#Not the once and future king

[crystaiskiess]

to go along with the final chapter of my merlin rewrite ‘the once and future kings’ - here is an artwork i did to accompany it

read the fic here on ao3

and read my authors note for the final chapter below the cut 💕

This fic has truly changed my life, I cannot even put into words how incredible of an experience this has been to write and to share with all of you. When I started 'The Once and Future Kings' almost four years ago so much was different. Writing this has genuinely been such a life changing thing - it has pushed me to pursue my dream of being an author again, introduced me to a whole new interest in life (arthurian legend) and challenged me to see what I can achieve if I really dedicate myself. I don't know where I'd be without it, and even knowing how much time, sweat and energy it would take to get here, I do think I would do it all again if given the chance.

A massive thank you to Rachel, my editor, without her, OAFK truly wouldn't have been possible. And also a huge thank you to every friend, and loved one who has listened to my endless rants and rambles about this fic.

Thank you to all of you for every single kudos, comment and kind word you've given this fic. I have read every comment, I have cherished every message and heart and smiley face you have sent my way. You have made this experience so wonderful, and I owe a lot to you all for getting me through to the end.

Here's to the end of OAFK, I hope this fic has brought you as much joy and enjoyment as it has to me - please let me know what you thought of this final chapter and I hope you will all continue to stick around to see what I do next 💕

[fan-a-tink]

"I'm a sorcerer. I have magic. And I use it for you, Arthur."

Merlin & Arthur | 5.13 "The Diamond of the Day - Part 2"

[merlinmylove]

Merlin: Oh, you’ve got something on your face

*licks his thumb and swipes Arthur’s check*

Arthur, not even batting an eye: Thanks

Uther: What the fuck?

[red-enby]

have my favorite one i’ve made

[strawlessandbraless]

Merlin uses the sire title during sexy times and Arthur melts

[regulusrules]

We're TRENDINGG for no REASONN just like god DECREEDD, so here are 5 fics that would steal your breath away:

1. My breaths are run by your compass by regulusrules. [M] [75K] [post-camlann fix-it] [golden age but merlin stabs arthur in his heart first].

Not because it's my fic and it's genuinely so insane you won't believe it, but honestly, it's the best idea I've ever come up with, even better than the widely beloved my heart is readily yours. For me, it's the perfect continuation of their story, and the most unhinged plot twist you could find in a fic.

2. Half of my soul by @clockwrkpendrxgon. [G] [2K] [MCD] [golden age growing old together]

This fic is half of my soul, or what the poets say. It's so much better as an ending than what they've given us. At least this is filled with such golden love it makes you ache. At least this makes sense.

3. from hearth and ashes, we’re reborn by @remuscariad. [G] [5K] [canon era magic reveal].

This fic is so good you'll be on your knees from it. The prose, the characterization, the tropes used... it will linger in your mind and fester there from how beautiful it all is. And the art in it by @onepeppercorn... stunning.

4. Our broken pieces by @aramblingjay. [T] [10K] [canon era established relationship]

You can pry this fic from my cold dead hands. I will never stop recommending it until it gets the fame it deserves. One of the most beautiful fics ever written about them, and genuinely encompasses their characters so perfectly.

5. gentle as an early spring breeze by @prattery. [G] [2.5K] [canon divergence golden age]

They are alive and in love and we're all living in this fic because it's what they righteously deserved. The way their life was written here and the love between them... I swear this author could write anything and I'd kudos it before even reading it.

[For more recs]

[mythmerth]

merlin devising an entire lore about the sword in the stone and personally making it happen all for Arthur is an absolutely INSANE plot. like my god if you need any proof that merlin is in 2000% of the way for this man, he single handedly created and enacted a legend because he wanted Arthur to believe in himself the way merlin believed in him. AND ARTHUR! whos had SO much trouble trusting the people around him, who’s been betrayed by nearly everyone’s he’s ever loved at this point, trusts merlin so much about this bizarre legend that he risks his entire reputation and pride as a leader and attempts to pull the sword out in front of everyone. you really cannot make up how far these two went for each other

[skoff-the-artist]

A spell gone wrong RIGHT!!!

[justaz]

Young prince Arthur exploring the castle bc his emotionally and mostly physically absent father doesn’t care what he does as long as he gets his studies done. He pretends he’s a brave knight with a small wooden sword in hand and ventures down in the belly of the castle and stumbles upon a cavern under the castle. It’s not long before Kilgharrah lands before him and laughs at the young child before him, a baby really. This is no Once and Future King. But…Arthur does not scream and run, he holds up his wooden sword, shaking with terror as he stares down the ferocious beast, full of courage. And Kilgharrah stares and stares and stares before sighing heavily and going, “Fine. I’ll adopt you. Stop looking at me like that.”

Anyways, Arthur grows up visiting Kilgharrah and hearing about prophecies and destiny. He watches Kilgharrah perform small bits of magic and grows up knowing the truth of what’s happened. By the time merlin arrives in Camelot, Arthur is pro-magic and anti-Uther but holy fuck is he the most arrogant prick of all time. Not only did he grow up a prince to be king, he grew up knowing he was to be a king of legend. Merlin bullies him relentlessly like in canon and everything happens as it did.

But Arthur visits Kilgharrah for advice of magical threats and leaves like right before Merlin visits him for advice. Kilgharrah never says anything bc he likes to watch them be idiots. Arthur and Merlin sneaking behind each other’s back to use/consult magic (users) to help solve their issues and never telling the other. But Arthur keeps failing. He goes to find a powerful enough Druid or Sorcerer to combat magic from a High Priestess and he can’t find anyone. However, as if by magic (ha ha ha), the threat is neutralized without Arthur’s interference. Baby boy is so confused.

This goes on for years and slowly breaks down his confidence as he thought that being the Once and Future King meant conquering all these threats and protecting his people yet…he can’t. He hasn’t properly neutralized a threat in a while, bc I mean sometimes it happens but the other times he’s knocked out for SOME FUCKING REASON. So he’s moping in his room and Merlin’s like “What’s wrong?” In a super soft voice when he sees Arthur’s kicked puppy look.

Arthur barely thinks about it before telling Merlin. He’s wanted to for years but he never wanted to drag Merlin into danger by getting him involved in treason bc while his father would be irate with him, Uther wouldn’t hesitate before chopping off Merlin’s head. But Merlin has always been there for Arthur, and rebuilt his confidence despite the other times where he’s humbling him. So Arthur tells him everything. And Merlin is silent. And quiet. And silent. And quiet. And silent. And quiet. And-

He starts cursing the dragon angrily and drags Arthur down through the castle to Kilgharrah’s cavern. The dragon is already there laughing his ass off. Arthur is confused on how Merlin knew where to go. Merlin is shouting curses up at the dragon. Kilgharrah just looks down at them as he laughs and is like, “Finally, the Once and Future King and Emrys have united.”

Arthur (grew up knowing he had someone out there who was “half of his soul” as Kilgharrah said which he took to mean his soulmate and has been fantasizing about meeting this mysterious and powerful Emrys and…other things… Well, until he met Merlin. Then the fantasies featured all three of them) is…staring at Merlin wide eyed and flustered and a little turned on at how the small human is shouting angrily at the big dragon as if the big dragon couldn’t just stomp the both of the small humans or roast them alive. Arthur’s fantasies merge Merlin and Emrys together and it’s back to just the two of them.

Merlin is grumpy bc he had to hide his magic from Arthur for YEARS only to find out that the clotpole was ON HIS FUCKING SIDE?????? AND THE DAMN LIZARD KNEW ABOUT IT????? Oh, Merlin wants a set of Dragon scale armor and Kilgharrah’s golden scales would suit him nicely, he thinks. He’ll skin the damn beast himself-

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 261

“So is no one going to talk about the eldritch space child or…” 

“I mean, do you want to get between a child and Batman? I think the only one who could even get close right now is Superman…” 

“No you’re right, I think- oh my god the eldritch space child is playing with batman’s bat-ears and he’s not doing anything about it what the fuck I thought only Robins could get away with that-” 

[andstuffsketches]

Maybe not Impulse, But I think she would date Cissie

a glimpse into a possible future....

[ispaintingcalmly]

"Are sure that’s the way, sir?"

"Shut up, Merlin"

[fan-a-tink]

| "You know nothing of what my father thinks."

Arthur Pendragon | 1.11 "The Labyrinth of Gedreff"

[merlinmylove]

Every time Merlin calls Arthur “My King” in fanfic an angel sings, flowers bloom, the ocean waves, the sun smiles, the moon hums, and the stars shine brighter than before

[red-enby]

yeah

[marcskywalker]

no you don't understand I'm obsessed with the idea of camelot's land and magic loving arthur.

like, he's literally the son of ygraine and magic, and the prophesied king. they'd be protective of him (I imagine it's how he survived the years before merlin, that and his own skills as a warrior).

when Uther sends a young Arthur out in the storm (as a punishment or some suicidal mission to prove his worth idk uther is a shitty parent), the rain falls softer, the wind is warmer, the branch part and make way for him. that sort of thing

whenever he's truly desperate and heart yearning with his noble intentions, Camelot bends over itself to make it happen for it's son and king

If arthur is fighting out there then the ground is sturdier under his feet, if he is ever injured and down then the air seeps a bit of it's magic into him, if he is ever lost and can't find his way back then the horses find him easily, if he is ever hungry and alone then the animal make themselves easy sacrifice

Arthur is Camelot's son. She would protect him with everything until Emrys comes