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

Action

[king]

See me to the docks.

[ And no further. Honestly, he wouldn't even allow that much, when it means they'll have to say goodbye in front of Byakuya, but the note of despair in Merlin's voice is persuasive. ]

You have to stay here and look after Morgan and Aithusa.

[ He finds Merlin's hand, squeezes it. ]

Action

[servant]

[Merlin nods, quick to agree to those terms. It's a temporary balm, but it's all they've got. He doesn't have Morgana's gift of prophecy, has no way of knowing when they'll be able to walk shoulder to shoulder again.]

Don't worry. Just promise me you'll look after yourself.

[Until Merlin's able to do it again.]

Action

[king]

I promise.

[ He won't ask the reverse, because he has half a dozen friends who aren't going to Themis who he's charged with keeping Merlin safe and well. But an incredibly terrible thought strikes him. ]

Don't go home without me.

Action

[servant]

That's impossible, you are my home.

[But he can see the worry in Arthur's face, and all he has to do to feel the ice cold fear of it is to put himself in Arthur's place, flip the coin.]

[Merlin lifts their hands and brushes his lips against Arthur's wrist, where the pulse is.]

I promise.