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[pratservant]

[The video shows Merlin in profile, leaning across the a table and feeding one of the many, many olives from his basket to something just off-screen.I've heard a lot of talk about being thankful lately. It's nice. I certainly have plenty to be thankful for. The arrival of friends that I thought I might never see again. The chance to make new

Comments

Video;

[medicatus]

--- Is everything alright, Merlin?

Video;

[pratservant]

Just thinking out loud, mostly.

[Mostly. Though it is an ironic subject between the two of them, now that he thinks about it.]

Are there things you couldn't forgive?

Video;

[medicatus]

A man who seeks forgiveness is a man who knows he has done wrong, and wishes to correct his ways. I believe a chance should be given when asked. It is those who won't admit to their mistakes that worry me.

[ Uther, naturally. ]

Video;

[pratservant]

[The corner of his lips twitch. She makes it sound so noble and pure. Uncomplicated.]

You don't think it's ever really too late?

[Voice]

[pratservant]

Such as? If you don't mind me asking.

[Voice]

[pratservant]

[Things that cannot be undone. Merlin hears an echo of his own words - it's hard to make amends with people who are no longer here. He hears much that he agrees with, tries to find some comfort in that.]

I can't forgive anyone who harms the people I care about. But...maybe I've done unforgivable things too. So what right do I have? How can I want something that I refuse to give in return?

[private - video] because she knows Bellatrix is out there

[wotchesyou]

Some things can't ever be forgiven, Merlin.

[private - video]

[pratservant]

[He sees the private filter and exhales. With her, he knows he can speak a little more directly.]

I always believed that I could never forgive anyone who hurt my friends. Especially not if they used magic to do it.

I still believe that. But this feeling...it's so close to hatred.

[private - video]

[wotchesyou]

I tried to, you know. I thought really long and hard on it. I wanted to... But I just can't.

I don't know what to do about her. I gave her wand to Remus.

[private - video]

[pratservant]

[Quietly.]

I don't know that I can either.

Remus and Arthur. They're better men than I am.

voice;

[sweeping]

[ she actually wasn't going to reply, just as she hasn't replied to arthur's post. gwen meant to keep her distance from them both, partly because she was taking stepping back very seriously, and partly because she simply wanted to be alone and nurse the wounds she'd been dealt.

but it's merlin. so he gets a very courteous voice reply, in which gwen avoids the greater topic of the post. ]

You should put a salve on it, lest it become infected.

voice;

[pratservant]

[The sound of her voice was unexpected, but certainly not welcome. In fact, Merlin has to take a moment to restrain himself and not just...overwhelm her with words.]

Oh, uhm. Yeah. Would be bad, wouldn't it? Death by infected thumb. Very...unmanly.

voice;

[sweeping]

Gaius would be terribly disappointed.

[ it's meant to be a joke, but gwen's tone doesn't quite carry it off. she's already sorry she intruded. ]

voice;

[pratservant]

Would you at least tell him it was a much bigger dragon? Half the size of the castle. Swallowed me up in one bite. That sort of thing?

[Trying to cheer her up. ...With jokes about him being eaten by a dragon. Gj Merlin.]

video

[bedsidemanners]

You mean if you can't make restitution?

video

[pratservant]

Right. If it's something that can't be undone. Or...was undone, maybe, but through nothing that you did.

video

[bedsidemanners]

Well, the pat answer's yes.

But I really think it depends on the person and the offense and so on. In the long run it's more important to learn to forgive yourself.

video

[pratservant]

Even if others don't?