"What I've got ta say is not pleasant ta tell, but in light o' the fact there's some 'ere still undecided about this venture, there's things ya need ta know," Beren began. "I make no judgments upon anyone in tellin' it. I'm hardly in a position ta do so. You shouldn't either. Things was what they were in those days, an' we all did what we 'ad ta do ta get by." Beren now regarded Angus, Alduin and Brianna in turn. Gwidion came and stood off to the side. He wanted to hear this too. "We all have a 'history' wi' Mog, including Ursala an' maself. Some of us got more reason ta want 'im gone from the face o' the land then others...an' some don't even know they got a reason ta want 'im gone. Thet includes some who may feel they's being cornered inta this battle - or just doin' it because Mog hurt someone they love. Know this, Lady Brianna - Dermit fell in love wi' you the very second 'e laid 'is eyes on ya, and that were long before 'e could finally be wi' ya. Ain't thet so, Ursala?" She nodded, tight-lipped. "Dermit would come an' visit me...us. Sometimes we'd go see him. It happened one day thet he'd come ta visit. I'd left Ursala's chambers ta get some wine, when His Unholiness - Mog, that is - showed up. Ursala an' Mog have a looong history an' it aint a good 'un. He refuses howe'er ta understand she hates 'im fer what 'e did to 'er. He does come beggin' fer our assistance now an' then - in one nefarious scheme or another. So when 'e came bustin' in to the chambers, 'e saw Dermit wi' Ursala and came ta the conclusion Dermit was her new lover. As ye well know, Laird Angus, Mog'll try to elimate anyone 'e sees as a rival in spite o' the fact there ain't no contest ta be won. But 'e ne'er does 'is dirty work 'is self." Beren stopped here and stared at the floor. There were some things better left unsaid, he decided. "Shortly thereafter, Dermit got the news his village was bein' attacked. He went back there an' they chased him away, in spite o' the fact they coulda used 'is help...'cause he were part fey. He also heard thet ye'd lost yer laird, so 'e came here, hopin' at last ta win yer heart. Needless ta say 'e did just that, an' now ye got a fine son by 'im. By then tho', Mog had already put the wheels in motion, an' put a bug in the ear of his 'mentor' Duncan mac Bran. Told Duncan thet Dermit was sayin' bad things about 'im. Dermit din't even know Duncan existed. Twas all on Mog's say so. So, now ya know - outta all of us, wi' the possible exception of Morgan mac Connor, ye both got more reason than any ta want Mog destroyed." If there was one thing Beren was very good at, it was reading peoples' expressions and body language. Alduin put his arm around Brianna as she collapsed into him. He was furious, for Brianna's sake. Angus looked at his mother, thinking how different her life may have been, not to mention his own, had this not all happened as it did. Gwidion didn't look surprised by any of this revelation, but he hadn't known all this either. "Mother? We're goin' ta do this. I know why ya don' want to, but it has ta be done. Will ya agree wi' me on this, or must I o'er-ride yer word?" He laid his hand on her arm and squeezed. "I'd sooner you agreed, Mother." Brianna sat up, sniffling. Each time Dermit's death was brought up was like reopening a wound that had never healed. A deep breath shuddered through her. Slowly, she turned to her son and he saw a look there that was uncommon to her sweet nature and face. She was too angry and emotional to speak, so she nodded. "I take that as an 'aye' - let it be done then?" Brianna nodded again, stonefaced now. "Ummm," Gwidion interuppted apologetically, "speakin' of Morgan mac Connor, whom I'm sure ye know well, Beren - we are invited to 'is home fer a war council. More room there than here. I already sent the others off. Kyli showed up too. The Northern Banshee are with us. We should be goin' soon. Ya gonna be alright, Auntie Bri? I could make a potion fer ya if ya like." She shook her head. "Nooo, thank ye Gwidion. I want a clear head fer this. Let's be gone."

WOW! Just WOW! I just hope that Mog's death will be very, very long and extremely painful (you may have to post to another site if you do this)

Mog is quite the coward. Can't do anything for himself. He must be full of self loathing to be so wretched. I can't help but wonder what Beren is leaving out and what part he may have unwittingly played in Mog's scheme to get rid of Dermit. You weave an excellent and complex tale of intrigue. Beautiful storytelling. Excellent complimentary image. Great detail and the expression on Alduin defines the old expression, 'if looks could kill'. Excellent work.

totally awesome

Ohhh....Excellent scene here! Really well composed. The posing is very good too - natural looking! Wonderful story... Unbelievable quality.

This is a great render, my goodness! The facial expressions and the poses are outstanding. I feel as if I am transported into a story.

Really puts you in a spot of history, when wars were fought over royal family feuds and such families could raise armies. You do a remarkable job of putting us in a place as a fly on a wall to listen in on what is being said and to watch what is going on and to see how people are reacting. I too wonder what Beren decided to leave out.

Beautiful scene,very well composed . The characters are so well interacting with one another. An I love the colors,black and orange make a great harmony!

Excellent work!

I am really loving your work sweetness..So inspiring what you are doing here..Have the bestest New Year and Thankyou..Hugs T :]

another marvelous installment ;-)

Beautiful Image,

Your storytelling skills are remarkable! Each explanation raises new questions, and leaves the reader panting for more. Bravo! The image is also remarkable. The tones are rich and warm, yet the expressions and poses are stark and cold. The juxtaposition is breath-taking!

Fantastic work =)!

This image tells a whole story!