#and it's from uther of all people
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"I can't stand by and watch him die" "Then don't look" is too raw a line to come from bbc merlin
#merlin#bbc merlin#and it's from uther of all people#it's like s1e4 as well like damn they started strong#edit: feel the need to clarify that I do in fact enjoy the show (I am rewatching it over a decade after it ended for starters) and am not#only aware that it is very good sometimes but that's actually one of the things I like about it. I'm not saying this because I don't like#the show or think it's not capable of good lines. The joke is that this is the same show that had this SAME CHARACTER get with a troll (as#someone in the notes mentioned). basically it's a silly goofy show a lot of the time and I love it and I find it entertaining in its duality
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kilgharrah looking at arthur in 2.13 like he wants to inspect him under a microscope isnsndbsjs
#i get him#in other news i think 2.13 is actually like one of the optimal episodes to kickstart the arthur brainrot if anyone was curious#like just look at literally any scene in that ep and i guarantee some part of ur brain will automatically start withering#arthur being competentā
arthur caring about his people more than anythingā
#arthur almost condescendingly disregarding uthers ordersā
#arthur being a bitchā
a little shitā
and assholeā
#a bratā
annoyingly endearing about getting merlin to talk so he feels betterā
#arthur using his daggerā
#arthur being scared of intimacy and genuine emotionā
DESPITE HAVING INITIATED A CERTIFIED MOMENT LIKE A SECOND BEFOREā
#the knights all standing around himā
#the relieved ecstatic laugh and falling on his back after waking up from being unconscious and just taking merlins word that He Did Thatā
#like i really could go on. stellar episode 10/10#bbc merlin#arthur pendragon
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He then realises with a certain gravity that Arthur Pendragon has not recognised the man in his reflection is a long, long time.
He can actually pinpoint the moment.
He was wandering the halls, just as he was now. He couldnāt have been more than nine summers old.
He remembers looking into the mirror and grinning, a wobbly, gap-toothed grin, he had been unsure of himself, but now he felt like he could fly. He had just unwrapped the bandage from his first ābattle woundā. Squire trained had started that day, he had nicked himself on a sword.
That was before father actually began to acknowledge his existence and began getting very hurtful in his words.
An older Arthur looks back at him in the mirror, weathered and battle-worn, with too many scars to count, eyes red and face splotchy, he will hear no more of what his father has to say.
#arthur pendragon#bbc merlin#merlin#drabble#fanfic#angst#uther pendragon#prince arthur#king arthur#idk arthurās grief is never really explored in the show#curse you writers once again#i hate uther pendragon with a passion oh my lord#i think all of his bad then contrasted with the like two whole times he was nice to arthur really is a great portrayal of a toxic#relationship because yeah if someone who had been awful to me and other people consistently for ages then turned around was like i love you#im proud of you i would not know what to do either#even worse when its his dad#i hate that man did i mention that before#the transition from knight to crown prince to king must have destroyed him#what no im not working through my own things via ff haha why would you say that
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growing up and radicalizing urself then going back to watch ur old favorite pieces of media and realizing you were siding with the true villains the whole time is wild
#so much propaganda#im talking about bbc merlin#when i watched it initially i adored merlin and despised morgana#maturing is realizing she was right#now im like so annoyed how the story played out#idc that merlin loved arthur so much he sacrificed his own people including himself blah blah blah#SHUDDUP#HE SIDED WITH HIS OPPRESSORS#MORGANA STARTED A REVOLUTION#SHE WAS RIGHTTTTTTT#dont get me wrong i still love merlin but GOD did he fuck himself over#i guess thats the whole point of a tradgedy or whatever#doomed from the start#but idc#he shouldve done fucking something#for a man who supposedly doesnt care for titles or status#he really couldnt handle going against a monarch#i wish he wouldve like at least raised a hidden kindom or sactuary for all magic users to go to hide from uthers rage#save ur fucking people dude#OOOOO IM GETTING ANNOYED JUST WRITING THIS OUT#POST FUCKING CANCELED
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still in my loki era but I'm having morgana thoughts. I would like you all to know that I fully believe morgause turned morgana into the end product we get of her. we never see what happens to morgana after morgause takes her. we have pretty much no idea what happened the year or so that she was gone.
I know morgana has been through a lot and that she's even right in some of her thoughts (uther š hope he burns in hell) but the morgana in the last few seasons is a complete 180 from the morgana from season one. even with all the terrible shit she went through at the hands of uther and the neglect and fear she suffers from, I don't think she would've ever naturally turned into the dark sorceress she later becomes.
#season 1 and season 5 morgana are completely different peopls#she used to be so sweet and compassionate#i think other people have had this theory but i think morgause did to morgana what morgana does to gwen#remember when morgana made guinevere#sweet and caring lovable guinevere#madly in love with her husband arthur#turn against him and try to kill him#she was completely different from the gwen we all know and love#i think it's entirely possible morgause did it to morgana#bbc morgana#morgana pendragon#morgana le fay#bbc merlin#morgana bbc#merlin bbc#bbc arthur#bbc uther#bbc lancelot#arthur pendragon#lancelot du lac#merlin emrys#the adventures of merlin
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merlin fucking up his life for pretty women... he's so mecore
#shows#bbc merlin#merlin s1#merlin 1x04#merlin#text#tais toi lys#like saying ur a sorcerer in front of UTHER OF ALL PEOPLE to save gwen. drinking poison from arthur's cup bc a pretty woman said so#lys lb: merlin#*
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I want a BBC Merlin fanfic where Hunith visits Camelot as a surprise. Merlin doesn't know she's coming, only Gaius knows that she plans to visit. This is set in a time period where all the knights are alive (I'm looking at you Lancelot.) and Arthur is Prince, but running the Kingdom as Uther is unwell.
Hunith pulls up to Camelot and is walking towards the Castle through the citadel, burdened by her bags, when a cheerful voice rings out. "Do you need any help, miss?" It's one of the many Castle servants.
Hunith explains that she is heading to the Castle to visit her son who works there, the servant then offers to carry her bags.
"Oh I don't want to be a bother." Hunith replies
"It's no bother at all! Really, I was heading that way already." The servant insists and they both make their way to the castle, "What's your son's name by the way, I might know him if he works here."
"His name is Merlin." Hunith responds with a smile. The servant stops walking and looks at her. It's not only him that stops at this announcement.
"Y-you're Merlin's Mother?!?" A nearby servant who had been close enough to hear the conversation says in awe.
The courtyard that they're walking through gradually fills with hushed whispers as the news spreads. Everyone knows of Merlin. The Prince's manservant who had managed to not quit in the first week of serving him. Merlin, who changed the Prince from a spoiled brat into a good man whom the Kingdom was proud of and eagerly awaited the day he would be crowned King. Merlin, who had followed the Prince into battle time and time again to save Camelot.
I want a fanfiction where The Entire Of Camelot loves Merlin and is thankful for his role in making Arthur a good person. Where not only the Knights, but the Castle staff meet his mother and collectively decide that she is That Woman and treat her with Respect. Where they treat her like Royalty.
Ofc Gwaine loves her. That's his best friend's mom. Hunith looks at all the knights and adopts them on the Spot.
And Merlin is either really confused by this behavior or knows and just lets it happen.
Arthur has no idea what's going on or why but he treats her with reverence and love because that's his future Mother in Law and he's very much starved for parental affection which she gives him (and the knights) in spades.
But yes, I just want a fic of people meeting Hunith and being like "Thank you for giving birth to your son. I'd die for you both" and her being like "...please don't."
(Bonus if Leon meets her and is just like. "How did you survive being around that little shit (Merlin) for so long?" And she just laughs and gives him advice, which makes him cry because he's just so tired. #LetLeonRest2024 I will push this agenda till I die)
#bbc merlin#merlin#arthur pendragon#merthur#random camelot citizens#people meeting Hunith#Merlin's mother#This idea was just stuck in my head#I've read fics where the knights meet her but none that focus on the castle staff meeting her#I just want people to give Merlin the love he deserves#and also for Arthur to experience true parental support#long suffering leon#sir leon the long suffering#Let Leon Rest 2024
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Someone should write a fic where Gwaine and Lancelot meet on the road before Lancelot ever goes to Camelot. They're in a tavern, sheltering from the rain, and over pints of ale Lancelot would tell Gwaine how much he wants to be a knight, how he's on his way to Camelot because he wants to help people, to protect them. And all the while Gwaine is sitting there thinking, "you poor sucker, you've got no clue about the First Rule." But Lancelot's genuine desire to help people gets to him and so Gwaine sits there getting drunker and drunker, wishing that knights were as good as Lancelot idealistically thinks. And he gets this absolutely crazy idea.
When Lancelot wakes the next morning, a still half-drunk Gwaine is sitting across from him. And he tells him, dumping a piece of paper and a signet ring on the table, "You can't be a knight in Camelot. You're not a noble. But I could be. So Congratulations, you're now Gwaine, Son of Lot of Caerleon. Take this to Camelot and they should welcome you as a knight."
Lancelot protests. Strenuously. But Gwaine knows the rules. As a peasant, Lancelot could never be a knight in Uther's kingdom, no matter how good his fighting or how noble his character. And Lancelot wants his dream so much that he agrees. From now on Gwaine will be Lancelot and Lancelot will be Gwaine.
And so Lancelot heads off to Camelot. He and Merlin meet as they do in canon, but Lancelot fumbles the introduction, unused to his new name, then ends up confessing all to Merlin. Merlin is more than willing to help with shenanigans and helps Lancelot practice his introduction so he doesn't screw up again, then introduces him to Arthur. Lancelot gets knighted and doesn't get outed as a fake, since the paperwork is valid (even if it's not his paperwork). He and Lancelot defeat the Griffin, with Lancelot discovering Merlin's magic, but Lancelot gets feted rather than exiled.
This gives Merlin an ally, which has various effects, lets Lancelot and Gwen court, and means that when Merlin meets "Lancelot" in the tavern brawl, he knows who he is.
I think it'd be a interesting change to see the spiraling consequences of.
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I know the fandom generally agrees merlin and arthur would sort out the magic ban before getting married. But i got to say it would be objectively hilarious to watch King/Prince Consort of fucking Camelot, the OG magic hater, just prance around, lax as fuck because who the hell is brave enough to accuse the literal 2nd most important person in Albion of breaking the law? š¤£
Like just imagine all the dialogues that could come out of it:
Magic-Hating Noble: I watched the chair levitate!
Merlin: I was the only other person in the room at the time... :/
Arthur: Are you accusing your King Consort of sorcery? *royal angry face*
Magic-Hating Noble: No! No... sire.
Arthur: Are you... accusing yourself of sorcery?
Magic-Hating Noble: ...
*merlin in the background making no effort to hide the fact that he's literally reading a spell book*
Merlin: *Teleporting into a busy council meeting because he's late*
Everyone: *Stares*
Merlin:
Arthur:
Everyone:
Arthur: *clapping his hands* Anyway, lets get this meeting started!
Merlin: *coming back from very publicly creating a massive storm to defeat some magical attack* Weird weather we're having right guys?
One of Uther's Loyalists: *literal steam coming out of his ears but too traditional to contradict a royal*
Merlin: *swans off, spell book in hand*
Let me know if you want more!
PART 2:
https://www.tumblr.com/amirmeavid/763239515298103296/part-2-full-disclosure-i-was-not-expecting-people?source=share
#merlin#merlin memes#merlin prompt#fic prompt#merlin x arthur#bbc merlin#merlin bbc#merlin emrys#merlin fanfic#merlin fandom#merthur#crack fic#crack#crack post
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What if...Ygraine Returns as a Ghost to Care for Her Son
Servant: Sir, I came to inform you that the knights you sent to battle are all dead.
Uther (sitting on the throne, distracted): Well, send their belongings to their families and tell them they were heroes. And bring more cookies, I'm hungry.
Arthur (six years old, watching the scene with distracted eyes next to a very angry ten-year-old Morgana): Good people die young, so when I grow up, I want to be bad like mom. š
Morgana: What are you talking about, Arthur! Your mother was a kind and good woman! Where did you get the idea that she was bad!?
Arthur: Yesterday I heard mom say that her dream was for a manure cart to run over dad so he would die once and for all. š
Morgana (eyes wide in complete shock): Your mother would never say such a thing, Arthurā¦ š«¢
Ygraine (next to Uther, trying to strangle him but unable to because she is a ghost): Don't listen to her, baby, mom hates dad and doesn't support anything he's doing! I still can't believe I married this man, listen to what mom says, Arthur, don't follow in his footsteps!
Arthur (turns to Morgana): Mom just said she hates dad, she's also trying to strangle him, but her hands keep going through his body, I think she's a ghost. š« *slowly losing sanity*
Morgana (realizing that the young prince might be crazy): Arthur, maybe she's just jokingā¦
Ygraine (trying to make Uther trip by stepping on his own cape): I'M NOT JOKING! If I could, I would kill him myself! I just can't because I can't touch him!
Arthur: I don't know if the gods would like so much violenceā¦
Ygraine: The gods don't like your father!
Arthur: Okayā¦ š *takes a cookie from the tray the servant brought*
#merlin#bbc merlin#merlin emrys#merlin x arthur#merlin bbc#merthur#ygraine pendragon#ygraine de bois#ghost ygraine pendragon#arthur pendragon headcanon#arthur pendragon#morgana#morgana and Arthur#bbc uther#uther pendragon#Ygraine bbc#merlin incorrect quotes#incorrect qutoes
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People exaggerately hate on Uther: he's not this unimaginable evil, nor the worst ever with no redeeming qualities.
The fierceness with which they hate on him in fandom is overreacting.
(ps people who hate him, you do you, but please don't tag the hateful post, that's common courtesy)
hey. do you want to send me your unpopular opinion(s) about merlin? but it needs to be something actually unpopular
#tl;dr: uther is just a character - that doen't warrant the level of dogpiling he usually gets#I get that it's fun to all band on hating one guy#but sometimes it feels like people just hate for hating#like 'oh everybody wants him dead I'll just reapeat that'#like an echo chamber#anyway#I also think people who dislike Uther are louder than peopl who love him#so they seem much more#therefore my knowledge is probably skewed#plus he's a MEDIEVAL KING#he does average basic king shit#literally... nothin more nothing less#plus it's not like characters committing atrocities with no remorse bar fandom from likin them#of fannibals would be jobless LOL#reblog addendum
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Ok, I don't really post here, but there's a Merlin AU idea that's been rattling around in my skull like it's a pinball machine and I need to get it out, so here we go:
Imagine an AU where Balinor doesn't die and banishes Kilgarrah before sneaking away so Uther doesn't catch him and can't put his newfound son in danger. Of course, both he and Merlin are heartbroken about having to be separated again after just finding each other, but they work out a way to keep in touch and occasionally meet in secret.
And this is all well and good, and everything in the show just kinda proceeds as normal up until about season 4, where we have the knights of the round table well-established in Camelot.
It'd make sense that after a few years of travelling around with Kilgarrah, Balinor would be pretty well-known and well-feared throughout all the five kingdoms as "that dragonlord who escaped the purge and now travels around on the back of a giant dragon", and people all over Albion are kinda terrified of the guy.
Rumors say that he never smiles, that he can kill a man in a split second without even utterring a spell, and can decimate kingdoms with the dragon under his total command. That makes for a formidable figure!
And then one day, Balinor is trying to sneak into Camelot to visit his son (he heard Merlin got hit by a dorocha and wants to make sure he's ok!), and the knights see him and freak out because holy shit that's one of the deadliest guys in Albion!
They're in a tense standoff, with Balinor threatening to call down the dragon on them if they don't let him through. The knights are all ready to give their lives to at least buy the people in the castle time to evacuate, when suddenly Merlin and Arthur make it to the standoff. Arthur immediately starts strategizing with his knights on how they're going to negociate with the sorcerer in an attempt to make sure that they aren't all slaughtered.
Meanwhile, Merlin just laughs and pushes through the rows of knights blocking Balinor's path to the castle. The knights, being very fond of Merlin and not wanting to see their kind little friend be brutally murdered by one of the most terrifying men in exsistence, are trying to grab Merlin and pull him back to safety or shouting at him to get back, but Merlin manages to avoid them as he walks up to Balinor.
For a horrifying moment, the knights and Arthur think that Merlin is about to sacrifice himself for them, but Merlin breaks into a huge grin, yells "Dad!", and runs right into Balinor's arms.
(Merlin and Balinor reason that now that Arthur's king, they might as well start easing him into some of Merlin's less shocking secrets)
And even more shockingly to the knights, Balinor hugs him back, asking Merlin all about how he's been doing, how are his studies under Gaius, etc etc.
And all of the knights just bluescreen. Because the math isn't mathing on this one. Hunith + Balinor = MERLIN?! Does not compute.
They're all pondering how could someone as joyful, friendly, and kind as Merlin be the spawn of a terrifying man like Balinor?? They just cannot comprehend it. The manservant who they all know and love came from this sorcerer who's name is synonymous with the threat of death and destruction??
They're all jolted back to reality however when Balinor asks Merlin if he wants to come back to Balinor's newly-renovated stronghold in the mountains (that's only accessable by riding a dragon) to learn more about one day becoming a dragonlord. And suddenly, the knight understand why Balinor's here. He wants to kidnap Merlin from them and twist him into a terrifying sorcerer to carry on Balinor's legacy!
It all basically dissolves into a long game of high-stakes tug-of-war between Balinor and the knights + Arthur, and Merlin's just enjoying spending time with his father and his friends.
Balinor will just casually crash one of their quests while riding Kilgarrah and "kidnap" Merlin while the knights fight to keep Merlin with them.
Balinor eventually gives Merlin Aithusa so he can get practice raising dragons, and the knights see it as some evil scheme to make Merlin betray Camelot and attack it from within, but damn it Merlin's already adopted the damn thing so now they're stuck with a baby dragon.
IDK if I'd ever write a fic about it since I'm pretty busy writing another fic rn, but I thought that it was a funny idea to throw out there!
PS: if anyone wants to read my current project, where I'm giving Sir Leon more anxiety with each chapter after a kinda-botched magic reveal on Merlin's part (and Merlin may or may not be an eldritch god), feel free to check it out here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54027337/chapters/136771564
Thank you all for sticking with my incoherent rambling! :D I hope you have a great day/night!
Also, please let me know if you guys wants to hear more of the ideas that pinball around in my head!
#bbc merlin#merlin#balinor#merlin bbc#arthur pendragon#merlin au#protective arthur#protective knights#merlin prompts
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Ok, to celebrate the Merlin is trend yet again. I'll share a Merthur prompt that occured to me yesterday.
I've read a couple of fics where Merlin is deaf, like he was born deaf or lost his hearing at a very young age, which leads to Arthur learning sign language to be able to comunicate with him. I love this concept, mostly cause I'm a big fan of sign language I think it's beautiful.
But what if Arthur was the deaf one and not Merlin?
Think about it. Royalty wasn't allowed to be nothing but perfect. Left handed princes were forced to learn to write with their right hand, because that was consider "defective". Now imagine having a dishability! It was disastrous!
I imagine Uther forcing Arthur to learn how to read lips and talk with a normal voice so nobody knows he's deaf. The King makes almost a requirement that people must be infront of the prince when they talk to him and never talk to him when his back is turned, saying this is to show their respect properly. Also Uther makes Arthur only speak with other people when strictly necessary. This, of course, makes Arthur feel miserable and lonely.
Years go by and Merlin arrives in Camelot. Their first meeting and later confrontation on the street happens mostly the same, just adding Merlin constantly turning his back on Arthur, despite Arthur telling him to speak to him to his face (this annoys Arthur particularly for obvious reasons).
Then Merlin saves his life, but this time Arthur isn't affected by lady Helen singing because he can't hear her. And he is way more observant thanks to his lack of hearing, so he clearly notices Merlin was in the other side of the room one second and next to him in the next when Merlin pulls him away of the direction of the knife.
So when Uther is about to reward Merlin, Arthur says just that.
Arthur: How is that you came here in time? You were on the other side of the room! Weren't you affected by the echantament?
Merlin: (nervous) I... Well...
Uther: (suspicious) Couldn't it be you are an ally of this witch boy?
Gaius: (to Merlin's rescue) Is not that, my lord. Merlin could safe the prince in time because he couldn't be affected by the singing at all. He's deaf.
This is a lie, Merlin is not deaf, but his mother is. Gaius is saying this just to save him and Merlin gets it inmediatly so he plays along.
Uther: (to Merlin) Is this true?
Merlin: (speaks in a "deaf voice" as he signs at the same time) Yes, your majesty.
Uther: I see...
Arthur: (looks what Merlin did with his hands with curiosity)
Uther: Well, as I was saying. Your act today merits something quite especial. From now on you'll be the Prince's manservant!
Later. When Arthur and Merlin are alone in Arthur's chambers.
Arthur: How did you do it?
Merlin: What?
Arthur: Get to me in time.
Merlin: Gaius explained. I'm deaf.
Arthur: Is not just that you didn't hear the singing. You were too far!
Merlin: I run fast.
Arthur: That's not true! I didn't see you running, you just appeared at my side.
Merlin: Well, how could you know? You were asleep, weren't you?
Arthur: (thinking) Fuck... (Says) You're right...It just... seemed like it because I fell asleep. (Sits on his desk and starts reading some scrolls) You are not needed now. Leave.
Merlin: (puts himself on Arthur's line of vision) I know... about you.
Arthur: (nervous) I don't know what you mean.
Merlin: You are deaf (makes the sign of "deaf")
Arthur: (laughs) I'm not.
Merlin: You weren't affected by the singing.
Arthur: That's not true. (Thinking) I was careful to pretend to fall asleep like the others.
Merlin: I also called you ungrateful royal ass when we were heading here and you had your back turned at me like ten times and you never once answered.
Arthur: ...
Merlin: I must say your speaking voice is quite impressive-
Arthur: (stands up abruptly and points at Merlin's throat with his sword)
Merlin: (lifts his hands) Wow! This is what I get for saving your life? A very ungrateful ass indeed.
Arthur: (afraid he's secret will come out) I will kill you right there.
Merlin: There's no need for this! I won't tell anyone!
Arthur: (more panic mode) Nobody can't know! If you dare to say something-
Merlin: (shouts) I HAVE MAGIC!
Arthur: ...
Arthur: (thinking maybe he didn't read Merlin's lips correctly) What?
Merlin: I have magic. That's why I wasn't affected by the singing and that's how I got to you in time. I also dropped the chandelier on her. I used magic. See? Now you know a secret of mine that could get me killed. So I'm not going to give you away
Arthur: (puts down his sword slowly) So... you are not really deaf? (Kind of dissapointed cause he though he finally find a person like him that could understand him)
Merlin: (surprised Arthur puts more attention to this fact than the fact that he is a sorcerer) No, but my mom is. That's partly how I figured you out. You remind me of her.
Arthur: (remembering the sign language) You did something with your hands before, while speaking.
Merlin: Oh, that's a language my mother tought me to be able to comunicate with her better š! We have a hand gesture for every letter, a, b, c, d, e (shows the sign as he mentions the letters) And also a sign for every word like table, run, angry, prince (does the last sign pointing at Arthur) It's easier for her like this. I know reading lips is exhausting. I translated her what other people were saying most of the time.
Arthur: (gets a bittersweet feeling, thinking on how this woman wasn't force to fit the standar and rather her son adapted himself to her needs) That's really nice. You are a good son. (smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes). I won't tell anybody about you either. You don't have to worry.
Merlin: (relieved, but also notices his sadness) I could teach you if you like. My mom's language.
Arthur: (shakes his head) I can't be seen learning a deaf language.
Merlin: They don't have to know is for you. As far as everyone knows I'm the one who is deaf, remember? You can tell them you're learning it for me so you can comunicate with your deaf servant better.
Arthur: And would they buy it?
Merlin: I mean you are not precisly known for being kind to your servants, but it's worth a try. What do you say?
Arthur: (smiles genuinely this time) I would like to.
So Merlin teaches Arthur the language and his life gets better from then on. Merlin is always with Arthur in every meeting or interaction with other nobels and translates him what he didn't catch. It becomes a common occurrence seeing the prince and his servant comunicating in this particular way in the halls. Then Morgana (one of the few that knew about Arthur's secret) and Gwen start learning it too, bringing even more attention from outside view.
Then Uther, angry cause he thinks this could lead to Arthur's secret been revealed, tries to send Merlin away. Arthur argues with him for that of course, sometimes signing furiosly as he speaks.
Uther: Stop making those hand movements for godsake! You look like a retarded!
Arthur: (doesn't speak and signs furiously instead) Oh, you don't like when I sign? Well look!
Uther: What was that? Speak.
Arthur: (signs) It doesn't feel good not understanding what someone says, does it?
Uther: I said speak!
Arthur: (shouts) I said it doesn't feel good when you don't understand what someone says, does it?! To have make an extrordinary effort to just get a word right everytime someone as much as opens their mouth!
Uther: ...
Uther: Arthur-
Arthur: I finally found a way to comprehend better the world around me thanks to Merlin. And instead of seing it as an opportunity, you want to take that away from me!
Uther: You were fine before.
Arthur: I wasn't!
Uther: Well, you won't die because you can't do some hand gestures. This is stopping. Now!
Arthur: (takes a deep breath) Alright, I won't do it ever again. But let Merlin stay. (Begs) Please.
Uther: The boy can stay.
Arthur: (with gritted teeth) Thank you, father. (Bows and leaves)
Morgana: (enters the room having heard the whole conversation from outside) You must know this will kill him.
Uther: He's just being dramatic. It'll pass.
Morgana: My lord, you never once wondered... why Arthur didn't move?
Uther: What?
Morgana: When the blade of that witch was flying at him.
Uther: He was enchanted.
Morgana: He wasn't. He can't hear, the voice of Lady Helen couldn't reach him. So why didn't he move when he was completely aware and he had more than enough time to evade it?
Uther: ...
Morgana: Think about it, my lord. (Leaves)
Sometime later. After seeing his son doing his duties depressed, contrasting with how joyful he had been the last months, Uther decides to call Merlin to his chambers.
Merlin: Did you call for me, Sire?
Uther: What are those hand gestures you do that my son seems so obsessed with?
Merlin: My mom calls it "sign language", Sire.
Uther: So it is an actual language.
Merlin: Yes, there is a "hand gesture" for every letter and word.
Uther: (pauses) Could you... Teach it to me?
Merlin: (smiles brightly) Of course, Sire.
So Uther lets Arthur keep signing. One day he surprises him signing back and Arthur almost cries right there.
As time passes. More people learn to sign, first the knights so they can interact in silence during a mission (an idea proposed by Arthur). Then, since the King , the Prince and the King's ward interact like this constantly, it gains popularity as a "language of royals" so nobel families start using it too. Merlin teaches to sign to some of Gaius' pacients who have deaf relatives which leads to the language to spread to the lower town.
And about a decade later sign language is basically the official second language in Camelot.
That's all I got for now. I don't know how merthur would get together in this AU or how events of the series would unfold with this change like Nimueh or Morgause intervation. If you had any ideas, share it in the comments or reblogs. I'll be reading you ;)
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Young prince Arthur exploring the castle bc his emotionally and mostly physically absent father doesnāt care what he does as long as he gets his studies done. He pretends heās a brave knight with a small wooden sword in hand and ventures down in the belly of the castle and stumbles upon a cavern under the castle. Itās not long before Kilgharrah lands before him and laughs at the young child before him, a baby really. This is no Once and Future King. Butā¦Arthur does not scream and run, he holds up his wooden sword, shaking with terror as he stares down the ferocious beast, full of courage. And Kilgharrah stares and stares and stares before sighing heavily and going, āFine. Iāll adopt you. Stop looking at me like that.ā
Anyways, Arthur grows up visiting Kilgharrah and hearing about prophecies and destiny. He watches Kilgharrah perform small bits of magic and grows up knowing the truth of whatās happened. By the time merlin arrives in Camelot, Arthur is pro-magic and anti-Uther but holy fuck is he the most arrogant prick of all time. Not only did he grow up a prince to be king, he grew up knowing he was to be a king of legend. Merlin bullies him relentlessly like in canon and everything happens as it did.
But Arthur visits Kilgharrah for advice of magical threats and leaves like right before Merlin visits him for advice. Kilgharrah never says anything bc he likes to watch them be idiots. Arthur and Merlin sneaking behind each otherās back to use/consult magic (users) to help solve their issues and never telling the other. But Arthur keeps failing. He goes to find a powerful enough Druid or Sorcerer to combat magic from a High Priestess and he canāt find anyone. However, as if by magic (ha ha ha), the threat is neutralized without Arthurās interference. Baby boy is so confused.
This goes on for years and slowly breaks down his confidence as he thought that being the Once and Future King meant conquering all these threats and protecting his people yetā¦he canāt. He hasnāt properly neutralized a threat in a while, bc I mean sometimes it happens but the other times heās knocked out for SOME FUCKING REASON. So heās moping in his room and Merlinās like āWhatās wrong?ā In a super soft voice when he sees Arthurās kicked puppy look.
Arthur barely thinks about it before telling Merlin. Heās wanted to for years but he never wanted to drag Merlin into danger by getting him involved in treason bc while his father would be irate with him, Uther wouldnāt hesitate before chopping off Merlinās head. But Merlin has always been there for Arthur, and rebuilt his confidence despite the other times where heās humbling him. So Arthur tells him everything. And Merlin is silent. And quiet. And silent. And quiet. And silent. And quiet. And-
He starts cursing the dragon angrily and drags Arthur down through the castle to Kilgharrahās cavern. The dragon is already there laughing his ass off. Arthur is confused on how Merlin knew where to go. Merlin is shouting curses up at the dragon. Kilgharrah just looks down at them as he laughs and is like, āFinally, the Once and Future King and Emrys have united.ā
Arthur (grew up knowing he had someone out there who was āhalf of his soulā as Kilgharrah said which he took to mean his soulmate and has been fantasizing about meeting this mysterious and powerful Emrys andā¦other thingsā¦ Well, until he met Merlin. Then the fantasies featured all three of them) isā¦staring at Merlin wide eyed and flustered and a little turned on at how the small human is shouting angrily at the big dragon as if the big dragon couldnāt just stomp the both of the small humans or roast them alive. Arthurās fantasies merge Merlin and Emrys together and itās back to just the two of them.
Merlin is grumpy bc he had to hide his magic from Arthur for YEARS only to find out that the clotpole was ON HIS FUCKING SIDE?????? AND THE DAMN LIZARD KNEW ABOUT IT????? Oh, Merlin wants a set of Dragon scale armor and Kilgharrahās golden scales would suit him nicely, he thinks. Heāll skin the damn beast himself-
#bbc merlin#merlin emrys#arthur pendragon#merthur#fanfiction#fanfic#fic ideas#Kilgharrah#prompts#once and future king#once and future idiots#medieval husbands
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Ah I rambled a bit in the tags but
I think some of Arthurās tragic flaws are:
His need to have faith in people (Uther, Morgana, Gwen, Agravaine, Merlin, etc.)
His loyalty in others (believing the loyalty mutual)
And he always relied on others morally (especially looking to Merlin and others to make the right decision) rather than believing in himself and deciding for himself what he should believe/how he should act (and this is definitely part of his fatal flaw as a king) (and his relationship to magic was always fluid- he could never fully decide for himself whether it was truly good/evil/neutral (part of that was due to his conditioning and his upbringing))
Good luck on your presentation!
(And you can present what you want to present
Iām just rambling about some of my opinions and like my quick analysis of the series/Arthur) (Trust your instincts/your concept is good)
Im doing a tragic hero presentation for english about arthur pendragon and for his tragic flaw I'm think of doing like. his loyalty to uther. how he sort of did things based on what he thought his father wanted regarding magic and that ultimately led to camlann + his death. but I feel like that might not make sense. so I need assistance...
#arthur pendragon#uther pendragon#bbc merlin#merlin#school assignments#assignment help#assignment#merlin bbc#I think that makes sense#if you have to tie in tragic flaws in relation to the tragic hero concept-#also maybe the way he tries to keep his faith in family throughout the series#with Uther with Morgana and with Agravaine#his loyalty in general could actually be his tragic flaw#heās loyal to Camelot. to family. to Merlin#heās loyal to Gwen#basically the people he believes in/believes are loyal to him mutually kinda all betray him in some way#Arthur also looked for guidance from Uther and Agravaine and Merlin and such before really coming into his own as King#he didnāt trust in himself enough#he was also so busy people pleasing#trying to please his father and trying to please Morgana#as a Prince he had to fit what people wanted or needed of him#especially fit into his fatherās world and belief system#Uther was not above tossing him in a cell for disobeying him#Arthur actually didnāt always do what his father wanted regarding magic (when the Modred stuff was going on he thought of lifting the ban)#(āthe magic ban I mean)#and there were times he tried to defy his father regarding magic#I think Arthurās relationship with magic is fluid. sometimes heās very against it. other times he sees it can be good#but ah anyway I think maybe Arthurās people pleasing/reliance on others + their beliefs & his faith in others are some of his tragic flaws#Uther is definitely part of his tragic flaws would think#& maybe Arthurās wavering between his REAL (UNCLOUDED by others) beliefs on magic and his hesitation to decide magic=evil or magic=neutral
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I never like thinking about Merlinās dragonlord heritage for too long because I start to think about the implications of it.
If the lord part of being a Dragonlord meant nobility, then surely Balinor had an estate/ noble house of some kind.
All I can imagine is Merlin finding that grand home one day, and it being nothing but a hollow ruin. Flying in the wind are burnt and tattered banners of a family crest that Merlin doesnāt know is his because that knowledge is forever lost. Rooms upon rooms that once were occupied by his ancestors, ancestors who he will never be able to name. The kitchen frozen in time with dusty and moulded plates sitting on the table, a plate that maybe his aunt or an uncle, maybe a grandparent or a cousin was eating from before Utherās men came after them. Little trinkets, jewellery, heirlooms, beloved toys, precious keepsakes scattered everywhere, and he wouldnāt know that by default they were his.
He would walk those abandoned halls, seeing how clearly loved that home was, how full of life and people and family it had had before the purge had broken out: only to wish that he could have experienced that in his childhood.
He would just see that grand house as nothing more than another of Utherās victims, completely unaware of his connection to the place.
EDIT: OH GOD WHAT IF MERLIN HAD A SIGIL???
#is it obvious that mitski has been playing on repeat?#angst#dragon lord merlin#bbc merlin#merlin#merlin emrys#immortal merlin#dragon lord
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