#''the story in pendragon is complete and i would never say never but i don't have any idea how i could continue it''

[futurepastme]

Prince!Merlin Au

I saw a TikTok of a guy saying how Kings in movies didn't seem to do anything when they should actually be surrounded by people all the time because they are THE RULERS and decided that Uther is just a bad King (shoking, I know) so I added this scene to my Au ≈ 1800 words English not my first language

The Pendragons and the Ambrosius sat together at the dining hall of Essetir's castle for breakfast.

After the Pendragons found out that Merlin was not only a prince but also a skilled sorcerer, Balinor wanted nothing more than to bring them back to the reluctant peace they once were before the whole thing happened. Enough to at least sign the treaty and have them leave without any more trouble.

Uther was still not completely satisfied with Merlin's punishment, even though he almost lost his life. Almost wasn't enough for spying on them for three years, but he knew better than to go against Balinor in his own kingdom.

Morgana, on the other hand, was having a very pleasant time. King Balinor was very charming and his stories entertaining and funny, you could really see where Merlin got his personality from.

Arthur was just miserable, he was mad but seeing Merlin almost fall to his death gave him some perspective. He would still scream at him when he gets a chance, though.

“And after that Mordred never listened to Merlin's fashion advices again” Balinor finished the story with a smile.

“I didn't know Merlin could be this mean,” Morgana said with a small laugh.

“That's because you never had him as a brother, trust me, that one was almost kind,” Mordred laughed as he drank his wine.

Just then they were interrupted by the sound of the doors opening, where a disheveled looking Merlin barged in.

“You're late!” Mordred said with a smirk. “and… sweaty?”

“Thank you, Mordred, I hadn't noticed” was Merlin's reply as he walked towards his place between Mordred and their father.

“I take it you're back from the western border?” Balinor asked, “Was it handled?”

“Hm,” Merlin agreed as he sat down, immediately making food fly to his plate as his goblet filled with water from a floating jug. 

“Western border… Mermaid problems?” Mordred asked

“Sirens” was Merlin's answer before digging into his food like a starved man.

“Wait, if sirens were the problem, why the hell are you sweaty?” 

Before Merlin could answer, the doors opened once again to reveal Balinor’s personal manservant.

“My Lords, my ladies, forgive me for the interruption.”

“Am I out of time, Frederick?” Balinor asked

“I'm afraid so, sire”

Balinor smiled as he stood up. 

“Well, this has been pleasant, but I'm afraid duty calls.”

“Uther, Prince Arthur.” He gave a small nod that was reciprocated.

“My love” he gave a kiss to Hunith's cheek before heading around the table where he reached Morgana. “My lady” and kissed her hand.

“This was delightful King Balinor, we should do it again” she smiled at him

“We shall, you're always welcome to join us if you please.”

Balinor started walking towards the door, Frederick right behind him, and he didn't even turn around as he spoke “Boys, I'm assuming I'll be seeing you at the meeting so…” and raised a hand in a small wave.

“See you, dad.”

“Meeting? What meeting?”

The Ambrosius brothers spoke at the same time.

“Don't worry, Your Grace, your servant was informed and should have adjusted your schedule accordingly.” Frederick answered Merlin's question before turning to his king “Are you ready, Your Majesty?”

The Pendragons watched curiously as King Balinor stopped a few steps from the main doors, his servant by his side.

“What are they doing?” Morgana asked no one in particular. 

Merlin smiled behind his wine glass as Mordred answered “He's getting the few details before going back on duty. Don't you do that in Camelot?”

“Before going back on duty?” Arthur asked

Just then, Frederick gave a nod to the guards at the door. The doors were opened and a group of well dressed men walked in immediately surrounding the King, all talking at the same time.

“Things work differently in Camelot.” Merlin answered Mordred's question while they watched the group leave with the King.

The doors barely closed before they were opened again, this time by Merlin's own servant, Will.

“No.” Merlin said before stuffing his mouth with more food

“Yes. C'mon, get your lazy ass off that chair.” Will waltzed towards Merlin with a piece of parchment.

“Buy me time” 

“Already did.” Will stopped behind Merlin's chair and prepared to read from his parchment.

“Who are you?” Came from Morgana 

“Forgive me, My lady. My name's Will, I'm His Grace's manservant” He smiled with a shallow bow. “I'm here to informe Prince Merlin that his time for breakfast is over and his duties await”

“I just sat down!”

“Well, it's not my fault, is it? You're the one that decided to run away and disappear for three years, and now has a ridiculous amount of work to make up for your stupid absence. Can I read this or not?”

Merlin nodded, still eating desperately.

“Alright, the knight training will be done by Sir Llywelyn, the King has decided he won't have you do any training before the duel tomorrow, instead you will have a council meeting in about half an hour.”

Merlin began rising from his seat, a goblet in his hand as he still chewed a piece of sweetmeat. 

“After that, you have clothes fitting, dragon scale inspection, you'll have to do a round through the citadel at some point to show yourself for the people, I recommend after that,”

Will followed Merlin around as he pat Mordred's head, kissed his mother goodbye and bowed for the Pendragons,

“And that is all for the morning, I'm still arranging your schedule for the afternoon so I'm assuming you'll have lunch at this time, but don't hold yourself to that, and you'll need a ‘I’m back home’ kind of speech ready before the end of the evening, but I'm not sure yet if you'll be giving it today, I'm waiting on Frederick to confirm that as well,”

They started walking to the same spot the King was before.

“At the door, you have Lord Wesley with a complaint about his dragon, Lord Rathmore has reports from the east village's that he would like to share with you before the meeting, Lord Bowers wants permission for a restoration of his manor at the Shallow Falcon Cliff, it will have to break parts of the mountain,”

Will continued his brief summary of what each Lord at the door wanted with Merlin while he finished his drink, once he was done he made his goblet fly back to the table where the remaining nobles were talking about the Prince.

“And that is normal? When do they get time to think or, I don't know, breathe?” Morgana was asking Prince Mordred.

“Well, Lady Morgana, you should recall that he already had time to breathe, he had a whole five minutes of breakfast before Will entered to take him, I'm not sure what you mean.”

“I never had Merlin following me around giving council meetings debriefs before they took place.” Arthur mentioned.

“Council meeting debriefs? That's not what Will is doing, Prince Arthur.” 

“Well, if those aren't debriefs then, what is he doing?”

Mordred pointed at his brother, now standing at the same place his father was before. The young servant that once walked a step behind him, reading names and tasks from his list, now walked to stand near the guards by the door, hands empty with no parchment to be seen.

Once again the Pendragons watched the door be opened by the guards and a large group of men walk in, except this time, differently from what happened with the King, the group of men was stopped by the servant before they had a chance to engulf the Prince in requests and demands.

“Hold on, Your Lordships, you know how it goes with His Grace. Papers to me, keep quiet and no running or pushing.”

One by one, the lords left their papers with Will before calmly entering the rest of the room and finally surrounding Merlin. After the last one was inside by the Prince, Will, with his hands full, walked back and was given a way to stand at his place by his prince.  

Only after Will gave Merlin a random paper from the pile they began to walk, at the same time the Lord which the paper belonged to started talking with Prince Merlin, and the group smoothly and almost quietly walked through the doors, leaving the dining room.

“Merlin doesn't like the overlapping shouting, neither does father but he tried Merlin's method once and it didn't go well. Frederick is too formal to tell a Lord to shut up, even if given permission by the King himself. Will handles them well.”

“Sorry, Prince Mordred but I still don't get it. What are they asking of the King and Crown Prince if not preparing them for the meeting?” Arthur asked again

“I'm afraid I'm the one who doesn't get it, Prince Arthur. The King and Crown Prince are currently ruling the Kingdom, they are simply doing their duties. Those are decisions that have to be made before the meeting, and after the meeting is done there will be more to make. The kingdom never stops, and neither does their rulers.”

“So… what you're saying is that they have to make decisions about the whole of the kingdom by themselves at every moment of every day? Don't they have paperwork, training or open court?”

“Well, of course they do, but like I said the kingdom never stops, some decisions just can't wait for a group of old men to debate for hours on just one subject.”

Arthur looked at the closed doors and pictured himself in Merlin's place, walking down the hallways of his castle surrounded by old lords demanding immediate decisions out of him while he went from breakfast to a meeting, only to be met with more lords and decisions. Every day all throughout the day. He would lose his mind 

Despite his lingering anger with Merlin for his lies and treachery, he could feel certain admiration growing somewhere within himself.

The door opened once more, with a new servant.

“It's time, your highness” was all he said.

Once again Arthur watched as the last of the Ambrosius men followed the steps of the last two. The only difference was that at his door only three men were waiting for him.

Once again the door closed, and Arthur turned to find the wise eyes of queen Hunith staring at him, a small smile gracing her face.

King Uther, Prince Arthur and the lady Morgana finished their breakfast with the pleasured company of queen Hunith, and even though the Queen could keep a conversation as well as the King, with the same amusing stories and anecdotes, the minds of the three Camelot residents still lingered on the image of three tall heads of dark hair surrounded by loud voices following them as they walk.

[splashstar01]

MBTIs of BBC's Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

Arthur Pendragon (ISTJ)

Introverted (I): Now I know many people see him as an extrovert. I argue he plays extroverted out of necessity. Although Arthur is often in the spotlight due to his royal position, he tends to process emotions and decisions internally. He’s reserved about personal feelings, often keeping a stoic exterior, particularly in moments of vulnerability. His introversion explains why in season 4 finale (the show only has 5 seasons), he told Merlin that Merlin was still his only friend, despite the fact that all the Knights of the Round had already been established! He clearly differentiates knights who would willingly give their lives from real friends. Arthur is so private that he doesn't even tell his wife things. In season 5, she casually said, "Arthur never tells me anything." Arthur only really lets Merlin in. (Because he loves Merlin, duh. lol)

Sensing (S): Arthur is pragmatic and focused on the present. He has a strong sense of duty and tradition, often valuing tangible results and sticking to established systems, like the chivalric code and the duties of being a king.

Thinking (T): He makes decisions based on logic and duty rather than emotions. Arthur strives to do what is right for Camelot and tends to focus on rationality when dealing with political and military matters, even if it means setting aside personal attachments.

Judging (J): Arthur values structure and order. He is disciplined, prefers routines, and is committed to fulfilling his responsibilities as a king. He can be strict, both with himself and others, expecting everyone to uphold the same level of duty.

Merlin (ENFP)

Extraverted (E): I have heard some parts of fandom say Merlin is introverted.... But Merlin has to be the friendliest, most outgoing and open character on the show! Merlin effortlessly connects with others. He’s warm, often initiating interactions with various people across all social classes, and enjoys forming deep bonds with those around him. Basically, the complete opposite of Arthur. Arthur's top knights, Lancelot and Gwaine, became knights for Merlin, because of their friendship with him! Merlin at his best is a happy, bubbly dude!

Intuitive (N): Merlin looks beyond the surface and sees potential and possibilities. He is often focused on his vision for the future, specifically the destiny he believes Arthur must fulfill, and tends to think about the broader implications of events.

Feeling (F): Merlin makes decisions based on his emotions and values. He is compassionate and deeply cares about the people he loves, even risking his life to protect them. His empathy drives many of his actions, as he is guided by his heart rather than just logic.

Perceiving (P): Merlin is adaptable and flexible. He thrives in chaotic situations, often relying on his quick thinking to solve problems on the fly. Unlike Arthur, Merlin isn't tied to structure and routine, preferring to go with the flow and adjust his plans as circumstances change.

Even being complete opposites (they don't have a single common letter in their MBTI), Arthur and Merlin's personalities complement each other in a way that makes their relationship dynamic, powerful, and balanced. Despite their differences, these contrasts are what strengthen their bond, making them effective as partners and allowing them to grow as individuals.

How their MBTIs shaped their love story:

1. Arthur (ISTJ) – Duty vs. Love

Arthur’s ISTJ personality makes him deeply rooted in duty and tradition, which often conflicts with his personal feelings. As a king-in-waiting, he’s bound by the rules and expectations of Camelot. This sense of responsibility prevents him from openly expressing his affection for Merlin, a commoner and servant.

Suppressed feelings: Arthur’s introversion and thinking function push him to hide his emotions, especially his care and affection for Merlin. His loyalty to his role as prince often conflicts with his deeper, unspoken feelings for Merlin. Arthur’s rational side forces him to focus on the kingdom, keeping his emotions hidden beneath his duty to the crown.

Traditional values: As an ISTJ, Arthur’s sense of tradition keeps him from crossing the boundaries of class and status. His love for Merlin, if fully acknowledged, would defy these societal norms, and his reluctance to embrace that love fully reflects his fear of breaking those structures.

2. Merlin (ENFP) – Love as a Driving Force

Merlin’s ENFP personality is more openly emotional and driven by personal values. His feeling and perceiving traits allow him to express affection, even though it’s subtle and often masked in humor or banter. Merlin constantly shows his love and devotion to Arthur by risking his life to protect him and ensuring Arthur’s destiny as king.

Boundless loyalty: Merlin’s deep emotional attachment to Arthur is clear, as he constantly sacrifices his own desires, hiding his magic and risking his safety to ensure Arthur’s survival. His ENFP idealism drives his belief in Arthur as the Once and Future King, and this belief is tied deeply to Merlin’s personal love for him. The idealism of an ENFP is evident in how Merlin sees the bigger picture of Arthur’s destiny but is also fueled by his personal love and emotional bond.

Unconditional care: While Arthur struggles to show emotions, Merlin’s extraverted nature makes it easier for him to express affection through acts of service. He remains unwavering in his commitment to Arthur, which highlights the ENFP’s ability to love deeply and unconditionally, even when the other person may not fully reciprocate outwardly.

3. Their Banter – The ENFP vs. ISTJ Communication Style

The teasing and banter between Arthur and Merlin highlight their different communication styles. Merlin’s ENFP warmth and humor frequently bring out Arthur’s softer, more human side. Arthur’s ISTJ personality makes him reluctant to openly express affection, so their teasing and sarcastic exchanges become a way to communicate affection indirectly. The playful insults act as a cover for their deeper bond.

Arthur’s respect for Merlin grows over time, despite his reserved demeanor, and Merlin’s ability to challenge him emotionally helps Arthur soften. Their banter is more than comedic relief; it shows how they communicate their care for one another in a way that feels safe and acceptable.

4. Trust and Emotional Vulnerability

Arthur (ISTJ) is slow to trust others with his vulnerabilities, given his reliance on structure and duty. But over the course of the series, he opens up to Merlin more than anyone else, showing a side of himself that he hides from everyone, including his wife and family members (like Morgana and Uther). Merlin’s warmth and loyalty gradually create a space where Arthur can be emotionally vulnerable.

Merlin (ENFP), in contrast, is more expressive and emotionally open from the beginning. His challenge lies in getting Arthur to see past his role as a servant and accept him as an equal in friendship—and potentially in love. Merlin consistently puts Arthur first, and Arthur, in return, eventually trusts Merlin above all others, including knights and advisors.

5. Protectiveness and Sacrifice

Arthur’s ISTJ sense of duty makes him protective of those he cares about, even if he doesn’t vocalize it. His actions speak louder than words, as he consistently risks his life for Merlin. This protectiveness is a manifestation of his deep, unspoken love for Merlin. However, Arthur often couches these actions in the context of duty—saying he would do the same for anyone in Camelot—when, in reality, Merlin holds a special place in his heart. He was about to abort a mission, causing hundreds of deaths, all for Merlin. Also, in one scene, as they were fleeing from a monster, Merlin fell and Arthur went back for him, a mere "idiot" servant. In that same scene, a knight fell (knights are the bread & butter of Camelot), but Arthur just kept running with Merlin....

Merlin (ENFP), with his focus on emotions and the bigger picture, sacrifices everything for Arthur. His feeling-based decisions make his love for Arthur a central motivation for everything he does, even if it means hiding his magic and true self. This constant self-sacrifice for Arthur’s sake is a key expression of Merlin’s love, a classic ENFP trait—giving up his own needs for those of someone he cares deeply about.

6. Destiny and Fate – The ENFP Belief in Idealism

Merlin’s ENFP idealism sees Arthur as not just a king but the Once and Future King, destined to unite Albion. This belief in Arthur's potential drives Merlin’s unwavering devotion, and his love for Arthur is inseparable from his belief in their shared destiny. Merlin’s visions of a better future are rooted in his love for Arthur, and it’s his idealism that keeps him fighting for that future.

Arthur (ISTJ), being more grounded, is less concerned with abstract concepts like destiny and fate at first, but over time, Merlin’s unwavering belief in him helps Arthur grow into the king Merlin always knew he could be. Arthur begins to rely on Merlin’s intuition and instincts more and more, eventually embracing the destiny Merlin foresaw for him. Though Arthur may not openly express it, he comes to understand that Merlin’s faith in him is born out of deep love.

7. The Final Goodbye – An Emotional Climax

The emotional 'I love you': In the final episode, Arthur’s ISTJ stoicism breaks as he finally acknowledges the depth of his bond with Merlin. When Merlin reveals his magic, Arthur is hurt and betrayed at first (typical ISTJ reaction to broken trust), but eventually, he softens, realizing that Merlin has been protecting him all along. In his final moments, Arthur shows his vulnerability, thanking Merlin for everything—a rare moment of emotional openness for him. He simultaneously mouths 'I love you.'

Throughout the series, Arthur’s ISTJ sense of responsibility made it difficult for him to prioritize his personal feelings over his role as king. But as he faces death, duty and love become inseparable. His final act of trying to kiss Merlin shows that, even though he had been bound by the expectations of the crown, in his last moments, his love for Merlin overrides those constraints. His inability to express affection easily is part of his ISTJ personality, but in his final moments, he sheds that restraint, finally allowing himself to express what he’s likely felt for a long time. For Arthur to mouth 'I love you", even silently, is monumental. It’s a complete surrender of the emotional guard he’s maintained, signifying not just love but trust, vulnerability, and a breaking of the social norms and responsibilities that have constrained him. The fact that he chooses to say it at the very end shows that he always cared deeply for Merlin, but only now, when there’s nothing left to hold him back, can he express it.

Arthur, having always struggled to communicate his feelings, finally mouths the words "I love you" when it’s too late to make a difference. This is reflective of his ISTJ personality—he needed to be pushed to the very brink of death before he could allow himself to be emotionally vulnerable and express his love. The timing makes this moment all the more tragic because Arthur had to die before truly opening up.

The almost-kiss: Arthur’s instinct to pull Merlin in for a kiss reflects the ISTJ desire to do things physically, practically, and decisively, even in the most emotional moments. It also shows how Arthur, who had been in control of so much of his life, wanted to take control of this final expression of love. Yet, his inability to complete the kiss mirrors his inability to fully express his love for Merlin throughout their time together—blocked by the weight of his responsibilities as king.

For Arthur, to attempt to kiss Merlin in his final moments is a gesture of complete vulnerability. An ISTJ like Arthur rarely breaks emotional barriers, but in this moment, he lets go of everything—the crown, his duties, his stoic exterior—and reaches for the person who has always been there for him. It’s the ultimate sacrifice of his own emotional walls.

Arthur’s attempt to kiss Merlin shows that he is finally willing to defy the traditions and expectations that have held him back for so long. As a prince and then a king, he was expected to follow societal norms, but in his final moments, he’s free of those chains and can express his love for Merlin without fear of judgment or duty holding him back. The kiss is the ultimate acknowledgment of the love he had hidden behind his royal duties.

Throughout the series, Arthur has hidden his true feelings for Merlin behind duty, status, and responsibility. His inability to express affection easily is part of his ISTJ personality, but in his final moments, he sheds that restraint, finally allowing himself to express what he’s likely felt for a long time. As he faces death, duty and love become inseparable. His final act of trying to kiss Merlin shows that, even though he had been bound by the expectations of the crown, in his last moments, his love for Merlin overrides those constraints. Arthur, true to his ISTJ nature, often preferred action over verbal declarations of emotion. By attempting to physically pull Merlin in for a kiss, Arthur shows that his love for Merlin transcends words—it's something he feels deeply and wants to express through connection, even when he doesn't have the words to say it outright.

Merlin's internal turmoil: As an ENFP, Merlin had always worn his heart on his sleeve, even when his love for Arthur was expressed through loyalty, service, and protection. The fact that Arthur finally mouths "I love you" just as he's dying would shatter Merlin’s heart, as it represents the culmination of everything Merlin had been hoping for but never dared to fully expect. Merlin, the dreamer and idealist, had believed in Arthur’s greatness, and now, in this moment, Arthur’s love is revealed, only for it to be taken away immediately in the "bury (or kill) your gays" trope.

For Merlin, the attempted kiss is heartbreaking because it represents the closeness and intimacy they could have had if circumstances were different, as Merlin said, "I always thought if things had been different, we'd've been good friends." ENFPs, with their emotional expressiveness, seek connection and intimacy in their relationships, and Arthur’s attempt to kiss him in his final moments is a bittersweet acknowledgment of the love that Merlin had always known was there, but could never be fully realized. The fact that they were so close to expressing that love makes the loss all the more devastating for Merlin.

A Tragic Love Story Cut Short

The final scene where Arthur mouths "I love you" and attempts to kiss Merlin before dying is the ultimate expression of their hidden, unspoken love. Arthur’s ISTJ personality, which had kept his emotions guarded for so long, finally breaks, allowing him to express his true feelings. Meanwhile, Merlin’s ENFP nature, always driven by emotion and idealism, is left devastated by the cruel timing of this revelation.

Their MBTI types add layers to this tragic love story. Arthur’s love, expressed at the very end, shows how hard it was for him to balance duty and emotion, while Merlin’s eternal grief reflects the ENFP’s idealistic belief in love, crushed by the harsh reality that they were too late. Their love was always there, simmering beneath the surface, but in the end, fate allowed only a fleeting moment of acknowledgment before tearing them apart.

After Credits/The Once & Future King:

1. Merlin’s ENFP Hope and Eternal Longing

Driven by Idealism: Merlin’s ENFP personality is defined by hope and idealism, traits that keep him believing in Arthur’s eventual return. Even though Arthur died, Merlin’s unwavering belief in the prophecy—that Arthur will rise again—fuels his determination to keep waiting. For Merlin, his love for Arthur and his faith in the prophecy are intertwined, so he continues to hold onto the belief that their story isn’t over.

Endless Loyalty: ENFPs are known for their loyalty to people they care deeply about, and Merlin’s waiting for over 1,500 years is the ultimate expression of that loyalty. He never moves on, because his heart and soul remain connected to Arthur, and he believes that their bond transcends death and time itself.

Living in Grief and Hope: As a feeler, Merlin experiences the full emotional weight of Arthur’s loss, but his belief in Arthur’s return sustains him. The fact that he has to wait so long makes his grief even more intense, but the hope that Arthur will rise again keeps him going, even after centuries of loneliness. His ENFP nature ensures that his love for Arthur never fades, and he continues to hold onto the possibility of their reunion.

2. Arthur’s ISTJ Rest and Duty to Return

Waiting for the Right Moment: Arthur’s ISTJ personality means that, even in death, he is waiting until the precise moment when he is needed most. His sense of duty to Camelot and to Merlin persists, even after death, as he waits for the time when his kingdom—or Merlin—truly requires him. The prophecy reflects Arthur’s ISTJ nature, as he will return to fulfill his duty, not a moment too soon or too late.

Faith in Merlin: Even in the afterlife, Arthur’s deep trust in Merlin remains. Although he is resting, there is an unspoken understanding that when he rises, Merlin will be by his side, just as he always has been. Arthur’s loyalty and sense of responsibility mean that he trusts Merlin to carry on until the moment of his return.

The Final Act of Duty and Love: Arthur’s rise will be his final act of duty as king and as a friend and lover. His ISTJ sense of purpose and structure drives his eventual return, knowing that Merlin and the kingdom will need him again. When he does come back, it will be out of love for Merlin and a deep sense of responsibility to his people.

3. A Love That Survives Time

Merlin’s Endless Vigil: For over 1,500 years, Merlin has waited, watching the world change, but his love for Arthur remains constant. His ENFP personality clings to the belief that the prophecy will come true, and when Arthur finally returns, it will be the culmination of centuries of waiting. Merlin’s idealism, rooted in his deep emotional connection to Arthur, sustains him through time. He doesn’t seek out other connections because, in his heart, Arthur is the one he’s waiting for.

Arthur’s Timeless Love: Even though Arthur is resting, his love for Merlin isn’t diminished by time. When he returns, his ISTJ loyalty will kick in, and he will fulfill his promise—coming back to be with Merlin and to save the kingdom when it’s needed most. His return is not just a matter of destiny, but also a testament to the bond he shares with Merlin, one that surpasses life, death, and time itself.

4. The Ultimate Reunion

The Prophecy Fulfilled: When Merlin and Arthur finally reunite after over a millennium, the moment will be one of overwhelming emotional release for both. Merlin, with his ENFP emotions, will have spent centuries holding onto hope, and Arthur’s return will be the answer to his deepest longing. The reunion will allow Merlin to finally let go of the grief he’s carried for centuries, knowing that Arthur is back by his side, just as he always believed he would be.

Arthur’s ISTJ Return to Duty: Arthur’s return will be a moment of intense duty and purpose, but also of love. His ISTJ nature ensures that he will rise again when Merlin (the last remaining piece of Albion) needs him most. Their reunion will be both the fulfillment of a prophecy and the completion of their love story.

5. Symbolism of Eternal Love

Waiting as a Form of Love: Merlin’s long wait for Arthur shows that love isn’t confined to one lifetime. His waiting is a manifestation of his deep, undying love, and it reflects the ENFP’s capacity for emotional endurance. Even though he’s spent centuries alone, his heart remains tethered to Arthur, and when Arthur finally returns, it will be a moment of profound emotional catharsis.

Arthur’s Duty Transcends Time: Arthur’s ISTJ sense of duty extends beyond the grave, showing that his bond with Merlin is eternal. His return will not just be about fulfilling his destiny as king, but also about being reunited with Merlin, the person who has always been by his side. This reunion will be the ultimate proof that their love and duty to each other cannot be broken by death or time.

Conclusion: A Love That Defies Time

The prophecy of Arthur’s return turns their story into an eternal love saga. Merlin, driven by his ENFP idealism and emotional depth, waits for centuries, believing in the prophecy and holding onto the love he has for Arthur. Arthur, waiting in Avalon, as the prophecy foretold, remains loyal to his duty and his love for Merlin, waiting for the moment when he is needed most.

When they are finally reunited, it will be a moment of ultimate emotional release, where centuries of love, hope, and loyalty finally come together. Their story is one of timeless love, with their bond surviving beyond life and death, waiting to be fulfilled in a future where they can be together once again.

[hueberryshortcake]

hellooooo tagged by @delladucker !!!<3 yes it took me two weeks to remember and finish this don't worry about it

how many fics do you have on ao3?

- currently 10

what's your total ao3 word count?

- 52,149..... when did that happen

what fandoms do you write for?

- currently usually ducktales of course but I still mess around in my howl's castle series drafts every once in awhile. everything else is from when I was afflicted with being 14 and doesn't count

what are your top five fics by kudos?

- "giving off sparks" which I did not put much effort into but I guess the people needed more Castle in the Air content

- the singular thing that survived the post-tma purge, that michael mcfuckhands thing, which is allowed to remain simply bc it was a little funny

- "wednesday morning 3am" - yeahhhHHhHhHh

- "after changes upon changes" - I will never forget the day I found out there was a secret sixth verse to the boxer and I think I may have ascended. anyway yeah this one was cute

- "prodigal" yea

do you respond to comments? why or why not?

- I try to but I'm shy and my brain is made out of spaghetti and pop rocks so if you left one and I didn't respond. <3.

what's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

- in general? probably one wtnv fic from the Bad Times (freshman year). attached to my ao3 probably "a home she could not keep" I have thoughts about Goldie o Gilt

what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

- OUVGHGR idk I think that kind of depends on your definition of happy ending..... wednesday morning is cute changes upon changes is cute prodigal I definitely was writing the end like "this is so silly and sappy. POST!" but like idk I'm largely tired with pointless angst personally. like I'm okay with things sucking really bad for our heroes in the middle but ending a story on an upward trajectory is important to me when I'm writing

do you get hate on your fics?

- sometimes people say weird stuff about della in my comments and it makes me mad because she is just some guy

do you write smut?

- no I'd rather lock my barbies in the house and then shake it and yell EARTHQUAKE than make them kiss or heaven forbid.... anyway I have more important things to be doing personally

do you write crossovers? what's the craziest one you've ever written?

- no I do like the occasional silly au though like the howl pendragon/ben suliman/sophie hatter Vicious au which appealed to exactly two people and never saw the light of day

have you ever had a fic stolen?

- no can you imagine if someone broke into ur house and then stole only a spiral notebook full of crayon drawings and disney stickers. it would be like that to me and it would be so funny

have you ever had a fic translated?

no that would be sick

have you ever cowritten a fic before?

no but there was a time when ex wife and I were co brainstorming so hard it may well have been cowriting if you squinted

what's your all time favorite ship?

- howl and sophie jenkins-pendragon-hatter........... they were holding hands and smiling and smiling quite unable to stop....... I gotta take a walk

what's a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

- hallmark chronic illness sophie hatter christmas..... also I just found a document that's five sentences of Benjamin Chang actually stuck in a time loop in s6e1. cool

what are your writing strengths?

- I completely blanked because I think I suck at everything so I phoned a friend and asked my ex wife and he said "your writing strengths are themes and motifs and also sick ass metaphors" Thank you ex wife

what are your writing weaknesses?

- actually writing

thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

- ummmm like I've written some stuff in French before because I'm proficient in it but I always heavily double check everything I've written so idk. I keep it to a couple lines at maximum because I'm not super comfortable with it

first fandom you wrote for?

- there isn't a way to answer this that isn't incredibly embarrassing so I guess that time I wrote a self insert character who was kind of weird and not like anybody else and got sorted into ravenclaw (I was eleven)

favorite fic you've ever written?

- oh how to choose! if I've posted it in the last two years I like it. I reread prodigal the most and people seemed to like it a lot but whenever I reread Wednesday Morning 3AM I'm like wait this rocks. wed3am is like my eldest daughter carved immaculately from marble that I forget exists and prodigal is the son I worship despite his formatting errors (they are part of the charm I'm not fixing them. I'm too stubborn)

tagging..... @justaboot @aaandbackstabbed

[lonesomedotmp3]

top five morgana apologism moments… alternatively top five merlin anti hero moments

they are both my favourite little war criminals so i'll do both <3

can i just say the entirety of the tears of uther pendragon... she was literally right to do all of that and she looked good doing it... SPECIFICALLY the scene where she just hugged uther and we see the first evil little smirk... slay babygirl!!!

ACTUALLY in part two when she had that whole conversation with merlin and she was like there is no other way... this was always going to happen! she's the dragon! she's the bad guy in this play!!! she's got the script and the casting fits so she'll play her part... ok i'll stop quoting random shit now but literally conversations of all time she should've put that man's head on a spike and burned that whole place to the ground

when she tried to stab uther with the knife arthur gave her. um imagine finding out uther doesn't even have the common morality the basic traditional etiquette he pretends to maintain even as he apathetically genocides a group of people even as he made YOU hate yourself. actually he never respected your father as he told (LIED) to you he never ever will respect you as anything other than a bastard and a mistake. yeah you'd fucking kill him. of course you would.

idk exactly what we're counting as an apologism moment but something that makes ME forgive everything she has ever done ever is when she grabs merlin's wrist frantic and terrified and so so tired and he just. silently brushes her off and walks away. i mean fucking top merlin anti hero moment as well. unbearably fucked up. what's something else violent she could do. she should've gouged his eyes out and left him in the wilderness to starve. yeah

one of the only two good things in the lancelot du lac episode when she revives him but he's only a shade of his former self completely reliant on another and while he'll maintain relationships with the others they don't mean anything because they don't love him they love who he used to be. and he lives only to ruin his reputation forever when he would've been better off to everyone dead and gone. functionally dead, living past his myth, came back wrong, etc. he's only a weapon. and she just looks at him for a long long time knowing exactly what he is and what will happen. yeah 😐

oh this getting so long merlin anti-hero lightning round

getting rid of arthur's free will - i STILL cannot believe he did that

killing the magical being that told him how to save gwen in s5 for like no reason

him being just soooo mean to my buddy mordred :( the shrug. the shrug!! i literally have that gif saved on my phone just to look at sometimes. he's like if a dark gaping void were a boy who was a girl who was more like wet cement. you understand

POISONING MORGANA. WHATEVER I DON'T EVEN CARE 😐😐😐

killing agravaine and all his men and then turning around and constructing the sword in the stone myth for arthur in the same episode. because kings were not meant to drag their hems in this sort of filth. killing myself. ruining the whole story and taking control of the narrative for the worse because you loved not wisely but too well. KILLING MYSELF. that was such a fun agonised jaunt through memory lane thank u beth :)

[legends-of-time]

Amelia’s Story (BBC Merlin Story)

Chapter 23: Beauty and the Beast Part One

Masterlist

Amelia's POV

Amelia has read her notes and she can safely say that she became quite excited at reading what episode is next.

When Lady Catrina of the House of Tregor arrives, she knows that the episode is beginning. Her excitement doesn't stop her from staring at 'Lady Catrina', who is actually a Troll masquerading as said woman, as she enters the Council Chambers with Jonas, whatever he is, behind her.

"Lady Catrina, is it really you?" Uther questions, standing from his throne. Arthur stands on his right while Amelia and Morgana are sitting on his left with Anne and Gwen standing just behind them.

'Catrina' strides towards them. "I can hardly believe it myself." She bows.

"We had tidings from the north that the House of Tregor had fallen to invaders," Uther says.

"All that you heard was true, My Lord, and worse." Amelia frowns at the performance as it seems a bit over done.

"Your father, the King?" Uther asks.

"Gone, Sire. The enemy attacked without warning. We were outnumbered five to one. He could not endure. I would never have survived had it not been for my faithful servant Jonas. But we did survive, and we have made it this far..." 'Catrina' actually swoons and Uther catches her. "Forgive me, My Lord. I fear my trials have taken a toll."

"Your sufferings are beyond imagining, My Lady. It would be an honour to help you in any way we can." Uther seems quite taken with her.

"A bed for the night would be most welcome." 'Catrina' dramatically speaks as if still faint.

"And consider yourselves our esteemed guests. It's the least we can do." Uther tells her.

"Thank you."

——

Anne's POV

After everyone disbands from the Council Chambers, Anne rushes after Merlin and Gaius and catches up with them in the corridor. When Lady Catrina arrived, she had seen a look on Gaius' face, which caused her curiosity to spike. Gaius seems lost in thought while Merlin speaks.

"She's very brave."

"Yes," Gaius mutters. Anne watches Gaius closely.

"It's just terrible what she's been through."

"Terrible, indeed."

Merlin notices how distracted Gaius is. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing..." Gaius quickly responds.

Merlin looks unsure but then Arthur calls out from behind them. "Merlin! Job for you."

"Work, work, work." And with that Merlin leaves following Arthur.

Gaius then turns and sees the doubtful look on Anne's face. "What?"

"Something is wrong isn't it." Anne states rather than asks

Gaius sighs. "Not sure yet. I have some suspicions I need to check. Probably nothing."

Anne lets out a snort. "It is never nothing."

——

Amelia's POV

Amelia has been demoted from her spot next to Morgana at dinner because of the special guest. On Uther's right, it is Arthur then Amelia while on his left is 'Lady Catrina' then Morgana.

"Well, this is wonderful. Thank you." The Troll says to them.

"It's an honour. The Houses of Tregor and Pendragon have been allies for as... well, as long as anyone can remember." Uther says.

"My father often spoke of you, My Lord." Did he?

"And I will remember him always."

"I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to meet him," Arthur speaks.

"I'm sorry too. For the House of Tregor is no more." The Troll 'sadly' pushes away her untouched plate.

"Well, no, Catrina, it lives on in you." No, it doesn't.

"I only wish that were true." No, you don't.

"It is, My Lady. Your courage, your modesty. And you are as you always were, ever since you were a child."

Wow, Uther. Also, Amelia should really stop talking to herself in her head.

"Ah, I fear I am much changed since then, My Lord."

However, talking in her head is the only way she is keeping her mouth shut.

"Oh, yes, it's true. You are far more beautiful now."

Uuuuhhhh....

Arthur looks completely appalled, while Morgana smiles and Amelia gapes at what is happening in front of her.

"Your father is flirting," Amelia whispers to Arthur through clenched teeth, she leans over slightly in an attempt to be subtle.

"I know," Arthur whispers back in equally clenched teeth.

Arthur then does a really subtle fake yawn. "I'm sorry, hard day's training. If you'll excuse me."

"Of course." The Troll murmurs.

Uther nods to him. "Arthur."

Arthur stands and Morgana pipes up. "We should retire ourselves. Come along Amelia." She then stands looking at Amelia expectantly.

"But food..." Morgana gives her a pointed look. Fine, leave the King with a Troll and let Amelia herself go to bed hungry.

Uther nods again. "Morgana. Amelia."

Amelia reluctantly follows Morgana and Arthur as they leave.

As soon as the door closes, Morgana turns to Amelia and Arthur. "Was that not the sweetest scene!"

Arthur groans as if in pain and Amelia pats him on the shoulder. "I think we had different dinners, Morgana. That was not sweet." She proclaims.

Morgana pouts.

"Though I suppose it is good to see that the old dog is still alive eh?" Amelia nudges the two of them smiling cheekily. Morgana laughs while Arthur looks at the both of them in disdain.

"I do not want to think of my father like that at all thank you. Goodnight." Arthur spits out before storming down the corridor.

"Well, he has got to get used to it. It seems Uther has found a lady friend." Morgana says cheerfully.

Amelia really hopes not.

——

Amelia, along with Anne who shared her own suspicions, convene in Gaius' Chambers. Gaius is making a potion when they arrive and Merlin starts telling them all about 'Lady Catrina'.

"There's something really different about the Lady Catrina." He says.

"Oh?" Anne asks almost hopefully.

"Most of Uther's guests just treat me like I'm dirt in their shoes, but she was really nice, even after all she's been through." Anne leans back onto the table behind her seat on the bench pouting. Amelia smiles, shaking her head as she pats Anne on the back.

"Yes. She always was very gracious." Gaius says.

"You've met her before?" Amelia asks.

"Oh, it was many years ago. I doubt that she would remember. Now, Merlin, I've got a job for you."

"Does it ever end?" Merlin mutters.

"Give this to the Lady Catrina with my compliments." Gaius hands the potion bottle to Merlin.

"What is it?"

"She'll know what it is." Amelia raises an eyebrow and shares a look with Anne.

"But what is it?" At Gaius' look, Merlin realises there's no point in asking and says, "Okay, okay." He leaves the room.

"Testing the waters?" Anne asks. Gaius gives her a look.

"What's this?" Amelia asks.

"Gaius has some suspicions about Lady Catrina." Well, that's good.

——

It is not long before Merlin comes charging back and slams the bottle on the table in front of Gaius.

"She didn't ask for it. She didn't need it. She didn't even want it." Merlin rants.

"Interesting," Amelia murmurs.

"If you say so." Merlin scoffs.

"When I treated her as a child, it was for an incurable disease. Catrina had a rare bone disorder affecting her joints. She often had difficulty walking, especially after a long ride. My tonic was the only thing that brought her relief." Gaius explains.

"And that's why you sent the potion," Anne says realising.

"But she walks as well as you or I," Merlin says.

"So I noticed," Gaius replies.

"So... the tonic was some kind of test?" Merlin says, now making the connection.

"So the question is. If not Lady Catrina, who is she?" Amelia concludes. Nothing wrong with nudging them in the right direction.

——

Anne's POV

The next day, before breakfast, Uther and 'Lady Catrina' go off on a ride and a picnic.

Watching them leave from a distance, Merlin and Anne take the opportunity to enter 'Catrina's' Guest Chambers to snoop around.

As soon as they enter, Anne is hit by this horrible smell and can tell that Merlin is also affected as he begins coughing. Merlin places the laundry basket he is carrying down and the two of them begin looking around with their hands near their mouths.

"Can I help you?" A voice suddenly asks. Anne spins round from the cupboard she is looking in and Merlin looks up from where he is crouched by the bed. Jonas stands in front of them.

"No. Er, I-I-I was- I was just changing the sheets." Merlin awkwardly pats the sheets.

"A-and I thought I would see if there needs to be any dusting." Anne quickly adds.

"Please, go ahead. Don't let me get in your way." Jonas says to them. Anne feels a bit uncomfortable with him.

Merlin looks quite shaken himself as he says, "All done. Thank you."

Merlin stands and walks to the door as Anne quickly follows.

"Merlin," Jonas calls out before they can leave. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Jonas turns around and Anne gapes in surprise as she catches a glimpse of a green forked tail. Jonas then holds out the laundry basket.

"Right." Merlin chokes out taking it from him. The two of them quickly leave the room and rush to report back to Gaius and Amelia in Gaius' Chambers.

——

Amelia's POV

Amelia hurries over to Anne and Merlin as soon as they enter with Gaius close behind.

"So? What did you find?" Amelia asks.

"Something wasn't right in there. There was this strange smell, and I could've sworn the Lady Catrina's bed hadn't been slept in." Merlin lists.

"And there was something else," Anne adds.

"Oh?" Gaius says.

"Jonas. As we were leaving, I thought- well we thought we saw something... this is gonna sound crazy, but it looked like Jonas had a tail." Anne explains.

"A tail? Really?" Amelia says with genuine surprise because her past self had not noted this down.

"Well, I mean, we only glimpsed it for a moment. I-I mean, we could be wrong..." Merlin backtracks.

"No, no, we believe you. But we must keep an eye on her. A very close eye." Gaius says.

——

That night Gaius goes to Uther to plant the seed of doubt about 'Lady Catrina's' miraculous recovery from an incurable disease. Though Uther appears angry, it apparently seems to have struck a chord with him.

The same night Merlin follows the Troll to tunnels under the Castle and sees its filthy nest below full of dung and it farting. Merlin rushes back to Gaius' Chambers and informs them of what he had seen.

"What you saw is seldom seen, Merlin. Trolls despise all other living things, especially humans. They prefer to lurk in the darkness of their nests, feasting on rotten filth." Gaius explains.

"And Jonas? Is he a Troll too?" Anne questions.

"Who can tell what manner of creature he is," Gaius says.

"It makes no sense. If Trolls like to lurk in their Caves so much, what's this one doing in Camelot?" Merlin wonders.

"Trolls are greedy. Lady Catrina's like the rest of her kind; she lusts after wealth and power." Gaius reasons.

"Uther's wealth and power," Amelia adds.

"We've reached the point of no return. Uther has to be told." Gaius decides, standing.

"You're going to tell Uther that his lady friend's a Troll?" Merlin questions as if doubting Gaius' sanity. Amelia sends an equally doubtful look and hears Anne snort.

"That's exactly what I'm going to do," Gaius says determinedly walking to the door.

"Good luck." Anne huffs.

"Thank you, Anne."

——

They convene the next day to hear of the results of Gaius' meeting with Uther.

Gaius enters and he doesn't look exactly happy. "Please don't say anything, any of you."

"We were not going to say anything." Amelia insists even though she knows that it is not true.

"You were going to say, "I told you so."" Gaius says, sitting down in front of the three of them who continue standing.

"OK. I might have. But I... I'm not going to now." Merlin insists.

"Uther didn't take to it well." Gaius reluctantly says.

"See Gaius?! We told you..." Amelia begins but then sees the other's faces. "Sorry."

"But I know him. He's a proud man, but he's not stupid. He will reflect on what I said, I'm sure he will." Gaius says as assuredly as he can when knowing Uther.

"Let's hope you're right," Anne says. Amelia chews her lip anxiously. She knows that Uther gets enchanted but she doesn't know when or how and this uncertainty makes her feel nervous to do anything in case it makes everything worse.

——

The next day Gaius reports back on Uther after speaking to him earlier as they sit in his Chambers. Telling him the truth about 'Catrina' has not worked.

"It's no good. I can tell him she's a Troll until I'm blue in the face, he simply won't listen. He sees a charming, beautiful woman." Gaius complains to them.

"Yeah, with a body like a tree trunk." Merlin snarks. Amelia lets out a snort at that and Anne nudges her as if telling her off but it isn't really working as she is smiling.

"But we only know that because you saw her in the Troll form." Gaius reminds Merlin, ignoring the other two.

"So, what do we do?" Amelia asks, recovering.

"We must open Uther's eyes, show her for what she really is." Gaius states.

"Using magic?" Anne asks in shock.

Gaius looks to Merlin indicating that Merlin is the one who should do this. "It's the only way to reveal her true form."

"But she never leaves his side." Anne points out worriedly.

"I know."

"You want me to use magic in front of the King?" Merlin says, shocked.

"Yes, Merlin, I do."

"H-he'd never get away with it," Anne says.

"I know. I'm sorry, Merlin. I know how dangerous this is, but we cannot allow it to gain any further control over the King. Who knows what the consequences might be?" Gaius reasons.

"Just one problem. I know nothing about Troll magic." Merlin says.

"Then clearly we have our work cut out for us then," Amelia remarks. She worries that Uther is already enchanted and he'll marry the Troll like her notes say. Her only reassurance is that her notes say everything turns out alright in the end.

——

Amelia feels like them being slumped over piles and piles of books in Gaius' Chambers should stop happening but here they are again except this time Gaius is asleep on some books.

Suddenly Merlin slams a hand onto the books startling all of them and waking Gaius. "Here. The spell of revelation." Merlin stands and walks around the table he sits at to Gaius. Amelia and Anne walk over to them. "By which the true nature of the thing may be revealed."

Gaius reads the page. "But this applies only to objects, things, not to living creatures."

"I know. The principle's the same, isn't it?" Merlin questions.

"Well, he should try it. What other choice do we have?" Amelia says. Hopefully, this will bring them one step closer to stopping the Troll.

"Very well. But Merlin, choose your moment carefully. Trolls are vicious creatures." Gaius warns.

A knock then sounds at the door.

"Come in."

A Guard, Patrick she thinks, steps in. "The King requests your presence in the Council Chambers."

Naturally, they all share looks of confusion and worry.

——

Reaching the Council Chambers, Amelia and Anne make their way over to where Morgana and Gwen are standing. Courtiers loiter around the room.

"Do you know what Uther wants?" Amelia asks the two women.

Gwen shakes her head and Morgana says, "I have no idea. Seems no one does. Very mysterious."

The doors open and everyone moves to the sides of the room, making a path for Uther, who enters with the Troll on his arm. Oh no.

Uther stops in front of his throne and turns to the room. "Thank you all for coming. You are, no doubt, wondering why I have gathered you here today. Though we live in dark times, today I bring you light, and love. It gives me greatest pleasure to inform you that the Houses of Tregor and Pendragon are to be united in the closest bond of all. I am to marry Lady Catrina of Tregor."

Amelia can see everyone looking shocked at this and slowly begin to clap though Amelia notices that Arthur does not move. The Troll then leans over and whispers in his ear. "I am to marry Lady Catrina tomorrow."

The surprised clapping begins again while Amelia glances over to see the worried faces of Merlin and Gaius, she doesn't need to look at Anne to see hers. Merlin then moves to a corner of the room to begin the spell.

Uther continues speaking, "This union heralds a new dawn for the Kingdom, a new beginning..."

Suddenly the Troll's smile drops. Amelia sees Merlin try again and if she looks close enough, Amelia can see the skin move slightly. But the Troll is strong and despite more attempts by Merlin, nothing changes despite the skin moving even more.

Amelia must have lost track of the conversation as there is suddenly applause coming from the people around her. She begins her delayed clapping when Morgana nudges her in the side.

"Thank you." Uther finishes. The Troll looks around as if searching for the perpetrator before pulling Uther out of the room in a slight hurry.

"Well, did not see that happening so quickly," Morgana says.

"No..." Amelia quietly replies.

——

The four of them, as they walk into Gaius' Chambers, feel somewhat defeated.

"I'm sorry. I tried. I gave it everything I had." Merlin says.

"It's not your fault, Merlin. You did your best." Gaius reassures.

"The spell of revelation is powerful magic. And it was not like it did not do anything, you all must have seen her face. It went all weird." Amelia points out.

"Her magic must be strong, indeed, to be able to resist you, Merlin," Gaius says. Suddenly Merlin turns and hurries out of the room. "Where are you going?"

"To see Arthur! He's our only hope!"

"Merlin!" Gaius calls at the same time Anne asks after him, "Is that wise?!"

Amelia huffs. "No,it is not. This is Arthur we are talking about."

——

Amelia does not hear from Merlin for the rest of the day as Morgana drags her into sorting out what their outfits should be for tomorrow. Honestly she couldn't care less considering that Uther is in truth getting married to a Troll. Hopefully Merlin is up to something that'll stop it.

But before she knows it, it is the big day and Anne is helping her get ready. Amelia can tell she isn't happy about this.

"Just say what you're thinking Anne," Amelia tells her, feeling slightly irritated by Anne being so distracted, not that she can blame her.

"Ugh... it's just um," Anne huffs as if trying to work out what she wants to say, "I just feel like we have failed, like we have not done enough."

"No, do not think like that!" Amelia says. "We can still stop her even after they are married. It is not over yet."

"Okay," Anne mutters. "Well you are ready now."

"Thank you." Amelia smiles at her.

——

Morgana and Amelia walk into the Throne room together, their arms linked, with Gwen and Anne following behind. Amelia's dress is a deep red with a golden circlet on her head and the front parts of her brown hair tied behind her head. They take their spot at the front of the crowd on one side. Amelia spots Gaius on his own and wonders where Merlin has got to, she wishes she could remember.

The horns blast and Arthur and Uther enter in their full get up of cloaks and crowns. They take their positions at the front. Amelia knows that Uther must be enchanted by now but she can't remember how, so how is she supposed to help when she doesn't even know?

It is not long until the Troll enters as the horns blast again. Once they are both at the front and Arthur is next to her and Morgana, Geoffrey of Monmouth presides over the wedding ceremony.

"My Lords, Ladies, and gentlemen of Camelot, we are gathered here today to celebrate, by the ancient right of handfasting, the union of Uther Pendragon and Lady Catrina of Tregor. Is it your wish, Uther, to become one with this woman?"

"It is."

"Is it your wish, Catrina, to become one with this man?"

"It is." Despite it being a Troll, it is quite the good actor.

"Do any say nay?" Amelia looks back hoping that Merlin will burst in with a way to stop this. She sees Gaius do the same but no one comes, so after a moment of silence, the ceremony continues.

Geoffrey wraps a Garland around the 'happy couple's' hands as he speaks, "With this garland, I do tie a knot, and by doing so, bind your hands and your hearts for all eternity."

"I, Uther Pendragon, King of Camelot, shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee as I respect myself."

The Troll speaks its own vow and it isn't long before Geoffrey announces, "I now pronounce you to be husband and wife."

It is at that moment that Merlin bursts in just as Uther and Catrina kiss. The Court applauds though Morgana has to nudge Amelia to do so as she is too busy sharing worried looks with Gaius, Merlin and Anne. The Troll looks out towards the Court smiling but scowls when she sees Merlin.

Game on.

——

A/N: Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.

[pendragonthegreat]

about the ask game, I'd love to do Aja Killian...

the wasted potential one so strongly btw her backstory is So so interesting and then nothing happens with it

[c0rpsedemon]

Sorry to bother you, but could you recommend where to start in terms of reading Arthurian myth? I was listening to hnoc for the fiftieth time and remembering my childhood love of “kiddified” versions of the original stories and was wondering if you could help me out. Specific collections or stories? Different versions of the texts? Thanks so much.

omg i was just thinking about how it's been a while since i got this question (bc it's my favorite question)!! so first of all (and sorry if this reads as harsh) you have to get the idea out of your head that arthuriana is a mythology. arthuriana is incredibly similar to a mythology, but most arthurian stories are written novels or poems instead of recorded folklore (although some are but they're the minority), variations based on regions are more bc of individual authors deciding to fuck around and change shit, and also no one believed any of these guys were real. second of all you need to swear to me that you'll never believe any piece of modern arthuriana written in the 1950s or later (but still be careful when it comes to anything beforehand bc god knows tennyson had it out for tristan and isolde like no one before or since), and yes that includes high noon over camelot. basically what happened is in the 50s a book came out by the name of the once and future king by th wh*te, an author bigoted enough to rival lovecraft, and the thing is, this book proceeded to start the biggest wave of modern arthurian lit since the pre-raphaelites were around, and that wave is still the one that's around today. the other big (unfortunately) notable entry to the modern canon is marion zimmer bradley (who's a completely different type of horrible person but due to my reluctance to trigger tag this post i'll just leave it to google with a warning for csa)'s the mists of avalon, which is responsible for the morgan is modred's mother misconception that plagues my every waking moment as well as the girlboss arthuriana subgenre, which is recognizable by its white feminism and fetishistic obsession with some vague idea of celtic paganism with a side of an obsession with contrasting paganism to christianity (which would realistically be medieval catholicism but is consistently portrayed as identical to american protestantism) every 12 seconds.

and as for hnoc's reputability, largely due to the shit the mechs pulled with morgan le fay, the name of the final song, the pendragon polycule itself (arthur was like twice lancelot's age, formerly coworkers with his father while he was a baby, and commonly referred to him as being like a son to him (meanwhile lancelot's feelings on him ranged somewhere from neutral-dislike), and also tried to kill his wife Multiple Times Across Multiple Texts, if you want polyamory may i introduce you to the tristan and isolde tradition, sir palomydes is there and has two swords which is clearly meant to indicate his bisexuality (/j although there are Literally academic papers out there on his bisexuality)), the shit they pulled with gawaine oh my god sweetheart what did they do to you (i blame th wh*te's hatred of the scottish for why they thought that was a viable narrative choice for him but oh my god i'm still reeling), and the fact that last i checked morgan's twitter handle was a quote taken directly from wh*te's work, although he might've changed it by now, as well as other small less-glaring indications, i can safely say that not a single person who worked on it had ever read an actual medieval arthurian text. which sucks bc i like hnoc. but tl;dr don't trust any modern work to get shit right and that's including hnoc.

basic mindset-based things to prevent half the braindead takes that haunt the arthuriana tag aside, i'm going to give you actual recs now.

the byelorussian tristan is a late medieval text belonging to the tristan tradition (tristan and isolde were figures in irish folklore before arthurian writers went 'hey wouldn't it be neat if we added these two' and they've been inextricable from the world of the round table ever since. this has happened with other characters from other nearby folklore and mythology before and will happen again, but due to the fact that tristan and isolde were once their own separate entity, they get a subtradition to themselves), it's notable for not only being the last entry in the tristan canon, but for possibly being the last entry in the arthurian canon as well. honestly it's my favorite book... ever and i'm generally obsessed with it. basically it tells the full story of tristan and isolde with a few unique adventures along the way, but where it really stands out is with the characters, esp since to everyone who isn't already knee-deep into medieval blorbos certain texts can be a bit "and then tristan did this. and then tristan did this. tristan is my self insert so then everyone found him thought. and then tristan was about to do something cool but i decided this story is about sir gawaine now." so it's my go-to starter text recommendation. also it prominently features sir palomydes and i have an agenda to push. my queue tag is a quote of his from this text!

the dutch texts, or more specifically the lancelot compilation, are also a good starting place. they're mostly fairly short, not that dense and have are fairly light-hearted which make them some of the best starter texts out there! also if someone's name is in the title, don't worry, it's really about gawaine. he hijacks things a lot.

culwch and olwen is the best welsh starter text, it's about a relative of king arthur's who's cursed to only ever be able to marry this one girl, who just so happens to be the daughter of a giant with

i'd have to reccomend the lais of marie de france too bc they're fairly short and ough. chevrefoil gets me every time. lanval is one where a guy gets married to a fairy queen, and chevrefoil is a tristan and isolde story. also bisclavret isn't technically arthurian but we (med lit tumblr) love it like it is, and it invented the trope of the werewolf knight that shows up in later arthurian texts.

i highly discourage diving straight into one of the full stories of arthur's reign but if you must (at least go through chevrefoil or lancelot and the hart with the white foot first) go with the vulgate instead of le morte, it's much better written and more cohesive and you'll thank me for it. you can/should skip the history of the holy grail and also the history of merlin though. everyone does it.

and uhhh i don't want to come off like i hate modern arthuriana completely so here are my modern suggestions. first there's tennyson's lady of shallot and idylls of the king, but be sure to know that he's wrong about tristan and isolde and also some other stuff i don't remember, and then there's also william morris my beloved who likes palomydes just as much as i do. anyone who says aggravaine killed his mother is a liar btw it completely messes up his character and conflates him with gaheris and i'm saying this bc i know one of them did. also more recently there's this short story with a really long title i'm obslorsed with from an otherwise sucky anthology which is a character study of sir galehaut, who's basically lancelot's husband from the vulgate and also a bit of a medieval gay stereotype.

also there's a substack i'm obligated to plug called nightly knights which has/will have all of these + more and only the good stuff bc. well. i made it.

annnnd that's it for basic starter texts, once you've got one or two of these under your belt med lit becomes. a whole lot easier to get into. after you've read through however many from this list i'd recommend moving to chrétien de troyes (just not erece and enid or cliges bc those are Rough), or sir gawaine and the green knight, just make sure the latter isn't your first gawaine text bc it's the exception not the rule. otherwise, i'd recommend picking a favorite character and reading out from there. if you need any more help or recs for texts that are good but would be Actually Insane to recommend to a beginner (ie. if you like modred i'm Going to point you to an untranslated middle english poem which actually spends time characterizing him), recs for Really Good And Specific Academic Papers, or help finding anything, feel free to ask me or pretty much anyone on med lit tumblr bc god knows we spend to much time on this. hope this helps!!!!

[sehnsuchts-trunken]

Well, now I’m obviously obliged to return here to ask for your headcanons for merlin the series 😂

absolutely I will gladly share these, I've been sitting on some of them for months :)

- Gwaine never stops picking bar fights. Never. The only difference is that now he can go to much greater lengths because no matter what, there's six others who will absolutely help him, at least the second it actually looks like he could get hurt. And god, does Arthur scold him. And god, does he not care. Like he will just. Smile and move on to the next brawl.

- Gwen is a seamstress, I think? And despite not sitting on the throne just yet for me, once she does become queen, she may abandon her old servant-y duties, but she certainly keeps sewing. Sewing for Arthur. And I am not in any way a good judge of clothing but. Those shirts and coats are the best looking in all of Camelot. Arthur may not brag about a lot but hell does he brag about Gwen's skills, and he has every right to. Even the Knights look quite jealous.

- By the way, Arthur really doesn't brag a lot. He grew up like a prince, like a royal, at court, in a huge ass castle, with servants and everything, so of course sometimes he'll be pretentious and arrogant and he won't notice at all, but he never mindfully does so, he never mindfully wants to make anyone feel bad about what they have or has to feel good about what he has himself. But. This doesn't count for one thing and one thing only and that is Gwen. Like this man will talk about her for two weeks straight if you let him, he would never talk about anything or anyone else ever if he could. And he will so definitely brag about her. He also totally tells their story wrong, if anyone asks. And then she just grins and goes like "actually sweetie if I remember right I was the one who kissed you first"

- Morgana is kind of a fashion nerd and has always been. She just loves to combine different things and wear dresses and pantsuits in unconventional ways and colours and I absolutely despise the way they completely mess up this wonderful character trait by making her wear only dresses. Like, you cannot convince me that she didn’t wear leather trousers at some point, or Arthur’s loose white shirts paired with a beautifully intricate corset. 

- Leon has canonically died like seven times in this series and I don't understand, so I will literally just say that wow does he have good luck and he uses it when playing games/doing bets with the other knights. Also he braids his hair into these little Viking braids sometimes. He has a great, wholesome sense of humour too. I love him, he's precious.

- In the episode I'm currently watching, the guys find out that there's a traitor in their ranks (actually Leon's the one who finds out, he's great, did I say that already), and Arthur begins to like, go through all the Knights and people and tries to find out which of them betrayed him. And like, despite Leon I think he goes through all of them? Maybe not Gwaine, but like, maybe, idk. Anyway the others learn about this at some point and they all make sure to get back at Arthur by pretending like they're betraying him and then literally just leading him to the basement where they all met up and created a "Fuck Arthur Pendragon" club (some of them took it a bit too literally.)

- The running gag with Merlin being at a tavern is now known and being used by everyone except for Arthur, because he's always been the one it's being used on and doesn't understand why everyone laughs (well, maybe, that it's funny that Merlin's a drunkard. but in a way he's more worried) But everyone else just knows this inside joke and the second someone dares to tell it, everyone is laughing their asses off and will not calm down for an hour.

- Who's missing? I'm missing someone. Who am I missing???

- Elyan! Yeah I got nothing on him lol.

so seems like this is it-

[hiimsociallyawkward]

a servant of two masters

hi friends welcome back to me aimlessly ranting about merlin. up today we have 4.06 and this episode. wow. literally just the title gives me everything i need and i'm absolutley here for the chaos that will ensue. hi bestie @lady-ofmagic-andstars

i love them in their capes

i want a cloak

dude the 'oh it's not gonna happen' and then it happens trope is so dumb but i laugh every time

notice how the knights ripped off their capes

dude people are falling off of horses and out

MERLIN

ok ok but how is he injured. ik this is rated for kids but i really dk how badly merlin is injured. it looks like just his shoulder but he shouldn't be almost dying like his yk?

:,) arthru making jokes

ok but i love arthur taking care of merlin

alskdjflsadk them trying to make jokes to make each other feel better :,)

stop arthur. stop telling the truth merlin's not dying here 😭

bestie vibes only deadass

HAHA

a s s

side note, the site i get my screenshots from- this picture has 61 views while others average maybe like 10-15?? perverts HAHA just kidding

sok i'm actually really curious as to what merlin's injury is

alsdjf;lasdfjsaldfjsaldf merlin making the rocks fall

idk if it's jut the angling but i felt like the enemies were way too close for merlin to create an entire rock barrier. i don't have any screen shot evidence but so you're just going to have to take my word for it

ok but like who even are these men. they were working for morgana trying to capture arthur?

and what's morgana going to do once she has arthur? kill him and take his place on the throne? remember how well that turned out last time she tried that? no one wanted her. idk idk morgana is just confusing as to what she wants

pls die agravaine

haha strangely fond of the boy? there's nothing strange about it

ok i laughed but i also felt bad when morgana splashed merlin awake and flailed around like a fish

dude merlin is so snarky here and i'm HERE for it

ok i like the knights being competent. thank you thank you

and now they're riding back into camelot with their capes on? you're telling me they traced back their steps to find their capes, dusted them off to make sure that they weren't too dirty and didn't have any leaves or branches still sticking to it before riding back to camelot? iconic

poor gaius. ok he's the worst but he does think of merlin as his son and this makes me sad

ok i have a dumb question. do you think merlin understands whenever other magic users are casting spells? ok i feel like this is a dumb question now. but like, is magic a language? are all incantations in a different language, so when other person who knows magic is watching you- they know what you're trying to do and such? i feel like "of course they'd know" but i'm basing that assumption on hp where everyone knows that alohomora is alohomora and where everyone knows that lumos is lumos. but what about here? does merlin know what she's incanting? can he slightly understand it even if he's never seen/done it before? is magic a language like latin, and even if you aren't completely fluent, you and parse together things and make an assumptions?

arthur is just so sad here

i just, i have to have these here

yes bby figure out that we have a traitor

gaius is not slick in the slightest. yes. look at the traitor king

wow morgana being able to bond with the snake? i wonder how

ok question, does the fomorroh have some sort of loyalty to whoever calls them?

✨kill arthur pendragon✨

ok that snake going in his neck is actually scary

pretty castle counter: 5

btw this is actually my zoom background sometimes. it depends from call to call but it changes between this pretty castle and peeta mellark

G E O R G E

ok i've seen all the tumblr posts but it doesn't get less funny. the 'merlin's missing and we can't find him so we're going to replace him with another manservent dressed EXACTLY like merlin so arthur feels better' makes me chuckle every time

i would like to have that for breakfast

i like the loyalty arthur thank you. i love the loyalty pls. i love that they're friends. like, i love the romance but i love just people being friends too

ok this whole scene. arthur wanting to look for merlin because he has to at least try, gwen just wanting arthur to be careful and to come back to her, gwaine being buds. i love all the friendships in this and just yes thank you

ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok i'm not at the hug scene yet but i know it's coming and i'm beyond excited

ok this sound track is so cute.

saldkfj;asldkfjasldkfsd

matching icons for you and your best friends

deadass if someone wants to change their tumblr icons so we can match hmu bc i'm 100% down with that

another pretty castle scene

SASSY MERLIN PLS

ok ik this is dumb to comment on because i feel like it's not tremendously hard to execute but i love the differences that colin made in regular merlin and fomorroh merlin. it's the best

they say it later in the episode but i find it hilarious how bad of an assassin merlin is

dude pls you're pouring poison in front of EVERYONE else?

BOG MAN. ok guys i'm calling you guys bog mans now.

ASLDJFALSDFJS THE JEALOUSY SCENE

i am cringey but laughing at the same time you don't understand why am i this childish

ok but arthur is being so sweet right here. i feel like he's not trying to be showy in front of gwen, i feel like he wants merlin to rest and that's so sweet. he's so patient right here and i love him

i miss the gwen and merlin friendship actually

dude merlin is roasting gaius so hard today

leon geeking out over weapons is so cute. omg he's such a tiny nerd i love him

laskjflasdfj THIS SCENE. this makes up for the stew jokes that i may or may not still be mad about

i love that the knights LITERALLY turn a blind eye it's actually hilarious

LOOK AT MERLIN BEING COMPETENT?? HE'S SO SMART WITH THE ARROW RIGGING THING

it's literally treason leon pls and you're laughing you're the best 😭😭

i wish we had a pervical back story arc

ok i think it's dumb that i laughed when merlin ducked but i stand by that

ok why do i feel bad for arthur a little. he's talking abt some semi-deep stuff. not deep deep but like, he's trying to ask for advice from his friend, his close advisor. he would've never talked to merlin like this is season 1-2 but here he is, talking about trust. and MERLIN is trying to MURDER HIM. yes. i admit it's a little funny when i'm just watching merlin trip over things and such, but when i listen to arthur talking i feel slightly sad

literallly. merlin's passed out on the floor and arthur doesn't even think anything is wrong

gwen's face when she knocked merlin out is so cute

oop. why is arthur standing in agravaine's door way like an absolute robot

cyes arthur. figure him out

i hate agravaine. i just want arthur to be happy. he's only trusting agravaine because agravaine is family.

stfu agravaine 'you're all that's left of my dear sister' SHUT THE FRONT DOOR

ok there's a repeat of the castle from earlier but i'll spare you

pls this bath scene is so awkward. tt not being able to trust anyone anymore and we're laughing at merlin but arthur's talking so sad and deep

pls this bath scene is so awkward. that's all the notes i have

again, i miss gwen and merlin

merlin is MONCHING on those berries. i'm craving berries now

ok but like. yk that pouch that gaius is using to make the forromoh dormant? what if merlin tucked it in his neckerchief as a precaution. i'm just saying.

aslfkjasdaskdjf the tavern

yall why did merlin have to stop his horse to drink the potion

i want the knights to have a cool band name or smth yk what i mean?

i like that merlin is still a little in the camelot red. it's not the same shade but yk what i mean

HAHA LEON AND PERCIVAL BEING PUSHED TOGETHER. I JUST KEPT ON SCREAMING SUBTEXT SUBTEXT

damn morgana wants RESUKTS. i dont blame her

the frist interaction with merlin and morgana in the hut is so awkward. pls.idek how to comment on it

deadass morgana's dress is so pretty.

magic fight! magic fight!

stfu 'rightfully mine' pls

hehe there's a leaf in his hair

ok i feel like i should've commented more on the magic fight but idk bro

so ik that colin was in this whole episode but it really only just now feels like merlin is here and i think that's fun

arthur is the cutest. i'm loving this dynamic you have no idea. i live live live live LIVE off banter. pls

guys i'm sad apparently i can only put 10 pics in a post but pls enjoy this one pic of arthur right here 😭

ok idk abt you but i'd love to hear jokes abt brass

agaragvaine pls die already

YOU'RE SUCH A PERV LITERALLY

GO

AWAY

NOW

dude that last scene was actually really pretty and i'm sad that i can't attach it now

anyways thanks for reading my long ass rambles. but i'll be back next week to the secret sharer i'll catch you on the flip side

[and-damntheconsequences]

Merlin Astrology — Part 2: The Zodiac of the Celtic Druids

No one asked for it. You're getting it anyway.

So, in the other post, I've made up birthdays for both Merlin and Arthur in the other post, and gave them sun, moon, and rising signs according to how I viewed them and what fit that best. The zodiac I used there is (I think) western tropical astrology, the greek/roman based zodiac that most people are familiar with in the modern western world.

However, that wasn't the only type of astrology I looked at. And given that the calendar they were using in Merlin is heavily influenced by the celtic traditions, and druids are actually in the show, using the Druidic Zodiac seemed to make a lot of sense. I decided that Merlin's birthday would be December 23rd almost solely on the meaning that holds in this zodiac, and I used it a lot for Arthurs sun sign too.

If you know how the Druidic Zodiac works, or just really don't care at all, scroll down for a bit — until you see the bigger text and names — and I've written what I think their signs would be and the explanation. If not, I'll give some brief context and a little education first.

***

The main difference between the Celtic calender and the modern calendar is the number of months — and therefore the number of signs within the zodiac. In modern western astrology, there are 12 zodiacs, and the sun (main sign) lasts for a month in each one.

((Side note: sun signs aren't actually exactly decided by the placements of the actual constellations they're named after, it's generally more to do with the beginnings, middles, and ends, of the four seasons, but that's besides the point.))

Anyways, in the Druidic Zodiac, there are 13 months of 28 days, for the 13 moon cycles that happen in a year (plus one extra day — I'll come back to that). This means that while meanings overlap heavily between the Druidic Zodiac and the astrology we're most familiar with today, the signs do cross, and and the meanings are changed.

The Druidic Zodiac signs are named after trees, and have their own symbols (usually animals, but one of them is a chalice... so not always). The festivals near to a child's birth are also linked heavily to these signs, as the festivals would have spiritual significance.

It's also probably worth noting that the actual legends of King Arthur ARE mentioned within some of these traditions and the original characters of King Arthur and Merlin are supposedly linked to certain signs — but I've completely disregarded that here because these are characters in a show only based on those legends, and that's not at all the same thing.

***

Okay let's go

*

Arthur Pendragon

Birthday: July 28th

Druidic Zodiac: Holly

The eighth sign of this zodiac, the Holly Tree might seem an odd tree to represent some of the hottest months in the year, but this is because it falls just after the summer solstice. It is the first month of the waning year as summer comes towards its end. Within this month falls the first festival of harvest — Lughnasadh (or Lammas), where the fruits of the earth would begin to be collected, and feasts would be held.

Represented by the unicorn, the Holly zodiac is one of royalty and nobility, and their horn was likened to a spiralling spear of fire, a symbol of the sun's power in the days of summer. Those born under this sign will move through life in a confident and powerful manner, which can sometimes appear arrogant or snobbish if left unchecked. However, past that appearance, they are truly kind hearted and generous people, who act as both inspirations and leaders when they are called upon in times of crisis.

They are also often energetic and athletic, with great physical stamina and sporty capabilities. As well as this, they can be incredibly competitive and ambitious, though not to the ruthlessness that others may show. They likely won't take kindly to personal criticism or being told what to do, and can be impulsive and rash in defending themselves and their pride. However, their sincerity and loyalty is unparalleled in the zodiac, and their dedication to those they are about never goes underappreciated.

Holly also has an important meaning in the wheel of the year, which is the basis on which the celtic calendar was set as it went between seasons. In some pagan stories and traditions, an ongoing battle was always being fought between the Oak King and the Holly King. On the winter solstice (longest night of the year), the Oak King would win, and bring the earth away from winter and into summer. On the summer solstice, the Holly King would win again, and start to return the earth to winter. This is only my personal interpretation, but I would take that to mean that those born under the sign of the Holly are blessed with power and success. They are the new rulers, the strong, the winners, who in time will continue to grow and improve themselves. They are the true Kings and Queens of the zodiac, with the potential to do many great things.

*******

Merlin (Emrys)

Birthday: December 23rd

Druidic Zodiac: Mistletoe

Yes, mistletoe isn't one of the 13 zodiacs, but hear me out it works I promise. December 23rd was the last day of the Celtic calendar, and as such has special significance — it doesn't exactly fall under the Elder Tree sign. A year of 365 days can divide 13 times into months of 28 days, but there will be one day left over — the Nameless Day. People born on this day don't quite fall within the zodiac, and as such are given the symbol of Mistletoe, represented by the spiralling tail of the dragon constellation Draco, that was never fully visible.

Mistletoe people share most of their characteristics and nature with that of Elder Tree people, but this day also represents great potential that continues to evolve. There is a sense of destiny or fate that surrounds them, and they may find themselves as outcasts in life, or with questions surrounding their ancestors and origins.

For the most part however, they are considered to be partially within the Elder Tree zodiac, and share those traits — so I'll talk about that too.

Elder Tree people are represented by the black colt, and greatly value their freedom to learn about and explore life. They are born at the end of the year, as darkness is spreading across the land and nights are at their shortest, and therefore come into the world with their eyes fixed on the faded light in the sky. They may spend their lives, metaphorically, constantly searching to find that light, and will often be seeking to make the world a brighter place. They know the darkness well, but remain optimistic in spite of it.

They are naturally intuitive and sharp, and likely to have a deep connection to the outdoors and natural world in some way. Though they have a kind and considerate heart, they may also be a little too quick-witted, and prone to upsetting or offending people with their strong views or blunt honesty — especially if the humour of their comments isn't picked up on.

As their symbol would suggest, they can be something of a "black horse", which can make them outsiders, and destined to seek out their own path as a conventional lifestyle may not suit them best. But despite the doubts of others, they will see many great personal victories. They have a keen sense of justice and morality, and will strive to do what is right, even if its unpopular.

There's not much more to say on these, at least that I know of, but I might do another post talking about other characters, if anyone has a character they'd like me to do.

Here are the dates for the zodiacs if anyone's interested:

[animeraider]

Of all of the strange stories in my lengthy music career, this is one of them.

In the 1980's I was the lead guitarist and occasional vocalist for a band called ASK. We were pretty good after a while. It was me, Kevin Donville (bass and lead vocals), Ed Lee (Keyboards and vocals) and a series of drummers before we finally settled win with Tim "T.J." Klassen. We started off slow but after some rough gigs, including an horrific one where we were the act that followed the famed songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland run through their biggest hits (we sounded nothing like them and the audience was there) we built up a reputation in West L.A. as a solid band and had earned the trust of the famed Esther Wong herself.

We played 20 gigs at Madame Wong's during our run.

In 1989 Kevin had to leave the band. The rest of us tried to soldier on for a bit, recruiting my brother to play bass and trying a few other guitarists to take over lead duties while I took over vocals. None of it really worked, but we did have fun with one song. Back in the ASK days we had a hard rocker called "Run To Me" that featured a riff I stole from Don Dokken. I re-worked the song as a ballad and we worked up a pretty good arrangement. Tim and my brother worked up a solid rhythm section part and we all agreed that this was pretty awesome.

The band fizzled out and that's mostly my fault. But one night Tim and I got some beers and watched a VHS tape of U2's "Rattle and Hum", and when they got to "Bullet The Blue Sky" Tim's air-drumming that slamming part and I'm pretending to be The Edge when Tim asks me if I can play that slide guitar part. I could and I can. He said, "wouldn't that be awesome in Run to Me?"

We had one more practice, jut him, me and my brother and it WAS awesome.

I then got sidetracked by the events that led me to record a song called "Favorite Partner", a dance track that was completely played on acoustic instruments. That song took off in the beach town clubs and I suddenly needed a full demo to shop around - because people were starting to ask who I was. I had two other songs ready to go in the same vein as "Favorite Partner" and I asked TJ and Alex (my brother) to come to a session and we'd record "Run to Me" like we had last practiced it, "Rattle and Hum" bits and all.

In those days I practiced and recorded at a placed called Pendragon Studios. None of us lived close to it, but their engineer - a man named Bill Krodell - was a genius.This of course means that we all have to drive there. On the day of the session Alex's car breaks down, and he can't make it. So now I have to play bass.

TJ and I record a reference track - my guitar and his drums, and then I record the bass. I had never tried to play bass on the song before, so I just copied with Alex had done. It's a pretty good bass line, and later he would be very happy that I had kept it. I record the guitars and when it comes time to do the solo I pull out the slide and do the "Bullet the Blue Sky" bit. It's only a few seconds but Bill claps his hands together and says, "Wait until you hear how I mix THAT!"

It gets time to do the vocals and it takes me a few takes to get the lead down. The harmonies were easy though (that had been my part when it was an ASK song). We're listening to a take and getting to the last chorus when TJ, who's been just sitting and listening for the past couple of hours as his part was long finished yells out, "Knock Knock Knockin' on Heaven's Door" in time with the drum part he played.

Of course, we just HAD to incorporate that. Understand, There were about a dozen version of the old Bob Dylan song making the rounds right around then, including the Guns 'N' Roses one, so it was once again part of the zeitgeist. In the space of a few minutes I came up and recorded with a blistering 4-part harmony of those six words, and then returned to the song as I had written it. It was a fun off-the-cuff moment and I love those.

We mixed the tracks and I suddenly had a 4-song demo. A friend of mine did a photo session for the cover. I'm terrible at those and to try to get me to loosen up she had me balance a small rubber shark on my shoulder. The photo that resulted led to not only the cover but the title of the demo, "Hand Feeding the Hungry Shark".

God's Teeth I'm young in that photo.

The demo got circulated around and label interest started up, but they wanted to hear more. They wanted live shows and at this point I really didn't have a band. I was getting club play though and I was selling demos, so I decided to record a full album. The result was the first album I released as Jim Christopher, "My World - Welcome To It", named after a television show I barely remembered from my childhood. It's available to this day:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0MZo7Zlk9cis5s0mcv0giy?si=RUce_ECtRH-ndKprKkx2QA&dl_branch=1

Thing is, if you listen to track Seven you will NOT hear the Bob Dylan Lyrics. You need to remember that this is 1989-90. The world wasn't then what it is now. I hadn't sampled Dylan. I had essentially just used his words, and I realized I was going to need his permission. So I asked.

It took a bit of doing, but I found his agent and sent him a letter outlining what I was doing, and sent him a copy of the demo. I figured that their publishers would want a cut and I was prepared to give it. Instead I got a letter back stating that if I were to release this version of the song with Dylan's lyrics included that they would sue me into the ground and crap on the smoldering remains.

Well, I'm this 24 year-old broke dude and this is Bob Dylan's battery of lawyers. I wasn't going to win this one, so I went to a studio and rented one of their editing consoles and spliced out most of the last chorus (I'm a VERY good editor - most people don't even realize the cut).

That was that. My little tribute to Bob Dylan was left on the cutting room floor. 20 seconds of the song just gone. End of story.

Except.

Long after I had left Los Angeles and retaken my own name as a recording artist, Dylan gives an interview about all of the covers of his songs done over the years, and how many musicians quote him. Part of the answer he gives is about how he got overly protective of his catalog at one point and wouldn't let anyone use his music without using the whole song. Guess about when this was? He goes on to say in the interview that he doesn't mind people quoting him - that he does it himself.

In essence, he was giving everyone permission to do the very thing his lawyers had told me not to do. I'm not going to go into the story of how I confirmed this, but I did learn that he actually had never even heard my song (Hugh Hefner did, but that's another story). The ultimate response I got? "We're cool."

But I had edited that chorus out of the master for the album. I went back to the original 2 inch tapes I had recorded on and remixed and remastered the song. I let it hang around bandcamp for a little while, but I never really gave any thought to releasing it.

Well, 2020 and 2021 have been such game-changers in my life. After spending years struggling with a new album the floodgates opened up for me as a writer and a recording artist. As many of you know, I've released a ton of material this year, including some of my older tracks that never saw the light of day. It took a while, but it finally got through myu thick skull that I could finally put out in wide release the original version of "Run to Me", complete with The Edge guitar solo and 6 words by Bob Dylan.

It's the opener of "Demolisten", which is mostly a random collection of songs that never saw wide release for one reason or another. Some of this work is seriously unpolished, but I figure if the big artists can release their back-catalog crap so can I. But I'm really proud of "Run to Me".

I played every instrument and sang all the vocals except for the drums, which are played by Tim "TJ" Klassen (who now lives in New York). If you listen very very carefully you can even hear TJ "singing" (screaming, really) as he plays drums, especially on some of the fills.

Every song on this "new" EP has a story behind it, but this one is the one from the very early days of my life as a solo artist. I can tell the other stories if you want. I promise to be less verbose on the others. Their stories are shorter.