[ Artoria brings her other hand up to place over his own, warm, as she might have years ago. lifetimes ago. she has felt so very human in this place, far more than she has in such a very long time. ]
It is...strange. I wondered why we were summoned but not contracted.
[ and perhaps there is the answer. ]
Have... Have others come here from our time?
[ the Round Table. Lancelot. her heart aches in her chest. ]
[there's a shadow that passes through his features when he thinks on it, and he breathes in. but the truth, he can tell, is better here than not. she'll listen, and it gives her time to prepare.]
Bedivere was here, for a time. I know not why he has returned, but I suspect he has gone back to the right time in our world. And...Mordred is also here.
[he pauses.]
It is not the brightest news, I know. But you were bound to find out.
[ the first bit of news is met with a flicker of pain and remorse, that Bedivere would have come and gone and her none the wiser. to see his face would have brought her joy, if only fleeting. but the rest--
Mordred. her...son. her killer. the dissenter who destroyed her kingdom.
Artoria's grip tightens over his hand. were Merlin a weaker man, it would be enough to bruise. in Chaldea, Artoria has kept her distance from her son but it seems fate will not let her be. again and again, she must confront this piece of her past, this fury. this rage. ]
[he knew it wouldn't be good. but keeping it from her would have only brought wrath and pain. he keeps his hand in hers, holding on steadily. making sure she's breathing.]
For now, nothing has happened. We are aware of each other, and are content to lead lives on separate paths. Indeed, we haven't even spoken in months.
[except for that promise that he made that he knows will come back to hurt him, but on that matter, he is silent. the point is, it's possible to minimize her presence and pain that comes from knowing.]
Not a word of your existence here shall come from my lips, if you wish.
She will know, one way or another. It will not be a secret for long.
[ for months Mordred has been here. months. it chills her, but it brings so many questions, too. questions about time and Chaledea and...and everything else. all of this troubles her. but more than that, much more, is that she knows Mordred will want to fight again. and Artoria's anger can only be kept at bay for so long.
she bites down on her lower lip for a moment, then releases it. tries to think, tries to maintain her composure. ]
Mordred may consent to live her life apart from yours. But she will seek me out once she knows of my presence. For now, we might keep silent, while I think on what to do.
[ she could simply leave her in peace. Artoria will like to. but the odds of that are slim to none. ]
[because he had thought on this, of course. thought about every single one of the knights and others besides, made plans and possibilities in his hours that he wanders and draws and dreams and experiences life in the capacity he has. he had thought about this since he knew Mordred was here - hoped both for Artoria to see her again and hoped that she stayed far away. now the pieces fell where they would. they can adapt.
[ he asks his question so simply, as if it means nothing. or, perhaps because he already knows the answer. but the offer is heartfelt and genuine, and Artoria turns her eyes on Merlin. slowly, she smiles. ]
Of course. If you would have me as--
[ well, she isn't a king any longer, is she? or-- hm. ]
As your king and as your confidant.
[ as his servant, as Artoria has always served her people, including her dearest friends. even him, in small ways. ]
[except he has always served her, for good and ill both. but he will always be her magician, her advisor, her follower. this path was wrought by his own hands - it is only fitting he see it through.]
Take charge of this. When you feel ready, seek Mordred out before she can seek you. Give yourself that position of strength, so that you need not constantly be on the defensive from her. I will come with you - for someone needs to ensure she does not too hastily raise her hand - but all the words shall be yours.
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no subject
It is...strange. I wondered why we were summoned but not contracted.
[ and perhaps there is the answer. ]
Have... Have others come here from our time?
[ the Round Table. Lancelot. her heart aches in her chest. ]
no subject
Bedivere was here, for a time. I know not why he has returned, but I suspect he has gone back to the right time in our world. And...Mordred is also here.
[he pauses.]
It is not the brightest news, I know. But you were bound to find out.
no subject
Mordred. her...son. her killer. the dissenter who destroyed her kingdom.
Artoria's grip tightens over his hand. were Merlin a weaker man, it would be enough to bruise. in Chaldea, Artoria has kept her distance from her son but it seems fate will not let her be. again and again, she must confront this piece of her past, this fury. this rage. ]
How long has Mordred been here.
no subject
[he knew it wouldn't be good. but keeping it from her would have only brought wrath and pain. he keeps his hand in hers, holding on steadily. making sure she's breathing.]
For now, nothing has happened. We are aware of each other, and are content to lead lives on separate paths. Indeed, we haven't even spoken in months.
[except for that promise that he made that he knows will come back to hurt him, but on that matter, he is silent. the point is, it's possible to minimize her presence and pain that comes from knowing.]
Not a word of your existence here shall come from my lips, if you wish.
no subject
[ for months Mordred has been here. months. it chills her, but it brings so many questions, too. questions about time and Chaledea and...and everything else. all of this troubles her. but more than that, much more, is that she knows Mordred will want to fight again. and Artoria's anger can only be kept at bay for so long.
she bites down on her lower lip for a moment, then releases it. tries to think, tries to maintain her composure. ]
Mordred may consent to live her life apart from yours. But she will seek me out once she knows of my presence. For now, we might keep silent, while I think on what to do.
[ she could simply leave her in peace. Artoria will like to. but the odds of that are slim to none. ]
no subject
[because he had thought on this, of course. thought about every single one of the knights and others besides, made plans and possibilities in his hours that he wanders and draws and dreams and experiences life in the capacity he has. he had thought about this since he knew Mordred was here - hoped both for Artoria to see her again and hoped that she stayed far away. now the pieces fell where they would. they can adapt.
(he can adapt.)]
no subject
Of course. If you would have me as--
[ well, she isn't a king any longer, is she? or-- hm. ]
As your king and as your confidant.
[ as his servant, as Artoria has always served her people, including her dearest friends. even him, in small ways. ]
no subject
Take charge of this. When you feel ready, seek Mordred out before she can seek you. Give yourself that position of strength, so that you need not constantly be on the defensive from her. I will come with you - for someone needs to ensure she does not too hastily raise her hand - but all the words shall be yours.