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Yadda yadda yadda that Reddit post about how he had no power to change anything yet everything is his fault

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Welcome to my usual metas where we hyperfixate over Arthur Pendragon’s love for Merlin. Today’s episode features this scene right here:

To remind you of the context, it was s03e12 when Camelot was besieged and Arthur just ordered Gaius, Gwaine, and Elyan to go find shelter in the woods. A second later, he looks at Merlin, diverts his eyes, and tells him, “Merlin, you should go with them.”

Which btw translates, in Arthur Pendragon's dictionary, to: Merlin, I want you safe, I want you away from harm’s way, but Merlin, Oh Merlin, don’t leave me. I really don’t want you to leave me. I sustain my strength from you. You’re the bravest man I have ever met. I keep going because I know you’re there. Don’t go and leave me. I am urging you to go, but please don’t believe me.

I really just can’t. Because you guys, Arthur isn’t scared to go fight an entire army of the dead. He’s not scared that he is limping and injured and definitely won’t make it. He’s just scared to do it without Merlin.

And when Merlin looks at him and says, “Nah, I’ve seen the woods already”, Arthur knows Merlin had heard it all, and chose the kindest response possible that doesn’t spot on his worry and fear.

Those fucking two.

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My new favorite Merlin AU is that Merlin finally confesses to Arthur about his magic, but Merlin is too flustered to think straight and there’s some miscommunication.

What Merlin says: I have magic 😔

What Merlin thinks he said: I am a powerful sorcerer and I use my magic every day to protect you and all of Camelot. We are two sides of the same coin, our destinies forever intertwined. Spare me and I will help you become the once and future king.

What Arthur hears: I know a few cantrips. Please don’t kill me.

So Arthur eventually comes to terms with Merlin knowing some magic and things kinda go back to normal except Merlin starts using minor spells in front of Arthur to speed up chores.

But then while Arthur is working to legalize magic (because of course he would) and make reparations to magic users, he asks Merlin to accompany him to a meeting with the Druids. Arthur asks the Druids to nominate a court sorcerer and they just look at him confused like

Druids: why not ask the great sorcerer Emrys?

Arthur: ok where do I find him?

Druids: points to Merlin sitting 1 foot away

Arthur: why did you hide this vital information from me!?

Merlin: … I did tell you, didn’t I? Whoops

Bonus

Arthur: Gwen! Knights! Merlin is the most powerful sorcerer to ever live! Can you believe it?

Everyone … yeah. We saw him shooting Lightning while riding a dragon just last week.

Arthur:🫨…😐

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get his ass merlin

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Arthur taking Merlin along literally anytime he goes on a quest.

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And I’m obsessed with merlin being in the trunk

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Remember that one time Merlin called Arthur a toad then said magic was outlawed so he’d never turn into a handsome prince?

What if he kept doing that casually, as his way of showing Arthur magic can be useful.

For example:

Arthur: do you ever wish there was a way to start fires without needing to gather firewood?

Merlin: there is. Your father outlawed it.

Arthur: there must’ve been a reason. Fire can be dangerous if it gets out of control.

—

And he tries to defend it, but it doesn’t hold up and over time Arthur starts just making sarcastic comments instead of actual defenses

—

Arthur: torches are so inconvenient. We need a better way to make light that can keep hands free for swords or other weapons.

Merlin: Magic, but it’s illegal so you’re stuck with carrying a torch.

Arthur: last time I needed light because you were dying it wasn’t evil.

Merlin: well, it’s unfortunate that you don’t know how to use magic then, sire.

—

Until he just can’t defend it

—

Arthur: six weeks?! I can’t miss six weeks of training for a broken foot! Is there some way to speed it up? Or just… fix it now?

Gaius: I don’t think-

Merlin: yes.

Gaius, who knows Merlin’s plan: *sigh*

Arthur: Thank god. Do it then.

Merlin: No. It’ll land us all on the pyre and I’m quite fond of, y’know, breathing, so suck it up.

Arthur: why is that kind of magic illegal? Surely healing isn’t evil.

Gaius: what you ask is treason, sire. Please be cautious.

Arthur: …

—

Merlin: who knows? Maybe all the bandits will decide to magically take a day off so you can go hunting without being hunted.

A few hours later, being chased through the woods by bandits:

Arthur: non magic sucks!

Merlin: yep. You can always repeal the ban once you’re king!

Arthur: huh… you know, I think I will.

Merlin: great, pardon my treason then. *magically knocks out the bandits and summons their horses and Arthur’s weapons back*

Arthur: THIS WHOLE TIME?!

Merlin: yep.

Arthur: …

Arthur: I can’t believe that worked.

Merlin: me neither, to be honest, sire.

—

Then they both laugh about it and Arthur repeals the ban, magic is free, Morgana is never evil, Agravaine doesn’t exist, and Mordred comes back to Camelot and gets therapy.

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They’re so silly <3

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One of my favorite merthur scenes is Merlin’s “I didn’t want you to feel that you were alone” and it’s so beautiful for so many reasons, but what I don’t see ever mentioned is the moments right after Arthur opens the doors. Merlin doesn’t look at Arthur or give any indication he’s awake until he says Merlin’s name.

I think it’s so special because he’s giving Arthur the choice of what he wants to do. He can leave Merlin there and be alone or he can ‘wake him up’ and have a friend. He knows Arthur might not want to engage with anyone after an entire night spent with his deceased father. It’s a beautiful, understated act of consideration, love, and empathy.

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merthur shippers are always like "tee hee I could take you apart with one blow :) do you know how to walk on your knees?? gay!" meanwhile merlin is going around casually dropping lines like "his life is worth a thousand of mine" and "I know him better than I know myself" and "magic isn't just a part of me it IS me. and of course I use it only for arthur"

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Obsessed with Merlin's reputation in Camelot.

This guy just shows up one day and gets handed one of the most sought after jobs in the castle and then proceeds to be absolutely terrible at it for 10 years.

He goes missing for hours and days at a time, he even has a whole ass nother job.

Arthur takes this guy EVERYWHERE and he doesn't even fight anyone. Doesn't even have a helmet on poor sap.

They are marching off to war and the only two people riding horseback besides Arthur are Merlin and Leon!!

We say it a lot but. Merlin gets mistress treatment AF.

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my pronouns are she/her bc I'll never be him (anthony head playing on his pink ds in full costume on the set of merlin)

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This trope would be so funny for them

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two times arhtur tried to push merlin away + one time he didn't

one

two

three

bbc merlin - 04x05 His Father's Son

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I love when Arthur completely disregards information. Like the episode in season three when he's getting the fisher kings trident or whatever. And he gets told "you can't do this alone, you'll need Strength and 𝕸𝖆𝖌𝖎𝖈" and he's just like, "cool, anyways". Then his best bud Merlin and this fucking guy he's chummy with show up and he also just like, "cool, anyways" albeit a little more whiny abt his quest getting "messed up".

I'm so amazed by his ability to Worry About That Later.™️.

He also just. Doesn't seem to notice a difference in his physical health in this episode. Not even a "man why am I so tired". He's fit. He's used to journies like this. Merlin and Gwaine got through the same portion he did and weren't even phased, but apparently it was completely logical for him to be having to have a quick nap (read: damsel faint) every couple of hours. Or whatever the fuck the time span of that was.

Love when my Boy Thang servant shows up and the grip of death I hadn't noticed until now is suddenly gone.

You boggle me, blonde boy

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bbc merlin - 04x05 His Father's Son

the thing is....the thing is, he didn't have to say any of this. well, he didn't need to think any of it, but that's on him. what possessed him to say any of this out loud? the sharing a bed line was already enough, but to follow that up with "don't be here when i come back"?? like yeah, you're leaving and not telling merlin where you're going or when you'll be back, and sure, maybe, perhaps merlin would wait up (although, servant track record says.....unlikely), but how about "i won't require your services later, you're free to go" or something? and yet. "don't be here when i come back". as if YOU yourself didn't come up with the bed sharing idea. need to study his brain.