Secluded Part of the Preserve, Early Sunday Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

A ride into the preserve was just what was needed in the early morning. Before the heat of the day would even start to kick in and everything was still and quiet from the night before.

The only things awake with them, it seemed, were the horses and the occasional teal deer that just stared as they passed. It was still a bit unnerving if you asked Merlin.

"It's almost like being home here."

[[For that guy with the hair]]

Comments

[bitchprince]

"Almost," Arthur agreed, casting a glance up into the far reaches of the trees, where the leaves were greenest. His horse trotted along. "If you're looking for it."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"It helps to." A beat. "Sometimes."

[bitchprince]

Arthur snorted. "I'd say woods are woods no matter where you are, but..."

He'd never travelled anywhere that wasn't Albion before this.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin was rather sure any sort of magical isle didn't count as away from Albion, so neither had he.

"You can't hear the machines here," Merlin pointed out. "Or the people."

[bitchprince]

"A small blessing," Arthur agreed; most definitely about the people.

A teal deer skittered away from his horse's legs. "Sir Minsc is to make me TA of his next class," he segued. "His Rangering class was..." Familiar. "Interesting."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You're not going to be a lion again, right?" Merlin asked slowly.

[bitchprince]

"There was no magic involved," Arthur said, casting him a look. "I'd rather not turn myself into an animal again without cause. It was just... practicing hunting skills in a forest he conjured." Beat. "Although they tell me it's a machine."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin nodded slowly, dismounting from his horse to take a short rest. "I will be trying to learn healing spells from Karla later today."

[bitchprince]

Arthur brought his own horse to a stop after a moment or two. Then he slid gracefull off the saddle and let his boots hit the ground. "Ah. Karla's a witch, I remember."

... Yeah. Karla.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"She healed my nose for me and promised to try to teach me how. Apparently being a man, she didn't think it possible."

[bitchprince]

"Of course she wouldn't."

His opinion of her was a little conflicted, to say the least.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin turned to look at him on that. "She's a bit..." He struggled for a kind word for it. "Argumentative, but she was rather understanding once I spoke with her."

[bitchprince]

"She's obsessed with my title," Arthur said, flatly, shooting him a look in return. "Won't stop going on about stripping me of it because she feels it's more respectful."

Which was, quite frankly, the most insane thing anyone had ever tried to convince him of.

Of course, for Arthur, rank and formality were a safe place to retreat to in times of danger, nevermind being a major part of who he was and what he wanted to be.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin winced. "I'll speak with her about it."

[bitchprince]

"I don't need you to fight my battles," Arthur said, glancing at him. "I'm hardly going to be a coward about it. If she wishes to continue bothering me about it, it's not worth the effort to respond."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You're not being a coward. I am more familiar with her and a discussion of the matter isn't uncalled for," Merlin pointed out. "I may not be able to--perform all of my roles here, but I'll still try."

[bitchprince]

"Diplomacy is hardly what I'd call one of your duties back home," Arthur pointed out, although it was with a somewhat thoughtful tone. "Were you planning to talk her into submission?"

Still... He glanced between the trees. Maybe there was somewhere to sit.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"No," Merlin replied carefully. "But it has been my duty to take care of magical problems for you before they get to a certain point."

[bitchprince]

"I'm not scared of her, Merlin," Arthur said, simply. "That tree over there seems like a good spot."

He snagged his horse by the lead.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Patting his own horse on the shoulder, Merlin led her over to tie off where they could graze just a bit. "I never said you were, but this is what I do. As you protect me, I protect you."

[bitchprince]

"I don't need that much protection," Arthur muttered. Yes, you do, Arthur. He left his horse there, then found a spot by the tree. "Besides, it's not as if she's threatened me. She merely insists on being difficult and insulting."

You know that thing where pots and kettles, Arthur...? Yeah.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin sat down and sighed. "Then there should be no issue with me talking to her."

[bitchprince]

"Nor any point, if she chooses to keep putting her foot down like a fool," Arthur noted, settling into place. "It'd be more useful if you kept an eye on Fiona."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"...is that so?"

[bitchprince]

"She learns too quickly," he said, letting his head fall back against the tree with barely-hidden relief. He wasn't as over what he'd seen last Thursday as he'd like to pretend he was. "She has a temper. She claims to be some false Goddess who can put a knife's edge on anything; I don't trust it."