Camelot, Sunday

[bitch_prince]

Matters were not exactly improving any.

After tossing and turning a bit last night trying to figure out how the bloody hell they were getting out of this predicament, Arthur looked a bit the worse for wear. Not that he'd admit to it, or do anything but keep his back straight

Comments

Audience Chambers, Sunday Morning

[bitch_prince]

"There is something important that I--" Uther paused, for full effect, "...We would like you to address."

That should have been Arthur's first warning. His second one should have been the way Uther reached over, and took Catrina's hand. (But it's the first time he's been happy in a long while, he kept telling himself. I should not spit on it.)

"For too long, our people have had it easy. They have grown fat off our indulgence of them."

Arthur fought off the uneasy feeling in his stomach. "How so?"

"We provide peace, protection, and they give us little in return," Uther replied, with that eerie smile still in place.

Arthur blinked, then. He had to. "Most of our people are poor," he said, cautiously, "They survive off what little they can grow."

"That is what they would have us believe," Queen Catrina cut him off. Her glare in Arthur's direction could have cut through walls.

Was she really that naive? Arthur tilted his head towards her, and answered, earnestly, "That is what I see every day."

Re: Audience Chambers, Sunday Morning

[ccedontheemail]

"We are introducing a new tax," said Uther, as if he hadn't heard a bloody word that Arthur had said. Beside him, Catrina nodded.

"The people must pay for the sanctuary Camelot provides," she added, smoothly.

Re: Audience Chambers, Sunday Morning

[bitch_prince]

The sense of horror Arthur felt actually managed to spill over into his expression. "You can't," he said. "The majority are barely able to get by as it is!"

Re: Audience Chambers, Sunday Morning

[ccedontheemail]

"Those who refuse to pay will be arrested and publicly flogged." There was finality in Uther's voice. Once again, Arthur's point was being thoroughly ignored.

Lower Town of Camelot, Sunday Noon

[bitch_prince]

The guards stalked through the town, poking and prodding at every citizen to deliver their end of the tax. Arthur had a hard time keeping his upper lip stiff and his shoulders straight; his eyes darted from one person to another as they begged to be let off the tax.

Direct orders from the king. He had to remember that--

His eyes settled on one forlorn-looking, hungry woman, and pursed his lips.

Re: Lower Town of Camelot, Sunday Noon

[bitch_prince]

...only to be distracted by the sounds of a struggle. He tore his eyes away from her, and paced further down-- a man, being held down by two guards.

"What's going on here?" he demanded. The man was elderly, he could see that - there was no way he could withstand such force.

"He refused to pay the tax, sire!"

"You've asked for too much," the man choked out, pulling futilly at the arms gripping him. "I've given all I can!" Arthur's jaw set tighter as he struggled with himself. He glanced up, and met the eyes of the gathered townspeople.

Something broke.

"Let me see that," he said, and reached for the tiny bag of collected tax.

Re: Lower Town of Camelot, Sunday Noon

[bitch_prince]

He stared at the little pouch in his hand for another long moment. Not that much; the man certainly had to be very poor. So Arthur reached forward, offering the bag back to him.

"Release him," he said, stepping back. The befuddled man didn't know how quickly to scramble upright.

"But, sire--" one of the guards attempted, "The king's orders--"

Arthur slanted a look at him that offered him no avenue for further protest. "Give them all back their money," he ordered, and did his best to ignore the suddenly hopeful looks the villagers leveled at him.

Audience Chambers, Sunday Afternoon

[bitch_prince]

"I gave you a direct order," Uther snapped. At least that had wiped that look of distant admiration off his face, at last, Arthur thought darkly.

"The people cannot afford to pay the tax," he said. His back was more ramrod straight than usual, and his arms were behind his back: perfect military posture, ready for a fight.

Re: Audience Chambers, Sunday Afternoon

[ccedontheemail]

"I don't believe you were naive enough to take them at their word," Catrina flared up, combing her hair almost violently.

"We have their loyalty, their good will," Arthur said, picking his words very, very carefully. "Do not forsake that by making unreasonable demands."

"Is it so unreasonable for a king to expect his subjects to obey him?" she said, all righteous indignation.

Re: Audience Chambers, Sunday Afternoon

[bitch_prince]

He'd tried. He really had. He'd tried to be patient, tried to be good, but Arthur was quickly running out of any patience at all. "They'll starve."

"Nonsense," Uther said, and got upright just to give his words more power. "They've grown too soft. Remember these are your subjects, not your friends."

He thought of Merlin, then, and set his jaw. "Why can't we be both?"

"Because we rule the people, not the other way around."

Arthur shook his head slowly, his eyes slipping to the ground as he gathered up the courage to say something he'd never thought of saying to his father quite like this, before. "I think you're wrong."

Re: Audience Chambers, Sunday Afternoon

[ccedontheemail]

Uther's foot almost missed the next step as he put it down. "...I beg your pardon?!"

Gaius's Chambers, Sunday Afternoon

[camelotfolk]

As soon as Gaius heard the door closing behind him, he turned. "Merlin!" he said. "What have you found?"

Re: Gaius's Chambers, Sunday Afternoon

[bigdamndestiny]

It was surprisingly easy to spy on someone when they thought you fled for parts unknown, you know.

Which would be why Merlin was able to notice that Lady Catrina took a potion in order to keep from turning back into a troll. And, through some random flash of intelligence not to be seen by anyone in Camelot ever again because it would ruin so many story lines...

Stole one of the potions.

"Can you make something that tastes and looks like this?" Merlin asked, holding out the small vial.

Re: Gaius's Chambers, Sunday Afternoon

[camelotfolk]

"I don't know," Gaius said, frowning. He took the potion, and held it up to the light. "I suppose so. Without the troll's magic, it wouldn't have the same effect..."

Because apparently these things needed to be spelled out, like Merlin was a particularly slow child.

Re: Gaius's Chambers, Sunday Afternoon

[bigdamndestiny]

HE WAS, OKAY? GOD, GAIUS. GOD.

"Exactly!"

OOC

[bitch_prince]

Wheeee.