#fomorroh

[justaz]

sometimes i get so sucked into my own headcanons and interpretations of canon that i forget other people don't share my vision

[akelafang]

Years into the Golden Age and after reconciling with Morgana enough time and healing has gone by that Merlin and Morgana are able to joke about all the horrible things they've done to each other.

Merlin hands Morgana a drink Morgana: Thank you. What poison did you put in it this time? Merlin: Cyanid Moragan: Shame, hemlock tastes better Merlin: I know but I couldn't find any on short notice, sorry

Morgana: Why can you never just do as I say? Merlin: How about you get another fomorroh and you can see up close how it turns out when I have to do what you tell me to

Arthur: How should we deal with this traitor? Morgana: Could always use the Merlin method and push them down the stairs Merlin: Or the Morgana method of leaving them chained up in the woods for Serkets to find them Morgana: Comparatively the stairs do seem simpler and less prone to error Merlin: Less creative though Arthur: Why are you two like this?

[gwemrys]

nothing funnier than merthurs trying to fabricate some sort of hostility between merlin and gwen bc of their “jealousy” over arthur… and then the scenes they pick as evidence are scenes from the episode where merlin was possessed by morgana’s fomorroh and the episodes where gwen was enchanted by morgana. where their free will was literally taken from them. girl just admit you cannot pit them against each other

[neptunesyellowsands]

Thanks for voting, folks! Our main boy Merlin won, so here you go! The first in the portrait series of BBC Merlin coloring pages! PDF download here. I hope you're able to get some joy and relaxation from these. Life is stressy, so let's get messy :D And PLEASE show me your colored versions, if you don't mind! I'm dying to see what folks come up with!

As for me, I'll be drawing the next in the series. Which one should I do next?

Oh, and if you missed the first one, check out the coloring page for The Round Table here. You can find all the pages under this tag.

EDIT: I am now on a self-appointed mission to represent as many magical creatures in these pages as possible, so I added the fomorroh to this page. No one asked for this. I'm doing it anyway.

[ramblings-of-a-chaotic-neutral]

Hello everyone! With me focusing on the "Archeologist Merlin" fic on ao3, it's been a while since I posted an au idea! It's good to be back!

Since an au featuring Lancelot won the last poll, here's my Lancelot au that I tried to make somewhat lighthearted, but it ended up being angsty instead. I hope you enjoy this au idea! :D

PS: For optimal reading conditions, go listen to Hozier's song "Like Real People Do", and then come back here. Trust me, it'll be worth it.

This au takes place in the middle of season 4, picking up right after the episode "Servant of Two Masters", which means that "Lancelot du Lac" hasn't happened yet. At that point, Lancelot had died by sacrificing himself to the veil, and everyone believes that he will stay dead. However, while Merlin was in Morgana's hut to kill the fomorroh that she had stuck in his neck, a book on Morgana's shelf caught his eye. He could feel the power oozing from the book, which was drenched in dark magic. Merlin, knowing that Morgana would absolutely be up to no good with such a powerful book dripping with dark magic, steals the book from her hut before killing the fomorroh. To Merlin, taking the book means that Morgana has one less weapon to attack Camelot with, and he would take any advantage that he could get against Morgana.

Merlin was so focused on killing the fomorroh and getting the dark book away from Morgana that he didn't even see the title of the book that he had stolen until he was back in his room in Camelot. As he prepared to hide the dark book underneath a floorboard in his room, he took a peek at the title of the book for the first time: The Arcane Secrets of Necromancy and Thralls.

Yikes. No wonder the book was dripping with dark magic, if that's what it was about. As Merlin hastily dropped the book down on his bed to free up his hands to pry up the floorboard, he noticed that the book had fallen open to a marked page. Merlin sucked in a breath as he recognized Morgana's handwriting on the page, making notes on one particular spell. As much as he wanted nothing to do with such dark magics, Merlin couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn more about Morgana's plans. He could finally be one step ahead of her!

Merlin hesitantly picked up the book and started reading from the marked page. The page itself detailed the ways a powerful sorcerer could raise a dead soul without having access to the deceased person's body and bend that soul to their will. A violent shiver went down Merlin's spine as he read more. These spells and rituals were horrible and cruel, and it seemed like Morgana had every intention of utilizing them against her enemies. Merlin didn't even want to imagine what awful things Morgana wanted to do with these spells, who she wanted to raise from the dead and torture forevermore.

As Merlin turned the page though, he saw something that immediately drew his attention: a ritual that claimed that it could bring someone back to life with their soul intact and not in any pain. Merlin was frozen as soon as he saw it, staring numbly at the page. Could it even be possible? The ritual claimed that, with an animal sacrifice and enough power on the sorcerer's part, the Old Religion's laws would accept the resurrection of the subject without any human's life being taken in return.

The festering pain in his chest, which had been present since Lancelot's death at the hands of the veil and his heart had felt like it had been torn from his body, throbbed once more. Could he... could he actually do it? Could he truly bring Lancelot back as himself, have his dearest friend, his pillar of support, by his side once more?

As soon as that idea had slithered into his head, Merlin's mind refused to let go of it. It followed him everywhere over the following days, never once leaving him alone, until one day he found himself gathering the ingredients for the ritual.

He had to do it. He owed it to Lancelot, who had sacrificed himself not for Arthur, but for him. If there was even the slightest chance of truly bringing Lancelot back, he had to take that risk.

The ritual itself was complicated, but not impossible, certainly not for Emrys. He had to draw a summoning circle on the forest floor under a lightless new moon, place some of Lancelot's belongings in the circle, of which he chose Lancelot's journals and his prized dagger, and then kill the rabbit he had brought as the sacrifice, collect its lifeblood in a blessed chalice, and finally enchant the blood itself and spill it over Lancelot's belongings in the circle.

Merlin could feel the power of the ritual buzzing around the forest as he performed it, but it didn't frighten him, because he could feel it working. As soon as he poured the rabbit's enchanted blood over the journal and dagger, the circle around him started glowing with a harsh light, urging Merlin on. After the chalice was emptied of blood, Merlin started chanting the final spells of the ritual: one to summon Lancelot's intact and healed body, another to draw Lancelot's soul out of Avalon, and a final spell to merge his body and soul, which would leave Lancelot wholly alive and himself again.

Merlin's heart leapt up to his throat as the first spell succeeded, revealing Lancelot's body, still clad in the same cape and armor that he had worn when he walked into the veil. The mere sight of his friend had Merlin faltering, but he needed to continue through the whole ritual. The second spell summoned a glowing blue mist, which sparkled in the light of the circle and hovered over Lancelot's prone form. Merlin felt strangely comforted at the sight of the mist, and he realized with a gasp that the mist itself must be Lancelot's soul, awaiting his return to his body.

At last, all of the pieces were in place, and Merlin performed the final spell: rebinding Lancelot's soul into his body. The spell itself required an immense amount of power, but Merlin could both feel and see that it was working! Lancelot's soul was slowly disappearing into his body. He was almost there!

With the last incantation, Merlin staggered backwards, feeling thoroughly drained from performing such powerful magic. However, his exhaustion melted away into excitement as Lancelot opened his eyes and sat up, looking around.

"Lancelot! You're back!"

Merlin launched himself forwards towards his friend, his joy almost overwhelming. He crashed into Lancelot's side and wrapped him in the tightest hug he could manage.

"What were you thinking, going into the veil?! I thought you'd be gone forever! But enough of that, we need to get you back to Camelot!"

Merlin urged his friend, who still looked rather dazed and disoriented, up to his feet. Lancelot's confusion was petty understandable, Merlin could only imagine how confusing it must have been to suddenly return to the living!

"Lancelot, how are you feeling? You aren't hurt, are you?"

Merlin waited with baited breath as Lancelot opened and closed his mouth a few times, as if trying to get used to having a mouth again. Finally, after several agonizing minutes of silence, Lancelot spoke, his voice rough.

"Mer... Merlin. My... my..."

"Your what, Lancelot? What do you need? Whatever it is, I'm sure that I could get it for you!"

Merlin smiled encouragingly at Lancelot, still helping him stay upright. He waited patiently for Lancelot to find whatever words he was looking for.

"My... my lord. I am at your command."

Merlin's heart dropped to his stomach as Lancelot dropped to his knees, kneeling before Merlin just as he did when he pledged his fealty as a knight to Arthur.

"Lancelot, what are you doing? Get up!"

Lancelot, with a sickening level of obedience, immediately rose to his feet, awaiting further commands. Merlin reeled backwards, away from Lancelot, and doubled over, feeling nauseous. What had he done?

Why had this happened?! He knew that the ritual had worked, he could feel it when Lancelot's soul reentered his body, so how was Lancelot devoid of his own will? What had gone wrong?!

As Merlin spent several minutes bowled over, trying to keep himself from hurling up his dinner all over the ground, a wolf howled in the distance, shocking Merlin back into reality. He took a deep breath and glanced back over to where Lancelot was still standing, wearing a terrifyingly blank expression.

He would fix this. He had to. But right now, they needed to get to safety before they could come up with any plan going forward. Swallowing thickly, Merlin called out to Lancelot.

"Come on, we need to get back to Camelot. Gaius might be able to help us fix whatever's gone wrong with the ritual."

Lancelot nodded without hesitation, and they both set back on the trail towards Camelot. It was slightly harder for Merlin to sneak into the castle with another person with him, but he was able to make it work. Eventually, they made it to Gaius's chambers, who jolted awake at the sound of his door slamming open.

Gaius's annoyance at his rude awakening was terrifying enough for Merlin, but it was completely overshadowed at his fury towards Merlin for performing a necromancy ritual.

"How could you be so stupid?! Of course a ritual from that tome would bring him back as your thrall! Even if he's fully healed and has his soul and all of his memories, he's now bound by your will! Any subject of necromancy sees the magic user who raised them from the dead as their god, regardless of the spell or ritual used!"

A fresh wave of dread and guilt threatened to drown Merlin.

"So, there's no way fully bring him back? No matter what I try, he'll never come back as himself again?"

Gaius slowly shook his head, breaking Merlin's last shards of fragile hope.

Lancelot, on his end, was initially very, very confused. One moment he was floating through an endless darkness, and the next he was laying on the ground in the middle of a glowing circle in the forest.

He looked around, and there he was. Merlin, standing at the edge of the circle. Lancelot smiled, glad beyond words to see his friend again, to know that his sacrifice wasn't in vain

Still, there was some odd, foreign feeling bubbling up inside of him at the sight of Merlin. But he didn't have long to ponder those feelings before Merlin was suddenly wrapping his arms around him, hugging him tightly.

It wasn't until Merlin had helped him to his unsteady feet that the foreign feeling pushed to the surface, taking control of his limbs. The thing taking over was him, but it wasn't him, but it felt like the most natural thing in the world to both him and whatever was controlling him to fall to his knees and pledge his fealty to Merlin, as if there was ever a doubt where his devotion lay.

The trip back to Camelot was a blur to Lancelot, feeling like he was both in control of himself and under the control of something else, but he didn't fight against it. No, whatever was now inhabiting his body alongside him seemed to be working with him, not against him.

Despite Merlin's panic and the unknown entity that was now in his mind, Lancelot thoroughly enjoyed the walk back to Camelot. He never thought that he'd enjoy the simply pleasures that came with having a corporeal body again, so he enjoyed everything from feeling the dirt under his boots to the wind on his face.

When they reached Gaius's chamber though, and he revealed the true consequences of Merlin's efforts to bring him back from the dead. Panic, horror, and betrayal washed over Lancelot in a split second, but those feelings dissipated as soon they appeared.

While Lancelot could chalk up his immediate forgiveness towards Merlin as the work of the foreign entity that now resided within his body, Lancelot knew deep down, in a place in his heart where the entity couldn't touch, that his feelings of forgiveness and acceptance towards Merlin was his and his alone.

Because the truth was that, even before Lancelot stepped into the veil, there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for Merlin.

And this post is getting too long, so I'll cut it off there! From here, the au focuses on people's reactions to Lancelot's return and Merlin's tremendous amounts of guilt for what he's done to Lancelot. Lancelot has some days where he's pretty much his old self again, and other days where he's deeper under the thrall's control.

Because everyone can see the very disturbing sight of Lancelot under the power of the thrall, everyone in the castle (except for Merlin and Gaius) believes that Lancelot was resurrected by an evil sorcerer and enchanted by him to try to destroy Camelot, but they also believe that he's valiantly beating back the sorcerer's enchantment with the power of sheer willpower and friendship and is slowly getting better.

It breaks everyone's heart to see Lancelot's will robbed of him, but it hits especially hard for Gwen, Arthur, and the knights to see the strongest, most noble man they know have to fight every single day for his own free will. Merlin, meanwhile, vows never to give Lancelot any orders, as he will not stoop so low as to bend his dearest friend to his will, but even despite not explicitly giving Lancelot orders, the thrall still sometimes takes over his friend and seeks him out. The only order he ever gives the thrall is to just do whatever Lancelot wants to do, but even that sometimes doesn't work and the thrall just stands there, looking at him blankly.

Well, that's enough angst for today! Let me know if you'd like to see a continuation of this au! Until next time!

And as always, thank you for reading through my ramblings! :D

[kateis-cakeis]

What if… instead of summoning the Fomorroh, Morgana kept Merlin prisoner? Just so that he could finally answer all her questions. At knifepoint. Until Merlin admits a truth he should have kept to himself…

In doing so, Morgana planned to show Arthur all that he was, except… what if he didn’t experience the disgust she expected? What if Arthur realised all that he had missed?

What if… Merlin suffered only for everything to change upon his rescue?

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So like my posts earlier, man I just. I've been sitting on this fic for two months, it's fully complete. It's done! I just couldn't edit it. I'm hoping to get some motivation from uploading the first chapter, soooo I'm so sorry it's not edited 🙈

But I've always wanted to write a fic like this, a long political canon era type fic, really delving into things, especially the Great Purge.

I really hope you enjoy this first chapter, and the rest of the fic if you read that far <3 :) It's my longest fic yet (120k)!!! So, yeah, plenty to read once it's all uploaded!

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Warnings include: Graphic depictions of violence, suicide attempt (chapter 17), and torture.

[merlingenrecs]

Beyond blood ties, some bonds are forged through love and shared experiences. These are fics where the power of chosen family takes centre stage.

Today’s gen fic rec theme: Found Family

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

⚬ The Last Night (You'll Have To Be Alone) by Glon_Morski, 120k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/41661447 summary: Emrys Dragongreat is an old man who has been alone for a very long time, and he likes it that way. Arthur Goldraig is an abandoned boy barely thirteen years of age who is just desperately trying to survive on the streets. When the two meet, it is by accident, late on a cold winter evening. For Emrys, it is a regular Tuesday. For Arthur, it is anything but. Their meeting is brief and seemingly insignificant, but there’s something about Arthur that makes Emrys find him again and offer to take him in. The arrangement shouldn't change either of their lives, and Arthur doesn't expect it to. But as time passes, things change.

⚬ Swift Warning by upon_a_painted_ocean, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/35580715 summary: Lancelot's beginning to get an inkling that some people might actually want him to stick around.

⚬ 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.

⚬ Bowties, Best Men, and Bad Poetry by salted_popcorn, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/53068915 summary: Arthur Pendragon was running late to his own wedding. His bowtie wasn't done, his hair was a bird's nest, and despite what Merlin said, he was not nervous. Or, How Not to be Late to Your Own Wedding. Ps: Let your Bestman handle the details.

⚬ The Shadows in His Eyes by salted_popcorn, 2k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/39318933 summary: In the aftermath of the incident with the Fomorroh, Merlin realizes how much he had come close to hurting Arthur. What use was he, when he can't protect Arthur, even from himself?

⚬ Don’t Question It by quotidian_void, 2k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/53541058 summary: Sweet Gwen who is a literal queen. Lovely Gwen who helped Merlin steal a statue of a dog without question just a few days after meeting him. Amazing Gwen who sneaks around with Merlin defeating goblins.

⚬ Wings To Fly by bad_peppermint, 80k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/2177478 summary: Arthur had no idea what he was thinking, adopting a child. Especially a crazy one. Arthur had enough issues on his own.

⚬ The Best and Terrible by Ynnealay, 30k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/56130562 summary: After meeting the Druids, Morgana cannot sit idly by while Uther’s tyranny against magic continues; but, taking action may put her in more danger than she can get out of alone. Meanwhile, Merlin struggles under the loneliness of his secret, and wonders who he’s destined to be. A story about working together, magic reveals going better than expected, and Uther Pendragon being the worst man ever.

⚬ maybe i’m brave (and didn’t know it) by SoVeryAverageMe, 2k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/56032291 summary: “You’ve always been an invaluable part of Camelot, but we’ve grown closer these past few months and I feel like you should know what’s been on my mind.” “I also have something that I need to tell you.” Merlin looked down at his hands, “I’m not sure how you will react, but I feel like you deserve to hear it from me.”“I’m glad you trust me,” Arthur smiled, “Because, truthfully, I’ve started to think of you like a brother, and I—” “I have magic—”

⚬ Year of Sorrows, Year of Joys by littlegreyfish, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/56032291 summary: Becoming Queen has taken a toll on Gwen and Merlin's friendship from their servant days. After Camlann, they come together over the responsibilities of the kingdom—and eventually, the son—Arthur has left them. They grow closer as they usher in the return of magic and take on their new family, and a year on, Merlin has something special for his truest friend.

⚬ Quiet by onceandfuturewarlock, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/14960387 summary: Gaius is a quiet man, leading a quiet life in quiet, if a bit cluttered chambers, in the heart of Camelot. And then Merlin comes along. And suddenly, things are not quiet. Father's Day fic.

[larluce]

Have you ever thought of the episode A Servant of Two Masters with a scene like Ella Enchanted when she breaks her curse? If you don't know the scene or the movie, that's okay because I have ✨a vision✨

Like that:

Merlin inside is dying because he's trying to kill Arthur and that's his worst nightmare, but Arthur decided that needs to be open and honest to Merlin and just tries to confess. I don't know how they got there, but just imagine that Arthur is talking sweetly to Merlin, holding his face with love and going to kiss him, but Merlin is crying because he's with a knife in his hand and trying to stab Arthur in the back. He breaks the curse, but Arthur saw the knife and assumes the worst.

I did watch that film! "A Servant of Two Masters" had the pontential to be very angsty indeed. But of course they decided to make it comedy. Not that I didn't like it anyways, but a more serious take like the one you are proposing would have been GOLD.

I recently saw a post similar to this, not quite, but kind of captures the same idea: LINK

But you inspired me. So I'll add this to your vision:

Just as the movie, Agravaine orders for Merlin to be arrested before he can explain anything, proclaiming he's in alliance with Morgana. However, Arthur, though still very hurt and confused, starts to analyse the situation. Why would Merlin try to kill him now? Is not like he didn't have better chances before. Has he done something to make Merlin change his mind about him? What did Morgana offer him? And why a knife? Merlin literally serves him his food, he could have poisoned him, find a more discret way to do it, he's a physician apprentice for gods sake! Was his servant this dumb? Then he remembers, Merlin was crying through all of it, and he seemed like he was trying to tell him something but couldn't. He thought it was due his emotional confession that his servant had tears in his eyes, but now... could it be that Merlin was forced to do it? Maybe Morgana threatened someone dear to him? Like his mother or Gaius. Or maybe he just can't bare the thought of yet other person betraying him, specially if is Merlin, that now he's making excuses for him? Doesn't matter, he can't execute Merlin, even when his uncle keeps insisting on it. So he just keeps him in the dungeons ad pospones his death sentence as much as he can.

Just as Arthur gathers the caurage to go visit Merlin to ask for answers, against his uncle's wishes of course, Gaius aproaches Arthur and tells him Merlin was under the fomorroh's control giving him the burned cut head of the snake as a prove. He explains he went to visit Merlin and Merlin gave him that and told him Morgana put it in his neck to control him when he was captured, but somehow he managed to break the spell. His uncle intervenes, telling him is all lies, that Gaius just wants to save the boy because he's dear to him and accuses him right then and there of being the traitor they were looking for. For Arthur, however, there was never a doubt, his Merlin is innocent, he never wanted to betray him. He almost cries of relief and, ignoring his uncle and his physician's dicussion, he runs to see Merlin.

His smile fades once he gets there though, cause Merlin, his Merlin, is hanging from a rope. Horrified and in full panic mode, he puts him down as quickly and as carefully as he can. He yells desperately for the guards to fetch Gaius and starts making CPR, but even when Gaius later appears to help it's too late. Merlin's dead and Arthur's whole world is put upside down.

There's a note Gaius finds hidden in Merlin's clothes, it says: "I'm sorry, Gaius. I couldn't fight it much longer, I could feel it, growing back again, trying to control me and I couldn't let it, not again. I would rather cut my own arms and legs and being burn in the pyre a thousen times than hurt Arthur, much less kill him. I won't go through that nightmare again. Please tell him I love him too, that i never mean to do it. I love him more than I love myself. But if he doesn't believe you, if he hates me forever, it's alright. I don't blame him, so don't blame him either. Keep protecting him, please. Specially from Agravaine. Loves you, Merlin".

Gaius shares this letter with Arthur and of course he breaks all over again, but then he asks, "Why did Merlin told you to protect me from my uncle, Gaius?". Gaius doesn't want to answer at first, but Arthur commands him and Gaius answers carefully "he believed he was the traitor, sire". Arthur responds after a pause "And you believe that too?". There's a silence before the physician says "I gave him the pergamine and the ink, he said he wanted to write a message for you that later I would deliver. I was a fool, I should have known..." he sighs. "But I wonder... where did he get the rope?". And that's when when all clicks to Arthur. Agravaine was the one insisting on killing Merlin inmediatly amd Merlin didn't have access to any rope. He confirms it when the guards tell him Agravaine visited Merlin once, they couldn't hear what the man was telling to the boy, but it sounded like he was threatening him.

Agravaine was the traitor, Agravaine gave Merlin the rope. Agravaine is the reason his Merlin now is gone.

Arthur goes to his uncle a sword in hand and demands answer with the blade on his throat. First he dinies it, but then he laughs. "You killed my sister. You and your father" he admits. Arthur's expression remains as a stone "What did you tell him?" Arthur demands. "I just offer him a less painful way to die". Arthur kills him, but finds no satisfaction. He's dead inside. His Merlin died thinking he hated him and he let him believe that. He didn't visit him for days after all, he didn't confront him inmediatly for answers, he let his uncle cloud his mind. This was his fault.

Arthur looks at his sword and puts the point of the blade on his heart. He's about to push the blade when suddenly the doors open and the sword flies from his hand. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" a familiar panic voice shouts at him and Arthur turns. A Merlin with golden eyes is running to him and then hugs him tightly. "Are you mad?!" Merlin's still scolding him, but Arthur's just watches him in shock. "Merlin" he's only capable to mumble.

It turn's out Merlin's magic saved him somehow. It just put his body on the verge of death enough to make the fomorroh believe that the body was uninhabitable so it left his body completely. His mortal body was now too weak though, so his only vital energy left is his magic. That's why his eyes are constanly gold now. It takes a while for Arthur to understand it. Specially the magic part, but honestly, he's far too happy and relief to have Merlin back that he can't be mad about Merlin lying about his magic. In fact, if anything, he's thankful for it, since it saved Merlin's life.

"But you didn't plan that, did you? You did actually try to kill yourself" he accusses however, still heartbroken at the fact.

"It was the only way I could think of-"

"Never, Merlin" he commands him very serious. "Never do that again"

"I can't promise you that"

"Then any harm you do to yourself, I'll do it to me"

"You can't do that!" the warlock shouts horrified. "You are the king! You have a kingdom-"

"Our kingdom, Merlin! We built it together and it's nothing without you either"

"I'm just a servant, an illegal warlock now. My life doesn't matter."

"Don't ever say that again!" Arthur holds Merlin fiercely. "Didn't I tell you're the most valuable person to me? The only person I could trust with my life" tears run down his eyes.

"But.. I lied to you. I even tried to kill you"

"Lie to me then, kill me. You have my permission"

"Arthur-"

"No, I just got I glimse of what a life without you would be and I won't live it again. Not for a second. I can't lose you again".

"I can't lose you either". Merlin cries too. "My magic, everything I am, is yours. It has always been yours". Arthur caresses his cheek.

"Then let me take care of what it's mine"

Between tears, they kiss. Is not really tender or passionate, but pure necessity for the other.

"I'm sorry" Merlin snifs separating the kiss "Gods! My eyes won't stop shining" he says embarrasssed and tries to cover them.

"Don't" Arthur says while he uncovers his eyes gently. "They're beautiful" Merlin smiles but then sighs, sadly.

"The rest won't think the same"

"You don't have to worry about that"

Arthur gives Merlin a royal pardon so he's the 'only legal sorcerer' unless until he can make magic legal again completely. Gwen and the knights accept him inmediatly. The rest are wary at first but eventually they accept him too, when they realise he's the same clumsy servant they always knew. As Merlin recovers from his near death experience, his eyes glow less, but Arthur loves to see Merlin's eyes turn gold everytime.

Aaaand that's all I got. My imagination can't do much.

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Sigh. 😮‍💨

I don’t know how to tell people this, but pointing out canon examples (both conveyed by conversations and shown through mentions of horrible things happening in the shows past).

Does NOT mean that I support the bad things that took place in the show.

… It just doesn’t.

Mentioning that sorcery was used for terrible things in the shows past and that people did have a legitimate reason to be afraid of magic. 🪄 Is not the same thing as supporting the oppressor.

As a viewer, you can see the terrible things that happened in the past, because of the High Priestesses/sorcery and acknowledge it, without thinking that Uther was in the right.

Uther was 100% wrong for the genecide!!

He was 100% wrong for killing innocent magic users.

But it’s also not wrong to point out that there were so many examples in the show, that not only hinted at magic being used for bad things in the past, but literally punched you in the face with the obviousness.

- High Priestesses doing death sacrifices to open the spirit world rift in order to release the Dorocha on Samhain's Eve (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

- The High Priestesses turning creating a monster (Lamia), which led to the deaths of many innocent people. (before the magic ban)

- High Priestesses using the Fomorroh to mind control people to do their bidding in the past and wipe their will. (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

- And the Nathair snake causing "pain beyond all imagining, not only in the victims body but in their soul" literally to the point of death. (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

- Using things like Mandrake Roots to torture their enemies. (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

- Using the "Teine Diaga" ritual to mind control their enemies and destroy their will/make them into souless creatures. (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

- Using the "Ragaid" magical ritual to suffocate people by growing their own skin over their faces. (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

- Using the Cup of Life to make immortal armies that had no will of their own and slaughtered thousands of innocent people (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

- Using Wraiths to slaughter innocent people, which also happened with the Knights of Medhir. (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

- Sigan being such a powerful and deadly sorcerer of legend that he had to be executed, otherwise he would have destroyed everyone in his path. (both currently and in the past before the magic ban)

Pointedly choosing to ignore what Gaius claimed several times, what Uther claimed, and what was mentioned in the books as the narrative “spoon feeding the audience a reason to be fearful of magic” is too ignore every instance of such things shown on the screen.

If you choose to ignore every instance of what the audience was either shown or heard about as reasoning for their legitimate fears of magic, because you view it as fear-mongering… then honestly. I don’t know what to tell you.

Acknowledging someone’s legitimate fear of something (especially something capable of waging war, torturing, mentally abuse/mind control and murder) does not mean you support oppression.

It just means that you can’t blame every other kingdom and every other rulers decision to ban magic on the actions of Ygraine dying.

Ygraine’s death might have been the catalyst for Uther, but there was unease among the public and the kingdoms rulers even before that.

Btw: If me replying to an argument with someone under my own post, in which I’ve explained by thoughts, provided dozens of references to explain my thought process and literally explained everything in the most “kid gloves way” possible is rude because I eventually blocked someone… rather than argue for three hours.

Well, that’s too bad.

I tried to be nice and explained my every thought process (with references and explanations to explain everything that I mentioned).

I’m not going back and forth arguing for 3 hours.

[kessilover]

I have an idea for a Mergana fic

I have this Mergana Fic idea that I probably would never write because I am lazy, but I want to share it in case someone might want to write it.

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

It takes place during Servant of Two Masters (S4xE06), just before Morgana inserts the  Fomorroh into Merlin's neck.

A young man (maybe 17 or 18) barges inside. He looks like a young version of Merlin except he has green eyes. Before anyone says anything, this man collapses instantly.

There is an awkward silence between Merlin and Morgana for a few moments before she is like, "is he your brother?" and Merlin is like, "I don't see any resemblance" but inside he is screaming, did my father have another son?

Then, she tries to wake the young man and soon came to the realization that he is drained magically, and they need to wait for him to regain consciousness on his own before asking any questions.

"Maybe he is a distant relative?" Merlin mumbles to no one, and Morgana, whose plan is momentarily put on hold, tells Merlin that she knows a way that can help unravel the mystery.

Despite Merlin's objection, Morgana performs the spell (requires a drop of blood from each man) and the result is "Parent". (There is a whole color palette that can help identify the link between two people.) But the spell doesn't specify who is the parent and who is the offspring.

Since it was not possible, Morgana decides to do the spell using her own blood, and she gets the same result as Merlin: "Parent".

"Maybe I did something wrong." She says, and they leave it at that.

Hours later, the mysterious man wakes up and he takes one look at the chained Merlin, "Is it a sexual thing?" he says, startling both Merlin and Morgana.

Morgana quickly unchains him and Merlin supplies without really thinking, "We're making sure the chains are robust."

The young man's name is William, and he was attacked and used magic to escape. He came across the hovel and was looking for a place to hide.

He claims that he has never seen Merlin before, and the latter is dying to ask if he knows Balinor. 

William tells them his life story, that his parents died and that he was raised by his uncle.

Another person bursts in shortly after. The boy's uncle.

Here is the twist.

The uncle is actually Mordred, who kidnapped William (named after his father's childhood best friend) when he was an infant and killed his mother. He was raised not knowing who his real parents were and to hate Camelot and its king and his advisor Merlin because they were the reason behind William's parents' deaths.)

Chaos erupts when it turns out the danger William was trying to evade was Mordred, and his plan was to go back in time to save his mother after learning the actual truth. But the spell was too powerful and it left him weak.

William is like, "You killed my parents." and Mordred shouts back, "Your parents are dead because of you."

Here is another twist.

William recently killed Merlin (Furture version), thinking he was avenging his parents. But in reality, the boy's mother died trying to save her son from being kidnapped, and his father, on the other hand, died at the hands of the son that he spent years searching for.

Surprise!!

The kid is acually the son of Merlin and Morgana!!

"You killed your father?" Morgana asks William, who is too crestfallen to meet her gaze.

"Like mother like son." Mordred says with a snide. 

More chaos. 

"You lied to us?" Merlin accuses, while Morgana is too stunned to speak. 

Once again, Mordred smirks and adds "Just like his father,  isn't that right, Emrys?"

Even more chaos.

-----------

Please if you like the concept, write it, I really really want to read it.

[merganalogy]

This one takes place during A Servant of two masters, just before Morgana places the Fomorroh at Merlin's neck. They were attacked and surprisingly, overcome by their attackers.

“This is not happening,” Merlin whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief. Morgana’s hovel was a chaotic mess, the aftermath of their struggle evident in the broken furniture and shattered artifacts strewn across the floor. The dim light from a flickering lantern cast eerie shadows on the walls. Merlin’s breath was laboured, his hand pressed against the gaping wound in his chest, blood seeping through his fingers.

"Take her bracelet too," Merlin heard as he struggled towards Morgana, his legs feeling like they might give out any moment.

The last of their attackers disappeared before his eyes.

Everything had happened so fast. They were quick, organized and they had magic. By the time he registered what was happening, a dagger had been plunged into his chest and Morgana was knocked down with a blow to the head.

Merlin had never felt more helpless.

He barely acknowledged the wreckage around him. His only focus was Morgana, lying by the small, makeshift bed. Her head rested on the edge of the bed while the rest of her body sprawled awkwardly on the floor. Her dark hair, matted with blood, covered her pale face, and her eyes fluttered weakly, trying to stay open.

Merlin’s mind raced with desperation. He considered leaving the hovel to summon his dragon, knowing only Kilgharrah could provide the kind of help they desperately needed. But quickly, his strength failed him. Each step felt like a battle against overwhelming exhaustion.

His thoughts became muddled and distant. He reached out for support, but his hands were clumsy, uncoordinated. The floor seemed to tilt beneath him,

Desperation clawed at him as he realized how dire their situation was. The stabbing pain in his chest intensified with each breath, but he couldn’t give in. Not yet.

Turning back to Morgana, his legs gave out first, buckling under him. He fell to his knees, his vision narrowing to a tunnel with only a pinpoint of light at the centre. He cradled her head between his trembling hands, brushing the bloodied strands of hair from her face. “Stay with me, please,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “You have to stay awake. You have to heal yourself.”

Even with his magic, he knew he couldn’t save either of them. He couldn’t heal. It was something that he was never able to learn.

Her pupils were dilated, a mix of shock and fading awareness reflected in their depths. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. He could see the effort it took for her to breathe, each inhale shallow and ragged.

Was she hurt somewhere else?

What had they done to her?

“I know it hurts,” he said, tears welling up in his eyes. “But you have to focus. Focus on your magic.”

He pressed his forehead against hers, their blood mingling on the cold, dirty floor.

As the darkness encroached upon him, Merlin clung desperately to Morgana. His eyelids grew heavy, his limbs numb with exhaustion. The hovel seemed to blur around him. He fought against the pull of unconsciousness, willing himself to stay awake for her sake, for their survival.

He couldn’t.

His head fell in her lap. He felt her fingers weakly grasping at his hair, trying to ground him. Both of them.

“Merlin…” she pleaded to the empty room, her voice barely more than a whisper.

The world around him faded away, leaving him in a void of nothingness.

[dollopheadedmerlin]

Merlin comes back from killing the fomorroh and Arthur accuses him of being in the tavern for two days. But instead of taking the excuse, Merlin goes "haha very funny" and refuses to take the notion seriously, they have their usual back and forth banter until Merlin realizes that Arthur isn't joking and goes "wait they didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

And then Merlin gets pissed that Gwen and Gaius didn't warn Arthur that Merlin was possessed to kill him

And George is just standing awkwardly outside the door like 😶 as Arthur and Merlin shout at each other over what happened for the past week

[merlinktober]

Here's the official unofficial prompt list for this year's Merlinktober!

The prompts are based on the official Inktober prompts for 2023, which you can find here. You can combine them for inspiration as well.

You’re welcome to tag/follow/submit a link to this blog if you’re doing Merlin fanart (or other fanworks) this October, regardless of what prompt list you’re following! I’m tracking the #merlinktober2023 and #merlinktober tags

Happy creating!

Text version under the cut

vision

balorian spider

trail

evade

chart

gold

drop

toad

impudence

destiny

vagrant

steamy

resurrection

castle of camelot

morgana's dagger

diamair

fomorroh

horse

chubby

dorocha

stocks

irritating

cloud

vain

perilous lands

remove

beast

glowing eyes

bulky

haste

candle

[koalas-koalas-everywhere]

About a month ago (I thought it was longer!) I posted some ficlets with the promise that a longer Lancelot Lives Alt Season 4 full fic was coming. It has been going slowly. Like, "less than 15k words since then" slow. I started alt Servant of Two Masters literally with Mercelot Week and they've just found out that he's trying to kill Arthur slow. And I thought, you know, I could post another sneak peek.

A few days ago, I made myself sad writing the first conversation between Lancelot and Merlin since the latter went missing (not that the scene itself comes off as all that sad, it is from Fomorroh!Merlin, but I thought of how sad Lancelot would've been and well). Yesterday, I made this fic into a comedy:

“It’s probably best that we get there first,” Gwen tried to demur.

“We think Merlin might have been enchanted to kill Arthur,” Gaius said.

Gwen made a sound like a mix between a boiling kettle and a cat whose tail had been stepped on, but Lancelot didn’t pay it any mind.

“What?” he yelped and didn’t wait for an actual answer before breaking into a run. 

Fortunately, while the physician’s chambers were on the top of a tower, isolated from the rest of the castle, they’d also been placed close to the Royal Chambers. He burst through the doors not a minute later, just in time to see Merlin pull an arrow out of a pillar. Thinking only of that weapon in his hand (the danger to Arthur’s life, to Merlin’s life if he was caught after the act, how it’d break his heart if he hurt Arthur or worse) and not the startled look on his face or the bewildered question from behind the privacy screen, Lancelot launched himself at him.

They went down in a tangle of limbs.

“What on earth— Lancelot?!” Arthur exclaimed, running over. “What is going on?!”

“Get off me!” Merlin struggled like a fish on land.

“I just… hadn’t seen him since he came back!” Lancelot said, barely dodging an elbow to the face. “I’m so happy he’s alive!” he insisted, finally managing to wrap his arms around his torso to immobilize him.

“What are you talking about? We just saw each other in the Armoury!” It was a good thing Merlin had dropped the arrow when they fell, because Lancelot was pretty sure he’d have been stabbed by now otherwise. 

“I think you imagined that.” Lancelot was half trying to pin Merlin’s legs under his own, half trying to avoid a kick to any sensitive spot when Gwen arrived at the door, out of breath.

“Arthur, they need you at the Throne Room,” she gasped out. “You have to go.”

“Why would I ever torture myself by imagining more conversations with you? The ones I have to suffer through in reality are more than enough for any sane being,” Merlin said, still wriggling.

Lancelot shot Arthur a wide beam. “He’s so funny.”

Merlin took that moment of distraction to twist suddenly, getting his legs under himself. He might have gotten enough leverage to shake Lancelot off and stand up if Gwen hadn’t jumped on him as well.

“You too?!” Arthur demanded, arms spread. “You saw him this morning!”

“I missed him so much,” she explained, holding on for dear life.

Gaius appeared at the door and Arthur turned to him.

“Let me guess.” Arthur gestured wildly. “Do you want to drop to my floor?”

“No, sire,” Gaius answered, eyes narrowed. “Do you?”

Arthur made a strangled noise that choked itself into a laugh.

“Back to normal, then,” he sighed. He walked across the room, past the wrestling figures in the floor that became a lot more active when Merlin saw Arthur come within reach, and grabbed his ceremonial sword. “I better get going. You” —he waved a hand— “have fun.”

“Wait,” Merlin shouted after him. “Don’t you need me to—?”

Arthur slammed the door behind himself pointedly.

[merlin-made-me-bi]

3, 13, 23, and 33

3. Morgause

13. George and Merlin became buddies after the replacement incident.

23. Market fight for whimsical battle scene, other than that, I think they’re all pretty fun.

33. Had to be the Fomorroh. So intrigued by it.

[cynthia39100]

@themerlinlibrary August Writing Challenge

Prompt 18: " He is my friend" " So was I"

Morgana & Merlin

A Servant of Two Masters rewrite

AO3

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

“ You must kill Arthur Pendragon,” Morgana hissed and pressed the Fomorroh head upon Merlin’s neck.

Chained in Morgana’s hovel and about to be planted with an evil snake head, Merlin decided that enough was enough. His eyes shone and the chain was blasted into pieces. The force pushed Morgana away and she cried out in surprise. Merlin turned to her, his eyes cold.

Morgana was too stunned to move at first. Her face went from disbelief to betrayal, and finally fury. She shouted out spells, but Merlin deflected the flying weapons and fireballs without uttering a word. A hint of fear crept onto Morgana’s face, but she quickly gathered her composure.

“ All these years you have kept this big secret. And you called me a traitor!” Morgana sneered.

“ I never betray Camelot.”

“ But you betray your kin! You kept me in the dark when I was afraid of my own power. You poisoned me, and you killed my sister. I would have already brought magic back to Camelot were it not for you!”

Merlin didn’t let his guilt and sorrow show. He didn’t remember how many nights he had woken up from the nightmares. He wondered several times if he could have prevented Morgana from turning evil. If he told Morgana what he was, or talked to her more before poisoning her. Maybe Morgana would still turn evil, and Merlin would be in worse situation. He would never know.

“ I’m sorry I had to leave you in Morgause’s hand. I didn’t know what she taught you, but hurting innocent people is not the way to bring magic back. ” Merlin said.

“ They are not innocent. They refused to accept the rightful ruler of Camelot.”

Merlin laughed incredulously. “ You are not the rightful ruler. It is always Arthur, and he is a far better king than you ever could be.”

“ Even if he would chop your head off if he learned your little secret?”

Merlin flinched, and Morgana smiled with satisfaction. But Merlin took a deep breath and lift his jaw with determination.

“ It doesn’t matter. Arthur will be a great king, and I won’t let any harm come to him.”

Morgana’s face fell in disdain. “ Why are you so loyal to Arthur?” she asked.

“ He is my friend.”

“ So was I!” Morgana spitted out venomously.

Merlin looked at her sadly. He could still remember vividly the sight of her when they first met. She had been beautiful and elegant and had taken his breath away. Merlin had been drawn to her even more after that for her fierce compassion and bravery. He had felt honoured to be called her friend.

“ So were you,” Merlin agreed, “ but not anymore. You’ve made your choice, and I’ve made mine.”

Merlin’s eyes shone one last time. A sword pierced through Morgana’s chest from the back. Her face froze in shock, reminding Merlin of the last time he tried to kill her. Merlin blinked his tears away. He didn’t have the right.

He prayed that in the next life, the two of them could be friends again.