Saw the devil wrapping up his hands, He's getting ready for the showdown

[exiledskeptic]

It is before dawn, before even the slight brightening indicating dawn is on the horizon, when Morgana is up and dressed and standing at the window.  There wasn't much of a point in her trying to go to bed.  How she managed to put the girls to bed the night before without betraying what could only be defined as fear, is a miracle in itself

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[exiledskeptic]

Morgana is much longer than she would like to be. As much as she feels it should, life doesn't stop for death. After being taken inside, and gaining a tenuous thread on herself, she dealt with cleaning herself up. The gown she'd worn that morning tossed into the fire, as she never wants to see it again. There's a foolish thought that she doesn't have mourning clothes here. Yet someone, she suspects a maid, has laid out a white veil to at least cover her hair.

Then she finally had to go get a very little grumpy girl from her room. Tarrwyn had blissfully slept through all of it. Carys is with her, absolutely quiet. She's yet to speak a word since seeing it happen. She's seen death before from hunger or illness, but violence has shocked her into silence. Tarrwyn is rather frustrated her sister isn't saying anything. She's frustrated that it is so late. She's frustrated Merlin's not come to see her too.

The explanation is brief, as the little girl isn't old enough to understand the finality of death. Her comment is a rather gauche one, that Merlin will have to apologize for making everyone so upset. Morgana can't help but wonder if Arthur's going through the same thing. Amhar might be just old enough to start to grasp it, but she worries Duran won't understand a thing.

Leaving Tarrwyn in the care of Rose, she walks with Carys down to the physician's chamber. A maid is kind enough to provide the information without being asked. It is not that Morgana wants to expose Carys to any more, but the girl is going to follow, leaving Morgana little choice. Her progress is delayed by everyone wanting to offer condolences, but she doesn't wish to speak to anyone.

It is midday once everything is taken care of. Throughout it all, she cannot avoid feeling that something is wrong, beyond the killing. There's a lack of finality to things, even though she briefly felt it on the field.

Carys walks beside Morgana, the one sign the girl is simply quiet, and not catatonic, is the grip, and how she looks at every small noise.

Finally, she makes it to the physician's chamber, and comes face to face with Hunith and Warren.

[exiledskeptic]

It is normal for Morgana to feel slightly intimidated by Hunith. For someone usually so socially adept it is difficult to find things to discuss. What they both shared now lies waiting for burial.

She also knows that her poor decisions of years ago have directly led to Merlin's death. Her throat tightens not able to think of much to say to her other than, "Thank you." It's thanks for being able to do what she couldn't. It's thanks for not railing at her like she has every right to. It is for so many other things.

Privately, Morgana will mourn him as his widow. Publicly, she knows Hunith deserves the place of chief mourner, the one to receive the condolences. It is the least she can do though she cannot think of anything else to offer her.

[talents_keeper]

The two women may never see eye to eye on any given topic, but there still may be some respect. As far as Hunith can work out, for all the trouble between them, it did seem that her son was fond of the Lady.

"You're welcome." Perhaps not forgiveness, but there is a certain softness in addressing the woman who would have been her daughter-in-law.

Hunith wishes they could have known each other better. "Do we know what is to be done?"

[exiledskeptic]

One day, Morgana intends on telling the other woman exactly how fond she always will be of her son. Hunith should know that Morgana wasn't wholly unworthy, though she would have every right to think so now.

At least she can provide some information. "He will have earned his place in Camelot's crypt." She could explain how it's the highest honour to those who serve the country but she doubts it would be the comfort it would be to a noblewoman. Status matters little to Hunith.

As for Carys, after sparing Warren a brief glance, she's very focused on the body.

[notsmallcarys]

"The city should do more," There's an odd thought that he would like the city's full attention as he has today. It's an odd macabre thought.

Morgana nods. She actually wants nothing more than to just sit with the body. It may not be Merlin, but it's all that's left.

Carys shakes her head. "I've seen it, but they've always been sick." There's a sense of waste she doesn't quite understand. Her voice is much flatter than even Morgana's.

[talents_keeper]

Merlin's mother would appreciate anything that the city would do for her son's memory. "I am not sure anything would be enough for his ego." She smiles a little. Hugging her arms tighter to herself.

[exiledskeptic]

"No, but an effort must be made to try." It's Morgana's weak attempt to remember something fondly, but she doesn't have the advantage of the lifetime Hunith had. Things were only too recently settled between them.

Carys drops Morgana's hand to go over and look at Merlin.

[notsmallcarys]

"I'm good at those," Carys pipes up. It's this desire to do something, but she doesn't know what, so she latches onto Warren's suggestion.

Morgana remembers the near argument she had with Merlin over Carys's assistance with the fireworks. She has no such worries now, though Merlin is not here to watch Carys. The thought makes her hold her hands to herself, tightly. "If you would like." The offer is specifically vague if both children wished to be involved. She takes a step closer to the corpse, but unlike Carys, who is only looking, Morgana runs the back of her hand against his cheek.

There is another important issue to be taken care of, "Warren, where will you stay?" She wants to make sure he is sorted but without making him feel like he has no choice in the matter.

[exiledskeptic]

Morgana doesn't look at Merlin's apprentice, instead focussing on the body, as it is the last time she'll see it. She wishes the old adage about looking like they're sleeping was true, but it isn't.

It will be a while yet before she can cry and it's Carys who finally breaks down. The girl isn't loud about things, and it is only a slight shake of her shoulders, and the tears that give her away. Moving away from the body, Morgana sits and pulls Carys to sit with her, as Tarrwyn often will, and strokes her hair.

After a few minutes Morgana finally replies, "if you want to remain in the tower you may but if you wish a chamber in my wing, one can be prepared."