Summer opened her mouth to ask if Arthur knew, then paused as something occurred to her. “You … keep blushing,” she commented, smiling a little. “Does no one ever compliment you?”
There usually isn’t much to be complimented on, he shrugged matter-of-factly. I think only three living people know about my magic—four now that you know—and when I’m not messing up, I’m doing my job or breaking the law. Or some combination of the three. Realizing that he was getting into overly-negative territory, he changed the topic. I probably wouldn’t blush so much if I had darker skin, anyway. Um, where are you from, exactly?
“South. Far south, and east, on the edge of the water, where the white cliffs fall into the sea. It’s really beautiful there.” She smiled more wistfully, thinking of her home. “Well, so long as dragons aren’t terrorising us. Our folk are bringing in the harvest now. Some of it we’ll sell across the water, and some we’ll trade with my sister’s lord.” Picking at the coverlet, Summer went on, “They’ll be wondering if I’m alive, I expect. But there won’t be too much concern yet.”
That does sound beautiful, Merlin couldn’t help but grin as he imagined the place. A small part of him longed to see it for himself, but he pushed those thoughts aside. Your sister’s lord? Does she live in another area? He was dying to ask more about the dragons but chose to save those questions for later. Is there any way we could send them a letter to let them know that you’re alright?
“My twin. She married to the north. We needed the alliance — well, what we really needed was to stop raiding each other. The seasons of peace have been good.” She took a little time to consider Merlin’s last question, fingers worrying together. “I suppose. I can’t afford a courier any more than a place to stay, though. So writing a letter would do little good.”
“It’s amazing,” she said softly, watching Merlin with gentle eyes. “/You’re/ amazing. I just wish Uther could see that, about us. We’re just … people. Good, bad, whatever. But maybe you can change his mind.”
The blush that touched his cheeks when she called him amazing faded quickly. I don’t think that anybody can change his mind, he replied with a sigh. He’s too blinded by pain to even consider it. There’s still hope for his son, though. Arthur’s a good man, one of the best I know, and I think he’ll make a great king. Hopefully, he’ll be the type of king who asks questions first and condemns later.
Summer opened her mouth to ask if Arthur knew, then paused as something occurred to her. “You … keep blushing,” she commented, smiling a little. “Does no one ever compliment you?”
There usually isn’t much to be complimented on, he shrugged matter-of-factly. I think only three living people know about my magic—four now that you know—and when I’m not messing up, I’m doing my job or breaking the law. Or some combination of the three. Realizing that he was getting into overly-negative territory, he changed the topic. I probably wouldn’t blush so much if I had darker skin, anyway. Um, where are you from, exactly?
“South. Far south, and east, on the edge of the water, where the white cliffs fall into the sea. It’s really beautiful there.” She smiled more wistfully, thinking of her home. “Well, so long as dragons aren’t terrorising us. Our folk are bringing in the harvest now. Some of it we’ll sell across the water, and some we’ll trade with my sister’s lord.” Picking at the coverlet, Summer went on, “They’ll be wondering if I’m alive, I expect. But there won’t be too much concern yet.”
“Hm?” Looking up from her thoughts, Summer saw Merlin add fuel to the fire. “Oh. No, I’m not cold. I just … ” She opened her mind, showing Merlin her sympathy. “I don’t understand how you — there’s just so little resentment in you.”
He silently mouthed, “Oh,” and shrugged casually. I just don’t see the point in being resentful. Sure, I get frustrated with the situation I’m in, but being angry about it won’t help change things. If anything, it would make things worse. He gave her a small, slightly sad smile.
“It’s amazing,” she said softly, watching Merlin with gentle eyes. “/You’re/ amazing. I just wish Uther could see that, about us. We’re just … people. Good, bad, whatever. But maybe you can change his mind.”
The blush that touched his cheeks when she called him amazing faded quickly. I don’t think that anybody can change his mind, he replied with a sigh. He’s too blinded by pain to even consider it. There’s still hope for his son, though. Arthur’s a good man, one of the best I know, and I think he’ll make a great king. Hopefully, he’ll be the type of king who asks questions first and condemns later.
Summer opened her mouth to ask if Arthur knew, then paused as something occurred to her. “You … keep blushing,” she commented, smiling a little. “Does no one ever compliment you?”
Summer’s tone went wry. “It doesn’t look like I have any choice in the matter.” One hand rubbed at her forehead. An awkward silence fell. “Um … do you think I could borrow a book? Something to read, just to pass some time? I don’t want to keep you from anything you need to be doing.”
Oh, sure, smiled Merlin as he went over to one of Gaius’ bookshelves. Most of the books in here are medical books. Is that alright? And don’t worry about distracting me. I was just heading back here, anyway. He had planned to go to sleep once he’d gotten home, but he couldn’t just go to sleep while there was a patient and Gaius was out. It was irresponsible, not to mention rude.
“If … it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me about you, then? I can’t even think how you manage to survive /here/ of all places with,” Summer flourished a hand at him, “so much power. I mean, at least I can talk, I don’t have to resort to telepathy, so I can keep my powers hidden … ” She gave him an unintentionally appealing look. “I never found anyone else with magic.”
Another blush spread across Merlin’s face and neck. He wasn’t quite used to people mentioning how much power he had. Some days it’s difficult, and some days it’s easy, especially because Arthur thinks I’m an idiot. With most people, I don’t use telepathy, though. I write in a journal or mouth what I want to say. He sighed sympathetically at her expression. I’m sorry… I know how difficult that is.
“Don’t you ever get a chance to stop hiding?” The fact that he blushed so easily over it fascinated her; did no one ever praise him for it either? “At — at home, I don’t … so much have to hide. I don’t go about telling people, but I know many of our people have guessed that there is more to my skills at healing than simply … herbs and potions.”
It must be horrible for him, she thought. To be here, of all places, in the centre of the Purge, and bound in service to the heir to Camelot, and never be able to be honest about himself with anyone. Always keeping secrets, always lying. She gave an involuntary shiver of sympathy.
Not here, I don’t, though a few people know about me, shrugged Merlin. I’m glad you don’t have to hide as much and that you can use your magic for good without people giving you trouble. He caught her shiver, stood up, and put another small log on the fire. Sorry, I know it can get a bit cold in here.
“Hm?” Looking up from her thoughts, Summer saw Merlin add fuel to the fire. “Oh. No, I’m not cold. I just … ” She opened her mind, showing Merlin her sympathy. “I don’t understand how you — there’s just so little resentment in you.”
He silently mouthed, “Oh,” and shrugged casually. I just don’t see the point in being resentful. Sure, I get frustrated with the situation I’m in, but being angry about it won’t help change things. If anything, it would make things worse. He gave her a small, slightly sad smile.
“It’s amazing,” she said softly, watching Merlin with gentle eyes. “/You’re/ amazing. I just wish Uther could see that, about us. We’re just … people. Good, bad, whatever. But maybe you can change his mind.”
Summer’s tone went wry. “It doesn’t look like I have any choice in the matter.” One hand rubbed at her forehead. An awkward silence fell. “Um … do you think I could borrow a book? Something to read, just to pass some time? I don’t want to keep you from anything you need to be doing.”
Oh, sure, smiled Merlin as he went over to one of Gaius’ bookshelves. Most of the books in here are medical books. Is that alright? And don’t worry about distracting me. I was just heading back here, anyway. He had planned to go to sleep once he’d gotten home, but he couldn’t just go to sleep while there was a patient and Gaius was out. It was irresponsible, not to mention rude.
“If … it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me about you, then? I can’t even think how you manage to survive /here/ of all places with,” Summer flourished a hand at him, “so much power. I mean, at least I can talk, I don’t have to resort to telepathy, so I can keep my powers hidden … ” She gave him an unintentionally appealing look. “I never found anyone else with magic.”
Another blush spread across Merlin’s face and neck. He wasn’t quite used to people mentioning how much power he had. Some days it’s difficult, and some days it’s easy, especially because Arthur thinks I’m an idiot. With most people, I don’t use telepathy, though. I write in a journal or mouth what I want to say. He sighed sympathetically at her expression. I’m sorry… I know how difficult that is.
“Don’t you ever get a chance to stop hiding?” The fact that he blushed so easily over it fascinated her; did no one ever praise him for it either? “At — at home, I don’t … so much have to hide. I don’t go about telling people, but I know many of our people have guessed that there is more to my skills at healing than simply … herbs and potions.”
It must be horrible for him, she thought. To be here, of all places, in the centre of the Purge, and bound in service to the heir to Camelot, and never be able to be honest about himself with anyone. Always keeping secrets, always lying. She gave an involuntary shiver of sympathy.
Not here, I don’t, though a few people know about me, shrugged Merlin. I’m glad you don’t have to hide as much and that you can use your magic for good without people giving you trouble. He caught her shiver, stood up, and put another small log on the fire. Sorry, I know it can get a bit cold in here.
“Hm?” Looking up from her thoughts, Summer saw Merlin add fuel to the fire. “Oh. No, I’m not cold. I just … ” She opened her mind, showing Merlin her sympathy. “I don’t understand how you — there’s just so little resentment in you.”
Summer’s tone went wry. “It doesn’t look like I have any choice in the matter.” One hand rubbed at her forehead. An awkward silence fell. “Um … do you think I could borrow a book? Something to read, just to pass some time? I don’t want to keep you from anything you need to be doing.”
Oh, sure, smiled Merlin as he went over to one of Gaius’ bookshelves. Most of the books in here are medical books. Is that alright? And don’t worry about distracting me. I was just heading back here, anyway. He had planned to go to sleep once he’d gotten home, but he couldn’t just go to sleep while there was a patient and Gaius was out. It was irresponsible, not to mention rude.
“If … it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me about you, then? I can’t even think how you manage to survive /here/ of all places with,” Summer flourished a hand at him, “so much power. I mean, at least I can talk, I don’t have to resort to telepathy, so I can keep my powers hidden … ” She gave him an unintentionally appealing look. “I never found anyone else with magic.”
Another blush spread across Merlin’s face and neck. He wasn’t quite used to people mentioning how much power he had. Some days it’s difficult, and some days it’s easy, especially because Arthur thinks I’m an idiot. With most people, I don’t use telepathy, though. I write in a journal or mouth what I want to say. He sighed sympathetically at her expression. I’m sorry… I know how difficult that is.
“Don’t you ever get a chance to stop hiding?” The fact that he blushed so easily over it fascinated her; did no one ever praise him for it either? “At — at home, I don’t … so much have to hide. I don’t go about telling people, but I know many of our people have guessed that there is more to my skills at healing than simply … herbs and potions.”
It must be horrible for him, she thought. To be here, of all places, in the centre of the Purge, and bound in service to the heir to Camelot, and never be able to be honest about himself with anyone. Always keeping secrets, always lying. She gave an involuntary shiver of sympathy.
“That’s terribly sweet of you! All of it!” Impulsively she kissed Merlin on the cheek. “You, sir, are an amazing person. Is there anything I can do to help you out in exchange? I know some healing …” Summer tried to get up, but that turned out to be a mistake. Most of the muscles in her body screamed in protest, and a throbbing ache started in her head. “Or not,” she finished, falling back. “Sorry.”
An embarrassed blush spread across Merlin’s cheeks, and he wished that he didn’t have such fair skin. If you want to help, then please just rest for now. And you have nothing to apologize for.
Summer’s tone went wry. “It doesn’t look like I have any choice in the matter.” One hand rubbed at her forehead. An awkward silence fell. “Um … do you think I could borrow a book? Something to read, just to pass some time? I don’t want to keep you from anything you need to be doing.”
Oh, sure, smiled Merlin as he went over to one of Gaius’ bookshelves. Most of the books in here are medical books. Is that alright? And don’t worry about distracting me. I was just heading back here, anyway. He had planned to go to sleep once he’d gotten home, but he couldn’t just go to sleep while there was a patient and Gaius was out. It was irresponsible, not to mention rude.
“If … it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me about you, then? I can’t even think how you manage to survive /here/ of all places with,” Summer flourished a hand at him, “so much power. I mean, at least I can talk, I don’t have to resort to telepathy, so I can keep my powers hidden … ” She gave him an unintentionally appealing look. “I never found anyone else with magic.”
Summer just dropped her face into her hands. “God help us all. Honestly, I just wanted it away from our lands before it did something like burn our crops to the ground or kidnap a virgin or something. Now I don’t even know how I’m going to get back, much less what to do about the dragon, if it /was/ a dragon.” She forced herself to take a deep breath. “Okay. Okay. There’s nothing else I can do about it right now.” Her tone was practical. “May I ask your help in finding a place to stay, maybe some more clothing, food? I don’t want to impose on you any more than I can help.”
Merlin thought for a moment. I’d be willing to let you stay here, but I’d have to run it by Gaius first. If that doesn’t work out, though, it might not be too late for me to rent you a room at the inn nearby. The inn would be a bit expensive, but he had been putting some of his pay aside for emergencies. In his eyes, this counted as an emergency. He hesitated for a moment before offering, I also might be able to help you with your dragon if you’re willing to let me try.
“That’s terribly sweet of you! All of it!” Impulsively she kissed Merlin on the cheek. “You, sir, are an amazing person. Is there anything I can do to help you out in exchange? I know some healing …” Summer tried to get up, but that turned out to be a mistake. Most of the muscles in her body screamed in protest, and a throbbing ache started in her head. “Or not,” she finished, falling back. “Sorry.”
An embarrassed blush spread across Merlin’s cheeks, and he wished that he didn’t have such fair skin. If you want to help, then please just rest for now. And you have nothing to apologize for.
Summer’s tone went wry. “It doesn’t look like I have any choice in the matter.” One hand rubbed at her forehead. An awkward silence fell. “Um … do you think I could borrow a book? Something to read, just to pass some time? I don’t want to keep you from anything you need to be doing.”
Merlin’s eyes widened almost comically at the mention of a dragon. Stop it? What was it doing? Do you know what color it was? He didn’t want to bombard her with questions, but he was dying to know. I might be able to help with whatever you were doing before.
“Dragons come in colours?!” It was all she could manage; the whole situation was just overwhelming and terrifying and all she wanted to do was think about something else. “I don’t even know where it went after I fell.”
Probably, replied Merlin. I don’t see why they wouldn’t have different colors like we have different skin colors. He stopped himself before he could start rambling and tried to focus. I’m sure someone will find it sooner or later, for better or worse. It probably isn’t easy for a dragon to hide. Kilgharrah had managed it well enough so far, though. If she had been chasing Kilgharrah, Merlin was going to have a word with the supposedly-wise dragon.
Summer just dropped her face into her hands. “God help us all. Honestly, I just wanted it away from our lands before it did something like burn our crops to the ground or kidnap a virgin or something. Now I don’t even know how I’m going to get back, much less what to do about the dragon, if it /was/ a dragon.” She forced herself to take a deep breath. “Okay. Okay. There’s nothing else I can do about it right now.” Her tone was practical. “May I ask your help in finding a place to stay, maybe some more clothing, food? I don’t want to impose on you any more than I can help.”
Merlin thought for a moment. I’d be willing to let you stay here, but I’d have to run it by Gaius first. If that doesn’t work out, though, it might not be too late for me to rent you a room at the inn nearby. The inn would be a bit expensive, but he had been putting some of his pay aside for emergencies. In his eyes, this counted as an emergency. He hesitated for a moment before offering, I also might be able to help you with your dragon if you’re willing to let me try.
“That’s terribly sweet of you! All of it!” Impulsively she kissed Merlin on the cheek. “You, sir, are an amazing person. Is there anything I can do to help you out in exchange? I know some healing …” Summer tried to get up, but that turned out to be a mistake. Most of the muscles in her body screamed in protest, and a throbbing ache started in her head. “Or not,” she finished, falling back. “Sorry.”
Merlin’s eyes widened almost comically at the mention of a dragon. Stop it? What was it doing? Do you know what color it was? He didn’t want to bombard her with questions, but he was dying to know. I might be able to help with whatever you were doing before.
“Dragons come in colours?!” It was all she could manage; the whole situation was just overwhelming and terrifying and all she wanted to do was think about something else. “I don’t even know where it went after I fell.”
Probably, replied Merlin. I don’t see why they wouldn’t have different colors like we have different skin colors. He stopped himself before he could start rambling and tried to focus. I’m sure someone will find it sooner or later, for better or worse. It probably isn’t easy for a dragon to hide. Kilgharrah had managed it well enough so far, though. If she had been chasing Kilgharrah, Merlin was going to have a word with the supposedly-wise dragon.
Summer just dropped her face into her hands. “God help us all. Honestly, I just wanted it away from our lands before it did something like burn our crops to the ground or kidnap a virgin or something. Now I don’t even know how I’m going to get back, much less what to do about the dragon, if it /was/ a dragon.” She forced herself to take a deep breath. “Okay. Okay. There’s nothing else I can do about it right now.” Her tone was practical. “May I ask your help in finding a place to stay, maybe some more clothing, food? I don’t want to impose on you any more than I can help.”