D11
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 11: Family
"I'd like to thank each of you for coming," Jedda uttered, donned in her usual royal attire. "It's been a while since some of us
have gotten together." She retook her seat, then licked her lips, hoping that this would be a fun occasion.
Nine guests had gathered for a feast in the palace. Jedda and Krotan sat at one end of the table; Vera wriggled about in the high chair between them.
To the right of the royal family sat Flash, Rick, Lothar, and LJ. Sitting on the left were her father, Hadea, Mandrake, and Kshin.
Down on the opposite end sat a green-skinned woman with graying hair and a smug scowl. Long rumored to be dead, Ming's wife, Zyna, had actually spent several years in exile.
Mandrake rose and flashed a charming smile. "Here's to pleasant reunions." He lifted a cup and waited for others to follow suit.
The problem was that absolutely no one did.
Flash was watching Ming's wife with an untrusting glare. Rick was eyeing Krotan with resentful glances. Hadea was shooting taunting looks at her dad. And he seemed to be annoyed while ignoring Hadea.
Mandrake let out a tense chuckle and retook his seat.
Jedda grinned appreciatively, then eyed Krotan with a nervous sigh.
LJ winked at Kshin while cutting his food. "So," he said rather loudly, "nice to see that our girl Jedda's living in style, huh?"
"Sure is," Kshin said. He'd been sporting wavy bangs and firmer muscles as he approached adulthood, which made Jedda proud. "You can tell that she's added her own touch to this place as well."
Jedda spread her arms with a modest grin.
Kshin laughed. "Guess I'm going to have to tell all my other royal friends to take lessons from her."
Rick shot an annoyed glare down the table, prompting awkward smiles from both of his teammates.
At the end of the table, Zyna loudly brushed her silverware together. "It is Jedda herself who is in need of guidance."
As the statement took hold of everyone's attention, a slow scowl began to cross Krotan's face. "Why would you say that, mother?"
The green-skinned woman raised her smug gaze. "I came back to Mongo expecting great things. I must admit that I've been disappointed."
Flash rolled his eyes. "This isn't the time or place for criticism, Zyna. We're supposed to be having a friendly dinner."
Zyna turned her head, pausing to stare. "Same old Flash Gordon. Always rushing to the defense of those around you."
"Same old Zyna. Always making sure I've got a reason to."
"I thought that Ming was your nemesis in that regard."
Flash's face began to redden a tad. "Let's not discuss that monster you called a husband."
Lothar waved his hands downward. "Shall we drop this?"
"No." Hadea shook her head. "We shan't." She turned toward Zyna, lifting an eyebrow. "If you have a problem with my daughter, feel free to share it."
The Phantom sighed. "Hadea..."
"What was it about my daughter that you were criticizing?"
"The fact that she holds great power which she refuses to use. I'd think that would be obvious to you, for it is the very same power which you once held."
Krotan felt a long-buried tension stir him from within. "What manner of power are you referring to?"
"You know precisely what I speak of, Krotan. Now that the Necklace of Oros is in our family, we should rule, as Hadea ruled.
"You and Jedda should be holding this gathering with the galaxy's other rulers. You should be informing them that Mongo is the head of a new galactic order."
Jedda was perplexed. "And why would we do that?"
"Because greatness is a part of our family's legacy — and the rulers of Mongo are meant to continue that legacy."
"Greatness and conquest are not the same," Jedda said. "Krotan and I have begun a new kind of dynasty here — one that can be great without being oppressive."
She scoffed. "That sort of naive idealism is exactly what I'd expect from..."
Krotan began eyeing her closely. "From who?"
Zyna looked back at her plate.
"From an Earth girl?" A hint of anger had crept into Krotan's expression. "Go ahead, Mother. Say what you really mean."
Jedda noticed that everyone else at the table had paused now.
Her father threw uneasy glances between Zyna and Krotan.
"I know that you've never approved of my marrying a foreigner," Krotan said. "That's part of why you've stayed away for so long, isn't it?"
Zyna avoided eye contact. "I haven't entirely disapproved of the decision...I've merely found myself questioning it at times."
Krotan took one of Jedda's hands. "Well there's nothing worth questioning when it comes to our races."
Jedda watched her husband in appreciation.
"It doesn't matter if Jedda's skin is green, white, black, or blue. Love is colorless."
Zyna stirred a little, holding her head low.
"What matters is what one feels inside." Krotan released Jedda's hand while looking into her eyes.
Jedda swooned, returning his smile.
"That's true," Hadea said, turning to her left. "It's also true that love isn't merely about what we feel within..."
Once again, Jedda saw her father holding his stare downward while reddening with annoyance. What exactly had happened between them?
"It's about setting your emotions free as well."
He exhaled quietly.
Hadea herself began to look frustrated now. She turned back to her plate and chopped through the food. "But when that doesn't happen...I guess a good screw will do."
He hammered his fork against his plate, glancing at her with resentful eyes.
A hint of curiosity crossed Jedda's face as she watched them.
Rick chuckled, looking down at the table. "I remember a time when I believed in true love."
Jedda hesitated, then turned toward him slowly.
"But later I learned what a big mistake that was."
Jedda shook a little, gliding her stare elsewhere.
Flash scowled, brushing a hand along Rick's shoulder. "Take it easy," he murmured.
Krotan watched them briefly.
Eventually, Jedda closed her eyes — then she opened them and stood. "Listen..." she said.
Most of the guests didn't turn their heads.
"I knew that there would be some tension in the room tonight, but I expected the atmosphere to be generally positive. Do you want to know why? Because everyone here has a family member present. We're linked by blood, by marriage, and by adoption as well. And for those of us who aren't linked to each other by any of those ties, there's at least one other familial bond we can share: love."
A few curious eyes began glancing about the table.
"That's obviously not going to happen overnight. But since there are those among us who do love each other in the present, or did love each other in the past, or have thought about loving each other in the future..." She shook her head. "I guess I was just hoping that we could remember why." Jedda retook her seat.
Another cloud of silence hung over the table.
Finally, Rick managed to look toward the hosts. "Jedda..."
She faced him.
Flash turned as well.
"For a long time, I found myself clinging to the idea of having you back," Rick said. "I either couldn't believe that Krotan had changed, or I couldn't accept that you could love someone else." He had to pause while looking down at his plate. "But the reality of the situation is pretty clear to me now: you have a family, and you're happy with them."
Everyone present listened closely.
"And if you're happy," Rick uttered, facing her, "then a part of me is happy for you."
Jedda felt her eyes dampening. "Thank you, Rick."
Moments later, Krotan and Rick exchanged respectful nods.
"Krotan," Zyna murmured.
He glanced down the table, then faced his mother.
"I know that you harbor some resentment toward me, for my many absences during your upbringing. Perhaps I have no right to judge the family that you've created. If you've built a household founded on love, then you've succeeded where I and your father failed."
Krotan shook a little, eyeing her in surprise. "I...appreciate your sentiments, Mother."
Jedda squeezed his hand as those words sank in. She knew that hearing them meant a great deal to her husband. Seconds later, she looked at her father, who turned to Hadea. "I want you to know that I would never use you, as you suggested earlier. What happened between us wasn't merely about passion. There were genuine feelings on both our parts."
Hadea opened her mouth in silence.
"I'm sorry that I have difficulty expressing those feelings at present, and I ask for your patience with regard to the future."
After a few seconds, Hadea nodded.
Jedda watched them, listening with interest. Moments later, she turned her head again. "Rick."
He lifted his chin.
"I'm sorry for the disappointment that you've endured. I hope that you find new happiness with someone soon."
"I've actually been working on that lately," he said.
As the dinner continued, a calmness began spreading across the room.
Not long after the guests had departed, Krotan tucked Vera in, then tossed a calm stare across the bedroom.
"That ended better than I thought it would," Jedda said, stepping about in her favorite gown while straightening a sheet.
Krotan let out a soft chuckle, acknowledging that himself.
Jedda crouched, bending to get the stuffed toy nuzzling her bare feet. "Do you think that it was a bad idea from the start?"
"No. You simply wanted to bring the people you love together. You wanted to have something of a family gathering." Krotan sat down on the bed. "I don't believe that these will always play out exactly as one would like...but given time, they'll probably proceed about as well as they can."
She plopped down beside him with a grin. "There are some people who aren't going to make that easy — especially on your side of this family."
Krotan nodded absently... Then he glanced at her. "On my side?" He lifted an eyebrow. "Things weren't exactly quiet on yours, either."
Jedda giggled, nuzzling against him. Then she paused to look at the toy in her hand, letting herself think about why it was there.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing," she said, shaking her head. "Just thinking about when I lived on Earth...thinking about how things have changed. I used to be a girlfriend. Now I'm a wife. I used to be a warrior. Now I'm a queen. I used to be a non-parent. Now I'm a mother." She let her gaze wander. "Back then, I always talked about taking control of my destiny..."
Krotan stared. "Do you feel as though you failed to do that?"
"No." Jedda smiled. "Not anymore. I'm here because I want to be, because I've chosen to be." She brought her gaze to his. "This isn't a destiny that I could've ever imagined...but it's definitely one that I'm happy to have."
Krotan grinned. "I suppose that seizing control of destiny is one thing, but seizing control of a family gathering is quite another."
Jedda laughed. "We'll have to face that challenge just like the others: as husband and wife."
He nodded. "As Jedda and Krotan."
Letting the toy fall, Jedda wrapped her arms around him.
Shortly afterward, they eased back on the bed in each other's embrace.
Scene Commentary
Mandrake rose and flashed a charming smile. "Here's to pleasant reunions."
I thought it would be fun to gather the characters together for a big scene like this. "Family" is a favorite chapter of mine.
"That ended better than I thought it would," said Jedda, stepping about in her favorite gown while straightening a sheet.
Krotan let out a soft chuckle, acknowledging that himself.
Jedda crouched, bending to get the stuffed toy nuzzling her bare feet. "Do you think that it was a bad idea from the start?"
"No. You simply wanted to bring the people you love together. You wanted to have something of a family gathering."
I tend to give Jedda a very domestic appearance whenever she's in the palace. She's often wearing robes, nightgowns, etc. I try to offer a lot of reminders that she's comfortable with her life on Mongo, and that she feels at home there. At the time of its writing, this was actually my favorite Jedda/Krotan scene.
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Chapters
Volume I
Shorly after Jedda leaves the team, Queen Hadea begins a galactic conquest.
Jedda finds herself back on Mongo — and reunited with Prince Krotan.
Despite their affection, Jedda endeavors to counter Hadea's plans.
Seeking to resolve the matter with Hadea, the Defenders begin a climactic mission on Mongo.
Rick enjoys a meaningful reunion.
Volume II
Jedda and Krotan confront their feelings.
Against the wishes of his wife, Krotan grows tempted to pursue a vendetta.
Rick has a difficult time moving on.
In the wake of Krotan's actions, Jedda faces a difficult choice.
Hadea reunites with an old acquaintance.
The Royals of Mongo organize what's supposed to be a friendly feast.
A glimpse into the future on Mongo.
Volume III
Instead of spending a romantic evening together, as Jedda intended, Hadea and Phantom find themselves pursued.
Amid their exploits, Phantom and Hadea discuss personal matters.
Flash visits Ming's prison while thinking of Dale, and Rick learns that a new girl will be joining the team.
A vengeful woman targets Jedda.
The Defenders face an internal crisis.
Will she choose affection or ambition?
Needing to depart Mongo on business, Jedda and Krotan ask Hadea and Phantom to fill in for them temporarily.
Volume IV
As the enormity of his situation sinks in, an anxious Rick finds unexpected comfort.
Hadea continues to counsel Rick by reminding him that his actions have consequences.
Phantom and Hadea are advised to marry.
The acting rulers face a variety of issues on their big day.
The Defenders consider returning to solo work.
Volume V
Krotan and Jedda try to find time for their marriage while tending to duty.
Someone from Jedda's past returns.
Krotan and the guards attempt to defend the kingdom without Jedda.
Krotan and Ming have another confrontation under different circumstances.
Flash and Rick have a personal discussion.
As Rick prepares to leave the team, he and LJ receive a surprise visit.
Volume VI
The new trio embarks on a mission.
The Phantom is left startled by the recent development.
After spending a couple of days with Jedda, Rachel departs for the tme being.
In the future, Vera receives advice and comfort from her mother.
Jedda reflects on the recent years.
In the aftermath of an attack on her land, Hadea seeks help from a mercenary.
Flash is stunned by his discovery on a distant planet.
Volume VII
Hadea makes an announcement that leaves the Phantom unsettled.
The Phantom works to undo his mistakes.
In the future, the Royals of Mongo enjoy quality time together.
Rachel assists LJ and Hadea in very different ways.
Rachel adjusts to her new position awkwardly.
With Rachel and Jedda at her side, Hadea learns more about the history of her kingdom.
Volume VIII
The Phantom plans to propose.
Hadea and the Phantom attempt to work through their issues.
Rachel visits Hadea to discuss new intentions.
The Defenders confront a group of aliens who have descended on Earth, while Ming continues to scheme behind the scenes.
Flash, Rick, and Krotan engage Ming in battle.
Jade reunites briefly with her daughters.
A special occasion has finally arrived.
Volume IX
Rick has a meeting with Zyna that leaves him staggered.
Flash and Rick travel to another planet to investigate news.
Dale begins to set her agenda in motion.
The Royals of Mongo have a lengthy discussion about the past and future.
Dale takes bold steps forward.
Flash and Rick confront Dale to discuss her actions.
Empress Hadea appoints new queens.
Volume X
In the future, the royals have a discussion about politics on Mongo.
LJ and Lothar discuss family affairs.
Jedda views her official government profile to learn where she ranks among Mongoian queens.
Castra and Aura look to put their differences aside.
The Phantom learns more about Hadea's duties.
Volume XI
The Phantom, Hadea, and Rachel depart for a mission in the Bandar village.
Rachel heads off to find Kurt on her own.
Dale provides answers for Rachel.
Jade observes a significant discussion beween Phantom and Kurt.
Phantom learns that the village mission affected Hadea on a personal level.
Volume XII
Jedda and Krotan renew their commitment.
Krotan pampers Jedda as they discuss the future.
Nearly everyone joins the Phantom for a mission via boat.
The group arrives on Raven Island and learns the identity of the opposing team's leader.
Flash, Dale, and Rick spend time with Flash's sister, Commander Abigail Gordon, and her daughter Sara.
Rick and Kristina head off on a late-night mission.
Kristina, Rick, and Hadea confront their personal matters.
Once again, someone lands on Mandrake's yard during a storm.
Volume XIII
A woman arrives in the Netherworld, claiming to be the rightful ruler.
LJ, Rick, and Rachel investigate the Netherworld matter.
Flash and Dale's date is interrupted by news that Rick has been captured, and it's up to Kristina to save him.
While grouped together one night, several people must team up suddenly in order to defend the mansion.
Atascadero discusses her upbringing with Mandrake.
Volume XIV
Soldiers from Atascadero's kingdom come looking for her.
Ata heads to her kingdom to resolve the issues there.
Vera begins learning more about Jedda's past.
In response to the recent events, Hadea makes a controversial decision.
Rick attempts to resolve a certain personal issue.
Rick and his girlfriend decide to go their separate ways.
Flash, Dale, and Rick reunite with Dale's father, as well as Flash's.
Jonathan Gordon becomes overzealous, leading to repercussions.
Flash and Dale chase Ming down.
Kristina bonds with Rick in the aftermath of the events at the base.
Volume XV
In the future, Jedda and Krotan have to teach Vera the value of humility.
In the future, Vera is courted by several boys.
Rick and Kristina become stranded on an island.
Hadea is approached by an old suitor.
Kristina and Rick grow closer while stuck on the island.
Ata and Mandrake discuss their relationship.
Castra and her husband have a talk about their longtime commitment.
Krotan and Jedda discuss the past, and look to the future.
Flash and Dale reaffirm their feelings.
The series finale.
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