeon until you begged for death, after which it would be given as mercy.”

He continued “I believe you have lied all the way into the King’s Court, and my court. For what purpose, I am not yet sure. But I will figure it out. From what I understand, you will leave this city after our meeting. That is the best thing you can do. Get as far away from here, from me, as you can. That is all, you may leave now…..and leave the crowns you have been given. You are not a Queen.”

Shivana started to cry, she couldn’t help it. She took off her crown and laid it down. Sir Galahad laid down the other two crowns. They both bowed to Lord Mordred, turned and left his court.

Once outside, Sir Galahad tried to console Shivana, but she was hurt too badly and scared by Lord Mordred’s words.

Sir Galahad said “Don’t worry about him, he’s just an angry young man like I tried to warn you. Now you’ve seen it. He doesn’t deserve a spot in the Keep and if it weren’t for his lineage, I am sure he would be some sort of scavenger living in the worst parts of the forests. The places people don’t like to talk about or go.”

Shivana was still crying but thanked Sir Galahad for trying to make her feel better.

He continued “Will you stay one more night? I am sure the King wouldn’t mind, and I am worried about you leaving in this condition. You’ve had a long day as well. We need to prepare you properly for your journey ahead.”

“You are most gracious Sir Galahad. Your nobility will never be forgotten, I assure you. Yes, I accept your offer, and give you my sincerest thank you. Thank you.”

“Excellent my Queen. Please follow me and we will get you setup for the evening”.

She noted he called her his Queen, when she clearly wasn’t. That was meant as the utmost show of respect. Shivana followed Sir Galahad and vowed to thank him with more than words for his kindness, and graciousness, at some point, somehow.