[video; locked to Ariadne]

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[Merlin looks kind of smug. His surroundings is not the familiar Camelot or medieval backdrop. He's actually in a 21st century looking apartment, sans Ariadne since he waited until she had stepped out for the day. There's a roast chicken dinner waiting on the table with all sorts of garnishing, side dishes, vegetables, potatoes. A practical fest for two people. With candles.]

Hope she likes it.

Comments

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[After meeting briefly with Arthur and Eames, Ariadne returned home. While it was her birthday, she never had any thoughts to make a big deal about it. She hadn't in the past four years or so. As she unlocked the apartment door she wondered if she had even told Merlin about it. It was probably something he would have liked to know...

So needless to say she was surprised when she opened the door and was greeted by the smell of a hot dinner and the sight of Merlin.]

Merlin!

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

I was told it was your birthday and I thought that you might like something special. [he beams]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[She laughs softly as she takes off her coat and comes over to give Merlin a hug.]

Well, this certainly is a nice surprise.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[he hugs her back and gives her a slow, sweet kiss] Not over yet but we could start with this. [he lets her go with a kiss to the back of her hand and pulls out a chair]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[Ariadne gladly lets him lead her to the table and takes her seat.]

Did you make all of this?

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

It wasn't easy. But I did. [he serves the food onto her plate before serving himself and sitting down next to her]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

It looks amazing. [And she gladly takes her first bite.]

Tastes great, too.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

Nice to know that I could become a cook if Gaius' medical lectures never stick. [he is smiling as he takes a few bites of his own meal]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

I think you'll be just fine in that area. [She smiles back before taking a drink.]

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you think so. [he smiles and continues to eat]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[She eats quietly for a minute or two.]

I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my birthday directly. It kind of slipped my mind.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

It's all right. I understand. [he smiles at her then reaches to squeeze her hand]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[She lets her hand rest in his.]

I'll just need to make sure I know when yours is so I can do something special for you.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

It's around Yule. I don't know if the calendars are the same.

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

Hmm...

I'll just have to make sure I make Christmas, er, Yule extra special, then.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

Maybe you could come see me in Camelot. That would definitely make it special. [he sets down his fork] There's more. Not just the dinner.

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

I'll definitely be there.

[She tilts her head curiously.] More?

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[he gets up and picks up a cloth wrapped bundle before placing it next to her plate]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[She picks up the bundle and carefully unwraps it.]

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[To be honest, he couldn't decide between all of the advice he had been receiving between Arthur and Eames. But ultimately he hoped that it would be the correct decision. He watched her face carefully as the cloth falls away to reveal a medium sized leather tome]

It's...a catalog. Well, a less used catalog of quite a few castles in Albion. I checked with Geoffrey. He already has a newer copy of it.

[there's a smaller bundle underneath the book but he wants her to enjoy the book first]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[Her eyes almost sparkle at the book in her hands. Gently she leafs through the pages and admires the castles.]

It's perfect, Merlin. [She looks up at him and smiles brightly.] Thank you!

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[her smile is infectious. He gives her a sweet kiss and snatches the small bundle away. Maybe not now. Maybe during Yule]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[She's too enthralled by the book to even notice.]

Do you think I could see them in person when I visit for Yule?

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

Some of them, yes. [he's beaming. Yay, he chose the right present!]

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

I'd love to do some sketches of my own. [She gently puts the book down and stands up so she can kiss him sweetly.]

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[kisses her back] Happy birthday, Ariadne.

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Merlin. I wasn't expecting anything today and this is just...perfect.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. Also good to know I could work with Cook if Gaius ever deems me unfit to be a physician.

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

Like I said, I really doubt that will happen.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[he laughs and kisses her again] Glad that I have your confidence. Did you have plans this evening?

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

Nothing very exciting. I thought I might do some reading, but this is much better.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[he slowly gets up as the dishes clean and pack themselves] Well if you'd rather read tonight...

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

I said this was better, didn't I? [She walks over to him and takes his hand.]

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

You did. [he's grinning and pulls her lose as the last of the things pack themselves] I was teasing you.

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

[She feigns a little pout.]

Teasing me? On my birthday?

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[he totally plays along with it and nods] Mmmhmm. Oh absolutely. It's a Camelotian tradition to tease someone on their birthday.

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

Oh? I'll have to remember that for your birthday, then.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[he laughs] Tease all you want. Just means that you would be there to do it in person.

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

Ah, but that might only make it worse.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

How would it be worse?

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

I guess you'll just have to wait and see.

[merlinastrice.livejournal.com]

[he laughs] All right, I guess I will. You...do like the book, right?

[archicheck.livejournal.com]

Of course I do! It's amazing, Merlin.