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[This time, the recording starts with a long, drawn out sigh. Then, surprisingly, it's still Merlin's voice that rattles off the voicemail in tones of long-suffering.]

Hello, you've reached King Arthur Pr--Pendragon. He isn't here to answer your call because he's incredibly important and busy. If you leave a message here with me, I'll make sure he gets it because I am a good servant--and friend-- [he adds the last bit in a rush, accompanied with a thwap!, an 'ow!' and an 'I heard that,' then forces the rest of the words out through gritted teeth] and will do anything my master asks of me.

[A couple seconds pass, then Merlin speaks again, this time sounding a bit further away, like he isn't speaking into the bracelet anymore.] There, happy now? If you ask me, the other one is still better-- Shut up, Merlin. It's time to do yours next. Wait, what --

[ click! ]

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[For a second, there's nothing but silence, and a dazed, disbelieving look from Merlin.]

I heard that correctly, didn't I? I wasn't just imagining it?

[ To be perfectly honest? Arthur wasn't quite so sure this wasn't all a hallucination or something, perhaps a very lucid dream. It's so far detached from his reality that he was left speechless at his desk with a hand over his mouth, not really shaking but only just so. He doesn't know how to respond to Merlin's message, even though he knows full well what he's speaking of; he just doesn't know how to process it all.

Until he sees Merlin's response to Uther's post, and then, well. It all just sort of falls into place.

Arthur doesn't go shouting about the entire hospital this time, just walks briskly through the halls until he can find Merlin, and when he does, he pops his head in the room and whistles, then nods his head out into the hall, gone the next second. His blood feels far too alive, thrumming under his skin with adrenaline and anticipation and confusion and bewilderment and awe and just.

He doesn't know. He really doesn't; he just knew he needed to see Merlin. ]

[ He keeps watching her closely, eyes only flickering away to ensure he's not about to walk into someone, and even then, he's reluctant to do so. ]

If there are lives being put at risk, Regina, you know I can't promise such a thing.

What is with you and blindly risking your life?

[Now Regina is starting to get angry. She stops, just in case, just to check herself.]

[ He stops a step after her and turns to face her, brows furrowed. They've had similar conversations before. He doesn't know how to make her understand, so he gives her the most simple, honest answer possible. ]

It's my duty.

[Breath. She must breathe. She just needs to calm her nerves. She scoffs, taking her hands to her face, slowly inhaling and exhaling. It may take a moment or two to calm herself. The last thing she wants to do is hurt him.]

Edited 2012-10-07 04:20 (UTC)

[ - oh. He hadn't quite expected such a visceral reaction; he's not sure how to respond. He's been warned to keep his distance, so he will begrudge her that, but he waits patiently for her all the same.

After some time, though, he will try out of concern - ]

Regina?

[When she finally collects herself, she glances back up to him, her eye peaking behind the fingers of her hand.]

I'm fine.

[ He observes her quietly a moment, then nods his head. ]

If you're certain.

[ He'll angle his body to go again, though he waits for her confirmation that she's ready to leave first. ]

Go.

[It's an order, not a request from Regina, who starts to take small strides. Just about the only thing she can do now is pull her head back to the sky and pray nothing happens.]

[Not long after running into the druid boy, Regina is having another hard day to keep control of herself. Arthur is getting no thanks, just Regina shaking and on the brink of tears and anger. So much anger.]

I demand an answer! I found a child... a boy dressed in green, an ovate's robes. He spoke how battle was unleashed against druids!

Why?!

[ A child in robes; common garb of the Druids. Arthur has no way of knowing if he's from their version of Camelot, but - 'a battle against druids.' Gods, but there are many, and how they do linger in his thoughts.

Arthur uses video. He won't hide his face from her. ]

Regina. I will tell you all I can, but I must know more of what you speak. The boy, did he tell you anything else?

[Regina, on the other hand, covers her face; she doesn't want him to see how much she's struggling to keep herself composed.]

No.

[Not to her recollection, she takes pity on him already; even then, Regina would even lie.]

[ Arthur lowers his eyes away and shakes his head. ]

Then ... I'm afraid there may be little to offer by way of explanation. In my kingdom -

[ No. No, not his vision of Camelot, not his kingdom, even if - even if it is his to inherit. Even if, when they return from all this, it will still be as it is now. Damn it all. ]

- by Camelot's laws, magic is banned, on pain of death. The Druids have not been welcomed on our land in many years, but we've not waged battle against them since -

[ Oh. Since they believed Morgana to be kidnapped. Oh gods. He shakes his head again. ]

- since a misunderstanding, near three years ago.

[ Shit. ]

[Regina is chewing the inside of her mouth thoughtfully. This time, she looks, hoping that the expression on her face displays how displeased she is.]

I don't care if there's little to explain; that boy was frightened. He was hiding behind the vines and barrels, asking me if they would kill us. I've already promised him no one will lay a hand on his head.

[She's practically fuming.]

Well. Did you partake in it? Children can misconceive notions when frightened, but tell me if you were apart of it or not. It is against our faith to fight.

[ Arthur gives a small, quiet huff - still not one to take orders, but he's not here to play Prince. He's just trying to take care of Regina. He continues walking in silence, not wanting to risk setting her off once more. ]

[ He knows full well the Druids are a peaceful people; there is nothing but a sick shame and a heavy guilt in his eyes, but he will not look away for this. ]

If the charge was made by the Knights of Camelot, then in all likelihood, yes. They are my men, I lead them into combat.

[ On his father's orders, but he has never meant - he has never wanted -- ]

How... how could you? Against men and women who would never join in battle beyond praying to the gods for favor of victory?!

[That anger is just short lived, when Regina honestly levels him a look that's nearly on the brink of tears. She can't hold back on her emotions that long; the grief swells in her chest she has to cover her face as a tear rolls down her cheek. Regina just wants to out-right sob. She almost wilts to the ground, covering her face, letting out a strained noise to hold herself back. Her hands grip her hair as she pulls on it- no, she needs to walk away right now, she'll lose it if she keeps this conversation up.

But for good measure and to ensure that doesn't happen, even as Regina's body starts to twitch violently, There's really no other choice to...]

[Regina starts pulling on her hair, baring fangs, her eye going too dark at moment.]

Nid yn awr, trowch yn ôl ... droi yn ôl ar hyn o bryd!

["Not now, turn back... turn back right now!". If it doesn't solve any thing, there's really one solution before Regina snaps completely. And that is Regina reaching for a small dagger from her satchel holding it.]

Edited 2012-10-13 17:47 (UTC)

[It won't happen for the second time, not like this. Regina ends up grabbing the dagger and stabbing herself, blood blooming from her abdomen. It restores her back, for the price of self-inflicting a stab wound. But Regina's back in her human state of mind.]

Ni fyddaf yn lladd chi, nid fel 'na.

["I will not kill you, not like that".]

...

[ She looks to him again, dropping the dagger out of her hands; ironically, nothing can be done to stop her tears.]

I'll spare you the trouble.

[And Regina cuts the feed.]

Regina - !

[ He leaps to his feet instinctively, eyes blown wide with panic and fear, but it's too late. She's already gone. Jesus. Fuck.

Fuck. ]

You left. [Yep, that's an accusing tone.]

[He knows why, but that doesn't stop his shoulders from slumping. His expression pulls into something that is most certainly not a pout.]

That's not fair.

Are you really planning to just hide on your own for a week again? Really?

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