♔ trois || fool unmade

[ensorceler]

[Elizabeth Tudor]

Elizabeth, you are no child, and so I will not treat you as such. You have married a King of England, and if this is true, I will meet him at once.

[/Elizabeth Tudor]

[ She's already had her shrieking fit off camera, so by now she's become more composed and willing to socialize again. Sort of. She dictates the following with tight-lipped composure; ]

I find it difficult to grasp the notion that none noticed by absence. Truly, I am horrified still at what transgressed, having had to depend on a strange but noble woman for escort, only to return and find none the wiser.

This must cease. This... This mockery of a castle is nothing more than a small child dressing itself up in empty purpose. Any fey who might try such nonsense on me again will rue it. Think you that I am the weaker for not having my lord husband at my side? That is a dangerous mistake to make.

If none other will hold court here, then I will take up that role as Regent, and breathe purpose into the very walls. Any who have or would swear fealty to England, I would have a renewal of your vows. If you do not already know the name Anne Boleyn, you will know it soon, and know it well.

Comments

[ensorceler]

[ WOW THAT SOUNDED TERRIBLE. Merlin, you just accused her of being crazy. Now she wants to stab you.

Her voice is icy cold. ]

If I am, those taking the name Merlin have been little help in finding me a reprieve. You say I showed you about, and called you 'milord' like a common kitchen wench, and dare to call me insane? You will apologize at once for such ludicrous accusations.

And you will do so in person, so that I might look upon the face of treachery.

[magicus]

[ OH MY GOD she's terrifying, he's legitimately terrified. He'd almost rather be talking to Morgana right now.

Well, no he wouldn't, but he still badly regrets saying hello. ]

I'm sorry about the insane comment, but I won't apologize for something I didn't do. [ A pause. ] Or something you don't remember doing, because yes, I did say those things, but - they did happen.

Unless there's another Anne with your voice, which I'm starting to think is very likely. The Anne I met sounded much nicer.

[ensorceler]

You met an imposter, but you assume much and go too far to also say I am unkind. You have done nothing but spout insanity at me, how else am I to react? Are you denying royalty an audience, Merlin?

[ Seriously she hates these journals, get over here so she can talk to you in person and claws your eyes out. ]

[magicus]

[ Fine, he can handle a crazy queen. He's not scared of you!! Although his track record might imply otherwise about the crazy queen thing. ]

Only if you promise to listen calmly and stop accusing me of being a liar, my Lady.

[ Yes, there might be a small amount of attitude in that title. But he's not actually averse to meeting her; he'd like to confirm her identity either way. ]

[ensorceler]

[ She's smiling now, good thing he can't see it, because it's kind of a crazy smile. Anne does not like sarcasm, at all. But anything attached to her title is a sore subject, now more than ever.

Damn the castle to Hell, and damn all the Merlins as well. ]

Very well, I will listen to you, so long as you remember your station and mine.

[ Whatever his station is, she doesn't care. She's gonna slap him. ]

My chambers are on the sixth floor.

dictated -> action

[magicus]

[ He's grinning, and she can probably hear it. Amused at her expense? Maybe. He's still mostly just confused, but it's a bad habit of his to find people bossing him around funny in a slightly ironic sense.

But he'll humor this, because he wants to figure out where on earth that nice Anne ended up. He'll definitely still mock the title a second time, though. ]

Yes, your Majesty, I'll be right up.

[ And by right up he means he'll take his time (and get lost, let's be honest), so when he finally knocks on her door, it's a good half hour later. He's got his journal in one hand and he's gotten rid of the grin by then, looks more curious and concerned. ]

[ensorceler]

[ By that time she's honestly assumed he turned chicken and ran off, like the jerk he clearly is. It's given her time to stew in her displeasure, but also to cool off somewhat.

At the knock, she expects Elizabeth, so her voice is somewhat more amiable and welcoming than it was over the journal, as she looks up from where she's seated, munching on apple slices. ]

Enter.

[magicus]

[ He cracks the door open and peeks in, first, just to confirm - and yes, it's definitely the girl he's met. Except... not at all, going by the clothes and the general demeanor.

But he steps inside anyway, offering her a broad smile in greeting. ] Hello.

[ And that's it, because surely she'll recognize him now. He's not going to make a second introduction. ]

[ensorceler]

[ She straightens up immediately at the sight of the stranger, completely alarmed until he opens his mouth and speaks. Oh. That voice...

Wow, he isn't bowing. She'll give him a few seconds to try to make up for that, as she holds out her hand and watches him carefully. KISS IT AND BE POLITE. ]

Merlin, I presume. You are most welcome for the time being.

[magicus]

[ He gives her hand a slightly confused look, but then he'll go to... shake it... look, he doesn't do court etiquette, he's usually busy mucking out the horses. Royalty doesn't typically let him anywhere near their hands.

But he's not sure what to say, really, except he's clearly very amused. ]

Is this some kind of joke? Did Arthur put you up to it?

[ensorceler]

[ Anne is starting to look amused, too, when he shakes her hand, and again when he mentioned Arthur. ]

You speak of my daughter's husband? Ah, of course, you are Merlin after all... I assume you serve him, along with the other?

King of England he may be, but he does not command me, and I am certain he would command you to treat me with more respect. Now sit, and say your piece.

[magicus]

[ Wait, what.

Arthur had mentioned a fake marriage, and Merlin's quick to put two and two together, but that doesn't stop him from looking entirely incredulous at that bit of news. He's not sitting down just yet, though he does appreciate the offer.

Because fake marriage, sure, but this woman can't possibly be older than Merlin is. ] Wouldn't your daughter be a bit young for marriage?

[ensorceler]

[ Her expression sours again at his refusal to sit, and then of course, the reminder of Elizabeth's age. ]

More magic brought about my mischievous fey, or perhaps the wizards that seem to plague this castle.

[ Yeah you, buster. ]

If it were up to me, I would be able to pick my daughter up in my arms, but Paradisa deems otherwise. Who knew that some truth could lie in all this superstition? Now, do you have any other irrelevant comments, or are you ready to explain yourself?

[magicus]

[ The pointed wizard comment shifts his mood considerably, and when he takes a seat, he's no longer grinning. ]

That depends on how much you're willing to explain first. What wizards do you know here? [ It's a dumb question, but he's not going to confirm anything before she does. And sorry, Anne, he's not getting back to your amnesia just yet. This takes priority - for him, at least. ]

[ensorceler]

[ It is a dumb question, to her. Especially since she owes him no answers, not when he's the one who wanted to come up here to plead his case. Demanding answers from a queen is dangerous business, and her eyes narrow considerably, but mostly because his serious face unnerves her.

Because he's a bloody wizard. ]

Let's see, how much am I willing to explain to a boy who presumes to know me? You are over familiar, sir, and lacking enough wit to know when you over reach yourself.

[ ...And, again, probably because he's a bloody wizard. Although frankly he's still been more polite than most of the responses to her entry. That's unsettling. ]

Is it because you are Merlin, and know no allegiance but to your King Arthur? Because it seems to me that there are too many Merlins, and not nearly enough Arthurs to share.

CLIMBS ON

[magicus]

[ If he's the most polite response, then yes, that is unsettling. He's not being rude intentionally, at least, though that hardly counts for anything. ]

So I've noticed. But you're not wrong - my allegiance is to King Arthur. [ He's not just anybody's servant, thank you. But it's clear she knows, and there's really no point in pretending otherwise. ]

You haven't spoken to Arthur of this?

[ensorceler]

[ Anne just squints at him even more, still surprised he's okay with referring to King Arthur just by his name. Somehow it would seem less rude if he was an old man like the legends say.

So she just ignores his question because she doesn't see how that's relevant. ]

You know, I expected somebody different to walk through my door. It's true that you sounded young, but I—

[ She stops herself then, and leans forward a little bit. There's suspicion mingled with a child-like curiosity and excitement as she motions in his direction. ]

I have trouble believing you are truly the Merlin of legend meant to serve King Arthur. Show me proof that you are he, and I shall answer your question.

[magicus]

[ Asked to do magic. That doesn't happen often. He gives the door a cautious look as if he expects someone else to walk through it (not that he doesn't trust her, or anything) before glancing around the room for something to use.

Her journal's as good as anything. He doesn't bother speaking, just focuses on it for a moment, and with a flash of gold eyes it's drawn from where it rests into his hands. Well, more like it's thrown across the room and he catches it. He's still not great at very precise movements. ]

Your turn. [ And then, quickly, because this is starting to annoy him- ] And why is everyone so upset about me being young?

[ensorceler]

[ Despite requesting the trick, Anne can't hold back a short yelp (near scream) of surprise and fear as her own journal is flung away. Him catching it scarcely helps her nerves, and she seems reluctant to try and get it back.

Watching with a new tone or wariness, Anne tries to keep from clutching at her skirt like a little girl, instead folding her hands there in her lap where the journal was. Heart beating like crazy, yep. ]

I care not what others feel about you. It does not upset me, it is just unexpected.

You...are the first I have seen use magic, other than this wretched castle.

[magicus]

[ He doesn't feel bad for startling her, really - though the idea of her being afraid of magic isn't a comfortable one. He waits a moment before offering her the journal, and he's careful not to move too forcefully. ]

Why is it unexpected? And I'm sorry, I assumed- [ Defensiveness isn't quite the right word, but he does seem slightly anxious at her admission of having never seen anyone use magic. ] It seems like this place is full of magic. I've spoken to others with it.

[ensorceler]

[ She sets the journal aside as soon as he hands it, back, like it's going to set her on fire or something. When she looks back to him, she seems just as puzzled by his claims as he is by her admission. ]

I have not been here long, compared to many others. Mine own daughter has suffered the castle's cruelty for some time without my comfort... Knowing she's had the warm love and kind guidance of His Majesty King Arthur is my only solace.

Perhaps magic died with Camelot, for it is only a thing of legend in my time. But to be a legend is no small thing, Merlin.

[ The closest she can come to complimenting him right now, really. ]

[magicus]

[ It's not the first time people have said as much about magic, but it's definitely the first time anybody's said it so bluntly. Needless to say, after watching Arthur die for Albion - for magic - not even months ago, it's not something he's interested in hearing.

But that's not her fault. He's lashed out at others for it and gained nothing. So there's a moment of silence as he takes the time to get through the initial shock of the statement, and when he speaks he sounds tired, maybe slightly annoyed, but not angry. ]

Yes, that's something else people keep saying.

[ He could say a great deal more, but that's not the point of this conversation. None of this was, actually, but they'll come back to why she's acting so bizarrely soon enough. ]

How much have you spoken to Arthur about this? [ He found out from the other Merlin that Arthur doesn't know, theoretically, but that won't last for long if all of his fancy new friends are aware of it. ]

[ensorceler]

I haven't had the chance to speak with King Arthur at all. Why do you keep insisting on asking?

[magicus]

[ Well, he'd been trying to play nice, but that attitude puts him off quickly. He was stupid to think that she'd keep any of his secrets willingly if she knew she had them to give. ]

No reason. Why are you so awful today? [ Not... exactly how he'd meant to phrase it, but it's the same point, really. There's a short pause, and the next questions are mostly free of any hostility. ] Is it the castle? Did it do something to you?

[ensorceler]

[ The 'awful' jab gets a scowl out of her, and she's seriously considering demanding he leave. How dare he call her awful, she's trying so hard to be polite despite his complete and utter disregard for courtesy. But how do you demand things of a wizard that can make things fly around? Anne is scared enough to not want to anger him, but somehow that still does little to temper her own remarks. ]

Oh, did you only just now figure that out? I suppose I should not fault you, if you are incapable of paying attention and listening to your betters, instead favoring to insult and mock when you have the slightest chance.

I was whisked away by some force, though it seemed as if I merely woke in another dream, with none to defend me but a lone woman and her strange weaponry. I was there for more than a day, though it was impossible to really tell time, and I can state with a fact that I could have died if not for her bravery.

So you see why I find it difficult to believe you when you claim we have met before... In a time I was not even here.