(11) Golden Chains

Morgana leaned up against the pillar lightly still recovering from her bruised ribs overlooking the lake of the Keep. It was the spot she had planned for but using the grapple hook to reach her normal perch was too strenuous. Instead, she now stood at the back guarding the Keep.

Her father was inside enjoying the feast and festivities. He was a prime member of the King's War Advisory and it was his idea to take down the tower using one of his inventions. Morgana knew her father enjoyed recognition and craved more of it with how much time and effort he put into the tools that helped in war.

"Something about making it too easy for me?" a cheerful voice called from behind her.

Morgana turned and bowed as best as she could as the Prince approached her.

His smile was still visible but his eyes grew concerned watching her wince to show formality towards him, "Still sore?"

"I've had bruised ribs before, Your Highness," she began trying not to sigh. "I'll get better."

"They're preparing the feast," he spoke. "Won't you join us inside?"

Morgana slowly shook her head, "I can't."

"A sense of duty? You can't break duty even for a moment dedicated to you?" Prince Anduin asked, standing before her.

Morgana managed to half sigh this time, "Yes."

"Why?" he asked more sternly this time.

Morgana couldn't meet his gaze anymore, "It's hard to explain."

"Then show me if you can," he replied.

Morgana was about to reveal a dark secret about her father. Something that not even her own mother knew he was doing to her; for control. He had his reasons; reasons she knew the Prince would ask about after she showed him exactly why she couldn't do many things.

"I'll need your help after I show you," she stated. "Because it will hurt me."

Morgana kept her head down as she moved past the Prince and towards the Keep. She crossed the grassy area hearing him right behind her. There was no door to the Keep; it was an open area to move back and forth. She found what would be the threshold and turned her head to see if the Prince was ready.

"I give you permission to heal me," she spoke before stepping forward.

At first her chains lit up a dim glittery gold color in warning of her trespassing. She barely felt them around her neck pulling on her as she entered the Keep further. Next was the pain. Her golden chains then burned her skin enough to hear it sizzle under the restraints. Morgana pushed one more step for the Prince to see before retreating back to the terrace area.

Morgana was sure to be silent through the burning sensation as she quickly fell back in an attempt to escape the pain faster. Her chains faded as she stepped back. Warm steady hands caught her as she did and pulled her off to the side in case anyone saw her enter. Morgana clutched to her neck where the skin was most sensitive to the burning sensation.

The Prince had one arm wrapped around Morgana's waist to steady her while the other cupped the base of her neck as her back pressed to his front. Morgana felt something start to tickle her at her lower back and quickly spiral up her spine. She squirmed in the Prince's arms letting out an involuntary whimper. Her eyes were now filled with tears as the sensation in her spine repeated causing her to arch her back against him. Morgana knew her face was red with embarrassment as her breathing was unsteady.

"Just breathe, Morgana," Prince Anduin whispered in her ear as he held her tighter. "Your wounds are healed, even your bruised ribs."

Morgan attempted to talk but her words still came out in a breathless voice, "Thank you, Your Highness."

She closed her eyes for a moment, completely rested against him. When she was ready she sighed heavily before leaning forward. Morgana held one hand to her forehead already feeling the after effect of the Light; dizziness. Soon the inability to concentrate would come; the deep haze.

Why am I like this?

The Prince stood before her now offering her a hand, "I think you and I are close enough now where formalities can end."

Morgana shook her head profusely, "I could never."

"We'll work on it then," he replied before reaching down and helping her up. "It really is quite annoying when all you're trying to do is converse with someone that never says your name, only your title."

Morgana looked at him then and immediately felt the haze set in. She glanced back down to the ground then making sure she was still standing. Morgana's sense of balance was off as she then realized her hand was still in his.

She attempted to take her hand back but the Prince held it until Morgana held his gaze.

"It's Anduin," he repeated for her.

"Maybe to others," Morgana answered, slowly shaking her head. "But you and I will never be equals to where I can call you that."

"And why aren't we equals other than my rank?" he asked, still holding onto her hand.

"Power," Morgana answered simply. "Look at what you just did to me."

The Prince was silent for a moment. He released her hand but remained near knowing her sense of balance was off.

"But look at what those did to you," he said, now reminded of why he had to use his powers. "What were those?"

"They're called Invisible Irons," Morgana answered. "They were used way back in the day for holding slaves or prisoners."

"That's all that's preventing you from entering the Keep?" he asked looking back at the threshold Morgana couldn't pass over.

She nodded.

"How do you remove them?"

"I don't know," she answered. "But it doesn't really matter tonight, you are the only one that thinks I should be in there."

"You were the one that-"

"I know," Morgana interrupted.

Her eyes went wide for a moment realizing who she interrupted so abruptly, "Forgive me."

"But no one else in there seems to remember that," Morgana continued. "I'm sure both the King of Gilneas and the King of the Alliance were there; but Farron is present to take the credit for it, and that's all anyone should care about."

The Prince collected his thoughts before speaking, "Do you not want to be there?"

"If I'm being honest…" Morgana trailed off before looking to the Prince.

"Please, speak freely," he smiled.

Morgana chose her words wisely, "There are too many people in that room that intimidate me."

Prince Anduin let out a laugh, "Many people find my father intimidating."

Morgana laughed with him, "So I'm fine with being out here."

She sighed taking in a good moment before she started walking across the grassy field.

"Back to your post?" he asked, sounding slightly disappointed.

"They'll come looking for you soon and I really don't need them knowing you're talking to me," she answered sizing up the tree to get up to her perch.

The Prince chuckled lightly, "Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

Morgana turned her head to look at him, "I don't need people jumping to conclusions."

"Because when a man and a woman are close that means they're together?" he challenged.

Morgana laughed lightly through her nose, "Is that not how you and Lady B'nargin are?"

She waited but heard nothing.

Morgana jumped and turned to see him with a large grin on her face, "Checkmate!"