#arthur: merlin pass me my sword | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

earlgreyinpajamas · 1 year

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Any recs for merthur and time travel? Or like, modern au when Arthur gets out of the lake? Thanks!!!!

time travel

Complementarity, Entanglement and the Uncertainty of Destiny —or— A Feminist Mage in King Arthur's Court by Jenrose (@jenroses), procoffeinating (@procoffeinating)

Merlin was once told that Arthur would rise again at the hour of Camelot's greatest need. But a thousand years pass, with no Arthur. When the last war comes, and the world dies, and Arthur still doesn't return, Merlin suddenly realises that the hour of Camelot's greatest need… was a thousand years ago. Sometimes he's a bit slow on the uptake. Fortunately, he's figured out how to go back. What would YOU do if you had 2000 years of experience in the body of a 17 year old, and absolutely nothing left to lose?

Note: E-rated sections clearly tagged, can be skipped.

~~~

we can't talk about time travel without talking about this fic: i.e. the finest 100k words fix it

2. time, mystical time by andiwriteordie

Finally, the man tears his gaze away and meets Arthur’s eyes once more. “I seek the aid of your Camelot,” he says, but his voice sounds more hesitant now, as if he’s had to change his response for some strange reason.

Merlin can’t help but believe that reason is him.

“As for who I am,” the man says with a bit of a chuckle, and he glances around the room again at familiar faces, at his friends. “I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot.”

Or:

When a mysterious stranger shows up to Camelot claiming to be Arthur from the future and seeking help for his sick consort, Merlin learns some things about himself, about Arthur, and about a future he never dreamed was possible.

~~~

wonder who that consort is

3. you can call me dangerous (these are the sins of my youth) by wastefulreverie (@wastefulreverie)

When an accidental spell sends Camelot's future crown prince spiraling into the past, it's up to Arthur to navigate secrets past and present.

Or: Arthur and Merlin's son cannot keep a damn secret.

~~~

i'll admit that it doesn't have the most conclusive of endings, but i had a blast reading this fic ergo the rec

arthur returns

A Faire Fight by Zaharya (@zaharya)

Arthur caught sight of Merlin when there were maybe fifteen of them left. He faltered, jaw dropping open, and it was pure luck the man charging at him had terrible aim, or he would’ve failed out of the melee right then and there. Pulling himself together, he made quick work of his attacker, before putting some distance between himself and the others to collect himself. And, perhaps, to stare just a little. Merlin was… magnificent. He wielded his sword like an extension of his own body — a lesson most of Arthur’s knights had never truly mastered. His movements were quick and precise, yet fluent, graceful in a way Arthur had never seen before, as he landed disqualifying hits on two, three, four opponents in rapid succession.

Or: The one where Merlin brings a returned Arthur to a medieval faire and they fight in a tournament.

~~~

safhjsdfhjdl so cutee

2. Let’s Talk by Salamandair

Merlin has had a terrible, awful, no good, very bad week. So, he goes and vents to the one person who would understand

~~~

as far as i am concerned, this is what happened in the last 5 minutes of merlin season 5

3. I think of loss and I can only think of you by wanderingtrickster

Arthur comes back... but not the way Merlin expects. On top of that, he can hardly believe it's real. Seriously, he... hardly believes it. Though it becomes easier when Camelot's former king tackles him into the bathtub and they both end up soaked. On top of that, Arthur is being surprisingly affectionate.

In his own way that is.

~~~

one of my fav arthur returns fics

#bbc merlin #merthur #merlin #merlin fic #merlin x arthur #merthur fluff #merthur fanfiction #merthur fic #merthur fanfic #merthur fic recs #merthur fic rec #merlin bbc #arthur returns #time travel #modern au

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merymoonbeam · 2 months

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Spear?

CC3 spoilers

This is just a manifesting post and more connections I found from cc3 🫡

In my wild hunt post I talked about narben being a spear for... reasons.

I think Gwydion and Truth-Teller are inspired by King Arthur's weapons. In myths it is talked about how he has a sword, a knife and a spear...

Other weapons have been associated with Arthur. Welsh tradition also knew of a dagger named Carnwennan and a spear named Rhongomyniad that belonged to him. Carnwennan ("little white-hilt") first appears in Culhwch and Olwen, where Arthur uses it to slice the witch Orddu in half. Rhongomyniad ("spear" + "striker, slayer") is also mentioned in Culhwch, although only in passing; it appears as simply Ron ("spear") in Geoffrey's Historia. Geoffrey also names Arthur's shield as Pridwen; in Culhwch, however, Prydwen ("fair face") is the name of Arthur's ship while his shield is named Wynebgwrthucher ("face of evening").

So other than excalibur Arthur has a dagger and a spear.

To me it looks like

Excalibur= Gwydion

Carnwennan= Truth-Teller

Rhongomyniad= Narben

So why? Lemme explain.

With Excalibur it is about who is worthy to pull it out of the stone.

Excalibur is the mythical sword of King Arthur that may possess magical powers or be associated with the rightful sovereignty of Britain. Traditionally, the sword in the stone that is the proof of Arthur's lineage and the sword given him by a Lady of the Lake are not the same weapon, even as in some versions of the legend both of them share the name of Excalibur.

Romance tradition elaborates on how Arthur came into possession of Excalibur. In Robert de Boron's c. 1200 French poem Merlin, the first known tale to mention the "sword in the stone" motif, Arthur obtained the British throne by pulling a sword from an anvil sitting atop a stone that appeared in a churchyard on Christmas Eve.[18] In this account, as foretold by Merlin, the act could not be performed except by "the true king", meaning the divinely appointed king or true heir of Uther Pendragon. (As Thomas Malory related in his English-language Arthurian compilation, the 15th-century Le Morte d'Arthur, "whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England."[19][d])

And we have Gwydion/Starsword

That your son, not you, retrieved the Starsword from the Cave of Princes in Avallen’s dark heart. That your son, not you, stood among the long-dead Starborn Princes asleep in their sarcophagi and was deemed worthy to pull the sword from its sheath. How many times did you try to draw the sword when you were young? How much research did you do in this very study to find ways to wield it without being chosen? (Hoeab)

So it matches even though at the end it is Bryce who can access the real power of the sword not Ruhn bc it is sarah and we have the females as a main character.

And now the dagger—Carnwennan and Truth-Teller.

In myths the dagger is described like this.

Carnwennan, or Carnwenhau ("Little White Hilt"), was the dagger of King Arthur in the Welsh Arthurian legends

In Culhwch and Olwen, Arthur names it as one of the few things in the world which he will not give to Culhwch. Later, he uses it to slay the witch Orddu, the daughter of the witch Orwen, by slicing her in half.[1] In the Welsh Triads, Carnwennan is listed alongside Arthur's spear Rhongomyniad and Arthur's sword Caledfwlch as sacred weapons given to him by God: "the sacred weapons that God had given him: Rhongomiant his spear, Caledfwlch a sword, and Carnwennan his dagger" (Bromwich's translation).[2]

The fact that Arthur would not give the weapons to Culhwch when we know Fionn didn't give the Gwydion and TT to Theia? Kinda similar.

My father had never shown himself to be giving—long had he kept Gwydion and never once offered it to my mother. The dagger that had belonged to his dear friend, slain during the war, hung at his side, unused. But not for long.

We learned in cc2 that Gwydion and TT are twin blades.(I went into detail about this and how it connects to elriel in several posts > light and dark, sing me, alpha and omega)

The male drew it, and Bryce flinched. Flinched, but—“What the fuck?” The knife could have been the twin of the Starsword: black hilted and bladed. It was its twin. The Starsword began to hum within its sheath, glittering white light leaking from where leather met the dark hilt. The dagger—.The male dropped the dagger to the plush carpet. All of them retreated as it flared with dark light, as if in answer. Alpha and Omega. “Gwydion,” the dark-haired female whispered, indicating the Starsword.(hosab)

And in cc3 we learn that when you use Truth-Teller...there are shadows.

Bryce threw her power into the Starsword, light ripping through the black blade, willing it to tear this fucking monster apart— She willed it into Truth-Teller, and shadows flowed—

Seems...weird that Truth-teller has "shadow powers" and in acowar we have Elain literally stepping out of a shadow. And we never learned the reason why???

But as a black blade broke through the king’s throat, spraying blood, I realized someone else had. Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king’s neck as she snarled in his ear, “Don’t you touch my sister.”

So how these connect to Arthur's dagger? (Just gonna add here that @riddlecrux told me about this before so credit goes to her 🫡)

In addition to his other magical items, Arthur had the invisibility granting Carnwennan. The dagger was providing a kind of presence concealment to Arthur or to its wielder. In European folklore, invisibility-granting items are rather prevalent. These are often recognized as caps or invisibility cloaks. The invisibility attribute of Carnwennan was probably the main reason Arthur named his dagger among the things he could never give up for any reason:

Invisibility? Shadows? @silverlinedeyes made a post before how elain could get a cloak made of void? And we know with Gwydion and TT you can make a portal to nowhere—the void.

“The Starsword is Made, as you called it.” He waved an idle hand, sparks at his fingertips. “The knife can Unmake things. Made and Unmade. Matter and antimatter. With the right influx of power—a command from the one destined to wield them—they can be merged. And they can create a place where no life, no light exists. A place that is nothing. Nowhere.”

It had been a gamble. But she’d seen what the Starsword and Truth-Teller had done to Polaris. They had created a void that had sucked the Asteri in—the only sort of prison that might destroy a being of light. The only force in the universe that ate light, so strong no light could ever escape it. A portal to nowhere. To a black hole. Wasn’t that the unholy power that Apollion possessed? The power of the Void. The antithesis of light.

So maybe we are gonna see elain and the void connected?

Also more about the dagger in Arthurian legends:

Carnwennan, or Carnwenhau, meaning "white hilt" was the dagger belonging to the great King Arthur. It is attributed with the magical power to shroud its user in shadow. This dagger, it is said, was one of three sacred weapons given to King Arthur by God. Arthur names it as one of the few things in the world which he would not give to his cousin Culhwch. King Arthur used this very dagger it to slay the witch Orddu ,daughter of Orwen. by slicing her in half. It is also possible that this is the dagger he once used to kill a giant.

So there is that.

And lastly we have the spear—Rhongomyniad.

There is not much we can use from the myths because the only things we have are its name and it was given to Arthur by god.

Rhongomyniad, or Rhongomiant (variously translated as "Slaying Spear," "Cutting Spear" or "Striking Spear"), was the spear of King Arthur in the Welsh Arthurian legends. Unlike Arthur’s two other weapons, his sword Caledfwlch and his dagger Carnwennan, Rhongomyniad has no apparent magical powers.

In the Historia Regum Britanniae, Geoffrey of Monmouth calls Arthur's lance Ron,[2] presumably an abbreviation of the original Welsh name. Layamon also calls it this in his Brut. Geoffrey states that Arthur carried this lance with him at the Battle of Mount Badon. Layamon states in a passage (without naming the weapon) that Arthur's spear was forged in Carmarthen by a smith called Griffin. He also adds that it formerly belonged to Uther Pendragon.

The wiki says it has no magical power but...if sarah took inspo from Excalibur for Gwydion and the dagger for TT...I wouldn't put it past her to use the spear as an inspo for Narben... especially with her love for 3s.

Also like the spear we dont have much to go on for Narben either. We have so little information.

“Amarantha destroyed one,” Amren said. Cassian started. “I never heard that.” Amren amended, “Rumor claimed she dumped one into the sea. It would not come to Amarantha’s hand, nor the hands of any of her commanders, and rather than let the King of Hybern attain it, she disposed of it.” Azriel asked, “Which sword?” “Narben.” (Acosf)

"Narben was even older than Gwydion,” Rhys said. “Where the hell was it?” (Acosf)

Narben’s powers had not been the holy, savior’s light of Gwydion, but ones far darker. (Acosf)

Rhys studied her blade. “Narben is a death-sword. It’s lost, possibly destroyed, but stories say it can slay even monsters like Lanthys.” (Acosf)

So that's all we know.

Another point...Fionn connection.

In myths there is a HUGE part about Fionn using a spear to defeat a giant.

Also known as the Spear of Fiacha (or Fiacail), Birgha was an enchanted, venomous spear. The warrior Fiacha, a follower of Cumal (a leader of the Fianna), gave the spear to Cumal’s son Fionn mac Cumhail so that he might defeat Aillén, an evil creature/former member of the Tuath Dé Danann who resided, three-hundred-and-sixty-four days a year, in the Otherworld. Each and every Samhain the monster—nicknamed “the burner”—would wreak havoc on the royal residence of Tara (also: Teamhair) with his fire-breath after lulling its defenders to sleep with enchanted music. Specifically, Aillén plays—or weaponizes, I should say—the suantraí (lullaby) strain of ancient Irish music, which is frequently deployed by gods, druids, and other musicians in the myths in order to incapacitate opponents. That’s where Birgha comes into play. In Lady Gregory’s version of events, Fiacha teaches Fionn how to unlock the power of the spear, instructing his pupil as follows: “When you will hear the music of the Sidhe, let you strip the covering off the head of the spear and put it to your forehead, and the power of the spear will not let sleep come upon you.”

Just saying...with all of a new character singing...having some effects on others...IDK. WEIRD. 🫣

Another point is Four treasures of Tuatha de danaan. ( @offtorivendell made a post about them before )

Dagda's Cauldron

pretty self explanatory...cauldron.

Claiomh Solais (the sword of light)

Gwydion.

The sword may be rendered in English as the "Sword of Light", or "Shining Sword".

The Sword of Light or Claidheamh Soluisis a trope object that appears in a number of Irish and Scottish Gaelic folktales. The "Quest for sword of light" formula is catalogued as motif H1337.

The Starsword sang with light, her power flowing into it. Activating it. And nothing had ever felt so right, so easy, as plunging the blade into the bony chest of the wounded Reaper. It arced, bellowing, black blood spurting from its withered lips. (Hosab)

Narben’s powers had not been the holy, savior’s light of Gwydion, but ones far darker.(acosf)

Lia Fail Stone

My whole wild hunt post is about this. You can read it there. Basically I think this is the inspo for the stone on top of Ramiel.

The Spear of Lugh

And here is the reason I think Narben might be a spear.

Lugh's spear (sleg), according to the text of The Four Jewels of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was said to be impossible to overcome.

Interesting that Amren said this about Narben in acosf:

“I don’t know, but she found it, and when it would not bend to her, she destroyed it. As she did all good things.” It was as much as Amren would say about that terrible time. “It was perhaps in our favor. Had the King of Hybern possessed Narben, I fear we would have lost the war.”

More info for Spear of Lugh.

In a full narrative version called [A]oidhe Chloinne Tuireann (The Fate of the Children of Tuireann),[51] from copies no earlier than the 17th century,[52] Lugh demands the spear named Ar-éadbair or Areadbhair (Early Modern Irish: Aꞃéadḃaiꞃ) which belonged to Pisear, king of Persia. Areadbhair's tip had to be kept immersed in a pot of water to keep it from igniting, a property similar to the Lúin of Celtchar. This spear is also called "Slaughterer"[53] in translation.

Narben is a death "sword"

Rhys studied her blade. “Narben is a death-sword. It’s lost, possibly destroyed, but stories say it can slay even monsters like Lanthys.” (Acosf)

Also the spear of Lugh is connected with lightning.

Lugh's projectile weapon, whether a dart or missile, was envisioned to be symbolic of lightning-weapon.

Also known as the Lightning Spear, or simply Lugh’s Spear, the Gae Assail was one of the Four Treasures or Jewels of the Tuatha Dé Danann

And to me it is interesting that Ramiel means "god has thundered" maybe there is a connection?

Lugh's sling rod, named "Lugh's Chain", was the rainbow and the Milky Way, according to popular writer Charles Squire.[57] Squire adds that Lugh's spear which needed no wielding was alive and thirsted so for blood that only by steeping its head in a sleeping-draught of pounded fresh poppy leaves could it be kept at rest. When a battle was near, it was drawn out; then it roared and struggled against its thongs, fire flashed from it, and it tore through the ranks of the enemy once slipped from the leash, never tired of slaying

So thanks for reading.

I NEED A SPEAR 😭😭

#elriel #give elain a spear #narben #cc3 spoilers #hofas spoilers

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adracat · 9 months

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Esoteric and Divine Composite: Prospera

It's time for everyone's favorite gaslighting mommy. As with her daughter and Miorine, I see a number of interesting inspirations and homages for her character. They range from the esoteric Magician from tarot to divine figures, Mimir, Loki, Hades, and Hecate

Magician

I've already covered this parallel in my As Above So Below post. But let me expand on this briefly. With her manipulation and intentional twisting of communication, you can see how she embodies the card itself. It's compouded by Suletta telling us multiple times; Prospera is a magician as her namesake is in The Tempest. But this magician is a hermetic scholar, and so is Prospera.

The Schwarzette's design, a gundam she's overseen the development of is coded with Baphomet imagery, is proof of this. As Above So Below. And just like any good hermetic alchemist, she pursues eternal life in the form of QZ. The Philosopher's stone or Panacea. She helped create a miracle already in the form of Homuculi, heavily hinted at being aided by Notrette.

But her time as the Red King is done, the crown given to her daughter, and with the absence of her White Queen another miracle is impossible. All of this is symbolized with her hair and face. Her sun has burned out and all that is left is decay.

There's another magician beside Prospero she harks to. Merlin, the one whose contest grants Arthur his first sword. Like Merlin, she gives Suletta a sword, lampshaded in Cradle Planet. And as with him, she is eventually 'imprisoned' by a Lady of the Lake (Miorine, who bestows Suletta Calibarn) after imparting wisdom. She's lucky Mio entrapped her as an in-law and not in a tree like Merlin.

Mimir and Loki

If Mio is Odin then it's Prospera who plays the wisdom granting Mimir. As with Odin, Mio is forced to make a painful sacrifice in order to drink from Mimir's well and gain insight. Take note of Prospera's visor, since it's the first in a series of subtle mythological references. Mimir is eventually beheaded and kept at Odin's side as an embalmed head that provides counsel.

Loki isn't hard to extrapolate even if you have a passing knowledge of the trickster. It's interesting to note both Odin and Loki are associated with different aspects of Hermes/Mercury. And since GWitch's Hel and Fenrir are her children, she must be Loki. It is Prospera who begins the events of gwitch ragnarok by sending Suletta, as Baldr Guel's mistletoe and slayer of the Nemean Lion, to Asticassia.

But why the father and not the mother? Because Angrboda is a giant who isn't very relevant in norse other than simply being the mother of monsters. What is intriguing is that you can make a valid comparison for Earthians=Giants in norse myth. Both are contesting against the Aesir/Spacians. So who is an Earthian geneticist who could have uploaded Eri's biometric code and crafted replichildren? Anesidora/Notrette is Prospera's Angrboda. It's wild how they hint at Notrette being Prospera's counterpart in multiple ways. Makes you wonder, is there more to be uncovered? She is explicitly Anesidora, 3 chthonic goddesses who deal in hidden knowledge.

Hecate and Hades

I mentioned it briefly in the Mio analysis, but it goes deeper than simply stealing Persephone and defiling her spirit. Like Hades, she has a Cerberus (Eri) and a helmet that aids her to speak with the dead.

It might not turn her invisible, but she always seems to slip away until its ripped from her head by a bullet.

Another divine figure who I think Prospera is meant to invoke is Hecate. She is associated with witchcraft, the moon, keys, dogs, and thresholds. Specifically the threshold between the living and the dead. It's easy to relate the dog coded Suletta and QZ as the underworld.

It was explicitly mentioned when Suletta is called a Key, and we know she's the twelfth, correlating to the philosopher's stone. It simultaneously relates back to esoteric and mythology.

Hecate is known to wear a mask and to be decaying. When you dig deep, this may be the most on the nose homage honestly. Goddess of witches indeed. Hecate is also inexorably linked to the Eleusinian mysteries along with Demeter and Persephone. The three are often interpreted to be the phases of womanhood: maiden, mother, crone. Considering Hecate's triplicity and the three prominent eyes on Prospera's mask, her design is very interesting. An additional design note, red mullets are Hecate's sacred fish. Prospera/Elnora's hair imo, is a visual pun.

**Tangentially related to the red king point, Helios god of the sun is referred to as Hecate's spear in a Sophocles play. It is a spear, Gungnir, that Odin pierces himself with when hanging in sacrifice. (And Mio throwing herself into Prospera's clutches for her red king could be interpreted as this.) Could be a coincidence, but it works too well I think!

#she's a witch your honor #Would love to watch a prequel where she spirals #g witch #g witch spoilers #gundam witch from mercury #lady prospera #prospera mercury #analysis and speculation #suletta mercury #miorine rembran

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merthurglompfest · 1 year

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Title: A Faire Fight By: @zaharya Gift for: @alehalebane Rating: Teen and Up Word Count: 6 ,727 words Warning(s): None Creator Notes: Dear Alehalebane, congratulations, your prompt made me break my initial resolution to only claim one really short prompt — but I couldn’t just let the chance to write low-stakes fight scenes pass me by! So here we are, I ignored my own rules, but I’m really happy to have been able to claim your prompt. I hope you like how it turned out! Summary: Arthur caught sight of Merlin when there were maybe fifteen of them left. He faltered, jaw dropping open, and it was pure luck the man charging at him had terrible aim, or he would’ve failed out of the melee right then and there. Pulling himself together, he made quick work of his attacker, before putting some distance between himself and the others to collect himself. And, perhaps, to stare just a little. Merlin was… magnificent. He wielded his sword like an extension of his own body — a lesson most of Arthur’s knights had never truly mastered. His movements were quick and precise, yet fluent, graceful in a way Arthur had never seen before, as he landed disqualifying hits on two, three, four opponents in rapid succession. Or: The one where Merlin brings a returned Arthur to a medieval faire and they fight in a tournament. AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45646960

#merlin #merthur #merlin fanfic #merthur glompfest #merthur glompfest 2023 #type: fanfic #rating: teen and up #wc: 5 to 10k #glomper: zaharya #glompee: alehalebane

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theroundbartable · 1 year

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There was a mission and suddenly Arthur's life was changed forever.

It was a mission almost like any other. Only that for once, he went alone. Because Merlin had said that he wouldn't last a day without him and of course that audacity needed to be corrected. So, naturally, Arthur took off on his own.

And now? Two bars, a ridding gnome, a herd of fairies, selkies and that odd couple made of a centaur and a troll later, Arthur had found the well he had been looking for.

Not that he knew what the well was for, nor what it had to do with magic. But it had to do with magic and that counted. Now, perhaps, he shouldn't have drunken from it. Should have probably researched what language was graved into the stone and what warning it entailed. One sip later and the well was gone. So much for Arthur's quest and his thirst. Now he had nothing to take from his quest to prove where he had been.

Cursing, Arthur made his way back to Camelot. And then, as promised, he realized that he was on the verge of being without Merlin for over a day. Just like that, he died.

He didn't even see it coming. It just happened. Out of nowhere there was a sword in his Chest and the life bled from his heart, where it was pierced.

Wenn Arthur opened his eyes, he expected to see the Afterlife. Apparently that wasn't what he was granted to see.

In fact, all he saw was a bloody sword on the ground before him. And his attacker? Dead. As if his heart had simply stopped in Arthur's stead.

And at first, it seemed like nothing. But during the years Arthur realized that this was his new normal now. No matter how many times he died, he'd never stay dead.

"i'm immortal", he realized after years of reign and during another battle which should have been lost to a sword or a poisoned meal.

Of course Arthur kept this from everyone. Couldn't do good to tell his people that his life was enchanted while he kept magic outlawed. Though it didn't take long for him to realize what a hypocrite of a king he'd be, if he kept it that way.

Arthur didn't expect Merlin to weep at the news. But Arthur also never expected to feel empathy for such a crybaby. Let alone the guilt he carried around. One day, he would leave Merlin behind. One day, he would outlive him. The only person he ever fully trusted. The only person he knew would always remain by his side, as long as death didn't pay them a visit.

Arthur is 60 when he realizes that he's not the only person in the castle who refuses to age.

Arthur is 80, when his excuses for Merlin run out of credibility.

"Hold on a Minute.", He says and stares at Merlin who innocently bounces on his feet next to the throne. "You're immortal, too?"

Merlin just shrugs. "I'm magic itself, remember."

"and you didn't think to tell me that?"

"i did? I send you on that mission to the well that made you Immortal and wrote you a message. It literally said: if you drink this, you won't get rid of me anytime soon. Signed, Merlin. Literal magic incarnate."

"i don't speak the language of the old religion!"

Merlin frowned. "Are you telling me, you also didn't realize that was a proposal?"

Arthur blinked. "What?!?!?"

Merlin: "i literally.... Omg. Arthur, i thought we've been married for 67 years! We live together!"

Arthur: "when was the marriage????"

Merlin: "the day you freed magic? Me? Bound me to your eternal life? You said you were willing to live with magic at your side for as long as you live? "

Arthur: "i think i need a moment."

Merlin: "as do i, asshole."

Arthur: "my entire life is a lie."

Merlin: >:( i am your life now!

Leon passing by: "you guys good?"

Merlin, to arthur: " oh yeah, i think i should also tell you that i tested the immortality water on Leon first."

Leon, on the verge of crying: "i thought it would kill me! Why would you remind me of this?!"

Arthur, at merlin: "you're lucky i love you."

#bbc merlin #concept #silly stuff #merthur #prompt #Arthur #merlin #sir leon #arthur pendragon #merlin emrys

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angelynmoon · 28 days

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"It was forged in a Dragon's fire." Merlin grinned at Lancelot.

There was alot Lancelot wanted to ask about that, like how Merlin got close enough to a Dragon's fire and lived to tell about it but Merlin was already handing the Dragon's blade to him and taking Lancelot's.

"You're better off using it, Kilgarrah will have to sulk about it." Merlin told him.

Again Lancelot had questions, like the Dragon had a name and it was still alive, but those would have to wait since he had a Warlock to protect.

Lancelot decided he liked the Dragon's blade and he wondered if he could request his own, surely the one in his hand had been meant for someone else, likely Arthur, but it felt right in his hand as Lancelot defended Merlin from the Immortals' swords.

Then they were in the throne room and they should have known it would be guarded.

Lancelot looked at Merlin and nodded, the Dragon's Sword ready as they continued, so focused were they on getting to the Cup that they didn't register the sound of the warning bell ringing as they fought.

Lancelot letting out a gasp as he took a hit to his shoulder, luckly not on his sword arm.

Merlin looked at him but Lancelot shook his head, motioning to the Cup, he'd be okay, the others might not be.

Merlin knocked the Cup from its podium as the doors burst open, the men whose blood now spilled across the throne room floor exploding in bright light as the Cup clattered to the ground.

A shout of rage left Morgause and she threw Merlin at a wall.

Lancelot forced himself up to get between them when Merlin laid on the floor gasping, he hoped nothing was too injured, Lancelot had seen men be thrown like that and never walk again, he couldn't let Morgause hurt Merlin.

"Get out of my way, boy." Morgause snarled.

"No." Lancelot said, ignoring Merlin's quiet gasp of his name.

"I am a High Priestess of the Old Religion." The woman smirked as Arthur and the other Knights entered the room from behind the throne and Morgana entered the same door Morgause had, "What do you hope to do against me?"

"Sir Lancelot, your Oath." Merlin said as he shifted to sit against the wall he'd been thrown into.

Lancelot glanced at him, Merlin was giving him the same look he'd given him when he'd Knighted him, so proud, so loving, even as his arm rested across his chest, he likly had several broken ribs.

"Your Oath." Merlin said again.

Lancelot nodded and turned back to Morgause and Morgana, who now stood next to her sister, hand up preventing Arthur and the others from coming to their aid.

"And I am a Knight of the Old Religion," Lancelot said, taking in the way Morgana frowned and Mogause stiffened, "A Knight is sworn to valor, his heart knows only Virtue, his blade defends the helpless, his might upholds the weak, his word speaks only truth, his wrath undoes the Wicked."

As he said the last line Lancelot swung the Dragon's Blade at Morgause while she incanted a spell that hit the Shield Merlin had cast over him.

The Blade hit Morgause in the stomach.

And she laughed, "No mortal blade can kill me!" She shouted.

Lancelot tore the Blade out of her, watched her stumble back.

"Then you should know that this Sword was forged in a Dragon's fire." Lancelot said as he watched her fall.

"NOO!" Morgana screamed as she grabbed at Morgause, her cry echoing against the walls, shaking them, making dust spill down.

"Merlin!" Lancelot cried as he turned to gather him up, the man still sitting on the ground.

"Lancelot." Merlin whispered, "We can't leave Morgana, we can't."

"Percival." Lancelot turned to the large man who had fallen into step next to him, "Grab Morgana."

Thankfully the man did not question him as he grabbed the woman and threw her over his shoulder.

Merlin pressed a hand on her ankle and she screamed as her magic was locked away, though the damage had been done and the Castle still shook.

Lancelot felt the moment Merlin passed out and swung him fully into his arms, Gwaine taking his sword so he could hold Merlin better against him as they ran.

Once in the Courtyard Gwen and Gauis both ran to them as the Castle continued to shake.

"What happened?" Gauis asked as he motioned Lancelot to lay Merlin out.

"Morgause threw him into a wall, it must have hurt him badly because he did not stand back up." Lancelot explained.

"Let me go, you peasent." Morgana shouted as she fought Percival's hold.

"Why did you bring her?" Elyan asked, glaring at the woman.

"Lancelot told me to grab her." Percival shrugged, making Morgana yell more at being jostled.

"Morgana." Arthur said quietly.

Morgana glared at him, "Don't think being my brother will save you."

"I miss you." Arthur said softly, "You used to be my best friend, the person I could confide in, where did that woman go?"

"She never existed." Morgana snarled, "She was lied to and hunted and betrayed."

"Arthur." Merlin said sluggishly as he woke, "The bracelet, I think Morgause enchanted it to manipulate Morgana."

"When did you discover this?" Gauis asked as he forced Merlin to stay laying down.

"When she first stared wearing it, Gwen said she wasn't acting the same, she was restless and quicker to anger, so I researched it and had Lancelot look in to personality enchantments in other kingdoms, sometimes they are used to make opinionated women dolcile." Merlin explained.

"You think Morgause enchanted it to make Morgana angry." Lancelot concluded.

"Yes. The Morgana we knew would never turn on the lower people." Merlin said softly.

Arthur and Gwen looked hopeful.

"Fine." Gwaine said and stormed over to wrestle the bracelet off of Morgana's wrist.

She fought him until the metal was no longer against her skin and then she went still.

Percival pulled her off his shoulder to set her on her feet and followed her down as she crumpled.

"What have I done, Arthur, Arthur, I'm so sorry." Morgana said as she began to sob, "I killed so many people, I tried to kill Uthur!"

"Well, a lot of people have tried to kill Uthur." Merlin joked.

"Merlin!" Gaius scolded, even as he let Lancelot help him sit up so he could wrap his ribs.

"I'm still angry at you!" Morgana shouted at him, being held back from throwing herself at him.

"Yeah, that's fair." Merlin agreed as he put a hand over Lancelot's where he'd grabbed the Dragon's Blade.

Morgana stilled, "'That's fair'?"

"I poisoned you, admittedly it was to break the curse on Camelot that Morgause used you to anchor, but still, I hurt you and it's okay to be mad at me." Merlin told her.

"Oh." Morgana exclaomed softly, "She wouldn't have done that if she really loved me, would she?"

"No, Morgana, she wouldn't have." Gwen said softly as she sat next to her friend.

"I hurt you too." Morgana said, "I'm so sorry, I tried to kill you because I was jealous."

Gwen paused, not sure what to say.

"I'm going to teach you everything you need to know to be a good Queen, and maybe you can forgive me?" Morgana asked, hopefully.

Gwen smiled and pulled her into a hug, "You're going to be my sister when I marry Arthur, I suppose I have to."

They both started to laugh quietly.

Arthur cleared his throat, "Unfortunatly, Morgana did use Magic and Magic is against the Law in Camelot."

"Arthur!" Gwen cried as she clung to Morgana.

"Lancelot." Merlin said, making Lancelot sigh as he stood between Arthur and Morgana, Sword in hand.

"Sir Lancelot." Arthur frowned.

"I can't let you harm her, Sire, it goes against my Oath, she's," Lancelot looked down at her and her fearfilled, teary eyes, before turning back to Arthur, "She's helpless, Sire."

"She's a Witch." Arthur argued.

"I bound her Magic, Arthur, she'll only Dream until I realease her." Merlin said as he stood up, ignoring Gauis' protests, coming to stand with Lancelot.

"Lancelot, you are a Knight of Camelot, stand aside."

"Yes, but I am a Knight of the Old Religion first, I swore an Oath to defend the helpless." Lancelot told him.

"You said something like that to Morgause." Gwaine said thoughtfully, "she seemed unnerved by it."

"Because the Old Code is binding, to go against it is to forfit your life." Gaius explained as he stood to go tend to Uthur, who stared at nothing "When the kings of old realised that many Noble Houses could not survive taking such an Oath they got rid of it's use."

Arthur looked at Lancelot and his position in front of Merlin and Morgana and at Gwen's pleading eyes.

"Fine, but she goes nowhere without an escort, if she does she'll be locked in the dungeons for a week." Arthur said, frustrated.

"What about her Magic and the Law?" Leon asked, having been silent until now.

"Oh, fine, I guess I'm lifting the Magic Ban as well, it wouldn't do to spare only the Royal family, I'm not a hypocrate." Arthur cried out.

"Well, there's one thing in your favor then." Morgana teased.

Arthur pointed a finger at her, "Do not make me regret this, Morgana."

"I won't." Morgana promised as she clung to Gwen.

"As for you Merlin, when were you going to tell me you had Magic?!" Arthur shouted.

"To be fair, I've never told anyone." Merlin said.

"Don't make me put you in the stocks." Arthur threatened.

"Don't make me set my Dragon on you." Merlin countered making everyone turn to look at him.

"I'm sorry, your Dragon?" Gwaine asked.

Merlin paused, "So, um, I may or may not be the Last Dragonlord since my Father Died and I inhereted his powers."

Merlin shrugged and winced as his hand came up to cradle his chest.

"We're going to have a long talk later." Arthur sighed, "For now, let's salvage what we can and make a camp. Merlin, you and Gwen babysit Morgana, Percival, you Babysit Merlin and Gwen."

"Yes, Sire." Percival nodded.

"Everyone else, split up, see what you can find, and be careful." Arthur told them, pleased when they split into pairs without him needing to tell them to.

Gwen stood to help Merlin sit down and pulled him close to her and Morgana.

"So, tell us all about how Sir Lancelot took your virginity, was he sweet and gentle or does that hide a more rougeish nature?" Gwen asked.

"Gwen!" Morgana cried, offended.

Merlin almost sighed in relief at getting out of answering.

"You know you're supposed to start by asking what the first kiss was like." Morgana said and turned to look at Merlin expectantly.

"Well..." Merlin began, knowing there was no escape as even Percival was looking at him curiously.

Eventually they would fall asleep, after giggling over the men they loved or in Morgana's case the knight she was never allowed to pursue, perhaps, in time she might be able to win his heart as he'd always held hers but for now they slept and in the morning a new beginning would rise with the sun.

A/n: is this an excuse for Morgana to not be evil? You betcha. Is it also me wondering why Merlin didn't give the Dragon Sword to Lancelot, you know the skilled swordsman, and fixing it? Yep. Yeah I know it was probably Kilgarrah making hin promise but he can just be a sulky Dargon about it. Also Merlin does get Lancelot his own Dragon Blade for the Anniversery of his First Knighthood. The other's whine about it so Merlin teases them by getting them daggers and calls the baby swords since they're being babies about it. They get anniversery Swords too but baby swords first.

#a knight #part 3 #mercelot #merlin/lancelot #knights of the round table #arthur pendragon #guinevere #morgana #merlin bbc

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rainstormsandothersadthings · 10 months

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the one where arthur tries to hide merlin’s unintentional magic with minimal success

He was sure now that there was no way Merlin was evil because of his magic, it was simply not even in the realm of possibility. Arthur was now wary of the new problem which was somehow not letting Merlin get himself killed because he insists on being utterly ridiculous and using his magic in the castle walls of Camelot. “Arthur,” Merlin began slowly, glancing up at him over his written list of chores.

Arthur attempted nonchalance, continuing to get ready for the day, “yes, Merlin?”

“Why must I do all of my chores in your room with the door locked, and why is there only half a page?” he gestured toward the writing with exaggerated movements.

He shrugged, examining a cup that had no need for examination, “I don’t have a lot that needs doing today.”

“...and doing them in your rooms with ‘every door locked including the servant's halls’?”

“You get distracted easily enough, think of it as a battle strategy for you to finally get your chores done in a timely manner. Honestly, Merlin, you should be thanking me.”

Merlin gives him a slow nod, placing the piece of paper down, “right… are you okay sire?”

“I’m perfectly fine, and I expect my orders to be followed exactly. I’ll be back after practice,” and with that, he left the room, locking the door on his way out. He heard Merlin’s yells after him echo through the halls that he resolutely ignored.

---

“Arthur, honestly, there is no need for me to wear stilts,” Merlin grumbled while Arthur maneuvered a pair of two pieces of wood unto the bottom of Merlin’s shoes. “We are practically going on a glorified walk—”

“It’s not a walk, Merlin, it’s patrol,” he grumbled, yanking Merlin’s foot back toward him as he tied a rope in a few hundred knots; he wanted the only reason Merlin fell being because Merlin wasn’t born with a right foot and not because the stilts broke off.

“Patrol then,” Merlin digressed, before adding; “where we take a walk around the border and look for something to fight, is not an occasion for stilts.”

Arthur panicked, struggling to find a good reason, before too much time had passed and he blurted out, “I am the prince, Merlin, I can do whatever I please.” He rolled his eyes so heavily Arthur was sure they’d continue rolling straight out of his head.

In all honesty, he was terrified the other knights might notice the flowers that grew behind Merlin wherever he walked in the grassy fields, which was all patrol took place in. So maybe, if his feet don’t hit the ground, maybe the flowers won’t grow.

He was wrong.

---

“I know you say my swordsmanship is embarrassing but is this really necessary?” Merlin asked, dragging his sword against the ground in a way that should drive Arthur crazy but he only found endlessly amusing.

Arthur brought them deep into the woods for their daily sword fighting lessons, hidden in the thicket, so no one could lay eyes on the quick movements Merlin displayed once he got into the repetitive movements of sword fighting. Once he relaxed, thinking of nothing but swirling his sword to meet Arthur’s in a clanking cymbal in the air, his movements became too fluid, too quick.

“Yes, it’s necessary, Merlin, I can’t have anyone know my own manservant can’t even raise a sword above his head without giving himself a haircut,” he griped, finally settling into a small clearing, circling the area for a moment until he found the best place to stand until Merlin interrupted him.

“Do you really have to go in circles like a dog about to nap?”

His head snapped up, “I’m trying to find out how flat the ground is, Merlin, forgive me for trying to make sure you don’t trip in a hole and shatter your delicate little ankles.”

“My ankles are not delicate nor little,” Merlin began with a growing smirk, “just because you have a little more round your middle doesn’t mean I’m tiny—” and with that he tackled Merlin to the ground, hands grappling skin as their shirts rucked up from the friction of the grass.

And if Merlin won their impromptu wrestling on the floor of the forest away from prying eyes with movements too sharp, too fluid, then none but Arthur had to know. If the reason Merlin won wasn’t actually because of the magic coursing in his veins, but rather because Arthur realized with a start and furious blush that traveled down his chest that Merlin’s shoulders had broadened out over the years since they first met, then none but Arthur had to know.

#merthur #bbc merlin #Arthur Pendragon #ao3 #writing #fanfic #a soulmate who wasn't meant to be #i fear arthur would notice merlins magic and be like omg hes hopeless what am i supposed to do with this #and has no idea how powerful merlin is #he just sees merlin making flowers pop up unintentionally and is like oh god my father will kill him #all because merlin is ridiculous #but to be fair merlin doesn't #in fact #know that he does this

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her-soliloquies · 9 months

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Just casually tortured myself by rewatching the last episode of Merlin so that I could write THIS.

I don't even know why, other than maybe I just wanted Merlin and Arthur to talk more in the finale and then go absolutely berserk with canon later.

Here's a snippet of the fic:

“There are tales of dying men and what they experience before they die. They say in that moment one’s whole life pass before their eyes. But ever since Mordred ran his sword through me I have been unable to think about anyone but you. I have gone over all the moments I knew you in my mind. And I don’t understand, Merlin. How can you be the greatest sorcerer ever to walk the earth when you have deprived yourself of so much? Of the trust and respect of the people that love you, of having them know all that is to you because you had to repress the very nature of yourself.”

#this is the first time I've written for merlin eventhough I've been consuming merthur contents for years #I just have too many feelings about them that makes it hard to write #bbc merlin #merlin #arthur pendragon #merlin x arthur #arthur x merlin #merthur #bbc merthur #merlin fanfic #merthur fanfic #ao3 #archive of our own #fanfiction #fanfic

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arthursknight · 2 years

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if he's willing to admit it to himself, arthur has never been particularly good at going after what he wants.

for one, he's never had to. arthur merely needs to mention something in passing, like how he fancies having some extra fruit from the kitchen or a particular sword from the blacksmith, and it shows up at his door, no questions asked. arthur's sure (though he has never dared) that, if he should even imply that he wanted any girl in the kingdom, he would have her in his bed by sundown the same day.

and for the things arthur yearns for but can't have? for the things his father would strike him for, for the duty he would neglect, for the honour he would lose?

well. arthur knows how to swallow that pill. he's been doing it his entire life.

but sometimes, when he's watching a boy from across the training grounds adjust his ever-present neckerchief, the want threatens to swallow him whole, and he wishes he was braver.

like lancelot.

lancelot, who, consequences be damned, went after what he wanted with his full heart. lancelot, who wore his heart outside the safety of his armour. who trained harder than all the knights arthur had ever met, for a kingdom he didn't belong to, for a king he had never met.

for arthur.

it is almost hard to watch. arthur has always thought himself brave, but his heart is a coward compared to lancelot's.

so it shouldn't be a surprise, then, when it happens, arthur and lancelot the last ones awake by a fire in a forest some half a day away from the castle. they had been sent out on yet another patrol, and lancelot had willingly volunteered, as if arthur would dream of taking anyone else besides merlin.

the fire is low, and sleep hangs heavy over his head, and lancelot turns to him with that same fierce look that had been in his eyes when he had tripped arthur on the training grounds all that time ago.

arthur can't look away. it's like staring into the centre of the fire.

"forgive me, sire," lancelot says, before he takes arthur's hand in his, pressing his lips to the curve of arthur's knuckles.

arthur's heart is beating too fast in his chest. the words don't make sense, at first, but then lancelot is dropping arthur's hand and looking at him like he's waiting for the blow to come.

forgive me. i cannot ignore this any longer.

and arthur knows he is not lancelot’s great love. maybe lancelot knows he is not arthur's, either. but by the crackling of the fire, lancelot had admitted something that arthur is scared to admit. that he wants.

arthur takes lancelot's hand back in his. he does not know where this night is headed, but if this is only the beginning, arthur should be so lucky. against his knuckles, he says, "i am proud to have you as my knight, lancelot."

lancelot lets out the breath he had been holding and looks at arthur like he holds the world.

"i am proud to be yours, sire."

and for once, arthur has what he dares to want.

#merlin #arthur pendragon #bbc merlin #arlance #lancelot #bbc lancelot #my writing #microfic #SPREADING THE ARLANCE AGENDA #listen. LISTEN.#did i sneak some merthur in there? yeah. what did you expect.#but Let Arthur Kiss Lancelot 2k22

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the-pen-pot · 8 months

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Fandom Creator's Self-Rec Game!

Choose five favourites from your own creations (and tell me why, if you like!), then pass on to at least five other people. I'd love to hear what you're proudest of.

Tagged by the wonderful @zaharya (whose post I have now bookmarked for later reading!)

Five of my own favourites, hmmmm. All right. Four of these are super long (all 200k+) , but the first one is relatively short for me, at somewhere around 15,000 words, for people looking for lighter reads! 😁 All are complete except Hiraeth.

Deliquesce (Merlin - Merthur - 15k)

The creatures stepped forward, long, narrow muzzles agape. The sun did not deter them, merely setting their subtle scales agleam. Thick saliva dripped from their jaws, smattering on the ground, yet they did not lunge forward to strike. Instead, they waited, their gaze unblinking as they stared. At first, Arthur thought they watched the knights, but when he shifted his stance, their eyes did not follow him, Instead, it was someone behind him who held them captivated. Merlin. ----- A chance encounter with a monster in the woods makes Arthur realise just how powerful Merlin's magic is, and the lengths he would go to in order to keep him safe.

This was meant to be a ficlet and got away from me. I particularly loved the ideas in this one, also BAMF Merlin ftw every single time! Written from Arthur's POV with some Merthury goodness towards the end.

Sorcerer's Bane (Merlin - Merthur - 264k)

Arthur gave Merlin his cloak thinking only of the warmth it would offer in a snowstorm. He never thought his manservant may be mistaken for him and snatched by bandits. Nor did he expect his dashing rescue of Merlin to turn his world so utterly on his head. Because the bandits hadn't kidnapped a prince. They'd snatched a sorcerer, and now captivity is the least of anyone's problems. A golden age awaits, but can they claim it together, or are they doomed to fail?

My first big Merthur fic, and the one where I healed from all the psychic damage done by the finale. This was my plotty, happily ever after fic, and I love it with all my heart!

Hiraeth (Merlin - Merthur - Work In Progress - 214k so far)

A hand grasped his arm, sending a brief thrill down Merlin's nerves as he was forced around to face the person behind him. Armour gleamed in the firelight: supple chainmail glinted, and the solid iron of a pauldron curved lovingly over one broad shoulder. The length of a sword blade separated them. The point hovered, steady and sure, over Merlin's heart, braced to run him through, but he did not care about any of that. He was too busy drinking in the sight of the man before him. He could never forget him, no matter how many centuries had passed. 'Arthur?' When Merlin ultimately fails in his destiny, the fading remnants of magic that linger in the modern world fling him not just back in time, but sideways as well. He ends up in a Camelot where all his friends are alive, well and aware of his magic. He ends up in a Camelot where his alternate self died almost a year ago. Can he, Arthur and their friends still forge the golden age he was once promised, or will grief and suspicion tear them apart?

Couldn't not mention my angsty, plotty wip. This fic is five billions miles outside my comfort zone. I'm currently in the "I have bitten off more than I can chew freak-out" stage of writing it and I'm still having so much fun. This fic owns my soul. Maybe one day it will release me, but I doubt it.

The Gilded Cage (Sherlock - Johnlock - 326K )

In a world where Omegas are the property of the elite Alphas, locked away and treasured by those wealthy enough to buy them, John never questioned his flatmate's secondary gender. Sherlock Holmes was an Alpha through-and through. Wasn't he? A chance discovery turns the world on its head, and John is left grappling to come to terms with Sherlock's past as events conspire to threaten their future.

The Johnlock omegaverse that nearly killed me, and the longest thing I have written (so far). I had such fun exploring potential gender dynamics and imagining how this world could be, while doing my best to keep the characters strong and true to themselves. An oldie, but according to most readers, a goody. Mixed POV

Riven Crown (The Hobbit - Bagginshield - 254k )

‘We may have won the battle, but I fear the war with winter is just beginning.’ The aftermath of war is no laughing matter. Those who died must be honoured, those who are wounded must be healed, and those who remain need food and clothing, peace and sanctuary. With Thorin's life hanging in the balance, it is up to Bilbo and the rest of the Company to rule the rag-tag remnants of Erebor in his place. Then there is the matter of the gold... Can Bilbo save both king and kingdom, or is Erebor destined to fall deeper into ruin?

My battle of the Five Armies fix it, political intrigue, everybody lives/nobody dies effort to make the the Peter Jackson movies hurt less. I think I succeeded. A much loved favourite, because my style feels like it's particularly suited to fantasy 😁

Tagging (with no pressure and apologies if any of you are not writers!) @the-reading-lemon @writingfanficsfan @cbk1000 @ajpendragon and @mojoflower (as well as anyone else who sees this and fancies it!

#Merthur #Johnlock #Bagginshield #Fic Ask

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queer-ragnelle · 3 months

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Hello. I shall thank you again for replying to my requests, which are really helpful. But there is a question that I would love to ask. Or maybe two

1. What are your personal favourite Arthuriana movies/series?

2. Which Arthuriana movies/series are the most accurate to the Legends?

3. Which ones shall I avoid? And why?

P. S. I have already watched:

Knights of the Round Table (1953) 9/10 (I loved Lancelot and Elaine together. He loved her, just not as much as he loved Guinevere... Arthur/Lancelot chemistry. Lancelot vs Mordred... Unexpected duel)

Lancelot du Lac (1974) 7/10 (I loved Gawain and the relationship with Lancelot)

Excalibur (1981) 10/10 (The movie is a gem. I wish we had more like this nowadays... The Lancelot redemption was amazing)

Cursed (2020) 6/10 (I only liked the Fae lore there)

BBC Merlin 8/10 (There were some wack moments. And Arthur wasn't really my jam. But the show is amazing)

hi! you’re welcome, i’m glad it was helpful. :^)

this is going to be a long multi-part answer, so i’ll throw it below a cut to avoid an obnoxious wall of text on the dash.

1. What are your personal favourite Arthuriana movies/series?

movies:

Knights of The Round Table (1953)

Sword of Lancelot (1963)

Camelot (1967)

Lancelot du Lac (1974)

Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)

Excalibur (1981) [review]

Merlin and The Sword (1985)

A Knight’s Tale (2001)

Tristan and Isolde (2006)

Kaamelott First Installment (2021)

The Green Knight (2021)

shows:

The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (1956–1957)

BBC The Legend of King Arthur (1979)

Merlin (1998)

Starz Camelot (2011)

2. Which Arthuriana movies/series are the most accurate to the Legends?

finding an “accurate” arthurian adaptation or retelling is an exercise in futility. no iteration exists without its own unique interpretation, including the medieval texts. gawain is obscenely inconsistent, so determining what constitutes an “accurate” characterization of him is literally impossible. the same can be said for every aspect of the legends. each author does their own thing! the other problem is that even if what’s there is reminiscent of the stories it references, something is inevitably missing. most of the time it’s gaheris. (okay, it’s always gaheris.) more often than not, the entire prose tristan cast gets cut. occasionally, one of the lads will show up on his own completely disconnected from the original lore… (palamedes in the black knight (1954), lamorak in sword of lancelot (1963) and again in kaamelott the first installment (2021), dinadan in camelot (1967), and tristan in king arthur (2004)) but i digress. if you’re looking for something that covers the majority of the story from arthur’s conception to his death, the choices are minimal.

BBC The Legend of King Arthur (1979)

Excalibur (1981)

3. Which ones shall I avoid? And why?

movies:

The Black Knight (1954): orientalist, black face palamedes. enough said.

Sword of The Valiant (1984): a remake of gawain and the green knight (1973) with worse everything from casting to costuming to pacing. tall, jacked gawain isn’t real and can’t hurt me.

Guinevere (1994): if i was persia woolley and they showed me this movie calling it an adaptation of my books, i’d maul them.

First Knight (1995): so ick it’s funny. wow this lancelot sucks. american accent, insufferable, entitled, gives face-hugger kisses? convoluted scenarios presented as romantic. lame costuming. questionable age gap between arthur/guin. he knew her as a child????? girl run.

Quest For Camelot (1998): rip author vera chapman, fortunate enough to pass before witnessing this abominable adaptation. why americanize the names lynette and gareth? why the hideous animation? the shabby song and dance numbers? the books are dark let’s make a kids musical out of it!

King Arthur: Legend of The Sword (2017): weaksauce attempt to cash in on existing audience. discombobulated the lore until unrecognizable. two women are fridged in the first half hour. strangely edited. nobody is likable. overall cringe.

shows:

King Arthur and The Knights of Justice (1992): nothing of substance here, typical 90s cartoon existing to sell toys.

The Mists of Avalon (2001): i’ll never support anything related to author marion zimmer bradley. she’s dead, let’s kill her legacy too.

Merlin’s Apprentice (2006): not sure what happened here but this sequel to the 1998 original is the biggest downgrade ever.

The Seven Deadly Sins (2014–present): every pitfall an anime can have, this one has in spades. beyond the bastardization of arthurian lore, it’s hard to follow chronologically bc the seasons are named not numbered, full of shameless fan service, lolis, a drop in budget resulted in ugly cgi animation.

Netflix Cursed (2020): take a shot every time a nicknamed character is revealed to be loosely arthurian. no don’t you’ll get alcohol poisoning. did netflix do it? did they solve misogyny by putting a sword in a girl’s hand? this was so disappointing it offended me.

anyway if there’s something i didn’t mention here then it’s mid. bbc merlin isn’t really my thing but it’s fun! transformers feels so far removed from actual arthuriana it’s not worth discussion, unlike some others that are trying really hard and suck so much. stuff like that. hope this gives you some things to check out next!

#arthurian legend #arthurian legends #arthuriana #arthurian mythology #fanficwritinggremlin #ask

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a-small-batch-of-dragons · 1 year

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Spark

I request disabled Merlin! He hurt his leg and now he uses a cane sometimes when it gets bad. (this is all, can be a background detail in another fic!) - anon

Canon Era Lancelot and Merlin being roommates. I think they should get to be roommates. - anon

I humbly request a fic where Arthur learns some magic if you don't mind writing it. I think it'd be so fun in your style. - anon

I need gwaine and Arthur hurt/comfort (hurt arthur) to breathe and live please and thank you (/nm /pos) - anon

Read on Ao3

Warnings: none

Pairings: merthur, can be platonic or romantic you decide

Word Count: 2048

In the aftermath of one particular sorcerer's attack, Merlin is left to recover while Arthur contemplates how it feels to be so helpless against an enemy that threatens Merlin, Camelot, his people, and Merlin.

Gwaine and Lancelot both have some advice, but it's up to the two idiots to decide whether to take it or not.

"Alright," Gwaine announces, pushing open Arthur's door with about as little ceremony as he throws his boots into a corner when he shucks them off, "that's enough sulking, Princess, we're all sick of it."

Arthur barely even looks up. Still in his armor, his sword laid across his knee, whetstone in hand. The slow shirking sound of sharpening metal fills the room as Gwaine sighs.

"Look, you going to tell me what's got you all sulky or am I just going to have to guess?"

"I have a feeling very little would stop you doing that." Arthur doesn't look up at this either. "So go ahead."

"Your boots not exactly as warm as they should be? The kitchen messing up and giving your blueberries instead of strawberries? Your red cloak with the silver studs is in the laundry so you had to wear the red one with the gold studs?"

Still sharpening the sword, Arthur huffs. "They're pewter, Gwaine, and I think we both know why I'm upset."

"Ah! So he admits it!" Even as Gwaine raises his hands in mock celebration, a twinge of worry plants itself in his chest as he hears Arthur actually admit he's worried about something. "Will wonders never cease? Pray tell, dear Prince, what it is that ails you?"

A pause, long enough for two more passes of the whetstone. Then: "Is Merlin alright?"

Gwaine stops, sitting down next to him. He sobers a little, leaning his weight on one knee. "Yeah. He's alright. Just a bit tired."

"Lancelot's with him?"

"Yeah, in their room." He looks over as Arthur's fingers flex. "You know, he'd probably share with you if you asked him."

Arthur doesn't respond to that, only sets the whetstone aside and reaches for a rage. Gwaine raises an eyebrow.

"Is this your way of telling Merlin he doesn't do a good enough job, or—"

"No."

The sudden ferocity in Arthur's voice gives Gwaine pause. He looks over again and sees the way Arthur grips the rag so tightly it almost whines under the pressure. He waits, watching Arthur take a deep breath.

"No," he repeats, more calmly this time, "it isn't. Merlin hasn't polished my sword in several weeks now."

It's not the time, Gwaine scolds himself, but really the fruit is hanging so low it's hard to see anything else.

"He's enough else to worry about," Arthur continues, oblivious—or perhaps willing to overlook—the thoughts running through Gwaine's head, "and it's one of the few of his tasks that I am capable of doing just fine on my own."

If it were another task, or perhaps if Arthur's hands had shaken less, Gwaine would've seized this low hanging-fruit instead, but as it stands, he simply nods. "Never thought I'd see the day where you admitted Merlin's better at something than you."

"Nonsense, I've called him a bigger fool than I am for years." It falls flat and they both know it. After another moment, Arthur sighs. "And…perhaps I'm just now learning the extent of Merlin's…duties."

Gwaine hums, looking at the floor too. "A one-man army, our Merlin is."

"Except armies aren't supposed to be one man," Arthur growls, "that's why they're armies. Groups, a team, men fighting alongside each other as brothers, as equals, how can—"

The rag does groan, the sword lying forgotten as Arthur closes his eyes.

"How can Merlin be an army," he says finally, "with no one else to support him?"

"He's got us," Gwaine says, "he's got you."

"But what can I do?" For not the first time, but the first time in a long while, disgust and shame color Arthur's face as he looks down at his sword. "I can't fight magic with a sword. There's only so much a prat in metal armor can do against the type of enemies that wish Merlin dead."

"I'd say we've proven that running any man through with a sword does work, magic or otherwise."

"That's not the point, Gwaine."

"I know." He shifts his weight, easing a cramp. "Why not learn some magic yourself?"

Now Arthur looks at him, although it is the same way one looks at a pig trying to fly. "Excuse me?"

"Merlin's born with magic, but most people aren't. They learn it. Gaius learned it, most of the people have magic items or things that give them magic, why not learn some of it yourself? That way when Merlin's off being all impressive we can do the little things that are the equivalent of sweeping the floor."

Arthur frowns. "Do the thing my father outlawed? Do the thing he killed people for? Do the very thing that is treason and would get me executed?"

"Yeah, that."

"Have you been drinking?"

"Stone cold sober." Arthur huffs, disbelieving, but Gwaine leans closer. "You said it yourself. Merlin's alone, and more often than not, he probably feels it because of how magic's talked about around here. If you showed that you were willing to learn, that you acknowledge the kind of pressure he's under, then maybe he won't feel it so much."

Arthur's quiet for a long moment, just looking at him, before he nods once. "Alright. I'll ask him."

"There you go."

"You know, you give good advice when you're sober. You should try it more."

"Oh?"

"Or I'll make you one of my advisors when I become King."

"Alright, alright, there's no need to threaten me."

***

Lancelot looks up when Merlin opens the door, putting his book down and pulling out a chair by the fireplace. "What?"

Merlin walks over, cane leaning against the cobbles. It topples over and he sits it back up. It topples over again and he sighs, eyes glowing as it goes back to its resting place and stays. Lancelot chuckles, helping Merlin set his leg on his knee and reaching for the oil.

"Arthur asked me to teach him magic today."

Lancelot's hands fumble momentarily with the oil. "He what?"

"Said he was 'just now learning' all the things I do—"

"Better late than never, I suppose."

"—right, and then asked if he could learn some easy to…"

The cork finally gives and Lancelot raises an eyebrow. "To…?"

"…'sweep the floor,' as it were, when we have to face magical threats."

Merlin sighs as Lancelot starts to massage his bad leg, head tilting back. From the warm glow of the fire, Lancelot can see how thin his face is becoming and the deep bags under his eyes. "What do you think of it?"

"I think I was tempted to go to Gaius and have him looked at."

Lancelot chuckles. "And then?"

"And then I wondered if it was a trick. To get me to show my magic so he could arrest me."

"I'd never let that happen, Merlin. None of the knights would. Morgana wouldn't."

"I know," comes the mulish reply, "I didn't think it for very long."

He gathers a bit more oil and works it in, focusing on a particularly stubborn knot as the fire crackles. After a moment, he looks up again. "Do you think you will?"

Merlin shifts. "I don't know. It would…it would be nice to have someone else with magic."

"Morgana—"

"Morgana does enough already."

"And you don't?" At his guilty shift, Lancelot sighs. "Merlin, Arthur's trying. In his own stubborn way, he's trying. You know that, right?"

"Of course I know it. Ow!"

"Sorry." He shifts his grip. "But then you know that means he's not asking because he wants the power or he doesn't know any better. He's asking to help you."

"I know."

"Who knows, maybe he'll be good at healing."

Merlin snorts. "Gaius would be proud."

"No prouder than he is of you, I'm sure."

"Shut up." But it's weak and undone by the way Merlin looks at him a moment later. "You think I should do it?"

"I think putting your faith in Arthur has served you well in the past," Lancelot replies, smiling softly, "as has my faith in you."

A small smile lifts the corner of his mouth. "Did Gwaine teach you that one?"

"Of course not. I taught him that one."

"You didn't."

Lancelot merely returns to massaging his leg.

"You didn't. Lancelot—wait, what else did you teach him?"

"I don't kiss and tell, Merlin."

"Oh, yes, you do, especially when it's to me. Now spill."

***

In the end, they decide to try a very simple spell first. Elemental magic is among one of the most dangerous, but its power is the easiest to tap into for beginners, so fire manipulation it is.

"Why didn't you just light the candle with magic?"

"Because you're not going to be able to do that for a while and I didn't want to get your hopes up."

Arthur pouts but nods, tapping his fingers on the table as Merlin steeples his fingers.

"Forbærne."

The flame rises, licking higher and higher, until it's almost the height of the window, before it resettles. Arthur's eyes widen as he watches and he lets out a slow breath that makes the flame wobble as he looks up at Merlin.

"…am I supposed to do that?"

"No, just make it grow a little."

Arthur narrows his eyes. "You wouldn't have happened to talk to Gwaine about why you chose this demonstration for our first lesson, did you?"

"No, why—oh."

"That's a no, then."

Merlin shakes his head. "Here, let's try this instead. Forbærne."

This time, instead of growing taller and taller, the flame flares brighter, changing into an almost golden color before resettling. Arthur frowns. "But you said the same thing."

"Magic isn't about one word translating to one effect, it's about translating what you want to happen into what will happen." When Arthur just blinks, he sighs. "I wanted it to burn a certain way so I used the word for 'burn.'"

"…let's start there."

Merlin nods to the candle. "Now. Find the part of you that understands why the fire burns and ask it to change."

"This sounds suspiciously like poetry."

"It is like poetry. No two men read the same poem the same way, no two magic users use magic the same way."

Arthur looks at him doubtfully before taking a deep breath and focusing on the candle. "Forbærne."

Nothing.

"Forbærne. Forbærne." He throws his hands up. "It's not working."

"You have to believe."

"I do believe, my hair near got scorched when you did it not ten seconds ago."

"But you have to believe you can do it." Merlin gestures between them. "You have to believe that the power will flow the direction you want it to when you ask it. You need to become a vessel to channel it. It won't just happen if you don't make yourself open to it."

"How do I do that, though? I've never—I don't—I don't understand magic."

"You do," Merlin says patiently, voice softening a little at the obvious distress in Arthur's voice, "you were born of it. Magic brought you into this world. It surrounds you, you're—you're closer to it than you think."

Arthur stares doubtfully at the candle flame.

"It's not a sword. You can't pick it up and put it down. It's part of you. You don't reach out and grab it, you open your hand and it fits there." Merlin pushes the candle a little closer to him. "You can do it."

Arthur closes his eyes. He takes another deep breath and something in his shoulders changes. When he opens his eyes again, the flame dances behind his eyes.

"Forbærne."

The candle flame flickers and glows a deep, warm red.

Arthur looks up at him in wonder and for a second, a bit of gold glows in his eyes too.

#dragonbabbles #fic #merlin #bbc merlin #merlin bbc

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where-dreamers-go · 2 years

Text

“Adorable Points” Merlin x Reader

(A/N: Requested. It feels like forever since I’ve written for Merlin, but I wrote for him last year and a couple of imagines. So this insert reader is short and cute. I actually didn’t plan out ahead of time where this would go and just winged it. Shocking, I know. I hope you enjoy! And playing Here’s to Never Growing Up on repeat helped. Warnings: Cuteness?? Word Count: 522 words)

Another day and another stop at the market for necessary goods. It was good timing on your part as you would find out.

The weather was decent and other citizens took full advantage of the mild temperature. More than anyone, it was the children who were able to run as they pleased. They were heard more than anything.

“Whoa,” your basket was jostled as a group of children ran passed.

The smiling and agile children weaved through people with their makeshift wooden swords. Fun and imagination appeared to be in better supply than the pan you wanted.

Your gaze followed after them out of curiosity of their destination. Were they in the middle of an adventure or looking for one?

“No.” A smile curved your lips upwards. You walked closer.

The young ones had joined others with homemade capes. Sticks were slashed through the air at an invisible opponent. In the middle of the battle? The person they were protecting? Your friend Merlin.

Hands raised in mock fear, Merlin watched as the other children landed the final blow.

Wooden sticks in hand, the children hollered victoriously. Each child used a proud voice while telling Merlin to be careful in the future.

“I will, thank you so much,” Merlin promised.

“Take care citizen!” One child yelled.

The young man stood there chuckling as the young children scurried off on another adventure.

“That was adorable,” you said, catching Merlin’s attention. “Ten out of ten.”

A dark eyebrow quirked up and he asked, “Ten of what?” He turned to you.

“Adorable points. Obviously.”

“Obviously.” Merlin repeated. A smile lingering on his lips.

Basket in hand, you stepped closer to the young man. “It’s a relief to know we have such brave knights,” you said. “I’d hate to have you taken down by…erm…”

“A large boar.”

“Oh.”

Merlin nodded, amusement in his cerulean eyes. “Very terrifying. I’m lucky they were there to save me.”

Your gazes met and each of you fell into a round of laughter.

It wasn’t everyday in Camelot when something as simple as playing was shared so openly. Laughs, sure, but some had an extended amount of responsibility.

Smiles remained as the laughter subsided. The pair of you enjoying the memory that was created.

“It was sweet of you to play along with them.” You said softly.

“I couldn’t very well ruin their fun, now could I?”

“I would certainly hope you wouldn’t. You’re one of the few people I know who know how to actually have fun.”

His smile widened. “Thank you.”

“You can keep all of those compliments for later. Never know when you might need them.”

“Sure,” he looked elsewhere, “I’ll take them out the next time Arthur calls me a fool. That’ll teach him.”

Your laughter bubbled up again and the two of you could hardly look at one another because of it. Contagious as it was. It was best to leave while you still could.

“I’ll see you later, Merlin.” You swung your basket to your other arm.

“Watch for large invisible boars.”

“Wha—?”

Another round of laughter erupted as you gave chase to your friend.

~~~

(If you love my writings and want to support me, I have a Ko-Fi where you can buy me a coffee. I would be eternally grateful. coffee

Best wishes and happy reading.)

~~~~~

DreamerDragon Tags: @cubedtriangle

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#requested #where dreamers go #Merlin x Reader #BBC Merlin x Reader #BBC Merlin fanfiction #BBC Merlin #Merlin imagine

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tiodolma · 1 year

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What was your opinion on Morgana’s thought process during 2x12? I think she chose not to confess to Arthur & Merlin about her meeting with Morgause because she believed it wouldn’t have changed anything - she didn’t have any knowledge of Merlin’s magic then, how could a servant & a mortal prince defeat a group of immortal knights? Plus she would’ve had to admit that she met with Morgause to eradicate Uther, which would’ve angered Arthur in an already stressful situation.

This is Fires of Idirsholas, right? First I'm gonna put here the parts where Morgana is okay?

MORGANA I wear it all the time. I can't remember when I last had a bad dream.

MORGAUSE But you do not seem happy. Why is that?

MORGANA I would be if I didn't have to pretend.

MORGAUSE Pretend?

MORGANA That I'm Uther's loving ward when I hate him.

MORGAUSE Have you ever imagined a new world, Morgana? One where Uther was no more?

MORGANA Sometimes.

MORGAUSE And is that what you'd like?

MORGANA I once had the chance to be his assassin.

MORGAUSE And what stopped you?

MORGANA I don't know. I believe he cared for me. But not anymore. He cares for no one.

MORGAUSE So, you want Uther destroyed and his reign to end?

MORGANA More than anything. But it doesn't matter what I want. The future's not of my making.

MORGAUSE You are wrong, Morgana. You underestimate your importance. The decisions you make now will change the shape of everything that is to come.

MORGANA What do you mean?

MORGAUSE Whose side are you on, Morgana? Are you with Uther? Or are you with me? Are you prepared to help me bring about his downfall?

MORGANA I am.

MORGAUSE I can't tell me how much it means to hear you say that.

[Morgause's eyes glow and Morgana passes out in Morgause's arms. Morgause lays her on the ground and begins to draw a circle around Morgana with a stick.]

MORGAUSE Acene slæp swilce ... Acene slæp swilce ... Acene slæp swilce ...

[Morgana begins to glow.]

.....

MERLIN Don't worry, I won't say anything.

MORGANA About what?

MERLIN The illness.

MORGANA That has nothing to do with me.

MERLIN No, of course not, but you have magic.

MORGANA You haven't told anyone that!

MERLIN No, and I won't tell Arthur, but...there must be something keeping you safe, and I think that must be it.

MORGANA Right.

ARTHUR Who could have done this? You're the only one who's not been affected, Morgana. There must be a reason.

[MORGANA LOOKS AT MERLIN FOR HELP]

MORGANA I don't know.

ARTHUR That's all you keep saying! You must know something!

MORGANA No, they just fell asleep one by one!

MERLIN It's obvious. When she started feeling sick, Gaius gave her a potion, right?

[MORGANA LOOKS CONFUSED]

ARTHUR When was she sick? She never said that.

MERLIN She was one of the last to be affected. Somehow the potion must have helped.

ARTHUR What about everyone else? [MERLIN STRUGGLES TO ANSWER AS MORGANA LOOKS ON IN DESPERATION AND ARTHUR WAITS FOR A RESPONSE]

MERLIN By then Gaius was too ill. He didn't have a chance to treat anyone else.

......

[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – DAY] [Merlin enters.]

MORGANA I was worried about you.

MERLIN They're here! They're in the castle!

MORGANA Where's Arthur?

MERLIN Gone to find somewhere safe to move to.

MORGANA Thank you for not saying anything to him.

MERLIN It's all right.

MORGANA You're a good friend.

.........

ARTHUR We have to move my father before Morgause gets here.

MORGANA Morgause!

ARTHUR Come on! Let's go!

MERLIN You're not surprised?

MORGANA No, I am.

..........

MERLIN It doesn't matter. We can't get it now anyway, we're trapped.

ARTHUR There has to be something we can do!

MERLIN (whisper) Why didn't that knight kill you?

MORGANA How do I know? Because I'm a woman?

MERLIN Yeah, maybe.

............... [Arthur draws his sword and jumps out into the corridor. Merlin re-bars the door.]

MORGANA He's not going to survive out there.

MERLIN I know.

MORGANA We've got to do something.

MERLIN I know.

What was your opinion on Morgana’s thought process during 2x12

"why didn't she just tell merlin and arthur that she met with morgause"

"Plus she would’ve had to admit that she met with Morgause to eradicate Uther, which would’ve angered Arthur in an already stressful situation."

this is why this episode is so hard to analyse from a Morgana POV. There's a lot of evidence (based on body language/acting/circumstance) which suggest that

she had no idea at first

she had growing suspicion that she was the source

morgause had something to do with it

she didnt mind that morgause was coming anyway

she understood that whatever was happening was going to be uther's downfall

"why didn't she just tell merlin and arthur that she met with morgause / "Plus she would’ve had to admit that she met with Morgause to eradicate Uther, which would’ve angered Arthur in an already stressful situation."

I agree.

THEN WHY DID SHE DO WHAT SHE DID?

For me I think she was desperate enough to see what would happens. Beyond her fear of the knights and her fear of seeing everybody falling around her, she had trust that Merlin and Morgause would find a way to fix things.

She may have believed, that as long as Morgause, Merlin and Arthur were with her even as Uther and Camelot falls to sickness and ruin for the sake of the "new world" that Morgause promised, everything would be alright

So she's gonna withhold information on morgause and she would always ask about merlin's health and safety.

It was just a powerful sleeping sickness (i apologize to everyone who kept explaining this to me before). Maybe Morgana just wanted to see what was going to happen.

Was it selfish? self-absorbed? yes. Done out of revenge? also yes. Done out of love for sister, self and friend? also yes.

Evil? depends on who you ask.

All in all these are merely speculation. We do not have true Morgana POV. I cannot judge her fairly if I'm just going by headcanon and guesses. We have no real idea what was going on in her mind. I may be wrong about this too. but we are already 11 years too late lol. There is no correct answer to this.

#mergana #bbc morgana #bbc merlin #merlin critical #merlin crit #dear otp of why they cant ever talk to each other properly #that part where merlin is asking why she wasnt getting attacked reminded me of the lamia epsiode tho #holysht #i might call these two pretty little liars

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hopefullydreaming · 2 years

Text

Once, in the Future

The land once known as Albion had burned. Raging wildfires scorched its earth; processions of pathetic politicians had torn its people apart and turned them against each other; the land had been united at a terrible cost to the world. For a millennia and a half, a lonely warlock had wandered this land, working magic where he could, breathing life into the defeated and teaching those who were willing to learn.

But magic was dying now. He could feel it in his bones, as the world around him raged and burned. In all his years, he had seen the worst and the best of humanity. He had seen their brilliance and ingenuity, and he had seen the terrible things which they had done to prove it. They had no need of magic now, and no need to believe it. Superstition, most people had called it. For centuries now, magic had been dismissed or persecuted and now merely ridiculed, in the name of conformity or enlightenment or civilization. It lived only in books and fairytales, in legends twisted beyond their truth to fit their times.

The warlock had borne many names. Merlin was his first and Emrys was his favourite. He had worn so many faces he didn’t know if this one was real. He was sure of very little, now. So much has changed; so much that he had fought for, longed for, had come to pass and only made the world worse.

He was only sure of Arthur.

He had never stopped mourning. He had never stopped hoping either, visiting the coast that looked out onto the misty isle of Avalon — hidden to the naked eye, visible only to the most determined of dreamers — even on the days he most loathed himself for allowing this world to become what it had. Even on the days he thought he had invented his own memories, muddled by the tales which claimed to be histories.

He always knew Arthur; his face, his touch, his heart. He was sure of him, because he needed to be.

Because one day, he knew in his heart, Arthur would return to him. Fate had never forgotten anything before; only time would tell.

Merlin just didn’t know if he could stand to be around to see it. Or if, yet again, they would be too late. Not just for Albion, or magic, or the world, but for his own bitter heart and the ever-dying hope it clung to.

Now, Merlin stood at the edge of the water, staring out to see. Hoping. Dreaming. The veil between the worlds was thin; it was Samhain — Halloween, it was now called — and children had been running about the streets on his way here. Some with swords, others with staffs and wands, all dreaming of magic and a time once past.

Merlin hadn’t had the heart to do magic in some times, nor had the land sustained him. It was dying now, and after all these long and terrible years, Merlin believed he might be too.

“I miss you,” he whispered to the sea. He had no need for tears now. They had been spent many years ago. “I miss you all. I miss being young.” His wrinkled reflection stared back at him, resigned, shrouded in silver hair. “I always thought you needed me, you know. Turns out, I needed you, too. I needed all of you, and your hope.

“I miss you.” The end of his staff drew whorls and runes in the sand. “Come back, Arthur, please.”

The sea was silent. Avalon retreated behind silver clouds. On the road behind him, a car roared and a child yelled, “Boo!”

Merlin did not startle. He had half-forgotten how to move. The world moved so quickly it made him feel stagnant.

And then the night was still. The same as every night before it; empty, and cold, and dying.

Merlin sat down and waited until dawn for his hope to die again. He wondered how many more dawns he could endure, and he whispered sweet sorrow to the sky before he left, alone as he always had been.

If you enjoyed this, consider following my ao3: hopefullydreaming

#Merlin #merlin x arthur #merthur #my writing #fic #also on ao3 #fanfiction

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