That first "date" and the torrid night together were vividly drawn and showed the fast, deep connection between these two men. It's no wonder Arthur falls so hard, Merlin believes in him though they've only just met. This conversation was stunning: "So I know how I'd feel if someone took that away from me." Merlin gave a shrug and sat back, releasing Arthur’s wrist. "And I may not keep up with the royal gossip, but I know they say you were a fine commander. Your men must have loved you. I think I would."
Arthur drew in a quick breath and hoped the burn in his cheeks was not visible in the low light. "A half hour meeting and three quarters of a bottle of single malt, and you think you're a better judge of my abilities than my father and the Privy Council?"
"Well, it is a very good malt." Merlin tipped his head back with a smile and closed his eyes, the line of his throat curving white and vulnerable. "I know these things. Whatever reasons they had, they weren't good enough. Not as good as you."
The burn in his face spread to his chest; vehemently, he blamed it on the drink. Merlin was clearly a simple fool. Arthur wanted to snap that at him, but so little in his life was simple, he could not bring himself to drive this away. Such simple faith, in him--in Arthur or the prince, it hardly mattered--was something he wanted to keep and jealously guard. It's no wonder Arthur lets this man into his bed and into his heart. It makes their break up hurt even more.
I loved this: Arthur rose slowly and stepped up to the paper. He felt no surprise at all to see Guinevere Smith written next to Morgana’s name. Nor did he feel any surprise when he bent without hesitation to write Dr. Merlin Emrys next to his own.
Merlin had chosen the world over Arthur, but it made no difference in the end. If Arthur could have only one person in the world, save one person from what was coming, then it was no choice at all. He would pluck Merlin back out of the world whether he liked it or not. It seems their destiny is to be together, too bad the world has to tear itself apart to make it happen.
That last devastating scene has left me feeling Arthur's despair. Morgana's right, there's got to be something they can do.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-06-23 05:50 pm (UTC)Arthur drew in a quick breath and hoped the burn in his cheeks was not visible in the low light. "A half hour meeting and three quarters of a bottle of single malt, and you think you're a better judge of my abilities than my father and the Privy Council?"
"Well, it is a very good malt." Merlin tipped his head back with a smile and closed his eyes, the line of his throat curving white and vulnerable. "I know these things. Whatever reasons they had, they weren't good enough. Not as good as you."
The burn in his face spread to his chest; vehemently, he blamed it on the drink. Merlin was clearly a simple fool. Arthur wanted to snap that at him, but so little in his life was simple, he could not bring himself to drive this away. Such simple faith, in him--in Arthur or the prince, it hardly mattered--was something he wanted to keep and jealously guard. It's no wonder Arthur lets this man into his bed and into his heart. It makes their break up hurt even more.
I loved this: Arthur rose slowly and stepped up to the paper. He felt no surprise at all to see Guinevere Smith written next to Morgana’s name. Nor did he feel any surprise when he bent without hesitation to write Dr. Merlin Emrys next to his own.
Merlin had chosen the world over Arthur, but it made no difference in the end. If Arthur could have only one person in the world, save one person from what was coming, then it was no choice at all. He would pluck Merlin back out of the world whether he liked it or not. It seems their destiny is to be together, too bad the world has to tear itself apart to make it happen.
That last devastating scene has left me feeling Arthur's despair. Morgana's right, there's got to be something they can do.