Royal Dining Hall, Citadel, Camelot, Friday Evening

[bitchprince]

Camelot's great dining hall was vast indeed: the table that stood at the center could seat dozens comfortably. It stretched far along the hall, and currently occupying its length were many dishes - fruit, vegetables, but mostly a large amount of meat.

On one end of the table sat King Uther, pensively munching on a piece of roast pig while he considered his wine goblet. All the way on the other end, several feet of table and chandelier and food away, sat Prince Arthur, idly poking away at his own food.

He snuck Merlin a quick glance before, finally, clearing his throat. "Father," he began.

Uther paused, and lowered his goblet. "Yes?"

"We've received reports that a beast has been sighted in the woods near the northern borders," Arthur continued. This had to go over flawlessly, or they'd never be able to leave the kingdom again. (Possibly a bit overdramatic, but-- look, the need was high, all right? It wasn't like he enjoyed lying to his father, but Mat had sent out that invitation, and it seemed a bit off)

He popped a grape into his mouth.

Uther frowned. "What is the nature of this beast?"

[[ for merlin, a wee scenelet, and dialogue poached from Merlin 2x02. Watch us appropriate canon in ways not originally intended! ]]

Comments

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin was on his best behavior for this, standing just behind Arthur like a dutiful servant should. And not at all amused by this.

Really.

[bitchprince]

Uther heaved his goblet, prompting the servant boy for more wine.

Don't laugh, Merlin. You didn't want Arthur to drop the straight face and bollix this up, did you?

"It is said to have the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle..."

Arthur started off strong, but-- a third quality. Dammit. Something-- His eyes flicked back to Merlin again. "And..." he went on. Studiously.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Oh god...

They hadn't thought this one through enough.

"A bear. Sire." A beat. "According to Gaius," he added quickly.

[bitchprince]

"The face of a bear," Arthur said, attempting to make Merlin shut up with the power of his mind, "As Merlin has just attested to without being spoken to."

Merlin. Uther.

A beat.

"The face," he repeated, turning his face back to his father and hoping to God this wouldn't end in any unpleasantness being directed at his manservant. "Of a bear, as I was saying. The situation is quite grave."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

He was helping, Arthur. How else were they going to get out of here? Hmmm?

[bitchprince]

Yes, well, getting himself thrown in the stocks for talking at the king without permission wasn't the first best option.

Arthur's eyebrows went up at Merlin and he gestured vaguely at father's goblet. Wine for the man, Merlin. (A drunk Uther was less likely to throw anyone in the dungeons, for a start)

"I believe it has been conjured by sorcery," Arthur continued, doggedly, and watched the word ping in his father's expression.

"Then we must destroy it!" Uther declared, immediately, as Arthur had known he would. Oh thank god.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin looked from Arthur to the goblet and then back again. He wanted him to take it from the king?

That didn't sound like the best idea, Arthur.

[bitchprince]

Arthur gave the wine a pointed look. Merlin? Any time now?

"I'll leave for the northern borders in the morning," he said, curtly, to his father.

Uther made a few agreeing noises, then-- "But the tournament is in a week's time from now," he said, "I hope you'll return in time to compete."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

He hadn't been doing this in a while, alright? It might take him time to get into the habit again.

Eyes widening, Merlin nodded and grabbed the wine to do just that. Somehow without spilling.

[bitchprince]

"I will do my best," Arthur said, heaving his own goblet high in a sort-of-toast, and took a long sip. (After all, it wouldn't do for him to do anything but his best) "But my duty to Camelot comes first."

As soon as his goblet was filled, Uther echoed the motion. "You're right, of course," he said, casually.

Arthur offered him a nod, and Merlin all of a second of an incredibly relieved expression.