sixwordstories | (no subject)

[That was a very good response. Merlina tucks back her dark hair and stands straighter, clutching the herbs she had been gathering close to her. The dark blue cloak around her shoulders; deep red, nearly maroon with wear and time bodice; the powder blue chemise; white apron. She definitely is not of his time. Of course, the giant flash bang that happened before her arrival could've signaled that as well]

Depends on what happens before the questions are asked.

Very true. [his hands rests on his sword hilt and his pistol butt respectively, but he doesn't draw .... yet]

For example, I could ask where you're hiding your smoke bombs.

What are smoke bombs?

[It would be funny except Merlina is genuinely confused as to what a bomb was.]

[he gestures with his hands. Little ball, then boom; he throws his hands wide] What made your entrance.

[She watches and it still puzzles her a little]

A spell brought me here. More specifically Morgana, if my suspicions are correct.

[Speaking of.]

Please, my lord, could you direct me to Camelot?

[Oh. Oh. Well.]

That is going to be a complicated answer.

[that didn't sound good]

Why is it going to be a complicated answer?

Well ... you're outside of Paris. In the year 1630.

[she may resemble a codfish gaping at him like that. Paris? In France? And the year was all wrong. She holds into her bundle of herbs and swallows thickly]

Suppose that means I have a bit of a journey ahead of me.

[d'Artagnan winces at her discomfort; he doesn't like being the cause of it.]

How did you end up here, madamoiselle? If you don't mind me asking.

Ambush. I was gathering herbs for Gaius. I looked up and there was Morgana and she used a spell of some sort.

[far too quickly for Merlina to think of a counter spell]

[and trying not to sound - or feel - crazy, he says] Why would Morgana send you here?

To get to Arthur. And Gwen.

[and it sounded like magic wasn't a part of his every day.]

You don't believe me.

Oh, no it's not that. [well, it is, but.]

It's just that I've read in books about the people you mention. And there is no ... well, there doesn't seem to be magic here.

I've heard of stories of the people from Paris but...no magic? How is that possible?

[a small sliver of fear grips her heart. Did someone take on Uther's ideals and succeed?]

Were they...executed?

[Well, sometimes. Yes. Gulp. Perhaps d'Artagnan's expression gives that away.]

Well.

[fear confirmed. She has a long journey back to Camelot. She curtsies, hoping he won't notice the small tremor]

I thank you for your assistance, my lord.

Wait. [he takes a small step forward. He can't just let her walk away like this.] What will you do now?

[she stops and keeps her composure or tries to at least]

Try to find my way back home?

[try not to get killed or executed? She managed to stay hidden in Camelot. Shouldn't be too hard here, right!]

Until then ... [he offers a tentative smile] Perhaps I could help keep you safe? I am a member of the King's Guard. I know a bit about that sort of thing.

I...I don't even know where to start, my lord.

Perhaps ... we can start with names. Mine is d'Artagnan.

Merlina.

[she gives a small curtsy]

I'm pleased to meet you. You...you said there were stories of Arthur and Gwen.

[he bows]

There are. Let me guess. You're Arthur? [there's that small, crooked smile again.]

[that gets her to laugh a little]

No, Arthur has been in love with Gwen since I've known them both.

Are there any stories about me?