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#knight!merlin my beloved
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Leon finding Merlin and Arthur in the hallway doing "poetry"
Merlin: hold on, I can explain Leon: can you? Merlin: if you give me 30 seconds to think of a lie
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hppjmxrgosg · 9 months
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if im not consistently and constantly teetering on the edge of falling back into the merlin fandom at any given moment, thats not me. thats an impostor of some kind. kill it with fire.
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greghouse2-0 · 2 years
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Okay so we all know Merlin is queer-coded but how gay is it really.
So i made a polycule diagram
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The solid lines are primary partners
The long dashes are dating but not primaries
The short dashes are exes
And the short and long one is "Theres feelings but we're friends"
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fluffypotatey · 2 years
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Yeah, the Knights of the Round Table are cool, but what about the Squires of the Round Table? I want to know about the pack of hapless adolescents that are supposed to be learning the finer points of knighthood from THEE most chaotic bastards to ever share a braincell.
(Merlin unknowingly becomes, like, the patron saint of squires bc if he can handle Arthur, they can handle their respective masters as well)
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no ok i'm in love with this. the squires of the round table is the spin off i didn't know we needed, but by GOD am i glad you told me, anon.
(you are a GEM, anon, i'm in love with you)
the squires for knights are the round table's adopted children. oh, sorry, was that kid the son of such and such??? he's leon's boy now. they all have youngest sibling syndrome so sorry i don't make the rules and yes they do treat merlin like he's a mob wife.
anyway,
these squires would get up to so much shit omfg. if you're the squire to gwaine, have fun upsetting your noble father (because most squires come from the nobility and since arthur took down that rule when he became, then there became this influx of squires who were from the common people) and learning that doing illegal shit is the best thing and you've only tasted a sliver of what gwaine has been doing since he was 13 but you LOVE IT---
squires of sir leon are trained into how to become the mom friend. it's not much, but it's hard work. sometimes the little squires pity their knight because he is not paid enough for for the antics his other knights and king get into ("poetry??? seriously, is that what they told him???" "idk that's roland said" "maybe we should gift him some more moisturizer?"). yes they do treat sir leon with the respect they would give an older cousin.
sir elyan is very new to all this...squire business but he's not one to let his little men (little brothers tbh) be caught slacking. he has them run drills everyday and they complain about it all the time ,but then you'll find them in an empty room perfecting their forms, and making sure it's perfect because sir elyan deserves the best. and he called nathan's form "superb" but nathan's a bitch and you just think that if you get this form right---
elyan teaches his squires moves that were taught to him by tristan and isolde because they totally worked together while elyan was away and he respects them so much and misses them and wonders if they ever got the chance to settle down and breath like they had dreamed
sir percival is second on the list of knights who teaches his squires the more traditional way (first is leon obvi) but that does not mean he let's them fall behind with dirty tricks. listen, this man was friends with lancelot (honorable, noble, dreamed of being a knight since he was prob 15) so he knows the intricacies of knighthood; however, he is also besties with gwaine and elyan both of whom are a chaotic combination if put in the same room. the squires are granted the perfect balance of swishy swordplay and body slamming a bitch. sleeves??? don't know her. the squires beg percival for them to cover their arms and he is offended.
sir lancelot, the epitome of honor and loyalty, is a force to work with. the squires think that he'll be the one whose teaching will lead them far off adventures and gain cool ass scares. lancelot is actually the old coot who grants wisdom like an old man who's lived two lifetimes. his training is unusual but somehow it works. the chores he assigns aren't demeaning, nor are they used as punishment. you are lancelot's squire for a week and you immediately understand that this man is a man who has his heart on his sleeve and you watch as he gazes at the king, the queen, and the manservant. his eyes always fond and full of...something. you are too young to pick up on a deep and unconditional emotion like that. not yet.
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crisalidaseason · 1 year
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Is the Merlin fandom still out there? Asking as a fic writer because I still like to rant about how much that show impacted but also destroyed me
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handern · 1 year
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being a big fan of secondary characters (in nowadays' retellings) of the Arthuriana is pointing and vibrating when your fave made the cut, only to immediately die inside because it's sooooo wroooooong they got your favorite little shiny murderous idiot wroooong
all my thoughts to people who dig third or fourth level of obscurity knights and only got one entire media mentioning their name in about 2000 years tho
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cha0ticr0b0tic · 1 year
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I am not a medievalist. I have no plans to become a medievalist. But I will say, so far every portrayal of Gawain that I’ve seen in media is completely valid and they all pass my own personal vibe check. Merlin’s version is just pure ADHD and eat the rich vibes. There’s an absolutely bonkers novel called By Force Alone (basically Arthuriana by way of Tarantino & Scorsese) which depicts Gawain as a traveler in an eldritch land (Faerie), sorta like the scientists from Annihilation. Dev Patel’s version leaps before he looks and chops off the Green Knight’s head in a show of performative masculinity. They’re all just like me fr
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emrys-merlin · 1 year
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There's a beloved headcanon that Gwaine always knew about Merlin’s magic, and damn, i want to believe it 😞 or at least suspected it.
He literally brought Merlin to the Valley of the Fallen Kings, to the Crystal Cave, in order to retrieve something Merlin claimed would keep him safe in the middle of bandit infested lands.
Gwaine asked no questions and returned to Arthur for the final battle. He either trusted Merlin was on his way to gather a immensely powerful item or had magic. Nothing else could possible make sense.
I don’t know, i just want to believe it because i’m so sad that Gwaine died without knowing it :(
Also, i admit it....i don't like this new fandom headcanon that if Gwaine ever found out about Merlin’s magic he would've betrayed him. Because his loyalty/duty to Arthur is > Merlin's friendship. Nope. This is not Gwaine.
Of course Gwaine is loyal to Arthur. Of course Gwaine cares for Arthur. He's his King. But his loyalty to Arthur wasn't greater than his precious friendship to Merlin. No idea why do people believe that.
It doesn’t matter what Gwaine think about magic and i don’t really care. Gwaine adored Merlin, he would never have done anything to hurt him. He would never have betrayed him.  Not even for the King. Exactly like Lancelot, another loyal knight. Gwaine choosing Merlin over Arthur is not a bad thing and it is not unfair to Arthur
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They are bestie. Nothing can change my mind.
Btw, Eoin Macken once said that Gwaine had an “unrequited love” for Merlin ❤ I love this man.
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queer-ragnelle · 4 months
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do you have any arthur/guinevere/lancelot recommendations? if not, just stories where their characters were done justice and their friendship is explored and the love triangle comes to some satisfying solution.
i sure do! as always, with caveats. this list has two parts: films first and then books as i have suggestions for both! all of these movies can be watched here and the books read here.
TL;DR movies: Excalibur (1981), Camelot (1967), Knights of The Round Table (1953), Merlin and The Sword (1985), Sword of Lancelot (1963)
TL;DR books: The Birth of Galahad by Richard Hovey, Arthur Rex by Thomas Berger, Guinevere Trilogy by Persia Woolley, Guinevere by Lavinia Collins, Spear by Nicola Griffith, honorable mention to Arthurian Saga by Mary Stewart
MOVIES:
Excalibur (1981): for me it has everything. we get to see young stupid arthur and clever curious guinevere fall in love, their wedding is gorgeous, then nicholas clay my beloved lancelot throws a wrench in it as he loves and respects them both so much, and they love him. he gets to be crazy about it too like running off to the woods to beg god to take these feelings away, dreams he's fighting himself and ends up impaled<3 meanwhile arthur/guinevere leave a cup out for him even when he isn't there. the crux of it comes when guinevere is accused of cheating (which she hadn't even at this point) and arthur won't champion her because his kingship comes before husbandly duties, so lancelot fights for her honor instead. at the end, after guinevere has gone away to a convent (lancelot is a wildman with a full beard lost to them all) arthur comes to retrieve excalibur from her and his speech is so romantic about finding her in the next life. i die every time. here is my review of that movie.
Camelot (1967): i adoooore this guinevere. jenny<3 she does whatever she wants and i love that for her. the whole may day queen aspect of her is muah chef's kiss. small wonder arthur loved her immediately. this arthur gets to wear eyeliner which is a plus. lancelot almost kills arthur on meeting him and then falls at his feet on realizing it, only for guinevere to be really cold to him at first, trying to get other knights to defeat him, but ends up falling in love with him. which arthur totally knows and turns a blind eye to btw. even when pellinore brings it up in as gently as possible, arthur bites his head off, knowing he cant even entertain the rumor or else the kingdom is in danger, and he just wants his two favorite people to be happy....cries forever.
Knights of The Round Table (1953): the biggest downside to this one is that lancelot has a horrible insufferable american accent. however his celebrity worship/instant friendship with arthur is soooo good. he breaks his own sword for threatening the king and then arthur gives him his own....is that even allowed to be so adorable? anyway so lancelot had met guinevere before they were arthur's friend and wife, essentially had a charming meet cute, and went their separate ways, only to formally meet at the wedding in front of everyone....god, the eye contact could turn someone to stone. arthur is extremely sympathetic and compassionate, to the point that when he catches guinevere sulking alone on the roof with a gift from lancelot, he says "i miss him too..." bruh???? my heart?? all around delicious food.
Merlin and The Sword (1985): huge disclaimer...this movie is ugly as sin lol the only version available is ripped from a vhs tape so it might as well be a crunchy gif at this point. it was also cut down from the 3 hour tv version to 1.5 hours which is a tragedy. (i've tried emailing the studio for a rerelease to no avail...) however it has the most insane arthur/guinevere/lancelot ever i'll never be the same. arthur is played by malcom mcdowell who always brings his a game to roles. he's a bit older than guinevere, but she apparently taught him to read? he dotes on her but he's somewhat emotionally stunted which gets in the way. this guinevere is gorgeous i'm obsessed with her she has this deep sultry voice and a simple elegance that completely shatters lancelot's resolve. i get it, it would work on me. lancelot meanwhile is this incredibly lanky sometimes mute shy guy who is besties with gawain and his meet cute with guinevere involves the mingling of their blood after they are both cut on some rose thorns? hello???? they're freaks just like chrétien intended. the blood. they share bath water and fuck in a dungeon. then after guinevere is rescued from meleagant, arthur asks merlin for some sort of potion to help guinevere recover emotionally instead of like.....talking to her? he's trying but so so bad at it<3 he then takes her to bed to "treat her like a queen." IT'S ALL GREAT IT MAKES ME FERAL ARGH
Sword of Lancelot (1963): this one is fun because cornel wilde wrote it, directed it, and starred as lancelot himself!! the other fun factoid is the woman who plays guinevere is his real life wife. how stinking cute is that? so obviously their chemistry is ridiculous. but arthur is a cutie too. he's older and tends to talk down to guinevere a bit, which makes sense why she befriends lancelot in her loneliness. lancelot gets a lot of development, taking young tor under his wing, besties with gawain and lamorak and gareth. being irl married to guinevere also makes their disagreements feel very real. arthur is counseled by a ton of characters, bedievere, merlin, even mordred is here giving his two cents. so you really feel that tug of war pulling the throuple apart. it hurts.
BOOKS:
The Birth of Galahad by Richard Hovey: this play is wiiiiiild but the take away here is that guinevere is the mother of galahad. like what a twist. meanwhile all the men are away fighting rome so you get this tragic back and forth switching of perspective between lancelot and arthur missing guinevere (plus galehaut is here as counsel which really kicks this up a notch) then it cuts to guinevere with a new baby and tormented by the prospect of whether to write to rome with the news but afraid it will cause an upset where she cant be.....hovey you mad lad you've done it again.
Arthur Rex by Thomas Berger: i hate i keep having to recommend this bigoted book but damn it this arthur/guinevere/lancelot are so good. why are they sooo goood???? this arthur is compelling since he loses his virginity to morgause and is forever messed up after that, so he struggles to connect with guinevere in the way she needs, not really understanding her even though he bends over backwards to please her. meanwhile there isnt a word for what she and lancelot have here they need to be studied under a microscope so history doesn't repeat itself they're so twisted it's wild i can't look away. and the friendship between arthur and lancelot is so powerful and enduring that even at the end while joyous garde is under siege, arthur sends in kay with food the moment he hears their stores are low, and has him serve them like old times. he doesnt want it to be the way it is....sick and twisted narrative choices.
Guinevere Trilogy by Persia Woolley: i admit this isn't my favorite guinevere, but credit where it's due, she's a complex and fully realized character. through her we come to understand both arthur and lancelot as deeply damaged men, who had their emotional states devastated by the fall out of sexual abuse, and how that impacts their relationship with her (and their sons, mordred and galahad, who likewise suffer as a result of their fathers' emotional states). as a celtic queen, guinevere has every right to take a lover if she so desires, and arthur is not ignorant of his own failings as a husband, but the tragedy plays out anyway as the orkney brothers are there to wreak havoc on the place as usual. (you might find that this has a movie adaptation Guinevere (1994) don't watch it, trust me, it's not even fun bad, just cursed.)
Guinevere by Lavinia Collins: this is technically part of a series so you'll also get a lot of arthur and lancelot in the other three (Igraine, Morgawse, Morgan) but for the sake of this list, the guinevere one will suffice. anyway what i like about this is the strong contrast in relationships with both men. lancelot is bisexual and guinevere is the first woman he ever sleeps with (but not the last...) so theyre very tender and sweet together meanwhile arthur sired mordred before marrying her he's overall more adventurous while keeping entirely faithful to her for the rest of his life......there is a threesome in this but ironically its lancelot/guinevere/kay and not arthur but you know what? he deserves a win. this still goes on the list.
Spear by Nicola Griffith: this is perceval pov so the focus on arthur/guinevere/lancelot is minimal, but its delicious. arthur is kinda cold and mean here (falling back on the celtic "bear" thing, same as woolley does) but its revealed that he, lancelot, and guinevere are in a throuple, the characterization of lancelot's shy explanation of this was so good, and he goes on the grail quest to try and heal guinevere's womb so she can have their children, as it's a point of tension that mordred and galahad both exist, but guinevere wants to have children with arthur and lancelot. there's literally a part she faints and they both carry her off to bed like....they dont even pretend its any other way. no homophobia or slut shaming or anything like that in this book which is a huge plus. palate cleanser after arthur rex lol
Arthurian Saga by Mary Stewart: this is more of an honorable mention, as the first three books are merlin pov and the fourth is mordred. but book two (the hollow hills) has arthur raised alongside bedwyr (who is lancelot in all but name, son of ban, eventual lover of guinevere etc) they are the best of friends its adorable, bedwyr gave him his dog cabal, which is cute on its own, then fast forward to mordred pov (the wicked day) decades later and arthur is picking out a new puppy and names that one cabal too, its like this long homoromantic ritual that every dog descended from the first calls back to his original gift....im pulling my hair out. guinevere here is underdeveloped at best, as merlin doesnt really know her well and mordred's perspective on her is that shes (respectfully) hot lmao but worth mentioning as mary stewart is the goat, highly recommend her books.
and that's the list. hope that gives you some stuff to chew over!
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notbecauseofvictories · 7 months
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Hello, would you happen to have any book recs on arthurian retellings? I've read th white, malory, tolkien and steinbeck and was wondering if there's anymore around that leans into the more fantastical or weird. Either way, any recs would be appreciated please and thank you!
Retellings, no---unfortunately, once you move outside of Malory and de Troyes etc., you're largely in the world of literary classics (e.g., White) or YA novels (e.g., Gerald Morris, my beloved). There was a brief period of resurgence in the 70s with authors like Mary Stewart and Thomas Berger trying their hand at Arthuriana, and the 90s were lousy with juvenilia (I was there, I remember!) but few of them lean into the fantastical in the way you mean.
....that said, there's an unexpected wealth of novels that aren't straight adaptations, but do play with the mythos in interesting ways.
My actual reason for reblogging that post was that I just finished Perilous Times, by Thomas D. Lee. It's set in a future world when the UK is being swallowed by rising seas, half the country has been sold to private corporations, and the other half has devolved into factionalist infighting---oh, and this is about when Sir Kay is roused from his eternal slumber, and told to go kill a dragon. (Slowly, you discover that eternal slumber isn't really "eternal"; he and his fellow knights have been called up a dozen times, each worse, bloodier, and more morally implicating than the last.)
It is a weird as hell set up, and it doesn't get any less weird once you throw in the fay, Welsh independents, refugee camps, and explosions. Nevertheless, I enjoyed myself immensely.
I think that's my takeaway---if you've already read the greats, you can branch out into those authors using Arthuriana as a tool rather than an end in itself. For example, I just started Donald Barthelme's The King, which is the Arthurian cycle transliterated to WWII. I've only read the first bit, but this exchange had me in hysterics:
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In the end, I've already read Malory, etc. I'd love a truly mystical Arthurian retelling, that takes advantage of how wide, deep, and unexplained, inexplicable, the world was around the Round Table. However, barring that, I like it when an author does something with all the paper dolls left behind---even if it involves Merlin licking mushrooms, or Lancelot's bloody mace being stolen from the pub washroom.
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wildlife4life · 5 months
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WIP Wednesday
Tagged by @devirnis @exhuastedpigeon @daffi-990 @wikiangela @lover-of-mine @hippolotamus @jeeyuns and @disasterbuckdiaz. You are all so amazing and I cannot wait for all your works! Thank you!
I haven't really worked on any of the fics I dropped on tease bit tuesday, so I went into the vault of wips I have and pulled out the first buddie fic I ever started, buddie/911 in the Once Upon a Time verse. It was posted for a bit on ao3 but recently took it down because I wasn't all that happy with was posted and not having a sense of direction to take it in. But I'm looking back over it, and editing, adding. So I'm sharing a bit of it with ya'll today, test the waters really and see if its something I should keep working on. Hope you enjoy!
Once upon a time….
24 years ago, in the land of Misthaven, a cloud of dark magic thundered across the lands towards the Kingdom of Camelot. At the helm of a large round table sat Sir Robert, the kingdom’s noblest knight.  To his left was his beloved and soon to be wife, Queen Athena who cradled her two children to her chest. But no fear be felled her demure. No great evil could ever shake her resolve and it could be said for many of those that sat at the round table. Many who whose entire attention was on the enterically designed wardrobe that stood in the middle of the table. 
“Are we sure this is what needs to be done?” asked Howard the Hatter.
Sir Robert clenched his fist tight at the tables edge, “The dark curse is among us and there is nothing we can do to stop it.  All that is left is to secure the prince’s future.”
To his right, the great wizard Merlin nodded in agreement, “The magic of this wardrobe is powerful enough to send little Evan far away from his mother’s curse.  We must trust that the one with belief will return him home.”
“And what of the rest of us?” King Michael spoke what many were thinking.
Merlin looked to the man who held his very heart, “I’m sorry my love, but I do not have those answers.  I cannot see past the curse itself and the dark one won’t share his secrets.  We can only hope, and that in itself is powerful enough to see us through.”
The King of Camelot nodded and took the wizards hand, giving it a tight squeeze.
The rest of those around the table conceded with King Michael and Sir Robert took a deep breath, “Bring them in Henrietta.”
The warrior that stood at the opposite of the knight, dipped her head before turning and opening the large wooden doors.  “Princess Maddie, come along.”
A small girl no older than 10 with curling brown hair and wide brown eyes, slowly made her way into the room.  In her arms she carried a very small boy, just on the cusp of turning one.  Blonde curls sat atop his head and framed eyes as blue as the ocean.  But his most distinguishing feature was the pink mark along his left brow.  Many believed it was the mark of his prophesized power, that it told the world of the golden heart that rested within him.  The golden heart that would one day break any and all curses.
Maddie clutched her little brother tight to her chest, her lower lip trembling, “She’s coming for him again. The Evil Queen is coming for Evan.”
Sir Robert looked at the young girl he considered his own and tried to hold his tears, “We do not know why your mother has sent this curse, only that she intends to take the entire land with it and your brother is meant to save us all.”
“He’s just a baby!” the princess spits angrily, making the prince stir in her arms before Maddie quickly composed herself and soothed him with soft shushes.
Isabel, the eldest and wisest among the group rose to her feet, “No child should have the world on their shoulders and all we can hope is that you and Evan can be free of burden until the time comes.”
Tears streamed down Maddie’s face, “How do I do that when only I will know?”
Behind the little princess came a glowing blue light that grew brighter and larger before dwindling out to reveal a dark-skinned woman in a flowing blue dress and shimmery wings.  “Tell him our tales, instill the belief. But most important, love him.  Love Prince Evan as you do now.” The blue fairy answered before bending down and giving the two children a gentle hug.
Maddie returned the embrace with one arm then stepped and faced Sir Robert, “Will I ever see you again?”
The brave knight let one tear roll down his cheek as he gave the princess a sad smile, “We can only hope.”
The thunder of the curse rumbled in the silence and lower in the castle, the sound of battle rung out.  Their time was up.
Princess Maddie climbed atop the table and stepped towards the wardrobe.  Above the noise of battle and magic, the Blue Fairy’s soft lilt rang out, “The last child born to a queen of sorrow shall be given a heart of gold.  His heart alone can save those who are cursed.”
“And on the child’s 25th birthday, he shall return to those who have left, led by the one who has belief.” Merlin finished as the young girl sat within the wardrobe.
“Be safe and have hope.” Athena stated firmly then watched with the rest of those at the round table as the wardrobe was closed and the doors to the room burst open.
“It’s over.” The Evil Queen proclaimed stepping inside with the cloud of cursed magic behind her.
“What will happen to us?” Sir Roberts asked.
The Evil Queen cackled, “The worst imaginable.”
Then darkness.
Alright, I know its a lot, but this is basically the prelude to the whole story. If anyone wants an indication of who is who, just let me know I can drop a list of characters and their identities from the fairy tail world. Hope you enjoyed! (Also Captainswan stan! Its true love ya'll!)
Tagging (no pressure!): @bekkachaos @hoodie-buck @theotherbuckley @ladydorian05 @prosperdemeter2 @spotsandsocks @malewifediaz @elvensorceress @bigfootsmom @watchyourbuck @watchyourbuck @jesuisici33 @thewolvesof1998 @fortheloveofbuddie @giddyupbuck @eddiebabygirldiaz @loserdiaz @spaceprincessem @thekristen999 @lizzybizzyzzz @homerforsure @sibylsleaves @spagheddiediaz @try-set-me-on-fire @monsterrae1 @rogerzsteven @eowon @honestlydarkprincess @911onabc @911-on-abc @cowboydiazes @vampbuckley @brokenribsdiaz @buck-coded @housewifebuck @arthursdent @glorious-spoon @buddierights @athenagranted @rainbow-nerdss @gayhoediaz @gayedmundodiaz
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viridiesa · 1 year
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❝ 𝐢'𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, ❞ ▬ 𝐬𝐢𝐫 𝐠𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞.
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𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒; you're the unintentional victim to an attempt on King Arthur's life and wake up days later in bed, being tended to by your beloved knight. ★ gwaine x gn!reader
𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒; angst, fear of loss, mentions of poison, mentions of death. {if you notice anything else that i missed let me know}
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄; first fic of the new account <3 requested on an old one. this is kinda a sickfic? i sorta went with the reader being unwell without the whole disease route. i love this man sm ugh.
𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇; 1125 words.
𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ★ 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓
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Waking up to the feeling of a damp cloth being dabbed at your forehead, you slowly blinked open your eyes. The top of his shirt hanging open, sleeves rolled up, his hair slightly dishevelled, Gwaine looked tired. Attempting to wriggle into a more comfortable position, you groaned at the much your entire body ached.
“Hey,” Gwaine said softly, a small smile forming as he looked down at you, “Don’t try and move, sweetheart, you’re still very sick.”
You wanted to cry, your head felt like it was about to explode or topple right off your body. Your neck was as stiff as a board and your throat felt like gravel. “How long was I-” you began, croaking like a frog before he shushed you.
“You’ve been asleep for three days,” he explained, “Gaius thinks it should only be three more before the poison is fully out of your system.” 
You frowned at that. Poison?
“At the feast,” he said, knowing just what you were thinking, “Sir Arnold’s serving girl put something in the wine. Apparently, it was intended for Arthur but it didn’t reach him funnily enough. Leon and Harry’s wife, Lady Evans also drank some.” 
“I-” you started, not really having any thought of what to say. Your eyes began to water and hot tears began down your cheeks.
“Hey, hey, hey, ssh,” Gwaine whispered, reaching out to wipe your cheeks just as fast as they were wetted, “it’s okay now, you’re alright. Gaius had all the ingredients on hand and administered the antidote within the hour. More than long enough to make you better.” He continued to brush your cheek even after you stopped crying.
Putting the rag down on the cupboard at your bedside, he pressed a chaste kiss to your forehead and rose from his chair. “I had Merlin prepare you some soup in case you woke,” he said as he fetched the bowl from the table. As he returned with it, he lifted the spoon to his mouth to taste it. You frowned. 
“Can’t be too careful,” he said, sitting back in his chair. He shuffled it forwards until his knees were pressed against the bed. Taking another spoonful, he held it to your lips. “Just have as much as you can, darling.”
Still relatively warm, it went down smoothly and helped the dry ache of your throat. You had a couple more spoonfuls until you swallowed too fast and began to cough. Gwaine was quick to put down the bowl and spoon before helping you sit up against the pillows.
“I’ll pour you some water.” He took the jug from beside him and filled the goblet that sat next to it. Sipping it slightly, he waited a moment before handing it to you, gently helping tip some into your mouth for you to gulp down. When you put your hand up to say you had enough he put it back.
“Why do you keep doing that?” you breathed, voice steadier than before.
“You’re not having a sip of anything again until it’s passed my lips first,” he vowed, his tone suggesting he was joking but his eyes saying otherwise. Reaching out, you took hold of his hand where it rested on his knee. He gripped your fingers tightly as you smiled at him.
“Have you eaten today?” you asked. He looked down for a moment, chuckling at your ability to be concerned even while you were the one who had so recently faced death.
“Not yet.”
“And when did you last sleep?”
“Not since you’ve been unwell,” he admitted, preparing himself for your disapproval.
“Go to bed, Gwaine,” you whispered, “there’s no sense in us both looking half-dead.” 
He leaned forward and kissed your brow. “You’re a fool if you think I’m letting you out of my sight until you’re up and walking around.”
“Don’t be cruel to yourself,” you said, staring up into his eyes, rubbing your thumb along his knuckles, “you’ll end up bedridden if you don’t eat and sleep. Finish the soup.”
“That’s for you, my darling,” he said.
“I’m not hungry. Finish it and come ‘ere.” You patted the empty spot on the bed next to you. 
“Only for you, my love.”
Not bothering with the spoon, he tipped the bowl back and drank the rest of the soup. When he got up to take off his boots you noticed his sword leaning unsheathed against the wall nearby. Just in reach, you thought which made your heart sink. He grabbed it before he plodded around to his side of the bed. After putting it on his bedside cabinet, he climbed onto the bedding and inched closer to you.
“Expecting a hostile intruder?” you asked.
“You never know who’s gonna try to take you away from me,” he said, wriggling into a comfortable position beside you. Retaking your hand, he brought it to his lips and laid a kiss to your knuckles before holding it to his chest. Shoulders pressed together, you let out a deep breath, eyes falling shut again.
“I’d never let them,” you murmured, “you’re stuck with me.”
“Good.” He was silent for a while before adding: “I thought I was gonna lose you. For a while there it didn’t look like… Gaius wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
Shifting with a slight wince, you turn to look at him better. You tucked a piece of hair behind his ear and he turned his head towards you.
“I’m okay, Gwaine,” you said, “I promise. It’s okay now. I’m safe.”
“No thanks to me,” he breathed, the fear in his voice breaking your heart.
“You didn’t know, how could you have?”
“I don’t know, but I just sat there for a minute. After you fell out of your seat and I had you in my arms. You were so fucking still and I just… I couldn’t move. Percival grabbed you and ran to Gaius. If he’d been any slower, if I’d- you would’ve died because of me.”
Scooching closer, you let go of his hand and wrapped your arm around his middle. He lifted his arm to put it behind your back allowing you to press your cheek into his chest. “You were in shock, it’s not your fault.”
“But it would’ve been.”
“No,” you insisted, “whoever put the poison in the wine is to blame, no one else.” 
“Hmm,” he hummed, not entirely taking your word for it now, “never again. I’ll protect you from anything and everything, whatever it takes.”
“You’re too good to me,” you said, kissing his cheek, “my handsome knight.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, sweetheart,” he said, “now go back to sleep, you need to rest.”
“You best go to sleep too.”
“Of course,” he said, “Sweet dreams, darling.”
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𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄; hope you enjoyed <3 if you have any ideas, suggestions, or comments please comment on this post, dm me or drop your thoughts in my inbox! i’d love to talk to you :))
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allwaswell16 · 10 months
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A fic rec of One Direction fics taking place in medieval times as requested in this ask. If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments for the writers. You can find my other fic recs here. Happy reading!
—Louis/Harry—
🏰 Fantasy/Merlin AU (series) by MyEnglishRose / @lwtisloved
(E, 249k, fantasy) A Fantasy AU loosely inspired by Merlin BBC, with Louis as a servant, hiding his nature as a sorcerer, Harry as Camelot's prince, Liam as his guard, Niall as Louis' knight and Zayn as the fairy prince.
🏰 After Dark, After Light by QuickedWeen / @becomeawendybird
(M, 71k, Scottish au) In an attempt to garner extra protection for his clan, Harry sets out to mend his father's past wrongs and ally with their neighbors to the west, Clan Sutherland.
🏰 I'll Be Here Waiting on Forever by sweaterpawstyles
(E, 46k, a/b/o) A Romeo and Juliet AU where Louis is an alpha prince who falls in love with Harry, an omega prince from the neighboring kingdom
🏰 Now You're Lost, Lost In The Heat Of It All by @marchessa
(E, 44k, a/b/o) the story of a great medieval Emperor and his consort.
🏰 It's Not You, and It's Not Me by @realitybetterthanfiction
(E, 18k, Game of Thrones) Harry Snow, bastard son of Lord Ned Stark, meets an intriguing stranger on a midnight ride near Winterfell. Can their connection last in a world ruled by lions, and dragons, and wolves?
🏰 Where Iron Meets Flame by @fallinglikethis
(T, 14k, magic) Louis is a knight in training that emphatically doesn't believe in magic, Harry is a mage with confidence issues.
🏰 Knight Changes by graceling_in_a_suit / @graceling-in-a-suit
(M, 10k, bog man) Louis has a promise to keep and a curse to break for a man in a bog. Niall, Liam, and Zayn are along for the ride. The real friends are the dragons we slay along the way.
🏰 The Rose and the Stag by lonelymisfit / @l0nelymisfit
(E, 10k, Game of Thrones) A medieval AU where Louis is heir to the throne and Harry is a knight who fights for more than just his lord’s victory.
🏰 The Bandits of Sherwood Forest by foreverfanficaddict / @chaotic-bells
(T, 8k, Robin Hood au) Louis Tomlinson and his band of merry men were the people’s only hope. They robbed from the rich to feed the poor, and were beloved by all of England during these terrible times.
🏰 These High Walls, they came up short by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup
(T, 7k, hybrid au) Simon, he assumes, is thinking back to the days he likes to tell Harry about; the days when the abbey was teeming with life and community. They needed to be a united force then, surely. But now— now it’s just the two of them. 
🏰 My Sun and Stars, Moon of my Life by @ohharold
(M, 7k, Game of Thrones) Harry was used to the luxuries of Kings Landing and then Pentos but when his brother is desperate for the crown he is entitled to, Harry must be part of an arranged marriage to a ruthless Khal of a Dothraki tribe.
🏰 Had Enough of Silly Love Spells by learnthemusic
(T, 7k, Merlin au) A Merlin AU in which Harry, Court Sorcerer, slips a love potion into King Louis' sleeping draught in hopes of awakening his true feelings for Harry. It goes wrong and Harry puzzles over how to get things back to how they used to be.
🏰 Settle Soft and Follow Thee by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup
(G, 2k, pagan gods)  He’s never met a deity himself, not even a member of the fae, but if he did, he thinks the inbetween time would be when it happens. 
—Rare Pairs—
🏰 Spark by unfortunate17
(E, 42k, Zayn/Liam) a Game of Thrones AU that lacks all the death and sorrow, where Zayn is Daenerys Targaryen and Liam is Khal Drogo
🏰 my crown is in my heart by carissima
(M, 30k, Liam/Harry) After several attempts on the royal family’s lives, a knight’s tournament is held to find Prince Harry’s future husband to rule beside him when he becomes king. 
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fluffypotatey · 2 years
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OMG, so Soft™, Merlin bby, ofc they like you.
I put my vote in for Roland being Merlin's unofficial squire, bc A) just as Extra as Merlin, and B) gets many more excuses to Stab. Like, "Yes, sir, I'll stay right back here while you fight sorcerous assassin du jour and if your magic doesn't work, this dagger will."
A child learning morals from the morally dubious would be A+ content.
Merlin: Agravaine is the traitor, I'm certain of it.
Roland, immediately: I can put a viper in his sheets.
Merlin: ........as much as it pains me to say, please do not do that.
Roland: Well, okay, but if you ever change your mind, I can get one in, like, an hour.
Merlin: *deep inhale*
Also, I don't know why, but I'm picturing Roland as a girl. Like, maybe she heard about Morgause challenging Arthur or even saw the duel happen herself and was like, "Huh," and when Arthur does away with the 'nobility only' rule, she's like "Huh," and immediately goes for it. But girls still can't apply for knighthood (yet, bc gotta take baby steps with social change like that) so maybe Roland is her family name or a brother/cousin, and she just lops her hair off, steals some trousers, and falls in with the lads. She's young enough when she joins that she can pass for a boy. When they get a little older, well, by then her bros have all twigged but also know she can and will kick their asses, so they just make sure she gets tunics that are always a little too big. Bonus if legit nobody else notices this, including Merlin, and the only person who does know is Gwen, and she ain't saying a damn thing. Double Bonus if the first person to notice is Arthur, and the Squires immediately and without hesitation straight up lie to the fucking KING.
Arthur: *squinty eyes*
Arthur: Is.....is Roland......a girl?
SotRT: What? No, of course not, sire, don't let him hear you say that, you'll hurt his feelings.
Arthur: ........uh-huh.
Cue Gwen cracking tf up in the background like, "JFC, I married the biggest himbo in the Five Kingdoms, Arthur, you're lucky you're pretty."
(Also, here are my tokens of returned affection in courtship: 🌹🌸🌼🌺💐💍👑💎)
same gwen lmao
*slams hand on table* ROLAND IS ONE OF CAMELOT'S BEST SQUIRES AND YES SHE WAS INSPIRED BY MORGAUSE
she didn't really ask merlin if she could be his squire. she just started hanging around him, helping him with chores, being his lookout until a couple knights asked and she said: "uh duh, i've been his squire for three months now" "your my WHAT?!"
roland had and will cut a bitch if they threaten merlin. oh, you're glaring menacingly at the king's manservant? roland is breathing inside your walls, have fun sleeping bitch. you told merlin to count his days?? count your seconds, bitch, roland is behind you, axe poised and ready to strike--
all of agravaine's inconveniences, that's roland. ok sure, merlin said no to the snakes, but he never said no to rats! he didn't say yes either but why would you question the method to the madness? his saddle never fits right. his food is always cold. his clothes are always dirty. agravaine knows something is up, but none of his spies are able to find out who is causing all of this???
the other squires help her plan the pranks and very illegal tampering with noble goods, but he called merlin "nothing more than a chair for the king" and they are out for blood.
agravaine complains to arthur about how unruly the squires are but arthur cannot believe it. because that meant that his knights couldn't handle them, but they could and that's a slight on his men which he cannot forgive. it's one of the only things agravaine couldn't trick arthur into believing. roland later soaked agravaine's sheets with spoiled mead, serves him right!
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marislittlethings · 19 days
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bbc merlin 1.01-1.05
I miss gwaine even though he literally has not been introduced yet, i love him and i can't believe we don't get him until s3
merlin really just flirts with everyone!!
gaius & merlin have actually such a strange relationship that develops sort of out of nowhere? like within the first three/four episodes, gaius says that he would die for merlin but all he's done is tell him he's an idiot who is going to screw everything up??
i'm preemptively furious about the morgana plotline
that dragon is so fucking useless!!! he's been locked in a cavern alone for 20 years and still can't be bothered to talk to merlin for longer than 2 seconds at a time. where is he flying to? he's shackled in a cavern!! he's got nowhere to go!!!
lancelot, my beloved sunshine boy. you really are the most pure character, with gwen being a close second
everyone is in love with merlin fr (me too, i am also in love with merlin)
it's so crazy to me that merlin grows up with his magic being a part of him, something that's always there (and in later episodes he sort of alludes to it connecting him with the world on a deeper level) and then his mother ships him off to camelot where it's illegal and gaius tells him he has to stop doing magic like it's just easy?? and then he's immediately told that no, actually, you can only do magic to serve this guy who is a bully and who would turn you over to be killed in an instant. no, don't do it to save the life of your friend's dad. no, don't do it to help your friend become a knight. no, don't do it to lighten your (frankly insane) workload. and another thing, by the way, every time you try to help this guy, someone is going to accuse you of lying, throw you in the dungeon, try to kill you, insult you, etc. this thing that has, for twenty years, been so intrinsically tied to who you are belongs to a guy who barely even cares about you and you are not allowed to feel ownership over it or use it for anything outside of this. obviously it evolves past that, but for s1 merlin that was fucking brutal
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captain-lonagan · 1 year
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bbc guinevere my beloved your own show did you so dirty you deserved to have an actual arc in season 5 and someone to talk to outside of arthur. like she and merlin were friends, they were Cool friends, wtf happened to that. did they forget. istg we talk a little about how the knights' personalities all got forgotten after two episodes but fuckin justice for guinevere who managed to keep her character but at the cost of being given anything to do
i would kill for gwen to have even just one episode about adjusting to being queen and what effect the recent years have had on her. Just One. Please. at least let her mourn her own fuckin brother god damm
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