7) Set in Motion
A/N – Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. I love reading them. I hope you enjoy this chapter: DDDD
"So, are you ready to apologize?" asked King Lot, entering the chilly dungeon.
"We are terribly sorry for sword-fighting against your will," said Arya after a pointed glance from her mother.
"And we promise not to do it again," continued Alana.
"And I will only train with the other boys," finished Edmund.
"Very good; I see you've learned your lesson. Now, on you go up to your chambers and get yourselves cleaned up. I shall dine with you all tonight," said Lot, briskly.
"Thank you, father," said the three children in unison before scampering out of their cell with a backward glance to their mother.
Morgana watched them go and then turned her head to face her horrible husband, staring up at him in a somewhat defiant manner.
"And you, are you ready to apologize?" asked Lot.
"Do I have a choice?" questioned Morgana, tartly.
"That's enough of your smartass answers. Now, will you apologize or do you need to spend another night in this freezing cold cell?" asked Lot, angrily.
"You only had to ask. Ok, I'm sorry," said Morgana, titling her head to the side slightly "Is that enough?"
In a mad rage, Lot unshackled and unceremoniously shoved her out of the cell.
"Go to our chambers and don't leave until tomorrow," ordered Lot.
"I'm a big girl, now, you can't confine me," said Morgana, tauntingly.
"It's that or another night restrained. Make your choice," said Lot.
"I suppose I'll pick our chambers … but what am I supposed to do with my wrists," responded Morgana, holding her raw wrists up.
"You want to act defiant; those are the marks of defiance. Now go," ordered Lot.
Morgana flicked her hair over her shoulder and headed to the chambers. She made sure not to touch her sore wrists until she was well out of view of Lot. Not long now, she thought, not long till we're all free of him.
Back in the shared chambers, Morgana sat down on the bed. She was tempted to rip her dress and bandage her wrists, but then decided she did want everyone to see her marks, and show Lot that he couldn't grind her down.
Knowing she would have a long wait, she sat by the window and started to plan exactly how she was going to escape Lot's evil clutches with her children.
By nightfall, Morgana had decided that she would wait until Lot was in an important council meeting and then get all of her children. Then, she would make sure they all carried swords and they'd go out through the servants' corridors, and try not to have to deal with too many guards. Once they were in the forest, they would start walking north to Camelot. She just hoped they wouldn't encounter too many problems. Still, if they didn't risk it, they would be forever trapped. Alana and Arya would be married off to any man who could very well be abusive; and Edmund would be forced into a life of a knight and a king of a fearful kingdom and forced to marry. And with her tongue, Morgana knew that Lot would probably kill her if anything else happened, now that he had his heir and two daughters to marry off.
It was over a week later and Lot had a meeting the next day about his army which meant that he would be occupied pretty much all day, and only the bare minimum amount of guards would be on duty and no knights. Morgana decided that it was now or never.
When she was sure Lot was soundly sleeping, Morgana got up and tiptoed out of the chambers. As guards passed on their patrol, she backed into the shadows, and, like Camelot guards, they continued to talk and passed straight by her..
Then, keeping the same routine, she made it down to the armoury. Once there, she took four swords and tried to conceal the missing ones as best as possible. Satisfied, she crept back up to the chambers successfully and slipped the swords into her wardrobe; where only she went – usually.
The next morning, Morgana woke as Lot ordered his poor servant around. She got up and Lot gave her a quick kiss and told her to be waiting at the end of the meeting because he needed something to look forward to after a day of tedious politics.
"Of course," replied Morgana, flashing him her best smile.
He's in for a shock, thought Morgana, because come tonight he won't have me or my children ever again.
As soon as Lot left, Morgana quickly dismissed her maids, saying she was perfectly capable of dressing herself. She pulled on a pair of breeches from the back of her wardrobe and a slightly-small tunic before putting her most simple dress and most comfortable shoes on.
Morgana walked swiftly to Arya's chambers. Once there, she found Arya's brushing her hair.
"Arya," said Morgana.
"Yes, mother," responded Arya, turning round.
"It's time," explained Morgana.
"What do I have to do?" asked Arya, nodding.
"Dress in something practical," whispered Morgana "And can you tell Alana to do the same."
"Of course," replied Arya.
"And Arya, take this and give one to your sister. And make sure you have daggers on you. Do you remember what I told you?" said Morgana, handing two sword belts to her eldest daughter.
"One in my shoe, one up my sleeve," replied Arya with a smile.
"Good girl," said Morgana "Now, make sure you and Alana stay together. I will tell Edmund and be ready for me coming to collect you."
"We will, mother, I promise," finished Arya.
Morgana nodded and then left to have more or less the same chat with her son.
After discussing the plan with Edmund, Morgana went back to her chambers. She put her sword belt on under her dress and then slipped a dagger in each shoe and one up her sleeve. You can never be too careful.
For a brief moment, Morgana wondered if she was doing the right thing. If they got caught, she couldn't ensure that any of her children would live, and Lot would relish in finally getting rid of her. But she couldn't back out. Her children would definitely have a better life in Camelot under Arthur's rule.
Around an hour later, Morgana went to Edmund's chambers and knocked three times. He appeared at the door, his hunting bag slung over his shoulder and hopefully filled with some food and water for the journey back to Camelot.
"Come on," she said.
The two of them rushed for the girls' chambers. Both Arya and Alana had changed and had weapons on them, but with their dresses and cloaks, they didn't look too obvious.
Morgana ushered the three children along the rest of the corridor and down a flight of stairs before pulling them up the servants' corridor.
As they headed down, several servants looked at them nosily but Morgana forced her children on through the stares, hoping they would make it out of the castle before one of the servants blabbed to the guards or worse, the king.
"Princess Arya," said a guard as they got out in the courtyard, so far undetected.
"Yes," replied Arya, groaning inwardly.
"The king requires your presence in the great hall immediately," explained the guard.
Morgana's heart almost stopped. Did Lot know that they were trying to escape, or was it just a coincidence?
"Of course," answered Morgana "I will ensure my daughter gets there."
The guard nodded and then left to continue further duties.
As soon as he was gone, Arya started heading to her father.
"Arya, where are you going?" asked Alana.
"If the guards see me, they will know something is wrong," answered Arya.
"We must leave now. We may not get another chance," said Morgana.
"No, you must go without me," declared Arya.
"Arya, we are not leaving you behind," said Edmund.
"You must or we'll all get caught," protested Arya.
"No, you come with us or none of us leave," stated Morgana.
"Mother, please, I'll be fine," argued Arya.
"But father will execute you for treason if he discovers you were somehow involved in us leaving," continued Alana.
"I'll catch you up once I've spoken with the king. I've got my sword if anything happens," complained Arya, patting her hip.
"Arya, we haven't got time for this. As your mother I'm ordering you to come with us," said Morgana, firmly "Now, hurry up before we all get caught."
Sighing, Arya walked briskly to keep up with her mother. The courtyard was empty aside from several servants, so they were easy to spot in their finery.
"Hurry," said Morgana, urgently.
A/N – I know this is an odd place to end the chapter but it would be difficult to find another place otherwise. I hope you all like it so far. Please, read and review :) The next chapter shall be up in a few days.