At Your Mercy

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin Aubert was unnaturally nervous, and she pushed herself up off the bed with some awkwardness as her arms were already full. The castle had fallen into Morgana’s hands again last night, but something else had happened that night, just before the warning bells had sounded; Caitrin had given birth to two healthy children. They had only had a few moments of bliss, to be a family without any worries before the castle had been thrown into turmoil and panic. Of course they couldn’t go anywhere, Caitrin had been in no state to move, so they had had to sit tight, and pray. They’d been spared last night, they were after all no threat to the men, and instead they had been placed under house arrest in the rooms and had been unable to leave.

Caitrin was holding her son against her chest, protectively, rocking him gently and trying to lull him into sleep. It was hard to get her children to calm down when she felt so nervous herself. She was walking around the small room rather aimlessly, occasionally looking across to her husband who was sat by the crib which held their daughter, Esmae. She was asleep for the moment, which both she and Griff were grateful about. Caitrin shifted the blankets around her son, Arthur, just to make sure he stayed warm. There weren’t many things she could do to guarantee anyone’s safety in this room, but it was the little things that counted right now. She couldn’t stand by in her own self pity, because right now she had to be strong for her family.

She turned back to Griff, Arthur still in her arms and bit her lip nervously. There was an almost awkward silence about them at the moment, Caitrin was usually the one who filled the gap, but she didn’t know what to say. Neither of them knew what was going to happen to them, or their children. The stakes that were brought with Morgana’s take over were higher for Caitrin this time, it wasn’t a matter of loyalty, it was so much more personal than that. “Is she still asleep?” Caitrin finally asked, but overall it just felt like a pathetic question. She just wanted a few moments of normality with her family, was that really too much to ask? Arthur started to stir again, his fingers were creeping out the side of his blankets and closing around the fabrics. She kissed the top of her sons head, rocking him in his blankets, “Jesu, Griff he won’t settle.” She looked at her husband, expecting him to say or do something. Caitrin’s eye kept darting to the door every time there was a noise, she kept expecting something to happen. That expectancy was driving her to insanity, if something was going to happen she would rather know now rather than later.

Timeline: The day after Morgana takes over in the Sword in the Stone
Time of Day: Evening
Tags: Griff Aubert, Morgana Pendragon
What If: Caitrin was in the castle to have her children whilst Morgana’s army took over the castle during the Sword in the Stone[/color]

[Griff Aubert]

Nothing was really sinking in at the moment, but then a lot had happened in a very short space of time and so it was unsurprising that it was taking a while for Griff to get used to everything. Camelot had fallen again. It seemed the city was in some sort of peril every week. But this time was different; they were actually in a very not good situation. He was sat on the bed watching his wife, biting his lip because he really didn’t know what to do. But it wasn’t just her he had to protect, not any more. As if to emphasis this Esmae started shifting about in her crib and making noises as she slept. Griff’s attention was diverted away from his wife and towards his daughter, only hours old. She was just sleeping, as if nothing was amiss at all. She was so tiny and pale and fragile and ginger. She was a whole new person but she didn’t feel like his.

Maybe it was just because of everything that had happened. He’d just been thrown into this room by some of Morgana’s guards and told he was allowed to stay with his family as he wasn’t a threat – which was ever so slightly insulting, thank you very much – and at the same time he’d just been thrown into fatherhood. Of course he’d known he was going to be a father, he wasn’t that useless, but he didn’t feel like one. He just felt inadequate. Caitrin was in danger again, and now his children were, and what was he doing? He was just sat here not doing anything.

“Is she still asleep?”

Caitrin’s voice brought him out of his thoughts and back to the situation at hand. He just nodded, still watching Esmae and a ran a hand through his hair. How did they even get here? Everything was fine and dandy, he and Caitrin were going to have a proper family, he’d finally managed to get his life sorted and then this happened. Life had gone and messed itself up again and he was at a complete loss at what to do. He should be protecting his family and somehow getting them out of the castle instead he was just feeling sorry for himself. “He will Cait. He’ll be fine, everything will be fine.” His words were hardly comforting but they were the best he could do at the moment.

[mpend]

The Queen strode with purpose, her footsteps heavy on the stone flooring she knew so well, as she made her way through the Castle that was once again hers. But not everything was as it should be. Not yet, anyhow. That blasted girl, her brother's friend, was still not begging for the mercy Morgana would never show her. She was still not bowing to her, Morgana. And from what she had heard from her guards - those that were personally keeping watch on the couple - they had insulted her further, by naming one of their brats after her brother!

Eventually reaching the door, Morgana did not bother to knock, but simply pushed the door open, glaring at the little family. Deep in her heart, she envied them the peace and tranquility they might one day have, which was why she knew she had to destroy it. No good could come out of this. The Queen gave a cruel smile. "So." she began. "Which of your bastards is named after me?"

Barely waiting for a response, the Queen then turned to first Caitrin, and then her husband. "Are you ready to reveal what I want to know? You are probably longing to take these two... things... back to whatever hovel you crawled from. Tell me what I wish to know, and I will allow you to go." Her eyes strayed upon Caitrin, and stayed there, glaring at the woman. "Tell me where to find Arthur."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin wanted to believe her husband’s words more than anything, why wouldn’t she? She wanted to think that everything was going to be fine, and that their children weren’t going to be in danger for much longer. She wasn’t even concerned for herself anymore, she just wanted her family to be safe. Her children were only hours old, and they had already been thrown into house arrest for having parents who held the wrong loyalties. It wasn’t their fault this had happened, yet it broke Caitrin’s heart to think that they would probably be at the centre of Morgana’s attacks. She bit her lip, and looked down at her son, “Come on Arthur.” She hushed softly, and ran a thumb over his cheek. He was so small, she still couldn’t comprehend just how small he was, yet he was strong, and of course ginger. Caitrin could only hope both of her children had some of their parents sprit instilled in them, Jesu, they were going to need it. She was rocking Arthur again, trying anything she could think of, but still his big eyes stared back at her, refusing to droop. Her attentions were diverted however as she heard footsteps coming in their direction. With a sharp intake of breath, she looked at the door and quickly at her husband, “Griff-“ Her words were cut off as the door was opened without knocking, and Caitrin just fell silent as she knew what was coming next.

As Morgana entered the room, Caitrin’s mind went blank, and her grip on Arthur tensed and she held him to her chest protectively. She watched the woman carefully, she knew what Morgana was capable of, but she wasn’t going to let her do anything to their children. Last time things had been different, she had been on her own, but she had her family now and they gave her strength. At Morgana’s words, her defences were raised straight away, and she stepped towards the woman defiantly, Arthur still in her arms, “Don’t you dare speak about my children like that.” She was shaking slightly from the rush of anger and fear, but she didn’t care, she wasn’t having Morgana speak about her children with such a crude tone. Caitrin then looked across at her husband and then looked at their daughter, “Griff, take Esmae.” She didn’t trust Morgana in the same room as her children, well, she didn’t trust her at all. She knew she would feel a lot safer though if Griff had hold of Esmae, rather than her just lying in her crib. She knew Griff had worries about holding the children, but surely he could see how important it was to just comply, just for now? “We only name our children after those our children could be proud to be named after.” She looked Morgana up and down, her fiery personality shining through.

Caitrin shifted awkwardly to hold Arthur in a position she felt comfortable in, whilst keeping him from Morgana’s gaze. She just stared at Morgana, how stupid was the woman? How on earth would she know where Arthur was? She had been in here giving birth just before the warning bells had rung, Caitrin would probably have been the last person who Arthur would have told his plans to. However, Caitrin wasn’t about to point that out straight away, no, a bit of fun could be had first. She probably shouldn’t have been poking the fire, but she and Morgana had history, and scores to settle in a manner, but she wasn’t going to let her children get dragged into that. Caitrin chuckled, and looked down into her arms, “Arthur has not left my side since birth.” She smirked slightly, “Happy? He is right here.” She gestured to her arms, where her son was still wide awake. Jesu, why would he not sleep? After those words however, she did back off slightly, more to be able to protect her son if Morgana did try anything. “Now may we leave?” Morgana was never just going to let them go anyway, and Griff probably knew that as well.

[Griff Aubert]

As soon as the door opened, Griff stood in front of Caitrin, putting himself between her and whoever it was that was about to come in. They weren't going to be friendly whoever they were. It wasn't often that he was scared but now was certainly one of those times. He needed to make sure Caitrin and the twins were safe, he just didn't know how. His fists clenched as soon as he saw Morgana - what the hell did she want? Surely she had done enough damage, especially to Caitrin. Normally he would admire his wife's courage but now was not the time to try and be brave, now was the time to not get on the wrong side of Morgana (or anymore on the wrong side of her) in the hopes that Arthur and Esmae would be alright. He quickly glanced behind him to the crib, Esmae would be safe in there for now.

"Cait..." there was a caution in his tone, he knew his wife could easily talk her way into some serious trouble. It might not be the most heroic of actions, but trying not to provoke Morgana was the best way he could think of to keep his family safe. He turned to the other woman, managing to keep his nerves from showing through and speaking in a firm and clear voice that surprisd even him, "We have been here all night, we don't know where Arthur is. You're wasting your time." They didn't have any information so couldn't be any help. He liked to think he wouldn't tell Morgana even if he did know, that he would stand his ground and be as stubborn as Caitrin, but he knew that the minute either Caitrin, Arthur or Esmae were threatened he'd be doing whatever Morgana wanted him to. He didn't have magic like Caitrin, and he didn't have the strength and fighting skills like his brother so he was left rather useless in situations like this. He just wanted to protect his family but he wasn't convinced that he could.

[mpend]

Caitrin's rather pompous reply had Morgana growling in annoyance. "You dare to name your child after the bastard who threatens my throne?" she spat at Caitrin. Her hand went as though to slap the woman, but at the last minute her features changed, and she smiled, sweetly. "Well, if he is Arthur, then he must do all I had planned for him," With that, the Queen wrenched the child from Caitrin's arms. "I suppose you would not wish for your child to bear the brunt of the the consequences that Arthur Pendragon must face. So if you wish for his saftey, I would answer my question properly, Caitrin,"

She turned to the woman's husband, narrowing her eyes. "I do not care for your opinion, for to me you are useless. What powers have you? What influences have you? You are a dog that trails around his wife, you are a father who laps up the stench his children create," Morgana smirked, still holding the chld. "It is very cold tonight," she commented casually. "I suppose your child would not last long out in that weather."

NRP: Let me know if you want me to change anything?

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin looked up at her husband as he warned her off speaking in such a manner. She felt like a sulky child who was being scorned, but Griff was never one for making trouble. No, Caitrin was more one for causing a commotion, and having to clean up her mess afterwards. She usually didn’t think much about what she was about to say in these situations, and for a moment, she could only see red as she looked on at Morgana. The woman disgusted her, she had put her through hell during the last take over, and now she was in her control once more. She flinched as it looked like Morgana was going to slap her, and she didn’t have time to react as the witch took Arthur from his mothers arms. Caitrin’s heart sunk straight away, but she couldn’t move. Her eyes were on Arthur, and not for the first time in her life, she was quickly starting to regret her words. “Please, give him back.” She extended her arms towards her son, in the half hope that Morgana would be merciful, just this once. Jesu, Arthur was only a few hours old. Caitrin would be able to take threads to her, and her estate, but her family were her weakness in a way. She would do anything to ensure their safety. Drawing breath Caitrin nodded in agreement at her husband’s words, “I had only just given birth when the warning bells rung.” Caitrin explained, “The midwife fled, and we were the only ones left in the room.” There, that was the truth, and her arms were still extended to her son who was still sleeping for the time being.

Caitrin flinched as Morgana spoke to Griff, and she slipped her hand within his and squeezed it softly. Jesu, he should not listen to her, because the witch was wrong, she was so wrong. Griff was not her dog. He was everything to her. She had been nothing when Griff hadn’t been by her side. “She’s lying.” Caitrin said strongly to her husband, though she didn’t want to provoke the witch, she needed Griff to know she didn’t believe anything Morgana was saying to him. Her eyes widened as Morgana spoke of the cold night, and their baby. Her chest swelled and she felt very scared for a few moments. Breaking from her husbands hand, she stepped forwards to the woman, she didn’t care about her personal safety, she just wanted her son back in her arms. “Please, we don’t know anything.” She pleaded, “He’s just a baby, he hasn’t done anything wrong.” Caitrin glanced back to the crib where Esmae, her daughter, was still sleeping soundly. She stood in the way of Morgan and the crib purposely, she wasn’t about to let this woman bring her family to its knees without a fight.

[mpend]

Morgana chuckled at the panic in Caitrin's voice as she held the baby. Really, she wasn't sure she would actually be able to cause harm to such a tiny baby, but... well, it was fun scaring the mother like this. "I wonder," mused Morgana. "What this child would think, if he knew that his mother was a lying slut who cared nothing for anyone but herself?" She turned to face Caitrin. "For truly, you must not care very much if you still lie to me."

She smiled as the woman pleaded again. "I will give him back to you," she stated, watching as Caitrin stood in front of the crib that held her other child. "... when you tell me where my halfbrother is, and deliver him into my hands. Do not act the innocent, Caitrin. We both know you know more of Arthur than you say. Do you wish for your child to grow thinking you did not care enough for him to tell the truth to the Queen of Camelot?" the Queen walked over to the window, pausing as she held the child. "It is a long drop indeed from here to there. I wonder... would he survive?"