To Change Time

[Kaisaan]

Merlin could not help but laugh, the sound rather amused, but not loud as he had no desire to wake Ronin before the traveler was ready for it. Still, he did chuckle and though he knew it might confuse Anya, the wizard explained his reasons soon enough, a smile pulling at his lips. "Anya, you misunderstand me. An Anchor does not have to stay in one place to affect the Traveler they are with. It is the restlessness you take away from them. A Traveler is cursed with a wanderlust that can become physically painful and can make them sick if they don't answer it. An Anchor takes this away from them, is a cure for these symptoms. It does not mean the Traveler can't go places or that the Anchor won't desire to travel themselves. It simply means that if the Traveler wishes to stop traveling they can. That is blessing enough for them."

He glanced to the dark-haired male on the bed with fondness before directing his attention back to the blond. She had so little confidence in her worth, didn't she? "No, Anya, that is not why he picked you. Perhaps he was drawn to you initially for that reason, but it is not why he decided to heed that small voice within that directed him to you. There are many forced in the world that do such to a Traveler. It was you and nothing less that prompted his decision to take you along with him." The red-eyed wizard smiled, not unkindly. "He doesn't even realize yet what you are, what you can do for him. He didn't choose you because of what you can do for him, that I promise you."

Merlin shifted his body then and stood, seemingly unable to sit still for long, perhaps opposite of what some might suspect of a wizard. The red-haired male was young, though - another thing most didn't expect - and he had all the energy of a young man. It needed outlet more often than not and when he couldn't use his powers it was essential that he simply move. He did so now, going around the bed to check on Ronin and then pacing back to the door to make sure all was well out in the hall, speaking all the while. "I am sure Karen is aware of any Anchors, yes. In fact, I am sure she knew about you before Ronin ever came across you, but Karen had no desire to settle down or to be at peace. She likes the drive to keep moving and she craves power. She will not bind herself to an Anchor, Anya, and she will see Ronin as weak because he has."

A grin touched his lips, red eyes looking back to dark green with glittering satisfaction. "She is very wrong, though. Ronin will be stronger for your presence. That I have seen clearly. Do not fear that you will be his downfall, Anya."

Merlin didn't get the chance to say more - probably for the best as he'd likely said too much already - as Ronin started to stir. He gave a few blinks, looking around until his eyes fell on Merlin. The wizard smiled a bit, but didn't approach, noting keenly that the traveler was still tense, the sight of the red-head having given him no comfort. It wasn't until his pale green eyes, still dilated, found Anya that the fear seemed to start draining away, allowing the tension in his limbs to be soothed. Merlin took no offense to it, but merely chuckle softly to himself and dipped his head to Anya.

"I will check on Gwaine and see how he's faring. I trust Ronin will be safe in your care." He left quietly then, letting the two have the privacy needed for both their sakes.

 

[redblood]

It seemed like she couldn't do anything other than to misunderstand the wizard. Once she thought she understood what he had meant, he proved her wrong. Maybe it was better if she just let it be, if she just didn't try to understand any of it. It wouldn't matter if she understood the information he gave her or not, that in itself wouldn't change the future to the better or the worse.

'But Ronin won't be able to stop traveling even with an anchor.' Anya thought to herself. No matter how much Ronin might wish to stop, he wouldn't be able to for as long as Karen was chasing him. The longer he stayed in one place, the more dangerous that place would be for him. If only there was a way to take away a travelers power. Even if they were able to take her time machine away, Karen still had allies and other powers she could use to try to get it back. There was no doubt in Anya's mind that Karen would go to the extreme to get it back. She wouldn't need that machine to do a terrorist attack. She had already proven that she wouldn't mind killing people to get what she want. She had even put whole countries in danger for wars just to get to Ronin.

Before she had been able to raise her concerns to Merlin, both their attentions were drawn towards the time traveler as he started to stir in bed. His eyes opened and as they finally landed on the girl, he seemed to relax. In return it made her sigh relieved. Anya looked after Merlin as he left, wondering slightly when they next could speak undisturbed about the matter. Ronin would most likely need at least one of them at his side for some time to come while he recovered, and Karen was not a topic she wished to bring up in front of him right now.

"Hey." Anya said as she turned back to the newly awakened traveler. Did he remember how he panicked when Gwaine touched him before? Or had it become like a nightmare and gotten lost somewhere in the shadows of his memories? She did hope he didn't remember. She could only imagine how hard it would be for him to know that he had hurt someone he called brother, and even more so that he feared his touch. "Feeling better?" She asked while carefully putting a hand on his forehead. She wasn't certain if he could become sick like normal people, but it felt natural to check if he had a fever.

"Gwaine left some minutes ago to tell Arthur that you woke up. If he's not too busy he'll probably come by soon." The blonde told him, hoping it would cheer him up a bit. Ronin had a hard time being touched by people for the time being, but that didn't mean he wouldn't enjoy their company for a little bit. Though the main reason she mentioned it was probably because she didn't wish for him to be too surprised when people showed up. If he was prepared he might feel more at ease.

"Though if you rather wish to rest before meeting anyone, I'm sure they'll understand." She added. There was no use in forcing him to meet them if he didn't feel ready. He might still be confused and tired after his attacks, so no one should be surprised if he felt like being alone for a bit. Hurt maybe, but they should understand. She doubted Ronin would tell anyone that he wasn't feeling well enough to meet them if they didn't tell him straight out that such an option was available, and even with it put up right in front of him he might think about rejecting it no matter his own feelings just to make the others happy. "You shouldn't force yourself."