31_days | [7th December][Arthurian legend] Chiaroscuro

Title: Chiaroscuro
Day/Theme: 7th December/"You're the swingingest thing"
Series: Arthurian legend
Character/Pairing: Mordred/Galahad implied
Rating: PG

Mordred watches Galahad with hot, angry eyes wherever Galahad goes. He is jealous; although, as his father would be the quickest to say, he has no cause. As the King’s bastard and his sister-son, Mordred is Arthur’s heir twice over. What care could he have for another knight, even the one seated in the Siege Perilous?

“The King’s bastard” – ay, that is the rub of the matter. They are both bastards. They are both bastards and their fathers are ashamed to acknowledge them, but Galahad merely embarrasses his father, while Mordred agonises his. Galahad forgives his father and Mordred curses his. Galahad is proclaimed the best knight in the world and Mordred is not.

Mordred declares his bend sinister with more bravado than pride, finding some small satisfaction in Arthur’s wince whenever the King’s eyes fall on his shield. Galahad never makes mention of his and no one challenges him, no one challenges Galahad. The contrast sets a slow fire burning in Mordred’s chest and he does what no one else dares: he hates Sir Galahad, he hates the virtuous knight of the Siege Perilous.

He cornered Galahad once, after a long day competing at the joust. Mordred had broken five lances and won the tournament; Galahad had not participated. Mordred met him coming down the corridor: he was cool and serene where Mordred was livid and frustrated and so. Mordred shoved Galahad into the wall and snarled furious, barely coherent curses at him, a steady stream of invective flooding from his mouth until he was suddenly left mute and exhausted. In return, Galahad only listened silently, his eyes dark and oddly sympathetic.

“You hate so much,” he said softly when Mordred was done. He pressed his palm flat against Mordred’s heaving chest, pushing him gently away. “What can I do to help?”

Mordred stared at him in utter disbelief, then turned away. He felt dangerously close to weeping in fury and hated Galahad all the more for the treacherous burn behind his eyes.

Mordred hates Galahad. This is fact. But Mordred would hate Galahad a little less if Galahad hated Mordred a little more.