mixingbowl | one little change at a time

one little change at a time

[Since Merlin revealed his magic, Arthur's been somewhat at a loss. They carry on with their usual antics, Arthur making a mess for Merlin wherever he goes, Merlin cleaning up after him (poorly). Occasionally, they'll share a silent look when the topic of sorcery comes up, but other than that...nothing seems to have changed.

At least, until now.

The sorcerer they'd caught earlier in the day had been carrying a charm, a pendant of some sort that Arthur had had to pry away from him. Luckily, his soldiers had not noticed anything amiss by the time they'd arrived, and Arthur had been able to pocket the trinket on a whim. The stone and chain had felt like a brand, a heavy weight in his pocket as he'd reported to his father and left all mentions of it out.

Now, as he's waiting for Merlin to bring his supper, Arthur twirls his dagger in his hand to lift the mood that's fallen over him.]

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[ Merlin bustles in, slightly late and harried and trying to balance things and kick open the door at the same time. ]

Sorry, sorry, Gaius needed a hand with something and then I -- lost track of time --

[ He sets down the plate in front of Arthur, juggles the wine and goblet and sets them down carefully before filling it. ]

What's wrong?

[ His eyes dart between Arthur and the goblet as he fills it, setting it down carefully afterward and vaguely rubbing his hands on his trousers. Is Arthur angry he's late? How late is he? Not that late, surely, it can't be... ]

Never mind that. I've grown used to your tardiness by now.

[Arthur sets the dagger aside, sliding it onto the table with a swift look at his servant.]

Lock the door.

[He'll be taking a sip from that goblet while he waits.]

Uh --

[ Merlin shoots a look around the room warily, frowns back at Arthur before pacing over to quickly lock the door -- glancing over his shoulder and hesitating before letting his voice lower. ]

Arthur? What's going on?

[ Is there a spy is there a plot to kill Arthur is there a traitor in Camelot why do these things keep happening? Merlin hates that all of the above are entirely possible. '

Calm down. [Ironic how he's saying that when he's technically breaking the law himself. However, now that he knows his father's judgment is less than sound, he feels less guilty about doing this. Marginally less guilty.]

I wanted to be certain we wouldn't be interrupted.

[Arthur fishes the pendant out of his desk and drops it onto the table.]

What does this do?

... Oh --

[ Merlin takes a step toward the desk, tilts his head at it in catlike curiousity and carefully picks it up. ]

Where did you get this?

[ He lifts it a little higher so the light catches it, watching it rotate slowly. There's something oddly hypnotic about it. Arthur must have got it from -- the sorcerer, haha, sorcerer who was arrested and Merlin shoots Arthur an awkward frown before steeling himself and focusing on the markings. ]

It's -- a protective charm, I think, although I -- don't understand all of this. I'd have to look it up.

[ ... Er, you know, in the books he definitely does not have on magic. Merlin shifts uncomfortably, unsure how much he is allowed to say or do. ]

The sorcerer used magic to steal from and injure the people selling their wares in the market, Merlin. I may be more willing to listen than before, but a crime is still a crime.

I took the trinket from him before my soldiers arrived. He reached for it as I was arresting him, and I thought he was drawing a weapon at the time.

[Now Merlin gets a look as Arthur sets his goblet down.]

Look it up where? Surely I don't need to tell you Geoffrey watches anyone who touches his books like a hawk.

... Um.

[ Merlin hesitates visibly again, rubbing the chain of the trinket nervously between his fingers. ]

I have... some... books. In my chambers.

[ Oh, suddenly this trinket is so fascinating that he can't possibly look up from it. Don't mind him, minutely examining it. Waiting for Arthur to get angry. ]

You have books. Magical books. Despite them being illegal. Of course you do.

[Arthur can't even bring himself to be surprised. Why wouldn't Merlin have magical books when he's already a sorcerer practicing magic in Camelot?]

Fine. Look it up in your room if you must.

Not that many?

[ Which makes it better, obviously. He cringes, though, clearly feeling guilty about all of this. ]

I -- just -- well, there were a lot of things I didn't understand, and I wanted to help, and --

[ He'll. Just. Shut up now. Merlin raises his eyes awkwardly, gives a nervous smile. ]

Sorry.

[Good God. The way Merlin's practically shrinking away from him makes Arthur want to rub at his temples. It seems Merlin still hasn't learned to trust Arthur completely yet. Arthur leans forward.]

I haven't turned you in for being a sorcerer, nor for using magic numerous times within Camelot's borders. It'd be unreasonable if I punished you now for looking into this magical item when it's what you and Gaius have been doing all this time already.

[aaaand Arthur stops, narrowing his eyes.]

Gaius already knows, doesn't he?

[ Merlin nods, a little miserably, as if resigned to Arthur's displeasure. ]

That's why I came here. To Camelot. I think... my mother knew he'd help me, that... there was something more for me than what Ealdor could give.

[ He hesitates again, takes a few cautious steps forward and sinks into a chair -- eyes down as he fidgets with the trinket still. He looks like a child, almost, awaiting punishment. ]

She said I could move things with my mind long before I could walk or talk.

[Before this, Arthur had wondered why Hunith would send Merlin to Camelot. Surely, as Merlin's mother, she would have known of her boy's talents, and Camelot was no place for a magic user.

Now, seeing Merlin look so small in his chair, Arthur thinks he understand just a little. Hadn't Merlin himself said he'd never fit in? It's far from a perfect solution, but if Gaius could give Merlin guidance...]

A trouble maker from the start. I should have known.

[ He lets out a little huff of amusement at that, shrugs. ]

I suppose.

[ Merlin lifts his eyes after a second, studies Arthur -- expression pulling into something more serious. More earnest. ]

But what is the point of having this if I can't use it?

So you've said.

[Merlin's giving him that wounded, earnest look again, and Arthur tries not to feel too guilty. It's true Merlin's had his fair share of suffering because of the kingdom's laws, but he's also lied to Arthur for a good while. Arthur reminds himself of this before meeting Merlin's gaze again.]

Find out what the pendant does first. No magic yet. [He gives Merlin a stern look.] If it's dangerous and needs to be destroyed ["with magic" he says wordlessly] we'll deal with it together.

[ Merlin nods quickly, glancing down at the trinket before stowing it away in the folds of his clothing. ]

I'll work it out, I promise. Thank you.

[ For trusting him with something, however little. ]

Don’t thank me just yet, Merlin. We still don’t remember what it is, remember.

[With that out of the way, Arthur feels a bit lighter as he raises his goblet to his lips and drinks deeply.]

While you’re on the way, tell Leon to gather the knights on the training field. Do you think you and Gaius will have an idea what we’re dealing with by the time we’re done?

(ooc: time skip after he leaves?)

Edited 2014-05-28 21:51 (UTC)

Yes, of course. It shouldn't take long.

[ Merlin gives Arthur a quick nod, checks himself quickly to make sure the trinket is secure before making for the door to find Leon.

He works it out even more Arthur is done with his training. There had only been one word he wasn't sure of (unfortunately the very key word in the description) and once he figures it out it makes perfect sense.

Then he tests it. Gaius doesn't think it's funny. Merlin thinks it's hilarious.

He doesn't mention it right away when Arthur gets back, busies himself helping him out of his hauberk and dressing him down properly before he flicks a faint smile.]

I worked it out. Oh, um. Do you want me to lock the door again?

[ It's honestly something short of a miracle Merlin has kept his secret as long as this. ]

[It's honestly a miracle Merlin's kept his secret this long, Arthur thinks as he watches Merlin fumble about. He clicks his tongue.]

Bath first, then we talk. Unless you think it's too urgent to ignore?

[Admittedly, Arthur's curious, but he's also fairly dirty and tired from practice. His creature comforts win out in the end, and Arthur eyes Merlin dubiously.]

You did have a bath sent up, didn't you?

Um...

[ That's a no, then. Merlin winces apologetically. ]

Sorry, sorry, I got distracted thinking about --

[ About magic and trinkets and showing Arthur things. He hesitates, glances at Arthur, and in his hesitation is a visible moment of thought. A moment where he tries to decide something.

The decision is actually easier than he realised. He trusts Arthur. Merlin glances over at the door and holds out a hand. His eyes flash gold and it swings shut and locks itself. ]

I'll fix it, don't worry.

[ He promised no secrets, no more lies, and -- well, Merlin shouldn't keep hiding when it's just Arthur, should he? Arthur needs to experience magic to get used to it. He needs to see it to understand. So Merlin paces over to the tub and holds out a hand over it. The trick now will be to make sure he doesn't either get water everywhere or something ridiculous. ]

[Arthur can feel himself tensing up instinctively as Merlin calls up his magic. It's not that he hasn't seen the magic before, but when has it ever been used for anything so inane as locking the door and filling a tub? Even when Merlin had used it to grow a flower last time, Arthur had been too shocked to properly appreciate it.

Pushing aside the wariness, he approaches the tub and eyes the water. When he sticks his hand into the water, he finds the temperature is just about perfect.]

To think you've been able to do this all along.

[Meaning he wouldn't have had to suffer through lukewarm or too-hot baths before. It's a ridiculous thing to be focusing on when it's magic, but he still grumbles some all the same.]

[ Merlin drops his eyes and smiles a little, enjoying what Arthur isn't saying. What is underneath his reaction. The wonder at his magic, and the appreciation. ]

It's not that hard.

[ No way is Merlin admitting that it's sort of a fluke he hasn't made it hot enough to turn or overflowed it everywhere. ]

[Arthur snorts, cuffing Merlin's head.]

And you say I'm arrogant.

[His eyes seem serious as they study Merlin, though. If he had to, Arthur would find it difficult to name another instance where Merlin had looked so confident in his own abilities.]

Because you are.

[ He grins, though, letting Arthur's teasing go. It feels comfortable, more like what he's used to. More like things were before. More like things should be. ]

Want to give it a try, then? Promise it won't bite.

[ He cats around for cloth Arthur can wash and dry with and starts vaguely fussing with the various flowery scents. ]

Come on, get yourself smelling sweeter than Morgana.

[Arthur scowls and waves him off before he can start putting anything fragrant into the water.]

For God's sake, Merlin. I want to get clean, not douse myself in perfume.

[He's not a girl like Morgana, okay.]

Where did you even get those anyway? I'm certain I own nothing of the sort.

You can get clean and also smell good. Anyway it's meant to be relaxing or something. You could do with some relaxing.

[ Merlin squints at one vial, then the other, then up at Arthur. He raises an eyebrow. ]

Need some help?

[ Baths are meant to be taken wearing a little less than Arthur is. ]

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Timeskip it is

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