#caerleon merlin

[vampyreblogger]

bolg:

cador:

caerleon:

cedric:

cenred:

cerdan:

cylferth:

daegal:

dagr:

darien:

[koalas-koalas-everywhere]

Mercelot Week 2023 Day 6: Ocean/Missing Clothes (When Love Was An Act Of Defiance Sneak Peak)

In which Lancelot doesn't die and that changes... well, not that much, actually. Up until it does.

<< That's what the summary would be IF I HAD A COMPLETE FIC TO POST. These are sneak peaks posted as part of Mercelot Week 2023.

-----------------------------

Nothing to make you feel lov-warm and fuzzy like your bro buddy lending you his jacket. Literally, nothing but warm fuzzy feelings here, hahaha. So, about that Caerleon…

Fill for Day 6: Ocean/Missing Clothes! From ep His Father's Son (4x05) or "I'm Sorry, For I Never Felt Like Anybody". These are a few scenes put together. Um. Implied off-scene violence. Also, what do I even tag for Agravaine? Just uhhh watch out for manipulation and isolation.

Ao3

“So,” Merlin said, when Lancelot walked up to where he was rooting around his bag. “Not Odin.”

“I heard.” He glanced back to the group of knights he’d left guarding their prisoners. “Men from Caerleon.”

“Not only Caerleon’s men — King Caerleon himself was found among them.” Merlin gestured back. His cape swished with his arm and exposed the armour he wore underneath.

“Huh.”

“Arthur is here as well,” he pointed out.

Lancelot looked back at his face and blinked. He thought back, trying to figure out where that comment had come from and how to answer it.

“True,” he said eventually, “but there’s a difference between taking part in a military endeavor that could affect the peace of two kingdoms and going along on a raid of a border patrol— what are you doing?”

Merlin finished unlacing his cape and folded it into his bag. “Well, it’s all a bit heavy.”

Lancelot watched him fumble with one vambrace, then the other.

“We are still a way from the castle,” he said, eyes on Merlin's hands as he took off his belt.

“Yes, but…” he pressed his lips together before spreading them in a rueful smile. “Everyone’s staring at me. It’s fine,” he chuckled when Lancelot shifted guiltily. “I get it. I look a little ridiculous like this.”

“No, you don’t,” Lancelot denied at once. Maybe even with too much force, he reflected, when a few knights turn around.

“Odd, then,” Merlin conceded. He pulled his chainmail up to his head, but it kept falling and getting caught on his nose, so he couldn’t get it off.

“You’re wrong,” Lancelot insisted, grabbing the chainmail himself. “No one’s laughing at you.”

Merlin blinked owlishly at him, his hair in disarray, and Lancelot contradicted himself immediately.

“That was easier to put on,” Merlin defended himself, patting his hair down. He started tugging at the lacings of his gambeson and sighed. “See, this? This I will miss. It’s so warm.”

“So keep it,” Lancelot shrugged. “At least, until we get back. It’s not like I need two of them.”

Merlin slowed down. “Are you sure?” He played with the strings some more, but he didn’t unlace them. He kept arguing half-heartedly, “It’ll be weird, me doing the dishes, dressed like a noble.”

“No, you know what actually looks ridiculous?” Lancelot reached up to scrub Merlin’s face, but stopped when he realized that he was wearing gloves. He gestured to it instead. “You have half the Plains on your face, you rascal, you should clean up.” Merlin laughed and Lancelot couldn’t keep up his nagging front, cracking up as well. “I mean it!”

“It’s not worth it!” Merlin ran the back of his hand through his cheeks, smudging the dirt there instead of cleaning it. “I’ll just get dirty again!”

“Do you like having dirt on your face?” Merlin shook his head, still laughing and rubbing, so Lancelot shrugged. “Then clean it and, if it gets dirty again, clean it again.”

“It sounds like common sense when you say it.” Merlin dropped his hands and sighed. “Alright, but can you go sit with Arthur while I run to the river?”

Lancelot was a little confused at his apparent belief that the king needed to be babysat, but he wasn’t going to argue. He looked around.

“Where is he?” Lancelot frowned at Arthur’s absence.

“Agravaine’s convinced him they need to set up their own camp away from the rest to discuss Caerleon privately,” Merlin sneered.

“Really.”

“They’ve set up guards, too.” He pointed to a fire a little way off.

Lancelot blew out a breath. “Sure, I’ll go.”

“Thanks. Too much time alone with Agravaine and he might decide to build his own castle to protect state secrets,” Merlin quipped before walking away, leaving Lancelot to control his laughter.

He was still sniggering when he came upon the guards around Arthur and Agravaine’s fire. One made to raise his axe, but he changed his mind with a roll of his eyes and let him through.

“We're not on the borders now, Agravaine. This is the heart of the kingdom. He took a grave risk coming here,” Arthur was saying, incensed.

“Perhaps he doesn't see it that way,” Agravaine suggested. Arthur’s whole stance demanded an explanation, so he went on, “I fear it's no coincidence that all this has happened since Uther's death.”

“What do you mean?”

“Arthur, your father was a strong king,” Agravaine extolled. “His enemies feared and respected that strength.”

“Are you saying I'm not worthy of that respect?” Arthur challenged.

“No, sire, not at all,” Agravaine soothed, the very image of deference. “There isn't a citizen of Camelot who would not lay down their life for you.” He stood up and continued emphatically, “But your enemies...to the enemies of Camelot, you are still untested as a king. You must send a clear message that any action against Camelot will be met without mercy.”

“Did we not achieve that here today?” Arthur asked.

“Yes, Agravaine,” Lancelot cut in at last. “We’ve just curtailed a raiding operation that’s been going on for months, led by the king of a renowned warrior nation. Whatever they thought they could achieve here, we’ve proved them wrong.”

Arthur accepted his presence with no more than a slight start, but Agravaine shot a glance at the guards, as if wondering how he’d gotten past.

“Have we?” he disagreed. “Will this be enough to deter the likes of Odin, who is still at large,” he reminded Arthur, “and Bayard and the countless others who covet Camelot's wealth?”

“We don’t know that they’re our enemies, but that will change if we treat them as such,” Lancelot cautioned.

To his dismay, Arthur raised a hand to quiet him and turned to his uncle.

“Well, what do you suggest?”

“I suggest that we force him to accept a treaty on our terms,” Agravaine bid in an urgent tone, stepping closer to Arthur for full effect. “He must withdraw his men from our land, return our territories to us.”

Arthur shared a look with Lancelot. He was forced to agree to the wisdom of the plan. It was something Caerleon would’ve had to do either way after his defeat, but setting them as release terms would put the power wholly on Arthur’s hands. Agravaine glanced his way as well, an indecipherable flicker on his face.

“He must surrender Everwick,” he went on.

Lancelot almost choked on air, letting out a mix between a cough and an incredulous laugh.

“He’d rather die than agree to such terms,” Arthur rejected the idea, gesturing to Lancelot as if he’d made a good argument.

“Then you are left with no choice,” Agravaine concluded with a regretful shake of his head.

“Except for not enforcing terms which you know are unreasonable in the first place,” Lancelot denied, still laughing, but starting to sober up. “What happened to not strangling people with that iron hand?”

“Camelot’s people, of course, but we can’t expect the king to treat everyone like he would his own subjets,” Agravaine mocked, but Lancelot stood firm.

“Can’t he?”

“Sir Lancelot, you’re a good warrior. A good knight,” Agravaine said with an admiring smile. “I wish all men were like you. But they’re not. So we, as statesmen” —he turned back to Arthur, closing Lancelot out— ”must be equal to them.”

“Lancelot’s right, I can't just kill a man in cold blood,” Arthur balked.

“Arthur, you must do what you need to do to assert your authority on this land,” Agravaine insisted.

Arthur shook his head. “Well, there must be another way.”

“There's no other way.” He offered Arthur a look halfway between sympathetic and encouraging. “Think on it. Decide by tomorrow.”

He rose to his feet and left to the knights’ area. Lancelot wondered why he’d insisted on setting the space apart for himself and Arthur if he wasn’t going to use it, but decided there were more important things to worry about.

“You know, you don’t actually have to decide by tomorrow,” he said. Arthur didn’t answer. “We can take him to Camelot. Think through the terms. Even if you decide to go through with Agravaine’s plan and Caerleon refuses, you can take it to the queen—“

“So, I go crying to his wife when he rejects my terms?” Arthur scoffed. “I’ll look weak. Same as if I delay taking action. He’ll think I’m indecisive, or feeble, which…” he let out a barking laugh.

“Well, if he does, he’s wrong,” Lancelot argued, “because you—“

“I need some time to think,” Arthur dismissed him.

Lancelot grit his teeth. Then, he bowed and walked away. At least, he wasn’t leaving him alone with Agravaine.

“Whatever Lancelot’s told you, I hope he didn’t forget to mention that I want peace and quiet,” was how Arthur greeted Merlin when he returned. It was, in fact, pretty much what he’d expected from Lancelot’s description.

“Well, after escaping a horde of angry warriors, so do I,” he shot back, wrangling a snort out of his friend. He didn’t push his good mood, though, setting out his sleeping roll instead. Arthur’d probably realize what a bad idea this was on his own. For his part, Merlin wiggled on the ground, enjoying the added comfort the gambeson provided, and fell asleep at once.

He still didn’t worry when he woke up to the sight of Arthur’s empty, unused roll. He was concerned, sure, but for him, not about him.

He went to the creek, drank some water from Arthur’s cup, then refilled it and brought it to him. It took a couple of tries to get his attention. That he’d let the fire die also spoke to his frame of mind. Still, it’s wasn’t until Merlin saw the pile of kindle to the side, as full as he'd left it the night before, which Arthur would’ve used if he’d noticed that it was needed at all, that his alarm was set off.

He played nonchalant as he worked on the fire.

“You must be cold.” No response but a vague movement of the head. “Have you slept at all?”

“Been thinking.”

“About what Agravaine said?” Merlin prodded.

Arthur scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Honestly.”

“You would’ve told me anyway,” Merlin defended himself and Lancelot, but Arthur was too busy laughing to pay attention.

“What are you wearing?!” He gestured to him.

Merlin looked down at the gambeson he’d tugged on unconsciously. He shrugged. “It’s cold. He said I could keep it until we got back to Camelot.”

“Of course he did.” Arthur was barely biting down a smile.

“He already brought one for himself,” he pointed out. It was actually feeling rather warm out there, all of a sudden.

“It only makes sense,” Arthur agreed. That is, he should have agreed, since it was the truth, but there was a definite mocking edge to his tone. “He’s so sensible, that Lancelot.”

“He is.” Merlin wished he could say that he pulled them back to Agravaine’s plan because he’d sensed that Arthur was in a more amenable mood, or that it seemed like a good segue. In truth, he was just flustered by Arthur’s mystifying jokes, doubly so by the inkling that they weren't that mystifying at all, so he crushed it all down. “Like his ideas about how to deal with Caerleon.”

“Merlin.” Arthur lost his cheer.

“They’re good,” Merlin insisted. “And they don’t involve murdering someone, which clearly bothers you, if it kept you up all night—“

“They’re good ideas for dealing with Caerleon today,” Arthur said. “They’re not good enough to keep him away. Or anyone who might come after him, who’ll be looking at how I act now for weaknesses." He gave a thoughtful nod. "I must have none. Show that I'm worthy of my father's name.”

“Caerleon won't sign it.” Merlin asserted. Arthur’s jaw twitched, so he pressed, “You know that?”

“Caerleon brought this upon himself,” Arthur declared, voice as steely as he probably wished he was.

“Arthur,” Merlin started, hoping to remind him of the truth. “You've always shown mercy in battle. You've never sought to humiliate your enemy in this way. This isn't like you. This isn't who you are—”

“You have no idea what it is to make these decisions,” Arthur cut him off. “Decisions that will shape the future of this land.”

“Arthur—" There were so many things wrong with that sentence and so many reasons he couldn’t correct it. He didn’t even get to try.

“So, please…” He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t get angry. Still, there was no room for argument. "Stick to what you do know.”

He left without another word. After a while of sitting by the fire, Merlin sniffed and took off the gambeson. It was warm enough.                        

Arthur didn’t order Lancelot to gather the knights and Caerleon for a negotiation meeting. He sent Agravaine to do it. Who informed him of Arthur’s wishes loud enough that everyone heard him and knew, exactly, how the chain of command went. Lancelot grit his teeth against the snub. He told himself he might have known if he’d stuck to Arthur the way Agravaine did, if he’d taught him he could rely on Lancelot the way his uncle had. He reminded himself that Agravaine did outrank him, if not officially as the Constable, then unofficially as Arthur’s closest living relative. He did this quite forcefully when he was handed the roll of parchment Caerleon was too prideful to take so that he could hold it open for him to read.

He also told himself that the disdainful look Agravaine shot them was directed at Caerleon.

He shook his head. These were such small snubs. Everything seemed to irritate him that morning. Against his will, his eyes drifted towards the edge of the clearing, where Merlin was standing, but he dragged them back to Caerleon. This wasn’t the time to obsess over his decision to trade the gambeson for his jacket. Even the justifications he tried to tell himself, like how he might prefer his own clothes’ comfort, had no place at a moment like this.

“You expect me to sign this? To humiliate myself before you?” Caerleon demanded once he finished reading, as if to prove it.

“You invaded our kingdom and took what did not belong to you,” Agravaine accused.

“And if I do not sign?” Caerleon’s whole demeanor was detached. He either thought there would be no actual repercussions for his actions, or he felt so much disdain for them that there wasn't room left for fear.

“Then you will pay, with your life.” Agravaine spoke as if by rote, at least to Lancelot, who knew how he expected this negotiation to go from the start. Besides that, though, there was an unnerving relish in his tone.

Caerleon scoffed. “And who makes these terms?”

The answer to that was obvious, but the act of questioning itself carried quite the punch. To Agravaine, it reminded him that, whatever his posturing, he was still acting on someone else’s orders. To Arthur…

“Arthur Pendragon,” he declared, walking forward at last. “King of Camelot.” He gave no indication that, with a throwaway comment, Caerleon had torn apart the effect he’d wished to create by having his second-in-command speak to him.

A passing thought reminded Lancelot that Arthur was using the same tactic with the enemy king that he’d used on him that morning. He stamped it down. Arthur had just been passing a message along. He hadn’t meant to emphasize Lancelot’s lack of importance. Even if that was what had ended up happening.

Caerleon pushed his arm, still holding up the treaty, out of the way. Percival tried to stop him from stepping towards Arthur, but he shoved him away, too. He kept a derisive sneer at all times, but he wasn’t forceful or even threatening.

“Very well. Then make it quick,” he told Arthur, taking a knee.

Arthur shifted his jaw. Lancelot understood his hesitance. This was what they’d expected to happen all along. In some ways, although he was sure that Arthur didn’t see it that way, being able to not just make the threat, but also carry through with it would be for the best. It would leave no doubt as to their strength, no possible suspicion that they’d been bluffing. And yet, there was a dignity in Caerleon’s bearing, even in his quickness to submit, that made their attempts at a powerplay look like a children’s tantrum.

“Think what you're doing, Caerleon,” Arthur said. “This treaty could seal a truce between us. There would be peace. Like there was between your father and mine.”

Hearing his words, so full of hope for peace, something eased in Lancelot’s chest. He hadn’t been aware before that moment that he’d doubted Arthur’s intentions. If they were going to commit regicide, Lancelot thought wryly, at least it was due to an honest belief that it would be best for the kingdom and not to assuage his ego. It shouldn’t have made as much of a difference for him, but it did.

A pity that Caerleon didn’t appreciate it.

“I am not my father” —he paused, his voice turning contemptuous— “and you are not Uther.” He watched the effect of his words on Arthur, then went on, almost conversationally, “Do you really have the guts to kill me?”

Arthur took a moment to respond. To Lancelot’s trained eye, it was clear that he was still reeling and trying to recover.

“You leave me no other choice,” he said.

“You do not choose anything, boy!” Caerleon finally let go of his temper. Lancelot wondered if Agravaine’s influence was that obvious, when he continued, “It is I who choose to die, and I alone. Now, get on with it.”

He bent over even further, offering up his neck to Arthur. All eyes went to their king, waiting to see what he’d do. There was still time to back down. Not without looking bad, things had gotten too far for that, but dammit, Lancelot thought, maybe that was what Arthur deserved after pushing for this at all. He could fix still it, though.

If he wanted to.

“So be it,” Arthur declared. He unsheathed his sword.

Notes:

No, for real, what do I tag for Agravaine? Made a small change in that last scene from “no choice” to “no other choice” to fit better with Caerleon’s next comment, because like, yeah, he just said that he doesn’t choose anything. Duh. This isn't the last we've seen of the gambeson, but this one's already kinda long and the two other scenes are too involved with ~~~the plot~~~.

[flight-of-fantasy]

Ok Merlin fans, are we all aware that “Essetir” is not a canon name?

To start, this is not a complaint. I think it’s a perfectly good name for the kingdom Merlin grew up in, and I will probably continue to use it since there is actually no canon name for the kingdom.

However, I am constantly talking to fans shocked it isn’t a canon name! The wiki page states it is a fan name, and has since been updated to make this more clear. You can check the transcripts and “Essetir” is nowhere to be found. Nowhere in the show is the name “Essetir” mentioned and it isn’t on the maps the show released--it is always referred to simply as “Cenred’s kingdom.” There is no canon name for the kingdom, just like there is no canon name for Olaf’s kingdom or Caerleon’s kingdom. They kept it very vague, probably on purpose. 

There is, however, the “Ridge of Ascetir” in Camelot’s land. There is also the “Forest of Ascetir” in Camelot’s land. Both of these are mentioned in the show and are on the maps released by the show itself. I believe “Ascetir” translates roughly to “high land.” Uther says that Ealdor resides “beyond the Ridge of Ascetir” in The Moment of Truth and on the map the show released, that ridge determines the border between the two kingdoms, as does the Forest of Ascetir. This is, however, not the name of the kingdom, and both the forest and ridge are within Camelot’s territory.  

“Essetir” is a fine name! From what I can tell, it roughly translates to “I Am The Land” using Welsh and Latin. I quite like it. I will continue to use it. However, WHERE ARE YOU, DEAR FAN THAT HAS GASLIT US ALL? I commend thee

That is all lol. Other than don’t necessarily take fan wikis at face value

[sneakyboymerlin]

Just saw a post claiming that if Gwaine truly prioritized Merlin, he would have “found a way to only stick around Merlin.” Sorry but what kind of abusive relationships are you seeing where your partner isn’t allowed to interact with anyone besides you in order to prove their devotion 💀💀 Your friends aren’t allowed to have other friends?

We know Gwaine prioritizes Merlin because he says soooooooo. His behavior says so. Merlin begged Gwaine to become a knight so that he could stay in Camelot, and Gwaine finally did so under Arthur (*he wasn’t willing to forsake his morality by serving Uther, or he would’ve earlier).

The introduction of the possibility of Gwaine becoming a knight is ultimately about how Merlin wants Gwaine to stay in Camelot with him, and how he worries for Gwaine when he’s on the road. When he asks Gwaine to join the knights, he uses Arthur as a reason to get Gwaine to stay ("You fought well together…"), but it's clear that this isn't the reason that Merlin wants him to stay. He wanted Gwaine to stay before the melee. He wanted Gwaine to stay when he hated Arthur. Gwaine becoming a knight is likewise about more than Arthur. Gwaine offers his protection to Merlin first and foremost, “Not Arthur.” Gwaine wants to stay, with Merlin, before the idea of becoming a knight is ever put on the table.

*If Arthur were to, say, have Merlin executed or banished for his magic, after years and years of loyalty, Gwaine would see Arthur as another Uther or Caerleon and leave. It’s really as simple as that. Gwaine himself was banished by Uther—for protecting Merlin, no less. Gwaine’s father died in battle for a thankless king, which is what Arthur would prove to be in that scenario. He’s not staying a knight.

The point is, just because Gwaine has other acquaintances doesn’t mean that he cares for Merlin any less. He can be around other people. It’s okay.

[merlingenrecs]

The truth comes out—and Merlin doesn't end up on the pyre! Perhaps there is anger, a heated conversation or some temporary distrust, but ultimately all goes well. Perhaps we even get a glimpse of what a Golden Age might look like?

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

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

⚬ A Better Man by TheActualAuthor, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/43646655 summary: Arthur’s cursed by a witch to experience his worst fear.

⚬ Almost, but not quite by Marti1297, 2k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/39236688 summary: Finally, Arthur starts to realize strange things happen around him, and he comes to an unexpected conclusion.

⚬ a drop of truth by WinglessCrows, 6k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/15636450 summary: Arthur has a truth serum, Merlin lies more than he tells the truth. Who else would Arthur use it on?

⚬ Allow One To ‘See’ by mollrach13, 30k, unrated https://archiveofourown.org/works/16729350 summary: When the King is attacked in his tent on patrol and falls into an unending sleep everyone is worried. What they don't know is that Arthur is fine. In fact he is standing right here next to them, watching them all fret over his prone body. To stave off the boredom whilst a cure is found Arthur takes to wandering the castle and soon discovered a hidden side of Camelot he never knew about.

⚬ Truths Emerge by s0mmerspr0ssen, 22k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/52211941 summary: When Caerleon attacks Camelot, more than one secret is uncovered. In the face of a hopeless battle, will Arthur make the right choice?

⚬ Crown of Light by s0mmerspr0ssen, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/52211941 summary: About four weeks after he had married Gwen, Arthur awoke with a strange, golden light around his head. Naturally, it freaked Merlin out.

⚬ darkest before dawn by merlinemrys, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/48216928 summary: Arthur: I never knew my mother because of it. My father died because of it. I lost my sister to it. So tell me, Merlin, what has magic ever done for me? Merlin: What haven't I done for you? – In the hours before Mordred's execution for using sorcery to save Arthur, Merlin finally snaps.

⚬ I’d Die For You by Fulgance, 4k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/934552 summary: "You know I'd die for you, yeah?" – "It certainly looks like we're headed that way," Arthur says dryly.

⚬ The Reveal byArgentNoelle, 1k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/6645151 summary: How long, Merlin wondered, had Arthur known? He hadn’t seemed surprised at all.

⚬ How Water by LadyAJ_13, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/20817572 summary: Leon shuffles, a move so unlike him that Arthur is immediately concerned. “It's about Merlin, sire.” He wonders what he's done now. Something stupid no doubt, insulted a noblewoman or broken something valuable. A day in the stocks might be required to make the aggrieved party happy. But then, that's not unusual enough for his most capable knight to be fiddling with his sword scabbard. “I believe he has magic.”

⚬ Just a Hint of Magic by Drag0nst0rm, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/28462047 summary: The thing was, most sorcerers didn't know enough spells to actually put up much of a fight. So when Arthur first noticed Merlin had magic, he wasn't too worried about it.

⚬ The Truths He Can’t Deny by N16, 10k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/33923860 summary: Merlin had always known this day would come. An innocent girl. An arrest for sorcery. Except now it's Arthur sitting on the throne in judgment, not Uther. It was always going to happen, but it wasn't supposed to happen like this.

⚬ Treason by N16, 10k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/27763306 summary: Arthur knows four things: Merlin committed treason. Merlin is loyal to him. Merlin wants to tell Arthur the truth. Merlin is scared Arthur will kill him. All he needs to figure out now is what on earth his servant has actually done.

⚬ Greater Love Hath No Man by N16, 8k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/37562236 summary: Once upon a time, Merlin had been so in love with Gwen that he'd confessed to sorcery to save her from the pyre. That moment seemed like a million years and a million lies ago. But that one lie was a loose thread, and now one tug might unravel Merlin's entire tapestry of deceit. Fortunately, Merlin can always count on Gwen.

⚬ A Scar Like a Vision of Grace by nsowlwrites97, VikingSong, 3k, rated T http://archiveofourown.org/works/56321101 summary: “Please,” Arthur tried. “Let him go. If you want the book–”The man holding the sword to Merlin’s neck smirked. “Oh, that? That’s just a bonus. No, king. We’re here for this.” And without another word, he slid the sword across Merlin’s throat.

⚬ The Hand of the Enemy by N16, 45k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/27567688 summary: When Arthur accepts an invitation to a nearby kingdom where magic is free, he hopes to establish an alliance despite their differences. Instead, he and his knights find they’ve been invited under false pretenses, and the queen may succeed in turning friend against friend to accomplish her own aims.

⚬ Who I’ve Been by TheActualAuthor, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/41350509 summary: Arthur glances at him, but doesn’t stop to reprimand, “I told him I didn’t know what he meant. Then he spoke of many things. Said I was a figure of prophecy and legend.” His voice twists around the words, mocking them, “Said I was to rule all Albion. I was about to call him out as some sort of sorcerer’s trick, trying to trap me into oaths or pride, when he began to speak of another. A man I knew well, supposedly, who walked in my inner circle.” The king takes a sharp breath and raps his knuckles on the table, making Merlin jerk his head up, “I have little doubt he meant those who stood with me at the table. When the others come, I am going to eat with them, my men and my favored. And when we are done, I will speak to them of this, and I will know who has been lying to me all this time.”

⚬ Stains Unseen by reelin_writer, 2k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/33212869 summary: During the routine bandit ambush, Gwaine is mortally wounded. Merlin saves him with magic, and instead of exploding at the reveal, Arthur is overcome with guilt. Merlin has been dealing with the trauma of taking a life--alone. Nothing, not even the new powers Merlin has, can keep Arthur from wanting to protect the younger man.

⚬ Behind Me, Beside You by TheActualAuthor, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/37246459 summary: Arthur glares at him, “I have no love for magic, they will not help me.” His eyes narrow, “How do you know the way to their camps? We’ve been searching for their borders for years.” “I have friends among them.” He hedges. The king stares at him a moment, then sits down with a weary air, “So you also have betrayed me.”

⚬ A Moment of Truth by sakarrie, 5k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/35432824 summary: Even though Merlin knows it's finally time to tell Arthur the truth, he can't stop his hands from shaking. He knows being a sorcerer is a death sentence, yet here he is—about to tell the King of Camelot. But Arthur deserves to know, and Merlin can't keep hiding from his best friend.

⚬ Stay by wryter501, 13k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/39378669 summary: A different direction for episode 4.7 "The Secret Sharer". Alator goes to Camelot not to find Emrys for Morgana, but with another plan in mind... Why has Emrys failed so long in his prophetic task of restoring magic to Camelot, in guiding and instructing Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future King? Fate seems to have handed Alator the chance to right the course of history gone awry - and he's going to take it. He's going to use Gaius to find Emrys - and then they're going to have a serious conversation. But even the best-laid plans of a canny warrior-sorcerer can be diverted... Alator finds more than he anticipated, plotting ambush in iron mines of Kemeray...

⚬ The Serving of Servants by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle, 80k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/20239129 summary: When a new position is made in the royal household to oversee the servants, Arthur didn’t think much of it. It was only days later when he noticed the mysterious injuries appearing on frightened servants that the prince decided to go undercover and to find out what is going on. Meanwhile, Merlin thinks the newest servant is a mess. Or: Arthur learns what it is like to be a servant and learns some interesting thing about his own servant.

⚬ Golden Is The Dawn by TrekScribbles, 9k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/54962341 summary: When Arthur finds out that Merlin is hiding a baby dragon, he devises a plan to get rid of it. But when Merlin is captured by a band of slavers, the dragon might be Arthur's only hope of getting him back.

⚬ Faithful Are The Wounds of a Friend by VikingSong, 5k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/33734425 summary: Arthur catches sight of a scar on Merlin’s back which he can’t explain, so he asks each of the members of the Round Table if they’ve seen it, too. They have...but it wasn’t the same scar.

⚬ Curiouser and Curiouser by VikingSong, 12k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/28588263 summary: Gwen knew Merlin wasn’t in the tavern each time Arthur thought he was...but it was Merlin, so she’d never worried about her friend’s harmless lies of omission. That is, she'd never worried until the day Merlin disappeared to ‘the tavern’ with a freshly-paralyzed fomorroh still lodged in his neck. With the threat of the dormant serpent hanging over their heads, suddenly those lies didn't seem so harmless anymore. Or: Gwen is the primary keeper of the one (1) brain cell in Camelot, which she wields to great effect in missing-scenes-turned-canon-divergence in 4x06, "A Servant of Two Masters."

[bisclavret]

incomplete list of things about gwaine that drive me crazy in no particular order:

he was the son of a knight but earned his knighthood by different means, so his origins are never mentioned again. except when merlin (in old bitch mode) threatens to ~out~ him with "i know what you are". assuming what he means is that gwaine is a [secret noble] and not a [homophobic slur]

does this mean his heritage is something gwaine does not want to broadcast? why? he's a noble now anyway. is it because the other new knights aren't of noble birth and he doesn't want to stand out? is he that insecure?

hold on i just got a note about this from the writers room. it says "who gives a shit" ???? what do they mean by this?

king caerleon and queen annis become important characters down the line and gwaine somehow does not get involved with their plot at all. he's from caerleon so that's literally the king that tore apart his family and left them to die. s3 gwaine seemed pretty severely traumatized by all this but i guess he got over it

it's like they put him in a suit of armor and he immediately got brain damage. what do you mean "how do we know which way is north"??? gwaine. gwaine how many fingers am i holding up

"why am i always the butt [of the joke]?" he asks his fellow knights. they clown on him even harder.

but tbh it's a fair question — why is he always the butt of the joke? it's always either him or merlin. y'know, merlin the walking talking gay metaphor... and sir gawain from the famous bisexual christmas story (that never happened). why are the two of them always the butt of the joke? i wonder if—no.... it cannot be.....

"got bored of playing soldiers" gwaine tells his closest friend before helping him rescue a "traitor". but we don't have time to unpack all that. in fact, forget he said anything. forget it just like he's about to forget seeing merlin do magic right in front of his face in a few minutes.

sir gwaine loves playing soldiers! he loves saying things like "enough! you speak to the king!" because evoking royal status to force people into submission is gwaine's favorite thing to do. as we all know.

a sorcerer looks him right in the eye and tells him "i am not evil. i am just someone who values his freedom" the "...are you?", like anything that could be remotely interesting in this show, is left unspoken. and is he??? idk guys

the diamair - that alien-looking creature that contains all the wisdom in the world - healed gwaine from the brink of death and seemed to single him out as important. but important how? he unceremoniously dies later that season having achieved zero notable quests as a knight; in fact he probably had more epic adventures as a rogue traveler!

or was the most important moment in gwaine's life — his purpose — to chaperone merlin to a cave without even knowing why?

i mean why not i suppose. kilgharrah was plotting his merthur doomed yaoi the entire time so it's plausible the diamair was on the merwaine doomed yaoi train.

speaking of doomed yaoi. (you knew we'd get there)

pov: you're a charming rogue adventurer with no friends. one day you meet a cute weirdo who begs you to get knighted and stay in town so you can keep bonding over your daddy issues or whatever it is guys do. you keep refusing but after the third time he asks you're like sure why not i've lowkey always wanted to try this. and then as soon as you're knighted he promptly loses all interest in you unless he needs something.

so what do you do?

a) keep challenging him the way you used to because it always works on him and he always comes out of his shell and it's always a rewarding experience for both of you

b) have a bittersweet arc where you grapple with the fact that knighthood and life at camelot aren't what you hoped they'd be after all — in part due to your people-pleasing tendencies

c) let the cute weirdo keep calling the shots even when he closes off even more and seems increasingly miserable and antisocial

d) passive-aggressively hint that you would do more for him than for any girl but never tell him how you feel or what you know and never directly ask him to trust you because misery and apathy are infectious and brother you've caught the bug

e) march off to face the local evil witch basically unarmed (you gave away your own sword in lieu of a love confession) and let her put you out of your misery once and for all <3

[mariana-oconnor]

oh my god I would love a gwaine becomes spymaster merwaine fic holy shit what an incredible idea

It would have been so much fun. I have about 6k of post s3 finale with Gwaine and the new knights trying to fit in and I had bullet points of things that needed to be included. I rescued it from the hard drive of my laptop before my laptop before my laptop before last. This thing is over 10 years old and languishes.

It was really born out of my irritation that they did absolutely nothing with Gwaine after establishing his character in his first episode except ignoring all the possible interesting things they'd come up with and essentially making him the comic relief. There was going to be some connection with Caerleon and his family. Some bits taken from classic Arthurian legend.

Here are the bullet points:

Reveal of Gwaine’s nobility (he and some others are caught on Caerleon lands and he uses his family name to gain them passage?)

Accidental magical marriage to Merlin

Gwaine using taverns as hubs for ‘gossip’ i.e. espionage.

Gwaine being underestimated by people

Gwaine being a bit of a slut, but an ethical and honourable one

Gwaine pining after Merlin like a Norwegian Spruce

Things Gwaine Has Seen on his travels – cool magic things, cool magical people he’s met, ‘friends’ and enemies he’s made. At least one nymph. Look, Gwaine has Seen Some Shit, not just the inside of taverns. He’s been travelling around a magic land for years. He was forced into gladiatorial combat by slavers, the guy has Lived.

LANCELOT DOESN’T FUCKING DIE HE AND GWAINE ARE UNLIKELY FRIENDS WHO HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THEIR DIFFERENCES.

Leon handling Gwaine being spymaster because he’s a practical kind of guy.

Gwaine getting that magic thing where his strength/resilience is affected by the sun (a curse?)

I especially like the capital letters. I had clearly installed my big brain that day. 😂

[bibliophilicstranger]

Someone should write a fic where Gwaine and Lancelot meet on the road before Lancelot ever goes to Camelot. They're in a tavern, sheltering from the rain, and over pints of ale Lancelot would tell Gwaine how much he wants to be a knight, how he's on his way to Camelot because he wants to help people, to protect them. And all the while Gwaine is sitting there thinking, "you poor sucker, you've got no clue about the First Rule." But Lancelot's genuine desire to help people gets to him and so Gwaine sits there getting drunker and drunker, wishing that knights were as good as Lancelot idealistically thinks. And he gets this absolutely crazy idea.

When Lancelot wakes the next morning, a still half-drunk Gwaine is sitting across from him. And he tells him, dumping a piece of paper and a signet ring on the table, "You can't be a knight in Camelot. You're not a noble. But I could be. So Congratulations, you're now Gwaine, Son of Lot of Caerleon. Take this to Camelot and they should welcome you as a knight."

Lancelot protests. Strenuously. But Gwaine knows the rules. As a peasant, Lancelot could never be a knight in Uther's kingdom, no matter how good his fighting or how noble his character. And Lancelot wants his dream so much that he agrees. From now on Gwaine will be Lancelot and Lancelot will be Gwaine.

And so Lancelot heads off to Camelot. He and Merlin meet as they do in canon, but Lancelot fumbles the introduction, unused to his new name, then ends up confessing all to Merlin. Merlin is more than willing to help with shenanigans and helps Lancelot practice his introduction so he doesn't screw up again, then introduces him to Arthur. Lancelot gets knighted and doesn't get outed as a fake, since the paperwork is valid (even if it's not his paperwork). He and Lancelot defeat the Griffin, with Lancelot discovering Merlin's magic, but Lancelot gets feted rather than exiled.

This gives Merlin an ally, which has various effects, lets Lancelot and Gwen court, and means that when Merlin meets "Lancelot" in the tavern brawl, he knows who he is.

I think it'd be a interesting change to see the spiraling consequences of.

[1asbrightasthestars3]

Okay just.. hearmeowt.

I have this insane idea for a Merlin fanfiction and I need y'all to tell me if you'd read it!

So basically it's a Modern merthur au + modern royalty. Imagine this.

~~~~

Gwaine and Merlin are detectives of the FBI. One day they get a tip from their friends in the royal palace, Sir Elyan and Sir Leon, that the huge drug lord, that has been on the streets for weeks which Merlin and Gwaine have been busting their asses to find the identity of, is Uther Pendragon. Camalot's own king.

Now that they have a suspect they only need to find a way to prove it. They decided to go undercover. It won't be too hard for them to make up a backstory since Gwaine is technically nobility, but they do need some kind of entrance.

That's why they have Guinevere Blacksmith. Gwen worked with them in the force a couple of years beforehand, but she had to quit because someone was threatening her father so she had to go off the grid for a while, Gwen settled in Camalot with her younger brother Elyan, her dad and her best and oldest friend Leon. She became a servant and has been trying to keep a low profile ever since until she could make sure her family was safe.

Gwen introduced them to Sir Lancelot, Gwen's fiance who spent some time with the druids growing up and knows about;

1. Gwen's time in the FBI, 2. Merlin's magic. she said Merlin could go undercover as Lancelot's partner and get into the banquet Uther is throwing as his plus one.

The only problem? He has to be a woman for that.

They can't take anyone else, they decided, since Merlin and Gwaine know this case better than anyone else, and they don't want to risk Gwen in any way.

So Merlin turns himself into Mary - Sir Lancelot's 'girlfriend', the daughter of Sir Lot and Lady Morgan of Caerleon and Gwaine's 'sister'.

But what happens when Lancalot gets injured three nights before the banquet? They can't send Merlin alone without an explanation! It's too dangerous. And Gwaine is refusing to be around some 'stuck up noblemen'.

So Gwen offers her other best friend instead, since she can't offer Leon who has to stay behind and take care of Lancelot, another knight of camalot. Prince Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. Of course.

~~~~~~

So.. let me know what you think! Btw it's my original idea and I hadn't seen anything like this before so PLEASE do not steal! If this sort of thing has been made before I am so sorry and please inform me!

Love y'all~ L

[jasminewalkerauthor]

Deep dives into folklore: Welsh folklore

Welsh folklore is a rich tapestry of myths, legends, and traditional stories that have been passed down through generations, shaping the cultural identity of the Welsh people. Rooted in a landscape steeped in history and mysticism, Welsh folklore reflects the unique character of Wales and its people. Let's take a deep dive into some key aspects of Welsh folklore:

The Mabinogion:

The Mabinogion is a collection of Welsh prose tales, comprising some of the earliest literary works in the Welsh language. It consists of four branches: Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed, Branwen ferch Llŷr, Manawydan fab Llŷr, and Math fab Mathonwy.

These tales are a blend of mythology, legend, and fantasy, featuring gods, heroes, and magical elements. Notable characters include Pryderi, Rhiannon, and Bran the Blessed.

The Red Dragon:

The Red Dragon is a symbol deeply ingrained in Welsh folklore and mythology. Legend has it that the red dragon was the emblem of Cadwaladr, a legendary king of Gwynedd. The dragon is associated with Welsh identity and pride and is prominently featured on the national flag of Wales.

King Arthur and the Welsh Connection:

The legendary King Arthur has strong ties to Welsh folklore. While the broader Arthurian legend is widespread, some key elements, such as the magical sword Excalibur and the wizard Merlin, have roots in Welsh tales like the Mabinogion.

Places like Caerleon and the ruins of Castell Dinas Bran in Llangollen are often linked to Arthurian legends.

Y Tylwyth Teg (The Fair Folk):

The Tylwyth Teg are Welsh fairies or magical beings often associated with mounds or fairy rings. They are known for their beauty and magical abilities. Crossing paths with them could lead to both blessings and misfortune, depending on the encounter.

Tales warn of the Tylwyth Teg taking humans to their underground realm, where time passes differently.

The Legend of Gelert:

The legend of Gelert is a poignant tale of loyalty and tragedy. It tells the story of Llywelyn the Great, a medieval Welsh prince, and his faithful hound Gelert. The dog is mistakenly killed by Llywelyn, who later discovers that Gelert had actually saved his son from a wolf.

The Mari Lwyd:

The Mari Lwyd is a traditional Welsh custom associated with the winter season. It involves a horse's skull mounted on a pole, decorated with ribbons and bells, carried by individuals who go from house to house, engaging in a form of door-to-door singing and challenge.

Celtic Water Spirits:

Wales, with its rivers, lakes, and coastline, has numerous tales of water spirits. Creatures like the Afanc, a lake monster, and the Gwragedd Annwn, beautiful water maidens, are part of Welsh folklore. These spirits often play pivotal roles in cautionary tales and myths.

Branwen Uerch Lyr:

The tragic tale of Branwen, the sister of the legendary King Bran the Blessed, is another prominent story in Welsh folklore. It involves betrayal, war, and the symbolic connection between Wales and Ireland.

Welsh folklore continues to inspire contemporary literature, art, and cultural expressions, maintaining a strong connection to the country's past. The tales and mythical elements contribute to the unique identity of Wales and its people, adding a layer of enchantment to the historical and natural landscape.

Taglist (reply or reblog to be added): @axl-ul @crow-flower @thoughts-fromthevoid @alderwoodbooks @harleyacoincidence @tuberosumtater @sonic-spade @theonlygardenia @holymzogynybatman @nulliel-tres @w0rkah0licz @sylvanthorn @tigertaurus22 @profiterole-reads @mathias-musings @1899adgg1997tbmd @grimmparanormalinvestigations

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: Gaius had to treat several of Arthur's servants in the past, who were injured during sparring sessions 🤕

Episode: "Valiant" questions #2

Questions by @tansyuduri

Tagging: @miyriu

Books used for reference: Valiant hardcover, The Magic Begins and Merlin Annual 2013

Question: There seems to be very few knights here, so likley there's preliminary tournaments being held?

My answer: There’s no preliminary tournament being held. Both the younger knights and the veteran ones participate in several matches a day to earn their way up the scoreboard.

On Arthur’s first day of the tournament, he had fight against Sir Alfred, Sir Pellinor and Sir Kai (in that exact order).

There were enough participants to keep the crowds entertained for nearly a week. So the rest of the first day and the following week were spent with continuous battles to get to the finales.

Book description:

Over the years Camelot's tournament had become increasingly popular, drawing more and more knights to the kingdom to compete. This year there were enough entrants to keep the crowds entertained for nearly a week and each of the arrivals had one goal - to be proclaimed the overall champion.

- Throughout the rest of the day, bout after bout brought thunderous appreciation from the assembled crowd.

Knights from across the realm fought long and hard to reach the next round. Whilst everyone in their crowd had their favourites in each contest, two names constantly found favour with the cheering mob: Arthur and Valiant.

- It had been a long day. The first days of a tournament were always busy as the more experienced knights quickly dispatched their less skilled opponents and moved on to the next round.

 Gaius had spent the day with a steady stream of patients, tending to cuts and bruises, to black eyes and sprained wrists. One of the younger knights had needed to have a broken finger put in a splint, but much to the knight's embarrassment.

- It was soon clear to Merlin why Arthur I was the reigning tournament champion.

He wasn't just strong, he was skilful too; it was more like watching a dance than a fight. The knight Alfred was quickly dealt with. Pellinor and Kai soon followed.

As Arthur dealt yet another winning blow, Merlin found himself cheering with the crowd. He hurriedly stopped himself - as if he wanted Arthur to win! The prince was quite big-headed enough as it was.

Question: Valiant says he is from the Western Isles?

Does he mean Ireland? I think he means Ireland?

My answer: The books never say specifically what the ‘Western Isles’ is called in modern day.

However, we do know according to the map, the Western Isles is past the Lake of Avalon, the Mountains of Andor and further than Caerleon’s castle.

It seems to be just outside the borders of Caerleon’s kingdom.

Question: When Arthur spars with Merlin in this episode using a sword and shield, he claims, "Most Servants collapse after the first blow.”

So who is he sparing with? Has Arthur been given manservants he didn't like before and would do this to make them quit?

My answer: Arthur commonly sparred with his servants.

In fact, Gaius recalled how he had to tend to several of Arthur’s former servants in the past and knew the damage the ‘practice fights’ could cause.

Gaius recognized that he’d have to stock up on healing balms and ointments, because Morris (Arthur's previous servant), was considerably sturdier than Merlin, and even he had been hurt on more than one occasion.

In the “Valiant” book, Arthur admits to have been unnecessarily hard on Merlin during sparring, and yet being surprised by how well he’d done.

The book also mentioned that Arthur would have sparred with other knights or servants, but everyone was busy preparing for the tournament and so he had only Merlin to spar against.

So that means Arthur typically spars with his knights (as we’ve also seen numerous times on the show) and therefore mostly uses his servant as a sparring partner when other people are busy.

Book description:

He stared across at where Arthur Pendragon twirled his sword in the early morning light. Arthur was determined to get in as much practice as he could before tomorrow. Unfortunately, practice meant that he had to have someone to practise with, and with all the other knights and servants concentrating on their own tournament strategies, that someone was Merlin.

- Arthur watched as Merlin staggered back to his feet and went to retrieve his helmet. Despite himself the prince had to admit that he was surprised at how well Merlin had stood up to the bout. Arthur had been unnecessarily hard on him.

- 'It was horrible!' protested Merlin. 'No, it was worse than horrible. Merlin, do this, Merlin, do that, Merlin, stand there whilst I whack you around the head with a sword.'

Gaius grimaced. He had tended to several of Arthur's servants in the past and knew the damage that these 'practice' bouts could inflict.

The difference was that Arthur's previous servant, Morris, had been considerably sturdier than Merlin, and even he had ended up in the physician's chambers on more than one occasion.

He would have to stock up on his healing balms and ointments.

i~| Question: Photo below 👇

My answer:

The novel specifically mentions that 'the Eastern knights' had the greatest following (after Camelot of course).

Camelot servants also considered it a great honor to be placed in their service during the tournament, because their curved swords and richly decorated tunics/cloaks, made them seem exotic and mysterious.

Given the curved sword the knight in the photo is weilding. It's likely he's a knight that hails from an eastern country.

Book description:

After the knights of Camelot, it was the eastern knights who had the greatest following.

With their curved swords and richly decorated tunics and cloaks, they seemed exotic and mysterious and to be placed in their service was considered a great honour.

[tansyuduri]

Merlin Loregasm Rewatch S1E7

Hi Everyone! Welcome to my rewatch of Merlin focusing on the lore. I am a giant nerd so pretty excited about this. We’re on THE GATES OF AVALON

Okay so them being atacked in the forest and Arthur not batting an eyelid means that this can happen fairly often and is not that strange. Uther claims he saved Camalot from anarchy and I expect he did in most villages but the roads and wilderness are not always safe. (Good news for fanfiction writers.) This is the first time we see this is the case I believe when it's not a magical attacking issue. HOWEVER Arthur and Merlin still go out alone a great deal.

Tir Mawr legit just means "Large Land" in Welsh.

The wiki assumes that Tirmawr is a land in Avalon. I dunthink so based on Uther seeming to know what it is, and the fact that the name is Welsh while sidhe spells are in old Irish.

Funfact Caerleon was the home of King Arthurs Court in the original Welsh version. Caerleon is now a town and comunity in Newport Wales. In the iron age (pre roman) it was home to a warlike tribe and the center of a wealthy trading network. It later became a Roman Port. In the 5th century (relatively around Merlin times) it became part of the new kingdom of Gwent.

What trouble? Does he mean her visions? It could be because he reminds her not to tell Uther about it. But if she did with previous dreams you would think Uther would have jumped on it one way or another. I think he means somthing else by how Morgana reacts. I bet she was a huge prankster as a child or kept doing non girly things and trying to learn fighting, or pushing limits. and since "Morgana can do no wrong" in Uthers eyes he looked for someone else to blame. (I may be slightly biased here since it fits my headcannons about young Morgana just a headsup.)

EYYYY First sidhe staff blast and first appearance of eyes turning red during sidhe magic! Sadly we don't see the blast on screen and just hear it.

Arthur: Well I'm supposed to be on Patrol with the guard and my father this morning.

Ok! So part of Arthur's duties seem to be going on patrol with the guard and Uther. This is probably a fairly normal thing. But I expect its happening right now more due to the fact some nobles were attacked in the woods recently.

Urged to tell Uther about her vision of Arthur drowning (More on this later) this is how Morgana reacts. Later Gaius tells merlin the Seer's Art is separate from magic but close to it. But I think Morgana just thinks of it as magic because Gaius never tells her anything. I mean she does have other magic, but at this point she doesn't know it.

Merlin confirms these are indeed tomatoes in an earlier line. Which means Camalot has tomatos, I have my wizard theory but my freind @catsconflictscopicsandchamomile And I talked about another theory she has. About Perhaps the Vikings in the Merlin world formed a bit earlier, and reaching more into America and starting a bit of a trade network. That these American crops were indeed grown in Briton BUT were gone by the time of the Norman conquest because the soil was not right for them.

I further propose that perhaps the volcanic winter of 536 and the subsequent late Antique little Ice Age (which lasted from then to 660) could have killed them. The battle of Camlan was supposed to take place in 537. However in this chronicle Arthur is pretty old then, while Arthur dies young in Merlin perhaps setting the battle back a bit in this timeline, Or even if it is not. It would have taken place at just the beginning of the late antique little ice age.

Okay first attempt to enchant Arthur its clearly starting to work but his eyes are not at all red yet. It gets broken off by a bandit atack and when he wants to go home she doesn't try again. It's possible Sophia is not the most powerful of sidhe and needs her victim's guard to be down.

Merlin: (About being put in the stocks) Honestly it wasnt my fault. Arthur wanted to get out of going on a patrol with Uther and the guard. so I covered for him and took the blame.

Gaius: And Arthur was prepared to let you do this?

Merlin: it was his idea!

Gaius: what made him neglact his duties? it must have been somthing terrably important

Merlin: Sophia

Gaius: The girl from the forrest

Merlin: He wanted to take her out for the day. he is besotted!

I find this conversation really interesting partly because it implies Sophia was working to enchant him before the first scene we see in the woods. That Sidhe enchanting the mind and making someone not act like themselves might be a long slow process. Gaius is surprised Arthur let Merlin take the fall because it is very out of character. And it is. We see Arthur take the blame for Merlin at times. And he never asks Merlin to take the fall for him EXECPT In these episodes when enchanted by the sidhe. Hell he doesn't do it when enchanted to fall in love with Lady Vivian, or when really in love with Gwen!

This furthers the idea I mentioned above.

Second eye reddening! This one had so magic he's just angry!

First look at what Sidhe think of humans. Also Arthur is neither weak or feeble so it implies Sidhe might have increased strength. Or she's just referring to him being mortal.

Okay so either Morgana has been jealous of other women Arthur has fallen for. OR Arthur has chalked up previous incidents to Morgana being jealous. I wonder how many times they might have crushed on the same woman growing up, or what else happened. Did she like see Arthur breaking an arm and be like "HEY bro! Don't try to impress the new girl that way!" Arthur all "hahaha you are jealous Morgana! *Falls and breaks arm* or was she actually jealous!?

Reasons why I think Arthur needed Gaius to dress him in season 5 is a practical joke.

Also Arthur asks merlin to cover for him again despite him being in the stocks. However he tells merlin to make sure he doesnt end up in the stocks. This is another sign of the enchanting being gradual. Weird music plays when he talks about Sofia as well. DID I MENTION GRADUAL? ALSO Merlin mentions potatoes thrown at him MORE AMERCIAN CROPS

She starts incanting and Arthur asks what are you doing. I think it's interesting. I mean he could chalk it up to her speaking in another language but when she continued without telling him he just stares. Either this is due to the GRADUAL enchantment or Arthur doesn't know enough about magic to clock it's what she is doing

When the enchantment finishes Her eyes glow red and then so do Arthurs. They don't stay red all the time but we now know he is udner the enchantment. So let's pay attention to WHEN his eyes glow red from now on.

Gaius: What do you know about seers?

Merlin: Not much, They're supposed to be able to see the future like Prophets

Gaius: it's said to be an innate ability. Those who have it are born that way. Some aren't even aware what they see is the future. It comes to them in their dreams Merlin: what's that got to do with Sophia Gaius: The night before she and Aulfric came to camalot, Morgana had a dream. Sophia was in it

Merlin: Before she arived in camalot?

Gaius: I've been watching Morgana since she was very young. And though I've tried to Persuade myself otherwise, I realized some of the things she said she dreamt came to pass. I kept it secret from uther of course, The gift of prophecy is to close to the work of magic

Merlin: you think Morgana is a seer?"

Gaius: I don't think it I fear it.

Okay so! Apparently a prophet and a seer are two diferant things. Prophets are never mentioned again but I think there are two possibilities both of which kinda mix Since seers are inate and born with the gift. It's possible that Prophets are people who gain the ability later in life. OR perhaps they are magic users who gain the ability to see with tools (Like Merlin does)

I think Gaius mentioning being afraid of it and trying to persuade himself otherwise is intersting. I think IF the theory that gaius actually kinda agreed with Uthers viewpoint about magic because he saw so many bad things happen is true, this might have been his turning point. He saw Morgana who he took care of being a seer and decided not to tell Uther. It also fits a lot with what we know about Gaius even if that theory is not the case. If he cares about someone with magic he will keep their secret. (or perhaps if he knows them as good).

Sophia: Our love is strong you feel the same way too

Arthur: I'd never let that happen

Sophia: you may not have the choice. There are some here who don't want us to be together. I'd never let them come between us

Arthur: I'd never let them come between us

Sophia: Because we are in love

Arthur: because we are in lvoe

Sophia: You must seek promission for us to marry so we can be together

Arthur: till death do us part

Sophia: till death do us part

Okay I think its intersting arthurs eyes are not glowing here, we know that when he wakes from the spell that he is appalled "WHAT WAS I THINKING" But they are also alone here. If Sophia was keeping his eyes from being red in the later marriage asking scene to not raise suspicion, he does not have to here? So when do eyes glow red. I think its when what is being done is VERY against what the person would normally do and when the spell is being placed. Which means Arthur here is not going fully against his normal behavior. If he loved someone he would be willing to throw away other people's objections in the end. He might try to marry someone inapropriate if he loved them. (Cough GWEN COUGH)

His eyes however DO glow red again when she leaves. NOT when she is encanting the spell again. Not when she kisses him Only when she says the last "till death do us part" and leaves I think this is because with her saying that then leaving part of his brain goes "WHOA HOLD ON" and then the sidhe magic is like NOPE you are doing what was asked!

There is more than one sidhe Elder. Later Merlin will kill one of them.

Sidhe being so fast Merlin has to slow time to see them is interesting. I think it is a nod to the fact that in celtic stories of the otherworld a lot of times someone can only stay there three days or three years, If they set foot on the real world again they die or find hundreds of years have passed otherwise because time passes differently in the sidhe world. (Can You tell I did a lot of research on this for a fic?)

I also love the gold clothing they wear and the fact Sophia has a lot of gold in her outfit. I think this is a reference to the Irish version of the Celtic otherworld which is said to have a lot in the way of precious metals in their architecture (CAN YOU TELL I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS FOR A FIC?)

Those lights in the water do not move as they sidhe do, they are a reflection of what is in Avalon not what is in our world. Avalon is lit with pretty blue crystals I'm calling it!

Aufric: I promise you the soul of the greatest prince of all, Arthur Pendragon. Even the Sidhe are like you know this Arthur guy? Pretty rad not gonna lie. Either that or they are measuring greatest by fighting skill.. or care for their people or something. WHAT IS THE MEASUREMENT HERE.

Gaius: Avalon-what you saw at the lake, It's Avalon, it must be

Merlin: Whats-

Gaius: the Land of Eternal Youth. Mortals are only supposed to glimse it in the moment before death.

Merlin: I've seen it and I'm still ehre

Gaius: extradenary what did it look like

Merlin: Does it matter they are going to sacrifice Arthur! This fits best with the Irish version of the Celtic otherword in which it is not actually the place where dead people go but a paradise, with yes Eternal youth

(CAN YOU TELL I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS FOR A FIC?)

Gaius: I found writing like this at the top of Alfrics's staff Its Ogham an anciant script "to hold life and death in your hands" From the writing on his staff and what you saw at the lake. I'm afraid I'm not certain. We're dealing with the sidhe

Merlin: that does not sound like a good thing

Gaius: They're masters of enchantment Merlin: you think Arthur's been enchanted? Gaius: Almost Certainly

Ok Ogham is an anciant script. It was used in Irland and parts of the UK beween the 5th and 9th centuries. So we have YET ANOTHER possible Irish conection. Also to hold life and death in your hands sounds a lot like the magic over life and death we see later!

This happens when Arthur tells the king hes gonna marry Sophia no matter what Uther says. Uther threatens and his and mentions executing them Arthur backtracks and he lets them go.

BUT SERIOUSLY WHOA Either Tirmawr, is REALLY not an important land. Or Uther does something really stupid here, Or he has absolute power on an insane level

See arresting nobles that are not from your land usually leads to war if you are not doing it while at war. If it's your own nobles you better have a good reason or the other nobles are NOT going to be happy. This kind of thing did happen with excuses in places where power was nearly absolute. But almost always with excuses about them being traitors or breaking laws ETC. The entire court can see Uther arresting them just to make a point. HE EVEN THREATENED TO EXECUTE THEM WTF UTHER!

Arthur: (packing) Get out

Merlin: I thought the king was a bit harsh

Arthur: I don't need sympathy Merlin, Especially not from you

Merlin: But I did think he had a point

Arthur: I ordered you to get out now leave me

Merlin: I know what you think youa re doing, and I know you think you are in lvoe with Sophia Arthur: Who Are you to tell me what I'm thinking!"

Merlin: I'm your freind

Arthur: No merlin you're my servant

Merlin: you don't know what you're doing. Shes cast a spell on you you're enchanted

This conversation is interesting because his eyes are not red, Some of these things are things he might say but NOT in the tone he uses and some of them seem OOC But his eyes are not red, so either the fact that they are close to things he might say in a diferant tone, Or they might be things he might have said to a typical servant at this stage in his development, might be causing this. I'm inclined to thing its the first one. Or perhaps my way of judging when eyes turn red is wrong.

Sophia: I told you people would try to keep us appart

Arthur: I won't let that happen

Merlin: Don't listen to her shes controling you

Sophia: we can elope together get away from this place these people Merlin: I saw you. I followed him they're planing to sacrifice you

Alfric: you let your servants speak to your guests this way

Merlin: I know what you're going to do because I followed you to the lake and I heard everything

Merlin: (turning to arthur) You have to belive me!

Sophia: Don;'t listen to him Arthur. Let's go, LEts leave tonight

Merlin: Shes going to kill you, Sophia plants to sacrifice you to buy a life of importality. if you go with her You'll die

Arthur: (Confused) "It doesnt make sence we're in love

Merlin: they're magical being look at the writing on the staff *tries to grab alfrics staff)

Alfric: (Tries to pull it away eyes growing red )

Merlin (speaking as Arthur is turned away from us) Look at his eyes look at them, Do you belive me now, I love this bit. It seems to support my theory. Arthur almost breaks out of it because he trusts Merlin and then the red eye comes back because it's against Arthur's nature not to trust Merlin. Also Merlin gets sidhe blasted making our Merlin death count reach two!

Arthur was underwater for 1 minite 36 seconds If Arthur was unconscious when he hit the water (And I think he should be considered such) he was likely fine, did not get water in his lungs much at all, and started breathing on his own after getting out of the water If he was awake he would likely NOT have fallen unconscious in that amount of time.

[gawrkin]

Enter Cynyr Ceinfarfog, father of Sir Kay in Welsh Tradition: [Links 1, 2]

[..]

[..]

So the closest historical analogue to Sir Antor/Ector rules over a kingdom likely to have Irish roots - the Deisi, no less - hence the potential for Kay to have an Irish heritage.

Arthur can have foster sisters who are Saints (loose as British Christianity as it is)

Little known fact that Cynyr foresaw his son's supernatural abilities beforehand. With the wording in Culhwch and Olwen ("If there is any part of me in your son, maiden..."), the implication is that Cynyr has supernatural abilities too.

It should be noted that Dyfed's neighboring province is Carmethenshire, Merlin's town. The simple mundanity of Merlin crossing the Bristol Channel from Tintagel to his house and then giving baby Arthur to his next-door neighbor and calling it a day XD

It is also noted that Southern Wales in general is the setting of Arthur's Court in a lot of the pre-vulgate material, with Caerleon-on-Usk being his usual capital, and Cardigan his other hangout.

[sexy-sapphic-sorcerer]

asking about your piss take headcanon that merlin and dr who take place in the same universe

hell yeah!

ok so in Journey's End (4x14) the Doctor explains that Gwen from Torchwood looks exactly like Gwyneth from The Unquiet Dead (1x03) due to 'spatial genetic multiplicity'

Russell T Davies described it as the 'repetition of physical traits across a time rift'.

Oh, the time rift in Cardiff? the time rift only 16 miles away from Caerleon, where Camelot was supposedly located

which is interesting because you know who else bares a striking resemblance to Gwen and Gwyneth? Lady Helen from the first episode of Merlin

(and I think she also low key looks like that actress Eve Myles, but maybe that's just me)

if this isn't enough to convince you, need I remind you that the characters of Arthurian Legend very much exist in the whoniverse

the Doctor's involvement in King Arthur's life is incredibly convoluted and contradictory, even within DW canon. But many stories involve the Doctor intervening to ensure that things go according to Arthurian Legend and earth's history remains consistent

for instance, there is a plot in Classic Who where Arthur's body is placed in a spaceship at the bottom of the lake, in an effort to follow the legend that he is "in eternal sleep until England's greatest need", as Ace quotes. The Doctor says that Merlin must have been involved and yet the spaceship is activated by the Doctor's voice, which is "exactly the kind of thing (the Doctor) would do". Leading Ace to ask:

clearly, some of Merlin's actions are fixed points in time and the Doctor must confirm that those things come to pass at some stage in his future

so, when does the Doctor go back to intervene with Arthur's burial and various other events? is it during the Seventh Doctor's run? One story suggests that it was the Eighth Doctor

but I would argue it was the regeneration after that. The version of the Doctor who attempted to make peace during genocide against his race and was betrayed and defeated. The last of his kind, desperate and ruthless

the version of the Doctor that sounds eerily similar to Kilgharrah (and also a bit like John Hurt)

you know, Kilgharrah, who manipulates Merlin to act in accordance with an abstract fate that only he understands

"but the Doctor can't be Kilgharrah, he's a dragon!"

bet. 2 words: chameleon arch

it can modify a Time Lord's biology, turning them into a different species. Sure, usually into a human, but who's to say that it can't work for dragons?

Time Lords still retain their time sensitivity, which would explain how Kilgharrah has an innate knowledge that some events are fated and others are subject to change

and then Kilgharrah's laments about "watching civilisations rise and fall" and his vengeance against Uther are repressed memories from the Time War

maybe it was while the Doctor was a fugitive from the Time War and he decided to kill two birds with one stone and go into hiding as a dragon. and then also make sure that the Arthurian Legend timeline was in order

so, destiny doesn't exist at all, it's just the War Doctor spouting out bullshit riddles to keep the time stream straight

of course, if these characters exist in the same universe, what about Merlin/Jethro, Uther/Mr Finch, Gaius/Dr Constantine, Gwen/Katherine, Percival/Jeff, Nimueh/Lady Christina, Lady Vivian/Jenny, Will/Cline, the list goes on

I have crack theories for those too, each one more deranged than the last, but this post is long enough already

[tiodolma]

Note: only Camelot is canon.

this is a remake of the previous poll. this is fascinating because for all of Uther's declaration that Gorlois was his best friend, we really dont know anything about Morgana's heritage, where she was from, what rank she holds. We only know that she had a "foreign-ness" about her despite being a local of Camelot.

[adhd-merlin]

5, 6, and 7. worst things they ever did

5. Worst thing you think Uther ever did.

I think the genocide.

6. Worst thing you think Arthur ever did.

Hard question! He's meant to be a character who's fundamentally good and well-meaning but still needs guidance to make the right choices (that's like, the whole destiny thing at its core, and Merlin's role) and because of this he often acts in ways that are extremely frustrating, and sometimes just plain wrong.

— On a personal level:

To Merlin – there are quite a few times in which the way Arthur acts towards Merlin crosses the line between banter and bullying. Two that stick in my mind are Arthur wiping a dirty rag across Merlin's face when he simply asked him not to walk over the floor he had just cleaned in ep 3x01, and Arthur throwing a metal object at Merlin's neck while his back was turned in ep 3x04. I know he throws things at Merlin often, but usually he can at least see it coming! Arthur's behaviour felt unnecessarily harsh. (I don't remember what Merlin said but I don't even think it was anything particularly offensive in this instance).

To Gwen – when he broke up with her because Agravaine convinced him she was an unsuitable match (ep 4x05). That was a horrible thing to do after everything Gwen had been through and after all the promises he had made her, and she's a better woman than me for bearing no resentment towards Arthur afterwards.

— As a King:

Probably summarily executing King Caerleon (Queen Annis's husband), still in ep 4x05.

It's no coincidence that two of Arthur’s lowest points are in this episode, given it's meant to show Agravaine's negative influence on him, and Arthur reckoning with his father's legacy and having to figure out what kind of king he is going to be. The title is very apt.

7. Worst thing you think Merlin ever did.

Eh. Morally, that he considered letting young Mordred die, I think. He had decided to let it happen, Mordred had to beg him for him to reconsider.

For the actual consequences on innocent people – freeing Kilgharrah. Not his fault, I know but... man.

↳ merlin ask meme 📬