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[onceandfutureprat]

I've probably asked this before [Lol not that he remembers sob. It's been like, three years too, give a guy a break] but does anyone here have any interest in training with the sword?

Gwaine, I hope you don't think this is optional for you.

[Private to Merlin]

We need to talk.

[Private to Arya]

I have something of yours.

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[takeyouapart]

Yes.

[It's a conclusion he's only recently come to, and there are still traces of uncertainty in his voice, but he is sure of this.

He steps back, one hand still on his friend's shoulder.]

Arthur, you are destined to return. When Albion's need is at its greatest, you will live again. I am here to make certain that I will be there at your side, when that time comes, but until then...I have a responsibility. Not just to Albion and Gwen, but to everyone else like me - anyone who has had to grow up in secrecy, every child born with magic. They have the right to live without fear.

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[onceandfutureprat]

[Arthur lets him go when he steps back, and is too dazed by that new nugget of information to really fight it. He's going to come back? What... what does that even mean?]

Yes, they do. [Sorry, Merlin, the idea of returning magic to Camelot, one he's toyed with himself and more or less decided on, is taking a backseat right now.] What do you mean I'm going to live again?

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[takeyouapart]

I don't know any more than that. The Great Dragon told me that it is your destiny to rise again. I don't know how it will happen.

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[onceandfutureprat]

[He's going to need a lot of time to process that. His destiny is to rise again, and who knows when that's supposed to be.]

At least you'll be there. For whatever it is.

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[takeyouapart]

Of course. [He tries a quick, cautious smile.] Imagine how long it'd take to train someone else to polish your armour.

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[onceandfutureprat]

[Arthur rewards that smile with an eyeroll. They can tease each other again, so things must be okay.]

I still haven't been able to train you to do it properly.

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[takeyouapart]

Exactly. Just imagine taking another decade to get to this point.

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[onceandfutureprat]

I think it says more about you, Merlin than me.