#while Arthur challenges Uther

[caffeinatedbisexual]

I forgot how good the Pendragon family drama was

#im sat here eating popcorn #while Arthur challenges Uther #morgause #has also arrived #bbc merthur #bbc merlin #arthur pendragon #uther pendragon #fuck uther #morgana pendragon #gaius merlin #merlin #gwen merlin

[sneakyboymerlin]

Worst most tragic quote of any show ever:

“Some men are born to be kings… I was born to serve you, Arthur.”

How everyone else isn’t horribly unsettled by that line of words fuckin’ astounds me.

HE DOESN’T SEE HIMSELF AS A PERSON!

And he tries to twist it into a positive thing!

It’s the fact that he suddenly believes that anyone is born to be lesser or greater than anyone else. The equality he hoped for at the original round table? No sign of that here. He’s been so socially abused that he’s resigned himself to being “less than.” It’s been impressed upon him again and again that he’s predestined to be Arthur’s inferior.

He doesn’t realize anymore that Arthur wasn’t born superior to him, with a grand entitlement to the monarchy’s hoarded wealth. He doesn’t realize that the scraps he has to his own name are disproportionate compensation for the work he does! He doesn’t seem to recognize that leadership should be divorced from concepts of unlimited power and greater wealth, that a leader should not be “above” their subjects, except when it comes to his own power and leadership. Then, he’s stopping people from bowing to him, and speaking to his followers as equals. But when Arthur expects and enforces the rule that he is treated with greater respect than anyone else, treated to greater luxuries, and that his work is ~more important~ so others (like his servants) don’t deserve their share of the wealth, that’s seen as completely normal and uncorrupt. Arthur’s an over-glorified CEO, and Merlin is placed on the lowest tier. And no one sees anything wrong with this political model?

He genuinely believes that he is Arthur’s inferior, morally and spiritually, and that the position he was born into (as a poor farmer, then servant, and “monster”) was intended to reflect that, as some sort of payment for his ~innate flaws~. He believes that Arthur specifically was born king because he is superior, that he was born into his insurmountable political/social power & wealth because he is somehow more deserving of it, when Arthur is just like any other person ever.

And it’s even wilder because he doesn’t think this about Uther or Morgana! It’s like Stockholm Syndrome. And what’s worse is that the narrative glorifies this perspective, doesn’t treat it as the horror that it really is, doesn’t engage with it as an idea that needs to be challenged.

It’s so different from how he approached his destiny in seasons 1-4, it’s arguably just out of character, plain and simple. He used to have some fight in him, he had a sense of self (even if he was lacking in self-worth, which is why he was so susceptible to this). He knew that he deserved to be seen as a person, as capable, as dignified. This negative development in his character, that he believes he doesn’t get to simply exist as a human being, that he only exists to serve the needs of others, while everyone else gets to just be a person without their very existence needing to be justified… it’s disturbing! How do people romanticize this? He’s an immortal martyr. When he can’t die for his cause, he gives up his life.

Merlin is more than a weapon, more than a shield, more than a thing. He wasn’t born to be used! He’s just a person, he deserves to simply be. Everyone does.

I hope he learned to after Arthur and Gaius died.

#it’s the non-magical version of the tiene diaga lmao #merlin emrys #bbc merlin #merlin meta #arthur critical #show critical #my meta

[that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction]

I had a Good!Morgana/magic reveal idea. What if Arthur found out about Morgana’s magic? And decided to be rational and smart about it?

When the window breaks, he realises that only Morgana was anywhere near. It’s just a random thought, but then he remembers all the times her nightmares come true or that she warned him about something and he listened only for her to be right.

Then he overhears Gaius talking to someone and saying that Morgana is too close to Uther and that it’d be better if she never knew about her magic. (even though she’s loosing control and clearly terrified and in need of help, he’s furious about that because magic or no, she’s still Morgana.) Arthur storms off, not bothering to find out who Gaius was talking to because he’s just been hit by the reality that magic isn’t a choice therefore he might have to reevaluate his whole belief system because he doesn’t want to think people can be born evil.

Of course he isn’t happy about it, but Morgana is too good and she never would’ve chosen magic, she was too smart for that in Camelot and too afraid for it to be deliberate. For whatever reason, Gaius was keeping Morgana’s magic secret even from her, so he didn’t want to go to the physician. So he goes to Geoffrey, knowing that like Gaius, he knows about life before the purge.

The librarian apparently hid a bunch of illegal books? So Arthur gets reading and learns about magic, about those born with it, about those who use it for good, that magic could be like a sword to attack or defend. Then he learns that’s wrong, a stab wound is still a stab wound but if he wants to believe magic can be truly good then there has to be more to it than a weapon. He realises there’s no inherent morality in magic, just intent from the person using it and impact of those around. He starts looking at how useful magic can be, how it can heal, you get the idea.

Uther finds out somehow and summons Arthur, Morgana and the council to the throne room so he can sentence Morgana to death. No one knows how to react, but Arthur steps forward, gently pushes Morgana behind him, sending Merlin a look that says to keep her safe. Merlin nods and Morgana is trembling while he reassures her that she’s safe. He promises that no harm will come and that he’ll break her out of the citadel if he has to.

Arthur yells at Uther and eventually throws a gauntlet down, saying he’s challenging for the throne on account of madness. He basically paints Uther to be mentally unstable and therefore unfit to rule. They fight there, and like the scene where Arthur finds out about his mother, Uther is pinned to the throne when Merlin stops Arthur from killing Uther, (there’s significance to that, it wouldn’t bring Arthur peace. But Morgana ordering his execution? That helps her get closure.)

Anyway, Merlin takes the sword and holds it to Uther’s chest for Arthur, whispering something about “Morgana needs him now more than ever.” So Arthur takes Uther’s crown and orders Leon to take him to his chambers and not to let him leave. He then turns to Morgana, sees her trembling and holds out a hand to her. She looks at him suspiciously, so he sighs and tell her they’ll talk about repealing the ban once he’s figured out what to do with Uther.

Morgana frowns, so Arthur says something like “As far as I’m concerned, Camelot is your home. You’re my sister in all but blood, and I’m not going to watch you die for something you had no choice in. We’ll find you a tutor, someone to teach you control so your nightmares don’t bother you so much, and if you want it you’ll have a place on my council. As court sorceress or advisor or whatever you want.”

Then Morgana hugs him, crying and thanking him for everything. Merlin is looking proud but regretfully so because of the situation. Arthur has him clear the hallways so he can lead Morgana back to her chambers where she’ll be safe and where she won’t have to worry about anyone seeing her cry because Arthur knows she’s never really cried in front of anyone but Gwen, only ever fake tears to manipulate men in court to her favour.

They’ve got technicalities to sort out and whatever else but they work it out and basically everything ends up happily ever after.

#bbc merlin #merlin #arthur pendragon #morgana #good morgana #merlin emrys #ao3 fanfic #merlin bbc #i’m bad at tagging #fic ideas #fuck uther #uther pendragon #gaius merlin #bbc uther #fuck gaius #he’s like the fourth worst person in the show #I get why he didn’t tell Morgana about her powers #like I understand the nuance there #but at the same time he’s a fucking idiot for it

[serendipity8832]

Favorite merlin headcanons: Arthur is actually very smart and Arthur figured out merlin has magic

Now picture this: Arthur connects the dots on day Zero. This peasant he's never seen before shows up in Camelot talking some big game about "I can take you apart in less than that," proves completely inept at physical combat, and then by some insane twist of fate Arthur's flail gets tangled in some chains right before he was going to teach this idiot a lesson. Only, remember, Arthur himself is not an idiot. He saw the flash of gold in the peasant boy's eyes. He knows exactly what happened. And his first instinct is to frog march the boy to be judged by his father. But as the people around him start to laugh at his "bad luck" he realizes none of them have noticed what he did, and for a moment he's actually impressed at the gall this magic idiot had to waltz up to the most magic-intolerant place in the known world and immediately challenge the crown prince to combat he couldn't possibly hope to win without the aid of said magic. And that moment lasts just long enough for the boy to scramble away. Now Arthur could easily track him down and bring him to justice, but he reasons that if he was able to figure it out that easily the boy will get himself caught sooner or later, and it might be more fun to watch his idiotic bumbling in the meantime.

Fast forward to the feast where Merlin saves Arthur's life and Uther all of a sudden decides to assign Merlin as Arthur's manservant. Arthur is losing his fucking mind because on the one hand the boy is most definitely a sorcerer and sorcerors are evil, but on the other he did just technically save Arthur's life, and on the third hand Arthur feels responsible for Merlin's presence in the castle in the first place because he didn't turn him in when he had the chance so really it's all Arthur's fault isn't it? Oh God. So Arthur decides to keep his mouth shut and not tell his father that the boy who will now be closer to Arthur than anyone else in the castle is guilty of crimes punishable by death, and he also decides not to tell Merlin that he knows about his magic because there's a good chance that if the peasant sorcerer thinks Arthur poses any sort of threat he'll rescind the extension he granted on Arthur's life and he'll find himself dead in his bed the next morning. Cue however many years of Arthur trying to keep the rest of the court, especially his father, from discovering Merlin's magic while also trying to find a good time to tell Merlin that he does in fact know but hey listen he's not going to do anything about it, doesn't Merlin see how Arthur's been protecting him all these years? And uh oh, what's that? Now there are FEELINGS? For his manservant, the PEASANT SORCERER?? seriously what did Arthur do to deserve this. At least nobody else in the castle has magic 🫤

#listen. i couldnt give him everything #gotta keep this at least a little realistic #merlin #merlin bbc #arthur pendragon #merthur #i think thats it

[merlincersei]

Merlin BBC UK TV Show - A Psychological Analysis Series Part 11

Season 2 Episode 9 - “ The Lady of the Lake”

Writing this post proved to be a challenge as I had to condense all my thoughts and ideas in a coherent manner without it being all over the place.

While providing a synopsis of the episode, I will be highlighting the subliminal themes portrayed here in CAPITAL LETTERS AS WELL AS MY ANALYSIS to cover every aspect of the episode.

____________________________________________________________

Merlin is introduced to the character of Freya, a Druid girl trapped in a bounty hunter's cage (RESTRICTION) belonging to a man named Halig.

Despite Gaius's warnings not to interfere and against a background of a stormy night (INTERNAL CONFLICT) Merlin openly uses magic (QUEERNESS) in-front of Freya to reassure her that he is there to help and frees her, before narrowly escaping Halig.

Merlin hides the girl in the catacombs (THE PLACE THE OVERWROUGHT SUBCONSCIOUS MIND BURIES ALL OF THE PROBLEMS AND SECRETS ) beneath Camelot (SOCIETY) and promises to look after her.

She asks Merlin why he saved her and he says it could have easily been him in the cage (BOTH MERLIN AND FREYA ARE MAGICAL CREATURES LIVING IN A SOCIETY THAT CONDEMNS THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE)

Halig goes to Uther and notifies him of Freya's escape with the help of an accomplice. Uther assigns a detachment of guards to capture them.

The next 30 minutes of the episode becomes the main core of my analysis.

_____________________________________________________________

Merlin performing domestic duties for Arthur:

IN THE PATRIARCHIAL WORLD OF UTHER'S CAMELOT, MERLIN PERFORMS TASKS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED FEMININE.

MERLIN PREPARES AND SERVES ARTHUR FOOD.

MERLIN PREPARES ARTHUR'S BATH.

MERLIN CLEANS ARTHUR'S CLOTHES AND SHOES.

MERLIN FUSSES OVER ARTHURS WEIGHT AND APPEARANCE.

ALL WHICH HE DOES EVERYDAY FOR WHICH HE IS NEVER APPRECIATED OR THANKED.

SOUNDS LIKE A COMPLAINT A LOT OF WIVES HAVE.

_____________________________________________________________

Arthur views Merlin as feminine and lacking masculine traits:

ARTHUR SEES MERLIN CARRYING A BLACK DRESS AND ASSUMES IT IS FOR MERLIN HIMSELF

_____________________________________________________________

Merlin steals food from Arthur to give it to Freya:

FOOD AND SEX HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED FROM ANTIQUITY.

EVEN MODERN STUDIES HAVE CONFIRMED THE STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN SEX AND FOOD.

SOURCE: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Correlations-between-sex-and-eating-variables_tbl1_290219210

JUDEO-CHRISTIANITY SEES GLUTTONY AND LUST AS INTERCHANGEABLE, BOTH SINS OF THE FLESH.

IN MEDIEVAL TIMES, AN UNFAITHFUL WIFE WAS OFTEN ACCUSED OF HIDING FOOD FROM HER HUSBAND ONLY TO GIVE IT TO HER LOVER (MAKING HER ADULTERY AN ECONOMIC PROBLEM AS WELL).

USING THE CONTEXT ABOVE, IT IS QUITE FUNNY TO SEE HOW MERLIN STEALS FLESH (MEAT) FROM ARTHUR TO GIVE IT TO FREYA.

_____________________________________________________________

Freya reveals to Merlin that she is cursed:

HERE THE CURSE THAT FREYA IS TALKING ABOUT IS HER BEING A TRANSGENDER PERSON.

THERE ARE FEW BETTER SYMBOLS FOR SOMEONE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF FEMALE-TO-MALE TRANSITION THAN THE HUMAN TO CREATURE TRANSFORMATION TROPE.

WHEN YOU ARE ON HRT TESTOSTERONE THERAPY, MOST PEOPLE BECOME HAIRIER AND STRONGER AND GAIN MUSCLE, WHICH IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE BASTET CREATURE TRANSFORMATION BY FREYA.

PLEASE NOTE, I AM NOT SAYING THAT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ARE CURSED. I AM SIMPLY SAYING IT CAN FEEL LIKE A CURSE CONSIDERING THE BIGOTRY AND HATE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FACE.

______________________________________________________________

Freya and Merlin profess their love for each other and kiss.

Against this background, Halig is narrowing in on Freya's hideout.

Freya decides to escape Camelot, believing that Merlin is better off without her. She is then confronted by Arthur, Halig and a group of knights.

Arthur manages to badly wound Freya in her Bastet form before being distracted by a gargoyle which was toppled by Merlin.( IT IS A REAL COINCIDENCE THAT ARTHUR ATTACKS FREYA WHO HAD KISSED MERLIN A FEW MOMENTS AGO, SIMILARLY TO HOW ARTHUR WOULD ATTACK LANCELOT FOR KISSING GWEN IN SEASON 4 EPISODE 9)

Merlin runs after Freya to find her mortally wounded. (IT IS THE OBJECT OF MERLIN’S HOMOSEXUAL DESIRES (ARTHUR) WHO KILLS THE OBJECT OF HIS HETEROSEXUAL DESIRE (FREYA) )

A heartbroken Merlin places her body on a boat and uses his magic to give her a traditional funeral by the lake. (I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY POIGNANT IN HINDSIGHT BECAUSE ONCE FREYA DIES AND BECOMES LADY OF THE LAKE THESE TWO NEVER SHARE A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP AGAIN. SHE IS LITERALLY SUBMERGED INTO THE LAKE WHICH IS A METPHAPHOR FOR MERLIN’S CONCIOUSNESS. LOCKED AWAY FOREVER)

Back at Camelot, Arthur aware that Merlin is upset helps cheer him up before delegating him more tasks. (MERLIN'S HOMOSEXUALITY HAS FINALLY WON OUT AND HE HAS ACCEPTED HIS DESTINY I.E ARTHUR ROFLMAO. PRIOR TO THIS EPISODE MERLIN DID SHOW HINTS OF ATTRACTION TOWARDS THE OPPOSITE SEX. THIS IS EVIDENCED BY HIM ADMIRING MORGANA IN SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 AND NIMUEH IN SEASON 1 EPISODE 4. HOWEVER FROM THIS EPISODE ON, MERLIN SHOWS NO ATTRACTION TO ANY FEMALE CHARACTER WHAT SO EVER. THIS IS EXPRESSED EXPLICITLY IN SEASON 4 EPISODE 8 WHERE THE LAMIA SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO ENCHANT ALL THE MEN EXCEPT MERLIN. GWEN EVEN ASKS WHY EVERY MAN EXCEPT MERLIN HAS BEEN ENCHANTED.)

I TRULY ENJOYED THIS EPISODE AS IT IS RIFE WITH SYMBOLISM FOR ME TO PICK APART AND ANALYZE !

#arthur pendragon #bradley james #merlin bbc #merthur #colin morgan #queer coding #gay subtext #merlincersei #lgbtqia shows #FREYA #freylin #merlin meta #Youtube

[theladyofmanyfandomsfanfiction]

Imagine Uther's disapproval after finding you drunk...

Part 1 | Part 2

When the morning came around, you didn’t remember how you ended up on Arthur's bedroom floor. You had gone out with everyone for a simple celebratory drink. You did, however, remember waking to a pair of boots in your line of vision and a very disapproving voice from the King who had been looking out for you. 

“The tavern? Honestly, have you no respect for your title?” 

You rolled onto your back and slowly opened your eyes with a squint as the morning light filled the chambers and blinded you. You didn’t respond and instead, chose to stare at the King while he scowled.

“You’re lucky no one saw you drunk. I dare not think what would happen if your behaviours affected the business of state.” He all but ranted. 

“Good morning.” You yawned.

Uther shook his head, seemingly giving up on lecturing. Turning on his heel, he marched out of the room. 

“It will be a better one when you get dressed and join us for breakfast.” He said.

Rubbing your eyes, you sat up slowly and looked around the room. With the King already mad with your late night shenanigans, you decided it wouldn’t be wise to anger him further. Standing up, you folded up the blankets and returned them to their original places at a much slower pace than you would as the hangover started to settle in.

You left your friend's chambers and made your way to your own room to clean up and change. 

Fortunately, you avoided seeing anyone for a while, however your luck ran out when you got to your door as Merlin was exiting.

“Oh, you look terrible.” He chuckled. Squinting, Merlin leaned forward and examined your movements. “How much did you drink last night?” 

You waved him off and shrugged, “Just a few flagons of ale.”

Merlin quirked a brow at the very dismissive response and you sighed. “Alright, more than a few. Look, I never back down from a challenge - especially not from Gwaine!”

Merlin laughed with a small head shake. “I brought you a tonic. It should help you feel better.” 

Presenting a small vial of purple liquid, you took it quickly and smiled. “Thanks Merlin.”

Taking the hangover cure, you ducked back into your chambers, bathed and got dressed in fresh clothes before setting out for the Great Hall where Uther and Arthur were presumably waiting. 

Part 1 | Part 2

~ More imagines here ~

#theladyofmanyfandoms #theladyofmanyfandomsfanfiction #gif is not mine #bbc merlin imagine #merlin imagine #merlin x reader #bbc merlin imagines #bbc arthur pendragon imagine #bbc arthur pendragon x reader #bbc arthur x reader #arthur pendragon x reader #arthur pendragon imagine

[caer-gai]

Angsty Arthurian AU Idea number ???

Reincarnation AU! Ector is raising a not-yet-remembering Arthur on his own in some off the grid small town. All alone. No Kay. Arthur had this feeling of 'something missing' his entire childhood, Ector knows who it is and has just enough of an idea what's become of Kay that it hurts a lot to think about.

They gather a bunch of local reincarnations Bedivere for sure, maybe Dinadan, Morgan, Guinevere, as Arthur is remembering and coming into his destiny. They're a small, tight knit found family scrappy low resources rebellion sort of vibe. Very fun very cool.

Now, Uther is still alive and well and running his own court/cult of personality/militant group. They and Arthur's group will come into conflict but he's also got his own agenda. Anyways one of his strongest lieutenants is Lot, who runs a powerful secret base for Uther's group, where he's "training" his sons to be Uther's perfect soldiers.

He also has Kay.

Between Lot and Uther they've made Kay into the perfect weapon against Arthur: trained since he was a baby, magic forced to it's max making him really powerful (a way to describe it i came up with comes from bedivere "The magic around him was screaming") he's supposed to be unshakably loyal. Excpt the only ones he's really loyal to are Lot's kids, to which he's become a weird sort of surrogate big brother (as much as he can). They're the only one's who treat him like a human.

Gareth absolutely hero warships Kay (though in a naive 'you're such a great knight i can't wait to serve Uther too!' kind of way that hurts Kay's soul). Anyways Kay is absolutely terrifying on the battlefield, and for a long time no one and nothing can stand in his way. Until he fights Bedivere (neither know each other's identity)

Bedivere is a solid challenge on his own, but when Kay blasts him with fire it doesn't burn Bedivere. Instead it activates some sort of magic signal bound to their souls, which protects Bedivere. Now that they know both are horror struck (for different reasons) and freeze. One of Kay's "teammates" takes a cheap shot at Bedivere, but he's warned by his team and dodges away. Making him the first to ever escape Kay.

Bedivere tells his peeps about this, which sends Ector into a dark spiral and leads Arthur to ask a lot of questions. Meanwhile, Kay is back at base and not in his armour for the first time. And he's in a cell. Gawain comes to visit, angry at Kay for freezing up, mostly because it made Lot mad. he goes on at Kay for a while before Kay finally snaps and tells him that it was Bedivere he was fighting, and on top of it the signal that save Bedi's life was one he a Kay crafted together to ensure that they couldn't hurt each other.

Which ouch. Gawain tried to apologize, but Kay's too tired for this rn and goes to sleep.

That's about as far as I've gotten linearly. Two other scenes I have in mind with Kay and Gareth-

Gareth is following Kay around while he's getting ready for a mission, mentions how he wants to be just like Kay when he grows up and Kay stops what he's doing gets down on Gareth's level and looks him in the eyes and says "Beaumains, You are going to be so much better than I ever was." (One day, in a happier world and place, where Gareth doesn't have to be anyone's soldier he remembers the first life, and he remembers this and he goes to Kay and hugs him and tells him he's still his hero)

Gareth wants very badly to go with Kay on one of his missions. So badly he teaches himself to replicate Kay's fire magic, and shows it to Kay hoping to impress him. Instead Kay freaks the fuck out and yells at him and makes him promise to never show or tell anyone about this ever again. it's the first time gareth is genuinely scared of kay. Kay hates himself for it but he can't let Lot and Uther put Gareth through the same hell that has been Kay's entire life.

idk if im feeling silly enough i might do some art for this, bc the visual of badass armoured up Kay reassuring little baby Gareth is living in my brain now

#gareth #kay #gawain #arthur #sir ector #reincarnation au #random au thoughts #my brain gave me this and the desire for it to be fully animate in the same style as Castlevania and im like bro #it takes us a year to make two pages of webcomic #in what universe #implied child abuse

[kristmkris]

to my merlin fic idea

Title: "Revealing Destiny"

Chapter 1: The Accidental Revelation

Merlin, burdened by his secret, finds himself in a situation where he accidentally gives himself away. Perhaps during a perilous battle or a moment of intense emotions, his powers are exposed, and the truth about his magic emerges. Shocked and fearful of the consequences, Merlin braces himself for the reactions of those around him.

Chapter 2: The Truth Unveiled

As the truth about Merlin's magic spreads throughout Camelot, there is a mixture of reactions among the people. Some are fearful and suspicious, while others are in awe of Merlin's constant heroism and selfless acts of saving everyone. The knights, especially Arthur, struggle to come to terms with the revelation, torn between their loyalty to the king and their gratitude towards Merlin.

Chapter 3: The King's Dilemma

King Uther, upon learning about Merlin's magic, faces a difficult decision. On one hand, he has always been ruthless towards sorcery, but on the other, he cannot ignore Merlin's unwavering loyalty and the countless lives he has saved. Uther must confront his own prejudices and decide whether to protect Merlin or punish him for his magic.

Chapter 4: Heroic Redemption

Merlin, determined to prove his worth and change the perception of magic, sets out on a mission to save Camelot once again. With his magic now openly acknowledged, he embraces his role as a powerful sorcerer and faces the most dangerous threats to the kingdom. Through his heroic acts and unwavering dedication, Merlin earns the respect and admiration of the people, further challenging the prejudices against magic.

Chapter 5: The Power of Unity

As Camelot faces new threats, Merlin's revelation brings about a surprising unity among the people. Knights, common folk, and even some of Uther's council members begin to see the value of magic when used for good. The kingdom starts to question the king's harsh stance, leading to a potential shift in the perception of sorcery.

Chapter 6: Unlikely Allies

Merlin's revelation also attracts the attention of other magical beings who have long been in hiding. Some offer their assistance, forming unexpected alliances with Merlin, Arthur, and the knights. Together, they work towards a common goal of protecting Camelot and proving that magic can be used responsibly.

Chapter 7: A New Era

With the kingdom on the brink of change, Merlin's heroic acts and undeniable powers persuade Uther to reconsider his stance on magic. The king, influenced by the loyalty and bravery of his subjects, including Arthur, begins to implement new laws that allow for the controlled use of magic and protect those with magical abilities.

Epilogue: Embracing Destiny

Merlin's revelation becomes a turning point in Camelot's history. He is no longer forced to hide his true self, and he continues to serve as Arthur's trusted advisor and protector. With magic now accepted to a certain extent, Camelot enters a new era of unity and understanding, where Merlin's abilities are not only respected but celebrated.

"Revealing Destiny" concludes, but the story of Merlin and his journey alongside Arthur and the knights continues, as they face new challenges and adventures in a world where magic is no longer a secret to be feared.

#bbc merlin #merlin emrys #merthur #arthur pendragon #fanfiction

[bi-bard]

But Why Would I Lie, It’s so Clear I’m in Love with You - Arthur Pendragon Imagine (BBC's Merlin)

Title: But Why Would I Lie, It’s so Clear I’m in Love with You

Pairing: Arthur Pendragon X Reader

Based On: Footnote

Word Count: 1,109 words

Warning(s): tipsy (at least) Arthur, rejection

Summary: After an event is held in the castle, Arthur makes a bold move. If only every bold move could work in his favor.

Author's Note: Don't mind me. I'm just writing fanfiction for a show that ended in 2012.

SUPERACHE - CONAN GRAY WRITING CHALLENGE MASTERLIST

-----------------------------

In all honesty, I wasn't quite sure why I ended up at the event.

My whole life had left me feeling out of place while I tried to figure out who I was and how I fit into the world around me. I still hadn't found the answer after all these years. So, I would just go through the motions. Do what I was told.

That included going to an event at the castle in Camelot.

I had felt the most comfortable there when there was no event. My father did many deals with Uther Pendragon over the years, so I had spent quite some time there. I had grown close to Arthur and Morgana and pretty much anyone else that the pair had grown close to over the years.

Still, none of it made me any more comfortable.

But Arthur did his best. Truly, he did. Never got a dull moment when I was visiting. And that meant the world to me.

And yet, I was bored.

It wasn't until the end of the night that I got to truly have Arthur's attention.

"Come with me."

I almost see how much Arthur had been drinking as soon as he grabbed my wrist. It was clear in his eyes.

"Arthur," I said, trying to stop him before he could leave the room. "People will notice if their king just ran out."

"But they will not question it because I'm the future king," he pointed out. "Come on."

"Arthur-"

"Come on," he whined like he was a child. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Your sense of adventure almost got me eaten by a monster."

"You were saved."

"Because of your servant."

"But you were saved."

I rolled my eyes.

"Please," he dragged the word out. Again, very similar to a child.

I sighed, looking him in the eye for a moment. "Fine."

I chuckled as he dragged me out of the room. We ended up going through the maze of halls through the castle. I wasn't even quite sure where we were going to end up. I just followed Arthur until he finally stopped.

We were tucked away in a corner of the castle.

"Alright, I'm curious, what are we doing here," I asked.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"You could've talked to me back there," I chuckled.

Arthur stumbled a little bit. Going through the halls of the castle seemed to have reminded him of how much he had had to drink that night. I put out my hands, ready to catch him if he were to fall over.

"It's too important," he replied.

I furrowed my eyebrows, tilting my head slightly.

"You always looked so adorable when you looked confused."

I scoffed. "We need to get you to bed."

"No, no, no, not yet," he grabbed my upper arms.

I sighed and stood still. He didn't speak for a few moments, just staring at me. He was very clearly not in his right state of mind. I really just wanted to send him to bed so he could sleep off the effects of the event that night.

"I... I always loved you," Arthur mumbled after a while.

"What," I asked.

I was thrown. I didn't know what to say or think. Through all those years, I never thought of Arthur that way. I never thought that he thought of me that way. This all felt like it was coming out of nowhere.

"I love you."

"Arthur-"

"I have for so long," he stepped closer. I stepped back. "So kind and smart and strong. I could spend all day just staring at you."

"That's very sweet, but Arthur-"

"I have always loved you and I always-"

"Stop, please," I finally cut him off. "Please."

It was his turn for his eyebrows to furrow.

"I... Thank you," I was trying to think of the nicest way to say this. "Arthur, you are a great guy. You are my best friend and you've always made me feel at home. But... I don't think of you as anything more than a friend. I didn't think that you saw me as anything else either. I'm sorry."

Arthur didn't speak for a few moments. I felt my heart drop. There was just no response. No words, no reactions. It was all just empty.

"I should go," I muttered. "I... I'll send Merlin for you. And I'm sorry."

I wouldn't see Arthur again throughout the night. I would barely see him the next day. Whether that second part was my fault or his would remain a mystery.

I didn't see him until I had passed by the knights training the next day. I was hoping to walk by and leave everything where it lay. Arthur had different plans. I only stopped walking when he started jogging over to me.

"Hello," he said, grinning.

"Hi," I nodded.

"We need to talk."

I took a deep breath before nodding. We made our way further into the field. Away from the other knights and the servants. Anyone else that could've listened to us.

In any other situation, I would've found this peaceful. The grass and the sunshine. It was all very relaxing. But now... I would've given anything for this to all be different.

"I am guessing that you remember what happened last night," I asked.

Arthur sighed. "As much as I wish that I didn't, yes, I do."

I nodded. "I'm sorry. Again."

"I'm not upset," he replied. "I just wanted to know where we stood now."

I tensed for a moment.

"I can leave you alone," he continued. "Let you live your life in peace. Be merely one part of the rest of your life."

"Oh, don't say that," I shook my head. "It makes it sound like I never saw you as important."

He sighed, looking at the ground for a moment.

"Arthur, no matter what, you are my best friend," I touched his arm. "You have done far more for me than I could've asked for. And I cannot thank you enough. But I also cannot force something that isn't there. You are a spectacular man, but I am not in love with you. And I cannot force myself to be."

"I know," he said. "You're my best friend too. I don't want to imagine a world where you're not a part of my life."

I grinned. "But we're okay?"

"Of course, we're okay."

I stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Arthur."

"Thank you, (Y/n)."

I stepped away from him and turned to start walking back toward the knights.

We were okay.

That's all I could've asked for.

We were okay.

-----------------------------

Masterlist (Includes links to All Writing Challenges)

What I Write For

Some Original Characters

#merlin imagine #merlin x reader #merlin fanfiction #fanfiction #imagine #x reader #arthur pendragon imagine #arthur pendragon x reader #arthur pendragon fanfiction

[malorydaily]

While concerns of geography, place, and conquest/control are prominent in much medieval romance literature—particularly Arthurian romance—Malory’s text is unique among accounts of King Arthur for the way in which it imagines the map of Arthur’s world, an imagining that is best understood when viewed in light of some of the specific concerns of fifteenth-century England.

Engaging the Morte Darthur from the perspective of Cornwall helps throw into sharp relief the contours of the unique problems inherent in the late medieval British relationship between regionalism and nationalism. Using Cornwall in Malory as a kind of pivot point, we can apprehend this relationship between the whole and the part, but we cannot resolve it. Indeed, close analysis reveals that it can never be resolved, and herein lies the significance. the stubborn refusal of Cornwall to be categorized—and our attention to this refusal—helps us better see the Morte Darthur as a text that produces difference and presents challenges so that its characters have a means of defining themselves. Cornwall helps make plain the necessity of always striving toward resolution, toward incorporation, but never achieving it. The endless deferral is essential to Malory’s narrative.

[...]

It is a commonplace to note that the world in which Malory lived was one full of territorial concerns and the mourning of geographic losses. At the time when Malory was writing his text, the Angevin empire had long been whittled away. all English continental holdings—save Calais—were gone, and England itself was fractured in multiple ways. although both Malory and his first printer, Caxton, refer many times to “all ye englishmen,” their contemporaries were much more likely to identify themselves first in terms of their local affinities rather than their national ones. This does not preclude national sentiment, but it does mean we must pay as much attention to local identities as to national.

Such a self-identification becomes all the more interesting when we consider that many of those living in Cornwall in Malory’s day most likely spoke Cornish as a first language, although many certainly also spoke english. Thorlac Turville-Petre argues that “defining the nation in terms of territory or race presents considerable complications. By far the most satisfactory form of self-definition is in terms of language, wherever this can be achieved.” By this definition, Cornwall would seem to be an entity distinctly separate from England. the position of this region within Malory’s text becomes even more interesting when we consider that Benedict Anderson has famously and contentiously suggested that it is the explosion of print culture that helps give rise to the nation—an “imagined community”—through the fixing and dissemination of texts in vernacular languages.

[...]

Cornwall is contradictorily both part of england and distinct from it, as Patricia Clare Ingham’s astute comment on the opening lines of the Morte Darthur makes clear: “either the ‘all’ of england Uther rules does not include Cornwall, or Uther remains only titular ruler there, his power compromised by the duke’s rebellion” (see figure 1.1). Cornwall is the source of Malory’s Arthurian community at the level of narrative—Arthur is born here to a Cornish mother—and Cornwall is the Morte Darthur’s center in terms of structure—the middle third of Malory’s text is based on the old french Prose Tristan. in the final conflict between Arthur and Launcelot, the knights of Cornwall side with Launcelot: “then there felle to them, what of north walys and of Cornwayle, for sir lamorakes sake and for sir trystrames sake, to the number of a seven score knyghtes” (1170.26–29). and it is from Cornwall that Arthur’s heir comes, as we are told in the closing lines of the Morte: “then syr Constantyn that was syr Cadores sone of Cornwayl was cho- sen kyng of englond, and he was a ful noble knight, and worshipfully he rulyd this royaume” (1259.27–29). again and again, Malory’s Morte Darthur returns to the realm of Cornwall, as if seeking to reconcile the identity of this geographic space with that of the arthurian community to which it gave birth, from which it remains estranged, and to which it is essential.

– Dorsey Armstrong, Mapping Malory's Morte: The (Physical) Place and (Narrative) Space of Cornwall

#malorydaily #space and geography #Book 1 #king arthur #arthur pendragon #thomas malory #dorsey armstrong

[kaiwrites-if]

I can't wait to see more Mordred since I'm curious about the small bean.

He’s small for his age, standing at 5’3.

However, he has quite a significant growth spurt and his height at 21 is about 5’10.

He is a Druid, and is therefore capable of quite powerful magic.

He’s very timid and traumatised when Arthur first takes him in, and it takes him a while to come out of his shell. But once he does, he’s an absolute sweetheart.

Loves dogs and cats, but is a bit afraid of the horses (likes Arthur Jr. though).

He is very attached to, and protective of Arthur.

Is great at giving hugs, will hug people to cheer them up if they allow touch.

Arthur has to employ him as a messenger in order to keep Uther’s suspicions away from him.

He loves puzzles, the more challenging the better (he’s beaten them all so far).

#ask #jay-the-art #c: mordred

[sorceress-queen]

Arthur x Morgana [ArMor]

I blame this on Jealous Arthur being such fun to write. But here we go again though it's more protective him tbf 🙈. Also I was encouraged by @twisted-shipper lovely words 🥺. So thanks! And I dedicate this to you (crossing my fingers you will like it). Arthur gets into a duel over somebody who is very dear to him. 🙈 Though, I suck at writing fight scenes so it's the aftermath of said duel that was not to the death. Could have been but... I like drama so 😅 and it was more dramatic with the man still alive but injured.

And my apologies, I feel like this didn't turn out as clear as it could have been in terms of character motivation 😅. So this piece might not resonate with others as my others did. And I imagined them older in this and with this I do feel like they are not really BBCM compliant lol. Also, they are already together in this. 🥰 Just not yet married.

🐉

Morgana hasn't been this furious with Arthur in a while, still she knows better to wait with confronting him until after the duel, her maroon favour on his arm, because of course she gave it to him, even if she did tie it tighter than she usually does.

After he wins (naturally) she follows him to his chambes and sends away the servant that wants to help with his blood splattered armour. She takes it off with his help here and there in complete silence; feeling him squirm beneath her hands, uncomfortable by the lack of their usual banter filling the quiet between sounds of the clattering of his armour. His unease pleases her, it shouldn't but it does.

"You never told me why you had to fight him." She breaks the silence between them, but instead of relief washing over the blond he looks even more uneasy than before.

"I told you enough, Morgana. I had to protect the honour of somebody dear to me." He repeats the same words as before, they are true after all, but Morgana is determined to get more information out of him.

And as he looks her up and down in her maroon dress he knows that he will eventually give it to her; Morgana seems to be perfectly aware of the pull that this particular dress of hers has on him. He is not a fool, he has noticed her wear it whenever she really wants something from him, be it persuading him to see things her way or to go against Uther in more serious matters. Little does she know that he would give her everything she asks even without her wearing the dress.

"Whose honour, Arthur?" She prods at his chest and doesn't stop until he snatches her hands in his own.

"Yours." He mutters and watches her alluring green eyes widen and then flutter closed as she thinks everything over; mulls over her next move, her next words.

"I can protect my own honour just fine." She huffs at him and pulls her hands back from his hold, annoyed with him again.

"I know." He says in a consoling tone, tired of having her snapping at him over this over him protecting her. Shouldn't ladies be thankful to their champion for this kind of thing?

"Then why couldn't you leave it up to me to deal with whatever offence he supposedly caused me?" Morgana asks and nears him again.

"Because..." how to tell her? He ponders and pinches the bridge of his nose in thought.

"Because?" Morgana urges him, although her tone is more curious than snappy now.

"I couldn't bear to listen to him speak of you the way he did. Couldn't have him continue spouting lies of your virtue." He combs his fingers through his hair and then pours himself a goblet of wine; he will need it when Morgana asks for him to tell everything the bastard said.

"Oh," is the only thing that leaves her mouth as she moves over to him and takes the goblet from his hand to take a sip herself.

"That's it? No inqueries?" He tilts his head to the side as he stares at her; it is unlike her to leave something rest like this, not when she has been riled up ever since he challenged the man.

"No, I..." she hands him the goblet but he takes a hold of her wrist instead and lets it fall to the floor and pour out onto the floor like the blood he has spilled in her name.

"You what? Morgana has he done something to you I don't know about?" His eyes narrow in anger that's not directed at her but at the man.

Now she is the one that is squirming beneath his hold and that tells him everything that he needs to know. He swallows back the lump in his throat and instead of the hold of her wrist he takes her hand in his own and squeezes it tenderly.

"It was nothing really." She tries to play it off but one look in his eyes and she drops the act. "He... followed me to my chambers." Morgana starts and squeezes his hand back. "He tried to force himself on me, but I fought him off." She can tell that the wheels in Arthur's head are turning and that he is ready to bolt out of the room and challenge the man to another duel, to the death this time.

"Arthur, nothing happened." She forces him to look at her by taking his face in her hands.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asks after a while, his hands settling on her waist as he pulls her closer; he needs to feel her close to him, needs the reminder as to why he can't leave and do what he yearns to.

"I couldn't risk you doing something stupid. It wasn't a duel to the death and besides I couldn't risk having your judgement more clouded than it already was." She moves her hands away from his face and sets them on his chest, feeling his heart drum beneath her palm.

"When have I ever done anything stupid?" He grows cheeky at her touch, at the softness of her gaze and the care laced in her tone. "I can kill him for you still." He adds and presses his forehead against hers.

"Having him live with a permament limp and his hand cut off is more than enough consolation." She assures him, tightening her hold on him as she recalls the fury in his eyes when he cut the man without any regard to his own person.

"You'll make a merciful Queen, my lady." He kisses her forehead and temple, inhaling her flowery scent with closed eyes while she nestles against him; she must be cold, he chuckles and rubs her back as he sets his chin atop her head. "I can get you one of my coats." He offers and laughs aloud when she swats his chest and pulls away from him. "Way to ruin the moment." She rolls her eyes at him but lets him draw her back into his arms anyway.

"It'd only be ruined if you were to catch a cold while under my protection." He murmurs against her ear while leading her to one of the armchairs by the fireplace. She lets out a soft giggle as she sits down in his lap while he pulls the blanket from the back of the chair over them.

"Truly Morgana, I don't understand why you picked this dress to wear today." He shakes his head at her and brushes his thumb over her cheek as he tilts her head for a kiss; delighted by the blush on her cheeks at his words.

"I haven't worn it in a while." She reasons as her lips faintly brush against his smiling lips. Arthur hums in agreement before he gives her a proper kiss, his fingers tangling in her raven hair, which is thankfully not in any of her complicated hairdos anymore.

#arthur x morgana #ArMor #writing #fanfic #the lady and the champion

[nettlestonenell]

The Mess Jang Gang Left Us With 2

Citizens of the Republic, Subjects of the Kingdom, Mages of Daeho, and Gentle Readers, it’s time to continue talking about--

The Mess Jang Gang Left Us With

Jang Uk – The man who is not supposed to exist, who only does by the Alchemy of Souls

First – What? I mean, yes, Uk was conceived in a non-consensual encounter/assault [choose your terminology] while one body was occupied by a different soul than that of its owner. Biologically, Uk IS the son of Jang Gang. He carries his DNA, he is genetically his offspring.

I don’t think Jang Gang disputes this, I don’t even think that’s what he means to say when he says Uk is not his. In his mind Uk is not the son of his “spirit”, not the fulfillment of his actions.

But he is wrong.

Yes, it was the King animating the body of Jang Gang that impregnated Do-Hwa (with sperm made by Jang Gang’s body). It is the fact it is the King’s immediate doing that brings about Uk’s conception, but it is Jang Gang’s greed that allowed such a perversion to happen. Whatever has powered Jang Gang to investigate and use the Alchemy of Souls has brought him to that place, has created Uk. Uk is a product of that. 

Sidenote: I don’t know how much Koreans are into Arthurian Legend (The King: Eternal Monarch seems to indicate some of them might be), but Uk’s birth is very similar to that of Arthur’s (Uther gets Merlin to magically disguise him as Igraine’s husband, Gorlois, then sleeps with her and Arthur is the result who must be raised in secret)

Here, Uk is a manifestation of Jang Gang’s transgression. 

Uk’s fate is set as much by the King in another man’s body as by Jang Gang himself.

Uk suffers because Jang Gang tries to avert the fate he believes he sees for him, by closing his gate of energy and getting out of Dodge, instead of staying, training Uk and maybe, just like challenging anyone who disputed Uk’s parentage to a mage duel. We’re in young Luke Skywalker territory, here. Hide him, prevent him from coming into contact with magic, perhaps he can be saved from the hand life has dealt him.

Jang Gang both pities and fears Uk. And it’s easier for him to leave town and the reminder of his transgression (Uk) than to stay and make amends for it. 

Jang Gang is not into the 12 Steps. 

He makes no list of all persons he has harmed, and doesn’t become willing to make amends to them at all. Ultimately he dies “to take responsibility” we’re told, though this Western viewer really disagrees with that notion. Because dying solves nothing, heals nothing--other than ending your own earthly story, and leaving everyone else with a mess.

To clean up.

I mean, explain your treatment to your innocent wife. Were you resentful that she hadn’t noticed the man in the body coming in to her bedroom wasn’t you?

Did you fear the King did her harm? Or that he gave her pleasures beyond your mastery? For nine months you left her untouched, without any explanation. Why had you not cared to be concerned before making the Alchemy that the King might abuse or attack other women—those not related to you?

There are so many questions, two episodes will likely not answer them all—if any. I’m here for it, Netflix, if you decide to give it over: Season 3 as prequel. 

I’d watch that show.

2 of 2

#jang uk #jang gang #alchemy of souls: light and shadow #netflix alchemy of souls #alchemy of souls #do-hwa #kdrama #more like okay: drama #netflix kdrama

[onceandfuturemoron]

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

[thisisjustmefangirling]

Merlin rewatch 1x04

That Camelot red vs Mercian blue is very Capulet vs Montague

Merlin admits the ways of the court are a mystery to him. Merlin, baby. You need étiquette training. Have someone teach you. Please.

Arthur, that outfit you put Merlin in is ridiculous, but also... a bit too put together for a servant ? It's not just the hat... Merlin is wearing a cape !

Merlin having a crush on Nimueh and thinking she's as beautiful as a princess is sweet 💕

Merlin making accusations without proof, in front of everybody, AGAIN.

Arthur accusing him of being an idiot and drinking, again, to save his ass and the relationship with the Mercians

Uther is ruthless and unfair here. Bayard was willing to prove his goodwill by drinking out of the goblet but looks like Uther decided that poisoned cup or not, Merlin would suffer from the outcome, either by being poisoned or being punished for lying.

Arthur protests, because he may be a royal prat but he's not like his father.

"Merlin, apologise. This is a mistake ! I'll drink it". Arthur 🥺

ARTHUR IS THE FIRST ONE GETTING TO MERLIN WHEN HE CRUMBLES UNDER THE EFFECT OF THE POISON

Morgana grabs a knife when everybody draws their sword ! I love her. I wish she hadn't been turned into such a villain.

The Mortaeus flower is guarded by an awful magical beast and Arthur goes "Sounds like fun" and immediately decides to go save his servant's life

The next scene between Uther and Arthur is really good at showing the difference between them. Arthur starts questioning his father and they both reveal their values. Uther doesn’t care who dies because to him the life of the future King of Camelot is worth more than a servant's. Arthur refuses to stand by and watch, especially since to his knowledge, Merlin has saved his life twice already. "Then don't watch", Uther says.

Morgana is GREAT here. She wanted to fight Bayard's men with a LADLE ?

"Spare me the lecture, I've already had it from Uther". Uther's kids are just really good at opposing him 😆

"Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right, and damn the consequences". "What kind of King would Camelot want ? One that would risk his life to save that of a lowly servant or one who does what his father tells him to ?" I love seeing Arthur being challenged and growing into the King he will be.

"He's getting hotter" The innuendos in that episode are comiiiiing.

Merlin speaking 💫 magic language 💫 in front of Gwen. I wish she had put two and two together before the finale...

Morgana makes me laugh ! She defies Uther and defends Arthur.

Funny how Uther sees his son as "just a boy" and Morgana goes "Have you seen your son recently ?" And tells him he's old enough to make up his own mind and have his own experience of the world. Is Morgana still Arthur's older sister in this story ? She would be older than him then.

Merlin moaning Arthur's name as he lays dying and feverish is gay. Sorry, I don't make the rules.

The idea of Nimueh as a pretty wounded woman in the forest is a great throwback to the original Arthurian texts, where young maidens were often on the way of knights as temptations or traps, steps in their quests.

Hell yeah Arthur's wrist move with his sword !!!!!!

You slay that cocatris by THROWING your sword !?

"Arthur, it's a trap". Merlin, he sadly can't hear you ! I wish they had shared a telepathic connection, it would have been so useful sometimes.

Though... How the fuck can Merlin see him and what is going on ?

Arthur's... pauldron (?) Is decorated ? I had never noticed before.

Arthur manages to slay a big spider with one hand while the other is hanging on to that rock for dear life. Impressive, indeed.

"It is not your destiny to die at my hand" please Ma'am it's only season one, I am NOT ready for season five and its pain.

"Go on, then ! Finish me off" Arthur has always been brave in the face of his potential own death.

That blue light seems so gentle and warm, and the music is epic.

"Leave them (the flowers)" Merlin stop being so selfless and let Arthur save your life, the flowers are RIGHT THERE.

"Faster! Faster! Climb ! Follow the light!" Once again, he can’t hear you... and how do you even know what is happening to Arthur ? Why doesn’t it happen again later ?

"Inform the King ! Arthur has returned to Camelot". Who the fuck are you to not call him PRINCE Arthur ?

I wish Arthur's red shirt looked fancier, nothing about it indicates he's royalty.

"Gaius knows what to do with it [the flower]. Put me in the stocks for a week, a month even, I don't care. Just make sure it gets to him. I'm begging you". Arthur cares so much about Merlin 🥺

Uther truly doesn’t give a fuck about Merlin's life... He saved his son twice, he is Gaius' apprentice, and he crushed that flower, in an attempt to teach his son that "there is a right and a wrong way of doing things" and he shouldn't be disobeyed. Asshole. "I'll see that you're let out in a week and then you can find yourself another servant". Servants are all replaceable to him.

Gwen shows then that even though she seems shy, she is also brave.

Arthur using the pretense of his own well-known arrogance to get the flower to Merlin by refusing the food Gwen brings him... yes King ❤️

"We're not all as precious as Her Royal Highness" that guard walked so Gwaine could run with his "princess".

"The poison was created using magic, we might need to use magic to create the antidote" dude that's just exposition at this point, you could have tricked Gwen into leaving without saying anything

You can tell Gaius hasn’t used magic in two decades... he may care about Merlin but he's a two faced bitch.

Merlin's heart has stopped and was probably restarted because his magic won’t let him die.

Gwen kissing him haha

Uther pisses me off so much omg, he seems this close to getting angry when Gaius asks him for a minute of his time. His arrogance is worse than his son's, because there is no changing him.

"She's a powerful sorceress, she can enchant the eye that beholds her". Such an interesting concept ! No need to change your face, you just make people believe they are looking at someone else.

Morgana looks so soft. I love her dresses.

Arthur seems changed by this experience. He's uncharacteristically humble in that scene at the top of the castle.

"I'm glad you're back" they were already like siblings... if only we could have kept that dynamic between them...

Uther, you chicken and liar, not telling your son the truth about Nimueh...

"You did the right thing, even though you were disobeying me. I'm proud of you, Arthur. Never forget that". Damn for once Uther is doing something right. Arthur better remember that moment, indeed.

Arthur goes to check on Merlin 💕 Like "omg are you alright Merlin ? Barely alive ? I still wait for you to be there tomorrow morning when I wake up because looks like after only four episodes I can't imagine my life without you in it anymore."

"Arthur ? Thank you"; "You too". WHAT IS THAT OH MY GOD SO HE HAS ACTUALLY THANKED MERLIN BEFORE THE DAY HE DIED ????

Arthur is so soft for Merlin omg <3

I don't understand why Nimueh wanted to kill Merlin when he is Emrys and is supposed to bring magic back to Camelot and free magic users...

Aaaaand in the next episode we will meet Lancelot. 😊

#bbc merlin #merlin rewatch

[eddysocs]

Merlin OC Masterlist

Name: Amarise

Face Claim: Emma Appleton

Love Interest: Arthur Pendragon

Fic Title: Set It Free

Plot Summary: Amarise lives her life as a witch within the borders of Camelot. While she lives peacefully, she knows she can’t remain undetected forever, and the day she’s found out arrives when she rescues Camelot’s prince, Arthur Pendragon. Will Amarise be condemned for her use of magic, or will Arthur, out from under his father’s watchful eye, see something in Amarise that tells him to let her go?

Name: Astris

Face Claim: Alyssa Sutherland

Love Interest: Gwaine

Fic Title: Magic In Me

Plot Summary: Astris was called to Camelot by destiny. Her life was meant to intertwine with Merlin and Arthur’s. What she didn’t plan on was meeting brave and dashing knight, Gwaine. During her visit to Camelot, she challenges him to a duel, and the two of them become sparring partners during her time in Camelot, but is there something more between them just under the surface?

Name: Avalon Clarissant

Face Claim: Kristin Kreuk

Love Interest: Uther Pendragon

Fic Title: Destiny's Queen

Plot Summary: Summoned by witches, Avalon rises from the lake, awakened from a cursed slumber of a hundred years. She has risen to take Camelot and make it hers. She charms Uther into allowing her to become his bride. When Merlin finds out what she’s up to, he’ll use magic of his own to break her curse and, no longer controlled by the witches who raised her from her slumber, Avalon’s true feelings will return to her and she will have choices to make.

Name: Colette Lockwood

Face Claim: Olivia Cooke

Love Interest: Morgause

Fic Title: For The Hand Of A Princess

Plot Summary: Colette Lockwood wants to escape her upcoming marriage of convenience. With the appearance of a stranger in the kingdom, she’s able to do just that. The knight that fought the prince for her hand has won, and now it’s up to Colette to decide her own fate.

Name: Malina Astormore

Face Claim: Annabelle Wallis

Love Interest: Morgana Pendragon

Fic Title: Under A Cursed Moon

Plot Summary: Malina is a princess trapped in a fate she doesn’t want, but one she had long ago accepted. It’s only when she becomes betrothed to Arthur Pendragon that she begins to see a different life for herself. She falls instead for Uther’s ward, Lady Morgana and begins to cast off the role that has been set for her.

Name: Nella Landon

Face Claim: Emma Watson

Love Interest: Merlin

Fic Title: A Binding Secret

Plot Summary: A bookbinders daughter, Nella Landon is always going around with ink stained fingers and a stack of books in her arms to deliver to the patrons of Camelot. A collision on a remote part of her course of deliveries shakes her entire world when a young man stops the books in midair. She’d never seen anyone else perform magic before and it startles her. She darts off without the books and the young man brings them back to her at the end of the day, introducing himself as Merlin. What transpires from there is a careful dance of tentative friendship and secret keeping. Merlin has magic, but so does Nella, and she doesn’t want it getting out.

#merlin ocs #oc: amarise #oc: astris #oc: avalon clarissant #oc: colette lockwood #oc: enid #oc: malina astormore