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]

"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."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"...and you are willing to work with her?"

[bitchprince]

"She wanted to learn."

He... wasn't very comfortable with it, but apparently these days principles had to go and get in the way of half the stuff he did.

Sometimes, he missed being fifteen; right now, he didn't have the energy to argue too hard.

"But I think that in theory, she's more dangerous than Karla."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"And yet you will continue to teach her," Merlin repeated very slowly. And thought of tea. Bloody good tea.

[bitchprince]

Arthur glanced at him. "She's a loose cannon," he said, matter-of-factly, "Maybe given some discipline, that will change."

But the next time she tried to put a blade anywhere on his person, it was over with.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Maybe--" Merlin bit back his comment and just took a breath. "As you wish, sire."

[bitchprince]

Arthur slanted a look at him. "Which is why it'd be a good idea if you were around to keep an eye on her," he said, after a moment.

Add that to the top ten of things he wouldn't have said a few months ago.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin rubbed his forehead for a moment. "Yes, sire."

[bitchprince]

Arthur sighed.

"Now what is it?"

Up to figuring out fun little comparisons to make, he wasn't.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep an eye on her for you." Merlin made a frustrated noise. "This isn't some sort of lark for me. Protecting you from these threats is my duty."

[bitchprince]

"You just had a face," he said, half-heartedly. He pinched his brow. "I know."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Of course I made a face. You're willingly teaching someone you claim has a temper and can make blades appear on anything--" What the hell was that anyway? "--and don't seem to wish to stop."

[bitchprince]

There was a pause.

"My father never gave any second chances," Arthur said, "And he kille-- kills what he fears."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You are not your father. Nor are you killing these people."

Merlin was.

"I do not kill what I fear. Only what is a threat to you," Merlin added quietly. "I don't--"

He did fear. Some things. Losing a loved one. Not the things he ought to, though.

[bitchprince]

"I want to give second chances, Merlin," Arthur said, eying his boot, "And I hardly want to wind up thinking everything strange is a threat."

Also like Uther. It'd only taken him over half a year in another time to be able to say these things aloud.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Very well," Merlin replied quietly. "Then I will simply keep watch."

[bitchprince]

"I just wish..."

He tore his eyes off his boots and glanced up at the canopy. "Nevermind."