Chapter Text
Gothel knew that the full moon shone up above, though not a sliver of its light penetrated the tomblike vault in the underbelly of the castle in which she found herself. Convincing the king to allow them to enter the vault and use what it contained had been no easy task, but it was all worth it in the end. It was a waste of potential, leaving it to gather dust, and now, Gothel would wield it at its strongest.
It will be at its most powerful , she mused, but physically cut off from the source of its strength, making the process less volatile .
Looking around at her fellow advisors, Gothel saw her own ambition reflected in their eyes. A crooked smile crept onto her face. They wished to share her rightful glory, yet only she had the nerve to do what must be done. They would get a taste of the reward of course, to keep them willingly in her shadow, but history would write her as the courageous leader. As the one worthy of recognition.
As the savior of her kingdom.
Gothel reached out, the firelight from the torches yellowing her skin, making her appear old. Taking a deep breath she touched the gem of destruction, the plague rock, the catalyst it and harnessed, unleashed, its mighty power.
That of the moonstone.
---
"What happened?"
"Send for a healer, quickly, the queen has been crushed by falling debris!"
"King Edmund, where is the king?"
---
"I'm cursed- no, poisoned. Not to mention, hideous."
"..."
"We'll figure it out, don't worry. Find the solution After all, opposites attract."
"I-"
"You can't abandon me Quirin, not while I bear your child."
"You WHAT?!"
---
"It's too late I'm afraid."
"Her- her final moments. I missed them."
"Your majesty?"
"Leave me be."
"But-"
"Leave. Me."
---
"The kingdom is a mess, and the king has yet to return to his senses. His nonsensical ramblings decree that we are to be banished..."
"...Pack your bags, Adira. We're going to Ingvar.r"
---
"All weaker life has been destroyed; most plants, the elderly, children. Black rocks everywhere have destroyed homes, displaced families. The people are rioting."
"So?"
"They're crossing the border in droves"
"Let them. Because of my hubris, my wife… and my baby, my child, my heir, MY SON!"
"Your majesty wait- what of financial plans, the farms are in shambles- "
"MY FAULT! i-it was mine… my fault."
---
"Flower gleam and glow"
"A child could memorize those words. You could've used a dead language, or a code."
"There was a bit of a time crunch smartass. and I didn't see you come up with any bright ideas."
"Well at least I have a job Gothie"
---
"Your majesty, shall we utilize these stones? They're rich with gems and precious metals, a, a blessing in disguise if you will."
"Blessings… find the blessings… it's all for the best right? Right? Every cloud has a silver lining after all… right? I-it's just a matter of perspective…. heh- heh- heh- ha... hahahahaha. HAHAHAH-"
"...Should I take that as a yes?"
"-AHAHAHAHAhaha ha- ha- ha…"
---
"A job growing plants?"
"It allows me to keep an eye on my flower. As well as giving me a side business that can actually find use for my limited control over my- uh, my... 'sickness'. And living by the meadow is justified now."
"A one woman cottage. Away from me."
"Don't be so sentimental. We live barely more than ten minutes from each other."
"I'm moving. To a village near the capital."
"Abandoning your child? How shameful."
"Like you said in the past, we can still see each other. Occasionally."
---
4 years later
The assassin looked at their palm, which cradled a small sack of powder. "This will solve the problem of Corona's heir?"
Gothel smirked. "Trust me. it's the most potent poison I own, one of a kind, of my own creation. Only one cure exists, and I have hidden it to the best of my ability."
"I have heard positive reviews of your work, I suppose…" The assassin nodded in thanks and deposited coins of gold into Gothel's waiting hand, taking their leave with a sarcastic "gods save the queen."
After their departure Gothel rolled her eyes. "Gods… damn Pittsfordians." Shaking her head she ignored the large gray-green eyes watching her, and, resting a hand on her slightly swollen belly, Gothel turned back to enter her hut.