An Unwanted Visitor [Morgause]

[em]

The day had been quite eventful considering that Arthur had indeed been beaten by a girl, and a very strange one indeed. Morgause was her name, so she had stated when challenging Arthur. Why she was there was another story. Merlin had his suspicions, then again he was always on edge of whoever came to Camelot, without a valid reason these days. It was his job to protect Arthur - he'd even been sent by the Prince to ask this woman to withdraw, but she had refused. Merlin had no choice but to stand by and watch, thankful when everything was over and Arthur was safe.

One question still niggled at him though. Morgause. Who was she and why was she really here?
Merlin had finished up the days list of chores for that evening and was now on his way back to the quarters that he shared with Gauis. Only the door ajar from the guest chamber that was Morgause's made him stop. Should he just 'check' that her wound was ok? That she needed anything? Yes Gauis had most likely treated her earlier, but the more Merlin could find out about this woman, the better.

Knocking lightly on the door, Merlin poked his head around a little, if Morgause wasn't there then he would always go back tomorrow. Circumstances were strange, and it made Merlin all the more curious about her.

Tagged: Morgause
Timeline: S2 - During Sins of the Father
Setting: Guest Chambers, the evening after the duel with Arthur
Notes: If you want me to change anything just let me know

[rawr]

Morgause sighed as she flexed her arm -- wounded in the duel against Arthur Pendragon, though all things considered, it could have gone much worse. Not that she had ever hand any doubt in her abilities to best the boy. Quite to the contrary, in fact. She had been mildly surprised when he had managed to strike a damaging blow, though not dismayed. It wasn't as though she couldn't heal herself with relative ease. She was, after all, a trained priestess of the Old Religion. It would just have to wait until she was out of the castle -- back upon the Isle of the Blessed -- so as not to arouse suspicion. The court physician had been sent to see to her wounds earlier in the evening, which she found a bit curious. The elder male had taken quite an interest in her, though she supposed it was only natural. She was, after all, a complete unknown in these lands, and had managed to defeat the crown prince in what was meant to be a duel to the death.

As if Arthur Pendragon should get off so easily.

Hand dropping to her side, her fingers grazed the cool metal of the healing bracelet she wore, powerless to stop the way her heart skipped at the thought of her sister. After so many years, she had finally been afforded the chance to meet Morgana, though it was on dire business. And she hadn't disappointed. Though, from what Morgause had heard of their family, Morgana took her looks from their father, while she gained hers from their mother. The ghost of a smile flashing across her features, Morgause turned towards the door, resolving to visit her sister's chambers before the night was out. The Lady Morgana had initially refused her gift, but she had just as much claim to the bracelet as Morgause herself -- and she could certainly use it more.

Giving a small nod, she turned, debating her next course of action. She was drawn out of her thoughts, however, by a light knock at her door. Brow knitting in mild confusion, she paused, glancing down at herself. She was still dressed casually, in a pair of breeches, and a loose white shirt, breasts bound, as they had been for the duel. She could only hope that it was no one of standing who had come to pay her a visit. Dark gaze shifting to the door to her temporary chambers, she cocked her head to the side, catching a glimpse of a dark haired boy peeking around the edge of the door. A servant, likely. "Yes?" she responded lightly, a bit of her confusion seeping into her tone. "What is it you need of me?" the sorceress questioned, tone carefully polite.

Words: 475
Tag: Merlin
Notes: Sorry! I ramble. xP[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[em]

Merlin walked further into the room, a little wary of how Morgause might act upon seeing him again. He'd already been sent to her once to try and make her withdraw from her challange to Arthur, So to see him again within the last twenty four hours probably wasn't ideal for anyone who had just been through a duel.

"What is it you need of me?"

With that, he closed the door and stood there for a few moments, "I was wondering whether you wanted anything for your wound - I help Gauis, the physician and I know he would've treated it." he told her. "He also makes sleeping tonics and other things if you wanted them?"

At least she was polite enough, most guests would have thrown him out by now or would have at least made some snooty remark. Merlin's eyes darted to where Morgause's wound was and then back to her. "You're a skilled fighter, who taught you?" he asked, just out of curiosity - he didn't want her to think that he was prying after all.

[rawr]

As the boy entered a bit more, Morgause's features relaxed slightly. She recognized the boy -- he was Arthur's manservant. The one who had come to her before the duel, pleading that she withdraw for the sake of his master's pride. She gave the young man a nod of greeting, a why smile flickering across her features, before she schooled them into a much more neutral look. No need to upset the boy by taking pleasure from his master's defeat in his presence. Gesturing for him to come in properly, she kept her dark gaze trained on him as he took a few steps forward, closing the door behind him. Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as he seemed to hesitate before finally speaking, the sorceress questioning the reasons behind his visit. Though before she had a chance to voice her concern to the boy, he finally spoke. A soft smile fell into place over her features as he spoke, seeming a bit...nervous perhaps? Morgause shook her head, placing her hand gently against the bandaged wound before replying. "Thank you, no."

"I was fortunate; the wound was not deep, and the court physician has already tended to it," nodding as she spoke, she let her arm fall back to her side. "I thank you for the offer, though..." she trailed off, realizing she didn't know the manservant's name. Not that it was of any consequence, really, but being the prince's servant, it was likely she would be seeing more of the boy. Crossing forward, Morgause made her way to the table not too far from the door, leaning against it gently, position rather casual for a woman, though all things considered, it was hardly the most unusual thing she was to do that eve. "You assist Gaius in addition to serving as Arthur Pendragon's manservant?" she questioned gently, cocking her head slightly to the side as she spoke. "I do not envy you. It must be a rather hectic life you lead."

A pensive look overtook her features when he asked about where she had received her training. It wasn't a question she had been expecting, and as such, it took her a moment to respond. "I have had several teachers over the years," she responded, a far away look in her eyes. "It was not looked upon kindly that I would take up arms, and even less that I became so skilled in the arts of combat." Morgause chuckled lightly, remembering Nimueh's protests to her ambitions over the years, the countless times she had been on the receiving end of a long winded lecture on how training with a sword was ill befitting of a Priestess such as herself. Though if anything, Nimueh's disapproval had spurred her on at the time. And now, look what it had gotten her -- she had defeated the prince in a duel, and received his word that he would come to her, and accept the challenge she would lay down for him. This would mark the beginning of magic's return to Camelot.

[em]

He could see the look of recognition spread across Morgause's face now. As though she had suddenly remembered who he was. A small smile now spread across her features, she turned down his offer. Merlin had been expecting it, hence why he'd made conversation to try and figure out the woman a little more. "You assist Gaius in addition to serving as Arthur Pendragon's manservant?" she questioned, her tone a little curious in Merlin's view. He nodded at this. "When im not attending to the Prince then I run the odd errand for him." he told her, "i've learnt quite a lot from just watching him actually." he said to himself out loud. "I do not envy you. It must be a rather hectic life you lead." At this Merlin gave a snort, oh if only she knew. "It has it's advantages" he shrugged.

On the mention of her swordcraft, Morgause now held a far off gaze as she explained. She seemed just as determind as Morgana when it came to using a sword, and even more skilled. "Looked upon unkindly or not, it's still an advantage and skill to have when it comes to defending yourself." he told her. Arthur had always made remarks that Merlin could barely lift a sword let alone use one, but he was getting better with time. Thankfully when it came to combat, weapons were not really an option for Merlin if he could help it, although they did come in handy from time to time.

Merlin shifted his weight awkwardly onto one foot, "was swordcraft always something you wanted to take up, or was there a reason?" he asked, and then realised it may seem as though he was prying too much. "Sorry" he apologised, "you don't have to tell me." but to know would be nice. He had to find out as much about her as possible, but he needed to do it quietly.

[rawr]

Morgause nodded as the boy spoke, keeping her dark gaze trained on him, however subtly. It was becoming increasingly clear that he had ulterior motives for his presence here, though as of yet, she had no idea what they were. It seemed she was trying to glean information from him, just as much as he was from her. The corner of her lips tugged upwards in a half smile as the boy explained how he assisted Gaius in his free time, mentioning that he had learned much from the physician. "I'd imagine you would have," she commented with a nod. "It is a vastly underrated art, medicine." Idly, the sorceress wondered if the boy was here at Arthur's request -- perhaps all this conversation was a prelude to another request that she rescind her challenge. She certainly hoped not, as it would be time wasted for the both of them.

Chuckling softly as the boy snorted, giving a somewhat indignant response, she allowed herself a smile, features softening momentarily. "You are right, of course," the blonde acquiesced with a nod. "It has proved to be quite useful over the years, for more than just self defense." He seemed incredibly interested in making conversation, and for the moment, she had decided to humor him. It wasn't entirely unpleasant, and truth be told, it was somewhat refreshing to have an opportunity to speak to someone outside of the other priestesses, especially as their numbers dwindled. "Those who do not understand view it as brutality, or simply a means to an end," she started, eyeing the boy as she spoke, "but in truth, it is much more than that; it is an art. Working with a sword teaches you much more than just how to fight."

Her dark eyes were alight with passion as she spoke, a side rarely seen emerging. "Discipline, patience, perseverance," she listed off, softly, "everyone knows that combat takes physical strength... but few are aware of the mental strength true mastery of the art entails." Lapsing into silence for several seconds, her eyes fell closed, and she laughed, shaking her head. "Yes," she answered simply to his next question. "I've always been...quite passionate about it," she finished with a chuckle, opening her eyes to look at the boy once more. "It seems a bit unfair," she started lightly, features shifting into the beginnings of a smirk, "that you now know so much of me, and I have yet to even learn your name." Perhaps it was a bit odd to humor a servant as such, but he had piqued her interest. It was clear that he was looking to gain information about her, and she expected the favor to be returned in kind.

[em]

Merlin listened intently to her - her eyes were as sly as a fox and at the same time as sharp as an eagle. "Do you know anything about medicine?" he asked. Her current answer seemed to deter that she seemed interested and had some insight into the subject. "I don't think it's underrated" he shook his head innocently, but at the same time wondered what she meant by that. "Well, some parts anyway - I guess it would depend on what type of medicine you were referring to."

Her next words made Merlin blink a slightly, "It has proved to be quite useful over the years, for more than just self defense." He shifted slightly as she then went on to explain that working with a sword was art. At first Merlin had the view that using a sword was only for brutality and so on, but with Morgause's words it had a more better outlook towards such a weapon. "What...what does it teach you?" he asked, not just as a general question, but one also directed to her - "Because i'm sure that you just didn't come here to show Arthur how to use it as an art."

Merlin looked at her a little more darkly now. There was something about Morgause that just wasn't right. Something in her manner of speaking, and that wasn't just about her love of swords or pointy things. He knew he would have to be more wary of her.

"Merlin." he bluntly replied to her comment, "There...now you know - just for future reference." He had a niggling thought inside his mind that she would need it.

[rawr]

She nodded when the boy asked if she knew much about medicine. "I've had to learn over the years," she admitted plainly. "Though I know only the bare basics of the craft." At his indigence Morgause smiled, shaking get head. "I only meant that most people seem to underestimate the physician's art. Take it for granted, perhaps." At this she shrugged, turning her attention more fully towards thes servant.

He was asking questions that she would not answer... Not in the sense he was looking for, at least. Giving a few seconds pause, she traced the edge of the table she was leaning against, seeming to consider her answer to his question before she dare speak. Instead, she just shook her head once more. "Arthur Pendragon is already well aware of the art of swordsmanship, of that there is no room for doubt." A smile crossed her features as she spoke, and it was clear that she had respect for the prince. "He is a knight, in the truest sense of the word."

The change in both the boy's expression and attitude didn't go unnoticed to Morgause, but she chose not to comment on either, only cocking her head to the side a bit as she paused. "Well, Merlin, while it may be a pleasure to finally be properly introduced," she started with a wry smile, "that is a matter that must remain between Arthur and myself." As she spoke, Morgause pushed off the edge of the table, heading over towards the bed, continuing to pack up her meager belongings, consisting mostly only of her sword and armor, as she had been doing before Merlin had entered, silently signaling that she had nothing further to add to the conversation. "Though if you are as close to the prince as you seem to be, I have no doubt that you will find out eventually," she commented, tone casual, but words carrying heavy implications. "I'm sure this will not be the last we will see of tech other, Merlin."