awaitingalbion | two >> audio/action

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two >> audio/action

[The sound of a throat-clearing cough.]

Can anyone tell me about a blue-haired girl who calls herself a soldier?

[But earlier this day--before he makes the voice post--Merlin is out picking up fresh ingredients for Arthur's evening meal. He is in the shop, picking through some vegetables. He looks...confused.]

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[He'll say this loud enough that Merlin can hopefully hear, because he doesn't want her overhearing, really.]

She's not entirely wrong.

[Stationed in the lounge-area, he's not too far away to hear. Unmoving so that he can avoid Arthur's eyes, he says:]

Look, I know I said those things during the storm about there being no princes here--but I bet I was wrong. I usually am. Which means that she is wrong, as well.

[He rolls his eyes a bit and makes a face.]

Don't flatter yourself, Merlin.

No, it's nothing to do with your outburst. However, it certainly is true that we are quite a ways from Camelot.

[Lineface.]

Still, she wasn't right.

[He glances at Merlin, a bit surprised.]

Is there any reason you're so bothered by her words?

[The big fat prophecy stating you're going to be the awesomest king ever, Arthur? =/]

She can't be right; after all, she doesn't know you.

[This answer means that Merlin also cannot bring himself to say you're more than just a prince even though mostly you're a royal ass.]

[He wanders over by the nearby window and leans on the wall there, looking outside.]

No, she doesn't.

You're not actually taking her seriously, are you--Arthur?

[He keeps looking out.]

Tell me, Merlin: what is the duty of the royal family? I'm sure that even someone like you would know that much.

Edited 2010-01-22 00:48 (UTC)

[He looks...unsure. What's the right answer? More importantly, what's the wrong answer. He wants to avoid that one.]

Well--err--the royal family? [Sigh.] I suppose it's to be royal and to keep an eye on the kingdom and...[oh wait what was it that Arthur told him that one time?] ruling by serving! [Pause] Right?

And how [He glances at Merlin at that] can someone do that from here?

[You at least have one subject, sire~]

We'll just have to find a way back.

[He doesn't much think of Merlin as his subject, really. Merlin's just his incompetent servant. He's quiet for a long time before saying:]

There is no value in a king - or prince - who has no people. That is merely an empty title. And yet [He pushes off from the wall with the intent of returning to his room - or going somewhere, at least, that Merlin is not.] it is preferable to one who abandons his duties altogether.

[Even he's not entirely sure if he meant to refer to himself or some hypothetical example with the last sentence.]

Being kidnapped is entirely different from abandoning them, Arthur.

[He's not going to answer that as he crosses the room. Really, he's said too much already..]

Arthur. [Merlin begins quietly, shifting from his place on the sofa (which was kind of an odd piece of furniture anyway) to stand...well...still a ways off from the prince.]

Sure, we may be stuck in this place. And there's no way of knowing how long. But that does not mean that you can't do some good while you're here.

[He doesn't even stop as he leaves the room.]

Be sure to fetch some blankets before night falls; it's freezing already, and it'll only get colder.

[He deflates in place, eyes crinkling shut.] Of course, sire.

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