Laurel's NightSummer


Dara, Lancelot, Raven, Jacob, Morgan, Andelia and Laurel are gathered on the roof of the lighthouse at Cabra, gazing at the reflection of Amber castle in a wall of steam, with a bridge of steam leading to it. Lance looks around, and sees Morgan clearly for the first time. Rising, he hugs him, greeting him as "Father." Andelia drops the trapdoor in shock.

"Nightsummer is here" Dara says. "We have to get started, time is too short. Lancelot must lead the way. Since he no longer needs the spell to restore his father, I suggest that he tell me the words to the spell, in case anything happens to him."

"No" says Jacob, "I do not agree with that. I am not convinced that you are to be trusted."

"Why not tell us all?" asks Raven, by way of compromise.

"No" says Dara, "the spell is too dangerous to be known by so many. If you will not agree to Lancelot telling me the spell, then he should keep it to himself. And hope that no harm befalls him."

Crossing the bridge of steam, we enter the Palace of Stars, the interior of which is more like a cathedral, with constellations embedded in the floor. Sitting on the throne is Meredith, in human form. Dara tells us that Meredith will resurrect one person who is dead, and suggests that it should be her son, Merlin, who was destroyed by a singularity. He is the rightful king of all reality, who could stop all the warring between the four kingdoms.

Raven asks Laurel "What is you standing with your daughter?", to which Laurel replies that they parted on good terms. "Good" says Raven, "we may be able to use that to influence the outcome in our favour."

Jacob disappears in a rainbow flare of trump energy.

Florimel arrives on the roof of the lighthouse, and crosses the bridge of steam to join us, carrying a scroll.

Morgan, followed by Laurel, approaches Lance and Dara, and whispers to Lance. Lance collapses, clutching his head, as Morgan touches him, and Dara cradles his head. "Its a heart attack" says Dara. Morgan looks helplessly at Laurel, saying "Help him. Please." Quickly reviewing her prepared magicks, Laurel murmurs the lynchpins that release a spell of Stone Binding, suspending Lancelots life process, giving time to do something to help him. She looks at Morgan, who says "My fault. Its all my fault." "You told him?" Laurel asks. Morgan nods silently in confirmation. Laurel comforts him.

Dara, cradling Lancelots head, extracts the spell from his memories, carefully monitored by Raven, who sends the spell to the rest of the group by e-mail. After some persuasion, even Laurel reads the message.

Andelia, shocked by the revelation about her father, looks at Morgan, a hurt expression on her face. "Why didnt you tell me?" she asks. "I didnt know" Morgan tells her, "not until a few moments ago. And I didnt want to tell you before I was sure, in case I was wrong. Look at yourself, Andi. How would it have been if Id put you through this, then later had to tell you that it was all a mistake? I couldnt do that." Andelia ponders his words in silence.

Florimel unrolls the scroll she carries, which is Martins will, naming Morgan as his heir. Florimel invites Morgan to become King of Amber. Laurel shakes her head in despair, knowing only too well that Morgan will accept. "No" says Dara, "Merlin must be king of all the realms. Everything is in chaos. Merlin can unite the universe." But no-one trusts Daras motives, so there is no immediate support for her position.

Raven takes Lancelot to the infirmary at Kashfa, where he can be properly looked after.

After lengthy discussion, a compromise is proposed, whereby Merlin will be High King, but the realms will retain their independence, with their own kings, who will have power over the internal affairs of their realms. Merlin will only have power over disputes between the kingdoms. This solution appears to be generally acceptable, provided the issue of finding a king for each realm can be resolved.

With this decided, it is time to revive Merlin. Andelia casts the spell, as Dara is still not universally trusted to refrain from interference with Merlins revival. The proposal is put to Merlin, that he shall be High King of reality, with power only over disputes between the realms. On these conditions, Merlin accepts. Morgan and Laurel kneel to Merlin, pledging their fealty.

Shortly before dawn, Morgan approaches Laurel, and conjures a single rose, which he gives to her. Producing a ring, he then asks her to marry him. Tearfully, Laurel accepts, even though it means that she must be Queen in Amber. Merlin, High King of All Reality, pronounces them King and Queen of Amber. As the sun rises, they cross the bridge of fog again, returning to the lighthouse at Cabra, as the Palace of Stars slowly fades behind them.

Back in Amber, the matter of rulership is discussed for the five kingdoms of Amber, Rebma, Chaos, Golden Rose and Diamond Axis..

In Chaos, Jurt is King, and wishes to retain his position. In Amber, Martin has named Morgan as his heir, and Morgan reluctantly agrees to this, with Laurel's even more reluctant consent. Celia agrees to rule in Rebma.

In the Golden Rose, Corwin does not wish to continue to rule. After some discussion, Gerard is chosen to rule the Golden Rose, with Vialle as his queen. Gerard, contacted by trump, agrees to this.

In the Diamond Axis, Delwin is dead, and Sand missing. Alexander does not wish to be King. It is eventually decided that Urda shall be King of the Diamond Axis, as Morgan quiets Laurels objections.

Sometime later, Morgan speaks to Laurel about her fear and hatred of Urda, who is now King of the Diamond Axis. Morgan is worried about her, she seems to be taking on some of the paranoia that so blighted her mothers life. Trembling, her face pale, Laurel asks "Am I really that bad?" Morgan nods sadly in reply. Laurel hugs him. "Thank you, Jack" she tells him. "I need you, my bright mirror, to tell me things like that, to keep me sane." She ponders his words in silence, for a long while.

Later still, Andelia tells Morgan and Laurel that Lancelot has taken refuge in a monastery, and taken a vow of silence. Morgan drinks heavily for the next three days, while Laurel keeps him company, comforts him, and joins him in drink.


Contributor: Rid Ridgeway (rod@mirrorrealm.demon.co.uk)
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