#Seems slightly better than camelot

[tornado1992]

Sonic and The Black Knight AU in which Sonic’s from that world, he’s an explorer of some sorts and he does technically live in Camelot with his brother Miles, but he spends most of his time traveling around and getting new stuff for his brother to weld and forge with.

One day while returning to Camelot and looking for minerals or cool rocks he finds a sword in a stone, great! New materials for his brother! he can surely make something better than this old blade or upgrade it.

He takes the sword out effortlessly. The sword can talk. Great(?

He brings the weapon to the town, people start to notice the obvious magical artifact and voice goes around about “the legend being fulfilled”.

Oh, that legend. Yeah, no.

He just wants to show his little brother a cool sword, not become ruler of a whole kingdom thank you very much, it doesn’t matter if he “fulfilled the sacred prophecy”, it’s just a rumor until he decides it isn’t. And he doesn’t want it to not be a rumor.

Rumors travel fast, but he is faster.

The talking sword started doubting if he was worthy of the throne after spending no more than an hour around him, not shutting up about how “you’re already running from your kingdom and you haven’t been crowned yet”. Good. Maybe he could convince the sword to tell the people he would make a terrible king if the disdain in its voice gave anything off.

They arrived at the blacksmith’s shop, his brother’s shop, he shush’s the sword down as his brother runs to hug him, instantly pulling away at the sight of the weapon, his twin tails happily wagging gentle circles behind him as he asks Caliburn (what a name) anything and everything that there is to know as a talking sword. Caliburn just asks him why does Sonic call him “Tails” (nice try of a joke mate).

The very rude sword being perplexed about how someone as “reckless and careless” as him has “such a brilliant child in his care”.

Well, not a pretty mineral or shiny rock, but a talking sword seems interesting enough to make his brother happily ramble almost all night long, taking karma in his name as he wears Caliburn’s ear(?) off as he did with him.

Well, he could tell the kid all about his latest adventure in the morning, right now he could focus on cooking his brother a new dinner dish with spices from his latest travel destiny. A small bedtime story (about the knight’s of the round table by Carliburn’s request) and a few ear scratches later and you got a snuggled sleeping fox kit ready for the night.

The sword stays near them, looking at every move Sonic made, as if analyzing him in confusion. What a rude weapon, he might not be good king material but he’s peak big brother material.

He might not have enough on him to give his brother a bigger workshop or expensive materials, but he will give him everything he has if it means keeping him happy, they may not live in a big castle or have fancy dinners every night, but he swore from the moment he met the fox that he would do everything in his power to keep him safe.

As long as his big bro was around, he would never go hungry again, he would never sleep outside again and no one would hurt him again. He won’t ever feel unloved again.

Sonic might not be able to give him the world, but he’ll give him everything else.

His little brother’s sleeping form slightly trembles in his tiny bed, curling himself in his small blanket, covering his body with his fluffy tails, (sometimes Sonic thinks he’s more “Tails than “Miles”, pun intended). it’s been kinda cold lately, their humble home not making much favors to keep them warm even with the forge still on, but he doesn’t think he’s trembling because of the cold.

It’s okay, he didn’t wanted to sleep in his makeshift bed today anyway, he’s been away from his brother for enough time and he doesn’t mind staying right beside him to fight the little fox’s nightmares away and sharing their warmth for comfort. He nuzzles beside him, the kit instinctively moving to hug him and hide his face on the crook of the hedgehog’s neck, gentle purring and soft humming filling the silence of the night.

The next morning Caliburn greets him loudly “Good morrow, king Sonic”

Hell.

He doesn’t know what could’ve changed Caliburn’s opinion on him from one moment to another, but now thanks to that he has knights kneeling before him, the royal wizard offering him their nation’s secrets, a talking sword lecturing him all day long about “a king’s duty and heart”, and the whole kingdom practically demanding him to rule.

It’s not a very tempting idea to say the least. Organizing diplomacy gatherings, hosting balls and knighting warriors is not really his thing, and hell, the kingdom wants it to be his thing.

He offers the throne to whoever wins a crusade? “the winner must defeat his majesty first”. He tries to put back the sword in the stone? “The sword chose you, my liege, it is your destiny”. He tries to show the high commands how bad of a kind he would be? “His majesty is such a humble king, even in all his might”.

So, so eager to make him king. They tried to drag him to the castle so he could “know his new home”. They offered him to make changes to royalty’s way to make it “enough of his way”. They showed him the perks of having power, “a king does as he pleases”.

But what could he really offer them as a king? He can fight bad guys and make allies for sure, but even if he wanted to, would that be enough?

He kinda regrets not spending enough time around the kingdom before, maybe if he did and the people actually knew him they wouldn’t be so insistent on him of all people being king, talking magical sword be damned.

His brother knows what’s going on, he keeps mostly quiet about it, not wanting to disturb the hedgehog with the subject when he actively is trying to avoid it, his only opinion about it being shown a few nights after his return to their home. He’s tucking the fox in for the night, Caliburn silently watching them from the other side of the room, a sleepy squeaky voice fading with a yawn in a last effort to reassure his big brother while he runs his finger’s trough the fox’s bangs.

“You could give this kingdom anything… you already gave the world to me”

That’s all it takes.

Alright, he’ll be their king, but he will not sit on a fancy chair all day, won’t have a personal army following him around and definitely won’t be educated in “proper royalty manners”, you want him to be the king? The king does as he pleases.

The high council or whatever can take care of the bureaucracy, alliances and all the boring stuff, they’ll have the control over most of the kingdom (just how they like it, right?)

His first decree? Right after his coronation, the only time he actually stays in the throne room longer than five minutes, he actually wears his crown, he’s bearing the sacred sword when he calls his brother to the center of the room “I dub thee Miles “Tails” Prower, the crown prince of Camelot”.

He’s the king now, it’s only logical for his little brother to be the prince, the crown prince, direct heir to the kingdom’s throne.

He’s the prince, and the prince can get whatever the hell he desires, so bring him all the minerals and heavy armory, and show him the secret library! Little bro needs stimulation and there’s only so much he can do with a blacksmith’s mediums. His room? Bigger than the king’s! His food? Get him all the neighbor kingdom’s candy if he asks for it! His education? Give him all the books known in the world, get him all the minerals and bring his workshop inside the castle!

What he had was enough for his little brother before, but it might not be enough for him just yet. Time to give him the world that he already promised him.

Prince Miles does have a nice ring to it.

[camelotremix]

2024 Camelot Remix - Reveals & Masterpost!

♥ Thank you everyone for joining us again for another fantastic year, we hope to see you all again next year!

♥ We've had some amazing remixes this year and want to thank all of our remixers and pinch hitters for your hard work - you've been FABULOUS.

♥ Thank you to everyone who read, commented, kudosed or showed love in any way for the works created. And if you haven't left some comments, kudos, or love, here's your chance!

Your ever-loving mods, Sknits & Fifty ♥

FIC:Brechtjeeatscheese created Standing still; for six months and two weeks for MerlinLikeTheBird (Merlin/Arthur, Gwaine/Percival – Gen – 2605w) Summary: We all know Percy influenced Arthur to finally undertake action with Merlin. But what if he had underlying motives? And what if Gwaine has something to do with it too? Eventually all knights get involved.

FIC:queerofthedagger created This Song and Dance (The 'Balancing Act' Remix) for polomonkey (Merlin/Arthur – Teen and Up – 1200w) Summary: The thing is, Merlin has been thinking about it. About Arthur and the grief that he wears like penance, how he fits so easily into the spot beside Merlin. How he always has, and how, for all his talk about leaving, he does not seem to be in a hurry. --- Between circus shows and late nights, Merlin and Arthur figure themselves out, one step at a time.

FIC:eachpeachpearplum created wandered out in the world for years (the king and the knight remix) for HadrianPeverellBlack (Gwaine/Merlin – Gen – 800w) Summary: Gwaine doesn't like Arthur. Respects him, sure. Admires his fighting prowess, yeah. Envies his freedom and pities his lack of it in equal parts. He'll follow him into battle and mostly follow orders as he does so, because chances are Arthur’s on the right side of a fight, and even if he isn't he's got Merlin to push him until he is. But he's more than capable of all that without actually liking the man. Or: Arthur and Gwaine search for Merlin during the deleted scene from A Servant of Two Masters.

FIC:TrebleMaker07 created A Time to Mourn, and a Time to Dance [Remix] for scotscookie (Merlin/Arthur – Explicit – 1478w) Summary: After a night of drinking with Morgana, Arthur goes home to wind down.

FIC:Ynnealay created The Best and Terrible (An Extended Remix) for linorien (Gen – Teen and Up – 30,691w) Summary: After meeting the Druids, Morgana cannot sit idly by while Uther’s tyranny against magic continues; but, taking action may put her in more danger than she can get out of alone. Meanwhile, Merlin struggles under the loneliness of his secret, and wonders who he’s destined to be. A story about working together, magic reveals going better than expected, and Uther Pendragon being the worst man ever.

FIC:merthurmagic025 created Where We Find Our Peace for queerofthedagger (Merlin/Arthur – Gen – 2687w) Summary: Arthur looked the most relaxed Merlin had ever seen him; his hair was a golden mop, glistening droplets of water traveling down the planes and angles of his face. Merlin’s eyes followed one, down the side of Arthur’s sculpted nose, reaching his plump lips where Arthur’s tongue darted out to catch it.

Merlin tore his eyes away and let his face break out into a bright grin as he looked into Arthur’s eyes. “You could’ve told me that we were going for a swim; I would’ve complained far less.”

Arthur rolled his eyes slightly. “I was going for a swim,” he replied, “you simply decided to follow me.”

A remix of Bad Choice of Words in My Alibi by queerofthedagger

ART:schweet_heart created Reluctantly in Love for chaosgenes (Merlin/Arthur – Gen – Digital Art & 127w) Summary: Arthur has waited for Naming Day all his life, but could not be more disappointed when he finds out who the Soul Stone names for him. It isn’t the prisoner he meets in the dungeons, but his heart aches for him anyway.

Merlin has never thought about soulmates until they come knocking at his door in Ealdor. Convinced that there’s something wrong with the Soul Stone, he travels to magic-banned Camelot to end its influence. He never thought that he would be enraptured by the crown prince who comes to interrogate him.

FIC:linorien created Disillusion (a remix of Light Pollution) for Ynnealay (Gen – Gen – 1041w) Summary: Some of Merlin's letters to Arthur over the years.

ART:kairennart (personaje) created earnest and respectful (The so easy, and the words so sweet Remix) for EachPeachPearPlum (Lancelot/Merlin – General Audiences – Art) Summary: They sit on Merlin's bed at night.

FIC: MyKingdomComeUndone created Our little remedy (the “In this state of classical denial” Remix) for fifty_fifty (Merlin/Arthur – Explicit – 10,660w) Summary: Merlin and Arthur enjoy getting off whenever (and wherever) they can find the time. Sometimes, this makes things... let's say interesting for the people in their life, whether they like it or not. or Five times poor Leon got a much closer look at Merlin and Arthur's sex life than he wanted, and one time things played out a little differently

FIC: chaosgenes created Step by Step (a “Danced into My Heart” remix) for TrebleMaker07 (Merlin/Arthur – Explicit – 1513w) Summary: Arthur watches Merlin perform The Nutcracker ballet on opening night and is entranced, and aroused, by his dance.

FIC: little_dhampir created Timezones (the Boys are Back in Town Remix) for Laevateinn (Gwaine/Percival – Teen – 1500w) Summary: Gwaine never thought he'd meet someone like his boyfriend. Percival was tall and handsome and so incredibly nice it could be tooth-rotting. And he loved Gwaine, with all his flaws and sometimes too-loud behaviour. Jesus, did Gwaine miss him.

FIC: HadrianPeverellBlack created (Are you sure you) Love Me ((say you) Love Me Remix) for Salamandair (Merlin/Arthur – General Audiences – 595w) Summary: Merlin still can’t really believe Arthur wants to marry him, or that he loves him.

Probably, is Arthur's fault anyway

ART: Stelle_loves_reading created Truth, truth, truth for Personaje (Lancelot/Merlin – not rated – art) Summary: "Lancelot, I can explain—"

“Who are you?” He drew his sword. There was a reason why he had not run back to that clearing, why he drew his sword instead of throwing it away, and it was that the Merlin he knew would have never let him believe he was dead. For years.

"Lancelot, it really is me," he said, his hands raised. Lancelot swallowed.

"Prove it," he said, because yes, he was that desperate.

Merlin took a step forward. Lancelot adjusted his stance, gripped his sword tighter.

Eyes locked, Merlin's glowed. Hundreds of tiny golden lights appeared around them, like fireflies but warmer.

FIC: lavender_spice created Rush In My Veins (Every Bit As Much Yours Remix) for moonflower999 (Merlin/Arthur – Gen – 1157w) Summary: It is a morning like any other, until it isn't.

FIC:salamandair created Gladiators/Spartacus (the ‘Let us entertain you!’ remix) for Dylan_M (Gwaine/Percival – Gen – 2351w) Summary: Percival and Gwaine had been forced to fight each other for entertainment. Now, Percival was being ordered to take his opponent’s life.

ART: Merlinlikethebird Sun and Snow for merthurmagic025 (Merlin/Arthur – Gen – Art) Summary: “Merlin! Your hands are freezing, what were you thinking?”

FIC: laevateinncreated I will show you how to dance (remix of Stelle's Mercelot Cinderella AU art) for Stelle_loves_reading (Lancelot/Merlin – Teen and Up – 1055w) Summary: For a few weeks now, Merlin had been attracted to a human home. At first, he had strayed in this direction accidentally, following the wind and sounds, only coming close to the property. Then, he had realised to whom this house had once belonged to. ~ A Cinderella AU, based on Stelle's art for the Camelot Remix 2024!

FIC: scotscookie created Breaching the Walls (The Tower Remix) for schweet_heart (Merlin/Arthur – Teen and Up – 3884w) Summary: Uther has a decision to make - what does he do about Merlin?

FIC: polomonkey created Tattered and Torn and Born To Be for lavender_spice (Gwen/Morgana – Explicit – 2350w) Summary: Gwen awaits Morgana's return from a dangerous mission.

FIC: Zorbo_Jorks created Sage Words for Vague Woes ('The secrets we keep' Remix) for little_dhampir (Leon/Morgana, Arthur/Merlin – Teen – 2000w) Summary: When Arthur witnesses his best friend, Merlin, doing magic, he goes to his sister for advice, feeling betrayed and confused by the whole ordeal. Morgana receives a surprise visit from her brother, troubled and seeking her counsel for what must have been the first time in his life. Though he seems adamant not to tell her exactly what is wrong between him and Merlin, she and her young son, Mordred, try to help where they can.

FIC: moonflower999 created More Than I Deserve (The King Arthur’s Throne Remix) for brechtjeeatscheese (Gwen/Merlin/Arthur – Gen – 1,096w) Summary: Arthur stands up for himself and those he loves most in the world.

FIC: fifty_fifty created High Society (The "It's A Nice Day To Start Again" Remix) for MyKingdomComeUndone (Arthur/Merlin, Gwaine/Morgana – Explicit – 17,541w) Summary: “So, what do you think of the lasses so far?” Gwaine asked him, as he eyed up the women who were milling about the place.

“Pretty, as they always are,” said Arthur.

It was a truthful answer, which he hoped Gwaine wouldn’t probe him too deeply on. If it had been someone else, he would have tried to summon up more enthusiasm. He hoped, however, that Gwaine was bright enough to realise the circumstances Arthur found himself in by now.

“Well, let me know if you ever have your eye on anyone, and I’ll be sure to steer clear to give you the best chance.”

Arthur scoffed, his pride ruffled.

“As if I couldn’t have any woman I wanted,” he groused.

He was not about to let Gwaine think he would ever consider him as a rival.

“Ah, well, that’s the problem right there, isn’t it. You never seem to want one, Arthur.”

[bloby-876]

Part 1, Part 2(you are here)

After that- lovely welcome, you rush to find your uncle. That poor mother..

With directions from a helpful guard, you make your way up some stairs, into a room full of potions and drying herbs. You're particularly interested in an odd, orange potion. Looking around, you spot an old man with shoulder length hair searching through a high-up bookshelf.

That must be your uncle!

"Gaius?" He must not have heard you, so you clear your throat to get his attention.

Gaius is surprised and jumps, falling backwards onto the weak looking railing.

Clearly it's as weak as it looks because he falls right through it!

In a panic you instinctively slow down time with nothing more than a thought. Frantically looking around, you see a bed and quickly use magic to position it under Gaius.

Luckily, Gaius is unharmed, if not a bit winded.

"What did you just do?" He asks, getting up quickly.

"Oh I erm.." You're flustered from the prior events and panic.

"Tell me!" He's insistent.

"I-I have no idea what happened." smooth. Reall smooth. He definitely doesn't know what happened.

"If anyone had seen that..." You know exactly what he's talking about.

"Er, no! That- that was, that was nothing to do with me. That- that was..." Not any better, Merlin.

"I know what it was! I just want to know where you learned to to it!"

"Nowhere!"

"So how is it you know magic?"

"I don't!" Oh when will these questions end. You had one job Merlin!

"Where did you study? ..Answer me!"

"I- I've never studied magic or, or been taught."

"Are you lying to me, boy?" Why is this man so scary-

"No! I was born like this."

"Impossible! Who are you?" FINALLY. your poor heart-

Eager to change the subject, you pull out the letter your mother wrote for gaius and hand it to him.

"I don't have my reading glasses."

"I'm Merlin."

"Hunith's son? But you're not ment to be here till Wednesday!"

..what?

"it... is Wednesday?" (you didn't mix up your days, right-)

"Ah. Right then," Gaius seems to brush it off pretty quickly, "you better put your stuff in there, then."

He points you to a door, which has a small room with a cot inside. Pausing, you turn back to look at your uncle.

"You- you won't say anything about-"

"No. Although, Merlin, I should say thank you." He gives you a small smile, and your heart warms..

Maybe your powers can be used for good?

----

You settle into your room and unpack. Curious, you set your bag down and open a window.

The moonlight brushes your face as you look on to the bustling city of Camelot, which will hopefully be your new home.

It's so.. different here. Nothing like what you're used to.

----

You're sleeping off the exhaustion from your travels, when you hear a voice in your head.

It calls your name.

"Merlin.."

It sounds ominous, and slightly annoying.

The ominous voice comes with a ray of sunlight hitting you directly in your eye. You snap awake unpleasantly, and sit up.

----

I'll try and post the next part in like, 2-ish days.

The third option is basically 'ignore it but spitefully' lmao

Part 3

[dorkwalf]

Return AU

Sonic let’s put a shaky breathe watching as the lady of the lake comes closer. “King sonic. You’ve it seem fate has returned you to us” she smile gently her voice soft as it echo throw the woods that hide the lake.

Sonic fixes his quills. “I-I guess so” he stands and bows “it’s a pleasure to see you again my lady” the lady of the lake smiled and bowed back “the pleasure is mine. You were luck enough to land in the lake tho. You have an issue with falling out the sky” she tease pulling something from the water. Sonic chuckles “yeah I do. Maybe we need to bolt me to the ground” he smirks watching her. Soon she pull excalibur out. His tail wags as its hand to his and annoys the sword awake “hey hey hey guess who’s back~” excalibur wakes slightly angry and annoyed. He’s woken up “what. What- my king! You’ve returned!!” Sonic smirk’s more joy fills his eyes glad there happy to see him “ya miss me?”

A several hours of talking the lady of the lake speak up “come. Let us surprise the others. They are all together in Camelot. An alliance meeting I believe. They will be happy to see you.” Sonic’s tail wags “yes! I can’t wait!”

The lady of the lake gracefully walked out and to Sonic’s side. “Then let’s be off” she said as she took the lead, excalibur in Sonic’s hands as he followed. “Soooo~ what’s changed since I’ve last visited?” Sonic tilts his head, his ears flop to one side. “Many things my king, most of the other kingdoms are married to start” the lady of the lady smiled her jaded eyes focused forward. “Married? Whom? How dare they not invite me!” Sonic smirks as the lady of the lake giggles at his joke. “Let me see~ well, king mephilous married Galahad. After you freed him and his kingdom from stone he is forever in your debt, tho he wasn’t pleased to work with Lancelot after you left. But he visited a lot. Galahad showed him around and they started talking move and next thing you know they were married.” Sonic’s mouth fall open “Galahad and mephilous? You’re kidding.” The lady of the lake giggles again. “Nope” Sonic looks at her in shock “oh chaos. What about king scourge?” The lady of the lake smiled “married the rogue fleetway, fleetway wouldn’t leave the poor king along. Not even I know how they got together” Sonic snickered “now that. I can believe” the lady of the lake playfully roles her eyes “oh of course that’s believe able, let’s see miles became the first ‘mechanic’ as you call it. And has invented so many thing to help with the kingdom. Lancelot has also take to the throne like you asked. A bit of a rock start but he got the hang of it.” Sonic grins “that amazing!!” “Indeed it is my king” “ain’t lance the king now? You can drop it.” “No. You’re the king. Lancelot is your replacement for when you’re gone.” “I still feel like he’d make a better king than me.” “King sonic do have faith in yourself, the kingdom loves you, if anything everyone here, including Lancelot, you’d be more than happy to have you sit on the throne again” Sonic sighs “I suppose…” “don’t be so down my king.” Sonic smirks “can you at least just call me Sonic” the lady of the lake smirks back “and Miss the opportunity to drive you mad? No. I don’t think I will” Sonic groans playfully “your evil” the lady of the lake giggles “come my king, we’re almost there.”

Sonic follows, only to come over a hill and look out and see the one place he’s missed so dearly….

….. Camelot 

[ewritesfanfics]

Jimtober 2023: Dawn

Here's what I got done for Jimtober! It's not very long, but eh.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50540605

Orange light filters in through thin satin curtains, giving the room a warm glow. Outside, Jim can hear the calls of early morning birds, the first signs of life greeting the new day.

He should still be asleep – they had a late night celebrating his birthday, having stopped over Arcadia so he could see his mom and they could all go out for drinks and a good time. They hadn’t returned home until the wee hours of the morning, those ungodly hours in the darkest part of the night when sane individuals are long asleep in their beds, when the nocturnal animals are all out to play and the world seems suspended and unreal. They had stumbled into Castle Camelot drunk on alcohol and partying alike and subsequently collapsed, though some made it further than others. He’s pretty sure Douxie’s still in the entrance hall, everyone else having been too drunk to move the sloshed wizard after he passed out, and he doubts anyone has woken and done so yet. He and Claire were part of the few who had managed to make it to their own rooms, and they were up a while later before finally falling asleep long past their bedtime. But despite that, here he is, awake. He can’t say for sure why – one moment, he was asleep, and the next, he was awake, like someone had flipped his on-switch, far different from his usual groggy stirring into consciousness.

His gaze sweeps across the still room. Clothes are strewn across the floor, mostly from last night, and half the stuff that sits atop their dresser has been knocked over – he has a vague memory of nearly wiping out by falling into it while trying to rid himself of his pants. This includes some of Claire’s nail polish – all bottles thankfully still intact and sealed as far as he can tell from his vantage point – as well as a book he’s been reading as suggested to him by Toby, one of Krel’s trinkets he made as a gift for Jim last Christmas that Jim still can’t figure out, and the big group picture they’d taken during their ‘The World Didn’t End!’ party four years ago after they defeated the Order.

It's hard to believe that happened that long ago if he’s being honest. The memories are all still so fresh and vivid. He can still feel the heat of the Fire Titan and hear Bellroc’s dual-tone voice. He can still feel the fear and that heady, intoxicating relief when they realized that it was truly and finally over and they had all miraculously made it out on the other side. He can still see the Ice Titan reforming despite their efforts and Claire’s hair turning white as she cast the spell to move the Life Titan.

There’s a soft snuffle beside him, drawing him from his thoughts.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear – though Claire is much better, in his opinion. She’s sound asleep next to him, pressed to his side with her head tucked against his shoulder and chest, cutting off the blood flow and making his right arm feel more like static than an arm. Her white hair – with small sections of brown still remaining – spills over his arm and across the pillow, now much, much longer than it had been back in high school. Dark eyelashes flutter as she readjusts herself just ever so slightly before settling back into perfect quietness. He can’t help but marvel at how beautiful she is – the curve of her cheekbones, the gentle slant of her jaw, the shape of her nose and lips. He could happily spend forever just staring, meticulously memorizing each and every inch of her tan skin and her bright hair and her dark eyes over and over again.

He slowly works to wiggle his fingers and restore some feeling so that he can curl his arm around her bare shoulders and hold her closer.

Between the curtains, a single ray of brilliant sunlight shines through, the star finally emerging from beyond the eastern horizon.

With the way it lights up her face and lays in a warm strip across his skin, he can’t help but think back to the day he was turned human again.

There were so many emotions and so much confusion, but Claire stood before him to light up the darkness and bring him back into reality, and he knew the moment their eyes connected that he would be ok. He couldn’t say how long it might take, how long he would be disoriented, how long the fog in his mind would sit heavy, how long the exhaustion in his bones would weigh him down, but he knew he would be ok. Every day, he counts his lucky stars that he has her.

That he has everyone, really. He cannot imagine where he might be if even a single one of his friends was removed from the equation, he doesn’t want to imagine it.

He feels Claire shift a little more, and looking, he sees her brow scrunch in an obvious tell that she’s waking up.

She opens her eyes, doing her best to blink the sleep away, and a warmth bubbles up inside him at the sight of her sleepy gaze, intensified by the deep brown of her irises.

“Morning,” she greets with a hum, nuzzling further into his chest.

“Morning.”

“What time is it?” she asks.

“Far too early for either of us to be awake,” he says. Especially after last night.

“Mmm. So why are you already awake, then?” she asks.

“Beats me,” he says.

More sunlight spills into their room, and Claire’s eyes turn from dark chocolate to warm liquid caramel. She smiles sweetly at him, and his heart swells in his chest. She brings a hand up to lovingly brush a piece of hair from his face and then trails down to caress his chess and settles to cup his jaw.

He all but blurts out, “I love you,” the feeling too big to possibly contain.

“I know,” she says, her smile turning cheeky.

“Ok, Han Solo,” Jim teases.

“You and I both know I’m Princess Leia,” she says. “Now, how about we go back to sleep, hm?”

He nods, and her hand slips from his face to settle atop his chest as she nuzzles back down, closing her eyes once more with a content sigh.

His mind goes to the velvet box sitting at the bottom of one of his coat pockets, inside of which can be found a ring wrought from sterling silver and studded with a violet diamond he cut himself with the guidance of Blinky.

He thinks about late nights like last night, falling into each other’s arms. He thinks about early mornings like this one, sleepy in the newborn sunlight. He thinks about that being every night and every morning, getting to have this every day of his life.

He can’t wait.

[ghostmaldo]

Merlin X GN!Fae!Reader Modern AU

I wrote this purely out of my own suffering in my heart. Gooosh I miss the show so much ;-; Reader can be a good friend of love interest. Left it up to the reader. I think about Merlin wondering around the earth waiting for Arthur much more then I’d like to admit. Anyway. Enjoy!

Little sad, fluffy ending. Merlin misses Arthur.

Slight warning: Mentions of death, spoilers??? If you haven’t ever finished watching BBC Merlin ^^

Playlist listened to during the writing process: https://youtu.be/_DMo7B7oAVo?si=WVMp4ZYLMGiIDdaQ

~Maldo

Merlin sat quietly under the gray thundering clouds. Nothing but the company of an old park bench and the creaking of its old wood underneath his legs. Pellets of water graced the young man's shoulder as the sky weeped upon him. Well… prehapes… young wasn’t the right word… Not anymore at least. Truthfully he was… millennia upon millennia years old. He only appeared young… bright eyes and high cheekbones. The weight of carrying such heavy misery waved from the corners of his eyes with a little sorcery still brightly dancing in his veins. Magic had long died in this world, yet not in him. Clinging on to thin threads from a promise made to him long, long ago.

The once and future king will rise again.

Creeaak. The interruption made Merlin nearly jump out of his whole skin. His eyes immediately looked to the source of the sound. Where he found an old friend. A fae with many secrets… yet still a comforting presence. A small smile crept onto his lips, his eyes crinkling slightly. ”Come to keep my company in the rain, (Y/N)?” They promptly returned his smile. The rain seemed to lighten with them here beside him. They had that sort of effect on the world . “Someone has to, otherwise you might just let the rain consume you.”

“You might be right about that.” He shot back with a low chuckle. In all of his years of being alive. (Y/N) was still the only one in eons to bring amusement back into his tear stained heart. He took a deep breath, basking in the rain's chill icy touch. He closed his eyes briefly and simply let humanity’s silence rush over him in waves. What was he doing here…? Truly? Still waiting for Arthur? Merlin’s memories of him were still freshly cut in his mind. The pair running through the castle halls like fools and the iron still strong in his mouth from the battles they faced… The scars he kept when Arthur died in his arms…

”Merlin…?” He flinched when he sensed (Y/N) wrap their delicate fingers around his arm. Though he quickly relaxed, the warmth of their head on his shoulder chasing away some of those unruly demons. “Your doing it again.” They spoke softly, always so courteous to his feelings…

“Sorry… I can’t help it sometimes… I was suppose to protect him-“

“It wasn’t your fault Merlin.” (Y/N) cut him off before he blumitted to far into his guilt. Merlin let out a long sigh, he certainly didn’t agree with them… but he knew better than to argue.

”What was he like?” Merlin fixated his eyes on them again, brows raised above his head. The question had taken him aback for a second. Unsure if he’d heard it correctly. “Arthur?” He confirmed watching them nod. They hummed, peering up at him with those wide curious eyes he’d come to cherish in his years of immortality. Their cheek a little smooshed up against his shoulder. He couldn’t help the wide grin spamming across his face.

“Well, first off he was a complete ass-“ A fit of giggles erupted from (Y/N) mouth at the comment, followed up with his own series of laughter. The rain didn’t feel so cold along his shoulder anymore…

Merlin went into all the details of his adventures with the young king of Camelot. Their adventures, conversations, the friends they’d made and the memories they’d forged together. His mood lifted with each word, recounting each step he’d taken next with his best friend. The one he missed so dearly…

“He was an idiot sometimes… but he was a good man with a good heart. He always wanted to do what was right.” As soon as he’d spoken the words, he sensed (Y/N) curl tighter around his arm. Their loving touch melding with his own. He was so grateful they were here with him. His body moved on its own, clasping one of their hands with his and pulling them closer. Resting his head on top of theirs. The motion brought a harsh burning lump into his throat. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

“It’s okay to cry Merlin. To mourn something you’ve lost even after all this time.”

That’s all it took. Large tears welded in his eyes and cascaded over his pale cheeks. Becoming lost in the sea of droplets still raining down from the sky. He stayed this way for several minutes. Clinging and sobbing into (Y/N) arms. Their gentle fingers circling soothing circles onto his arms. Everything he’d kept bottled up inside of him for so long ruptured violently and without apology. He didn’t need one. Not with them.

Over some time, the tears did run dry. He snuffled a few times as he wiped away the excess unflattering snot leaking from his nose with shaking hands. It was as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from him. Feeling so light he might fly off into the heavens to find Arthur himself.

“Better?” (Y/N) voice sweetly questioned. He smiled toward them through his tear filled lashes. “Better, thank you. I needed that.”

[mrshiraethsworld]

A SERVANT'S FRIENDSHIP ━ arthur pendragon ♔

Chapter Fourteen - He's Just A Boy “Arthur... swa…” Merlin croaked out. Gaius held his hand, encouraging his nephew, “Merlin, you must fight it.” The boy seemed to flinch at being near someone so sickly and quickly handed the letter to Lynette before departing. The girl watched him go with a peculiar gaze, but her mind didn’t rest on the messenger long. Merlin didn’t have that kind of time. She read the letter and was surprised to find its sender to be the King of Camelot. While she knew he would eventually discover Arthur’s escape from the castle, she had hoped she would at least have a few more days. Lynette showed the contents of the message to her father, whose only response was to not keep him waiting. The blonde left hurriedly, casting one last glance toward her cousin, who reached a hand out to her as if in search of her. She wanted to return to him, but she knew better. The longer the servant kept Uther waiting, the worse his wrath would be.  She went toward Morgana’s chambers, flinching when she heard his fury echoing through the halls. She knocked on Morgana’s chambers timidly, hearing Morgana’s voice before entering. Uther stood next to one of the windows, his fist tightening as he shook in apparent fury. He was still dressed in his ceremonial cloak from the feast, and his crown, a symbol of power, sat on his head. It had been days since Arthur’s departure from Camelot, and it looked as if the king had neither slept nor eaten. Lynette looked worriedly over at Morgana, who didn’t appear surprised at her guardian’s reaction. She was in one of her night dresses, having changed herself so she wouldn’t bother Gwen or Lynette as they tended to Merlin.  Lynette had to clear her throat to announce her presence, not trusting her voice to be strong as the king rounded on her, “You knew about this, didn't you?”  Lynette stepped back as his eyes landed on her, “My lord?” “Don't lie to me.” Uther spat. “He tells you everything.” “Arthur’s old enough to make decisions for himself.” Morgana intervened, but Uther held up a finger to silence her. “Arthur, indeed, is more than capable of deciding who is worth saving,” Lynette stated. “He's just a boy,” Uther countered, " a boy who still does not know what it takes to be king.” Morgana scoffed, “Have you seen your son recently? You have to let him make his own mind up.” “Even if it means letting him go to his death?” Lynette faltered slightly at Uther’s words. She had been prepared to defend Arthur’s choice, yet the blonde had forgotten who stood before her. Uther may be the King of Camelot, but he was also Arthur’s father. He had every right to worry about his son's safety and the kingdom's future. What caused Lynette to not lose her momentum with Uther was that he had no authority to decide who was worth saving. She wouldn’t let him have the final say over whether Merlin lived or died. Arthur had made his choice. Uther must now make a choice on whether or not to support his son. “Yes,” Lynette answered firmly. Your son chose to put someone else’s needs above his own—a quality that a good king should have. Despite what you may believe, the prince has a mind of his own, and I did nothing to influence his decision to pursue the antidote. If you will excuse me, sire, I must return to my cousin's side.”

THE ALBION ESCAPADES read here: wattpad

tag family: @arrthurpendragon, @eddysocs, @darth-caillic, @dancingsunflowers-ocs, @kmc1989, @ocappreciation, @ocs-supporting-ocs, @lostinwonderland314, @oneirataxia-girl if you want to be added to my family, all you have to do is ask!

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

The Pleasure of Your Company

HI!!!! I absolutely love your work on AO3, especially your works in the Merlin fandom. I was wondering, would you write one specifically about Leon? All the ones I've read which go into his internal pain and the suffering he deals with trying to look after everyone just keep him in Camelot. There's none about him wanting to leave to ease his suffering or to escape from this 'cage' that might have been created for him by his family and friends because he feels he has to stay, or any debate with himself which reasons why he hasn't left Camelot. Basically, the 'vibe' I get from him is that he feels stuck in his position and can't change at all because of the crippling fear of rejection. Especially since it seems like he's the 'odd number' friend, the 'disposable' one, which seems to be the case with 'mother hens' because who cares for them when they're feeling down? He just doesn't seem happy to me. Anyway, you don't have to write this, it was just an idea I had. I'd write one myself but, life, you know? Hope your day goes great! IntenseDreamer1 :)

Read on Ao3

Warnings: none

Pairings: leon/morgana (what's their ship name???)

Word Count: 2988

When the feared sorceress Morgana's wickedness is revealed to have been exacerbated by a poisonous mind charm at the hands of her sister, Morgause, Camelot becomes the unwitting host to the last of the High Priestesses of the Old Religion. She is not to be trusted out and about the citadel, and so must be placed under constant watch. Who better to assign, then, than Camelot's First Knight himself? Leon has missed the Lady Morgana, he can admit, and as the years belie the changes they both have undergone, they find themselves hovering much closer to friends than to hostage and guard. And in truth, there might be more to both of them than they initially cared to admit.

    "You're punishing yourself."

Leon pauses, halfway through filling Morgana's cup with tea. "I beg your pardon, My Lady?"

Morgana gives him a look that says she's not about to have this argument again, but she nods for him to continue pouring. She waits until the cup is full and he's set down the teapot to speak again. "You're punishing yourself."

"I would hardly count tea with you as a punishment," he remarks as he retakes his seat, pouring his own cup. "Sugar or honey?"

"Honey." She holds out the cup to allow him to add the honey. "And you know very well what I'm referring to."

"I assure you," he says with a softness that most might deem unfit for the company to whom he speaks, "that I am far from averse to spending time with you, My Lady, despite your current situation."

"What an artful word for imprisonment," Morgana remarks wryly as she stirs her tea, "it's a wonder Arthur's so bad at diplomacy if it's truly you who taught him."

"I wouldn't dream of remarking on that."

"Come, you're in neither polite nor company, you can speak your mind." When he allows himself a smile yet shakes his head all the same, she rolls her eyes. "I can't imagine Camelot's first knight volunteering for guard duty."

"It is far from simply 'guard duty,' My Lady—"

"Oh, of course. Not every guard is qualified to stand vigil over the wicked sorceress who almost brought Camelot to ruin."

It's his turn to give her a slightly chiding look. "I would hardly use the word 'wicked' to describe you."

"Perhaps you would prefer 'evil?' It is far more straightforward. Or 'scheming,' that's a good one." Her brow quirks. "Perhaps even 'wretched?'"

"'Wicked' and 'evil' are cut from the same cloth," he says instead, "and do not fully describe how you were affected by Morgause's own desire for revenge against Camelot. 'Scheming,' perhaps, but then any tactician could be described as such."

He sets his cup down and slides the platter of fresh rolls towards her.

"And the only 'wretched' thing about you is the suffering you have had to endure."

Her hand trembles slightly but she hides it well, setting her cup down and reaching for a roll with such a sigh. "It's a wonder you aren't a poet instead of a knight."

"I'm afraid the King's idea of poetry isn't quite what I have in mind for myself, no." He reaches for a roll too, tearing off a small piece as she takes a bite. "Good?"

She hums. He smiles and tastes it too; the baker has done an excellent job with this batch, indeed. Warm and sweet, paired perfectly with the suggested tea. He will have to stop by and pass on their compliments. They sit there for a moment, simply enjoying it, before Morgana's foot nudges his leg.

"You're avoiding the subject."

"On the contrary, I believe I have made it quite clear that I enjoy spending time with you."

"Not that."

He shifts to ease a cramp in his arm. "Why else would you believe me to be punishing myself?"

"You're isolating yourself from the other knights. From Arthur, from Merlin." Morgana runs her finger over the edge of her teacup. "You know this post demands several hours—more, in your case, since there are so few guards willing to relieve you from your shifts. You know these chambers are on the other side of the castle from everyone else—especially Arthur and Merlin. And you know that none of them will ask you how your days have been when you have spent them all in here with me."

She leaves the cup aside and leans onto her elbows, interlacing her fingers.

"You of all people know how important morale is for a warrior, so tell me: if purposefully distancing yourself from your brothers in arms isn't punishing yourself, what else would you be doing?"

Leon's hand does not shake as he puts down his cup, nor does he break eye contact as he turns to face her properly. He mirrors her position and tilts his head. "Have you grown bored, My Lady?"

Her brow furrows. "What are you talking about?"

He indicates the positions they've taken. "Have we something to negotiate? Or is this a debate?"

Morgana seems to realize the somewhat confrontational way she's positioned herself in the conversation and lets her hands slide back along the table, reaching for her teacup with an almost petulant air. "All I'm saying is that I'm the one who's supposed to be undergoing the process of atonement and redemption. I see no reason for you to be acting as though you're doing the same."

He allows himself to relax as well, picking up the discarded roll. "I don't know how many times I can assure you that I enjoy my time spent with you."

"That's not the punishment I'm referring to," she says, her voice a slight bit harsher, "and you know it. At this point, you're not even being subtle."

Leon debates holding out a moment longer before he accepts defeat, taking another sip of his tea. "You are right, of course, My Lady. I suppose I am…well, I don't know if I am punishing myself as much as indulging a bad habit."

Morgana doesn't gloat, simply taps her fingers on the table. "And what bad habit would this be?"

"Feeding an unfair suspicion."

She groans. "If you're just going to be vague, I'm going to start throwing those rolls at you until you give me a plain answer."

Speaking of which, he tears off another small piece and eats it. "I don't wish to burden you with the insecurities of a foolish old knight."

"I am confined to one set of rooms with the same foolish old knight for company," she says without missing a beat, "please, burden me and alleviate me of my boredom or else I'll start trying to take over the kingdom again."

He allows himself a chuckle as she smiles behind the rim of her teacup. But, as before, she is correct, and so he spares another moment to gather his thoughts before he speaks once more.

"I'm sure it did not escape your notice—has not, I should say—that I am…unique amongst the King's trusted knights. I am the longest serving, I served his father before him for many, many years, and I am…well, I am perhaps what most would consider the typical knight."

Morgana hums, cradling the warm mug to her chest.

"As such, I have…taken a position of seniority amongst the King's knights, both as his first knight and in the Knights of the Round Table, by virtue of my experience, or age, or the relationship I have with the King." He hesitates a moment before adding: "I do not think it to be an overstatement to say I am often the voice of reason when conflicts arise, friendly or fearful."

He's rewarded with a small snort and a nod, but she gestures for him to keep going. When he hesitates again, she speaks. "I have no other confidant that I would spill your secrets to. Do not feel the need to watch your words so closely."

"Thank you, My Lady."

Still, it takes him a moment of wrestling with himself to figure out just what it is he wants to put words to. After all, words have within themselves a power. If he speaks it, it becomes real, and despite all his accolades, he is not sure he has the courage to confront the reality of the amorphous shapes in his mind and heart. Morgana allows him his silence, only prompting for another cup of tea when hers runs dry.

"I care for my brothers deeply," he says as he pours, "I would die for them as I know they would die for me. It is no burden to care for them when they fall or are otherwise uncertain. I would gladly go without sleep if it meant they would be able to rest comfortably."

The next words stick to the inside of his throat and so he swallows them and tries again.

"I am grateful to be the one they turn to, the one they can rely on. It is a position that I regard with great honor and privilege and I would do anything in my power to maintain such a level of trust."

Yet again, they hook barbs into the side of his throat and he drinks and eats to unstick them.

"I have noticed that sometimes my efforts to join in their fun are regarded as…unsuccessful." He glances toward the window, through which the faint sounds from the training fields can be heard. "I believe Gwaine has referred to me as 'the end of the night' in the past. I didn't—I do not think I always used to be."

His next words feel almost treasonous to speak, and so he hesitates once more.

"Sometimes I think about leaving Camelot," he confesses, "if I am truly so changed from the man I once thought I was."

"If I may be so selfish as to ask you not to," comes Morgana's voice, "who else would guard me as politely and indulgently as you?"

"And once you are no longer in a position to need guarding?" He looks at her. "When you have atoned and redeemed, and the kingdom has welcomed you back with open arms—which they will, My Lady, upon my honor, they will—then what am I to do? Will Camelot find another responsibility that they deem only I capable of shouldering?"

"I could always pretend to be power hungry again," she offers, and they both laugh for they know she wouldn't. He shakes his head ruefully.

"I suppose I am as I said: a foolish old knight who has grown weary of being so old and foolish."

Morgana is quiet for a moment before she puts down her cup and calls for his attention. He gives it. "You are not foolish, Leon. It's because you aren't foolish that you feel this way. The suspicion, the one you referred to indulging, it's that no one would bother to come and look for you or care for you if you weren't there, right?"

"You are perceptive as always, My Lady," he says quietly, despite the slight ache in his chest at how effectively her words have pierced him.

"Are you seriously considering leaving Camelot?"

"No, I fear I am too much a coward. I enjoy the life I have here, truly, I do, and I care for the people here, the family I have made for myself. I could no more leave it than I could no longer wield a sword to defend them." After a moment, he glances at her, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "And should you ever decide to turn your appetites to power."

She laughs, looking for a moment the young lady Camelot lost so long ago, before she reaches across the small distance between them to take his hand. He allows it, bringing hers up to press a courtly kiss to its back.

"Don't leave me with these fools," she stage-whispers with mock and earnest conviction alike.

"I won't, My Lady."

A knock interrupts them, Leon standing and opening the door to see another guard. "The King has asked for you."

He nods, turning to retrieve his sword from its place near his chair and bowing his head to Morgana. "I will see you later."

Had he noticed the thoughtful look on her face as he left, he may have been more prepared for the crowd inside her chambers when he arrives for his shift the next day. As it stands, he can only look on in silent bewilderment as Morgana opens the door to reveal Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, and the rest of the knights already inside, chatting and laughing as though this were the tavern.

"My Lady," he greets, more out of instinct than anything, "I…"

"Oi, there he is!" Gwaine beams at him from his seat on the floor, waving him inside. "Get over here and settle an argument, would you?"

"What argument would this be?"

Elyan rolls his eyes. "Gwaine's trying to convince us that it's a noble tradition to eat entirely apples for one of the festival meals, which I think is complete and utter—"

"Look, just because you don't like apples doesn't mean that it—"

"You know we've been to the feasts here, right?"

"Those are for everyone! Not just the nobles!"

"He's right," Arthur adds—since when is Arthur on Gwaine's side about anything?— "it was a massive fight to change it with my father."

"This has been going on for quite a while," Gwen informs him and Merlin hums, "they think you'll be the tie-breaker."

Leon simply nods, still attempting to wrap his head around why, exactly, all of them are here. Gwaine notices his silence and throws his arms up.

"Well? Back us up here, Leon!"

Leon glances around at the sea of expectant faces, before he sighs. "You're mistaken, Gwaine, there was never a feast consisting only of apples."

"Hah!" Elyan smacks Gwaine's shoulder. "I knew it, you—"

"It was pumpkins."

Gwaine throws his head back and laughs as Elyan splutters in disbelief. Leon simply smiles.

"The squash were suited for little other than decorations to the peasant folk, and so the crown decided to host a feast where the castle's kitchens would do the cooking and everyone would partake. Then, of course, there was the pulp-throwing contest, during which people would take the leftover seeds and pulp and throw them at each other."

"I can never tell," Lancelot mutters to Merlin, "when he's joking."

"None of us can, it's a skill."

"Come sit," Arthur says, waving him over to the last empty chair, "stop standing by the door like that."

He comes obediently, sitting and letting both Gwen and Merlin shove all sorts of food and drink toward him. Pear juice…roasted duck��the bread rolls that the baker makes twice a week…hold on a moment.

"What," Percival laughs when he looks up in surprise, "did you think we didn't know your favorites?"

"I—well—"

"You're the only one so far who's weasled their way out of letting Arthur spoil you with what you like," Merlin says as Arthur tries to shush him, "so we decided to surprise you instead."

"To Leon," Gwaine announces, standing and holding up a goblet, "without whom we would be so much worse off than we are!"

The rest of them toast and drink, and Arthur leans over to grab his shoulder.

"Enjoy yourself, old friend," he says quietly as the rest of them return to their merriment, "you're very bad at it."

"Yes," Leon says weakly, "I suppose I am."

"Indulge," comes Morgana's voice as Arthur gets pulled into another argument, and he turns to see her holding out one of the rolls, "it's the least you can do after I've been besieged by fools."

His eyes widen as he takes in the true meaning of her words, taking the roll with no small amount of wonder. "Thank you, My Lady."

"Well, I figured it's the least I could do, after all you've done for me."

"That and I'm pretty sure her crush hasn't faded," Gwen chimes in and several things happen at once.

One, Morgana whips around and hisses Gwen!

Two, her cheeks turn a pale pink.

Three, Leon feels his own do the same.

Gwen looks unapologetic, shrugging as Morgana glares at her. "If I had to listen to it for years, I'd imagine it's lingered."

Morgana's features twist and contort. "Why would you say that? I do not!"

"Yes, you do," Arthur calls helpfully and she throws a roll at him, one he can't even be bothered to catch for laughing.

"Why did I agree not to kill you again?"

Leon just manages to wrap his head around what's just occurred in time to catch her hand with his own. Morgana quiets, staring at him with an apprehension that does not become her, one because he has always known her to support herself, first and foremost, and two, because, well, it's quite unwarranted.

"As I said," he murmurs, low enough for the two of them, "I have always enjoyed my time with you."

The flush on both of their cheeks grows stronger as he slowly raises her hand to his lips once more, chastely brushing a kiss to her knuckles. A small smile finds itself on her face and he smooths his gloved thumb over her fingers.

"Boo," Gwaine hollers, "kiss her properly!"

It takes him not even a second to grab another roll and throw it at Gwaine.

[merlin-canon-divergence-stories]

Shield of Camelot

Chapter 4 Lancelot and 4.5 an overheard conversation

Chapter 4: Lancelot and 4.5: an overheard conversation

(this one is a bit of a flashback in the form of a dream.)

Percival blinked as Merlin and Gaius came to him as he tended to his weapons and stood to greet them. “Sit, Percival. Merlin has a request,” Gaius said firmly. 

Percival nodded and sat, curious about what Merlin had to say. “Arthur wants Gaius and I to take care of Lancelot’s burial, and I was wondering if you’d be willing to help,” Merlin said quietly. 

Percival swallowed hard at that, watching Merlin’s eyes. He couldn’t deny that there were tears in his friend’s eyes. He had taken everything especially hard, and to have lost Lancelot twice had been hard on the knights as well as Merlin. “I’ll do whatever you need me to,” he said softly. 

Merlin nodded. “Meet me at the lake two hours before sunset. You know the place.” 

Percival nodded. “Will the others be there too?”

Merlin shook his head. “I’m afraid not. There’s something I have to check, and the fewer who see it, the better.” 

Percival had to admit, he was perplexed at that, but decided that it was probably best not to pry, and whatever Merlin had to do, was something that he trusted Percival with. Percival suspected that Merlin and Lancelot had feelings for each other, but he wasn’t going to speculate or judge because of it.

“Oh, and Percival,” Merlin said, snapping him out of his thoughts and Percival looked at Merlin. “Dress plain and see if a commoner will lend you a horse. Not a knight's horse, but a commoner’s horse,” he added calmly. 

This confused Percival even more but before he could ask anything, Gaius and Merlin left. Percival shrugged but continued to work on ensuring his sword was sharp, just in case he needed it. 

Percival joined Merlin at the lake and saw that Lancelot had already been placed in the boat, yellow and white flowers lay around his body and Percival took note of how peaceful Lancelot looked. He did not look anything like what Percival was used to dead bodies looking like. He looked far more peaceful than expected, almost like he was asleep. Percival felt a lump form in his throat and chest when seeing him like that and he heard Merlin nearby. “Needed a witness?” he asked plainly. 

“Yes and no. I still need to check something. What I’m about to do, you can’t tell anyone,” Merlin said softly.

Percival nodded. “I will not judge.” He said quietly, taking note of how nervous and scared Merlin seemed to be.

Merlin seemed relieved as he leaned over Lancelot, staring at his face before putting a hand on his forehead. Merlin then spoke. “Ivathsne Nidthisne tin tregarden sole.” Percival swore Merlin’s eyes flashed golden afterwards and stared, wondering if he was dreaming. He and Merlin both startled slightly as Lancelot suddenly inhaled and Percival stared down at Lancelot, whose head moved to look at Merlin and his eyes were open. 

“Merlin, thank you,” he heard Lancelot whisper before Lancelot closed his eyes and became still again, though Percival could tell he was still breathing, though it seemed weak and ragged and saw Merlin sigh in relief. 

“Not what I expected, but I won’t tell,” Percival said, heart thudding at the revelation that Merlin had magic. He knew he couldn’t tell anyone. Arthur would have to kill Merlin, and that would destroy Arthur, as well as the unity amongst the knights. 

Merlin nodded. “I made a decoy using the body of a bandit that tried to attack me on the way here, but I wasn’t sure this would work. I need another favor.” 

Percival nodded, having a feeling he knew what it was, and that it still had to do with Lancelot. He then gave Merlin a look, did Merlin really kill someone who attacked him. He shook his head as Merlin continued to talk.

“Take him out of Camelot, Caerlon’s border is the closest. Find a healer there and tell them that he’s ill and needs care. Leave this on him to read once he’s better. It will tell him that I will let him know when it is safe to return. When Arthur is no longer so hurt by what happened while he was under Morgana’s spell that he wants to kill him. I’ll take care of everything else. No one but us will know what happened here.”

Percival nodded, gently picking up the unconscious Lancelot and mounting the horse he borrowed, knowing time was of the essence with this. That Merlin’s spell had freed Lancelot and brought him back to them once again, but whatever was done to him may still be the death of him. He rode as fast as he was willing to have the horse go while carrying a passenger straight for the border.

It was night time by the time he reached the border and passed it, slowing the horse into a normal pace till he found a spot to set up camp and dismounted, gently laying Lancelot on the ground. The man hadn’t stirred at all and Percival checked to see if he had a pulse. He swallowed hard at feeling how weak it actually was and noticed that Lancelot’s breathing was a lot weaker as well. “Hang in there Lancelot. Don’t let Merlin’s effort be wasted,” he whispered as he wrapped him in an old blanket he’d brought with him. 

He held Lancelot close, holding Lancelot’s head over his heart, hoping that the steady rhythm would help him somehow and found that he himself couldn’t sleep. His mind was plagued with thoughts of the events that day. Merlin was a sorcerer, and had trusted him with his secret. He had to admit that something about that made sense, especially with the Lamia incident. Merlin’s magic must have protected him from her influence. Percival flinched; he had never apologized for his behavior towards Merlin during that. Whether it was pride or not, he didn’t know. Merlin had never demanded it either. 

Percival sighed, then heard a noise. He focused and listened intently, trying to gauge whether it was a threat or not, before realizing that it was laughter, and it was close. He looked at the borrowed horse and saw that it was asleep, worn out from the hard ride. He held Lancelot close as he stood up and walked towards the sound and saw a light shining through the trees. He could tell it was a building, but whether or not it was an inn or a tavern, he couldn’t tell.

He walked towards it quickly, holding Lancelot close and hearing him start to gasp. “Hang in there,” Percival whispered and broke into a run, slamming the door open as he got there. “Help us, please,” he called, flinching at the sound. 

He saw several men jump up, hands on weapons, before they laid eyes on Lancelot, who was significantly paler than he had been when they’d left the lake. One, a well dressed young man stood. “I wasn’t expected to have to work today, but it seems like I’m needed. Bring him upstairs, quickly.”

Percival nodded, relieved and followed. The man motioned for him to lay Lancelot on the bed, and Percival did so quickly. The man frowned after looking him over. “He’s got a nasty curse placed on him. A curse of death. Had you gotten here even ten minutes later, there would have been nothing I could do,” the man said as he poured something in Lancelot’s mouth and made him swallow by rubbing his throat gently. 

Percival nodded. “He can’t return home, not yet,” he said softly.

The man eyed him. “You have to return though.”

Percival flinched, wondering if the man knew of his mission and how. “I do,” he agreed warily. “I will leave this here for him when he wakes. This is for you.” He handed the man a small sack of coins, before leaving the note near the bed. 

The man weighed it in his hands before nodding, satisfied. “Very well, I'll make sure the other witnesses understand that you at least, were never here. Safe travels.” He settled to watch over Lancelot as Percival forced himself to leave and return to his camp, wondering if he was doing the right thing. 

Percival jolted awake covered in sweat and went over to his window, opening it and letting the cooler night air in. He couldn’t help but wonder why that memory came back as a dream now of all times. He shook his head, taking note that it was quite close to sunrise, so there’d be no point in trying to fall back asleep. He threw his clothes on and went into the hall, figuring he had time to visit Gaius’s chambers and see how Gwaine was doing.

He frowned. He'd been trying to avoid visiting while Gareth was there. Something about the younger knight felt off, and he seemed so scared of everyone; but Gareth’s arm still needed care as the burn had been quite severe, and Gareth didn’t seem to want to leave. Alvor had tried to force Gareth to leave at one point, but Arthur had been there and told Alvor that Gareth would stay there until Gaius said it was okay. 

Alvor hadn’t liked that, but wisely chose not to argue, instead shooting a nasty look at Arthur and the other knights before storming away, leaving behind a very withdrawn Gareth. Percival frowned, recalling that Gareth seemed to have almost shut down entirely for the rest of the day until Gaius had done something to calm him and let him tend to him. He'd still been rather quiet and seemed to sneer when anyone not Gaius approached or tried to talk to him. 

As he passed Gaius’s place he saw the window was open and Leon was standing there. Leon motioned for him to keep quiet and motioned him over. Percival came over and listened. He heard a voice talking, and recognized it as Gareth’s. It sounded almost like he was talking to himself, and he realized that Gareth was talking to Gwaine even though he was unconscious. “We’re half brothers, you know,” he heard Gareth say. “My mom and your mom are the same. My fa… Sir Alvor, he found her one day and brought her home. She… She died wondering what had happened to you. If you were still alive, you know. She never gave up hope you’d one day find her again. Told me stories of the brave big brother I might never get to meet. Seeing you now, I can’t stand it. You look so much like her when she got ill. Please, you’ve got to wake up. I need you now more than ever.”

There was a long pause. “What happened to my arm was no accident. My father hates Arthur’s round table knights. Hates that Arthur’s so close with them. He sees them as not worth Arthur’s time. He was aiming for Elyan to be either badly hurt, or killed, and sabotaged the thing that held the vat. Guinevere wasn’t supposed to be there and I wasn’t supposed to intervene. When I saw it fall towards her, I knew I couldn’t let it happen. I don’t know why, perhaps it’s because she’s my queen. Father’s probably ready to kill me, and if I’m overheard talking about it...” Gareth got quiet again. 

“Damn it, I’m such a coward. I can’t even stand up to him. Can’t even tell the king himself that I was forced to lie about my age. Can’t even tell them that I’m not even sixteen yet.” Percival heard Gareth sob out and he and Leon exchanged glances at that. Everything was starting to make sense about Gareth now. “And I know if I’m found out, I'm as good as dead. My knighthood will be stripped of me, and my father told me that he’d kill me himself if I was ever caught. If he’s caught it’ll be both of us, and he’ll kill me for sure. Probably leave me in a ditch like he’s always threatened. I just… I wish you were awake. I’m certain you’d protect me, and guide me. Then again, maybe it’s best you’re not, as I don’t know if you’d believe me. Or if you’d just consider me a bastard because of who my father is. I guess what I’m most scared of is being alone. Being thrown away and seen as useless as I’ve always been told I am.” Gareth’s voice cracked. Percival felt his heart break at Gareth’s tone. He sounded so lost, so broken. And for him to be as young as he said, he shouldn’t have been hurt, he should have been protected, instead of being used by Alvor. 

There was the sound of a bedroom door opening at that and the sound of someone scrambling to get back in bed. Leon and Percival walked away, hoping they hadn’t been noticed before stopping a good ways away. “I’m going to go report everything to Arthur. Stay with Gareth and Gwaine. Don’t give away you heard anything yet. I hope Arthur will let Gareth stay as a squire of the round table. So we all can teach him that he’s got nothing to be afraid of, not anymore,” Leon said calmly, though Percival could see the anger in his eyes at the injustice that Gareth had to suffer through for so long.

Percival nodded, knowing it would be best to let Leon deal with the situation with Alvor and Arthur. “Gladly, kid’s been through enough.” 

Leon nodded and walked towards the palace and Percival walked to Gaius’s door and went in, seeing that Gareth was pretending to sleep and hide the fact he’d just poured everything out on an unconscious man. Percival put his hand gently on Gareth’s head, feeling the boy tense underneath his touch and felt Merlin’s stare. He mouthed “later” at Merlin and saw him nod and smile gently, telling him wordlessly that he'd also heard everything.

[phantom-vs-agents]

L’Morte d’Dinadan

(TW: Blood)

Dinadan ached. 

Having bested the evil knight Brehu a few days ago, he once again found himself going to make another speech about how the King of Cornwall was, once again, unfit for the throne. 

“Of course,” Dinadan, antennae warbling in the wind from frustration, spoke aloud to himself, “The most I’ll get is another lecturing about how change continues slowly, apace. Honestly, you’d think someone with as much power as the King of the Bloody Round Table would realize the damn power he was sitting on. Perhaps he sat on Excalibur.” The Roach gave a chortle at the mental image of his King sitting on the rather uncomfortable object.

Despite his complaints, Dinadan was as loyal as any man in the Round Table. Should Arthur command it, he would willingly lay his life on the line. Though, in the case of Arthur, he wished he didn’t have to do it so damn frequently. I mean,  is there any harm in a break every now and again?

As he grumbled to himself about his conditions, he couldn’t help but detect the sound of hoofbeats that weren’t his own in the distance. Antennae stood up as he saw two horses appear over the horizon, walking down the path he was travelling. 

Well, he thought, I guess I won’t have to commiserate by myself. I can not well and truly throw a pity party. Dinadan joked, as the two horsemen began to approach. Of course, his hopes of having someone to talk to were dashed when he saw that it was Mordred and Agravain- Two of the most humorless bastards this side of Camelot. He supposed that it was better than no one, though. Stopping his horse, Scuttle quickly dismounted, Mordred and the other doing the same.

“Well well, when it rains, does it pour. Hail, Mordred,” Dinadan waved, as Mordred approached, “What can Dinadan do for-” Sharp, shooting pain erupted from the Knight’s gut. Looking down, he saw that the fellow knight had lodged a knife directly into his stomach. With a twist, Dinadan slouched forward slightly, his wings flitting out in a useless attempt to fly, perhaps away from this situation. Antennae droop forward as Mordred pulled the knife out- 

Another explosion of pain wracked his body as Agravain stabbed in his upper belly. Blood was starting to soak the Roach’s gambeson as he staggered forward, no longer supported by the weight of Mordred. Falling to his knees, Mordred delivered one final stab directly to his back, pulling the blade out quicker this time. 

Breath seemed to no longer find the Roach as he stared ahead on the path. Red discoloring the suit of armor and gambeson he wore as his eyes became unfocused. The sound of hoofbeats started up as his attackers- Those he trusted- Began to ride off. 

Dinadan hit the ground on his shoulder, the world becoming blurry.

In his last moments of consciousness, the Knight was confused.

[the-nerdiest-insanity]

Emrys and His Bane

Merlin just wants to continue to help the magical world in his own way, as he has been doing for the last year. Now, he has a baby-faced knight clutching at his cape, begging to be taught magic and shaking up all of Merlin's carefully curated peace. But could working with Mordred change the future enough to save Arthur?

Chapter 1

on AO3

[mild threats to each other, but no follow through]

Ships: Merlin & Mordred (platonic)

Merlin never wanted his vigilantism to come back to bite him.

And yet, here he is, staring down a knight of Camelot while he is shrouded in blacks and dark greens, eyes still shimmering gold. Of course, it’s the last knight he would want to catch him as well.

“Emrys,” Mordred breathed out, startled.

Merlin withheld a growl. He didn’t have time for interruptions but couldn’t risk the little knight attempting to follow. “What do you want, Mordred?” Merlin’s hand remained raised in warning.

The young druid stared a moment longer before straightening himself, stating, “I saw you slip away and was worried something was wrong.”

Merlin’s hand twitched, attempting to contain his irritation. “It’s nothing of your concern. I have it handled. Go back to the castle,” he grumbled through gritted teeth.

Mordred puffed his chest out even more at that, and Merlin was going to kill whichever knight was teaching the boy that preening like a peacock somehow made others listen to you. Probably Arthur, damn prat. “I think it would be better if I stayed. I am a knight of Camelot now. You can use the protection.”

Definitely Arthur. The royal idiot was going to have a rude awakening when he found his favourite shirt full of moth holes. 

Merlin sent a magical nudge against the new knight’s shoulder as he replied, “You know better than the others that I don’t need protection.”

“But you can’t let anyone know that,” Mordred pushed, squaring his shoulders and stepping forward into the warlock’s space. “Let me come with you.”

Merlin turned away from the knight, adjusting his cloak. “Go back. I won’t ask again.” He started back on his way, already planning a longer, round-a-bout route in case he was tailed. He was very eager to put this conversation out of his mind.

“I know what you’re doing.”

Merlin froze, his blood running cold. He could feel the other’s eyes piercing his back.

“I asked around the other knights,” Mordred continued. “They’ve heard whispers of a great sorcerer called ‘Emrys’ helping those involved with magic. I wasn’t sure if it truly was you or an imposter. I seem to have my answer.”

The servant whipped around, storming closer to Mordred, magic itching his fingertips. “And what exactly are you going to do with this information, hm? Get me killed? Blackmail me?”

Mordred swallowed, taking in the full force of Emrys’s anger. He took a careful step back and looked Merlin in the eye. “Just what I said before. I just want to go with you.”

Merlin raked his eyes over the fresh knight, yet he found nothing but sincerity. “And what else?” He was skeptical that it would be, and he wasn’t in the mood to play games to get the information out of the other.

Mordred took a breath, working himself up for whatever he was going to say. “I want you to teach me magic.”

“No,” Merlin replied immediately, “absolutely not. I refuse to teach a knight of Camelot how to use magic.” 

Mordred continued, barreling over the warlock’s arguments, “Please, Emrys, no one would teach me much back with the others, and it would be an honour to learn from someone like you.”

Merlin sighed, rubbing the space between his eyes with a hand.

“And I’ll tell Arthur if you refuse.”

Merlin tensed up slightly before looking at the other. He noticed how Mordred wouldn’t meet his gaze. “No, you won’t,” he confidently replied and started walking away again.

Mordred sighed. “Alright, I won’t, but I won’t stop bugging you about it until you help me.”

Merlin stopped. The servant considered if he deserved another headache on top of his permanent one, Arthur. 

Something like this should not be taken lightly. All of Kilgarrah’s warnings flashed through his mind. He remembered a much younger Mordred swearing revenge on him. But was that just a childish grudge long dropped? Another magic user protecting Arthur would be significantly less stress on Merlin. 

“And I can be very annoying if I want to be, or so the knights say.”

He was taking too long. The village couldn’t hold out against the chimaera without him for much longer. Merlin wheezed out a slow sigh. He realised there was only one option at the moment, and he would have to live with what followed. “Fine,” he bit out.

Mordred quickly scurried up behind him. “You’ll teach me?” he asked, hopefully.

Merlin refused to look at the druid and never broke stride but said, “The first rule, you do exactly what I say, and when I say it, understand? While you’ve been hiding from patrols before, you’ve never been under scrutiny like this. So you always defer to me. I go before your conscience. Yes?”

“Sure!” Mordred responded, mildly confused but eager. 

“The second rule,” Merlin turned around and stopped the other short, “you need to lose the get up when we’re out and about.” He gestured to the armour and bright red, specifically looking at the Pendragon chest resting on the cape’s shoulder.

Mordred turned his nose up slightly. “But, I’m a proud knight of Camelot.”

“First, what was rule number one?” Merlin glared slightly at the knight, but the younger man refused to cowl. “Second, most people associate the knights of Camelot with danger and death regarding magic users. I know that you know that. If people see Emrys walking around with one, they’ll think something is wrong or that they can’t trust me anymore.”

“But what–”

Merlin talked right over the other, “And we can’t have anyone associating a magic user with a Camelot Knight. How well do you think Arthur will take it if he hears that someone is running around looking like one of his while using magic? You’ll be aflame before I can think to help you.” Mordred broke eye contact at the last line, fidgeting in place. “So, you’ll take that off when we do our work?”

“Yeah,” Mordred replied, thoroughly chastised.

Merlin internally groaned. He would have to take a different approach to working with the little knight. Softening his voice slightly, he continued, “I’m not trying to hurt you, Mordred. I’m trying to keep you from getting hurt.” 

Mordred nodded, finally able to look at the warlock’s face once more.

Merlin fidgeted with the edge of his cloak. Part of him longed to reach out and comfort the boy, but he quelled it. If Merlin had his way, this would be a one-time deal. No need to make any attachments. “You have to think of every single scenario that could go wrong and plan, so it doesn’t. That is the only way to stay alive and hidden.”

Mordred looked at him sadly. “That sounds exhausting and lonely.”

Merlin sniffed and turned away again. “Well, we do what we must to save Arthur.”

“You mean ourselves?”

“It’s the same thing for me.”

[camelotremix]

Camelot Remix 2024 - Week 1

FIC: Standing still; for six months and two weeks for MerlinLikeTheBird (Merlin/Arthur, Gwaine/Percival – Gen – 2605w) Summary: We all know Percy influenced Arthur to finally undertake action with Merlin. But what if he had underlying motives? And what if Gwaine has something to do with it too? Eventually all knights get involved. FIC: This Song and Dance (The 'Balancing Act' Remix) for polomonkey (Merlin/Arthur – Teen and Up – 1200w) Summary: The thing is, Merlin has been thinking about it. About Arthur and the grief that he wears like penance, how he fits so easily into the spot beside Merlin. How he always has, and how, for all his talk about leaving, he does not seem to be in a hurry. --- Between circus shows and late nights, Merlin and Arthur figure themselves out, one step at a time. FIC: wandered out in the world for years (the king and the knight remix) for HadrianPeverellBlack (Gwaine/Merlin – Gen – 800w) Summary: Gwaine doesn't like Arthur. Respects him, sure. Admires his fighting prowess, yeah. Envies his freedom and pities his lack of it in equal parts. He'll follow him into battle and mostly follow orders as he does so, because chances are Arthur’s on the right side of a fight, and even if he isn't he's got Merlin to push him until he is. But he's more than capable of all that without actually liking the man. Or: Arthur and Gwaine search for Merlin during the deleted scene from A Servant of Two Masters. FIC: A Time to Mourn, and a Time to Dance [Remix] for scotscookie (Merlin/Arthur – Explicit – 1478w) Summary: After a night of drinking with Morgana, Arthur goes home to wind down. FIC: The Best and Terrible (An Extended Remix) for linorien (Gen – Teen and Up – 30,691w) Summary: After meeting the Druids, Morgana cannot sit idly by while Uther’s tyranny against magic continues; but, taking action may put her in more danger than she can get out of alone. Meanwhile, Merlin struggles under the loneliness of his secret, and wonders who he’s destined to be. A story about working together, magic reveals going better than expected, and Uther Pendragon being the worst man ever. FIC: Where We Find Our Peace for queerofthedagger (Merlin/Arthur – Gen – 2687w) Summary: Arthur looked the most relaxed Merlin had ever seen him; his hair was a golden mop, glistening droplets of water traveling down the planes and angles of his face. Merlin’s eyes followed one, down the side of Arthur’s sculpted nose, reaching his plump lips where Arthur’s tongue darted out to catch it. Merlin tore his eyes away and let his face break out into a bright grin as he looked into Arthur’s eyes. “You could’ve told me that we were going for a swim; I would’ve complained far less.” Arthur rolled his eyes slightly. “I was going for a swim,” he replied, “you simply decided to follow me.” A remix of Bad Choice of Words in My Alibi by queerofthedagger ART: Reluctantly in Love for chaosgenes (Merlin/Arthur – Gen – Digital Art & 127w) Summary: Arthur has waited for Naming Day all his life, but could not be more disappointed when he finds out who the Soul Stone names for him. It isn’t the prisoner he meets in the dungeons, but his heart aches for him anyway. Merlin has never thought about soulmates until they come knocking at his door in Ealdor. Convinced that there’s something wrong with the Soul Stone, he travels to magic-banned Camelot to end its influence. He never thought that he would be enraptured by the crown prince who comes to interrogate him. FIC: Disillusion (a remix of Light Pollution) for Ynnealay (Gen – Gen – 1041w) Summary: Some of Merlin's letters to Arthur over the years.

[fgodestinyawakenings]

Babylonia Section 21~Section 22(END)

Final day and final post of this Singularity before the impending doom at Solomon Singularity. Hope your Servants and sanity are ready because that’s some insane fight to be happened soon!

Section 21

At Uruk... The end of the world at last with Gilgamesh and 8 soldiers being the sole survivor against Tiamat... Time to destroy the demonic beast and Lahmus before we made way to find Gilgamesh!

Reaching to Gilgamesh at last... The end of the world in his eyes as he expected with Tiamat’s arrival getting closer... Our Chaldean Embassy swallowed in flames and in the Chaos Tide... Whether Tiamat hates humanity or not it’s another story if she even has a conscience in the first place after becoming Beast II

Arriving in Uruk at last... While Ishtar takes on Tiamat via the sky, we stand by with Gilgamesh against her on the ground. Yeah yeah you Tsundere king, we’re sticking with each other until the end of the Singularity!

Dingirs fired from the city wall all launched at Tiamat under Gilgamesh command by his own magical energy! He’s definitely not a half god without a reason--! GUDAS WATCH OUT THAT LIGHT!!!

.............. Gilgamesh... You..... You took the hit from Tiamat... Into your heart..... GOD DAMN IT, YOU’RE NOT MONTY PYTHON! THAT’S NOT JUST A MORTAL WOUND, THAT’S GOING TO KILL YOU DUMBASS!

Tch as Gilgamesh keeps on going... 3 more minutes before Tiamat arrives at where we are....! After we got knocked by the 8k Lahmus...  Before Ishtar could help us... That’s...!! KINGU!!!

Looks like Gilgamesh’s words finally reached his heart... Even if it’s a grail operating it... And... Enkidu... They came back... Even if it’s too far to reach, their words of wanting to talk to Gil will definitely reach! Kingu, Enkidu! It’s time to finish off Tiamat!!

As Kingu turned into the Chains of Heavens... We wake up to find Tiamat is being restrained by Kingu!! WHAT?! The Chain of Heavens broke!! And Eresh?!

Underworld is finally right below us. Ishtar and Gilgamesh discuss one last time about Enkidu’s passing before and now. Ishtar readies to launch a big blast for a big hole... One last talk with Gilgamesh and... KING GILGAMESH!!! THIS WAY--!!

KING GILGAMEEEEEESSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Falling into the underworld after that abrupt parting... Eresh gives us her powers to be able to deal in the underworld. Looks like Eresh’s security system at intruder is causing great pain to Tiamat thanks to Ishtar forcing her down inside

To fight on for King Gilgamesh... Eresh began her attack against Tiamat... Wait this blackness... THE CHAOS TIDE IS RETURNING BUT EVEN STRONGER THAN BEFORE?!!

Because of that fall... Beast II finally turns to her true form...! And Jaguar Warrior! So she turned out fine but... It’s now or never to defeat her-- Flowers... This voice, this voice of a fucking horny wizard... MERLIN!!!

So... Merlin you’re still alive? Tiamat didn’t kill you at all? You broke out of your prison for once to help us?! Okay forget happy reunion, seems like Merlin brought... Wait we brought him to repay his gratitude? But who--?!

That old man Ziusu-dra! No... KING HASSAN!!! With his NP... At the price of sacrificing his Grand title... Hassan granted death onto Tiamat! We can kill her now! As expected of Da Vinci-chan! Since we damaged her brain but recovered... Everything is to face her in the face!

With Merlin’s return... The buff is something against that fucking disgusting Chaos Tide. But still hurt a like bitch when they crit!

One wave down, next wave towards her head! Direct offsprings with class of Beast, King Hassan given us the temporary contract... Time for insta-kill on those things!!

I retried this because RNG luck and irritating taunt from the Lahmus are pissing me off :/

8 insta-death later, we’re finally at the head! As Romani said, time is running out with Tiamat reaching the surface soon in 300m.... Time for the first round against her!!

I’m frankly wondering if double Mash setup works here... Because this isn’t Gorgon with Chaos Tide bleeding the Servant’s life.. And additional curse buff that will outheal Merlin’s buff

Since NPC Merlin is here... Might as well have Ozzy being buff by him in Hero’s creation to kill her quickly... Considering he and Xuangzang are my current ST Buster NP

Oh come on! How the hell is Tiamat still standing?! Merlin you idiot, now you got kicked out by her! And... This..... No way..... KING GILGAMESH?!!!?!?! He’s back but in his Archer class?!

With Gilgamesh’s arrival... TIME TO FINISH THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!

Okay, trying on double Mash.. Which is again hilarious because it worked for a while... Yeah until she removes them, so it’s a bit headache with her, along with the curse buff that stack

Ozzy and Herc-chan are main DPS with the former trying to dish out as damage as possible against her before the latter kicks in.

Martha for the buff and debuff remover... MVP actually since it’s ashamed I can’t rushed her skills finished to deal for Tiamat. But definitely helped a lot in dealing with her annoying debuffs

At last dealing a critical damage, Beast II finally destroyed! The grail from her finally retrieved at last!

Section 22

The final chapter arrived with us returning back to the surface. Singularity is repairing itself once Tiamat is gone. The grail in our hands thanks to Merlin getting his ass back to our side! And... Nope, we’re not helping you. It’s your fault in destroying Quetz’s divinity, Merlin!

Oh right, Quetz came back but how?! Ah, seems like Jaguar Warrior saved her! Oh... Guess Quetz and Jaguar Warrior are heading back to the Throne of Heroes first

Ishtar is alright too and looks like she’s staying in Uruk for a long while, hence her limited summoning. Eresh... For helping to destroy Tiamat... She’s fading... And disappeared.... Or to rest from what Ishtar said...

GILGAMESH!? YOU TURNED BACK TO YOUR NORMAL STUPID CASTER SELF! WAIT YOU’RE... He’s going off too?! And... For a souvenier... That’s why we got 2 Holy Grails this time! Along with food! Leaving to the Throne of Heroes to be summoned... He will spook again one way or another.

And we’re heading back to our own ways as we departed with bidding good bye to Merlin! So Merlin is a big fan of ours huh... I’m sure we’ll meet everyone again!

At home at last, WHAT?! Chaldeas turned red again?! Seems like King Solomon is giving an invitation to us to end things once and for all! To be continued until Solomon Singularity!

I’ll apologize for the observations since majority is already done up under the JP side. So I’m doing the ones which are the notable main bosses for this fight

Observations:

Quetzalcoatl:

The impossible: If you have two Herc-chan with you (one of them being borrowed), just bring more taunters and healers

The only possible option: To deal with her effectively only option is the Berserker class which is Lancelot and Herc-chan, but preferred the latter. Summer Servants worked but again, it depends on your preference. The only thing with those above as your main DPS, you’ll seriously want to have taunters especially you don’t know who her NP will hit. Also Herc-chan wise, at this point find the one with his Bond CE in ever the case he got killed repeatedly. Or other wise, just make sure he’s alive long enough to kill Quetz

Ereshkigal:

............. I learned my lesson in this fight a little. Never try to rely too much on your NP to deal with her

Anyway... If you’re having FFF rank luck for this fight, not being able to use NP through the whole fight. Have her to be crit rill death by your Sabers

Bring Servants who generates a good amount stars, Main DPS Saber that absorb good amount stars and crit hard, support that helps buffing damage/crit damage to kill her

Or otherwise, bring a debuff remover if you’d like to be able to use both NP and skill

Gorgon:

Laser shooting fest is amusing with double Mash + main DPS ST NP Servant

Any main DPS will do depend if you want to hit hard, get more stars to crit or to be able to spam more NP often.

I went with the last to be compatible for Mash to spam her NP often. So if you want double Mash way or there... Bring a good arts team like Robin, Medea, Chloe, George (unless you’re going for Sieg-George combo)

Otherwise, any team will do. Only problem is her stun debuff on your Servant when it happens, so it delays one turn to boost that said Servant NP or use their skills/NP

Another to watch out is her curse debuff after using her NP. I went with double Mash, and time is really ticking on me because the curse she dealt is really killing their HP each turn

Trait dealing there’s Scathach, Karna & Arjuna (for divine), Jack & Carmilla (for female) and the infamous King of Heroes

CEs not much of a comment but if you want to be not stun and curse... Debuff immunity CE?

Otherwise, CE that boosts damage should do

Kingu:

Your RNG luck comes into play a little but not as bad as Eresh, you’ll never know when he’s going to charge his NP full on the same or next turn

DEFINITELY DON’T BRING DIVINE SERVANTS AS THIS IS ENKIDU AND THEIR NP COMING AFTER THEM

Once again, taunters are needed if you don’t him to fire his NP at your main DPS/support

Trait wise... Nightingale as Enkidu’s body is still humanoid and at your own risk, AUO himself... Definitely don’t take the latter

I haven’t see it work but if Zouken’s CE in sealing his NP will helped delayed from it firing. But I’m not sure if it works because his permanent buff in charging NP randomly is there

Invincibility more recommended instead of evasion since he has a skill that removes evasion buff

Anything else, bring a good ST NP Servant for DPS and support with taunters/healers... Or even stallers to keep him at bay. But for stalling team, Gorgon Sister combo definitely don’t work.

Ushiwakamaru clones:

I’ll touch more on the ones which she’s neutral damage to all. Her Berserker-class version bring good AOE NP Servant will do

Considering her sole gimmick is to create copies of herself... Kill the original before more are being created

For this bring AOE NP... One fitting Servant for biggest damage by far again, AUO. Weak to Enuma Elish regardless corrupted or not

Or otherwise, bring your best AOE NP Servant...

With a really good healer in particular, because Chaos Tide against that class will kill you faster than you know it

Taunters for avoiding ST NP from her onto your main DPS Servant

Tiamat:

Martha my fucking saint saves my ass in most of these fight!

Practically debuffing her and removing those debuff from Tiamat is vital because she just keep stacking that curse debuff

There’s also her stun and NP seal that’s targeted onto Man-trait & Star-Attribute Servants... That kind of explained why Jeanne gets NP seal most of the time OTL

Double Mash works somewhat when she doesn’t remove your buffs and stack those fucking curse

Considering her laser and chaos tide charge your NP quickly.. It’s not that difficult to do spamming when needed

Skill seal definitely vital with Servant like David’s NP to stop Tiamat from buffing herself

Debuff immunity needed for the above debuff or even her NP when she buff block debuff on your whole front-line team

If you don’t have Angra Mainyu with his Bond CE in your friend list to deal bigger damage, balance between 3 DPS and 3 supports? Or at least estimated the amount of damage 1 main DPS Servant does before dying out.

Now that this is over... While grinding for SQs... Time for 3 to 4 days break from NA before the biggest hell right before Christmas!

[prokopetz]

I notice a lot of mecha RPGs tend to aim more 'real' what with modular weapons and settings aping Gundam with space wars. Do you have any mecha RPGs that are better for classic "There's an evil space empire invading Earth and all that stands between them is the creations of a quirky scientist, his hot daughter and a hot-blooded Japanese teenager (or 4)" styles?

A lot of depends on whether you're talking about settings flavour or mechanics. Giant robot RPGs do tend toward the crunchier end of the spectrum rules-wise, but that doesn't necessarily correlate with either a simulation-style approach or a thematic focus on gritty space politics. Like, Lancer is crunchy as hell, but it's not really simulating anything; in terms of its mechanical structure, it's basically Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition with giant robots.

In the absence of any more specific guidance, I'm going to assume that you mean games that are both on the lighter side rules-wise and feature not-terribly-serious settings.

If that's what you're after – and if you've no objections to Fate Core – you might have a look at Camelot Trigger, available as pert of the Worlds in Shadow anthology. (You'll also need Fate Core itself, of course, but it's pay-what-you-want.) As the title suggests, it's literally Arthurian knights in space, with giant robots. The rules basically treat giant robots as an overlay on top of your character's regular stats, with the robot's systems providing bonus stunts and skill substitutions in a framework that otherwise plays out as scaled-up personal combat, saving the trouble of needing to learn two different combat systems.

Alternatively, if the Apocalypse Engine is more your speed, there's Armour Astir: Advent. This one's notable both for the fact that its gameplay loop supports mixed groups where some players take on the roles of mecha pilots and others take on the roles of ground/support crew, if you happen to have players who are more interested in the command-room side of things, and also the fact that it's illustrated by the Paranatural guy. Still in early access, though the most recent update was just a couple of months back, so the project seems to be alive and kicking.

I'm also going to throw in a slightly off-the-mark plug for Harder They Fall. It's probably not quite what you're looking for because it's a one-shot game that revolves entirely around playing out the final epic battle of a super robot story without providing any tools for any part of the story leading up to that point, and it's kind of a pain to play online because conflict resolution involves knocking down rows of dominoes. (Yes, really!) However, it's got some very neat ideas to steal if you end up deciding to roll your own solution, so there's some potential value there. Plus, it's cheap.

(Finally, I'm going to touch on Beam Saber, because I know somebody's going to plug it if I don't. Beam Saber... like, it can do super robot, though that's not its primary focus, and the mecha combat isn't terribly crunchy as such things go; however, as a Blades in the Dark hack, its gameplay loop has a lot of moving parts, which takes it firmly out of the rules-light category if that's a priority for you. This one’s another early access title, and while the most recent core rules update was less than a month ago, most of the supplementary material hasn’t yet been updated to reflect those revisions.)

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

Oh shit, I never told you that Merlin isn’t my actual name??

Igraine reveals… one hell of a secret, and not the one you’re thinking of:

Part 2   Part 3   Part 4(final part)(coming soon)

TW: Uther being a Jackass I guess?

Arthur knows about his dumbass servant’s magic. He wasn’t best pleased, in fact, he was furious when he first found out; how is supposed to protect his servant-turned-best-friend-except-that’s-super-secret-even-from-himself if he’s off doing stupid shit like Sorcery in Camelot?!

He was a lot more sympathetic when Merlin explained that he’d been born with it, and that his destiny was, literally, tied to Arthur’s. That, mixed with the fact that Arthur tended to get himself into a LOT of trouble, without even realising it most of the time, means Merlin has no choice but to be doing stupid shit like Sorcery in Camelot.

Merlin is currently giving Arthur the silent treatment, not that Arthur seems to notice. The two of them were waiting for Morgause to finish whatever it is she was doing to, apparently, allow Arthur to speak to his mother.

She doesn’t take long, and though Merlin keeps his distrustful gaze on her the whole time, he still can’t quite tell what it is Morgause has done. She looks to them with a blank expression, though her focus is mainly on Arthur as she gestures him forward:

“It’s ready, Prince Arthur. Close your eyes, both of you.”

Arthur frowns briefly but does as told. Merlin raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms, and staring Morgause down; she rolls her eyes and huffs quietly when she realises that he isn’t going to take his eyes off her, but gives in, turning away and performing some sort of simple looking (though Merlin gets the distinct impression that it isn’t simple) ritual.

The Witch lets out a deep breath and steps back, and Merlin’s hard stare is finally drawn away from her when a shower of golden sparks materialises in a cloud in front of The Prince.

Arthur opens his eyes to see Igraine standing there, practically glowing, looking every bit the glorious Queen she once was. She gives him a soft smile, and Arthur can only stare, his mouth moving of it’s own accord:

“Mother?”

Merlin stares on in suspicion as Igraine’s smile grows:

“My son.”

She pulls him forward into a tight hug, and though Arthur had started off forcing himself to be wary, he falls into the hug easily, struggling to hold his tears in. They pull back after far too short of a time, and though Merlin was still distrustful, he wishes she had held Arthur just a little longer.

Merlin’s heart breaks as Arthur goes on to apologise for being born, but his feelings quickly turn to anger as Igraine explains the truth, how his people were being hunted, burned, vilified, all because Uther was too much of a hypocrite to admit his mistakes or listen to reason; but he couldn’t lash out now, this time was for Arthur, not him.

Igraine’s face falls even further, and she grips Arthur’s shoulders tightly:

“But we do not have time to talk of this, I can feel the other side pulling me back, I must be quick. Arthur, my son, you have a brother, and you must find him.”

Merlin’s eyes go wide and he tenses in place; this had better not be some twisted trick on Morgause’s part to destroy Arthur, because he would destroy her in return if it was. And he would do it in a far messier way. Arthur just looks shocked:

“A brother? How?!”

Igraine smiles mournfully:

“A twin. He was so small when he was born, I thought he wouldn’t make it, but though I can’t see his face, I know he lives, I can feel it. He had hair dark as the night sky, a complete contrast to your golden wisps-”

She lifts a soft, gentle hand, and runs it through Arthur’s hair with a smile:

“-but his eyes, oh his eyes were just as golden as your hair, before they faded to the colour of the sky.”

Arthur gasped but Merlin tensed even further, certain that this must be some sort of trick:

“He was magic?”

Igraine smiles again and nods:

“It’s not common, but not completely unheard of for people to be born magic. Your brother was, and it was beautiful.-”

He smile falls into something more angry, though she’s clearly trying to hide it:

“-Your father... did something. I do not know what; by the time my soul was restful enough to be able to look back upon the world, it was too late, he was gone somewhere I could not see. I know he still lives, your father was too much of a coward to admit his mistakes, but too much of a hypocrite to keep to his convictions and destroy the child, which I can be grateful for. I feared he had been sent far away, but you must find him, restore his heritage.”

Arthur nods vigorously, his eyes wide and desperate, and Merlin finds himself desperate to believe that this spirit is true and genuine:

“What else can you tell me about him? Do you know where he is? What he looks like now?”

Igraine’s face falls into a soft smile again, though she shakes her head mournfully:

“He is powerful, extremely so. I worried he was dead until I suddenly felt him; he appeared in Camelot, around three and a half years ago. His power is vast, I can sense it stretching for miles and miles, though I can not pinpoint the epicentre; he is somewhere within the Kingdom, you must find him.”

Merlin frowns in confusion, stepping forward to interrupt, though he desperately doesn’t want to:

“Did you name him? Your son?”

Igraine looks to him suddenly, as if she weren’t aware they had company, but quickly turns almost her full attention to Merlin with a soft smile:

“You. You looked after my boy, thank you. Thank you for all that you have done. And yes-”

She looks back to Arthur:

“-I named him, though I whispered it with my last breaths, Uther would certainly not have used it, and I do not know if Gaius heard me.”

Arthur responds quietly, his cracking voice heavy with too many emotions to name:

“What is it? What’s my... my brother’s name?”

“Myrddin.”

Merlin takes in a quiet gasp, and Arthur, always with at least one half of his brain focused on his manservant, turns to him:

“You know that name?! Merlin, do you know someone in Camelot with that name?”

Merlin just stares at Igraine, his eyes wide and his hands shaking:

“How... how do you think he got out of Camelot? How would Uther have sent him away?”

Igraine’s face is confused, but mostly curious as she takes a step towards him, still with one hand on Arthur’s shoulder:

“Gaius and Balinor possibly, perhaps Nimueh, though I imagine she fled rather quickly. They were Uther’s closest friends before the purge, and they all practised magic, they would have been... sympathetic, tried to help the child. Why? Are Arthur’s questions relevant? Do you know my son??”

Merlin’s eyes flickered between the two of them, but when Arthur says his name again, his voice nothing short of desperate, his gaze fixes on The Prince:

“Arthur, I... I never told you, because I didn’t think it was... relevant, but... Merlin isn’t my real name.”

Arthur recoils, shocked, and utters a dumbfounded “What?!”. Merlin gulps, and looks to Igraine briefly before resuming his fearful, and slightly confused, stare on Arthur:

“When I was young, my magic was still strong, but I had no control over it. I would subconsciously summon animals to my side constantly. Mostly small things, but the occasional stag or bear would wander through the village to find me. But... but what came most often where the birds; the village is essentially in the middle of a forest, and... and there were thousands of merlins. So I got that as a nickname, Merlin, and it just stuck.”

Arthur just shakes his head, caught off guard but mostly just annoyed:

“You heard my mother, Merlin, we don’t have much time, what is this-”

Merlin interrupts him:

“Just listen!! My real name.... it’s Myrddin.-”

Igraine takes in a quiet gasp, mumbling more to herself than anyone else “Gaius heard me.” but Arthur just stares. Merlin holds his gaze, but after a few moments, he looks back to Igraine:

“-My mother... she... she wouldn’t lie to me, nor would Gaius... this... it’s a mistake. It’s... it’s a common name, right?!”

Igraine responds in a hushed tone, though Arthur barely moves, still staring at Merlin as though he had gained a new head:

“Show me some magic, my boy.”

Merlin stutters and shakes his head, laughing incredulously before he notices her pleading face and looks to Arthur, almost for permission. The Prince gulps before nodding, just once, and Merlin lets out a deep breath. He holds his hand out in front of him, palm up, and without even needing to mutter a spell, a single flower grows; a Camelot-red Tulip, it’s petals dipped in gold.

When his eyes fade back to blue, he looks up to see the others’ reactions: Arthur is smiling softly, always eager to see Merlin’s magic, as if he had forgotten the situation at hand, but Igraine... oh, Igraine was staring at him with such wonder, tears slipping down her pale cheeks.

Merlin drops the flower without a second though and shakes his head minutely, but Igraine just nods, allowing the hand on Arthur’s shoulder to slip down to his hand so she could tug him forward, towards Merlin:

“Myrddin, my boy, my son. You came home all on your own.”

Merlin just shakes his head again and steps back:

“No. No this... this isn’t real, this is a trick, or... or something. How do we prove it? How do we know you’re not lying or some trap laid by Morgause?!”

Igraine sighs, but nods, understanding:

“Ask Gaius and your... your mother, and thank her for me, for raising you with so much love. The doorway is closing, I can feel it.-”

Her gaze moves lovingly between then two of them, and when she steps forward once more, she takes Merlin’s hand before he can move away, pulling the two of them into a tight hug:

“-I am so endlessly proud of you both, and I love you, always.”

She fades from the air, and within seconds Arthur’s arms are falling in on themselves, nothing under them to hold their weight and forceful pressure.

The Prince’s head whips towards Morgause, who until that point had been completely forgotten about:

“Bring her back!”

Her stare is fixed on a frozen Merlin, though she slowly looks to Arthur when he takes an intimidating step towards her and goes to open his mouth again:

“I can’t. The doorway closes of it’s own accord, I can’t bring her back again. But that was... unexpected. I apologise, you shouldn’t have had to find out like that.”

Arthur shakes his head angrily at her denial, but quickly refocuses and looks to Merlin, who still hasn’t moved an inch. He puts a soft hand on his shoulder, shaking him slightly until the other man looks at him; Arthur isn’t quite sure what he was expecting, but Merlin’s eyes to be filling with tears definitely wasn’t it:

“I... this can’t be real. My mother, Gaius, Kilgharrah, they all would’ve known. Why wouldn’t they tell me?”

Arthur pulls him into a hug, silently vowing to stop Merlin’s suffering as soon as he’s possibly able, that they would discover the truth no matter what. Merlin’s arms just hang limply at his sides, though he does push his face into Arthur’s neck as The prince responds:

“I... I don’t know, Merlin. Maybe they thought it would get in the way of that destiny of yours, maybe they were waiting for my... for The King to pass.-”

He pulls back, but keeps his hands on Merlin’s shoulders:

“-Lets just... get back to Camelot, and we can figure it out. We can go downstairs to talk to Kilgharrah.”

Merlin shakes his head, stepping back and wiping his sleeve over his eyes roughly before walking purposefully towards the horses:

“No, he’s the least likely to be honest, we’ll talk to Gaius. Though if any of this is true... I’m having some bloody harsh words with my... with Hunith.”

Arthur flinches slightly at the anger in Merlin’s voice, but after a quick glance to a slowly retreating Morgause, he follows him to the horses and they start the fast paced journey back to Camelot. The only words exchanged, around an hour in, were Merlin’s quiet, humourless:

“Gwaine’s never going to believe this.”

And Arthur’s responding snort of derisive amusement.

~

They manage to stay out of sight when they arrive back in the city, which is good really. Arthur’s lowly simmering rage had been reaching taller and taller heights with every pound of the horses’ hooves against the hard ground. But before he confronts his father, they need confirmation, in the form of Gaius.

They stalk quietly through the castle, using servant corridors and hidden passages to avoid being seen, but all bets are off when they reach the Physician’s chambers.

Gaius looks up with a quiet gasp when the two men burst in, locking the door behind them. Arthur’s blank stare and Merlin’s barely concealed anger force his shock and relief to morph into confusion:

“Merlin, Prince Arthur, where on Earth have you been? The King has been panicking, sending out patrol after patrol to search for you.”

Arthur’s face remains blank, and when Gaius looks to him for an answer he just moves his gaze to Merlin, allowing him to determine the pace of this much needed conversation. Merlin’s dark gaze is now fixed on the floor, though his jaw and hands are tightly clenched, and his breathing is shaky in his anger. His voice comes out lethally quiet, and Arthur can tell that it’s only a matter of time before he explodes:

“Gaius, what’s my name?”

Gaius just looks slightly taken aback, like he hasn’t quite grasped Merlin’s meaning despite its plainness:

“My boy, whatever are you-”

He’s interrupted when Merlin looks up at him sharply, his eyes blazing and his face turning slightly red:

“It’s a simple question Gaius: What’s. My. Name?-”

Gaius’ eyes flicker to Arthur in confusion, but Merlin breaks from his near frozen stature, moving with a speed that Arthur had never seen in him before to slam his hand on the table:

“No, don’t look at him, look at me. What’s my name, Gaius?!”

Gaius nods, his eyes sad as he gulps before answering quietly:

“Myrddin, but you already knew that.”

Merlin takes a deep breath and nods, his fingers tapping rhythmically, though a tad aggressively, against the table. Arthur goes to step forward to put a calming hand on his shoulder but Merlin shoots him a withering look and he stays back. Merlin’s hard stare returns to the resigned physician:

“And my parents?”

Gaius gulps again but straightens his posture, putting up a confused façade, though it’s easy to see through:

“Hunith is your-”

Merlin slams his hand on the table again, much harder this time, and a voice in the back of Arthur’s head—the one at the forefront was spitting obscenities and planning rather gruesome ways to murder his father—makes a note to check his hand later, a hit like that had likely broken something, though Merlin was clearly too furious and confused and upset to notice:

“DON’T LIE TO ME!”

Gaius is taken aback at Merlin’s bitter yell, but he softens again at the tears on his ward’s cheeks; he collapses into a chair on the other side of the table, rubbing his eyes tiredly before looking up at the distraught man:

“Uther and Igraine Pendragon. You are a year older than your mo- than Hunith led you to believe, and you are Arthur’s twin brother.-”

Arthur turns away angrily, vocalising the curses that had been playing on a loop in his mind, and Merlin nods, pushing his injured hand into the table without even realising:

“-I am so sorry, my-”

Merlin shakes his head and holds a hand up to stop him but doesn’t say anything, not pulling away this time when Arthur steps into place beside him and puts a hand on his shoulder, waving the other one aggressively at the elderly physician:

“You had no right, no right to keep this from us. I grew up being taught to hate magic, miserable and alone, and Merlin grew up hating himself, just as miserable and alone, if not more so. You had no right to take us away from each other.-”

Gaius goes to respond, but Arthur stops his excuses before they even make it past his throat:

“-No. There is no excusing this, you and my father took my brother from me, and there will be no forgiving that. I’ve known about Merlin’s magic and our entwined destinies for over a year, you’ve had every opportunity to tell us, but you didn’t. That’s not even mentioning the nature of my... our mother’s death. You are a coward, and in your cowardice you have been cruel; I will not stand for it. Where is my- where is The King?”

Gaius nods slowly, standing on almost wobbling legs before gesturing to the door:

“The King is with Sir Leon trying to figure out where to look next, they’re in the council chamber. You are right, and I am sor-”

Arthur cuts him off with a sharp gesture and a dark look, taking Merlin’s uninjured wrist and pulling him towards the door. The servant (Prince?) follows easily, unable to meet Gaius’ gaze and allowing Arthur to drag him briskly through the corridors towards the council chamber.

By the time they reach the chamber, Merlin has broken out of his stupor, wiped his tears, and pulled his wrist from Arthur’s grip, instead walking alongside him and using just as much force when they both push the doors open and stride in.

Uther and Leon both look up rapidly, startled at the sudden intrusion, but whilst Leon looks relieved and sends the two of them a small smile, Uther looks angry:

“Arthur. Where have you been? I have had search parties out looking for you. Arthur?”

Arthur doesn’t answer for a few moments, but a glance at Merlin by his side gives him the confidence boost he needs and he straightens his back, draws his sword, and stares The King right in the eyes:

“I know what you did to my mother, and I know what you... what you took from me.”

Uther stands tall, glancing to Leon briefly as he announces:

“Leave us. No one is to enter.”

Leon looks between the three other men, but doesn’t make it to his second step towards the door before Arthur has his sword pointed at his chest, though The Prince’s gaze stays on his father. Leon knows it’s less of a genuine threat and more of a way of emphasising his words, but that doesn’t stop him from taking a slight, wary step back:

“No, Sir Leon, you will stay.”

Leon glances nervously to the red-faced King, but doesn’t move. Uther looks furious at Arthur’s denial of his orders, but The Prince pays him no mind, finally turning to look at Leon with a slightly softer look in his eyes:

“Sir Leon, do you bear witness?”

Leon frowns slightly, looking between Arthur, Uther, and Merlin once again, frown deepening as he spies the unshed tears in Merlin’s eyes and the purple bruise forming over one of his hands. He finally looks back to Arthur, moving to stand to attention with one hand held over his heart and the other resting on the hilt of his sword:

“My Lord Prince Arthur Pendragon, I, Sir Leon, bear witness.”

Uther just splutters angrily, but Leon pointedly keeps his gaze on Arthur until The Prince nods at him and is the first to look away. Merlin had stayed silent the entire time, but visibly relaxes when Leon swears to stay, and that just makes the knight even more curious; this seems to be just as much about Merlin as it did Arthur’s parents.

The Prince moves his gaze—and his sword—to be pointed at The King once more, and he takes a deep breath before forcing the words from his mouth:

“You used magic, against my mother’s will, so that you could conceive. Is this true?”

Uther huffs angrily, gaze dashing to the other two men before it settles on Arthur again:

“This is preposterous, Morgause has lied to you.”

Leon is practically holding his breath at the side of the room; he can clearly tell that Arthur is moments away from striking his own father down, but does he interfere? Does he let it happen? And he still has no clue what’s bothering Merlin so much, other than the obvious pain in his hand.

Arthur takes slow steps towards Uther, inching the blade closer and closer to his throat:

“You are the one that’s lying. You started a genocide because you insisted on blaming magic for your own mistakes, and that’s not even the worst thing you did.-”

Arthur lets out an incredulous laugh, and Uther takes a step back as Leon tenses and Merlin stays blank:

“-I had a brother, a twin born with magic. You were too much of a coward to admit your mistakes but too much of a hypocrite to stick to your convictions, so you sent him away instead of killing him.-”

Uther goes pale, taking another stumbled step back as Leon’s eyes go wide, his gaze jumping to Merlin with a sudden, dreaded clarity.

(Perhaps Leon had picked up on Merlin’s magic a few months ago, and perhaps he had come to the conclusion that the younger man was the best protector Arthur could have.)

“-Do you even know his name? Mother said you would likely refuse to use it, but do you even know what it is?!”

Uther quickly regains his anger, his fury snapping into place as he gestures threateningly and thunders:

“It was an abomination! A creature of magic that destroyed your mother and almost tainted you! I should have slaughtered it where it lay-”

Merlin takes in a sudden breath at his words and Leon clenches his jaw; itching to comfort the younger man, but knowing that he wouldn’t exactly be welcomed right now. He’s meant to be here as an impartial third party.

Arthur throws his gauntlet down before Uther can finish his aggressive assertion, and Merlin gulps, moving properly for the first time since he’d entered the room. He grabs Arthur’s arm and pulls him back slightly:

“Arthur you can’t, he’s your... he’s The King.”

Arthur glances to him:

“I don’t care, he took you from me, he had no right.-”

He looks back to Uther, who is now staring at Merlin with a shocked venom. No one notices the way Leon quietly draws his sword; impartial his arse, he’d protect Arthur and Merlin to his dying breath:

“-You are the abomination, and you will pay for your crimes. Perhaps you should’ve sent Myrddin, that’s his name by the way, further afield, perhaps I’d have been more inclined to keep you alive until I found him. Pick it up.”

Uther’s gaze doesn’t move from Merlin as his face grows redder and redder. He doesn’t look down to the gauntlet, nor does he look at Arthur, nor does he notice Leon creeping closer:

“You. You foul, hellish, beast!”

Without another second’s of hesitation, he lunges forward and draws his sword all in one move. Arthur reacts too slowly, not expecting The King to attack Merlin instead of him, and Uther pushes him out of the way, swinging the sword down harshly toward Merlin’s chest before Arthur can block him. Merlin is too shocked and angry and scared and upset to even think of using his magic, so just stumbles back helplessly, falling and landing harshly on his already broken hand, yelping slightly.

Before anyone can even blink, Leon is there, stood over Merlin with blazing eyes and his sword raised. He parries the King easily, and by the time Uther has processed one of his own knights turning against him, Merlin has scrambled back, injured arm held to his chest, and Arthur has moved to stand at Leon’s side, sword raised.

Uther can only stare in furious bewilderment, but it doesn’t take him long to concede that he has been outmatched. He calls for the guards, though once they’ve spilled into the room, six in total, they stutter to a confused stop when they see The Prince and The First Knight seemingly defending a servant (a well-loved, well-known servant), from The King.

Arthur, without looking away from Uther, speaks harshly, his voice controlled and forceful and, frankly, Kingly:

“Arrest The King and escort him to his rooms. Remove all weapons and bar the windows and doors, I want him under constant guard.”

Uther screeches angrily, both at Arthur’s words and the fact that the guards make no moves to detain The Prince and the knight, like he clearly wants. Before he can actually say anything, Arthur speaks again, his voice even louder than before, first to the guards:

“NOW!-”

And then back to Uther:

“-You will either be arrested for your crimes, both against our family name and humanity as a whole, or I will kill you where you stand.”

Uther tries his best to stare Arthur down, but there really is no competing with the fire in his eyes, and it only takes one short nod from Leon for the guards to step forward and confiscate The King’s sword before they pull his arms around his back and push him towards the door. He digs his heels in and begins screeching again, though they can only make out the odd word, it’s mostly just “BETRAYAL!” and “SORCERY!” and “HOW DARE YOU!”. Arthur pulls Merlin to his feet gently, frowning at his purple wrist and knuckles before sighing and rolling his eyes, nodding to Uther and muttering, just loud enough for Merlin and Leon to hear:

“I don’t suppose you could do something about that, could you?”

Merlin looks shocked, but huffs out a gentle laugh when Arthur just raises his eyebrow in question. He looks to Uther just as the guards struggle to open the door, muttering a quiet spell under his breath, his eyes flashing golden. Leon takes in a slow breath at the obvious display of sorcery; he’d been constantly on edge since he discovered Merlin’s talent, desperately fearful that someone would find out. Thankfully, the guards are entirely focused on the task at hand.

Uther quickly goes quiet, his head drooping, and Arthur grimaces as the guards struggle to hold his sudden dead weight. He has to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing aloud when they turn to him with questioning looks; he just nods and gestures regally for them to keep going.

Soon, the room is quiet again, only the three men remaining. Leon looks between them apprehensively but Arthur just takes a fortifying breath before focusing his attention on Merlin’s arm, holding it gently in front of him and frowning worriedly:

“I’m guessing you haven’t gotten any better at healing magic since the arrow incident?”

Merlin scoffs and rolls his eyes:

“That wasn’t my fault, you’re the one that yanked it out of my shoulder and left the damn head in. And for your information, yes actually, I’ve been practicing. But I really think we have more important things to deal with at the moment, like the fact that the council is going to freak out when they find out you had The King arrested.”

Arthur shakes his head, giving Merlin a firm look:

“Merls, I just found out that you’re my twin brother, you are the important thing right now. Heal your hand, I don’t care how long it takes. Leon will take care of the council until we get there.”

He looks pointedly to Leon, and the knight nods, clearing his throat with a confused frown as he replies:

“What... uh... what would you like me to tell them, My Lord? Before your arrival? And where would you like them?”

Arthur smiles, grateful that Leon knows to take cues from him, knows what to focus on, knows that he is being trusted:

“Take them to the Throne Room. Tell them that Uther has been forcibly removed from the throne, that I have discovered the existence of my magical twin brother, whom I intend to have announced as Crown Prince within the week, and that I plan to legalise magic.”

Merlin, already pale and shaky, flinches, starting up with a “But I don’t want-” but Arthur cuts him off with a harsh, though fond glare, looking back to Leon to see the knight’s face shocked and pale. He purses his lips, before humming thoughtfully and speaking again:

“Actually... that probably wouldn’t be for the best. Just inform them that it’s an emergency, reassure them we haven’t started a war or anything, and tell them I’ll be arriving shortly.”

Leon visibly relaxes and nods, giving Merlin a soft smile and ruffling his hair quickly before striding from the room. Merlin huffs at the affection, but Arthur can tell he’s secretly pleased and copies Leon’s fond smile. Merlin looks to him confusedly:

“Why will the council have to wait? It’ll only take a few moments to heal myself.”

Arthur raises an eyebrow, nodding at Merlin’s hand pointedly and crossing his arms as if he were expecting failure. Merlin just rolls his eyes before looking down to his injury and muttering a few words, grimacing as his knuckles realign, and the bruise recedes. It doesn’t disappear completely, but the bones and deeper muscle tears have obviously repaired themselves, and Merlin looks very proud of himself as he looks back to Arthur:

“That’s the best I can be bothered to manage-”

Arthur huffs disapprovingly but knows he isn’t going to get any better than that:

“-so why are the council waiting?”

Arthur sighs, putting a hand on Merlin’s shoulder and leading him to the door:

“Well, you look one stiff breeze away from keeling over, and I imagine you’ll want to speak to Gwaine?”

Merlin looks to him suspiciously, but allows Arthur to lead him through the castle towards where Gwaine was almost certainly pacing worriedly in his rooms:

“I thought you didn’t approve of Gwaine?”

Arthur grins wolfishly:

“Oh, I don’t, especially now that I know that you’re a Prince, and my brother, but it’s my duty as the oldest to threaten him more than I already have.”

Merlin stops suddenly in the corridor and pulls Arthur back:

“Hang on a minute you prat, first off, when have you ever threatened Gwaine? And second, who said you’re the oldest?”

Arthur’s smile just grows and he grabs Merlin’s uninjured wrist to start pulling him down the corridor again:

“Literally the day I found out he was attempting to court you, which was about a month before you figured it out by the way,-”

Merlin grumbles, but doesn’t argue:

“-and I’m the oldest because I said so, and mother said naming you was... was one of the last things she did, so you obviously came out second, idiot.”

Merlin rolls his eyes yet again, but doesn’t say anything as they come to a stop outside of Gwaine’s room. He takes a deep breath, and Arthur moves his hand up to his shoulder again, giving him a small smile and a supportive nod. 

The Warlock knocks on the door, and Gwaine opens immediately. The knight relaxes significantly when he sees that it’s the two of them back from God knows where, though he tenses again as his eyes run over them; he takes note of Merlin’s red eyes, injured wrist, and generally shaky demeanour. He also quickly catches on to the protective way Arthur is standing behind him, and the way The Prince’s loose hand shakes slightly with left over adrenaline.

Despite himself, Merlin relaxes and smiles when he sees Gwaine; with everything that had been going on he hadn’t really had a chance to think about how much he missed him, about how much he needed his support.

Gwaine pulls them into the room quickly, shutting the door behind him and turning around to see Merlin looking at him sheepishly, and Arthur staring at him with a predatory smile:

“What happened? Where have you been? Is everything ok?!”

~

End of Part 1!!

Hope y’all enjoyed this!! I probably could’ve fitted more in, but I figured this was a good point to stop. Part 2 and 3 are out (link @ top), part 4 won’t be too long!!

Drop comments and things lads, I love y’all!!

[matan4il]

You are so right on the Gwen thing. Honestly, I don't know what the writers were thinking not establishing Garthur in the first season. Sure we all knew that he would end up with Gwen because of the mythology, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have sown the seeds from the beginning. Instead they focused so much on Methur that it was bound to become the most popular ship (plus, unpopular opinion I'm sure, but Bradley and Colin had better chemistry)

And I'm so happy you like the pirate thing. I've been trying to make it a fandom term since...god, I don't even know. Since the final season of Spartacus. It's based on the pirate character who tried to break up Argon and Nasir. And considering pairing are called ships, I thought it was fitting. 🤭

Hi darling!

Awww, I’m glad to hear you agree with me on Gwen. OMG, I never knew that Arthur’s ship with her had a name. I don’t know, maybe I just never came across anyone shipping it? But yeah, I have no doubt that the writers wanted to tell Merlin and Arthur’s epic love story. It’s why the story begins and ends with Merthur, it’s the literal frame for the entirety of the show. Merlin the show wasn’t about Merlin the person. It was about how he discovered his fate lay in his union with Arthur. It’s why we don’t see his years before Camelot, or after. Garthur is the price the writers had to pay in order to get to tell this tale. But at the end, what matters in the Merlin finale is Merthur. It’s the two of them getting to talk openly about everything they’ve went through, it’s about Arthur going from shock over Merlin’s secret to acceptance and love before he falls asleep, it’s about why Merlin is going to wait for Arthur’s return till the end of time. Gwen would be gone for millennia, but Merlin will still be waiting, and Arthur will come back to him. At the end of the day, that’s what we’re left wishing for, not Arthur returning to save Britain from an unknown crisis that would supposedly be its greatest time of need. We get no clue of what that crisis might be in the finale, we see nothing reflecting the Brits awaiting this miraculous return. What we are left with is a shot of Merlin, wandering about and waiting, and on the far horizon, the shadow of the things he’s yearning for.

So I’m not surprised the writers didn’t dedicate much time to Garthur during the first season, when they didn’t even know whether they’d get a second one. I am more... I guess astonished is the word, that they cared so little about Gwen’s ship, that they so clumsily put it together with tape and leftovers from Merthur’s amazing story and dynamic. But you’re right, Merthur also had some amazing chemistry between James and Colin. And NGL, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ever came out that those two actors had a small something during the filming of Merlin (which I don’t expect we’d ever hear about, if for no other reason than it’s clear Colin is honestly a private and shy person who wouldn’t want that). Because James honestly seemed like he was crushing on Colin, flirted with him in a way James didn’t with their other colleagues, Katie seemed to tease them a bit about it as well, not to mention that one time a male interviewer flirted with Colin right in front of James’ salad, and James looked ready to kill someone, and then a video showed him putting his hand on the small of Colin’s back in a very possessive gesture. IDK if they were ever really together, but if James really did have a crush on Colin, and if Colin felt even slightly similar things, that could have played into their onscreen chemistry, too.

Well, matey, I’m here to help you with your efforts! I love the pirate term you came up with, and I’m grateful to you for sharing it and its origin story with me! I’ll def keep using it and credit you for it. Now I’m also missing Nagron, but I love that they gave you this idea. 

And like I said, I really do think we’re not gonna see a Buddie pirate in the near future. Whatever they need to learn about themselves and about being in a r/s to eventually be together, I think for now the show will look into that without bringing in external love interests. At least for a while. I would mind a pirate, if it were one brought in let’s say specifically by one of our boys to make the other one jealous. ;)

Thank you for this follow up to your previous ask, you have no idea how much follow ups make me happy! Hope you have a great day! xoxox

(If you’re looking for my ask replies, here is my ask tag! xoxox)