Mocking the prisoner (Uther and Nimueh)

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther recognized her strategy; he had known for a while now what she was doing. She was wearing at him, trying to break him down to the point of submission. He growled, his pride still driving him very much. She was right in her words about him being tempted. His mind was torn many ways, and there was no easy solution to his predicament that would not be difficult and painful, unless his hopes about Arthur were true.

If he resisted and stayed, he would die, either at Morgana's hand, or starved and tortured. If he accepted Nimueh's offer, he would be nothing but a hypocrite. He was frustrated and overwhelmed, still straining now and then and growling at his own turmoil. His mind also recalled once again the past, and although he was not foolish enough to want to be intimate with her again, the memory remained, muddying things itself.

"If I accept, I would be a hypocrite. I would be embracing the very thing that has caused me such pain and anguish. It would be foolhardy of me to become entangled with the very force that has already taken so much. And most importantly, I would lose all credibility with the people. A king must stand firm, even in the face of hardship and suffering. His integrity must be beyond question, and if he yields to temptation, goes against his convictions, he is not worthy of anyone's trust or respect. I may be down here, and Morgana may see herself as queen, but I am still the only true king here. If I die, then I die true to myself, and my kingdom."

[Deleted]

Uther spoke and he seemed not done with it for a very long time. Nimueh hoped it would be the last uprearing of his oversized pride. He was strong, yes, but he was not immortal. Even pride could sustain you only for so long. It was a bad cook indeed and also nothing that kept you warm in a damp dark cell. Sooner or later he would realise that as well, and every little jab of hers brought him closer to overstepping the particular line of admitting defeat. It was not like she had anything else to do today. Nimueh could wait for her triumph. A patience that raised her above Morgause and Morgana who were often known for their rash decisions and eagerness to pull through despite the common sense.

The words Uther spoke, however, were so overly ridiculous Nimueh had a hard time not staring at him, mouth agape. She turned her baffledness into a scornful expression, drumming her fingers on her forearms, waiting for the swollen-headed king to finally get a grip on himself. When he apparently was out of breath and out of lies to spread, she waited a few more seconds, then faked to jolt a little as if waking from a daydream.
“Oh, you’re done? Great! So now, let me put a few things straight if you please. One… sorry to break it to you, but you have been a hypocrite all your life, especially lately. You condemn magic and yet you use it whenever YOU see fit, while others lose their head. Second: You long since have lost all credibility with your ‘people’. They only thing they believe you is when you say you’ll have their head. Third: Integrity? Don’t make me laugh! I didn’t even know you knew the meaning of this word! You bend every rule like you please, and you nip every little ounce of resistance in the bud!”

How could he possibly find anything to say against that? It was nothing but the truth and he was wore down enough to be on the verge of admitting it too. Not long now… the victory was hers!

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther knew that her words were true, and it hit him harder every time she spoke like that. Not that he'd ever admit it. Uther didn't want to see himself as being hypocritical. He believed that bending or breaking the rules was necessary at times, if it could be justified in his mind. He'd allowed magic use to save Morgana because he could not, would not lose her. He felt he was entitled to act as he saw fit in order to protect the kingdom.

He was shaking his head and still growling a bit, not liking her speech of the truth.

"I am not completely without honor. I maintain integrity as much as possible. Things have occured, but I feel that I must do whatever is necessary to protect my kingdom. If rules most sometimes be bent or broken, so be it."

"And I am not completely hated by my people. I have brought them peace! They lived in fear before I conqured the land and ended the fighting. Now they are happy and prosperous."

[Deleted]

Uther practically stood with his back against the figurative wall, while he was sitting against the real one. A fitting picture. Whatever he said now, he had lost, and she would prove it to him. ‘Not completely without honor’ that at least was a change from the sickening tune of: ‘I am the most honourable king this world has ever seen or will see’ she had had to listen to earlier. And he also had stopped his annoying game of turning every sentence around to her. The time had come to talk like adults, face to face, and had she been high above his childish tantrums before, Nimueh realised now she also had the upper hand here. Not that she had ever doubted that.

“Whatever is necessary, yes that is the vocabulary of tyrants and has always been”, she shrugged. “If you had actually cared to learn from centuries old history you would know that. But of course you’re too busy with playing king and chopping people’s head off to even consider that. Some king you are!” Rage had found its way into her speech again and she balled one fist at her side to control the boiling anger. “If a mother bends the rules of healing magic to save her beloved child and someone finds out and tells her off to you, would you show mercy on them? It happened before and you didn’t, although you know how it is to see your child perish before your very eyes.”

His claim that he was not hated by everyone sent her laughing, though it was a completely mirthless laugh. Oh, if he really wanted to know the truth she had an offer for him!
“You really think so? What about you go amongst your people in disguise and bring up your own name, without them knowing their king is present? You would see how much they ‘love’ you then! You would get to know their definition of happiness! I can make it happen, you know. One word from you and I show you the world from your subjects eyes. Or are you too afraid of the truth?”


~.~
[OOC: if you let Uther agree to this, it would make for an interesting thread, don't you think? ^^]

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther did feel the verbal blows of her words, even though he tried to shake them off. He had long rationalized and explained away, had twisted things in his mind, even though he would never admit it, to convince himself that he was in the right. He truly believed that Camelot's safety was being assured by his actions. He did pay attention quickly, though, when she made her offer. He was torn for a few moments, fully aware of the power of her magic, and the consequences that could follow. But he was also eager to prove her right, to show her the truth, or what he believed was true in his mind.

"I know what damage your power can do, what problems can be inflicted by agreeing to your offers. But, I also want nothing more than the chance to prove I am right, to witness the truth. Let us see what the people truly think."

[Deleted]

She had won. Nimueh could feel the surge of victory course through her veins, filling her with might similar to the one she felt when the elements responded to her call. Some may say victory and revenge invoked sweet sensations, but Nimueh knew better. For her those were always linked with power and might. It made her grow, it fuelled her determination. Those rare moments of utter victory kept her going in a world that seemed entirely against her. Now she had Uther right where she had wanted him for years. He was at her mercy, he had agreed to one of her plans, and he was about to see what his people thought of him. Now that Morgana was in charge the people surely had no objections of speaking her mind about their former king. Uther might get set straight on his own dreamy opinions about himself. She was sure of it.

“I agree, let us see!” Nimueh bowed her head gracefully, then straightened up, making herself ready to leave. “Give me half a day to prepare everything that is needed, to get your disguise perfect for starters. We don’t want anyone to give bias answers, now do we?” she winked. For a split second the idea of a setup had crossed her mind, making people say what she wanted them to say, but she dismissed that thought quickly. She didn’t doubt the outcome of this little trip, and it would be beneath her to enforce the obvious.
“I hope you won’t miss me too much while I’m gone”, she aspirated and blew him a mocking kiss. “Until later, King Uther!” Then she disguised herself with shadows again and left like she had been arriving: chuckling.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther naturally had no such feelings in his own mind. He was in a sort of perpetual denial about how he was perceived and what people really thought of him. He believed that it did not matter anyway whether people liked what he did, as long as they did not choose to revolt. That, of course, could not happen provided he wanted to stay king; he had to ensure safety and security and keep the peace. But if in doing so, he had to sacrifice a few, the enemies of Camelot, it was acceptable, even if it wasn't always popular. The safety of the kingdom and the people was why he did what he did.

"Fine. But I refuse to return here after we are finished. And I will not tolerate any harm coming to me while I am with you. I know you will be tempted." he called after her as she left, his voice quieting when he was sure she was gone.