[The strangeness of this place, the sheer unfamiliarity of everything that surrounds him--the ever-present threat of sorcery--all of it fades, at least for a moment.
A just ruler. Was there ever anything else that he wanted to be? The best king Camelot had ever known, perhaps--a strong king, a fierce king, honored in song for deeds and battles and bravery--but as he grew older, justness seemed as important as all the rest, sometimes more than. Does this count the same as having some seer tell him of his future? And it hardly matters that he does not know or understand the rest of what she says--legendary swords, knights of round tables--a prosperous Camelot, that's what he hears. A just king with a prosperous kingdom, with strength enough to defend his people.
His stomach feels very small and tight, and his throat is difficult to work, but he swallows, hard, and gives a curt nod.]
Does-- [Morgana, he thinks of her, of course, and Gwen--his father, the knights of Camelot--Merlin-- Their fates are entwined in his. But he cannot ask of the future. He will not peer into it more than he has; he will not use this end of sorcery to know more than he ought, no matter how tempting it seems.] I will not ask further. So long as I know that Camelot is safe, that my rule is known for being a just rule.
FLEXES
A just ruler. Was there ever anything else that he wanted to be? The best king Camelot had ever known, perhaps--a strong king, a fierce king, honored in song for deeds and battles and bravery--but as he grew older, justness seemed as important as all the rest, sometimes more than. Does this count the same as having some seer tell him of his future? And it hardly matters that he does not know or understand the rest of what she says--legendary swords, knights of round tables--a prosperous Camelot, that's what he hears. A just king with a prosperous kingdom, with strength enough to defend his people.
His stomach feels very small and tight, and his throat is difficult to work, but he swallows, hard, and gives a curt nod.]
Does-- [Morgana, he thinks of her, of course, and Gwen--his father, the knights of Camelot--Merlin-- Their fates are entwined in his. But he cannot ask of the future. He will not peer into it more than he has; he will not use this end of sorcery to know more than he ought, no matter how tempting it seems.] I will not ask further. So long as I know that Camelot is safe, that my rule is known for being a just rule.
[A pause, and he actually adds:] Thank you.