Deadly Beautiful (SuperCorp Medieval AU)

Part 62

or the one where it seems like everything might be over, at least for now

Kara barely remembered dragging herself to her old room off to the side of Lena's. She felt very odd without Lena at her side. Exhaustion took over, however, and sleep came. The next morning, Kara rose with the sun, with no idea of what to do with herself. She wandered the palace, checking in on Lena regularly until the other woman awoke and could instruct her.

Alex was downstairs in the chapel instructing the burial of the dead, but Kara was not in the mood for a vast amount of company, or to be in the presence of those she had lost. Kara was exhausted and sad. She did not want to be seen in such a state.

On a whim, she made her way to the kitchens and arranged Lena's breakfast. Despite the piercing pain in her leg, Kara felt wrong when she stood or sat still for too long. Serving Lena was what she had gotten used to and she wanted to get back to familiar territory, at least for the time being, or until she was comfortable again. Kara was worried she might never be. She organized the food and placed the meal on a tray before limping her way back up to Lena's quarters.

Her timing was nearly perfect. Lena had just begun to stir when Kara took a seat on the side of the bed and placed the tray over the other woman's lap, steam rising off the cup of tea, almost cheerily. The raven-haired queen blinked blearily and attempted a smile on Kara's behalf. It was highly ineffective, but Kara appreciated the effort.

"I thought about the Lex matter well into the night, but I still cannot tell what the right thing to do would be." Lena said morosely after a couple of sips of tea. "I was thinking it would be best to just kill him and get the brutality behind us, then I considered the optics..."

"Love, you are overthinking this." Kara said with a heavy sigh. "What do you want to do?"

"I-I could not say at this point. I feel like my conscience could bear the burden of his death, but my heart..." Lena shook her head. "Kara, no matter what he has done or the crimes he has committed, he is still my brother."

Lena stared down at the food on her tray as though it had done something to personally insult her. She felt sick to her stomach with worry and wondered if this was what being queen would feel like. Kara's eyes were still just as earnest and kind as they had ever been. Lena could not imagine ever surviving her reign without the blonde at her side. Still, she knew distantly she would have to do so at some point.

"Shall we bring the matter before our makeshift court to decide?" Kara offered, wanting to be of help as best she was able. "You know you will never have to do this on your own, Lena. We have assembled this team for a reason."

Lena nodded with a weak smile and began to eat, whether she was hungry or not. Kara stayed by her side, keeping her company whether it be in silence or if Lena wanted to bounce any ideas off of her. For as long as she could, she wanted to be there for the new queen. Kara knew they would have to part soon, but she wanted to treasure these moments for as long as she possibly could.

"Send Maggie up when you see her, please? I think I ought to address the people before we make any major decisions or changes. They are probably wondering what has gone on here. I owe them an explanation." Lena placed the now emptied tray to the side and slid out of bed, shocked by the cold stone floors on the soles of her feet. "When things have calmed down some, remind me to get a carpet or rug to go here. I have been meaning to do something about this for ages."

Kara smiled mildly in amusement at the odd request and suppressed a laugh. "Yes, my lady." she replied and gave her girlfriend a half-bow from the waist almost teasingly.

"You cut that out. You know the bossing is a force of habit." Lena pouted, a hint of relief in her eyes for a moment as Kara grinned back. Kara turned to take her leave and do as Lena had asked when the other woman called out after her. "And it is my queen, now."

Kara bowed once more, sweepingly, and went to find her friends and fellow revolutionaries. The grim faces in the halls sobered her as she found Maggie and looked for her sister and James. As she walked, the crest of the House of El became more and more obvious to passersby, looks of shock appearing on the faces of those who noticed and understood. One older looking lord went so far as to give her a small bow of her own.

"Alex, Lena wants to have a court meeting to discuss Lex's fate." Kara said, sweating a bit from the pain in her leg by the time she caught up with her sister in the chapel again. "However, she says she is going to address the people first. I want us all at her back when she does, as a show of support and strength. Do you know where I could find James? I have yet to see him today."

"There is something you should see." Alex gave her a pained and apologetic look. "First, let me look at that wound of yours. That one will ail you for some time I am sure."

Alex led her younger sister to sit down and removed the bandages she had placed the night before. Her fingers were quick, confident, and sure. It reminded Kara of the gentle girl who had only wanted to help others that she had known and grown up with as a child. This battle-worn and hardened woman was new and different but Kara found that she loved her no less. The younger Alex Danvers and the one before her now bore all of the necessary resemblances. They had the same fierce eyes and gentle hands; the same drive to protect and heal.

"How was our queen this morning? Yesterday was a hard day for everyone, though completely necessary." Alex asked as she replaced the bandage to distract Kara from the sting.

"She is concerned, but no more than is to be expected, probably a little nervous." Kara said tiredly. "I got her to eat some and I coaxed a smile out of her after a while. I could not tell you, Alex. I would say she will do better when things calm down and she can find a rhythm or a routine."

"There you go." Alex announced her finish. "I am inclined to agree. Lena is strong and will make a great queen and so will you."

"What was it you wanted to show me?" Kara asked.

"It is about Lex and James..." Alex began and lead the way through the maze of halls once more.