*A Long Hoped For Meeting*

[king_not_clotpole]

They're running a bit late, but Arthur and Sir Leon, who make quite an odd picture in a large cart rather than on horseback as befitting knights.

But they're not in their armour and aside from their swords are unarmed.

Arthur is looking at the map. "All right, this should be the place..." Looks up and around.

Leon sighs. "Forgive me, sire, but direction is not your strong suit."

"Hey!"

Before anything else can be said, though, there is a sound ahead.

Could it be?

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[kingnotclotpole.livejournal.com]

Arthur smiles right back, it's almost like old times.

He takes covers her hand with his. "I wish I could give you something to help you sleep."

Leon clears his throat and Arthur looks over.

"Right, I suppose we can't linger...Guinevere's waiting for me at home."

[exiledskeptic.livejournal.com]

"Of course, Leon's here as your protection from me as much as anything. Morgana gives a bit of a dirty look to the knight in question.

"Of course, you must go home to the Queen. I am certain she and the warlock are worried sick."

[notsmallcarys.livejournal.com]

Carys has been munching merrily on some of the bread given to her yesterday at the palace, but when she sees the King making movements to leave, she hops up and dashes over.

"Excuse me," she doesn't wait for his pardon, "can you return this?"

It's the handkerchief the Queen gave her the day before and Carys is not a thief.

[kingnotclotpole.livejournal.com]

Arthur shakes his head surprised when Carys holds out the handkerchief.

"Thank you...you don't have too, Guinevere has plenty of handkerchiefs."

He smiles at her then looks at Rhys and Preece and Morgana. "There is nothing more you require I hope?"

[notsmallcarys.livejournal.com]

But Carys is insistent, "Just because someone has plenty of things doesn't mean I take them."

Arthur, you're pricking a 10 year old's pride here.

[kingnotclotpole.livejournal.com]

"Of course not, I'll deliver it to her with your compliments." Arthur swears solemnly, taking the handkerchief, folding it and placing it in his pocket.

He looks over his shoulder at Morgana, then back at the brothers.

"I just want to say that your community is welcome to seek refuge in Camelot should you need to. The harvest was good this year so there's plenty to share."

He looks over at Morgana. "And of course, you are always welcome to come home."

[exiledskeptic.livejournal.com]

Arthur's response to Carys earns a soft smile, but the offer to return home erases it.

She steps closer to Arthur. "I think that might be entirely dependent on you warlock, Arthur, not you."

[kingnotclotpole.livejournal.com]

Arthur sighs. "Merlin doesn't want to...he's not going to..." he's at a loss for words as he often is with these things. "I'm sorry for what he did to you, I know it's unforgivable. But...sometimes the unforgivable can be forgiven." He ventures, hopefully.

God knows he's done it...with Father - who he truly believed was repentant (and he rather hopes it's so for his father's sake.

"I...he's... I couldn't be the king I am without him. I can't choose between you."

[exiledskeptic.livejournal.com]

"I do not think you know what the warlock wants. I do not even think he knows," and that is all Morgana is going to say on that matter, as it's clear Arthur doesn't know what transpired after he left. "That is the biggest obstacle."

She shakes her head. "Arthur, if you cannot be the King you are without him, then you already did choose between us, as the warlock once did between you and me."

With that, Morgana turns and heads towards the cart, to see if she can help with any final preparations.

[kingnotclotpole.livejournal.com]

Arthur's completely confused by Morgana's words...and has to wonder what Merlin hasn't told him.

But he forgets that at her words. Swallowing hard, at a loss for words. Does she really believe that? Is it true?

He gives a slight start of surprise as Leon puts a hand on his shoulder.

"They have decided to take two of the horses, sire. I can saddle your horse."

Arthur shakes his head. "No, I'll do it." He needs something to do so he doesn't start blubbering.

[notsmallcarys.livejournal.com]

Before the King and Sir Leon leave, a whirling dervish of a girl steps in front of Sir Leon, and finding him far too tall, but not because she is little, steps one over to place herself front of Arthur.

"Thank you and I like your horse."

With that, Carys, full of energy and food for the first time in a while, runs back to Morgana, and in the casual way children do, leans into her, giving her a half hug, before crawling onto the cart for the journey back.

[kingnotclotpole.livejournal.com]

If Carys hadn't been such a whirr of energy Arthur might have hugged her, she's such a sweet little girl - makes him wish for a daughter.

"Ni likes you too." He assures her and Ni does, leaning forward to nuzzle Carys hand.

"Farewell, I hope the grain and cloaks will see you through."

He's relieved to see Carys hug Morgana, his sister needs some unconditional love.

He stands there watching the four leave, before nodding to Leon and mounting his horse for the long ride back to Camelot.