Me and My Shadow - Mirror...Mirror - Chapter 15

Over the next few days Shadow continued to cultivate his relationship with the Queen. He followed her at a respectful distance trying always to remain within her field of vision. He remained close, but always slightly beyond her reach. He purred softly as he groomed his fine black coat and washed his face with his front paws. He lay on the floor facing the Queen at an angle turning his head slightly to the side and resting it on his front paws in his most seductive pose. His large green eyes remained fixated on her as he slowly… sensually.. licked his whiskers with his tiny pink tongue. For effect he would yawn and slowly arch his back in a deep sensuous stretch before lying back down on the floor. Slowly wagging his long black tail he would softly meow. This fawning behavior as demeaning as it appeared to be for a proven ninja warrior of Shadow’s stature none the less proved to be a highly effective psychological ploy. This was truly an Oscar worthy performance in the category best supporting kitten in a medieval drama. 

Gradually the Queen became more fascinated by Shadow’s antics. At first she made a few half-hearted attempts to reach down and pet him however he remained tantalizingly… just beyond her reach. Gradually Shadow reduced the distance between himself and the Queen until it was possible for her with some effort to reach down and scratch him behind the ears.. Always remaining in complete control Shadow would tease her by moving closer and then ever so slowly backing out of her reach. 

Shadow played the Queen like a fine Stradivarius fiddle. By the time Shadow allowed the Queen to pet him she was completely convinced that she had personally tamed him. Shadow reinforced this illusion by selectively maintaining his distance from other palace personnel and guests. In this Shadow had to act with great discretion. He did not want to alienate any human who might offer him food or assistance…however, it was essential to his cause that the Queen believed herself to be sharing a special relationship with him. This was a bit of a balancing act, however Shadow accomplished this feat with his usual combination of attention to detail, finesse and irresistible charm. 

During this conditioning process Arty continued to supply Shadow with detailed intelligence concerning the current situation. For his assistance and steadfast friendship Shadow generously shared the fine cuisine he was provided as the Queen’s pet and new official “palace mascot”.

Hamlet remained moody and despondent. As the days wore on he became increasingly dubious that his plan would actually succeed. He had great confidence in Father Mulcahy, however he also had a greater opportunity to observe what a total sleaze bag Claudius actually was.  He began to wonder if Claudius even possessed a mortal soul that could be threatened. It was also quite troubling that his mother Gertrude appeared to be at the brink of acquiescing to Claudius’s demonic seduction. On more than one occasion Hamlet fought the urge to bludgeon Claudius in his sleep.  

His buds, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, made frequent trips to the village together… Even his main squeeze Ophelia was conspicuously absent much of the time. Hamlet was rather naïve by nature, however even were he more prone to suspicion… he was far too distracted by his mother’s situation and avenging his father’s death to take notice of the situation. 

Hamlet took frequent walks alone along the top of the castle wall. He was seldom seen without a half smoked dooby and a mug of stout ale in hand. He had resumed his bizarre habit of standing by the wall making eloquent speeches to  a non-existent audience…. Shadow as well as most of the palace staff believed Hamlet had finally lost it…. (They just chalked it up to stress and a bit too much weed and alcohol). 

When Sunday finally arrived Hamlet was up before sunrise…or maybe he had just never gone to bed that night. Accounts of this matter differ greatly. None the less Hamlet was waiting outside the palace gate when the carriages arrived to take the Royal family to the church. 

Hamlet, Guildenstern, Rosencrantz and Ophelia occupied one carriage. Hamlet did not even seem to notice that Ophelia was sitting on Guildenstern’s lap… instead of next to him. (Hamlet was really not quick on the uptake in matters of the heart). 

Claudius and the Queen occupied the front carriage. Shadow sat perched on the Queen’s lap. Claudius was not thrilled by this situation, however he was not  as yet King either. 

Arty had to make other travel arrangements. Unbeknownst to Hamlet the tiny critter had secreted himself deep inside his jacket pocket. (Being a tad crowded inside the tiny carriage Hamlet was obliged to remove his jacket before sitting down). Fortunately for Arty… Hamlet had the good sense to hang his jacket on a small hook projecting from the inside wall of the carriage. 

Eventually everyone was seated and accounted for and the tiny caravan commenced its journey down the winding cobblestone streets that led to the church. Upon their arrival the Royal party was promptly greeted and escorted to their reserved seating in the front row of the church directly opposite the pulpit. 

After the Royals had made their entry the village people quietly filed inside. 

Father Mulcahy expected there would be an unusually large turnout for this service. The church was always filled to capacity whenever the Royals were even rumored to be in attendance. The people despised Claudius, however they adored Queen Gertrude and took advantage of every possible opportunity to greet her. 

Claudius sat beside the Queen. Shadow sat on the Queen’s lap. Ophelia was seated in the choir loft behind the pulpit. Hamlet sat off to the side of the rest of the Royal party assuming a position that allowed him a clear view of both Claudius and Ophelia. Guildenstern and Rosencrantz were seated in the choir loft on either side of Ophelia. 

(Hamlet wondered to himself…. just when had Guildenstern and Rosencrantz joined the choir?) 

Father Mulcahy’s apostolic tirade commenced promptly on the 9th hour. He was dressed in his finest robes and was in rare form as his voice boomed over the assembled worshipers. Hamlet could see the sweat on his brow as he delivered his fiery rhetoric…. The candles on the alter appeared to first flicker and then blaze brightly as he harangued the evils of fratricide and described the inescapable torment that awaited such sinners. 

Claudius was visibly shaken. His normally fair skin turned a whiter shade of pale. He began to twitch and shake in his seat. 

(It has been rumored that months later there remained a dark stain on the pew where he had been seated). 

At the conclusion of the sermon the people of the village sat in stony silence as the Royal family were escorted out.

( It required two guards to assist Claudius in returning to the carriage that was waiting outside).

As soon as the Royals had made their departure there was a mass stampede as the terrified worshipers headed out the door. 

(Father Mulcahey later proudly informed Hamlet that the collection that morning was a new parish record).