I’m probably going to revamp Merlin with a new url cause I really don’t like the tm anymore now that my other accounts are simple and to the point for urls. here’s to just trying to think of one cause all of the good ones are taken already unfortunately.
The throne room remains quiet as the Queen comes to her decision on Uther’s fate. Arthur inwardly relaxes, once Morgana makes her announcement.
The family cottage, or the castle.
The former prince snorts; he does not need to look at his father to know Uther would rather retreat to the well-stocked, lavishly-decorated, yet isolated homestead in the countryside, than remain in a palace and have to rub shoulders with sorcerers.
He would continue to visit his father though. Despite everything. Not to lean on the ex-King for guidance, nor in desperate longing for a greater attachment to a father he never really had. No, Arthur would continue to visit his father because Uther is still human. Just as Merlin said. Uther would still need company from time to time, and not only from the cows and the sheep grazing on the fields. Also, the serfs would most likely appreciate it should Uther not be left wholly in charge of the household. Arthur makes a point to speak to his sister about having a Lord appointed – to watch over the ex-King and veto any decisions he might make that could endanger his or another’s life.
Thinking to make a petition to the Queen that very moment, Arthur is blindsided by the announcement his half-sibling makes next. And you, dear brother, I expect you at my side, as the people would approve of your guidance as well.
Frowning, the prince looks over at Merlin, wordlessly desiring some kind of confirmation of what he thinks he is hearing. The Court Sorcerer, never more so behaving as Arthur’s old manservant in that moment, simply smiles and shrugs. Arthur’s eyebrows rise. Cheeky bastard. But it appears as though Merlin had not been expecting such an announcement as well as the rest of the court.
Arthur Pendragon started the day as a prisoner. He ends it as a potential King.
Looking from his oldest friend to the rest of the court, the nobles and knights, the blond finds himself unable to give an immediate answer. It feels as though the world is tilting rather oddly again, similar to how it did in the prison cell two weeks prior, when Merlin gently coaxed him out of his depression. So many lies had been spun, so many truths withheld; grotesque distortions of reality that kept Arthur from knowing his heart, from knowing what he should do.
And in the middle of it all had been Uther, the father who told his son explicitly never to trust anybody, because a King has no friends.
It takes Arthur a moment to realise that he is staring at the old man; withered grey hair and bent form more obvious, now the fire has been taken out of him. Uther is staring back at his son too, curious as to what he will do next. As if in a dream, Arthur walks over to his father, taking his hands in his again. The red lines upon Uther’s skin that marked where the iron manacles had dug in are still visible. They will take a while to fade. The blond sighs, looking up from the other man’s wrists.
“Are you not frightened father? What sort of monarch did you envisage me or my sister becoming? You may not like the man I have grown into, and I may never stop resenting what you did to me, to Morgana and to the people of this Kingdom – but that does not mean I will treat you harshly, whether as a king or confident to the queen. I am, and will always be, your son.”
“Arthur, your mother…”
The blond flinches. Time slows down, shuddering to a halt. Blood pounding in his ears, Arthur tenses; certain he can hear a faint screaming that has lingered on the edge of dreams for far longer than he can remember. The prince shakes his head, feeling faint.
Uther relents. “Your mother would have wanted to see you take the throne. I am pleased you will do so. You will be a King, and you will rule as she wanted you to. Accept the position, my son.”
Blue eyes meet steel-grey, and Arthur stills, overwhelmed by the unexpected nature of the confession. The rush of understanding that accompanies it hits the blond boy equally as hard. Because for just a moment, the bitterness in Uther is gone, and Arthur can see the man underneath all the rage and vicious spite. He sees a man that loved Ygraine de Bois fiercely, to the exclusion of everyone and everything else. A man that lost his sanity in her death. Perhaps his father in turn saw the shadow of her in his reflection, after all this time.
It is a strange turn of fate, that both Morgana and Uther would ask the same thing of him. Arthur presses his lips together, feeling the weight of expectation settling on his shoulders.
The Court still attends his decision. Arthur considers it carefully in his mind. Truthfully, he had not wanted this – leaving it all behind for a life on a farm seemed far more appealing to a man who’d just been through psychological hell – but a Prophecy, it seemed, had to be fulfilled. Rolling his eyes, the blond sighs quietly under his breath as he exchanges another glance with his old manservant (they would be having words after this) yet he turns at last to the Queen, bowing his head.
“Your Highness. I am not sure I warrant this office, but I accept.”
Raising his head, Arthur gazes at his sister. The crown on Morgana’s head looks heavy. Perhaps the metal feels lighter, when shared with another.
“For the people of Camelot, I pledge to do my upmost to make this a period of peace and tolerance.”
Merlin was just as surprised to hear the words from Uther. He had expected protests, demands that Morgana was to step down from the crown, that Arthur should be on it instead. But it seemed that Uther had finally decided that it was time for a change, even if it was one that he would not really be involved in. Merlin looked to Morgana, who looked just as surprised as he had been. However, the surprised showed more in heroes than anything else, she had always been good at hiding her emotions, after all.
“A decision has been made,” Morgana said, standing straighter than before as she spoke to Arthur and the crowd.
“Arthur will join me on the throne tomorrow evening. You all are welcome to attend and there shall be a feast, of course. Any of the leftovers from the meal will be donated to those outside who need it.”
The last bit was unexpected, but Merlin saw how everyone seemed to perk up a bit at the idea of a feast. He grinned over at Morgana and then Arthur. A feast and then they would help the people however they needed to, as things should be. Things were going to be changing very soon, it seemed.
- time skip -
The next day, the kitchens were a bustle as was the rest of the palace. Everyone was preparing for the coronation of Arthur’s crowning. They were to have a King alongside their Queen. It was under unique circumstances, but they certainly weren’t the first to do such a thing. Merlin was looking forward to it and even he was humming around more than usual as he helped where he could. He had just left Morgana’s chambers, making sure that she had everything she needed before he knocked gently at Arthur’s door before letting himself in.
It almost felt like old times again, almost. They would never go back to how things used to be, but that was okay.
“Do you need any help getting dressed, Sire?” Merlin asked as he went about tidying things up. It was a task that he did not need to do anymore and had not done in some time, but it was an old habit that would be hard to break whenever he entered Arthur’s chambers.
“How are you holding up?” He asked once he finally faced him. “You have a few hours yet until the ceremony. Are you doing okay?”This was their first chance to talk since yesterday and he wondered if there would be more to him said after the events that had taken place. Knowing Arthur, there probably would be.
But then, it seemed he might be the type to want to keep to himself after having been jailed and after everything he’d been through. Merlin wished that he could take it all back for him, that he could have been there for him too, but he wouldn’t have been able to help. Not with Uther having been on the throne.
“I heard your father is packing, but he’ll be at the feast. That’ll be different, eh? You had the front of the table instead?” He was rambling, chattering on like he used to do before everything happened. “Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing you crowned. It happened in a different way, but it’ll all work out, I’m sure of it.”
#arthurrex #v: myth and magic #v: court sorcerer #connections: merlin & arthur | arthurrex #; thread #( queue. )
The Nematon, a tree trunk that rested at a center of lay lines in Beacon Hills. It pulled Stiles and his friends in from time to time, like now. The pack had begun taking turns trying to use their strength to pull the sword. Scott had actually managed to lift the entire stone by the handle of the sword, but the sword stayed stuck.
“Your turn, Stiles”. Stiles rolled his eyes at Scott’s words.
“There is no way that I’ll be able to pull it out if you guys can’t. And don’t make that sound dirty either.”
Still, he let his friends goad him on, and easily, the sword slipped from the stone, sending out a shockwave of magical energy through the forest.
“Ah, shit. I broke it.”
Merlin knew it was only a matter of time before the sword was pulled from the stone. Why it ended up in Beacon Hills, he had no idea, but he followed the trail and there he stayed and waited while people continued to try to pull at it. Only Arthur would be able to pull the sword from the stone. Regardless of what reincarnation he might be in, not that he’d met him again yet, only he could pull it.
He’d stayed in a small house near where the stone was, small and cozy as it was. He would rather be in the cottage in his woods in London, but this was close enough, He was woken up from his slumber, a habit he’d picked up over the years, sleeping more than normal. It felt like the days of old, of the dragon whispering in his ear. But it was not the dragon this time, there were no more dragons.
Arthur
He bolted out of bed, not bothering to change as he slipped into his converse sneakers. He stumbled through until he found the group. A boy with dark hair and a magical sort of energy about him had pulled the sword from the stone.
“Arthur?”
Merlin’s eyes were wide with shock. Was it possible for Arthur to change appearance? He supposed with magic at work, he shouldn’t be surprised at all. This was going to certainly take some getting used to.
“I know I don’t,” Gwen smiled. “Yes, everyone’s getting a glass, and I’m not the only person filling them,” she added, gesturing to the other citadel staff–mainly the scullery maids and kitchen staff–going about the field and running in and out of the great stone building for more water and other ways of keeping cool. “No need to worry for me, Merlin. I have plenty of water right here.” She reached into a bulging pocket of her apron to pull a water skin halfway out, then dropped it back into the pocket.
He lifted a brow at her hidden pocket, pleased but surprised. “Good. Don’t want Arthur snapping at me for hogging the water when you should be getting some too. You know how he is.” Particularly about Guinevere, he was loathsome about her most of the time even though he’d pretty much been friends with her first. “Thank you again, Gwen. I appreciate it, truly. You’re a star.” If he was daring, he would’ve leaned over to his her on the cheek, but as it was, she was standing and he was sure he would’ve earned a scolding about that from the King too. “Are you staying out here much longer to watch the knights practice?” I’m sure they’d love a moment to show off to you.”
The day’s trek has been hard on the princess but Artemis is not one to let that show. Following Merlin, she lets her lover lead them further into the wilderness, passing over rivers and streams, clearing forests and walking through meadows filled with wildflowers. The constant sound of nature is all around them, from the chirping birds to the buzzing insects. It allays any fears Artemis may have had that their footsteps were being following by bandits, or worse, her father’s men.
Ygraine of course needs to eat and be changed regularly. Artemis winces each time she sits up again after a feeding, her breasts swelling with more milk for her newborn, almost instantaneously after she is drained. Merlin, for his part, is kind and considerate with her, refusing to crack any jokes or make light of her situation. A more caring partner perhaps, could not be found.
As night falls and Merlin prepares them a nice little spot to camp and eat for the night, Artemis takes her place on a log before the fire, letting Ygraine feed again for the last time that day. Yawning, the princess rests her head against Merlin’s shoulder after he sits down beside her. Ygraine is already fast asleep in her arms. Artemis smiles fondly, as the warlock kisses his daughter’s forehead.
“I hope so too.” She says in answer to Merlin’s wish that Ygraine grow up more comfortably than this one day. Too tired to say much more, she thanks him for getting them this far, gladly accepting the berries passed over to her as Merlin settles in beside her.
The flames of the campfire crackle into late the evening. Artemis keeps an eye open, gazing into orange, yellow and red tongues of fire. Idle dreams, hopes for the future, play out in her head. Merlin’s fingers lightly rest on her hair and in her mind’s eye, Artemis sees herself standing before a large rock, hands holding onto the hilt of a sword buried within the grip of the earth. Destiny forced her to struggle always, to prove her worth. The expectations laid on a princess far outweighed those of a prince. Artemis feels her eyes fill with tears as the sword refuses to budge.
She sleeps later, the wetness of her tears still on her cheeks.
[ the following morning ]
Resting together, long into the morning, the young parents wake with the sound of horses’ hooves rapidly approaching.
Artemis stirs, eyes snapping open as soon as she becomes aware of the imminent danger. Turning to look at Merlin, she is careful not to wake their baby as she whispers urgently.
“Will they find us? Will your magic keep us concealed?”
Merlin was woken to the sound of hooves. Uther’s men, he thought. It could only be them. Or perhaps Cenred’s. Either way, that would not be good for them to be found by either one of the King’s. Maybe once Cendred could have been an ally, but when he formed an alliance with Morgan and her brother, that was out of the question. He looked over to Artemis, who looked just as worried as he did.
“The magic will keep us concealed, yes. Though we must remain quiet.”
There was a spell for that too, now that he thought about it. He trusted Artemis to remain silent, but once Ygraine woke, she might sense the tense energy between them and let out a cry. So he sat up and his eyes glowed as he chanted a spell that would make the area around their small camp silent except for the natural noises. The fire had long since gone out to the point there wasn’t even any smoke left and he knew that the men riding by wouldn’t even notice the small camp that had been made their because of his earlier spell. He checked it, adding a few extra precautions to it when he turned back to them both.
Leaning into Artemis’s ear, he whispered, “I placed a spell so that they can not hear us, but we should still be careful all the same. And the wards are strong.” Stronger than most other sorcerers. Merlin still wasn’t entirely sure that he was the most powerful sorcerer on the Earth, but he supposed some of it must be true since he didn’t tire out as quickly as normal magic users would.
As the men walked closer, he pulled Artemis close as well, leaning into her and the babe as a hope to keep the little one quiet. Ygraine woke, but she fortunately did not cry as he expected she would. The men passed, but one paused to turn back to look: Leon. Uther’s most trusted knight and Artemis’s friend. He wondered if he somehow sensed them. And then there was Morgan, who stopped behind him.
“Do you see something, Sir Leon?” Morgan asked.
Leon blinked taken out of his stupor. “No, My Lord. There is nothing here. I just thought for a moment, but … ,” he trailed off and shook his head. “We should continue the search.”
Leon marched on but Morgan stayed behind a moment. He was handsome with his dark black hair and sharp cheekbones. In another lifetime, Merlin might’ve fancied him. He felt Morgan’s magic tug at his barrier but for a moment, but it held. Morgan sighed, shrugged and then went on to follow the other knights. Merlin did not relax until all was quiet again and even then he felt tense a bit a still.
Merlin looked over at Artemis, wondering what she was thinking. She had just seen her half-brother for the first time in well, about a year if he thought about it. Things could have been awhile lot different if they had not fallen in love, if he had taken Gaius’s advice and stayed away from her, but he was never one for following advice. Not when the Great Dragon himself had said how much of a destiny he and Artemis had had. So he followed it and that led them here. He was sure this was not the destiny that the Great Dragon had in mind.
“I can keep the barrier up while we travel,” Merlin finally said, quiet in his tone in case they came back. “It’d be safe until we’re sure that we’ve put plenty of distance between us and them.”
#arthurrex #v: myth and magic #v: on the run #connections: merlin & artemis | arthurrex #; thread #( queue. )
“She was. I wish I got to know her.” He envied Merlin because he had a good relationship with his mother. While he knew his father loved him deep down despite being on the warpath against him as a ghost, he couldn’t help to feel the other had a better handle on what a good relationship with a parent was like. All he knew was the toxic traits Uther gave him when he wanted something. “I hope so. Tomorrow will mark a new era for Camelot. One without fear.” Smiling softly, he felt pretty fortunate to have him as his lover and now teacher. No amount of talking about the future could have done him good. Merlin always showed him. He took his advice like gold and to heart. “As many times as me and my knights had to carry you back to Camelot?” His brows shot up. “Is this the same man who trips over his own feet, mmm?” Arthur couldn’t help to tease him slightly. “I know it has. Deep down. I’ve always known there was something about you, Merlin.”
Merlin rested a gentle hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “I wish you could’ve too. I bet she was an amazing woman.” If anything, he could tell that Arthur was much like Ygraine, despite not knowing her. He could have turned out so much worse under Uther’s care and he was glad that wasn’t the case. “Shush, you can be clumsy and great at the same time. Not that I’m great, just helpful.” At least he liked to think he was. He followed the destiny that he’d been given and it lead him to Arthur. Now they were going to make the kingdom a better place like he’d always been told he would help do. “I’m happy I could help. The kingdom will be better, I know it will. People won’t have to fear who or what they are anymore.” And neither would Arthur with his own gifts. He was going to have to take a lot of training to get anywhere close to where he was, but he would help him along the way.
#ofmagik #v: myth and magic #connections: merlin & arthur | ofmagik #; thread #( queue. )
“I would have accepted. Were you planning to ask?” He had wondered this before he had gotten the ring made. Was he rushing things? Maybe. It had only been a few months since he brought him back to Camelot, but this was true love. Piece by piece, he filled the holes that you burned in me. Arthur couldn’t help to think if Uther would have approved or just made his life ten times worse. Pushing the thoughts out of his mind, he smiled widely at Merlin.
“My lot? Never. You know how the knights always soak it up when a feast occurs. Besides, it’s another chance to get sloshed.” It didn’t want to rush it like he did with Gwen. He wanted them to soak up all the festivities. “Oh, there will be a tournament in your honor, too. I am supposed to be dueling.” His way of showing his appreciation and love for the man he was to call husband. Kissing made him feel like he was soaring about into the heavens. No stars could keep him from floating away. His arms brought him closer to him just as he nibbled on his lower lip playfully.
Merlin shrugged. “Maybe. I thought about it. Doesn’t matter now though, does it? I said yes to you.” Besides, it just made sense for Arthur to propose, publicly or not and he knew that he as going to have to get used to the publicity. “So long as you don’t get too sloshed. You’ll have to have one of Gaius’ tonics the next day and we both know they don’t taste very good.”
Wrinkling his nose, Merlin replied, “Please, don’t. You know, as much as I have enjoyed watching them in the past, I’d rather not have to worry about healing you from an injury of some sort.” Or a magical attack, he thought in the back of his mind. Arthur was always getting himself into trouble even if he didn’t mean to. He grunted into the kiss, fingers curling around Arthur’s tunic to pull him closer. In the privacy of Arthur’s chambers, he found himself tugging them both toward Arthur’s bed. They certainly could do with a bit of celebrating, couldn’t they? At least some celebrating on their own.
#ofmagik #v: myth and magic #connections: merlin & arthur | ofmagik #; thread #( queue. )
Going back out there, with all those glow sticks waving around in his face - turning into swords and screams and bloodied men dying on the battlefield - no, Arthur doesn’t feel quite up to it. Which is very odd indeed, because Arthur in this life is a party animal.
The club music thrums in the background. Arthur shakes his head again, feeling slightly nauseous. It’s almost as if he can smell the blood of the wounded and dying, grasping hands, struggling to stand, a sharp pain in his side where a sword cut through skin-
Even Elyan looks a bit concerned with his flatmate’s behaviour.
“You sure you want to call it quits, Arthur? If so… well, you’re driving mate. I don’t know how many drinks I’ve had but if we get caught it’s better to have you behind the wheel than me. The police love your face, don’t they?”
Snorting, Arthur smiles a little weakly. He lays a hand on his friend’s shoulder reassuringly.
“Sure. Just give me a minute. Not sure what I took out there, but it sure as hell isn’t agreeing with me. Nah, it’s fine. I just need some fresh air…”
[ later ]
Because he ends up having to give both of his friends a lift, Arthur pulls up outside his own flat, promising Merlin to drop him off to his own place first thing tomorrow. If they wake up before midday that is.
Stopping to pick up some greasy pick-up food from an Italian takeaway, the boys stumble into the flat with three boxes of pizza, two pepperoni and beef for Elyan and Arthur, and one Margherita for Merlin. The smell wafts through the flat. Were the other males living here still awake, there would likely be a race to finish off the remaining slices on the dripping cardboard. As it is, it’s late, and Eric, Kay and Leon appear to already snoozing in their separate bedrooms.
Throwing his car keys down on the living room table, Arthur indicates for Merlin to sit with him, while Elyan goes in search of more food in the kitchen. The effects of the alcohol appear to be working their way through all of their systems, though it’s still - not really alcohol that’s putting a troubled expression on Arthur’s face.
The blond tilts his head to one side, smiling weakly as Merlin compliments him on the place.
“Yeah, it’s not bad. We all just do as we please here, really. Elyan likes to play on the console mainly, over there-”
He indicates the PlayStation with its mess of wires and controllers perched under the widescreen TV in the corner
“-which is really annoying, when the football’s on. You try dragging him off his ass when he’s stuck on beating some boss on the Witcher and I want the latest scores, it’s impossible.”
Arthur rolls his eyes at the objections that come out from the kitchen. Point proved. He indicates to another corner of the room, where a desk covered in pots of paint and brushes is set up, along with several half-open boxes of Warhammer.
“Leon though, well he’s into his army models, painting those little figurines, that kind of stuff. He’s pretty good actually. That’s his ‘studio’ over there.” Arthur nods. “I play with him sometimes, he’s teaching me some strategy. Perhaps he’’ll rope you in too?”
Lifting an eyebrow, Arthur lapses into silence, leaning forward on the sofa. There is another object lying not too far away from them. Arthur’s acoustic guitar, kept on from his college years. He doesn’t draw particular attention to it now though. Not unless Merlin decides to start asking questions.
Their legs are touching as the blond closes his eyes, rough jeans brushing up against softer trousers. Arthur seems hardly to have noticed, head hanging low, arms resting on his knees. The strange occurrence at the nightclub replays behind his closed eyelids. How is he going to get past this? How is he going to begin to explain it to his new co-star, that in his presence he… is he going mad?
“Merlin, do you ever… I mean, sometimes after playing a role for TV, do you get these, daydreams… ideas about… scenes maybe, things that weren’t in the script?”
Arthur really doesn’t know how else to put it. The fact is, the drama he and Merlin are performing in doesn’t involve knights and castles and sorcerers at all, but that seems to be all he can think about recently. Frowning some more, Arthur looks over at the other man.
The pizza is delicious, though Merlin was sure that he would eat anything right then. Arthur had been a star for knowing just the right thing to get. He only had two slices, letting the guys finish the rest of it off for themselves.
“Maybe he should get himself a small set up in his room,” Merlin suggested, though he didn’t know how big their rooms were so maybe there wasn’t the room for it. If the items laying about suggesting something, that did. “Yeah? That sounds interesting. Maybe he will. Strategy could be fun. A bit like chess, really. My uncle taught me how to play that.”
They’re close, closer than he’d expected them to be even with being on the couch. He felt drowsy himself, tipsy still too and he knew in the morning he was going to feel bloody awful, but he hoped not too awful because they had to meet up to go over some scenes tomorrow afternoon. Maybe going for a party had been a bad idea after all.
Hearing Arthur speak, Merlin started a little, having been beginning to doze off when he’d heard him.
“Daydreams? Yeah … all the time. I mean, more so lately, but … ,” he shrugged and trailed off.
How was he to explain about the the sorcerer that he imagined as himself, it didn’t help when he’d been having accidental things like magic happening. What was he to do about that? It was something that he would never tell anyone, not if he could help it.
But the dreams … if Arthur had them too … ?
“Sometimes I imagine that I’m a sorcerer,” Merlin said, voice soft and sort of dazed. “Not like the Harry Potter kind of wizard, but more … powerful. Someone in my dreams told me I was the most powerful sorcerer to walk the earth, but that’s silly, isn’t it? Magic?”
And then there were the knights and Arthur. He would not admit to seeing him in his dreams. But he could try for something else instead.
“And then there’s the prince I care for. Bit of a prat if you ask me, having to change his clothes and do his laundry all the time, but I seem to get along with him well.” In a way it did sound like the layout for a tv show. Merlin had never really thought about taking up writing, but maybe he should. He wouldn’t be the fist actor to write a script after all. Something like this would be a hit.
“Why? What is it that you daydream about? Certainly not similar to mine. I mean, we’re playing vampires, that’s what I should be dreaming about. Not magic and handsome princes.”
#arthurrex #v: once in a lifetime #connections: merlin & arthur | arthurrex #; thread
She found herself fidgeting with her hands. A habit she had grown into after being alone for so long. The Perilous Lands had brought the worst in her. Luckily, the quirks she developed didn’t last. Like speaking to herself and answering. Which was reasonable, considering she was by herself. She was grateful he never had to see her like this. The only remnants of this were a few books she carried with her from the broken down castle she stayed at. Now, she still was adjusting to the modern world. It was a major culture shock to her when she first arrived, and she was so awkward in her ways. She had a hard time adjusting and stayed hidden in a motel room after pawning off her gold coins.
Kahlan had come far in a year. From being reclusive to being in the mainstream and getting her shop in order. How did she come to wanting to run it? A dream she had. She did not know it would lead Merlin to her. “If there is anything I can do for you, then just ask. I will try my best.” Amnell knew she was not much use without her magic and almost took it back. Ice orbs focused on him instead. She found herself reflecting his smile as if it was contagious. Being around him again brought back a sense of herself. One she thought she never would have gotten back. The only thing that did not rear its ugly head out was her feistiness, but give that time and she would quip back before he knew it.
“I don’t eat much meat anymore. Mostly salads or anything that doesn’t go bad fast.” She realized how that sounded. Poor. The sorceress frowned after a moment and tried to remain quiet about anything revolving around her home. “Food was strange for me. I was so used to living off the land, it took time for me to adjust. Probably why my diet is so bland. I’ve never actually had pasta before.” A faint crimson hue came to her cheeks. There was so much she had not experienced.
She did wish Arthur was here, he would be most likely dragging them out to the most expensive place after hearing this. If he saw how she lived, he probably would have pitched a large fit and gave her a lecture about taking care of herself. The thought alone made her miss him.
“That’s not to worry about. I don’t much either. There’s so much to live off of more than meat.” Merlin lived that way because it was easiest for him and in truth even back in the days of old, he had never enjoyed the idea of hunting animals. “You haven’t had any pasta? Really?” That was not what he had expected, but he noticed her embarrassed blush and said, “Then you’re about to try some. Hopefully you like it. Honestly, pasta can last a long time too, a couple of years sometimes when it’s stored dry. Rice too. I think you’d be surprised what people have come up with these days.”
He wondered how much of the world she had experienced if she had not had her shop for very long. And if it was true that she had been even more of a recluse than he had been, why had she suddenly decided not to be one anymore? There for a time, Merlin too had wondered if he would ever join the world again, more content to hide out in caves and forests and feeling the magic of nature all around him instead. But he’d known that if he was ever going to be of a help to a returned Arthur, then he needed to act at least somewhat civilized and thus had made a good living for himself.
What would Arthur think of them? That they were two hopeless cases, probably. He stood and said, “You can come watch, if you’d like. Or stay here and check out some of my books. I don’t mind.” If she stayed to read, he didn’t mind. In fact, he wondered what she would think of the vast collection he had, many of which were actually from their days of Camelot. He kept preservation spells on them to keep them in such good conditions.
He went into the nearby kitchen, which was more modern than his living room and started getting to work. Pasta was easy, very little food prep involved actually, unless one made it harder on themselves on purpose. He chopped at the vegetables and got the water ready in the pan, knowing he would need to let the vegetables cook down first for the sauce. He was humming as he cooked, something he hadn’t done in some time, which surprised even him.
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