edhwierfan: (The people expect their prince to fight)
Arthur Pendragon ([personal profile] edhwierfan) wrote in [community profile] mixingbowl2014-05-15 06:00 am

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.]
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 21)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-05-15 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 4)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-05-15 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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.
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 6)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-05-15 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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?
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 11)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-05-25 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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. ]
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 1)

Timeskip it is

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-05-28 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
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. ]
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 25)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-05-30 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
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. ]
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 20)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-05-30 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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. ]
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 1)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-06-01 02:04 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 28)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-06-02 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
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. ]
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 27)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-06-02 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I could do with a bath. What about lavender? Helps you sleep, you know, and it might help with some of the bruises you get from hitting each other for hours.

[ Known to some as training. ]
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 26)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-06-03 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
You know, saying 'thank you' doesn't actually hurt.

[ He's sniffing at one of the bottles. It's concentrate, and therefore very strong. He reels a little before recapping it. ]

Do you want to know about your trinket or not?
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 20)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-06-07 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Merlin brightens as he pulls the towel from his face, folds it and sets it aside. ]

I was right! It's actually really good --

[ And Merlin digs about in his pockets to pull it out again, because of course he carried it right back in to Arthur's chambers. Of course he did. ]

The symbol I couldn't read, I worked it out. This isn't just protective, it's defensive.
bravelyspoken: (ϟ 55)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken 2014-06-12 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I do.

[ He looks a little mischievous all of a sudden. Fumbling with the trinket Merlin fastens it around his neck, holds it for a moment as he reads out the runes. His eyes flash gold and he tilts his head in thought, then grins.]

Right!

[ He paces over to the side of the tub and grins at Arthur. It is the kind of grin where you know he's up to something. Merlin holds out his hand. ]

Try and grab me.

[ Who would even do that after the explanation? ]

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-06-21 20:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-06-23 12:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-06-25 22:32 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-06-27 20:01 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-06-30 18:09 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-07-10 23:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-07-11 00:17 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-07-11 12:52 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-07-14 16:01 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-07-19 15:37 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-08-09 14:08 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-08-29 23:55 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-09-03 23:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-09-12 11:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bravelyspoken - 2014-10-05 23:55 (UTC) - Expand