asgardeventide

[It seems eons have passed since he last showed his face on the network. It is a thinner face, one that has sobered considerably, one that is weary of life's trials.]

I wish to apologize to all those I worried. I...[he pauses as memories of his truly humiliating state flash through his mind. Swallowing quietly he continues] I seem to be myself again. I know not how I lost track of my bracelet this time, but I will keep a watchful eye to make certain to the best of my ability that it will not happen again.

[A soft smile spreads itself on his lips, despite it all]

To all my friends – I will be glad to hear from you. And my students - I would like you to contact me so that we may arrange a time for lessons to make up for my absence if you wish to have them.

To those unaware and the newcomers to Asgard - I welcome you. My name is Sir Lancelot, please feel at ease to ask any question you may have, and if you wish to learn self defense you are more than welcome to contact me for that as well, I will be glad to refer you to the right teacher if you wish to master a weapon I do not offer instructions on.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[That wasn't the answer she was expecting. It made her heart race and cheeks flush. Was talking to Lancelot always going to feeling like this? Gwen was unsure if she enjoyed it or not.]

I truly appreciate that. Thank you. I shall always be here to support you. [Something she says to everyone, but it feels awkward with him.]

[It makes his heart race and sink all at once.

No you won't, he wants to whisper back. You're meant for greater things, for a greater man. Talking to her this way, he can feel it chipping away at him, and soon he fears there will be nothing left. But what else can he do? He cannot avoid her, the city it too small for that. What can he do?]

And I you.

[She didn't know how to respond, but she wanted to say something. She wasn't ready for this conversation to end. Talking to Lancelot brought her joy, even though it brought on this awkward feeling as well.]

Is there anything else you need?

Some time to rest, and I should be back on my feet soon, I am certain.

[Time away, time to lick his wounds, time to get over his feelings. All things he shall never have. He's not complaining - he's happy to have people he cares for and who care for him in return around him.

But it's hard, the price is not a small one.

He offers a smile.]

You need not worry for me.

[That makes her smile.]

That is something I won't be able to do. You are my friend, and I will always worry about you.

[Her friend. And that is all he always must be.]

Then I shall promise to do all in my power to make it so you will have to worry as little as possible.

I don't think that is possible. [She's smiling though.] I'm afraid that you will just have to deal with me worrying about you. Worrying comes naturally to me.

But a smile suits you more.

[It just comes out naturally around her, he cannot help it. And when he realizes he's a second away from gazing at her dreamily he tries to get himself together.

There must be something he could do, he can't continue this way.]

[His comment made her catch her breath. Had he always had this affect on her? Such a simple comment, something even her father said, sounded so different coming from him. It was almost as if it were a new statement completely, seeing how her reaction was completely different.]

I feel the same way. [She realized how that sounded the second she said it.] I mean, about your smile. It suits you. Rather than having you worried about me. I just... [Oh Gwen, you will never get any better with this expressing yourself business.] A smile suits you as well.

[Oh dear God. He can't even begin to deal with what hearing I feel the same way from Gwen in any context is doing to his heart.

It races so quickly he fears it may escape his chest, and it hurts so much - more than any injury he has ever sustained in his life. Because he cannot laugh and move the strand of hair threatening to get into her eyes and tell her he loves her, tell her she's his whole world. He cannot lean forward and press a kiss to her lips, and it has nothing to do with the fact they are talking over the network and everything to do with that fact that he never could.

It's not fair. The thought is brief, but it's there. It's him she wants, right here and now, isn't it? So close, and yet she has never been further away.

He can't do it. For a moment he considers breaking his word to Mordred and simply running far far away where none of this could reach him anymore, where he wouldn't have to see her face every day, where he wouldn't have to hear her sweet voice tempting him. He is only a man, how much of this is he expected to take?

All of it, he reminds himself. Arthur knighted him and that is his purpose, to be loyal to his king, to fight in his name. To be the sort of man Merlin said he was proud of for this exact reason.

His smile is shaky, but he forces it to stay on.]

Thank you. Will you excuse me? There are some arrangements I must attend to, with my students.

Oh.

[It seem like heart break was going to be a normal occurrence for her in this place. However, because it was Lancelot, she tried not to let it show.

Though he was able to keep the smile on his face, she was not. She did not look sad, just stoic, as if it were merely business between the two of them. Maybe it was for the best. It seemed like everyone she was once close to was a stranger here. Not that she wanted it to be this way, but it seemed like something she couldn't control.]

Of course. I apologize for keeping you for so long. Have fun.

[She ended the call after a weak smile. Sorry, but not going to be able to handle talking to you any longer, Lancelot.]

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;