Elsinore, Denmark; late Thursday morning
Horatio"And was it quite necessary, my lord, to provoke your uncle and Laertes like that?" Horatio asked as they found their way back to Hamlet's chambers. "It's his sister's grave for God's sake."
HamletHamlet leaned back against a wall. "No, probably not. And challenging that Laertes to a fight while in an open grave likely wasn't the best idea either. It's just that ... I've been away so long, and there is so much yet to do, and ..."
He let out a sigh and looked down. "I really did love her once, Horatio."
HoratioHoratio appeared less surprised than curious. "Did you then?" He shook his head. "So much yet to do? Do you still intend to follow this talk of plots?"
HamletHamlet nodded.
"I do," he answered. "My Father came to visit me a few times while I was away at boarding school. He still demanded that I avenge him by killing my uncle."
And wearing a sweater when it was cold, for some reason.
Horatio"The ghost of your father yet again?" Horatio asked. "And not even in his own castle. That seems stranger than him appearing here."
Ever watchful, he stayed quiet a long moment. "How do you plan on avenging him then? Once this ridiculous duel is out of the way, I assume."
Hamlet"It was him, I swear to you. Other people managed to see him as well. I can only imagine that he manged to follow me to Virginia."
Hamlet shook his head at his friend's question. "To be honest, I still don't have a concrete plan. How to do you kill a false king in the very centre of his court, without being struck down yourself? I suppose I'm hoping that an opportunity will present itself after the match."
Horatio"He's placed his bet on Laertes, you know," Horatio said, curious to see Hamlet's reaction.
HamletHamlet raised an eyebrow at the news.
"Did he now? And what did he wager on him?"
Horatio"Half a dozen of his finest racing horses against several of Laertes' prized swords and accouterments that out of twelve passes, Laertes shall hit at least three more times than you," Horatio replied quietly. "And he is good."
Hamlet"He is good," mused Hamlet. "We used to practice with each other, years ago."
He turned a bit to look out the window. "And if I say no to the duel?"
Horatio"If you feel anything amiss, I would urge you to obey those thoughts," Horatio said.
His perfectly still bearing was at odds with his own feeling that this was on a course that could only lead to disaster. But it was just his place to say this much. "I will go to the hall and make your excuses. Say you are still unfit from your journey."
HamletHamlet turned back from the window and shook his head.
"No, I need to do this. This seems to be the moment when everything comes together, and it would be wrong to pass it up." He managed a weak smile for his friend. "It's now or never, Horatio."
HoratioHoratio caught his friend's eyes and took a step towards him, hoping to convince Hamlet otherwise. But he saw the expression, the determination - for once - and bowed his head. "As you will, Hamlet."
HamletHamlet put a gentle hand on Horatio shoulder and smiled faintly at his friend.
"We should get going. They're bound to be expecting us," he said quietly.
The duo made their way out and down the stairs. The castle's main hall had been set up to act as a public salle, and a crowd was already gathering to watch the upcoming fight. Hamlet noticed with displeasure that his Mother and uncle had already taken their seats while the setup finished.
King Claudius"Come here, Hamlet," Claudius said, commanding the attention of the room. "Here and take Laertes' hand in friendship."
HamletHamlet reached out to offer Laertes his hand. He was inadvertently responsible for the death of both Laertes' Father and sister, and he felt actual sorrow at being responsible for their deaths.
"I suppose I must offer you an apology. I have wronged you greatly, and for that I apologize. I ask for your forgiveness for having caused someone who has been like a brother to me in the past so much grief."
LaertesLaertes smiled and took Hamlet's hand. The smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Myself, personally, I would accept your apology, considering our great friendship," he said coolly. "But for the sake of honor, I fear I cannot. No hard feelings, I'm sure. This is why gentlemen duel, is it not?"
Hamlet"It is," answered Hamlet.
He'd at least manged to say his piece before the fight started, and let Laertes hear his apology. The important thing now was to get this stupid fight over with, and on to the more important goal of avenging his Father.
"Give us the foils."
LaertesLaertes allowed his smile to drop back into a scowl at this stupid, headstrong boy who'd killed his family and expected all to be well with a few half-muttered words of appeasement.
All would be well soon enough.
"Yes, and one for me."
King ClaudiusClaudius motioned for a servant to present both boys with their swords.
"Do you know the wager, Hamlet?"
HamletHamlet nodded. He hated this man. He wanted nothing more than to stab his uncle straight through with one of the foils in the room so that this incestuous murderer would finally get the fate he so richly deserved. It was only all the people around and his own inner hesitation that stopped him
"I do." He directed a bitter smirk at his uncle. "Although I do think that you've bet on the weaker side."
King ClaudiusClaudius rolled his eyes, just hoping Laertes would come through with their plan to finally rid him of this spoiled prince. He smiled greasily.
"I'm not worried," he said, taking a long sip of his wine. "I've seen both you fight and Laertes is clearly superior."
LaertesLaertes snorted. He could easily best Hamlet. He had honor to defend, family to avenge, and of course, a little bit extra on his blade to ensure that the winner wouldn't matter.
"Not this one," he snapped. "It's far too heavy." Where was his foil? The one they'd prepared especially?
HamletHamlet looked over the fencing foils, and picked out one that caught his eye. He practiced a few light thrusts with it; the weight was good in his hand and the blade was nicely balanced. It would do.
"I like this one," he said. He looked over at Laertes. "Are you ready?"
LaertesThere it was; Laertes examined the glint of the blade with a smile. Hamlet's fate was sealed.
"I am now," he sneered, lifting the foil and sweeping it lightly through the air. "Shall we begin?"
[OOC: Continues tomorrow. Not for broadcast due to distance, but OOC comments are always welcome. Huge thanks to my crack team of atomic powered monkeys once_a_king and the_merriest for all their help with the preplay and the coding.]