#and i do think her loyalty to morgause would come first

[fooligancity]

the whole simpleton arthur thing was funny with how its played but idk i dont ever see anyone talking about how violating it would have been. to have your free will taken from you like that. i cant say i know a better way for merlin to have gotten arthur to leave but jeez

[sneakyboymerlin]

Can I ask for you to talk more about what you said in the tags of this post? Morgana went evil because she was classist and not because she was hurt? Can you go more into depth on that? I feel like Morgana's arc and her motivations are really hard to decipher because of the way she was written. Like one episode it seems like she just wants Uther dead, and then the next she wants Arthur dead too and she wants the crown and she's going after Emrys and that shift always confused me a little.

I always thought the interpretation that Merlin could have helped her more was valid. Like, yes I am completely in agreement that the entire point of 2x03 is that Merlin helped her when no one else would. But he also took back that help as the season went on, and betrayed her when he poisoned her. There WAS more he could have done, I think. He could have been honest about himself, but he wasn't. He could have simply told her that he suspected that maybe she was the center of the sleeping spell in the Fires of Idirsholas, but he didn't. He could have tried convincing Gauis to help her on his own, without bringing Merlin into it, but he didn't. (Even Katie McGrath said that she blamed Merlin for what became of Morgana.)

And yes, I know why these things didn't happen. Because the dragon told him not to and Gauis told him not to. But in the end these WERE Merlin's choices. And maybe if he had chosen differently, so would have Morgana.

Like, yes I agree that Morgana's choices were her own. But I don't think she made those choices in a vacuum.

As to the bit of her being classist, I think I understand what you mean? But I'm still confused because I wouldn't exactly call Morgana from season 1-2 or even season 3 a classist person. She was good back then, shared values with Arthur about what a better world would look like.

I'm just so intrigued by what you might mean, and I'm always looking for new ways to look at this story. It's lovely that after all this time there's still more to discuss.

Lot to unpack here.

For one thing, Morgana feeling hurt didn’t encourage her to kill or allow the killing of random uninvolved people, but especially the Druids + their sympathizers who were arrested in 2x03. She ignored her kin’s plight in favor of her own comfort, even though she is granted protections that those people couldn’t dream of. She’s very much a class traitor from the start, because she tends to be thinking more about how she feels than how others do. She’s more blatant in her self-loyalty later on, but it’s always been a theme with her.

As for Merlin, 2x12 was a mutual betrayal between him and Morgana. Morgana betrays him first in this episode by endorsing the fever spell that Morgause casts on Camelot. While she’s not fully informed at first, 1) Merlin has no way of knowing that (especially since she has formed similar alliances in 1x12 and 2x11), and 2) Morgana embraces Morgause’s plan after the fact (explicitly so in 3x01/2). Merlin then poisons Morgana in order to end the fever spell on Camelot, choosing the greater good over her as an individual. To clarify point 2 here, Morgana is aware long before 3x01 that Merlin poisoned her because everyone in Camelot was slowly dying, but she makes it clear that she understands this in 3x01.

I also fail to see how Merlin revealing his own magic would have changed anything. Morgana already knows that Merlin is pro-magic (also discussed in 3x01), they simply have different methods by which they aim to achieve that goal. Both are flawed, as Merlin’s relies on tyrants like Uther changing their minds, and he places blame on the oppressed group (even if he’s a part of it) for not demonstrating that magic can be good, when it doesn’t matter how well this is demonstrated, since magic is not banned for any logical reason.

Morgana’s plan is also flawed because she prioritizes herself over anyone else, meeting Uther’s tyranny with more tyranny. This is where the classism comes in. Morgana’s sense of entitlement is rooted in her status as a noblewoman. As 2x03 demonstrates, she values her own safety above the safety of her people, and when her descent is portrayed more openly, the first changes we see are in her mistreatment of Gwen, her maidservant. In 3x01/2, she also finds the townspeople to be disposable (including the Druids & sympathizers she knows live among them) and blackmails Merlin using her status as a noble. She also tries to kill Gwen because she can’t stand the thought of a “mere servant” taking the throne. She’s good to Gwen as long as Gwen functions as her underling, but as soon as Gwen is set to outrank her, everything that makes her appear distinctly better than other nobles disappears.

But ultimately, it’s Morgana’s actions that tell us this. These actions aren’t bad because she was hurt, or because she has magic. Every bad thing she does is bad because she is classist. The harm she does comes from a place of entitlement and inflated self-importance. While she may justify these actions with the hurt she’s suffered, being hurt did not make her do those things. Classism is the reason she becomes a tyrant, and it’s the reason she mistreats the “commoner” class. Again, her dismissing random civilians, especially the Druids & sympathizers, as disposable to preserve her own comfort? Comes from a place of classism. Her getting Gwen arrested on false charges and blackmailing Merlin using her power as a noble? Acts that are motivated by classism.

But back to what Merlin could or didn’t do. Morgana knew that Merlin was pro-magic, but she would never have agreed to his methods, as we see in 3x02, because she did not have faith in Uther or Arthur changing for the better (understandably so, and she’s proven correct). Whether Merlin is just pro-magic or has magic himself does not change this outcome, because it is about methods, not identity. Even when she finds out that Merlin is a sorcerer in 5x12, this does not change her mind.

And again, as far as Merlin knew in 2x12, Morgana was very much in on the plan with Morgause. He even tests this by asking Morgana why she reacted the way she did about Morgause and catches her in a lie. If he tells Morgana that he suspects her involvement, with the information he has (that she is allied with Morgause), then what? It makes no sense to bring it up. He never tells Agravaine that he suspects the man’s involvement with Morgana, either, because he doesn’t suspect that Agravaine could somehow be innocently/unwittingly doing these things. One could argue that Morgana could have confided in Merlin about her earlier interaction with Morgause (when the curse was cast) since she trusted him so much, but alas, she did not. And that’s understandable, too. Also, if you’ll recall, Merlin did try to get Gaius to help Morgana. They had a whole argument about it. Gaius concluded that gaslighting her about her powers was helping her. Merlin had to give up and go to Kilgharrah, and then when Kilgharrah wouldn’t help, either, he searched out the location of the Druids on his own and sent Morgana to their encampment. What Katie McGrath thinks about it means very little since she is just one (1) opinion against the visible canon facts. Merlin too blames himself for what Morgana became, but that doesn’t make him right.

The fact is that Morgana is her own person and her mind isn’t going to be passively changed. She’s always been fiercely independent, opinionated, and actionable. The desire to blame everyone but Morgana for her own actions also has a lot to do with her being a rich white woman. People assign a ~delicate, passive~ demeanor onto her, even when she shows her ruthlessness (whether that is simply standing up for her beliefs or torturing people). Morgana did not just get passed around and manipulated by everyone. If anything, 2x12 seeks to establish that it is Morgana herself who can make these decisions and change the future, rather than sitting around passively watching it happen. And by choosing to join with Morgause, she changes everything. The rest of the series is a chain reaction to this one crucial moment when she makes up her mind.

[notenderhands]

NaSaB/FC Do you think Morgause knew Medraut was poisoning Lleu also and that's why she was so sure he would not come forward with his suspicions? Like she was though the poisonings of the king's heir were their mother-son bonding time and was confused when Medraut told her to stop

Yes. She knew. She noticed how many times she poisoned Lleu and how many times Lleu fell ill didn’t really match up. The only other person there who knows how to poison Lleu like that is Medraut. She also noticed the differences in Lleu’s symptoms, i.e., pain or sleepiness.

She’s not really surprised when Medraut confronts her because Medraut is slowly unfurling, becoming more unstable. I think she’s trying to figure out why Medraut would poison Lleu in the first place. What is he up to? What does he want out of it? She doesn’t know what has happened in aNaSaB, but she can guess as to why Medraut seems to want Lleu drowsy and unconscious.

She uses the confrontation scene to her advantage. I think that scene also further pushed Medraut away from Artos. Morgasue demonstrates to Medraut that his own father doesn’t even like him, won’t help or support him. Perhaps if Artos hadn’t completely thrown Medraut to the wolves during the exchange she would be more worried. But Artos doesn’t support Medraut throughout it and even insults and hurts him. Morguase knows this will hurt Medraut and Medraut’s loyalty to Lleu and Artos. Morgause wants to play the long game. She won’t reveal what she knows until she’s sure it’ll be to her as advantage, so let Medraut play the role of the good son/older brother. She knows/guesses at who he really is and is already planning at how to use it against him.

[legends-of-time]

Amelia’s Story (BBC Merlin Story)

Chapter 44: The Coming of Arthur Part Two

Masterlist

A/N: I think this is my longest chapter yet.

——

Amelia's POV

Amelia silently makes her way down the hall of the Dungeons, slipping bread to Sir Leon and as many of the other Knights as she can without alerting the Guards who are watching her from down the hall. Amelia has been miserable in the week since Morgana's coronation. She is just trying to be strong, to keep at least some sense of control of Morgause and Morgana until they find their chance to stop them.

It is hard though, the Knights are fierce and defiant, refusing Morgause and Morgana at every turn, refusing to pledge their allegiance to them when the women demand it. Amelia had hoped that they would realise that she does not want this to happen, and it seems they do by the way they greet her with a smile and whisper thanks when she tries to sneak them more food though it's not much and Amelia can see they're still very hungry.

She tries to keep her sisters from outright killing them for their defiance though, spouting something about how if the Knights of Camelot kneel to Morgana's reign, then so will the people who still remain hesitant. She can tell though that her sisters are growing restless.

——

Guards drag a dazed and weakened Sir Leon into the Council Chambers before throwing him at Morgana's feet. All the Immortal army now wear a uniform just like Camelot's had done but it is black with an image of the Rowan oak in red. The same imagery is everywhere Amelia looks, reminding her of the change in leadership.

Morgana grins from where she is seated on the throne, wearing the crown on her head. Morgause smirks from where she stands to Morgana's right while Amelia stands on her left watching anxiously with Anne and Gwen standing slightly further back.

"Tell me, Sir Leon, how have you enjoyed the first week of my reign?" Morgana asks. Sir Leon remains silent. Morgana's face hardens. "Speak up. Are you and your fellow Knights ready to honour and serve me?"

"I would rather die." Leon declares.

"That can be arranged." Morgause remarks happily.

"My loyalty is to the King and Prince Arthur. There is nothing you can do to change that."

"We shall see." Morgana nods and two Guards drag Sir Leon out of the room.

——

Despite Amelia's protests, the Camelot Knights are standing in a line in the Square with the people gathered around them. The Immortal Soldiers are lined up in front of them.

Morgana addresses them from the Castle Balcony. "I will give you one more chance to pledge your allegiance to me."

The Soldiers threaten the Camelot Knights with their crossbows. Sir Leon and Morgana stare at each other. He smiles.

"Long live the King!"

"Long live the King!" The other Knights echo.

"Perhaps this will help you change your mind." Morgana gives a signal. Soldiers turn towards the crowd and they use their crossbows. People scream and start running to escape the arrows. Amelia gasps and covers her mouth so she doesn't scream in horror. How can her sister do this? What has she become?

——

Amelia watches in dismay from a window as the Soldiers are collecting corpses from the Square. She doesn't like this person that's impersonating her sister. Amelia is more determined than ever that she needs to defeat her sisters.

Amelia retreats to her Chambers with a bucket of water that she places on top of her dining table and waves her hand over it, channelling her magic.

Amelia peers into the water and her spirits are lifted by the sight of Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Gwaine and Elyan in a Cave. This confirms that they are all still alive. What is needed now is to get to them.

There's a knock on her door and Amelia immediately stops scrying and puts the bucket on the floor and calls, "Come in!"

Anne and Gwen walk in with some bedding and a tea tray. Amelia sighs in relief that it's these two. Soon after Morgause and Morgana had taken over Camelot, Amelia and Anne had quickly recruited Gwen into their little band of rebels and the three of them have been biding their time to strike.

"My Lady." Anne greets while Gwen simply smiles. Amelia can see their cheerfulness is slightly dimmed and Amelia can't blame them. This morning's massacre was awful.

"Gwen, Anne." Amelia greets back. "Are you ready?"

Gwen places the tray on the table and sets it out while Anne makes quick work changing Amelia's sheets. Whenever the three of them meet up, the two maids always came up with an excuse of why they are there to not raise Morgana and Morgause's suspicions of a coup.

Gwen nods. "Yes, I'm planning to ask Morgana today."

Before they can say anymore, the door suddenly opens and Morgana strolls in. She smiles as she looks at the tea on the table. "Tea?"

"I felt you deserved a cup." Amelia says calmly, trying not to show any of her anxiety as she takes a seat. She gestures to one of the other dining chairs. "Please have a set, Your Majesty."

Morgana grins as she sits across from her. "I don't think I will ever get over hearing the words 'Your Majesty' being spoken to me."

"Nor should you." Amelia declares. "You deserve this, Morgana. It is your birth right."

Morgana sighs. "If only everyone saw that."

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Anne asks. Amelia thinks Anne does quite a good job at covering up how she's feeling about all this.

"I'm beginning to see the challenges that I face. Being Queen is not so simple." Morgana frowns.

"You're doing well, Your Majesty." Gwen reassures her as she serves them tea.

Morgana scoffs. "You think? The Knights do not share your view."

"It is because they don't know you." Amelia reasons, placing her hand in Morgana's in a reassuring gesture.

Morgana smiles softly, breaking Amelia's heart as she sees the old Morgana sometimes when she smiles like that.

"Thank you, Amelia." Morgana murmurs. "But I need their allegiance. Without that, the people will not yield to me."

Gwen looks to Amelia unsure and Amelia nods in encouragement. "My mother was a maid in Sir Leon's household. We grew up together. I could talk to him, try to make him see sense?" The maid suggests.

Morgana's expression is unreadable. "You would do that for me?"

"Uther killed my father."

"We have all suffered because of him." Amelia remarks, unbeknownst to Anne and Gwen, she really does mean it. "Well sister? I think it's a great plan. Worth a shot."

Morgana nods thoughtfully. "I will arrange it."

"Thank you, Tour Majesty." Gwen bows to Morgana and leaves the room. Amelia wants to see if Morgana is truly fooled and nods to Anne, who understands the signal and leaves.

Morgana watches her leave closely before turning to Amelia. "Morgause believes Anne and Gwen are betraying us."

Amelia tries to hide her fear and panic by presenting it as a shock. "You can't be serious?! What makes her think this?"

"The two always seem to be conspiring with each other and we both know of Gwen's feelings for Arthur."

At least neither of Amelia's sisters had made the connection that Amelia herself has been a part of the conspiring as well. This isn't good but Amelia can work with this. As long as Morgana and Morgause don't get to the hideout, they can use this as it'll make it easier for them to get out of Camelot. Small mercies.

Amelia nods. "Yes, I have noticed it but I didn't dare think of such a betrayal. What does our sister suggest we do?"

"Gwen's talk with Sir Leon will provide a perfect opportunity." Morgana smirks. "And make sure Anne is with her, we need to be certain."

——

Amelia does as her sister asks but also warns Anne about the spying just in case she or Gwen say something incriminating about Amelia but not to reveal it to Gwen. Anne had wondered whether they should go through with the plan but Amelia insists this is their best chance.

The door of Sir Leon's Cell opens and Gwen and Anne come in. Hidden next to the Cell just above, Morgana, Amelia and Morgause watch and listen.

Leon stands in surprise. "Guinevere! Anne!"

Anne hands him a small amount of food. "It's all we could get; I know you haven't been eating."

"I don't understand. What are you doing here?" He starts eating greedily. Amelia watches sadly, despite her best efforts, she knows that the Knights are still hungry and this just proves it.

"Morgana sent us... to talk to you, to make you see sense." Gwen explains. Leon spits out the food. "Listen to us."

"I'd rather starve. Guard!"

"We're going to help you escape." Gwen hurriedly murmurs to him causing him to pause. She turns to what Amelia can only assume is a Guard after hearing footsteps. "It's alright. Get me some water." Nothing happens and Gwen raises her voice. "The Queen has instructed us to get the prisoner food and water." Footsteps retreat.

"You know what will happen to you if you're caught." Leon murmurs to her. Amelia's eyes flicker to Morgana and Morgause. Too late.

"We have to find Arthur and Merlin." Anne persists.

"I've a good idea where they'll be hiding."

"Then we need to get you out of here."

"How? It's impossible, surely?"

"We're trusted members of the Court." Gwen argues. "Morgause has the keys to the Cells in her Chambers."

"No, Gwen, Anne..."

"It is as we suspected. They've betrayed us. I will have them executed at dawn." Morgana declares.

Amelia looks at her sister in alarm. "We cannot be too hasty, sister!"

Morgana frowns. "What do you mean?"

"What if we let them escape? Let her go to her beloved Arthur, she will lead us straight to him." Amelia argues. This will hopefully make Anne, Gwen and Leon's escape easier and all Amelia has to do is to stop the pursuit without any suspicions.

Morgause nods. "She's right, sister. Then we can be rid of the Prince once and for all."

Morgana smirks and nods in agreement.

——

Morgana and Amelia enter the former's Chambers to enact the next part of their 'plan'. Gwen is lighting candles as they enter. The maid gives them a small smile.

"Did you speak to Sir Leon?" Morgana questions 'innocently'.

"Yes."

"And will he do as you asked?" Amelia asks. She sends her a questioning look as if to ask if the actual plan is in place even though she knows herself, but if Gwen knew then she wouldn't go through with it.

Gwen smiles and nods at her. "It might take some time, but I think he will come 'round."

"Gwen!" Morgana grins big and wide before walking over to where drinks are laid out nearby. "This deserves a celebration."

Amelia can only see her back but knows that Morgana is pouring some of the tracking potion into one of the glasses.

"Your Majesty." Gwen looks uncomfortable. Amelia reaches over and squeezes her hand.

Morgana comes back with three glasses causing Amelia to let go of Gwen, handing them out then raises a toast. "To friendship and loyalty."

Amelia swallows thickly as she echoes Morgana's words along with Gwen. She just wants out of this nightmare.

——

Anne's POV

Gwen and Anne set to work stealing the key, duplicating it and delivering it to Leon. Anne feels nervous the entire time, knowing that Morgause and Morgana are already onto them but Amelia reassures her this is their best chance to save Camelot and had promised that her sisters won't find them. Anne was reluctant but agreed, she trusts Amelia and really misses Merlin.

That night when the warning bells sound, Gwen and Anne wait in the former's house already dressed to travel with their bags for Leon's arrival. The Knight soon barges inside.

"We haven't got time to waste." Gwen tells him as she hurriedly shuts the door. She hands him a dress.

He looks at the dress in disbelief. "You...you can't be serious."

Anne looks at him in disbelief and irritation. "Does any of that silly notion stuff matter right now?! You need to be in disguise or the Guards will recognise you! Now put it on!"

"Augh." Leon grumbles before beginning to change. Gwen and Anne turn their backs.

——

Amelia's POV

Amelia is with her sisters when the bells sound. They leap up and hurry to a window with different reasons as to why they are so eager to see what has happened.

"Sounds like the wait is over," Morgana says as they move to the window and watch the three runaways escaping from Camelot. Amelia internally sighs in relief. At least one part of the plan is going well. It's her turn now.

"Beo þu leohte bewunden!" Morgause chants. A glimmering path appears, showing the trail of the runaways. "The potion does its work."

Morgana glares after the figures. "Off you go. Hurry along to your beloved Prince."

"I must go after them soon. I'll take a band of Soldiers with me." Morgause tells them. "Then we will have Arthur at our mercy."

An idea comes to Amelia. "No wait. What if I do it?"

Morgause and Morgana look at her in concern and Amelia really wishes they wouldn't look at her like that. It almost makes her feel bad for lying.

"Are you sure, sister?" Morgause asks.

Amelia nods. "I want to prove myself."

Morgana gives her a warm smile. "You already have, sister."

It's not her she's proving herself to. "Thank you, sister. But I still want to help and Morgause is needed here to help you secure the Knight's allegiances."

Morgause nods her consent and instructs Amelia on what she needs to do.

——

Amelia follows after Gwen, Anne and Leon with Immortal Soldiers following her. She stops and looks around before casting the spell Morgause taught her.

"Scin scire!" The glimmering trail appears through the woods. "That way." Amelia murmurs to herself.

She glances back at the Soldiers waiting diligently behind her. It won't do having them follow her to the hideout.

"Ic þé wiþdrífe!" She cries. The Soldiers fly backwards and land on the ground unmoving. Amelia sighs with relief before running away hurriedly, following the trail, as she doesn't know when they are going to wake up.

She reaches the Cave and skids to a stop as Elyan appears and assumes a defensive position, his sword raised at her.

"Elyan, please, I mean no harm. I just need to speak to Arthur." Amelia pleads.

Elyan frowns distrustfully at her then Arthur, Gaius, Merlin, Gwaine, Leon, Anne and Gwen emerge from the Cave. As soon as they see her, Arthur and Gwaine glare and also point their swords at her.

Amelia looks at them in alarm. "Arthur, Gwaine, Elyan. Please lower your swords. I don't mean any harm."

"I think not, you traitor." Arthur growls, stepping closer to her with the sword.

She looks pleadingly at the others, she can see she has Gwen, Anne, Merlin and Gaius' support but Leon is impassive. She doesn't blame Elyan for not trusting her but when she sees Gwaine's mistrustful look, it really hurts.

"Gwaine?" She pleads. He doesn't change.

"Arthur," Merlin begins, stepping forward, "she's right. She's not with Morgana and Morgause."

"How can I be sure? And how do you know?" Arthur demands to know. His glare hurts.

"He's right Sire." Leon then argues. "She's been helping me and the Knights during Morgana's reign. She's risked her own sisters' anger to help Anne, Gwen and I to escape."

Arthur still looks mistrustful when he looks at her but he's not as hostile as he frowns at her in confusion. "You're not with them?"

Amelia shakes her head vigorously. "No. I've been against their plans for Camelot from the start. I've only been pretending to be on their side to find out their plans in order to foil them." She blinks back her tears. "Arthur, I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you."

Arthur is quiet for a second. "Then why didn't you?"

"Would you have believed me?" Amelia asks. "More importantly, would Uther have believed me? Morgana is his daughter, not me. He would always pick her over me. And there would go my advantage about knowing their plans."

"How can I believe you?"

Amelia swallows, she has to word what she says next carefully. "You know me, Arthur. You grew up with me, you've known me all your life. I'm loyal to you, Arthur, and Camelot."

Gwen steps forward and puts her hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Arthur, I believe her. She's been working with Anne and I during the past week so that we could save Camelot."

Arthur nods at her and turns back to Amelia. "I'm going to find it hard to trust now. You will need to prove yourself."

Amelia sighs. "I will I promise Arthur. But we don't have time. I had Morgana's men following me, but I evaded them before they could ambush you. We need to go."

"She's right Arthur." Merlin argues. "Trust her or not, we have to go. Those Soldiers will find us soon if they haven't already."

Arthur nods.

"They're going to follow us. How are we going to stop them?" Elyan wonders.

Footsteps then can be heard above them in the ditch they all stand in. Everyone panics and those with swords, including Amelia as she knows she can't rely on her magic with Arthur and others around, point them in that direction. Two men emerge. Amelia definitely knows she doesn't know who one is, a giant man. But the other looks familiar to Amelia but she can't place him, her memories are fuzzy.

"Lancelot!" Gwen gasps in surprise. Lancelot?! How could Amelia have forgotten him?

"We need to hurry." Lancelot says to them.

He gives a nod to the man next to him. The man nods back and walks to a pile of large rocks on a ledge not far from them.

"Look out!" He says as he begins pushing at the rocks. Everyone ducks and Amelia gapes in amazement as one huge rock falls and blocks the way, followed by dozens.

——

A little later, they rest in the forest. Amelia hesitantly follows Arthur as he walks over to Lancelot and the unknown man.

"I suppose I must thank you." Arthur comments in a way of greeting.

Lancelot introduces a giant, who looks rather shy. "This is Percival. It was his strength that brought them down."

"Your Highness." Percival bows.

"Arthur." The Prince corrects, offering him a hand to shake.

Percival smiles in surprise but returned the handshake. "Arthur it is."

He looks at Amelia, she smiles kindly at him. He blushes and looks away from her. Interesting. She can't help but smile at the sight of such a large man being shy around her of all people. She admits he's quite cute.

"And this is Amelia." Lancelot introduces happily but Amelia can see him frown in concern about how tense Arthur then becomes at the mention of her name.

"It's lovely to meet you." Amelia says kindly, trying to ignore Arthur and not show how much it hurts. She offers her hand and Percival shyly shakes it.

"What were you doing here?" Arthur questions.

"Er... it was me." Merlin says, hurrying over to them. "I sent for him."

"Well, we owe you our lives. Thank you." Arthur says. Arthur and Lancelot shake hands. Gwen and Lancelot exchange glances and Amelia winces at that. Someone's heart is definitely going to get broken.

——

Now they need a new hideout so they all move out to a new location. They are mostly walking in single file or pairs. Amelia lingers at the back as she knows Arthur, who's leading, isn't exactly comfortable with her right now.

They reach a large fallen tree on their journey so they all take their turn to climb over. Amelia is about to take her turn when a large hand appears in her eye-line. She looks up and sees that it's Percival who's giving a soft small smile.

"Oh, thank you." She murmurs as she takes it and he helps her over the tree and they join the others as they continue walking. "You must know now why Arthur, Gwaine and Elyan don't trust me right now despite the other's words yet you aren't acting standoffish with me. Why?"

"You haven't done anything except help us." The gentle giant replies softly.

"Thank you. May I ask, how did you come to know Lancelot?" Amelia questions.

"I met Lancelot not too long after the Immortal army had raided my Village and killed my family." Percival explains sadly.

Amelia furrows her eyebrows. Must've been the work of Morgause when she gained control of the army from Cenred. "I'm so sorry."

He gives her a thankful smile. "As a result of the attack, I knew I must fight against everything to do with Morgana and Morgause."

Amelia smiles hesitantly. "Not everything I hope."

"No, not everything." They share a soft smile before he quickly clears his throat and looks away. "When Lancelot received a message from Merlin requesting his aid in Arthur's bid to retake the Kingdom from Morgana, I decided to accompany him to Camelot."

"Thank you, we need all the help we can get." She suddenly accidentally slips, but thankfully she's saved from face planting the floor by Percival quickly grabbing her arm and settling her right.

"My Knight in shining armour." Amelia comments teasingly. They share a chuckle.

——

They reach some ruins of an old Castle. They enter a vaulted room. It is dark, the furniture is covered with spider webs. They all follow Arthur, holding torches.

"Are you sure we'll be safe in here?" Gaius asks.

"This Castle belonged to the ancient Kings. It'll do for a while." Arthur reassures.

"Can't be worse than that Cave." Elyan grumbles.

"Search the place, see what you can find." Arthur tells them. They scatter and start searching.

Those still giving mistrustful looks to her are Arthur, Gwaine and Elyan. Thankfully the others know the truth, or like Percival, has only just joined all this and hasn't exactly formed an opinion. Arthur is understandable, but it hurts Amelia to see that even Gwaine is looking at her like she has betrayed them. They are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Anne and Merlin can tell that something is bothering her because they look from where Amelia is watching Gwaine over to her from their spot in front of the fire that they are making.

"Ignore him, Amelia." Anne tells her.

Amelia huffs. "How can I?"

"He knows you, he cares about you, Amelia. As does Elyan and Arthur. They'll come round." Merlin tries to reassure her.

"What if they don't? What if they're never going to trust me again?" Amelia laments.

"They will. You'll prove it to them." Anne declares determinedly.

Amelia shakes her head. "I lied to them all. I didn't say anything to them about Morgana. I hurt them by not saying anything. I could've stopped all this. I'm just as bad as them."

"Hey." Merlin says. He grabs her shoulders and turns her so she's facing him and Anne. They've given up on the fire by this point. "You are nothing like them, okay? You're here, with us, where you belong. Nothing is going to change that."

Amelia nods slightly. "Yeah, okay."

"Now say it like you mean it, with that smile of yours." Anne says, nudging her at the word 'smile'.

Amelia finally offers them a smile. "This is where I belong, and nothing is going to change that."

Merlin huffs. "That's the best we're going to get, isn't it?"

Amelia nods. "Yes."

Gwaine returns, holding an armful of weapons as he dumps them on one of the small tables. "They must've been left by bandits." He deduces.

Amelia looks over at Arthur, who looks under a sheet at a table that Gaius sits at, and her heart is starting to hammer as she realises what the table is. Amelia may have lost her knowledge of the show, but she still does remember some things of the King Arthur legend, most famously... Arthur rips the sheet off, revealing a large round table that is surrounded by chairs.

"Here!" Arthur calls out, and the others all raise their heads to look at him. "Come and join me." Arthur looks around the room at them and his gaze finally stops on Amelia. He nods his head at the table, and she feels a little hope bubble in her as she realises this is an invitation to sit at the round table with them.

They all take a seat around the table. Arthur stands, between Merlin and Gwen.

"This table belonged to the ancient Kings of Camelot." Arthur speaks. "A round table afforded no one man more importance than any other. They believed in equality in all things. So, it seems fitting that we revive this tradition now. Without each of you, we would not be here..."

Amelia and Anne exchange glances and smile.

"My father has languished in prison for too long. Tomorrow, I make my bid to rescue him. Are there any around this table who will join me?"

Lancelot is the first one to stand. "You taught me the values of being a Knight, the code by which a man should live his life. To fight with honour for justice, freedom, and all that's good. I believe in the world that you will build."

Elyan takes his turn. "Even though I was a commoner, a nobody, you were willing to lay down your life for me, Arthur. It is now my turn to repay you."

Arthur is looking more and more moved.

Leon stands. "I have fought alongside you many times. There is no one that I would rather die for."

"I think we've no chance." Gwaine remarks then smirks as he stands. "But I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Percival stands and simply declares, "Your enemies are my enemies."

"If you need an old man." Gaius says once he stands.

Arthur is barely holding back his tears. Amelia doesn't blame him. Maybe they all really have a chance.

Anne stands. "I'll join, if only to keep an eye on Merlin." Everyone chuckles at that and Merlin fondly rolls his eyes.

Amelia takes a breath and stands up; she gives them a small smile. "I know some of you don't trust me now, but I swear that I will prove it to you. There's no other group of people I would rather fight with. I hope you will accept me."

She looks over to Arthur hesitantly and he thankfully gives her a nod with his own small smile.

"You know the answer." Gwen simply says. Arthur gives her a nod of gratitude.

There's silence and a certain manservant seems to be not making any sign that he's moving any time soon.

"Merlin?" Arthur prompts.

Merlin ponders for a moment before remarking, "No, don't really fancy it."

"You don't have a choice, Merlin."

"OK." He stands and he and Arthur share a grin. Amelia huffs to herself amusedly. Typical Merlin.

"I want to thank you all for staying loyal to me in Camelot's hour of need." Arthur says. "I'll do something that my father won't approve of."

Lancelot, Gwaine, Percival, and Elyan kneel in front of Arthur. Each man Arthur knights then declares their new title.

"Arise, Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Gwaine, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Percival, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Elyan, Knight of Camelot."

Amelia feels full to the brim with joy at the scene. One by one the new Knights stand up.

Arthur addresses them. "Tomorrow, when you fight, you can stand proud knowing you are members of the most noble army the world has ever known."

——

Later, they all lay on the floor, trying to get some sleep. Amelia is struggling to. She can hear Merlin and Lancelot whispering to each other and tries to ignore it until she hears Lancelot say something that piques her interest.

"What are you planning? And don't even think about lying; I know you too well."

"It's too difficult to explain." Merlin says evasively.

"You can tell me."

"Morgana and Morgause have the Cup of Life. If I can find it and empty it of the blood within, then the army will be destroyed, and they will be powerless." Merlin explains.

Amelia's eyes widen, of course, that makes sense. The pact they had made with Morgause had actually made them quite easy to defeat just the part of getting to it will be difficult.

"Aren't you forgetting something? It's guarded by an immortal army." Lancelot points out.

"Aren't you forgetting something? I have magic." Merlin retorts.

"It doesn't make you immortal."

"No." Merlin admits.

"You know, Merlin, you're the one Arthur should knight. You're the bravest of us all and he doesn't even know it."

"He can't. Not yet." Merlin argues. "That's why I need to find a way to get to the Cup without Arthur knowing."

"Leave that to me." Lancelot reassures him.

——

The following day, they are all gathered in a circle, going over the plan. Amelia had spent the rest of the night coming up with a plan for what she'll do. She needs to go with Merlin and Lancelot.

"There is a tunnel under the northern ramparts that brings us only a few paces from the entrance to the Dungeons." Arthur reveals. "It will be well guarded. So, if we're going to break everyone out, we must remain unobserved. We cannot let them raise the alarm."

"We need to take out the warning bell. That way the warriors have no means of communication." Lancelot suggests, and one glance from him to Merlin is all Amelia needs to realise that this is his idea to get Merlin to the Cup.

"Good idea." Arthur nods.

"I'll need someone with me who knows the Castle." Lancelot says.

"I'll go." Merlin immediately volunteers.

"I'll go, too." Amelia offers, and they all look over at her. Merlin in particular surprise. Amelia can tell some are all still just a tiny bit suspicious, and she still doesn't blame them, but that doesn't stop Amelia from rolling her eyes at them. "I think it'd be a lot easier to get around the Castle if they're with one of the members of the royal family, don't you?"

Arthur sees the sense Amelia is making and nods. "Alright."

——

Merlin immediately grabs her when they all split up.

"You know, don't you?" His question comes out as a statement.

"Know what?" Amelia casually asks. "That you and Lancelot are actually sneaking off to empty the Cup." He reluctantly nods. "Yeah, you both need to work on your whispering skills."

"It's dangerous." Merlin says. "What will Morgana and Morgause once they find out about your betrayal?"

"I have to risk it, Merlin."

Merlin opens his mouth to reply but pauses. Amelia looks up to see Gaius and Anne coming near them.

"You both need to be careful."

Merlin shrugs carelessly. "We've got the easy bit. The warning bell is nothing compared to the Cells."

"I overheard you, Merlin." Gaius says.

"And I smelt the lie a mile off." Anne says pointedly. "Are you both sure? If Morgause catches you, she'll kill you."

"We have no choice." Merlin persists.

"I can't let them win." Amelia declares.

Gaius smiles slightly. "I remember the bumbling idiot that came charging into my Chamber and the little girl terrified of her nightmares all those years ago. Who would believe."

They all hug. Despite the warmth of her friends, Amelia feels anxious.

They separate with Gaius going one way and Anne and Merlin the other. Amelia moves to follow Gaius but someone stops her by blocking her path. She looks to see it's Gwaine. She is hesitant about what he's going to say as he hasn't been exactly warm to her since she found them at the Cave.

"Amelia, I-I wanted to speak with you." Gwaine awkwardly stumbles.

Amelia is surprised to see him without his usual confidence but doesn't let that deter her and steels herself for the verbal abuse.

"What Gwaine?" She asks sharply.

"Be safe, yeah?"

Amelia looks at him in surprise. She wasn't expecting that. "What? I thought you hated me? You've been avoiding me ever since I joined you all!"

Gwaine looks apologetic. "I know. And I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? Oh, there's a first." Amelia remarks more sharply than she'd intended.

He rolls his eyes. "Amelia, I'm being serious."

Amelia raises an eyebrow. "Sorry, but in my defence, you were the one being standoffish with me."

"I can give you a kiss as an apology?" Gwaine asks with a glimmer of his usual roguish smile.

Amelia huffs a laugh. "No, Gwaine."

"Is there still hope?" Gwaine asks quietly.

Amelia is surprised but smiles slightly. "We'll have to see."

There's a squeal and Amelia and Gwaine turn to see an excited Anne running towards them with a sheepish Merlin following.

Amelia stumbles in surprise when Anne launches herself at her, letting out a chuckle. "What's this?"

Anne pulls back with a grin. "Merlin proposed! We're getting married!"

Amelia looks at her wide eyed before looking at Merlin, who gives her a nod of confirmation, then joins in with Anne in giddy happiness. Amelia faintly hears Gwaine give his own congratulations to Merlin.

Now more than ever Amelia knows they need to do this.

——

They approach the walls of the Castle through the bushes. Anne had stayed behind as Gwen had and it would be suspicious if Anne came along as her magic is a secret to most of the group.

Soldiers are keeping watch on the ramparts near the entrance Arthur spoke of. They wait for the Soldiers to turn before taking their chance and slipping into the Dungeons.

"Good luck!" Arthur murmurs to Amelia, Merlin and Lancelot.

The group splits. Lancelot and Merlin go upstairs. Amelia moves to follow them but someone grabs her arm. She looks to see who. Percival.

"Be careful." He tells her.

Amelia gives him a small soft smile. He's sweet. "Don't worry, I will."

Amelia, Merlin and Lancelot sneak into the corridors, trying to avoid the Guards as Amelia leads them to where the cup is located. Suddenly, Amelia feels its power causing her to stop. She realises Merlin has done the same when he lets out an overwhelmed gasp.

"You feel it too?" Amelia rhetorically asks him but he nods anyway.

"What is it?" Lancelot asks.

"It's the Cup, we can sense it's power." Amelia explains. "Now we really do need to get moving."

Suddenly, a Guard arrives in front of them. Lancelot leaps forward and starts fighting but does not manage to defeat him. Merlin enters the fight. He hits the Guard with his sword and he explodes. Lancelot and Amelia look at him stunned.

"Is that what I think it is?" Amelia murmurs. She hadn't seen that sword in years. Merlin nods.

"What is it?" Lancelot asks, still in shock.

"It was forged in a Dragon's breath." Merlin smugly explains.

——

Amelia, Merlin and Lancelot peek around a corner. The Council Chambers are being guarded by four Soldiers. Not very inconspicuous.

"What do we do now?" Lancelot asks.

"There's only one thing we can do." Amelia murmurs. She grips her sword. "Let's do this."

They emerge from their hiding spot and immediately engage with the Soldiers. Amelia and Lancelot battle with them the best they can before shoving them back to Merlin and he uses the sword to kill them.

They finally manage to get inside the Council Chambers and lock the door. They slump against the door to catch their breaths but the time of relief is cut short, as Amelia realises that there are facing more Guards in the room, guarding the Cup. Guards draw their swords.

Amelia, Lancelot and Merlin look at each other, they have to go on fighting.

They pull themselves up and engage in another fight. Again, Amelia and Lancelot fight them with their swords and fists the best they can before pushing them in Merlin's direction.

Amelia spins around when she hears a gasp of pain and sees a Soldier wounding Lancelot.

"Lancelot!" She cries before hurriedly engaging with a Soldier that runs up to her.

She turns back to him but he shakes his head, yelling, "Keep going!"

Amelia jumps back into the fray. Then the warning bell rings out. She winces at that; Arthur isn't going to be pleased. Amelia can see Lancelot is getting too weak to fight and takes over fighting the Guard he was battling. Amelia finally pushes the Guard to Merlin to kill him.

Realising that was the last Soldier, Amelia turns to Merlin. "Merlin! The Cup!"

Merlin runs forward to reach the Cup, but the door opens, Morgause enters the room and casts a spell that throws Merlin against a wall. Merlin is knocked down. Amelia's eyes widen with fright and steps behind a pillar so her sister can't see her.

"I have a feeling I won't be seeing you again." She remarks casually. She raises her hand and Amelia is about to step out, terrified of what Morgause will do to Merlin when a voice stops her.

"No, you won't," Gaius says, emerging from behind a pillar. Morgause raises her hand again but in Gaius' direction. Amelia takes this opportunity to emerge.

"No," Amelia says. Morgause's eyes widen at the sight of her. "You really won't." Channelling all the magic that she can pull out, Amelia sticks her hand towards her sister and chants a spell, "Oferswing!"

Morgause flies back and lands on the floor. Amelia brings her hand back and takes deep, short breaths. That magic she'd used has taken her breath from her.

Morgause stands up, in clear shock. But, before she can do anything, Merlin blasts her. She is sent flying, hitting the pillar with a sickening crack. She lands on the floor unconscious.

Amelia stares at her sister's body in shock. She feels ringing in her ears, which causes her to barely hear what is going on around her. She faintly hears Gaius yelling for Merlin to get the cup and Merlin doing so, but all Amelia can see is Morgause's unconscious body as she slowly kneels on the floor. Amelia reaches towards Morgause's head and pets it in a daze. Despite who Morgause is, she's still Amelia's sister, she can still feel that familial pull and the guilt for causing this despite knowing Morgause isn't dead. She would be able to feel it if she is.

Suddenly, there are arms around her, pulling her away. Amelia looks up to see that it's Merlin gazing at her sorrowfully.

"It's done." He murmurs. She nods numbly.

"No! No!" Amelia looks up to see Morgana running into the room and flinging herself onto the floor, embracing Morgause. "Sister." She kneels near her, sobbing, caressing her sister's face.

Amelia swallows thickly before speaking quietly, "I'm sorry...I-I didn't..."

Morgana looks up and sees Amelia standing with Merlin, something dawns on her face, and she gives them a hardened glare.

"You, you! How could you do this?!" Morgana spits furiously.

"I-I didn't mean to!" Amelia stumbles, tears forming in her eyes, begging her sister to understand.

"You've betrayed us!" Morgana glares hatefully at her, drawing Morgause's unconscious body closer to her.

Amelia shakes her head rapidly. "N-no, no! You were trying to hurt people I care about! I had to stop you both!" It hurts to see Morgana glaring at her with such hatred.

"It's over, Morgana." Merlin says, stepping forward, drawing Morgana's attention from Amelia.

"No, you're wrong. This has just begun!" Morgana growls at him before looking back down at Morgause, sobbing. Amelia's heart breaks at the sight of it.

"No..." and with a large sniffle, Morgana screams, "NO!" And with that "NO!", the entire Castle's structure begins breaking down around them.

Morgana continues to scream and roar. Windows explode and the ceiling starts crumbling. Stones are falling everywhere. Amelia, Merlin, Gaius, and Lancelot flee the place, the latter having to be dragged out.

Amelia stops at the doorway, turning to look back at the crumbling room, trying to find her sisters, but Merlin pulls her away. She knows her sisters will escape and wonders when she'll see them next.

——

As night fell, everyone is in the Throne room as it had been turned into a temporary Infirmary as lots of people had either been injured in the fight to reclaim Camelot or were hurt under Morgana and Morgause's tyranny.

After her confrontation with her sisters, Amelia needs something to distract herself. She throws herself into helping Merlin, Anne and Gaius with the injured.

After a few hours, the chaos calms down and Amelia finds herself with nothing to do and that is when the exhaustion hits her, physically and mentally. She steps outside the room and slumps against a wall, sliding down it till she's sitting on the floor. Amelia draws her knees up to herself and once she's in a ball, she starts sobbing.

"Are you well?" A voice asks. Amelia's head springs up to see Percival standing over her with a look of concern.

She sniffs and wipes away her tears, which don't work as they keep coming. Amelia gives up and sighs. "No, not really. That's what happens when you betray your family."

Percival frowns and sits next to her. If Amelia wasn't so upset, she would've laughed at how comical it looks to see a man of over six feet try and fit himself into a small space.

"You didn't betray your sisters." Percival argues. "They betrayed you first by trying to harm Camelot and those you care about."

"Somehow that doesn't make me feel better." Amelia murmurs. "I can't help but feel like I'm as bad as them. The things I did, how I felt. There were times I felt such darkness in me I—"

Percival cuts her off. "But you stuck by your goodness and saved everyone despite that."

Amelia smiles softly at him. "Thank you. You've been so kind to me ever since we met. I wonder if I deserve it." She looks down at the floor. Suddenly, she feels Percival's hand grasping hers. Amelia looks up at him in shock, a blush on her cheeks.

"There's a light in you that I can see. Hope, determination. I know you're not your sisters." Percival declares.

Amelia stares at him with wide eyes. They stare at each other for who knows how long. Amelia then, before she can think about it, leans forward and presses her lips to Percival's for a brief but sweet kiss. She panics and pulls back.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't've. I—"

Percival's hand, which isn't holding hers, on her cheek stops her in her tracks. He gives her a small warm smile before pulling her back in.

——

Amelia's eyes slowly drift open, and she changes her position so that her back is flat on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

Anne is getting married today.

Amelia squeals in excitement and darts into the Antechamber to her Chambers where Anne has been staying the night. Anne and Merlin would be having their own rooms soon. Amelia had insisted that while the two of them had Anne's house, Merlin and Anne should have their own room in the Castle as well. Arthur had relinquished.

Amelia finds Anne only just waking up in her bed. Her maidservant startles when Amelia lets out another squeal. "You're getting married today!"

Anne blinks at her confused before it dawns on her and she begins laughing as she pushes her blanket off and gets out of bed. "Yes, yes I am."

Amelia lunges forward and begins pulling Anne into her Chambers by the arm. "Come on, come on! We need to get you dressed."

"I can get dressed myself, Amelia." Anne argues fondly.

"But this is your wedding day! You always help me get dressed, now I should help you!" Amelia persists. She had thrown herself all the way into the wedding planning as she had not wanted to dwell on what happened between her and her sisters.

Anne gives up and lets Amelia help her into her dress. Amelia smiles happily to herself as she watches Anne look at herself in the mirror. It is a white and golden dress that goes all the way down to the floor, and the sleeves were long but airy. Anne's feet are covered by white slippers. She looks beautiful.

Anne looks behind her shoulder at Amelia, who has just finished setting her hair. Despite not being her forte, Amelia had worked hard on perfecting the hairstyle Anne would wear on her wedding day. She has done quite well if she may say so herself.

"Thank you, Amelia. Really."

Amelia simply shrugs and offers Anne a smile. "This is the most important day of your life. I had to make it special."

The wedding is absolutely amazing. All thanks to Amelia's, as well as Gwen's, decorating making the whole thing immaculate. The wedding happens in one of the smaller rooms as Anne had baulked at the mere suggestion it be in the Throne room. Despite being one of the smaller rooms, it is still large enough to fit in all the guests. Arthur, Amelia, Gwen, Gaius, the Knights and many of the servants in attendance as both Anne and Merlin have become greatly respected and admired by them in the times the two have served in the Castle.

Geoffrey of Monmouth officiates the ceremony due to Arthur's orders. Amelia can see that her cousin needs something else to put his mind to as he has been dragged into meeting after meeting and ceremonial events since his father hasn't recovered after Morgana's treatment and has not left his room. Amelia has been supporting him the best she can by taking on some of the duties. She has been pulling Gwen along with her under the guise of extra wedding planning and moral support but really Amelia has wanted to give Gwen some Queenly duties training.

Merlin looks the best Amelia has ever seen him. He is wearing ceremonial clothes, a gift from Amelia. She had insisted that he will not be getting married in rags but it probably doesn't matter to Anne. Merlin could be wearing a paper bag and Anne would have still thought that he is the most handsome man on this Earth.

Geoffrey soon announces that they are married and that they may kiss. The two share a kiss as everyone claps and cheers around them. When Merlin and Anne pull back, they pay them all no attention. Amelia can't blame them as this is their moment, and nobody else's but theirs.

——

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

Merlin will return

[merlinbingo]

Good timezone to you, my dear sweet tumblr denizens, and I am so sorry this has taken so long. Those of you on the bingo discord server will know I am in the process of packing up and cleaning my entire house as well as (somewhat perplexingly, it has to be said) occasionally taking on a position of authority at work, and it’s sadly eating into my fandom time.

Aaanyway, I have finally sent out all the badges from June, so if you think you should have one but don’t, please let me know!

Also important this month is the introduction of free fill tokens, which will be awarded for reasons ranging from providing invaluable service to making me giggle to catching me on a bad day when you ask a question. So far, these have been awarded to @fightingforcreativity for helping me figure out what to do for the June bonus badge, and to @warpedalignment​ for naming the July theme.

Now, on to what you’re actually here for: the round-up! Take a look at all the beautiful fills made last month, sorted by ship and then by rating. Remember to mind the warnings (including where creators are choosing not to warn at all), practice self-care when clicking on that link, and to send all the fabulous participants love in the form of kudos and kind comments!

Gen

Merlin Empathy Gifset by Simoneleona & blueclaw7 Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin gifset.

Gossiping with the enemy by Ice-mint Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary:

Did you eat the almonds again? by evaelisaa Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: “Merlin, did you eat all the almonds again?” “What? No!” Merlin walks out of the pantry, a bag of flour in his arms, to see Gwen frantically searching everywhere for the almonds she needs for her recipe.

Merlin is What? by O_Drakon Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin is immortal. He's not gotten around to actually telling anyone this. When Merlin becomes grievously ill, Arthur seeks Kilgharrah's aid, only to end up learning the truth his friend had hidden from him.

Chaos by warpedalignment Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: In which Merlin takes things that don’t belong to him.

Merlin's purple tunic by thebookluvrr1816 Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary:

Secrets by archaeologist_d Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin really wanted to know the secret of Gwaine’s necklace. Would Gwaine ever open up and tell him?

Morgana with a rainbow cloak by evaelisaa Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary:

Merlin Characters + Seasons by thebookluvrr1816 Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary:

Hoarding Pride by J_Gun_i Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: In a land where magic and tolerance florished- Kilgharrah was young and hoarded the pride pillows.

Who was Morgause? by warpedalignment Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: Major character death Summary: Morgause from various points of view.

I Feel At Ease [Having You With Me] by OnceFutureEmrys Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: He knew they would accept him, he knew it. He fucking knew it. And yet… And yet he still couldn't help but tap his foot on the floor, couldn't help but dig his nails into the palms of his hands, couldn't help his heart thudding loudly, too loudly, and oh god he couldn't breathe-- “Arthur?” came a familiar voice, drawing him away from his thoughts. He took a deep breath before looking up at the concerned blue eyes belonging to his best friend, Merlin. “Are you alright?” Or: Arthur comes out to his friends.

No Man is Worth Your Tears by onceandfuturekid Rating: Not rated Ao3 warnings: Major character death Summary: a short excerpt of post canon Leon dealing with Arthur's death

Morgana/Gwen

Morgana In A Collar [FANART] by @the-ballad-of-deancas Rating: Mature Ao3 warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Summary: -

Your Hand in Mine (Our Hearts Beating as One) by @the-ballad-of-deancas Rating: Explicit Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: "Why did you write that letter?" Gwen swiftly draws her knife from the folds of her velvet dress and holds it out, a silent warning for Morgana to stay where she is. For a tense moment, silence reigns and Gwen holds her breath, unable to predict what Morgana will do next. And even though she's the one with the knife, she isn't under any illusions about just how powerful Morgana is. "To call you here, of course," Morgana answers simply, as if she's talking about the weather. "Why?" Morgana’s icy flames contort over themselves, as if sensing their sorceress’ disapproval. Morgana scoffs. "For god's sake, Gwen, can't we just be civil? Do we need that toy in every discussion?" "You're an enemy of—," "Camelot and your throne, yes, yes, I know. I called you here because I want to have intercourse with you." Or: Where Gwen and Morgana have sex in the woods despite being enemies.

Uther/reader

You put the money I put the sugar! by Sandysins Rating: Mature Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Second chapter, Y/N meets Morgana for the first time.

Merlin/Gwen/Arthur

Alternate season 4 by camelotsheart Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary:

"He's seeing a girl." by onceandfuturekid Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Episode AU of The Hollow Queen with established mergwenthur

Merlin/Freya/Lancelot

Drifting by warpedalignment Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: Major character death Summary: His whole life, Lancelot had drifted from kingdom to kingdom.

Elyan/Gwaine/Percival

fell off the rack' by donttouchtheneednoggle Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: “The axe must have fallen off the rack,” he said gloomily ten minutes later, after he had had an axe embedded in his shoulder. The little bastards were never going to let him live this down. “I’m surprised that a falling axe would cause such a deep wound,” Gaius remarked. “Not as surprised as I was,” Percival said glumly. They were really never going to let this go. It had been a bandit, he decided. Wielding an axe. He had fought valiantly and sustained a wound before slaying his opponent. A bandit. In the armoury. Right.

Merlin/Elyan

That We May Live Free by gwen-cheers-me-up Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Summary: After Gwen is banished from Camelot, both Merlin and Elyan struggle to remember what’s keeping them there. The longer they strain under split loyalties--Merlin between his people and his destiny, Elyan between his duty and his debts, and both between Guinevere and their king--the more tempting it becomes to join her in exile. A warning from Kilgharrah, a gag order from Arthur, and the discovery of an enchantment on Gwen’s bracelet lead to their departure from Camelot, a re-interpretation of Merlin’s destiny, and what could be the beginning of a brighter future for all of Albion. After all, there’s more than one way to make someone queen.

Merlin/Will

Kettle's On by ravengirl42 Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Their conversation had dwindled as the heat built. Will lagged behind, stinging nettles brushing his ankles and burrs catching on his frayed trousers. Merlin was in front, trying not to think about how his feet were rubbing in his new boots - a leaving gift from his mother. The forest around them was still somewhat familiar, but tomorrow Merlin would be further away from Ealdor than he’d ever gone before. He shivered at the thought. Or pre-canon, Merlin and Will say goodbye

Merlin/Lancelot

A Single Step by gwen-cheers-me-up Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Summary: When Merlin's clumsiness gets out of hand, Merlin reaches out to Lancelot for help. He's a bit skeptical, however, when Lancelot's solution turns out to be teaching him and his two left feet how to dance.

Come Back To Me, My Love by LiGi Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin will do anything to free Shade Lancelot from Morgana's evil magic and get his beloved knight back. Even if it means poisoning him, tying him to a horse and riding deep into the mountains to seek a higher power in a lake.

The Body Sleeping Next To Me by gwen-cheers-me-up Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Summary: There was a stranger sleeping in Merlin’s bed. Gaius didn’t want to admit it yet, and the others either didn’t notice or were too entrenched in their denial to appear otherwise, but Merlin was certain: this wasn’t Lancelot. ...but how certain was he really?

In The Absence of Butterflies by gwen-cheers-me-up Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Summary: Lancelot decides Merlin deserves a nice long break from all things Camelot. It's just a bonus that their time on the road provides the perfect chance to sort out his complicated feelings toward the warlock.

Merlin/Gwaine/Arthur

All My Adoration by @the-ballad-of-deancas Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin looks skeptical. "You also look too happy. What have you done?" "I didn't do anything! Can't I just be happy for once?" "Of course, you can," Gwaine interrupts from the doorway. He strides in casually, locking the door on his way in. He drops a chaste kiss to Merlin's lips and walks up to Arthur, crowding into his personal space. Or: Arthur buys presents for the loves of his life. And they assume different things about what Arthur might be hiding.

Merlin/Arthur

Curse of the Gods by camelotsheart Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary:

fill my little world by RavenGirl42 Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin has a deadline to meet and Arthur can't say no to anything Merlin asks of him, so he agrees to look after his nieces for the afternoon, single-handed. He's led a troop of elite marines into combat - surely keeping two small girls in line can't be that hard.

Hugs by @the-ballad-of-deancas Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin is overworked and tired. He just needs a hug.

"You're the only friend I have and I couldn't bear to lose you" by thebookluvrr1816 Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary:

Keep Discovering Yourself by MerthurAllure Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin decides it’s time to share his gender identity with the ones he loves.

Why Gwaine Should Stick To Being At The Tavern by Holmesway Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin gets hurt while on a walk with Gwaine. After taking Merlin to Gaius, Gwaine feeds him a little too much of a sleeping potion.

A Sea of Colours by queerofthedagger Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Morgana’s eyes stray to the pair in front of her once more. Beyond making her brother happy, Merlin also brought Gwen into her life, and while she still knows where she would hide his body if he ever hurt Arthur, she no longer thinks she’ll need it.

Just for Practice by thebookluvrr1816 Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: In which Arthur decides that the best way to deal with being in love with Merlin is to pretend to date him for two months.

When Your Legs Support You No More by Holmesway Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Summary: Merlin is overworked and exhausted. Of course, Arthur and Gaius are blind, which leads to a series of unfortunate mishaps that they come to regret.

Tsunamis Flood In Waves by @the-ballad-of-deancas Rating: General audiences Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: “And you look beautiful,” Arthur replies, deadpan, as if he’s simply telling Merlin that he’s an idiot, like usual. “I suppose we all have our flaws.” In Arthur’s mind, Merlin is already aware that Arthur would bed him at the first opportunity, so it is not an oddity that Arthur would say this. Or: Where Arthur loses a horse race but gains a lot more than he could have asked for.

In a heartbeat by YouKeepMeRight Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Suddenly, something was tickling Merlin’s neck, urging him to get up. Merlin rubbed his eyes and blinked at a tiny heart-shaped stone that glowed red like a little fire. The stone smiled. A Merthur "In a heartbeat" AU

Fly Like a Firework by sam4587 Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Arthur picks up his nephew Mordred from ice skating practice one day and meets Merlin, Mordred’s trainer. Poor Arthur doesn’t know what hit him.

It’s a love story (baby just say yes) by heartsocold Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: We didn’t fall in love all at once but rather through a series of moments, scattered throughout space and time.

Own The Night by Clea2011 Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Merlin truly believes that he’s had so many past lives with Arthur. In his dreams he remembers them all. But Merlin also says that he remembers being burned alive. Arthur's glad he can't remember.

The dandy highwayman who you're too scared to mention by camelittle Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: In which Arthur's otherwise tedious journey is enlivened by an argument with his sister and a not entirely unexpected encounter.

Something Borrowed by archaeologist_d Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: If Merlin left his neckerchief behind, well, who was Arthur to give it back?

Broken Promises by archaeologist_d Rating: Teen Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Gwen has been seeing Lancelot behind Arthur’s back.

Morgana to the Rescue by archaeologist_d Rating: Mature Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Planning a wedding can be the worst, especially for those two idiots.

Forgetting all your standards by camelittle Rating: Mature Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: In which Arthur is held up by Dragoon the Great again... or is he?

Do I still bleed (or have they taken that too?) by WarpedAlignment Rating: Mature Ao3 warnings: Major character death, Graphic depictions of violence Summary: Arthur died, in camlann, and with him, a piece of Merlin died too.

Don’t Stand on Ceremony by archaeologist_d Rating: Explicit Ao3 warnings: No archive warnings apply Summary: Planning a wedding is one thing. Trying to placate an irate Morgana while Merlin using his mouth for more pleasant things is something else again.

[myfandomrambles]

Morgana Pendragon Character Analysis (pt1)

Introduction:

Morgana Pendragon is one of the most key characters in Merlin. Her role is integral to the character arc of all of the other leads. Her story is about how someone can let their pain consume them whole. As an abuse victim and a member of a marginalised community, she is set up for being isolated and fearful. This alienation is turned both inward and outward making her deeply dangerous to herself and others. She takes this alienation to push almost everyone out of her life and force others to suffer the same way she did. Her righteous anger at her treatment by her father and society goes to waste when none is put to constructive ends. 

She allows emptiness, fear and anger to consume her. She replaced her core beliefs with those of “others are out to hurt me” and “the only way to live is through the acquisition of power”. Her ability for both affective and cognitive empathy becomes suppressed as any joy she can drive comes from exerting control over others. She is compelled into implementing her obsessions around revenge and survival. Depression, obsessive thoughts, paranoia, fear and anger fill all corners of her mind leaving her without access to flexible thought and internal peace. 

Analysis:

At the start, she is living as a member of court and Uther’s ward. She continually butts heads with Uther. This is due to her being headstrong and fearless. This bravery and stubborn disposition causes more rifts as she is seen to be hysterical and as an object, leaving her subject to gaslighting and other forms of abuse. However, this rarely stops her from being involved when important. Morgana often works with Arthur and Merlin early on. The most key of these events being when they save Mordred. (1x08)

However, her stubbornness isn’t all-consuming, while resisting being forced to do things she dislikes she is smart enough to know when to lie and when to bend the knee. Partly because as a child and young-adult she holds a mix of respect, love and fear towards Uther. She shows skills in court life, this is deeply important to understand as it becomes a useful skill when she works against the kingdom. But in the beginning, it shows someone who lives in the duality of wanting to assert herself and someone who absorbed the social rules she was raised with. 

Morgana shows great care for those around her wanting them to be safe and happy. Often stepping up to speak on behalf of them, and generally treating even Gwen and Merlin, people considered her inferiors socially, with respect. Standing up for Gwen's dad, helping protect Elador, helping feed peasants and trying to protect Gwen when they are attacked shows her kindness and loyalty. (1x03, 1x08, 1x10-12)

She doesn’t have a consuming desire for power, no particular plan to marry into or otherwise acquire power. Her later turn to power is reactive and less of an innate drive. It also a drive to be the one who determines her future. 

When Morgana's powers start to grow we see the first shift in her character. The development of anxiety and depression colour the way she acts. It adds layers to her abuse and trauma. A great deal of gaslighting is used to convince her she is mistaken and to prevent the acknowledgement of her magic. Which we know Gaius has been hiding since she was a child visa via her prophetic nightmares. 

This alienation is from the entire culture she grew up in. When she visits the druids in The Nightmare Begins (2x03) Morgana feels free and desires to stay, she just wants to be herself. 

This is similar to the experience marginalised people experience in real life. She knows that if discovered her magic father figure/father would likely kill her. Morgana also believes her other loved ones would at the least disown her. 

In reality, there is some nuance. Merlin acts as both an agent of the system while originally trying to help her and Gaius and Gwen would not wish harm on her. But Morgana is understandably afraid and full of anxiety to reach out for help. This anxiety, confusion, fear and alienation become the way she perceives the world. Life is Morgana, then everyone else. This pain drives a wedge between her and everyone she used to care for.

Outside of the gaslighting and threat of violence, she experiences from those close to her during The Witchfinder (2x07) we see her deal with mental assault from an outside force with no support from her family as they don’t understand. This makes her dysregulation, anxiety, depression and isolation worsen. 

The next two key events in her first character transformation can be seen at the end of season two. First, Morgana meets Morgause (2x08) and automatically feels a connection to her. Second, Morgana is pushed to verbally disown Uther due to his treatment of Avalar and by extension the rest of the Druids and others born with magic. This is the final relational rupture between them:

Morgana: They are rising up against you! From this day forward, I do not know you. From this day forward, I disown you

King Uther: You will go to your chambers!

Morgana: And you, Uther, you will go to hell.

 (2x11)

We then see her move into helping Morgause try and destroy Camelot. At this point, it is driven by the anger she has for Uther and his treatment of others. It has yet to have the drive of becoming queen. Her connection to Morgause also plays a large role as she finally has a person to be close to without the artifice of court life over it. Morgause gives her a choice and with that an illusion of power. At this point, there is a more powerful member of their team. Morgana ends this attempt at Camelot almost being murdered by someone she considered a friend. (2x12)

We then have an interesting moment in her character arch in her year away from Camelot. This time away changes her from someone who while willing to hurt Uther didn’t seem driven for the destruction of Camelot, to one who will hurt everyone. There is also a reprieve from the fear-driven to more controlled anger by the assistance of Morgause. 

We are never told what happened in the year. All we know is he stayed with her sister and likely had her hatred of Uther entrenched even further. Her worst tendencies towards vengeance over justice and ego over compassion are reinforced. This shifts her schema farther into negative ones and worsens her ability to think in shades of grey.

When she does return her previous ability to play the game of court life is stronger and utilised to great effect convincing everyone for a while that she is essentially the same person, except for Merlin and by extension Gaius. Gwen is the next to figure it out due to Morgana’s affect control dropping and her real emotion bleeding through over time. (3x08)

As she returns to Camelot she quickly moves to attempt another attack. This attempt is stopped again by Merlin, but in this attempt, we see new cruelty in her willingness to torture Uther and that her magic has grown. This is also the last time I believe her alienation and marginalization is her driving force. After this, I think she fully turns her internalized fear of her magic onto everyone else. Her exchange with Merlin during the battle feels genuine and not at all like manipulation or even just a justification as it becomes later, but a real motivation. She has not yet grown to shut off her empathy for everyone, only Uther and Arthur. (3x1-2)

Soon after her second attempt on the castle, we see another large shift in motivations. She almost dies and is severely injured which puts her in a vulnerable place and during this same time she learns she is Uther’s daughter in blood as well as circumstance. She learns that he never was willing to claim her or even tell her. This pushes her to act rashly, almost committing patricide. (3x05)

Her ability to be cruel in her aims continues to grow, to hurt Arthur she puts Gwen through terrible pain as well as Elyan. (3x07) We see her magic grow, her emotions grow but her ability to hide her intentions failing, at least around Gwen. Her attempts at her family's lives also continue to be cruel as she tries to kill Arthur and Uther in slow and painful ways. (3x08, 3x11)

When Morgana isn’t trying to kill the people she used to love she is trying to mess with their lives in more petty ways. This includes exposing the love Arthur and Gwen have for each other, putting their relationship in jeopardy and Gwen’s over well being. This is over her fear of Gwen being Queen when Arthur would become Queen, something that Morgana gains obsessive thoughts over throughout the rest of the story. (3x10)

Morgana is willing to kill a large number of the people at this point not only those she has a personal issue with. Though she does offer safety to Gwen thought it’s contingent on her considering Morgana to be the rightful queen. She is willing to rule by fear and threat, not understanding how to win over the people. (3x12-13). This attempt fails and Morgana loses her sister and the allies her sister made.

After being defeated and having to flee the castle with her dying sister she spends a year moving around with her ill sister while also gaining more strength and becoming a fully-fledged High Priestess of the Old Religion. 

In an attempt to take the castle again she has to kill her sister. Something that caused her great distress as Morgana believed Morgause was the only person who understood and loved her. This event causes great suffering to all, it’s also when Morgana adds her obsession with Emrys along with her obsessive thoughts over Gwen and Uther. 

During this first period of exile, she recruits Agravaine to be her spy and aid within the court. They seem to be united by a common cause but Morgana doesn’t treat him as equal, adopting the belief she hated so much from Uther, treating others as tools. 

She also accepted a standard of living that is much below that of the ward of the king. Her way of dress and acting also shifts, she’s still cunning and driven but while now being the master of herself she is more erratic and seems to feel just as out of control and obsessed as she was when living a lie. Her affect control, impulse control, regulation and social regulation deteriorated. Fear also returns to being a driving force. (4x01-2)

Morgana succeeds in killing Uther in The Wicked Day (4x03) by cursing a necklace and Agravaine puts it on Uther so that when Arthur uses magic to try and bring back his father from a fatal injury he dies faster. Planning to finally kill her father she also wishes guilt and pain on her brother.

We then see Morgana use both strength and her ability to manipulate to work Queen Annis to try and kill Arthur. Morgana is not against using her history to use another person. However, Annis sees through her when Arthur shows honour and points out that Morgana is much more like Uther than she realises, and in saying this it also refutes the point Morgana tried to make early in the episode that Gorlois was who was her true father. This is true in both the biological sense but also through the fact that Uther spent more time acting as her father and had generally known her own life. This statement also acts as a trigger causing her to show extreme emotions. (4x05)

One of the key lines of dialogue we have to see where Morgana’s mindset is at during this period is 

Morgana: Don’t think I don’t understand loyalty because I’ve got no one left to be loyal to

This is important because it shows that the isolation that started by The Nightmare Begins has enveloped her. Now she is no longer even fighting with or for anyone she has devoted herself to revenge and survival.

We also see the fear that drives Morgana as at the site of Emrys her first reaction is flight. During their battle, we see that they are almost evenly matched in magical power, though Morgana only really gets through due to Merlin not being willing to act decisively still. (4x06)

Morgana's obsession with Emrys becomes almost all-consuming. Morgana gives away the most emotionally significant thing left of her sister to obtain information on Emrys. She tries desperately to find the information torturing a man who spent her childhood helping to take care of her. But a layer of contradictions exists as he also tried to make her doubt her reality and is helping the person destined to prevent her ascension to queen and to kill her. This complex relationship is important here for the emotional repercussions of what seems like a straightforward attempt to extract information. (4x07)

Morgana shows no regard for even the laws of life and death gain in her quest in Lancelot Du Lac (4x09) bringing Lancelot back to life. Morgana does not even to directly finish her quest to take the throne but to ruin her once friend, and closest confidant's chance at happiness. This is driven by an obsession with her past nightmare about Gwen becoming Queen. Though of course, it has the added benefit of breaking her brother's heart. The only show of emotional connection we see in her is the fear underlying her actions and her musings on the emptiness the shade Lancelot has. 

During The Sword and The Stone (4x12-13), we see Morgana take over the castle by using Agravaine for treason. Morgana is not only ruthless in what would be considered warfare but takes initiative to be cruel to the peasants willing to let them starve to gain control. She then tortures Gawain, Elyan and Gaius not only for information but just because she gains pleasure from it. The ability to empathise with those she deemed her enemies is no longer existent, even those who have not directly harmed her. Her depressive states and emotional nubbing is only broken when she can exert control over other people. She is choosing to hurt others for her pleasure. 

This is their first battle when both Morgana and Arthur understand who the other is. Morgana calls him as her “dear brother” as a taunt. We then have this exchange:

King Arthur: What happened to you, Morgana?

King Arthur: I thought we were friends

Morgana: As did I. But alas, we were both wrong.

King Arthur: You can't blame me for my father's sins.

Morgana: It's a little late for that. You’ve made it perfectly clear how you feel about me and my kind. You're not as different from Uther as you'd like to think.

King Arthur: Nor are you.

Morgana: I’m going to enjoy killing you, Arthur Pendragon. Not even Emrys can save you now.

We see Arthur is hurt by what happened and truly did love Morgana and doesn’t like having to fight her like this. And Morgana is consumed by the pain of the past to the inability to care for the present. Arthur, however, is not giving her the power of acknowledging her as his sister. He still says “my father”. He compares her to their father and triggers her anger. We see them attempt to fight, Morgana is unable to use her magic due to Merlin and panics. 

She gathers herself, able to make her escape even coming close to killing Gwen. She then almost dies only being revived by Aithusa, who becomes her closest friend from this point on. (4x13)

We then have another time skip of over two years. Two of those years Morgana was being tortured in the pit by The Sarum. This has the effect of taking an already traumatised individual and layering two years of severe chronic trauma on top of it. She has less control of herself as a result of this and loses the little bit of impulse control she had. 

We first see Morgana after this when she is searching for the Diamair to try and learn how to beat Arthur. Morgana can capture and lure Arthur to her by kidnapping his men and using spies. She almost finds what she seeks but the creature itself has no wish to be used by her making her search futile. We also see her not even consider a father being willing to do something dangerous to save his daughter, her own acquired lack of compassion colouring her judgement. 

This is also the re-introduction of Mordred, a character that acts as the turning point in the rest of the narrative. Seeing Mordred shows some of the only real joy we see from Morgana since her sister died years back. She, however, pushes him away due to her display of rage and dysregulation. Mordred stabs her literally in the back. (5x01-2)

One of Morgana's most cruel attacks is used to try and turn Gwen into a weapon by torturing her for days, breaking down her psychological defences leaving her open to manipulation. This leaves her under control of Morgana thinking that Morgana cares for her. While this is mainly a spell able to be broken there is a part that relies on Gwen's psychology of being compassionate so she will be sympathetic to Morgana’s story and trauma. With the long psychological attacks and this play on Gwen's compassion, we see Morana essentially form a trauma bond. She manipulates Gwen’s perceptions and emotions in a way that is very similar to emotional abusers. 

 This act also kills Elyan in Morgana's attempt to harm Arthur (5x06) During this control we see how strongly Morgana used it to make Gwen not only a weapon but also they feel like they are friends again, being lonely might have been part of why he chose this method and less of a direct method like she did with Merlin. (5x07-8) 

Once Arthur is aware of her curse on Gwen he sets out to break the magic but is almost thwarted by the Dochraid who tells Morgana of his plans to save Gwen. This is interesting as the Dochraid is one of the few magic beings who truly side with Morgana betting on her strength of will over Merlin’s. Morgana is then forced to face off against the one thing other than her dragon, Mordred. Mordred puts up a good fight even saving Merlin’s secret. She felt conflicted in harming him and ends up losing to his surprise attack. (5x09)

After her plan with Gwen fails he returns to her full-tilt hunt for Emrys. She hunts the Catha for information causing terror across multiple kingdoms, then excruciatingly tortures him to try and find out. Hunting anyone down who might know these plans however fail because Alator and Finna believed in something larger and were willing to suffer and die. Morgana no longer understands the bigger picture her idea of a world free for magic isn't her leading drive anymore. After this incident, Morgana is seen to have declared all-out war with Camelot. (5x10)

Mordred acts as the last domino to fall into place before the final battle between Morgana and Arthur Pendragon. When Kara is killed and Merlin and Arthur were the drivers behind her execution, Mordred becomes angry enough at the system of Camelot to move to side with someone he saw as dangerous and broken. He gives Morgana the information she needs on Emrys. (5x11)

With Mordred by her side, Morgana makes her final move, forging a sword just to kill Arthur and finalizing the amassment of an army. She clears the way by removing Emrys from the situation, giving her and Mordred a clean shot at Arthur and the army of Camelot. However, she underestimates Merlin and we see her lose much of her Army and Mordred. This causes Morgana despair as she has to bury the last person she loved. One of the few things that could even start to pierce her depression is ripped away. 

This loss isn’t enough to stop the endless patterns of a compulsive need to take out revenge on Arthur. 

The final moments of her life she taunts her brother in his death claiming a victory. It’s however short-lived as Merlin kills her with a dragon fire-forged blade right after she claims her immortality. Her pain consumed her, and as the death of her father there is no triumph in hurting her brother as all it does is open her up for her death. (5x12-13)

[coinofstone]

3x12 The Coming of Arthur pt 1

The title is such low hanging fruit I feel bad cracking a joke about it.

It's a quest episode! I love a quest episode. Srsly feel free to send me any and all Merthur quest fics. I can't get enough 😂

This is the episode responsible for the lovely Leon fanon headcanon that he's immortal. Always handy in an Arthur Returns fic.

Uther: you must go on this mission alone

Arthur: *brings Merlin*

I do love Merlin being being a smart alec and nagging Arthur while packing. Excellent banter.

Arthur said

Arthur threatening a young boy like this is such an ugly and uncharacteristic action it makes me angry.

Merlin tending to Arthur while he's sick and injured 🥺

Also I'm sorry but Merlin shows fuckin Gilli his magic but he's hiding it from fuckin Gwaine while Arthur is suffering? Silly.

Cenred's massive army makes me wonder if it's a result of his tolerance of magic or lower standards than the knights of Camelot, or some combination of both.

Poor Leon, though. He's just got back from near death in that forest and Uther sends him right fuckin back in 😂

Looks like they snuck in to Camelot via the dragon's cave. I doubt that was the intention but I still approve 😂

Knowing he's on a suicide mission, Arthur gives Merlin an out, knowing he'll never take it, knowing he doesn't even want him to: he still presents him with the choice.

How come literally everyone else gets a crown that fits them but Arthur walks around looking like he's wearing hand-me-downs?

Morgana might be evil but she looks damn good on a throne.

3x13 The Coming of Arthur pt 2

There's a post going around Twitter about ppl who nitpick at TV shows... this comment falls into exactly that category 100% but I'm sorry, I cannot just ignore the fact that Morgana's got these massive banners and an entire army's worth of uniforms, I mean look:

Every guard with the sigil on his uniform and half a dozen banners in the council chambers alone. That's to say nothing of the ones outside. I mean look at the sheer fuckin size of these things:

Look how tiny the ppl are next to em! They've gotta be at least 15 feet long, at least. Where did they come from? Were they all magicked into existence? Who designed that sigil? What does it represent? Is it Gorlois' banner? I HAVE QUESTIONS.

Leon isn't someone I've ever been particularly attracted to, personally, but his defiant shout of "Long Live the King" in the face of Morgana's threats, is sexy as hell.

Depressed Arthur is such a mood.

So. Gwen. Originally in 3x12 when Morgana essentially invited Gwen into the fold (insofar as a Queen's servant can be), it seems to be a set up, because Morgana has been treating Gwen like shit for ages, why would she suddenly want her friend back? Especially since Morgana knows something is going on between Gwen and Arthur - there's no way she believes that they were actually under the spell of some random sorcerer, that just doesn't make any sense. So you kind of assume - or at least I did - that Morgana is keeping Gwen close knowing that she'll be useful as bait or a hostage, just essentially as a person of value to Arthur. She's known Gwen for too long to actually believe she'd cross Arthur, there's just no way someone as machiavellian as Morgana doesn't see Gwen's 'loyalty' as a simple survival tactic. All of this is to say, when Morgana and Morgause eavesdrop on Gwen's conversation with Sir Leon, Morgana is just like, 'welp, she's betrayed me. Guess I'll kill her in the morning.' as though she was actually expecting Gwen to do anything else?!?! Like, why? It would've made so much more sense to just cut that line entirely and go straight to something like

Morgana: it's as we suspected, she's betrayed me

Morgause: yes, now she can lead us straight to Arthur

And it would've made so much more sense than the weird sort of purgatory they've implied where Morgana changed her mind about Gwen very suddenly the night before she took the throne. It's not a super important detail in the overarching story but it's another example of how carelessly their story has been handled.

Me rn:

I do love that they made Freya the Lady of the Lake, and that she kept her promise by telling Merlin how to defeat the army of the dead.

How Merlin really sees Kilgharrah:

Gwen really is the smartest of all of them.

I do love that Merlin's first undead kill with excalibur is entirely an accident lol

The subtext between Morgana and Morgause is really gross. I haven't said anything before because I generally don't approve of ship shaming but the not so subtle subtext gives me the heebies.

This is such a great shot

Everything about it, his woman at his left and his man at his right, his romantic rival opposite him on his wife's side, as directly opposite her as possible at a round table with an uneven number of placements. It's a really beautiful shot, fitting for an equally beautiful scene. It's a very moving scene, the music really adds the exact emotion you'd expect for this moment we all recognize... and I feel like the knights' oaths are very well matched. The snarky part of me wanted to make a 'call me maybe' joke about Percival, but he's so sincere I just can't do it. The moment of levity added by Merlin's banter with Arthur is really, really well paced. Honestly I think it's probably the next perfect, iconic scene since Gwen and Arthur's first kiss. Hats off to this crew.

(Don't worry dear reader, I'm sure I'll get back to complaining shortly)

Santiago is so dreamy. I'd share his bedroll any day.

I like that despite all the talk of equality and doing the thing Uther wouldn't approve of, Gwen still worries about the company seeing her and Arthur kiss. Like, he's planning an insurrection with a bunch of commoners and two dudes who've been officially banished from Camelot, but she's internalized the classism and the rules of royalty so deeply that even amongst friends she instinctively keeps their relationship hidden. I'm not sure how intentional that was but it's brilliant.

The fight big fight scene with Merlin just barely missing the cup while the knights are cornered, and Gaius showing up like the brilliant deus ex machina that he is, honestly makes the previous budget-slashed episodes more bearable. Because this really is great, even knowing it's great at the expense of those others.

Morgana's screeching is eerily similar to Aithusa's.

I wonder if they knew they were getting renewed for a fourth season when they wrote this. Because you know, it really could've worked as a series finale as well. An open-ended series finale, but a series finale all the same.

As a Queens kid, I cannot explain to you the joy it gives me to watch Arthur and Merlin just chillin on the steps to the castle as tho it were a stoop, which I suppose, in a sense... it kind of is. Ahhh youthful days.

Commentary is Jeremy Webb and Julian Murphy.

And this kids, is why we're watching with commentary! They've just explained that Morgana's sigil is supposed to symbolize the Rowan tree that's supposed to be at the heart of the Isle of the Blessed. That suggests she designed it herself, so there's at least one of my earlier questions answered.

They talk a lot about how Emila Fox was very pregnant when they were filming her in this season, and they shot entirely around it - and I can't help but feel anger toward Joss Whedon and his 'handling' of Charisma Carpenter's pregnancy during S4 of Angel.

One of them called the round table scene 'curiously moving' and I think that is really fitting. They'd had this in mind for about two years, which is probably why it's so extraordinary. That's a great gestation period for a scene as iconic as this.

One final tidbit: the sword in the stone was filmed in France, and made it back to Wales intact. I guess nobody wanted to take it out. That's kind of an interesting thought, like a little set superstition or something. It's kind of cute.

The DVD extras/special features will get a separate post if I feel I have comments worth sharing.

[and-damntheconsequences]

Maybe a bit controversial, but rewatching 2x3, something stuck out to me that I didn't really think on before about Morgana. And perhaps I'm not reading this right but I'm gonna give my thoughts on it anyways, because this is the earliest scene that really sticks out to me as a hint of Morgana turning against Camelot as a whole, long before Morgause is involved. And it's such a small moment.

So Morgana goes to the druids, on Merlin's advice. And she finds Mordred, she finds people that she considers to be like her. She discovers beyond any more doubt that she does have magic. Which means a lot to her, it's an escape from a world she'd left that she was now afraid of. She fully intends to stay with them.

Except Uther is convinced she's been kidnapped and has ordered Arthur to go and massacre the druid camp (side note... how many times do we think Arthur has had to do that? but I digress). But Uther also had previously rounded up every single person he suspected of using magic in at least the citadel, if not the wider kingdom. And upon finding Morgana missing, he is going to put every single one of them to death.

When Merlin finds her, he tells her this.

And knowing the consequences, she refuses to come home.

I'm not saying it would be her fault if they died, Uther is clearly the evil one here. But she knows what will happen if she stays away. And she has always been so openly and vocally against the execution of sorcerors, even as early as episode one.

She is afraid for herself and rightfully so. I don't blame her. But she doesn't so much as consider it. Dozens of people will die, maybe some of them children, a large amount of them likely innocent. Again, it wouldn't be her fault, but knowing she could spare them, she still dismisses it immediately.

And it shows her fear. Of not only Uther, but of all of Camelot. For the part of herself that has internalised the evils that they have.

There is an argument to say that her turning against all of Camelot seems unrealistic, and I do wish we'd seen more of that arc. But I think she washes her hands of that care far easier than it first seems. Not here, exactly, because she still goes through far more before that, and with Morgause. But if she is willing to throw dozens of people's life away for her freedom and safety, is it truly so surprising that she could be taught to sacrifice them in the name of creating a better, freer, kingdom, like the one she believes that she (and initially Morgause) will build?

Merlin, on the other hand, never wanted anyone to die for him, though it happened several times over. And while no one is morally obligated to risk death to save others, it does show a difference there.

Remember when Uther told Arthur that many people would die for him, and that he would have to accept that, and Arthur was hurt and angry and didn't want to? Morgana wasn't hurt by this idea. She believed it. Firstly this, then her willingness to let people starve to see her as Queen, then her ordering people to be shot to force the knights' loyalty... The end to her, I think, has always justified the means. And though that "end" doesn't start off selfish or cruel, that mindset carries through when it does.

Honestly there are a lot of parallels and interesting similarities and differences between Uther and Morgana, which I absolutely could go into, and I don't consider this to be one, because Morgana wasn't about to kill those people and would have opposed it had she been home. But I think it says a lot more about her than its given credit for.

[scorbleeo]

Merlin Season 3 | TV Show Review

Summary

These are the brand new adventures of Merlin, the legendary sorcerer as a young man, when he was just a servant to young Prince Arthur on the royal court of Camelot, who has soon become his best friend, and turned Arthur into a great king and a legend.

Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1199099/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt

Camelot rejoices as the Lady Morgana is found and returned home, however not all is at it seems for Merlin, as he soon learns that Morgana has changed for the worse. Now in league with Morgause, Morgana's powers begin to grow and she becomes a deadly enemy within the walls of Camelot, but with Uther and the kingdom blind to her treachery, can Merlin thwart her plans before she can destroy Camelot?

Loyalties are tested to the limit as a dangerous game is played for the throne. Old friends return to the kingdom, and new enemies grow stronger outside the walls of Camelot. Merlin must be more alert than ever if he is to protect Prince Arthur, for his greatest enemy is now within the castle walls....Morgana. As the King's loving ward plays her game of lies and manipulation, can Merlin stop Morgana before Camelot is lost forever, or is the kingdom set to crumble under the force of secrets and lies?

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_(series_3)

Thoughts

Not the most entertaining season as of right now, and hold onto your horses before you come charging at me. I said that because I’m not done with the entire show yet. I still have two more seasons to devour. Although Merlin Season 3 isn’t the most entertaining, it’s not actually the worst out of the three season I had watched.

Plot

Considering the fact that the first two seasons showcased a kindhearted Morgana, I think Merlin Season 3 is used as a bridge to Morgana’s evil self. In this season, we still see moments of vulnerability or fear in Morgana which I’m not complaining about, I actually enjoyed those small moments. I also liked that in season three, we see that she came back angry at Merlin’s betrayal, fed up at Uther Pendragon’s hatred for magic and a thirst for everything she’d lost over the years. And, it was not until the last few minutes that her final straw was pulled. I sure hope this is where the fun and action begin.

Cast (characters, character development and cast’s acting, etc.)

You know, for a show focusing on Merlin and a season focusing on Morgana’s path to total darkness and evil, where is Merlin’s magic? There is a severe lack in that. Yes, I do dislike it when Merlin uses his magic to save Arthur Pendragon without the latter knowing but I did watch the show for Merlin and his magic. 

On side note, thankfully, there’s always Gaius and Lancelot who appreciate what Merlin can do but can’t share.

Additionally, I really thought Gwaine would be Lancelot 2.0, where he holds the knowledge of Merlin’s secret too. Unfortunately, all I got from Gwaine was everything except knowing about the secret. For that very reason, Gwaine is still a tiny step behind Lancelot in my list of favourite Merlin characters.

Finally, what is the point of Morgause? I never liked the character Uther but even he was so much more interesting to watch than this season’s Morgause. Really, pull Morgause out of the picture and Morgana will still be able to do as much harm to the Pendragons. I found her character in this season so pointless despite doing an acceptable job acting the role.

I really think Merlin Season 3 could have been fun to watch if not for Morgause and the whole Cenred business.

Conclusion

With the end of Merlin Season 3 came Arthur’s round table of knights, the Excalibur in the stone and Morgana turning full-on dark. I know I am in it for a ride now. I just really want to know more about Emrys. I had been preventing myself from researching on the whole Emrys identity. So, please don’t disappoint.

Rating: B-

[epic-summaries]

British LegendsxPokémon

Gawain

As one a pearl doth prize, measured ’gainst pease, tho’ white, So do I hold Gawain above all other knight!

Didst thou a little lack, Sir Knight, in loyalty,

’T was not for woman’s love, or aught of villainy,

’T was but for love of life, therefore I blame thee less—”

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

For the longest time I had Solrock on his team. But I was never 100% comfortable with it because as the Maiden’s Knight I wanted to give Gawain only female Pokémon and Solrock is genderless (I also thought about giving him Braviary but Braviary can only be male). But luckily for me I looked up the Pokémon Species Type (for different reasons) and we have 4 sun/ne Pokémon (which doesn’t include Solrock).

Gringolet, Gawain’s horse has his own Wikipedia article. Not even Owain’s lion has that! Also Gawain’s Scottish, so unicorn. I was debating between Rapidash and Musdale because Gawain does have a story including a donkey. But Musdale is a working horse and Gawain is a knight. Rapidash feels more knightly.

Ponyta was Gawain’s first Pokémon. Gawain had found her in the field grassing. Slowly, the young (let’s say 5) Gawain would go closer to Ponyta every day. He would leave berries for her hoping she would come to him. Ponyta got spooked the few first times but sensing Gawain was kind, she let him come closer. Eventually, she came to Gawain. Once, Gawain tried to pet her, which surprised Ponyta and Gawain got burned. Gawain learned his lesson and the next time, he asked Ponyta’s permission to pet her. She gave him permission.

Neither one of them noticed when Ponyta left the fields and started to sleep in the stables with Gawain, but it didn’t matter. They were each other’s. (I’m going to make Gawain working at the stables for the Pope, ‘cause why not.)

Ponyta and young Gawain worked together and went on adventure together, both loving to explore. With Ponyta, Gawain was able to go places faster and help people. Classic knight errant stuff, but as a preteen.

Ponyta evolved into Rapidash during a joust. Gawain wanted to impress his uncle. Gawain was actually doing very well. He makes it to the end! And he was against a knight on a Rhyhorn. They would have lost if Ponyta didn’t evolve into Rapidash and won them the joust (Yes I am imagining that scene in the anime where Ash riding a Ponyta evolves into a Rapidash.)

The only time Rapidash goes into her pokéball is when Gawain is outside in the rain. But usually she hates her pokéball. Sometimes Gawain more time on her then he does walking.

Her moveset is Stomp, Fire Blitz, Megahorn and Poison Jab.

The Ralts line is partly based on knights. Why Gardevoir and not Gallade? Gallade cannot be female. (Also Gallade works with Guinevere.)

During his explorations, young Gawain and Ponyta found a Ralts in need of help. She was being attacked by a Ferroseed. She was locked into place unable to teleport. Ponyta used ember and the Ferroseed ran away. Gawain brings Ralts “home” aka still the stables in Rome. (Now I’m imagining them using Ralts during mass, it’s adorable in my mind.) Ralts becomes Gawain’s main battler. They sadly lost their first Little Cup tournament. But both of them worked hard and they won their next tournament using confusion!

She evolved into a Kirlia during a tournament, which because she evolved, Gawain was unable to use her. He lost the tournament.

Kirlia wasn’t just used for tournaments but in his adventures Gawain would often use her in battle and to help fight the wild Pokémon.

And in a reference to the Rise of Sir Gawain, Nephew of Arthur, she evolved into Gardevoir during the pirate battle. (I will never not think that’s cool.)

Gardevoir helped Gawain in negotiations when Arthur sent him away to talk with Arthur’s lords or neighbouring kings. Once when the negotiations were going bad, she created a black hole and scared a King in swearing his alliance to Arthur. (She’s still a fairy and they are mischievous.)

Gardevoir’s moveset is Moonblast, Psychic, Thunderbolt and Calm Mind.

When his character is not being butchered, Gawain is often a peace keeper. Leafeon is a piece keeper. Seriously, Platinum Pokédex: It basically does not fight. With cells similar to those of plants, it can perform photosynthesis. Also it gets stronger in the sun, like Gawain. And might be a reference to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, being green.

In the forest of Italy (because honestly it’s Arthuriana and the forest is magical and Pokémon has tons of Pokémon in the forest), while training Ralts, they found an Eevee sunbathing. Gawain decided to catch her. Eevee was more peaceful and she didn’t battle unless she had to. Though once a Surskit was bullying Ponyta, Ponyta kept trying to stomp on it but it wasn’t working. Eevee tackled the Surskit helping her friend.

In the Magical Forest of Adventure, Eevee had the nighttime munchies and found a mossy rock. Everyone was very surprised the next morning when Leafeon was sleeping with them. They blamed fairies.

Leafeon didn’t change much in personality. She is still very protective of her family and Gawain. Maybe some times a little to protective, getting revenge on people that wronged them.

Her moves are Leaf Blade, Sword Dance, X-Scissor and Synthesis.

Yes, based on both Mexican wrestlers and Aztec Eagle Warriors (seriously) doesn’t match a medieval knight, he is a hawk. And Gwalchmai may (there’s debate) mean Hawk of May.

After getting knighted Sir Gawain from the Pope, Gawain went back home to find his family. He met with Morgause and Lot and Agravaine and Gaheris and Soredamour. There was a family tradition when the child turn 13, they give them an egg of a flying type. Lot gave Gawain a Pokémon an egg, which hatched into a Hawlucha (I know Hawlucha is in the human-like egg group but magic was involved). Gardevoir and Leafeon were mainly her mothers. I’m also imagining Gawain and Hawlucha practicing fighting moves together. Gawain once wrestled Agravain and Gaheris at the same time using moves he learned from Hawlucha.

Hawlucha loved to tournaments. She made a septicle of the whole thing, which made her popular with the crowd as well. Though, sometimes she got into her own head and while showboating she got hit.

Her moveset is Sky Attack, Hi Jump Kick, Flying Press and Stone Edge.

Did you know Espeon is the Sun Pokémon? It also matches Mordred's Umbreon (spoilers).

Gawain was making a name for himself not just in the tournament scene but also in the adventure scene (sure he had a little hiccup with Owain/Morholt/Gawain maiden adventure but generally it was very positive). While on an adventure, Gawain slept with a woman who’s Vaporeon really liked Leafeon. Leafeon gave birth to two Eevees. Gawain kept one but gave the other to his little brother Mordred who was starting his Pokémon adventure. Eevee was easier to raise then Hawlucha for Leafeon. Eevee was always quick learning and loved to sleep with Gawain at night (which she kept doing after evolving). Some nights Gawain found her on his face sleeping (this did not continue after evolution).

Eevee evolved pretty quickly, like I said quick learning. On a bright day, resting from travel, Gawain was playing with Eevee. He threw a stick and the stick stopped in mid air. Having so much fun, Eevee evolved into an Espeon. (Basically the Eevees evolve in nontraditional ways.)

Espeon liked tournaments and showing off her precognition powers (blame it on Hawlucha’s influence).

Her moveset is Psychic, Shadow Ball, Toxic and Future Sight

Did you know that Volcarona is the Sun Pokémon? It’s partly based on sun spots.

Gawain heard about this magical Pokémon in ancient ruins. So, naturally it was adventure time (the theme of this post). He went to the ruins. It’s full of ghost and maybe a legendary? No, it was just a Volcarona. Not what was expected but still welcomed. There was a fight, where Gardevoir hits the final blow. It was as epic as any legendary battle.

After catching Volcarona, the ruins no longer caught fire randomly. So, the neighbouring town was very happy.

Volcarona like the Pokémon Dex entries say, she likes helping people and Pokémon. But, when angered, she is very dangerous.

Her moves are Fiery Dance, Bug Buzz, Quiver Dance and Heat Wave

Previous: Morgana

Next: Merlin

[cupcakezys]

The Sins of the Father (and how to right them).

Read on AO3.

Pairings: None.

Summary: Basically how season 2 episode 8 should have gone, because I can’t stop thinking how Merlin had the perfect chance here, and I like to imagine what could have been. Written at midnight after I got possessed by the Writing SpiritTM, so I hope there aren’t too many mistakes. Enjoy.

Merlin’s heart pounded a mile a minute as he tore up the stairway. All he could think of was Arthur Arthur Arthur, and the silent fury that had been simmering just beneath the surface ever since his mother had told him the true nature of his birth. A man could kill hundreds with such fury, but Merlin knew Arthur. There was only one man the prince would kill tonight, and it was the one man he knew Arthur would never forgive himself for killing, no matter how much Uther might deserve it.

Every breath burned as he scrambled down the corridor, the council chamber’s door finally in sight. Leon stood guard outside, and Merlin cursed under his breath. Leon looked up in surprise as he came hurtling towards him, and Merlin almost thought it was enough to get him inside without any trouble. Unfortunately, Leon shoved him back as he made to reach out for the door, and grabbed him went he went to try again.

He pushed him against the wall, gently enough that he didn’t hit his head, and shook him a little. “The King has forbidden anyone to enter!”

Merlin growled, struggling in his hold. Sir Leon, however, was First Knight for a reason, and Merlin was no match for his strength. He wiggled and pushed at Leon’s chest, eyes slipping back to the door. The sound of steel meeting steel sent another shot of panic through his heart.

“They’re going to kill each other!” He shouted desperately.

Leon’s eyes widened in shock, and only widened further as he too heard the sounds of a fight from within the chamber. He glanced at the door, conflicted. Merlin saw worry, and then genuine fear flash through Leon’s eyes as the crashing of swords suddenly came to a halt, leaving a dead silence in its wake. His grip on Merlin slackened.

Merlin immediately pushed him away, the knight stumbling back in his shock, and ducked under his arm. He lunged for the doors, heart pounding loudly in his ears as he prayed to all the gods he knew to please, please don’t let him be too late, let him be in time, let him save Arthur this fate-

Relief flooded through him when he saw Arthur towering over a chair, his father unarmed and pressed back into the seat as far as he could go. Arthur was holding his sword to the King’s chest, shoulders tense and breathing harsh, but Merlin could hardly make himself care because Uther was alive and that meant he could still stop Arthur from making a decision that would cripple him for the rest of his life. He just had to be quick, and convincing.

“Arthur! Don’t!” He yelled, still breathing hard as he took a few steps towards his prince. “I know you don’t want to do this.”

Arthur didn’t even bother glancing at him. “My mother is dead because of him!”

Merlin thought of the blonde woman that had looked so much like Arthur, how she had told them the King’s dirtiest secret, and gulped.

“Killing your father won’t bring her back.” He said, taking another step forward. “You’ve lost one parent. Do you really want to lose another?”

Arthur cocked his head, and Merlin knew he was listening. Something in him relaxed. He wasn’t too far lost in his fury that he wouldn’t listen to reason, listen to Merlin.

He almost thought that would be enough.

Then Uther ruined it.

“Listen to him Arthur.” He urged, and just like that Arthur’s rage was back in full force.

His eyes focused back on his father and he tightened his grip on his sword. It pressed dangerously close to Uther’s chest, and Merlin had seen him fight enough bandits to know what would come next. Fresh panic ripped through him.

He took two more desperate steps towards Arthur, begging. “Arthur, please, put the sword down.”

Arthur’s eyes didn’t leave his father’s as he seethed. “You heard what my mother said! After everything he has done, do you believe he deserves to live?! He executes those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself!” He stopped talking to Merlin, pressed the sword even closer to Uther’s heart. “You have caused so much suffering and pain! I will put an end to that!”

Merlin felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Everything he’d ever wanted to hear Arthur say, all he’d been hoping to hear since the dragon told him of their shared destiny, and it was only happening as things were about to go so horribly wrong. He had to stop this.

For a second, he considered lying. Considered telling Arthur that Morgause was a liar, that she had summoned an illusion to whisper the words she knew would turn Arthur away from his father. He almost did, the words heavy on his tongue.

Then he looked at Uther.

He’d never seen the King so afraid, so distraught. He was staring at Arthur like his whole world had just been shattered, and some small part of him revelled in the man’s suffering. What loyalty did he owe him, this mad tyrant that had killed so many of his kind because he couldn’t bare the weight of his own guilt? What did he owe Uther, when no matter what he did, if he were to find out about the magic Merlin had been born with, he would immediately call for his execution? Nothing, he realised.

This was his nightmare, the demon that haunted his every waking hour, and Merlin owed him not one single thing. And with that realisation, his decision was made.

He would spare Arthur the pain of losing his father, but he would not spare Uther the pain of losing his son.

Distantly, he heard Gaius enter the room. He didn’t even glance at his mentor, instead choosing to focus his gaze on Arthur. The prince hadn’t moved. He was waiting for Merlin’s answer, he knew. He wanted to do what was right, but he didn’t want to kill his father. He was looking for a way out.

Merlin would give him one, but it would not be the way out he was hoping for.

“I know what your mother said.” He spoke gently, trying to sooth Arthur as he slowly crept forward. “And I know what he has done.”

“Then you agree he has to die.” Arthur’s voice was hard, anger giving it an edge sharper than steel.

Yes, Merlin though, though he couldn’t say it. Not when he knew what the consequences would be.

“I agree he deserves to face justice.” Merlin said, trying and failing to catch Arthur’s eye. “I believe that everything your mother told us was the truth, and that any crimes he has committed should be repaid in full.” He hesitated, took three more quick steps until he reached Arthur’s side. “But I also think you should put the sword down. This isn’t how this should be done Arthur, and you know it.”

Finally, finally, Arthur looked at him. It was easy to see the fury in his eyes. What was harder to see was the heartbreak, the sting of betrayal, but Merlin knew Arthur well. He couldn’t hide anything from him, not anymore.

“He killed her. He betrayed both of us.” Arthur said weakly, and even though there wasn’t a trace of wetness in his eyes, Merlin could hear the tears in his voice.

“I know.” Merlin swallowed thickly, and gently pushed the sword away from Uther’s chest. “But I know you. No matter how angry you are, no matter how much he deserves it, you would never want to kill you father.” He stepped fully between father and son, his hand gripping Arthur’s arm tight. “You would never forgive yourself.”

Arthur shook his head, but it was weak, barely a protest at all, and Merlin knew he had almost done it. He squeezed Arthur’s arm, then ran his hand down till he could tug at the sword hilt still clutched loosely in Arthur’s hand.

“Remember what your mother said.” He murmured gently, tugging again. “Don’t let this information change you Arthur. She wouldn’t want you to do this.”

Arthur sucked in a ragged breath, then another, and then his hand opened, and Merlin was able to take the sword from him. Arthur turned away, fists clenching and unclenching by his side for a moment as everyone in the room held their breath.

“Do you deny it?” Arthur asked, quiet and cold. Merlin shivered under the force of it. “Do you deny that you were responsible for my mother’s death? That I was born of magic?”

“I swear on my life.” Uther began hoarsely, and Merlin wondered how deluded he was in his own lies to continue believing he was innocent of all blame. “That I loved your mother. There isn't a day passes that I don't wish that she were still alive. I could never have done anything to hurt her.”

“But you would have done anything for an heir.” Arthur said, and was met with silence. The prince snorted, a dark and ugly sound. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I am not your son- you are not my father. Not anymore.”

Arthur strode for the door, and for a moment Merlin was too frozen to follow. Arthur passed Gaius and Leon, and only stopped when Uther spoke up again.

“You would turn your back on your father and your crown based on the words of a sorceress?”

Merlin stiffened, and he wondered for a second if he would succumb to his own anger and use Arthur’s sword to end the tyrant king once and for all. But no, he couldn’t do that, wouldn’t do that. Not to Arthur. Never to Arthur.

Arthur turned his head to the side and spat. “I would believe the words of my mother over those of a hypocrite and a murderer.”

Merlin saw Uther flinch out of the corner of his eye. He felt that small part of his rise up again, a dark kind of joy at seeing his personal monster look so broken. But then Arthur was moving out of the room again, and Merlin was no longer frozen, so he threw the sword on the council table and ran after his friend.

Gaius, he was sure, sent him some kind of look as he passed. Leon may have as well. He didn’t pay attention to either of them. They weren’t important right now. There was only one person that was, and he was striding away faster than Merlin could walk.

Merlin only caught up to Arthur after he had slammed the door to his chambers shut. Merlin winced, and wondered if the wood might give out one day soon after another one of those slams. Then he shook the thought from his head and pushed forward, not bothering to knock. He never did.

Arthur was standing by the fire pit, peering into the unlit fire. Merlin could see the shaking of his shoulders from the door, knew as he got closer he would see tears of pain and betrayal in his friends’ eyes. It made his own heart hurt, to see his friend hurt in such a way.

He closed and locked the door behind him, not wanting to risk anyone disturbing them. Not right now. He moved forward, for once gliding across the ground with grace, not a single clumsy step in his movements. His magic buzzed through him, and Merlin wished he could use it to stop the hurt somehow.

“My whole life has been a lie.” Arthur whispered quietly, and Merlin’s heart broke all over again.

“Come on Arthur.” He murmured, resting a hand on Arthur’s arm. “Let’s get you out of that armour.”

Arthur let him pull him away from the fire, let him strip him of the heavy metal of his armour. Merlin worked quickly, fingers confident and sure with the knowledge that he had done this hundreds of times. By the time he was finished Arthur was shaking even harder. Merlin recognized the confusing mix of anger and sadness in Arthur’s eyes, knew it was something only time could ever hope to heal.

“Come sit.” He said, tugging on Arthur’s arm again until he sat in a chair in front of the fireplace. “I’ll get a fire going.”

He was crouched down with flint and steel in hand when Arthur spoke again.

“So many people are dead. So many innocent people, dead, because of his lies.” Arthur made a sound of pain, deep in his throat. “I’ve killed so many in his name Merlin. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, and I-“

Merlin cursed and his eyes flashed as he quickly spelled a fire into existence and turned to Arthur. He crouched in front of his friend, cradling his hands in his own. It was horrible, watching Arthur fall apart like this.

“Hey, Arthur, look at me.” Arthur refused to meet his gaze, but Merlin made him, tilting his head until he was staring into tearful blue eyes. “You are not to blame for any of that.”

Arthur shook his head and tried to shake his hands off him, but Merlin held on tight. “How can you say that- how can you possibly- I should have known Merlin-“

“No!” Merlin yelled, with more force than he had meant. Arthur fell quiet. “No.” He repeated, gentler this time. “You were doing what you thought was right. What you’d been taught was right. You couldn’t have known Arthur, please, don’t blame yourself for your fathers lies.”

“He’s not my father.” Arthur growled. Merlin knew he meant it. “I can’t see him as my father, not anymore.”

Merlin nodded. “Alright. The King, then.”

“I’m not so sure he should be that either.” Arthur muttered. “All my life I’ve been taught that to be a king is to be honorable and noble. It means you have a duty to protect those that you rule, to keep them from harm.” He sighed, shoulders slumped. “He’s done none of that.”

Merlin’s throat closed up. He wasn’t sure what to say, wasn’t sure what he could say. Uther was, in Merlin’s humble opinion, the worst king to ever exist. If asked, there was only one thing he had ever done right, and he was sitting right in front of him. No matter how he had been conceived, Merlin was selfishly grateful Arthur had been born. He’d stopped being able to imagine a life without him for a long time now.

“You won’t make his mistakes.” Merlin breathed, gaining Arthur’s attention again. “You’ll be the greatest king to ever rule, and I promise I will always be by your side.”

Arthur laughed, though it was a small and disbelieving sound. “You’ll be my servant until the day you die?”

Merlin smiled, sincere. “Gladly.”

Arthur shook his head and finally pulled his hands away. “How can you still believe in me?” He asked, and Merlin hated how broken it sounded. “I’ve done so much wrong Merlin. More than even you know.”

Merlin sighed and sat down on the floor properly. “We’ve all done wrong Arthur.” This earned him a questioning look that he ignored. “What matters is how we try and right those wrongs. And I know you. You’ll do whatever you can to right a wrong, even if it wasn’t your own.”

Quiet descended upon the room as Arthur digested all that Merlin has said. Merlin left him to it, moving around the room quietly. There were several pairs of socks thrown about the room, and Arthur would be needing a bath before bed tonight. He grabbed Arthur’s sleeping tunic from his wardrobe and laid it out on the bed, glancing at Arthur as he did.

He hadn’t moved from his chair. Merlin stopped for a moment, just watching. Arthur was staring into the fire. He couldn’t see the look on his face from where he was, but from the back he was the picture of lonely misery. It made Merlin’s feet move back towards him before he was even aware of what he was doing.

He stopped next to Arthur’s chair, surprised when Arthur looked up at him, eyes dry and determined.

“I am indebted to you, Merlin.” He said, shocking him further. “It is clear to me now that those who practice magic aren’t inherently evil or dangerous. And that is thanks to you.”

Merlin’s breath caught. “Glad I could help.” He breathed out slowly, heartbeat loud in his ears. “Do you really mean that?”

“Of course.” Arthur frowned slightly. “How can I not, after all I have learned today?”

Merlin could have cried. Now was, perhaps, not the time to reveal his secret. Now was probably a horrible time to reveal his secret. It might just confuse Arthur more. He could take Merlin’s lies and see them as a betrayal, and he wasn’t sure Arthur could handle another betrayal so soon.

But his whole being was practically singing with happiness. He’d never really, truly dared to hope to hear those words from Arthur. Even with the dragon telling him all about the future, about their destiny, Merlin never really let himself wonder what it might be like. That road had always led to madness, something he had learned as a young child.

“I need to tell you something.” He blurted, before he could stop himself.

Arthur raised an eyebrow tiredly. “What?”

There was no playful ridicule in his tone, no banter for Merlin the fall back on. Merlin was glad. He wouldn’t be able to do this if Arthur wasn’t prepared to take him seriously. He breathed deep, and met Arthur’s eyes with just as much determination as Arthur had. It was the determination to right the wrongs of the world, to protect the innocent and weak.

It was the determination to bring magic and peace to the whole of Albion.

Merlin opened his mouth.

-

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[heka-write]

Merlin Rewrite #5: The Idea of Destiny and Prophecy

I’d like to start off by quoting the website Ferretbrain on the idea of destiny and acts of sacrifice, because I think they hit the nail on the head. 

The test which Sebastian places before Sheridan is a simple one, but one which cuts to the heart of what “sacrifice” really means. He does not ask “what will you sacrifice for your destiny” he asks “what won’t you sacrifice for your destiny” or to put it another way “what will you give up your destiny to protect.” I think it’s actually a very important question for any “hero” to ask. A hero is generally working towards some higher goal, and they will often make tremendous sacrifices in pursuit of that goal. The greatest sacrifice a hero can make, therefore, is not their life, but the very goal towards which they have struggled for so long. When your entire live has been devoted to something, dying for it is a small step, giving it up is what takes real moral courage. 

tl;dr: It is more important for characters to do the right thing instead of doing something morally questionable for the sake of reaching their ultimate goal (their destiny). 

Merlin did this in season 1 in the episode “The Beginning of the End”. He was told Mordred would grow up to betray Arthur and he was tempted to let him die to promote his destiny, the “greater good”. In the end of the episode he ultimately chose to save Mordred, because he was a small child being persecuted and it was unfair to kill someone who had no intention of harming him at the time. 

This type of moral dilemma, imo, is what made season 1 so memorable. This situation is also what made Merlin an admirable character because he was doing what was right, not what furthered his own goals. 

We really don’t get this type of complexity later on in the series. Everyone who goes against Camelot eventually turns evil (Mordred and Morgana), and Merlin has less qualms about being hostile to these people. 

In season 2, Merlin faces the same dilemma with Morgana. He knows she is good hearted, and wouldn’t intentionally hurt innocent people. She made the decision to help Morgause take down Uther, but Merlin knew it was because she felt like she had no other choice. Instead of reaching out to her and finding another way to end the curse (in season 2 episode 12), he decided to take the easy way out and poison her. That scene itself was so heartbreaking because Merlin essentially chose his goals over his friend, who would have been loyal to him. 

Instead of following the season 1 narrative, the show seems to imply that Merlin did the right thing in poisoning Morgana, as she goes unreasonably evil later on. The contradictory thing though, is that Mordred also goes evil later in the series. When he reunites with Merlin he is at first loyal, but becomes unhinged once Merlin treats him with suspicion and full out betrays Camelot when Kara is killed. Neither Mordred nor Morgana go evil until Merlin betrays them, but the show never portrays Merlin in the wrong for betraying them. Despite the fact that his betrayal/refusing to help is what makes them go evil, he is not punished by the narrative for betraying them. By that I mean he never really regrets how he handles this situation. He never addressed that he could have helped Morgana more (no that one throwaway line in the very end does not count, it literally doesn’t go anywhere), nor does he fix his mistake with Mordred later on. He makes the same mistake again and again. He doesn’t learn anything. 

What was the show really trying to say about destiny?  That it happens in unexpected ways? That can’t be true because Mordred and Morgana went evil and killed Arthur just as expected. That it’s better to do the right thing than achieve your goals? That can’t be true either because like I said above, Merlin never showed a proper amount of regret for his treatment of them. In fact, the theme of destiny barely holds in this series because Arthur was destined to rule but instead he died.

The way destiny is done on this show is absolutely messy, and I have another quote from Ferretbrain that highlights this even more. 

Prophecies are cool when people hear them, set out to defy them, and fail. They are not cool when people hear the prophecy and say: “Oh my god! A Prophecy! I must immediately and unthinkingly do exactly what it says! Which also just happens to be the thing which most directly furthers the hackneyed plot of the quest the author has decided I’m supposed to be on."

I guess you could say Merlin did the former, but really he also did the latter. At a certain point Merlin stopped taking actions for his own reasons and judgement and just did whatever would help Camelot. His ties to the magical world are put on the back burner starting season 3 and his only loyalties are to Arthur, making him look like a weak character chasing after some stated destiny instead of real experiences and relationships with other characters.

How it Should Have Went Down

Personally, I do not care for prophecies, but I’m not against having them in the TV shows I watch. If I had done Merlin, I would have happily kept the prophecies, but make them a source of conflict rather than the definition of Merlin’s entire character. 

In fact, I would have probably kept the scene where Merlin betrays Morgana for the sake of saving Camelot, and use that as a source of character regression he has to overcome. I would have loved to see Merlin going through with it, but feeling regretful and less satisfied than when he gave up his destiny to save Mordred. I’d love to see him realize he’s gotten so caught up in chasing his destiny that he had put his friends and the magical people he was supposed to protect behind him. 

Morgana could have gone missing and come back like she did in the beginning of Season 3, ready to take out missions for the bad guys. This time, instead of abandoning her morality she has to struggle with it. She thinks Merlin is against her, so she feels she has no choice but to turn to the dark side. We get the same scene where they are both underground, and similar dialogue. Instead of being intent on killing everyone mercilessly, Morgana struggles with her decision, just as she did in season 1 and Merlin confronts her. 

If I were to write it, tbh I’d make Merlin tell her he has magic because in that moment we all knew that would be the only way Morgana would have listened to him. She says “how could you know” and he could tell her. IC Morgana would have listened to him, and probably actually destroyed the stone herself to save everyone. 

Merlin would have realized that he should have opened up to her and trust her, because she trusted him the most. He could have had a learning moment where he puts his friends and morals above his goals, and try to find other ways of achieving his goals. 

I could see Morgana the next day telling Merlin she understands why he did why he did, but she leaves Camelot anyways. She says that she cannot stay there, and needs to fight with her people. 

This way she isn’t completely evil, but the prophecy is still fulfilled. She leaves Camelot to find her own way of dealing with her issues. Merlin stays because he feels his place is at Arthur’s side, and he now has a new perspective in achieving his goals. 

In this form of the prophecy, the predictions are fulfilled but in unexpected ways. Like I mentioned earlier, I do think Morgana would eventually come back and align with Camelot, so this version of the prophecy would be fulfilled but with an unexpected ending. 

I could also see a version of the prophecy where Mordred does end up hurting Arthur, and Arthur does die. However, like in the myths Morgana (once she is redeemed) brings him to the isle to heal him and resurrects him. Because the magic side has now proven themselves, he goes on to rule with fairness and justice, and brings peace to Camelot with magic and non-magic kind. 

Everything the dragon predicted happens, both the good and the bad, in an unexpected way. 

[whitewolfofwinterfell]

Can you do Merlin (I know again but I like reading your metas) and Harry Potter for the ask meme? 😊

5 things I’d change about Merlin:

1. Morgana’s entire arc. I briefly discussed this in the previous ask you sent where I talked about characters I couldn’t sympathise with, but I feel like Morgana’s entire arc across the series was handled terribly. The idea of Morgana transitioning from a protagonist to an antagonist was interesting and I’m perfectly happy with that, but it needed to be written so much better than it was. I think more attention needed to be given to Morgana’s internal processes and motivations. How did she change so drastically from such a compassionate and caring person to such a hardened and ruthless villain? I can’t pinpoint what specific event caused that rapid change and I think that’s the problem with Morgana. The development needed to unfold a lot slower and there should’ve been a clearly traceable line of events and growing of thoughts and feelings that led her to where she ended up. I know that she did have certain pivotal events that changed her - meeting Mordred, discovering she had magic and living with Uther’s hatred for magic, Merlin poisoning her, finding out Uther was her father and had been lying her all those years, meeting Morgause - but I still feel like none of that fully justified the sudden change in her character. I think the writing of her character in the later seasons needed to be more sympathetic and instead of reducing her to a villain, there still needed to be some level of insight into Morgana as a person. Ultimately, Morgana’s actions were driven by her desire to make magic legal, put an end to Uther’s persecution of those with magic and take her rightful place on the throne. All of that is completely understandable and even reasonable, but it gets lost in the mess of trying to make her the worst villain in the world and Merlin and Arthur’s archenemy. 

2. Arthur finds out about Merlin’s magic before the finale. We all knew from day one that Arthur had to find out about Merlin having magic at some point, but to make us wait until the very last episode was cruel and a pretty poor decision. There was so much development involved in Arthur discovering Merlin’s secret. It was the one massive barrier that was constantly between them and by making Arthur find out in the finale, they had to cram an entire season’s worth of disbelief, confusion, angst and acceptance into one episode. Arthur learning about Merlin’s magic represented the turning point for him. Already throughout the series we saw that he didn’t hold the same harsh beliefs that Uther did about magic and that he was a lot more open minded and forgiving than his father. To find out that Merlin had magic would’ve completely turned his world upside down and make him question the beliefs, morals and principles he’d carried his entire life. The prophecy of Merlin and Arthur creating a golden age never truly happened because it couldn’t happen as long as Arthur was in the dark about Merlin’s magic. It’s only through finding that out and coming to accept Merlin’s magic as being part of who he was that the two of them could’ve truly become a partnership and worked towards building a better and brighter kingdom. It’s only through understanding Merlin’s struggles and experiences with magic that Arthur could’ve come to make the decision to make the practice of magic legal in Camelot and stop the persecution of those that practised it. The central conflict throughout Merlin is essentially one between those with magic and those without it, and Merlin and Arthur are the embodiment of that. Arthur is the king, he’s the one with the power to govern the kingdom and make the laws that Camelot lives by, he doesn’t have magic and has an ingrained prejudice against those that do that’s passed down to him from Uther. Then there’s Merlin, the most powerful warlock of all time that has so much magic yet is completely powerless when it comes to making the decisions that impact the kingdom. Like the show said, they were two sides of the same coin and only together could they bring the peace and balance between magical and non-magical people. But as I said above, in order to do that Arthur needed to know everything and have his eyes opened to the fact that magic was not the enemy, and that if it hadn’t been for Merlin’s magic he would’ve been dead in the pilot and the entire kingdom would’ve fallen to ruin. 

3. ARTHUR LIVES, Gwaine lives, Lancelot lives, everybody lives! I appreciate that Arthur’s death was temporary and there’s some level of comfort to take from that, but it still felt like everything that happened was for nothing. All of the blood, sweat, tears shed and sacrifices, pain and devotion Merlin endured to protect Arthur and fulfil their destinies felt utterly pointless. I don’t even care if it’s too idealistic and too much of a fairytale ending, the finale should’ve been Arthur and Merlin side by side in the castle looking out over Camelot, the sun setting in the sky and Kilgarrah narrating that they fulfilled their prophecies and it truly was the beginning of a golden age of Albion. Killing Arthur was unnecessary and a very unsatisfying and devastating conclusion to the story. The only ending that would’ve made sense to me is Merlin and Arthur together at the end, having overcome all the obstacles and evil they’d faced and created a united Camelot where magic was able to thrive in a new way, with the future ahead of them and endless possibilities for all the good they’re going to do together. As for Gwaine and Lancelot, I think they both should’ve survived until the end. Gwaine’s death was even more unnecessary than Arthur’s, there was just no impact or reason for it. I’ve always loved Lancelot and think he was killed way too prematurely, and should’ve been a part of the round table. I also disliked the way he was resurrected by Morgana to be used against Arthur and would completely scrap that plot.

4. Merlin and Morgana’s relationship. By this, I don’t mean I think Merlin and Morgana should’ve had a romantic relationship, but I think there was sooo much potential where Merlin and Morgana were concerned. Just as Merlin and Arthur’s destinies were entwined, so were Merlin and Morgana’s, and I think there were so many layers to their relationship that could’ve been explored. Morgana’s number one fear was Emrys and in keeping her in the dark about Merlin being Emrys, it simplified the storyline a lot and made something that could’ve been incredibly interesting pretty boring. I think Morgana should’ve definitely learned about Merlin’s magic before Arthur and that Merlin should’ve been there to try and help her adjust and teach her about how to control her magic. I also think that Morgana’s transition to the dark side could’ve involved Merlin a lot more with Morgana trying to turn Merlin against Arthur by preaching that Arthur would never accept him for who he really was and that only with her on the throne would they ever truly be free and magic not be a crime. This could’ve also provided some interesting development for Merlin with him being genuinely torn between his loyalties to Arthur and Morgana, and his desire to protect Arthur and maintain his duties to Camelot and his want to be free and for magic to have free reign too. By maintaining that friendship between Merlin and Morgana for longer, it also would’ve created much more conflict when Morgana found out that Merlin was Emrys. This would also tie into the first point I discussed about Morgana’s arc, because it would’ve kept Morgana more human by building on that relationship with Merlin and having her connect with the protagonist on a deeper level. It also would’ve complicated her role as a villain, because she would still have loyalties and affection for Merlin. Whether or not that relationship could’ve gone to the romantic level, I really don’t know. I’m not a Mergana shipper, but I’m not opposed to it either. I think it would’ve worked incredibly well whether it remained a friendship or if it turned into a romance. 

5. Gwen and Arthur have a baby. This is quite a simple one in comparison to the others, but I always felt like Gwen should’ve been pregnant at some point on the show. I don’t think it necessarily would’ve made sense for the baby to be born in the middle of the series because it would’ve detracted from the main story, but there definitely should’ve been an announcement that Gwen was pregnant in the last season. The reason for this is that it would’ve been a huge celebration of the continuation of Arthur’s family line and provides a nice image of a future with mini Arthur’s and Gwen’s, but also it would’ve been another huge milestone that Arthur and Gwen had overcome after facing so many obstacles and being told that their love could never be. 

5 things I’d change about Harry Potter:

1. REMUS, SIRIUS AND DOBBY LIVE. I understand that death is part of life and in a series like Harry Potter where there’s an actual war there’s inevitably going to be casualties but not Sirius and Remus. Sirius was killed way too prematurely and still had so much to offer. He’s one of the best written and complex characters in the series and would’ve added so much to the story if he’d have lived. It’s exactly the same with Remus. He was such an interesting character that was an unnecessary sacrifice and I will never accept that Teddy had to grow up an orphan just like Harry. It’s too tragic. As for Dobby, why would anyone ever want to kill Dobby? It’s too sad and although I do think his death is effective in evoking the kind of emotion JKR wanted us to feel, I just love Dobby too much and can’t help but wish he’d lived. Also, poor Hedwig too. Let her live. Poor baby.

2. The entire epilogue. I’m pretty sure every HP fan will agree with me on this one. The epilogue in Deathly Hallows was just so awful. After everything that happened to write such a wishy washy happy ending like that was ridiculous. It wasn’t necessary for us to know that and it would’ve been so much more effective if what came afterwards was left to the readers’ imagination and interpretation. We were already given a happy ending with the defeat of Voldemort and there really wasn’t any need for JKR to take it that step further. 

3. Snape’s entire arc. As a writer myself, I can just feel that not much thought was put into Snape’s character. JKR wanted to create a villain that wasn’t really a villain but failed spectacularly. The idea that Snape was always on Harry’s side and protecting him behind the scenes completely undermines his behaviour and actions across the 7 books. And his reasoning being that he was in love with Lily just has no weight to it. Is he really so pathetic that he spent the rest of his life obsessing over a woman who never wanted him and married another man, and waded into her son’s life because he somehow felt that brought him closer to her? There’s just something incredibly disturbing about it and it’s a weak character arc. 

4. The general portrayal of villains - particularly Voldemort and the Malfoy’s. JKR has tried to defend herself numerous times about the way she wrote the houses, with the general opinion being all Gryffindors are pure hearted heroes and all Slytherins are evil whilst Ravenclaws are somewhere in the background reading and Hufflepuffs just go with the flow. JKR falls into the trap of using stereotypes and makes her villains one dimensional. Voldemort is the obvious example here. What made him become so utterly evil? I mean, there really is nothing redeemable about him yet from flashbacks we learn that he was a pretty normal, even charming child. What could possibly cause that drastic turn to the dark side? The idea of wanting to create horcruxes does not in itself mean he was evil, in fact, it’s pretty in-keeping with the ambition associated with Slytherins - he wanted to be as powerful and strong as he possibly could be. Yet the moment he learned what had to be done to make it happen why didn’t he decide against it? Why did human life mean less to him than being immortal? Draco is another example. Draco is arguably one of the most intriguing characters in the series, but his struggles are not gone into in enough depth. Obviously, there’s restrictions with how far JKR was able to go with it since the books are from Harry’s POV, but just how I discussed Morgana and Merlin’s relationship, Harry and Draco’s relationship had a very similar dynamic and could’ve been built upon so much more to make the story even more interesting. Even though Draco was supposed to be Harry’s archenemy, there’s a bond there between the two boys, a sense of familiarity and obligation that means when Harry first understood the extent to which Draco was involved with Voldemort it could’ve create so much more conflict than we got. JKR did go there, but she just didn’t take it far enough. Similarly, the rest of the Malfoy’s are portrayed as being evil but why? You’ll notice that I’m one of those people that just can’t accept someone being evil and the only explanation being because they are. Very few people are actually born evil, only psychopaths, but surely all of these villainous characters can’t be psychopaths? So what is their drive? What went so wrong in their past that they behave this way? In my opinion it is so hard to write a realistic and strong antagonist and JKR is one of the many writers that fails to do any villain justice. 

5. The time-turner. Although the time-turner was great in that it allowed Harry and Hermione to save Sirius and Buckbeak, the introduction of time travel completely detracts from the entire story. I saw this meme years ago: 

and distinctly remember laughing out loud because it’s so true. JKR can preach whatever philosophical crap she wants about how messing with time could have disastrous consequences and that’s why they couldn’t use the time turner for any other purpose, but with the power to time travel why wouldn’t the characters simply go back and change the key events in their lives that they want to erase? Why wouldn’t Harry go back to the night his parents were killed to save them and kill Voldemort for good in the process? Any rational human would and say to hell with the consequences. From Harry’s perspective there was nothing to lose in doing that, in fact, it would solve all of his life’s problems. It’s just ridicilous that McGonagall would give such a powerful and potentially earth destroying object (if it fell into the wrong hands) to a young teenage girl just so she can take on extra classes. There is no logic in it and there is no satisfying or adequate reason as to why Dumbledore thinks it’s perfectly okay to go back in time to save Buckbeak and Sirius but that it would be abhorrent to use it for any other reason. 

Wow, so that’s it. Sorry this got so long, I really wanted to put a lot of thought into it. It’s so hard to narrow it down to just 5 things and to cast my mind back to the entire series to recall what I didn’t like. For Harry Potter I was going to say I’d change all of the romances, but then the point about the epilogue kinda does that for me. Anyway, thanks for asking again, Tasneem, you know how much I love writing these kind of metas! :)

[witchmd13]

I always got the impression that Agravaine hated Uther, and by extension Arthur, because he believed him the reason Ygraine died, much like his brother, Tristan, did and who was killed by Uther when he challenged him over Ygraine’s death (makes you wonder about Uther’s story of not knowing that magic would claim Ygraine’s life for Arthur’s. I mean if Tristan knew that, why would he challenge Uther in the first place? Why would he directly blame Uther for her death and not magic?)

I hated the sleazeball more than anyone, but can you blame the guy really? He had to watch his sister die because of Uther’s obsession with having an heir (that’s if he didn’t share Morgause’s “view” on Uther sacrificing Ygraine’s life knowingly) and then had to watch Uther kill his brother too. (Off topic, but also kinda makes me wonder how blinded Arthur was by Agravaine really if he knew that Uther had killed Agravaine’s brother and still expected his loyalties to remain with Arthur. I mean come on.)

I do think Agravaine had a thing for Morgana but I don’t think it was reciprocated. He was a creep who probably knew Morgana as a kid. His scene with Gwen in his chambers still makes my skin crawl. Ugh.

Submission cont:

For him to choose Morgana from the start would mean he met Morgana at the very start of the time skip (when S4 starts we are shown that he’s already well integrated in the court, which means he’s been at the castle for months. There’s so little time for him to eventually be approached by Morgana and develop any feelings that would make Agravaine choose a “bastard” unrelated to him over his own blood. Ambition? Unlikely (the show nowhere hints that Morgana indulged - or even knew - Agravaine’s feelings for her, and I doubt she would’ve promised him the throne as her husband). Hate? But what for? If he really cared for his sister and brother (which isn’t to be taken for granted), he could want revenge over Uther, but Arthur…? What was Agravaine’s beef with Arthur?

[words-writ-in-starlight]

Please tell me all about your complaints with BBC Merlin, bc I too have Many Complaints (ft. Miscommunication and Secrets Are Good For Drama to a Maximum of One Season and Certainly Not Five; Morgana is a Terrified and Oppressed Woman Who Is Made Evil for Being Terrified and Oppressed and Does Not Deserve It, Much Like All Mages; and Everyone Has A Serious Case of Forgetting Their Character Growth when The Plot Requires.

*deep breath*

Honestly I think my ultimate complaint about Merlin is that it suffers from an absolutely crippling case of narrative cowardice, which is a concept you might recall from my Inevitable Tirade About SPN.  Basically: if you open your show with a large portion of it predicated on a conceit that has to be drastically altered in order to accomplish the ultimate goal of the plot (in the case of Merlin, switching from uther’s Camelot to Arthur’s Camelot), you can’t be a shit about it and you have to actually goddamn do it.  CHANGE YOUR PARADIGM, YOU LIMP NOODLES.

No, I’m dead serious, all their problems basically boil down to a critical inability to change the paradigm.  Let’s do an experiment to prove it.

Merlin’s magic, obviously.

Two things here.

First, Merlin hiding his magic.  At the beginning, Merlin can’t tell anyone about his magic on pain of death, because Uther.  This implicitly sets up the eventual transition into Arthur’s Camelot as a shift into a ‘safe’ Camelot for magic users in general and Merlin in particular, because we all know a little bit about Arthuriana and we know that Merlin becomes Arthur’s trusted adviser, magic and all.  So in order to accomplish that transition, what ‘should’ happen (by ‘should’ I mean, ‘the thing that makes intuitive sense to someone waiting for the plot to advance’) is that Merlin’s presence and involvement in Arthur’s life gradually makes Arthur more comfortable with magic, until finally a crisis forces a reveal in which Merlin comes clean and puts Arthur in the position of deciding once and for all where he stands.  Plot and precedent in every other Arthurian legend requires that Arthur decides, at the very least, that Merlin is not evil and that consequently magic can be used for good.  This would by virtue of necessity put Arthur and Merlin against Uther, and moreover mean that it would be the two of them scheming together in order to save the kingdom every couple weeks, which would be an excellent way to develop their relationship and progress toward Arthur’s Camelot.  Instead, by trying to uphold the ‘secrecy’ conceit, the plot is forced to relapse to Square One every couple of episodes, and therefore when Arthur’s Camelot does come ‘round, it’s not safe for Merlin to come clean, Merlin still doesn’t really trust Arthur, Arthur’s playing checkers on a board where the other side is playing chess, and We The People feel pretty fucking cheated.

Second, Merlin’s magic in general.  FRIENDS.  COMRADES.  IF YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO SET SOMEONE UP AS THE MOST POWERFUL MAGE IN HISTORY, I WANT TO SEE THEM BE THE MOST POWERFUL MAGE IN HISTORY.  Honestly by about season 3 there’s no point to Merlin being worried about coming clean, because we’re told repeatedly that he’s powerful enough to not worry about being burned at the stake or whatever.  According to what we’re told, Merlin should have the raw power to walk into Uther’s courtroom and announce “Hello, all, I am a warlock and I dare you to mess with me” and then go back to his business.  But since we never see him actually carry that out–y’all he fucking killed Nimueh with lightning, why didn’t we see that again?–Merlin’s power level is mostly an Informed Attribute, which leaves the viewer frustrated and confused by a lot of the tension the show sets up regarding threats to Merlin’s life.  We see Merlin demonstrate multiple times that it would be almost impossible to execute him by traditional methods, and yet we’re still supposed to agree that it’s too dangerous.  Like.  Listen, my friends.  Here is a pro tip.  It’s actually not a narrative-ending problem to have a ludicrously OP character (which is what Merlin would be if the writers were consistent with his abilities), but you have to acknowledge that they develop a whole different set of obstacles than someone who isn’t ludicrously OP.  It just takes some creative thinking.

Morgana!

Morgana is horribly mistreated by the narrative and I’m not gonna question you there, but moreover, a lot of the problems with her magic plotline are, again, about a fear of changing the paradigm.  So, like, okay, let’s all agree that it would make infinitely more narrative sense for Morgana to go to Arthur, her foster brother and trusted friend, in distress and tell him that she thinks she can do magic, which Arthur would tell his servant Merlin.  The two of them recommend that Morgana keep it under wraps, and maybe that’s how Arthur starts to come around on the magic thing, rather than Merlin’s influence.  Sure, super chill.  Instead of just doing an about-face on the whole loyalty thing because…what…she’s not the heir?  (It’s been A Minute since I put myself through this show.)  Instead of that whole mess, maybe Morgana comes to Merlin when Uther is wounded and begs him to help her find a way to heal him, because surely, surely, if his beloved ward (and daughter) uses magic for something so pure and innocently good as healing the king, it can’t be evil.  When that inevitably backfires, Uther banishes Morgana from Camelot, and Arthur tells her to go because it’s safer.  Morgana, betrayed by Uther and perceiving herself to be abandoned by Arthur and Merlin, turns on Camelot in a rage and allies with her sister Morgause.  This plotline gives Morgana more agency, avoids the rather unsavory “madness leads to murder” overtones, minimizes the predatory vibe of Morgause’s plotline, and actually contributes to developing Merlin and Arthur as leaders and characters alike.

The problem, of course, is that this plotline hinges on Arthur’s character not being a static piece of shit that would honestly fracture under even the most minimal paradigm shift.  So instead, Morgana draws the short straw for a sudden face-heel turn so that there can be a motivation to enforce Arthur’s hatred of magic and Merlin’s fear of telling the truth, and then she disappears for half a season only to show up again crazy and homicidal, which…honestly there’s not a lot of emotional punch there.  At no point in time did I sympathize with Morgana because, update, I do not believe that fratricide and patricide are legitimate responses to her situation in the show.  But since they presented it as a problem that should have been sympathetic, I was mostly just angry rather than disinterested.

Merlin and Arthur’s friendship!

Honestly this should be pretty blindingly obvious, but Merlin and Arthur…I actually don’t super care for their relationship, because there are so few occasions when Arthur counterbalances his constant insults and judgement with the kind of do-or-die loyalty Merlin shows him.  And like on the one hand it’s clearly meant to be largely in good humor, but there are plenty of times when it’s Clearly Not.  But the worst part is that I can’t even hold it against Arthur because Merlin is not telling him the truth, which in turn I can’t hold against Merlin because Arthur is pretty much a narrow-minded magic-hating prick, which never changes because Merlin isn’t telling him the truth, because Arthur has never given him reason to think he’d stand by Merlin against Uther, and so on down the line.

And you expect me to believe that relationship develops into something strong enough to build a kingdom on?  To build a legend on?  I think the hell not.  In order to develop that relationship into something that feels as last-gasp-devoted as the show tells you it should, someone’s paradigm has to shift and it basically has to be Arthur because See Above and, again, the showmakers are fucking cowards.

Arthur’s personality AS A WHOLE

Once again: I am existentially exhausted by the whole Arthur Is A Dick thing.  And I don’t blame Merlin for starting it, but it’s definitely a peak concentration of the whole phenomenon, and I fucking hate it.  I eventually stuck it out and watched three seasons and change and I did genuinely enjoy a lot of things, but I attempted the first episode three times and had to stop because I was so fucking aggravated with Arthur’s character.  And basically, in order for him to move firmly out of Spoiled Rich Prick With Issues into Competent Merciful Leader With Tragic Backstory That Panned Out Well In The End, he needs to acknowledge in-narrative that he’s been, A, contributing to the persecution of magic users and that’s something he’ll never truly be clean of, and, B, he’s been not only mocking but actively penalizing Merlin for what Arthur does not realize is saving the country.  Basically, it would require Arthur to grow up, not just in his status as king but in and of himself as an individual, in his relationships as well as in his throne, become more than a war hero with more courage than is healthy.  It would require Arthur to spit out an apology that sounded like an apology, and start trusting Merlin’s word as an adviser rather than a conveniently intelligent servant.

And like.  That paradigm shift would probably have made the showrunners shit their pants on the spot.

If you, like me, couldn’t move past these issues but still want(ed) to enjoy the characters and universe, I have a solution for you!  Here is the most magnificent series rewrite I have ever seen in my life, and as far as I am concerned the One True Merlin Canon.  The link is to the Season 3 rewrite, which is where it goes hard AU and solves a lot of problems. 

In conclusion: fuck this noise, everyone go watch Legend of the Sword instead, @Guy Ritchie please make at least one sequel.