tiltingwithlips: (Default)
Elizabeth Mortimer, called Kate Percy ([personal profile] tiltingwithlips) wrote2012-11-19 07:04 pm

[werewolf AU] A long night

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.
valiantrebel: ('zounds i will speak)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-25 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
Hal, for his part, watches her with numb interest: is he doomed to such?

He glances at Harry, marking again how much of his stance he ascribes to this bite: the stiffness, the hostile stillness. "I have come alone," he says, and closes the space between them, palms raised. "Confirm it thyself if thou wilt."

Harry looks to Kate, then glowers at Hal. He has naught to say to him; better to be sure of him. He stalks away.
valiantrebel: ('zounds i will speak)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-25 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
"I'd have us all begin anew. It shall soon enough be the time for it." He tries not to track Harry with his eyes, but he is so worn thin (so bruised beneath his brow) that he cannot but appear anxious. "My thanks to you both for staying to meet me."
valiantrebel: (we live to tread on kings)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-25 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
"And thou'rt here because of a duty incurred to me, art not, Lady Percy? Of a hurt bestowed which I did not seek out."
valiantrebel: ('zounds i will speak)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-25 06:10 am (UTC)(link)
Harry Hotspur huffs from the dimness. Hal ignores him, his focus all on the wife.

"They will make me king in the morning, my lady. They will lay the ropes of office 'round my shoulders, and crown me some days after."
valiantrebel: (answered neglectingly I know not what)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-25 06:26 am (UTC)(link)
"More unpleasant than the smell of London, which I have loved?" He shakes his head. "I had thought a wolf would be much observed in a city such as ours. God laughed at me yet again, for I was no more marked than a common stray."

He hugs his elbows. "And you? Open fields for the Percys come moonrise?"
valiantrebel: ('zounds i will speak)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-25 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"I need your trust, my lady. I need your help." He feels Hotspur behind him, smells him (will it ever feel natural?). "We both have much to offer the other."
valiantrebel: (we live to tread on kings)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-26 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
"And my lord of Northumberland?"

Harry makes no answer. He glares past Hal's shoulder at Kate.

Hal thins his lips. "My father offered thee a royal pardon, Harry. Your uncle Worcester paid the price for misrepresenting him."

Still Harry says nothing.

Hal sighs. "I'd not revoke that pardon, for all the battle took place."
valiantrebel: (dry with rage)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-26 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"I like it not," he says shortly. "And I've little enough to offer thee. It is my lady wife has the most to teach thee, as I've not seen any inclination to learn what becomes a king."

Hal bows his head. "I have a little honor, sir, and more than I confess I've shown. Yet let me prove myself." He turns back to Kate. "Lady Percy, on the battlefield, I had some words for thee, if memory serves us both."
valiantrebel: (this Mars)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-26 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Did you not wonder how it was I recognized you?"
valiantrebel: (resolved)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-26 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"My lady, your father's house is not unfamiliar to me. I heard rumors when we were children."

Harry scoffs. "And we're to be grateful that you said nothing?"

Hal watches Kate. "For years, I have said nothing. By my life, I'll not do otherwise now."

Harry shakes his head and looks away.
valiantrebel: (we live to tread on kings)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-26 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Hal does not think that others will have had his sources, but he lets that be.

"My word on the matter shall be final wheresoever I am king. I pray you, I have no other recourse: the pair of you are the only souls in England who know of my condition."
valiantrebel: ('zounds i will speak)

[personal profile] valiantrebel 2012-11-27 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Harry's thumb moves in circuits over the pommel of his sword. He can see his silence unnerves the prince. His own insides roil, but perhaps he has learned a little calm since he was bitten: his brain is not the buzzing, enraged hive he suffered the last time he was at court.

"My father," he says at last. "And my lands."

"Preserved and pardoned, for all their sins," says Hal quickly.

"That is between us," says Harry. He sets his jaw. "Edmund Mortimer."

Hal sucks in a breath. "Back to Lord Mortimer again," he says quietly. "He wed the daughter of our affirmed enemy."

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 17:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 18:33 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 18:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 20:18 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 20:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 20:54 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 21:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 21:14 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 22:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 22:51 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-27 23:19 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] valiantrebel - 2012-11-28 02:29 (UTC) - Expand