bitchprince | Citadel Overlooking Camelot, Sunday Afternoon

Occasionally, Arthur had an hour or so to spare in between his duties. Sometimes, especially these days, he liked to come up here when he did so, peering out from the parapets and onto the streets below. Today was such a day; he'd climbed up here on his own, shirking his heavy jacket somewhere along the line.

He propped his foot up on the battlement, leaning one shoulder against a merlon. He'd had a lot on his mind, these days: Morgana's newly-revealed magic, the king's inability to relent in the face of innocent magic users (so far, he told himself, repeatedly. He wasn't about to give up on his father yet), the everpresent danger of Merlin being compromised somehow.

Lost in thought, he wasn't really paying attention to his surroundings, so much.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

bitchprince

There was a very short pause. "...What, in winter?"

No, seriously, don't talk metaphysical at Arthur. You didn't like him for his understanding of poetry, Merlin.

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

This was distressingly true.

"Um. Yes."

From:

bitchprince

"...You know it's still a fair few weeks before fall even sets in," said Arthur, giving him a funny look.

Which also meant it was Arthur's birthday in about a fortnight, but he'd rather not think about that, thank you.

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

Merlin gave him a pat on the shoulder. "It was a metaphor."

From:

bitchprince

Arthur groaned. "Just say what you're thinking," he said, "Leave the poetry to the poets." Who Arthur would leave to whatever they did that wasn't talking to him, thank you.

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

Sighing, Merlin shook his head. "You really don't want to know."

From:

bitchprince

"Oh, come on," Arthur said, nudging him again. "If you're going to sulk in my presence, you might as well tell me."

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

"That I think of your father's reign as a particularly harsh winter?"

From:

bitchprince

He exhaled. "It's not that bad," he said. "The kingdom's safe, at least. He just needs to be talked out of certain misconceptions."

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

"If that's even possible," Merlin muttered under his breath.

From:

bitchprince

"I have to believe he can be," Arthur said, studiously, and stared out over the village. "He's not unreasonable."

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

Merlin opened his mouth to say something about that but thought better of it. It could only end in a fight. "Right."

From:

bitchprince

Arthur rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "I thought I told you 'out with it', Merlin."

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

"He's your father, Arthur."

From:

bitchprince

"Yes," Arthur said, dryly, "I was aware of that."

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

"I know." Merlin grimaced, shaking his head as he stood up. "I should bring those herbs to Gaius."

From:

bitchprince

"Merlin," Arthur said, and reached for his wrist before he went anywhere.

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

"You have to believe that," Merlin blurted.

From:

bitchprince

"Believe what?"

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

"That he will listen to reason," Merlin replied slowly.

From:

bitchprince

"And I do," Arthur said, giving Merlin's wrist a quick tug, towards himself. "Honestly, Merlin."

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

"I don't," Merlin replied quietly, pulling his wrist back.

From:

bitchprince

He let Merlin's wrist slip from his grasp. "You of all people would have the right to doubt him," Arthur said, but not after a prolonged silence, during which all kinds of thoughts briefly rummaged through his brain.

Two years ago, he'd have told Merlin to shut up, not to insult the king's ability to reason.

From:

bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com

"I just worry for the day you seriously do oppose him on something," Merlin said, holding his hand against his chest as he looked out at the surrounding town and fields.

From:

bitchprince

"Father has often welcomed my counsel," a few troll-caused blips notwithstanding, "...and I am his only heir. He won't dispose of me that easily." Though there was a hint of insecurity in there. There'd always been, but ever since Catrina, it had slowly been growing worse. "And if it does escalate, we'll see what happens. No use in fearing hypotheticals."