Video (backdated to Sunday Night)

[king]

[ Arthur's hands are shaking, and therefore, so is the Forge. But it's obvious, even in the dim light, that he's blood-spattered. But underneath the gore sluiced across his face, his jaw is firmed, his breathing slow and deliberate. ]

I'm so sorry. If I'd realized, I never would have —

[ No, he needs to start earlier than that. ]

If — someone who knows Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks could collect their bodies from the ruins...

[ No, that's not the place either. He swallows, hard, guilt shadowing his eyes. ]

[ Filter: Priscilla, Byakuya. ]

I have done — a terrible thing. I'll be stepping down from my position as Vice Commander, of course. And I would like to turn myself in to be judged at Themis.

Someone will have to be assigned to bring in Bellatrix. She fled into the Mist. I honestly thought she was no longer a threat to anybody, but I was wrong.

I've been wrong in a lot of things.

Comments

[Video]

[adhmharaighe]

[Why is it that everywhere Mordred has seen you recently, Arthur, a specter of death seems to follow? Your past, and now in the present marked by blood.]

You never seem to think of preserving yourself, Arthur Pendragon.... [Is all he can say.]

[You could have chosen to flee]

[Video]

[king]

A man who was one of the best I've ever known is dead, at my hand. What use is self-preservation?

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

How has this come to pass?

[Video]

[king]

[ Arthur wonders what to say. Mordred is but a child, surely. ]

I mistook him for a beast.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

[How very unlike your father, Arthur. No insistence that it was the right course of action. Instead steadfast to duty rather than reputation despite the consequences.

Perhaps you will be the king Morgana and Emrys have told him about.

Perhaps.]

I hope your actions are judged in fairness.

[Video]

[king]

As do I. I'd hate to find the Themis system of law wanting.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

[A bit of a knee-jerk side-eye at a Pendragon speaking of systems of law found wanting, but nothing more. The subject has been trodden to dust by now.]

If it is, Emrys seems to have practice getting past bars now.

[Video]

[king]

Emrys... why do you call him that?

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

It is what he is called among my people.

[Video]

[king]

Because of the magic.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

[Mordred will just smile in that 'I may know something you don't' way.]

There is much we will learn of Emrys in the years to come.

[Video]

[king]

[ Careful now; Arthur's temper is short on this particular subject, and he's not in the best state of mind. His eyes narrow. ]

So it's more than the magic.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

[tsk tsk. No fun, Arthur]

Do you think magic alone would be that extraordinary among a people born with it?

[Video]

[king]

Merlin's magic is extraordinary.

[ And there's a hint of a boast to that statement, a flicker of pride in his eyes, potentially surprising given his family's stance on magic. ]

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

[Mordred nods]

Yes.

[He likes this development in you, Arthur]

And so is everything he is destined to do with it.

[Video]

[king]

[ Are you ready for the year's most ironic statement? ]

I don't believe in destiny.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

[I wasn't, no. But I'll recover.]

A strange thing for you to say, Arthur Pendragon.

[Video]

[king]

Is it? I control my own actions, and I will take responsibility for them. Acting as though there's a greater force in charge is the coward's way out.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

[A moment to consider that]

And taking action....throwing women and children to the mercy of a well...is the action of brave men if done by choice instead of fate?

[Video]

[king]

It is not the act of brave men at all.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

But you are a brave man now.

And this brave man is destiny for many people.

[Video]

[king]

I am King of Camelot, and I will rule the best I can, but whether that is well or not, it will not be because of destiny.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

Yes it will. Maybe not for you, Arthur Pendragon, but for all the people like mine. We did not choose for you to be king, and it wasn't our actions, so for us it is destiny.

[Video]

[king]

I see. I suppose I never thought of it that way.

Re: [Video]

[adhmharaighe]

Morgana and Emrys have told me that you are a fair and just king. One that promised peace for the druids.

[a pause. This is an opportunity he may not get again, speaking one on one with the future king of Camelot]

Please be a good destiny, Arthur Pendragon.

[It is almost less of a request than a small hope that he will not regret living to see your reign, but it does not show in his voice. The statement is simply small and quiet.]