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quotidian-oblivion · 6 days

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Abridged epilogue of LMDLMD

[spoilers of the fic below]

For the love of God, do not imagine Gaius watching the boy he considered his son writhe and scream in front of him, unable to do anything. Don't imagine him holding back his puke and tears for Merlin's sake as he cleaned the wounds he saw often in battle soldiers on his boy. Don't imagine him struggling to enter his chambers and still making meals for two knowing his ward was right under his feet, suffering. Don't imagine Gaius sneaking into the cave under the dungeons, ignoring the cell Merlin used to be in, and meeting The Great Dragon only to scream at him about Merlin's death then break down into tears.

Don't imagine Kilgharrah roaring in anger only to spend his years in mourning until Gaius requested Arthur to free him. Don't imagine Kilgharrah flying to Balinor and telling him stories about the son he never met. His son who died. Don't imagine Balinor going back to Hunith and supporting her as she mourned Merlin, listening to all the stories she told him of their cheeky and bright-eyed son. Don't imagine Lancelot hearing the news from Gwen's letter and going back to Camelot in disbelief, only to find that it was true. Don't imagine Lancelot drinking himself to sleep after his knighting, knowing he couldn't have been there without Merlin.

Do not imagine Gwen watching her best friend scream about wanting to be human. Do not imagine her picturing all the times he had made her laugh, saved her life and helped her court Arthur. Do not imagine her sneaking into Merlin's room to sleep there, remembering when he had offered it to her once before when her father died. Do not imagine her kneeling with tears when the crown was set on her head, wishing more than anything that he was there.

Whatever you do, do not imagine Morgana watching Merlin be collared and chained and tortured knowing it could have been her. Don't imagine her feeling guilty for her fear when Merlin was living the nightmare. Don't imagine her running to Arthur's room at night, terrified. Don't imagine her waking up with real nightmares along with Seer visions every night. Don't imagine her reading the annotations in Merlin's book of magic and sobbing as she remembered her boisterous friend. Don't imagine her accidentally killing Morgause when she talked about killing Arthur. Don't imagine her sobbing into her brother's arms, with the knowledge she had killed her sister.

Please, just don't imagine Arthur just watching and not being able to make a single noise lest he hurt Merlin more. Don't imagine him watching as he licked the water off the floor while he couldn't do anything with four guards on him. Don't imagine Arthur feeling worthless as Merlin screamed in pain at his voice. Don't imagine him crying as Merlin was forced to admit he wasn’t human. Don't imagine him shaking with anger, pain, humiliation and sadness on Merlin's behalf as Merlin was forced to apologize to him and call him by his title. Don't imagine Arthur yelling and firing his next servant when he called him by his title. Don't imagine him waking up from a nightmare full of Merlin's screams, pleading and admittances of him being a monster. Don't imagine him seeing blood anywhere for the next few months and only seeing Merlin's. Don't imagine him sobbing in front of the butterfly Merlin subconsciously bonded to stay with him. Don't imagine him breaking himself apart when the butterfly left his sight for even a minute.

Do imagine Balinor and Hunith marrying and living peacefully and without fear, in remembrance of Merlin for the rest of their lives until they got to meet him again.

Do imagine a strange force compelling Gwaine to travel to the Perilous Lands. Do imagine Percival taking the risk to befriend a depressed Lancelot and lifting his spirits. Do imagine Elyan feeling the bizzare need to visit his sister. Do imagine a strange, magical force bringing them to meet Arthur and Leon at a Round Table in an abandoned castle.

Do imagine Morgana and Arthur looking away when an assassin from Harden kills Uther on Alisa's behalf.

Do imagine Arthur taking the crown after telling the people about how the previous rulers of Harden had poisoned Uther’s mind into torturing a boy. Do imagine Gwen building a school to teach magic safely. Do imagine Morgana going on frequent diplomatic missions to Harden as Court Sorceress in making sure all magic-restraining weapons are destroyed. Do imagine Gaius taking on a young boy under the name of Daegal to pass on his physician legacy and spewing endless stories about another apprentice he once had named Merlin. Do imagine Morgana finding Mordred again and taking him under her wing as a sorceress's apprentice. Do imagine Mordred learning a spell and creating a portrait of Merlin to the exact liking. Do imagine Arthur and Gwen raising their child on stories about a brave friend they had named Merlin.

Do imagine Arthur staring down at his people, magic-users and non magic-users alike, with Merlin's voice of him being a great king ringing in his head, trusting in his friend's words and knowing it to be true.

Do imagine, one day, an old woman handing Arthur the horn of Cathbhadh.

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tiodolma · 3 months

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MerGana Wedding

be like

they spend the wedding night sobbing and vomiting on the floor 😭

theyre The Power Couple that poisoned each other on their wedding. No one has a bond like theirs 💀

with. @wandrenowle

From the au where s5 Merlin and Morgana transmigrate to their 10 year old selves (and still retain their scars and memories).

10 year old Merlin searches for Baby Mordred to kill him. 10 year old Morgana searches for baby Mordred to protect him. Hunith goes to Gaius in Camelot to ask for his help but Gaius refuses because he is too busy babysitting Prince Arthur. Gaius gives Hunith Balinor's last known location instead.

Duke Gorlois, is surprised by Morgana's magic powers and is worried that she has disappeared from their palace especially with Uther's reforms being popular across the allied kingdoms.

Cue Hunith and Gorlois scouring the forests between Cornwall and Ascetir to find their idiot children.

Hunith, Balinor and Gorlois somehow find each other and their children in the woods. Then they all take sanctuary in Cornwall.

From the young Morgana, Gorlois is informed of Uther's and Vivienne's infidelity. Gorlois is also informed of how Uther tricked Balinor into giving up his kin's secrets. Gorlois silently cut ties with Uther Pendragon and allies himself with Balinor.

Nimueh finds out and goes to the court of Cornwall to investigate this change in political tide. Pleased with her findings, Nimueh sends a call out to the other surviving priestesses. Morgause appears with her son baby Mordred, happy to be reunited with her Sister and their father, Gorlois.

Vivienne also appears in Cornwall and tearfully admits the truth of her infidelity. She vows to pay for this by doing her best for Cornwall and its defense.

Cornwall becomes stronger with the high priestesses in its alliance. In time Ascetir (Cenred), Carleon (Queen Annis and King Carleon), Brittany (Tristan and Agravaine Du Bois), Deira (King Odin) and Mercia (King Bayard) join together with the Duke of Cornwall against Camelot's power as well. Uther's Camelot is surrounded by an alliance of powerful countries and cannot just do what it wants anymore.

s5Kid!Merlin and s5Kid!Morgana don't stop bitching and messing with each other for all the trauma they've been though. Balinor and Gorlois hate what their children became and both strive to fix it.

Among s5Kid!Merlin and s5Kid!Morgana's disputes are Merlin's unchanging sad wardrobe in their past lives. Kid!s5!Morgana saucily makes a suggestion to Gorlois to investigate in the potential of Ealdor fabric industry with Cenred of Ascetir's blessing, much to kid!s5!merlin's irritation. Morgana turns out to be right (which pisses merlin off). Ealdor becomes a booming trade center for fabric/textile. Thus Merlin is outfitted by both Gorlois and Balinor in comfortable and sturdy Ealdor clothing but in nobler and better styles.

Most importantly, the two semi-mature idiot and warfreak children get schooled by their parents and elders on their shitty extremist idealism and warped sense of ethics and politics from their past lives.

Balinor and Gorlois then decide to keep them apart to stop them from impeding each other's healing and reformation progress.

Morgana goes thru intensive and better high priestess training (with Nimueh, Morgause and Vivienne present alongside Gorlois' brand of politics and nation building.)

Meanwhile Merlin goes on sabbatical with Balinor in order to visit and live with the surviving members of different sects of magicfolk. This had to be done so that Merlin/Emrys can learn and understand their general politics, histories, ethics and values straight from the source and not just from books.

Gorlois makes Mordred his heir as Duke of Cornwall, Morgana prepares to become ambassador to Camelot as "Morgana Pendragon" and Merlin will be formally revealed as "Lord Emrys of the Druids" when he is of age.

10 years later Merlin Emrys and Morgana Pendragon, now 20, are reunited. They still hate each other but the council has unanimously decided to join them in marriage. This was done accordance with the various prophecies. Another reason for this was to solidify their position as powerful and feared diplomat-couples to Camelot and the rest of Albion.

They spend the days of their bethrothal by flirting with others while glaring daggers at each other from across the rooms, the halls and the forests.

Eventually, their handfasting goes off without a hitch... except that this is Merlin and Morgana who have still have the scars and memories from all 5 seasons. Since they transmigated to this alternate storyline, they both have an unhealthy fixation on foods and poison. These two don't trust anything until they're sure that it is not poison.

So.

in the privacy of the wedding room they make a pact to remind each other how they could easily die by the other's hands if they wanted to.

You are my destiny, You are my doom.

....................

aftermath:

Gorlois and Balinor are made aware of the pact while the two are suffering from the aftereffects 😂 Gorlois: i need the strongest wine. Our kids are insane. Balinor: ive got mushrooms too? U want some? Gorlois: sure 🤦 Mordred: i want a love like that too Morgause: please dont Nimueh: (cackling)

...........

to anyone reading this.

Merlin and Morgana settle in Perilous Land of the Fisher King. Their married sex life is intense rough and bloody and they always come out looking mauled but hey in time (maybe 30 years) they managed to produce five kids all while trying to keep albion from erupting into all out war 😅

arthurian age does actually happen coz merlin is a reformed idiot in this au. he's actually one of high status among the nobles and can watch over albion better coz of his political position. As a married couple he and his wife keep each other in check, ready to go for the kill if needed (much to their children's dread).

so! King Arthur lives long and happy with many knights. Eventually he and Duke Mordred piss each other off because of territory or an insult, Camlann still happens. They both die.

morgause goes into grief, attacks merlin and morgana's family. morgana deals killing blow. everyone tries to save morgause's body but they couldnt so it's sad.

tired of their world, merlin and morgana retire into the woods to learn more about necromancy, astrology and astronomie.

#bbc merlin #bbc morgana #mergana #merlin x morgana #mergana shtpost #mergana au #poison pair #they are both terrible your honor #this is a full fledged fanfic in our hearts lmao

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wumiings · 11 months

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“I should like to see Emma in love, and in some doubt of a return; it would do her good”

…but it’s me wanting Arthur to be put in a situation where he’s forced to understand Merlin’s friendship/loyalty as something he could lose, rather than something he can take for granted regardless of how he treats him.

The few times we see Merlin consider leaving Camelot— [1] when Gaius is fired during the Edwin Muiren debacle, [2] when he’s reluctant to return after Will’s death, [3] when he plans to run away with Freya, [4] when he wants to bring Balinor back to Ealdor— Arthur doesn’t know about it.

He knows that Merlin essentially resigned when he left to help deal with Kanen (which possibly catalyzed Arthur’s decision to go after him), which makes their interactions in 1x10 particularly interesting because like,, he’s still bossing Merlin around in Ealdor, implying a mindset of “well I’m here to solve this problem for you, therefore you don’t have to stay afterwards, therefore you are still my servant despite having quit yesterday” which sure is an Assumption.

But then there’s also the armor scene that’s such a rare moment of Arthur ‘lowering’ himself to treat Merlin like an equal. Helping him prepare for battle and validating his fear, even acknowledging that same fear in himself. He shows vulnerability intentionally for Merlin’s sake and doesn’t seem embarrassed or backtrack. His actions demonstrate that he values their friendship and doesn’t want to lose it.

And then!! Merlin’s best friend- his only friend for the first fifteen years of his life- dies saving Arthur’s life, and Arthur reacts by being unforgivably callous at his funeral. Will’s body is literally still burning and Arthur is talking about how “you should have told me” because “sorcery is dangerous,” and Merlin isn’t having it!! Why should he return to Camelot when he’s just lost half his world and isn’t even given time to grieve because Arthur is already making it about Him??

Except this internal crisis plays out after Arthur has walked away; Merlin is talking to his mother. Arthur never learns that, just as his initial actions (coming to help Merlin’s village) worked to keep Merlin at his side, his later actions (being a dick about Will) might have cost him that friendship for good if Hunith hadn’t convinced Merlin to go back with the whole, “He needs you” bit.

I think he should have. He should know that his words are capable of damaging their bond, and be forced to acknowledge that it’s something he values- that he cares for Merlin as a friend and equal, not just a servant.

And he should be left in some doubt of a return; it would do him good.

#bbc merlin #analysis #1.10 #the moment of truth #arthur pendragon #prince william of ealdor #sorry for getting austenian on y’all #but I couldn’t stop thinking about it

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bitsandbobsofwriting · 2 years

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Headcannon promt

When they propose to their significant other how would they do it ? Who in the pairing would propose? Any pairings you would like although I would like at least one Merlin/Arthur.

(Headcanon Masterlist) (Full Masterlist)

These two are along the same lines, so I shall combine them!!! These are very cute, anons, thank you :D

There’s... quite a lot under the cut, gang :P

Merthur - Arthur proposes, but Merlin knows something is coming from the very second Arthur decides he’s going to do it. They’re at a point in their relationship where they tell each other everything, so Arthur suddenly: 1) Hiding his insecurities (that Merlin will say no) 2) Is making excursions and not taking Merlin with him, or even telling him where he’s going/obviously lying about where he’s going (to see Hunith and the Druids/buy a ring/scout out where he wants to do it) 3) Is having hushed conversations with all their shared friends (asking for opinions/advice/favours) 4) Is not only ok with, but actively encouraging Merlin to spend loads of time fucking about with Gwaine and Lance and Elyan (so he can sneak off to plan)... All Of It Is Sus. He figures it out within a week. But mainly because, even after all that, Arthur leaves a letter from the jeweller on his desk, and then doesn’t notice when Merlin tidies it away for him. They definitely write their own vows, and they’re all about destiny and golden futures and fate and the stars. Everyone cries. Everyone.

Arwen - Very similar to Merthur, in that Arthur proposes and it’s very obvious. But she figures it out properly when she corners Leon and Elyan and forces them to tell her what’s up. She may or may not play up the tears deliberately to guilt them into telling her, and they’re so worried about her being overwhelmed or scared of saying no or being unprepared for marriage that they cave and tell her pretty quickly. She gets this smug smile on her face, wipes away the tears, and says “Hmm. I thought so. Good,” and then leaves them flabbergasted. No one ever finds out about this, and Arthur thinks he surprised her with it up until the day he dies (of old age, obviously). They use the traditional vows, but add a line or two of their own in at the end, just to make it a bit personal. Merlin and Leon cry. Elyan tries to pretend he’s not crying, but he is.

Mergwen - Gwen proposes, but it’s spur of the moment. Well, sort of. She’d been hinting at Merlin about marriage for a couple weeks, after coming to the conclusion very suddenly one evening (she had been reading, Merlin had been muttering angrily to himself whilst mixing some tincture or other for the physician’s chambers) that she wanted to marry this man. So it’s just sort of on her mind. Then one day, it’s sunny, and warm, and they’ve taken a picnic out to a meadow that it literally FULL of wild flowers and butterflies and bees. They’ve been there for hours, talking and laughing and eating good food and snogging a bit, and there’s a comfortable lull in the conversation. He’s looking out across the field, and she’s looking at his smile, and she just... asks. Very bluntly, “Marry me.” . He sort of laughs and snorts and shakes his head and says “Yeah, sure.” but Gwen takes his hand and he finally looks at her and she’s serious and she says it again, and Merlin has a blushing beau moment all 😳 but then, of course, says yes, of course he’ll marry her, consider them officially engaged. They go ring shopping together the next day, and it’s a very short engagement, with little fuss and planning before they get married. They write their own vows, and they’re short and sweet, about best friends and bonds stronger than anything and a soft, sunny, life together, full of flowers and laughter. Once again, everyone cries.

Morgwen - Morgana proposes for sure, and it’s so sweet and soft and lovely and awkward; she’s nervous around Gwen for the first time in her life. They’re in Morgana’s chambers, because Morgana didn’t want Gwen to suspect, and didn’t want it to be some public spectacle. She starts rambling, but after a minute of so, Gwen just kisses her into shutting up, before pulling back and smiling softly and so quietly saying “yes, you silly woman.”. They fight over who gets Merlin in the ceremony, and as a compromise, he walks both of them down the aisle at the same time, and hands each other their rings. Arthur officiates of course, as much as Morgana joked about giving him a seat in the back row, she desperately wants her brother right there with her when it happens. They write their own vows, and though they’re pretty short, they’re very sweet, all about facing the darkness, and embracing the light, together, no matter what.

Mergana - To be perfectly honest, either one of them could propose, it depends on the circumstances. If Merlin is still a servant, or it’s super early on after he’s become Court Sorcerer, then Morgana proposes. OR she tells Merlin it’s ok, he’s allowed to propose *hint hint*. If Merlin is actually respected in court and the relationship is widely known and approved of, then Merlin proposes on his own. Together, they’re pretty private people, so they use traditional vows, maybe with one line at the beginning or end that’s a touch personal, maybe about their magic being entwined forever or something. BUT when they’re alone later on, they stand in fron of the hearth in their chambers and give each other their own vows, written by them (with the help of Gwen on both sides lol). They’re SUPER emotional, and they both cry, and it’s so ridiculously soppy. Mainly because after everything, this is... a happy ending? An actually happy ending? Neither of them ever though they would get that, and here they are, reading their vows to each other, in their own room, in their accepting Kingdom, after getting married in front of all their friends and family, who knew about their magic.

Merwaine - Gwaine proposes. And it’s a complete shock to everyone, including Gwaine; he’d only figured out he’d wanted to do it like... thirty seconds prior. When the thought first pops into his head, it goes something like this: “Oh my God, I want to marry this man. Pfft, marriage? Gross. I’m not going to be here or with him forever. Fuck. Yes I am, I could never leave him ever. Ok. Ok ok. Let’s wait, see how long this lasts, figure out Merlin’s feelings, maybe he’s not ready for marriage yet?? He’s never mentioned it?? In all the time we’ve been courting?? Hmm. Ok. Let’s wait it out.” Then Merlin does something cute, like smile, and Gwaine just says “Marry me?” and everything stops and he goes bright red and Merlin is obviously kinda... bummed? When he sees how uncomfortable Gwaine is?? When he sees that Gwaine didn’t mean it?? And Gwaine has that whole thought process again but very quickly goes fuck it and doubles down until Merlin says yes with a grin. The moment in promptly ruined by Arthur going “...Now then,” because they were in the middle of a hunt or patrol or worse, a meeting. They do traditional vows, upon Gwaine’s request, but he painstakingly writes Merlin a letter explaining all his worries and feelings and how much Merlin means to him. Just because he’s not great at vocalising that sort of stuff, and he also... doesn’t think it should be for anyone else’s ears anyway.

Arwaine - Arthur proposes, but Gwaine says no, and Arthur is heartbroken, until Gwaine explains that yes, he wants to marry Arthur one day, he’s just not quite ready yet; he’s scared about being coronated, about being Prince Consort/King. He’s just worried about the way things will change, and Arthur understands, even though he’s still a little upset. They make a pact that Gwaine will do the proposal, when he’s ready, and in the mean time they make their courtship slightly more public, and give Gwaine more responsibilities and exposure, bit by bit, until he feels more secure in it all. In the end, it’s less than a year until he pops the question, and Arthur is shocked into tears because he thought it would be five years at least before Gwaine decided he was ready, and there he is, down on one knee.

Arthurlot - Arthur proposes, only because no matter how much he tries to convince him, Lance is still... unsure about his worth stood next to a King. It’s the only rocky part of their relationship, that Lancelot almost always defers to Arthur because he’s The King, and he’s a loyal knight, when they should be equal partners in everything. Lance says yes, then freaks out the night before the wedding, so much so that Merlin AND Percival are called to calm him the fuck down. Merlin gets frustrated (in a loving way) easily when it comes to Lance not believing in himself, so he has to leave the pep talk to Percy, and it’s all “You love him, Arthur, not King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. And he loves you, Lance, not Sir Lancelot DuLac of Frankia, so take a breath, and marry him.” Merlin adds on a helpful “you dolt.” to the end of course. The use traditional vows, but afterwards Lance like... pours his heart out in private and Arthur is absolutely speechless and just holds him and they both cry a little and it’s all very ridiculous and soppy but. So so somft.

Mercalot - Lancelot proposes, and it’s really traditional and lovely and he forced all the gang to help him with the planning and execution. Though truthfully, they were all super willing; willingness however, does NOT equal helpfulness, and Gwen, Leon, and Morgana were basically the only ones who were any use. He takes the two of them out to a lovely meadow just below a waterfall in the height of Spring for a picnic. He hides the ring in his pocket until after they’ve eaten lovely food, courtesy of Gwen sweet talking the cook, and expensive booze, courtesy of Arthur being bullied persuaded by Leon. It’s so perfect and fairytale, and it’s everything Lancelot wanted Merlin to have in life, Merlin who says yes, of course. They write their own vows. They’re not too long, but they aren’t short either, and they’re so fucking sappy. E V E R Y O N E cries, big time, even the guards in the room who don’t really know either of them that well. The vows are all about coincidental meetings vs fate, and always having each other’s backs and following each other to the edge of the Earth and unending loyalty.

Merleon - Leon proposes, because he’s the more traditional. Everything about it is traditional: he asks Hunith’s permission, he asks Arthur’s permission (with the understanding that he’d be pissed if Arthur says no), he lays out a lovely dinner with candles and good food and flowers, he gets down on one knee. Merlin thinks the whole thing is very cute, but when it comes to courting stuff, Leon is very predictable, so he knew exactly what was coming the moment Leon requested he dress nicely for a normal private dinner. They also use traditional vows, but Leon goes off piece at the end, just to get some more emotions off his chest. It’s only a line or two, but it’s so incredibly important to Merlin, so he does it too and it’s very emotional.

Merlyan - Elyan asks, but it’s off the cuff and a sort of “Run away and marry me” sorta thing, but the emphasis is on the running away bit, and Merlin is all “I... would love nothing more, but I can’t.” and Elyan already knew that, he knew that, but he’s still bummed, ya know?? But then a few months pass, and Merlin is still crazy busy trying to protect Arthur and Camelot from the shadows, and Elyan can do nothing more than watch from the side-lines and patch him up when he gets home, knowing that he can’t get Merlin to leave and go adventuring somewhere safe. He proposes again, but it’s “Let me stay here with you, and let me marry you.” and Merlin... he knows the meaning of that. He knows that, whilst Elyan will always come back to Camelot, that Camelot is still his home, he craves the world, he craves the thrill of not knowing where he’s going next. And Elyan asking if he can stay right here as part of his proposal... Merlin knows he means it. They write their own vows for the wedding, but they’re fairly simple, just a few lines about how life is always an adventure as long as they’re together, and how they’ll always have each others’ backs, no matter what. Gwen friggin’ sobs. As does Gwaine.

Gwencalot - Either to be honest. If Lancelot proposes, it’s super traditional, like Merleon, and if Gwen proposes, it’s because she’s been hinting about marriage for months and either Lance doesn’t get the hint or can’t get the nerve up, so she just does it off the cuff. Either way, it’s very emotional and heartfelt and lovely, and they both give each other little speeches. They do traditional vows at the actual ceremony, but give each other more little speeches later on in private.

I hope this please you anons!! I enjoyed writing these so much :D

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tairona-is-taken · 4 months

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So I finally finished Merlin ...

I had seen parts of the show over the last 15 years and loved the parts I saw, but for some reason, I never sat down and made an effort to watch it from beginning to end until last summer. Anyway, I finally got to the finale a few days ago. I knew what was going to go down already because I am a person who's alive and on the internet, but man, was that still crushing to watch. T_T

I have a thousand thoughts on the show and who knows if I will ever have time to write them up, so for now I will just dash out my immediate thoughts after the finale ended (aside from "I just had my soul ripped out and will never recover"):

The intense emotional bonding between Merlin and Arthur in the last episode, as well as Colin and Bradley's incredible acting in it, just swept me away. I have since read a review that points out all the logical holes and characterization issues in Diamond of the Day 1/2--and in retrospect, I agree that the finale has a ton of issues--but still, it hit me hard in the feels and I love that they allowed Merlin and Arthur to be so unabashedly ardent about what they mean to each other.

I was prepared for Arthur's death (or about as prepared as one can be), but what I did not know was that GWAINE was going to die, too. D: I have since read that apparently he is one of the knights who frequently dies in different versions of Arthurian legend, but still ... that one got me.

Gwen was a total badass at the end! Battlefield medic! Stabbing Saxons! Unmasking Eira the traitor! Figuring out Merlin's secret all on her own! And I love that Camelot is not actually going to fall with Arthur's death, because it has been left in her capable hands.

What really gutted me more than anything, though, is that we never get a denouement where Gaius, Gwen, and Merlin reunite, take comfort in each other, and mourn Arthur and Gwaine together--and that we never even see Merlin in the throne room scene when Gwen is crowned???? What the hell, show? I've seen the theories that--especially given the very last scene in the modern age--that Merlin never returns to Camelot, but I just ... refuse to believe that. So instead, I'm going to go with this excellent theorizing in an old LJ review by ravenya03 as my head canon for what happens after that coronation scene:

Though there’s been some speculation, I’m sure that Merlin will return to Camelot and Guinevere. How could he not? I assumed he already had, and that’s how they all knew that Arthur was dead. They’ll grieve together, they’ll talk about Arthur’s final moments, she’ll tell him that she knows his secret. She’ll legalize magic, she’ll appoint Merlin as her chief advisor, she’ll give him a seat at the Round Table, and she’ll make him her liaison to the druids (essentially, she’ll do all the things that Arthur was meant to do). She’ll arrange for Hunith to come to Camelot so that she can be with her son. Together, they’ll send out envoys to other kingdoms, creating an alliance of Queen Annis, Queen Mithian, Queen Elena and (a disenchanted) Queen Vivian which heralds in the Golden Age (I’ll consider this compensation for five seasons of rampant misogyny). Mithian will visit and comfort Gwen with what Arthur once said about her: that without her, his kingdom meant nothing. With Arthur dead, the love spell on Vivian is finally broken and she hooks up with Percival. Gwen will realize that she’s pregnant and give birth to a healthy child. Gilli will return so Merlin will have a magic-buddy that isn’t deranged. Gaius will die and be replaced by Alice as the new court physician. Guinevere will track down Sefa and make her peace with her. Merlin teaches her how to use the Horn of Cathbad so that she can talk to her father, brother and husband every year.

Anyway, I have now entered my traditional period of mourning that happens when I finish a beloved piece of media. Time to drown myself in fanfiction (and possibly start watching the show over from the beginning?) in an attempt to fill the Merlin-shaped hole in my heart.

#bbc merlin #merlin #merlin review #merlin spoilers #long post #tairona talks

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notnotaziracrow · 1 year

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Season One Thoughts

Okay so I finished season one! I have a lot of random things to say so, be ready for me to ramble. (Keep in mind this is not an analysis of ANY kind, I just have things to say and observations to make)

1.) I miss Lancelot bring back my babygirl. I want him back rn.

2.) Nimueh was fine as hell but I’m glad she’s gone she frustrated me to no end

3.) Hunith is like the number one merthur shipper I swear, and number two is arguably Uther (why else would he let Merlin get away with all the shit he does and doesn’t do? any other servant would have been fired after like a day, and all Uther says is that he’s glad Arthur and Merlin have a bond and occasionally calls him stupid like ???)

4.) It’s very much giving season one of supernatural, where it was like the monster of the week, but in a good nostalgic way (probably bc it came out in like 2009 so thats fair)

5.) No wonder Uther thinks magic is evil, every single problem so far has been caused by magic, like tbh I get where he’s coming from and why he continues to hate magic

6.) I love Morgana but her motives confuse tf out of me (so did the dragon’s tbh), but shes also babygirl so I love her (also i feel bad she has nightmares :( im sorry bby) (maybe it’s just bc she’s Katie McGrath tho, I can and will love anyone she plays)

7.) The way Arthur and Merlin have such a close bond after such little time is giving me life. Like arguably they haven’t known each other that long and they’ve already tried to sacrifice themselves for each other like 4 times each, like boys please stop trying to die

8.) British tv really does reuse so many actors im crying (anderson from sherlock? asa butterfield?)

9.) I am in love with Gwen she is everything to me and more. I would happily die for her, I am no better than Merlin in that respect (like yes let me die for you, i know i barely know you but i would lay my life down for you in a heartbeat)

10.) Merlin should have been exposed like 3849 times (I counted I swear). He does not know how to keep it a secret and yet he somehow doesn’t get found out like ??? (i blame Gaius for lowkey enabling him but also I love Gaius so dont hate me)

11.) Did I mention I miss Lancelot? Because I do and I desperately need him back he is everything to me :(

#notnotremuslupin is watching merlin for the first time #merlin #bbc merlin #merthur #merlin season one

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onceandfuturemoron · 1 year

Text

let me share your pain

a Merthur soulmate au I don't know what to do with:

Merlin is Arthur's soulmate. But he's not Arthur's manservant and he's not even in Camelot. And they share their pain. And in this particular case their strong feelings. Merlin has magic. But people always react bad to his magic. They banish them from cities and villages. Or worse they take Merlin and torture him. And Arthur feels it, and it scares him because he knows that this pain is not from battle or a simple street fight. He knows his soulmate is being tortured. And he's just a teenager. They always have to run. And when Arthur's a kid and still doesn't know everything about soulmates, he often feels fear without any reason. And when he grows up and finds out about this bond, he starts to worry for his soulmate.In one of their runs, Hunith gets badly injured. And they're near Camelot's borders. So Hunith tells Merlin to go there cause she has a friend there who can help them. And they come to Camelot. When Merlin and Hunith walk in Gaius's chambers, Arthur's already there, talking to Gaius about his soulmate, that he's so worried and scared and in pain. Gaius cuts him off and runs to Hunith, they put her on the bed and Gaius starts taking care of her wounds.Merlin doesn't leave his mother's side and he's close to tears cause he's afraid and thinks it's his fault that his mother's like this. His own leg is in a bad condition and it hurts him but he doesn't talk about it until Gaius's done with Hunith. Gaius asks him about his name and how they ended up like this. Merlin doesn't know how much he can trust Gaius and his mother is asleep so he doesn't say much. Arthur's still in the room. There's something about these newcomers that he can't quite figure out. But he feels that his soulmate is less worried, still scared but a little relaxed and Gaius is busy so he leaves the physician's chambers.

Hunith gets better and they decide to stay in Camelot for a little while. Hunith tells Gaius about Merlin's magic and the things they've been through and Gaius feels really bad for the boy. Merlin doesn't talk much, and he still looks at Gaius like he's waiting for him to turn them in. And Gaius completely understands. And sees Balinor in Merlin, how he was so brave but always protective. He really likes Merlin, he is a clever boy, he's good at picking herbs and talking care of small injuries. Arthur also likes the boy.He's quick, clever, kinda mouthy, a bit of an idiot but there's something in his eyes that shows he's really brave, that he's a real fighter if he decides to be. So he stops him in the public, Merlin talkes to him unlike any other person that he knows and he can't put Merlin in a certain column and he likes it. But when Arthur challenges him to a fight, he backs away and Arthur feels fear and he knows it's about his soulmate, he knows the feeling of it after all these years. And he sees fear in Merlin's features too and he feels a rush of excitement at the possibility of Merlin being his soulmate, but he can't be sure. Merlin is really alone, it's another thing that Arthur's found out about the boy. He has his mother but no one else. Arthur doesn't have friends either. But he has Morgana, the knights, sir Leon that is like an older brother to him, not that close but really loyal. He feels sorry for Merlin. So he decides to be a bit kind with him. He offers him to use the castle library and very soon finds out that Merlin's interests are medicine books. They become close without being aware of it but still everytime Arthur asks about Merlin's hometown and childhood, he changes the subject. Arthur's happier because lately his soulmate wasn't so scared and worried and it's been a good long time since Arthur felt a serious pain. So he's in a good mood.Until...There's a young man, arrested for the crime: sorcery. And Uther orders to execute him. Hunith and Gaius don't want Merlin to see this, but they can't find him. Merlin's been in the woods that morning and when he comes back he sees the execution. He saw torturing, damn he experienced it and he knew about execution but seeing it is another thing. It breaks Merlin. Arthur notices this change of mood in both his soulmate and Merlin immediately. His soulmate is scared, really terrified that this fear even has physical effects on him and he feels pain in the chest and terrible headaches all the time. And Merlin refuses to see him, Gaius says he's sick but Arthur doesn't believe him so one day when he knows Merlin's alone, goes to Gaius's chambers. Merlin's in the small room in the end of chambers, Arthur walks really slowly and quietly cause he wants so know what Merlin's doing. Merlin's shirtless and when he turns around, Arthur sees many scars and wounds on his pale skin. It scares Arthur, why does Merlin have so many scars? And why are like torture wounds?

Merlin doesn't look very good, he looks paler, he has dark bags under his eyes, and his hands shake so badly that he can't even hold his book. He puts the book on the bed and suddenly he bursts into tears.Arthur's so confused and he doesn't know what to do. Merlin looks terrible and he IS terrible. So he just goes out of the physician's chambers but he can't get it out of his mind. The picture of merlin, shirtless, with all his scars, his shaking hands, his terrible appearance, his sudden cry keeps playing in his mind. What has happened to merlin? And how can Arthur help him?And on the other side, he has his soulmate in the same situation and he really doesn't know what to do. Merlin's life and everything fit perfectly in his soulmate's character but his father always told him he has to let go of his soulmate and he was never happy with Arthur's extremely powerful bond with his soulmate. And he's so afraid of the idea of Uther hurting Merlin that he doesn't want to connect the dots and conclude that Merlin and his soulmate are the same person.

#These two are always in my heart and mind #Merthur #I don't know how to end this #soulmates #I like to hurt Merlin for some reason #I'm shit at writing I know I know #just ranting #merlin

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ao3feed-gwainepercival · 10 months

Text

light of the sun (bodes well for others)

by Steamcraft

Merlin’s out of Camelot, and Arthur stands beside him, as the world everyone knew comes to an end. Magic, faeries, and dragons are real, oh my.

Words: 15862, Chapters: 1/20, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of live long in the minds of men

Fandoms: Merlin (TV)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, Gen, M/M

Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Lancelot (Merlin), Gwaine (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin), Percival (Merlin), Mordred (Merlin), Uther Pendragon (Merlin), Gaius (Merlin), Nimueh, Hunith (Merlin), Ygraine de Bois (Merlin), original family characters, Aithusa (Merlin), Morgause (Merlin)

Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwaine/Percival (Merlin), Gwen/Lancelot (Merlin), Leon/Morgana (Merlin), Elyan & Mordred (Merlin), Morgana & Morgause (Merlin), Morgana & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, Asa Butterfield Mordred, Alex Vlahos Mordred, Immortal Merlin, Touch-Starved Merlin, Protective Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Family and Bonds, Big Brother Elyan, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, no beta we die like ao3, End of the World, Dark, Magical Apocalypse, Families of Choice, crashing through mythologies like a freight train, Virgin Merlin (Merlin), Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Kid Fic

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/48784828

#ao3feed #ao3feed gwainepercival #perwaine #sir gwaine #sir percival #bbc merlin #merlin

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merlin-emrys-wyllt · 1 year

Text

Timeskip

One year later

The surprise for Merlin had gone well, and both Hunith and her son were pleased to finally be reuinited. They spent the rest of his last day of freedom together, Merlin showing her around the castle and taking her for a walk through the gardens before dinner. They then returned to Gauis' chambers to eat together and talk well into the night. Gauis shared many stories about how mischievous Merlin was, with Merlin chiming in from time to time. By the end of the night, Merlin offered his mother a grand room in the castle, for if she wanted to stay or for her if she visited. In the end she decided to stay with her son. Her life would be much better here, and she couldn't bear to be away from Merlin anymore.

A lot had changed over the course of the year. Gwen and Hunith had both been offered important places within his counsel if they both wished. Hunith decided to take the role part-time. She wanted to enjoy her time in Camelot as well as helping her boy. The courtiers who opposed Merlin had been pranked by the knights and him and had then been very publicly fired.

Magic had, of course, been lagalised, and Merlin no longer had to hide his abilities. Though Merlin had remained secretive about just how powerful he really was. That was until the druids were invited over, and they had practically worshipped him. Merlin ended up having to explain everything to his friends. How he had a destiny to protect Arthur, and that is why he was born with his magic, and he had failed in his duty. They all had comforted him and told him that it wasn't his fault. He eventually went on to explain the belief that one day Arthur would return.

He had also brought around better protections for servants. Any mistreatment wasn't tolerated, and he ensured that all of his servants knew that they could come to him if they were in any sort of trouble. He didn't place anyone's birthright over another in such cases. It didn't matter to him if a servant was accusing someone with royal blood. Each case was investigated, no matter the allegations.

The people were happy. They loved their new king and the way he was ruling. A lot of his ways were similar to Arthur's, and they were glad for that. Even if he had made some changes to things. There were, of course, those who were unhappy, but they were vastly overpowered by those who were celebrating.

Currently, Merlin was sitting in the thrown room, wearing his new regular purple jumper. It had golden trimming, and the pendragon crest in the left corner of the chest. He, of course, was still wearing his usual scarfs. Today, he wore a blue one to go with his jumper. Since he refused to never not wear them, the seamstresses had insisted that he at least let them add some golden designs to them. To which he had accepted. All of his closest advisors were there, including all of the knights and his Mother who was standing beside him. They were discussing the possibility of war. It had become evident over his year of ruling that the bonds between some of their kingdoms had broken. Not all of the kingdoms were happy with him, having become king, and they were even less happy with the fact that he had legalised magic. They had to prepare themselves and the people for the possibility of an attack.

@indigoinformant

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kaiwrites-if · 2 years

Text

Genre(s): Arthurian | Fantasy

Rating: 18+ for optional sexual content, depictions of violence, torture, blood, and death, kidnapping, instances of sexism and classism, and pregnancy (dependent). Will be updated as needed.

Demo: TBA.

Link(s): RO Artbreeders (book 1) | Pinterest

Asks: All types of asks are welcomed, including explicit asks. The tag to block is kaisins.

Disclaimer: This IF is heavily inspired by the BBC show Merlin, but there will be extensive changes throughout to both the plot and characters.

Other IF account: @midnightdelights-if

You’re one the rare ones, a child born of old magic, able to wield it instinctively and without the use of spells. You were raised by your mother, Hunith, after your father left you both when you were a babe. But your mother had no magic, and you had no choice but to control your magic to the best of your abilities, and hide it from all those who would wish you harm.

When you reached the age of eighteen, your mother arranged for you to apprentice as a physician under her older brother at the Palace in Camelot. There you find yourself saving the life of the young and arrogant Prince Arthur and being forced into rewarded with the position of his manservant by King Uther himself.

So, begins the prophecy of the Once & Future King and the Greatest Sorcerer to Ever Live.

Fully customisable MC: gender, pronouns, sexuality, name (preset name is Merlin), height, body type, hair colour/length/style, eye colours (magic and normal), skin colour, scars, disabilities, etc…

Have the chance to explore your identity and sexuality.

Lots of variations/flavour text depending on gender/sexuality.

Romance 1 of 4 ROs, as well as 1 more that is officially introduced in book 2. 4 poly options available.

Found Family.

Juggle your duties, protect Arthur from all manner of disasters, keep your magic (and possibly your identity) a secret, learn how to control said magic, and try not to end up with your head on the chopping block.

Arthur Pendragon [M]

21 | 6’2ft | Straight (?)

Character Profile

The Prince of Camelot is known throughout the Kingdom for his bravery, loyalty, and battle prowess. It’s said that all who met him fall instantly in love. You aren’t sure exactly who these people are, but you’d like to give them a piece of your mind. The Arthur you meet is spoilt and arrogant, and most certainly not anyone you could see yourself falling in love with. However, it doesn’t take long for you to see just how much Arthur loves: his family, his knights, his people, his home. With understanding, comes true loyalty and trust, and a bond of friendship that could never be broken. Yet, sometimes the touches between you linger, and the looks shared are filled with a little too much longing. Arthur struggles with, and explores, his sexuality throughout the book.

“You might drive me utterly mad, but I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it. It’s inexplainable, but I know that to lose you, would be to lose myself.”

Morgana le Fay [F]

23 | 5’10ft | Lesbian (Female & NB!MC’s only)

Character Profile

King Uther’s ward is as kind as she is beautiful. Fiercely protective of those she cares for, and always ready to fight for what she believes in, Morgana often finds herself in disagreement with her severe guardian. You find yourself in awe of her the first time you meet, and many subsequent meetings after. As you get closer to the beauty of Camelot though, you learn that she hides a quiet sadness, and a deep-rooted fear of that which awaits her in her dreams. Trust isn’t something that Morgana gives out easily, but with you it seems to come naturally, and you watch as she visibly brings her walls down for you.

“You already have my trust, so what will you take next I wonder? Perhaps my heart? It’s a fragile thing, but I believe you’d take care of it.”

Lancelot Du Lac [M]

22 | 6’4ft | Pansexual

Character Profile

Arthur’s personal knight with dreams of becoming a Knight Commander one day, but unfortunately only knights that come from noble blood are chosen. Lancelot’s loyalty is first and foremost to Arthur, and he would do anything to ensure the Prince’s safety. Lance is kind and charming, but can be a little serious at times, often finding himself nearly pulling his hair out at yours and Arthur’s hair-brained schemes. Lance is the first to find out about your magic (and identity if applicable), and becomes your loyal and steadfast confidant. He becomes just as protective of you as he is of Arthur, and frets constantly over your recklessness.

“I know that I have no room to talk, but I wish that you would put yourself first for once. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. you are…you are my friend and you mean too much to me.”

Guinevere [F (?)]

18 | 5’3ft | Bisexual

Character Profile

Morgana’s maidservant and closest friend, Guinevere is kind and soft-spoken, but is surprisingly strong due to the work she’d do with her father, the blacksmith. Many find themself crushing on the sweet girl, but no one has ever tempted her from Morgana’s side. You bring a new kind of light and friendship into Gwen’s life, helping her gain the confidence to get closer to Arthur and Lance as well. She always tries to be there for you whenever you need her, and often finds herself getting messed up in your plans. Gwen struggles with, and explores, her gender identity throughout the book.

“You make people happy and you inspire them to be better. You inspire me everyday to accomplish things I could only dream of before you came into our lives. So thank you, thank you for being my light.”

Gwaine [NB]

24 | 5’8ft | Gay, Demiromantic (M & NB!MC’s only)

Character Profile

Gwaine will be officially introduced in Book 2 (but you will meet zir in book 1).

“You’re either incredibly brave, or incredibly stupid. Lucky for you, I find both of those traits very attractive.”

Poly Options: Arthur/Guinevere, Morgana/Guinevere, Lancelot/Gwaine (Book 2), Lancelot/Arthur.

#interactive fiction #interactive novel #if wip #if #wip #once & future if

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queerofthedagger · 3 years

Text

Merlin Bingo Masterlist

So I did actually manage to finish off my whole card for the @merlinbingo, which is just insanely amazing to me.

I want to thank the mod(s) for running this - I had such a blast, this gave me so many ideas that I might've not come up with, and really forced me to stretch my short-fic muscles. I'm super excited for the next round; you're amazing! ❤️

Now without further ado, my masterlist of 22 fics, 2 rec lists, and one photoset! ✨ (Beneath the cut, cause oof.)

Square: M1 - Prison

Title: Change Your Mind and Nothing Changes

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Morgana

Rating: Mature | Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence | Word count: 15,000

Tags: Episode - The Witchfinder & The Sins of the Father, Magic Revealed, Truth Spells, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

In another life, Arthur might’ve hesitated. In another life, the fear—actual, real fear—in the eyes of the man who he has once considered his father might’ve stalled his hand. But where his mother’s pleas to not let this knowledge change him might’ve made him hesitate, the sheer betrayal burning in Merlin’s eyes after Arthur was forced to reveal his secrets wrenches any hesitation right out of him. * After Arthur found out about Merlin's magic, things are still tense between them. It's the worst possible time for the Witchfinder to arrive at court, but for all his worries, Arthur still could've never foreseen just how horribly it would go. He could've never foreseen all the things it would set in motion, and while there's the silver lining of how it brings him and Morgana closer, the chances of ever overcoming his guilt, of ever salvaging his and Merlin's relationship, seem almost non-existent. Almost.

Square: M2 - Campfires

Title: let it break ('cause you and I remain the same)

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None | Word count: 1,800

Tags: Canon Divergence, Post Magic Reveal, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Fluff

Summary:

This is what should be remembered, what people should speak of in a decade, a century, a millennium; the story of a king and his sorcerer, of two men who were never meant to love each other—not like this, never like this—and who never once cared to listen to the odds. * Or, the magic was revealed, the shouting and explanations were done, and yet there remains one secret, one confession to be made. They always were easiest to declare in the light of a fire and only the forest bearing witness.

Square: M3 - Hunith

Title: you make a fool of death (you in all your vibrant youth)

Ship(s): Hunith & Ygraine, Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None | Word count: 6,000

Tags: Pre-Canon, Female Friendship, BAMF Ygraine, Fluff & Angst

Summary:

“Kilgharrah, it’s good to see you. The Queen would like to meet you.” “Is that so?” the dragon—Kilgharrah, and apparently it has a name—asks, turning to look at them. His eyes are gold, too, more burnished than his scales, and Hunith swears they can see right through her. “Ygraine and Hunith,” he says, tilting his head. “I am not surprised to see you together. Your destinies are entwined—less so than your sons, but nonetheless. I am glad that I get to meet you like this.” * Five times Hunith keeps a secret for Ygraine, and one time she keeps a promise.

Square: M4 - Arthur Waits (+ Bonus badge "One off items")

Title: I'm begging you (to keep on haunting me)

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None | Word count: 6,500

Tags: Post-Canon, Horn of Cathbhadh, Soul Bond, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

“I don’t know why I keep coming back here,” Merlin murmurs, the words so quiet that Arthur almost misses them. “I know you’re not here, but—” “I am,” Arthur says, knowing how pointless it is. “I am, but you should stop coming all the same. You should stop grieving me, Merlin, it’s not worth—” “Sometimes, it almost feels as if you were. Here, I mean. Listening to me—but then, that’s a terrifying prospect because I’ve said a lot of things I didn’t mean for you to hear.” You could tell me anything, Arthur thinks, his chest aching. You could curse my name a hundred times, and I would still want to see you. * After Arthur's death, Merlin uses the Horn of Cathbhadh to speak to him just one more time. But Arthur isn't dead; while he can hear and see Merlin, he cannot answer. For some reason, Merlin keeps coming back anyway. Until he doesn't.

Square: M5 - There Was Only One Bed

Title: Liar, Liar, Tell Me You Want Me

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur, Morgana/Gwen, Elyan/Gwaine

Rating: Mature | Warnings: None | Word count: 5,000

Tags: Modern AU, Sharing a Bed, Friends with Benefits to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

Arthur bites back another sigh. Gwen already told them, smiling and unknowing, that they would have to share a room because the hotel was so booked already, and they wouldn’t mind, would they, after they had shared a room and a flat for so long at university? He’d survive, somehow. They had shared a room and later a flat, after all. Maybe he hadn’t been a pathetic, pining mess back then, but there’d still be two beds, and it was only three nights. * Three weeks ago, Arthur ended their friends with benefits arrangement because he'd done what everyone tells you not to do and caught feelings. And alright, maybe he didn't exactly go about it in the best of ways, but he thinks having to share a bed with Merlin for three nights is a rather harsh punishment, even for karma's proportions.

Square: A1 - Street Racing AU

Title: The Only One Who Ever Cared to Save Me

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Gen | Warnings: None | Word count: 600

Tags: Modern with Magic, Street Racing, Established Relationship, Fluff

Summary:

So Arthur takes the pieces Uther is willing to give, fancy car and too much money and a blind eye when it comes to Merlin, and turns them against him. Takes them and races them down rain-wet streets, the engine humming beneath them, Merlin’s hand touching, always reaching out.

Square: A2 - Empathy

Title: my hands no longer an afterthought

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Gen | Warnings: None | Word count: 650

Tags: Canon Divergence, Magic Revealed, Soft Arthur, Getting Together, Prose Poem

Summary:

“Weren’t you terrified? Why would you stay?” he asks, voice hoarse and desperate. His fingers close around Merlin’s wrist until the pulse thrumming there is a tangible thing against Arthur’s skin.

Square: A3 - Unrequited Love

Title: Letting Go (I Want You Closer)

Ship(s): Morgana/Gwen

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None | Word count: 2,400

Tags: Canon Divergence, Swordfighting, Unresolved Romantic Tension, Not Actually Unrequited Love, First Kiss

Summary:

Morgana swallows. Tells herself that the sudden shortness of air is nothing but the exertion after a long winter and tries to find the right words. Tries to find the sentences to relieve Gwen of her worry without interfering, without letting her own damned feelings get in the way of Gwen’s happiness. “Morgana,” Gwen says, soft and pleading, even as her blow is strong enough to reverberate up Morgana’s arm. * Gwen has been spending more time with Arthur, and it's fine. Really, it is. Morgana stays silent, and gives Gwen space, and tells herself that seeing Gwen happy is more than enough. Gwen's not ready to let her go so easily though, and a sparring match might bring more than one secret to light.

Square: A4 - Loss of Hearing

Title: Every Story Must Grow Old

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Gen | Warnings: None | Word count: 1,000

Tags: Modern AU, Growing Old Together, Disabled Character, Domestic Fluff

Summary:

Merlin leaves him notes around the house—titbits of his day or some useless fact he found somewhere. Arthur keeps them, pins them to the fridge and to the cabinets and into his calendar, taking them out whenever he feels like it. He writes back, too, and after months, sticky notes can be found in the most absurd places of their house. It makes Arthur smile so often, he fears his face might become stuck like that, after all. * With age, supposedly, comes wisdom. Arthur still needs the occasional reminder that Merlin makes everything more bearable.

Square: A5 - Marriage (+ Bonus badge "Recs + Gifts")

Title: Marriage Rec List

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur, Morgana/Vivian, Leon/Merlin

Rating: Teen to Mature | Warnings: none

Summary:

A rec list for fics that involve marriage in one way or another.

Square: G1 - Long Distance

Title: I'm still standing in the same place (where you left me standing)

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Mature | Warnings: None | Word count: 4,400

Tags: Modern AU, Friends with Benefits to Lovers, Long Distance, Mutual Pining, Fluff

Summary:

London is dreary and rainy and drenched in the misery of January, but Merlin is bright and laughing and full of warmth, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he’s on the other side of the earth and currently caught up in the throes of summer. Arthur's so, so fucked. * You're not supposed to miss your friend with benefits. Or well, at least you're not supposed to miss them as more than a friend. Arthur fails rather miserably at the task, but then, Merlin has been more than a friend for a long time. And it was rather rude of him to piss off all the way to New Zealand. For a whole year. Or, Merlin learns to be patient, and Arthur learns to be spontaneous.

Square: G2 - Mind Control

Title: With Eyes Wide Open (A Tragedy in Three Acts)

Ship(s): Morgana/Gwen

Rating: Mature | Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Word count: 18,200

Tags: Season 5 AU, Gwen-centric, Gwen has Magic, Enemies to Lovers, Unreliable Narrator, Grief/Mourning, Trauma, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Ambiguous/Unhappy Ending, Angst

Summary:

Everyone has a breaking point, and Morgana has always known all too well how to find each and every one of Gwen's. The enchantment Morgana tries to weave in the dark tower does not work as intended, not entirely. It's in the aftermath, though, that Gwen has to make a row of hard choices; where she has to decide for herself what she wants and what she needs. It's not easy, and they might not end up being the right decisions, but for once they are all hers and maybe that's all that matters. A story of grief, rage, (the absence of) forgiveness, and loving someone who is still alive but does not exist anymore. Of maybe taking a wrong turn that leads to the right destination.

Square: G3 - Free Space

Title: a victory all in itself

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Gen | Warnings: None | Word count: 330

Tags: Post-Canon, Stream of Consciousness, Prose Poem

Summary:

There’s a golden prince and a warlock, and everyone thinks they know how this story ends.

Square: G4 - They Were Roommates

Title: No Undisturbed Place

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None | Word count: 7,000

Tags: Modern AU, College/University, Mutual Pining, Closeted Character, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Getting Together, Light Angst, Fluff

Summary:

“I won’t,” Arthur finally chokes out, his grip still too tight on Merlin’s waist. “I know you have no reason to believe me, I know you haven’t for months, but I’ll prove it to you. I don’t care how long it takes, I don’t care what my father or anyone else has to say about it. I won’t—I can’t give this up. I can’t, and you don’t have to believe me now, but at least give me a chance to prove it.” * Or, five times Merlin wants to kiss his roommate but doesn't, and one time his roommate kisses him.

Square: G5 - Food (+ Bonus badge "Food/Autumn")

Title: Red as Autumn, Sweet as Home

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Explicit | Warnings: None | Word count: 4,000

Tags: Canon Divergence, Established Relationship, Birthday Fluff

Summary:

As Arthur cuts the fruit, Merlin explains what they are. The peaches are soft, their yellow-orange flesh rich with juice that runs down Arthur’s wrist. Merlin follows its path with his eyes until Arthur offers him a piece, smiling to himself. When he bites into his own, sweetness bursts across his tongue and his eyes flutter close, staying there when Merlin’s lips brush against his. * Arthur has never been too fond of his birthday, not even after leaving Camelot and his kingship behind. He probably should've expected that Merlin would do something about it.

Square: I1 - Magic Reveal

Title: Turning the Page

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Mature | Warnings: None | Word count: 19,050

Tags: Episode: The Secret Sharer, Magic Revealed, Epistolary Elements, Angry Merlin, Friends to Lovers, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

Arthur feels like he’s standing on a precipice without knowing how he got here. He swallows. “He—” “—damned himself. So you’ve said.” They stare at each other, and the distance between them seems to be growing in leaps and bounds. Arthur can’t remember the last time he felt so estranged from Merlin, not during the whole disaster with Caerleon, or when Merlin disappeared. Not even when— “Then I’ve damned myself as well.” * Without intending to, Arthur pushes Merlin just one step too far. Now he's left without his manservant but a hundred questions, a world of hurt, and guilt that clings to him like a shadow. Well, and a notebook filled with drawings because apparently, Merlin can draw on top of being a sorcerer. No matter how often Arthur tells himself that he just wants to forget, he can't help but come back to the collection of sketches and notes, a chronicle of all that Merlin has done. Maybe their story isn't quite over yet.

Square: I2 - Asexuality (+ Bonus badge "Pride")

Title: A Sea of Colours

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur, Morgana/Gwen

Rating: Gen | Warnings: None | Word count: 600

Tags: Modern AU, POV Outsider, Ace & Bi Arthur, Bi Merlin, Brief Mention of Acephobia, Protective Siblings

Summary:

Morgana’s eyes stray to the pair in front of her once more. Beyond making her brother happy, Merlin also brought Gwen into her life, and while she still knows exactly where she would hide his body if he ever hurt Arthur, she no longer thinks she’ll need it.

Square: I3 - Harm to Children

Title: Truth Like Blood Underneath Your Fingernails

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen | Warnings: None | Word count: 2,800

Tags: Canon Divergence, Magic Revealed, Non-explicit Past Child Abuse, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

After Arthur found out about his magic, Merlin had given up on the belief that there weren’t any secrets left to unearth about Arthur. He likes the idea, likes how it allows him to keep paying attention, how Arthur can still surprise him. Some things, though, he wishes he did not have to discover if only for Arthur not having to bear them in the first place. * Five times Merlin learns something about Arthur that no one else knows, and one time Arthur proves that he has been watching Merlin just as closely.

Square: I4 - Phone Sex

Title: Like Real Couples Do

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Mature | Warnings: None | Word count: 1,000

Tags: Modern AU, Established Relationship, Long Distance, Attempts at Phone Sex, Fluff

Summary:

Arthur hums, and he can picture Merlin now, curled up in his bed and his smile mischievous and uncertain both. “Maybe. We never really were like other couples though, were we?” “No,” Merlin agrees, still so very soft. “I don’t think we were. So…” * Forced into a long distance relationship, Merlin and Arthur decide to try something new. It doesn't go exactly as planned.

Square: I5 - Taliesin

Title: for you, I would ruin myself (a million little times)

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: none | Word count: 2,700

Tags: Post-Canon, Angry Merlin, Arthur Returns, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Hopeful Ending

Summary:

Merlin does not stop. He doesn’t stop until there is nothing left of the tower but dust, nothing left of the island but sand. He doesn’t stop until the sky is black and the earth is scorched, and the rage in the centre of his chest has simmered down to a low flame. He takes in the destruction, takes in the changed landscape that has not been changed since he laid Arthur to rest here. It’s not peace that he feels, but it’s the closest he has got in a long time. * Over a thousand years of waiting, and one split-second of slipped control. Merlin destroys the centre of the Sidhe's power, but destiny has never been this easy to fend off.

Square: C1 - Secret Siblings, Especially Evil Twins

Title: I Could Recognise Him by Touch Alone

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None | Word count: 8,000

Tags: Canon Divergence, Magic Revealed, BAMF Merlin, Getting Together, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

Arthur always thought that no matter the secrets Merlin so clearly kept, Arthur knew him. And maybe he’s a fool; maybe he’s as naïve and unsuspecting as his father and Morgana both liked to claim him to be, but in that second—in that second where he stares into cold, unfamiliar eyes that have nothing on Merlin, he finds that he still believes it. * In theory, it's the perfect plan. Who better to impersonate to get close to the newly crowned king than the King's personal manservant, the court physician's apprentice—Emrys himself? In reality, though—in reality, Arthur knows Merlin far better than anyone would've expected, down to the fact that Merlin is keeping secrets. Neither Merlin nor Arthur thought they would be revealed like this, but when all is said and done, it's probably the best outcome of an assassination attempt anyone could ask for.

Square: C2 - BAMF Morgana

Title: And I'll lure you like a landslide, I'll show you lovely things

Rating: Gen | Warnings: None

Summary:

A Morgana photoset

Square: C3 - Hurt/Comfort

Title: No Hands Had Ever Been So Gentle, Nor So Deadly

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None | Word count: 3,400

Tags: Canon Divergence, Post Magic Reveal, Hurt/Comfort, BAMF Merlin, Aftermath of Torture, First Kiss, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

“You really came. It wasn’t a dream,” Arthur eventually whispers, and he sounds so, so fragile. Merlin has a hard time breathing, and it’s not because of Arthur’s weight; the thought that none of this would’ve happened if not for him hasn’t left him alone all night. It’s all the more tangible with Arthur clinging to the shreds of his composure. “I’m sorry,” he says, his voice cracking with how much he means it. * Arthur's kidnapped. Of course, Merlin comes to find him, but getting Arthur out might've been the easiest part.

Square: C4 - Taking Care of Somebody

Title: Battered and Wrecked, I Come to You First

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None | Word count: 10,000

Tags: Modern AU, Established Relationship, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Caring Arthur, Protective Merlin, Domestic Fluff, Light Angst

Summary:

Life has a habit of throwing challenges at anyone. Some are almost mundane, like surviving finals or breaking your wrist in a bike crash. Others are much harder, like standing up to your father and making your own path. All of them, though, are easier to bear if you have someone who sticks with you through hell or highwater. Or—five times Arthur shows in his own way that he's there when Merlin needs him, and one time Merlin does the same for him. A study in love languages.

Square: C5 - Rule 63

Title: Rule 63 - Queer Version

Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur, Merlin/Elyan

Rating: Gen to Explicit | Warnings: None

Summary:

A rec list for fics with genderqueer characters.

#merthur #morgwen #merlin bingo #masterlist #mona's writing #still slightly disbelieving that I've actually finished the card tbh that's *so many fics*

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nextstopparis · 3 years

Text

merthur if they were canon be like:

[constantly walking so close that the front of merlins shoulder is pressed to arthurs shoulder blade] [dumb little moments of pure, unadulterated affection that are ruined by one or both cause they’re both shy and emotionally stunted] [constant bickering about every small, unimportant thing, just cause they like the others humour and wit and they both know its a joke so its fun]

[linking their pinkies for a few seconds when theyre in public in place of holding hands n whatnot] [cheek kisses] [temple kisses] [always touching the other but in really small ways] [ex. pinkies, shoulders, hands on backs, removing leaves from hair, etc.]

[the worry over the other’s well being after their health was threatened lasting longer than 20 mins] [frantic kisses after escaping a situation that was far too close for comfort] [fierce hugs just to reassure themselves that the other is alive and solid and breathing and okay and in their arms] [holding onto each other throughout the whole night every time someone they know dies]

[smirking when the other gets jealous and then discretely squeezing their hand as a small sign of affection to calm them down] [late night bonding sessions when they talk about their childhoods under the covers] [having breakfast together with quiet conversations and lingering smiles that never really leave throughout the day] [arthur being mesmerized by merlins magic as threads of gold form shapes right in front of him, in this bed thats more merlinandarthurs nowadays than only arthurs own; a secret hiding place only they know whenever they draw the curtains around the bed] [merlin being mesmerized by the gold of his magic being reflected in arthurs eyes, adorning arthurs hair]

[how lovely is it that they fit - bodies and souls and every other small intricacies - so well; so perfectly?]

[bickering a lot more in public than they do in private, just cause theyre weird and dumb and like to mess with people] [similarily, being extremely affectionate but never really in public] [close friends being really weirded out/confused at first when they’re alone with them bc i didnt know you two were capable of affection??] [the friends rolling their eyes every time merlin n arthur bicker in public after that] [their friends smiling fondly at them behind their backs] [constant side-eyes from uther] [constant eyebrow raises from gaius] [constant shit eating grins from gwen, the knights, and morgana] [constant sighs of irritation from kilgharrah] [visiting ealdor and hunith together] [constantly judging other people together] [literally The power couple]

[dancing in the firelight to a tune they only pretend to hear] [lots of playing with each others hair] [arthur wearing merlins clothes outside by accident once and getting really weird looks bc why is the princes shirt such low quality material??] [merlin giving arthur his neckerchief as a favour/token of luck/whatever its called during tournaments] [kisses to the shoulder and back of the neck]

[arthurs soft merlin in the mornings, before he’s fully conscious, because he’s always dreaming about him and thinking about him, first thing in the morning and last thing at night] [merlins gentle smile and equally soft arthur after arthur does something disgustingly small and sweet, like give him his mothers crest, because he cant give merlin a ring, and theres no one else he’d give something so important and dear to him to. no one else he’d trust it with]

[very rare ‘i love you’s - mostly saved for tender and vulnerable nights and the desperate/frantic/miserable moments before, between, and after battles] [explosive fights that have them quiet and sullen for days] [clenched jaws and shaky-with-the-fear-of-losing-the-other voices during apologies] [learning how to navigate love together] [learning compromise and communication together] [fearing just how much they’ve let themselves care for the other]

[whispered conversations of futures they hope to see] [the utter wretchedness of not seeing them]

[the last thing arthur feeling being cold, dry lips against his own]

#this is rlly long folks #and alllll merthur so.#be warned #idek what....this is....#ive just been rlly emotional...#bbc merlin #merthur #merthur au #ignore me

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