We Will Not Break (Morgana)

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin let out an involuntary shudder as Morgana mentioned other methods of persuasion. She could hazard a guess at exactly what the woman meant, and she didn't like it one bit. These were men of honour, and in Caitrin's opinion torturing them wouldn't help the Queen's cause at all. How would torturing a man to within an inch of his life buy his loyalty? Most of the knights had sworn their oath to the death, and they would probably honour that. In a way that made Caitrin slightly more ill, as she knew what it meant. In a way she was glad that such punishments hadn't been used on her quite yet, she supposed the fact she was a woman had spared her that fate.

As Morgana mentioned Arthur coming to save her, she almost felt patronised for a moment. Her eyes flickered over the Queen, but she remained silent for a few moments, unsure of what to say. She wanted to believe Arthur would come back for them, but he was facing an immortal army, and an attack on the citadel would be suicide, everyone knew that. "Do you think I am enjoying my time down here?" She half spat back at the Queen, becoming irritated with her, but it had been a stupid question. She would go home in a heartbeat if she thought it was that easy. Even if she declared her loyalty to Morgana here and now she wouldn't mean it, and perhaps Morgana would know that. Now the push came to the shove or so to speak, did Caitrin really believe anyone was going to save her? She knew how she could save herself of course, but she didn't want to admit defeat and submit herself to Morgana. She couldn't even speak to the Queen, instead she downcast her eyes, the confidence she had gained from her outburst was quickly ebbing away, and it left her in her hollow shell in its place. She was alone down here, and she was quickly realising that.

[mpend]

Morgana chuckled softly, watching Caitrin with deep satisfaction. Yes, this was becoming more and more fun by the moment. It was such a pity she did not have Arthur here, with her, to wave him in front of the young woman - so to speak - to add further to her torment. The Witch had to admit she was enjoying playing with Caitrin's emotions, not that the woman wasn't making it easy enough! She laughed as Caitrin snapped at her, throwing back her head in a melodramatic way, laughing heartily.

"I do not care if you are or not," she admitted. "It is nothing to me to have you rot down here for all eternity. But I am trying to offer you a hand of friendship, and you are either too stupid or too foolish to understand your position. Why Arthur chose to be friends with you, I will never understand. But then," she smirked. "He has been known to make friends with idiots." With a wave of her hand, she changed the conversation. "Even so. I am getting tired of your constant mind changing. Come, give me an answer. Will you or will you not swear loyalty to me?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin just stared on at the woman, there was still a deep hatred there which would probably never disperse, but her will was starting to break somewhat, and she could feel that. Even now, her arms felt like they wanted to drop off, as the chains were still weighing them down. The woman’s verbal battle against her was starting to take its toll on the young woman and she couldn’t raise her eyes to her, for fear of breaking completely. Her loyalty to the Pendragons had always burned brightly in all that she did, she had even abandoned her sorcery so she could live in the kingdom in peace. This however felt like alien territory, and something shifted uncomfortably in her stomach. Arthur might never come back, and she might be forced to live out her days in the cells, with the others who went against Morgana’s rule.

Shifting her chains, and feeling the metal once again bite into her wrists. Everything was starting to ache now, and she just wanted to go home, or at least collapse into the nearest bed. She was getting tired of being taunted by this woman, and her constant threats against her friends. It was all starting to get too much, and her emotions were heightened by everything the woman said. “If I swear my loyalty to you will my friends be safe?” What she really meant was would Arthur be safe, and would her actions save him such an awful fate? She could only hope, but then again, Morgana’s words had driven her to desperation, and this was the outcome.

[mpend]

Morgana's smile only widened as Caitrin spoke, a glow of satisfaction burning in her heart at the knowledge that she had won. She switched to an expression of tender concern, her eyes meeting those of the chained woman's. "I had promised you that your loyalty would mean peace amongst your friends, did I not?" she asked softly. "I am a woman of my word, Caitrin. I only wish to be your friend, as I believe we once were before.


"Of course," she added. "I would have to have your word in writing, for state's sake. Just as a measurement, of course, nothing more. And then you would be free to retire to a room, to stay at the Castle at my pleasure." Morgana smiled sweetly. "Does that sound like a fair enough deal for you, Lady Caitrin?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin just felt like she had betrayed her friend, her close friend, and her stomach sunk within her. She just felt quite hollow, and almost ill, she had been down here for days, and now it felt like she had almost made a stand for nothing. Her eyes raised to the woman as she spoke again, about being a woman of her word. Of course that would remain to be seen, but what choice did Caitrin have? She could stay down here and risk everything, or she could save everyone. To her, the choice was becoming a simple one. Caitrin nodded stiffly as Morgana mentioned getting her word in writing, she had expected that really. Unless something was down in writing it wasn’t valid was it?

Breathing in slowly, she tried not to react as Morgana offered her rooms to sleep in. She blinked slightly, really the castle was the last place she wanted to stay in, but did Morgana want her to stay there a while? Maybe to check if her loyalties were true? “When will I be allowed to journey home?” she asked in a quiet voice which didn’t really sound like her own, “Not that I am ungrateful of the rooms, but I should let my Uncle know that I am well.” She quickly added, if she was going to sign her alliegence she wanted this to be the last time she saw the dungeons, because even though her ordeal had been short lived it had still affected her quite badly. She shifted her chains again, as if to emphasise the fact she was still a prisoner, “When will you expect me to sign my allegiance?”

[mpend]

The girl had broken. Morgana's victory washed through her in happiness, though part of her felt strangely hollow. Why was she not happier? In all honesty, she had not expected the girl to break so easily. The Queen shook the thought aside, smiling at Yassia, kindly, reminiscent of the Morgana of old. "Soon enough," she promised - the words were, of course, not really a promise or commitment at all. "Do not worry, I will not keep you here indefinately."

As the girl asked when her allegance would be asked for, Morgana raised an eyebrow. "You are so quick to betray Arthur," she tutted softly, mockingly. "He would be devistated, if he stood before us now. I cannot say I am surprised. He woudl have hardly made a good King." she shrugged. "I will have my men draw up the allegance immediately, and you can sign it in a few hours or so. Of course, there will be witnesses, but I espect you know that."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin once again just stiffly nodded as Morgana told her she would not be kept under lock and key essentially in the castle. She didn't want to go home straight away of course, because that would mean admitting to her Uncle that he had been right, and that she had been wrong to go against everything that Morgana now stood for. She had tried and lost, and now she felt like an insignificant little woman, with nothing in her life but lies and deceit. She managed to raised her still chained wrists to run a hand over her eyes and bit her lip, trying once again not to get emotional. Caitrin had already lost everything, she wasn't going to add her dignity to the list and break down in front of the woman, she could hold in her emotions better than that.

As the mocking continued, Caitrin had to look down at the floor and bite her lip to prevent her emotions coming to a head. She was essentially signing a document against one of her closet friends, and the guilt ripped through her and left an unbearable sort of heartbreak in its place. She wasn't as strong as she made out, she wasn't as strong as others in the court. This was her at the end of the day, and perhaps it was time to stop pretending that she could handle everything by herself because it was becoming clear that she couldn't. "Witnesses?" She asked, slighly alarmed, what kind of witnesses were they? Caitrin knew there would be a document, but she didn't know that people would be watching her sign her loyalty away. She bit her lip, resisting the urge to say that Arthur could still one day make a good King, there was still a slim chance he could come back, but she didn't say anything, she just remained very silent and very still, waiting further mocks from the woman, or instructions on what to do next.

[mpend]

A raised eyebrow on the face of the Queen showed her curiosity at Caitrin's question. Surely she would have known there woudl be witnesses? "One must always have witnesses for such a document," she stated calmly. "Surely you should know that? Or are you such a foolish child that your education did not grant you that knowledge?" Oh, how much fun she was having teasing the girl!!! "I am sure Uther would be delighted to know you are signing away your loyalty to his son," she teased further. "Perhaps he should be one of the witnesses! What do you think, is that not an inspired idea? And of course, there is Gwen, and oh, if we can find him, Merlin! Would you not want all your friends to be about you when you sign away your friendship, Caitrin?"

Morgana moved forward, so close to the girl she could feel her breath. "You are nothing but a foolish child with a weak heart. No wonder you and Arthur were friends. You have so much in common, for he is weak also, and will break easily. You'll see. In time, you will all see."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin just felt pathetic, she almost felt like it didn't matter anymore if she stayed on the outside world, or if she remained tucked up in here for the rest of her days. There was no more fight left in her, she was just weary, and everything Morgana said just pierced through her. She couldn't stand the thought of everyone watching her sign her loyalty away, especially after she had sworn against the Queen so viciously the first time she had bene asked to sign the document. She just wanted to leave, and go anywhere that wasn't in front of this woman. She couldn't stand being under her gaze any longer, it just made her feel so small and insignificant, and Caitrin didn't like feeling as if she was either at the best of times. She shook her head at Morgana's words, feeling tears chocking the back of her throat. "You know I would not." Her voice was rather high pitched than it usually was but she was on the verge of tears. What would everyone think of her now?

She managed to summon up an ounce of courage, and looked Morgana in the eyes as she spoke about her having a weak heart. Caitrin knew she was weak, and it made her sick with the thought. She didn't want to be weak, or thought of as such. She wanted to be strong, and be able to hold everything together. Now she was doing a fine job of the complete opposite. "Arthur does not have a weak heart." She found herself suddenly saying, she wasn't denying that she had a weak heart, but she knew Arthur, and she knew he was much stronger than she ever could be.

[mpend]

A small chuckle from those Royal lips, as Morgana acknowledged Caitrin's words. "No," she agreed. "I suppose you would not. And yet... I think he should be there. I think he should see what you have come to. Understand who you truly are." The Queen shrugged. "Not that Uther has ever particuarly cared for you. But to know that you have denounced his son, denounced Arthur... I shall find it interesting to see his reaction."

The Queen raised an eyebrow when Caitrin denied Arthur having a weak heart, and though Morgana privately agreed with her - she knew it would take more to break the Prince to her will - she was not going to admit that, and certainly not here and now. She moved forward. "He will," she assured "when he finds out how little a dearly beloved friend of his truly feels about him. When he realises that you signed over your loyalty to me, he will break, and fall, and become nothing, as he should have been from birth."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin had never been particularly bothered about Uther's opinion of her, but she didn't like the fact her loyalty was going to be put on show in front of him. She bit her lip, unsure of what to say, nothing was going to stop Morgana pressing ahead of course, and Caitrin just found herself more and more wanting this all to end, she just wanted to sleep, or find ome quiet corner and lose herself for a few hours, just to gain some respite.

As Morgana stepped towards her once more, Caitrin took a small step backwards, her chains moving with her. She didn't want to be in the womans grasp. Right now she just felt small, and ridiculous, and she wished the witch would just leave her be. She had got what she had come for, and now she was pressing salt into the wound. Finally, Caitrin pressed her lips together, trying to keep her tears from spilling. The thought of Arthur ever finding out what she was about to do ripped through her. Arthur meant so much to her after all, but she had well and truly had enough, she couldn't take this torment any longer. "When will you finish mocking me?" Caitrin now asked, sniffing back her tears as she looked up at the witch. Caitrin already hated herself for what she was about to do, she didn't need Morgana to make those feelings worse, for Caitrin was doing that job quite well by herself.

[mpend]

"I shall never finish mocking you," came the reply from Morgana, filled with too much confidence. "I shall make this moment haunt you for the remander of your life. I shall make you hate yourself, and the choice you have made. I will make Camelot despise you for your weakness." The Witch smiled. "And Arthur will know of your deciet, of your weak heart. He will never want to be called friend by you again."

With a chuckle the Queen moved toward the door. "I shall bring the document for you to sign shortly. And gather the witnesses." she paused. "You should be aware, I have a friend of yours as my prisoner also. A... Yassia, I believe her name is? I think you two might know each other," she chuckled. "I wonder, what would she think of such a betrayal to the Pendragon blonde, hmm?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

There was nothing that Morgana could say that would make her hate herself any more than she already did. She wasn't ever going to be proud of this moment, or look upon it with any particular good disposition. She had betrayed a friend, she had gone against everything she believed in just to make sure she and those she cared about were not put in any immediate danger. She already wasn't sure how she was going to live with herself, or how she would ever cope with the decision she had made in that moment. Her tears were chocked back still, but only just. She wouldn't show just how weak she was in front of Morgana, she wanted to leave here with some dignity at least.

As Morgana moved towards the door, Caitrin pulled at her chains, slightly confused to why she was still being treated like a prisoner. Wait, Yassia was down here as well? Caitrin's eyes widened and she began to pull against her chains with more urgency, "Do not lay a finger on Yassia." She warned, not really sure where her confidence was coming from, "You said my alliegence would mean my friends were safe." She reminded the witch of her promise, as Yassia was one of her friends it meant that she too was part of that promise, or had Morgana forgotten her word so easily?

[mpend]

Nothing could compare to the delicious satisfaction running through Morgana at this moment. She turned to face Caitrin as the girl threatened her, saying she should not harm her friend, giving a soft, dark chuckle. "I did indeed promise such a thing," she agreed. "Do not worry, Yassia will not be harmed, for as I promised I so shall do." she shrugged. "Every political person knows one has to have leverage. Well, Yassia is mine. Should you betray me, or go against me, she will pay the price."

Morgana paused, meeting Caitrin's eyes, seriously "I warn you now, I do not say that lightly." She glanced at the chains holding the woman. "Those will be removed once the document is signed. After all, I cannot have you running off to Arthur before your commitment to me is made, can I?" she teased.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Although Morgana had spoken of harming Arthur, that had almost been an empty threat, as she didn't yet have him. Yassia however was a very different matter, as she was down here as well. Caitrin was just very still, and could feel a cold, chilling sensation rush over her. She wanted her friend to be safe, that was all. She hadn't even known Yassia was down here until Morgana mentioned it. Perhaps she knew the reaction she had got, Caitrin didn't care, but if Morgana did harm Yassia then she wouldn't be signing anything. She felt like Morgana was backing her into a corner with every word that she spoke. She said she had a weak heart, but made it impossible to do anything but declare her loyalty to the Queen. "But she will be freed when I am freed?" Caitrin asked sharply, as that would be the only way that Yassia would truly be out of danger really.

Well, it would have been too easy for the Queen to instruct for the chains to be taken off wouldn't it? She just wanted rid of them, but she knew why Morgana was doing what she was doing. She was ensuring that Caitrin didn't have a change of heart before the document was signed, so she remained seated, half glaing up at the woman who had made her into the little, scared and insignificant woman she felt like now. Caitrin hated what she had become and she just looked down at the floor. "When will you be back?" She asked rather bluntly, she just wanted this over with, she wanted her chains off her wrists sooner rather than later. She just wanted this all to end.

[mpend]

She was enjoying this more and more. This political spat between them was making the Queen almost want to giggle, something that was rare indeed these days! But of course she would not, becuase she was Queen, and Queens do not giggle by default. Instead she smiled sweetly, and shrugged a little. "Providing she too signs a letter of allegance," she agreed. "Of course she will be freed."

At the girls' question, Morgana raised an eyebrow, smiling still. "Why, my dear, tonight. For it will take all day for my people to write out the allegance, the wording must be perfect! Nothing but the best of allegances will do for you, my dear girl." She was patronising her openly now, and revelling in it. "Until that time, you will stay here, at my pleasure."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin knew Yassia too well to know she would not sign such a document. Yassia was as stubborn, if not more stubborn than Caitrin herself, so the colour drained from her face and she almost chocked on her words for a few moments. Her alliance to the Queen meant nothing, it had not saved Yassia, and Caitrin was starting to doubt whether it would save any of her friends. She faced Morgana again with dark eyes; she was weary and tiring of this game. She had become tired a long time ago, now it felt like she was just going on before she collapsed, “Then my alliance has not saved her?” She summarised bluntly, but her words were forced, she didn’t want to speak, or even see Morgana anymore. The woman had got what she had come for, now Caitrin wanted to just be left alone. A part of her didn’t care if she stayed down here for the rest of her day’s, it was easier than facing this woman on her own. She wanted her fiancée here with her, she wanted just anyone, a friendly face to come and tell her she would be alright. Caitrin knew of course she wouldn’t be alright, nothing was alright anymore.

Tonight? Caitrin had expected this torment to be over long before then and Morgana’s words took away any hope she had had of getting home today. She just wanted to return to some normality, like any of this could be called normal anymore. She didn’t want to appear eager of course, because she wasn’t. However, if this had to happen, then she would rather get it over and done with. “The pleasure is all yours.” Caitrin replied in an almost sarcastic voice, she just wanted to leave the dungeons, that was clearly too much to ask.

[mpend]

Caitrin's words made Morgana smile, though she took care to hide the smile from the lady. Oh, how naive she was!! But the Queen could use that to her own advantage, she could play upon the lady's insecurities for the safety of those she cared for. "You have saved her in part," she lied. "but a great deal rests upon her. She must also sign a treaty with me, Caitrin. After all, I cannot base her peace with me just on your word, can I? You must know that a new reign desires documentation of all such things!" She was half teasing the girl, of course Caitrin knew how politics worked! Or at least, Morgana assumed she did.

She threw back her head and gave a soft laugh as the lady spoke of pleasure being all hers, and chuckled softly as she replied. "Indeed it is," replied Morgana. "Alas, I fear I will need more from you than your word and the signed treaty. I would like you and Yassia, once she has also signed, to join me and mine at dinner," she smiled a little. "To establish the peace between us, I would like you to see how I am without politics in the way. I think you will find me most agreeable, to those who are my friends."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Whatever relief Caitrin had felt at thinking that she would save her friends had now completely vanished. It had been as she had suspected, her loyalty was doing nothing but saving her own skin, and she almost hated herself for it. She had said too much to back out now, and if she did deny Morgana then she was putting Yassia in even more danger than she was already in, so the stakes had changed now. This was different now, she didn’t have any stomach for the fight, and she just wanted it to end. She wanted to go home. “So my word is worthless for Yassia’s safety?” She summarised bleakly and just glared on at the woman.

As well as hating Morgana, Caitrin was slowly hating the woman that she was being turned into. She didn’t want to be this woman, she didn’t want to act the part Morgana was pushing her to play. She could see it happening in front of her eyes, but it was almost unstoppable, and it had already happened really so what could she do? The thought of dining with the woman made her feel sick, was this who she had to become now? Play the part whilst in fact she was utterly broken inside. “Is there anything else you will have me do?” She asked rather stubbornly, because she was quickly wondering when the woman would stop demanding things of her. She was being all but forced to write her name on a declaration of loyalty publically, and she was now being asked to dine with her as well. What else would she want?

[mpend]

There was a mild victory in Morgana's eyes, though victory would not truly be hers until she had Arthur at her mercy. This lady Caitrin was just one of many; and although a close friend of Morgana's brother, meant very little to the Queen herself. She was playing a game with her, making Caitrin think she was more important than she really was, and oh, how she was enjoying it! As Caitrin spoke dully of her friend's safety, Morgana raised an eyebrow. "You care for Yassia so much, and yet Arthur so little?" she hummed in mock-disappointment. "I think that my brother would be most betrayed by your words, young one. But you are wrong. Your word is worthless, but your written word will be worth much. It will help to gain Yassia's, and then she will be safe."

The girl's question caused the brunette to force back a smile. Yes, that was how she liked her minions, her people - placid and broken, the way they should be. Here was one of Arthur's closest friends, now turned Morgana's ally in less than an hour!!! The Queen chuckled lightly, not troubling to conceal her glee. "Now my dear," she consoled. "You should rejoice, for you are now in the favours of the Queen of Camelot!" Morgana paused. "There will be one last thing I will require of you, but you need not know of it yet. For now you shall stay here at my pleasure, whilst my scriptures write out the finer points of your promise to me."