Gaining Trust With Lies (Morgana)

[Deleted]

Say one thing about Camelot, say it’s never boring to watch. Nimueh, the High Priestess of the Old Religion had a few favourite pastimes, and apart from plotting Uther’s downfall, there was something she liked very much as well: Watching what was happening in Camelot through her scrying font. Like this, she could fathom people’s weaknesses, get to know their secrets and through that being able to either bring them down or get them to work for her first. Many of her great schemes had begun with an intent look into her scrying font, watching those close to Uther.
Ever since a very interesting thing had happened in Camelot, where a little druid boy had been rescued by none other than Merlin and the Lady Morgana, Uther’s ward, Nimueh had found another favourite subject of observation: Morgana herself.

Nimueh had known before that Morgana was more than she let on. As she had watched her once getting a sleeping draught from Gaius, it had aroused her suspicion and curiosity. Nightmares? Couldn’t there be more to it? And surely, there was more to it. Morgana might not know it yet, but she had magic. Rare magic, original magic. She was a seer. What she saw in her horrific visions were things that might be yet to come. It was simply too good to be true: Uther’s ward, possessing magic right under his nose, that was exploitable if nothing else. Nimueh knew that if Morgana was ever found it, it would be her undoing. Uther’s hatred for magic was too profound, even if it pained him, he could not make exceptions with his loved ones. And thus, Nimueh could use it for her own gain.

Then Mordred had come along, a touchingly helpless child. It might have triggered Morgana’s mother instincts, or something similar. Whatever it was, it had made her hide the druid boy, and his wellbeing would always stay the young lady’s weakness. How exciting, indeed! It was long since Nimueh had last cared for someone in that matter, but she still found it intriguing to watch. People who would put their own life in danger to safe others. Risking to be found out a collaborator… it was all so touching – and so pathetic! Still, as long as it helped Nimueh, she would not complain!
Also, the incident had brought an interesting change in Morgana’s attitude towards Uther. It was nothing but a seed laid into cold soil yet, but it could grow. For the first time, Morgana had defied her guardian. Nimueh found that thoroughly worthy of expandation.

So now, she had once again entered the lion’s den, or, like she rather would put it, the chicken’s coop. Because even though she might be hunted down if ever found here alive, Nimueh rather felt like the fox in the henhouse, not like the rabbit before a snake. SHE was the one in control, ready to tend to the seed that had been laid. She would test Morgana’s loyalties – all in disguise of course.
Knowing that Morgana sometimes liked to visit the fairs that were held in Camelot regularly, Nimueh had mingled with the crowd, waiting for her target to pass her by. Altering her appearance so that she now looked like a plain, elderly peasant woman, she waited in the shadow of a booth, until the Lady Morgana passed her by.

Swift like a snake, she let her arm dart out to grab hold of Morgana’s own, hissing lowly: “Mylady!”

Tag: Morgana
Timeline: Season 1, after ep 8
Time of Day: Midday
Notes: Hope this okay

[morg]

It was perfect weather for a fair. Morgana loved the chance to walk among the people and see all the different sights. There were street performers, dancing or playing music. Magicians, of course, were banned, but there were puppet shows and jesters trying to entertain the crowds. But what Morgana loved most were the stands selling silks and jewels. Uther had given her some spending money to buy whatever she wanted, and she was eager to buy something pretty.

Things between Morgana and Uther had been strained since the druid boy, Mordred, had escaped from Camelot. He still suspected that she was involved, even though she had taken pains to ensure she was with him when Arthur and Merlin smuggled Mordred out of the city. She still remembered the feeling of his hand on her throat, and the horrible look in his eyes as he threatened her. It sent chills down her spine. Because of this, Morgana knew she couldn't trust Uther. He could try to smooth things over by giving her money or gifts, but he'd created a rift between them that would never be healed.

It had really been building for a while. Uther was a cold, stubborn man, and he seemed to be completely filled with hate for people who had magic. Morgana didn't believe it was fair to kill someone for magic, but Uther didn't agree. And the more he continued with his fanatical campaign against anyone with magic, the more Morgana rebelled against him. She couldn't explain why, but she felt a strong sympathy towards anyone with magic. Maybe that was why she had bonded with Mordred so easily.

Morgana paused at a display of silks for sale, drawn by a luminous green silk that would surely bring out her eyes. How she'd love a dress made in that color! She admired it for a moment before deciding to purchase it. She paid her money and waited for the merchant to wrap it for her. In a few moments she was on her way. She was even humming softly to herself as she passed one of the booths. She didn't expect anything to happen, so when the woman grabbed her arm, Morgana was temporarily confused.

"Ow!" she cried. "What on earth... Who are you? Unhand me this instant!"

[Deleted]

Unfortunately, the young lady didn’t react half as subtle as Nimueh might have wished for. This was always the problem with plans, they threatened to fail because people did not do what you wanted them to do, what they OUGHT to be doing. She was not posing as a man after all, someone who could really have done the lady harm by grabbing her arm. What a little princess she was, crying out from a grip that wasn’t even that hard! And to think that she had watched this girl doing sword fights with Arthur Pendragon! Hadn’t she learned to take a few hits there?! If Nimueh had been so weak and bestowed with such a low pain threshold, she would have NEVER made it to the position she held now… or had once held, as the High Priestess of magic, the spokeswoman of the Triple Goddess apart from the Three Wise Ones of course, the Disir.

But the task she had been set out to do was far too important to just step down from just because Nimueh was momentarily annoyed. She had to silence Morgana quickly, and convince her of her good intentions, before the girl started to call guards to her aid. Not that she could have gotten herself out of this in an instant, but Nimueh hated setbacks. They were so… unneeded. Why couldn’t people do as they were calculated to act for once?! It would make her plans so much easier! She had underestimated Merlin before, but the next plan that was already brewing in her head would be watertight. It was an almost ingenious plan, and she could not wait for the final step to be put into motion. Meanwhile, she would test Morgana’s loyalties, to see what she could and would do to work against Uther, after he had treated her so atrociously. Morgana would soon learn that this was the way Uther treated everyone but himself… he didn’t care for people’s feelings, else he would not have insulted Igraine by letting her bear a child of magic in the first place… and how he had treated Nimueh afterwards… she had TOLD him what the risks were, it had been no one’s fault but his own that Uther could not listen!

Before her thoughts could be occupied too much by the past again, Nimueh gave a quick hiss, retracting her hand and glancing nervously about. “Shhh, Mylady I beg you, you’re drawing attention to us!” she whispered frantically in the most fearful voice she could possibly manage. “I don’t want to harm you, I swear it on my life! I… I just… I bear a message, for your ears only!”
Gah, how she hated to sound all helpless and weak! But this was what deception was all about: if you showed yourself to be inferior than your counterpart, they were more likely to feel pity and trust you. If it worked for her plan, Nimueh could bear this stooping down from the respect she deserved with good graces. She also left it at that, for now. No need to cast the whole bait just yet. People, like animals, were creatures of curiosity. They were allured by the mystery… so they would inquire… and walk into their doom step by step.

[morg]

Morgana let out a breath. She'd been startled mostly, and that had made her cry out. A lady of high birth such as herself, a ward of the king of Camelot, couldn't be too careful after all. There were brutes and mercenaries who would love to get their hands on her out of revenge against Uther. But this was merely an old woman. What harm could she possibly do?

But of course, she could have magic. Uther would have said that automatically made her an enemy, but Morgana didn't have the same fear or hatred of magic that Uther did. To her, it seemed like a gift. After all, the druid boy, Mordred, had magic, didn't he? Since meeting him, Morgana had found herself becoming increasingly sympathetic to the plight of the druids and other people with magic. They didn't seem evil to her. Sometimes she almost felt like... no. No, she didn't have magic. She couldn't. Uther would kill her.

Morgana searched the eyes of the woman, relaxing visibly.

"I'm sorry. You startled me, is all."

When the woman mentioned a message for her, Morgana's pale eyes widened. "A message? From whom?"

[Deleted]

Oh she apologized! Now that was truly nice for a change, even if the woman Nimueh was posing as of course would not think so, she’d be rather surprised by a noblewoman saying the word ‘sorry’ to someone to inferior in status. That realization made Nimueh do a doublecheck on her momentary pretense skills, just to be sure. Was she acting too fierce? The grabbing of her arm might have been a little overkill, truly. That was not the action of a peaceful old lady wishing to catch a noblewoman’s attention, it was the action of a beast of prey taking claim on its victim! And that subconscious reaction of her true feelings had triggered the ancient victim’s instinct in Morgana. A part of her was suspicious, even though the flicker of it had shown only briefly in the young woman’s eyes. But it was there, and it would make approaching her now more difficult. Cursing her mistake inwardly, Nimueh retreated her arm and cast her eyes down, intent on laying back, muttering. “It is I who should be sorry, Mylady, I should not have touched you!” Had she been out of practice for allowing such a slip to happen, or was Morgana simply too smart for her own good?

Well, hopefully what she had to say would cloud the woman’s judgement long enough to lay out the bait once again. Mordred should be her weak spot… but then you could never rely on that alone. Relying on one plan without backup had been her undoing before, and Nimueh was not someone to make a mistake twice. She knew very well that she could not hope to sway Morgana away from Uther in just one conversation, but she would kindle the flame that was undoubtedly already there. It HAD to be there, if only born out of fear for herself. Morgana might not realize her potential yet, but she would be stupid not to see that her nightmares were something out of the ordinary, and with realizing that, she would also know that Uther would hunt down this abnormality. She was a smart girl… one day it would simply make ‘click’ in her brain and she would see Uther for what he really was. And if Nimueh had helped just a little on that path it would be her dearest pleasure!

Inwardly, Nimueh had to supress a chuckle at Morgana’s eager disposition, wide eyes and all. Oh how sweet indeed. Apparently, her slip had not been too bad, now she only had to play her next cards perfectly right.
While Morgana had been asking this, Nimueh had had her eye cast down reverently, but now she lowered her voice and took a careful look around as if to check no one was overhearing them. “From someone who is deeply indebted to you, as you saved his young, innocent life.” She waited a few moments to let the words sink in, then added: “Mordred is his name.”

[morg]

Although the situation had begun badly, all it took was the mention of Mordred to make Morgana forget all about her momentary fear and uneasiness. Immediately, her face lit up with a brilliant, joyful smile.

"Mordred!" she gasped, searching the old woman's face as if she expected to see the druid boy staring back at her. She had already resigned herself to the thought that she probably would never see the boy again. It was enough for her to know that he was out there, alive and, hopefully, safe, and that she had given him a chance to live, even if it meant a life on the run.

"Have you seen him? How is he? Please tell me he hasn't dared to come close to Camelot again..."

She trailed off, a frown darkening her face. If Mordred came back to Camelot, Uther would surely not rest until he was caught.

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Nimueh would have liked to slap herself on the shoulder in congratulations the moment Morgana's face lit up at the mentioning of the little druid boy. Oh yes indeed, now she had Uther's ward on the hook and she would let her dangle there hopefully for a while to come. Morgana's fierce reaction was almost more than Nimueh could have hoped for, and she had to keep both her posture and facial expression in check so Morgana would not notice how smug the High Priestess really felt. She needed to remember, she was an old woman with no further interest than to pass this message on to the kind lady who had helped Mordred and then be on her way... while 'accidently' slipping into a conversation about the dire problems all those who associated with magic, or even practiced it had to this very day. A life in fear and constantly on the run... every day could be your last...

A slight smile spread over her lips at Morgana’s outburst, but it held no hint of malice or sneering, it was the mild smile of someone who appreciates the concern of another being, but finds it unnecessary, because of possessing more knowledge than the other person. It was a definite bonus that Morgana seemed to care so much for the druid boy, and her flood of question confirmed it was no fleeting interest but a matter of the heart. If she played her cards right, this could be easier than she had first thought! But caution and intuition were still needed in this matter. Morgana was an incredibly sharp young woman, the tiniest slip could be Nimueh’s undoing as she had already seen.

„Fear not, Mylady“ she replied with the soft, matronly tone that would be expected from the woman of the age she was posing at. A woman that had been through some things already and had seen so many things in her life she was not easily surprised. “I am glad to tell you that he is not in any danger – for now. Though it needed some serious talking to convince him to stay behind for his own safety." She heaved a long sigh. “This courageous soul found his way to us, and we welcomed him again with open arms.” With this she implied openly that she was with the druids, and she knew it was a critical moment. Then again, she thought she could trust Morgana’s kind heart.

”The message he wanted me to tell you, so badly that I could not resist his plea, is just the same: That he is well, and that he thanks you again. He says he does not blame you or..." she stopped as if she had to recall the name, "...Merlin for whatever happened, and that he will repay you one day.”
Smiling softly, she added: “The poor child. He may not show it, but what happened disturbed him dearly. These inner wounds will take some while to heal – if he is granted that time.” Those last words had been sounded rather bitterly, a first thrust into the right direction, testing Morgana’s reaction.

[morg]

The woman couldn't have chosen her words any better. Just hearing that Mordred was well, and relatively safe with his own people, was a big relief for Morgana. But it also reminded her once again just how dangerous life could be for people with magic. If Uther were to find out that this woman was here, right within the very streets of Camelot, he would have her on the executioner's block tomorrow, all because she had come to pass a message to Morgana from a little boy.

It was pathological, Uther's hatred of magic, and Morgana felt sickened once again to think of the constant fear and stress that these people must endure every single day. It was no wonder they hated Uther... and Morgana was beginning to hate him, too. Uther was creating his own enemies with his war against magic. Didn't he see that?

"I'm so glad to hear that Mordred is safe," she said in a low voice, looking cautiously around to ensure that the guards were not nearby.

"But you must be cautious. You've taken a great risk in coming here. I'm grateful for it, but I would feel terrible if you were caught. If there's anything I can do to help you, I would be glad to help."

Morgana had no idea what she was saying. She had already gotten herself into a fair bit of trouble with Uther by trying to help Mordred, and now she was offering to help this woman. It was dangerous, even crazy... but it felt like the right thing to do.

[Deleted]

Nimueh seemed to have hit the perfectly right chord with Morgana, and she inwardly nodded to herself, quite pleased with her scheme so far. If things continued at this pace, maybe she really would be able to instill some doubt in the young, naïve girl, concerning her guardian’s intentions. Oh there were so many secrets surrounding Uther, and secrets always held great power. The power of their knowledge, to decide whether to reveal them or not and have someone in your hands by being master of things people did not know nothing of. Over the last twenty years, Nimueh had gathered many of these secrets, big and small, powerful and insignificant, and she only had to wait for the right moment for each to reveal it. Though it seemed, that right moment had not come yet. First the seeds needed to grow and strike its roots deeper into the soil, or so to speak.

And now she was even speaking of help! That was going far better than she had expected! But of course, the woman she was posing as needed to refuse all help, it would be dangerous to appear overeager and maybe reveal to a quick mind that this might have been her cause for coming in the first place, Mordred’s fake message being not the main incentive, but merely the bait.
“Ah, Mylady, there is not much you can do I fear”, she warded it off, trying to sound benign. “Things are as they are with the king and magic. I was willing to take that risk for Mordred’s sake and your own, Lady Morgana… for I know how it is to be unsure of someone’s fate…”

She let a wistful, slightly pained expression flicker over her face for a moment, hinting at some personal tragedy the woman had been through, but which she tried to hide to appear strong. Then she lowered her voice and took another look around. “You must be careful too. Helping and associating with magic is no minor offense in the king’s eyes. I would hate to see a heart so gentle as yours crushed by…” she stopped, as if realizing something, shaking her head. “But no, of course he would not… forgive me for ever thinking the king might hurt his own ward. My heart must have hardened too much over my grief.”

[morg]

The woman's words struck a chord with Morgana, perhaps more than had even been intended. Oh, yes, she knew exactly how dangerous it could be to defy Uther, even for the king's beloved ward. Maybe she wasn't quite as beloved as she had always been led to believe. Surely he would not have put his hands around her throat in such a way if he had actually cared for her at all. The memory flooded her with a sickening wave of emotions--fear and hurt and anger and, for a moment, an almost blinding sense of hatred.

Morgana had been a very young girl when she lost her dear father Gorlois. She still remembered him and how he had loved her, even after all this time. When she came to live with Uther soon after her father's death, she had been full of grief. She and Uther had not started off on the best of terms, as she fought him in just about every way. Things had quieted down over time, and Morgana had somehow managed to convince herself that Uther loved her in his way. Maybe not as Gorlois had done, but he did care for her, didn't he? That was all she really craved--the love and unconditional acceptance of a father.

But now she knew that Uther didn't care about her at all. Her opinions and thoughts meant nothing to him. Her only purpose in this kingdom was to stand by Uther's side and look pretty. She had no doubt now that if he caught her trying to help this woman, he'd throw her back into the dungeon.... or worse.

But just because something was dangerous... just because it could get her killed.... that didn't mean it wasn't the right thing to do. It was easy to do the right thing when there was no threat involved. But Morgana knew it took true courage to stand up for what was right when to do so was risking death.

And Morgana was not a coward.

"Oh, wouldn't he?" she said, the wounded tone evident in her voice as she rubbed at her throat. "He's tried once before. He had his hands about my neck when he learned that I had helped Mordred. But I am not afraid of him. I cannot stand back and let people suffer if I have any ability to help them. Please, let me help you get out of the city before you are seen."