Overly cordial --Queen Skuld?

[It's about this time that Merlin gets that gobsmacked look again as another realisation hits him.]

Wait. You're jealous of her...because of me?

[There is such a frown of confusion on his face.]

[ wow Merlin, you are slow. ]

I am not jealous of her because of anything - !! but if she tries my patience she does it with her exaggerated cordiality. Or did you think I wish for her hair?

[ in short: yes. ]

I just thought there was something of hers that you'd envied.

[Merlin isn't even trying to tease when he's so bewildered.]

But...me? There isn't much worth being jealous for, Morgana.

Sorry. It's just... [There's another pause, and a tiny shake of his head.] It's just surprising, that's all.

She has nothing that I envy and nothing I want for myself.

[ as long as she'll stop being so overly affectionate with Merlin, they'll be cool really.

But then something catches her attention and she tilts head head just a tad. ]

Surprising? Why?

That you would be jealous because of me.

You're Morgana. I'm just... [Merlin shrugs. Maybe he was worth something here, in Asgard, though even bit of belief's been shaken by Arthur's return home.

Maybe he'll stand by Arthur when the time comes, but it's Arthur who holds Camelot together, who holds even their group of friends in Asgard together. He's just Merlin. The warlock still lingering in the shadows. There isn't much to see here.]

I'm not -

[ u g h. a frown though, as she considers before she shakes. ]

You shouldn't be thinking this way, Merlin, it's not true. Do you remember - when I thought you were in love with Gwen - I told you she was very fortunate, I meant it. Perhaps Queen Skuld for all her absurd niceties can see it as well.

[ a face at that. she really dislikes her ok. ]

[She gets a quirk of the mouth. Not quite a smile, but not the frown he was wearing just seconds ago either.]

Hang on a second.

[Before she can reply, he ends the call, and she might hear the sound of the front door opening and closing.]

[ one blink of confusion before she hears just that and rises from her bed. what is he even thinking - she reaches her door, opens it and looks out towards the hall ]

Merlin?

[He's there, hands shoved into his pockets to keep from fidgeting too much, wearing an expression that's a mix of bashful and embarrassment.]

I realised...we'd left things unsorted because we thought it'd be better, with Ragnarok upon us, and our return home after that.

But it looks like we're here to stay, at least for another long while, and we shouldn't leave it any longer. [Now that Arthur's back with them, and they aren't grieving, this seems a good as time as any.]

Queen Skuld has given me help before and I'm grateful for it. She's a kind royal, too, and you know how rare those are. I do like her...as an ally and a friend at the most. That's all.

[Now he reaches up, skimming his thumb across her cheek with a small smile.] I meant what I said, before you received the new memories. I am sorry, for everything that's happened back home. And even if I have feelings for you--you, the Morgana I've come to know here--this needs to be your choice.

[His voice softens.] Even if you feel that you cannot look past what has happened in Camelot for this [He gestures between them] I hope we can still be friends here. It's we that are fortunate to have you, Morgana, not the other way around.

Edited 2012-11-27 12:35 pm (UTC)

Merlin - [ her voice softens, much softer than it was in her fit of resentment and yes, ok, envy. ] This is home for me, Camelot is - you know I wish to escape it, you remember.

[ he's the one who took her to the Druids, after all. ]

Camelot and all that happened and will happen there - it doesn't matter here. You apologized once, let it be. It will not come to be here.

[ she's safe from all it, Merlin's wrong choice, her wrong choices, here. There is truth here where there were once many lies on her part and on his part. ]

If it is my choice then it is made, Merlin.

No, it won't. Not if any of us can help it. I won't--none of us will--stand by and let you lose yourself like that again.

[His eyes scan her face, looking for the answers.]

So that's a yes, then?

Of course it is a yes - Merlin.

[ she smiles, takes his hand in hers and steps forward. ]

-- I do not regret staying here. Not one bit.

[His lifts their clasped hands and kisses the back of hers with a bit of an exaggerated flourish. Then he leans in and presses his lips against hers lightly.]

Glad to hear it. [Merlin stays close, fingers curling around hers.] I won't give you reason to regret it.

One other thing, though. [Now the teasing smile makes an appearance.] Will you try to get along with the Queen now? I can tell you that neither of us have intentions toward each other, and you've probably just been confusing her.

[He leans in so he can whisper in her ear.] You have nothing to worry about. I'm yours to do with as you wish.

[Though he smiles cheerfully when he pulls away, there's a darker undertone to his words that he thinks only Morgana would understand completely. They might choose to ignore what has happened and what will happen in Camelot, but that doesn't mean they'll forget. It's a part of them now, shaping their actions, and Merlin still intends to make up for it somehow.]

I am not confusing her, you simply cannot see it - get along is a bit too much to request given the circumstances I'll be -

[ hold on let her think. ]

Well-mannered. Well-mannered should do. I will call her a cow to her face.

[ smirk. see? well behaved. ]

[He chokes on a laugh.]

At least give her a few days to recover before you unleash your temper--unwarranted temper, Morgana--on her again.

[His thumb strokes across the back of her hand in a soothing gesture.] I told you, there's no need for you to worry. You believe me, don't you?

I believe you. It's her I am doubting. I've seen enough royal girls in my life, Merlin -

If she will remain proper, I shall too.

[Well, he knows better than to argue with her about this. There's no winning when she's got her mind made up already.]

That's all I can ask for.

[He's silent for a moment, letting their new closeness wash over him.] So what do you think--let the others know or [grin] let them puzzle it out later? I think Arthur might suspect something already, though, after...earlier.

If Arthur suspects he may yet try to beat you up, knowing him. He used to torment every knight who looked at me - that in mind, I think you should speak to him, Merlin and -

[ shrug ]

Make certain to be near a door at the time.

[ .... ]

Or a window.

[He laughs softly, a wry twist to his mouth.]

This isn't exactly inspiring a lot of confidence in me, you know.

Merlin - some men had to fight dragons for ladies in the past.

[ she is very, very amused. ]

What is one king that is interested in preserving you since you have enough patience to be his friend?

[His smile curls into a secretive smile--it's about ask close to a smirk as he'll give her right now.]

What if I told you I already fought a dragon?

The little white one who came here?

No. There was one that attacked Camelot later. [His smile dims a little when he remember Balinor, but he shakes the melancholy feel off with the ease of practice.]

Besides, Aithusa seems pretty fond of you. I don't think she'd harm you at all.

And you fought him? Merlin - tell me. How?

[ grinning as he mentions Aithusa. ]

I found her sleeping on my pillow once. She is quite a darling. But she seems very attached to you.

I didn't fight him...not really.

[Oh well. Arthur already knows, so it's not like Merlin has any reason to hide.]

Have you heard of the Dragonlords?