Behold the intruders (again)

Two weeks pass, it's a Tuesday morning and everyone is rudely awakened by a loud bang outside. Platna is to first one to the front window to notice the same intruders that bothered her and the others, two weeks prior; everyone else soon joins Platna. Then, Platna makes a snap decision…

"I need to leave the building, take on those guys and get them on their way." Platna informs, being blunt

"Don't question Platna when she's being blunt; trust her instincts." Charlotte responds

"How do you know what to do?" Lancelot asks

"I was Platna's private courtier for around five years before we both moved towns; that's how I've learned how to handle specific situations. Nonetheless, we need to let Platna fight this battle herself; she'll return when help is needed."

"Charlotte's right, you guys stay here; I need to fight the intruders alone. I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of something I've brought to their doorstep."

Platna then gets a message from Percival's powers, as if a cry for help. Platna races outside and notices Percival being held hostage by one of the hunters, that are after Platna. Without a second thought, she races back inside to her suit of armour, allows her powers to change her into the armour and goes back outside to fight the hunters. After a few hours of fighting, Platna reaches the hunter holding Percival hostage.

"So, we meet again, Platna." The hunter greets

"What do you want, Natalia?" Platna asks, unimpressed

"Well, you've moved on, and still remember my name. What shall I do with your friend; steal their powers, suck their blood? Ooh, the list is endless; as are my powers."

"Let Percival go."

"Or, what will you do? Your father isn't alive to stop me, you have no power over me and your friends here are useless against me."

"I have your memories, good, bad and traumatic. I could you make you relive your past trauma, put your brain through the worst pain of your life… The choice is yours; that is, if you don't let Percival out of your clutches and fight me."

Soon after, Percival is set free and they race back to the safety of Queen Amy's residence as Platna and Natalia start fighting each other. After a few hours, both women are weak, Natalia being weaker than Platna. Then, Platna casts a subtle spell over Natalia, weakening the opponent every time she moves.

"What did you do?!" Natalia asks, irritated

"Why don't you find out for yourself?" Platna responds, regaining lost strength

Then, Charlotte races to Natalia and slits her throat with a dagger, surprising Platna.

"What, why…?!" Platna asks

"Natalia doesn't deserve the light of day; she's caused you enough trouble and heartache. If she was to be kept alive, you'd be dead; that's what Natalia was after."

"That spell would've been enough to kill her, on its own!"

"No, it wouldn't; Natalia would've fought through it and killed you after! I didn't wanna see you dead and neither did anyone else!

Platna is quickly silenced by this, soon working Charlotte out.

"You're still in love with me, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am and I already know that it'll never happen because of two reasons. One, my betrayal and two because you're with Lancelot now. I don't want to jeopardise your happiness for my desires; you've been through a lot and deserve better than the treatment you were given in the past."

"Was you still being in love with me, the reason you insisted that you fight Percival and get them to leave Marie alone?"

"Yes, and the fact that you were still recovering from that poison; I'll never forgive myself for that, you didn't deserve it."

Platna then takes Charlotte's hand, taking her by surprise.

"I deactivated your power, because I knew that you were able to redeem yourself and move on, regardless of me almost dying; your life was more important at that point and I wanted to save it, you have as much right to be alive as everyone else."

Charlotte is quickly speechless, nervous and flustered as Platna kisses her cheek.

"I'm sorry about my reaction with the whole Natalia thing; you saved my life and I should've been grateful. Instead, I shouted at you, in rage; you didn't deserve that." Platna says, adding "Why did you join sides with the enemy, anyway?"

"I wanted to protect you from your father's intentions at that point."

"My father's intentions?"

"Your father wanted you to marry that dodgy man, of whom was a known sex offender and double your age. The worst part, is that your father knew this and didn't care; he would've rather seen you sexually abused and traumatised as opposed to safe with your family and friends. Everyone else didn't know and thought he was just another one of your suitors; I noticed something dodgy going on. So, I'd married him instead to protect you from your father's schemes and that man's abuse. After a couple of years, he got prosecuted for a separate sexual offence and I divorced him, still traumatised from the abuse I went through."

"No wonder my mother hid the truth about my father from me. She…"

"Was trying to protect you, before she'd passed away. Your mother would've never wanted you abused by anyone."

Platna then lowers her ears, realising that she'd made the wrong assumption about Charlotte; the said cat then puts her hand on Platna's shoulder.

"If this is about that whole false assumption thing, don't worry about it; it happens to everyone. In other words, you're forgiven."

Speechless, Platna hugs Charlotte, for her to return it. After a while, the two women separate and return back to the royal residence, to be greeted by Queen Amy.

"Platna, thank you for saving Percival from Natalia's clutches." Queen Amy says her thanks

"It's all good, your Grace. But, I would've died if it wasn't for Charlotte and her quick thinking." Platna responds

"Well, I-I don't want to… toot my own horn… but thank you, Platna." Charlotte responds

"You're welcome, Charlotte."

Then, Lancelot approaches the pair, observing them.

"Charlotte, you're being modest; you saved a princess's life out there." Lancelot says

"Even so, it doesn't give me bragging rights; I don't like doing that."

Platna then takes Charlotte's hand, taking both Charlotte and Lancelot by surprise.

"Wait, I thought you still hated Charlotte for the past."

"It was an incorrectly placed assumption and we've made up."

"Something's telling me that there's more to this."

"Lancelot, could we go somewhere private? I'll tell you what happened."

Soon after, Lancelot and Platna go to their bed chamber. After a short while, everything is explained and Platna walks to the window.

"All my father was, was a callous jerk who didn't care much for my needs and desires. He wanted to secure the kingdom's future and, I think I've said this before, went on violent rampages if things didn't go his way."

Lancelot stays silent, processing everything that he's been told. Soon after, Lancelot walks to Platna; establishing some distance.

"I wish my mother had survived her illness; that way, I'd still be protected and not forced into marriages. Instead, I was dealt a very unfortunate card and left to deal with my father's schemes."

"But then, would you have moved here and met us?"

"Probably not, but at least my needs would've been taken into account."

"Your mother would've loved to see you with those you feel both safe and confident with; it's something every mother would want."

"You think so?"

"Your mother would've done anything to keep you safe; even if it meant sending you to live somewhere else or using her own powers to keep your father away from you."

Platna then turns to Lancelot, taking his hand and pulling him into a hug.

"You don't deserve this; someone venting out their misery."

"You need someone to speak to right now; if it's me, I don't mind. I want you to be happy and be able to let go whenever you need it."

"You still don't need to take someone else's misery to bed with you."

"Your needs and happiness are more important; sure, you have your demons, but that doesn't mean talking to someone about it will dampen their mood. Everyone needs to vent; I've had both the Queen and other knights come to me for solace. You're no different."

Calming down, Platna gets out of the hug, holding both of Lancelot's hands.

"Thank you, Lance, for all the support. I love you."

"It's okay and I love you too."

After a short while, the pair separate and re-join the group downstairs. After a short while talking, night falls and everyone goes to bed; bringing a satisfactory end to our story.