asgardeventide | o12 ♔ video

[ Arthur speaks quickly, authoritative. They've had their chance to recover, now it is back to the field. ]

Those of the Guard from Princess Diana's Squadron, report in to me now. I've not been able to make contact with her, we will split your numbers amongst the other two in her absence. Freyjadour, prepare for emergency formation - ours will take over Sigyn if you'll see to Heimdall. Hel should be far enough from the northern gate to be covered by a group of three or four, if there might be any volunteers to hold that position.

[ He pauses, lips pursed in displeasure. They are too pressed for time for any flourish. ]

Their forces are returning in kind, they will be upon us before long. Those of you still well enough to fight, we need you posted along the northern gate. Hold rank together, as their numbers vastly outweigh our own and we will stand stronger as one than spread thin throughout the whole of the city. If we can hold Odin and Baldr, we can prevent them reaching the Comfort House and the Arena. These should be made our priority [ as it feels very much like this is more an effort of staving off the inevitable over winning ] and those of you injured or unfit for battle, remain in either location. Do not make to the streets unless you are prepared for combat.

[ Another brief pause. ]

We were never under any illusions this battle would be easily met, and there is still more to come, but we are not yet lost, Asgard. We stand not amongst gods, but they amongst us, the Travellers of every realm across existence gathered not for Asgard, but for all beneath Yggdrasil. We fight to the last and withhold nothing. This is our moment to triumph, and we will not yield.

[ private || filtered to NC, TFW, Conan Edogawa ]

Report in. I want numbers lost, numbers gained, anything you can tell me of ours and theirs. [ You all better be alive, dammit. ] If you're well and prepared, regroup at the Citadel for a final weapons check. We move at the hour.

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I don't care.

[ it seems like she's been saying it quite a lot lately. But she doesn't, there will be no convincing her in this case. ]

I am coming with you.

[ with his friends and his men, certainly; but with him above all. If she is to lose him afterwards -- she will not fail him here only to have him go back home to her failing him there. Not twice. ]

[ He gives a moment's pause, not for hesitation, but - if she is thinking of the return home and what she will lose, Arthur is thinking of what is here, what she has. That stubborn ferocity, a headstrong strength that has inspired him from childhood.

He will miss this. He will mourn for it, and yearn for it every day for the rest of his life. ]

I never did quite learn how to refuse you.

Everything you know you learned from me, so it's not a wonder.

[ she smiles around the tease; it fades a moment later. She said goodbye to Merlin, she bid goodbye to Mithian. But Arthur -

How can she bid him goodbye when she is so unwilling to part from him, how indeed. She is silent for a moment and then for another. ]

When this is done and we return -

[ remember what we spoke of, you must end this, brother, for us both, she wants to say but doesn't. It will come, too; Arthur never escaped his duties. This is another. A grave one, something familial and personal and between them. ]

I will not say this to you then. I must tell you this before you go. With some small mercy, perhaps you will remember it as a dream.

[ She doesn't dare to hope the same for herself. ]

You will make a wonderful king, Arthur Pendragon. One that would justify being remembered across realms and times. I told you once, no world would design a better man. Camelot is simply fortunate to be led by such. You must not forget; you must not let Uther lead you in any path that is not your own.

And you must not let me do it either, no matter what I become.

[ hate is easy, anger even more so, she should know. ]

Whatever befall us there, you have my loyalty here until the very end, brother. Both my loyalty and my love.

[ Arthur purses his lips tighter and tighter, shaking his head minutely as she speaks. These words have past between them before, the sentiments spoken in every smile and touch shared, stolen, because they are no longer theirs to be had.

But this is different. This, he cannot hear, and he shakes his head, lips aching to tremble. ]

Don't - [ his brows furrow, still shaking his head. ] - don't start being kind now, at the end of the worlds.

[ He tries to smile, but he can't really, and it crumples to something pained instead. A sharp inhale and short exhale, shaking, shaking. He can't. ]

I will not say goodbye to you, Morgana. I cannot. Everything I have learned - every inch of my compassion, of my courage, of all that makes me great - I have learned from you.

[ From childhood into adulthood; here, now, more than ever. The marks of their bond have reached too deep within him to deny, to simply forget what was between them, even once she will deny him. The very thought hurts more than he can bear. ]

You cannot ask me bid farewell when my love for you will leave this realm with me and carry to the ends of time. I won't do it. I can't.

[ she wants to cry but she doesn't. She wants to weep and scream at the unfairness of it all but she keeps her voice steady and her face calm. If her eyes are bright well then, it must be the light. ]

Together then. You will let me come with you.

[ He has to swallow before he can manage a weak smile and incline his head. ]

Together.

[ To the end, in this life and the next. ]

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