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This sounds VERY COOL

I like thinking about the background details 👉👈

I feel like Arthur and the other's return to Camelot would take a little while longer to return because of the destruction and lack of available food. Even if they aren't very far from Camelot, the world would be modernized to a degree, right? (Camelot staying alive and magical would change some things)

Radiation would make traveling through certain areas VERY UNSAFE and there would be a lack of available drinking water (in the wilderness anyway, I feel like Merlin would take care of that.)

Arthur's main focus would be to get back home yeah but he cares a lot about his people. His heart would HURT seeing the aftermath of nuclear war, not even understanding the cause. It could pave the way for some self doubt. What could he really do as ruler? Is he really prepared or able to care for his kingdom when he's not even from this time period? And when he doesn't pull the sword that first time hoo boy-

(Also Morgana is the only one with magic in their group and Arthur died with still evil Morgana and they're probably depending on her to get home safely and things are very awkward but Morgana is trying at least)

If Merlin is providing housing for the people trying to pull the sword (good news for Arthur and co because they are homeless and broke.) He would have very minimal contact with Merlin because Merlin probably hates seeing the sword cuz he can't remember the wielder's face and he's done so much for this person and he only has vague memories and feelings and why is he still ruling this godforsaken kingdom again? (His depression kicking in. Yes he loves Arthur but resentment would build up after that long right???)

Could be a slow burn version two 👀👀?

This is kind of all over the place haha-

every time I listen to the challenge from epic the musical, I have a merthur fic idea but only a vague idea, I can’t quite flesh it out fully

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Pardon me, I have thoughts about this. hope you don't mind :>

(it may not make a ton of sense buutttt)

Imagine what kinds of propaganda the knights were fed tho?

Leon already having contradicting views on magic as a squire and it just gets worse the older he gets. He tries to compensate out of guilt for not believing his king through being the picture perfect knight BUT THE THOUGHT LINGERS.

he's haunted by the screams of raided druid camps and perhaps people he's killed with his own hand. if he was uthers knight for that long there's no way his hands are blood free

He meets Merlin who's pretty much everything the kingdom has taught him to hate and he tries so hard.

But he's charmed by his stubbornness and cheer and general Merlin-ness. His neverending kindness, compassion, inability to respect authority (this took a while).

And if he finds out about the magic he's conflicted once more because Merlin=good but magic= maybe evil?

But Merlin has never been evil, Merlin has always been Merlin. Leon thinks of pre-magic Merlin and magic-merlin as two different people but that's not accurate because it's always been just Merlin. He slowly realizes that magic didn't really change anything about Merlin's personality or give him sudden murderous tendencies (debatable) ITS JUST MERLIN AND NOW LEON KNOW'S HE HAS MAGIC.

so Leon was wrong. And if leon was wrong then Uther was wrong and Leon is not supposed to doubt his king. And all of the deaths so far have been nothing but pointless.

And if Merlin finally gathers the guts to confess his magic to leon then he will set down his sword and apologize

Merlin does not need Leon's acceptance because he has magic and he will always have magic no matter what and Merlin shouldn't be ashamed. Merlin confesses as a show of trust.

---

Merleon is growing on me

I genuinely don’t think Leon hates magic as much as some people write him as.

He was literally SAVED by magic and he acknowledged that.

When he’s telling Uther about the cup of life he’s very hesitant and even looks scared to tell Uther that he was saved by magic because he knows the consequences of those who associate with magic.

I get why it makes sense for him to not like magic, especially with being raised in a kingdom that hates magic, but we also need to consider that we don’t know anything about Leon’s family.

And even if Leon’s family did hate magic, it doesn’t mean Leon would as well. Morgana was raised to hate magic but she grew to see magic users as people like anyone else, even before she knew she had magic herself. I think the same can apply to Leon.

I think that yes, he probably does have some bias towards magic but he doesn’t outright hate it and could easily see that it can be used for good.

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from my December readings, I’ve collected a few more merlin fic recs for the people…

For favorite long (80k+) fic, I would have to choose Drink my Pain, Swallow Your Pride by Lex18. I’ve read another fic I love by this author and if you’re looking for just the most fan fiction fan fiction that hits the spot, READ. It’s got sexual tension, it’s got vampires, it’s got werewolves, it’s got familial secrets, it’s everything you want to indulge in and more. I, for one, love the vampire Arthur agenda and please give me more 🙏🏻

For favorite mid length (30k-80k) fic, I would have to stretch the boundaries a bit and choose the 85k A Summer in Delphi by rotrude. I went on a spree of reading this authors work and their variety is amazing. This was full of self acceptance, beautiful love blossoming, some tears, and a whole mountain of emotion with the characters. Definitely recommend!

For favorite short fic (<30k) I would have to pick this short smutty fic called Beware the River by I_ran_out_of_books. if you’re into some magical being (?) smut I definitely recommend, it’s a little wild but the concept is great (and, in my humble opinion, underused). A succubus/siren creature morphing into what Arthur desires the most, aka merlin, and then merlin seeing this go down? sign me up

I’ll fire off some other fics I enjoyed this month here~

You have got to be kidding me by Diamondmask, painful but still so good modern slice of life merthur fic. A LOT of up and down emotions with this guy

Two Hundred A Heat by SauraUnderscore, smutty omegaverse tropes for a quick and fun read

A West-Country Romance by rotrude. really had me so soft by the end, them being so desperate for each other gets me misty eyed

Midnight Dragon by rotrude also had such a fun premise, enemies to allies, opposites attracting, yummy yum yum

I’m 100% serious when I say I’ve read heaps of rotrude’s merlin fics this past month. if you don’t know what to read, go through their works! There’s 168 of them and they’re all unique and wonderful. I was hard pressed to not keep repeating their name over for my recs this month, and I guarantee they’re showing up in January recs again too!

For my favorite reread in December I’d have to go with Arcane Asylum by new_kate. It’s another popular one, but I started rewatching the show prison break recently and it got me in the mood for this kind of gritty fic. Merlin is extremely BAMF in this and Arthur is his grounding center. beware of the tags but it still is a great read if you haven’t checked it out!

That’ll be all for this month! I’ve been relaxing over winter without my computer so when I have access to that I’ll be making my list of my merthur 2024 fic recs. rest assured I have a lot to say and a lot to love, and I’ll be back in a few weeks with January’s recs too!

(which… god, if I keep up this pace the 2025 stats will be just as insane as the 2024 ones)

how insane, you may ask… Check out my 2024 merthur stats here!

want more recs? Check out some of my other posts!

<< prev month next month >>

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This is actually so dialogue heavy be warned.

---

"Im leaving Camelot."

Arthur nearly chokes on his wine and Gwen openly gapes at him.

Merlin laughs lightly at the look on their faces and Gwen's heart melts just a bit because how long has it been since they truly spent a moment together?

He stood in front of their table and Arthur took a moment to look, really look, at Merlin. His eyes were dark and his shoulders were broader compared to when he first came to Camelot. His smile was something Arthur hardly got to see anymore. And as Arthur processed the weight of Merlin's words, a sick feeling of dread slowly began building up somewhere in his heart.

"What? How- What brought this on, Merlin?" Gwen spoke, her voice quivering slightly. Arthur knew that she was likely fiddling with a ring on her finger, a nervous habit she picked up from him.

"I-" Merlin hesitated. One of his hands grasped at his forearm nervously. He looked like he might tear up. "I don't know what to do with myself now."

He locked eyes with Arthur.

"Ever since I first came to Camelot, I've lived in constant paranoia. I could never fully trust any friends I made for fear of the pyre. And- and when you started changing into this-," Merlin gestured to Arthur, "-this selfless, kind, brave king- I did everything I could to protect that. When you started courting Gwen, I did all that I could because I wanted you two be happy. It changed me, Arthur."

They knew about Merlin's magic but he had never truly told them about what Merlin had gone through throughout the years. They were stuck feeling helpless as the light slowly drained from his eyes, doing whatever they could but it never felt like enough.

He went on explaining.

"I turned into a weapon. My hands are stained with the blood of hundreds and yet it never mattered to me as long as you were both safe. But- when you stopped needing me?" Tears were flowing down his pale cheeks as he wiped them helplessly. Gwen got up immediately, rushing to wipe at them with a handkerchief. Arthur was right behind her, a hand on both gwen and Merlin's shoulders.

"I don't know what to do with myself. Gaius has a new physician's apprentice who's way better at medicine than I am, you and Arthur have George, Morgana is an excellent court sorceress, and I'm still here."

Arthur wanted to interrupt. It pained him, more than anything, to hear Merlin talk like that about himself. Like there was no worth in him other than how well he could serve others.

Gwen cried quietly. She had been so busy with learning the inner workings of court life that she missed how her best friend has been feeling.

"Merlin-"

"I need to find myself Arthur, Gwen. And- I can't do that here anymore." He looked so pained as he spoke. Gwen knew how selfish of her it would be to ask him to stay anyway but she wanted to, so badly. And she ached.

"..Okay," the king started, "if that is what you believe is best. But Merlin-"

"You will always, always have a place in Camelot. And I'm so sorry we ever made you feel like you didn't." Her voice came out strong, for she knew that Merlin needed something more, and neither the king nor queen could provide that anymore.

Arthur let his tears fall openly now, and he tightened his hold on them both, on his most precious people, the two who taught him to be better, to truly be a king. He loved them both so, so much. And his heart hurt with how badly he never wanted to let go.

And the three stayed there for a long while, weeping together. Eventually Merlin had to leave. Arthur resisted the urge to pull him back.

And Gwen couldn't see him off at the courtyard properly because she knew she would crack, beg him to stay, apologize a thousand times. And she didn't because she knew that Merlin would.

So when he left and long after they lost sight of his horse and lantern, they stayed by the window. Eventually, Gwen let out a sob and rushed into Arthur's arms. She mourned and cried and sobbed as loud as she needed and pretended like she couldn't feel a patch on her shoulder getting wet.

They fell asleep with heavy hearts and the knowledge of a ring on Arthur's desk that will never meet its intended hand, a third of a coin on a braided necklace that will never be accepted, a speech meticulously planned to ask him to stay with the two forever, to rule alongside them.

Perhaps a lot of things were left unsaid.

---

AAASJEHAIDBOS S

I read pt. 1 of @mysticsublimeperson's mergwenthur au a lonng time ago and this thing has been running around in my head ever since.

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do you have any favorite canon era fics? I love a modern merthur but there's something so healing about the canon era ones!!

ooooo yes I do! there’s actually so many I love that it’s hard to verbalize, I go back to canon era perpetually in between modern. It’s like I need both or else I wither away. Now canon era and canon in line with the series fics are a bit different, but I’ll focus more on ones that feel closer to canon series!

For really long ones, To Bear our Teeth and our Hearts by queerofthedagger and so close and I’m halfway to it by ariadne_odair have a very close place in my heart. these are like my go to rereads when I’m itching for canon era that will always hit where I need it to. just excellent works, make me giggle and fulfill the canon merthur needs in me.

Glow Gold by BelleCow was a really excellent post finale (arthur survives) canon era fic- Arthur’s characterization I really really loved. Like he is so AUUUGGH you know what I mean?

Requiem of a Forgotten Prince by kairennart and queerofthedagger also was a really great canon era fic. Has a unique premise but the spell works really well within it, just love love love it truly.

And… when discussing canon era but significant plot/character divergence, I’ll recommend The Ballad of the Moon by Ro_88. This is one of the first Merlin fics that I ever read, and it’s intense but the plot and the resolution was really crazy and enjoyable! the new lore they made while still having the canon era feel is really impressive.

thanks for the ask! there’s literally so many and I don’t know whether to focus on one or recommend multiple. being the indecisive person I am I’ll just throw these all out there~

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Forever wishing there would have been a seasonal gimmick where someone from Merlin’s past comes to Camelot and spills some tea.

Like, just some rando comes by and drops the wildest lore that not even the audience knows to the knights super casually and leaves.

I.e.

Will (if he had lived): I’m glad Merlin found a place here. I thought for sure he’d end up banished again (: Arthur: He got banished from Ealdor? Will: What? No. Camelot wasn't Hunith’s first choice. Merlin just kept pissing people off in other kingdoms so she had to send him to Gaius because nobody else had a chance of controlling him. Arthur: Are you-? Actually, no. This tracks.

Or

Random Girl: Hi, I'm looking for my brother? He lives in the palace, I think. Elyan: And who might your brother be? Random Girl: Oh, sorry. I'm Ganieda! Merlin's sister. Gwaine: No fucking way

I'm just saying, there is no way Merlin stayed out of trouble his entire childhood. Consider:

Some Guy: Is Merlin here? Leon: You're not related to him, are you? Some Guy: No, I cannot say I am. Years ago we had a brief tryst while on an adventure together before parting ways. I heard he was in Camelot so I thought- Arthur: He's not here. Some Guy: Oh, but- Arthur: He actually died yesterday and, completely unrelated, I'm going to have to banish you. Goodbye. Don't return.

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golden age 👑

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Okay, so merthur fic idea: Merlin becomes really cold and calculating by like season 3 or 4, now the change was so gradual and subtle that Arthur didn't really notice until Merlin killed a magical threat without even blinking, but by that point it was too late to do anything, so he learned to live with it. Until one day, a trickster spirt decided to play a joke on Merlin and Arthur by giving Merlin back his original bubbly personality. Merlin wakes up and realizes that he hadn't slept that good in years. He felt lighter as he walked through the halls and was bantering with Arthur in a way that he hadn't done in years. However, he quickly begins to feel off and realizes that this is the work of magic. He tells Arthur and Arthur, who has been absolutely star-struck at seeing Merlin finally happy again, is absolutely crushed that this was only the work of magic. One angst filled adventure later, and Merlin is back to his cold calculating self, wondering why he feels so empty again, and Arthur is wondering if he will ever get to see that light in Merlin's eye again.

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<<Prev Next>>

"Make sure it doesn't happen. For both our sakes." That makes you want to contemplate for a moment so clearly you push it to the side.

"I save Arthur from being killed and I end up as a servant. How is that fair?" Because honestly, you'd think the prat would be a little more thankful. He'd be dead without you!

(Amourningmotherwithhatredinhergoldeyesthechandelierfallsshegoeslimp,and it's your faULT-)

"I'm not sure fairness comes into it," Gaius tells you while massaging a particularly sore spot. "You never know, it might be fun."

You scoff. Fun? With that arse hole? As if. "you should hear my list of duties. How will mucking out arthur's horses be fun?"

"We all have our duties, even Arthur." Gaius has the most obvious tone of amusement in his voice and it only irks you a little bit.

You talk a bit more about arthur's future and his 'duties.'

Arthur? As king? Camelot won't last a day.

"OW! Do you really have to press so hard-!?"

---

"So, you've got voiders on the arms."

"Mhm."

Gwen is really a lifesaver. You came to her grumbling about how you have no idea how knights armour works and she immediately offered to teach you so you don't make a fool of yourself in front of the prince. She explains it with such patience and answers your every question.

Gwen is the best. (You have a feeling you'll be saying that a lot in the future-).

Finally, the full set of armor is on and you can now safely say that you know what you're doing.

"How come you're so much better at this than me?" You ask, a smile on your face.

Gwen looks a bit embarrassed when she answers. "I'm the blacksmith's daughter. I know pretty much everything there is to know about armour, which is actually kind of sad."

You very much disagree! Without Gwen you'd be totally lost. And you tell her that. "No, it's brilliant!"

She blushes a bit and you think it's a lovely color on her.

---

The tournament starts in roughly an hour. You struggle a bit while putting on the vambrace on Arthur. Without Gwen's lesson, you'd probably have no idea how to even begin!

"You do know the tournament starts today?" Arthur asks, clearly annoyed. You resist the urge to tighten the buckle more than necessary.

"Yes, sire." Titles are still weird.

While making a minor adjustment, you look up at Arthur. He looks vaguely uncomfortable.

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<<Prev Next>>

Sleep did not come easy that night. Which means that you're completely unprepared by the mile-long chore chart that greats you when opening the prince's doors.

And on the top? 'Training with Arthur.'

Which was clearly just a thinly veiled excuse to beat his poor manservant with a pointy stick.

He hits you over the head and you fall over. You look up at the sky, squinting and contemplating the repercussions you'd face for turning the prince into a frog.

"Is it over?" you moan, already tired of him.

"That was just the warm up. How's your macework coming along?" He has this stupid, smug smile on his face. He's clearly enjoying watching you suffer. You let out a groan as he swings the mace over your head.

Damnit.

---

"So, how was your first day as Arthur's servant?" Gaius laughed. You walk across the room, muscles aching in places you didn't even know they could hurt. Finally rid of that stupid armour!

You knock on your head lightly. "Do you hear clanging?" Its only partly a joke.

"Ah! It was horrible and I've still got to learn all about tournament etiquette by the morning." Slumping on the table, you let out a sharp hiss as Gaius starts massaging your shoulders. He has one hell of a grip.

A book on the table catches your eye.

'might as well, right?'

"Onhríne achtung bregdan!" You say the spell and the book slides into your hands easily.

"Oi!" There's only a short moment of pride until it is cut off by Gaius whacking you over the head.

"Ack-!"

"What've I told you about using magic like this?"

"If I could actually feel my arms, I'd pick up the book myself!" You snark back. The prince really did a number on you...

"Never mind your arms. What do I do if you get caught?"

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I HAVE A QUESTION

For my Merlin choose your own adventure series, should I only do polls for dialogue and not actions or actions and not dialogue?

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"NO!"

Arthur falls and Merlin runs. He runs past the bodies, he runs past gwen's shocked face, all of the knights, the soldiers.

His only focus is Arthur. Arthur, who just got thrown off a cliff by a sorcerer.

He feels someone try to hold him back and he rips his arm out of their hand.

Merlin reaches the cliff edge and does not hesitate. And perhaps some magic was involved to make him faster. In the end, it doesn't really matter.

He jumps.

Someone shouts his name and somewhere in the back of his mind he registers that it is probably Gwaine. It is ignored, because the only thing on Merlin's mind, the only person, is Arthur. His king looks surprised. And they are both falling.

Merlin reaches Arthur and pulls him into a hug. Mainly to keep them together, slightly out of relief.

"MERLIN! You idiot what-"

He ignores Arthur's shocked exclamation because right now, if they're both getting out of this alive he needs to focus.

The spell that slows down accelerated falling is on the tip of his tongue, but he doesn't have time to focus on remembering so he focuses on all of the magic in his body and pulls.

---

Arthur tightens his hold on Merlin, holding his head close, and prepares for the inevitable pain. The king prays, for if one of them has to die, let it be him so his idiotic and terrifyingly loyal manservant survives.

Only, the pain never comes.

Instead, his back is met with something soft. They bounce off the ground instead of facing excruciating pain. The king holds the warlock close, and opens his eyes in surprise. (When did he close them?)

He's met with a cloudy blue sky and what seem to be flower petals dancing through the air.

Arthur sits up quickly and takes a look around. They're laying on what looks like a giant cloud.

...what?

His attention is stolen by his manservant snapping his head up from where it was tucked into Arthur's neck and making direct eye contact.

His eyes are a blazing gold.

And before the king can get a word in, he's stopped by Merlin beginning to scold him.

"You IDIOT. An absolute moron! What did you think was going to happen when you started fighting on a fucking cliff! I swear I should-"

"Do you ever shut up?"

Arthur cuts him off by pulling him into a hug. He would get angry about the lies and betrayal and all that other stuff, but they just survived falling off a cliff. Arthur thinks he deserves a hug at the very least.

---

And that's all I had written

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<<Prev Next>>

Well you've committed. You do your best to respond while sounding like Gwen, a high pitched and squeaky hm coming out of your mouth and shaking your head as if the lady can see you..... How have you not gotten caught yet?

"Mm-Mmm!"

"Where are you!?"

The lady sounds frustrated, turning her head to the room to look for Gwen, who still isn't here right now!

"Here!"

'Act natural act natural-'

There's a blue cloak on the chair you've been leaning on so you pick it up and hide behind it. Huh, it's pretty soft!

"It means I'm going by myself."

You risk a peak through the neck hole of the cloak, checking to see if the lady is looking your way. The coast seems clear so you try your best to leave as quietly as possible. Then you can put this behind you and act like nothing happened!

"I need some help with this fastening."

'FUCK'

"Gwen?"

You panic for a second until a voice pops up behind you.

"I'm here!"

You spin around quickly and thank the gods Gwen is here!! The wave of relief is nearly overwhelming. You make a mental note to get Gwen something as a thank you.

She mouths a confused 'what are you doing here?' at you and you do your best to explain as quietly as possible.

You smile at eachother, she looks amused and you're relieved. You give her a little wave and leave as quickly as possible with a feeling that she's mentally laughing at your misfortune.

Now time to go back to gaius and never think of this again!

---

'Wow. So this is what a banquet looks like...' you think to yourself while trailing behind Gaius. This single room is so much bigger than your house in Eleador-

The food looks delicious! As you're staring, you hear some hushed whispering and laughter on the other side of the table. Ugh, it's Arthur. It sounds like they're talking about you? Who would have guessed that the prince of Camelot would remember your name!

... hopefully that doesn't have any repercussions later.

Not a minute later walks in the Lady Morgana. She's stunning and definitely knows it, judging by the way everyone can't help but stop and stare for a moment. You can't help but wonder about the darkly colored dress from before. She walks past you and your eyes can't help but follow her.

Then the moment is ruined by Gaius scolding you lightly.

"Merlin. Remember, you're here to work!"

"Right, sorry."

Your eyes follow her up until the prat walks up to her, talking about something you're too far to hear. Gwen stops by to chat.

"She looks great, doesn't she?" She really does. Is it just you or does Gwen sound nervous?

"yeah.."

"Some people are just born to be queen!" Gwen sounds proud. She did tell you that they are quite close. Even so, that sentence makes you pause for a moment.

"Perhaps." You respond, considering. You're not too familiar with the Lady Morgana. She has to be better than the other royal, though. If Gwen likes her.

"I hope so. One day. Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur?"

That thought makes you snort lightly. Honestly, with that personality? You already feel bad for whoever has to marry that dollophead in the future..

"oh? I thought you liked those real rough, tough, save the world kind of men." You flex your non-existent muscles as a joke but Gwen buts in, looking a bit nervous.

"No, I like much more ordinary men like you."

The word 'ordinary' makes you uncomfortable in a way that you can't quite explain. But hey, Gwen said she likes you! That's a good thing, right?

"..thanks."

You look away from each other awkwardly.

---

Not too long after, celebratory horns ring out into the hall, signaling King Uther's entrance. He gives a short speech, introducing the lady Helen and then sits down with the rest of the court. Seeing her makes you cringe internally, remembering your earlier interaction.

She walks in slowly, beginning her performance. The song is not one you recognize, but you feel your eyes begin to grow heavy.

'That's odd..'

You look around the room, trying to keep yourself awake and notice the other people in the room begin to nod off. It clicks suddenly and you quickly press your hands against your ears, blocking the sound. In literally any other circumstance you would be very excited but she is definitely not a friend.

The room grows darker as she gets closer, cobwebs sprouting all over the table and the people. The sorceress has her eyes locked on to arthur, pulling out what is likely a knife and is aiming for the prince and you have to do something-

The chandelier right above her catches your eye and you don't think about it. A quick flash of gold and it falls directly on the sorceress, cutting off her song.

You flinch at the loud noise, staring at the woman who was disguised as the Lady Helen. Its the old lady who's son burned for practicing magic. The day you came to Camelot.

The people begin rousing a few seconds later. Pulling off cobwebs from their bodies, muttering confusedly.

The King and the Prince stand, staring at the woman. Just as the king opens his mouth to shout an order, she suddenly jolts up. Just enough to throw the dagger at the Prince.

It feels like everything has slowed down a fair amount. Although that might have been your doing-

In the blink of an eye, the dagger lodges into the wood of arthur's chair. Directly where his heart would have been. And you are on the floor, still holding on. Because you have just saved his life.

Uther holds your shoulders, thanking you. His eyes are genuine and the irony is not lost on you. He rewards you with the position of the Prince's manservant and the crowd cheers.

Even with the shock still clouding your mind, you look away from the prince, slightly upset at the fact that you'll probably be stuck with him until he inevitably fires you.

Gwen catches your eye with a pitying smile.

---

"Seems you're a hero," Gaius comments as they enter his chambers.

"Seems like it," you respond, your mind elsewhere.

"you did a good thing today, Merlin. I saw how you saved Arthur's life."

Ah. The magic. Of course he saw. There is a short pause where Gaius moves some books from his shelf, eventually getting what seems to be another book. Its wrapped in cloth for some reason?

You unlatch it instinctively. Revealing a book of-

"This is a book of magic," you breathe. Suddenly aware of what you're holding. Gaius places a hand on the book, pressing it closer to Merlin.

He looks you in the eyes, stressing the importance of his words. "Which is why you must keep it hidden. Perhaps, this may help you establish some control."

You look back at him, eyes glistening. "I will study every word."

He gives you a soft, fond smile.

The moment is ruined by someone knocking at the door. "Merlin! Prince Arthur wants you right away."

Ugh.

---

(The poll is blank because it's going to make a decision for another character, not Merlin)

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Silly little Map of the series

Green- Completed!

Red- Working on it!

Purple- Active poll

----

Season 1-

Ep1 "The Dragon's call": Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11

Ep2 "Valiant": Part 1, Part 2

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<<Prev Next>>

You feel like you've missed something important when you wake up the next morning. The voice persisted throughout half of the night and gave up eventually. Your sheer stubbornness prevailed over your curiosity. It was funny listening to the voice slowly sound more and more annoyed, though.

Gaius shames you for your messy room(which isn't technically your fault!), gives you a list of herbs to collect and something to take to the Lady Morgana. You clean up the room a bit and head out!

Hopefully you'll get to see Gwen again, she did say she was her maid after all..

You walk through the open door and watch her head behind her changing screen. That is a lovely shade of blue she's wearing-

"You know, I've been thinking about Arthur. I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole. Pass me that dress, will you Gwen?"

'Ha. Same'

You think to yourself, almost letting out a snort, before realizing she thinks you're Gwen. Well, the dress is right there, might as well.

"I mean, the man's a total jouster. And just because I'm the King's ward, that doesn't mean I have to accompany him to the feast, does it?"

You duck awkwardly as she continues talking, placing the dress on the changing screen. You try and leave but-

"Well, does it?"

Well, you're screwed. You do your best to imitate the voice of a woman and cringe as you fail miserably. Apparently it was good enough because she doesn't notice anything.

"If he wants me to go, then he should invite me, and he hasn't."

'get out get out get-'

"so, do you know what that means?"

---

[bloby-876]

<<Prev Next>>

"why do you care so much about seeing me on my knees anyway?"

You see the prince get visibly red and have to resist giggling evily. He turns to look at the knights accompanying him in disbelief and you can't resist taunting him.

What? He makes it too easy.

"I mean, at least take me to dinner first. What, you can't defend yourself from a simple commoner? Need your daddy's men to protect you?"

Arthur gives a clearly fake laugh before turning to face you again. "I could take you apart with one blow."

"Oh, I could take you apart with less than that."

"And just how sure are you?"

One thing leads to another and now you're engaged in a mace fight.. Gaius is gonna murder you :D

Clearly you won't win this on your own, so you use the gifts you were born with. It's only fair! As you duel, you can clearly see the skill and precision of his movements. Luckily for you, the Prince backs up and trips over a bucket. As you jump up to celebrate your victory, you spot Gaius in the crowd....when did they gather a crowd?

Either way, you're fucked.

Suddenly from behind you feel something hit your back harshly and fall down. OW. The guards waste no time and pick you up by the armpits. Arthur stops them. (Looking smug at his victory. What a dick.)

"Wait. Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one. There's something about you, Merlin. I can't quite put my finger on it."

....okayy??? That was weird.

---

So. After Gaius helps you treat your wounds, you remain awake and stare at the ceiling.

("I'm not a monster, am I?")

Everything is so.. different, in Camelot. Coming from Eleador, the hustle and bustle of the city is jarring. Seems like everyone is constantly moving.

("If I can't use magic, I might as well die.")

You've never had to deal with royalty or nobles before... Is it normal for them to treat others like that?

That doesn't feel..right. And that Arthur guy was honestly such a prick. What gives him the right to treat others like that?! Being of high status shouldn't take away your ability to be a decent human being. Gods..

Well. It's late. You should have been sleeping ages ago.

Tomorrow will be better.

---

Sleep never comes. You're still staring up at the ceiling when the voice comes back.

"Merlin... Merlin......"

---