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Post by Lane of Magic on Aug 18, 2008 21:02:21 GMT 9.5
If Mab had left in a hurry, she returned in twice as much of a hurry, and judging from the look on her face, Vortigern reckoned she wasn’t in a very good mood. Damned if he knew why. Still, he remained seated in his chair and asked nothing, knowing he would probably find out soon enough. And indeed, she didn’t waste any second, as she planted herself in front of him.
“Vortigern. Did you kill her?” He narrowed his eyes somewhat suspiciously, then smirked.
“Why? Because you’re having regrets that you went for a stroll, rather than turning her to ashes when you had your chance to?”
Mab grimaced, trying to get the words out, “…Not exactly. I want you to let her live.”
Vortigern almost did a double take and stood up. It was one of the things he had least expected her to say. And he did not appreciate the tone in her voice much – if she imagined he would just go ahead and do or not do whatever she told him to, she was gravely mistaken. She should have known that by now. But he was intrigued, nevertheless.
“I don’t know if you realise, but this is the second time you’re asking me not to kill one of your enemies. You’re going soft, milady,” he smirked down on her, gaining himself a glare. It didn’t exactly bother him. If anything, it amused him – after all, she looked good when glaring. But, that aside, he was curious as to what had triggered this sudden change in her attitude. “Is this the effect that the latest events have had on you?”
“In a way.” She elaborated, her voice serious, “For better or worse, she also remembers me. Or some version of me, a powerful goddess she hates with a vengeance. And that is precisely what I need – for someone to remember.” Vortigern frowned slightly, contemplating this for a moment. Indeed, it had not crossed his mind before, but he did not want to dwell on it now.
“I remember you,” he offered. “The real you. She only remembered some goddess from her future. It’s not the same.” “Remembered?!” Mab echoed, but he only shrugged lazily, much to her dismay. She let out an exasperated growl, then swirled around, inwardly boiling with anger – because there was nothing she would have wanted more than to rip that traitor to pieces herself, because that had not seemed like an option at the time, and because he had let her plead for that woman’s life when it was already too late. And beyond all the anger, she simply did not want to let him see any of the anguish she’d been feeling. The dread. She did not want to look down at herself and see herself fading away again, although that was something she didn’t like to admit even to herself.
“You won’t disappear, if that’s your worry,” he said rather matter-of-factly, as if having just read her thoughts. Her head snapped up as she turned to face him, eyes positively blazing at his arrogance. To her surprise, he looked perfectly serious – no, he wasn’t mocking her, but if this was meant to be reassuring, it was having the exact opposite effect. What could he possibly know? Only then did it hit her that perhaps he did know. He must have been full of doubts himself after having cheated death. He must have wondered whether he was truly alive again, or it was nothing more than just a trick of his imagination or some similarly horrible deceit.
It could not be more ironic, now that she thought about it: she’d killed him – he’d brought her back; and now he was probably the only one to know what she was thinking.
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Post by himiko on Aug 25, 2008 11:49:52 GMT 9.5
Well... I had a go...
---
The silence was awkward for a few moments. Vortigern might have enjoyed being the knowledgeable one for once, the one who knew what she was thinking, but all the same, he had no desire for a heart to heart about experiences of death. Nor, for that matter, did Mab.
When the silence grew uncomfortable, Mab eventually spoke up.
"You will refrain from killing Arthur. He was from the future, as well as his sister, he may well remember me, too." Vortigern raised an eyebrow at her tone.
"Will I now? Why would I want to leave a potential rival alive?"
"Arthur is trapped in your dungeons, he has no use beyond that of a figurehead for his men. When he eventually dies, you will have to deal with revolt on their part, but as it is, you seem to have kept up the ruse of an alliance with reasonable competence. It's as well for you to keep him alive until I can ascertain whether he can be of any use, at least."
"And why, pray tell, Madam, are you so keen for yourself to be remembered from the point of view of a Christian- an enemy of your religion? And why by someone that hated you?" Mab turned a hard gaze on him.
"Because, Vortigern, your knowledge of me isn't enough. Because a goddess has many faces to show to the world, many roles she must play, many aspects to be a part of herself. Because those weren't the perspectives I'd have hoped for, but they're all I've got left."
"Funnily enough, I don't seem to recall you objecting to my... knowledge of you up to now." Mab shot him a withering glance, to which Vortigern replied with a shrug, "Perhaps I'll let him live. I can't see it having any great effect myself, but I suppose you've yet to come up with anything more effective..." Mab growled slightly, and Vortigern smirked to himself. Foolish to vex his ally, perhaps, but in the aftermath of battle, the urge for a fight was still pounding through him, if not one of swords and axes, then this would have to do, and the Queen of the Old Ways was always quick to anger.
"Perhaps you're simply distracted," he offered smugly, coming to stand next to her. She glared at him coolly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Vortigern said nothing, his smile simply increasing in smugness as he stepped forward again, reached his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him. Not really a fight, as such, but the second best way to sate bloodlust. At first, Mab seemed to assent to it, stepping forwards further against him, only to deliver a sudden and harsh slap that set his ears ringing.
Eyes darkening, the king of Britain turned back to the Queen of the Old Ways, grabbed her by the throat and pushed her backwards across the table, sending goblet and wine jug flying, pressing his mouth against hers. Mab responded to the kiss, parting her lips, and then, a few moments later, sinking her teeth into his own lips. Vortigern growled, pulled away. Reaching down, he grabbed a fistful of her dress, and simply tore it. Always, this woman had to have the last word, to try and make the commands, even when he was the one with the upper hand. Not this time, he promised himself, blood pumping through his body. Just once he would make her truly submit to him, with no love spells involved.
Mab snarled in return, her hands reaching up, tangling in his clothes. Armor decorated his clothes, chain mail- she could not rip that with her bare hands, but she had magic enough for that- a flick of her wrist, and thousands of useless iron links flew off in every direction, as she dug her nails into his jaw, pushed the pair of them upright again. Always, this man had sought supreme power, and never had he truly acknowledged hers, whether as a thorn in her side, or a useful ally. Now she would MAKE him bow to her, depleted powers or no.
His hand twisted in her hair, pulled it back so that her throat was exposed, tightened his grip around it until any mortal woman would have stopped breathing. Mab simply pulled herself to the side, and, momentarily caught off balance, Vortigern fell backwards, crashing into the table where she had been pinned moments before. Her mouth was on his again, and he could feel the infernal woman laughing at his expense. Pushing himself upright, he grabbed Mab, and practically flung her onto the bed in the corner, pulling off what remained of her dress as he did so. She didn't move for a moment, until he joined her, when she sank her nails into his back, and tore downwards, leaving deep scores in his skin, trickles of blood flowing from them, as he gave a roar of pain.
Another open handed blow to pale skin, sharp nails shredding clothes, a light form, so easily pinioned, but easy enough too, to slip out of a hold. On they went, each determined to emerge victorious in this odd, unspoken battle, even if they had to tear themselves apart to do it.
--
Right. I'm going to go and hide in a corner with some cheese and a pork pie now.
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Post by Lane of Magic on Aug 28, 2008 21:09:24 GMT 9.5
He had wished for a fight, he hadn’t expected that kind of a fight. She would slip through his fingers as easily as quick silver, snarling and scratching her way out of his hold when he least expected it, only to let him fall in her place, a vicious pleasure visible on her features with each frustrated growl that left his lips when she eluded him.
Her slender form was lying on top of his again, her hand on his chest, sharp nails stinging at the skin of the prey under them, as her lips met his. He let her enjoy her temporary little victory, but grabbed her arms the next moment, threw her roughly beside him and rolled back on her, all in one swift motion. Not willing to give her time for a reaction, he reached for her again, managed to bring both her hands over her head, and pinned her body in place with his weight, only then taking a moment to catch his breath, gaze riveted on the ever tameless Fairy Queen.
“What, don’t you want me anymore?” Mab sneered, seeing him pause, her own breaths ragged, but her eyes veritably sparkling, daring him to give his best shot at winning this final battle of their war. He went to capture her mouth in response, but his senses still very much alert, he was quick to draw back before her teeth could sink into his skin. Another swift move, and his hand fisted hard in her hair, ensuring she would not lash out suddenly.
“Bite me one more time,” he growled, leaning down, “And I’ll bite back.”
“Don’t provoke me,” Mab snarled, baring her teeth, leaving no doubt as to her intentions, or just how much she would listen to him.
Vortigern smirked, but knew better than to come any closer to her mouth again. No, this he needed more than sheer force to win, he realised, but win it he would, however unyelding his current opponent was. Still holding her in place, he lunged to kiss her throat instead, heard her supress a moan as he moved down her body, his hands now digging into the soft flesh of her thighs, his tongue delighting in the taste of the marble skin of her breast.
He knew she would not remain still, but follow him, as soon as she had the liberty to move again, and so she did. He was counting on it. The moment he pulled away and she lifted herself up, he snaked his arm around her and wrenched her towards him, crushing her against his chest, keeping her stuck there, despite all the angry struggling that ensued when she realised she had no leverage to either get away, or simply unbalance him. She knew she could scratch all she wanted, that this time he wouldn’t let go.
Her hand clenched in his hair, pulling his head backwards, not letting go even when his fierce grip around her tightened further still. Craning her head towards him, Mab stared down at him, seemed to relish almost triumphantly the lust reflected in his piercing eyes, a glint of defiance mixed with the slightest spark of appreciation burning in her own gaze. She leaned down, close enough to feel his breath on her face, and for a moment her eyes narrowed, she looked as if she were about to rip him to pieces, her fingers closing around his jaw in an unforgiving grip. Instead, she lunged for his mouth, not biting, but devouring those lips nonetheless, the intensity she put in her kiss enough to match his own lust.
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Categorically Nobody
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Post by Categorically Nobody on Aug 30, 2008 21:55:12 GMT 9.5
The part of Mab that never slept, that never stopped, that never even blinked - that voice in her mind was raking its claws through her even as she deepened the kiss yet further, even as she tangled her hands in his lion-colour hair and pulled him yet closer. The part of Mab that was always focussed on strategy, and on battles, and on winning, was clamouring in her veins, forcing her nails down his stubbled jaw and over his throat, yearning for blood, thirsting for victory over him, if nothing else. And some other, rarely acknowledged whisper gentled her hand, and the nails became what was almost a caress...
Of course, he broke the kiss immediately, and his lips quirked. She could feel his breath, husky and hot, against her skin, as he muttered, "Sentiment, milady?"
"What?" She smirked back, her own lips settling into a triumphant curve, "The heat of passion has clearly sparked the onset of delirium. Hardly surprising, I guess, at your age..."
And her palms were curling in again, but now he had her in an unforgiving grip, his swarthy hands circling her bare arms, and she wasn't struggling, wasn't scratching, wasn't anything anymore because she didn't... want to. The pleasure it brought to ignore both the watchful and the belligerent sides of herself was surreal. She felt herself relaxing, slackening, in his arms, felt the tension leaving her limbs, unwinding like a coil, felt herself giving in to his embrace, felt her guard lowering, felt herself, for some reason, allowing him closer - closer to that third face, that hidden face, the Maiden who had stood for years behind the Mother and the Warrior.
His brow furrowed before he could help himself. He looked down on the languid faerie draped across his sheets, her radiant skin casting a faint, unnatural light over their silken threads. His confusion was immense - one minute, she was writhing, scratching, spitting out quips that had him chuckling through those kisses he could steal, and now, unresisting, unstruggling, willing, she lay before him - her eyes still sparkling with that teasing, predatory, light - and by all the Gods, Vortigern was confused.
Another game? Trickery. The Mistress of Magic always had excelled in that field. She was trying to sway his judgement, unsettle him, confuse him into making some false move, and then...
"Does your mind analyse every situation as if it were a battle?" Again her throaty whisper, purring and soft now.
The king's scowl deepened, grip tightened, frustration doubled as she merely smiled. He picked her up then, a limp bundle in his arms, and her cool hands were on his skin, gliding over his chest. He didn't even begin to wonder now what game she was playing - his own impatience and desire was boiling under his skin. He crushed her into the wall, holding her there with one hand while the other strayed down those silken limbs. And she merely let him.
His rough hands, his savage caresses, were blunt and bold and so unassuming, and for some reason, his every touch left her stirred, forgetting her contempt, wanting more, wanting him... and she couldn't explain why, why this impudent mortal should awaken such torment in her - but damn him that he could! They tore now not at each other, but at the last shreds of one another's clothing, and it all fell away like cobwebs. Bare and stripped, they crushed together, and it was so satisfying to feel his skin against hers, and the last vestiges of her self restraint falling to the floor with her tattered clothes, the queen of air and darkness threw back her head and laughed.
Laughed. She was laughing - and he didn't have a clue why. But at the same time, her legs were coiling themselves around his waist, her arms snaking around his neck, and she was inviting him, her gaze no longer dangerous, but needing, and she was still pressed unresisting to the wall when he slid into her. The gasp that escaped her lips was echoed in his own throat, and a shiver wracked them both, and Vortigern didn’t know whether he was winning or losing this dangerous game now, nor care. He cared only that they were moving together, and that he could taste the desire on her skin, that her hands were clinging to his shoulders with a desperation he had never known before, and that he was responding in kind.
They moved away from the wall, somehow ended up once more on the bed, cosseted in the sheets, sheets that clung to their limbs, that they pushed aside into crumpled folds as the blind passion overtook them. Mab wasn’t sure how long those mindless, torrid moments lasted, only that by the end of them he wasn’t a king, and she wasn’t a queen, and there was no ocean of risk lapping at their feet – for those moments, he wasn’t the arrogant soldier she despised, and she wasn’t the infuriating faerie tormenting him; they were two lovers, arching against each other, moaning softly, engulfed by the final throes of sensation, and then, draped across each other, gentled.
Even as the clarity of thought returned to him, he didn’t speak at first. He wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, why the encounter had been so completely different to the last time, why she had simply opened herself to him and why he hadn’t resisted… why now he was trailing his fingers down her soft arm, and she was allowing it, gazing up at him with languorous eyes.
“Why…” he finally began, not at all liking the bewilderment he could hear in his own voice, “…The last thing I expected was…”
Her fingers found his lips, pressed them softly closed. “I know you didn’t.” Her eyes were glittering again, drinking in his confusion. “I guess you’ll just have to admit defeat.”
He smiled then, crookedly, knowingly. “If it pleases you, Milady… if it pleases you.”
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Post by Lane of Magic on Sept 4, 2008 6:51:15 GMT 9.5
[Well, I can’t help it, I have to say a few things… Firstly, “Nobody”, that was the most beautiful thing I ever read.** Also. I love these characters so much, and I will miss them dearly – all of them. And I thank all gods out there for all the wonderful moments that this story has brought to me, and everyone who ever wrote in it, and everyone who ever read the random and batshit parts I got in, and… yeah, that’s about it. I’ll shut up, anyway, before I get too squishy. EDIT: And my brain was obviously incapable of functioning, sorry, bare with me, it’s not easy. :’’’( But here’s the actual thing, at last. ...I think. *nod* /edit] ---
Her lips twisted into a lazy smile and she remained there, nestled in his embrace, her eyes slowly closing under the touch of his fingers, this time soothing, every caress worth a thousand words secretly asking her to stay. And for the first time in so long, Mab realised she didn’t want to leave, and it wasn’t exhaustion that rendered her spent in his arms. It surprised her, more than anything, but it was something she didn’t want to fight anymore, as her hand came to rest on his chest, sleep finally claiming her, if only for a few moments.
For his part, Vortigern couldn’t get much rest – perhaps it was the extreme fatigue that was having these strange effects on him, perhaps it was the immense euphoria that had invaded him. He felt as if the entire world were his. …In his arms? He’d played a dangerous game, he had lost his mind, his life, his crown – everything. He’d wanted revenge and it all seemed so far away now… Little could he have known that his revenge would turn his world upside down, leaving him with questions he had never wanted to answer. Little could he have known that she would gain his respect and so much more, that he would end up fighting to stop her from disappearing into oblivion, or that he would be cradling her in his arms now, and not wish for anything else– yes, it was definitely extreme fatigue that was playing tricks on him. He shook his head as if to rid himself of all such thoughts.
Looking down at the goddess beside him, he was almost startled to notice she was awake, staring at him, her expression unfathomable. For a moment, he wondered if everything had not been another deceit, but he didn’t want to wait to find out – his arms pulled her closer again, and he went to turn her face towards him, but by then her lips had already found his, and this time it was her thoughts that wandered, remembering, noticing things that perhaps hadn’t been as obvious before. He’d always found a way into her thoughts, even when she couldn’t imagine that their paths would ever meet again, even when she had been under a spell, but still alert, part of her still focused on the war – and on the warrior who, in the end, had found his way to her warrior heart – because they had made love, and the magic of those moments hadn’t worn off still. And Mab knew it wouldn’t – not this time. After breaking the kiss, she just gazed up at him again, a feral yet playful gleam in her eyes.
“You’ve had better days, from what I can see…” she noted with a smirk, her fingers gliding gently over some of the scratches on his skin.
“You’ve put me through a lot, milady, I guess you can be satisfied with yourself,” Vortigern replied, his voice not exactly edgy, a smile subtly pulling on one corner of his mouth. He reckoned he had probably got more wounds and scratches because of her, rather than the actual battle he’d fought the day before.
“We’ve both been through a lot. Why, would you change it? The past?” Mab whispered in a low, somewhat hoarse voice. She knew that it was impossible, that nothing could ever erase all the tumult and the pain that they had caused each other and wondered briefly what might have happened, had she done things differently. Maybe nothing – maybe this was simply what it took to bring them here. Neither of them would ever change, but that didn’t matter now, because something else had changed. And this time, they had both come out victorious.
As if sharing that knowledge, Vortigern didn’t dwell much on it, his reply almost dismissive, “No, just work on the future.” Surprisingly or not, she seemed to consider it, a nearly imperceptible frown on her forehead – there were still matters to tend to, the burden of her duties was still on her shoulders.
“Speaking of which, I have to go back to my kingdom, or what’s left of it.” She had not left the Realm of Men since he summoned her there, and now she could no longer put it off. Besides, there were many things he himself had to take care of, as king; they could not simply ignore the rest of the world, however tempting or convenient it might have been. They both knew that.
“Hm, yes, there’s still the matter of making these idiots remember you,” Vortigern admitted, not at all happy that he still had no idea what to do about it. To his surprise, Mab let out a small laugh. “Have you thought of something?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes, actually,” Mab answered, seeming rather amazed herself. The more she thought about it, the more radiant her face became, as a plan had already started to form in her mind. “The answer has been in front of me all along, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner. But there is something I can do. And it’s to do with magic. And I’ll tell you more once I’ve started…” she trailed off, noticed Vortigern was trying to supress a smirk. “What?...”
“I told you, you were distracted…” he finally replied, shrugging innocently.
“You’re hardly in a position to talk,” Mab pointed out curtly, delivering a humourless smile, but in the end failing to appear truly annoyed. If he had imagined he could get her to snap at him so easily, he had been quite mistaken for once – nothing really seemed to upset her, not now that a new scheme had occurred to her. So, she leant forwards, her nails tracing his jaw slowly, the risk that they might curl in unexpectedly still very much there. He remained still, his body tense, his gaze ever so piercing, as he tried to figure out beforehand any move she might make, but Mab only came closer, turned her face slightly, her cheek brushing against his.
“You’re forgetting that I was busy taming a beast last night…” she whispered in his ear, silently relieved that she hadn’t lost herself for good, that there had been something that had weighed more than everything else, after all, something that in a way had set her free. Of course, that was a knowledge she preferred to keep to herself.
“Oh, is that what you think of me?” Vortigern guffawed, his arms locking around her fiercely, pulling her suddenly into another kiss. Had she been able to, Mab would probably have shook her head – arrogant as ever, wasn’t he? But now that she thought about it, she remembered how she’d once thought that he could be many things to the naked eye… and how she’d always known better. A mysterious smile played on her face.
“I never thought that of you.”And then, she added, her voice lower, grinding each word as if it were an accusation, “But I do think you are the most arrogant, obstinate and annoying mortal I’ve ever known.” The description sounded rather familiar suddenly – his thoughts of her were probably along the same lines. Her lips twitched and for a moment he thought she might laugh. But her features settled immediately into their usual composure, and yet, a bit later, she admitted, however hard it was – and not in defeat, merely as an afterthought, “I wouldn’t change a thing in you.” She gazed at him, then disappeared in her usual impressive flash as of angry lightning. It didn’t bother him – he now knew that she would soon return.
---
For so long, she had only focused on saving her people, knowing she would be giving up aspects of herself, not caring so long as she managed to fulfill her duty. And yet, the night before it hadn’t been her, but everything else that had been put aside, and now she couldn’t help feeling a pang of anxiety, unsure of what she might find in her kingdom. The Lord of Fire had been anything but reassuring when they last talked, and now she would see for herself. As she stared around herself, Mab was stunned.
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Post by himiko on Sept 9, 2008 10:48:22 GMT 9.5
It had been crumbling, the last time she saw it, falling apart before her very eyes. And though she knew that that hadn't been real, merely a vision in the Cauldron of Rebirth, common sense told her that it should have reached that point long before her son had been banished, and the battle in the mortal world won. And yet, far from the crumbling ruin that she'd been expecting, her kingdom seemed whole... The walls of her underground palace were without cracks. The immense crystal in her Inner Sanctum positively sparkled with power. The fairies that inhabited her kingdom still flitted from place to place, calling out to each other happily in their high-pitched voices. It wasn't perfect, of course. There was still the damage of the centuries to contend with- the dust that lay heavy on the standards of knights who had once served her; the drained crystals that littered the palace floor. And Mab knew, deep down, that that wasn't the only damage present in her kingdom- that in the last few hours, more crystals had fallen, drained, to the floor, that those that remained did not glow quite as strongly as before. But it was here, and it was whole, and for now, that would do.
"You took your time. I'm afraid we already ate the "Welcome Home" cake."
Normally, Mab would have made some belittling comment towards her brother, or even joined in with his banter. Now, however, all she could do was form the word, "How...?" and gesture around her kingdom. Loke followed her gaze and shrugged, smiling slightly.
"I don't know. I was surprised myself when I saw it. Does it matter?" Despite these sentiments, however, he went on after a moment, "It's just a guess but... perhaps you're the reason?"
"I'm the reason?" Mab repeated, disbelievingly, "Don't be ridiculous, Loke, you know I don't have the power to do all this, not at the moment." Loke shook his head and sighed in mock despair.
"I said that perhaps you were the reason- not that you'd knowingly repaired it before you even left Anoeth. Think for a moment- this is your kingdom, it and you are inextricably linked, the weaker you grow, the more damage your kingdom sustains."
"But I've not grown so much stronger since what... what my son did. I'm not fading away any more, but my powers are so far reduced that my kingdom should be a crumbling shadow of what it is now- and it was- so why would it suddenly..." Mab trailed off, realisation dawning on her face. Years ago now, she'd given up a collosal amount of power to create Merlin, but it had been more than just power she'd lost- part of herself had been lost that day, too. She'd felt it's return today, when Merlin had returned it to her, but the idea that it would affect her kingdom simply hadn't occured to her.
"Not more powerful..." she muttered, half to herself.
"... Just more whole." Loke agreed, finishing her sentence for her, "I'd say it's all working out rather well."
"Considering that I almost faded away and my kingdom was almost destroyed," Mab replied drily. But Loke was right, she admitted to herself. Despite the disastrous mess that they had found themselves in, for once, everything was falling into place. Her kingdom was still whole. There was a king on the throne willing to promote the Old Ways. Merlin had his memory back. And an idea that had appeared in her brain in Vortigern's tent was beginning to take on a magnificent shape. She glanced at her brother.
"Thank you," the words were spoken quickly, and rather quietly, as though she didn't want anyone else to here her being so sentimental. Loke started in surprise.
"What for?"
"For being your usual, irritating, self," Mab replied, one eyebrow raised, as though daring him to push the issue further, before grudgingly adding, "For what you've done. For helping bring my son back. For not staying away when I asked you to, for not following plans, for your incessant teasing and advice." Loke burst out laughing.
"Anytime, Mab, anytime."
"Mab?" The Queen of the Old Ways turned to see her son approaching. Merlin hesitated at first, and then smiled at her, "How are you?"
"Better than I should be," she replied, smiling at her son, "If Loke's seen fit to share his theory with you, perhaps you already know, it seems I have you to thank for all this." She waved her hand around, pointing vaguely around her kingdom. Merlin shuffled awkwardly.
"I didn't know it would do all this," he replied, "I just remembered what you and Idath said, all that time ago..." Ah, of course, his memory.
"Do you remember it now? All of it?"
Merlin nodded- all his memories had indeed been restored to him. It was truly a mixed blessing, for along with the good memories had come the pain- the deaths of Ambrosia, of Nimue, of Uther's murder at his own hands. The memories of what he had said to Mab, following it. The memories of his own death.
"They're all there. It's odd, having memories from a time I couldn't remember anything..." He trailed off, "I should thank you. I said terrible things to you, before I lost my memory. Sometimes I thought you just wanted me here because of the use I could be to you. But you pulled me back from death. You kept me here even when I'd lost my memories, even when I was no use to you at all. It seems to be quite the pattern, me being proved wrong about you. I haven't been much help to you- not in reinstating the Old Ways. And I want to." Merlin still looked awkward, and Mab was quiet for a moment, before fixing him with a triumphant smile- he and Loke both.
"You will," she replied, "You will..." Seeing the confused looks that Merlin and Loke granted her with, she continued.
"If dreams can be used to make people forget me," she explained, "Then they can be used to make them remember me, too. I'll need your help. I'll need you to use your powers to support mine. But done right, this could undo a lot of the damage that's been done."
"More than that," Loke grinned, "It could gain you even more than you lost these past few days."
---
Meh. I'm not very happy with it, and will maybe come back and edit it at some point. That aside, however, I have an announcement to make.
I am taking a vacation from Jim. Much as I love it, I've been finding it harder to write recently, and I've got no ideas as to where the story can go from here at the moment. Now, whilst this in itself isn't particularly announcement worthy, as you may have gathered from Lane's post above, she's taking a break, too, for the time being. We neither of us want this to be the end of Jim, though- which is why we'd like to encourage anyone reading this to keep posting, or return to posting, or maybe even post for the first time. Many thanks!
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Post by Maellowyn on May 6, 2014 8:05:49 GMT 9.5
Believe it or not - I finally decided to read all th 41-fucking-pages of this awesome story now... and believe me there were parts, that gave me goosebumps ... sadly this one seems to be abandoned for quite some time now, still lacking a proper ending...
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Post by sleepyqueenie on Sept 8, 2014 13:10:01 GMT 9.5
Congratulations on reading all of it! I know the goosebump feeling it gives very well. And its addictiveness. I first read this legendary fic before I was a member of this site. By the time I finished reading, I had made an account for myself. "lacking a proper ending..." So it does... I would have to reread ALL of it to feel up to this and even so, I highly doubt a post by me would do it justice. Wasn't there a sequel created to this? Does anyone remember? I know we have the Cid group fic over on Chamber's of Merlin.
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Post by himiko on Sept 12, 2014 7:46:53 GMT 9.5
I'm sure a post of yours would be awesome, I know you're an awesome writer *subtle pester hints for Cid are in no way implied within this post * It is a bit of a monster of a fic to do a reread through, though XD As to a sequel, there isn't a sequel in terms of the story as far as I know (though feel free to correct me if anyone else knows of one). There is, as you say, Cid over on Chambers, but that's a completely separate story from this one. There was another group fic posted on Chambers set a long time prior to the film, but I don't think it lasted very long if I recall- I think because it was posted in the General Art forum rather than the Merlin Stories one- I've moved it over now, before I forget. That's also a separate story, but more of a prequel than anything else.
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Post by Maellowyn on Feb 9, 2015 6:27:05 GMT 9.5
Wow another year has passed.. maybe I'm going to re-read it again some time...
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Post by sleepyqueenie on Feb 11, 2015 19:29:02 GMT 9.5
It is worth it :)and a very enjoyable way of spending your free time.
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Post by Queen Mab on Feb 13, 2015 8:53:50 GMT 9.5
Believe it or not - I finally decided to read all th 41-fucking-pages of this awesome story now... and believe me there were parts, that gave me goosebumps ... sadly this one seems to be abandoned for quite some time now, still lacking a proper ending... I read it a few times and I loved it so. Sadly everything comes to an end even if it fizzles out without a proper ending and is not what we were expecting.
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Post by Libitine on Nov 13, 2016 7:56:04 GMT 9.5
I am in tears. This website, nay, this community, was my absolutely salvation in middle and high school (ages 13-18), and I completely abandoned it because I couldn't make time for it. Seeing "Jim" again reminds me of the support and friendship I had here. I am so regretful to have let it go.
To anyone who remembers me five-plus years ago, I think of the banners and the icons and the fanfics almost every day.
I miss you and I am grateful for you.
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Post by Libitine on Nov 13, 2016 7:56:21 GMT 9.5
*cyber hug*
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Post by Clive on Nov 13, 2016 13:54:30 GMT 9.5
Thanks for posting, it has indeed been very quiet here lately
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