#i do think morgana loved gwen a lot but when learning about gwen’s affections for arthur she became confused

[hopelessromantic5]

Love in All Its Forms

Merlin liked to think he knew quite a bit. He's all of twenty and four, now. He's learned so much information in the last three years, his head feels it might explode. Only the magic of the Earth itself still holding him together.

But there were always reasons to keep going. Camelot, her people, that needed protection. His family, his friends, Hunith, Gwen, Lance, Gwaine, Leon, Elyan. They've all become a part of him now.

Merlin also liked to think he knew a lot about love. He was easily capable of feeling a love that passes between two people. Each different than the last.

For example, the love between Gwen and her brother Elyan was that of a comrade, a brother in arms. They teased and poked and worried feircly. As opposed to the love that Merlin can see slowly growing between Gwen and Lancelot. Theirs is a quiet feeling. But no less intense. They communicate with silent looks and soft touches. When they are together, their eyes never dim.

In his mind, Merlin considers this oddity as just another power in his arsenal. He can see love before the lover's even notice. Like Gwaine and Percival, for instance.

Gwaine is…a complicated person. That may be the understatement of the century, but there are many things that Gwaine never lets see the light of day. A brave knight in the face of his own memories, out of neccesity. Merlin would try his damndest at the beginning to get any information out of him at all, about his past, or his hurt. But Gwaine insisted he was fine, and Merlin wouldn't want to hear it. That was, until Percival came along with Lancelot, and Gwaine bloomed like a flower in spring.

Percival was shy, something that Gwaine latched onto immidiately. He always had a thing for the quiet ones. The gentle giant favored hanging around the stables or the royal kennels, looking after dogs and brushing down the horses in his down time. Merlin has caught Gwaine watching Percival on more than one occasion, but said nothing. Never bringing attention to the unspoken connection they seem to have. After all, Merlin couldn't judge either of them a bit.

In a group setting, Gwaine was still his boistorous, frankly blunt self, and in turn, he pulled Percival out of his shell. They would huddle together in council meeting, or close in the tavern, whipsering about training, or gambling, or just their days. Merlin does try not to eavesdrop, but its nearly impossible when he can feel the waves of affection rolling off of them and out into the room, making everyone around them, unknowingly, softer.

Even Arthur.

Oh, god.

Arthur. King Arthur. The Once and Future King of Albion.

A royal, supercillois prat with a heart of gold and hair to match.

Anywhere he went, he arrived like the sun each morning. Beautiful and regal and breathtaking. Merlin nearly choked on it.

Morgana would call him a hypocrite, if she were here. She went to stay with the druids shortly following the death of Uther. After Arthur was settled into Kingship, she said her tearful goodbyes and promised to return in the winter for Yule.

Before leaving, she hugged Merlin fiercly and whispered into his shoulder "Take care of yourself. And him." He did not need to ask who 'he' was. "You're the only person in the world that makes him truly happy."

With that, she took her leave. Stepping away from a sad, shell-shocked Merlin.

"She will return soon, Merlin." The King's voice pulled him out of his thoughts and back into the royal chambers. How had he known what Merlin was thinking of?

"I know, sire." He nodded, resolute to not look at the King in his private, sleepy state. "I just miss her, is all."

"As do I." Came a quiet response. "She was always better at this part." He shuffled parchments on the desk. "The paperwork and the delegating."

"She would vehemenately disagree." Merlin chuckled lowly, still staring at the pile of clean clothes he has yet to sort.

"That she would." Arthur's voice sounds far away, which caused Merlin to look up at him, only to find the King watching him do absolutely nothing. He almost couldn’t breathe. His magic rising up in his throat any time Arthur looks his way, these days.

"Are you…" the golden King began, unsure. Merlin's eyebrows pinched slightly. "Do you and Morgana-"

"No!" He practically shouted into a very quiet room, causing him to flinch at his own blunder. "I mean… no." He tried again, calmer. "She is very beautiful and kind, but it's not like that. It's just that…" he sighed, looking down at that same pile of clothes, trying to find the right words.

"She's a high preistess. Extremely, naturally, powerful. While there are other magical users now in residence here, it's not quite the same. The druids and everyone, they all look to me as some kind of…" He trailed off.

"God." Arthur finished for him. "They see you as a god."

"Well, yes." To busy his hands, he finally began sorting different piles. "Morgana was someone with magic who understood that I am not, completely, the immortal of legend. She's been to Ealdor, she's seen where I used to put my hands into the Earth and grow vegetables in the winter so that we would not starve." He shrugged. "She was a nice collaborator to have, a friend."

"I'm sorry." Merlin snapped his neck to look over at Arthur, still behind his desk, but work long abandoned.

"Whatever for?"

"That you must seperate peices of yourself in order to exist in a certain place. That there are those who make you feel as if you aren't human, but some savior sent to magically fix every problem we have." Arthur shook his head slightly. "You are more than that."

This. This is what Merlin can never find the words for.

He knew what he felt for Arthur was love. But it seemed so above and beyond any love he's ever felt, he hesitated to label it such.

Yes, he would die for Arthur without ever thinking, he would throw himself down at Arthur's mercy should he ever fail him. But that was only one peice of it. That was the love he feels for his King, that was the loyalty attatched to his affection.

Another part of him, the part that sits quietly with Arthur in his chambers, the one that wakes a sleepy man every morning with much more fondness than is appropriate. It was just Merlin, that fell in love with just Arthur. His heart, his kindness.

That part of Merlin would destroy anything and everything to see Arthur happy. He would burn down the world.

This was what scared him.

"Am I?" Is all he can manage to get out, in a cottonmouth whisper.

"Of course, Merlin. You are what keeps this kingdom afloat. Not just because you defend Camelot from grave dangers, or keep the grain stores stocked for winter. But because your light seems to bleed onto others and make us all unbearably happy. We would all be miserable without you."

"We?" Merlin can't help but point out with a small, shying smile. "Including you, sire?"

Merlin saw, in the candlelight, as the King's cheeks turned a bright pink and he tore his eyes back down to his scattered desk. "Well I would certainly be miserable with George all the time."

The well put-together man only did half of the usual tasks given to a manservant of the King. Merlin woke Arthur, dressed him, served him breakfast. He attended him at feasts and every night, he readied the King for bed. No one was taking that from him, as far as he was concerned. Unless Arthur told him to go, he would be here, always by his side.

"Have no fear, your highness, I will always be here to save you from manservants with no personality."

"Thank the gods for that." Arthur said, all too serious.

Merlin tried to lighten the mood, with a small chuckle he asked "Did you honestly think that Morgana and I-"

The King cut him off, scrunching his eyes closed in embarasment. "Gods, I didn't know, okay? I knew you cared for her but I didn't know if it was more than-"

"It's not. I care for her as a sister. I care for her as you do."

Arthur smiled at him. "That is good to know." He tapped on the wooden surface of his desk with a finger, staring at the motion in thought. Merlin just watched him.

"So, you don't have your eye on anyone, at present?"

Merlin's brain froze still. How was he supposed to answer that? "I…wouldn't say that." He responded quietly, not looking away from Arthur's stark blue eyes.

Arthur seemed almost disappointed, but not surprised. "I thought as much." he said with smile that did not reach his eyes.

At Merlin's questioning look he said, "You're often daydreaming when I find you alone. With some dopey looking smile on your face." He tried to sound offhand when he asked, "Who's the lucky lady?"

Merlin decided, for once in his life, to be honest when asked a question. Looking at his feet once more, he responded. "Not a lady at all, actually." the man sighed, bereft. "A complete idiot that they somehow allowed to be King though he can't even dress himself most days. I don't know how the kingdom hasn't-"

His rambling was cut off once again by the King. But this time a completely different tactic was used.

The kiss was hungry, while Arthur's hold on him was gentle. As if he were afraid to break something precious.

They come up for air some minutes later, now grasping onto each other for dear life. "We should've done that ages ago." Arthur whispers into the air between them, causing a giddy laugh to ride up out of both of them.

Their love is like flowers growing up out of the frozen solid ground. Or a gust of cold air in the dessert.

#merthur #merlin #merlin and arthur #arthur pendragon #merthur fic #merthur drabble #from the drafts #good morgana #King Arthur #George does all the actual hard work lol

[xviruserrorx]

-> Day 5 - "What character do you wish to see whumped more in canon/fan-made media?"

Oh, always a good question. I feel like the two are very separate in a way so I'm gonna give my opinion on both! @whumpmasinjuly-archive

Canon

As far as cannon goes I think every source of media always falls short on the recovery and comfort of the spectrum when it comes to Whump, or even stressing that something happened and that it's still affecting them. Shows like BBC Merlin, Stranger Things, Supernatural, all have characters with bad trauma and they have opportunities to touch on it but sadly never do.

In Supernatural I always wanted to see them elaborate more on the whole angel family because there's so much there especially with Chuck and Michael and what Naomi did as well as Gadreel and how they handle punishment it's just so much there!

Another on I can think of is Atlantis and granted if they had gotten their S3, I honestly believed they would have pulled through but that ending with Pythagoras and Icarus! The betrayal, their relationship, that line from Pythagoras "he's not mine to love" line is just so ah! The angst, the feels, the emotions, it was all there and I wish everyday we had got that S3!

And lastly, Merlin, because they have so much opportunities that they never took, here's just some for example...

Arthur: Child Neglect and the affects of that, Death, Grief, A lot of non-con things happen to him, he sustains a lot of injuries over the series and it would be interesting to see the lasting symptoms of those, his trust in others/inability to trust others would be cool to see (I say this because of later seasons with Gwen, Lancelot, Mordred, Morgana, even Merlin.)

Elyan: The relationship with his father! More things about their mother (what happened to her? Did she die in childbirth?) What happened to him before we meet him, his relationship with Gwen and Arthur when she gets exiled, and the relationships of the knight in whole after they loose elyan too!

Mordred: First the question of what happened to his parents and why Cerdan is his guardian, his relationship with Kara, what happened to him the whole time that he disappears after we last see him in S2? But also that time period of when he ends up in Alvar's care, and even how did he end up being a slave trader? His words to Morgana "I've had to learn how to survive", what was this small child forced to do to live during that whole time period?

I could go on all day but so many shows have soooo many good opportunities and they never elaborate on them!

Fan-made

I honestly don't have any opinions on fanfiction, fanart etc mainly because if I wish to see them whumped then I will do so myself XD. Rare pairs always need more love as well as background/minor characters and that includes whumpping them. But... I will say the hurt/comfort tag in Succession makes me very sad because there is no comfort 😂, but it makes sense considering the source material.

For me personally I love doing a good "what if" scenario. A, what if this happens instead of this, sorta thing which usually changes the story line and then you can sneak all types of fun stuff in their.

~~~VirusError🌸

Wij 2022 Masterlist | Wij 2023 Masterlist [Prev <- • -> Next]

#whumpmasinjuly2023 #wij23day5 #yes im behind im playing catchup once again! #also before anyones says this isn't whump #i see whump as a large umbrella with angst and hurt/comfort being branches under that umbrella 👍 #i usually group all 'sad/horror' sorta stuff into one group to keep my brain space organized

[fluffypotatey]

how do you feel about morgwen's falling-out? haven't seen any talk about that

Ooooh yes good question anon😌

Short answer: their falling out gives me pain, but I also think it had potential to be even angstier.

Long answer:

Ok so season 1 & 2 we have our morgwen happy as can be. They are the best of friends despite status and we have been shown that they will do anything for the other.

Season 3 happens, and we see our lovely morgwen start to fall apart and oh the pain.

Personally, I feel upset about Morgana and Gwen’s falling out because of how close they were to each other in the previous seasons, but then in season 3, suddenly, it’s not as important anymore until the season finale. 

Also, I feel like Morgana framing Gwen as a sorcerer just to get her out of the picture w/o an ounce of hesitation or regret was a little ooc. This is just me of course, but after seeing how much they cared and how far Morgana was willing to go to protect and care for Gwen (for example hiring an assassin to kill Uther after he killed Gwen’s dad and begging Uther to save Gwen in s2 when bandits kidnapped her instead of Morgana)....Morgana being okay to have Gwen be accused of sorcery just because she saw a vision of her on the throne with Arthur feels off. And then she expects Gwen to still be loyal to her once it is found out that it was Morgana who was the one that almost had her executed.

What I’m saying is that based on their dynamic and relationship shown previously to be very close, Morgana should not have been as determined to kill Gwen as she was in Queen of Hearts (ep 3x10). Personally, I feel like Morgana would try to sway Gwen to her side rather than kill her (like she did in the season 3 finale, but that just ended up feeling empty after what happened to Gwen only two episodes before). Gwen already has a vendetta against Uther. He killed her father solely because he housed a sorcerer without knowing said guest was a sorcerer. I highly doubt that Gwen ever forgave him for that. Also, Gwen had already been accused of sorcery in s1, so Morgana could use that to sway Gwen in a way.

I know that by s3 Morgana didn’t care about Uther or Arthur or Merlin, but she still cared about Gwen. Gwen was a constant in her life. Her only friend for a long time, so I doubt she would be so quick as to frame Gwen of using magic.

Anyway, I do think the falling out of morgwen had potential, but I feel like it needed some work. I always get really upset about friendships falling out just because these are people who have been so close to each other for who knows how long, but soon their dynamic changes and they can’t seem to click anymore. It’s angsty, it’s tragic, but it’s a really good relationship arc to see.

In s4’s finale, we can hear the anguish in Gwen’s voice when she asks what she has done to make Morgana hate her. And Morgana only says it’s what Gwen will do that makes her hate her once dear friend. (edit: which is a fucking gut punch of angst and would be even more impactful if s3 gave more focus on morgwen’s falling out).

By s5, Morgana and Gwen are no longer friends. They are far from it, actually, and I doubt that anything from their relationship would ever mend now. Morgana tortured Gwen until she was a helpless pawn for Morgana’s plans. Looking from there to where they started is just tragic, and should have been explore more.

Personally again, I think if we saw more of their relationship drifting apart in season 3 it wouldn’t feel as unnatural and off kilter as it felt in the show. For example: 

Morgana starts noticing how close Gwen is getting with Arthur. This is something that confuses her because Arthur, to her, is enemy by association. Uther is his father and is anti-magic and Arthur has shown not enough proof that he is any different from him. She starts to asks her friend questions. They are subtle at first but as the season goes on they get a little more nosy, a little more accusatory.

Morgana doesn’t understand. How can Gwen even begin to like someone who’s father is the reason why her own is dead? Arthur stood by and did nothing! It was Morgana who fought for her. It was always Morgana who spoke against such atrocities. Never Arthur.

Gwen is upset with Morgana’s questioning. She doesn’t understand why this has bothered her so much. Doesn’t she know that the faults of someone’s father does not mean that they too are at the same fault? They start having mini arguments that soon become heated and loud, and eventually, the room is always stifled whenever they’re together. Gwen stops answering her questions.

Morgana sees the vision of Gwen on the throne (this time a little earlier than the queen of hearts episode). It’s not terrible. She looks happy. It’s been a long time since Morgana has been privy to one of her maidservant’s bright smiles. Then dream Gwen looks to her right, and Morgana sees Arthur on the throne next to Gwen’s. She wakes up screaming.

From then on, Morgana does everything in her power to stop the two of them from being together. She tells Morgause that it’s because the throne should be hers and hers alone. She doesn’t tell her sister the second reason.

She begins by seeding doubt in Arthur. He was always insecure about many things. It had frustrated Morgana before. How one little word from his father caused him to shut down. She had always wanted to scream and shake his shoulders to make him understand how wrong Uther was. Before, she would try her best to tell him, to show him that he can be someone worthy of great feats without his father’s approval. Now, she’s glad the cracks are there, and she prods into him like she always does, but this time it’s not to help him. This time, she wants to see him crumble and fall.

This time she plants more doubt instead of that passionate reassurance and self-righteous will. She tells him about whether he’s truly sure he can love Gwen. Could he really put away his responsibilities of Camelot for a serving girl? That’s not fair to Gwen is it. To string her around while Arthur is still a prince only to drop her once he’s king. It’s not honorable and in no way noble. She plants those seeds the best way she can and waits for them to fester and grow. However, she forgot one thing in her plan for making Arthur doubt. He isn’t alone anymore.

She tries the same for Gwen, but her maid is too confident, too strong willed to let doubt enter her mind now. Morgana always admired that about her, but now it’s just frustrating. Not even a threat from Uther to the both of them seemed to deter their relationship. They’ve just become more secretive.

Gwen doesn’t talk to Morgana like she usually did. Their relationship is a professional one, and Morgana can feel her rage festering. (She doesn’t know that Gwen feels the same pain she does, but Gwen just can’t be close to her like before. Morgana has changed, and Gwen fears it’s too late to stop it.)

Morgana begins to hate Arthur more. No longer just by association. He took Gwen from her. He took her closest friend. How dare he! Gwen is hers. Forever her bright sun, forever loyal. What he has done is unforgivable.

When she and Morgause take over Camelot, Morgana tries again. She tries to show Gwen that what she’s doing isn’t bad. Who’s bad is Uther. Uther Pendragon is the cause, and she’s only bringing justice. Gwen fears Morgana has already lost that goal, but she stays silent. She allows Morgana believe Gwen is still loyal until she and Leon flee to where Arthur is and take back the kingdom.

Gwen....her sweet, darling sunshine...Gwen left her. And Morgana cracks.

So yeah....uh, that’s how I personally feel like what would make their falling out a little better since it definitely had the potential but not everything was there, in my opinion.

I do get really upset about their falling out only because of how close the show had them be. So, if they really want us to believe that Morgana would want to hurt Gwen, maybe they could have drawn out them drifting apart.

And those are me thoughts. I do apologize anon that I sort of went off on a tangent there soooo😅. I just wanted to show how I would have done their falling out in s3. I also apologize if it’s a little incoherent and rambly.

#thanks for the ask anon! #i also mostly focused on morgana and how she felt soooo sorry about that #gwen definitely did not have it easy either #at one point morgana was her friend then she wanted to kill her then keep her loyalty while killing innocents to show power #then try to kill her again then torture her into submission.....her relationship with morgana towards the end is not a friendly one #i wouldn’t be surprised if gwen had nightmares about morgana coming to kill her #gwen never actually knew why morgana came to hate her so much #to her it was more of a whiplash that to the audience #it’s really sad when you just sit and think about it #to add more angst by s3 morgwen is an unrequited love on morgana’s side #i do think morgana loved gwen a lot but when learning about gwen’s affections for arthur she became confused #add on that she was ambitious for the throne and was obsessed with achieving that goal #i bet that morgana was obsessed with keeping things and people that are ‘hers’ away from anyone else which included gwen #to learn that arthur was taking away someone she valued would probably make her go insane and try to stop them #but anyway that’s just me and adding my own morgwen angst into the mix plus my own interpretation on how they’re falling out could have gone #bbc merlin #morgwen #merlin meta #long post #i hope some of this makes sense in a way

[nextstopparis]

merthur if they were canon be like:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[mca-attack21]

The Beginning of Something -P2

Do I really need to write anything here? Okay, so this is the second part of my reader insert series that is rewriting the ending of BBC’s Merlin (based on 5x9).  That being said, get ready for the rollercoaster of emotions that is Merlin. Also, you can find more of my writing: Here.

The next day, against Merlin and Gaius’ better judgment, you started as Gwen’s handmaid. During the night, Merlin had proven to Arthur, that Gwen was enchanted by Morgana. Merlin filled you in and asked you to keep an eye on Gwen and try to keep her distracted.

Tiana Giaga. That is the ritual that was able to break the soul to the point that a person fell prey to the desires of whoever cast it. That meant it would be nearly impossible to restore Gwen. It was after you were dismissed that night that you found Merlin distractedly reading as he was headed from the library to his chambers. 

“Find anything interesting?” you asked curiously, managing to spook Merlin in the process. 

“Oh, hello Y/n, I was just doing some research. How was your first day?”

“Uneventful, which is good all things considered,” you said glancing at the book Merlin had been reading so intently, “Have you figured anything out concerning Gwen’s status?” 

“Nothing good, I’m afraid,” he glanced around to make sure their were no unwanted ears near, “She was affected by something called the Tiana Giaga, and Gaius doesn’t think there is a cure,” seeing the way you tensed up at the mention of Tiana Giaga he asked, “Have you heard of it?”

“Unfortunately, I have,” you replied softly as unwanted images were brought to memory. 

“Do you know how we can save Gwen?”

“Merlin, this is dark magic, from what you have told me it is beyond anything you have seen before. No one has ever been brought back from this ritual without one of the high priestesses themselves being involved.”

“But there is a way to do it? How?” Merlin asked a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“You would have to go to the Cauldron of Arianrhod, Gwen would have to willingly enter the water, and then the white goddess must be summoned, but is not a task to be underestimated.”

“Wow, that’s a lot to take in. It seems impossible,” Merlin frowned.

“Not impossible, just not something you can do alone,” you tried to reassure him.

“I have to go talk to Gaius, thank you so much Y/n,” Merlin said before turning back towards his chambers.

“You’re welcome,” you called after him.

He discussed this new information with Gaius and together they formulated a plan. One that involved both you and Arthur. It was soon thereafter that Merlin snuck into Arthur and Gwen’s shared chambers and woke Arthur to inform him of the plan. Arthur was extremely hesitant, as there was much that could go wrong and it was Gwen’s life that was at stake. Furthermore, Arthur was against having you involved at all, however, Merlin was eventually able to convince him. Merlin went to you and explained everything that was going on, together the two of you prepared everything that you would need for the impending departure.

The next morning at the break of dawn, you and Merlin slipped Gwen a few drops of the potion Gaius had created to keep her unconscious. Arthur was getting the horses and supplies. You and Merlin brought Gwen out to meet him, careful not to be seen.

“Y/n, I want to personally thank you for helping us with this endeavor, Merlin assures me that there is no one he trusts more. I will not forget this and hope one day to repay you,” Arthur spoke as he took Gwen from the two of you and placed her on his horse. 

“It is an honor to be of assistance, your highness,” you answered. 

“Please, there are no need for formalities here, call me Arthur,” he replied. 

“We really need to be off,” Merlin reminded as he loaded the last of the supplies.

“Of course,” you agreed, mounting your horse. 

The three of you rode well into the day, Arthur took the opportunity to get to know you better. Merlin was glad to see the two of you hit it off so well, despite the circumstances. He could already tell that you and Arthur were going to be great friends. It was as you reached the mountains that both you and Merlin sensed something. You were being watched.

“What’s wrong Merlin you look like you’ve seen a dragon?” Arthur joked. 

“We are not alone out here,” Merlin answered solemnly. 

“One of your funny feelings then?” Arthur asked. Merlin nodded and Arthur sighed, “All right then, we tether the horses and go off the path on foot.”

 You did as Arthur said. 

“What about the supplies?” Merlin asked.

“You’ll manage,” Arthur decided. 

“What about you?”

“I’ll be carrying Gwenuivere.”

“Oh come one, she is half the weight of this lot.”

“Merlin, what are you suggesting?”

“I’ll take Gwenuivere, you get the supplies.”

“She’s my wife!”

“I’d be careful,” Merlin explained. 

“And, you are the servant,” Arthur reminded. 

“Besides, I am here to help you Merlin,” you added with a grin before taking half of the supplies. 

“Y/n you really don’t have to-” Merlin started.

“Nonesense, I didn’t come out here sit idle and look pretty. Now come on,”  you said before marching forward past both him and Arthur, who both looked after you slightly dumbfounded.

Arthur and Merlin were talking somewhat behind you, and as Arthur was distracted you took the opportunity to use your magic. First, you used a spell to lighten both your and Merlin’s loads. Second, you used your powers to see the path ahead, which was seemingly clear. It was as you finished that you felt a jolt in your chest which was immediately followed by Arthur shouting for Merlin. You turned around to see that he was laying at the bottom of the dropoff.

Without hesitation, Arthur gently set Gwen on the ground, “Stay here and protect her, I’m going down to make sure he is alright.”

“Of course Arthur,” you agreed.

However, it was as Arthur was climbing down the siding that the rocks began to fall. You were too far away to stop them, but quickly made your way down to help. 

“Arthur? Are you alright?” you asked as you went to his side.

“My arm, it’s pinned,” he breathed sharply before remembering, “Check on Merlin.” 

 “He is unconscious, but no signs of injury.” 

You returned to Arthur’s side. Upon further inspection, you realized that the rock was far too heavy for you to move without magic, so you would have to do this the old fashioned way. You found a decent-sized rock and positioned it beside Arthur. 

“Hand me your sword, I am going to wedge this under the rock and use it to lift it up, when I do I need you to pull your arm out quickly and roll out of the way as this boulder will land where you are currently laying, understand?” you asked, preparing yourself. 

“Yes,” Arthur nodded. 

“Okay, 1...2...3” you counted before using your strength to shift the boulder, holding it just long enough for Arthur to clear the spot he was laying. 

“How did you learn to do that?” Arthur asked, relief evident in his features.

“Need I remind you again that I am more than just a pretty face,” you replied smiling and rolling your eyes before refocusing on Merlin. You went over to him and retrieved the drought and handed it to Arthur, “Go up and give Gwen her next dose, make sure no harm comes to her. I will wake up Merlin.”

“Y/n, I am the king, I give the orders.”

“I am sorry,” you replied eyes going wide, “What would you have us do?”

“Calm down Y/n, I was merely jesting,” Arthur replied at seeing your change in expressions. He then took the vile and headed up, being more careful of his footing this time.

As soon as he was out of earshot, you used your powers to heal Merlin. 

“What happened?” Merlin asked shooting up and immediately looking to make sure Arthur was safe. 

“If I had to guess, Morgana has discovered our plans and is attempting to foil them,” you replied and then added, “Arthur is with Gwen, both are safe, but we really need to try to make it farther before nightfall. Are you alright now?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“You can thank me later, now let’s go.”

Merlin climbed up first, and then turned to help you.

“Ah, Merlin, did you enjoy your nap?” Arthur quipped. 

“Not as well as I would have liked, I am afraid rocks do not make good pillows Sire,” Merlin returned.

“Here Arthur, take a moment to eat and drink, as we should try not to break again until nightfall,” you said handing the king the water and some food.

 “You better watch it Merlin, Y/n is well on her way to replace you,” Arthur added as he took what you were handing him.

Merlin was going to reply but was cut off as you came over, “And for you Merlin, best to keep your strength up.”  He was caught off guard, and could not manage to hide his blush before fumbling through a thank you. 

After that break, you all continued on until it was time to make camp for the night. You helped Merlin collect and prepare a fire as Arthur administered Gwen’s next treatment. You prepared dinner as Merlin and Arthur went over the plan again. As soon as you had eaten, Arthur had told you and Merlin to get some sleep as he offered to take the first watch.

It was hours later when you awoke to see Arthur staring sadly at his queen.

“She will be alright,” you reassured.

“How can you be so certain? What if the sorcerer doesn’t agree to help us?  What if we can’t get Gwen to enter the water?”

“I am certain because I believe in you, Arthur. I have only just met you and I would lay my life down for you and your causes. The sorcerer will help because it is you who is asking. And your and Gwen’s love is something no magic could ever destroy, it is that love which will guide her into the water, and that love that will save her,” you answered.

Arthur was slightly taken aback by the sincerity of your reply. He was searching for the words to return, but you beat him to it, “Now, hand me your sword and get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

Normally, Arthur would have refused you, but somehow he knew that you were right and that he could trust you. There was an oddly safe feeling that you brought him and he was learning not to question it. 

Just after sunrise, he awoke to find that you had already prepared breakfast and packed up the site. He looked over to Merlin who was snoring and rolled his eyes. 

Upon hearing him stir you smiled, “I was just about to wake you, I administered the drought to the Queen, and prepared everything, after breakfast we will be ready to leave at your command.” 

“Right, very well, we should eat then. Merlin,” he called.

“Five more minutes,” Merlin mumbled. 

Arthur then took the liberty of using some of his water to wake Merlin properly which earned your laughter and a very offended look from your favorite warlock. After he recovered, you handed him his food and began to eat your own. It wasn’t long before you began your journey for the day. 

All was going well until a white dragon appeared and tried to take you out. Merlin pulled you and Arthur away. 

“Okay then, you take Gwen to the water just beyond that ridge, and I will distract the Dragon,” Merlin spoke. 

“Are you mad?” Arthur asked.

“No, just overly aware of the fact that Gwen is bound to wake up anytime now and we have used the last of the drought,” Merlion replied. 

“Go, Arthur, I will make sure he is okay,” you spoke. 

Again, Arthur didn’t know why, but he knew that he could trust you to do so. He worked up his strength and lifted Gwen, carrying her where Merlin had instructed. Meanwhile, Merlin worked his way to where Aithusa was circling around. He used his Dragon Lord tongue to send her away. You stayed in your hiding spot and watched in awe. Merlin turned back around and started back toward you when Morgana appeared.

She used her powers to knock Merlin backward and hold him down. She was walking towards him, prepared to end him once and for all when you used your powers to knock her out. You rushed forward to Merlin, making sure he was okay before helping him up. The two of you ventured towards Arthur, all to aware of the limitations of time.

“We need to hurry, Morgana is here and will not remain unconscious for long,” Merlin informed Arthur. 

“Okay, so where is this sorceress?” Arthur asked looking around.

“I don’t know Arthur, it’s not like she is going to sit around here all day just waiting for you to show up,” Merlin replied, setting all of his packs down before grabbing his costume. 

“I’ll look this way, you look that way,” you instructed Merlin.

“I don’t like the idea of all of us splitting up like this,” Arthur spoke. 

“It’ll be fine, we’ll each walk 60 paces, if we don't find her then we will turn back. At that distance you’ll be able to hear if we meet any trouble. Besides, Merlin is right, we are running dangerously low on time here.” 

Arthur hesitantly agreed and you went a few paces out of sight and met up with Merlin who used the spell to change himself into an old woman and put on the dress he had packed. You tried very hard to contain your laughter, however, there was no doing so once you heard him speak. 

“Really Y/n? You would laugh at me at a time like this?” 

“I’m sorry, but if you could see yourself you’d be laughing too.”

“Let’s go,” he said begrudgingly.

The two of you emerged from the wooded area and it was clear that Arthur was on edge.

“It’s okay your highness, I explained the situation and she is eager to help,” you assured.

“You are the Dolma?” he asked.

“Who else would I be?’ Merlin sassed.

“Yes. Of course. What do you need me to do?”

“Take your queen and set her by the pool.”

Arthur did as asked and waited as the Dolma scanned Gwen before speaking, “The magic which has ensnared you queen is powerful and dark. It can be broken, but it can also prevail, do you understand that?”

“I do.”

“When I awake her, she must walk into the cauldron of her own will. Everything inside her will fight against it, you must find a connection stronger than the evil Morgana has bestowed upon her. You have to reach the part of your queen which has gone untouched by Morgana.”

Arthur nodded in understanding, and the Dolma uttered the enchantment and Arthur bent down beside Gwen as she woke.  She shot up immediately, “Where am I? What have you done to me?”

“Gwenuiver, my Gwenevier,” Arthur tried as he grabbed her so she couldn’t dart off. 

“Your Gweniuver? You stupid man, I was never yours,” Gwen denied.

“You must reach her Arthur reach out to all that is lost,” Merlin reminded

“You loved me once,” Arthur tried.

“You are easily fooled,” Gwen replied

“You still do.”

“It was a charade, nothing more. Just a means of subterfuge to pass Camelot to its rightful queen.”

You could tell that Arthur was getting desperate as he began to use force to bring her to the water before the Dolma reminded him that it wouldn’t work. 

“Find a memory Arthur, something powerful and full of love. Something that Gwen can hold onto,” you instructed. 

Arthur didn’t even have to consider it before saying, “Do you remember when I asked you to marry me? Do you remember what you said? You said ‘with all my heart’. That’s not trickery or subterfuge,” he started and then he saw it, Gwen’s face softened.

“With all my heart,” he repeated letting go and slowly backing towards the water. 

“With all my heart,” she muttered.

“Come on Gwenuiver, come back to me.”

And then she trudged out to meet him in the water. The Dolma started to use the spell and a white light took over Gwen. As it faded she looked over to Arthur and with tears in her eyes waded over and collided with him with enough force to nearly dunk him under the water. You sent Merlin a smile. He did it, and you were so proud to have witnessed it.

After a moment, Arthur and Gwen remembered that they were not alone, and came back onto the shore. 

“We owe you a great debt, if there is ever anything I can do for you,” Arthur spoke to the sorceress. 

“There is only one thing I desire.” 

“Name it.”

“Remember what it was that saved you queen today. For there is no evil in sorcery, but only in the hearts of men. My request is that you remember this.”

“You have my word,” Arthur replied and looked over to you, “we should get going to avoid Morgana.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” you asked.

Arthur looked down to check that he had his sword and looked over to Gwen to see if he was missing something, “I don’t think so?”

“Maybe a certain, neckerchief wearing servant?” you replied.

“Ah, I thought this had gone unusually, smoothly.”

“I will go find him and send him your way, I know these paths well, he couldn’t have gone far,” the Dolma spoke.

So the three of you started back, and Merlin soon joined you.

“Merlin!” Gwen smiled bringing him into a warm hug. 

“Nice to have you back my queen,” he replied grinning.

The trip back to Camelot was light-hearted, Gwen was even more welcoming to you than Arthur had been. As you worked with Merlin to make camp for the group you took every opportunity to make sure that he was doing alright. You understood, maybe more than he did, that he was supposed to be the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth, but even then… Besides anything that helped distract you from the fact that you were still shaken from your encounter with Morgana was welcomed. 

“Y/n? Are you good?” Merlin spoke pulling you out of your thoughts.

“Yeah, sorry I zoned out for a minute.”

“Thanks again for coming with us today, I don’t want to think about where we would be if you hadn’t.”

“I am confident that you would have figured it out. It’s not like this is your first rodeo.”

“Yeah, I guess, it just all feels different now. Like everything I do is so big like on a fate of Camelot level and no one even knows.”

“I understand, more than you know, and I can assure you that you will not have to face it alone. Not anymore,” you were going to continue talking, but Arthur was calling after the two of you saying that he’d managed to find some rabbits.

That night after everyone else was asleep you allowed your mind to once again drift to Morgana. You wondered if she had seen you before you managed to knock her out. Would she start targeting you again? Would that put Merlin in more danger? You wondered if the prophecies could really be true, protecting Merlin was pretty straight forward, but the rest of it, the part about rewriting destiny and turning the end into the beginning, that you had no clue about. Merlin was right earlier though, everything was starting to feel more drastic and you were not a fan of it.  

@heyrobinstuff​

#merlin #bbc merlin #merlin imagines #merlin imagine #merlin x reader #bbc merlin imagines #bbc merlin imagine #bbc merlin x reader #Merlin BBC #Merlin Rewrite #king arthur imagines #Arwen #arthur and gwen #arthur pendragon imagine

[degrassi-fanatic]

Be Careful

Through the window in Morgana’s chambers, the last bit of light dies down as the sun begins to set. Morgana’s sitting next to Merlin on the bed. Their knees knocking against each other. Her sleeves are rolled down to her elbows as she takes a damp rag to dab at the spots of blood littering Merlin’s pale face. One hand cradles the back of his head to keep him steady, while the other focuses on ridding the dried blood from his features. Guilt churns in her stomach every time he lets out a wince. His hands are clenched into little fists that rest atop of his thighs. 

Usually, Gauis would be the one to wash off the blood from Merlin’s face but today he was gone to the town to take a look at a patient of his. The two of them were forced out of Merlin’s rooms and into Morgana’s, as Arthur had a penchant for stalking into his chambers without notice but, he cared for his life far too much to do the same with Morgana’s quarters. They could deal without the bouts of questioning that were surely to come up if Arthur saw the state of Merlin. 

“You have to be more careful.” Morgana admonishes softly, as she tips his head back to clean the deep scratch on his skin. 

The scratch had come from the claw of a magical beast that Morgana cannot recall the name of. The creature had been spotted by some citizens on the outer edges of the forest and the group of people had come rushing down to the court the very next hour. In that time, Uther had ordered Arthur and his men to ride out the next morning to slay the creature. 

Merlin, as it seemed, had decided to rid the beast on his own. After pulling Morgana into a hidden alcove, he had told her of his plans and begged her to cover for him. Sighing, Morgana relented. Though she didn’t want him to go alone, she knew she could not go with him; the King’s ward disappearing would surely sound the bells. If some weak lies about herb picking was what Morgana could do to help, she would do it without hesitation. 

Merlin told her that he was going out before Arthur because he didn’t want to endanger the prat’s life nor did he want to risk revealing magic but Morgana knew the truth. Soft hearted fool he was, Merlin didn’t want the beast to die, not if it didn’t have to. 

“I’m always careful.” he answers with a small laugh. 

“My heart nearly fell out of my chest when I saw you covered in blood.” Morgana retorts as she goes to dip the rag into the bowl of water nearby, “I think you’re going to kill me before Uther will have the chance.”

At her little joke, Merlin grows tense from where they are pressed up against each other and Morgana knows she’s gone too far with her comment. 

“I’m sorry.” she apologizes as she wipes away the blood smeared underneath his eye, “I shouldn’t have joked about that.”

“It’s fine.” Merlin replies as he forces a smile onto his face, “Just a joke.”

“Still.”

After a few more seconds, Merlin’s face is clean of blood. Morgana sets aside the rag and takes a hold of Merlin’s dirtied hands. She guides them into the bowl of water. Her own fingers scrubbing at the dirt lodged beneath his nails and the blood staining his skin. 

“Do you think it’ll ever get better?” Merlin asks.

Morgana is seconds away from asking what he’s referring to when the realization dawns on her. Her fingers stall against where they were cleaning Merlin’s own. 

“Yes.” she answers quietly after some time, “Everything will be okay once Arthur is the King of Camelot.”

It’s the truth. 

For all of Arthur’s arrogance, ill manners, and downright abusive tendencies, he was one of the most noble men Morgana had ever met. Trust and loyalty had to be earned, and so far Morgana had only found four people in her life deserving of it; Arthur being the first of them. Morgana had faith in the man he was and the man he would become. She had faith that he would save a future that she and Merlin and many others had long declared dismal.

She’d never tell any of this to his face, though. 

“Do you really think he will uplift the ban on magic?” he asks as Morgana begins to clean his hands once more. 

“For you,” she says, “Arthur would do anything.”

At her words, Merlin ducks his head down, embarrassed. Through the wisps of dark hair, she can see the red flush painting his cheeks and it makes laughter erupt from her chest. 

A powerful sorcerer reduced to a blushing mess at the mention of his prince’s (friend’s? partner’s?) affections for him.

It was adorable.

“He would do anything for you too.” he says.

There was no doubt in her mind about Arthur loving her. They were brother and sister in all but name and blood. Morgana remembers the first few weeks after arriving in Camelot where Arthur would sneak into her chambers late at night to stave away the nightmares that would plague her sleep. 

Wistfully, Morgana tries to remember when the two of them had grown up and grown apart. 

Still, no matter how much Arthur loved Morgana, he wouldn’t overturn laws for her. 

For Merlin, though? Arthur wouldn’t question it. 

Arthur disobeys his father for Merlin. He lies to his father for Merlin. Arthur has and will kill for Merlin. He counts the days that have passed since he’s seen Merlin smile. Arthur goes against everything he’s learned about protocol and etiquette to take a stroll down with his manservant in the lower towns just to see him happy. 

If Merlin asked him to build him a kingdom of his own, Arthur would have it down before sundown. 

“I know.” she responds as she takes Merlin’s hands out of the now pink water.

As Merlin opens his mouth to say something in return, a rapid knocking at the door interrupts him. Whoever is on the other side doesn't bother to wait for any sort of affirmation or permission, and simply pushes open the door.

Both Merlin and Morgana scrambled to put an appropriate amount of distance between them so an outsider cannot misconstrue their actions. As Morgana rushes to hide the bowl of water and the bloodied rag, Arthur walks into the rooms. His eyes immediately zero in on the sight of Merlin and Morgana standing together, in front of the bed. 

“Don’t you know how to knock?” Morgana chastises as she fumbles with the rag behind her back, “I could have been changing.”

“Am I interrupting something?” Arthur asks as he folds his arms across his chest.

“No!” both Merlin and Morgana shout in response. 

Their reactions do nothing to put a rest to whatever suspicions Arthur is harboring. Without another word, Morgana watches as he takes a step closer to the two of them before hauling Merlin by the collar away from her and towards the door. 

“The next time the two of you want to participate in an illicit affair, lock your quarters.” Arthur hisses as he shoves Merlin out of the door and into the hallway outside. 

Even as the doorjamb clicks shut, Morgana can hear the argument stewing outside of her quarters. She lets out a deep sigh. 

Morgana has a lot of explaining to do to Gwen. 

#merlin #morgana #~fic~

[queenofkings121-blog]

Duties of a Queen

[\Oh my gosh guys this is so messy! I wrote it in a walmart parking lot awhile back. Forgot about it til now. For what its worth, I hope y'all enjoy this./]

Warning: angst[?], violence [a but graphic]

A lone tear rolled down her cheek as she saw her betrothed placing a sweet kiss on lips that weren't hers.

'My heart belongs to you Gwen. It always has and always will. You know I'm only with her to secure the safety of this kingdom.

She knew that this marriage arrangement didn't begin with love, but she thought they had gotten there. She thought they were in love. Hell, they confessed their love for each other while in between the bedsheets the night before.

The situation would've rendered anyone broken, but Y/N wasn't weak. She straightened her posture, wiped the tear and made her presence known. Arthur and his lover were shocked. Y/N looked into the blue eyes she fell in love with. With a soft humourless chuckle she walked past him towards her chamber.

"Y/N!" Arthur yelled after her. He was hot on her heels. The prince nearly tumbled onto her when she stopped walking.

"If you are to apologize, don't. If you are here because of the treaty, leave." Her answer was simple. He ruined the chances of his kingdom being truly safe.

Y\N's kingdom, Nilanyth, was a small but lethal kingdom. It's got a quarter of the population of Camelot, but the 10 times the skill. All the citizens are required to learn how to defend themselves. Men,women, children. Its a four days ride from Camelot. With this alliance Camelot would've become the most protected kingdom.

Not only that, but what he said to Gwen wasn't the complete truth. Yes he loved Gwen, but he was happy and ready to marry Y/N. He was growing feelings for her but he's ruined those chances as well.

---

Arthur sat with his father for dinner but neither one ate. Uther because he had a lot on his mind, Arthur because the empty seat next to him was a reminder of his actions the previous day. He hasn't seen her all day and he could physically feel her absence. He would expect her to chuckle at something Gwain said, or reprimand Percival for being tall, but all he got was silence. It angered and saddened the Prince but he did not know why. He was about to speak when Y/N walked in.

She was dressed in her travelling gear and it confused both men.

"My King," Y/N said with a slight bow of her head before turning to Arthur. "Your majesty."

"Lady Y/N, is there a reason for this?" Questioned Uther.

"Yes, my King. I'm returning home. " Uther looked confused. "Before you say anything, allow me to explain." Uther nodded at the princess, all the while Arthur looked at her with a hurt expression. It was his fault.

"I will not marry your son. I simply cannot. I thought I could be in a love-less marriage but recent events proved otherwise. But the treaty stays. Nilanyth will assisst Camelot if the need ever arises. We will be allies and become a stronghold. Nilanyth will supply your people its protection, Camelot will supply my people with resources such as cattle and food."

"But your people are well off."

"This treaty is not onesided Uther, and I refuse it to be. My people are well off, but we do not supply without receiving. Selfish, yes, but it secures my kingdom."

"But it is not fair." Arthur piqued.

Aiden narrowed her gaze on the prince. "You know naught of being fair, nor taking care of those whom you claim to love. I do not expect you to understand this." She turned towards the king. "That is all. I return to my kingdom either with a signed treaty or not, it doesn't effect me nor my people at all. I'm merely doing this for your sake."

The King and Prince both relaxed their shoulders knowing that Camelot is safe, and it seems thats all they cared about. Her mother was right. True love is hard to come by when you're royalty. It seems everyone has different needs for a princess, but none for the girl.

"I bid thee a farewell and a safe trip back home Lady Y/N. The treaty will be signed before your departure. For what its worth, I am truly sorry that it didn't work out between you and my son. You would've made a fine Queen of Camelot." Uther replied. Y/N simply nodded and turned to leave. She desperately wanted the Prince to run after her and tell her that he made a mistake. That he truly loved her, but he sat still on his chair.

Y/N mounted her horse later that day with a stoic expression, and with a swift kick she left Camelot and the person who broke her heart.

---

It's been two weeks since the departure of Y/N and Arthur hasn't been the same. He's been moody, snapping at everyone, even Gwen. She was mad that Y/N could have such a hold on him even when she wasn't present. Her and Arthur fought more frequently, and made love less. When they did it was rough and quick, and void of love and affection.

Their fights have gotten more vocal and not a single ear within the walls of the castle were strangers to it.

"It's not a matter of you being a servant Gwen! Its a matter of you not being Y/N!" Arthur yelled and immediately regretted the words. The look on his loves face broke his heart.

"W-what?"

With a sigh, Arthur decided he needed to come clean. "Gwen, there was a time that I truly loved you. You were my world, but it seems that my heart yearns for someone else. Just as yours is." He wasn't stupid. He saw the glances and touches between Gwen and Merlin.

The two talked about what would happen for hours and came to a conclusion to end it. It wasn't healthy and they weren't happy together. Not anymore.

But Gwen went to her lover while Arthur went to his room. He wished to travel to Nilanyth but he knew he was unwelcomed. Especially after how he hurt Y/N. He knew he could go, but it would be for politics. Anything else, he would overstay his welcome. So, he settled for a letter.

---

Its been many moons since he sent his first letter. He would send one every week, and just like the week before, it went unanswered. He hoped and wished that she has been reading them. They would fall on deaf ears. He didn't expect her to answer. He heard of the passing of her parents not long after his second letter was sent. He desperately wanted to go and comfort her, but the funeral for the Royals was private. Only those in the Kingdom were allowed, and close friends of the couple from the other kingdoms.

The late Royal couple of Nilanyth fell ill with a sickness that no warlock, healer, or magician could heal. Y/N was heartbroken. She loved her parents dearly and to have them both gone crushed her soul. She knew the duties of being a Queen and King. Her father taught her that just because she was a female didn't mean she wasn't capable, and so he taught her the ways of a King as her mother did with being a Queen. He also taught her that having a man by her side is a mere accessory. That she didn't need a man to validate her. Her name alone should and is validation enough.

Y/N sat in front of her parents graves, along side of her ancestors, just staring at the headstones. A bitter smile came across her face.

"I miss you guys."

A warm breeze flew by and wrapped around the newfound Leader. The breeze was gentle yet had an aggressive feel to it. It danced around her, almost along to a song she couldn't hear. It felt like a hug from her parents. A hug hinting that everything will be OK. That she wasn't alone, never has and never will.

The Prince of Camelot seized sending his letters for his father had succumbed the same fate Y/N parent's had.

The two were now both crowned rulers of their own respective kingdoms.

---

Camelot was attacked by Morgana and her men and they nearly won if it wasn't for the warriors of Nilanyth. Just as they were about to slaughter the entire Kingdom, Riders of Nilanyth, being led by Y/N, rode in and swept the kingdom of the enemies.

Morgana screeched as she saw her people getting slaughtered by Y/N's warriors. Her eyes changed colors as she chanted a spell to discombobulate the new arrival. She smirked as Y/N's men fall unconscious. Morgana would've killed them, but she knew that whats left of her men would need morality boosts and in order to do so, they needed to kill. Morgana had just made that easier for them, but her thinking of her men would cost her greatly.

Y/N looked around and spotted the reason her men weren't able to fight. She charged her horse towards sorceror, but switched paths at the last second, riding for Morgause. Y/N knew that she had confused the sisters and used it to her advantage.

Y/N raised her sword, gripped the stirrups on her horse, and mightily swung her sword efficiently and effectively decapitating the blonde, as she rode by. She pulled the stirrups and signaled for her horse to stop and turn to face Morgana. She saw the black haired girl stare at her sisters headless body in shock. Y/N held out her blade and flicked her wrist, ridding her sword of the sorcerors blood, all while staring at Morgana.

From the corner of her eye she saw Gwain and Percival slowly approaching them. She shook her head and rode for Morgana once more, only to have her thrown off her horse by the use of magic. The Queen landed and hear a SNAP! and Y/N knew she had broken something, but she had a part to play in history and being dead wasn't it.

She had toughed through the pain, grabbing her sword and circled Morgana. The Queen ran and swung her sword purposely a bit too high. The force of her swing had caused Y/N to stumble forward. She turned quickly and aimed her sword at the enemy. Y/N looked over the sorcerers shoulder and saw the two knights in place. She stepped forwars and swung, partially hitting her target. She huffed and threw a steel star at Morgana. The latter turned her head and raised her hand to catch it. Just as she did Y/N rolled and sliced her sword towards the others midsection. Y/N ended on one knee, both hands gripping the handle of her sword, raised by her shoulder. She stood and turned to face Morgana. The sorceror laughed.

"You mis--" She was cut short as she coughed up blood. She looked down to her midsection and see her guts. Her eyes widened as she tried to fix herself.

Y/N raised her sword to her left, slashing to the right, cutting below her neck. Her sword flew slightly but she was quick to grab the handle, so that the hilt faced her, and swung her hand backwards sticking the sword into Morgana's head, ending her reign.

The two knights scoffed and Y/N smirked at them.

"She knew of your presenc. She assumed that I was going to be distraction, but distraction was not distraction, but merely a distraction to the distraction."

"I have naught a clue of what you just said Lady Y/N." Gwaine said utterly confused and tired. "Do you?" He asked Percival.

"I think?"

Y/N laughed. "Neither do I Sir Gwaine and Sir Percival. Speaking of distractions, where is your King?"

"He and Merlin are taking care of Mordred. Why do you ask?" Gwaine wiggled his eyebrows.

"Duties. Nothing more, nothing less."

The two Knights stared at her receding figure in thought. Both thinking it is shame that their King had let such a wonderful person walk out of his life.

#arthur pendragon x reader #arthur kingsmen #arthur pendragon #sir percival #sir gwaine #sir leon #morgana #morgause #merlin #gaius #y/n #reader imagine #sir lancelot #mordred #uther pendragon #king uther #gwen

[coinelot]

Unfortunately we didn’t have time to actually collect fic recs from all guests during the convention, but a bunch of them sent in fic recs to us via email afterwards, and we’d like to share the results with everyone. All in one post, that’s going to be long, but you’ll have them all in one place :).

Angst & Hurt/Comfort

Home Like Here

by @pendragoff, 3,594 words, Teen+

Sometimes at night Arthur pretends Merlin's laying in the bed beside him, fast asleep.

Such Fractured Shadows

by i_claudia, 24,625 words, Explicit

Lionel is the first, approaching Merlin one late summer afternoon as the sun slants through the dust in the stables and turns the air into heavy fire.

Guard and Keep You

by youfeelallthat, 7,426 words, Explicit

A nasty storm rolls in and Merlin takes Arthur, his company's sweet, simple custodian, home with him. They end up finding much more than shelter.

Forming the Lines

by alcove-words, Teen+

Merlin takes ill and is conflicted over Arthur, Arthur is conflicted over Merlin and hates considerate replacement servants, and the knights are helpful, thoughtful fellows.

With podfic by alcove-words.

Saving Merlin

by @arthur-the-cute​, 22,794 words, Explicit

A prompt given to me via my ask box on Tumblr: Season one, The Poisoned Chalice. Arthur is in the room when he thinks Merlin has died and instead of Gwen kissing Merlin, Arthur does.

Challenge accepted.

Fluff

To Dance With the One You Love

by emrys_mk, 1,042 words, Teen+

Arthur asks his father why he made Merlin his manservant.

of blowjobs and candy rings

by coffeeandparchment, 6,221 words, Teen+

"No."

"What? I didn't even say anything yet."

"You didn't have to. It's all in your beady little eyes. You want me to give you a piggyback to the club." Arthur said.

"My feet hurt," Merlin said, as if that was a good enough reason for a piggy back. At Arthur's silence, Merlin pouted. Gods, maybe he was a little more than tipsy.

Arthur slowed down as Merlin walked past. "What are you doing now? For someone who is all about doing these quickly you sure ar—” Merlin cut off as he turned to see Arthur stopped and crouching down. "What are you doing?"

Arthur huffed in annoyance. "What does it look like, Merlin? Are you going to get on or just leave me crouching here like an idiot all night?"

Concert Air

by Saturning, 9,303 words

Arthur and Morgana were having the times of their lifes at this rock festival. Then a drunk Merlin almost ran Arthur over and his excuse took Arthur's breath away, quite literally.

Mint Editions (84 Charing Cross Road)

by @wanderlust48​, 10,049 words, Teen+

A London bookseller and an aspiring New York writer strike up an easy friendship over correspondences about books, and food parcels. Arthur and Merlin finally meet in person in London.

Screen control your mother(board)

by furloughday, 10,890 words, Gen

Arthur is Merlin's tech support at work.

With podfic by @momotastic27

Canon, Canon AU & Reincarnation

The Curse and the Coffee Shop

by merlinsivan, 21,860 words, Teen+, WIP

OUAT/ Coffee Shop AU. When Morgana casts a curse that will bring the gang back to our world with no recollection of who they are, will true love’s kiss be able to break the curse? Featuring dragons turned baristas, clueless warlocks and kings that may realise magic isn't such a bad thing after all.

Writers Block

by Kalee60sAlterEgo, 45,808 words, Mature

Merlin, a travel writer for a well-known paper went to his local bar to forget the worst day in history – he didn't expect to sit down at a table and free-write a story starring the god-like barman, Arthur. And he 'really' didn't expect to be drawn back there again and again to write – each story more outlandish than the next.

King for a Day

by @guessimaclotpole​, 26,592 words

King Uther has had a rough week, and so he drunkenly decides to take a 2 day holiday. Arthur is thrilled at his opportunity to temporarily become King. That is until Uther announces that Merlin will have to act as King too.

In which two idiots are in love, and learn about what it takes to be a noble and honest leader.

The Long Lost Prince of Camelot

by Phoenixfire513, 31,036 words, Teen+

What if Uther had not banned magic? What if Ygraine had given birth to twins and one had magic? What will the king and his twin brother Balinor do when the Prince who had magic is threatened?

Now I Will Unsettle the Ground Beneath You

by nu_breed, 42,323 words, Explicit

Merlin's dreams have always fuelled his art, but they've always been abstract and removed from reality. Soon after he meets Gwaine, he starts to see vivid images of a past full of death and magic and love for a King who was ripped from him. Things only escalate further when he spends a weekend in the country with Gwaine and meets his group of friends, which includes aristocrat and It Boy, Arthur Pendragon. Merlin soon realises that no matter how hard you try, one thing is certain, you can't fuck with destiny.

With podfic by fluffyllama

Three Castles

by @rageprufrock​, 4,538 words, Teen+

It’s a perfectly wretched day in Camelot when Uther Pendragon announces Arthur’s betrothal.

With podfic by EosRose

With podfic by paraka

With podfic by dodificus

The Knights Have a Thousand Eyes

by Stakeaclaim, 74,232 words, Teen

In which Arthur is teaching his knights and Merlin is about to get roped into a lesson.

With podfic by Beccaleelee

Route to Advancement

by magog_83, 30,350 words, Gen

New Knight hopeful, Percy, has been at Court four months, but it might be another four years before Prince Arthur stops calling him Perrin. That's where Merlin comes in.

With podfic by kalakirya

Fidelity

by @schweetheart, 70,249 words, Explicit

Arthur and Gwen have been married for a little under a year when Arthur discovers Merlin's magic, and suddenly everything changes. In a desperate attempt to regain the King's trust, Merlin offers to do the only thing he can think of: to voluntarily bind his power, and with it sacrifice all hope for a united Albion. But as with all things magical, such a concession comes with a price, and with an assassin in their midst and a vital political alliance hanging in the balance, Merlin is not the only one who will find his loyalty tested.

Awake

by Cori_Lannam, with art by @phoenix-acid​, 50,711 words, Explicit

King Arthur sleeps in Avalon, waiting to return at the hour of Albion's greatest need. But once a year he awakes and spends a single day with Merlin, who will never, ever leave him.

Crossovers & Fusions

In Front of the Whole World

by Trillsabells, 1,492 words, Gen

She was meant to be showering away the sweat, changing into her Team GB sweatsuit and sorting out her hair to look presentable at the presentation. Instead she was sat on the bench, staring at the wall and wondering what she was thinking and what the hell she was going to do now.

All because of one kiss.

Fast Girls crossover

Broken

by Clea2011, 2,697 words, Teen+

“I’m not Leo Elster,” Merlin snarled. “I don’t even know who he is.”

The synth, or whatever they had all become now, just shook his head sadly. “You don’t remember.”

Merlin remembered. Merlin remembered more than he ever wanted to.

Humans crossover

Note to Idiot

by @tinylilemrys​, 9,762 words, Teen+

Arthur and Merlin are members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad who work different shifts and share the same office. Arthur, who works the day shift, can't stand the rain. Merlin, who works the night shift, can't concentrate without it.

When they both get tired of changing the weather in the magical window in their underground office, is there a more British way to settle their differences than with a few passive-aggressive memos?

Harry Potter crossover

Two Weeks Notice

by ras_elased, 39,884 words, Explicit

Arthur is a prattish Executive VP of the Pendragon Corporation with a disturbingly non-ironic love of Demotivational posters. Merlin is a tree-hugging barista with a "magic" tongue. Morgana's a peeping Tom and her breasts have superpowers. Gwen and Lancelot get married. Owain is the company bicycle. Arthur attempts to steal Merlin's affections from Will through epic DDR combat. Merlin gets drunk a lot. There is a pillow fight, and a helicopter ride, and rooftop confessions, and Arthur decides Merlin really is his destiny, whether he likes it or not.

Two Weeks Notice fusion

With podfic by jennacorinth

The King of Mars

by @ivaleelovesmerlin​, 34,304 words, Teen+

As children, the Pendragon siblings were obsessed with the space program. They dreamt of becoming astronauts and one day walking on another planet. Their dream leads them to NASA where the revelation of magic suddenly brings Mars within our reach. The Camelot 1 crew, including both Pendragons and powerful sorcerer, Merlin Emrys, land on Mars, and the world celebrates -- until a Martian storm cuts the mission short and tragedy strikes. Arthur is killed, and Morgana makes the difficult decision to leave her brother's body behind on Mars. His crewmates and the world mourn his loss, until Gwen Smith, a clever engineer at NASA, makes a shocking discovery: Arthur is alive.

His ingenuity and determination will get him far, but will Arthur be able to survive alone on Mars until help arrives?

The Martian fusion

Arthur Pendragon and the Quest With a Capital Q

by rubberglue, based on art by @akikotree​, 8,164 words, Gen

There's a Holy Grail out there and Arthur Pendragon wants to find it, if only to prove to his father that he is a hero. He gathers his reluctant, suffering manservant and best knights (sort of - some of them are unavailable) and sets off on a quest for the Holy Grail. Gwen never wanted to go on any quest but her mistress, Morgana, thinks the young prince is in danger and requires their aid. And so, the two motley groups make their way through the wilds of Camelot in search of their trophy, encountering overly-stubborn knights, knights with bad dress sense and guards with an unusual interest in ornithology (to name a few) before their final encounter with the big bad - a very fluffy big bad.

As it turns out, the quest is less epic than this summary.

Monty Python fusion

With podfic by @akikotree​.

Winter & Christmas

Christmas Memories

by @ivaleelovesmerlin​, 4,337 words, Teen+

Merlin and Arthur spend a cozy Christmas Eve snuggled before the fire, reminiscing about past Christmases.

What Nonsense!

by @momotastic27, 8,735 words, Gen

In which Uther Pendragon is Ebenezer Scrooge.

It’s That Time of the Year

by @rotrude, 20,819 words, Explicit

Merlin is a personal shopper at a high-end department store. He's tasked with helping Arthur, who's helpless when it comes to gift ideas for his demanding friends and family. Arthur soon finds that going shopping isn't that tremendous an ordeal.

The Good Times Are Killing Me

by minor_hue, Explicit

In which the boys pretend to still be together for Christmas (and there is more than one kind of charade).

With podfic by @misssnowfoxx​

Merlin’s Yule Gift

by rotrude, 15,465 words, Explicit

It's the first Yule after Uther's death and in spite of some initial doubts as to the propriety of holding revels, Arthur decides to celebrate the festival all the same. The populace deserves a time for merry-making and so do his friends and loved ones. Now present exchanges are a Camelot Yuletide tradition, a long established convention. And that's where Arthur's plans falter just a little. While he knows what to give his friends and followers, he has no idea how to reward Merlin. Right, Merlin...

High School & University AU

Best You Ever Had

by neuroticnick (now orphaned), 36,305 words, Explicit

Arthur has been with just about every girl in the sixth form. Merlin pines from afar, knowing he doesn't have a chance. Then Merlin gets an invitation, and realises he has a chance after all. Apparently Arthur is bored and wants to try something new. Merlin knows it's meaningless sex, but he might just be okay with that. Even if the butterflies in his stomach say otherwise.

With podfic by @merlins-earmuffs​

The Pope, A Singing Nun, and Arthur Walk Into a Library

by @gigi-gigi, 4,210 words, Teen+

Merlin is a librarian, Arthur is in search of a book. Of course this entire transaction results in true love. There might also be a professor asleep in the Ancient Egypt section.

With podfic by striped_bowties

Best Friends & Flatmates

Little Hours

by orphan_account, 3,640 words, Teen+

Arthur is sleep deprived and Merlin just bought so many snacks.

Time Forward

by @kianspo, 23,180 words, Teen+

While still at uni, Arthur Pendragon meets two people who become his best friends. He falls in love with one of them... but marries the other. This isn't his story to tell; it's Merlin's. And Merlin will always remember that he met Arthur first.

With podfic by @sugaredwhimsey

Something Unpredictable

by alby_mangroves, with art by @softershadows, 38,957 words, Explicit

Arthur’s treehouse was the same as Merlin remembered it, all of it was. Maybe a little smaller, but then everything was, now.

And then there was Arthur himself; and it wasn't so much that a lot had changed about him, not really, it was only that everything had lengthened and broadened and become more.

Enemies to Lovers & Friends to Lovers

When You're Busy Making Other Plans

by helloearthlings, 3,339 words, Teen+

Merlin and The Plan were two irreconcilable parts of Arthur's life.

He wasn't ready to let go of either of them.

Rule Number Four

by orphan_account, 47,732 words, Explicit

Pendragon Enterprise is the world's leading computer security company and ruthless when it comes to taking down malicious programmers. It's the perfect place for a skilled hacker like Merlin Ambrosius (codename: Emrys) to work undercover and gain a tactical advantage. But being the personal assistant for vice-CEO Arthur Pendragon is more complicated than Merlin expects. The female Pendragon threatens castration, Arthur apparently sleeps with all his PAs, and it only gets more complicated when the Kilgharrah virus causes a panic. Merlin might just have a solution though, because Anonymous...Anonymous is legion.

In Spite of Everything, the Stars

by @thepolomonkey​ with art by @mushroomtale-fanart​, 82,243 words, Explicit

London. 2015. The government is set to vote on ending the microchipping of magic users, and Arthur Pendragon has been tasked with kidnapping prominent Magical activist Merlin Emrys to influence the outcome.

Locked away in a house on the North York Moors, tensions rise and confrontation ensues as Arthur is forced to re-evaluate everything he’s been taught about magic, and Merlin finds himself in a struggle for his life. And the fact that they’re falling for each other doesn’t help…

With Podfic by @momotastic27

Love, Toast, and Post-It Notes

by themadlurker, 6,704 words, Teen+

It was love at first sight, and Merlin knew it — when it came to the flat, that was. Merlin wasn't anything like as clear about the man he was going to have to live with.

With podfic by @tipsyxkitty

But It’s a Good Refrain

by @theladyragnell​, 23,090 words, Teen

Arthur doesn't care much about the popular radio program Dragon's Lonely Hearts until his ex-girlfriend calls in to slag him off and get advice. When he calls in and has an on-air argument with the host, it starts off more than he expected, including meddling friends, overinvolved fans, and maybe love.

With podfic by striped_bowties

At Our Best When It’s From the Hips

by @derryere​, 12,781 words, Explicit

Merlin goes to a brothel to get rid of that virginity thing and runs into Arthur. From there on, it's all madness.

Fake Dating & Fake Marriage

A Date for Dinner

by the5leggedcricket, 10,002 words, Mature

This time Uther has gone too far. With the help of Morgana and a ridiculous advertisement, Arthur finds the perfect revenge: a pretend boyfriend.

#weddingweekend

by sweetiejelly, 5,335 words, Mature

Being with Arthur has never been a chore. Being with Arthur is a breeze, a real breeze, especially in the convertible with the top down.

(Or, Arthur pretends to be Merlin's boyfriend for a wedding weekend. Kilgharrah 'Killy' possibly ships Merlin with Arthur or possibly just wants some chicken.)

An Exchange of Favours (aka The One Where Arthur Gets his Dick Stuck in a Door)

by SPowell, 9,030 words, Explicit

When Merlin gets a stranger out of a jam, he asks him to pretend to be his boyfriend for the night in order to make his ex jealous.

Maybe We Were Coming All Along

by @sassafrasx​, 22,181 words, Explicit

In retrospect, the "Prince on the Lam in Wales" Christmas headline was not what Arthur had intended.

Of Coffee Shops and Terrifying Sisters

by Ellenoel117, 4,626 words, Gen

In a sleepy haze Arthur stumbles into a random coffee shop, not expecting much, just coffee. Enter Merlin, shy, dorky and impossibly cute. Add in a rushed explanation, Morgana being Morgana and you've got something cooking.

The Practice Boyfriend

by giselleslash, 24,495 words, Mature

Merlin’s been in love with Lance for years, but he hasn’t had much experience dating and he wants to figure out the ins and outs of dating before Lance comes back into his life. Cue Arthur and his manwhoring ways, ready and willing to show Merlin the ropes.

A Prophecy of Dragons

by Skitz_phenom, 65,185 words, Explicit

Named the Last Dragonlord as his birthright, Merlin knows he must be responsible to his fellow druids and honor the tenets of the prophecy. That doesn't mean he's entirely happy about it and of course, trudging through yet another year of ritual with yet another potential consort, Merlin's perhaps grown a bit too blasé about the whole thing. So when Arthur Pendragon shows up in the Valley of the Fallen Kings, and they're both swept up in the auspices of said prophecy, he's not entirely sure how to feel about it all (or about the handsome, arrogant prince).

Domesticity (in est. relationship) & Parent AU

Oh Baby!

by ReneeLaRoux, 7,862 words, Gen

A witch's hex turns Arthur and Merlin into infants. The Knights of the Round Table are tasked with babysitting the miniature King and his Warlock.

The mysterious creature that struck at the heart of Camelot in the wake of the Festival of Ostara

by @prue84, 5,341 words, Gen

As the Festival of Ostara approaches, a mysterious creature threatens Camelot’s crown. Will King Arthur survive the attack or will the creature succeed in deposing the head of the Pendragon’s nest?

Pole Dancing AU

by Bevinkathryn, 47,916 words, Explicit

Arthur's secretary is hell bent on getting him a life. He never expected that life to involve her pole dancing friend, Merlin.

With podfic by @momotastic27

One Day at a Time

by @sara-bocchan​

Arthur had returned a couple of weeks ago and Merlin and him are slowly but surely settling into their new routine of adjusting Arthur to the modern world, preparing for the impending threat to Albion, and making the best out of this second chance. This is a story about one of these normal, calm days in their new lives.

Fostered

by @rageprufrock​, 6,511 words, Teen+

Obviously, it was not just any sort of egg.

With podfic by dodificus

Keep the Magic Secret

by orphan_account, 73,580 words, Explicit

For the prompt: Someone tells Arthur about the legends of Emrys, an all-powerful warlock whose destiny is to protect Arthur and his kingdom and help bring about an age of peace. He is told that Emrys is someone close to him, and has hidden his identity and trials over the years to protect himself and make sure he can continue on at Arthur's side. When Arthur asks who it is, the person turns to Arthur and shrewdly asks: "Arthur, who do you want it to be?" ... Arthur's mind automatically goes to Merlin.

Cis Swap, Genderbending & Sexuality and Gender Minorities 

Dude Looks Like a Lady

by Uniquely_Queer67, 4,941 words, Teen+

In this au, Arthur returned from Avalon a few weeks before he reunites with Merlin in this fic, and had to figure out the world by himself during that time (once he found Google he was pretty much set). But apparently he doesn't know enough when he falls for a gorgeous young woman performing in a club; or so he thinks...

Here and Nowhere Else

by @pendragoff, with art by @eviko, 41,882 words, Explicit

"We've grown into what our fathers had planned for us to be and that makes it even more impossible."

Forced into friendship for publicity at a young age, Merlin finds herself drawn to Arthur despite the fear of dishonoring her own father's memory. Arthur, the daughter of an unkind ruler, has her own issues to work through; seeing as the object of her affections has magic, the one thing her father hates above all else.

Remember, Remember, the Fift of November

by @angelqueen04, 3,351 words, Mature

Secrets destroy, one way or another.

With podfic by Hebecious

Smut

Someone Special

by teprometo, 3,882 words, Explicit

Merlin’s best mate’s older brother is really hot. It’s sort of a problem.

With podfic by sophinisba

Moments Like This

by dreamdustmama, 3,078 words, Explicit

In which Arthur is definitely not drunk, Merlin's secret is no longer a secret (at least from Arthur) and so-not-the-first-time sex happens.

 Favourite Epic Length (100k+)

Evil Overlord, Inc.

by @insanewordcount​, with art by @mushroomtale-fanart​, 137,922 words, Mature

Merlin is a recent graduate with a double doctorate in metaphysics and physics. Arthur is a low-level paper pusher with a desk in the sub-basement of MI5. They live in a world with ridiculous laws and restrictions against anyone who might be supernatural in any way, shape, or design.

Merlin has huge debts looming over this head, a few quid left in his bank account, and no job prospects. Arthur is pushing thirty, in a dead-end job with no chances of promotion to fieldwork agent, and is thoroughly bored with his life.

One ill-advised Craigslist advert, five pushy mates, one nosy all-knowing sister, and a hacked email account later, Merlin and Arthur take the world by storm.

(Or, more precisely, they take over the world.)

Favourite Short Story (under 5k)

Play Me Something

by Caledonia, 2,100 words

Merlin is a classical pianist who habitually gets notes of complaint from his neighbours, and habitually gets evicted by landlords unwilling to keep the peace. Until one note turns out quite differently than the others.

The Tulip Thief

by @thepolomonkey​, 3,182 words, Gen

'Sometimes I steal flowers from your garden on my way to the cemetery, but today you’ve caught me and have demanded to come with me to make sure the “girl is pretty enough to warrant flower theft” and I’m trying to figure out how to break it to you that we’re on our way to a graveyard'

Damsel in a Phone Booth

by @blackwidina​ 3,053 words, Teen+

I was on Tumbler and found this AU prompt:

“it’s the middle of the night and i’m walking home alone in the dark and there’s this guy following me and he’s starting to gain on me and i found this phone booth with a lock on the door and i tried to call my best friend but my hands were shaking so badly i accidentally dialed the wrong number and i don’t even know you but help me” au

And this was born. Enjoy!

Stranger Things Than Strangers

@fractionallyfoxtrot​, 995 words, Gen

Arthur calls Leon to complain about a horrible meeting with his father. At least, he thought he called Leon.

One Day

by @thepolomonkey​, 2,018 words, Teen+

Arthur meets Merlin outside a support group.

how not to propose

by @merlinwyllt​, 100 words, Gen

“What would you do if I put a crown on your head?”

Favourite Fic

Ace of Hearts

by beccadearie, 32,285 words, Mature

One night when out with friends, Merlin meets Arthur and quickly realizes that they have something in common: they are both asexual and trying to make their way through life and love in a sexual world without going crazy. What starts as hanging out between friends evolves into something more, and Merlin and Arthur decide to plunge headfirst into this tenuous relationship of give and take between the two of them.

Missed Connections (Glory, Glory Holelelujah)

by tourdefierce, 51,218 words, Explicit

Glory-Hole Romantic Comedy. 'NUFF SAID PEOPLE.

You bring the music to my silent world

by Balthamos, 49,818 words, Mature

Arthur and Merlin are thrown together as children when Merlin’s mother moves into the Pendragon Manor as the new housekeeper, bringing her deaf son Merlin with her. Arthur is a loud and obnoxious child, whereas Merlin is quiet but not as shy as everyone thinks. The two children become fast friends, but as they grow up together things begin to change, due to the pressure of wanting to be normal, and the growing lack of communication between the pair. Growing up is never easy and the graceful friendship they had as children gets lost as they reach their teenage years, but through their difficulties they develop a deeper, stronger relationship, one far more permanent.

Sitter!verse

by orphan_account, 32,476 words, Teen+

In which Mordred is Morgana’s 7 year-old son, Merlin is her (terribly cute) housekeeper/babysitter, and Arthur is over all the time because he’s hopelessly in love with him.

Jerusalem

by Magnolia822, 28,859 words, Explicit

Prince Arthur has spent his eighteenth year in a drunken haze of public debauchery, and after the latest round of incriminating photographs, King Uther is fed up. Though magic is outlawed and Magic Users are generally distrusted, Uther secretly hires a young sorcerer to keep Arthur in line, much to Arthur's chagrin. But what starts out as an antagonistic relationship becomes much more as Arthur, increasingly drawn to his secretive young warden, begins to suspect there is something rotten in the state of Great Britain.

And like the cycle of the year, we begin again

by katherynfromphilly, 209,983 words, Mature

For many long years Merlin waited.

For the other part of his soul, for the other half of his life. He was born to serve Arthur. So that meant he was also born to wait. Even if it took a thousand years. Even if the wait seemed never to end.

Until one day, suddenly, it did.

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

Set after the Merlin Series 5 Finale "Diamond of the Day". Canon Compliant. In Character. Arthur Pendragon Returns

When Arthur stumbles from the Lake of Avalon 1,500 years after his death, he finds a world unlike the one he knew. Faced with the loss of everyone he loved, and the threat of impending prophecy, Arthur must quickly learn what it means to be not just a king, but the Once and Future King. Merlin does all he can to guide him in this journey, even as he struggles to hide his love for his king, and to conquer his fear of losing him again.

Story includes sass, banter, horseplay, and True Love.

Creators of COiNELOT

Distant Echoes

by @sara-bocchan​, with art by @lao-pendragon​, 33,678 words, Teen+

Arthur grows up in a small town and into an overall great and normal life. Except, he keeps having these strange, recurring dreams. Once a year he dreams of a man, watches whatever he is up to at the moment, and sees places he could have never imagined. Arthur was sure he had never met him, so why did he seem so familiar?

Getting older, Arthur becomes determined to find out more about his dreams and the mysterious man. He starts to travel to places he had seen in his dreams and does all the research he can possibly do – but to no avail. Over the years he almost gives up, when suddenly he starts to remember a lifetime many centuries ago – the man from his dreams always at his side...

You Swiped Right

by @momotastic27​, 22,038 words, Explicit

Pendragon Books is to London's bookselling industry what Sauron is to Middle-Earth: Bad fucking news.

Merlin could also compare them to Voldemort and the magical world in Britain, or maybe the White Witch and Narnia, but no matter what analogy he picks, the point remains the same: Wherever Pendragon Books pops up with a new shop, existing businesses die a painful death, robbing their city of more and more personality and character. Therefore it comes as a bit of a shock when they're settling in right across the street from Merlin's bookshop, and Merlin finds out that Arthur Pendragon himself is gorgeous and unreasonably easy to talk to, and - worst of all - a bit of a nerd.

However, not only is Merlin most definitely not fraternising with the enemy, he's also already sort of dating someone. So what if it started on Grindr, and is only through text messages?

Bad Behaviour (gets you the Pendragon Treatment)

by @tayathestrange, 24,258 words, Explicit, WIP

After his attack on the Pendragon Inc. servers backfired Merlin finds himself in some unpleasent situation. Maybe he shouldn't have taken the job after all...

My Once and Future Love

by @tracionn, manip, Mature

Naked cuddling :)

Choices and Tourneys

by @elveatas, 13,879 words, Explicit

Every year, right before mating season, Camelot holds a great tournament in which the alphas will compete with each other in order to show their strength to the omegas who’ll be looking to choose the perfect mate. After all, it’s not the alpha who chooses the omega, but the omega who chooses the alpha, and Arthur really, really wants Merlin to choose him.

Perfectly Imperfect

by @little-dhampir-1508, 4,867 words, Teen+

Arthur takes care of Merlin after some bullies got to him.

Times Change

by @elirwen, 7,427 words, Explicit

After witnessing Uther's breakdown and finding out some of the horrible things he did during the Purge, Arthur's general stance on magic shifts radically much to Morgana and Merlin's surprise.

What’s a Soulmate?

by @misssnowfoxx, 2:26 min, fanvid

I've been wanting to vid this quote for way too long! And I'm sure you'll all agree no couple in the history of the world has every deserved this quote more than these two stupid assholes in love. I had a very emotional time making this video and I hope I got across what I wanted to.

Creswell Crags

by @gwylliondream, 5,747 words, Teen+

When Arthur takes ill, he finds himself in a strange environment that echoes his past and gives him hope for the future.

What were you the god of again?

by @brolinskeep, manips, on tumblr

a reluctant heir to the throne who's rather out on quests to keep his people and others save than sitting at home in his palace, an army of the dead, a very special sword, golden eyes of magic and a dragon, a prophecy that needs to be defied and 'oh yeah by the way, you have an older sister i never told you about who's pretty powerful and wants your throne. you got this son. dad out.'

sound familiar?

Diplomatic Immunity

by @archaeologistd, 86,952 words, Explicit

Merlin has come to Camelot to act as an envoy between the magic users and the new High King, Arthur Pendragon. Four years ago, Nimueh had twisted the truth, making Arthur think Merlin was in league with her. That Arthur is unhappy to see him again is an understatement.

My Magical Manservant

by @lao-pendragon, art, Gen

The »My magical Manservant Series« is a collection of many little stories about Arthur Pendragon who is deeply in love with his very magical manservant Merlin. While several secrets, whether magic or love, are no secrets anymore, they have to deal with disobedient dragons, cheeky knights, a whole kingdom and their own feelings for each other. Keep their magic secret!

#bbc merlin #merthur #merthur fanfic #merthur fanfiction #merlin fanfiction #coinelot reincarnated #c2: activities

[heka-write]

Merlin Rewrite: Conclusion and Extra’s

Uther’s Death

As much as I dislike Uther, I did feel like he was robbed of a death scene that did his role in the show justice. Uther was the main source of conflict in the beginning of the show, so his death should have marked the turning point. Instead, I feel like we got the same villain-of-the week routine because his death was more focused on Merlin trying to save him than his actual relationships and beliefs. 

I would have liked Uther’s death to force him to reevaluate his beliefs on magic, at least his attitudes towards magic people. I don’t see him being redeemed in death, but I could see a moment of nuance where he shows he can be kind, despite all the evil he has caused. 

Again, I think his children would represent the conflict between magic and non magic very well. Arthur is the ideal son, and Morgana would represent the darkness that he tried to keep away. 

I could see Uther’s death being a rehash of season 1 where Morgana tries and fails to kill him because of her own conscience. She once again teams up with the Big Bad, going to kill the tyrant King, but realizes she can’t because she has a bond with him, regardless of everything. 

I feel like at this point in the story Uther would know Morgana has magic, either in that moment or because he learned earlier. I find it interesting that in season 1 and 2 the writers spend so much time showing him be strict with her, punishing her and not listening to her. Then season 3 comes around, she is now evil, and they show him do nothing but dote on her. It’s quite jarring and makes Morgana’s fears less founded. 

I would have kept his relationship with her that he had in season 1. Where she was the rebellious warden who he showed kindness to, despite being harsh on her. I would have had the moment right before he die be where it is revealed that he is her father. Morgana tries to kill him, fails, and he is surprisingly not violent towards her. He is upset that she has magic, but is touched that she can’t go through with the finishing blow. It is revealed that he is her father, and while he does not change his mind about magic he does tell her that he cares for her, despite her magic. This moment makes Morgana question her alliance with the dark side, and regret trying to kill him since he is usually so harsh with her and magical people in general. 

I could see someone else coming in and dealing the final blow to Uther. Morgana is at his side, regretful and confused on how to deal with the situation. 

I think that point would be great to start the Morgana vs Arthur rivalry the series relies on. Arthur could arrive at the scene, knowing Morgana aligned with the enemies and assuming she did it. That moment would solidify his hatred towards her, and him following his father’s footsteps and continuing the war on magic. 

I think this would be the best moment for Morgana to leave Camelot, and continue her journey to find her morality on her own. This would be the moment where the war between Uther’s children starts, and the fight against magic continues. 

I could see Merlin coming in and trying to ease the situation, but realizing he is at the crossroads of these two sides, and the war. I think this version of his death would be more beneficial because the reason for Uther’s death would be Morgana, not Merlin’s failed attempts. This would give him more reason later on to actually try to convince Arthur that magic isnt’ inherently bad because he wouldn’t be resistant due to a past mistake. 

I feel like this scenario would make Uther’s death a lot more significant, and have a better effect on the characters. 

The Knights of Camelot 

I didn’t focus on these characters much in this post because I had always felt the series had surrounded the core four - Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Morgana. The secondary characters felt like Gauis, Uther, and Merlin’s mother (in the earlier seasons at least). They seemed to become prominent later on, and I think I would have also made them prominent in the show, but built them up a bit better. I also would have made them affect the main plot more, rather than being used for villain of the week episodes or comedy. 

Lancelot was built up really nicely because we saw him in the beginning with a bit of backstory, and he had a role to play in the plot later on. Granted, that role was sacrificing himself for Merlin and the love triangle and I wouldn’t have done that necessarily, but I would have tied the rest of the Camelot Knights in the show in a similar manner. 

It would have been especially easy with Elyan, we could have gotten some flashbacks of him and Gwen when they were younger, explaining their backstory and fleshing them out both in the process. 

Another thing I feel like the writer’s should have done was give more than one of them magic. Mordred brought an interesting dynamic to the group, but knowing he ultimately betrayed them felt like another way of the show pushing the “anyone against Camelot is automatically gonna be evil” agenda. If more than one Knight had magic and stayed loyal to Arthur, that would be another barrier broken in the traditions. It would have made for interesting conflict and further the show’s themes. 

I think the Knights could have added a larger cast to the show and make room for a lot more interesting interactions and conflict, but as they are they feel like background accessories. 

Conclusion 

While I did love watching this show, there were so many problems. There were so many things I wish they had changed. That being said, I still love this show and hope people can understand why I think things should have been done differently. The main problem was the lack of moral complexity that the first season did address a lot better than the rest of the series. It always pains me to see lost potential in a story or TV show, so I felt the need to vent about it and hope everyone who read it enjoyed my thoughts. 

#merlin #bbc merlin #merthur #arthur pendragon #morgana pendragon #blog #essays

[whitewolfofwinterfell]

Can you do Merlin (I know again but I like reading your metas) and Harry Potter for the ask meme? 😊

5 things I’d change about Merlin:

1. Morgana’s entire arc. I briefly discussed this in the previous ask you sent where I talked about characters I couldn’t sympathise with, but I feel like Morgana’s entire arc across the series was handled terribly. The idea of Morgana transitioning from a protagonist to an antagonist was interesting and I’m perfectly happy with that, but it needed to be written so much better than it was. I think more attention needed to be given to Morgana’s internal processes and motivations. How did she change so drastically from such a compassionate and caring person to such a hardened and ruthless villain? I can’t pinpoint what specific event caused that rapid change and I think that’s the problem with Morgana. The development needed to unfold a lot slower and there should’ve been a clearly traceable line of events and growing of thoughts and feelings that led her to where she ended up. I know that she did have certain pivotal events that changed her - meeting Mordred, discovering she had magic and living with Uther’s hatred for magic, Merlin poisoning her, finding out Uther was her father and had been lying her all those years, meeting Morgause - but I still feel like none of that fully justified the sudden change in her character. I think the writing of her character in the later seasons needed to be more sympathetic and instead of reducing her to a villain, there still needed to be some level of insight into Morgana as a person. Ultimately, Morgana’s actions were driven by her desire to make magic legal, put an end to Uther’s persecution of those with magic and take her rightful place on the throne. All of that is completely understandable and even reasonable, but it gets lost in the mess of trying to make her the worst villain in the world and Merlin and Arthur’s archenemy. 

2. Arthur finds out about Merlin’s magic before the finale. We all knew from day one that Arthur had to find out about Merlin having magic at some point, but to make us wait until the very last episode was cruel and a pretty poor decision. There was so much development involved in Arthur discovering Merlin’s secret. It was the one massive barrier that was constantly between them and by making Arthur find out in the finale, they had to cram an entire season’s worth of disbelief, confusion, angst and acceptance into one episode. Arthur learning about Merlin’s magic represented the turning point for him. Already throughout the series we saw that he didn’t hold the same harsh beliefs that Uther did about magic and that he was a lot more open minded and forgiving than his father. To find out that Merlin had magic would’ve completely turned his world upside down and make him question the beliefs, morals and principles he’d carried his entire life. The prophecy of Merlin and Arthur creating a golden age never truly happened because it couldn’t happen as long as Arthur was in the dark about Merlin’s magic. It’s only through finding that out and coming to accept Merlin’s magic as being part of who he was that the two of them could’ve truly become a partnership and worked towards building a better and brighter kingdom. It’s only through understanding Merlin’s struggles and experiences with magic that Arthur could’ve come to make the decision to make the practice of magic legal in Camelot and stop the persecution of those that practised it. The central conflict throughout Merlin is essentially one between those with magic and those without it, and Merlin and Arthur are the embodiment of that. Arthur is the king, he’s the one with the power to govern the kingdom and make the laws that Camelot lives by, he doesn’t have magic and has an ingrained prejudice against those that do that’s passed down to him from Uther. Then there’s Merlin, the most powerful warlock of all time that has so much magic yet is completely powerless when it comes to making the decisions that impact the kingdom. Like the show said, they were two sides of the same coin and only together could they bring the peace and balance between magical and non-magical people. But as I said above, in order to do that Arthur needed to know everything and have his eyes opened to the fact that magic was not the enemy, and that if it hadn’t been for Merlin’s magic he would’ve been dead in the pilot and the entire kingdom would’ve fallen to ruin. 

3. ARTHUR LIVES, Gwaine lives, Lancelot lives, everybody lives! I appreciate that Arthur’s death was temporary and there’s some level of comfort to take from that, but it still felt like everything that happened was for nothing. All of the blood, sweat, tears shed and sacrifices, pain and devotion Merlin endured to protect Arthur and fulfil their destinies felt utterly pointless. I don’t even care if it’s too idealistic and too much of a fairytale ending, the finale should’ve been Arthur and Merlin side by side in the castle looking out over Camelot, the sun setting in the sky and Kilgarrah narrating that they fulfilled their prophecies and it truly was the beginning of a golden age of Albion. Killing Arthur was unnecessary and a very unsatisfying and devastating conclusion to the story. The only ending that would’ve made sense to me is Merlin and Arthur together at the end, having overcome all the obstacles and evil they’d faced and created a united Camelot where magic was able to thrive in a new way, with the future ahead of them and endless possibilities for all the good they’re going to do together. As for Gwaine and Lancelot, I think they both should’ve survived until the end. Gwaine’s death was even more unnecessary than Arthur’s, there was just no impact or reason for it. I’ve always loved Lancelot and think he was killed way too prematurely, and should’ve been a part of the round table. I also disliked the way he was resurrected by Morgana to be used against Arthur and would completely scrap that plot.

4. Merlin and Morgana’s relationship. By this, I don’t mean I think Merlin and Morgana should’ve had a romantic relationship, but I think there was sooo much potential where Merlin and Morgana were concerned. Just as Merlin and Arthur’s destinies were entwined, so were Merlin and Morgana’s, and I think there were so many layers to their relationship that could’ve been explored. Morgana’s number one fear was Emrys and in keeping her in the dark about Merlin being Emrys, it simplified the storyline a lot and made something that could’ve been incredibly interesting pretty boring. I think Morgana should’ve definitely learned about Merlin’s magic before Arthur and that Merlin should’ve been there to try and help her adjust and teach her about how to control her magic. I also think that Morgana’s transition to the dark side could’ve involved Merlin a lot more with Morgana trying to turn Merlin against Arthur by preaching that Arthur would never accept him for who he really was and that only with her on the throne would they ever truly be free and magic not be a crime. This could’ve also provided some interesting development for Merlin with him being genuinely torn between his loyalties to Arthur and Morgana, and his desire to protect Arthur and maintain his duties to Camelot and his want to be free and for magic to have free reign too. By maintaining that friendship between Merlin and Morgana for longer, it also would’ve created much more conflict when Morgana found out that Merlin was Emrys. This would also tie into the first point I discussed about Morgana’s arc, because it would’ve kept Morgana more human by building on that relationship with Merlin and having her connect with the protagonist on a deeper level. It also would’ve complicated her role as a villain, because she would still have loyalties and affection for Merlin. Whether or not that relationship could’ve gone to the romantic level, I really don’t know. I’m not a Mergana shipper, but I’m not opposed to it either. I think it would’ve worked incredibly well whether it remained a friendship or if it turned into a romance. 

5. Gwen and Arthur have a baby. This is quite a simple one in comparison to the others, but I always felt like Gwen should’ve been pregnant at some point on the show. I don’t think it necessarily would’ve made sense for the baby to be born in the middle of the series because it would’ve detracted from the main story, but there definitely should’ve been an announcement that Gwen was pregnant in the last season. The reason for this is that it would’ve been a huge celebration of the continuation of Arthur’s family line and provides a nice image of a future with mini Arthur’s and Gwen’s, but also it would’ve been another huge milestone that Arthur and Gwen had overcome after facing so many obstacles and being told that their love could never be. 

5 things I’d change about Harry Potter:

1. REMUS, SIRIUS AND DOBBY LIVE. I understand that death is part of life and in a series like Harry Potter where there’s an actual war there’s inevitably going to be casualties but not Sirius and Remus. Sirius was killed way too prematurely and still had so much to offer. He’s one of the best written and complex characters in the series and would’ve added so much to the story if he’d have lived. It’s exactly the same with Remus. He was such an interesting character that was an unnecessary sacrifice and I will never accept that Teddy had to grow up an orphan just like Harry. It’s too tragic. As for Dobby, why would anyone ever want to kill Dobby? It’s too sad and although I do think his death is effective in evoking the kind of emotion JKR wanted us to feel, I just love Dobby too much and can’t help but wish he’d lived. Also, poor Hedwig too. Let her live. Poor baby.

2. The entire epilogue. I’m pretty sure every HP fan will agree with me on this one. The epilogue in Deathly Hallows was just so awful. After everything that happened to write such a wishy washy happy ending like that was ridiculous. It wasn’t necessary for us to know that and it would’ve been so much more effective if what came afterwards was left to the readers’ imagination and interpretation. We were already given a happy ending with the defeat of Voldemort and there really wasn’t any need for JKR to take it that step further. 

3. Snape’s entire arc. As a writer myself, I can just feel that not much thought was put into Snape’s character. JKR wanted to create a villain that wasn’t really a villain but failed spectacularly. The idea that Snape was always on Harry’s side and protecting him behind the scenes completely undermines his behaviour and actions across the 7 books. And his reasoning being that he was in love with Lily just has no weight to it. Is he really so pathetic that he spent the rest of his life obsessing over a woman who never wanted him and married another man, and waded into her son’s life because he somehow felt that brought him closer to her? There’s just something incredibly disturbing about it and it’s a weak character arc. 

4. The general portrayal of villains - particularly Voldemort and the Malfoy’s. JKR has tried to defend herself numerous times about the way she wrote the houses, with the general opinion being all Gryffindors are pure hearted heroes and all Slytherins are evil whilst Ravenclaws are somewhere in the background reading and Hufflepuffs just go with the flow. JKR falls into the trap of using stereotypes and makes her villains one dimensional. Voldemort is the obvious example here. What made him become so utterly evil? I mean, there really is nothing redeemable about him yet from flashbacks we learn that he was a pretty normal, even charming child. What could possibly cause that drastic turn to the dark side? The idea of wanting to create horcruxes does not in itself mean he was evil, in fact, it’s pretty in-keeping with the ambition associated with Slytherins - he wanted to be as powerful and strong as he possibly could be. Yet the moment he learned what had to be done to make it happen why didn’t he decide against it? Why did human life mean less to him than being immortal? Draco is another example. Draco is arguably one of the most intriguing characters in the series, but his struggles are not gone into in enough depth. Obviously, there’s restrictions with how far JKR was able to go with it since the books are from Harry’s POV, but just how I discussed Morgana and Merlin’s relationship, Harry and Draco’s relationship had a very similar dynamic and could’ve been built upon so much more to make the story even more interesting. Even though Draco was supposed to be Harry’s archenemy, there’s a bond there between the two boys, a sense of familiarity and obligation that means when Harry first understood the extent to which Draco was involved with Voldemort it could’ve create so much more conflict than we got. JKR did go there, but she just didn’t take it far enough. Similarly, the rest of the Malfoy’s are portrayed as being evil but why? You’ll notice that I’m one of those people that just can’t accept someone being evil and the only explanation being because they are. Very few people are actually born evil, only psychopaths, but surely all of these villainous characters can’t be psychopaths? So what is their drive? What went so wrong in their past that they behave this way? In my opinion it is so hard to write a realistic and strong antagonist and JKR is one of the many writers that fails to do any villain justice. 

5. The time-turner. Although the time-turner was great in that it allowed Harry and Hermione to save Sirius and Buckbeak, the introduction of time travel completely detracts from the entire story. I saw this meme years ago: 

and distinctly remember laughing out loud because it’s so true. JKR can preach whatever philosophical crap she wants about how messing with time could have disastrous consequences and that’s why they couldn’t use the time turner for any other purpose, but with the power to time travel why wouldn’t the characters simply go back and change the key events in their lives that they want to erase? Why wouldn’t Harry go back to the night his parents were killed to save them and kill Voldemort for good in the process? Any rational human would and say to hell with the consequences. From Harry’s perspective there was nothing to lose in doing that, in fact, it would solve all of his life’s problems. It’s just ridicilous that McGonagall would give such a powerful and potentially earth destroying object (if it fell into the wrong hands) to a young teenage girl just so she can take on extra classes. There is no logic in it and there is no satisfying or adequate reason as to why Dumbledore thinks it’s perfectly okay to go back in time to save Buckbeak and Sirius but that it would be abhorrent to use it for any other reason. 

Wow, so that’s it. Sorry this got so long, I really wanted to put a lot of thought into it. It’s so hard to narrow it down to just 5 things and to cast my mind back to the entire series to recall what I didn’t like. For Harry Potter I was going to say I’d change all of the romances, but then the point about the epilogue kinda does that for me. Anyway, thanks for asking again, Tasneem, you know how much I love writing these kind of metas! :)

#answered #my meta #merlin meta #hp meta

[servingliesarch]

there are some people who probably think i’m exaggerating when it comes to how badly merlin felt, and how much he lost, and i know there are, i got questions about it, so let me provide you with a list of what merlin life was like and why he fell into a pit of despair even tho being strong enough to keep his shit together.

born into a world where his sole existence was a crime, had to hide who he was from day one, never knew his father or even who he was, fearing he might be a monster because there was no one like him

born into poverty even though without great purge, though most likely be never born, he’d also be titled accordingly and respected for his station and level of power

had to leave his home at eighteen, sent by his mother into the heart of a kingdom ruled by a man who committed a genocide on his people

was appointed a manservant to his son, who though they did develop a very important relationship eventually and were meant to change things, was a mean bitch to him for a significant time they spent together

had to fight countless monsters, kill people, fight battles, drink poisons, get beat up, saving everyone’s lives countless of times but never getting any thanks or recognition for it

while also having zero friends who knew the truth about him in the castle

he lost his childhood friend will early on, to a pointless death he probably blamed himself for

was constantly forced to make life and death decisions, choices affecting the grand scheme of things without any support and no recognition for it whatsoever

had to constantly live a lie because otherwise he would be sentenced to death and executed, and even if he wanted to tell people, people who were his mentors constantly told him to shove it.

legit died a bunch of times and went back to life. would have been dead at eighteen if he wasn’t immortal.

met freya, whom he was willing to love, even run away with, who could understand him and knew the truth about him, got killed almost immediately after.

was subjected to believe morgana, who was his friend, would turn bad and betrayed them, so he had to poison her.

learned the truth about his father, got to know him a day before he died and had to save the day once again without knowing it, using his new dragonlord powers.

made a new friend, gwaine, who was this great person but of course he had to be sent away bc Uther i guess.

still zero recogniton, zero thanks. a lot of being killed or hurt or whatever it is.

morgana was in camelot then and he knew she was going to hurt them all but there was nothing he could do.

got legit sat down at arthur’s right hand, but you know, only like when no one sees because it makes sense that arthur who values his friends no matter who they are, elevating them to have a voice and have his back, knighting even strangers, marrying gwen, would not do shit about his closest friend merlin, whom he sat at his right hand.

you’d think things were getting better and merlin had friends finally, and lancelot was there where he deserved. oh right now, because then dorocha happened, and he died, and then lancelot went and died in arthur’s place, and they didn’t even have a body to bury it.

every time he hopes arthur might see magic in different light, shit happens and backtracks him like ?? so hopeful he will see that if merlin as dragoon saves uther even tho fuck should be dead, but morgana’s thing backfires, so he loses hope rly.

naturally one takes a hint and can no longer tell anyone his secret. do your friends notice you become distant and alienated tho? no. fuck character development.

oh, arthur’s uncle is a traitor in love with morgana who almost got gaius killed and no one would listen to you? yeah. that happened. it was great.

stabbed more times. died more times as well. zero recognition, arthur still refuses to listen or acknowledge most of the time. keeps saving the world, and it gets a bunch of people killed by him.

legit zero friends at this point when you’re being reasonable.

so like, he saves the last great dragon egg, helps it be born, hopes for once that dragons will not go extinct, but then kilgharrah fails to care for it, and dragon betrays them siding with morgana which could be okay if aithusa didn’t get crippled and wouldn’t live for like five seconds later.

murders arthur’s uncle but that one felt good for once.

his friends? knights, a queen. merlin? a servant. mordred, who was a druid and arthur met? a knight. the round table? is there but merlin stands at the back still. so what arthur listens to him the most, he has zero Real Voice.

is hardened, burdened, there isn’t much left of that young boy from season one in season five. legit depressed when you look at the signs.

and shit is going down so all of this destiny is back on him, with looming war and arthur dying, and morgana, and mordred there who will kill arthur, having more respect than merlin, and it’s all really fucking hard.

uther’s ghost comes back to haunt them and like....... i guess at least he got to like, tell him off so it’s not as bad.

gwen gets possessed, a bunch of people die including people he grew to care about because of morgana’s doing, plus fearing he might lose gwen after all. saves her tho, but still zero thanks.

merlin’s still extremely alienated from everyone tho.

they lose elyan, who’s gwen’s brother and who was always so kind to merlin.

almost dies again, is gifted a prophecy from his followers he literally never meets bc why let merlin have friends. so, arthur will die and war is neigh. great.

they lose mordred, who tells morgana what he is, and it wouldn’t have happened if perhaps merlin actually had a real voice but i guess not.

so anyway, the war comes, merlin seemingly loses his magic, sees his friend gwaine for the last time and rly misses a significant part of the battle in which arthur is mortally wounded. but at least he gets back his magic, tho morgana did him dirty there.

so anyway, wins that war, finds arthur, arthur’s stabbed, merlin after ten fucking years reveals his secret.

takes two days to get over it and the entire arc of this episode deserved to be more than just on episode for both of their sakes since arthur was dying.

merlin has to kill morgana for good and it’s terrible. he blames himself for her.

arthur dies anyway, and like why does he even have all of this magic.

has to give him a funeral and send the only weapon that can kill him away as it is his duty, all the way to avalon.

finds out gwaine is dead too which is just the worst blow really.

kilgharrah is also seen for the last time, because he’s old and has to die so it’s just  a lot of loss all around.

and they achieved nothing but the dragon makes it like they did, which they didn’t, and then doesn’t even rly warn him he’s not gonna die, tho he probably already figured it out. like give him something solid, not like a maybe thing that MAY happen but who knows, and when ?? WHO KNOWS

then obvs other things happen, but the truth is merlin stops aging, can’t die, but everyone else do, so he’s rly just subjected to an eternity of watching everyone he’s ever known die, everything he’s ever known disappear and he’s alone forever, no dragons, disappearing magic, the last of his kind.

#( meta. ) #it's not even all of it but lmao #aNYWAY #♦ ┆ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ﹠ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴇɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ᴀ ғᴏᴏʟ ( character study. ) #rant tw

[little-narnian-notes]

okay imagine that Arthur, Merlin, Gaius, Morgana, Gwen, and the Knights are in some modern version of themselves. What subjects did they like the most and least in school?

Okay, I have a ton of stuff to say about this topic. I did have to be selective about which Knights to talk about, though, anon, otherwise this would have turned into an essay and I honestly do not have as much time as I’d like to answer this.

—

Arthur:

In my opinion/headcannon, Arthur’s favorite subject wouldn’t necessarily have been anything academic. He would have been really into anything to do with sports. Arthur’s the guy who’d be on the varsity wrestling team, football team, rugby, lacrosse, etc., and he’d be the captain or co-captain of all of them. He would love gym. I imagine he’d be a really sporty guy. Academic-wise, his favorite subject would have been

Arthur’s least favorite subject would have been history, imo (much as it pains me to say that, being a history major myself). I think that for a long time, he would find it really boring and uninteresting/uninspiring to learn about. Not necessarily because of the content itself, but just because of what kind of content is being presented and how.

Merlin:

Merlin would love any quirky subject in school, tbh. Like he’d be the high school junior kid who’s in the astrophysics class at a nearby college - not because he actually wants the credit, he just wants to be there to learn about it. In high school/the British equivalent, he’d be really into medicine. Since in this universe, I have a hc that he wouldn’t have magic, I think that’s what he’d want to study (also he was Gaius’s apprentice and he was a physician, so, yeah).

Merlin’s least favorite subject would be any kind of required health/fitness/gym. Like you guys have seen him, he’s scrawny as fuck. I think he would have been even more gangly/coltish as a teenager, so he’d hate having to do physically demanding classes (but i also have a hc he’d be on a track team and be really good at it).

Moragna:

Okay, my child Morgana be super into history, specifically British and Euro history. She’s really into learning about the past affects the present, and therefore affects the future; about how tradition, nostalgia, and nationalism distort historical awareness; about all the past reigning kings and queens and what they’ve accomplished. Morgana has a lot of ambition. She’d want to study history in conjugtion with like, poli-sci and speech & debate. She knows what she wants in life: to be remembered, and to be remembered gloriously.

With that being said, Morgana has absolutely no time for any subject she thinks is entirely useless. Everybody thinks she’d hate a survival/wilderness course, or designing/fashion class, but the truth is that while those aren’t her favorite subjects, she thinks they’re potentially useful in her long-term survival in way or another. No, her least favorite subject is actually math. Morgana doesn’t see how it’s useful or relevant to her life. She wants to be a diplomat gone rogue or something. She’s good at maths when she wants to be, but she thinks it’s the driest, most dull topic.

Gwen:

I think that Gwen would be really into English lit./critical analysis classes. She’s a pretty eloquent and insightful person. She’d be the girl who’s pretty well-read and would always have something to say in class (also, if she was ever a fangirl, I have a hc she’d be a well-known meta writer in a fandom).

Her least favorite subject would be a speech and debate class. Gwen’s obviously a brave person who’s not afraid to speak her mind, but I think that she wouldn’t see the point in a class. Or maybe she’d see why it’s a thing, but she wouldn’t be into it. Gwen is the kind of person who’s also peaceful; she’s the kind of person who’s interested in having a conversation with someone with differing views, not debating them.

Gaius:

He would really like medicine (obviously. he’s a physician). I don’t know much about gaius’s past, but I have a hc that he became a physician in response to not being able to help/save someone he wanted to help, and he never wants to be put into that position himself. I have literally no way to prove that hc is valid but I have it.

I don’t know what his least favorite subject would be. I think it’d maybe be an elective class like a playwriting class.

Lancelot:

He would really like any government & politic classes. Secretly he’d really like poetry classes, because that’s what Gwen likes, and a part of him fucking lives to impress her. Lance would also be really into wrestling and fencing and stuff, too.

Lancelot’s least favorite class would be the home ec class everybody is required to take. He’s just terrible at it.

Gwaine:

I actually happen to think that Gwaine would like a field trade study class. In the show, he’s not really doing much with his life until he’s knighted by Arthur. I imagine that he’d have a really quirky career, like maybe he’s a mechanic because he went to a vocational school, but he’s also a fencing teacher and does really nerdy stuff as a hobby. So maybe it’s through that kind of stuff that he meets Arthur and ends up proving he can also be a really good politician.

Gwen’s least favorite subject would be personal finance. Mostly because aside from a small savings account, he’s a spender. Never enough to get into debt because he’s smart enough to cut corners or do deals with people, but he thinks finance as a subject is so dry and boring.

Percivcal:

He would really like history classes. Or geography classes. There’s no particular reason why I think that, other then that I think the Knights kind of represented government. So I think Percival would be the history bitch who’s dropping random facts about various historical stuff just to make conversation.

I honestly do not know what class he’d hate. I’ve been thinking about it and I just. Don’t know.

Mordred:

Okay, I know what you guys are thinking, but technically, before Mordred went darkside, he was one of the Knights of the Round Table, and he’s an interesting character, so. I’m including him on this list.

I think his favorite class would be something nature-y. I get the impression that the Druids were really peaceful, and would treat nature like it’s a force they gotta co-exist with, so I think another favorite subject of Mordred’s would be something like marine biology or environmental science. He would want to understand how to take care of and protect the environment.

And I think Mordred’s least favorite would be government classes. Not because he’s bad at it, I think that he would find so many flaws within different societies’ governments that he’d be super frustrated. Mordred would be the guy who’d do activist work and want to go into politics, but he knows he can’t play nice with other politicians (like to him, he has a very Ned Stark mentality but would totally be ruthless to shitty people in power).

#anon #anonymous #anonymous ask #answered #answered ask #bbc merlin #merlin #arthur pendragon #morgana #morgana pendragon #headcannons #school #modern au #guinevere #lancelot #percival #knights of the round table #mordred #gaius #gwaine #cecily writes

[heka-write]

Merlin Rewrite #4: The Arthur-Gwen-Lancelot Triangle

This addition to the series will be both about the individual characters, and the relationships between them. After all, the former is what determines the latter

Gwen’s Role in the Story: 

I feel like once the story hit it’s second season, Gwen’s character was really just reduced to love fodder for Arthur and Lancelot. 

In season 1 we are introduced to Gwen as a shy and nervous village girl. She had lived in Camelot her entire life, and had obviously had to deal with hardships in her family (only a father living with her, brother and mother were visibly missing). She has to deal with being treated as lesser than from the privileged royals, as seen in the many episodes where she is constantly scolded or tried for magic. She has a friendship with Morgana where they talk openly about their problems with one another  (Morgana trusted her with her secret of Mordred in “The Beginning of the End”, and they both decided to go help Merlin in “The Moment of Truth”)  and even Morgana’s interest in other royal men/knights. 

Then Season 2 comes around, and Gwen is suddenly a lot more poised. Her movement is more graceful, her clothes are definitely a glo up from season 1,  and she suddenly is able to criticize Arthur with ease in “The Once and Future Queen”. Like Morgana’s character, Gwen’s seemed to have gone through a personality transplant, albeit a lot more subtle. 

Just look at how she criticizes in Arthur in Season 1 vs Season 2. 

Vs. Season 2, where she is suddenly a lot more articulate and bold. Her words are crafted perfectly and there is no hint of her being nervous at all. 

Maybe it’s just me but clip 1 sounds like a shy, normally hesitant girl who just had to speak up because she saw something wrong, something a royal wouldn’t understand. We know she has great respect for Arthur (as noted in the first clip, “I have faith in you”) but something happened that she just had to say something, despite her nature. 

Clip 2 sounds much more like a headstrong girl who kept her mouth shut because she felt like she had to until her bold personality exploded and she couldn’t contain it. She even says later she thinks he’s an ass, which is a bold statement for a shy girl who said “I have faith in you” so many times to believe. 

Not that there is anything wrong with the latter personality, I just don’t think it was true to Gwen. I feel like they had to mold her personality to make the couple happen in such a short amount of time. 

I feel like in season 1, she was meant as a shy girl who would speak up Arthur did something objectionable, and then come back into her shell. In season 2 she is more hesitant on the basis that he is royal, but she has a bold view on him nonetheless. 

Look at how she talks about Arthur in season 1 and 2 when he’s not around. 

Even in Season 1 “Le Morte d’Arthur” where she is praising him while he sleeps, she is a lot more hesitant and shy about it. She even denies she praised him after he wakes up. Whereas in season 2, she openly trashes him like she didn’t like him at all. 

I feel like Gwen was originally supposed to have admired Arthur from afar but known up front he was an arrogant royal she could never have, like the typical nerdy girl who has a crush on the jock. That’s why she called him a jerk in the first episode and said “who would want to marry Arthur” while secretly professing her faith in him while he was asleep in the season 1 finale. 

 IMO, season 2 seemed to have turn her into the girl that Arthur wanted, and the “only one” who called him out on his shit and then made him fall in love with her. They seemed to turn her into a Cinderella like character who is graceful and poised but stuck in poverty until the prince sees her and falls in love with how great and confident she is. They seemed to flip the script and instead wanted her to be the one who was desired, not the one who was desiring and admiring Arthur from afar. 

Now I LOVE the idea of Gwen going from a shy, nervous village girl to the confident and graceful Queen of the kingdom. The problem with the show, however, was that like Morgana’s character there was no real gradual development. She ends season 1 one way, and starts season 2 a completely different way. There was a big leap in her development. With Gwen, the writer’s went from A-C instead of A-B to B-C, just like they did with Morgana in the end of season 2 and the start of season 3. 

The Arthur and Gwen Relationship 

Not only was Gwen’s development rushed, but it felt like her relationship with Arthur was rushed as well. The same episode where she calls him out for the second time, they fall in love and are kissing. Considering they only interacted twice in season 1, their progression felt very fast. The basis of their relationship was that she called him out, okay. But is that really it? There was nothing else they could have added before having them kiss? And then having 10 different episodes where Arthur almost marries someone and pines for Gwen so they can show how “In love” these two are.

For Arthur, as the show stands, I don’t really know what Gwen brought to his character that Merlin already did. Merlin was already criticizing him, Merlin was already helping him become a better person and a better King, etc. 

If I were doing this relationship, I would make them have a similar connection that Merlin had with Morgana in “The Nightmare Begins”. I will address my feelings on the Merlin and Morgana relationship later, but what is relevant now is that Merlin could understand Morgana’s struggle of figuring out she had magic and feeling alone and afraid of it. He empathized with her pain and reached out to her because of that. They were able to form a quick friendship because of it until later in the season. 

I would have Arthur and Gwen have a similar connection, as they were the non-magical beings in the main quartet of the show. I would probably have them both bond over their love of Camelot. Gwen lived in it her whole life, living amongst the people and the bustling city, and Arthur grew up being taught to care for it and make the best decisions for it. 

I could see them bonding by Gwen teaching him more about the actual village life, not just the politics and the royals behind it. This concept would be an expansion of the “Once and Future Queen” episode because it wouldn’t just be Arthur living in her house for one day; it would be him continuously getting to know the citizens of his kingdom on a personal level. I wouldn’t have them bond just in one episode and then decide they are in love, I would let it happen gradually. 

There’s also the fact that they both seem to have lost their mothers at a young age. They both have a lot of responsibility, Gwen with running her house after her father and brother are gone and Arthur with ruling the Kingdom. There are a lot of things that their characters could have bonded over, but instead of taking advantage of that I feel like the writer’s just rushed to have them together with blaring violins in the background. 

I could see Gwen showing Arthur to love the parts of the Kingdom (and the people) he wasn’t exposed to due to his sheltered upbringing. I could see her continuously calling him out the way she did in season 1, and him genuinely learning from her. This would be a new perspective brought into Arthur’s vision since Merlin did not grow up in Camelot. We would actually see Arthur seeing her love for the Kingdom he also loves. 

I could also see Arthur slowly helping her out of her shell. Not only does he have a huge ego that he can share (lol), but he could show her not to be afraid since he’s a trained fighter. If anyone could reassure her she’s a help to the kingdom, it would be him. 

The Gwen-Arthur-Lancelot Triangle 

The love triangle that is so infamous in Arthurian legend, was very underplayed and underutilized in the show. 

Gwen and Lancelot seemed to have a genuine attraction to each other in the first and second season. Once Arthur had taken over as King, however, it seemed Gwen and Lance was brushed aside for Arthur X Gwen with the cheating scandal being all magical compulsion and not real feelings. This lead to really boring conflict, imo, because we all knew that Gwen was innocent and there was no question that she would find her way back to Arthur. There was no real question or complexity in the situation. 

Obviously, I don’t condone cheating IRL but I do think it would have been much better for the show if Gwen did actually had an affair with Lancelot. At the time of the situation, Arthur was increasingly starting to act like Uther. He decided he would fight against magic, he was mistreating his citizens, following what Agravaine told him to do and following tradition instead of improving it. I could definitely see a situation where Gwen gets put off with Arthur losing his humanity and compassion, and she turns to his rival (Lancelot) who still embodies those attributes. 

Heck, we could avoid the cheating aspect of the situation altogether if they did an Arwen slow burn. Arthur could be ready to confess his feelings for Gwen and ask her to go steady but stops when he sees her getting close to Lancelot. Seeing them could kick start his development by asking what he was doing wrong (becoming like his tyrant father) that made Gwen choose his rival over himself.

This situation would be a lot more interesting because Gwen’s feelings would actually be conflicted between the two men, instead of having the audience already know. Having the love triangle influence Arthur’s development would affect the main plot of him accepting the poor/magical people and changing the old ways of Camelot. 

Conclusion: 

Gwen’s character, and her famous relationships with these two men were seriously underdeveloped in the show. I think what I presented has a lot of potential for interesting conflict and the show should have followed suite, imo. 

#gwen pendragon #merlin #morgana pendragon #arthur pendragon #merthur #blog #merlin rewrite