ayoungboy | Spellbound

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

ayoungboy

"They're going to ask me about Emrys," Merlin laughs, following Arthur and covering his eyes at the camera flashes.

From:

royalpratness

"Very likely, yes." Arthur leads Merlin into a room filled with press, where they sit down at a table. For the next hour, Arthur explains that this is the first in a longer series of meetings between himself and representatives of the magic community. He talks about one of their first project which involves an exchange in doctors and magical healers to see if their respective knowledge could be combined in a way that's mutually benefitial.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin sits there and listens, raising an eyebrow. Well he could have already told Arthur that, and when was he consulted on this? Maybe he should stop being so friendly. He still had to do what was right for the magic community, not make a friend...

From:

royalpratness

The meeting goes relatively smoothly, apart from a few very critical questions aimed at Merlin about the safety issues some people still have with magic and its users. Arthur assures them that all this has been discussed at length and the general public shouldn't worry.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin's demeanor gets more professional, and he stops smiling at the cameras. Right then. He does his best to make the same assurances, though he's a little more aloof about it, and mentions that they come from Emrys.

From:

royalpratness

Arthur keeps glancing at Merlin, realising that he seems to be upset about something. The hour with the presses passes quicker than expected and soon, Merlin and Arthur are left on their own in the room. "That... wasn't too bad." Arthur takes off his suit jacket.

From:

ayoungboy

"No, sire." Merlin stands up, nodding to the man. "You need to consult me before you say things like that. Half of your doctors are already magic users. There are also different types of healers."

From:

royalpratness

Arthur frowns at Merlin calling him 'sire' again. "I wanted to consult you but were too busy touring Europe." He sounds defensive, knowing very well that he should have discussed this with Merlin before telling the press about his plans.

From:

ayoungboy

"Excuse me?" Merlin's voice gets a little cold. "I'd hardly call it touring."

From:

royalpratness

Arthur rolls his eyes, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Yes, alright, preventing assassination attempts or whatever you get up to over there."

From:

ayoungboy

"Yes." Merlin stares at Arthur for a long moment. "This can stop at any time. If you don't respect magic and it's people, this will never work. Frankly, I'm insulted."

Touring Europe. Exhausting himself to protect Arthur and his kingdom. And here, Arthur had been texting him to complain about his meetings! He could haven mentioned his plans and ideas. Merlin frowns, upset. He shouldn't be making a friend.

"Right then. I'd better be off, to tour Europe. With the imaginary money I have." Merlin snorts sarcastically.

From:

royalpratness

"Oh come on, don't be such a drama queen." Arthur grumbles. "Okay, I get it. I should have talked to you first. Won't happen again."

From:

ayoungboy

"Aye, it had better not. Call me when you require my assistance." Merlin says quietly, clearly saddened by this turn, before he disappeared to get his clothes, then leave the palace.

From:

royalpratness

"Oh bugger." Arthur looks at the now vacated spot where Merlin has just disappeared. Looks like he messed up, big time.

It takes him three days to figure out what he should do to appease Merlin. In the end, he sends him a text. I'm sorry about Friday. I promise I didn't mean to undermine your part in our agreement. Let me make it up to you. Tomorrow at 7pm?

From:

ayoungboy

It takes an entire hour for his response. Do I need to be Mary?

From:

royalpratness

No. Your gender is up to you ;) . Arthur is relieved that Merlin didn't refuse to meet him right away.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin doesn't respond. Well, he's a little busy at the moment on his tour. But, if Arthur seriously wanted to reconcile, what the hell. He didn't like being angry and upset with anybody. Despite the legend, Merlin was very much a soft soul.

He shows up, actually on time, coat hiked up around his face. There are poorly, what look like self-done, stitches on his chin, and he's got a black eye. Other than that, he appears whole. It's nothing new.

From:

royalpratness

"Merlin!... do I want to know what happened to your face?" Again. Arthur tilts his head, taking a step closer to inspect the damage of Merlin's face.

From:

ayoungboy

"Nothing." Merlin says blankly, not giving anything away. "I took care of it." Arthur would likely be dead if he hadn't.

From:

royalpratness

Arthur sighs, nodding. "Okay. He squares his shoulders. "So, uhm, I was wondering, could you 'teleport' the both of us somewhere?" If not, Arthur got his private jet waiting.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin blinks, staring at the young King for a second. He wasn't about to let his powers be used for entertainment, but. "Where to?"

From:

royalpratness

"Well, that's really up to you. We could go for some pizza and pasta in Rome or maybe Amsterdam? Oslo?" Arthur exhale a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Since your Europe trips sound very exhuasting," he looks pointedly at Merlin's injuries, "I thought you deserve to do some of the tourists stuff, too."

From:

ayoungboy

"...and your knights know about this?" Merlin raises an eyebrow. He hasn't said yes, but he hasn't said an definite no, yet.

From:

royalpratness

"No and neither do my other body guards." Arthur grins, excited by the idea to have some time without them for once.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin sighs quietly, knowing he's going to have to be responsible for Arthur's well-being. Well, he already was, but this was more direct. "Alright. No trouble from you, aye? I tell you to run, you ruddy well run."