Mocking the prisoner (Uther and Nimueh)

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther was alone now, the girl having brought the food and left. He would eat nothing. If he starved, then so be it. He had no illusions he'd live very long as it was. Morgana seemed to be keeping him alive just to torture him, but it did not matter. Whether he died at the point of a sword from hours of torture, she'd see him dead and then probably string him up a barbarian would, a disgusting trophy of her conquer.

His tunic hid a criscross of whip marks accross his back, and other areas of flesh bore burns and bruises. His tongue was swollen and painful because he'd bitten through it more than once rather than cry like a coward. He was cold and tired, and his body ached, both from the abuse and the pain of his aged bones.

Uther was a bit edgy, knowing that he'd likely soon have another visitor, one who just wanted to gloat and mock how pathetic he looked and further humiliate him. He fully expected Nimueh to offer to help, but he'd never accept her twisted "prices". She'd just attempt to use this to bring him under her control and he would not have it.

[Deleted]

Nimueh was by no means aware she was being expected. She had thought it a rather funny and wicked move to pay Uther Pendragon a visit now that he finally was where she wanted him: beaten and dethroned, mouldering away in the dungeons. The plan Morgause and Morgaine had worked out with Cenred had been suprisingly successful, of course her help had been very useful to it all, even if she had chosen to stay in the background. Let others do the dirty work, in the end she had achieved what she had always dreamt of.
Morgana would be a puppet on a string to Nimueh, she was not strong enough to rule under her own will. She was far too selfish and driven by hate to really pose a threat to Nimueh's cold blooded cunning.

But first things first. Taunting Uther had always been her favourite sport, even before the thing with Ygraine had happened. Back then it had been friendly teasing, now it was bloody reality, she wanted to hurt him in every way possible, and she had actually been there, invisible watching him being flogged, every beat against his body sending a satisfied lurge through her own. Finally, after all these years, he had it coming big time!
Materializing into his cell she first clad herself with shadows and hid, taking a moment to admire the picture in front of her:
Uther was cowering on the ground, probably trying to move as little as possible to keep the pain to a minimum. He was well along in years, and a flogging such as this could send a weaker man to his death. Well, there was still time for that!

A low chuckle escaped her lips, slowly enhancing and echoing from the stone walls. It took on a derisive tone after a while, cracking at the body on the floor like another whip.
Then she removed the shadows and stepped out in front of Uther, looking down upon him in the dim light, a sneer on her face.
„Fancy seeing you here, oh mighty Uther Pendragon!“ she taunted him mercilessly. „Didn't I say it all along? One day I will make you bleed at my feet!“

[kinguthersqueen]

He didn't move at first at the sound, not really seeing a reason to. It was probably either Morgana and Morgause coming back to torment him some more or the guards coming to finally haul him out to the courtyard. The part he loathed most was that he would die in humilation most likely, on his knees. He would fight if he could, but he wouldn't accomplish much by it and he knew it.

Uther was indeed trying to keep still, not that he could move much anyway. The manacles on his wrists saw to that. Even so, when the form materialized, he lunged, blind in his annoyance and rage for a moment's time. He had to settle after a moment, chest heaving, wrists stinging from the strain against the metal. He glared at her, knowing she was gloating greatly in all of this, that she was taking great delight in his suffering.

"I might have expected you to take part in mocking and tormenting me. You, of all people, must be happy as can be to see me down here. I think you will see though that Morgana will be little better. I hightly doubt she will play your annoying games. And I can anticipate one other thing that must be on your mind at the moment. If you expect I'll beg you for help, it will not happen. I will die first!!! I will NEVER beg ANYONE for ANYTHING!"The loudness of his voice rose to a full yell as he vented his anger at her. If he was to die, so be it. He was far too proud to ever beg, no matter what the circumstances.

[Deleted]

Uther’s reaction to her sudden appearance was nothing if not expected, but it was still funny. How he lunged at her but was restrained by his chains reminded her very much of a guard dog to some wealthy man’s estate. He could bark but not bite, if she wasn’t so foolish as to tread too close. From king to rabid dog in just one day. Oh how the mighty had fallen!
His barking might have seen impressive to someone who didn’t know Uther for as long as she had. The louder he yelled the more unsure he was himself, and the more he denied something…

She kept silent for a little, examining the king as if looking for any trace of some mental affliction, her face a mask of concern, but also slightly monishing.
“Tut, tut Uther, now let’s not overreact!”, she said, raising a finger. “What makes you think I would offer my help even if you begged for it? I think I like the fact of you being down here. Of course, I could always ask Morgana to perform a public burning, so you do not rot away, but this is as far as I would go!” That was just partly a lie. Of course she would not mind seeing Uther begging at her feet, but only so she could deny him what he wanted, sending him further down. With his cursed luck Uther might be able to reinforce and take the kingdom back in his own hands before Morgana could even become very comfortable on the throne. No, it was better to see him die with her very own eyes.

“Face it, Uther, you’re all alone now. No one is coming to your rescue. They are either dead or sensible enough to choose the winning team. No one will lift a finger for you!”
She tread closer, but just out of reach for his chained body, and leaned forward, whispering conspiratorially: “No one!”
Nimueh herself would have the power to help him flee in a heartbear, and she was more than sure Uther was aware of this fact. Oh, he played the strong one now, but give him a few hours or maybe just even a few minutes of taunting and grilling, and he would crumble!

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther rather felt like he was being tortured some more. Being chained down here was bad enough, but now he had to listen to her going on and on again. And like before, he couldn't call the guards, only now it was for a very different reason. He sat down, panting, not wanting to expend any more energy. He hadn't eaten since being brought here, he'd refused. He'd starve first. But he was beginning to get weak, and the more he thrashed around, the more tired he felt. And he knew she wasn't foolish enough to come within range, magic or no.

"I feel that if she planned on killing me outright, it would have happened long ago. She probably takes the same delight you do in torturing me. She is so much like me that it's frightening. It's rather surprising you haven't made some form of alliance with her yet, you're seemingly so much of like mind."

She was standing right in front of him now, just beyond the reach of his chained arms. He lunged again, once, then settled, crouching, knowing it was pointless. But her words were enraging him, and he did not care who heard him yell.

"MY SON IS STILL ALIVE! He will die before he surrenders! He will fight for Camelot until his last breath!

But inside, Uther knew that even Arthur would need a miracle. One man or even one man with a band of rebels, if anyone was helping him, could not defeat an immortal army. Uther refused, though, to give up hope altogether, no matter what anyone told him. He would not give up as long as hope remained that his son was alive.

[Deleted]

Nimueh examined Uther very carefully, taking delight in just how beaten and – old he looked all of a sudden. Gone was all his royal demeanour, the proud stance and the looking down his nose on people. This torture had been just what he needed to cut him down to reasonable size. A flogging a day keeps the hubris away…
She smirked to herself. And haggard he did look, was Morgana letting him starve or did he refuse to eat out of his own account? That would be so like Uther… and knowing him he would actually go through with starving to death before he admitted his defeat. Not that it would be such a bad thing… he wasn’t needed anymore as it was. The reign of Uther Pendragon was finally at an end!

“And still you claim to be an expert on what Morgana thinks and does”, she taunted him, shaking her head. “While all this time she has fooled you into believing she’s your beloved innocent ward, at times a little stubborn and insubordinate, but otherwise sooo looking up to you!” Again a mean laugh echoed through the cell. “You’ve been a blind fool, Uther, just like always. And… what makes you think she’s not already IN an alliance with me? That this is as much my doing as it is hers? You’d be surprised…”

Of course, ever since been revived Nimueh had worked for this particular day, even if she sometimes had to press her case between the inseperable sisters. They had resurrected her, so they needed her – why did they refuse to listen to her advice? Their stubbornness and determination to get everything done at once might be their undoing very soon if they didn’t stop and listen. Getting rid of Cenred for starters… that had been overhasty and uneeded in Nimueh’s eyes, a mistake born out of being fed up with an ally too soon. Morgause might see soon enough where it would get her…

To Uther’s (in Nimueh’s eyes) desperate outburst she only gave another disdainful and slightly pitiful chuckle. How sweet, the former king clinging to that belief with all his might. For all he knew Arthur could be long since feeding the maggots. So why not torture him a little more?
“You seem very sure there, my dear Uther. I think you’re nursing false hopes. Arthur is dead as well. Being away from Camelot didn’t save him!” she lied without batting an eyelid. “Cenred’s men got him very soon. How else do you think did they obtain the Cup of Life? You really think your son wouldn’t have defended it to his last breath?!”

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther was still holding his head high, but he knew he presented a less than intimdating picture right now. It was difficult to keep fighting when so much was happening around him and he could not stop it. He had tried to keep his proud look and confident demeanor, but it seemed to matter little most of the time. Especially when neither Morgana nor Nimueh was seeing through it. He listened as she spoke, her words hitting sore spots as usual. He HAD been blind, much as he hated to admit it.

"There was no way I could know. She was an excellent deciever."he replied. He would never admit that he had been blind to her, it would be too humiliating."It would not surprise me. You will look for any means to take me down and destroy me."

Uther did not want to admit she was right about Arthur, but he knew it was a real possibility. But he would never admit that to her. He could not allow himself to think that way.

"I WILL NOT BELIEVE IT!" he roared, lunging and straining at his bonds."NOT UNTIL I HAVE PROOF. UNTIL I SEE HIS BODY, I WILL NOT ACCEPT THAT HE IS DEAD!

[Deleted]

Stubbornness was major flaw in any way, but Uther had brought it to such perfection Nimueh was almost inclined to call it skill. Here he was, beaten and probably facing his own death very soon, and still he kept on that act of ‘I’m right, I have always been right, I’m just misunderstood!’
Or was it maybe more of some kind of mental affliction? Talking himself into the delusion that everything he did was for the good of Camelot and not to satisfy is own personal need for blind revenge? Maybe both flaws were adding up in some way, so that it now had reached a dead end with Uther: At first he had been delusional but now he was simply too stubborn to turn around and atone for his crimes.
And anyway… no one could tell exactly what perpetual damage the mandrake roots had caused after all… Tricky little beasts they were, turning your own consciousness against you, haunting you with your darkest side. But wherever this would lead, it would not be a long process anymore. The madness of King Uther would soon be history.

A snort that was followed by a disbelieving short laugh escaped Nimueh’s mouth as she heard Uther’s claim. Was he really THAT delusional? “An excellent deceiver?! Now, COME on, she was a neophyte! Her emotions often enough were so blatantly shown on her face it was a miracle she didn’t give herself away on the first day! But you all just saw what you wanted to see and that made it a walk in the park to deceive you!”
A little of her irritation and animosity towards Morgana showed clearly in this derogatory statement, but Nimueh didn’t care to hide it. Even if that piece of information could be turned against her in any way, Uther would never have the chance to do so. He was a dead man, it was only a matter of time.
“And not any way!” she corrected him firmly. “Unlike you I still have my pride and some means that you stoop to will always stay below me!”

Nimueh let him yell, not battering an eyelid. This had always been Uther’s way of dealing with things. He would come to the same conclusion like her eventually, maybe even already had, just… stubborn as always. “In this case it matters even less what you accept or believe, Uther!” she told him with a sneer. “It’s all about facts. And fact is, Arthur is rotting away in some nameless forest close to the border to Cenred’s kingdom at the moment. He almost did make it home, now isn’t that tragic?” Her voice had adopted a feign soft, consoling tone now, just to hurt him more and for the same reason she now immerged in cruel details. “I highly doubt that even if they searched his body right now and brought him back, you would recognize him though. The maggots are quite hungry these days, you know?”

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther knew that Nimueh was right about him being blind to Morgana, but he would never admit it. He had cared so much for her and wanted so much to help her that he had blinded himself to what she had become. He should have seen her unraveling, growing darker, becoming more hateful toward him, but he hadn't. He didn't answer Nimueh's words, just seethed with anger, his sides heaving.

Her continued insistance on tormenting him with talk of Arthur's death only made the situation even worse. It made him start fighting and straining again, growling and wanting to tackle her, useless though it would have been.

"I WILL NOT ACCEPT IT! UNLESS HIS BODY IS BROUGHT TO ME, I WILL NOT BELIEVE HE IS DEAD!"he roared. It was agitating the guards, but he didn't care at this point.

[Deleted]

Nimueh sighed, exasperated and clearly fed up with Uther now. Really what had been the reason for her coming here? As much as Uther was fun to mock, his stubborness and stupidity clearly outweighed the pleasure. Shouldn’t she just turn around and leave him to his misery, before she lost her temper altogether? Surely that was not worth it?! Her having to hear him say the EXACT same words like just a second ago? So much for entertainment!
Nimueh would just wait until Uther was executed and then move to the first row where he could see her gloat in his last seconds on earth. That should be enough.

“You’re repeating yourself Uther!” she scoffed and turned away. “I never thought a man in his last hours could be so boring. Don’t you wish to be DOING something in the little time you have left instead of repeating words you used before? But… of course it’s your life, your decision.”
She tread closer again, leaning forward, dangerously close to him now, as she was sure he could not harm her anyway. “And as for Arthur’s body, alright, if you wish.” She raised an eyebrow challengingly. “I’ll let Morgana send out a search party to retrieve what’s left of him. But don’t blame us if all they find is bare bones.”

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther knew he was repeating words a lot at the moment, but he wasn't in a mood to think clearly right now. He was victim, as so often before, to his raging temper and his attempts to resist her tries to get on his nerves. She was probably enjoying this even more than she was showing, which would mean a great deal, and was doing everything she could to make him more angry. He was helpless and captive, and she was squeezing as much entertainment out of it as she could.

"And what exactly *could* I do while trapped down here? I cannot exactly free myself, otherwise I would have long ago, obviously."he replied."Tell me, what is it you are insinuating with those words?"

He hated her taunts about Arthur with a passion, and he couldn't help it if angered him and made him repeat his words. He was not going to let himself think any differently than he'd said."Arthur is ALIVE!"he growled, worked up but not wanting to scream anymore. His throat was raw from it, and it was pointless when Nimueh was involved.

[Deleted]

Nimueh liked to think she had finally worked a crack into Uther’s tough shell. Why else would he be asking a question, finally opening it up for her, however much of a rhetorical question it was?
Now she needed to be careful, weigh her words twice as well before speaking them. Uther was unstable in everything he did, a tiny figurative gust of wind could make him change his mind again. In that aspect, he really could be considered a challenge. His stubborn nature made him not very easy to play, even though his weaknesses were more than apparent.

“Oh you could do many things still”, she mused, starting to pace a little back and forth, as if preparing for a parol at court. “And for those you won’t even need your hands, just your brain. I would recommend starting to rethink your life or such, the old blah blah about realising what you did wrong and repent your sins – didn’t I know you better and knew you never would do that even with your head on the block. Still…” she stopped pacing and swiftly turned to face him, the dagged skirt of her gown swinging behind her stagily. “you could also use your brain to find a way to free yourself – because there is one. It is a simple way and yet for you he will not be easy. But count two and two together and you will realise it’s worth the… discomfort. All you have to do is…pleasing me a little.”
She chuckled again, looking at him expectantly. Was he really still strong enough to still resist her? Of course she had not meant it in that kind of way, but there was no harm in playing a little with double entendres.

“Whatever you say, Uther!” she shrugged and leaned against the stone wall, looking up at the small barred hole were only dim light was trickling down. “Really, for a cell it’s quite cozy, don’t you think?”

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther knew that Nimueh would try to strike some kind of bargain with him, and he was fighting the temptation to ask or say anything about it. He knew that any agreement with her would not come cheap, just like anything she did, there would be a price. A price he probably would not appreciate having to pay. He knew what had happene before, what the price had been. He did not want to know what she would want now.

"I do not regret my actions...I did only what I had to."Uther's pride and stubbornness would never let him admit any mistakes of that sort, no matter what happened.

I am aware of at least some of the games you play. I know that if I choose to ask for your help, it would come with a price. And I am almost certain I will not like that price."he said."The price last time was far too much to bear. What more is there to take from me, aside from my life?

[Deleted]

Once again, Nimueh rolled her eyes and fiddled her fingers. She was really sick of Uther’s talk. No, she just shouldn’t have said anything at all, maybe not even make herself known. Although… there was still that TINY chance of Uther agreeing to her conditions in the end. She just had to make sure he knew all other options were done for. And concerning the circumstances this wasn’t even a hard task.

“Yes, yes, I know”, she waved it aside impatiently. “I already said you would react that way, no need to prove it. You’d be surprised how much your view on ‘had to do’ and that of most other people vary… but you never wanted to be king for your subjects, right?”

Then she crossed her arms and looked at him, thoroughly amused. As if Uther ever had be able to look past any of her games until it was too late. He probably thought himself oh so very astute, but it had always been someone else saving his royal posterior. Like Merlin for example… oh yes, that warlock wannabe was still on the loose as well, and he actually posed more of a threat than Arthur Pendragon and all the rebellious knights of Camelot combined. But he would not spoil her game this time… not until she had won that was. Because right now, a plan started to work inside her mind. A simple plan, but it would get her where she had wanted to be for what seemed like an eternity.

“How many times do I have to tell you that in your so called ‘last time’ I had no say? It was not my choice that Ygraine was chosen, even if it somehow served you right. But let’s not talk about the past any longer!” she leaned forward again, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Let’s talk about the present, or better, the future - your future. It might surprise you I won’t ask something as grand as your life from you.” Yet. “No, it will be one very little thing. As soon as you successfully fled, make it known why you did what you did and let me take up my old place as official High Priestess. Renounce your ban on magic, Uther, you see where it got you!”

[kinguthersqueen]

"It did not 'serve me right', you disgust me saying that. She did not deserve it and neither did I."He words made him sick, made him want to throw up. He knew deep inside that she was right about not having chosen for Ygraine to die, but he was too stubborn to ever admit it. What mattered to him is that it was magic that had killed her, and magic that had to be eradicated so no one else could be harmed by it, so Camelot would be safe.

She began talking about her price, what she wanted in exchange for freeing him. Uther found it hard to believe she'd even think he'd consider such an exchange. He did consider trying to deceive her, to seemingly agree to her demand, and then reveal the truth after he'd been freed. But she would likely have some way of punishing him if he chose that route. And, he would rather die than even appear to agree to such a propsition.

"As if I would even consider such a thing. I would sooner die. I see nothing of the sort, only that it got me into this situation. It was the Cup of Life, an artifact of magic, that enabled the overthrow. My hatred is only strengthened by this, and if I am to die, than so be it."

[Deleted]

So she disgusted him? Well that feeling was truly mutual and she was not going to hide it. What Uther had done, his selfish actions, had made him far more detestable in her eyes than she ever could become. Once she had considered him a friend, a fellow soul even, as they both shared a temper and had great responsibilities to deal with – and then he had spoilt it all, just because he had panicked Camelot might not have an heir.
"For once you are right", Nimueh said, sneering. “Whatever happened, Ygraine didn’t deserve any of it! You always claim I killed her, but deep down inside you you know it was yourself that did it! That’s why you rather lash out because you cannot stand the very thought. But you killed her, Uther, with your impatience and panicmongering! If you had given her one more year, who knows, maybe she would have bore a healthy child, Arthur could have been born the natural way. But no, you didn’t want to wait that long, and so you sacrificed Ygraine for your stupid fears.”

These were harsh words, but Nimueh was almost relieved to finally get them off her chest. Ever since she had been banished from court there had be no actual opportunity to talk like that. Twenty years of burying it all inside her had been too long. The flame of hate burned now brighter than ever, but it was not bitter anymore. Finally she had been able to say it all, as she had realised subtle hints didn’t work with Uther. She had resurrected his brother-in-law as a wraith for the very same reason, wanting to remind him of what he had done. He hadn’t realised it back then, and even with the words blatantly hurled into his face now he mihght not, but at least now someone had voiced them.

And another thing Uther got right in this conversation, but Nimueh would rather die than admit it: She had been against using the Cup of Life as a tool in this scheme. She knew about the risks those abusing it took, an artefact of life should never be used to cause death! Those were the most simple rules of the Old Religion, but Morgause and Morgana had refused to listen. That and only that had been the reason of Nimueh stepping back and letting Morgause perform the ritual. She wanted no part of it, because if things went wrong – as they could still – both Morgana and Morgause had doomed themselves.
But of course she did voice nothing of these thoughts to Uther.

“You men and your pride”, she chuckled instead, still leaning against the wall nonchalantly. “Big words and all that… I wonder if you were without food for, say,… three days, if you still would talk that big about rather dying than restoring a fault. I could arrange for that, you know? I’m sure Morgana would be delighted to fulfil me this simple wish!”

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther again knew inside that Nimueh was right, but as always, he'd never admit it. The whole thing had become twisted and changed around in his mind to the point where he believed it to be real. He listened to her words, his mind having never been able to accept or admit his part in Ygraine's death. He hadn't known she would die, and that was a fact. He'd know there would be a price, but never expecting it would ever be her.

She spoke about speaking to Morgana, about telling her to let him go without food, but it didn't really faze Uther any. He'd refused most of what they'd given him anyway. Part of him didn't like it, he needed stregnth if any chance of escape presented itself, but the other part would rather die before staying locked up for who knew how long.

"It would matter little anyway. I have eaten little since I was put here. If I starve, so be it. I would rather die than remain imprisoned endlessly. Besides, it would not be the first time I have gone without for a time. Wars do not follow a regular schedule. A warrior must be prepared to suffer, whether in battle or if he is captured."

[Deleted]

Eaten only little ever since he got here? Hm… no wonder he was so cranky! A man such pampered as the king Uther Pendragon was not used to go long without proper food, ever since he had stepped down from being a warrior and settled down on his polstered throne. And one could only live on stubbornness and dark thoughts for so long. Eventually, Nimueh knew that, he would crumble. They all did, king or knave, prince or pauper, that was the way the human mind and body worked. Unless of course you had been trained since childhood to neglect your physical needs, surpress them and let you mind reign over them – like it was the case with Nimueh. She, too, of course would die from lack of food, but she probably wouldn’t realise the cravings until it was too late. That could come in handy… but it was also dangerous!

In any way, she didn’t believe Uther’s words. He might think he was oh so tough, but he had seen nothing yet!
“Nice try”, she retorted with a chuckle, then pushed herself off the wall to tread closer again, actually crouching down in front of him. “But let me tell you a secret, Uther. Before your body really starves to death, you will become weak… everyone does. Not just your body, but your mind. You will beg, you will do anything for food or water. It might not seem so to you right now, but believe me, the time will come.” It was only a little recompense to conjure such a drastic picture before Uther’s inner eye, but it still was recompense, and one she dearly enjoyed. You have to learn to enjoy the little victories in life and wait patiently for the bigger ones.

“So, tell me, mighty king Uther… do you really want that?” Her voice now dropped to an almost seductive whisper. “Wouldn’t you rather accept now while you stil have a free will, at least with the illusion of having another choice? Your body will decide for you soon enough, enjoy your rational abilities while you still have them!”

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther knew that her words were true, and that was what tore at him. If he were weak, he would be able to do nothing if an opportunity for escape presented itself. The only way he could bring hope to the people, that he could keep Morgana's hold from being complete was to be free, to be able to at least be a symbol to the people even if he did not hold the castle. He could not have it both ways and he knew it. He was trying to hold firm, but it was still clear that she was having an effect, that her words were hitting at his resolve.

"You always know how to make your words cut, how to speak in just the way that will infuriate me the most."he growled."I simply do not think that I could ever lower myself to agreeing to any of your words. I am still repulsed by the thought. I would still sooner die."

He could not keep from hanging his head for just a few moments, wondering to himself just how long his resolve could hold.

[Deleted]

Nimueh allowed herself a smile, sure now that she was on the road of immediate victory. It was unlike Uther to even admit how good she actually was in getting to him. Him doing so must really mean he was on the verge of crumbling, maybe not begging, but asking her to help him, even if he would have to force it out between his clenched teeth. Just a little more now, just a tiny jab more… she was so close to getting what she wanted she could almost feel it, grasp it. But she needn’t make the final move just yet, that could prove fatal.

“Well, that comes with the long years of knowing you, Uther”, she teased, making herself comfortable on the floor as if she intended to stay here for a while, emmersing in idle chitchat with a prisoner. It was to show him that she had all the time of the world, that she was in no haste to see him admit his defeat – if one put the term ‘admit’ a bit more vague. Truth be told, Nimueh had no better place to be at the moment, and even if, this could be called a priority. She may be harvesting fruits others had sown, as she had not been the one taking over Camelot, but that was just a minor glitch. She had waited for this moment a long time, years and years, a few more minutes in damp straw wouldn’t kill her.

“It’s all a matter of perspective, you see. You are already down low, Uther, you’re a captive in your own dungeon, farther down than you ever thought you might stoop to. Isn’t relenting to my wishes rather a rising up from this position, as it will you get up on the surface again?”
No one could say Nimueh wasn’t able to talk reasonable, actually interspersing truth in things she said. It was not always about manipulating, something told her that Uther might be more responive for simple truths now than ever. He hung his head even, something he normally would never do. It was a sign of defeat, more than anything else.
“Look at me, Uther”, she said almost softly, trying a different approach to wear him down. “Look at me and tell me you are not tempted. Be truthful to yourself for once.”