Snippet #1489144

Adelaide's eyes flickered to Mary, as she shook her head in disbelief. "That can't be true..." She whispered, tears welling in her dark eyes as she stared at her serving girl in utter horror at the words that had fallen from her lips. "Lionel would not harm our mother. He's awful, but he is not a cold-blooded killer. No, I cannot...will not believe that he laid a hand on her." But she did. Deep down, she knew that Lionel would have stabbed her, if only to prove a point. As Kervall moved her face to look into his, she felt the tears cascading down her cheeks. They were warm against her paled skin. Shaking, she couldn't stop them. They simply fell, almost endlessly. Kervall's words calmed her somewhat, but she could still feel the tears, the pain that felt like a hole had been torn into her chest. Taking deep breaths, she tried to stop herself, but they soon turned into sobs, as she buried her face in her hands. She had to go straight to her mother and see if she was as grievously wounded as Mary had said. Could it be possible that her mother was dying?

Looking up at Kervall, she choked back her tears and whispered. "I'm going to kill him." She vowed, a look crossing her eyes. "If he has harmed any member of my family, I promise I'm going to kill him with my own hands. If he dares to lay a hand on Rab-" The words caught in her throat. Her little brother. He had been absent from the hall, but what if he had returned? Was he watching their mother die whilst she cradled him? "Raban." Getting to her feet, she leaned towards Kervall pressing her lips fleetingly to his, for just a moment, before she pulled back, resting her forehead against his. "I have to find my mother and Raban. I'll be back the moment I find him, you have my word. But if I don't then I...Thank you. For everything. You're even willing to take a chance and protect me. You're an amazing man. There is a chance that Lionel is still trapped somewhere and I already know he wants my head." Glancing at Ser Cavanaugh she graced him with a bow of the head. "It was a pleasure. In my absence, I will trust that you will ensure his safety. Mary, thank you as well."

"Adelaide, wait, you have my word that I shall stand by you. It may not mean all that much but-" Mary managed to get out as the princess hurried towards the door. She turned and pulled the blind girl into a hug.
"It means everything to me Mary. It really does." She whispered and with that, she released her and disappeared from the room, her skirts flying behind her.

*******

Adelaide felt numb. She felt completely cold. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. There was chaos inside the hall with many crying, screaming even running to get away. But she only had eyes for one thing. Her mother was laid on the floor, many gathered around her, a sword violating her body. So it was true. Lionel had driven a sword into Morgana in the hope to take her life. It looked as though she was still alive, but in a critical way. A sob caught in her throat and her hand flew to her mouth, just as Raban reappeared on the scene. He looked just as shocked as she felt. She started towards him, but halted as another man offered him a hand.

Before she could even reason with herself, Adelaide had walked quickly to her brother, sweeping him into her arms and holding him close. "Stay away from him," She said harshly to Ulfred, stepping in front of Raban, as though to protect him. "We don't know if we can even trust you. How dare you..." Her words stopped there as a tear tracked down her cheek. How dare he what? Offer Raban kindness and attempt to remove him from the sickening situation that he befallen all of them? Adelaide didn't know what she was accusing this man of, but her emotions were high and she just wanted to protect her brother. Somehow, she still managed to give the man a dark look, despite the sadness that resided in her eyes. They could no longer trust anyone.

"Raban, come, we must see to mother. She is in a bad way." She took his hand in her own, giving him a brief smile. "I just want you to know this...I love you little brother. No matter what happens after this moment. I will always love you." Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she took him to their mother's side, where everyone else was already kneeling or standing. Lionel would pay for this...