Woods Outside Camelot and Beyond, Thursday Morning

[bitchprince]

Arthur did not think this was a good idea. Not in the slightest. In fact, Merlin had received a Stern Talking To or twenty about not bloody well using his magic in public and inviting more witches over. He had not forgotten about what happened the last time, and he had learned his lessons.

As such, he had absolutely no clue how Merlin had managed to talk him into letting his friend Tara turn up anyway. Privately, he was starting to suspect sorcery.

But it was time, now. So Arthur had made Merlin saddle up the horses, and they had ridden out the gate for a 'hunting trip' that would not be pleasurable in either sense of the word. Ridden out into the woods to the one safe spot where portals occasionally could come through, gotten off the horses, and waited. It was lovely weather now, being the dawn of summer, and Arthur would have enjoyed it in most other circumstances.

Still. At least it wasn't Karla.

[[ for a wizard and then a witch, please! ]]

Comments

[bitchprince]

"Have some respect for the art of the sword," Arthur said, hauling himself up onto his horse. "Especially since you can't even hold one up without falling over, Merlin."

[life_inshadow]

Tara gave Merlin a look over her shoulder, half sympathy and half is he always like this?, and tried for tact.

"Sorry if I sounded disrespectful," she said. "It's just ... not my thing. So, um, what have you guys been up to around here?"

It was a lame subject change, but it was the best she could do.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Don't let Arthur get to you, he's been spending far too much time growing that big head back," Merlin replied brightly. Because someone was never going to let Arthur get too full of himself if he could help it.

[life_inshadow]

"What, did it fall off?"

Tara had spent two years in Fandom. Many things were possible.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin paused. "No, he hasn't been cursed with that yet."

[life_inshadow]

"So there's at least one good thing going on," Tara said. "No falling-off heads."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't put it past someone, though."

Oh, Camelot.

[life_inshadow]

"It is kind of a classic thing in stories about kings, right?" Tara said, a thoughtful smile sneaking over her face. She deepened her voice "'Off with his head!''"

Realizing how that might sound, she added, "Um. N-not that I think that happens a lot here, or anything."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin cleared his throat. "Of course not."

Other than when it did.

"It's not as horrible as he makes it sound here. It's just a bit more secrecy."

[life_inshadow]

"I figured you would have told me not to come if you really thought I was going to get myself killed," Tara shrugged biting on a lip. "And -- I mean, okay, so people aren't going to burn me at home, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to go into the grocery store and start throwing balls of energy around."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Plus, it might ruin the food."

[life_inshadow]

"They'd be all covered in explodey." And clearly that was bad. "Probably gooey, too."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Which would kill anyone's appetite," Merlin added. "Which is much worse than evil magic."

[life_inshadow]

Tara laughed in agreement, and rode on silently for a moment. Then:

"Is it hard for you?" she asked. "Keeping things hidden, I mean."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin looked out at the forest, shrugging. "I wasn't really allowed to magic back in Ealdor either. Other than when I was with a friend or my mum."

[life_inshadow]

Tara nodded. "Is your mom a witch, or just -- sympathetic?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Sympathetic," he replied. "Very much not magical. Even if she did somehow manage to raise me, I don't think that counts as supernatural."

[life_inshadow]

Tara snorted. "I dunno. Somehow I think you were a huge handful."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Me?" Merlin asked. "Never!"

[life_inshadow]

"You almost look innocent when you say that."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin grinned wide at that. "We could always take a trip out there if Arthur could be talked into it."

[life_inshadow]

"I'd like to, if we have time and everything," Tara nodded. "how far is it?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Only a day's travel if we take horses!" Oh yeah, welcome to ye olde ages, Tara.

[life_inshadow]

Tara blinked. Right. Olden times.

"It might help for us to have a big activity," she sad diplomatically.

You know, in case it made Arthur less likely to fret his head off.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"We'll figure something out," Merlin said cheerfully. Just hope he doesn't drag you into the kitchens.