Saw the devil wrapping up his hands, He's getting ready for the showdown

[exiledskeptic]

It is before dawn, before even the slight brightening indicating dawn is on the horizon, when Morgana is up and dressed and standing at the window.  There wasn't much of a point in her trying to go to bed.  How she managed to put the girls to bed the night before without betraying what could only be defined as fear, is a miracle in itself

Comments

Before the Duel

[exiledskeptic]

Re: Before the Duel

[secrettalents]

There have been many occasions where Merlin has donned armor in the sake of defending Camelot, or Arthur, as the case may be. Today he is not fighting strictly for a greater ideal. He is fighting to keep Morgana, to make sure that her future is tied to his and ultimately he is fighting because he loves her.

Nearly a decade and Merlin has only just come to terms with the fact that his love is a flawed but lifelong commitment.

He will soon go to face a King out on the tournament field, a man who's ruthlessness is as apparent as his cleverness. There are many things that Merlin wishes to say, and yet no words come to mind. He simply prepares slowly for the trial he has set himself.

Re: Before the Duel

[exiledskeptic]

It doesn't take long to find him. Morgana's helped Arthur with his armor -- as has Merlin -- so while he doesn't need her help, it doesn't mean he isn't getting it.

Morgana wants to talk to him for a thousand reasons but when she first sees him, she wishes, even more than her ring, that Excalibur was still in the city.

"Do you wish my help?"

Re: Before the Duel

[secrettalents]

"I have always wished it."

Merlin allows her to take over the rest of what must be done. A thousand words between them would never be enough. When Morgana is close enough, Merlin lifts a hand to touch her cheek.

"May I have your favor today, my lady?" There is a small quirk to his smile, finding small amusement in the Knightly words that feel out of place coming from him.

The duel / and the audience

[exiledskeptic]

[Merlin and Urien]

[secrettalents]

Merlin stands in the center of the tournament ring. He feels almost dwarfed by the stands. Never having really disliked being the center of attention, even when that attention was rotten fruit in the stocks, Merlin is able to find comfort in this situation.

He has always excelled at putting a show on, whether it was as a servant, or as a warlock.

He bows to Arthur, and when he looks up, there is a love for all the royal family in his gaze, and a look to Morgana.

However, his attention then turns toward Urien. Where it will stay for the duration of the fight.

Re: [Merlin and Urien]

[veryrheged]

Urien's in his full glory today. He likes a crowd as much as anyone, even if it's an unfriendly one. He even gives a jaunty wave to the crowd supporting the former warlock.

He also gives a bow to Lancelot, Merlin's second, and then to Arthur. As if his only goal in this is to be as irritating as possible -- as if the outcome of the duel's already been decided -- he winks at Morgana.

Morgana looks thoroughly disgusted. If Urien wins and Merlin is dead, Urien won't live to see the afternoon either.

Finally, he turns to Merlin, as if it's an afterthought.

Re: [Merlin and Urien]

[secrettalents]

Normally that kind of behavior would really serve to aggravate Merlin. Perhaps the strongest issue he has with his rival in the community, Cadoc, is that the man simply refuses to take him seriously. There is an anger deeply residing in the former warlock and former manservant. It surfaces when someone fails to acknowledge the fact that he has likely accomplished more in less than half of one lifetime than entire generations have been credited for.

The line between humility and pride is a difficult one to tread. One that Arthur seems to have learned far better than his friend.

Merlin inclines his head to the visiting King. Even if Urien will not afford this duel the seriousness that it demands, Merlin chooses to continue to act like the Knight he never was.

He raises his sword. For this will be a simple battle, no speeches of honor, no grand prizes. It is simply one man versus another.

[exiledskeptic]

It's immediately clear there's nothing left of Merlin. Not a spark, or a hope, or anything. As soon as Morgana realizes this, she sits up suddenly, and screams.

There's a slight rumbling of the stands when she does so.

[kingnotclotpole]

As for Arthur, the shock is almost too much, when Morgana opens her mouth and persumely screwams he can't even hear it.

he doesn't even realise Percival and Gwaine have run over until the former puts a hand on his shoulder.

He can't even think...

[notsmallcarys]

The screaming and the rumbling continue, and from the crowd, one actually moves forward, instead of looking for the assassin or tring to flee the stands.

It's a little (and she's too shocked to notice if she is called that) girl who has just just realized there's nothing at all to be done for one of her guardians. She's approaching very slowly, as if uncertain what she's supposed to do.

[exiledskeptic]

The movement out of the corner of her eye catches Morgana's attention and she doesn't know why. Still holding Merlin's lifeless hand, she looks to see Carys has stepped onto the field.

She ceases screaming. She ceases doing much at all. She knows she should get her ward off the field but finds she can't pull herself away from the body. Instead, she looks at Arthur, the ways she did her first night back in Camelot, when she had to ask for his help to go into the palace.

"Arthur," her voice is lost. He wouldn't have heard that particular tone for years. The last time she sounded as sound, she was much smaller, and she once asked the same question of Uther, except he couldn't answer her. "What do I do?"

[talents_keeper]

It will be Hunith and Warren that see to the placement of Merlin's body. Carried by the Knights to the physician's chamber. Where it will rest until it is brought to the catacombs of Camelot.

Visitors will come and go through the day, but neither the apprentice or the warlock's mother will leave the room till it is time for the funeral procession.

[exiledskeptic]

Morgana is much longer than she would like to be. As much as she feels it should, life doesn't stop for death. After being taken inside, and gaining a tenuous thread on herself, she dealt with cleaning herself up. The gown she'd worn that morning tossed into the fire, as she never wants to see it again. There's a foolish thought that she doesn't have mourning clothes here. Yet someone, she suspects a maid, has laid out a white veil to at least cover her hair

[exiledskeptic]

It is normal for Morgana to feel slightly intimidated by Hunith. For someone usually so socially adept it is difficult to find things to discuss. What they both shared now lies waiting for burial.

She also knows that her poor decisions of years ago have directly led to Merlin's death. Her throat tightens not able to think of much to say to her other than, "Thank you." It's thanks for being able to do what she couldn't. It's thanks for not railing at her like she has every right to. It is for so many other things.

Privately, Morgana will mourn him as his widow. Publicly, she knows Hunith deserves the place of chief mourner, the one to receive the condolences. It is the least she can do though she cannot think of anything else to offer her.