The Stables, Tuesday Afternoon

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

When it became painfully clear that there were no servants to help him in caring for Arthur's horse, Merlin found himself down in the stables. Mucking out a stall.

Destiny owed him big for this.

"How does one horse produce that much?" He asked--well, he asked the horses there. Not that they could answer him, of course.

[[Open, of course!]]

Comments

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Respect?" Merlin perked up at that, smiling. "Well, I think I could handle that, Éowyn. Are you new here as well?"

[outofthecage.livejournal.com]

"Quite new. I only arrived a few days ago," she said. "Are you attending the school as well, or are you simply here as a servant?" That would be sad if he was.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I am, actually," Merlin said brightly. "I was made TA of a class yesterday."

Oh yes, that would impress.

[outofthecage.livejournal.com]

"Really?" Éowyn asked, quite impressed indeed. "Of which class?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Mad Kings and Queens," Merlin said, going with it. Because it was working.

[outofthecage.livejournal.com]

"Am I to assume you have experience with mad royalty serving your prince?" Éowyn asked.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Of course--not." Believable! "I mean, I wouldn't call him mad. A bit of a prat, but..."

[outofthecage.livejournal.com]

"He should be here dealing with his own horse, if nothing else," she insisted. "A good rider accepts the difficult work, because the time spent brings you and the horse closer. At least, that is what I have always been taught."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You must come from a very interesting kingdom," Merlin said, with a laugh. "I've cleaned their stalls plenty of times and still have trouble keeping my horse from spooking."

[outofthecage.livejournal.com]

"All of our people have a great love of horses," Éowyn said. "Are you perhaps afraid of your horse? That might explain why it's skittish with you."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I'm not afraid!" Merlin answered a little too quickly. "I just have a certain kinship with them that can only be felt when I'm on my feet."

[outofthecage.livejournal.com]

Since he seemed kind, Éowyn was nice, and didn't laugh. "You should ride Windfola with me some time. He's strong enough to bear both of us, and then you would get to see what it's like to ride a horse that's calm."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"If you think that would help," Merlin said, relenting. Even though he was pretty sure about the connection being more as he said.