"Merlin's Plan of Action" (Rose)
Merlin sits with his feet atop the bed, ankles crossed, and back against the wall. He heaves a heavy sigh into the silence. "There must be something we can do," I point out, feeling a bit on the helpless side of things. He remains quiet for a few moments, eyes darting across the room in concentration.
"There is something, but it's always a risk," he swings his legs over the side of his bed and plants his boots firmly onto the floor.
"Something you've done before, I take it."
"Oh, yes," he smiles his goofy smile, "Plenty. But I've not done much partner work."
"I don't have to come along if you don't want me to. Honestly, I'd rather you tell me so that I'm not imposing in any way."
"You're not!"
"I mean that, Merlin," I look into his eyes, even from across the room I want this to get through to him. "I don't want to be a bother. I'm not here to invade your life and take over. I only want to be involved as much as you want me to be. Definitely no more, and really, no less. You've already done so much and been so welcoming and open. I don't want to wind up any bigger of a pest than I already am."
"You've never met a pest in your life, have you?" he laughs lightheartedly. "I promise you, everything I've done and included you in was for selfish reasons, not from obligation. I like having you with me. You make everything seem brighter in a sense. Things are never tedious, and they're never too much to handle either. You always know what to say, and you're my friend. Whether or not you go with me now is up to you entirely. I want you to, but you don't have to. My plan of action is a little nerve-wracking."
"Alright. Suit yourself," I smile, "What is Merlin's plan of action?" I lean forward and listen to his idea intently.
"Ten Steps Back" (Merlin)
Just as I thought, Morgana is out and about soon enough with Rose and I hot on her trail. Morgana seems to be on her way outside the city, adorned in her cloak and all. It's quite the risk with the curfew fast approaching. I'm hoping this will not be a sleepless night spent outside of Camelot's walls, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to set things right.
We keep behind Morgana always around ten steps back, far enough to not be discovered, and close enough to not lose her. My suspicions grow as she heads for the stables. I link my mind to Rose's. 'Great,' my attitude plummets, 'Now we have to wait until she's left the stables and track her on horseback.'
'That shouldn't be too difficult,' the confidence of her voice fills my head, 'And plus, horses are ideal for a quick getaway and we won't be as tired from traveling.'
With that, we lie in wait as Morgana tacks up her white steed and rides for the gates. I dart into the stables and cheat a bit, using magic to be faster in preparing my horse for riding. I mount up and Rose secures her position behind me. We plunge forward into the night unknowingly as Morgana leads us straight into the woods.