#the battle for ealdor

[sundry-whovengerslocked]

Snow and Dirty Rain (Merlin)

Richard Silken, "Snow and Dirty Rain" // BBC Merlin

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4

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and we've got a part three! with merthur this time! and significantly less angst!

I tried to make this one a bit like a duet, if you pay attention you can see that the words are closer to one of the boys vs the other, rather than spread across the pictures like I usually do.

Gaius, Hunith, and Leon will be in the next part, I promise. I've got it all sorted out.

-

the first one is arthur and merlin in ealdor. I was gonna do the "there is no more rope!" scene for the literal climbing out the window, but I figured the more metaphorical rebellion against uther was better.

peep the poetry with the scene about poetry! haha

I chose the labyrinth of gedref for that catalog line because I wanted to include it, and also I found it fit because they were trying to bring back the food/harvest - like dawn to a field

also that kingdom line was too perfect to not use for Ygraine's sigil! I'm so happy I got to fit it in!

#bbc merlin #richard siken #merthur #labyrinth of gedref #ygraine pendragon #ygraine's sigil #arthur's sigil #merlin #poetry #original post #arthur #arthur pendragon #ealdor #the battle for ealdor #snow and dirty rain #excalibur #the most powerful sorcerer #merlin emrys #the once and future king #two sides of the same coin

[theroundbartable]

I think what bothers me most about the Episode of the battle of Ealdor is that without Arthur, Morgana and Gwen, Merlin could have really fucked up those raiders.

I mean, I know that that's the point of the episode, but like...

Imagine it.

Arthur lets Merlin go to fight in Ealdor and thinks he's going there to die and even if he doesn't, he won't ever come back. And he lays in bed, regretting not going/ or more likely has been stopped by Uther...

And then, a couple days later, Merlin returns. "Yeah, mom sent me back."

Arthur: what about the raiders?

Merlin: hmm? Oh, we dealt with them in like... 15 minutes after I came back.

Arthur: what? YOU, villagers?!

Merlin: we're stronger than we look.

Arthur: ...

#bbc merlin #merlin #merthur #merlin bbc #arthur #concept #battle of ealdor

[inalandofsadclowns]

Aight, who wants to talk about the theoretically most optimal occasion for Merlin to come out about his magic to Arthur?

I'll go first: 1x10, Ealdor.

In the prior episodes Merlin was basically still getting to know Arthur. For eight episodes he was the brave and noble prince that Merlin had grown to respect, because Arthur apparently did not value his own life any higher than that of a servant, but who was also the son of Uther Pendragon. Arthur would save Merlin at any price, he got to learn that multiple times. But would he save a sorcerer? He couldn't know. (This question remained even when Arthur had lifted Merlin's sorcery allegations.)

But in 1x08 Arthur knowingly broke the law saving Mordred, a druid; he was in fact more devoted to the cause than Merlin himself.

For Merlin to reveal his secret he needs three prerequisites to exist:

To trust Arthur

The opportunity

To be prepared to leave Arthur forever

The Moment of Truth might just be the only episode where all these exist?

Let's look through these points one by one.

1.Merlin had been wanting for Arthur to know since forever. There's nothing he wants more desperately than to know if they're really, truly friends. Once he says to Will, he does trust him.

Will: Friends don't lord it over one another.

Merlin: He isn't like that.

Will: Really? Well, let's wait until the fighting begins and see who he sends in to die first. I guarantee you, it won't be him.

Merlin: I trust Arthur with my life.

And this gem here. The first time Merlin doesn't promise Hunith to keep Arthur in the dark.

Hunith: You can't let Arthur know about your gift.

Merlin: Why not? Maybe it's meant to be this way. And if he doesn't accept me for who I really am, then he's not the friend I hoped he was.

2. Opportunity. They have these several times throughout the series: fights for survival, heated arguments, quiet moments of vulnerability. There are several brilliant opportunities in this very episode.

The armor scene:

Merlin: Whatever happens out there today, please don't think any differently of me.

Arthur: I won't. It's alright to be scared, Merlin.

Merlin: That's not what I meant.

Arthur: What is it? If you've got something to say, now's the time to say it.

Oh. He tried. My boy tried, he was so close...My heart bleeds for him here.

Then, obviously, right after the battle.

Arthur: Wind like that doesn't just appear from nowhere. I know magic when I see it. One of you made that happen.

Merlin: Arthur...

Merlin just so manages to exhale Arthur's name with a so-so painful look in his eyes. Arthur knows what Merlin was about to say. Just for a moment, because Will gets shot saving Arthur.

He even tries to stop Will from taking the responsibility on his deathbed, even though Arthur knew, that the windstorm was conjured by one of them; if it wasn't Will, than that leaves only Merlin.

Will: Yeah, it was me. I'm the one that used the magic.

Merlin: Will, don't.

[Arthur looks at Merlin.]

3. The most important part. The greatest issue for Merlin has always been the threat of having to leave Arthur. But in this episode there is a cause just as important to him as Arthur - his village and his mother.

The first Merlin and Arthur exchange of the episode is Merlin saying goodbye to Arthur.

Merlin: It's been an honour serving you.

Arthur: You'll be coming back.

Merlin: Well, she's my mother. I have got to look after her before anyone else. You understand?

Then he was prepared to come clean for Ealdor's sake several times that day. Merlin is going to fight for his village, he's well prepared to use magic if needed - in front of Arthur, if needed, knowing full well that might be the last time they ever speak or meet. Whether Arthur forbids Merlin from returning to Camelot for Camelot's sake or Merlin's own sake, the result would be the same.

At the very end, even with his magic still a secret, he was going to stay in Ealdor with Hunith, had she not sent him after the others, so he really was prepared to part from Arthur.

[Arthur walks over to Morgana and Gwen. Hunith walks over to Merlin.]

Hunith: You better be going.

Merlin: I don't have to go.

Hunith: Yes, you do.

Merlin: If anything were to happen to you...

Hunith: I know where to find you. You have to go, Merlin. You belong at Arthur's side. I've seen how much he needs you. How much you need him. You're like two sides of the same coin.

That whole episode was Merlin attempting and failing to come out to Arthur.

After this, though, Merlin was too close to Arthur to ever consider prerequisite 3., other than in the form of dying for Arthur.

#bbc merlin #merlin meta #merlin analysis #merlin #arthur pendragon #hunith #merthur #enough you're going in the queue

[star-rie]

making a merlin episode focus solely on arthur finding out about merlin’s magic and arthur accepting magic : (can be a two-parter, subplot in between episodes, an ending to a season)

episodes starts with a village attack. merthur and the knights went there to go investigate. Obviously this is somehow a plot to kill arthur’s life but this time both merlin AND arthur was warned.

arthur scoffs and pretend like nothing happened but this made merlin really paranoid. he always watch arthur 24/7 and stay with him as close as possible. just in case something happens. And happened it did. Arthur walking out the room? Chandelier fell. Arthur hunting? A mythical beast attacked. Arthur visiting a villager? He got trapped in a burning house with merlin.

It eventually got to a point where it’s an all out battle. Merthur fight together, and as they fight merlin broke his leg. arthur got fatally injured as well but he kept fighting to protect merlin. when arthur was about to get killed, merlin finally used magic to save arthur.

stunned, arthur and merlin was locked in a very intense eye contact and it flashes back to scenes, from season 1 up until this point where arthur knows that merlin is hiding something

obviously heartbroken and disappointed arthur drives his sword towards merlin’s neck, but he can’t kill him. Instead he sentenced merlin to exile and says very hurtful words to merlin. Surprisingly the enemy retreats after this ordeal

Some time passes, seeking answers, arthur decided to visit other magical beings. Arthur started to accept that magic isn’t all that bad, and learned that some people are born with it. Arthur is finally ready to forgive merlin, so he head out to ealdor

But when he arrived, hunnith said merlin already left days ago. Suddenly it became very clear why the enemy retreats right after merlin uses his magic in front of him, they never wanted arthur in the first place, they’re trying to take merlin away from him

Arthur rushed back to camelot but finds that merlin is burning half the castle down, morgana was there (obviously), he unsuccessfully tried to snap merlin out of it. They got into a fight and as merlin was about to kill arthur, arthur said “your magic, it’s beautiful” merlin freezes momentarily and arthur knocks him out.

Arthur will eventually find a way to revert merlin back to the way he is while keeping his magic secret from everyone (yes no one saw merlin burn half the castle down, shut—), probably a true love kiss or something (with all my heart but make it 10x angstier and merthur). They reunite the end!!!

#merlin bbc #arthur x merlin #merlin x arthur #merlin #merlin emrys #merlin prompt #bbc merlin #merthur #merthur prompt #arthur pendragon #arthur bbc

[katherynefromphilly]

for the DVD commentary thing:

“Did you ever?” Arthur asked.

Merlin lifted his gaze to the top of the canopy. Right, he thought.  He’d promised he wouldn’t lie anymore.  Why in the hell had he done that?  Oh, that’s right, because he was the world’s biggest idiot.

“In Camelot?” Merlin asked.  “No.”

Arthur made a brief humming noise that sounded to Merlin like approval, which was both worrying and confusing, because he’d not shown any sign of disapproval about Gwaine and Percival.  So why should he be different?

“Me neither,” Arthur said.

Merlin felt his eyebrows raise.  He couldn’t remember the last time Arthur had volunteered anything of such a personal nature. He’d always had to drag such things out of him.

“Crown Prince… then King…”  Arthur shrugged his shoulders.

Crown Prince and then King what, Merlin wondered.  But Arthur didn’t elaborate. 

“What about not?” Arthur asked.

“Not?”

“What about not in Camelot?”

The crisp ‘t’ sounds on his words made Merlin wonder how drunk and how sleep-muddled Arthur really was. 

“Not in Camelot,” Merlin repeated. 

“Yes.”

“I… That’s… personal,” Merlin said, feeling more like a coward than he had in centuries.

“That’s a yes, then.”

Merlin closed his eyes and tried not to hyperventilate.  “Yes.”

“Your friend Will?”

Hearing that name after so long was so startling that Merlin’s gaze snapped to Arthur. Arthur’s brows were pulled together over his closed eyes, his lips pressed thinner than they should be if he were relaxed.

“Will?” Merlin repeated.

“You seemed… close.”

“We were. Yes.  But not… not like that.”

He watched Arthur’s features relax.  Saw his small nod against his pillow.  And that same small humming sound of approval.

“After Camelot, then,” Arthur said.  As if that was fine.  But the idea of Will was not. 

“Yes,” Merlin said, without really thinking, because he was too busy being perplexed by Arthur’s reactions. “You know he wasn’t a sorcerer, right?  That was me?  What happened in Ealdor?” 

“Yes,” Arthur said. “I know.”

“Right,” Merlin said.  So that wasn’t it, then.  Arthur’s problem with Will.  It wasn’t about magic. And why would it be?  He’d seen how Arthur reacted to his own magic.

“So those companions of yours then.  After Camelot.  Them.”

Merlin frowned up at the canopy, unable to begin to imagine why Arthur was asking all of this.  “Not- I mean- Some of them were… men.  Yes.  But not all of them.  I just… after living so long, I guess, I’m just… open minded.”

“Like Heath,” Arthur said. 

“Yes.”

“But not Danyl.”

Merlin lifted himself up onto his elbows, frowning down at Arthur now.  “Why are you asking me this?” he asked, because he couldn’t help himself.

“Seemed relevant,” Arthur said.

For context, here’s the definition of “DVD commentary” from the original prompt and reblog: “what i was thinking when i wrote it, why i wrote it, what’s going on in the characters’ heads, why I chose certain words, what this moment means in the context of the rest of the fic, lots of awful puns, and anything else you’d expect to find on a DVD commentary track.”

Oooooo this is a good choice. Thank you for submitting this one. I wrote so many words in We Begin Again but I definitely remember being very, very intentional about this scene.

This scene could be entitled “The One In Which They Finally Talk About Their Sexuality — Sort of. Except not really. LOL.”

In my head, I always imagined that Arthur had known about same-sex activities. He knew the knights had sex with each other on battle campaigns to work out their nerves or ease sexual frustration. Even the Romans did that, under certain circumstances, depending upon social rank and age. Arthur would have heard about that too.

Arthur though, could never engage in those activities himself. Could never even let himself entertain those thoughts if he had them. That path was always closed to him. That’s what his comment of “Crown prince… then king…” means. First as Crown Prince, he had to maintain a pristine reputation as an eligible bachelor, and then as King, he was already in love with Gwen, and his focus was on her, and the kingdom, so there was no opportunity.

(Oh, and by the way, Arthur is totally not as drunk as he’s acting. That’s why the “t” is landing so hard when he speaks. He’s a bit tipsy, yes, but he’s dramatizing it a bit to get a pass for his line of questioning.)

Anyway.

Merlin in this scene is terrified of Arthur rejecting him once he finally tells the truth about his own sexuality. Not only that he’ll be kicked out of the sleeping-together-but-not-sleeping-together, but that it will damage their friendship. It’s a big deal for him to tell the truth here, so of course I made it as painful as possible for him to do it. He doesn’t understand why Arthur is focused on Camelot — but Arthur is actually only curious if Merlin acted on his same-sex attractions during the time they’d known each other, because that would be one more thing Merlin had to lie about.

(Plus, okay, Arthur is a teensy weensy bit jealous, imagining Merlin with anyone he’d known.)

Mostly, though, Arthur is honestly trying to understand his own sexuality, and the various types out there, through the lens of people he knows. He hasn’t yet become Master of the Internet, or looked up the words that help us all define who we are at a particular phase of our lives. So he’s holding up examples in his head, and thinking “Am I like Heath? Am I like Danyl? And what is Merlin, exactly, after all these years?”

I thought a long time about how Merlin would answer that question. Arthur wants to know. And Merlin wants to tell him. But Merlin is not a “labels” guy, and he’s lived so long, as a man and a woman, being with all sorts of people, that “Open Minded” was where I landed. Arthur would understand that, especially not yet having been on the internet.

“Why are you asking me this?” Merlin asks, and he’s panicked here, and ready to be kicked out of bed.

“Seemed relevant,” Arthur says, meaning himself, and his own feelings, and the people he’s seen around him.

Merlin of course immediately freaks out right afterward, thinking that Arthur means “seems relevant to my letting you sleep in my bed”.

But Arthur of course comforts him, saying that there are no labels for them both, except the ones they make. And Merlin goes to sleep dazed but in his king’s arms. You know. As best friends do.

;)

Thanks for the ask!

#we begin again #merthur

[witchmd13]

This is totally influenced by the last edit I reblogged but I will never get over the fact that the first act of magic Merlin does in front of arthur is to create a dragon out of embers, a gold and red dragon, literally the pendragon crest. he’s a dragonlord yes, and he has made a dragon out of embers before when he was returning to ealdor and missing arthur, but for his first instinct to make this is just

hear me out, historically wearing someone’s crest means declaring loyalty to them. take the knights for example, the noble ones of the them at least already have their own family crest but they wear the pendragon crest instead because that’s where their loyalty lies. this is usually useful in tournaments to know who’s who while wearing full armor and all, but it’s especially important in battle when no one can tell who’s who and you literally can’t hear anything anyone’s saying, a single glance around should confirm if you’re among friends or enemies. now taking the magic reveal in this light absolutely destroys me. merlin literally announces his loyalty to arthur and only arthur not by just saying it I have magic and I use it for you, arthur. Only for you. but also with his first act of magic being that as well, a declaration of loyalty to only arthur to see as well as hear. It’s figuratively Merlin waving a banner with Arthur’s crest in battle to prove where his loyalties lay without words.

What’s more heartbreaking is that arthur never doubted merlins loyalty even post magic reveal. it was the lie that hurt him. merlin never had to prove anything. it’s ugh. I will never get over them.

#merthur #Merlin

[stressed-and-queer]

Idea: When Merlin sees Mordred go near Arthur in the Battle of Camlann, he screams his name and Arthur turns around because damn that voice sounded familiar. It sounded like Merlin, but that couldn't be. Merlin was back in Camelot. And he hears his name being called again, and he looks up to the old man who had been on the ledge. That old man who had just killed thousands where Arthur stood. That old man that Arthur knew had magic. But the old man was no longer there. Instead, replaced with the imagine of his manservant, practically tumbling down the ledge to get to Arthur, screaming out his name. Remnants of the old man's voice still lingering in his.

Arthur's grip in his sword tightened, deciding that this was a magical illusion playing a trick on him. Because there was no way Merlin was actually here, there was no way he had been that old man. Why Merlin was a 27 bumbling bafoon, not an 80 year old man who had magic. So he ignores the illusion, instead focusing on Mordred who was currently betraying him at the moment.

And Mordred goes to stab him but he's knocked back, Arthur turning around to see that Merlin was right behind him. Breathing heavily and staring Mordred down, his hand slightly raised as he doesn't look away. There's a gold tint to his eyes. And the moment Mordred gets up he's saying a spell that knocks Merlin on his back. And Merlin returns that spell with one of his own, sending a gust of wind and dust into the air just like he had seen at Ealdor all those years ago.

Arthur recognizes that spell instantly.

But that had been Will, not Merlin. The man had even admitted it.

Right?

#small little idea i had #fanfic idea #merlin #bbc merlin #arthur pendragon #bbc arthur #magic reveal #mordred

[pippin-katz]

Camelot or Merlin?

I've been thinking a lot about The Moment of Truth (1x10) lately, and this scene popped into my head:

Obviously, this is right before the battle, but I want to point something out here. Arthur says, "It's been an honor." as though he suspects they might not survive the fight, and wants to say a proper, respectful goodbye as a warrior would.

Now here's the thing: Arthur, Guinevere, and Morgana are not from Ealdor, and they are only to help Merlin. Logically speaking, it would make sense for them to leave if the battle was unwinnable.

But Arthur is not the type to run from a fight when innocents' lives are on the line. Even before the battle when training the villagers, he thinks that it can't be won, but he doesn't back out. He doesn't leave; he stays and fights with the villagers because he's Arthur, and he does not hold his own life above others. He's the opposite of the king that let Will's dad die. Will went ranting to Merlin about royalty even says, "Well, let's wait until the fighting begins and see who he sends in to die first. I guarantee you, it won't be him."

But it is him; Arthur always goes in first. It doesn't matter what part of a plan or battle he's apart of, he will always go in first and put those fighting with them above his own safety. The Curse of Cornelius Sigan (2x01) is a good example of how selfless he is. When he's cut off from his knights during the fighting, he orders them to retreat and save themselves, knowing full well that he was going to die (if Merlin hadn't been able to save him).

In the case of Ealdor's battle, he hoped they would win and he would fight, but he wasn't expecting it to work (it wouldn't have if Merlin hadn't stepped in with his magic). But he's not going to retreat, he's Arthur; he fully intends to fight until he's struck down.

This is where it gets interesting to me.

Arthur is the Crown Prince of Camelot, heir to the throne, and the commander of the Knights of Camelot. He is entirely dedicated to protecting and bettering the kingdom in any way that he can. He puts his people over everything, including his life. Arthur probably expected that when he would die, he would die in battle protecting Camelot (which he pretty much did in the end).

But he's not in Camelot. He's in a tiny village that's not even in his kingdom. Uther didn't know he was there, but if he had, he would've undoubtedly been absolutely furious, because the logical thing for Arthur to do was leave. He's the Crown Prince, the sole heir to the throne; his life is tied to the future of Camelot. There is no "rational" explanation for him to be there, and putting himself in danger.

But Arthur is completely willing to fight and die defending Ealdor. He's okay with laying down his life for these villagers that aren't even his people. Arthur (intentionally written so or not) puts the fate of Ealdor before the future of Camelot. He puts a little farming village before his entire kingdom, and why?

Because it's Merlin's home. That is how much he cares about him (regardless of interpretation their relationship).

He wasn't supposed to be there. It was possibly illegal for him to be there. Uther mentions their treaty with Cenred is gone, and that an armed force entering his kingdom for any reason would be seen as an act of war; Arthur doesn't go with any knights, but being the prince would likely be enough for Cenred to declare it as a crime.

So Arthur risks his own life, the future of Camelot should he die, and even the present state of Camelot should Cenred have found out he was there.

All for Merlin.

Of course he cares for the innocents in the village, but the only reason he actually traveled to the village in the first place was purely because of Merlin. In any other circumstance, he likely would've said the same thing about wanting to help, but not actually go.

He goes because Merlin goes. It's Merlin's home, and Merlin's leaving, and potentially isn't going to come back if he has to take care of his mother, or if he gets himself killed by the bandits.

Arthur would rather go, knowing all the risks, and die fighting to help him than stay in Camelot, even though his duty is expected to be to Camelot first. And he truly loves Camelot. It is no doubt that the kingdom matters a lot to him. Yet, Merlin's village seems to matter more, or rather Merlin himself seems to matter more.

God I hate and love them so much.

How did they write such a beautiful relationship, likely without meaning to? Obviously, much of their relationship is intentional written that way, but I'm almost positive that some things, like this, happened purely by accident because they didn't think through the all of the implications of their actions.

#merlin #merlin bbc #bbc merlin #merlin thoughts #merlin emrys #arthur pendragon #merthur #medieval husbands #two sides of the same coin #merlin 1x10 #the moment of truth #the once and future fandom

[adhd-merlin]

merlin S1 rewatch: episode 10 ⚔

how could I not love the tale of the weird misfit who returns home one day, bringing with him an even weirder assortment of friends, to teach everyone how to fight back against the oppressors who have been stealing their resources?

but enough about a bug’s life. let's talk about the episode.

• I see Hunith throwing herself at a bandit and I immediately go “oh that’s where he gets it from”. I love you Hunith, you mad gal <3

• Hunith’s audience with the king is interesting – not just because she’s pleading with the man who would kill her son without a second thought if he knew about his magic, and she goes so far as to call him “a good king” and “a caring man” while doing so, but also because Uther seems genuinely sympathetic, even if unwilling to intervene. I think that says something about Uther – I think in the eyes of the people who don’t care much about sorcerers and their ilk, Uther is a decent, perhaps even a good, king. Certainly not the tyrant that Merlin and Morgana consider him to be (justifiably so).

• “I wish that Camelot was able to help people regardless of how far away they lived”, Arthur says, almost as if there were a prophecy about a united Albion under his reign

• “I want to make him pay for what he did to you” -> when Merlin sees Kanen is ON SIGHT. I love protective Merlin.

• I love this so much you. “Most powerful sorcerer on Earth” well to his mama he’s just a little boy. have you considered that

• Merlin almost decapitating Arthur lol. It’s a good thing Arthur has good reflexes or this would’ve have been a much shorter story

• YAY! A NEW KILL

• When Arthur ruins Merlin and Will’s little reunion and Will is immediately unimpressed

• “Am I the only one wondering who the hell this is?” > Will really interrupted Arthur’s speech to loudly ask “excuse you who the fuck are you??” and I love him for it

• The fact that Merlin just straight up slept on the floor. Like I get it, they are poor, but you’re telling me he had nothing all the years he lived there? not even a straw mattress, nothing?? because that sounds kind of weird. I mean alright, I’ll accept it, but I think it’s weird. I think if you had to sleep on the ground every night for years you’d try to make yourself a bit comfortable even if you never “knew any different”

• Anyway, I guess that explains why Merlin was reluctant to part with his bed when Alice moved in with him and Gaius. “I’m not going back to sleeping on the floor thank you! I love beds now”

• MERLIN: “Life’s simple out here (...)” / ARTHUR: “Sounds… nice” / MERLIN: “You’d hate it” -> I like that Arthur was trying really hard not to say anything rude about Merlin’s old life, and that Merlin was like “it’s alright you can say it sucks”, because really he wasn’t cut out for that kind of life either. It’s also funny that Arthur later tells Gwen he fantasies about being a farmer, like SIR BE REAL. You'd hate it.

• Arthur pretending to eat Hunith’s food. Making fake noises like a toddler. Spoiled brat behaviour

• WILL: Why did you leave? / MERLIN: It wasn't what I wanted. My mother was worried. When she found out you knew, she was so angry. → it sounds like Will actually didn’t know about Merlin’s secret for very long before Merlin had to leave. And the fact that Will has to ask Merlin why he left implies Merlin did it without even a goodbye or a made-up excuse. Merlin’s departure being apparently so rushed because Hunith feared for his safety means that the attitude towards magic in Ealdor isn't actually very different from Camelot’s, despite it not being officially outlawed.

• Arthur is a good leader!! and in this episode he shows it in big ways, like in his “Battle of St. Crispin speech” moment, but also in more subtle ways, like when he notices during training that Matthew is a hopeless fighter, and instead of dismissing him he takes him aside and goes “Matthew my friend I have a special task for you :)”, as a way of keeping him away from the fight while still making him feel useful, and without hurting his pride. (Sadly, this backfires later.) I know the fandom likes to joke about Arthur being a dumbass but he can be very perceptive (at times). And he is good at strategic thinking.

• No comment. Just Gwen and Morgana sharing blankets. They are very good pals.

• Merlin telling Arthur: “We're going to make Kanen rue the day he ever came to this village” hits different when I remember he said he wanted to make Kanen pay for striking his mother

• “In this circle, we're all equals” → a circle is very much like a round table in this way

• I love moments like Arthur’s Rousing Speech™ – because they show why he is the one destined to unite Albion. He’s capable of inspiring people and gaining the support of those who initially disliked him (Merlin, Gwaine, Will himself, to name a few), because he is noble of heart, and brave, and caring, etc. And yeah, he’s also a brat at times, but to be fair to him he’s 21. And he has a shit father.

• “Food is scarce for these people, you shouldn't turn your nose up at it!” → Gwen is no shrinking violet okay!! She will lecture the prince, if the prince is being a brat. I’m thinking about Arthur telling Agravaine “I don't want a queen who spends her days floating around the castle agreeing with my every word” in ep 4x09. He loves Gwen because she’s not afraid of calling him out! (same goes for Merlin)

• GWEN: “I have faith in you. I mean. We all do” / ARTHUR:

• Arthur helping Merlin with his armour is a very sweet moment. I can’t believe Merlin was about to tell Arthur he had magic here. HE LITERALLY WAS ABOUT TO TELL HIM I'LL NEVER BE OVER IT

• Battle. Battle. Another kill for baby Merlin (!).

• IT FUCKEN WIMDY

• I’m not entirely sure what the windstorm did to be honest, it didn’t seem to kill anyone it just… scared the bandits away? Anyway, that doesn’t matter. Willing suspension of disbelief and all that.

• Arthur’s face when he marched up to Merlin and Will like “THAT WAS MAGIC WHO DID THAT?? IT WAS ONE OF YOU TWO”. This man is NOT ready for the truth (and yet Merlin was prepared to confess AGAIN. He was literally about to do it I HATE THIS SHOW)

• (sigh) well how convenient

• LISTEN I know Will was pretty much dead anyway but I can’t get over how NOBODY tried to do anything for him like?? They just put him on a table? And stared at him? Not even trying to do anything or. I don’t know, offer a word of comfort. If I were Will I’d be offended to be honest.

• Will’s last words being “Merlin, I’m scared.” EVIL

Merlin: *watching his best friend’s body burn on the pyre* Arthur: well when were you going to tell me he was a sorcerer

• Hunith: POWERFUL WARLOCK? NO HE IS BABY

• "When the time is right, the truth will be known. Until then, you must keep your talents hidden. It's better for everyone.” → kind of funny how Hunith went from "you should tell Arthur, he'll understand, he cares about you :)" to "never mind, BACK IN THE CLOSET!!" And by funny I mean tragic.

↳ prev commentaries

#unironically i do love a bug's life #when flik's all battered and bruised and he struggles to his feet and says “ants are not meant to serve grasshoppers!!” #well. it made child me feel some kind of way #rewatch1.jls #merlin's body count: 6

[tansyuduri]

Merlin Loregasm Rewatch S1E2

Hi Everyone! Welcome to my rewatch of Merlin focusing on the lore. I am a giant nerd so pretty excited about this. Time for VALIANT!

So this brings up heraldry in the series. We see Arthur using Camelot heradlry, and other knights doing the same but during tourneys, we see Lots of different other patterned shields. So either people usually use the shield of their overlord in battle but their own in tourneys Or no knights of Camelot besides Arthur appear in tourneys. (I think Lancelot will make this a bit clearer when we get to it.) Either way either this is Valient's family crest, or he serves someone with a family crest. Either way it makes sense for why he murders this dude. As the shield is KINDA a dead giveaway to his identity. (And we know he is a knight or at least is acting as one and pulls it off better then Merlin's later first attempt at identity theft.) They obviously do not require patents of nobility at tourneys because Gwen, Arthur and Merlin pull off a fictional Knight later just fine.

I think he is likely a knight because ARMOR IS EXPENSIVE Y'ALL.

He also says he is from the Western Illes. Because the island of Mora And Ealdor this is the first place we hear about besides Camalot. Does he mean Ireland? I think he means Ireland? ALSO! are you used to my messed up grammar and punctuation yet? I have an LD in both. This is why I always need Betas for my fics despite creative writing being my thing. (I mean besides just wanting them to be better.) (This is an example of autistic oversharing. You are welcome! BACK TO MERLIN!)

So we only see this kinda sparing with Merlin in armor and holding a sword and shield once. (Usually he just holds a target for arthur) However, Merlin does get better with a sword somewhat as the series progresses so I think it likly continues. (Though perhaps a bit more nicely) It's interesting because Arthur has his pick of people to spar with, we see that later. Yet he says "Most Servants collapse after the first blow" So who is he sparing with? Has he been given manservants he didn't like before and just used this to make them quit? ANYHOO this was not as much lore so will not often comment on character dynamics but yesh.

Okay so I will spare you the talk of different armor parts. BUT this is really interesting compared to mentions of "Camalot forged steel"

See many Castles would have their own blacksmith and the one in the villager would be more for horseshoes, nails, and the like. Because armor and weapon making was A BIG DEAL

This implies Gwen's father was a HIGHLY SKILLED blacksmith who likely served the knights of Camalot. (He can't have been the only one because when he dies there is a period of time before Elyan comes and in Gwen's words Gets the forge running again.) But for a regular blacksmith to serve as an armor and weapon maker is a BIG DEAL that kinda knowledge was highly specialized! And yet Uther killed him easily.

OKAY time to nerd out a bit! This is quartering, an advanced heraldic tradition in which an individual for some reason or another wanted to show MORE than one coat of arms they were entitled to. You guys should look all this up, its fascinating! But onward!

Okay yeah remember what I said about Gwens family likely descending back to the Roman times? It's still possible but if Arab knight equivalents can get to Camelot then her family could totally have come from northern Africa for other reasons. Also I like the dude in Mauve having an Anglo-Saxon Helm and the due behind him having one from the 1100s I love Merlin's stew of things from all over history.

Okay this is perhaps just Uther being an ass. Because I'm sorry if you are not the king of Mercia I refuse to belive you are the king of Ireland. (Albion is not united yet.)

Perhaps its mostly knights of Camalot here with some exeptions? I mean if we are creative with the dude CLEARLY of the middle east we can say somehow became a noble of camalot. It would explain a few things. Did Valiant come from Ireland (Sorry I mean The Western Illes) originally then somehow for reasons we will not question also moved to Camalot? (Unlikely as Uther asks him to stay later.) There are also very few people here so likley perliminary tournaments were held? I mean we do see in Lancelot people come from all over to try to be knights of Camalot. so THEORETICLY Uther might be being honest here?

Okay this guys helm is the same as the Arab dude we saw before I think he just took his outher coat off. BUT And some of this gear is very European. So Camalot somehow has an Arab noble family that fights in ancestral gear when they can OR he got repairs along the long journey to Camalot in local styles. Take your pick!)

(You know because I can't be normal and just say they throw this in for visual appeal.)

Something to note! This would normally be the job for a Squire. A Squire was also usually the step before knighthood but in the Merlin world they do not seem to exist!

#bbc merlin #merlin lore #merlin lore rewatch #merlin loregasm rewatch #merlin bbc

[hurglewurm]

morgana!!!!! first is an attempt at her iconic purple dress, then her battle of ealdor outfit, and then just. generic sith clothing. added a bunch of random strings (??) to honour her season 4 dress. also i think she should hack off a bunch of her hair for battle practicality

#star wars merlin #bbc merlin #morgana #morgana pendragon #star wars au #my art #undescribed #im trying so hard to loosen up. can you tell.

[marcskywalker]

even if it's a lie, let me hear it once

Chapter 1

He catches Merlin staring at him sometimes; when they're riding through the woods for one thing or another, when he's training on the grounds, when he's sitting through a verbal beatdown at dinner.

He catches Merlin linger by his side. Though this, he is not too sure of. He tries to keep count when Merlin's hand warms the small of his back. But his heart flutters and he stumbles over the number as Merlin straightens out the shirt.

Wishful thinking, Arthur. he reminds himself, that's all it is.

He meets Sophia when he least expects it.

Dear God, Sophia.

How he ever lived before her is a mystery. He knows it in his bones that he loves her so deeply and would go to any end for her.

She is his only source of happiness and he would die before he lets any harm come to her.

But when she presses her lips against his, he feels dirty. Repulsive. His skin itches like he was meant to be someone else's.

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

He almost dies. And he almost dies. And he is almost sure he is going to die.

The druid boy, he is sure, was worth the risk of punishment for treason.

Death by a dead knight would've been nothing honorable or remarkable.

This would be honorable though, if he were to die fighting for Merlin Ealdor. As long as the history books don't mention his crush, that is.

"Whatever happens out there, I don't want you to think of me differently."

Arthur has to choke down the bubbling laughter. As if. Short of dying, there is nothing Merlin could do that'll change how Arthur's heart skips a beat for him.

But... the thought makes Arthur pause. Why would Merlin be worried about that at a time like this. For the first time in his life, Arthur wants to talk. No propriety or honorifics. He wants to know if Merlin is simply worried about his master's opinion or something else, entirely.

What if he were to die today, and Merlin never knew that he was liked?

"It's alright, Merlin. It's normal to be scared before battle." he says instead.

"That's not what I meant," Merlin's solemn face, as rare a sight that is, sobers him up.

Did he mean....

Could it be....

If this is what Arthur hopes thinks it is, his father would never approve. Oh, but Arthur would. Arthur would approve of it so much.

"What is it," give me a hint, I beg of you, "If you have something to say, Merlin, now is the time."

He tries to put as much love and acceptance on his face in hopes that Merlin would just stop clenching his jaw.

Come on, Merlin. Take a leap. You won't be let down.

Just as Merlin's about to speak-

"Arthur, it's time."

The bloody harpy!

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

Arthur gives him space to grieve Will. Though a sorcerer, he was Merlin's best friend.

He peels himself away from Merlin's side; away from the God awful sound of his sobs.

Wishful thinking, Arthur. he reminds himself, that's all it is.

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

He almost dies a couple of times again. Such is life.

He tries to put the whole "Merlin situation" behind him. Determined to forget. It's just not meant to be.

He almost courts Gwen, but then Lancelot happens again. And he won't fault her for it since he has half a mind to court Lancelot himself.

Maybe it's something about him; it's just not meant to be.

It's nothing to make much of a fuss. He's glad he has them in his life at all.

He's grateful, even.

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

Magic or not; he killed his mother. At least with the former, he had the excuse to be angry at his father. The sorcerer lies though, turns out the burden is his to bear alone.

"Arthur," he stops him before the his bed, "let's get you out of this."

He tugs at the armor straps with more care than usual. Arthur is sure that Merlin is back with the staring. He doesn't count the touches; not anymore and especially not at the moment when he barely feels deserving of being alive let alone loved.

"Whatever you're thinking of," Merlin's voice is soft as he moves Arthur onto the bed, "It's not true.

You're a good son."

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

The dragon is looming above them when he realizes this.

The "Merlin situation" is, in fact, not behind him.

It has come forth with a vengeance.

Well, how could it not. It's Merlin and he has, for wildly unknown reason, decided to be loyal to Arthur beyond what he deserves.

Not only is he back to counting the staring and the touching; now he counts Merlin's laughs and his approvals (of all things, really). His day is lighter when Merlin is happy and smiling about. The days when Merlin doesn't retort to his snark is.... frustrating, to say the least.

The dragon bares its teeth when he prays for the first time.

Dear God, don't let any harm come to him. I'll give my life for his.

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

There is to be feast in his honor. For the courage and bravery he showed by defeating the dragon.

He doesn't feel courageous walking beside Merlin. He feels like a fool with sweaty palms that wants and doesn't want to have this conversation.

It's long overdue, Arthur he reminds himself as they enter his chambers.

He's defeated a dragon. What's one more act of bravery.

"Merlin, I- We- No, I- I have something to say."

Merlin is suspicious already, looking at Arthur with wide eyes.

"What is it?" It's that rare soft voice. The one that understands this isn't the time for their usual banter.

"We should sit," he drags two chairs, stalling for the last time, "I will say it, and don't interrupt me. I just- I- No, this needs to be said and-"

"Arthur, are you dying?" Merlin's eyes are so wide it's almost comical to him.

"I just said don't interrupt," he shakes his head fondly, trust Merlin to never obey. Merlin's eyes are still wide and overflowing with concern that Arthur can't help but reassure him, "No! I'm not dying.

It's just something I've wanted for a long time, and- I wasn't going to say anything, really. I know this is difficult. And I will accept that you don't feel the same, Merlin, I promise. This doesn't change anything. It's just-" he has no courage, none at all, to face Merlin. So, he studies the shades of his floor as he confesses.

"It's just that I couldn't let either of us die without you knowing that I love you."

There is silence. And then even more of it. He risks a glance at Merlin who looks confused. He sees the moment his words sink in though, since he exploded out of the chair, knocking it over in the process.

"No. You don't."

What.

"I do!"

"Nope." he points a stern finger at Arthur, face lined with anger, "You don't."

"I do! What is wrong with you?" he can't help the crack in his voice. That was a losing game from the start, "I told you, Merlin. I understand you don't feel the same-"

"What is wrong with you?" he's at Arthur's face now, inches away (so different to how Arthur would dream of it), fuming, "Why would you ever love your manservant?!"

Something cracks inside Arthur's chest. This isn't what he wanted. He was supposed to be let down gently, with the promise of cherished friendship.

"Surely, you know you're more than that." it's barely a whisper, he wonders if Merlin heard him.

"Arthur," he's not yelling anymore, but it's just as strong, "You. Don't. Love. Me."

He leaves him there and the tears come out.

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

please don't let him love me. please don't let him love me. please don't let him love me. please don't let him love me. please don't-

#arthur pendragon #merlin #bbc merlin #merthur #arthur pov #bisexual arthur pendragon #tw dubious consent #tw self worth issues #omg am I terrible at dialogues #this is more like a writing exercise than anything else #liya writes #unrequited love but not really #even if it's a lie let me hear it once #chapter 1 #next chapter is merlin pov I promise

[wumiings]

“I should like to see Emma in love, and in some doubt of a return; it would do her good”

…but it’s me wanting Arthur to be put in a situation where he’s forced to understand Merlin’s friendship/loyalty as something he could lose, rather than something he can take for granted regardless of how he treats him.

The few times we see Merlin consider leaving Camelot— [1] when Gaius is fired during the Edwin Muiren debacle, [2] when he’s reluctant to return after Will’s death, [3] when he plans to run away with Freya, [4] when he wants to bring Balinor back to Ealdor— Arthur doesn’t know about it.

He knows that Merlin essentially resigned when he left to help deal with Kanen (which possibly catalyzed Arthur’s decision to go after him), which makes their interactions in 1x10 particularly interesting because like,, he’s still bossing Merlin around in Ealdor, implying a mindset of “well I’m here to solve this problem for you, therefore you don’t have to stay afterwards, therefore you are still my servant despite having quit yesterday” which sure is an Assumption.

But then there’s also the armor scene that’s such a rare moment of Arthur ‘lowering’ himself to treat Merlin like an equal. Helping him prepare for battle and validating his fear, even acknowledging that same fear in himself. He shows vulnerability intentionally for Merlin’s sake and doesn’t seem embarrassed or backtrack. His actions demonstrate that he values their friendship and doesn’t want to lose it.

And then!! Merlin’s best friend- his only friend for the first fifteen years of his life- dies saving Arthur’s life, and Arthur reacts by being unforgivably callous at his funeral. Will’s body is literally still burning and Arthur is talking about how “you should have told me” because “sorcery is dangerous,” and Merlin isn’t having it!! Why should he return to Camelot when he’s just lost half his world and isn’t even given time to grieve because Arthur is already making it about Him??

Except this internal crisis plays out after Arthur has walked away; Merlin is talking to his mother. Arthur never learns that, just as his initial actions (coming to help Merlin’s village) worked to keep Merlin at his side, his later actions (being a dick about Will) might have cost him that friendship for good if Hunith hadn’t convinced Merlin to go back with the whole, “He needs you” bit.

I think he should have. He should know that his words are capable of damaging their bond, and be forced to acknowledge that it’s something he values- that he cares for Merlin as a friend and equal, not just a servant.

And he should be left in some doubt of a return; it would do him good.

#bbc merlin #analysis #1.10 #the moment of truth #arthur pendragon #prince william of ealdor #sorry for getting austenian on y’all #but I couldn’t stop thinking about it

[inalandofsadclowns]

Will: You'd be able to defeat Kanen on your own, wouldn't you?

Merlin: I'm not sure. Maybe.

I wonder, if that's what Hunith was thinking as well when she'd gone to Camelot for help. During Kanen's last attack she had to realize, that without Merlin this was it for Ealdor. She had to reach for her last resort – asking her son to come home and use magic. To risk everyone finding out about his secret, even though she had sent him away to avoid exactly that.

Only Merlin's mother visiting – it was something that couldn't escape Arthur's attention. Naturally, he asked Merlin who that woman was, what was wrong, who hurt her? And he himself offered to get her an audience with Uther.

Getting Uther's help in a different kingdom was neither Merlin's nor Hunith's idea. Moreover, Merlin had already decided by then to go home and make some order with his magic, then stay there and never leave his mother again. But hearing Arthur's offer... well, it was worth a try. The help of trained knights would certainly be safer than him with his magic and no plan.

Will did not agree. If Merlin came alone, he could have saved the villagers with a wave of his hand, so what was the reason to drag some nobles into their own fights? The prince would only make things complicated and his methods would involve civil casualties one way or another, so why have Arthur, if Merlin could save all of them?

Only will did not see how there was no turning Arthur, Gwen and Morgana back, because they came to Ealdor for Merlin. Because that's what friends did. Merlin also realized, that letting Arthur help right then, to let him prepare a group of unexperienced peasants for a battle would become an extremely important lesson for Arthur. A lesson he'll need if he was to become the great king he's destined to be. And making this happen was Merlin's destiny.

That episode, Merlin had made peace with the though of Arthur knowing his secret for two reasons: for one, to save his village. But also, if this is where his and Arthur's journey ends, at least it ends with the most valuable experience for Arthur: the power of confidence in oneself and in the bravery of his people.

In conclusion: sure, Merlin could save a village by himself – but he didn't have to. And maybe fighting together with Arthur and maybe letting him know his secret along the way was what his destiny needed to come down to all along...

#bbc merlin #merlin meta #merlin #arthur pendragon #will of ealdor #hunith #merthur #enough you're going in the queue

[mobycotton]

Merlin - scars (a fic idea i have idk if someone else has already done this)

Merlin has… a lot of scars. Not just wounds from battles with magical creatures and whatever adversary has decided to make an attempt for Arthur’s life that week, but also scars from his childhood in Ealdor, and strange marks on his skin that not even he can remember the origins of.

He hides most of these under his clothes, the neck-kerchief being the most useful in covering up the remnants of a spring day’s play that became a little too rough when he was a boy. When he rolls up his sleeves he is reminded of the time when he picked up a pot from the fire that was heavier than he expected, and the boiling water spilled over his fore-arms. Gaius’ salves had helped with the pain but could only do so much for the scarring. His hips and back were similarly riddled with marks of diverse colours, shapes and textures that he was spared the sight of.

He very quickly learned that they could be covered up more effectively. One hot day when the neck-kerchief and long sleeves became too oppressive to bear, he found a spell that could give his skin the appearance of being unmarked. He tried it, and for the first time in years looked in a full-length mirror. It was as if he was new. He felt incredibly… clean. From that day on he cast the spell every day, and every morning he awoke to find, somewhat disappointed, that it had worn off overnight.

With every battle, every attack, and every scrape with death, the hidden tapestry of his skin gained a new secret. Soon he started to forget, with some relief, what the scars really looked like, and he had never been happier. He carried himself with more confidence among the men who wore their scars like medals on their arms and chests in training, but they were warriors. It was only fitting that they show off. Merlin was, after all, just a servant. There was no reason for him to have the markings that he did, and Arthur had made that very clear with the first one. Or, the first one he saw.

“Your first battle wound!” He had smiled as he said it, but the meaning was there for all to see. It was a joke. His first, and supposedly his last. An exception, an accident, barely a battle wound at all. Arthur didn’t say anything when he saw the space on his arm, fully healed, one day in the armoury. All had gone back to how it was meant to be, skin-deep.

Merlin was hurt. Bad.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to be there - he was meant to stay behind them. Gods knew he’d come out of nowhere, jumped in front them and taken the full force of the blow from an enemy mace as it swung its intent toward the Knights. There was no way to tell who it was aiming for, but it met its mark on Merlin’s shoulder, inches above his heart.

When they got to him after the marauders were dealt with, he was barely breathing, and bleeding heavily, turning his blue tunic black. Why the hell wasn’t he in armour?

They had gotten back to Camelot by nightfall, with Merlin in crude bandages they had desperately crafted that had failed to stop the bleeding. His heart was weak already, it was barely beating, and as much as they comforted themselves with the knowledge that “men have walked off worse” none of them could deny the blue tinge on his lips as Merlin disappeared behind Gaius’ door. They were told to leave, to go to sleep and take care of their own wounds. But none of them did.

The night came and went and the light of the fire under Gaius’ door never dimmed and neither did the sounds behind it. The sun rose and people began to fill the square, occupied by whatever lives they were living. But still the Knights were waiting, wide-eyed, for news.

At last, Gaius shuffled to his door and was alarmed to see them all standing there still.

“He’ll be fine,” he said, and a collective sigh passed over them, exposing the real fatigue they had all fought against the whole night.

Gwaine didn’t ask before breezing past Gaius. The rest of them followed close behind, but didn’t move further than a few steps when the image they saw - Merlin, unconscious, laid before the fire in nothing but his trousers - was not the same Merlin they thought they knew.

When the blood had all been cleaned off, the wound bandaged and dressed, the white of the bandages served only to contrast the rich pink of the old scars. How could they have overlooked the patchwork of burns and tears that stretched from his hips up to his neck. There were even marks on his face, which all of them elt they were seeing for the first time.

But every scar, when they laid eyes on it, was another memory they had all collectively forgotten. Every scratch the memory of a beast, mysteriously made vulnerable at the right moment, the very moment Merlin appeared on the battle-field. Every burn was the mark of a forgotten mercenary, who had arrived in the morning and disappeared in the night, when conveniently Merlin was said to be too busy to join them on patrol.

And then, for the first time, only through the pain he has endured, they all realise just how much Merlin had sacrificed for them all.

#Merlin #merlin fanfic #merlin fic #Merlin angst #arthur pendragon #knights of camelot #knights of the round table #bbc merlin #mobyswips #angst #scars

[theroundbartable]

I don't like the Lamia episode.

Well, I mean, I absolutely love competent Merlin with being a court physician (finally) but the Lamia ruins so many things for me.

I know a lot of people like to joke that Merlin is ace/nonbinary/ gay when Gwen asks him why the Lamia has no effect on him. As funny as that is, it doesn't fit the narrative.

You know what? If this argument is about the affect of her magic, then there should have been women in that village whom the Lamia attacked. Lesbian women. Then, in my fandom clouded brain, GWEN should have been affected by the Lamia's magic. And Leon should NOT have been.

It doesn't make sense that she only ate men because they are "stronger". This episode has Gwen in it, who has fought in the battle of ealdor! And of course, the show features Morgause and Morgana as skilled sword fighters. Why would they go back on that narrative in this episode? Because they are villagers? Men villagers are worth anything but village women aren't? Again, battle of ealdor episode taught us that that's not the case!!!

I hate this episode entirely out of spite because it doesn't match with how I see the rest of the show. (And it ruins my headcanons... And yes... ships)

So, here is how I get by that episode and turn the facts in my favor:

It's the Lamia's taste. She likes men better than anything else. Purely based on taste. Not sexuality, she EATS people. She could, technically, affect anyone but doesn't because she's a picky eater. That's why her magic works on Leon (whom I hc as aro/ace) because it's a magical condition. Uther managed to love a troll due to magic, I find this absolutely reasonable.

And since Merlin is a magical creature, as the show suggests, she doesn't dare touch him/ can't affect him.

I rest my case.

#bbc merlin #lamia episode #my headcanons!!!!