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[onceandfutureprat]

[Arthur's been back for a few hours actually, but he's been spending that time trying to reconcile everything that happened at home with what he knows from the Barge. And it's a confusing mess in case you were wondering.]

How long was I gone from here?

If we haven't met, I'm Arthur Pendragon, king of Camelot and a Warden here.

Merlin, if you're still here, I'd like a word with you.

Comments

Spam

[takeyouapart]

That didn't bode well. On the other hand, he was (admittedly selfishly) pleased about Arthur's return and that made him less fussy than he might have been about the circumstances. Arthur's door was the same place as it was before his cabin was vacated - curious, but he didn't linger on it - and he knocked.

"Arthur? It's me."

Spam

[onceandfutureprat]

There was still so much that Arthur had to sort through, and it was very strange to know that Merlin had magic while he was here, but for whatever reason, he had no idea when he was in Camelot. He spent the last year thinking that Merlin was exceptionally weird, sometimes more than usual when he spent twenty minutes peeing in the forest, but the magic had never even crossed his mind.

He crossed his chambers, and opened the door for his manservant, pausing for a moment. Then his foot shot out and collided with Merlin's shin. Not as hard as he could have, but it wasn't exactly gentle either.

"That, is for kicking me as an old man."

Spam

[takeyouapart]

He hadn't seen it coming and staggered, hissing with pain and hopping back an undignified couple of steps.

"Yes, sire." He didn't relax. There was probably more coming.

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[onceandfutureprat]

"And this," Arthur swung out an arm and punched Merlin in the shoulder. "Is for making up ridiculous stories about me." Whether Arthur meant the thing with the sword, or how Tristan and Isolde and how they came to think he was a simpleton at first, that was up to Merlin to decide. He probably meant both to be honest.

Spam

[takeyouapart]

"I didn't make up - " He pulled a face. "Is this about Tristan and Isolde? Alright, maybe I let them believe some things but I didn't think introducing you as the King of Camelot would go down very well with a smugglers' caravan."

Spam

[onceandfutureprat]

"Did you do something to me to make me seem like an idiot?"

[wedonot]

King?

[onceandfutureprat]

I trust that's not a foreign concept to you in the future, Charles. [He's teasing :c]

[wedonot]

I'm vaguely familiar with it. Welcome back.

[onceandfutureprat]

Thank you, my friend.

[wedonot]

You're welcome. [It's good to see you again. c:] You were gone for a little less than two weeks. How long were you in Camelot?

[onceandfutureprat]

A little over a year.

It's really only been two weeks?

[youwillgotohell]

[She wants to scream when she spots this on the network. He might even distantly hear things breaking, because she is just sweeping shit off one of her tables in a fit of anger, heedless of jars and bowls that really don't weather the drop well. But when she replies, it's even - and though she's trying to be mocking, there is just SO MUCH BITTERNESS there.]

No concern for your sister? I'm hurt, Arthur.

[onceandfutureprat]

You'll get over it, I'm sure.

[youwillgotohell]

I see it's 'king' now. Caught up, have you?

[onceandfutureprat]

I just crowned Guinevere if that's what you're asking.

[youwillgotohell]

[Ahahah what composure. :|]

You put her on my throne? [jfc she could have at least died in that strange and mysterious collapse of the ceiling. :|]

[onceandfutureprat]

That's the natural progression after marrying the king, I've been told.

[darknessb4me]

Well, King already.

Did you kill him?

[onceandfutureprat]

An assassin's blade did. [But he hurried it along by seeking out magic :c]

[darknessb4me]

[That's pretty much natural causes for royalty. But aw you remind him of baby Varian.]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[onceandfutureprat]

Thank you.

Would you like to spare later?

[darknessb4me]

[Bluh he feels old again. Was that really 30 years ago?]

Fine with me.

derpderpderp

[strangehistorian]

Welcome back! You've only been gone some few weeks.

/all the love

[onceandfutureprat]

Thank you, Chromie. I'd say it's good to be back, but you know.