The Search's End

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther felt as though a burden had been lifted from him when he had been told that Morgana had been found and was coming home, safe and alive. For months he had searched for her, greatly fearing what might have happened to her and if she was even alive. She had been ill and near death when her sister had taken her, and the king had felt himself going nearly insane from worry about her.

Now, she was back in the castle, and he had been able to greet her and hold her and know that she was physically there, that she was really back. No one would ever know the real truth of why he cared so deeply for her, but he knew that all of Camelot would be happy that she was safe. She seemed uninjured, which ws fortunate, but she had obviously been through much during her absence.

Uther was eager to speak to her more extensively after she had taken care of her immediate needs, and he knocked on the door to her room, waiting for her to answer.

When: During Tears of Uther Pendragon 1
Who: Tag Morgana

[mysery]

In this instance, if everything were normal, one might say it was good to be home. Yes, Morgana had spouted that line enough times in the past day or so to almost make it true, but each smile she got in return only made her want to chuckle. How blinded they all were by a few tears, some dirt and some bruises. Uther was as much a fool as the rest. He honestly believed she'd never question him again? Only a truly foolish man would think that.

Now Morgana found herself in her chambers, untouched as they had been it seemed for a year, sitting at her vanity and brushing her hair. Gwen had been with her almost non stop since she returned, so she had finally managed to convince her she would be fine on her own for a while. When there was a knock at her door, she paused and put the brush back down. No doubt another person wishing to confirm with their own eyes that the Lady Morgana had returned.

Approaching the door, she opened it and took a step back when she realised it was Uther himself. She should have suspected it, but she would have thought one visit for the day would have been enough. Clearly not.

"My lord," she said, welcoming him and opening the door a little wider to permit him entry into her chambers.

[kinguthersqueen]

She looked better now that she had been seen to by Gaius and bathed and gotten at least a bit of rest. There had been many people concerned and wanting to wish her well, though few had been allowed in of course. Uther hoped she could rest now, because the night would be filled with a feast in honor of her return.

"I cannot tell you how relieved I am to have you safely back. Gaius has told me that you are uninjured, and that is an even bigger relief...you are extremely fortunate. I am very interested to hear of your escape, though I do not want to pressure you if it is too disturbing for you to discuss. I would not want to make you distraught after what yo have experienced."

[mysery]

Once the King had fully entered her room, Morgana closed the door once more. With a very lady like 'swish' she turned and moved back over to the vanity to take a seat. She had to keep up the pretense of being tired and exhausted after all. She released a happy sigh and smiled as warmly as she could muster.

"I was so relieved when I came across Arthur and the others," she said, looking down at her hands, clasped in her lap. "I'd been wandering for what felt forever and I was beginning to fear I would never find my way back," she added, biting her lip softly. "Or that my captors would... would find me and imprison me again."

She took a moment to 'compose' herself, before she looked up at Uther, meeting his eyes with her own light ones. "I couldn't go back to them. I would rather have died," she continued, shaking her head.

"I thought if I could get back near where the patrol was slaughtered, another might come along. And then there was Arthur, like a white knight riding to the rescue and I could scarcely believe my eyes. In that moment I knew I was finally coming home..."

With that, the lady looked to her hands again, letting her crocodile's tears well up and fall. Her hair fell in soft waves around her face, creating a small shield between her and the world. A shield she knew Uther would have no problem breaking to comfort her.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther listened, unable to detect her deception, her emotional play doing its intended job. He felt a mixture of sadness and anger as she spoke, and he wished that something could have been done earlier, that he could have gotten to her sooner. He knew that things could have gotten much worse, though he did not want to think it.

"You did well...I know that no one could keep you from escaping at one point or another. I am only relieved that it did not get as bad as it could have; such men as these are ruthless and often anything but gentlemanly to a lady. I swear that they will be hunted down and brought to justice for this. Their lives will be forfeit."

"I never stopped searching, and would have gone to the ends of the earth if it became necessary."he said.

There was one thing that was nagging him, and he spoke of it next. "The only thing I fail to understand is why no contact was ever made. Usually, bandits capture someone of your status to collect a ransom, yet no demand was ever made to me."

[mysery]

Morgana remained quiet as Uther spoke, nodding occassionally. Had she really been kidnapped by ruffians, she would have fought tooth and nail to escape them. That time with Heingst's men the case in point, though she had been worried about Guinevère as well at the time so escaping had been somewhat more difficult. And she remembered how that had turned out. That was just Morgana though. She would die before she became a rug for anyone ever again.

"I cannot speak to their state of mind my lord," she said eventually, reaching up and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She and Morgause hadnt thought of that. "Maybe they wanted to make you think I was dead, then they could do what they willed without fear of you," she added. "But I knew you'd never give up on me!"

With that, she reached out with her hand and took Uther's, smiling up at the King through her real feelings for the man. "Thank you for not giving up," she said softly, her eyes shinning. Morgause had taught her well.

[kinguthersqueen]

"That is possible, I suppose. They may have believed that such a loss would weaken me enough so that more harm could be done. But, they greatly misjudged how I would react. They should have known that I would become enraged and hunt them down until every last one was dead. And they should have known that you were far too formidible to ever be held for long." he said.

"I would never give up on you. You mean far too much to me. I would fight for you until my dying breath." He alone knew the true reason for those feelings, and he could never tell her, but all that was important was that she knew how strongly he felt.

[mysery]

Morgana might have been touched by his words, if she didnt know that, were he aware of her abilities, he would shun and probably even try to execute her. It was rather a heady combination to have someone be so honest with you, and have no idea that you were lying to their face. Then again, Uther had never really been the brightest of men. True, he was a King and intelligent enough, but he was blind to those close to him.

Her presence was evidence enough of that, not to mention all the things she and Arthur had done which defied the King without his knowledge. Like the Druid boy, and Arthur going after Guinevère when she had been kidnapped. Uther had no idea, and this time, it was going to cost him so much more than some dignity if she had her way.

"Thank you my lord," she replied, pulling herself from her thoughts. "I have missed you all so much," Morgana added, giving Uther's hand one last squeeze before she released it.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther could obviously not read her mind, but she was right in so many ways about him. He likely would have been overwhelmed and enraged if he knew the full truth of what both Morgana AND Arthur had done right under his nose, without his knowledge. He had to have some intelligence, obviously, to run the kingdom, but was still blind to a lot of things around him.

His own mind was still drewlling on the day's events, and enjoying the relief of knowing that Morgana was home safe.He had run himself ragged the last year, pushing hard from dawn until dusk and sleeping a few hours at a time, as little as possible in order to oversee the search for her. He had refused to stop, had intended to keep searching and fighting even if it killed him.

"As have I, and as have we all missed you greatly."he replied." I know that Arthur has missed you, and the entire castle. All of Camelot has been worried for your safety and all are glad that you are safe. If you had been lost, it would have been a great blow to all of us. I am certin that all are relieved greatly tonight, not just I, although naturally I am most of all."He returned the squeeze before the release of hands.

[mysery]

"I am happy that the burden of worry over my safety can now be lifted," the dark haired young woman said, standing from her seat. "I do not wish to keep you if you have duties my lord," she added. She knew he had things to attend to, as did she, though he didnt know that, and she didnt want to be in his presence any longer than she had to. Lest she crack and spit something at him she wasnt meant to. "I think I might go for a walk."

While she would never profess to actually caring about what she saw, it didnt escape Morgana's notice that Uther seemed..... diminished in some ways. His face looked more tired than she remembered, and she would swear there were a few new lines around his eyes and mouth. Then again, Arthur had looked different as well. Time had passed and it was to be expected. She did not care whether or not those differences had been caused by her.

She would make mention of it to Morgause when she went to see her tonight. Her sister would be overjoyed to hear that Uther was already worn down somewhat. It would make breaking him all the easier. Arthur was the one with the fortitude, but Morgana knew he wouldnt be able to withstand her for long. She was his beloved adoptive sister after all, who'd just been rescued from hell. He would be easy pickings too.

Yes, a walk around the castle was in order. Let people see her returned and safe and allow them to relax. Lower their guard that little bit more.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther listened, hoping she would eventually open up more. He dislike seeing her uneasy, though she was fairly relaxed right now. He knew that she had been through a long, difficult ordeal, and that one did not simply recover from such a thing overnight. It took months, sometimes years, depending on the person. But he would do all he could to help her along.

"Yes, some of that burden can be. But I will always worry for you. You mean a great deal to me, and it would destroy me if anything happened to you."he replied.

She said that she did not want to keep him and that she might go for a walk."It is no trouble. But thank you. Yes, of course...it might do you some good. Just please do not overexert yourself. Be sure and take it easy for a while."

[mysery]

Ah so there it was. The key to breaking King Uther, handed right to her. Too bad Morgana valued her own life, and that of her sister, otherwise she would take a knife and deal with it swiftly. Right here, right now. But no. Because Uther had an heir and said heir wouldnt go down without a fight. Better to attack from within and incapacitate Arthur's ability to fight back when, eventually, they finished off Uther.

And Morgause would be shattered. They had only just found each other, after so much and so long, Morgana didnt want to be taken from her permanently. Not even Uther was worth that. She hated it enough that she had to return here and pretend, rather than just remain by her sisters side. However, that being said, her arguments made sense. Uther would think her delivered from hell itself and the ground she walked on would be worshipped. She could do no wrong in his eyes. What better position for a spy and traitor that at the Kings left hand?

All through her thoughts, Morgana's smile remained firmly in place and she made her way over to her wardrobe to fetch her shawl. She wrapped it around herself delicately and moved back over to the King. "I promise that I will come straight inside if I feel even the slightest hint of tiredness," she assurred him. Thinking, why not, Morgana raised on her tip toes for a moment and pecked Uther's cheek before she made her way to the door. "Thank you again my lord. I will take my leave now," Morgana said finally, pulling open the door. She spared Uther one last look before she stepped out and began her walk down the corridor.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther listened, then nodded. He had no doubt that she would be careful and that she wouldn't push things too far. He had to fight the urge to be with her all the time, to want to see her and know that she was really there. He was still afraid that he might awaken and find it had all been a dream, as he had many times before. He still couldn't believe she had truly returned alive.

"All right. And as I said, there will be a feast later to celebrate your return. I know that all will be happy to see you again."he said, as he watched her take her leave.

[mysery]

Morgana's steps were quick but assured as she made her way through the castle. Once it had been her home. How she wished she had never let Morgause convince her into returning here. Here, where Uther was. Morgana would have been glad to never see the man who had been her guardian since childhood ever again. He was a blind and selfish man who cared nothing for those around him.

But, as Morgause had predicted, Uther would look upon her return as a gift from the heavens and relax what little guard he had. She could do no wrong. While Morgause amassed an army and attacked from without, Morgana would undermine the kingdom from within, making it all the weaker and ready for the end of Uther's reign.

Magic would be free to return to Camelot and they would get vengence for what Uther had done to her sister.

Her mind on the future and their plans that lay ahead, Morgana lifted her chin a fraction and continued on her way to the gardens. It really was true...

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

And Uther Pendragon was going to burn...

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