#my merlin meta

[larluce]

A couple of things I recently discover about BBC Merlin

It was actually my best friend who did the first discovery.

My friend: You think Arthur blamed magic for what happened to Morgana?

Me: Yeah, he thought magic took away his father and his sister from him. Why?

My friend: It seemed more like he blamed Morgana for turning to magic that magic itself.

Me: What do you mean?

Ny friend: Well, if he only blamed magic, wouldn't he try to 'save' her? Find a way to 'descorrupt' her? But he never once tried.

Me: ...

IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE, GUYS!! And it complements with the second discovery.

Rewatching the conversation Arthur had with Sarrum about Morgana, I paid more attention to Sarrum's words referring her.

"I kept her like an animal"

"Such a shame. All that power, all that beauty forgotten in a living grave"

"Not that her time with me was entirely wasted"

"At night you could hear its cries. It were more heartbreaking than Morgana's"

I gasped, because I finally understood why Morgana went practically insane in series 5. Sarrum did not only held Morgana prisoner, not only did he torture her. She was abused. She was raped for three years.

And what was Arthur’s reaction to this information? He kept quiet and took seep his cup. It's not that he didn't care, his face contorted, clearly affected by this, but he still said nothing, NOTHING! To the man who did that to the person he considered a sister for so long.

I don't believe he thinked she deserved or asked for it but just thought it was the consecuences of her actions. Which solidifies my friend’s point. He definitely blamed Morgana for turning to magic, for turning evil.

#merlin bbc #bbc merlin #merlin #morgana #merlin meta #character analysis #my merlin meta

[longlivechips]

Arthur "the only thing keeping my kingdom together is my manservants crush on me" Pendragon

And

Merlin "gaslight gatekeep girlboss my way out of a treason sentence" Emris

Really were made for each other

#bbc merlin #i debated making it #“the only thing keeping my kingdom together is my manservants crush on me and i dont even know about it” #but i think he does know honestly #merlin #arthur pendragon #merthur #merlin meta #merlin emrys

[regulusrules]

There’s something about the finale that I can’t just gatekeep inside mbarbyc and need to scream over with you guys. This right here

Arthur's in soo much pain here, right? He was stabbed in his fucking chest, holding onto Merlin for dear mercy. But do you notice how Arthur immediately asks Merlin not “where are we?” or “how did we get here?” or even “what happened to the battle that I just spent countless hours trying to win for my beloved kingdom?”.. but instead:

“Where have you been?”

Which translates in Arthur Pendragon’s love language to: Oh Merlin, I feared I would die without seeing you once more. I feared I only hurt you last we spoke. I looked and looked everywhere for your face, hoping I’d be strengthened with your presence, hoping I would find the armour you enclose over my heart. Oh, Merlin, why did you leave me?

Because let’s be honest, did Arthur care about Camlann? Yes. Did he care about his men? Yes. But did he care miles more about Merlin to the point that he was the person on the forefront of Arthur’s mind? The source of his relief and subsequent misery? Yes.

And I swear to you guys, in my eyes, nothing hurt this man about the magic reveal more than thinking that Merlin didn’t love him just as much as he did.

#lord above HAVE MERCY #they RUIN ME #these two were the culmination of love #you won't find a truer story of love after them #merlin #bbc merlin #diamond of the day #hyperfixation episodes #merthur #merlin fic #king arthur #merlin bbc #fic: My breaths are run by your compass #regulusrules metas

[quotidian-oblivion]

May I just say... Colin Morgan's background stage business is impeccable. There are so many actors who just stand there watching or aimlessly shuffle around, but I've noticed that when Colin Morgan is in-character, he is in-character.

I haven't watched him in anything other than Merlin, but when he's not the focus of the camera, he's still doing things just as Merlin does. Like, trying not to laugh during the feast when Elena was visiting and displaying poor table manners, actually looking deep in-thought and mouthing the name 'Alice' when Gaius was talking to him about her, glaring at Gwen from the bedpost when she was enchanted and was monologuing about who could have possibly poisoned Arthur, polishing or doing a chore or keeping his head down when Uther's talking to Arthur but still watching them with a keen eye-

and so many more instances! His background stage business is just amazing.

#quotidian convos #i am actively taking inspiration from him for my own acting #literally i am learning so much from him #bbc merlin #merlin bbc #merlin #merlin emrys #colin morgan #arthur pendragon #bbc elena #uther penderagon #princess elena #bbc princess elena #bbc gwen #gwen pendragon #guinevere pendragon #bbc gaius #gaius #gaius bbc #merlin meta #merlin fandom

[sneakyboymerlin]

Just saw a post claiming that if Gwaine truly prioritized Merlin, he would have “found a way to only stick around Merlin.” Sorry but what kind of abusive relationships are you seeing where your partner isn’t allowed to interact with anyone besides you in order to prove their devotion 💀💀 Your friends aren’t allowed to have other friends?

We know Gwaine prioritizes Merlin because he says soooooooo. His behavior says so. Merlin begged Gwaine to become a knight so that he could stay in Camelot, and Gwaine finally did so under Arthur (*he wasn’t willing to forsake his morality by serving Uther, or he would’ve earlier).

The introduction of the possibility of Gwaine becoming a knight is ultimately about how Merlin wants Gwaine to stay in Camelot with him, and how he worries for Gwaine when he’s on the road. When he asks Gwaine to join the knights, he uses Arthur as a reason to get Gwaine to stay ("You fought well together…"), but it's clear that this isn't the reason that Merlin wants him to stay. He wanted Gwaine to stay before the melee. He wanted Gwaine to stay when he hated Arthur. Gwaine becoming a knight is likewise about more than Arthur. Gwaine offers his protection to Merlin first and foremost, “Not Arthur.” Gwaine wants to stay, with Merlin, before the idea of becoming a knight is ever put on the table.

*If Arthur were to, say, have Merlin executed or banished for his magic, after years and years of loyalty, Gwaine would see Arthur as another Uther and leave. It’s really as simple as that. Gwaine himself was banished by Uther—for protecting Merlin, no less. Gwaine’s father died in battle for a thankless king, which is what Arthur would prove to be in that scenario. He’s not staying a knight.

The point is, just because Gwaine has other friendships doesn’t mean that he cares for Merlin any less. He can be around other people. It’s okay.

#how is he supposed to not interact with any of the knights or his boss ????? #i’m actually astounded #sir gwaine #merlin and gwaine #merwaine #mergwaine #bbc merlin #merlin meta #my meta

[sexy-sapphic-sorcerer]

1: Magic is a Metaphor < 2: Morgana is a Lesbian < 3: Merlin is Gay > 4: Arthur is Bi

Again with the whole metaphor thing, Merlin's entire character is about having to hide his identity and wishing that he could be free to be himself so that he wouldn't have to lie about how much Arthur means to him. So that's all very gay, but he's also just very queer-coded generally. There are so many jokes about him being more effeminate or wearing women's clothing, most notably in this episode where he dresses in full drag and then takes the opportunity to shamelessly flirt with Arthur. Unhinged.

Basically every other character seems to just assume that he's gay, at least towards the end, because Gaius and Arthur are in utter disbelief that Merlin would be 'seeing a girl'. And of course he isn't, he's actually sneaking around with that druid guy, leading Arthur to question how courting a girl would leave him 'walking with a limp.'

I also think it's very interesting how often Merlin has to pretend to be attracted to women to avoid people discovering his secret, like with Gwen in Series 1 or Morgana in Series 2. Or this scene, where Gwen and Merlin are the only people not affected by the Lamia's seduction charm and they're trying to figure out why. And Merlin says, 'it doesn't affect you because you're a woman'. And firstly, Gwen is like, 'so what?' So, bisexual queen. And then Merlin says, "it only affects men," and Gwen says, "so then why haven't you fallen under her spell?" And Merlin is just like, 'oh shit, I don't know. I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't be seduced by a woman.'

Now, you might be saying, "but Merlin is attracted to women! what about that one female love interest he had for literally one episode who immediately died?" Oh, you mean:

I'm sorry to all of the Freylin shippers out there, but this was so clearly just the writers' last-ditch attempt to make Merlin straight. If you think about it, Freya also 'has magic' if you catch my drift, and that is the only thing that she and Merlin have in common, and the only thing that they talk about. And if you look at their dialogue out of context, it really doesn't seem like it's magic that they're talking about. It's just gay/lesbian solidarity. Also, never forget when Colin Morgan accidentally referred to Merlin's potential love interests as "him or her." So who else could he have been thinking of?

Merlin definitely had a crush on Lancelot. From the moment that they first meet, he just keeps going on about, 'omg, isn't Lancelot so strong and brave and chivalrous? God, I hope he becomes a knight, he would look so good in a suit of armour.' And then he says to Gwen, completely unprompted, "so just for the sake of argument– Arthur or Lancelot?" Why are you thinking about that Merlin? Then that scene ends with Merlin and Lancelot getting drunk and stumbling home together and waking up the next morning having shared Merlin's single bed. So take from that what you will. I don't necessarily think that anything happened between them, not because I think Lancelot is straight, don't get it twisted, just because I think he's a fucking virgin.

But certified pansexual manwhore Gwaine on the other hand, oh they definitely fucked. And it's a very similar situation to Lancelot, Merlin's only flirting technique is just to find some buff guy who's just saved his life and be like, 'oh my god what can I possibly do to repay you? Maybe you could come back to my place and I could tend to your wounds and then we could go down to the tavern, have a few drinks'.

And it works. Merlin literally used his job as apprentice physician to the Knights of the Round Table as his own personal Grindr, and i love that for him. But, of course, these are just side hoes to Merlin's main bitch, Arthur.

You can deny everything else that I've said, but you cannot deny that Merlin was in love with Arthur. And don't even try to say, 'but it's just because it was his destiny'. Because, yeah, like that's any less gay. They're two sides of the same coin, destined to be together, Merlin 'uses magic only for Arthur'. Come on.

Also, it's pretty clear that Merlin cares about Arthur more than he cares about his destiny, throughout the entire show. But it culminates in this scene in series five where, because of very contrived plot reasons, Arthur has to choose between legalizing magic and saving the life of Mordred. And Merlin convinces Arthur not to legalise magic so that he will let Mordred die. He literally enables the genocide of his own people and condemns himself to a lifetime of suffering just on the off chance that he can spend a bit more time with Arthur.

And if that isn't heartbreaking enough, of course, every action that Merlin makes only confirms Arthur's fate. And after he very platonically dies in Merlin's arms, as dudebros do, what does Merlin do? does he go back to Camelot and live a full happy heterosexual life? Of course not. No, he spends the next one and a half thousand years just waiting at Arthur's resting place, waiting for the day that Arthur will be resurrected and they can be together again. What the fuck kind of Greek tragedy, Achilles and Patroclus level shit is that? That is fucking gay.

#this is so fucking long omg sorry #consider this series as a masterpost of all of my ramblings #merlin #merlance #merwaine #merthur #bbc merlin #merlin meta #the magic of metaphor

[queerofthedagger]

one thing that keeps me up at night is how, as people have pointed out before, arthur loved merlin simply for being merlin, regardless of magic or destiny etc., but how in some ways, that doesn't exactly apply the same way the other way around now does it?

like. i mean obvious merlin loved arthur for just being arthur, man would have never stuck around otherwise and one may even argue that later on, he actually did put arthur over destiny repeatedly (although i will say i agree only partially with this because why wouldn't he protect arthur above all else, if it's arthur who is supposed to make it happen! that said yes, most of his motivation to keep arthur alive came from arthur being his friend, not some higher calculation.)

thing is. arthur wouldn't exactly know this. arthur in fact in the finale seems to grapple with this a lot, if not most. the idea that to merlin, too, he had been a means to an end, as to so many others, whether in them wanting to use him, or wanting to get him out of the way.

there are very, very few people (gwen, pretty much as the only one alive) for whom arthur was just arthur first, king and destined peace-bringer, prince and first knight etc etc second. and i think if not for the whole, you know, dying business, it would take him a long time to actually, fully believe that merlin was one of them, after all.

which is just fucking heart-breaking, innit.

#bbcm #arthur pendragon #you can read 'love' here however way you please but it's not really intended to be a merthur post #like. i feel we talk a lot (and rightly so) about the messiness of magic reveals #but the whole destiny thing is just on my mind constantly too so yk #why not make it everyone else's problem also <3 #*mine #mona's rambling #bbc merlin #merlin meta

[tongjaitongjai]

Headcanon: The fate had always been cruel to Merlin. The fate's main goal in creating Merlin was for him to make Albion great and to make Arthur ‘the once and future king’ with the power of magic.

So, the fate killed anyone who could have threatened Merlin's devotion or love for Arthur. Like Will, his attachment to his old life, Freya, the one he wished to ignore destiny for and run away with, or even Lancelot, whom he trusted the most, even more than Arthur at times. The fate cannot risk him loving anyone more than Authur, that would distract him from his duty. So it twisted his destiny, and made Arthur the only reason for Merlin to keep living.

But it backfired because Merlin grew to love Arthur more than Albion. The love prevented him from making the right decisions for Albion, because he always put Arthur first, even before his other duty, before Albion's greatness and the world. He denied his own magic or even his people, because he thought that was the best way to protect Arthur and to stay by his side. Because more than Emrys the Great who would lead Arthur to become the greatest king, he was just Merlin. Merlin who was stupidly loyal to Arthur and just wanted Arthur to be safe and happy, king or not.

In the end, the fate realised that Merlin would fail to unite Albion, and Camelot would eventually fall, partly because of his mistakes made by his twisted devotion and unbearable love for Arthur.

So, the fate took Arthur away from him as a punishment.

#merthur #murther #bbc merlin #merlin #rambling #merlin headcanons #arthur pendragon #mercelot #freya #bbc arthur #merlin bbc #the fate wanted Arthur to unite Albion #but other than that the fate did not care about Arthur #but merlin cared and that is why their plan fail because merlin love arthur as arthus not as once and future king #merlin fanfic idea #merlin angst #meta #merlin meta #my post

[adhd-merlin]

What if my father's attitude to magic is wrong?

#idk. is this anything? #i literally don't know where i was going with this #just playing around #i am still thinking about that meta about ep 5x10 :( #this is literally made in canva like. that's the extent of my editing skills (0). #tw: experimenting #i know kara wasn't executed for using magic btw #it's about the symbolism okay. #merlinedit #merlin #arthur pendragon #screencaps from s5 are super crisp full HD #and then screencaps from s1-3 are like. potato quality 😭 #gif makers how do you do it!!!! #i don't even mind the grainy quality too much its just #when you've got to use them together :( #anyway I wanted to start rewatching s1 tonight but #I wasted over 1 hour on this and now it's too late #oh well

[onceandfutureheartache]

i’m losing my mind in this dennys tonight

more of my descent into madness below

#creating memes instead of running around my room #i think my braincells have deserted me #i’ll probably look back on this tomorrow like uh what the fuck were you thinking here’s a seven page paper of why that’s wrong #but until then i’m on god mode babeyyyy #had some goddamn enlightenment this evening and will just keep going insane about it #bbc merlin #merlin meta

[larluce]

I want to talk about Arthur's reaction to Merlin being a sorcerer in magic reveal fics.

There are the ones that portray a very violent and cruel Arthur. Fisically injuring Merlin on impulse or trying to supress his magic with cold iron. Almost killing him by accident due to outburst or ignorance for him to feel very guilty afterwards. I get why they do it. The angst and drama. And, while there are very well written fics with these prompts, I don't actually believe Arthur would react that way. No matter how betrayed, angry and hurt he feels.

True, there were occasions where Arthur reacted badly, or really, just two occasions: when Morgause told him the truth about his birth and he almost killed his father, and when Gwen "cheated" on him with Lancelot and banish her. However, in the first scenario he genuinely believed his father had killed his mother just out of selfishness, the mother he never got to meet and blame himself for her death all his life, and then killed thousands, not really out of guilt or revenge which probably was Uther main motive, but out of pure hypocrisy. Honestly, even the most kindhearted and nonviolent person would react that badly! I don't think we can compare learning your best friend lied to you about being a sorcerer for years with that. When it came to Gwen though Arthur was actually merciful. As King he should have had her executed, he couldn't NOT punish her in some way because there were witnesses and he couldn't be look as a weak or unreasonable King. And even as angry as he was, he let her explain herself, he was willing to listen to what she had to say. Looking a little backwards, when Arthur found Gwen kissing Lancelot and went on full rage, he never draw his sword at her and is actually when she put herself between Lancelot and his blade that he stops. The woman he loved betrayed him, made him look like a fool infront an entire council and probably the entire kingdom as well and yet he never once insulted her. The much he did, besides banish her of course, was shaking her by the arms in his anger but it's short lived and he quickly apologised after that, because even after what Gwen did to him he can't bare the though of hurting her.

Then there are the fics were Arthur reacts too nicely to the news. He is understanding, he doesn't even get mad at all. He is fine with Merlin being a sorcerer right away. While these fics tend to be cute and all fluff, they make less sense to me that the first ones I mentioned. Arthur still was raised to hate magic, that doesn't go away just in a minute. Also while he can be a very reasonable man, he is a very resentful one too, at least when it comes to trust. We've seen this through the series, nothing breaks his heart more than someone he cares for betraying his trust. Returning to the previous example, while he let go Gwen unharmed after the infidelity, it took him a long time to actually forgive her. Also, while not being a violent man normally, Arthur can be very hurtful with words when he's upset. He threathened Merlin with banishment when he was still hurt about Gwen and Merlin kept reminding him about her. When Merlin decided not to go with him to the most important battle in his life, he said his famous "I always though you were the bravest man I ever met... I guess I was wrong". He didn't actually mean the words, but he's hurt so he hurts others to appease the pain. Was he being unfair and selfish when he said these things? Yes, he's not perfect, he has flaws but that makes him human.

So, how do I actually believe Arthur would react if he had found out about Merlin's magic before Canmlan? Not so different really. He would have said hurtful things, would demand to be alone, for Merlin to leave (not banishment), but he wouldn't fisically injure Merlin in any way. He also wouldn't arrest him at least there were other witnesses and he had to keep appearences, because he's still king of a kingdom that bans magic. But even then he would late let Merlin explain himself and make sure he has a fair trial, a trial Arthur would definitely arrange in a way Merlin is found innocent, or he would give him a royal pardon, and he would make sure Merlin is not harm while he's in the dungeons. Banishment would be a last resort if the council is firm about Merlin being punish, because laws and mentalities can't be changed in a day after all.

But if there're not other witnesses, Arthur would simply not require his servicies for a while, ignore him for some days, weeks maybe, but not a long time really. Again, he can be a resentful person, but not an unreasonable one, he would eventually call for Merlin and be willing to listen to him. The intesity of his anger and hurt, and how troubled he feels about his believes on magic, would depend on which season the magic reveal happens. But, generally, the actions he would take would be the same. Let's remember that even when he found out about Merlin's magic in Camnlan, after all the betrayals he suffered, when Merlin left him alone with Gaius, he ordered Gaius, not for Merlin to be arrested or to disclose to someone Merlin was a sorcerer, but to have Merlin take a word to Gwen! To his wife! If he really believed Merlin was evil, that he could hurt him, he wouldn't dare to do that. Also, as soon as he learned he needed Merlin to have a chance of survival, he accepted his help, reluctantly yes, but he did let him take him to the sidhe when he could easly refuse and demand Gaius to do it or refuse to do it all together cause going to the sidhe would mean using magic on himself and put faith in a sorcerer. So, no, I don't believe he ever planed on taking Merlin to the dungeons, much less kill him, even then. He just wanted to be left alone for a moment, he needed Merlin to leave because it hurt to see him after the revelation, after the betrayal.

Anyways, those are my thoughts. What do you think?

#merlin #merlin bbc #arthur and merlin #bbc merlin #merlin and arthur #merlin fanfic #merlin fic #merthur #analysis #character analysis #magic reveal #merlin meta #my mer #my merlin meta

[merlinemrys]

thinking about one of my fav merlin quotes (3x11's "it's lonely to be more powerful than any man you know and have to live like a shadow.") and this snippet of my writing ("everything casts a shadow. even grief. especially grief.") in relation to like merlin & arthur's dynamic bc it's so delicious.

i'm gna ramble for a bit bc like arthur's shadow will forever be merlin even after he dies. we compare arthur to the sun a lot and i do agree w it but, going a step further, i think it'd be better to say that he's a supernova. supernovas are defined by 1. the sheer power of their luminosity and 2. the fact that they are only so bright because they're dying. and the brighter the light, the darker the shadow! and merlin is the shadow!!!!

it just gets to me how merlin lived for a thousand years shadowed in his own grief, forever just catching a glimpse of that shining golden age that could've been where arthur's alive and he's repealed the ban on magic and merlin is finally not lonely anymore. but it never happened. god..... merlin's been lonely for all his life and he will continue to be lonely and marred by grief, i think, even after returns. to be entrenched in something so long i fear he would not know himself outside of those feelings you know?? do you think he would obsess over the inevitable end? arthur arises again and when he is no longer needed, will the goddesses spare him? will they finally grant him the death he has longed for?

anyway. i don't know... i DON'T KNOW. i have a lot of emotions abt them

#shows #bbc merlin #merthur #arthur pendragon #arthur #merlin #bbcm #meta #text #tais toi lys #on merthur #merlin s3 #3x11 #this makes NO sense but im half assembling decor and talking on the phone w my friends while writing this so pls excuse me #*

[regulusrules]

So remember in s5e7 when this iconic scene happened:

Merlin rested his hands on Arthur's chest, right? And Merlin, being so connected with earth and its magic, told Gaius that “the sickness is so deep in him.”

Which means that, a few episodes later in diamond of the day, Merlin literally felt the exact moment Arthur died.

#merlin #absolutely not crying #welcome to random ass gutwrenching facts in the middle of the night #arthur pendragon #bbc merlin #merthur #merlin season 5 #s5e7 #merlin bbc #king arthur #merlin x arthur #diamond of the day #my heart is readily yours #regulusrules metas

[sneakyboymerlin]

Some people don’t seem to get the gist of Gwaine’s character so let me break it down:

Gwaine deciding that Arthur is worth defending as a king and wanting to repay him for saving his life… does not mean that he loves Arthur the way he loves his literal best friend. Gwaine is deeply bound by his sense of morality, and his moral compass points him to Arthur. The anger with which Gwaine responds to threats against Arthur is identical to his response when, say, the Cailleach laughs at the knowledge that innocent people are dying because of her own inaction. Gwaine posits himself as a defender of good, and Arthur proved himself to be “noble” in his eyes. Ergo, he protects Arthur, as he protects civilians.

All in all, there is nothing really personal to their bond, just as there is little personal about Gwaine’s duty to the people of Camelot. Gwaine and Arthur have a begrudging respect for each other, and both have a sense of duty to ensure that the other does not come to harm. This dynamic does not need to be construed as anything other than what it is, but since we have been conditioned to believe that people can only act altruistically given a motive of friendship, romance, or family, their actions are subsequently read as such—contrary to the onscreen evidence.

I cannot stress this enough: this series is based on Arthurian legend. The knights are meant to display chivalry. That is the bond between them.

This differs greatly from Merlin and Gwaine’s dynamic, wherein Gwaine’s attachment does not stem from a sense of duty but, rather, his own personal feelings. He is drawn to Merlin from the start, finds an understanding and emotional support from Merlin that he’s never had with anyone before, and is stunned touched that Merlin hasn’t grown tired of him, despite the burden he’s placed on Merlin’s shoulders since his arrival in Camelot. By contrast, Arthur grew sick of Gwaine… almost immediately, and their dynamic was established as one of mutual duty the moment Arthur said, “He saved my life… He’s to be given anything he needs.” This is very much a discernible difference. An important one, too.

This is the reason that, despite how he is willing to lay down his own life for Arthur as early as 3x04, Gwaine explicitly does not consider him a friend afterwards in 3x08, but does for Merlin.

Furthermore, given Gwaine’s moral code—the very same one he used to judge Arthur as “noble”—Gwaine would indeed side with Merlin over Arthur in the case of a magic reveal (not to mention the fact that Merlin is his friend, he knows that Merlin is good, and he doesn’t want Merlin to be hurt). Gwaine believes that one’s actions determine their goodness, rather than their birth circumstances. Therefore, Merlin being born with magic is not proof that he is corrupt.

Outside of magic reveal scenarios, and despite his sense of duty to Arthur, Gwaine is still shown to put Merlin first. There is nothing wrong with Gwaine placing Merlin above Arthur. It’s not “unfair” to Arthur that Gwaine cares more about Merlin, and it’s not something that needs fixing. Arthur is not entitled to Gwaine’s love or loyalty. It’s beautifully satisfying, both emotionally and narratively, that Gwaine’s loyalty is to a servant first and a king second. That is the entire crux of Gwaine as a character. It is a deliberate choice on the part of the writers, and it’s perfect as is.

#bbc merlin #merlin meta #sir gwaine #merlin emrys #merlin and gwaine #merwaine #mergwaine #my meta

[sexy-sapphic-sorcerer]

1: Magic is a Metaphor < 2: Morgana is a Lesbian < 3: Merlin is Gay < 4: Arthur is Bi

Do you remember when you were bullied in middle school? Because if you're reading this, I think it's fair to assume that you were. And your parents would say to you, 'that boy is just being mean to you because he likes you'. That's what this is.

Arthur is just so repressed. He has really bad daddy issues, and he doesn't know how to express his emotions, and he's really uncomfortable with physical intimacy, especially with other men, especially with Merlin. And this isn't me trying to psychoanalyse away his heterosexuality. It is a very evident part of his character.

And another big part of his character is that he has inherited all of these bigoted ideas about magic from his father that he has to work to overcome. Because, of course, Arthur himself is born of magic, but his dad is so ashamed of it that he hides the true circumstances of his birth from Arthur. Honestly, I don't know exactly how that would fit into this whole metaphor. I do have a half-formed theory that it could be interpreted as an allegory for intersex identity, I know that a lot of people headcanon Arthur as trans, so idk there could be something there. But regardless, it is only through his relationship with Merlin that he is able to overcome this magicphobia, because he realises: how could it be wrong when everything about Merlin is so right. And I just feel like there's a metaphor in there somewhere.

Of course, I have to mention this iconic quote from the audio commentary of the final episode: when the executive producer refers to Arthur taking off his royal seal to give back to Guinevere as passing over "the last vestige of his heterosexu- oh sorry, I mean his marriage." So, they knew exactly what they were doing.

I also thought I would just draw your attention to the fact that at one point Arthur says, "I only care about my men, they're more than friends, more than brothers." Now, I think we can all agree that out of context, that is a very gay thing to say, and yet somehow the context is even gayer, because Arthur is pretending to be talking about the Knights of the Round Table, but he's actually talking about Merlin, how Merlin is the only person he cares about, more than a friend. And then Merlin responds, "I understand. I wish I didn't, but I do." It's barely subtext at that point. This of course, brings me to my final argument:

Arthur risked his life to save Merlin at least eight times. It could be more than that, I genuinely lost count. And you have to keep in mind that Arthur is the King of Camelot and he doesn't have any heirs. It is quite important that he stays alive. And yet anytime that Merlin is in the slightest bit of danger, he will just drop everything to protect him.

And it's really only in those moments where he's faced with the thought of losing Merlin that he shows him genuine emotion. Such as in this scene (which was cut out of 4x02 purely because it was too gay) where Arthur is planning to sacrifice himself to protect Merlin, again, and he gives Merlin his mother's sigil, the only thing he has left of his dead mum and he wants Merlin to have it as something to remember him by. Also, apparently in medieval times giving someone your family crest was basically a marriage proposal, so that's pretty gay.

You know what else is pretty gay? Telepathically communicating with Merlin and then immediately leaving Gwen in the middle of an active war. This is literally the last time that Arthur and Gwen ever see each other. Poor Gwen.

In conclusion, Merlin is the story of gay sorcerers and bisexual knights getting into love triangles. Everyone in this show is queer and you cannot tell me otherwise.

#because I realise this is the first post you'll see on the dash: this is all taken directly from a tiktok I made over a year ago #my thoughts on this point especially have developed a bit since then. and this is written for a more entry-level tiktok audience #so it's very lukewarm takes to my fellow soldiers in the trenches #but I'm not expecting this to get much notice and idc/idk how to articulate my thoughts better so just take it for what it is #arthur pendragon #merthur #bbc merlin #merlin #merlin meta #the magic of metaphor

[queerofthedagger]

I just think that there are many reasons why one can go back and forth on whether Ygraine's spirit is really Ygraine in s2e8, but judging her and/or the situation one way or another over the fact that she is for once someone who tells Arthur the goddamn truth really just ain't it. Like. of course he would be furious! maybe because - and hear me out here - the truth is something to be furious about! Everyone constantly fucking lies and lies and lies to Arthur, to spare him, to stop him from being angry, for one million supposed reasons of knowing better, so maybe yes a sign of actual love is to not put yourself into the line-up and be honest, for once in his goddamn life

#*mine #mona rambles #bbcm #arthur pendragon #bbc merlin #merlin meta #that's my GIRL leave her be #not reblogging the og post everyone's entitled to their opinions etc etc but also i am. biting #also. she's allowed to hold a grudge against uther. she's allowed to not be a rational saint. she's allowed to tell her son she loves him #and to be fucking /enraged/ at his first words to her being an APOLOGY FOR LIVING #like. i do keep going back and forth on whether it was really her but this is literally THEE least reason why oh my god #i could go on but i just got up i need coffee. man