[werewolf AU] A long night

[tiltingwithlips]

King Henry is ill, most likely dying, and the kingdom has known so for some time. For now, at least, the English are thinking more about succession than about rebellions, past or future.

The palace in London is still and quiet tonight. The air is heavy with tension, thick with the smell of worry.

Comments

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate's eyes widen in alarm as more people enter the room. Oh, this was a bad idea.

Her grip is white-knuckles tight on Harry's hand.

[valiantrebel]

If he's putting himself between Kate and the court, that is instinct inborn, not made.

Hal seems too dismayed to keep his feet. "I never thought to hear you speak again!" he insists, at which the king launches into a desperate and furious tirade.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate rests her forehead on Harry's shoulder and tries to breathe evenly and silently, to still her fear -- and, as the king rants at the prince, to ignore her shame. This is no thing for them to watch and be privy to.

[valiantrebel]

At one time, Harry might have found pleasure in seeing the wayward prince so dressed down, even to see Hal as roughly handled as he and his father and uncle had been. He gets no joy of it, though, nor of seeing King Henry totter and rail.

Yet the prince rallies suddenly; he stands and pleads not only his innocence, but his honor, and a sea-change in his heart. Harry's side twinges. He cannot trust such honeyed nonsense, but the king... the king's face empties of rage and fear before them.

Harry takes stock of the rest of the chamber: Warwick, the princes, other guards... there must be a back entrance, if the room does not empty.

[tiltingwithlips]

That, or they're going to have to rely on Hal's clemency.

Wonderful.

[valiantrebel]

As King Henry keeps rambling on, pulling Hal close and wandering about the throne, Harry knits his brow. Something about his smell has changed: it's become sour and dense. He looks to Kate, alarmed.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate sniffs, and her eyes widen.

By the time the Duke of Lancaster comes striding into the room, the air is filled with the reek of sickness. Kate presses her lips together and closes her eyes.

[valiantrebel]

Harry waged a war to topple this man.

Now King Henry may finish that work without help.

Harry cannot look away: the king grips Hal's collar, whispering, staring, staggering. And then, from one moment to the next, he simply -- stops.

Hal catches him as he falls; Harry can't see his expression, but it cannot be less stunned than his own.

[tiltingwithlips]

The Duke of Lancaster rushes forward to help his brother bear their father's body to the floor.

Kate -- doesn't know what to feel.

[valiantrebel]

One answer becomes plain enough to Harry: worry. They must not be discovered. They must find a way out, and quick.

Men of the court swarm to the scene. Guards come rushing in and out. The main entrance is thoroughly out of the question. In the midst of all this, Hal turns and stares in their direction.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate gives Hal an alarmed look.

Is this going to be how it ends, then? With Hal discovering them to the rest of the court?"

[valiantrebel]

Hal shakes his head, and turns to the rest of the throne room.

"We must bear his royal body hence, lords. Afore God, when we have brought him to a statelier rest, I must to the chapel for a time, alone."

Harry squeezes Kate's hand. He nods toward a small door hidden in the paneling at the back of the room.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate lets out a breath, nods, and starts creeping that way.

[valiantrebel]

The door creaks, but at least the uproar covers it well enough. It opens into a narrow passageway, ill lit and drafty. At the very least, they're hidden, for now. If only Harry had the slightest idea where Westminster's chapel was.

[tiltingwithlips]

The moment the door is shut behind them, Kate grabs Harry for a quick, desperate kiss.

"Harry -- art well?"

[valiantrebel]

He cannot enjoy it -- he is too distracted.

"In body, well enough." He bows his head and exhales hotly. "We did not plan for this."

[tiltingwithlips]

"God above, Harry, what did we plan for?"

[valiantrebel]

He snorts. "I'll not dispute thee." He knits his brow. "We cannot trust him to come alone, Kate. Nor to let us leave."

[tiltingwithlips]

She closes her eyes. "I know. But to leave him alone with this--"

[valiantrebel]

"Did he not kill me? Is he not known for a scoundrel? And shall we suppose him so much less a creature than thee, little though I like to say so? He shall be king, they say, and a king must overcome plenty."

[tiltingwithlips]

"He did not kill thee," she points out in a mutter, "but only tried."

A sigh. "But there thou speakest truth, I'll warrant. Then we must needs be away?"

[valiantrebel]

"He all but succeeded, but for thee," he snaps, and pinches the bridge of his nose.

He stays like that, shoulders hunched, for what feels an interminable time. He hate to say this, or even to think it, but they've no more armies, no more rebellions, no more leverage over the crown -- save for this. Harry cares not a whit whether Hal must face his full moons alone and afraid.

And yet.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate watches him for a moment, her expression unreadable, then touches his elbow.

"Then get thee gone from the castle. This coil is 'long of me."

[valiantrebel]

"Shall I leave thee here alone? Nay, nor shall he think I've fled him. What sort of man should that make me?"

[tiltingwithlips]

"A safe one -- and a living one!"