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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Um...

[ About that.]

... I haven't. I mean, I think I should, it's just... I'm worried that he'd be worried, he kept telling me not to tell anyone, so...

[ You know. Awkward. ]

[At least Merlin's upfront about his reasons this time, though Arthur isn't necessarily happy about them.]

You know you can't keep it from him forever. This trinket is small enough to conceal, but if there's a bigger problem we face later...

[If the three of them have to work together, he means.]

I know.

[ Merlin drops his eyes to frown at this hands, fidgets a little. ]

I do, I just... He was so sure you could never know, and... I don't want him to feel useless. To doubt himself.

[Most times, Arthur doesn't need a reminder to know how soft-hearted his manservant is, but admissions like this still take him by surprise.]

You'd think he would be happy to be wrong this once. [If he sounds suddenly sharp, it's because he feels stung that Gaius doubted him that much.]

He will be! I know he will be, he'll be proud of you, it's just...

[ It's just difficult. With Uther. With all the complication. With everything that's happened to him. ]

Gaius has been like a father to me. You know Camelot's laws as well as anyone, Arthur. You know Uther will not listen, Gaius does not fear without reason.

[Arthur’s jaw clenches. Of course he knows. It’s still a sore point with him, that his father has apparently lost all the trust of even his closest advisors. That his father’s mistakes are now becoming his mistakes.

Arthur splashes some warm water onto his face, distracting himself from those thoughts.]

Fine. [He says, finally.] We’ll tell Gaius later.

[ Merlin flinches a little at the reaction, fidgeting with the trinket a little before setting it aside. Now Arthur is upset with him. This is... not exactly hope he envisioned all this going. ]

I'm sorry.

[ For what? For everything, really. The guilt of it all gnaws at him from the inside out. ]

I know it's not your fault. It can't be easy to... hear.

[ But Arthur has to know how, doesn't he? It can't be kept from him forever. He frowns unhappily, the awkwardness of the situation leaving him at a bit of a loss now. ]

["It's not your fault"--Arthur could almost laugh.]

If only everyone else thought the same. Don't worry, Merlin. I think I'm starting to get used to getting the blame for what my father's done.

[Arthur swipes his wet hair out of his face.]

I'm a Pendragon, too, just like he is. If I'm to change anything, it won't be done while I'm...wallowing.

[ That's not... good...

Merlin hesitates. then grabs a footstool and drags it over to sit by Arthur's tub. It might be considered a little bit strange to be chatting away so close to him while he bathes but, well, he also dresses him. It's not as if he's unused to Arthur in an undressed state. ]

It won't, and you will -- change things, that is. For the better. I know you will. Then people will recognise you for what you've done, not what your father has. I promise. You'll be good at it.

[Arthur stares intently at Merlin for a moment, unable to make sense of the tangle of emotions his words have evoked. So, he does what he can to break the sudden heaviness of the atmosphere: flicking some water at Merlin, like the mature prince that he is.

Arthur smirks.]

The word of one man. But I suppose that's better than nothing.

[ ... You...

You are the rudest man, Arthur Pendragon. Merlin blinks in surprise, water dripping from his skin, then gives a cynical tilt of his head. ]

You're right, just ignore everything I said. I take it all back. You'll be terrible.

Edited (that word was too modern oops) 2014-07-11 12:52 (UTC)

[That's much better. Arthur snorts, settling back into his bath with a small splash of water.]

It's just water. Dry it off with a towel if you're so bothered.

[Or Merlin could just his magic, couldn't he? Arthur pauses, the words hovering just on the edge of his tongue, but he swallows them back at the last moment.

He isn't ready for that just yet. He waves a lazy hand at the many cupboards across the room.]

There should be one in there you can use.

[ How magnanimous of you, Arthur. Merlin rolls his eyes and paces over to grab down a towel, rubbing it over his face to dry himself off a little. ]

Thank you, Sire.

[ He says, with deference he never actually employs.

His eyes flash gold a little somewhere behind the towel and a little water flicks up from the bath into Arthur's face. ]

[Arthur yelps when the water splashes his face—it’s surprise more than anything, but he’s indignant either way.]

Merlin!

[Someone should probably run while Arthur’s still stuck in the water, unable to chase after him right away.]

Hmmm?

[ This is his best innocent look. Who, him? Do something bad? No, never! ]

[Arthur glowers at him, clearly sulking. Then, he smirks as he remembers something.]

Just remember you’re the one cleaning up this mess.

[He pointedly splashes some water over the side of the tub as he lathers up some soap.]

[ Such a petty man. Merlin scowls, looping the towel about his neck for a moment. ]

If you slip and die, don't you blame me.

[ But he's grabbing for a cloth to dry it up anyway, because it is technically his job. Also, he doesn't mind quite as much as he claims. ]

Anyway, what do you want to do with it? The charm.

[Now that’s the question, isn’t it? Arthur frowns, giving the question some serious thought. Though it sounds as if Merlin and Gaius have been concealing things well enough on their own, they have also both been accused of sorcery before. Perhaps it’s time they both stop taking the risk.]

We’ll find some container for it and leave it in my room, along with any other artefact you might find later. My father’s proven that even years of loyal service will not make him see reason when it comes to magic.

[Arthur’s expression darkens.] He’s less likely to have my chambers searched than Gaius’. It will be safer in my hands.

You're sure?

[ He squeezes water out of the cloth into a bucket, dries the floor a little more before pulling a face. ]

Suppose if they find it here you can always blame me anyway. Tell them I found out somewhere and didn't know what it was, gave it to you or something.

No one's going to be blaming you, Merlin, if I can help it.

[So what if his voice goes a little sharper than he'd intended? He might bully Merlin all the time, but Merlin is under his protection now, and he'll be damned if even his father will bring him down with his madness.

Arthur splashes some water onto his face to break the tension.]

I'm sure, Merlin.

That mean we can blame you for everything now instead?

[ Worth a try. ]

[Excuse you. Arthur reaches out, mussing up Merlin’s hair with one hand.]

I wouldn’t put it that far, Merlin. I’m certain we can still find things to blame you for.

[An amused tilt of his head.]

The cupboard is a mess, for one. And how long has it been since you’ve cleaned my hunting knives?

Not long enough.

[ He wrinkles his nose and smooths his hair down as best he can. ]

But all right. Hide it here then. Lock it in a cupboard or something. Not as if many people but us grace your chambers anyway, sire.

[ Is that a slight jab at Arthur's total lack of exciting love life.

Might be. ]

[IGNORING YOU.]

Unlike you, Merlin, they actually listen to me and don’t go nosing about where they’re not supposed to. [Shooting Merlin a look here.] It’s still a mystery to me, how often I find you rummaging through my belongings, and yet my chambers are nowhere as clean as they should be.

Hoping to find all the things you lost, is all.

[ Eh? ]

Good taste, dignity, charm...

[ Merlin. ]

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edhwierfan - 2014-10-09 15:02 (UTC) - Expand

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