Like a Mother to her Child (Mordred)

[morg]

Tag: Mordred
Timeline: Season 1, Episode 7 (The Beginning of the End), Mid-
Morning
Location: Morgana's chambers

He was just a boy. Morgana couldn't get over the boy's luminous eyes as she stared down at his pale, sweaty face. From the moment Merlin had brought the boy into her room for protection, Morgana had felt a strange connection with him. She didn't even know his name, and she already felt certain that she would never let any harm come to this boy.

How could anyone want to hurt this child? Any child? He was so small, so helpless, so innocent. Yes, he was a druid boy, but that didn't mean he deserved to die. No one that young deserved to die, and if Uther truly meant to kill the child, then maybe he was the monster.

Now that she was alone with the boy, Morgana carefully lifted his small body and carried him over to her bed. Arthur had already checked her room, and now no one would dare walk into her chambers unannounced. Gwen and Merlin were welcome, of course, but no one else.

Once she had the child settled comfortably on her pillows, she sat down on the bed next to him and held a cool cloth to his damp forehead.

"There now, isn't that better?" she said. "You're going to be fine. I'm going to take care of you. My name is Morgana."

[mordred]

It had been foolish of his teacher to even think of getting away with bringing them here, to this repressed City of all places, but for once, Mordred was grateful in some ways that the man had been so foolish. In Morgana he saw what Camelot was lacking - a kind soul that cared not whether a person possessed magic or powers, but saw them as they were rather than as killers of the worst kind, which was what Uther seemed to think of them all.

As Morgana spoke to him, he listenened to the sound of her voice, melodious and light - the voice of someone who had not yet been forced to do evil. The young boy very much hoped it would stay that way. The bed she had placed him upon was soft, warm, and as Mordred sank into it, he gave the Lady a small, tiny smile of thanks. He was half afraid that if he spoke aloud, then they would be heard by someone who might do him ill, but perhaps she would understand how grateful he was, though he wondered how she could possibly say that he would be fine. After all, she was the Kings ward, was she not? IF they were found, what would happen to her? He already knew what his fate would be...

[morg]

That smile tugged at her heart. He was so brave and so innocent that Morgana couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes. She understood without words that he was trying to thank her for helping him. Even if he didn't speak, it was clear that he understood exactly what was happening. He was simply too ill and too frightened to speak right now. She couldn't blame him for that. The situation was quite serious, and no one was more aware of that fact than Morgana.

If Uther were to discovered what she was doing, he'd be furious. The boy would surely be executed, and there was no telling what he'd do to her. Lock her in the dungeon again? Put her in the stocks? Maybe even cast her out of Camelot altogether? Surely he wouldn't dare have her executed--he'd never break his promise to her father Gorlois. But she was still putting herself in great danger to help this boy.

But there was a time to be safe and a time to do what was right... and now was certainly the latter. This was the right thing to do. Killing an innocent child was a monstrous thing to do, and she was not going to just stand by and let it happen.

She returned his smile, dabbing at his forehead with the cloth. "You must be thirsty," she said softly, glancing over at the pitcher of water Gwen had brought in that morning. "Would you like some water?I can help you sit up so you can drink it. Just nod yes or shake your head if you don't."

[mordred]

Why was she being so kind to him? As the ward of the most hated man admist magic users, she should hate him... she should be turning him in. Why was she helping him? Mordred studied the lady quietly, wondering how strong she had to be to be able to resist Uther's cruel influence. Perhaps one day, he would find a way to repay her for this... if he was ever to leave Camelot alive, of course.

At the offer of water, Mordred swallowed instinctively. It had been... far too long... since he had had water... and he had never drank clear water such as the water that nobles drank from. He managed a weak smile at her offer, and nodded his head a little, thanking her with a smile. Yes, he would drink! Goddess be blessed upon this lady, hed drink all the waters in Albion, such was his thirst at that moment.

[morg]

Even Morgana couldn't explain why she felt compelled to protect the boy. Merlin may have brought the boy to her in the first place, but Morgana would have helped the boy even if no one had asked her to do it.

This wasn't the first time she had disagreed with Uther about his anti-magic policy. She had watched him execute far too many people for the "crime" of magic, and had even almost lost a friend as a result of it. She hadn't forgiven him for nearly executing Guinevère. and she had a feeling that the situation would only get worse. Uther was stubborn and cold, and he was never going to change his mind about magic and the people who used it. And if he would order his guards to chase down a young boy, there was no telling how far he would take his campaign against magic.

The boy's weak smile nearly broke Morgana's heart. If she hadn't already committed to saving this boy, that smile would have won her over completely. She smiled back, her eyes filling with tears. She reached down and brushed a dampened lock of hair from his forehead. "I'll be right back," she said softly.

She walked over to the table, where Gwen had spread out her breakfast. She hadn't touched it, of course, because Merlin and the boy had burst in so suddenly. Now she was glad it was here, because she could give some to the boy, to help him get stronger. First she poured him a goblet of fresh water, then she considered the spread of food on the table. There was the usual bread and cheese and some fruits. The bread, she decided, would probably be too difficult for him to chew. But maybe he could handle a small wedge of cheese, or some berries. She placed a few of these on a plate and carried it, along with the goblet, over to the bed. She set both of them on the table beside the bed, then sat down next to him.

"Here, let me help you sit up so you can drink," she said. "I brought a little bit of food for you, too... You'll need to eat if you're going to get your strength up."

She reached down and put her arms around the boy, lifting him up slightly. It was heartbreaking how very light he was. Once he was propped up against the pillows in a half-seated position, Morgana brought the goblet to him lips. "Here you go."