Spellbound

[ayoungboy]

This week has been fucking exhausting. He'd been consuling all week and dealing with a threat over in Norway. Somebody trying to brew mind control potions, again. Why couldn't everybody just get along and stop fussing? He's finally back home, in England, heading up the wizarding council while they go over worldwide news, and he gets an invite - no, it isn't that. It's more of a demand, from King Pendragon.

He's a bit tired, really, and didn't feel like dealing with it. "Not now, thank you. Politely decline, for me?" He told the runner. "Send him some magical candy."

He just wanted to go home and finish his book, thank you. He didn't ask for these powers, but if he took a holiday the world would flip out. People held him in high regard for some reason - he wasn't that wise, or old. He was just a young man trying to do right. Yet somehow the King was demanding his presence.

Comments

[royalpratness]

"Dinner." Arthur blurts out before he can stop himself. He hastily takes a step back, clearing his throat. "I mean, I think we should have a meeting. Over dinner. Obviously, this whole magic business is rather complicated."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin blinks, mind heading in an entirely different direction until Arthur clarified. "...I suppose. When and where?"

[royalpratness]

"How about Saturday? 8pm, here in the palace. I have an excellent cook." For some reason, Arthur feels like he's setting up a date rather than a political meeting.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin considers it for a moment. "...if no crisis has occurred, yes sire. I will attend."

[royalpratness]

"Good." Arthur extends a hand, looking at Merlin. "Until then, I'll consider what you've told me today." He doesn't like to admit it, but with the public voicing their opinion on magic quite clearly and Merlin insisting that magic in itself isn't dangerous, Arthur does have some food for thoughts.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin offers a small, faint smile as he takes Arthur's hand, shaking it firmly. The man was hard-headed, but hopefully Merlin could help change his mind. Though he still wasn't too happy about the interruption. "I'll see you Saturday, then?"

[royalpratness]

Arthur squeezes Merlin's hand briefly and lets it go again. "Saturday." He nods, turning back to his desk. "See you then."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin is gone by the time Arthur looks up. Didn't even need to open the door; teleporting. Only reason he came through the front was courtesy.

[royalpratness]

Arthur blinks in confusion when he turns around again and Merlin has vanished.

He spends the rest of the week, consulting with his various advisors about the issue of legalising magic. After several heated discussion, Arthur is none the wiser. It isn't until Friday evening that a plan start to form in his head. The next day, he's waiting for Merlin in the entrance hall of the palace, wearing his best suit (only because this is an important meeting, of course.)

[ayoungboy]

Merlin arrives precisely on time, blinking into existance in the entrance hall. He looks much the same, except perhaps a little cleaner. "Good evening, sire."

[royalpratness]

"Good evening." Arthut extends his hand in greeting while two servants open the doors to the dining hall for them.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin shakes his hand, feeling a little underdressed. He's half surprised Arthur didn't demand he bow. But he follows the man into the dining hall, looking around pensively.

[royalpratness]

Arthur had his servants exchange the large dining table for a smaller one since it's only the two of them. "Have a seat." He gestures at one of the chairs and sits down opposite to Merlin.

[ayoungboy]

This time, Merlin did sit. He shifts, carefully picking up his napkin and putting it in his lap, unsure of what to say.

[royalpratness]

Arthur has no idea what kind of smalltalk to make with a wizard and as the first course is already being served, he gets straight to the point. "I have a proposition for you."

[ayoungboy]

"Woah, I know we're supposed to go out for dinner first, but we're supposed to finish, yeah?" Merlin jokes, smiling hesitantly. He's a lot less angry this time. "Yes, sire?"

[royalpratness]

Arthur chuckles, shaking his head. "I'm afraid it's not that kind of proposition." He smirks in a way that could be interpreted as flirting. " I want us to work together. I have spoken to all my advisors and considered my options. It seems like the legalisation of magic is inevitable. But," He quickly adds before Merlin gets too excited, "it needs to be carefully planned. I want you to help me with that. We need to form an alliance so that the public, both magic users and non magic users, knows that their interets in his matters are taken into account."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin nods, thinking it over. "I would be delighted to work with you, sire...but what would that entail? I'm sure you know how busy everything can get and...it's a little thin as it is. What would you like from me?"

"If it aides in the legalization of magic, I'll do whatever you need."

[royalpratness]

"To begin with, we should have regular meetings and invite press photographers to them to make it public that we've started 'negotiations'. As I said before, I don't want to make an important announcement like this too quickly. People might get scared."

[ayoungboy]

"I...about that." Merlin frowns deeply. "I'd rather not have my picture taken. You can have press coverage but...no pictures." Unless...

[likespie]

Arthur raises an eyebrow. "Need to maintain your mystery identity?"

[ayoungboy]

"Yes." Merlin says seriously, shifting uncomfortably. "I have enemies. Better they don't know my true identity. And...it keeps my private life private, allows me to live and go to the shop as needed."

whoops, wrong account up there orz.

[royalpratness]

"Huh." Arthur is genuinely surprised to hear that Merlin is such a high profile person. "Okay. No photos. I can live with that."

YOU HAVE A DEAN! I have a human!impala!

[ayoungboy]

There's a lot Arthur doesn't know about the magic underground. Merlin nods, smiling a little. "Perfect."

human!impala? XD awesome

[royalpratness]

"Good. I'll handle the press. All you'll have to do is show up." He smiles at Merlin. "What exactly is it you do anyway? Are you some kind of magical leader for your community?"