Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "let my people go."

Corinth (burnishmebright) wrote in utr_logs,
@ 2011-03-03 18:58:00

Entry tags:

arthur pendragon, merlin

Who: Merlin and Arthur
Where: Outside Buckingham Palace
What: Arthur has a lot of questions
Warnings: Nah.

Arthur had been made to wash and change clothing to the Queen's liking. He was wearing a dark suit with a burgundy tie. It's not that it was any less comfortable than what he was used to wearing, it just pulled differently. He shifted, tugging at the edges uncomfortably. It would take some time to adjust.

Insisting on a walk, he'd finally made it outside of the castle, making his way to the gardens. It was strange being in an unfamiliar palace. At least at home if he needed to sneak around, he knew who to watch out for. Not that he frequently needed to sneak. He walked along the path, looking back and forth furtively for Merlin. "Merlin?" he whispered at the shubbery.

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	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-04 01:53 am UTC (link)
	Merlin had been waiting for ages when he finally heard Arthur. "Over here," Merlin called from a few feet away. "Finally got away?" Merlin looked Arthur over, he looked uncomfortable, not that he could blame him. He still wasn't too comfortable with the new strange clothes. (Reply to this) (Thread)

burnishmebright
2011-03-04 03:01 am UTC (link)

Arthur ducked over to Merlin, feeling relieved. "Merlin! Finally, yes." He ran a hand over the back of his hair, a little disturbed by the level of 'product' in it.

"Right. You said you would explain things." Arthur didn't even know where to start. "What are you wearing?" he asked, tilting his head and wrinkling his nose. "Nevermind. So... What exactly is this place?"

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	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-04 03:24 am UTC (link)
	"This is what people wear here." He responded. "Well, we've basically been transported to another world. It's 2011. I think your father explained some of it. Was there anything else? I've been here a while, so just let me know." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burnishmebright
2011-03-04 03:57 am UTC (link)

"Transported to another.." Arthur frowned. "Father explained that we have different... identities. Merlin, there's a woman that thinks I'm going to marry her. She seems nice enough, but it's gotten to the point where I suspect any beautiful woman that professes her love for me is a sorceress." He gave a half-chuckle.

He frowned, not sure what to ask. "Uh.. He mentioned.. Did you know anything about Morgana?" He still found it hard to believe that she could betray Camelot. He'd cared about Morgana. They had their differences, but he thought they were close.

Mostly he couldn't believe that he was putting himself in Merlin's hand, seeking information from his servant. Sure they had been in a number of scrapes together, and Arthur appreciated him for that, in a certain way. But asking Merlin was naive, and asking him for advice about the world was ridiculous. He was in his own little world most of the time.

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hiddenwarlock
2011-03-04 06:53 pm UTC (link)

"It's really hard to explain, but there's not really Camelot here. And really, you should be able to get out of that. I would think you could. I'm sure we can think of something." He didn't mention that it was entirely possible for her to be a sorceress with a world like this.

"Um, I saw that. I don't know anything about that. Last I knew Morgana was completely loyal to your father, if she maybe disagreed with him occasionally. I can't imagine her betraying Camelot." Though, Uther would probably consider it betraying Camelot if he found out about her Sight.

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burnishmebright
2011-03-04 07:13 pm UTC (link)

Arthur frowned, conflicted. On the one hand, of course he didn't want to marry a total stranger. There was only one woman he really wanted to marry. On the other hand, someone had given Arthur's word for him, and how would it look for a prince to go back on that? "I'll speak to her. Try to explain. If I can convince her I'm not who she thinks I am, maybe she'll be willing to make a mutual decision to end it." What a mess.

He sighed. If only he could convince himself that his father was simply crazy, and he and Merlin were in the right. It probably shouldn't bother him so, but he couldn't help dwelling on it. "Is Gwen here?"

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	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-04 08:24 pm UTC (link)
	Merlin nodding, hoping that would work. It would be the easiest solution. "Let me know if there's anything I can do." Merlin bit his lip. "No, not yet. Who knows, though, she could show up any day." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burnishmebright
2011-03-04 08:32 pm UTC (link)

"Maybe there's hope. Father isn't the king here, and if this other prince could marry whoever he wished.." Arthur would probably still seek his father's approval, though, and Uther was stubborn in his beliefs. Still, Arthur would choose to be hopeful. It wasn't exactly an issue now, since Gwen wasn't here.

"Right.. Well. We should go about getting you set up to be my servant here!" he said, slapping Merlin on the back. He was completely ignoring Merlin's earlier hesitation.

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hiddenwarlock
2011-03-04 08:37 pm UTC (link)

"See, good side to all of this."

"Arthur. I really. I'm not sure." He knew this was coming, but he really had no idea how to handle it now that it had. He didn't want to be Arthur's servant. He had too many other things to do. His school was getting tough, and then there was Nimue and her wanting to 'adopt' Mordred. He felt like he needed to help with all that. "I don't think this is a good idea."

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burnishmebright
2011-03-05 02:02 am UTC (link)

Arthur frowned, clearly disappointed. He crossed his arms over his chest. But Merlin had to be his servant! He trusted Merlin. And he was used to him. And he'd grown fond of him. He would prefer to have Merlin around.

"Don't be stupid, Merlin. It won't be as bad. No armor to polish. You won't even have to worry about the stables. You just have to... you know.. do what you do." Arthur wasn't exactly sure what that was. "Come on!"

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	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-05 02:01 pm UTC (link)
	Merlin just opened and closed his mouth. He threw up his arms in defeat. "As long as it doesn't interfere with my school schedule." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burnishmebright
2011-03-05 08:54 pm UTC (link)

Arthur brightened when Merlin agreed, however reluctantly. "You know, I always thought you liked--"

He was interrupted when a woman and a child in a cloak appeared in front of them, out of thin air. Nimue was bent forward over the child, and her eyes widened when she saw Merlin and Arthur. "Damn," she said. To her credit, her face didn't show any recognition to Merlin. She was trying to help him keep his cover. An astute observer might notice the blood on her sleeve. "Run!" she said to the child. They stood up and started running away from the prince and his servant.

"Wha--" Arthur was surprised. He hadn't seen magic use that blatant. After a moment's staring, he reached to his belt for his sword--the sword that wasn't there. "Bloody ridiculous!" he swore. How was he supposed to protect the kingdom without a sword? Well, what else could he do? He started to run in the direction the woman and child had gone.

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	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-05 10:57 pm UTC (link)
	Merlin saw Nimue and Mordred and completely forgot the conversation. He saw the blood and instantly wondered what trouble they had gotten into. He saw Arthur reach for his sword and was glad he didn't have one. Then Arthur ran after them. "Arthur, wait! Stop!" He yelled after him and started running after them. This was not good. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burnishmebright
2011-03-06 12:38 am UTC (link)

Nimue and Mordred had a head start, but they wouldn't be able to maintain their lead very long. Arthur was a trained knight, and Nimue looked drained.

Arthur turned his head to look at Merlin, slowing down but not coming to a complete halt. "It was magic, Merlin! Who knows what they're trying to do! We have to stop them!"

Nimue and Mordred took a sharp turn and ducked behind some bushes. There was a flash of light.

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	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-06 01:39 am UTC (link)
	"Yes, magic. Arthur... it's a bit more common here. It's not outlawed like in Camelot," he was running as fast as he could to keep up. "And I'm pretty sure they're gone anyway," he said, pointing at the flash of light and stopping, leaning over to catch his breath. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burnishmebright
2011-03-06 03:20 am UTC (link)

Arthur came to a stop, looking over at the bushes. "Damn," he said, not breathing much harder than normal. After all, he was used to running in armor. "I wonder what they were after," he said, mostly to himself as he started to pace.

"More common here?" he asked. "They just let sorcerers and enchantresses roam freely, wreaking havoc on people's lives?" He couldn't imagine the chaos that would cause.

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	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-07 02:47 am UTC (link)
	"They don't tend to wreak havoc on people. No more than people without magic. They're generally pretty helpful." He knew Arthur probably wouldn't believe him, but more of a chance than with his father. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burnishmebright
2011-03-07 04:29 am UTC (link)

Arthur tilted his head, looking at Merlin with some confusion. "But Merlin, you've seen the chaos magic caused in Camelot. How many people tried to kill Father? Or me? You've said it yourself, remember? You were the one that talked sense into me after Morgause tried to convince me to kill Father."

He frowned. "I suppose this place could be different..." he said, sounding unconvinced.

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hiddenwarlock
2011-03-17 09:21 pm UTC (link)

"Maybe some of them were just trying to survive. Not that killing or trying to kill is ever right, but your father hunted them. Not that it makes things better, but maybe they aren't all bad. Maybe we just noticed the ones that were bad because they tried to kill people. You don't see the ones that are trying to help people." He knew he was rambling, but he couldn't help it.

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burnishmebright
2011-03-17 11:37 pm UTC (link)

"So it's my father's fault?" Arthur asked, folding his arms. Though he could begin to see Merlin's logic, he couldn't admit it. And he could see Merlin was quickly backing away from the point, which was probably easier on them both. "Right. I'm sure they're off making rainbows appear and pulling rabbits out of the air." He wasn't convinced, but at least he was less gung-ho and more petulant child.

"I'll believe it when I see it."

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hiddenwarlock
2011-03-17 11:50 pm UTC (link)

Merlin winced. "That's not what I'm saying. I don't mean it like that at all. It. Well, people have tried to kill you with a sword. people have tried to kill your father with a sword. You don't think everyone who has a sword is evil. You use a sword as did the other knights you served with. Magic is just a tool, like a sword. You can use it to defend people, or kill them."

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burnishmebright
2011-03-17 11:57 pm UTC (link)

This was interesting, watching Merlin toy around with logic. He nearly said something derisive about servants before he remembered that Merlin had basically agreed back on as a favor to him, and he should try not to offend the man too badly. "Right. Beginning to see what they're teaching you in that school of yours." He still sounded annoyed and like he didn't quite believe the concept.

"Still. It's all theoretical until I see magic used for good."

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	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-18 12:17 am UTC (link)
	He smiled a little. "Yeah, they actually teach some magic control and all that to students are born with it. I've seen some amazing things. Healing, sheilds, even simple things like cooking." He was rambling again. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	burnishmebright 2011-03-18 12:20 am UTC (link)
	Arthur's eyes widened. He'd only meant that it sounded like Merlin had been given some instruction in logic classes. Philosophy, and all that. "You're going to a magic school?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-18 12:34 am UTC (link)
	Merlin opened and closed his mouth "It's not really a 'magic' school. More like an average school where they have a few classes for magically inclined students. Other students. I just learn math and reading and that kind of thing." He felt a little bad for flat out lying but it couldn't really be helped. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	burnishmebright 2011-03-18 03:22 am UTC (link)
	Arthur quirked an eyebrow. The whole premise was crazy, but he trusted Merlin. "This place really is mad," he said, shaking his head. Teaching children magic? But, again. The world hadn't collapsed, the castle hadn't caught on fire. "Well... Maybe it's different here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-19 01:56 am UTC (link)
	"Mad doesn't begin to describe it. It's very different, but I don't think you'll have too much trouble, really." Thelast part was said a little quickly, as if to spyware appease Arthur. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	burnishmebright 2011-03-19 04:52 am UTC (link)
	Arthur chuckled and clapped Merlin on the back, shaking his head. "We'll see." He supposed he'd have to keep an open mind. Merlin seemed pretty well accumulated, with the small head start he'd had. Surely if Merlin could do it, he couldn't have too much trouble. "Let's go inside and see about getting you on staff." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hiddenwarlock 2011-03-19 11:27 pm UTC (link)
	Merlin shrugged, "Alright, let's go." He followed Arthur inside, half expecting he would regret this. (Reply to this) (Parent)