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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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[ Arthur swears, low, and turns his back to the feed to brace himself against the desk. There shouldn't be an alternative. Where is he, that he's let his kingdom fall into Morgana's hands once more? That she could starve his Knights for what he's no doubt is simply because she can. Her powers must have grown and he, apparently, has yet to do anything about it.

How long will they play this tired game?

He shakes his head, back still turned, and looks to the ceiling, the skies above it, for patience. For the first time in the five months he's been here, Arthur wishes he were in Camelot and not Asgard. Or maybe he simply wishes not to feel so damned powerless to help those he's sworn his life to. Either way.

He turns back to make sure Gwaine is still there on the bracelet's feed, eyes him, then decides that's enough sitting around being useless and drags off his shirt before walking out of the frame of the video. His voice can still be heard from nearby though. ]

How much has Merlin told to you?

[ Job well done, Gwaine. Now he's shirtless.

He has the good sense to look guilty. In that roundabout way where one is doing their best to look very innocent. Maybe he ought to have thought up a more entertaining lie. ]

Enough to make sure I'd come out with a very large headache. [ And somewhat more seriously, if reluctantly. ] And enough to make sure I won't do anything he considers rash. Guess it's for the best.

[ Even though she's somewhere in this place, somewhere, right there. Doesn't even know what she's going to do and he still can't grant any grace for it. ]

[ ~~Gwaine can get him shirtless any day.~~

A good(ish)-humoured snort come from off camera, his words muffled by the new shirt he's pulling on. ]

Merlin, telling people not to act rashly.

[ One day, he will shake that man. For now, Arthur simply comes back to sit behind the desk, pulling a comb out of a drawer and tapping it on the edge of the wood contemplatively before tossing it down.

He knows Gwaine. Not as much as the Arthur of the Knight's time, but well enough. The man is fond of anything but inaction. Arthur laces his fingers together and props his chin up with his thumbs. ]

You know I trust your judgment implicitly, Gwaine. The bond between us as Knights of the Round is one I value above near all else. I may not know the whole or even the half of your situation, but I know that I would do all in my power to spare you of the hardships you should never have been made to face.

[ He must be angry, Arthur thinks, and rightly so. Arthur has to remind himself that it is not here, it is not Asgard. It is not Morgana, who begged his forgiveness for a trespass she knew nothing of, who told Merlin to take her life if she should ever threaten Arthur's, who told Arthur herself she would sooner perish. They are not the same for all that they are one; this, he has to remind himself. He closes his eyes for the briefest of moments - begging for patience, for the heart to continue on as he had - and folds his arms atop the desk. ]

I understand your reservations of this request, for they are true and right. I meant it when I said I do not doubt you, which is why I would thank you for your forbearance in this. If the time should come, know that I would act with you and withhold nothing, but -

[ He hesitates, not for lack of certainty in the sentiment, but because he thinks Gwaine should not want to hear it. He thinks he should not think it at all, even, feel it down to his core. Arthur wonders if there isn't something wrong with him some days. ]

- I have faith in her still. The differences between this realm and our own are vast, beyond even my comprehension more often than not, and if you had seen the light that shone within her, Gwaine, before -

[ Before everything. Before nothing. He doesn't know where he went wrong. Arthur shakes his head. ]

I believe it is still there, beneath all her anger and her hatred. Whether she should choose to return to us or not, I still believe she can be found. I will not stand against her until the moment she should choose to remain lost in that darkness and spread it across this land.

[ He sits back, quirks a brow and props up his chin on his armrest. If he keeps this too serious, he'll doze off and it'll never sink into Gwaine's head. :| ]

At which time, I will fully expect you and your exquisite sword [ a nod of his head toward the wooden piece of shite he tossed away ] at my side. You can bat off any rugs that might be in the way.

[ And there it all is again.

Faith. Trust. Before. Not unexpected. If Merlin said the same thing, so openly, Arthur was bound to be of the same general opinion.

It's hard to try to reconcile. Impossible, to think of the woman he's been imprisoned by- nothing but contempt and venom, shredding a kingdom in her bid to have it for herself and still furious with what parts won't have her. One who clearly has no plans on letting the three of them survive, but who makes them go to their demise instead of delivering it. Lets them linger to whoever happens to be the last man.

And then finds entertainment in it.

Gwaine isn't above anger. Never has been. He doesn't imagine that will ever change, and it hasn't in this. He wishes it were only for Gaius and Elyan's sake, but the truth is that it's selfish as well. Being useless in changing what's happened. Knowing what's inevitable if enough time passes without intervention, and not wanting to watch them suffer it. For wrongs done to him, for Camelot, everything and everyone that she's probably torn down trying to find Arthur, who Merlin could only be alongside- for what she would do if she did find them. For everything she's done.

Hasn't done, here.

Hypocritical to be angry with her here for being who she is, if he thinks that way. If he chooses to believe she's been truthful about what she knows.

It really comes down to trusting what Merlin and Arthur believe, and he's known since Merlin said "hear me out" that he was going to be putting faith into something he'd rather not have to. What they've said, they genuinely have faith in. What they claim to trust, they trust earnestly and clearly. And Gwaine trusts them above anybody else.

The end of Arthur's speech, he supposes, is where he ought to stand at the proverbial table all over again. Say something- well, something noble. "I've followed you in much more dangerous circumstances and I'll follow you now." "I'll trust you as you trust me, even if I can't extend it past and to her." "I wouldn't ask to be spared the hardship, my liege."

But really, when has he ever done? ]

I'm probably a fool for doing it, but I will keep my word. [ And that's a promise in itself. ] Only you severely underestimate just how much use I can put that sword to. It's very good against rogue chairs as well.

[ Good man, Gwaine. Never would Arthur doubt him, he knows too well the goodness beneath the game. ]

We'll keep on high alert for any wayward furniture, hm?

[ There's more to be said, so much more, but - they've got time. They've got nothing but time. ]

It's good to have with us again, Sir Gwaine. Do try to stick about this time.

[ That's that settled, then. All in order, except for making sure Gaius is doing well as ever. ]

You'll be sick of me all over again before you know it.

Hm, perhaps not. They've made a few hundred advances in hygiene. We may yet find a way to tolerate your presence. Have you tried the showers yet?

[ The King has an ongoing, very serious love affair with continuously flowing hot water... ]

[ And nobody was surprised by this impassioned affair of the King's. ]

Paying mind to my hygienic habits, are you? Never knew you cared. [ So impolite, really. He's as unhygienic as his hair is ridiculously feminine.

...so at the moment, in fairness, the levels have probably somehow amped to 'extremely' on both counts due to... dungeon.

But give it a few weeks, Arthur. He'll find vengeance somehow. ]

Ask any one of the Knights, Gwaine. We all care a great deal more than you appear to.

[ okay but srsly bro. He missed his men so much. 8') ]

You might think to ask how it is I still manage to look so much better, then. [ A time to wink, he thinks so. ]

[ lmfhabdk no. Arthur snorts. ]

I'd rather to ask when last you'd your eyes checked, as they've clearly lost sight of reality.

Seemed to be working perfectly last time I needed them.

Then being transported across the galaxies has clearly befuddled your mind. Get some rest. You've well earned it.

[ Well. At the moment he's dressed warmly, the cellmate more immediately direly in danger is here, well and accounted for, his King and King's manservant are also well and accounted for, and the Lady Morgana is... not an immediate threat. He's had a proper meal at last.

And there's a decent bed that's actually meant for him to sleep in, so. Best taken advantage of while it's still there, if he can manage. Probably can. (Definitely can. Kind of the point to not bristling and staying out and about just to be stubborn.) ]

Remind me to argue that I don't need to be ordered off to rest after I've finished resting, then. [ And a smile, less of the because-I-always-smile-or-things-are-bitterly-amusing variety and more of the genuine 'glad we're all alive and seeing each other again, downsides be damned' variety. He owes that much to circumstances as they are. ] I'm sure you could do with the extra challenge in your day.

And the many more that are sure to follow.

[ He gives his own quiet sort of smile. Things may be difficult and are sure to be moreso with all that lay ahead, but - well, it's good to have another of his men at his side. Even the loud an obnoxious ones. ]

You can lament being ordered around later on. I'll have Merlin fetch you for dinner. Now go on, away with you.

[ He makes a playful shooing motion with his hand. ]

Royalty. Always so demanding, eh?

[ But he is indeed going, to hopefully not accidentally smother himself by falling into a pillow face-first. Nice chatting with you, Sire. ]

[ Always a pleasure, Sir Gwaine. ]

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holy crap I am sorry about this tag.

but if you're sorry how can I be sorry w o w rude

we are just a rude cast of rudeness

Such a shame :'|

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