#because fuck uther pendragon <3

[witchmd13]

friendly reminder that arthur cannonically added merlin to his family tree and not to his father's side but his mother's

[demonmoonsupreme]

Happy pride to them!!! Besides bisexuals…what were they?

(This is because they were married for a season and didn’t canonically f*ck. Like they kissed and cuddled, and Arthur mysteriously started wearing shirts to bed.)

[just-a-ghost00]

Channeled messages from your divine counterpart's higher self.

Images were found on Pinterest. In this reading, I have used several oracles, including one I made myself. This oracle provides us with songs that may hold significant messages for us. You may want to listen to the songs as you are reading the channeled messages or add them to your playlist.

Group 1

Songs : Sweater weather - The Neighbourhood, MIA - Bad Bunny feat Drake, Find me - SIGMA feat Birdy Merlin oracle :

Everything is fine. Don't worry.

Guinevra Queen of Arthur - There is no king without a queen : you need both feminine and masculine. Combine your thinking, your sensitivity and creativity to your decision making skills and your actions. It is in this fair and balanced union that fruitful projects are birthed.

The power of mischief - Laugh, laugh and laugh : If life is being tricky, laugh with it. If it is burlesque, make fun of it. If it is cynical, fuck with it. Facing it's provoking, remember that the more time goes by, the less it will matter. So laugh it off!

Cavansite - Expand your consciousness. Tourmalined quartz - Restore your perfect light. Copper - Energize your whole world. Spirit animals : Arctic fox, black cat, white shark Key words : being your true self, leaving behind old beliefs, noticing the toxic patterns in and around you, spirituality, intuition, mystery, Bangchan stan

I know you are trying to reach me. I can feel you in the air I breathe, on the tip of my tongue whenever I wake up from a (wet) dream. I know you wish to find me sooner than later. That you long for me as much as I long for you. But the universe has other plans. And I'm too busy anyway. I know it's a harsh thing to say considering all the love you have for me. Believe me, I couldn't be any happier to have you as my forever after. My partner in crime. But right now isn't the time. I have so much left to do. So many things to cleanse and dust off. I cannot hold space for you, no matter how much I wish you were in my life. Yes, it's painful. Yes, I think about us every day. Yes, I want you more than anything in the world. But there are surely more interesting things for you to do than to worry about my whereabouts and my well being. I don't want you to lose sleep over me. I don't want you to deprive yourself of good times, opportunities, love for me. I want you to live. To experiment. To have fun. I want you to be the soul everyone talks about. The heart of the party. The sunshine that doesn't need anyone to radiate their light. I don't want you to wait for me in vain. I don't want to be a burden to you. I know deep in my soul that if we both give our best and be present for the things and people that matter to us, that if we both deliver then surely our paths will cross. I know deep in my heart that all paths lead to you. And I want you to believe that too. There is no such thing as making the wrong turn. So please don't reject anyone or anything just because you think I wouldn't like it. Live your life. Speak your truth. Be you. And love yourself just as much as I love you. Talk to you later. *sends spiritual hug*

Group 2

Songs : At my worst - Pink Sweats, Life goes on - AGUSTD, 3:00 AM - Finding Hope Spirit animals : Scarab, Scorpio, Dragon

Serpentine - Awaken your reptilian nature. Celestite - Tune in to your serenity. Kunzite - Open up your love channel.

Merlin oracle :

Once upon a time, Merlin - Raise your potential : You were born with considerable internal resources. Honor the gifts that were passed down to you. Raise your potential and embrace from now on what you were destined to be. You have all that is needed to succeed!

King Uther Pendragon - Serve what is dear to your heart : if you have rights, you also have duties. By honoring them, you will earn respect and love from those whom you hold dear. Ask yourself what you duties are in this situation and you shall know what to do.

Pixies spell - Let go : If you're feeling lost, discover new horizons. Keep your mind busy with light occupations to ward off worries. Letting go is the best way to find your way back.

The round table - There is no Grand or Little man : you are as respectable, capable, important as any other being. You are important to the fates that intertwine to create new stories. Dare to act, express, fight for and honor. Show what you are made of.

Keywords : Seonghwa stan, animal crossing, showing your true colors, arthurian legends, mythology nerd, heaven on earth

This time again I had a dream. A dream where someone or something took you away from me. When I looked deeper, I saw my reflection in the eyes of the beast. And I understood that the only thing keeping me away from you was myself. I am scared to death. Scared that you won't love me for who I am. I'm afraid that my anger and my fire will burn you. I am not an easy person to be with. More than once, I have disappointed people around me. I disappointed myself. I'm afraid that I can't make you happy and give you the love and respect you deserve. You are like royalty. And I feel like a mere peasant. I'm afraid I have nothing much to bring to the table. I fear that I will dim your light instead of protecting and enhancing it. All kings have a queen. But if I'm a peasant, how could I ever dream to stand by your side? How could I ever raise to your level? I feel like there are worlds between us and terrible beasts to be slain before I can ever get to you. The journey ahead seems frightening. And I don't know where it will lead. If the path were to take me through hell only to make me lose you, I would never be able to forgive myself. I would never recover. So please, don't break my heart. And if you can, save yourself. Don't burn your wings trying to get me out of the well I fell in. Promise?

Group 3

Songs : My Power - Beyoncé, Comflex - Stray Kids, Don't go yet - Camilla Cabello Spirit animals : arctic fox, sea turtle, scorpion

Jet - Claim your space. Bismuth - Rewrite your code with rainbows. Sodalite - Deepen your intuition.

Keywords : Changbin and LeeKnow stans, self worth, body image issues, speaking your truth, destiny, intensity, blues, mental wellness, Blue Monday, Jutdae, Black Panther

Merlin oracle :

Arthur's fate - Be the hero of your own destiny.

The power of authenticity - Go beyond appearances.

The power of mischief - Laugh, laugh and laugh!

I feel so lucky to have you in my life. When I think of you, my heart lightens up because I know how special you are. You bow to no one and yet, somehow, you chose to let me in. You chose to trust me when no one would. To believe in me when all abandoned me. Surely, you must be a wizard or some deity. An angel maybe. Because never would I have ever thought that someone would care about me so deeply. I have never met someone like you. Someone so brave and powerful, so loving and kind, generous, fierce and loyal to a fault. I'm so addicted to you. In your energy, I feel safe and protected. I'm usually the kind to appear strong and fight for the people I love. But with you, I feel like I can be myself and let my guards down. With you, I know I will never be judged. I know I can be vulnerable without fearing that you'll stab me in the back. People have done that to me before, you know? But I know you would never. I trust you with my life. I can't wait to meet you. Where you at? What you up to? Do you miss me? Cause I sure as hell do. I want you all to myself. I know you are my destiny. Let's have fun together, shall we? I love you to the moon and back. Don't you dare forget me! Oh and no matter what you think, you are amazing. Don't let people bring you down, sunshine.

[regulusrules]

Fic rec time: Hurt Merlin / Protective Arthur edition

As a fandom, I think the only thing we collectively agree on is that, despite the show's incapability in showing us the full extent, Arthur would have readily laid down his life for Merlin just as much as Merlin did and even to worse measures.

Because Arthur is not just bound by obligation when it comes to Merlin; he does it out of faithful love to the man who stood by his side unfailingly all his years as prince and king. The status quo isn't the only thing that Arthur honours; it is their sole dynamic, too.

And that's why fics of Hurt!Merlin/Protective!Arthur hit core the most. Because we finally feel the balance in their equation; the mutuality and reciprocation of their immeasurable love.

So, in honour of just that, here are 5 fics that did justice to Protective Arthur Pendragon:

1. half sleeping, numb with frost by schweet_heart. This fic is the ideal definition of short but ninja. It lives in my mind rent-free. Not only does Arthur have to watch Merlin turn into ice, but he has to go through it knowing that it was a spell meant for him. The Arthur warming Merlin, the hug, the beauty that comes out of this, is just wonderful.

2. My heart is readily yours by yours truly. Listen I couldn't, ok? I couldn't live with the idea that we were constantly robbed of seeing Arthur in all his protective glory. So I said what if I make Uther kill Merlin in front of his eyes and just let him deal with the saving thing? Classic.

3. Dower the Stars by RurouniHime. The significance about this fic isn't just the hurt/comfort,, no, no. It is PINING Arthur Pendragon, to extremes we cannot explain. Our boy was GONNNE in this fic. It is the perfect combination of majestic king and smitten Arthur. So beautifully written.

4. Peace At Last by Mississippi_moon. A Merlin-takes-a-stab-instead-of-Arthur fic? SIGN ME INNNN. These are always my favourite in Arthur's reaction, because of how raw and vivid Arthur is about Merlin.

5. and with my opened mouth i join the singing light by intothefirewego. Reading this after having written MHIRY was the best possible thing that could have ever happened to me. The overindulgence of blood and descriptions of agonised Arthur just resounded in my heart magnanimously. This fic is a literal masterpiece in how developed it was even if its ending fucked me up.

Drop your favourite Protective Arthur fics!

[relativelydimensional]

bestie what are some of your merthur fic recs

Omg who me? stooppp <3

Okay so I used to read a LOT of merthur fics back around 2011-2013 and have only recently hopped back on the bandwagon so this will be a mix of some oldies i've revisited and some newer fics that have made me insane :))))

0. this one goes without saying but The Student Prince is seriously one of the best fics in any fandom i've ever read to this day. I relisten to the podfic every single year and it SLAPS every time. If you haven't listened/read recently this is obviously my #1 rec hahahha

Okay onto some actual recs

1. Tired by spqr

King Arthur gets enchanted and keeps having dreams about his court sorcerer merlin :))))) He obviously doesn't say this to Merlin, but Merlin notices he's not been sleeping and Arthur comes clean about having 'nightmares.' When Merlin tries to figure out a counterspell, he accidentally casts it on himself and ohh nooo they're both having sexy dreams about each other but also have to act normal in real life ITS SO YUM. This fic was surprisingly soft, like yes they are having some full on dreams but also the bits that made me extra insane were just the little soft moments between non-dream merthur 🥺

This was a school holidays read and i remember reading this in the staff room of the elementary school i was working at trying so hard not to SCREAM. At one point i had to go on a spirited walk around the building just to get my energy out because it was JUICY.

If you like: canon era fics, court sorcerer merlin, the intimacy of domesticity, arthur with a beard and merthur being so in love but also fucking clueless about it this the fic for you <3

2. But It's a Good Refrain by lady_ragnell

Merlin runs a relationship advice/matchmaking service radio show and Arthur's ex calls in and rips into him on air. Arthur calls in to defend himself and he and Merlin butt heads. An oldie but such a goodie. I love this one because the characterisation feels very natural. Plus i loooove arthur POV fics. Merthur are so sweet in this one and i love love love the dynamic of their respective friendship groups merging. It also features the fandom favourite m/f crack ship that is elena and gwaine which im always here for.

If you like: silly modern AU friend group nonsense, Arthur POV fics, snarky Morgana, and a fic writer who understands the sheer power merlin emrys' 🥺 face would have over not only Arthur but literally ANYONE who looks at him, this is the fic for you.

3. Second Chances by DragonDucks

This is a canondivergence/fix-it fic set immediately after Arthur dies in 5x13. In this version Arthur tells Merlin he loves him with his dying breath and Merlin's magic sort of implodes sending him back in time to 1x1. So it's like sad s5 Merlin getting a second chance to save Arthur in the body of tiny baby s1 merlin.

I'm gonna be honest i'm still reading this one but it has me kicking and screaming!!!! Most of the dialogue is repurposed from the show which makes it extra juicy to me and its just delicious i love it so much. The POV switches between S5 mourning merlin and S1 gay panic arthur and its soooooo good i'm loving it so far. Some of the side characterisation is a little weird but Merthur are PERFECT. It NAILS that yummy introverted Arthur and fond Merlin characterisation.

If you like: canon era fix it fics, time travel, Arthur pendragon falling in love with merlin bit by bit and actually having space and time to grow as a person, and merlin emrys being like no everyone shut up about my destiny i just wanna have a good time with my boyfriend, this is the fic for you.

4. All is Semblative by Whitefox

I just fucking love crossdressing fics okay 😇. This is cinderella meets Merthur. Uther is throwing a ball to find Arthur a bride and servants aren't allowed. Out of spite (and, lets be real, also jealousy) Merlin tries to disguise himself to sneak in and ends up accidentally turning himself into a princess. Arthur hits it off with a weird but beautiful mystery princess who turns out to be his manservant he's been in love with this whole time. Simples.

If you like: Prince Arthur knowing about merlin's magic and being cool with it, fairytale AUs, accidental genderbending (but still canonically mlm merthur), and arthur pendragon singlehandedly embodying demisexual panic this is the fic for you.

5/6. As Long As We Have We AND No Matter How Far Away You Roam by lady_ragnell

Lady Ragnell again because I looove the way they do modern day Arthur. and i've been going through their stuff. These are both super cute christmas fics (I know its a little early but I couldn't help myself). In the first one, Uther has just died (rip uther you will not be missed) and Arthur accidentally collects lonely friends to spend christmas with him in the empty house. At the same time he befriends Merlin, the owner of his local bookstore, and merlin brings his own group of strays to Arthur's christmas...and obviously everyone gets along super well and merthur fall in love. The second one is a fake dating. T get his parents off his back, Arthur lies to Uther and Igraine that he and merlin have been together for years and Merlin (plus his mum and his sister Freya) has to play along one christmas..and obviously everyone gets along....and obviously everyone gets along super well and merthur fall in love.

If you like: found family, cute christmas fics and fluffy merthur these fics are the ones for you!

Also pls if anyone has any canon era secret dating merthur fics i beg of you please send them my way 🥺

[pippin-katz]

Immortal Merlin’s Deaths

So we know Merlin is immortal, but we’ve also seen him die, at least momentarily. In the Poisoned Chalice, his heart does stop. There’s no canon explanation for how his immortality works so we can interpret it in a lot of ways. I personally like the idea that he can die and come back, rather than not die at all.

So, here’s a list of the times I think he most likely could have died:

Death 1

Season 1, Episode 4 “The Poisoned Chalice”

Like I said in the little intro, his heart momentarily stops as a result of the poison. Gwen and Gaius are certain he’s dead for a moment before he “recovers”.

Death 2

Season 1, Episode 7 “The Gates of Avalon”

The Sidhe staff literally obliterates everyone else in the show besides Merlin. He’s out for a while before Gaius finds him considering the Sidhe and Arthur were already at the lake when he wakes up. Gaius says it’s only thanks to his “powers” that he survived. Even when he comes too, he’s completely disoriented and stumbling. 

Death 3

Season 1, Episode 13 “Le Morte d’Arthur”

This is one I talked about in my post about the fight between Nimueh and Merlin. He’s hit center chest by a fireball from a high priestess. Anyone else would’ve been killed, and we see him go pretty still before he opens his eyes again. When he does, there’s a shift in his physicality, which I mentioned could be part of his magic “restarting”.

Death 4

Season 3, Episode 1 “The Tears of Uther Pendragon: Part 1”

This one is pretty obvious, considering how much the serket venom fucks him up. I wouldn’t be surprised if he died on the way to that cave and Kilgharrah gave him the enchantment to help revive him.

Death 5

Season 4, Episode 1 “The Darkest Hour: Part 1”

This was originally an honorable mention, but a lovely person ( @eruthiawenluin ) in the comments made me change my mind. I had initially included this, then removed it because we see him responsive and awake after the Dorocha hits him, but they pointed out that he could’ve died when the Dorocha touches him. The moments instantly after he’s hit, he could’ve died, and then slowly started to revive because of how powerful and deadly the attack is; it would be quick enough for the knights not to notice while they’re moving him.

Death 6

Season 5, Episode 8 “The Hollow Queen”

This boy has an affinity for getting poisoned/stung. The poison that Morgan gives him in this episode does a lot of damage, plus she basically pushed him off a small cliff. Even with Daegal’s help, he convulses really violently before going very still.

Death 7

Season 5, Episode 11 “The Kindness of Strangers”

This is another one where I think he could’ve died during Kilgharrah’s rescue. A crossbow bolt to the abdomen is definitely a fatal wound to a normal person. He struggles during this episode, even with Finna’s help. When he calls for Kilgharrah, his voice is basically a whisper because of how much it strains him.

Death 8

Season 5, Episode 12 “Diamond of the Day: Part 1″

This could be the first instance of Merlin being aware of his death. He’s dying during his conversation with Balinor. He genuinely thinks there’s no point in trying anymore. Balinor talks him out of it and tells him to walk “toward the light”. Then he wakes up in the Crystal Cave completely fine.

Honorable Mentions

Here’s some moments that he got very injured or really close to dying in that I wasn’t sure if I should include. The ones on the list are pretty easy to argue, and I could make a case for these too, but they’re not as strong.

Nonetheless, here you go:

Mace Hit

His wound from the mace has Arthur complimenting and being sincere with him, which is a damn good indicator of how bad the hit was. I could argue that he could’ve died between the rock fall and Morgana’s hut, but it felt like a stretch to say Morgana wouldn’t notice if he actually died. His wound is also still there when Morgana wakes him up, which usually he comes back mostly if not entirely healed.

Morgana’s Sneak Attack

Yeah, he’s still alive when they bring him back to camp, but the fact that Gaius had to use healing magic to wake him up says how bad Morgana hurt him. I don’t think he ever actually stops breathing, so I didn’t include it.

Falling Off a Cliff

You’re telling me, that he fell off that, and lived?! That’s a pretty high fall and some pretty rough rocks. We don’t see him directly after, though I’ll point out that he’s miraculously uninjured during their campfire talk. A fall like that should break a LOT of bones at least. Still, can’t confirm that he couldn’t survive.

Second Hit from Sidhe Staff

He gets hit with the Sidhe staff again when that guy uses the mage stone to reflect it. He’s knocked out for what seems like a lot less time though, and maybe having experienced it before his magic adapted against it.

General Being Thrown Into Things

They really should’ve come up with a clear indicator between when a character gets thrown against something and dies, versus when they get thrown against something and knocked out. The number of people that Merlin, Morgana, and Morgause kill by throwing them into a wall or a rock is a LOT, but Merlin has the same thing happen to him all the time, but he’s fine. This is more of a “he should’ve died” thing than “he could’ve died”.

Alright that’s all I could come up with, but let me know if you think I missed something and I’ll update it.

[closetsof-backlogged-dreams]

what are ur feelings on the execution of the magic reveal??

ok so i have manymanyMANY feelings on in which ill try to wrap up as cleanly as possible so lets just get into it

the way they like speedran the magic reveal??

to paint you a picture: i was super impatient when i first started the series lmao, and so i had watched maybe 4-5 episodes of the first season when i googled "when does arthur find out about merlin's magic"💀💀 i ended up getting the wrong answer because im stupid as shit so i was just surprised as everyone else when it ACTUALLY happened, but thats besides the point.

the point? this was a SUPER important plot point. everyone was waiting on the edge of their seat, every single episode, for merlin to finally pop arthur's bubble and reveal his magic. but five seasons passed, and we didn't get it until the last episode?? are you kidding me?? and because we only got it on the last episode, where arthur was dying, arthur was robbed of any true explanations or declarations or apologies like he—we—deserved. instead, arthur's reaction to it was brief and just not enough. he was disbelieving, then shocked, then angry, then sad, then accepting, all within what, like a day and a half? forty minutes of screen time? im sorry, after spending around 46 hours watching this series and waiting for the magic reveal, that just doesn't cut it.

2. we have to admit, the magic reveal in the last episode felt so NATURAL

sometimes i really struggle to hate the magic reveal, because no one can deny how perfectly everything fell into place. he got trapped in the cave, his father spoke to him, he escaped the cave and transformed himself into that old guy, he single-handedly wiped out the Saxons, arthur was struck, merlin found him and carried him away from the battlefield, merlin turns back into merlin, and then the fucking "I defeated the Saxons. The dragon, and yet— and yet I knew it was Mordred that I must stop." / "The person who defeated them was the sorcerer." / "It was me." / "Don't be ridiculous, Merlin. This is stupid. Wh—why would you say that?" / "I'm—I'm a sorcerer. I have magic. And I use it for you, Arthur. Only for you." (Your welcome for that, day after Christmas<3)

like, you CANNOT TELL ME that doesn't flow perfectly!! that everything that happened in that episode didn't flow perfectly!! the magic reveal was always going to be impossibly difficult to get right, but they got it right in the finale!! that is one thing i will always give the writers—I may have not liked the circumstances of the magic reveal, but the magic reveal itself was beautifully executed.

3. too little, too late

i read an article recently that really pointed this out, and while i disagree with most of what they said in the article, i agree with one thing: the ending was so, so unsatisfying. the magic reveal was so, so unsatisfying. what was the point of him even revealing his magic? the magic reveal was great, sure, but nothing actually came out of it. oh, for the next 24-48 hours of life, arthur can accept him!! but that's it.

there's the implication that gwen will legalize magic after the series, but merlin and gwen don't even get a final scene together! all in all, the magic reveal just wasn't enough. we ended so much more time for arthur to sort out his feelings, for there to be good days and bad days, to watch them relearn trust and love again. we deserved that kind of ending. we deserved the magic reveal to be in, imo, The Death Song of Uther Pendragon, or s5e3. give them an entire season to get through everything. you can still kill arthur!! but let them have that animosity. if anything, have them start out those last two battles on bad terms. let the travel to the lake be them relearning trust and love. let that be the emotional baggage they have to unpack in the finale.

just overall, do anything except what you actually did lmao.

alright!! i think those are the main three points? i think that wrapped everything up pretty nicely, so ty sm for the ask!! these are always the highlight of my month lol.

[lookofhisoceaneyes]

**The Best of the Best: Must-Read Fanfiction Gems**

4/4

Merlin (TV) Fandom:

1.A Modern Manservant by Mamalazzer

A Modern Manservant - Chapter 1 - Mamalazzer - Merlin (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

modern magical comedy very loosely based on Ugly Betty. Publishing king Uther Pendragon has had enough of his playboy son seducing every female assistant he has ever had so he hires Merlin, a man he is sure Arthur will never sleep with. Merlin would be more insulted by this fact if he wasn’t so busy trying to juggle his duties, save Arthur's skin from ruthless fashionistas and keep his magic a secret at the same time. Expect appearances by oil-lathered knights, the occasional mad druid, a perverted Will and a mental caretaker who lives in the basement and keeps harping on about coins and destiny.

—

Main Ship: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

I enjoyed it so much. Prat Arthur. Modern AU and more. definitely worth it !

2. Where I'm Meant To Be by WhiteRoseCottage

Where I'm Meant To Be - Chapter 1 - WhiteRoseCottage - Merlin (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

The silhouette is backlit from the headlights on the Mini Cooper and he’s maybe hit his head harder than he thought because it almost looks like…

“Merlin?”

And Merlin feels as though his heart is exploding in his chest because that voice and his real name and as he looks up...the golden hair reflected in the light from the car.

Arthur Pendragon is standing, completely starkers, in the middle of the road leading up to Lake Avalon.

Main Ship: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

The Reunion we all wanted and so beautifully written. 

Challengers (Movie 2024) Fandom:

You haven't seen Challengers yet? Well then it's about time if you like a poly ship. Even if the film doesn't show as much of the three-way relationship as you'd hope, I'm sure the three of them have pulled themselves together and found a solution at the end. The camera work and the dialogue alone should convince you that this is a good film. (even if the reviews aren't that great, I thought the film was fantastic).

1. risorgimento by loverism

risorgimento - Chapter 1 - loverism - Challengers (Movie 2024) [Archive of Our Own]

Art runs away. Patrick chases.

—

Main Ship: Art Donaldson/Tashi Donaldson/Patrick Zweig

This was exactly what I needed after the film. Nothing against the film but the ending was very open and they wrapped it up really well. The fic stayed true to the characters, could have happened in the film as well.

2. Homemakers by californianNostalgia

Homemakers - californianNostalgia - Challengers (Movie 2024) [Archive of Our Own]

Nicki is unfortunate enough to be present when the Donaldsons show up as an allied pair of blindingly hot jilted exes laser-focused on her depressing mess of a tennis instructor.

Alternate title: My ‘Patrick Zweig wins a Grand Slam’ Agenda. (Outsiders POV.)

—

Main Ship: Art Donaldson/Tashi Donaldson/Patrick Zweig

I love Outsiders POV. And this sums the whole Relationship perfectly up.

3. a romantic fool by spqr

a romantic fool - spqr - Challengers (Movie 2024) [Archive of Our Own]

And Tashi spits back, “She’s not yours, Art. She’s Patrick’s.”

Art just laughs. “You think I don’t know she’s fucking Patrick’s?”

—

Main Ship: Art Donaldson/Tashi Donaldson/Patrick Zweig

Lily as a character is so cute, but she has very little screentime. What if Patrick finds out that he has more in common with her than he thinks?

The Boys (TV) Fandom:

the boys is a series that not everyone likes. If only because it's so bloodthirsty, but I love the series. All the side-swipes etc. Karl Urban as Billy Butcher does things to me. (And yes I have a relatively healthy relationship with my dad). Hughie/Butcher as a relationship would be a disaster on the show (especially in the newer seasons), but hopefully we can all agree that Hughie had a slight crush on Butcher in the beginning. That's why there are a couple of fics here that I think are great and are mostly more AUs.

1.Black Coffee by aishahiwatari

Black Coffee - Chapter 1 - aishahiwatari - The Boys (TV 2019) [Archive of Our Own]

Hughie really needs this job.

And, okay, he wants his boss to need him too.

—

Main Ship: Billy Butcher/Hughie Campbell

just read it. I love coffeeshop fics and Butcher as a grumpy owner. 

2. A candle in the window on a cold dark winter's night by SatsumaSegments

A candle in the window on a cold dark winter's night - Chapter 1 - SatsumaSegments - The Boys (TV 2019) [Archive of Our Own]

‘Has anybody else noticed that Hughie and Butcher are in love with each other?’

‘D’you think they’re planning on telling us? Or were we just meant to work it out?’

‘Oh, fuck. Guys. What if they haven’t worked it out?’

—

Main Ship: Billy Butcher/Hughie Campbell

Who doesn't love a little “didn't know they were dating?”

3. (Bad)? Neighbours by MotherFuckingSorcery

(Bad)? Neighbours - Chapter 1 - MotherFuckingSorcery - The Boys (TV 2019) [Archive of Our Own]

Hughie knows nothing about the new neighbour, apart from the fact that he’s aggressively good looking. He’s all dark crisp lines and danger emanates from him like a cloud.

“Billy Butcher,” he says, with some kind of cockney accent, shaking his hand with an overly firm handshake.

Hughie arches an eyebrow.

“Is that a nickname?” he says.

The alliteration and the general violence of the name does not generally bode well for the safety of Hughie’s hand and other body parts.

“Something like that,” says Butcher, with a feral grin that has just a touch too many teeth in it.

—

Main Ship: Billy Butcher/Hughie Campbell

I love scary Butcher and Sassy Hughie. 

Okay, that's it for now. I also have a few other fics from other fandoms (for example Hannibal or Fresh (Movie) and different  Ships but I think that's enough for now.

[spiders-hth-is-an-outlier]

I started watching Merlin again a few months back because my favorite podcasters were doing it after reaching the end of their Supernatural podcast, so for a while now I've been loping through at a civilized pace, watching 1 episode per week in advance of the podcast, and I was just about in the middle of season 3 -- coincidentally around the exact point I got distracted and lost interested in it the first time I watched -- when Netflix informed me they're yanking the show next week for inscrutable Netflix reasons. So this week I've bailed through the whole back half of the show so I wouldn't have to figure out how to download it or whatever, and man, you guys. It got weirdly dark in the last two seasons! Like there's a whole episode about the bewitched knights wandering lost in a hellish wasteland while failing to rescue Guinevere from being tortured and brainwashed and I'm like -- this is the same show that features other hit plotlines such as "Anthony Head is tricked into marrying a troll who farts constantly" right? It took a turn, is what I'm saying.

Anyway, I basically enjoyed it, in that it's (for once in my life!) written to provide basically consistent and sensible payoffs for the conflicts it establishes and also Colin Morgan is just a really likeable and compelling performer, but like -- I do think it's ultimately a more or less fatal flaw to the show that Arthur kind of -- sucks. He really is kind of a garbage dude, and initially you're kind of like, oh okay, he's youthful and reckless and spoiled, but the show is going to be about how he matures into the Great King of Prophecy, and I appreciate that the key to that is going to be the way he comes to realize that the Common Folk in his life, both Gwen and Merlin, are the best people around him. And kiiiind of? I mean, he does improve marginally, but oh my God he really just is largely a dipshit right to the end, isn't he? Like very late in the game, well into the Full Flowering of Camelot, the conflicts are still along the lines of "Arthur is fully going to execute someone for trumped-up reasons and Merlin has to gingerly plant the idea of maybe not doing that in his head because god knows he'll be having none of it if you try to be direct about the gruesome mistake he's making." And the man's daddy issues, Jesus Christ! I love a good fictional daddy issue, but there's a line, and the line is that if the ghost of your asshole of a dead father half-murders your wife because he thinks you could do better, you're allowed to speak sternly to him! Very sternly! But no, Arthur's like, Dad, I have to ask you to leave now please, because I'm an adult now and you are dead. Buddy! Buddy!!! He clocked your wife unconscious and tried to set her on fire, we passed I Need You to Go Now *several* exits back!

Anyway, it's stuff like that. He's a better king than Uther was, but the bar is in hell, and judged on his own merits, Arthur is -- kind of a petty curmudgeon, and not entirely not a tyrant, and he never *did* fully get around to that restoring magic business that was supposedly the point of the whole show. Which in and of itself is okay and kind of interesting -- it was almost a bold statement about the inherent moral vacuity of dynastic monarchies, like actually if you raise a person to believe the right of rulership is in him by blood, the very *best* you're going to get is a guy who's okay sometimes, unless he doesn't feel like it, in which case you're fucked until you can figure out some way to work him around. Which is basically what Arthur was, as a king. It's like Junior Varsity Game of Thrones. It's not bad.

But they so clearly wanted you, the audience, to go all in on Merlin's fear and sadness as Camlann and Mordred and the fall of Camelot looms, and Morgan's acting his ass off and I would like to play along and grieve the tragic loss of Arthur Pendragon and the end of a golden age, except Arthur's really just a dudebro with the bare minimum that qualifies as a conscience and actually the whole last two seasons were shot more like a gothic horror than a golden age, and I don't think I found it as reassuring as I'm supposed to that this guy is coming back at some point. Not to speak for the British, but -- thanks but no thanks, is where I personally stand on that business. Avalon can keep him.

Which -- again, if that's the point, it's a brilliantly sly deconstruction of the mythology of the True King. But it's kind of not framed like that's the point. I actually couldn't tell for sure. All of this sounds like I didn't like the show, but I think I did! It had some genuinely moving elements and decent production values for TV and some good performances and a dragon. I liked the dragon, he's probably my favorite character.

[lonesomedotmp3]

top five morgana apologism moments… alternatively top five merlin anti hero moments

they are both my favourite little war criminals so i'll do both <3

can i just say the entirety of the tears of uther pendragon... she was literally right to do all of that and she looked good doing it... SPECIFICALLY the scene where she just hugged uther and we see the first evil little smirk... slay babygirl!!!

ACTUALLY in part two when she had that whole conversation with merlin and she was like there is no other way... this was always going to happen! she's the dragon! she's the bad guy in this play!!! she's got the script and the casting fits so she'll play her part... ok i'll stop quoting random shit now but literally conversations of all time she should've put that man's head on a spike and burned that whole place to the ground

when she tried to stab uther with the knife arthur gave her. um imagine finding out uther doesn't even have the common morality the basic traditional etiquette he pretends to maintain even as he apathetically genocides a group of people even as he made YOU hate yourself. actually he never respected your father as he told (LIED) to you he never ever will respect you as anything other than a bastard and a mistake. yeah you'd fucking kill him. of course you would.

idk exactly what we're counting as an apologism moment but something that makes ME forgive everything she has ever done ever is when she grabs merlin's wrist frantic and terrified and so so tired and he just. silently brushes her off and walks away. i mean fucking top merlin anti hero moment as well. unbearably fucked up. what's something else violent she could do. she should've gouged his eyes out and left him in the wilderness to starve. yeah

one of the only two good things in the lancelot du lac episode when she revives him but he's only a shade of his former self completely reliant on another and while he'll maintain relationships with the others they don't mean anything because they don't love him they love who he used to be. and he lives only to ruin his reputation forever when he would've been better off to everyone dead and gone. functionally dead, living past his myth, came back wrong, etc. he's only a weapon. and she just looks at him for a long long time knowing exactly what he is and what will happen. yeah 😐

oh this getting so long merlin anti-hero lightning round

getting rid of arthur's free will - i STILL cannot believe he did that

killing the magical being that told him how to save gwen in s5 for like no reason

him being just soooo mean to my buddy mordred :( the shrug. the shrug!! i literally have that gif saved on my phone just to look at sometimes. he's like if a dark gaping void were a boy who was a girl who was more like wet cement. you understand

POISONING MORGANA. WHATEVER I DON'T EVEN CARE 😐😐😐

killing agravaine and all his men and then turning around and constructing the sword in the stone myth for arthur in the same episode. because kings were not meant to drag their hems in this sort of filth. killing myself. ruining the whole story and taking control of the narrative for the worse because you loved not wisely but too well. KILLING MYSELF. that was such a fun agonised jaunt through memory lane thank u beth :)

[sunflowerwemadeit]

I posted 13,832 times in 2022

That's 4,551 more posts than 2021!

100 posts created (1%)

13,732 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@shana-rosee

@lululawrence

@pocketsunshineharry

@corrupted-willy

@merrrrrrrrry

I tagged 653 of my posts in 2022

#mera - 46 posts

#bub💙 - 25 posts

#answered - 25 posts

#ask - 25 posts

#prev tags - 22 posts

#q ki - 18 posts

#merthur - 15 posts

#yes - 15 posts

#wanna read - 15 posts

#buddie - 10 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#so you may now realise my resentment for his canines are a mere reflection of my never-ending love for you which he so dares to threaten by

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

No but seriously one of my most favourite moments is when in 5x13 Arthur asks Merlin to just light the fire with his magic. There is no fear, there never was any fear in Arthur's eyes for Merlin.

It is a very genuine, nonchalant way of saying "go on, do it". Like it's not the very thing he has grown up fearing. He's just like, hey Merlin just use your magic and stop wasting your energy and time, you idiot.

Like, I love this casual acceptance just as much as I love the "I want you to always be you" acceptance. Because both are equally important.

71 notes - Posted February 11, 2022

#4

Are we gonna talk about how Arthur actually did say thank you before the last episode, in the episode where he asked merlin about advice over mithian and gwen. He said thank you Merlin then. "I want tell you something I've never said before" my ass. Just say I love you you coward

192 notes - Posted January 28, 2022

#3

MAYBE NICK AND CHARLIE ARE THE SOFT, REINCARNATED, MODERN EPILOGUE MERLIN AND ARTHUR DESERVED.

242 notes - Posted April 28, 2022

#2

Say what you want but Arthur gave, shared more of himself with Merlin than he did with anyone.

From Arthur's point of view, Merlin did not have any power, any destiny, any higher station, any baggage of keeping the people safe. He was just Merlin. That's all he was. His goofy, insubordinate, disaster of a friend.

He sees Merlin though. Not as a sorcerer or a protector or even Emrys.

He sees him as a man who is brave, courageous and stupidly loyal.

He seeks him out. As Crown Prince and then as King. Time and again he asks for Merlin's opinion. He seeks his counsel and takes it.

He tells Merlin, more than once, how scared he is, maybe even more than you.

Uther's son showed his vulnerability so willing to a servant. There's a thousand things to unpack right there.

He looks back at Merlin everytime he's making a decision. He accepts and trusts his judgement, especially when he becomes King.

He stops his sword mid-strike at one call of his name from Merlin.

Arthur Pendragon, Crown Prince of Camelot and son of Uther Pendragon willingly and trustingly shares his fears and doubts with Merlin of Ealdor, Emrys and the most powerful sorcerer to beer walk on Earth, Manservant, Friend and the bravest man he's ever known.

349 notes - Posted February 11, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

The poetic beauty of Buck going "whatever it takes you to forgive me" and Eddie just exasperatedly shaking his head and immediately going "I forgive you."

Like, Buck's so used to conditional love it felt natural for him to be like I'll do anything if you'll just forgive me, I can't lose my best friend, and Eddie knows that so he instantly goes that hey stop, it's forgiven (which he technically didn't have to, it would've been very valid for him to take some time and talk or not talk to Buck for a while) but he still did because he was like....you absolute idiot I'm gonna love you even when you fuck up because that's what a family does. I'm crying brb.

381 notes - Posted September 11, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[queerofthedagger]

Look I like, talk a lot about how much I love Arthur but I feel like I rarely if ever elaborate, and it's 4 am and I'm running on little sleep but --

The thing about Arthur is, he isn't just inherently good. No, my boy grew up in an environment so fucking toxic, as a social worker I can say with confidence that it's a miracle that he didn't turn out really, really horrible.

Privileged to his teeth, no positive, caring influence in his life apart from -maybe!- some nannies, and a father that makes my pedagogical heart throw bricks. Like. There's absolutely no positive, constant role model whatsoever, the best influence you can argue for is Gaius and well. Let's just say the road to hell is paved with good intentions and leave it at that.

Do you think Arthur got hugged as a child? Told that he was doing great? That whatever he was into at the time was appreciated? That Uther ever took the time to sensibly explain what happened to his mother? That it wasn't his fault? Do you think Uther ever told Arthur that Ygraine's death wasn't his fault? And if you do, do you think it was convincing? Because Uther sure as hell considered it at least partly Arthur's fault and believe me when I say that kids sense this shit.

Arthur might've been cared for on a material level but honestly? I think that's about it and let me tell you that it's not even anywhere close to enough. Not, like, at all. I want to cry just thinking about it and to draw a real-life comparison - kids I work with that come from these kinds of situations struggle so badly because there's a whole axis of guilt to it. Of course, there are loads of kids who have it way worse but we're talking about children and this is not the trauma Olympics.

Anyway. "I've been trained to kill since birth." Ever think about a 6, 7 year old Arthur who gets a wooden sword pressed into his hands, not for fun but for a training that is ingrained in him, will be his whole purpose? Ever think of Uther always finding him lacking and him not having any real friends because again, kids sense this kind of shit? Ever think about a 15-year-old child being forced to murder people? Ever think about how disgustingly ingrained the whole "sense of duty" thing is and where it comes from? That shit doesn't go as deep as making someone who's in their early 20's willing to sacrifice their life if you start telling them at 16. And even that is disgusting but anyway.

Arthur's whole existence, from the moment he could understand it, was always aimed at duty and responsibility and what Uther wanted from him. I'd bet the little money I have in my bank account that Uther made damn well sure there were no outside influences to "tarnish" the mind of his heir; and I'm not only talking about magic.

And yet. And yet, the moment there actually was an outside influence, the second Merlin stumbled into his life, "I know I'm just a servant and my word doesn't mean anything," Arthur fucking Pendragon leapt that shit up. Lancelot, maybe a commoner and forged his sigil but if he can't be a knight, the code is wrong. Let's go save a druid child Uther is turning the castle upside down over because Morgana and Merlin asked (and if this wasn't a recent change, Morgana would've enlisted his help much sooner, fight me.) Ealdor. The unicorn, obviously magic and because Merlin said so. Etc etc I could go on and this is just season one.

This is getting ridiculously rambly and long and is basically just an incoherent version of my extensive Arthur character analysis but what I mean to say is: yeah maybe he didn't legalise magic in the first four years of his damned rule, and there are definitely things he could've handled better or where his character was just inconsistent (though I'm also going to die on the hill that opposed to what tv shows make you believe, actual change of ingrained beliefs and behaviours does take a lot of time and in that regard, Arthur was maybe more realistic than this fandom was ready for. Anyway.) Considering the 100 bad experiences compared to the maybe 3 good ones with magic, Arthur did fucking great and I'm so tired of people shitting on all he did in the context of his reign/the show.

Uther was a tyrant, and he was an abusive, horrible father, and frankly it's a wonder Arthur didn't simply end up worse than him. No one ever really took a leap of faith on him - and I don't blame them, no one is ever required to reveal something about themselves that could put them into danger (unrelated but yes this applies to Merlin telling Morgana too, deal with it) - and there was little to nothing provided that could've prompted him to change his mind in the first place. And yet he kept questioning it. I'm sorry yeah it's not the Golden Age and it's oh-so-easy to find a single culprit to blame it all on but Arthur is not it, it's -imo- never what the show was about, and I'm just about ready to throw hands over this.

Arthur wasn't just inherently good, he fought and worked to be better, constantly, and to be honest that is bloody hard and it eludes me how people can not see this.

[akampana]

General 3 with your favourite edgy, black-armored, tail-sporting, sharp-bitin, spear-chucklin, blood-shedding, self-reducing, pain-feeling, medb-hatin, rude-speaking, honest-talking, stiletto-wearing, rune-using, America-conquering Berserker Cu Chulainn

With his favourite shortie of course.

(IMAGINE THE MONSTER TONGUE)

*starts beatboxing* POP-OFF ANON! HAHAH I LOVED THAT

I was answering these for a Modern AU so before I start, it might be good to mention that for Modern AU's my take on Cú Alter's character is basically he looks like this:

And he still gets called Alter, but for a different reason: Because of his Alternative style. HAHA see what I did there?

(Additionally, this^ that sketch up there is from a Cú Alter x Arturia fic im working on that takes place in a University AU in the present day. It's called "Dog House" and all the Cú's are actual siblings. Be a while before its released though.)

___

On to the actual answer (Not University AU, just Modern AU)

General 3: What was their first kiss like?

It was angry, drunk, and it very nearly turned into something more.

Nobody in the prestigious Pendragon Family approved of Cú Alter as a potential partner for their precious heiress. He would never fit into their cookie-cutter perfect life, there wasn't a chance. And while Cú claimed he didn't give a fuck about what her family thought of him, eventually Uther thought it best he intercede before his daughter's foolishness ruined their image.

Cú broke up with her over the phone and just lost himself to alcohol. A few hours later, Arturia shows up at his bar similarly intoxicated, a hot mess in her pencil skirt and disheveled hair. She shoved him into the secret back room and started yelling at him like there was no tomorrow because she didn't deserve to be left like that and she refused to accept that the times they spent together didn't matter. he argued that he wasn't good for her, she told him being with him was the only time she ever felt free-

And then suddenly, her back was on the wall and his lips were on hers. He tasted like alcohol and smoke but she didn't care. Arturia had only just begun to feel the cool metal ball that sat on his tongue when she was lifted off her feet and thrown onto the old mattress in the corner. Then he was kissing her again.

They got handsy, but Cú stopped before crossing the line. He didn't want to go any further than that while they were intoxicated. He loved her, he didn't want Arturia to regret anything.

thank you for the ask owo im sorry it got a little o////o

Ask meme

[theroundbartable]

i'd love a time travel au, where Merlin returns to Camelot after moving on from his legacy (like.. really moving on. After Camelot disappeared he knew the Dragon was a bullshit liar)

Like, he comes back from the 21th century with a recyclable paper cup full of vegan bubble tea from the next local store, an iphone with a chibi figurine hanging from it in hand to contradict his lifestyle.

Dressed in joggers and a Game of Thrones merch T-shirt with perfectly white sneakers( actually scratch that Joseph Merlin was the inventor of the roller blades. Give him roller blades), because he was ACTUALLY on his way to university to roast history teachers about their incompetence. He's also wearing sun glasses, when out of nowhere he's popped back into the mideval times. Right in front of Uther Pendragon, who was just about to pass a sentence on the latest sorcerer.

Gaius is standing there, almost fuming.

King Uther is rendered speechless. The knights ™ are staring.

Arthur is gaping at him.

the sorcerer is confused as fuck.

Merlin reaches up and lifts the sunglasses because it's suddenly so much darker then it was seconds ago.

"Oh sorry. Didn't see u there.", takes a sip from his bubble tea. Because u know. it's one of those days, so it might as well happen.

"Merlin!", Gaius fumes, and u can tell that he's too shocked to understand what's going on.

But Merlin looks at Arthur, smiles and says: "There u are u fucking bastard. Haven't seen your toady face in over a millenia. U know what, Arthur? Never believe anything druids tell you. Legend or no legend, even a prat like u can't rise from the dead apparently."

"What is this sorcery!?!?!", Uther rages.

Merlin takes a step and skates towards the king, ignoring the guards. "My dude, all this hatred isn't good for your blood pressure. Want a mint?', hold out a pack of mint bonbons to Uther.

"Seize him!"

Merlin waves at the knights. They stop in their tracks and through the sunglasses they can't see his eyes, so they're not sure it was magic or his voice that made them stop.

"I don't think that's necessary. I honestly don't want to be here? I might have to look at one of your hidden magic books, because i have no interest in staying, i have no idea how i got here or how to leave. kay? I'm not going to clean another chamber pot in my life. i swore that when the toilet was invented and i am not intending to break a promise made to the porcelain goddess.

If everything works out, i'll be gone by tomorrow. Sounds like a deal? Neat."

*Skates towards the door*

"Merlin, wait!", Arthur yells, absolutely torn. "Father, he's clearly dilirious! he doesn't know what he's saying!"

"Arthur, he popped out of nowhere looking like.... what the hell is he wearing?"

Merlin looks down on himself. "wow, that's rude"

"Father, it's MERlin!"

Merlin takes another sip, realizes it's the last. "you don't happen to have a recycling bin right?"

"what?"

"uff, nevermind. hey wait a second." merlin grins and pulls out his phone.

the camera flashes and he got a photo of the entire room.

"nice. always wanted one of u guys. After 1500 year... arrrr, you forget a face :3"

"And how do you explain THIS?!?!", Uther exclaims.

"Now now. That's a phone. It has nothing to do with magic. It's science. Okay fine. maybe i helped invent it. Believe it or not, your magic hunting set the world back centuries. I could have had a coffee maker two centuries ago, if it wasn't for this nonsense." Merlin flails his arms at the accused sorcerer.

Uther popped a vein.

"Merlin, stop. You're making it worse."

"oh, shut up Arthur. He can try to kill me for all I care. I survived worse than the pyre. U guys haven't even invented bombs yet. I'm not scared of a little hottness anymore. Also i technically have more money than all of you combined. U can't tell me what to do. Now get me my latté, chop chop. i have work to do."

and with that, he skates from the room and tosses his cup into the next knight's hands.

From the hallway u could hear him cackle.

"just invented the recycling bin. hehe"

[regulusrules]

Ranking the best 10 Merlin episodes + a fic rec based on each one:

(absolutely not based on how gay they were) ((no order for the eps; they're all chef's kiss)) (((last two fics have a hold on me that levels the show itself; worth scrolling for)))

1. The Poisoned Chalice

Look. There is something just absolutely entrancing about introducing this episode in the first five of the entire show. Like, this hands-on was the sole reason everyone fell for those two idiots. It beautifully captured how the saving each other thing is reciprocal, because the first three episodes you just have to watch Merlin run around saving Arthur, never the reverse. Producing it early on in the show was the decision that, in my opinion, held everyone in their chokehold for eternity.

Fic rec: you are my favorite mistake (it can only be fate) by @multifandom-jess.

2. The Death Song of Uther Pendragon

I could go on and on for how this episode singlehandedly carried s5 on its shoulder. Like, okay I unfortunately love s5 with all my fucking heart, but this episode was perfect. Ghosts? Check. Banter? Check. POETRY?? Check check. A slap to Uther's face? Oh how beautifully checked.

It's so easy to recall how Arthur truly loved his father, but in this episode, the turmoil you see in his eyes from the actions of his father and how he resorts to saving the ones he loves (Merlin) over his father, is just too beautiful to be overlooked. Ever since Arthur became king, we see him struggle from his father's legacy. But in this episode, he begins to detach both consciously and subconsciously from him. Whether it's in his decision to save the old sorceress in the beginning, or to shun Uther's ghost, both the literal and the figurative, from his life any longer. This was one of the episodes that captured the true essence of King Arthur.

+1: the innuendos of this episode were 🤌. They knew what they were doing, you can't convince me otherwise. (are you threatening me with a spoon? / I'm teaching him some poetry.. he can't get enough of it! / what was that? h-horseplay. why don't I show you?)

Fic rec: My heart is readily yours by @regulusrules. (absolutely love how after all this introspection, i decided to throw it all away and made uther stab merlin in the fucking heart instead. but still it was my honourable attempt to shit on the finale and give them the happy ending everyone deserved).

3. The Sword in the Stone pt. 2

OKAY. This episode! Aside from how badass Merlin was in both pt.1&2, but here, especially in the part where us audience were impatiently waiting for the revival of the sword in the stone, there could've been nothing more perfect. Just like their adaptation of the round table scene, this was perfect in its own way for how different it was. They didn't make it so that people will finally find a king; they made it so that the people believe in their king. And more than that, for Arthur to believe in himself. With the estrangement and losing his crown, the writers gave him the best way to re-establish his inner glory. And Merlin being this guide; what more perfect culmination to their relationship?

You have to believe, Arthur.

Iconic.

Fic rec: Couldn't choose between Only Friend by @captain-ozone, and Fathom Me Out by @supercalvin. Brilliance ahead in both of them, I tell you.

4. The Eye of the Phoenix

Magic. Gwaine. Quests. Need I say more to explain that this was the show's holy trinity?

Fic rec: From Past to Present by flowersheep. (Prince Merlin. Archer Merlin. Perfection my friends).

5. A Servant of Two Masters

Look look; if there's an honourary wall of opinions for all the people who've watched Merlin, I DARE you to find just one who disliked this episode. Like, the series was so full of BS sometimes, but this episode was above all. The level of brilliance in this episode; showing Dark!Merlin, who's at the same time hilariously funny, and seeing him BAMF his way with Morgana, even when he's chained and tortured.. oh dear holy Lord. His "do me a favour, could you? let Arthur know." was able to steal all breath from my lungs the first time I saw it (and until now).

And don't get me started on the Protective!Arthur we got. Caring for Merlin, screaming for him when the rocks fell between them, silencing Agravaine immediately when he told him he's sorry for losing such a loyal servant because bullshit if he doesn't reign down hell before he loses Merlin. And ofc, Courage and Strength on their way to find Magic, which just filled my heart with an 'aaahhh!' moment, because we didn't get enough Gwaine-Arthur-Merlin shenanigans. And at last, the Hug™. Fucking screamed let me tell you.

It is an episode that truly showed everything; from comic elements to fluff and angst and everything. The only thing it lacked was, as always, giving Arthur the space to know. Because ffs what would they have lost if they made Arthur understand that Merlin's under Morgana's control? It wouldn't have exposed shit. It would've just been a plus to us to see Arthur caring for Merlin even more. They tried so hard that it completely backfired sometimes.

Fic rec: Still I Surface in Morning Light by @queerofthedagger. (I swear to you, anything written by this author, I readily throw whatever in hand to read it).

6. The Dragon's Call

Let thy gif caption speak.

No but really, that first episode was the stuff of legends. I could list down tens of tropes they did in just that episode alone. Honestly, no "family" show I've ever seen had started this powerfully. Just the music alone, the beauty of beginnings, not the CGI, was truly so gripping. Also bonus points for just Colin Morgan's sass abilities. None can compare.

Fic rec: This Time Around... series (incomplete) by Oneiric (lkdaswani). (this is a time travel AU, but the way the writer rewrote this episode was one of the best deviations I've read for an episode I already find near faultless).

7. The Sins of the Father

I might be subjecting myself to true wrath with my upcoming statement, but here we go:

S2 sucked.

From the beginning of the season, Arthur's shift in characterization from the honourable lovable prat of s1 to a letting Merlin act as a horse stool got me going wtf? It was like they deliberately ruined everything in their relationship and started out fresh just to force the Arthurian narrative of Arwen. And it's fine by me, truly, even if I'll never ship them, but they could've developed Arthur's character SO MUCH in that season beyond comic relief and romantic rendezvous.

Anyway so that I don't stray so much from the topic; this episode was, by fair comparison, the best in the entire season. By now it's pretty obvious that I gravitate towards all the episodes that give Arthur a semblance of agency. Him going against Uther and his maniac murderous agenda was the start of actually seeing King Arthur in front of us. Also, him listening to Merlin when he was on the verge of committing patricide was one of the things that gave me hope in how there's still hope in them. Even if they ruined it with making Merlin lie to Arthur, but the writers practically ruined every good episode with this.

+1: Morgause's intro was badass.

Fic rec: The Sins of the Father (and how to right them) by @cupcakezys. (what we deserved. to see arthur with agency, with an ability to decide for his future without being lied and deceived to).

8. Diamond of the Fucking Day

No matter how much I hate this episode, I can't, in good conscience, deny its hold on my heart. As I wrote before, there could've been no better magic reveal than this. And for all of my bitterness over their decision to kill Arthur, I sanely admit how it was a decision that insured the immortality of this fandom. It's been ten years since that episode aired, and I bet my ass off that it will still feel the same even after countless more decades.

Fic rec: literally the entirety of the fandom's fix-it fics. We all started from there, didn't we? Choosing only one would be so undervaluing to all the brilliance I've seen. However, my tags filter for it usually include: fix-it, angst with a happy ending, court sorcerer merlin, shitting on bbc writers 101, canon era, not canon compliant, everybody lives especially king arthur you mfs.

Update: I subconsciously took all these tags and wrote them in a fic

9. The Wicked Day

Throw me from the highest tower there is because every time I remember this scene, I just want to fade into the light. The sheer level of love and understanding shimmering between those two. Sometimes I marvel at the choice of bringing Colin and Bradley together, because no two could have achieved such chemistry, platonic or not, as those two did. This whole episode of showing Arthur's grief, and Merlin's desperation to heal it, was truly unforgettable. I try not to linger on its ending, Arthur denouncing magic for the millionth of time, but other than that it was a gem served to us on a silver platter.

Also seeing Uther finally die was a plus.

Fic rec: As much as I'd love to recommend my own fic for this, but honestly, whenever I get the chance, I will always take it to scream and wail about one of my absolute favourite fics of all time, which really isn't given ANY of the goddamn credit or attention or kudos it deserves. Beauty in the Ashes of Our Lives by Fulgance. I swear to you, you will never read something as beautifully heartbreaking as this. This fic resides in my mind rent-free. Basically any work by Fulgance is amazing, but this fic— oh God, my heart cannot take it sometimes.

10. Arthur's Bane pt. 1

Fuck, that episode was a masterpiece. You know, if it was all in my hands, I would've magic revealed at this particular episode. It was just.. the perfect opportunity. King Arthur in his glory, beginning of the season, enough time for Arthur to fully understand the depth of what Merlin did for him. Also, the range Arthur was given starting from here; God it's what we deserved. I always blame the writers for being inconsistent with his characterization (s2 and all), but they beautifully crafted it in the end, and it was their perfect chance to even explore the whole extent if only they made the magic reveal earlier.

Fic rec: Our broken pieces by @aramblingjay. Okay so this fic rec isn't necessarily linked at all to the episode, but I can't, in good conscience, recommend fics and not include it. Technically context wise it fits s5, for in it you see Arthur in his grandeur as king. This shall be my only exception because it's the only fic that was able to make me cry. Truly, I never shed tears, but in this, my heart stuttered. The fact that it is so unnoticed makes my blood boil because of how much praise it deserves. I can never recommend it enough.

To conclude, BBC Merlin has a powerful hold on everyone because of the fact that they knew how to eternalise it. It is significantly unique in its interpretation of legendary figures. I think I watched nearly all adaptations of King Arthur throughout the years, but even with how great some really are, to me none compare with this sword-swishing, banter-driven, CGI-messing, emotionally-killing 2008 show.

Honorary mentions:

| The Labyrinth of Gedref | Gwaine | Le Morte D'Arthur | Lancelot | The Coming of Arthur | The Moment of Truth | The Hunter's Heart | His Father's Son | The Darkest Hour |

[More fic recs]

[camxlots-retxrn]

.. also 🧣?? I need some recs and am curious ab what you like so- ahhshs

🧣 ~ merlin fanfic suggestion i have so many

YES I HAVE SO MANY I have folders upon folders of bookmarks so here are just 6 of my favorite in no particular order :)

btw most of these are merthur! i think some of them are up to interpretation, but I’ve a horrid memory so I can’t recall which akjdkskd

An Ox on the Tongue by seapotato - 21.7k, teen & up

Not for the first time Merlin wondered if he'd been doing too good a job saving Arthur's princely hide. This time, it's because Merlin had realized, belatedly, that the assassination attempt targeted him, not Arthur.

this is in my top fanfics ever. one of my favorite lines from it is, “[H]is magic hummed through him, steady and almost happy, the way it always did when he used it for Arthur.” LIKE AHh beautiful it literally reads like an actual novel

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the scent of rain by TheCourtSorcerer - 410, teen & up

Merlin closed his eyes as the rain splashed against his skin. The cold dripping water wetting his hair, soaking his clothes… He loved it.

He sat back in his patio chair, closing his eyes as he leaned his head back, baring his neck as he faced skyward. He knew he shouldn’t be outside. He should be in, tucked into bed, where it was warm…

this one is just so sweet!! merlin loves the rain & it’s because of this fic that I added that to my headcanons list <3 it’s domestic!! seriously adore it :’)))

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Between by Emachinestcat - 3.6k, teen & up

When Uther finds out about Merlin’s magic, Arthur has already known for some time – and Arthur has no intention of letting his father kill his servant. Written for Febuwhump on Tumblr. Day 17: identity reveal

this one just has a beautiful depiction of the whole “two sides of the same coin” thing. much of Merlin & Arthur being protective of one another (+ Uther getting told off a bit)

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Finding Home by riventhorn - 7.8k, explicit, translations available into Français by Aconit

Written for a kinkme_merlin prompt. When Gaius retires a new physician takes over and quickly kicks Merlin out of his room and takes it for himself. Arthur finds Merlin sleeping in the stables...and it's winter.

much angst much whump much Supportive Arthur(tm) it’s all very lovely :’)

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When You Know, You Know by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle - 4.4k, teen & up

"You can take Daisy out to fetch the cloak-"

"How do you know that?"

Arthur closed his eyes, expression riddled with irritation before turning to look at Merlin expectantly.

"Know what?"

“The mare I use. You know I call her Daisy? I never told you that." Merlin explained. Arthur stared for a few moments. He could see the flicker of emotions pass easily over him. Anger, annoyance, exasperation, indignance, and finally acceptance...AKA the Five Stages of Grief (Pendragon Edition).

"You talk to the horse.” He pointed out. Merlin narrowed his eyes.

“I whisper to the horse.”

"...am I supposed to not hear it?” Arthur asked. Merlin wondered how likely it would be that he also heard him whispering magical spells if he heard him murmuring to the bloody horse. “Also, only you would choose such a ridiculous name.” He muttered. Merlin swallowed. This wasn't a problem at all, right? Right.

Or

Merlin knows Arthur well. Better than he knew himself apparently. What he hadn't expected was for Arthur to know his servant just as well... This causes problems. (also known as "The Time Merlin Had a Mental Breakdown Over Arthur Being a Normal Human")

I honestly read this a long time ago so can’t recall the finer details, but big “two halves of a whole” energy in this one. love it :)

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andddd finally my favorite long fic ever-

and like the cycle of the year, we begin again by kathrynefromphilly - 200k, mature

Set after the Merlin Series 5 Finale "Diamond of the Day". Canon Compliant. In Character. Arthur Pendragon Returns.

———

For many long years Merlin waited.

For the other part of his soul, for the other half of his life. He was born to serve Arthur. So that meant he was also born to wait. Even if it took a thousand years. Even if the wait seemed never to end.

Until one day, suddenly, it did.

When Arthur stumbles from the Lake of Avalon 1,500 years after his death, he finds a world unlike the one he knew. Faced with the loss of everyone he loved, and the threat of impending prophecy, Arthur must learn what it means to be not just a king, but the Once and Future King. Merlin does all he can to guide him, even as he struggles to hide his love for his king, and his fear of losing him again.

Story includes sass, banter, horseplay, & True Love.

words can’t describe this fic & honestly anyone who ships Arthur & Merlin h a s to read this at some point. I don’t usually read long fics (this was the last long fic I read, and that was last year..) but I blew through this in two days. i literally fucked up my grades because I neglected school so much & it took like two weeks to get back to normal & I don’t regret it bahaha

apologies this is so long bahahah, but I hope it’s satisfactory! author’s like TheCourtSorcerer (who’s lovely blog is @tcs-main!), seapotato, & platonic_boner are brilliant author’s so you can really just page through their works for more stuff to read! (that isn’t to say the other listed author’s don’t have more lovely content, I just haven’t looked yet!)

honestly I have a lot of recs so I’ve been considering putting together an actual formal list akfjksfj

from my 100 Followers Celebration