It wasn’t uncommon for Merlin to leave the office late. His horrible habit of losing track of time often meant he didn’t leave until well after dark when his paperwork was actually done. It was an entirely normal occurrence. What was not normal was the figure waiting from him on the street, almost shrouded in darkness and likely trying to look intimidating.
“Knave.” Merlin greeted cautiously with a nod.
“You’re not finished for the day yet.” Knave claimed, words slurred with whatever alcoholic substance he’d surely been drinking. Merlin frowned, already having an idea of were this was going.
“I think you’ll find I have.” He replied, walking the intent of bypassing the drunk Knave all together. A tight grip around his wrist stopped him and Merlin turned to glare at Knave.
“Then you’ve written up the Queens permissions to glamour her pet.” Knave stated, grip tightening around Merlin’s wrist.
“The council has already refused her request.” Merlin reminded. “The bandersnach is too dangerous to have roaming around. Let go of my hand.”
“You cannot refuse the Queen.” Knave claimed, words almost calm save for the slur. His grip became so strong Merlin could feel the pressure on the bone.
“No one is the queen anymore. Even if she were, that’s no right for Red to be allowed to put the rest of the community in danger for her desires.” He winced as Knave tightened his hold. Any tighter and Merlin was sure his wrist would break, and he was sure Knave wasn’t going to let go. A funny, unpleasant feeling bubbled in Merlin’s throat as the thought. Helplessness, if he had to name it. Without magic he couldn’t force Knave away, his only hope was that another guard might patrolled past and stop Knave.
“Are you turning to suggest that her majesty is a bad queen?” Knave all but growled, face suddenly close enough that Merlin could smell the alcohol on his breath. “You will write her permissions, and then you will apologise for saying such an unkind lie and refusing her in the first place. Or else I will make you pay the old fashioned honed way.”
“I said no unkind lie, an unkind truth I won’t apologise for. You’ll let go of me right this instant what or I’ll deal with things the old fashioned way.” Merlin threatened right back, although the threat was empty. He was trapped with no means of freeing his wrist, with no one to see them, and magic inched under his skin but the threat was empty.
“How dare you.” Knave growled, his free hand pulling back. Merlin tried to brace for the punch he suspected was coming-
“What’s going on here?” A new voice rang out. Both Knave and Merlin looked over to find the guard Merlin had been hoping for. Even drunk Knave apparently new better then to start a fight with witnesses. He dropped his hand, not very subtlety.
“Nothing.” Knave slurred. “Just telling Marty here that he should reconsider his decision about refusing Red.” He said, the lingering threat equally unsubtle.
“The councils decision is final.” Merlin said, managing to force Knave to let go of his wrist after a few tugs. “If you can’t accept that I’ll have to remind you of old fashioned methods.” He threatened, rushing off before he the inching and fear got the better of them. He wasn’t sure if he hoped Knave did or didn’t take him up on that threat.
