#arthur knows about merlin���s magic

[evedaser]

hi merlin fandom i'm back I have more tallies for you, I only have one spreadsheet for this so it won't be nearly as huge as my spell tally, but I am doing all the seasons in one go so who knows

BBC Merlin Whump Tallies

After rewatching the entirety of the show, some episodes more than once, and taking notes the whole time, I present to you a summary of data categorising the injuries and illnesses sustained by all named, recurring characters (2-pt-ers not withstanding) from 2008-2012's BBC Merlin.

Season 1

Season 1 contained a total of 27 incidents to its various characters. The character with the most incidents was Merlin, with 6 (22%). In earlier counts, he was the only character this season to endure at least one in every category: Small, 'Somewhere in-between', Life-threatening, Poison/Venom/Drugged, Magical Affliction, and Thrown/Unhorsed.

The runner up was Arthur, who had 5 incidents (19%).

Arthur and Merlin tied for character who was rendered unconscious most often, with Arthur passing out 3 times and being knocked out once, and Merlin being knocked out 3 times and passing out once.

Smallest injury: Merlin - graze on his shoulder blade from getting hit by the handle of a broomstick wielded by Arthur in Episode 1. I know in scar reveal fics people like to use the supposed mace wound from the fight with Arthur as 'Merlin's first scar', but unfortunately that has no actual basis in canon. Arthur does not hit Merlin with a mace (there aren't even maces in that fight, the weapon they use is called a flail). Merlin causes the chain to get tangled earlier in the fight, after which Arthur grabs a broomstick to use as a weapon instead.

Dumbest injury: Not sure about "dumb" but easily the most inconsequential is in Episode 7-- one of the times Merlin gets put in the stocks he comes back sore, complaining "they were throwing potatoes!"

Things Merlin should not have survived: His heart stopping in Episode 4 (antidote wouldn't be absorbed that fast, + can't circulate if no circulation), getting struck by Sidhe lightning in Episodes 7 and 12 (insta-kills everyone else, including the Sidhe themselves who explode. Only exception to this is Grunhilda in Season 3, a pixie, who does also explode it just takes more than one shot), and getting struck by a fireball in Episode 13 (self-explanatory I think).

Season 2

Season 2 contained a total of 22 incidents, an 18.52% decrease from Season 1 and the lowest of any season. The greatest number of these were made up by Arthur, who was injured or poisoned/drugged 10 times (45%). The runner up was Merlin, who was injured 5 times (23%).

The character rendered unconscious the greatest amount of times was Arthur, who passed out or was knocked out 2 times each.

Smallest injury: Arthur gets elbowed in the stomach by the troll in the confrontation at the end of Episode 6, it's ok though he almost immediately gets launched across the room into a wall so they made up for it (and he had been on the brink of death mere moments before due to willingly drinking poison).

Dumbest injury: Sorry Gwen, but it's probably when she fell and hurt her ankle for plot purposes in Episode 4. It doesn't even continue to bother her at any later point in the episode.

Things Merlin should not have survived: Nothing! He was pretty physically safe this season. Ish.

Season 3

Season 3 contained a total of 32 incidents, an increase of 45.45% from Season 2, led in number by Merlin who had 9 incidents (28%) all to himself. 3 of these were small injuries however, so he was not quite as damaged by the end of the season as Arthur, who had 8 incidents (25%).

The character rendered unconscious the greatest amount of times was Arthur, who passed out 5 times and was knocked out once.

Smallest injury: When Merlin was hit in the stomach by the pommel of Morgana's sword in the crypt in Episode 2, but honourable mention to when Merlin and Arthur were shot with tranquilliser darts and fell from their horses in Episode 12. TBF falling from a horse is incredibly dangerous, but neither of them had any residual effects or pain, and it's hilarious to me that they got shot with tranquilliser darts. Like rabid animals. The scene also is just really funny.

Dumbest injury: When Merlin was being dumb and demonstrating his lack of understanding of a) what a sword is and b) blade safety by messing around with "Sir Ethan" and "Sir Oswald"'s swords, and dropping one on his finger, getting a decent little cut.

Things Merlin should not have survived: Getting stung by an adult serket in Episode 1, not to mention the fact that he had already been knocked out for hours earlier that day (not normal to be out for that long, sign of brain injury), that he was bound in chains that made it difficult to breathe and impossible to move also for several hours, and the fact that Kilgharrah also took multiple hours to get to him (if you're not sure about this, rewatch the sequence and pay attention to the amount of daylight in each shot). Unbelievable. (Did receive external treatment so take it with a grain of salt.) Honourable mention to when he was thrown all the way across the council chambers in Episode 13 and was literally writhing in pain before having to get back up and finish dealing with the cup of life. Oh my god I hope he got treatment for that.

Season 4

Season 4 contained a total of 78 incidents, an 143.75% increase from Season 3 (yikes), headed up by Merlin who goes through 21 incidents (27%). That's right, almost as high as the total of all incidents sustained by all recurring characters in Season 2. Leave that kid alone!! 5 of them were counted as small injuries, but that still leaves him significantly ahead of the runner up- Arthur who had 11 incidents (14%) (with 4 of them considered small, leaving him barely more injured than 3rd place, which is tied between Leon and Morgana, both on 7 [9%]).

The character rendered unconscious the greatest amount of times was (you guessed it!) Merlin, who passed out 5 times and was knocked out a further 6 times. 6 of those collective 11 instances were in a single episode. Episode 6: A Servant of Two Masters was awful for his nervous system. (Interesting note: Runner up for this season is actually not Arthur, who's only unconscious twice this season! Rather it's shared between Elyan and Gwaine, who each pass out and are knocked out twice apiece, for a total of 4 instances each.)

Smallest injury: Arthur elbows the shade of Lancelot in the stomach in their confrontation in Episode 9.

Dumbest injury: PERCIVAL. IN EPISODE 2. All caps because THIS IS SO PREVENTABLE. Ok so we're all extremely aware of this man's constant lack of sleeves, including on his armour. Now, studio execs, I get it, really I do. As Bradley James says: 'Guns haven't been invented in Camelot but he brings two of them.' He's a beautiful man. On another note, we all are aware what type of attack chainmail is meant to prevent, yes? It's slashing. And where, might I ask, does Percival get his only injury from a slashing attack? Bingo! On his goddamn arms. In Episode 2. No other knight has that problem in this episode because all of them have sleeves. Percival. (That being said it was a wyvern attack so it may have tore through the armour anyway but I'm ignoring that.)

Things Merlin should not have survived: Getting struck by the Dorocha in Episode 1 (insta-kill for literally everyone else, but Merlin survives long enough for magical treatment). The other injury I had marked as life-threatening was the flail wound from Episode 6, not only because of the internal damage it would have done but also because of how fast and how seriously it became infected, but that received external magical healing so it's fair that he survived it. If Morgana hadn't treated it, then he should have died.

Honourable mentions to Gwaine, Gaius, and Elyan who were kept in a cell and starved for 7 days in Episodes 12 and 13. This didn't make it onto the spreadsheet because I didn't know how to count it, but it's in the tallies. During this time, Elyan was also "tortured to the limit of human endurance" (direct quote from Gaius), and Gwaine was taken out of the cell multiple times to fight for his food, meaning he was both malnourished and getting beaten up at the same time! Plus Gaius literally thought he was going to die in that cell and had a whole speech about it.

Season 5

Season 5 contained a total of 64 incidents, a 17.95% decrease from Season 4. The character who endured the most issues was Merlin, who had 11 incidents (17%). The runner-up was very close behind, being Arthur on 10 incidents (16%).

The character rendered unconscious the greatest amount of times was Merlin, who passed out 7 times and was knocked out 4 times.

Smallest injury: Gwaine got slapped by one of Morgana's henchmen in Episode 1 after back-talking her.

Dumbest injury: Audrey, the cook, confronted Merlin in his Dragoon form in Episode 7. She threatened him with a triple-pronged fire poker, accused him of conspiracy to steal her pies, and in response he insulted her and knocked her out with a pot. Iconic.

Things Merlin should not have survived: There are a few things Merlin only survives with external treatment this season, which kind of disqualifies them from the purpose of this section (see the disclaimers at the bottom of this post) but I'll list the worst of them anyway. In Episode 8, he is knocked out, poisoned, and kicked off a cliff. The poison largely immobilises him, and he is left alone in the forest for at least ~27 hours, unable even to turn his head in order to vomit safely. He also has a seizure after treatment is administered, then falls unconscious after. In Episode 10, he is shot in the side with an arrow. The arrow is pulled out, no first aid or pressure or anything AT ALL are applied, and then he is forced to run from assailants for some hours. He passes out before he is found and healed.

Honourable mention to Episode 12, which had absolutely bonkers amount of external magical intervention to save his life (magic had been stolen, causing him to pass out when it initially happens, and later he loses consciousness three separate times in that cave). Honourable mention also to Episode 13, which I'm not sure he really survived at all.

Overall

BBC Merlin subjects its recurring characters to a total of 223 whump incidents throughout its 65 episodes.

The characters who was whumped on the most was Merlin, who endured 52 incidents (23%, or once every 1.25 episodes).

The runner up is Arthur, who underwent 44 incidents throughout the show (20%, or once every 1.48 episodes).

Merlin also fell unconscious the most of any character, passing out 17 times and getting knocked out 15 times for a total of 32 instances rendered unconscious.

Arthur was also the runner up for amount of times rendered unconscious, with a total of 22 -- knocked out 9 times and passed out 13.

This was, obviously, very predictable, so I'll give you third and fourth places as well.

For total whump incidents:

3rd Place - Morgana - 23 incidents (10%)

4th Place - Leon - 16 incidents (7%)

For being rendered unconscious:

3rd Place - Morgana - 11 incidents (4 passing out, 7 knocked out, + the time she was in a coma in S1, which was more 'not waking up' than either of the options listed but you may count it if you wish.)

4th Place - Gwaine - 10 incidents (5 passing out, 5 knocked out)

Because there were so few examples of it, I did do unconscious counts for non-recurring named characters as well.

Named characters were rendered unconscious a collective of 113 times in 65 episodes. That means someone known to the audience became unconscious once every 0.57 of an episode, or almost twice per episode.

This was split between passing out - 59 total incidents (once every 1.10 episodes) and getting knocked out - 54 total incidents (once every 1.20 episodes).

Characters frequently unconscious previously stated. Characters not listed in the spreadsheet who became unconscious were:

Sir Ewan - Passed out when bitted by an enchanted snake - 1x02

Jonas - Knocked out when Merlin smashes a piece of pottery over his head- 2x05

Princess Elena - Passed out when Merlin sedated her - 3x06

King Cenred - Knocked out when the ceiling of the throneroom in the Castle of Fyrien collapsed - 3x07

Julius Borden - Knocked out when Merlin threw him against a wall in the Tomb of Ashkanar - 4x04

Princess Mithian - Passed out after riding through the night to Camelot after Nemeth is conquered - 5x04

Audrey, the cook - Knocked out when Merlin gets annoyed with her and whacks her over the head with a pot - 5x07

While my spreadsheets do not reflect this, the compiled dataset actually takes every named character into account, including non-recurring ones, like guest characters and villains-of-the-week. This even includes characters without any screentime, as long as we know their name. Therefore, without further ado--

Every knight of Camelot who is canonically dead in the BBC Merlin universe (members of the BBCM round table italicised):

Sir Ewan (1x02)

Sir Owain (1x09)

Sir Pellinor (1x09)

Sir Bedivere - no screentime (1x13)

Sir Alynor (2x02)

Sir Ethan (3x04)

Sir Oswald (3x04)

Sir Edric - no screentime (3x12)

Sir Alduuf - no screentime (3x12)

Sir Osric - no screentime (3x12)

Sir Lancelot

Sir Ranulf - no screentime (5x05)

Sir Elyan

Sir Gwaine

King Arthur

Also, not that you're asking, but Sir Pellinor was killed in the episode Excalibur and Sir Bedivere was killed in the episode Le Morte d'Arthur by the Questing Beast. It would make literally no difference and would be so much more in touch with the Arthurian mythos this entire show stems from if they just switched the names. It makes no sense to me that they kill Pellinor before the Questing Beast plotline when they literally do the Questing Beast IN THE SAME SEASON.

And last but not least, I made some graphs if you'd like them (open the image for higher quality) (sorry the first one's so ugly, it had such low readability as a line graph so I switched it to an area chart):

Figure 1: A stepped area chart showing the frequency of whump incidents for prominent recurring character by season.

Figure 2: An area chart showing the frequency of total whump incidents by season.

Figure 3: A line graph showing the frequency of passing out for some characters (round table -Gaius +Morgana) by season.

Figure 4: A line graph showing the frequency of getting knocked out for some characters (round table -Gaius +Morgana) by season.

Disclaimers and Data

Big one first: Merlin is my favourite character, which means I have bestowed on him the role of whump victim (<3). Because of this I was biased towards recording his misfortunes more than other characters. I tried to be fair and sympathetic to the plights of other characters just as much, but it's important you're aware of that anyway.

The reason I included "Things Merlin should not have survived" as a category was because of his immortality. I am very aware that other characters went through life-threatening things -- at times more than Merlin did -- but I personally headcanon that Merlin actually did die at some points and was revived by his magic (particularly in Season 1). Even if you don't have that headcanon as well, you have to admit his magic had to play a role in saving his life sometimes, and I wanted to have a list of those occasions.

And as always, my counting is imperfect and at times generated discrepancies. Here are some of the measures I took to minimise them:

Merlin and Arthur's unconscious stats (# times they passed out/were knocked out) were retallied.

All characters' unconscious stats were retallied and categorised by season.

Characters that showed discrepancies between the two counts were retallied again (Merlin, Arthur, Morgana, Leon, Gwen, Percival)

Character injury data was inputted episode-by-episode. When the final episodes' data was bulk uploaded, all characters were retallied. Characters whose numbers lowered in the retally were retallied again (Morgause, Percival, and Hunith -- who was since removed from the spreadsheet).

Characters whose whump totals differed between the tallies and the spreadsheet were retotaled (Merlin, Arthur, Morgana, Gwaine, Gaius) until the discrepancy was eliminated (in Merlin and Arthur's case, retallied entirely).

Merlin's numbers specifically were retallied, retotaled, or recounted more than 10. Times. So trust me, all known discrepancies have been eliminated.

That being said, if you happen to look through the original document and find I missed an injury or illness, it won't be in the numbers or the spreadsheet, so let me know!!

You can find those details here:

Original Dataset A list, with descriptions, of every incidence of whump that occurred to a named character by episode.

Spreadsheet The numerical data with accompanying graphs.

I hope these may be useful to you, especially all my fellow whump writers out there <3 keep doing what you're doing, and feel free to get in touch if you notice an error, want further clarification, or just want to chat! I'm always happy to chat.

Personal note: I'm such a sucker for medical accuracy. I'm currently studying to go into the medical field, so if we're both still around in a couple years, expect me to come back and bring you some scientifically-informed analyses of how truly not-ok these guys are.

And thank you so much for reading!! <3

[wispeth]

(doppelganger Merlin au. Arthur is looking at two Merlin's, who both have all of Merlin's memories, except the imposter doesn't have magic. which is perfect, because the real Merlin lied so flawlessly to Arthur that imposter Merlin would have a real chance to take over Merlin's life. oh and, uh, Merlin was drugged w a truth serum. so he can't lie about the magic if it comes up. The imposter is able to pretend to be Merlin better than Merlin can bc ofc the magic comes up.)

Arthur: What's the first thing you ever said to me?

Imposter Merlin, confidently: Hey, that's enough. You've had your fun my friend.

Real Merlin, dazed, looking over at the imposter in horror as he realizes that the imposter has all of his memories, and that the imposter is actually capable of lying rn unlike himself, which means Real Merlin can't even keep up his own facade, but the imposter can: (says exactly the same thing in perfect unison with the imposter, but looks a lot more lost and shaken about it)

Arthur, narrowing his eyes at them both: What is your favorite tunic to dress me in?

Imposter Merlin: The red one. (It was a fair enough assumption. It was the one that Merlin picked out for Arthur to wear more than any of the others.)

Real Merlin, unable to believe he's about to admit this, but he has truth potion in his system: Your nightshirt, when you decide to wear it... It is--you look the happiest, in that one. (gay sweatdrop)

Arthur, kind of floored by the vulnerability: (was honestly expecting Merlin to say the red one, but now he wasn't so sure because that also sounded like something girlish that Melrin might say) Alright... How many times have you saved my life?

Imposter Merlin, gleeful on the inside because he finally has a chance to play Merlin's part while Merlin can't even maintain his own web of lies because of the truth potion: (to this imposter's credit, he is very good at pretending to be merlin. he starts mumbling to himself and counting on his fingers, just as Arthur thought Merlin might have done.) Let's see, there was the dagger, the poison, the... (proceededs to ramble off most every single one that Arthur himself is aware of) ... so that's about, a dozen? I'd say?

also Imposter Merlin: (places his hands on his hips in Merlin's sassy way) I'm starting to think you owe me a day off.

Real Merlin, voice shaky, because they are getting nearer and nearer to the topic of magic: Twice a fortnite for as long as I've lived in Camelot... That's got to be in the hundreds by now.

Arthur, suddenly remembering all the creatures of the week that suddenly disappeared before they became a problem. He knew of about one every month or two, but he started reconsidering if his guardian angel had been taking care of threats that he perhaps DIDN'T know about: Erm... (still can't tell who the real Merlin is, because one of them is giving all the answers he's looking for and is acting exactly like he would expect Merlin to, but the other Merlin is being so damn earnest right now, as Merlin was wont to do in times of crisis) What is--what's an honest truth that you've told me that I have mistaken for a lie?

Imposter Merlin, knowing that he's being quizzed on the memories of their shared history, without missing a beat: Valiant's shield. It was enchanted with those snakes. You got into a world of trouble for confronting him about it in front of the entire court. (aka exactly the answer that Arthur was expecting from the real Merlin)

Real Merlin, with a knot in his throat and tears in his eyes because he knows he's doomed: (the first instance that came to mind was that time he saved Gwen's father from sickness using magic and Gwen got thrown in the dungeons for being an alleged sorceress--and of course that was his first thought, he is very very paranoid about the magic so it's all he's thinking about--he has to say the first one for the sake thought for the sake of honesty, even though it's damning) Gwen's not the s-sorcerer... I am. (is also making exactly the same face that he was making the day that he told Arthur about Valiant's shield, the face where he is pleading for Arthur to believe him. The imposter only has access to Merlin's memories through Merlin's eyes, so the imposter wasn't able to see what Merlin's face did that day, so he wouldn't have known)

Arthur, now even more unsure, just gapes for a moment because how fucking stupid does someone have to be to confess to sorcery in Camelot? Twice?! And it was worse yet that he still couldn't tell for sure which Merlin was the real Merlin because he'd never had to combine the image of Merlin with magic before and gods damn it all he needed a moment to process: (decided to start asking Merlin questions about himself instead of quizzing him on information that Arthur already knows) Who was your first love? (fully expecting to hear Gwen's name, although, Merlin was quite flamboyant....)

Imposter Merlin: It was Will... (blushes a little, looking flustered and matter of factly at the same time, in that awkward way that mimics merlin perfectly) You met him, in Ealdor.

Real Merlin, sneering at the imposter in the way that he did Cedric when he was bitter about replaced by a possessed man in the Cornelius Sigan incident (a/n: even though the episode I mention in this line is a totally different one. I think I mix referenced a lot of episodes in this ramble actually): H-her name was Freya. You killed her.

Arthur, alarmed: Killed her? Wh--Merlin--not Merlin--Merlin? (stammers on how to address this Merlin, tosses his hands up after 0.5 seconds) I do not recall killing any village girls in Ealdor..!

Real Merlin, shaking his head: She was the bastet. It wasn't her fault, she was cursed by a sorceress to become a bastet at night. It wasn't your fault either, you did what you had to; I don't blame you for what happened.

Arthur, suddenly remembering that night, remembering how Merlin was reaching for the dangerous feline beast as if it were only a kitten, as if Merlin was going to pet it, or shield it from Arthur, or any other number of things that also seem so very Merlin. Arthur hadn't even considered it before, but now? Looking back? Merlin certainly had been remarkably upset in the passing days after that: (more confused than ever) Wh... Where did -- where were you, yesterday? (Gaius already told Arthur that Merlin was at the tavern)

Imposter Merlin: At the Rising Sun. Gwaine took me out for a round of drinks. Something about a lucky charm?

Arthur, nodding along: (it was true that Arthur has heard Lancelot and a few other knights call Merlin a lucky charm) Hm... (turns to look at the other Merlin)

Real Merlin, with a wobbling lip: (laughs weakly, rolling his teary eyes a bit) I told him to stop using that excuse... (refocuses) I was crawling out of the mirror, if you must know. I TOLD you I had a funny feeling about it. (motions to the imposter) (he has tears in his eyes and a smile on his face, and his voice sounds exactly the same as it did that one time when he said to Arthur 'you're certainly not' after Arthur told him that no man was worth his tears)

Arthur, now watching Real Merlin more closely than Imposter Merlin, searching: Who was your favorite guest to mock at the feasts and whatnot?

Imposter Merlin: (kind of stumped bc he wasn't expecting a question like this)

Real Merlin, who is actually able to answer first after some thought: ..... (snorts) Does-- (snorts again) Would the Lady Catrina count as a guest, d'you think? Or should I--no--I'll say it was the Lady Vivian. You get this, LOOK on your face every time she sits near you at the banquet table when she comes 'round.

Arthur, jaw dropped in mock offense: Because she is rather touchy! We've been over this..! (doesn't even realized that he just responded to Real Merlin as if he were for sure the real Merlin, and momentarily forgot that there were two convincing Merlins present)

Imposter Merlin: Are you mad? Arthur, the fake me said it himself that he crawled out of the mirror and practices sorcerery..! (looks so earnest, so genuine, but it's just... not quite how Merlin would say it)

Arthur: (narrows his eyes at the imposter with slight suspicion)

Imposter Merlin: (gives Arthur a flat look, exactly like the real Merlin would do when Arthur says something stupid) Arthur, I am not a sorcerer. You would know. (a/n: last episode style)

Arthur, who had never once suspected magic, but did always know that Merlin had been keeping a secret from him (he'd always assumed it was the alcoholism, but now....): You'd think so, wouldn't you.... (glances at the real Merlin, looking a little hurt)

Real Merlin, not denying the magic at all: I was born with it. I use it for you, Arthur.

Imposter Merlin: You can't honestly--

Arthur, looking deep into Real Merlin's eyes: Swear to me, right now, that you are telling me the truth. Prove it to me.

Real Merlin: (grabs the hidden dagger out of the imposters hands, who had apparently been gearing up to attack Arthur, which is confusing enough all on its own because it made it difficult to tell which one of them was truly intent on attacking Arthur with it, and then charges Arthur)

Arthur, who normally has keen warrior reflexes but not when his enemies wear Merlin's face: (freezes up, and then watches in shock as the dagger clashes against the thin air about an inch in front of Arthur's chest, cast aside by some glowing shield that fades after a second)

Real Merlin: Why do you think it takes me three hours to polish your armor? Do you have any idea how long it takes to enchant the space between every link of chainmail? (drops the dagger at Arthur's feet so he knows it was just a demonstration and not a genuine attack, similar to the way that Arthur always aims just to the left of Merlin when he's throwing blunt objects such as goblets because he never wishes any actual harm on Merlin)

Arthur, blinking dazedly: (can't help but think of that one time that Merlin spontaneously became talented at juggling. it's such a strange thing to remember, and completely unrelated to the current happenings, but Merlin's smile was small and smug just like it had been that day, and it just--clicked)

also Arthur, looking slightly more sure of himself now: (needs one final test to make absolutely certain, but he thinks he knows just what to ask) What would you have me do, if I cannot tell you apart?

Real Merlin, without missing a beat: Arrest us both. (shrugs casually) I am a sorcerer after all. Better safe than sorry.

(And that's just it, isn't it. It was just like Merlin, to sacrifice himself like that. It was just so, unmistakenly Merlin.)

Arthur, smirking in mock offense: Better safe than--excuse you, I could take you apart with one blow!

Merlin *cough*hearteyes*cough* "Emrys" Hunithson™, the one and only: I could take you apart with less than that

(In the end, Merlin walks himself to the dungeons as the imposter is arrested, just to give Arthur peace of mind so there's no pressure to second guess his decision since even if Arthur chose wrong, there is no assassin Merlin imposter on the loose. Merlin and the imposter both spend 3 days in their respective cells before the imposter finally does some decidedly out of character shit and Arthur can have him executed with full confidence that it's not Merlin... since the guy really was very good at mimicking Merlin. Arthur didn't even realize that he'd needed it at the time, but looking back, he probably would have had a panic attack as the imposter was marched to be hanged. He probably would have doubted himself at the last second and wondered if he really did believe the right Merlin those few days ago. But thankfully, Merlin thinks ahead sometimes and is actually quite thoughtful and wise on these such rare occasions.)

[justaz]

omg omg omg

arthur gives merlin his mothers sigil thinking that hes going to die and wants to finally tell merlin how he feels and what better way of conveying the intensity of his emotions and how serious he is other than marriage? merlin accepts the sigil which means theyre married!! yay!! only. they both survive and arthur QUICKLY realizes that merlin has no idea the significance of the sigil. he has no idea theyre married. and arthur has no idea how to tell him bc then he’ll have to explain WHY he gave him the sigil aka WHY HE PROPOSED and now that hes not staring death in the face. he just. cant.

blah blah blah time skip to happy ending

the druids invite arthur and merlin to a celebration of the unification of emrys and the once and future king and the fruition of their destinies. merlin and arthur are excited bc finally peace is here and magic is returning and this can be the next big show of trust and reconciliation between camelot and the druids and so theyre there in the druid camp having fun when theyre approached and asked to participate in the ceremony. theres a huge buzzing crowd watching as the elder druid ties their hands together and goes on and on about the magnificence of two men standing before them and their great destinies and how the two sides of the same coin are joined finally as the prophecy said all those years ago. merlin doesnt realize it was a handfasting ceremony until hes talking to a few of the druids later on

anyway. merthur accidental wedding(s). now they both know theyre married but they dont know the other knows theyre married bc different ceremonies and traditions and all that. arthur is all awkward about it bc hes emotionally constipated. merlin is convincing himself he doesnt have to bring it up to arthur bc its not like the DRUID marriage ceremony is legally binding in camelot. they didnt sign any papers or anything. theyre not really married in camelot so arthur doesnt have to know. and then merlin can selfishly keep this truth close to his heart. even if its not reciprocated.

married life shenanigans ensue. merlin and arthur both have to physically stop themselves from calling the other their husband. jealous spats when out in the tavern or when visiting royals/nobles stop on by. leon knows all and is this close to snapping. extra protective idiots. and idk someone catches merlin holding the sigil and explains the significance of it or a druid asks arthur where his husband emrys is and my boy is STRESSED about being caught but then the druid brings up the handfasting ceremony. stupid idiot x stupid idiot.

you see my vision, right?

[jade-bright]

@merlinmylove 's recent chapter of "Of Mice and Kings," had me thinking of what if Arthur found out about Merlin's magic and then Uther somehow finds out too. He does the whole, "he's to be burned!" "magic is evil" yada yada yada; but as we know, Uther's a fucking hypocrite. So, what if Arthur, knowing this, somehow convinces Uther to keep Merlin alive because he's so loyal to Arthur.

Uther: He's to be burned like all of those who practice magic!

Arthur: Mhm, but have you considered?

Arthur: Merlin is my Gaius?

Uther:

Uther: I suppose that's fine then

Like I know Uther very much had favorites, and Arthur is not one of them, buttttt, Merlin has somewhat endeared himself to Uther, and I guess from Uther's perspective, seems to have the same mentality as Gaius, where he'll practice magic but (in front of the King) seems to be "an asset to the fight against magic," or whatever he said.

Alternatively, I also see Arthur still not knowing about Merlin's magic, Uther still finds out, but he likes his son and his silly little manservant enough to overlook it because Merlin seems to be the one to always take care of magical threats: like if he finds out before the Mordred episode, when the druid boy can't be found, maybe he thinks Merlin "took care of it" (aka killed him). With this version, I also definitely see Uther trying to make merthur happen, lol

[Edit] omg, I was so out of my mind when reading the end notes, cause I understood "check out my tumblr," and not "check out this fanart someone made of my fic"

[dial-achos-gwenllian]

‘The Burial at the Giants’ Ring’ - Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae.

Like his brother Ambrosius, Uthr (anglicised as Uther) met his death after being poisoned, and both were buried within the Giants’ Ring near Salisbury. Geoffrey of Monmouth describes the removal of a ring of stones from Mount Killaraus in Ireland that had been placed there by giants to Salisbury to memorialise a massacre of Britons. Constantine, the king who follows Arthur after he is taken to Avalon after Camlann, was also buried here upon his death. I’ve only chosen to represent Ambrosius and Uthr here as I wanted to focus more on it as a location during what would have been Arthur’s lifetime. The editor of Geoffrey’s text, Lewis Thorpe, also notes that it is likely that Geoffrey could have been confusing Stonehenge and another stone circle at Avebury nearby, but I’ve chosen to use Stonehenge here.

I’ve always found him to be a complicated individual in the Welsh tradition as a modern person reading it. In Geoffrey’s depiction, he is both an incredibly successful warrior, it is prophesied that his son will have a great empire and his daughter’s descendants will retain the kingship of Britain, and he is the father of the greatest Welsh hero. But it is this last point which becomes a difficult part - his love for Arthur’s mother, Eigr (Ygerna or Igraine), and his decision and methodology when acting on it are, to a modern audience, quite obscene. He, with the help of Myrddin (Merlin), disguises himself as her husband, Gorlois, and they sleep together, conceiving Arthur that same night.

I think modern interpretations often follow this track of him being a complex (but generally quite a bad) person. In almost all the literature, he is heavily overshadowed by his son - my rather destroyed and heavily referenced copy of Geoffrey’s text sums his kingship up in around 9 pages. Although it wasn’t necessarily a long reign, it pales in comparison to the time given to Arthur, who takes up around 50 pages, around 20% of the text. Mentions of his beyond the Welsh tradition also leave out perhaps one of the coolest things about Uthr which is his ability to potentially shape-shift. The shapeshifting he does in Geoffrey’s text is magically induced by Merlin, but recent scholarship (including my own current research!) suggests that this is a run off from Uthr’s supernatural powers in other texts. The Trioedd Ynys Prydein records that Uthr taught a ‘great enchantment’ to Menw ap Teirgwaedd, likely the shapeshifting he performs in Culhwch ac Olwen when travelling to Esgair Oerfel. I would love to see this sort of stuff included in depictions of him, especially as they’re so absent in the English and Continental traditions!

Anyway, continuing with my inability to complete any artwork within the time limit given, this is again based on @mortiscausa ‘s #marchtocamelot, instead on the theme of ‘family’. Yet another information dump to go with it, but Lord knows doing two degrees in the subject means you have a lot to say in the long run!

[anxiouswildfire]

@lunasky2491 ‘s suggestion from a while ago

Hunith comes to Camelot in an au where merlin doesn’t visit her or write often. She doesn’t know much, since he doesn’t share a lot about his life.

Hunith Ambrosius sighed, head in her hands as she thought about her son. Hunith was the sort to worry. A lot. It had been many years since Merlin went off to work under Gaius. They used to be close, but nowadays Merlin seemed to rarely have time to write his own mother.

She looked over the last letter he wrote, dated back many months, and decided to make the journey to Camelot.

Dearest mum,

Hunith walked through many different towns making her way to Camelot.

I’m sorry it’s been a bit. I’ve been quite busy with his royal highness’ needs. He broke his arm last week and had been complaining ever since. When can I get a break?

She finally arrived many days later, in awe of the towering city.

Life has been good. Gaius is sticking to his ‘merlin goes to the tavern’ excuse whenever I’m needed, even though I’m literally doing important things and have rarely been to the tavern.

She made her way through the bustling loud streets to Gaius, figuring his apprentice wouldn’t be far.

Don’t worry about my little secret, I only do it when absolutely necessary

She quickly asked a passerby about the whereabouts of Gaius’ chambers. They pointed her in the right direction.

Ugh, boss wants me back now. I’m busy every second of the day I swear, but it’s actually fun in Camelot.

Hunith knocked on Gaius’ door. The man answered the door and gaped in surprise.

Miss you loads,

Merlin

Gaius hugged her. “Oh, Hunith.”

“Hello, old friend.” She smiled warmly at him.

“Merlin is still with Prince Arthur.”

“Is something wrong with him?”

Gaius raised his eyebrow, “which one?”

“Prince Arthur. Is he okay?”

“Yes of course-“ Gaius stopped. “Did you not know that Merlin is Arthur’s manservant?”

“What?”

“You didn’t know?”

“No, that boy never tells me anything! Wow! I’m so proud of him! Climbing the ranks.. oh I wish he told me more.” She considered. “The letters mentioning quests for the Prince makes more sense now. I thought he meant it in a metaphorical way.”

“He saved Arthur’s life.”

“Oh, my boy!” She smiled. Then hesitated.

“No one knows about his magic, don’t worry.”

Her eyes widened. “You know?”

“Let’s just say.. he wasn’t very careful in the early days.”

“Gaius!” Merlin walked into the room, then stopped at the sight of his mom. “Mum!”

“My baby!” She rushed towards him and gave him a hug.

Gaius left to give them some privacy

Merlin’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh mum..”

“Merlin, why didn’t you tell me you were the prince’s manservant!”

He blinked, “I thought I did. Did you not wonder why I hung around the prat so often?”

“I thought he was very injury prone.” She said, frowning at the insult.

“He does get into danger more than I’d like..” Merlin muttered. “But no, he’s my friend and my master.”

“Well I’m very impressed that you climbed the ranks-“

“No mum, I just got the job because I saved his life. I’m a terrible manservant.”

“How long have you been his servant?”

“Since the first day I came to Camelot, mum.”

She gasped. “Merlin! How did I not know this?”

“What were you thinking when I’d insult him all the time?”

“I thought he was rude to you when you treated him.”

“I mean he is rude but-“

“Merlin, don’t call the prince rude!”

“Merlin!” Arthur called “Merlin, where are you, you lazy prat!” He noticed hunith had then merlin shortly after. “Oh, hello.” He bowed his head slightly in greeting.“Merlin, who’s this?”

“This is my mum, hunith.”

“Nice to meet you, hunith.”

Hunith smiled. “Hello, Prince Arthur.” She bowed.

“I don’t know where you get your rudeness from because it isn’t from her!”

“I know exactly where you got your rudeness from.” Merlin muttered

“Merlin! Don’t insult your king!”

Merlin rolled his eyes.

“Sorry about my son, my lord”

“Oh no, hunith, it’s alright, Merlin’s like this with everyone. Well especially with me..”

“Stop sucking up to my mom and tell me what chores you have for me so I can get out of your presence as soon as humanly possible!”

Arthur rolled his eyes, “Mordred suggested we all have an extra training session. You need to help me with my armour.”

Merlin glowered with genuine hatred. “Oh of course it’s mordred.”

“I still don’t get what you have against sir mordred.”

“‘Sir’ mordred more like sir murder. I’m going to kill that man someday. Maybe suffocate him in his sleep sometime..” Merlin muttered quietly.

“What?”

“Nothing. I’ll help you in a second after I get my mum settled.”

“I don’t have all day, Merlin.”

“I don’t have all day merlin” Merlin mocked as Arthur left

“Merlin, my baby, why do you not show him you care in more… conventional ways?”

Merlin sighed heavily like he was exhausted. “His head would get too big.” He said simply.

“I think we all would like to have a little love shown in more obvious ways.”

Merlin smiled at her softly, “I love you, mama.”

“I love you too, merlin. But you know that’s not what I meant.”

“.. i know.”

“You don’t want to keep him waiting.”

“I would like to keep him waiting actually”

“Don’t you ever worry about getting fired?”

“Oh getting fired.. that would be a sweet break.”

Hunith laughed, a little confused.

“I’m serious, I'm so tired.” He said with a straight face

Hunith stopped laughing

Merlin started laughing

Hunith smiled with uncertainty.

“No but to be honest, protecting that man from.. special assassins is a full time job. Plus my regular job of being his servant, PLUS a physician’s apprentice? It’s a lot.”

“That does sound like a lot, baby.”

“But it’s fine, I’m good.”

“Are you? You seem tired. You’re his friend, does he know?”

“No, but I’m alright.”

“Maybe you should tell-“

“No way. I’m not losing my best friend and possibly my life.“

“You think he’d kill you?”

“I don’t know but his father definitely would and I can’t make him choose between him and his father.”

“That’s not your choice to make, honey.”

“It’s my life!”

“You’re alone, my boy.”

“I’m.. not. I have Gwen, my friend. I have arthur. I have Gaius. I have other friends..”

“And I’m guessing only Gaius knows?”

“Well, yes, but-“

“I don’t think Gaius is the most understanding. Do you ever talk to him about how much pressure you have on your shoulders?”

Merlin sighed, tearing up. “How did you notice?”

“Just from you talking, baby, you’re so exhausted. I know you. Even though I barely truly know you now, I know my boy.”

Merlin hugged his mother. “Thank you for listening, mama. I do actually have to go before Arthur tries finding me again.”

“Okay, just think about what I had to say.”

“Thank you!” He shouted as he ran away out the door.

Hunith sighed heavily, knowing her son would not be talking to anyone about his troubles.

Gaius came back in.

“Oh, Gaius.”

“What is it hunith?” He closed the door and looked at her, worried.

Hunith teared up. “My boy, he’s under so much pressure.”

“Oh yes.. right that.”

“Gaius, there must be some way to help him!”

He sighed heavily. “I don’t know, hunith. It’s bigger than us.”

“Bigger than us?”

After some tea and cookies, the whole destiny thing was explained. How Arthur and Merlin were two sides of the same coin, Destinies intertwined, the once and future king and emrys meant to bring back magic to Avalon.

Merlin came back. “I asked for a day off.” He said as he walked into the room, immediately chattering up a storm, “Arthur said he’d think about it which basically means no but like I feel like it’s only because he’d miss me, he doesn’t really need me as a servant, he just likes having me around. Though that is helpful in keeping him alive.“

His two guardians exchanged knowing looks.

“Merlin, are you in love with Prince Arthur?”

“Hunith!” Gaius chastised for asking so outright.

“I’m.. what? In love? With Arthur?” Merlin laughed. “If I was in love with Arthur I would-“ he stopped. “Nevermind, um.”

Hunith smiled knowingly.

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading!

[hannahhook7744]

'Arthur Pendragon would be the best dad/uncle ever and you can't convince me otherwise' Headcanons;

He would be like Uther only in the way that he loves his kids, and he would be every thing Uther never was (whether you believe be was more decent as a parent when Arthur was little or not).

His daughter wants to learn how to sword fight? She WILL get to learn how to sword fight.

His son wants to learn how to sew or how to do magic or how to be a blacksmith? Then he will.

You took Dragonet (Merlin and Freya's son)'s cow? You will apologize to the sobbing three year old and return the cow immediately.

You want Arthur to be at a council meeting when it's supposed to be his day with one of his son/daughter(s)? Fine but his kid is gonna be there and you will have half of his attention.

You want to have an audience with Arthur when it's his day to babysit Dragonet or any of his other nieces/nephews? Fine but the kid will be sitting on his knee drawing or napping in Gwen's arms and you can't complain.

Question if his oldest child will inherit the throne because they're adopted? Hell will rein down upon you for you even SUGGESTING that his precious darling is lesser than their siblings.

Make Morgana's kid or any of the knights kids cry? Run for the hills because Arthur will NOT let you get away with it without an apology or good reason.

He's a good pet parent too: he loves his pets, even if they aren't 'pretty' or whatever.

Arthur would literally do everything in his power to be as involved as possible with his kids and his friends' kids, and he would be unapologetic about it.

He will teach his kids how to hunt and ride a horse, and sword fighting. Gwen will teach the ways of a black smith and how to not put up with anyone's shit.

He'd take turns reading to the kids with Gwen.

Arthur would love his kids and his friends' kids unconditionally.

'Guinevere 'Gwen' Pendragon would be an absolutely fantastic mother/aunt and you can't convince me otherwise' Headcanons:

Gwen would love her kids just as fiercely as her parents loved her and her brother.

Gwen would absolutely refuse to let her queenly duties interfere with the time she spent with her children/her friends children.

She'd teach her son/daughter(s) everything she knows.

She, like Arthur, would want to give them everything she (and Arthur) never had. They will be getting all the affection Arwen can give them.

She would make sure that her and Arthur's kids would be unapologetically themselves, and that they grew up with the ability to tell right from wrong.

Gwen would take the kids (hers and her friends') on picnics and make flower crowns with them, just to see them smile.

She'd love her kids all equally, adopted or not, and would do everything in her power to make sure they never questioned whether or not they were loved.

One of the kids definitely has Tom as a middle name. Another is named after Arthur's mother (with the middle name).

She'd treasure everything her kids gifted her.

She'd sooth their fears and encourage their hobbies, and would adore them to no end.

Gwen would love her kids and her friends' kids unconditionally.

'The knights, Morgana, and Merlin would be the best uncles and you can't convince me otherwise' Headcanons:

Merlin would do magic tricks for the kids and teach them how to tend to wounds.

Gwaine would sneak the kids sweets.

Percival would use his strength to make the kids laugh in their games (throwing them up and catching, holding them upside down, piggy back rides, etc).

Good! Mordred would tell the best stories.

Good! Morgana would be snippy with anyone who even looked at the kids wrong and if anyone even said anything they WOULD be thrown out with her magic, no exceptions.

Good! Morgana would teach Arthur's daughter all the tricks in sword fighting she knew.

Elyan would give the best hugs and give all the best gifts.

Lancelot is that uncle who ain't see shit and ain't hear shit unless you really fucked up.

"What? Melora (Arwen daughter) disguised herself as the Knight of the Blue Surcoat to go save her prince? That's craaaazy and this is totally the first time I'm hearing this. Swearies."

"Stephanie (Freylin daughter) got in a fight with Morgar (Morgana and Forridel) and they hexed each other? That's crazy. Wonder how I didn't hear that."

And so on.

Leon would be that uncle getting the kids out of trouble constantly with a sigh, scolding them before dropping them at home.

Just all of them would love any of the others' kids, as well as their own, so much.

[botanicallyinclinednerd]

Things I've worked out so far for my Merlin Soulmate AU:

Soulmates and soulmarks are their own subset of magic, and one that Uther can not eradicate, because everyone is born with soulmates

So he does the next best thing and makes it practically illegal to find one's soulmate, mandating the use of gloves and long-sleeves around anyone that is not immediately blood related (soul bonds are solidified through touch)

(Except in the cases where he found someone with a soul mark that moved (a sign that their soulmate was born with magic) in which he would force a parade of citizens to come touch until he finds them. (Very rarely does he find them in this way))

Uther repeals most of the laws surrounding soulmates that ensure their rights. Such as the law that protected bonded soulmates (soulmates who have solidified their bond through touch) from having to testify against each other. In fact, under the new laws he made, if someone refused to testify against their soulmate, both/all would be assumed guilty of the crime in question and punished accordingly

Uther, being very classist and viewing common folk as inferior, also passes a law nulifying marriages between noble and common born soulmates, and outlawing any future marriages of the kind. So people that had been noble for decades were stripped of their title and standing and forced to return to their lives from before (in many instances this part was not strictly enforced, and it caused a lot of outrage when a noble spouse DID abide by this and shun their common born soulmate that had been their partner.)

Uther also repeals a law that allowed nobles to lend their noble status to their platonic soulmates, suddenly making GENERATIONS of nobility commonfolk.

This causes resentment from these nobles, as well as their friends. Sorcerers are not the only ones trying to kill Uther in this au, he wrongs just about everyone.

The only reason he continues to stay in power is because he's so brutal and he fosters a strong inner circle with similar views as his (or so he thinks in some cases)

Uther only had one soulmate and it was Ygraine. However, Ygraine had another soulmate and it was Nimeuh.

Nimeuh tried very hard to dissuade Ygraine from agreeing to the enchantment that lead to her giving birth to Arthur, and it was Ygraine that had to persuade Nimeuh into agreeing to even do it, as Nimeuh knew the risks and did not want to risk losing a part of her soul

She does anyway, despite her every effort

Uther makes it illegal to talk to others about their soulmates or soul marks or to show them to anyone.

Now even before Uther's bullshit, it wasn't polite to just ask, or to ask to see someone's marks (unless that mark was your own, then it was fine, lots of people wanted to know what the representation of their soul looked like)

But this made it so the generation(s) raised following the purge had next to no knowledge of soulmates (Same as with magic) or what made them "evil"

Well, they're magic. Measures of destiny, pieces of ones soul displayed on the skin of the people most important in one's life. And when a piece of one's soul dies, it's agony.

It was no secret that Queen Ygraine was King Uther's soulmate.

In the years of and following the Purge, those particularly bold and angry would whisper, "His entire soul died with her."

Everyone's soulmarks are as follows:

Merlin's is a fluttering blue butterfly

Arthur's is a gleaming golden crown

Gwen's is a forge bucket filled with lavender

Morgana's is a crescent moon with a bright star rotating around the bottom tip (thank you to @clotpoleofcamelot for the idea!)

Percival's is an acorn that is beginning to take root (thank you to @jgvfhl for the idea!)

Leon's is an owl in flight holding an arrow in its talons (I'm not entirely sold on this one, so if anyone has other suggestions, I'm open to it)

Gwaine’s is an oak with his necklace's symbol carved into the trunk (thank you to @donttouchtheneednoggle for the symbol idea!)

Lancelot's is a sword crossed diagonally over a shield with the crest of a winged beast

And Elyan's is a forge hammer circled by chainmail links (thank you again to @donttouchtheneednoggle for the idea!)

Arthur, Elyan, Gwaine, Gwen, Lancelot, Leon, Merlin, and Percival are all soulmates with each other. Gwen also has a soulmate in Morgana, and Merlin has a soulmate in Freya

(Merlin's soulmark for Freya does not start moving until she is cursed, and Merlin asks Gaius what it means. He has a crisis when he finds out, as he puts together that Arthur and Gwen (and Lancelot, but thats not an issue) must know that Merlin was born with magic.)

Merlin before that point is not aware that his soul mark on his soulmates moves, marking him as a born sorcerer. Should he have known this, since Huneth would know due to her soulmate being Balinor? Yeah, he probably should, but there's a lot Huneth didn't tell Merlin in the show and it might not have occurred to her to tell him, or even that he'd find his soulmates in Camelot.

Morgana's other soulmates are Morgause and Mordred.

Leon, Gwen, and Elyan find out they are soulmates when they are kids. The thing about young kids is that they don't really care a whole lot about rules that they don't understand, rules that no one explained, rules that don't make sense. You cant go swimming and catch frogs in full clothes with gloves! So they don't. And it's just the three of them present when they find out that Leon is soulmates with both Gwen and Elyan

(Gwen has known that she and Elyan are soulmates since she held him for the first time. Siblings that are soulmates are unusual but not unheard of)

They agree not to tell anyone, as they don't want to get in trouble

Leon and Arthur soulbond by accident.

Arthur comes over one day to Leon's estate and Leon, who does not have gloves on as he is in his home, greets Arthur with a hair ruffle without thinking.

This is in front of Leon’s parents and a guard, so there is no covering it up when both boys have the exact same reaction, and Arthur asks what that feeling was

Leon (a teenager at this point, maybe 15-16) is TERRIFIED. He just broke the law in front of several witnesses, and soulbound with the king's son. He's expecting to get executed or banished

Neither of those things happen.

In fact, Uther is not even mad. Leon is well on his way to becoming a skilled and respected knight, and he comes from a loyal noble family going back generations. If anything, Uther sees Leon being Arthur's soulmate as a sign of his loyalty and a garentee he will serve him well (Never let it be said that Uther isn't a hypocrite)

It's not long after this that a young Arthur asks Gaius what it means when a soulmark moves. Gaius stiffens and slowly explains that it means that the soulmate was born with magic. "But I thought magic is evil?" "According to your father, it is illegal, yes." "But I thought soulmates were supposed to have positive lasting impact on your life. Leon does." And Gaius is feeling a mix of emotions, cause if Arthur is implying what he *thinks* he is... "Arthur, do you have a soulmark that moves?" And Arthur nods and shows him the butterfly with the gently flapping wings. Gaius instructs Arthur not to tell or show anyone this, especially Uther, as it could be dangerous not only for his soulmate, but for him as well.

Arthur listens to Gaius and doesn't say a word to anyone, including Leon (if he had, they might have figured out they had all the same soulmates, and Leon could have pointed him towards Gwen and Elyan sooner)

Gwen almost doesn't take the job as Morgana’s servant because TWO of her soulmarks move and her parents warned her and Elyan (who shared most of the same soul marks as her) never to let anyone see, to never talk about it, or it would put both them and their soulmate(s) in danger.

A downside to always having to wear gloves it it makes it rather difficult to dress someone, even if tools had been invented to help with the process. One day Gwen gets frustrated and Morgana tells her to take them off if it would be easier. And Gwen freezes a bit. Because Morgana is the king's ward, and this is a bad idea, she's encouraging her to break the law. But then Morgana takes off her own gloves and wiggles her fingers at Gwen "It's fine, Gwen. No one needs to know. It's a stupid law anyway." And Gwen turns away, heading for the door, and for a second Morgana thinks she's gone too far and is about to apologize when Gwen flips the lock on the door, ensuring it's secure and coming back, removing her gloves as she does so. Morgana grins and promises that nothing that happens before that door gets unlocked will be repeated to anyone.

Morgana holds out her hand for Gwen to shake and after a long moment Gwen takes it. And their marks for each other go warm and and this feeling of *rightness* settles over them both, they've found another piece of their SOUL

This is how Morgana gets confirmation that she has magic, by asking to see her mark on Gwen and realizing what it means that her mark *moves*

I have more that starts moving into what changes and stays the same to canon, but this is already so long that it will have to be another post. If anyone has any clarifying questions, please feel free to ask me!

[thefallenangel2008]

Ok, no one's gonna notice this but I'm a sucker for crossovers, soooo, how about a Merlin x Gravity Falls crossover? No??? Anybody??? Ok... ANYWAY. IMAGINE. It's Weirdmageddon, 2012 (which is ALSO the year Merlin ended) in Gravity Falls but Merlin is in the UK. If Weirdmageddon ACTUALLY worked, the entire world would fall under Bill's conquest, INCLUDING Albion. So Arthur comes back because Albion is in danger. Merlin is surprised, confused, but oh well, he doesn't care, he's waited so long for this, and Arthur's finally here!!! But something tugs at him... The magic of the world... Something just feels off... Odd... Something's happening... So! "Arthur, we need to go to the States, I think the Americans are at it again." "The what?" (poor Arthur's so confused, he just came back from the dead and now he's inside a metal bird. Airplane? Wtf is that???) But by the time they arrive in Gravity Falls, Weirdmageddon has already wrapped up, Bill's defeated, everything's back to normal. There's no strange tug from his magic anymore. But he still investigates while Arthur just stands there and looks pretty (just let this man sit down and process everything Merlin, pls). And idk how, they come across the Pines family and long story short they explain everything to them. And Merlin's just like "YOU killed BILL? Bill CIPHER??? THE TRIANGLE DEMON????" Because I think it's funny if he knew Bill and it would make sense. Maybe Bill tried to make a deal with Merlin at one point, who knows? Something else too, it would be even funnier if Merlin and Stan were EXES. Like, maybe Merlin went to the states one time in the 70's-80's as a treat for himself and he somehow met Stan (who was going under a different name) and dated, until Stan had to leave because people were after him. "Hey, ya look like that one twink I dated at some point back in Vegas. Heh, real weird guy, kept talking about the knights of Camelot and had a bunch of witchy stuff for potions and a bunch of other weird stuff like that. I'm pretty sure he put a spell on me or something... Wait a minute-"

[saladscream]

The Mage Convention (snippet from a WIP)

In reply to @thedragonlies request (and @bertytravelsfar who is far too greedy for their own good). This is my latest WIP. And by that, I mean that I only started it last week. 😅 God knows if it'll ever get anywhere, but it's a fun concept.

Arthur stared at the invitation in puzzlement. A very formal invitation extended by the Great Bench of the Mages of the Western Isles to the “Warlock Known as Merlin in the Great Kingdom of Camelot.” The illuminations in that part of the parchment had been slightly overdone in that their exuberant flourishes sprawled uselessly across almost the entire breadth of the scroll, but there was no denying that it was Merlin’s name written there, perfectly spelt and traced in a beautiful hand with black ink of the finest quality, dried with an abundance of pure gold dust. Arthur was aware that Merlin had magic. In an awkward kind of breathlessly apologetic confession, his friend had come clean to him soon after the victory at Camlann. He had even demonstrated the extent of his abilities, which seemed to be all about mending torn or stained garments, healing grazes and scratches, floating objects across a room and lighting candles. Arthur had been shocked and unsettled by the unexpected revelation, to say the least. He had always known there was something rather special about Merlin. Some hidden depths, some concealed worth, for want of a better term, carefully tucked away under the many layers of inept, brave, kind, bumbling nobleness of character that had come to define who Merlin was in Arthur’s eyes. Learning that the man had magical abilities – abilities that had apparently helped him be the semi-efficient manservant but fully-irritating friend that Arthur had come to know and love – was a bit of a jolt to the system, but as with everything else concerning Merlin, Arthur had learnt long ago to simply roll into the fall, then pick himself up and dust himself off. Merlin was still Merlin. Too deeply entrenched in Arthur’s heart already to be anything but a mild, awkwardly cherished nuisance that he couldn’t seriously consider doing without. He looked up from the parchment to Merlin’s inanely smiling face. Arthur knew that I’m-too-stupid-to-live little grin. It was Merlin’ s embarrassed-but-pleased-but-unsure-but-hopeful-but-worried face. A face Arthur had always found hard to resist. “The Western Isles,” Arthur commented. That was quite the fraught, lengthy journey. “Yes,” Merlin agreed, clearly aware that he was pushing it.

[eldritch-ambrosia]

Let me hit you with my Shade!Lancelot idea, keeping in mind I haven't seen that episode of Merlin yet. (This works for both established Arwen/established Merthur and Gwencelot/Mercelot in my mind so think of it whichever way you'd like but it does focus on Lancelot, Merlin, and Arthur.)

So! Morgana creates Shade!Lancelot using Lancelot's body and sends him back to Camelot to stir up trouble. Instead of trying to just break up Arthur and Gwen, he's meant to isolate Arthur and make him believe that he can't trust anyone except for Aggravaine.

So he flirts with Gwen, takes the knights out to have fun when they should be training/distracts them, and takes Merlin's attention away from Arthur as well, frustrating Arthur.

S!Lancelot and Aggravaine both place doubts in Arthur's mind directly as well and S!Lancelot realizes that Merlin betraying Arthur would be far worse than anyone else and sets his sights on Merlin instead.

So he keeps stealing Merlin away when Arthur needs him, makes comments about how he knows Merlin better than Arthur ever could and about how he knows Merlin sneaks away but he's loyal to Merlin over Camelot (which also upsets Arthur because that's one of his knights for god's sake!) and won't tell him where Merlin is going.

Arthur confronts Merlin about his sneaking away (magic things) and, when he refuses to tell the truth, Arthur thinks he can't trust him after all.

Merlin talks about having magic in front of S!Lancelot and, when he doesn't know what Merlin's talking about, Merlin becomes suspicious. He references something that didn't happen and S!Lancelot acts like he remembers that which confirms his suspicions but when he tries to sidle away out of the room to tell someone, S!Lancelot attacks him, attempting to choke him out.

Arthur finds them like this and S!Lancelot says that Merlin was sending information to Morgana so he had to subdue him which Arthur doesn't believe for ONE SINGLE MINUTE. Thus, they begin to duel as Merlin tries to recover his breathing and stop from passing out in the corner.

S!Lancelot attempts to kill Arthur and knocks him out, Arthur fading out with the last thing he sees being Merlin trying to push S!Lancelot's killing blow away as his servant stands.

Somehow (I'm thinking earlier in the ep Merlin finds a magical crystal that can hold souls released from the afterlife that Gaius is researching and Lancelot's real soul gets released during the ep and the crystal glows and maybe gets broken in the scuffle) Merlin pushes the Shade from Lancelot's body and his real soul is able to return to his body.

The Shade's form changes into a kind of Shadow Monster Lancelot and duels the real Lancelot now (who is very shaken and weak because he was just revived!) and, when he stabs the Shade, it does no damage. The Shade laughs and says that he can't be killed without magic and Lancelot says that then he'll just have to kill it like he killed the Griffin.

"You're a knight of Camelot and you're saying that you used magic to kill a Griffin?"

"No. I did." Merlin says, casting the same spell he did all those years ago on Lancelot's blade as he stabs through the Shade, killing it.

There's a beat where Merlin still isn't sure if it's the real Lancelot and asks him something only the real Lancelot would know, which he answers and they have a tearful/huggy reunion.

Arthur wakes up and they explain that it was a creature sent by Morgana and Lancelot is actually back with them now.

Later, when Merlin is getting Arthur ready for bed, Arthur tells him that he doesn't need to know where he goes off to because he trusts him. Merlin goes to tell him the truth but stops and thanks him instead, snuffing out the candles and shutting the door as he leaves.

(I want to hopefully write this one day but I will need to actually catch up and watch the episode first to get the vibes. Everything I know about it rn is from clips and gifs and such)

[dullyn]

The Brother

This is for the second prompt of @mordredpendragon 's Maydred. It is once again set in my Arthurian cult horror.

--531 AD--

Days pass, seasons change, and Mordred is still stuck in Camelot. His brothers are out on another quest, their adventures a thing of legend with bards singing the praises of the Brothers Orkney. It is only fitting that he isn’t a part of it, for he isn’t an Orkney. That simple fact always sits heavy in his stomach, the Pendragon name brings a burden that his brothers are free from. 

Two moons ago, Gareth finally came of age to be a squire, and now Mordred is entirely alone. They bring him gifts, but it never feels like it’s enough. He doesn’t want to hold the colorful draughts pieces that Gawain brings back and hear how he got them from a traveling merchant after saving the man from bandits. Those blue and amber rounded stones sit on the ledge in front of his window; they serve as a reminder of the life he will never have. Gareth was similar when he came home from his first quest, the little dog figurine, reminiscent of Cafall, a gift that he obtained from a kind maiden whom he and Gawain rescued. His story wasn’t boasting, it was quiet in the way Gareth so often is, yet it still made Mordred want to claw his way out of his skin. He never wants to hear about their adventures, and still, he cannot bring himself to tell them so.

Agravaine is the only one who seems to understand that Mordred would rather just be given a gift without knowing how it was obtained. There's a small shelf in his room that holds several small books and trinkets. Practically everything he knows about the people outside of Camelot comes from the written word, and that is the way he likes it. Oral stories have always had a sort of magic that Mordred cannot stomach. Sometimes curiosity tickles the back of his mind, when that happens, he will ask Agravaine or Gaheris for one story of their travels, Agravaine because he knows Mordred’s limit, and Gaheris because his recitations are so utterly undescriptive that they sound just like one from his history books instead of a colorful tale of Gaheris’s prowess. 

Out of his brothers, he likes Agravaine the most, Gaheris follows, but he is a bit too tactless. Gaheris also adores Gawain, and Mordred cannot bring himself to feel the same. Maybe the number of years between them just makes it so that he will never understand his eldest brother, or maybe Mordred simply has too much of their mother in him.

He thinks about his brothers as he practices his letters, the loop of his “g” a horrendous thing. A traveler passing through said that the Orkneys will be back in a day or two, last the man heard was that they had crossed the Traeth Lafan. His stylus snaps as he presses it too hard into the tablet, and he digs his nail into the edge of the wax. It sticks, and he mindlessly scrapes it off. Brother Chretien left him ages ago to go do whatever priestly things he is required to do in Camelot. It has never made much sense to Mordred to have a member of the continental Church present in a place controlled by the Disciples, his mother has always insisted on it to keep up appearances. Morgause has always had a sway with Arthur that few others have; sometimes it feels he only listens to her, Igraine, and Merlin. 

He used to listen to Guinevere, but she has been gone for many moons. The rage that his father unleashed when she disappeared was horrifying. Mordred had hidden in the catacombs for three days, only coming out when Clarrisant found him. His older sister has been an elusive presence ever since she turned twelve and started to have visions of Christ and the heavenly fire that will eventually consume the world. Two tears had leaked down her cheeks when she saw him, she didn’t wipe them away. It was as if she hadn’t even noticed them. Soon after that, she had begun to sway on her feet, so Mordred led her out of the tunnels.

Right as they surfaced, he was greeted with the disappointed face of his father and the intense glinting gaze of Merlin. The sorcerer always seemed to be everywhere in Camelot; not a single moment was ever free of his all-knowing eyes. Arthur had dragged Mordred back down through the catacombs to the chapel, he made him pray for hours so as to make up for the mass he missed while hiding deep in one of the chambers.

Now Mordred has given up on escaping mass; there is no point in fighting the inevitable. 

A bell ringing sounds from outside, he goes to the window and peers down at the courtyard, there are his brothers, Gawain's horse sticking out with its massive size. Some of the burning in his chest eases, at least they have come back alive. He abandons his letters and moves towards the stairs, the stone is well worn with footprints cut in it from years of use. When he reaches the courtyard there are a dozen people crowding around his brothers, all of them asking about the quest and the beasts they encountered. They entertain the group briefly before pushing through towards the stables, their horses plodding along. Gawain’s steed, Gringolet, huffs at his owner, shoving his muzzle in Gawain’s hair. All Gawain does is smile and pets him on his nose. No one likes the horse except for Gawain, Mordred is scared of the beast, its red eyes something that screams of the supernatural.

Gaheris is the first to see Mordred, he rapidly waves and calls out to him, which catches the attention of the rest of his brothers. “Mordred, I brought you a pet!” Gaheris calls out. Mordred frowns, he doesn’t quite want a pet, dogs and cats require attention and shed their hair everywhere. His brother rifles through his saddlebag before pulling out something round, an onion.

Gaheris holds out the onion bulb, its green stalk still attached. Mordred just stares at it. “It’s an onion,” his brother proclaims proudly.

“Yes,” Mordred replies, confusion lacing his tone.

“Onions make good pets, you know.”

“It is a plant.”

“Exactly, that means it can never die.”

Agravaine immediately corrects him. “Plants can die, Gaheris. Everything living can die. It is why you should have just gotten a proper pet, like this creature. At least it will be interesting before it passes.” He holds out a small cage made of twigs, and inside sits a blackbird.

The bird lets out a quiet chirp, it seems scared. Mordred wants to free it from its wooden prison.

“It’s for you, Mordred.” Agravaine offers him the cage. “Think of it as a companion for when we are off on quests, it wouldn’t do for you to be alone.”

Mordred pokes his finger through the bars, the bird quickly bites it with its small beak. He doesn’t pull his finger away, and a dribble of blood comes out of the tiny cut the bird made. Maybe the blackbird will be the perfect companion for him, a pet that he can have in his room. He could pat its little feathered head. “Thank you, Aggy,” he whispers, using the nickname he came up with when he was three winters old.

“Of course,” Agravaine replied with a smile. 

“What will you name your new friend?” Gawain chimes in.

He doesn’t know. He looks at the bird, and then he looks at his brothers around him, his eyes fixate on the onion bulb still in Gaheris’ hand. His older brother looks a bit put out that Agravaine’s gift was better received. “Onion, his name will be Onion.”

His brothers all look puzzled by the odd name. Then a small smile breaks out on Gaheris’ face, and Mordred turns his gaze fully to his pet. It’s a small act of kindness, something that makes Mordred’s soul feel at ease; after all, his brothers are the only ones who have treated him back with such affection. His father may be a cruel man to his own family, but that doesn’t mean Mordred must do the same.

[fuckyeaharthuriana]

mordred through time (full post and video) (movies, tv shows, opera and musicals)

This is the condensed video and list!

If you want to watch the single parts (with longer clips) which have a bit more information on each single media, the actor playing Mordred and his role:

Part 1: From 1949 to 1981 -> here Part 2: From 1982 to 2002 -> here Part 3: From 2002 to 2010 -> here Part 4: From 2014 to 2017 -> here Part 5: From 2018 to the present -> here

Long post under cuts. Here I just added the list of media with essential information (color coded: antagonist or protagonist?, Arthur`s son?, does he have a lover?, queer content?).

1949 The Adventures of Sir Galahad: Antagonist, not related to Arthur.

1953 Knights of the Round Table: Antagonist, not related to Arthur. He has a lover (Morgana, who is not his relative either).

1956 The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (s01e03): Mordred assumes the role of Melagant, so he plays the antagonist. Once more, Mordred is not related to Arthur.

1960 Camelot: He plays the part of the antagonist, and notably for the first time he is Arthur’s son (as he is in White's book).

1962 Sword of Lancelot: Mordred is not only the antagonist but also Arthur’s son for the first time in a movie. In the movie he also has a female lover (a new added character).

1967 Camelot: David Hemmings plays Mordred. Same role as the original musical (antagonist and Arthur's son from Morgause).

1974 Lancelot du Lac: Mordred acts like the antagonist. He is not Arthur’s son or relative.

1979 The Legend of King Arthur: An 8 BBC episode tv show that faithfully tries to adapt Morte d'Arthur. Mordred is one of the main antagonist (alongside Morgana), he is Arthur's son.

1979 Unidentified Flying Oddball: Mordred is the antagonist (in the book he is Arthur’s nephew).

1981 Excalibur: Mordred is here Arthur and Morgana’s son for the first time, as in other adaptation Morgause was Mordred’s mother. He plays the antagonist.

1982 Camelot: This is a stage adaptation filmed live of the Broadway musical (so Mordred is antagonist and Arthur's son).

1984 Morte d'Arthur: He is antagonist and Arthur's son.

1985 Merlin and the Sword: Mordred plays the role of Arthur’s son (from Morgana) and a kind of minor comedic fumbling villain and antagonist.

1988 New Adventures of a Yankee in King Arthur’s Court: He is Morgana and Arthur's son and he is killed by Hank in a treacherous duel (Hank shoots him). He plays an almost martyr role instead of the usual antagonist.

1989 A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court: Mordred is a comedic-like antagonist.

1989 Doctor Who Battlefield: Mordred is an antagonist.

1995 Mordred’s song by Blind Guardian: Song about Mordred (from his pov), implied as sympathetic antagonist and he is Arthur's son.

1998 Merlin: Mordred is Morgana and Arthur’s son and the antagonist.

1998 Camelot (animated musical): Mordred is the son of Morgause (not Arthur's sister) and Arthur's son. He is both the antagonist and a redeemed sympathetic character.

1998 Camelot: The Legend: Arthur's son by his siter (through magic) and main antagonist.

2001 The Mists of Avalon: Mordred here appears once more as Morgana’s son, but he is a adopted by Morgause and raised to hate Arthur. He is Arthur's son. Mordred is the main antagonist in the second part.

2002 Justice League: Mordred is a kid, Morgana's son and both are antagonists who use magic.

2002 Merlin the Return: Antagonist Mordred.

2003 Gary Hughes’ album “Once and future king”: The song is “The Hard Way”, one of the two songs sung by Mordred (the other being “Demon Down”). We do not know if Mordred is Arthur’s son but he is the antagonist.

2003 recording of Albeniz’s “Merlin” opera: Mordred is the main antagonist alongside his mother Morgana. I am not sure, but he might be Arthur's son.

2003 Camelot, Papermill Playhouse: The usual Broadway musical (antagonist and Arthur's son).

2005 Camelot, Bad Hersfeld (Germany): The usual Broadway musical (antagonist and Arthur's son).

2007 Perceval (short): Mordred is Arthur's son (and Morgana's) and one of the two main antagonists (the other being Galahad).

2008 Camelot (Live from Lincoln Center): The usual Broadway musical (antagonist and Arthur's son). This is probably the first time we have a Mordred that is so obviously queer coded in his presentation.

2008 Merlin (BBC): This is an instance of a sympathetic turned antagonist Mordred. The show makes a point to explain his reasons. Mordred is not related to Arthur or Morgana. Also, Mordred has a lover in S5 as he is in love with a woman named Kara.

2009 Merlin and the Book of Beasts: Mordred is the antagonist and Arthur’s son. He also kidnaps his half-sister to marry her and continue the Pendragon dynasty.

2010 Avalon High: Mordred is the secret antagonist.

2010 Merlin and Arthur the Lion King: Mordred is a kitten and one of Arthur’s friends, he first betrays Arthur but then changes his mind. This might be one of the few iterations of a completely redeemed Mordred in movies/tv!

2014 High Noon Over Camelot album by The Mechanisms: This is also the first time we have an explicitly queer Mordred (outside of novels), as Mordred is a trans man in this retelling. Another case of a sympathetic Mordred - this time Mordred is more overtly sympathetic and even reconcile with his father Arthur at the end.

2011 recording of Albeniz’s “Merlin”: Another recording of the “Merlin” opera with Mordred as antagonist.

2015 recording of “Le Roi Arthus”: A recording of the Ernest Chausson's opera created between 1886 and 1895. Mordred is an antagonist and in love with Guinevere.

2016 Rex, youtube webseries: Mordred assumes the role of Arthur's jerk friend but he is not a full antagonist. Not related to any other character.

2017 Fate/Apocrypha: Mordred is here a Servant, they are the cloned-son of Saber (Arthur/Arturia, who is a woman) and Morgana. They are a protagonist. They are born as the close of a woman (Saber) and often referred with female pronouns through the series, they hate being called “a girl”, and also hate being called “a boy”. While I do not think the series was making an effort to actually depict a non-binary character, I do believe Mordred can easily be read as one.

2017 King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table: Sympathetic antagonist and Arthur and Morgana's son.

2017 King Arthur: Excalibur Rising: Antagonist and Arthur's son (from Morgana).

2017 Legend, youtube webseries: Mordred (Morty) is the overly joking, friendly guy who is hiding some deep hatred and jealousy towards Arthur (so he is a secret antagonist). Unfortunately I do not remember if Mordred is Arthur’s half-brother or just a friend.

2017 Mordred La Revolte: Unfortunately I cannot really tell how arthurian the series is, but the plot does not mention other arthurian characters. If I am not wrong, la Revolte is simply S2 turned into a movie.

2017 Fate/Grand Order The stage - Divine Realm of the Round Table: Camelot: Part of the Fate saga so protagonist/not-antagonist Mordred, non binary Mordred and they are Arthur's child.

2018 Arthur et les enfants de la Table Ronde: Mordred is Morgause's cousin and not Arthur's son. He plays a comedic antagonist.

2018 The Campaign for Camelot (webseries): Mordred is one of the main protagonists and he is introduced in episode 7. He is Arthur's son. Over the series he also develops a romance with Izzy (Iddawg, from “The Dream of Rhonabwy”). To clarify, in the clip Mordred is the guy without the glasses and the darker shirt! I do not remember if he is gay, pan or bisexual but he is attracted to men and in a relationship with a guy.

2018/2019 OSK’s Knights of the Round Table musical: Mordred is Arthur's son and an antagonist.

2020 Arthur and Merlin: Knights of Camelot: Mordred is Arthur’s son and the main antagonist of the story. He often uses threats of sexual violence towards Guinevere.

2020 Fate/Grand Order the movie: Camelot: Part of the Fate saga so protagonist/not-antagonist Mordred, non binary Mordred and they are Arthur's child.

2021 Fate/Grand Order: The Grand Temple of Time: Part of the Fate saga so protagonist/not-antagonist Mordred, non binary Mordred and they are Arthur's child.

2021 Le Roi Arthus opera: A recording of the Ernest Chausson's opera created between 1886 and 1895. Mordred is an antagonist and in love with Guinevere.

2023 Camelot Revival: The return of the musical Camelot! So as usual Mordred is Arthur's son (from Morgause) and an antagonist.

[merlingenrecs]

The truth comes out—and things go terribly. Perhaps Arthur doesn't take the news well and draws his sword. Perhaps Uther finds out and Merlin is strapped to the pyre. Perhaps Merlin has to escape from Camelot and leave all he loves behind. Can there be a happy ending? A hopeful one? Or will things forever fall apart?

Today's gen fic rec theme: Magic Reveal Gone Wrong!

↓ Find the list of fanfic recs under the cut! ↓

⚬ I don’t know you anymore by cynthia1314, 1k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/49552066 summary: Arthur felt his blood turned cold. Was this a dream? He wondered frantically. There was no way Merlin just killed his uncle without even touching him. That was magic, but Merlin couldn’t have magic, could he? Or perhaps that was an unknown creature who wore his friend’s face.

⚬ The Lies that Break Us by Fulgance, 2k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/934566 summary: Arthur reacts badly.

⚬ A Blessing in Disguise by s0mmerspr0ssen, 20k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/42762729 summary: After Camelot is almost lost to Agravaine and Morgana, Merlin is about ready to reveal his magic to Arthur. But when he finds out Gwen is pregnant, Merlin’s priorities shift. Soon, he is focused on keeping little Prince Amhar safe from harm, no matter what. Merlin sets out to invoke a blessing on Arthur’s son, hoping to keep evil forces at bay, but things quickly spiral out of control…

⚬ Confirmations by DollopheadedMerlin, 12k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/46113418 summary: Merlin feels overburdened and under the weather, but he doesn't want to add stress to Arthur's efforts in revitalizing his kingdom after recovering the throne from Morgana, so he tries not to take it personally when Arthur gives him a hard time. But when reports tell of a dragon within Camelot's borders and Merlin gets dragged along on a mission against his nature, the king only seems to double down on his mistreatment of his servant, making protecting the royal clotpole a lot more difficult as he fights off an untreated fever.

⚬ Let Me Die, Let Me Drown, Lay My Bones In The Ground by quotidian_void, 40k, rated M https://archiveofourown.org/works/56036113 summary: The storm that had passed through Albion didn't only bring devastation to Camelot.It also brought a party belonging to the king, queen and princess of a distant land on the edge of Albion's maps. As per propriety and courtesy, the king of Camelot was required to hold a feast and provide accommodation for them. The feast started off smoothly, the royals of Camelot getting along quite well with the royals from Harden.But a single questioned changed everything. Including the destiny and future of Arthur and Merlin.

⚬ The Magic In Your Blood by Aimael, 68k, rated M https://archiveofourown.org/works/24527002 summary: "Arthur had to wonder, whether he should not feel something, anything at all, that would hint at him being controlled by Merlin. Even as he tried, he still felt nothing." Merlin is heard saying things that he shouldn't have said, and Uther is determined to do whatever it takes to free Arthur from the sorcerer's influence - which might be more difficult than expected.

⚬ Refined by Fire by wryter501, 155k, rated T https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11306307/1/Refined-by-Fire summary: It began, as any shift in destiny did, with a choice - run and hide, or stay and fight. And because Merlin chose to stand still, his destiny and Arthur's - and others' - took a sharp right turn. Discovered by the knights, arrested by Arthur, Merlin faces Uther's questioner and judgment... Gold is, after all, refined in the flames... Mid-season 3 in-canon reveal.

⚬ Learning Curve by VikingSong, 14k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/52184794 summary: Arthur and Merlin each face steep learning curves when Arthur experiences an unexpected language immersion. Miscommunications abound, things are lost in translation, and—unsurprisingly—chaos ensues in the court of Camelot. When painful secrets come to light and the definition of loyalty is called into question, Arthur and Merlin must work past linguistic and interpersonal barriers to reach an understanding. Or: In which Arthur speaks the language of the Old Religion, Merlin pulls research all-nighters, and the council members discover they don’t remember nearly as much Latin as they thought they did.

⚬ Rend and Rebuild by PeaceHeather, 100k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/14866667 summary: One wrong move in the heat of battle changes everything. Merlin is a sorcerer, and Arthur has stabbed him.

⚬ New Beginnings by nsowlwrites97, 33k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/31863937 summary: The words seemed to lose their meaning the more Arthur tried to make sense of them, bleeding in and through each other like ink dissolving in water. The only fact he knew to be true – absolutely, permanently, irrevocably true – was that Merlin was dead.

⚬ Beauty in the Ashes of Our Lives by Fulgance, 20k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/934780 summary: After Merlin is executed for Uther's murder, Arthur's world falls apart.

⚬ Atlas by ParadiseAvenger, 10k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/34723003 summary: In pursuit of a sorcerer, Arthur and his knights stumbled into a cave. As the ceiling collapsed on them, Merlin had no choice except to reveal his magic or let all his friends die. That choice was not a choice at all.As Merlin's magic began to run out and tensions with the knights run high, it seemed he might have made the wrong choice after all.

⚬ Is this resolve? By kyrakaryanne, 1k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/47559634 summary: Arthur could kill Merlin, for this. Not because the law would justify it, but because Merlin would never stop him.

⚬ Help Thou Our Host by signy1, 22k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/53393428 summary: One way the battle of Camlann could have gone. On the night before the battle, Merlin only has one request for Gwaine." When I'm dead, I want you to remember me for who I was, rather than what I was. If you can."

⚬ Whatcha Say by darkbluedark, 3k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/46337155 summary: The roof caves in and the truth comes out.

⚬ The Goose, the Bad, and the Ugly by sinivalkoista, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/38503747 summary: Arthur is turned into a goose, and Merlin tries to catch him and turn him human again before Camelot is destroyed.

⚬ Whispering Your Name by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle, 22k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/19874179 summary: The Dorocha. They are the voices of the dead, my child. And, like the dead, they are numberless. Or: A different take of the dorocha. Instead of them being faceless screams that attack you, they are actually figures of the dead. Merlin doesn't quite realize how much death affected him until him and the knights go to close the veil. ⚬ Because It Was by Gingeraffelene, 4k, rated K+ https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13607047/1/Because-It-Was summary: Arthur reacts badly to Merlin's revelation and quickly regrets it, but not quick enough. How does one find an all powerful warlock who doesn't believe he deserves to be found?

[giacarem]

oh gosh I’m watching ep 3 s 4 of Merlin and I know what’s going to happen but I just can’t watch

I can’t handle the fact that Merlin tries so hard to save Uther and tries so hard to show Arthur that magic can be good and instead it blows up so awfully in his face. I can’t watch Arthur’s heart hardened even more towards magic.

And the hope in Merlin’s face when he thinks magic will be outlawed, and the grief when he talks about how exhausting it is to hide his magic

Idk, especially when I’m viewing it through the queer lens (as I always am) it just breaks my heart

[theficdealer]

A hand grasped his arm, sending a brief thrill down Merlin's nerves as he was forced around to face the person behind him. Armour gleamed in the firelight: supple chainmail glinted, and the solid iron of a pauldron curved lovingly over one broad shoulder. The length of a sword blade separated them. The point hovered, steady and sure, over Merlin's heart, braced to run him through, but he did not care about any of that. He was too busy drinking in the sight of the man before him.

He could never forget him, no matter how many centuries had passed.

'Arthur?'

When Merlin ultimately fails in his destiny, the fading remnants of magic that linger in the modern world fling him not just back in time, but sideways as well. He ends up in a Camelot where all his friends are alive, well and aware of his magic.

He ends up in a Camelot where his alternate self died almost a year ago.

Can he, Arthur and their friends still forge the golden age he was once promised, or will grief and suspicion tear them apart?

—Summary of Hiraeth by BeautifulFiction on ao3

Merthur time/dimension travel fix-it must read if you haven’t already. Seriously. Go read it. 507k of awesome. Rated E for very fun reasons, NSFW chapters marked in chapter notes.

Holy shit this was fantastic. Only completed like a week ago and probably one of the best Merlin fics I’ve read. Don’t have the wording capacity to say much more than that rn (on my annual September Sick-Week Merin AO3 Binge) so without further ado:

Things I Loved About This Fic:

Tayastra<3<3<3

Lancelot, as per usual

Percival and Mordred’s very wholesome (platonic, Mordred is like 11 or smth) relationship

The Bonds

10/10 antagonist choices tbh

Powerful Women

Morgana<3

Gwen<3<3<3

Gwen’s extensive information network

D r a g o n s

Arthur’s: characterization, choices, and relationships with Merlin and his mother (yes, you read that right)

All the knights but specifically Leon

Merlin with a lip ring and tattoo

Arthur’s reactions to Merlin having a lip ring and tattoo

Merlin deciding that he Will Not Be tolerating the lack of plumbing in that century and magicking up a bathroom

Cell-stones

George<3

All the characters, tbh

Merlin bringing the word fuck to 9th (?) century Camelot and Gwaine in particular and missing google and also central heating and conjuring modern underwear

Arthur loving magic

Merlin knowing how to use a sword and absolutely not telling anybody because he Does Not want to endure Arthur’s training

read it or regret it<3